Function of ion transport proteins in pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs)

Das Pankreaskarzinom ist durch ein fibrotisches und hypoxisches Tumormikromilieu gekennzeichnet. Daran sind vor allen pankreatische Sternzellen beteiligt. Sternzellen und Krebszellen aktivieren sich gegenseitig parakrin. Das führt auch zur Stimulation der Migration von Sternzellen, was Voraussetzung für die effiziente Kommunikation mit den Krebszellen ist. Transient receptor potential (TRP) Kanäle wirken dabei als Sensoren und Modifikatoren des (Tumor)Mikromilieus. Sie sind gleichzeitig wesentliche Komponenten der Transduktion und Effektormechanismen, die den zellulären Antworten auf das Mikromilieu wie z.b Hypoxie zugrunde liegen. Diese Studie zeigt zum ersten Mal, dass die Ca2+-permeablen TRPC1- und TRPC6-Kanäle für die Reaktion der Sternzellen auf Hypoxie erforderlich sind.  Pancreatic cancer is characterized by the presence of a highly fibrotic and hypoxic tumour microenvironment, primarily formed by pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs). This activates both PSCs and cancer cells to secrete various stimulants attracting more PSCs to the tumour area. Thus, the ability of PSCs to migrate is recognized as a consequence of their activated state and as a requirement for efficient communication with cancer cells. Evidence supports a role of the transient receptor potential (TRP) channels as sensors and modifiers of the (tumour) microenvironment, together with being essential components of the transduction and effector mechanisms underlying cellular responses to microenvironmental cues such as hypoxia. This study shows for the first time that the Ca2+-permeable TRPC1- and TRPC6-channels are important for the response of PSCs to hypoxia through a sensor, modifier and/or transduction/effector mechanism thereby affecting their migratory behavior

Issues with the European Pharmacopoeia Quality Control Method for 99mTc-Labelled Macroaggregated Albumin

Technetium-99m macroaggregated albumin ([(99m)Tc]Tc-MAA) is an injectable radiopharmaceutical used in nuclear medicine for lung perfusion scintigraphy. After changing to a new batch of macroaggregated albumin (MAA), we saw unwanted uptake in the liver and spleen. The batch was therefore tested by both the supplier and us and we found it to comply with the requirements of the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.). However, a simple comparison between the problematic batch and a batch supplied by another manufacturer showed that there was a significant difference. The quality testing showed a higher number of small particles in the problem encumbered MAA batch with unwanted in vivo uptake. In this article we present a simple method of testing for particle size of [(99m)Tc]Tc-MAA, which gives a good indication of how the radioactive drug performs in vivo. We argue that the quality control method described in the Ph. Eur. should be changed. The changes will improve concordance between the laboratory analyzes and what is seen in vivo in human lung perfusion scintigraphy. Furthermore, we hope that the MAA suppliers without delay will replace their release procedure to be in accordance with the method described in this article

Forord

Intet resumé

Pressure-point-garments: haptic stimulation of the body enabled through a fashionable 3D-textile interface

Developments in textile and fiber engineering have allowed the development of functional clothing such as protective wear, sportswear, and medical clothing. Stimulating pressure points on the skin has a wide range of applications in manual therapy – both to eliminate functional disorders in the musculoskeletal system and to relieve pain. An acupressure-like effect can be achieved when the practitioner or the person pressures the skin with the thumb on specific pressure-points on the body. So far, there have not been any product solutions which combine (full)-body garments with an acupressure-like effect. Understanding textiles as a grid which holds pressure balls in place and making use of fiber and textile technologies for industrial knitting has enabled “trykk.” to develop four pressure-point-garments with different textile variables. The purpose of the garment is to substitute the mechanical stimulation of the acupressure-like thumb on the skin through a patent-pending 3-dimensional textile-body interface which consists of a flexible textile grid and small marble-sized semi-precious stone balls. This paper describes a study set-up where the four prototypes in five different haptic use-scenarios are compared to the average force applied in an acupressure-like intervention. Besides, data of the likeability (satisfaction) regarding the four distinctive textiles were obtained. Results demonstrated a comparable performance of the prototypes in four out of five use case scenarios. Textile variables significantly altered users’ interest in the garments, yet had no significant effect on the technical performance and the perceived intensity of stimulation