Is elective neck dissection indicated during salvage surgery for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma?

Among patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma with a negative neck who are initially treated with (chemo)radiotherapy, a number of cases will recur locally without obvious neck recurrence. There is little information available as to the most efficacious management of the neck in these cases. We have reviewed the literature to see what conclusions can be drawn from previous reports. We conducted a bibliography search on MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. Studies published in the English language and those on squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, nasopharynx, oropharynx, larynx and hypopharynx were included. Data related to neck management were extracted from the articles. Twelve studies satisfied the inclusion criteria. Five studies reported only one treatment plan (either neck dissection or observation), while the others compared neck dissection to observation. The rate of occult metastases ranged from 3.4 to 12 %. The studies included a variable distribution of primary sites and stages of the recurrent primary tumors. The risk of occult neck node metastasis in a clinically rN0 patient correlated with tumor site and T stage. Observation of the neck can be suggested for patients with T1-2 glottic tumors, who recurred with less advanced tumors (rT1-2). For patients with more advanced laryngeal recurrences or recurrence at other high-risk sites, neck dissection could be considered for the rN0 patient, particularly if the neck was not included in the previous radiation fields.     

Early laparoscopy for the evaluation of nonspecific abdominal pain: a critical appraisal of the evidence

Background  

Patients with nonspecific abdominal pain (NSAP) are frequently seen in emergency departments. Different studies have suggested that early laparoscopy (EL) could be an adequate tool to accelerate diagnosis and therapy. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of EL in terms of diagnosis, persistence of NSAP, mortality, morbidity, cost, hospital stay, and quality of life relative to observation in NSAP.     

Expression and characterization of Gag protein of HIV-1（CN） in Pichia pastoris

To express the core protein of HIV-1 of Chinese prevalent strain （HIV-1 （CN）） in Pichia pastoris, the fulllength gag gene was inserted into the secretory expression vector pHILS1. Linearized recombinant plasmid pHILGAG by Sail was electrotransformed into the yeast strain GS115, and the yeast transformants were identified by PCR. To induce the interest protein to be expressed, the PCR positive transformants were inoculated in the medium of BMGY and BMMY, mRNA of the strain was detected by RT-PCR, and the expressed protein was analyzed by SDS-PAGE, Western blotting and thin layer scanning. mRNA （1.3 kb） was amplified by RT-PCR. SDS-PAGE and Western blotting analysis showed that the molecular mass of the expressed protein was 55 kD, which was similar to the expected value, and the expressed protein could react with McAb to HIV-1 p24. Thin layer scanning analysis demonstrated that the whole amount of the expressed protein was approximately 13 % of the soluble protein in the supernatant. The recombinant yeast had good genetic stability. The optimal expression conditions of the engineering yeast were as follows： BMMY medium, 80-90% of dissolved oxygen, 1% methanol, and 3-day-cultivation course. Gag proteins were expressed under the optimal expression condition and purified via gel filtration chromatography. The purity of the interest protein was up to 85 %. After the purified proteins were inoculated into BALB/c mice, the anti-HIV-1 antibodies in the immunized mice could be detected by Western blotting.     

Similar Effects of Treatment with α Interferon on the Protein Synthesis of Human Large Granular Lymphocytes, T Cells, and Monocytes

Preparations of human large granular lymphocytes (LGL), T cells, and monocytes (MC) were obtained through centrifugation on Percoll gradients and preparative E-rosetting. The different preparations contained more than 80% of the appropriate cell type, as judged by their ability to lyse 51Cr-labelled K562 cells, cell morphology, and the presence of cell surface structures recognized by the OKT3, OKT10, Leu 7 and OKM1 monoclonal antibodies. The protein synthesis is unstimulated and alpha interferon (IFN-alpha)-treated cells of the different types was studied by subjecting 35S-methionine-labelled cell extracts to two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The general pattern of protein synthesis in LGL and T cells was virtually identical, whereas at least 7 major proteins were synthesized at a higher rate in monocytes. The effects of IFN-alpha on the protein synthesis of LGL and T cells were identical, IFN-alpha increasing the rate of synthesis of 9 proteins. These proteins were also expressed, but not always IFN-augmentable, in monocytes. No additional, cell-type associated, IFN-inducible proteins were found. This suggests that the augmenting effect of IFN-alpha on the cytotoxic capacity of LGL, T cells, and monocytes may be to affect common steps in their lytic machineries.     

Long‐term effects of in utero and lactational exposure to butyl paraben in female rats

Parabens are used as preservatives in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food industries, and are frequently detected as contaminants in human fluids and tissues. The endocrine disrupting effects of parabens in female rodents include uterotrophic response, steroidogenesis impairment, and ovarian disturbances. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of maternal butyl paraben (BP) exposure on female sexual development. Pregnant Wistar rats were treated subcutaneously with either corn oil or BP at doses of 10, 100, or 200 mg/kg, from gestational day (GD) 12 until GD 20 for female foetal gonad evaluation, and from GD 12 until the end of lactation to evaluate sexual parameters on the female offspring. Immature female rats were also used in the uterotrophic assay to evaluate the possible estrogenic action of parabens. Our results revealed that, in this experimental protocol, BP did not show estrogenic activity at the doses used and did not impair sexual development and fertility capacity in the female rats, but impaired sexual behavior. We conclude that brain sexual development may be more sensitive to BP effects and we speculate that doses higher than 100 mg/kg (the male lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) for rodent reproductive parameters) would be necessary to promote damages in the female reproduction, regarding the same protocol of exposure. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 776–788, 2017.