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The objective of this study was to examine E-cadherin and α-catenin expression at the junctions between adjacent Sertoli cells in testicular specimens from patients with varicocele in order to determine the presence of a possible link between blood-testis barrier and pathophysiology of varicocele. A total of 51 testicular biopsies were obtained from 28 infertile men with unilateral or bilateral varicocele. Twenty-three patients had bilateral and 5 had unilateral varicocele, Grade I varicocele was detected in 30 (59%), grade II in 15 (29%) and grade III in 6 (12%) patients. Abnormal expression of E-cadherin and α-catenin at the junctions between adjacent Sertoli cells was demonstrated in 100% and 90% of the patients with varicocele, respectively. In those with grade I-III varicocele, the mean E-cadherin and α-catenin expression were 7.6 ± 11.4 and 39 ± 36; 7.6 ± 0.0 and 49 ± 30; 8.3 ± 9.3 and 58 ± 33, respectively, but the difference was not significant. Reduced E-cadherin and α-catenin expression at the junctions between adjacent Sertoli cells may be associated with disruption of blood-testis barrier in varicocele. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the fact that tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) can selectively induce apoptosis in cancer cells, TRAIL resistance in cancer cells has challenged the use of TRAIL as a therapeutic agent. First, prostate carcinoma cell lines (DU145, LNCaP and PC3) were screened for sensitivity to adenovirus delivery of TRAIL (Ad5hTRAIL). As amplified Ikappa B kinase (IKK) activity is responsible for the constitutive nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation leading to uncontrolled cell growth and metastasis, a dual vector approach using both an adenovirus vector (Ad) expressing the dominant-negative mutant of IKKβ (AdIKKβKA) and Ad5hTRAIL was employed to determine if prostate cancer cells were sensitized to TRAIL in the setting of IKK inhibition. Inhibition of the NF-κB pathway through IKK blockade sensitized all three prostate cancer cell lines to TRAIL, regardless of NF-κB activation or decoy receptor gene expression. Moreover, a novel quantitative real-time RT-PCR assay and conventional flow cytometry analysis indicated that TRAIL-resistant DU145 and LNCaP cells, but not TRAIL-sensitive PC3 cells, expressed substantial amounts of TRAIL Decoy Receptor 4. In conclusion, TRAIL decoy receptor expression appeared to be the chief determinant of TRAIL resistance encountered in prostate carcinoma cell lines.Cancer Gene Therapy (2006) 13, 21–31. doi:10.1038/sj.cgt.7700877; published online 29 July 2005 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to investigate mast cells and iNOS expression in testis tissue, and to correlate these results with spermatogenetic disorders. A total of 136 testicular biopsies were obtained from the testes of 80 patients with infertility. Their age ranged from 21 to 45 years. The biopsy specimens were immunohistochemically stained with antihuman tryptase for mast cells. In each section, all interstitial fields were evaluated for the total number of mast cells as well as the total number of Leydig cells. The number of mast cells per Leydig cell was calculated and recorded as mast cell index. Immunohistochemical iNOS staining was evaluated semiquantitatively according to intensity and the proportion of the stained cells. There was a significant increase of the mast cell index in all groups with testicular disorder compared with normal sperm atogenesis group (p < 0.05). Increase of the index was in the order of hypospermatogenesis, maturation arrest and SCO, and index of SCO group was especially higher, i.e., more than twice than other groups. iNOS score was significantly higher in the SCO group than in the men with normal sperm atogenesis, hypospermatogenesis, and maturation arrest (p < 0.05). Finally, a significant statistical correlation was found between the iNOS score and mast cells index (r = 0,758, p = 0,001). Increase of mast cell index was observed in the groups of infertile testis, and high expression of iNOS in Leydig cells was associated with the highest mast cell index in SGO, the lesion with the most severe damage of the germ cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High levels of decoy receptor 2 (DcR2; TRAIL-R4) expression are correlated with TRAIL resistance in prostate cancer cells. In addition, upregulation of TRAIL death receptor (DR4 and DR5) expression, either by ionizing radiation or chemotherapy, can sensitize cancer cells to TRAIL. Considering more than half of human cancers are TRAIL resistant, modulation of surface TRAIL receptor expression appears to be an attractive treatment modality to counteract TRAIL resistance. In this study, three siRNA duplexes targeting DcR2 receptor were tested. Ad5hTRAIL infections were performed to overexpress human full-length TRAIL to induce cell death, and the in vitro tumorigenic potential of prostate cancer cells was assessed using colony-forming assays on soft agar. The DU145 and LNCaP prostate cancer cell lines, which express high levels of DcR2, were resistant to Ad5hTRAIL-induced death. Downregulation of surface DcR2 expression by siRNA sensitized these prostate cancer cell lines to Ad5hTRAIL. In addition, DcR2 siRNA-mediated knockdown of DcR2, followed by Ad5hTRAIL infection, dramatically reduced the in vitro tumorigenic potential of prostate cancer cells. Collectively, our results suggest the potential for combining receptor-specific siRNA with TRAIL in the treatment of certain cancers.Cancer Gene Therapy (2007) 14, 976–984; doi:10.1038/sj.cgt.7701087; published online 14 September 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat cavernosal tissue, and to determine whether the protective effect of aminoguanidine (AG) on erectile function is related to the timing of treatment, as the accumulation of AGEs in the penis may be important in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus-induced erectile dysfunction, and prolonged treatment with AG (a selective AGE inhibitor), prevents erectile dysfunction in this situation. Harlan Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into groups 1–4, i.e. age-matched controls; STZ diabetic rats (60 mg/kg intraperitoneal) given free access to water; STZ diabetic rats treated with AG (1 g/L per day in the drinking water) immediately after inducing diabetes; and STZ-diabetic rats treated with AG 1 month after inducing diabetes, respectively. Two months after inducing diabetes the intracavernosal pressure was measured after cavernosal nerve stimulation, and cavernosal AGE (5-hydroxy methyl furfural, 5-HMF) levels assessed. Cavernosal tissue 5-HMF levels from groups 2 and 4 were significantly higher than in group 1 (control). The expression of 5-HMF in group 3 was similar to that in group 1. Diabetic rats had significantly lower erectile function than controls, while groups 3 and 4 (treated with AG) had normal erectile function, as measured by cavernosal nerve stimulation. The effect of AG on AGE levels seems to be time-dependent; that the 1-month treatment with AG improved erectile function with no change in AGEs suggests that AG has protective effects on the penile vasculature through alternative pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate changes in antibiotic susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae from the Survey of Antibiotic Resistance (SOAR) in community-acquired respiratory tract infections (CA-RTIs) between 2002 and 2009 in Turkey.Methods: Previously published SOAR data were used for this analysis. MICs were determined using Etest(®) gradient strips or disc diffusion. Susceptibility against a range of antimicrobial agents was assessed using CLSI breakpoints.Results: A total of 900 S. pneumoniae isolates were analysed: 2002-03 (n = 75), 2004-05 (n = 301) and 2007-09 (n = 524). Four antibiotics were tested consistently throughout and three showed a statistically significant decrease in susceptibility (P < 0.0001): penicillin (74.7% susceptible in 2002-03; 67.8% in 2004-05; and 47.2% in 2007-09); cefaclor (85.3% in 2002-03; 78.7% in 2004-05; and 53.5% in 2007-09) and clarithromycin (85.3% in 2002-03; 82.7% in 2004-05; and 61.9% in 2007-09). Susceptibility to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid did not significantly change (100% in 2002-03; 98.7% in 2004-05; and 97.7% in 2007-09). A total of 930 H. influenzae isolates were analysed: 2002-03 (n = 133), 2004-05 (n = 379) and 2007-09 (n = 418). Four antibiotics were also consistently tested: ampicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, clarithromycin and cefaclor. All showed >90% susceptibility, but only cefaclor susceptibility significantly reduced (P < 0.0001) over time (99.2% in 2002-03; 96.3% in 2004-05; and 90.4% in 2007-09).Conclusions: In S. pneumoniae from Turkey, there has been a clear statistically significant reduction in susceptibility to key antibiotics since 2002, but not to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (or amoxicillin). However, susceptibility in H. influenzae remained stable. Continued surveillance is required to monitor future changes in antibiotic susceptibility for CA-RTI bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus is member of the genus Nairovirus of the family Bunyaviridae. All members of the family Bunyaviridae are enveloped viruses containing tripartite, negative polarity, single-stranded RNA. CCHF is characterized by high case mortality, occurring in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe. During recent years, outbreaks have been reported in Turkey. However, little information is available on the genetic diversity of CCHF virus in Turkey. In this study, a total of 1227 adult ticks were collected from domestic ruminants (796 specimens from cattle, 399 specimens from goats and 32 specimens from sheep). The presence of the M segment of CCHF virus was determined in 4 of 40 (10%) Hyalomma marginatum marginatum pools, in 2 of 38 (7.89%) Rhipicephalus bursa pools, and in 1 of 7 (7%) Boophylus annulatus pools. Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum pools gave negative RT-PCR result against CCHF virus. Serum samples from seven patients infected with CCHF were selected and subjected to RT-PCR to amplify partial M segment of CCHF virus. This report introduces the first data on partial nucleotide sequences of M RNA segments of CCHF virus strains circulating in Turkey, isolated from ticks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

: ObjectivesTo assess the long-term functional outcome, patient and partner satisfaction, and predictive factors for unfavorable results in men treated with a surgical approach for severe Peyronie’s disease.: MethodsSixty-one patients underwent surgical treatment for Peyronie’s disease between 1997 and 2001 and were retrospectively evaluated. All patients were assessed preoperatively with a detailed sexual and medical history, focused physical examination, and penile duplex ultrasonography. Nineteen patients underwent penile plaque excision/incision and grafting with Tutoplast cadaveric pericardial grafting material (group 1). Penile prosthesis implantation and manual modeling was performed in 31 patients (group 2a), and 11 men were treated with penile prosthesis implantation and pericardial grafting (group 2b).: ResultsThe mean follow-up of the patients was 21.9 ± 13.6 months (range 12 to 48). Complete penile straightening was achieved in 15 patients (78.9%) in the excision/incision and grafting group. In the 42 men who underwent reconstruction using penile prosthesis implantation (group 2a,b), penile curvature resolved completely in 37 patients (88%). Long-term postoperative residual curvatures greater than 30° occurred in 3 patients (15.7%) and 2 patients (4.8%) in groups 1 and 2a,b, respectively. One penile prosthesis (2.3%) was explanted in the second group for erosion. Patient responses to our questionnaire showed that overall 83.6% of the patients and 76.9% of the partners were satisfied with the surgical result.: ConclusionsAccording to the results of this long-term, retrospective study, pericardial grafting can be used successfully after plaque excision/incision procedures in men undergoing surgical treatment for severe Peyronie’s disease. In patients with Peyronie’s disease and erectile dysfunction, implantation of a penile prosthesis and correction of the curvature with a graft can provide an acceptable, functionally straight penis without any increased risk of complications compared with penile prosthesis implantation alone. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Lemierre''s syndrome, or necrobacillosis, is a life-threatening septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein. The causative organism is Fusobacterium necrophorum. Here we report a case of Lemierre''s syndrome in a young male and describe the clinical presentations and treatment. Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) was a suspected predisposing factor in this case. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]