Ameloblastoma ex calcifying odontogenic cyst (dentinogenic ghost cell tumor)

Calcifying odontogenic cyst (COC) has shown to be of extensive diversity in its clinical and histopathological features, as well as in its biological behavior. In this report, a rare case is described of ameloblastoma ex COC (dentinogenic ghost cell tumor) and the relevant literature is briefly reviewed.     

Association analysis of genes in the renin‐angiotensin system with subclinical cardiovascular disease in families with Type 2 diabetes mellitus: The Diabetes Heart Study

Aims Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major complication of Type 2 diabetes mellitus. The renin‐angiotensin system (RAS) and nitric oxide production are both important regulators of vascular function and blood pressure. Genes encoding proteins involved in these pathways are candidates for a contribution to CVD in diabetic patients. We have investigated variants of the angiotensinogen (AGT), angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) genes for association with subclinical measures of CVD in families with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods Atherosclerosis was measured by carotid intima‐media thickness and calcification of the carotid and coronary arteries in 620 European Americans and 117 African Americans in the Diabetes Heart Study. Because of the role of these systems in blood pressure regulation, blood pressure was also investigated. Results Compelling evidence of association was not detected with any of the SNPs with any outcome measures after adjustments for covariates despite sufficient power to detect relatively small differences in traits for specific genotype combinations. Conclusions Genetic variation of the RAS and NOS3 genes do not appear to strongly influence subclinical cardiovascular disease or blood pressure in this diabetic population.     

The effect of perioperative beta-blockade on the pulmonary function of patients undergoing major arterial surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Concern about the potential detrimental side-effects of beta-blockade on pulmonary function often dissuades against their perioperative use in patients undergoing major arterial surgery (especially in those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)). In this study we aimed to establish prospectively the clinical relevance of these concerns. METHODS: After ethics committee approval and individual informed consent, the pulmonary function of twenty patients (mean age 68.7 years (range 43-82), 11 males) scheduled to undergo non-emergency major vascular surgery was studied by recording symptoms and spirometry before and after institution of effective beta-blockade. Fifteen patients (75%) had significant smoking histories (mean pack years/patient=50), while 12 (60%) had COPD. RESULTS: All patients tolerated effective beta-blockade satisfactorily without developing either subjective deterioration in symptoms or significant change on spirometry. The mean change in FEV1 following adequate beta-blockade was 0.05+/-0.24 liters (95% CI -0.06 to +1.61), p=0.35, giving a mean percentage change of 3.18%+/-11.66 (95% CI -2.26 to 8.62). CONCLUSIONS: Previously held concerns about worsening pulmonary function through the short-term use of beta-blockers should not dissuade their perioperative usage in patients with peripheral vascular disease. Furthermore, the accuracy of pulmonary function tests in preoperative assessment and risk stratification also appears unaffected by this therapy.     

Arsenic trioxide–loaded, microemulsion-enhanced cytotoxicity on MDAH 2774 ovarian carcinoma cell line

The antiproliferative effect of As(2)O(3)-loaded microemulsion (As(2)O(3)-M) on human MDAH 2774 ovarian cancer cells was compared with a regular solution of the As(2)O(3). We used MDAH 2774 as model cell lines for ovarian cancer. The (2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-[(phenylamino)carbonyl]-2H-tetrazolium hydroxide) (XTT) and trypane blue dye exclusion tests were used to evaluate cytotoxicity. Apoptotic effect of solutions was evaluated using cell death detection kit. Standard microemulsion formulation used in this experiment contains 5 x 10(-6) M As(2)O(3). It was clearly demonstrated that As(2)O(3)-M had a significant cytotoxic effect on MDAH 2774 cell line, and the cytotoxic effect of As(2)O(3)-M was significantly higher than that of regular As(2)O(3) solutions. Even approximately 6000 times diluted microemulsion formulation loaded with 5 x 10(-6) M As(2)O(3) showed a cytotoxic effect. As a result, this diluted concentration (approximately 8 x 10(-10) M) was found to be approximately 6000 times more effective than regular As(2)O(3) solutions (5 x 10(-6) M). Moreover, this diluted concentration resulted in 1.5-fold enhancement of apoptosis. According to the in vitro cytotoxicity studies, we concluded that by incorporating As(2)O(3) into the microemulsion (As(2)O(3)-M), which is a new drug carrier system, it is possible to increase antiproliferative effect of regular As(2)O(3) on MDAH 2774 cells. Translating these results to in vivo conditions would open new windows in the treatment of ovarian cancer.     

Successful immune reconstitution decreases leukemic relapse and improves survival in recipients of unrelated cord blood transplantation.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is established therapy for selected patients with acute leukemia. After transplantation, antileukemic immune responses are believed to eliminate residual leukemia cells and decrease the likelihood of relapse. However, the clinical effect of successful antigen-specific immune reconstitution after HSCT on the likelihood of leukemic relapse and overall survival is not known. Pediatric recipients of unrelated cord blood transplants who underwent transplantation for acute leukemia were sequentially evaluated for their development of antigen-specific T-lymphocyte immunity to herpes viruses. The clinical effect of a positive antigen-specific response on relapse-free survival was determined. The presence of an antigen-specific response resulted in a relapse-free survival advantage (P = .0001), which was primarily due to a decrease in leukemic relapse (P = .003). Proportional hazards modeling for time to relapse and time to relapse or death defined 3 variables that were strongly associated with a poor outcome: female gender, poor remission status before transplantation, and negative antigen-specific T-lymphocyte proliferation. Notably neither acute nor chronic graft-versus-host disease had any effect on the incidence of leukemic relapse. Successful antigen-specific immune reconstitution after unrelated cord blood transplantation results in decreased leukemic relapse and improved overall survival.     

Relationship of early life stress and psychological functioning to adult C-reactive protein in the coronary artery risk development in young adults study.

BACKGROUND: Low socioeconomic status (SES) and a harsh family environment in childhood have been linked to mental and physical health disorders in adulthood. The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate a developmental model of pathways that may help explain these links and to relate them to C-reactive protein (CRP) in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) dataset. METHODS: Participants (n = 3248) in the CARDIA study, age 32 to 47 years, completed measures of childhood SES (CSES), early family environment (risky families [RF]), adult psychosocial functioning (PsyF, a latent factor measured by depression, mastery, and positive and negative social contacts), body mass index (BMI), and C-reactive protein. RESULTS: Structural equation modeling indicated that CSES and RF are associated with C-reactive protein via their association with PsyF (standardized path coefficients: CSES to RF, RF to PsyF, PsyF to CRP, CSES to CRP, all p < .05), with good overall model fit. The association between PsyF and CRP was partially mediated by BMI (PsyF to BMI, BMI to CRP, both p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Low childhood SES and a harsh early family environment appear to be related to elevated C-reactive protein in adulthood through pathways involving psychosocial dysfunction and high body mass index.