[Expression of corticotropin releasing factor receptor 2 (CRFR2) in the human prostate. A new potential target for medical therapy of benign prostatic hyperplasia]. / Expression des "Corticotropin releasing faktor rezeptors 2" (CRFR2) in der humanen Prostata. Ein möglicher Ansatzpunkt bei der Therapie der benignen Prostatahyperplasie.

BACKGROUND: Expression of urocortin (Ucn), a 40-amino-acid neuropeptide, was demonstrated in the prostatic tissue of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Ucn showed a significant role in the regulation of local inflammation, proliferation, and relaxation of smooth muscle tone in different organs through activation of corticotropin releasing factor receptor 2 (CRFR2). However, CRFR2 expression in human benign prostatic tissue remains unknown. Our study therefore aimed to investigate CRFR2 expression in prostatic tissue. METHODS: CRFR2 expression was evaluated in tissue samples of human prostate (n=8) by means of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: mRNA of CRFR2 was abundantly present in RT-PCR of prostate lysates. Immunohistochemistry revealed CRFR2 expression in the cytoplasm of basal and luminal epithelial cells as well as in cystic glands. Smooth muscle components of the stroma and vascular endothelial cells also showed extensive staining for CRFR2. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed for the first time that human prostatic tissue expresses CRFR2. Pharmacological CRFR2 modulation might be a potential medical treatment for clinical BPH.

Enhancement of breast cancer on pre-treatment dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI using computer-aided detection is associated with response to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether enhancement of breast cancer on pre-treatment dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) as evaluated semi-quantitatively using computer-aided detection (CAD) is associated with response to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 84 women, (mean age, 51±10 [SD] years; range: 30-73 years) with 84 breast cancers who underwent MRI before neo-adjuvant chemotherapy were included in this retrospective study. The proportion of each type of signal intensity-time curve (SITC) (type 1: persistent; type 2: plateau; Type 3: washout) within the tumor volume was quantified semi-automatically using a CAD system (Aegis®, Sentinelle medical, Toronto, Canada) and was compared to histological features of the tumors and to pathological response to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. RESULTS: Pathological complete response was obtained in 29 patients (35%). Proportion of SITC type 1 was greater in non-responders (P=0.019) while proportion of SITC type 3 was greater in responders (P=0.04). Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of proportion of SITC type 1 for the identification of incomplete response on pathology were 42% (95% CI: 29%-56%), 90% (95% CI: 73%-98%), and 59% (95% CI: 48%-70%), respectively. CONCLUSION: Proportion of SITC type 1 (persistent) in breast cancers on pre-treatment MRI as semi-automatically quantified using a CAD system is associated with absence of pathological complete response to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy with good specificity.

[Vaccination trial against Aujeszky's disease: development of antibody titers in sow serum, colostrum and the serum of suckling piglets and the influence of maternal antibodies on the serologic vaccination reaction of weaned piglets]. / Impfversuche gegen die Aujeszkysche Krankheit: Entwicklung der Antikörpertiter in Sauenserum, Kolostrum und Serum der Saugferkel sowie der Einfluss maternaler Antikörper auf die serologische Impfreaktion von Absatzferkeln.

In two vaccination trials the influence of different vaccination schedules of gifts on the colostral immunity of their offspring and the influence of maternally derived antibodies on the active formation of antibodies after vaccination in weanlings were tested. It could be shown, that vaccination of gifts 6 and 3 weeks prior to farrowing led to higher blood levels of maternally derived antibodies in their offspring than vaccination earlier during gestation or prior to mating. Correlation between antibody level of sow, colostrum and offspring was good, the halflife of the antibodies was 11.3 days. Low levels of maternally derived antibodies did not influence the active formation of antibodies after vaccination, higher levels reduced antibody-formation, but did not suppress it completely. Sow colostrum and blood of piglets are generally adequate substrates for the serologic control of breeding units regarding Aujeszky's disease. Existing problems are mentioned. The results of this study are discussed concerning their importance for the eradication of Aujeszky's disease with vaccination programs.

[Animal welfare and disease control regulations for killing cattle, swine and sheep with the help of a transportable electric stunning facility (SCHERMER, type EC)]. / Tierschutz- und tierseuchengerechtes Töten von Rindern, Schweinen und Schafen mit Hilfe einer transportablen Elektro-Anlage zur Schlachttierbetäubung (SCHERMER, Typ EC).

Stamping-out of animals in case of infections diseases has to meet the requirements resulting from animal welfare, disease prevention, and practicability under conditions in practice. This is well qualified by application of electrical shock stunning with subsequent generation of ventricular fibrillation in cattle, swine and sheep. The scientific elements of the method, the procedure, and experiences in application of the method during the stamping-out of 340 cattle, 980 swine, 152 sheep and 18 goats are discussed in the paper.

[Establishment of vaccination schedules for protective levels of vaccines for the control of Aujeszky's disease in breeding stock]. / Festlegung von Impfterminen bei der Flächenschutzimpfung zur Bekämpfung der Aujeszkyschen Krankheit in Zuchtbeständen.

In this study the influence of vaccination frequency on its efficacy was investigated using a computer model. Previous investigations in sow breeding stocks revealed a number of animals with low or without antibody titers despite the official recurrent vaccination procedure. The simulation study aimed at proving the assumption that the gaps in immuno protection were caused by the exclusion of certain stages of pregnancy from vaccination, as required on the product label. The non-vaccination of sows in early or late stages of pregnancy or of suckling sows results in gaps of protection which take long periods to diminish. Additionally, the introduction of unvaccinated gilts or boars and re-breeding sows delay this process, resulting in the constant presence of some unprotected single animals in the population. The study shows that a management procedure with five vaccinations per year is able to close the gaps even with the required exclusion of animals in certain reproduction stages. The only alternative would be to vaccinate all individuals of the stock in one cycle regardless to their stage of pregnancy or lactation. This however seems to be impracticable in the field. The model clearly indicates one of the reasons why the eradication of pseudorabies has not yet succeeded.

[Is medical therapy useful in the management of stress urinary incontinence?]. / Wie sinnvoll ist die medikamentöse Therapie der Belastungsinkontinenz?

In Germany, only duloxetine is registered for treating stress urinary incontinence in adult women; duloxetine treatment for stress urinary incontinence in children or men is poorly investigated and still off-label. Trials in women based on the evidence level 1B and meta-analyses have demonstrated that duloxetine significantly reduced the frequency of incontinence episodes and increased incontinence-related quality of life. However, duloxetine must be used on a regular base to maintain these positive effects. Therefore, duloxetine seems to be especially indicated in women who refuse or cannot be subjected to physical or surgical treatment and are willing to accept the long-term use and possible side effects of the drug. Furthermore, duloxetine could be useful in women to support pelvic floor physiotherapy or in female patients awaiting incontinence surgery.

Media coverage of the persistent vegetative state and end-of-life decision-making.

BACKGROUND: Conflicting perspectives about the diagnosis and prognosis of the persistent vegetative state (PVS) as well as end-of-life (EOL) decision-making were disseminated in the Terri Schiavo case. This study examined print media coverage of these features of the case. METHODS: We retrieved print media coverage of the Schiavo case from the LexisNexis Academic database and used content analysis to examine headlines and text of articles describing Schiavo's neurologic condition, behavioral repertoire, prognosis, and withdrawal of life support. The accuracy of claims about PVS was assessed. RESULTS: Our search yielded 1,141 relevant articles published (1990-2005) in the four most prolific American newspapers for this case. The most frequent headline themes featured legal (31%), EOL (25%), and political (22%) aspects of the case. Of the articles analyzed, 21% reported that Schiavo "might improve" and 7% that she "might recover." Statements explicitly denying the PVS diagnosis were found in 6% of articles. Explanations of PVS and other chronic disorders of consciousness were rare (