Hemangioma in a lymph node

Hemangiomas occurring in lymph nodes are extremely rare and, to our knowledge, have been documented in the literature only once previously. We report an additional case that was found incidentally in a patient who had undergone a right hemicolectomy and small-bowel resection for widespread angiodysplasia. In addition, the patient also had a third type of vascular lesion, namely, a hemangiopericytoma of the oral mucosa. We also reviewed the literature regarding vasoformative lesions occurring in lymph nodes.     

Muscarinic-induced modulation of potassium conductances is unchanged in mouse hippocampal pyramidal cells that lack functional M1 receptors

Activation of muscarinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptors (mAChRs) increases excitability of pyramidal cells by inhibiting several K+ conductances, including the after-hyperpolarization current (Iahp), the M-current (Im), and a leak K+ conductance (Ileak). Based on pharmacological evidence and the abundant localization of M1 receptors in pyramidal cells, it has been assumed that the M1 receptor is responsible for mediating these effects. However, given the poor selectivity of the pharmacological agents used to characterize these mAChR responses, rigorous characterization of the receptor subtypes that mediate these actions has not been possible. Surprisingly, patch clamp recording from CA1 pyramidal cells in M1 knockout mice revealed no significant difference in the degree of inhibition of Iahp, Im, or Ileak by the mAChR agonist, carbachol (CCh), as compared with wildtype controls. In addition, the M1-toxin was not able to block CCh's inhibition of the Iahp, Im, or Ileak These data demonstrate that the M1 receptor is not involved in increasing CA1 pyramidal cell excitability by mediating ACh effects on these K+ conductances.     

Monoclonal anti-keratin (AE1) reactivity in routinely processed tissue from 166 human neoplasms

A large number of human neoplasms were tested for their keratin expression in routinely processed tissues by a simple, three-stage immunoperoxidase method using a broadly reactive monoclonal anti-keratin antibody AE1, which recognizes a number of keratin polypeptides distributed in a wide variety of epithelia. All carcinomas, with the exception of hepatocellular, adrenocortical, and basal cell carcinomas and occasional renal cell, pulmonary small-cell, and pulmonary large-cell anaplastic carcinomas, reacted with this antibody irrespective of differentiation, in most instances displaying staining of strong or moderate intensity in the majority of tumor cells. Equivocal results were obtained in some seminomas and dysgerminomas. Malignant melanoma, large-cell lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, malignant histiocytosis, and stromal mesenchymal elements in all tumors did not show any reactivity with AE1. Even after routine processing, the determinant detected by AE1 is conserved and restricted to epithelial neoplasms. This suggests that AE1 would be valuable in the diagnostic distinction of anaplastic carcinoma from lymphoma and melanoma in routinely processed tissues.     

Caffeine suppresses metastasis in a transgenic mouse model: a prototype molecule for prophylaxis of metastasis

A significant fraction of cancer patients have occult disseminated tumors at the time of primary diagnosis, which usually progress to become clinically relevant lesions. Since the majority of cancer mortality is associated with metastatic disease, the ability to inhibit the growth of the secondary tumors would significantly reduce cancer-related morbidity and mortality. We have investigated whether caffeine, which has been shown to suppress tumor cell invasiveness and experimental metastasis, can suppress metastasis in a spontaneous transgene-induced mammary tumor model. Chronic exposure to caffeine prior to the appearance of palpable mammary tumors significantly reduced both tumor burden and metastatic colonization. However, when caffeine exposure began after the appearance of frank tumors, caffeine suppressed metastasis without changing primary tumor burden. The means by which caffeine suppressed metastatic activity may be associated with inhibition of malignant transformation of mammary epithelial cells, inhibition of conversion of dormant tumor cells to micrometastases, micrometastases to macrometastases, or inhibition of tumor cell adhesion and motility. Gene and protein expression patterns resulting from caffeine treatment showed that metastasis suppression may be associated with up-regulation the mRNA expression of multiple extracellular matrix genes, including Fbln1, Bgn, Sparc, Fbn1, Loxl1, Col1a1, Col3a1, Col5a1, Col5a2, Col5a3, Col6a1, Col6a2, and Col6a3. These data suggested that caffeine or other methyl xanthine derivatives may improve the clinical outcome in patients prior to and following the diagnosis of metastatic disease, and could potentially reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with disseminated tumors.This revised version was published online in August 2005 with a corrected cover date.     

Independent developmental regulation of migratory granule neurons and their cerebellar ligand in the mouse

Interactions between migratory granule neurons and the developing molecular layer of the mouse cerebellum were examined using an in situ binding assay. Single cell suspensions of postnatal granule neurons specifically adhere to unfixed frozen cerebellar tissue sections. We investigated the influence of postnatal age of granule neurons and of tissue on this interaction. Granule neurons from P10 (the time of peak migratory activity) bind preferentially to the molecular layer. Premigratory granule neurons, P5, do not bind age-matched cerebellar tissue. Postmigratory granule neurons, P14 and older, adhere to the molecular and internal granular layers of age-matched and older cerebellar tissue but not to younger tissue. These binding patterns are most simply explained as a single receptor-ligand system in which both elements exhibit independent developmental regulation. Although granule neurons lose the ability to bind with increasing age, the molecular layer ligand retains its capacity for this interaction into adulthood, long after normal migration has ceased.     

A new influenza A virus infection in turkeys

Summary In transmission experiments, the influenza A virus isolate turkey/ Ontario 7732/66 caused an acute disease in chickens and turkeys, but was apathogenic to ducks, geese and pigeons. After an incubation period from two to eight days, turkeys and chickens became rapidly depressed and died usually within the following four days. Other clinical signs were variable for the two gallinaceous species, such as exudative head swellings and gangrenous comb lesions in chickens, and diarrhea in turkeys. Infection by even minimal virus doses was fatal in turkeys, whereas chickens sometimes recovered from the disease or remained unaffected by the infection. Serial passage of the virus in chicken embryos accentuated this difference in species susceptibility still more. The infection spread easily by close contact among turkeys, but less among chickens.The signs and course of the disease by virus 7732 are compared to those described for classical fowl plague, and it is concluded that these two avian influenza virus infections cannot be differentiated by clinical criteria.     

A preliminary report of the collaborative study of maternal phenylketonuria in the United States and Canada

Summary The Maternal Phenylketonuria Collaborative Study (MPKUCS), encompassing all the United States and provinces of Canada, is a prospective, longitudinal investigation designed to ascertain the efficacy of phenylalanine-restricted therapy in protecting the fetus from high maternal phenylalanine concentrations in women with hyperphenylalaninaemia.Preliminary findings are reported for 147 pregnancies for whom the recommended therapeutic range of blood phenylalanine was 120–360 µmol/L. Sixty-three pregnancies had complete data for analysis. Dietary control was attempted prior to conception in 10 out of 63 women. Significant negative correlations were noted in length, weight and head circumference and blood phenylalanine concentrations during pregnancy. Average reported phenylalanine levels by trimester for 63 hyperphenylalaninaemic pregnancies resulting in live births revealed that no group requiring treatment achieved levels below 360 µmol/L until the third trimester. Median birth measurement percentiles revealed that all groups studied generally had smaller head size compared with birth length and weight. Those started on diet after the first trimester achieved a head circumference below the 10th percentile.The implication of small head circumference for subsequent intellectual development is unclear at this time. Furthermore, the study must evaluate more offspring of women having optimal preconception and pregnancy restriction of phenylalanine.     

Failure of an Experimental Treatment Program to Inculcate Controlled Drinking in Alcoholics

This paper reviews an out-patient pilot experiment that attempted to inculcate controlled drinking behavior in alcoholics. The methods are detailed along with some of the problems experienced and solutions invoked. The nature of a long term follow-up study is discussed and the results are presented. Thirty-five patients were referred or self-referred to the experimental program. Ten people came one time only and decided that they did not want to participate. Eleven others came less than six times, some of them saying they felt that too much effort was required of them and that it would be easier to stop drinking altogether. A total of 14 people came at least six times and nine of these came on 12 to 24 occasions. Treatments were held weekly and lasted at least four hours. This follow-up is the longest yet reported of a program designed to maintain controlled drinking in alcoholics. The follow-up period ranged from 27 to 55 months since treatment was completed. Although patients who persisted in the program were very successful at learning to recognize their levels of blood alcohol and at developing controlled drinking patterns while in the program, the follow-up results indicate that sooner or later all of them had begun to drink again with loss of control.     

Assessment of Cognitive Training & Social Interaction in People with Mild to Moderate Dementia: A Pilot Study

Objectives: To evaluate the cognitive, neuropsychiatric, and quality of life outcomes of computer-based cognitive training and social interaction on people with mild to moderate dementia.

Methods: Ten individuals with dementia were recruited to complete a cognitive training regimen. They were randomly assigned to a high social interaction (HSI) group (n = 5) and low social interaction (LSI) group (n = 5). Eight of the original 10 participants completed the cognitive training and were evaluated on cognitive abilities, neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), and quality of life (QoL).

Results: Mean scores for the HSI group increased on cognitive assessments, where mean scores for the LSI group saw decline, or stability. There was an overall reduction in the frequency and severity of NPS presentation in both the HSI and LSI group. Mixed results were found for mean changes in QoL.

Discussion: These results support the idea of social interaction influencing cognitive outcomes, cognitive training influencing NPS, and both social interaction and cognitive training influencing QoL. The findings illustrate the feasibility and importance of incorporating social activity to computerized cognitive training for people with dementia.

Clinical Implications: Cognitive training that incorporates social interaction may be a promising intervention for individuals with dementia experiencing NPS.