Impairments in set-shifting but not reversal learning in the neonatal ventral hippocampal lesion model of schizophrenia: further evidence for medial prefrontal deficits.

The executive function processes of set-shifting and reversal learning in rodents are mediated by the medial prefrontal cortex and the orbitofrontal cortex, respectively. Here, we investigated both set-shifting and reversal learning in a developmental animal model of schizophrenia, the neonatal ventral hippocampal lesion (NVHL) model. The NVHL manipulation is known to disrupt development of the medial prefrontal cortex, and to impair behaviors dependent on this area, but potential orbitofrontal abnormalities and reversal learning deficits are less well studied.

Complete loss of PTEN expression as a possible early prognostic marker for prostate cancer metastasis.

The EGF/IGF growth factors are potent mitogens that regulate cell proliferation and cell survival and are involved in prostate cancer development. Using laser microdissection technology and real-time PCR, together with immunohistochemistry, we have explored the growth factor and integrin dependent PI3-kinase/PTEN/Akt signalling pathway in prostate cell lines and tumour samples by analysing EGF-R, IGF1-R, ILK, beta3 integrin, PTEN and p-Akt protein expression. We provide evidence that loss of PTEN expression rather than upregulated EGF/IGF1 receptor expression was responsible for increased p-Akt in neoplastic prostate cells.

Thyroid cancer in Luxembourg: a national population-based data report (1983-1999).

Background: Twenty years after the nuclear accident in Chernobyl (Eastern Europe), there is still a controversial debate concerning a possible effect of the radioactive iodines, especially I-131, on the increase of thyroid carcinomas (TCs) in Western Europe. Time trends in incidence rates of TC in Luxembourg in comparison with other European countries and its descriptive epidemiology were investigated.

Methods: The population-based data of the national Morphologic Tumour Registry collecting new thyroid cancers diagnosed between 1983 and 1999 at a nation-wide level in the central division of pathology were reviewed and focused on incidence rates of TC.

ILK as a potential marker gene to ascertain specific adenocarcinoma cell mRNA isolation from frozen prostate biopsy tissue sections.

A major technical challenge related to gene expression profiling of tissue samples is the difficulty of procuring selected cell populations from tissues that by nature are heterogeneous, such as prostate tissue. In this study we have examined the expression of integrin-linked kinase (ILK) mRNA in prostate adenocarcinoma cells versus normal prostate epithelial cells in order to determine whether ILK could be used as a reference marker gene for prostate adenocarcinoma cell mRNA isolation. Using laser microdissection (LMD) technology and real-time PCR, together with immunohistochemistry, we have analyzed ILK mRNA expression in epithelial cells isolated from frozen prostate biopsy specimens as well as 4 prostate cell lines (RWPE-1, LNCaP, PC-3 and DU 145) and correlated ILK mRNA expression with ILK protein expression.

Atypical glandular cells in conventional cervical smears: incidence and follow-up.

Background: Atypical glandular cells on cervical smears are often associated with clinically significant uterine lesions. The frequency and accuracy of AGC-NOS (i.e.

Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance: audit and the impact of potential litigation. Retrospective review of 682 cases.

For quality assurance purposes, the frequency of 'abnormal' cytological diagnoses of the non-systematic National Cervical Cancer Screening Programme (NCCSP) was evaluated. In 1999, an unexpected high number of Class (Cl) III cases (i.e.

Cervical screening in Luxembourg: 1990-1999.

For quality assurance purposes, the results of the 1990's obtained by the National Cervical Cancer Screening Programme (NCCSP) launched in 1962 were reviewed. The positive cytodiagnosis, the histologically verified in situ and invasive cervical cancers and the mortality rates were reported.

On-road particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) emissions in the Sepulveda Tunnel, Los Angeles, California.

Total and speciated particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) emission factors from in-use vehicles were measured for a mixed light- (97.4% LD) and heavy-duty fleet (2.

The Impact of California Phase 2 Reformulated Gasoline on Real-World Vehicle Emissions.

In mid-1996, California implemented Phase 2 Reformulated Gasoline (RFG). The new fuel was designed to further decrease emissions of hydrocarbons (HC), oxides of nitrogen (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO), and other toxic species. In addition, it was formulated to reduce the ozone-forming potential of the HCs emitted by vehicles.

Measurements of Dioxin and Furan Emission Factors from Heavy-Duty Diesel Vehicles.

This note describes the results of a study of the on-road emissions of dioxins and furans from mobile sources. This work was performed in response to the U.S.

Calcium involvement in luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone release from the bovine infundibulum.

Bovine infundibular (stalk median eminence) explants were incubated in vitro to test the hypothesis that calcium (Ca) is involved in the release of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) from LHRH neuron terminals in cattle. Right and left infundibular halves from individual heifers and/or steers were randomly assigned to either control or treated (EGTA [a Ca chelator] or verapamil [an L-type Ca channel antagonist]) groups. Each half was incubated in 600 microliters of Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate medium (KRB) in the presence or absence of a treatment agent for 180 min.