Loss of heterozygosity at the BRCA1 locus in Tunisian women with sporadic breast cancer

Breast cancer in Tunisia is characterized by a much higher incidence of aggressiveness compared with Western countries. The pattern of allelic loss at the BRCA1 locus in Tunisian women with breast carcinoma has not been studied. Therefore, the aim of this present preliminary study was mainly focused on loss of heterozygosity (LOH) analysis of the BRCA1 gene to determine if this tumor suppressor gene is involved in sporadic breast carcinoma among Tunisian women. We investigate allelic losses by analyzing three microsatellite markers in the BRCA1 region, in a panel of 21 human breast tumors. D17S1322 marker had the highest frequency of LOH (59%), followed by the D17S1323 (35%), and EDH-17B (20%). Collectively out of 21 informative cases 13 (62%) showed LOH at at least one BRCA1 locus. This data provides evidence that allelic loss at BRCA1 is a frequent event in sporadic breast tumorigenesis among Tunisian women, and suggests that the BRCA1 gene might play an important role as a tumor suppressor gene.     

Argon laser iridoplasty in the treatment of plateau-like iris configuration as result of numerous ciliary body cysts

PURPOSE: To report the use of argon laser peripheral iridoplasty in the treatment of plateau-like iris configuration as a result of iris and ciliary body cysts. DESIGN: Case report. METHODS: A 43-year-old male with plateau iris syndrome was demonstrated by high frequency ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM), to have numerous iris and ciliary body cysts. Bilateral argon laser peripheral iridoplasty was performed. RESULTS: Argon laser iridoplasty opened the drainage angle in both eyes. CONCLUSION: Argon laser iridoplasty is an effective and safe treatment for plateau iris syndrome and may also prove valuable in the treatment of plateau-like iris configuration resulting from iridociliary cysts.     

A validated spectrofluorimetric method for determination of some psychoactive drugs

Five psychoactive drugs namely, chlorpromazine HCl, thioridazine HCl, clomipramine HCl, imipramine HCl and desipramine HCl were analyzed by a simple spectrofluorimetric method. The method is based on oxidation of the studied drugs using cerium(IV) in presence of sulphuric acid and monitoring the fluorescence of the formed cerium(III) at lambda(ex.) = 254 nm and lambda(em.) = 355 nm. All variables affecting the reaction conditions such as; cerium(IV) concentration, sulphuric acid concentration, heating time, temperature and dilution solvents were carefully studied. The effect of potential interference due to common ingredients as glucose, sucrose, lactose, citric acid and propylene glycol were investigated. A validation study of the proposed method was carried out according to USP 2002. Beer's law was obeyed for all the studied drugs in the concentration range of 0.05-1.3 microg/ml. Limits of detection range was 0.035-0.038 microg/ml and limits of quantitation of 0.116-0.125 microg/ml were obtained. The method was successfully applied for the assay of the studied drugs in pure form and in pharmaceutical dosage forms. Results were compared with official methods. The t- and F-values were calculated and compared with the theoretical values, which indicate high accuracy and good precision of the proposed method.     

Between hope and fear: patient��s expectations prior to pelvic organ prolapse surgery

Introduction and hypothesis  

The aim of our study was to analyse the patient’s expectations (fears and goals (hopes)) in women who are scheduled for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery.     

64 Multidetector CT angiography in preoperative evaluation of hepatic artery

Purpose

To evaluate the role of 64 multidetector CT angiography in preoperative evaluation of hepatic artery in candidates who underwent hepatic resection.

Materials and methods

Sixty-seven patients underwent triphasic CT scan using 64 multidetector CT scanner. They were 33 with hepatocellular carcinoma, 21 with solitary metastases, seven potential donors for liver transplantation, five with gaint haemangiomas, and one with large primary Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The images were analyzed for the depiction of hepatic artery. The frequencies of anatomical variants of the hepatic artery were evaluated based on the classification proposed by Michels’ in 1966. The findings was compared and correlated with operative data.

Results

Type I variant was seen in 43 patients (64.2) and variants were seen in other 24 patients (35.8%). We found seven patients with type II variant, 11 patients with type III variant, two patients with type V variant, and two patients with VI variant. There were two patients with type variants did not fit Michels’ classification. In 55 patients, the surgical findings concurred with 64 MDCT angiography findings (100%).

Conclusion

64 MDCT angiography is an effective, high-resolution, noninvasive imaging technique that readily demonstrates the hepatic arterial map with direct impact on treatment decisions including patient selection for hepatic resection.     

Role of multi slice computed tomography in the evaluation of congenital anomalies of tracheobronchial tree and lungs

ObjectiveTo evaluate the role of MSCT in the evaluation of congenital anomalies of tracheobronchial tree and lungPatients and methodsTwenty nine patients with congenital anomalies of tracheobronchial tree and lung were examined using four and six MDCT.ResultsSeven patients (24%) had congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation where successful differentiation of the type was possible. Three patients (10.3%) with bronchopulmonary sequestration were categorized as two (7%) intralobar and one (3.5%) extralobar sequestrations. Four patients (14%) had congenital lobar overinflation. Four patients had Scimitar syndrome with right pulmonary artery hypoplasia, right sided lung hypoplasia, anomalous arterial supply and anomalous pulmonary venous drainage together with pulmonary hypertension. Abnormal bronchial anatomy was revealed in two patients with pulmonary isomerism and one patient with situs inversus. Bronchogenic cyst, tracheal bronchus, Kertagner's syndrome, pulmonary agenesis and horse shoe lung were seen in one patient each. Dynamic MSCT shows the lunate configuration of the trachea during forced expiration in one patient with tracheomalacia. In one patient with tracheo-esophageal fistula, the extent of fistulous tract and the resulting bronchial aspiration were demonstrated.ConclusionMSCT proved to be indispensable as a preoperative planning modality and an essential investigation for congenital anomalies of the lung and tracheobronchial tree.     

Contrast induced nephropathy: updated ESUR Contrast Media Safety Committee guidelines

PURPOSE: The Contrast Media Safety Committee (CMSC) of the European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR) has updated its 1999 guidelines on contrast medium-induced nephropathy (CIN). AREAS COVERED: Topics reviewed include the definition of CIN, the choice of contrast medium, the prophylactic measures used to reduce the incidence of CIN, and the management of patients receiving metformin. Key Points ? Definition, risk factors and prevention of contrast medium induced nephropathy are reviewed. ? CIN risk is lower with intravenous than intra-arterial iodinated contrast medium. ? eGFR of 45 ml/min/1.73 m (2) is CIN risk threshold for intravenous contrast medium. ? Hydration with either saline or sodium bicarbonate reduces CIN incidence. ? Patients with eGFR ≥ 60 ml/min/1.73 m (2) receiving contrast medium can continue metformin normally.