Short term priming effect of brain-actuated muscle stimulation using bimanual movements in stroke.

OBJECTIVE: Brain-computer interface triggered-functional electrical stimulation (BCI-FES) is an emerging neurorehabilitation therapy post stroke, mostly for the affected hand. We explored the feasibility of a bimanual BCI-FES and its short-term priming effects, i.e. stimuli-induced behaviour change. We compared EEG parameters between unimanual and bimanual movements and differentiated the effect of age from the effect of stroke. METHODS: Ten participants with subacute stroke, ten age-matched older healthy adults, and ten younger healthy adults underwent unimanual and bimanual BCI-FES sessions. Delta alpha ratio (DAR) and brain symmetry index (BSI) were derived from the pre- and post- resting-state EEG. Event-related desynchronization (ERD) and laterality index were derived from movement- EEG. RESULTS: Participants were able to control bimanual BCI-FES. ERD was predominantly contralateral for unimanual movements and bilateral for bimanual movements. DAR and BSI only changed in healthy controls. Baseline values indicated that DAR was affected by stroke while BSI was affected by both age and stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Bimanual BCI control offers a larger repertoire of movements, while causing the same short-term changes as unimanual BCI-FES. Prolonged practice may be required to achieve a measurable effect on DAR and BSI for stroke. SIGNIFICANCE: Bimanual BCI-FES is feasible in people affected by stroke.

Grandiose and vulnerable narcissism, identity integration and self-control related to criminal behavior.

BACKGROUND: Although systematic research on narcissism has been conducted for over 100 years, researchers have only recently started to distinguish between grandiose and vulnerable narcissism in relation to criminal behavior. In addition, there is some evidence suggesting that identity integration and self-control may underlie this association. Therefore, the present study aimed to develop a theory-driven hypothetical model that investigates the complex associations between grandiose and vulnerable narcissism, identity integration, self-control, and criminal behavior using structural equation modeling (SEM). METHODS: The total sample (N = 222) included 65 (29.3%) individuals convicted of criminal behavior and 157 (70.7%) participants from the community, with a mean age of 37.71 years (SD = 13.25). Criminal behavior was a grouping variable used as a categorical outcome, whereas self-report questionnaires were used to assess grandiose and vulnerable narcissism, self-control, and identity integration. RESULTS: The overall SEM model yielded good fit indices. Grandiose narcissism negatively predicted criminal behavior above and beyond the influence of identity integration and self-control. In contrast, vulnerable narcissism did not have a direct significant effect on criminal behavior, but it was indirectly and positively associated with criminal behavior via identity integration and self-control. Moreover, grandiose narcissism was positively, whereas vulnerable narcissism was negatively associated with identity integration. However, identity integration did not have a direct significant effect on criminal behavior, but it was indirectly and negatively associated with criminal behavior via self-control. Finally, self-control was, in turn, negatively related to criminal behavior. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that both subtypes of narcissism should be carefully considered in clinical assessment and current intervention practices.

Precision-based exercise as a new therapeutic option for children and adolescents with haematological malignancies.

Children and adolescents with haematological malignancies (PedHM) are characterized by a severe loss of exercise ability during cancer treatment, lasting throughout their lives once healed and impacting their social inclusion prospects. The investigation of the effect of a precision-based exercise program on the connections between systems of the body in PedHM patients is the new frontier in clinical exercise physiology. This study is aimed at evaluating the effects of 11 weeks (3 times weekly) of combined training (cardiorespiratory, resistance, balance and flexibility) on the exercise intolerance in PedHM patients. Two-hundred twenty-six PedHM patients were recruited (47% F). High or medium frequency participation (HAd and MAd) was considered when a participant joined; > 65% or between 30% and < 64% of training sessions, respectively. The "up and down stairs'' test (TUDS), "6 min walking" test (6MWT), the "5 Repetition Maximum strength" leg extension and arm lateral raise test (5RM-LE and 5RM-ALR), flexibility (stand and reach), and balance (stabilometry), were performed and evaluated before and after training. The TUDS, the 5RM-LE and 5RM-ALR, and the flexibility exercises showed an increase in HAd and MAd groups (P < 0.05), while the 6MWT and balance tests showed improvement only in HAd group (P < 0.0001). These results support the ever-growing theory that, in the case of the treatment of PedHM, 'exercise is medicine' and it has the potential to increase the patient's chances of social inclusion.

Massive recurrent post-tonsillectomy bleedings revealing a transient factor XIII deficiency in a 10-year-old boy. A case report.

A previously healthy 10-year-old boy was hospitalized for a left cervical abscess associated with massive tonsillar hypertrophy. He underwent abscess drainage and bilateral tonsillectomy. At H36 post-surgery, he presented with tonsillar hemorrhage requiring surgical revision. Hemorrhage relapsed 2 days later, with a total of 7 episodes, 5 of which required surgical revisions. Laboratory investigations were normal except for a markedly low factor XIII (FXIII) activity at 7%. After administration of a single dose of 40 IU/kg plasma-derived FXIII (Fibrogammin®) I.V., the bleeding stopped with no further recurrence. FXIII activity gradually normalized (75%) at 6 weeks, confirming the transient character of factor XIII deficiency. Severe congenital FXIII deficiency (FXIIID) (<1%) is very rare (1:2,000,000 births), whereas partial congenital deficiency and/or acquired deficiency may be more frequent but likely underreported. Acquired FXIIID may result from impaired synthesis (liver failure) or increased consumption (surgery, sepsis, leukemia, Henoch-Schönlein, inflammatory bowel disease, stroke, disseminated intravascular coagulation). FXIII replacement in form of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) or plasma-derived FXIII may be necessary for the presence of bleeding.

Identification of mutations in the PARK2 gene in Serbian patients with Parkinson's disease.

Mutations in the PARK2 (PRKN) gene are the most common cause of autosomal-recessive (AR) juvenile parkinsonism and young-onset Parkinson's disease (YOPD). >100 different variants have been reported, including point mutations, small indels and single or multiple exon copy number variations. Mutation screening of PARK2 was performed in 225 Serbian PD patients (143 males and 82 females) with disease onset before 50 years and/or positive family history with apparent AR inheritance. All coding regions and their flanking intronic sequences were amplified and directly sequenced. Whole exon multiplications or deletions were detected using Multiple Ligation Probe Amplification (MLPA) method. We identified 12 PD patients with PARK2 mutations (5.3%). Five patients (2.2%) had biallelic mutations and seven (3.1%) were single mutation carriers. Patients with compound heterozygous mutations had earlier onset of the disease compared to non-carriers (p = 0.005) or heterozygotes (p = 0.001). Other clinical features in mutation carriers were not different compared to non-carriers. In our cohort, sequence and dosage variants were equally represented in patients, inducing their first symptoms mainly before the age of 30. For efficient genetic testing strategy, patients with early, especially juvenile onset of PD were strong candidates for both dosage and sequence variants screening of PARK2 gene.

The effects of specific exercise program on anthropometric characteristics and motor abilities of preschool children / Efectos del programa de ejercicios específicos sobre las características antropométricas y las habilidades motrices de los niños de edad preescolar

In order to determine the effects of specific exercise program on anthropometric characteristics and motor abilities of preschool children, a battery of eight anthropometric measures and 7 motor tests were applied. The current study was conducted on a sample of 60 preschoolers (31 in the experimental and 29 in the control group), aged 4 to 5. They were the respondents in the project implemented by the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education in Novi Sad. The obtained data was analyzed by multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). It can be concluded that the application of experimental and control models of exercise resulted in substantial improvement of certain motor skills in the experimental group compared to the control group. In regard to the anthropometry there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. In fact, the practical value of this work is to analyze the model of kinetic activities, which as such can be applied to all clubs and schools that work with children of preschool and early school age.

Con el fin de determinar los efectos de un programa de ejercicios específicos sobre las características antropométricas y las habilidades motrices de los niños en edad preescolar, se aplicó una batería de 8 medidas antropométricas y 7 pruebas motrices. El presente estudio se realizó en una muestra de 60 niños en edad preescolar (31 en el grupo experimental y 29 en el grupo de control), de 4 a 5 años. Los niños en este estudio forman parte del proyecto implementado por la Facultad de Deporte y Educación Física de Novi Sad. Los datos obtenidos se analizaron mediante análisis multivariante de covarianza (MANCOVA). Se puede concluir que la aplicación de modelos experimentales y de control de ejercicios resultó en una mejora sustancial de ciertas habilidades motoras en el grupo experimental en comparación con el grupo control. En cuanto a la antropometría, no hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los grupos. De hecho, el valor práctico de este trabajo es analizar el modelo de actividades cinéticas, que como tal puede aplicarse a todos los clubes y escuelas que trabajan con niños en edad preescolar y escolar.

Diuresis renography and ultrasonography in children with antenatally detected hydronephrosis can support diagnoses and suggest related surgery treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Prenatal ultrasound (US) screening detects the hydronephrosis (HN)-dilatation of fetal renal collecting system in 1%-5% of all pregnancies. In most children, HN is detected by prenatal US screening between 18-20 gestational week. Pelvi- ureteric junction (PUJ) stenosis is the most common etiological factor of prenatal HN and requires postnatal follow-up. Diuresis renography plays important role in the follow-up by complementing morphological information obtained by US with the data about differential renal function (DRF) and drainage. We studied the association between ultrasound parameters and results of diuresis renography in first diagnosed PUJ stenosis and the predictive factors of pyeloplasty in order to evaluate the usefulness of diuresis renography in these children postnatally. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Children with antenatally detected HN attributed to presumed PUJ stenosis were investigated with mercapto-acetyltriglycine (MAG3) diuresis renography. Parents gave informed consent for the procedure. The inclusion criteria were: age up to 4 years, diagnosis of prenatal HN determined by US during pregnancy based on the antero-posterior diameter (APD) of renal pyelon and at least one post-natal US which confirmed diagnosis. Exclusion criteria were: APD of pyelon <10mm, previous surgical treatment of HN, vesicoureteral reflux excluded by micturating cystourethrography, and patients having any anomaly of the contralateral kidney. Sixty two patients 43 boys, 19 girls, median age 16 months were selected. They were divided into three groups based on the size of pyelon, three groups based on the calyceal size and two groups according to thickness of parenchyma. Renography was performed for 24 minutes after the iv. application of 99mTc MAG3, 144 ten-sec images were applied. Furosemide was administered after 2 min. (F+2). Post-void static images were acquired at 60min. The non-commercial software developed by International Atomic Energy Agency was applied to process the studies. The criteria for pathological findings (poor or no drainage) were the renographic curve maintaining a plateau, Normalized Residual Activity (NORA) at 20. min.>1.62, Output efficiency (OE) at 20. min.<71%, postmicturating NORA >0.11. The DRF was considered normal within the range of 45%-55%. RESULTS: Good drainage had 74% of children, partial drainage 11%, and poor 15%. There was a clear association between the size of pyelon, calyces, parenchyma thickness and drainage. There was also a clear association between the calyceal size, parenchyma thickness and DRF. Differential renal function was <45% in 18% of children. A relation between the type of drainage and DRF was not determined. Thus, 66.7% of those with poor drainage had preserved DRF. Seven out of nine children with poor drainage underwent pyeloplasty. The threshold for pyeloplasty was the pyelon of 18mm and calyces of 10mm. The model of the multivariate logistic regression which included ultrasound parameters (APD of pyelon, calyces size and parenchymal thickness), drainage and DRF, which were significant predictors in univariate analysis, showed that only drainage was an independent predictor for the need of pyeloplasty. CONCLUSION: Antero-posterior diameter of the pyelon <15mm indicates a favorable course of congenital HN in most children. Pattern of drainage obtained by diuresis renography was the only independent predictor for the need of pyeloplasty.

The Fourier analysis applied to the relationship between (7)Be activity in the Serbian atmosphere and meteorological parameters.

Air sample monitoring in Serbia, Belgrade started in the 1960s, while (7)Be activity in air and total (dry and wet) deposition has been monitored for the last 22 years by the Environment and Radiation Protection Department of the Institute for Nuclear Sciences, Vinca. Using this data collection, the changes of the (7)Be activity in the air and the total (wet and dry) deposition samples, as well as their correlation with meteorological parameters (temperature, pressure, cloudiness, sunshine duration, precipitation and humidity) that affect (7)Be concentration in the atmosphere, were mathematically described using the Fourier analysis. Fourier analysis confirmed the expected; the frequency with the largest intensity in the harmonic spectra of the (7)Be activity corresponds to a period of 1 year, the same as the largest intensity frequency in Fourier series of meteorological parameters. To analyze the quality of the results produced by the Fourier analysis, we compared the measured values of the parameters with the values calculated according to the Fourier series. Absolute deviations between measured and predicted mean monthly values are in range from 0.02 mBq/m(3) to 0.7 mBq/m(3) for (7)Be activity in air, and 0.01 Bq/m(2) and 0.6 Bq/m(2) for (7)Be activity in deposition samples. Relatively good agreement of measured and predicted results offers the possibility of prediction of the (7)Be activity.

Microbiological criteria in non-tuberculous mycobacteria pulmonary disease: a tool for diagnosis and epidemiology.

SETTING: The value of microbiological criteria in diagnosing non-tuberculous mycobacteria pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) and monitoring its epidemiology is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To correlate the rate of NTM-PD based on microbiological criteria (American Thoracic Society/Infectious Diseases Society of America [ATS/IDSA] or stricter microbiological criteria) compared with the full ATS/IDSA criteria, to assess the positive predictive value (PPV) of different microbiological criteria in predicting NTM-PD, and to evaluate the clinical relevance of different NTM species. DESIGN: Retrospective study of all patients with pulmonary NTM isolates in Croatia during an 8-year period. NTM species were divided into low, intermediate and high clinical relevance groups for additional analyses. RESULTS: Good correlation between both microbiological and full ATS/IDSA criteria was observed. The PPV of stricter and ATS/IDSA microbiological criteria was respectively 93.3% and 59.8%. The usefulness of microbiological criteria varied between groups. ATS/IDSA microbiological criteria had a PPV of 89.8% in the high relevance group, while in the intermediate relevance group, the PPV of stricter and ATS/IDSA microbiological criteria was respectively 94.3% and 63.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Microbiological criteria are useful in detecting NTM-PD, allowing laboratory-based monitoring. Stricter criteria should be used for species of low clinical relevance, and less stringent criteria for species of high relevance in the local setting.

SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF PULMONARY AND LYMPHATIC MANIFESTATIONS OF LYMPHANGIOLEIOMYOMATOSIS WITH SIROLIMUS.

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare, progressive, diffuse cystic lung disease predominantly affecting women of child bearing age. Recently treatment with sirolimus was shown to stabilize lung function decline and improve quality of life in patients with LAM. We treated three premenopausal women suffering from LAM manifesting as diffuse cystic lung disease, chylous effusions, and lymphangioleioyomas with sirolimus (1-3 mg a day; sirolimus trough levels 2.9-8.5 ng/ml). All three patients had a remarkable response to sirolimus, with resolution of effusions, improvement in lung function and shrinking of abdominal lymphangioleiomyomas. Our case series further complements the literature in that sirolimus is a safe and effective treatment for LAM and its lymphatic manifestations.

Economic evaluation of treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in childhood.

Berlin-Frankfurt-Munster (BFM) and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) consortia's treatment strategies for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in children are widely used. We compared the health effects and monetary costs of hospital treatments for these two strategies. Parents of children treated at seven centres in Canada, Italy and the USA completed health-related quality of life (HRQL) assessments during four active treatment phases and at 2 years after treatment. Mean HRQL scores were used to calculate quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) for a period of 5 years following diagnosis. Total costs of treatment were determined from variables in administrative databases in a universally accessible and publicly funded healthcare system. Valid HRQL assessments (n = 1200) were collected for 307 BFM and 317 DFCI patients, with costs measured for 66 BFM and 28 DFCI patients. QALYs per patient were <1.0% greater for BFM than DFCI. Median HRQL scores revealed no difference in QALYs. The difference in mean total costs for BFM (US$88 480) and DFCI (US$93 026) was not significant (P = 0.600). This study provides no evidence of superiority for one treatment strategy over the other. Current BFM or DFCI strategies should represent conventional management for the next economic evaluation of treatments for ALL in childhood.

Geographical distribution and clinical relevance of non-tuberculous mycobacteria in Croatia.

SETTING: The clinical relevance of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in Croatia is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the isolation rate of NTM, record geographical differences and assess the burden of pulmonary NTM disease in Croatia. DESIGN: Nationwide retrospective cohort study of all Croatian residents with NTM isolated by culture in the period from 2006 to 2010. Microbiological criteria of the American Thoracic Society were used to establish a laboratory-based case definition of possible and probable NTM disease. RESULTS: Of 1187 individuals with pulmonary NTM isolates, 8.6% met the possible and 5.5% met the probable disease criteria. We estimated an annual incidence of probable pulmonary NTM disease of 0.23 per 100,000 population. This estimated annual incidence was 0.35/100,000 in the coastal region and 0.17/100,000 in the continental region. Species distribution differed between coastal and continental Croatia. NTM isolation frequency increased over the study period. CONCLUSION: Geography plays an important role in NTM species distribution and possible disease. The overall burden of NTM pulmonary disease in Croatia is still low compared to that of tuberculosis, but it is higher in the coastal region compared to the continental region.

Collaboration between doctors and nurses in children's cancer care: insights from a European project.

PURPOSE: It has long been recognised that effective cancer care is not possible without multi-professional team working. Collaboration and multi-professional working however are known to be less than straightforward. This project aimed to use a collaborative approach to explore and facilitate professional groups to work together more effectively in the field of children's cancer care. METHOD: Based on an earlier project in Italy, a three-year seminar series was organised involving both a doctor and nurse from 15 paediatric haematology/oncology units across Europe. Participants had to be able to speak English and commit to participate in annual seminars as well as the development and implementation of a local project to enhance doctor-nurse collaboration in their own unit. Appreciative Inquiry was the methodological approach used to address organisational as well as interpersonal change. RESULTS: Fifteen doctor-nurse teams were initially selected from a range of different countries, and 10 completed the project. Key outcomes reported include implementation and successful completion of projects, publication of the results achieved, participant satisfaction with improvements in collaboration. Feedback from participants would suggest that change had been implemented and possibly sustained. CONCLUSIONS: Active involvement and group support were required for success. More formal relationships needed to be activated with participating centres to guarantee support for those involved in implementing lasting change. A web-based resource to allow other programmes and centres to use the resources developed has been made available. The same approach, we believe, could be used to improve multi-professional working in the care of other childhood illnesses.

Assessment of sialic acid diversity in cancer- and non-cancer related CA125 antigen using sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectins (Siglecs).

This study was aimed at obtaining insight into the diversity of sialic acids in cancer- and non-cancer-related CA125 antigen, tumour marker of serous ovarian cancer. Starting from available data suggesting the possible relevance of sialic acids for discriminating CA125 antigens of different origin, we have employed a new experimental approach based on the use of human sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectins, Siglecs, as tools for the investigation of sialylation. Siglec-2, belonging to the group of evolutionarily conserved Siglecs, and Siglec-3, -6, -7, -9 and -10, which are CD33-like Siglecs, were probed in solid-phase binding assays with cancer-related CA125 antigens from pleural fluid of patients with ovarian carcinoma (pfCA125), the OVCAR-3 ovarian carcinoma cell line (clCA125) and a non-cancer-related CA125 antigen, i.e. pregnancy-associated pCA125 antigen. All Siglecs used showed detectable binding to pCA125 antigen. Siglec-3, Siglec-7 and Siglec-2 exhibited moderately stronger binding to pCA125 antigen than the others. In contrast to this, Siglec-2 and Siglec-3 preferentially recognized pfCA125 with greater total binding than for pCA125, whereas Siglec-9 and Siglec-10 were highly selective for clCA125. Siglecs promise to be powerful tools for discriminating CA125 of different origin and could propagate further research on other molecular markers of biomedical and diagnostic importance.

Tracking of airborne radionuclides from the damaged Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear reactors by European networks.

Radioactive emissions into the atmosphere from the damaged reactors of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant (NPP) started on March 12th, 2011. Among the various radionuclides released, iodine-131 ((131)I) and cesium isotopes ((137)Cs and (134)Cs) were transported across the Pacific toward the North American continent and reached Europe despite dispersion and washout along the route of the contaminated air masses. In Europe, the first signs of the releases were detected 7 days later while the first peak of activity level was observed between March 28th and March 30th. Time variations over a 20-day period and spatial variations across more than 150 sampling locations in Europe made it possible to characterize the contaminated air masses. After the Chernobyl accident, only a few measurements of the gaseous (131)I fraction were conducted compared to the number of measurements for the particulate fraction. Several studies had already pointed out the importance of the gaseous (131)I and the large underestimation of the total (131)I airborne activity level, and subsequent calculations of inhalation dose, if neglected. The measurements made across Europe following the releases from the Fukushima NPP reactors have provided a significant amount of new data on the ratio of the gaseous (131)I fraction to total (131)I, both on a spatial scale and its temporal variation. It can be pointed out that during the Fukushima event, the (134)Cs to (137)Cs ratio proved to be different from that observed after the Chernobyl accident. The data set provided in this paper is the most comprehensive survey of the main relevant airborne radionuclides from the Fukushima reactors, measured across Europe. A rough estimate of the total (131)I inventory that has passed over Europe during this period was <1% of the released amount. According to the measurements, airborne activity levels remain of no concern for public health in Europe.

Acompañamiento en sala de partos: regla o excepción / Accompaniment in room of childbirth: rule or exception

El apoyo continuo durante el trabajo de parto y parto se ha convertido en una excepción en vez de brindarse en forma habitual. Objetivos. a) Primario: Determinar en qué porcentaje las mujeres ingresan a sala de partos acompañadas por una persona de su elección. b) Secundarios: Identificar las causas que impiden el ingreso del acompañante a sala de partos. Determinar el número de embarazadas que realizan el curso de preparación integral para la maternidad. Material y métodos. Diseño observacional, transversal; se realizó una encuesta a 390 gestantes que ingresaron al Hospital Materno Infantil Ramón Sardá para resolución de su parto, desde diciembre del 2007 hasta febrero del 2008 inclusive. Las variables fueron: deseo de estar acompañada en el parto, ingreso de acompañante, causa del no ingreso del acompañante y asistencia al curso de preparación integral para la maternidad. Análisis estadístico. Frecuencias y sus IC 95 por ciento. Resultados. El 82,82 por ciento, deseó estar en compañía de algún familiar. De las que desearon estar acompañadas, el 53,56 por ciento logró ese objetivo y el resto ingresaron a sala de partos sin acompañante. Sólo el 10,76 por ciento había realizado el curso de preparación integral para la maternidad. Conclusiones. Existe un fuerte compromiso en llegar a ser una Maternidad Centrada en la Familia, pero todavía existen importantes interferencias que atentan para lograr este objetivo.

The continuous support during labor and childbirth has become an exception instead of offering in habitual form. Objectives. a) Main: Determine in what percentage the women enter delivery room accompanied by a person of their election. b) Secondary: Identify the causes of the lack of this companion into the delivery room. Determine the number of pregnant women that takes a course of integral preparation for the maternity. Patients and methods. Observational, cross-section design. A survey to 390 pregnant women that entered the Hospital Maternal-Infantile “Ramón Sardᔠfor resolution of her pregnancy, from december 2007 to february 2008. The variables were: wish of being accompanied in the childbirth, presence of companion, causes of absence of the companion, and the attendance to the course of integral preparation for the maternity. Statistical analysis. The variables were analyzed in percentages with 95 per cent CI. Results. 82.82 per cent of the women wished to be with some relative. Only 53.56 per cent obtained that objective and the reminder without companion. Only 10.76 per cent attended the integral preparation course for the maternity. Conclusions. There is a strong commitment to become a Family Maternity center, but there are still important interferences attempting to this objective.

Evaluation of galectin-8 expression in thyroid tumors.

The expression of galectin-8 (gal-8) has been shown to be altered during neoplastic transformation of certain cell types. This is the first study aimed to analyze the expression of this protein in normal and pathological human thyroid tissue. A total of 41 archival thyroid tissue samples (5 follicular adenomas, 31 papillary carcinomas, 5 follicular carcinomas) together with 36 adjacent hyperplastic or normal thyroid tissues were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Galectin-8 was expressed in the majority of papillary carcinomas (27/31; 87%). Positive but weaker staining was also found in some of the follicular thyroid carcinomas (2/5; 40%) and adenomas (2/5; 40%). This protein was not detectable in five normal thyroid tissue samples, whereas hyperplastic areas adjacent to tumor were weakly positive in 9 out of 31 cases (29%). High gal-8 immunostaining in papillary thyroid carcinoma indicates that gal-8 may potentially serve as a marker of papillary thyroid carcinoma. However, it does not seem to be helpful in the differential diagnostics of follicular carcinoma and adenoma. Further studies are required to determine biological functions and molecular mechanisms underlying the increased expression of gal-8 protein in thyroid lesions, particularly, in papillary thyroid carcinoma.