Cauda equina syndrome revealing neuroblastoma

IntroductionNeuroblastoma is the most common solid tumor of childhood. Neurological involvement is rare resulting from cord or nerve compression.Case reportA 7-year-old child was hospitalized for cauda equina syndrome. MRI showed retroperitoneal lesion with dumbbell intradural spreading. Blood and urinary catecholamine level were elevated confirming the diagnosis of neuroblastoma. She was treated with chemotherapy alone with partial neurological recovery.Discussion and conclusionCauda equina compression revealing neuroblastoma is exceptional especially at an early phase in the youngest patients. Treatment is based on surgical resection and/or chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. Long-term prognosis is sometimes poor with neurological sequels.     

Neurological manifestations revealing primitive Gougerot–Sjogren syndrome: 9 cases

IntroductionNeurological manifestations in Gougerot–Sjogren syndrome (GSS) are valued differently. This is essentially the achievement of the peripheral nervous system.MethodsWe report 9 cases of neurological manifestation revealing primitive Gougerot–Sjogren syndrome collected over a period of 8 years (1997–2004). GSS diagnosis was retained according to Americano-European group criteria consensus revised on 2002.ResultsAll our patients were female with an average age of 43 years. Peripheral nervous system manifestation occurred in 78% (Truncal Neuropathy in 44%, anterior horn involvement in 2 cases). Central nervous system involvement was observed in 55.6% (chronic myelopathy and aseptic meningoencephalitis).Discussion and conclusionsThe analysis of neurological manifestations in GSS encounters three difficulties: the lack in homogeneity of diagnostic criteria (which makes it difficult to compare the frequency of neurological complications in different series), the limited number of large series, and the cases with neurological manifestations revealing this syndrome.     

Double-Crown Prosthesis Retention Using Polyetherketoneketone (PEKK): An In Vitro Study

Purpose

To assess the retentive force of telescopic crowns using polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) high-performance polymer in relation to conventional materials over a long period of time in an in vitro setting.

Materials and Methods

Thirty-six sets of primary and secondary crowns were fabricated as per the double crown-retained prostheses approach. Six samples were included in each of the five test groups (1: zirconia/PEKK [Zr/PEKK]; 2: titanium/PEKK [Ti/PEKK]; 3: cobalt-chrome/PEKK [CoCr/PEKK]; 4: PEKK/PEKK; and 5: gold/PEKK [Au/PEKK]) and the single control group (gold/galvano-gold [Au/GA]). The insertion-removal test was performed for 20,000 cycles, and the surface condition was observed. Retentive forces were analyzed using two-way ANOVA (α<0.05).

Results

The retention forces in groups Zr/PEKK and Ti/PEKK significantly decreased over time (group 1: p = 0.035 and group 2: p = 0.001), whereas retentive force increased significantly in groups PEKK/PEKK, Au/PEKK, and control (group 4: p = 0.001, group 5: p = 0.008, and control: p = 0.042). Similar wear was observed on the primary crown in groups PEKK/PEKK, gold/PEKK, and control.

Conclusions

Groups PEKK/PEKK and Au/PEKK showed a transition of retentive force similar to the control group. Groups PEKK/PEKK and Au/PEKK had similar wear on the surface compared to control. Therefore, PEKK has a promising clinical potential.     

幽门螺杆菌相关胃黏膜疾病炎症、凋亡与乳酸杆菌的关系

幽门螺杆菌与慢性胃炎、消化性溃疡、胃癌及胃黏膜相关淋巴样组织淋巴瘤(MALT)等疾病的发生密切相关,后者是炎症发展以及凋亡-增殖失衡的渐进过程中不同阶段的表现形式．乳酸杆菌具有较好的抗H pylori的应用前景,能降低因以抗生素为主根治H pylori疗法引起的副作用,提高患者的依从性,调节菌群失调,其在H pylori诱导的胃黏膜炎症中具有抗炎作用．     

Cytomegalovirus DNA can be detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from all seropositive and most seronegative healthy blood donors over time

BACKGROUND: A poor correlation between cytomegalovirus (CMV) seroreactivity and the risk of CMV transmission prompted an investigation of the presence of CMV DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) from seropositive and seronegative blood donors. Because latent CMV exists in monocytes, monocyte-enriched cells were analyzed separately. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Samples from 270 blood donors were tested with a sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test that detects two CMV genes, and the results were correlated to CMV serology. Cross-reactivity with other herpesvirus genes was not recorded. RESULTS: PCR testing demonstrated that 71 percent of seropositive donors harbor CMV in PBMNCs. Thus, not all seropositive donors were CMV DNA positive when individual samples were tested. Tests repeated over a period of time showed that all seropositive individuals were positive. Increased sensitivity was obtained with enriched monocytes. Among seronegative donors, 55 percent harbored CMV DNA in monocyte-enriched PBMNCs, while 14 percent had CMV DNA in PBMNCs. CONCLUSION: All seropositive donors harbored latently infected PBMNCs, as demonstrated by the testing of samples collected over time. In addition, a substantial proportion of seronegative individuals are CMV carriers and might transfer infection. The findings concur with clinical evidence of CMV transmission by blood components from seronegative individuals and with in vitro reactivation of CMV in PBMNCs from seronegative donors.