C4.4A as a candidate marker in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer

C4.4A is a member of the Ly-6 family with restricted expression in non-transformed tissues. C4.4A expression in human cancer has rarely been evaluated. Thus, it became important to explore C4.4A protein expression in human tumour tissue to obtain an estimate on the frequency of expression and the correlation with tumour progression, the study focusing on colorectal cancer. The analysis of C4.4A in human tumour lines by western blot and immunoprecipitation using polyclonal rabbit antibodies that recognize different C4.4A epitopes revealed C4.4A oligomer and heavily glycosylated C4.4A isoform expression that, in some instances, inhibited antibody binding and interaction with the C4.4A ligand galectin-3. In addition, tumour cell lines released C4.4A by vesicle shedding and proteolytic cleavage. C4.4A was expressed in over 80% of primary colorectal cancer and liver metastasis with negligible expression in adjacent colonic mucosa, inflamed colonic tissue and liver. This compares well with EpCAM and CO-029 expression in over 90% of colorectal cancer. C4.4A expression was only observed in about 50% of pancreatic cancer and renal cell carcinoma. By de novo expression in colonic cancer tissue, we consider C4.4A as a candidate diagnostic marker in colorectal cancer, which possibly can be detected in body fluids.

Prospective study on bright lumen magnetic resonance colonography in comparison with conventional colonoscopy

The aim of this prospective trial was to evaluate sensitivity and specificity of bright lumen magnetic resonance colonography (MRC) in comparison with conventional colonoscopy (CC). A total of 120 consecutive patients with clinical indications for CC were prospectively examined using MRC (1.5 Tesla) which was then followed by CC. Prior to MRC, the cleansed colon was filled with a gadolinium-water solution. A 3D GRE sequence was performed with the patient in the prone and supine position, each acquired during one breathhold period. After division of the colon into five segments, interactive data analysis was carried out using three-dimensional post-processing, including a virtual intraluminal view. The results of CC served as a reference standard. In all patients MRC was performed successfully and no complications occurred. Image quality was diagnostic in 92% (574/620 colonic segments). On a per-patient basis, the results of MRC were as follows: sensitivity 84% (95% CI 71.7-92.3%), specificity 97% (95% CI 89.0-99.6%). Five flat adenomas and 6/16 small polyps (< or =5 mm) were not identified by MRC. MRC offers high sensitivity and excellent specificity rates in patients with clinical indications for CC. Improved MRC techniques are needed to detect small polyps and flat adenomas.

National character does not reflect mean personality trait levels in 49 cultures

Most people hold beliefs about personality characteristics typical of members of their own and others' cultures. These perceptions of national character may be generalizations from personal experience, stereotypes with a "kernel of truth," or inaccurate stereotypes. We obtained national character ratings of 3989 people from 49 cultures and compared them with the average personality scores of culture members assessed by observer ratings and self-reports. National character ratings were reliable but did not converge with assessed traits. Perceptions of national character thus appear to be unfounded stereotypes that may serve the function of maintaining a national identity.

[Cine MRI of the temporomandibular joint in comparison to static MRI and axiography]

PURPOSE

To evaluate Cine MRI (cMRI) of the temporomandibular joint in comparison to static MRI (sMRI) and axiography.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a prospective study with 57 healthy volunteers as well as 33 patients after temporomandibular joint (TMJ) surgery or with severe joint dysfunction, we measured the mobility of both condyle and disc as well as the sagittal angle of condylar inclination with sMRI and cMRI. Measurements and image analysis were performed by a radiologist and a maxillofacial surgeon in consensus. The results of axiography served as standard of reference.

RESULT

Concerning the assessment of the discoligamentous complex, sMRI was superior to cMRI in the patient-group (sensitivity sMRI 85 %, cMRI 76 %), while no significant difference was found in the volunteer-group (sensitivity sMRI 97.4 %, cMRI 98.3 %). The results of cMRI and sMRI showed a highly significant correlation with each other, as well as with the axiographic reference tracings (r = 0.90). The average mobility of the disc and condyle was 6 % and 10 % higher in sMRI compared to cMRI (p = 0.001) and showed a slightly higher variance (0.043 vs. 0.038). Concerning the condylar inclination angle, both MRI-procedures had the best correlation (r = 0.94) with each other and axiography.

CONCLUSION

Real-time MRI of the TMJ is comparable to axiography in its accuracy and is a useful adjunct to conventional static MRI.

Tumors of the urinary bladder: technique, current use, and perspectives of MR and CT cystography

In comparison with other applications of virtual endoscopy, reports about virtual cystocopy are limited. In this update article, the various techniques of magnetic resonance (MR) and computed tomographic (CT) cystography are explained with their inherent advantages and disadvantages. The principal methods of postprocessing are presented, and future technical developments of MR and CT cystography are described. The present clinical applications and the possible role of MR and CT cystography in the future are discussed.

[Development of a 3-dimensional method to determine the tibial slope with multislice-CT]

AIM

The measurement or, respectively, the correction of the tibial slope is an important subject in the field of knee arthroplasty and in the procedure of cruciate ligament reconstruction. However, a valid value of the tibial slope cannot be obtained from the conventional plain X-rays in a reproducible way. The aim of this study was to evaluate the proximal tibial slope with a new CT measurement system and to compare the values with the X-ray method.

METHOD

Using 6 cadaver tibiae, the antero-posterior slope of the proximal tibia was measured at 0 degrees, 2.5 degrees, 5 degrees, 10 degrees, 15 degrees, 20 degrees, 30 degrees internal rotation using the plain X-ray and spiral CT (3D-MPR reconstruction). Both methods were compared.

RESULTS

The variation of the measurement of the tibial slope with the X-ray method was > 5 degrees even if the optimal 0 degrees rotation in the lateral view was applied. Moreover, the measurement error increased to 14 degrees while increasing the rotation of the tibia. Using the new CT system, the error was less than 3 degrees in all measurements.

CONCLUSION

The measurement of the tibial slope in the conventional X-ray technique showed a high variation of the values depending on the rotation of the tibia in the lateral view. In contrast, the measurements with the new CT system represented a precise method with a small variation of the tibial slope values. For this reason detailed questions regarding the precise anatomy of the proximal tibia cannot be answered precisely with plain X-rays.

[Virtual endoscopy of the urinary tract]

This review article depicts the technique of virtual uro-endoscopy and its diagnostic value and highlights future aspects. The raw data are acquired using CT, MR, or ultrasound. Sufficient contrast between the wall of the hollow organ and its interior is reached by administering gas or contrast medium into the bladder or injecting contrast media i.v. After processing of these data, virtual endoscopic procedures can be watched on a screen in the same way as a cine-film of a conventional endoscopic operation. Virtual endoscopy is a reliable method with a high sensitivity for pathologies larger than 0.5 cm. It is not invasive, and there are situations that cause difficulties in conventional endoscopy (e.g. gross hematuria, diverticula, strictures) that cause no technical problems in virtual endoscopy. Problems encountered in virtual endoscopy are due to its poor sensitivity for pathologies smaller than 0.5 cm, for carcinoma in situ, and for ureteral calculi. So far there are no routine-indications for virtual endoscopy in urology. Nevertheless, it can be of additional value in diagnosis providing the indications are carefully controlled. In future, virtual endoscopy will probably become integrated into the spectrum of urologic diagnostics investigations.

[Role of antiphospholipid antibodies in 147 patients with spontaneous abortions and stillbirths: a retrospective and prospective analysis]

Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) are a family of autoantibodies including lupus anticoagulant (LA), anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL), and ect. That appear to react with negatively charged phospholipids. These antibodies induce thrombosis and pregnancy complications including recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA), recurrent stillbirth (SB), preeclampsia and intra-uterine growth retardation, although their exact pathogenic mechanisms remain poorly defined. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and the role of a aPL women with a history of RSA and SB due to positive aPL. The study included 147 women with a history of RSA and 48 women with a history of SB and to investigate the histological changes in the heams and stillborn fetuses in aCL positive women. We established that: 1, aCL were significantly increased in 62.2% (n = 92) in women with history of RSA and in 71% (n = 34) in women with history of SB; 2. aTr antibodies were positive in 22.7% (n = 5) in women with history of SB; 3. Tr activation status was increased in 77.3% (n = 17) in women with history of SB.

CONCLUSION

The investigation of aPL in women with history of RSA and SB provides new insights into the disease and offers promise for prophylaxis and treatment in subsequent pregnancies.

Local calibrated bone mineral density in the mandible presented using a color coding scheme

Calibrated information on bone mineral density (BMD) may be used in dental implantology to measure "bone quality". It can be used to estimate the expected primary implant stability preoperatively and to guide the surgeon in selecting optimum implant types and operation techniques. Using a preoperative dental computed tomography (Dental-CT) scan, all of this information can be obtained without additional examinations and thus without additional X-ray exposure of the patient. In contrast to bone mineral determination in other body regions, local BMD values are important in the jaw bone. Therefore, a regimen where color-coded information on local bone mineralization is superimposed on Dental-CT images is proposed using the original CT volumes as well as reformatted views.

Observation of the swallowing process by application of videofluoroscopy and real-time magnetic resonance imaging-consequences for retronasal aroma stimulation

The process of eating and drinking was observed in vivo by application of videofluoroscopy, a dynamic X-ray technique, as well as real-time magnetic resonance imaging. The study was aimed at elucidating the timing and performance of the physiological organs involved in mastication and swallowing, mainly the tongue, the pharynx and the soft palate (velum palatinum). It was shown for the first time that effective physiological barriers do exist during food consumption that are capable of retaining volatiles such as helium within the oral cavity. These barriers allow the access of odorants to the nasal cavity only at certain times during the eating process. Their effectiveness is related to the texture of the food as well as the amount of food material present in the oral cavity and, thereby, directly influences retronasal aroma perception.

[Virtual endoscopy of the urinary tract from T(2)-weighted and gadolinium-enhanced T(1)-weighted MR urographic images]

PURPOSE

To determine the diagnostic performance of T(2)-weighted (T2w) and gadolinium-enhanced T(1)-weighted (T1w-Gd-enhanced) MR urographic images for virtual endoscopy of the urinary tract.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

36 patients underwent MR urography at 1.5 T. In each patient a T2w (3D-TSE, respiration-triggered) and a T1w-Gd-enhanced sequence (T1-FFE, breathhold) were acquired. Data reconstruction was performed as maximum intensity projection (MIP) and virtual endoscopy (VE).

RESULTS

Combined analysis of MIP and VE delineated 32 of 36 pathologies; 86 % (19/22) of intraluminal pathologies could be depicted by VE and 15 % (3/22) by MIP (p </= 0.01). For the assessment of the renal pelvis, MIP was superior to VE in 55 % (39/71). Concerning the ureter, MIP was equal in 52 % (37/71) and superior to VE in 45 % (32/71). For virtual ureterorenoscopy both data sets were comparable in their diagnostic performance. T2w data sets were superior for virtual cystoscopy because no contrast medium is required in cases of renal failure and sedimentation artifacts can be avoided.

CONCLUSION

For the depiction of the upper urinary tract, MIP is in most cases equally good or superior to VE. However, virtual endoscopy of the urinary tract, especially virtual cystoscopy, is a useful tool for the depiction of intraluminal pathology.

Heparin plus aspirin as a "single" therapy for recurrent spontaneous abortion associated with both allo- and autoimmunity

PROBLEM

The aim of this study was to contribute to the study of the pathogenesis and the treatment of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) associated with immune alterations.

METHOD OF STUDY

This is a prospective clinical trial with 11 patients with RSA associated with allo- and autoimmunity not receiving lymphocyte immunizations but only heparin and aspirin preconceptionally and through pregnancy. A concurrent group of 8 patients receiving a complete therapy (lymphocyte immunizations, heparin, and aspirin) but not receiving heparin and aspirin preconceptionally is also included in this report.

RESULTS

The rate of pregnancy success in these patients was 90.9% (10/11), and the rate of success of the concurrent group was 75.0% (6/8).

CONCLUSIONS

The results are in agreement with the working hypothesis regarding the possible final common mechanism in the pathogenesis of abortion associated with allo- and autoimmunity. The "single" therapy with heparin and aspirin was effective, less costly, and logistically simpler to provide than a complete therapy including lymphocyte immunizations.

Crossreactivity of workshop monoclonal antibodies with canine blood leukocytes

A selection of 164 monoclonal antibodies for determinants on porcine cells were tested on canine leukocytes by flow cytometry. Eighteen mAbs proved to be crossreacting and 16 of these reacted uniformly with cells of three unrelated dogs while two displayed a polymorphic reaction pattern.

Immigration and slow-growth economies: the experience of South Australia and Tasmania

"This paper examines national immigration processes and demographic change in South Australia and Tasmania over the last four decades. Particular attention is paid to the inter-censal period 1986-1991.... The paper investigates the impact of the historic make-up of immigrant flows on settlement patterns, and examines the impact on policies intended to increase immigrant settlement in these states. It argues that the policies being pursued by state and federal governments are unlikely to add to the numbers settling in these states, because they pay too little attention to migration processes, and especially the attraction of others from the source country."