Tumor karyotype differentiates lipoblastoma from liposarcoma

Lipoblastoma is a rare benign pediatric soft tissue tumor that may be difficult to distinguish from a myxoid liposarcoma clinically or histologically. The authors present a case of a progressively growing, locally invasive soft tissue tumor in a child. Tissue culture for cytogenetic study showed a breakpoint in the long arm of chromosome 8. A review of the literature showed seven case reports of lipoblastoma karyotype, six of which had a similar breakpoint in chromosome 8. This distinguishes it from the histologically alike myxoid liposarcoma, the karyotype of which typically contains the clonal anomaly t(12;16)(q13:p11). The authors recommend that when performing a biopsy of a childhood adipose tumor with unusual features, such as progressive or invasive growth, that fresh tissue be submitted for cell culture. The tumor karyotype will, in most cases, aid in differentiating lipoblastoma from myxoid liposarcoma.     

Increased calpain expression in activated glial and inflammatory cells in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis

In demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), myelin membrane structure is destabilized as myelin proteins are lost. Calcium-activated neutral proteinase (calpain) is believed to participate in myelin protein degradation because known calpain substrates [myelin basic protein (MBP); myelin-associated glycoprotein] are degraded in this disease. In exploring the role of calpain in demyelinating diseases, we examined calpain expression in Lewis rats with acute experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model for MS. Using double-immunofluorescence labeling to identify cells expressing calpain, we labeled rat spinal cord sections for calpain with a polyclonal millicalpain antibody and with mAbs for glial (GFAP, OX42, GalC) and inflammatory (CD2, ED2, interferon gamma) cell-specific markers. Calpain expression was increased in activated microglia (OX42) and infiltrating macrophages (ED2) compared with controls. Oligodendrocytes (galactocerebroside) and astrocytes (GFAP) had constitutive calpain expression in normal spinal cords whereas reactive astrocytes in spinal cords from animals with EAE exhibited markedly increased calpain levels compared with astrocytes in adjuvant controls. Oligodendrocytes in spinal cords from rats with EAE expressed increased calpain levels in some areas, but overall the increases in calpain expression were small. Most T cells in grade 4 EAE expressed low levels of calpain, but interferon gamma-positive cells demonstrated markedly increased calpain expression. These findings suggest that increased levels of calpain in activated glial and inflammatory cells in EAE may contribute to myelin destruction in demyelinating diseases such as MS.     

Is vertical vein ligation necessary in repair of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection?

BACKGROUND: In the repair of total anomalous venous connection, vertical vein ligation is recommended to eliminate left-to-right shunting. However, the small left heart chambers may not always tolerate the immediate increase in blood flow after combined repair and vein ligation. METHODS: A retrospective review of 23 infants and children undergoing correction of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection was undertaken to determine whether vertical vein ligation is a necessary component of successful surgical repair. In 14 patients this vein was ligated, whereas in 9 it was left patent. Six patients who underwent ligation and 5 who did not had pulmonary venous obstruction before operation. RESULTS: The operative mortality rate was 36% (5 of 14 patients) for the ligated group compared with 0% (0 of 9 patients) for the nonligated group (p = 0.06). All deaths occurred in patients with preoperative obstruction and a low mean left atrial pressure, and four of the deaths were directly attributable to left heart failure. Follow-up echocardiography in patients in whom the vertical vein was not ligated revealed adequate cardiac function and no residual left-to-right flow through the previously patent venous conduit. CONCLUSION: Vertical vein ligation during the repair of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection is not routinely necessary and actually may be undesirable in patients with preoperative obstruction, in whom the left heart chambers are particularly small.     

The characteristics of kidney involvement in a female patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and the antiphospholipid syndrome

A case of rapidly progressive nephritis is reported in a female patient having systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with antiphospholipid syndrome. Clinical presentation of progressive lupus nephritis with intensifying renal insufficiency, arterial hypertension, hematuria, nephrotic syndrome was associated with unusual morphological manifestations of mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis with advanced vasculitis. The authors attribute a malignant nephritis course atypical for patients with antiphospholipid syndrome to development of renal vasculitis. The discussion covers lupus genesis of vascular involvement, a probable triggering role of antibodies to phospholipids in impairment of endothelial cells.     

Performance of ULV formulations (Pesguard 102/Vectobac 12AS) against three mosquito species

To study the effects of percutaneous ethanol injection therapy on livers, we investigated necrotic changes after ethanol injection and fibrotic changes during the repair process in cirrhotic livers in comparison with normal livers. Male rats were treated with oral doses of 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene and thioacetamide to produce liver cirrhosis. Both control animals and cirrhotic animals were injected with 0.2 ml of absolute ethanol into livers. Histological samples were cut serially, and the maximum areas of necrosis and fibrosis were measured until 28 days after the injection. Although the maximum area of necrosis was not different between cirrhotic livers and control livers, the average fibrotic ratio [(maximum fibrotic area/maximum necrotic area + maximum fibrotic area) x 100] was 64% in control livers (n = 9) and 40% in cirrhotic livers (n = 9; p < 0.05). The fibrotic repair process after ethanol injection seems to be impaired in cirrhotic livers as compared with normal livers.     

Open-set speech perception in congenitally deaf children using cochlear implants

A review of the literature examining school-based prevention and treatment intervention programs for smokeless tobacco users is provided. Although few school-based prevention studies have been conducted, the results are promising. Many of the treatment studies that have been conducted, thus far, are limited due to the sample size and the lack of a control group. However, of the studies that have not had these limitations, the results are also promising. In general, studies show that intervention in the dental office can be effective and that group behavioral treatment may also improve cessation rates over minimal contact. On the other hand, pharmacological treatment, which has primarily focused on 2 mg nicotine gum, has not been found to be an effective treatment. Dentists are in an ideal position to advise and assist smokeless tobacco users to quit. The majority of smokeless tobacco users want advice and help from their dentists, and a significant number indicate that discussion of the negative oral effects from the use of smokeless tobacco has an impact on their desire to quit.