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Biomedical subjects

D Engelstein

Publications and source records attributed to D Engelstein.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Penile edema and meatal ulceration after intravesical instillation with bacillus Calmette-Guerin.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) bladder instillation is an accepted treatment modality in the management of superficial transitional cell carcinoma but is associated with frequent side effects. A report of intravesical BCG-induced penile edema and meatal ulceration that occurred in 2 patients is presented. During induction therapy, both patients complained of progressive penile edema. In 1 patient the edema appeared after the second instillation and in the other after the fourth instillation. Edema was associated with ensuing meatal ulceration and enlarged inguinal lymph nodes. BCG instillation was aborted, and oral antituberculous treatment was initiated. There was no report of external spillage during the administration of BCG or of genital or urethral trauma during catheterization. Patients were treated at different clinics but with BCG of the same strain and batch. Symptoms continued for 6 weeks until they abated. Both patients were managed with oral antituberculous drugs for a period of 3 months. Adverse effects of BCG intravesical administration affect several organs in the genitourinary system. The penis and urethra may also be involved, presenting as penile edema and meatal ulceration. Physicians who administer BCG must be familiar with the possible complications and their appropriate management.

Adjuvants, Immunologic

Type II ureteral triplication associated with ectopic ureter.

We report a case of type II ureteral triplication associated with ectopic ureter. The ureter, draining the upper renal segment, entered the vagina, and the other two ureters, draining the middle and lower renal segments, had joined and entered the bladder. The anatomic findings are compatible with those predicted by the Weigert-Meyer law. A thorough evaluation of such an anomaly is essential for effective management.

Abnormalities, Multiple

A comparison between digitally-guided fine needle aspiration and ultrasound-guided transperineal core needle biopsy of the prostate for the detection of prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively examine the accuracy of fine needle aspiration (FNA) for the detection of prostate cancer. Ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy of the prostate was used as the standard to which the FNA results were compared. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One-hundred patients who had been referred for urological evaluation were suspected of having prostate cancer on the basis of digital rectal examination (DRE) and/or transrectal ultrasound (TRUS). All were further evaluated by digitally guided transrectal FNA and by TRUS-guided transperineal core needle biopsy. RESULTS: Prostate cancer was identified in 54 patients by core needle biopsy and in 45 by FNA. The sensitivity of FNA was 81% and both specificity and positive predictive value were 98%. CONCLUSION: FNA is easily performed, has negligible morbidity and offers prompt results. These data suggest that FNA is a reasonable initial diagnostic procedure for the detection of prostate cancer. Core needle biopsy may be reserved for patients with negative cytology who are clinically suspected of having prostate cancer. In selected patients, FNA may be used as an alternative to core needle biopsy for diagnosis, treatment planning and follow-up.

Aged

Molecular cloning of the human kidney differentiation antigen gp160: human aminopeptidase A.

gp160 is a cell surface differentiation-related glycoprotein of 160 kDa expressed by epithelial cells of the glomerulus and proximal tubule cells of the human nephron but only by a subset of renal cell carcinomas (RCCs). We have reported that gp160 expression correlates with the resistance of cultured RCCs to the antiproliferative effects of alpha interferon, while lack of expression correlates with sensitivity to alpha interferon. In this study, we have purified gp160 protein, obtained partial sequences of random peptides, and isolated a full-length cDNA. The gp160 cDNA possesses 78% homology to the murine BP-1/6C3 antigen, a B-lymphocyte differentiation protein that exhibits aminopeptidase A (APA; EC 3.4.11.7) activity. Enzymatic assays on human RCC cell lines indicated a 100% concordance between APA activity and gp160 expression. APA activity of gp160-expressing RCC cells was increased or decreased by a panel of APA activators or inhibitors, respectively. Furthermore, anti-gp160 monoclonal antibodies immunoprecipitate APA activity from RCC cell lysates and selectively deplete APA activity from RCC cell extracts. These data indicate that the gp160 human kidney/RCC glycoprotein is human APA.

Amino Acid Sequence

A marker for neoplastic progression of human melanocytes is a cell surface ectopeptidase.

Adenosine deaminase binding protein (ADAbp) is a cell surface glycoprotein that is expressed by normal melanocytes but not by melanoma, the malignant counterpart. ADAbp is specifically downregulated during malignant transformation of melanocytes. Recently, we have developed a system that progressively transforms melanocytes in vitro in defined steps. Transduction with v-Ha-ras oncogene followed by long-term culture leads to a cell phenotype and genotype that specifically mimics human melanoma. Loss of ADAbp expression occurred concomitantly with the emergence of growth factor independence and appearance of specific chromosomal abnormalities. The cellular function of ADAbp has not been defined. To characterize ADAbp, the mature 110-kD form was purified from human kidney. Five tryptic peptides from purified human ADAbp revealed 100% homology to a serine protease, human dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV), also known as CD26. DPP IV activity was detected in lysates from human melanocytes and renal carcinoma cells but not melanoma cells, and DPP IV activity could be specifically isolated from melanocytes by binding to ADA or to S27 monoclonal antibody against ADAbp. These findings show that ADAbp is a cell surface ectopeptidase that is tightly regulated during neoplastic transformation of melanocytes.

Adenosine Deaminase

[Immunotherapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma: treatment with PLAK cells and low-dose interleukin-2].

During the past 5 years publications from the NIH (Rosenberg et al.) and other centers have reported encouraging results in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Adoptive immunotherapy was applied, using lymphocytes activated by interleukin-2 (LAK cells) plus high doses of interleukin (IL-2) systemically. The mean clinical response rate was 20-35%. Severe lifethreatening adverse reactions to high doses of IL-2 were noted, although they were all of short duration. Laboratory findings of Novogrodsky et al. from Beilinson Medical Center, Israel showed that oxidizing mitogens can induce lymphocyte activation (PLAK cells). Further studies suggested that a combination of such activated cells with low doses of IL-2 could produce effective toxicity to tumor cells without the need for high doses of IL-2 which could be very toxic for the patient. In the past year we treated 7 patients with PLAK cells and IL-2. 4 completed the treatment, of whom 1 responded partially (regression of more than 50% of lung metastases), 1 is stable and in 1 liver metastases regressed but metastases in lumbar vertebrae and in the pelvis progressed. 1 patient died a month after discharge from hospital, probably due to rapid progression of the disease. Our protocol follows that of the Phase II clinical study of 40 patients treated at the Rogosin Institute, New York Hospital--Cornell Medical Center. The mean clinical response rate was 23.6%. Toxicity of IL-2 is dose-dependent. In this protocol, the low doses of IL-2 gave significantly fewer adverse reactions.

Adult

Rowatinex for the treatment of ureterolithiasis.

A prospective, randomized, double-blind study was performed on 87 patients with ureterolithiasis, assessing the effect of the essential oil preparation Rowatinex (Rowa Pharmaceuticals, Ireland) for the treatment of ureterolithiasis. Forty-three patients were treated with Rowatinex and 44 patients with placebo. Despite the larger average diameter of calculi in the group of patients treated with Rowatinex, the overall stone expulsion rate was significantly higher in the Rowatinex group as compared to placebo: 81% and 59%, respectively (0.025 > p > 0.01). This higher rate of stone expulsion is observed in patients with disappearance of pretreatment ureteral dilatation (when patients with expelled stones are excluded) (0.05 > p > 0.001). Seven patients in the Rowatinex group had mild to moderate gastrointestinal disturbances; no other significant side effects were noted during the treatment in either group. We conclude that early treatment with Rowatinex for patients with ureteral stones is indicated before other more aggressive measures are considered.

Adult

Risk factors and their effect on the results of Burch colposuspension for urinary stress incontinence.

Forty patients with urinary stress incontinence were studied and the results of Burch colposuspension evaluated. Combined detrusor instability and stress incontinence were found in 22.5% of the patients. The results of surgery showed that 87.5% of the patients (35/40) were cured of incontinence. None of the contributing risk factors of incontinence had a significant role in the outcome of surgery. In view of this, all patients with surgically amenable urinary incontinence should be considered for surgical resolution of this condition.

Adult

The effect of intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy on the upper urinary tract.

A total of 66 patients with low grade, low stage transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder who were treated with intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) underwent cystourethrography to detect vesicoureteral reflux. BCG was instilled weekly for 6 weeks and monthly thereafter for up to 24 months. Whenever vesicoureteral reflux was found or morphological abnormalities were detected on excretory urography (IVP) an isotope renal scan was performed to evaluate the relative renal function. Vesicoureteral reflux was found in 13 patients (19.7%): 10 had grades 1 and 2A, and 3 had grade 2B reflux. The number of BCG instillations ranged from 8 to 22. IVPs were normal in 11 patients. In 2 patients mild unilateral dilatation was present before BCG instillations, and this remained unchanged during and after therapy. None of the 13 patients with vesicoureteral reflux had IVP features suggestive of urinary tuberculosis. In 11 patients the refluxing renal systems had normal relative renal function (50 to 55%). Two patients had a decrease to 40% of the relative renal function with normal IVPs, suggesting a nonBCG related cause. We conclude that BCG therapy is safe in patients with minimal reflux.

Aged

Clinical and pathological findings in prostates following intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin instillations.

The prostates of 36 patients who were treated with intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin were evaluated by digital rectal examination and transrectal ultrasonography. When abnormal palpatory and/or ultrasonographic findings were detected, core needle biopsies from the suspicious areas were performed. Of the 36 patients 20 underwent biopsies of the prostate. Pathological findings revealed typical granulomas in 8 patients (3 caseating and 5 noncaseating multifocal granulomas). Nonspecific chronic prostatitis was noted in 4 patients and benign prostatic hyperplasia was noted in 8. The number of bacillus Calmette-Guerin instillations ranged from 6 to 19. The interval from initiation of therapy to biopsy ranged from 1.5 to 14.5 months. Caseating granulomas were found during the early course of bacillus Calmette-Guerin instillations (1.5 to 3.0 months), whereas noncaseating granulomas were detected at later stages (4 to 14.5 months). These findings present a high incidence of granuloma formation in patients treated with intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin. The duration of therapy is a determinant factor in the induction of granuloma type.

Administration, Intravesical

Incidental small renal tumors accompanying clinically overt renal cell carcinoma.

We searched 66 kidneys with renal cell carcinoma for subcapsular or intraparenchymal small nodules in the apparently normal-appearing portion of the kidney. Differentiation between adenoma and carcinoma was done according to histological characteristics. Of the 66 kidneys 20 (30 per cent) contained a total of 58 small nodules ranging from 1 to 15 mm. in diameter. In 9 kidneys the lesions were consistent histologically with carcinoma, in 7 with adenoma and in 4 with carcinoma plus adenoma. Thus, 13 of the 66 kidneys (19.7 per cent) contained small carcinoma. In view of the high incidence of small carcinoma accompanying clinically overt renal cell carcinoma, we suggest that the indications for partial nephrectomy in the management of renal cell carcinoma should be reevaluated.

Adenoma

The value of Rowatinex in the treatment of ureterolithiasis.

A randomized, double-blind study was carried out on forty patients with acute renal colic in order to evaluate the efficacy of Rowatinex in the treatment of patients with ureteric stones. Patients were randomized to Rowatinex and placebo tablets. In the Rowatinex-treated patients there was a significantly higher rate of expulsion of stones which were greater than or equal to 3 mm in diameter when compared with the placebo group (61% vs. 28%, respectively). A higher success rate (spontaneous stone expulsion and/or disappearance of dilatation of the collecting system on IVU) was noted in the Rowatinex group when compared to the placebo group (78% vs. 52%, respectively), although this was not statistically significant. No significant side effects were noted during the treatment with Rowatinex.

Cholagogues and Choleretics

Recurrent urinary tract infections in premenopausal women: prophylaxis based on an understanding of the pathogenesis.

We studied 56 sexually active premenopausal women with a normal genitourinary tract but with persistent introital colonization by enteric gram-negative bacteria who were prone to suffer recurrent urinary tract infections. Sexual intercourse was revealed as a major factor in inducing recurrent urinary tract infections, usually within 24 hours, by transferring the pre-existing introital bacteria into the bladder. Abstention from sexual activity without any additional treatment prevented the development of new urinary tract infections in these women despite persistent introital enteric bacterial flora. Urinary tract infections occurred after onset of sexual activity in all but 2 of the premenopausal women in this study. The 25 premenopausal women with recurrent urinary tract infections were subjected to early postcoital prophylaxis consisting of bladder voiding and the administration of a single tablet of either cotrimoxazole (80 mg. trimethoprim plus 400 mg. sulfamethoxazole), nalidixic acid (500 mg.), nitrofurantoin (50 or 100 mg.) or sulfonamides (500 mg. sulfisoxazole or 250 mg. sulfamethizole). Whereas 70 urinary tract infections occurred during a mean 8-month followup before treatment only 4 occurred during the mean 12.5-month followup after introduction of post-coital prophylaxis (none occurred on co-trimoxazole or nalidixic acid therapy and only 1 infection occurred on nitrofurantoin therapy). Sulfonamides are not recommended as post-coital prophylaxis because of the higher incidence of breakthrough infections. Post-coital prophylaxis with co-trimoxazole, nalidixic acid or nitrofurantoin proved to be simple, economical and efficient, and is recommended in the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections in otherwise normal premenopausal women.

Adult