S-100 protein positive cells in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC): absence of prognostic significance. A clinicopathological and immunohistochemical study of 40 cases

An immunohistochemical study of S-100 protein in 43 nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPC) of known clinical evolution (33 primary and 10 metastatic) is presented. Sixty per cent of primary site cases as well as all metastatic forms showed S-100 protein positive cells intermingled with tumour cells. These S-100 positive elements were identified as Langerhans cells. No significant differences were found when correlating S-100 protein positivity and histological NPC variants, neither in age nor in sex of patients. Statistical analysis failed to demonstrate any positive correlation between S-100 protein reactivity and clinical survival

Centrally Administered Pertussis Toxin Inhibits Microglia Migration to the Spinal Cord and Prevents Dissemination of Disease in an EAE Mouse Model

Background: Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) models are important vehicles for studying the effect of infectious elements such as Pertussis toxin (PTx) on disease processes related to acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis (ADEM) or multiple sclerosis (MS). PTx has pleotropic effects on the immune system. This study was designed to investigate the effects of PTx administered intracerebroventricularly (icv) in preventing downstream immune cell infiltration and demyelination of the spinal cord. Methods and Findings: EAE was induced in C57BL/6 mice with MOG35–55. PTx icv at seven days post MOG immunization resulted in mitigation of clinical motor symptoms, minimal T cell infiltration, and the marked absence of axonal loss and demyelination of the spinal cord. Integrity of the blood brain barrier was compromised in the brain whereas spinal cord BBB integrity remained intact. PTx icv markedly increased microglia numbers in the brain preventing their migration to the spinal cord. An in vitro transwell study demonstrated that PTx inhibited migration of microglia. Conclusion: Centrally administered PTx abrogated migration of microglia in EAE mice, limiting the inflammatory cytokine milieu to the brain and prevented dissemination of demyelination. The effects of PTx icv warrants further investigation and provides an attractive template for further study regarding the pleotropic effects of infectious elements such as PTx in th

Defining the effect and mediators of two knowledge translation strategies designed to alter knowledge, intent and clinical utilization of rehabilitation outcome measures: a study protocol [NCT00298727]

BACKGROUND: A substantial number of valid outcome measures have been developed to measure health in adult musculoskeletal and childhood disability. Regrettably, national initiatives have merely resulted in changes in attitude, while utilization remains unacceptably low. This study will compare the effectiveness and mediators of two different knowledge transfer (KT) interventions in terms of their impact on changing knowledge and behavior (utilization and clinical reasoning) related to health outcome measures. METHOD/DESIGN: Physical and occupational therapists (n = 144) will be recruited in partnership with the national professional associations to evaluate two different KT interventions with the same curriculum: 1) Stakeholder-Hosted Interactive Problem-Based Seminar (SHIPS), and 2) Online Problem-Based course (e-PBL). SHIPS will consist of face-to-face problem-based learning (PBL) for 2 1/2 days with outcome measure developers as facilitators, using six problems generated in consultation with participants. The e-PBL will consist of a 6-week web-based course with six generic problems developed by content experts. SHIPS will be conducted in three urban centers in Canada. Participants will be block-allocated by a minimization procedure to either of the two interventions to minimize any prognostic differences. Trained evaluators at each site will conduct chart audits and chart-stimulated recall. Trained interviewers will conduct semi-structured interviews focused on identifying critical elements in KT and implementing practice changes. Interviews will be transcribed verbatim. Baseline predictors including demographics, knowledge, attitudes/barriers regarding outcome measures, and Readiness to Change will be assessed by self-report. Immediately post-intervention and 6 months later, these will be re-administered. Primary qualitative and quantitative evaluations will be conducted 6-months post-intervention to assess the relative effectiveness of KT interventions and to identify elements that contribute to changing clinical behavior. Chart audits will determine the utilization of outcome measures (counts). Incorporation of outcome measures into clinical reasoning will be assessed using an innovative technique: chart-stimulated recall. DISCUSSION: A strategy for optimal transfer of health outcome measures into practice will be developed and shared with multiple disciplines involved in primary and specialty management of musculoskeletal and childhood disability

Genetic control of quantitative variation in carbonic anhydrase isozymes of mammals. I. The concentration within single erythrocytes of the mouse

The levels of the carbonic anhydrase isozymes (CA and CA II) in single erythrocytes of DBA/2J mice were assayed by measuring the specific immunofluorescence of CA I and CA II with a microspectrofluorometric technique. Measurements of 100 randomly selected cells showed a range (in relative fluorescence units) of 21–52 (mean 31.3±7.5) for CA I and 30–80 (mean 45.6±10.7) for CA II. The CA II/CA I ratio of the means obtained by the single-cell fluorescence assay was similar to the ratios obtained for the two isozymes from hemolysates of DBA/2J mice using an immunodiffusion assay. The influence of cell age on the variation in carbonic anhydrase levels was determined by separating red cells into several fractions by a gravity sedimentation procedure. The younger cells showed higher levels of CA I and CA II than the older cells; however, the extensive overlap in the variability between the cells from the different fractions indicated that although cell age was contributing to the overall heterogeneity, its influence was not pronounced.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44126/1/10528_2004_Article_BF00483984.pd

Design concepts for the Cherenkov Telescope Array CTA: an advanced facility for ground-based high-energy gamma-ray astronomy

Ground-based gamma-ray astronomy has had a major breakthrough with the impressive results obtained using systems of imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes. Ground-based gamma-ray astronomy has a huge potential in astrophysics, particle physics and cosmology. CTA is an international initiative to build the next generation instrument, with a factor of 5-10 improvement in sensitivity in the 100 GeV-10 TeV range and the extension to energies well below 100 GeV and above 100 TeV. CTA will consist of two arrays (one in the north, one in the south) for full sky coverage and will be operated as open observatory. The design of CTA is based on currently available technology. This document reports on the status and presents the major design concepts of CTA