Pb2+ uptake by Lampito mauritii by in vivo bioelectrochemistry

In vivo bioelectrochemistry has been carried out for Lampito mauritii using a carbon fibre electrode (8–12 μm in diameter and 0.5 mm long) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) to identify and estimate the concentration of metal ions. The DPV of the post-clitellar region shows a well-defined peak at ?0.38 V/SCE which is attributed to Pb²⁺. This identification received further support by injecting Pb²⁺ into the first segment of the dissected worm, which increases the peak at ?0.38 V. The absorption rate of Pb²⁺ by the segmented worm is evaluated by in vivo bioelectrochemistry. The concentration of Pb²⁺ in this species is estimated at 446 ppm which is far above the toxicity levels for humans.     

Retromandibular Vein Diverticulum: Unique Imaging Findings with a Novel Therapeutic Strategy

Diverticula of the vascular system are rare. A diverticulum involving the retromandibular vein has not been described to date. We describe the imaging findings and a novel therapeutic strategy for the management of this rare diverticulum. A 25-year-old male presented with complaints of swelling behind the angle of mandible that enlarged on straining. On imaging, a retromandibular vein diverticulum was seen. The diverticulum was punctured percutaneously with the patient performing Valsalva maneuver and injected with sclerosant microfoam. There was no sclerosant reflux into the normal neck veins. At 6-month follow-up, the patient had complete resolution of his symptoms. We also have done a review of literature for patients with venous diverticula in the head and neck region treated by endovascular techniques.     

A simple two-step culture system for the large-scale generation of mature and functional dendritic cells from umbilical cord blood CD34+ cells

BACKGROUND: In vitro generated dendritic cells (DCs) are widely used as adjuvants in cancer immunotherapy. The major sources for DC generation are monocytes and CD34+ cells. CD34+-derived DCs are less frequently used in clinical applications because it requires complex generation methods. Here a simple method for the large-scale generation of mature functional DCs from umbilical cord blood–derived CD34+ cells is described.
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: CD34+ cells were first expanded with a combination of early acting growth factors in a medium containing autologous plasma. In the second step the DC precursors were further either enriched by plastic adherence or sorted on a cell sorter and differentiated as DCs. DCs generated by both methods were compared for their morphology, phenotype, and different functional variables.
RESULTS: This culture system provided a large-scale expansion of CD34+ cells giving a mean fold increase of 615. The majority of the expanded cells were interstitial DC precursors, that is, CD14+-positive cells. In vitro generated immature DCs could be matured into functional DCs by appropriate maturation stimuli. DCs generated by the plastic adherence method had a better cytokine profile and strong mixed leukocyte reaction compared to those generated by cell sorting.
CONCLUSION: A two-step culture system provides a large-scale expansion of CD34+ cells with a preferential lineage commitment toward CD14+ cells. Enrichment of these precursors with a simple plastic adherence technique results in generation of large numbers of mature, functional DCs. This method of in vitro DC generation will have applications in cancer immunotherapy.     

HOXA methylation in normal endometrium from premenopausal women is associated with the presence of ovarian cancer: A proof of principle study

DNA methylation of polycomb group target (PCGT) genes is an early step in carcinogenesis and could potentially be assayed to determine cancer risk prediction. To assess whether methylation changes in PCGT genes in normal tissue is able to predict the presence of cancer, we studied HOXA gene methylation in normal endometrium from premenopausal ovarian cancer patients and age‐matched healthy controls without ovarian cancer. DNA methylation of HOXA9 and HOXA11 genes in normal endometrium was associated with ovarian cancer in an initial test set and this was subsequently confirmed in independent validation sample sets. The overall risk of ovarian cancer was increased 12.3‐fold by high HOXA9 methylation for all stages, and 14.8‐fold for early stage ovarian cancers, independent of age, phase of the menstrual cycle and histology of the cancer. The results of this proof of principle study demonstrate the potential to detect ovarian cancer via analysis of normal endometrial cells and provide insight into the possible contribution of this novel approach in ovarian cancer risk prediction and prevention. © 2009 UICC     

Outcome of thyroglossal duct cyst excision is independent of presenting age or symptomatology

BACKGROUND: Thyroglossal duct cysts (TGDCs) are the most common form of congenital neck cyst, accounting for up to 70% of such lesions. There has been no consensus on which factors predict outcome of thyroglossal duct cyst excision. The objective of the current study is to evaluate the relevance of symptomatology and age at presentation with outcome of TGDCs. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients with TGDC at a tertiary care children's hospital. Data collected included patient's age, gender, clinical presentation, presence or absence of preoperative infection, imaging modality, type of procedure performed, size and location of the lesion, postoperative infection, complications, and recurrence of disease. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients were identified (59% female, 41% male). Age of presentation was bimodal and ranged from 18 months to 14 years. The most common presenting symptom was the presence of an asymptomatic midline neck mass (76%). A history of preoperative TGDC infection was present in 22% of patients /=5 years of age. Recurrence rate after the Sistrunk procedure was 3.4%. CONCLUSIONS: The finding of a midline neck mass is the most common presentation of TGDCs in toddlers, whereas infection is the most common presenting symptoms in school-aged children. The incidence of preoperative infection was 41% in our series, much higher than previously reported. Independent of presenting age and symptomatology, recurrence of TGDC remains low when the Sistrunk procedure is employed.