Giant plexiform neurofibroma with hemorrhage in cranio-maxillofacial region as depicted on CT and MRI

Plexiform neurofibroma (PN) is a rare benign tumor and a special subtype of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Though the incidence is low, giant PN of the craniomaxillofacial region could result in severe hemifacial hypertrophy which is known as a typical manifestation of NF1 in young children. Here, we retrospectively reported a giant plexiform neurofibroma with hemorrhage in the cranio-maxillofacial region detected by CT and MRI. In addition, a brief review of the relevant literature is presented.

Development and characterization of an oat TILLING-population and identification of mutations in lignin and beta-glucan biosynthesis genes

BACKGROUND

Oat, Avena sativa is the sixth most important cereal in the world. Presently oat is mostly used as feed for animals. However, oat also has special properties that make it beneficial for human consumption and has seen a growing importance as a food crop in recent decades. Increased demand for novel oat products has also put pressure on oat breeders to produce new oat varieties with specific properties such as increased or improved beta-glucan-, antioxidant- and omega-3 fatty acid levels, as well as modified starch and protein content. To facilitate this development we have produced a TILLING (Targeting Induced Local Lesions IN Genomes) population of the spring oat cultivar SW Belinda.

RESULTS

Here a population of 2600 mutagenised M2 lines, producing 2550 M3 seed lots were obtained. The M2 population was initially evaluated by visual inspection and a number of different phenotypes were seen ranging from dwarfs to giants, early flowering to late flowering, leaf morphology and chlorosis. Phloroglucinol/HCl staining of M3 seeds, obtained from 1824 different M2 lines, revealed a number of potential lignin mutants. These were later confirmed by quantitative analysis. Genomic DNA was prepared from the M2 population and the mutation frequency was determined. The estimated mutation frequency was one mutation per 20 kb by RAPD-PCR fingerprinting, one mutation per 38 kb by MALDI-TOF analysis and one mutation per 22.4 kb by DNA sequencing. Thus, the overall mutation frequency in the population is estimated to be one mutation per 20-40 kb, depending on if the method used addressed the whole genome or specific genes. During the investigation, 6 different mutations in the phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (AsPAL1) gene and 10 different mutations in the cellulose synthase-like (AsCslF6) beta-glucan biosynthesis gene were identified.

CONCLUSION

The oat TILLING population produced in this work carries, on average, hundreds of mutations in every individual gene in the genome. It will therefore be an important resource in the development of oat with specific characters. The population (M5) will be available for academic research via Nordgen http://www.nordgen.org as soon as enough seeds are obtained.[Genbank accession number for the cloned AsPAL1 is GQ373155 and GQ379900 for AsCslF6].

Origins of endomorphin-2 immunopositive fibers and terminals in the spinal dorsal horn of the rat

Endomorphin 2 (EM2) plays essential roles in regulating nociceptive transmission within the spinal dorsal horn, where EM2-immunopositive (EM2-IP) fibers and terminals are densely encountered. However, the origins of these EM2-IP structures are still obscure. Unilateral primary sensory afferents disruption (lumbar 3-6 dorsal roots rhizotomy) significantly decreased the density of EM2-IP fibers and terminals in the superficial laminae (laminae I and II) on the ipsilateral but not contralateral lumbar dorsal horn (LDH). Spinal hemisection at the 7th thoracic (T7) segment down-regulated bilateral EM2 expression, with a higher influence on the ipsilateral side of the LDH. Unilateral L3-6 dorsal roots rhizotomy combined with spinal transection but not with hemisection at T7 level completely obliterated EM2-IP fibers and terminals on the rhizotomized-side of the LDH. Disruption of bilateral (exposure to the primary afferent neurotoxin, capsaicin) primary sensory afferents combined with spinal hemisection at T7 decreased the EM2-IP density bilaterally but could obliterate it on neither side of the LDH. While in capsaicin plus transection rats, EM2 was depleted symmetrically and completely. In the colchicine treated rats, no EM2-IP neuronal cell bodies could be detected in the spinal gray matter. After injecting tetramethyl rhodamine dextran-amine (TMR) into the LDH, some of the TMR retrogradely labeled neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) showed EM2-immunoreactivities. The present results indicate that EM2-IP fibers and terminals in the spinal dorsal horn originate from the ipsilateral primary afferents and bilateral descending fibers from NTS.

Telbivudine preserves T-helper 1 cytokine production and downregulates programmed death ligand 1 in a mouse model of viral hepatitis

Telbivudine is an orally bioavailable L-nucleoside with potent and specific anti-hepatitis B virus activity. The higher rate of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion during telbivudine treatment than other potent anti-HBV agents suggests a potential immunomodulatory effect. We sought to determine the effects of telbivudine on the immune system, particularly on cytokine production and T-cell response, using an animal model with mouse hepatitis virus strain 3 (MHV-3)-induced hepatitis. The effects of telbivudine on virus replication and cytokine production were investigated in vitro using MHV-3-infected macrophages, and the effects on T-cell response were investigated in vivo in an MHV-3-induced viral hepatitis model. Telbivudine had no effect on MHV-3 replication in macrophages. However, the production of tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-12 was increased significantly in MHV-3-induced macrophages treated with telbivudine. In vivo survival was enhanced in telbivudine-treated mice, with marked normalization in clinical conditions and histological lesions. Serum levels of interferon-gamma were elevated significantly after telbivudine treatment in MHV-3-infected C3H mice. In contrast, serum interleukin-4 levels were decreased significantly. Furthermore, telbivudine treatment enhanced the ability of T cells to undergo proliferation and secrete cytokines but did not affect cytotoxicity of infected hepatocytes. Of note, we found that telbivudine treatment suppressed programmed death ligand 1 expression on T cells. The results demonstrate the immunomodulatory properties of telbivudine, independent of its antiviral activity, in a mouse model of MHV-3-induced hepatitis.

Cigarette smoking and proteinuria in Taiwanese men with Type 2 diabetes mellitus

AIMS

Cigarette smoking is a well-known risk factor associated with diabetic nephropathy. The objective of this study was to further investigate the dose-response effect of tobacco exposure on proteinuria in males with Type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

Five hundred and nine males with Type 2 diabetes were selected from a cohort participating in a glucose control study in Taiwan. Pack-years of cigarette smoking were calculated to define tobacco exposure. Proteinuria was identified if albumin-to-creatinine ratio was > or = 30 mg/g in at least two of three consecutive urine tests. Logistic regression and trend tests were used to delineate the association between smoking status and proteinuria.

RESULTS

Compared with non-smokers, those who had smoked 15-30 or more than 30 pack-years were respectively 2.78 (95% CI 1.34-5.76, P < 0.01) and 3.20 (95% CI 1.74-5.86, P < 0.001) times more likely to develop proteinuria. The dose-response effect of tobacco exposure on the development of proteinuria is highly significant in all subjects (P = 0.001) and in subgroups with relatively short duration of diabetes mellitus (P < 0.001), good blood pressure control (P = 0.001) and those of young age (P = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

The current study shows a clear dose-response effect of cigarette smoking on development of proteinuria in male Type 2 diabetic patients. These findings reinforce the urgent need to encourage diabetic patients to stop smoking regardless of age, duration of diabetes mellitus or status of blood pressure control.

Enhanced electroluminescence from nanoscale silicon p+ -n junctions made with an anodic aluminum oxide pattern

An enhancement of the electroluminescence (EL) from nanoscale silicon p(+)-n junctions made with an anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) pattern was demonstrated. The nanoporous AAO pattern with a pore density of 1.4 x 10(10) cm(-2) and a pore diameter of 50 +/- 10 nm was fabricated by the two-step anodic oxidation method on a n-type silicon wafer. The nanoscale AAO patterned Si p(+)-n junctions achieved an EL enhancement factor up to about 5 compared to the unpatterned Si p(+)-n junctions. The enhancement may originate from a reduction of nonradiative recombination due to partial passivation of the Si surface by the AAO pattern and improvement of the light extraction due to surface nanotextures.

A multicentre study on the clinical utility of post-traumatic amnesia duration in predicting global outcome after moderate-severe traumatic brain injury

BACKGROUND

Past research shows that post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) duration is a particularly robust traumatic brain injury (TBI) outcome predictor, but low specificity limits its clinical utility.

OBJECTIVES

The current study assessed the relationship between PTA duration and probability thresholds for Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) levels.

METHODS

Data were prospectively collected in this multicentre observational study. The cohort was a consecutive sample of rehabilitation patients enrolled in the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research funded TBI Model Systems (n = 1332) that had documented finite PTA duration greater than 24 h, and 1-year and 2-year GOS.

RESULTS

The cohort had proportionally more Good Recovery (44% vs 39%) and less Severe Disability (19% vs 23%) at year 2 than at year 1. Longer PTA resulted in an incremental decline in probability of Good Recovery and a corresponding increase in probability of Severe Disability. When PTA ended within 4 weeks, Severe Disability was unlikely (<15% chance) at year 1, and Good Recovery was the most likely GOS at year 2. When PTA lasted beyond 8 weeks, Good Recovery was highly unlikely (<10% chance) at year 1, and Severe Disability was equal to or more likely than Moderate Disability at year 2.

CONCLUSIONS

Two PTA durations, 4 weeks and 8 weeks, emerged as particularly salient GOS probability thresholds that may aid prognostication after TBI.

A Population-Based Cross-Over Randomized Controlled Trial of Breast Cancer Screening with Alternate Mammography and Ultrasound for Women Aged 40 to 49 Years in Taiwan

Background: As there is paucity of data on population-based screening for breast cancer using mammography and ultrasound for oriental young women aged 40-49 years, the peak of incidence rate and high proportion of dense breast, we aimed to evaluate the relative performance of detecting breast cancer between ultrasound and mammography and also to assess complementary efficacy of ultrasound to mammography screening.Methods: A total of 79,691 female residents aged 40-49 years were invited from community in Taiwan since late 2003. These participants were first randomly assigned to mammography (n=20040), ultrasound (n=20088), and control group (n=39563). The two former groups were further done by a cross-over design with mammography and ultrasound on alternate year until 2008. Detection rate and annual incidence rate of interval cancer as a percentage of the control group (I/E ratio) were compared between mammography and ultrasound.Results: The attendance rate of the first round was 59% (11921/20040) for mammography and 56% (11249/20088) for ultrasound. The repeated attendance rate of both groups was 85% in the second round and 91% in the third round. In the first round of screen, the detection rate of breast cancer for the mammography group (0.34%) was 1.5-fold compared with the ultrasound group (0.22%). The additional detection rate was 0.16% contributed from a subsequent ultrasound screen and 0.36% contributed from a subsequent mammogram screen. The combination of mammography with ultrasound was as three to four times as likely to detect breast cancer compared with the control group (annual incidence rate was 0.17%). The I/E ratio was lower after mammography screening than that after ultrasound screening.Conclusion: The current randomized controlled trial not only demonstrated higher detection rate and better performance using mammography but also indicated the complementary role of ultrasound applied to young Taiwanese women. This further suggests the optimal screening modality for young women in Asian country is to combine mammography with ultrasound.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 73.

The role of proto-oncogene Fra-1 in remodeling the tumor microenvironment in support of breast tumor cell invasion and progression

A growing body of evidence indicates that interactions between neoplastic cells and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) are crucial in promoting tumor cell invasion and progression. Macrophages play an ambiguous role in these processes since this M1 phenotype correlates with tumoricidal capacity whereas TAMs of M2 phenotype exert tumor-promoting effects. Here, we provide evidence that interactions between mouse breast tumor cells and TAMs remodel the TME, leading to upregulation of Fra-1, a member of the FOS family of transcription factor. In turn, this proto-oncogene initiates activation of the IL-6/JAK/Stat3 signaling pathway. This creates a malignant switch in breast tumor cells, leading to increased release of pro-angiogenic factors MMP-9, VEGF and TGF-β from tumor cells and intensified invasion and progression of breast cancer. Proof of concept for the crucial role played by transcription factor Fra-1 in regulating these processes was established by specific knockdown of Fra-1 with siRNA which resulted in marked suppression of tumor cell invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis in a mouse breast cancer model. Such a strategy could eventually lead to future efficacious treatments of metastatic breast cancer.

Blocking peptides decrease tissue transglutaminase processing of gliadin in vitro

Tissue transglutaminase (tTG) plays an important role in celiac disease pathology as it catalyzes deamidation and cross-linking of specific gluten peptides and converts them into potent epitopes recognized by intestinal T-cells. We investigated whether synthetic peptides with high affinity to gliadin could alter tTG activity on gliadin and whole gluten digest. The immobilized substrates were incubated with synthetic peptides identified by the phage display technique and a control peptide with no affinity to gliadin. Transglutaminase activity was measured with time resolved fluorescence. The mean tTG activity, compared to that of the control without the peptides, was reduced by 31, 33, and 36% for three selected gliadin-binding peptides, and 30% for the peptide pool (P < or = 0.001-0.004) when gliadin was the substrate. Finally, substrate specificity experiments suggested that avenin was processed in a manner similar that used for gliadin during in vitro assays with tTG. The results showed that the blocking peptides efficiently reduced tTG processing of gliadin in vitro, and this strategy will be further investigated as an alternative therapy for celiac disease.

HIV/AIDS education effects on behaviour among senior high school students in a medium-sized city in China

Few studies have examined the long-term effects of peer-led HIV prevention in Chinese adolescents. A two-year follow-up study was conducted among senior high school students in a medium-sized city of Fujian Province, from 1 March 2006 to 30 April 2008. In all, 3068 students from 14 schools were invited in March 2006, and 893 students in five schools were followed up. Data were collected at baseline, right after intervention (one month later) and two years later by a self-administered questionnaire. In the intervention group, the average knowledge score including reproductive health and HIV/AIDS/sexually transmitted diseases rose from 4.30 to 7.06 one month later (P < 0.01) and to 7.08 two years later (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference between the average knowledge score after one month and two years (P > 0.05). Sustained increases were found in the attitude scores towards people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) and intention of condom use after intervention. The study indicates that peer-led HIV prevention education succeeds in improving and sustaining HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and some behaviour intentions. Future research should focus on strategies to sustain long-term behaviour change.