Risk of malignant lymphoma following viral hepatitis infection

We investigated lymphoma risk following hepatitis infection in a case-control study of 274 incident lymphoma cases, defined according to the WHO classification, and 336 population controls in Sardinia, Italy. Part of our study population (198 cases and 219 controls) was included in the EPILYMPH study of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in relation to non-Hodgklin's lymphoma risk. Based on questionnaire information on whether and at what age a diagnosis of hepatitis was posed by a physician, systematic anti-HCV antibodies testing in cases and controls by enzyme-linked immunoassay, and HCV-RNA assessment by PCR analyses in positive samples, we investigated more in detail whether hepatitis non-C is also associated with lymphoma risk, and whether risk varies by clinical form of hepatitis (acute or chronic infection). After adjusting by age, gender, education, and area of birth whether from the study area or elsewhere in Italy, a previous generic diagnosis of hepatitis was associated with a significantly elevated lymphoma risk [odds ratio (OR) = 1.8; 95% CI 1.1, 2.8], which was equally increased for hepatitis B (OR = 1.8; 95% CI 0.9, 3.5), for HCV positive subjects overall (OR = 2.0; 95% CI 0.8, 4.8), and for hepatitis non-B non-C (OR = 1.6; 95% CI 0.7, 3.9). Once concurrent infection from other hepatitis viruses was excluded, acute or chronic hepatitis C was the only one showing a consistent risk increase in all lymphoma subtypes, but follicular lymphoma. Some indications of an excess risk of lymphoma were observed also for acute, but not chronic forms of hepatitis B and hepatitis non-B, non C. Self-limited hepatitis C did not show an association. No significant heterogeneity in the risk of major lymphoma subtype was observed. Our results confirm a role of either acute or chronic active HCV infection in lymphomagenesis. Further studies are warranted to test the hypothesis that acute infection from other hepatitis viruses might also increase lymphoma risk.     

Chorioamnionitis

Chorioamnionitis is an inflammation of the placental membranes induced by microorganisms which reach the endometrial cavity from the vagina and uterine cervix. Premature labor frequently depends on infections. In patients with premature rupture of membranes (PROM) antibiotic treatment can prevent intra-amniotic inflammation if it is absent at admission. In spite of antibiotic treatment started immediately after the PROM in 218 patients, the chorioamnionitis did not prevent delivery in 41 patients within 48 hours of PROM. In the presence of a previous chorioamnionitis, antibiotic treatment cannot prevent premature labor, whereas it can prevent infection and lead to a longer duration of pregnancy if PROM does not depend on previous infection.     

Periodontal regenerative potential of autogenous periodontal ligament grafts in Class II furcation defects

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the regenerative potential of autogenous periodontal ligament (PDL) grafts in the treatment of Class II furcation defects. METHODS: Twenty mandibular Class II furcation defects from 10 systemically healthy patients with chronic periodontitis were selected. In experimental defects, flaps were coronally positioned following placing autogenous PDL grafts that were obtained from third molars; in controls, coronally advanced flap procedure without graft was applied. Clinical measurements including plaque index, gingival index, probing depth (PD), vertical and horizontal clinical attachment level (CAL), and gingival recession (GR) were obtained at baseline and after 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Vertical and horizontal defect fill was evaluated with open clinical measurements at initial surgery and reentry after 6 months. Gingival biopsies from the experimental and control defects were obtained at reentry and evaluated histopathologically in order to examine the soft tissue response towards PDL grafts. RESULTS: Sites treated with PDL grafts demonstrated significant improvement in vertical and horizontal defect fill, PD, and CAL at 3 and 6 months compared to presurgical values. The difference determined for the PD values of both groups at a statistically significant degree in favor of grafted sites was maintained at all observation periods. No foreign body reaction was observed in PDL grafts. CONCLUSIONS: These short-term results point to the potential of PDL grafts in promoting healing of furcation lesions. This preliminary study suggests that the use of PDL grafts may have beneficial effects in the treatment of furcation defects.     

Ion imaging during axolotl tail regeneration in vivo

Several studies have reported that endogenous ion currents are involved in a wide range of biological processes from single cell and tissue behavior to regeneration. Various methods are used to assess intracellular and local ion dynamics in biological systems, e.g., patch clamping and vibrating probes. Here, we introduce an approach to detect ion kinetics in vivo using a noninvasive method that can electrophysiologically characterize an entire experimental tissue region or organism. Ion‐specific vital dyes have been successfully used for live imaging of intracellular ion dynamics in vitro. Here, we demonstrate that cellular pH, cell membrane potential, calcium, sodium and potassium can be monitored in vivo during tail regeneration in the axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) using ion‐specific vital dyes. Thus, we suggest that ion‐specific vital dyes can be a powerful tool to obtain electrophysiological data during crucial biological events in vivo. Developmental Dynamics 239:2048–2057, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

A study on clinical and radiological features and outcome in patients with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES)

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is characterized clinically by headaches, seizures, vomiting, nausea, visual abnormalities, and altered mental function and is often (but not invariably) accompanied by parieto-occipital imaging features. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical and radiological features and outcome following PRES in a paediatric cohort. From a retrospectively identified cohort, case records were studied to confirm a diagnosis of PRES. Neuroimaging was reviewed again to assign to recently described radiological subtypes parieto-occipital pattern, holohemispheric watershed pattern, dominant superior frontal sulcus pattern, and asymmetrical or partial expression of the three primary patterns (A/P). Patient outcome was measured by the modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores. Nine boys and three girls with mean age of 12 were identified. Hypertensive episodes (n?=?11), tacrolimus toxicity (n?=?4), and autoimmunity (n?=?1) were identified as potential risk factors/etiologies. Their median mRS at the peak of illness was 2 (range 2–5); three children required intensive care support. After mean follow-up of 35 months (median 37 months; range 3–60 months), all patients improved significantly with mean mRS of 1 (median 1; range 0–1). Conclusion: PRES is easily recognizable by the clinical and radiological features. Although severe at presentation, the outcome from this condition is favorable.     

Coexistence of Hodgkin lymphoma and cyst hydatic disease of the liver

Although both Hodgkin lymphoma and cyst hydatic disease in children have been seen with an increased frequency, there is no previously reported case of Hodgkin lymphoma associated with cyst hydatic disease from Turkey. The authors report such a case of Hodgkin lymphoma. Intrahepatic cystic masses were diagnosed during ultrasound examination for clinical staging on admission. The diagnosis of cyst hydatic of the liver was confirmed by surgery. Although there was no residual and/or new cyst formation on radiologic follow-up, elevated antibody titers (indirect hemagglutination test) persisted following surgical excision at least for 2 years of follow-up.     

Primary hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in the adult: a case report.

A 66-year-old male was admitted with a two-month history of vomiting and weight loss. Endoscopy showed a pyloric obstruction and the patient underwent subtotal gastrectomy with gastro- jejunostomy. The histopathological study of the specimen revealed primary hypertrophic pyloric stenosis without any evidence of duodenal peptic disease. In the adult, this is a rare cause of gastric outlet obstruction of unknown etiology. It is usually recognized by histopathological examination of the specimen after a gastric resection performed to treat gastric outlet obstruction syndrome. However, some endoscopic and radiological signs, such as the cervix sign, or elongation of the pyloric channel, may give clues about the presence of the disease preoperatively. In symptomatic cases, surgery is the preferred treatment modality.     

The effect of radiological hand osteoarthritis on hand function

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of osteoarthritis (OA) on hand function in elderly patients. One hundred elderly patients with a mean age of 68.50 ± 6.37 years (87 women, 13 men) were enrolled to the study. Radiological hand OA was defined as the presence of Kellgren–Lawrence (K–L) grade ≥ 2. Grip strength, and lateral, tip, and three-fingered pinches were measured. Hand function was assessed by Dreiser’s functional index. Subjective hand disability was assessed by the hand disability index of Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and by self-reported functional limitation. Coordination was evaluated by testing for rapid alternating movement (RAM) and fine finger movement (FFM). The Jebsen test of hand function was used to determine functional hand use. Forty patients had K–L ≥ 2 radiological hand OA, and 60 patients had K–L = 0 and 1 and were accepted as the control group. In the clinical examination, 54 patients had Heberden’s nodules and 35 had Bouchard’s nodules. Self-reported functional limitation tests (activities like carrying a bundle and handling or fingering small objects) were significantly worse in patients with radiographic hand OA, and also, non-dominant hand RAM was slower in the same group. According to the evaluation of the radiologic grades of OA, grades 3–4 OA had higher scores than the control and grade 2 OA group. Our results suggest that there is a lack of association between radiological hand OA and Jebsen test and objective hand functions like grip and pinch strength, but the patients with radiological hand OA have restrictions in the self-reported functional limitation test. The presence of tenderness, pain, and Heberden’s and Bouchard’s nodules had a negative effect on hand functions. Dreiser’s functional index and the hand disability index of HAQ were found as related parameters with the radiological grade of OA.