The utility of Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive alpha-fetoprotein in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma: evaluation in a United States referral population.

Background & Aims: The percentage of Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive (alpha)-fetoprotein (AFP-L3%) is proposed as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We evaluated the utility of AFP-L3% for diagnosis of HCC in a US referral population.

Methods: This retrospective study included 272 patients: 166 with HCC and 106 with benign liver disease (chronic liver disease, 77; benign liver mass, 29).

Pancreatic and peripancreatic tuberculosis mimicking malignancy.

Context: There are a variety of differential diagnoses for an abnormal mass arising from the pancreas of which isolated pancreatic or peripancreatic tuberculosis is an extremely rare diagnosis with a variety of elusive presentations.

Case Report: We report such a case which masqueraded as malignancy in 43-year-old man presenting with jaundice, weight loss and new onset diabetes.

Conclusions: Tuberculosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis to an obscure pancreatic mass which may result in local complications amenable to surgery.

Serum macrophage migration inhibitory factor is an early marker of pancreatic necrosis in acute pancreatitis.

Objective: To determine if 24-hour blood concentrations of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), soluble CD14, and CD163 receptors could predict complications associated with acute pancreatitis (AP).

Summary Background Data: Soluble receptor proteins derived from the macrophage-monocyte lineage potentiate the inflammatory cytokine response early in AP. Understanding the temporal expression of these molecules could afford better measures for therapeutic intervention.

Identification of markers for nipple epidermis: changes in expression during pregnancy and lactation.

In vertebrates, specific regions of skin crucial for interaction with and manipulation of elements in the environment are characterized by specialized epidermis. Regions of specialized epidermis show distinct patterns of cellular differentiation and express specific keratins that provide an increased ability to withstand mechanical strain. The nipple, which must endure the mechanical strain of nursing, is a type of specialized epidermis.

Classification and prevalence of pigmented lesions in patients with total-body photographs at high risk of developing melanoma.

Background: The classification of many pigmented lesions is not well defined, and an association with melanoma has not been established.

Objective: To better define the spectrum of pigmented lesions (excluding common and dysplastic nevi) and explore links to melanoma.

Methods: Retrospective review of patients with total-body digital photographs at high risk of developing melanoma from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Dermatology Service.

Ampullary carcinoma associated with an annular pancreas.

Context: Annular pancreas is an uncommon congenital abnormality. Co-existence of this condition with a pancreaticobiliary malignancy is an exceptionally rare occurrence.

Case Report: We present a case report of a 78-year-old woman with jaundice due to an ampullary carcinoma associated with an annular pancreas treated by pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Muscle-power quality: does sex or race affect movement velocity in older adults?

To determine sex and race differences in muscle power per unit of muscle contraction, knee-extensor muscle power normalized for knee-extensor muscle volume was measured in 79 middle-aged and older adults (30 men and 49 women, age range 50-85 years). Results revealed that women displayed a 38% faster peak movement velocity than men and African Americans had a 14% lower peak movement velocity than Whites of a similar age when expressed per unit of involved muscle (p < .001).

Solid pseudopapillary tumour of the pancreas: diverse presentation, outcome and histology.

Context: Solid pseudopapillary tumour of the pancreas is an uncommon tumour, which predominantly occurs in young females and is of unknown origin.

Case Report: We describe five cases with diverse clinical and/or histological features, including one unusually aggressive case resulting in early death.

Conclusion: There is great variability in the presentation and clinical course of these tumours with further research needed to define their histogenesis and biological behaviour.

Outcomes after major hepatectomy in elderly patients.

Background: We aimed to study the early and longterm outcomes of patients 70 years and older undergoing major liver resections, and compare the results with patients below the age of 70 years.

Study Design: All patients undergoing major liver resection (defined as three segments or more) from January 1993 to June 2004 were included. Patients were studied in two groups: 70 years of age and older (group E, elderly) and less than 70 years old (group Y, young).

Regulation of luteinizing hormone receptor mRNA expression by a specific RNA binding protein in the ovary.

The expression of LH receptor mRNA shows significant changes during different physiological states of the ovary. Previous studies from our laboratory have identified a post-transcriptional mechanism by which LH receptor mRNA is regulated following preovulatory LH surge or in response to hCG administration. A specific binding protein, identified as mevalonate kinase, binds to the open reading frame of LH receptor mRNA.

Retroperitoneal enteric duplication cyst presenting as a pancreatic cystic lesion. A case report.

Context: Retroperitoneal enteric duplication cysts (EDC) are rare lesions and its presentation during adulthood is a diagnostic challenge for clinicians. The diagnosis of this condition is established following histopathological analysis, which often requires surgical intervention.

Case Report: We report a case of a retroperitoneal enteric duplication cysts, presenting as a cystic lesion of the pancreas in a 19-year-old woman.

Characterization of malignant pancreatic cystic lesions in the background of chronic pancreatitis.

Context: Cystic lesions of the pancreas in association with chronic pancreatitis are a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.

Objective: The aim of the study was to study clinical and radiological features that may differentiate between benign and malignant cystic lesions of the pancreas and examine the indications for surgery in these patients.

Design: Retrospective case note study.

Chemosensitization and radiosensitization of human lung and colon cancers by antimitotic agent, ABT-751, in athymic murine xenograft models of subcutaneous tumor growth.

Purpose: ABT-751 is an orally active antimitotic agent that is currently in Phase II clinical trials. This agent binds to the colchicine site on ss-tubulin and inhibits polymerization of microtubules. This disruption of microtubule dynamics leads to a block in the cell cycle at the G2/M phase, and promotes apoptosis.

A clinical review of 128 cases of head and neck tuberculosis presenting over a 10-year period in Bradford, UK.

Aims: To analyse the epidemiology, presentation and diagnosis of head and neck tuberculosis (TB).

Methods: We conducted a 10-year retrospective study of all cases of tuberculosis of the head and neck region occurring in Bradford, UK.

Results: Of a total of 1315 cases of TB, 128 presented with head and neck TB (12 per cent of which (15/128) were in children).

Endoscopic ultrasound guided transgastric stenting of traumatic pancreatic pseudocyst.

Context: Although there exists multiple modalities of managing traumatic pancreatic pseudocysts it remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. We report herein a case that was successfully managed by endoscopic ultrasound guided transgastric stent placement.

Case Report: A 28-year-old female jockey presented with abdominal pain after being kicked by a horse.

SARS revisited: managing "outbreaks" with "communications".

"Risk communications" has acquired some importance in the wake of our experience of SARS. Handled well, it helps to build mutual respect between a government or an organisation and the target groups with which it is communicating. It helps nurture public trust and confidence in getting over the crisis.

Redefining the R1 resection in pancreatic cancer.

Background: Resection margin (RM) status in pancreatic head adenocarcinoma is assessed histologically, but pathological examination is not standardized. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of standardized pathological examination on the reporting of RM status.

Methods: A standardized protocol (SP) for pancreaticoduodenectomy specimen examination, involving multicolour margin staining, axial slicing and extensive tissue sampling, was developed.

Hypotonic versus isotonic saline in hospitalised children: a systematic review.

Background: The traditional recommendations which suggest that hypotonic intravenous (i.v.) maintenance fluids are the solutions of choice in paediatric patients have not been rigorously tested in clinical trials, and may not be appropriate for all children.

Conventional systemic agents for psoriasis. A systematic review.

Very few well designed studies have evaluated the conventional systemic agents for psoriasis. This is a systematic, evidence-based review of the literature evaluating both the efficacy and safety of the medications cyclosporine, methotrexate, acitretin, hydroxyurea, and 6-thioguanine. Treatment recommendations are made.

Parathyroid hormone hormone-related protein and the PTH receptor regulate angiogenesis of the skin.

In developing organs, parathyroid hormone (PTH)/parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) receptor (PPR) signaling inhibits proliferation and differentiation of mesenchyme-derived cell types resulting in control of morphogenic events. Previous studies using PPR agonists and antagonists as well as transgenic overexpression of the PPR ligand PTHrP have suggested that this ligand receptor combination might regulate the anagen to catagen transition of the hair cycle. To further understand the precise role of PTHrP and the PPR in the hair cycle, we have evaluated hair growth in the traditional K14-PTHrP (KrP) and an inducible bitransgenic PTHrP mice.

The role of luteinizing hormone/human chorionic gonadotropin receptor-specific mRNA binding protein in regulating receptor expression in human ovarian granulosa cells.

Context: In normally cycling women, LH receptor mRNA expression undergoes transient down-regulation after the LH surge. The same phenomenon is also seen during a hormonally induced ovarian cycle where the LH receptor mRNA expression is down-regulated in response to the administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Although the granulosa cells isolated from the follicular aspirates at this stage show a decline in the expression of LH receptor mRNA, this diminished receptor expression returns to control levels upon culturing in serum-containing medium.