Parietal lobe epileptic focus identified on SPECT-MRI fusion imaging in a case of epilepsia partialis continua

Epilepsia partialis continua, or "Kozhevnikov syndrome," is a rare condition characterized by persistent localized motor seizures usually localized in a distant limb. It is most often seen in children under 16 years old without gender preference. We report a 12-year-old girl with epilepsia partialis continua who presented to the emergency room after the onset of seizures. Routine electroencephalography (EEG) was performed with no clear ictal localization. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was unremarkable. Ictal single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images with Tc-99m exametazime fused with MRI images revealed a parietal lobe epileptic focus within the superior segment of the postcentral gyrus. This case illustrates a rare disorder with an unusual epileptic localization identified by SPECT-MRI fusion.     

Precision and linearity targets for validation of an IFNγ ELISPOT, cytokine flow cytometry, and tetramer assay using CMV peptides

Background

Intestinal mucus production by hyperplasic goblet cells is a striking pathological feature of many parasitic helminth infections and is related to intestinal protection and worm expulsion. Induction of goblet cell hyperplasia is associated with TH2 immune responses, which in helminth infections are controlled primarily by IL-13, and also IL-4. In the study presented here we examine the goblet cell hyperplasic response to three experimental parasitic helminth infections; namelyNippostrongylus brasiliensis,Syphacia obvelataandSchistosoma mansoni.

Results

As expectedN. brasiliensisinfection induced a strong goblet cell hyperplasia dependent on IL-4/IL-13/IL-4Rα expression. In contrast, and despite previously published transiently elevated IL-4/IL-13 levels,S. obvelatainfections did not increase goblet cell hyperplasia in the colon. Furthermore, induction of goblet cell hyperplasia in response toS. mansonieggs traversing the intestine was equivalent between BALB/c, IL-4/IL-13^-/-and IL-4Rα^-/-mice.

Conclusion

Together these data demonstrate that intestinal goblet cell hyperplasia can be independent of TH2 immune responses associated with parasitic helminth infections.     

The Y-chromosome landscape of the Philippines: extensive heterogeneity and varying genetic affinities of Negrito and non-Negrito groups

The Philippines exhibits a rich diversity of people, languages, and culture, including so-called ‘Negrito'' groups that have for long fascinated anthropologists, yet little is known about their genetic diversity. We report here, a survey of Y-chromosome variation in 390 individuals from 16 Filipino ethnolinguistic groups, including six Negrito groups, from across the archipelago. We find extreme diversity in the Y-chromosome lineages of Filipino groups with heterogeneity seen in both Negrito and non-Negrito groups, which does not support a simple dichotomy of Filipino groups as Negrito vs non-Negrito. Filipino non-recombining region of the human Y chromosome lineages reflect a chronology that extends from after the initial colonization of the Asia-Pacific region, to the time frame of the Austronesian expansion. Filipino groups appear to have diverse genetic affinities with different populations in the Asia-Pacific region. In particular, some Negrito groups are associated with indigenous Australians, with a potential time for the association ranging from the initial colonization of the region to more recent (after colonization) times. Overall, our results indicate extensive heterogeneity contributing to a complex genetic history for Filipino groups, with varying roles for migrations from outside the Philippines, genetic drift, and admixture among neighboring groups.     

Regional growth of different human melanomas as metastases in the brain of nude mice.

Cells from eight different human melanomas and two murine melanomas were injected into the internal carotid artery of anesthetized nude mice. Although all were injected by the same route, particular melanomas produced lesions in different regions of the brain. Two melanoma cell lines isolated originally from brain metastases in patients produced metastases predominantly in the brain parenchyma. In contrast, melanoma cells from subcutaneous or lymph node metastases produced more lesions in the meninges, choroid plexus, and ventricles than in the brain parenchyma. All of the melanomas grew in the brain after a direct intracerebral injection. The pattern of brain metastasis did not correlate with tumorigenicity per se or with the ability of the melanomas to grow in the lungs of nude mice. Two mouse melanomas showed different patterns of experimental metastasis after internal carotid artery injection, with one growing predominantly in the parenchyma and the other more frequently in the meninges and choroid plexus. The growth pattern of human melanoma metastasis in the brain of T cell-deficient nude mice suggests that it is determined by properties unique to each tumor interacting with the host's organ microenvironment.     

Computer-assisted image analysis of silver staining in normal and leukemic bone marrow

Computer-assisted image analysis was used to quantitate the amount of silver staining in interphase nuclei of bone marrow cells from acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) patients. When we compared the data obtained for the interphase nuclei with that obtained for the metaphase spreads, we found a strong correlation between the fraction of bone-marrow metaphases stained positively with silver, the average number of silver-positive nucleolus organizer regions per metaphase, and the amount of silver staining in the interphase nuclei. Computer-assisted image analysis of interphase nuclei can be used, therefore, to differentiate normal from ALL bone-marrow samples.     

Enhanced external counterpulsation as an adjunct to revascularization in unstable angina

Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is an effective noninvasive treatment for chronic stable angina. Despite intensive risk factor modification, a patient required two surgical coronary revascularizations and seven multivessel angioplasties over a 26-monfh period, demonstrating recurrent unstable angina and persistent thallium perfusion defects despite revascularization. Post EECP, angina was relieved, thallium defects were resolved, and the patient has remained asymptomatic for 36 months.     

Augmentation of antiproliferative activity of interferon alfa against human bladder tumor cell lines by encapsulation of interferon alfa within liposomes

Present therapy for human bladder cancer includes the intravesical administration of antiproliferative agents, such as recombinant human interferon alfa (IFN-alpha). The administration of cytotoxic molecules encapsulated in liposomes could provide a more efficient method for such therapy. Therefore, we determined whether encapsulation of the recombinant human IFN-alpha hybrid BBDD within liposomes will produce antitumor effects against the human bladder cancer cell line 253J superior to those observed with free IFN-alpha. Adherent cells were cultured in medium alone, in medium containing different concentrations of IFN-alpha, or in medium containing multilamellar liposomes (phosphatidylcholine-phosphatidylserine at a molar ratio of 7:3) that encapsulated saline or IFN-alpha. Cell growth was determined 96-120 hours later. Additional control groups consisted of target cells cultured with free IFN-alpha or with IFN-alpha plus liposomes containing saline. Cytostasis mediated by free IFN-alpha alone or IFN-alpha in the presence of liposome-saline was identical and ranged from 0%-30% (10 IU/mL) to 45%-70% (1,000 IU/mL). Liposomes containing saline produced no effects. Liposome-encapsulated IFN-alpha produced significantly greater growth inhibition than free IFN-alpha: 40%-70% (10 IU/mL) and 80%-90% (1,000 IU/mL), respectively. Moreover, a 253J variant subline selected for resistance to free IFN-alpha was sensitive to IFN-alpha presented in liposomes. These data suggest that the encapsulation of antiproliferative agents such as IFN-alpha in liposomes can improve therapeutic results.     

Impaired immune function in patients with xeroderma pigmentosum

The development of contact allergy in sun-exposed skin is markedly impaired in patients with xeroderma pigmentosum as compared to the responses in healthy control subjects. The degree of this immunological impairment is directly related to the severity of the cutaneous disease. These findings raise the possibility that sunlight-induced alterations of immune function may be involved in the marked susceptibility of these patients to the development of nonmelanoma skin cancer.     

Expression of activated platelet-derived growth factor receptor in stromal cells of human colon carcinomas is associated with metastatic potential

Platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGF-R) expression has been reported in a variety of cancers, including colorectal, breast, lung, ovarian and pancreatic cancers, but the role of PDGF-R expression in the development and progression of colon carcinoma has not yet been elucidated. The purpose of this study was to examine the expression of PDGF and PDGF-R in human colon carcinomas. The expression of PDGF, PDGF-R and phosphorylated PDGF-R (p-PDGF-R) was examined by immunofluorescence in 12 surgical specimens of colon carcinoma and in human colon carcinoma cells growing in the subcutis (ectopic site) and the cecal wall (orthotopic site) of nude mice. In most surgical specimens, tumor cells expressed PDGF-A and -B subunits, without corresponding levels of PDGF-Ralpha and PDGF-Rbeta. PDGF-Rbeta was predominantly expressed by tumor-associated stromal cells and pericytes of tumor vasculature. The expression of PDGF-Rbeta in the stroma was associated with advanced stage disease. Under culture conditions, human colon carcinoma cell lines expressed PDGF-A and -B, but not PDGF-R. In orthotopic tumors, the KM12 cells (Duke's stage B) expressed PDGF-A and -B, but PDGF-Rbeta was expressed only by stromal cells and pericytes in the tumor vasculature. This expression of PDGF-Rbeta by stromal cells and pericytes was higher in tumors growing at the orthotopic site than in those at the ectopic site. The expression of PDGF-Rbeta in the stroma was higher in highly metastatic KM12SM tumors than in low metastatic KM12C tumors. In conclusion, the expression of PDGF-Rbeta in stromal cells is influenced by the organ-specific microenvironment and is associated with metastatic potential.