Novel MUCI splice variants are expressed in cervical carcinoma

Objectives. The MUC1 antigen can be used to identify epithelial cells from the background of hemopoietic cells. The present investigation describes patterns of overexpression of two novel MUC1 splice variants in human cervical carcinoma cell lines. Methods. RT-PCR was carried out to determine MUC1 splice variants in the cervical cancer cell lines C-4 II, C-33A, DoTc 2 4510, C-4 I, SiHa, HT3, Hs 636 T (C4-I), and HeLa. Results. The novel MUC1 splice variant D was expressed in all cell lines and the novel MUC1 splice variant C was expressed in all cell lines but C-33A. Variants A and B were expressed in all (variant A) and all but one (variant B) cell line. MUC1/REP was expressed in all cell lines and MUC1/SEC was positive in all but two cell lines (C-33 A, DoTc 2 4510). All but one cell line (C-33A) expressed MUC1/X and MUC1/Y, and two cell lines (C-33 A, DoTc 2 4510) did not express MUC1/Z, respectively. MUC1 variants A, D, and REP could be demonstrated consistently among all eight cervical carcinoma cell lines we have examined. Conclusions. The present study describes the feasibility of detecting a large number of MUC1 variants, including MUC1 variants C and D which are described for cervical carcinoma cells for the first time. Further studies will examine the presence of MUC1 splice variants' expression in human cervical carcinoma tissue.

Use of high and low velocity cervical manipulative therapy procedures by Australian manipulative physiotherapists

The use of cervical manipulation presents concerns because of a risk of devastating side effects of trauma to the vertebral artery. Little is known about the frequency of use of cervical manipulation versus passive mobilisation by physiotherapists. A recent national, multi-centre randomised clinical trial of the physiotherapy management of cervicogenic headache provided an opportunity to gain an insight into practices of a sample of manipulative physiotherapists across Australia. The treatment records for the 100 subjects who received only manipulative therapy, or manipulative therapy with exercise as per the trial protocol, were audited. The results revealed that cervical manipulation was used in 20.2% of the 1090 treatments provided to these subjects but cervical joint mobilisation only was used in the vast majority of treatments (77.6%). Nevertheless, 42% of subjects were treated with cervical manipulation at some time. In most instances, manipulation was accompanied by passive mobilisation in the same treatment session. Patients were manipulated on one to six occasions and this occurred predominantly in the latter half of the 12-treatment program. Cervical manipulation was used less frequently in the group who also received exercise. The data suggest that the physiotherapists participating in this study used cervical manipulation selectively and relatively conservatively considering the high use of cervical mobilisation techniques. This may reflect their due regard to safety in the treatment of the cervical region.

Relationship between cranio-cervical flexion range of motion and pressure change during the cranio-cervical flexion test

The purpose of this study was to quantify the sagittal angular displacement of the head (cranio-cervical flexion) for the five incremental stages of the cranio-cervical flexion test (CCFT). Range of cranio-cervical flexion during the CCFT was measured using a digital imaging method in 20 healthy volunteer subjects. The intra- and inter-rater reliability of the digital imaging technique for the assessment of this movement were also examined. The results of this study demonstrated a linear relationship between the incremental pressure targets of the CCFT and the percentages of full range cranio-cervical flexion range of motion (ROM) measured in the supine lying position of the test using a digital imaging technique. A mean of 22.9% full range cranio-cervical flexion was used to reach the first pressure target of the CCFT followed by linear increments up to 76.6% for the last stage of the test. An increasing amount of cranio-cervical flexion ROM was used to achieve the five successive stages of the CCFT reflecting an increasing contractile demand on the deep cervical flexor muscles. Excellent inter-rater (ICC = 0.994) and intra-rater reliability (ICC = 0.988-0.998) were demonstrated for the angular measurements using this digital imaging technique. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Measuring range of active cervical rotation in a position of full head flexion using the 3D Fastrak measurement system: an intra-tester reliability study

Most external assessments of cervical range of motion assess the upper and lower cervical regions simultaneously. This study investigated the within and between days reliability of the clinical method used to bias this movement to the upper cervical region, namely measuring rotation of the head and neck in a position of full cervical flexion. Measurements were made using the Fastrak measurement system and were conducted by one operator. Results indicated high levels of within and between days repeatability (range of ICC2,1 values: 0.85-0.95). The ranges of axial rotation to right and left, measured with the neck positioned in full flexion, were approximately 56% and 50%, respectively of total cervical rotation, which relates well to the proportional division of rotation in the upper and lower cervical regions. These results suggest that this method of measuring rotation would be appropriate for use in subject studies where movement dysfunction is present in the upper cervical region, such as those with cervicogenic headache. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

An electromyographic analysis of the deep cervical flexor muscles in performance of craniocervical flexion

Background and Purpose. This study evaluated an electromyographic technique for the measurement of muscle activity of the deep cervical flexor (DCF) muscles. Electromyographic signals were detected from the DCF, sternocleidomastoid (SCM), and anterior scalene (AS) muscles during performance of the craniocervical flexion (CCF) test, which involves performing 5 stages of increasing craniocervical flexion range of motion-the anatomical action of the DCF muscles. Subjects. Ten volunteers without known pathology or impairment participated in this study. Methods. Root-mean-square (RMS) values were calculated for the DCF, SCM, and AS muscles during performance of the CCF test. Myoelectric signals were recorded from the DCF muscles using bipolar electrodes placed over the posterior oropharyngeal wall. Reliability estimates of normalized RMS values were obtained by evaluating intraclass correlation coefficients and the normalized standard error of the mean (SEM). Results. A linear relationship was evident between the amplitude of DCF muscle activity and the incremental stages of the CCF test (F=239.04, df=36, P<.0001). Normalized SEMs in the range 6.7% to 10.3% were obtained for the normalized RMS values for the DCF muscles, providing evidence of reliability for these variables. Discussion and Conclusion. This approach for obtaining a direct measure of the DCF muscles, which differs from those previously used, may be useful for the examination of these muscles in future electromyographic applications.

Fenda cervical mediana

A fenda mediana congênita do pescoço é anomalia rara da parte ventral do pescoço. Em torno de 100 casos foram relatados na literatura, sendo o primeiro caso descrito por Bailey em 1924. Este defeito é relatado em associação com fenda mediana do lábio inferior, fenda da mandíbula e da língua, e hipoplasia de outras estruturas cervicais medianas. Acredita-se que seja uma malformação originada dos dois primeiros arcos branquiais. O tratamento da lesão consiste na excisão vertical da lesão e reparação do defeito resultante. A maioria dos autores recomenda evitar a reparação simples da lesão, preferindo a fechamento com a utilização de zetaplastia múltiplas, com o intuito de evitar fibrose e retração local. Neste artigo relatamos dois casos dessa anomalia e realizamos revisão bibliográfica.

Esvaziamento cervical no tratamento do carcinoma epidermóide de lábio

O carcinoma epidermóide de lábio geralmente é diagnosticado em fase inicial e as metástases linfonodais são pouco freqüentes. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a incidência e a localização das metástases linfonodais no carcinoma epidermóide de lábio. FORMA DE ESTUDO: Estudo retrospectivo, série de casos. CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODO: Revisão de prontuários de 78 pacientes com carcinoma epidermóide de lábio, sem tratamento prévio, atendidos no período de 1990 a 2001. Foi avaliada a relação do tamanho do tumor primário, grau de diferenciação e comprometimento da comissura labial com a presença de metástases linfonodais, bem como a localização das metástases. RESULTADOS: As metástases linfonodais foram observadas em 7% dos tumores até 3 cm e em 41% nos tumores maiores do que 3 cm (p=0,002). Dez pacientes apresentavam metástases, sendo que todos estes tinham metástases no nível I e apenas 2 tinham metástases em outros níveis. Os pacientes submetidos ao esvaziamento eletivo apresentavam metástases apenas no nível I. CONCLUSÃO: As metástases são infreqüentes nos tumores menores do que 3 cm. Quando presentes, as metástases habitualmente acometem o nível I, portanto o esvaziamento suprahioideo pode ser indicado no tratamento eletivo do pescoço.

Esvaziamento cervical no carcinoma epidermóide da tonsila

Avaliar o significado prognóstico dos níveis linfáticos acometidos por metástases nos carcinomas epidermóides da região tonsilar. OBJETIVO: Definir o tipo de esvaziamento cervical eletivo mais apropriado. FORMA DE ESTUDO: Série de casos. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: 51 pacientes com tumor de região tonsilar tratados entre 1992 e 2001. A incidência de metástases foi avaliada nos diferentes níveis linfonodais, bem como sua relação com a extensão do tumor primário para os subsítios anatômicos adjacentes. RESULTADOS: Nos pacientes cN0 foram encontradas metástases apenas nos níveis I e II. Entre os pacientes pN+ com metástases no nível I, 6/7 apresentavam extensão da lesão para a cavidade oral. CONCLUSÃO: O esvaziamento supraomohioideo (níveis I, II e III) mostrou ser o mais adequado para o tratamento eletivo do pescoço nos tumores da região tonsilar que se estendem para a cavidade oral. Nos casos N0 restritos à orofaringe, o esvaziamento apenas dos níveis II e III mostrou-se a melhor indicação terapêutica.

Ultra-sonografia intra-oral e transcutânea cervical no diagnóstico diferencial de celulite e abscessos periamigdalianos

OBJETIVOS: O objetivo deste estudo é determinar a especificidade, sensibilidade e a acurácia da ultra-sonografia (USG) intra-oral e transcutânea no diagnóstico de celulite e abscesso periamigdalianos. FORMA DE ESTUDO: Clínico Prospectivo. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Trinta e nove pacientes foram atendidos no pronto-socorro de otorrinolaringologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo com diagnóstico clínico de celulite ou abscesso periamigdaliano. Em todos os pacientes, após a avaliação inicial, foram realizadas ultra-sonografias intra-oral e transcutânea. RESULTADOS: O USG intra-oral foi realizado em 35 casos e demonstrou sensibilidade de 95,2%, especificidade de 78,5% e a acurácia de 86,9%. A USG transcutânea foi factível em todos os 39 pacientes e diagnosticou abscesso periamigdaliano em 53,8% dos pacientes. A sensibilidade foi de 80%, a especificidade de 92,8% e a acurácia de 84,5%. CONCLUSÕES: O USG intra-oral foi bastante sensível no diagnóstico de abscessos periamigdalianos. O USG transcutâneo obteve especificidade superior ao intra-oral. Porém, quando o USG transcutâneo foi realizado em pacientes com trismo, este diagnosticou todos os abscessos periamigdalianos, já que se tratava de coleções grandes, comuns em pacientes com trismo. Estes exames tiveram acurácia semelhantes.