Immunohistochemical analysis of NF‐κB signaling proteins IKKε, p50/p105, p52/p100 and RelA in prostate cancers

Seo SI, Song SY, Kang MR, Kim MS, Oh JE, Kim YR, Lee JY, Yoo NJ, Lee SH. Immunohistochemical analysis of NF‐κB signaling proteins IKKε, p50/p105, p52/p100 and RelA in prostate cancers. APMIS 2009; 117:623–8. Activation of nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) signaling is considered an important mechanism in the development of prostate cancers. A recent study revealed that IκB kinase epsilon (IKKε), an activator of NF‐κB, was overexpressed in breast cancers and acted as an oncogene. Expression of NF‐κB members has been reported in prostate cancer tissues, but expression of IKKε has not yet been studied in prostate cancers. In this study, we attempted to explore as to whether expressions of IKKε and NF‐κB members p50/105, p52/p100 and RelA are altered in prostate cancers. We analyzed the expression of IKKε, p50/105, p52/p100 and RelA in 107 prostate adenocarcinoma tissues by immunohistochemistry using a tissue microarray (TMA) method. In the TMA, IKKε is expressed in basal cells, but not in alveolar cells in normal prostate glands. IKKε is expressed in 60.0% of prostate intraepithelial neoplasm (PIN) and 70.1% of the prostate cancers in the cytoplasm. Nuclear immunostainings of NF‐κB members p50/105, p52/p100 and RelA, which are considered activation of NF‐κB signaling, were observed respectively in 28.0%, 18.7% and 37.4% of the cancers. Nuclear staining was detected neither in normal alveolar cells nor in PIN. However, none of the expression of p50/105 nor p52/p100 nor RelA nor IKKε was associated with pathologic characteristics, including size of the cancers, age, Gleason score and stage. The increased cytoplasmic expression of IKKε as well as the increased nuclear expressions of p50/105, p52/p100 and RelA in the prostate cancers compared to normal alveolar cells suggested that overexpression of these proteins may be related to activation of the NF‐κB pathway and might play a role in tumorigenesis of prostate cancers.     

The Secretion of Adrenaline and Noradrenaline in 20° C and 3° C Acclimated Rats Injured by Limb Ischemia

The effects of hind-limb ischemia on the concentrations of adrenaline and noradrenaline in the adrenals, heart and spleen, on the excretion of these compounds and their 3-0-methylated metabolites in the urine and on the uptake of (°)-noradrenaline-7-³H by the adrenals, kidneys. spleen and heart have been studied in 20° C and 3° C acclimated rats at an environmental temperature of 20° C. The adrenals of uninjured 3° C acclimated rats contained more adrenaline and noradrenaline than those from 20° C acclimated rats. In a 20° C environment both types of rat excreted the same amounts of these compounds. Hind-limb ischemia increased the rate of secretion of adrenaline and noradrenaline since the adrenal contents of these compounds were reduced, their excretion and that of two of their metabolites was increased and tissue uptake was not reduced. The response was the same in 20° C and 3° C acclimated rats after a 4 hr period of bilateral hind-limb ischemia. According to the assay methods used adrenaline secretion preceded that of noradrenaline and the secretion of both continued for up to 26 hrs after the injury. The possible factors in the injury leading to the increase in catecholamine secretion are discussed and also the relation between these changes and some of the biochemical sequelae of limb ischemia.     

The unified huntington's disease rating scale for advanced patients: Validation and follow‐up study

The Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) adequately measures decline in patients at early and moderate stages of Huntington's disease (HD). In patients with advanced HD, floor effects hamper the evaluation, thus calling for an adjusted scale. We designed the UHDRS‐For Advanced Patients (UHDRS‐FAP) to improve longitudinal assessment of patients at the advanced disease stage. Sixty‐nine patients with a Total Functional Capacity score ≤ 5 were recruited in France and the Netherlands. Among them, 45 patients were followed longitudinally (mean ± standard deviation, 1.6 ± 1.2 years) with the UHDRS‐FAP; 30 patients also were assessed with the UHDRS. In cross‐sectional analyses, the psychometric properties and inter‐rater reliability of the scale were evaluated. Longitudinal analyses were used to evaluate the sensitivity to decline of the UHDRS‐FAP compared with the UHDRS. Internal consistency was higher for motor (0.84) and cognitive (0.91) scores than for somatic (0.70) and behavioral (0.49) scores. Inter‐rater reliability was ≥ 0.88 for all scores. The somatic score, which was specific to the UHDRS‐FAP, declined over time along with motor and cognitive performance on both scales. Although performance with the two scales was correlated, the UHDRS‐FAP appeared to be more sensitive to change and was the only scale that detected decline in patients with a Total Functional Capacity score ≤ 1. Neither scale detected a significant decline in behavioral scores. The results indicate that the UHDRS‐FAP is reliable and more sensitive to change than the original UHDRS for cognitive and motor domains. It offers items that are relevant for daily care. Behavioral scores tended to decline, but this may reflect the decline in patients' communicative abilities. © 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society     

Campylobacter ileocolitis mimicking acute appendicitis: differentiation with graded-compression US

In nine patients with clinical symptoms of acute appendicitis, graded-compression ultrasound (US) did not depict the appendix but instead demonstrated mural thickening of the terminal ileum and part of the colon, as well as moderately enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes. In one patient a normal appendix was removed; eight patients recovered without treatment. Infection with Campylobacter jejuni was proved in all nine patients. In four patients, an unnecessary appendectomy was avoided because of the US findings. Graded-compression US enables differentiation between acute appendicitis and Campylobacter ileocolitis, a vital differentiation, since surgery is almost certainly not indicated for the latter.     

Crohn’s disease of the colon and rectum

Summary A report has been given of patients with a clinical picture of inflammatory lesions of the colon and rectum resembling that of Crohn’s disease of the terminal portion of the ileum. Patients who suffered with disease of the small intestine are excluded. The patients included are divided into three groups, depending on the distribution of pathologic changes in the bowel; namely,Group 1. Changes in the entire colon and rectum (five cases).Group 2. Changes predominantly involving the rectum (nine cases).Group 3. Localized stricture situated proximally in the colon (three cases). The clinical picture and pathologic changes are described. Treatment is discussed and results of treatment of patients observed more than 5 years are presented.     

Mortality and cancer incidence among PVC-processing workers in Sweden

The mortality pattern and the cancer incidence were investigated among 717 men who had been employed for at least 3 months during 1964–1974 in three Swedish PVC-processing plants. The mortality was followed 1964–1986 and the cancer incidence 1964–1984. Expected figures were calculated from Swedish national rates. Among Swedish citizens, the observed mortality and cancer incidence was close to the expected in most diagnoses. Among immigrants, mostly from Finland, there was a marked excess of circulatory deaths. This finding was probably due to the higher incidence of coronary mortality in Finland compared to Sweden. In the whole cohort, five cases of malignant melanoma had occurred as compared to 1.5 expected (SMR = 3.4, 95% confidence limit 1.1–7.9). This may be due to chance but merits further investigation since an increased incidence of malignant melanoma has previously been found among Norwegian PVC-manufacturing workers. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Efficacy of various spray disinfectants on irreversible hydrocolloid impressions.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of eight disinfectant sprays on irreversible hydrocolloid impressions contaminated with three microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Mycobacterium phlei, or Bacillus subtilis) or mixed oral flora. Alcide LD, OMC II, Biocide, and Professional Lysol Spray were relatively ineffective under the test conditions. Sporicidin and 0.525% sodium hypochlorite were able to effect a 4-log10 (99.99%) reduction against S aureus only. A 4-log10 reduction in bacterial counts was achieved by 5.25% sodium hypochlorite and Impresept in all tests except against B subtilis. Full-strength sodium hypochlorite (5.25%) was the most effective disinfectant overall and required the shortest contact time.