Desmoplastic ameloblastoma: correlative histopathology, radiology and CT-MR imaging

A desmoplastic variant of ameloblastoma with osteoplasia in the stroma is reported. This tumour presented in the canine/premolar region of the left maxilla of a 31-year-old woman. It was treated by partial hemimaxillectomy and immediate reconstruction with a non-vascularised iliac graft. The location of this lesion, its histology and radiological features differ from those of the conventional ameloblastoma. The behaviour and prognosis of the desmoplastic ameloblastoma (DA) cannot at this stage be predicted due to the small number of cases that have been reported and a lack of long-term follow-up. To our knowledge this is the first documentation of the CT and MRI features of desmoplastic ameloblastoma with pathologic correlation.     

Prediction of local recurrence of ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast using five histological classifications: a comparative study with long follow-up

OBJECTIVE: To identify the independent and differential diagnostic and symptom correlates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts and determine whether there are gender- and age-specific diagnostic profiles. METHOD: The relationships between suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and psychiatric disorders were examined among 1,285 randomly selected children and adolescents, aged 9 to 17 years, of whom 42 had attempted suicide and 67 had expressed suicidal ideation only. Youths and their parents were interviewed as part of the Methods for the Epidemiology of Child and Adolescent Mental Disorders (MECA) Study, using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children Version 2.3 (DISC-2.3). RESULTS: Logistic regression analyses indicated that mood, anxiety, and substance abuse/dependence disorders independently increased the risk of suicide attempts, after controlling for sociodemographic characteristics. There was no significant independent contribution of disruptive disorders to suicide attempts, although its association with suicidal ideation was significant. Substance abuse/dependence independently differentiated suicide attempters from ideators. Noncriterion symptoms that remained significant predictors of suicide risk, after adjusting for psychiatric disorder, included panic attacks and aggressiveness. Perfectionism did not significantly increase suicide risk after adjusting for psychiatric disorder. The association of specific disorders and noncriterion symptoms with suicidality varied as a function of gender and age. CONCLUSION: A monolithic diagnostic risk profile for suicidality, ignoring gender- and age-specific risks, is inadequate. The contribution of substance abuse/dependence in the escalation from suicidal thoughts to suicide attempts is underscored.     

The detection of ductal carcinoma in situ at mammographic screening enables the diagnosis of small, grade 3 invasive tumours

This study was carried out to assess the frequency of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) occurring within and surrounding grade 3 invasive tumours and the effect of its detection on size and nodal stage of invasive carcinomas at mammographic detection. Grade 3 tumours with either no associated DCIS or DCIS only within the invasive component were significantly larger in size than tumours with surrounding DCIS (P < 0.02) and were less likely to be under or equal to 10 mm in size (0% or 13% vs 30% respectively, P < 0.02). Tumours with mammographic calcification were more likely to be less than or equal to 10 mm in size than non-calcific tumours (32% vs 11% respectively, P < 0.05). This was because of the high frequency of tumours less than or equal to 10 mm in size in the linear/branching calcification group. Tumours showing calcification without a mass also appear to be a group with good prognostic features, with a mean size of 13 mm, 33% being 10 mm or less in size and only 17% being node positive. We have found that the presence of surrounding DCIS enables earlier detection of grade 3 invasive carcinomas because of the presence of mammographically visible calcification. Detection of calcification suggestive of DCIS should remain an important part of mammographic screening.     

Comparative susceptibility of Glossina longipennis and G. brevipalpis to pathogenic species of Trypanosoma

A 56-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with the chief complaint of left back pain. We detected left pleural effusion on chest X-ray and performed chest drainage. No malignant cells were detected in the effusion. Chest CT demonstrated a tumor shadow over the left diaphragm and left pleural effusion 6 months later. She underwent en bloc resection of the tumor and left diaphragm. Histological evaluation revealed malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH). Recurrent tumors were found in the abdomen 8 months after the operation, and she underwent resection of the abdominal recurrent tumors. Histological evaluation of the recurrent tumors also showed MFH. The patient died 28 months after the first operation.     

Rubber seed oil modified with maleic anhydride and fumaric acid and their alkyd resins as binders in water‐reducible coatings

Rubber seed oil (RSO) was modified with different amounts of maleic anhydride, and RSO alkyds (50% oil length) were modified to various extents by the incorporation of different amounts of maleic anhydride and fumaric acid. All the resins were evaluated as water‐reducible binders. Modification with maleic anhydride increased the acid and saponification values of RSO but reduced the iodine value. RSO modified with maleic anhydride exhibited lower amounts of volatile organic compounds (<20 g/L) than the corresponding RSO alkyds (34–87 g/L). The alkyd samples were superior to the modified RSO in chemical resistance. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 3256–3259, 2003     

Epoxidation and hydroxlation of rubber seed oil: one‐pot multi‐step reactions

Epoxidized and hydroxylated rubber seed oils were prepared by peroxyformic acid generated in situ by reacting formic acid and hydrogen peroxide with RSO, a renewable resource. The structural and physico‐chemical properties of RSO have been determined. The fatty acid composition showed a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The modified products were characterized with regard to their structure and properties. The findings of this study revealed that both hydroxylated and epoxidized RSO can be prepared by one‐pot multi‐step reactions.     

Country over-citation ratios

Scientometrics - There is a clear tendency for authors of scientific papers to over-cite the papers by their fellow countrymen (and countrywomen) relative to the percentage presence of their papers...     

Comparison of the effects of transfusions of cryopreserved and liquid-preserved platelets on hemostasis and blood loss after cardiopulmonary bypass

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare the clinical effects and hemostatic efficiency of transfusions of platelets preserved in the frozen state for as long as 2 years with transfusions of platelets preserved in the conventional manner for as long as 5 days in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass. METHODS: Seventy-three patients were prospectively randomly assigned to receive transfusions of cryopreserved or liquid-preserved platelets. Nonsurgical blood loss was measured during and after the operation. Bleeding time, hematologic variables, and the bleeding time site shed blood were assayed before cardiopulmonary bypass and at 30 minutes and 2, 4, and 24 hours after transfusion. In vitro platelet function tests were conducted on platelets obtained from healthy volunteers. RESULTS: No adverse sequelae of the transfusions were observed. Blood loss and the need for postoperative blood product transfusions were lower in the group receiving cryopreserved platelets. Lower posttransfusion platelet increments and a tendency toward decreased platelet survival were observed in patients receiving cryopreserved platelets. Hematocrit and plasma fibrinogen were significantly higher in this group, and the duration of intubation was shorter. In vitro, cryopreserved platelets demonstrated less aggregation, lower pH, and decreased response to hypotonic stress but generated more procoagulant activity and thromboxane. CONCLUSIONS: (1) Cryopreserved platelet transfusions are superior to liquid-preserved platelets in reducing blood loss and the need for blood product transfusions after cardiopulmonary bypass. (2) The reduction in blood loss in the patients receiving cryopreserved platelet transfusions after cardiopulmonary bypass probably reflects improved in vivo hemostatic function of cryopreserved platelets. (3) Some in vitro measures of platelet quality (aggregation, pH, hypotonic stress) may not reflect in vivo quality of platelet transfusions after cardiopulmonary bypass, whereas other in vitro measures (platelet procoagulant activity and thromboxane) do.     

Worsening enterocolitis in neonates: diagnosis by CT examination of urine after enteral administration of iohexol

Perforation, a severe complication of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), has a high mortality rate. Recently, we presented a new technique for evaluation of NEC: measuring the CT attenuation coefficient of urine after oral administration of iohexol. We present three cases of neonates with NEC who demonstrated serial increases in urine CT attenuation coefficients, all of whom subsequently deteriorated clinically and radiographically. Surgery in all three cases confirmed severe necrosis and/or perforation. These three cases suggest that the CT attenuation coefficient of urine after oral administration of iohexol may be a more sensitive indicator of NEC severity, progression, and perforation than clinical evaluation and radiography. More investigation is necessary, but eventually, this noninvasive technique may be able to decrease morbidity and mortality by predicting the need for surgical intervention or more aggressive medical management of NEC before perforation occurs.     

Possibilities for Acid Mine Drainage Co-treatment with Other Waste Streams: A Review

The co-treatment of AMD with other common liquid wastes is a promising synergistic approach, fusing characteristics of active and passive AMD treatment for a sustainable remediation strategy. This paper discusses existing literature on AMD co-treatment approaches, focusing on factors that influence the feasibility of co-treatment, such as mixing proportions, microbiological elements, reactor design, and mixed-water chemistry. Finally, this paper highlights future possibilities, drawing attention to prospects that require exploration.