Giant abdominopelvic epithelioid angiomyolipoma associated with tuberous sclerosis: Report of a case

(Received for publication on July 16, 1998; accepted on Mar. 11, 1999)     

Identification of New Natural CphA Metallo-β-Lactamases CphA4 and CphA5 in Aeromonas veronii and Aeromonas hydrophila Isolates from Municipal Sewage in Central Italy

Two new natural CphA metallo-β-lactamases, the CphA4 and CphA5 enzymes, were identified in water samples from municipal sewage in central Italy. Compared to CphA, the CphA4 and CphA5 enzymes showed numerous point mutations. These enzymes have a narrow spectrum of substrates focused on carbapenems only. CphA5 showed k_cat values about 40-, 12-, and 97-fold higher than those observed for CphA4 versus imipenem, ertapenem, and biapenem, respectively.     

Initial experience using propranolol as an adjunctive treatment in children with aggressive recurrent respiratory papillomatosis

We performed a retrospective chart review with a 6-month follow-up to examine the initial use of propranolol as an adjunctive treatment in children with severe recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. This is the first such report. Two of 3 children with severe recurrent respiratory papillomatosis demonstrated a response to oral propranolol therapy, as evidenced by an improved voice and by an increased time between surgical interventions. One child demonstrated no response to propranolol, and medication was halted. Both children who demonstrated a response had undergone more than 10 surgical interventions in the previous year, along with prior treatment including surgical excision and adjuvant therapy. Both children more than doubled the interval between treatments after propranolol administration, and the parents of both children noted marked improvement of the child's voice as measured by their Pediatric Voice-Related Quality of Life score (from 40 to 67.5 in one child and from 27 to 60 in the other child). No child experienced hypoglycemia or blood pressure abnormalities. We conclude that initial use of propranolol as an adjunctive measure in severe recurrent respiratory papillomatosis shows it to have some efficacy in delaying surgical intervention and improving voice. Previous reports have demonstrated relatively safe use of propranolol in children with hemangiomas. Further studies are needed to determine the long-term effectiveness, dosing strategies, and side-effect profile of propranolol for treatment of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.     

Insulin receptors and membrane transport in muscle

Summary The AA. report a group ofin vitro experiments relative to the direct inhibition of the insulin effect on the transport of 3-o-methyl glucose and L-proline in rat diaphragm muscle by a reagent specific for tryptophan in a neutral solution, the 2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl bromide. Evidence for the presence of tryptophan at an insulin receptor site in the plasma membrane is given.

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Zusammenfassung Die AA. berichten ueber eine Serie vonin vitro Untersuchungen betr. die direkte Hemmung des Insulineffektes auf den aktiven Transport der 3-o-methyl-Glukose und des l-Prolins beim Rattenzwerchfell mittels eines spezifischen Reagenz' fuer das Tryptophan in neutraler Loesung, des 2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzil-bromid. Somit ist die Gegenwart von Tryptophan in einem Insulinrezeptor der Plasmamembran bewiesen.

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Resumen Los AA. describen un grupo de experimentosin vitro concernientes a la inhibición directa del efecto de la insulina en el transporte activo de la 3-0-metil glucosa y de la l-prolina en el diafragma de rata por parte de un reactivo específico para el triptófano en solución neutra, el 2-hidroxi-5-nitrobenzil bromuro. De esta manera se comprueba la presencia de triptófano en un receptor insulínico de la membrana plasmática.

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Resume Les AA. rapportent un groupe d'épreuvesin vitro au sujet de l'inhibition directe de l'effet de l'insuline sur le transport actif des 3-o-metil glucose et de la l-proline dans le diaphragme de rat par un réactif spécifique pour le triptophane en solution neutre, le 2-idrossi-5-nitrobenzil bromure. On prouve ainsi la présence de triptophane dans un récepteur insulinique de la membrane plasmatique.

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Riassunto Gli AA. riferiscono un gruppo di esperimentiin vitro riguardanti l'inibizione diretta dell'effetto dell'insulina sul trasporto attivo del 3-o-metil glucosio e della l-prolina nel diaframma di ratto da parte di un reagente specifico per il triptofano in soluzione neutra, il 2-idrossi-5-nitrobenzil bromuro. Viene così provata la presenza di triptofano in un recettore insulinico della membrana plasmatica.

     

Squamous cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis with stones and inferior vena cava infiltration. Case report

We report a rare case of a 50 year old man with renal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) who first came to our attention with renal colic and fever not responding to antibiotic or analgesic treatment. He had a long history of kidney stones, but had not undergone any imaging in the last 5 years. Physical examination revealed tenderness and a palpable mass in the right flank and lumbar region. A whole body CT scan was performed, revealing an 11 cm mass in the right kidney infiltrating the inferior vena cava. There were areas of calcification within the mass and multiple stones within the renal pelvis. The tumor was considered unsuitable for resection according to radiological and clinical criteria. The mass was biopsied percutaneously under CT guidance and histological examination revealed squamous cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis. The patient was treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and embolization of the renal artery. He died one month after diagnosis. To our knowledge this is the second reported case in the world of renal SCC infiltrating the inferior vena cava and with kidney stones.     

The non-involvement of cysteine or cystine in the membrane receptor site of insulin

Summary Employing the method of gel filtration chromatography under the same conditions that an insulin-tryptophan complex has been isolated, no complex formation has been observed with cysteine or cystine.

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Zusammenfassung Unter Verwendung derselben Methode der Gelfiltrationschromatographie, mit welcher ein Insulin-Tryptophan Komplex isoliert werden war, konnte keine Komplexbildung mit Zystin oder Zystein nachgewiesen werden.

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Resumen Empleando el método cromatográfico da la gel-filtración, en las mismas condiciones actuadas para el aislamiento del complejo insulina-triptófano, no se ha observado formación de complejos con la cisteina y la cistina.

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Résumé Par la méthode chromatographique de la gel-filtration sous les mêmes conditions réalisées pour l'isolement du complexe insuline tryptophane, aucune formation de complexes avec cysteine et cystine n'a été vérifiée.

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Riassunto Impiegando il metodo cromatografico della gel-filtrazione, nelle medesime condizioni attuate per l'isolamento del complesso insulina-triptofano, non è stata osservata formazione di complessi con la cisteina e la cistina.