Lack of germline CDK6 mutations in familial melanoma.

Germline mutations in genes encoding several components of the retinoblastoma pathway have been linked with inherited predisposition to melanoma. Most commonly, such mutations involve CDKN2A, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor of two kinases, CDK4 and CDK6, which phosphorylate the retinoblastoma protein (pRB) and thereby promote passage through the G1/S cell-cycle restriction point. Less frequently, germline mutations in the CDK4 gene have also been linked with an increased risk of melanoma. Despite the sequence and functional homology between CDK4 and CDK6, the role of germline mutations in CDK6 in melanoma predisposition is unknown. We detected no CDK6 mutations within the p16 (CDKN2A) binding domain in index cases from 60 melanoma-prone kindreds that lacked germline mutations in the coding regions of either CDKN2A or within the entire CDK4 coding region. We conclude that germline mutations in CDK6 do not make a significant contribution to melanoma predisposition.

Fusion of cine magnetic resonance and contrast-enhanced first-pass magnetic resonance data in patients with coronary artery disease: a feasibility study.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The left ventricle (LV) myocardial wall contractibility can be evaluated using cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a qualitative or quantitative manner. Meanwhile, myocardial perfusion can be assessed using contrast-enhanced first-pass MRI. The authors propose a method of automatically fusing the complementary information from these two cardiac MRI modalities into one single image, from which a match or mismatch between contraction and perfusion could be extracted. METHODS: The authors developed a registration algorithm based on the combined use of the global affine transformation and intrinsic landmarks to match images from the same sequence or from two imaging sequences. Contraction and perfusion information was fused by combining a myocardial contour image and a parametric image of the slope of the intensity-time curve, respectively. The fusion paradigm was applied to four patients' data as a demonstration of feasibility of the proposed approach and as a preliminary evaluation. RESULTS: Cine MR and contrast-enhanced MR images were well aligned. The contractibility of the LV was displayed by the myocardial contour image. The parametric slope image was consistent with the known coronary artery status of each patient. The combined contraction-perfusion representation of the LV showed the correspondence between regional LV contraction and myocardial perfusion at a one slice level. CONCLUSIONS: Left ventricle contraction and myocardial perfusion can be represented conjointly in one single fused image. The fusion paradigm should be evaluated for a larger number of patients to evaluate the clinical relevance of this approach in assessing coronary artery disease.

A pyramidal approach for automatic segmentation of multiple sclerosis lesions in brain MRI.

Quantitative assessment of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) lesion load of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most objective approach for a better understanding of the history of the pathology, either natural or modified by therapies. To achieve an accurate and reproducible quantification of MS lesions in conventional brain MRI, an automatic segmentation algorithm based on a multiresolution approach using pyramidal data structures is proposed. The systematic pyramidal decomposition in the frequency domain provides a robust and flexible low level tool for MR image analysis. Context-dependent rules regarding MRI findings in MS are used as high level considerations for automatic lesion detection.

Augmentation of the buttocks by micro fat grafting.

BACKGROUND: Requests for buttock augmentation are increasing in the United States because of changes in lifestyle and fashion that emphasize the "gluteal aesthetic unit." OBJECTIVES: We review the use of micro fat grafting for enhancing the buttocks in a series of 566 patients. METHODS: Tumescent solution (1 mg epinephrine per 1000 mL saline solution) was infiltrated; for small cases the volume used was less than half the amount of expected fat to be harvested. Harvesting was accomplished either manually with a syringe or with a liposuction pump that allowed precise control of the vacuum. The fat was injected both intramuscularly and subcutaneously into all levels of the desired area for augmentation of the buttocks. The typical augmentation averaged 300 to 400 mL per side but ranged from 175 mL to about 800 mL, depending on the patient's desires and the amount of donor fat available. RESULTS: Patient and physician satisfaction with the results was high. Approximately 50% to 75% of the fat grafted remains in the long term. Complications included cellulitis (1.9% of cases), which responded promptly to treatment with cephalosporin, and infrequent seromas and hematomas (0.8% of cases). CONCLUSIONS: Buttock augmentation by micro fat grafting is a safe, simple procedure. Compared with implant placement, the advantages of micro fat grafting include greater flexibility in the size and placement of augmentations, less pain and faster recovery for the patient, and less risk of complications. The technique is limited only by the amount of donor fat available. (Aesthetic Surg J 2001;21:311-319.).

Minimally invasive facial rejuvenation endolaser mid-face lift.

Endolaser mid-face lift was performed on patients in a multi-center study over a 36-month period (Feb. 1998 to Feb. 2001). It permits significant facial rejuvenation through small incisions. This technique achieves aesthetic results and wider rejuvenation while being less traumatic and creating minimal morbidity. Combined with other procedures, it rejuvenates the face by three strategic methods: soft tissue suspension, reversal of photo aging, and correction of the depletion of volume. To achieve this triple result, the mid-face lift is performed by endoscopic approach, and in every case is combined with the endoscopic lift of the frontal area. Laser resurfacing was used to reverse skin photo damage. The Ultrapulse CO2 laser and/or the Ultrafine Erbium YAG(Coherent, Inc, Palo Alto, CA) were used. The third combined procedure was the introduction of fat graft to compensate the atrophy/ptosis of fat and the depletion of bone mass (other filling materials besides fat may be used, depending on the preference of the surgeon). Our method of fixation using the Casagrande Needle (an evolution of Reverdin Needle) makes the mechanical purchase on the tissues to be suspended much easier, permitting the intra-oral and/or infra-orbital incisions to be eliminated. The present study of the technical evolution of the endolaser mid-face lift method allows us to conclude that a very satisfactory outcome has been reached, offering patients a minimally invasive procedure, which can be performed under local anesthesia, with low morbidity, imperceptible incisions, and an excellent long-term result.