Epidermoid Cyst—A Rare Mediastinal Mass

Gallstone disease is a common gastrointestinal problem in day-to-day practice. The Old concept that a typical gallstone sufferer is fat, fertile, flatulent female of 50. This is partially true as the disease has been found in women soon after their first delivery who are thin and underweight and in males also. Conditions that favor the formation of cholesterol gallstones are super saturation of bile with cholesterol, kinetically favorable nucleation and presence of cholesterol crystals in the gall bladder long enough to agglomerate into a stone. Recent studies have defined the role of trace elements (Fe, Ca, Zn and Cu) and defective pH in the formation of gallstones. The aim of the study was to correlate iron-deficiency anemia with gallstone disease. To estimate the serum ferritin level as a diagnostic tool of iron deficiency anemia in patients with gallstone disease, this prospective study of 100 patients was conducted over a period of 24 months in the Department of General Surgery, Jaipur Golden Hospital, New Delhi, India. Serum cholesterol, iron and ferritin levels were compared in patients having gallstones and healthy individuals. A low serum iron level is a factor in bile super saturation with respect to cholesterol, leading to gallstone formation.     

Recombinase Polymerase Amplification-Based Assay to Diagnose Giardia in Stool Samples

Giardia duodenalis is one of the most commonly identified parasites in stool samples. Although relatively easy to treat, giardiasis can be difficult to detect as it presents similar to other diarrheal diseases. Here, we present a recombinase polymerase amplification-based Giardia (RPAG) assay to detect the presence of Giardia in stool samples. The RPAG assay was characterized on the bench top using stool samples spiked with Giardia cysts where it showed a limit-of-detection nearly as low as the gold standard polymerase chain reaction assay. The RPAG assay was then tested in the highlands of Peru on 104 stool samples collected from the surrounding communities where it showed 73% sensitivity and 95% specificity against a polymerase chain reaction and microscopy composite gold standard. Further improvements in clinical sensitivity will be needed for the RPAG assay to have clinical relevance.     

GPC5基因在肺腺癌细胞系中的功能研究

目的 研究GPC5基因在肺腺癌细胞系中的表达情况及其对肺腺癌细胞系生物学行为的影响.方法 采用逆转录PCR (RT-PCR)、实时定量PCR (qRT-PCR)以及Western blot分析肺腺癌细胞系中GPC5基因mRNA及蛋白表达情况;构建GPC5过表达载体及干扰载体,通过转染构建GPC5过表达细胞系及GPC5沉默细胞系;利用CCK-8法分析肺腺癌细胞系生长情况;通过流式细胞术检测肺腺癌细胞系的周期及凋亡变化.结果 检测了GPC5基因在4株肺腺癌细胞系(A549、H1299、H358和H1975)和1株肺正常上皮细胞系(HBE)中的mRNA表达情况,发现与HBE细胞系相比,GPC5基因在A549细胞系中呈低表达,在H1299细胞系中高表达,同时蛋白检测结果与mRNA水平一致;A549细胞中过表达GPC5基因可抑制细胞生长,引起细胞周期阻滞;在H1299细胞中干扰GPC5基因表达促进细胞生长,促进细胞周期;在过表达和干扰细胞模型中均未发现GPC5基因对细胞凋亡的显著影响.结论 GPC5基因可以对肺腺癌细胞系的生物学行为产生影响,可能是肺腺癌的抑癌基因.     

The Basement Membrane and the Sex Establishment in the Juvenile Hermaphroditism During Gonadal Differentiation of the Gymnocorymbus ternetzi (Teleostei: Characiformes: Characidae)

Although there are several studies on morphogenesis in Teleostei, until now there is no research describing the role of the basement membrane in the establishment of the germinal epithelium during gonadal differentiation in Characiformes. In attempt to study these events that result in the formation of ovarian and testicular structures, gonads of Gymnocorymbus ternetzi were prepared for light microscopy. During gonadal development in G. ternetzi, all individuals first developed ovarian tissue. The undifferentiated gonad was formed by somatic cells (SC) and primordial germ cells (PGCs). After successive mitosis, the PGCs became oogonia, which entered into meiosis originating oocytes. An interstitial tissue developed. In half of the individuals, presumptive female, prefollicle cells synthesized a basement membrane around oocyte forming a follicle. Along the ventral region of the ovary, the tissue invaginated to form the ovigerous lamellae, bordered by the germinal epithelium. Stroma developed and the follicle complexes were formed. The gonadal aromatase was detected in interstitial cells in the early steps of the gonadal differentiation in both sexes. In another half of the individuals, presumptive male, there was no synthesis of basement membrane. The interstitium was invaded by numerous granulocytes. Pre‐Leydig cells proliferated. Apoptotic oocytes were observed and afterward degenerated. Spermatogonia appeared near the degenerating oocytes and associated to SCs, forming testicular tubules. Germinal epithelium developed and the basement membrane was synthesized. Concomitantly, there was decrease of the gonadal aromatase and increase in the 3β‐HSD enzyme expression. Thus, the testis was organized on an ovary previously developed, constituting an indirect gonochoristic differentiation. Anat Rec, 298:1984–2010, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Umbrella-shaped, memory alloy femoral head support device for treatment of avascular osteonecrosis of the femoral head

Purpose

Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head is a common orthopaedic disease that is difficult to treat. The purpose of this study was to explore the preliminary efficacy of a self-designed umbrella-shaped memory alloy femoral head support device in the treatment of adult patients with avascular osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Methods

The minimally-invasive approach involved curettage of the necrotic tissue of the femoral head, and a self-designed umbrella-shaped, memory alloy femoral head support device was implanted into the collapsed necrotic area to support the collapsed femoral head. Autologous iliac bone and artificial bone were implanted into the support device for the treatment of adult patients with avascular osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Results

The clinical device was used in ten patients and 18 hip joints. The support device failed in one hip joint, which subsequently underwent joint replacement surgery, and the remaining 17 implanted devices were followed up for four to 19 months. The 17 postoperative hip joints were evaluated using the percent-efficacy evaluation method for avascular osteonecrosis of the femoral head in adult patients, and the efficacy rate was 82.35 %.

Conclusion

The umbrella-shaped femoral head support device can be used in Ficat stage I, stage II, and stage III adult patients with avascular osteonecrosis of the femoral head.