Carcinoma ex microcystic adenoma of the pancreas: a report of a novel form of malignancy in serous neoplasms

Serous cystic neoplasms of the pancreas are generally considered benign lesions. Malignant counterparts have been occasionally described, and the diagnosis of malignancy is based solely on the presence of synchronous or metachronous metastases to the lymph nodes or liver, direct tumor invasion into adjacent organs, or vascular invasion. However, these malignant serous cystic tumors are lined by benign-appearing glycogen-rich cuboidal cells, which have been morphologically indistinguishable from benign microcystic serous cystadenoma in all the cases reported so far. We report a unique case of microcystic serous cystadenoma giving rise to carcinoma with distinctive histologic features including signet ring-like cells and solid nests. We believe that this case represents the first case of a cytologically malignant neoplasm arising from a benign serous cystadenoma (carcinoma ex microcystic serous cystadenoma).     

Rapid activation of JNK and p38 by glucocorticoids in primary cultured hippocampal cells

Rapid activation of JNK and p38 and their translocation to the cell nucleus by glucocorticoids, corticosterone （Cort）, and bovine serum-conjugated corticosterone （Cort-BSA） were studied in primary cultured hippocampal cells by using immunobloting and immunofluorescence confocal microscopy. The rapid activation occurred 5 rain after stimulation and was maintained at plateau for as long as 2 4 hr; i. e. ,     

Genetic characterization and molecular epidemiology of foot-and-mouth disease viruses isolated from Afghanistan in 2003–2005

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) isolates collected from various geographic locations in Afghanistan between 2003 and 2005 were genetically characterized, and their phylogeny was reconstructed utilizing nucleotide sequences of the complete VP1 coding region. Three serotypes of FMDV (types A, O, and Asia 1) were identified as causing clinical disease in Afghanistan during this period. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the type A viruses were most closely related to isolates collected in Iran during 2002–2004. This is the first published report of serotype A in Afghanistan since 1975, therefore indicating the need for inclusion of serotype A in vaccine formulations that will be used to control disease outbreaks in this country. Serotype O virus isolates were closely related to PanAsia strains, including those that originated from Bhutan and Nepal during 2003–2004. The Asia 1 viruses, collected along the northern and eastern borders of Afghanistan, were most closely related to FMDV isolates collected in Pakistan during 2003 and 2004. Data obtained from this study provide valuable information on the FMDV serotypes circulating in Afghanistan and their genetic relationship with strains causing FMD in neighboring countries.     

ADAMTS13-binding IgG are present in patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

Functional assays are commonly used to measure the antibodies of ADAMTS13 found in patients of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). In this study we used an enzyme-linked immunoassay to analyze the ADAMTS13-binding IgG levels in six groups of individuals: normal, random hospitalized patients, acute TTP, TTP after receiving plasma therapy, TTP in remission, and other types of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). The results showed that ADAMTS13-binding IgG levels were elevated in 100% of the acute TTP group, 75% of the TTP group after receiving plasma therapy, and 40% of the remission group. Overall, the ADAMTS13-binding IgG levels correlated with the inhibitory activity levels againstADAMTS13 (r = -0.69, P < 0.0001). The assay also detected elevated IgG binding levels in 5% - 15% of the normal, random, and other TMA control groups. Addition of purified ADAMTS13 protein to the plasma samples suppressed the IgG binding in each of the acute TTP patients, but in none of the non-TTP groups. Serial measurement in a patient that had two exacerbations of TTP within the first three weeks revealed that the ADAMTS13 activity levels remained <0.1 U/ml during this period, and the ADAMTS13-binding IgG remained elevated, suggesting that ADAMTS13 analysis may provide valuable insight to the disease status during the course of therapy. Analysis of ADAMTS13-binding IgG is helpful for the diagnosis and management of TTP.     

Construction of a post and core to fit a completed restoration.

A simple technique to fabricate a post and core to fit a completed restoration is described. This technique saves the time and effort of remaking the restoration when endodontic treatment and reinforcement of the tooth are required after construction of the restoration.     

内镜下扩张治疗食管贲门癌术后吻合口狭窄43例

目的：总结食管-胃-空肠吻合口狭窄内镜下扩张治疗的疗效及经验．方法：对43例食管癌贲门癌术后食管胃和食管空肠吻合口狭窄患者行国产Savary-Gilliard探条扩张器胃镜下扩张术,术后进行局部活检,其中5例置放了食管支架．结果：所有病例扩张术后吞咽困难stooler分级明显提高,吞咽困难解除,近期有效率100%,扩张术后活检病理证实3例复发．12例行4-7次扩张,2例吻合口狭窄仍再发．结论：胃镜下探条扩张器治疗食管胃空肠吻合口狭窄安全有效,少部分经多次连续规则扩张仍狭窄再发者可置放食管支架,扩张术后应常规活检以排除局部癌症复发．     

Rapid activation of JNK and p38 by glucocorticoids in primary cultured hippocampal cells

Rapid activation of JNK and p38 and their translocation to the cell nucleus by glucocorticoids, corticosterone （Cort）, and bovine serum-conjugated corticosterone （Cort-BSA） were studied in primary cultured hippocampal cells by using immunoblotting and immunofluorescence confocal microscopy. The rapid activation occurred 5 min after stimulation and was maintained at plateau for as long as 2-4 hr; i. e. , the response persisted for 2 hr after washing out the 15-min application of Cort-BSA. The activation occurred at a minimal concentration of 10-9 M for Cort and 10-8 M for Cort-BSA. GDPbetaS blocked the activation, but RU38486, a nuclear glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, could not block the activation, indicating the involvement of the membrane-delineated receptor in this reaction. The protein kinase C （PKC） inhibitor Go6976 blocked the response, whereas the protein kinase A inhibitor H89 could not, implying the involvement of PKC in the intracellular signal transduction pathway. The nongenomic nature of the responses and the transduction pathway and the significance of persistent action and biological significance are discussed.