Immunohistochemical markers of cell proliferation in laryngeal carcinoma

Although several clinicopathological factors may contribute to the prognosis of laryngeal carcinoma, these factors are still uncertain because the carcinogenesis process and malignant behavior are not well known. Immunohistochemical methods using two important markers, PCNA and Ki67 antigen, were used to assess proliferative activity in malignant laryngeal lesions. We studied the correlation between expression of these markers and clinical factors in 72 patients with carcinoma of the larynx: age, sex, occupation, smoking, alcohol consumption, marital status, etc. We also analyzed other known biological and histopathological prognostic factors (tumor stage, histological grade, lymph node metastases, and local invasion). PCNA and Ki-67 expression differed significantly in relation to histological grade and lymph node involvement. No associations were seen between the expression of PCNA and Ki-67 antigens and other study parameters.     

Dysfunction of the vocal cords simulating exercise-induced asthma

Vocal cord dysfunction is a respiratory condition characterized by anomalous adduction of the vocal cords during inspiration, causing significant air flow limitation in the larynx. Few such cases have been described in which dysfunction is triggered by exercise. We report the case of a young women with severe dyspnea appearing as a result of physical activity. We first deal with issues of differential diagnosis in relation to several other diseases, particularly exercise-induced asthma and then discuss therapeutic approaches.     

Studies on pharmaceutical ethnobotany in the regions of L'Alt Empordà and Les Guilleries (Catalonia, Iberian Peninsula)

An ethnobotanical survey was carried out in two regions (L'Alt Emporda and Les Guilleries), situated in North East Catalonia (Iberian Peninsula), with an approximate area of 800 km2 and a population of 68000. Through interviews with 73 people, data was obtained on the medicinal uses of 220 species. The most important findings are presented here concerning the ethnopharmacology of those areas. One hundred and ninty four unreported or uncommon uses corresponding to 101 plant species were detected.     

Failure to detect the 22q11.2 duplication syndrome rearrangement among patients with schizophrenia

Chromosome aberrations have long been studied in an effort to identify susceptibility genes for schizophrenia. Chromosome 22q11.2 microdeletion is associated with DiGeorge and Velocardiofacial syndromes (DG/VCF) and provides the most convincing evidence of an association between molecular cytogenetic abnormality and schizophrenia. In addition, this region is one of the best replicated linkage findings for schizophrenia. Recently, the reciprocal microduplication on 22q11.2 has been reported as a new syndrome. Preliminary data indicates that individuals with these duplications also suffer from neuropsychiatric disorders. In this study we have investigated the appropriateness of testing schizophrenia patients for the 22q11.2 microduplication. We used multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) to measure copy number changes on the 22q11.2 region in a sample of 190 patients with schizophrenia. Our results corroborate the prevalence of the 22q11.2 microdeletion in patients with schizophrenia and clinical features of DG/VCFS and do not suggest an association between 22q11.2 microduplication and schizophrenia.     

The left retro-aortic brachiocephalic vein: morphologic data and diagnostic ultrasound in 27 cases

A left retro-aortic brachiocephalic vein is a rare anatomic entity. A retrospective study was made of 5218 congenital cardiopathies treated between 1982 and 1998 in a medico-surgical department of paediatric cardiology. A left retro-aortic brachiocephalic vein was demonstrated in 27 patients, i.e. an incidence of 0.5%. The chief cardiopathy in these patients was a tetralogy of Fallot in 25 cases (93%). Among these 25 cases of Fallot’s tetralogy the aortic arch was rightsided in 19 cases (70%). The paraclinical diagnosis of this anomaly was facilitated by ultrasonography, provided it was sought for. In this series 6 cases (22%) were discovered during surgery without previous ultrasound diagnosis. The embryological origin of the left retro-aortic brachiocephalic v. differs from that of the venous trunk in its classical anatomic form. It derives from the inferior (but not superior) transverse plexuses, connecting the two anterior cardinal veins. One of the main consequences of this anomaly is its possible confusion with other vascular structures, particularly the right pulmonary artery. Such confusion may give rise to inappropriate surgical procedures. The differential diagnosis is facilitated by the use of the Doppler the venous flow is biphasic and regulated by respiration, whereas the Doppler recording from a pulmonary artery is that of a characteristic systolic arterial flow.     

Excess ICU mortality attributable to ventilator-associated pneumonia: The role of early vs late onset

Objective To determine the impact of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) on ICU mortality, and whether it is related to time of onset of pneumonia. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting 16-bed medical-surgical ICU at a university-affiliated hospital. Patients and measurements From 2002 to 2003, we recorded patients receiving mechanical ventilation for > 72 h. Patients developing an infection other than VAP were excluded. Patients definitively diagnosed with VAP (n = 40) were cases and patients free of any infection acquired during ICU stay (n = 61) were controls. The VAP-attributed mortality was defined as the difference between observed mortality and predicted mortality (SAPS II) on admission. Results Mechanical ventilation was longer in VAP patients (25 ± 20 vs 11 ± 9 days; p < 0.001), as was ICU stay (33 ± 23 vs 14 ± 12 days; p < 0.001). In the non-VAP group, no difference was found between observed and predicted mortality (27.9 vs 27.4%; p > 0.2). In the VAP group, observed mortality was 45% and predicted mortality 26.5% (p < 0.001), with attributable mortality 18.5%, and relative risk (RR) 1.7 (95% CI 1.12–23.17). No difference was observed between observed and predicted mortality in early-onset VAP (27.3 vs 25.8%; p > 0.20); in late-onset VAP, observed mortality was higher (51.7 vs 26.7%; p < 0.01) with attributable mortality of 25% and an RR 1.9 (95% CI 1.26–2.63). Empiric antibiotic treatment was appropriate in 77.5% of episodes. No differences in mortality were related to treatment appropriateness. Conclusions In mechanically ventilated patients, VAP is associated with excess mortality, mostly restricted to late-onset VAP and despite appropriate antibiotic treatment.