Comparison of Spinal Canal Expansion Following Cervical Laminoplasty Based on the Preoperative Lamina Angle : A Simulation Study.

Objective: Expansion in the spinal canal area (SCA) after laminoplasty is one of the critical factors to relieve the preoperative symptoms. No previous study has compared the increases in SCA achieved by open-door laminoplasty (ODL) and double door laminoplasty (DDL) according to the preoperative lamina angle (LA). This study was designed to clarify the relationship between the laminoplasty opening angle (OA)/laminoplasty opening size (OS) and increases in the SCA following ODL and DDL according to the preoperative LA using a simulation model.

Staining for p53 and Ki-67 increases the sensitivity of EUS-FNA to detect pancreatic malignancy.

Aim: To investigate whether tumor marker staining can improve the sensitivity of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) to diagnose pancreatic malignancy.

Methods: Patients who underwent EUS-FNA were retrospectively identified. Each EUS-FNA specimen was evaluated by routine cytology and stained for tumor markers p53, Ki-67, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CA19-9.

Infection of the Esophagus.

We report the first case of infection of the human esophagus. We demonstrate initial endoscopic diagnosis, progression and then spontaneous resolution of infection, once the patient's occupational exposure had ceased.

Staining for intracytoplasmic lumina and CAM5.2 increases the detection rate for bile duct cancers.

Background And Study Aims: Endoscopic biopsies have a low sensitivity for diagnosing malignant bile duct strictures. Tumor markers detected by mucin staining and immunohistochemistry may help to determine the malignancy of a biopsy specimen where histologic evaluation alone is nondiagnostic.

Patients And Methods: 61 patients who underwent forceps biopsies were retrospectively identified, yielding 49 and 40 biopsy specimens for strictures finally diagnosed as benign and malignant, respectively.

Safety of treatment of latent tuberculosis infection in compensated cirrhotic patients during transplant candidacy period.

Background: Treatment of latent tuberculosis infection with isoniazid (INH) or rifampin (RIF) is controversial in liver transplant candidates due to potential hepatotoxicity. In this study, treatment of latent tuberculosis during transplant candidacy period is explored, and relevant literature is reviewed.

Methods: Liver transplant candidates with latent tuberculosis infection by positive tuberculin skin test (>5 mm) were prospectively enrolled and treated with 9 months of INH or 4 months of RIF, and were monitored monthly for their liver enzyme profiles, adverse effects, compliance, and completion rate.

Mini review: immune response to myelin-derived sulfatide and CNS-demyelination.

Here we briefly review our understanding of the immune response to myelin-derived glycolipids during an inflammatory autoimmune response in the central nervous system (CNS). We focus primarily on the recognition of the self-glycolipid sulfatide by a distinct population of non-invariant NK T cells. The results of studies we have obtained so far in investigating the presentation of sulfatide by CNS-resident cells including microglia and their interactions with T cells indicate that this pathway might be successfully targeted for the treatment of autoimmune demyelination in multiple sclerosis.

Successful palliation with octreotide of a neuroendocrine syndrome from malignant melanoma.

We present a unique case of a neuroendocrine syndrome in a patient with Stage IV vaginal melanoma metastatic to the liver that was successfully palliated with octreotide. Similar to the carcinoid syndrome, the patient exhibited chronic diaphoresis, intermittent low-grade fevers, dizziness, nausea with vomiting, and hot flashes. The symptoms on admission of acute hypotension, acute exacerbation of abdominal pains, and intractable nausea with vomiting suggested a neuroendocrine crisis secondary to massive degranulation and hormone release.

Noninvasive measurement of ablation crater size and thermal injury after CO2 laser in the vocal cord with optical coherence tomography.

Objective: To characterize tissue destruction after CO(2) laser-ablation of the vocal cords with the use of optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Study Design And Setting: OCT was used to image fresh porcine vocal cords after laser ablation. OCT and histology estimates of the ablation crater dimensions and the depth of thermal injury were obtained.

Prevention of autoimmunity by targeting a distinct, noninvariant CD1d-reactive T cell population reactive to sulfatide.

Class I and class II MHC-restricted T cells specific for proteins present in myelin have been shown to be involved in autoimmunity in the central nervous system (CNS). It is not yet known whether CD1d-restricted T cells reactive to myelin-derived lipids are present in the CNS and might be targeted to influence the course of autoimmune demyelination. Using specific glycolipid-CD1d tetramers and cloned T cells we have characterized a T cell population reactive to a myelin-derived glycolipid, sulfatide, presented by CD1d.

Protection against experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis generated by a recombinant adenovirus vector expressing the V beta 8.2 TCR is disrupted by coadministration with vectors expressing either IL-4 or -10.

Adenovirus vectors are increasingly being used for genetic vaccination and may prove highly suitable for intervention in different pathological conditions due to their capacity to generate high level, transient gene expression. In this study, we report the use of a recombinant adenovirus vector to induce regulatory responses for the prevention of autoimmune diseases through transient expression of a TCR beta-chain. Immunization of B10.

Zinc mediates assembly of the T1 domain of the voltage-gated K channel 4.2.

An intermolecular Zn(2+)-binding site was identified in the structure of the T1 domain of the Shaw-type potassium channels (aKv3.1). T1 is a BTB/POZ-type domain responsible for the ordered assembly of voltage-gated potassium channels and interactions with other macromolecules.

Activation of natural killer T cells potentiates or prevents experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Natural killer (NK) T cells recognize lipid antigens in the context of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class 1-like molecule CD1 and rapidly secrete large amounts of the cytokines interferon (IFN)-gamma and interleukin (IL)-4 upon T cell receptor (TCR) engagement. We have asked whether NK T cell activation influences adaptive T cell responses to myelin antigens and their ability to cause experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a model for multiple sclerosis. While simultaneous activation of NK T cells with the glycolipid alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer) and myelin-reactive T cells potentiates EAE in B10.

Voltage dependent activation of potassium channels is coupled to T1 domain structure.

The T1 domain, a highly conserved cytoplasmic portion at the N-terminus of the voltage-dependent K+ channel (Kv) alpha-subunit, is responsible for driving and regulating the tetramerization of the alpha-subunits. Here we report the identification of a set of mutations in the T1 domain that alter the gating properties of the Kv channel. Two mutants produce a leftward shift in the activation curve and slow the channel closing rate while a third mutation produces a rightward shift in the activation curve and speeds the channel closing rate.