B cell-targeted therapy with rituximab and autoimmune neuromuscular disorders.

B lymphocytes play a central role in the pathogenesis of autoimmunity, so that B cell suppression is considered a potential treatment option for immune-mediated diseases. Rituximab, a chimeric anti-human CD20 antibody, is the only anti-B cell biological agent presently under study for the treatment of autoimmune neuromuscular diseases. Isolated case histories and series, pilot and retrospective studies report on the experimental administration of rituximab as treatment of a variety of immune-mediated neuropathy syndromes, treatment-refractory myasthenia gravis and inflammatory myopathies.

Complex odontoma of the nasal cavity: a case report.

We describe the case of a 76-year-old man who presented with symptoms of chronic nasal obstruction and recurrent sinusitis of many years' duration. The patient's history and radiographic findings established a diagnosis of a complex odontoma of the nasal cavity. The mass was surgically excised, and the diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology.

Epothilones: clinical update and future directions.

Epothilones are cytotoxic compounds that function in a similar fashion to paclitaxel and show promise for the treatment of a variety of cancers by inducing microtubule bundling and apoptotic cell death. However, their mechanism of microtubule binding is different from that of paclitaxel, which makes epothilones an attractive drug class for patients with taxane-resistant malignancies. As taxane resistance remains a significant barrier in the treatment of a variety of cancers, it is important to understand epothilones and their indications.

Gastrointestinal surgery as treatment for type 2 diabetes.

Purpose Of Review: As the incidence of type 2 diabetes continues to rise worldwide at epidemic proportions, endeavors to find more effective therapies increase. Gastrointestinal bypass surgery is now gaining awareness as a potential effective and long-term treatment.

Recent Findings: There is now a substantial body of evidence supporting the efficacy of gastrointestinal surgery in controlling type 2 diabetes.

Incidence and clinical significance of distal embolization during percutaneous interventions involving the superficial femoral artery.

Objective: Distal embolization of plaque or thrombus may cause organ ischemia following percutaneous peripheral interventions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and clinical significance of particulate embolization during percutaneous superficial femoral artery (SFA) intervention by monitoring with continuous Doppler ultrasound. The rate and timing of embolization at various phases of intervention such as guidewire crossing, balloon angioplasty, stent deployment, and directional atherectomy were analyzed and compared.

Predicting Outcomes and Tailoring Therapy in the Diagnosis and Treatment of IBD.

Standard laboratory indicators of inflammation such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein are of little value in the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease. Serologic markers for anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies and perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies have been available for some time but are not sufficiently specific or sensitive for use in first-line screening. The second- and third-generation serologic panels have increased sensitivity and specificity, and the addition of assays for anti-outer membrane porin protein C immunoglobulin A and anti-CBir1 have led to the identification of unique subsets of Crohn's disease patients at risk for more complicated and severe forms of disease.

Interaction of prostate specific membrane antigen with clathrin and the adaptor protein complex-2.

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is an integral membrane glycoprotein expressed in prostatic epithelia and is being evaluated as a therapeutic target in prostate cancer. It undergoes constitutive receptor-mediated endocytosis via clathrin-coated pits, which is enhanced in the presence of monoclonal antibodies directed against it. We describe distinct interactions of PSMA with clathrin and the clathrin adaptor protein-2 (AP-2) complex, two components of clathrin-coated pits.

Pigmented purpuric dermatosis: classification by phenotypic and molecular profiles.

The categorization of pigmented purpuric dermatosis (PPD) as a form of cutaneous lymphoid dyscrasia has been suggested. Phenotypic and molecular studies were done on 43 patients with PPD. The molecular studies used a capillary gel electrophoresis T-cell receptor beta multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay.

[Robotic radical prostatectomy: Cornell University Technique (ART, Athermal Robotic Technique)].

We present in this chapter our Athermal Radical Robotic Prostatectomy technique developed in the Cornell University and the Urology Institute, Innsbruck University from 2004. Up to date, we have performed surgery in more than 600 patients diagnosed with clinically localized cancer of prostate. We describe most important technical steps, emphasizing in NVB dissection avoiding using any thermical energy not to injury the cavernous nerves.

[Athermal robotic technique of radical prostatectomy: an assistant's perspective].

Robotic radical prostatectomy is fast getting popular as an alternative to the open and laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Planning for port placement and the assistant's role are the two crucial yardsticks for the success of this procedure. Ideal port placement for radical robotic prostatectomy is not only crucial for the surgeon at the console but also for the patient side assistant.

Pityriasis lichenoides chronica: stratification by molecular and phenotypic profile.

Pityriasis lichenoides (PL) has traditionally been classified as a benign papulosquamous disease. However, there is an increasing literature precedent that suggests that PL should instead be considered a form of cutaneous lymphoid dyscrasia. We prospectively encountered 46 patients with a diagnosis of PL and used immunohistochemical and multiplex polymerase chain reaction fragment size analysis to assess for phenotypic abnormalities and for T-cell clonal restriction, respectively.

Laser and light treatments for pilonidal cysts.

Pilonidal (nest of hair) cysts are foreign body reactions accompanied by chronic inflammation. Current accepted treatments include the traditional conservative treatments or aggressive surgery. However, these modalities exhibit a high rate of disease recurrence, especially in patients with hirsutism; therefore, affected patients often are subjected to repeated surgical interventions.

Neprilysin inhibits angiogenesis via proteolysis of fibroblast growth factor-2.

Neprilysin is a cell surface peptidase that catalytically inactivates neuropeptide substrates and functions as a tumor suppressor via its enzymatic function and multiple protein-protein interactions. We investigated whether neutral endopeptidase could inhibit angiogenesis in vivo utilizing a murine corneal pocket angiogenesis model and found that it reduced fibroblast growth factor-2-induced angiogenesis by 85% (p < 0.01) but had no effect on that of vascular endothelial growth factor.

A study of a reduced-intensity conditioning regimen followed by allogeneic stem cell transplantation for patients with hematologic malignancies using Campath-1H as part of a graft-versus-host disease strategy.

Nonmyeloablative transplantation (NMT) is intended to be less toxic than traditional allografts, but such regimens as fludarabine/melphalan still pose a significant risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). We used Campath-1H in an attempt to reduce the risk of GVHD in NMT. Patients with hematologic malignancies suitable for allogeneic transplantation underwent transplantation using a regimen of fludarabine 30 mg/m(2) on days -5 to -2 (total, 120 mg/m(2)), total body irradiation of 200 cGy on day -1, and Campath-1H 20 mg/day on days -7 to -3 (total dose, 100 mg).

Cognitive functioning and social problem-solving skills in schizophrenia.

Introduction: This study examined the relationships between symptoms, cognitive functioning, and social skill deficits in schizophrenia. Few studies have incorporated measures of cognitive functioning and symptoms in predictive models for social problem solving.

Method: For our study, 44 participants were recruited from consecutive outpatient admissions.

Neuroendocrine responses mediate macrophage function after trauma.

Background: Clearly understanding the interactions between macrophage (M phi)-generated inflammatory mediators and the neuroendocrine system in regulating immune function after traumatic injury may aid in reversing trauma-mediated immune dysfunction and diminish the incidence and severity of infection in the traumatized patient.

Methods: Trauma consisted of an open femur fracture and 40% retro-orbital hemorrhage (Trauma) or anesthesia alone (Control). Female Balb/C mice (6-8 weeks) with intact adrenal glands (Intact) or a bilateral adrenalectomy (ADX) were used.

Use of the surgical towel in colorectal hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS).

The use of laparotomy pads or towels to displace the small intestine away from the operative site is a well-established technique in open surgery; however, its application is unfeasible or extremely challenging in standard laparoscopic surgery. We describe the use of standard surgical towels in hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS). A Pfannenstiel incision is made and a Gelport hand-access device is assembled.

Altered cyclooxygenase-2 expression and nitric oxide metabolism following major elective surgery.

Background And Aims: Postoperative variation in immune function leads to increased susceptibility to infections. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-generated Prostaglandin-E(2) (PGE(2)), which signals through the PGE(2) receptor (EP receptor), as well as nitric oxide metabolites (NOx), appear to be important in postoperative immune dysfunction. It is unclear, however, how these substrates and receptors change over time.

Renal cell carcinoma induces prostaglandin E2 and T-helper type 2 cytokine production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Background: Patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) do not develop an effective antitumor immune response, despite significant infiltration by lymphocytes. Tumor production of immunosuppressive factors may account for this failure. The object of this study was to investigate the production of immunosuppressive mediators, especially prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), by RCC.

Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition improves macrophage function in melanoma and increases the antineoplastic activity of interferon gamma.

Background: Melanoma inhibits macrophage tumoricidal activity and increases the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). In this study, we sought to determine whether inhibition of COX-2 could restore macrophage function and hence maximize the antitumor activity of the immune stimulant interferon gamma (IFN gamma).

Methods: Peritoneal macrophages were exposed to B16 melanoma-conditioned medium for 24 hours with or without the COX-2 inhibitor NS-398 and then were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide and IFN gamma.

Effect of immunization with bovine luteinizing hormone receptor on ovarian function in cats.

Objective: To determine the effect of immunization with bovine luteinizing hormone receptor (LH-R) on ovarian function of cats.

Animals: 9 adult female domestic cats.

Procedure: 7 cats were immunized with 0.

In-vivo biocompatibility evaluation of stents coated with a new biodegradable elastomeric and functional polymer.

Background: In-stent restenosis may be prevented by impregnating an antiproliferative agent in a polymer from a stent platform. This approach requires both an antiproliferative agent effective in small doses and a biocompatible polymer.

Methods: A series of new biodegradable elastomeric poly(ester-amide)(co-PEA) polymers having functional carboxyl groups for drug conjugation were synthesized from non-toxic building blocks.

Store brand formulas--a new alternative for bottle-feeding moms.

There are more infant formula options on the market today than ever before. Health care professionals must help mothers determine what type of formula to feed their child, such as an iron-fortified, milk-based formula or a soy-based formula. It is also key to realize that the Federal Food and Drug Administration tightly regulates infant formula so they are all nutritionally equivalent.

Megakaryocytes mimicking metastatic breast carcinoma.

False-positive diagnosis of lymph nodes occurs when a benign element in a lymph node, or in its capsule, is interpreted as metastatic carcinoma. This report describes a patient with breast carcinoma who had megakaryocytes in axillary sentinel lymph nodes mimicking metastatic carcinoma. The patient had no history of a hematologic disease, and we found no evidence of a concurrent hematopoietic disorder.