Extra-abdominal fibromatosis (desmoid tumor) arising in the infratemporal fossa: a case report

Aggressive fibromatosis (or desmoid tumor) refers to a histologically benign but locally aggressive lesion arising from musculoaponeurotic structures in various anatomic sites. Extra-abdominal desmoids represent about one third of all desmoid tumors; of these only about 11 to 15% arise in the head and neck. Desmoid tumors arising in the infratemporal fossa are exceedingly rare; to our knowledge only one such tumor has been reported in the literature. We present a desmoid tumor arising in the infratemporal fossa with intracranial extension in a twenty-seven year old male and review the literature on this rare condition.

Model studies on a synthetically facile series of N-substituted phenyl-N'-pyridin-3-yl ureas leading to 1-(3-pyridylcarbamoyl) indolines that are potent and selective 5-HT(2C/2B) receptor antagonists

A model series of 5-HT2C antagonists have been prepared by rapid parallel synthesis. These N-substituted phenyl-N'-pyridin-3-yl ureas were found to have a range of 5-HT2C receptor affinities and selectivities over the closely related 5-HT2A receptor. Extrapolation of simple SAR, derived from this set of compounds, to the more active but synthetically more complex 1-(3-pyridylcarbamoyl)indoline series allowed us to target optimal substitution patterns and identify potent and selective 5-HT(2C/2B) antagonists.

Binding of substituted acetic acids to alpha-cyclodextrin in aqueous solution

Complex binding constants of 23 aliphatic acids with alpha-cyclodextrin in aqueous solution were measured by potentiometry, solubility, or competitive spectrophotometry at 25 degrees C. All systems formed 1:1 acid:cyclodextrin complexes, and some of them also formed 1:2 complexes. The conjugate acids formed stronger complexes than did the conjugate bases (except for glycine). Empirical correlations of complex stabilities are shown with partition coefficients, surface areas, molar refraction, and other descriptors. Complex stability appears to result from the hydrophobic effect, the dispersion interaction, and interaction of the carboxylic acid group with the cyclodextrin.

Binding of cyclodextrins to alicyclic and aromatic substrates: complex formation of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-cyclodextrins with substituted cyclohexanecarboxylic acids and phenylalkanoic acids

Complex binding constants of the three native cyclodextrins with seven cyclohexane derivatives (all possessing the carboxylic acid group) and with the series C6H5(CH2)nCOOH (n = 0 to 4) were measured in aqueous solution at 25 degrees C by potentiometry and the solubility method. These results, combined with literature data, indicate that alpha- and gamma-cyclodextrins bind with comparable strength to both the cyclohexyl and phenyl moieties, with beta-cyclodextrin binding significantly more strongly. These acid series are compared with several series CH3(CH2)nX, where X is CH3, COOH, COO-, OH, SO3-, etc., and it is concluded that the X group (for X other than methyl) contributes appreciably to complex stability, perhaps by means of an extracavity interaction. The COOH group provides a further augmentation of complex stability. NMR CIS and ROESY results indicate the presence of isomeric complexes in both the cyclohexyl and phenylalkanoic series, and clearly demonstrate the existence of intracavity inclusion. An NOE study of the alpha-cyclodextrin: cyclohexanecarboxylate system provides evidence for inclusion combined with interaction outside (that is, at the rim of) the cavity.

In vivo properties of SB 200646A, a 5-HT2C/2B receptor antagonist

1. SB 200646A, N-(1-methyl-5-indolyl)-N'-(3-pyridyl) urea hydrochloride, the first reported selective 5-HT2C/2B over 5-HT2A receptor antagonist, (pK1 rat 5-HT2C receptor 6.9, pA2 rat 5-HT2B receptor 7.5, pK1 rat 5-HT2A receptor 5.2) dose-dependently blocked a putative rat model of 5-HT2C receptor activation; 1-(3-chlorophenyl)piperazine (mCPP, 5 mg kg-1, i.p. 20 min pretest)-induced hypolocomotion (estimated ID50 19.2 mg kg-1, p.o.). 2. SB 200646A also blocked another putative in vivo model of 5-HT2C receptor function; mCPP (5 mg kg-1, i.p. 20 min pretest)-induced hypophagia in 23 h food-deprived rats (estimated ID50 18.3 mg kg-1, p.o.). 3. SB 200646A did not antagonize 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI)-induced head shakes in rats at doses up to 200 mg kg-1, p.o., an effect thought to be mediated by 5-HT2A receptors for which SB 200646A has its next highest affinity (50 fold less) after the 5-HT2C and 5-HT2B sites. 4. SB 200646A (20, 40 mg kg-1, p.o., 1 h pretest) also reversed mCPP (0.5 mg kg-1, i.p., 30 min pretest)-induced anxiety in the social interaction test, under low light familiar conditions. 5. When given alone, under high light unfamiliar conditions, SB 200646A (2-40 mg kg-1, p.o.) increased active social interaction without affecting locomotor activity in the rat social interaction test. This is consistent with an anxiolytic action of SB 200646A. 6. These results indicate that SB 200646A has in vivo efficacy and that 5-HT2C or 5-HT2B receptors are indeed likely to mediate mCPP-induced hypolocomotion, hypophagia and anxiogenesis. They also suggest that 5-HT2C,2B receptor blockade induces anxiolysis.

A scanning electron microscope study of the human cervical lymph node

Arterial casts of human cervical lymph nodes were studied using scanning electron microscopy. Human cervical lymph nodes appear to be much more complex and dense than their animal counterparts. Human lymph nodes have a separate medulla arising from the hilar artery complex and cortical structure derived from capillaries. Also present is a previously unknown rosette formation of blood vessels. The possible implications of these findings for inflammatory and neoplastic diseases are discussed.

Three-Dimensional Structure of the Human Vestibular Nuclear Complex

We used computer techniques to reconstruct in three dimensions 12 vestibular nuclear complexes (VNC) from serially sectioned brains of 7 patients. Specimens were from 4 patients with vestibular disorders and 3 patients considered vestibular normal. Despite the variety of the patient’s otologic histories all the nuclei demonstrated the same shape and structural characteristics.