RESUMO
The results of the pilot study are presented, the main purpose of which was to assess the effectiveness and safety of the combined application of α-adrenoblocator and type 5 phosphodiesterase inhibitor for the treatment of patients with symptoms of the lower urinary tract of old and old age. The study involved 60 patients over 50 years of age having middle-severe lower urinary tract symptoms, erectile dysfunction, moderately pronounced infravesical obstruction, prostate volume greater than 30 cc and prostate-specific antigen levels less than 4 ng/ml. The duration of treatment in all groups was 6 months. The study participants were divided into three groups, comparable in age, clinical manifestations and laboratory-instrumental indicators: Group 1 patients received type 5 phosphodiesterase inhibitor daily, group 2 patients - α1-adrenoblocator, group 3 - α1-adrenoblocator and type 5 phosphodiesterase inhibitor. A clinical study showed that long-term combination treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms α1-adrenoblocator and type 5 phosphodiesterase inhibitor in elderly and senile patients proved to be effective, well tolerated and hardly caused side reactions, significantly improving quality of life.
Assuntos
Disfunção Erétil , Sintomas do Trato Urinário Inferior , Hiperplasia Prostática , Idoso , Disfunção Erétil/diagnóstico , Disfunção Erétil/tratamento farmacológico , Humanos , Sintomas do Trato Urinário Inferior/diagnóstico , Sintomas do Trato Urinário Inferior/tratamento farmacológico , Masculino , Inibidores da Fosfodiesterase 5 , Projetos Piloto , Hiperplasia Prostática/complicações , Hiperplasia Prostática/diagnóstico , Hiperplasia Prostática/tratamento farmacológico , Qualidade de Vida , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
There were 105 patients of different gender of elderly and senile age with urolithiasis. The entire contingent of patients with ICD was divided into 2 groups: the main group (55 people aged 61-85 years) and the comparison group (50 people aged 40-60). All patients went throught a general clinical examination: a detailed history of the anamnesis, an objective examination, laboratory and instrumental methods of investigation. It was revealed that in patients of elderly and senile age the clinical picture is more worn out, the renal colic is less often registered; more significant metabolic disorders that can participate in stone formation. Among the concomitant pathology in patients of this age category, a special role is assigned to: hypertension, diabetes, gout, chronic pyelonephritis and benign prostatic hyperplasia. According to the data of echographic and X-ray studies of these patient groups, it is noted that in patients aged 61-85 years, the calculi of the kidneys reach large sizes in comparison with patients 40-60 years old, and the main localization of stones in the ureter is its lower third.
Assuntos
Urolitíase , Adulto , Fatores Etários , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-IdadeRESUMO
Fanconi anaemia (FA) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by bone marrow failure, variable congenital malformations and predisposition to malignancies. Cells derived from FA patients show elevated levels of chromosomal breakage and an increased sensitivity to bifunctional alkylating agents such as mitomycin C (MMC) and diepoxybutane (DEB). Five complementation groups have been identified by somatic cell methods, and we have cloned the gene defective in group C (FAC)(7). To understand the in vivo role of this gene, we have disrupted murine Fac and generated mice homozygous for the targeted allele. The -/- mice did not exhibit developmental abnormalities nor haematologic defects up to 9 months of age. However, their spleen cells had dramatically increased numbers of chromosomal aberrations in response to MMC and DEB. Homozygous male and female mice also had compromised gametogenesis, leading to markedly impaired fertility, a characteristic of FA patients. Thus, inactivation of Fac replicates some of the features of the human disease.
Assuntos
Anemia de Fanconi/genética , Infertilidade/genética , Mutação , Animais , Clonagem Molecular , Feminino , Marcação de Genes , Genes Recessivos , Vetores Genéticos , Homozigoto , Infertilidade/patologia , Masculino , Camundongos , Ovário/patologia , Testículo/patologiaRESUMO
The detection of primitive hematopoietic cells based on repopulation of immune-deficient mice is a powerful tool to characterize the human stem-cell compartment. Here, we identify a newly discovered human repopulating cell, distinct from previously identified repopulating cells, that initiates multilineage hematopoiesis in NOD/SCID mice. We call such cells CD34neg-SCID repopulating cells, or CD34neg-SRC. CD34neg-SRC are restricted to a Lin-CD34-CD38- population without detectable surface markers for multiple lineages and CD38 or those previously associated with stem cells (HLA-DR, Thy-1 and CD34). In contrast to CD34+ subfractions, Lin-CD34-CD38- cells have low clonogenicity in short-and long-term in vitro assays. The number of CD34neg-SRC increased in short-term suspension cultures in conditions that did not maintain SRC derived from CD34+ populations, providing independent biological evidence of their distinctiveness. The identification of this newly discovered cell demonstrates complexity of the organization of the human stem-cell compartment and has important implications for clinical applications involving stem-cell transplantation.
Assuntos
Células-Tronco Hematopoéticas/fisiologia , Animais , Antígenos CD34 , Técnicas de Cultura de Células , Separação Celular , Hematopoese , Células-Tronco Hematopoéticas/imunologia , Humanos , Camundongos , Camundongos SCID , FenótipoRESUMO
Marker bacterial Neor gene was transduced by retroviral gene transfer into stromal precursor cells making up the hematopoietic microenvironment in murine long-term bone marrow cultures (LTBMC). Cultures were infected six times during the first 3 weeks of cultivation. At 4 weeks, the adherent cell layers (ACLs) were implanted under the renal capsule of syngeneic unirradiated and irradiated mice. Cells from newly formed ectopic foci were explanted into secondary LTBMC. ACLs containing the marker gene were detected by polymerase chain reaction. About 74% of stromal cells in ACLs contained Neor gene. The possibility of stable gene transduction into stromal precursor cells competent to transfer the hematopoietic microenvironment was established.
Assuntos
Células da Medula Óssea , Ensaio de Unidades Formadoras de Colônias/métodos , Hematopoese , Transdução Genética/fisiologia , Transfecção/genética , Animais , Linhagem Celular Transformada , Células Cultivadas , Feminino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Camundongos Endogâmicos DBA , Ensaio de Cápsula Sub-RenalRESUMO
The aim of this investigation was to find out whether the self-renewal capacity of spleen colony-forming units (CFU-S) changed after treatment of CBF1 (CBA-LacxC57B1/6) F1 female mice with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). In addition, the possibility of synergism between erythropoietin (Epo) and G-CSF in blood stem cell mobilization was studied. Twenty-five and 250 micrograms/kg/d injections of recombinant human (rh) G-CSF expanded the number of CFU-S in peripheral blood four- and 32-fold. The self-maintenance potential of CFU-S did not change significantly. The treatment of mice with 250 micrograms/kg/d rhG-CSF resulted in a two-fold increase of spleen cellularity and a 15-fold augmentation of CFU-S number, without noticeable changes in their self-renewal capacity. Moderate changes in CFU-S number were observed after Epo administration in spleen and peripheral blood; however, no significant synergistic effect of Epo was detected with either dose of rhG-CSF. The multifold increase of CFU-S number in peripheral blood following rhG-CSF administration, with no reduction in their generating potential, suggests that rhG-CSF-mobilized blood stem cells provide an appropriate source for reconstitution of the hematopoietic system.
Assuntos
Fator Estimulador de Colônias de Granulócitos/farmacologia , Baço/citologia , Células-Tronco/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Contagem de Células/efeitos dos fármacos , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Sinergismo Farmacológico , Eritropoetina/farmacologia , Feminino , Humanos , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Camundongos Endogâmicos CBA , Proteínas Recombinantes/farmacologiaRESUMO
Fanconi anemia (FA) is a complex recessive genetic disease that causes bone marrow failure in children. The mechanism by which the gene for FA group C (Fancc) impinges on the normal hematopoietic program is unknown. Here we demonstrate that the bone marrow from Fancc-/- mice have reduced ability for primary and secondary long-term reconstitution of myeloablated recipients compared to wild-type or heterozygous mice, indicating that the Fancc gene product is required for the maintenance of normal numbers of hematopoietic stem cells. Long-term and secondary transplant studies suggested that there also were qualitative changes in their developmental potential. Consistent with the reduction in reconstitution, flow cytometric analysis of the primitive subfractions of hematopoietic cells obtained from the bone marrow of Fancc -/- mice demonstrated that they contained 40 to 70% fewer lineage-negative (Lin-)Thy1.2-/lowScal(+) c-Kit(+)CD34+ cells compared to controls. In contrast, the number of Lin Thy1.2-/ lowScal(+)c-Kit CD34(-)cells was comparable to that of wild-type mice. The differential behavior of Lin(-)Thy1.2-/lowScal+c-Kit+CD34+ and Lin(-)Thy1.2-/lowScal(+)c-Kit CD34 subfractions also was observed in mice treated with the DNA cross-linking agent mitomycin C(MMC). Fancc-/- mice treated with MMC had an 92% reduction of CD34 cells as compared to Fancc+/+ mice. The number of CD34 cells only was reduced about 20%. These results suggest that the Fancc gene may act at a stage of primitive hematopoietic cell development identified by CD34 expression.
Assuntos
Antígenos CD34/sangue , Anemia de Fanconi/imunologia , Células-Tronco Hematopoéticas/imunologia , Animais , Contagem de Células , Linhagem da Célula , Corantes , Feminino , Citometria de Fluxo , Células-Tronco Hematopoéticas/patologia , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BLRESUMO
In the hierarchy of human hematopoietic progenitors, long-term culture-initiating cells (LTC-IC) and extended LTC-IC belong to the earliest cell populations that can be assayed in vitro. We report the identification of a multipotential lymphomyeloid progenitor detected in a nonswitch culture system. We observed the emergence of CD33+ myeloid and CD19+ B-lymphoid cells following plating of lineage-depleted (Lin-) CD34 -enriched or purified CD34+ CD38- cord blood cells on MS-5 stroma in the absence of exogenous cytokines. Both CD19+ CD20- pro-B and CD19+ CD20+ pre-B lymphocytes coexist with myeloid cells in long-term culture. A limiting dilution approach was used to show that a single CD34+ CD38- cell can generate lymphomyeloid progeny in conventional (5-week) and extended (10-week) cultures. Most of the clones in long-term culture or extended long-term culture contained not only lymphoid and myeloid cells, but also myeloid clonogenic progenitors. A high proportion of CD34+ CD38- cells gave rise to lymphomyeloid clones after 5 and 10 weeks of culturing (up to 48% and 16%, respectively), which distinguishes the assay reported here from those using switch culture conditions. We performed retroviral gene transfer experiments involving 1-3 days of exposure of Lin CD34+ -enriched cells to virus encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein. Monitoring of gene transfer efficiency into LTC-IC by enhanced green fluorescent protein fluorescence showed that it is possible to achieve marking of lymphomyeloid LTC-IC, albeit to a lesser extent than myeloid-restricted LTC-IC.
Assuntos
Antígenos CD , Técnicas de Transferência de Genes , Granulócitos/citologia , Células-Tronco Hematopoéticas/citologia , Linfócitos/citologia , Células Estromais , ADP-Ribosil Ciclase , ADP-Ribosil Ciclase 1 , Animais , Antígenos CD19/análise , Antígenos CD34/análise , Antígenos de Diferenciação/análise , Linfócitos B/citologia , Diferenciação Celular , Células Cultivadas , Técnicas de Cocultura , Sangue Fetal/citologia , Proteínas de Fluorescência Verde , Humanos , Proteínas Luminescentes/genética , Glicoproteínas de Membrana , Camundongos , NAD+ Nucleosidase/análise , Retroviridae/genética , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
Biodegradation processes (both intra- and extracellular) occur immediately after implantation of calcium phosphate (CaP) ceramics. Monocytes and macrophages, among the first cells to appear in wound healing, are largely implicated in phagocytosis and may be involved in CaP degradation because of their sensitivity to secreted cytokines. We tested the behaviour of human monocytes placed on the surface of hydroxyapatite (HA) and biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) tablets in the presence of vitamin D3 (VD3) and interferon gamma (INF gamma). After short-term culture (6 days), morphological events were observed in histological and scanning electron microscopy studies, and degradation lacunae were characterized. There were cell prints but no pits on the HA surface, but pits appeared near cells on the BCP surface. Preincubation of biomaterial in culture medium was essential. Variations in cell morphology were observed in different culture types. In the presence of VD3, degradation was greater than in the control, and cells were more polarized and rounded. With INF gamma, cells were extensively spread out on the sample surface, and the biomaterial seemed to be extracted from the surface by cells. Thus, monocytes are clearly influenced by soluble factors (vitamins, cytokines) and could be key cells in initiating the degradation of biomaterial.
Assuntos
Fosfatos de Cálcio/metabolismo , Monócitos/metabolismo , Biodegradação Ambiental , Células Cultivadas , Durapatita/metabolismo , Citometria de Fluxo , Humanos , Concentração de Íons de Hidrogênio , Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura , Monócitos/citologia , Monócitos/ultraestruturaRESUMO
Osteoclastic cells from giant cell tumour of bone (GCT) of bone provide a rich source for investigation of cellular mechanisms leading to formation of multinucleated cells, the resorption process and involvement of hormones and cytokines in these events. In the present study we investigated the effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (VD3) and leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) on the resorbing potential of osteoclast of GCT origin using quantitative image-analysis of resorption lacunae in an in vitro dentine model. While VD3 unsignificantly increased the number of resorption pits and implicated surface after 7 days of GCT cell culturing, the stimulative effect of LIF was statistically significant. In cultures supplemented with LIF (5000 U/ml) the number of lacunae and resorption surface increased by 38% and 55%, respectively, when compared with control cultures. We suggest that both osteotropic agents increased osteoclastic activity, as the number of multinucleated cells was similar in control and experimental cultures. Seeding of GCT cells on biphasic calcium phosphate substratum revealed the relative inability of osteoclastic cells to resorb this synthetic material.
Assuntos
Neoplasias Ósseas/patologia , Reabsorção Óssea/etiologia , Colecalciferol/farmacologia , Tumor de Células Gigantes do Osso/patologia , Inibidores do Crescimento/farmacologia , Interleucina-6 , Linfocinas/farmacologia , Osteoclastos/efeitos dos fármacos , Adulto , Técnicas de Cultura/métodos , Humanos , Processamento de Imagem Assistida por Computador , Fator Inibidor de Leucemia , Masculino , Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura , Osteoclastos/ultraestrutura , Células Tumorais CultivadasRESUMO
Primitive human hematopoietic cells can be assayed on the basis of their ability to repopulate immune-deficient NOD/SCID mice and have been termed SCID repopulating cells (SRCs). The in vivo biological fate of individual SRCs can be tracked by following the unique retroviral insertion site in the progency of transduced SRCs. Distinct human SRCs were identified that differ in the proliferative and self-renewal capacity indicating that the primitive cell compartment is functionally heterogeneous.
Assuntos
Transplante de Células-Tronco Hematopoéticas , Transfecção , Transplante Heterólogo , Animais , Divisão Celular , Células Clonais , DNA Viral/análise , DNA Viral/genética , Genes Reporter , Marcadores Genéticos , Vetores Genéticos/genética , Sobrevivência de Enxerto , Proteínas de Fluorescência Verde , Hematopoese , Humanos , Proteínas Luminescentes/análise , Proteínas Luminescentes/genética , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos NOD , Camundongos SCID , Provírus/genética , Quimera por Radiação , Proteínas Recombinantes de Fusão/análise , Retroviridae/genética , Imunodeficiência Combinada Severa/patologia , Imunodeficiência Combinada Severa/terapia , Especificidade da Espécie , Transgenes , Integração Viral/genéticaRESUMO
A method was developed for analyzing delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (I), a psychotomimetic constituent found in marijuana smoke. The developed method utilizes a high-pressure liquid chromatographic (HPLC) gradient elution program to separate I from the other major cannabinoids in marijuana smoke. To achieve the sensitivity required to detect I in human plasma following marijuana smoking, a mass spectrometric quantification method was developed to analyze the HPLC eluant. To 1 ml of human plasma was added a known amount of internal standard, trideuterated I. This stable isotope provided a check on extraction efficiency, a marker for UV monitoring of the HPLC effluent and subsequent collection, and a convenient mass for mass spectrometric quantification. An ion-counting technique was used in conjunction with the peak matching accessory of the mass spectrometer to provide for a rapid comparison between molecular ions of I and the internal standard. The method was linear, accurate, and reproducible over the concentration range expected for I in plasma following marijuana smoking; 2.5 ng/ml was the lower practical limit of detection. Plasma from 11 male subjects was analyzed by the method at appropriate intervals up to 24 hr after the smoking of a marijuana cigarette containing 10.8 mg of I. Results demonstrated that levels of I could be determined accurately in the plasma of marijuana smokers in the 1-hr period following smoking.
Assuntos
Cannabis , Dronabinol/sangue , Adulto , Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Pressão , Humanos , Masculino , Espectrometria de Massas , Métodos , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
A prospective bacteriological study in 50 children with acute pyelonephritis (APN) (32 girls and 18 boys) and 132 children with lower urinary tract infections (LUTI) (89 girls and 43 boys) was conducted from May to December 1993. Infection was defined by Kass' criteria and APN was defined by the clinical findings. C-Reactive Protein (CRP) assay and postcontrast computed tomography in the presence of a doubt concerning the diagnosis. Escherichia coli (EC) was the bacterial species most frequently isolated (76%). A systematic search for fimbriae protein adhesins (group PAP: pyelonephritis associated pil) on the EC was performed by haemagglutination (human group A red blood cells). 64% of EC possessed fimbriae protein adhesions in the APN group versus only 20% in the LUTI group. In children in whom an organic abnormality was demonstrated, the incidence of fimbriae protein-positive EC was 33% while in children with no organic abnormality, particularly without reflux, 89% of EC presented fimbriae protein. A statistically significant difference was demonstrated between these two groups (p < 0.01). The results of this study illustrate the important role of these adhesins in the development of APN. These adhesins facilitate countercurrent ascension of bacteria in the ureter towards the upper urinary tract and can make the bacteria resistant to certain antibiotics. Testing for fimbriae protein can be useful in clinical practice when investigating the aetiology of APN in the absence of demonstrated reflux. A latex test should soon be available to facilitate the detection of fimbriae protein.
Assuntos
Adesinas Bacterianas/análise , Pielonefrite/microbiologia , Doença Aguda , Adesinas de Escherichia coli/análise , Adolescente , Antibacterianos/farmacologia , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Interpretação Estatística de Dados , Escherichia coli/efeitos dos fármacos , Escherichia coli/isolamento & purificação , Feminino , Testes de Hemaglutinação , Humanos , Lactente , Masculino , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , Estudos Prospectivos , Infecções Urinárias/microbiologiaRESUMO
Localization and time of appearance as well as dynamics of quantitative changes of splenic colony-forming units (CFU-S) in mouse (C57BL/6 X CBA)F1 embryos were studied. Cells taken from the whole embryo (day 8), yolk sac and embryo per se (day 9), and also liver (day 10) were injected into the lethally irradiated syngenic mice. 7-8 days after the injection the spleens were fixed and the number of macrocolonies was counted. Statistically significant number of CFU-S was detected starting from day 10 of development, first in the embryo (30-33 somites), then in yolk sac and blood (37-38 somites) and liver (after the 40 somites stage). Rapid increase of CFU-S number during days 11-12 (two-fold increase in about 4.6 hours) suggest that not only active proliferation of CFU-S but also maturation of CFU-S precursors take place.
Assuntos
Células-Tronco Hematopoéticas/citologia , Sistema Hematopoético , Baço/embriologia , Animais , Ensaio de Unidades Formadoras de Colônias , Feminino , Fígado/citologia , Fígado/embriologia , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Camundongos Endogâmicos CBA , Morfogênese , Baço/citologia , Fatores de Tempo , Saco Vitelino/citologia , Saco Vitelino/embriologiaRESUMO
We studied the time course of appearance of CFUs (7-8 days old) in embryos of (C57B1/6 x CBA)F1 mice from the 8th day of embryonic development. Significant amounts of CFUs could be detected from the 10th day of development, initially in the body of the embryo from the stage of 30-33 pairs of somites, then in the yolk sac and still later, from the stage of about 40 pairs of somites, in liver anlage. CFUs could not be reliably detected until the 9th day of development either in the embryo itself or in the yolk sac. However, after incubation of nine day old embryos for four days in organ culture, such cultures contained CFUs. CFUs could be found in significant levels in embryos explanted from the embryos at the stage no earlier than 24 pairs of somites. When the yolk sac and the embryo were cultivated separately, CFUs could also be detected, however, the removal of liver primordium from the embryo did not influence the amount of CFUs in its body. CFUs were not found in cultures of liver primordium from nine day old embryos. Thus, we can detect pre-CFUs in 9 day old embryos at the stage 25-28 pairs of somites using the system of organ culture; at the same time CFUs cannot be found in intact embryos of the same age. These data provide evidence that before the establishment of liver hemopoiesis precursors of CFUs are located both in the yolk sac and in the embryo outside rudimentary liver. However, our results do not provide any data for the conclusion about the primary source of pre-CFUs in the mouse embryo.
Assuntos
Desenvolvimento Embrionário e Fetal , Hematopoese Extramedular , Células-Tronco Hematopoéticas/citologia , Animais , Ensaio de Unidades Formadoras de Colônias , Feminino , Fígado/citologia , Fígado/embriologia , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Camundongos Endogâmicos CBA , Técnicas de Cultura de Órgãos , Fatores de Tempo , Saco Vitelino/citologia , Saco Vitelino/embriologiaRESUMO
An electroporation method has been used to introduce marker gene Neor into mouse stem hemopoietic cells which are capable of long-term hemopoiesis maintenance in marrow long-term cultures. Integration of the gene was tested by polymerase chain reaction. The effect of the procedure averaged 50-80% of marked CFUc. Electroporation did little damage to hemopoietic cell precursors. Gene transfer can be made most effectively using bone marrow from mice injected 5-fluorouracil 4 days prior to the experiment.
Assuntos
Eletroporação/métodos , Células-Tronco Hematopoéticas/citologia , Animais , Medula Óssea/efeitos dos fármacos , Células da Medula Óssea , Células Cultivadas/citologia , Células Cultivadas/efeitos dos fármacos , Ensaio de Unidades Formadoras de Colônias , Eletroporação/instrumentação , Feminino , Fluoruracila/farmacologia , Técnicas de Transferência de Genes , Marcadores Genéticos/genética , Células-Tronco Hematopoéticas/efeitos dos fármacos , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Camundongos Endogâmicos DBA , Plasmídeos/genética , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
Conditions of formation of induced osteo-hemopoietic foci in mice, in response to ectopic implantation to them of homologous demineralized tooth matrix, have been studied. It is shown that the hemopoietic tissue of the induced foci is similar to the bone marrow of the skeletal bones by the morphological parameters and cellular composition; differentiation of precursor cells takes place in all three directions of myelopoiesis. Induced foci formation under the capsule of the kidney occurs much later (after 5-8 months) than under the skin of muscular fascia (1-1.5 months). The induced hemopoietic foci functioning continues at least for one year.
Assuntos
Matriz Óssea/transplante , Hematopoese Extramedular/fisiologia , Células-Tronco Hematopoéticas/citologia , Incisivo/transplante , Animais , Densidade Óssea , Matriz Óssea/citologia , Divisão Celular/fisiologia , Ensaio de Unidades Formadoras de Colônias , Procedimentos Cirúrgicos Dermatológicos , Fasciotomia , Incisivo/citologia , Rim/cirurgia , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Camundongos Endogâmicos CBARESUMO
In this paper, the viability of using Fuzzy-Rule-Based Regression Modeling (FRM) algorithm for tool performance and degradation detection is investigated. The FRM is developed based on a multi-layered fuzzy-rule-based hybrid system with Multiple Regression Models (MRM) embedded into a fuzzy logic inference engine that employs Self Organizing Maps (SOM) for clustering. The FRM converts a complex nonlinear problem to a simplified linear format in order to further increase the accuracy in prediction and rate of convergence. The efficacy of the proposed FRM is tested through a case study - namely to predict the remaining useful life of a ball nose milling cutter during a dry machining process of hardened tool steel with a hardness of 52-54 HRc. A comparative study is further made between four predictive models using the same set of experimental data. It is shown that the FRM is superior as compared with conventional MRM, Back Propagation Neural Networks (BPNN) and Radial Basis Function Networks (RBFN) in terms of prediction accuracy and learning speed.