Interaction of estrogen receptor‐α ligand binding domain with nuclear proteins of aging mouse brain

After the interaction of estrogen with the ligand binding domain (LBD) of mouse estrogen receptor‐α (mERα) and hormone‐responsive elements of target genes, many nuclear proteins are recruited to regulate the expression of specific genes. Because it is not known which brain proteins interact with LBD or whether these proteins vary with age and sex, we used pull‐down assay and far Western blotting to detect five nuclear proteins of 160, 140, 87, 60, and 46 kD in the mouse brain. These interacting proteins were identified as PELP1, RIP140, PGC1α, BAF60, and ADA3, respectively. The level of PELP1, RIP140, PGC1α, and BAF60 decreased drastically in old compared with adult male mice, whereas the ADA3 level showed no significant change. PELP1, PGC1α, and BAF60 levels were lower in old male compared with female mice. Thus we report the identification and interaction of five nuclear proteins with mERα‐LBD, indicating their role in estrogen signaling and brain functions during aging. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy–a user's perspective

Sixteen patients receiving percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feeding following a period of nasogastric (NG) feeding were investigated to assess acceptance and identify problems by means of a questionnaire. PEG was considered to be superior to NG feeding in terms of tolerance and cosmetic acceptance by 81% and 88% of participants respectively ( P < 0.001). Pain was an infrequent problem. Interruptions to feeding were consideed to be more common with NG feeding by 50% of participants; 38% considered interruptions equally common with both PEG and NG, and 12% considered interruptions more common with PEG feeding ( P = NS). The time for care was equivalent for both methods. Seventy-five percent considered PEG to have made a valuable contribution to enteral feeding. Leakage was however considered to be more frequent in PEG feeding by 81% of participants (compared to 12% who considered leakage to be more common with NG feeding; P < 0.001) and leakage was more frequent at die junctions in the catheter rather than from the stoma. Thirty-one percent of patients with PEG had needed systemic antibiotics for stomal infections. All patients with both PEG and NG feeding needed professional help. Sixty-two percent needed professional help more frequently with PEG than with NG feeding (compared to 19% who considered that the NG tube needed professional help more frequently; P <0.05). We conclude that leakage and infections are major problems in PEG enteral feeding.     

Endoscopic stapling diverticulotomy: an audit of difficulties, outcome, and patient satisfaction.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the procedure in terms of technical difficulties, patient satisfaction, symptom relief, recurrence, and further management. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study including 41 patients who underwent endoscopic stapling diverticulotomy. Clinical notes were reviewed, and patients were sent a patient satisfaction questionnaire. Statistical analysis was done using the chi(2) square test. SETTING: Teaching hospital. RESULTS: Larger pouches had the best results; 81.578% were satisfied with the surgery, and 86.84% had improved swallowing. Complications presented in 6 patients (15%), including a perforated pouch and an esophageal perforation. Complications were more frequent in small pouches. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: Endoscopic stapling diverticulotomy offers rapid recovery in most patients, with early oral intake and short hospital stay. There is a high degree of symptoms relief, and the patient's satisfaction rate is high. The assessment of the pharyngeal pouch size is an important factor when deciding the best management for a patient with a pharyngeal pouch.     

Sarcomas of head and neck — A 10 yrs experience

38 cases of sarcoma of head and neck region were analysed in a retrospective way in relation to age, anatomic location, histological, clinical profile, and surgical approaches. Compared to other types of head and neck neoplasms, such as squamous cell carcinoma, soft tissue sarcomas have low rates of regional metastases. However the biological behaviour of soft tissue sarcoma is more aggressive specially in paediatric age group. In the present series, CT scan was considered as the primary modality of investigation. Surgery generally has been recommended as the primary method of treatment for achieving local control, except in those high-grade tumours arising in sites not amenable to resection. 3-year and 5-year survival rates in this present series 50% and 31.6% respectively.