Pilonidal sinus destruction with a radial laser probe: technique and first Belgian experience.

Background: The treatment of pilonidal sinus disease still remains challenging. Despite many non-surgical and surgical methods, no consensus emerged for the best treatment. We describe a new innovative technique consisting in the destruction of the pilonidal cyst with a radial laser probe (FILAC, Biolitec, Germany).

Abnormal elevated PTEN expression in the mouse antrum of a model of GIST Kit(K641E/K641E).

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. Approximately 85% of GISTs harbor activating mutations of the KIT or PDGFRA receptor tyrosine kinases. PTEN and SHIP2 are major phosphatases that dephosphorylate PI(3,4,5)P(3), one of the intracellular signal pathways downstream of KIT.

Kit K641E oncogene up-regulates Sprouty homolog 4 and trophoblast glycoprotein in interstitial cells of Cajal in a murine model of gastrointestinal stromal tumours.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) are thought to derive from the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) or an ICC precursor. Oncogenic mutations of the receptor tyrosine kinase KIT are present in most GIST. KIT K642E was originally identified in sporadic GIST and later found in the germ line of a familial GIST cohort.