Levels of soluble ICAM-1 in atopic dermatitis A new marker for monitoring the clinical activity?

Levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) were measured in sera from patients with an acute exacerbation of their atopic dermatitis (AD) ( n = 16) on admission to and discharge from our department of dermatology. At admission, the sICAM-1 levels in sera from patients with AD were slightly higher than those of the blood donors ( n = 100) and dropped at discharge significantly ( P = 0.014) after improvement of the skin conditions. Therefore, sICAM-1 may be, together with soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2), eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP), and CD14, another marker for monitoring AD.     

Perirectal inflammatory disease: CT findings

The findings on computed tomographic (CT) scans were reviewed in 42 patients with perirectal inflammatory disease and suspected perirectal abscesses. CT was reliable for use in distinguishing perirectal abscesses from cellulitis and in localizing both supralevator and infralevator abscesses. CT allowed correct diagnosis of 13 surgically proved perirectal abscesses in ten patients, including three with residual abscesses after surgical drainage. In three patients with supralevator abscesses, the abscess was missed on initial surgical exploration. In patients without abscesses, CT was helpful in evaluating the extent of perirectal inflammation; however, it was not possible to determine its cause. The anatomy on CT scans of the pararectal spaces is reviewed, with emphasis on useful anatomic landmarks in the axial plane for distinguishing supralevator from infralevator abscesses.     

Dental material artifacts on MR images

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the head and neck is becoming an important aid in evaluating pathologic conditions of the brain, midface, and pharynx. Certain dental materials cause artifacts during MR imaging of the lower midface. These artifacts can obscure the normal anatomy. This study describes the degree of artifact production caused by various materials commonly used in dental restorations. Of the materials tested, those causing artifacts were made of stainless steel, such as orthodontic bands used for braces, and pins or posts that are commonly drilled into teeth to provide structure or stability before filling. Materials used as temporary or permanent fillings or crowns--such as amalgam, gold alloy, aluminum, microfilled resin, and polyvinyl acrylics--did not cause artifacts in the images.     

大肠良恶性肿瘤中PTEN的蛋白表达及其临床意义

目的　探讨抑癌基因PTEN在大肠良恶性肿瘤组织中的表达及其临床意义。方法　应用S -P免疫组织化学方法检测 2 8例正常大肠黏膜组织 ,3 2例大肠腺瘤的腺体及腺体旁组织 ,12例大肠息肉及息肉旁组织 ,48例大肠癌的癌组织及癌旁组织中PTEN蛋白的表达情况。结果　PTEN蛋白在所有大肠肿瘤组织的表达与其在正常粘膜组织及肿瘤旁组织表达相比均有显著性差异 ;PTEN蛋白在所有大肠肿瘤组织的表达水平 ,尤其在大肠息肉和大肠癌中 ,均显著低于正常大肠组织及其相应的肿瘤旁组织 ,且与肿瘤的大小呈显著负相关 ;癌组织中PTEN蛋白表达与癌组织分化程度呈显著正相关 ,而与其临床Dukes分期、淋巴结转移和远处脏器转移无关。结论　抑癌基因PTEN在大肠息肉 (尤其是腺瘤性息肉 )和大肠癌的发生发展中起着重要作用 ,检测PTEN蛋白表达可能对大肠息肉 (尤其是腺瘤性息肉 )和大肠癌的早期诊断、指导临床术后的进一步治疗及预后的判断有一定价值。