Antipeptide antibodies against the 5-HT1A receptor.

The availability of the primary amino acid sequence for a large number of molecules provides a fruitful opportunity for their cellular localization by utilizing the procedure of antipeptide antibody formation. This procedure permits a synthetic peptide sequence to be attached to a carrier molecule for the purpose of inoculating an animal to raise specific antibodies against the selected protein sequence. In this report we describe a number of steps that can be taken to increase the likelihood that the selected peptide sequence will be specific and antigenic. In addition, we describe how the peptides are synthesized, purified and coupled to keyhold limpet hemocyanin. The preparation of the antibody and its characterization are also presented in this method report. The immunocytochemical staining at both the light and ultrastructural level with serotonin (5-HT1A) receptor antipeptide antibodies is discussed. The advantages and disadvantages of this procedure are summarized.     

Low back pain education and short term quality of life: a randomized trial

Background  

Different interventions can reduce the burden of the chronic low back pain. One example is the use of a 'Back School Programme'. This is a brief therapy that uses a health education method to empower participants through a procedure of assessment, education and skill development. This study aimed to evaluate to what extent the programme could improve quality of life in those who suffer from the condition.     

A randomized,double-blind placebo-controlled add-on trial to assess the efficacy,safety, and anti-atherogenic effect of spirulina platensis in patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus

The efficacy of spirulina platensis (S. platensis) as an add-on therapy to metformin and its effect on atherogenic keys in patients with uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) was evaluated. Sixty patients were randomly assigned to S. platensis (2 g/day) or placebo group for three months while continuing metformin as their usual treatment. The efficacy of S. platensis was determined using the pre- and post-intervention HbA1c levels (primary outcome) as well as tracking FBS and lipid profiles levels (TC, LDL-C, TG, and HDL-C) as secondary outcomes at the different treatment time points (0,30,60,90 days). During the three–month intervention period, supplementation with S. platensis resulted in a significant lowering of HbA1c (↓1.43, p < 0.001) and FBS (↓ 24.94 mg/dL, p < 001) levels. Mean TG in the intervention group was found to be significantly lower in the intervention group than in controls (p < 0.001). Total cholesterol (TC) and its fraction, LDL-C, exhibited a fall (↓41.36 mg/dL and ↓38.4 mg/dL, respectively; p < 0.001) coupled with a marginal increase in the level of HDL-C (↑3 mg/dL; p < 0.001). Add-on therapy with S. platensis was superior to metformin regarding long-term glucose regulation and controlling blood glucose levels of subjects with T2DM. Also, as a functional supplement, S. platensis has a beneficial effect on atherogenic keys (TG and HDL-C) with no adverse events.     

Pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia of the breast: A case report

Pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia (PASH) is a rare benign breast entity scarcely reported in the medical literature. Its pathogenesis, etiology, and optimal treatment are still unknown. PASH tumors have a broad spectrum of clinical presentations and might be mistaken for malignancies. The authors present six patients diagnosed with PASH.     

Molecular Detection of Plasmodium Infection among Anophelinae Mosquitoes and Differentiation of Biological Forms of Anopheles Stephensi Collected from Malarious Areas of Afghanistan and Iran

BackgroundUpdated information on the vectorial capacity of vectors is required in each malarious areas as well in Iran and its neighboring countries such as Afghanistan. The aims of this study were to investigate the potential infection of about 800 specimens collected from malarious areas of Afghanistan and Iran, and to differentiate biological forms of Anopheles stephensi.MethodTwo molecular markers, 18S RNA gene subunit and AsteObp1 intron I, were used respectively for investigation Plasmodium infection and identifying the biological forms of An. stephensi.ResultsPlasmodium infection was detected in 4 pools of Afghanistan specimens, including An. stephensi, collected from Nangarhar. Individually examination showed infection in 5 An. stephensi (infection rate: 1.25), to P. falciparum (2), P. vivax (2) and a mix infection. Out of five infected specimens, three were intermediate forms and two were mysorensis. No infection was found in specimens collected from Iran (Chabahar County), probably due to the active malaria control program in south-east of Iran.ConclusionThe key role of An. stephensi, as a known Asian malaria vector, was re-emphasized in Afghanistan by the results achieved here. The fauna of vectors and the pattern of biological forms of An. stephensi are similar in both countries that urge regional investigations to provide evidence-based and applied data for decision-maker in malaria control.     

Clusterin expression is significantly enhanced in prostate cancer cells following androgen withdrawal therapy

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Progression of prostate cancer to androgen independence (AI) results in part from the upregulation of anti-apoptotic genes following androgen withdrawal, and androgen-independent disease remains the primary obstacle to improved survival. Testosterone-repressed prostate message-2 (TRPM-2) encodes the anti-apoptotic protein clusterin, which is upregulated in response to cellular compromise as observed in normal and malignant tissues undergoing apoptosis. Systemic administration of antisense clusterin oligonucleotides in prostate cancer xenograft models delays progression to AI and enhances chemosensitivity. The objective of this study was to define changes in clusterin expression following neoadjuvant hormone therapy (NHT) in prostate cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Archival radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens were obtained for 128 patients who received either no NHT or treatment for 2-8 weeks, 3 months, or 8 months. Paired needle biopsy specimens were acquired for 30 patients and all tissues were subjected to clusterin immunohistochemistry. Western blot analysis was performed on frozen tissue from 5 untreated and 5 treated patients. RESULTS: Clusterin expression in malignant prostatic tissue was significantly greater in patients who underwent preoperative NHT (P < 0.001). Needle biopsies obtained prior to NHT consistently demonstrated lower staining intensity than corresponding RP specimens (P < 0.001). Western blot analysis confirmed clusterin levels increased 17-fold beginning within 4 weeks after androgen withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS: Upregulation of clusterin levels following androgen ablation therapy may represent an adaptive cell survival response following apoptotic signals like androgen withdrawal. These findings support clusterin as a valid therapeutic target in strategies employing novel multimodality therapy for advanced prostate cancer.     

Evolution of endoscopic management of ectopic ureterocele: a new approach

PURPOSE: We report the evolution of endoscopic treatment of ectopic ureteroceles from the unroofing technique to a novel approach using concomitant ureterocele double puncture and intraureterocele fulguration. We also compare the results of different endoscopic modalities at a single center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the records of 46 children with ectopic ureteroceles who were treated endoscopically between 1995 and 2005. The patients were divided into 2 main groups. Group 1 included 17 patients who underwent common endoscopic treatments, including ureterocele incision (4 patients), single ureterocele puncture (4), and single puncture with insertion of a Double-J stent (9). Group 2 included 29 children who underwent ureterocele double puncture and fulguration of the anterior and posterior walls of the collapsed ureterocele after insertion of a Double-J stent into both punctured sites. We also managed concomitant vesicoureteral reflux by endoscopic injection of tricalcium phosphate ceramic into the subureteral region. RESULTS: Total success rates in group 1 were 0%, 25% and 33% in patients who underwent ureterocele incision, single ureterocele puncture and single puncture with insertion of a stent, respectively. Total success rate in group 2 was 90% (p<0.05). New onset vesicoureteral reflux developed in 8 patients (47%) in group 1, of which 6 were in ureterocele moieties, and in 8 patients (28%) in group 2, with none in a ureterocele moiety (p<0.01). A total of 13 patients (76%) in group 1 required open surgical intervention, compared to 3 (10%) in group 2 (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This new endoscopic approach is highly effective in the treatment of children with ectopic ureteroceles.     

Bilateral tibial lengthening over the nail: our experience of 143 cases

Introduction

Using lengthening over an intramedullary nail as a technique for cosmetic purposes improves the individuals’ quality of life and provides more satisfactory results due to less external fixator period.

Methods

This study reports a case series of 143 individuals who underwent bilateral tibial lengthening over an intramedullary nail for cosmetic purposes together with the review of parameters related to the surgery and complications. Level of satisfaction was measured with the standard visual analog scale at least 1 year after removal of external fixator.

Results

In this study, mean (SD) age of patients was 26.6 (7.26) years. 85 (59.4 %) participants were male and 58 (40.6 %) were female. Mean end lengthening of all individuals was 6.65 cm. The mean external fixator period was 93.7 days. Complication rate was 0.74 per segment but it decreased to 0.45 when pin-tract infection was excluded. Complications were categorized based on Paley et al.’s classification as 129 problems, 85 obstacles and no sequelae. Interestingly, 44 (30.8 %) individuals had no problem and obstacle.

Conclusions

Lengthening over an intramedullary nail provides bone formation in equal quality to that obtained by the conventional Ilizarov method, along with lower rate of complications. The large number of individuals involved in our study is a remarkable benefit which could be used as an appropriate sample to compare results for outcomes and complications.     

Effect of renal transplantation on sperm quality and sex hormone levels

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of successful renal transplantation on semen variables, sexual function and sex hormone profiles in a clinical trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients on haemodialysis underwent renal transplantation; before and after surgery, their sperm density, motility and morphology were analysed, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin and testosterone levels measured and compared, and sexual function assessed using an abbreviated version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), with a successful outcome defined as a level of satisfaction of 4 or 5 on a 5-point scale. The paired t-test was used to assess the statistically significance of differences in all analyses. RESULTS: Sperm motility improved significantly (P < 0.001) but there were no significant changes in morphology or density (P = 0.33 and 0.068, respectively). Testosterone levels increased and FSH, LH and prolactin decreased significantly (P < 0.05) after renal transplantation. The IIEF showed that of the 30 patients, 14 were impotent before surgery and only six remained so afterward (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Although sperm morphology and density did not improve after renal transplantation, there were highly significant changes in sperm motility. Hormonal levels in patients on haemodialysis improved after transplantation and returned to nearly normal; sexual function was also significantly better. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.