Detection of vanadyl-nitrogen interaction in organs of the vanadyl-treated rat: electron spin echo envelope modulation study

AbstractESEEM spectroscopy was applied for the first time to organs of an animal, viz. the kidney and liver of the rat treated with vanadyl sulfate. The aim of this study is to investigate the in vivo coordination structure of vanadyl ions administrated, and to gain information concerning the insulin-mimic activity of vanadium. ESEEM measurements for kidney and liver performed at 77 K have established nitrogen coordination to a certain percentage of vanadyl ion in the organs. The rotios of nitrogen-coordinating vanadyl ion were estimated as 70–80% in the liver, and 50–55% in the kidney. Isotropic portions of the 14N HFC were estimated as |Aiso| ∼ 5.0 MHz for liver, and ∼ 5.2 MHz for kidney, indicating that the coordinating nitrogen is an amino nitrogen. Coordination of the Lys ϵ-amine or the N-terminal α-amine of a protein or (a peptide) to vanadyl ion in vivo is suggested

Significant Correlation between Chromosomal Aberration and Nuclear Morphology in Urothelial Carcinoma

We aimed to identify whether there is any correlation between chromosomal/genetic changes, nuclear morphology and the histological grade of urothelial carcinomas of the urinary bladder. Morphometry and multicolour fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) techniques were applied to 250 cells in five low-grade cases and 350 cells in seven high-grade cases of urothelial carcinoma. Compared with low-grade carcinomas, most high-grade cases showed larger and more variable nuclear size, more frequent polysomy of centromere enumeration probes (CEPs) 3, 7 and 17, and the loss of the 9p21 locus. The number of CEP signals in cells was increased as the nuclear area of the cells became larger. Cells with gains in two or more types of CEP had significantly larger nuclei than cells with normal FISH signal patterns. In conclusion, the present study indicates that there was a correlation between nuclear morphology and chromosomal/genetic changes which were related to histological grading. Thus, we show that differences in the chromosomal/genetic aberrations present in low- and high-grade tumours can affect not only nuclear morphology but also the histopathological and clinical behaviour of urothelial carcinomas

Gastrointestinal Malignancies

The presence of dose-limiting hepatic and renal parenchyma, as well as bowel adjacent to the tumor, have provided the rationale for use of charged particles in the treatment of gastrointestinal malignancies. The most extensive experience has been in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), but esophageal, rectal, and pancreatic lesions have also been treated. Japanese investigators have accumulated experience with both protons and carbon ions for these tumors. Experts from Tsukuba University and the National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS) in Chiba have collaborated on this chapter to share their experience. One third of the 1,556 patients treated with proton beam therapy (PBT) at Tsukuba as of March 2006 had HCC. To date, approximately 2,800 patients have been treated with carbon ion beams at NIRS, 14% of whom have had gastrointestinal malignancies including HCC, pancreatic cancer, esophageal cancer, and pelvic recurrence of rectal cancer after surgery (see Table 19.1

Simple in Situ Hypothermia Reduced Ischaemic Injury to Human Liver during Hepatectomy

Objective: To assess the preventive effect of simple in situ cooling on ischaemic injury in human livers. Design: Randomised study. Setting: University department of surgery, Japan. Subjects: 20 patients who were to undergo liver resection (right lobectomy, n = 6, left lobectomy, n = 3, and posterior segmentectomy, n = 1, in each group); all but 2 who had normal remnant livers and were randomised to undergo either warm ischaemia or in situ cooling (n = 10 in each group). Interventions: Hypothermia was induced by rapid infusion of roughly 450 ml of cold Ringer's lactate into the portal vein during occlusion of the portal triad before resection. Main outcome measures: Occlusion time, ATP concentrations, biochemical indicators of liver damage, and coagulation profile. Results: The mean (SD) occlusion time was 55 (6) minutes for the warm ischaemia group and 53 (3) for the in situ cooling group. After in situ cooling the state of the liver as indicated by serum alanine aminotransferase activity (ALT) and prothrombin time had improved substantially. Mean (SD) ALT activity was 516 (168) U/l in the warm ischaemia group compared with 305 (154) in the in situ cooling group (p < 0.02) on the first postoperative day. The respective figures for prothrombin time (%) were 56 (23) compared with 77 (14), (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In situ cooling lessened the amount of ischaemic damage done to the liver during hepatectomy compared with treatment with warm ischaemia