Survivin is a negative prognostic marker in medulloblastoma

Survivin is a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family, which is over-expressed in many human cancers. Our aim was to analyse survivin expression in medulloblastoma, its association with aberrant activation of the WNT (wingless) pathway and to test the prognostic significance of survivin expression. We immuno histochemically analysed survivin expression and localization of beta-catenin, a downstream mediator of the WNT pathway, in 56 cases of medulloblastoma. Survivin was detected in the nuclei of tumour cells in all cases, but the proportion of positive nuclei varied from 0.5 to 31.3%. Survivin expression tended to be higher in medulloblastomas with an aberrant activation of the WNT pathway (nuclear localization of beta-catenin), but did not correlate with histological type, age group or dissemination via cerebrospinal fluid pathways. Survivin expression and dissemination status were two independent negative prognostic variables for the overall survival of patients with medulloblastoma. In conclusion, survivin is up-regulated in medulloblastomas. It is a negative prognostic marker and a potential therapeutic target.

First thousand rectal cancer cases: Local recurrence and survival

In the period 1990 - 2002, 1674 patients with colorectal carcinoma were operated in the First Surgical Clinic, Third Department for Colorectal Surgery. In 1264 cases (75,5%) rectal carcinoma was the indication for surgical treatment. Sphincter saving procedures (SSP) were performed in 824 (65,2%), abdominoperineal resections (APR) in 340 (26,9%) and resections of rectum with definitive stoma (Hartmann procedure) in 100 (7,9%) patients. We analyzed 1095 cases where curative SSP or APR were performed. All cases where curative resection was not possible because of liver metastases or inability to excise all macroscopic disease were excluded. In the group of patients where SSP was performed (767 cases), there were 26,6% high colorectal anastomoses (8cm from anal verge), 65,4% with low (4-8cm from anal verge) and 8,0% with intersphincteric coloanal anastomosis (cm from anal verge). Patohistological exam showed 5,3% Dukes A, 53,1% Dukes B, 36,5% Dukes C and 4,9% Dukes D. In the APR group (328 cases) there were 1,5% Dukes A, 32,4% Dukes B, 62,1% Dukes C and 3,5% Dukes D. In this study we analyzed local recurrence and five-year survival in both groups. Recurrence of the disease was registered in 325 (29,6%) out of 1095 patients. Local recurrence was found in 81 (7,4%) patients. In the SSP group recurrence occured in 215 (28,0%) out of 767 curative resections. Local recurrence alone was found in 53 patients (6,9%). SSP group was also divided into two subgroups; in the first group TME was performed and in second transection of mesorectum was carried out. Analyzing local recurrence in these two groups, in the TME group it was 7,6% and in the transection group 5,6%. In the APR group recurrence was registered in 110 (33,5%) out of 328 patients while local recurrence alone was found in 28 (8,5%) cases. Analyzing mortality we found that 234 (21,4%) out of 1095 patients died during follow-up. In the SSP group 154 out of 767 patients (20,1%) died. In the TME group mortality was 21,7% and in the transection group 16,9%. Mortality in the APR group showed that 80 out of 328 (24,4%) patients died during follow-up. Analysis by the Kaplan-Meier?s test shows cumulative survival of 0,69 for all cases. In the SSP group cumulative survival is 0,72 and in the APR group 0,64 with statistically significant difference (p,001). In the TME group cumulative survival is 0,75 and in the transection group 0,72 with statistically significant difference (p,05). We believe that performing SSP should be encouraged whenever it is possible because there is no difference in local recurrence rates and survival compared to APR. Transection of mesorectum can safely be performed in most cases with tumors located more than 8 cm form anal verge. We believe that exact preoperative staging and preoperative radiotherapy could improve results.

Influence of heavy traffic, city dwelling and socio-economic status on nasal symptoms assessed in a postal population survey

BACKGROUND

The association between social position, living environment and nasal symptoms is inconsistent. We wanted to test how living environment, occupation and social position were associated with nasal symptoms.

METHODS

In a postal survey study of a random sample of 12,079 adults, aged 20-59 years living in the southern part of Sweden the relationship between nasal symptoms, socio-economic status and environmental factors was analysed.

RESULTS

The response rate was 70% (n = 8469) of whom 33% reported significant nasal symptoms. Nasal discharge, thick yellow discharge, a blocked nose, sneezing and itching were strongly associated with living close to heavy traffic or living in cities. Most of the nasal symptoms provoked by extrinsic factors were more frequently reported among subjects who lived close to heavy traffic and in cities. Apart from thick yellow discharge and nasal symptoms provoked by damp/cold air which were more common in the socio-economic position "low" no relation to the socio-economic group was found. The prevalence of self-reported hay fever was neither affected by site of living nor by socio-economic status. Nasal symptoms evoked by "allergic" factors were linked to asthma but symptoms evoked by non-allergic factors were linked to chronic bronchitis/emphysema CBE.

CONCLUSIONS

To conclude, we found a strong relation between geographical site and the prevalence of self-reported nasal symptoms which emphasizes the environment as a risk factor for nasal symptoms. Only by merging the socio-economic groups into "low" and "middle/high" an association to nasal symptoms was apparent. Nasal symptoms evoked by "allergic" factors were linked to asthma but symptoms evoked by "non allergic factors" were linked to CBE.

A multicenter study on the effects of lanthanum carbonate (Fosrenol) and calcium carbonate on renal bone disease in dialysis patients

BACKGROUND

Lanthanum carbonate (LC) (Fosrenol) is a novel new treatment for hyperphosphatemia. In this phase III, open-label study, we compared the effects of LC and calcium carbonate (CC) on the evolution of renal osteodystrophy (ROD) in dialysis patients.

METHODS

Ninety-eight patients were randomized to LC (N = 49) or CC (N = 49). Bone biopsies were taken at baseline and after one year of treatment. Acceptable paired biopsies were available for static and dynamic histomorphometry studies in 33 LC and 30 CC patients. Blood samples were taken at regular intervals for biochemical analysis and adverse events were monitored.

RESULTS

LC was well tolerated and serum phosphate levels were well controlled in both treatment groups. The incidence of hypercalcemia was lower in the LC group (6% vs. 49% for CC). At baseline, subtypes of ROD were similarly distributed in both groups, with mixed ROD being most common. At one-year follow-up in the LC group, 5 of 7 patients with baseline low bone turnover (either adynamic bone or osteomalacia), and 4 of 5 patients with baseline hyperparathyroidism, had evolved toward a normalization of their bone turnover. Only one lanthanum-treated patient evolved toward adynamic bone compared with 6 patients in the CC group. In the LC group, the number of patients having either adynamic bone, osteomalacia, or hyperpara decreased overall from 12 (36%) at baseline to 6 (18%), while in the calcium group, the number of patients with these types of ROD increased from 13 (43%) to 16 (53%).

CONCLUSION

LC is a poorly absorbed, well-tolerated, and efficient phosphate binder. LC-treated dialysis patients show almost no evolution toward low bone turnover over one year (unlike CC-treated patients), nor do they experience any aluminum-like effects on bone.

[Intraoperative and postoperative complications of splenectomy]

Spleen is being surgically removed because of trauma, in diagnostic and-or therapeutical purposes because of the benignant and malignant diseases. The percentage of morbidity during and after splenectomy is relatively low. During surgery might occur bleeding, trauma of the pancreatic tail, stomach, lineal flexure of the colon, left hemidiafragm, left suprarenal gland and upper pole of the left kidney, which must be correspondingly reclaimed during the same intervention. In the early postoperative period, postoperative bleeding, subfrenic abscess, pulmonal atelectasis, bronchopneumonia and left pleural extravasations might occur. Especially is important notification of these events in due time and adequate conservative and surgical treatment. After splenectomy, there is an increase of the number of trombocytes, which might lead to the tromboembolic complications. In the prevention of these complications in the postoperative period prolonged antiagregation therapy is suggested. Postsplenectomy sepsis is very late, general complication of splenectomy, which occurs because of the lower immunity in the child age. To prevent these complications, partial splenectomies, reimplantations of the spleen, prolonged application of the penicillin medicines after splenectomy and antipneumococcal vaccine are performed.

Alkali hydrolysis of trinitrotoluene

Data for alkali hydrolysis of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) in aqueous solution at pH 12.0 under static (pH-controlled) as well as dynamic (pH-uncontrolled) conditions are reported. The experiments were conducted at two different molar ratios of TNT to hydroxyl ions at room temperature. The TNT disappeared rapidly from the solution as a first-order reaction. The complete disappearance of aromatic structure from the aqueous solution within 24 h was confirmed by the ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) spectra of the samples. Cuvet experiments in a UV-VIS spectrophotometer demonstrated the formation of Meisenheimer complex, which slowly disappeared via formation of aromatic compounds with fewer nitro groups. The known metabolites of TNT were found to accumulate only in very small quantities in the liquid phase.

St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) and kindling epilepsy in rabbit

Effects of different extracts of Hypericum perforatum L. on the kindling epileptic discharges were analyzed. The experiment was carried out on Chinchilla rabbits with chronically implanted electrodes in cortical structures and hippocampus. In our study we used water, n-butanol and ether fractions (mass concentrations 0.1 g/ml) of crude ethanol extract of Hypericum perforatum. The particular extracts were given intramuscularly in single dose of 1 ml/kg BW. The bioelectric activity was registered before and after applications of each extracts. The obtained results show that the effect depends on the constituents present in particular fractions. The repression of epileptic activity was in correlation with the polarity of plant constituents. Most polar constituents that remained in water fraction exerted highest antiepileptic activity in all (100%) animals tested. Substances present in butanol fraction repressed the epileptic manifestations in 40% of animals with kindling epilepsy, whereas lipid-soluble constituents in ether fraction potentated the epileptic activity.

A Tat subunit vaccine confers protective immunity against the immune-modulating activity of the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 Tat protein in mice

The rational design of new therapies against HIV-1 necessitates an improved understanding of the mechanisms underlying the production of ineffective immune responses to HIV-1 in most infected individuals. This report shows that the CD8(+) T cell responses to gp120 were greatly diminished in mice vaccinated with a bicistronic gp120-Tat DNA vaccine, compared with those induced by a DNA vaccine encoding gp120 alone. The CD8(+) T cell responses induced by the latter included strong gp120-specific IFN-gamma secretion and protective antiviral immunity against challenge by a vaccinia-env pseudotype. The degree to which Tat influenced CD8(+) T cell responses depended on the bioactivity of Tat. Thus, a bicistronic DNA vaccine that expresses gp120 and a truncated Tat defective for LTR activation elicited strong IFN-gamma -secreting CD8(+) T cell responses to gp120 but conferred only marginal protection against the vaccinia-env challenge. The effect of Tat was completely blocked, however, by immunization with inactivated Tat protein before vaccination with the bicistronic gp120-Tat DNA vaccine.

The effect of celery and parsley juices on pharmacodynamic activity of drugs involving cytochrome P450 in their metabolism

Celery (Apium graveolens) and parsley (Petroselinum sativum), plants used worldwide in human nutrition, are the natural sources of methoxsalen. In this study we investigated the effect of mice pretreatment with juices of this plants on the hypnotic action of pentobarbital and analgesic action of paracetamol and aminopyrine, the drugs involving cytochrome P450 superfamily in their metabolism. In mice pretreated with celery and parsley juices a prolonged action of pentobarbital with respect to control was observed, statistical significance being attained only with parsley-pretreated animals. Both pretreatments increased and prolonged the analgesic action of aminopyrine and paracetamol, pretreatment with parsley being again more effective. Celery and parsley juices given to animals two hours before their decapitation caused a significant decrease of cytochrome P450 in the liver homogenate as compared to control.

The effect methoxsalene on hypnotic and subhypnotic doses of pentobarbital

The effect of several doses of methoxsalen on hypnotic action of 40 mg/kg of pentobarbital in mice was studied. Methoxsalen was injected 30 minutes before the barbiturate. The highest methoxsalen dose of 22 mg/kg extended the duration of the hypnotic action of pentobarbital about 10 times compared to the control. The effect decreased with time, and 96 hours after this single dose of methoxsalen it was not significantly different from that observed with the control animals receiving only 40 mg/kg pentobarbital. The other methoxsalen doses (10, 5, and 2 mg/kg) exhibited an equal effect on the hypnotic action of pentobarbital, and only in the first measuring time. The effect could not be detected after 24 hours, and no dose dependence was observed. Small doses of methoxsalen of 2 and 1 mg/kg injected 30 minutes before a subhypnotic pentobarbital dose of 30 mg/kg produced sleep in 75% of animals of the both groups. In the control group, this dose produced no sleep in none of the animals.

Diffractive dijet production at sqrt[s] = 630 and 1800 GeV at the Fermilab Tevatron

We report a measurement of the diffractive structure function F(D)(jj) of the antiproton obtained from a study of dijet events produced in association with a leading antiproton in pp collisions at sqrt[s] = 630 GeV at the Fermilab Tevatron. The ratio of F(D)(jj) at sqrt[s] = 630 GeV to F(D)(jj) obtained from a similar measurement at sqrt[s] = 1800 GeV is compared with expectations from QCD factorization and other theoretical predictions. We also report a measurement of the xi ( x-Pomeron) and beta ( x of parton in Pomeron) dependence of F(D)(jj) at sqrt[s] = 1800 GeV. In the region 0.035<xi<0.095, /t/<1 GeV2, and beta<0.5, F(D)(jj)(beta,xi) is found to be of the form beta(-1.0+/-0.1)xi(-0.9+/-0.1), which obeys beta-xi factorization.

Search for new heavy particles in the WZ0 final state in pp collisions at square root[s] = 1.8 TeV

We present the first general search for new heavy particles, X, which decay via X --> WZ0 --> e(nu)+jj as a function of M(X) and Gamma(X) in pp collisions at square root[s] = 1.8 TeV. No evidence is found for production of X in 110 pb(-1) of data collected by the Collider Detector at Fermilab. General cross section limits are set at the 95% C.L. as a function of mass and width of the new particle. The results are further interpreted as mass limits on the production of new heavy charged vector bosons which decay via W' --> WZ0 in an extended gauge model as a function of the width, Gamma(W'), and mixing factor between the W' and the standard model W bosons.

Study of B0 --> J/psiK(*)0pi(+)pi(-) decays with the collider detector at Fermilab

We report a study of the decays B0 --> J/psiK(*)0pi(+)pi(-), which involve the creation of a uu or dd quark pair in addition to a b -->c(cs) decay. The data sample consists of 110 pb(-1) of pp collisions at square root[s] = 1.8 TeV collected by the CDF detector at the Fermilab Tevatron collider during 1992-1995. We measure the branching fractions to be B(B0 --> J/psiK(*0)pi(+)pi(-)) = (6.6 +/- 1.9 +/- 1.1)x10(-4) and B(B0 --> J/psiK0pi(+)pi(-)) = (10.3 +/- 3.3 +/- 1.5)x10(-4). Evidence is seen for contributions from psi(2S)K(*)0, J/psiK0rho(0), J/psiK(*+)pi(-), and J/psiK1(1270).

Search for gluinos and scalar quarks in pp collisions at square root[s] = 1.8 TeV using the missing energy plus multijets signature

We have performed a search for gluinos (g) and scalar quarks (q) in a data sample of 84 pb(-1) of pp collisions at square root[s] = 1.8 TeV, recorded by the Collider Detector at Fermilab. We investigate the final state of large missing transverse energy and three or more jets, a characteristic signature in R-parity-conserving supersymmetric models. The analysis has been performed "blind," in that the inspection of the signal region is made only after the predictions from standard model backgrounds have been calculated. Comparing the data with predictions of constrained supersymmetric models, we exclude gluino masses below 195 GeV/c2 (95% C.L.), independent of the squark mass. For the case m(q) approximately m(g), gluino masses below 300 GeV/c2 are excluded.

Measurement of the strong coupling constant from inclusive jet production at the Tevatron pp collider

We report a measurement of the strong coupling constant, alpha(s)(MZ), extracted from inclusive jet production in pp collisions at square root[s] = 1800 GeV. The QCD prediction for the evolution of alpha(s) with jet transverse energy ET is tested over the range 40<ET<450 GeV using ET for the renormalization scale. The data show good agreement with QCD in the region below 250 GeV. The value of alpha(s) at the mass of the Z0 boson averaged over the range 40<ET<250 GeV is found to be alpha(s)(MZ) = 0.1178+/-0.0001(stat)+0.0081(-0.0095)(expt. syst). The associated theoretical uncertainties are mainly due to the choice of renormalization scale ((+6%)(-4%)) and input parton distribution functions (5%).

Search for gluinos and squarks using like-sign dileptons in pp macro collisions at square root of s = 1.8 TeV

We present results of the first search for like-sign dilepton ( e(+/-)e(+/-), e(+/-)mu(+/-), mu(+/-)mu(+/-)) events associated with multijets and large missing energy using 106 pb(-1) of data in pp macro collisions at square root of s = 1.8 TeV collected during 1992-1995 by the CDF experiment. Finding no events that pass our selection, we examine pair production of gluinos (tilde g) and squarks (tilde q) in a constrained framework of the minimal supersymmetric standard model. At tan beta = 2 and mu = -800 GeV/c(2), we set 95% confidence level limits of M(tilde g)>221 GeV/c(2) for M(tilde g) approximately M(tilde q), and M(tilde q)>168 GeV/c(2) for M(tilde q)>>M(tilde g), both with small variation as a function of mu.