Differential expression of transforming growth factor-β1 and β3 as well as C-FOS mRNA in normal human prostate,benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic cancer

Summary The discrepancy between the incidence of latent prostate cancer and that of clinically overt carcinoma suggests that there can be different courses in the biological progression of prostate cancer. As this cancer is detected increasingly at an infraclinical stage, markers are needed to indicate which lesions will progress and lead to the patient's death. To investigate the possibility that specific growth factors and/or proto-oncogenes are expressed differentially, we measured mRNA levels of transforming growth factors 1 (TGF-1), TGF-2 and TGF-3 and of the c-fos and c-jun oncogenes by Northern blotting in normal prostate, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer. Our data demonstrate that expression of TGF-1 increased, whereas that of TGF-3 fell to an almost undetectable level in carcinoma. Expression of c-fos followed the TGF-1 pattern, whereas no difference could be seen in c-jun expression in cancer as compared with BPH and normal prostate. The differential expression of TGF-1, TGF-3 and c-fos could possibly be used to improve the characterisation of prostate cancer. Long-term follow-up of patients may indicate whether mRNA levels of these growth factors and oncogenes correlate clinically and whether they can be used as markers for progression in human prostate cancer.     

Vertical lengthening of the unilateral cleft lip after a triangular flap repair

Summary A triangular flap repair for unilateral cleft lip is stated to have the potential problem of creating a lip that is too long. Although preoperative measurements were performed with calipers, the gap created in the medial segment was directly measured during the procedure, in order to determine the size of the flap more precisely. Ninety patients with complete unilateral cleft lips underwent a triangular flap repair using this method. The symmetry of the Cupid's bow was evaluated at a follow-up period averaging between six years and three months. Sixty-two lips obtained symmetry and the remaining 28 cases showed a lip which was too long; none of the lips were too short. The comparison between 27 primary palate clefts (UCLA) and 63 primary and secondary palate clefts (UCLP) showed no significant difference in the surgical result. The preoperative shortness of the lip on the cleft side was significantly greater in the too long group (5.01 ± 0.95 mm) than in the symmetry group (4.40 ± 0.87 mm). The width of the flap used was significantly larger in the too long group (3.76 ± 0.79 mm) than in the symmetry group (3.42 ± 0.69 mm). The triangular flap repair with intraoperative measurements is considered to be beneficial, although preoperative measurements provide an optimal design in most cases. It is suggested that the use of a wider triangular flap results in a lip which tends to be too long in spite of the preoperative shortness on the cleft side.     

173. Tierexperimentelle Ergebnisse mit einem voll implantierbaren Distraktionsgerät zur operativen Beinverlängerung

Zusammenfassung Zur operativen Beinverlängerung wurde ein neues Femur-Distraktionsgerät entwickelt. Das Gerät besteht aus einem elektronisch programmierbaren Distraktionsaggregat einschließlich Kraftquelle und einer zweiteiligen Führungsschiene. Das Gesamtsystem ist voll versenkbar und schafft Übungsstabilität während der Distraktionsphase. Die Funktionen Vorlauf — Stop —Rücklauf können transcutan induktiv gesteuert werden. Ein für das Tierexperiment speziell entwickelter Prototyp des Gerätes wurde an Schafen erfolgreich erprobt.     

“High spinal” dysrhaphism

Summary High spinal (cervical and upper thoracic) dysrhaphism usually involves either a meningocele or a dermal sinus tract. These high spinal lesions can have a complex intradural anatomy at the level of the lesion (as this case reports) and are associated with an increased incidence of lower spinal occult dysrhaphic anomalies. It is therefore recommended that patients with high spinal dysrhaphism undergo radiological evaluation of the entire spine to identify those patients with intradural anomalies, define the anatomy for surgery, and investigate the lower spine for associated occult anomalies.     

The role of TGF-β in patterning and growth of the mammary ductal tree

Evidence that transforming growth factor beta (TGF-)⁴ influences pattern formation in the developing mammary gland and negatively regulates ductal growth is reviewed. In the mouse, overexpression of TGF- transgenes during puberty reduces the rate of growth of the ductal tree and simplifies the pattern of arborization, while expression during pregnancy also interferes with lactation. Expression studies in the normal mouse gland indicate that TGF- is synthesized in the mammary epithelium, with the three isoforms showing somewhat different spatial and temporal distributions. Exogenous TGF- applied directly to the glandin situ inhibits epithelial cell division within hours, and strongly stimulates extracellular matrix synthesis over a longer time course. Normal human breast cells as well as certain breast cancer cell lines also secrete TGF- and are themselves inhibited by it, suggesting an autoregulatory feedback circuit, that in some cases appears to be modulated by estradiol. Taken together, the evidence suggests a model in which growth and patterning of the mammary ductal tree are regulated, at least in part, by TGF- operating through an autocrine feedback mechanism and by paracrine circuits associated with epithelial-stromal interactions.     

The N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist dizocilpine (MK-801) suppresses enfturane-induced opisthotonus in mice

We determined whether enflurane-induced opisthotonus in ddN mice is mediated by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor using NMDA receptor antagonists dizocilpine (MK-801) and ketamine. Animals were given intraperitoneal injections of 0.2ml saline (control), 2.5 or 5.0mg·kg^–1 dizocilpine in saline, or 20 or 40mg·kg^–1 ketamine is saline 20min prior to exposure to 2.0% enflurane. Incidence of opisthotonus measured during exposure to enflurane for 20min was 49% (n = 51) in saline (control) group, 6.7 (P 0.01 vs control, n = 30) and 15.0% (P 0.01, n = 40) in 2.5 and 5.0mg·kg^–1 dizocilpine group, respectively, and 43.9 (NS, n = 41) and 40.0% (NS, n = 40) in 20 and 40mg·kg^–1 ketamine group, respectively. These results strongly suggest that enflurane-induced opisthotonus is mediated by NMDA receptor. Ketamine failed to suppress significantly due to possibly small dosages. Further, dizocilpine itself produced severe seizures during preenflurane period (30.0 and 40.0% in 2.5 and 5.0mg·kg^–1, respectively), which may be a novel finding.(Komatsu H, Nogaya J, Anabuki D, et al.: The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist dizocilpine (MK-801) suppresses enflurane-induced opisthotonus in mice. J Anesth 7: 519–522, 1993)     

242. Korrelation klinischer und biochemischer Befunde mit dem Schweregrad einer bakteriellen Peritonitis

Zusammenfassung Anhand von Verlaufsdaten 66 chirurgischer Patienten mit einer bakteriologisch gesicherten Peritonitis sollten harte und weiche Kriterien zur Beurteilung des Schweregrades differenziert werden. Untersuchungskriterien: 1) regionale Ausbreitung, 2) Entwicklung eines Organod. Systemversagens, 3) Leukocytose/Thrombopenie, Körpertemperatur, 4) die Plasmamediatoren Endotoxin/Prostaglandin F₂ (PGF₂), 5) Anamnesedauer (Erstsymptom bis OP), 6) Anzahl erforderlicher Reoperationen und 7) Lebensalter. Zuzuordnende Schweregrade: Grad 1: überlebt, Grad 2: mit Komplikationen überlebt, Grad 3: nicht überlebt. Danach erweisen sich als harte Kriterien: 1) Lokalisation, 2) Anamnesedauer, 3) Leukocytose, 4) Endotoxin > 100 Eu/ml, PGF₂ > 500 pg/ml, 5) Körpertemperatur 38,5°C.     

Demonstration of the 5-flap technique

Summary Demonstration of the 5-flap technique which is double opposed Z-plasty and Y – V advancement is presented. A 4×4 gauze serves to demonstrate this technique.The authors dedicate this paper to the dear memory of their teacher, the late Prof. Zvi Neuman, who passed away untimely on March 22, 1977     

PTSD among vietnam veterans: An early look at treatment outcome using direct therapeutic exposure

Vietnam combat veteran inpatients were evaluated after being treated in a PTSD special treatment unit. Selected pretreatment measures that included mental and physical problems, combat variables, PTSD symptoms, and the standard MMPI scales found no clinically meaningful differences between a group that was found to be successes and another group found to be failures, based on predetermined cutoff scores on the VETS scale, a reliable outcome measure for veteran patients. At 3 months post-therapy, a significantly greater number of subjects treated with Direct Therapeutic Exposure (DTE) (flooding therapy) as compared to another group treated with a more conventional individual therapy, were identified as successes as opposed to failures, based on the VETs scale. Also, the number of failures was greater for those treated with the more conventional therapy and the number of successess was greater for those treated with DTE, when compared to all other subjects in the sample. These preliminary results were interpreted as indicating that DTE, when offered as part of an inpatient milieu, shows promise as an effective treatment for chronic/severe combat veteran PTSD sufferers.     

The association between transforming growth factor-β gene promoter C-509T polymorphism and Chinese children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura

Many cytokines, including transforming growth factor- (TGF-) and tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-), are involved in the inflammatory process of Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP). The objective of this study was to investigate whether TGF- C-509T and TNF- G-308A polymorphisms are associated with childhood HSP. The loci of interest were amplified from genomic DNA using specific primers and polymerase chain reaction, and these two polymorphisms were compared between Chinese children with HSP and healthy controls. The disease severities evaluated and expressed as symptom score of patients with different genotypes were also compared. The TGF- -509 TT genotype was more common in children with HSP than controls (31% vs. 8%, P =0.03, odds ratio=4.95). The allelic frequencies of TGF- -509, genotypic and allelic frequencies of TNF- -308 were not significantly different. Patients with the TT genotype had more severe clinical presentations than non-TT (TC+CC) patients (4.1±0.42 vs. 2.7±0.31, P =0.018). These results suggest that the TT genotype of the C-509T polymorphism of the TGF- gene might be related to the susceptibility of Chinese children to HSP and to the severity of this disease.     

Comparison of adrenoceptor subtype expression in porcine and human bladder and prostate

We have quantified and characterized ₁-, ₂-and -adrenoceptor subtypes in porcine bladder detrusor and bladder neck, human bladder detrusor, and porcine and human prostate. ₁-, ₂- and -adrenoceptor were identified in radioligand binding studies using [³H]prazosin, [³H]RX 821002 and [¹²⁵I]iodocyanopindolol, respectively, as the radioligands. In porcine male and female detrusor and bladder neck and male prostate, adrenoceptors were detected in the order of abundance > _{2 1} (not detectable), with no major differences between the sexes or between detrusor and bladder neck. In human detrusor and prostate the order of abundance was > _{2 1} (not detectable) and ₁ > ₂. respectively. The ₂-adrenoceptors in all tissues were homogeneously of the _2A-subtype as evidenced by competition binding studies with yohimbine, prazosin, ARC 239 and oxymetazoline. The -adrenoceptors represented a mixed population with a dominance of the ₂-subtype in all tissues as demonstrated by competition binding with ICI 118,551 and CGP 20,712A. We conclude that pigs may be a suitable model for studies of detrusor function with respect to adrenoceptor expression. They may be less suitable for studies of bladder neck or prostate function.     

Replacement of the anterior cruciate ligament

Summary Eighty-seven patients have been examined 2 years on average after knee ligament reconstruction for a torn anterior cruciate ligament. The patients were divided into four groups according to the type of operation that had been carried out. In the first group an extra-articular lateral repair (MacIntosh tenodesis) had been performed, in the second group an intra-articular over-the-top repair using the quadriceps and the patellar tendon, in the third group a modified Eriksson procedure using the patellar tendon, and in the fourth group a combined intra- and extra-articular repair using carbon fibres as a graft. The results of the operations in the different groups are compared. The best results were obtained with the Eriksson procedure, closely followed by the over-the-top repair. Limited range of motion and retropatellar pain resulting from changes in the alignment of the patella were the main problems. The results after the use of carbon fibres were less good. In two cases the graft tore without further trauma, and there were also problems because of restricted range of motion and retropatellar pain. The worst results were found after extra-articular lateral repair, due to insufficient stability in many cases. However, the best results with regard to the range of motion were found in this group.

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Zusammenfassung Es wurden 87 Patienten im Durchschnitt 2 Jahre nach Ersatzplastik bei zerrissenem vorderem Kreuzband und chronischer Instabilität nachkontrolliert. Die Patienten wurden in vier Gruppen eingeteilt. In jeder Gruppe war eine andere Art von Ersatzplastik durchgeführt worden. In der ersten Gruppe war es ein extraartikulärer lateral repair (sog. MacIntosh-Plastik), in der zweiten Gruppe eine intraartikuläre over the top geführte Plastik mit der Quadriceps- und der Patellarsehne, in der dritten eine modifizierte Eriksson-Plastik unter Verwendung der Patellarsehne und in der vierten Gruppe eine kombinierte intra- und extraartikuläre Plastik mit Carbon fibres. Die Resultate der Operationen in allen vier Gruppen werden miteinander verglichen. Die besten Ergebnisse zeigte das Vorgehen nach Eriksson, dicht gefolgt vom over the top-repair. Probleme, die in diesen zwei Gruppen auftraten, betrafen eingeschränkte Kniebeweglichkeit und retropatelläre Schmerzen wegen veränderter Führung der Patella. Die Resultate in der Gruppe mit Verwendung der carbon fibres waren weniger gut. In zwei Fällen ist das Transplantat ohne Trauma gerissen, zudem traten auch hier Beschwerden auf wegen eingeschränkter Beweglichkeit und retropatellärer Schmerzen. Am wenigsten gut waren die Resultate nach extraartikulärem lateral repair. In vielen Fällen konnte durch these Methode keine genügende Stabilität erreicht werden. Andererseits war die Beweglichkeit des Kniegelenkes nach dieser Operation kaum je eingeschränkt.

     

An immunohistochemical study of glucagonoma conducted on the metastatic lymph nodes from a patient with recurrent metastatic glucagonoma: Report of a case

In this report, we briefly present the case of a 67-year-old woman who developed recurrent glucagonoma with lymph node metastasis. An immunohistochemical study of the metastatic tumor revealed immunoreactivity of glucagon and protein kinase C (PKC)-, -, and - in the tumor cells, two types of which were seen by electron microscopy. One type had abundant secretory granules and mitochondria, while the other had few granules and mitochondria. Some granules were similar to typical A cell granules and others were atypical. An immunoelectron microscopic demonstration revealed PKC-, -, and - immunostaining in the cytoplasm of all the tumor cells, while some secretory granules had PKC immunostaining, and others had no immunostaining. Thus, it appears that metastatic glucagonoma and its associated granules are composed of two types of mature and immature cells or granules. As immunoreactivity of PKC- and - was found in the tumor cells, but not in the normal A cells of the islets of Langerhans, the PKC subspecies and , which are not present in normal pancreatic A cells, may exist in human glucagonoma cells.     

Influence of intravesical administration of tumor necrosis factor α and systemic γ-interferon on murine bladder cancer: Lack of dose response

Summary The effect of intravesical administration of high dose recombinant tumor necrosis factor- (rTNF) and in combination with systemic recombinant -interferon (rIFN) on murine bladder cancer was studied. RTNF was given at 12.5 g/mouse on days 7, 11 and 15 after tumor instillation or at 2.5 g/mouse on days 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15. Some groups were also injected i.v., 24-h prior to each rTNF treatment with rIFN at a dose of 1.3 g/mouse. RTNF treatment suppressed tumor growth up to 48% of control, although the difference was not statistically significant. Combined administration of rIFN did not provide additional benefit.     

Effects of Nd-YAG laser on platelet function in vitro: A comparative study using the spectraprobe, ‘hot tip’ and bare fibres

The effects of Nd-YAG laser irradiation on platelet function in vitro were studied using platelet rich plasma obtained from the blood of healthy volunteers. Laser delivery was effected via the bare optical fibre, thermal hot tip fibre and spectraprobe and the effects of these probes on platelet function were compared. Fall in platelet count and mean platelet volume (MPV) were proportional to increasing energy delivery with all three probes, the effect being maximal with the spectraprobe, moderate with the hot tip and least with the bare optical fibre. A significant decrease in percentage aggregation of platelets in response to added ADP, collagen and ristocetin with increasing energy delivery was also observed with all three probes. The formation of preformed aggregates, however, showed an increase proportional to energy delivery with all three probes.The differential effects of the various probes used in this study on platelet function may enhance our understanding of the complex role played by platelets in the pathogenesis of complications such as arterial thrombosis and re-occlusion after laser angioplasty.     

Immunologic tolerance in renal transplantation

Summary The current excellent short-term results of renal transplantation are achieved at the expense of complications of chronic immunosuppression. These include increased risk for infection, malignancy, and long-term deterioration of function (chronic allograft nephropathy). The induction of transplantation tolerance, the long-term acceptance of an allograft without continuous immunosuppression, has been a goal of transplant immunologists for the last 40 years. Unfortunately, this has been easier to achieve in rodents than in humans. Nevertheless, this body of research has significantly increased our knowledge of the workings of the immune system and, specifically, how the body differentiates between self and nonself. Using these insights, several promising approaches to the clinical induction of transplant tolerance have emerged and are undergoing clinical evaluation.     

Computer assisted quantification of vasospasm on angiograms

Summary We describe a new computer-based, automated method for the assessment of in vivo cerebral vasospasm. Arterial diameter measurements were performed on post-processed digital substraction angiographic images, using pixel as the unit. Vasospasm which was difficult to detect by visual inspection could be measured by the stenosis quantification program. A computer-assisted method such as we describe might decrease the risk of subjective errors.     

Secretory territories and rate of matrix production of osteoblasts

The secretory territories of rat osteoblasts on the parietal bone were measured directly using scanning electron microscopy. The mean territory of 4620 cells in 19 fields was 154 m² per osteoblast. The range for the fields was 136 to 177 m² per osteoblast. Four hundred cells were measured individually—for these the mean value per osteoblast was 143 m² with a standard deviation of 33. The daily rate of apposition over an 8 day period was 3.12 m (standard deviation 0.22) measured by tetracycline marking of the mineral front. This gave a daily matrix production rate of approximately 470 m³ per osteoblast.

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Zusammenfassung Die Ausscheidungsbereiche von Ratten-Osteoblasten des Scheitelbeines wurden mit dem Raster-Elektronenmikroskop direkt gemessen. Der durchschnittliche Bereich von 4620 Zellen in 19 Gesichtsfeldern war 154 m² per osteoblast. Der Streubereich lag in den verschiedenen Gesichtsfeldern zwischen 136 und 177 m² per Osteoblast. 400 Zellen wurden einzeln gemessen. Bei diesen war der Durchschnittswert per Osteoblast 143 m², mit einer Standard-Abweichung von 33. Die tägliche Anlagerungsrate während einer Periode von 8 Tagen war 3,12 m (Standard-Abweichung 0,22); sie wurde mittels Tetracyclinmarkierung der Mineralisierungsfront gemessen. Dies ergab eine tägliche Produktionsrate der Matrix von etwa 470 m³ per Osteoblast.

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Résumé Les territoires sécrétoires des ostéoblastes d'os pariétal de rats sont déterminées en utilisant la microscopie électronique à balayage. Le territoire moyen de 4.620 cellules, dans 19 territoires, est de 154 m² par ostéoblaste. Les valeurs extrêmes par champ varient de 136 à 177 m² par ostéoblaste. Quatre cent cellules sont mesurées individuellement; la valeur moyenne par ostéoblaste est de 143 m³ avec une déviation standard de 33. Le taux d'apposition journalier, mesuré par la tétracycline pendant 8 jours, est de 3.12 m (déviation standard 0.22). Ce qui correspond à une production matricielle journalière d'environ 470 m³ par ostéoblaste.

     

Use of a pericardial fat pad flap for preventing bronchopleural fistula: An experimental study focusing on the angiogenesis and cytokine production of the fat pad

An experimental study was conducted to determine whether pericardial fat tissue could induce neovascularization and produce cytokines related to tissue repair. Neovascularization was examined using chick chorioallantoic membranes. Pieces of pericardial fat tissue, omentum, and intercostal muscle were individually placed on a number of chorioallantoic membranes and neovascularization induced by each material was assayed 6 days after the implantation. The intensity of neovascularization was in the order of pericardial fat omentum > muscle. Cytokines, such as interleukin 1 (IL-1) and , tumor necrosis factor- (TNF), interferon- (IFN-), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were assayed in a culture supernatant of pericardial fat tissue. The latter was obtained 24h after the addition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) following various incubation times. All cytokines other than IFN are known to play a part in tissue repair, whereas IFN is negatively related to tissue repair because it inhibits fibroblast growth. The pericardial fat tissue incubated with LPS produced a certain amount of IL-1 on day 1, and TNF on days 1 and 8, whereafter these values decreased to an undetectable level. Irrespective of the addition of LPS, a large amount of IL-6 was observed in the supernatant of pericardial fat tissue and it was detectable until day 29. On the contrary, INF was not detected at any assay time. These observations suggest that a pericardial fat pad flap could possibly be beneficial in the prevention of bronchopleural fistula after pulmonary resection.     

An interpretation of acute changes in plasma45Ca following parathyroid hormone administration to thyroparathyroidectomized rats

Acute changes in plasma calcium and⁴⁵Ca were studied in young adult male thyroparathyroidectomized (TPTX) rats injected with moderate doses of parathyroid hormone (PTH). For plasma calcium changes, comparison was made between rats fasted or fed prior to PTH injection. For plasma⁴⁵Ca changes, the effect of the time of administration of the radionuclide was also studied; this included rats injected with PTH 1 h after radionuclide (1 h⁴⁵Ca), 18 h later (18 h⁴⁵Ca) and more than 6 days later (6 day⁴⁵Ca). The results can be summarized as follows: (1) Plasma calcium changes were greater when PTH was injected into fed rather than into fasted rats. (2) PTH always produced a relative increase (compared to controls tested concurrently) in plasma⁴⁵Ca concentrations. This increase was the same in the 1 h⁴⁵Ca and the 18 h⁴⁵Ca groups. (3) Plasma⁴⁵Ca rose at least temporarily following PTH injection in the 18 h⁴⁵Ca group. (4) The⁴⁵Ca rise following PTH was always greater in fed than in fasted groups. (5) Plasma⁴⁵Ca specific activities (S.A.) tended to rise in the 6 day⁴⁵Ca group and to fall in the 18 h⁴⁵Ca group, following PTH injection. However, the⁴⁵Ca S.A. was always higher in fed than fasted groups. (6) In a few experiments in which³²P was injected with⁴⁵Ca, specific activity changes in plasma⁴⁵Ca following PTH injection werenot accompanied by similar changes in³²P specific activity.These results could not be adequately explained by PTH effects on bone resorption, but the data supported the postulate that PTH controls plasma calcium concentrations by increasing transport of calcium through the osteocyte-lining cell (osteoblast) bone cell complex from the bone fluid compartment to the ECF.