Robotic lateral oropharyngectomy following diagnostic tonsillectomy is oncologically safe in patients with high risk human papillomavirus related squamous cell cancer.

Purpose: Diagnostic tonsillectomy is rarely an oncologic operation owing to close or positive margins. The standard of care is for further treatment to the primary site, typically with adjuvant radiotherapy.

Methods: 14 patients with close or positive margins following a diagnostic tonsillectomy underwent transoral robotic surgery (TORS) and lateral oropharyngectomy; five patients with the longest follow-up had their excision specimens examined with a step serial sectioning technique (SSS).

Systematic Review of Synthetic Computed Tomography Generation Methodologies for Use in Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Only Radiation Therapy.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers superior soft-tissue contrast as compared with computed tomography (CT), which is conventionally used for radiation therapy treatment planning (RTP) and patient positioning verification, resulting in improved target definition. The 2 modalities are co-registered for RTP; however, this introduces a systematic error. Implementing an MRI-only radiation therapy workflow would be advantageous because this error would be eliminated, the patient pathway simplified, and patient dose reduced.

Investigating the generalisation of an atlas-based synthetic-CT algorithm to another centre and MR scanner for prostate MR-only radiotherapy.

There is increasing interest in MR-only radiotherapy planning since it provides superb soft-tissue contrast without the registration uncertainties inherent in a CT-MR registration. However, MR images cannot readily provide the electron density information necessary for radiotherapy dose calculation. An algorithm which generates synthetic CTs for dose calculations from MR images of the prostate using an atlas of 3 T MR images has been previously reported by two of the authors.

Helicobacter pylori Adapts to Chronic Infection and Gastric Disease via pH-Responsive BabA-Mediated Adherence.

The BabA adhesin mediates high-affinity binding of Helicobacter pylori to the ABO blood group antigen-glycosylated gastric mucosa. Here we show that BabA is acid responsive-binding is reduced at low pH and restored by acid neutralization. Acid responsiveness differs among strains; often correlates with different intragastric regions and evolves during chronic infection and disease progression; and depends on pH sensor sequences in BabA and on pH reversible formation of high-affinity binding BabA multimers.

Expression of Genes for Drug Transporters in the Human Female Genital Tract and Modulatory Effect of Antiretroviral Drugs.

Anti-retroviral (ARV) -based microbicides are one of the strategies pursued to prevent HIV-1 transmission. Delivery of ARV drugs to subepithelial CD4+ T cells at concentrations for protection is likely determined by drug transporters expressed in the cervicovaginal epithelium. To define the role of drug transporters in mucosal disposition of topically applied ARV-based microbicides, these must be tested in epithelial cell line-based biopharmaceutical assays factoring the effect of relevant drug transporters.

Radiotherapy versus open surgery versus endolaryngeal surgery (with or without laser) for early laryngeal squamous cell cancer.

Background: This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in The Cochrane Library in Issue 2, 2002 and previously updated in 2004, 2007 and 2010.Radiotherapy, open surgery and endolaryngeal excision (with or without laser) are all accepted modalities of treatment for early-stage glottic cancer. Case series suggest that they confer a similar survival advantage, however radiotherapy and endolaryngeal surgery offer the advantage of voice preservation.

Adjuvant bevacizumab in patients with melanoma at high risk of recurrence (AVAST-M): preplanned interim results from a multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled phase 3 study.

Background: Bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody that targets VEGF, has shown restricted activity in patients with advanced melanoma. We aimed to assess the role of bevacizumab as adjuvant treatment for patients with resected melanoma at high risk of recurrence. We report results from the preplanned interim analysis.

Recurrent and second primary squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: when and how to reirradiate.

Background: Local and/or regional recurrence and metachronous primary tumor arising in a previously irradiated area are rather frequent events in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Re-treatment is associated with an increased risk of serious toxicity and impaired quality of life (QOL) with an uncertain survival advantage.

Methods: We analyzed the literature on the efficacy and toxicity of photon/electron-based external beam reirradiation for previously irradiated patients with HNSCC of non-nasopharyngeal origin.

DC-SIGN increases the affinity of HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein interaction with CD4.

Mannose-binding C-type lectin receptors, expressed on Langerhans cells and subepithelial dendritic cells (DCs) of cervico-vaginal tissues, play an important role in HIV-1 capture and subsequent dissemination to lymph nodes. DC-SIGN has been implicated in both productive infection of DCs and the DC-mediated trans infection of CD4(+) T cells that occurs in the absence of replication. However, the molecular events that underlie this efficient transmission have not been fully defined.

Cytoskeletal proteins bound to heat-shock protein 70 may elicit resistance to simian immunodeficiency virus infection of CD4(+) T cells.

This study is based on the evidence that immunization of macaques with human CD4(+) T cells elicits prevention of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection. We hypothesized that heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70) isolated from CD4(+) T cells may act as a chaperone and carry the protective host proteins. Two moieties of HSP70 were affinity-purified from human CD4(+) T cells; an ADP preparation with HSP70-bound proteins (ADP-HSP) and an ATP control preparation.

A human domain antibody and Lewis b glycoconjugate that inhibit binding of Helicobacter pylori to Lewis b receptor and adhesion to human gastric epithelium.

Increasing antibiotic resistance has prompted development of alternative approaches to antimicrobial therapy, including blocking microbial adhesion to host receptors. The BabA adhesin of Helicobacter pylori binds to fucosylated blood group antigens, such as the Lewis(b) antigens in human primate gastric mucosa. We have isolated a human domain antibody specific for BabA that inhibits binding of BabA to Lewis(b) and prevents adhesion of H.

Radiotherapy for management of skin cancers in fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva: a case report and review of the literature.

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare condition of ectopic calcification leading to increasing disability throughout life, with most patients being wheelchair bound by the age of 30. Ectopic calcification can be triggered by trauma and it is therefore important to minimize biopsies and operative procedures in affected individuals. We report a 46-year-old FOP patient who was successfully treated with radiotherapy for a basal cell carcinoma.

Carcinoma ex benign pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland.

Background: Carcinoma in pleomorphic salivary adenoma is a common histologic subtype of primary parotid malignancy.

Methods: In this study, 28 patients (predominantly male) with histologically diagnosed carcinoma in pleomorphic salivary adenoma presenting over 10 years were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: Only 25 percent of patients had a previously treated pleomorphic salivary adenoma.

Functions of cell surface-anchored antigen I/II family and Hsa polypeptides in interactions of Streptococcus gordonii with host receptors.

Streptococcus gordonii colonizes multiple sites within the human oral cavity. This colonization depends upon the initial interactions of streptococcal adhesins with host receptors. The adhesins that bind salivary agglutinin glycoprotein (gp340) and human cell surface receptors include the antigen I/II (AgI/II) family polypeptides SspA and SspB and a sialic acid-binding surface protein designated Hsa or GspB.

Multidisciplinary management of head and neck sarcomas.

Background: Head and neck sarcomas are extremely rare. This article reviews the management and outcomes in a multidisciplinary clinic.

Methods: The records of 41 male and 19 female patients (mean age, 50 years) were reviewed.

Differential binding specificities of oral streptococcal antigen I/II family adhesins for human or bacterial ligands.

The antigen I/II (AgI/II) family polypeptides, ranging from 1310 to 1653 amino acid (aa) residues, are cell wall anchored adhesins expressed by most indigenous species of oral streptococci. The polypeptides interact with a wide range of host molecules, in particular salivary agglutinin glycoprotein (SAG or gp340), and with ligands on other oral bacteria. To determine the receptor recognition properties of six different AgI/II family polypeptides from strains of Streptococcus gordonii, Streptococcus intermedius and Streptococcus mutans, the genes were cloned and expressed on the surface of the surrogate host Lactococcus lactis.

A novel HIV-CCR5 receptor vaccine strategy in the control of mucosal SIV/HIV infection.

Objective: To develop a novel SIV-CCR5 receptor vaccine strategy that will protect macaques from SHIV infection by the vaginal mucosal route.

Design: The rationale for this strategy is that humans who express the homozygous delta32 CCR5 mutation and the associated upregulation of CC chemokines, the down-modulation of cell-surface expression of CCR5 and antibodies to CCR5 are protected against HIV infection.

Methods: A vaccine was prepared consisting of three extracellular peptides of CCR5, an N-terminal HIV gp120 fragment generated in transgenic plants and recombinant SIV p27.

Peptide mapping of a novel discontinuous epitope of the major surface adhesin from Streptococcus mutans.

Guy's 13 is a mouse monoclonal antibody that specifically recognizes the major cell-surface adhesion protein SA I/II of Streptococcus mutans, one of the major causative agents of dental caries. Passive immunization with Guy's 13 prevents bacterial colonization in humans. To help elucidate the mechanism of prevention of colonization conferred by this antibody, the SA I/II epitope recognized by Guy's 13 was investigated.

Stimulation of Th1-polarizing cytokines, C-C chemokines, maturation of dendritic cells, and adjuvant function by the peptide binding fragment of heat shock protein 70.

The peptide binding C-terminal portion of heat shock protein (HSP)70 (aa 359-610) stimulates human monocytes to produce IL-12, TNF-alpha, NO, and C-C chemokines. The N-terminal, ATPase portion (HSP70(1-358)) failed to stimulate any of these cytokines or chemokines. Both native and the truncated HSP70(359-610) stimulation of chemokine production is mediated by the CD40 costimulatory molecule.

In situ delivery of passive immunity by lactobacilli producing single-chain antibodies.

Lactobacilli have previously been used to deliver vaccine components for active immunization in vivo. Vectors encoding a single-chain Fv (scFv) antibody fragment, which recognizes the streptococcal antigen I/II (SAI/II) adhesion molecule of Streptococcus mutans, were constructed and expressed in Lactobacillus zeae (American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) 393). The scFv antibody fragments secreted into the supernatant or expressed on the surface of the bacteria showed binding activity against SAI/II in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and surface scFv-expressing lactobacilli agglutinated SAI/II-expressing S.