Psychophysiological and electrophysiological testing of olfactory and gustatory function in patients with multiple sclerosis

The olfactory (OF) and gustatory function in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and possible influencing variables of the disease, such as depression or fatigue, were determined. In an open prospective controlled clinical study 30 patients with MS and 30 healthy controls matched for age, sex and smoking-habits were investigated. With Mini Mental State Examination cognitive dysfunction was excluded, with Expanded Disability Status Scale the patient’s ability to accomplish the tests was ensured. The severity of depression was measured with the self-reported Beck Depression Inventory. The orthonasal olfactory function was derived with olfactory event related potentials (OERP) and TDI-score (Threshold, Discrimination and Identification, Sniffin’ Sticks). Retronasal olfactory function was tested with Taste-Powder-score, gustatory function with Taste-strip-score. There was a significant loss of olfactory function measured with TDI-score [12/30 (40%), p = 0.002] and gustatory function [5/23 (21.7%), p < 0.001] in MS-patients, 23.8% (5/21) of MS-patients showed hyposmia with OERPs, significantly correlating with the TDI-score (p = 0.03). The Expanded Disability Status scale score inversely correlated with the TDI-score (p = 0.002). This study confirms the incidence of olfactory disorder in MS-patients and reveals a frequent gustatory deficit. The Identification subtest can be proposed as a marker of the OF in MS-patients: it includes complex cognitive tasks and may be influenced by depression and fatigue, which are common symptoms of MS. It inversely correlates with the disability status.     

Breast cancer risk in women treated with augmentation mammoplasty (review)

Surgical implantation of breast prostheses has become increasingly popular while the incidence of breast cancer is increasing each year. There has been no definitive consensus regarding the casual relationship between augmentation mammoplasty and breast cancer incidence, detection, treatment, mortality and survival. This review summarizes the published evidence, including epidemiological studies and case reports. All studies examined state that there is no breast cancer risk in prior augmented women. Moreover, there is also no significant difference in frequency, stage or mean tumor size between augmented and non-augmented women.     

HLA class I sensitization in islet transplant recipients: report from the Collaborative Islet Transplant Registry

Pancreatic islet transplantation is a promising treatment option for patients severely affected with type 1 diabetes. This report from CITR presents pre- and posttransplant human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I sensitization rates in islet-alone transplantation. Data came from 303 recipients transplanted with islet-alone between January 1999 and December 2008. HLA class I sensitization was determined by the presence of anti-HLA class I antibodies. Panel-reactive antibodies (PRA) from prior to islet infusion and at 6 months, and yearly posttransplant was correlated to measures of islet graft failure. The cumulative number of mismatched HLA alleles increased with each additional islet infusion from a median of 3 for one infusion to 9 for three infusions. Pretransplant PRA was not predictive of islet graft failure. However, development of PRA >20% posttransplant was associated with 3.6-fold (p < 0.001) increased hazard ratio for graft failure. Patients with complete graft loss who had discontinued immunosuppression had significantly higher rate of PRA ≥ 20% compared to those with functioning grafts who remained on immunosuppression. Exposure to repeat HLA class I mismatch at second or third islet infusions resulted in less frequent development of de novo HLA class I antibodies when compared to increased class I mismatch. The development of HLA class I antibodies while on immunosuppression is associated with subsequent islet graft failure. The risk of sensitization may be reduced by minimizing the number of islet donors used per recipient, and in the absence of donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies, repeating HLA class I mismatches with subsequent islet infusions.     

S100b counteracts effects of the neurotoxicant trimethyltin on astrocytes and microglia

Central nervous system degenerative diseases are often characterized by an early, strong reaction of astrocytes and microglia. Both these cell types can play a double role, protecting neurons against degeneration through the synthesis and secretion of trophic factors or inducing degeneration through the secretion of toxic molecules. Therefore, we studied the effects of S100B and trimethyltin (TMT) on human astrocytes and microglia with two glial models, primary cultures of human fetal astrocytes and a microglia cell line. After treatment with 10(-5) M TMT, astrocytes showed morphological alterations associated with an increase in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression and changes in GFAP filament organization. Administration of S100B before TMT treatment prevented TMT-induced changes in morphology and GFAP expression. A decrease in inducible nitric oxide synthase expression was observed in astrocytes treated with TMT, whereas the same treatment induced iNOS expression in microglia. In both cases, S100B prevented TMT-induced changes. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha mRNA expression in astrocytes was not modified by TMT treatment, whereas it was increased in microglia cells. S100B pretreatment blocked the TMT-induced increase in TNF-alpha expression in microglia. To trace the mechanisms involved in S100B activity, the effect of BAY 11-7082, an inhibitor of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation, and of PD98059, an inhibitor of MEK-ERK1/2, were investigated. Results showed that the protective effects of S100B against TMT toxicity in astrocytes depend on NF-kappaB, but not on ERK1/2 activation. These results might help in understanding the role played by glial cells in brain injury after exposure to chemical neurotoxicants and support the view that S100B may protect brain cells in case of injury. (c) 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Localization of c-kit and stem cell factor (SCF) in ovarian follicular epithelium of a lizard, Podarcis s. sicula

We performed an immunohistochemical study to determine the immunolocalization of c-kit and stem cell factor (SCF) in ovarian follicles during the reproductive cycle of the lizard, Podarcis s. sicula. Follicles were serially cut and used for histological and histochemical characterization and also for immunohistochemical detection of both c-kit and SCF. C-kit and SCF were localized in the follicles with a differing pattern with regard to the stage of sexual cycle or the cell type forming the follicular epithelium (granulosa). In pre-reproductive follicles, where the granulosa consists of three main different cytotypes, the c-kit receptor was prevalently localized on the plasmalemma of small cells, although some pyriform and intermediate cells also appeared positive. C-kit was also localized in the theca. In pre-reproductive follicles, SCF was markedly observed in the cytoplasm of some pyriform cells. Small cells and theca also stained moderately positive, whereas the intermediate cells were mostly negative. In reproductive follicles, where granulosa cells are morphologically rearranged, c-kit was observed in small cells and in some thecal elements, while SCF was weakly immunostained. At the site of follicular layer invaginations evident c-kit/SCF immunostaining was observed in the granulosa epithelium and in the theca. These observations suggest that the expression of c-kit and SCF changes as a function of follicular development and may reflect the involvement of this system in the maturation of the oocyte.     

Inflammatory Nodules Following Soft Tissue Filler Use: A Review of Causative Agents, Pathology and Treatment Options

Nodule development is a common complication following the use of fillers for soft tissue augmentation and is commonly categorized as inflammatory or non-inflammatory in nature. Inflammatory nodules may appear anywhere from days to years after treatment, whereas non-inflammatory nodules are typically seen immediately following implantation and are usually secondary to improper placement of the filler. Although inflammatory nodules are more common with permanent fillers such as silicone, inflammatory nodule development following administration of temporary fillers such as hyaluronic acid and collagen has also been reported. Treated many times with corticosteroids due to their anti-inflammatory properties, inflammatory nodules may be secondary to infection or biofilm formation, warranting the use of alternative agents. Appropriate and prompt diagnosis is important in avoiding delay of treatment or long-term complications for the patient. This paper addresses the etiology, development, and studied treatment options available for inflammatory nodules secondary to each of the major classes of fillers. With this knowledge, practitioners may expeditiously recognize and manage this common side effect and thus maximize functional and aesthetic benefit.     

Do skeletal cephalometric characteristics correlate with condylar volume, surface and shape? A 3D analysis

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the condylar volume in subjects with different mandibular divergence and skeletal class using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and analysis software. Materials and methods For 94 patients (46 females and 48 males; mean age 24.3 +/- 6.5 years), resultant rendering reconstructions of the left and right temporal mandibular joints (TMJs) were obtained. Subjects were then classified on the base of ANB angle the GoGn-SN angle in three classes (I, II, III) . The data of the different classes were compared. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed in the whole sample between the right and the left sides in condylar volume. The analysis of mean volume among low, normal and high mandibular plane angles revealed a significantly higher volume and surface in low angle subjects (p < 0.01) compared to the other groups. Class III subjects also tended to show a higher condylar volume and surface than class I and class II subjects, although the difference was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Higher condylar volume was a common characteristic of low angle subjects compared to normal and high mandibular plane angle subjects. Skeletal class also appears to be associated to condylar volume and surface.     

WT1 gene analysis in sporadic early-onset and bilateral wilms tumor patients without associated abnormalities

The WT1 gene is responsible for two different genetic conditions characterized by genitourinary anomalies and susceptibility to Wilms tumor (WT): the WAGR syndrome and the Denys-Drash syndrome. Although only rarely, WT1 constitutional mutations have been reported also in WT patients without congenital defects. Due to the high survival rates that characterize the disease, these individuals must be identified and counseled in relation to their risk to transmit a cancer-predisposing genetic lesion to their offspring. Recently, tumor bilaterality and early age of onset have been suggested to be risk factors for carrying germline WT1 mutations. The authors investigated 20 patients with sporadic WT, without evidence of congenital abnormalities, diagnosed before 2 years of age and/or with bilateral presentation, for the occurrence of WT1 mutations. Southern blot analyses identified homozygous whole-gene or intragenic deletions at the tumor level in three cases. However, none of the identified alterations was found to be present at the germline level. In addition, no mutation in the coding exons and flanking sequences of WT1 was detected in the remaining 17 cases. These results suggest that early age of diagnosis and bilaterality are not by themselves efficient predictors of germline WT1 alterations in WT patients without associated abnormalities.