High levels of LDL-C combined with low levels of HDL-C further increase platelet activation in hypercholesterolemic patients

High levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) enhance platelet activation, whereas high levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) exert a cardioprotective effect. However, the effects on platelet activation of high levels of LDL-C combined with low levels of HDL-C (HLC) have not yet been reported. We aimed to evaluate the platelet activation marker of HLC patients and investigate the antiplatelet effect of atorvastatin on this population. Forty-eight patients with high levels of LDL-C were enrolled. Among these, 23 had HLC and the other 25 had high levels of LDL-C combined with normal levels of HDL-C (HNC). A total of 35 normocholesterolemic (NOMC) volunteers were included as controls. Whole blood flow cytometry and platelet aggregation measurements were performed on all participants to detect the following platelet activation markers: CD62p (P-selectin), PAC-1 (GPIIb/IIIa), and maximal platelet aggregation (MPAG). A daily dose of 20 mg atorvastatin was administered to patients with high levels of LDL-C, and the above assessments were obtained at baseline and after 1 and 2 months of treatment. The expression of platelets CD62p and PAC-1 was increased in HNC patients compared to NOMC volunteers (P<0.01 and P<0.05). Furthermore, the surface expression of platelets CD62p and PAC-1 was greater among HLC patients than among HNC patients (P<0.01 and P<0.05). Although the expression of CD62p and PAC-1 decreased significantly after atorvastatin treatment, it remained higher in the HLC group than in the HNC group (P<0.05 and P=0.116). The reduction of HDL-C further increased platelet activation in patients with high levels of LDL-C. Platelet activation remained higher among HLC patients regardless of atorvastatin treatment.

Characterization of Bone Cements Prepared with Either Hydroxyapatite, α-TCP or Bovine Bone / Caracterización de cementos óseos preparados con hidroxiapatita, α-TCP o hueso bovino

In this work, we report the preparation of bone cements by using methyl methacrylate (MMA) as a base monomer and either hydroxyapatite (HA), alpha tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP) or bovine bone particles as bioactive fillers. In general, it was observed that curing times increased by the addition of any of these fillers (from 4 to 6.7 min). Maximum temperatures decrease slightly by the addition of 20 wt.% of either α-TCP or bovine bone (80.3°C and 73.2°C respectively) but it did not change by the addition of HA (84.3°C) with respect to PMMA only bone cement used as control. Residual monomer content was lower than 4% in the bioactive bone cements. By using α-TCP or bovine bone compressive strength increased with respect to the unfilled bone cement but it was reduced when HA was used. However, all these formulations fulfill the 70 MPa required for bone cement use. Flexural strength was increased by using either a-TCP o bovine bone but the addition of HA decreased this properties compared to the base bone cement. However, the minimum flexural strength (50 MPa) was fulfilled only in those experimental formulations containing low amounts of α-TCP. The minimum tensile strength (30 MPa) was satisfied by all formulations but it was always lower than the exhibited by the unfilled bone cement.

Este trabajo reporta la preparación de cementos óseos utilizando metacrilato de metilo (MMA) como monómero base y rellenos bioactivos tales como hidroxiapatita (HA), fosfato tricálcico alfa (α-TCP) o hueso bovino. En general, los tiempos de curado aumentaron con la inclusión de estos refuerzos (de 4 hasta 6.7 min). La temperatura máxima alcanzada durante la polimerización del cemento disminuyó ligeramente al adicionar 20% de α-TCP o hueso bovino (80.3°C y 73.2°C respectivamente) y se mantuvo sin cambio en las formulaciones con HA (84.3°C) con respecto al control de solo PMMA. El contenido de monómero residual en los cementos bioactivos fue menor al 4%. La presencia de α-TCP o hueso bovino aumentó la resistencia a la compresión del cemento base y la adición de HA la disminuyó, cumpliendo en todos los casos con la resistencia mínima a la compresión (70 MPa) sugerida para su uso como cemento óseo. La adición de α-TCP o hueso bovino aumentó la resistencia a la flexión del cemento base pero la adición de HA la redujo aunque el requerimiento mínimo de resistencia a la flexión (50 MPa) fue cumplido solamente al usar concentraciones bajas de α-TCP. La resistencia tensil mínima (30 MPa) fue satisfecha por todas las formulaciones aunque siempre fue menor que la exhibida por el cemento base.

Effects of abiotic stress on biomass and anthocyanin production in cell cultures of Melastoma malabathricum

Plant cell cultures could be used as an important tool for biochemical production, ranging from natural coloring (pigments) to pharmaceutical products. Anthocyanins are becoming a very important alternative to synthetic dyes because of increased public concern over the safety of artificial food coloring agents. Several factors are responsible for the production of anthocynin in cell cultures. In the present study, we investigate the effects of different environmental factors, such as light intensity, irradiance (continuous irradiance or continuous darkness), temperature and medium pH on cell biomass yield and anthocyanin production in cultures of Melastoma malabathricum. Moderate light intensity (301 - 600 lux) induced higher accumulation of anthocyanins in the cells. The cultures exposed to 10-d continuous darkness showed the lowest pigment content, while the cultures exposed to 10-d continuous irradiance showed the highest pigment content. The cell cultures incubated at a lower temperature range (20 ± 2 ºC) grew better and had higher pigment content than those grown at 26 ± 2ºC and 29 ± 2ºC. Different medium pH did not affect the yield of cell biomass but anthocyanin accumulation was highest at pH 5.25 - 6.25.

Identification of Differently Expressed Genes in Chemical Carcinogen-induced Rat Bladder Cancers / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Possible altered gene expression patterns in bladder turnout carcinogenesis in rat bladder cancers induced by BBN [N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine] was examined by cDNA microarray analysis of gene expression profiles.Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were given drinking water containing 0.05% BBN ad libitum for 24 to 28-weeks.Equal numbers of control rats were given tap water without BBN.After treatment,the rat bladders were excised for RNA extraction and histopathological examinations.Total RNAs were extracted from rat transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) tissues and micro-dissected normal rat bladder epithelia.The atlas glass rat microarray was used,which included oligonucleotides of 1081 rat genes.Some of the up-regulated genes in rat bladder TCCs were further confirmed by Northern blotting.Our results showed that the transcriptions of 30 genes were significantly elevated in the rat bladder TCCs,and these included fly proto-oncogene,Lipocortin 2,COX Ⅳ,COX Ⅴ a,and cathepsin D.Also,15 genes were significantly down-regulated in the rat bladder TCCs and they included B7.1,TNFrl,APOAI and VHL.The resuits of cDNA microarray analysis demonstrated that normal rat bladder epithelia and bladder TCC exhibited different and specific gene statement profiles.The increased expressions of the identified genes may play an important role in the chemically induced bladder carcinogenesis.

17-year follow-up of a randomized prospective controlled trial of adjuvant intravesical doxorubicin in the treatment of superficial bladder cancer

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of adjuvant intravesical doxorubicin in superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder on long-term follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between July 1986 and November 1991, all patients harboring superficial bladder cancers (Ta or T1) with one or more of these criteria (stage > a, grade > 1, size > 1 cm, multiple or recurrent tumors) were randomized to receive either 50 mg doxorubicin or no adjuvant therapy. Patients with recurrences were allowed to receive doxorubicin or other intravesical agents. Recurrence, progression and survival were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 82 patients included (64 males and 18 females). The mean age was 64 years. Forty-six patients were randomized to the doxorubicin group and 36 to the control group. Final analysis was made at median follow-up of 45, 128 and 131.5 months for recurrence, progression and survival, respectively. Recurrence free, progression free and disease specific survival did not differ significantly between groups. The 10-year Kaplan-Meier estimates for recurrence free, progression free and disease specific survival were 67 percent, 84 percent and 92 percent, respectively for the doxorubicin group, and were 50 percent, 89 percent and 97 percent, respectively for the control group. Tumor size predicted recurrence (p = 0.013) and grade predicted progression (p = 0.004) with multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant intravesical doxorubicin could not be shown to improve recurrence, progression and survival of superficial bladder cancer, compared with control on long-term follow-up. Tumor size and grade were shown to be prognostic factors for recurrence and progression, respectively.

Prediction of differential creatinine clearance in chronically obstructed kidneys by non-contrast helical computerized tomography

PURPOSE: We investigate the use of non-contrast helical computerized tomography (NCHCT) in the measurement of differential renal parenchymal volume as a surrogate for differential creatinine clearance (CrCl) for unilateral chronically obstructed kidney. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with unilateral chronically obstructed kidneys with normal contralateral kidneys were enrolled. Ultrasonography (USG) of the kidneys was first done with the cortical thickness of the site with the most renal substance in the upper pole, mid-kidney, and lower pole of both kidneys were measured, and the mean cortical thickness of each kidney was calculated. NCHCT was subsequently performed for each patient. The CT images were individually reviewed with the area of renal parenchyma measured for each kidney. Then the volume of the slices was summated to give the renal parenchymal volume of both the obstructed and normal kidneys. Finally, a percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) was inserted to the obstructed kidney, and CrCl of both the obstructed kidney (PCN urine) and the normal side (voided urine) were measured two 2 after the relief of obstruction. RESULTS: From March 1999 to February 2001, thirty patients were enrolled into the study. Ninety percent of them had ureteral calculi. The differential CrCl of the obstructed kidney ( percentCrCl) was defined as the percentage of CrCl of the obstructed kidney as of the total CrCl, measured 2 weeks after relief of obstruction. The differential renal parenchymal volume of the obstructed kidney ( percentCTvol) was the percentage of renal parenchymal volume as of the total parenchymal volume. The differential USG cortical thickness of the obstructed kidney ( percentUSGcort) was the percentage of mean cortical thickness as of the total mean cortical thickness. The Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) between percentCTvol and percentCrCl and that between percentUSGcort and percentCrCl were 0.756 and 0.543 respectively. The regression line was percentCrCl = (1.00) x percentCTvol - 14.27. The percentCTvol overestimated the differential creatinine clearance by about 14 percent, but the correlation is good. CONCLUSION: The differential renal parenchymal volume measured by NCHCT provided a reasonable prediction of differential creatinine clearance in chronically obstructed kidneys.

Open lung biopsy for diffuse parenchymal lung disease in children

An open lung biopsy was performed in 12 children with diffuse parenchymal lung disease. A definitive histopathological diagnosis was obtained from all procedures but determined treatment options in only 10 children (83%). Three (25%) children were ventilated for respiratory failure prior to the procedure. Four (44%) of the other 9 children required ventilatory support after the procedure. Three (25%) children developed post-op pneumothorax that resolved fully with chest tube drainage. There were no deaths as a direct result of the procedure. Open lung biopsy is useful in providing a definitive diagnosis in children with diffuse parenchymal lung disease and determining treatment in the majority of cases. The procedure was well-tolerated with minimal complications.

Presenting features and treatment outcome of 78 Malaysian children with neuroblastoma.

To study the distribution of presenting features and their prognostic significance in neuroblastoma treated in a single institution in Malaysia. A retrospective study was made of 78 neuroblastoma cases diagnosed and treated in the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia between June 1982 and February 1997. Diagnosis was established by standard histological criteria. The presenting features were evaluated for their distribution and prognostic influence. Disease-free survival from diagnosis was the outcome variable of interest. The ages ranged from 0.1 to 11 years old (median: 3 years old). The tumor originated from the adrenal glands in 83% and the majority of cases presented in advanced stage (stage III 22%, stage IV 66%). Bone marrow was the commonest site of distant metastasis occurring in 45% of patients. The main presenting signs and symptoms in decreasing order were pallor, fever, abdominal mass, weight loss, and bone/joint pain. Univariate analysis conferred age, initial stage and Hb level as significant prognostic factors. No influence in disease-free survival was found for sex, race, primary site, urinary vanillylmandelic acid level, white cell count and platelet count. Overall 2-year disease-free survival was achieved in 27 (39%) patients. Four patients underwent bone marrow transplant, three of whom achieved 2-year disease-free survival. The results suggest that age, initial stage and hemoglobin level are significant prognostic factors based on univariate analysis. In addition, more Malaysian children presented with adrenal primary site and advanced disease compared to previous reported studies.

The effect of repeated chemotherapy on the prevalence and intensity of Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura infection.

The prevalence and intensity of intestinal nematode infections were assessed during 3 anthelminthic interventions in an urban community in Malaysia. The prevalence levels of Ascaris lumbricoides at Interventions 1, 2 and 3 were 30.6%, 18.9% and 15.5%, respectively and the mean intensities were 1.9, 0.75 and 0.81 worms per person. For Trichuris trichiura, the prevalence levels at Interventions 1, 2 and 3 were 46.9%, 21.6% and 15.7%, respectively. The mean intensities for T. trichiura at Interventions 1, 2 and 3 were 3.30, 0.92 and 0.07 worms per person. No gender-related prevalence and intensity were observed for the two geohelminths in this community. Prevalences and intensity had convex age profiles. Although repeated chemotherapeutic intervention reduced both prevalence and intensity levels, intensity was a more sensitive indicator than prevalence. The results indicate that age-targetting treatment at school children of 7-12 years of age would be an appropriate strategy for this community.

HTLV-I antibody study in normal individuals and unselected hospital patients in Malaysia.

A serological investigation for human T cell leukemia virus I (HTLV-I) infection was carried out at the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur. A total of 626 sera from a non-patient population and 1,038 sera from unselected in-patients were screened for HTLV-I antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). 27/1664 (1.6%) were found to be reactive. However, on Western blotting, only 2 sera were confirmed positive, both showing reactions for the major core (p19 and p24) and the envelope (gp46) proteins. Both of the serum samples were from unselected hospital patients. Most of the remaining sera which were reactive on screening showed indeterminate results on Western blotting. These were further tested by radioimmunoprecipitation assay (RIPA) and none of these sera gave a positive reaction. Therefore, only 2/1038 (0.19%) unselected patients could be confirmed to have antibodies to HTLV-I. None of the normal individuals screened showed a positive Western blot result. Our data indicate that HTLV-I infection is present in our population, but at a low prevalence rate.