Ganglioside Expression in Melanomas From Japanese Individuals: Unusual Pattern in Two Patients With Metastatic Lesions of Acral Lentiginous Melanomas

Melanoma among Japanese is rare, and differs in its clinical and histological characteristics from that found in Caucasians. In this study, the ganglioside expression of melanoma specimens obtained from Japanese was determined and compared with previously published data on Caucasians. The ganglioside composition of 25 biopsy melanoma specimens, including 13 primary and 12 metastatic lesions, was studied using thin layer chromatography. Four gangliosides (G_M3, G_D3, G_M2, G_D2) were most commonly expressed in melanomas in Japanese. The expression of gangliosides was quite variable in both primary and metastatic melanomas as seen in previous reports. No significant differences were observed between gangliosides from primary and metastatic sites. A new type of ganglioside expression, in which G_M3 was nearly the only ganglioside (>95%), was found in metastatic tumors from two Japanese patients with acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), which is the most common clinical and histopathological type of melanoma among Japanese but is very unusual among Caucasians. The patterns of expression were similar to those in Caucasians except for the detection of a “new” pattern.     

展望21世纪的生命科学

对本世纪以来发展迅猛异常的生物科学的概况,特别是近对二三十年来,在分子生物学的带动下,生命科学在结构分子生物学;中心法则及其后的生物学细节研究;基因表达、调控和发育生物学;基因组计划和应用生物学及生物技术的发展;宏观生物学等方面讨论了生命科学的发展和特点,并从四个主要方面对２１世纪生命科学（包括生物技术）的发展趋势进行了预测,以达到综览生命科学全局,明确今后发展方向的目的。     

The solubility of fibrinogen in dilute salt solutions

Highly purified human fibrinogen was dialyzed versus eleven different sodium salts at ionic strengths of 0.005–0.3 and pH values of 4.5–8.0. After equilibration and centrifugation of the protein solutions, fibrinogen solubilities were determined spectrophotometrically and were analyzed as functions of pH, ionic strength, and specific anion. Bell-shaped curves are obtained when fibrinogen solubility is plotted as a function of pH. The solubility exhibits a minimum at a given pH and rises at acid and alkaline values. As the ionic strength is increased, the solubility curves shift toward more acid pH values. At constant pH values between 6 and 7, fibrinogen solubility increases with an increase in ionic strength. At constant pH values below pH 6, a decrease in solubility occurs as the ionic strength is increased. The isoionic pH of a saturated aqueous fibrinogen solution has been determined to be 6.25, meaning that fibrinogen in pure water behaves as a weak acid with a mean net charge of ?0.9. At pH values acid to 6.25, the anions solubilize fibrinogen in the following order of increasing efficacy: thiocyanate, perchlorate, sulfate, citrate, bromide, nitrate, phosphate, chloride, acetate, fluoride, and formate. This order is reversed at pH values alkaline to 6.25. Anion binding parameters calculated from the solubility data indicate that those anions which most effectively solubilize fibrinogen at alkaline pH and precipitate it at acid pH have the highest apparent binding affinities for the protein. Anions with less pronounced solubility effects have lower binding affinities.     

Gray zones around diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Conclusions based on the workshop of the XIV meeting of the European Association for Hematopathology and the Society of Hematopathology in Bordeaux, France

The term “gray-zone” lymphoma has been used to denote a group of lymphomas with overlapping histological, biological, and clinical features between various types of lymphomas. It has been used in the context of Hodgkin lymphomas (HL) and non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL), including classical HL (CHL), and primary mediastinal large B cell lymphoma, cases with overlapping features between nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma and T-cell/histiocyte-rich large B cell lymphoma, CHL, and Epstein–Barr-virus-positive lymphoproliferative disorders, and peripheral T cell lymphomas simulating CHL. A second group of gray-zone lymphomas includes B cell NHL with intermediate features between diffuse large B cell lymphoma and classical Burkitt lymphoma. In order to review controversial issues in gray-zone lymphomas, a joint Workshop of the European Association for Hematopathology and the Society for Hematopathology was held in Bordeaux, France, in September 2008. The panel members reviewed and discussed 145 submitted cases and reached consensus diagnoses. This Workshop summary is focused on the most controversial aspects of gray-zone lymphomas and describes the panel’s proposals regarding diagnostic criteria, terminology, and new prognostic and diagnostic parameters.     

细胞角蛋白20 在膀胱癌中的研究进展

膀胱肿瘤是最常见的泌尿系统肿瘤,其中上皮性肿瘤占95%以上,绝大多数为尿路移行上皮细胞癌。膀胱癌的早期症状不明显,复发率较高,早期诊断和治疗对提高其疗效非常重要。近年来,诊断膀胱肿瘤的新方法不断出现,显著提高了膀胱肿瘤诊断及预后预测水平。其中,膀胱肿瘤标记物检测已成为膀胱肿瘤的诊断新方法,具有十分重要的临床意义。研究发现,细胞角蛋白20(cytokeratin 20,CK20)是中间纤维家族成员之一,在正常膀胱组织中特异性表达于伞细胞,在膀胱癌中特异性表达于膀胱移行细胞癌,其诊断膀胱肿瘤的特异性和灵敏性均较高,且与膀胱肿瘤的临床分级、病理分期和转移均密切相关,因此可作为辅助诊断膀胱肿瘤的检测标志物及治疗和预后评估指标。本文将就其在膀胱癌中的研究进展综述如下。     

细胞角蛋白20在膀胱癌中的研究进展

膀胱肿瘤是最常见的泌尿系统肿瘤,其中上皮性肿瘤占95％以上,绝大多数为尿路移行上皮细胞癌。膀胱癌的早期症状不明显,复发率较高,早期诊断和治疗对提高其疗效非常重要。近年来,诊断膀胱肿瘤的新方法不断出现,显著提高了膀胱肿瘤诊断及预后预测水平。其中,膀胱肿瘤标记物检测已成为膀胱肿瘤的诊断新方法,具有十分重要的临床意义。研究发现,细胞角蛋白20fcytokeratin20,CK20）是中间纤维家族成员之一,在正常膀胱组织中特异性表达于伞细胞,在膀胱癌中特异性表达于膀胱移行细胞癌,其诊断膀胱肿瘤的特异性和灵敏性均较高,且与膀胱肿瘤的临床分级、病理分期和转移均密切相关,因此可作为辅助诊断膀胱肿瘤的检测标志物及治疗和预后评估指标。本文将就其在膀胱癌中的研究进展综述如下。     

Induction by an hepatic carcinogen, 1-nitroso-5,6-dihydrouracil, of single and double strand breaks of liver DNA with rapid repair

The nitrosoureas derived from 3 naturally occurring ureides were administered to rats and the velocity sedimentation of hepatic DNA in alkaline and neutral sucrose gradients determined. The potent hepatocarcinogen 1-nitroso-5,6-dihydrouracil induced apparent double strand as well as single strand breaks in liver DNA within 30 minutes. This damage seemed to be repaired within 4 hours. In contrast, 1-nitrosohydantoin and δ-nitroso-L-citrulline, neither of which are known hepatocarcinogens, did not modify the velocity sedimentation of hepatic DNA.     

分享科学，创造梦——美国第43届神经科学年会参会感

美国第43届神经科学年会于2013年11月9－13日在美国圣迭戈召开。本文根据作者的参会经历,对此次会议的概况、规模,以及内容作一简介,以期让读者了解神经科学这一研究领域的前沿以及美国神经科学年会的概况。     

The European Proteomics Association (EuPA) is in the field. Report of the formal inauguration of the European Proteome Association (Munich, Germany, August 29, 2005)

After one year of preparation the European Proteomics Association (EuPA) was formally inaugurated on August 29, 2005, on the occasion of the 4(th) HUPO World Congress in Munich, Germany. Delegates from 16 European countries elected Dr. Friedrich Lottspeich, President of the German Proteome Society, as the first EuPA President. The EuPA Board also comprises Professor Mathias Uhlen as Vice President, along with Professor Michael Dunn (Ireland), Professor Concha Gil (Spain), Dr. Jean Charles Sanchez (Switzerland) and Professor Pier Giorgio Righetti (Italy) as Coordinators for the presently defined focus activities of the EuPA. The general objectives of the EuPA are to promote proteomic activities throughout Europe, emphasising the benefits and contribution of proteomics to biological researchers, industry, the general public and politicians.     

Dermatoscopy and High Frequency Sonography: Two Useful Non-Invasive Methods to Increase Preoperative Diagnostic Accuracy in Pigmented Skin Lesions

Dermatoscopy and high frequency sonography have recently been combined to increase diagnostic preoperative accuracy in the treatment of pigmented skin lesions. In this monocentric study 80 patients with pigmented skin lesions were evaluated clinically, by dermatoscopy, and 20 MHz-sonography followed by dermatohistopathological evaluation; 39 malignant melanomas, 37 common nevi, 3 dysplastic nevi, and 1 nevus Spitz were diagnosed histologically. In 72 of the 80 cases (91.3%) dermatoscopical diagnoses were confirmed by histopathology, compared to only 79% correct clinical diagnoses. For the mere clinical diagnosis of melanoma sensitivity was 79%, specificity was 78% and diagnostic accuracy was 65%. All diagnostic values increased by dermatoscopy: sensitivity reached 90%, specificity was 93%, and diagnostic accuracy was 83%. In order to determine tumor thickness preoperatively tumor thickness was measured by 20 MHz sonography. The correlation of tumor thickness between histometric and sonographic results was determined for nevi (r = 0.93) and melanoma (r = 0.95); 74.3% of melanomas were diagnosed correctly within an 0.2 mm range. Regarding the clinical important limit of 1 mm tumor thickness, 87.2% were diagnosed in accordance with histometric evaluation. An increase of 18% in diagnostic accuracy by dermatoscopy and 87.2% of correctly diagnosed cases of tumor thickness of malignant melanoma by high frequency sonography clearly demonstrate that these methods should be considered standard procedures in the diagnosis of pigmented skin lesions and will facilitate the decision on necessary surgical treatment.     

Supply and use of human tissue for research purposes: survey of BATB affiliated tissue banks

This paper describes a survey undertaken to identify the extent of supply and use of human tissue in research by BATB affiliated tissue banks. Approximately one third of tissue banks registered with the BATB are currently supplying samples that are found to be unsuitable for clinical use, for research. These banks all obtain consent for research and all supply tissue for in-house research. Some tissue is transferred to other public and commercial institutions. A harmonised network approach is proposed as the way forward to meet the increasing demand for human tissue in research.     

From Bretonneau to therapeutic antibodies,from specificity to specific remedies,Saint-Cyr-Sur-Loire,France, November 19, 2012

Held on November 19, 2012 in Saint-Cyr-sur-Loire, France, the symposium “From Bretonneau to therapeutic antibodies, from specificity to specific remedies” focused on the historical development of antibodies as therapeutics, with an emphasis on the seminal work of the French physician Pierre-Fidèle Bretonneau (1778–1862). The morning session was devoted to discussion of the evolution of the concept of specificity in medicine, which started with an epistemological definition. The contributions of Bretonneau to the emergence of the concept of specificity, notably with his studies on diphtheria, and the subsequent development of antidiphtheric serotherapy in Europe during the period 1894–1898 were then presented in detail. The afternoon session began with a presentation on the role of French physiologists during the years 1860–1890 in establishing the basic concepts of specific immunity and the principles of serotherapy. The history of antivenom serotherapy, particularly its discovery by Césaire Phisalix, and the development of antilymphocyte globulins as successful transplantation drugs were then discussed. The symposium ended with the inauguration of a stele representing Bretonneau, who lived in Saint-Cyr-sur-Loire and died 150 y ago.     

上海市生物化学与分子生物学学会50年发展历程

本文回顾了上海市生物化学与分子生物学学会50年的发展历程,主要介绍了该学会历史沿革及在人才培养和科学研究方面的成绩。