Testicular amplificaion and impaired transmission of human butyrylcholinesterase cDNA in transgenic mice

Gene amplification occurs frequently in tumour tissues yet is,in general, non-inheritable. To study the molecular mechanismsconferring this restraint, we created transgenic mice carryinga human butyrylcholinesterase (BCHE) coding sequence, previouslyfound to be amplified in a father and son. Blot hybridizationof tail DNA samples revealed somatic transgene amplificationswith variable restriction patterns and intensities, suggestingthe occurrence of independent amplification events, in 31% (11/35)of mice from the FII generation but in only 3.5% (2/58) of theFII and FIV generations. In contrast, >10-fold amplificationsof the BCHE transgene and the endogenous acetylcholinesteraseand c-raf genes appeared in both testis and epididymis DNA from>80% of FIII mice. Drastic, selective reductions in testisBCHEmRNA but not in actin mRNA were detected by the PCR amplificationof testis cDNA from the transgenic mice, and apparently resultedin the limited transmission of amplified genes. The testicularamplification of the BCHE transgene may potentially representa general phenomenon with clinical implications in human infertility.     

Computed tomographic (CT) demonstration of calcification of the ligamenta flava of the lumbosacral spine associated with protrusion of the intervertebral disc

Axial computed tomographic (CT) scan of the lumbosacral region was performed in 220 patients. The patient population was divided into three groups. The control group included 40 elderly patients without calcification of the ligamenta flava. The second group included 150 patients with posterior protrusion of the intervertebral discs. The third group included 30 patients with spinal stenosis. More than 80% of the patients of the second and the third group had calcification of the ligamenta flava. The diagnostic and practical importance of these findings is discussed.     

Gonadotropin secretion from perifused tilapia pituitary in relation to gonadotropin-releasing hormone, extracellular calcium, and activation of protein kinase C

Gonadotropin (taGTH) secretion from perifused fragments of tilapia pituitaries was stimulated in a dose-dependent manner by an analog of gonadotropin-releasing hormone ([D-Ala6] des Gly10 ethylamide LHRH; GnRHa) in a dose range of 1.28 to 128 pM. The baseline secretion rate and taGTH secretion in response to GnRHa were both reduced when the perifusion medium lacked Ca2+. Calcium ionophore (A23187; 0.1 mM) mimicked the effect of GnRHa but only in the presence of Ca2+. The addition of cobalt chloride to the medium at 0.6 mM initially caused an increase in taGTH secretion which was followed by its decrease. At a CoCl2 concentration of 1.3 mM, the baseline secretion rate remained low and the effect of GnRHa on taGTH secretion was attenuated. Withdrawal of CoCl2 from the medium was followed by an elevated basal secretion rate. Five-minute pulses of the protein kinase C activator, 1 oleyl-2-acetyl-rac-glycerol (OAG; 0.25 to 10.4 mM) stimulated taGTH secretion in the presence of Ca2+. With the reservation that the experiments were performed on fragments containing more than one pituitary cell type, the results indicate that the stimulation of GTH secretion in this fish is dependent, as in mammals, on extracellular Ca2+ and probably involves the activation of protein kinase C. However, the fact that taGTH may be stimulated to some extent in the absence of extracellular calcium or in the presence of 1.3 mM Co2+ may point to the possibility that Ca2+ is mobilized from intracellular stores as a result of GnRH stimulation or to the involvement of an additional mechanism of GnRH action in fish independent of calcium.     

C-reactive protein levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: the impact of therapy

Summary C-reactive protein levels were measured in sera of 111 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and were compared with erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The patients were divided into six groups according to drug therapy. Comparison between the groups suggests that CRP correlates best with ESR in patients treated with penicillamine and in patients in clinical remission. Patients treated with gold, NSAID or methotrexate have a weaker correlation between the two parameters, while steroid therapy yields the poorest correlation which is not statistically significant. Our data suggest that although CRP is a sensitive index of disease activity, the specific drug taken by the patient must be considered before interpreting the results.     

Relationship of proximal fixation to postoperative renal dysfunction in patients with normal serum creatinine concentration

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to determine whether there is deterioration in renal function during follow-up in patients who have undergone endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), as recommended by the device manufacturers; to determine whether suprarenal fixation correlates with impairment of renal function; and to explore the potential implication of life-long surveillance of renal function with contrast-enhanced computed tomography. METHODS: One hundred forty-six consecutive patients underwent EVAR at our institution. Data from 113 of these patients who were free from preoperative renal insufficiency or postoperative renal disease were analyzed. Fifty-three patients received infrarenal (IR) fixation devices, and 60 patients received suprarenal (SR) fixation devices. All SR fixation devices were placed under investigational device exemption protocols. The average follow-up was 688 days. Sixty-five consecutive patients who had undergone open repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) served as the control group. RESULTS: Preoperative creatinine concentration, intraoperative blood loss, contrast volume, and number of contrast-enhanced procedures were not significantly different between the IR and SR groups. Two renal artery occlusions (1 SR, 1 IR; P=NS) were identified, and 8 renal infarcts (5 SR, 3 IR; P=NS). There was an increase in mean creatinine concentration in the open AAA, IR, and SR fixation groups at each time point in the analysis. Mean elevation in creatinine concentration at 12, 24, and 36 months was 0.10, 0.10, and 0.04 mg/dL, respectively, for open AAA repair; 0.20, 0.21, and 0.28 mg/dL for IR fixation; and 0.15, 0.21, and 0.12 mg/dL for SR fixation. At life table analysis, renal impairment at 36 months was seen in 36% +/- 9% of patients in the IR group, 25% +/- % of patients in the SR group, and 19% +/- 6% of patients in the open AAA group (P=.04 for IR fixation vs open AAA repair). CONCLUSIONS: A decrease in kidney function is seen after EVAR, regardless of fixation level, that is independent of renal disease and renal arterial occlusion. In patients with normal renal function the site of proximal fixation does not affect postoperative creatinine concentration. The decrease in renal function is likely related to the repetitive administration of contrast agent.     

A miniature and mobile intermittent pneumatic compression device for the prevention of deep-vein thrombosis after joint replacement

The WizAir-DVT is a miniature, lightweight (690 g), battery-operated and mobile intermittent pneumatic compression device (ICD), which enables continuous intraoperative use and immediate patient mobilization postoperatively. We compared its efficacy with a commonly used ICD, the Kendall SCD. Peak femoral vein flow velocity was measured in 20 apparently healthy volunteers at rest and with each device: we found no significant differences between them. A second prospective, randomized, clinical trial was used to compare the efficiency of the device in preventing deep venous thrombosis (DVT) after joint replacement in 50 patients (n=25/group). None developed DVT. Doppler ultrasonography revealed no significant differences. The WizAir-DVT antithrombotic compression device is as safe and effective as the Kendall SCD.     

Laparoscopic colectomy is associated with decreased postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction

Background  Major abdominal surgery is associated with early postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction, which may lead to abdominal distention and vomiting, requiring nasogastric (NGT) tube insertion. This study aimed to compare the rates of early postoperative NGT insertion after open and laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Methods  A retrospective chart review was performed for patients who underwent colorectal surgery with removal of the NGT at completion of surgery. Patients who required reinsertion of the NGT in the early postoperative course were identified. The reinsertion rate for patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery was compared with that for the open group. Results  There were 103 patients in the open group and 227 in the laparoscopic group. In the laparoscopic group, 42 patients underwent conversion to open surgery. Reinsertion of the NGT was required for 18.4% of the patients in the open group, compared with 8.6% of the patients for whom the procedure was completed laparoscopically (p = 0.02). Conversion to open surgery resulted in a reinsertion rate of 17%. Conclusion  Laparoscopic colorectal surgery is associated with decreased postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction, resulting in a significantly lower NGT reinsertion rate. Presented as a poster at the annual meeting of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, (SAGES), Dallas, Texas, 26–29 April 2006, and at the annual meeting of the European Society for Endoscopic Surgeons (EAES), Berlin, Germany, 13–16 September 2006.     

Paula method of circular muscle exercises for urinary stress incontinence—a clinical trial

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of the Paula method of circular muscle training in the management of stress incontinence (SI). The theory behind this method states that activity of distant sphincters affects other muscles. In a pilot study, 59 women, mainly hospital employees, were randomly assigned to participate in exercises according to the Paula method or pelvic floor training. Efficacy was measured by reports of incontinence, quality of life (I-QOL), pad test, and pelvic floor muscle strength (assessed by perineometer and digital examination). Both the Paula exercises and pelvic floor training produced significant changes in urinary leakage compared to baseline as measured by the pad test [mean decrease of 5.4 g (p=0.002) and 9.5 g (p=0.003), respectively]. Women randomized to the Paula method reported improvement in I-QOL scores. The Paula method was found to be efficacious for SI in a population of Israeli women. Larger community-based studies will be required to confirm these results and enable evaluation of between-group differences.