Restoration of fragile histidine triad (FHIT) expression induces apoptosis and suppresses tumorigenicity in breast cancer cell lines

The fragile histidine triad (FHIT) gene at chromosome 3p14.2 is a tumor suppressor gene that is altered mainly by deletion in a large fraction of human tumors, including breast cancers. To evaluate the potential of FHIT gene therapy in this type of cancer, we have studied the biological effects of adenoviral FHIT transduction (Ad-FHIT) in breast cancer cell lines. The results showed that, after FHIT restoration in BT-549, MDA-MB-436, and HCC1806 cells, they underwent apoptosis by activation of the intrinsic pathway. In all three cell lines infected with Ad-FHIT, we have found activation of caspase-2, which is required for permeabilization of mitochondria, release of cytochrome c, and apoptosis. Furthermore, Fhit overexpression produces alteration in cell cycling properties, as well as reduction of the tumorigenic potential in nude mice.     

A complex mitral valve reconstruction: a case report

Several techniques are currently in use for mitral valve reconstruction. We report a mitral repair case in which the use of a combination of different surgical techniques resulted in the necessary correction. A 47-year-old woman underwent surgical intervention to treat severe mitral valve insufficiency due to A1/A2/A3 and P2 prolapsed valve tissue. A combination of quadrangular resection, sliding leaflet, single chordal transposition, "flip-over" leaflet, and ring annuloplasty techniques were applied, and postsurgical correct valve function was documented by results of a left ventricular saline filling test and transesophageal echocardiography control. Complex mitral valve repairing techniques can be combined to reestablish valvular function.     

Is there sexual inequality in ankylosing spondylitis? A study of 498 women and 1202 men

The responses of 1700 members (1202 men) of the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society to a self-administered questionnaire were analyzed. The male:female ratios for primary ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic spondylitis and spondylitis associated with inflammatory bowel disease were 2.4:1, 3.5:1 and 1:1, respectively. A positive family history was significantly less prevalent in men than women as were hand, elbow, shoulder and knee symptoms. In a parallel radiographic study, 100 men matched for age of onset and disease duration with 50 women demonstrated similar sacroiliac, cervical and hip disease but worse involvement of the lumbar spine.     

The role of lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase and organic substances from coal in the etiology of Balkan endemic nephropathy: a new hypothesis.

Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) occurs in Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia. BEN has been characterized as a chronic, slowly progressive renal disease of unknown etiology. In this study, we examined the influence of soluble organic compounds in drinking water leached from Pliocene lignite from BEN-endemic areas on plasma lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity. We found that changes for all samples were the most prominent for the dilution category containing 90% plasma and 10% of diluting media. Water samples from BEN villages from Serbia and Romania showed higher LCAT inhibiting activity (p=0.02) and (p=0.003), respectively, compared to deionised water and non-endemic water. A secondary LCAT deficiency could result from this inhibitory effect of the organic compounds found in endemic water supplies and provide an ethiopathogenic basis for the development of BEN in the susceptible population.     

The safety of the inside-out transobturator approach for transvaginal tape (TVT-O) treatment in stress urinary incontinence: French registry data on 984 women

This study examines the safety of the inside-out transobturator approach for transvaginal tape (TVT-O™, Gynaecare) treatment in stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women based on a French registry of patients. A total of 984 women from 86 centres were enrolled in the study. Patients with predominant overactive bladder or significant pelvic organ prolapse were excluded from the study. Perioperative and post-operative complications were reported as well as urinary function at 4 and 12 weeks. Pain was assessed by the patients using a visual analog scale (VAS). The overall perioperative complication rate was 2.2%. The most commonly reported morbidities were vaginal wall perforation (1.3%) followed by haematoma (0.7%). Post-operative complication rate was 5.2%; the most common complication was residual pain (2.7%). The other complications of paravesical haematoma, urinary retention, vaginal erosion and re-intervention had an incidence of less than 1.0%. This study demonstrates that the transobturator transvaginal tape approach to the treatment of SUI is a safe procedure.     

A placebo controlled, crossover study of azathioprine in Reiter''s syndrome.

Eight patients with intractable Reiter's disease were entered into a double blind, placebo controlled, crossover study of azathioprine versus placebo--each patient serving as his own control. Drug therapy was administered for 16 weeks, patients receiving azathioprine (eight weeks) or placebo (eight weeks) in random order. Azathioprine was given as 1 mg/kg body weight for the first month and 2 mg/kg body weight for the second month. Six individuals completed both arms of the crossover. One withdrew because of nausea during the first week (azathioprine), and a second subject withdrew at four weeks because of lack of efficacy (placebo). At the end of the 16 weeks five out of six preferred azathioprine and one placebo. The mean unweighted joint score decreased from 19.8 to 2.7 during the azathioprine medication but increased from 13.4 to 19.9 during the placebo period. Patients were unable to reduce their analgesic or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug requirements during the placebo period, but four out of six were able to do so during azathioprine therapy. There were no drug related laboratory abnormalities. The data suggest that azathioprine may work rapidly in Reiter's disease. If these essentially anecdotal findings of efficacy are confirmed, long term toxicity may not be an over-riding factor since for some patients therapy can be rapidly tapered at eight weeks--either because of adequate improvement or failure to respond.     

Trochanteric Bursitis Following Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty: Incidence,Predictors, and Treatment

Background

Trochanteric bursitis (TB) remains a common complication after total hip arthroplasty (THA), with an incidence between 3% and 17%, depending on the surgical approach, with the posterior approach (PA) being relatively protective compared to the lateral approach. The purposes of this study were to determine the incidence of TB after primary THA, identify potential risk factors for TB, and examine the utility of different modes of treatment.

Risk Factors for Staphylococcus aureus Nasal Colonization in Joint Arthroplasty Patients

Background

Several studies have shown that Staphylococcus aureus (S aureus) nasal colonization is associated with surgical site infection and that preoperative decolonization can reduce infection rates. Up to 30% of joint arthroplasty patients have positive S aureus nasal swabs. Patient risk factors for colonization remain largely unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a specific patient population at increased risk of S aureus nasal colonization.