Desmoplastic small round cell tumor: A rare cause of a progressive brachial plexopathy.

Introduction: Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is an uncommon, embryonic-type neoplasm, typically presenting as an abdominal mass in young men. A single case of DSRCT arising in the peripheral nervous system has been reported. Methods: The clinical course, imaging, electrophysiological, intraoperative, histopathological, molecular findings, and postoperative follow-up are reported. Results: A 43-year-old man presented with slowly progressive right brachial plexopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an enlarged medial cord with heterogeneous contrast enhancement. Histology showed a "small round cell" neoplasm with a polyphenotypic immunoprofile, including epithelial and mesenchymal markers. A pathognomonic fusion of Ewing sarcoma breakpoint region 1 and Wilms tumor 1 genes (EWSR1/WT1) was present. Treatment involved gross total excision and local radiotherapy. Conclusion: Our findings confirm the occurrence of DSRCT as a primary peripheral nerve tumor. Despite its usually very aggressive clinical course, prolonged recurrence-free survival may be reached. Histomorphology and immunoprofile of DSRCT may lead to misdiagnosis as small cell carcinoma. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A Preliminary Impact Assessment of Doha Round Results on Agricultural Policies in Turkey

Turkish agriculture has been experiencing a period of unique policy experiment over the last couple years. A World Bank-initiated project, called the Agricultural Reform Implementation Project (ARIP), has been at the forefront of policy change. It was initially promoted by the Bank as an exemplary reform package which could also be adopted by other developing countries. It was introduced in 2001 as part of a major International Monetary Fund (IMF)/World Bank-imposed program of “structural adjustment” after the country had been hit by a major financial crisis. The project has finally come to an end in 2009, and there is now an urgent need for a retrospective assessment of its overall impact on the agricultural sector. Has it fulfilled its ambitious objective of reforming and restructuring Turkish agriculture? Or should it be recorded as a failure of the neo-liberal doctrine? This book aims at finding answers to these questions by investigating the legacy of ARIP from a multi-disciplinary perspective.

Proposals for Specific Activities of the Basic Mandate and Priority Action Projects, 2nd round 2005: Documentation for the ESAPP Advisory Board Meeting of June 15th, 2005

Budget frame-figures for 2nd half 2005; priority listing of proposals for PAP 2nd round 2005; evaluation sheets of approved, revised and rejected proposals for Specific Activities of the BM and PAP.

Annual Planning for the Basic Mandate and Proposals for Priority Action Projects, 1st round 2005

Budget frame-figures for 2005; annual planning for the BM 2005; priority listing of proposals for PAP 2005; evaluation sheets of approved, postponed and rejected proposals for the BM and PAP.

Proposals for Priority Action Projects, second round 2004

Budget frame-figures for 2nd half of 2004; priority listing of proposals for PAP 2nd round 2004; evaluation sheets of approved, revised and rejected proposals for PAP.

Lamb Temporal Bone as a Surgical Training Model of Round Window Cochlear Implant Electrode Insertion

OBJECTIVE The preservation of residual hearing in cochlear implantation opens the door for optimal functional results. This atraumatic surgical technique requires training; however, the traditional human cadaveric temporal bones have become less available or unattainable in some institutions. This study investigates the suitability of an alternative model, using cadaveric lamb temporal bone, for surgical training of atraumatic round window electrode insertion. INTERVENTION A total of 14 lamb temporal bones were dissected for cochlear implantation by four surgeons. After mastoidectomy, visualization, and drilling of the round window niche, an atraumatic round window insertion of a Medel Flex24 electrode was performed. Electrode insertion depth and position were verified by computed tomography scans. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE All cochleas were successfully implanted using the atraumatic round window approach; however, surgical access through the mastoid was substantially different when compared human anatomy. The mean number of intracochlear electrode contacts was 6.5 (range, 4-11) and the mean insertion depth 10.4 mm (range, 4-20 mm), which corresponds to a mean angular perimodiolar insertion depth of 229 degrees (range 67-540°). Full insertion of the electrode was not possible because of the smaller size of the lamb cochlea in comparison to that of the human. CONCLUSION The lamb temporal bone model is well suited as a training model for atraumatic cochlear implantation at the level of the round window. The minimally pneumatized mastoid as well as the smaller cochlea can help prepare a surgeon for difficult cochlear implantations. Because of substantial differences to human anatomy, it is not an adequate training model for other surgical techniques such as mastoidectomy and posterior tympanotomy as well as full electrode insertion.

No scope for social modulation of steroid levels in a year-round territorial damselfish.

Both latitude and mating system have been proposed to shape relationships between steroid hormone levels and social behavior. Recently it has been postulated that species with long lasting non-seasonal territorial behavior have low androgen responsiveness. Tropical damselfishes are an ideal family to test this proposition because they show a large variety in mating systems. Here we contribute to the comparative dataset by measuring the response in steroid levels after social modulation in the banded sergeant, Abudefduf septemfasciatus, a species with non-seasonal territoriality. In highly territorial and brooding males, we found low androgen and cortisol levels that did not increase after experimental intraspecific simulated territorial intrusions (STI tests). No relationship was found between the variation in steroid hormone levels and territorial responses to naturally occurring territorial intrusions. Although steroid levels were low, male A. septemfasciatus were highly territorial both to STI challenges and to fishes that passed the territory. They often chased intruders for several meters away from the territory. This indicates that during nest defence in a non-seasonal territorial damselfish species, territorial behaviors are shown independent of variation in androgen and cortisol levels.