Elevated serum levels of the apoptosis related molecules TNF-α, Fas/Apo-1 and Bcl-2 in oral lichen planus

BACKGROUND: The serum circulatory levels of apoptosis related molecules measured in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) and healthy individuals in order to investigate possible alterations associated with the clinical forms of OLP. METHODS: Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, soluble Fas (sFas) and Bcl-2 studied by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in whole blood samples in 13 OLP reticular, 13 OLP atrophic-erosive form patients and 26 healthy subjects. RESULTS: Significantly elevated levels of TNF-alpha and sFas detected in OLP patients as compared with controls. Serum concentrations of Bcl-2 although increased in 17/26 patients, they were not statistically significant. Reticular OLP exhibited slightly elevated TNF-alpha and significantly elevated Bcl-2 serum levels, compared with erosive OLP. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that a putative dysfunction in the Fas/FasL mediated apoptosis might be involved in the OLP pathogenesis. A downregulation of Bcl-2 serum levels in the atrophic-erosive OLP may be associated with promotion of the disease activity.     

神经干细胞壁龛与脑肿瘤干细胞壁龛的相关性研究

脑肿瘤干细胞(braintumor stem cells,BTSCs)发现以来,BTSCs的来源成为研究热点,越来越多的研究表明BTSCs起源于神经干细胞(neural stem sells,NSCs)的基因突变 [1],而最新提出的干细胞壁龛(niche)学说认为壁龛作为十细胞生存的微环境,通过与干细胞之间的直接和(或)间接作用影响干细胞的增殖和分化.     

Intercostal hemangioma

This paper presents a case of intercostal hemangioma, in which a complete surgical resection was accomplished based upon a tentative diagnosis provided by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A 27-year-old man visited our hospital for the evaluation of chest pain and shortness of breath after exertion. Computed tomography showed a soft tissue mass, 5.5×3.5 cm in size, arising from the right lateral 7th intercostal space. Dynamic MRI showed that the mass was enhanced rapidly in the early phase and that this early enhancement was maintained during the delayed phase, which was compatible with a diagnosis of intercostal hemangioma. The patient underwent surgery, and a complete resection of the tumor with the right 7th and 8th ribs and their intercostal muscles was accomplished. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of intramuscular hemangioma of the large-vessel type. Presently, 6 months after the operation, the patient is doing well, without any evidence of local recurrence.     

颞下锁孔入路的显微解剖与临床应用

目的进行颞下锁孔入路解剖学研究,探讨其临床应用价值.方法取甲醛固定的成人尸头标本15例(30侧),采用神经内镜辅助的显微外科技术进行颞下锁孔手术解剖学研究.并采用该入路手术切除8例颅内肿瘤.结果颞下锁孔入路可以充分暴露鞍上区、脚间窝、岩斜区及脑干腹外侧区的神经、血管结构;岩骨尖最大磨除面积为306mm2.肿瘤全切除7例(87.5%).结论经颞下锁孔入路能很好地处理鞍上、岩斜区、脚间窝以及脑干腹外侧区的病变.     

原发性输尿管癌31例临床分析

目的：提高原发性输尿管癌的术前诊断水平。方法：对南京医科大学第一附属医院1989-2002年间收治的31例原发性输尿管癌的临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果：31例中，肉眼血尿22例(71．0％)，腰痛11例(35，5％)。B超、静脉肾盂造影(IVU)、CT和逆行造影检查的阳性率分别为输尿管腔内占位4例(13．0％)、输尿管腔内占位3例(11．5％)、膀胱或合并膀胱占位8例(36．4％)，输尿管充盈缺损6例(40．0％)。29例患者经手术治疗，其中13例行患侧肾、输尿管、膀胱袖状切除。结论：老年患者反复发作的腰痛及血尿应考虑原发性输尿管癌的可能，造影诊断对本病有较高价值，应作CT及MRU无创检查。     

Inflammatory biomarkers in blood of patients with acute brain ischemia

Although many failed surrogate markers are provided in the literature, inflammation may contribute to the outcome of ischemic stroke. In 50 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke, in the absence of symptoms and signs of concomitant infection, we evaluated a panel of biomarkers reported to be variably associated with brain ischemia, and correlate their serum level with the brain lesion volume and clinical outcome. Infarct size was calculated on computed tomography (CT) scans by means of the Cavalieri's method. Neurological impairment was scored by using the Glasgow Coma Scale, Glasgow Outcome Scale and National Institutes of Health (NIH) scales at stroke onset and 3-month follow-up. Some markers showed a direct significant correlation with both initial and final NIH scale and with infarct size, particularly tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) (P=0.002), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (P<0.01) and matrix metalloproteinase-2/9 (P=0.001). In contrast to previous reports, interleukin-6 (IL-6) serum level showed a significant inverse correlation with both final neurological impairment and infarct size (P<0.001). This novel finding allows us suggesting that IL-6, in the context of a complex pro-inflammatory network occurring during stroke, is associated with neuroprotection rather than neurotoxicity in patients with ischemic brain injury.     

Malignant Rhabdoid Tumor of the Breast: A Case Report

A 66-year-old woman time of 10 days. One month after radicalmastectomy, there was local recurrence, followed by multiplepulmonary metastases, and the patient died of respiratory failure5 months after surgery. The gray-white-colored tumor measured13x12x;10 cm, and its border was well defined. The tumor wascomposed of diffusely growing round or polygonal cells withvesicular nuclei, prominent nucleoli, and ample cytoplasm containingeosinophilic inclusions. Lymph node involvement was widespread.Both vimentin and keratin were clearly demonstrated by immunohistochemicalstaining. Ultrastructural studies revealed that the MRT cellscontained cytoplasmic whorls of intermediate filaments.