Contribution of vascular endothelial growth factor to the Nottingham prognostic index in node-negative breast cancer

The prognostic contribution of intratumour VEGF, the most important factor in tumour-induced angiogenesis, to NPI was evaluated by using flexible modelling in a series of 226 N-primary breast cancer patients in which steroid receptors and cell proliferation were also accounted for. VEGF provided an additional prognostic contribution to NPI mainly within ER-poor tumours. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaignhttp://www.bjcancer.co

Penile, Uretral and Seminal Sampling for Diagnosis of Human Papillomavirus Infection in Men.

Methods that used specimens from three genital sites (penile brushing [PB], urethral brushing [UB], and the retrieval of semen [SE]) from 50 men were examined for human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA detection. The rates of detection by PB, UB, SE, PB and UB, and PB and SE were 88.9%, 50.0%, 33.3%, 100%, and 97.2%, respectively. The use of PB and UB appears to be the most accurate method; as an alternative to UB, the use of SE with PB could be used to improve the rate of HPV DNA detection in men

Fulminant, rituximab-resistant, mucocutaneous pemphigus vulgaris

Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune disease mediated by auto-antibodies against desmoglein 1 and 3. First line treatment for pemphigus consists of systemic corticosteroids and anti-CD20 therapy (rituximab) to eliminate B-cells. Since 2005, more than 100 patients with pemphigus have been treated with rituximab at the Center for Blistering Diseases of the University Medical Center Groningen. Until recently, all patients responded to rituximab therapy. In this report we present a case of fulminant mucocutanous pemphigus vulgaris that did not respond to rituximab. We did not detect antibodies against rituximab in patient&amp;#39;s serum. After the second, life threatening flair it was decided to eliminate plasma cells (CD20 negative) with a standard multiple myeloma protocol. This protocol consists of bortezomib (Velcade), cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone regimens followed by autologous stem cell transplantation. After more than 227 days spent in the ward and five VCD regimens, the patient went into disease remission. Currently the patient is waiting for an autologous stem cell transplantation to increase the likelihood of achieving a durable complete remission.</p

Catalytic activity of the membrane-bound methylcholanthrene-inducible cytochrome P-450

AbstractThe benzopyrene hydroxylase activity of the methylcholanthrene-inducible form of cytochrome P-450 (P-448) has been studied in native and reconstituted liver microsomal membranes. The data obtained show that the molecular catalytic activity of membrane-bound cytochrome P-448 depends on the molar ratio of the cytochrome to NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase and that the optimal ratio for maximal activity of cytochrome P-448 in the microsomal membrane essentially differs from the equimolar one