Malignant Transformation of Giant Cell Tumour of Bone: A Review of Literature and the Experience of a Referral Centre

Giant cell tumour of bone (GCTB) is a benign, locally aggressive primary bone neoplasm that represents 5% of all bone tumours. The principal treatment approach is surgery. Although generally GCTB is considered only a locally aggressive disease, it can metastasise, and lung metastases occur in 1–9% of patients. To date, only the use of denosumab has been approved as medical treatment for GCTB. Even more rarely, GCTB undergoes sarcomatous transformation into a malignant tumour (4% of all GCTB), but history of this malignant transformation is unclear and unpredictable. Considering the rarity of the event, the data in the literature are few. In this review, we summarise published data of GCTB malignant transformation and we analyse three cases of malignant transformation of GCTB, evaluating histopathology, genetics, and radiological aspects. Despite the rarity of this event, we conclude that a strict follow up is recommended to detect early malignant transformation.     

Extracellular Vesicles as Biological Indicators and Potential Sources of Autologous Therapeutics in Osteoarthritis

Along with cytokines, extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by immune cells in the joint contribute to osteoarthritis (OA) pathogenesis. By high-resolution flow cytometry, we characterized 18 surface markers and 4 proinflammatory cytokines carried by EVs of various sizes in plasma and synovial fluid (SF) from individuals with knee OA, with a primary focus on immune cells that play a major role in OA pathogenesis. By multiplex immunoassay, we also measured concentrations of cytokines within (endo) and outside (exo) EVs. EVs carrying HLA-DR, -DP and -DQ were the most enriched subpopulations in SF relative to plasma (25–50-fold higher depending on size), suggesting a major contribution to the SF EV pool from infiltrating immune cells in OA joints. In contrast, the CD34⁺ medium and small EVs, reflecting hematopoietic stem cells, progenitor cells, and endothelial cells, were the most significantly enriched subpopulations in plasma relative to SF (7.3- and 7.7-fold higher). Ratios of EVs derived from neutrophils and lymphocytes were highly correlated between SF and plasma, indicating that plasma EVs could reflect OA severity and serve as systemic biomarkers of OA joint pathogenesis. Select subsets of plasma EVs might also provide next generation autologous biological products for intra-articular therapy of OA joints.     

Protein breakdown during the preparation of frozen batter-coated squid rings

The objective of this paper was to study the main chemical and microstructural changes in squid proteins during processing as a frozen batter-coated product using different coatings. Protein bands of the squid and of the batters used for coating were studied using SDS-PAGE. It is concluded that it is not only the proteins of the layer of batter, which are directly exposed both to the frying oil and to freezing temperatures, that deteriorate during the preparation process, the protein fraction of the squid substrate, mainly the myofibrillar proteins, is also degraded. At a microstructural level, big voids are generated during freezing as a consequence of the packing of the fibres, although the size of these voids decreases after final frying. After this step of the process, the central sarcoplasm is still visible but has been altered by coagulation of the sarcoplasmic proteins and the sarcolemma is observed to be separate from the myofibrillar package.     

Synthesis and properties of boron-containing soybean oil based thermosetting copolymers

The first example of boron-containing soybean oil based copolymers was prepared from soybean oil, styrene, divinylbenzene and 4-vinylphenyl boronic acid by cationic polymerization using boron trifluoride etherate as initiator. Soxhlet extraction and NMR spectroscopy indicate that the copolymers consist of a crosslinked network plasticized with varying amounts of oligomers and unreacted oil. The thermal degradation mechanism was studied and the thermal, dynamomechanical and flame retardant properties of these materials were examined. Thermosets with glass transition temperatures ranging from 43 to 60 °C, which are thermally stable below 350 °C and with LOI values from 23.7 to 25.6 were obtained. The LOI tests indicate that the flame retardant properties of vegetable oil can be improved by adding boron covalently bonded to the polymer.     

Thermal properties of polypropylene nanocomposites: Effects of carbon nanomaterials and processing

Design of experiments was used to elucidate the complex interactions that determine nanocomposite properties and enable predictive models for optimization. The thermal properties of nanocomposites containingpolypropylene, single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), dodecyl‐functionalized SWNTs, and vapor‐grown carbon fibers were investigated as a function of extrusion temperature, screw speed, and time. The effects of extruder processing conditions on thermal properties was dependent on the fraction of polymer chains stabilized in the interphase, the extent of polymer degradation, and the type of nanomaterial incorporated. Melting and crystallization temperatures were primarily affected by nanomaterial type. However, thermal decomposition temperature was affected significantly by processing conditions and the response wasdependent on the type of nanomaterial incorporated. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Examining prepotent response suppression in aging: A kinematic analysis.

Two experiments were designed to explore how age differences in conflict detection may contribute to poorer motor performance. In each experiment, 12 young adults (YAs) and 12 older adults (OAs) performed a finger sequencing task in which the frequency of specific critical transitions was varied. These critical transitions were contrasted with violation transitions to assess the ability to detect a conflict in response requirements. In addition to accuracy and reaction time, the authors used kinematic data to parse movements into planning and motor execution phases. OAs were differentially slower to respond to violations than YAs, in line with other research on executive control, prepotent response suppression, and aging. Kinematic analyses revealed that YAs executed movements more rapidly on violation than critical transitions, whereas OAs executed movements at the same speed regardless of response predictability and increased planning time. The authors argue that OAs are unable to reprogram prepotent movement plans to overcome slowed movement planning in cognitively challenging situations. The results are discussed in terms of the influence of age-related cognitive inefficiency on motor control. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Therapists’ use of congruence in nondirective play therapy and filial therapy.

Although the U.S. child-centered approaches of Garry Landreth and Louise Guerney have the same principles and practice skills as nondirective play therapy as practiced by therapists trained at the University of York, there are a few differences in their approach. Therapists’ practice of “congruence” is actively encouraged for York-trained therapists but not for Landreth and Guerney-trained therapists. The theoretical and practice rationales for expressing congruence that underlie the York approach are examined here, as well as potential pitfalls. Examples of therapists and parents verbally expressing their congruent feelings in therapy are given from both play therapy and filial therapy practice. Special attention is paid to the need for and uses of congruence when helping children and young people who were maltreated. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)