We report a rare case of deciduoid peritoneal mesothelioma in a 47-year-old woman who had no history of asbestos exposure or previous surgery. Immunohistochemistry and electron microscopic findings showed that the tumor was a subtype of epithelioid mesothelioma. Awareness of this disease entity is helpful for the differential diagnosis of peritoneal masses.

Female↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Induction of B cell proliferation and NF-kappa B activation by a water soluble glycan from Lentinus lepideus.

Many immune modulating compounds have been isolated from fungal extracts, but the molecular mechanisms of their action have rarely been elucidated. In this study we isolated a proteoglycan from cultured mycelia of Lentinus lepideus and tested its effects on murine spleen cells. The acidic-polysaccharide fraction was obtained by extraction with hot water followed by purification using DEAE-cellulose anion exchange. The molecular mass of the compound was determined by Sepharose CL-4B gel filtration to be approximately 47 kDa. When cultured in the presence of the compound, spleen cells from C3H mice underwent rapid cell proliferation and cell aggregation. Treatment with the compound also caused a 10-fold increase in [3H]-thymidine incorporation compared to a control, confirming cell proliferation. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that the affected cell population was mainly B cells. As one approach to understanding the molecular mechanism of this action, we investigated the effects of the compound on cellular transcription factors which are known to control the proliferation of immune cells. Using gel retardation assays, we found that the compound significantly activated NF-kappa B but not AP-1 in spleen cells. Taken together, the data suggest that the proteoglycan compound is a biological response modifier that stimulates B cell proliferation, probably by regulating cellular transcription factors such as NF-kappa B.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Permeability changes in the plasma and granular membrane of stored platelets. Their prevention for improved platelet preservation.

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Blood Platelets↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Temporary suppression of circulating antiplatelet alloantibodies by the massive infusion of fresh, stored, or lyophilized platelets.

Survival of 51Cr-labeled allogenic platelets was repeatedly measured in rabbits previously sensitized by weekly intradermal injections of platelets from donor animals. When values of recovery and survival time were reduced to very low levels, a massive infusion of platelets from randomly selected donor rabbits was given and survival study was repeated. A large increase in platelet survival and recovery was seen in every experiment. Similar results, although of lesser magnitude, were obtained with the infusion of platelets made nonviable by prolonged storage and, also, of lyophilized platelets. A significant increase in life span and recovery of allogenic platelets was also observed in two patients with thrombocytopenia due to aplastic anemia, severely allosensitized to platelets. After one massive infusion of viable or of nonviable platelets, survival and hemostatic effectiveness of subsequently infused allogenic platelets was greatly improved in both patients. Experimental blockade of the RES and titration of the serum alloantibody by the 14C-serotonin release method demonstrated that the favorable effect of the massive platelet infusions was due to the temporary adsorption of the alloantibody in the circulation of the sensitized animals. This two-step procedure of one massive infusion of viable, nonviable or lyophilized allogenic platelets followed by a small infusion of freshly collected platelets may be of practical value in arresting hemorrhage in selected thrombocytopenic patients refractory to all types of available donor platelets because of severe and complex alloimmunization.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Preparation and characterization of drug-loaded polymethacrylate microspheres by an emulsion solvent evaporation method.

Microspheres containing the anti-hypertension drug, felodipine, were prepared by the emulsion solvent evaporation method (o/o) using acrylate methacrylate copolymers, Eudragit RL PO and Eudragit RS PO, as wall materials. In order to increase the encapsulation efficiency, a mixed solvent system comprising 1:1 proportions of acetonitrile and dichloromethane was used as a dispersed phase. The morphology of the microspheres was evaluated using a scanning electron microscope, which showed a spherical shape with smooth surface. The mean sphere diameter was between 9.5-13.2 microm and the microencapsulation efficiencies ranged from 51.4-80.4%. The release profiles and encapsulation efficiencies depended strongly on the structure of the polymers used as wall materials. The release rate of the Eudragit RS PO microspheres was much lower than that of Eudragit RL PO microspheres. Whereas Eudragit RL PO microspheres followed the Higuchi rule, Eudragit RS PO microspheres exhibited a triphasic release profile. It is concluded that drug release rate can be controlled by choice of polymer type.

Antihypertensive Agents↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Eosinophilic cholangitis: US, CT, and cholangiography findings.

We report a case of eosinophilic cholangitis, with US, CT, and cholangiographic findings. The lesion showed marked wall thickening of cystic and common bile ducts on US and CT together with mild diffuse narrowing of the common duct on cholangiography.

Bile Ducts↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Diagnostic approach using the expression profiling of the P53 tumor suppressor gene and its related proteins in ovarian epithelial tumors.

The initial aim of this study was to examine the expression profiles of P53 and its upstream genes, downstream genes, and cell cycle regulators to determine whether these markers are useful for making a differential diagnosis among the benign, borderline, and malignant ovarian epithelial tumors. Between borderline and malignant tumors, the increased expression levels of P53, Bax, Cyclin E, and cyclin-dependent kinase-2 as well as the decreased expression levels of growth arrest and DNA damage (GADD45) and murine double minute-2 (MDM2) were significantly associated with malignancy (P < 0.01, each). Using the receiver operating curve (ROC), the most reliable cutoff value of the added-up staining scores of those markers was 4.5 with 79% sensitivity and 89% specificity for malignancy. Between benign and borderline tumors, the P21 and Bax expression levels were significantly higher in borderline tumors, whereas the Bcl-2 expression level was much higher in benign tumors (P < 0.01, each). Using the ROC, the cutoff value of the added-up staining scores used to discriminate between the two groups was 2.5 with 70% sensitivity and 74% specificity for borderline tumors. Thus, for the differential diagnosis between borderline and malignant tumors, the cutoff value 4.5 of the cumulative staining scores can be used. However, the cutoff value 2.5 for discrimination between benign and borderline tumors may not be useful because of its relatively low sensitivity and specificity. In addition, the P53, GADD45, Cyclin E, and MDM2 expression levels in malignant ovarian tumors might be useful for determining the histologic grade and type.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Glycolytic intermediates and adenine nucleotides of human platelets. II. Effect of short-term storage at 4 C.

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Adenine Nucleotides↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The platelet response to hypotonic shock. Its value as an indicator of platelet viability after storage.

The nature of the platelet response to osmotic shock and its relationship to platelet viability were studied. Light absorbancy changes of human platelet concentrates exposed to hypotonic shock were measured in a spectrophotometer: a sudden drop of light absorbancy was followed by a reversal of light absorbancy towards normal (reversal reaction). It was confirmed that the reversal reaction is a complex phenomenon dependent on the integrity of biochemical and enzymatic functions of the platelets. It was suppressed by glycolytic inhibitors and by SH-blocking agents. Ouabain had no immediate effect, but with prolonged incubation it depressed the reaction. Suspension of the platelets in a protein-free medium caused a rapid loss of the reversal reaction. Disappearance of the marginal bundle of microtubules by exposure to colchicine did not change the reaction leading to the hypothesis that microfibrils rather than the microtubules may have been responsible for the reversal reaction. The conclusion was derived that the reversal reaction is due to cell volume contraction for which integrity of the platelet contractile protein and energy availability are essential. Platelet storage at 4 degrees C or at 22 degrees C caused a progressive depression of the reversal reaction which was more severe in platelets preserved at 4 C than in those preserved at 22 degrees C, and paralleled the loss of the platelet capacity to survive in vivo. Cryoprotective agents (DMSO, DMAC and glycerol) partially inhibited the reversal reaction. Freezing with these agents caused a more severe depression of the reaction. The least depression was observed with 5 per cent DMSO. The results demonstrated that the reversal reaction is a valid and accurate in vitro indicator of in vivo platelet viability when the results to be compared are limited to a single method of storage. Usefulness of the reversal reaction is reduced when results obtained with different methods of storage are compared.

Blood Platelets↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Relationship between skin phototype and MED in Korean, brown skin.

The Fitzpatrick skin classification has been a useful method to categorize cutaneous sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation (UVR), although it was based originally on responses in white skin. Because the relevance of this phototype in brown skin is in question, we investigated skin phototypes of university students by a self-reporting questionnaire and measured their MEDs in Korean, brown skin. After studying our explanation of the definition of Fitzpatrick skin types, 707 Korean university students answered the questionnaire. We then measured UVB MEDs in 156 randomly selected male students. The order of frequency of skin type was type III (55.0%), IV (29.0%), and V (12.3%) by the questionnaire, with the sun sensitive categories (types I and II) reported only for 3.7%. There was no significant difference in MEDs between types IV and V, and the mean MED of each skin type did not show a monotonic increase with increasing skin type. Subjects with MEDs of 70-90 mJ/cm2 (corresponding to the MED of skin type V, as proposed by Pathak & Fitzpatrick) represented about half or more of the subjects in all categories, even types II and III. Subjects with MEDs lower than 60 mJ/cm2 were more prevalent in types II and III compared with types IV and V. We suggest that there is at best a weak relationship between the skin types, by the Fitzpatrick method, and MEDs in Korean, brown skin.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Lovastatin-induced inhibition of HL-60 cell proliferation via cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.

An inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, lovastatin, induces growth arrest and cell death in a wide variety of malignant cells in vitro. We analyzed the effect of lovastatin on myeloid leukemic cell lines. Lovastatin significantly inhibited the proliferation of 7 cell lines among 11 myeloid leukemic cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. In order to address the mechanism of antileukemic effect of lovastatin, cell cycle analysis was attempted in HL-60 cells, showing that lovastatin induced G1 arrest in HL-60 cells following 72 h of drug exposure (1.5 microM, 5 microM and 10 microM) in a dose-dependent manner. Analysis of G1 regulatory proteins demonstrated that the protein levels of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 2, CDK4, CDK6 and cyclin E were decreased after treatment with lovastatin (10 microM) in a time-dependent manner, but not cyclin D1. In addition, lovastatin increased the protein level of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CDKI), p27, and markedly enhanced the binding of p27 with CDK2 and CDK4 more than CDK6 after 24 h exposure. At higher doses of lovastatin (50 mM, 100 mM, 200 mM), a significant apoptosis was observed as evidenced by FACS analysis with annexin V staining, which was associated with downregulation of Bcl-2 protein. These results suggest that lovastatin inhibits the proliferation of myeloid leukemic cells via G1 arrest in association with p27 induction and is an effective inducer of apoptosis in HL-60 cells.

Apoptosis↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Coagulopathy in hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (Korean hemorrhagic fever).

The pathophysiology of bleeding manifestations in hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) was elucidated by serially evaluating coagulation and fibrinolytic profiles and complement alterations in patients with HFRS. In the early stage of the disease, platelet counts, platelet survival time, and platelet aggregation in vitro decreased. Prolongation of bleeding time, prothrombin time, and activated partial thromboplastin time was noted, with decreases in coagulation factors II, V, VIII, IX, and X. Levels of fibrinogen were decreased, and those of fibrinogen-fibrin degradation products in serum and urine were increased. Concentrations of plasminogen, alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor, and antithrombin III in plasma were depressed. Procoagulant activity was present in plasma. Circulating immune complexes were found, whereas serum levels of C3 were decreased. In the early stage of HFRS, thrombocytopenia, defects in platelet function, and disseminated intravascular coagulation may play central roles in the pathogenesis of bleeding manifestations. Vasculopathy and immunologic aberrations also may play a role.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The influence of severity of angulatory deformity of rat's tibia on spontaneous correction.

In order to estimate the spontaneous correctability of tibial deformity, retrocurvature of various degrees in the growing rat tibia was observed roentgenologically at 2 to 3 weekly intervals for eight week periods. The results obtained were: in the retrocurvated rat tibia of groups I, II and III, 11.1 +/- 2.6%, 7.2 +/- 1.7% and 7.4 +/- 1.1% respectively of initial base angle were corrected in observation periods of between 3 to 8 weeks and the correction obtained between 3 to 5 weeks in groups I, II and III were 4.2 +/- 1.3 degrees (65.5%), 4.3 +/- 1.5 degrees (64.2%) and 5.0 +/- 1.3 degrees (67.9%), and between 5 to 8 weeks were 2.2 +/- 0.6 degrees (34.4%), 2.4 +/- 0.5 degrees (35.8%) and 2.7 +/- 0.9 degrees (32.1%), respectively. This study confirms that spontaneous correctability of deformed rat tibia decreased when the deformity is severe, and, irrespective of the severity of initial deformity, more than half of the initial base angles were corrected in an early phase, and remainders later. This fact indicates that the physeal and diaphyseal remodelling process is affected to some degree by the severity of the deformity.

Animals↗