Tissue transglutaminase interacts with protein kinase A anchor protein 13 in prostate cancer

We have previously described that tissue transglutaminase (tTG) is a high level phenotypic biomarker in prostate cancer, which is down regulated in prostate cancer and surrounding premalignant field compared to benign prostate glands. To understand the function of tTG in prostate cancer, we sought to identify proteins that interact with the transglutaminase moiety of tTG using a human prostate cancer complementary deoxyribonucleic acid library in a Yeast 2-Hybrid system. The Yeast 2-Hybrid experiments identified a strong and novel interaction between the transglutaminase moiety and protein kinase A anchor protein 13 (AKAP13), which was quantified by β-galactosidase assay, confirmed in vitro by immunoprecipitation experiments using PC3 prostate cancer cell lysates, and in vivo colocalization was confirmed by immunofluorescence studies in PC3 cells. Because AKAP plays a major role in protein kinase A and Rho protein mediated signaling, functional studies are underway to elucidate the significance of tTG-AKAP13 interaction in prostate cancer.     

Robotic transperitoneal detrusor myotomy: description of a novel technique

The da Vinci Surgical Robotic System has recently been added to the armamentarium of minimally invasive surgeon and has been shown to be useful to urologists in performing complex operations. We report the first case of detrusor myotomy performed using the da Vinci, describe the novel technique, and review the indications and published outcomes of detrusor myotomy to identify potential applications of this novel technique in patients with neurogenic bladder.     

Resolution of Plastic Bronchitis with Atrial Pacing in a Patient with Fontan Physiology

We describe a 5-year-old boy with Fontan physiology and a ventricular pacemaker who developed severe plastic bronchitis. Evaluation by cardiac catheterization revealed profoundly altered hemodynamics, which improved with atrial pacing. Following implantation of an atrial pacemaker, which restored atrioventricular (A-V) synchrony, the patients hemodynamics greatly improved and his plastic bronchitis resolved.     

Repair of left coronary artery aneurysm, recurrent ascending aortic aneurysm, and mitral valve prolapse 19 years after Bentall's procedure in a patient with Marfan syndrome

A 45-year-old female with Marfan syndrome had a Bentall's procedure performed 19 years ago. She presented with a 4-year history of gradually worsening dyspnea and decreasing exercise tolerance. Investigations revealed severe mitral valve prolapse, a left main stem coronary artery (LMSCA) aneurysm, and a recurrent aneurysm of the ascending aorta. The mitral valve was replaced and the aortic aneurysmal sac and the LMSCA aneurysm were then repaired by a modified Bentall procedure. The patient made an uneventful recovery and was discharged home.     

Analysis of an isolate of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mungbean yellow mosaic virus</Emphasis> (MYMV) with a highly variable DNA B component

Summary. One DNA A (KA30) and five different DNA B components (KA21, KA22, KA27, KA28 and KA34) of a geminivirus, Mungbean yellow mosaic virus–Vigna (MYMV-Vig) were cloned from a pooled sample of field-infected Vigna mungo plants from Vamban, South India. MYMV-Vig DNA A (KA30) and one of the DNA B components (KA27) exhibited 97% and 95% sequence identities, respectively, to those of MYMV reported from Thailand. However, the DNA B components KA21, KA22, KA28 and KA34 exhibited only 71 to 72% sequence identity to MYMV DNA B. Co-existence of multiple DNA B components in field-infected V. mungo was proved by Southern and PCR analyses. Each of the five DNA B components was infective together with the DNA A upon agroinoculation. Agroinoculation with mixed cultures of Agrobacterium with partial dimers of DNA A and all five DNA Bs proved that all five DNA B components can co-infect a single V. mungo plant.A. S. K. and R. V. contributed equally to this work.     

Ginkgo biloba does not benefit patients with tinnitus: a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind trial and meta-analysis of randomized trials

The objective was to ascertain if Ginkgo biloba benefits patients with tinnitus. The study design was: 1. Randomized double blind trial of Ginkgo biloba versus placebo; 2. A meta-analysis of randomized placebo controlled double blind trials. Participants included 66 adult patients with tinnitus and six (including our study) randomized placebo controlled double blind trials were meta-analysed.The main outcome measures were the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Glasgow Health Status Inventory (GHSI) and average of hearing threshold at 0.5, 1, 2, 4 kHz. In the meta-analysis the proportion of patients gaining benefit and an overall odds ratio were determined. The results showed the mean difference in change of the THI, GHSI and hearing between Ginkgo biloba (n = 31) and placebo group (n = 29) was 2.51 (CI -10.1, 5.1, P = 0.51), 0.58 (CI-4.8, 3.6, P = 0.38) and 0.68 db (CI -4.13, 2.8, P = 0.69). Meta-analysis revealed 21.6% of Ginkgo biloba treated patients (n = 107/552) gained benefit versus 18.4% (n = 87/504) of placebo treated patients with an odds ratio of 1.24 (CI 0.89, 1.71). In conclusion, Ginkgo biloba does not benefit patients with tinnitus.     

Microsphere size, precipitation kinetics and drug distribution control drug release from biodegradable polyanhydride microspheres.

A thorough understanding of the factors affecting drug release mechanisms from surface-erodible polymer devices is critical to the design of optimal delivery systems. Poly(sebacic anhydride) (PSA) microspheres were loaded with three model drug compounds (rhodamine B, p-nitroaniline and piroxicam) with a range of polarities (water solubilities). The drug release profiles from monodisperse particles of three different sizes were compared to release from polydisperse microspheres. Each of the model drugs exhibited different release mechanisms. Drug distribution within the polymer was investigated by laser scanning confocal microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Rhodamine, the most hydrophilic compound investigated, was localized strongly toward the microsphere surface, while the much more hydrophobic compound, piroxicam, distributed more evenly. Furthermore, all three compounds were most uniformly distributed in the smallest microspheres, most likely due to the competing effects of drug diffusion out of the nascent polymer droplets and the precipitation of polymer upon solvent extraction, which effectively "traps" the drug in the polymer matrix. The differing drug distributions were manifested in the drug release profiles. Rhodamine was released very quickly independent of microsphere size. Thus, extended release profiles may not be obtainable if the drug strongly redistributes in the microspheres. The release of p-nitroaniline was more prolonged, but still showed little dependence on microsphere size. Hence, when water-soluble drugs are encapsulated with hydrophobic polymers, it may be difficult to tailor release profiles by controlling microsphere size. The piroxicam-loaded microspheres exhibit the most interesting release profiles, showing that release duration can be increased by decreasing microsphere size, resulting in a more uniform drug distribution.     

Antihepatotoxic nature of Ulva reticulata (Chlorophyceae) on acetaminophen-induced hepatoxicity in experimental rats

Ulva reticulata, a marine edible green alga, is a known source of proteins, vitamins, and sulfated polysaccharides. Though there are many reports in the literature regarding the composition and antiviral property of Ulva sp., studies of the antihepatotoxic property of green seaweeds in animal model are scarce. We have studied the antihepatotoxic nature of this marine green edible alga, U. reticulata, in a hot water extract (150 mg/kg of body weight for a period of 15 days) against acetaminophen- induced hepatotoxicity in experimental albino rats. The acetaminophen-induced rats showed significant elevation in levels of the serum marker enzymes aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase and of lipid peroxides in liver tissue with decreased levels of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase. The levels of reduced glutathione and vitamins (E and C) were also decreased in the liver tissue of acetaminophen-intoxicated rats. The oral pretreatment with a hot water extract of U. reticulata reduced the hepatotoxicity triggered by acetaminophen considerably by improving the antioxidant status in experimental animals with depleted levels of lipid peroxides. These results indicate that the oral pretreatment with a hot water extract of U. reticulata in rats is effective in reducing the hepatic oxidative stress via free radical scavenging properties, suggesting an antihepatotoxic activity.     

A modified temporalis transfer in facial reanimation

A modified surgical procedure for temporalis transfer in facial reanimation of five consecutive cases is presented. Instead of the traditional stripping of the temporalis from its origin, its attachment at the coronoid removed, and to its end, the harvested fascia lata graft was sutured to lengthen the muscle's action. These fibres were then passed to the Orbicularis Oculi and Oris to aid in reanimation and to improve their tone. The procedure is less extensive, provides a direct line of pull with good functional results, no muscle atropy since vascularity and innervation is maintained. No complaints of paresthesia, hyposthesia or scar on donor leg was noticed. None of the patients required a revision of surgery for unacceptable contour or asymmetry. This simple procedure has helped reconstruction of natural symmetrical smile with highly successful results.     

Clinical and molecular stratification of disease risk in medulloblastoma

The accurate assessment of disease risk among children with medulloblastoma remains a major challenge to the field of paediatric neuro-oncology. In the current study we investigated the capacity of molecular abnormalities to increase the accuracy of disease risk stratification above that afforded by clinical staging alone. 41 primary medulloblastoma tumour samples were analysed for ErbB2 receptor expression using immunohistochemistry, and for aberrations of chromosome 17 and amplification of the MYC oncogene using fluorescence in situ hybridisation. The ErbB2 receptor and deletion of 17p were detected in 80% and 49% of tumours, respectively. 17p loss occurred either in isolation (20%), or in association with gain of 17q (29%), compatible with an isochromosome of 17q. Amplification of MYC was detected in only 2 tumours. Significant prognostic factors included, 'metastatic disease' (P = 0.0006), 'sub-total tumour resection' (P = 0.007), 'high ErbB2 receptor expression' (P = 0.003) and 'isolated 17p loss' (P = 0.003). Combined analysis of clinical and molecular factors enabled greater resolution of disease risk than clinical factors alone, identifying a sub-population of patients with particularly favourable disease outcome. These data support the hypothesis that a combination of clinical and molecular factors may afford a more reliable means of assigning disease risk in patients with medulloblastoma, thereby providing a more accurate basis for targeting therapy in children with this disease.