Inhibition of glucocorticoid-mediated, caspase-independent dendritic cell death by CD40 activation

Glucocorticoids (GC) are potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agents that act on a variety of immune cells, including T cells, monocytes/macrophages, osteoclasts, and dendritic cells (DC). However, the mechanism(s) by which GC exert anti-inflammatory effects is still largely unknown. It is already well known that GC treatment inhibits DC maturation and interleukin (IL)-12 production by DC. In this study, we investigated the apoptosis induction of DC by a synthetic GC, dexamethasone (Dex). The stimulation with Dex resulted in DC apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner as it was measured by determining annexin V-positive cells and mitochondrial potential. In contrast, monocytes that are precursor cells of DC are resistant to Dex-mediated apoptosis. The Dex-induced apoptosis of DC was independent of caspase activation because it was not inhibited by the broad caspase inhibitor, Z-VAD-fmk. It is interesting that agonistic CD40 antibody completely inhibited Dex-induced cell death, whereas other inflammatory stimuli did not show the same effect, suggesting that CD40 signaling may selectively modulate GC-mediated DC apoptosis. Taken together, our findings revealed an important role of GC and CD40 signaling in the regulation of immune responses in which DC play a key role in the inflammatory process of various immunomediated diseases.

Computer-assisted thoracic pedicle screw placement: an in vitro feasibility study

STUDY DESIGN

In this cadaveric study, a computer-assisted image guidance system was tested for accuracy of thoracic pedicle screw placement.

OBJECTIVES

Evaluate the system's accuracy for thoracic pedicle screw placement in vitro.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

The effective use and reliability of pedicle screw instrumentation in providing short-segment stabilization and correction of deformity is well known in the lumbar spine. Pedicle screw placement in the thoracic spine is difficult because of the small dimensions of the thoracic pedicles and risk to the adjacent spinal cord and neurovascular structures. Investigators have shown the improved accuracy of computer-assisted lumbar pedicle screw placement; but the accuracy of computer-assisted thoracic pedicle screw placement, which is becoming more widely used, has not been shown.

METHODS

In five human cadavers, 120 thoracic pedicle screws were placed with computer-assisted image guidance. The largest clinically feasible screw was used based on the cross-sectional dimensions of each pedicle. The accuracy was assessed by postoperative computed tomography and visual inspection.

RESULTS

The overall pedicle cortex violation was 23 of 120 pedicles (19.2%). Nine violations (7.5%) were graded as major and 14 (11.7%) as minor. A marked and progressive learning curve was evident with the perforation rates that decreased from 37.5% in the first cadaver to 4.2% in the last two cadavers.

CONCLUSIONS

Accurate thoracic pedicle screw placement is feasible with computer-assisted surgery. However, as with any other new surgical technology, the learning curve must be recognized and incorporated into the necessary fundamental knowledge and experience for these procedures.

Image-guided thoracic pedicle screw placement: a technical study in cadavers and preliminary clinical experience

OBJECT

Thoracic pedicle screw fixation is effective and reliable in providing short-segment stabilization. Although the procedure is becoming more widely used, accurate insertion of the screws is difficult due to the small dimensions of thoracic pedicles, and the associated risk is high due to the proximity of the spinal cord. In previous studies authors have shown the accuracy of image-guided lumbar pedicle screw placement, but there have been no reported investigations into the accuracy of image-guided thoracic pedicle screw placement. The authors report their experience with such an investigation.

METHODS

To evaluate the accuracy of image-guided thoracic pedicle screw placement in vitro and in vivo, thoracic pedicle screws were placed with an image-guidance system in five human cadavers and 10 patients. In cadavers, the accuracy of screw placement was assessed by postoperative computerized tomography and visual inspection and in patients by postoperative imaging studies. Of the 120 pedicle screws placed in five cadavers pedicle violation occurred in 23 cases (19.2%); there was one pedicle violation (4.2%) in each of the last two cadavers. Of the 45 pedicle screws placed in 10 patients, pedicle violations occurred in three (6.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

In comparison with historical controls, the accuracy of thoracic pedicle screw placement is improved with the use of an image-guidance system. It allows the surgeon to visualize the thoracic pedicle and the surrounding structures that are normally out of the surgical field of view. The surgeon, however, must be aware of the limitations of an image-guidance system and have a sound basic knowledge of spinal anatomy to avoid causing serious complications.

Mesenchymal hamartomas of the chest wall in infancy: radiologic and pathologic correlation

Mesenchymal hamartoma of the chest wall is a rare tumor with about 53 reported cases in the English literature. We reviewed six chest wall mesenchymal hamartomas in four patients, including two cases with multiple lesions, with specific focus on the radiologic and pathologic correlation. All cases occurred in neonates or infants with ages ranging from seven hours to seven months. They were diagnosed with plain chest radiographs (n=6), ultrasonography (n=2), chest CT scan (n=6), whole body bone scan (n=2) and MRI (n=3). All cases except a small one without cystic change showed the typical features of mesenchymal hamartoma radiographically and pathologically. Radiologically they were well-circumscribed masses with solid and cystic components with multiple fluid-fluid levels in association with single or multiple rib destruction or change. The CT scan showed the typical findings of chest wall hamartoma, and the MR showed heterogeneous signal intensities of the mass on T1- and T2-weighted images. The MR also revealed more concisely a secondary aneurysmal bone cyst formation with multiple fluid-fluid levels on the T2-weighted image. Microscopically, they showed alternating areas of cartilaginous islands and primitive appearing mesenchymal proliferation, which corresponded well with the solid component on the radiologic findings. The areas of bone formation and blood-filled cystic spaces matched the calcified or ossified densities and the cystic components, respectively. A small case without cystic change showed peculiar radiological and pathological findings resembling an osteochondroma. In conclusion, mesenchymal hamartoma of the chest wall in infancy is quite rare and sometimes can be misdiagnosed as malignancy due to the bone-destroying radiographic appearance and the highly cellular and mitotically active microscopic features, unless the radiologists and pathologists are aware of the characteristic clinical, radiological, and pathological findings. Imaging studies can usually make a correct diagnosis with good correlation to the pathologic findings.

Imaging-guided costotransversectomy for thoracic disc herniation

The surgical management of thoracic disc disease remains challenging. Outcomes after laminectomy had been poor, and modern posterolateral, lateral, and anterior approaches have evolved to replace this older procedure. Each has its own set of complications, and all are hampered, to varying degrees, by the limited visualization of the ventral disc space and spinal cord during decompression. The authors present their early experience with computer-assisted image guidance as an adjunctive tool for preoperative planning and navigation in the treatment of thoracic disc disease. Five consecutive patients underwent image-guided costotransversectomies between January 1999 and April 2000. The levels of herniation were T8–9 in three and T7–8 and T5–6, respectively, in the other two. There were four centrolateral herniations and one midline herniation. Three discs were soft and two hard. Two patients had previously undergone failed disc excisions. All patients had axial pain and myeloradiculopathies preoperatively. Three were unable to walk.

Four patients enjoyed good or excellent outcomes, with return of ambulation. One patient experienced only mild improvement in her severe paraparesis. Image-guidance was invaluable in planning the corpectomy and aiding visualization in situations in which the dura or disc were obscured; its use allowed successful surgical excisions in the most challenging circumstances.

Review of spinal pseudomeningoceles and cerebrospinal fluid fistulas

Spinal pseudomeningoceles and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulas are uncommon extradural collections of CSF that may result from inadvertent tears in the dural-arachnoid layer, traumatic injury, or may be congenital in origin. Most pseudomeningoceles are iatrogenic and occur in the posterior lumbar region following surgery. The true incidence of iatrogenic pseudomeningoceles following laminectomy or discectomy is unknown; however, the authors of several published reports suggest that the incidence of lumbar pseudomeningoceles following laminectomy or discectomy is between 0.07% and 2%. Pseudomeningoceles are often asymptomatic, but patients may present with recurrence of low-back pain, radiculopathy, subcutaneous swelling, or with symptoms of intracranial hypotension. Very rarely, they present with delayed myelopathy. Although magnetic resonance imaging is the neurodiagnostic study of choice, computerized tomography myelography and radionuclide myelographic study may be helpful diagnostic tools in some cases. Analysis of suspect fluid for Beta2 transferrin may be a useful adjunctive study. Treatment options include close observation for spontaneous resolution, conservative measures such as bed rest and application of an epidural blood patch, lumbar subarachnoid drainage, and definitive surgical repair.

New software applications for interchangeable instrumentation in spinal stereotaxis

Computer image-guided surgery has been widely accepted because it allows the surgeon to track an instrument through unvisualized critical structures of a patient in real-time, thus minimizing the risk of injury. Current spinal and cranial image-guided surgery is, however, limited by the lack of surgical instruments and software applications that would allow rapid interchange of useful instruments to perform the procedures. Most image-guided systems utilize a single standard probe or a few pre-defined instruments that are not necessarily useful for performing the actual surgical procedure. Present image-guided technology for screw placement in spinal surgery utilizes the standard probe only to confirm the entry point location and view the planned trajectory of the screw. The surgeon then resumes the procedure using standard surgical instruments to drill, tap and place screws without the benefit of image guidance. Our clinical laboratory experience with spinal image-guided surgery indicates that there is potential for error between each of these procedural steps of screw placement. Despite accurately locating an entry point, any deviation in the trajectory during drilling of a pilot hole, tapping or screw placement may result in significant errors in screw placement and potential neurovascular injury. We have developed custom software applications and universal hardware adaptation devices for spinal image-guided surgery that allow the use of standard instruments for intraoperative guidance. Utilizing universal dynamic registration hardware and software, standard surgical instruments are adapted for real-time image guided surgery. An array of light emitting diodes can be attached to essentially any rigid instrument with a definable tip and then calibrated to the system for intraoperative use. Laboratory tests using a cadaveric model indicate a difference in accuracy of less than 1.0 mm between the standard probe and a dynamically registered custom instrument and an absolute mean error of less than 2.0 mm for the image-guided system which is clinically insignificant in most cases. This technology is a significant step forward as it allows the surgeon to use a full array of instruments with image guidance and will ultimately make spinal and intracranial surgery safer and more accurate.

Influence of Anodic Surface Treatment of Activated Carbon on Adsorption and Ion Exchange Properties

The effect of anodic surface treatment of activated carbon on adsorption and ion exchange characteristics was investigated in the condition of 35 wt% NaOH electrolyte for 60 s. The acid and base values were determined by a titration technique, and surface and pore structures were studied in terms of BET volumetric measurement with N(2) adsorption. The ion exchange capacity of the anodized activated carbons was characterized by a dry weight capacity technique. It was observed that an increase in current intensity leads to an increase in the surface functional groups of activated carbons, resulting in increasing pH, acid-base values, and anion-cation exchange capacities, without significant change of surface and pore structures (i.e., specific surface area, total pore volume, micropore volume, and average pore diameter). Also, anodically treated activated carbons are more effectively evaluated on the base value or cation exchange capacity than on the opposite properties in this electrolytic system. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Idiopathic bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia presenting with spontaneous hydropneumothorax and solitary pulmonary nodule

The first case of idiopathic bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia (BOOP) presenting as solitary pulmonary nodule with spontaneous hydropneumothorax is reported in a 54-year-old man. A wedge resection of the right lower lobe was performed to show typical histological features of BOOP. This case report demonstrates that BOOP has a very diverse clinical manifestation and stresses the need to include solitary pulmonary nodule with hydropneumothorax in the spectrum of BOOP.

Protective antitumor activity through dendritic cell immunization is mediated by NK cell as well as CTL activation

Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent professional antigen-presenting cells (APC) capable of inducing the primary T cell response to antigen. Although tumor cells express target antigens, they are incapable of stimulating a tumor-specific immune response due to a defect in the costimulatory signal that is required for optimal activation of T cells. In this work, we describe a new approach using tumor-DC coculture to improve the antigen presenting capacity of tumor cells, which does not require a source of tumor-associated antigen. Immunization of a weakly immunogenic and progressive tumor cocultured with bone marrow-derived DCs generated an effective tumor vaccine. Immunization with the cocultured DCs was able to induce complete protective immunity against tumor challenges and was effective for the induction of tumor-specific CTL (cytotoxic T lymphocyte) activity. Furthermore, high NK cell activity was observed in mice in which tumors were rejected. In addition, immunization with tumor-pulsed DCs induced delayed tumor growth, but not tumor eradication in tumor-bearing mice. Our results demonstrate that coculture of DCs with tumors generated antitumor immunity due to the NK cell activation as well as tumor-specific T cell. This approach would be useful for designing tumor vaccines using DCs when the information about tumor antigens is limited.

Enhanced antigen-presenting activity and tumour necrosis factor-alpha-independent activation of dendritic cells following treatment with Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin

Dendritic cells (DCs) are most potent among the antigen-presenting cells and are believed to be crucial for the initiation of a primary T-cell response to foreign antigens. Mycobacterial infection within macrophages is controlled by cell-mediated immunity. To elucidate the stimulation of immune response by Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), we purified DCs from precursor cells in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by culturing them with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) and characterized their surface antigen expression. The interaction of cultured DCs with BCG resulted in increased surface expression of several DC-related marker antigens. BCG also induced reduction of endocytosis, enhancement of CD83 expression as well as B7 costimulatory molecules and IL-12 production, suggesting that BCG treatment directly induces DCs to mature. BCG-treated DCs were much more potent antigen-presenting cells in allogeneic immune response than untreated DCs. Moreover, while the neutralization of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) significantly blocked the DC maturation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), it could not inhibit the induction of DC maturation by the BCG treatment, indicating that TNF-alpha production plays a minor role in the BCG-induced DC maturation. However, the neutralization of TNF-alpha resulted in decreased IL-12 production by activated DCs. These results suggest that infection with BCG might evoke direct activation and maturation of DC and the general immune stimulant effect of BCG might be related with the activation of DCs.

Microdeletions within the azoospermia factor subregions of the Y chromosome in patients with idiopathic azoospermia

OBJECTIVE

To examine the patterns of submicroscopic DNA deletions in the AZF (AZoospermia Factor) subregions of the Y chromosome in patients with idiopathic azoospermia.

DESIGN

Controlled clinical study.

SETTING

University-based infertility clinic.

PATIENT(S)

Infertile men (n = 40) with nonobstructive, idiopathic azoospermia. The control group consisted of proven fathers (n = 14) and healthy women (n = 4).

INTERVENTION(S)

None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Semen analysis; polymerase chain reaction amplification of the 37 loci spanning the AZFa, AZFb, and AZFc subregions of the Y chromosome; serum FSH, LH, and testosterone levels; and testicular histologic analysis.

RESULT(S)

Testicular histologic analysis of the subjects revealed Sertoli cell-only syndrome (n = 36) and spermatogenic arrest (n = 4). Microdeletions of the Y chromosome were found in eight (20%) of the patients with azoospermia. All eight affected patients had interstitial microdeletions within the AZFc subregion. Patients with Sertoli cell-only syndrome had additional microdeletions in regions distal to DAZ (Deleted in Azoospermia), although DAZ deletion was observed in seven of the eight affected patients. In five patients, microdeletions were found in the AZFb region containing RBM (RNA Binding Motif).

CONCLUSION(S)

Our results add to the evidence supporting the current suggestion that there is a cause-and-effect relation between Yq11 microdeletions in the AZF region and azoospermia.

Adsorption Behaviors of CO2 and NH3 on Chemically Surface-Treated Activated Carbons

The adsorption characteristics of activated carbon treated with 30 wt% HCl and 30 wt% NaOH were investigated. The acid and base values were determined by Boehm's method and the surface structures were studied by the BET method with N2 adsorption and iodine adsorption capacity. Also the adsorption properties of the activated carbons treated with acid and base chemical solutions were investigated with CO2 and NH3 adsorptions. Different adsorption behaviors of CO2 and NH3 on the modified activated carbons were observed, even though the physical surfaces of the activated carbons (i.e., specific surface area, pore size, and pore volume) were not significantly changed. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Effects of androgens on the expression of nitric oxide synthase mRNAs in rat corpus cavernosum

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effects of androgens on erectile response and the expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoform mRNAs in the penile corpus cavernosum of castrated rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study comprised 50 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats in five groups: sham controls; castrated; castrated and receiving testosterone; castrated and receiving dihydrotestosterone (DHT); castrated and receiving testosterone and 5alpha-reductase inhibitor (finasteride). Androgen replacements were administered via implants of silicone tubing. After 7 days, some animals underwent electrical stimulation of the cavernosal nerves and the remainder were used for further analysis. NOS activity was measured in the soluble fraction of the corpus cavernosum, using the Griess reaction. Total RNA was isolated and nNOS and eNOS mRNA expression examined using semiquantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

Castration caused a marked decrease in erectile response and the ratio of maximal intracavernosal pressure (ICPmax) to systemic blood pressure (SBP), although both testosterone and DHT effectively restored the response to normal. NOS activity and the amount of nNOS mRNA were reduced in castrated rats but restored by androgen replacement. Although there was no significant difference in NOS activity between the androgens, nNOS mRNA expression was higher in rats treated with DHT. There were no effects of androgen in rats treated with finasteride, as the ICPmax/SBP ratio, NOS activity and amount of nNOS mRNA decreased. eNOS mRNA expression was independent of androgen.

CONCLUSIONS

Androgens enhance nNOS gene expression in the penile corpus cavernosum of rats, suggesting that they play an important role in maintaining NOS activity. Of the two androgens, DHT was more potent.

Universal calibration of surgical instruments for spinal stereotaxy

PURPOSE

To describe new software applications and interchangeable instrumentation enabling the use of standard surgical instruments with image-guided systems for stereotactic spinal procedures.

CONCEPT

The ability to adapt essentially any surgical instrument for stereotactic procedures will improve the safety and accuracy of image-guided spinal surgery.

RATIONALE

Using universal dynamic registration hardware and software, standard surgical instruments are adapted for real-time image-guided surgery. The Radionics Optical Tracking System (Radionics, Inc., Burlington, MA) has custom software applications and universal hardware adaptation devices for spinal stereotaxy that allows the use of standard instruments for intraoperative guidance. An array of light-emitting diodes can be attached to essentially any rigid instrument with a definable tip and can then be calibrated to the system for intraoperative use. Stereotactic guidance of a drill, tap, and screwdriver may improve screw placement accuracy in spinal surgery because every step of the procedure can be monitored in real time.

DISCUSSION

Most stereotactic systems have only a standard probe or limited instruments for localization, targeting, and tracking a procedure. The surgeon then resumes the operation using standard surgical instruments without the benefit of image guidance for the key steps of the procedure. Because each surgical step for screw placement in the spine has a potential for error, use of multiple instruments that can be interchanged for real-time image-guided spinal surgery may increase the accuracy and safety of spinal instrumentation procedures. These techniques can also be applied to intracranial image-guided surgery.

Cholesterol synthesis is increased in mixed hyperlipidaemia

We showed previously that hypertriglyceridaemia, but not hypercholesterolaemia, is correlated with increases in cholesterol synthesis and apolipoprotein B secretion in patients with secondary hypertriglyceridaemia. The aim of the present study was to compare the rate of cholesterol synthesis, using fasting plasma mevalonic acid (MVA) as an index, in patients with primary mixed hyperlipidaemia (type IIb phenotype, n=45) and primary hypercholesterolaemia (type IIa phenotype, n=92). LDL cholesterol was significantly higher in types IIa (6.38+/-0.18 mmol/l) and IIb (5.89+/-0.25 mmol/l) compared to 40 normolipidaemic controls (2. 99+/-0.1 mmol/l, P<0.0001), whereas serum triglyceride was higher in type IIb (2.62 (range 2.2-3.0) mmol/l) than type IIa (1.22 (range 0. 85-1.60) mmol/l, P<0.001) and controls (0.90 (range 0.68-1.24) mmol/l, P<0.001). Similarly, MVA was higher in type IIb (7.0+/-0.46 ng/ml) than IIa (5.6+/-0.23 ng/ml, P<0.0) and controls (5.6+/-0.36 ng/ml, P<0.05). Plasma MVA correlated positively with serum triglyceride (r=0.22, P=0.004) and negatively with LDL cholesterol (r=-0.21, P=0.014). These results are in accordance with previous observations that VLDL-apolipoprotein B secretion and cholesterol synthesis are linked and demonstrate that the latter is increased in mixed hyperlipidaemia.

Use of cholesterol precursors to assess changes in cholesterol synthesis under non-steady-state conditions

BACKGROUND

Quantification of plasma levels of an early and late intermediate on the cholesterol pathway, mevalonic acid (MVA) and lathosterol respectively, provides a useful method of estimating cholesterol synthesis in humans. The aim of this study was to assess further their roles as indices of cholesterol synthesis under non-steady-state conditions.

METHODS

The short-term effects of pharmacological inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase on both variables were determined in four normolipidaemic subjects during and after treatment with simvastatin 20 mg daily. Plasma MVA was measured using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and lathosterol using gas chromatography.

RESULTS

A single dose of 20 mg of simvastatin decreased plasma MVA after 2 h and decreased the lathosterol-cholesterol (L/C) ratio after 4 h. Treatment with simvastatin 20 mg daily for 9 days decreased both variables by approximately 50%, the nadir of plasma MVA occurring on the second day and of the L/C ratio on the fifth day, and resulted in a 39% reduction in low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol. After discontinuing simvastatin, there were rebounds in plasma MVA and the L/C ratio to above basal levels but not in LDL cholesterol or apolipoprotein B (apoB), the latter continuing to decrease for a further 2 days.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that simvastatin rapidly down-regulates cholesterol synthesis, which is then up-regulated when the drug is withdrawn.

Thoracoscopic sympathectomy: techniques and outcomes

Thoracic sympathectomy is an important option in the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis and pain disorders. Earlier surgical procedures were highly invasive with known morbidity, acceptable outcome, and established recurrence rates that were the limitations to considering surgical treatment. Thoracoscopic sympathectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows detailed visualization of the sympathetic ganglia and minimal postoperative morbidity; however, outcome studies of this technique have been limited. The authors treated 39 patients with 60 thoracoscopic procedures, and the outcomes in this small series were equivalent to previously established open surgical techniques; however, operative moribidity rates, hospital stay, and time of return to normal activity were substantially reduced. Complications and recurrence of symptoms were also comparable to previous reports. Overall patient satisfaction and willingness to repeat the operative procedure ranged from 66 to 96% in all patients. Patients and physicians can consider minimally invasive thoracoscopic sympathectomy procedures as an option to treat sympathetically mediated disorders because of the procedure's reduced morbidity and at least equivalent outcome rates in comparison to other treatments.

E-cadherin expression in thymomas

For the purpose of investigating the pattern of E-cadherin (E-CD) expression in thymomas, 72 cases were immunostained using monoclonal antibody (HECD-1) and microwave-enhanced immunohistochemical method on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections. The thymomas were classified according to modified Müller-Hermelink classification. The spindle-shaped, medullary type tumor epithelial cells in medullary (3 cases) and composite type (20 cases) thymomas rarely expressed E-CD except in focal areas showing microcystic change observed in 8 cases. Meanwhile, the cohesive epithelioid tumor cells in every case of well-differentiated thymic carcinomas (WDTC) (29 cases) expressed E-CD. The epithelial cells in cortical type (13 cases) expressed stronger E-CD compared with those of organoid type (7 cases). In cases of WDTC admixed with cortical type, we observed increasing expression of E-CD as the tumor epithelium forms cohesive sheets. We could not find any loss of E-CD expression in invasive foci of the 11 cases of high-staged WDTC examined. Since the results of our study show a strong correlation between E-CD expression and epithelioid morphology of the tumor, E-CD seems to play a major role as a morpho-regulatory factor rather than as a suppressor of invasion in organotypic thymomas.

Differential expression of ferritin heavy chain in THP-1 cells infected with Mycobacterium bovis BCG

To identify the host genes induced or suppressed by infection of mycobacteria, the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and the differential display reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (DD RT-PCR) methods were used. In this study, cDNAs complement to mRNA extracted from human peripheral monocyte derived naive THP-1 cells, THP-1 cells infected with live Mycobacterium bovis BCG, THP-1 cells treated with heat-killed BCG, and THP-1 cells incubated with IgG-coated glass-beads were compared on the sequencing gel. One (TG2-1) of the clones selected by DD RT-PCR is 446 bp long and is identical to human ferritin heavy (H) chain gene. Northern blot analysis confirmed that ferritin H chain gene has been markedly over-expressed in monocytic THP-1 cells incubated with live and dead M. bovis BCG. Differential display techniques of host genes whose expression levels were varied by infection of mycobacteria could provide information about the response of macrophages to mycobacterial infection.

A giant ureteral stone

A 55-year-old woman suffered from right flank pain and had a right giant ureteral stone with hydronephrosis. Ureterolithotomy was performed. The ureteral stone was 11cm long and weighed 45gm.

An alternative approach to myelodysplasia management: aggressive observation and prompt intervention

We have adopted an approach to the management of myelodysplasia patients which is contrary to that most commonly supported by the existing literature. We screen patients shortly after birth with ultrasound, urine culture and serum creatinine, and then follow patients at 3 to 6-month intervals with similar studies. Cystography and urodynamics are done only as required clinically or by a change in the sonogram. Clean intermittent catheterization is indicated for continence or medical reasons. With this approach of aggressive observation and prompt intervention, we observed a rate of renal deterioration (diminished function on renal scan or parenchymal loss on imaging studies) of 5%. Renal deterioration was associated statistically with urinary tract infections and reflux. Patients started on clean intermittent catheterization for medical indications had greater risk for renal deterioration than those started on it for continence. Renal deterioration occurred with equal frequency between patients with abnormal and normal urodynamic studies, that is urodynamics did not predict renal deterioration. Our data show a rate of renal deterioration similar to other reports. We believe that aggressive observation with prompt intervention for problems once identified represents a reasonable alternative to managing patients with myelodysplasia.

5-Isothiocyanonicotine: a high-affinity irreversible ligand for brain nicotinic receptors

A newly synthesized affinity ligand, (R,S)-5-isothiocyanonicotine (ISCN-N) was found to inhibit irreversibly the binding of [3H]methylcarbamylcholine (a specific nicotinic receptor ligand) to brain membranes. Plots of percent inhibition versus ligand concentration yielded an IC50 of 7 x 10(-8) M for SCN-N and Ki values of 6 x 10(-9) and 2 x 10(-9) M for (R,S)-5-aminonicotine and (S)-nicotine, respectively. The IC50 value for irreversible inhibition of [3H]methylcarbamylcholine by SCN-N was 2 x 10(-7) M. The affinity ligand irreversibly inhibited brain nicotinic receptors in vivo in a dose-dependent manner, the inhibition being 49% at a dose of 20 mumol/kg. Behavioral studies in mice revealed that SCN-N had less than one-fifth the potency of nicotine in producing muscle weakness and seizures, whereas 5-aminonicotine was without significant behavioral effects at doses up to 20 mumol/kg.

Hypothyroidism in the adult rat causes brain region-specific biochemical dysfunction

The influence of hypothyroidism in the adult rat on brain biochemistry was investigated. Hypothyroidism was induced in 6-month-old male rats by partial thyroidectomy coupled with the administration of 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil (0.005%, w/v) in the drinking water. Age-matched euthyroid males served as the controls. Hypothyroidism resulted in brain region-specific changes in certain catabolic enzyme activities. Acid phosphatase activity was reduced in the cerebellum (by 34%) and the medulla (by 38%), whereas alkaline phosphatase activity was decreased in the midbrain (by 37%) and the subcortex (by 49%). A differential response was also observed in the case of aryl sulphatase activity: aryl sulphatase A (myelin-degradative activity) was diminished in the cerebellum (by 56%), whereas aryl sulphatase B remained unchanged in all regions. Acetylcholine esterase activity was reduced in the cerebellum (by 45%), the medulla (by 34%) and the subcortex (by 45%), whereas monoamine oxidase activity was affected in only one region, the cerebellum, where it was increased by (61%). The compromise of myelin and neurotransmitter degradative enzyme activities may place severe restrictions on normal brain function. The vulnerability of the adult rat cerebellum to the effects of thyroidectomy is commensurate with the known clinical signs of cerebellar dysfunction in adult hypothyroid man. These findings raise the possibility of an important role for the thyroid hormones in the mature brain.

Treatment of steinstrasse with repeat extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy: experience with piezoelectric lithotriptor

Among 958 patients with renal stones who underwent extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) monotherapy using an EDAP-LT01 piezoelectric lithotriptor steinstrasse developed in 55 (5.7%). Of these 55 cases stone fragments passed spontaneously in 35 (63.6%) and were treated successfully (no residual stone fragment in ureter) with repeat ESWL in 18 (32.8%). Only 2 patients (3.6%) required ureteroscopic management or open ureterolithotomy. Therefore, repeat ESWL is considered a good initial method to treat complicated steinstrasse.