Computed tomography in CNS tuberculosis

Computed tomography (CT) was performed in 14 cases of tuberculous meningitis (TBM), 12 of which were examined during the acute phase of the disease. CT findings in these cases included internal hydrocephalus (6/12), internal combined with external hydrocephalus (2/12), focal lesions consistent with localized encephalitis (3/12), diffuse brain edema (1/12), and middle cerebral artery infarction (1/12). In comparison to 32 cases of nonspecific bacterial meningitis, internal hydrocephalus was found significantly more often in TBM than in nonspecific meningitis (p less than 0.01) making CT an additional tool for the differentiation of these conditions in doubtful cases. In addition, CT features of 2 cases of cerebral tuberculoma are presented.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bcl11b</Emphasis>mutations identified in murine lymphomas increase the proliferation rate of hematopoietic progenitor cells

Background  

The telomeric region of mouse chromosome 12 has previously shown frequent allelic loss in murine lymphoma. The Bcl11b gene has been identified and suggested as a candidate tumor suppressor gene within this region. In this study, we aimed to elucidate whether Bcl11b is mutated in lymphomas with allelic loss, and whether the mutations we detected conferred any effect on cell proliferation and apoptosis.     

Tissue Doppler gated (TDOG) dynamic three-dimensional ultrasound imaging of the fetal heart.

Dynamic three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound imaging of the fetal heart is difficult due to the absence of an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal for synchronization between loops. In this study we introduce tissue Doppler gating (TDOG), a technique in which tissue Doppler data are used to calculate a gating signal. We have applied this cardiac gating method to dynamic 3D reconstructions of the heart of eight fetuses aged 20-24 weeks.The gating signal was derived from the amplitude and frequency contents of the tissue Doppler signal. We used this signal as a replacement for ECG in a 3D-volume reconstruction and visualization, utilizing techniques established in ECG-gated 3D echocardiography.The reliability of the TDOG signal for fetal cardiac cycle detection was experimentally investigated. Simultaneous recordings of tissue Doppler of the heart and continuous wave (CW) spectral Doppler of the umbilical artery (UA) were performed using two independent ultrasound systems, and the TDOG signal from one system was compared to the Doppler spectrum data from the other system. Each recording consisted of a two-dimensional (2D) sector scan, transabdominally and slowly tilted by the operator, covering the fetal heart over approximately 40 cardiac cycles. The total angle of the sweep was estimated by recording a separate loop through the center of the heart, in the elevation direction of the sweep.3D reconstruction and visualization were performed with the EchoPAC-3D software (GE Medical Systems). The 3D data were visualized by showing simultaneous cineloops of three 2D slices, as well as by volume projections running in cineloop.Synchronization of B-mode cineloops with the TDOG signal proved to be sufficiently accurate for reconstruction of high-quality dynamic 3D data. We show one example of a B-mode recording with a frame rate of 96 frames/s over 20 seconds. The reconstruction consists of 31 volumes, each with 49 tilted frames. With the fetal heart positioned 5-8 cm from the transducer, the sampling distances were approximately 0.15 mm in the beam direction, 0.33 degrees approximately 0.37 mm azimuth and 0.45 degrees approximately 0.51 mm elevation. From this single dataset we were able to generate a complete set of classical 2D views (such as four-chamber, three-vessel and short-axis views as well as those of the ascending aorta, aortic and ductal arches and inferior and superior venae cavae) with high image quality adequate for clinical use.     

Awareness of warning symptoms and risk factors of stroke in the general population and in survivors stroke.

Awareness among the general population of the risk factors and warning symptoms of stroke is essential for preventative purposes and for immediate effective treatment. The aim of the present study was to assess the awareness, among the general population and stroke survivors, of the risk factors and warning symptoms of stroke, to develop an educational strategy for its prevention and immediate effective treatment. Six hundred and sixty stroke patients (370 male, 290 female) and 4000 people from the general population who accompanied the patients (2800 male, 1200 female) were interviewed, using three sets of questionnaires, on the risk factors and warning symptoms of stroke. Poor knowledge or awareness of the risk factors and warning symptoms of stroke was found in both groups. Both groups suggested educational programs for stroke using printed information, audiovisual programs and community survey programs using simple and understandable information for the prevention and immediate effective treatment of stroke. Poor awareness of stroke contributes to a delay in the arrival of patients in hospital emergency departments for immediate effective treatment. Multifaceted programs regarding stroke, including printed information, audiovisual programs and stroke service programs, are advocated by both patients and the general population to improve stoke treatment and prevention.     

Verruciform xanthoma]

BACKGROUND: Verruciform xanthoma (VX), a rare, benign lesion of the skin and mucosa, is slow-growing, asymptomatic and characterized by a granular (verruciform) surface. It is yellowish-red or grey in color and up to 2 cm in diameter. Histologically, a papillary and/or verrucous proliferation of the squamous epithelium with hyperparakeratosis and numerous foam cells is present. These cells are predominantly located within the papillae of the lamina propria. For differential diagnosis, other papillomatous and verrucous lesions such as verrucous carcinomas or squamous cell carcinomas need to be ruled out. CASE REPORT: A 46-year-old patient with VX located on the alveolar process regio 26-28 is presented. Clinically, a 2 x 2 cm granular, oral mucosa surface lesion extending onto the palate occurred in regio 26-28. Biopsy was characterized light microscopically by the presence of swollen, elongated cells in the submucosa, an indication of VX alterations. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated foam cells in the subepithelium containing numerous membrane-bound vesicles similar in diameter and showing a wide variation in electron density. Morphologically, these cells resembled macrophage-related cells. The lesion was excised in total with no evidence of recurrence after 9 months. DISCUSSION: The pathogenesis of VX is still unclear. The characteristic xanthoma cells may play a major role in VX. Microscopic analysis of the morphology of the foam cells indicated that they may represent a differentiated form of macrophages. Lipid vesicles inside these cells differed in their electron density indicating a heterogeneous biochemistry or different states of maturation.     

P31 The relationship between the relative amount of Porphyromonas gingivalis in saliva and halitosis

Objectives  Porphyromonas gingivalis is one of the microorganisms that most actively produce CH₃SH and we have reported that subjects with P . gingivalis have higher CH₃SH levels than subjects without P .  gingivalis . However, little is known about the relationship between P . gingivalis levels in saliva and the condition of oral malodor. In this study, we evaluated the association between the relative amount of P . gingivalis in saliva and halitosis in mouth air.
Methods  All of the subjects were patients at the Preventive Dentistry and Breath Odor Clinic of Kyushu Dental College, where they received a periodontal examination. Volatile sulfur compounds (VSC: hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan) were measured using gas chromatography. Saliva samples were collected in a sterile plastic tube over a period of 5 min while the subject chewed on paraffin wax, and were then immediately stored at –80°C until use. Template DNA was obtained from the stored saliva using an Easy-DNA Kit (Invitrogen, CA, USA) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Conventional PCR assays were used to confirm the presence of P . gingivalis . A 5' nuclease TaqMan PCR was used to quantify P . gingivalis in saliva. The relative numbers of bacteria were measured using the comparative threshold cycle method.
Results  We found a quantitative relationship between the P . gingivalis levels in saliva and the condition of halitosis in mouth air.
Conclusion  We analyzed the relationship between the relative amount of P . gingivalis in saliva and oral malodor.