Nutritional composition, heavy metal contents and lipid quality of five marine fish species from Cameroon coast

The nutritional value, heavy metal content and lipid quality of five marine fishes from, Cameroon coast were be investigated. Fish samples from Ilisha africana, Sardinella, maderensis, Cyprinus carpio, Arius parkii and Ethmalosa fimbriata were collected at, the Douala sea port, carried to the laboratory, washed with distilled water and, processed. Proximal composition, minerals, lipid quality and heavy metal analyses, were performed using AOAC standard methods. Results show that proteins (18.43%), and lipids (3.69%) contents were higher in Ilisha africana. Cyprinus carpio had the, highest ash content (4.59%). Contents of minerals and heavy metals were found as, follows: P > Mg > K > Ca > Na > Fe > Zn > Cu > Mn and Hg > Pb > Cd > As. Oils extracted from C. carpio, A. parkii and E. fimbriata were semi-siccative while those of I. africana and S. maderensis were siccative. Thus, these fish species are good sources of proteins and, minerals that can be used for managing mineral deficiencies in humans and animals.

Modestly Increased Incidence of Ketosis in Caloric Restriction Does not Significantly Alter the Effects of Caloric Restriction

OBJECTIVES

Caloric restriction (CR) has been shown to slow the aging processes in a number of preclinical studies and reduces expression of aging-associated biomarkers in human trials. We hypothesized that CR would lead to increased incidence of ketosis and that ketosis in CR individuals would alter the aging-protective effects of CR or biomarkers thereof.

DESIGN/SETTING/PARTICIPANTS

We analyzed data from the "Comprehensive Assessment of Long-Term Effects of Reducing Intake of Energy (CALERIE, Phase 2)" Public Use Database available at calerie.duke.edu. In this study, non-obese adults between the ages of 21 and 50 were randomized to 25% CR or control (ad lib) diet groups and extensively monitored for two years. Given our focus on the effect of caloric restriction on ketosis, individuals with detectible ketones during the baseline visit (pre-randomization) and those with missing data for ketone testing were excluded from the analysis, leaving 71 control and 117 CR participants.

MEASUREMENTS

We analyzed the incidence of ketosis as well as ketosis free survival in control and CR participants and assessed the effect of ketosis on a number of clinical lab values, functional assessments, and participant survey data related to aging biology.

RESULTS

We report that CR was associated with modestly increased incidence of ketosis (4.4% in CR vs 1.9% in control), though CR-associated changes in T3, VO2, SUMPT-WT (weight normalized composite strength score - peak torque), physical functioning, and general health did not appear to be altered by the presence or absence of ketosis. Additional observations of interest include: 1) striking patterns of biomarker expression changes (MCP-1, TNFα, TGF-β1, GH) in both the control and CR participants between the baseline visit and the 24-month post-randomization visit and 2) pro-growth/anti-inflammatory baseline (pre-randomization) biomarker expression profile in CR individuals that later test ketone positive relative to other CR individuals.

CONCLUSIONS

CR modestly increases the incidence of ketosis in healthy adults, yet the increase in ketosis in CR patients did not significantly affect the aging-protective effects of CR. However, given the relatively small number of participants who were ketone positive, further investigation in larger study cohorts is still required for definitive conclusions.

Major hepatectomy decreased tumor growth in an experimental model of bilobar liver metastasis

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Two-stage hepatectomy (TSH), is associated with a risk of drop-out due to tumoral progression following portal vein occlusion (PVO). We explored the impact of majorhepatectomy on tumor growth by objective radiological measures comparing to PVO and minor hepatectomy, using a model of bilobar colorectal liver metastasis (CLM).

METHODS

CLM were induced in 48 BDIX rats by injection of DHDK12-cells. 7 days after cells injection, animals were distributed into 4 groups of equal number (n = 12): portal vein ligation (PVL), sham laparotomy (sham), minor (30%Phx) and major (70%Phx) hepatectomy. MR imaging was used for in vivo analysis of tumor implantation, growth and volumes.

RESULTS

At POD10, tumour volumes were homogeneously distributed among the 4 groups. Lower TV were significantly observed after 70%Phx comparing to PVL at POD17 (0.63 ± 0.14cm3 vs 0.9 ± 0.16cm3, p = 0.008) and to the 3 others groups at POD24: 1.78 ± 0.38cm3 vs 3.2 ± 0.62cm3 (PVL, p = 0.019), 2.41 ± 0.74cm3 (Sham, p = 0.024) and 2.32 ± 0.59cm3 (30%PHx, p = 0.019).

CONCLUSION

We confirmed in a reproducible model that contrary to PVO, a major hepatectomy decreases the growth of CLM in the remnant liver. This result leads to questioning the usual TSH and justifies exploring alternative strategies. The "major hepatectomy first-approach" should be an option to be evaluated.

Recipients with blood group A associated with longer survival rates in cardiac valvular bioprostheses

Background

Pigs/bovines share with humans some of the antigens present on cardiac valves. Two such antigens are: the major xenogenic Ag, “Gal” present in all pig/bovine very close to human B-antigen of ABO-blood-group system; the minor Ag, pig histo-blood-group AH-antigen identical to human AH-antigen and present by some animals. We hypothesize that these antigens may modify the immunogenicity of the bioprosthesis and also its longevity. ABO distribution may vary between patients with low (<6 years) and high (≥15 years) bioprostheses longevity.

Methods

Single-centre registry study (Paris, France) including all degenerative porcine bioprostheses (mostly Carpentier-Edwards 2nd/3rd generation heart valves) explanted between 1985 and 1998 and some bovine bioprostheses. For period 1998–2014, all porcine bioprostheses with longevity ≥13 years (follow-up ≥29 years). Important predictive factors for bioprosthesis longevity: number, site of implantation, age were collected. Blood group and other variables were entered into an ordinal logistic regression analysis model predicting valve longevity, categorized as low (<6 years), medium (6–14.9 years), and high (≥15 years).

Findings

Longevity and ABO-blood group were obtained for 483 explanted porcine bioprostheses. Mean longevity was 10.2 ± 3.9 years [0–28] and significantly higher for A-patients than others (P = 0.009). Using multivariate analysis, group A was a strong predictive factor of longevity (OR 2.09; P < 0.001). For the 64 explanted bovine bioprosthesis with low/medium longevity, the association, with A-group was even more significant.

Interpretation

Patients of A-group but not B have a higher longevity of their bioprostheses. Future graft-host phenotyping and matching may give rise to a new generation of long-lasting bioprosthesis for implantation in humans, especially for the younger population.

Fund

None.

The spectrum of kidney pathology in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia / small lymphocytic lymphoma: a 25-year multicenter experience

Background

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma are 2 different presentations of the most common B-cell neoplasm in western countries (CLL/SLL). In this disease, kidney involvement is usually silent, and is rarely reported in the literature. This study provides a clinicopathological analysis of all-cause kidney disease in CLL/SLL patients.

Methods

Fifteen CLL/SLL patients with kidney biopsy were identified retrospectively. Demographic, clinical, pathological and laboratory data were assessed at biopsy, and during follow-up.

Results

At biopsy 11 patients presented impaired renal function, 7 patients nephrotic syndrome, 6 patients dysproteinemia, and 3 patients cryoglobulinemia. Kidney pathology revealed CLL/SLL-specific monoclonal infiltrate in 10 biopsies, glomerulopathy in 9 biopsies (5 membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, 2 minimal change disease, 1 glomerulonephritis with organized microtubular monoclonal immunoglobulin deposits, 1 AHL amyloidosis). Five patients presented interstitial granulomas attributed to CLL/SLL. After treatment of the hematological disease, improvement of renal function was observed in 7/11 patients, and remission of nephrotic syndrome in 5/7 patients. During follow-up, aggravation of the kidney disease systematically occurred in the absence of favorable response to hematological treatment.

Conclusions

A broad spectrum of kidney diseases is associated with CLL/SLL. In this setting, kidney biopsy can provide important information for diagnosis and therapeutic guidance.

Recurrent membranous nephropathy in an allograft caused by IgG3κ targeting the PLA2 receptor

Up to 80% of patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy have non-complement-fixing IgG4 autoantibodies to the phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R). Membranous nephropathy recurs in approximately 40% of patients after kidney transplantation, but the mechanism is unknown. Here, we describe a patient with recurrent membranous nephropathy 13 days after kidney transplantation whose graft biopsy specimen showed granular staining for C3, C5b-9, C1q, and IgG3κ; electron microscopy revealed subepithelial nonorganized deposits. A search for hematologic disorders was negative. Retrospective evaluation of a biopsy sample from the native kidney revealed a similar pattern: monotypic IgG3κ deposits together with C3, C1q, and C5b-9. Glomerular deposits contained PLA2R in both the graft and the native kidney, suggesting that the recurrence was the result of circulating anti-PLA2R antibodies binding to PLA2R antigen expressed on donor podocytes. Confocal analysis of anti-PLA2R and antihuman IgG3 showed co-localization, and the patient had IgG3κ-restricted circulating anti-PLA2R antibodies. Treatment with rituximab stabilized both proteinuria and serum creatinine, and circulating anti-PLA2R became undetectable. In summary, this case of recurrent membranous nephropathy in a graft suggests that circulating monoclonal anti-PLA2R IgG3κ caused the disease and activated complement by the classic pathway.

Tensile strength of biological fibrin sealants: a comparative study

BACKGROUND

Fibrin sealants are commonly used in liver surgery, although their effectiveness in routine clinical practice remains controversial. Individual sealant characteristics are based on hemostatic effects and adhesion properties that can be experimentally measured using the 'rat skin test' or the 'pig skin test'. This study used a more relevant and realistic experimental canine model to compare the differences in the adhesive properties of four fibrin sealants in hepatectomy: Tisseel/Tissucol, Tachosil, Quixil, and Beriplast.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A partial hepatectomy was performed in beagle dogs under general anesthesia to obtain liver cross-sections. Fibrin sealants were allocated to dog livers using a Youden square design. The tensile strength measurement was performed using a traction system to measure the rupture stress point of a small wooden cylinder bonded to the liver cross-section.

RESULTS

Significantly greater adhesion properties were observed with Tisseel/Tissucol compared with Quixil or Beriplast (P = 0.002 and 0.001, respectively). Similarly, Tachosil demonstrated significantly greater adhesive properties compared with Beriplast (P = 0.009) or Quixil (P = 0.014). No significant differences were observed between Tisseel/Tissucol and Tachosil or between Beriplast and Quixil.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this comparative study demonstrate that different fibrin sealants exhibit different adhesive properties. Tisseel/Tissucol and Tachosil provided greatest adhesion to liver cross-section in our canine model of hepatectomy. These results may enable the optimal choice of fibrin sealants for this procedure in clinical practice.

Nasolacrimal Duct Oncocytoma: An Unusual Cause of Chronic Epiphora

Epiphora has traditionally fallen under the purview of ophthalmologists. However, owing to the development of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy, this condition has been increasingly observed in otolaryngologic practice. We report the case of a woman with a 4-month history of right epiphora and dacryocystitis. Nasal endoscopy revealed the presence of a tumor at the inferior meatus. Histopathologic examination of a biopsy specimen identified the tumor as an oncocytoma. Surgical excision via a lateral rhinotomy approach was performed. At 3 years postoperatively, the patient was disease-free. Lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct tumors are rare, but they should be considered as a possible etiology in patients with acquired epiphora because most of these tumors are malignant.

Novel serum markers of fibrosis progression for the follow-up of hepatitis C virus-infected patients

Liver biopsy is considered the gold-standard method for the assessment of liver fibrosis during follow-up of hepatitis C virus-infected patients, but this invasive procedure is not devoid of complications. The aim of the present study was to identify novel non-invasive markers of fibrosis progression. By microarray analysis, we compared transcript levels in two extreme stages of fibrosis from 16 patients. Informative transcripts were validated by real-time PCR and used for the assessment of fibrosis in 23 additional patients. Sixteen transcripts were found to be dysregulated during the fibrogenesis process. Among them, some were of great interest because their corresponding proteins could be serologically measured. Thus, the protein levels of inter-alpha inhibitor H1, serpin peptidase inhibitor clade F member 2, and transthyretin were all significantly different according to the four Metavir stages of fibrosis. In conclusion, we report here that dysregulation, at both the transcriptional and protein levels, exists during the fibrogenesis process. Our description of three novel serum markers and their potential use as serological tests for the non-invasive diagnosis of liver fibrosis open new opportunities for better follow-up of hepatitis C virus-infected patients.

Unusual presentation of oropharyngeal Kaposi's sarcoma

BACKGROUND

The aim of this article is to focus ear, nose, and throat (ENT) practitioners on a pathology rarely seen within the head and neck mucosa.

METHODS

A 62-year-old black African man was referred to our ENT department for dysphagia and hoarseness. Physical ENT examination revealed a smooth normal mucosal mass on the left lateral pharyngeal wall, which masked the inlet of the larynx, and bilateral cervical lymph nodes but no other mucosal lesions. Anti-human immunodeficiency virus antibodies were found to be negative. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, white blood cell count, and platelet count were normal. Serum protein electrophoresis was also normal. A CT scan confirmed the lesion and lymph node involvement. Treatment consisted of a transoral endoscopic resection with ligature of the pedicle, with the patient under general anesthesia. The patient's improved medical condition permitted 11 cycles of bleomycin (15 mg/3 weeks).

RESULTS

A 5-month fibroscopic follow-up control showed no recurrence, and total clinical regression was observed after 1 year. Three years later, all ENT lesions had disappeared, with no adenopathy or mucosal lesions.

CONCLUSION

Kaposi's sarcoma is a pathology that the ENT practitioner must keep in mind when patients present with a laryngopharyngeal mass. The symptomatic cases were all surgically treated; however, death subsequently occurred.

[Laryngeal schwannomas]

Laryngeal schwannoma is a rare benign tumour of the larynx. Schwannomas derive from the Schwann cells. The majority occurs in supraglottic area and may arise at any age. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the best imaging tool for suggesting the diagnosis in the appropriate clinical context. Conservative surgery is the treatment of choice. These tumors have to be distinguished from neurofibromas. We report 2 cases of laryngeal schwannoma. The first one concerned an 8-month-old baby with a laryngeal stridor history which seemed to be related to laryngomalacia. The second case was a 22-year-old man with a 5-year history of dysphonia. On nasofibroscopic examination, a sub mucosal mass enlarged the posterior part of the right false vocal cord in both cases. Both CT scan and MRI sequences showed a well margined lesion in the same place. Histological biopsies identified a schwannoma. External surgeries were subsequently and successfully performed. Diagnosis (imaging), specific treatment (endoscopic or external surgery), and possible association of laryngeal schwannomas are discussed.

Review article: bifidobacteria as probiotic agents -- physiological effects and clinical benefits

Bifidobacteria, naturally present in the dominant colonic microbiota, represent up to 25% of the cultivable faecal bacteria in adults and 80% in infants. As probiotic agents, bifidobacteria have been studied for their efficacy in the prevention and treatment of a broad spectrum of animal and/or human gastrointestinal disorders, such as colonic transit disorders, intestinal infections, and colonic adenomas and cancer. The aim of this review is to focus on the gastrointestinal effects of bifidobacteria as probiotic agents in animal models and man. The traditional use of bifidobacteria in fermented dairy products and the GRAS ('Generally Recognised As Safe') status of certain strains attest to their safety. Some strains, especially Bifidobacterium animalis strain DN-173 010 which has long been used in fermented dairy products, show high gastrointestinal survival capacity and exhibit probiotic properties in the colon. Bifidobacteria are able to prevent or alleviate infectious diarrhoea through their effects on the immune system and resistance to colonization by pathogens. There is some experimental evidence that certain bifidobacteria may actually protect the host from carcinogenic activity of intestinal flora. Bifidobacteria may exert protective intestinal actions through various mechanisms, and represent promising advances in the fields of prophylaxis and therapy.

Review article: bifidobacteria as probiotic agents -- physiological effects and clinical benefits

Bifidobacteria, naturally present in the dominant colonic microbiota, represent up to 25% of the cultivable faecal bacteria in adults and 80% in infants. As probiotic agents, bifidobacteria have been studied for their efficacy in the prevention and treatment of a broad spectrum of animal and/or human gastrointestinal disorders, such as colonic transit disorders, intestinal infections, and colonic adenomas and cancer. The aim of this review is to focus on the gastrointestinal effects of bifidobacteria as probiotic agents in animal models and man. The traditional use of bifidobacteria in fermented dairy products and the GRAS ('Generally Recognised As Safe') status of certain strains attest to their safety. Some strains, especially Bifidobacterium animalis strain DN-173 010 which has long been used in fermented dairy products, show high gastrointestinal survival capacity and exhibit probiotic properties in the colon. Bifidobacteria are able to prevent or alleviate infectious diarrhoea through their effects on the immune system and resistance to colonization by pathogens. There is some experimental evidence that certain bifidobacteria may actually protect the host from carcinogenic activity of intestinal flora. Bifidobacteria may exert protective intestinal actions through various mechanisms, and represent promising advances in the fields of prophylaxis and therapy.

Expression of a functional C5a receptor in regenerating hepatocytes and its involvement in a proliferative signaling pathway in rat

Activation of the complement system generates the anaphylatoxin C5a whose activities are mediated through its binding to the widely expressed C5aR. C5aR mRNA and protein expressions are known to be induced in rat hepatocytes under inflammatory conditions. However, little is known about the role of the C5a/C5aR complex in liver and its involvement during a proliferative process. We have evaluated the expression of C5aR in regenerating rat hepatocytes following a partial hepatectomy and in hepatocyte cultures. C5aR induction was observed in hepatocytes from regenerating liver, as well as in normal hepatocytes under a culture-induced stress. The effect of a stimulation by a C5a agonist upon the synthesis of a growth factor/receptor pair (hepatocyte growth factor/c-Met) was also evaluated. Our data demonstrated an up-regulated expression of hepatocyte growth factor and c-Met mRNAs, but we failed to observe a direct mitogenic effect of C5a in culture. However, a significantly increased expression of cyclin E and D1mRNA levels, as well as an increased BrdU incorporation, were observed in rats given an i.v. C5a agonist injection following an 80% partial hepatectomy. These studies demonstrate for the first time that: 1) C5aR is up-regulated during liver regeneration, 2) the binding of C5a to C5aR promotes a growth response, and 3) C5aR is involved in a cell cycle signaling pathway. Taken together, these findings point to a novel role for the hepatic C5aR implicating this complement system in the context of normal or abnormal proliferative pathways.

Altered gene expression in acute systemic inflammation detected by complete coverage of the human liver transcriptome

The goal of the current study was to provide complete coverage of the liver transcriptome with human probes corresponding to every gene expressed in embryonic, adult, and/or cancerous liver. We developed dedicated tools, namely, the Liverpool nylon array of complementary DNA (cDNA) probes for approximately 10,000 nonredundant genes and the LiverTools database. Inflammation-induced transcriptome changes were studied in liver tissue samples from patients with an acute systemic inflammation and from control subjects. One hundred and fifty-four messenger RNAs (mRNA) correlated statistically with the extent of inflammation. Of these, 134 mRNA samples were not associated previously with an acute-phase (AP) response. The hepatocyte origin and proinflammatory cytokine responsiveness of these mRNAs were confirmed by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (Q-RT-PCR) in cytokine-challenged hepatoma cells. The corresponding gene promoters were enriched in potential binding sites for inflammation-driven transcription factors in the liver. Some of the corresponding proteins may provide novel blood markers of clinical relevance. The mRNAs whose level is most correlated with the AP extent (P <.05) were enriched in intracellular signaling molecules, transcription factors, glycosylation enzymes, and up-regulated plasma proteins. In conclusion, the hepatocyte responded to the AP extent by fine tuning some mRNA levels, controlling most, if not all, intracellular events from early signaling to the final secretion of proteins involved in innate immunity. Supplementary material for this article can be found on the HEPATOLOGY website (http://interscience.wiley.com/jpages/0270-9139/suppmat/index.html).

[Clinical aspects of human polyomaviruses in renal transplantation]

A THREAT FOR RENAL ALLOGRAFT: Human polyomavirus infections (BK virus, JC virus), known for the past 30 years, were considered as common in renal transplantation until the recently reported studies describing the responsibility of BKv (and less JCv) in the occurrence of tubulo-interstitial nephritis in around 5% of renal transplant recipients, with worsening of the renal function leading to graft failure in 10 to 45% of infected patients. Their description coincided with the use of new immunosuppressors (tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil) without, however, their responsibility clearly incriminated. EARLY DIAGNOSIS FOR EFFICIENT TREATMENT: The presence of cells infected by the polyomavirus ("decoy cells") in the urine and the detection of BKv or JCv DNA by PCR in the plasma and urine are viral replication markers which strongly suggest the possibility of a polyomavirus nephropathy. TWO CLINICAL VARYING FORMS: Polyomavirus infection is frequent and often asymptomatic. The diagnosis requires the detection of large nucleus "decoy cells" in fresh urine. Polyomavirus renal allograft disease is characterised by the association of decoy cells and renal failure related to a tubulo-interstitial nephropathy and the presence of DNA of the virus in the plasma. The diagnosis requires identification of intra-nuclear viral inclusions in epithelial cells using immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridisation, or electron microscopy techniques. A DIFFICULT DIAGNOSIS: Confusion between interstitial nephritis and acute cellular rejection is the major risk leading to therapeutic error. Risk factors include over-immunosuppression and/or treatment of rejection episodes which could increase viral replication as well as the emergence of mutant BKv strains at the origin of tubulo-interstitial nephritis, leading to acute and chronic dysfunction of the renal transplantation.

[Adenocarcinoma of the ethmoid sinuses: results of a retrospective study in Rouen]

Ethmoid adenocarcinoma is a rare tumour of the ethmoidal sinuses. The authors report on the clinical features, treatment and follow-up results in 19 cases. Risk factors were those regularly encountered. Delay to diagnosis was long due to the nonspecific clinical features and course. Nasal endoscopy was essential for follow-up. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were also required to assess tumour spread. Our results suggest that radiotherapy following surgery should be preferred. Survival rate is generally low for this type of tumor. We had 77% survival at 5 years.

Long-term effects of X-irradiation on gastrointestinal function and regulatory peptides in monkeys

PURPOSE

To investigate the long-term effects of X-irradiation on different aspects of gastrointestinal function in the non-human primate (Macaca mulatta).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Animals were exposed to X-radiation (5 or 6 Gy) or not (sham) and gastrointestinal function was investigated 4-6 years after exposure. Basal and agonist-stimulated short circuit current (Isc) responses were measured in isolated jejunum. Intestinal tissue was taken for histological analysis as well as for determination of mucosal marker enzyme activities and gastrointestinal regulatory peptide levels. Vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor characteristics were determined as well as VIP-stimulated Isc responses. GI peptides were also measured in plasma.

RESULTS

Few differences were seen in basal electrical parameters or tissue morphology but there was a tendency for reduced basolateral membrane enzyme activity. VIP-stimulated Isc responses were reduced in irradiated animals as were VIP-stimulated adenylate cyclase responses. Plasma and tissue (ileal and colonic muscle layers) gastrin releasing peptide levels were increased in irradiated animals. In contrast circulating gastrin levels were lower.

CONCLUSIONS

Late effects of total-body irradiation on GI function in monkeys showed altered circulating and tissue levels of some GI peptides. In addition the biological effects of vasoactive intestinal peptide were modified.

Ionizing radiation stimulates muscarinic regulation of rat intestinal mucosal function

The aim of this study was to determine whether ionizing radiation modifies muscarinic regulation of intestinal mucosal function. Rats exposed to total body 8-Gy gamma-irradiation or sham irradiated were studied up to 21 days after irradiation. Basal and carbachol-stimulated short-circuit current (Isc) and transepithelial conductance (Gt) of stripped ileum were determined in Ussing chambers. Muscarinic receptor characteristics using the muscarinic antagonist [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate and three unlabeled antagonists were measured in small intestinal plasma membranes together with two marker enzyme activities (sucrase, Na+-K+-ATPase). Enzyme activities were decreased 4 days after irradiation (day 4). Basal electrical parameters were unchanged. Maximal carbachol-induced changes in Isc and Gt were increased at day 4 (maximal DeltaIsc = 195.8 +/- 14.7 microA/cm2, n = 19, vs. 115.4 +/- 8.2 microA/cm2, n = 63, for control rats) and unchanged at day 7. Dissociation constant was decreased at day 4 (0.73 +/- 0.29 nM, n = 10, vs. 2.14 +/- 0.39 nM, n = 13, for control rats) but unchanged at day 7, without change in binding site number. Thus total body irradiation induces a temporary stimulation of cholinergic regulation of mucosal intestinal function that may result in radiation-induced diarrhea.

A pseudo-tumoral form of Kikuchi's disease in children: a case report and review of the literature

We report one case of a cervical pseudo-tumoral form of histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis (Kikuchi Fugimoto disease) occurring in a 13-year-old child. Diagnosis was made only by histology examination of an excision biopsy from one cervical lymph node. Spontaneous complete resolution occurred within 2 months. A review of the clinical and histological features in adults and children is presented. No difference was found between the two populations regarding these features. Differential diagnoses are malignant lymphoma, systematic lupus erythematosus and, in particular, Still's disease in children. The etiology of the disease is also discussed.

[Spheno-ethmoidal rhinoscleroma. Report of a case and review of the literature]

We report an unusual case of spheno-ethmoidal rhinoscleroma. This chronic granulomatous disease occurs sporadically in Western Europe. Culture is necessary for diagnosis showing the causative organism of rhinoscleroma, Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis. Immunocytochemistry is used in any suspicious case with a negative culture. Antibiotics are the mainstay of therapy for several weeks, using ciprofloxacine or rifampicin, until the nasal biopsies demonstrated no Klebsiella organism.

Central executive function in working memory: event-related brain potential studies

Visual event-related brain potentials (ERPs) were recorded during a running memory task, in which subjects dynamically revised (updated) memory stores, and a control task not requiring maintenance of a changing memory set but utilising identical stimulus sequences and response patterns. In three experiments, ERPs associated with cognitive processes were isolated through subtraction of control potentials from ERPs acquired during updating. We provide evidence that resultant difference ERPs primarily reflected processing or processing control, as opposed to storage. These findings are consistent both with Baddeley's working memory model, which postulates separate storage and control modules, and Morris and Jones' behavioral evidence for specific involvement of Baddeley's central executive in memory updating. In addition, our ERP data indicate that updating requires processes not suggested by Morris and Jones' behavioural studies; possibly control processes engaged to reduce the effects of proactive interference. Overall the data are consistent with the discovery of an ERP correlate of central executive activity.