Detection of human herpesvirus-8 DNA in oral ulcer tissues of HIV-infected individuals

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of detection of human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) in HIV-related oral ulcers. DESIGN: Analysis of archived biopsy material. METHODS: Nested polymerase chain reaction of DNA extracts. RESULTS: HHV-8 DNA was detected in six of 10 oral ulcers of HIV-positive patients without oral Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) lesions and five of 11 oral KS lesions. The positive non-KS samples were derived from various oral sites. CONCLUSIONS: In HIV-positive people, HHV-8 can infect oral tissues that are not affected by KS.     

Anti-leukotrienes in Childhood Asthma

Bronchial asthma is an inflammatory condition. The inflammatory actions of leukotrienes (LT) B4, C4, D4, and E4 have been shown experimentally to play a role in inflammatory mechanisms, producing asthma. Antileukotrienes (ALT) or leukotrienes antagonists (LA) is a new class of anti-asthma drugs with anti-inflammatory role. LT modifiers from the groups of 5 lipoxygenase inhibitor and Cys LT1 receptor antagonists, are found useful in asthma therapy. LAs are of main use in young infants and toddler with recurrent wheezing, children with moderate to severe chronic asthma on steroid therapy and in allergic rhinitis. In chronic asthma they are required to be used for prolonged periods with other anti-asthma agents. Except for Montelukast and Zafirlukast, which can be used in children above two and six years of age respectively, the paediatric use of other agents is yet to be established. However, these agents are essentially safe. The cost of LAs is reasonably high. At present, with available evidence, these drugs are considered promising in management of asthma in children. However, there is need to do more long term clinical trials for ascertaining their effectivity in different types of asthma to compare their effects with long acting B2 agnoists and chromones, so as to optimally explore their utility.Key Words: Antileukotrienes, Asthma, Children, LeukotrienesAsthma is an inflammatory disease. The effective therapeutic intervention is based on use of anti-inflammatory drugs. At present, steroids are being used in aerosol/oral and parenteral forms. Corticosteroid therapy has inherent difficulties of administration and side effects. Therefore, newer group of drugs called ALT, LA or leukotrienes modifiers are being explored. The ALT represent a new class of mediator specific, anti-inflammatory anti-asthma drugs. Consequent to the studies showing their effectiveness in paediatric age group, ALT are soon going to establish their place in childhood asthma management [1, 2].     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">ABI3</Emphasis> ectopic expression reduces <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vivo</Emphasis>cell growth properties while inducing senescence

Background  

Mounting evidence has indicated that ABI3 (ABI family member 3) function as a tumor suppressor gene, although the molecular mechanism by which ABI3 acts remains largely unknown.     

Comparison of guideline recommendations with daily practice in patients with renal cell carcinoma

Objectives and Aims

To compare guideline recommendations with daily practice patterns in a German patient cohort with renal cell carcinoma.

Patients and methods

81 patients with T1 oder T2 renal cell carcinoma (RCC) were included in this prospective single-center study. All patients were operated in a single institution either by open radical nephrectomy (ORN) or nephron sparing surgery (NSS). Patients and doctors were evaluated using a written questionnaire with a follow-up of 12 months. Follow-up intervals, follow-up modalities (e. g. imaging modalities, laboratory controls of blood and urine) and the call on psycho-oncological support were evaluated.

Results

The majority of patients (72%) were followed up by their urologists. Follow-up examinations included abdominal ultrasound, urine and blood diagnostics, conventional chest x-rays, computed tomography (CT) of abdomen, chest or head or abdominal Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). There were no significant differences between patients operated by ORN or NSS. In total, 12.5% of patients were asking for psycho-oncological support.

Conclusions

In general, patients were followed up according to existing guideline recommendations. Only a small proportion of patients asked for psycho-oncological treatment.