Understanding the genetic relationships between Indonesian bambara groundnut landraces and investigating their origins.

A total of 170 bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) accessions were evaluated using both simple sequence repeat (SSR) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers generated using genotyping-by-sequencing (GbS), of which 56 accessions were collected from West and East Java. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), population structure, and cluster analysis suggest that the East Java accessions could be a result of the introduction of selected West Java accessions. In addition, the current Indonesian accessions were likely introduced from Southern Africa, which would have produced a very marked founding effect such that these accessions present only a fraction of the genetic variability that exists within this species.

Ethyl acetate fraction of the root of Rubia cordifolia L. inhibits keratinocyte proliferation in vitro and promotes keratinocyte differentiation in vivo: potential application for psoriasis treatment.

Psoriasis is a skin disease associated with hyperproliferation and aberrant differentiation of keratinocytes. Our previous studies have identified the root of Rubia cordifolia L. as a potent antiproliferative and apoptogenic agent in cultured HaCaT cells (IC(50) 1.4 microg/ml). In the present study, ethanolic extract of Radix Rubiae was fractioned sequentially with hexane, ethyl acetate (EA), n-butanol and water. EA fraction was found to possess most potent antiproliferative action on HaCaT cells (IC(50) 0.9 microg/ml). Mechanistic study revealed that EA fraction induced apoptosis on HaCaT cells, as it was capable of inducing apoptotic morphological changes. Annexin V-PI staining assay also demonstrated that EA fraction significantly augmented HaCaT apoptosis. In addition, EA fraction decreased mitochondrial membrane potential in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The standardized EA fraction was formulated into topical gel and its keratinocyte-modulating action was tested on mouse tail model. EA fraction dose-dependently increased the number and thickness of granular layer and epidermal thickness on mouse tail skin, indicative of the keratinocyte differentiation-inducing activity. Taking the in vitro and in vivo findings together, the present preclinical study confirms that EA fraction is a promising antipsoriatic agent warranting further development for psoriasis treatment.

The skin prick test results of 977 patients suffering from chronic rhinitis in Hong Kong.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of aetiological allergens identifiable by skin prick test alone in patients suffering from chronic rhinitis in Hong Kong, and also compare the clinical history and symptoms of skin prick test-positive versus skin prick test-negative patients. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Otorhinolaryngology clinic in Queen Mary Hospital of Hong Kong. PATIENTS: A total of 977 patients suffering from chronic rhinitis were recruited into the study. Skin prick test was performed with a panel of allergens including house dust mites, cockroach, cat, dog, moulds, and pollens. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Skin prick test results and their correlation with symptoms. RESULTS: Of the 977 patients, 651 (67%) had positive skin prick test reactions. The commonest allergen was house dust mite which was positive in 63% of the 977 patients and 95% of those 651 skin prick test-positive patients. The other allergens were in order of cockroach (23%), cat (14%), dog (5%), pollen (4%), and mould (3%). Compared with skin prick test-negative patients, skin prick test-positive patients were more likely to have earlier age of onset of the chronic rhinitis, association with asthma, more severe symptom in the morning, more severe symptoms of itchy nose, sneezing, nasal discharge, itchy eye, and watery eye. CONCLUSIONS: Identifiable aeroallergens could be detected in 67% chronic rhinitis patients by skin prick test alone. House dust mites were the most prevalent causative allergen. There were significant differences of patterns of clinical history and symptoms severity between skin prick test-positive and skin prick test-negative patients.

A multiobjective memetic algorithm based on particle swarm optimization.

In this paper, a new memetic algorithm (MA) for multiobjective (MO) optimization is proposed, which combines the global search ability of particle swarm optimization with a synchronous local search heuristic for directed local fine-tuning. A new particle updating strategy is proposed based upon the concept of fuzzy global-best to deal with the problem of premature convergence and diversity maintenance within the swarm. The proposed features are examined to show their individual and combined effects in MO optimization. The comparative study shows the effectiveness of the proposed MA, which produces solution sets that are highly competitive in terms of convergence, diversity, and distribution.

Medialization thyroplasty for cancer-related unilateral vocal fold paralysis.

OBJECTIVE: To justify the application of medialization thyroplasty in Chinese patients with symptomatic cancer-related unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP). STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective chart review from February 2000 to March 2006. RESULTS: Eighty-seven Chinese patients undergoing medialization thyroplasty for UVFP were included; there were no significant differences between the cancer-related and benign groups in terms of the speech and swallowing rehabilitation outcome and the perioperative complication rate (P > 0.05). The median survival time of cancer-related UVFP patients from the date of medialization to death was 129 days. Age more than 65 years was identified as the only factor for a shorter survival period after medialization (P = 0.040). CONCLUSION: Medialization thyroplasty restores satisfactory speech and swallowing and has a low perioperative complication rate in Chinese patients with cancer-related UVFP. Postmedialization survival period was also reasonable. SIGNIFICANCE: Medialization thyroplasty is a justifiable treatment option for cancer-related UVFP.

VITATOPS, the VITAmins TO prevent stroke trial: rationale and design of a randomised trial of B-vitamin therapy in patients with recent transient ischaemic attack or stroke (NCT00097669) (ISRCTN74743444).

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies suggest that raised plasma concentrations of total homocysteine (tHcy) may be a common, causal and treatable risk factor for atherothromboembolic ischaemic stroke, dementia and depression. Although tHcy can be lowered effectively with small doses of folic acid, vitamin B(12) and vitamin B(6), it is not known whether lowering tHcy, by means of B vitamin therapy, can prevent stroke and other major atherothromboembolic vascular events. AIM: To determine whether the addition of B-vitamin supplements (folic acid 2 mg, B(6) 25 mg, B(12) 500 microg) to best medical and surgical management will reduce the combined incidence of stroke, myocardial infarction (MI) and vascular death in patients with recent stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) of the brain or eye. DESIGN: A prospective, international, multicentre, randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. SETTING: One hundred and four medical centres in 20 countries on five continents. SUBJECTS: Eight thousand (6600 recruited as of 5 January, 2006) patients with recent (<7 months) stroke (ischaemic or haemorrhagic) or TIA (brain or eye). RANDOMISATION: Randomisation and data collection are performed by means of a central telephone service or secure internet site. INTERVENTION: One tablet daily of either placebo or B vitamins (folic acid 2 mg, B(6) 25 mg, B(12) 500 mug). PRIMARY OUTCOME: The composite of stroke, MI or death from any vascular cause, whichever occurs first. Outcome and serious adverse events are adjudicated blinded to treatment allocation. SECONDARY OUTCOMES: TIA, unstable angina, revascularisation procedures, dementia, depression. STATISTICAL POWER: With 8000 patients followed up for a median of 2 years and an annual incidence of the primary outcome of 8% among patients assigned placebo, the study will have at least 80% power to detect a relative reduction of 15% in the incidence of the primary outcome among patients assigned B vitamins (to 6.8%/year), applying a two-tailed level of significance of 5%. CONCLUSION: VITATOPS aims to recruit and follow-up 8000 patients between 1998 and 2008, and provide a reliable estimate of the safety and effectiveness of folic acid, vitamin B(12), and vitamin B(6) supplementation in reducing recurrent serious vascular events among a wide range of patients with TIA and stroke throughout the world.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Chinese Voice Handicap Index-10.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Recent developments in voice assessment propose the use of quality of life measurements. The Voice Handicap Index (VHI) is one of the most psychometrically robust and well-studied instruments among the various instruments for measuring quality of life. Two versions of VHI (VHI-30 and VHI-10) have been shown to be valid instruments for distinguishing dysphonic from nondysphonic individuals and also for documenting treatment effect for dysphonic patients. The VHI has been used worldwide; however, the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of VHI remains untested. This study aimed to investigate such properties of the Chinese VHI-30 and VHI-10 in the Hong Kong Chinese population. STUDY DESIGN: Psychometric analysis of the Chinese VHI-30 and VHI-10 in dysphonic patients and control subjects. METHODS: The original VHI-30 was translated into Chinese and was completed by 131 dysphonic patients and 54 nondysphonic individuals. The dysphonic patients also self-rated their dysphonic severity. RESULTS: Results showed high test-retest reliability and high item-total correlation for both Chinese VHI-30 and VHI-10. Both Chinese versions could be used to distinguish different dysphonic groups and between dysphonic and nondysphonic groups. Significant correlation was found between the VHI scores and the patients' self-rated dysphonic severity. CONCLUSION: The present study supported the original three-factorial structures of the VHI-30 and the use of the VHI for the Chinese population. It is shown that the Chinese VHI-10 is a strong representation of VHI-30 and is recommended for use in clinics because of its validity and ease of use by patients.

Ethnic variation in sinonasal anatomy on CT-scanning.

Computed tomography (CT) scanning of the paranasal sinuses provides valuable information in assessing extent of disease and fine detailed anatomy prior to endoscopic sinus surgery. Awareness of the different anatomic variants of the bony sinonasal anatomy will help the rhinologic surgeon's orientation during the procedure. We conducted a study to look at the incidence of the anatomic variation within the lateral wall of the nose and sinuses and to determine if there is any ethnic difference in these variants between a cohort of 100 Caucasian patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery in London and 100 Chinese patients treated in Hong Kong. We compared the two groups with chi-square test and the significant areas are those with p value of less than 0.05. The results show a higher incidence of pneumatisation of the middle turbinate (concha bullosa) and paradoxical bending of the middle turbinate in the Caucasian population. The infraorbital and suprabullar cell development was greater in the Caucasian population though the incidence of sphenoethmoidal cells was much greater in the Chinese population. When asymmetry of the anterior ethmoidal roof was considered, the left was consistently the highest in both groups, though there was no difference in the depth of the cribiform niche between right and left or between Caucasian and Chinese. The incidence of bent uncinate process and of complete absence of a sinus was higher in the Chinese population. There was no difference in the presence of pneumatisation of the agger nasi, of the uncinate process, or of the anterior clinoid process. There was no difference in the presence of septation adjoining the carotid in the lateral wall of sphenoid or in the exposure of the optic nerve within sphenoid or posterior ethmoid sinuses. Although there is no evidence that variants of the sinonasal anatomy seen on CT Scan have a causative effect in the disease process; a knowledge of their presence is paramount in minimising the potential for surgical complications.

Expression of an immunologically reactive merozoite surface protein (MSP-1(42)) in E. coli.

The 42-kDa carboxyl-terminal processing fragment of Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein-1 (PfMSP-1(42)) is one of the anti-malarial vaccine candidate antigens. In the present study, recombinant MSP-1(42) was expressed as a fusion protein in a novel E. coli host. The average yield of the recombinant protein was 48 mg/l of bacterial culture. The antigenicity and immunogenicity of the purified protein were evaluated by comparing the results with those obtained from a well-characterized recombinant MSP-1(42) (Bmp42) expressed in the baculovirus expression system previously described from our laboratory. We observed that there is a high degree of similarities between the two recombinant proteins. Based on the results from T and B cell response, in vitro parasite growth inhibition, as well as cross-reactivities with several well-characterized MSP-1 specific Mabs, the bacterial expressed protein is apparently comparable to Bmp42 in terms of immunoreactivities. Our results suggest that the bacterial expression system could be employed to express immunologically active recombinant MSP-1(42) at elevated levels. This system may be an attractive alternative for producing a protective vaccine for human use at lower cost.

Quantitative analysis of plasma cell-free Epstein-Barr virus DNA in nasopharyngeal carcinoma after salvage nasopharyngectomy: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: The quantity of circulating cell-free Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) managed by radiotherapy has prognostic relevance. We measured the copy number of EBV DNA in patients with early recurrent NPC before and after salvage nasopharyngectomy. METHODS: Nasopharyngectomy with the maxillary swing approach was performed for 28 patients. Serum blood samples were taken prospectively before nasopharyngectomy and on postoperative day 7. Plasma cell-free EBV DNA copies were measured with a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction for the BamHI-W fragment of the EBV genome. RESULTS: Cell-free EBV DNA was detected in 17 patients before nasopharyngectomy. Surgical resection reduced the copy number of EBV DNA significantly (p = .016). Negative surgical margins achieved during nasopharyngectomy is associated with a zero EBV DNA copy postoperatively (p = .022). CONCLUSION: Cell-free EBV DNA was detected in 61% of patients with recurrent NPC, and its quantity postoperatively reflects whether the salvage nasopharyngectomy has achieved a negative surgical margin.

Severe immune haemolysis after standard doses of Penicillin.

Summary Penicillin causes immune haemolytic anaemia by the 'drug-adsorption' mechanism and typically occurs after prolonged exposure to large doses of the drug. Withdrawal of the drug is associated with improved red cell survival and gradual cessation of haemolysis. Although this complication is uncommon, it can be potentially serious. An unusual case is described herein. The patient was exposed to a short course (9 days) of standard dose penicillin but suffered acute severe haemolysis about 1 week after cessation of therapy. A high titre anti-penicillin antibody (1 : 512) not cross-reacting with cephalosporins, was demonstrated. The delay in the development of immune haemolysis vis-à-vis penicillin therapy may be due to the patient being immunologically naive to the drug. Penicillin may persist for weeks in circulation, coating red cells and providing continued antigenic stimulation for the development of anti-penicillin antibody.

Schwannoma of the larynx-an uncommon cause of vocal cord immobility.

We present a rare case of schwannoma of the larynx in a 26-year-old Chinese patient. The tumour was excised using a lateral thyrotomy approach, with satisfactory restoration of laryngeal function. The presentation, management, and outcome of treatment for this type of tumour are discussed.

Pharyngeal entry through the vallecula.

The authors describe a technique of entry into the vallecula with the guide of a small Deaver retractor inserted transorally, beyond the tongue base, into the vallecula. The tip of the Deaver directs the surgeon to the pharyngotomy site and allows pharyngeal entry and access without damaging structures in the region. This technique is particularly useful in total laryngectomy with or without pharyngectomy and is applicable whenever entry to the pharynx through the vallecula is indicated.

Fibrous dysplasia masquerading as extramedullary relapse after bone marrow transplantation for chronic myeloid leukemia.

A 19-year old girl suffered from relapse of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) after bone marrow transplantation. The disease was controlled by interferon and imatinib mesylate, but was complicated by autoimmune hyperthyroidism. She presented with unilateral proptosis with no extraocular muscle or visual defect at 26 months follow-up. Systemic investigations showed no recurrence of leukemia or thyrotoxicosis. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an extensive retro-orbital base of skull lesion. A trans-oral biopsy showed fibrous dysplasia and continuous observation was advised. The unusual sequence of events and the differential diagnoses for unilateral proptosis in post bone marrow transplantation (BMT) cases are discussed.

Microvascular free tissue reconstruction following extirpation of head and neck tumour: experience towards an optimal outcome.

Familiarity with four types of free tissues transfers allows appropriate reconstruction of most defects in the head and neck region functionally and aesthetically. These include jejunal graft, radial forearm, rectus abdominus myocutaneous and fibula osteocutaneous flaps. Free colonic and gastric patches were used occasionally. We report our experience of 215 free tissue transfers for reconstruction of defects in the head and neck region after tumour extirpation. The overall success rate was 94 per cent. The commonest cause of failure was related to arterial inflow (70 per cent). Three patients died in hospital, but their mortality was not related to the tissue transfers. Complications due to free tissue transfer at both the donor and recipient sites were few and manageable. The co-operation between the two surgical teams, together with the timely application of suitable salvage procedures, contribute to an optimal outcome.

Clinicopathologic significance of bcl-2 expression in the surgical treatment of oral tongue carcinoma.

AIM: There is still controversy on the incidence of positive expression of bcl-2 and its prognostic significance for oral tongue carcinoma patients who are treated by surgery. The present study aims at resolving the controversy on the clinicopathologic significance of bcl-2 in a well selected group of patients who satisfy the recruitment criteria: (1) oral tongue carcinoma, (2) squamous cell carcinoma, (3) primary surgical treatment. METHOD: Bcl-2 expression was studied by immunohistochemistry on glossectomy specimens of 73 patients. The expression of bcl-2 was correlated with clinicopathologic data. RESULTS: Of the 73 tumours, 11% had positive expression of bcl-2. Bcl-2 expression was not significantly correlated with tumour grade, stage, nodal metastasis and survival. CONCLUSION: Bcl-2 expression played a minor role in oral tongue carcinoma. It had no significant correlation with tumour grade, stage and nodal metastasis. It also had no prognostic value on survival for patients who were treated by primary surgery.

Analysis of Clonality in Kimura's Disease.

Kimura's disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology. A 62-year-old man presented with asymptomatic cervical lymphadenopathy associated with eosinophilia and increased serum immunoglobulin E. Excision biopsy showed Kimura's disease. Three years later another groin lymph node appeared and showed similar pathologic features. Polymerase chain reaction for Ig heavy chain and T-cell receptor (TCR) genes on DNA extracted from the cervical lymph node showed smear patterns. However, polymerase chain reaction for TCRdelta gene showed a clonal rearrangement. Sequencing showed a complete VDJ rearrangement (Vdelta1-N-Ddelta2-N-Jdelta), confirming the presence of a clonal T cell population. The same clonal TCRdelta rearrangement was amplified by polymerase chain reaction from the groin lymph node biopsied 3 years later. These results showed that the primary and recurrent lesions were biologically related. Furthermore, the presence of identical T cell clones in different sites and at different times suggested that a clonal T cell population might have contributed to the pathogenesis in this case of Kimura's disease.

Prospective randomized study of post-operative chemotherapy with levamisole and UFT for head and neck carcinoma.

AIMS: A prospective randomized study was conducted to evaluate the benefit of adjuvant levamisole/UFT (futraful and uracil) chemotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: Sixty-five patients with stage III and IV squamous cell carcinomas of oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx with no distant metastasis were randomized for the chemotherapy study. Thirty-one patients were randomized for chemotherapy and two of them were subsequently excluded. In this study, a total of 29 patients on levamisole/UFT therapy and 34 patients on the control group were analysed. The main outcome was measured by the 5-year disease-free actuarial survival rate. RESULTS: The rates of distant metastasis were 10% for chemotherapy group and 32% for control group (P=0.06). The 5-year disease-free actuarial survival rates for patients with and without adjuvant chemotherapy were 57% and 39% respectively (P=0.207). CONCLUSIONS: A trend of better distant control in head and neck cancer patients with post-operative adjuvant oral chemotherapy was observed. The side effects were minimal. However, there was no statistically significant improvement in the overall long-term survival. It may be of value to conduct a large-scale multi-centre prospective randomized study to verify the efficacy of levamisole and UFT as post-operative adjuvant chemotherapy for the control of distant metastasis in high-risk population.