A dual moveable stimulating electrode and its application to the behavioral version of the collision test

The construction and testing of a dual moveable electrode for chronic stimulation in small mammals are described. The assembly is lightweight (0.9 g), its components are completely re-usable, and the two electrodes may be independently advanced in steps as small as 80 μm over a maximum vertical excursion of 6 mm. The unit performed as well as fixed electrodes do in daily behavioral tests conducted over a 3 month period. Ipsiversive rotation was elicited by stimulation of 15 pontine-mesencephalic sites in a single rat. Behavioral evidence for the collision of heterodromic action potentials in circling-relevant fibers was obtained in 4 position sets.     

A chronic,moveable nonrotating electrode for brain stimulation in the rat

An easy to construct, moveable nonrotating electrode of small dimensions is described. Its reliability and usefulness are demonstrated in circling behavior in mesencephalic areas of the rat.     

Induction of prostate specific antigen production by steroids and tamoxifen in breast cancer cell lines

Summary We demonstrate that the steroid hormone receptor-positive breast carcinoma cell lines T-47D and MCF-7 can be induced by androgens, progestins, mineralocorticosteroids, glucocorticosteroids, and antiestrogens, to produce prostate specific antigen (PSA). Estrogens failed to induce such stimulation in both cell lines and, in addition, were able to block the induction by androgens in the cell line T-47D. These data support and extend our previous report on PSA production by breast tumors and describe anin vitro system which can be used to study the phenomenon for possible application in prognosis and design of new therapy.     

First trimester nuchal translucency: effective routine screening for Down's syndrome

The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of 10-14 week nuchal translucency measurement in routine ultrasound screening for Down's syndrome. 11,398 women were scanned at 10-14 weeks of pregnancy for nuchal translucency measurements. The mean maternal age of the screened population was not significantly different from that of the booking population. A 5% screen positive rate was achieved by using a nuchal translucency-derived risk of > or = 1:200. Screening using this nuchal translucency risk would enable the first trimester detection of 16 out of 21 (76%) fetuses with Down's syndrome and 40 out of 49 (81%) aneuploid fetuses. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that first trimester nuchal translucency measurement is an effective method of screening for fetal chromosomal abnormality.     

Human kallikrein 11: a new biomarker of prostate and ovarian carcinoma.

Human kallikrein 11 (hK11) is a putative serine protease of the human kallikrein gene family. Currently, no methods are available for measuring hK11 in biological fluids and tissues. Our aim was to develop immunological reagents and assays for measuring hK11 and examine if the concentration of this kallikrein is altered in disease states. We produced recombinant hK11 protein in a baculovirus system and used it to develop monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies against hK11. We then developed an immunofluorometric procedure for measuring hK11 in biological fluids and tissue extracts with high sensitivity and specificity. We further quantified hK11 in various biological fluids and in serum of patients with various cancers. The hK11 immunofluorometric assay is highly sensitive (detection limit, 0.1 microg/l) and specific (no detectable cross-reactivity for other homologous kallikreins). We established the tissue expression pattern of hK11 at the protein level and found the highest levels in the prostate, followed by stomach, trachea, skin, and colon. We have immunohistochemically localized hK11 in epithelial cells of various organs. We further detected hK11 in amniotic fluid, milk of lactating women, cerebrospinal fluid, follicular fluid, and breast cancer cytosols. However, highest levels were seen in prostatic tissue extracts and seminal plasma. hK11 in seminal plasma and prostatic extracts is present at approximately 300-fold lower levels than prostate-specific antigen and at approximately the same levels as hK2. hK11 expression in breast cancer cell lines is up-regulated by estradiol. Elevated serum levels of hK11 were found in 70% of women with ovarian cancer and in 60% of men with prostate cancer. This is the first reported immunological assay for hK11. Analysis of this biomarker in serum may aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of ovarian and prostatic carcinoma.     

Medical personnel and patient dosimetry during coronary angiography and intervention

Percutaneous coronary interventions are associated with increased radiation exposure compared to most radiological examinations. This prospective study aimed at (1) measuring entrance doses for all in-room personnel, (2) performing an assessment of patient effective dose and intracoronary doses, (3) investigating the contribution of each projection to kerma-area product (KAP) and irradiation time, (4) comparing results with established DRL values in this clinical setting and (5) estimating the risk for fatal cancer to patients and operators. Measurements were performed during 40 consecutive procedures of coronary angiography (CA), half of which were followed by ad hoc coronary angioplasty (PTCA). KAP measurements were used for patients and thermoluminescent dosimetry for the in-room personnel. The mean KAP value per procedure for CA was 29 +/- 9 Gy cm2. Thirty four per cent of KAP was due to fluoroscopy, whereas the remainder (66%) was due to digital cine. Accordingly, the mean KAP value per PTCA procedure was 75 +/- 30 Gy cm2, and contribution of fluoroscopy is 57%. Effective dose per year was estimated to be 0.04-0.05 mSv y(-1) for the primary operator, and 0.03-0.04 mSv y(-1) for those assisting. Corresponding measurements for radiographer and nurse were below detectable level, implying minimal radiation hazards for them. Regarding radiation exposure, coronary intervention is considered a quite safe procedure for both patients and personnel in laboratories with modern equipment and experienced operators as long as standard safety precautions are considered. Exposure optimization though should be constantly sought through continuous review of procedures.