A novel multiparametric approach for analysis of cytoplasmic immunoglobulin light chains by flow cytometry

We describe a novel flow cytometric approach using a two-step acquisition technique to determine the cytoplasmic immunoglobulin light chains (LC) expression. Samples were prepared by a lysed-whole-blood technique and incubated with CD38-PE (phycoerythrin) and CD45-FITC (fluorescein isothiocyanate). The cells were fixed and acquired on an FACSCalibur flow cytometer (first acquisition). The cells were then permeabilized, incubated with either kappa-FITC or lambda-FITC and reacquired (second acquisition). Analysis of the data was performed by gating on the differing intensities of CD38 and evaluating them for the presence of a shifting FITC-positive population from the first acquisition to the second acquisition. The FITC fluorescence intensity of the second acquisition was equal to the sum of surface CD45 expression obtained during the first acquisition and the cytoplasmic LC expression obtained during the second acquisition. Thus, the shifting (increase) of FITC fluorescence intensity during the second acquisition is specifically due to the cytoplasmic expression of either the kappa or lambda LC. We studied 15 multiple myeloma (MM) patients and 10 controls (samples from patients without plasma cell dyscrasias). None of the controls showed evidence of any clonal populations. Thirteen of 15 MM patients exhibited clonal plasma cells (CD38 bright), ranging from 0.01% to 34% of total events collected. In addition, we identified another minute clonal population of lymphocytes (CD38 dim, CD45 bright, low forward and side scatter) in 12 of 13 MM patients with clonal plasma cells. This population, ranging from 0.01% to 0.6% of total events collected, had the same LC restriction as the clonal plasma cells. Patients with a ratio of minor clonal population to clonal plasma cells less than 0.07 tended to remain in partial or complete remission than those with a ratio > or =0.07 (4/5 versus 1/4, P <.1, chi(2)). We conclude that this method is highly sensitive and permits us to identify the minute clonal population of lymphocytes in MM patients. Our preliminary observations with a small cohort of patients imply that this minute clonal population may have important prognostic significance. The prognostic significance should be confirmed by further studies.

Aortic valve endocarditis in a dog due to Bartonella clarridgeiae

We report the first documented case of endocarditis associated with Bartonella clarridgeiae in any species. B. clarridgeiae was identified as a possible etiological agent of human cat scratch disease. Infective vegetative valvular aortic endocarditis was diagnosed in a 2.5-year-old male neutered boxer. Historically, the dog had been diagnosed with a systolic murmur at 16 months of age and underwent balloon valvuloplasty for severe valvular aortic stenosis. Six months later, the dog was brought to a veterinary hospital with an acute third-degree atrioventricular block and was diagnosed with infective endocarditis. The dog died of cardiopulmonary arrest prior to pacemaker implantation. Necropsy confirmed severe aortic vegetative endocarditis. Blood culture grew a fastidious, gram-negative organism 8 days after being plated. Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of the isolate, including partial sequencing of the citrate synthase (gltA) and 16S rRNA genes indicated that this organism was B. clarridgeiae. DNA extraction from the deformed aortic valve and the healthy pulmonic valve revealed the presence of B. clarridgeiae DNA only from the diseased valve. No Borrelia burgdorferi or Ehrlichia sp. DNA could be identified. Using indirect immunofluorescence tests, the dog was seropositive for B. clarridgeiae and had antibodies against Ehrlichia phagocytophila but not against Ehrlichia canis, Ehrlichia ewingii, B. burgdorferi, or Coxiella burnetii.

Endoscopic thoracic sympathetic block by clipping for palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis in children and adolescents

Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy or sympathicotomy is a safe and effective method of treating primary hyperhidrosis (PH), but postoperative compensatory sweating may be a problem. There are few reports of sympathetic blockade by clipping for PH. We present our experience of endoscopic thoracic sympathetic block (ETSB) by clipping in treating palmar (PAH) and axillary hyperhidrosis (AH) in children and adolescents. Between May 1997 and June 1998, a total of 78 patients with PAH or AH underwent ETSB by clipping using an 8-mm, 0 degrees thoracoscope. There were 33 males and 45 females with a mean age of 14.1 years (range 9-16 y). All patients were placed in a semi-sitting position under single-lumen intubation anesthesia; 52 patients with PAH underwent T2 sympathetic block by clipping at the 2nd and 3rd rib beds, and T3 and T4 sympathetic block was performed at the 3rd, 4th and 5th rib beds in 26 patients with AH. A total of 156 sympathetic blocks by clipping were achieved. The operation was usually accomplished within 20 min (range 16-30 min). Most patients were discharged within 4 h after the operation. There were neither surgical complications nor mortality. The mean postoperative follow-up period was 32.7 months (range 26-40). Improvement of PAH or AH could be obtained in all cases; 70 patients (85.4%) developed compensatory sweating of the trunk and lower limbs. One patient with PAH underwent a reverse operation with improvement of the sweating 14 days after removal of the endo-clips. ETSB by clipping is thus a safe and effective method for treating PH in children and adolescents; compensatory sweating may be improved after a reverse operation with removal of the endo-clip.

What factors influence physicians' decisions to switch from intravenous to oral antibiotics for community-acquired pneumonia?

OBJECTIVE

One of the major factors influencing length of stay for patients with community-acquired pneumonia is the timing of conversion from intravenous to oral antibiotics. We measured physician attitudes and beliefs about the antibiotic switch decision and assessed physician characteristics associated with practice beliefs.

DESIGN

Written survey assessing attitudes about the antibiotic conversion decision.

SETTING

Seven teaching and non-teaching hospitals in Pittsburgh, Pa.

PARTICIPANTS

Three hundred forty-five generalist and specialist attending physicians who manage pneumonia in 7 hospitals.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

Factors rated as "very important" to the antibiotic conversion decision were: absence of suppurative infection (93%), ability to maintain oral intake (79%), respiratory rate at baseline (64%), no positive blood cultures (63%), normal temperature (62%), oxygenation at baseline (55%), and mental status at baseline (50%). The median thresholds at which physicians believed a typical patient could be converted to oral therapy were: temperature < or =100 degrees F (37.8 degrees C), respiratory rate < or =20 breaths/minute, heart rate < or =100 beats/minute, systolic blood pressure > or =100 mm Hg, and room air oxygen saturation > or =90%. Fifty-eight percent of physicians felt that "patients should be afebrile for 24 hours before conversion to oral antibiotics," and 19% said, "patients should receive a standard duration of intravenous antibiotics." In univariate analyses, pulmonary and infectious diseases physicians were the most predisposed towards early conversion to oral antibiotics, and other medical specialists were the least predisposed, with generalists being intermediate (P <.019). In multivariate analyses, practice beliefs were associated with age, inpatient care activities, attitudes about guidelines, and agreeableness on a personality inventory scale.

CONCLUSIONS

Physicians believed that patients could be switched to oral antibiotics once vital signs and mental status had stabilized and oral intake was possible. However, there was considerable variation in several antibiotic practice beliefs. Guidelines and pathways to streamline antibiotic therapy should include educational strategies to address some of these differences in attitudes.

Zona-free oocyte fertilized with intracytoplasmic sperm injection and underwent further division: case report and literature review

The zona pellucida (ZP) plays a protective role during fertilization and early embryonic development. It is related to sperm binding, the acrosome reaction, prevention of polyspermic fertilization, and holding blastomeres together before the morular stage. Zona-free oocytes are accidentally encountered. If these oocytes are healthy, they can be fertilized normally by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). We reported on a couple with male infertility undergoing oocyte retrieval after ovarian hyperstimulation. Before the ICSI procedure, cumulus cells surrounding the oocytes were removed, which resulted in one oocyte escaping from its ZP. The zona-free oocyte was fertilized normally with ICSI and developed to the 8-cell stage. We observed that the zona-free zygote had the ability to further divide, despite its loose contact. The zona-free embryo was transferred with other zona-intact embryos, but the implantation failed. We conclude that zona-free oocytes can be rescued, fertilized with ICSI, and cultured for further transfer or cryopreservation.

Preoperative diagnosis and localization of aldosterone-producing adenoma by adrenal venous sampling after administration of metoclopramide

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Adrenal venous sampling is the most reliable test to distinguish aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) from idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA). The diagnostic accuracy can be improved by administration of adrenocorticotropin to minimize pulsatile secretion of aldosterone. Metoclopramide (MCP), a dopamine antagonist, can increase aldosterone secretion promptly without affecting cortisol secretion. This study investigated the diagnostic accuracy of adrenal venous sampling after MCP injection for the preoperative diagnosis and localization of APA.

METHODS

Prospective diagnosis and adrenalectomy was based on adrenal venous sampling in 23 patients with a diagnosis of primary aldosteronism. Plasma aldosterone concentrations from adrenal veins and the inferior vena cava were measured before and 30 minutes after intravenous administration of 10 mg MCP. The ratio of bilateral adrenal venous aldosterone concentrations after MCP was used for diagnosis as follows: a ratio greater than 5 indicated APA, less than 3 indicated IHA, and 3-5 indicated an intermediate diagnosis.

RESULTS

Catheterization of the right adrenal vein was unsuccessful in three patients. Twelve of 13 patients with an aldosterone ratio greater than 5 after MCP underwent unilateral adrenalectomy, and APA was confirmed in 11 of these patients. One patient with an intermediate diagnosis also had surgically confirmed APA. Six patients had a ratio less than 3. Before MCP administration, 10 of 13 patients with APA had a ratio greater than 5, and three patients had a ratio between 3 and 5; one patient with IHA had a ratio greater than 5. MCP improved the diagnosis of APA to an accuracy of 92% (12/13). Correct diagnosis of APA based on computerized tomography (CT) was 85% (11/13). There was discordance between the findings of adrenal venous sampling and CT in four of 20 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Administration of MCP to stimulate aldosterone secretion during adrenal venous sampling can improve the accuracy of differential diagnosis between APA and IHA.

Mechanism of up-regulated gap junctional intercellular communication during chemoprevention and chemotherapy of cancer

To develop a strategy for efficacious intervention in order to prevent or treat various cancers, one must understand the basic mechanism(s) by which various anticancer dietary factors prevent or reverse the tumor promotion or progression phases. Carcinogenesis is a multistage, multimechanism process, involving the irreversible alteration of a stem cell (the "initiation" phase), followed by the clonal proliferation of the initiated stem cell (the "promotion" phase), from which the acquisition of the invasive and metastatic phenotypes are generated (the "progression" phase). While intervention to prevent or treat cancer could occur at each step, the objective of this presentation will focus on the rate limiting step, the promotion phase.Gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) has been hypothesized to regulate growth control, differentiation and apoptosis. Most normal, contact-inhibited cells have functional GJIC, while most, if not all, tumor cells have dysfunctional homologous or heterologous GJIC. Cancer cells are characterized by the lack of growth control, by the inability to terminally differentiate and by resistance to apoptosis. Chemical tumor promoters (phorbol esters, DDT, phenobarbital, unsaturated fatty acids, saccharin, etc.) inhibit GJIC in a reversible fashion and at doses above particular chemical thresholds. Various oncogenes (e.g. ras, raf, neu, src, mos) down-regulate GJIC while several tumor suppressor genes can up-regulate GJIC. Antitumor promoters (retinoids, carotenoids, green tea components) and antioncogene drugs (i.e. lovastatin) can up-regulate GJIC. Transfection of gap junction genes ("connexins") into GJIC-deficient tumor cells can restore GJIC, growth control and reduce tumorigenicity. On the other hand, antisense gap junction genes can convert the phenotype of a non-tumorigenic cell to that of a tumorigenic one. Recently, a specific connexin knockout mouse was shown to have a higher frequency of spontaneous and induced liver cancers. Evidence from these studies clearly suggests that dietary factors can modulate GJIC by inducing various signal transducing systems. The modulation can either down-regulate GJIC and lead to tumor promotion or it can up-regulate GJIC and lead to suppression of the initiated cells. Multiple mechanisms of up- or down-regulation of GJIC exist, as well as multiple types of pre-malignant and malignant tumor cells that are unable able to have functional GJIC. GJIC can be down-regulated by mutations and by epigenetic means. Alteration of gene expression at the transcriptional, translational or post-translational levels would require specific dietary prevention or treatment of cancer. In conclusion, if dietary prevention or treatment of cancer is to occur, it must ameliorate the growth-stimulatory effects, above threshold levels, of chemicals, growth factors or hormones, that trigger various mitogenic/antiapoptotic signal transducing systems that block GJIC.

Training nu-support vector classifiers: theory and algorithms

The nu-support vector machine (nu-SVM) for classification proposed by Schölkopf, Smola, Williamson, and Bartlett (2000) has the advantage of using a parameter nu on controlling the number of support vectors. In this article, we investigate the relation between nu-SVM and C-SVM in detail. We show that in general they are two different problems with the same optimal solution set. Hence, we may expect that many numerical aspects of solving them are similar. However, compared to regular C-SVM, the formulation of nu-SVM is more complicated, so up to now there have been no effective methods for solving large-scale nu-SVM. We propose a decomposition method for nu-SVM that is competitive with existing methods for C-SVM. We also discuss the behavior of nu-SVM by some numerical experiments.

Establishment and characterization of a cell line, MT-213-VGH, isolated from a mixed müllerian tumor of the uterus

OBJECTIVE

To establish a cell line from a woman with malignant mixed müllerian tumor of the uterus and to examine the biologic properties of this cell line (MT-213-VGH).

STUDY DESIGN

Cells were cloned by the limiting dilution method. Histologic staining of mixed müllerian (mesodermal) tumor (MMMT) cells was performed with May-Grünwald-Giemsa and hematoxylin and eosin stain. After more than 20 passages, cells were used to estimate the population-doubling time and colony-forming efficiency of MMMT cells. The cell line exhibited considerable variation in the degree of sensitivity to diverse chemotherapy drugs in vitro.

RESULTS

MMMT cells containing antigens for vimentin and myoglobin were detected, but those for CA-125, carcinoembryonic antigen, cytoskeleton, desmin, epithelial membrane antigen and fibronectin were not found. In addition, MT-213-VGH cells contained a mucinous substance; its chromosome model number is 45. This cell line showed differential sensitivities to chemotherapeutic agents, such as bleomycin, cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil and vinblastine.

CONCLUSION

The establishment and availability of the number cell line MT-213-VGH for a malignant mixed müllerian tumor of the uterus should assist in research on new methods of managing this type of gynecologic cancer.

Concentration variability of halocarbons over an electronics industrial park and its implication in compliance with the Montreal protocol

This work investigated fugitive emissions of anthropogenic halocarbons in a semiconductor and electronics industrial park in Taiwan using both flask and in-situ measurement methods. Large concentration variabilities in methylchloroform, trichloroethene, and tetrachloroethene suggested substantial usage and emissions in the industrial park. While the variability of CFC-113, CCl4, and CFC-11 was rather small using the flask sampling technique, the in-situ method with its higher frequency, however, showed significantly larger variability arising from observing periodic emission episodes, which were highly correlated with wind direction and topography of the park.

Evaluation of micrometastases in sentinel lymph nodes of cutaneous melanoma: higher diagnostic accuracy with Melan-A and MART-1 compared with S-100 protein and HMB-45

Accurate diagnosis of micrometastases in sentinel lymph nodes of cutaneous melanoma is critical for proper clinical management. S-100 protein and HMB-45 are the traditional immunomarkers widely used for this purpose. However, the interpretation of micrometastases by these markers is difficult with significant reduction in the diagnostic accuracy. S-100 protein demonstrates immunoreactivity for other nonmelanoma cells and obscures nuclear details, which are crucial for the interpretation of single cell metastases. We compared the new melanoma markers, Melan-A (clone A103) and MART-1 (clone M2-7C10), with S-100 protein and HMB-45, by examining 77 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections of sentinel lymph nodes from 13 cases of primary cutaneous melanoma. CD68 (PG-M1) and hematoxylin-eosin-stained sections were also studied. Four pathologists interpreted the staining pattern after concealing the identity of each immunomarker. Az values (area under receiver operating characteristic curve) with receiver operating characteristic curve were higher with Melan-A (0.9742) and MART-1 (0.9779) compared with S-100 protein (0.8034) and HMB-45 (0.8651), demonstrating a higher diagnostic accuracy with Melan-A and MART-1 with superior detection of melanoma micrometastases. Melan-A and MART-1 showed sharp cytoplasmic immunoreactivity, almost exclusively restricted to the melanoma cells. Therefore, Melan-A and MART-1 are recommended for the evaluation of micrometastases in sentinel lymph nodes of cutaneous melanoma as a routine alternative to S-100 protein and HMB-45.

Primary tumour volume delineation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and correlation with 1997 AJCC tumour stage classification

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the variability in primary tumour volume in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and compare it with the tumour staging of the 1997 American Joint Committee on Cancer.

DESIGN

Prospective study.

SETTING

Tertiary care centre.

METHOD

A series of 33 newly diagnosed patients who were treated with high-dose radiotherapy participated in the study.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Using computed tomographic scans, primary tumour volumes were measured using the summation-of-areas technique, and the variability in tumour volume was determined. The Mann-Whitney test was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

A large variation in primary tumour volume was observed, especially in advanced-stage cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma shows considerable variability in primary tumour volume. Incorporation of primary tumour volume may lead to further refinement of the 1997 tumour staging system.

In vitro study of ultrasound based real-time tracking of renal stones for shock wave lithotripsy: part 1

PURPOSE

We developed a real-time tracking system for renal stones that decreases the number of shock waves and treatment time of shock wave lithotripsy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ultrasound images were analyzed to identify the renal stones. A computer software module for ultrasound image processing was developed to monitor stone location instantaneously. Another computer software module controlled generator movement in real time for tracking the stone. We used 13 ultrasound stone trajectories recorded from patients to test the system in vitro. Two tests were established to verify tracking system reliability. One test focused on improvement in the coincidence ratio, which denotes the matching extent of the stone within the effective focal area. The other test focused on improvement in the efficiency ratio, that is a decrease in the number of shocks for stone fragmentation. For each recorded stone trajectory 2 experiments were done under tracking and nontracking conditions.

RESULTS

The average coincidence and efficiency ratios plus or minus standard deviation were 79.6% +/- 9.8% and 45.0% +/- 12.7% without tracking, and 97.0% +/- 3.0% and 85.5 +/- 6.8% with tracking, respectively. All tests were statistically significant (paired t test p <0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

An ultrasound based real-time tracking system proved to be significantly helpful for in vitro lithotripsy. It appears that the tracking system may greatly decrease the number of shocks and treatment time for renal stones.

Investigation of the extent of gastric metaplasia in the duodenal bulb by using methylene blue staining

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The existence of gastric metaplasia (GM) of the duodenal mucosa has been considered to be highly related to the recurrence of duodenal ulcers (DU). The aims of this study are to evaluate the usefulness of methylene blue staining in the detection of GM, and to clarify the relationship between GM and the deformity of the duodenal bulb.

METHODS

Fifteen patients with healed DU and four patients with symptoms of dyspepsia without evidence of ulcers were enrolled into this endoscopic study. During each endoscopy, methylene blue was sprayed evenly on the duodenal bulb, and biopsies were taken from blue-stained and unstained areas. The existence and extent of GM were assessed histologically and grossly. The correlation between duodenal bulb deformity and the extent of GM was also studied.

RESULTS

The mean score of methylene blue non-staining (MBNS) was 0, 1.30 +/- 0.15, and 3.00 +/- 0.00 in group A (non-ulcer patients), group B (patients with healed DU and with normal-shaped bulb) and C (patients with healed DU and with deformed duodenal bulb), respectively; showing significant differences among the groups (P < 0.05 in each). Both the existence and the grading of GM were higher in unstained specimens than in blue-stained specimens (100 vs 16.6%, P < 0.0001 and 3.62 +/- 0.09 vs 0.19 +/- 0.06, P < 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Methylene blue non-staining can be applied to investigate the existence and extent of GM in the duodenal bulb accurately. The incidence of GM in the duodenal bulb was higher in patients with healed ulcers than in non-ulcer patients. Patients with deformed duodenal bulbs have a higher extent of GM than those without deformed duodenal bulbs.

Diabetic ketoacidosis and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in association with transfusional hemochromatosis in a man with beta-thalassemia major

We report a 23-year-old man with beta-thalassemia major and transfusional hemochromatosis, which manifested as diabetic ketoacidosis and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. This unusual presentation of diabetic ketoacidosis in hemochromatosis has rarely been reported. Magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen showed decreased signal intensity in the liver, spleen, and pancreas. In addition, the pituitary gland also showed heterogeneous low signal intensity, compatible with hemochromatosis. He was treated with insulin supplements and pulsatile human chorionic gonadotropin administration. Clinical improvement was noted after hormone replacement. Intensive iron chelation therapy was given to prevent cardiac complications, and to restore his gonadal function. During follow-up, the patient experienced improvement in libido and sexual potency.

Doppler study of the fetal middle cerebral artery at three locations: preliminary report

BACKGROUND

Middle cerebral artery (MCA) detection is useful in monitoring fetal well-being. Knowledge of Doppler flow velocity of the fetal MCA may assist in prenatal diagnosis and management of complicated pregnancies. The aim of this study was to compare the pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) of the MCA at different locations throughout pregnancy.

METHODS

Uncomplicated singleton pregnancies accepted Doppler surveys of the bilateral MCA. PI and RI values of the proximal, middle, and distal 1/3 of the MCA were measured. The gestation periods for Doppler surveys were (1) 15 to 19 weeks; (2) 20 to 24 weeks; (3) 25 to 29 weeks; (4) 30 to 34 weeks; and (5) 35 to 40 weeks. The MCA flows at different locations and at different gestational aged were compared.

RESULTS

There were 21 patients included. Average PI/RI values of the proximal, middle and distal MCA were 1.62/0.80, 1.69/0.81, and 1.71/0.83, which were non-significantly different. The PI/RI values of MCA in each gestational phase were also non-significantly different: (1) 1.70/0.84; (2) 1.72/0.82; (3) 1.68/0.83; (4) 1.65/0.81; (5) 1.62/0.77.

CONCLUSIONS

The PI and RI values of the proximal MCA were non-significantly lower than those of middle and distal MCA. Middle MCA could represent three locations of MCA. A trend of lower PI/RI values with advancing gestation was noted.

Dynamics of the 16O(e, e'p) reaction at high missing energies

We measured the cross section and response functions for the quasielastic 16O(e,e'p) reaction for missing energies 25< or =E(m)< or =120 MeV at missing momenta P(m)< or =340 MeV/c. For 25<E(m)<50 MeV and P(m) approximately 60 MeV/c, the reaction is dominated by a single 1s(1/2) proton knockout. At larger P(m), the single-particle aspects are increasingly masked by more complicated processes. Calculations which include pion exchange currents, isobar currents, and short-range correlations account for the shape and the transversity, but for only half of the magnitude of the measured cross section.

Synergistic transcriptional activation of human Acyl-coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransterase-1 gene by interferon-gamma and all-trans-retinoic acid THP-1 cells

Acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) is an intracellular enzyme involved in cellular cholesterol homeostasis and in atherosclerotic foam cell formation. Human ACAT-1 gene contains two promoters (P1 and P7), each located in a different chromosome (1 and 7) (Li, B. L., Li, X. L., Duan, Z. J., Lee, O., Lin, S., Ma, Z. M., Chang, C. C., Yang, X. Y., Park, J. P., Mohandas, T. K., Noll, W., Chan, L., and Chang, T. Y. (1999) J. Biol Chem. 274, 11060-11071). Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), a cytokine that exerts many pro-atherosclerotic effects in vivo, causes up-regulation of ACAT-1 mRNA in human blood monocyte-derived macrophages and macrophage-like cells but not in other cell types. To examine the molecular nature of this observation, we identified within the ACAT-1 P1 promoter a 159-base pair core region. This region contains 4 Sp1 elements and an IFN-gamma activated sequence (GAS) that overlaps with the second Sp1 element. In the monocytic cell line THP-1 cell, the combination of IFN-gamma and all-trans-retinoic acid (a known differentiation agent) enhances the ACAT-1 P1 promoter but not the P7 promoter. Additional experiments showed that all-trans-retinoic acid causes large induction of the transcription factor STAT1, while IFN-gamma causes activation of STAT1 such that it binds to the GAS/Sp1 site in the ACAT-1 P1 promoter. Our work provides a molecular mechanism to account for the effect of IFN-gamma in causing transcriptional activation of ACAT-1 in macrophage-like cells.

Transurethral microwave thermotherapy for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia: long-term durability with Prostcare

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the long-term durability of transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) with Prostcare for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From August 1993 to July 1994, a total of 65 patients with symptomatic BPH who underwent TUMT using the Prostcare apparatus (Bruker Spectospin, Wissembourg, France) with low-energy protocol (maximal power 52 W) were enrolled into a short-term evaluation. Subsequent follow-up information was collected in July 1999. If patients had had any further therapy for BPH, the date of retreatment was considered as an endpoint of TUMT efficacy. If no further therapy for BPH had been needed, they were re-assessed for overall satisfaction.

RESULTS

The median follow-up period was 49 months. Twenty patients were excluded for various reasons, including 17 with loss of follow-up and 3 with new diseases that could affect the voiding status. Thirty-eight (84.4%) of 45 valuable patients had received further therapy for BPH, including medication (n = 21, 46.7%), and endoscopic surgery (n = 17, 37.7%). The times to pharmacologic or endoscopic retreatment after TUMT were 8.9+/-11.1 and 23.0+/-14.4 months, respectively (p = 0.0003, log rank test). Only 7 (15.5%) patients had no further treatment, with 3 having satisfactory improvements, but 4 feel dissatisfied yet not needing any further therapy. In addition, 2 patients complained of erectile dysfunction after TUMT and 1 was diagnosed with prostate cancer 50 months after TUMT. In addition, there was no significant difference for all baseline values among three groups with no retreatment or retreatment with medication or endoscopic surgery.

CONCLUSION

At the 5-year follow-up, the long-term durability of low-energy TUMT with Prostcare is only exhibited in a few patients and the overall retreatment rate was 84.4%. Thus, patient should be informed of the high probability of supplementary treatment after TUMT.

Roles of acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase-1 and -2

Acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) is an intracellular enzyme that produces cholesteryl esters in various tissues. In mammals, two ACAT genes (ACAT1 and ACAT2) have been identified. Together, these two enzymes are involved in storing cholesteryl esters as lipid droplets, in macrophage foam-cell formation, in absorbing dietary cholesterol, and in supplying cholesteryl esters as part of the core lipid for lipoprotein synthesis and assembly. The key difference in tissue distribution of ACAT1 and ACAT2 between humans, mice and monkeys is that, in adult human liver (including hepatocytes and bile duct cells), the major enzyme is ACAT1, rather than ACAT2. There is compelling evidence implicating a role for ACAT1 in macrophage foam-cell formation, and for ACAT2 in intestinal cholesterol absorption. However, further studies at the biochemical and cell biological levels are needed in order to clarify the functional roles of ACAT1 and ACAT2 in the VLDL or chylomicron synthesis/assembly process.

Decreased CD10 expression in grade III and in interfollicular infiltrates of follicular lymphomas

CD10 expression in various grades and interfollicular infiltrates of follicular lymphoma (FL) has not been well documented. Immunohistochemical staining for CD10 (clone 56C6) was performed on paraffin-embedded tissue from 26 cases of classic FL. Negative or weak expression of CD10 was more frequent in grade III (5/6 [83%]) than in grade I FLs (3/15 [20%]). CD10+ interfollicular infiltrates were present in 16 cases. Six (38%) of 16 cases showed that CD10 expression was strong or moderate in follicular areas but weak or negative in interfollicular infiltrates. Our results suggest that CD10 expression is frequently weak to negative in grade III and in interfollicular infiltrates of FLs. Therefore, lack of CD10 expression on small specimens, such as from needle core biopsy or fine-needle aspiration, does not preclude the possibility of a diagnosis of FL. Furthermore, lack of CD10 expression in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma does not exclude the possibility that the neoplastic lymphocytes are of follicle center cell origin.

Epidemiology of Bartonella infection in domestic cats in France

Blood samples were collected between February and June 1996 from a convenience sample of 436 domestic French cats living in Paris and its environs and were tested for Bartonella bacteremia and seropositivity. Seventy-two cats (16.5%) were Bartonella bacteremic, of which 36 cats (50%) were infected with Bartonella henselae type II (B.h. II) only, 15 cats (21%) were infected with Bartonella clarridgeiae (B.c.) only, and 11 cats (15%) were infected with B. henselae type I (B.h. I) only. Eight cats (11%) were co-infected with B. henselae and B. clarridgeiae (B.h. II/B.c.: five cats; B.h. I/B.c.: three cats). Two cats (2.8%) were concurrently bacteremic with B. henselae types I and II. Risk factors associated with bacteremia included ownership for <6months (prevalence ratio (PR)=1.80; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.13-2.85), adoption from the pound or found as a stray (PR=1.67, 95% CI=1.05-2.65), and cohabitation with one or more cats (PR=1.60, 95% CI=1.01-2.53). Bartonella antibodies to either B. henselae or B. clarridgeiae were detected in 179 cats (41.1%). Risk factors associated with seroposivity paralleled those for bacteremia, except for lack of association with time of ownership. Prevalence ratios of bacteremic or seropositive cats increased with the number of cats per household (p=0.02). The lack of antibodies to B. henselae or B. clarridgeiae was highly predictive of the absence of bacteremia (predictive value of a negative test=97.3%). Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that bacteremia, after adjustment for age and flea infestation, and positive serology, after adjustment for age, were associated with origin of adoption and number of cats in the household. Flea infestation was associated with positive serology.

Relationship of duodenal ulcer recurrence to gastric metaplasia of the duodenal mucosa and duodenal bulb deformity

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

This study investigated changes in the severity of gastric metaplasia (GM) of the duodenal mucosa before and after ulcer healing and Helicobacter pylori eradication. It also investigated whether deformity of the duodenal bulb affects the severity of GM and the likelihood of ulcer recurrence.

METHODS

Eleven patients were consecutively enrolled in this study. They all had duodenal ulcer(s) and H. pylori infection, for which they had received anti-H. pylori triple therapy during the active ulcer stage, and had all undergone serial endoscopic examinations during both the active ulcer and scarring ulcer stages, and at 1 year after ulcer healing. Duodenal biopsies were obtained at each endoscopy to identify the severity of GM. Duodenal ulcers were divided into three types by bulbar shape and GM was classified into four grades of severity.

RESULTS

All 11 patients had increased GM severity just after ulcer healing. The 1-year follow-up study revealed that the GM was unchanged in six of eight patients with grade 3 GM severity at the scarring stage, while in the other two it regressed to grade 1 or 2; these two patients suffered ulcer recurrence. A markedly deformed bulb (type III) was found in three patients, of whom two had ulcer recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Two characteristic conditions were found in patients with duodenal ulcer recurrence after H. pylori eradication: a markedly deformed bulb with grade 3 GM at the scarring stage, and a change in GM from high to low grade at or around the previous ulcer site after ulcer healing.