Relationship between nuclear morphometry,DNA content and resectability of pancreatic cancer

AIM: To investigate the association of nuclear morphometry and DNA content with resectability of pancreatic cancer.METHODS: A total of 36 patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma were divided into resectable group and unresectable group. The nuclear morphometry and DNA contents of tumor cells were analyzed by IBAS autoimagine analyzer from paraffin-embedded materials. Localization size,histological type and grade, and clinical stage of the tumor were evaluated. Factors influencing resectability of pancreatic cancer were investigated using stepwise regression analysis.RESULTS: Statistical significance was found in nuclear DNA content (integrated optical density, IOD) of tumor cells (1.64±0.41 vs 2.96±0.55), DNA ploidy, ages (46.5±5.3 years vs 58.6±0.7 years) and tumor volumes (298.1±101.5 cm3 vs 634.7±512.5 cm3) in both groups (P＜0.05), and no difference was found in the nuclear morphometry (P＞0.05). The rates of diploid/tetraploid and aneuploid were 66.7 % and 33.3% in resectable group respectively, and 38.9 % and 62.1%in unresectable group, respectively (P＜0.05). IOD (X12), ploidy status (X13) and clinical stage (X3) were radical resectable indicators with statistical significance. The regression equation for resectability was Y=-9.2053+3.5428X12+2.5390X13-2.3001X3(RR=0.8780, P＜0.01).CONCLUSION: There is a high correlation between resectability of pancreatic cancers and their DNA contents,DNA ploidy status and clinical stage.

Expression and function of a new angiogenic factor AA98 target molecule at the maternal-embryonic boundary of rhesus monkey

The target molecule of monoclonal antibody AA98 (AA for short) is a new vascular endothelial cell related factor and plays a role in angiogenesis as indicated by the previous data. To investigate its role in angiogenesis and placentation in primate, we examined its expression in the implantation sites on D17, 19, 28 and 34 of gestation in rhesus monkey by immunohistochemistry and Western immunoblot. Western blot analysis showed that the primary antibody used in this study was specific for its epitope. AA protein was mainly expressed in small blood vessels and in some cytotrophoblast cells. The AA staining was found mainly in the endothelial cells and vascular small muscle.This observation supported the AA's role in angiogenesis. AA was spatio-temporarily expressed in cytotrophoblasts: weak in proliferating trophoblast within cell column and endovascular trophoblast, strong in trophoblastic subpopulation within the basal plate and vascular trophoblast; AA staining within the basal plate was down-regulated during early placentation. The shift of AA98 expression in extravillous trophoblasts suggestes a role of this new factor during the course of cytotrophoblast metastasis and spiral artery remodeling. The spatio-temporarily expression indicats that AA98 could be also used as a trophoblast cellular marker to characterize the acquisition of a vascular endothelial and invasive phenotype.