Rediscovery and redescription of Callicarpa chazaliei Versluys, 1899 (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean.

The genus Callicarpa Fewkes, 1881 presently comprises two species of Leptothecate hydroids. Herein we redescribe one of these, C. chazaliei Versluys, 1899, originally described from Florida and known elsewhere only from Venezuela.

Evolution of Helicobacter pylori associated with gastroduodenal ulcers or erosions in children over the past 23 years: Decline or steady state?

Background: Recent data suggest that in children, the proportion of gastroduodenal ulcers/erosions associated with Helicobacter pylori infection is currently lower than expected. In this study, we trace this proportion over two decades.

Methods: We reviewed the reports of all upper gastrointestinal endoscopies with biopsies for histology and culture over the past 23 years.

Clinical application of targeted next-generation sequencing for colorectal cancer patients: a multicentric Belgian experience.

International guidelines made RAS (KRAS and NRAS) status a prerequisite for the use of anti-EGFR agents for metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Daily, new data emerges on the theranostic and prognostic role of molecular biomarkers; this is a strong incentive for a validated, sensitive, and broadly available molecular screening test. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has begun to supplant other technologies for genomic profiling.

Interleukin-2 as a neuromodulator possibly implicated in the physiopathology of sudden infant death syndrome.

Dysfunction in vital brainstem centers, including those controlling cardiorespiratory- and sleep/arousal pathophysiology, is reported in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Biological mechanisms underlying SIDS, however, remain unclear. Cytokines are inter-cellular signaling chemicals.

Is there still a role for autopsy in abdominal surgery in 2008?

Introduction: Although autopsy has been shown to play an important role in certain surgical disciplines as cardiac surgery, few studies have been performed in digestive surgery. The purpose of the study is to determine if autopsy still has a role to play in abdominal surgery in 2008.

Type Of Study: Retrospective study for the period 01.

[A case report of desmoid tumor of the finger].

We report the case of a 20-year-old woman with a desmoid fibroma of the finger, which is an extremely rare location. Desmoid fibromas are benign but very infiltrative tumors, known for their frequent recurrences. Because of the many vascular and nervous structures concentrated in the finger, complete surgical excision is difficult.

In situ cytokine immune responses in acute disseminated encephalomyelitis: insights into pathophysiologic mechanisms.

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is thought to be an autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system in which myelin is targeted. Pathological studies on closely related human diseases (eg, multiple sclerosis) and on animal models for these demyelinating disorders have suggested the involvement of cytokines. Studies on peripheral immunocytes and on cerebrospinal fluid revealed the presence of cytokine-mediated responses in ADEM.

Cytokine immunoreactivity in cortical and subcortical neurons in periventricular leukomalacia: are cytokines implicated in neuronal dysfunction in cerebral palsy?

The major neuropathological substrate associated with cerebral palsy (CP) is a form of white matter (WM) injury known as periventricular leukomalacia (PVL). Proinflammatory cytokines were recently shown to be implicated in PVL pathogenesis. Many PVL patients develop cortical and deep gray neuronal dysfunctions such as epilepsy, cognitive deficits and extrapyramidal disorders.

Interleukin-2 in the pathogenesis of perinatal white matter damage.

Proinflammatory cytokines were reported to be implicated in the pathogenesis of perinatal white matter lesions. The authors document for the first time the in situ detection of interleukin-2 and interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) in these human white matter lesions. These results suggest that interleukin-2, reported to be toxic to oligodendrocytes and myelin, could play a role in the molecular cascade leading to white matter damage in periventricular leukomalacia.

Inflammatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of periventricular leukomalacia.

Background: Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) affects the developing white matter of neonatal brain. Inflammatory and infectious conditions are implicated in the cause of PVL.

Methods: The authors investigated the in situ expression of proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1beta and -6, tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNFalpha]), adhesion molecules (intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1) and inflammatory cell markers (CD68, leukocyte common antigen, human leukocyte antigen II) in 19 neonatal brains with PVL.

The 1998 national Belgian consensus meeting on HP-related diseases: an extensive summary. The HP Belgian contact group organized in CHU Brugmann, Brussels.

"HP testing must be regarded as ONE of the important elements of the proper diagnostic work-up of a DISEASE, managed in close cooperation between GP's and specialists": that's the key message of the national consensus meeting held in CHU Brugmann on February 6th and 7th 1998. HP testing (usually by 2 direct methods: RUT-histology) and eradication treatment (ER), in infected patients, are strongly recommended in: 1. Past or current GDU (absolute indication), regardless of activity, complication(s), NSAID intake; 2.

Helicobacter pylori and gastric cancer. An endoscopic series.

In a series of 92 patients with gastric cancer who had biopsies of the antrum and fundus, we compared the 65 patients with Helicobacter pylori (71%) with the 27 negative patients. No difference was observed for age, gender or histology (intestinal or diffuse). Significant differences concerned location (11% of H.

[Stomach ulcers and Helicobacter pylori. Clinical, endoscopic and histological characteristics].

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine in a large group of patients with a gastric ulcer the differences between patients, ulcers and gastric mucosa as related to the presence or absence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).

Methods: This prospective study evaluated 150 patients with a benign gastric ulcer.

Subacute mitochondrial liver disease in a patient with AIDS: possible relationship to prolonged fluconazole administration.

Azole-derived antifungal medications are particularly involved in drug-induced hepatic injury encountered in patients with AIDS. Fluconazole may induce multiple hepatic abnormalities usually characterized by asymptomatic and reversible mild hepatic necrosis. We here describe severe subacute liver damage occurring in a patient with AIDS who was receiving fluconazole maintenance therapy for a cryptococcosis.

Congenital absence of insulin cells in a neonate with diabetes mellitus and mutase-deficient methylmalonic acidaemia.

We report on a female neonate with diabetes mellitus and methylmalonic acidaemia, who died at age 16 days. Using immunocytochemistry, electron microscopy and in situ hybridisation, we were unable to demonstrate any insulin cells in the pancreatic islets. Methylmalonic acidaemia was caused by a methylmalonyl coenzyme A mutase apoenzyme defect.

[Initial results of a study on morphonuclear parameters at the level of benign and primary neoplastic hepatic tissue].

This study characterises morphonuclear parameters from normal, cirrhotic, tumoral benign and malignant liver specimens obtained by computerized morphonuclear images analyses. The material is obtained by cytological aspirations or by imprint smears from liver biopsy. The monoparametric analysis differentiates a benign and a malignant cellular populations.

Use of computerized cell image analysis to characterize cell nucleus populations from normal and neoplastic renal tissues.

We studied 55 renal tissue samples from 16 patients corresponding to normal (19 samples, group 1), low-grade (18 samples, group 2), and high-grade (18 samples, group 3) tumoral tissues. For this purpose, we used digital cell image analysis (the SAMBA 200 processor) to describe the morphonuclear patterns of Feulgen-stained nuclei from the 3 above-mentioned groups. Our results show that nuclear DNA ploidy is positively correlated with histopathological differentiation, which is also positively correlated with an increase in nuclear DNA heterogeneity.

Liver transplantation for fulminant and subacute viral hepatic failure in adults.

In our early experience, orthotopic liver transplantation was found to be successful in fulminant and subacute hepatic failure due to viral hepatitis in adults, with 66% 1-year survival rate. In the future, more accurate prognostic criteria would probably improve overall survival rate in acute hepatic failure, by allowing better and earlier selection of patients requiring liver transplantation.

Computerized morphonuclear cell image analyses of malignant disease in bladder tissues.

We analyzed the relationship between several morphonuclear parameters related to nuclear size, densitometry (deoxyribonucleic acid content and ploidy) and the chromatin pattern versus the histopathological grading of 46 bladder cancer samples graded according to the World Health Organization classification. We used a SAMBA 200 cell image processor with software allowing for the discrimination of 15 different parameters on Feulgen-stained imprint smears. In addition, we set up preliminary data banks that enable objective and reproducible grading of unknown cases.

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma of the liver following contact with vinyl chloride. Recurrence after orthotopic liver transplantation.

Malignant epithelioid hemangioendothelioma of the liver is a recently recognized and uncommon neoplasm of vascular origin. Few cases have been reported and the treatment remains therefore difficult to define. A relationship to oral contraceptive use has been suggested but no other toxic agents have been incriminated.

Per rectal thallium scintigraphy for the assessment of portosystemic shunt: an experimental study in the bile duct ligated rats.

Bile duct ligated rats (n = 7) have been investigated for 6 months. Two patterns of evolution have been observed: (i) progressive development of cirrhosis and portosystemic shunt (detected by 201Tl per rectal scintigraphy) in three animals, (ii) repermeabilization of the biliary tract in four animals. Despite the small number of animals investigated, the 201Tl per rectal scintigraphy seems to be a good indicator of portosystemic shunt secondary to biliary cirrhosis.

The reliability of urease tests, histology and culture in the diagnosis of Campylobacter pylori infection.

The accuracy of various staining techniques for immersion microscopy, of five media for culture and five urease test modalities for the detection of Campylobacter pylori infection is reported. It was found that 2% urea unbuffered gel preparation is the most accurate urease test (sensitivity: 89%, specificity: 98%) but a minimal amount of 10,000 CFU/ml is necessary to observe positivity and the sensitivity of urease tests drops to 52% in patients under antimicrobial treatment. For histological diagnosis, modified Giemsa staining was shown to be slightly superior to H&E.

Campylobacter pylori-associated gastritis: attempts to eradicate the bacteria by various antibiotics and anti-ulcer regimens.

The efficacy of various antimicrobial and anti-ulcer agents on the eradication of Campylobacter pylori in patients with antral gastritis or duodenal ulcers was investigated by several open studies or double-blind, placebo-controlled protocols. Among the anti-ulcer agents, ranitidine, cimetidine or sucraflate had no effect on C. pylori.