Search

Objectives: Cancer progression is influenced by tumor microenvironment and communication of stromal cells and tumor cells. Interactions may enhance epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of tumor cells through signaling proteins such as Wnt/beta-catenin and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), as well as loss of cellular integrity, which affects invasion, progression, and metastasis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In this study, we are testing the hypothesis that interactions of human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) with HNSCC might influence the expression of markers of EMT and tumor progression by co-culturing human MSC with the PCI-13 HNSCC line., Materials and Methods: Pooled MSCs were derived from the iliac bone marrow of seven patients and co-cultured in transwell permeable membrane wells with tumor cells of the established HNSCC cell line PCI-13 (UICC: T3, N1, M0). MSCs were characterized through fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis. Expression of Wnt3, E-cadherin, beta-catenin, MMP14, cathepsin b, and ETS1 was assessed by quantitative RT-PCR., Results: We were able to show that co-culture of MSCs and PCI-13 leads to a significantly reduced expression of Wnt3, MMP14, and beta-catenin compared to controls, whereas the expression of cathepsin b and ETS1 was not significantly different between co-cultures and controls., Conclusion: Our results suggest that the interaction between MSCs and PCI-13 may suppress EMT in cancer cells., Clinical Relevance: The influence of MSCs can suppress the onset of EMT in HNSCC, affecting tumor progression and therapy.

To avoid the influence of general anaesthetics on the functions of most organ systems, the present experiments were carried out in unanaesthetized rats. Blood concentrations in the aorta, V. portae and Vv. hepaticae as well as urinary and biliary excretions of bupivacaine were studied after either intravenous or enteral administration. From the course of the aortic bupivacaine concentrations after i.v. injection the following pharmacokinetic data were derived: t1/2 = 24,7 min; k2 = 1,467 h; V = 1,492 1. Absorption of bupivacaine from the jejunum is rapid. The hepatic clearance of bupivacaine in the rat is 12 ml/kg b.w..min-1. The biliary excretion of bupivacaine in the rat is very small; therefore the enterohepatic circulation of this substance may be considered neglible.

In this prospective study 613 patients on whom a total of 783 spinal anaesthetics had been performed, all for urological operations, were questioned and examined. Subjective complaints occured in 102 cases (13%) and were found to be more frequent amongst the female patients. 23 cases (2.9%) developed a typical post-spinal headache, this being more likely to occur if the patient was a woman, was young, and if a 22-Gauge needle was used. The headache usually began on getting up on the day of operation or the first post-operative day, and rarely lasted longer than four days. The pathophysiological changes indicate that the headache is caused by a fall in CSF pressure. The therapy and various methods of preventing this complication are discussed, and the other potential neurological symptoms and signs mentioned.

The anaesthesia outpatient clinic can be a new concept of preanaesthetic preparation and treatment. Related to the figures of 1977, a report is given about our 2-years experience. Patients from the usual outpatient clinics, like gynecology, urology, ENT, who are expected to be operated upon are immediately sent to the anaesthesia outpatient clinic for preanaesthetic check up. After the overall state of the patient has been examined, the original outpatient clinic and/or the family doctor are given information about the patients condition, and probably proposals for a preanaesthetic treatment are made. In 1977, 15% of all anaesthetized patients were checked as outpatients, another 40% were only examined after entering the hospital, whereas as few as 17% were not checked in the anaesthesic outpatient clinic. In patients, checked as outpatients, the period between the first day of hospitalisation and operation was evidently shorter than in patients, having been hospitalized at the time of preanaesthetic examination. This gives the opportunity to save money and beds. Furthermore, the anaesthesia outpatient clinic improves the organisation and efficiency of surgery, urology, gynecology etc., improves the relationship between patients and anaesthetists, decreases the risk of anaesthesia and operation, saves personnel and gives a qualified additional background for the purposes of graduation and student training.

A method is described enabling blood concentrations and urinary and biliary excretion of bupivacaine to be estimated in unanaesthetized rats. After enteral application of bupivacaine, the urine volumes of 40 rats are collected, cleared off and analysed by gas chromatography. 5 fractions are obtained, of which the structures are identified by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance. The following five metabolites could be identified: (1) Desbutyl-bupivacaine, (2) 3'-Hydroxy-bupivacaine, (3) N-Butylpipecolyl-2-amide, (4, 5) mono-hydroxylated isomeres on the piperidine ring.

The effect of hypophysectomy and of a successive treatment with LTH and STH on growth and weight gain was investigated in pigeons, 2-6 weeks of age. LTH stimulates as well as STH the growth retarded by hypophysectomy. Either hormone not only prevents the decrease of body weight caused by hypophysectomy but even produces an evident increase. The growth: weight-ratio approximates better to the value of normally developed animals in case of LTH-treatment than in case of STH-treatment.