In vivo MRI tracking of exogenous monocytes/macrophages targeting brain tumors in a rat model of glioma

This study has shown that murine monocytes/macrophages (Mo/Ma) can be labeled simply and efficiently with large, green-fluorescent, micrometer-sized particles of iron-oxide (MPIO). Neither size nor proliferation rate of the Mo/Ma is significantly affected by this labeling. The labeled Mo/Ma have been administered intravenously to rats that had developed a glioma following stereotactic injection of C6 cells. The labeled Mo/Ma were shown to target the brain tumors, a process that could be monitored non-invasively using T2*-weighted MRI. MRI observations were confirmed by Prussian blue staining, lectin staining and fluorescence histology. Overall, the results of this study suggest that the use of Mo/Ma may be envisaged in the clinic for vectorizing therapeutic agents toward gliomas.     

Anterior cervical fusion and Caspar plate stabilization for cervical trauma

A technique for anterior cervical iliac graft fusion with standardized, commercially available screw and plate fixation (Caspar plating) has been developed. The step-by-step procedure, as well as the instruments designed to facilitate the procedure, are described in this report. Sixty cases of cervical trauma (fractures, subluxations, ligamentous instability, or a combination of these problems) were treated with Caspar plating. All patients obtained fusion, and stability was achieved immediately after surgery without external stabilization. No unusual surgical complications occurred, and the most dreaded complication of dural penetration by drilling or screw placement was not observed. This report details the neurological presentation, anatomical lesions, surgical therapy, and outcome of these patients. Caspar plating combines the advantage of an anterior surgical approach with immediate postoperative stabilization without external stabilization. This advantage persists even in the presence of posterior ligamentous instability. The technique is an important addition to the surgical treatment of cervical trauma.     

Congenital hepatic fibrosis

We report the clinical features of 7 men (mean age 22 years, range 7-53 years) with congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF). Five patients presented with variceal bleeding and/or hepatosplenomegaly due to portal hypertension. Cholangitis was the presenting symptom in the other 2 cases. Diagnosis was established by histological examination of a surgical wedge biopsy (4 patients) or needle biopsy (3 patients). A portal-systemic shunting was performed in 6 patients, three times prophylactically. None of the 5 survivors developed chronic hepatic encephalopathy. Recurrent bouts of cholangitis with septicemia and hepatic abscesses were a major complication in 5 patients with a fatal outcome in 2 cases. Six patients had associated small and large cysts in the cortex of both kidneys, compatible with adult-type polycystic disease. One patient developed terminal renal insufficiency. In 3 patients kidney function remained normal at a mean follow-up time of 7.5 years (range 1-18 years). In 2 families (4 cases) an autosomal dominant inheritance of renal disease was suggested. This study demonstrates that CHF is a rare cause of portal hypertension in late childhood and in adults. Cholangitis is a severe and frequently fatal complication. Association with a variety of congenital renal abnormalities is very frequent. However, the association with adult-type polycystic disease as reported in 4 cases is very rare.     

The use of 7-amino actinomycin D in identifying apoptosis: simplicity of use and broad spectrum of application compared with other techniques

The detection and quantitation of apoptotic cells is becoming increasingly important in the investigation of the role of apoptosis in cellular proliferation and differentiation. The pathogenesis of hematologic disorders such as aplastic anemia and the development of neoplasia are believed to involve dysregulation of apoptosis. To quantitate accurately the proportion of apoptosis cells within different cell types of a heterogeneous cell population such as blood or bone marrow, a method is required that combines the analysis of large numbers of cells with concurrent immunophenotyping of cell surface antigens. In this study, we have evaluated such a method using the fluorescent DNA binding agent, 7-amino actinomycin D (7AAD), to stain three diverse human cell lines, induced to undergo apoptosis by three different stimuli. Flow cytometric analysis defines three populations on the basis of 7AAD fluorescence and forward light scatter. We have shown by cell sorting and subsequent morphological assessment and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling that the populations defined by 7AAD represent live, apoptotic, and late-apoptotic/dead cells. This method is quick, simple, reproducible, and cheap and will be a valuable tool in the investigation of the role of apoptosis in normal physiology and in disease states.     

Endovascular treatment of aneurisms: Pre,intra and post operative management

The most frequent risk in endovascular aneurysm treatment is thromboembolic complications. Thus adjuvant pharmaceuticals are largely focused on preventing and treating these latter. Additionally symptomatic treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and treatments to avoid vasospasm will enter into play in cases of ruptured aneurisms.     

Traitement chirurgical dans les tumeurs desmoïdes extra-abdominales: analyse critique d’une série de 36 patients opérés

Desmoid fibromatoses are a rare benign tumour but with a high rate of local recidivism. The goal of this article was to identify the prognostic factor and to evaluate the efficacy of the surgery. We report 36 patients who underwent surgery in our department between 1989 and 2008. Twenty-four had recidivism. This tumour primarily affects women in the third or fourth decade. The principal prognostic factor is the margin of resection. MRI seems to be useful to predict the potential of recidivism. The role of the surgery remains to be determined, and therapeutic indication must to be discussed with regard to benefits and risks. Also, the “wait and see??attitude must be evaluated as this tumour stabilizes spontaneously.