Targeting Tumor Markers with Antisense Peptides: An Example of Human Prostate Specific Antigen.

The purpose of this paper was to outline the development of short peptide targeting of the human prostate specific antigen (hPSA), and to evaluate its effectiveness in staining PSA in human prostate cancer tissue. The targeting of the hPSA antigen by means of antisense peptide AVRDKVG was designed according to a three-step method involving: 1. The selection of the molecular target (hPSA epitope), 2. the modeling of an antisense peptide (paratope) based on the epitope sequence, and 3. the spectroscopic evaluation of sense-antisense peptide binding. We then modified standard hPSA immunohistochemical staining practice by using a biotinylated antisense peptide instead of the standard monoclonal antibody and compared the results of both procedures. Immunochemical testing on human tissue showed the applicability of the antisense peptide technology to human molecular targets. This methodology represents a new approach to deriving peptide ligands and potential lead compounds for the development of novel diagnostic substances, biopharmaceuticals and vaccines.

Hepatoprotective effects of Met-enkephalin on acetaminophen-induced liver lesions in male CBA mice.

Recent histopathological investigations in patients with hepatitis suggested possible involvement of Met-enkephalin and its receptors in the pathophysiology of hepatitis. Consequently, we evaluated the potential hepatoprotective effects of this endogenous opioid pentapeptide in the experimental model of acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity in male CBA mice. Met-enkephalin exhibited strong hepatoprotective effects in a dose of 7.5 mg/kg, which corresponds to the protective dose reported for several different animal disease models. In this group plasma alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase enzyme activities, as well as liver necrosis score were significantly reduced in comparison to control animals treated with physiological saline (p>0.01). The specificity of the peptide hepatoprotection was investigated from the standpoint of the receptor and peptide blockade. It was concluded that Met-enkephalin effects on the liver were mediated via δ and ζ opioid receptors. Genotoxic testing of Met-enkephalin confirmed the safety of the peptide.

Lidocaine suppository for transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate: a prospective, double-blind, randomized study.

AIMS: To investigate analgesia using lidocaine suppositories for prostate biopsy. METHODS: From 2007 to 2009, 160 patients underwent transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy at the Department of Urology, KBC Zagreb. 80 patients received a 60-mg lidocaine suppository intrarectally at different time points from 15 to 120 min before biopsy and 80 patients received a glycerin suppository as placebo. The pain level was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the groups, i.e. they were similar regarding patients' age, prostate-specific antigen levels, prostate volume and the incidence of diagnosis of malignancy on biopsy. The mean pain score in the lidocaine group (3 ± 1) was significantly lower than the mean pain score in the glycerin group (4.1 ± 1.3) (p < 0.001). A noticeable trend towards lower pain scores in the lidocaine group was observed with more time elapsing from placing the suppository till the biopsy and the optimal time for performing biopsy starting approximately 1 h after placing the suppository. CONCLUSIONS: Lidocaine suppositories are an easy-to-use, self-applicable (by the patient) and cheap method of local analgesia, with acceptable results. Possible complications related to this procedure are insignificant.

Double, ectopic blind-end ureter: a case report.

We report a case of a complete, ectopic blind-ending ureteral duplication in a 26-year-old man who presented with the symptoms of an acute urinary tract infection for the first time. Since anamnestic data and clinical examination indicated a complicated urinary infection he was referred for further examination. On the left side, the imaging studies revealed a normal ureter draining the lower pole of the kidney and a blind-ending ureter with ectopia in the seminal vesicle. The patient recovered completely following surgical removal of the blind-ending ureter.

Pelvic and retroperitoneal lipomatosis: case report.

A rare case of pelvic and retroperitoneal lipomatosis lasting for more then three decades is presented. Although the disease is benign, it is usually progressive and may lead to renal insufficiency. On the other hand, treatment options are limited and with questionable effects. The clinical features, intravenous urography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance images, differential diagnosis and therapeutic aspects of this rare disease are presented.

Renal autotransplantation in management of bilateral ureteral mortar shell injuries: a case report.

We present a 36-year-old female patient who was injured in the pelvic region by a mortar shell fragment. The trauma comprised a complex lesion to both ureters, to the urinary bladder, and to the pelvic brim. The ruptured urinary bladder was sutured and a bilateral ureterocutaneostomy was performed in a hospital near the front line. Because of a large scar and the right ureter necrosis, a kidney autotransplant was performed 3 months later. A left ureterocystoneostomy was done. Five years later, because of urosepsis and hydronephrosis caused by a ureteral calculus, a nephrostomy was placed in the proximal right ureter, antibiotic treatment was prescribed, and the calculus was managed by crushing the stones using extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. Ten years after the initial trauma, the patient is well, has normal micturition, and both of her kidneys are functioning normally.

Immunocompetence in non-seminomatous testicular cancer patients before any treatment and one year after completion of therapy.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of immunocompetence in non-seminomatous testicular cancer (NSTC) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the peripheral blood of 43 patients with NSTC, lymphocyte subsets, lymphocyte reactivity to mitogens, NK cell activity as well as neutrophil and monocyte phagocytic functions were studied. RESULTS: The proportion and number of T- and B- lymphocytes, lymphocyte reactivity to mitogens as well as neutrophil and monocyte phagocytic functions were equal in patients with localized disease and in those with metastatic disease and they not differ from those in controls. The NK cell number and NK cell activity, however, were significantly impaired in both patient groups. The patients with metastatic disease had a lower NK cell activity than those with localized disease. One year after the completion of anticancer treatment, the NK cell number and cytotoxic activity recovered in both groups of patients. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that patients with NSTC are primarily deficient in NK cell number and their cytotoxic function influence the host's ability to control the proliferation and spread of tumor cells.

Lymphocyte subsets, lymphocyte reactivity to mitogens, NK cell activity and neutrophil and monocyte phagocytic functions in patients with bladder carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of immunocompetence in bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 34 untreated patients with bladder TCC, lymphocyte subsets were measured together with lymphocyte reactivity to mitogens, NK cell activity and neutrophil and monocyte phagocytic functions. The data obtained were correlated with both the tumor spread and the grade. RESULTS: In patients with superficial carcinoma, the proportion of CD4+ cells, the reactivity of lymphocytes to mitogens and NK cell activity was significantly lower than in controls. In patients with invasive disease, the CD4/CD8 ratio, lymphocyte reactivity to mitogens and NK cell activity was significantly diminished when compared with the controls and with patients with superficial carcinoma. Neutrophil and monocyte killing was significantly lower than in controls. Patients with high-grade tumors had a significantly lower CD4/CD8 ratio and lymphocyte reactivity to mitogens than patients with low-grade tumors. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate gross immunological abnormalities in TCC patients which correlate with stage and grade of tumor.