Immunohistochemical staining of ras oncogene product in neoplastic and non-neoplastic mesothelial tissues: Immunoreactivity for N-ras and lack of immunohistochemical staining for Ha-ras and K-ras

Immunohistochemical staining of 36 malignant mesothcliomas and 45 cases of non-neoplastsic mesothelium including 20 specimens with signs of hyperplasia were investigated using murine monoclonal antibodies directed against p21 ras protein, Ha-ras protein, K-ras protein, and N-ras protein. All cases of non-neoplastic mesothelium and the majority of the malignant mesotheliomas (78 per cent) showed cytoplasmic and often submembranous immunoreactivity in more than 50 per cent of the cells with both the pan-ras and N-ras antibody. No immunoreactivity was observed for Ha- and K-ras. There was no statistically significant difference with respect to immunoreactivity between neoplastic and non-neoplastic mesothelium or between the various mesothelioma subtypes.     

Electroencephalography and brain magnetic resonance imaging in asphyxia comparing cooled and non-cooled infants

Objective

The aim was to establish any differences in the predictive value of EEG and MRI for outcome in infants treated and not-treated with therapeutic hypothermia (HT) for perinatal asphyxia. We hypothesize that they are equally predictive and that combining both has the highest predictive value.

LGMD2I in a North American population

Background  

There is a marked variation in clinical phenotypes that have been associated with mutations in FKRP, ranging from severe congenital muscular dystrophies to limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2I (LGMD2I).     

Acupuncture for psychogenic movement disorders: Treatment or diagnostic tool?

Psychogenic movement disorders are common in everyday neurological practice, comprising up to 25% of the patient population in movement disorders clinics. The diagnosis is often difficult, as is illustrated by the high proportion of patients with an organic neurological disease whose movement disorder is misdiagnosed as psychogenic. Here, we describe a woman with a longstanding and treatment‐resistant psychogenic movement disorder that responded dramatically to acupuncture. The diagnostic and therapeutic merits of acupuncture are discussed.     

Hemodilution therapy using automated erythrocytapheresis in central retinal vein occlusion: results of a multicenter randomized controlled study

Background

Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) leads to poor visual outcome in most eyes. Abnormal hemorheology was suspected to play a major role in its pathogenesis. CRVO treatment is still a matter of debate but several studies have pointed out the efficacy of isovolumic hemodilution. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and efficacy of hemodilution using automated erythrocytapheresis in recent-onset CRVO.

Methods

In this prospective randomized controlled multicenter study, 61 consecutive CRVO patients were enrolled when they met the following criteria: CRVO lasting for 3?weeks or less, visual acuity ranging from 20/200 to 20/32, age between 18 and 85?years, no diabetes, no uncontrolled systemic hypertension, no antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy, hematocrit higher than 38%, and signed informed consent. Patients were randomly assigned to the hemodilution group (n?=?31) or to the control group (n?=?30). Hemodilution therapy consisted of one session of erythrocytapheresis on outpatient basis, followed by additional session(s) for 6?weeks if needed. Target hematocrit was 35%. Follow-up was 12?months.

Results

No statistical differences in age, associated risk factors, or CRVO characteristics were observed at baseline between both groups. Mean visual acuity was equivalent to 20/80 in the hemodilution group and to 20/63 in the control group (non-significant difference). In the treated group, mean number of hemodilution sessions was 3.3 (range, 1 to 6), and no major side-effects occurred. At the 12-month follow-up visit, 64.5% of the hemodilution group had visual acuity of 20/40 or better compared to 40% of the control group (p?=?.048). Visual change was a gain of 1.7 ETDRS line in the hemodilution group versus a loss of 2.3 lines in the control group (p?=?.007). There was less conversion into an ischemic form in the hemodilution group (11%) than in the control group (50%, p?=?.004). Mean final retinal thickness was 289???m in the hemodilution group versus 401???m in the control group (p?=?.068).

Conclusions

This multicenter controlled randomized study demonstrated that automated erythrocytapheresis is a safe and effective tool for performing hemodilution and confirmed that hemodilution therapy can improve the final prognosis of CRVO when applied in the early phase of the disease.     

Recording scapular motion using an acromion marker cluster

Disorders of the shoulder complex can be accompanied by changes in the movement pattern of the scapula. However, scapular motion is difficult to measure. A possible non-invasive method for dynamic three-dimensional kinematic measurement of the human scapula is the use of a marker cluster placed on the flat part of the acromion. A small light-weight acromion marker cluster (AMC) is presented in this study. In order to assess validity, kinematics obtained with the AMC were compared to simultaneous scapula locator (SL) recordings in a series of postures. The test/retest variability of replacement of the AMC, was also assessed. Measurement errors appeared to be sensitive for the plane of movement, the degree of humerus elevation, and replacement of the AMC. The AMC generally under-estimated scapula motion, compared to the SL. Some significant differences were found between the two methods, although the absolute differences were small (maximum mean difference 8.4 degrees in extreme position). In humerus forward flexion and abduction the maximum mean differences were 6 degrees or lower. In conclusion, the AMC is a valid method of measuring scapular movement during arm elevation that could be used in shoulder pathologies. Placement and planes of movement should be carefully considered and elevation of the humerus should not exceed 100 degrees.     

Improvement in intraperitoneal intraoperative cisplatin exposure based on pharmacokinetic analysis in patients with ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of gynecological cancer-related death in Western countries. The present treatment standards for ovarian cancer are based on the association of debulking surgery with platinum-based chemotherapy. Another strategy that could be further investigated is intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IP). We previously described that the 2-h administration of intraoperative IP cisplatin did not reach satisfactory concentrations. In the present study, we present the results of a pharmacokinetic analysis performed after two consecutive 1-h IP 30 mg/l cisplatin administrations. Twenty-seven patients with advanced epithelial cancer classified FIGO stage IIIC were included in the study. Blood and IP samples were taken over a 24-h period, during and after IP treatment. Both total and ultrafiltered (Uf) platinum (Pt) concentration levels were analyzed. Biological and clinical toxicities were also recorded. With this strategy, IP Pt concentrations stayed above the target concentration (10 mg/l) for a satisfactory length of time. The serum Pt concentrations were higher than those observed with the “one-bath” protocol and they induced the occurrence of recoverable renal toxicities (3 grade 1, 7 grade 2 and 4 grade 3). The best predictive parameter for renal failure was the total Pt 24-h Area Under the Curve (AUC) with a threshold value of 25 mg h/l RR = 0.31 (95% CI 0.13 − 0.49, P < 0.01). Administration of an increased amount of cisplatin is feasible and a satisfactory level of IP Pt concentrations is obtained. However, this improvement is associated with an increase in serum Pt levels and resulting renal toxicities. An attractive solution would be to decrease Pt transfer from peritoneum to bloodstream. A phase 1 study using intraoperative IP epinephrine in order to decrease this transfer is presently being carried out.     

Headaches

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Headaches and migraine occur frequently in children and adolescents and may have a significant impact on the child's and parents' lives. Recent advances in diagnosis, epidemiology, and treatment have improved the outcomes of children with headaches. This review summarizes some of these findings. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies have revealed the increasing incidence of migraine and chronic migraine in the pediatric and adolescent age groups. These studies have also begun to identify comorbidities that may affect the impact over a lifetime. Limitations of the diagnosis of migraine have restricted some of these findings, but modifications to the criteria may assist with early recognition. Proper evaluation and treatment, including acute, preventive, and biobehavioral therapies, may need to be incorporated for optimal outcomes. Long-term outcomes may be determined by the underlying pathophysiology as well as early effective management. SUMMARY: Migraine in children is increasingly being recognized as a problem. Early, effective treatment is available and may result in long-term benefit and prevent disease progression. Further research into childhood headaches should help reveal additional pathophysiological mechanisms and treatment options.