Primary renal malignant fibrous histiocytoma: a case report and literature review

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma has been reported as a primary renal tumor in 7 cases, of which 4 had relevant clinical histories and followup. We report an additional case noting, as others have, the similarity in clinical presentation with renal cell carcinoma. Despite a radical operation this tumor often manifests local recurrence with subsequent distant metastases.     

Antitransforming growth factor-beta antibody 1D11 ameliorates normal tissue damage caused by high-dose radiation

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine whether a neutralizing transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta) antibody can prevent radiation (RT) induced lung injury. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Fractionated and sham right lung irradiation in Fischer 344 rats was delivered to assess the radioprotective effect of the antibodies. Animals were divided into the following groups: (1) control (sham RT, control antibody 13C4); (2) RT (800cGy x 5)+13C4); (3) RT + 0.1 mg/kg 1D11 anti-TGFbeta antibody; and (4) RT + 1 mg/kg 1D11 antibody. Antibodies were intraperitoneally administered immediately after the last fraction of RT. Animals were sacrificed at 6 and 26 weeks after irradiation. Lungs were assessed for histologic changes, activation of macrophages, expression/activation of TGFbeta and its signal transduction pathway. RESULTS: At 6 weeks post-RT, there was a significant reduction in macrophage accumulation (p = 0.041), alveolar wall thickness (p = 0.0003), and TGF-beta activation (p = 0.032) in animals receiving 1.0 mg/kg 1D11 vs. in the control group. However, at 6 weeks, the low dose of 1D11 antibody (0.1 mg/kg) failed to produce any significant changes. At 6 months post-RT, radioprotection is apparent for the group receiving 1.0 mg/kg 1D11, with activated macrophages (p = 0.037), alveolar wall thickness (p = 0.0002), TGFbeta activation (p = 0.002) and its signal transduction proteins (p < 0.05) compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of a single dose of 1.0 mg/kg of the anti-TGFbeta antibody 1D11 resulted in decreased morphologic changes, inflammatory response, and reduced expression and activation of TGFbeta 6 weeks and 6 months after 40 Gy to the right hemithorax. Targeting the TGFbeta pathway may be a useful strategy to prevent radiation-induced lung injury.     

Dose effect of soy supplementation in prostate cancer: a pilot study

We performed a pilot study to determine the dose effect of soy supplement on serum hormonal levels, estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) and androgen receptor (AR) expression in patients scheduled to undergo prostatectomy. Cohorts of 3-4 eligible patients received escalating doses of a commercial soy supplement, Flav-ein, from the time of study enrollment until prostatectomy. Serum levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA), testosterone, and estrogen were measured at study enrollment and prior to prostatectomy. AR and ERalpha expression was evaluated in the pretreatment biopsy specimen and post-treatment prostatectomy specimen using immunohistochemical analysis. A total of 13 patients were enrolled in this pilot study and 11 patients were assessable for response. With soy supplementation, serum testosterone levels decreased in 9 of 11 patients and estrogen levels decreased in 8 of 10 patients in a dose-dependent manner. There was a variable effect on ERalpha expression with downregulation of receptor expression seen at the highest dose level. There was no effect on AR expression. In conclusion, supplementation with this commercial soy product produced a consistent decrease in serum sex hormone levels. Additional studies are needed to evaluate a potential dose effect on ERalpha expression.     

Functional electrical therapy: retraining grasping in spinal cord injury

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical efficacy of functional electrical therapy in the rehabilitation of grasping function for quadriplegics. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized intervention-versus-control trial. SETTING: Rehabilitation hospital for spinal cord injury in Toronto, Canada. METHODS: A total of 21 people with new spinal cord injuries ranging from C3 to C7 were randomly assigned to two groups: Control (N=9) and Intervention (N=12). The intervention was functional electrical therapy, which consisted of repetitive grasping exercises using a neuroprosthesis that applied surface electrical stimulation to the arm to generate and/or assist grasping movements. It was applied by registered Occupational Therapists in a clinical setting. Main outcome measures were: Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM), and the Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory Hand Function Test. Consumer perceptions of functional electrical therapy were assessed via qualitative interviews. RESULTS: Differences between the Control and Intervention groups could be observed although they are not significant due to an insufficient number of participants. Consumer perceptions were positive, including improved Activities of Daily Living and self-satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Functional electrical therapy has the potential to be an effective treatment modality to restore grasping function in quadriplegia. It can be implemented by occupational therapists in a clinical setting. Further research is required to establish suitable indications for participant selection. In addition, a larger number of participants is needed to demonstrate statistical significance of the Functional Electrical Therapy.