The role of salivary duct morphology in the aetiology of sialadenitis: statistical analysis of sialographic features

Morphologic characteristics of salivary ducts may contribute to stagnation of saliva. The authors hypothesized that some features might contribute to development of submandibular and parotid sialadenitis. 106 digital subtraction sialograms (DSS) were retrospectively reviewed for: degree of sialadenitis, length of Wharton's and Stensen's ducts (SD), and angle of Wharton's duct (WD) genu. Student's t test was used for independent samples to statistically compare normal and sialadenitis groups. The effect of independent variables (age, gender, side, degree of sialadenitis) on the dependent variable (length or angle) were tested using regression analysis. Submandibular duct sialadenitis was mild (67%), moderate (8%), or severe (25%); parotid duct sialadenitis was mild (57%), moderate (18%), or severe (25%). Mean length of normal WD was 58.2 mm, and 56.3 mm with sialadenitis. Mean length of normal SD was 52 mm, and 53 mm with sialadenitis. The mean angle of WD genu was 115° in normal ducts, and 119° with sialadenitis. None of the independent variables affected variation in length or angle. There were no statistical differences in duct length or measured angle between normal and sialadenitis groups. There is a wide variation in salivary duct morphology but this does not appear to be associated with the cause of sialadenitis.     

Transient osteoporosis of the hip, complete resolution after treatment with alendronate as observed by MRI description of eight cases and review of the literature

Transient osteoporosis of the hip (TOH), also referred to as transient bone marrow edema syndrome, is most common in middle-aged men and often after trivial trauma or sport-related injuries. Diagnosis is usually made by eliminating other possible causes of hip pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays an important role in diagnosis and demonstrates a typical pattern of bone marrow edema (BME) in the form of diffuse low signal on T1-weighted images and high signal on T2 fat-suppressed or short T1 inversion recovery images. No consensus exists about the management of TOH, as it may progress to avascular necrosis. We describe eight cases of TOH treated with alendronate resulting in improvement of pain and function and complete resolution of BME on MRI. The literature is reviewed regarding TOH and the relationship with bone marrow edema syndrome, avascular necrosis of the hip, and regional migratory osteoporosis. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the improvement of this condition after of alendronate with documented radiological improvement on follow-up MRI.     

Increased expression of glutamine transporter SNAT2/SLC38A2 promotes glutamine dependence and oxidative stress resistance,and is associated with worse prognosis in triple-negative breast cancer

Background Glutamine (Gln) is an abundant nutrient used by cancer cells. Breast cancers cells and particularly triple-receptor negative breast cancer (TNBC) are reported to be dependent on Gln to produce the energy required for survival and proliferation. Despite intense research on the role of the intracellular Gln pathway, few reports have focussed on Gln transporters in breast cancer and TNBC.Methods The role and localisation of the Gln transporter SLC38A2/SNAT2 in response to Gln deprivation or pharmacological stresses was examined in a panel of breast cancer cell lines. Subsequently, the effect of SLC38A2 knockdown in Gln-sensitive cell lines was analysed. The prognostic value of SLC38A2 in a cohort of breast cancer was determined by immunohistochemistry.Results SLC38A2 was identified as a strongly expressed amino acid transporter in six breast cancer cell lines. We confirmed an autophagic route of degradation for SLC38A2. SLC38A2 knockdown decreased Gln consumption, inhibited cell growth, induced autophagy and led to ROS production in a subgroup of Gln-sensitive cell lines. High expression of SLC38A2 protein was associated with poor breast cancer specific survival in a large cohort of patients (p = 0.004), particularly in TNBC (p = 0.02).Conclusions These results position SLC38A2 as a selective target for inhibiting growth of Gln-dependent breast cancer cell lines.Subject terms: Breast cancer, Cancer metabolism     

Month of birth and suicide: An exploratory study

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between suicide and month of birth. METHOD: Data were extracted from records of the Public Health Department in North Cheshire between 1989 and 2000. &#164 Suicide' refers to all deceased who were the subjects of coroner's inquests resulting in a verdict of suicide or an open verdict. The month of birth of all who died of natural causes and were reported during a 2-year period was obtained from the Public Health Department in North Cheshire for comparison. RESULTS: There were 502 incidents of suicide in North Cheshire during the 12-year period. Significant differences were found between suicides and deaths due to natural causes, with an increase of incidents of suicide in those born in the month of May ( &#104 2 23, d.f.11, P < 0.01). The distribution of suicide by hanging appeared to be significantly higher in those born in September and July and lowest in those born in November compared with what would expected by chance ( &#104 2 28, d.f.11, P < 0.005). Those who died by violent means were more likely to have been born in the summer. The difference between the observed and expected numbers of suicides by methods other than hanging failed to reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The results, though inconclusive, are interesting, particularly in view of recent reports that persons born during the winter &#45 spring months had significantly lower values of 5-HIAA, and also reports of low CSF levels of 5-HIAA in persons with violent suicidal behaviour such as hanging, stabbing, firearms, or jumping from heights and impulsivity. A biological explanation of suicidal behaviour could have implications for our understanding of the psychopathology of suicide and eventually offer new strategies for treatment and prevention. The conflicting reports from different countries within the northern hemisphere indicate the need for future studies with adequate design and acceptable statistical power.     

Future ophthalmology practice pattern: A survey of Saudi Board of Ophthalmology residents

Purpose

The main purpose of the study was to examine and identify factors that influence the future practice pattern of Saudi Board of Ophthalmology residents as well as their academic goals. This study also aimed to compare the plans and career goals of the current Saudi ophthalmology residents with a former cohort of Saudi ophthalmology residents.

Ventricular measurements in computed tomography of responders and non-responders to donepezil in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease

INTRODUCTION: We attempt to see whether the ventricular measurements in routine CT scans performed prior to commencing donepezil differed in patients who duly responded well and those who did not, and to explore the potential application of the findings in clinical practice. METHOD: The study included all patients who were prescribed donepezil during a 2-year period in Warrington ( n =59). Two groups of patients were compared in respect of their baseline CT scan ventricular measurements: those who improved or remained stable cognitively on donepezil ( n =43) and those who declined while on donepezil (MMSE < 10) during the study period ( n =16). RESULTS: Significant differences in means between the two groups were found in relation to the bicaudate span and bicaudate ratio. Of ventricular measurements, only the bicaudate parameters were significantly correlated with the baseline Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score as well as the rate of decline in cognitive function during the study period ( P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Baseline bicaudate diameter and ratio may be of some value if included in the initial assessment of patients on donepezil. These measurements, in conjunction with other cognitive and functional assessments, may prove helpful in deciding whether to commence treatment, and give a rough guide to the outcome. Future studies, with sufficient statistical power, are necessary to explore the use of ventricular parameters in predicting and monitoring patients' response to current and future pharmacological treatment in Alzheimer's disease.