Results of two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) analyses of human breast carcinoma are described. Tumor cells were extracted and purified from breast carcinomas with different proliferative indeces and degrees of genomic stability. Cells purified from fibroadenoma tissue served as controls for benign cells. The following results were observed: (i) Analysis of samples from different areas of the same tumor showed a high degree of similarity in the pattern of polypeptide expression. Similarly, analysis of two tumors and their metastases revealed similar 2-DE profiles. (ii) In contrast, large variations were observed between different lesions with comparable histological characteristics. Larger differences in polypeptide expression were observed between potentially highly malignant carcinomas compared to comparisons of less malignant lesions. These differences were in the same order of magnitude as those observed comparing a breast carcinoma to a lung carcinoma. (iii) The levels of all cytokeratin forms resolved (CK7, CK8, CK15, and CK18) were significantly lower in carcinomas compared to fibroadenomas. (iv) The levels of high molecular weight tropomyosins (1-3) were lower in carcinomas compared to fibroadenomas. The expression of tropomyosin-1 was found to be 1.7-fold higher in primary tumors with metastatic spread to axillar lymph nodes compared to primary tumors with no evidence of metastasis (p < 0.05). (v) The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and some members of the stress protein family (pHSP60, HSP90, and calreticulin) were higher in carcinomas. We conclude that malignant progression of breast carcinomas results in large heterogeneity in polypeptide expression between different tumors, but that some common themes such as decreased expression of cytokeratin and tropomyosin polypeptides can be discerned.

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PubMedDate not supplied

Infantile multiple sclerosis with extensive white matter lesions.

A boy developed a right hemiparesis at 13 months of age which disappeared spontaneously at 19 months. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed extensive low-density areas with left-sided predominance in the white matter at age 17 months. The flash visual evoked potential revealed abnormal findings of wave V. At 20 months of age, paraplegia developed; as it receded 3 months later, a left hemiparesis developed. At that time, computed tomography demonstrated a new low-density area in the right centrum semiovale which disappeared at 28 months of age concomitant with the recovery of the left hemiparesis. Overall, he had experienced 3 independent episodes, 2 of which corresponded to each of the lesions depicted by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Multiple sclerosis was diagnosed at 23 months of age which is earlier than in any previously reported patient. Unlike most typical findings of multiple sclerosis on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging studies, our patient demonstrated extensive white matter lesions.

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PubMedDate not supplied

The effect of thromboxane synthetase inhibition on cardiopulmonary function during endotoxemia in sheep.

The early pulmonary hypertension seen with endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide) has been reported as resulting from the release of thromboxane A2. We studied the cardiopulmonary response to endotoxin in sheep with and without treatment with a thromboxane synthetase inhibitor, OKY-046. The animals were implanted with instruments for crystallographic dimension analysis of the left ventricle and measurement of left ventricular, aortic, left atrial, and pulmonary arterial pressures and cardiac index. Thirteen sheep received 1.0 micrograms/kg of Escherichia coli endotoxin with (n = 6) and without (n = 7) OKY-046 (10 mg/kg bolus, then 10 micrograms/kg/min). OKY-046 prevented the increase in pulmonary arterial pressure and decrease in cardiac index usually seen during the early phase of endotoxemia. Between 8 and 12 hours after the administration of endotoxin, cardiac index increased from 6.4 +/- 0.8 to 8.4 +/- 0.8 L/min/m2. Concomitantly, the end-systolic pressure/diameter relationship (a sensitive myocardial contractility index) significantly decreased from 14.7 +/- 0.6 to 7.7 +/- 0.7 mm Hg/mm. Another index of the left ventricular contractility, the maximum rate of pressure rise was also reduced. OKY-046 prevented decreases in end-systolic pressure/diameter relationship and maximum rate of pressure rise.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Is the preferential use of polytetrafluoroethylene grafts for below-knee femoropopliteal bypass justified?

The usefulness of polytetrafluoroethylene graft (PTFE) for primary below-knee femoropopliteal bypass was examined. Forty-five primary femoropopliteal bypasses with PTFE were performed in 35 patients during a 7-year period. Patients were divided into two groups: above-knee (A-K group, n = 20) and below-knee (B-K group, n = 25) bypass. Differences in intergroup patient demographics were not significant. The primary patency rate in the A-K group at 3 and 5 years was 83.6% and 50.2%, respectively, and was 76.2% at both 3 and 5 years in the B-K group. These differences were not significant. Cause of graft failure, 3 grafts in the A-K group and 5 grafts in the B-K group, was kinking or thrombus formation associated with intimal hyperplasia at the distal anastomosis. All grafts in the A-K group with more than 10% stenosis in the early postoperative period had more than 50% stenosis in the late postoperative period. On the other hand, the one graft in the B-K group with 25% stenosis in the early postoperative period had 50% stenosis in the late postoperative period. We concluded that the use of PTFE for primary below-knee femoropopliteal artery is reasonable when atherosclerosis in the proximal popliteal artery is slight. However, close follow-up is necessary to detect and treat graft stenosis early.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of elastase on primary graft patency after femoralpopliteal arterial bypass for arteriosclerosis obliterans: a randomized, controlled study.

METHODS: Studies were carried out on 104 limbs with femoralpopliteal bypasses for arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO). They were randomized to a group receiving elastase (10800 EL. U. P.O. per day) with an antiplatelet drug (Elastase group, 58 patients) or a group receiving only the antiplatelet drug (Control group, 46 patients). The follow-up period ranged from 24 to 36 months after operation at 22 institutions across Japan. RESULTS: The cumulative graft patency rate was higher in the Elastase group than the Control group, but the difference lacked statistical significance. When autogenous saphenous veins were used, the cumulative graft patency rate was significantly higher in the Elastase group than the Control group. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that elastase is effective in maintaining graft patency in femoralpopliteal arterial bypass when an autogenous saphenous vein is used as a graft.

Aged↗