Agostino Pugliese¹, Valerio Vidotto¹, Tiziana Beltramo¹, Donato Torre²

European Cytokine Network, Vol.16, No.3, pp. 186-190, 2005

Abstract Interleukin (IL)-18 is a proinflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in both innate and adaptive immune responses against several infectious pathogens. Relatively little is known about its production in HIV-1 infection, and there are controversial data on the influence of IL-18 on HIV-1 replication in vitro. In this study, we investigated the effect of HIV-1 infection, and challenge with recombinant HIV-1 proteins, on IL-18 production by THP-1 cells. This is a monocytoid cell line spontaneously producing IL-18, and consequently is particularly suitable for the study of HIV-1 effects on this type of cytokine regulation.… More >

J. Curtis Nickel¹, Jay C. Lee², John E. Grantmyre³, Dimitris Polygenis⁴

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.12, No.4, pp. 2728-2737, 2005

Abstract Objective: To characterize the natural history of uncomplicated urinary tract infection (uUTI) in a Canadian primary care environment from the patient's perspective.
Materials and methods: Female patients (n = 2323) with symptoms of uUTI were recruited by 581 family physicians who collected baseline demographic and clinical data and prescribed 500 mg/day extended release ciprofloxacin (Cipro® XL™). Follow-up data were collected 4 and 10 days later by patient telephone interview assessing uUTI symptoms, medication compliance, time to symptom resolution, impact on usual activities and overall satisfaction.
Results: Patients (mean age 40) had on average 3.56 uUTI symptoms at baseline,… More >

Chiu Yen M. Chang¹, Azim Gangji², Katherine Chorneyko³, Anil Kapoor¹

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.12, No.5, pp. 2829-2836, 2005

Abstract Objectives: BK polyomavirus (BKV) disease in renal transplant recipients has become an increasingly problematic clinical entity. Complications of BKV disease lead to chronic allograft nephropathy and ultimately loss in greater than 50% of cases. We reviewed our experience with BKV disease over a 5-year period.
Patients and methods: We performed 155 cadaveric and 168 live-related transplants between January 2000 and June 2005. During this period, seven patients had biopsy-confirmed BKV disease, which compromised the renal function of six cadaveric and one live-related renal transplant recipients. BKV was suspected as a potential cause of renal function deterioration after… More >

Derek P. Ottem, Andrew E. MacNeily, Iain W. McAuley

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.12, No.6, pp. 2901-2903, 2005

Abstract Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) is a rare, chronic inflammatory lesion of the kidney associated with both chronic infection and obstruction. Most common in middle-aged females, it is important to recognize in children because it may be confused with childhood renal malignancies particularly Wilms’ tumor. We report a case of a 1-year old male with antenatally detected and postnatally confirmed hydronephrosis. Further investigation revealed a left incomplete duplex collecting system with obstructing lower pole stones, pelvicaliectasis and widespread foci of calcification. He underwent a left nephroureterectomy with the pathological report noting XGP. More >

Vincent Fradet, Michael McCormack, Paul Perrotte, Pierre Karakiewicz, Fred Saad

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.12, No.6, pp. 2899-2900, 2005

Abstract We report the occurrence of an epidural abscess following TRUS-guided prostate biopsies, which highlights the fact that severe complications may occur with this technique in spite of antibiotic prophylaxis. Ciprofloxacin-resistant Escherichia coli is a frequent cause of fever following TRUS-guided prostate biopsies as was the case in our patient. Early suspicion of the presence of ciprofloxacin-resistant Escherichia coli may help avoid serious complications in these patients. More >

JOEL ARNEODO*, SOLEDAD DE BREUIL*, SERGIO LENARDON**, LUIS CONCI**

BIOCELL, Vol.29, No.2, pp. 205-207, 2005, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2005.29.205

Abstract Plants of Viola cornuta displaying typical virus symptoms were observed during spring 2003 in a plant nursery in Córdoba, central Argentina. Electron microscopic examinations of symptomatic leaf samples revealed the presence of isometric virus-like particles about 30 nm in diameter. Subsequent serological analysis allowed the identification of the pathogen as a subgroup I strain of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). These results were confirmed by antigen capture - reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction with specific CMV primers, and digestion with a restriction enzyme. This is the first report of CMV infecting V. cornuta in Argentina. More >

Michael Ramharter^1,2,3, Peter G. Kremsner^2,3, Martin Willheim⁴, Heidi Winkler^1,3, Wolfgang Graninger¹, Stefan Winkler^1,3

European Cytokine Network, Vol.15, No.3, pp. 189-196, 2004

Abstract The frequency of P. falciparum-specific interleukin (IL)-2-, interferon (IFN)-γ-, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α- and IL-10-expressing CD3⁺ cells was studied in healthy Gabonese children segregated according to their clinical presentation at admission to a longitudinal study of severe and mild malaria. The percentage of IL-2- and TNF-α- expressing P. falciparum-specific CD3⁺ cells was significantly higher in the children with prior mild malaria and less frequent reinfections compared to the children with prior severe malaria and more frequent reinfections. No differences were shown for P. falciparum-specific IFN-γ and IL-10 expression within CD3⁺ cells and parasite-non-specific expression of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, More >

Stéphanie Beq¹, Jean-François Delfraissy², Jacques Theze¹

European Cytokine Network, Vol.15, No.4, pp. 279-289, 2004

Abstract Interleukin 7 (IL-7), which is constitutively produced particularly by stromal cells from the bone marrow and thymus, plays a crucial role in T cell homeostasis. This cytokine is implicated in thymopoiesis since it sustains thymocyte proliferation and survival. It regulates peripheral naive T cell survival by modulating the expression of the anti-apoptotic molecule Bcl-2, and sustains peripheral T cell expansion in response to antigenic stimulation. Infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) leads to severe T lymphopenia and general immune dysfunction. Increased IL-7 plasma levels are generally observed in HIV-infected patients. The existence of an… More >

Kamran Darabi, Adam M. Segal, Gilberto Torres

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.11, No.4, pp. 2314-2314, 2004

Abstract This article has no abstract. More >

Trawat Attarbaschi¹, Martin Willheim², Michael Ramharter¹, Andrea Hofmann³, Katharina Wahl², Heidi Winkler¹, Wolfgang Graninger¹, Stefan Winkler^1,*

European Cytokine Network, Vol.14, No.1, pp. 34-39, 2003

Abstract Cytokine profiles of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cell subsets were evaluated in 8 patients with infectious mononucleosis (IM). Intracellular detection of cytokines using flow cytometry revealed an expansion of IFN-γ-expressing CD4⁺ T cells, and particularly CD8⁺ T cells, while IL-2 expressing cells were less frequently encountered when compared to healthy controls. Single TNF-α-expressing CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells were likewise reduced and shifted towards IFN-γ/TNF-α co-production. The predominant pro-inflammatory type 1-biased immune response during IM was emphasized by low frequencies of IL-10 expression in both T cell subsets, although some patients displayed elevated serum levels. Six months later, a… More >