Erythropoietin is known to be a hematopoietic growth factor with a sinulrly specific action on the proliferation and differentiation of erythroid progenitor cells. We have observed a dose-dependent proliferative action of human recombinant erythropoletin on human umbilical vein endothelial cells and bovine adrenal capillary endothelial cells. Binding studies with radioiodinated recombinant human erythropoietin revealed a large number (s27,000) of an apparent single class of receptors with an affinity in the 10-9 M range.Linkage of the radiolabeled ligand to its receptor via a bifunctional crosslinking agent allowed us to identify an endothelial cell protein of 45 kDa as the principal receptor associated with this mitogenic effect of erythropoietin. Recombinant human erythropoietin also enhanced the migration ofendothelial cells.Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) have been reported to produce a variety of colony-stimulating factors and lymphokines, although not erythropoietin (Epo) (1-5). Epo has been considered unique among the other hematopoietic stimulators because its only generally accepted action has been the proliferation and differentiation of cells of erythroid lineage (6). Colony-stimulating factors, on the other hand, are known to affect a variety of hematopoietic cells, and even cells of nonhematopoietic origin (6)(7)(8). Recombinant human Epo (rHuEpo) has been used therapeutically in thousands of uremic, anemic patients, with the only side effects arising from the vascular system (hypertension and thrombosis) (9).In experiments designed originally to study additional mechanisms of the vascular manifestations (thrombosis and hypertension) of Epo treatment (aside from the ones ascribed to increased blood viscosity), we serendipitously noticed significant cell proliferation when rHuEpo from Integrated Genetics (Framingham, MA) was added to HUVEC cultures. We pursued this observation with a series of new experiments, verifying that rHuEpo from various manufacturers has indeed a mitogenic effect on both HUVECs and bovine adrenal capillary endothelial cells (BACECs). We further analyzed the number and molecular weight of the putative receptor through which this action may be exerted. Since many agents with a mitogenic effect on endothelial cells have also an effect on endothelial cell migration, we investigated this aspect, finding again that the rHuEpo preparations enhanced the chemotaxis of both HUVECs and BACECs. MATERIALS AND METHODSCell Culture. Cesarian section-derived HUVECs were cultured at 37°C and in 5% C02/95% air by standard methodologies (10) in T 25-cm2, 50 ml capacity, tissue culture flasks (Falcon, Becton Dickinson Labware) in the presence of heparin and endothelial cell growth supplement (Sigma). They were characterized by the homogeneous and typical cobblestone morphology, factor VIII antigen positivity, and the presence of Weibel-Palade bodies on electron microscopy. In general, HUVECs were used for our experiments after two to four passages. rHuEpo, initially from I...

Pancreatic cancer (PC) remains one of the deadliest cancers worldwide, and has a poor, five-year survival rate of 5%. Although complete surgical resection is the only curative therapy for pancreatic cancer, less than 20% of newly-diagnosed patients undergo surgical resection with a curative intent. Due to the lack of early symptoms and the tendency of pancreatic adenocarcinoma to invade adjacent structures or to metastasize at an early stage, many patients with pancreatic cancer already have advanced disease at the time of their diagnosis and, therefore, there is a high mortality rate. To improve the patient survival rate, early detection of PC is critical. The diagnosis of PC relies on computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), or biopsy or fine-needle aspiration using endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). Although multi-detector row computed tomography currently has a major role in the evaluation of PC, MRI with MRCP facilitates better detection of tumors at an early stage by allowing a comprehensive analysis of the morphological changes of the pancreas parenchyma and pancreatic duct. The diagnosis could be improved using positron emission tomography techniques in special conditions in which CT and EUS are not completely diagnostic. It is essential for clinicians to understand the advantages and disadvantages of the various pancreatic imaging modalities in order to be able to make optimal treatment and management decisions. Our study investigates the current role and innovative techniques of pancreatic imaging focused on the detection of pancreatic cancer.

MR elastography and SWE shear-wave elastography showed moderate correlation and similar diagnostic performance in the diagnosis of HF hepatic fibrosis of stage F2 or greater; however, MR elastography yielded more reliable LS liver stiffness measurements than did SWE shear-wave elastography .

These findings indicate that the refined H. S. Lee grading system for IgAN is useful in assessing the patients' clinical outcome and is sufficiently simple and easy to reproduce as to be universally applicable in prognostic work.

Preoperative imaging findings such as peritumoral enhancement seen on gadoxetic acid-enhanced MR and a TSUVmax/LSUVmean of 1.2 or more on (18)F-FDG PET/CT, may suggest the presence of MVI in HCC patients.