FDG PET imaging of paragangliomas of the neck: comparison with MIBG SPET

Two patients with cervical paragangliomas underwent positron emission tomography (PET) with 2-[ 18 F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG). There was marked tumor uptake and retention of FDG. Adjacent salivary gland accumulation of FDG was minimal, though quite prominent with meta -iodobenzylguanidine. FDG PET offers another potentially useful approach to functional imaging of these uncommon tumors, independent of the presence of specific amine uptake mechanisms or cell surface receptors required by other scintigraphic techniques.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/46837/1/259_2004_Article_BF00801625.pd

Mactinin, a fragment of cytoskeletal α-actinin, is a novel inducer of heat shock protein (Hsp)-90 mediated monocyte activation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Monocytes, their progeny such as dendritic cells and osteoclasts and products including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1α and IL-1β play important roles in cancer, inflammation, immune response and atherosclerosis. We previously showed that mactinin, a degradative fragment of the cytoskeletal protein α-actinin, is present at sites of monocytic activation in vivo, has chemotactic activity for monocytes and promotes monocyte/macrophage maturation. We therefore sought to determine the mechanism by which mactinin stimulates monocytes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Radiolabeled mactinin bound to a heterocomplex on monocytes comprised of at least 3 proteins of molecular weight 88 kD, 79 kD and 68 kD. Affinity purification, mass spectroscopy and Western immunoblotting identified heat shock protein (Hsp)-90 as the 88 kD component of this complex. Hsp90 was responsible for mediating the functional effects of mactinin on monocytes, since Hsp90 inhibitors (geldanamycin and its analogues 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin [17-AAG] and 17-(dimethylaminoethylamino)-17-demethoxygeldanamycin [17-DMAG]) almost completely abrogated the stimulatory activity of mactinin on monocytes (production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1α, IL-1β and TNF-α, as well as monocyte chemotaxis).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Mactinin is a novel inducer of Hsp90 activity on monocytes and may serve to perpetuate and augment monocytic activation, thereby functioning as a "matrikine." Blockage of this function of mactinin may be useful in diseases where monocyte/macrophage activation and/or Hsp90 activity are detrimental.</p

Cesarean delivery on maternal request: Can the ethical problem be solved by the principlist approach?

In this article, we use the principlist approach to identify, analyse and attempt to solve the ethical problem raised by a pregnant woman's request for cesarean delivery in absence of medical indications