Tumor cell MT1-MMP is dispensable for osteosarcoma tumor growth, bone degradation and lung metastasis.

The membrane-anchored matrix metalloprotease MT1-MMP is a potent collagenolytic enzyme with a well-established role in extracellular matrix turnover and cellular invasion into collagen-rich tissues. MT1-MMP is highly expressed in various types of cancer and has been demonstrated to be directly involved in several stages of tumor progression, including primary tumor growth, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis. Osteosarcoma is the most common type of primary bone cancer.

Ultrasound examination of the parathyroid glands.

High-resolution sonography is a significant imaging tool available for evaluation of the parathyroid glands. It works particularly well in concert with nuclear imaging, especially in assisting preoperative localization of parathyroid lesions and in guiding interventional parathyroid procedures. Its limitations relate to anatomic areas not accessible to insonation.

Appendiceal imaging: which test is best?

Radiologic imaging has been clearly shown to be useful for the evaluation of patients clinically suspected of having appendicitis with CT and ultrasound being the most frequently recommended modalities. However, controversy still exists as to which modality is the technique of choice for appendiceal imaging. Our experience has led us to conclude that a standard helical abdominopelvic CT is the initial test of choice for the evaluation of the adult patient suspected of having acute appendicitis.

Comparative assessment of CT and sonographic techniques for appendiceal imaging.

Objective: We performed a comparative assessment of CT and sonographic techniques used to assess appendicitis.

Materials And Methods: One hundred patients with clinically suspected acute appendicitis were examined with sonography, unenhanced focused appendiceal CT, complete abdominopelvic CT using IV contrast material, focused appendiceal CT with colonic contrast material, and repeated sonography with colonic contrast material. Each sonogram was videotaped for subsequent interpretation by three radiologists and two sonographers.