The McKittrick-Wheelock syndrome: a case of acute renal failure due to neoplastic cholera.

The McKittrick-Wheelock syndrome is characterized by severe electrolyte and fluid depletion as a result of rectal tumor hypersecretion. Typically, a metabolic acidosis ensues. We report the case of a 58-year-old man who presented with a mixed metabolic acidosis and alkalosis.

Functional interactions of antiapoptotic proteins and tumor necrosis factor in the context of a replication-competent adenovirus.

Replication-selective oncolytic adenoviruses hold promise, but novel mechanisms must be identified to maximize intratumoral virus persistence, spread and therapeutic transgene-carrying capacity while maintaining safety. One of the main approaches to engineering cancer-selectivity has been to delete a viral gene that is theoretically expendable in cancer cells. Results with this approach have been mixed, however, as evidenced by controversy over Onyx-015 (E1B-55kD(-)) selectivity.

Chest wall tumors presenting as breast lumps.

Two recently seen patients presenting with large breast lumps that proved to be pure mesenchymal tumors arising from the underlying chest wall are presented. One tumor proved to be a giant cell tumor of soft tissue and the other an osteogenic sarcoma. It is suggested that these two cases may not be unique and that some mesenchymal breast tumors might have their origin in the chest wall.

Should asymptomatic patients with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) be screened for cerebral vascular malformations? Data from 22,061 years of HHT patient life.

Background: The frequency of haemorrhage in individuals with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), 10% of whom will have cerebral arteriovenous (AV) malformations, could be high enough to justify screening. This would allow presymptomatic treatment to prevent early onset stroke in a condition that affects at least 1 in 8000 individuals. This is an important issue in view of the contrast between transatlantic management approaches, the worldwide dissemination of patient information, and the ethical implications of the diagnosis for the untreated patient.