Int J Clin Exp Patho
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Int J Clin Exp Patho · Jan 2014
Ulinastatin inhibits oxidant-induced endothelial hyperpermeability and apoptotic signaling.
Oxidants are important signaling molecules known to increase endothelial permeability. Studies implicate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the intrinsic apoptotic signaling cascades as mediators of vascular hyperpermeability. Here we report the protective effects of ulinastatin, a serine protease inhibitor with antiapoptotic properties, against oxidant-induced endothelial monolayer hyperpermeability. ⋯ The activation of mitochondrial intrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway was evidenced from BAX up-regulation, Bcl-2 down-regulation, mitochondrial depolarization, an increase in cytochrome c release, and activation of caspase-3 (P < 0.05). UTI (50,000 u/l) attenuated endothelial hyperpermeability, ROS formation, mitochondrial dysfunction, cytochrome c release, activation of caspase-3, and disruption of cell adherens junctions (P < 0.05). Together, these results demonstrate that UTI provides protection against vascular hyperpermeability by modulating the intrinsic apoptotic signaling.
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Int J Clin Exp Patho · Jan 2014
Protein Z-deficiency is associated with enhanced neointima formation and inflammatory response after vascular injury in mice.
Protein Z (PZ) is a vitamin K-dependent coagulation factor without catalytic activity. Evidence points towards PZ as an independent risk factor for the occurrence of human atherosclerotic vascular diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of PZ in vascular arterial disease. ⋯ Morphometric analysis of neointima formation revealed a significantly increased area and thickness of the neointima and subsequently increased luminal stenosis in carotid arteries of PZ(-/-) mice compared to PZ(+/+) mice (p < 0.05, n = 9). Immunohistochemical analysis of neointima lesion composition revealed significantly higher numbers of PCNA-positive and α-SMA-positive cells in the neointima of PZ(-/-) mice. Furthermore, PZ showed an anti-migratory potency in in vitro wound healing assay with SMCs, while no effect of PZ on SMC proliferation was detectable. Conclusion: PZ contributes to a reduced neointima formation after vascular injury, underlining the modulatory role of the coagulation cascade in vascular homeostasis.
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Int J Clin Exp Patho · Jan 2014
Review Case ReportsPrimary spinal intradural extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma mimicking a giant nerve sheath tumor: case report and review of the literature.
Primary intradural extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma is a very rare form of malignant neoplasm. Only few cases have been reported on the literature. ⋯ The patient initially seemed to have a giant nerve sheath tumor but was eventually diagnosed with intradural extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma arising from the nerve roots of the cauda equine. The literature with regard to primary spinal intradural extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma is reviewed.
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Int J Clin Exp Patho · Jan 2014
ReviewClarifying the nomenclature of intervertebral disc degeneration and displacement: from bench to bedside.
As a significant determinant of low back pain, intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) has attracted more and more attention of both investigators and physicians. Disc herniation, termed as intervertebral disc displacement, is amongst the most prevalent spinal diseases closely linked with IDD. Due to the same origins and similar pathophysiology, the ambiguity regarding the similarity and difference of IDD and intervertebral disc displacement thus remains. ⋯ Collectively, IDD is a type of multifaceted, progressive spinal disease with or without clinical symptoms as back pain, characterized by extracellular matrix and the integrity of NP and AF lost, fissures formation. Disc herniation (termed as intervertebral disc displacement) is a type of spinal disease based on IDD or not, with local pain and/or sciatica due to mechanical compression and autoimmune cascades upon the corresponding nerve roots. Clarifying the nomenclature of intervertebral disc degeneration and displacement has important implications both for investigators and for physicians.
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Int J Clin Exp Patho · Jan 2014
Comparative StudySomatostatin receptor immunohistochemistry in neuroendocrine tumors: comparison between manual and automated evaluation.
Manual evaluation of somatostatin receptor (SSTR) immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a time-consuming and cost-intensive procedure. Aim of the study was to compare manual evaluation of SSTR subtype IHC to an automated software-based analysis, and to in-vivo imaging by SSTR-based PET/CT. ⋯ Our data demonstrate that the evaluation of the SSTR status by automated analysis (BB1 score), using digitized histopathology slides ("virtual microscopy"), corresponds well with the SSTR2A, 4 and 5 expression as determined by conventional manual histopathology. The BB1 score also exhibited a significant association to the SSTR-PET/CT data in accordance with the high affinity profile of the SSTR analogues used for imaging.