The relation between deoxycytidine kinase activity and the radiosensitising effect of gemcitabine in eight different human tumour cell lines

Background  

Gemcitabine (dFdC) is an active antitumour agent with radiosensitising properties, shown both in preclinical and clinical studies. In the present study, the relation between deoxycytidine kinase (dCK) activity and the radiosensitising effect of gemcitabine was investigated in eight different human tumour cell lines.     

Achilles tendon imaging

The Achilles tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in the body, yet one of the most commonly injured. Tendon degeneration is a relatively common disorder, predisposing to tears and often associated with paratenonitis. Numerous other diseases involve the Achilles tendon, some with classic imaging appearances, others with non‐specific appearances. The aim of this pictorial essay is to review the radiographic, computed tomographic, ultrasonographic and MR appearances of the normal and diseased Achilles tendon.     

TI-201 scintigraphy in muscle trauma

Muscle uptake of Tl-201 thallous chloride in the larger or more major groups, particularly the legs, chest, and upper limb areas, is not uncommonly observed in healthy persons. However, as illustrated in three patients, such uptake, when localized or asymmetric, may provide evidence of unrecognized traumatized muscle, resulting from more chronic or subacute muscle overuse than the acute muscle insult that produces the marked uptake of Tc-99m phosphates associated with frank rhabdomyolysis.     

Rasmussen encephalitis: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of seven patients

We retrospectively reviewed the clinicopathologic features and immunohistochemical profiles of 7 patients with Rasmussen encephalitis (age range, 3.5-15 years at surgery). All had medically intractable seizures (6 months' to 7 years' duration); all but 1 developed unilateral hemiparesis. Histologically, all cases were characterized by leptomeningeal and parenchymal perivascular chronic inflammation consisting primarily of T lymphocytes (CD3+, CD5+, CD7+). In all but 1 case, a predominance of CD8+ T-cytotoxic/suppressor lymphoid cells over CD4+ cells was observed. All cases had rare B lymphocytes (CD79a+, CD20+). Rare CD10+ and no CD56+ cells were noted. All cases were marked by diffuse proliferation of microglial cells, highlighted on CD68 immunostaining. Focal microglial nodule formations were observed in 4 cases and focal cortical atrophy in 5 cases. Viral inclusions were not noted. There was no evidence of Epstein-Barr virus by LMP-1 antibody immunostaining. The histologic findings of Rasmussen encephalitis resemble those of viral meningoencephalitis. The pathologicfindings may be only focally present, and missed, if diagnosis is made or confirmed with biopsy alone. Most lymphoid cells have a T-cell immunophenotype, with a predominance of CD8+ cells in most cases.     

Left coronary arterial blood flow: noninvasive detection by Doppler US

Continuous wave (CW) and pulsed Doppler ultrasound studies with spectral analysis were used to detect the left coronary arterial blood flow in patients who were undergoing routine echocardiography. The pulmonary artery is a stable ultrasonic landmark from which detection of the blood flow can be effected. The left coronary artery can be distinguished by its blood flow toward the cardiac apex and by specific, functional flow features. Flow patterns vary among the left main, circumflex, and anterior descending arteries; patterns also vary with respiration cycles. In the present study, coronary arterial blood flow was detected in 58 of 70 patients (83%). Findings were validated by selectively injecting an agitated saline contrast medium into the left coronary artery and, in another study, by comparing human Doppler phasic flow waveforms with electromagnetic flowmeter recordings obtained in dogs.     

Intraluminal thrombus of the internal carotid arteries: angiographic demonstration of resolution with anticoagulant therapy alone

Fourteen patients with angiographically demonstrated thrombus in the cerebral vessels were treated immediately with anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication. Follow-up angiograms, obtained in eight cases, showed resolution of the thrombus in seven. In no patient did the thrombus progress to occlude the vessel completely, and no new distal emboli were identified on the follow-up angiograms. There were no new permanent neurologic events in these 14 patients while they were undergoing medical therapy. Six patients subsequently underwent delayed endarterectomy to treat underlying stenoses. Our experience indicates that the presence of intraluminal thrombus may not be a surgical emergency.