IL-25 induces IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 and Th2-associated pathologies in vivo

We have characterized a cytokine produced by Th2 cells, designated as IL-25. Infusion of mice with IL-25 induced IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 gene expression. The induction of these cytokines resulted in Th2-like responses marked by increased serum IgE, IgG(1), and IgA levels, blood eosinophilia, and pathological changes in the lungs and digestive tract that included eosinophilic infiltrates, increased mucus production, and epithelial cell hyperplasia/hypertrophy. In addition, our studies show that IL-25 induces Th2-type cytokine production by accessory cells that are MHC class II(high), CD11c(dull), and lineage(-). These results suggest that IL-25, derived from Th2 T cells, is capable of amplifying allergic type inflammatory responses by its actions on other cell types.

Role of small-bowel endoscopy in the management of patients with inflammatory bowel disease: an international OMED-ECCO consensus

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are lifelong diseases seen predominantly in the developed countries of the world. Whereas ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory condition causing diffuse and continuous mucosal inflammation of the colon, Crohn's disease is a heterogeneous entity comprised of several different phenotypes, but can affect the entire gastrointestinal tract. A change in diagnosis from Crohn's disease to ulcerative colitis during the first year of illness occurs in about 10 % - 15 % of cases. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) restricted to the colon that cannot be characterized as either ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease is termed IBD-unclassified (IBDU). The advent of capsule and both single- and double-balloon-assisted enteroscopy is revolutionizing small-bowel imaging and has major implications for diagnosis, classification, therapeutic decision making and outcomes in the management of IBD. The role of these investigations in the diagnosis and management of IBD, however, is unclear. This document sets out the current Consensus reached by a group of international experts in the fields of endoscopy and IBD at a meeting held in Brussels, 12-13th December 2008, organised jointly by the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation (ECCO) and the Organisation Mondiale d'Endoscopie Digestive (OMED). The Consensus is grouped into seven sections: definitions and diagnosis; suspected Crohn's disease; established Crohn's disease; IBDU; ulcerative colitis (including ileal pouch-anal anastomosis [IPAA]); paediatric practice; and complications and unresolved questions. Consensus guideline statements are followed by comments on the evidence and opinion. Statements are intended to be read in context with qualifying comments and not read in isolation.

Two novel IL-1 family members, IL-1 delta and IL-1 epsilon, function as an antagonist and agonist of NF-kappa B activation through the orphan IL-1 receptor-related protein 2

IL-1 is of utmost importance in the host response to immunological challenges. We identified and functionally characterized two novel IL-1 ligands termed IL-1delta and IL-1epsilon. Northern blot analyses show that these IL-1s are highly abundant in embryonic tissue and tissues containing epithelial cells (i.e., skin, lung, and stomach). In extension, quantitative real-time PCR revealed that of human skin-derived cells, only keratinocytes but not fibroblasts, endothelial cells, or melanocytes express IL-1delta and epsilon. Levels of keratinocyte IL-1delta are approximately 10-fold higher than those of IL-1epsilon. In vitro stimulation of keratinocytes with IL-1beta/TNF-alpha significantly up-regulates the expression of IL-1epsilon mRNA, and to a lesser extent of IL-1delta mRNA. In NF-kappaB-luciferase reporter assays, we demonstrated that IL-1delta and epsilon proteins do not initiate a functional response via classical IL-1R pairs, which confer responsiveness to IL-1alpha and beta or IL-18. However, IL-1epsilon activates NF-kappaB through the orphan IL-1R-related protein 2 (IL-1Rrp2), whereas IL-1delta, which shows striking homology to IL-1 receptor antagonist, specifically and potently inhibits this IL-1epsilon response. In lesional psoriasis skin, characterized by chronic cutaneous inflammation, the mRNA expression of both IL-1 ligands as well as IL-1Rrp2 are increased relative to normal healthy skin. In total, IL-1delta and epsilon and IL-1Rrp2 may constitute an independent signaling system, analogous to IL-1alphabeta/receptor agonist and IL-1R1, that is present in epithelial barriers of our body and takes part in local inflammatory responses.

Interaction of smad3 with a proximal smad-binding element of the human alpha2(I) procollagen gene promoter required for transcriptional activation by TGF-beta

Transcription of the alpha2(I) collagen gene (COL1A2) in fibroblasts is potently induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). Smad family proteins function as intracellular signal transducers for TGF-beta that convey information from the cell membrane to the nucleus. In the present study, we establish the functional requirement for endogenous Smad3 and Smad4 in TGF-beta-stimulated COL1A2 transcription in human skin fibroblasts in vitro. Furthermore, using transfections with a series of 5' deletions of the human COL1A2 promoter, we identify a proximal region between -353 and -148 bp, which is required for full stimulation of transcription by a constitutively active TGF-beta type I receptor. This region of the COL1A2 promoter contains a CAGA motif also found in the promoter of the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. Substitutions disrupting this sequence decreased the binding of nuclear extracts or recombinant Smad3 to the CAGACA oligonucleotide, and markedly reduced the transcriptional response to TGF-beta or overexpressed Smad3 in transient transfection assays. The insertion of tandem repeats of CAGACA conferred TGF-beta stimulation to a heterologous minimal promoter-reporter construct. Inhibition of endogenous Smad expression in fibroblasts by antisense oligonucleotides or cDNA against Smad3 or Smad4, and transfection of COL1A2 promoter constructs into Smad4-deficient breast adenocarcinoma cells, indicated the critical role of Smads for the full TGF-beta response. The importance of Smad binding to the CAGACA box of COL1A2 was further established by transcriptional decoy oligonucleotide competition. Taken together, the results identify a functional Smad-binding element of the COL1A2 promoter harboring a CAGACA consensus sequence that is both necessary and sufficient for stimulation by TGF-beta, and demonstrate that interaction of this Smad-binding element with endogenous Smads is required for the full TGF-beta response in fibroblasts.

FDG-PET response and outcome from anti-PD-1 therapy in metastatic melanoma

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy has resulted in impressive and durable clinical activity for many cancers including melanoma; however, there remain few reliable predictors for long-term response. This study investigated whether [18F]2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG-PET) imaging may better predict long-term outcomes compared with standard computed tomography (CT) response criteria.

Patients and methods

Retrospective analysis of metastatic melanoma patients treated with anti-PD-1-based immunotherapy with baseline and 1-year FDG-PET and CT imaging at Melanoma Institute Australia. One-year response was determined using RECIST for CT and EORTC criteria for PET, coded as complete response (CR or CMR), partial response (PR or PMR), stable disease (SD or SMD) or progressive disease (PD or PMD). Progression-free survival (PFS) was determined from the 1-year landmark.

Results

Patients (n = 104) were evaluated with median follow-up 30.1 months and 98% remain alive. Most received anti-PD-1 as monotherapy (67%) or combined with ipilimumab (31%). At 1 year, 28% had CR, 66% had PR and 6% had SD on CT, while 75% had CMR, 16% PMR and 9% SMD/PMD on PET. CMR was observed in 68% of patients with PR on CT. RECIST PFS post 1-year landmark was similar in patients with CR versus PR/SD, but improved in patients with CMR versus non-CMR {median not reached [NR] versus 12.8 month; hazard ratio [HR] 0.06 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.02-0.23]; P < 0.01}. In patients with PR on CT, PFS was improved in patients with PR + CMR versus PR + non-CMR (median NR versus 12.8 months; HR 0.07 [95% CI 0.02-0.27]; P < 0.01). In the 78 CMR patients, 78% had discontinued treatment and 96% had ongoing response.

Conclusions

Whilst only a small proportion of patients have a CR at 1 year, most patients with a PR have CMR on PET. Almost all patients with CMR at 1 year have ongoing response to therapy thereafter. PET may have utility in predicting long-term benefit and help guide discontinuation of therapy.

Activity and safety of radiotherapy with anti-PD-1 drug therapy in patients with metastatic melanoma

The anti-PD-1 antibodies nivolumab and pembrolizumab are active in metastatic melanoma; however, there is limited data on combining anti-PD-1 antibody and radiotherapy (RT). We sought to review clinical outcomes of patients receiving RT and anti-PD-1 therapy. All patients receiving anti-PD-1 antibody and RT for metastatic melanoma were identified. RT and systemic treatment, clinical outcome, and toxicity data were collected. Fifty-three patients were included; 35 patients received extracranial RT and/or intracranial stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and 21 received whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) (three of whom also received SRS/extracranial RT). Patients treated with extracranial RT or SRS received treatment either sequentially (RT then anti-PD-1, n = 11), concurrently (n = 16), or concurrent "salvage" treatment to lesions progressing on anti-PD-1 therapy (n = 15). There was no excessive anti-PD-1 or RT toxicity observed in patients receiving extracranial RT. Of six patients receiving SRS, one patient developed grade 3 radiation necrosis. In 21 patients receiving WBRT, one patient developed Stevens-Johnson syndrome, one patient developed acute neurocognitive decline, and one patient developed significant cerebral edema in the setting of disease. Response in irradiated extracranial/intracranial SRS lesions was 44% for sequential treatment and 64% for concurrent treatment (p=0.448). Likewise there was no significant difference between sequential or concurrent treatment in lesional response of non-irradiated lesions. For progressing lesions subsequently irradiated, response rate was 45%. RT and anti-PD-1 antibodies can be safely combined, with no detectable excess toxicity in extracranial sites. WBRT and anti-PD-1 therapy is well tolerated, although there are rare toxicities and the role of either anti-PD-1 or WBRT in the etiology of these is uncertain.

Preoperative versus postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in mild to moderate gallstone pancreatitis: a prospective randomized trial

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and common bile duct (CBD) stone extraction should be performed routinely before surgery or'selectively after surgery in patients with mild to moderate gallstone pancreatitis.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

The role and timing of ERCP in mild to moderate gallstone pancreatitis remains controversial. Routine preoperative ERCP identifies persisting CBD stones but carries risks of complications and may delay definitive care. Selective postoperative ERCP, performed only if a CBD stone is seen on intraoperative cholangiography (IOC), avoids unnecessary ERCP but risks unsuccessful stone extraction.

METHODS

A prospective, randomized study of consecutive patients with gallstone pancreatitis was conducted. Using previously determined criteria, patients with acute cholangitis or necrotizing pancreatitis were excluded. Patients considered at high risk for persisting CBD stones (CBD size > or =8 mm on admission ultrasound, serum total bilirubin > or = 1.7 mg/dL, or serum amylase > or = 150 U/L on hospital day 4) were randomly assigned to routine preoperative ERCP followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy, or laparoscopic cholecystectomy with selective postoperative ERCP and endoscopic sphincterotomy only if a CBD stone was present on IOC. Primary end points were costs, length of hospital stay, and the combined treatment failure rates (failure of diagnostic ERCP and IOC, complications of ERCP and endoscopic sphincterotomy, and complications of surgery).

RESULTS

One hundred fifty-four consecutive patients with gallstone pancreatitis were evaluated prospectively for study eligibility. Sixty patients met the randomization criteria. Thirty patients were randomized to routine preoperative ERCP and 29 patients to selective postoperative ERCP (1 patient refused). Age, admission laboratory values, and APACHE II and Imrie scores were similar in both groups. By protocol, ERCP was performed in all patients in the preoperative ERCP group. In the postoperative ERCP group, ERCP was necessary in only 7 of 29 patients (24%). Mean hospital stay was significantly longer in the routine preoperative ERCP group (11.7 days) than in the selective postoperative ERCP group (9.0 days). Mean total cost was higher in the preoperative ERCP group ($9,426) than in the postoperative ERCP group ($7,798). The combined treatment failure rate was 10% in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with mild to moderate gallstone pancreatitis without cholangitis, selective postoperative ERCP and CBD stone extraction is associated with a shorter hospital stay, less cost, no increase in combined treatment failure rate, and significant reduction in ERCP use compared with routine preoperative ERCP.

Endoscopic balloon sphincter dilation (sphincteroplasty) versus sphincterotomy for common bile duct stones

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic balloon dilation was introduced as an alternative to endoscopic sphincterotomy to preserve the sphincter of Oddi and avoid undesirable effects due to an incompetent sphincter. Endoscopic balloon dilation has been largely abandoned by USA endoscopists due to increased risks of pancreatitis noted in one multicentre trial, but is still practiced in parts of Asia and Europe.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the beneficial and harmful effects of endoscopic balloon dilation versus endoscopic sphincterotomy in the management of common bile duct stones.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched The Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, and EMBASE until January 2004. We hand searched Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (1983-2002), read through bibliographies of all included randomised clinical trials, and contacted all primary authors regarding missed randomised trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised clinical trials comparing endoscopic balloon dilation versus endoscopic sphincterotomy in removal of common bile duct stones irrespective of publication status, language, or blinding.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Data collection was done by two independent authors for decisions on study inclusion, data abstraction, and quality assessment. When there was a non-resolvable discrepancy, the third author made the final decision. Analysis was run with RevMan Analysis.

MAIN RESULTS

Fifteen randomised trials met our inclusion criteria (1768 participants). Less than half of the trials reported adequate methods of randomisation and only two trials used blinded outcome assessment. Endoscopic balloon dilation is statistically less successful for stone removal (relative risk (RR) 0.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.84 to 0.97), requires higher rates of mechanical lithotripsy (RR 1.34, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.66), and carries a higher risk of pancreatitis (RR 1.96, 95% CI 1.34 to 2.89). Conversely, endoscopic balloon dilation has statistically significant lower rates of bleeding. When a fixed-effect model is applied endoscopic balloon dilation leads to significantly less short-term infection and long-term infection. There was no statistically significant difference with regards to mortality, perforation, or total short-term complications.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic balloon dilation is slightly less successful than endoscopic sphincterotomy in stone extraction and more risky regarding pancreatitis. However, endoscopic balloon dilation seems to have a clinical role in patients who have coagulopathy, who are at risk for infection, and possibly in those who are older.

Management of early melanoma recurrence despite adjuvant anti-PD-1 antibody therapy☆

BACKGROUND

Anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) antibodies (PD1) prolong recurrence-free survival in high-risk resected melanoma; however, approximately 25%-30% of patients recur within 1 year. This study describes the pattern of recurrence, management and outcomes of patients who recur with adjuvant PD1 therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Consecutive patients from 16 centres who recurred having received adjuvant PD1 therapy for resected stage III/IV melanoma were studied. Recurrence characteristics, management and outcomes were examined; patients with mucosal melanoma were analysed separately.

RESULTS

Melanoma recurrence occurred in 147 (17%) of ∼850 patients treated with adjuvant PD1. In those with cutaneous melanoma (n = 136), median time to recurrence was 4.6 months (range 0.3-35.7); 104 (76%) recurred during (ON) adjuvant PD1 after a median 3.2 months and 32 (24%) following (OFF) treatment cessation after a median 12.5 months, including in 21 (15%) who ceased early for toxicity. Fifty-nine (43%) recurred with locoregional disease only and 77 (57%) with distant disease. Of those who recurred locally, 22/59 (37%) subsequently recurred distantly. Eighty-nine (65%) patients received systemic therapy after recurrence. Of those who recurred ON adjuvant PD1, none (0/6) responded to PD1 alone; 8/33 assessable patients (24%) responded to ipilimumab (alone or in combination with PD1) and 18/23 (78%) responded to BRAF/MEK inhibitors. Of those who recurred OFF adjuvant PD1, two out of five (40%) responded to PD1 monotherapy, two out of five (40%) responded to ipilimumab-based therapy and 9/10 (90%) responded to BRAF/MEK inhibitors.

CONCLUSIONS

Most patients who recur early despite adjuvant PD1 develop distant metastases. In those who recur ON adjuvant PD1, there is minimal activity of further PD1 monotherapy, but ipilimumab (alone or in combination with PD1) and BRAF/MEK inhibitors have clinical utility. Retreatment with PD1 may have activity in select patients who recur OFF PD1.

Pre-operative ctDNA predicts survival in high-risk stage III cutaneous melanoma patients

BACKGROUND

The outcomes of patients with stage III cutaneous melanoma who undergo complete surgical resection can be highly variable, and estimation of individual risk of disease recurrence and mortality remains imprecise. With recent demonstrations of effective adjuvant targeted and immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, more precise stratification of patients for costly and potentially toxic adjuvant therapy is needed. We report the utility of pre-operative circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) in patients with high-risk stage III melanoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

ctDNA was analysed in blood specimens that were collected pre-operatively from 174 patients with stage III melanoma undergoing complete lymph node (LN) dissection. Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate the prognostic significance of ctDNA for distant metastasis recurrence-free survival and melanoma-specific survival (MSS).

RESULTS

The detection of ctDNA in the discovery and validation cohort was 34% and 33%, respectively, and was associated with larger nodal melanoma deposit, higher number of melanoma involved LNs, more advanced stage and high lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. Detectable ctDNA was significantly associated with worse MSS in the discovery [hazard ratio (HR) 2.11 P < 0.01] and validation cohort (HR 2.29, P = 0.04) and remained significant in a multivariable analysis (HR 1.85, P = 0.04). ctDNA further sub-stratified patients with AJCC stage III substage, with increasing significance observed in more advanced stage melanoma.

CONCLUSION

Pre-operative ctDNA predicts MSS in high-risk stage III melanoma patients undergoing complete LN dissection, independent of stage III substage. This biomarker may have an important role in determining prognosis and stratifying patients for adjuvant treatment.

Dithioerythritol (DTE) prevents inhibitory effects of triphenyltin (TPT) on the key enzymes of the human sex steroid hormone metabolism

Organotins are known to induce imposex (pseudohermaphroditism) in marine neogastropods and are suggested to act as specific endocrine disruptors, inhibiting the enzyme-mediated conversion of steroid hormones. Therefore, we investigated the in vitro effects of triphenyltin (TPT) on human 5alpha-reductase type 2 (5alpha-Re 2), cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450arom), 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 3 (17beta-HSD 3), 3beta-HSD type 2 and 17beta-HSD type 1 activity. First, the present study demonstrates that significant amounts of TPT occurred in the blood of eight human volunteers (0.17-0.67 microg organotin cation/l, i.e. 0.49-1.92 nmolcation/l). Second, TPT showed variable inhibitory effects on all the enzymes investigated. The mean IC(50) values were 0.95 microM for 5alpha-Re 2 (mean of n=4 experiments), 1.5 microM for P450arom (n=5), 4.0 microM for 3beta-HSD 2 (n=1), 4.2 microM for 17beta-HSD 3 (n=3) and 10.5 microM for 17beta-HSD 1 (n=3). To exclude the possibility that the impacts of TPT are mediated by oxidizing essential thiol residues of the enzymes, the putative compensatory effects of the reducing agent dithioerythritol (DTE) were investigated. Co-incubation with DTE (n=3) resulted in dose-response prevention of the inhibitory effects of 100 microM deleterious TPT concentrations on 17beta-HSD 3 (EC(50) value of 12.9 mM; mean of n=3 experiments), 3beta-HSD 2 (0.90 mM; n=3), P450 arom (0.91 mM; n=3) and 17beta-HSD 1 (0.21 mM; n=3) activity. With these enzymes, the use of 10mM DTE resulted in an at least 80% antagonistic effect, whereas, the effect of TPT on 5alpha-Re 2 was not compensated. In conclusion, the present study shows that TPT acts as an unspecific, but significant inhibitor of human sex steroid hormone metabolism and suggests that the inhibitory effects are mediated by the interaction of TPT with critical cysteine residues of the enzymes.

Association between postprandial changes in colonic intraluminal pressure and transit

The aim of this study was to correlate the movement of colonic luminal contents with the changes in intraluminal pressure. Studies were performed in 9 healthy volunteers. Intraluminal pressure was measured with perfused catheter ports in the transverse, splenic flexure, descending, and sigmoid colon. Movement of the luminal contents was measured by following the movement of technetium 99m-ethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid that was instilled as a bolus in the splenic flexure. During fasting there was very little change in pressure or in the movement of intraluminal contents. After eating a 1000-kcal meal, the tracer moved from the splenic flexure into the transverse colon and the sigmoid colon. Nonpropagating colonic motor activity increased in all colonic segments immediately after eating the meal (p less than 0.05). The increase in motility was significantly greater in the descending colon than in the transverse and sigmoid colon (p less than 0.05). In one-half of the subjects propagating contractions occurred postprandially. The movement of the intraluminal tracer occurred during both types of motility. The nonpropagating contractions were associated with a gradual movement of the luminal contents. The direction of the movement of the contents was determined by the differences in pressure in the different segments of the colon. The propagating contractions were associated with a rapid movement of intraluminal contents. These studies suggest that (a) colonic motility and transit are quiescent during fasting and (b) the transverse colon acts as a mixing and storage area, as retrograde transit into the transverse colon is the characteristic postprandial pattern.

Refined technique for intestinal transplantation in the rat

Unlike other solid organ transplants, intestinal transplantation (IT) remains a highly experimental procedure. Rejection, sepsis, and graft-versus-host disease have been the major barriers to successful IT in humans. These problems can be studied in the rat model, but this requires a reliable surgical technique that will produce high survival rates and excellent graft function. Herein, we review 400 consecutive IT in rats and describe important technical aspects of surgery. Technical modifications that have helped to reduce the morbidity after IT in rats include 1) minimizing mechanical and ischemic injuries to grafts during the donor procedure, 2) marking the portal vein and aortic conduit with sutures to ensure correct orientation of the graft, 3) using a macaroni noodle to stent the intestinal anastomosis, and 4) administering large volumes of crystalloid to maintain a normal blood pressure during the donor and recipient surgeries. The survival rate in 298 rats with accessory, heterotopic grafts was 90%. The survival rate in 102 rats with orthotopic (in continuity) graft (OIT) was 86%. Rats have survived more than 500 days after OIT, maintaining normal weights, intestinal function, and intestinal histology.

UCP3 protein expression is lower in type I, IIa and IIx muscle fiber types of endurance-trained compared to untrained subjects

Uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) is a muscle mitochondrial protein believed to uncouple the respiratory chain, producing heat and reducing aerobic ATP production. Our aim was to quantify and compare the UCP3 protein levels in type I, IIa and IIx skeletal muscle fibers of endurance-trained (Tr) and healthy untrained (UTr) individuals. UCP3 protein content was quantified using Western blot and immunofluorescence. Skeletal muscle fiber type was determined by both an enzymatic ATPase stain and immunofluorescence. UCP3 protein expression measured in skeletal muscle biopsies was 46% lower ( P=0.01) in the Tr compared to the UTr group. UCP3 protein expression in the different muscle fibers was expressed as follows; IIx>IIa>I in the fibers for both groups ( P<0.0167) but was lower in all fiber types of the Tr when compared to the UTr subjects ( P<0.001). Our results show that training status did not change the skeletal muscle fiber hierarchical UCP3 protein expression in the different fiber types. However, it affected UCP3 content more in type I and type IIa than in the type IIx muscle fibers. We suggest that this decrease may be in relation to the relative improvement in the antioxidant defense systems of the skeletal muscle fibers and that it might, as a consequence, participate in the training induced improvement in mechanical efficiency.

Opposing activities of c-Fos and Fra-2 on AP-1 regulated transcriptional activity in mouse keratinocytes induced to differentiate by calcium and phorbol esters

The major differentiation products of maturing keratinocytes contain AP-1 regulatory motifs, and AP-1 DNA binding activity increases in cultured keratinocytes induced to differentiate by calcium. Here, we have analysed AP-1 transcriptional activity in mouse keratinocytes treated with calcium and 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), two agents that induce terminal differentiation of keratinocytes with different phenotypic consequences. Reporter constructs representing multimers of AP-1 sequences found in keratinocyte marker genes demonstrated that the calcium-induced AP-1 DNA binding activity does not correlate with transcriptional activation. Moreover, expression from active subunits of the profilaggrin and spr 1 promoters increased in calcium-treated keratinocytes when the AP-1 sites were disrupted, indicating that AP-1 may negatively regulate certain promoters in these cells. In contrast, AP-1 reporter activity was increased in keratinocytes treated with TPA. This induction was dependent upon the expression of c-Fos since AP-1 transcriptional activity was not increased in TPA-treated keratinocytes derived from c-fos null mice. Analysis of AP-1 protein expression in calcium- and TPA-treated keratinocytes demonstrated that only TPA increased the expression of c-Jun, while Jun B and Jun D were induced by both of these agents. c-Fos was expressed only in TPA treated keratinocytes, Fra-2 was expressed only in calcium-treated cells, and Fra-1 was expressed in both. Exogenous expression of Fra-2 repressed AP-1 transcriptional activity in TPA-treated keratinocytes, while c-Fos expression activated the AP-1 sequence in calcium-treated keratinocytes. These data indicate that Fra-2 and c-Fos play opposing roles in regulating AP-1 activity in keratinocytes and that multiple inducer-dependent regulatory pathways may exist for the expression of keratinocyte differentiation markers.

Mycoplasmal infections alter gene expression in cultured human prostatic and cervical epithelial cells

To better understand how infections by mycoplasmas affect gene expression in human cells, we quantitatively measured the transcripts of 38 cytokine genes in HPV E6- and E7-immortalized cervical and prostatic epithelial cells before and after infection by four human urogenital mycoplasmas, M. fermentans, M. genitalium, M. hominis and M. penetrans. Using the multi-probe RNase protection assay (RPA), 22 and 23 cytokine gene transcripts were detected in the non-infected control prostatic and cervical epithelial cells, respectively. Although there were no discernible changes in cell morphology and growth kinetics following 72 h of mycoplasmal infection, 55-74% of the cytokine genes expressed in the two human epithelial cell lines were altered. Most changes reflected an increased expression of these cytokine genes, while expression of some cytokine genes significantly decreased. The effects varied with host cell type and species of infecting mycoplasmas. These alterations in gene expression were more profound in the cervical epithelial cells than in the prostatic cells. M. fermentans produced the most significant effects, followed by M. penetrans, M. genitalium and M. hominis. Some alterations in the gene expression were transient, but most persisted over the course of chronic (9 months) mycoplasmal infection. Prolonged gene expression changes induced by chronic mycoplasmal infection may gradually alter important biological properties in the infected mammalian cells and produce a unique form of disease process.

Stability of human enteroviruses in estuarine and marine waters

Studies of the effects of temperature and salinity on the survival of three enteric viruses (poliomyelitis type 1, echovirus-6, and coxsackievirus B-5) under controlled laboratory conditions and in situ indicate that temperature rather than salinity is the critical factor affecting their stability, in that the higher the temperature the more rapid was the loss of viral infectivity. In the laboratory studies, all three viruses were quite stable at 4 degrees C, with infectious virus still detectable after 46 weeks of incubation. In situ studies on virus survival in free-flowing estuarine or marine waters showed that, although the viruses were more labile in natural waters than in the laboratory studies, they persisted for several months, in some cases during the winter months. At all temperatures and salinities, coxsackievirus B-5 was the most stable, echovirus-6 was intermediate, and poliovirus 1 was the least stable of the viruses tested.

Accuracy of optical coherence tomography for the diagnosis of superficial basal cell carcinoma: a prospective, consecutive, cohort study of 168 cases

BACKGROUND

Superficial basal cell carcinoma (sBCC) can be safely treated topically. Potentially noninvasive imaging techniques, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT), may be useful to diagnose and manage patients with sBCC and obviate the need for biopsy.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate in OCT (i) the sensitivity and specificity for sBCC diagnosis, (ii) the accuracy in determining BCC depth and (iii) the role in management of sBCC mimickers.

METHODS

A prospective, consecutive cohort of lesions for which sBCC was considered in the differential diagnosis. These lesions underwent clinical, dermoscopic and OCT assessment. Diagnosis and its confidence were recorded for each modality and were correlated with the histopathological diagnosis (punch biopsy). Interpretation of the OCT images and assessment of individual features were performed blinded to the biopsy results.

RESULTS

In total, 168 lesions were recruited: 52% were sBCC, 26% were other BCC variants and the remaining lesions were actinic keratosis, squamous cell carcinoma in situ, other benign inflammatory processes and two other malignant tumours. The sensitivity and specificity of OCT for diagnosis of sBCC were 0·87 and 0·80, respectively. There was excellent correlation between OCT and biopsy for tumour depth amongst tumours ≤ 0·4 mm (Pearson correlation r = 0·86, P < 0·001), but the correlation was less as depth increased (Pearson correlation r = 0·71, P < 0·001 for all tumours < 1·0 mm).

CONCLUSIONS

OCT has good diagnostic accuracy for diagnosing sBCC and measuring depth in tumours ≤ 0·4 mm. Potentially OCT can reduce the need for biopsy in clinically suspected sBCCs. However, careful follow-up is required in such cases as there is a small risk (5%) of misdiagnosis.

Epistaxis: are temperature and seasonal variations true factors in incidence?

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the previously documented inverse association between ambient temperature and presentation rates for patients with epistaxis and seasonal variation of emergency presentation rates for patients with epistaxis.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective analysis of all consecutive emergency patients with epistaxis presenting to hospital from the community over a five-year period, 1997-2002 (1830 days), including those who required admission to hospital with epistaxis over the same period. Patients in whom there was a clear aetiology for the epistaxis (traumatic, recurrent, iatrogenic, coagulopathic and hypertensive) were excluded.

SETTING

A tertiary referral centre in south-west London serving a population in excess of 2.8 million.

METHOD

A retrospective analysis of all patients presenting or admitted to St George's Hospital with epistaxis over a five-year period. Daily ambient temperature readings from London Heathrow airport were recorded for the same period. Presentations were correlated with monthly temperature variations and the month itself. Statistical analysis with Pearson's correlation coefficient was performed.

RESULTS

1373 patients with epistaxis presented to our department, of whom 386 (28.1 per cent) were admitted to hospital. No correlation is seen between ambient temperature and presentation rate for patients with epistaxis. No seasonal preponderance is noted for presentation rate (Pearson r = 0.160, p = 0.221) in this series.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this is the largest study to date examining ambient temperature association and epistaxis, and the first to investigate presentation rate in place of admission rate. We feel that the exclusion of all patients with epistaxis not admitted to hospital introduces a bias. In this series, there is no correlation between ambient temperature, seasonal preponderance, presentation rate or admission rate for patients with epistaxis. This is contrary to previously reported findings. We do not support the view that there is a relationship between epistaxis and temperature or seasonal variation. This contradicts the current belief that incidence of epistaxis displays seasonality, and has implications for the allocation of resources for healthcare provision within ENT departments.

Antroduodenal manometry in children and adults with severe non-ulcer dyspepsia

BACKGROUND

Nonulcer dyspepsia is common in adults but has been recognized only recently in children.

METHODS

We compared signs, symptoms, and antroduodenal motility findings in 34 children and 35 adults with severe nonulcer dyspepsia.

RESULTS

Symptoms and signs were similar in the two groups. Ten children (29%) and one adult (3%) required tube feedings (p = 0.01). Abdominal surgery had been performed on 6 of 34 (18%) children and 18 of 35 adults (51%) (p < 0.01), without relief of symptoms. Esophageal manometry was abnormal in 5 of 23 (22%) children and 6 of 31 (19%) adults. Antroduodenal manometry was suggestive of neuropathy in 25 children and 26 adults and of myopathy in 3 children and 2 adults. Absence of phase 3 of the migrating motor complex was found in 4 children and 17 adults (p = 0.01). Antroduodenal manometry was normal in six children and seven adults.

CONCLUSION

Signs, symptoms, and discrete manometric abnormalities of childhood nonulcer dyspepsia resembled those of adult nonulcer dyspepsia. Manometric findings in nonulcer dyspepsia resembled those reported in chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction, suggesting that these conditions are on a continuum of enteric neuromuscular diseases.

Effects of various pesticides on human 5α-reductase activity in prostate and LNCaP cells

Certain pesticides are able to disturb the sex steroid hormone system and to act as antiandrogens. While the different underlying mechanisms remain unclear, inhibition of 5alpha-reductase, the enzyme which is indispensable for the synthesis of DHT and thus normal masculinization, appears to be one of the sensitive targets for endocrine disruption. We therefore tested several endocrine disrupters with antiandrogenic effects in vivo for their influence on 5alpha-reductase activity in two different test systems: (a) an enzyme assay with human Lymph Node Carcinoma of Prostate (LNCaP) cells and (b) an enzyme assay with human prostate tissue homogenate. The selected pesticides and industrial compounds were monobutyltin (MBT), dibutyltin (DBT), tributyltin (TBT), triphenyltin (TPT), diuron, fenarimol, linuron, p,p'DDE, prochloraz and vinclozolin. The synthetic androgen methyltestosterone and the synthetic antiandrogen flutamide, as well as the 5alpha-reductase inhibitor finasteride served as control compounds. The effect of the organotin compounds DBT, TBT and TPT on enzyme activity was approximately the same in both test systems, with IC(50) values ranging between 2.7 and 11.2 microM, while in prostate tissue, methyltestosterone and prochloraz proved to be stronger inhibitors (IC(50) values of 1.9 and 12.4 microM) than in LNCaP cells (IC(50) values of 13.2 and 53.2 microM). The inhibitory impact of finasteride was approximately 130 times stronger in prostate tissue than in LNCaP cells. Fenarimol, flutamide, linuron and p,p'DDE inhibited 5alpha-reductase activity only at very high concentrations (IC(50)> or =24 microM) in prostate homogenates, and not at all in LNCaP cells. On average, the IC(20) values were 3.5 times lower than the IC(50) values. Diuron, MBT and vinclozolin exerted no effect in either of the test systems. The finding of pesticides acting as 5alpha-reductase inhibitors might be of clinical relevance. As a screening tool for putative ED, the tissue assay is the more practical and sensitive method. However, the cell assay can, to some extent, reflect particular cell processes since the living cell is able to compensate moderate toxicological effects of the ED on cell viability, and possibly also their impact on 5alpha-reductase activity.