Control of angiogenesis by VEGF and endostatin-encapsulated protein microcrystals and inhibition of tumor angiogenesis.

Encapsulation of cytokines within protein microcrystals (polyhedra) is a promising approach for the stabilization and delivery of therapeutic proteins. Here, we investigate the influence of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) microcrystals and endostatin microcrystals on angiogenesis. VEGF was successfully encapsulated into microcrystals derived from insect cypovirus with overexpression of protein disulfide bond isomerase. VEGF microcrystals were observed to increase the phosphorylation of p42/p44 MAP kinase and to stimulate the proliferation, migration, and network and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Endostatin was also successfully encapsulated into microcrystals. Endostatin microcrystals showed antiangiogenesis activities and inhibited the migration, and network and tube formation of HUVECs. Local administration of endostatin microcrystals in mice inhibited both angiogenesis and tumor growth with clear significant differences between treatment and control groups. Endostatin microcrystals only affected angiogenesis, but had no significant effect on lymphangiogenesis compared to controls. Local therapy using endostatin microcrystals offers a potential approach to achieve sustained therapeutic release of antiangiogenic molecules for cancer treatment.

Augmentation mammaplasty: where should the implant be placed?

Malposition of the prosthesis is one complication of augmentation mammaplasty. The most projected point of the prosthesis should be placed just behind the nipple to create a natural-looking breast. However, in some cases, when a textured surface cohesive silicone gel prosthesis with an inframammary approach is used, low displacement of the prosthesis is encountered within 1 year. This phenomenon can be seen both in subpectoral augmentation with severing of the muscle at the level of the inframammary fold and in subglandular augmentation when the patient's breast and skin are very soft and easily stretchable. Therefore, the elasticity of the breast should be evaluated before surgery. If the patients breast and skin are very soft and easily stretchable, the pocket for the prosthesis should be created 1 to 1.5 cm superiorly to the usual pocket for the prosthesis. The design of the pocket for the prosthesis should be different depending on the shape of the prosthesis and the elasticity of the patient's breasts.

Eye movements during the Rorschach test in schizophrenia.

In order to understand relationships between scanning behaviors, characteristics of visual stimuli and the clinical symptoms in schizophrenia, eye movements of 37 schizophrenic patients and 36 controls were recorded using an eye-mark recorder during a free-response period in a Rorschach test. Four cards (I, II, V and VIII) were used. Data were analyzed during 15 s from the presentation of each card. For all cards, the number of eye fixations and the number of eye fixation areas were fewer, and total scanning length and mean scanning length were shorter for schizophrenic patients than for controls. For card II, in the non-popular response group, eye fixation frequency upon area 5 + 6 (red) was higher for schizophrenic patients. For card VIII, in the popular response group, eye fixation frequency upon area 5 + 6 (pink) was lower for schizophrenic patients. For cards II and VIII, the number of eye fixations was inversely correlated with negative symptoms. For card II, total scanning length tended to be inversely correlated with negative symptoms, and mean eye fixation time was correlated with negative symptoms. The number of eye fixation areas was inversely correlated with positive symptoms. For card VIII, eye fixation frequency in a stimulative area tended to be correlated with positive symptoms. Scanning behaviors in schizophrenic patients are affected by characteristics of visual stimuli, and partially by clinical symptoms.