Andrzej Torbé, Ryszard Czajka, Agnieszka Kordek, Rafał Rzepka, Sebastian Kwiatkowski, Jacek Rudnicki

European Cytokine Network, Vol.18, No.2, pp. 102-107, 2007, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2007.0092

Abstract Our aim was to compare maternal serum concentrations of interleukin(IL)-1α IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 in pregnancies complicated by preterm labor (PTL), with the levels in healthy controls at comparable gestational age, and to determine if these assays have any value in the prediction of early-onset neonatal infection or histological chorioamnionitis. The study population consisted of 65 women with new-onset PTL, and 31 healthy controls. Maternal serum concentrations of IL-6 (8.40 versus 3.30 pg/mL; p = 0.002) and IL-1β (2.20 versus 0.50 pg/mL; p = 0.003) were significantly higher in patients with PTL as compared to… More >

Andrzej Torbé, Ryszard Czajka, Agnieszka Kordek, Rafał Rzepka, Sebastian Kwiatkowski, Jacek Rudnicki

European Cytokine Network, Vol.18, No.2, pp. 57-62, 2007, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2007.0092

Abstract Our aim was to compare maternal serum concentrations of interleukin(IL)-1α IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 in pregnancies complicated by preterm labor (PTL), with the levels in healthy controls at approximately full-term, and to determine if these assays have any value in the prediction of early-onset neonatal infection or histological chorioamnionitis. The study population consisted of 65 women with new-onset PTL, and 31 healthy controls. Maternal serum concentrations of IL-6 (8.40 versus 3.30 pg/mL; p = 0.002) and IL-1β (2.20 versus 0.50 pg/mL; p = 0.003) were significantly higher in patients with PTL as compared to healthy… More >

Carlos González¹, Paula Abello², Raquel Cepeda¹, Lorena Salazar³, Octavio Aravena², Barbara Pesce², Diego Catalán², Juan C. Aguillón²

European Cytokine Network, Vol.18, No.3, pp. 127-135, 2007, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2007.0099

Abstract Using the murine model of type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), we studied its evolution over time by histopathological, immunohistochemical and clinical evaluations. The first clinical symptoms appeared 28 days post-inoculation (dpi), with bovine type II collagen, with an average arthritic index of 1.00 ± 0.48 corresponding to erythema of the articulation. The disease progressed, and by 70 dpi showed an average arthritic index of 3.83 ± 0.27 corresponding to edema and maximum deformation, with ankylosis. Computed morphometry demonstrated that, in comparison to controls, the induction of CIA, produces a significant and increasing accumulation of inflammatory… More >

Madeleine Collette^*, Géraldine Descamps^*, Catherine Pellat-Deceunynck, Régis Bataille, Martine Amiot

European Cytokine Network, Vol.18, No.3, pp. 120-126, 2007, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2007.0095

Abstract In multiple myeloma, a large number of growth factors (IL-6, IGF-1, FGF, HGF and HB-EGF) are involved in promoting myeloma cell growth. In the present study, a serum-free, cytokine-free, collagen-based assay, which does not allow the generation of spontaneous myeloma colonies, was used to identify the clonogenic growth factors for fourteen myeloma cell lines. IL-6 is the only clonogenic factor able to stimulate both CD45+ and CD45- myeloma cell lines, generating myeloma colonies from 10 out of 14 myeloma cell lines. Using a pharmacological Erk inhibitor, we show that the Erk/MAPK pathway is involved in… More >

Carlos González¹, Paula Abello², Raquel Cepeda¹, Lorena Salazar³, Octavio Aravena², Barbara Pesce², Diego Catalán², Juan C. Aguillón²

European Cytokine Network, Vol.18, No.3, pp. 9-18, 2007, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2007.0099

Abstract Using the murine model of type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), we studied its evolution over time by histopathological, immunohistochemical and clinical evaluations. The first clinical symptoms appeared 28 days post-inoculation (dpi), with bovine type II collagen, with an average arthritic index of 1.00 ± 0.48 corresponding to erythema of the articulation. The disease progressed, and by 70 dpi showed an average arthritic index of 3.83 ± 0.27 corresponding to edema and maximum deformation, with ankylosis. Computed morphometry demonstrated that, in comparison to controls, the induction of CIA, produces a significant and increasing accumulation of inflammatory… More >

Madeleine Collette¹, Géraldine Descamps¹, Catherine Pellat-Deceunynck, Régis Bataille, Martine Amiot

European Cytokine Network, Vol.18, No.3, pp. 1-7, 2007, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2007.0095

Abstract In multiple myeloma, a large number of growth factors (IL-6, IGF-1, FGF, HGF and HB-EGF) are involved in promoting myeloma cell growth. In the present study, a serum-free, cytokine-free, collagen-based assay, which does not allow the generation of spontaneous myeloma colonies, was used to identify the clonogenic growth factors for fourteen myeloma cell lines. IL-6 is the only clonogenic factor able to stimulate both CD45+ and CD45- myeloma cell lines, generating myeloma colonies from 10 out of 14 myeloma cell lines. Using a pharmacological Erk inhibitor, we show that the Erk/MAPK pathway is involved in… More >

Maha Kammoun-Krichen¹, Noura Bougacha-Elleuch¹, Kaouthar Makni¹, Maha Rebai³, Sylvie Peraldi-Roux², Ahmed Rebai³, Mouna Mnif⁴, Mohamed Abid⁴, Joumaa Jouida⁵, Hammadi Ayadi¹

European Cytokine Network, Vol.18, No.4, pp. 196-200, 2007, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2007.0104

Abstract Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs), including Graves’ disease (GD) and autoimmune hypothy-roidism (AH), are inherited as complex traits. Among the genes contributing to AITDs susceptibility are genes of the IL-1 family. IL-1 regulates T and B lymphocyte maturation, including the induction of several cytokines and cytokine receptors. Therefore, disturbances of this balance may not only play a role in inflammation but also in the pathogenesis of autoimmunity. In order to investigate genetic association of IL-1 gene polymorphisms with AITDs, we performed both a familial study in a large Tunisian pedigree with high prevalence of AITDs (64… More >

Maha Kammoun-Krichen¹, Noura Bougacha-Elleuch¹, Kaouthar Makni¹, Maha Rebai¹, Ahmed Rebai², Mouna Mnif³, Mohamed Abid³, Joumaa Jouida⁴, Hammadi Ayadi¹

European Cytokine Network, Vol.18, No.4, pp. 17-21, 2007, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2007.0104

Abstract Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs), including Graves’ disease (GD) and autoimmune hypothy-roidism (AH), are inherited as complex traits. Among the genes contributing to AITD susceptibility are genes of the IL-1 family. IL-1 regulates T and B lymphocyte maturation, including the induction of several cytokines and cytokine receptors. Therefore, disturbances of this balance may not only play a role in inflammation but also in the pathogenesis of autoimmunity. In order to investigate genetic association of IL-1 gene polymorphisms with AITDs, we performed both a familial study in a large Tunisian pedigree with high prevalence of AITDs (64… More >

Ehab A. Elzayat, Majid S. Al-Mandil, Mostafa M. Elhilali

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.14, No.1, pp. 3463-3466, 2007

Abstract We describe a case of right renal agenesis with ipsilateral ectopic ureter opening into a large seminal vesicle cyst in a 24-year old man. The patient presented with left flank pain and the imaging studies showed absent right kidney and a large pelvic cyst possibly arising from seminal vesicle. The cyst was removed together with the right ureter and kidney remnant through a laparotomy. More >

Elizabeth Waine, Hashim Hashim, Paul Abrams

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.14, No.2, pp. 3478-3488, 2007

Abstract Overactive bladder is a common urological diagnosis, which is often untreated as patients fail to seek help for this embarrassing problem. This disorder causes significant lifestyle limitations for the patient and is also expensive as it reduces national productivity and therefore affected patients should be treated. It is simple for primary care providers to make a working diagnosis in this disorder and they should be carrying out simple investigations in order to make the diagnosis. Commencement of therapy should start with conservative measures such as lifestyle modifications including pelvic floor exercises and bladder drill followed… More >