Scar sign of renal oncocytoma: Magnetic resonance imaging appearance and lack of specificity

This case report illustrates the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearance of a typically asymptomatic renal oncocytoma as a homogeneous mass of medium signal with a stellate central region of decreased signal, representing the central scar. The MRI was correlated with computed tomography (CT), ultrasound (US), and gross pathologic appearance. The appearance of a central scar is not specific for oncocytoma and does not exclude renal cell carcinoma, as illustrated by a second case.     

Mitogen responsiveness of lymphocytes from the BB/W rat

The response of BB diabetes-prone (DP) and W-line non-diabetes-prone rats to the T-cell mitogen concanavalin A (ConA) was measured. The W line was a good responder to ConA, whereas the DP was relatively unresponsive. This unresponsiveness could not be reversed with exogenous interleukin 2 (IL-2). The response of DP rats was enhanced by removing adherent cells. To directly test the response of BB T-cells, they were isolated by flow sorting. These experiments demonstrated that BB T-cells could mount a normal ConA response. The normal function of isolated BB T-cells suggested that they were under suppression. Suppressor activity could not be found in the OX8+ population but was found in the DP-adherent cell population. Adherent cells from the W line were not suppressive at the concentrations used. These results showed that the decreased mitogen responsiveness of BB T-cells was not due to an intrinsic T-cell abnormality but was due, in part, to suppression by adherent cells.     

Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis. Case report and review of Italian literature

A case of cryptococcal meningoencephalitis, as presented by a hypertensive hydrocephalus, is described. To our knowledge, this is the 24th case described in Italy since 1953. The diagnosis was made with ventricular fluid examination: the patient was successfully treated with amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine, thus avoiding the risks of surgical treatment of hydrocephalus. Early diagnosis and proper therapy are necessary in order to decrease the high lethality of cryptococcosis.     

The pattern evoked response in disorders of the optic nerve

The pattern evoked electroretinogram (PERG) was investigated in 11 patients with unilateral optic nerve disease and in a series of age-matched controls. The visually evoked potential (VEP) was also measured. The PERG showed a similar reduction to the VEP in optic nerve disease. Serial studies indicate that the PERG may not be affected immediately in some instances but may show a gradual decline over several months.     

1-Methyl-4-(2'-methylphenyl)-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (2'-CH3-MPTP) is a more potent dopaminergic neurotoxin than MPTP in mice

The administration to mice of 1-methyl-4-(2'-methylphenyl)-1,2,3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (2'-CH3-MPTP), a substituted analog of the dopaminergic neurotoxin MPTP caused even more dopaminergic toxicity than MPTP itself. Under conditions in which MPTP was relatively ineffective (i.e. two injections per day of 0.113 mmol/kg at an interval of 6 h for one or two days), 2'-CH3-MPTP caused a very large decrement in the neostriatal content of dopamine and its metabolites and a corresponding decrement in the capacity of a neostriatal synaptosomal preparation to take up [3H]dopamine. Moreover, 2'-CH3-MPTP administration (as few as four injections) caused a virtually complete loss of nerve cells in the zona compacta of the substantia nigra. This compound, like MPTP, may prove to be a valuable research tool.     

Adaptation française du Patient Generated Index: qualités métrologiques et limites pratiques

The aims of this research are to (1) present the French version of the Patient Generated Index (PGI, [17]), (2) test its psychometric characteristics and (3) examine the tool’s practical limitations. To achieve those goals, we conducted two studies. The first was a qualitative study of 18 participants who indicated their difficulties and expressed other comments concerning the completion of an initial back translation of the PGI. The second study tested the psychometric qualities of the adapted and revised back translation of the PGI with 97 cancer patients. To assess criterion validity, they also completed the Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 (QLQ-C30), Profile of Mood States (POMS) and Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). The results indicate that PGI has good sensitivity, validity and test-retest stability. Test-retest reliability, nevertheless, must be improved.     

Clinical and molecular findings in IPEX syndrome.

IPEX (immunodysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X linked syndrome) is a rare disorder which usually results in death in early infancy or childhood. Clinical awareness remains the cornerstone of diagnosis, and provided that the diagnosis is entertained, mutation analysis for FOXP3 gene mutations can be confirmatory. Two new patients in whom IPEX was diagnosed retrospectively are reported.