Antitumor effect of bevacizumab in a xenograft model of canine hemangiopericytoma.

Canine hemangiopericytoma (CHP) is characterized by frequent local recurrence and increased invasiveness. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key regulator of angiogenesis in tumors. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a single dose of bevacizumab on a xenograft model of CHP. VEGF protein was secreted from cultured CHP cells and interacted with bevacizumab. Bevacizumab treatment suppressed tumor growth by inhibiting tumor angiogenesis, whereas no significant differences were observed in the proliferation index and apoptosis rates of treated and untreated mice. Thus, bevacizumab had antitumor effects in a xenograft model of CHP.

Molecular detection of kobuvirus sequences in stool samples collected from healthy pigs in Japan.

This study reports the detection and genetic characterization of porcine kobuvirus, a new member of the genus Kobuvirus in the family Picornaviridae. Among 293 fecal specimens collected from healthy pigs in 2009, in Japan, 133 (45.4%) were positive for kobuvirus using RT-PCR screening method. Of the positive specimens, 124 were obtained from pigs < or =6 months old, while 9 samples were from pigs >6 months old. Fifty-two representative strains of kobuviruses detected in this study were randomly selected and analyzed for their phylogenetic relationships with those other kobuvirus reference strains. The phylogenetic tree confirmed that 51 strains belonged to porcine kobuvirus and formed the exclusive branch with other porcine kobuvirus reference strains. In addition, the nucleotide sequence of H023/2009/JP shared very low levels of sequence identity with those of other porcine kobuvirus strains, but showed the highest level of sequence identity with bovine kobuvirus U-1 prototype strain. Our study demonstrated clearly that, porcine kobuvirus infection was common in healthy pigs and high prevalence of this virus was found in younger age of <6 months old of porcine populations in Tokyo and Hokkaido, Japan.

Effect of dehydroepiandrosterone on atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.

AIM: Several clinical trials have indicated that dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) reduces coronary events associated with atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to examine the inhibitory effect of DHEA on atherosclerosis and the mechanisms involved. METHODS: Apolipoprotein E-knockout (apoE-KO) mice were fed an atherogenic high-cholesterol diet with or without 0.4% (w/w) DHEA for 12 weeks. RESULTS: Although the plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels were not decreased by DHEA, atherosclerotic lesions in the aortic sinus showed a 45% reduction in area with DHEA treatment versus untreated mice (0.19 +/- 0.01 vs. 0.10 +/- 0.02 microm(2); p<0.05). Accumulation of macrophages in aortic lesions was also markedly reduced in the DHEA group, and the macrophage-positive area decreased to 0.33 +/- 0.06 microm(2) from 0.67 +/- 0.07 microm(2) (p<0.01). Furthermore, DHEA suppressed the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in the vessel wall. Thus, inhibition of macrophage infiltration by DHEA reduced the formation of atherosclerotic lesions in apoE-KO mice. CONCLUSIONS: DHEA might be an effective agent for clinical management of atherosclerosis, but a larger controlled trial is necessary for confirmation.

Immunolocalization of Parathyroid Hormone in Human Parathyroid Glands with Special References to Microwave Antigen Retrieval.

The subcellular localization of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in the normal human parathyroid glands with particular reference to microwave antigen retrieval was investigated using peroxidase-labeled PTH antibody, immunohistochemical, and immunoelectron microscopic methods. The results revealed that PTH granules existed mainly as pro-PTH on the trans side of Golgi and in the regions adjacent to Golgi apparatus. Only a small proportion of secretory granules were stored near the plasma membrane. Microwave irradiation was essential for the immunodetection of PTH. As the irradiative time extended from 1 to 30 min, the staining intensity increased, and the subcellular preservation decreased. Microwave irradiation for 15 mm (with the sections in citrate buffer) with a power output of 500 W is the most ideal for PTH antigen retrieval, as well as for subcellular preservation.