Comparative effects of RRR-alpha- and RRR-gamma-tocopherol on proliferation and apoptosis in human colon cancer cell lines

Background  

Mediterranean societies, with diets rich in vitamin E isoforms, have a lower risk for colon cancer than those of northern Europe and the Americas. Vitamin E rich diets may neutralize free radicals generated by fecal bacteria in the gut and prevent DNA damage, but signal transduction activities can occur independent of the antioxidant function. The term vitamin E represents eight structurally related compounds, each differing in their potency and mechanisms of chemoprevention. The RRR-γ-tocopherol isoform is found primarily in the US diet, while RRR-α-tocopherol is highest in the plasma.     

Predictors of neck node control in radically irradiated squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx and laryngopharynx

Cases of squamous cell carcinoma (171) of the oropharynx and laryngopharynx with clinically positive neck nodes, treated primarily by radiotherapy, were used for a multivariate analysis of the factors related to the regional outcome. All patients were staged according to the UICC-TNM (1982) classification. Lymph node size (P < 0.01), TNM nodal category (P < 0.05), and stage of the disease (P < 0.05) were significant in univariate analysis. Patient- and disease-related factors (age, sex, and histology) and treatment related factors (radiation dose (5000–6000 rads), radiation schedule, and concurrent chemotherapy) did not reach statistical significance. The stepwise logistic regression resulted in a final model with node size as the most important predictor of neck node control (P < 0.01). Patients with neck nodes up to 1 cm can receive radical radiotherapeutic management for treating the primary as well as nodal disease.     

Gastrointestinal lymphatics in health and disease

Lymphatics perform essential transport and immune regulatory functions to maintain homeostasis in the gastrointestinal (GI) system. Although blood and lymphatic vessels function as parallel and integrated systems, our understanding of lymphatic structure, regulation and functioning lags far behind that of the blood vascular system. This chapter reviews lymphatic flow, differences in lymphangiogenic and hemangiogenic factors, lymphatic fate determinants and structural features, and examines how altered molecular signaling influences lymphatic function in organs of the GI system. Innate errors in lymphatic development frequently disturb GI functioning and physiology. Expansion of lymphatics, a prominent feature of GI inflammation, may also play an important role in tissue restitution following injury. Destruction or dysregulation of lymphatics, following injury, surgery or chronic inflammation also exacerbates GI disease activity. Understanding the physiological roles played by GI lymphatics is essential to elucidating their underlying contributions to forms of congenital and acquired forms of GI pathology, and will provide novel approaches for therapy.     

Intrapulmonary arteriovenous shunt: diagnosis by saline contrast bubbles in the pulmonary veins.

A 54-year-old man with end-stage cirrhosis of the liver presented for evaluation of dyspnea. Intrapulmonary arteriovenous shunting was suspected. Transthoracic echocardiography with agitated saline contrast injection from the right antecubital vein was performed. Late arrival of saline contrast bubbles in the left atrium by pulmonary veins leading to complete left heart opacification confirmed the diagnosis of significant intrapulmonary shunting. This case and images illustrate the use of agitated saline contrast in combination with transthoracic echocardiography for the diagnosis of intrapulmonary arteriovenous fistula.     

Humoral immune reactions in tuberculous meningitis.

Humoral immune reactions as reflected in sera and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 50 patients with Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) were studied. CSFs and sera from 50 patients with nontuberculous neurological diseases were selected as controls. CSFs of patients with TBM showed high titres of circulating antimycobacterial antibodies than in nontuberculous subjects. The CSF-IgG index is significantly higher in patients with TBM. Humoral immune reaction could be applied in the laboratory diagnosis of TBM, particularly when repeated bacteriological methods are negative for M. tuberculosis in CSFs.