'High risk' genotypes of the human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly HPV type 16, are the primary etiologic agent of cervical cancer. Thus, HPV-associated cervical malignancies might be prevented or treated by induction of the appropriate virus-specific immune responses in patients. Sexual transmission of HPV may be prevented by the generation of neutralizing antibodies that are specific for the virus capsid. In ongoing clinical trials, HPV virus-like particles (VLPs) show great promise as prophylactic HPV vaccines. Since the capsid proteins are not expressed at detectable levels by basal keratinocytes, therapeutic vaccines generally target other nonstructural viral antigens. Two HPV oncogenic proteins, E6 and E7, are important in the induction and maintenance of cellular transformation and are coexpressed in the majority of HPV-containing carcinomas. Therefore, therapeutic vaccines targeting these proteins may provide an opportunity to control HPV-associated malignancies. Various candidate therapeutic HPV vaccines are currently being tested whereby E6 and/or E7 are administered in live vectors, in peptides or protein, in nucleic acid form, as components of chimeric VLPs, or in cell-based vaccines. Encouraging results from experimental vaccination systems in animal models have led to several prophylactic and therapeutic vaccine clinical trials. Should they fulfill their promise, these vaccines may prevent HPV infection or control its potentially life-threatening consequences in humans.

Dendritic Cells↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Increased serum creatine kinase due to hypocalcemia in vitamin D deficiency.

An 8-year-old boy with vitamin D-deficiency rickets, increased serum creatine kinase (CK), and hypocalcemia is described. At 5 years of age, he was evaluated because of recurrent tonic seizures. He had growth retardation, microcephaly, quadriplegia, mental retardation, and epilepsy. Muscle strength was difficult to assess because of multiple joint contractures. Deep tendon reflexes were hyperactive. Laboratory data indicated rachitic changes on x-ray, hypocalcemia, low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OH-D) and 1-alpha-25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1-alpha-25-[OH]2-D) levels, a normal response to the Ellsworth-Howard test, and markedly increased CK. Electromyography and nerve conduction velocities were normal. The patient responded to 1-alpha-OH-D treatment with increased serum calcium and normal CK activity; a significant correlation (p less than 0.01) was observed between calcium and log CK. The clinical course and laboratory findings supported the hypothesis that the increased CK was due to hypocalcemia, which in turn was due to the vitamin D deficiency in the severely handicapped child with malnutrition.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Mid-term clinical results of Graf stabilization for lumbar degenerative pathologies. a minimum 2-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Spinal fusion has some adverse effects, such as nonunion and pain at the site of grafted bone, and fusion with rigid spinal instrumentation especially may have the possibility of increasing mechanical stress on the segments adjacent to the site of fusion. The theory of the Graf system is that it will decrease adjacent disc deterioration because of maintenance of regional lordosis with flexibility and restriction of the motion of unstable segments without rigid spinal fusion. PURPOSE: To assess the clinical and radiologic results of Graf stabilization for lumbar degenerative disorders with minimal or mild instability. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study examining the mid-term results of Graf stabilization. PATIENT SAMPLE: In total, 59 patients underwent Graf ligamentoplasty and adequate decompression from April 1993 to September 1997. The subjects were 30 men and 29 women, and the mean age at the time of surgery was 60.6 years, ranging from 23 to 82 years. The average follow-up period was 3 years and 5 months, ranging from 2 years to 5 years and 10 months. OUTCOME MEASURES: We evaluated the surgical results using a scoring system, a visual analog scale, and radiological measurements. METHODS: The results were assessed according to a clinical scoring system established by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA score) and ratings based on a visual analog scale. Through analysis of x-ray images, the sagittal alignment (regional lordosis) and the range of motion (ROM) of the stabilized segments were measured in all cases, and the percentage of segments slipping and posterior disc height were determined for 29 patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis. RESULTS: Clinical scores and low back pain ratings based on a visual analog scale were significantly improved at the time of final follow-up compared with the preoperative values. Regional alignment of the operative segments was maintained in lordosis at the time of final follow-up. Preoperative ROM was significantly reduced at the time of final follow-up. There were no statistical differences in percentage of slippage or percentage of posterior disc height between the final follow-up values and the preoperative values. CONCLUSIONS: Our clinical results indicate that the Graf system is a suitable treatment option for mild and early lumbar degenerative diseases with minimum flexion instability of less than 10 degrees.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical significance of arterial ketone body ratio in chronic liver disease.

BACKGROUND: Arterial ketone body ratio (acetoacetate/3-hydroxybutyrate, AKBR) has been reported to be a useful tool for the estimation of liver functional reserve, but a more recent report has cast doubt on the clinical significance of this redox theory. Furthermore, the effect of a diminution of liver functional reserve on AKBR has not been documented in chronic liver disease. METHODS: AKBR was measured in normal control subjects (n = 10), heavy alcohol drinkers (n = 19), patients with chronic hepatitis (n = 18) and patients with liver cirrhosis (n = 25). RESULTS: Though AKBR was lower in heavy alcohol drinkers (1.66 +/- 0. 82) than in the other noncirrhotic groups (1.97 +/- 0.93 in normal control subjects, 2.25 +/- 1.11 in patients with chronic hepatitis), this discrepancy did not reach a level of significance. AKBR in patients with liver cirrhosis (1.18 +/- 0.52) was significantly lower than that in normal controls (p < 0.01). AKBR in Child's class A, Child's class B, and Child's class C was 1.20 +/- 0.60, 1.07 +/- 0.56, and 1.27 +/- 0.45, respectively, and there were no significant differences among them. CONCLUSION: AKBR may be parallel to liver mitochondrial redox potential and hepatic functional reserve to some extent, but it does not appear to be an accurate parameter for their estimation.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Ultrasonography and computed tomography in adenomyomatosis of the gallbladder.

Ultrasonography and computed tomography were performed in 4 patients with adenomyomatosis of the gallbladder of segmental or diffuse type. Cholecystectomy was performed in all cases, and the diagnosis of adenomyomatosis was confirmed histopathologically. Ultrasonography revealed diffuse or segmental thickening of the gallbladder wall with small intramural diverticula. Small stones were also found. The characteristic findings of adenomyomatosis at computed tomography were soft tissue density masses in the gallbladder fossa, associated with a well-delineated, distinct tumor-free space between the mass and the liver, and with small intramural diverticula and calcified stones within the mass. Ultrasonography and computed tomography demonstrate a characteristic appearance of adenomyomatosis.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Lactic acidosis with hypoglycemia and hyperammonemia observed in two uremic patients during calcium hopantenate treatment.

Calcium hopantenate (HOPA), a drug for treating symptoms of cerebrovascular disease, is a derivative of gamma-amino butyric acid and is also an analog of pantothenic acid. It is speculated that calcium hopantenate may affect lactate generation, glucose metabolism, and ammonia disposal through the inhibition of pantothenic acid metabolism. We report two uremic patients with complaints of consciousness disturbance with lactic acidosis, hypoglycemia and hyperammonemia. HOPA is mainly excreted with urine. Severe accumulation of HOPA, documented at the onset of unconsciousness in our uremic cases, might be responsible for marked inhibition of pantothenic acid metabolism.

Acidosis, Lactic↗