Mechanical transport of rotavirus by the legs and wings of Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae)

BACKGROUND: Whether or not tumor response to chemotherapy-sensitized radiation therapy (CTRT) for head and neck cancer leads to an improved outcome is unknown. METHODS: Forty patients who received preoperative cisplatin plus simultaneous radiotherapy for operable stage III and IV head and neck cancer were reviewed retrospectively regarding clinical demographics, staging, and survival status. RESULTS: Twenty-one (57%) patients had a histologic complete response (HCR) and 16 (43%) had a partial (PR) (9) or clinical complete (7) response (CCR). Tumor response of N1 versus N2-3 nodal disease showed 6 (75%) HCR and 4 (25%). Five-year disease-free survival overall was 82% for HCR versus 38% for PR/CCR (P <0.05). Disease-specific 5-year survival was 100% for HCR versus 27% for PR/CCR (P <0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Histologic complete response to CTRT for head and neck cancer is associated with increased survival and encouraging disease-free status. Response to CTRT is inversely proportional to lymphatic tumor load.     

Gene structure of the human MET proto-oncogene

By direct sequencing of cosmids using primers designed from the known cDNA sequence, we identified 19 exons in the human MET proto-oncogene, and sequenced the corresponding 5' and 3' exon-intron junctions. By homology search in the database of the Washington University Genome Sequence Center (GSC), we identified one additional exon. These 20 exons, together with a previously reported exon, bring the total exon number of MET to 21. Oligonucleotide primers were designed to amplify each exon and adjacent intronic sequences to permit examination of each exon for mutations. By restriction mapping, we assembled a 110 kb genomic contig that covered almost the entire MET proto-oncogene. This information is relevant for the screening of recently reported mutations of the MET gene which cause hereditary papillary renal carcinomas and for the search for additional mutations of the same gene which may play a role in the pathogenesis of common human carcinomas including carcinomas of the breast, ovary and pancreas.     

Malignant carcinoid tumor and synchronous malignant extraadrenal paraganglioloma

Gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor is often considered the most common neuroendocrine tumor of the small intestine. The overall incidence of 1% in the general population is quite low. Extraadrenal paragangliomas are rarer still, and the incidence of both of these tumors in the malignant state is exceedingly rare. This article describes the case of a patient who had both a malignant carcinoid tumor as well as a malignant retroperitoneal paraganglioma occurring synchronously. A review of the literature concerning these tumors is also presented.