Outcomes of Prostatectomy versus Radiation Therapy in the Management of Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer Patients Within the PLCO Trial

Background

The objective of the study was to evaluate the outcomes of clinically localized prostate cancer treated with prostatectomy versus radiation therapy within the context of a prospective prostate cancer screening study.

Subchronic vaginal toxicity studies of Alcide Allay gel and liquid in guinea pigs

Alcide Allay, an antimicrobial preparation produced in gel and liquid forms, was evaluated for vaginal toxicity in guinea pigs. 1.0 g/kg Allay gel or placebo was administered intravaginally once per day over a 30 day period while 2.5 g/kg Allay liquid (containing either of two concentrations of sodium chlorite and lactic acid as active ingredients) or placebo was applied vaginally three times per day for 10 days. At the conclusion of the studies, hematology, blood and urine clinical chemistry tests and necropsies were performed. RBC, HGB, HCT, MCHC and direct bilirubin increased while CO2, SGPT and CPK decreased in blood after Allay liquid treatment. Creatinine, urea nitrogen and uric acid in urine were statistically reduced in the liquid groups. Hematology and clinical chemistry parameters were within the normal range of values reported in the literature for guinea pigs, indicating no clinical significance due to drug treatment. Significant differences in organ body/weight ratios were observed between controls and Allay gel and liquid groups. However, only the livers in the gel study and the vaginas in both studies were changed histologically.     

Progesterone for the prevention of preterm birth in women with multiple pregnancies: the AMPHIA trial

Background

Adequate vitamin D concentrations during pregnancy are necessary to neonatal calcium homeostasis, bone maturation and mineralization. The aim of study is to evaluate serum vitamin D concentrations in mothers and their newborns and effect of vitamin D deficiency on pregnancy outcomes.

Methods

552 pregnant women were recruited from Tehran University educating hospitals in the winter of 2002. Maternal and cord blood samples were taken at delivery. The serum was assayed for 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, calcium, phosphorus and parathyroid hormone.

Results

The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in maternal and cord blood samples were 66.8% and 93.3%, respectively (<35 nmol/l). There was significant correlation between maternal and cord blood serum concentrations of vitamin D. In mothers with vitamin D deficiency, cord blood vitamin D concentrations was lower than those from normal mothers (P = .001). Also, a significant direct correlation was seen between maternal vitamin D intake and weight gain during pregnancy.

Conclusion

Consideration to adequate calcium and vitamin D intake during pregnancy is essential. Furthermore, we think it is necessary to reconsider the recommendation for vitamin D supplementation for women during pregnancy.     

Impairment of central mediation of the arterial baroreflex by acute ethanol administration

We investigated the possibility that the impairment of baroreflex control of heart rate was due to an action of ethanol on the central component of the baroreflex arc. Baroreceptors and baroreceptor afferents were removed from the arc by sino-aortic denervation and the central end of the left aortic depressor nerve was stimulated. Stimulation frequency response curves relating the decreases in blood pressure, heart rate and sympathetic efferent nerve discharge to the frequency of stimulation were constructed before and after the administration of 0.33, 0.66 and 1 g/kg of ethanol administered systemically. Except for a small decrease in blood pressure following the 1 g/kg dose, ethanol administration did not produce any change in baseline heart rate or blood pressure but the frequency response curve of heart rate was reset by the two lower doses of ethanol whereas the dose of 1 g/kg produced frank impairment of baroreflex control. Similarly the dose of 1 g/kg also impaired the depressor response to aortic nerve stimulation whereas it did not impair the baroreflex control of sympathetic efferent discharge. These data suggest a differential effect of ethanol on central pathways that control baroreflex responses. To ensure that the effect of ethanol was not due to an action of ethanol on an end organ, the heart, a separate group of rats were prepared with sino-aortic denervation and the peripheral end of the cut right vagus nerve was stimulated with increasing frequency. Ethanol did not affect the response to stimulation of the vagus nerve showing that the impairment of baroreflex control of cardiovascular variables was primarily of central origin.     

The urodynamic characteristics of different ileal reservoirs: an experimental study in dogs.

Using adult mongrel dogs, the urodynamic characteristics of three types of ileal reservoirs were studied and compared. Segments of ileum of the same length were utilized to construct simple loop pouches (five dogs), DeKlerk pouches (five dogs) and Kock pouches (five dogs). Six to eight weeks after surgery, urodynamic evaluation was carried out. This included determination of the volume/pressure relationship and measurement of the contractions of the circular and longitudinal muscle fibers. Results indicate that the Kock pouch offers the best features in terms of the volume capacity, the volume/pressure relationship and contractile activity. Detubularization abrogated the muscle tone but it did not affect the phasic contractile activity of the circular muscle layer.     

Human papillomavirus infection in Egyptian esophageal carcinoma: correlation with p53, p21, mdm2, C-erbB2 and impact on survival

The etiological role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in esophageal carcinoma (EC) in relation to p53, mdm2, p21(waf), c-erbB2 and the overall survival (OS) rate was investigated. Tumor and normal tissues from 50 EC were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction and InnoLiPA for HPV. Single strand conformation polymorphism/sequencing were used to detect p53 gene mutations. Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine p53, mdm2, p21(waf)and c-erbB2 expression. Human papillomavirus was detected in 54% of tumors and in 24% of normal tissues. p53, mdm2 and c-erbB2 overexpression was detected in 68%, 70% and 60% of tumors and in 14%, 16% and 10% of normal samples, whereas loss of p21(waf) was evident in 64% of tumors. p53 mutations were detected in 20% of cases. Exon 8 and 5 showed the highest mutation rate (40% each), followed by exons 6 and 7 (10% each). There was a significant correlation between HPV and p53, mdm2, c-erbB2 overexpression. The OS was significantly associated with overexpression of p53 and loss of p21(waf). Human papillomavirus infection is frequent in Egyptian EC. Both p53-dependent and p53-independent pathways seem to be involved in HPV-associated EC. mdm2 and c-erbB2 are possible targets for HPV in the p53-independent pathway. However, only advanced stage and aberrant expression of p53 and p21(waf) are independent prognostic markers.     

Induced luteolysis in the primate: rapid loss of luteinizing hormone receptors

The molecular mechanisms involved in luteolysis are still unclear in the primate. This study aimed to investigate the effect of induced luteolysis on the ovarian luteinizing hormone (LH) receptor and the steroidogenic enzyme, 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD) in the marmoset monkey. Luteolysis was induced in the mid-luteal phase either directly by systemic prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha), or indirectly by LH withdrawal using systemic gonadotrophin releasing hormone antagonist (GnRHant) treatment. The LH receptor was studied by isotopic mRNA in-situ hybridization and in-situ ligand binding and 3beta-HSD expression was studied using isotopic mRNA in-situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Induced luteolysis was associated with a reduction in the expression of LH receptor (P < 0.0001) and 3beta-HSD mRNA, closely followed by a reduction in the LH receptor (P < 0.05) and 3beta-HSD protein concentrations within 24 h. There were no differences in the findings whether luteolysis was induced with PGF2alpha or GnRHant. This study shows that disparate mechanisms to induce luteolysis in the primate result in an identical rapid loss of the LH receptor and 3beta-HSD. In conclusion, induced luteolysis leads to rapid loss of the steroidogenic pathway in luteal cells.