Spontaneously ruptured gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) of the jejunum mimicking acute appendicitis

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are characterized with diverse clinical presentations, including acute and chronic gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal pain, presence of an intra-abdominal mass, anorexia, and intestinal obstruction. A 60-year-old obese woman presented as an acute abdominal emergency with right lower quadrant (RLQ) pain and tenderness, nausea and leukocytosis, all mimicking acute appendicitis. Laparotomy revealed a spontaneously ruptured GIST of the jejunum, which was localized to the RLQ due to postoperative adhesions following previous two cesarean sections and cholecystectomy. Complete surgical resection was performed, followed by an uneventful early postoperative course.     

Semiquantitative cytochemistry in evaluation of apoptotic capacity in bronchoalveolar lavage of smokers and patients with non-small-cell lung cancer

Apoptotic capacity of pulmonary tissue to produce or remove apoptotic cells by alveolar macrophages (ALMs) was investigated in three groups: healthy volunteers, smokers and patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Differential cell counting of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens revealed significantly higher percentages of neutrophils and eosinophils and decreased percentage of macrophages in BAL of patients with NSCLC in comparison with nonsmokers and smokers. Proportion of lymphocytes was significantly higher in patients with NSCLC than in smokers. These changes in the BAL cell profile may reflect immunology of the lung in pulmonary malignancies. BAL eosinophils were significantly lower and AMs increased in smokers in comparison with nonsmokers. This result might be understood as a consequence of changed tissue architecture of pulmonary tissue in situ, influenced by smoking. Apoptotic detection in cytocentrifuge preparations of BAL cell suspensions was evaluated by TUNEL method. Subsequent steps, adsorption, internalization and digestion of apoptotic cells by alveolar macrophages (AMs) were estimated by semiquantitative cytochemical scoring and indexing method and correlated with percent of free apoptotic cells. Significant increase of apoptotic capacity of pulmonary tissue in control smokers (289.55+/-50.77) in comparison with that of non-smokers (218.29+/-56.24) could be a consequence of stimulated digestion inside the AMs; decreased apoptotic capacity of pulmonary tissue in NSCLC (150.30+/-40.61; p<0.05), in comparison with non-smokers and smokers is in relation to a reduced phagocytosis of the apoptotic remnants, which might be either the cause or the consequence of the oncogenic process.     

Overexpressed pp60c-src can induce focus formation without complete transformation of NIH 3T3 cells.

NIH 3T3 cells were transfected with plasmids containing Moloney murine leukemia virus long terminal repeats and either chicken c-src or v-src genes. In contrast with the effects observed after transfection with plasmids containing c-src and avian retrovirus or simian virus 40 promoter-enhancers (H. Hanafusa, H. Iba, T. Takeya, and F. R. Cross, p. 1-8, in G. F. Vande Woude, A. J. Levine, W. C. Topp, and J. D. Watson, ed., Cancer Cells, vol. 2, 1984; H. Iba, T. Takeya, F. R. Cross, T. Hanafusa, and H. Hanafusa, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 81:4424-4428, 1984; R. C. Parker, R. Swanstrom, H. E. Varmus, and J. M. Bishop, p. 19-26, in G. F. Vande Woude et al., ed., Cancer Cells, vol. 2, 1984; R. C. Parker, H. E. Varmus, and J. M. Bishop, Cell 37:131-139, 1984; D. Shalloway, P. M. Coussens, and P. Yaciuk, p. 9-17, in G. F. Vande Woude et al., ed., Cancer Cells, vol. 2, 1984; D. Shalloway, P. M. Coussens, and P. Yaciuk, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 81:7071-7075; and K. C. Wilhelmsen, W. G. Tarpley, and H. M. Temin, p. 303-308, in G. F. Vande Woude et al., ed., Cancer Cells, vol. 2, 1984), we found that both types of Moloney murine leukemia virus long terminal repeat-src expression plasmids induced focus formation, although c-src induced only 1% as many foci as v-src. The focus-selected c-src overexpressed cells had altered morphology and limited growth in soft agarose but were not tumorigenic in vivo. Cleveland digests, comparative in vitro kinase assays, secondary transfections, and immunoprecipitations indicated that focus formation was caused by rare transfection events that resulted in very high-level pp60c-src expression rather than by mutations of the transfected c-src genes. These results suggest that pp60v-src induced transformation is not a completely spurious activity which is unrelated to the function of pp60c-src but that it represents a perturbation of already existent molecular control processes involving pp60c-src.     

Physical mapping of sequences homologous to an endogenous retrovirus LTR on human chromosome 19

The human genome contains multiple copies of sequences related to the HERV-K family of endogenous retroviruses, homologous to the B-type mouse mammary tumour virus. A DNA fragment closely resembling an HERV-K long tandem repeat (LTR) was detected in a library of hncDNA clones enriched for sequences from human chromosome 19. Sites showing homology to the sequence of this fragment have been identified on human chromosome 19 by hybridization to previously mapped chromosome 19 cosmids. Thus the distribution of LTR sequences on a specific human chromosome has been mapped for the first time. We estimate the total number of such sites on human chromosome 19 to be at least 110. Many of these sites are located in the vicinity of known genes. The precise localizations (to specific cosmids) of LTR-homologous sequences on chromosome 19 can serve as a reference source and will automatically provide further insight into LTR-gene relationships as new genes are mapped onto the chromosome.     

Computational modeling of shear forces and experimental validation of endothelial cell responses in an orbital well shaker system

Vascular endothelial cells are continuously exposed to hemodynamic shear stress. Intensity and type of shear stress are highly relevant to vascular physiology and pathology. Here, we modeled shear stress distribution in a tissue culture well (R = 17.5 mm, fill volume 2 ml) under orbital translation using computational fluid dynamics with the finite element method. Free surface distribution, wall shear stress, inclination angle, drag force, and oscillatory index on the bottom surface were modeled. Obtained results predict nonuniform shear stress distribution during cycle, with higher oscillatory shear index, higher drag force values, higher circular component, and larger inclination angle of the shear stress at the periphery of the well compared with the center of the well. The oscillatory index, inclination angle, and drag force are new quantitative parameters modeled in this system, which provide a better understanding of the hydrodynamic conditions experienced and reflect the pulsatile character of blood flow in vivo. Validation experiments revealed that endothelial cells at the well periphery aligned under flow and increased Kruppel-like Factor 4 (KLF-4), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation. In contrast, endothelial cells at the center of the well did not show clear directional alignment, did not induce the expression of KLF-4 and COX-2 nor increased eNOS phosphorylation. In conclusion, this improved computational modeling predicts that the orbital shaker model generates different hydrodynamic conditions at the periphery versus the center of the well eliciting divergent endothelial cell responses. The possibility of generating different hydrodynamic conditions in the same well makes this model highly attractive to study responses of distinct regions of the same endothelial monolayer to different types of shear stresses thereby better reflecting in vivo conditions.     

EEG beta and gamma powers when comparing certain psychophysiological states with normal and weakened electromyogram of facial muscles

With the advancement of contemporary techniques for studies of high-frequency electroencephalograms (EEGs), possible contamination of the EEG with the electromyogram (EMG) of pericranial muscles has raised more and more concern. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate if certain EEG correlates of mental activities can be revealed in a high-frequency scalp EEG in spite of EMG contamination. Nineteen healthy women who performed similar test tasks before and after cosmetic injections of Dysport in various facial regions for reduction of the activity of facial muscles took part in the study. Inductions of emotional states with different valences, memory storing, and extraction of verbal information were used in the test tasks. The default state of rest was examined as well. During performance of the tasks, parallel registrations of the EEG from the scalp surface (19 channels) and EMG from several facial muscles (6 channels) were carried out. Changes in the spectral power in β₂ and low γ frequency bands (18–40 Hz) in EEG- and EMG-derivations after Dysport injections were analyzed. Changes in the spectral power in the same bands in pairwise comparisons for the test tasks before and after Dysport injections were also analyzed separately. It was demonstrated that Dysport injections lead to reduction of the EMG power in areas of the injections and to reduction of EEG power in the frontal and temporal derivations. However, the EEG-correlates revealed when comparing different test tasks remained qualitatively invariable as for after and before Disport injections. These facts confirm that EMG makes a noticeable contribution to the electric activity registered from the scalp in the frequency ranges greater than 18 Hz. At the same time, one can see that at least in certain experimental situations the influence of EMG does not make impossible identification of EEG-correlates of mental activity with EEG registration from the head surface at least in the β₂ and low γ frequency bands (18–40 Hz).     

Hemolymph ion composition and volume changes in the supralittoral isopod Ligia pallasii Brandt, during molt

We analyzed ion composition and volume of the hemolymph of Ligia pallasii in four different stages of the molt cycle using capillary electrophoresis and ³H-inulin. The main ions in the hemolymph were Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, and Cl⁻. The Ca²⁺concentration increased significantly during the molt by 47% from intermolt to intramolt and by 37% from intermolt to postmolt, probably due to resorption of Ca²⁺ from the cuticle and sternal CaCO₃ deposits. The K⁺ concentration increased significantly by 20% during molt. The hemolymph volume normalized to the dry mass of the animals decreased by 36% from intermolt to late premolt. This was due to a reduction in the hemolymph volume and to an increase in dry mass of the animals during premolt. A sudden increase in the hemolymph volume occurring between late premolt and intramolt served to expand the cuticle. Since the Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, and Cl⁻ concentrations did not change significantly from late premolt to intramolt, the increase in hemolymph volume suggests an uptake of seawater rather than freshwater. Accepted: 7 March 2000     

Rare non-albicans candida species detected in different clinical diagnoses

In working on the incidence of yeasts we excluded from the tested set C. albicans, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis on the basis of morphological and biochemical properties. We found 16 rare species of yeasts: C. claussenii (16), C. guilliermondii (10), C. robusta (9), C. pulcherrima (8), C. zeylanoides (4), C. glabrata (3), C. lusitaniae (3), C. catenulata (2), C. mesenterica (2), C. utilis (2), C. freyschussii, C. intermedia, C. kefyr, C. lipolytica, C. mogii, C. pseudotropicalis (1 for each). These yeasts were detected mainly in cases of premature babies (22) from the nasopharynx (13), from the rectum (4), from the skin (23), from wound drains and from blood (1 for each), with gynaecological diagnoses (15) and rarely other diagnoses, such as malignancy (5), hypertension and respiratory infections (4 for each), kidney transplantation (3), dialysis, haemolytic-uremic syndrome (2 for each), perforation of gastric ulcus, otitis, prostatitis, ulcus cruris, coma, spina bifida, peritonitis and hepatic failure from different clinical material.     

Thy-1 is an in vivo and in vitro marker of liver myofibroblasts

Thy-1, a glycophosphatidylinositol-linked glycoprotein of the outer membrane leaflet, has been described in myofibroblasts of several organs. Previous studies have shown that, in fetal liver, Thy-1 is expressed in a subpopulation of ductular/progenitor cells. The aim of this study has been to investigate whether the liver myofibroblasts belong to the Thy-1-positive subpopulation of the adult liver. The expression of Thy-1 has been studied in normal rat liver, in the rat liver regeneration model following 2-acetylaminofluorene treatment and partial hepatectomy (AAF/PH), and in isolated rat liver cells, at the mRNA and protein levels. In normal rat liver, Thy-1 is detected in sparse cells of the periportal area, whereas 7 days after PH in the AAF/PH model, a marked increase of the number of Thy-1-positive cells is detectable by immunohistochemistry. Comparative immunohistochemical analysis has revealed the co-localization of Thy-1 and smooth muscle actin, but not of Thy-1 and cytokeratin-19, both in normal rat liver and in the AAF/PH model. Investigation of isolated rat liver cell populations has confirmed that liver myofibroblasts are Thy-1-positive cells, whereas hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells, and liver macrophages are not. Thy-1 is the first cell surface marker for identifying liver myofibroblasts in vivo and in vitro. Jozsef Dudas and Tümen Mansuroglu contributed equally to this study. This work was supported by grants from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB 402, projects C6, D3, D4).     

Structural analysis of dental fear in children with and without dental trauma experience

The aim of the study was to evaluate dental fear in children with and without dental injuries in a randomly selected children in Croatia (59 girls and 88 boys). Children were divided into three groups depending on dental trauma experience. They were also divided into two age groups: 5-8 and 9-12 years. Only dental trauma to the permanent teeth was included in the study. The CFSS-DS, CDAS and CMFQ were used for evaluation of dental anxiety and the ISP Hollingshead Index of Social Position was calculated for evaluation of social status. The mean values of CDAS, CFSS-DS and CMFQ tests revealed that the anxiety level decreases with increasing experience of dental injury. The analysis of variance performed for CDAS showed a significant difference between children with and without dental trauma (p = 0,010). Regarding the groups, the analysis of variance for CMFQ (p = 0,021) and CFSS-DS (p = 0,001) showed a significant difference, as well as regarding age (CMFQ; p = 0,001 and CFSS-DS; p = 0,016). Cronbach's alpha coefficients revealed the highest reliability for CFSS-DS (alpha = 0,910). Pearson's correlation coefficients revealed significant correlations between the anxiety scores, age and ISP values for children without dental trauma, and between the anxiety scores and age for children with repeated dental trauma. The results of the ISP Hollingshead Index exhibited the highest frequency in children with dental injuries who belonged to the families with poor social background (ISP = 44-60). No significant difference was obtained between children with and without dental injuries depending on either gender or the ISP value.