Phytoestrogen modulation of bone-related cytokines and its impact on cell viability in human prostate cancer cells.

Aims: Prostate cancer (PCa) has a high propensity to metastasize to the bone. PCa cells produce several bone-related factors, namely parathyroid hormone related protein (PTHrP), its PTH type 1 receptor (PTH1R), osteoprotegerin (OPG), and receptor activator of NF-kappa B ligand (RANKL). The effects of these factors might explain, at least in part, the ability of PCa cells to grow in and interact with bone.

Receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) as a novel prognostic marker in prostate carcinoma.

Combined immunodetection of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) and receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL) has shown to successfully distinguish poorly- and well-differentiated prostate carcinoma (PCa). In the present study, we aimed to assess whether immunohistochemical evaluation of these factors, and also osteoprotegerin (OPG) and Ki67, in radical prostatectomy specimens can predict biochemical recurrence. Fifty nine PCa cases undergoing radical prostatectomy between 1995 and 1998, without history of neoadjuvant hormonal therapy, were studied.

Immunohistochemical analysis of low-grade and high-grade prostate carcinoma: relative changes of parathyroid hormone-related protein and its parathyroid hormone 1 receptor, osteoprotegerin and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB ligand.

Aim: To investigate multiple bone cytokines produced by prostate carcinoma (PCa) as a novel strategy to differentiate potential aggressiveness in localised PCa using immunohistochemical analysis.

Methods: A total of 47 cases of PCa undergoing radical prostatectomy or transurethral prostatic resection at our institution (Fundación Jiménez Díaz (Grupo Capio), Madrid, Spain) between January 1991 and June 1998 were identified as low-grade (< or =4; n = 22) or high-grade (> or =7, excluding 7 (3+4) cases; n = 25) PCa according to Gleason grade. PCa specimens were immunostained for: parathyroid hormone (PTH)-related protein (PTHrP), the PTH1 receptor, osteoprotegerin and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL), as well as Ki67 (a proliferation marker) and CD34 (an angiogenesis marker).

New Heck-type reaction applied to the synthesis of protoporphyrin-IX derivatives.

[reaction: se text] A new Heck-type reaction under catalysis by Pd for obtaining polysubstituted arylvinylydene derivatives of porphyrin systems is reported. The coupling between the Zn(II)-protoporphyrin-IX dimethylester Zn-2 and several bromo-aryl and iodo-aryl compounds in the presence of a new Pd catalyst has been studied. This coupling reaction, although providing moderate regioselectivity, gives quantitative conversion.

[Cultural and linguistic validation, in Spanish, of the International Prostatic Symptoms Scale (I-PSS)].

Formal presentation of the cultural and linguistic validation, in Spanish, of the International Prostatic Symptoms Scale (I-PSS). The process for the official translation into Spanish of the questionnaire on prostatic symptomatology and quality of live derived from urinary symptoms, has followed a methodology common to several countries (UK, Italy, Norway, The Netherlands and Spain) which consisted in: translation into Spanish of the original American-English version published by the WHO in 1992, by two independent bilingual urologists; re-translation into English, checking any conceptual and semantic changes that had caused difficulties in the process of translation/re-translation; final choice of the text by an International Committee based both on the data provided by the above process and the experience of the Central Committee accrued over their relationships with the various National Committees. The resulting text was applied to 33 patients with prostate disease and 12 controls, individually recording any difficulty of interpretation and choice of answer observed for each of the questions.

[Hypercalciuria and hyperuricosuria causing hematuria in the absence of nephrolithiasis].

A prospective study was made of 38 adult patients (15 male and 23 female, age 30.5 +/- 10.8 years) with isolated hematuria of unknown etiology in which presence of hypercalciuria and/or hyperuricosuria without lithiasis was observed.