[Tumor profiling of renal cell tumors: relevance for diagnostics and therapy]

Molecular biological tumor markers and prognostic parameters are necessary for differential diagnosis, individual prognosis, and therapy in patients with renal cell tumors. By using high throughput technologies, it is possible to characterize tumor samples comprehensively. Based on specific genetic alterations, histopathological subtypes were defined as independent tumor entities. Genetic characteristics can be used for diagnosis of primary tumor samples and also of biopsies. Furthermore, specific molecular patterns of metastatic tumors are known, allowing the determination of the primary tumor's metastatic potential. The specific protein patterns of serum samples of tumor patients were analyzed, and several candidate proteins have been identified. One of these is SAA-1, which is elevated in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinomas (RCC). New therapeutic options are now available for patients with metastatic RCC. Therefore, it is necessary to select the best therapy for each patient and to detect therapy resistance very early. Biomarkers in tumor tissue and serum were found to correlate with therapy response.

High frequency of co-segregating CLCN1 mutations among myotonic dystrophy type 2 patients from Finland and Germany

Based on previous reports the frequency of co-segregating recessive chloride channel (CLCN1) mutations in families with myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2) was suspected to be increased. We have studied the frequency of CLCN1 mutations in two separate patient and control cohorts from Germany and Finland, and for comparison in a German myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) patient cohort. The frequency of heterozygous recessive chloride channel (CLCN1) mutations is disproportionally higher (5 %) in currently diagnosed DM2 patients compared to 1.6 % in the control population (p = 0.037), while the frequency in DM1 patients was the same as in the controls. Because the two genes segregate independently, the prevalence of CLCN1 mutations in the total DM2 patient population is, by definition, the same as in the control population. Our findings are, however, not based on the total DM2 population but on the currently diagnosed DM2 patients and indicate a selection bias in molecular diagnostic referrals. DM2 patients with co-segregating CLCN1 mutation have an increased likelihood to be referred for molecular diagnostic testing compared to DM2 patients without co-segregating CLCN1 mutation.

Evaluation of microcirculation of free flaps of the lower leg by contrast harmonic imaging (CHI) with time intensity curve (TIC) analysis

PURPOSE

The aim of the prospective study was to evaluate the macro- and microcirculation in the center and periphery of free flaps with high resolution vascular ultrasound.

MATERIAL

Fifteen patients with free parascapular flaps after lower limb trauma were examined six months postoperative. All ultrasound investigations were performed by one experienced examiner with a multi-frequency linear transducer (5-9 MHz, Logiq 9, GE). Flow evaluation was angle-optimized using digital image technology with the color coded Doppler sonography (CCDS) with measurement of the peak systolic, peak diastolic flow velocities and the resistance index (RI). Contrast harmonic imaging (CHI) with time intensity curve (TIC) analysis was used for quantitative evaluation of the tissue perfusion. Through a peripheral cubital cannula, a first bolus injection was made of 2.4 ml Sonovue to evaluate the perfusion near the flap center and the distal part of the flap.

RESULTS

The combined analysis of all 15 patients showed in the center and in the periphery of the flap a significant increase (p<0.01; Wilcoxon signed rank test) of the perfusion (relative units = RUs) in the period of 90-120 s after contrast medium application (center: baseline perfusion 2.23+/-0.31 RUs to 5.25+/-0.90 RUs after contrast medium; periphery: baseline perfusion 3.07+/-0.44 RUs to 5.80+/-0.57 RUs after contrast medium). The separate analysis of the non-bypass group (n=9) and bypass group (n=6) showed a clearly higher central flap perfusion after contrast medium application for the bypass group. The combined analysis of all patients showed RI-values amounting to 0.79+/-0.03. The RI-values of the bypass group were significantly higher than RI-values of the non-bypass group (p<0.05; t-test; p<0.05; Mann-Whitney rank sum test).

CONCLUSION

The high-resolution ultrasound represents an ideal method for detection of the flow and patency of the bypass and the small vessels of the free flap. The patency of microvascular anastomosis as well as the perfusion and microcirculation in different flap territories and tissue layers can be investigated using dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound with subtraction modalities.

The resting brain and our self: self-relatedness modulates resting state neural activity in cortical midline structures

The resting brain shows high neural activity in various regions, the default-mode network, chief among them the cortical midline structures (CMS). The psychological correlate of high resting state neural activity in CMS remains however unclear though speculatively it has been associated with processing of internally-oriented self-relatedness. We used functional MRI to examine internally-oriented self-relatedness during the resting state period. This was indirectly done by letting subjects perceive emotional pictures followed by a fixation cross; the very same pictures were then rated subjectively according to their degree of self-relatedness in a postscanning session. This allowed us to correlate the picture ratings of self-relatedness with signal changes in the subsequent resting state period, i.e. fixation period. The emotional pictures' degree of self-relatedness parametrically modulated subsequent resting state signal changes in various CMS, including ventro- and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex and posterior cingulate cortex. This modulation could be distinguished from effects of emotion dimensions (e.g. valence, intensity) and evoked effects of self-relatedness during the stimulus period itself the latter being observed rather in subcortical regions, e.g. amygdala, ventral striatum, and tectum. In sum, our findings suggest that resting state neural activity in CMS is parametrically and specifically modulated by the preceding stimulus's degree of self-relatedness. This lends further support to the presumed involvement of these regions in processing internally-oriented self-relatedness as distinguished from externally-oriented self-relatedness.

Nutrient nitrogen management for disease control in strawberry

Botrytis cinerea and Colletotrichum acutatum are important strawberry pathogens Nitrogen (N) application can increase yield but also susceptibility to pathogens Strawberry plants (Camarosa and Ventana) were grown in sand fertilised with base nutrients plus ammonium nitrate ammonium sulphate or calcium nitrate at low (40 ppm N) and high (140 ppm N) concentration Controls consisted of base nutrients only and water only Flower production fruit yield and berry size all increased with increasing Nconcentration but Nsource itself was not important Disease susceptibility was affected by both Nconcentration and Nsource At high Nconcentration C acutatum fruit lesions were largest in ammonium sulphate treatments > ammonium nitrate > calcium nitrate; Botryits cinerea lesions were largest in ammonium nitrate > ammonium sulphate > calcium nitrate Similar trends were observed for leaf susceptibility to the two pathogens These data suggest that calcium nitrate may be a suitable source of nitrogen helping growers to reduce disease risk

Analysis of pulse waves in intracranial pressure

In the therapy of hydrocephalus the dynamic course of the intracranial pressure (ICP) is rarely considered, although it may contain valuable diagnostic information. Several models for intracranial pressure and fluid dynamics are described. Assuming a simplified model and deriving the intracranial pressure wave relationships, this model could be partially confirmed and a characteristic dataset could be given for every patient.

Specific transcriptional changes in human fetuses with autosomal trisomies

Among full autosomal trisomies, only trisomies of chromosome 21 (Down syndrome), 18 (Edwards syndrome) and 13 (Patau syndrome) are compatible with postnatal survival. But the mechanisms, how a supernumerary chromosome disrupts the normal development and causes specific phenotypes, are still not fully explained. As an alternative to gene dosage effect due to the trisomic chromosome a genome-wide transcriptional dysregulation has been postulated. The aim of this study was to define the transcriptional changes in trisomy 13, 18, and 21 during early fetal development in order to obtain more insights into the molecular etiopathology of aneuploidy. Using oligonucleotide microarrays, we analyzed whole genome expression profiles in cultured amniocytes (AC) and chorionic villus cells (CV) from pregnancies with a normal karyotype and with trisomies of human chromosomes 13, 18 and 21. We observed a low to moderate up-regulation for a subset of genes of the trisomic chromosomes. Transcriptional levels of most of the genes on the supernumerary chromosome appeared similar to the respective chromosomal pair in normal karyotypes. A subset of chromosome 21 genes including the DSCR1 gene involved in fetal heart development was consistently up-regulated in different prenatal tissues (AC, CV) of trisomy 21 fetuses whereas only minor changes were found for genes of all other chromosomes. In contrast, in trisomy 18 vigorous downstream transcriptional changes were found. Global transcriptome analysis for autosomal trisomies 13, 18, and 21 supported a combination of the two major hypotheses.

Evaluation of the vascular integrity of free flaps based on microcirculation imaging techniques

BACKGROUND

A free-flap graft refers to the free transfer of tissue to cover tissue defects caused by trauma or malperfusion in plastic surgery. The basic principle, which makes a free flap working is an adequate blood flow. We applied new techniques which are able to detect the blood flow of the anastomosis and of dermal and subdermal tissue layers in a reliable way.

METHODS

To this end we applied innovative Ultrasound-techniques (contrast enhanced high resolution Ultrasound (US), color coded Doppler sonography (CCDS), Cross Beamtrade mark, Power Doppler, Tissue Harmonic Imagingtrade mark (THI), Speckle Reduction Imagingtrade mark (SRI)), as well as the Indocyanine Green (ICG) fluorescence angiography to evaluate the vascular integrity of 15 parascapular flaps implanted to the fore foot over a period of four years. The age of the subjects ranged from 16 to 60 years. The US machine (GE Logiq 9) was equipped with a Logiq 9L transducer (6-9 MHz) and the modalities of CHI (Contrast Harmonic Imaging) and True Agent Detection (dual view of B-Mode and contrast mode).

RESULTS

The borders of the investigated flaps could be best detected using Cross Beamtrade mark Technology with SRItrade mark and THItrade mark. Power Doppler was able to detect anastomotic vessels even if they were twisted or elongated. Reduced perfusion curves were seen in cases with low anastomotic flow in CCDS. The CHItrade mark allowed dynamic flow detection of the microcirculation of the tissue graft over a depth of up to 3 cm including quantitative perfusion curves of tissue microcirculation by using TICtrade mark analysis. There is a strong correlation between the perfusion indices measured by ICG fluorescence angiography and CHItrade mark. Furthermore the ICG showed a remarkable enhancement of fluorescence in the flap borders, which need to be explored in future investigations.

CONCLUSION

These new applications provide useful and effective methods for improved postoperative monitoring of free flaps in plastic surgery and can lead to substantial reduction in the overall risk of flap failure.

RNA interference of LRRK2-microarray expression analysis of a Parkinson's disease key player

The protein leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) is a key player in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Mutations in the LRRK2 gene account for up to 10% of all autosomal dominant forms of familiar and for approximately 1-3% of sporadic PD patients. Although the LRRK2 protein has many functional domains like a leucine-rich repeat domain, a Roc-GTPase domain, a kinase domain of the tyrosine kinase-like subfamily and multiple protein interaction domains (armadillo, ankyrin, WD40), the exact biological role of LRRK2 in the human brain is elusive. To gain more insight into the biological function of this protein, we monitored the changes in the expression profiles of SH-SY5Y cells, a dopaminergic neuroblastoma cell line, induced by a depletion of LRRK2 levels by RNA interference (RNAi) with Affymetrix U133 Plus 2.0 microarrays. A total of 187 genes were differentially regulated by at least a 1.5-fold change with 94 transcripts being upregulated and 93 transcripts being downregulated compared to scrambled control siRNA transfected cells. Key players of the interaction networks were independently verified by qRT-PCR. The differentially expressed gene products are involved in axonal guidance, nervous system development, cell cycle, cell growth, cell differentiation, cell communication, MAPKKK cascade, and Ras protein signal transduction. Defined gene expression networks will now serve to look more closely for candidates affected by LRRK2 reduction and how they might be altered in other forms of familial or sporadic PD.

Timing of fungicide application for Botrytis cinerea control in blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum)

Flower blight in blackcurrants caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea has received little attention in New Zealand To determine the efficacy of a fungicide application in relation to the timing of infection fungicides were applied 5 3 and 1 day before as well as immediately after 1 2 and 5 days after an infection event Cyprodinil and fludioxonil (Switch) were chosen because of the translaminar systemic and protective mode of action Studies were conducted during the 2006 flowering season in the laboratory and in the field on commercial properties in Canterbury and Nelson Natural Botrytis flower inoculation and infection events were common during the 2006/07 production season Results suggest that timing of fungicide application is critical for B cinerea control in blackcurrants Protection of flowers was achieved with cyprodinil and fludioxonil applications from 3 days before to 3 days after an inoculation and/or infection event Reduction of flower infections resulted in increased fruit set

Determination of (R,R)-glycopyrronium bromide and its related impurities by ion-pair HPLC

A simple, rapid and specific ion-pair HPLC method for the determination of (R,R)-glycopyrronium bromide and its related impurities is presented, and parameters affecting the chromatographic properties of these compounds are discussed. Optimal analyte separation was achieved on base deactivated Nucleosil at 40 degrees C, using phosphate buffer pH 2.30 with sodium-1-decanesulfonate (0.01 M)/methanol (35/65; v/v) as eluent for isocratic elution at a flow rate 1 ml x min(-1). The analytical assay was validated according to international guidelines. The methodis suitable for in-process control and as stability indicating assay.

Prevalence of autoimmune diseases in islet transplant candidates with severe hypoglycaemia and glycaemic lability: previously undiagnosed coeliac and autoimmune thyroid disease is identified by screening

AIMS

Autoimmune diseases such as Addison's or coeliac disease can contribute to hypoglycaemia or malabsorption and are more common in Type 1 diabetes (T1DM). This brief report describes the prevalence of known and newly detected autoimmune disease in clinical islet transplant candidates with longstanding T1DM and severe hypoglycaemia and/or glycaemic lability who are routinely screened for coexisting autoimmune disease.

METHODS

One hundred and twenty-four C-peptide negative T1DM subjects [77 (62%) female, mean age 44 +/- 9 years, diabetes duration 28 +/- 11 years, body mass index 24.9 +/- 3.5 kg/m(2)] with indications for clinical islet transplantation at the University of Alberta were screened for autoimmune disease by history and measurement of anti-transglutaminase antibodies (positive > 10 U/ml), 09.00 h cortisol (followed by adrenocorticotrophic hormone-stimulation if < 495 nmol/l) and thyroid-stimulating hormone to determine the prevalence of coeliac disease, Addison's disease and autoimmune thyroid disease, respectively.

RESULTS

Forty per cent of subjects had one or more coexisting autoimmune disease. The prevalence of autoimmune disease was 35%, coeliac disease 8% and Addison's disease 1.6%. In 11 individuals (9%), one or more autoimmune disease were newly detected (seven coeliac disease and five thyroid disease). Seven of 10 cases of coeliac disease were newly detected. A gluten-free diet in individuals with newly diagnosed coeliac disease reduced gastrointestinal symptoms, but indications for clinical islet cell transplantation persisted.

CONCLUSIONS

Coexisting autoimmune disease is common in candidates for clinical islet cell transplantation. Screening in this group identified a substantial number of previously unrecognized cases. Clinicians should consider the presence of autoimmune disease even in the absence of classical symptoms.

Limits on the high-energy gamma and neutrino fluxes from the SGR 1806-20 giant flare of 27 December 2004 with the AMANDA-II detector

On 27 December 2004, a giant gamma flare from the Soft Gamma-Ray Repeater 1806-20 saturated many satellite gamma-ray detectors, being the brightest transient event ever observed in the Galaxy. AMANDA-II was used to search for down-going muons indicative of high-energy gammas and/or neutrinos from this object. The data revealed no significant signal, so upper limits (at 90% C.L.) on the normalization constant were set: 0.05(0.5) TeV-1 m;{-2} s;{-1} for gamma=-1.47 (-2) in the gamma flux and 0.4(6.1) TeV-1 m;{-2} s;{-1} for gamma=-1.47 (-2) in the high-energy neutrino flux.