Cervical radicular pain caused by herpes simplex virus-type 1 infection: a case report

A case of a 16-year-old with herpes simplex virus type-1 infection with radicular arm pain is reported. The clinical implications of the case are discussed.     

Gene expression of growth differentiation factors in the developing periodontium of rat molars

Growth and differentiation factors (GDF) 5, 6, and 7 are known to play roles in tendon and ligament formation, and are therefore probably involved in the formation of periodontal ligament. In this study, we sought to determine temporal and spatial expression of GDF-5, -6, and -7 mRNA in developing periodontal tissue of rat molars using in situ hybridization. GDF gene expression in the periodontal ligament was first detected in cells associated with the initial process of periodontal ligament fiber bundle formation. Gene signals were also detected in cells located along the alveolar bone and cementum surfaces, the insertion sites of periodontal ligaments, during the course of root formation. GDF expression in these cells were down-regulated after completion of root formation. Our results appeared to suggest the involvement of GDF-5, -6, and -7 in the formation of the dental attachment apparatus.     

Abdominal lymphoma with abscess and thoracic perforation: en-bloc resection

The authors compare a rare case of acute onset Gastric Lymphoma with that present in the literature. The patient, a white 67 year-old man, was admitted to hospital in severe general condition. On CT scan an opacity of the pleura and a subtotal collapse of the left lung associated with a mass infiltrating the diaphragm, the gastric fundus and pancreas were seen. After 48 hours from the admission an operation was performed. The abdominal mass infiltrating the stomach, the spleen and the left thorax was resected en-bloc by laparotomy. A Boulau drainage was inserted. The histology showed an high malignant, diffused, big cell lymphoma. The patient was discharged 23 days later after a regular postoperative course. Surgery can be necessary, sometime curative in gastric lymphomas while long term result and quality of life could be improved by chemotherapy.     

Subcellular localization of β-catenin and APC proteins in colorectal preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions

Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) is a tumor suppressor gene whose main function is the destabilization of β-catenin, a key effector of the Wnt signaling pathway. This gene is defective in familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), a dominantly inherited disease, but inactivation of APC has been reported also in most sporadic colorectal tumors and it is considered an early event in colorectal tumorigenesis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the intracellular ultrastructural distribution of β-catenin and APC proteins in epithelial cells of normal colorectal mucosa, aberrant crypt foci (ACF, an early premalignant lesion) and cancer. We used the immunogold electron microscopic method to identify both proteins. Normal colonic epithelial cells showed a strong membranous expression of β-catenin and lacked cytoplasmic and nuclear expression. Normal cells showed APC localization pattern characterized by diffuse nuclear expression and along the plasma membrane. In ACF and in carcinoma an absent or reduced membranous expression of β-catenin was associated with an increased nuclear and cytoplasmatic expression. In aberrant crypt foci and carcinoma, APC was evident inside the nucleus and at the level of cell-cell junctions, but it was decreased in the cytoplasm. This method allowed the accurate localization of proteins of the Wnt signaling pathway in the early steps of colorectal carcinogenesis. The similar pattern of subcellular distribution of APC and β-catenin in dysplastic ACF and colorectal cancer suggests that ACF are precursor lesions of sporadic and FAP-associated colorectal carcinoma.     

The congenital cystic dilatation of the liver and bile ducts (CDB): our experience

The congenital cystic dilatation of the liver and bile ducts (CDB) is a very uncommon disease. It often appears in females and most frequently in paediatric patients. Its etiopathogenesis is not yet completely defined. Its evolution includes, together with several complications, the malignant transformation. The Authors present the outcomes of their experience based on a series of 5 patients observed from 1991 till today. Apart from the rarity of this disease, their series is so interesting because 4 out of 5 are adult patients and the fifth one is over 15. In addition, differentiating from the literature trend, the group included only male patients. Are also discussed the most important aspects referring to nosology, epidemiology, etiopathogenesis, clinical pattern and its evolution of CDB, looking over a wide review too. The Authors extensively examine the diagnostic problems; owing to that the patients were observed in the period 1991-1999 it is necessary to clarify that some imaging methods, i.e. CSTscan and the bile duct MNR, were not yet introduced. The surgical treatment has been investigated as well, developed during its historical evolution until nowadays and our solutions for the 5 cases have been presented and discussed. In their series the Authors haven't ever observed during hospitalisation a malignant transformation.     

Anomalous congenital band: a rare cause of intestinal obstruction and failure to thrive

Intestinal obstruction caused by an anomalous congenital band is very rare in adults and children. A 7-year-old boy was admitted with acute intestinal obstruction. His parents mentioned that the child always had mild abdominal distention and failure to thrive from his infancy. On his medical history, there were not any attacks of abdominal pain, fever and hospitalization. Laparotomy showed an ileal loop compressed by an anomalous band, which extended from the ileum to the sigmoid mesentery resembling a mesenteric remnant. The band was resected. Histologically, it was composed of loose connective tissue containing mature vessels.