The origin of human B and T cells from multipotent stem cells: a study of the Tn syndrome

The Tn (or polyagglutinability) syndrome corresponds to a human nonmalignant acquired condition which results from a somatic mutation occurring at the level of bone marrow stem cells. This model offers therefore a unique opportunity to study the contribution of multipotential stem cells to the maintenance of cells from the lymphoid lineage. We found that the Tn mutation is expressed by both myeloid and lymphoid mature blood cells. Whereas a large proportion of surface IgM-bearing B cells carry the Tn mutation, only a small percentage of T cells and IgA- or IgG-bearing B cells are defective, showing that under physiological conditions the penetration of stem cells into the various myeloid and lymphoid compartments is variable.     

Synthesis and Antimuscarinic Activity of Derivatives of 2-Substituted-1,3-Dioxolanes

Geometric cis, trans isomers, derivatives of 2-substituted-1,3-dioxanes were designed and studied as antimuscarinic agents. The synthesized compounds were evaluated as perchlorides and methiodides by functional tests with rabbit vas deferens (putative M₁), guinea-pig heart (M₂) and guinea-pig ileum (M₃). The effect of the replacement of a trimethylammonium group with a dimethysulfonium in the two rings was also evaluated. Pharmacological results indicate that the 1,3-dioxane nucleus shows the highest stereoselective values on the studied receptors.     

Marine and Agro-Industrial By-Products Valorization Intended for Topical Formulations in Wound Healing Applications

Over the past years, research attention has been focusing more on waste-derived, naturally derived, and renewable materials, in the view of a more sustainable economy. In this work, different topical formulations were obtained from the valorization of marine and agro-industrial by-products and the use of Carbopol 940 as gelling agent. In particular, the combination of extracts obtained from the marine snail, Rapanosa venosa, with Cladophora vagabunda and grape pomace extracts, was investigated for wound healing purposes. Rapana venosa has demonstrated wound healing properties and antioxidant activity. Similarly, grape pomace extracts have been shown to accelerate the healing process. However, their synergic use has not been explored yet. To this aim, four different formulations were produced. Three formulations differed for the presence of a different extract of Rapana venosa: marine collagen, marine gelatin, and collagen hydrolysate, while another formulation used mammalian gelatin as further control. Physico-chemical properties of the extracts as well as of the formulations were analyzed. Furthermore, thermal stability was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis. Antioxidant capacity and biological behavior, in terms of cytocompatibility, wound healing, and antimicrobial potential, were assessed. The results highlighted for all the formulations (i) a good conservation and thermal stability in time, (ii) a neutralizing activity against free radicals, (iii) and high degree of cytocompatibility and tissue regeneration potential. In particular, collagen, gelatin, and collagen hydrolysate obtained from the Rapana venosa marine snail represent an important, valuable alternative to mammalian products.     

Management of uterine giant myoma

BACKGROUND: Giant myomas of the uterus are uncommon, particularly in developed countries. CASE: This report illustrates a case of a woman with a bilobated giant myoma of the uterus weighed in total 27.7 kg. The patient had an abdominal distension first noted 18 months before and the personal history evidenced difficulties in walking and tiredness. Abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy were carried out. CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge of the different clinical manifestation of these myomas may allow to face that with adequate perioperative care, in order to assure a carefully and successfully surgery, although sometimes a benign pathology may be not easy to suspect in a first time.     

über einige besondere RegulationsvorgÄnge der Atmungsbewegungen bei Knochenfischen

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Virtual Gastroduodenoscopy: A New Look at the Bypassed Stomach and Duodenum After Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass for Morbid Obesity

Background: After open or laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) for morbid obesity, the bypassed stomach and duodenum are not readily available for radiological and endoscopic evaluation. Furthermore, little is known about the long-term physiologic and histologic changes that occur in the bypassed GI segments following these procedures. Many alternative radiological and endoscopic techniques have been described to access the distal gastric pouch and the duodenum after RYGBP. Apart from percutaneous gastrografin? studies, all these techniques require the insertion of a gastrostomy tube in the distal stomach. Methods: a new diagnostic method to access the bypassed segments by virtual CT gastroscopy (VG) was used in 5 morbidly obese patients who underwent laparoscopic RYGBP (LRYGBP). Results: All patients tolerated the procedure well, which appears safe and suitable for an outpatient setting.The virtual images offered an excellent intraluminal view of the stomach and duodenum. Conclusions: VG holds promise as the method of choice in the follow-up of LRYGB patients, having the potential to detect inflammatory changes and cancer in the excluded segments early.     

Laparoscopic colorectal resection does not reduce incisional hernia rates when compared with open colorectal resection

Background Laparoscopic colorectal surgery has been reported to have some advantages compared with open surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of incisional hernias after elective open colorectal resection versus laparoscopic colorectal resection. Methods The study group consisted of 104 patients who underwent elective colorectal resection or reversal of a Hartmann’s procedure between November 2003 and March 2005. Baseline data were prospectively recorded on all patients. All were examined by an independent observer for evidence of incisional hernia after they had reached a minimum follow up of one year. Results At a median follow up of 22 (17–26) months, nine patients had died and 95 were reviewed. Of these, 32 underwent laparoscopic resection while 63 had open surgery. Patients were well matched for all baseline characteristics. The median length of the wound in the laparoscopic group was 9 cm (IQR: 8–11 cm) while in the open group it was 20.8 cm (IQR: 17–24 cm). There was no significant difference in incisional hernia rates between the groups (3 vs. 10, p = 0.52) or in those who had symptoms from their hernia (p = 0.773). Conclusions Laparoscopic colorectal resection does not appear to reduce incisional hernia rates when compared with open surgery. Large randomised trials are required to confirm these findings.     

Giant Spermatic Cord Liposarcoma

We report a case of giant spermatic cord liposarcoma (SCL) in an 81-year-old patient, presenting with a huge scrotal mass that reached up to the knee joint. SCL is a rare tumor, and about 200 cases have been reported in the literature so far. Although 20% of liposarcomas arise in the retroperitoneum, only 0.1% present as incidental inguinal hernias. The occasional presence of myxoid stroma in well-differentiated liposarcomas can lead to confusion with myxoid sarcoma subtypes. Correct diagnosis is critical and reflects remarkable differences in behavior and therapeutic choices.Key words: Liposarcoma, Spermatic cord, Scrotal massSpermatic cord liposarcoma (SCL) is a very rare tumor, and about 200 cases have been described in the literature up to date. Clinically, these tumors can sometimes mimic the common scrotal masses such as hernias, testicular cancer, and hydrocele. Their histologic heterogeneity reflects remarkable differences in both prognosis and treatment. We report a case of SCL in an 81-year-old patient presenting with a huge scrotal mass.     

Respiratory function changes after chemotherapy: an additional risk for postoperative respiratory complications?

BACKGROUND: Patients receiving chemotherapy for lung cancer usually modify their lung function during treatment with increases in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)) and forced vital capacity (FVC) and decreases in lung diffusion for carbon monoxide (DLCO). This prospective study was designed to evaluate functional changes in forced expiratory volume in 1 second, forced vital capacity, and DLCO after three courses of induction chemotherapy with cisplatinum and gemcitabine in stage IIIa lung cancer patients and to assess their impact on respiratory complications after lung resection. METHODS: From March 1998 to January 2001, 30 consecutive patients with N2 nonsmall cell lung cancer had surgical resection after neoadjuvant treatment. Pre-chemotherapy and postchemotherapy results of standard respiratory function tests and DLCO were compared in patients with and without postoperative respiratory complications. RESULTS: All 30 patients completed the chemotherapy protocol without respiratory complications. Significant improvements (p < 0.05) were recorded after chemotherapy in transition dyspnea score, PaO(2) (mean value from 79.8 to 86.4 mm Hg), forced expiratory volume in 1 second % (from 78.1% to 87.5%) and forced vital capacity % (from 88.1% to 103.3%). Lung diffusion for carbon monoxide was significantly impaired after chemotherapy (from 74.1% to 65.7%; p = 0.0006), as well as DLCO adjusted for alveolar volume (from 92.8% to 77.4%; p < 0.0001). One patient died after surgery and 4 patients (13.3%) experienced postoperative respiratory complications. Compared with patients without complications, these 4 patients had higher mean increase in FEV(1) after chemotherapy (+26.8% vs + 6.7%; p = 0.025), but greater mean decrease in DLCO/Va (-27.8% vs -13.6%; p = 0.03). Impact of change in DLCO on postoperative respiratory complications was not confirmed by multiple logistic regression analysis (p = 0.16). CONCLUSIONS: In lung cancer patients, forced expiratory volume in 1 second and forced vital capacity assessed after neoadjuvant chemotherapy are not reliable indicators of the likelihood of respiratory complications after surgery. The risk of respiratory complication may be directly linked to loss of DLCO/Va. Lung diffusion for carbon monoxide assessed after neoadjuvant chemotherapy is probably the most sensitive risk indicator of respiratory complications after surgery. We recommend that DLCO studies be performed before and after chemotherapy in lung cancer patients undergoing induction therapy.