Renal function remains after unilateral total and contralateral partial nephrectomy : an experimental study in pigs using 99mTc-DTPA

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Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Finnish Spitz Dogs with Focal Epilepsy

Eleven Finnish Spitz dogs with focal seizures and 3 healthy controls were evaluated. General clinical and neurological examinations, blood examination, urinalysis, cerebrospinal fluid examination, electroencephalography (EEG), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain were performed on all dogs. On EEG examination, focal epileptic activity was found in 7 of 11 dogs (64%), and generalized epileptic activity was observed in 4 of 11 dogs (36%). MRI (performed with 1.5 T equipment) detected changes in 1 epileptic dog. Mild contrast enhancement after gadolinium injection was identified in this dog's right parietal cortex. However, no such changes were observed in repeated magnetic resonance images. Special emphasis was given to seizure history to determine any correlations between seizure intervals and MRI findings. Our results indicate that Finnish Spitz dogs with focal seizures suffer from focal idiopathic epilepsy and have nondetectable findings on MRI or pathology. MRI showed poor sensitivity in detecting epileptogenic areas in our patients with focal seizures. Reversible MRI changes in 1 dog could have been caused by seizures

Intraoperative angiography should be standard in cerebral aneurysm surgery

Intraoperative angiography (IOA) has proven to be a safe and effective adjunct to surgical repair of cerebral aneurysms. Substantial practice variation exists regarding use of this modality in different centers, including use of IOA routinely, selectively, or rarely. In this editorial, we discuss our experience and review the existing literature to develop an argument for routine use of IOA during cerebral aneurysm surgery

Tumour-cell-derived complement components C1r and C1s promote growth of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

Summary Background Incidence of epidermal keratinocyte-derived cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is increasing worldwide. Objectives To study the role of complement classical pathway components C1q, C1r and C1s in the progression of cSCC. Methods The mRNA levels of C1Q subunits, C1R and C1S in cSCC cell lines, normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs), cSCC tumors in vivo and normal skin were analyzed with quantitative RT-PCR. The production of C1r and C1s was determined with Western blotting. The expression of C1r and C1s in tissue samples in vivo was analyzed with immunohistochemistry and further investigated in human cSCC xenografts by knocking down C1r and C1s. Results Significantly elevated C1R and C1S mRNA levels and production of C1r and C1s were detected in cSCC cells, compared to normal human epidermal keratinocytes. The mRNA levels of C1R and C1S were markedly elevated in cSCC tumors in vivo compared to normal skin. Abundant expression of C1r and C1s by tumor cells was detected in invasive sporadic cSCCs and recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa-associated cSCCs, whereas the expression of C1r and C1s was lower in cSCC in situ, actinic keratosis, and normal skin. Knockdown of C1r and C1s expression in cSCC cells inhibited activation of ERK1/2 and Akt, promoted apoptosis of cSCC cells and significantly suppressed growth and vascularization of human cSCC xenograft tumors in vivo. Conclusions These results provide evidence for the role of tumor cell-derived C1r and C1s in the progression of cSCC and identify them as biomarkers and putative therapeutic targets in cSCC. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.Peer reviewe

Exposure to Environmental Radionuclides Associates With Tissue-Specific Impacts on Telomerase Expression and Telomere Length

Telomeres, the protective structures at the ends of chromosomes, can be shortened when individuals are exposed to stress. In some species, the enzyme telomerase is expressed in adult somatic tissues, and potentially protects or lengthens telomeres. Telomeres can be damaged by ionizing radiation and oxidative stress, although the effect of chronic exposure to elevated levels of radiation on telomere maintenance is unknown for natural populations. We quantified telomerase expression and telomere length (TL) in different tissues of the bank vole Myodes glareolus, collected from the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, an environment heterogeneously contaminated with radionuclides, and from uncontaminated control sites elsewhere in Ukraine. Inhabiting the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone was associated with reduced TL in the liver and testis, and upregulation of telomerase in brain and liver. Thus upregulation of telomerase does not appear to associate with longer telomeres but may reflect protective functions other than telomere maintenance or an attempt to maintain shorter telomeres in a stressful environment. Tissue specific differences in the rate of telomere attrition and apparent radiosensitivity weaken the intra-individual correlation in telomere length among tissues in voles exposed to radionuclides. Our data show that ionizing radiation alters telomere homeostasis in wild animal populations in tissue specific ways

Variation in neurosurgical management of traumatic brain injury : a survey in 68 centers participating in the CENTER-TBI study

Correction: Volume: 161 Issue: 3 Pages: 451-455 DOI: 10.1007/s00701-019-03815-6 Accession Number: WOS:000460607500003BackgroundNeurosurgical management of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is challenging, with only low-quality evidence. We aimed to explore differences in neurosurgical strategies for TBI across Europe.MethodsA survey was sent to 68 centers participating in the Collaborative European Neurotrauma Effectiveness Research in Traumatic Brain Injury (CENTER-TBI) study. The questionnaire contained 21 questions, including the decision when to operate (or not) on traumatic acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) and intracerebral hematoma (ICH), and when to perform a decompressive craniectomy (DC) in raised intracranial pressure (ICP).ResultsThe survey was completed by 68 centers (100%). On average, 10 neurosurgeons work in each trauma center. In all centers, a neurosurgeon was available within 30min. Forty percent of responders reported a thickness or volume threshold for evacuation of an ASDH. Most responders (78%) decide on a primary DC in evacuating an ASDH during the operation, when swelling is present. For ICH, 3% would perform an evacuation directly to prevent secondary deterioration and 66% only in case of clinical deterioration. Most respondents (91%) reported to consider a DC for refractory high ICP. The reported cut-off ICP for DC in refractory high ICP, however, differed: 60% uses 25mmHg, 18% 30mmHg, and 17% 20mmHg. Treatment strategies varied substantially between regions, specifically for the threshold for ASDH surgery and DC for refractory raised ICP. Also within center variation was present: 31% reported variation within the hospital for inserting an ICP monitor and 43% for evacuating mass lesions.ConclusionDespite a homogeneous organization, considerable practice variation exists of neurosurgical strategies for TBI in Europe. These results provide an incentive for comparative effectiveness research to determine elements of effective neurosurgical care.Peer reviewe

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus after treatment with paclitaxel and bevacizumab for metastatic breast cancer: a case report

Abstract Introduction The monoclonal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor antibody bevacizumab is increasingly used in the treatment of several malignant tumors. The usual side effects of this drug are hypertension and proteinuria. Paclitaxel is widely used in the treatment of breast cancer and head and neck carcinomas. Neither of these two drugs typically causes skin disorders. Paclitaxel-related cutaneous lupus erythematosus has been described before, but in earlier cases patients had a history of autoimmune disease. Case presentation We report a case of a 65-year-old Caucasian woman who presented with cutaneous lupus erythematosus after receiving paclitaxel-bevacizumab combination treatment as first-line therapy for metastatic breast cancer. Her cutaneous symptoms and increased serum anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies disappeared shortly after the discontinuation of therapy. Conclusion We conclude that cutaneous lupus erythematosus can also be seen in patients without earlier anamnesis of autoimmune disorders and that, furthermore, bevacizumab might cause atypical cutaneous side effects.</p

Posterior Cerebral Artery Aneurysms : Treatment and Outcome Analysis in 121 Patients

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Tumour-cell-derived complement components C1r and C1s promote growth of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

Background The incidence of epidermal keratinocyte-derived cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is increasing worldwide. Objectives To study the role of the complement classical pathway components C1q, C1r and C1s in the progression of cSCC. Methods The mRNA levels of C1Q subunits and C1R and C1S in cSCC cell lines, normal human epidermal keratinocytes, cSCC tumours in vivo and normal skin were analysed with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The production of C1r and C1s was determined with Western blotting. The expression of C1r and C1s in tissue samples in vivo was analysed with immunohistochemistry and further investigated in human cSCC xenografts by knocking down C1r and C1s. Results Significantly elevated C1R and C1S mRNA levels and production of C1r and C1s were detected in cSCC cells, compared with normal human epidermal keratinocytes. The mRNA levels of C1R and C1S were markedly elevated in cSCC tumours in vivo compared with normal skin. Abundant expression of C1r and C1s by tumour cells was detected in invasive sporadic cSCCs and recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa-associated cSCCs, whereas the expression of C1r and C1s was lower in cSCC in situ, actinic keratosis and normal skin. Knockdown of C1r and C1s expression in cSCC cells inhibited activation of extracellular signal-related kinase 1/2 and Akt, promoted apoptosis of cSCC cells and significantly suppressed growth and vascularization of human cSCC xenograft tumours in vivo. Conclusions These results provide evidence for the role of tumour-cell-derived C1r and C1s in the progression of cSCC and identify them as biomarkers and putative therapeutic targets in cSCC.</p