Epidermal growth factor (EGF) binding by normal and neoplastic human renal tissue

The identification of EGF mRNA in the renal tissue, that of TGFα in human renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and that of EGF receptor (EGF-R) obtained with monoclonal antibodies in a large number of RCC cell lines prompt us to study the EGF-R in normal human kidney and in human RCC in order to evaluate whether the concentration of the EGF-R could be regarded as a prognostic parameter. Time course of EGF binding at 25°C reached a plateau within 30-40 minutes and was stable for up to 120 minutes; competition experiments revealed that only cold EGF was able to inhibit the binding, whilst FSH, Insulin, Calcitonin did not compete. Saturation analysis of EGF-R, performed by incubating the membranes with 0.015-10 nM 125 I-EGF in the presence and in absence of 100 fold excess of cold EGF revealed that both normal human kidney and human RCC had high affinity binding sites of EGR-R (Kd = 0.8 ± 0.13 nM and 1.9 ± 0.17 nM respectively). The binding capacity of EGF-R was significantly higher in human RCC than in human normal renal tissue (320 ± 192 vs 16.7 ± 9.8 fmol/mg protein), either as results of an over expression of c-erb B protooncogene in the tumor or as a result of EGF-R synthesis by estradiol in human RCC. Preliminary results on the correlation of EGF-R with ER in paired samples obtained from human RCC and peritumoral normal tissue demonstrated a trend to an inverse correlation between these two parameters

Effectiveness and safety of calcium and vitamin D treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis

Imbalance of bone resorption and bone formation is responsible for osteoporosis that is characterized by decreased bone mass and mineral density. The aim of this study was to evaluate the available data that could clarify the effectiveness and safety of supplementations with calcium and vitamin D, alone or in combination, to slow down bone loss in postmenopausal and elderly women. Using search key words, we performed a research both in the PubMed and Cochrane Library in order to find all meta-analysis, prospective and randomized clinical studies published from 2000 to 2014 that had investigated the effectiveness of calcium and vitamin D in the treatment of osteoporosis. At the moment it is not possible either to provide reassurance that calcium supplements given with vitamin D do not cause adverse cardiovascular events or to link them with certainty to increased cardiovascular risk. According to the data now available, vitamin D, at dosage of at least 800 IU/day, alone or in combination with antiresorptive drugs, should be administered in osteoporotic and osteopenic patients for a primary and secondary prevention. Further studies are needed and the debate remains ongoing. However, every administration needs the calculation of the absolute fracture risk of the patient. Especially considering the high cost of osteoporosis prevention, more studies are mandatory to clarify indications and contraindications

Treatment of Thyroid Nodules with Radiofrequency: a 1\u2013year follow up experience

Purpose The aim of this study is to assess the efectiveness and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in debulking benign solid thyroid nodules. Materials and methods This is a retrospective review of 77 patients with predominantly solid thyroid nodules treated with RFA in a single center between 2013 and 2016. All patients declined or were not eligible for surgery. Benign proven thyroid nodules causing compressive symptoms and cosmetic concerns were considered for treatment. Nodule volume, thyroid nodule related compressive symptoms, cosmetic concerns and thyroid function were evaluated. Results All patients underwent a single treatment session. Mean nodule volume decreased from 17.9\ub115.6 mL at baseline to 5.2\ub17.4 after 12 months with a volume reduction ratio (VRR) of 70.9%\ub120.8%. There were no identifable factors predictive of response to RFA. Median cosmetic and symptom scores of the entire population decreased from 3 [2\u20134] and 3 [0\u201310] to 1 [1\u20133] (p<0.001) and 0 [0\u20135] (p<0.001), respectively. No major complications occurred and RFA did not afect thyroid function when normal. Conclusion RFA induces substantial volume reduction of predominantly solid thyroid nodules and improves compressive symptoms and cosmetic concerns. RFA does not impact normal thyroid function and has an acceptable safety profle

Clinical, Biochemical, and Radiological Profile of Normocalcemic Primary Hyperparathyroidism

CONTEXT: The clinical and radiological aspects of normocalcemic hyperparathyroidism (NHPT) are confounded by the differing methods used to rule out secondary hyperparathyroidism and by the small sample size. OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical, biochemical, and radiological profile of NHPT compared with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and control subjects. DESIGN: Multicentric cross-sectional study. SETTING: Outpatient clinic. PATIENTS: 47 NHPT, 41 PHPT, and 39 age- and sex-matched control subjects. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Calcium metabolism and bone turnover markers (BTMs). Lumbar spine, total hip, femoral neck, one-third distal radius bone mineral density (BMD). Morphometric vertebral fracture (VF) assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: NHPT patients had significantly higher parathyroid hormone, 25(OH)-vitamin D levels and lower calcium × phosphorus product than controls (P < .001). Compared with PHPT, the NHPT group had significantly higher 25(OH) vitamin D levels (P = .016). NHPT had BTM levels similar to controls and PHPT. NHPT, PHPT, and controls have similar lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD. NHPT and controls had a similar radial BMD, while patients with PHPT had a lower radial BMD than both patients with NHPT (P = .031) and controls (P < .05). Using the control group as the reference, after adjustment for interacting factors, there was no increase in risk of moderate-severe VF in NHPT (odds ratio [OR] 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.25-4.55), while PHPT had an increased risk (OR 3.81,95% CI 1.15-15.12). Seventy-nine percent of NHPT and 59% of PHPT patients fulfilled the criteria for asymptomatic hyperparathyroidism. CONCLUSIONS: The biochemical phenotype of NHPT is intermediate between PHPT and controls. In contrast, the bone phenotype resembles controls with normal bone turnover, no significant BMD impairment, and no increased risk of VF

Clinical, biochemical and radiological profile of normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism

The clinical and radiological aspects of normocalcaemic hyperparathyroidism (NHPT) are confounded by differing methods used to rule out secondary hyperparathyroidism and by the small sample size