HMGI(Y) gene expression as a potential marker of thyroid follicular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: We assessed HMGI(Y) gene expression in thyroid tumors, control thyroid tissue and in the blood of patients diagnosed with papillary and follicular thyroid cancers to try to differentiate between malignant and benign disease. METHODS: HMGI(Y) gene expression was analyzed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 60 cases of thyroid tumors. Among this number 11 were diagnosed as papillary carcinoma, 37 as follicular carcinoma, and 12 as follicular adenoma. All carcinoma cases selected for this study were classified according to the tumor, lymph node metastases, distant metastases (TNM) classification. RESULTS: HMGI(Y) gene expression was detected only in follicular carcinomas, whereas in papillary carcinomas, follicular adenomas and control tissues there was no positive reaction. In follicular carcinomas the percentage of positive cases (number of samples with presence of HMGI(Y) gene transcript) was the highest and reached approximately 84. There was no statistical dependence between the presence of HMGI(Y) gene expression and tumor size or the presence of lymph node and distant metastases. HMGI(Y) gene expression was also analyzed in whole blood taken from a selected group of patients diagnosed with papillary or follicular carcinomas. Among follicular carcinomas there were 83% of positive cases, whereas among papillary carcinomas there were only 6%. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of our study, we conclude that HMGI(Y) gene expression analysis could be helpful in differentiation between follicular carcinoma and adenoma.

Immunohistochemical evaluation of P21ras and P53 proteins expression in human non-small-cell lung cancers.

Human non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) of 48 patients were analyzed immunohistochemically to detect P21 ras and P53 proteins expression. The relationship between P21 ras and P53 proteins expression and clinicopathologic findings was also assessed. DAKO EnVision TM detection system was employed in the study. The P21 ras and P53 proteins expression was shown in 75% (36/48) and 33.3% (16/48) studied NSCLCs, respectively. In both cases the difference was significant when compared with adequate negative control. Simultaneous expression of both studied proteins was observed in all cases in which P53 expression was noticed. No significant association of P21 ras and P53 expression was found with age, histologic type, histologic grade, tumor size or lymph node metastasis of the studied NSCLCs. Therefore, our study suggests that P21 ras and P53 protein play a role in the pathogenesis of NSCLCs but they have no value as a prognostic markers in the case of lung cancers.

Reliability and validity of a new global dyskinesia rating scale in the MPTP-lesioned non-human primate.

Behavioral rating scales for dyskinesia in the non-human primate are frequently used to assess the efficacy of new treatments and to provide a clinical correlative with neurochemical and neuropathological changes. Although a large variety of different scales have been used in non-human primate studies, there is no single standardized scale, and none have been evaluated for reliability and validity. We are reporting a new global non-human primate dyskinesia rating scale (GPDRS) for the squirrel monkey, developed in the context of an independent study of dyskinesia. In this report we demonstrate the reliability and validity of this scale. The GPDRS is a single-item scale with well-defined points and brevity allowing for rapid and easy application for assessing the overall degree of dyskinesia. In this study, seven MPTP-lesioned and four non-lesioned (control) non-human primates were videotaped following treatment with either levodopa or water. To test inter- and intra-rater reliability, three examiners rated the videotape independently at two different time points and these assessments were compared. The validity of the scale was tested in two phases. First, examiners rated the videotape using the GPDRS and the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS), a scale commonly used to rate dyskinesia in the non-human primate, and the ratings from each scale were compared. Second, validity was tested in the context of an independent dyskinesia study, in which the scale was used to distinguish between two treatment groups. The GPDRS was shown to have high inter- and intra-rater reliability and to be valid for the assessment of dyskinesia in the squirrel monkey. In this report we also demonstrate the inter- and intra-rater reliability of the AIMS.

Combined bladder neck, urethral and penile reconstruction in boys with the exstrophy-epispadias complex.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a one-stage combined bladder neck, urethral and penile reconstruction for achieving urinary continence and creating a penis with good cosmesis and function in boys with the exstrophy-epispadias complex. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-three boys underwent the combined procedure, including 36 after classic bladder exstrophy closure and 37 with epispadias. All were completely incontinent at the time of combined reconstruction. The bladder capacity just before surgery was 70-180 mL and was greater in those with epispadias. The boys were 2.5-11 years old, with those in the exstrophy group being slightly older. RESULTS: Thirty-three boys (89%) with epispadias were completely continent during the day but 15 had episodes of nocturnal enuresis. Of boys with classic exstrophy, 27 (75%) were continent during the day but nine had occasional nocturnal enuresis. Eleven boys required intermittent catheterization, which they found easy to perform. In seven boys (10%) a urethrocutaneous fistula or urethral stricture developed. CONCLUSIONS: Combined bladder neck, urethral and penile reconstruction can be carried out as a one-stage procedure in selected patients with adequate bladder capacity. Reconstruction of the whole length of the urethra facilitates intermittent catheterization.

Complete duplication of the bladder, urethra, vagina, and uterus in girls.

UNLABELLED: OBJECTIVES. To present our experience with 3 girls with complete duplication of the bladder, urethra, vagina, and uterus, a very rare anomaly, and review published reports. Associated anomalies in these cases represent a wide spectrum. METHODS: We report 3 girls with complete duplication of the bladder, urethra, vagina, and uterus. The associated anomalies were different in each child. The first patient had a symphysis diastasis creating an abdominal hernia with two bladders dislocated into this space. The second patient had anal atresia with colon duplication. The third had cloacal exstrophy with one opened bladder and a second closed, with persistent urogenital sinus. Each patient was carefully evaluated, but the anatomy in 2 patients was not completely defined until surgical exploration. RESULTS: Each girl underwent surgical repair. In the first patient, iliac osteotomy, approximation of the symphysis pubis, and excision of the hernia was done. In the second, excision of the common wall between the two descending colons and posterior sagittal anorectoplasty were performed. In the third patient, staged reconstruction of the cloacal exstrophy with anastomosis of the bladders and vaginas was done. CONCLUSIONS: Complete duplication of the urogenital system in girls is associated with different anomalies. Which surgical procedures will be required depends on the multiple anatomic variables.

[Complete duplication of the urogenital system in girls]. / Calkowite zdwojenie ukladu moczowo-plciowego u dziewczynek.

The authors report 3 girls with complete duplication of the bladder, urethra, vagina and uterus. Defect's anatomy and associated anomalies are described. In support of the literature therapeutic procedure is discussed, which must be individualized in each case.

Genital reconstruction.

Genital reconstruction is necessary in various types of congenital malformations. Although various surgical procedures may be used depending on the anomaly, the basic principles are the same. Three groups of pathology are discussed: hypospadias, ambiguous genitalia and exstrophy-epispadias complex. Progress continues to be made in modifying older techniques and creating new ones. Some investigators have focused on pain control and dressing materials. There is still much work to be done in this challenging area.

Changes in the state of actin during superprecipitation of actomyosin.

Exchangeability of actin-bound ADP and calcium in actomyosin at low ionic strength has been studied using F-actin labelled with [14C]ADP or 45Ca and measuring release of radioactivity into solution. Low-speed centrifugation, ultracentrifugation and ultrafiltration were used to separate protein from the medium. Comparison of the results obtained with these three separation procedures has revealed that the release of [14C]ADP and 45Ca into the medium in the presence of millimolar concentrations of MgATP is largely due to the release under these conditions of actin itself retaining its bound ADP and calcium. The real exchange of the bound nucleotide and calcium, even under the most favourable conditions, was in our experiments limited to about 20%. Detailed examination of the dependence of both the release of actin and the exchange of actin-bound ADP and calcium on the free divalent cations present, the kind and concentration of the added nucleotide, and temperature of incubation indicates that there is no correlation between the exchange and superprecipitation of actomyosin. The results presented support the view that the limited enhancement by myosin of the exchange of nucleotide and cation bound to actin under certain conditions results from accidental disruption of bonds between actin monomers due to a mechanical stress exerted on actin filaments upon their interaction with myosin filaments.