Clinical Significance of Nuclear p53 Protein Accumulation in Bladder Cancer

Objectives: To investigate the correlation of nuclear p53 accumulation with disease outcome in a cohort of patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Methods: A total of 90 patients (11 female, 79 male) with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder were included in this study. Tumour samples from the primary tumour were analysed by immunohistochemistry for nuclear accumulation of p53 protein. Outcome of each patient was recorded and investigated for a possible relation with p53 status. Results: Nuclear p53 deposition was determined in 22 specimens. The nuclear p53 deposition was seen in less than 20% of the nuclei examined in 13 and more than 20% in 9 cases. No stromal staining was observed. Nuclear p53 deposition was present in 15.2% (7/46) of grade 2 tumours, and 34% (15/44) of grade 3 tumours (p=0.037). Stage distribution revealed 15.5% (5/33) positivity in stage pTa, 25.8% (8/31) in pT1 and 34% (9/26) in stage pT2–3 tumours. Tumours with p53 nuclear accumulation had a higher rate of recurrence and progression and shorter survival. Conclusion: Results of the current study indicate p53 as an important factor in determination of biological behaviour of bladder cancer.     

Clostridium difficile acquisition rate and its role in nosocomial diarrhoea at a university hospital in Turkey

Infection with Clostridium difficile can present with various clinical pictures ranging from an asymptomatic carrier state to pseudomembranous colitis and plays an important part in the etiology of nosocomial diarrhoea. To identify risk factors for C. difficile colonization and diarrhoea in hospitalized subjects, patients admitted to a general medicine ward at Marmara University hospital during a one year period were entered into the study. Of the 202 patients, nosocomial diarrhoea developed in 45 (22.3%). Fourteen patients (6.9%) were colonized with C. difficile during their hospitalization period. Ten of the colonized patients (71.4%) developed diarrhoea and were found to be positive by toxin assay. Pseudomembranous colitis was confirmed endoscopically in 3 of the patients with diarrhoea. Administration of beta lactam agents such as ampicillin and cephalosporins; gastrointestinal manipulations and admission to the intensive care unit were found as major risk factors for C. difficile colonization.     

Huge colloid cyst of the third ventricle associated with calcification in the cyst wall

Giant or huge colloid cysts of the third ventricle up to of more than 3 cm in diameter are extremely rare. The patient presented with symptoms of increased intracranial pressure, including headache, vomiting, and papilledema. Computerized tomographic (CT) scan revealed a hypodense, huge colloid cyst of the third ventricle associated with calcification in the cyst wall. Both hypodensity and calcification are uncommon roentgenological findings for colloid cysts of the third ventricle. The patient was operated on by the transcortical/transventricular approach and the colloid cyst was completely excised.     

Bilateral traumatic abducens nerve paralysis with cervical spine flexion injury

Bilateral traumatic abducens nerve palsy is a rare condition. We report a case associated with cervical spine flexion injury. This may be the first such case report, as no similar case was found in our review of the literature. The mechanisms of injury in this case are relevant to theories that explain hyperextension injuries.     

Exceptional performance in heart preservation with an amino acid—Containing perfusion fluid

This is a report of a study aimed at putting into practice a new theory for hypothermic preservation of viable organs. A perfusion fluid elaborated according to this theory was applied in preservation of the heart, and resulted in storage of the heart for up to 72 hours with preservation of its functions (rhythm, presystolic ventricular pressure, systolic ventricular pressure, cardiac work, coronary blood pressure, sensitivity to drugs) and its morphology. An important finding was that repeated heart storage for 24 hours alternating with functional testing for 5–7 hours could be performed without irreversible alterations of cardiac function and fine structure. Furthermore, during functional testing following storage the hearts consistently demonstrated improvement of function in time, suggesting that the preserved myocardial tissues were able to rapidly achieve metabolic reequilibration. The results of this study provide the possibility of developing a system for efficient ex vivo heart conditioning before transplantation.

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Résumé Nous avons testé la valeur d'une nouvelle théorie sur la préservation d'organes en hypothermie. Un liquide de perfusion conforme à cette théorie a été utilisé pour la préservation cardiaque. Il permet de conserver le coeur pendant 72 heures, sans altérations de ses fonctions (rythme, pression ventriculaire pré-systolique et systolique, travail cardiaque, pression coronaire, sensibilité aux médicaments) ni de sa morphologie. De plus, le coeur peut-être, à plusieurs reprises, conservé pendant 24 heures, avec des intervalles de reprise fonctionnelle de 5–7 heures, sans que sa fonction ni sa structure fine ne soient altérées de façon irréversible. Enfin, l'étude fonctionnelle montre qu'après conservation la fonction cardiaque s'améliore avec le temps, suggérant donc une rééquilibration métabolique rapide du tissu myocardique. Les résultats de cette étude permettront la mise au point d'un système efficace de conservation cardiaque ex-vivo en vue de la transplantation.

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Supported by the German Heart Center, Munich, and the German Academy Department for Foreign Scientific Relationships, Bonn.     

Lidocaine 10% in the endotracheal tube cuff: blood concentrations, haemodynamic and clinical effects

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects (common haemodynamic variables, peak cuff pressures, the incidence of reaction ('bucking') during extubation and the incidence of sore throat after operation) of lidocaine 10% instilled into the endotracheal tube cuff in intubated patients. Plasma concentrations of lidocaine were assayed. Seventy ASA class I-II patients scheduled for plastic surgery were studied. Patients were randomly divided in two groups: the cuff of the endotracheal tube was inflated with either lidocaine 10% (group L) or with saline (group S) immediately after endotracheal intubation. In group L patients, the haemodynamic changes were less (P < 0.05), and the peak cuff pressure was lower (P < 0.01) than for group S. At extubation, more patients reacted ('bucked') in group S (70.5% vs. 19.4%, P < 0.01). The incidence and severity of sore throat were significantly lower in group L 1 and 24-h after extubation. Plasma lidocaine concentrations did not reach toxic values. Lidocaine 10%, compared with saline, in the endotracheal tube cuff was associated with less disturbance of haemodynamic responses and less incidence of bucking during tracheal extubation. Lidocaine was also effective in reducing of incidence and severity of sore throat after operation.