RESUMEN
The TLE genes are the human homologues of Drosophila groucho, a member of the Notch signaling pathway. This pathway controls a number of different cell-fate choices in invertebrates and vertebrates. We are interested in investigating the functions of the TLE gene family during epithelial determination and carcinogenesis. We show that expression of individual TLE genes correlates with immature epithelial cells that are progressing toward their terminally differentiated state, suggesting a role during epithelial differentiation. In both normal tissues and conditions resulting from incorrect or incomplete maturation events, such as metaplastic and neoplastic transformations, TLE expression is elevated and coincides with Notch expression, implicating these molecules in the maintenance of the undifferentiated state in epithelial cells. We also show that TLE1 and TLE2 are organized in a tandem array at chromosomal location 19p13.3, while TLE3 maps to 15q22.
Asunto(s)
Proteínas de la Membrana/genética , Neoplasias/genética , Transducción de Señal/genética , Animales , Carcinoma in Situ/genética , Diferenciación Celular/genética , Cuello del Útero/patología , Mapeo Cromosómico , Cromosomas Humanos Par 15/genética , Cromosomas Humanos Par 19/genética , Drosophila/genética , Proteínas de Drosophila , Células Epiteliales , Epitelio/metabolismo , Femenino , Expresión Génica , Humanos , Hibridación in Situ , Proteínas de la Membrana/metabolismo , Metaplasia , Receptores Notch , Neoplasias del Cuello Uterino/genéticaRESUMEN
Computerized tomography (CT) was performed in 19 patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) who had large pressure sores and in whom other complications were suspected. CT detected the depth, extent, and degree of undermining of the edges of the pressure sores in 19 of 27 lesions. Conventional radiography detected four cases of pelvic osteomyelitis. CT detected eight additional cases of pelvic osteomyelitis, as well as eight clinically unsuspected peripelvic and intrapelvic abscesses. Technetium-99m bone scanning was not very helpful because of localization in chronic proliferative changes of bone and widespread foci of myositis ossificans, as well as in osteomyelitis. Gallium-67 scanning detected only one of six abscesses. It was not very helpful because of confusion of abscess and osteomyelitis with intense soft tissue swelling and cellulitis, which are often associated with pressure sores in patients with chronic SCI. CT was found to be, by far, the modality of choice for detection of pelvic osteomyelitis and abscess in patients with SCI.
Asunto(s)
Osteomielitis/diagnóstico por imagen , Huesos Pélvicos , Traumatismos de la Médula Espinal/complicaciones , Absceso/diagnóstico por imagen , Adolescente , Adulto , Biopsia con Aguja , Difosfonatos , Radioisótopos de Galio , Humanos , Osteomielitis/etiología , Úlcera por Presión/diagnóstico por imagen , Tecnecio , Medronato de Tecnecio Tc 99m , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos XRESUMEN
Nine patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and large pressure ulcers and other possible complications, were evaluated by computed tomography (CT), conventional radiography, tomography, bone scanning, gallium scanning, and sonography. CT revealed the depth, extent, and relationship of the ulcer-bed to the underlying structures in all 9 patients. CT also positively identified unsuspected intra- and extra-pelvic abscess and pelvic osteomyelitis in 4 patients each. Other modalities identified only 2 of these complications. We believe CT is the modality of choice for evaluation of these complications in SCI patients, because of its superior ability in evaluation of pressure sores and detection of pathologic changes in soft tissue and bone in the pelvic region.