What’s growing on? The growing teratoma syndrome

Background

The growing teratoma syndrome (GTS) consists of a mature teratoma paradoxically enlarging during or after chemotherapy for malignant nongerminomatous germ cell tumors.

Methods and results

We report two cases of GTS occurring in association with NSGCT of the pineal gland. Although an unusual event, clinicians and radiologists should be aware of its natural history.

Conclusions

When normalized tumor markers after chemotherapy are associated with imaging features of a growing mass, the hypothesis of GTS must be taken in consideration. When early diagnosed, GTS can be managed surgically with good results.     

Recurrent peripheral odontogenic keratocyst: a case report

A case of peripheral odontogenic keratocyst arising in a 57-year-old white female patient involving the posterior mandibular gingiva that recurred after 12 months of follow-up is presented. This reported case reinforces that patients presenting peripheral odontogenic keratocyst should be carefully followed up after conservative surgical treatment.     

Dynamic medium produces caprine embryo from preantral follicles grown in vitro

The aim of this study was to develop a dynamic culture medium containing FSH, LH and EGF to promote the in vitro development of oocytes obtained from goat preantral follicles to complete maturation and to improve the capacity of these oocytes for in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo production. For experiment I, preantral follicles were cultured for 18 days in medium supplemented with increasing concentrations of FSH (T1 - control) or in control medium added LH alone or in association with EGF: T2 (LH 50 ng/ml), T3 (LH 50 ng/ml + EGF 50 ng/ml), T4 (LH 50 ng/ml + EGF 100 ng/ml), T5 (LH 100 ng/ml), T6 (LH 100 ng/ml + EGF 50 ng/ml) and T7 (LH 100 ng/ml + EGF 100 ng/ml). For experiment II, preantral follicles were cultured only in the culture medium used in T7, and after 18 days, their oocytes underwent in vitro maturation (IVM) followed by IVF. At the end of the culture period, T3, T4 and T7 had a positive influence on the daily follicular growth rate. Oocytes grown in T4 and T7 had a meiosis resumption percentage significantly superior to the other treatments. Two embryos were obtained, in which preantral follicles in medium supplemented with 100 ng/ml LH and 100 ng/ml EGF (T7). In conclusion, our sequential culture system was able to promote the in vitro growth of preantral follicles, promoting their oocyte maturation and caprine embryo production from preantral follicles.     

Theoretical characterization of dual concentric conductor microwave applicators for hyperthermia at 433 MHz.

Radiation patterns from multi-aperture arrays of Dual Concentric Conductor (DCC) applicators for superficial microwave hyperthermia were calculated numerically using the Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) method at an operating frequency of 433 MHz. Different aperture sizes were studied from 3.5-7 cm square in six-element array configurations which may be considered as building block elements of much larger arrays. Once optimum parameters were established for gap width, inter-element spacing, and bolus thickness for each aperture size using repetitive parametric FDTD studies, a direct comparison of power deposition (SAR) patterns was performed for similar DCC arrays driven at 915 MHz and 433 MHz. Results show that clinically desirable uniformity and penetration of SAR can be obtained for square apertures in the range of 4-6 cm per side at 433 MHz, using 9.5-12.5 mm thick water coupling boluses, as compared to the optimum 2-4.5 cm square apertures and 5-10 mm water bolus dimensions determined previously for 915 MHz arrays. With an accompanying reduction in the lateral adjustability of power control, the 433 MHz applicators can provide a significantly larger heating area than arrays with the same number of elements driven at a frequency of 915 MHz. Penetration depth is similar for optimally sized apertures at both frequencies of operation, providing a maximum heating depth of 1-2 cm for the DCC array applicators.     

Relationships between dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate and anthropometric, metabolic and hormonal variables in a large cohort of obese women

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to measure dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEA-S) levels in obesity and assess the relationships between DHEA-S and anthropometric, metabolic and hormonal variables. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We evaluated the serum DHEA-S levels in 217 obese but otherwise normal female subjects (age (mean +/- SEM): 39.4 +/- 0.9, range 18-67 years, body mass index (BMI) = 36.1 +/- 0.4, range 27.1-57.1 kg/m2). RESULTS: DHEA-S levels showed an age-dependent fall similar to that observed in normal women (n = 156, age 46.2 +/- 1.2, range 22-69 years, BMI < 25 kg/m2). Adjusting for age, obese women had mean DHEA-S levels higher than the control group (P < 0.02). In obese patients, DHEA-S levels were directly associated with serum testosterone, androstendione, IGF-I, fT3 levels and 24 h-urinary cortisol. On the other hand, DHEA-S levels were negatively associated with age, total cholesterol, triglycerides levels and systolic blood pressure. No correlation was found with BMI, waist:hip ratio, basal and post-OGTT insulin and glucose, free fatty acids, GH, PRL, fT4, TSH, SHBG levels or diastolic blood pressure. Multiple regression analysis indicated that in obese women, DHEA-S levels were associated negatively to age and positively to testosterone, androstendione and IGF-I levels and daily urinary cortisol. In a subgroup of 20 obese women, DHEA-S levels significantly (P < 0.001) fell after OGTT without any correlation with the insulin response. CONCLUSIONS: The present results show that dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate levels are not reduced in obesity, being slightly increased, particularly in young adulthood. Dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate levels are positively and independently associated with androgen, 24-h urinary cortisol and IGF-I levels but do not seem associated with insulin levels or cardiovascular risk indices.