Cyclic Imine Pinnatoxin G is Cytotoxic to Cancer Cell Lines via Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor-Driven Classical Apoptosis.

Pinnatoxin G is a cyclic imine neurotoxin produced by dinoflagellates that has been reported in shellfish. Like other members of the pinnatoxin family, it has been shown to have its effects via antagonism of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, with preferential binding to the α7 subunit often upregulated in cancer. Because increased activity of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors contributes to increased growth and resistance to apoptosis, the effect of pinnatoxin G on cancer cell viability was tested.

Proteoglycans exert a significant effect on human meniscal stiffness through ionic effects.

Background: Proteoglycans contribute to mechanical stiffness in articular cartilage, aiding load transmission. The magnitude of the ionic contribution of proteoglycans to the stiffness of human meniscal tissue has not been established.

Methods: Thirty-six discs of human meniscal tissue were placed within a custom confined compression chamber and bathed in three solutions of increasing ionic concentration.

Adamantinoma-like Ewing sarcoma mimicking basal cell adenocarcinoma of the parotid gland: a case report and review of the literature.

Adamantinoma-like Ewing sarcoma (AES) is a rare variant of the Ewing family of tumors that resembles classic adamantinoma of bone. AES shows epithelial differentiation and a more complex immunohistochemical expression profile with keratin and basal marker immunoreactivity and can resemble a variety of carcinomas. We report an unusual case of an AES of the parotid gland that mimicked a basal cell adenocarcinoma.

Mesenchymal stem cells inhibit breast cancer cell migration and invasion through secretion of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 and -2.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) form part of tumor stroma, and are typically considered to be pro-tumorigenic, promoting continuing tumor growth and metastasis. Here, we describe a mechanism by which MSCs may be anti-tumorigenic, through inhibition of breast cancer cell migration and invasion, an important part of metastasis. MDA-MB-231 and T47D cells were co-cultured in a Transwell insert above MSCs or MSC conditioned media and their migration or invasion through Matrigel measured.

The relationship of pre- and postoperative median and ulnar nerve conduction measures to a self-administered questionnaire in carpal tunnel syndrome.

Study Aims: Following carpal tunnel release (CTR), only very modest correlations have been found between subjective symptoms and function indexes compared to neurophysiological measures. The objective of this study was to evaluate this relationship by comparing the self-administered Boston symptom severity score and function severity score questionnaire against nerve conduction studies (NCS) before and after CTR using two different electrophysiological techniques.

Patients And Methods: Carpal tunnel release was performed in 51 patients (62 hands).

Secondary transfer of adult mantled howlers (Alouatta palliata) on Hacienda La Pacifica, Costa Rica: 1975-2009.

Natal emigration by male and female mantled howlers (Alouatta palliata), and subsequent immigration into breeding groups, is well documented for the free-ranging population on Hacienda La Pacifica, Costa Rica, but secondary transfer was considered rare (Glander in Int J Primatol 3:415-436, 1992). Population surveys in 1998 and 2006 caused us to question our assumptions and to re-evaluate our long-term data set from a post hoc perspective. We first identified all animals observed or captured as adults in more than one non-natal group anywhere in the population.

Natal emigration by both sexes in the La Pacifica population of mantled howlers: when do some stay?

We have reported previously that all male and female mantled howlers emigrate from natal groups at Hacienda La Pacifica, Costa Rica. In the years since that report, a small number of juveniles have stayed in the natal group without experiencing a solitary phase. Here, we present a post hoc analysis on juvenile emigration in six groups of howlers under observation for varying amounts of time between 1972 and 2005.

Behavior and endocrine concentrations do not distinguish sex in monomorphic juvenile howlers (Alouatta palliata).

Behavioral observations on juvenile mantled howlers are limited by visually undifferentiated genitalia; however, animals can be sexed when they are very young or if they are captured. Behavioral data and fecal samples from juveniles during month-long field studies from 1993 to 1995 were analyzed to determine whether there are developmental differences in behavior or hormone concentrations that can be used to differentiate males from females. The subjects were juveniles of known sex and age from five different social groups on Hacienda La Pacifica, Costa Rica.

Proliferative Activity in Pancreatic Endocrine Tumors: Association with Function, Metastases, and Survival.

Endocrine tumors of the pancreas are slow-growing lesions, yet one-third to one-half will metastasize. It is generally accepted that histopathologic features do not reliably predict metastatic potential or outcome. We investigated whether proliferative activity, as determined by MIB-l labeling, correlated with tumor type, metastasis, or patient survival.

Mantled howler population of Hacienda La Pacifica, Costa Rica, between 1991 and 1998: effects of deforestation.

A survey of the mantled howler (Alouatta palliata) population on Hacienda La Pacifica, Guanacaste, Costa Rica, was done in July and August of 1998 to determine population parameters following deforestation due to major canal construction between 1990 and 1994. The survey was carried out in a manner identical to our 1991 survey and consisted of a single pass and two re-surveys of all forested areas of the farm. As canal construction effectively increased fragmentation of the habitat, we predicted decreased population and group size over this time.

Parathyromatosis: a cause for recurrent hyperparathyroidism.

Objective: To report a case of parathyromatosis as a cause for recurrent hyperparathyroidism.

Methods: We present the case history, laboratory results, operative interventions, and pathologic findings in a 36-year-old woman. Relevant reports from the literature are reviewed.

Integrated p53 histopathologic/genetic analysis of premalignant lesions of the esophagus.

Unlabelled: Esophageal carcinoma frequently occurs in patients with long-standing achalasia.

Aim: To examine the role of p53 alterations and PCNA in patients with megaesophagus.

Methods: Sections of four tumors, and corresponding adjacent areas, from patients with achalasia due to Chagas' disease were examined by immunohistochemistry for p53 and PCNA proteins.

Morphometric comparison of Chinese-origin and Indian-derived rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta).

Chinese-origin and Indian-derived rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta), ranging in age from 6 months to 15 years, were weighed and measured during the 1995 inventory of the SAIDS breeding colony at the Tulane Regional Primate Research Center. Data were analyzed separately for males (n=279) and females (n=554), and an analysis of variance was done for five measurements and two indices, with age and country of origin as independent variables. All measurements increased significantly with age, but Chinese-origin males were heavier, longer, and taller than Indian-derived males.

Genetic galactocerebrosidase deficiency (globoid cell leukodystrophy, Krabbe disease) in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta).

Globoid cell leukodystrophy, or Krabbe disease, is a severe disorder of the peripheral and central nervous system myelin caused by deficient galactocerebrosidase (GALC) activity. This autosomal recessive disease affects humans and animals including dogs, mice, and rhesus monkeys. Cloning of the human and animal GALC genes opened opportunities for therapeutic trials using animal models.

Relationship between persistence of Helicobacter pylori and dysplasia, intestinal metaplasia, atrophy, inflammation, and cell proliferation following partial gastrectomy.

Helicobacter pylori and partial gastric resection are risk factors for gastric cancer. Our aims were to investigate the presence of H. pylori in postgastrectomy patients and to correlate that with alterations in mucosal architecture and cell proliferation.

Expression of the Cell Adhesion Molecule CD44 in Human Lung Tumors and Cell Lines.

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the expression of the cell adhesion molecule CD44 in normal lung, primary and metastatic lung tumors, and cell lines derived from primary lung carcinomas. Methods and Results: A total of 68 lung specimens including normal tissue and primary and metastatic tumors, as well as 28 cell lines cultured from primary lung tumors with high recurrence, were examined for CD44 expression by semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Variant exon expression was confirmed by Southern blotting and hybridization of particular samples.

The variable penetrance and spectrum of manifestations of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1.

Background: Some experts maintain that (1) > 90% of patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) are first seen with hyperparathyroidism (HPTH) so that routine screening for other features is unnecessary and (2) MEN1 has > or = 94% penetrance by age 50 years.

Methods: We constructed a regional registry of patients with or at risk for MEN1 and examined phenotypic profiles in 34 patients. MEN1 was defined as (1) endocrinopathy of 2 of the 3 principal related tissues (parathyroid, gastrointestinal endocrine, pituitary) or (2) 1 such feature plus a first-degree relative with MEN1.

Preoperative chemoradiotherapy for carcinoma of the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction.

Purpose: To determine whether combination 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin, and interferon alfa, an active regimen in advanced esophageal cancer, is efficacious as induction therapy before esophagectomy.

Materials And Methods: Forty-four patients with potentially resectable esophageal/gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma were entered into a phase I/II study of this chemotherapeutic regimen and concurrent external-beam radiotherapy before resection. The initial 16 patients were treated with prolonged-infusion 5-fluorouracil (300 mg/m2 on days 1 to 28), cisplatin (20 mg/m2 on days 1 to 5 and 24 to 28), interferon alfa (3 x 10(6) U/m2 intravenously on days 1 to 5 and 24 to 28; subcutaneous injection every other day on days 6 to 23), and radiation (4000 cGy).

p53 sequence analysis predicts treatment response and outcome of patients with esophageal carcinoma.

Background: The ability to predict biologic behavior and treatment responsiveness would be a valuable asset in the multimodality approach to esophageal carcinoma. The authors examined whether alterations of the p53 gene correlate with clinicopathologic parameters, response to preoperative chemotherapy/radiotherapy, and outcome in patients with esophageal carcinoma. METHODS.

Peritumoral CD1a-positive dendritic cells are associated with improved survival in patients with tongue carcinoma.

Objectives: To determine if survival and recurrence rates for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue correlate with the degree of dendritic cell (DC) infiltration of the primary tumor or adjacent tongue tissue and if there is an association between tumor or nodal stage and DC infiltration.

Design: Hospital and office medical records were reviewed to obtain 5-year follow-up data. Original pathology specimens were recut and stained for the cell surface markers S100 and CD 1a.

Prognostic markers in pheochromocytoma.

Clinical and histopathological features do not reliably distinguish between benign and malignant pheochromocytomas. Additional markers that might be useful prognostic indicators in the pathological assessment of these tumors are sought. Immunohistochemical expression of MIB-1, Bcl-2, cathepsin B, cathepsin D, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), c-met, and type IV collagenase were studied on formalin-fixed tissue from 33 nonconsecutive cases of pheochromocytoma, selected on the basis of reliable long-term follow-up, to determine associations with malignancy.

Expression of p53, PCNA, and C-erbB-2 in Barrett's metaplasia and adenocarcinoma.

We sought to determine if an immunohistochemical panel of p53, PCNA, and c-erbB-2 was a useful biomarker of transformation in Barrett's metaplasia. P53, PCNA, and c-erbB-2 immunohistochemistry was performed on resected Barrett's specimens selected to show discrete grades of dysplasia and then on prospectively obtained biopsies. In resection specimens, p53 was positive in 36% with no dysplasia, in 30% with low-grade dysplasia, in 85% with high-grade dysplasia, and in 90% of adenocarcinomas.

Parathyroid hyperplasia, thymic carcinoid and pituitary adenoma detected with technetium-99m-MIBI in MEN type I.

We report a case of a 57-yr-old woman with history of multiple endocrine neoplasia type I (MEN I). A 99mTc-sestamibi scan demonstrated a hyperplastic parathyroid gland, a large anterior mediastinal mass and a pituitary adenoma during a study done to evaluate recurrent hyperparathyroidism. The importance of this case is that much of the nonparathyroid pathology in patients with MEN I syndrome may be detected with this one study.

bcl-2 protein expression in gastric remnant mucosa and gastric cancer 15 or more years after partial gastrectomy.

Partial gastrectomy is a risk factor for subsequent gastric cancer. The genetic alterations associated with malignant transformation, however, are poorly understood. Ninety-eight biopsies from 22 patients with benign gastric mucosa (BGM) at least 15 years after gastrectomy and resected specimens from 13 patients with postgastrectomy stump cancer (GC), were evaluated for immunohistochemical expression of bcl-2 oncogenic protein and correlated with the presence of dysplasia and subtypes of intestinal metaplasia (IM), categorized using high-iron diamine-alcian blue and alcian blue-periodic acid-Schiff stains.

Retroperitoneal bronchogenic cyst masquerading clinically and radiologically as a phaeochromocytoma.

Bronchogenic cysts are relatively rare congenital anomalies that represent malformations of the embryonic foregut and are morphologically expressed as maldevelopments of the respiratory system. Anatomically, they can be positioned at any location along the central axis of the respiratory system, but are more commonly discovered in the thorax. Infradiaphragmatic bronchogenic cysts are rare and retroperitoneal ones distinctly unusual.