Heat-induced apoptosis in human prostatic stromal cells

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether heat, used in transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) for benign prostatic hyperplasia and which causes necrotic lesions within the adenoma, induces apoptosis in benign human prostatic stromal cells. Materials and methods Prostatic stromal cells were cultured from benign human prostatic tissue. The origin of the cells was identified by immunohistochemical staining and transmission electron microscopy. Cell cultures were exposed to moderate hyperthermia (47 degrees C) for 1 h and any apoptosis detected by light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and the measurement of induced caspase-3-like activity. RESULTS: The cultures contained a mixed population of smooth muscle cells and myofibroblasts. Twenty-four hours after heat exposure, 76% of the cells were apoptotic and the caspase activity had increased, whereas only 14% of the cells were necrotic. CONCLUSION: Moderate hyperthermia induces apoptosis in cultured human prostatic stromal cells.     

Ultrastructural characteristics of “aging” of human prostate cells in monolayer cell culture

Summary Monolayer tissue culture cells from benign nodular hyperplasia of the prostate transferred at 1–2 weeks intervals were examined under the electron microscope after the 3rd, 9th, and 10th transfers. Changes seen after 9 to 10 transfers were interpreted as an aging process and consisted of the presence of lysosomes of various types and variations in the mitochondria profile. These changes were described in detail and illustrated and compared to the ultrastructural appearance of monolayer cell cultures in the early transfer stage.This work was supported in part by a grant from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and Veterans Administration Research Funds.     

Intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) for surgically resected brain metastases: outcome analysis of an international cooperative study

Journal of Neuro-Oncology - The ideal delivery of radiation to the surgical cavity of brain metastases (BMs) remains the subject of debate. Risks of local failure (LF) and radiation necrosis (RN)...     

Intraductal papilloma of the parotid gland]

BACKGROUND: This rare intraductal papilloma of the salivary glands is classified as an adenoma of the subgroup ductal papillomas. The nature of intraductal papillomas has not been fully researched. It is assumed that the intraductal papilloma arises from the excretory duct reserve cell population. Since the lesion was first described, 9 cases have been reported. CASE REPORT: An additional case of intraductal papillomas of the parotid gland is presented: a 62-year-old woman with a solid and well displaceable tumor of the left preauricular region. After a standard superficial parotidectomy was performed the histological examination revealed an intraductal papilloma. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: The case represents the first published case in German literature. This study presents a review of the literature and a discussion of the histopathologic characteristics and possible histogenesis of the intraductal papilloma. Regular follow-up has not revealed any recurrence of the disease 15 months after resection. The treatment of choice is local excision or removal.     

Detection of prostate-specific antigen immunoreactivity in amniotic fluid.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is present in amniotic fluid, whether the amniotic fluid PSA concentration changes with gestational age, and whether there is an association between amniotic fluid PSA and fetal sex. METHODS: The PSA concentration was measured in the amniotic fluid of 48 pregnant women. Thirty-four samples were obtained during routine amniotic fluid analyses performed during gestational weeks 16-18, whereas 14 samples were obtained during cesarean section performed after gestational week 36. RESULTS: PSA was detected in all amniotic fluid samples. The median amniotic fluid PSA was 0.193 ng/ml during gestational weeks 16-18 and 0.39 ng/ml after gestational week 36 (p = 0.1). Furthermore, no significant association was seen between amniotic fluid PSA and fetal sex. The median amniotic fluid PSA level was 0.233 ng/ml for the 21 boys and 0.222 ng/ml for the 27 girls investigated (p = 0.72). CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm recent literature reports that PSA may serve as a growth regulator during normal fetal development. However, further studies are necessary to elucidate the exact role of PSA during fetal development.     

Preclinical Alzheimer’s dementia: a useful concept or another dead end?

The term, preclinical dementia, was introduced in 2011 when new guidelines for the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s dementia (AD) were published. In the intervening 11 years, many studies have appeared in the literature focusing on this early stage. A search conducted in English on Google Scholar on 06.23.2022 using the term “preclinical (Alzheimer’s) dementia” produced 121, 000 results. However, the label is arguably more relevant for research purposes, and it is possible that the knowledge gained may lead to a cure for AD. The term has not been widely adopted by clinical practitioners. Furthermore, it is still not possible to predict who, after a diagnosis of preclinical dementia, will go on to develop AD, and if so, what the risk factors (modifiable and non-modifiable) might be. This Review/Theoretical article will focus on preclinical Alzheimer’s dementia (hereafter called preclinical AD). We outline how preclinical AD is currently defined, explain how it is diagnosed and explore why this is problematic at a number of different levels. We also ask the question: Is the concept ‘preclinical AD’ useful in clinical practice or is it just another dead end in the Holy Grail to find a treatment for AD? Specific recommendations for research and clinical practice are provided.     

Behandlungsoptimierung fortgeschrittener testikulärer Keimzelltumoren

Testicular germ cell cancer represents the most frequent solid neoplasm in young men aged 20–40 years. Depending on the prognosis according to the IGCCCG classification, the treatment of choice for advanced germ cell tumors consists in three to four cycles of bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (BEP) in accordance with the current European Consensus Guidelines. Although residual tumor resection (RTR) adheres to guidelines as the treatment for residual metastatic lesions, numerous questions remain unresolved, which we intend to systematically answer within the scope of our research group by conducting prospective/retrospective and clinical/molecular investigations in cooperation with national and international project groups.     

Parapharyngeal neuroglial heterotopia extending through the skull base in a neonate with airway obstruction

We present a neonate with heterotopic nasopharyngeal brain tissue causing airway obstruction. Preoperative imaging showed extension of the mass along major neurovascular pathways into the cranial vault. Preoperative identification of intracranial extension is essential for planning surgery to prevent postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leaks or possible meningitis.