Monocytes play a key role in the immune response to trauma and infection. Is monocyte function already altered before surgery in terms of cell activation? On admission, serum neopterin was at or above 9 nmol/l in 50.2% and serum IL-6 was detectable (> 4 pg/ml) in 10.5% of 227 patients electively undergoing major abdominal surgery. Mean values of CRP (0.8 vs. 3.6), alpha-1-antitrypsin (267 vs. 376), albumin (4.0 vs. 3.5), prealbumin (27.0 vs. 17.9, all at p < 0.01) were significantly different in patients with or without monocyte activation (neopterin > 9 nmol/l and IL-6 > 4 pg/ml). There was a significant correlation between neopterin and the acute phase proteins (all at p < 0.01). The data reflect a "primed" state at least of some parts of the immune system in a subgroup of preoperative patients potentially affecting their response to surgical trauma and bacterial contamination.

Abdomen↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Biomarker assays in nipple aspirate fluid.

The noninvasive technique of nipple aspiration as a potential source of biomarkers of breast cancer risk was evaluated. The feasibility of performing mutagenesis assays, amplifying DNA, and performing protein electrophoresis on nipple aspirate fluid was explored. A tool was developed to measure the level of discomfort, if any, from this procedure. Twenty-five healthy women (20 premenopausal and 5 postmenopausal) were enrolled. Fluid was obtained using a modified breast pump. Premenopausal women were scheduled for four to six weekly aspirations, and postmenopausal women were scheduled for one to two weekly aspirations. Mutagenesis assays were performed using the Salmonella (Ames) assay. DNA amplification of several microsatellite regions was carried out using polymerase chain reaction. Protein was quantified, and two-dimensional protein electrophoresis was performed. Overall, fluid was obtained from 80% of the women, and the level of discomfort was minimal. Acid hydrolysis of one sample resulted in mutagenicity; all six nonhydrolyzed samples were not mutagenic. The ability to amplify DNA ranged from 34% to 96%, depending on length of the microsatellite region examined. The average protein concentration was 71 microg/mL. Two-dimensional protein electrophoresis was successfully performed on samples from two subjects. Nipple aspiration is a simple technique and is easily learned and well tolerated, which yields a reagent useful for a variety of investigations. This technique may facilitate the identification and application of biomarkers for future breast cancer risk assessment and chemopreventive protocols.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of dimerized lysozyme (KLP-602) on the cellular and humoral defence mechanisms in sheatfish (Silurus glanis): in vitro and in vivo study.

This study examined the effects of the dimerized lysozyme (KLP-602) on the immunocompetence cell activity in sheatfish (Silurus glanis) and its influence in vivo on the non-specific defence mechanisms and protection against motile aeromonad septicaemia (MAS). The in vitro study showed that the lysozyme dimer (KLP-602), at concentrations between 5 and 50 micrograms/mL of medium significantly (P < 0.05) increased the respiratory burst activity and potential killing activity of pronephric macrophages, as well as the proliferative ability of pronephric lymphocytes stimulated by ConA and LPS. The in vivo study showed that injecting lysozyme dimer (Lydium-KLP) intraperitoneally at doses of 50 micrograms/kg bw stimulated cell-mediated and humoral-mediated imunity. On day 5, after application of Lydium-KLP in vivo, a statistically higher (P < 0.05) respiratory burst activity and potential killing activity of blood and pronephros phagocytes were observed. A higher proliferative ability of blood and pronephros lymphocytes stimulated by Concanavaline A (ConA) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was also observed. At the same time, the myeloperoxidase activity in the PMN cells and the lysozyme activity and total Ig levels in serum were significantly higher (P < 0.05), compared to the control group. A challenge test with Aeromonas hydrophila showed that dimerized lysozyme increased the protection against MAS. Dimerized lysozyme stimulates non-specific cellular and humoral mechanisms and protection against MAS in sheatfish.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Vitamin A acid and wound healing.

After preparatory treatment with 1% vitamin A acid for 3 days, healing of standardized wounds was accelerated by 18%, compared with a control group. The histological findings revealed as causes a general activation of epidermis, resp. signs of proliferation with inhibition of normal differentiation and hornification. These well known alterations due to vitamin A acid treatment are clearly visible in all epidermal layers. Obviously the activation of epidermis occurs when a remainder of the wound normally is healing by epithelization, that is at an area of 50 mm2. The profit of time in this sense can be defined unequivocally from the performed animal experiments.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

BRCA1 germline mutation presenting as an adenocarcinoma of unknown primary.

BACKGROUND: The work-up of adenocarcinoma of unknown primary usually includes history, physical examination, radiographic imaging, tumor markers, and more recently molecular and genetic information. We report here on how the suggestion by family history of a BRCA1 mutation guided the diagnostic and therapeutic approach in a patient with metastatic carcinoma of unknown primary. METHODS: BRCA1 mutation was screened for by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and single-strand conformational polymorphism analysis. Primers for PCR amplification included selected BRCA1 exons 2, 110, 11L, 13, and 20. The PCR product was cloned into a PCRII vector and sequenced with a Sequenase Version 2.0 Sequencing Kit. RESULTS: Single-strand conformational polymorphism analysis suggested a mutation in the region of exon 20 and sequencing confirmed the presence of a germline mutation 5382insC. CONCLUSIONS: This case illustrates an unusual presentation of adenocarcinoma of unknown primary in a patient with a germline BRCA1 mutation, the use of a suspected germline mutation to guide the work-up and treatment, and finally the value of positron emission tomography scanning in the work-up of an unknown primary.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[When is a dialysis patient hyporesponsive to erythropoietin?].

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Drug Resistance↗