Pancreatic cystic lesions: discrimination accuracy based on clinical data and high-resolution computed tomographic features.

Objective: To determine the frequency of typical features of pancreatic cystic lesions on high-resolution computed tomography and the combination of features that best influences discrimination.

Methods: Ten computed tomography features of 100 proven pancreatic cystic lesions were retrospectively tabulated by 2 blinded imagers. After final diagnosis was revealed, each lesion was categorized as typical or atypical.

Azygous vein to right atrium bypass graft in a patient with idiopathic fibrosing mediastinitis and symptomatic superior and inferior vena cava obstructions.

We report an unusual case of a patient with diminished cardiac output caused by systemic venous occlusions of unclear etiology with a history of idiopathic fibrosing mediastinitis and retroperitoneal fibrosis. On thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic venograms, the patient was previously known to have superior vena caval and infrarenal inferior vena caval occlusions. Subsequent studies revealed retrograde flow through the azygous and hemiazygous veins and numerous caval-portal anastomoses providing venous return from the upper and lower extremities.

Endovascular workforce for peripheral vascular disease: current and future needs.

Background: The current status and future needs of peripheral endovascular utilization and training have not been well defined. This topic is particularly relevant to the future of four specialties: interventional cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, interventional radiology, and peripheral vascular surgery. We attempt to analyze the current numbers of cardiovascular patients and procedures and the numbers of treating physicians and surgeons to make predictions and recommendations for the future.

Genetic evidence for distinct roles of COX-1 and COX-2 in the immediate and delayed phases of prostaglandin synthesis in mast cells.

Activation of mast cells by aggregation of their high-affinity IgE receptors stimulates prostaglandin (PG) D(2) synthesis and secretion. An immediate phase of PGD(2) synthesis, complete within 30 min, is followed by a delayed, second phase of PGD(2) production that reaches a maximum 4 to 8 h after activation. Activation of mast cells from COX-2 (-/-) mice stimulates the release of PGD(2) during the first 30 min, whereas activation of mast cells from COX-1 (-/-) mice does not generate any PGD(2) in the first 2 h.

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus/human herpesvirus type 8 encephalitis in HIV-positive and -negative individuals.

Objective: Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) human herpesvirus type 8 (HHV-8) has been associated with Kaposi's sarcoma and a variety of benign lymphoid proliferations including angioimmunoblastic lymphadenitis with dysproteinemia and Castleman's disease. KSHV/HHV-8 has also been associated with inflammatory conditions including interstitial pneumonitis. Although herpesviruses are commonly associated with encephalitis in immunosuppressed individuals, KSHV/HHV-8 has not previously been associated with central nervous system disease other than lymphoma.

Aneurysm rupture after parent vessel sacrifice: treatment with Guglielmi detachable coil embolization via retrograde catheterization: case report.

We report a patient with rupture of a giant distal vertebral artery aneurysm after balloon occlusion of the parent vertebral artery. We were able to occlude the residual lumen by endosaccular embolization and trapping with Guglielmi detachable coils via the anterior circulation. We suspect that either alterations in flow patterns or partial thrombosis of the aneurysm may have contributed to at least two subarachnoid hemorrhages within 2 days after the initial embolization.

Y2 receptors decrease human pancreatic cancer growth and intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels.

Background: Peptide YY (PYY), a 36 amino acid enteric hormone, is known to decrease pancreatic exocrine and endocrine function. Previous studies with BIM-43004-1, a modified PYY(22-36) Y2 receptor agonist, have revealed diminished mitochondrial activity in pretreated pancreatic cancer cells in vitro. We investigated the effects of both PYY and BIM-43004-1 on pancreatic cancer growth in vivo.

Prostaglandin synthase 1 and prostaglandin synthase 2 both participate in activation-induced prostaglandin D2 production in mast cells.

Activation of MMC-34 cells, a murine mast cell line, or bone marrow-derived mast cells by aggregation of IgE cell surface receptors or addition of calcium ionophore stimulates prostaglandin (PG) D2 synthesis and secretion. An initial rapid burst of PGD2 synthesis, complete within 30 min, is followed by a slower subsequent production of PGD2 that reaches a maximum 4 to 8 h after activation in MMC-34 cells. PG synthase 1 (PGS-1) message and protein are expressed constitutively in MMC-34 cells and are not modulated by exposure to calcium ionophore or aggregation of IgE receptors.

Anterior cruciate ligament tear: indirect signs at MR imaging.

Purpose: To establish the sensitivity and specificity of indirect signs at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear.

Materials And Methods: MR images of the knees of 89 consecutive patients (54 with torn and 35 with normal ACLs) were reviewed.

Results: The indirect signs were as follows (first percentage is sensitivity; the second, specificity): angle between lateral tibial plateau and ACL less than 45 degrees (90%, 97%); angle between Blumenstaat line and ACL more than 15 degrees (89%, 100%); bone contusions in lateral compartment (54%, 100%); position of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) line (52%, 91%); PCL angle less than 107 degrees (52%, 94%); PCL bowing ratio more than 0.

Efficacy and duration of antistaphylococcal activity comparing three antibiotics bonded to Dacron vascular grafts with a collagen release system.

Type 1 collagen, minimally cross-linked, was used to bind one of three antibiotics (amikacin, chloramphenicol, or rifampin) to double-velour Dacron grafts to develop a prosthesis resistant to infection. Six millimeter disks of graft were placed in separate flasks (specific for each antibiotic) containing albumin in saline and continuously agitated. At daily intervals the solution was changed, and paired graft samples were removed and placed on a blood agar plate confluently streaked with bacteria.

The TIS11 primary response gene is a member of a gene family that encodes proteins with a highly conserved sequence containing an unusual Cys-His repeat.

The TIS11 primary response gene is rapidly and transiently induced by both 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and growth factors. The predicted TIS11 protein contains a 6-amino-acid repeat, YKTELC. We cloned two additional cDNAs, TIS11b and TIS11d, that contain the YKTELC sequence.

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy: evidence for selective, genetic electrophysiologic cardiac involvement.

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy is an autosomal dominant disorder with an incidence of 3 to 10 cases per million. The only type of cardiac involvement ascribed to this neuromuscular disorder is a unique form of heart disease--permanent atrial paralysis. However, reported cases of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy probably represented instead what is now recognized as phenotypically similar Emery-Dreifuss dystrophy.