Mesenchymal stem cell-like properties of CD133(+) glioblastoma-initiating cells

Glioblastoma is composed of dividing tumor cells, stromal cells and tumor initiating CD133(+) cells. Recent reports have discussed the origin of the glioblastoma CD133(+) cells and their function in the tumor microenvironment. The present work sought to investigate the multipotent and mesenchymal properties of primary highly purified human CD133(+) glioblastoma-initiating cells. To accomplish this aim, we used the following approaches: i) generation of tumor subspheres of CD133(+) selected cells from primary cell cultures of glioblastoma; ii) analysis of the expression of pluripotency stem cell markers and mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) markers in the CD133(+) glioblastoma-initiating cells; iii) side-by-side ultrastructural characterization of the CD133(+) glioblastoma cells, MSC and CD133(+) hematopoietic stem cells isolated from human umbilical cord blood (UCB); iv) assessment of adipogenic differentiation of CD133(+) glioblastoma cells to test their MSC-like in vitro differentiation ability; and v) use of an orthotopic glioblastoma xenograft model in the absence of immune suppression. We found that the CD133(+) glioblastoma cells expressed both the pluripotency stem cell markers (Nanog, Mush-1 and SSEA-3) and MSC markers. In addition, the CD133(+) cells were able to differentiate into adipocyte-like cells. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) demonstrated that the CD133(+) glioblastoma-initiating cells had ultrastructural features similar to those of undifferentiated MSCs. In addition, when administered in vivo to non-immunocompromised animals, the CD133(+) cells were also able to mimic the phenotype of the original patient's tumor. In summary, we showed that the CD133(+) glioblastoma cells express molecular signatures of MSCs, neural stem cells and pluripotent stem cells, thus possibly enabling differentiation into both neural and mesodermal cell types

Epilepsy-induced electrocardiographic alterations following cardiac ischemia and reperfusion in rats

The present study evaluated electrocardiographic alterations in rats with epilepsy submitted to an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) model induced by cardiac ischemia and reperfusion. Rats were randomly divided into two groups: control (n=12) and epilepsy (n=14). It was found that rats with epilepsy presented a significant reduction in atrioventricular block incidence following the ischemia and reperfusion procedure. In addition, significant alterations were observed in electrocardiogram intervals during the stabilization, ischemia, and reperfusion periods of rats with epilepsy compared to control rats. It was noted that rats with epilepsy presented a significant increase in the QRS interval during the stabilization period in relation to control rats (P<0.01). During the ischemia period, there was an increase in the QRS interval (P<0.05) and a reduction in the P wave and QT intervals (P<0.05 for both) in rats with epilepsy compared to control rats. During the reperfusion period, a significant reduction in the QT interval (P<0.01) was verified in the epilepsy group in relation to the control group. Our results indicate that rats submitted to an epilepsy model induced by pilocarpine presented electrical conductivity alterations of cardiac tissue, mainly during an AMI episode.

[Drug information centre: contribution for rational use of drugs] / Centro de informação sobre medicamentos: contribuição para o uso racional de fármacos.

This paper describes the first year experience of a Drug Information Center directed to the community, and managed by pharmacysts and pharmacy students from the Department of Pharmacy-UFC, in Fortaleza, Brazil. This pioneer experience recieves technical assistance from the "Centro Regionali di Informazione sul Farmaco-CRIF (Mario Negri Institute Milan-Italy). Those who consult us are registered on a codified formullary while individual information, questions and prepared answers are introduced on a database. From December 1994 to November 1995, 246 persons telephoned CIM-UFC for drug information of which 39% were medicine users, 32% pharmacysts, 17% patients relatives, 4,5% health students, 4% doctors, 0,8% nurses and 2,8% others. The principal questions were related to Adverse Reactions (28%) Indications (28%) and Efficacy (18%). The ATC 2nd level groups most referred to were vitamins, analgesics and antiinflammatory agents. The most frequent problems justifying drug use were classified as: Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases and immunity disorders; Symptoms, signs and ill defined conditions; Infectious and parasitic diseases. Requests are increasing regularly, responding to the mass media campaigns related to drugs and active information is provided by bulletins.