Intriguing issues of EGFR targeting in head and neck cancer

We have read the recent comprehensive review by Cruz et al.[1] regarding the targeting of receptor tyrosine kinases andtheir therapeutic perspectives in head and neck squamous cellcarcinomas (HNSCC). The major focus of this report was epidermalgrowth factor receptor (EGFR) biology and targeting. However,we feel     

How we do it: the Bradford grommet trainer: a model for training in myringotomy and grommet insertion

? Myringotomy and grommet insertion is the most common operative procedure in otological practice. ? We describe a simple, cheap and effective model for the junior trainee to develop the skills required for myringotomy and grommet insertion without compromising patient safety. ? As the materials required for our model are more readily available, it is more likely to gain widespread acceptance in ENT training.     

Non-01 Vibrio cholerae septicemia and meningitis in a neonate

Non-01 Vibrio cholerae is known to cause diarrhoea as well as extra-intestinal infections in adults and children. However meningitis in children is a rare occurrence. We report a neonate who developed septicemia and meningitis due toNon-01 Vibrio cholerae.     

Heparin and in-vitro experimental lung hypoplasia

 Pulmonary hypoplasia (PH) is a leading contributor to the lethality of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Studies now suggest that PH arises prior to visceral herniation. Growth factors (GF) are pivotal to this embryonic lung growth. With striking in-vitro effects on lung morphogenesis, GF are under investigation as therapies for PH. Heparin modulates the kinetics of heparan-sulphate binding ligands that drive lung development. We hypothesised that heparin may rescue PH by favourable alteration of endogenous pulmonary GF activity. Normal and hypoplastic lung primordia were microdissected on day 13.5 of gestation and cultured for up to 78 h in plain media with and without heparin. In-vitro morphological development was studied by serial measurements of terminal bud count, lung area, and lung perimeter. Nitrofen-exposed lungs cultured with heparin showed no significant improvements in terminal bud count, lung area, and lung perimeter at 30, 54, and 78 h compared to untreated hypoplastic lungs maintained in vitro. In normal lungs heparin demonstrated no sustained significant morphological effects compared to untreated control lungs. In this study, heparin did not stimulate branching morphogenesis of normal or hypoplastic lungs in our organ culture system. Known at higher concentrations to inhibit smooth-muscle proliferation, heparin may ameliorate pulmonary vascular hypermuscularisation with the prospect of benefiting CDH infants on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Future studies will address the impact of exogenous GF on hypoplastic lung development in organ culture.     

Acinetobacter meningitis following head trauma

A case of acinetobacter meningitis following head injury in a patient who developed cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea, and did not have any neurosurgical procedure, is presented. Previously reported cases are cited, with a review of the literature. Pefloxacin monotherapy is associated with a poor clinical response.     

Myelin thickenings in val 102/fs null mutation of MPZ gene

Painful sensory neuropathies consist of a wide range of neuropathies that can involve large as well as small nerve fibres. Even if most cases remain of unknown cause, some of them may be associated with an underlying disorder such as diabetes, HIV, infections, amyloidosis, and Sjogren's syndrome. Since in some cases an autoimmune mechanism has been postulated, we investigated a panel of circulating autoantibodies including anti‐gliadin (AGA), anti‐endomysium (EmA), anti‐transglutaminase (tTGA) and anti‐nuclear (ANA) antibodies in the sera of patients with unexplained painful sensory neuropathies in order to identify other potentially treatable disorders. We tested the sera of 10 patients (4M; 6F) previously investigated for other causes of neuropathies, including anti‐nerve, onconeural, anti‐extractable nuclear, anti‐neutrophil cytoplasmic, anti‐thyroglobulin (TgA) and anti‐peroxidase (TPOA) antibodies. We found the presence of AGA positivity in 4 patients (40%), ANA in 7 (70%) and AGA + ANA in 4 (40%), two of whom were negative for celiac disease by gastrointestinal biopsy. None of the patients had EmA positivity. Three (30%) had TgA and TPOA and none had anti‐nerve or onconeural antibodies. Whether the presence of circulating autoantibodies in patients with unexplained painful neuropathy reflects an autoimmune involvement which may be amenable to immune therapy and not only to symptomatic treatment remains to be established.     

The pattern of angiodysplasia of the gastrointestinal tract in a tropical country

Angiodysplasia of the intestine was diagnosed by selective visceral angiography in ten of 30 patients from India with unexplained recurrent hemorrhage of the gastrointestinal tract. In contrast with the reports from the western literature, most of the instances involved the small intestine and occurred in the third decade of life.     

Recent advances in congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a common birth defect which continues to challenge paediatric surgeons and intensivists. Affecting approximately 1:2500 births, a baby with CDH is born every 24-36 hours in the UK.     

The protective role of DL-alpha-lipoic acid in biogenic amines catabolism triggered by Abeta amyloid vaccination in mice

The major pathological consequence of Alzheimer disease (AD) is accumulation of beta-amyloid (Abeta) peptide fibrillar plaque in the brain and subsequent inflammatory reaction associated with the surrounding cells due to the presence of these aggregates. Inflammation is the major complication associated with Abeta peptide vaccination. Abeta peptide activated T-helper cells are shown to enhance the existing-inflammatory conditions in the brain and other organs of AD patients. Hence systematic studies on potential approaches that will prevent inflammation during the vaccination are highly desired. DL-alpha-lipoic acid (LA), an antioxidant with known function as cofactor in mitochondrial dehydrogenase reactions, will be a good candidate to annul the oxidative damage due to vaccination triggered inflammation. For the first time, levels of principal neurotransmitters and their major metabolites in hippocampus and neocortex regions of brain are quantified to find out the level of inflammation. We have used high performance liquid chromatography with electro chemical detection (HPLC-EC) for monitoring neurotransmitter levels. We have shown a significant (p<0.05) reduction of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) in the systemic inflammation induced (SI), vaccinated (VA) and inflammation induced vaccinated (IV) mice. Nevertheless their metabolites such as 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) and homovanillic acid (HVA) are significantly (p<0.05) increased when compared with control. Interestingly, antioxidant LA treated mice with systemic inflammation (IL), vaccinated (VL) and inflammation induced vaccinated (IVL) mice exhibited enhanced level of 5-HT, DA and NE and the concentration of 5-HIAA and HVA gradually returned to normal. These results suggest a possible new way for monitoring and modifying the inflammation and thereby preventing Abeta vaccination mediated tissue damage.