Matrix metalloproteinase-7 activates heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Tumour-specific expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-7 has been noted in cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) in patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB). OBJECTIVES: To examine the potential role of MMP-7 in shedding of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) in RDEB-associated and sporadic SCCs. METHODS: Tissue microarrays of RDEB-associated SCC (n = 20), non-EB SCC (n = 60) and Bowen disease (n = 28) were immunostained for MMP-7, CD44 variant 3 (CD44v3) and HB-EGF. Shedding of HB-EGF was studied in vitro using two cutaneous SCC cell lines. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical analysis showed that HB-EGF was absent in tumour cells when MMP-7 and CD44v3 colocalized, and that the absence of HB-EGF was more pronounced in RDEB-associated SCCs than in non-EB SCCs. The loss of HB-EGF in MMP-7-CD44v3 double-positive areas was interpreted to indicate shedding and activation of HB-EGF; this was also detected in Bowen disease indicating its importance in the early phase of SCC development. Specific knockdown of MMP-7 expression in human cutaneous SCC cells by small interfering RNA inhibited shedding of HB-EGF and resulted in diminished activation of the EGF receptor (EGFR) and ERK1/2, and in reduced proliferation of SCC cells. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide evidence for the role of MMP-7 in promoting the growth of cutaneous SCCs by shedding HB-EGF, and identify EGFR signalling as a potential therapeutic target in RDEB-associated SCC and unresectable sporadic cutaneous SCC.

Evaluation of dithiocarbamates and beta-diketones as chelating agents in supercritical fluid extraction of Cd, Pb, and Hg from solid samples.

The use of four dithiocarbamates and three fluorinated beta-diketones as potential chelating agents for three transition metal ions (Cd(2+), Pb(2+), and Hg(2+)) extracted from spiked sand and filter paper samples by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) was investigated. The extractions were performed at 45 degrees C and 250 atm for spiked sand samples and at 60 degrees C and 200 atm for filter paper samples using supercritical carbon dioxide modified with 5% methanol. At 250 atm and using carbon dioxide modified with 5% methanol, the recoveries of Cd(2+), Pb(2+), and Hg(2+) ions from spiked sand samples were 95% with lithium bis(trifluoroethyl)dithiocarbamate (LiFDDC) as the chelating agent; they ranged from 83-97% with diethylammonium diethyldithiocarbamate and from 87-97% with sodium di-ethyldithiocarbamate as chelating agents, and from 68-96% with trifluoracetylacetone, hexafluoroacetylacetone, and thenoylfluoroacetone as chelating agents. Ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate was not effective in the chelation SFE of Cd(2+), Pb(2+), and Hg(2+) ions from either spiked sand or spiked filter paper samples under the extraction conditions used. Supercritical carbon dioxide alone gave consistently lower analyte recoveries than supercritical carbon dioxide modified with 5% methanol. The results suggest that the solubility of the metal chelate in the supercritical fluid plays a more important role than the solubility of the chelating agent in the supercritical fluid, as long as sufficient chelating agent is present in the fluid phase. Fluorination of the chelating agent, as in the case of LiFDDC, increases the solubility of the metal chelate, and subsequently enhances the extraction efficiency for the metal ions.

Supercritical fluid extraction of organic and inorganic mercury from solid materials.

Mercuric ions (Hg(2+)) can be extracted from solid samples (cellulose matrix) using methanol modified supercritical CO(2) containing the fluorinated chelating agent lithium bis(trifluoroethyl)dithiocarbamate (LiFDDC). Methylmercuric chloride (CH(3)HgCl) and dimethylmercury [(CH(3))(2)Hg] can be extracted by supercritical CO(2) without chelating agent and modifier. The solubility of Hg(FDDC)(2) in supercritical CO(2) has been determined to be 5 x 10(-3)M at 5O degrees C and 150 atm, which is about 3 orders of magnitude greater than that of the non-fluorinated analogue Hg(DDC)(2). Use of methanol (5%)-modified CO(2) further enhances the solubility of Hg(FDDC)(2) by a factor of 2.4. A small amount of water added to the sample matrix tends to facilitate the extraction of Hg(FDDC)(2) and CH(3)HgCl. Potential applications of this in situ chelation-supercritical fluid extraction method for the preconcentration of mercury species and treatment of mercury contaminated wastes are discussed.

Interlaboratory evaluation of an off-line supercritical fluid extraction/infrared spectrometric method for determination of petroleum hydrocarbons in solid matrixes.

A collaborative study was conducted, with 14 laboratories participating, to determine the method accuracy and precision of the proposed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Methods 3560 and 8440. These methods involve the extraction of petroleum hydrocarbons from solid matrixes with supercritical carbon dioxide at 340 atm and 80 degrees C for 30 min (dynamic), collection of the extracted materials in tetrachloroethene (Method 3560), and analysis of the extracts by infrared (IR) spectrometry (Method 8440). The study design was based on the AOAC blind replicate design with balanced replicates. The study samples consisted of 4 solid matrixes that had petroleum hydrocarbon contents ranging from 614 to 32,600 mg/kg. Each of the 4 matrixes was extracted in triplicate, and the extracts were analyzed with 2 different IR spectrometers. In addition, each of the participating laboratories extracted a sample of unspiked clay soil, the same clay soil spiked with corn oil and reference oil at 1000 mg/kg each, and the same clay soil wetted to 30% water content and spiked with motor oil at 10,000 mg/kg (the latter 3 samples were extracted only once). Results indicated that the overall method accuracy for concentrations ranging from 614 to 32,600 mg/kg was 82.9%; the mean recoveries of petroleum hydrocarbons for each of the 4 solid matrixes ranged from 77.9 to 107% for analyses performed with the Perkin-Elmer Fourier transform IR spectrometer and from 75.9 to 101% for analyses performed with the Buck-Scientific IR spectrometer; the differences between the 2 instruments on a sample-by-sample basis were less than 17% for the total petroleum hydrocarbon determinations. The interlaboratory method precisions (RSDR) appeared to be matrix-dependent and ranged from 17.3 to 45.4% for analyses performed with the Perkin-Elmer Fourier transform IR spectrometer and from 16.7 to 47.9% for the Buck-Scientific IR spectrometer. The intralaboratory method precisions (RSDr) appeared to be less matrix-dependent and ranged from 11.5 to 17.0% for analyses performed with the Perkin-Elmer FTIR spectrometer and from 11.1 to 18.2% for the Buck-Scientific IR spectrometer. Method accuracy and precision data are also presented for the 5 laboratories that used Isco supercritical fluid extraction systems and for the 7 laboratories that used vessels with volumes of 3.5 mL or less with different supercritical fluid extraction systems.

Cleanup of environmental sample extracts using Florisil solid-phase extraction cartridges.

Disposable cartridges containing 1 g of Florisil are investigated for cleanup of extracts obtained from various environmental matrices. Elution patterns and recoveries are determined for 22 chlorinated hydrocarbons and 16 phthalate esters in the presence of interferents such as corn oil, diesel hydrocarbons, organochlorine pesticides, and chlorinated phenols. Hexane, hexane/diethyl ether (1:1), hexane/acetone (9:1), and various combinations of hexane/methylene chloride are used as eluants.

Transformation-specific matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-7 and MMP-13 are expressed by tumour cells in epidermolysis bullosa-associated squamous cell carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: Patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) have an increased risk of developing rapidly progressive and metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). It is unclear why these SCC behave more aggressively than sporadic SCC. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are a family of endopeptidases that contribute to growth, invasion and metastasis of SCC. The role of MMP in RDEB-associated SCC is not known. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the expression of MMP-7, MMP-13 and MMP-9 in RDEB-associated SCC in comparison with sporadic SCC and Bowen's disease. METHODS: Immunohistochemical analysis of 25 RDEB-associated SCC, 61 sporadic SCC and 28 sporadic lesions of Bowen's disease was carried out using monoclonal antibodies for MMP-7, MMP-9, MMP-13 and E-cadherin and syndecan-1. RESULTS: MMP-7 was detected in all RDEB-associated SCC, in tumour cells within the invasive edge, where E-cadherin and syndecan-1 were markedly diminished or absent. MMP-7 expression was also observed in 98% of sporadic SCC and in 68% of Bowen's diseases. MMP-7 staining was significantly stronger in RDEB-associated SCC than in sporadic SCC, and was most abundant in poorly differentiated tumours. MMP-13 was detected in tumour cells in 96% of RDEB-associated SCC and in all sporadic cutaneous SCC. MMP-9 was detected in the inflammatory cells in all SCC examined. CONCLUSIONS: These results identify MMP-7 and MMP-13 as tumour cell-specific markers for SCC progression and as potential therapeutic targets in RDEB-associated SCC. The pattern of immunolabelling suggests that MMP-7 may shed E-cadherin and syndecan-1 from the SCC cell surface.

[Sudden cardiac death due to myocardial sarcoidosis]. / Plötzlicher Herztod infolge Myokardsarkoidose.

The participation of the myocardium in sarcoidosis is a severe complication which in very rare cases may lead to the acute cardiac death. Morphological problems result from all accessory cardiac changes.

[Recognizing epicardial lipomas]. / Zur Kenntnis der Epikardlipome.

Three own observations of oscillating miniature lipomas of the epicardium are a cause to doubt the extreme rareness of this form of tumours. Pediculation and vascular proliferations facilitate the morphological delimitation of fat rumps. The possibility of a removal of infarcted lipomas of the epicardium is taken into consideration.

[Prepyloric, cystic adenomatous hamartia in a newborn infant. Contribution to the morphogenesis of gastric duplications (author's transl)]. / Präpylorische zystische adenomyomatöse Hamartie bei einem Neugeborenen. Beitrag zur Morphogenese der Magenduplikaturen.

The so-called adenomyomas of the stomach in the antric region can often be seen. However, cystic alterations including duplications are a rarity. The author reports on a case of a duplication of the stomach in connection with a so-called adenomyoma of the pyloric channel. On the basis of a case report he describes morphogenesis, clinical aspects, complications and therapy with due consideration of the literature.

[Endobronchial lipoma]. / Das endobronchiale Lipom.

It is reported on a rare endobronchial lipoma, which was falsely interpreted and the radiological course of which was more than 15 years. It is referred to the discrepancy between morphological benignity of the lipoma and the dangerous changes of the lungs when the disease is delayed.

[Lung metastases of a malignant giant cell tumour simulating an alveolar carcinosis (author's transl)]. / Lungenmetastasen eines malignen Riesenzeltumors mit Ausbreitung unter dem Bild einer "Alveolenkarzinose".

A brief report an lung metastases of a malignant giant cell tumour simulating an alveolar cell carcinoma in peripheric regions is given, and a critical classification of alveolar cell carcinoma is supported.

[Cholestasis and liver cell necrosis resulting from acute pulmonary embolism (author's transl)]. / Cholestase und Parenchymnekrosen der Leber bei akutem Cor pulmonale infolge Lungenembolie.l

124 autopsy cases with acute pulmonary embolism were investigated. Severe or moderate necrosis of parenchymal cells were found in 24%, and disseminating microfocal necrosis furthermore in 32%. An unsignificant or mild cholestasis was observed in 44%. The cause of necrotic liver damage is a complex circulatory disturbance, formed by acinar liver structure. A correlation between degree of thromboembolism and liver necrosis or cholestasis does not exist.

[Bronchial carcinoma in multiple bilateral amyloid tumors of the lung]. / Bronchialkarzinom bei multiplen bilateralen Amyloidtumoren der Lunge.

It is reported on an up to now not described combination of bronchial carcinoma and multiple amyloid tumours of the lung as autopic side findings in a 68-year-old patient.

[Topography of benign nonepithelial tumours of the stomach (author's transl)]. / Zur Topographie der häufigsten nichtepithelialen benignen Magentumoren.

In a series of 500 unselected autopsy cases 23 myomas, 14 neurinomas and 5 lipomas of the stomach were met. Benign tumours are mainly localized in the corpus and fundus of the stomach.

[Rare cause of death in pulmonary recurrence of uterine cancer]. / Seltene Todesursache bei pulmonalem Rezidiv eines Korpuskarzinoms.

A brief report on endometrium carcinoma with lung metastases is given. The obturation of the main bronchus and trachea by lymphonodular metastases is a rare cause of death.

[Morphological studies on the problem of cholestasis due to cardiac insufficiency and its relationship to parenchymal necroses of the liver]. / Morphologische Untersuchungen zum Problem der kardial bedingten Cholestase und ihrer Beziehungen zu Parenchymnekrosen der Leber.

For the differentiation of the disturbances of the uric acid metabolism the determination of the uric acid clearance is a valuable help. A normal clearance (greater than or equal to 0.116 ml/s, 7 ml/min) in hyperuricaemia speaks for an overproduction of uric acid (type I), a decreased clearance (less than or equal to 0.100 ml/min) speaks for a disturbance of the renal excretion (type II). By additional parameters which are simply to be got further subtypes (Ia, Ib, IIa, IIb, III) can be delimited. All examinations can be performed under ambulatory conditions. On the basis of this division the antihyperuricaemics may be better used. The application of the drugs according to types favours the decrease of the side-effects of the drugs and additionally shows economic advantages.

[Small myomas of stomach in autopsy cases (author's transl)]. / Miniaturmyome des Magens im Sektionsgut.

In a series of 800 unselected autopsy cases in 46 patients gastric myomas were founded. These tumors are the most common non-epithelial neoplasms of gastric wall. The average age runs to 77 years. Myomas are mainly localized in the fundus and corpus of the stomach. They originate from the internal layer of the muscularis propria. These myomas grow very slowly, and calcification or sclerosis are frequent. The practical clinical importance is insignificant.

[Occult miniature lipomas of duodenum (author's transl)]. / Okkulte Miniaturlipome des Duodenums.

By intensive investigation relatively often small lipomas in the duodenum can be found at post mortem examination. They are harmless and develop in the submucosa and grow in a polypous form into the lumen. Lipomas seem to be the most frequent among the benign mesenchymal tumours.

[Appendectomy in parallel with gynaecological laparotomy (author's transl)]. / Simultanappendektomie bei gynäkologischer Laparotomie.

An account is given in this paper of 102 cases of appendectomy in parellel with 193 gynaecological laparotomies (52.9 per cent), with reference being made to the small amount of associated complication, as borne out by literature data on larger groups of patients. Particular reference is made, in that context, to legal and clinical prerequisites and to counter-indictions. The authors' own pathohistological findings differed from figures around 90 per cent, as reported elsewhere, in that more or less conspicuous tissue peculiarities were recorded from only 37.5 per cent of all simultaneously removed appendices. That discrepancy in evaluation is discussed. With the relative increase in incidence and complication of senile appendicitis in mind, appendectomy in parallel with gynaecological laparotomy is recommended as a genuine prophylaxis, yet, with due consideration of all necessary conditions.