The action of cysteinyl-leukotrienes on intracellular calcium mobilization in human detrusor myocytes.

Objective: To investigate the presence of leukotriene D4 receptors in fura-2-loaded human detrusor smooth muscle cells (DSMCs) by examining the ability of leukotriene D4 to raise intracellular-free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), to determine the origin of the leukotriene D4-mediated rise in [Ca2+]i and to investigate whether the specific leukotriene D4 receptor antagonist montelukast inhibits the Ca2+ response induced by leukotriene D4.

Materials And Methods: Detrusor muscle biopsies were obtained from patients with benign noninvasive bladder diseases undergoing cystoscopy. DSMCs were isolated using an explant technique and maintained in culture.

Intralesional injection of mumps or Candida skin test antigens: a novel immunotherapy for warts.

Background: Warts are common and induce physical and emotional discomfort. Numerous therapies exist, yet none is optimal. Despite theoretical advantages, immunotherapeutic modalities are often neglected as first-line wart therapies.

Protection of primary glial cells by grape seed proanthocyanidin extract against nitrosative/oxidative stress.

Previous studies showed that proanthocyanidins provide potent protection against oxidative stress. Here we investigate the effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) as a novel natural antioxidant on the generation and fate of nitric oxide (NO) in rat primary glial cell cultures. GSPE treatment (50 mg/L) increased NO production (measured by NO(2-) assay) by stimulation of the inducible isoform of NOS.

Osteoclast-like giant cells in leiomyomatous tumors of the uterus. A case report and review of the literature.

Osteoclast-like giant cells (OLGC) in leiomyomatous tumors of the uterus are rarely seen, and their significance is unknown. We present a case of a large leiomyomatous tumor in which OLGC were found in only few sections showing leiomyosarcoma whereas the majority of sections revealed a leiomyoma. Though radically operated, the patient died a few months later with recurrent tumor in the pelvis and metastases to the lungs.

In vivo microdialysis for nonapeptides in rat brain--a practical guide.

Microdialysis provides a direct approach to monitor changes in interneuronal communication by monitoring the fluctuation of local, extracellular concentrations of potential neurotransmitters/neuromodulators. The present article is based on more than 10 years experience in performing microdialysis experiments in freely moving animals with inexpensive self-made microdialysis probes and accessories for monitoring of intracerebral neuropeptide release. On the basis of this experience, we provide a guide for the construction of different types of microdialysis probes and their application.

Loss of heterozygosity at 1p, 8p, 10p, 13q, and 17p in advanced urothelial cancer and lack of relation to chemotherapy response and outcome.

Studies of urothelial tumors have identified structural abnormalities in a number of chromosomes. This study aimed to identify specific genetic changes of patients with advanced urothelial cancers, and relate these changes to increased chemotherapy sensitivity or good prognosis. We screened 56 muscle-invasive bladder cancer tumors for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at chromosome 1p, 8p, 10p, 13q, and 17p with PCR using 6 microsatellite markers.

Influence of nitric oxide synthase activity on amino acid concentration in the quinolinate lesioned rat striatum: a microdialysis and histochemical study.

The influence of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity on the KCl-evoked amino acid concentrations was investigated by in vivo microdialysis in the striatum in a rat model of excitotoxic lesion. Basal microdialysate levels of amino acids decreased during the quinolinic acid-induced neurodegeneration process, except for glutamine that increased initially and returned to control values 30 days after quinolinic acid exposure. KCl-evoked increase of extracellular amino acid concentration was reduced due to NOS activity in the striatum of both controls and lesioned animals, except for 120 days after quinolinic acid injection.

Autologous graft-versus-host disease induction in advanced breast cancer: role of peripheral blood progenitor cells.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the impact of the use of peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs) on the induction of autologous graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in patients with advanced breast cancer. 14 women with stage IIIB and 36 women with stage IV breast cancer received cyclosporine (CsA) 2.5 mg kg-1 i.

Ultrastructure of human blastocyst-endometrial interactions in vitro.

The interactions of seven human blastocysts with cultured endometrial cells were investigated by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Trophoblastic-endometrial contact was observed at the lateral border of endometrial epithelial cells where trophoblast and endometrial epithelial cells shared apical junctional complexes and desmosomes. The first sign of penetration was invasion of a trophoblastic cytoplasmic protrusion between endometrial epithelial cells.

Colonic expression and synthesis of interleukin 13 and interleukin 15 in inflammatory bowel disease.

Unlabelled: A dysregulated local immune reaction with unbalanced cytokine expression seems essential in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), i.e. ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD).

Causes of albuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes without diabetic retinopathy.

Background: The causes of albuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes are heterogeneous and are scantily investigated, particularly if the patient has a lack of diabetic retinopathy. Therefore, we evaluated the structural background of albuminuria in a large consecutive group of Caucasian patients with type 2 diabetes without retinopathy.

Methods: Three hundred forty-seven consecutive patients with type 2 diabetes with persistent albuminuria (>300 mg/24 h) were recorded.

Altered hepatic mRNA expression of apoptotic genes during dimethylnitrosamine exposure.

The role of TNFalpha in regulating apoptotic signaling was investigated during subacute, low-dose (5.0 mg/kg) dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced hepatotoxicity. In TNFalpha receptor (TNFR) intact (wild-type, WT) mice following 4 and 7 DMN exposures, hepatic transcripts for TNFalpha and TNFR-1 were elevated as compared to vehicle controls.

Cytokine-induced impairment of short-chain fatty acid oxidation and viability in human colonic epithelial cells.

Pro-inflammatory cytokines may directly influence the viability and metabolic function of colonic epithelial cells (CEC) as an early event in the development of inflammatory bowel disease. We report here that TNF-alpha+IFN-gamma induced a synergistic, concentration-dependent decline in butyrate oxidation, an essential energy supply, in HT-29 and DLD-1 cells. TNF-alpha+IFN-gamma induced a parallel profound decline in cell viability in HT-29 cells, but not in DLD-1 cells, where impairment of butyrate oxidation seemed to precede later occurrence of cell damage.

Comparative studies of the colonic in situ expression of intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, -2, and -3), beta2 integrins (LFA-1, Mac-1, and p150,95), and PECAM-1 in ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

A dysregulated local immune defense with a constant influx of leukocytes provides a basis for continuous intestinal inflammation in ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). Cell adhesion molecules are pivotal for the migration of leukocytes from the circulation toward the colonic epithelium. A study quantifying the cells expressing intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAMs), beta2 integrins, and platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) in the colon was performed to illustrate the leukocyte migration pathway in inflammatory bowel disease.

Subcellular distribution of urokinase and urokinase receptor in human neutrophils determined by immunoelectron microscopy.

A high-affinity receptor for urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPAR) has been identified on the plasma membrane of a number of different cell types, and has been shown to be important for plasminogen activation, cell adhesion, and possibly signal transduction. uPAR and uPA cosediment with secretory vesicles and specific granules by subcellular fractionation and translocate to the plasma membrane upon activation of neutrophils. Here the subcellular distribution of uPAR and uPA is studied by electron microscopy of neutrophils using immunogold double labeling for uPAR and uPA and a set of markers for well-defined subtypes of granules: matrix metalloproteinase type-9 (MMP-9) for gelatinase granules, lactoferrin (LF) for specific granules, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) and neutrophil elastase (NE) for primary granules.

Antiviral treatment normalizes neurophysiological but not movement abnormalities in simian immunodeficiency virus-infected monkeys.

Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection of rhesus monkeys provides an excellent model of the central nervous system (CNS) consequences of HIV infection. To discern the relationship between viral load and abnormalities induced in the CNS by the virus, we infected animals with SIV and later instituted antiviral treatment to lower peripheral viral load. Measurement of sensory-evoked potentials, assessing CNS neuronal circuitry, revealed delayed latencies after infection that could be reversed by lowering viral load.

Immunofluorescent microscopic investigation of the distal arrector pili: a demonstration of the spatial relationship between alpha5beta1 integrin and fibronectin.

Currently there is limited knowledge regarding the anatomy of the distal arrector pili (AP) muscle. A previous study implicated fibronectin and alpha5beta1 integrin binding as the anchor between the AP and the extracellular matrix (ECM). The purpose of this study was to strengthen this hypothesis.

Failure of detection of mucin in the clear halos around the epidermotropic lymphocytes in mycosis fungoides.

Epidermotropic lymphocytes in mycosis fungoides typically reside in clear lacunae. The material forming this space is unknown. Thirty specimens from 30 patients with mycosis fungoides were stained with alcian blue, modified Mowry's colloidal iron and mucicarmine to determine if some form of mucin could be identified.

Acute hepatotoxicant exposure induces TNFR-mediated hepatic injury and cytokine/apoptotic gene expression.

Tumor necrosis factor receptor knockout (TNFR KO) mice were used to examine the role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) signaling during acute hepatotoxicant exposure. Mice were exposed intraperitoneally (ip) to either vehicle, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), or dimethylnitrosamine (DMN, 100 mg/kg) for 24 h. Histological evaluation showed that DMN-treated TNFR-2 KO mice had increased liver damage compared to wild type (WT), TNFR-1 KO, or TNFR double KO (DKO) mice.

The microanatomy of the distal arrector pili: possible role for alpha1beta1 and alpha5beta1 integrins in mediating cell-cell adhesion and anchorage to the extracellular matrix.

The arrector pili (AP) muscle is a small band of smooth muscle that attaches proximally to the bulge area of the pilosebaceous apparatus in the reticular dermis and extends up toward the epidermis. The distal anatomy of the AP and the anchorage mechanism allowing hair erection have not been previously described. Integrins are likely candidates mediating this attachment.