Distribution of Alaria spp. mesocercariae in waterfrogs.

The distribution of Alaria-spp.-mesocercariae within the host is relevant for the examination via Alaria spp. mesocercariae migration technique (AMT) regarding predilection sites and may indicate an interaction between parasite and host. Naturally Alaria-exposed frogs of Pelophylax species (n = 13) were examined for systemic distribution and localization-specific parasite density of Alaria spp. mesocercariae. The frogs were necropsied and their body was divided into the following localizations: inner organs, head, torso, forelimbs, and hind limbs. The localizations were analyzed individually and in toto using Alaria spp. mesocercariae migration technique. Our results showed neither statistical differences concerning the number of mesocercariae in the different localizations nor in respect of the rate of positive localizations. Therefore, an accumulation in a particular predilection site seems unlikely. Further research on a representative sample is necessary before final conclusions can be drawn.

Oxaliplatin-Induced Acute ST Segment Elevation Mimicking Myocardial Infarction: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Oxaliplatin is a platinum-based antineoplastic agent used for the treatment of colorectal cancer and other gastrointestinal tumors. In combination with 5-fluorouracil for instance it is given in the so-called FOLFOX regimen in patients with colorectal cancer in the adjuvant as well as the palliative treatment setting. Cumulative neuropathy is a common cause of treatment discontinuation. Other toxicities are generally tolerable and managed by dose reductions and/or supportive treatment. While chronic cardiotoxic effects of cytostatics are well described, there are few reports on acute cardiotoxic reactions. CASE REPORT: The present case describes the sudden development of a transient coronary vasospasm in a 56-year-old male patient mimicking an acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction during systemic treatment with oxaliplatin. CONCLUSION: Oxaliplatin is one of the most commonly used cytostatics for gastrointestinal cancer. Coronary vasospasm has never been reported for oxaliplatin. Thus it is crucial to keep in mind that acute cardiotoxic side effects may occur, even with chemotherapeutic agents without a prior evidence-based description of such events.

Expression of a recombinant full-length LRP1B receptor in human non-small cell lung cancer cells confirms the postulated growth-suppressing function of this large LDL receptor family member.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-related protein 1B (LRP1B), a member of the LDL receptor family, is frequently inactivated in multiple malignancies including lung cancer. LRP1B is therefore considered as a putative tumor suppressor. Due to its large size (4599 amino acids), until now only minireceptors or receptor fragments have been successfully cloned. To assess the effect of LRP1B on the proliferation of non-small cell lung cancer cells, we constructed and expressed a transfection vector containing the 13.800 bp full-length murine Lrp1b cDNA using a PCR-based cloning strategy. Expression of LRP1B was analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) using primers specific for human LRP1B or mouse Lrp1b. Effective expression of the full length receptor was demonstrated by the appearance of a single 600 kDa band on Western Blots of HEK 293 cells. Overexpression of Lrp1b in non-small cell lung cancer cells with low or absent endogenous LRP1B expression significantly reduced cellular proliferation compared to empty vector-transfected control cells. Conversely, in Calu-1 cells, which express higher endogenous levels of the receptor, siRNA-mediated LRP1B knockdown significantly enhanced cellular proliferation. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that, consistent with the postulated tumor suppressor function, overexpression of full-length Lrp1b leads to impaired cellular proliferation, while LRP1B knockdown has the opposite effect. The recombinant Lrp1b construct represents a valuable tool to unravel the largely unknown physiological role of LRP1B and its potential functions in cancer pathogenesis.

Time course of lung inflammatory and fibrogenic responses during protective mechanical ventilation in healthy rats.

This study aimed to assess pulmonary inflammatory and fibrogenic responses and their impact on lung mechanics and histology in healthy rats submitted to protective mechanical ventilation for different experimental periods. Eighteen Wistar rats were randomized to undergo open lung-mechanical ventilation (OL-MV) for 1, 6 or 12 h. Following a recruitment maneuver, a decremental PEEP trial was performed and PEEP set according to the minimal respiratory system static elastance. Respiratory system, lung, and chest-wall elastance and gas-exchange were maintained throughout the 12 h experimental period. Histological lung injury score remained low at 1 and 6 h, but was higher at 12 h due to overinflation. A moderate inflammatory response was observed with a distinct peak at 6h. Compared to unventilated controls, type I procollagen mRNA expression was decreased at 1 and 12h, while type III procollagen expression decreased throughout the 12h experimental period. In conclusion, OL-MV in healthy rats yielded overinflation after 6 h even though respiratory elastance and gas-exchange were preserved for up to 12 h.