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Genes expressed by the kidney, but not by bone marrow-derived cells, underlie the genetic predisposition to progressive glomerulosclerosis after mesangial injury.

Progressive renal failure is accompanied by uncontrolled accumulation of extracellular matrix in glomeruli and tubulointerstitium, eventually resulting in glomerulosclerosis. Although glomerulosclerosis occurs secondary to various renal diseases, the fact that not all patients develop progressive glomerulosclerosis suggests that genetic factors may underlie the tendency to progress, or not to progress. Identified were two Lewis rat substrains with small genetic differences but with considerable difference in resolution of glomerulonephritis after anti-Thy-1 administration. In the Lewis/Møllegard rat strain, anti-Thy-1 glomerulonephritis spontaneously resolves within 4 wk. In contrast, Lewis/Maastricht rats develop progressive glomerulosclerosis after induction of this disease. The involvement of bone marrow-derived cells and kidney cells in the development of glomerulosclerosis was determined. In the first study, exchange of bone marrow between these substrains did not affect the course of anti-Thy-1 nephritis. Lewis/Møllegard rats recovered rapidly, but Lewis/Maastricht rats showed progressive disease regardless of the genotype of the bone marrow they received. In the second study, kidneys were exchanged between the substrains. After transplantation, anti-Thy-1 nephritis was induced and glomerular damage assessed at day 21. Severe damage was observed in Lewis/Maastricht glomeruli independent of whether the kidney had been transplanted or not. Similarly, Lewis/Møllegard glomeruli, whether transplanted or not, revealed no residual histopathologic abnormalities. The inherited differences between the two substrains with regard to their insusceptibility to develop progressive glomerulosclerosis after mesangial injury are governed by genes expressed by the kidney, but not by bone marrow-derived cells.

Animals↗

Prostate specific antigen progression in men with lymph node metastases following radical prostatectomy: results of long-term followup.

PURPOSE: We examined the clinical outcome of patients with lymph node metastases found at prostatectomy with the goal to identify factors that predict freedom from prostate specific antigen (PSA) progression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 3,264 consecutive men with clinically localized prostate cancer who underwent extended pelvic lymphadenectomy and radical prostatectomy performed by a single surgeon between April 1982 and March 2003. Patients with pathologically confirmed lymph node metastases and no history of adjuvant treatment were identified. Clinical and histopathological factors were analyzed for an association with time to PSA progression using univariate and multivariable analyses. RESULTS: Of the 143 patients (4.4% of total) in the study with nodal involvement 24 (16.8%) were free of disease at last followup (median 6 years). Median time to failure was 2 years with PSA progression occurring as late as 11 years postoperatively in 2 patients. The 5 and 7-year PSA progression free rate in all lymph node positive patients was 26.5% and 10.9%, respectively. A 15% or greater incidence of positive nodes (p = 0.0008) and high prostatectomy Gleason score (ie score 8 to 10, p = 0.008) were independent predictors of PSA progression in multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. Seminal vesicle invasion (HR 1.45, p = 0.063) or positive surgical margins (HR 1.43, p = 0.063) were marginally significant in the multivariate model. The 5-year PSA progression-free rate was 52% in men with less than 15% positive lymph nodes, prostatectomy Gleason score 7 or less and negative seminal vesicle invasion. CONCLUSIONS: While the incidence of lymph node positive disease in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy is infrequent in the PSA era, patients with nodal involvement may experience disease progression as remote as 1 decade after surgery. Pathological factors such as the percent of positive lymph nodes, prostatectomy Gleason score and seminal vesicle invasion appear to predict an increased risk of PSA failure in this population.

Disease Progression↗

Molecular insights into prostate cancer progression: the missing link of tumor microenvironment.

PURPOSE: Tumor cell genotype and phenotype have been considered the only determinants supporting cancer growth and metastasis. This review focuses on the published literature that suggests that tumor-microenvironment interaction has a decisive role in controlling local cancer growth, invasion and distant metastasis. As this review shows, genetic alterations in prostate cancer cells alone are not enough to confer metastatic status without a supporting tumor microenvironment. Effective therapeutic targeting requires a deeper understanding of the interplay between tumor and stroma. Approaches co-targeting tumor and stroma already show promise over the conventional targeting of tumor cells alone in preventing prostate cancer progression and eradicating preexisting or newly developed prostate cancers in bone and visceral organs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature survey using the MEDLINE database was performed in basic and clinical publications relevant to tumor-host microenvironment interaction. Information pertinent to the biology and therapy of prostate cancer local growth and distant metastases was specifically emphasized. RESULTS: Tumor associated stroma actively fuel the progression of prostate cancer from localized growth to the invasion of surrounding tissues, and the development of distant bone and visceral organ metastasis. In concert with this progression tumor cells recovered from metastatic sites could represent a subpopulation of preexisting tumor cells or could be a newly acquired variant subsequent to tumor-stromal interaction. Experimental data from our laboratory and others suggest that permanent genetic and phenotypic changes occur in prostate cancer cells after 3-dimensional co-culture in vitro or when co-inoculated and grown with inductive stromal cells in vivo. These results support the idea that newly acquired variants are the dominant mechanism of prostate cancer progression. Intercellular communication between prostate cancer cells and organ specific stroma, including prostate and marrow stroma, could involve diffusible soluble and solid matrix molecules as mediators, leading to the development of metastasis. This presents a new opportunity for therapeutic targeting for the treatment of benign and malignant growth of the prostate glands. This review summarizes specific research implicating tumor-microenvironment interaction as the molecular basis of cancer progression, providing a rationale for targeting tumor and the tumor associated microenvironment in the management of androgen independent and bone metastatic prostate cancer progression in patients. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer is not a single cell disease. Aberrant cancer cells and their interactive microenvironment are needed for prostate cancer to progress to androgen independence and distant metastasis. It is highly plausible that newly evolved prostate cancer cell clones dominate cancer metastasis after cell-cell and cell-matrix interaction with the host microenvironment, rather than the selection or expansion of a preexisting prostate cancer cell clone(s). Based on this premise potential molecular targets in the microenvironment are especially emphasized. Further elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor-stromal interaction may yield improved medical treatments for prostate cancer growth and metastasis.

Bone Neoplasms↗

The prostatic specific antigen era is alive and well: prostatic specific antigen and biochemical progression following radical prostatectomy.

PURPOSE: Prostate specific antigen (PSA) has been shown to predict the presence of prostate cancer on biopsy, pathological stage, and biochemical progression following primary therapy. A recent study found only a weak association between PSA and tumor volume in the radical prostatectomy (RP) specimen and concluded that the PSA era is over. We examined the association between PSA and clinical progression in men undergoing RP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 2,312 men treated with RP between 1992 and 2004 by a single surgeon. We evaluated the association between preoperative PSA and biochemical progression on multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Men with higher preoperative PSA concentrations had higher grade cancers in the biopsy and RP specimen, and more adverse pathological features. After adjusting for the clinical covariates of age, race, grade, stage, and year of surgery, preoperative PSA was significantly associated with the risk of biochemical progression. When only men with PSA less than 10 ng/ml were examined, PSA remained a significant predictor of biochemical progression on multivariate analysis (RR 1.30, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.44, p <0.001). For each 2-point increase in PSA, the risk of biochemical progression increased approximately 2-fold. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative PSA was significantly associated with high grade disease and adverse pathological findings. After adjusting for clinical covariates, PSA was significantly associated with the risk of biochemical progression, even in men with PSA less than 10 ng/ml. Despite multiple limitations, PSA remains the best prostate cancer tumor marker available.

Disease Progression↗

Disease progression among HIV-infected children who receive perinatal zidovudine prophylaxis.

BACKGROUND: Studies of perinatal HIV infection have reported mixed results regarding the prognosis of HIV-infected infants exposed to perinatal zidovudine prophylaxis (PZP). METHODS: We have followed a population-based cohort of children with perinatal HIV infection to evaluate whether early HIV disease progression was more common among those who received PZP and whether subsequent antiretroviral therapy (ART) was less effective in preventing early disease progression. RESULTS: We identified 73 children with perinatal HIV infection born between 1994 and 2001 with at least 3 years of follow-up and with information concerning PZP administration. Children who received PZP started subsequent ART at an earlier age than those who did not receive PZP (median age at starting treatment: 2 months for PZP vs. 6 months for no PZP; P = 0.0002). PZP was associated with decreased early HIV progression: 21% (7 of 33) of children who received PZP progressed to a category C diagnosis by 3 years compared with 45% (18 of 40) of children who did not receive PZP (P = 0.047). Children who did not receive PZP progressed to a category C diagnosis at a younger age than children who received PZP (median: 4 vs. 11 months; P = 0.061). ART was as effective in preventing early HIV progression in children who received PZP as in children who did not receive PZP. CONCLUSIONS: In our population-based cohort of perinatally HIV-infected children, those who received PZP started ART at a significantly earlier age than those who did not receive PZP and also demonstrated decreased HIV disease progression by the age of 3 years.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Growth and progression of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in girls.

The progression velocity of scoliosis was studied for 535 consecutive girls with untreated adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. At the first visit the mean age of the patients was 13.9 years (range 9-19 years), the mean magnitude of the major curves was 23.4 degrees (range 5-60 degrees), and that of the minor curves 16.4 degrees (range 0-49 degrees). The median follow-up time was 1.1 years (mean 1.4, range 0.5-6.3 years). The right thoracic curves were most progressive. In the major left thoracic and left lumbar curve types, initial minor curves progressed faster than major curves. The scoliosis progressed faster in patients with minor thoracic kyphosis. In these patients major right thoracic curves were more common. The progression of scoliosis was clearly dependent on the growth velocity, also, the greater the curve at the first visit, the greater was the progression. The progression was most notable with a growth velocity of >or=2 cm/year, at ages between 9 and 13 years, bone ages between 9 and 14 years, Risser signs 0-1, and between 0.5-2 years before menarche.

Adolescent↗

Systematic review: does gastro-oesophageal reflux disease progress?

BACKGROUND: Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease affects approximately 20% of western populations. Barrett's oesophagus, associated with severe gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, is premalignant and regular endoscopic surveillance is generally performed. In contrast, mild gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is thought not to progress and is not generally subjected to endoscopic follow-up. Aim To investigate whether gastro-oesophageal reflux disease progresses endoscopically. METHODS: Systematic review of the literature. RESULTS: Well-designed prospective studies are few, diagnostic criteria were not always standardized, management strategies varied and various sources of bias could not be excluded. Whilst most patients do not progress to more severe forms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, and some cases actually regress, progression is seen in a small proportion of patients. Annual progression rates for non-erosive gastro-oesophageal reflux disease developing erosive oesophagitis ranged from 0% to 30%. About 1-22% of patients with mild erosive oesophagitis developed more severe inflammation annually, while 1-13% of patients with erosive oesophagitis developed Barrett's oesophagus each year. CONCLUSION: Although most patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease do not progress, and some actually regress, progression does occur in a minority. Better data are required to determine whether patients with mild gastro-oesophageal reflux disease would benefit from increased surveillance with the aim of detecting more advanced disease.

Disease Progression↗

Aspirin in the prevention of progressing stroke: a randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVES: In acute stroke, progression has a severe impact on patient outcome and no effective treatment is known. The main objective was to evaluate the efficacy of aspirin for prevention of stroke progression thereby improving outcome. DESIGN: The trial was randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled. SETTING: The patients were treated in stroke units of four hospitals in Sweden. SUBJECTS: Patients with ischaemic stroke but not complete paresis were included. No antiplatelet drugs were allowed within the last 72 h before onset. Delay until first trial dosage was maximized to 48 h. The trial was designed to detect a 20% reduction of the rate of stroke progression, which was estimated to take place in 20% of cases. Totally, 441 patients (220 aspirin, 221 placebo) completed the trial. Baseline comparisons between the groups showed no differences. INTERVENTIONS: Aspirin (325 mg) or placebo was given once daily for five consecutive days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Neurological assessments were carried out three times daily during the treatment period to detect progression of at least two points in the Scandinavian Stroke Supervision Scale. Patient outcome was followed up at discharge and at 3 months. RESULTS: Aspirin treatment did not significantly reduce the frequency of stroke progression. Amongst aspirin-treated patients, stroke progression occurred in 15.9% as compared with 16.7% in the placebo group, which is less frequent than expected. The relative risk was 0.95 (95% CI 0.62-1.45) in the treatment group. As regards patient outcome at discharge and after 3 months, aspirin treatment did not show any difference. CONCLUSION: No positive effect of aspirin, of the expected size, could be shown on the frequency of stroke progression or patient outcome.

Acute Disease↗

Impact of interferon-alpha therapy on liver fibrosis progression in patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B.

The possible effect of interferon-alpha (IFNa) on liver fibrosis progression has not been adequately studied in chronic hepatitis B. We evaluated 147 patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B who had > or =2 liver biopsies and had been treated with IFNa (n = 120) or had remained untreated (n = 27). The median interval between the two biopsies was 24 (12-160) months. All biopsies were scored blindly by a single liver histopathologist according to the classification of Ishak et al. (J Hepatol 1995; 22: 696-699). IFNa induced sustained biochemical response in 30, initial response and subsequent relapse in 57 and no response in 33 patients. Fibrosis improved in 17.5% of treated (sustained responders: 40%, relapsers: 9%, nonresponders: 12%) and 4% of untreated patients and worsened in 34% (sustained responders: 7%, relapsers: 40%, nonresponders: 48%) and 70% of cases, respectively (P = 0.002). The annual rate of fibrosis progression was worse in the untreated (0.427 +/- 0.119) than in treated patients (0.067 +/- 0.052, P = 0.001). However, the fibrosis progression rate in the untreated patients was not significantly different than the net fibrosis progression rate (after subtraction of IFNa duration) in nonresponders or relapsers. In multivariate analysis, worse fibrosis progression rate was associated with older age (P = 0.010), worse baseline grading score (P < 0.001), lower baseline fibrosis (P = 0.035) and the type of response to IFNa (P = 0.032). In conclusion, in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B, IFNa significantly reduces the rate of fibrosis progression, but such an effect is mainly observed in patients with sustained biochemical responses. In relapsers and nonresponders, fibrosis benefit equals the treatment period. The strongest factor associated with fibrosis progression is the change in necroinflammatory activity.

Adult↗

Predicting progressive hepatic fibrosis stage on subsequent liver biopsy in chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

Retrospective cross-sectional studies indicate that 20% with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection become cirrhotic within 20 years. Known risk factors for advanced hepatic fibrosis include age at time of infection, male sex, excess alcohol consumption and cytokine polymorphisms. Prospective study to assess and identify factors predictive of change in hepatic fibrosis stage in chronic HCV infection by interval protocol liver biopsy was performed. One hundred and five patients with paired liver biopsy specimens separated by a mean 41 months were recruited from a cohort of 823 HCV carriers. Five per cent developed worsening hepatic fibrosis by more than two stages. In 43% there was no change in fibrosis stage. Excessive alcohol intake currently (P = 0.037) or previously (P = 0.07) predicted progression. In contrast, always having a normal alanine transaminase (P = 0.038) and always being negative in serum for HCV RNA (P =0.067) predicted no progression. Three models were developed to predict outcome. Progressive fibrosis was predicted by baseline fibrosis (P = 0.018), steatosis (P = 0.02) and age (P = 0.017). The rate of progressive fibrosis was predicted by baseline fibrosis (P = 0.0002), steatosis (P =0.039) and lobular inflammation (P = 0.09). Fibrosis stage on the second biopsy was predicted by baseline fibrosis alone (P = 0.01). The rate of progression varies widely. Alcohol misuse is an important co-factor. Progressive fibrosis can be predicted at first liver biopsy, where baseline fibrosis is most critical, allowing targeted therapy for those with early disease and a significant risk of progression.

Adult↗

Fibrosis progression in initially mild chronic hepatitis C.

The natural history of chronic hepatitis C presenting with no/minimal liver fibrosis is uncertain with controversies on risk of progression and need for antiviral treatment. We studied rates and determinants of fibrosis progression in initially mild chronic hepatitis C. One hundred and six patients (mean age 41.65 +/- 12.83 years) with chronic hepatitis C virus infection and no/minimal fibrosis in the initial liver biopsy (F0/F1 by METAVIR score) were followed prospectively while untreated with repeated biopsy after 5 or more years (mean interval 7.8 +/- 1.51 years). Patients showing fibrosis progression were compared with nonprogressors for baseline and follow-up parameters. Sixty-four patients (60.4%) showed fibrosis progression including 13 of 27 (49%) with F0 and 51 of 79 (65%) with F1. Progression to F3 or cirrhosis was seen in 36% of those with F1 initially. Fibrosis progression (DeltaF/year) was associated with age (P < 0.0001), baseline and follow-up alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (P = 0.005), histological activity (P = 0.004) and steatosis (P = 0.002) in the initial biopsy and use of alcohol (P = 0.008). Thus liver fibrosis progression occurs in two-thirds of patients with initially mild chronic hepatitis C within 5-10 years and advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis develops in one-third of those with F1 initially. Fibrosis is facilitated by older age and alcohol and associated with inflammatory activity and ALT levels. Antiviral therapy should be considered in mild chronic hepatitis C.

Adolescent↗

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy in stage Ta/T1 bladder cancer: prognostic factors for time to recurrence and progression.

OBJECTIVE: To report prognostic factors for time to recurrence and progression after bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) prophylaxis in patients with stage Ta/T1 papillary bladder cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The clinical records were assessed retrospectively for 236 patients with papillary stage Ta/T1 bladder cancer treated with BCG between 1986 and 2000. Patients with known carcinoma in situ were excluded. The median (range) follow-up was 44 (4-155) months. The effect of 13 variables on the time to recurrence and progression was evaluated using multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses. RESULTS: The recurrence rate was markedly reduced for all grades and stages. Patients with a negative first cystoscopy and maintenance BCG had a significantly longer time to recurrence than those treated with an induction course alone (P < 0.001). Thirty-seven patients (16%) progressed in stage. The result of the first cystoscopy (P < 0.001), tumour grade (P = 0.003) and six or fewer initial instillations (P = 0.002) had prognostic importance for the time to progression. Twenty-eight patients (12%) had a history of an upper tract tumour, which was 3-10 times the expected rate. Age, number of tumours, number of positive cystoscopies, length of tumour history before BCG, BCG strain and treatment year had no influence on time to recurrence and progression. CONCLUSIONS: Maintenance treatment does not seem to be necessary among patients with TaG1-G2 disease after a negative first cystoscopy, as the progression rate was very low. One new finding was that BCG seemed to be equally effective among patients with or with no history of an upper tract tumour. Another new and surprising finding was that patients treated with fewer than six induction instillations, because of very bothersome side-effects, had an increased risk of tumour progression and of local failure.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Predicting short-term disease progression among HIV-infected patients in Asia and the Pacific region: preliminary results from the TREAT Asia HIV Observational Database (TAHOD).

OBJECTIVES: HIV disease progression has been well documented in Western populations. This study aimed to estimate the short-term risk of AIDS and death from the TREAT Asia HIV Observational Database (TAHOD), a prospective, multicentre cohort study in Asia and the Pacific region. METHODS: Prospective data were analysed to estimate short-term disease progression. Endpoints were defined as the time from study entry to diagnosis with AIDS or death. Antiretroviral treatment was fitted as a time-dependent variable. Predictors of disease progression were assessed using Cox proportional hazards models, and prognostic models were developed using Weibull models. RESULTS: A total of 1260 patients with prospective follow-up data contributed 477 person-years of follow-up, during which 18 patients died and 34 were diagnosed with AIDS, a combined rate of 10.1 per 100 person-years. Compared with patients receiving antiretroviral treatment, patients not on treatment had a higher rate of disease progression (17.6 vs. 8.1 per 100 person-years, respectively). Baseline CD4 count was the strongest predictor of disease progression. Prognostic models, using either a baseline CD4 count as the sole marker or markers including baseline haemoglobin, AIDS-related symptoms and previous or current antiretroviral treatment, were successful at identifying patients at high risk of short-term disease progression. CONCLUSIONS: Similar to the situation in Western countries, baseline CD4 count was the strongest predictor of short-term disease progression. Prognostic models based on readily available clinical data and haemoglobin level should be useful in estimating short-term clinical risk in HIV-infected patients in Asia and the Pacific region.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Serum uric acid, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, and apolipoprotein E genotype in benign vs. progressive multiple sclerosis.

The majority of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience gradual progression of disability, either as secondary progressive MS (SPMS) or primary progressive MS (PPMS). A subgroup with relapsing-remitting MS shows a benign course with little or no disease progression and minimal disability decades after the first manifestations, so called benign MS (BMS). In our search to identify factors that are associated with progression of MS, we investigated serum levels of uric acid and dehydroepiandrostenedione sulphate (DHEAS), and apolipoprotein (apo)E genotype in 28 patients with BMS, 33 with SPMS, 21 with PPMS, and 29 healthy individuals. We found no significant changes in uric acid levels and apoE genotype between the four groups. Mean DHEAS levels were lower in MS patients compared with healthy controls (P = 0.049), but there were no significant differences between the clinical subgroups of MS. In patients with SPMS and PPMS there was no correlation between progression rate and serum levels of either uric acid or DHEAS. Our results suggest that serum levels of uric acid and DHEAS, and apoE genotype do not differ between patients with a benign and progressive course of MS.

Adult↗

The diagnosis of low-grade dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus and its implications for disease progression.

OBJECTIVE: The reported risk of progression from low-grade dysplasia (LGD) to high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or carcinoma (CA) in Barrett's esophagus varies. However, the validity of a diagnosis of LGD may be questioned because of interobserver variability. METHODS: A search of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation surgical pathology files between 1986 and 1997 yielded biopsy specimens from 43 patients with Barrett's esophagus diagnosed and coded as LGD. Patients with concurrent or prior diagnoses of HGD or carcinoma were excluded. The LGD cases were randomized and blindly reviewed by three gastrointestinal (GI) pathologists along with cases originally diagnosed as Barrett's esophagus without dysplasia (ND; n = 28), indefinite for dysplasia (IND; n = 14), or HGD (n = 15). Each pathologist classified every biopsy specimen as ND, IND, LGD, or HGD, and interobserver agreements were determined by kappa statistics (K). Follow-up data were available on 25 patients originally diagnosed with LGD. Progression was defined as a subsequent diagnosis of HGD or CA on esophageal biopsy or resection specimens. RESULTS: Agreement between two GI pathologists for a diagnosis of LGD was fair (K = 0.28) and poor (K = 0.21 and -0.04). Individual GI pathologists agreed with the original diagnosis of LGD in 70%, 56%, and 16% of cases. The 25 patients with follow-up included 21 men and four women (mean age, 67 yr) with a mean follow-up of 26 months (range: 2-84 months). Seven patients (28%) with follow-up developed HGD (five patients) or CA (two patients), 2-43 months (median: 11 months) after a diagnosis of LGD. The individual GI pathologists' diagnosis did not correlate with progression. However, when at least two GI pathologists agreed on LGD, there was a significant association with progression (seven of 17 patients, 41%, p = 0.04). When all three GI pathologists agreed on a diagnosis of LGD, four of five patients progressed (p = 0.012). In contrast, of the eight patients with follow-up and no agreement among GI pathologists for a diagnosis of LGD, none progressed. CONCLUSIONS: A high degree of interobserver variability is seen in the histological diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus-related LGD. Although the number of observations is low, a consensus diagnosis of LGD among GI pathologists suggests an increased risk of progression from LGD to HGD or carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗

p53 expression in low grade dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus: correlation with interobserver agreement and disease progression.

OBJECTIVES: The frequency of progression from low grade dysplasia (LGD) to high grade dysplasia/carcinoma (HGD/ CA) in Barrett's esophagus (BE) varies among studies. Current assessment is made more difficult because of pathologists' interobserver variability in diagnosing LGD. We recently conducted an interobserver study on LGD and reported a positive correlation between the extent of agreement among GI pathologists and progression of LGD. In the current study, we analyzed the immunohistochemical staining for p53 in patients diagnosed with LGD with known clinical outcome and interobserver agreement data. METHODS: Fixed, paraffin-embedded endoscopic biopsy specimens from 16 patients diagnosed with LGD in BE were immunostained for p53 (DO-7, Dako, Carpinteria, CA). Hematoxylin and eosin-stained and immunostained sections were examined in tandem to determine whether the LGD areas in question stained for p53. The p53 immunoreactivity was correlated with clinical progression and with the interobserver agreement among three GI pathologists. RESULTS: The overall mean follow-up was 23 months (range 2-84 months). LGD areas in seven of eight patients (88%) who progressed to HGD/CA stained positively for p53 compared to only two of eight nonprogressors (25%). A correlation with clinical progression was seen for p53 positivity (p = 0.017; log-rank test), and for either p53 positivity or complete agreement among three GI pathologists on LGD diagnosis (p = 0.014; log-rank test). The p53 staining demonstrated 88% sensitivity and 75% specificity for progression of LGD to HGD/CA. Adding complete interobserver agreement on LGD among three experienced GI pathologists to p53 positivity resulted in improved sensitivity with no change in specificity (100% and 75%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In conjunction with histological evaluation by GI pathologists for a diagnosis of LGD, immunohistochemical staining for p53 can be used as an adjunctive test, as it correlated with progression to HGD/CA in this series.

Adult↗

Nonsurgical and surgical methods of sclera reinforcement in progressive myopia.

PURPOSE: As shown by the clinical picture of progressive myopia, derangements in biomechanical properties of sclera may be more or less manifested. The study aims at the development of a discriminating approach to their correction. METHODS: Patients with the condition were given a sclera strengthening injection, in which a dose of liquid polymeric composition is injected under the Tenon's capsule on the scleral surface. After polymerization, the composition forms over the scleral surface a layer of elastic foamed gel. RESULTS: Complex experiments on 146 rabbit eyes showed that the injected material promotes collagen formation. Gradually dissolving, the gel stimulates the growth of connective tissue on the surface of the sclera, whose stress-strain parameters improve. A thorough clinical study of 240 eyes of patients aged 8-25 years with progressive 6-10 D myopia showed that the refraction remained stable in 79.6% eyes 1 year after the sclera strengthening injection and in 52.9% cases 4-9 years after the sclera strengthening injection. At the same time, fellow intact eyes have shown, respectively, 40.3% and 13.3% of myopia stabilization, and 212 untreated eyes of the control group 26.0% and 11.1%, respectively. 612 children and adolescents with high myopia and a yearly progression of over 1.0 D were subjected to a scleroplastic operation. It was found that the myopia remained stable in 95.7% cases 1 year after the operation, and in 71.9%, 7 years after the operation. If myopia progression continued after a sclera strengthening injection or scleroplasty, a second procedure was performed. Second interventions were effected on 118 eyes of 102 patients, including 42 eyes where a sclera strengthening injection followed a sclera strengthening injection, 27 eyes where scleroplasty followed a sclera strengthening injection, 31 eyes where a sclera strengthening injection followed scleroplasty, and 18 eyes on which a second scleroplasty was performed. Second interventions provide a double decrease of myopia progression rate and, in 63% of patients, stop the progression altogether. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that nonsurgical and surgical techniques of correcting the biomechanical properties of sclera for the treatment of progressive myopia as well as discriminative methods of determining the indications to these procedures have proven to be effective.

Acrylamides↗

Some microbiological, histopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of progressive periodontal disease.

The aim of the present investigation was to study the local nature of human periodontal disease by assessing the microbiota and the composition of the tissue lesions at sites with progressive attachment loss in periodontitis susceptible subjects. 300 subjects with periodontal disease were monitored for 2 years without treatment. 8 subjects lost > 2 mm of attachment at > or = 3 sites during both the first and the second 12 month interval. These 8 subjects (progressive disease group; PD) were recalled for a microbiological and histopathological examination. A group of age- and sex-matched subjects were identified who during the 2 years of monitoring exhibited gingivitis and deep pockets, but no further attachment loss. This group of 11 subjects (non-progressive disease group; NPD) served as controls. From the 8 active disease subjects, > or = 1 interproximal site which had displayed disease activity (progressive disease active; PDA) and > or = 1 contralateral site without disease progression (progressive disease inactive; PDI) were sampled. From the 11 control subjects, 1 site/subject was sampled (NPD). The total number of viable micro-organisms (TVC) in the subgingival microbiota was estimated and a series of bacterial species were identified and enumerated. The gingival tissue of the sampling site was excised and the soft tissue prepared for morphometrical and immunohistochemical analyses. No differences were observed in the subgingival microbiota of the sample sites in the subjects who exhibited disease progression (PD) when compared with the subjects with periodontally diseased but stable conditions (NPD).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗