Proteases in agricultural dust induce lung inflammation through PAR-1 and PAR-2 activation.

Workers exposed to aerosolized dust present in concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) are susceptible to inflammatory lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Extracts of dust collected from hog CAFOs [hog dust extract (HDE)] are potent stimulators of lung inflammatory responses in several model systems. The observation that HDE contains active proteases prompted the present study, which evaluated the role of CAFO dust proteases in lung inflammatory processes and tested whether protease-activated receptors (PARs) are involved in the signaling pathway for these events.

Fyn requires HnRNPA2B1 and Sam68 to synergistically regulate apoptosis in pancreatic cancer.

Purpose: The Src family kinase Fyn, heterogenous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (HnRNP) A2B1 and Sam68 are thought to be associated with the metastasis of tumors, but their roles in the regulation of apoptosis remain unclear. This study investigated the role of Fyn and its potential relationship with HnRNPA2B1 and Sam68 in the regulation of apoptosis in pancreatic cancer. Experimental design.

Interaction between cancer cells and stromal fibroblasts is required for activation of the uPAR-uPA-MMP-2 cascade in pancreatic cancer metastasis.

Purpose: Interaction between tumor cells and surrounding stromal fibroblast (SF) plays a critical role in tumor growth and invasion. The aim of the study is to determine the role of SF in regulating the invasive behaviors of pancreatic cancer by evaluating the mode of SF activating the urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA)-plasmin-matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 cascade.

Experimental Design: The expression patterns of uPA, MMP-2, and uPA receptor (uPAR) in human metastatic pancreatic cancer were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and the roles of SF in activation of the uPA-plasmin-MMP-2 cascade were evaluated by coculturing pancreatic cancer cell lines with SF.

[Liver transplantation for treating hepatocellular carcinoma].

Objective: To evaluate the role of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: Data of 92 consecutive orthotopic liver transplantations (OLTs) performed during January 1999 and February 2005 at our institution were analyzed.

Results: Of the 92 recipients, 8 HCC patients were stage I, 13 were stage II, 12 stage III and 59 stage IV (UICC TNM staging system).