Jolanta Myśliwska¹, Joanna Więckiewicz¹, Łukasz Hak¹, Janusz Siebert², Jan Rogowski³, Krzysztof Szyndler³, Andrzej Myśliwski⁴

European Cytokine Network, Vol.17, No.3, pp. 181-188, 2006, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2006.0035

Abstract IL6 gene promoter polymorphisms may influence the outcome of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of our study was to find out whether the –174G>C polymorphism, as well as the IL6 secretory profile, may be linked to the number of severely (≥ 75%) occluded coronary arteries in patients with advanced coronary heart disease (CHD). Three hundred and twenty patients awaiting elective coronary artery bypass grafting were enrolled into the study. Blood was taken the day before surgery. The PCR-RFLP method was used for IL6 gene polymorphism analysis. Spontaneous IL6 release was measured by bioassay in supernatants of… More >

Yvonne Kalmbach^1,2, Angelica B. W. Boldt¹, Rolf Fendel^1,2, Benjamin Mordmüller^1,2, Peter G. Kremsner^1,2, Jürgen F. J. Kun¹

European Cytokine Network, Vol.17, No.3, pp. 175-180, 2006, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2006.0032

Abstract The outcome of a Plasmodium falciparum infection differs greatly between patients, ranging from an asymptomatic carrier status to the most severe characteristics influenced by activating and inhibiting immune factors. The inhibitory leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor (LILRB1/CD85j) plays an important role in the immune response as regulator of cytotoxic T cells and of premature activation and clonal expansion of B cells. To investigate its role in malaria, we analyzed blood samples from malaria patients by cytometric analysis. We found a similar expression pattern of CD85j on PBMC in both patients and healthy children. However, malaria patients presented significantly More >

Susanne Schulz^1,2, Undraga Schagdarsurengin¹, Dirk Rehfeld^1,2, Thomas Süß^1,2, Karl Werdan², Ursula Müller-Werdan², Christiane Gläser¹

European Cytokine Network, Vol.17, No.3, pp. 148-154, 2006, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2006.0031

Abstract Background. Inflammatory processes are considered to play an important role in the development of coronary atherosclerosis. The proinflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor b (TNF-β), is thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Study design. In this clinical study, the influence of genetic variants of TNF-β (c.7G>A, IVS1+90G>A, C13R, T60N) on major coronary risk factors, including gender, smoking, history of cardiovascular diseases, biochemical data (inflammatory markers, factors of lipid metabolism, coagulation/fibrinolysis balance), and angiographically-proven coronary state, was investigated in 176 European Caucasian probands (130 males, mean age: 51.9 ± 8.9 y). Results. The most frequent… More >

Ilona Bányász¹, Géza Bokodi¹, Barna Vásárhelyi², András Treszl¹, László Derzbach¹, András Szabó¹, Tivadar Tulassay^1,2,3, Ádám Vannay³

European Cytokine Network, Vol.17, No.4, pp. 271-275, 2006, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2006.0043

Abstract Background. Fabry disease is an X-linked disorder associated with early-onset stroke, cardiomyopathy, and progression to end-stage renal failure. Correlations between inflammatory cytokines have been shown in other lysosomal storage diseases. The aim of the study was to evaluate functional gene polymorphisms of key pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and to correlate them to a clinical score to assess the potential role of inflammation in Fabry disease. Design. Genotyping for IL-10[819C/T; -592C/A]; IL-1β[+3954C/T; –511C/T]; IL-1α[-889C/T]; and TNF-α[-308G/A] was performed in 76 patients and correlated with MSSI sub-scores and with enzyme (alpha-galactosidase A) levels. Fifty, normal, age- and… More >

Ilona Bányász¹, Géza Bokodi¹, Barna Vásárhelyi², András Treszl¹, László Derzbach¹, András Szabó¹, Tivadar Tulassay^1,2,3, Ádám Vannay³

European Cytokine Network, Vol.17, No.4, pp. 266-270, 2006, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2006.0041

Abstract Low birth weight (LBW) infants have increased susceptibility to perinatal complications. An immature and impaired vascular system may possibly participate in these complications. There is evidence that supports the notion that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is an essential regulator of embryonic angiogenesis, plays a central role in the pathogenesis of perinatal complications. We aimed to test whether functional genetic polymorphisms of VEGF are associated with the risk of preterm birth or perinatal morbidity. We enrolled 128 LBW infants (≤ 1500 grams). VEGF T-460C, VEGF C-2578A and VEGF G+405C polymorphisms were determined by real-time… More >

Tom Pickles¹, Alan Pollack²

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.13, Suppl.2, pp. 68-71, 2006

Abstract Patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer have a significant risk of biochemical failure after treatment with external beam radiation therapy. Two strategies to improve outcomes are radiation dose escalation and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). This article discusses the evidence in favor of dose escalation.
The case for radiation dose escalation has been established by several randomized studies, which show improved biochemical control (bNED) rates. Although late toxicity was also increased, it remains at clinically acceptable levels. The use of more focal methods of radiation, such as proton therapy and intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), allows safe dose More >

Jarad Martin¹, George Rodrigues², Shawn Malone³, Gerard Morton⁴, Holly Campbell⁵, Juanita Crook¹

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.13, Suppl.2, pp. 26-33, 2006

Abstract Background and purpose: Annual genitourinary radiation oncology meetings aim to assist in the dissemination of knowledge that may affect current practice. We aim to measure changes in practice approaches that have occurred while these meetings have been conducted.
Materials and methods: A previously published survey from 2002 was sent to all genitourinary radiation oncologists in Ontario. Six prostate cancer patient scenarios were used: three definitive (low risk, intermediate risk, high risk), and three post-operative (extracapsular extension, margin positive, slowly rising PSA). There were 21 responders from seven cancer centers.
Results: Using biological equivalent dose (BED), there is significant dose… More >

Rebecca L. O’Malley, Samir S. Taneja

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.13, Suppl.2, pp. 11-17, 2006

Abstract The relationship between obesity and prostate cancer is currently a hotly debated topic, but despite the number of publications devoted to the topic, the actual nature of the relationship remains uncertain. Obesity has been shown to have a direct relationship with the incidence of prostate cancer in a number of studies but an equal number of studies have shown no association. The relationship is further obscured with recent findings that obesity in younger obese men may actually be protective against prostate cancer. Confounding factors include the lack of correlation of body mass index (BMI) as… More >

Jonathan I. Izawa^1,2,3, Joseph L. Chin^1,2,3, Eric Winquist^2,4

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.13, Suppl.3, pp. 48-53, 2006

Abstract Introduction: The ability of cystectomy to cure patients with muscle-invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (TCC) is diminished by the presence of occult micrometastases. Chemotherapy contributes to cure to the extent that it may eradicate these micrometastases. In the absence of methods to preoperatively stage TCC precisely or assess tumor biology, we review the current literature regarding the timing of cystectomy and use of perioperative chemotherapy. Based on this data, we suggest optimal and feasible strategies for treating TCC in a resource-constrained environment.
Materials and methods: Systematic reviews of TCC were sought using electronic databases to… More >

Z. P. Joos, T. R. Pritchett, C. R. Porter, C. Isacson, V Picozzi, J. M. Corman

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.13, No.1, pp. 2990-2992, 2006

Abstract Primary epididymal adenocarcinoma is a rare malignancy with fewer than 30 documented cases. We report a case of a 57-year-old patient with a para testicular mass in the presence of retroperitoneal metastatic disease. Histology confirmed the presence of primary paratesticular adenocarcinoma. In this report we review the index case, the pertinent literature and discuss adjuvant therapy. More >