Characterization of chimpanzee-hamster hybrids by chromosome painting

A panel of chimpanzee-human somatic cell hybrids was characterized by dual Alu-PCR of the chimpanzee DNA in the hybrid and subsequent hybridization of the labeled PCR products to human and chimpanzee chromosomes. In addition to the identification of the intact chimpanzee chromosomes retained in each hybrid, chromosome fragments were identified that will be useful in regional mapping. This technique also revealed the presence of centric inversions.     

Development of an ELISA test for determination of the urinary trypsin inhibitor: analytical performance and applications

Increased urinary excretion of urinary trypsin inhibitor (UTI) has been reported in various inflammatory conditions and in Alzheimer's subjects, but its diagnostic potential remains to be elucidated. A reliable and specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test for the determination of the UTI in human urine was developed. This assay was performed using 96-well microtiter plates. The plate surface is coated with an anti-UTI polyclonal antibody, the urine sample was added in a dilution range, and the detection was achieved using the enzyme-conjugated antibody. The assay was quantified by the build-up of colored product upon the addition of the substrate. Recoveries were 93%, and the intra- and inter-assay CVs were 4.25% and 21%, respectively. The ELISA showed parallelism of standard and urine samples and no significant interference by the biological matrix. The usefulness of the assay has been demonstrated by applying it to urine samples from Alzheimer's disease patients, and comparing with negative controls. UTI urinary levels are significantly increased in Alzheimer's subjects.     

Lack of association between angiotensin converting enzyme polymorphism and sporadic Alzheimer's disease

Epidemiological and pathogenetic evidences suggest a strong association between vascular risk factors and sporadic Alzheimer's disease (sAD). In agreement with the vascular hypothesis of AD, the role of various candidate genes for atherosclerosis has been investigated, leading to conflicting results. In order to clarify the significance of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion (I)/deletion (D) polymorphism in a group of patients with sAD, we conducted a case-control study including 149 cases and 149 age and sex matched controls. All subjects were genotyped for ACE and Apolipoprotein E (APOE). There were no significant differences in ACE genotype or allele frequencies between cases and controls, even after stratification for APOE4 carrier status. Our data suggest that the ACE I/D polymorphism is not associated to genetic susceptibility in sAD patients.     

Obesity and Circulating Levels of Vitamin D before and after Weight Loss Induced by a Very Low-Calorie Ketogenic Diet

Background: Vitamin D plays a pivotal role in calcium and phosphorus metabolism, also influencing bone tissue. Several studies have reported that vitamin D blood levels were significantly lower in people with obesity, probably due to its uptake by the adipose tissue. Clinical studies that investigated the changes of circulating levels of vitamin D following weight loss reported controversial data. A very low-calorie ketogenic diet is acknowledged as a reliable treatment to achieve a rapid weight loss. Therefore, we investigated the effect of weight loss, consequent to a very low-calorie ketogenic diet, on vitamin D blood concentrations. Methods: A cohort of 31 people with obesity underwent a very low-calorie ketogenic diet for 10–12 weeks. The serum concentrations of vitamin D, parathormone, calcium and phosphorous were measured before and after weight loss; they were compared to a control group of 20 non-obese, non-diabetic, age- and gender-matched persons. Results: Patients with obesity had a higher habitual intake of vitamin D than the control group (p < 0.05). However, the vitamin D blood levels of the obese group were significantly lower than those of the control group (p < 0.005) and they increased after weight loss (p < 0.001). At baseline, vitamin D blood concentrations of the persons with obesity were significantly correlated with both fat mass–kg (r = −0.40; p < 0.05) and body mass index (r = −0.47; p < 0.01). Following very low-calorie ketogenic diet, the change in vitamin D serum concentrations was correlated only with the change in fat mass–kg (r = −0.43; p < 0.01). Conclusion: This study confirmed that patients with obesity have lower vitamin D levels that normalize after significant weight loss, supporting the hypothesis that vitamin D is stored in the adipose tissue and released following weight loss.     

Radiosurgery in the treatment of the glottic plane carcinoma

During the last 20 years, various conservative surgical techniques have been proposed to treat larynx cancer. On the basis of our various experiences and of the ultrastructural data on the tissues treated with radiowaves, we decided to also use radiosurgery in operations under direct microlaryngoscopy. We select 18 patients suffering from epidermoid carcinoma. These patients had been referred to our ENT clinic at the Polichnico of Palermo between 1999 and 2001. The authors describe the surgical procedures used and emphasize the advantages of radiosurgery in the treatment of larynx cancer.     

Oxidative stress, inflammation and cardiovascular disease in chronic renal failure

Traditional risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity and metabolic syndrome, as well as additional nontraditional risk factors, can damage the kidney directly and by promoting intrarenal atherogenesis. Evidence indicates that increased oxidative stress and inflammation may mediate most of the effects of risk factors on the kidney. Clinical studies have demonstrated a relationship between oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers, and a few studies indicate an inverse correlation of oxidative stress biomarkers with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Further, surrogate indexes of atherosclerosis such as intima-media thickness and aortic pulse wave velocity have been demonstrated to be related to plasma concentrations of markers of endothelial activation, inflammation and fibrosis in patients with different stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Moreover, plasma concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein have been shown to be increased and related to left ventricular mass in CKD individuals having left ventricular hypertrophy. In contrast, in these patients, decreases in fetuin-A plasma levels have been reported. Considering the complex background of the pathophysiological changes characterizing CKD patients, we can consider cardiovascular disease a multifactorial complication of CKD.     

Adrenal surgery in the pediatric population

Adrenal tumors in children may be benign or malignant. In addition, both benign and malignant tumors may be hormonally active, leading to hypertension, metabolic crises, and endocrinopathies. These tumors may be found incidentally or secondary to signs and symptoms of the aforementioned disorders. Both a metabolic and a radiographic work-up are required before treatment of an adrenal tumor. The primary therapy for most adrenal lesions is surgical, though some are treated medically or require chemotherapy before excision. Laparoscopy has become the surgical approach of choice in both adult and pediatric patients with localized disease. Open surgical approaches remain necessary in patients with extensive locally invasive or metastatic disease.     

Inflammatory mediators and growth factors in obstructive renal injury

Obstruction of the upper urinary tract poses a significant clinical challenge to the urologist, and the cascade of renal cellular and molecular events triggered by upper urinary tract obstruction result in a progressive, and eventually permanent, loss in renal function. These pathological changes include the development of renal fibrosis, tubular atrophy, interstitial inflammation, and apoptotic renal cell death. A myriad of cytokines and growth factors have been identified as major contributors to obstruction-induced renal fibrosis and apoptotic cell death, including transforming growth factor-beta1, angiotensin II, nuclear factor-kappaB, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. This review examines the role of these mediators in obstruction-induced renal injury.