Per operative localization of a carcinoid tumour of the breast using indium-111 pentetreotide and a nuclear surgical probe

A 69-year-old woman presented with a single enlarged lymph node in the left axilla. Clinical examination and other investigations, including various imaging methods, failed to reveal the primary tumour. However, indium-111 pentetreotide scan revealed a site of uptake in the anterior region of the left thorax. Peroperative imaging with t¹¹¹In-pentetreotide confirmed the tumour uptake and use of a nuclear surgical probe allowed precise localization of the tumour, which was completely resected.     

The sodium channels of the neuroblastoma x glioma 108 CC 15 hybrid cell change their sensitivity for volatile and local anesthetics upon continuous passage

Summary We have studied the ion flux through the sodium channels of low passage number (<50p.) and high passage number (>150p.) neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells using [¹⁴C] guanidinium and specific neurotoxins to induce channel opening and closing. The sodium channels of low passage number hybrid cells could be opened by veratridine alone, suggesting the presence of voltage dependent channels in agreement with electrophysiological studies reported in the literature. The sodium channels of the high passage number hybrid cells, however, needed the synergistic action of veratridine and scorpion toxin for activation suggesting that these channels are silent. The [¹⁴C] guanidinium ion flux through the sodium channels of the high passage number hybrid cells was inhibited by significantly lower concentrations of the volatile anesthetics (halothane, isoflurane and enflurane) and the lcoal anesthetics (tetracaine and bupivacaine) than the comparable flux through the sodium channels of the low passage number hybrid cells.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. E. Wecker on the occasion of his 65th birthday.     

Relationship between Pollen Counts and Weather Variables in East-Mediterranean Coast of Turkey

BACKGROUND: Aeroallergen sampling provides information regarding the onset, duration and severity of the pollen season that clinicians use to guide allergen selection for skin testing and treatment. OBJECTIVES: This atmospheric survey reports (1) airborne pollen contributions in Adana in one-year period (2) pollen onset, duration and peak level (3) the relationship between airborne pollen and selected meteorological variables and; (4) effects on symptoms in pollen allergic children. METHODS: Pollen sampling was performed with a volumetric Burkard Spore Trap. Meteorological data were measured daily from April 2001 to April 2002. Asthma symptom scores were investigated in 186 pollen allergic children that were on follow up in pediatric allergy outpatient clinics during same period. RESULTS: Average measurements included 82.5% tree pollen, 7.7% grass pollen and 9.8% herb pollen 54 taxa were identified during one year. The most prominent tree pollens were Cupressaceae, Eucalyptus and Pinus. The most common herb was Chenopodiaceae pollen family. When airborne pollen levels were examined in relation to single meteorological conditions; daily variations in total pollen counts were not significantly correlated with any variable studied (humidity, rainfall, temperature and wind) (p > 0.05). On the other hand, statistically significant relationship between pollen concentration and symptom scores were found (p > 0.05). Positive correlations were seen between both Gramineae and Herb pollen, and humidity and rainfall from March to July. However, positive correlations were detected between tree pollen counts and temperature and humidity in May and June. CONCLUSION: This survey is the first volumetric airborne pollen analysis conducted in the survey area in Adana. This study suggested that the effects of weather on pollen count and symptom scores in this population could not be clearly identified with the evaluation of one-year data. However, pollen counts had effect on allergic symptoms in pollen allergic children. Examination of the complex interaction of multiple whether parameters would perhaps more fully elucidate the relationship between meteorology and aerobiology and provide the clinician with information necessary to forecast pollen prevalence. An awareness of the ever chancing, local aeroallergen patterns requires regular monitoring. Such awareness serves as a useful guide in the effective testing and treatment of atopic patients.     

The presence of immunosuppressive ''p15E-like'' factors in the serum and urine of patients suffering from malign and benign breast tumours.

Autoantibodies in sera from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and onchocerciasis recognize calreticulin (CaR), a calcium-binding protein, as antigen. In this study we present the immunological properties of two synthetic peptides prepared to correspond to the 1-24 and 7-24 amino acid sequence of CaR. In contrast to information previously reported for the recombinant protein, the CaR-peptide analogues appeared immunoreactive to anti-Ro/SSA autoimmune sera. Human sera from patients with SLE, Sjögren's syndrome (SS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as well as mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), demonstrated a positive autoimmune response (binding of antibodies), to the CaR-peptide analogues. These findings suggest that anti-calreticulin autoantibodies are not restricted to any disease specificity.     

Monoamine oxidase inhibitory activities of the scorpion Mesobuthus gibbosus (Buthidae) venom peptides.

In the present study, crude venom of Mesobuthus gibbosus (Buthidae), a scorpion distributed all over Anatolia was isolated and purified by the Sephadex G-50 gel filtration and high pressure liquid chromatographic (HPLC) separation. Two of the five fractions (fractions 4 and 5) obtained from the Sephadex G-50 filtration and detected as lethal on mice and Musca domestica larvae in in vivo toxicity tests, were independently subjected to the HPLC separation. Only one of seven fractions (fraction 5.5*) obtained from the HPLC separation of the fraction 5 was found to be extremely lethal. Sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic (SDS-PAGE) analysis of the crude venom and its chromatographic fractions demonstrated that crude venom consisted of peptides with molecular weights of 6500-210,000 Da. The neurotoxic fraction 5.5* appeared as a single band of 28,000 Da and two bands of 6200 and 22,000 Da in SDS-PAGE under non-reducing and reducing conditions, respectively, suggesting that it might consist of two chains attached by a disulfide bridge. Fractions 5 and 5.5* inhibited monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) of rat liver reversibly and non-competitively, in a concentration-dependent manner. Fraction 5.5* appeared as a potent and specific MAO-A inhibitor with a Ki value of 0.12 mg venom proteinml(-1). The inhibitory effect of venom peptide 5.5* on MAO-A was found to be dependent on the preincubation time suggesting that the peptide binds to some site other than the substrate-binding site. Results of the present study demonstrated that M. gibbosus venom contains a peptide with specific MAO-A inhibitory activity which may be responsible for the anxiogenic effects of the scorpion venoms on animals and humans.     

Cor Triatriatum Dexter,Atrial Septal Defects,and Pulmonary Stenosis—A Rare Association

Cor triatriatum dexter (CTD) is an extremely rare congenital anomaly in which the right atrium is divided into 2 chambers by a membrane. The estimated incidence of cor triatriatum has been reported as 0.1% of congenital cardiac malformations. The septation of the right atrium in the setting of CTD is the result of failed resorption of the right valve of the sinus venosus. This results in anterolateral and posteromedial portions of the divided right atrium. CTD can be diagnosed at any age, especially if it is incidentally discovered.     

Right iliac bone pathological fracture mimicking acute appendicitis

Simple bone cyst (SBC) also known as unicameral bone cyst is a benign, radiolucent bone lesion that is seen commonly in childhood. These lesions are usually found incidentally although pain and swelling can be seen. The most common complication is a pathological fracture, and this is often the cause of presentation. Here, we present a 22-year-old male with right lower quadrant pain due to SBC related pathological fracture of right iliac bone which is mimicking acute appendicitis.