In vivo evaluation of bilayer ORC/PCL composites in a rabbit model for using as a dural substitute

ABSTRACT

Objective

After a neurosurgical procedure, dural closure is commonly needed to prevent cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) leakage and to reduce the risk of complications, including infections and chronic inflammatory reactions. Although several dural substitutes have been developed, their manufacturing processes are complicated and costly and that many of them have been implicated in causing postoperative complications. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of new bilayer ORC/PCL composites in a rabbit model.     

Seasonal cholera from multiple small outbreaks, rural Bangladesh

Clinical and environmental Vibrio cholerae organisms collected from February 2004 through April 2005 were systematically isolated from 2 rural Bangladeshi locales. Their genetic relatedness was evaluated at 5 loci that contained a variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR). The observed minimal overlap in VNTR patterns between the 2 communities was consistent with sequential, small outbreaks from local sources.     

Nasogastric tube syndrome: a life-threatening laryngeal obstruction in a 72-year-old patient

Nasogastric tube (NGT) syndrome is a rarely reported complication of NGT use that can cause life-threatening laryngeal obstruction. The syndrome results from post-cricoid ulceration, which affects the posterior cricoarytenoid muscles, thus causing vocal cord abduction paralysis and upper airway obstruction. We describe a case of a 72-year-old patient with this syndrome who was treated successfully and emphasise the difficulty of diagnosis in frail older adults.     

A divergent breakdown of neurocognitive networks in Parkinson's Disease mild cognitive impairment

Cognitive decline is a major disabling feature in Parkinson's disease (PD). Multimodal imaging studies have shown functional disruption in neurocognitive networks related to cognitive impairment. However, it remains unknown whether these changes are related to gray matter loss, or whether they outline network vulnerability in the early stages of cognitive impairment. In this work, we intended to assess functional connectivity and graph theoretical measures and their relation to gray matter loss in Parkinson's disease with mild cognitive impairment (PD‐MCI). We recruited 53 Parkinson's disease patients and classified them for cognitive impairment using Level‐1 Movement Disorders Society‐Task Force Criteria. Voxel‐based morphometry, functional connectivity and graph theoretical measures were obtained on a 3‐Tesla MRI scanner. Loss of gray matter was observed in the default mode network (bilateral precuneus), without a corresponding disruption of functional or graph theoretical properties. However, functional and graph theoretical changes appeared in salience network nodes, without evidence of gray matter loss. Global cognition and executive scores showed a correlation with node degree in the right anterior insula. We also found a correlation between visuospatial scores and right supramarginal gyrus node degree. Our findings highlight the loss of functional connectivity and topological features without structural damage in salience network regions in PD‐MCI. They also underline the importance of multimodal hubs in the transition to mild cognitive impairment. This functional disruption in the absence of gray matter atrophy suggests that the salience network is a key vulnerable system at the onset of mild cognitive impairment in PD.     

Histochemical studies of alkaline phosphatase in carcinoma of the liver

Thirty-eight patients who had proven hepatic carcinomas (19 hepatomas, 4 of an unclassified type, 5 cholangiomas, and 10 metastatic carcinomas) were studied. Statistically significant, positive correlations were found between the serum alkaline phosphatase level and the compression effect of carcinoma nodules on the adjoining liver cells, and between the serum enzyme and the sinusoidal phosphatase activity in tissue section. There was no correlation between serum alkaline phosphatase values and serum bilirubin concentration. The seroflocculation tests and iodine test were not significantly abnormal. Neither hepatoma nor metastatic cancer cells took a stain by the calciumcobalt method of Gomori. The elevation of the serum alkaline phosphatase level in carcinoma of the liver most likely is caused by intrahepatic obstruction of biliary channels and a compression effect on the adjoining hepatocytes by carcinoma nodules.Supported by the Thai National Research Council.     

Production of hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids and prostaglandins by a novel rat microglial cell line

We have established a clonal cell line derived from rat microglia that proliferates in response to macrophage-colony stimulating factor (CSF-1). Like primary neonatal microglia, these cells (named RTMGL1) exhibit a ramified morphology, bind isolectin B4, express CD68 and are weakly positive for CD11b and MHC class II. CSF-1-dependent proliferation requires intact signal transduction through several pathways. RTMGL1 synthesize multiple cyclooxygenase (COX) products including 11- and 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE) and express COX-2. RTMGL1 synthesize 5-HETE from arachidonic acid (AA) likely via a 5-lipoxygenase (LO). Thus, RTMGL1 have morphological and histological characteristics of primary microglia and metabolize AA via both COX and LO pathways.     

Cutaneous ulcerations following subcutaneous interferon beta injection to a patient with multiple sclerosis

We report a case treated with interferon beta-1b for multiple sclerosis (MS), who developed severe cutaneous ulcers after six months of therapy. Interferon beta-1b had been used in a regimen of 8 million IU administered subcutaneously through oblique direction of the needle, twice a week. The cutaneous ulcers developed at inoculation sites, as a result of penetration of interferon beta into dermis. Other underlying diseases of coagulative or bleeding disorders or secondary infection were excluded. Histological features of non-specific inflammatory reactions including hyperplastic changes of blood vessels without any evidence of vasculitis were the prominent features in this case. Corticosteroid and interferon beta-1b therapy was continued on restricted sites on the extremities with care not to repeat injections at the same sites previously used. The administration of interferon beta into subcutaneous fatty tissues vertically reduced the incidence of dermal penetration of drug and occurrence of ulcerations in this patient. We review other case reports of severe cutaneous reactions associated with interferon beta-1b therapy in MS patients and conclude that local cytokine-mediated, adverse, immune reaction or non-specific cutaneous inflammatory reaction to interferon beta-1b initiated the skin ulceration long after institution of therapy at the injection sites, and the reaction might be related to the depth of injection.     

Spindle cell carcinoma of penis

Spindle cell carcinoma of the penis has been documented only twice in the literature. We report a case illustrating the clinical and pathologic features with emphasis on the histologic difference from the squamous cell lesions.