No abstract available.
Empyema*

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) caused by infection with E. multilocularis metacestode, represents one of the most fatal helminthic diseases. AE is principally manifested with infiltrative, proliferating hepatic mass, resembling primary hepatocellular carcinoma. Sometimes metastatic lesions are found in nearby or remote tissue. AE diagnosis largely depends on imaging studies, but atypical findings of imaging features frequently require differential diagnosis from other hepatic lesions. Serological tests may provide further evidence, while obtaining reliable AE materials is not easy. In this study, alternative antigens, specific to AE were identified by analyzing E. granulosus protoscolex proteins. An immunoblot analysis of E. granulosus protoscolex showed that a group of low-molecular-weight proteins in the range from 14 kDa to 16 kDa exhibited a sensitive and specific immune response to AE patient sera. Partial purification and proteomic analysis indicated that this protein group contained myosin, tubulin polymerization promoting protein, fatty-acid binding protein, uncharacterized DM9, heat shock protein 90 cochaperone tebp P-23, and antigen S. When the serological applicability of recombinant forms of these proteins was assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, DM9 protein (rEgDM9) showed 90.1% sensitivity (73/81 sera tested) and 94.5% specificity (172/181 sera tested), respectively. rEgDM9 showed weak cross-reactions with patient sera from the transitional and chronic stages of cystic echinococcosis (3 to 5 stages). rEgDM9 would serve as a useful alternative antigen for serodiagnosis of both early- and advanced-stage AE cases.

No abstract available.
Pulmonary Aspergillosis*

No abstract available.
Myxoma*

No abstract available.
Diabetes Insipidus, Nephrogenic*

No abstract available.
Fistula*

Stereotactic radiosurgery, including gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS), can in rare cases result in de novo cavernous malformations (CMs). Here, we present a case of de novo CM induced by GKS following treatment of a cerebellar arteriovenous malformation (AVM). A 48-year-old woman was diagnosed with left unilateral Moyamoya disease. Conventional cerebral angiography also revealed an AVM in the left cerebellum. The patient underwent GKS using a 50% isodose of 15 Gy at the margin of the left cerebellar AVM. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) taken 3 years after GKS revealed small chronic hemorrhages with perilesional edema in the left cerebellum. Five years later, the lesions became aggravated, but were asymptomatic. Eight years following GKS, the patient was admitted complaining of headache and dizziness. Brain MRI revealed a 1.3cm hemosiderin deposit with an inner hyperintense nodular portion that was enhanced in the left cerebellum. An open craniotomy was performed and the mass was removed, from which pathological findings were compatible with those for CM. The patient recovered to the prehemorrhagic state. This case shows that De novo CMs can rarely develop after radiosurgery. Most CMs have been reported to develop following radiosurgery for brain tumors. As shown in this patient, CMs can also develop after radiosurgery for cerebellar AVM in adults.
Radiosurgery

Epikeratophakia is a newly developed refractive corneal surgery for the correction of aphakic vision. Two aphakic patients have received hyperopic epikeratophakia grafts. Three months postoperatively, two patients had visual acuities of 0.6 without spectacle overcorrection. Epikeratophakia appears to be effective for the correction of adult aphakia.
Adult* ; Aphakia* ; Epikeratophakia* ; Humans ; Transplants ; Visual Acuity

OBJECTIVETo further investigate the {ptin vitro} effects of an osteoprotective herbal formula "ELP" (Herba Epimedii, Fructus Ligustri Lucidi and Fructus Psoraleae) using seropharmacological approach.

METHODSRats were fed with ELP or its individual component herbs for 2 days. The serum containing the postabsorbed ingredients of the herbal items were collected for cell culture using UMR106 cell, RAW264.7 cell and mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) isolated from the bone marrow of the rats. The effects of the herbal-containing serum on cell toxicity were detected by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay; bromodeoxyuridine assay was conducted to measure the cell proliferation of UMR106 cell and MSC; cell activity was measured using colorimetric method, and mRNA expression of runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteopontin (OPN) of UMR106 and MSC as well as matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and cathepsin K of RAW264.7 were analyzed using real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTSELP and its component serum exhibited no cytotoxic effects on the cells. The ELP-containing serum increased the proliferation of UMR106 cell and MSC by 25.7% and 14.4 %, respectively and the alkaline phosphatase activity of MSC was increased by 42.6%. On the contrary, it inhibited the RAW264.7 cell differentiation by 29.2 %. ELP serum upregulated the Runx2 expression of UMR and MSC by 1.18 fold and 1.27 fold, respectively. It also upregulated ALP and OPN expression in MSC by 1.69- and 2.12-fold, respectively. On the other hand, ELP serum down-regulated MMP-9 and cathepsin K expression of RAW264.7 cell by 0.46- and 0.36-fold, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThe serum of the animals fed with ELP contains active ingredients which are effective in promoting osteogenesis and inhibiting osteoclastogenesis.

Absorption, Physiological ; drug effects ; Animals ; Bone and Bones ; drug effects ; pathology ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mice ; Osteoclasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Osteogenesis ; drug effects ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Serum ; metabolism

Heterotopic panereas is pancreactie tissue occuring outside its normal anatomical location and without any connection and normal pancreas and it is a developmental anormaly. The most commen site is stomach(esp. greater curvature of the antrum), duodenum and jejunum, In majority of cases heterotopic pancreas does not produce symptoms. When it produces complications, the symptoms depend on the site of lesion and the size of mass. Pathologically, the heterotopic pancreatic tissue is subject to all the lesions found in the normally placed pancreas. Tbe smooth broad base intramural defect with central niche ie typical radiologic fiadings of heterotoPic pancreas. Gastrofiberscopy revealed a small round, submucosal projection with a central umblication. The lesions are frequently confused with polys, lymphoma, in.tramural neoplasm and gastric uleer. Accurate diagnosis may prevent needless surgical procedures. Three cases of heterotopic pancreas of stomach were reported and the pertinent literature were reviewed briefly.
Diagnosis ; Duodenum ; Jejunum ; Lymphoma ; Pancreas* ; Stomach*