Potential outcome measures and trial design issues for multiple system atrophy.

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a neurodegenerative disorder exhibiting a combination of parkinsonism, cerebellar ataxia, and autonomic failure. A disease-specific scale, the Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale (UMSARS), has been developed and validated to measure progression of MSA, but its use as an outcome measure for therapeutic trials has not been evaluated. On the basis of twelve months of follow-up from an observational study of 67 patients with probable MSA, we evaluated three disease-specific scores: Activities of Daily Living, Motor Examination, and a combined score from the UMSARS and two general health scores, the Physical Health and Mental Health scores of the SF-36 health survey, for their use as outcome measures in a therapeutic trial.

Atmospheric deposition of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) in Varanasi City, India.

Rapid growth in urbanization and industrialization in developing countries may significantly contribute in heavy metal contamination of vegetables through atmospheric depositions. In the present study, an assessment was made to investigate the spatial and seasonal variations in deposition rates of heavy metals and its contribution to contamination of palak (Beta vulgaris). Samples of bulk atmospheric deposits and Beta vulgaris for analysis of Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were collected from different sampling locations differing in traffic density and land use patterns.

Neuropsychological symptoms of juvenile-onset batten disease: experiences from 2 studies.

Juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (Batten disease) is a progressive and fatal autosomal-recessive inherited lysosomal storage disorder of childhood. Core symptoms include vision loss, seizures, and mental and motor decline. This article presents data from 2 studies of neuropsychological function in juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis.

Detection of charged particles with charge injection devices.

A method for using charge injection devices (CIDs) for detection of high-energy charged particles from inertial-confinement fusion reactions is described. Because of the relatively small depletion region of the CID camera (depletion depth of approximately 7 mum), aluminum foils are placed in front of the device to reduce the energy of the charged particles and maximize the energy deposited in the CID. Simultaneous measurements of (2)H(d,p)(3)H protons with a CID and a surface barrier detector indicate that the CID is an efficient detector of charged fusion products.

The role of GABA(B) receptors in the regulation of excitatory neurotransmission.

GABA(B) receptors are the metabotrophic receptors for GABA. They are members of the G-protein coupled superfamily of receptors but are highly unusual as they are made up of a dimer of 7-transmembrane spanning subunits. The receptors are widely distributed throughout the central nervous system where they act post-synaptically to cause a long-lasting hyperpolarisation through the activation of a potassium conductance.

Differential effects of the D- and L- isomers of amphetamine on pharmacological MRI BOLD contrast in the rat.

Rationale: The D - and L-amphetamine sulphate isomers are used in the formulation of Adderall XR(R), which is effective in the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The effects of these isomers on brain activity has not been examined using neuroimaging.

Objectives: This study determines the pharmacological magnetic resonance imaging blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) response in rat brain regions after administration of each isomer.

Phytotoxic risk assessment of ambient air pollution on agricultural crops in Selangor State, Malaysia.

The phytotoxic risk of ambient air pollution to local vegetation was assessed in Selangor State, Malaysia. The AOT40 value was calculated by means of the continuously monitored daily maximum concentration and the local diurnal pattern of O3. Together with minor risks associated with the levels of NO2 and SO2, the study found that the monthly AOT40 values in these peri-urban sites were consistently over 1.

cAMP-responsive element-binding protein regulates vascular endothelial growth factor expression: implication in human prostate cancer bone metastasis.

Aberrant expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is associated with human prostate cancer (PCa) metastasis and poor clinical outcome. We found that both phosphorylation of cyclic AMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB) and VEGF levels were significantly elevated in patient bone metastatic PCa specimens. A PCa ARCaP progression model demonstrating epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition exhibited increased CREB phosphorylation and VEGF expression as ARCaP cells became progressively more mesenchymal and bone-metastatic.

G2019S mutation in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 gene is not associated with multiple system atrophy.

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is characterized clinically by Parkinsonism, cerebellar dysfunction, and autonomic impairment. Multiple mutations in the LRRK2 gene are associated with parkinsonian disorders, and the most common one, the G2019S mutation, has been found in approximately 1% of sporadic cases of Parkinsonism. In a well-characterized cohort of 136 subjects with probable MSA and 110 neurologically evaluated control subjects, none carried the G2019S mutation.

Beta2-microglobulin promotes the growth of human renal cell carcinoma through the activation of the protein kinase A, cyclic AMP-responsive element-binding protein, and vascular endothelial growth factor axis.

Purpose: Beta(2)-microglobulin (beta2M), a soluble protein secreted by cancer and host inflammatory cells, has various biological functions, including antigen presentation. Because aberrant expression of beta2M has been reported in human renal cell carcinoma, we investigated the effects of beta2M overexpression on cancer cell growth and analyzed its molecular signaling pathway.

Experimental Design: We established clonal cell lines that overexpressed beta2M in human renal cell carcinoma (SN12C) cells and then examined cell growth in vitro and in vivo and studied the beta2M-mediated downstream cell signaling pathway.

Atomoxetine produces changes in cortico-basal thalamic loop circuits: assessed by phMRI BOLD contrast.

Atomoxetine is a selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) which has not yet been assessed using pharmacological neuroimaging for its effects on rat brain activity. The pharmacological magnetic resonance imaging (phMRI) blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) response was determined in rat brain regions following administration of atomoxetine. Rats were individually placed into a 2.

Projected number of people with Parkinson disease in the most populous nations, 2005 through 2030.

Based on published prevalence studies, we used two different methodologies to project the number of individuals with Parkinson disease (PD) in Western Europe's 5 most and the world's 10 most populous nations. The number of individuals with PD over age 50 in these countries was between 4.1 and 4.

Integrating metastasectomy in the management of advanced urological malignancies-where are we in 2005?

Purpose: In the past patients with metastatic cancer were considered incurable and they were not candidates for surgical management of metastases. However, experience with testicular cancer has shown that metastasectomy can often be the final, critical step in achieving disease-free status. We summarized the most current data on metastasectomy for advanced urological malignancies.

Surgery in advanced and metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Curative surgery in more advanced renal cell carcinoma is limited to solitary metastases or regional disease. Response to systemic immunotherapy continues to be reported; however, most responses are limited and not durable. Only randomized, prospective clinical trials will prove the efficacy of systemic therapy.

Effects of amphetamine isomers, methylphenidate and atomoxetine on synaptosomal and synaptic vesicle accumulation and release of dopamine and noradrenaline in vitro in the rat brain.

D- and L-amphetamine sulphate isomers, methylphenidate and atomoxetine, are effective treatments for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study provides a detailed comparison of their effects on the synaptosomal and vesicular accumulation of dopamine (DA) and noradrenaline (NA) and release in vitro in rat prefrontal cortex and striatum. D-amphetamine was more potent than L-amphetamine at inhibiting accumulation of DA or NA in synaptosomes and vesicles.

Oxidative stress induces ADAM9 protein expression in human prostate cancer cells.

The ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloprotease) family is a group of transmembrane proteins containing cell adhesive and proteolytic functional domains. Microarray analysis detected elevated ADAM9 during the transition of human LNCaP prostate cancer cells from an androgen-dependent to an androgen-independent and metastatic state. Using a prostate tissue array (N = 200), the levels of ADAM9 protein expression were also elevated in malignant as compared with benign prostate tissues.

Guanfacine produces differential effects in frontal cortex compared with striatum: assessed by phMRI BOLD contrast.

Rationale: Guanfacine (an alpha-(2A) adrenoreceptor agonist) is a drug of benefit in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (Taylor FB, Russo J, J Clin Psychopharmacol 21:223-228, 2001). Assessment of this drug using neuroimaging will provide information about the brain regions involved in its effects.

Objectives: The pharmacological magnetic resonance imaging blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) response was determined in rat brain regions following administration of guanfacine.

Human beta-defensin-1, a potential chromosome 8p tumor suppressor: control of transcription and induction of apoptosis in renal cell carcinoma.

Human beta-defensin-1 (hBD-1) is a candidate tumor suppressor gene located on chromosome 8p23. Previously, we showed that cancer-specific loss of hBD-1 was found in 90% of renal clear cell carcinomas and in 82% of prostate cancers. To investigate the possible mechanisms of decreased gene expression and determine the function of hBD-1 protein in urological cancers, we sequenced hBD-1 gene coding regions in prostatic and renal cancer samples.

The association of GRB 060218 with a supernova and the evolution of the shock wave.

Although the link between long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and supernovae has been established, hitherto there have been no observations of the beginning of a supernova explosion and its intimate link to a GRB. In particular, we do not know how the jet that defines a gamma-ray burst emerges from the star's surface, nor how a GRB progenitor explodes. Here we report observations of the relatively nearby GRB 060218 (ref.

Cytoreductive nephrectomy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma is associated with a poor prognosis and a median survival time of only 6-12 months. However, the emergence of immunotherapies has rekindled interest in cytoreductive nephrectomy as a therapeutic option. Phase III randomized trials have demonstrated that cytoreductive nephrectomy significantly improves overall survival in selected patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with interferon immunotherapy.

Getting your game on with business data.

Data warehouses can virtually eliminate claims-related paper and fax transactions for hospitals. Data are accessible electronically, decreasing the need for staff to check on outstanding claims status requests by phone. Data warehouse technology can be used to create analytical reports and identify issues by dollar volume or procedure code.

The value of digital rectal examination as a predictor of prostate cancer diagnosis among United States Veterans referred for prostate biopsy.

Background: As digital rectal examination (DRE) remains an essential part of a routine physical examination, it is important to understand its diagnostic value in different circumstances.

Aim: To quantify sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of DRE as a predictor of biopsy-confirmed prostate cancer in the US Veteran population.

Methods: The study group included 628 consecutive patients who underwent transrectal biopsy for suspected prostate cancer due to abnormal digital examination of the prostate, elevated serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) or both.

Etiology of azoospermia in a large nonreferral inner-city population.

A higher proportion of nonobstructive than obstructive azoospermia, as well as an increased prevalence of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism were documented in a retrospective study characterizing azoospermia in a population of predominantly Latino, inner-city male partners of infertile couples, as compared to previous reports from relatively affluent socioeconomic status male populations.