A case of recurrent non-small-cell lung carcinoma and paraneoplastic Cushing's syndrome

Secretion of ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) with consequently Cushing's syndrome is a rare paraneoplastic phenomenon. It has been described in a variety of malignancies, like bronchial carcinoids, small-cell lung carcinoma, thymoma, pancreatic carcinoma and other. In many cases of suspected ectopic ACTH secretion, it is difficult to histologically or cytochemically confirm the diagnosis. We present a 63-year-old woman with a recurrent poorly differentiated squamous cell lung carcinoma with clinical and biochemical features consistent with ectopic Cushing's syndrome. Immunocytochemical staining confirmed the secretion of ACTH by tumour cells.     

Uterine structural anomalies and arthrogryposis—death of an urban legend

In a review of 2,300 cases of arthrogryposis collected over the last 35 years, 33 cases of maternal uterine structural anomalies were identified (1.3%). These cases of arthrogryposis represent a very heterogeneous group of types of arthrogryposis. Over half of individuals affected with arthrogryposis demonstrated asymmetry and some responded to removal of constraint, 29 of the 33 cases of arthrogryposis whose mother had a uterine structural anomaly could be identified as having a specific recognizable type of arthrogryposis. Only two cases (0.08%) had primarily proximal contractures that returned to almost normal function within 1 year. Craniofacial asymmetry was the most striking finding in these two cases. A quarter of cases had ruptured membranes between 32 and 36 weeks and either oligohydramnios or prematurity. The pregnancy histories of the mothers with uterine structural anomalies were typical in having infertility, multiple miscarriages, and stillbirths. The finding of only two cases which are likely to have multiple congenital contractures on the basis of uterine constraint suggests that it is a very rare primary cause of arthrogryposis. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Effect of high/low dietary linoleic acid feeding on mouse splenocytes: Modulation by age and influence of genetic variability

Young and old mice of several strains were fed semipurified diets differing in polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratio. The level of linoleic acid in phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine fractions of splenocyte membrane was determined. Lower levels of linoleic acid in membranes of older animals were observed when compared with membranes of young animals fed diets for the same period. Change in 18:2(6) content of splenocytes, as a result of feeding the different diets for periods of 1, 4, or 6 weeks, was observed. The degree of change in membrane 18:2(6) content was strain-dependent. These results suggest that regulatory balance for integration of fatty acyl chains into the phospholipid matrix may be age-related and genetically controlled.     

Normal brachial plexus: MR imaging

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the brachial plexus was performed in the axial, coronal, and sagittal planes in seven volunteers. Normal structures were delineated by comparison with axial and sagittal cadaver sections and with gross dissection. Differentiation of soft tissues with MR imaging enabled the brachial plexus to be defined from surrounding muscle and vascular structures. Multiplanar imaging demonstrated anatomic detail not previously demonstrated with other radiologic modalities and provided excellent delineation of the components of the brachial plexus from the ventral rami to the peripheral nerve branches.