Glycosaminoglycan mimetics (RGTA) modulate adult skeletal muscle satellite cell proliferation in vitro

Confocal Raman microspectroscopy (CRM) provides an important and novel means of analyzing the chemical composition of the adhesive/dentin (a/d) interface. The purpose of this study was to develop a method for quantitative determination of the degree of adhesive penetration at the a/d interface using CRM. Three commercial dentin adhesive systems [Scotchbond Multipurpose Plus (SBMP+), Single Bond (SB), and Primer Bond NT (PBNT)] based on the total etch and "wet" bonding technique were examined in this study. Human dentin specimens treated with these adhesives were analyzed with CRM mapping across the a/d interface. Also, Raman spectra were collected on model mixtures of adhesive and type I collagen, and the ratios of the relative intensities of the Raman bands corresponding to adhesive and collagen were used for the construction of calibration curves. By comparing the Raman band ratios of interface specimens to the calibration curves, the percent of adhesive as a function of spatial position across the a/d interface was determined. The results show that there is a gradual decrease in penetration as a function of position for all three adhesive systems while the adhesive concentration gradient decreases in the order of SBMP+ > SB > PBNT. These differences in penetration of the three adhesives at the a/d interface also are discussed relative to the composition and phase segregation in adhesives. Additionally, our results indicate that confocal Raman microspectroscopy is a reliable in situ analytical technique for simple and rapid quantitative determination of adhesive penetration at its interface with prepared dentin.     

Immunohistochemical analysis of c-erbB-2, Bcl-2, p53, p21WAF1/Cip1, p63 and Ki-67 expression in hydatidiform moles

Hydatidiform moles (HM) are characterized by an abnormal proliferating trophoblast with a potential for a malignant transformation. Similar to other human tumors, trophoblastic pathogenesis is likely a multistep process involving several molecular and genetic alterations. The study was performed to investigate the expression patterns of c-erbB-2 and Bcl-2 oncoproteins, p53, p21^WAF1/CIP1 and p63 tumor suppressor proteins and Ki-67 cell proliferation marker in HM.We conducted a retrospective study of 220 gestational products, including 39 hydropic abortions (HA), 41 partial HM (PHM) and 140 complete HM (CHM). The expression of c-erbB-2, Bcl-2, p53, p21^WAF1/CIP1, p63 and Ki-67 was investigated by immunohistochemistry on archival tissues. c-erbB-2 expression was observed in three PHM and 10 CHM. Bcl-2 immunostaining was significantly higher in PHM (61%) and CHM (70.7%) compared with HA (7.7%, p?=? 0.001 and p?<? 0.0001, respectively). p53 expression was stronger in CHM (73.6%) compared with PHM (24.4%, p < 0.0001) and HA (12.8%, p < 0.0001). p21^WAF1/CIP1 staining was observed as well in molar and non-molar gestations (p?>? 0.05). p63 immunoexpression was significantly described in CHM (85.7%) and PHM (78%) compared with HA (10.2%, p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0001, respectively). Ki-67 was significantly expressed in CHM (72.1%) compared with HA (46.2%, p = 0.005).Altered expression of Bcl-2, p53, p63 and Ki-67 reflects the HM pathological development. Immunohistochemical analysis is beneficial to recognize the HM molecular and pathogenic mechanisms. Furthermore, it could serve as a useful adjunct to conventional methods for refining HM diagnosis.     

Early mitochondrial adaptations in skeletal muscle to diet-induced obesity are strain dependent and determine oxidative stress and energy expenditure but not insulin sensitivity

This study sought to elucidate the relationship between skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance in two mouse models with differential susceptibility to diet-induced obesity. We examined the time course of mitochondrial dysfunction and insulin resistance in obesity-prone C57B and obesity-resistant FVB mouse strains in response to high-fat feeding. After 5 wk, impaired insulin-mediated glucose uptake in skeletal muscle developed in both strains in the absence of any impairment in proximal insulin signaling. Impaired mitochondrial oxidative capacity preceded the development of insulin resistant glucose uptake in C57B mice in concert with increased oxidative stress in skeletal muscle. By contrast, mitochondrial uncoupling in FVB mice, which prevented oxidative stress and increased energy expenditure, did not prevent insulin resistant glucose uptake in skeletal muscle. Preventing oxidative stress in C57B mice treated systemically with an antioxidant normalized skeletal muscle mitochondrial function but failed to normalize glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, high fat-fed uncoupling protein 3 knockout mice developed increased oxidative stress that did not worsen glucose tolerance. In the evolution of diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance, initial but divergent strain-dependent mitochondrial adaptations modulate oxidative stress and energy expenditure without influencing the onset of impaired insulin-mediated glucose uptake.     

Hemochromatosis associated with cholelithiasis as a cause of hydrops fetalis and stillbirth: Prenatal diagnosis

Prenatal diagnosis of neonatal hemochromatosis (NH) is usually raised in front of fetal hepatomegaly and heterogeneous liver architecture. We describe a novel sonographic feature that may be associated with NH. Ultrasound demonstrated reticulonodular liver and distended gallbladder with multiple gallstones in a hydropic fetus. These abnormalities were confirmed to be consistent with NH after correlation with autopsy findings. This case report highlights the value of cholelithiasis in clinical suspicion of NH and the importance to consider this sonographic feature when the liver has abnormal texture.     

Acute myelomonocytic leukemia with uncommon morphological features

Annals of Hematology -     

Bronchopulmonary aspergillosis: study of 17 cases

Aspergillosis is a fungic infection depending on the local or general physiologic and immunologic state of the host. We report the result of retrospective five year study (1995-1999) about 17 cases in the laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology of Rabta hospital in Tunis. Six aspergillomas were observed, they occurred after a pulmonary tuberculosis, two cases of allergic broncho-pulmonary aspergillosis described in two asthmatic patients, nine cases of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis complicating two cancers, one leukaemia, six chronic granulomatous disease. Aspergillus fumigatus is the most frequent species (67%). The clinical and biological characteristic of those will be studied, and compared with those of the literature.     

Pronostic factors in squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva. About 35 cases

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pronostic factors of the vulvar cancer. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study, of 35 cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva diagnosed and treated at Farhat Hached Hospital (Sousse) between January 1991 and December 2002. The study of the pronostic factors is based on analysis of the following parameters obtained after a period varyinf from 6 months to 5 years: clinical data, pre-therapeutique and therapeutic evaluation, pathologic data, outcome and survival rate. RESULTS: The diagnostic was often late with a delay for consultation superior to 6 months in 60% of cases. 80% of the patient wete in stages III and IV of FIGO with an average tumorous size of 3.8 cm and palpable lymph node in 74.2% of the cases. 22 patient underwent vulvectomy with bilateral inguinal node dissection. Adjuvant therapy was carried out in 8 cases. The rate of relapses was 22.7%. The global survival at 5 years of the operated patients was of 40%. The main prognostic factors were: the size tumorale, the degrees of stromal invasion and the lymph node invasion. CONCLUSION: Early detection fo vulvar concer by regular gynecologic examinations and a biopsy of all suspect lesions, allows an early treatment consequently a better prognosis.     

Diabetic cardiomyopathy,causes and effects

Diabetes is associated with increased incidence of heart failure even after controlling for coronary artery disease and hypertension. Thus, as diabetic cardiomyopathy has become an increasingly recognized entity among clinicians, a better understanding of its pathophysiology is necessary for early diagnosis and the development of treatment strategies for diabetes-associated cardiovascular dysfunction. We will review recent basic and clinical research into the manifestations and the pathophysiological mechanisms of diabetic cardiomyopathy. The discussion will be focused on the structural, functional and metabolic changes that occur in the myocardium in diabetes and how these changes may contribute to the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy in affected humans and relevant animal models.