Fast and sensitive delineation of brain tumor with clinically compatible moxifloxacin labeling and confocal microscopy

Delineation of brain tumor margins during surgery is critical to maximize tumor removal while preserving normal brain tissue to obtain optimal clinical outcomes. Although various imaging methods have been developed, they have limitations to be used in clinical practice. We developed a high‐speed cellular imaging method by using clinically compatible moxifloxacin and confocal microscopy for sensitive brain tumor detection and delineation. Moxifloxacin is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved antibiotic and was used as a cell labeling agent through topical administration. Its strong fluorescence at short visible excitation wavelengths allowed video‐rate cellular imaging. Moxifloxacin‐based confocal microscopy (MBCM) was characterized in normal mouse brain specimens and visualized their cytoarchitecture clearly. Then, MBCM was applied to both brain tumor murine models and two malignant human brain tumors of glioblastoma and metastatic cancer. MBCM detected tumors in all the specimens by visualizing dense and irregular cell distributions, and tumor margins were easily delineated based on the cytoarchitecture. An image analysis method was developed for automated detection and delineation. MBCM demonstrated sensitive delineation of brain tumors through cytoarchitecture visualization and would have potentials for human applications, such as a surgery‐guiding method for tumor removal.      

Distribution of lactobacilli in the porcine gastrointestinal tract

Abstract Characteristics of the lactobacilli colonizing the various regions of the porcine gastrointestinal tract were investigated. The lumenal contents from the gastric, jejunal, cecal and colonic regions, and biopsies from the gastric non-secreting and secreting regions were homogenized and serial dilutions were spread on Rogosa agar and colonies (50 per region and animal) were randomly sampled. The lactobacillus isolates were grouped according to their protein profiles of lysozyme-treated whole cells. Several different groups of lactobacillus could be detected. Specific groups were associated and often unique for the stomach, jejunal, cecal and colonic regions of the gastrointestinal tract. A few groups were uniformly distributed through the tract. Although published studies of lactobacilli colonizing stomach mucosa have been restricted mainly to the non-secreting region, significant levels were also detected on the secreting stomach tissue. Population densities ranged from 2 × 10⁴ to 2 × 10⁶ CFU per cm² on both the secretory and non-secretory regions. Of the isolates which colonized the gastric secreting epithelium, 26% formed smooth colonies and 74% formed rough colonies. In contrast, the non-secreting epithelium was mainly colonized by lactobacilli forming smooth colonies (67%). From this study, one can suggest that different lactobacilli are associated with specific regions of the gastrointestinal tract, and that some specific groups appear to be restricted to defined regions.     

Some effects of shark nets in the Natal nearshore environment

Synopsis Protective gillnets (shark nets) have been successful in reducing the frequency of shark attacks on the coast of Natal, South Africa. This is achieved primarily through a reduction in numbers of large sharks. The nets also take a by catch of dolphins, sea turtles, batoids and teleosts. Concern has been expressed over the direct effect of mortalities on the various stocks and also the broader, indirect effects on the inshore system. Catch rates of most shark species declined initially but have shown no trend since the mid-1970s. A first estimate of the reduction in total shark numbers is provided, and factors such as stock identity and net avoidance are discussed. Turtle and teleost stocks do not appear to be threatened by net mortalities but marine mammalogists are investigating the sustainability of catches of two dolphin species. Certain batoids may have declined despite a high release rate, but more data are needed. A published contention that shark netting has resulted in a proliferation of small sharks through reduced predation is re-examined and considered to be exaggerated. Reduced predation on dolphins, as a result of shark netting, is estimated.     

Fine structure of a murine mammary carcinoma cell line

Summary A fine structural study was made of cells from the epithelioid MCF-8/5-2A cell line derived from a MuMTV-free, D2 transplantable hyperplastic outgrowth. Electron microscopy shows the cells to be truly epithelial with many cell-to-cell junctions and microvilli. The cells are similar in many respects to normal mouse mammary gland and some of the conventional mammary tumor derived cell lines. This study supports previous observations of the absence of MuMTV in MCF-8 within the limits of morphological detection, and demonstrates the presence of numerous virus particles within, or budding into, cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum and nuclear envelope. These intracisternal A particles have not been previously described in such abundance in mammary tumor tissue culture cells. This study was supported by Contract NIH-NCI-E-71-2421, with the NIH and by an institutional grant to the Michigan Cancer Foundation from the United Foundation of Detroit, Michigan.     

Let-7e enhances the radiosensitivity of colorectal cancer cells by directly targeting insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor

Abnormal expression of various microRNAs (miRNAs), as regulators of biological signaling pathways, has a strong association with cancer resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The let-7 family of miRNAs as tumor suppressors have shown to be downregulated in different types of human malignancies including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the biological function of let-7 members in the processes of resistance to radiation in CRC has not yet been completely elucidated. Insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) signaling pathway is amplified in CRC and leads to its progression, development, and also radiation resistance. So, it seems like an attractive target for anticancer therapy. In this study, by using bioinformatics analysis, it has been revealed that IGF-1R is a direct target of the let-7e member. Consistent with this, we identified that increased levels of let-7e in CRC cells reduced IGF-1R protein level and subsequently its downstream signaling pathways, which resulted in the G1 cell cycle arrest and a significant reduction in the proliferation, survival and also resistance to radiation of CRC cells. Altogether, these results suggested that let-7e by targeting the IGF-1R signaling pathway might serve as therapeutics in anticancer therapy.     

术前外周血中性粒细胞和淋巴细胞比值在结直肠癌预后评价中的意义

目的探索术前外周血中性粒细胞和淋巴细胞比值(NLR)在结直肠癌预后评价中的意义。方法回顾性分析2015年1月至2016年12月在南京医科大学附属南京医院接受手术治疗并有完整随访资料的结直肠癌患者228例。根据患者术前外周血NLR分成高NLR(>2.52)组和低NLR(≤2.52)组,分析比较其预后情况。结果术前高NLR组和低NLR组患者在性别、肿瘤形态、TNM分期方面比较,差异无统计学意义(P≥0.05);在肿瘤分化程度,肠周淋巴转移,癌胚抗原(Carcinoembryonic antigen,CEA)水平等差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。回归分析表明,相较于低NLR组,高NLR组肿瘤复发转移率以及死亡率明显升高(P<0.05)。结论 NLR升高提示肿瘤分化差、转移早且与患者肿瘤复发以及生存预后密切相关,NLR>2.52有望成为结直肠癌诊断及预后评估的一项指标。     

Association between EBRT dose volume histograms and quality of life in prostate cancer patients

Aim

To evaluate the association between dose–volume histogram (DVH) values in organs at risk (OAR) and patient-reported HRQoL outcomes.

Saliva plays a dual role in oxidation process in stomach medium

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of saliva in the oxidation process under the acidic condition of the stomach. Saliva specimens played varied roles in the lipid peroxidation process of heated muscle tissue in simulated gastric fluid: pro-oxidant effects, no effects, and antioxidant effects. To elucidate these differences, selected saliva components were examined. The pseudoperoxidase activity of lactoperoxidase increased lipid peroxidation, while thiocyanate and nitrite-reduced lipid peroxidation. The effect of a saliva specimen on lipid peroxidation was correlated with the concentration of nitrite in the specimen, but not with that of other saliva components. The inhibitory effect of nitrite may be due to its conversion to NO. Elucidation of the antioxidant effect of saliva on co-oxidation of d-alpha-tocopherol in gastric fluid, demonstrated that saliva alone cannot protect d-alpha-tocopherol from co-oxidation, although it partially protected against lipid peroxidation. The presence of red wine polyphenols in stomach medium totally inhibits food lipid peroxidation and d-alpha-tocopherol co-oxidation.     

莫沙必利对糖尿病胃轻瘫大鼠胃窦Cajal间质细胞的影响

目的:研究莫沙必利对糖尿病胃轻瘫大鼠胃窦Cajal间质细胞(ICC)的影响。方法:将48只SD雄性大鼠随机分为正常组、模型组、莫沙必利组,各组分别16只。模型组、莫沙必利组大鼠给予一次性腹腔注射链脲佐菌素后建立糖尿病胃轻瘫模型,建模第10天起,莫沙必利组大鼠给予莫沙必利注灌胃治疗。建模30周后,检测各组大鼠的血糖水平、胃残留率,通过采用电生理学方法检测各组大鼠胃动力,并采用免疫组化染色方法检测各组胃窦ICC的相对数量。结果:模型组大鼠胃残留率明显高于正常组大鼠(P0.05),而给予莫沙必利后胃残留率显著降低(P0.05);模型组大鼠胃电图波幅和频率均明显低于正常组大鼠(P0.05),而给予莫沙必利后胃电图波幅和频率明显增加(P0.05);模型组大鼠胃窦ICC明显低于正常组大鼠(P0.05),而给予莫沙必利后胃窦ICC有所增加(P0.05)。结论:莫沙必利可显著改善糖尿病胃轻瘫大鼠的胃动力,可能与其增加胃窦Cajal间质细胞有关。