Transgene expression, bioactivity, and safety of CERE-120 (AAV2-neurturin) following delivery to the monkey striatum.

Neurturin (NTN) is a neurotrophic factor for dopaminergic neurons that may be therapeutic for patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). As a crucial component in a series of nonclinical translational studies aimed at testing whether CERE-120 should advance into clinical trials in PD subjects, we characterized the expression, bioactivity and safety of CERE-120, an adeno-associated virus type-2 (AAV2) vector encoding NTN, following delivery to the striatum of nonhuman primates. Monkeys received bilateral injections of CERE-120 across a tenfold range of doses (6 x 10(10) to 6 x 10(11) vector genomes per animal) or formulation buffer (FB) control.

Sudden cardiac death and dialysis patients.

Dialysis patients have extraordinarily high mortality rates. The death rate for all US dialysis patients in 2004 was 230 per 1000 patient-years. Cardiac disease is the major cause of death in dialysis patients and accounts for 43% of all-cause mortality.

Differential effects of GdCl3- or MDP treatment on rat liver microcirculation and gene expression in the hepatic non-parenchymal cell fraction in LPS shock.

Background: Dichloromethylenebisphosphonate (MDP) and gadolinium chloride (GdCl(3)) are substances frequently used for experimental depletion of Kupffer Cells (KC) in models of endotoxin shock. The aim was to determine whether depletion of KC through pretreatment with GdCl(3) or MDP alters the hepatic microcirculation during lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced shock in rats and to test if there are substance-specific differences.

Methods: Rats received either MDP or GdCl(3) or saline prior to induction of LPS shock.

Electro-optic and nonlinear optical properties of ion implanted waveguides in organic crystals.

We report on the electro-optic and nonlinear optical properties of waveguides produced by low fluence (Phi = 1.25x10(14) ions/cm(2)) H+ ion implantation in the organic nonlinear optic crystal 4-N,N-dimethylamino-4'-N'-methyl-stilbazolium tosylate (DAST). The profile of the nonlinear optical susceptibility has been determined by measuring the reflected second-harmonic generation efficiency from a wedged-polished sample at a fundamental wavelength of lambda(omega) = 1176nm.

Autophagy delays apoptosis in renal tubular epithelial cells in cisplatin cytotoxicity.

One of the major side effects of cisplatin chemotherapy is toxic acute kidney injury due to preferential accumulation of cisplatin in renal proximal tubule epithelial cells and the subsequent injury to these cells. Apoptosis is known as a major mechanism of cisplatin-induced cell death in renal tubular cells. We have also recently demonstrated that autophagy induction is an immediate response of renal tubular epithelial cell exposure to cisplatin.

Cardiac (31)P-MRS compared to echocardiographic findings in patients with hypertensive heart disease without overt systolic dysfunction--preliminary results.

Purpose: To evaluate changes in high energy phosphate (HEP) metabolism in patients with hypertension and diastolic dysfunction but with normal LVEF>55% assessed by echocardiography and tissue Doppler.

Material And Methods: 20 patients (16 men and 4 women, mean age 57+/-13 years) were studied with phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy and echocardiography. MRS was performed at 1.

Clinical epidemiology of atrial fibrillation and related cerebrovascular events in the United States.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an important, independent risk factor for stroke and is estimated to cause a 5-fold increase in ischemic stroke risk. The aim of this article is to describe the changing epidemiology of AF in the United States and to assess the implications for stroke prevention and treatment.

Review Summary: AF prevalence is increasing in the general population.

Pediatric cardiovascular CT angiography: radiation dose reduction using automatic anatomic tube current modulation.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of weight-based scanning protocols and automatic tube current modulation on the tube current-time product and image quality at pediatric cardiovascular 64-MDCT angiography.

Materials And Methods: Our pediatric cardiovascular 64-MDCT protocols use a weight-based algorithm to determine nominal tube voltage settings with 80, 100, and 120 kV. Automatic tube current modulation was used for each case.

Dental students attitudes regarding online education in pediatric dentistry.

Purpose: The Atlas of Pediatric Dentistry is a Web-based (Atlas of Pediatric Dentistry Atlas of Pediatric Dentistry (http://depts.washington.edu/peddent/) and disk-deployed comprehensive textbook of pediatric dentistry that features approximately 3,500 frames and 2,500 images, including color clinical photographs, illustrations, and radiographs; There are also end-of-chapter quizzes, laboratory manuals, photo banks, and a scrollable index incorporated as features in the book.

Long-term risk of mortality and end-stage renal disease among the elderly after small increases in serum creatinine level during hospitalization for acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Although small changes in creatinine level during hospitalization have been associated with risk of short-term mortality, associations with posthospitalization end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and long-term mortality are unknown. We assessed the relationship between change in serum creatinine levels up to 3.0 mg/dL and death and ESRD among elderly survivors of hospitalization for acute myocardial infarction.

Outcomes of renal transplant and waiting list patients with bacterial endocarditis in the United States.

Background: Bacterial endocarditis is associated with poor long-term survival among dialysis patients. Renal transplant patients and those waiting list for renal transplantation are predisposed to developing bacterial endocarditis; data regarding incidence and outcomes are limited.

Methods: Patients hospitalised for bacterial endocarditis were identified from patients transplanted or waiting list between 1995 and 2003.

Cause-specific mortality of dialysis patients after coronary revascularization: why don't dialysis patients have better survival after coronary intervention?

Introduction: The risk of death after coronary revascularization is markedly higher for dialysis patients than for the general population and the cause is inadequately explained. We analyzed cause-specific mortality of dialysis patients after coronary revascularization.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of dialysis patients hospitalized for first surgical coronary revascularization after renal replacement therapy initiation from 1 January 1999 to 31 December 2002.

Multimodality treatment of osteosarcoma: radiation in a high-risk cohort.

Purpose: Chemotherapy during radiation and/or bone-seeking radioisotope therapy (153-samarium; 1 mCi/kg) during radiation may improve osteosarcoma cancer control.

Patients And Methods: We analyzed our preliminary radiation experience in high-risk, metastatic, and/or recurrent patients during a consecutive period of 20 months (May 2005-December 2006).

Results: Thirty-nine high-risk osteosarcoma patients had radiotherapy; 119 sites were irradiated.

Phosphorus levels are associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in the general population.

Background: Elevated serum phosphorus has been linked to mortality among patients with renal failure and in one study in the general population. The aim of our study was to examine the association of serum phosphorus level with carotid atherosclerosis in the general population.

Methods: We determined the association of serum phosphorus levels with carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in 13,340 subjects 45-64 years old without known coronary heart disease, stroke, or renal disease from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study.

Kidney disease in cardiology.

Focusing on the convergence of cardiology and nephrology, this article marks the second year of NDT's section on Kidney Diseases beyond Nephrology. The clinical themes highlighted by the articles chosen for review include risk stratification and diagnosis of ischemic heart disease in severe chronic kidney disease and endstage renal disease patients, trials to reduce the risk of acute kidney injury (particularly contrast nephropathy) occurring with the invasive diagnosis and treatment of ischemic heart disease, and new data on the special clinical characteristics of dialysis patients with acute myocardial infarction. Finally, two clinical trials focusing on cardiovascular disease in severe kidney disease patients will be briefly highlighted.

Evaluation of an indirect immunofluorescence assay for detection of immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG antibodies against yellow fever virus.

The first commercial indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) using Euroimmun Biochip technology was evaluated for the serodiagnosis of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibodies against yellow fever virus (YFV) and was compared with the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT), which is currently the gold standard test for YFV. An overall correlation between the tests of 98.7% was established based on the analysis of 150 sera from individuals after vaccination with the 17D yellow fever vaccine.

Chronic valproate normalizes behavior in mice overexpressing calcineurin.

Calcineurin (PP2B) is a Ca(2+)-dependent protein phosphatase enriched in the brain that takes part in intracellular signaling pathways regulating synaptic plasticity and complex brain functions. We report here that when these pathways are activated by transgenic expression of calcineurin, locomotor activity of mice in response to novelty is increased, as well as the behavioral and molecular responses of the psychostimulant cocaine. We also observed that the anxious-like behavior is altered.

Long-term survival of incident hemodialysis patients who are hospitalized for congestive heart failure, pulmonary edema, or fluid overload.

Background And Objectives: Mortality in patients who are on maintenance hemodialysis and have congestive heart failure is high in small cohort studies. The aim of this study was to determine long-term survival in a large cohort of dialysis patients with congestive heart failure and suspected fluid overload or pulmonary edema.

Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: Data were analyzed, retrospectively, on 1,119,808 patients who started hemodialysis between January 1977 and December 1999.

Immunogenicity and safety of a pediatric dose of a virosome-adjuvanted hepatitis A vaccine: a controlled trial in children aged 1-16 years.

Background: The availability of pediatric formulations of hepatitis A virus (HAV) vaccines would facilitate the introduction of universal mass vaccination against HAV. The objective of this study was to compare a pediatric dose (0.25 mL) of Epaxal, a virosomal, aluminum-free HAV vaccine, to 0.

Clinical characteristics of dialysis patients with acute myocardial infarction in the United States: a collaborative project of the United States Renal Data System and the National Registry of Myocardial Infarction.

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is catastrophic for dialysis patients. This study set out to determine the clinical characteristics of dialysis patients hospitalized for AMI in the United States.

Methods And Results: This retrospective cohort study used data from the US Renal Data System (USRDS) database (n=1,285,177) and the third National Registry of Myocardial Infarction (NRMI 3) (n=537,444).

MR-guided interventions of the prostate gland.

In recent years MR imaging has played an increasingly important role in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. MR imaging of the prostate allows a clear delineation of the anatomic structures and prostate tumors when performing interventions such as biopsies, brachytherapy or thermal therapy of the prostate gland. MRI robotic assistance will improve the accuracy of the interventions.

Concomitant administration of a virosome-adjuvanted hepatitis a vaccine with routine childhood vaccines at age twelve to fifteen months: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: The objectives of this trial were to test for noninferiority of a virosomal hepatitis A virus (HAV) vaccine (Epaxal) coadministered with routine childhood vaccines compared with Epaxal given alone and to an alum-adjuvanted HAV vaccine (Havrix Junior) coadministered with routine childhood vaccines.

Methods: Healthy children 12- to 15-month-old were randomized to receive either a pediatric dose (0.25 mL) of Epaxal coadministered with DTPaHibIPV, oral polio vaccine, and measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (n = 109; group A), or Epaxal given alone (n = 105; group B), or Havrix Junior coadministered with DTPaHibIPV, oral polio vaccine, and measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (n = 108; group C).

Continuous hyperthermic peritoneal perfusion for desmoplastic small round cell tumor.

Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is a rare disease of children, adolescents, and young adults that begins and spreads on the peritoneal surfaces. Desmoplastic small round cell tumor usually presents with diffuse abdominal metastatic disease similar in gross appearance to carcinomatosis. To date, very aggressive treatment programs have yielded dismal outcomes.