Management of patients with cystic fibrosis and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis using anti-immunoglobulin e therapy (omalizumab).

Omalizumab is a recombinant DNA-derived humanized immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-IgE monoclonal antibody approved for use in patients with allergic asthma. However, it is not approved for allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). Conflicting reports exist about the effects of omalizumab on ABPA in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF).

Effect of Pyrethrins on cytochrome P450 forms in cultured rat and human hepatocytes.

High doses of Pyrethrins produce liver and thyroid gland tumours in rats by modes of action involving the induction of hepatic xenobiotic metabolising enzymes. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of Pyrethrins with those of the rat liver and thyroid tumour promoter sodium Phenobarbital on some cytochrome P450 (CYP) forms in cultured rat and human hepatocytes. The treatment of female Sprague-Dawley rat and human (both male and female) hepatocytes for 72 h with 0-1000 microM Pyrethrins and 0-1000 microM Phenobarbital did not result in any marked cytotoxicity.

Creation and characterization of a doxycycline-inducible mouse model of thyroid-targeted RET/PTC1 oncogene and luciferase reporter gene coexpression.

Background: RET/PTC1 chromosomal rearrangement is associated with papillary thyroid carcinoma formation in children exposed to ionizing radiation. We previously created a transgenic mouse model with thyroid-targeted constitutive RET/PTC1 expression and demonstrated papillary thyroid carcinoma formation.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to create a doxycycline-inducible mouse model of thyroid RET/PTC1 and luciferase reporter gene coexpression to allow for noninvasive monitoring of transgene expression in mice of various ages and timepoints after induction.

PI3K activation is associated with intracellular sodium/iodide symporter protein expression in breast cancer.

Background: The sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) is a membrane glycoprotein mediating active iodide uptake in the thyroid gland and is the molecular basis for radioiodide imaging and therapeutic ablation of thyroid carcinomas. NIS is expressed in the lactating mammary gland and in many human breast tumors, raising interest in similar use for diagnosis and treatment. However, few human breast tumors have clinically evident iodide uptake ability.

Pheochromocytoma in an aged female African elephant (Loxodonta africana).

A 43 yr-old female African elephant (Loxodonta africana) collapsed acutely and died. Necropsy revealed an enlarged right adrenal medulla. Histologic appearance was typical of pheochromocytoma.