Spinal cord MRI hyperintensities in cervical spondylosis: an ischemic pathogenesis?

The pathophysiology of focal spinal cord MRI T2 hyperintensity (SCHI) in patients with cervical spondylosis is uncertain. This study was undertaken to determine the frequency and cause of SCHI. The authors reviewed serial cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reports and reviewed scans with spondylosis and cord compression or SCHI.

Stereotactic neurosurgical biopsy is an underutilized modality.

The objective of this study was to ascertain if stereotactic neurosurgical biopsy (SNB) optimizes the therapy of undefined CNS masses. The design was of retrospective treatment and outcome analysis and the setting was a large general hospital. We studied a total of 141 patients with undefined, space-occupying CNS lesions detected between 1991-1997, with whom we used SNB to define the lesions.

Adhesive characteristics of type II pneumocyte subpopulations from saline- and silica-treated rats.

Alveolar epithelial cells isolated from silica-treated rat lungs provide a system for the in vitro study of repair mechanisms. In studies of type II cell interactions with the extracellular matrix, we observed that type IIB pneumocytes from silica-treated rats adhered to tissue culture plastic more readily than do normal type II cells. This paper examines the adhesion characteristics of IIA and IIB cells and their modulation by divalent cations.

Inhibition of natural killer cell activities from normal donors and AIDS patients by envelope peptides from human immunodeficiency virus type I.

Recombinant and synthetic peptides derived from the human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1) genome corresponding to portions of the envelope (env) and internal core protein (gag) were examined for their immunoregulatory effects on the natural killer (NK) cell activity of lymphocytes from healthy donors and from patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Two recombinant peptides (env-gag and Env 80-DHFR) and three chemically synthesized peptides (env 487-511, env 578-608 and env 647-659) were used. Normal lymphocytes precultured for 24 to 72 hrs.

Molecular mechanisms in the pathogenesis of AIDS encephalopathy.

While progress has been made in our knowledge of the natural history of HIV infections, an understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of AIDS encephalopathy remains to be determined. Previously we demonstrated that apoptosis and a deficiency of natural killer (NK) cell activity may play significant roles in the progression of HIV infections. We also reported that intracerebral co-injection of a recombinant HIV-1 fusion protein plus an excitatory amino acid agonist into neonatal rats synergistically produced brain pathology.

Reversible impairment in cognition and midbrain hematoma.

A 78-year-old man presented with a 2-week history of cognitive decline. Computed tomography (CT) showed obstructive hydrocephalus due to a small midbrain hematoma. He regained premorbid neurological status after ventriculostomy.

Fluctuating MRI findings in a patient with central nervous system idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome: a case report.

Central nervous system involvement in the idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome is well recognized and is probably the result of an eosinophilic-derived neurotoxin. This report documents evanescent magnetic resonance imaging findings correlating with active central nervous system disease and subsequent treatment effects.

Leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava: a clinicopathologic review and report of three cases.

Background And Objectives: We operated on three patients with leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava.

Methods: Complete excision was possible in all three patients.

Results: One patient developed widespread metastasis at 23 months, one patient is alive with no evidence of disease at 70 months, and one patient is alive at 15 months.

An RGD containing peptide from HIV-1 Tat-(65-80) modulates protooncogene expression in human bronchoalveolar carcinoma cell line, A549.

Tat (transactivator of transcription) is essential for HIV-1 replication in vivo and in vitro. Tat-(65-80), an RGD containing domain, has been shown to regulate proliferative function of a variety of cell lines, including a human adenocarcinoma cell line, A549. The exact cellular and molecular mechanisms by which these effects are mediated, remain unknown.

Induction of interleukin-1 and interleukin-8 mRNAs and proteins by TGF beta 1 in rat lung alveolar epithelial cells.

The transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) has been shown to increase in lung injury and in fibrotic states of the lung. In the current study, we sought to investigate whether TGF beta 1 induced the expression of IL-1 alpha and IL-8 in rat alveolar epithelial cells. We evaluated TGF beta 1, IL-1 alpha, and IL-8 expression by immunofluorescence in silica-injured and saline-treated control rat lungs.

Alcohol inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor alpha gene expression by peripheral blood mononuclear cells as measured by reverse transcriptase PCR in situ hybridization.

We recently showed that alcohol significantly suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) production by whole blood and total mononuclear cells from healthy subjects as measured by bioassay. In the current study, we further examined the effect of alcohol on LPS-induced TNF-alpha gene expression by semiquantitative solution PCR and in situ reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) hybridization methods. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured with LPS (10 micrograms/ml) for 4 to 8 h with or without different concentrations of ethanol (0.

Distribution of alveolar type II cells in neonatal and adult rat lung revealed by RT-PCR in situ.

Type II pneumocytes in newborn lungs are more uniformly distributed, whereas in adult lungs they are located at alveolar corners. We used morphometry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in situ hybridization of surfactant protein C mRNA to determine the patterns of type II cell distribution in random lung sections from Sprague-Dawley rats at various neonatal stages and adults. There was a progressive increase in the percentage of type II cells at alveolar corners from 30% at 1 day to 51, 62, 78, and 81% at 3, 5, and 7 days old and adult rats, respectively.

Barotrauma complicating duodenal perforation during ERCP.

Diagnostic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a remarkably safe procedure in experienced hands. A series of complications directly related to both the manipulation and cannulation of the ampulla of Vater, as well as consequent to medication and cardiorespiratory events, has been described. Herein we report a case of severe barotrauma complication of diagnostic endoscopic cholangiography.

Substance P induces tumor necrosis factor in an ex vivo model system.

Many studies have shown that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a potent soluble mediator of immunoregulation and inflammation. Neuropeptide substance P (SP) has been known to exert significant influence on production of certain inflammatory cytokine by immune cells. Immunopathogenic mechanism underlying the effect of neuropeptide substance P (SP) and the specific amino acid sequence of SP that induces TNF has not been clearly studied.

Differential modulation of integrin receptors and extracellular matrix laminin by transforming growth factor-beta 1 in rat alveolar epithelial cells.

The transforming growth factors-beta (TGFs-beta) family of genes plays important roles in cell growth and differentiation in many cell types. TGF beta modulates the synthesis and accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components and the expression of cell surface receptors for ECM components. TGF beta is increased in alveolar lining fluid during inflammatory reactions of the lung and has been identified in alveolar epithelial cells of developing lungs and hyperplastic type II cells during repair.

Selective inhibitory effects of stress hormones on natural killer (NK) cell activity of lymphocytes from AIDS patients.

To examine the potential role of stress hormones in the progression of HIV infections, we developed an in vitro model system that investigates the effects of cortisol, adrenocorticotropin-releasing hormone (ACTH) and beta-endorphin on the natural killer cell activity of lymphocytes from normal subjects and AIDS patients. The system employs a 4 hr 51Cr release assay and K562 target cells. Direct addition of cortisol (0.

Divalent cation-dependent regulation of rat alveolar epithelial cell adhesion and spreading.

Interactions between cells and extracellular matrix are in large part mediated by integrins in divalent cation-dependent processes. Integrins are important for cell differentiation, proliferation, and migration during development and repair of diverse tissue types. The roles played by integrin adhesion receptors in the lung are just beginning to be investigated.

A Mn(2+)-enhanced, RGD-dependent adhesion technique for isolation of adult rat type II alveolar epithelial cells for immediate functional studies.

This report describes a Mn(2+)-enhanced, RGD-dependent adhesion technique for isolation of adult rat type II cells for immediate functional studies. Lung cells were dissociated by 30 U/ml porcine pancreatic elastase and 50 micrograms/ml trypsin instilled in the airways. Macrophages were selectively removed by adhesion on purified normal goat IgG-coated petri dishes.

Effects of attention training on information processing in schizophrenia.

This study evaluated the impact of a cognitive retraining intervention designed to enhance the attention skills of schizophrenia patients. The dependent variables included measures of perceptual sensitivity and sustained vigilance derived from a visual continuous performance test, as well as visual span of apprehension and world-list recall. Sixteen subjects received approximately 15 hours of repeated practice with computer-mediated vigilance tasks.

"Stiff red cell syndrome". A review of the treatment of sickle cell disease with pentoxifylline.

Pentoxifylline has been used extensively to improve microcirculation, particularly in peripheral vascular disease. Pentoxifylline appears to act by increasing red cell flexibility and inhibiting platelet aggregation and white cell adhesion. For that reason, experimental and clinical studies were initiated to explore its possible usefulness in the prevention of vaso-occlusive crises in sickle cell diseases.

An unusual cause of respiratory alkalosis.

A 56-year-old man with a longstanding tracheostomy presented to the hospital with upper GI bleeding and was found to have a profound respiratory alkalosis. The cause of this patient's involuntary hyperventilation was hiccuping complicated by the absence of glottic closure.

Unilateral corneal intraepithelial neoplasia: management of the recurrent lesion.

Corneal intraepithelial neoplasia is an uncommon entity that may recur with potential for local invasive growth. Disease severity ranges from mild to severe dysplasia, the latter representing intraepithelial carcinoma in situ. Our case focuses on the importance of the neighboring bulbar conjunctiva in promoting recurrence of the corneal pathology.

Acquired factor VIII inhibitor with squamous cell cancer of the epiglottis.

A 73-year-old woman developed an acquired factor VIII inhibitor in association with squamous cell carcinoma of the epiglottis. The inhibitor was an IgG antibody that reacted with factor VIII in vitro and in vivo. Intravenous gamma-globulin therapy was successful in reducing the inhibitor so that curative surgery could be undertaken.