Markers of human T lymphotropic virus type I in patients with cancer of uterine cervix in Amazon, Brazil

Human T lymphotropic virus type I(HTLV-I) has been implicated in various human diseases. Serum samples of 390 Brazilian Amazonians with cancer of various types were tested for HTLV-I antibodies by Gelatin particle agglutination test, Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting. Of 134 sera from patients with cancer of uterine cervix, 4 were positive by all the methods. Three of these were from non-transfused patients. DNA was extracted from 2 of 4 seropositive sera that gave strong reactions and were analyzed by PCR-SSCP for HTLV-I sequences. One was positive for all HTLV-I genes tested while the other one was positive for LTR and tax and negative for gag. In view of a possible pathway of the virus by sexual contact, the involvement of HTLV-I in cervical cancer warrants further studies.     

Preparation of the antibodies against recombinant human thymidylate synthase for the detection of its intratumoral levels and the application to sensitivity-study of 5-fluorouracil

Thymidylate synthase (TS) is a rate-limiting enzyme in de novo DNA biosynthesis and also a primary target for 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based chemotherapy. To estimate the con-elation between the expression of TS in the tumor, clinical response and prognosis in cancer patients treated with 5-FU, we have prepared recombinant human TS (rhTS) protein by culturing of E. coli transfected with the plasmid (pGEX-2TH) encoding the nucleotide sequence of hTScDNA and then obtained a highly purified polyclonal antibody against rhTS protein. Using this anti-TS antibody, it was revealed that the content of TS protein, as determined by Western blot analysis, correlated with the enzyme activity (gamma=0.973) and cytotoxicity of 5-FU, expressed as IC50 value (gamma=0.954) against human colon tumor cells, sensitive to and with acquired-resistance to 5-fluoropyrimidines and other cancer cells. On immunochemical evaluation, it was also confirmed that the tumor cells overexpressing TS proteins were strongly stained by the polyclonal antibody when compared to the cell lines expressing TS to lower extent both in vitro and in vivo conditions. These results indicate that this purified polyclonal antibody to rhTS is applicable to prospective and retrospective clinical studies on immunochemical TS expression in various tumors as a prognostic factor and 5-FU response-predicting parameter.     

Induction of p53 protein by carbon-ion and proton beam irradiation in two close human lymphoblastoid cell lines with different p53 status

In this study, we compared the kinetics of the postirradiation p53 protein expression for carbon ion beam (290 MeV/n, LET 75 keV/mu m) and proton beam (65 MeV) with that of (13)7Cs-gamma ray. We used two human lymphoblastoid cell lines derived from the same donor with different p53 status. Wild-type p53 protein increased after irradiation and it was dose-dependent. Meanwhile, the mutated p53 protein level did not show any increase with irradiation. With the three forms of radiation, there was no significant difference as regards the p53 protein kinetics.     

Delayed neurotoxicity of diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP): autoradiographic localization of high-affinity [3H]DFP binding sites in the chicken spinal cord

The delayed neurotoxic organophosphate, diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) binds with high affinity to membrane-bound proteins from chicken nerve tissues. The autoradiographic distribution of [³H]DFP binding sites in spinal cord sections of chicken showed higher concentrations of binding sites in gray matter than in white matter. In the cervical region, fairly high densities of [³H]DFP binding sites were found in laminae X and to a lesser extent, in the ventral horn gray matter. To identify the membrane-associated DFP-binding proteins, detergent-solubilized membranes were labeled widi 5-10nM [³H]DFP (10pmol/mg protein) for 70 min at 37°C. Gel-exclusion chromatography of the [³H]DFP-radiolabeled membranes indicated at least two major radioactive proteins with apparent molecular weights of 150-670 kDa and 40-129 kDa. Although we could not identify the high affinity DFP binding proteins, the autoradiographic experiments clearly demonstrated that the DFP binding proteins localized on gray matter of chicken spinal cord.     

Surgery for mitral regurgitation in children

In pediatric patients, mitral valve (MV) repair is preferable than MV replacement because of no need for anticoagulation and its feasibility in small children. However, long-term outcome of MV repair is still unclear. In the present study, fifty-two pediatric patients who underwent MV repair (n = 46) and MV replacement (n = 6) against mitral regurgitation (MR) between January 1970 and December 1996 were evaluated. 46 patients had associated diseases. Mitral annuloplasty was applied in 20 patients (by Kay method (n = 14) and Paneth-Burr method (n = 6) before and after 1991, respectively). Freedom from reoperation rate in patients with partial endocardial cushion defect (ECD) was significantly lower than that in other patients after MV repair, which was significantly higher than that in patients with MV replacement. Diameter of mitral annulus grew within normal range after MV repair. In conclusion, MV repair may provide better outcomes with respect to reoperation and growth of MV in pediatric patients except with partial ECD.     

Extended transbasal approach: anatomy, technique, and indications

Appropriate indications for the transbasal approach have not been clearly established. The focus of this study is to determine the feasibility of maximal exposure of the clivus and surrounding regions via this strategy. Further, we sought to determine the key anatomical landmarks and morphometric data necessary for safe, radical exposure. In 20 injected cadaveric specimens, anatomical observations were made grossly and microscopically with 4-40 x magnification. The three basic variations of the transbasal craniotomy were compared with regard to surgical exposure. Maximum exposure of the ventral clivus could be obtained by total ethmoidectomy and sphenoidectomy through the extensive transbasal craniotomy. The lateral limits of exposure were found to be the optic nerves, intracavernous carotid arteries, and hypoglossal canals. Inferiorly, the foramen magnum is the limit of exposure. Morphometric measurements were determined between the key landmarks and were found helpful in subsequent dissections due to the lack of bony structures in relation to neural and vascular structures within the bone. The keys to optimizing the transbasal approach are beyond the simple initial steps of the craniotomy. Maximal exposure from the suprasellar compartment to the foramen magnum is possible via the extended transbasal approach.     

A lateral transzygomatic-transtemporal approach to the infratemporal fossa: technical note for mobilization of the second and third branches of the trigeminal nerve

This report describes an alternative approach to the infratemporal fossa lesions through a lateral zygomato-temporal craniotemy, which modifies the extradural temporopolar technique for cavernous sinus surgery. First, an L-shaped osteotomy of the zygoma from the frontozygomatic suture attaching the zygomatre arch and low positioned temporal cramotomy are made. Through this zygomato-temporal craniotomy and orbitotemporal drilling, leaving the lateral orbital rim and orbital roof intact, skeletonization of the foramens rotundum and ovale are carried out. The key element of this infratemporal exposure is the dissection and mobilization of the trigeminal nerve, trigeminal second branch rostrally, and the third branch caudally, which facilitates a wide exposure of the infratemporal fossa with preserving trigeminal function. The corridor between the mobilized trigeminal branches provides direct access to the lateral and medial pterygoid plate, internal maxillary artery, sphenoid and maxillary sinuses, maxilla and, finally, the parapharyngeal area. Our experiences have demonstrated that this lateral transzygomatic-transtemporal exposure is satisfactory for use with infratemporal fossa tumors. This approach has an advantage for cranial-base exposure with decreased risks of cosmetic deformity and of trigeminal nerve dysfunction.     

Calcifying pseudotumor of the neural axis--case report

A 22-year-old female presented with a calcifying pseudotumor of the neural axis manifesting as generalized convulsive seizure twice within 1 year. Computed tomography revealed a small, calcified mass lesion located in the right parietal lobe adjacent to the skull. The tumor was composed of an extensively calcified mass with accompanying peripheral epithelioid cells and focal mature bone structure, consistent with the diagnosis of a calcifying pseudotumor of the neural axis. Following complete excision of the tumor, the patient has been free from seizures for 8 years.