[Synchronous gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and multiple digestive neoplasms, benign and malignant].

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are a broad category of mesenchymal, non-epithelial primary tumors of the digestive tract, located in the wall of hollow viscera, from the esophagus to the anus and often in adjacent mesentery and omentum. They are clinically unpredictable (may be discovered incidentally during an imagistic investigation or during surgery for other pathological entity, or at necropsy) and also have an unpredictable behavior (GISTs with very low risk, with low or moderate malignancy, which have benign histopathologic features but can recurr or can metastasize). The case we present here represents a rare association between a synchronous gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and multiple gastric benign and malignant tumors.

[Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast--two case reports].

Adenoid cystic carcinoma is a rare type of breast carcinoma with a good prognosis. It represents less than 0,1% of breast carcinomas. We present two cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma diagnosed in the Surgical Department of Coltea Hospital in the last 3 years.

Atopic dermatitis in dogs is associated with a high heterogeneity in the distribution of protein-bound lipids within the stratum corneum.

The stratum corneum (SC) was taken from five atopic dogs by tape stripping (12 strips) of non-lesional areas of the abdomen. The free and protein-bound lipids were extracted and analyzed by thin-layer chromatography after fractionation on aminopropyl-bonded silica gel columns. A very frequent feature was the heterogeneity in the lipid content of consecutive layers.

Immunohistochemical expression of conjugating UGT1A-derived isoforms in normal and tumoral drug-metabolizing tissues in humans.

Glucuronidation by UDP-glucuronyltransferase (UGT) enzymes is the prevailing conjugative pathway for the metabolism of both xenobiotics and endogenous compounds. Alterations in this pathway, such as those generated by common genetic polymorphisms, have been shown to significantly impact on the health of individuals, influencing cancer susceptibility, responsiveness to drugs and drug-induced toxicity. Alternative usage of terminal exons leads to UGT1A-derived splice variants, namely the classical and enzymatically active isoforms 1 (i1) and the novel enzymatically inactive isoforms 2 (i2).

Importance of charge regulation in attractive double-layer forces between dissimilar surfaces.

Direct force measurements between oppositely charged latex particles in aqueous electrolyte solutions were carried out with a multiparticle colloidal probe technique based on atomic force microscopy. Force profiles between two dissimilarly charged surfaces can be only described when charge regulation effects are taken into account, while constant charge or constant potential boundary conditions are inappropriate. Surface potentials and regulation parameters are determined from force data obtained in symmetric systems with the Poisson-Boltzmann theory and constant regulation approximation.

In vitro and in vivo behavior of ketoprofen intercalated into layered double hydroxides.

Ketoprofen (Ket) was intercalated into layered double hydroxides (ZnAlLDH and MgAlLDH) using the ionic exchange method. The drug intercalation was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and FTIR spectroscopy. Ket release from the inorganic matrix was studied at pH 7.

The role of steps in surface catalysis and reaction oscillations.

Atomic steps at the surface of a catalyst play an important role in heterogeneous catalysis, for example as special sites with increased catalytic activity. Exposure to reactants can cause entirely new structures to form at the catalyst surface, and these may dramatically influence the reaction by 'poisoning' it or by acting as the catalytically active phase. For example, thin metal oxide films have been identified as highly active structures that form spontaneously on metal surfaces during the catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide.

MTRR polymorphism and the risk for colorectal and breast cancer in Romanian patients--a preliminary study.

Background: The risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) and breast cancer (BC) is influenced by polymorphisms located in the genes encoding enzymes of the folate pathway. The aim of this study was to evaluate if A66G MTRR (rs1801394) polymorphism is involved in predisposition for colorectal and breast carcinogenesis in Romanian patients.

Materials And Methods: In the present case-control study, 300 individuals divide in four groups: sporadic CRC patients (n = 120), control CRC (n = 60), BC patients (n = 60) and control BC (n = 60), were genotyped by PCR-RFLP method.

Roscovitine-based CDK inhibitors acting as N-donor ligands in the platinum(II) oxalato complexes: preparation, characterization and in vitro cytotoxicity.

The reactions of potassium bis(oxalato)platinate dihydrate with two molar equivalents of the potent adenine-based cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2-(1-ethyl-2-hydroxyethylamino)-N6-(benzyl)-9-isopropyladenine (Roscovitine; Ros) and its benzyl-substituted analogues, i.e. 2-(1-ethyl-2-hydroxyethylamino)-N6-(2-methoxybenzyl)-9-isopropyladenine (2OMeRos), 2-(1-ethyl-2-hydroxyethylamino)-N6-(3-methoxybenzyl)-9-isopropyladenine (3OMeRos) and 2-(1-ethyl-2-hydroxyethylamino)-N6-(4-methoxybenzyl)-9-isopropyladenine (4OMeRos), were performed and the [Pt(ox)(Ros)(2)].

Charge regulation effects on electrostatic patch-charge attraction induced by adsorbed dendrimers.

A multi-particle colloidal probe technique based on the atomic force microscope (AFM) was used to measure the interaction forces between individual charged latex particles with adsorbed cationic poly(amido amine) (PAMAM) dendrimers. The forces near the isoelectric point (IEP) were found to be attractive and stronger than van der Waals interactions. These additional attractions can be rationalized semi-quantitatively with a patch-charge model, which is derived from Debye-Hückel theory.

The weak rate of sphingolipid biosynthesis shown by basal keratinocytes isolated from aged vs. young donors is fully rejuvenated after treatment with peptides of a potato hydrolysate.

A new study was carried out to bring more information on the effect of the potato proteins ferment. Basal keratinocytes obtained from freshly excised skin samples of two groups of five donors, a young one (25-36-year-old) and an aged one (59-70-year-old) were established in culture. The results showed a downward trend in the content of all lipid fractions in untreated keratinocytes of aged donors when compared with young ones.

Analysis of free and protein-bound ceramides by tape stripping of stratum corneum from dogs.

The free and protein-bound ceramides of dog stratum corneum (SC) were analyzed by thin-layer chromatography after tape stripping of the abdomen of five dogs. The sphingoid bases were identified by gas-liquid chromatography as sphingosine, phytosphingosine, and 6-hydroxysphingosine. Electrospray ionization-ion trap mass spectrometry was used to characterize the protein-bound ceramides containing sphingosine and omega-hydroxy long-chain fatty acids.

Platinum(II) oxalato complexes with adenine-based carrier ligands showing significant in vitro antitumor activity.

[Pt(L)(2)(ox)] (1), [Pt(2-OMeL)(2)(ox)] (2), [Pt(3-OMeL)(2)(ox)] (3), [Pt(2,3-diOMeL)(2)(ox)] (4), [Pt(2,4-diOMeL)(2)(ox)] (5), [Pt(3,4-diOMeL)(2)(ox)] (6) and [Pt(3,5-diOMeL)(2)(ox)].4H(2)O (7) platinum(II) oxalato (ox) complexes were synthesized using the reaction of potassium bis(oxalato)platinate(II) dihydrate with 2-chloro-N6-(benzyl)-9-isopropyladenine or its benzyl-substituted analogues (nL). The complexes 1-7, which represent the first platinum(II) oxalato complexes involving adenine-based ligands, were fully characterized by various physical methods including multinuclear and two dimensional NMR spectroscopy.

Cytokinin receptor antagonists derived from 6-benzylaminopurine.

Recently we reported 6-(2-hydroxy-3-methylbenzylamino)purine (PI-55) as the first molecule to antagonize cytokinin activity at the receptor level. Here we report the synthesis and in vitro biological testing of eleven BAP derivatives substituted in the benzyl ring and in the C2, N7 and N9 positions of the purine moiety. The ability of the compounds to interact with Arabidopsis cytokinin receptors AHK3 and CRE1/AHK4 was tested in bacterial receptor and in live-cell binding assays, and in an Arabidopsis ARR5:GUS (Arabidopsis response regulator 5) reporter gene assay.

Attractive and repulsive electrostatic forces between positively charged latex particles in the presence of anionic linear polyelectrolytes.

The interaction forces between individual positively charged amidine functionalized latex particles with adsorbed negatively charged sodium poly(styrene sulfonate) were studied with the colloidal probe technique based on atomic force microscopy (AFM). When the polymer dose is progressively increased, the strength of the repulsive force between the particles decreases as the charge neutralization point is approached, then increases again due to overcharging, and finally reaches a plateau. Surface potentials obtained from fits of the force profiles to Poisson-Boltzmann theory agree well with potentials measured with electrophoresis.

Neuron specific Rab4 effector GRASP-1 coordinates membrane specialization and maturation of recycling endosomes.

The endosomal pathway in neuronal dendrites is essential for membrane receptor trafficking and proper synaptic function and plasticity. However, the molecular mechanisms that organize specific endocytic trafficking routes are poorly understood. Here, we identify GRIP-associated protein-1 (GRASP-1) as a neuron-specific effector of Rab4 and key component of the molecular machinery that coordinates recycling endosome maturation in dendrites.

The first iron(III) complexes with cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors: Magnetic, spectroscopic (IR, ES+ MS, NMR, (57)Fe Mössbauer), theoretical, and biological activity studies.

The first Fe(III) complexes 1-6 with cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors of the type [Fe(L(n))Cl(3)].nH(2)O (n=0 for 1, 1 for 2, 2 for 3-6; L(1)-L(6)=C2- and phenyl-substituted CDK inhibitors derived from 6-benzylamino-9-isopropylpurine), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, (57)Fe Mössbauer, (1)H and (13)C NMR, and ES+ mass spectroscopies, conductivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The study revealed that the compounds are mononuclear, tetrahedral high-spin (S=5/2) Fe(III) complexes with an admixture of an S=3/2 spin state originating probably from five-coordinated Fe(III) ions either connecting with a bidentate coordination mode of the CDK inhibitor ligand or relating to the possibility that one crystal water molecule enters the coordination sphere of the central atom in a portion of molecules of the appropriate complex.

Detection of GD3 ganglioside in primary melanomas depends on histopathologic procedures used for tumor preservation.

Gangliosides, cell surface glycosphingolipids, are implicated in diverse biologic functions potentially important for tumor growth. Because expression of the GD3 ganglioside may have an impact on the melanoma malignancy, and therefore on the patient prognosis, we evaluated the feasibility of a retrospective immunohistochemical study of GD3 in paraffin embedded biopsies of primary melanomas. Immunoperoxidase staining of frozen and deparaffinized sections of melanoma lesions with two anti-GD3 antibodies was compared using Dako biotin-streptavidin detection kit.

Long-ranged attractive forces induced by adsorbed dendrimers: direct force measurements and computer simulations.

Interaction forces between charged interfaces in the presence of oppositely charged dendrimers are studied by experiment and simulation. The experiments involve direct force measurements with an atomic force microscope (AFM) between two negatively charged colloidal particles in the presence of adsorbed, positively charged globular dendrimers. The simulations are carried out by treating the macroions explicitly, while the small salt ions are treated implicitly through the Debye-Huckel approximation.

Attractive electrostatic forces between identical colloidal particles induced by adsorbed polyelectrolytes.

Polyelectrolytes adsorb strongly at oppositely charged surfaces, thereby dramatically influencing the corresponding interaction forces. In this letter, we report on direct force measurements with the atomic force microscope (AFM) between two individual particles in an aqueous colloidal suspension in the presence of polyelectrolytes near the isoelectric point. From systematic variations of the molecular mass, the ionic strength, and analysis of adhesion events, we conclude that the observed attractive forces are mainly due to electrostatic patch-charge interactions.

Precise measurement of the neutron magnetic form factor G(M)n in the few-GeV2 region.

The neutron elastic magnetic form factor was extracted from quasielastic electron scattering on deuterium over the range Q;{2}=1.0-4.8 GeV2 with the CLAS detector at Jefferson Lab.

Synthesis, characterization and in vitro cytotoxicity of the first palladium(II) oxalato complexes involving adenine-based ligands.

The first [Pd(L(n))(2)(ox)] xH(2)O oxalato(ox) complexes involving 2-chloro-N6-(benzyl)-9-isopropyladenine (L(1); complex 1), 2-chloro-N6-(4-methoxybenzyl)-9-isopropyladenine (L(2); 2), 2-chloro-N6-(2,3-dimethoxybenzyl)-9-isopropyladenine (L(3); 3), 2-chloro-N6-(2,4-dimethoxybenzyl)-9-isopropyladenine (L(4); 4), and 2-chloro-N6-(4-methylbenzyl)-9-isopropyladenine (L(5); 5) have been synthesized by the reactions of potassium bis(oxalato)palladate(II) dihydrate, [K(2)Pd(ox)(2)].2H(2)O, with the mentioned organic compounds (H(2)ox=oxalic acid; x=0 for 1-3 and 5 or 2 for 4). Elemental analyses (C, H, N), FTIR, Raman and NMR ((1)H, (13)C, (15)N) spectroscopies, conductivity measurements and thermal studies (thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses, TG/DTA) have been used to characterize the prepared complexes.

Endogenous retroviral genes, Herpesviruses and gender in Multiple Sclerosis.

Unexpected findings on endogenous retroviral elements expressed in cells from patients with Multiple Sclerosis appear to open a new avenue of research, after years of research dedicated to the understanding of their biological significance in human health and disease. Human endogenous retroviral family W (HERV-W) RNA present in circulating viral particles (Multiple Sclerosis associated RetroViral element, MSRV) has been associated with the evolution and prognosis of Multiple Sclerosis. HERV-W elements encode a powerful immunopathogenic envelope protein (ENV) that activates a pro-inflammatory and autoimmune cascade through interaction with Toll-Like Receptor 4 (TLR4) on antigen-presenting cells, and triggers superantigen-like dysregulation of T-lymphocytes.

Search for the photoexcitation of exotic mesons in the pi+pi+pi- system.

A search for exotic mesons in the pi;{+}pi;{+}pi;{-} system photoproduced by the charge exchange reaction gammap-->pi;{+}pi;{+}pi;{-}(n) was carried out by the CLAS Collaboration at Jefferson Lab. A tagged-photon beam with energies in the 4.8 to 5.