Human hepatocellular carcinoma tumor xenografts

Castrated or sham-operated male athymic mice were inoculated with cells from the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line PLC/PRF/5. There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to the number of animals developing tumors, the time to tumor development, or the subsequent rate of increase in either tumor base area or mouse serum alpha-fetoprotein concentration. Androgen receptors were assayed in nuclei obtained from three separate liver cancer cell lines and from normal adult human liver. Similar concentrations, ranging from 235 to 550 fmol/mg DNA, of nuclear androgen receptors were detected in all tissues. Low percentages of androgen receptors were retained on DNA-cellulose. Although the presence of receptors implies the potential for metabolic effects of androgens in normal and malignant liver, our in vivostudies suggest that castration does not alter significantly the growth of liver cancer xenografts in athymic mice.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor in psoriasis: an indicator of disease severity and control

Background  Psoriasis is a chronic disease characterized by abnormal epidermal proliferation, inflammation and angiogenesis. It has been reported that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is overexpressed in lesional psoriatic skin and its serum levels are significantly elevated in patients with moderate to severe disease.
Objective  This study aims to evaluate the possible role of VEGF in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, and its significance as an indicator of disease severity and control.
Methods  Thirty patients with moderate to severe psoriasis and 10 healthy controls were subjected to baseline evaluation of VEGF. Patients were divided into three groups according to the received treatment: psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) thrice weekly (group 1), acitretin 50 mg daily (group 2), and combined PUVA twice weekly and acitretin 25 mg daily (group 3).Treatment continued for 16 weeks or up to clinical cure. Every patient was subjected to severity evaluation by Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and measurement of serum VEGF before and after treatment.
Results  Mean serum levels of VEGF were significantly elevated in patients (327 ± 66.2 pg/mL) than control subjects (178 ± 83.4 pg/mL). A highly significant correlation was found between VEGF and PASI score, but not with other variables. The best clinical response, the least side-effects and the highest reduction of VEGF serum levels were achieved by the combined therapy.
Conclusion  The present study supported the proposed role of VEGF in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, and suggested that it could serve as a good indicator of disease severity and control.     

Office versus Home-Based Family Therapy for Runaway, Alcohol Abusing Adolescents: Examination of Factors Associated with Treatment Attendance

There is a dearth of research examining treatment engagement and attendance among runaway youth and their families. Such research is needed in order to inform treatment providers on factors associated with engagement and maintenance of these difficult to engage families into counseling. This study examined differential treatment attendance for alcohol abusing runaway youth residing at a local shelter. A traditional office-based family systems approach, Functional Family Therapy (FFT), was compared to a non-traditional, home-based, multi-systemic family therapy approach, Ecologically Based Family Therapy (EBFT). As expected, treatment engagement and attendance was significantly higher for those assigned to EBFT (N = 37) compared to FFT (N = 40). Predictors of treatment attendance (income, family chaos, externalization problems and level of youth substance use) were examined within each treatment modality. Findings suggest that home-based (compared to office-based) treatment modalities may significantly increase treatment attendance and engagement of runaway youth and their families. Non-traditional forms of treatment may need to be considered in order to best meet the needs of highly chaotic and disorganized family systems.     

No Worries, No Cares: An Investigation into Self-Reported "Nondistress" in College Students

An important methodological issue in depressionanalog research is whether individuals who scoreextremely low on self-report measures like the BeckDepression Inventory (BDI) should be included innondepressed control groups. Joiner, Schmidt, and Metalsky(1994) found that college students with BDI scores of 0or 1 evidenced a fake-good test taking style as measuredby the MMPI validity scales. The present study investigated whether very low BDI scores (BDI= 0 or 1; n = 21) might be associated with an elevatedpositive mood state, extreme optimism, positiveattributional style or social desirability. Resultsindicated that the very low scoring BDI subjects scoredhigher on social desirability than the low scoring group(BDI = 2 9, n = 63). Significant differences on mood,symptom and cognitive measures disappeared when social desirability was entered as a covariate.Findings support Kendall, Hollon, Beck, Hammen, andIngram's (1987) recommendation that subjects who score0 or 1 on the BDI should be excluded from a nondepressed control group.     

Craniosynostosis and congenital heart anomalies associated with a maternal deletion of 15q15-22.1

We report an infant with multiple congenital anomalies, including craniosynostosis, tetralogy of Fallot variant, and limb anomalies associated with a maternal deletion of 15q15-22.1. Only two other patients have been reported with a similar deletion, but the deletion was paternal in both cases. We review our patient's findings and compare them to previously reported individuals with similar 15q abnormalities. Our patient allows an expansion of phenotype associated with mid-15q deletions to include severe craniosynostosis, congenital heart disease, and limb anomalies. This will assist in prenatal counseling and predicting postnatal outcome for other affected individuals. The specific breakpoints in our patient and the other patients with similar deletions may also assist in determining a critical region for suture formation.     

Pigtail catheter for the treatment of ascites associated with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

BACKGROUND: Severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is potentially dangerous. The study aim was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous pigtail catheter drainage for the management of ascites complicating severe OHSS. METHODS: This was a prospective trial conducted at a private IVF centre and a tertiary teaching medical centre. A total of 26 patients with severe OHSS was recruited. Patients were divided into two groups. Patients in group 1 (n = 13) were hospitalized, while patients in group 2 (n = 13) were managed on an outpatient basis. A pigtail catheter was inserted under transabdominal ultrasound guidance and kept in place until drainage ceased. The main outcome measures were resolution of OHSS as determined by symptomatology and laboratory values, time to removal of catheter, patient tolerance of the procedure and complication rate. RESULTS: The catheter was successfully placed in all patients following one attempt and was kept in place for a mean +/- SD of 12.9 +/- 4.3 days (range 7-24). Average amount of fluid drained was 11.2 +/- 4.3 l (range: 3.35-18.5). An improvement of symptoms and signs was noted 24-48 h after catheter placement in all patients in both groups. Procedure was well tolerated and no complications reported. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous placement of a pigtail catheter is a safe and effective treatment modality for severe OHSS. It may represent an attractive alternative to multiple vaginal or abdominal paracentesis.