Comparison of pp65 antigenemia, quantitative PCR and DNA hybrid capture for detection of cytomegalovirus in transplant recipients and AIDS patients

The cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigenemia assay has been used frequently for rapid diagnosis of CMV infection, and antigenemia threshold values are recommended for triggering preemptive therapy. Hybrid capture of CMV's DNA and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) are increasingly being adopted for early detection of CMV. The performance of the antigenemia assay, qPCR in plasma and hybrid capture in leukocytes were compared in 110 immunocompromised patients (38 bone-marrow transplants, 50 renal transplants and 22 AIDS patients). The most sensitive test was hybrid capture for transplants, while antigenemia and the qPCR showed similar performance for patients with AIDS. QPCR and hybrid capture thresholds requiring antiviral therapy were calculated using a receiver-operating-characteristic curve for antigenemia values corresponding to 2 positive cells for bone-marrow transplants and to 10 positive cells for renal transplants and AIDS patients. These threshold values varied with the group of patients considered, with corresponding sensitivities higher than 86% and specificities higher than 76% for hybrid capture, and sensitivities higher than 61% and specificities higher than 75% for qPCR in plasma. Hybrid capture in leukocytes can substitute for antigenemia in the case of transplants, and qPCR in plasma can substitute for it in the case of AIDS patients.     

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) as bridge therapy restoring eligibility for liver transplantation in cirrhotic patients

Severe aortic stenosis is a widespread valve disease, constituting a contraindication to organ transplantation due to cardiovascular morbidity and projected mortality. Mortality after conventional surgical aortic valve replacement in cirrhotic patients depends upon the Child–Pugh class. In the past few years, transcatheter aortic valve replacement has progressively become the treatment of choice for high‐risk patients with severe aortic stenosis. Here, we report the cases of 3 cirrhotic patients who became eligible for liver transplantation after successful transcatheter aortic valve replacement as bridge therapy.     

Analysis of electrocautery smoke released from the tissues frequently cut in orthopedic surgeries

BACKGROUND Electrosurgical smoke could be different by the device of cutting or the type of tissue that is being cut.AIM To analyze the electrocautery smoke released from the tissues that are frequently cut in orthopedic surgeries.METHODS The released smoke from electrocautery of five different tissue types(meniscus,ligament,adipose,muscle,and synovium) of five patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty were collected and analyzed for volatile organic compounds(VOCs) and 27 candidate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(n = 25).Surgical smoke was produced with an electrocautery device for 4 min.RESULTS None of the 27 evaluated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons compounds were detectable in electrocautery smoke collected from the surgical cutting of the different tissues.The number and identity of detected VOCs were similar between the patients but not between tissue types.The number of detected VOCs was the highest in synovial tissue(n = 21) and the lowest in the meniscus and adipose tissue(n = 12).The number of toxic and/or carcinogenic VOCs were the most in the muscle and meniscus tissues(Toluene,Ethylbenzene,and Styrene).No toxic and/or carcinogenic VOCs were identified in the ligament and adipose tissue.CONCLUSION Meniscus and muscle tissue are associated with the highest number of toxic and/or carcinogenic VOCs.Therefore,we recommend that surgeons avoiding the electrocautery of these tissues.     

Bladder cancer: total antioxidant capacity and pharmacotherapy with vitamin-E

International Urology and Nephrology - Free radicals play an important role in the different complex course of carcinogenesis. Higher concentrations of reactive oxygen species are highly associated...     

Specific MUC1 Splice Variants Are Correlated With Tumor Progression in Esophageal Cancer

Background

Mucin 1 (MUC1) is a complex glycoprotein expressed on the apical surface of normal glandular epithelial cells. It plays a role in a number of biologic processes, and its overexpression is associated with various malignancies. A growing body of literature suggests that MUC1 is a potential diagnostic and therapeutic marker. Increasing numbers of variants are being identified for the MUC1 gene, but their role in carcinogenesis is unclear. Alternative splicing and a specific region on a variable number of tandem repeats are characteristic features of MUC1. However, the underlying mechanisms, overall prevalence, and the function of various MUC1 isoforms are not well characterized.

Methods

In the present study, mRNA expression of nine variants of the MUC1 gene (A–D, X–Z, REP, SEC) was evaluated in normal and tumor tissues obtained from 50 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Associations between expression of various isoforms of MUC1 and important clinicopathologic factors were studied.

Results

Specific MUC1 splice variants (i.e., MUC1/C, D, and Z) are correlated with tumor progression in ESCC, whereas MUC1/B—previously suggested as a “normal” variant in some other cancers—has protective effects and is associated with more favorable tumor behavior and better prognosis.

Conclusions

Specific isoforms of ESCC are associated with prognosis. Further characterization of different isoforms of MUC1 and their biologic effects is needed to explore their diagnostic and prognostic potential in clinical practice.     

Assessment methods for angiogenesis and current approaches for its quantification

Angiogenesis is a physiological process which describes the development of new blood vessels from the existing vessels. It is a common and the most important process in the formation and development of blood vessels, so it is supportive in the healing of wounds and granulation of tissues. The different assays for the evaluation of angiogenesis have been described with distinct advantages and some limitations. In order to develop angiogenic and antiangiogenic techniques, continuous efforts have been resulted to give animal models for more quantitative analysis of angiogenesis. Most of the studies on angiogenic inducers and inhibitors rely on various models, both in vitro, in vivo and in ova, as indicators of efficacy. The angiogenesis assays are very much helpful to test efficacy of both pro- and anti- angiogenic agents. The development of non-invasive procedures for quantification of angiogenesis will facilitate this process significantly. The main objective of this review article is to focus on the novel and existing methods of angiogenesis and their quantification techniques. These findings will be helpful to establish the most convenient methods for the detection, quantification of angiogenesis and to develop a novel, well tolerated and cost effective anti-angiogenic treatment in the near future.KEY WORDS: Angiogenesis, angiogenesis assays, quantification techniques     

Molecular Evolution of Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus

Despite safe and efficacious vaccines against peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV), this virus has emerged as the cause of a highly contagious disease with serious economic consequences for small ruminant agriculture across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. We used complete and partial genome sequences of all 4 lineages of the virus to investigate evolutionary and epidemiologic dynamics of PPRV. A Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of all PPRV lineages mapped the time to most recent common ancestor and initial divergence of PPRV to a lineage III isolate at the beginning of 20th century. A phylogeographic approach estimated the probability for root location of an ancestral PPRV and individual lineages as being Nigeria for PPRV, Senegal for lineage I, Nigeria/Ghana for lineage II, Sudan for lineage III, and India for lineage IV. Substitution rates are critical parameters for understanding virus evolution because restrictions in genetic variation can lead to lower adaptability and pathogenicity.