Heavy metals and metalloids accumulation in common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.): A review.

Heavy metals (HMs) and metalloids (Ms) such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) represent serious environmental threats due to their wide abundance and high toxicity. Contamination of water and soils by HMs and Ms from natural or anthropogenic sources is of great concern in agricultural production due to their toxic effects on plants, adversely affecting food safety and plant growth. The uptake of HMs and Ms by Phaseolus vulgaris L. plants depends on several factors including soil properties such as pH, phosphate, and organic matter. High concentrations of HMs and Ms could be toxic to plants due to the increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as (O2•-), (•OH), (H2O2), and (1O2), and oxidative stress due to an imbalance between ROS generation and antioxidant enzyme activity. To minimize the effects of ROS, plants have developed a complex defense mechanism based on the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, CAT, GPX, and phytohormones, especially salicylic acid (SA) that can reduce the toxicity of HMs and Ms. This review focuses on evaluating the accumulation and translocation of As, Cd, Hg, and Pb in Phaseolus vulgaris L. plants and on their possible effects on the growth of Phaseolus vulgaris L. in soil contaminated with these elements. The factors that affect the uptake of HMs and Ms by bean plants, and the defense mechanisms under oxidative stress caused by the presence of As, Cd, Hg, and Pb are also discussed. Furthermore, future research on mitigating HMs and Ms toxicity in Phaseolus vulgaris L. plants is highlighted.

Multidisciplinary treatment approach for primary thyroid spindle cell sarcoma: A case report.

A 25-year-old female with high-grade spindle cell sarcoma of the thyroid persistent after thyroidectomy performed at another hospital was referred to our institute. Chemotherapy followed by surgery with intraoperative radiotherapy and postoperative intensity-modulated radiotherapy were planned within the sarcoma board. Chemotherapy was discontinued after two cycles because of local disease progression and surgery with intraoperative radiotherapy, was anticipated. The treatment was completed with postoperative radiotherapy. After 36 months off-therapy, the patient was free of disease without significant late effects. Thyroid sarcomas are very rare and there is no consensus on their clinical management. Hence, case reports are useful to share treatment options. In this patient case, the histotype and the high-grade disease required a combined therapy program, managed in a multidisciplinary setting.

Management of renal transplant urolithiasis: a multicentre study by the French Urology Association Transplantation Committee.

PURPOSE: Urolithiasis is rare among renal transplant recipients and its management has not been clearly defined. METHODS: This multicentre retrospective study was organised by the Comité de Transplantation de l'Association Française d'Urologie (French Urology Association transplantation committee). Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 19 software. RESULTS: Ninety-five patients were included in this study. Renal transplant urolithiasis was an incidental finding in 55% of cases, mostly on a routine follow-up ultrasound examination. One half of symptomatic stones were due to urinary tract infection and the other half were due to an episode of acute renal failure. The initial management following diagnosis of urolithiasis was double J stenting (27%), nephrostomy tube placement (21%), or watchful waiting (52%). Definitive management consisted of: watchful waiting (48%), extracorporeal lithotripsy (13%), rigid or flexible ureteroscopy (26%), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (11%) and surgical pyelotomy (2%). All transplants remained functional following treatment of the stone. The main limitation is the retrospective design. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of lithiasis could be higher in kidney transplanted patients due to a possible anatomical or metabolical abnormalities. The therapeutic management of renal transplant urolithiasis appears to be comparable to that of native kidney urolithiasis.

Complement Modulation of Anti-Aging Factor Klotho in Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury and Delayed Graft Function.

Klotho is an anti-aging factor mainly produced by renal tubular epithelial cells (TEC) with pleiotropic functions. Klotho is down-regulated in acute kidney injury in native kidney; however, the modulation of Klotho in kidney transplantation has not been investigated. In a swine model of ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI), we observed a remarkable reduction of renal Klotho by 24 h from IRI. Complement inhibition by C1-inhibitor preserved Klotho expression in vivo by abrogating nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) signaling. In accordance, complement anaphylotoxin C5a led to a significant down-regulation of Klotho in TEC in vitro that was NF-kB mediated. Analysis of Klotho in kidneys from cadaveric donors demonstrated a significant expression of Klotho in pre-implantation biopsies; however, patients affected by delayed graft function (DGF) showed a profound down-regulation of Klotho compared with patients with early graft function. Quantification of serum Klotho after 2 years from transplantation demonstrated significant lower levels in DGF patients. Our data demonstrated that complement might be pivotal in the down-regulation of Klotho in IRI leading to a permanent deficiency after years from transplantation. Considering the anti-senescence and anti-fibrotic effects of Klotho at renal levels, we hypothesize that this acquired deficiency of Klotho might contribute to DGF-associated chronic allograft dysfunction.

Acquired lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase deficiency as a major factor in lowering plasma HDL levels in chronic kidney disease.

OBJECTIVES: It has been suggested that a low plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level contributes to the high cardiovascular disease risk of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), especially those undergoing haemodialysis (HD). The present study was conducted to gain further understanding of the mechanism(s) responsible for the low HDL-C levels in patients with CKD and to separate the impact of HD from that of the underlying CKD. METHODS: Plasma lipids and lipoproteins, HDL subclasses and various cholesterol esterification parameters were measured in a total of 248 patients with CKD, 198 of whom were undergoing HD treatment and 40 healthy subjects. RESULTS: Chronic kidney disease was found to be associated with highly significant reductions in plasma HDL-C, unesterified cholesterol, apolipoprotein (apo)A-I, apoA-II and LpA-I:A-II levels in both CKD cohorts (with and without HD treatment). The cholesterol esterification process was markedly impaired, as indicated by reductions in plasma lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) concentration and activity and cholesterol esterification rate, and by an increase in the plasma preß-HDL content. HD treatment was associated with a further lowering of HDL levels and impaired plasma cholesterol esterification. The plasma HDL-C level was highly significantly correlated with LCAT concentration (R = 0.438, P < 0.001), LCAT activity (R = 0.243, P < 0.001) and cholesterol esterification rate (R = 0.149, P = 0.031). Highly significant correlations were also found between plasma LCAT concentration and levels of apoA-I (R = 0.432, P < 0.001), apoA-II (R = 0.275, P < 0.001), LpA-I (R = 0.326, P < 0.001) and LpA-I:A-II (R = 0.346, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Acquired LCAT deficiency is a major cause of low plasma HDL levels in patients with CKD, thus LCAT is an attractive target for therapeutic intervention to reverse dyslipidaemia, and possibly lower the cardiovascular disease risk in these patients.

Microencapsulation of Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 by spray-drying using sweet whey and skim milk as encapsulating materials.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of encapsulating material on encapsulation yield, resistance to passage through simulated gastrointestinal conditions, and viability of Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 during storage. Microparticles were produced from reconstituted sweet whey or skim milk (30% total solids) inoculated with a suspension of L. acidophilus La-5 (1% vol/vol) and subjected to spray-drying at inlet and outlet temperatures of 180°C and 85 to 95°C, respectively. The samples were packed, vacuum-sealed, and stored at 4°C and 25°C. Encapsulation yield, moisture content, and resistance of microencapsulated L. acidophilus La-5 compared with free cells (control) during exposure to in vitro gastrointestinal conditions (pH 2.0 and 7.0) were evaluated. Viability was assessed after 0, 7, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 90d of storage. The experiments were repeated 3 times and data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey test for the comparison between means. The encapsulating material did not significantly affect encapsulation yield, average diameter, or moisture of the particles, which averaged 76.58±4.72%, 12.94±0.78µm, and 4.53±0.32%, respectively. Both microparticle types were effective in protecting the probiotic during gastrointestinal simulation, and the skim milk microparticles favored an increase in viability of L. acidophilus La-5. Regardless of the encapsulating material and temperature of storage, viability of the microencapsulated L. acidophilus La-5 decreased on average 0.43 log cfu/g at the end of 90d of storage, remaining higher than 10(6)cfu/g.

Yield, changes in proteolysis, and sensory quality of Prato cheese produced with different coagulants.

The objective of this research was to compare the effect of 2 fungal proteases, one that is already commercially established as a milk-clotting agent and another produced at the laboratory scale, on Prato cheese composition, protein and fat recovery, yield, and sensory characteristics. Cheeses were produced according to the traditional protocol, using protease from the fungus Thermomucor indicae-seudaticae N31 and commercial coagulant from Rhizomucor spp. as clotting agents. A 2×6 factorial design with 3 replications was performed: 2 levels of coagulants and 6 levels of storage time. After 5, 12, 19, 33, 43, and 53d of refrigerated storage (12°C), cheeses were monitored for proteolysis, firmness, and casein degradation by capillary electrophoresis. Sensory acceptance was evaluated after 29d of manufacturing. The different coagulants did not statistically affect Prato cheese composition, protein and fat recovery, and yield. Both cheeses presented good sensory acceptance. Proteolysis increased and firmness decreased for both cheeses during the storage time, as expected for Prato cheese. Caseins were well separated by capillary electrophoresis and the results showed, with good resolution, that the cheeses exhibited similar protein hydrolysis profile. Both cheeses presented good sensory acceptance. The gathered data showed that the protease from T. indicae-seudaticae N31 presented similar action compared with the commercial enzyme, indicating its efficiency as clotting agent for Prato cheese manufacture.

[Inflatable penile prosthesis: satisfaction rate, result, prognostic factors. Prospective study on 50 primooperated patients in CHU of Nice between 2000 and 2009]. / Implants péniens hydrauliques: enquête de satisfaction, résultats et complications. Étude rétrospective portant sur 50 patients consécutifs primo implantés au CHU de Nice entre 2000 et 2009.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate satisfaction rates and results in patients with penile prosthesis (5 PP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2000 till 2009, 50 patients with organic erectile dysfunction (ED) were implanted with hydraulics penile prosthesis by the same surgeon. Medical records were collected retrospectively. We analysed demographic characteristics, type of prosthesis used, per- and postoperative complications, prosthesis explantations and satisfaction rate measured by EDITS modified. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 60.2 ± 8.46 years (35-75). Thirty implanted patients (60%) were diabetics. We used a peno-scrotal incision in all patients. Three types of prosthesis were used; AMS Ambicor, AMS 700, Titan OTR. A bi-compartment and three-compartment prosthesis were implanted respectively in 24 and 26 patients. The prosthesis was retrieved in two patients secondary to a mechanical failure, in three patients for prosthesis erosion, in two patients for prosthesis infection. In four out of the seven explanted patients, a second prosthesis was implanted. The EDITS questionnary was realized by telephonic interview in 47 patients after a mean follow-up of 45 months (5-114). The response rate was of 83%. The satisfaction rate was of 81%. CONCLUSION: In our series, the satisfaction rate was better for the three-compartment prosthesis. After 45 months of follow-up, 73% (31/42) of patients had a functional prosthesis. The non-satisfaction most frequently found were patients who have complications as sepsis; mechanical failure, and prosthesis erosion, and subjective feeling of penile length reduction.

[Prostate cancer in elderly subjects: how diagnosis should be made, why and how geriatric assessment should be implemented]. / Cancer de la prostate chez les sujets âgés: comment faire le diagnostic, pourquoi et comment mettre en place une évaluation gériatrique.

Managing an elderly subject with prostate cancer brings into play the notion of likelihood of survival before any diagnostic or therapeutic decision can be made. The diagnostic strategy must be specified for each patient in accordance with the clinical presentation so as to determine whether prostate biopsies are indicated in this elderly population. To estimate the likelihood of survival, one must make use of geriatric assessment techniques comprising medical strategies ranging from screening for frailty to detailed geriatric evaluation for the most complex patients. The many tools available for estimating the likelihood of survival requires a critical review of their advantages and disadvantages in daily clinical practice.

De novo kidney graft tumors: results from a multicentric retrospective national study.

De novo tumors in renal allografts are rare and their prevalence is underestimated. We therefore analyzed renal cell carcinomas arising in renal allografts through a retrospective French renal transplant cohort. We performed a retrospective, multicentric survey by sending questionnaires to all French kidney transplantation centers. All graft tumors diagnosed after transplantation were considered as de novo tumors. Thirty-two centers participated in this study. Seventy-nine tumors were identified among 41 806 recipients (Incidence 0.19%). Patients were 54 men and 25 women with a mean age of 47 years old at the time of diagnosis. Mean tumor size was 27.8 mm. Seventy-four (93.6%), 53 (67%) and 44 tumors (55.6%) were organ confined (T1-2), low grade (G1-2) and papillary carcinomas, respectively. Four patients died of renal cell carcinomas (5%). The mean time lapse between transplantation and RCC diagnosis was 131.7 months. Thirty-five patients underwent conservative surgery by partial nephrectomy (n = 35, 44.3%) or radiofrequency (n = 5; 6.3%). The estimated 5 years cancer specific survival rate was 94%. Most of these tumors were small and incidental. Most tumors were papillary carcinoma, low stage and low grade carcinomas. Conservative treatment has been preferred each time it was feasible in order to avoid a return to dialysis.

[Kidney transplantation in obese recipients: review of the Transplantation Committee of the French Association of Urology]. / Transplantation rénale et receveurs obèses : revue du comité de transplantation de l'Association française d'urologie.

INTRODUCTION: Transplantation Committee of the French Association of Urology (CTAFU) conducted a review of the complication of kidney transplantation in obese recipients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A bibliographic research in French and English using Medline with the keywords "obesity", "body mass index", "kidney transplantation", "graft function", "survival", "wound complications", "graft rejection" and "graft survival" was performed. We limited the review for the last fifteen years because of the change in immunosuppressive treatment area. Only studies with more than 20 obese patients were selected. RESULTS: Wound or infectious postoperative complications and delayed graft function are more frequent in obese patients than in non-obese recipients. Similarly, transplant survival at 5 years is lower in obese patients. On the other hand, patient survival and acute rejection are the same between the two groups if recipient selection is carefully made, particularly with regard to heart complication. CONCLUSION: Kidney transplantation in obese patients is not an easy surgery with known complication. Obese patients will take time before transplantation to explain all the risk and a regular heart follow-up is crucial if we don't want to reduce patient survival. But obese survival is better if we proceed to kidney transplantation than if they stay on dialysis, arguing for a non-exclusion of the waiting list. So there is the need for a national study concerning obese patients on waiting list to enact future guidelines.

Effect of addition of CO2 to raw milk on quality of UHT-treated milk.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of addition of CO(2) to raw milk on UHT milk quality during storage. Control milk (without CO(2) addition) and treated milk (with CO(2) addition up to pH 6.2) were stored in bulk tanks at 4°C for 6d. After storage, both samples were UHT processed using indirect heating (140°C for 5s). Samples were aseptically packed in low-density polyethylene pouches and stored in the dark at room temperature. Raw milk was evaluated upon receipt for physicochemical composition, proteolysis, lipolysis, standard plate count, psychrotrophic bacteria, and Pseudomonas spp. counts, and after 6d of storage for proteolysis, lipolysis, and microbial counts. After processing, UHT milk samples were evaluated for physicochemical composition, proteolysis, and lipolysis. Samples were evaluated for proteolysis and lipolysis twice a month until 120d. Peptides from pH 4.6-soluble N filtrates were performed by reversed-phase HPLC after 1 and 120d of storage. A split-plot design was used and the complete experiment was carried out in triplicate. The results were evaluated by ANOVA and Tukey's test. After 6d of storage, CO(2)-treated raw milk kept its physicochemical and microbiological quality, whereas the untreated milk showed significant quality losses. A significant increase in proteolysis occurred during 120d of storage in both treatments, but the increase occurred 1.4 times faster in untreated UHT milk than in CO(2)-treated UHT milk. In both UHT milks, the proteolysis was a consequence of the action of plasmin and microbial proteases. However, the untreated UHT milk showed higher microbial protease activity than the treated UHT milk. The addition of CO(2) to the raw milk maintained the quality during storage, resulting in UHT milk with less proteolysis and possibly longer shelf life, which is usually limited by age gelation of UHT milk.

Whey protein coating bead improves the survival of the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus CRL 1505 to low pH.

AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy of a novel microencapsulation procedure using whey protein and pectin to improve the survival rate of Lactobacillus rhamnosus CRL 1505 to low pH and bile. METHODS AND RESULTS: Lactobacillus rhamnosus CRL 1505 was encapsulated by ionotropic gelation using pectin (PE) and pectin-whey protein (PE-WP). Both types of beads (MC(PE/WP) and MC(PE-WP/WP)) were covered with a layer of whey protein by complex coacervation. The noncapsulated lactobacilli were not sensitive to bile salts but to acid. Both microparticles protected Lact. rhamnosus CRL 1505 at pH 2.0, but only MC(PE/WP) was effective at pH 1.2. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of ionotropic gelation and complex coacervation techniques is efficient to obtain microcapsules of pectin covered with whey proteins. The MC(PE/WP) beads were more stable than the MC(PE-WP/WP) beads in simulated gastric conditions, thus offering better protection to Lact. rhamnosus CRL 1505 at low pH. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Pectin beads with a whey protein layer (MC(PE/WP)) could be used as probiotic carrier in functional foods of low pH (e.g. apple juice), thus protecting Lact. rhamnosus CRL 1505 against the stressful conditions of the gastric tract.

[Computer work and De Quervain's tenosynovitis: an evidence based approach]. / Utilizzo di videoterminale e sindrome di De Quervain: approccio basato sull'evidenza.

The debate around the role of the work at personal computer as cause of De Quervain's Tenosynovitis was developed partially, without considering multidisciplinary available data. A systematic review of the literature, using an evidence-based approach, was performed. In disorders associated with the use of VDU, we must distinguish those at the upper limbs and among them those related to an overload. Experimental studies on the occurrence of De Quervain's Tenosynovitis are quite limited, as well as clinically are quite difficult to prove the professional etiology, considering the interference due to other activities of daily living or to the biological susceptibility (i.e. anatomical variability, sex, age, exercise). At present there is no evidence of any connection between De Quervain syndrome and time of use of the personal computer or keyboard, limited evidence of correlation is found with time using a mouse. No data are available regarding the use exclusively or predominantly for personal laptops or mobile "smart phone".

[Characterization and outcome of renal cancers ≤ 4cm treated by surgery]. / Caractéristiques cliniques, histologiques et évolutives des cancers du rein de taille inférieure ou égale à 4cm traités chirurgicalement.

PURPOSE: In a retrospective study, we described the characteristics and the outcome of renal cancers less than or equal to 4cm treated by surgical excision. MATERIAL: Two hundred and eighty four cancers less than or equal to 4cm on preoperative CT scan (T1a) were extracted from our database. We studied, the presence of symptoms, the ECOG and ASA scores, the size, the histological type and the Fuhrman grade. The follow up was clinical, biological and radiological. RESULTS: The mean age was 60.8 years. 21% of patients were symptomatic. The renal capsule was intact in 182 cases (64.08%), the urinary tract in 267 cases (94.01%). Seven patients (2.46%) were metastatic with tumors greater than or equal to pT3a. The most common histological types were the conventional renal cell carcinoma (78.52%) and the papillary renal cell carcinoma (16.55%). 76.06%. of the tumors were low grade. With a median of 66.9 months, 33 patients died (11.61%) . For N0M0 patients, with a median of 59.3 months, three specific deaths (1.19%) and 17 deaths from other causes (6.77%) were observed. The average survival of N0M0 group was 227.2 months. CONCLUSION: The renal cell carcinoma less than or equal to 4cm was a heterogeneous group including locally advanced and aggressive or metastatic tumors. For localized forms, surgical excision provided an effective long-term treatment regardless the histological type or the tumor grade.

[Results of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the diagnosis of indeterminate solid renal tumours]. / Résultats de l'aspiration cytologique à l'aiguille fine dans le diagnostic des tumeurs solides du rein de nature indéterminée.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of fine-needle aspiration cytology for the diagnosis of imaging indeterminate solid renal tumours. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From February 2003 to February 2009, 60 cytoaspirations have been performed to 20 female and 40 male patients (average age: 62.0+/-14.2 years) with an indeterminate solid renal mass by imaging. The average tumour size was 3.4+/-2.8 cm. The cytoaspiration was performed through a 22 Gauge needle under CT (n=39) or US (n=21) guidance. Papanicolaou staining was used. All slides were examined by one experienced cytologist without any clinicoradiological information. The results were given as malignant, benign, suspect or non significant. A classification of subtypes of renal cancer might be added by the cytologist. RESULTS: Twenty-one cytoaspirations (35%) were non significant while 39 (65%) showed cells of interest. Among these 39 cellular cytoaspirations, the specificity for malignancy or benignity was 89.7%. The proportion of non-significant samples was the same in tumors lesser than 2 cm (38.4%) as in tumors 2-4 cm (38.8%) (p=1.000, Fisher's exact test). Subtype identification was only reliable for clear cell carcinomas. No complication was observed. CONCLUSION: The fine-needle aspiration cytology is an auxiliary technique for the diagnosis of indeterminate solid renal tumours. This simple and mini-invasive technique had a high specificity but a low sensitivity in our experience. Fine-needle aspiration is complementary to core biopsy which remains the gold standard of percutaneous sampling.

Effect of pH on microstructure and characteristics of cream cheese.

This study evaluated the effect of pH on the microstructure of cream cheese and compared pH-induced changes in its microstructure with concomitant changes in cheese firmness and meltability. On 4 different days, experimental batches of cultured hot pack cream cheese were manufactured and analyzed for initial chemical composition. The cheeses were then sectioned into samples that were randomly assigned to 7 different treatment groups. Three groups were exposed to ammonia vapor for 1, 3, and 5 min to increase the pH; 3 groups were exposed to acetic acid vapor for 30, 60, and 90 min to decrease the pH; and 1 unexposed group served as the control. After equilibration at 4 degrees C, samples were analyzed for pH, firmness, meltability, and microstructure by scanning electron microscopy. The effects of experimental treatments on cheese pH, firmness, and meltability were analyzed by randomized complete block analysis of variance (ANOVA). Relationships between cheese pH and firmness and meltability were evaluated by regression. Experimental treatments significantly affected cheese pH, firmness, and meltability. Cheese firmness decreased and meltability increased with increasing pH from about pH 4.2 to 6.8. Cheese microstructure also changed dramatically over the same approximate pH range. Specifically, the volume of the protein network surrounding the fat droplets increased markedly with increasing pH, presumably due to casein swelling. These data support the hypothesis that protein-to-water interactions increased as the cheese pH increased, which gave rise to progressive swelling of the casein network, softer texture, and increased meltability.

Dysfunctional DC subsets in RCC patients: ex vivo correction to yield an effective anti-cancer vaccine.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen-presenting cells responsible for the activation and functional polarization of specific T cells. In patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and other cancers, coordinate DC and T cell defects have been reported. In particular, DC and T cell functional subsets that are not conducive to tumor clearance are hypothesized to predominate in patients with advanced-stage disease. Two major peripheral blood DC subsets have been identified in humans: myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) that are believed to mediate contrasting effects on cancer immunity. Given the lack of information regarding DC subsets in patients with RCC, in the present study we have investigated the comparative frequencies and activation states of mDC and pDC in peripheral blood, cancer tissues and lymph nodes of patients with RCC using flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. Three monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) reactive against specific DC subsets (BDCA-2 or BDCA-4 for pDC and BDCA-1 and BDCA-3 which represent two distinct subsets of mDC, mDC1 and mDC2, respectively) were employed. We observed a significant reduction of both DC subsets in the peripheral blood of patients as compared to normal donors. Similarly, both mDC and pDC were recruited in large numbers into RCC tumor tissues, where they displayed an immature phenotype (DC-LAMP(-)) and appeared unable to differentiate into mature DC (CD83(+)) that were competent to migrate to draining lymph nodes. However, we were readily able to generate ex vivo mDC from RCC patients. These DC stimulated robust anti-tumor CTL in vitro and would be envisioned for use in DC-based vaccines applied in patients with RCC whose existing immune system is judged dysfunctional, anergic or prone to undergo apoptosis.