Modulating Effects of Arabinogalactans from Plant Gum Exudates on Human Complement System.

Gum arabic and cashew nut tree gum exudate polysaccharide (CNTG) are plant polysaccharides composed of galactose and arabinose known as arabinogalactans (AGs). Although these fractions are used in food and pharmaceutical industry, cases of allergic reactions were described in clinical reports. As AGs were reported as modulators of the classical (CP) and alternative pathways (AP) of complement system (CS), in the present work, we investigate whether gum arabic and CNTG have an effect on both CS pathways. The complement fixation tests were performed with (CP-30 and AP-30) and without pre-incubation (CP-0 and AP-0). For CP-30, CNTG and gum arabic (833 µg/ml) showed a reduction of 28.0% (P = 0.000174) and 48.5% (P = 0.000143), respectively, on CP-induced haemolysis. However, no effect was observed for CP-0 in the CP-induced haemolysis. For AP-30, both CNTG and gum arabic (833 µg/ml) showed 87% reduction on the CP-induced haemolysis, with IC50 values of 100 and 7 µg/ml, respectively. For AP-0, a reduction of 11.3% for gum arabic and no effect for the CNTG on the CP-induced haemolysis were observed. These results suggested that gum arabic and CNTG could be acting as activators of the CS. Thus, this effect on the CS, especially on the AP, which accounts for up to 80-90% of total CS activation, indicates that both fractions may be harmful because of their potential pro-inflammatory action. Considering that CS activation induces inflammatory response, further studies confirming this immunomodulatory effect of these fractions are required to insure their safe use.

Ranunculus latent virus: a strain of artichoke latent virus or a new macluravirus infecting artichoke?

An elongated virus was isolated from artichoke crops in Liguria, and a 700-bp fragment was amplified by RT-PCR using oligonucleotides to detect members of the family Potyviridae. Comparison of fragment sequences showed 98% identity at the nucleotide level with the ranunculus isolate of the macluravirus Ranunculus latent virus (RaLV). RaLV was then detected by DAS-ELISA in symptomatic and asymptomatic artichoke plants from Liguria, Sardinia and Latium. The sequence of a 5.5-kb region was assembled from a cDNA library, and a 500-bp NIa fragment showed 80% identity to Artichoke latent virus.

Communication training in oncology: results of intensive communication workshops for Italian oncologists.

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a 3-day communication course model for senior Italian oncologists. The course, initially designed for US oncologists, was modified to address specific educational areas expected to be relevant to the targeted participants. Five 3-day intensive communication courses were held for oncologists from different geographical regions in Italy. The courses included formal lectures, small group work, role play and interviews with simulated patients. Participants completed questionnaires before and after the 3-day workshop. An improvement in self-efficacy, knowledge of communication skills, favourable changes in attitudes towards disclosure of medical information and assessing patients' concerns and fears were demonstrated at the end of the course. The course was feasible and succeeded in improving parameters associated with effective communication behaviours.

Endoscopic transnasal anatomy of the infratemporal fossa and upper parapharyngeal regions: correlations with traditional perspectives and surgical implications.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to illustrate the endoscopic surgical anatomy of the infratemporal fossa (ITF) and upper parapharyngeal space and to provide useful landmarks by comparing transnasal perspectives with external ones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 6 fresh double injected heads were dissected. External lateral dissection was performed through a pre-auricular skin incision while external anterior dissection started with a modified Weber-Ferguson incision. External medial to lateral dissection was performed starting from the rhinopharyngeal and pterygoid regions, after cutting the specimen in 2 halves passing through the nose. Endoscopic dissection was performed through an endonasal approach (0° and 45° scopes). RESULTS: Among all the structures identified during the dissection, the most useful landmark when dissecting the ITF in a lateral to medial direction is the lateral pterygoid muscle. In anterior approaches (mostly endoscopic) the role of the lateral pterygoid muscle is less important and the Eustachian tube (ET) represents the most important landmark to point out the upper portion of the parapharyngeal internal carotid artery (ICA). The role of the ET, in lateral dissection is, on the contrary, by far less important given the fact that it is very deep in the surgical field and that the ICA is encountered earlier during surgical approaches. Another crucial landmark during anterior endoscopic surgery is the vidian nerve because it points to the anterior genu of the internal carotid artery. CONCLUSION: The complex 3-dimensionality of the ITF and the upper parapharyngeal space needs a sound knowledge of the surgical anatomy. The role of the same landmarks changed in different approaches. The ability to orientate oneself in this complex area is related to an accurate knowledge of its anatomy through comparison of endoscopic and external perspectives.

Transnasal approach to the medial intraconal space: anatomic study and clinical considerations.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to illustrate the anatomy of the medial compartment of the orbit by comparing the endoscopic transnasal perspective with the external ones. METHODS: 8 orbits from 5 double-injected heads were carefully dissected. An endoscopic anterior transconjunctival dissection was performed in one orbit while an endoscopic transnasal intraconal dissection was conducted in 3 orbits. External dissections (from medial, superior and anterior perspective) were also performed. RESULTS: The role of the medial rectus muscle is emphasised. It represents the first important landmark encountered, covering all the other structures during transnasal approaches. By displacing it, the medial intraconal space with its contents becomes visible: the ophthalmic artery and related branches, the superior ophthalmic vein, the nasociliary nerve and, in the deepest part of the medial compartment, the optic nerve. CONCLUSION: The medial compartment of the orbit can be addressed transnasally. By displacing the medial rectus muscle, it is possible to gain adequate space for the instruments and to control all of the medial compartment, including the medial aspect of the optic nerve.

Frontal mucocoele communicating with an arachnoid cyst of the anterior cranial fossa.

Mucocoeles usually involve the frontal sinus and can extend to the orbit or intracranially. In this case symptoms and radiological findings were typical of a left frontal mucocoele with intracranial extension. Intraoperative findings were compatible with a left frontal mucocoele communicating with an arachnoid cyst of the anterior cranial fossa.

Biliary physiology in rats with bile ductular cell hyperplasia. Evidence for a secretory function of proliferated bile ductules.

To establish the role of the biliary epithelium in bile formation, we studied several aspects of biliary physiology in control rats and in rats with ductular cell hyperplasia induced by a 14-d extrahepatic biliary obstruction. Under steady-state conditions, spontaneous bile flow was far greater in obstructed rats (266.6 +/- 51.9 microliters/min per kg) than in controls (85.6 +/- 10.6 microliters/min per kg), while excretion of 3-hydroxy bile acids was the same in the two groups. Infusion of 10 clinical units (CU)/kg per h secretin produced a minimal choleretic effect in controls (+3.8 +/- 1.9 microliters/min per kg) but a massive increase in bile flow in the obstructed animals (+127.8 +/- 34.9 microliters/min per kg). Secretin choleresis was associated with an increase in bicarbonate biliary concentration and with a decline in [14C]mannitol bile-to-plasma ratio, although solute biliary clearance significantly increased. Conversely, administration of taurocholate (5 mumol/min per kg) produced the same biliary effects in control rats and in rats with proliferated biliary ductules. In the obstructed animals, the biliary tree volume measured during taurocholate choleresis (67.4 +/- 15.8 microliters/g liver) was significantly greater than that determined during the increase in bile flow induced by secretin (39.5 +/- 10.4 microliters/g liver). These studies indicate that, in the rat, the proliferated bile ductules/ducts spontaneously secrete bile and are the site of secretin choleresis. Furthermore, because the proliferated cells expressed phenotypic traits of bile ductular cells, our results suggest that whereas under normal conditions the biliary ductules/ducts in the rat seem to contribute little to bile formation, secretion of water and electrolytes is a property of biliary epithelial cells.

A Severe Disease of Tomato in the Culiacan Area (Sinaloa, Mexico) Is Caused by a New Picorna-Like Viral Species.

We were able to mechanically transmit a small isometric virus from field tomato samples showing severe necrotic symptoms, collected in the Culiacan area of Sinaloa state (Mexico). After gradient purification and three rounds of single-lesion passage on Chenopodium quinoa, the virus was back-inoculated to tomato plants and reproduced the original apical necrosis symptoms. The virus could be transmitted to a wide range of experimental hosts, including a number of solanaceous plants. Purified virus was used to produce specific polyclonal rabbit antibodies and serological tests such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blot analysis, and an immunochromatographic lateral flow assay. Such assays confirmed the wide distribution of this virus in symptomatic field plants in the area of the epidemic. Purified particles contained two genomic RNA molecules of ca. 7 kb (RNA1) and 5 kb (RNA2) estimated length. Analysis of clones from a cDNA library provided 6.5 and 3.0 kb of sequence for RNA1 and RNA2, respectively. Sequence analysis of the encoded replicase showed greatest similarity with members of the Sequiviridae family, and indicated that the virus we isolated is a new virus species, provisionally named Tomato apex necrosis virus.

Incidental nodal metastasis of differentiated thyroid carcinoma in neck dissection specimens from head and neck cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Occult differentiated thyroid carcinomas are not uncommon. The initial presentation of a thyroid carcinoma is often detection of a metastatic cervical lymph node. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of the medical records of 304 patients who underwent neck dissection between 1996 and 2008 for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. RESULTS: Ten patients (3.3 per cent) had nodal metastasis originating from papillary thyroid cancer. All of these patients underwent thyroidectomy and post-operative 131iodine radiometabolic therapy. No patient developed a thyroid tumour after surgery. CONCLUSION: Despite its metastatic spread, thyroid cancer does not affect the overall prognosis of patients who are already being treated for a more aggressive malignancy. However, in otherwise healthy patients, it is worth treating this second malignancy to avoid potential complications related to local disease or metastatic thyroid cancer.

Pre-eruptive intracoronal resorption in a third upper molar: clinical, tomographic and histological analysis.

Radiolucent or hypodense lesions in the crown of unerupted teeth may be due to pre-eruptive intracoronal resorption. Clinicians must be aware of this risk so that they can diagnose and appropriately treat this condition. The purpose of this study is to present a well-documented clinical case of pre-eruptive intracoronal resorption in an impacted third upper left molar of a 63 year old female patient. This was an unexpected finding, which occurred after cone-beam computed tomography was used to investigate the first upper left molar, which had an acute periradicular abscess. A multidisciplinary team followed up the case to describe clinical, radiographic and histological findings. The available treatment options were discussed, and the tooth extraction was the option chosen. Previous case studies describing such resorption in third upper molars have not been reported. This case shows that all permanent teeth in a pre-eruptive stage must be analysed radiographically to detect early pre-eruptive intracoronal resorption.

Characterization of Four Viral Species Belonging to the Family Potyviridae Isolated from Ranunculus asiaticus.

ABSTRACT Four different viral species were isolated from diseased Ranunculus asiaticus plants growing in Imperia Province (Italian Riviera-Liguria Region). Infected plants exhibited mosaic symptoms and growth abnormalities. The viruses were mechanically inoculated to a range of herbaceous hosts and differentiated biologically. Long flexuous particles were present in leaf dip extracts observed by electron microscopy. A general protocol for the amplification of potyvirus genome fragments through reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction generated products that were cloned and sequenced. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis suggested that three of these isolates could be considered new viral species belonging to the genus Potyvirus. The fourth isolate is a new member of the genus Macluravirus. Purified virus was used as antigen to produce a specific polyclonal antiserum in rabbit; serological features were established through double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA), antigen coated plate (ACP)-ELISA, and western blot analysis. DAS-ELISA was highly specific for each virus isolate, whereas some cross-reactivity was shown in ACP-ELISA and western blot analysis. Aphid transmission by Myzus persicae was demonstrated in a controlled environment for each of the four viral isolates, whereas no transmission through seed was observed.

Top-cited articles of the last 30 years (1985-2014) in otolaryngology - head and neck surgery.

BACKGROUND: The frequency with which a scientific article is cited by other studies is one way to measure its academic influence. METHODS: A comprehensive search was performed to identify journal articles in the otorhinolaryngology subject category of the 2013 Journal Citation Report Science Edition over the last 30 years (1985-2014). The 100 most cited articles were reviewed and basic information including the publication year, country of origin, source journal, article type and research field was collected. RESULTS: The 100 most cited articles were published in 15 of the 44 otorhinolaryngology journals. The number of citations per article ranged between 208 and 1559. The leading research field was otology and neurotology (n = 50), followed by rhinology (n = 23) and head and neck surgery (n = 11). Most papers originated in the USA (n = 64). CONCLUSION: The possibility of an article being cited is influenced by the publication language, country of origin and source journal.

Poorly differentiated carcinoma and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of unknown origin: favorable subsets of patients with unknown-primary carcinoma?

PURPOSE: The objectives of this study were to assess clinical outcomes and prognostic factors in unselected, consecutive patients with poorly differentiated carcinoma (PDC) or poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma (PDA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The 1,400 patients analyzed were referred to our unknown-primary tumor (UPT) clinic from January 1, 1987 through July 31, 1994. Clinical data from these patients were entered into a computerized data base for storage, retrieval, and analysis. Survival was measured from the time of diagnosis; survival distribution was estimated using the product-limit method. Multivariate survival analyses were performed using proportional hazards regression and by recursive partitioning. RESULTS: Nine hundred seventy-seven patients were diagnosed with unknown-primary carcinoma (UPC) and 337 of these patients had PDC or PDA. No clinical differences were identified among patients with PDC, PDA, or UPC patients with other carcinoma or adenocarcinoma subtypes. PDC patients enjoyed better survival than PDA patients. Poor cellular differentiation was not an important prognostic variable. Variables predictive of survival included lymph node metastases, sex, number of metastatic sites, histology (PDC v PDA), and age. Although chemotherapy did not appear to influence survival for the entire group of PDC or PDA patients, a subset of patients with good prognostic features experienced median survival durations of up to 40 months. CONCLUSION: The long median survival and chemotherapy responsiveness of UPC patients with PDC and PDA could not be confirmed. However, subpopulations with prolonged median survival durations could be defined, and the value of chemotherapy in this group remains to be determined. Identification and exclusion of treatable or slow-growing malignancies may account for the poor survival of the PDC and PDA patients reported in this study.

Unknown primary carcinoma: natural history and prognostic factors in 657 consecutive patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the natural history, validate previous observations, and identify prognostic factors in patients with unknown primary carcinoma (UPC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nine hundred twenty-seven consecutive patients referred to the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center with a preliminary diagnosis of UPC were prospectively identified. A standardized evaluation narrowed the study population to 657 patients with UPC. All data were recorded and computerized for storage, retrieval, and analysis. The primary end point for the study was survival, which was calculated from the first day of patient registration. Survival curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the Cox-Mantel log-rank test. To identify important prognostic factors, univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. RESULTS: The demographics of the UPC patient population mirrored those of the general population of patients referred to our cancer center except for an excess of men among the UPC patients. Most patients had histologic or cytologic evidence of adenocarcinoma and had more than one organ site metastatically involved. Univariate and multivariate analyses identified numerous important prognostic factors with a significant influence on survival, including sex, number of organ sites involved, specific organ sites involved, and pathologic subtypes. CONCLUSION: This study validated previously identified important prognostic factors for survival in UPC. Additional variables that had an impact on survival were identified and the complex interaction of the factors was explored. As patient numbers increase, this database will be able to provide further analyses of patient subsets and potentially relate specific clinical features to the evolving molecular and biochemical understanding of these malignancies.

Unknown primary tumors metastatic to liver.

PURPOSE: The objectives of this study were to identify prognostic factors for unknown primary tumor (UPT) patients with hepatic metastases, determine the common primary tumors identified, assess the yield of specific diagnostic studies, and evaluate the impact of therapy on survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The 1,522 patients analyzed were referred from January 1, 1987 through June 30, 1995. Clinical data from these patients were entered into a computerized database for storage, retrieval, and analysis. Survival was measured from the time of diagnosis; survival distribution was estimated by the product limit method. Multivariate survival analyses were performed by proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: Five hundred UPT patients had liver metastases. Primary tumors, usually lung, colorectal, or pancreatic neoplasms, were identified in 135 patients (27%). The remaining 365 unknown primary carcinoma (UPC) patients with liver involvement had a higher death rate than those without liver involvement (hazards ratio, 1.63; P < .0001). Neuroendocrine carcinoma patients had a lower death rate than patients without this histology (hazards ratio, 0.29; (P < .0001). Two hundred sixteen of 365 patients with UPC and liver metastases received chemotherapy. Chemotherapy-treated patients had a lower death rate than those who were not treated with chemotherapy (hazards ratio, 0.52; P < .0001). The effect of chemotherapy was most pronounced in patients with adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSION: Hepatic metastases in UPC patients portend a generally poor prognosis. However, subsets of patients with more favorable outcomes can be identified by available clinical and pathologic data. Chemotherapy may be beneficial for the large subset of UPC patients with adenocarcinoma that involves the liver.

Breaking bad news about cancer: patients' preferences for communication.

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to assess patients' preferences regarding the way in which physicians deliver news about their cancer diagnosis and management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A sample of 351 patients with a variety of cancers completed a measure assessing their preferences for how they would like to be told news about their cancer. Patients rated characteristics of the context and content of the conversation as well as physician characteristics. RESULTS: Factor analysis indicated that patients' preferences for how they would like to be told news regarding their cancer can be grouped into the following three categories: (1) content (what and how much information is told); (2) facilitation (setting and context variables); and (3) support (emotional support during the interaction). Women (P =.02) and patients with higher education (P =.05) had significantly higher scores on the Content scale, women (P =.02) had higher scores on the Support scale, and younger patients (P =.001) and those with more education (P =.02) had higher scores on the Message Facilitation scale. Medical variables were not associated with patients' ratings of the importance of the three subscales. CONCLUSION: Patients rated items addressing the message content as most important, though the supportive and facilitative dimensions were also rated highly. Understanding what is important to patients when told news about their cancer provides valuable information that may help refine how this challenging task is best performed.

Analysis of a diagnostic strategy for patients with suspected tumors of unknown origin.

PURPOSE: Diagnostic strategies designed to identify the underlying primary malignancies in patients with unknown primary tumors (UPTs) have relied on retrospective analyses. We analyzed 879 consecutive patients referred with suspected UPTs to determine the yield and cost of a limited diagnostic evaluation, assess the contribution of specific studies to diagnosis, and analyze the survival patterns of patients in whom the primary tumor was diagnosed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data from patients with a suspected UPT were entered into a computerized data base, and the patients underwent a predefined limited diagnostic evaluation. Primary malignancies were diagnosed by pathologic review alone or by pathologic criteria plus a physical or radiographic finding. Survival was measured from diagnosis, estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and compared using the Cox-Mantel log-rank test. RESULTS: A primary tumor was found in 179 of 879 patients (20%). The survival duration of patients in whom the primary tumor was diagnosed was superior to that of patients in whom the primary tumor remained unknown. Specific patient subsets contributed most to the improved survival duration of the group in which the primary tumor was found, including lymphoma patients diagnosed solely by pathologic criteria and female patients with primary breast or ovarian cancer. The cost of diagnosis was mostly due to the extensive use of computed tomography. Except for ovarian cancer, computed tomography rarely identified treatable primary tumors. CONCLUSION: The limited diagnostic evaluation used in this study identified patients with treatable malignancies and increased the survival duration of a population of suspected UPT patients. Primary malignancies with the best survival can be diagnosed through careful pathologic review and focused evaluations for breast and ovarian cancer in women.