Expression of the retinoic Acid nuclear receptors (rars) and retinoid x-receptor (rxr) genes in estrogen-receptor positive and negative breast-cancer

Retinoid inhibition of breast carcinoma growth correlates with the estrogen receptor (ER) positivity and elevated retinoic acid nuclear receptor (RARalpha) mRNA levels. We therefore examined retinoid nuclear receptor mRNA levels in patient breast carcinoma biopsy specimens to determine if such a correlation exists between ER positivity and RARalpha mRNA levels. We have now shown that RARalpha mRNA levels are significantly higher in ER positive samples. RARgamma mRNA is expressed at relatively high levels in a majority of the tumor samples independent of the ER-status while RARbeta mRNA was expressed at low levels in only one tumor sample. We also found high RXRalpha mRNA levels in all of the tumor samples examined while RXRgamma mRNA could not be detected. Our study demonstrates that RARalpha mRNA levels are either low or absent in ER-negative patient samples and that RARalpha levels may serve as a potential marker to determine patient responsiveness to RA therapy.     

Blunt abdominal trauma: comparison of ultrasonography and computed tomography in a district general hospital

Ultrasonography has been proposed as a screening method for blunt abdominal trauma, but its specific role in comparison with other diagnostic modalities has yet to be defined. The aim of the present retrospective study was to compare the results of ultrasonography and CT of the abdomen in blunt trauma in a district general hospital. The hospital records of 25 patients who were admitted with blunt abdominal trauma to Southland Hospital, Invercargill, New Zealand, between January 1991 and November 1996 and who had both ultrasound and CT of the abdomen within 48 h of admission were reviewed. Ultrasound missed seven lesions in seven patients (7/25, 28%) compared with CT. Three of these were intestinal lesions that needed laparotomy. Ultrasound had a usefulness index of 1, 0.76, 0.72, 0.69 and 0, respectively, for detecting lesions of the kidneys, free intraperitoneal fluid, the liver, the spleen, and intestines. Although ultrasound can be used as an initial screening method for blunt abdominal trauma, CT is still the imaging modality of choice for detecting intra-abdominal lesions for stable patients in a district general hospital.     

Giant cell tumour of the temporal bone: case report and review of the literature

This paper presents an expansile lesion of the temporal bone, in a 14-year-old boy, that was initially diagnosed as intra-osseous meningioma from CT appearance. At histopathology a final diagnosis of giant cell tumour was made. A brief review of the literature is presented for this rare case.     

Generation of antigen specific CD8+ cytotoxic T cells following immunization with soluble protein formulated with novel glycoside adjuvants.

Presentation of peptide on MHC class I molecules is essential to elicit cytolytic T cell (CTL) activity. Such peptides are a result of the cytosolic, or class I, antigen processing pathway. Due to the segregation of the class I and the exogenous processing pathway, soluble protein cannot enter the class I pathway and is thus incapable of inducing CTL. However careful formulation with adjuvants can overcome this obstacle. In this study we evaluated the capacity of two novel amphiphilic adjuvants, better termed delivery vehicles, to elicit CTL activity in a C57Bl/6 murine model with ovalbumin (OVA) as an antigen. Incomplete Freund's adjuvant and aluminium hydroxide (Alhydrogel) were used as reference adjuvants. In addition the oil-in-water emulsion Provax was used throughout as a positive control adjuvant. Both amphiphile preparations were capable of eliciting potent CTL activity after administration of one immunizing dose of ovalbumin. CTL were CD8+ restricted as assessed by in vitro depletion of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. CTL activity was also MHC-restricted as well as specific for the H-2Kb OVA motif SIINFEKL.     

Echo-Doppler in the diagnosis and management of congenital heart disease

Advancements in echo-Doppler technology now provide the capability for both high-quality anatomic imaging as well as the assessment of cardiac flows and hemodynamics. Given these capabilities, and the potentially complex nature of all congenital heart lesions, echo-Doppler is well suited for the diagnostic assessment of congenital heart disease. As a noninvasive, reliable, and relatively inexpensive tool, it is well suited for the longitudinal follow-up of patients with treated and untreated congenital heart lesions. Recent experience with intraoperative imaging has indicated that direct epicardial echo-Doppler examination provides clinically useful information for the surgeon treating congenital heart lesions. Echo-Doppler examination continues to evolve into a primary modality for the recognition, evaluation, and treatment of congenital heart disease.     

ROLE OF ACULASER THERAPY IN CEREBRAL PALSY CHILDERN （INITIAL DATA ＆ RESULTS）

1　BACKGROUNDTheincidenceofCPis 0 .7per 1 0 0 0livebirths[1 ] .Becausecerebralpalsyinfluencesthewaychildrendevelop,itoftenresultsindevelop mentaldisability .Today ,more peoplehavecerebralpalsythananyotherdevelopmentaldis ability ,includingDownsyndrome,epilepsy ,andautism .Accordingtoasurveyconductedin1 986,2 .6%ofthepopulationofPakistaniaredisabled (includingbothphysicalandmentaldis abilities) .Childrenbetween 0～1 4 yearsinageconstitute 40 %ofthedisabled populationinPakistan .Routineme…     

Treatment in the pediatric emergency department is evidence based: a retrospective analysis

Background  

Our goal was to quantify the evidence that is available to the physicians of a pediatric emergency department (PED) in making treatment decisions. Further, we wished to ascertain what percentage of evidence for treatment provided in the PED comes from pediatric studies.