Vitamin D-VDR and vitamin A-RAR affect IL-13 and IFNγ secretion from human CD4 T cells directly and indirectly via competition for their shared co-receptor RXR.

The effects of vitamin D and vitamin A in immune cells are mediated through the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and retinoic acid receptor (RAR), respectively. These receptors share the retinoid X receptor (RXR) co-factor for transcriptional regulation. We investigated the effects of active vitamin D (1,25(OH)D) and 9-cis retinoic acid (9cRA) on T helper (T)1 and T2 cytokines and transcription factors in primary human blood-derived CD4 T cells.

Use of cerclage in triplet pregnancies with an asymptomatic short cervix.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of triplet pregnancies in women with asymptomatic cervical shortening with and without a cervical cerclage.

Methods: A retrospective review of all triplet pregnancies with biweekly serial cervical length surveillance was performed. Cervical shortening was defined as a cervical length of 2.

The prognostic significance of S-phase analysis in stage Ta/T1 bladder cancer. A Southwest Oncology Group Study.

Objectives: An intergroup study (SWOG 8795) comparing two forms of adjunctive therapy (immuno and chemo), bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) and mitomycin C (MMC), furnished preregistration index tumors for 244 patients with superficial, papillary stage Ta/T1 TCC. These were examined by flow cytometry to learn whether DNA ploidy or proliferation (low vs high S-phase fraction (SPF) helped to predict disease recurrence or progression.

Methods: Cell cycle analysis using commercially available (Multicycle) programs was performed on 249 Ta/T1 bladder cancers.

A study of reproductive function in patients with seminoma treated with radiotherapy and orchidectomy: (SWOG-8711). Southwest Oncology Group.

Purpose: The results of Southwest Oncology Group Study 8711 (Group 2B) are presented. The objective was to evaluate the natural history of sperm concentration and selected hormonal parameters in patients with testicular cancer treated with orchiectomy and radiotherapy.

Methods And Materials: Of a total of 207 patients enrolled on SWOG 8711, 53 pure seminoma patients were identified who were treated with orchiectomy and radiotherapy only.

Prognostic significance of DNA ploidy in Ta/Tl bladder cancer: A southwest oncology group study.

While 80% of transitional cell carcinomas (TCC) present as Ta Tl lesions, they account for only 15% of deaths caused by TCC. We have evaluated the ability of DNA ploidy analysis to predict outcome in 228 patients with Ta Tl TCC. All patients were judged to be at increased risk for tumor recurrence due to having two occurrences of Stage TI tumor within 56 weeks, or three or more tumors presenting simultaneously within 16 weeks of registration.

Above and below delayed endoscopic treatment of traumatic posterior urethral disruptions.

Between 1982 and 1990, 10 men with posterior urethral obliterations associated with pelvic fracture were managed with delayed above and below endoscopic reconstruction. After a mean of 43 months (range 7 to 108) of followup, all 10 men void with a peak flow rate of 12 ml. per second or greater and/or have a urethral caliber of 20F or greater.

[Management of war injuries in Vukovar].

During 42 days of combat operations the brigade medical station provided surgical care for 535 wounded. One third of the wounded (31.8%) were classified in I or II grade of emergency.

Epithelioid sarcoma of the penis.

A rare case of penile epithelioid sarcoma in a 26-year-old white man is presented. The patient had a firm, slow growing, painless mass associated with penile deviation on erection, which was initially misdiagnosed as Peyronie's disease 5 years previously. With the onset of decreased urinary stream the lesion was biopsied, with a resultant diagnosis of epithelioid sarcoma.

Polytetrafluoroethylene injection for post-prostatectomy incontinence: experience with 20 patients during 3 years.

We treated 20 men who were incontinent after prostatectomy and who had failed sphincter exercises with periurethral polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon or Polytef) injections. Injections were done with the patient under brief general or spinal anesthesia as an outpatient or during a 24-hour hospitalization. Incontinence was due to radical prostatectomy in 17 patients and simple prostatectomy for benign disease in 3.

A randomized trial of intravesical doxorubicin and immunotherapy with bacille Calmette-Guérin for transitional-cell carcinoma of the bladder.

Background: In carcinoma of the bladder, both intravesical chemotherapy and immunotherapy can induce tumor regression and reduce the rate of recurrence, but the relative merits of these two therapies are unclear. We conducted a multi-institutional study to address this question.

Methods: Patients with rapidly recurrent (stage Ta and T1) or in situ transitional-cell carcinoma of the bladder were randomly assigned to receive either doxorubicin administered intravesically or bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) administered both intravesically and percutaneously.

The Flexi-Flate and Flexi-Flate II penile prostheses.

Our experience with 45 recipients of the Flexi-Flate and Flexi-Flate II prostheses leads us to the following conclusions: 1. The device is readily implantable in approximately 1 hour with techniques familiar to most urologists who have implanted rigid or semirigid rods. 2.

Clinical experience with a self-contained inflatable penile implant: the Flexi-Flate.

We implanted 23 Flexi-Flate penile prostheses during a 15-month period beginning July 1985. Of the implants 22 were followed for a mean of 16.1 months and 19 (86 per cent) function well.

Diagnosis and management of testicular torsion: pitfalls and perils.

When a patient presents with acute scrotal pain and physical findings do not permit confident exclusion of testicular torsion, the initial step in management is immediate consultation with a urologist, pediatric surgeon, or general surgeon. Scrotal imaging is fallible and takes time that may be critical to salvage of the testis. Manual detorsion may be indicated when specialty support is not immediately available, but even if this technique is apparently successful, the patient should be transferred to specialty care without delay.

5-year experience with intravesical therapy of carcinoma in situ: an inquiry into the risks of "conservative" management.

Recent reports of disease progression in patients being treated with intravesical agents for carcinoma in situ of the bladder led us to examine our 5-year experience with 26 consecutive patients with carcinoma in situ treated with intravesical therapy for this lesion. Nine patients with isolated carcinoma in situ and 17 with carcinoma in situ associated with papillary lesions were treated intravesically with a variety of agents in a closely monitored program for a mean of 22 months. All patients wished to exhaust conservative options before accepting cystectomy.

Cranial metastases from prostate cancer simulating meningioma: report of two cases and review of the literature.

Two cases of prostatic carcinoma metastatic to the cranium that presented with clinical and radiographic features simulating meningioma are described. The literature was reviewed, and 13 similar cases were identified. From the data gathered, we conclude that metastatic prostate cancer should be considered in the differential diagnosis of elderly males who present with characteristic clinical and radiological features of meningioma and that the classical description of meningioma is not specific.

Prolactin secreting renal cell carcinoma.

We report a case of hyperprolactinemia and long-standing gynecomastia associated with a hypernephroma. After radical nephrectomy serum prolactin returned to normal and remained so for 4 years without evidence of tumor recurrence. Potential explanations for the observed concurrent findings and the literature are discussed.

Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy and associated granulomatous renal masses.

We report a case of clinically symptomatic renal granulomas occurring during intravesical and intracutaneous bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy for bladder cancer. The patient responded to antituberculous triple therapy. We emphasize the rarity of such extravesical infectious complications and discuss the possible routes of renal inoculation.

Diagnosis of intraperitoneal extravasation of urine by peritoneal lavage.

The diagnosis of intraperitoneal extravasation of urine in the multiple trauma patient is often delayed, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. To determine if intraperitoneal extravasation of urine can be detected by peritoneal lavage, an animal study was designed to investigate whether urea nitrogen and creatinine levels in the urine, serum, and lavage fluid would be predictive of urinary extravasation. Seventeen adult mongrel dogs, weighing 21 to 30 kg, were divided into two groups.

Cytogenetic analysis of urologic malignancies: study of tumor colony forming cells and premature chromosome condensation.

We have utilized a human tumor clonogenic assay to grow, and subsequently cytogenetically analyze, tumor colony forming cells from human urologic malignancies. Results following chromosome banding analysis are presented from 4 cases of transitional cell carcinoma and 1 case of renal cell carcinoma. Preliminary evidence suggests a possible association between the loss of chromosome 8 and progression or recurrence of transitional cell carcinoma.

Congenital ureteral valves: report of 2 patients, including one with a solitary kidney and associated hypertension.

We report 2 cases of congenital ureteral valves treated successfully by excision of the involved segment and ureteroureterostomy. Hypertension in 1 patient and recurrent urinary tract infection in the other prompted initial evaluation. In the hypertensive patient renin collections from the vena cava and the renal vein of the solitary kidney were normal.

Use of clonal assay in determination of urothelial drug sensitivity in carcinoma in situ of the bladder: clinical correlations in 5 patients.

Five patients with carcinoma in situ of the bladder, including 4 with associated grossly apparent tumors, were followed for 2 years or until invasive disease appeared while receiving intravesical chemotherapy. In vitro drug sensitivity determinations were made using the clonal assay. Of 9 retrospective and prospective in vitro/in vivo drug sensitivity correlations 7 proved correct.