The cooperative prostate cancer tissue resource: a specimen and data resource for cancer researchers.

PURPOSE: The Cooperative Prostate Cancer Tissue Resource (CPCTR) is a National Cancer Institute-supported tissue bank that provides large numbers of clinically annotated prostate cancer specimens to investigators. This communication describes the CPCTR to investigators interested in obtaining prostate cancer tissue samples. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The CPCTR, through its four participating institutions, has collected specimens and clinical data for prostate cancer cases diagnosed from 1989 onward. These specimens include paraffin blocks and frozen tissue from radical prostatectomy specimens and paraffin blocks from prostate needle biopsies. Standardized histopathological characterization and clinical data extraction are performed for all cases. Information on histopathology, demography (including ethnicity), laboratory data (prostate-specific antigen values), and clinical outcome related to prostate cancer are entered into the CPCTR database for all cases. Materials in the CPCTR are available in multiple tissue formats, including tissue microarray sections, paraffin-embedded tissue sections, serum, and frozen tissue specimens. These are available for research purposes following an application process that is described on the CPCTR web site (www.prostatetissues.org). RESULTS: The CPCTR currently (as of October 2003) contains 5135 prostate cancer cases including 4723 radical prostatectomy cases. Frozen tissues, in some instances including patient serum samples, are available for 1226 cases. Biochemical recurrence data allow identification of cases with residual disease, cases with recurrence, and recurrence-free cases. CONCLUSIONS: The CPCTR offers large numbers of highly characterized prostate cancer tissue specimens, including tissue microarrays, with associated clinical data for biomarker studies. Interested investigators are encouraged to apply for use of this material (www.prostatetissues.org).     

Operational tolerance in intestinal transplantation

By presenting the first case report of true operational tolerance in an intestinal transplant patient, we aim to demonstrate that tolerance is possible in a field that has been hampered by suboptimal outcomes. Although operational tolerance has been achieved in liver and kidney transplantation, and some intestinal transplant patients have been able to decrease immunosuppression, this is the first instance of true operational tolerance after complete cessation of immunosuppression. A patient received a deceased-donor small intestinal and colon allograft with standard immunosuppressive treatment, achieving excellent graft function after overcoming a graft-versus-host-disease episode 5 months posttransplant. Four years later, against medical advice, the patient discontinued all immunosuppression. During follow-up visits 2 and 3 years after cessation of immunosuppression, the patient exhibited normal graft function with full enteral autonomy and without histological or endoscopic signs of rejection. Mechanistic analysis demonstrated immune competence against third party antigen, with in vitro evidence of donor-specific hyporesponsiveness in the absence of donor macrochimerism. This proof of principle case can stimulate future mechanistic studies on diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, for example, cellular therapy trials, that can lead to minimization or elimination of immunosuppression and, it is hoped, help revitalize the field of intestinal transplantation.     

Fazio-Londe syndrome in siblings from India with different phenotypes

Background

Fazio-Londe syndrome also called progressive bulbar palsy of childhood is a very rare motor neuron disease of pediatric age group characterized by progressive paralysis of lower cranial nerves.

Flexible and high energy density solid-state asymmetric supercapacitor based on polythiophene nanocomposites and charcoal

An asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) was constructed using a polythiophene/aluminium oxide (PTHA) nanocomposite as an anode electrode and charcoal as a cathode electrode. The highest specific capacitance (C_sp) of the PTHA electrode was found to be 554.03 F g⁻¹ at a current density (CD) of 1 A g⁻¹ and that of the charcoal electrode was 374.71 F g⁻¹ at 1.4 A g⁻¹, measured using a three electrode system. The maximum C_sp obtained for the assembled PTHA//charcoal asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) was 265.14 F g⁻¹ at 2 A g⁻¹. It also showed a high energy density of 42.0 W h kg⁻¹ at a power density of 735.86 W kg⁻¹ and capacitance retention of 94.61% even after 2000 cycles. Moreover, it is worth mentioning that the asymmetric device was used to illuminate a light emitting diode (LED) for more than 15 minutes. This PTHA//charcoal ASC also possesses stable electrochemical properties in different bending positions and hence finds a promising application in flexible, wearable and portable energy storage electronic devices.

A high energy density flexible solid-state asymmetric supercapacitor is fabricated using polythiophene nanocomposites and charcoal which exhibits stable electrochemical properties in different bending position.     

Contemporary review of severe aortic stenosis

Severe aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common form of valvular heart disease in the developed world, with a rising prevalence due to an ageing Australian population. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) offers a less invasive option for the treatment of severe AS, with evidence supporting TAVI compared with medical therapy in inoperable patients and superior with surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in high‐risk patients. Equal outcomes have been observed in all‐comer intermediate‐risk populations. The Heart Team utilises a shared decision‐making approach between physicians and surgeons in risk‐stratifying patients and reduces the intrinsic bias that may occur if decisions are made in isolation. Geriatric assessment is useful for identifying preoperative frailty, a major risk factor for death post‐aortic valve intervention. In severe AS, a decision can be made collaboratively to pursue TAVI, SAVR, a Ross Procedure or conservative management. The learning curve associated with TAVI has improved markedly, with overall complication rates decreasing around the world. Contemporary changes in practice, such as conscious sedation without general anaesthesia, expedited recovery and early discharge, will likely improve cost‐effectiveness. In 2018, TAVI is a well‐established procedure in Australia that has revolutionised the management of severe AS. In the future, with an expanding elderly population, the number of patients to benefit from transcatheter therapies for severe AS is hypothesised to increase 4–10‐fold. Heart Team assessment is crucial in patients with severe AS to direct appropriate management.     

Hepatoprotective effect of morin on ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Morin is a flavonoid that exists in nature and is the major component of traditional medicinal herbs. Here we evaluated morin for its hepatoprotective effect against chronic ethanol-induced biochemical changes in male Wistar rats. Ethanol administration (7.9 g/kg bwt) for 60 days induced hepatic and renal damage by increasing oxidative stress and decreasing antioxidant levels. The status of lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS) and hydroperoxides (HP)), antioxidant (vitamin C, vitamin E, GSH), serum hepatic markers (AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, bilirubin), and renal markers (urea, creatinine) were assessed as biochemical endpoints to determine the hepatic protective effect of morin. Oral administration of morin (100 mg/kg b.w) to alcohol-intoxicated rats for 30 days showed significant decreases in lipid peroxidation and restoration of antioxidant, hepatic, and renal markers to normal. Histopathologic observations of liver were also in correlation with biochemical parameters. The results indicate that morin might be beneficial in ameliorating alcohol-induced oxidative damage in rat liver.