Teratoma tongue: Case report and review of literature

Teratomas are true neoplasms composed of tissues from all three germinal layers and may exhibit variable levels of maturity. They have an unknown origin and eccentric microscopic appearance. Teratomas arising from the oral cavity are rare in the newborn; only 22 cases have been reported in the literature. We describe a female neonate with an oral teratoma originating from the tongue that was successfully treated with surgery.     

Pegylated interferon alfa 2b and oral ribavirin in patients with HCV-related cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis is difficult due to high frequency of adverse effects. We retrospectively reviewed the case records of patients with HCV cirrhosis to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of pegylated (peg) interferon and ribavirin treatment in these patients. METHODS: Medical records of 28 patients with HCV-related compensated cirrhosis were reviewed. The treatment protocol was a combination therapy of peg interferon alfa-2b (1 microg/Kg/week) plus oral ribavirin (10-12 mg/Kg/day). Primary endpoint was sustained virological response, with additional endpoints of drug tolerance, clinical or biochemical worsening and death. RESULTS: End-of-treatment virlogic response was seen in 24 of 28 patients (85%) and sustained virologic response in 15 of 28 (53%) patients. Biochemical end-of-treatment response and sustained response were seen in 20 and 16 patients (71% and 57%), respectively. Treatment had to be stopped in 3 patients due to decompensation of liver status in two and drug intolerance in one, while dose modification was required in two patients. CONCLUSIONS: Combination therapy with peg interferon plus ribavirin seems effective in patients with liver cirrhosis. High relapse rate, poor biochemical recovery and possibility of decompensation are issues that need to be kept in mind.     

Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies to rat plasma kininogen

Five hybridoma cell lines were established that secrete monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against rat plasma low molecular weight plasma kininogen. Two of the secreted antibodies were of the IgG1k isotype. The remaining three were of the IgG1 lambda, IgG2ak and IgMk isotypes, respectively. The dissociation constants (Kd) of these MAbs ranged from 0.58 X 10(-9) M to 5.4 X 10(-9) M. At least two distinct epitopes on the rat plasma kininogen were recognized by these MAbs. Further characterization of the MAbs showed that four MAbs cross-reacted strongly with kininogen from the Murphy-Sturm lymphosarcoma (MSLS) tumor while one of the MAbs cross-reacted weakly with MSLS tumor kininogen.     

Placenta membranacea, previa and accreta. A case report.

A case of placenta membranacea, previa and accreta was managed conservatively and resulted in delivery of a mature fetus. The diagnosis of placenta membranacea and previa was obtained with ultrasound. The placenta previa and accreta necessitated a cesarean delivery and hysterectomy.