Identification of suitable endogenous controls for gene and miRNA expression studies in irradiated prostate cancer cells.

This study aimed to to evaluate the stability of commonly used endogenous control genes for messenger RNA (mRNA) (N = 16) and miRNAs (N = 3) expression studies in prostate cell lines following irradiation. The stability of endogenous control genes expression in irradiated (6 Gy) versus unirradiated controls was quantified using NormFinder and coefficient of variation analyses. HPRT1 and 18S were identified as most and least stable endogenous controls, respectively, for mRNA expression studies in irradiated prostate cells. SNORD48 and miR16 miRNA endogenous controls tested were associated with low coefficient of variations following irradiation (6 Gy). This study highlights that commonly used endogenous controls can be responsive to radiation and validation is required prior to gene/miRNAs expression studies.

Multiplex profiling identifies clinically relevant signalling proteins in an isogenic prostate cancer model of radioresistance.

The exact biological mechanism governing the radioresistant phenotype of prostate tumours at a high risk of recurrence despite the delivery of advanced radiotherapy protocols remains unclear. This study analysed the protein expression profiles of a previously generated isogenic 22Rv1 prostate cancer model of radioresistance using DigiWest multiplex protein profiling for a selection of 90 signalling proteins. Comparative analysis of the profiles identified a substantial change in the expression of 43 proteins. Differential PARP-1, AR, p53, Notch-3 and YB-1 protein levels were independently validated using Western Blotting. Pharmacological targeting of these proteins was associated with a mild but significant radiosensitisation effect at 4Gy. This study supports the clinical relevance of isogenic in vitro models of radioresistance and clarifies the molecular radiation response of prostate cancer cells.

Fractionated radiation exposure amplifies the radioresistant nature of prostate cancer cells.

The risk of recurrence following radiation therapy remains high for a significant number of prostate cancer patients. The development of in vitro isogenic models of radioresistance through exposure to fractionated radiation is an increasingly used approach to investigate the mechanisms of radioresistance in cancer cells and help guide improvements in radiotherapy standards. We treated 22Rv1 prostate cancer cells with fractionated 2 Gy radiation to a cumulative total dose of 60 Gy. This process selected for 22Rv1-cells with increased clonogenic survival following subsequent radiation exposure but increased sensitivity to Docetaxel. This RR-22Rv1 cell line was enriched in S-phase cells, less susceptible to DNA damage, radiation-induced apoptosis and acquired enhanced migration potential, when compared to wild type and aged matched control 22Rv1 cells. The selection of radioresistant cancer cells during fractionated radiation therapy may have implications in the development and administration of future targeted therapy in conjunction with radiation therapy.

Combination metoclopramide and dexamethasone: an effective antiemetic regimen in outpatients receiving non-cisplatin chemotherapy.

In a pilot study a combination of metoclopramide and dexamethasone was administered to 29 patients receiving emetogenic chemotherapy. Metoclopramide was given intravenously (IV) at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg one-half hour before the start of chemotherapy, and then given at the same dose orally two, five, and eight hours after chemotherapy. Dexamethasone was given at a dose of 10 mg IV immediately following the first dose of metoclopramide, then given at a dose of 8 mg orally six, 12, and 18 hours after chemotherapy. The chemotherapy regimens most commonly used were standard FAC, FAM, and BACOD regimens. Twenty-six of 29 patients received outpatient treatment. Complete protection against both nausea and vomiting was seen in 69% (20/29) patients; six others (21%) experienced mild nausea but no vomiting, resulting in 90% (26/29) of the patients having total emetic protection with combination metoclopramide and dexamethasone. Eighty-eight percent (15/17) of the patients with no prior chemotherapy had no nausea or vomiting, one (6%) had only mild nausea, and the remaining patient (6%) had one emesis. Forty-two percent (5/12) of the patients with prior chemotherapy had complete antinausea and emetic protection, five (42%) had nausea without vomiting, and the remaining two patients experienced one or two emesis. Side effects were minimal when present and included mild drowsiness (five patients), akathisia (three patients), diarrhea (one patient), and hot flashes (one patient). Combination metoclopramide and dexamethasone therapy can effectively prevent emesis in 94% of patients receiving potentially emetogenic chemotherapy and can prevent nausea and emesis in 88% of untreated patients. Studies defining the optimal dose and scheduling needed to maintain such antinausea and antiemetic protection are necessary.

Identification of vertical growth phase in malignant melanoma. A study of interobserver agreement.

Ninety-four H & E-stained slides of malignant melanoma were circulated to 6 pathologists in 2 university departments. For each slide, the growth phase of the lesion, Breslow thickness, and Clark level were determined by each observer. The aims of the study were to evaluate agreement between nonspecialist pathologists in identifying the vertical growth phase in malignant melanoma and to compare agreement for the growth phase with agreement for Breslow thickness and the Clark level. Our results show that although overall agreement for the growth phase is moderate, agreement between experienced observers is good. In fact agreement for the growth phase among this group was equal to the agreement for Breslow thickness. Overall agreement for Breslow thickness also was good but for the Clark level was only fair. These findings suggest that if the predictive value of the vertical growth phase proves to be robust, it will be used with an acceptable level of accuracy in routine diagnostic practice.

Coder gender and potential for hostility ratings.

This study examined the effects of coder gender on Potential for Hostility ratings. Six trained coders (3 men and 3 women) who were unaware of the coder gender effect hypothesis coded 30 male and 30 female undergraduates for Potential for Hostility. Although reliability estimates as calculated by Cronbach's alpha suggested that all coders were consistent, an analysis of variance revealed a significant main effect for coder gender, wherein female coders rated participants as displaying significantly less Potential for Hostility than did male coders. This significant difference was also meaningful, as coder gender accounted for 32% of the variance in Potential for Hostility scores. Thus, future Potential for Hostility investigations need to consider the gender of those coding, as this factor both significantly and substantially influences reported Potential for Hostility ratings.

Prenatal exposure to testosterone and its precursors influences morphology and later behavioral responsiveness to testosterone of female mice.

Prenatal exposure to testosterone (T), dehydroepiandrosterone or progesterone significantly increased ano-genital distance of female mice. In addition, prenatal exposure to T or pregnenolone significantly reduced the duration of T exposure during adult life required to induce intraspecific fighting behavior. However, the most masculinized females, those exposed to T prenatally, still had significantly shorter ano-genital distances and required a longer exposure period to T in order to establish fighting than did prenatally oil-exposed male mice. Additional experiments revealed that pregnenolone augments later responsiveness to the aggression-promoting property of T only if it is administered during the prenatal period of development.

Can scintimammography with (99m)Tc-MIBI identify multifocal and multicentric primary breast cancer?

Scintimammography with (99m)Tc-MIBI has been shown to be an effective adjunct to imaging of the breast with mammography. Uptake of (99m)Tc-MIBI is particularly high in sites of non-calcified cancer and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and as a consequence it may be possible to use this method of imaging in identifying multifocal or multicentric disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of preoperative scintimammography in the detection of multifocal and multicentric breast cancer and compare these results with mammography. A retrospective review was performed of 353 women imaged with (99m)Tc-MIBI as part of the clinical assessment of their suspected primary breast cancer. The results of the scintimammography and mammography were then compared with the final pathological diagnosis obtained after mastectomy in all patients. Histopathological assessments of breast tissue from mastectomy confirmed 40 women (12%) had multifocal (34) or multicentric (six) breast cancer. Scintimammography correctly identified 39 of these cancers and the multifocal or multicentric character of the cancer was identified in 22 (52%) of these patients. Anatomical imaging performed in all 40 patients including 25 with mammography alone, mammography and ultrasound in 11 cases and ultrasound alone in four patients. Anatomical imaging identified cancer to be present in 28 patients (70%) and the combination of mammography and ultrasound identified correctly that the cancer was multifocal or multicentric in eight patients (22%). In this study scintimammography was able to identify more cases of multifocal and multicentric cancer than mammography and/or ultrasound. In patients where pre-operative identification of multicentric or multifocal disease can alter treatment scintimammography may be a useful investigative tool.

Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of the parotid gland: a case report and review of the cytological and histological features.

Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC) is a rare biphasic tumour of the salivary glands typically arising in the parotid. Fine needle aspiration cytology is widely used in the initial investigation of salivary gland swellings and whilst the cytological features of this tumour have been described they are not well recognized. This report describes the clinicopathological features of a case of epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of the parotid gland and highlights the importance of awareness of this tumour in the differential diagnosis of biphasic tumours on fine needle aspiration cytology.

Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the larynx.

A rare case of moderately differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma (atypical carcinoid) of the larynx is presented. The role of immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of the lesion is described. The importance of considering the diagnosis in a patient with prolonged cervical pain with features of glossopharyngeal neuralgia, is discussed.

Parental attitude and coping behaviors in families of children with epilepsy.

This study investigated the relationship between parental attitudes toward their children's epilepsy and parental coping patterns. Subjects were 27 parents whose children had epilepsy. Parental attitude was measured using the Fishbein Expectancy-Value Model, while coping was measured using the Coping Health Inventory for Parents. Significant positive correlations were found between parental attitude and the coping pattern of Maintaining Family Integration, Cooperation and Optimistic Definition of the Situation (r = .42, p less than .02). Parental attitude was also positively related to the coping pattern of Maintaining Social Support, Self-esteem and Psychological Stability (r = .32, p less than .05). Results suggest parents with positive attitudes toward their children's epilepsy use more positive coping behaviors than parents with less positive attitudes.

Traumatic hyphaema: a general hospital experience.

A series of fifty consecutive patients admitted to the Alfred Hospital with a primary diagnosis of traumatic hyphaema is analysed with respect to causation, size of bleed at admission, treatment, complications and ultimate visual result. The need to examine carefully the eyes of all patients presenting with a history of motor vehible accident is stressed.

Maternal nest building by pseudopregnant mice.

Pseudopregnant mice displayed maternal nest-building behaviour. Their nests were smaller but qualitatively identical to those constructed by pregnant animals.

Mass hysteria: one syndrome or two?

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that mass hysteria can be divided into two syndromes; one with predominant features of anxiety and the other with predominant abnormalities of motor behaviour. In the former condition, prior tension is absent and spread is by visual contact. In the latter, prior tension is present, initial cases can be identified and spread is gradual. METHOD: The development and resolution of neurological symptoms in 156 Nigerian school girls were studied and a diagnosis of 'mass hysteria' made. RESULTS: The signs and symptoms manifested by the school girls during the outbreak of illness had features of both 'anxiety' and 'motor' predominant forms of mass hysteria. CONCLUSIONS: Although there may be two patterns of symptom presentation in mass hysteria, other supposedly discrete features overlap. This weakens the argument that there are two separate syndromes.