Platelets Inhibit Migration of Canine Osteosarcoma Cells.

The interaction between platelets and tumour cells is important for tumour growth and metastasis. Thrombocytopenia or antiplatelet treatment negatively impact on cancer metastasis, demonstrating potentially important roles for platelets in tumour progression. To our knowledge, there is no information regarding the role of platelets in cancer progression in dogs. This study was designed to test whether canine platelets affected the migratory behaviour of three canine osteosarcoma cell lines and to give insights of molecular mechanisms. Intact platelets, platelet lysate and platelet releasate inhibited the migration of canine osteosarcoma cell lines. Addition of blood leucocytes to the platelet samples did not alter the inhibitory effect on migration. Platelet treatment also significantly downregulated the transcriptional levels of SNAI2 and TWIST1 genes. The interaction between canine platelets or molecules released during platelet activation and these tumour cell lines inhibits their migration, which suggests that canine platelets might antagonize metastasis of canine osteosarcoma. This effect is probably due to, at least in part, downregulation of genes related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Magnet dislocation: an increasing and serious complication following MRI in patients with cochlear implants.

PURPOSE: Cochlear implantation (CI) represents the gold standard in the treatment of children born deaf and postlingually deafened adults. Initial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was contraindicated in CI users. Meanwhile, there are specific recommendations concerning MRI compatibility depending on the type of CI system and the device manufacturer. Some CI systems are even approved for MRI with the internal magnet left in place. The aim of this study was to analyze all magnet revision surgeries in CI patients at one CI center and the relationship to MRI scans over time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2000 and 2013, a total of 2027 CIs were implanted. The number of magnet dislocation (MD) surgeries and their causes was assessed retrospectively. RESULTS: In total 12 cases of MD resulting from an MRI scan (0.59 %) were observed, accounting for 52.2 % of all magnetic revision surgeries. As per the labeling, it was considered safe to leave the internal magnet in place during MRI while following specific manufacturer recommendations: MRI intensity of 1.5 Tesla (T) and compression head bandage during examination. CONCLUSION: A compression head bandage in a 1.5 T MRI unit does not safely prevent MD and the related serious complications in CI recipients. We recommend a Stenvers view radiograph after MRI with the internal magnet in place for early identification of MD, at least in the case of pain during or after MRI examination. MRI in CI patients should be indicated with restraint and patients should be explicitly informed about the possible risks. Recommendations regarding MRI compatibility and the handling of CI patients issued with MRI for the most common CI systems are summarized.

[CT-guided electrode placement for sacral nerve stimulation in the treatment of faecal incontinence (cSNS)]. / CT-gesteuerte Elektrodenplatzierung zur Sakralnervenstimulation bei Stuhlinkontinenz (cSNS).

BACKGROUND: The sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) can be performed in the screening phase under local anaesthesia. Implantation of the tined-lead electrodes is usually performed in an inpatient setting under general anaesthesia. An outpatient procedure for both PNE and implantation of the electrodes offers decisive advantages with respect to the accuracy of electrode placement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2006 to 2011 a total of 51 patients was treated with SNS in an outpatient setting. RESULTS: Of 51 patients having the PNE, in four patients the procedure could not successfully be completed. In 39 of the 47 patients screened, the testing was positive. Eight times the screening was negative. The functional results show a significant decline in the Cleveland scores from 14.9 to 6.4. The manometric resting pressure improved from 23.4 mmHg to 43.81 mmHg, the squeezing pressure improved from 42.2 mmHg to 76.12 mmHg. Due to patients' perception and according to the response on the stimulus, the electrodes were placed on the left in S4 11 times, 23 times in the left S3, 3 times in the right S3, once in the left S2 and once in the right S2. CONCLUSION: CT-guided electrode placement is safe for temporary (subchronic) and permanent (chronic) sacral nerve stimulation and provides a valuable means for placement of the stimulating material.

Expression of the thrombopoietin gene in tissues from healthy dogs.

Thrombopoietin (THPO) is the major cytokine that regulates megakaryopoiesis and platelet production. Several human and murine studies have demonstrated that THPO is primarily synthesized in the liver, but the kidney, spleen and bone marrow are also sites of expression. The aim of this study was to determine THPO mRNA levels in a range of canine tissues by reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Samples of bone marrow (n = 5), liver (n = 10), lung (n = 10), renal cortex (n = 10), renal medulla (n = 5) and spleen (n = 10) were obtained from 10 healthy, hound-cross dogs aged 6-8 months. The highest THPO mRNA levels were found in the liver, followed by the bone marrow, spleen, lung and kidney. There was a 13-fold difference in expression between liver and kidney. The bone marrow showed high levels of THPO mRNA in the absence of disease. The liver and bone marrow are likely to be the major sites of THPO production in the dog.

[Vestibular schwannoma: Part I: epidemiology and diagnostics]. / Vestibularisschwannom : Teil I:Epidemiologie und Diagnostik.

Vestibular schwannoma is with 80% the most frequent of all tumors of the cerebellopontine angle. Usually, this benign, neuroectodermal, mostly unilateral occurring tumor is called acoustic neuroma, although it develops from the Schwann cells of the nerve sheath of the eighth cranial nerve. The tumor is localized in the meatus acusticus internus in the majority of cases. The most common initial symptom is a unilateral or, at least, asymmetric hearing loss. Other symptoms may include tinnitus and feeling of insecurity or vertigo, but adjacent cranial nerves may also be affected. Besides clinical and apparatus-based (neuro-)otological diagnostics, MRI imaging has established itself as the gold standard with a sensitivity and specificity of up to 100%.

[Modern urinary stone therapy: is the era of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy at an end?]. / Moderne Steintherapie : Ist die Ära der extrakorporalen Stoßwellenlithotripsie zu Ende?

BACKGROUND: Treatment of urolithiasis saw major changes with the introduction of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and percutaneous and ureteroscopic techniques in the 1980s. Since then these minimally invasive treatment modalities have continuously been developed further. RESULTS: For years ESWL has been the treatment of choice. However, recent years have seen a significant shift towards endoscopic therapies. This can be attributed to the evolving surgical experience in the use of these techniques, but even more to major improvement in the technical equipment. This trend is not backed sufficiently by high-level data (RCTs). Some of the newer data on endoscopic techniques are presented in cohort studies, but most studies are case series. Accordingly, recommendations of the German and international guidelines still focus on ESWL as first-line therapy for most locations and sizes of urinary stones. CONCLUSION: The analysis of treatment data of our institution confirms these trends and demonstrates high treatment efficiency in modern stone management and a consecutive significant lowering of socio-clinical expenses.

[Low-dose computed tomography for the detection of cocaine body packs: clinical evaluation and legal issues]. / Niedrigdosis-Computertomografieprotokoll zur Detektion von Kokain-Bodypacks: Klinische Evaluation und rechtliche Aspekte.

PURPOSE: To discuss the juridical basis for CT examinations of cocaine body packers and to evaluate the clinical implementation of a tube current reduction-based low-dose CT protocol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search was performed to discuss the legal basis regarding the problem, the procedures, the potential harm and the proportionality. Retrospective evaluation of 8 patients who had undergone a low-dose CT scan (body mass index < 25 kg/m(2) 30 mAs; > 25 kg/m(2) 60 mAs) during the time period from February until October 2009 in order to exclude or to assess remaining cocaine body packs was approved by the institutional review board. The detectability and condition of the body packs were analyzed. Effective doses were calculated. RESULTS: German jurisdiction does not distinguish between plain film X-ray and CT examinations. Both plain film X-ray and CT examination require a judicial warrant. However, examination results might still remain valid if a warrant was not requested. In 8 examinations (30 mAs n = 3, 60 mAs n = 5, mean BMI 25.9 ± 3.2) a total of 34 body packs were correctly identified. The mean density of the body packs was 74.4 ± 31.9 HU (range 17-154 HU) with a cocaine content between 22.5% and 72.8%. The mean estimated radiation dose was 2.23 ± 0.72 mSv. CONCLUSION: Although medical legal aspects do not specify the diagnostic procedure to be performed, the high diagnostic accuracy and applied radiation dose reduction could establish low-dose CT as the method of choice for detecting cocaine body packs, thereby potentially avoiding future legal problems.

A comparison of characteristics of patients with completed stroke: those who achieve continence and those who do not.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the demographic, neurologic, and cognitive characteristics of patients with completed stroke who participated in a behavioral management program for urinary incontinence. The study sought to determine the differences between those patients who achieved continence by the time of discharge from the program and those who did not. A retrospective chart review that used the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores identified 75 subjects with urinary incontinence at the time of admission. Forty-two study subjects achieved continence after participating in a rehabilitation and bladder management program. Thirty-three study subjects remained incontinent despite participation in a rehabilitation and bladder management program. Incontinent subjects had more difficulty with orientation to time, memory, and problem solving. These areas of cognitive function appear to have a direct impact on the ability of the person with stroke to achieve continence.