Both location and age predict survival in ependymoma: A SEER study

Background

Studies have suggested that supratentorial ependymomas have better survival than infratentorial tumors, with spinal tumors having the best prognosis, but these data have been based on small samples. Using a population‐based registry of ependymomas, we analyzed how age, gender, location, race and radiotherapy influence survival in children.

Methods

We queried the Surveillance Epidemiology End Results database (SEER‐17) from 1973 to 2003, strictly defining ependymomas by histology. Site codes were used to distinguish between supratentorial, infratentorial, and spinal tumors when available. Outcomes were compared by location, age, gender, race and radiotherapy, using Kaplan–Meier analysis and logrank tests. Cox regression was completed, incorporating all significant covariates from univariate analysis.

Results

Six hundred thirty‐five children were identified with an overall 5‐year survival of 57.1 ± standard error (SE) 2.3%. Increasing age was associated with improved survival (P < 0.0001). Five‐year survival by location was 59.5 ± SE 5.5% supratentorial, 57.1 ± SE 4.1% infratentorial and 86.7 ± SE 5.2% spinal. Radiotherapy of the infratentorial tumors resulted in significantly improved survival in both univariate analysis (logrank P < 0.018) and multivariate analysis restricted to this tumor location (P = 0.033). Using multivariate analysis that incorporated all tumor locations, age (P < 0.001) and location (P = 0.020) were significant predictors for survival.

Conclusions

Age and location independently influence survival in ependymoma. Spinal tumors are associated with a significantly better prognosis than both supratentorial and infratentorial tumors, and may represent a distinct biological entity. Radiotherapy appears beneficial for survival in patients with infratentorial ependymoma. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:65–69. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Effects of DTNBP1 genotype on brain development in children

Background: Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder, and risk genes are thought to act through disruption of brain development. Several genetic studies have identified dystrobrevin‐binding protein 1 (DTNBP1, also known as dysbindin) as a potential susceptibility gene for schizophrenia, but its impact on brain development is poorly understood. The present investigation examined for the first time the effects of DTNBP1 on brain structure in children. Our hypothesis was that a genetic variation in DTNBP1 (i.e., the single nucleotide polymorphism rs2619538) would be associated with differences in both gray and white matter brain regions previously implicated in schizophrenia. Methods: Magnetic resonance imaging and voxel‐based morphometry were used to examine brain structure in 52 male children aged between 10 and 12 years. Statistical inferences on the effects of DTNBP1 genotype on gray and white matter volume (GMV and WMV) were made at p < .05 after family‐wise error correction for multiple comparisons across the whole brain. Results: Individuals homozygous for the schizophrenia high‐risk allele (AA) compared with those homozygous for the low‐risk allele (TT) expressed reduced GMV in the left anterior cingulate gyrus and reduced WMV in the left medial frontal area. Conclusions: Our results suggest that genetic variation in DTNBP1 is associated with differences in gray and white matter; and that these effects are already evident in children as young as 10–12 years. These findings are consistent with the notion that the DTNBP1 genotype influences brain development and may thereby modulate vulnerability to schizophrenia.     

Early detection of dominant Env-specific and subdominant Gag-specific CD8+ lymphocytes in equine infectious anemia virus-infected horses using major histocompatibility complex class I/peptide tetrameric complexes

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) are critical for control of lentiviruses, including equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV). Measurement of equine CTL responses has relied on chromium-release assays, which do not allow accurate quantitation. Recently, the equine MHC class I molecule 7-6, associated with the ELA-A1 haplotype, was shown to present both the Gag-GW12 and Env-RW12 EIAV CTL epitopes. In this study, 7-6/Gag-GW12 and 7-6/Env-RW12 MHC class I/peptide tetrameric complexes were constructed and used to analyze Gag-GW12- and Env-RW12-specific CTL responses in two EIAV-infected horses (A2164 and A2171). Gag-GW12 and Env-RW12 tetramer-positive CD8+ cells were identified in nonstimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells as early as 14 days post-EIAV inoculation, and frequencies of tetramer-positive cells ranged from 0.4% to 6.7% of nonstimulated peripheral blood CD8+ cells during the 127-day study period. Although both horses terminated the initial viremic peak, only horse A2171 effectively controlled viral load. Neutralizing antibody was present during the initial control of viral load in both horses, but the ability to maintain control correlated with Gag-GW12-specific CD8+ cells in A2171. Despite Env-RW12 dominance, Env-RW12 escape viral variants were identified in both horses and there was no correlation between Env-RW12-specific CD8+ cells and control of viral load. Although Gag-GW12 CTL escape did not occur, a Gag-GW12 epitope variant arose in A2164 that was recognized less efficiently than the original epitope. These data indicate that tetramers are useful for identification and quantitation of CTL responses in horses, and suggest that the observed control of EIAV replication and clinical disease was associated with sustained CTL recognition of Gag-specific epitopes.     

Evaluation of high functional avidity CTL to Gag epitope clusters in EIAV carrier horses

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) are critical for lentivirus control including EIAV. Since CTL from most EIAV carrier horses recognize Gag epitope clusters (EC), the hypothesis that carrier horses would have high functional avidity CTL to optimal epitopes in Gag EC was tested. Twenty-two optimal EC epitopes were identified; two in EC1, six in EC2, and seven each in EC3 and 4. However, only five of nine horses had high functional avidity CTL (相似文献   

Fun in the sun?

Persons with HIV need to be aware that exposure to the sun can do more than increase their risk of skin cancer; it can interfere with the actions of several drugs that are common treatments for HIV. The most common drug-induced reaction is a rash that looks like sunburn, which may appear in areas exposed to the sun (phototoxic) or everywhere (photoallergic). Photosensitivity occurs with these drugs: Ambien, Bactrim, Benadryl, Cipro, Compazine, Dapsone, Elavil, Hismanal, Lasix, Minocin, Motrin, Norpramin, some oral contraceptives, Periactin, Seldane, Sumycin, Tegretol, Tofranil, Velban, Zithromax, and Zoloft.     

Osteometric Dimensions of the Laminas of the Spine

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the dimensions of the laminas from C2 to L5 by using adult human spine specimens for the objective of providing a set of quantitative data for the laminas from C2 to L5 vertebrae.There exists enormous amount of Anatomic data based on facet and pedicle parameters by different research workers, but it seems that the detailed studies based on measurements of laminar parameters from cervical to lumbar spines are almost nil.Forty spines (920 vertebrae) were considered for the present study. Anatomic evaluation of the laminas'included the laminar height, width, thickness, width angle & slope angle.The greatest laminar height was observed at T11 for males & females ( 22.8 ± 2.1 mm, 23.0 + 1.8mm) respectively. There was a marked change in pattern at L5 where there was a decrease in laminar height from that of preceding lumbar levels.The greatest laminar width was at-L5 for males & females (12.1 ± 2.4mm 11.5 ± 2.1 mm ) respectively. The laminar thickness was maximum at T3 for males and females (5:2 ± 0.7mm & 5.1 ± 0.2mm ) respectively. The maximum width angle was at T9 for males (99.2 ± 9.7mm) & at L4for females (100.6 ± 12.3mm). The-slope angle was maximum at L5 for males and females (113.5 ± 4.8mm & 118.0 ± 1.4mm) respectively.Thus, for the proper, understanding of the weight transmission through the spine and it related hypothesis the Anatomic parameters of the laminas provided by the present study are very important and also they provide an adequate database necessary for the surgical placement of sublaminar instruments in spine related surgeries.     

Monoclonal Antibody Binding to a Surface-Exposed Epitope on Cowdria ruminantium That Is Conserved among Eight Strains

Monoclonal antibodies (MAb) binding to Cowdria ruminantium elementary bodies (EB) were identified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and surface binding of one MAb (446.15) to intact EB was determined by immunofluorescence, immunogold labeling, and transmission electron microscopy. MAb 446.15 bound an antigen of approximately 43 kDa in immunoblots of eight geographically distinct strains. The MAb did not react with Ehrlichia canis antigens or uninfected bovine endothelial cell lysate and may be useful in diagnostic assays and vaccine development.     

Evaluation of the anticonvulsant and muscle relaxant effects of the methanol root bark extracts of Annona senegalensis

ObjectiveTo investigate the potentials of the root bark of Annona (A.) senegalensis in the control of seizure and related hypnotic and motor incoordination effects in mice using experimental models.MethodsThe methanol extract (ME) of the root bark of A. senegalensis was studied in mice using pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced convulsions, phenobarbitone induced sleeping time and motor coordination test on rota-rod performance. Acute toxicity and lethality (LD₅₀) test as well as phytochemical analysis were also carried out.ResultsThe extract (200, 400, 800 mg/kg) exhibited a non-dose dependent significant (P <0.05) delay in the onset of both tonic and clonic phases of seizure induced by PTZ (60 mg/kg, s.c.) as well as offered a 100% protection (200 mg/kg) in mice from PTZ induced seizures. The extract significantly (P <0.05) decreased the latency and increased the duration of phenobarbitone induced sleeping time. At 200 mg/kg, the extract exhibited a significant (P <0.05) motor incoordination. The acute toxicity test revealed an oral LD₅₀ of 1 296 mg/kg, while the phytochemical studies showed the presence of alkaloids, resins, glycosides, carbohydrate, reducing sugar, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins and tannins.ConclusionThe extract of A. senegalensis possessed anticonvulsant activity with pronounced hypnotic and muscle relaxant effects.     

Skoura – a genetic island for congenital insensitivity to pain and anhidrosis among Moroccan Jews, as determined by a novel mutation in the NTRK1 gene

Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA) or hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type IV is a rare, autosomal recessive neurologic disorder, characterized by absence of reaction to painful stimuli, mental retardation, self- mutilating behavior, anhidrosis, and recurrent episodes of hyperthermia. Mutations in the neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor 1, a receptor phosphorylated by nerve growth factor, have been documented in diverse ethnic groups. We identified the same novel nonsense mutation in two unrelated families of Moroccan Jewish descent, each with two affected siblings. This possible founder mutation may trace to the rural Jewish village in southern Morocco from where both these families originated. Genetic screening for the causative mutation among 300 unrelated Moroccan Jews did not reveal carriers for the causative mutation, thus excluding high risk for CIPA in this ethnic subpopulation.