The mRNA Distribution of Cancer Stem Cell Marker CD90/Thy-1 Is Comparable in Hepatocellular Carcinoma of Eastern and Western Populations.

Epidemiology of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) showed a correlation between incidence and geographical-relevant risk factors. This study aims to compare the distributions of cancer stem cells (CSC) in two distant populations in Asia and Europe. We analyzed 52 and 43 selected HCC patients undergoing hepatectomy in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) and Trieste (Italy). Each patient sample consisted of HCC, peri-HCC, and non-tumoral (distal) tissue. Demographic data were recorded together with clinical findings. The protocol for the collection of tissue samples and RNA was standardized in both laboratories and gene expression analysis was performed in a single laboratory with identical PCR conditions. Baseline data showed comparable laboratory findings between the two cohorts. mRNA distribution showed a comparable pattern of all CSC markers analyzed with the expression of CD90 progressively increasing from distal and peri-HCC to be highest in HCC (p < 0.001), confirmed by immunofluorescence data. CD90 mRNA distribution was related to HBV-related HCC and a tumor diameter less than 5 cm. Patients with high tumoral CD90 mRNA had a shorter time (p < 0.05) to tumor recurrence compared to patients with lower CD90. This comparative study showed that CD90 mRNA expressions are comparable between Eastern and Western HCC cases.

Potential role of PFOB in diagnostic imaging.

Perfluorochemicals (PFCs) are versatile compounds with a variety of applications in industry and in medicine. Their medical applications are in oxygen transport and diagnostic imaging. These agents are the only ultrasound contrast agents capable of altering tissue echogenicity. The bromine atom in perfluoroocytlbromide (PFOB) makes this agent the only PFC visible by computed tomography. PFOB contains many fluorine atoms and no hydrogen, so it can be used for fluorine MR imaging or as a signal void for hydrogen imaging. All of these applications are presently in clinical trials in the United States and Europe. PFOB is an exciting new contrast agent because of its low or insignificant toxicity, its universality across all imaging modalities, and its potential impact upon diagnostic applications.

Characteristics of indigent women with ruptured and unruptured tubal pregnancies.

The diagnosis of tubal pregnancy, whether ruptured or unruptured, often requires a surgical procedure, such as laparoscopy or laparotomy, for confirmation. We compared women with ruptured and unruptured tubal pregnancies to determine whether the clinical presentations, morbidity and surgical complications in the two groups were significantly different. We compared the demographic characteristics, clinical presentations, laboratory findings, morbidity and complications from surgical management in the two groups. Women with ruptured tubal pregnancies had a higher incidence of abdominal pain lasting less than 24 hours, adnexal tenderness and positive culdocentesis from hemoperitoneum as compared to women with unruptured tubal gestations. Abnormal uterine bleeding was observed less frequently in women with ruptured tubal pregnancies as compared to women with unruptured ones despite similar gestational ages at presentation. All the patients with a tubal pregnancy were managed surgically. The morbidity and surgical complication rates in the two groups were not significantly different.

[Elongation of the penis].

A series of 42 cases of brachy-penis were treated with an incision at the base of the penis. The superficial suspension ligament was divided and the penis was elongated 3-6 cm. Most of the patients were followed up for 5-42 months. The sensation and erect function of the penis remained nearly normal. The procedure was safe and effective and without any complications.

Personal computer teleradiology: comparing image quality of lateral cervical spine radiographs with conventional teleradiology.

Teleradiology images of 14 cervical spine x-rays were studied by radiologists to compare radiological diagnostic interpretations and image quality with an inexpensive personal computer (PC) teleradiology system adapted to personal computers. Image quality ratings were similar for the conventional teleradiology images, PC teleradiology images, and the original cervical spine films. Interpretations of images showed some variation between PC and conventional teleradiology. Lesions in poorly contrasted films were visible with difficulty, using PC teleradiology. Lesions in well-contrasted films were identified easily with all three image types. Inexpensive teleradiology can be achieved using PC devices already on the market for $650 to $2000 compared with $30,000 for conventional teleradiology. Standardization of image and modem transmission parameters may facilitate the development of interhospital image transfers to optimize patient transfers and to assist in long-distance patient consultations. PC teleradiology deserves further study.

Perfluorochemicals as gastrointestinal contrast agents for MR imaging: preliminary studies in rats and humans.

The ability to distinguish bowel from other intraabdominal structures is essential for the accurate diagnosis of intraabdominal disease with MR. Because perfluorochemicals have no protons, they cause no MR signal. Since they are immiscible with water, they create a signal void in bowel independent of bowel contents and thus are suitable as oral contrast agents. Furthermore, they are tasteless and odorless and have no side effects. We evaluated the use of perfluorochemicals by performing MR scans of the abdomen in rats after the oral administration of unemulsified perfluorohexylbromide or perfluoroctylbromide. Since the latter is approved as an investigational drug for oral use in humans, two volunteers were also studied. Both compounds created signal void in the bowel of both rats and human subjects allowing identification of the gastrointestinal tract. The results suggest that these compounds have potential as oral contrast agents for MR imaging.