bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IL‐10 Promoter −1082 Polymorphism is Associated with Elevated IL‐10 Levels in Control Subjects but Does not Explain Elevated Plasma IL‐10 Observed in Sjögren's Syndrome in a Hungarian Cohort
Authors: Márka M. , Bessenyei B. , Zeher M. , Semsei I.
Published: November 2005

The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of the −1082 polymorphism of the interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) gene and the soluble IL‐10 levels in Hungarian primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) patients. Ninety‐nine SS patients and 135 healthy volunteers were examined. Samples were analysed by the PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism method, and IL‐10 plasma levels were assesed by a commercial enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. IL‐10 plasma levels were higher in the primary SS patients (36.4 ± 57.5 pg/ml, n = 99) compared with the healthy subjects (9.9 ± 20.3 pg/ml, n = 135, P = 10−6). The elevated IL‐10 phenotype of SS patients was not associated with increased G allele frequency as reported earlier, while in the control group, we found higher IL‐10 levels among the subjects who were carriers of the GG genotype (17.7 ± 23.2 pg/ml) as compared with the other two genotype carriers (AA 8.98 ± 16.5 and GA 8.5 ± 21.1 pg/ml, P = 0.01). Our data do not support previous observations indicating an association between deregulated IL‐10 secretion in SS and higher G allele frequency. However, the results clearly demonstrate that GG homozygosity is associated with elevated IL‐10 levels in apparently healthy subjects, but this cannot account for the IL‐10‐related specific disease features observed in SS. Thus, other genetic factors contribute to the clinical spectrum of this heterogeneous disease at least in the Hungarian population.
Expression of Interleukin‐17 in Ischemic Brain Tissue
Authors: Li G.‐Z. , Zhong D. , Yang L.‐M. , Sn B. , Zhong Z.‐H. , Yin Y.‐H. , Cheng J. , Yan B.‐B. , Li H.‐L.
Published: November 2005

Ischemic brain injury is acute local inflammation, leading to accumulation of pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Cytokines influence the recruitment of leucocytes and play a key role in the inflammatory injury processes. Recently, a number of studies have demonstrated a close relationship between brain ischemia and cytokines. Interleukin‐17 (IL‐17) is a newly identified T‐cell‐specific cytokine. In this study, we evaluated the source and the action of IL‐17 over the course of cerebral ischemia in rats (Sprague‐Dawley) and humans. The levels of IL‐17 in the ischemic hemisphere of the human brain, which was removed at necropsy, were assayed immunohistochemically. In rats, permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) was obtained by inserting nylon monofilament into the right external carotid artery, occluding the right middle cerebral artery. The expression of IL‐17 mRNA in rat was assayed using oligoprobe in situ hybridization. IL‐17 production by neuroglial cells was assayed by double‐staining using antibody glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and antibody IL‐17. Levels of IL‐17 were elevated in the ischemic hemispheres of human brain compared with the opposite normal hemispheres and peaked at days 3–5 after brain ischemia. The IL‐17‐positive cells were found in the ischemic lesion region. IL‐17 mRNA was also elevated in ischemic hemispheres of pMCAO‐operated rats, which were slightly elevated after 1 h and peaked at 6 days. IL‐17 and GFAP double‐stained were extensive in rat ischemic hemisphere. The ischemia‐induced IL‐17 expression in human brain reported here for the first time was very similar to that in rat model except that the peak was slightly earlier. We found for the first time that IL‐17 was involved in an intense inflammatory reaction of brain ischemic injury in human. In pMCAO‐operated rats, our findings suggest that IL‐17 is produced by the neuroglial cells in the brain region undergoing ischemic insult. We suggest that in additional to T cells the neuroglial cell may be another cellular origin of IL‐17 in later progression of brain ischemia.
IgG3‐Mediated Enhancement of the Antibody Response is Normal in FcγRI‐Deficient Mice
Authors: Hjelm F. , Carlsson F. , Verbeek S. , Heyman B.
Published: November 2005

Antibodies, administered together with their specific antigen, can feedback‐regulate antibody responses to this antigen. IgG1, IgG2a and IgG2b enhance antibody responses to soluble protein antigens. This effect is primarily mediated by FcRs as enhancement is impaired in FcRγ–/– mice, reported to lack FcγRI and FcγRIII because of deletion of the common FcRγ chain. Also IgG3 can enhance antibody responses. However, this effect is unperturbed in FcRγ–/– mice but severely impaired in complement‐depleted animals and in animals lacking complement receptor 1 and 2. Although this argues against involvement of FcγRs, FcRγ–/– mice may express one‐fifth of the normal levels of FcγRI and, in addition, FcγRI has been suggested to bind IgG3. We re‐investigated the dependence of IgG3‐mediated enhancement on FcγRs using a mouse strain selectively lacking FcγRI and found that IgG3‐mediated enhancement is completely normal. Unlike IgE and IgG2a, which are both thought to enhance T‐cell proliferation via FcR‐mediated antigen presentation, IgG3 was a poor enhancer of T‐cell proliferation both in vivo and in vitro. These findings argue against a significant involvement of FcγRs in IgG3‐mediated enhancement of antibody responses and support our previous conclusion that complement plays a major role.
M‐ficolin, an Innate Immune Defence Molecule, Binds Patterns of Acetyl Groups and Activates Complement
Authors: Frederiksen P. D. , Thiel S. , Larsen C. B. , Jensenius J. C.
Published: November 2005

Ficolins play a role in the innate immune defence as pathogen‐associated molecular pattern recognition molecules. Three ficolins are found in humans: H‐ficolin, L‐ficolin and M‐ficolin. L‐ficolin and H‐ficolin circulate in blood in complexes with mannan‐binding lectin‐associated serine proteases (MASPs) and are capable of activating the complement system. L‐ficolin shows affinity for acetylated compounds and binds to various capsulated strains of bacteria. H‐ficolin has been shown to bind Aerococcus viridans. Less is known about M‐ficolin, but it is thought to be present only on monocytes. We have synthesized recombinant M‐ficolin and find that it, in a manner similar to L‐ficolin, is able to bind to acetylated compounds and to associate with recombinant MASP‐2. Upon binding to M‐ficolin ligands, the associated MASP‐2 zymogen is activated and cleaves C4, thus triggering the complement system. We developed a monoclonal rat anti‐human‐M/L‐ficolin antibody and verified by flow cytometric analysis the presence of ficolin on the surface of peripheral blood monocytes.
Immune Response in Human Visceral Leishmaniasis: Analysis of the Correlation Between Innate Immunity Cytokine Profile and Disease Outcome
Authors: Peruhype‐Magalhães V. , Martins‐Filho O. A. , Prata A. , De A. Silva L. , Rabello A. , Teixeira‐Carvalho A. , Figueiredo R. M. , Guimarães‐Carvalho S. F. , Ferrari T. C. A. , Correa‐Oliveira R.
Published: November 2005

We investigated the cytokine profile of cells of the innate immune response and its association with active (ACT), asymptomatic (AS) and cured (CUR) human visceral leishmaniasis (VL), as well as noninfected (NI) subjects. The frequency of cytokine‐producing cells was determined after short‐termin vitroincubation of whole peripheral blood samples with solubleLeishmaniaantigen (SLA). Our data demonstrated a predominant type 2 cytokine profile in NI and ACT. In NI, we observed an increase of IL‐4+neutrophils, IL‐10+eosinophils besides a decrease of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α+eosinophils/monocytes. Yet in ACT, we observed an increase of IL‐4+neutrophils and natural killer (NK) cells and IL‐10+monocytes, a reduced frequency of IL‐12+and IFN‐γ+eosinophils and lower levels of TNF‐α+and IL‐12+monocytes. AS presented a mixed profile, characterized by an increase of IFN‐γ+neutrophils/eosinophils and NK cells, of IL‐12+eosinophils/monocytes, as well as increase of IL‐4+neutrophils and NK cells and IL‐10+eosinophils/monocytes. In contrast, CUR was characterized by a type 1 response with an increase of IFN‐γ+neutrophils/eosinophils and NK cells, associated with an increase in IL‐12+monocytes. In conclusion, we show a correlation between innate immune cytokine patterns and clinical status of VL, suggesting that these cells, in addition to other factors, may contribute to the cytokine microenvironment in whichLeishmania‐specific T cells are primed and to disease outcome.
Genetically Modified Autoactivated Cells Expressing Intracellular Forms of GM‐CSF as a Model for Regulated Administration of Cytokines
Authors: Arteaga H. J. , Mohamed A. J. , Christensson B. , Mahdy E. , Gahrton G. , Smith C. I. E. , Dilber M. S.
Published: November 2005

The application of cytokines for immunotherapy is frequently hampered by undesirable side effects. To avoid systemic effects, cytokines can be directly expressed in the target cells by using gene transfer. However, the uncontrolled cellular secretion of cytokines could still exert some undesirable bystander effects. Therefore, it is important to develop additional methods for a more restricted administration of cytokines. Recently, using the murine granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (mGM‐CSF), we have demonstrated that cytokines can be targeted to different subcellular compartments as stable and biologically active proteins. This model could be used as a method of highly restricted administration of cytokines. Here, as model for the proof of principle, we have used a cell line (DA‐3) strictly dependent on mGM‐CSF for growth and demonstrated that these cells acquired autonomous growth after gene modification with plasmids encoding either extracellular or intracellular forms of mGM‐CSF. Cell lines expressing secreted forms of mGM‐CSF displayed the highest rates of autonomous growth and released substantial amounts of mGM‐CSF. However, cell lines expressing intracellular forms of mGM‐CSF also acquired autonomous growth induced by a mechanism of restricted autocrine stimulation and did not release detectable mGM‐CSF to the extracellular medium. Cocultivation experiments of DA‐3 cell lines expressing intracellular mGM‐CSF with unmodified cells showed that there was no activation of the bystander cells. Taken together, these results support the concept that genes encoding intracellular cytokines may be used to provide the desired effect of cytokines on the target cells while avoiding the side effects of their uncontrolled secretion.
The BAFF/APRIL System in Systemic Autoimmune Diseases with a Special Emphasis on Sjögren's Syndrome
Authors: Szodoray P. , Jonsson R.
Published: November 2005

Systemic autoimmune diseases, such as Sjögren's syndrome (SS), are characterized by a complex aetiology with multiple pathogenic factors. In SS, disturbed B‐cell biology and humoral immunity including B‐cell‐activating factor (BAFF)‐mediated processes have been described. Dysregulated BAFF expression has been described to lead to disease progression and perpetuation of humoral autoimmunity. Moreover, BAFF has been proposed to contribute to the development of B‐cell malignancies. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on BAFF with regard to SS pathology and discuss special features such as germinal centre (GC) formation and lymphomagenesis. Locally, in SS salivary glands, the reduced level of apoptosis among BAFF‐expressing cells might lead to longer‐existing BAFF expression and thereby maintain signalling for tissue‐infiltrating B cells to proliferate and supposedly to become autoantibody‐producing plasma cells. We assume that prolonged BAFF signalization may contribute to GC formation and/or lymphoma development in the disease. Finally, we discuss possibilities of novel treatments targeting the BAFF‐system in SS.
No Role of α‐Gal in Human Monocyte–Endothelial Cell Interactions in Vitro
Authors: Ehrnfelt C. , He Z. , Holgersson J.
Published: November 2005

Vascularized organ xenografts undergoing acute vascular rejection (AVR) are infiltrated by innate immune cells such as monocytes/macrophages. Herein, human monocyte static and dynamic adhesion to, and migration across, human and porcine aortic endothelial cells (HAEC and PAEC) were investigated. To elucidate the role of Galα1,3Gal (α‐Gal) epitopes in these processes in the absence of anti‐Gal antibodies (Ab), this determinant was aberrantly expressed in HAEC. HAEC were transduced with a lentiviral vector encoding the porcine α1,3 galactosyltransferase to express α‐Gal at high frequencies (75–95%). α‐Gal expression on HAEC did not increase their ability to support monocyte transendothelial migration or adhesion under either static or flow conditions. Porcine and human endothelium supported static adhesion and migration of monocytes equally well. However, human monocytes adhered less to PAEC than to HAEC (P = 0.03) under flow following human, but not porcine, tumour necrosis factor‐α stimulation. In the absence of anti‐Gal Ab, the α‐Gal epitope does not contribute to increased monocyte adhesion to, or migration across, endothelium. Thus, inhibiting adhesion receptor–ligand interactions essential for the adhesion of human monocytes to porcine endothelium may be more important than carbohydrate remodelling of donor pigs to prevent adhesion/infiltration of monocytes into organ xenografts during AVR.
Ultrasound detection of placental insufficiency in women with ‘unexplained’ abnormal maternal serum screening results
Authors: Whittle W , Chaddha V , Wyatt P , Huppertz B , Kingdom J
Published: November 2005

Serious placental insufficiency results in perinatal death or preterm birth from ischemic‐thrombotic pathology, a process which has its origins in placental maldevelopment in the first trimester. A proportion of at‐risk pregnancies may be identified from abnormalities in first or second trimester serum screening data, uterine artery Doppler waveforms or placental shape and texture at the time of the 18–20‐week anatomical examination. In combination, these tests may be capable of recognizing a subset of at‐risk pregnancies with 50% positive predictive values. Early recognition before fetal viability affords opportunities to direct women to regional perinatal care centres for enhanced maternal–fetal surveillance, corticosteroids to enhance fetal lung maturation, prophylactic measures to prevent pre‐eclampsia and optimal decision making around the time of delivery. The creation of regional screening programs to use screening data with a placental focus is likely to be cost‐effective, because existing patterns of care are utilized. More importantly, this strategy can direct women to participate in clinical research programs designed to reduce morbidity and mortality from this common group of conditions.
Genetic and biochemical approach to early prenatal diagnosis in a family with mut methylmalonic aciduria
Authors: Cavicchi C , Donati MA , Funghini S , La Marca G , Malvagia S , Ciani F , Poggi GM , Pasquini E , Zammarchi E , Morrone A
Published: November 2005

Genetic and biochemical prenatal diagnosis was performed at 11 weeks of gestation in a family with a proband affected by mut methylmalonic aciduria (MMA) and homozygotes for theMUTgene c.643G>A (p.Gly215Ser) mutation. Both chorionic villus and amniotic fluid samples were used. The presence of high levels of methylmalonic acid and propionylcarnitine determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and LC/MS/MS analysis, respectively, and the identification of the p.Gly215Ser at a homozygous level in foetal DNA allowed a certain, rapid and early diagnosis. To our knowledge, this is the first mut MMA prenatal diagnosis carried out by genetic and biochemical approach.
School‐based asthma surveillance: A comparison of student and parental report
Authors: Magzamen Sheryl , Mortimer Kathleen M. , Davis Adam , Tager Ira B.
Published: November 2005

This study addressed the comparability of data obtained from a student‐based and parent‐based asthma and respiratory health survey. Our goal was to ascertain whether there were meaningful and systematic differences in asthma classification based on symptom and diagnosis reports obtained separately from students and their parents. A brief, written survey, based on the International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Children questionnaire, was administered to 6th through 10th grade students in two schools in Oakland, CA, USA. Students who reported asthma‐like indicators for the previous 12‐month period were defined as positive and a more extensive questionnaire was mailed home to those parents. A more refined classification of asthma based on parent report of indicators was compared with student report. Forty‐four percent of 1298 students were classified as positive for current asthma‐like symptoms and 50% of parent surveys were returned. For the positive students with parent surveys, 59% were classified as ‘probable’ for asthma based on the parent survey. Overall, the agreement between parent and students’ classification was 70%, and 83% for students with a parent report of physician diagnosis of asthma. Students who were discordant with parents for physician diagnosis of asthma were more likely to be male, and more likely to have a parent report of unscheduled Emergency Department visit for wheezing or trouble breathing. Findings indicated that with the exception of medication, students reported asthma indicators more frequently that parents, independent of classification. Student report of physician diagnosis with a 12‐month report of an asthma symptom was determined to be a good indicator of probable current asthma. Inclusion of or reliance on a parental questionnaire is not likely to improve the reliability of a school‐based asthma surveillance program in our population.
Antibody levels to Bordetella pertussis in 10‐yr‐old children with atopy and atopic asthma
Authors: Blanco‐Quiros Alfredo , Garcia‐Marcos Luis , Garrote Jose A. , Martinez‐Torres Antonia E. , Leon Alberto
Published: November 2005

Suboptimal immune responses to vaccination have been suggested among atopic infants. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of atopy and atopic asthma on the humoral response to Bordetella pertussis vaccination. Immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgA specific antibodies were measured by enzyme linked‐immunosorbent assay in 102, 10‐yr‐old atopic children (66 of them also being asthmatics) and compared with 76 non‐atopic and 53 non‐atopic non‐asthmatic controls of similar age. The levels of antibodies and the percentage of positives to B. pertussis were comparable in all groups. Children with a very high total serum immunoglobulin (Ig)E (Percentile (Pct) > 90th) showed higher (p = 0.01) IgG pertussis antibodies than children with very low serum IgE (Pct < 10th). In conclusion, we found normal pertussis antibody levels in atopic and in atopic asthmatic children in late childhood, thus overriding any possible suboptimal response during infancy.
The prognostic value of p53, Ki‐67 and matrix metalloproteinases MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 in transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis and ureter
Authors: KAMIJIMA SHUICHI , TOBE TOYOFUSA , SUYAMA TAKAHITO , UEDA TAKESHI , IGARASHI TATSUO , ICHIKAWA TOMOHIKO , ITO HARUO
Published: November 2005

Aim: To investigate the prognostic and predictive relevance of p53 protein, Ki‐67 antigen, MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 in patients with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the upper urinary tract.

Methods: The expression of p53 protein, Ki‐67 antigen, MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 was examined by immunohistochemistry in 69 patients with TCC of the upper urinary tract. Correlation of p53, Ki‐67, MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 over‐expression with conventional pathological parameters and patient survival was examined.

Results: p53 over‐expression was signiﬁcantly correlated with histological grade (P < 0.05), but not with pathological stage, vascular invasion, lymphatic invasion or lymph node metastasis. Ki‐67 over‐expression was signiﬁcantly correlated with stage, grade, lymphatic invasion and vascular invasion (P < 0.05). In survival analyses, Ki‐67 over‐expression was a signiﬁcant prognostic factor in the univariate analysis (P < 0.05), but it did not have a signiﬁcant impact on survival in the multivariate analysis. Ki‐67 labeling index was a signiﬁcant prognostic factor in patients with a low p53 labeling index, but not in patients with a high p53 labeling index.

Conclusion: Ki‐67 over‐expression is of prognostic value in TCC of the upper urinary tract, while p53, MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 are of limited value.
Factors inﬂuencing practices for chronic prostatitis: A nationwide survey of urologists in South Korea
Authors: KU JA HYEON , PAICK JAE‐SEUNG , KIM SOO WOONG
Published: November 2005

Background: We investigated the inﬂuence of physicians’ attitudes on the treatment of chronic prostatitis, and attempted to correlate demographic and professional characteristics with patterns of therapy regarding chronic prostatitis.

Methods: Probability samples were drawn from the Korean Urological Association Registry of Physicians, and a random sample of 850 Korean urologists were asked to complete a questionnaire which explored practice characteristics, attitudes, and diagnostic and treatment strategies for the management of chronic prostatitis. The returned questionnaires were statistically analysed.

Results: Of the 850 questionnaires sent, 302 were returned, and 275 of those were included in the ﬁnal analysis (response rate 32.4%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the type of hospital (P < 0.001) and belief that culture tests helped diagnose chronic prostatitis (P = 0.001) were the most determinant factors with respect to the routine performance or non‐performance of culture tests. Most Korean urologists (96.4%) prescribed antibiotics for the primary treatment of chronic prostatitis. Even when primary antibiotic treatment was unsuccessful, urologists frequently prescribed a second course of antibiotics (57.8%). In the multivariate model used, the likelihood of prescribing antibiotics as a secondary treatment varied by the type of hospital, with 0.4‐fold odds (odds ratio [OR], 0.43; 95% conﬁdence interval [CI], 0.21–0.87; P = 0.019) of the practice occurring in university hospitals, as opposed to primary clinics. According to the same model, the belief that culture tests help to diagnose chronic prostatitis was also an independent inﬂuencing factor (OR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.39–3.77; P = 0.001), whereas the actual performance of culture tests had no statistical signiﬁcance.

Conclusion: Our ﬁndings suggest that the personal beliefs and professional characteristics of physicians may inﬂuence the diagnosis and treatment of chronic prostatitis in Korea.
Identification and validation of risk factors for vesicourethral leaks following radical retropubic prostatectomy
Authors: GNANAPRAGASAM VINCENT J , BAKER PAUL , NAISBY GEOFFREY P , CHADWICK DAVID
Published: November 2005

Aims: To identify risk factors for anastomotic leaks at cystography following radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP).

Methods: In phase 1 the records of a 107 RRP patients were reviewed. Data collected included comorbidity, pathological factors and intra‐ and postoperative complications. From these, risk factors were identified that were associated with a leak at cystography. In phase 2 (n = 46) we prospectively tested if the risk factors identified could predict an anastomotic leak.

Results: In phase 1 the only identifiable risk factors were that of a difficult anastamosis, an unsatisfactory intraoperative test flush and the presence of a urinary tract infection. One or more of these events were found in 17/25 (68%) of the patients who leaked (P < 0.0001). Of the eight leaks missed, five were classed as minimal and did not require repeat cystography. Within the prospective phase 2 cohort one or more risk factors were present in 7/10 (70%) of the patients who leaked. In contrast, the identified risk factors were present in only 5/36 (13.8%) of the patients who did not leak (P < 0.001). The specificity of the test was 86.1% with a sensitivity of 70%. This gave a positive predictive value of 58.3% and a negative predictive value of 91.1%. Three leaks (two minimal and one moderate) would have been missed but 31 (67.3%) patients would have avoided an unnecessary radiological study.

Conclusion: Using a retrospective and prospective cohort of patients we have shown that a cystogram following RRP can be safely avoided in the absence of the identified risk factors.
Is there a possible correlation between chromosomal variants and spermatogenesis?
Authors: YAKIN KAYHAN , BALABAN BASAK , URMAN BULENT
Published: November 2005

Aim: Heterochromatin polymorphism is considered a variant of a normal karyotype but is more frequent in infertile men. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between heterochromatic variants and male infertility and to discuss the possible mechanisms of how heterochromatic polymorphism might affect spermatogenesis.

Methods: Cytogenetic analysis was undertaken in 210 infertile males who had been taken into assisted reproductive techniques and in 183 men with proven fertility. Additionally, C‐banding was performed in men with heterochromatin polymorphism. Sperm ﬂuorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was applied in 54 men with normal karyotype presenting either normal or abnormal sperm parameters as well as in 8 men with heterochromatin polymorphism. The outcomes of assisted reproductive techniques were compared between infertile men with normal karyotype and men with heterochromatin polymorphism.

Results: The incidence of heterochromatin polymorphism was higher in infertile men. The most frequent chromosome involved in heterochromatin polymorphism was chromosome 9. Sperm FISH analysis revealed an increased rate of aneuploidy in men with heterochromatin polymorphism. Laboratory and clinical outcomes in assisted reproductive techniques were compromised in men with heterochromatin polymorphism.

Conclusions: An increased rate of heterochromatin polymorphism in infertile males seems to be more than an incidental ﬁnding, and must not be considered as a normal variant. Polymorphic heterochromatin may have deleterious effects on the genetic constitution of spermatozoa. More attention must be directed to infertile men with heterochromatin polymorphism.
Signiﬁcance of routine transition zone biopsies in Japanese men undergoing transrectal ultrasound‐guided prostate biopsies
Authors: MIYAKE HIDEAKI , KURAHASHI TOSHIFUMI , MURAMAKI MOTOTSUGU , YAMANAK KAZUKI , HARA ISAO
Published: November 2005

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical signiﬁcance of additional routine transition zone (TZ) biopsies in Japanese men undergoing transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)‐guided systematic 8‐core peripheral zone (PZ) biopsies.

Methods: Between October 2002 and December 2004, a total of 788 consecutive patients underwent TRUS‐guided systematic biopsy of the prostate for the ﬁrst time. As a rule, 10 cores were taken from each patient; that is, 8 cores from the PZ, including the standard sextant cores and 2 cores from the anterior lateral horns, and 2 additional cores from the bilateral TZ. The cancer detection rate was calculated according to several parameters. We also assessed the disease extent on radical prostatectomy specimens according to the cancer location within the biopsy specimens.

Results: Prostate cancer was detected by 10‐core biopsies in 209 (26.5%) of the 788 patients, and 11 of these patients had positive cores only in the TZ; that is, the increase in cancer detection rate by sampling two additional cores from the TZ was 5.3%. Among 209 patients diagnosed as having prostate cancer, radical prostatectomy without any neoadjuvant therapy was performed in 59 patients with positive biopsy cores in the PZ, 7 in the TZ and 32 in both the PZ and TZ. Patients with positive cores in both zones showed signiﬁcantly less favorable characteristics, indicating more advanced disease than that in those with positive cores in either zone.

Conclusions: Routine TZ biopsy did not signiﬁcantly increase the detection rate of prostate cancer; however, the anatomical location of positive biopsy cores could provide additional information concerning disease extension in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy.
Malignant phyllodes tumor of the prostate
Authors: CHEN TAU‐AN , CHOU JUNG‐MAO , SUN GUANG‐HUAN , LEE HERNG‐SHENG
Published: November 2005

Abstract  We report the case of a 47‐year‐old male patient who suffered from a malignant phyllodes tumor of the prostate with invasion to the rectum and urinary bladder. The local recurrence at the left scrotum was identiﬁed 6 years after radical cystoprostatectomy. Another 2 years after radical orchiectomy showed no evidence of secondary local recurrence or distant metastasis. Histopathologically, both primary and recurrent tumors showed an admixture of stromal and glandular components. However, while extensive squamous metaplasia was identiﬁed in the primary tumor, the recurrent tumor had only focal and mild squamous metaplasia. No dependable prognostic factor has been found to date. Here, we describe the morphological features and immunohistochemical presentations of malignant phyllodes tumor of the prostate and review the literature.
Multifocal metastases of recurrent renal cell carcinoma successfully treated with a combination of low dose interleukin‐2, α‐interferon and radiotherapy
Authors: SAWADA NORIFUMI , FUKASAWA MIZUYA , ARAKI ISAO , KIRA SATORU , MANABU KAMIYAMA , TAKEDA MASAYUKI
Published: November 2005

Abstract  A 59‐year‐old man presented with a 2‐month history of left ﬂank pain and a possibility of gross hematuria. Left renal cell carcinoma stage II was diagnosed and radical left nephrectomy was performed. Twenty‐two months postoperatively, lung metastases were demonstrated and 6 × 106 units of α‐interferon (IFN‐α) were administered for 9 months, only to keep the sizes of the metastases unchanged. Thirty‐four months after the operation, liver metastases and bone metastasis in the left sacroiliac joint were revealed. The combination cytokine therapy was performed with 1.4 × 106 U of interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) and 3 × 106 U of IFN‐α for 16 weeks, and the left sacroiliac joint metastasis was treated with radiation therapy of 4 Gy per day for 7 days. Six months after the 16 weeks of immunotherapy, computed tomography and bone scintigraphy revealed that the metastases of the lung, liver and bone substantially disappeared and this complete response is still kept after 16 months.
Proteus syndrome with giant myelolipoma in the pelvis
Authors: MATSUMOTO SHINYA , TAKAHASHI SATORU , GOTO TAKAHIRO , TOMITA KYOICHI , TAKEUCHI TAKUMI , KITAMURA TADAICHI
Published: November 2005

Abstract  Proteus syndrome is a very rare and complex disorder with malformations and overgrowth of multiple tissues. This disorder was designated Proteus syndrome by Wiedemann et al. to denote its variable clinical expression. Our patient presented with macrodactyly, cerebriform appearance and a huge abdominal mass. A biopsy under laparotomy was performed, and histopathological examination revealed myelolipoma. Tumor resection was performed. To our knowledge, no case of Proteus syndrome presenting a myelolipoma in the retroperitoneal cavity has been reported before.
Tumor lysis syndrome in a patient with metastatic, androgen independent prostate cancer
Authors: WRIGHT JONATHAN L , LIN DANIEL W , DEWAN PUNEET , MONTGOMERY R BRUCE
Published: November 2005

Abstract  Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is an uncommon, but well described, clinical entity that typically occurs following chemotherapy in patients with rapidly growing hematological malignancies. It is rarely described in patients with solid tumors. We report a case of TLS in a patient with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the prostate after treatment with paclitaxel chemotherapy.
Synchronized network activity in developing rat hippocampus involves regional hyperpolarization‐activated cyclic nucleotide‐gated (HCN) channel function
Authors: Bender Roland A. , Galindo Rafael , Mameli Manuel , Gonzalez‐Vega Rebeca , Valenzuela C. Fernando , Baram Tallie Z.
Published: November 2005

The principal form of synchronized network activity in neonatal hippocampus consists of low frequency ‘giant depolarizing potentials’ (GDPs). Whereas contribution of both GABA and glutamate to their generation has been demonstrated, full understanding of the mechanisms underlying these synchronized activity bursts remains incomplete. A contribution of the h‐current, conducted by HCN channels, to GDPs has been a topic of substantial interest. Here we focus on HCN1, the prevalent HCN channel isoform in neonatal hippocampus, and demonstrate an HCN1 spatiotemporal expression pattern in both CA3 principal cells and interneurons that correlates with the developmental profile of GDPs. Abrogation of HCN physiological function in CA3, via the selective Ih‐blocker ZD7288, disrupts GDP generation. Furthermore, ZD7288 specifically abolishes spontaneous bursting of the CA3 pyramidal cells at frequencies typical of GDPs without major influence on interneuronal firing. These findings support a pivotal role for HCN channels expressed by CA3 neurons, and particularly CA3 pyramidal cells, in GDP‐related network synchronization.
Basolateral amygdala glutamatergic activation enhances taste aversion through NMDA receptor activation in the insular cortex
Authors: Ferreira G. , Miranda M.I. , De la Cruz V. , Rodríguez‐Ortiz C.J. , Bermúdez‐Rattoni F.
Published: November 2005

In conditioned taste aversion (CTA), a subject learns to associate a novel taste with visceral malaise. Brainstem, limbic and neocortical structures have been implicated in CTA memory formation. Nevertheless, the role of interactions between forebrain structures during these processes is still unknown. The present experiment was aimed at investigating the possible interaction between the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (BLA) and the insular cortex (IC) during CTA memory formation. Injection of a low dose of lithium chloride (30 mg/kg, i.p.) 30 min after novel taste consumption (saccharin 0.1%) induces a weak CTA. Unilateral BLA injection of glutamate (2 µg in 0.5 µL) just before low lithium induces a stronger CTA. Unilateral injection of an N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist (AP5, 5 µg in 0.5 µL) in IC has no effect. However, AP5 treatment in IC at the same time or 1 h after the ipsilateral BLA injection reverses the glutamate‐induced CTA enhancement. Injection of AP5 in IC 3 h after BLA injection does not interfere with the glutamate effect. Moreover, the CTA‐enhancing effect of glutamate was also blocked by contralateral IC injection of AP5 at the same time. These results provide strong evidence that NMDA receptor activation in the IC is essential to enable CTA enhancement induced by glutamate infusion in the BLA during a limited time period that extends to 1 but not to 3 hours. These findings indicate that BLA–IC interactions regulate the strength of CTA. The bilateral nature of these amygdalo–cortical interactions is discussed.
A lateralized avian hippocampus: preferential role of the left hippocampal formation in homing pigeon sun compass‐based spatial learning
Authors: Gagliardo Anna , Vallortigara Giorgio , Nardi Daniele , Bingman Verner P.
Published: November 2005

The hippocampal formation (HF) plays a crucial role in amniote spatial cognition. There are also indications of functional lateralization in the contribution of the left and right HF in processes that enable birds to navigate space. The experiments described in this study were designed to examine left and right HF differences in a task of sun compass‐based spatial learning in homing pigeons (Columba livia). Control, left (HFL) and right (HFR) HF lesioned pigeons were trained in an outdoor arena to locate a food reward using their sun compass in the presence or absence of alternative feature cues. Subsequent to training, the pigeons were subjected to test sessions to determine if they learned to represent the goal location with their sun compass and the relative importance of the sun compass vs. feature cues. Under all test conditions, the control pigeons demonstrated preferential use of the sun compass in locating the goal. By contrast, the HFL pigeons demonstrated no ability to locate the goal by the sun compass but an ability to use the feature cues. The behaviour of the HFR pigeons demonstrated that an intact left HF is sufficient to support sun compass‐based learning, but in conflict situations and in contrast to controls, they often relied on feature cues. In conclusion, only the left HF is capable of supporting sun compass‐based learning. However, preferential use of the sun compass for learning requires an intact right HF. The data support the hypothesis that the left and right HF make different but complementary contributions toward avian spatial cognition.
Delaying visually guided saccades by microstimulation of macaque V1: spatial properties of delay fields
Authors: Tehovnik Edward J. , Slocum Warren M. , Schiller Peter H.
Published: November 2005

Electrical microstimulation of macaque primary visual cortex (area V1) is known to delay the execution of saccadic eye movements made to a punctate visual target placed into the receptive field of the stimulated neurons. We examined the spatial extent of this delay effect, which we call a delay field, by placing a 0.2° visual target at various locations relative to the receptive field of the stimulated neurons and by stimulating different sites within the operculum of V1. A 100‐ms train of stimulation consisting of current pulses at or less than 100 µA was delivered immediately before monkeys generated a saccadic eye movement to the visual target. The region of tissue activated was within 0.5 mm from the electrode tip. The depth of stimulation for a given site ranged from 0.9 to 2.0 mm below the cortical surface. The location of the receptive fields of the stimulated neurons ranged from 1.8 to 4.4° of eccentricity from the center of gaze. Within this range, the size of the delay field increased from 0.1 to 0.55° of visual angle. The shape of the field was roughly circular. The size of the delay field increased as the stimulation site was located further from the foveal representation of V1. These results are consistent with the finding that phosphenes evoked by electrical stimulation of human V1 are circular and increase in size as the stimulating electrode is placed more distant from the foveal representation of V1.
Regional enrichment of local assemblages is robust to variation in local productivity, abiotic gradients, and heterogeneity
Authors: Freestone Amy L. , Harrison Susan
Published: November 2005

Theory predicts that the effects of regional richness on the richness of local communities may depend on the productivity, resource availability, and/or heterogeneity of local sites. Using the wetland plant communities of 50 independent streams as ‘regions’, we tested whether: (1) local richness in 1‐m2 quadrats and 50‐m stream segments was positively related to regional richness, even after environmental influences were considered; and (2) the effect of regional richness would interact with the effects of biomass, soil moisture, and/or heterogeneity on local richness. In models that explained up to 88% of variation in local richness, we found that richness at both local scales was positively related to regional richness, and that regional richness did not interact with any of the environmental gradients that also shaped local richness. We conclude that species availability from the regional pool may consistently enrich local communities, even while other constraints on local richness operate.
Interactions between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and bacteria and their potential for stimulating plant growth
Authors: Artursson Veronica , Finlay Roger D. , Jansson Janet K.
Published: November 2005

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and bacteria can interact synergistically to stimulate plant growth through a range of mechanisms that include improved nutrient acquisition and inhibition of fungal plant pathogens. These interactions may be of crucial importance within sustainable, low‐input agricultural cropping systems that rely on biological processes rather than agrochemicals to maintain soil fertility and plant health. Although there are many studies concerning interactions between AM fungi and bacteria, the underlying mechanisms behind these associations are in general not very well understood, and their functional properties still require further experimental confirmation. Future mycorrhizal research should therefore strive towards an improved understanding of the functional mechanisms behind such microbial interactions, so that optimized combinations of microorganisms can be applied as effective inoculants within sustainable crop production systems. In this context, the present article seeks to review and discuss the current knowledge concerning interactions between AM fungi and plant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria, the physical interactions between AM fungi and bacteria, enhancement of phosphorus and nitrogen bioavailability through such interactions, and finally the associations between AM fungi and their bacterial endosymbionts. Overall, this review summarizes what is known to date within the present field, and attempts to identify promising lines of future research.
Improved template representation in cpn60 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product libraries generated from complex templates by application of a specific mixture of PCR primers
Authors: Hill Janet E. , Town Jennifer R. , Hemmingsen Sean M.
Published: November 2005

Some classes of high G+C content organisms such as the Actinobacteria, which are known through culture‐based studies to be present in large numbers in particular microbial communities, are under‐represented or even absent from 16S rRNA or cpn60 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product libraries derived from these templates. Using reference cpn60 sequence data from organisms with high G+C content genomes, a pair of PCR primers were designed which, when used in combination with the previously developed degenerate, universal cpn60 primers, improve the representation of templates with high G+C content. The primers were validated using a combination of traditional and quantitative real‐time PCR on both manufactured template mixtures and biological samples. The development and optimization of this specific primer mixture represents an improvement of established methods and a significant advance in the ability to generate cpn60 PCR product libraries that more closely represent the sequence diversity in complex templates.
Vancomycin‐ and erythromycin‐resistant enterococci in a pig farm and its environment
Authors: Manero Albert , Vilanova Xavier , Cerdà‐Cuéllar Marta , Blanch Anicet R.
Published: November 2005

A high prevalence of vancomycin‐ and erythromycin‐resistant enterococci (VRE and ERE respectively) in a pig farm and its environment was observed. A similar structure and composition of enterococcal populations was detected between urban sewage and those associated with the pig environment. Enterococcus faecium was the most predominant species among VRE isolates from both animal and human origin. The high population similarity index (Sp) obtained comparing VRE and ERE isolates from urban sewage and pig slurry suggests that there are certain strains circulating through the food chain from farms to humans. Erythromycin resistance was present in a wider variety of clones and species of enterococci in both pigs and humans than vancomycin resistance.
Rapid and accurate identification of microorganisms contaminating cosmetic products based on DNA sequence homology
Authors: Fujita Y. , Shibayama H. , Suzuki Y. , Karita S. , Takamatsu S.
Published: November 2005

Synopsis

The aim of this study was to develop rapid and accurate procedures to identify microorganisms contaminating cosmetic products, based on the identity of the nucleotide sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal RNA coding DNA (rDNA). Five types of microorganisms were isolated from the inner portion of lotion bottle caps, skin care lotions, and cleansing gels. The rDNA ITS region of microorganisms was amplified through the use of colony‐direct PCR or ordinal PCR using DNA extracts as templates. The nucleotide sequences of the amplified DNA were determined and subjected to homology search of a publicly available DNA database. Thereby, we obtained DNA sequences possessing high similarity with the query sequences from the databases of all the five organisms analyzed. The traditional identification procedure requires expert skills, and a time period of approximately 1 month to identify the microorganisms. On the contrary, 3–7 days were sufficient to complete all the procedures employed in the current method, including isolation and cultivation of organisms, DNA sequencing, and the database homology search. Moreover, it was possible to develop the skills necessary to perform the molecular techniques required for the identification procedures within 1 week. Consequently, the current method is useful for rapid and accurate identification of microorganisms, contaminating cosmetics.
The biology of facial beauty
Authors: Fink B. , Neave N.
Published: November 2005

Synopsis

It was once widely believed that standards of beauty were arbitrarily variable. Recent research suggests, however, that people's views of facial attractiveness are remarkably consistent, regardless of race, nationality or age. Facial characteristics are known to influence human attractiveness judgements and evolutionary psychologists suggest that these characteristics all pertain to health, leading to the conclusion that humans have evolved to view certain bodily features as attractive because the features were displayed by healthy others. Here we review some of the fundamental principles of sexual selection theory that apply to human beauty and summarize the major findings of human beauty perception.
‘Healthy skin’: significance and results of an Italian study on healthy population with particular regard to ‘sensitive’ skin
Authors: Sparavigna A. , Di Pietro A. , Setaro M.
Published: November 2005

Synopsis

There is an increasing demand in general population regarding skin healthiness and improvement of aesthetical appearance, indicating that people require more information about how to treat healthy skin and to prevent skin disease. This study is the result of a campaign on healthy skin organized by the International Society of Plastic Dermatology. This campaign was at the same time an occasion to perform an epidemiological study on Italian population and was conducted during only one month (March 2004) throughout Italy. In total, 462 dermatologists all over Italy joined the project. Study protocol and diagnostic kits were provided to all adhering dermatologists. After signing an informed consent, subjects were assigned to undergo anamnesis, medical examination and stinging test with 10% lactic acid at the level of nasolabial fold. A total of 2101 duly compiled case record forms were sent back by the dermatologists. The analysis of the demographic features and lifestyle of the subjects who were attracted by the campaign allows us to draw the identikit of people interested in the maintenance of a healthy skin, i.e. mainly young women, who already lead a healthy life and took care of their skin. Sensitive skin was common in this healthy population.
Evaluation of cosmetic foaming cleanser by paired comparisons method with think‐aloud method
Authors: Senoo M.
Published: November 2005

Evaluation studies in the development of new types of cosmetics are divided into exploratory and confirmatory research. The exploratory evaluation aims to discover the unknown characteristics of tested products, whereas the confirmatory evaluation aims to examine the attainment of their designed quality. This report presents an evaluation method to achieve simultaneously the two objectives using the think‐aloud method with the paired comparisons method. The results obtained for two foaming cleansers possessed both exploratory aspects and confirmatory ones, and were straightforward in demonstrating the features of the foaming cleansers, because the think‐aloud method was not restricted by a complicated evaluation procedure. The method proposed from the discussions can be readily applied to the process of new product development.