Improved detection of second primary cancer using integrated [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography for initial tumor staging.

Purpose: This study evaluated prospectively the value of integrated whole-body positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) using [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in detecting a second primary cancer at the time of the initial staging in comparison with a conventional staging work-up (CSW).

Methods: The participants were 547 patients diagnosed with cancer who underwent FDG PET/CT imaging for the initial staging. An additional diagnostic evaluation was performed when there were abnormal findings indicative of a second primary cancer on either PET/CT or CSW considering the site and the biologic behavior of the alleged primary tumor.

Field experiences integrating family planning into programs to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

This article reviews field experiences with provision of family planning services in prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programs in ten countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Family planning is a standard component of most antenatal care and maternal-child health programs within which PMTCT programs are offered. Yet PMTCT sites often miss opportunities to provide HIV-positive clients with family planning counseling.

Transforming variant of Met receptor confers serum independence and anti-apoptotic property and could be involved in the mouse thymic lymphomagenesis.

Met tyrosine kinase receptor, the receptor of hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF), is present in mouse tissues as two major isoforms differing by a 47-aminoacid segment in the juxtamembrane domain via alternative splicing of exon 14. We found that the smaller isoform of Met (Sm-Met) was highly transformable in both in vitro and in vivo tumorigenesis assays. In this report, close examination of the transforming activity of the Sm-Met showed that the expression of Sm-Met conferred the cells serum independence and anti- apoptotic property when treated with doxorubicin.

Chiral discrimination studies of (+)-(18-crown-6)-2,3,11,12-tetracarboxylic acid by high-performance liquid chromatography and NMR spectroscopy.

Chiral discrimination studies using (+)-(18-crown-6)-2,3,11,12-tetracarboxylic acid (18-C-6-TA) as a chiral selector were performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and NMR spectroscopy. The enantiomers of alanine (Ala) or alanine methyl ester (Ala-ME) were well separated on the chiral stationary phases (CSPs) derived from (+)-18-C-6-TA by HPLC. The chiral selector, (+)-18-C-6-TA, used in the CSP was also applied for the chiral discrimination of the Ala and Ala-ME enantiomers, and it discriminated these enantiomers successfully by NMR spectroscopy.

Lipase mediated chiral resolution of 4-arylthio-2-butanol as an intermediate for beta-lactam antibiotics.

This paper deals with chiral enzymatic resolution of 4-arylthio-2-butanols by lipase to prepare potential intermediates of beta-lactam antibiotics. Among several lipases employed, lipase P type enzyme gave the highest ee value to prepare (R)-4-arylthio-2-butyl acetate. The enzymatic resolution of phenyl substituted alcohol (6a) using lipase P showed the highest ee value (99.

High Dose Radiation Therapy Concurrent with Chemotherapy in Locally Advanced Nasopharynx Cancer.

Purpose: Here, our results from a prospective treatment protocol of concurrent radiochemotherapy (CRCT), which was conducted for locally advanced nasopharynx cancers, between April 1994 and May 2001, are reported.

Materials And Methods: A total of 52 consecutive eligible patients were accumulated for this protocol. The median radiation doses to the primary site, involved nodes and uninvolved neck were 72, 61.

Diagnostic Accuracy of F-18 FDG-PET in the Assessment of Posttherapeutic Recurrence of Head and Neck Cancer.

The purpose of this study was to compare whole-body fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (F-18 FDG-PET) with conventional imaging modalities (CI: CT/MRI) in the detection of recurrent head and neck cancer. Whole-body F-18 FDG-PET was performed in 45 patients (recurrence = 39; no recurrence = 16) with previous head and neck cancer. We compared detectability by the period from initial cancer treatment and treatment modalities.

Mechanical characterization of micro/nanoscale structures for MEMS/NEMS applications using nanoindentation techniques.

Mechanical properties of micro/nanoscale structures are needed to design reliable micro/nanoelectromechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS). Micro/nanomechanical characterization of bulk materials of undoped single-crystal silicon and thin films of undoped polysilicon, SiO(2), SiC, Ni-P, and Au have been carried out. Hardness, elastic modulus and scratch resistance of these materials were measured by nanoindentation and microscratching using a nanoindenter.

Convergent evolution of Amadori opine catabolic systems in plasmids of Agrobacterium tumefaciens.

Deoxyfructosyl glutamine (DFG, referred to elsewhere as dfg) is a naturally occurring Amadori compound found in rotting fruits and vegetables. DFG also is an opine and is found in tumors induced by chrysopine-type strains of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Such strains catabolize this opine via a pathway coded for by their plasmids.

Pharyngoesophageal reconstruction with lateral thigh free flap.

Background: We evaluated the use of a lateral thigh free flap in pharyngoesophageal reconstruction, which is often overlooked and less widely used despite its distinct advantages.

Methods: This study reviewed the patient's medical records, including the patient's age, gender, histopathologic diagnosis, surgical defects, flap size, flap survival, donor and recipient site complications, and swallowing function and voice rehabilitation.

Results: Twelve lateral thigh free flaps were used to primarily reconstruct the pharyngoesophagus in 11 patients after tumor resection from July 1997 to May 1999.

Tissue-engineered cartilage on biodegradable macroporous scaffolds: cell shape and phenotypic expression.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to establish in vitro culture of chondrocytes on biodegradable, poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) [PLGA] scaffolds.

Study Design: Laboratory experiment using cartilage of rat rib and biodegradable scaffolds.

Methods: Chondrocytes were cultured on a poly-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (poly-HEMA)-coated dish, proliferated, and transferred into the PLGA scaffolds.

Replacement of a tracheal defect with autogenous mucosa lined tracheal prosthesis made from polypropylene mesh.

Reliable prosthetic or tissue grafts for the trachea have not, as yet, been developed for reconstruction of large, circumferential tracheal defects. Major limitations are anastomotic dehiscence and stenosis, attributed to the poor epithelialization and vascularization of the prosthetic graft. We have developed a new tracheal prosthesis that has a well vascularized and viable mucosa.

Interleukin 12 gene therapy of cancer by peritumoral injection of transduced autologous fibroblasts: outcome of a phase I study.

A phase I dose-escalation clinical trial of peritumoral injections of interleukin 12 (IL-12)-transduced autologous fibroblasts was performed in patients with disseminated cancer for whom effective treatment does not exist. The goals of this study were to assess the safety and toxicities as well as the efficacy, and ancillarily the immunomodulatory effects, of peritumoral IL-12 gene transfer. Primary dermal fibroblasts cultured from the patients were transduced with retroviral vector carrying human IL-12 genes (p35 and p40) as well as the neomycin phosphotransferase gene (TFG-hIL-12-Neo).

Surgical tactics and outcome of treatment in jugular foramen schwannomas.

Seven patients with schwannomas of the jugular foramen were included our study in Samsung Medical Center between 1995 and 1999. Patients with neurofibromatosis were excluded. The records of the seven patients (six surgical case and one nonsurgical case) were retrospectively reviewed.

Intracellular accumulation of mannopine, an opine produced by crown gall tumors, transiently inhibits growth of Agrobacterium tumefaciens.

pYDH208, a cosmid clone from the octopine-mannityl opine-type tumor-inducing (Ti) plasmid pTi15955 confers utilization of mannopine (MOP) and agropine (AGR) on Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain NT1. NT1 harboring pYDH208 with an insertion mutation in mocC, which codes for MOP oxidoreductase, not only fails to utilize MOP as a sole carbon source, but also was inhibited in its growth by MOP and AGR. In contrast, the growth of mutants with insertions in other tested moc genes was not inhibited by either opine.

CHOP followed by involved field radiation: is it optimal for localized nasal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma?

The present study aimed to analyse the treatment outcome of four cycles of CHOP (cyclophosphamide-vincristine-doxorubicin-prednisolone) followed by involved field radiation therapy (IF RT) for the treatment of stage I-II nasal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma. From March 1995 to December 1999, 17 patients (median age 41 years; range 30-66) with localized nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma were enrolled. B symptoms were noted in five patients (31%).

The short head of the biceps femoris as a monitor for the free lateral thigh flap in pharyngoesophageal reconstruction.

Free flaps are frequently used to reconstruct the defect following radical resection of pharyngoesophageal malignancy but postoperative monitoring of buried flaps is difficult. We have designed a monitoring-muscle flap using the short head of the biceps femoris muscle when using a free lateral thigh flap. The third and fourth perforators of the profunda femoris artery, the main vascular pedicle of the lateral thigh flap, pass through the short head of the biceps femoris.

Development of new tracheal prosthesis: autogenous mucosa-lined prosthesis made from polypropylene mesh.

Reliable tracheal or tissue graft has not been developed yet for the reconstruction of large, circumferential tracheal defects. Major limitations were anastomotic dehishence and stenosis, which were attributed to the poor epithelisation of the prosthetic graft. We developed a new tracheal prosthesis that has a viable lined and well-vascularized mucosa.

Polymerase chain reaction detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from fine-needle aspirate for the diagnosis of cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis.

Background: Despite its well-established usefulness in the diagnosis of cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis, fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) has several limitations in its clinical applications, especially when the presence of acid-fast bacilli is not proven. Furthermore, fine-needle aspirate is sometimes inadequate for diagnosis, and the sensitivity and specificity of this technique for cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis has not been firmly established.

Objective: The authors performed Mycobacterium tuberculosis polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for mycobacterial DNA sequences from the remainder of fine-needle aspirate after cytological examination and evaluated its diagnostic efficacy in clinical situations.

Fractionated stereotactic radiation therapy for locally recurrent nasopharynx cancer: report of three cases.

Background: This article reports on experience with fractionated stereotactic radiation therapy (FSRT) for locally recurrent nasopharynx cancer.

Methods: Three patients with locally recurrent nasopharynx cancer were given FSRT as reirradiation between September 1995 and August 1996. Application of FSRT was the third radiation therapy in two patients.

Head and neck reconstruction using lateral thigh free flap: flap design.

Eleven lateral thigh free flaps were used in head and neck reconstruction, transferred on the basis of the second perforator as well as the third perforator of the profunda femoris artery. The lateral thigh free flap was useful and reliable in head and neck reconstruction and was versatile in flap design. Due to the wide cutaneous territory of the lateral thigh flap, the skin island could be designed freely in the lateral thigh region.

The significance of CT scan or MRI in the evaluation of salivary gland tumors.

Imaging modalities such as CT scan or MRI are frequently employed for the diagnosis of neoplastic lesions in the salivary glands. To evaluate the efficacy of the CT scan and the MRI in differentiating malignant neoplasm from benign lesions, 120 CT scans and 31 MRIs were retrospectively analyzed from 147 patients with salivary gland masses. All images were analyzed focusing on the presence of several relevant features.

Aberrant cervical thymus: a case report and review of literature.

This article illustrates a case of an aberrant cervical thymus presented as a neck mass. This is a case of a 4-month-old boy presenting with a right submandibular mass whose preoperative diagnosis was lymphangioma or neoplastic lesion. The mass was successfully removed and the histopathological examination showed normal thymic tissue with no diagnostic abnormality.

Isolation and structure elucidation of five new asterriquinones from Aspergillus, Humicola and Botryotrichum species.

Five new quinone pigments have been discovered from the fermentation broth of Aspergillus, Humicola and Botryotrichum species isolated from different soil samples. These compounds inhibit serine proteases of the coagulation pathway. Their structures which differ in the identity and position of a 5-carbon side chain on the indole moiety have been elucidated based on NMR and FAB-MS experiments.