Giant viable hydatid cyst of the lung: a case report

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Endogenous Retinoic Acid Activity in Principal Cells and Intercalated Cells of Mouse Collecting Duct System

Background: Retinoic acid is the bioactive derivative of vitamin A, which plays an indispensible role in kidney development by activating retinoic acid receptors. Although the location, concentration and roles of endogenous retinoic acid in postnatal kidneys are poorly defined, there is accumulating evidence linking post-natal vitamin A deficiency to impaired renal concentrating and acidifying capacity associated with increased susceptibility to urolithiasis, renal inflammation and scarring. The aim of this study is to examine the presence and the detailed localization of endogenous retinoic acid activity in neonatal, young and adult mouse kidneys, to establish a fundamental ground for further research into potential target genes, as well as physiological and pathophysiological roles of endogenous retinoic acid in the post-natal kidneys.Methodology/Principal Findings: RARE-hsp68-lacZ transgenic mice were employed as a reporter for endogenous retinoic acid activity that was determined by X-gal assay and immunostaining of the reporter gene product, beta-galactosidase. Double immunostaining was performed for beta-galactosidase and markers of kidney tubules to localize retinoic acid activity. Distinct pattern of retinoic acid activity was observed in kidneys, which is higher in neonatal and 1- to 3-week-old mice than that in 5- and 8-week-old mice. The activity was present specifically in the principal cells and the intercalated cells of the collecting duct system in all age groups, but was absent from the glomeruli, proximal tubules, thin limbs of Henle's loop and distal tubules.Conclusions/Significance: Endogenous retinoic acid activity exists in principal cells and intercalated cells of the mouse collecting duct system after birth and persists into adulthood. This observation provides novel insights into potential roles for endogenous retinoic acid beyond nephrogenesis and warrants further studies to investigate target genes and functions of endogenous retinoic acid in the kidney after birth, particularly in the collecting duct system

Successful removal of a giant recurrent mediastinal liposarcoma involving both hemithoraces

Sak, Serpil/0000-0003-3666-3095WOS: 000170878500053PubMed: 11509300Primary liposarcomas of the mediastinum are unusual tumors. We report herein a case of a 52-year-old woman, who was found to have a mediastinal tumor involving both hemithoraces and radiologically showing non-resectable-invasive features to the adjacent vital structures. She had a history of left thoracotomy for mediastinal schwannoma 14 years previously. The patient underwent an exploratory thoracotomy following a preoperative misdiagnosis of an ancient schwannoma. Complete removal of the tumor was accomplished through a right posterolateral thoracotomy with a subsequent histological diagnosis of a recurrent low-grade liposarcoma. A resectable liposarcoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a mediastinal tumor, although radiologically, the tumor presents with invasive features. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved

Andersson lesion: spondylitis erosiva in adolescents. Two cases and review of the literature

We present two patients with seronegative enthesopathy and arthropathy (SEA) syndrome and Andersson lesions. Peripheral arthritis and enthesitis with or without back pain are very important in the recognition of Andersson lesion. MRI seems to be the best method for early diagnosis

L-carnitine does not exert any in vitro relaxant effect in guinea pig trachea, lung parenchyma and human bronchial tissue

21st Congress of the European-Academy-of-Allergology-and-Clinical-Immunology -- JUN 01-05, 2002 -- NAPLES, ITALYWOS: 000186177501120European Acad Allergol Clin Immono

Familial arthropathy with camptodactyly: reports of two families

Familial association of congenital camptodactyly and arthropathy without evidence of concurrent inflammation has an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance. We describe four children born to consanguineous parents in two families with congenital camptodactyly and polyarthropathy which were misdiagnosed and treated as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) for some time. The siblings in the second family also had fibrosing pleuritis. Histopathological examination of the synovial tissues of the children in the first family revealed synovial hypertrophy and presence of multinucleated giant cells with minimal inflammation and vasculitis. On the other hand, prominent fibrosis with no inflammation was present in the synovial tissue of the elder boy in the second family. Thus, while the children in the first family had the phenotypic characteristics of congenital familial hypertrophic synovitis, the latter siblings probably represent a form of the familial fibrosing serositis

Sarcoidosis in a preschooler with only skin and joint involvement

Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. It is relatively rare in children less than 15 years of age and especially in those less than 5-6 years of age. Sarcoidosis characteristically involves the skin, eyes, and synovial tissues in patients less than 5-6 years of age. We report a 3-year-old boy with sarcoidosis who had cutaneous findings with joint symptoms. Dermatologic examination revealed lichenoid, erythematous, 2-3 mm papules, some of them grouped, all over his extremities and trunk. There were symmetric swellings on his ankles and wrists without erythema or pain which did not interfere with function. However, until now, no eye involvement had been detected in the patient