The Sigma-trial protocol: a prospective double-blind multi-centre comparison of laparoscopic versus open elective sigmoid resection in patients with symptomatic diverticulitis

Backround  

Diverticulosis is a common disease in the western society with an incidence of 33–66%. 10–25% of these patients will develop diverticulitis. In order to prevent a high-risk acute operation it is advised to perform elective sigmoid resection after two episodes of diverticulitis in the elderly patient or after one episode in the younger (< 50 years) patient. Open sigmoid resection is still the gold standard, but laparoscopic colon resections seem to have certain advantages over open procedures. On the other hand, a double blind investigation has never been performed. The Sigma-trial is designed to evaluate the presumed advantages of laparoscopic over open sigmoid resections in patients with symptomatic diverticulitis.     

Involvement of microtubules in Kunjin virus replication

Summary Induction of microtubulin paracrystals (Pc) by Kunjin (KUN) virus occurred after 15 hours post-infection and were often associated with convoluted membranes (cm) and virus particles. Vinblastine sulphate which disrupts microtubulin, had an inhibitory effect on the virus production when added during the viral latent period. When infected samples were extracted with Triton X-100 and analysed by SDS-PAGE, four viral proteins were observed.     

Sinonasal small cell neoplasm developing after radiation therapy for retinoblastoma: an immunohistologic, ultrastructural, and cytogenetic study.

Patients with retinoblastoma have an increased risk of developing second primary tumors. Only a few examples of sinonasal small cell neoplasms developing after radiation therapy for retinoblastoma have been reported. We report one such case that developed 18 years after treatment for retinoblastoma. Histologic examination revealed a small, blue, round cell tumor without rosettes or cytoplasmic glycogen. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for neuron-specific enolase, synaptophysin, and S-100 protein, but negative for epithelial and mesenchymal markers, suggesting that this was a primitive neuroectodermal tumor. Cytogenetic studies of this tumor failed to reveal the chromosome 13 abnormality typical of retinoblastoma and the t(11:22) translocation typical of the group of peripheral neuroepitheliomas.