Sub-acute sensory neuronopathy as a preceding sign of recurrence in colon carcinoma

Subacute sensory neuronopathy is a paraneoplastic syndrome, which occurs mostly in lung, breast, ovarian malignancies and lymphoma. A 75-yr-old woman who was at the twentieth month of her postoperative follow-up owing to colon adenocarcinoma admitted with subacute sensory neuronopathy. Six months later from the first, neuropathic symptoms liver metastases developed. To the best of our literature review subacute sensory neuronopathy as a preceding sign of recurrence in colon adenocarcinoma has not previously been reported. We conclude that, in the case of subacute sensory neuronopathy without an obvious underlying etiological factor, an occult malignity should always be researched in clinical practice.     

The comparison of dual phase Tc-99m MIBI and Tc-99m MDP scintimammography in the evaluation of breast masses: Preliminary report

The aim of this prospective study was to determine the diagnostic value of Tc-99m MDP scintimammography (SMG) for the detection of breast cancer in patients with breast masses and to compare the results with Tc-99m MIBI scintimammography. Twenty patients, categorized as suspicious, positive or benign for breast cancer according to the mammographic findings were included in the study. Dual phase Tc-99m MIBI and Tc-99m MDP SMG were performed in the prone lateral position within 5 days of each other. Although early and late Tc-99m MIBI SMG showed equal (90.4%) sensitivity, the specificity of late Tc-99m MIBI (87.5%) was found superior to early (62.5%) imaging. The overall sensitivity and specificity of early Tc-99m MDP SMG were 71.4% and 62.5%, respectively. Although late Tc-99m MDP imaging showed 100% specificity, its sensitivity was only 23.8%. In the patients with palpable masses, both early Tc-99m MDP and Tc-99m MIBI showed equal sensitivity (100%), but the sensitivity of early Tc-99m MIBI (37.5%) was found slightly higher than Tc-99m MDP (25.0%) for nonpalpable breast lesions. The sensitivity of Tc-99m MIBI and Tc-99m MDP SMG in detecting metastatic axillary involvement was 66.6% and 50%, respectively. High sensitivity and specificity together with its low cost, easy availability and the possibility of detecting bone metastases seems to make Tc-99m MDP a contributive agent in the evaluation of breast lesions as an alternative to Tc-99m MIBI.     

Reduction of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits and decrease of expressions of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor in foam cells by a water-soluble fraction of Polygonum multiflorum

Polygonum multiflorum stilbeneglycoside （PMS） is a water-soluble fraction of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. , one of the most famous tonic traditional Chinese medicines, that has protective effects on the cardiovascular system. The purpose of the present study is to elucidate the effects of PMS on macrophage-derived foam cell functions and the reduction of severity of atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic New Zealand White （NZW） rabbits. NZW rabbits were fed for 12 weeks with a normal diet, a high cholesterol diet, or a high cholesterol diet associated with irrigation with different doses of PMS （25, 50, or 100 mg/kg）. Treatment of NZW rabbits fed with high cholesterol diet with 100 mg/kg PMS attenuated the increase in plasma cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and plasma triglyceride. Treatment with 50 and 100 mg/kg PMS caused 43% and 60% decrease in atherosclerotic lesioned area ratio to total surface area, respectively. In U937 foam cells, PMS could decrease the high expression of intercellular adhesion molecule （ICAM）-1 protein and the vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） protein levels in the medium induced by oxidized lipoprotein when analyzed by flow cytometry. The results proved that PMS is a powerful agent against atherosclerosis and that PMS action could possibly be through the inhibition of the expression of ICAM-1 and VEGF in foam cells.     

前胡丙素与硝苯啶对大鼠工作心脏缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用

大鼠ip前胡丙素(Pra-C 15 mg/kg,bid×3d)和硝苯啶(Nif 60μg/kg,bid×3d),使离体缺血再灌注工作心脏的收缩(AP,LVSP,+dP/dt_max)舒张(-dP/dt_max LVEDP和T值)性能在35min时得到改善,尤以舒张性能改善明显,并能促进CO,CF,SV及HR恢复,改善心脏工作效率,减少CK释放和心肌线粒体钙含量,表明Pra-C和Nif对心肌缺血都有保护作用,Pra-C的效应与Nif相近。     

Settlement of Soil Reinforced with Vertical Fiberglass Micro-Piles

This article is dedicated to investigating the properties of soil after its reinforcement with fiberglass elements through large-scale laboratory plate-load tests of various samples that varied in the numbers and lengths of the reinforcing elements. The investigation of the vertical elements considered the diameter increase at the bottom toe by using widening washers. The results were compared relative to each other and to the theoretical calculation results. The theoretical calculations for the settlements were undertaken based on the authors’ proposed method. The method considers the number, shape, area and material of the strengthening elements using a pre-proposed reinforcement area factor µ. This pre-established factor was calculated with reference to the elements’ geometry—the diameter of the vertical elements and the bottom’s washer diameter—which determined the reinforcement area. A comparison between the reinforced and reference soft sandy soil samples indicated a 25% increase in the deformation modulus after the reinforcement process at a pressure of 25 kPa. Samples with µ ranging from 1.20 to 1.43 were 55–65% stiffer than samples with µ equal to 0.69 at a pressure of 100 kPa. The comparative analysis of the calculated results and the actual laboratory PLT test results was adequate for use for further development.     

Primary synovial sarcoma of the kidney: use of PET/CT in diagnosis and follow-up

Primary renal synovial sarcoma is a rarely seen renal neoplasm. An experienced uropathologist is needed to make the pathological diagnosis. A patient, operated on with a prediagnosis of renal cell carcinoma, the pathology of which was reported as synovial sarcoma, is presented in this article. 18F-fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography were performed preoperatively and in the postoperative follow-up to detect the primary tumor and lymph node metastases.