[Effect of misclassification of the place of residence on incidence estimates: the example of child cancer in a local health authority in Rome, Italy]. / Misclassificazione della residenza nelle schede di Dimissione Ospedaliera ed effetti sulle stime di incidenza: l'esempio dei tumori in età pediatrica nella ASL RMD.

A study on cancer of the lymphatic and hematopoietic tissue among residents aged 0-14 years was conducted by the Local Health Unit RMD (Rome, Italy; period 2003-09; codes of the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification: 200-208). Age and gender Standardized Mortality and Hospitalization Ratios were computed in order to compare observed and expected cases, using municipal rates as reference. Place of residence at the time of admission, as recorded in the Hospital Registry, was compared with the information recorded in the Municipal Registers and the correlation between the two sources was calculated by Cohen's Kappa. No mortality nor morbidity excesses were observed in the study area. Although 14% of children were not confirmed as being resident at the time of admission, the Cohen's Kappa indicates a strong correlation between the Municipal Registry and the Hospital Registry (84%). The analyses restricted to children with ascertained residence did not yield different results. For those whose residence was not confirmed, the mismatch of information between the Municipality Registry and the Hospital Registry needs to be clarified.

Crystal structure of MEF2A core bound to DNA at 1.5 A resolution.

Members of the myocyte enhancer factor-2 (MEF2) family of transcription factors bind to and activate transcription through A+T-rich DNA sequences found primarily, but not exclusively, in the promoters of muscle-specific genes. Their importance has been established for myogenic development and in activation of the immediate-early gene, c-jun, and recently further functional roles in the immune system have emerged. The MEF2 factors belong to the MADS-box superfamily, sharing homology in a 58 amino acid domain that mediates DNA binding and dimerization. The structures of two MADS-box proteins, SRF and MCM1, bound to their cognate DNA have been previously reported and shown to share extensive similarity in their mode of DNA binding. We have solved the structure of MEF2A 2-78 bound to its DNA consensus sequence at 1.5 A resolution. It reveals how the absence of amino acids N-terminal to the MADS-box contributes to the DNA binding properties of MEF2 proteins and shows that the MEF domain C-terminal to the MADS-box adopts a conformation considerably different from the same region in SRF and MCM1.

Embolization of multiple Rasmussen aneurysms as a treatment of hemoptysis.

A 40-year-old man with a history of tuberculosis developed massive hemoptysis. Embolization of a bronchial artery branch did not resolve the bleeding. Selective angiography eventually revealed three pseudoaneurysms arising from an apical segmental branch of the right pulmonary artery, two of which were successfully embolized with coils. The patient's hemoptysis resolved within 48 hours. Although most patients with hemoptysis and active tuberculosis bleed from the bronchial circulation, the pulmonary arterial circulation should be immediately evaluated if the bronchial angiogram is normal. Coil embolization is a safe and effective means of treating these pseudoaneurysms.

Bicipital groove dysplasia and medial dislocation of the biceps brachii tendon.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the plain film finding of dysplasia of the lesser tubercle of the humerus and its relationship to medial dislocation of the tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii muscle as diagnosed by shoulder arthrography. Of 55 patients referred for arthrography of the shoulder because of undiagnosed shoulder pain, 12 demonstrated flattening of the medial wall of the bicipital tendon groove. Of these, 58% had medial dislocation of the biceps tendon, and 43% of patients with dislocation of the biceps tendon were also shown to have a tear of the rotator cuff. Since biceps tendon pathology has long been implicated in shoulder pain and weakness, assessment of the bicipital groove may provide important information in evaluating patients with potential abnormality of the biceps tendon.