Pleomorphic type of malignant fibrous histiocytoma with myxoid stroma of the vulva in a young woman

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) of the vulva is extremely rare; to date, there have been nine case reports. Almost all of these cases involved middle-aged women. We encountered a 21-year-old woman with a 4.5 × 2.6 cm superficial, localized, exophytic tumor of the right vulva. Microscopic findings on punch biopsy of the tumor initially suggested a vulvar sarcoma. The patient underwent wide local excision of the vulva. The extirpated specimen demonstrated the pleomorphic type of MFH with myxoid stroma of the vulva. The clinical stage was found to be IIB, based on the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system. Chromosomal analysis of the tumor using the conventional G-band method was normal (46XX). This seems to be a very rare case of MFH of the vulva in a young woman. Physicians should therefore include MFH in the differential diagnosis of vulvar tumors, even though it is a rare disease.     

Multiplex crack smoking and sexual networks: associations between network members’ incarceration and HIV risks among high-risk MSM

This study examined HIV risks in the multiplex crack-smoking and sexual networks of incarcerated drug-using men who have sex with men (MSM) and their associates. We estimated the associations between the network members’ incarceration, self-reported HIV infection, and trading sex for money. Our analytic sample consisted of 508 crack-smoking or sexual partnerships of 273 high-risk MSM. Network members were specified by (1) crack smoking and sexual behavior or (2) crack smoking only. Longer incarceration of the crack-smoking and sexual network members was associated with self-reported HIV infection (AOR = 1.61, p < 0.05), which extended up to one’s partners’ partners’ partners (AOR = 1.63, p < 0.05). Similar results were found for trading sex (AOR = 2.77, p < 0.05). The findings of the study call for the development of a system-level HIV intervention among former incarcerated MSM and their associates.     

An ambulatory respirometer (Hotmate) as a tool for screening of sleep apnea syndrome

The gold standard diagnostic method for sleep apnea syndrome(SAS) is overnight polysomnography(PSG), but is costly in terms of time and money. We studied the usefulness of a 24-hour ambulatory respirometer equipped with oximeter(Hotmate) for screening of SAS. Seventy-six cases of suspected SAS were enrolled(68 males and 8 females, mean age 51). The correlation between data from Hotmate and PSG was evaluated in 24 cases who underwent both of the tests for the final diagnosis of SAS. There was a good correlation between the two parameters of the data obtained by Hotmate(H) (H-apnea index(AI) vs H-desaturation index(DI)). Among 24 cases who underwent both Hotmate and PSG, there was a good correlation between the data from PSG and Hotmate(PSG-AI vs H-AI: r = 0.80, p < 0.001). Both sensitivity and specificity were highest when screening criteria of H-DI > 15 was utilized(sensitivity = 91.7%, specificity = 66.7%). Our findings suggest that the respiromonitor with oximeter is useful for the screening the patients with SAS.     

A rare congenital anomaly, bridge-like appendiceal fistula to the terminal ileum, demonstrated by MDCT

Although appendiceal anatomical anomalies are very rare, understanding of the anatomical details of these anomalies is important for surgery. In this case report, we present images from multi-detector row computed tomography (MDCT) and histological findings of a rare anatomical appendiceal anomaly originating from the cecum and opening into the terminal ileum like a bridge. These anatomical details were clearly depicted on MDCT with multi-planar reconstruction. MDCT demonstrated a communication between the appendix and terminal ileum. Histological analysis revealed that a normal mucosal layer was maintained from the appendix to the connected ileum, without any evidence of inflammatory or neoplastic changes, and only thickening of the muscular layer of the appendix was identified. Based on these histological findings, the appendix was considered to represent an anatomical anomaly rather than secondary fistula caused by inflammation or neoplasm, which has not yet been reported.     

The distribution of binding sites for centromere protein B (CENP-B) is partly conserved among diverged higher order repeating units of human chromosome 6-specific alphoid DNA

We previously reported the isolation of alphoid satellite clones from a human genomic library using a DNA immunoprecipitation with centromere protein B (CENP-B). Here, we have characterized the distribution of CENP-B-binding sites on the 3-kb BamHI repeats of the cos2 clone. Using in situ hybridization, this alphoid satellite was located primarily at the centromeric region of chromosome 6. The functional binding sites were mapped by precipitating the restriction fragments with recombinant CENP-B in vitro. One repeat (2B3-11) consisted of 19 copies of alphoid monomer, eight of which possessed the binding sites, while another (2B3-9) consisted of 18 copies of the monomer, seven of which possessed the binding sites. The distribution of the sites was well conserved between them, except for the terminus. A similar analysis with the remaining 6-kb region suggested the presence of a continuous 1-kb region with regular spacing of EcoRI sites and the CENP-B-binding sites. When the nucleotide sequence of 2B3-11 was compared with that of another chromosome 6-specific alphoid repeat (p308) that had been described previously, this 1-kb region was highly conserved between them. The distribution of the CENP-B binding sites and the order of alphoid monomers might define the folding of alphoid repeats in the centromeric region.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Comparison of methods trial for high‐risk HPV

In efforts to improve service, we compared the performance of four methods of HPV detection: Invader® HPV (Hologic), Hybrid Capture 2® (Qiagen), Inform® HPV detection (Ventana), and standard PCR. Using blinded/de‐identified cervical samples in Preservcyt® (Hologic), we compared Ventana's Inform® HPV Test, against Hologic's HPV Invader® and PCR. In a separate evaluation, we compared Inform® versus Invader versus hc2®. Ventana employs in situ hybridization; Hologic's technology uses three specifically designed oligonucleotides and a fluorescent signal for detection. Qiagen's hc2® method incorporates enzyme‐linked antibody detection of RNA–DNA hybrids. PCR testing was provided by Access Genetics (Minneapolis, MN). The United States Food and Drug Administration recently approved the Third Wave/Hologic Invader HPV high‐risk test (rebranded as Cervista^TM HPV HR Test). In this small study, involving a few hundred tests, Third Wave, Qiagen, and PCR tests were comparable. Kappa statistics comparing Third Wave to PCR and Third Wave to Qiagen were 0.88 and 0.74, respectively. Ventana's method did not correlate well with any of the other methods with Kappa's ranging from a low of 0.25 versus Qiagen to 0.31 versus PCR. Kappa statistics measure correlation and not accuracy of measurement. Although we felt that the specificity of our original HPV method, Ventana Inform® was satisfactory and lowered our subsequent colposcopy rate, worries about its lower sensitivity caused us to look at other techniques. Other methods, PCR, hc2, and Invader®, appeared comparable with one another in our series. We chose to implement the Third Wave test in our laboratory. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Protective effect of S-allyl-L-cysteine,a garlic compound,on amyloid beta-protein-induced cell death in nerve growth factor-differentiated PC12 cells

Aged garlic extract (AGE) contains several neuroactive compounds, including S-allyl-L-cysteine (SAC) and allixin. We characterized cell death induced by amyloid beta-protein (Abeta), 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), tunicamycin, an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stressor, or trophic factor deprivation, and investigated whether and how SAC could prevent this in nerve growth factor (NGF)-differentiated PC12 cells, a model of neuronal cells. Exposure of the cells to amyloid beta-protein(1-40) (Abeta(1-40)) decreased the extent of [3-(4,5)-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium (MTT) reduction activity and loss of neuronal integrity, but these effects were not prevented by Ac-DEVD-CHO, a caspase-3 inhibitor. Simultaneously applied SAC protected the cells against Abeta-induced cell death in a concentration-dependent manner. It also protected them against tunicamycin-induced neuronal death. In contrast, it afforded no protection against cell death induced by HNE and trophic factor deprivation, which is mediated by a caspase-3-dependent pathway. These results suggest that SAC may selectively protect cell death induced by Abeta and tunicamycin, which may be triggered by ER dysfunction in NGF-differentiated PC12 cells.     

Rapid induction of OX40 ligand on primary T cells activated under DNA-damaging conditions

We have previously demonstrated that normal human T cells either long-term repeatedly stimulated or freshly activated in vitro in the presence of TGF-beta express the cell surface T-cell costimulating molecule OX40 ligand (OX40L). To further elucidate the kinetics of OX40L expression by human T cells, we have examined whether cell proliferation was required for the expression of OX40L. Thus, normal fresh peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated with immobilized anti-CD3 antibody in the presence of the DNA synthesis-blocking agents such as mitomycin C, 5-fluorouracil, or X-ray irradiation. Flow cytometric analyses demonstrated that a significant frequency of these DNA-damaged activated primary CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells became OX40L(+) as early as 1 hour after treatment. The OX40L induction on the DNA-damaged activated T cells was inhibited by treatment with either RNA or protein synthesis inhibitors, actinomycin D, or cycloheximide, respectively. Induced OX40L on T cells was functional because it bound recombinant OX40. These data indicate that human primary T cells are programmed to rapidly express functional OX40L molecules after stimulation under DNA-damaging conditions, demonstrating that the induction of OX40L by T cells is independent of cell proliferation. The clinical implications of these new findings are discussed.     

Age-related changes of mitochondrial structure and function in Caenorhabditis elegans

A number of observations have been made to examine the role that mitochrondrial energetics and superoxide anion production play in the aging of wild-type Caenorhabditis elegans. Ultrastructural analyses reveal the presence of swollen mitochondria, presumably produced by fusion events. Two key mitochondrial functions - the activity of two electron transport chain complexes and oxygen consumption - decreased as animals aged. Carbonylated proteins, one byproduct of oxidative stress, accumulated in mitochondria much more than in the cytoplasm. This is consistent with the notion that mitochondria are the primary source of endogenous reactive oxygen species. However, the level of mitochondrially generated superoxide anion did not change significantly during aging, suggesting that the accumulation of oxidative damage is not due to excessive production of superoxide anion in geriatric animals. In concert, these data support the notion that the mitochondrial function is an important aging determinant in wild-type C. elegans.     

The effect of repeated cryopreservation and thawing using cryotip on the clinical outcomes of embryos

PurposeTo compare the clinical outcomes of embryo transfers that were cryopreserved and thawed two or three times with those cryopreserved and thawed once by CryoTip.MethodsData for 388 single cryopreserved‐thawed blastocyst transfer cycles, performed from April 2012 to March 2014, were assessed. The blastocysts were classified into three groups: blastocysts (A) cryopreserved once, (B) cryopreserved twice, and (C) cryopreserved three times.ResultsThe pregnancy rate was 43.8% (134/306) in group A and 46.3% (38/82) in group B, while the miscarriage rate was 29.1% (39/134) in group A and 23.7% (9/38) in group B. The rate of improvement/maintenance of blastocyst grade was 84.0% (257/306) in group A and 80.5% (66/82) in group B. The pregnancy and miscarriage rates of the blastocysts that showed improvement/maintenance in the grade were 45.9% (118/257) and 29.7% (35/118) in group A and 48.5% (32/66) and 21.9% (7/32) in group B, respectively. The pregnancy rate was 33.3% (2/6), while the miscarriage rate was 0.0% (0/2) in group C.ConclusionsPregnancy rates achieved with re‐cryopreserved and rethawed blastocyst transfer were comparable to those achieved with single cryopreserved‐thawed blastocyst transfer.