Space motion sickness has been estimated as affecting between 1/3 and 1/2 of all space flight participants. NASA has at the moment proposed a combination of promethazine and ephedrine (P/E) and one of scopolamine and dextroamphetamine (S/D), both given orally, as well as a transdermally applied scopolamine (TAS), as preventive and ameliorative measures. The reported double-blind study, tests the early phase actions and efficacy of the transdermal scopolamine (Transderm (TM)-V of ALZA Corporation) and compares these in detail to the oral medications. Motion sickness resistance was tested by standardized head movements while accelerating at 0.2 degree/sec2 to a maximum rotation of 240 degrees/sec, with an intermediate plateau of 10 min at 180 degrees/sec. To permit weighting motion sickness protection against other system influences, cardiovascular, psychological (subjective and objective), and visual parameter changes were documented for the three therapeutic modes. The relative impact of the various modalities on operational and experimental components of space missions is discussed. A comparison to intramuscularly administered promethazine (a backup therapeutic mode suggested for Space Shuttle use) is also included.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Microvascular endothelial cells differ in their basal and tumour necrosis factor-alpha-regulated expression of adhesion molecules and cytokines.

We recently located a rare cytokeratin-positive (CK+) type of microvascular endothelial cell (MVEC) in the corpus luteum and aorta. Bovine corpus luteum MVEC are known to be involved in the cyclic accumulation of eosinophils and macrophages. Since leukocyte migration is specifically mediated by adhesion molecules and the release of cytokines, we compared the expression of these factors in basal and TNF-alpha-stimulated CK+ MVEC and in common cytokeratin-negative (CK-) MVEC in order to obtain an initial insight into the functional capacities of CK+ MVEC. CK- MVEC revealed significantly higher basal RANTES mRNA expression than CK+ MVEC, and TNF- alpha up-regulated RANTES mRNA in both types of MVEC. Only resting and stimulated CK- MVEC expressed granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor mRNA. Both MVEC types expressed monocyte colony-stimulating factor mRNA, but remained negative for eotaxin and interleukin (IL)-5 mRNA even after stimulation. Resting CK+ MVEC were positive for CD29, CD31, CD49a and CD49e, but expressed most of these antigens at a significantly lower density than did CK- MVEC. In contrast to CK- MVEC, CK+ MVEC failed to express CD49b or MHC class II. The activation of CK+ MVEC with TNF-alpha induced the expression of CD62P, but not of CD49b or MHC class II. In summary, phenotypically variable MVEC derived from the microvascular bed of one organ differ in their TNF-alpha-regulated expression of cytokine mRNA and adhesion molecules. Morphological heterogeneity is related to a particular specialisation of functional MVEC.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Differential expression and activity status of MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in tumor and stromal cells of squamous cell carcinomas of the lung.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a key role in cancer progression. Interstitial collagenase (MMP-1) and type IV collagenases (MMP-2, MMP-9) are involved in the initial breakdown of collagen and basement membrane components during tumor growth and invasion. Besides tumor cells, fibroblasts are especially involved in MMP production. The aim of this study was to quantify MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 within tumor cells and tumor-surrounding fibroblasts compared to normal lung epithelial cells to gain an insight into the function of these MMPs in squamous cell carcinomas of the lung. The expression and activity of MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were analyzed in 30 squamous cell carcinomas and in normal lung tissue from the same patients by immunohistology and gelatin zymography. The majority of tumor cells were positive for MMP-1 (mean +/- SD: 67.3 +/- 26.7%) and MMP-9 (64.7 +/- 22.8%), whereas a significantly lower percentage of normal bronchoepithelial cells (47.3 +/- 25.4 and 40.3 +/- 24.2%, respectively; p < 0.01) and fibroblasts located in the tumor-surrounding tissue (39.7 +/- 14.3 and 38.1 +/- 24.1%, respectively; p < 0.01) expressed these MMPs. Only a few tumor cells showed any immunoreactivity for MMP-2 (4.4 +/- 6.7%), whereas a higher percentage of fibroblasts tested positive for this enzyme (8.6 +/- 13.1%; p < 0.01). Using gelatin zymography, we could demonstrate that MMP-2 is activated in the tumor only, not in normal lung tissue. The coordinated expression of MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in tumor cells and/or their induction in tumor-surrounding fibroblasts and further activation in the tumor tissue may be involved in the high invasive and metastatic potential of squamous cell carcinomas of the lung. Comparing the results from immunohistology and zymography can give indications for distribution and activity of proteinases, especially certain MMPs such as MMP-2.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗