Small-animal PET demonstrates brain metabolic change after using bevacizumab in a rat model of cerebral ischemic injury

ABSTRACT To evaluate the effect of bevacizumab on cerebral ischemia, we used 2-deoxy-2-18F-fluoro-D-glucose （18F-FDG） small-animal positron emission tomography （PET） in the middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO） rat model. After baseline neurologic function tests and PET studies, MCAO Sprague-Dawley rats received bevacizumab or normal saline （controls）. Weekly PET imaging and neurologic function tests showed that the 18F-FDG accumulation in the bevacizumab group was similar to that in the controls during the first 2 weeks, but lower than in controls at weeks 3 and 4. However, no difference was found in neurological scores between the groups. The number of von Willebrand factor-positive cells in the bevacizumab group was lower than that in controls. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor was higher than in controls at week 4. These results suggested that bevacizumab does not influence functional recovery in this model of cerebral ischemia during a 4-week period, but inhibits vascular formation and metabolic recovery, which may be considered in cancer patients with a recent ischemic stroke.

Carrageenan oligosaccharides and associated carrageenan-degrading bacteria induce intestinal inflammation in germ-free mice

Carrageenans(CGNs)are widely used in foods and pharmaceuticals although their safety remains controversial.To investigate the effects of CGNs and CGN-degrading bacteria in the human colon,we screened for CGN degradation by human fecal microbiota,and for inflammatory response to CGNs and/or CGN-degrading bacteria in germ free mice.Thin-layer chromatography indicated that high molecular weight(MW)CGNs(!100 kDa)remained undegraded in the presence of human fecal microbiota,whereas low MW CGNs,i.e.,k-carrageenan oligosaccharides(KCO,~4.5 kDa)were degraded when exposed to seven of eight human fecal samples,although sulfate groups were not removed during degradation.Bacteroides xylanisolvens and Escherichia coli isolates from fecal samples apparently degraded KCO synergistically,with B.xylanisolvens serving as the primary degrader.Combined treatment of KCO with KCO-degrading bacteria led to greater pro-inflammatory effects in the colon and rectum of germ-free mice than either KCO or bacteria alone.Similarly,p-p38-,CD3-,and CD79a-positive immune cells were more abundant in combined treatment group mice than in either single treatment group.Our study shows that KCO-degrading bacteria and the low MW products of KCO can promote proinflammatory effects in mice,and represent two key markers for evaluating CGN safety in foods or medicines.

Current treatment for Wilms tumor:COG and SIOP standards

background Wilms tumor(WT)is the most common renal malignant tumor in children.It occurs primarily at preschool age.The purpose of this review is to present current standards of diagnosis and treatment of WT around the world.Data sources All the recent literature on diagnosis and treatment of WT were searched and reviewed.results Most cases with WT are sporadic.The current survival in patients with WT is high(90%).Involvement of mutidisciplinary collaborative groups in the diagnosis and treatment of WT.National Wilms Tumor Study Group(NWTSG)/Children’s Oncology Group(COG)and The International Society of Paediatric Oncology(SIOP)are two major guidelines used for the current management of WT worldwide.The major difference exists in the two guidelines is the timing of surgery:SIOP recommends using preoperative chemotherapy,and NWTSG/COG prefers using primary surgery before any adjuvant treatments.Conclusions Most patients with WT have good overall survival outcomes.Further studies should be highlighted on how to use chemotherapy and radiotherapy under more accurate risk-stratified strategies.Surgeons must be more focusing on how to maximize preoperative and postoperative treatment possibilities for achieving optimal results of patients with WT.