The KBG syndrome: confirmation of autosomal dominant inheritance and further delineation of the phenotype

We report on a Turkish family in which the father and his two sons were diagnosed as having the KBG syndrome. Large upper central incisors were the diagnostic finding in all three patients along with mental retardation, cryptorchidism, skeletal abnormalities, and short stature. Our report clearly confirms that the inheritance is autosomal dominant in KBG syndrome, although a high male to female ratio has been observed in published cases.     

Regulation of numbers of macrophages in the endometrium of the sheep by systemic effects of pregnancy, local presence of the conceptus, and progesterone

Many species exhibiting hemochorial placentation experience an accumulation of macrophages in the endometrium during pregnancy. For the present study, it was tested whether macrophages also accumulate in the endometrium of the sheep, which is a species undergoing an epitheliochorial placentation. An additional objective was to determine whether regulation of endometrial macrophage number occurs via systemic or local signals and whether progesterone is one of these signals. The approach was to evaluate presence of macrophages immunohistochemically using antibodies to CD68 and CD14. Tissues examined were from cyclic ewes in the luteal phase of the estrous cycle, unilaterally-pregnant ewes at day 140 of pregnancy in which pregnancy was surgically confined to one uterine horn, ovariectomized ewes, and ovariectomized ewes treated with progesterone for 44 days. Macrophages were localized predominately to the stromal compartment of the stratum compactum region of the endometrium. In non-pregnant ewes, macrophages were not abundant regardless of physiological status. Increased numbers of endometrial macrophages were seen for both the pregnant and non-pregnant uterine horns of unilaterally pregnant ewes. Numbers of macrophages were higher in the endometrium from the pregnant uterine horn than from endometrium from the non-pregnant uterine horn. Results indicate that macrophages accumulate in the endometrium by day 140 of pregnancy in the sheep and that this induction is because of both systemic and local signals. Progesterone appears not to be an important regulator of numbers of endometrial macrophages.     

Isolation of four ecdysones from Ajuga iva roots and a rapid semiquantitative method for ecdysone determination

The ethereal extract of AJUGA IVA (L.) S CHREB. roots, yielded 4 ecdysones. Three were proved to be cyasterone, makisterone A and ecdysterone, by using UV, IR, MS spectral methods and comparison with standard samples. Spectral data indicate that the fourth ecdysone is similar to cyasterone but having an additional hydroxy group in the side-chain. The chromatographic pattern of ecdysone content in roots, stems and leaves is presented as well as a rapid and simple Semiquantitative method for their estimation. The roots had the highest total content (0.381%).     

Sub-acute sensory neuronopathy as a preceding sign of recurrence in colon carcinoma

Subacute sensory neuronopathy is a paraneoplastic syndrome, which occurs mostly in lung, breast, ovarian malignancies and lymphoma. A 75-yr-old woman who was at the twentieth month of her postoperative follow-up owing to colon adenocarcinoma admitted with subacute sensory neuronopathy. Six months later from the first, neuropathic symptoms liver metastases developed. To the best of our literature review subacute sensory neuronopathy as a preceding sign of recurrence in colon adenocarcinoma has not previously been reported. We conclude that, in the case of subacute sensory neuronopathy without an obvious underlying etiological factor, an occult malignity should always be researched in clinical practice.     

The comparison of dual phase Tc-99m MIBI and Tc-99m MDP scintimammography in the evaluation of breast masses: Preliminary report

The aim of this prospective study was to determine the diagnostic value of Tc-99m MDP scintimammography (SMG) for the detection of breast cancer in patients with breast masses and to compare the results with Tc-99m MIBI scintimammography. Twenty patients, categorized as suspicious, positive or benign for breast cancer according to the mammographic findings were included in the study. Dual phase Tc-99m MIBI and Tc-99m MDP SMG were performed in the prone lateral position within 5 days of each other. Although early and late Tc-99m MIBI SMG showed equal (90.4%) sensitivity, the specificity of late Tc-99m MIBI (87.5%) was found superior to early (62.5%) imaging. The overall sensitivity and specificity of early Tc-99m MDP SMG were 71.4% and 62.5%, respectively. Although late Tc-99m MDP imaging showed 100% specificity, its sensitivity was only 23.8%. In the patients with palpable masses, both early Tc-99m MDP and Tc-99m MIBI showed equal sensitivity (100%), but the sensitivity of early Tc-99m MIBI (37.5%) was found slightly higher than Tc-99m MDP (25.0%) for nonpalpable breast lesions. The sensitivity of Tc-99m MIBI and Tc-99m MDP SMG in detecting metastatic axillary involvement was 66.6% and 50%, respectively. High sensitivity and specificity together with its low cost, easy availability and the possibility of detecting bone metastases seems to make Tc-99m MDP a contributive agent in the evaluation of breast lesions as an alternative to Tc-99m MIBI.     

Embolization of the deep dorsal vein for the treatment of erectile impotence due to veno-occlusive dysfunction

PURPOSE: We evaluate the effectiveness of deep dorsal vein embolization for the treatment of venous impotence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 32 impotent patients with veno-occlusive dysfunction underwent deep dorsal vein embolization. The condition was suspected based on findings of penile Doppler ultrasonography and cavernosometry. The diagnosis was confirmed with pharmacocavernosography that appeared to delineate venous leakage. During the procedure we isolated and cannulated the deep dorsal vein through a small dorsal penile incision with the patient under local anesthesia. We used a mixture of the tissue glue, N-butyl cyanoacrylate, and lipodol for embolization, with a total volume of 5 ml. injected antegrade into the previously catheterized dorsal vein under fluoroscopic control. As soon as we observed the occluded veins we performed repeat pharmacocavernosography. At 3-month followup patients were reassessed with history and cavernosometry. Followup ranged from 12 to 36 months (median 25). RESULTS: Of 32 patients 22 (68.7%) regained sexual activity, which was confirmed by cavernosometry. The remaining 10 patients (31.3%) experienced little if any clinical response, which correlated with cavernosometry. There were no significant side effects. CONCLUSIONS: Deep dorsal vein embolization for venogenic impotence is simple, effective and safe, and appears to be cost-effective. The results obtained in this limited number of patients are promising and justify trials in larger groups.     

Settlement of Soil Reinforced with Vertical Fiberglass Micro-Piles

This article is dedicated to investigating the properties of soil after its reinforcement with fiberglass elements through large-scale laboratory plate-load tests of various samples that varied in the numbers and lengths of the reinforcing elements. The investigation of the vertical elements considered the diameter increase at the bottom toe by using widening washers. The results were compared relative to each other and to the theoretical calculation results. The theoretical calculations for the settlements were undertaken based on the authors’ proposed method. The method considers the number, shape, area and material of the strengthening elements using a pre-proposed reinforcement area factor µ. This pre-established factor was calculated with reference to the elements’ geometry—the diameter of the vertical elements and the bottom’s washer diameter—which determined the reinforcement area. A comparison between the reinforced and reference soft sandy soil samples indicated a 25% increase in the deformation modulus after the reinforcement process at a pressure of 25 kPa. Samples with µ ranging from 1.20 to 1.43 were 55–65% stiffer than samples with µ equal to 0.69 at a pressure of 100 kPa. The comparative analysis of the calculated results and the actual laboratory PLT test results was adequate for use for further development.