Role of Cyclin D1b in Inducing Macrophages Toward a Tumor-associated Macrophage-like Phenotype in Murine Breast Cancer

OBJECTIVE

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) of the M2 phenotype are frequently associated with cancer progression. Invasive cancer cells undergoing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) have a selective advantage as TAM activators. Cyclin D1b is a highly oncogenic splice variant of cyclin D1. We previously reported that cyclin D1b enhances the invasiveness of breast cancer cells by inducing EMT. However, the role of cyclin D1b in inducing macrophage differentiation toward tumor-associated macrophage-like cells remains unknown. This study aimed to explore the relationship between breast cancer cells overexpressing cyclin D1b and TAMs.

METHODS

Mouse breast cancer 4T1 cells were transfected with cyclin D1b variant and co-cultured with macrophage cells in a Transwell coculture system. The expression of characteristic cytokines in differentiated macrophages was detected using qRT-PCR, ELISA and zymography assay. Tumor-associated macrophage distribution in a transplanted tumor was detected by immunofluorescence staining. The proliferation and migration ability of breast cancer cells was detected using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, wound healing assay, Transwell invasion assay, and lung metastasis assay. Expression levels of mRNAs were detected by qRT-PCR. Protein expression levels were detected by Western blotting. The integrated analyses of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets and bioinformatics methods were adopted to discover gene expression, gene coexpression, and overall survival in patients with breast cancer.

RESULTS

After co-culture with breast cancer cells overexpressing cyclin D1b, RAW264.7 macrophages were differentiated into an M2 phenotype. Moreover, differentiated M2-like macrophages promoted the proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells in turn. Notably, these macrophages facilitated the migration of breast cancer cells in vivo. Further investigations indicated that differentiated M2-like macrophages induced EMT of breast cancer cells accompanied with upregulation of TGF-β1 and integrin β3 expression.

CONCLUSION

Breast cancer cells transfected with cyclin D1b can induce the differentiation of macrophages into a tumor-associated macrophage-like phenotype, which promotes tumor metastasis in vitro and in vivo.

[Diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma]

Objective: To investigate the features of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (HEHE) in order to improve the preoperative diagnosis rate. Methods: CEUS images of 32 pathologically-proven cases of hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma from January 2004 to August 2021 were collected. Lesions were analyzed to observe the features of enhancement mode, enhancement intensity, and distinct enhancement phases. Results: Among the 32 cases, one had a solitary lesion, 29 had multiple lesions, and two had diffuse-type lesions. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound revealed a total of 42 lesions in 32 cases. In terms of arterial phase enhancement, 18 lesions had overall enhancement, six lesions had uneven dendritic enhancement, 16 lesions had rim-like enhancement, and two lesions had just slight peripheral spot enhancement around the lesions. Among the three cases, there were multiple lesions that had overall enhancement and ring enhancement. In terms of the enhancement phase, 20 lesions showed "fast progression", 20 lesions showed "same progression", and two lesions showed "slow progression". During the late arterial or early portal venous phases with rapid washout, all lesions manifested as hypoechoic. With peaked enhanced intensity, 11 lesions had a lower enhancement intensity than the surrounding normal liver parenchyma; 11 lesions had the same enhancement degree as the surrounding normal liver parenchyma; and 20 lesions had a higher enhancement degree than the surrounding normal liver parenchyma. All 16 ring-enhancing lesions had marked hyperenhancement. In the typical enhancing lesions, four showed hyperenhancement, five showed low enhancement, and nine showed isoenhancement. In the dendrite-enhancing lesions, there were two isoenhancing and four hypoenhancing. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound delineated the boundaries of all lesions more clearly than two-dimensional ultrasound. Conclusion: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound has certain value in the diagnosis of hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma.

The locoregional adiponectin and its synergistic antitumor effect with HIF-1α blockade in TSCC

Adiponectin (APN) is a kind of endogenous anti-tumor adipocytokine, which exerts its function by binding to its receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2). However, hyperadiponectinemia is found in some pathophysiological processes without significant protective effect, which indicates the existence of APN resistance. Here, we aimed to investigate the locoregional expression of APN in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) tissues, and to explore the potential regulatory mechanism of APN resistance under hypoxia. Consequently, we found that the protein expression of APN and AdipoR1, but not AdipoR2, was upregulated in the early stage of TSCC and after hypoxic treatment ex vivo and in vitro. Knockdown of HIF-1α decreased the level of APN and AdipoR1, and simultaneously, HIF-1α was identified as transcriptor of the APN. Intriguingly, a regenerative feedback of HIF-1α was unexpectedly detected after application of recombinant globular APN (gAPN), which most likely contributed to the APN resistance. Furthermore, HIF-1α blockade combined with gAPN has a prominent synergistic antitumor effect, which suggested an effective amelioration in APN resistance. In all, our study revealed the possible mechanism of APN resistance under hypoxia and provides a promising strategy of bi-target treatment with APN and HIF-1α for TSCC therapy.

[Association between inflammation activity of left atrial epicardial adipose tissue measured by 18F-FDG PET/CT and atrial fibrillation]

Objective: To explore the association between inflammation activity of left atrial epicardial adipose tissue (LA-EAT) measured by ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT) and atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: A total of 78 patients with AF, who underwent ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in the Nuclear Medicine Department of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University due to abnormally elevated levels of tumor indicators or malignant tumors from March 2018 to December 2019, were enrolled in this retrospective study. According to the examination date of PET/CT and basic characteristics of AF patients (gender, age), a 1∶1 propensity score matching was used to enroll a non-AF control group (78 patients). The maximum standard uptake value of left atrial epicardial tissue (LA-EAT FDG SUV_max) and total EAT volume (V-EAT) were measured by ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left atrial diameter (LAD) were obtained by echocardiography. Blood lipids and biomarkers of inflammation were measured. The differences of clinical data and EAT-related indicators were compared between the AF group and control group. Logistic multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the related factors of AF. Then the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the cutoff value of LA-EAT FDG SUV_max on the diagnosis of AF. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the relationship between the increase of LA-EAT FDG SUV_max and AF. Results: The age was (66.9±10.2) years and there were 55 males (70.5%) in the AF group. The age was (66.9±8.0) years, and there were 52 males (66.7%) in the control group (both P>0.05). The LAD ((44.2±5.8) mm vs. (35.4±4.4) mm), V-EAT ((122.1±42.0) cm³ vs. (91.6±34.5) cm³), and LA-EAT FDG SUV_max ((1.6±0.3) vs. (1.4±0.2)) values were significantly higher, while LVEF ((60.1±4.7)% vs. (63.9±2.9)%) was lower in the AF group than in the control group (P all<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that LAD (OR=1.340, 95%CI 1.195-1.502), V-EAT (OR=1.016, 95%CI 1.001-1.031), and LA-EAT FDG SUV_max (OR=1.375, 95%CI 1.095-1.723) were positively correlated with AF, LVEF (OR=0.781, 95%CI 0.659-0.926) was negatively correlated with AF(P all<0.05). The area under the ROC curve of LA-EAT FDG SUV_max for diagnosis of AF was 0.680 (95%CI 0.597-0.764, P<0.001), and the best cut-off value was 1.415 with a sensitivity of 65.4% and specificity of 61.5%. After adjusting for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, LVEF, LAD and V-EAT, LA-EAT FDG SUV_max≥1.415 was independently associated with AF (OR=2.982, 95%CI 1.122-7.926, P=0.010). Conclusions: The inflammatory activity of LA-EAT measured by ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT is an independent risk factor of AF, and the increased inflammatory activity of LA-EAT is positively correlated with AF.

[The effect of blocking penile blood drainage on stem cells therapy for rats with erectile dysfunction]

Objective: To investigate the effect of blocking penile blood drainage at the root of the rat penis on cell retention, penile erectile function, and histopathological changes when erectile dysfunction (ED) is treated by intracavernous injection (ICI) of stem cells. Methods: Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (n=6), ED model group (n=6), treatment group A (blockade group, n=9) and treatment group B (non-blockade group, n=9). Twenty-four hours after the model was established, group A and group B were treated by ICI of 1 × 10(6) adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs). Before ICI, the penile blood drainage in group A was temporarily blocked with a rubber tourniquet at the root of the penis which was removed 5 minutes after the injection. The dynamic changes of the local fluorescent signal of the penis and the expression of the fluorescent signal in the lung were detected after ICI. The maximum intracavernous pressure/mean arterial pressure (ICPmax/MAP) was measured to evaluatethe erectile function, and histopathological changes of the penis were observed after 28 days. Results: At different time points (0, 10 and 60 min), the intensity of the bioluminescent signal (×10(6)·p·s(-1)·sr·cm(-2)) in group A had a similar trend when compared with that in group B, and the differences were not statistically significant (8.76±1.17 vs 8.16±1.12, 6.45±1.47 vs 6.72±0.69, 3.77±0.30 vs 3.36±1.06, all P>0.05). A large number of ADSCs could be found in the lungs in both treatment groups after 60 min of ICI. There was no statistically significant difference in erectile function (0.44±0.11 vs 0.43±0.07) and histopathological change (0.08±0.02 vs 0.08±0.03) regardless of the occlusion of blood drainage at the root of the penis (all P>0.05). Conclusion: Temporarily blocking of penile blood drainage has no obvious advantage in improving cell retention and efficacy when ADSCs are used to treat ED of rat models.

[Clinical analysis and prognosis factors of malignancy in the patients with mucinous cystic neoplasms of the pancreas]

Objective: To examine clinic pathological features of mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCN) of the pancreas and explore the prognosis factors associated with malignant transformation of MCN of the pancreas. Methods: This multicenter retrospective study included all patients with pancreatic MCN underwent surgery at Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University between January 2008 and December 2018 and patients with MCN who confirmed by postoperative pathology from Multicenter Pancreatic Cystic Tumor Database. There were 50 males (14.4%) and 297 females (85.6%) and the mean age was 48.6 years (range: 24-77 years). According to the pathological results, all patients were divided into benign lesion group (including MCN and which associated with low/medium grade dysplasia) and malignant lesion group (including MCN with high-grade dysplasia or invasive carcinoma) . The preoperative clinical pathology and imaging features of the two groups were analyzed, and the risk factors associated with malignant transformation of MCN were statistically analyzed. Results: This multicenter retrospective study included 347 patients. Twenty-four of the 347 patients were malignant, including 7 males and 17 females. Univariate analysis showed that age, gender, carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) , CA19-9, CA125, tumor maximum diameter, and tumor location were remarkably different in the two groups (P<0.05) . Logistic regression analysis found that the preoperative tumor maximum diameter (OR=1.023, 95% CI: 1.002-1.045, P=0.035) was an independent risk factor for MCN malignant transformation. Conclusions: Age, gender, CEA, CA19-9, CA125, tumor maximum diameter, and tumor location are important features of MCN malignant lesions.The maximum diameter of the preoperative tumor is an independent risk factor for MCN malignant transformation.

[The facial nerve study of multi-slice spiral computed tomography in congenital abnormality of external and middle ear]

Objective:Images of temporal bone are obtained on Siemens 64 slices spiral CT scanner with high resolution scanning to describe the course of facial nerve for better preoperative evaluation of CAEMA.Method:To describe the course of facial nerve on rectangular coordinate system from three silce on HRCT, 29 patients(35 ears) are enrolled in our study in ENT department from November 2005 to March 2007 in the second affiliated hospital of sun yan sen university, who are all diagnosed not acquired deformity but CAEME, associated with no congenital deformity syndromes and no middle ear or mastoid operations before. Patients with bilateral ears deformity are 6, and unilateral ears deformity are 23 (13 right and 10 left) in the study group. The control group is the normal ears of unilateral ear deformity.Result:In the study group, the shortest distance from FN tympanic segment to oval window is shorter than that of the normal group (P< 0.05). In CAEME of unilateral ears the FN mastoid segment displaces anteriorly about 2.7 mm, and in CAEME of bilateral ears displaces 3.0mm, compared with the normal ears (P< 0.05). The deformity degree of auricle has correlations with anteriorly displacement of facial nerve mastoid segment (P< 0.05).Conclusion:The FN mastoid segment is anteriorly displacement in both bilateral and unilateral ear deformity. The deformity degree of auricle has correlations with anteriorly displacement of facial nerve mastoid segment. The lateral displacement of facial nerve doesn't occur usually in CAEME. The shortest distance between oval window and tympanic segment of FN become shorter than normal ears.

[Feasibility study of transplantation of penile corpus cavernosum and major pelvic ganglion in renal subserous region]

OBJECTIVE

To study the feasibility of transplantation of normal rat penile corpus cavernosum and major pelvic ganglion (MPG) into the renal subserous region of a Nu/Nu mouse based on allograft technology.

METHODS

Penile corpus cavernosum and MPG, harvested from Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats under sterile condition, were transplanted underneath the kidney capsule of Nu/Nu mice through the microsurgery instruments and surgery microscope. The histopathologic changes and cellular proliferation in the transplanted penile corpus cavernosum and MPG were then analyzed at the end of 1week and 4 weeks after transplantation. Histological staining and immunohistochemical staining were used to evaluate the main outcome measures.

RESULTS

After 1 week, the tissue morphology of the transplanted corpus cavernosum underneath the kidney capsule of Nu/Nu mice was consistent with normal penile corpus cavernosum, and blood could be observed in the penis cavernous sinus of the graft; after 4 weeks, the mophorlogy of the tranplanted corpus cavernosum near the kidney was consistent with normal penile corpus cavernosum, while fibrosis was noteworthy in the graft away from the kidney, but blood could still be seen in the penis cavernous sinus. After 1 week, the tissue morphology of the transplanted MPG was consistent with normal MPG, multiple islet-like cell clusters could be seen in the transplanted MPG in the renal subserous region, and angiogenesis could be observed near the kidney; after 4 weeks, a network of blood vessels was clearly visible away from the kidney, and islet-like cell clusters were still clearly observed in the transplanted MPG. In addition, ki67 positive cells were observed in the transplanted penile corpus cavernosum and MPG after 4 weeks of transplantation, which indicated that there was still cell proliferation activity in the grafts.

CONCLUSION

The transplanted corpus cavernosum and MPG underneath the kidney capsule of Nu/Nu mice could survive at least 4 weeks. Moreover, the inner structure of the transplanted corpus cavernosum and MPG was close to the normal tissue. The underlining mechanism may be related to the local microenvironment underneath the kidney capsule of Nu/Nu mice and the neovascularization in the transplanted grafts.

[A clinical analysis for sudden sensorineural hearing loss withcontralateral sensorineural hearing loss]

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics and prognosis,and to learn the impact factors of patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss with contralateral sensorineural hearing loss(SSHLwCSHL).Method:Clinical data of 63 cases of patients with SSHLwCSHL were analyzed systematically,including all the clinical manifestations,audiologic characteristics and the effect assessment,and compared with that of unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss(USSHL) and bilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss(BSSHL).Base on those,we summarized comprehensively the development and prognosis characteristics of the disease.Result:The incidence of SSHLwCSHL was 8.3 percent of overall patients with SSNHL.SSHLwCSHL occurs more commonly in male patients,with more vertigo,diabetes mellitus,and lipid panel abnormalities compared with other groups.Hearing curve and the degree of hearing loss of the prevalence ear of SSHLwCSHL was statistically significant difference with USSHL(P<0.05).Most common reason of the contralateral hearing loss was sudden sensorineural hearing loss(49%),and 59% patients of SSHLwCSHL suffered hearing loss of other ear after 2-10 years after contralateral hearing loss.The total effective rate was 14.3%,1 in 63 patients cured,1 excellence and 6 effective.The total effective rate was 9.5% in patients with severe or profound sensorineural hearing loss in the contralateral ear,which was lower than that of patients with moderate and moderately severe sensorineural hearing loss in the contralateral-ear(P=0.021).Conclusion:SSHLwCSHL has complex condition.The prognosis for improvement is poor.Recognition of similarities and differences between bilateral and unilateral SSNHL can help in counseling and managing the patients.

[A clinical study into the vestibular function and therapy of patients with chronic positional symptoms after acute vestibular syndrome]

Objective:To investigate the status of the vestibular function of the patients with chronic positional symptoms after peripheral acute vestibular syndrome (AVS) and the curative effect of the vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT). Method:Using caloric test (CT), head shaking nystagmus test (HST), cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials as well as ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials to estimate the function of semicircular canal and otolith organs. The patients with normal VEMPs are divided as Group A. Otherwise are as Group B. Both groups are treated with VRT. The curative effect is estimated by vestibular symptom index (VSI) and Berg balance scale (BBS). Result:Thirty-three of 37 patients (86.5%) had an abnormal result of CT and HST, with 23 of these patients (65.7%) had an abnormal of both test. Twenty-two patients (59.5%) were in Group A and 15 (40.5%) in Group B. Before the therapy, Group B had a higher score of the balance and dizziness symptoms of VSI (P<0.05), and Group A had a higher score of the BBS (P<0.05). After the therapy, the VSI scores of both groups dropped and scores of the BBS raised. Conclusion:Patients with chronic positional symptoms after peripheral AVS have dynamic vestibular lesions to different extents. Those with otolith organs lesions tend to have a worse function of balance. Nevertheless, patients have a better off after VRT.

[Feasibility study of transplantation of penile corpus cavernosum and major pelvic ganglion in renal subserous region]

OBJECTIVE

To study the feasibility of transplantation of normal rat penile corpus cavernosum and major pelvic ganglion (MPG) into the renal subserous region of a Nu/Nu mouse based on allograft technology.

METHODS

Penile corpus cavernosum and MPG, harvested from Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats under sterile condition, were transplanted underneath the kidney capsule of Nu/Nu mice through the microsurgery instruments and surgery microscope. The histopathologic changes and cellular proliferation in the transplanted penile corpus cavernosum and MPG were then analyzed at the end of 1week and 4 weeks after transplantation. Histological staining and immunohistochemical staining were used to evaluate the main outcome measures.

RESULTS

After 1 week, the tissue morphology of the transplanted corpus cavernosum underneath the kidney capsule of Nu/Nu mice was consistent with normal penile corpus cavernosum, and blood could be observed in the penis cavernous sinus of the graft; after 4 weeks, the mophorlogy of the tranplanted corpus cavernosum near the kidney was consistent with normal penile corpus cavernosum, while fibrosis was noteworthy in the graft away from the kidney, but blood could still be seen in the penis cavernous sinus. After 1 week, the tissue morphology of the transplanted MPG was consistent with normal MPG, multiple islet-like cell clusters could be seen in the transplanted MPG in the renal subserous region, and angiogenesis could be observed near the kidney; after 4 weeks, a network of blood vessels was clearly visible away from the kidney, and islet-like cell clusters were still clearly observed in the transplanted MPG. In addition, ki67 positive cells were observed in the transplanted penile corpus cavernosum and MPG after 4 weeks of transplantation, which indicated that there was still cell proliferation activity in the grafts.

CONCLUSION

The transplanted corpus cavernosum and MPG underneath the kidney capsule of Nu/Nu mice could survive at least 4 weeks. Moreover, the inner structure of the transplanted corpus cavernosum and MPG was close to the normal tissue. The underlining mechanism may be related to the local microenvironment underneath the kidney capsule of Nu/Nu mice and the neovascularization in the transplanted grafts.

Effects of preventive acupuncture on streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia in rats

BACKGROUND

Diabetes prevention has received increasing attention recently. Clinical and experimental studies showed that acupuncture could produce hypoglycemic effect. However, little is known about the effectiveness of acupuncture in diabetes prevention.

AIM

To investigate the preventive effects of acupuncture on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced hyperglycemia in rats.

METHODS

Hyperglycemia was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg/kg). Rats were randomly divided into six groups (no.=8 each group): control, diabetes, preventive acupuncture plus STZ injection, STZ injection plus therapeutic acupuncture, STZ injection plus preventive and therapeutic acupuncture, and preventive and therapeutic acupuncture control. Body weight, blood glucose, serum insulin, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant enzymes were measured by routine standard methods. Histological analysis of pancreatic islets was conducted.

RESULTS

Preventive acupuncture significantly relieved hyperglycemia, insulin deficiency, weight loss, and pancreatic islet damage in rats with STZ injection; it also significantly reduced serum lipid peroxidation and enhanced superoxide dismutase in the serum and the pancreas without significantly affecting serum glutathione peroxidase and catalase. Therapeutic acupuncture exhibited a hypoglycemic effect in the late stage, but did not significantly improve other parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that preventive acupuncture is beneficial to the control of STZ-induced hyperglycemia in rats.

First Report of Leaf Blight on Duying Caused by Phyllosticta anacardiacearum in China

Duying (Elaeocarpus glabripetalus Merr.; Elaeocarpaceae) is widely cultivated as an ornamental tree of commercial importance in southern China. From 2003 to 2008, severe outbreaks of Duying leaf blight occurred in the Hangzhou area, Zhejiang Province. Disease incidence was greater than 20% and mainly infected young leaves and shoots in the spring and autumn. Severely infected leaves and shoots died and eventually led to branch dieback. The overall growth decline of affected trees occurs over 4 to 6 years before tree death. Infection symptoms are characterized by grayish, round, semicircular- or irregular-shaped spots (5 mm to 5 cm long) with dark brown borders and the appearance of black, granular pycnidia within the dead leaf tissues. The primary infection zones are commonly observed on the leaf margins and apices, are brown, up to 2 mm in diameter, and often surrounded by a yellow zone. Pycnidia were globose and 122 to 127 μm (average 123.5 μm) in diameter. A fungus was consistently isolated from symptomatic tissues on potato dextrose agar (PDA). Ash-black pycnidia appeared on PDA after 10 days. Ascospores developed on modified PDA (1 liter of PDA + 20 g of Duying leaves) after 18 days. Conidiogenous cells were cylindrical to obpyriform. The hyaline conidia were obovoid and guttulate, 10 to 13 × 6 to 8 μm (average 11.5 × 7.5 μm), and usually surrounded by a mucilaginous sheath with a hyaline apical appendage that was 5 to 8 μm long. Pseudothecia were solitary and subglobose with long necks. Asci were 45 to 70 × 7.5 to 12 μm (average 62.5 × 10.8 μm). Ascospores were 12 to 13 × 4 to 5 μm with rounded apices and hyaline, mucilaginous, apical caps. The fungus was morphologically identified as Phyllosticta anacardiacearum van der Aa (teleomorph Guignardia mangiferae A. J. Roy). This identification was also confirmed by the China General Microbiological Culture Collection Center (CGMCC). Six representative fungal isolates were identified by sequencing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the rDNA and comparing the sequences with those in GenBank using BLAST searches. The ITS sequences of six cultures (GenBank Accession Nos. EU821356-EU821361) showed 100% identity with the ITS sequences of an isolate of a Phyllosticta sp. (GenBank Accession No. AF532314) (2) and G. mangiferae (GenBank Accession No. AY277717) (1). To fulfill Koch's postulates, a conidial suspension (10⁶ conidia per ml) collected from PDA cultures (isolate phy01) was used to spray inoculate leaves of potted 3-year-old Duying trees. Inoculated trees were kept for 48 h under a polyethylene sheet cover and grown at 10 to 15°C in a greenhouse. A total of 30 leaves of five healthy trees were inoculated with the pathogen. In addition, five 3-year-old trees were sprayed with sterile water to serve as uninoculated controls. After 10 to 14 days, inoculated leaves showed infection symptoms resembling those observed on Duying trees naturally infected with P. anacardiacearum. The pathogen was reisolated from the margins of necrotic tissues, but not from controls. To our knowledge, this is the first report of leaf blight on E. glabripetalus caused by P. anacardiacearum in China. Reference: (1) F. R. Katia et al. Mycol. Res. 108:45, 2004. (2) A. K. Pandey et al. Mycol. Res. 107:439, 2003.

Regulation of the effects of TGF-beta 1 by activation of latent TGF-beta 1 and differential expression of TGF-beta receptors (T beta R-I and T beta R-II) in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterised by subpleural fibrosis that progresses to involve all areas of the lung. The expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta 1), a potent regulator of connective tissue synthesis, is increased in lung sections of patients with IPF. TGF-beta 1 is generally released in a biologically latent form (L-TGF-beta 1). Before being biologically active, TGF-beta must be converted to its active form and interact with both TGF-beta receptors type I and II (T beta R-I and T beta R-II). TGF-beta latency binding protein 1 (LTBP-1), which facilitates the release and activation of L-TGF-beta 1, is also important in the biology of TGF-beta 1.

METHODS

Open lung biopsy samples from patients with IPF and normal controls were examined to localise T beta R-I, T beta R-II, and LTBP-1. Alveolar macrophages (AM) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were examined using the CCL-64 bioassay to determine if TGF-beta is present in its active form in the lungs of patients with IPF.

RESULTS

Immunoreactive L-TGF-beta 1 was present in all lung cells of patients with IPF except for fibroblasts in the subepithelial regions of honeycomb cysts. LTBP-1 was detected primarily in AM and epithelial cells lining honeycomb cysts in areas of advanced IPF. In normal lungs LTBP-1 immunoreactivity was observed in a few AM. AM from the upper and lower lobes of patients with IPF secreted 1.6 (0.6) fmol and 4.1 (1.9) fmol active TGF-beta, respectively, while AM from the lower lobes of control patients secreted no active TGF-beta (p< or =0.01 for TGF-beta in the conditioned media from AM obtained from the lower lobes of IPF patients v normal controls). The difference in percentage active TGF-beta secreted by AM from the lower lobes of patients with IPF and the lower lobes of control patients was significant (p< or =0.01), but the difference between the total TGF-beta secreted from these lobes was not significant. The difference in active TGF-beta in conditioned media of AM from the upper and lower lobes of patients with IPF was also not statistically significant. BAL fluid from the upper and lower lobes of patients with IPF contained 0.7 (0.2) fmol and 2.9 (1.2) fmol active TGF-beta, respectively (p< or =0.03). The percentage of active TGF-beta in the upper and lower lobes was 17.6 (1.0)% and 78.4 (1.6)%, respectively (p< or =0.03). In contrast, BAL fluid from control patients contained small amounts of L-TGF-beta. Using immunostaining, both T beta R-I and T beta R-II were present on all cells of normal lungs but T beta R-I was markedly reduced in most cells in areas of honeycomb cysts except for interstitial myofibroblasts in lungs of patients with IPF. TGF-beta 1 inhibits epithelial cell proliferation and a lack of T beta R-I expression by epithelial cells lining honeycomb cysts would facilitate repair of the alveoli by epithelial cell proliferation. However, the presence of both T beta Rs on fibroblasts is likely to result in a response to TGF-beta 1 for synthesis of connective tissue proteins. Our findings show that biologically active TGF-beta 1 is only present in the lungs of patients with IPF. In addition, the effects of TGF-beta 1 on cells may be further regulated by the expression of T beta Rs.

CONCLUSION

Activation of L-TGF-beta 1 and the differential expression of T beta Rs may be important in the pathogenesis of remodelling and fibrosis in IPF.

[Cholangioplasty by using a patch of bovine pericardium in the treatment of stricture of extrahepatic bile duct]

From Sept. 1989 to Jan. 1994, processed fresh bovine pericardium was used for the repairment of stricture of extrahepatic bile duct in 6 cases (7 times). All patients have been followed up for 8 approximately 52 months (average 24 months). One case reoperated on for recurrent jaundice on 26th month postoperation. All cases are alive and in good health, without any clinical symptom.

The initiation-promotion-progression model of rat hepatocarcinogenesis

Carcinogenesis is a multistage process consisting of the three distinct stages: initiation, promotion, and progression. The initiation-promotion-progression (IPP) protocol models these stages and establishes a method whereby agents that possess a carcinogenic risk can be classified as acting primarily at any one or combination of these stages. In one hepatocarcinogenesis IPP protocol, rats were initiated with 10 mg of diethylnitrosamine/kg body wt at 5 days of age, started on the promoting agent phenobarbital at weaning, subjected to a 70% partial hepatectomy at 6 months, and, at the peak of proliferation, given a putative progressor agent, ethylnitrosourea ([ENU] 100 mg/kg, ip) or hydroxy-urea ([HU] 3 x 150 mg/kg, ip). Administration of the promoting agent was discontinued after the progressor agent was given, and the rats were sacrificed 6 months later. The number and volume fraction of promoter-independent (growth in the absence of the promoting agent) altered hepatic foci (AHF) were then determined by quantitative stereology. The number of such AHF increased with either ENU or HU treatment compared with animals not given a progressor agent. In addition, hepatocytes isolated from animals subjected to an IPP regimen with ENU as the progressor agent exhibited a greater degree of chromosomal breakage and aneuploidy than animals not given a second initiator. A variation of this model, in which the promoting agent was maintained after administration of the progressor agent, was examined. In this IPP model, the number of heterogeneous AHF (foci-in-foci) increased after application of the progressor agent (ENU or HU). An increased incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma was also observed in animals subjected to the IPP protocol when promotion was maintained until sacrifice. Thus, the characteristics of progression--increased chromosomal damage, aneuploidy, growth of AHF in the absence of continued tumor promotion, the presence of foci-in-foci, and an increased incidence of malignant neoplasia--have been used as end points for the demonstration of progressor activity by ENU. In addition, the potential progressor activity of HU and benzene has been demonstrated with the IPP model of rat hepatocarcinogenesis.

[Clinical application of sclerosing agent injection in treating habitual dislocation of temporomandibular joint]

Based on the experimental study, small amount of sclerosing agent was injected to the site outside the joint and below the ridge of TMJ on 105 cases for the treatment of habitual dislocation of TMJ. All of the cases were followed-up for more than 2 years and it was found that the cure rate reached 89 percent, including one case who was followed-up for 19 years free from recurrence. This method is suggested as it is simple to perform and acceptable to the patients. It has to be mentioned, however, that this injection was not so effective for those with cerebrovascular disease associated with habitual dislocation of TMJ.

The effect of the format of administration and the total dose of phenobarbital on altered hepatic foci following initiation in female rats with diethylnitrosamine

The effect of changing the format of administration as well as the total dose of the promoting agent phenobarbital (PB) on the development of altered hepatic foci (AHF) was determined in an initiation-promotion protocol with female rats fed the purified AIN-76 diet. Effects on the total number of AHF and the volume percentage of liver occupied by AHF were determined for four histochemical markers, the placental form of glutathione S-transferase, gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase canalicular ATPase, and glucose-6-phosphatase after 16 and 60 weeks of promotion with varying doses and formats of PB, as well as for a further 16-week period in which no PB was administered. At the 16-week point, animals fed 0.1% PB continuously exhibited the largest number and volume percentage of AHF, whereas rats fed 0.1% PB for 4 days followed by 10 days of no PB with continuous repetition of this pattern during the 16-week treatment period exhibited no increase in the number of AHF over control and only a slight increase in volume percentage. Rats fed a continuous repetition of 0.2% PB for 2 days followed by 12 days of no PB exhibited an intermediate increase in the number of AHF as well as the volume percentage fraction after 16 weeks of this regimen. After 60 weeks of feeding PB by these three different formats, the numbers of AHF observed in these groups were equivalent and had increased above those seen after 16 weeks of feeding. The volume percentage occupied by the AHF in these three groups was also similar, although animals receiving 0.2% PB intermittently showed a significantly lower volume percentage than animals receiving 0.1% PB continuously for 60 weeks. When animals were maintained for an additional 16 weeks without PB feeding, the numbers of AHF decreased dramatically, much more so in animals fed PB intermittently, whereas the volume percentage fraction of AHF in livers of animals receiving 0.1% PB continuously for 60 weeks almost doubled. In contrast, the volume percentage fraction of AHF in livers of animals receiving PB intermittently for 60 weeks followed by 16 weeks of no PB was slightly less. Examination of the individual size classes of AHF showed little change in their distribution at 16 and 60 weeks, but after 16 weeks of PB withdrawal (76 weeks total time), the distribution of AHF in animals that had received 0.1% PB continuously for 60 weeks exhibited a decidedly greater shift to larger AHF than animals receiving PB intermittently for the 60-week period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Tumor promotion as a target for estrogen/antiestrogen effects in rat hepatocarcinogenesis

Tamoxifen is a well-tolerated palliative and adjuvant treatment for human breast cancer and requires continuous, long-term administration for optimal therapeutic effectiveness. A two-stage model of experimental hepatocarcinogenesis, based upon the natural history of cancer development, has been employed to assess the carcinogenic potential of tamoxifen. In this study, the effectiveness of tamoxifen both as an initiator and a promoter in hepatocarcinogenesis was assessed in female F-344 rats. Tamoxifen was tested as an initiator at a single intragastric dose of 40 mg/kg, followed by promotion with 0.05% phenobarbital. The number and size of the resulting altered hepatic lesions were quantified, and tamoxifen was found to lack initiating action at the dose tested. Other groups of animals were initiated with a nonnecrogenic, subcarcinogenic dose of diethylnitrosamine (10 mg/kg) and were fed tamoxifen at either 250 or 500 mg/kg in the AIN-76A purified diet for 6 months. The livers of these animals showed an increase in the size and number of altered hepatic lesions compared with those animals that were initiated but not exposed to tamoxifen; this indicates that tamoxifen acts as a tumor promoter in the rat liver. The promotion index of tamoxifen, a measure of relative potency, was less than one-tenth that of ethinyl estradiol and more than four times that of phenobarbital, an agent commonly employed as a representative promoting agent in experimental carcinogenesis. Since tamoxifen lacked initiating activity in the rat liver at the dose tested, the mechanism of tumor induction in long-term feeding studies by tamoxifen may be due to its promotion of spontaneously initiated hepatocytes. The chronic therapeutic use of tamoxifen should therefore be limited by the potential carcinogenic risk of this agent as an effective tumor promoter.

Reevaluation of limited side-to-side portacaval shunt

Although the results of limited side-to-side portacaval shunt were better than those of other shunts, postoperative encephalopathy still occurred in 10.2% of the patients. To determine the relationship between the diameter of anastomotic stoma and the development of postoperative encephalopathy, animal experiments and clinical observations were carried out. In 4 of 8 dogs in 3 months after limited side-to-side portacaval shunt and in 6 patients with postoperative encephalopathy, there was significant augmentation of the diameter of anastomotic stoma. To prevent the widening of anastomotic stoma caused by blood flow under high pressure, a limiting ring of 10 mm in diameter was put around the anastomotic site during operation in 21 patients with portal hypertension. Follow-up for 3-15 months (average 6 months) showed that there was no evidence of postoperative encephalopathy and rebleeding. A ring of same kind was put around the dilated anastomotic stoma during exploration in the 6 patients, and all their cerebral symptoms and signs disappeared completely soon after the second operation.

Induction of altered hepatic foci in rats by the administration of hypolipidemic peroxisome proliferators alone or following a single dose of diethylnitrosamine

The effect of feeding hypolipidemic peroxisome proliferators on the induction of altered hepatic foci (AHF) in Fischer rats was studied in order to determine whether such agents can induce or promote the development of AHF. In the first study, rats were fed ciprofibrate (10 mg/kg/day) for 1 yr. AHF, neoplastic nodules, and hepatocellular carcinomas were induced. The presence of putative gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) activity was numerically the most common marker, although it was absent in larger foci and nodules. A deficiency in canalicular ATPase and glucose-6-phosphatase provided the best markers for the larger foci and nodules. In the second study, rats were subjected to partial hepatectomy, and half of the animals were then intubated with diethylnitrosamine (10 mg/kg). One wk later, rats were fed Wy-14,643 at concentrations of 0, 0.05, and 0.1% in the diet for 6 mo. At 6 mo, the number and volume of foci were increased by the feeding of Wy-14,643 after partial hepatectomy alone and were greatly increased when Wy-14,643 was fed after partial hepatectomy/diethylnitrosamine administration. Canalicular adenosine triphosphatase and glucose-6-phosphatase deficiencies were the most common markers of AHF, and AHF of these phenotypes occupied practically all of the focal volume. The larger AHF did not express GGT, and those foci exhibiting GGT were much less common and occupied very little volume. The absence of the GGT protein itself, as opposed to an inhibition of GGT activity, was verified by immunohistochemical staining using an antibody to GGT. These studies show that hypolipidemic peroxisome proliferators can stimulate an increase in AHF following a single dose of diethylnitrosamine and a mitotic stimulus, and they thus can act as promoters in two-stage liver carcinogenesis. GGT is a poor marker for identifying AHF induced by peroxisome proliferators during the early, premalignant phase of hepatocarcinogenesis.

Application of quantitative stereology to the evaluation of phenotypically heterogeneous enzyme-altered foci in the rat liver

Quantitative stereologic relationships are applied in this report to the evaluation of F344 rat liver foci where the tissue sections exhibit congruent enzyme-altered areas of the several different phenotypes as well as enzyme-altered areas within a larger area of another enzyme alteration, that is, a "focus within a focus.' Quantitation of both the numbers and volume occupied by each of the phenotypes of the enzyme-altered foci was accomplished by the unique logic described in this report. The application of this logic to four representative experimental protocols with the use of three phenotypic markers demonstrated all possible congruent phenotypes as well as a small number of "foci within foci.' The variance of the quantitation of the experimental data was shown to depend on the number of focal transections identified in the sections, the number of sections examined, and the distribution of phenotypic alterations among foci.