Rabbit CD200R binds host CD200 but not CD200-like proteins from poxviruses.

CD200 is a widely distributed membrane protein that gives inhibitory signals through its receptor (CD200R) on myeloid cells. CD200 has been acquired by herpesviruses where it has been shown to interact with host CD200R and downmodulate the immune system. It has been hypothesized that poxviruses have acquired CD200; but the potential orthologues show less similarity to their hosts.

Importance of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand in pathogenesis of interstitial cystitis.

Introduction: Although interstitial cystitis is an inflammatory disease, its etiopathogenesis is not clearly understood. The objective of the present study is to investigate the distribution of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and its receptors in bladder biopsy samples of patients diagnosed with interstitial cystitis and the role of TRAIL in the pathogenesis of interstitial cystitis.

Materials And Methods: TRAIL and its receptors were stained immunohistochemically in bladder biopsy samples of 27 patients diagnosed with interstitial cystitis, and the samples were evaluated independently by two pathologists and were scored in terms of expression intensity and distribution.

Validation of the type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor as a therapeutic target in renal cancer.

Purpose: Expression of the type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF1R) confers adverse prognosis in clear cell renal cell cancer (CC-RCC). We recently showed that IGF1R expression is inhibited by the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor, and the IGF1R is up-regulated in CC-RCC, in which VHL is frequently inactivated. We tested the hypothesis that IGF1R up-regulation mediates resistance to cancer therapeutics, evaluating the effects of IGF1R depletion on sensitivity to cytotoxic drugs, which are ineffective in RCC, and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor rapamycin, analogues of which have clinical activity in this tumor.

Tibial nerve stimulation diminishes mast cell infiltration in the bladder wall induced by interstitial cystitis urine.

Objectives: To investigate whether the urine of interstitial cystitis (IC) patients has a toxic effect on the bladder wall, as determined by mast cell infiltration, and to evaluate the preventive effect of tibial nerve electric stimulation (TNES) on bladder mastocytosis induced by IC urine.

Material And Methods: The bladders of female rats were catheterized and instilled with IC urine (Group IC; n=10) and normal urine (Group NU; n=5) obtained from humans, saline (Group S; n=5) and protamine sulphate (Group PS; n=10) for 6 weeks. Additionally, in five rats instilled with IC urine and five instilled with PS, TNES was also performed (Groups IC + TNES and PS + TNES).

Can alpha-blocker therapy be an alternative to biofeedback for dysfunctional voiding and urinary retention? A prospective study.

Purpose: Traditional treatment of dysfunctional voiding in children with urinary retention involves retraining the pelvic floor muscles using biofeedback. Alpha-blockers are reported to also be effective in children with urinary retention and dysfunctional voiding. We compared the efficacy of biofeedback and alpha-blockers for dysfunctional voiding and urinary retention in terms of residual urine volume and urge incontinence episodes, mean flow rates and urinary tract infections.

Should we switch over to tolterodine in every child with non-neurogenic daytime urinary incontinence in whom oxybutynin failed?

Objectives: To assess the clinical efficacy of tolterodine prescribed to children with non-neurogenic daytime urinary incontinence secondary to overactive bladder who had previously failed to improve with oral oxybutynin treatment and its relation to the side-effect profile and compliance status.

Methods: We evaluated 92 children presenting with daytime wetting, with or without nocturnal enuresis, who were receiving oral oxybutynin treatment. Children with chronic urinary tract infections, a neurologic lesion, an anatomic abnormality of lower urinary tract, voiding abnormality, and less than 1 year of oxybutynin treatment were excluded.