Trace Metal Accumulation in Trigonella foenum-graecum Irrigated with Wastewater and Human Health Risk of Metal Access Through the Consumption

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology - The aim of the present research was to determine the trace metal accumulations in Trigonella foenum-graecum irrigated with three different...     

CT-guided Transosseous Soft Tissue Biopsy: Techniques,Outcomes and Complications in 50 Cases

Purpose

To describe the techniques, outcomes and complications of CT-guided transosseous biopsy of soft tissue lesions via multiple different routes.

Materials and Methods

Clinical and radiologic data from all consecutive soft tissue biopsies performed via a transosseous approach between April 2009 and July 2015 were retrospectively compiled. Fifty biopsies performed in 50 patients (n = 17 males, n = 33 females) were included. Biopsies were performed using a 13-gauge biopsy needle which was advanced through the selected bone to the lesion margin followed by coaxial placement of either an 18- or 20-gauge biopsy gun. Sampling accuracy was determined from the final pathology report as diagnostic or non-diagnostic. Complications included rates of pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, hemoptysis, immediate admission, chest tube insertion, surgical consultation, 30-day readmission, fracture, osteomyelitis or tract seeding.

Results

Number of diagnostic samples per bone included: sternum (n = 17, 34%), rib (n = 7, 14%), scapula (n = 6, 12%), transverse process (n = 4, 8%), vertebral body (n = 4, 8%), spinous process (n = 1, 2%), ilium (n = 7, 14%), sacrum (n = 4, 8%). Complications included 10 pneumothoraces in 39 cases that crossed the pleura, 8 pneumomediastinum in 17 transsternal cases, one immediate surgical consultation and one 30-day readmission.

Conclusion

Transosseous biopsy approach is a technically feasible means of obtaining core needle samples of soft tissue lesions.

Level of Evidence

Case series, IV.

     

Assessment of renal artery fibromuscular dysplasia: Angiography,intravascular ultrasound (with virtual histology), and pressure wire measurements

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) of the renal arteries is classically associated with secondary hypertension in younger individuals, which may be treatable and even curable by percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty. Angiography of these renal arteries oftendisplays “beaded” luminal abnormalities. The angiographic findings, however, may not accurately reflect the severity or precise location of the intraluminal obstruction. We present a case of an older individual with longstanding hypertension and FMD, in whom the use of a coronary pressure wire and intravascular ultrasound enabled precise localization and treatment of the hemodynamically significant stenosis. Virtual histology of FMD in the renal vasculature is also reported. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines by human T-cell leukemia virus type-1 Tax protein as determined by multiplexed cytokine protein array analyses of human dendritic cells.

Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1)-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is characterized by a hyperstimulated immune response, including elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines/chemokines and oligoclonal expansion of virus-specific CD8(+) T cells in the cerebrospinal fluid. Studies have shown that the HTLV-1 transactivator protein Tax is available for immune recognition by antigen presenting cells (APCs), such as dendritic cells (DCs). DCs are relevant to the pathogenesis of HAM/TSP because the presentation of Tax peptides by activated DCs to na?ve CD8(+) T cells may play an important role in the induction of the Tax-specific immune response that is observed in HAM/TSP. In this study, a human cytokine protein array was used to study the secretion of cytokines by monocyte-derived DCs (MDDCs) exposed to Tax. Of the 16 cytokines analyzed, 6 cytokines were secreted in significantly high amounts (> or =2-fold), including Th1 cytokines (IFN-gamma, IL-12, and TNF-alpha) and C-C chemokines (Eotaxin, MCP-1, and MCP-3). Selected cytokines were further examined at two concentrations of Tax and at two time periods. Furthermore, a transient exposure to Tax did not result in any cytokine production when examined at three different time points after exposure, indicating that a prolonged presence of Tax is required for its activity. Finally, inhibition of the NF-kappaB signaling pathway by specific inhibitors, abrogated Tax-mediated cytokine secretion. Collectively, these findings suggest a role for Tax-induced cytokine secretion from MDDCs, which may be critical for the cellular activation and tissue damage that has been observed in HAM/TSP.