Expression of the mucin-like adhesion molecule CD24 has been implicated in the progression of several types of cancer and has been identified as new prognostic factor. We evaluated CD24 expression in 268 consecutive cases of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma with respect to associations with tumour stage, grade, angioinvasion and infiltrative growth pattern using a tissue microarray technique and correlated data with patient outcome. CD24 expression was demonstrated in 161/259 (62%) evaluable tumours and was associated with high tumour stage [77/139 (55%) pTa/pT1 vs 84/120 (70%) pT2-pT4; P=0.02] and high tumour grade [68/139 (49%) low vs 93/120 (78%) high grade; P<0.001] as well as presence of angioinvasion (P=0.002) and infiltrative pattern of invasion (P=0.007). Patients with CD24-positive tumours tended to have a higher risk of disease progression (P=0.065). Multivariate analysis, however, proved pT stage >1 [P<0.001, risk ratio (RR)=5.87, 95% confidence interval (CI)=2.88-11.95] and high tumour grade (P<0.001, RR=3.30, 95% CI 1.75-6.22) as only independent predictors of metastatic disease. In conclusion, CD24 expression in upper urinary tract urothelial cancer is associated with advanced tumour stage and high tumour grade as well as histopathological features indicative of aggressive tumour behaviour, but it lacks independent impact on patient outcome.
Multiple common and sporadic sequence variations including 14 new alleles at FUT1, FUT2, and FUT3 loci were identified. Four novel mutations result in amino acid substitution in the protein. Three of them are predicted to have adverse effects on the enzyme activity. A novel nonsecretor allele was found.
DNA polymerase delta from the phylogenetically ancient slime mold Physarum polycephalum has been 380-fold enriched from amoebae. It was found to have the properties typical for this type of DNA polymerase from higher eukaryotes with regard to effectors, template-primer acceptance, co-purification with 3'-5'-exonuclease activity, as well as the effect of endogenous proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) from amoebae on the stimulation and processivity of DNA synthesis. An identified cDNA fragment shows 65.5% identical amino acides with DNA polymerase delta from Saccharomyces pombe. The molecular mass of the polymerase is 125 kDa while that of PCNA is 35 kDa. During size-exclusion chromatography, the highly purified polymerase eluted in the position of 125 kDa, suggesting that no other proteins were tightly complexed with the enzyme. The DNA polymerases from the (mononucleate) amoebae and from the (multinucleate) plasmodia of P. polycephalum have very similar properties in contrast to their differences in phenotype and their mode of nuclear division. The polymerase shows a higher degree of similarity than DNA polymerase alpha, and especially the beta-like DNA polymerase, with the corresponding polymerases of higher eukaryotes. According to antibody staining, DNA polymerase delta is readily fragmented by proteases, even in the presence of inhibitor cocktails. Including freshly prepared cell lysates, proteolytic fragments are reproducible, the most abundant being 50 kDa in size. The DNA polymerase is recognized by the antisera against two peptides which have been derived by PCR-screening of plasmodial cDNA. One of the proteolytic splitting sites is located within an eight amino-acid stretch between the two antigenic sequences.
Background: Adequate bowel preparation is essential for
accurate colonoscopy. Both oral sodium phosphate (NaP) and
polyethylene glycol-based lavage (PEG-ELS) are used predominantly
as bowel cleansing modalities. NaP has gained popularity due to
low drinking volume and lower costs. The purpose of this
randomized multicenter observer blinded study was to compare
three groups of cleansing (NaP, NaP + sennosides, PEG-ELS +
sennosides) in reference to tolerability, acceptance, and
cleanliness. Patient and Methods: 355 outpatients between 18 and
75 years were randomized into three groups (A, B, C) receiving NaP =
A, NaP, and sennosides = B or PEG-ELS and sennosides = C.
Gastroenterologists performing colonoscopies were blinded to the
type of preparation. All patients documented tolerance and adverse
events. Vital signs, premedication, completeness, discomfort, and
complications were recorded. A quality score (0–4) of cleanliness
was generated. Results: The three groups were similar
with regard to age, sex, BMI, indication for colonoscopy, and
comorbidity. Drinking volumes (L) (A = 4.33 + 1.2, B = 4.56 + 1.18, C = 4.93 + 1.71) were in favor of NaP
(P = .005). Discomfort from
ingested fluid was recorded in A = 39.8% (versus C: P = .015),
B = 46.6% (versus C: P = .147), and C = 54.6%. Differences in tolerability and acceptance between the three groups were
statistically not significant. No differences in adverse events
and the cleanliness effects occurred in the three groups (P = .113).
The cleanliness quality scores 0–2 were calculated in A:
77.7%, B: 86.7%, and C: 85.2%. Conclusions:
These data fail to demonstrate significant differences in
tolerability, acceptance, and preparation quality between the
three types of bowel preparation for colonoscopy. Cleansing with
NaP was not superior to PEG-ELS.
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