Neuroimaging in Pineal Tumors

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The authors report radiological findings in 11 tumors in the pineal region, which were histologically diagnosed as germinomas, pineocytomas pineoblastomas, ependymomas, teratomas, and astrocytomas. METHODS: Computed tomography (CT) was performed in seven patients and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in all patients. RESULTS: CT showed a solid or solid/cystic mass with variable contrast enhancement. MRI showed a heterogeneous mass, with hypointense signal on T1 and iso/hyperintense signal on T2-weighted images (WI) and gadolinium enhancement. Extension to adjacent structures occurred in five patients and spread through the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) in two. CONCLUSIONS: Pineal region tumors have no pathognomonic imaging pattern. MRI and CT are complementary in diagnosis and are important to determine localization, extension, and meningeal spread.     

Point mutations in the P30 domain of the gag gene of Moloney murine leukemia virus

A series of point mutations in the P30 domain of the Moloney murine leukemia virus gag gene was generated by bisulfite treatment of heteroduplex DNAs containing a single-stranded region in the gag gene. One virus bearing such a mutation exhibited a coordinate defect in gag and pol function, and was similar to previously described deletion mutants with alterations in this gene. One mutant virus displayed a different phenotype: it could assemble virion particles and provide pol function, but the particles were defective in the early stages of infection. The continued concordance of the mutants' failure or ability to both assemble virions and provide pol lends further support to the proposal that similar parts of the gag gene are required for these two processes.     

Distribution of neuropeptide Y in the prosencephalon of man and Cotton-head Tamarin (Saguinus oedipus): colocalization with somatostatin in neurons of striatum and amygdala

Summary The presence, chromatographic properties and localization of neuropeptide Y was demonstrated in postmortem human brain areas of neurologically and neuropsychiatrically normative controls using immunocytochemistry and high performance liquid chromatography combined with radioimmunoassay. NPY-immunoreactivity was found in many regions of the prosencephalon. Numerous perikarya and fibers were present in the neocortex, basal ganglia and limbic-hypothalamic areas. A moderate number of neurons and fibers was observed in the basal forebrain, including the septal complex. A comparative immunohistochemical investigation in perfusion-fixed brains of the old-world ape Saguinus oedipus revealed an almost identical distribution of NPY-immunoreactivity with only minor differences. Colocalization experiments on 1–2 m thin consecutive paraffin sections revealed a large number of NPY neurons throughout the human neostriatum and amygdaloid complex that were also positive for somatostatin. Our findings indicate that detection of neuropeptides in fresh or fixed post-mortem human tissue by different immunochemical methods may actually reflect the in vivo conditions. In addition, the wide distribution of NPY throughout the human brain and its colocalization with other neurotransmitters suggests a physiological role as neuroactive substance, i.e. neuromodulator in the primate central nervous system.     

Expression and characterization of Gag protein of HIV-1（CN） in Pichia pastoris

To express the core protein of HIV-1 of Chinese prevalent strain （HIV-1 （CN）） in Pichia pastoris, the fulllength gag gene was inserted into the secretory expression vector pHILS1. Linearized recombinant plasmid pHILGAG by Sail was electrotransformed into the yeast strain GS115, and the yeast transformants were identified by PCR. To induce the interest protein to be expressed, the PCR positive transformants were inoculated in the medium of BMGY and BMMY, mRNA of the strain was detected by RT-PCR, and the expressed protein was analyzed by SDS-PAGE, Western blotting and thin layer scanning. mRNA （1.3 kb） was amplified by RT-PCR. SDS-PAGE and Western blotting analysis showed that the molecular mass of the expressed protein was 55 kD, which was similar to the expected value, and the expressed protein could react with McAb to HIV-1 p24. Thin layer scanning analysis demonstrated that the whole amount of the expressed protein was approximately 13 % of the soluble protein in the supernatant. The recombinant yeast had good genetic stability. The optimal expression conditions of the engineering yeast were as follows： BMMY medium, 80-90% of dissolved oxygen, 1% methanol, and 3-day-cultivation course. Gag proteins were expressed under the optimal expression condition and purified via gel filtration chromatography. The purity of the interest protein was up to 85 %. After the purified proteins were inoculated into BALB/c mice, the anti-HIV-1 antibodies in the immunized mice could be detected by Western blotting.     

Phase II clinical trial of bevacizumab with albumin-bound paclitaxel in patients with recurrent,platinum-resistant primary epithelial ovarian or primary peritoneal carcinoma

ObjectiveWe examined the safety and efficacy of combining bevacizumab with albumin-bound (ab-) paclitaxel to treat patients with recurrent, platinum-resistant primary epithelial ovarian or peritoneal carcinoma.MethodsPatients had measurable disease per RECIST guidelines, progressing within 6 months after a prior course of platinum-based treatment. Patients received ab-paclitaxel 100 mg/m² given by intravenous infusion over 30 min on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle with bevacizumab 10 mg/kg given on days 1 and 15.ResultsForty-eight patients with an average 1.8 prior lines of treatment participated. The overall response rate was 50% (24/48) (95% CI, 34.8% – 65.1%), with 4 complete and 20 partial responses. Fourteen patients (29%) had stable disease, whereas eight (17%) had progressive disease, and two (4%) were not evaluable. Patients received a median of 6 treatment cycles (range, 1 – 31 cycles). The median progression-free survival was 8.08 months (95% CI, 5.78 – 10.15 months); 6 month progression-free rate was 62.5% (95% CI, 47.8%–77.2%); median overall survival was 17.15 months (95% CI, 13.57 – 23.82 months). Grade 3–4 adverse events included gastrointestinal disorders (18.8%), neutropenia (8.3%), and hypertension (6.3%).ConclusionsAb-paclitaxel with bevacizumab clearly demonstrates antitumor activity and manageable toxicity profile in patients with recurrent, platinum-resistant ovarian carcinoma. This regimen should be evaluated in a larger randomized trial.     

The impact of periodontitis on oral health‐related quality of life: a review of the evidence from observational studies

Modern population based oral health management requires a complete understanding of the impact of disease in order to provide efficient and effective oral health care and guidance. Periodontitis is an important cause of tooth loss and has been shown to be associated with a number of systemic conditions. The impact of oral conditions and disorders on quality of life has been extensively studied. However, the impact of periodontitis on quality of life has received less attention. This review summarizes the literature on the impact of periodontitis on oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL). Relevant publications were identified after searching the MEDLINE and EMBASE electronic databases. Screening of titles and abstracts and data extraction was conducted. Only observational studies were included in this review. Most of the reviewed studies reported a negative impact of periodontitis on OHRQoL. However, the reporting standards varied across studies. Moreover, most of the studies were conducted in developed countries.