[Cystic lesions of the jaws]. / Zystische Kieferläsionen.

Cystic lesions of the jaws comprise a spectrum of inflammatory, developmental and neoplastic changes that can clinically appear strikingly similar. Squamous cell metaplasia due to superinfection can further blur the histologic hallmarks of the individual lesions. In this article an overview of the most important differential diagnoses and the novelties of the latest World Health Organisation (WHO) classification on head and neck tumours released in early 2017 is provided. In contrast to the previous edition, odontogenic cysts have been re-introduced and several changes in terminology and taxonomy have been complemented.

Overexpression of METAL TOLERANCE PROTEIN8 reveals new aspects of metal transport in Arabidopsis thaliana seeds.

METAL TOLERANCE PROTEIN8 (MTP8) of Arabidopsis thaliana is a member of the CATION DIFFUSION FACILITATOR (CDF) family of proteins that transports primarily manganese (Mn), but also iron (Fe). MTP8 mediates Mn allocation to specific cell types in the developing embryo, and Fe re-allocation as well as Mn tolerance during imbibition. We analysed if an overexpression of MTP8 driven by the CaMV 35S promoter has an effect on Mn tolerance during imbibition and on Mn and Fe storage in seeds, which would render it a biofortification target. Fe, Mn and Zn concentrations in MTP8-overexpressing lines in wild type and vit1-1 backgrounds were analysed by ICP-MS. Distribution of metals in intact seeds was determined by synchrotron µXRF tomography. MTP8 overexpression led to a strongly increased Mn tolerance of seeds during imbibition, supporting its effectiveness in loading excess Mn into the vacuole. In mature seeds, MTP8 overexpression did not cause a consistent increase in Mn and Fe accumulation, and it did not change the allocation pattern of these metals. Zn concentrations were consistently increased in bulk samples. The results demonstrate that Mn and Fe allocation is not determined primarily by the MTP8 expression pattern, suggesting either a cell type-specific provision of metals for vacuolar sequestration by upstream transport processes, or the determination of MTP8 activity by post-translational regulation.

Whispering gallery mode bio-sensor for label-free detection of single molecules: thermo-optic vs. reactive mechanism.

Thermo-optic and reactive mechanisms for label-free sensing of bio-particles are compared theoretically for Whispering Gallery Mode (WGM) resonators (sphere, toroid) formed from silica and stimulated into a first order equatorial mode. Although it has been expected that a thermo-optic mechanism should "greatly enhance" wavelength shift signals [A.M. Armani et al, Science 317, 783-787 (2007)] accompanying protein binding on a silica WGM cavity having high Q (10(8)), for a combination of wavelength (680 nm), drive power (1 mW), and cavity size (43 microm radius), our calculations find no such enhancement. The possible reasons for this disparity are discussed.

["STUMP" (smooth muscle tumour of uncertain malignant potential), a tumour of the uterus in pregnancy--a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge]. / "STUMP" (smooth muscle tumor of uncertain malignant potential), ein Uterustumor in der Schwangerschaft, eine diagnostische und therapeutische Herausforderung.

We present the case of a preterm birth in the 27 (th) week of gestation, probably due to a chorionamnionitis, with the coincidental finding of a STUMP (smooth muscle tumour of uncertain malignant potential). The STUMP is a rare tumour entity characterised by smooth muscle cells which is difficult to classify by means of histology. The WHO classification of mesenchymal tumours allocates STUMP as an intermediate tumour between a benign leiomyoma and a malignant leiomyosarcoma. If histological criteria of malignancy are not fulfilled because the type of necrosis is in doubt or the interpretation of mitotic figures is ambiguous and the tumour cannot reliably be classified as a leiomyoma, it is classified as a STUMP. Compared to malignant leiomyosarcoma, STUMP has a superior prognosis, but the biological potential of the tumour remains unclear; lymphogenic and haematogenic dissemination seems possible even after a long period of time. STUMP represents a challenge in diagnosis and treatment recommendations. We present the first description of a case of STUMP during pregnancy, raising the question of whether the histological finding in tumours of the uterus during pregnancy are important.

Whispering Gallery Mode Carousel--a photonic mechanism for enhanced nanoparticle detection in biosensing.

Individual nanoparticles in aqueous solution are observed to be attracted to and orbit within the evanescent sensing ring of a Whispering Gallery Mode micro-sensor with only microwatts of driving power. This Carousel trap, caused by attractive optical gradient forces, interfacial interactions, and the circulating momentum flux, considerably enhances the rate of transport to the sensing region, thereby overcoming limitations posed by diffusion on such small area detectors. Resonance frequency fluctuations, caused by the radial Brownian motion of the nanoparticle, reveal the radial trapping potential and the nanoparticle size. Since the attractive forces draw particles to the highest evanescent intensity at the surface, binding steps are found to be uniform.

A monolithic microsphere-fiber probe for spatially resolved Raman spectroscopy: Application to head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.

The ability to identify precise cancer margins in vivo during a surgical excision is critical to the well-being of the patient. Decreased operative time has been linked to shorter patient recovery time, and there are risks associated with removing either too much or too little tissue from the surgical site. The more rapidly and accurately a surgeon can identify and excise diseased tissue, the better the prognosis for the patient. To this end, we investigate both malignant and healthy oral cavity tissue using the Raman spectroscopy, with a monolithic microsphere-fiber probe. Our results indicate that this probe has decreased the size of the analyzed area by more than an order of magnitude, as compared to a conventional fiber reflection probe. Scanning the probe across the tissues reveals variations in the Raman spectra that enable us to differentiate between malignant and healthy tissues. Consequently, we anticipate that the high spatial resolution afforded by the probe will permit us to identify tumor margins in detail, thereby optimizing tissue removal and improving patient outcomes.

Optical scattering (TAOS) by tire debris particles: preliminary results.

Tire debris particles from low severity laboratory wear tests have been investigated by the TAOS optical scattering facility at Yale University. The incident wavelength is 532 nm. After the TAOS event some particle samples have been imaged by a scanning electron microscope and microanalyzed. The TAOS intensity patterns recorded within a solid angle in the backward sector have been processed by cluster analysis and compared with the patterns computed by a T-matrix code. Preliminary agreement has been found between TAOS data and the particle models (size, shape, refractive index). The purpose of the investigation is to obtain signatures of the material, based on its TAOS pattern.

Enhanced backward-directed multiphoton-excited fluorescence from dielectric microcavities

We demonstrate theoretically and experimentally that one-, two-, and three-photon excited fluorescence from dye molecules in spherical microcavities has an asymmetrical angular distribution and is enhanced in the backward direction. The enhancement ratios (of intensities at 180 degrees and 90 degrees ) are 9, 5, and 1.8 for three-, two-, and one-photon excitation, respectively. Even larger ratios are expected for microspheres with an index of refraction larger than that used in the experiments. Because of the reciprocity principle and concentration of the incident wave inside particles, the backward enhancement is expected to occur even with nonspherical particles.

Treatment of urban wastewater in a membrane bioreactor at high organic loading rates.

Membrane bioreactors can replace the activated sludge process and the final clarification step in municipal wastewater treatment. The combination of bioreactor and crossflow microfiltration allows for a high chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction of synthetic wastewater. From biomass, grown at high production rates in the aerobic bioreactor, energy rich biogas can be obtained in a subsequent anaerobic bioreactor. In this paper, experimental data from a laboratory scale membrane bioreactor are presented. The degradation of synthetic wastewater at short hydraulic retention times down to 1.5 h has been studied. The organic loading rate (OLR) has been varied in the range of 6-13 kg m(-3) per day. At steady state a high quality filtrate could be obtained at different operating conditions. At biomass concentrations of 10-22 g l(-1), COD reduction was above 95%.

Effect of a non-methanogenic symbiont and exogenous stigmasterol on the viability and tetrahymanol content of the anaerobic ciliate Trimyema compressum.

The effect of a non-methanogenic symbiont on the viability of Trimyema compressum strain N, cultivated monoxenically on a Bacteroides strain, was studied by elimination of the symbiont. Aposymbiotic cells and symbiont-bearing cells reached identical yield in short term experiments. After some weeks aposymbiotic cells had lost the ability to divide and exogenous stigmasterol was necessary for growth as observed for T. compressum strain K. Though with lower yields, some hopanoids were able to replace stigmasterol. The effect of stigmasterol on the generation time of T. compressum strain N and persistency of the non-methanogenic symbiont was studied. Both, higher temperature and stigmasterol supply, stimulated growth of the ciliate but, beside treatment with penicillin, only stigmasterol resulted in a loss of the non-methanogenic symbiont by statistical outgrowth. Triterpenoids were extracted from T. compressum strain N and from T. compressum strain K cultivated with optimal and suboptimal stigmasterol supply. Symbiont-bearing cells of T. compressum strain N and symbiont-free cells of T. compressum strain K grown under conditions of suboptimal stigmasterol supply contained tetrahymanol. The amount of tetrahymanol extracted per mg protein of the ciliate biomass indicated that biosynthesis of tetrahymanol in T. compressum is inhibited by exogenous stigmasterol. Tetrahymanol is not a product of the symbiont's metabolism. Stigmasterol has an effect on growth of the ciliate which appears to be similar to that of the non-methanogenic symbiont.

Use of serum protein concentration to predict mortality in mixed-source dairy replacement heifers.

The relationship between serum protein concentration in the 1st week of life and survival to 16 weeks of age was examined in 3,479 Holstein replacement heifers over a period of 10 years on a farm with endemic salmonellosis. Thirty-four percent of calves studied had serum protein concentrations < 5.0 g/dL and 60.5% of calves had serum protein concentrations < 5.5 g/dL. Cumulative mortality was 7.9%, indicating that calves with marginal passive transfer status can be reared successfully under conditions of endemic salmonellosis. Optimal survival was observed in calves with serum protein concentrations > 5.5 g/dL. Calves with serum protein concentrations of 5.0-5.4 g/dL had only a slightly increased relative risk (RR) of mortality (RR = 1.3) compared to calves with serum protein concentrations > 5.5 g/dL. The highest RR was experienced by calves with serum protein concentrations < 4 g/dL (RR = 4.6) and 4.0-4.4 g/dL (RR = 3.1). Calves with inadequate passive transfer (serum protein concentration < 5.0 g/dL), experienced increased mortality until at least 10 weeks of age, indicating that failure of passive transfer has an effect on calf health that extends into the juvenile period. Models in which serum protein concentration was treated with as a continuous variable or as a categorical variable failed to demonstrate any significant interaction between baseline mortality and the RR of mortality. This finding suggests that the RR derived in the present study should be applicable to farms with dramatically different baseline mortality rates.

Comparison of males' and females' ratios of anterior-cruciate-ligament width to femoral-intercondylar-notch width: a cadaveric study.

The relative incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries has been reported to be significantly higher in females than in males. Although many hypotheses have been proposed for this discrepancy, no conclusive explanation has reached consensus opinion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare fresh-frozen cadaveric knee specimens to determine whether there is a significant difference between males' and females' ratios of ACL width to femoral intercondylar notch (FIN) width. We evaluated 15 male knees and 11 female knees. Data regarding sex, age, side (right or left), and ACL and FIN widths were obtained for all specimens. Age of male specimens ranged from 48 to 84 years (mean, 63.9 y); age of female specimens ranged from 33 to 96 years (mean, 69.9 y). Mean ACL width, mean FIN width, and their ratios were calculated. In the male specimens, mean ACL width was 10.59 mm (SD, 1.30 mm), mean FIN width was 20.18 mm (SD, 2.20 mm), and mean ACL:FIN width ratio was .526 +/- 0.047 (52.6% +/- 4.7% of FIN width); in the female specimens, mean ACL width was 8.09 mm (SD, 1.12 mm), mean FIN width was 20.50 mm (SD, 1.69 mm), and mean ACL: FIN width ratio was .393 +/- 0.03 (39.3% +/- 3% of FIN width). Results showed statistically significant differences between males' and females' ACL widths (P < .001) and between their ACL: FIN width ratios (P< .001) but not between their FIN widths. The significant difference between males' and females' ACL widths may be related to the general size differences between the groups. It has been speculated that female athletes' smaller ACLs may predispose them to ACL ruptures. Perhaps more significant is the difference between males' and females' ACL: FIN width ratios, which are significantly smaller in females compared with males. This may be directly related to the cause of more ACL ruptures in females. Further studies, including a good mechanical model, will help elucidate whether this anatomic discrepancy correlates clinically.

Overwintering strategies of a population of anthelmintic-resistant Haemonchus contortus within a sheep flock from the United States Northern Great Plains.

Haemonchus contortus infections have been increasingly reported in ungulates from cold climates even though past studies have shown that the free-living juveniles from this species survive poorly under freezing conditions. Overwintering strategies of H. contortus have not been documented in the Unites States Northern Great Plains. A PCR survey identified H. contortus as vastly predominant trichostrongyle species present (in addition to occasional detections of Teladorsagia sp.) in a closed farm flock of sheep from Brookings County, SD. Benzimidazole (BZ) and avermectin (AV) anthelmintics had been used intensely for many years on this flock. During the autumn season, three fecal egg count reduction tests (doramectin, albendazole, and moxidectin) were performed over a 4 year span to assess drug effectiveness within the flock. Significant drug resistance was found in Haemonchus adults with doramectin (69% efficacy), marginal resistance was found with albendazole (90% efficacy) and no resistance was found in moxidectin (100% efficacy). The following spring, pre-lambing and post-lambing fecals were obtained from albendazole and moxidectin treatment years to assess the resistance of the tissue-dwelling fourth-stage juveniles (J4s) at those times. Albendazole treated pre-lambing fecals averaged only 4 EPG and treated post-lambing fecals increased to 454 EPG, indicating that many of the J4s were not killed during the autumn treatment. Moxidectin pre-lambing fecals averaged only 1 EPG, and post-lambing fecals only increased to 6 EPG in the treated moxidectin population and 1422 EPG in the untreated moxidectin population. In addition to evaluating the ability of H. contortus to overwinter as drug resistant tissue-dwelling J4s, this study also evaluated the overwintering ability of pasture-dwelling, free-living third-stage juveniles at this farm. In the summers of 2010 and 2011, naïve tracer lambs were placed on a H. contortus contaminated pasture for 3 weeks to assess J3 winter survival. In 2010, tracer lambs only averaged 7 EPG whereas drylotted control lambs averaged 2 EPG; in 2011, tracer lambs averaged 2 EPG while the control lambs averaged 1 EPG. These results suggest that at this northern plains farm, yearly transmission of H. contortus is predominately through drug-resistant J4s. This is consistent with other cold-climate, overwintering studies involving H. contortus from Europe.

Expression levels of Activated Leukocyte Cell Adhesion Molecule (ALCAM/CD166) in primary breast carcinoma and distant breast cancer metastases.

INTRODUCTION: Activated Leukocyte Cell Adhesion Molecule (ALCAM/CD166) gained increasing attention regarding tumorprogression and metastatic spread in breast cancer. The aim of this study was to examine ALCAM expression levels in primary breast cancer and distant metastases of the same patient within 29 autopsy cases to better understand the underlying mechanisms of metastases and the role of adhesion molecules in this process. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Paraffin-embedded tissue of the primary and distant metastases (N=84) were collected and ALCAM immunohistochemistry was performed. RESULTS: The primary tumor and all metastases showed a statistically normally distributed ALCAM expression. ALCAM expression level average differs between immunoreactive score (IRS) (mean) 4.16 (lung)-5.00 (adrenal gland). Of the metastatic ALCAM expression levels we obtained an intra-class correlation (ICC) of 80.9%, indicating a strong cluster effect of measurements in the same patient. ALCAM expression scores in metastatic sites and in the primary analyzed by hierarchical regression analysis showed that ALCAM expression in the primary is prognostic for ALCAM expression in all different sites of metastases (slope=0.773, p < 0.001, r(2)= 0.504). CONCLUSION: ALCAM expression in the primary is positively correlated to ALCAM expression in metastases within one single patient. This could show a tumorbiological context of ALCAM for the development of metastases in breast cancer.

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the uterine cervix: absence of Epstein-Barr virus and high-risk human papilloma virus infection.

OBJECTIVE: Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) is a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. In contrast to Asian women, Caucasian women have a low prevalence of cervical LELC with no infection of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and sporadic appearances of human papilloma viruses (HPV) in Caucasian women. CASE: We report a 36-year-old female Caucasian patient with LELC of the cervix. RESULT: In contrast to the present studies, our case of LELC of the cervix is not associated with EBV or high-risk HPV appearances. CONCLUSION: This is the first study, that showed no relationship between LELC of the uterine cervix with EBV and high-risk HPV infections in a Caucasian woman.

Detailed mapping of chromosome 17p deletions reveals HIC1 as a novel tumor suppressor gene candidate telomeric to TP53 in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Deletions in the short arm of chromosome 17 (17p) involving the tumor suppressor TP53 occur in up to 20% of diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs). Although inactivation of both alleles of a tumor suppressor gene is usually required for tumor development, the overlap between TP53 deletions and mutations is poorly understood in DLBCLs, suggesting the possible existence of additional tumor suppressor genes in 17p. Using a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) and Phage 1 artificial chromosome (PAC) contig, we here define a minimally deleted region in DLBCLs encompassing approximately 0.8 MB telomeric to the TP53 locus. This genomic region harbors the tumor suppressor Hypermethylated in Cancer 1 (HIC1). Methylation-specific PCR demonstrated hypermethylation of HIC1 exon 1a in a substantial subset of DLBCLs, which is accompanied by simultaneous HIC1 deletion of the second allele in 90% of cases. In contrast, HIC1 inactivation by hypermethylation was rarely encountered in DLBCLs without concomitant loss of the second allele. DLBCL patients with complete inactivation of both HIC1 and TP53 may be characterized by an even inferior clinical course than patients with inactivation of TP53 alone, suggesting a functional cooperation between these two proteins. These findings strongly imply HIC1 as a novel tumor suppressor in a subset of DLBCLs.

[Intrapancreatic accessory spleen: a differential diagnosis of pancreatic tumour]. / Intrapankreatische Nebenmilz als Differentialdiagnose des Pankreasschwanzkarzinomes.

BACKGROUND: According to autoptic studies, accessory spleens may be found in 10-15% of the population and most of them are usually located at or near the splenic hilum. Only in 1-2% they are located in the pancreatic tail. We report a rare case of intrapancreatic accessory spleen which radiologically mimicked a tumor in the tail of the pancreas. PATIENT: A 54-year-old man was diagnosed with a tumor at the pancreatic tail. In the preoperative computed tomography (CT), there was a lesion (2.6 cm in diameter) in the pancreatic tail and two locoregional lesions (1 and 1.5 cm in diameter), which had intensive contrast enhancement. The diagnosis of a nonfunctioning endocrine pancreatic tail carcinoma with lymph node metastasis was made. RESULTS: Intraoperative examination showed two accessory spleens nearby the pancreatic tail. As pancreatic cancer could not be excluded because of the local findings, an oncological left pancreatectomy was performed. Histological examination excluded cancer and revealed an intrapancreatic accessory spleen and two accessory spleens nearby the pancreatic tail. CONCLUSION: Intrapancreatic accessory spleen should be included in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic neoplasm.