ATM-dependent DNA damage surveillance in T-cell development and leukemogenesis: the DSB connection

Summary:  The immune system is capable of recognizing and eliminating an enormous array of pathogens due to the extremely diverse antigen receptor repertoire of T and B lymphocytes. However, the development of lymphocytes bearing receptors with unique specificities requires the generation of programmed double strand breaks (DSBs) coupled with bursts of proliferation, rendering lymphocytes susceptible to mutations contributing to oncogenic transformation. Consequently, mechanisms responsible for monitoring global genomic integrity must be activated during lymphocyte development to limit the oncogenic potential of antigen receptor locus recombination. Mutations in ATM (ataxia-telangiectasia mutated), a kinase that coordinates DSB monitoring and the response to DNA damage, result in impaired T-cell development and predispose to T-cell leukemia. Here, we review recent evidence providing insight into the mechanisms by which ATM promotes normal lymphocyte development and protects from neoplastic transformation.     

The Impact of Community Diversity and Consolidated Inequality on Dropping Out of High School

Abstract: Data from the National Education Longitudinal Study were combined with census data at the zip code level to examine the impact of neighborhood racial and ethnic diversity and consolidated inequality, in addition to individual, family, and school factors, on the likelihood of dropping out of high school. Results indicate that while the effects for diversity and consolidated inequality did not support the stated hypotheses, main effects for family risk and prior academic achievement were significant and in the stated direction. Also, when controlling for individual, family, school, and neighborhood characteristics, African Americans were less likely than White students to drop out of school. Implications for contextual effects research and educational outcomes are discussed.     

The Evidence Base Supporting the Subtyping of Gamblers in Treatment

Introduction Recent reviews found problem gamblers are heterogeneous and recommended subtyping gamblers in treatment studies. Objective Review factors (stage of change, preferred gambling activity, co-occurring disorder, and temporal instability of symptoms) for subtyping by evaluating the evidence for their effects on gambling treatment. Methods Literature review, evidence grading. Results Evidence is limited that any of the reviewed factors affects gambling treatment. Substantial evidence from prospective studies and other evidence from cross-sectional studies and the strong placebo response among pathological gamblers support the temporal instability of gambling symptoms. Conclusions Multiple studies are needed to develop the evidence base needed to subtype gamblers in treatment. Changes in the diagnostic criteria of pathological gambling may be necessary, especially to specify the persistence of gambling-related symptoms.     

Right aortic arch detected in fetal life.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prenatal distribution, associated conditions and outcome of the different types of right aortic arch (RAA) detected in fetal life. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of all cases of RAA detected prenatally between 1998 and 2005 in two tertiary referral centers. RESULTS: In the study period 71 cases of RAA were detected; 26 (37%) had RAA with aberrant left subclavian artery, 23 (32%) had RAA with mirror-image branching, 20 (28%) had RAA of unknown type and two (3%) had double aortic arch. While 20/26 cases with RAA and aberrant left subclavian artery were isolated findings, all 23 cases with RAA and mirror-image branching were associated with cardiac defects, namely tetralogy of Fallot (43%) or pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (22%). Of the 20 cases with RAA, 19 of unknown type were associated with heterotaxy syndromes and had additional cardiac malformations and ambiguities of the situs. The two cases with DAA were isolated findings. Seven cases in our series (10%) had a microdeletion 22q11 and these were significantly associated with extracardiac malformations. The outcome in our series depended solely on the associated cardiac and extracardiac malformations, with the exception of one infant with isolated DAA, in whom a surgical correction was warranted. CONCLUSIONS: RAA detected in fetal life is associated frequently with other cardiac/non-cardiac malformations, heterotaxy syndromes and microdeletions 22q11. The associated conditions vary depending on the branching type of the brachiocephalic vessels and the presence of extracardiac malformations.     

神经修复导管的材料学及制备方法

目的:综合分析近年来国内外神经修复用导管材料以及制备方法的研究近况。资料来源:应用计算机检索ElsevierScience1996-01/2005-12有关神经修复及神经导管方面的文献,检索词分别为“nerveconduit,nerveguide,nerveregeneration”,限定文献语言种类为English。同时计算机检索清华数字期刊库、万方数据库1996-01/2005-12有关神经修复及神经导管方面的文献,检索词为“神经修复,导管”,限定语言种类为中文。资料选择:对检索到的神经再生、神经修复及神经导管方面的相关信息进行整理,选取针对性强的文章。同一领域的文献则选择近期发表或权威杂志的文章。资料提炼:共收集120篇关于神经修复、神经导管的文献,纳入23篇符合标准的文献。资料综合:用神经导管桥接断离神经是神经修复的重要方法之一,制备神经导管的材料按其降解性能分为生物不可降解材料和生物可降解材料,任何一种材料都有其优缺点,发展复合材料将是制备导管的主要方向。结论:虽然影响神经再生的因素还有许多,如神经生长因子、雪旺细胞等,但是新型的导管及制备方法将会有利于神经修复进一步发展。     

Revascularized fibula for tibia replacement in adamantinoma

Adamantinoma of long bones is one of the rarest of malignant bone tumors; it is commonly located in the middle or lower third of the diaphysis of the tibia. A case with multiple occurrences affecting both the tibia and fibula is presented. En bloc resection with wide operative margins was performed, and a large tibial defect of 23 cm was effectively bridged by a revascularized free fibular flap. At 13 months follow-up, there was no sign of local recurrence or metastasis, and the patient was mobile.     

Lugol液染色对食管早期癌和癌前病变的诊断价值

目的 探讨Lugol液染色对食管早期癌和癌前病变的诊断价值。方法 对45例食管黏膜可疑病变经内镜以2％Lugol液喷洒染色，观察黏膜染色情况，并取活检送病理组织学检查。结果 45例食管病变染色后，39例呈浅染色或不染色，其中食管癌8例（食管早期癌5例，进展期癌3例），Barrett食管5例，轻至中度不典型增生1l例。本组Lugol液染色对食管早期癌和癌前病变的检出率达46．7％。结论 内镜下应用Lugol液染色结合活检有助于食管早期癌和癌前病变的诊断，且操作简便，具有重要的临床价值。     

A Five-Step Strategy in Treatment of Diabetes

Diabetes is a metabolic syndrome characterized by hyperglycemia. When it manifests itself mainly in hyperglycemia, hypertension, hyperlipemia, hyperurecemia, and obesity, it is also called Ⅹ syndrome, or insulin-resistance syndrome. Step 1. Identifying t…