Giant thoracolumbosacral teratoma in an infant

A case of sacrococcygeal teratoma with unusually high intraspinal extension is reported and the symptomatology and treatment are discussed. A 7-month-old male presented at birth with a prominent mass of the right gluteal region preventing him from straightening his legs and causing undue effort during defecation. Magnetic resonance T1-weighted imaging revealed a thoracolumbosacrococcygeal, partly cystic tumor with intraspinal extension up to the mid-thoracic spine. During two-staged surgery, a cystic tumor containing fragments of hair, teeth, and bone and adherent to its surroundings was completely removed. The histologic examination confirmed the presence of a benign teratoma. A neurogenic bladder of the lower-motor-neuron type and constipation improved spontaneously. No further neurological deficits before and during a 3-year postoperative follow-up period were recorded.     

Expression of cyclins,cyclin-dependent kinases and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors in oligodendrogliomas in humans

Cyclins are regulatory proteins of the cell cycle which bind and activate kinases. In gliomas, contrary to many malignancies, cyclin D1 is rarely amplified, but together with other cyclins, it increases with anaplasia. In a series of 23 surgical biopsies of grade II and III oligodendroglioma, cyclin D1, E, A, B1, CDK4-6, CDK2, Cdc2 and p27/Kip.1 have been studied by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Cyclin D1 and A increased with anaplasia, showing a linear correlation with MIB.1 labeling index and an inverse correlation with p27/Kip.1 expression. Cyclin E and B1 and kinases were almost only expressed in grade III tumors. Normal oligodendrocytes and microglia cells of the cortex and white matter showed a clear positivity for cyclin D1, but not for other cyclins or kinases.     

In vitro and In vivo Antioxidant Properties ofVaccinium myrtillus

In vitro and in vivo antioxidant properties of an anthocyanoside complex extract from Vaccinium myrtillus (AVM) were evaluated. This extract scavenged super-oxide anion in the hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase system and inhibited CCl 4 -NADPH-stimulated lipid peroxidation in microsomes. It was found that pre-treatment of mice with 250 and 500 mg/kg oral dosages, respectively, of AVM inhibited significantly liver lipid peroxidation stimulated by FeCl 2 -ascorbic acid-ADP mixture. These results suggest that AVM might be useful as a liver protective agent and in the prevention of other diseases caused by oxidative stress.     

Comparative study of the safety of regadenoson between patients with mild/moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma

Purpose

To compare the safety of regadenoson, a selective agonist of A_2A adenosine receptors, combined with low-level exercise, between subjects with mild/moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma referred for myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI).

Methods

We studied 116 patients, of whom 67 had COPD and 49 asthma (62 % men, mean age 68.3?±?11.3 years, range 31 – 87 years). Patient demographics, past medical history, medications, clinical symptoms during stress and changes in blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were evaluated.

Results

Both groups were comparable with regard to hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes and medications with the exception of a higher rate of use of anticholinergics in patients with COPD and of antileukotrienes in asthmatics (58.2 % vs. 28.6 % and 1.5 % vs. 14.3 %, respectively; all p?<?0.01). There was a higher incidence of dyspnoea in COPD patients and of headache and feeling hot in asthmatic patients (40.3 % vs. 22.4 %, 6 % vs. 18.4 % and 10.4 % vs. 26.5 %, respectively; all p?<?0.05). Although there was no difference in the incidence of other adverse events, we observed a higher frequency in asthmatics of flushing, dry mouth, sweating and fatigue (1.5 % vs. 6.1 %, 14.9 % vs. 24.5 %, 0 % vs. 4.1 % and 37.3 % vs. 49 %, respectively). Adverse events were self-limiting, except in three patients who suffered persistent dyspnoea (2 of 67 COPD patients; 1 of 49 asthma patients) requiring theophylline administration. We observed no significant changes in BP among either group, but there was a tendency towards a higher increase in systolic BP in COPD patients following regadenoson administration (148.3 ±?27.6 vs. 154.6 ±?31.0 mmHg, p?=?0.056).

Conclusion

This study showed a good safety profile in our series of COPD and asthma patients undergoing MPI. Regadenoson was well tolerated by all patients, with dyspnoea, headache and feeling hot showing differences between groups.     

A Multiple Sclerosis Cluster Associated with a Small,North-Central Illinois Community

The authors investigated a reported incidence cluster of multiple sclerosis (MS) cases in a small, north-central Illinois community to determine validity and statistical significance. DePue, Illinois–a small, north-central Illinois community–has previously been the site of significant environmental heavy-metal exposure from a zinc smelter. Significant contamination of soil and water with zinc and other metals has been documented in this community during the time period of interest. In the mid-1990s, several cases of MS were reported to the Illinois Department of Public Health within the geographic limits of this community. Available medical records from purported MS cases reported to the Illinois Department of Public Health were reviewed, and living individuals were seen and examined. Statistical analyses were conducted with clinically definite MS cases; onset dates were determined by first symptom, and expected incidence rates were determined from published epidemiologic studies. Nine new cases of clinically definite MS occurred among residents of DePue, Illinois, during the period between 1971 and 1990. Seven of the 8 living subjects included in the final analyses were examined by one author (RS). The computed incidence rate deriving from these cases within DePue Township, Illinois, represented a statistically significant excess of new MS cases over expected. During the period from 1971 through 1990, a significant excess of MS cases occurred within the population of DePue, Illinois. Significant exposure of this population to mitogenic trace metals, including zinc, was also documented during this time period.