Richard Casey¹, Zsuzsanna Gesztesi¹, Joseph Rochford²

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.17, No.3, pp. 5170-5177, 2010

Abstract Objectives: To evaluate the effect of zoledronic acid on androgen deprivation therapy in patients with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer by measuring the percentage change in lumbar-spine bone mineral density (BMD) at 12 and 24 months.
Materials and methods: An open-label, multicenter, randomized, two-phase study was conducted in patients with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (N = 200) receiving 10.8 mg goserelin acetate with or without zoledronic acid (4 mg intravenously) every 3 months. In phase I, patients were randomized to goserelin acetate alone or goserelin acetate plus zoledronic acid for 12 months. In phase II, patients receiving goserelin acetate plus… More >

Hideki Fujii¹, Shinobu Yoshimura¹, Kazuya Seki¹

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.63, No.3, pp. 265-282, 2010, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2010.063.265

Abstract Traffic system is a typical complex system emerged through interactions among a large number of traffic actors such as car drivers, pedestrians and others. We model each actor as an intelligent agent that can judge and act by itself autonomously, and develop a traffic simulator named MATES, which is based on an intelligent multi-agent model. In this simulator, microscopic behaviors of the traffic actors cause macroscopic traffic phenomena through their interaction. In this research, we newly develop a coordinative behavior model among multiple cars, and implement it to MATES to enhance the reproducibility of traffic More >

Calin Popa^1,2, Pilar Barrera², Leo A. B. Joosten^1,2,3, Piet L. C. M. van Riel², Bart-Jan Kullberg^1,3, Jos W. M. van der Meer^1,3, Mihai G. Netea^1,3

European Cytokine Network, Vol.20, No.2, pp. 88-83, 2009, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2009.0150

Abstract Infectious complications are not rare in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and the susceptibility to infec-tions is increased during treatment with TNF blocking agents. As a possible mechanism contributing to that, we assessed the modulation of cytokine production induced by TNF neutralization. Methods. Whole blood cultures from six healthy volunteers and 13 RA patients starting therapy with either adalimumab (n = 7) or etanercept (n = 6) were stimulated with heat-killed Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus or with S. typhimurium lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The production of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL10, IL-17, TNF, IL-8 and IFN-γ was measured by specific immunoassays. Results. Stimulation … More >

Massimiliano Mirolo^1,*, Marco Fabbri^1,*, Marina Sironi^1,*, Annunciata Vecchi², Angelo Guglielmotti³, Giorgina Mangano³, Giuseppe Biondi³, Massimo Locati^1,4, Alberto Mantovani^1,4

European Cytokine Network, Vol.19, No.3, pp. 119-122, 2008, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2008.0133

Abstract Bindarit is an indazolic derivative that is devoid of any immunosuppressive effects and has no effect on arachidonic acid metabolism. However, it has been proved to have anti-inflammatory activity in a number of experimental diseases, including pancreatitis, arthritis, and lupus nephritis. This therapeutic effect has been associated with its ability to interfere selectively with monocyte recruitment, although the underlying molecular mechanisms are unknown. Here we comprehensively examine the effect of bindarit on the chemokine system, and report that in activated monocytes and endothelial cells, it selectively inhibits the production of the monocyte chemotactic protein subfamily More >

T. C. Theoharides^1,2,3, D. Kempuraj¹, S. Vakali¹, G. R. Sant⁴

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.15, No.6, pp. 4410-4414, 2008

Abstract Objectives: Interstitial cystitis/Painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) is a chronic bladder condition of unknown etiology and pathogenesis. However, there is evidence of bladder surface mucosal and glycosaminoglycans (GAG) dysfunction in IC/PBS and GAG replacement therapy has been used to treat the condition. The results of an open label, uncontrolled study of a dietary supplement designed to improve GAG mucopolysaccharides integrity (glucosamine sulfate, sodium hyaluronate and chondroitin sulfate) and reduce bladder wall inflammation (quercetin, rutin) are presented herein.
Methods: Two hundred fifty two IC/PBS patients (25 men, 227 women; 18-69 years old), who had failed other treatments, took four… More >

Grijalba PE, HE Palmucci

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.76, pp. 79-84, 2007, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2007.76.079

Abstract A new disease of Spathiphyllum wallisii plants, characterized by leaf yellowing and wilting due to root and crown rot, was observed in nurseries of the Great Buenos Aires, Argentina. A fungus was consistently isolated from diseased tissue and identified as Cylindrocladium spathiphylli, on the base of its morphological and cultural characteristics. Inoculation tests were carried out which confirmed this fungus as the causal agent of the disease. This is the first report of C. spathiphylli causing root and crown rot of S. wallisii in Buenos Aires. 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 >

S. Yoshimura ¹

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.11, No.1, pp. 17-26, 2006, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2006.011.017

Abstract This paper describes a development of an advanced traffic simulator based on a multi-agent approach which is named MATES (Multi-Agent based Traffic and Environment Simulator). City traffic phenomena are essentially regarded as complex systems consisting of a number of human beings. Each element creating traffic phenomena such as car (driver), traffic signal, pedestrian and others is modeled as an intelligent agent that possesses its own logic of behavior and preference. The environment surrounding each agent consists of other cars, road network, traffic signals, pedestrian and others. Interaction among numerous agents simulates nonlinear behaviors of city More >

Gerald B. Brock

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.10, Suppl.1, pp. 17-22, 2003

Abstract Oral phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors for the treatment of erectile dysfunction are preferred by most men, and are recommended in guidelines as first-line therapy, because of convenience, high efficacy, and low rates of side effects. Tadalafil (Cialis™) is a new agent that has been studied in different patient populations. It has a different molecular structure than other PDE5 inhibitors, and a different pharmacologic profile that provides a longer period of effectiveness than other agents. This article will review clinical trials on tadalafil, to provide a comprehensive overview of its efficacy and safety. More >