Search

Simple bone cysts (SBC) are pseudocysts occurring less commonly in the maxillofacial region. The uncertain and unclear etiopathogenesis led to numerous synonyms to refer this particular cyst. These cysts are devoid of an epithelial lining and are usually empty or contain blood or straw-colored fluid. In jaws initially it mimics a periapical cyst and later can lead to cortical bone expansion warranting for radical approach, which is seldom required. SBC is predominantly diagnosed in first two decades of life. Here we report a case of solitary bone cyst mimicking a periapical cyst of a mandibular molar in a 37-year-old patient.

Introduction: Our present observational study attempted to evaluate the clinical profiles, diagnosis, treatment and follow?up results of 51 pediatric neurocysticercosis patients over a mean duration of five years (from January 2006 to December 2010). Materials and Methods: Diagnosis was mainly based on clinical features, computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging scan and exclusion of other causes. Patients with active, transitional cysts and seizure were treated with albendazole for 28 days, steroids and anticonvulsants. Results: A total of 38 patients completed this study. Mean age of the presentation was 8.47 ± 3.19 years 52.6% of the patients were female. Overall patients presented with generalized seizure in 55.3%, focal in 31.6%, headache ± vomiting in 63.2%, focal neurodeficit in 10.5% and combination of symptoms in 60.5% cases. Contrast CT brain showed a solitary lesion in 27 (71.1%) and multiple in the rest. At presentation lesions were transitional in 58.2%, inactive in 20% and mixed in 14.6%. After a mean of 2 years, seizure persisted in 9 (23.7%) and headache in 8 (21.1%) of whom six had normal electroencephalography (EEG) while one each showed focal slowing, generalized slowing and epileptiform discharges. During the follow?up, CT scan brain 44.7% lesions calcified, 31.6% disappeared, 10.5% regressed and the rest persisted. Conclusion: Solitary ring enhancing lesions (transitional stage) involving the parietal lobe was the commonest CT picture at presentation. Generalized tonic-clonic seizure was the most common type of seizure. Number of lesions, persistence of lesion, number of seizures, EEG abnormality at presentation were not found to be prognostically significant (P > 0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diverticulum of the human gall bladder is an important but distinct anatomical entity with significant clinical implications. It is one of the rarest congenital anomalies of the gall bladder being rarely discussed in literature. This article details the morphology of the diverticula found, along with the embryological basis and clinical significance of this important anatomical and clinical entity. Aim: To study the diverticula found, with respect to their morphology, and ascertain whether they were of congenital or acquired variety. Setting and Designs: The present study is a retrospective study carried on hundred cadavers during undergraduate dissection, in the Department of Anatomy, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha, and Department of Anatomy, Subharti Medical College , Meerut during a four year period i.e. 2008-2012 after obtaining necessary permission from institutional ethical committee. Material and Methods: Hundred gall bladder specimens collected from 10% formalin fixed cadavers were studied in detail with regard to their number, position, shapes dimensions and histology. Results: Nine, congenital (true) diverticula were found in one hundred gall bladder specimens. The diverticula were of various shapes and dimensions. They formed pouches on the luminal surface of the gall bladder. Diagnosis of congenital diverticulum was confirmed by histology. Conclusion: In this cadaveric study, solitary diverticulum was found in nine (9%) specimens out of one hundred specimens. Association of diverticulum with non-specific prolonged ailments, acalculus cholecystitis, cholecystitis and cholelithiasis, recurrent cholangitis and carcinoma of gallbladder has been reported in literature. This important anatomical as well as clinical entity poses challenges for radiologists and laparoscopic surgeons during interventional procedures and also should be differentiated from other types of congenital anomalies and pathological states of gall bladder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim of the study: To perform a systematic review and formal meta-analysis of the literature reporting on HPV detection in bronchial squamous cell papillomas (SCP). Material and methods: The literature was searched up to June 2012. The effect size was calculated as event rate (95% CI), with homogeneity testing using Coch-ran's Q and I2 statistics. Meta- regression was used to test the impact of study-level covariates (HPV detection method, geographic origin) on effect size, and potential publication bias was estimated using funnel plot symmetry. Results: Fifteen studies were eligible, covering 89 bronchial SCPs from different geographic regions. Altogether, 38 (42.7%) cases tested HPV- positive; effect size 0.422 (95% CI: 0.311-0.542; fixed effects model), and 0.495 (95% CI: 0.316-0.675; random effects model). In meta-analysis stratified by i) HPV detection technique and ii) geographic study origin, the between-study heterogeneity was not significant for either; p = = 0.348, and p = 0.792, respectively. In maximum likelihood meta-regression, HPV detection method (p = 0.150) and geographic origin of the study (p = 0.164) were not significant study-level covariates. Some evidence for publication bias was found only among in situ hybridization (ISH)- based studies and among studies from Europe, but with a negligible effect on summary effect size estimates. In sensitivity analysis, the meta-analytic results were robust to all one-by-one study removals. Conclusions: In formal meta-regression, the variability in HPV detection rates reported in bronchial SCPs is not explained by the HPV detection method or geographic origin of the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 58-year-old woman presented with a solitary myofibroma that arose in the sigmoid colon. Computed tomography revealed a highly enhanced intramural mass (1.3-cm maximum diameter) in the proximal sigmoid colon. Histologically, the tumor exhibited a biphasic growth pattern, which comprised haphazardly arranged, interwoven fascicles of plump, myoid-appearing spindle cells with elongated nuclei and abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, and more cellular areas of primitive-appearing polygonal cells that were arranged in a hemangiopericytomatous pattern. The tumor cells were positive for smooth muscle actin (SMA), and negative for desmin, h-caldesmon, CD34, cytokeratin, S100 protein, and CD117. The Ki-67 labeling index was not high (up to 7%). Based on these histologic and immunohistochemical features, our patient was diagnosed with a myofibroma of the sigmoid colon. The presence of solitary myofibroma in the intestine of an adult requires attention to avoid misdiagnosis as a more aggressive mesenchymal tumor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Angiokeratoma includes a group of unrelated diseases characterized by hyperkeratosis and dilation of vessels in the superficial dermis. In this study, 21 cases of solitary lesions located on palms and soles and histopathologically diagnosed as angiokeratoma were analyzed retrospectively. All lesions presented as red to violet macules or plaques. Histopathologically, all of them showed hyperkeratosis and vascular dilation in the papillary to deep dermis. The elongated vessels were of different sizes and shape, lined by a single layer of endothelial cells. In 13 lesions, the endothelial cells protruded into the lumen, forming a hobnail appearance. Immunohistochemical study showed the endothelial cells were positive for CD31 and CD34, negative for D2-40, and focally positive for Wilms tumor 1 ( WT-1) in most cases. Our cases represented a rare type of angiokeratoma located on the palms and soles, in which the focal positivity of WT-1 was different from previously reported vascular proliferations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurofibroma is a benign tumor of the peripheral nerve sheath characterized by the proliferation of Schwann's cells, perineural cells, and endoneurial fibroblasts. Here, we present a case of unique variation in the observed characteristics of a neurofibroma, with no relation to neurofibromatosis (NF) type-1 or von Recklinghausen disease of the skin. A swelling was observed in the right maxillary gingiva in relation with 14-16 regions of a 25-year-old female patient. The lesion was smooth, with sessile base, painless, non-ulcerated, and with normal color. An excisional biopsy of the lesion was performed, and histologically the diagnosis was confirmed. The patient remains uneventful after 1 year of clinical follow-up. Oral cavity involvement by a solitary neurofibroma in patients with no other signs of NF is uncommon and the gingival involvement is very rare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A vertical two-dimensional numerical model has been applied to solving the Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations in the simulation of current and wave propagation through vegetated and non-vegetated waters. The k-ɛ model is used for turbulence closure of RANS equations. The effect of vegetation is simulated by adding the drag force of vegetation in the flow momentum equations and turbulence model. To solve the modified N-S equations, the finite difference method is used with the staggered grid system to solver equations. The Youngs' fractional volume of fluid (VOF) is applied tracking the free surface with second-order accuracy. The model has been tested by simulating dam break wave, pure current with vegetation, solitary wave runup on vegetated and non-vegetated channel, regular and random waves over a vegetated field. The model reasonably well reproduces these experimental observations, the modeling approach presented herein should be useful in simulating nearshore processes in coastal domains with vegetation effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sociality can be beneficial for individuals because it may increase access to resources, provide greater protection from predators and create opportunities for mating. In some species, social conditions and experience also influence the physiology and behavioural responses of individuals. Although social facilitation of sexual maturation is poorly understood in insects, the German cockroach has served as an important model system for this phenomenon as group-housed females mature faster than solitary females. However, social modulation of male reproduction has not been investigated in this or any other nonpolyphenic insect species. We investigated the relative effects of social interactions and isolation on endocrine, reproductive and behavioural events during sexual maturation of B. germanica males. Results show that social interactions significantly facilitate juvenile hormone biosynthesis as well as protein production by the accessory reproductive glands, whereas isolation suppresses these processes. Other processes, such as accumulation of cuticular hydrocarbons, maturation of the male's courtship readiness and his readiness to copulate, appear to be relatively independent of social experience. However, both courtship and copulation latencies declined with age more in socially paired males than in isolated males. Our study is the first to reveal that social interactions have a profound effect on certain aspects of male reproductive physiology and behaviour in an insect species that does not exhibit phase or developmental polyphenism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura (SFTP) is a rare tumor of mesenchymal origin which can grow to a large size and present with symptoms of cough and pleuritic chest pain. No specific etiological factors for SFTPs are known and they may grow undetected for several years. These tumors are usually benign and may mimic a variety of malignancies. SFTPs are often detected as peripheral opacities on chest X-ray. Unfortunately, fine needle aspiration rarely provides adequate information for a definitive diagnosis. Imaging with computed tomography provides details about the size and extent of any invasion into adjacent tissues. Surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment, and immunohistochemistry of the resected tumor often provides confirmation of the diagnosis. Some SFTPs have been observed to be malignant, and surgical intervention is often lifesaving. There is no adequate data to support the usage of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in the treatment of SFTPs. This tumor exemplifies malignancies which require surgical resection to preempt worse outcomes. Awareness of their presentation and clinical course may help the clinician provide a prompt referral to the thoracic surgeon for resection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastric plasmacytoma (GP) is a rare variant of gastric lymphomas. In the exceptional event that a patient presents with GP, the lesion occupies the mucosal layer in the vast majority of cases. Here we report a case of nodular plasmacytoma confined to the submucosa with no evidence of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection. The patient was a 59-year old female presenting with no particular symptoms. The tumor was well-demarcated and consisted of a diffuse monomorphic proliferation of plasma cells with numerous lymphoid follicles scattered throughout the tumor. The mucosal surface was intact and not associated with any tumor nodules. The cells were diffusely positive for CD79a, Bob1, EMA and IgA and consistently negative for CD3, CD19, CD20, PAX5, CD56, IgM and IgG. Additionally, in situ hybridization demonstrated clonality in the form of ? light-chain restriction. This submucosal nodular proliferation pattern of plasmacytoma is poorly recognized and considered to be a novel variant of lymphoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstact Background and Aims To compare the tumor control and safety of stereotactic body radiation therapy ( SBRT) combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization ( TACE) for small, solitary, and hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC) with TACE alone. Methods Three hundred and sixty-five HCC patients who had solitary, ≤ 3 cm, and hypervascular nodule were treated with TACE. Among them, 30 patients followed by SBRT ( SBRT group) and 38 patients without additional therapy and previous HCC treatment (control group) were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. Local tumor progression, complication, and disease-free survival were compared between these groups. Results There was no difference in clinical background between these groups. Complete response to therapy was noted in 29 (96.3%) patients of the SBRT group, and in only one (3.3%) patient of the TACE group ( P < 0.001). None of the patients developed acute hematologic toxicity of more than Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events Grade 3 during and after the treatment. Furthermore, none of the SBRT group developed radiation-induced liver damage. Disease-free survival of the 12 patients without previous HCC treatments in SBRT group was significantly superior to that in control group (15.7 months vs 4.2 months; P = 0.029). Conclusion The results indicated that SBRT combined with TACE is a safe and effective modality for locoregional treatment of small solitary primary HCC, and could be potentially a suitable option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we study the nonlinear wave solutions of the generalized &#1D44F;-equation involving two parameters &#1D44F; and k. Let c be constant wave speed, c5 = ½ (1 + &#1D44F; - √(1 + &#1D44F;)(1 + &#1D44F; - 8k)), c6 = ½ (1 + &#1D44F; + √(1 + &#1D44F;)(1 + &#1D44F; - 8k) 1. If - ∞ < k < 1+&#1D44F;/8 and c ∈ (c5, c6), then there are three types of explicit nonlinear wave solutions, hyperbolic smooth solitary wave solution, hyperbolic peakon wave solution and hyperbolic blow-up solution. 2. If - ∞ < k < 1+&#1D44F;/8 and c = c5 or c6, then there are two types of explicit nonlinear wave solutions, fractional peakon wave solution and fractional blow-up solution. 3. If k = 1+&#1D44F;/8 and c = &#1D44F;+1/2, then there are two types of explicit nonlinear wave solutions, fractional peakon wave solution and fractional blow-up solution. Not only is the existence of these solutions shown, but their concrete expressions are presented. We also reveal the relationships among these solutions. Besides, the correctness of these solutions is tested by using the software Mathematica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The systematic evaluation of changes in animal management practices is critical to ensuring the best possible welfare. Here, we examined the behavioral impacts of intermittently housing our six adult female tigers, who have been housed socially for much of their lives, individually overnight to allow for specialized care required by their advancing age. We looked for behavioral changes indicative of both positive and negative changes in welfare by monitoring time spent asleep, sleeping position, body position while awake, as well as pacing, door pounding, self-grooming, roaring, and chuffing while housed socially as compared to individually overnight. Housing condition did not affect time spent asleep, sleeping positions assumed or the more preferred body positions while awake. Further, pacing, door-pounding, and roaring were infrequent and not altered by housing condition. Self-grooming did increase when housed individually but no evidence of over-grooming was present and chuffing, a close proximity social vocalization, was more likely to occur when socially housed. Taken together, these findings support the notion that transitioning to individual housing as needed is a viable option for managing cats accustomed to being maintained in a social group. Zoo Biol. 32:189-194, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the incidence of central cartilage tumours (CCTs) in the femur and the impact of site (proximal, mid and distal thirds) on tumour grade. To compare study results with historically published data., Materials and Methods: Retrospective review of solitary CCTs arising in the femur over the past 13 years. Data collected included location (proximal, mid and distal thirds) and final diagnosis in terms of tumour grade based on imaging features ± histology. Case material collected from three bone tumour textbooks provided historical data., Results: 430 solitary CCTs were included in the femur. 73% cases arose in the distal, 3.7% in the mid and 23% in the proximal femur. The ratio of "benign" (combining enchondroma and atypical cartilaginous tumour (ACT)) to higher grade chondrosarcoma (CS) was 11:1 in the distal, 1:1 in the mid and 1:1.5 in the proximal femur, the distribution of benign to malignant tumours being significantly different between the regions (F test, p < 0.05). Comparison with historical data showed a reversal of the benign (enchondroma) to malignant (ACT and higher grade CS) of 30%:70%-84%:16% in the current series., Conclusions: The site of origin of a CCT in the femur has an impact on final diagnosis with CS uncommon in the distal as compared with the mid and proximal femur. This is in contradistinction to historical data where the incidence of CS exceeded that of enchondroma at all sites., Competing Interests: No conflicts of interest., (© 2022 Delhi Orthopedic Association. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the survival benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with colon cancer with the solitary tumor deposit (TD)., Methods: The primary study outcomes used in this study were colon cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS). The differences of the distribution of categorical variables in patients with colon cancer with the solitary TD according to adjuvant chemotherapy administration were tested using the Pearson's chi-square test. The Kaplan-Meier method was utilized to evaluate CSS and OS. Hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated on the basis of Cox regression models to assess the prognostic value of different demographic and clinicopathological characteristics., Results: A total of 877 patients with TanyN1cM0 colon cancer with solitary TD were identified in our analysis. It was found that OS (75.4% vs. 42.8% for 5-year OS rate, p < 0.001) and CSS (82.9% vs. 69.3% for 5-year CSS rate, p < 0.001) of patients with colon cancer with adjuvant chemotherapy administration were significantly better than those without adjuvant chemotherapy administration. Multivariate Cox survival analyses revealed that the overall and colon cancer-specific mortality risks of patients with adjuvant chemotherapy administration were decreased by 64.4% (HR = 0.356, 95% CI = 0.265-0.479, p < 0.001) and 57.4% (HR = 0.426, 95% CI = 0.286-0.634, p < 0.001) compared with those without adjuvant chemotherapy administration, respectively., Conclusions: Adjuvant chemotherapy administration could significantly improve OS and CSS in patients with colon cancer with the solitary TD. This is the first study to investigate and demonstrate the survival benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with colon cancer with the solitary TD., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Lin, Zhou, Shi, Lin and Yan.)

Introduction: Tumours in a solitary kidney pose challenges in management. Metastatic tumours and those in difficult locations complicate treatment further. The advent of immunotherapy has shed new light on the management of such tumours. We present a series of three cases treated with nephron-sparing surgery following neoadjuvant immunotherapy and compare the outcomes with patients who underwent robotic partial nephrectomy in a solitary kidney., Methods: We present the outcomes of three patients with solitary kidney tumours who underwent delayed nephron-sparing surgery following good response to immunotherapy. All patients had solitary kidney following a previous nephrectomy, two of which were nonmetastatic but, due to size/location, not amenable to primary treatment; the third patient had metastatic disease and responded to immunotherapy. Two patients underwent robotic partial nephrectomy and one opted for cryotherapy. We compared the preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative parameters of the two patients who underwent robotic cytoreductive partial with patients who underwent robotic partial nephrectomy in a solitary kidney., Results: Out of 231 partial nephrectomy patients in our centre, 2 underwent cytoreductive partial nephrectomy and 5 underwent solitary partial nephrectomy. There was no statistically significant difference in the patient demographics in the two groups. Patients in both groups had comparable operative time, warm ischaemia time, blood loss and length of stay. Two of the five patients in the non-cytoreductive robotic partial nephrectomy had Clavien Dindo 1 complications compared with one patient in the robotic cytoreductive partial nephrectomy group. This was not statically significant., Conclusion: Neoadjuvant immunotherapy can play a valuable role in shrinking renal tumours in solitary kidneys to facilitate robotic partial nephrectomies. There were no significant differences in the intra- and postoperative parameters in patients who underwent cytoreductive partial nephrectomy when compared with patients undergoing robotic solitary partial nephrectomy.

Purpose: Solitary eyelid juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) is extremely rare, and there is limited literature on its clinical features and treatment outcomes. Here, we present a case series and comprehensive review of the literature on patients with isolated eyelid JXG., Methods: We systematically extracted data from our institution's records of isolated eyelid JXG cases and conducted a search for additional cases from the literature utilising the PubMed, Wanfang, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases. Patients with JXG were analysed with respect to age, sex, clinical presentation, therapy, and outcome. Group comparisons were performed., Results: Thirty-two patients (including 13 at our institution and 19 from prior publications) were identified. The median age at first presentation was higher in current patients than in the patients from the published cases (median 9 years, range 1.2 to 47.0 years; median 2 years, range 0.5 months to 46.0 years, respectively, P = 0.014). Of the patients who had known characteristics, no significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of sex, affected eye, eyelid site, type of cutaneous involvement, or duration of symptoms (each P > 0.05). Seventeen (54.8%) patients were male. The most common lesion location was the upper eyelid (n = 10, 62.5%). Twenty-four (75.0%) cutaneous lesions had full-thickness skin involvement; 8 (25.0%) subcutaneous masses had a chalazion-like appearance. Histologically, the JXG masses were characterised by Touton giant cells with inflammatory cells. Additionally, there was no significant difference in treatment modalities between the two groups (P = 0.072), and 24 (75.0%) patients underwent surgical excision. The overall recurrence-free survival was 3.6 to 52.8 (median 27.0) months in the current patients. For published cases with available follow-up information, there was no recurrence in 10 cases and improvement in 1 case, with a median follow-up of 9.5 months., Conclusion: Solitary eyelid JXG is a rare clinical entity and should be included in the differential diagnosis of eyelid mass lesions in patients of all age groups. Surgical excision is often selected for efficient treatment and to obtain an excisional biopsy., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Purpose: The objective of the study was to understand dynamic risk (conditional analysis based on patient age) for new tumor development in patients with solitary unilateral retinoblastoma., Methods: This was a retrospective analysis., Results: Of 482 patients with solitary unilateral retinoblastoma, 55 new tumors developed in 20 patients (4%). Comparison (new tumor vs. no new tumor development) revealed those with new tumor demonstrated younger mean age at presentation (10 vs. 36 months, P < 0.001), greater likelihood of family history of retinoblastoma (35% vs. 3%, P < 0.001), and greater probability of primary tumor location in the macula (50% vs. 15%, P = 0.003). Conditional risk for new tumors (at age 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months) declined for those who presented at 0-3 months old (25%, 15%, 15%, 8%, and 0%), >3-6 months old (17%, 14%, 6%, 6%, and 0%), >6-9 months old (not applicable [na], 6%, 6%, 0%, and 0%), and >9-12 months (na, na, 3%, 3%, and 0%). Younger patients showed greater development of bilateral tumors ( P < 0.001). Of patients with new tumors, those that occurred within 1 year from presentation were located in the preequatorial region in 46%, whereas those that occurred more than 1 year from presentation were preequatorial in 78%. Patients ≤24 months at initial presentation demonstrated all new tumors by 24 months of age. Older patients (>24 months at presentation) showed new tumors up to 56 months of age., Conclusion: Children (≤24 months) with solitary unilateral retinoblastoma showed decreasing risk for new tumors up to 24 months of life. Later onset of new tumor was more likely located in preequatorial region., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2022 Saudi Journal of Ophthalmology.)

On the social scale, the blind mole rat (BMR; Spalax ehrenbergi ) is an extreme. It is exceedingly solitary, territorial, and aggressive. BMRs reside underground, in self-excavated tunnels that they rarely leave. They possess specialized sensory systems for social communication and navigation, which allow them to cope with the harsh environmental conditions underground. This review aims to present the blind mole rat as an ideal, novel neuroethological model for studying aggressive and solitary behaviors. We discuss the BMR's unique behavioral phenotype, particularly in the context of 'anti-social' behaviors, and review the available literature regarding its specialized sensory adaptations to the social and physical habitat. To date, the neurobiology of the blind mole rat remains mostly unknown and holds a promising avenue for scientific discovery. Unraveling the neural basis of the BMR's behavior, in comparison to that of social rodents, can shed important light on the underlying mechanisms of psychiatric disorders in humans, in which similar behaviors are displayed., Competing Interests: YK, GS, NZ, YY, TK No competing interests declared, (© 2022, Kashash et al.)

Little is known about the extent to which solitary individuals differ in their social behaviour from group-living ones within the same species. Using the socially flexible African striped mouse, we tested through a series of dyadic encounters in a neutral arena whether group-living mice that later became solitary differed from their philopatric conspecifics. We compared philopatric and solitary mice both before and after dispersal. We predicted striped mice that became solitary would be more aggressive, less amicable and more investigative than individuals that remained group living, and would change their social behaviour after changing from group to solitary living in the same direction (becoming more aggressive, etc.). Dyadic encounters were conducted on 42 group-living individuals and 13 individuals that were first group living and later became solitary. Striped mice that became solitary showed higher levels of aggression and social investigation than their conspecifics that remained group living, differences that were already present before individuals dispersed. Dispersing striped mice showed a negative correlation between amicability and aggression towards opposite-sex individuals, which could be linked to sexual motivation. A second behavioural syndrome in the form of a positive correlation between aggression and social investigation towards same-sex individuals might have indicated that dispersing striped mice were ready to defend their own territory. Our study provides evidence that within the same population and at the same time, individuals that disperse and become solitary differ behaviourally from their group-living conspecifics even before dispersal, and further change their behaviour after dispersal in an evolutionarily adaptive way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coral species Leptoseris troglodyta sp. n. (Scleractinia, Agariciidae) is described as new to science. It is the first known azooxanthellate shallow-water agariciid and is recorded from the ceilings of caves at 5-35 m depth in West Pacific coral reefs. The corals have monocentric cup-shaped calices. They may become colonial through extramural budding from the basal coenosteum, which may cause adjacent calices to fuse. The size, shape and habitat of L. troglodyta are unique compared to other Leptoseris species, many of which have been recorded from mesophotic depths. The absence of zooxanthellae indicates that it may survive well in darkness, but endolithic algae in some corals indicate that they may be able to get some light. The presence of menianes on the septal sides, which may help to absorb light at greater depths in zooxanthellate corals, have no obvious adaptive relevance in the new species and could have been inherited from ancestral species that perhaps were zooxanthellate. The new species may be azooxanthellate as derived through the loss of zooxanthellae, which would be a reversal in Leptoseris phylogeny. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Benign localized fibrous tumors (BLFT) of the pleura are very rare slowgrowing neoplasms that generally have a favorable prognosis. The aim of this manuscript is to evaluate the predictors of outcome with the review of the literature in a series of 25 patients with BLFT. Methods Between January 1985 and November 2009, 25 patients underwent an operation due to BLFT. Of these patients, 14 (56%) weremale;mean age was 41.1 (25 to 64) years. All patients underwent thoracotomy. Left thoracotomy approach was used in 16 patients. The mass lesions were totally excised. The histopathological examinations were performed with hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemical staining methods. Results Of the patients, 18 (72%) were symptomatic. Symptoms were cough in 36%, shortness of breath in 32%, and chest pain in 20% of the patients. One patient (4%) appeared to have some symptoms (pain and swelling of the joints) associated with pulmonary osteoarthropathy. Seven patients (28%) underwent an operation due to mass lesion detected at routine control visits. None of the patients had a history of exposure to asbestos. Radiological investigations revealed 16 (64%) mass lesions in the left. Of the lesions found on exploration, 5 (20%) were intrapulmonary localized lesion without pedicle and 20 were pedicled. Of the pedicled masses, 5 were connected to parietal pleura and 15 to visceral pleura and all were intrathoracic extrapulmonary localized lesions. Eight (32%) lesions connected to left lower lobe. Additionally, three pedicled lesions were located in the lung fissure. Pedicled lesions were totally excised together with their pedicles. Intraparenchymal mass lesions were resected using wedge resection. The diameter of the resected masses was ranging between 3 and 22 cm (mean: 8.7). Macroscopically, all were encapsulated with a homogeneous cut surface. Intraoperative mortality and morbidity was not observed. The average hospitalization duration for all patients was 8.6 days (5 to 12). The mean follow-up was 33.6 (9 to 142) months with no recurrence. Conclusions Benign localized fibrous tumors are uncommon and treated by surgical means. According to our data obtained from literature review, clinicians should be aware of recurrence possibility even after complete resection of benign localized fibrous tumor and the risk of malign transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phoretic insects utilize other animals to disperse to new environments. We recently discovered how egg parasitoids use an exciting phoretic strategy to reach egg-laying sites of their butterfly hosts. In the laboratory, female Trichogramma wasps detect and mount mated female cabbage white butterflies that emit an anti-aphrodisiac pheromone. Hardly any information exists about the natural occurrence of phoresy in wasps of this genus. Therefore, we monitored the presence of phoretic Trichogramma wasps on lepidopteran hosts in the field. Only female wasps were found at low prevalence on six lepidopteran species. Wasps were mostly found on female hosts and mainly on abundant solitary host species. This is the first report of phoretic Trichogramma wasps on butterflies in nature. We suggest that phoresy is only one of several strategies used by these polyphagous egg parasitoids. The evolution of phoresy is discussed in relation to the nutritional ecology of egg parasitoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Traditional teaching demonstrated that solitary thyroid nodules were more likely to be malignant. Newer studies show that there is no clear answer regarding the influence of the number or the distribution of nodules on the risk of malignancy. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to establish whether patients undergoing thyroid surgery and presenting with a solitary thyroid nodule show a greater rate of malignancy when compared to those presenting with multiple nodules. The secondary goal was to evaluate the impact of the distribution of the nodules (multiple unilateral nodules versus bilateral nodules) on the rate of malignancy in this population. Method: Retrospective review of the medical records of the 656 patients who underwent thyroidectomy at one of the hospitals of the McGill University Thyroid Cancer Centre between July 2006 and April 2011 was conducted. Results: There was no significant difference in the malignancy rate between patients with a solitary nodule and patients with two to six thyroid nodules at ultrasonography, between patients with unilateral nodule(s) and patients with bilateral nodules, or between patients with at least one nodule > 1.0 cm and patients without any nodules > 1.0 cm (p = .870, .578, and .361, respectively). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the likelihood of thyroid cancer is independent of the number of thyroid nodules. Moreover, our data show that the malignancy rate is not influenced by the distribution of the nodules or their size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Host age-dependent fitness of Diaeretiella rapae was studied on cabbage aphid Brevicoryne brassicae. When given a choice of nymphs of four different ages (1, 3, 5 and 7days), females showed a strong preference for oviposition in older nymphs, which were also the largest in the body size, and left the majority of younger nymphs unparasitised. More than 70% of offspring emerged from 5-day and 7-day old parasitised nymphs. Parasitoids develop faster in older hosts than in younger hosts. Development time of males was shorter than females in older hosts, but the development time of males and females was similar in younger hosts. The body size of adult D. rapae was positively correlated with the age of the hosts in which they developed. The sex ratio of offspring was found to be female-biased. A higher proportion of females emerged from older hosts. D. rapae females emerged from older hosts lived significantly longer. The potential fecundity of the females emerged from older (larger in body size) hosts was significantly greater than of those emerged from younger hosts with smaller bodies. Results suggest that D. rapae preferred older hosts to maximise the reproductive fitness gain. The oviposition strategy of D. rapae is discussed in the context of efficiency of this parasitoid in biological control programmes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Raccoons (Procyon lotor), like most carnivores, are nocturnal and secretive and consequently difficult to observe. We used proximity-detecting collars to determine effects of sex, age, and season on contact rate and duration; document patterns of seasonal contact rates by dyad type and determine whether patterns were random; identify dyads that exhibited contact rates significantly greater than expected and document the persistence of these positive associations across seasons; and document frequency of den sharing as an additional measure of positive associations at an urban study site with a high-density raccoon population. Contact rate and duration were affected by dyad type, season, and their interaction. Male--male (MM) dyads exhibited higher contact values than male--female (MF) or female--female (FF) dyads, and contact parameters were greater during winter and spring than summer and autumn. Contact parameters for MM and FF dyads were not affected by age of dyad members, whereas those of MF dyads were affected by age and its interaction with season. MF dyads with older individuals exhibited greater contact parameters, and this effect was greatest during winter. For all dyad types and seasons, except FF dyads during winter, observed distributions of contact rates differed from expected. Males formed groups, with most positively associated dyads persisting across seasons, and females were associated almost exclusively with members of only 1 male group. Some positively associated MF dyads occurred during autumn and continued through spring. Positively associated FF dyads occurred at a lower rate and were ephemeral, seldom lasting more than 1 season. FF and MF dyads exhibited a greater proportion of low-frequency contacts with conspecifics than expected during all seasons, except winter, which may function to maintain amicable relationships between neighbors or reinforce dominance hierarchies and create a framework for more complex social behaviors. Raccoons appear to live in a fission--fusion society, with many short-term acquaintances and a few long-term associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caves are among the most fascinating environments on Earth. Specialised cave biota provides evidence of evolutionary adaptations for living under severe conditions. However, little attention has been paid to the behaviour of cave spiders. In this study, we compared life history, including maternal care, cooperative prey-capture, tolerance among siblings, and reproductive behaviour, of fi ve cave spitting spiders (Scytodidae). Scytodes magna and Guangxi Scyloxes sp. 1 occur exclusively in the aphotic zone, whereas Scytodes fusca, S. cavernarum and the Philippines Scytodes sp. 2 are usually found relatively close to cave entrances, known as the light zone. Like in other typical spitting spiders, females of S. fusca, S. cavernarum and the Philippines Scytodes sp. 2 carry their egg-sacs with their chelicerae. However, here we document for the fi rst time that S. magna and Guangxi Scyloxes sp. 1 females do not carry their egg-sacs in their chelicerae. We found that, instead, they hang their egg-sacs on their webs, which is for the fi rst time documented in scytodids. Although S. fusca is a widespread species that inhabits a wide range of habitats, we document for the fi rst time that this species also lives in caves. The fi ve species we studied can each be characterised as being non-social, but we found a few traits that deviate from the typical solitary characteristics. These include late natal dispersal in Guangxi Scyloxes sp. 1 spiderlings and low fecundity in S. cavernarum. We discuss possible explanations for the solitary habits adopted by the species we studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteochondroma of the carpal is rare. We found only 1 case of osteochondroma of the trapezium in the literature. We present a case of a 52-year-old woman with an osteochondroma of the left trapezium and trapeziometacarpal arthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study that examined the social learning abilities of the non-social red-footed tortoise, Geochelone carbonaria, which inhabits the tropical forests in Central America and South America. The material and methods used in the study are discussed, including the subjects, apparatus and successive approximation procedure. The study showed that the solitary tortoise can learn to solve a task by observing the actions of a conspecific demonstrator. Furthemore, all observer tortoises successfully achieved a goal.

Leopards (Panthera pardus) are a poorly understood, solitary felid, and additional study could provide novel insights into both evolution and conservation management. We studied the reproductive biology of 7 adult female and 2 adult male leopards on Karongwe, South Africa, from 1999 to 2005. We intensively researched copulatory biology from 2001 to 2003, during which we observed 19 consortships and 4,855 copulations (1,809 copulations visually) during 2,449 h of following consort pairs. Leopards copulated on average 4 times per hour, with an average of 256 copulations per consortship. Conception rate was low, resulting, on average, after 2.3 consortships (SE = 0.4 consortships). All reproductive parameters except gestation length were shorter than those in published literature, which we suspect reflected a facultative response to superabundant resources. Although females produced the expected 1.6 cubs per year, lifetime reproductive rates on Karongwe Reserve were approximately half that reported elsewhere due to lower female survival resulting from intraspecific factors. These results offer encouragement for founding new populations of endangered felids in areas of high prey availability and resource abundance, provided factors affecting population regulation can be managed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Immunoreactive (ir) staining of the neuropeptides oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (AVP) was performed in the brains of Brandt''s voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii) and greater long-tailed hamsters (Tscherskia triton)—two species that differ remarkably in social behaviors. Social Brandt''s voles had higher densities of OT-ir cells in the medial preoptic area (MPOA) and medial amygdala (MeA) as well as higher densities of AVP-ir cells in the lateral hypothalamus (LH) compared to solitary greater long-tailed hamsters. In contrast, the hamsters had higher densities of OT-ir cells in the anterior hypothalamus (AH) and LH and higher densities of AVP-ir cells in the MPOA than the voles. OT-ir and AVP-ir fibers were also found in many forebrain areas with subtle species differences. Given the roles of OT and AVP in the regulation of social behaviors in other rodent species, our data support the hypothesis that species-specific patterns of central OT and AVP pathways may underlie species differences in social behaviors. However, despite a higher density of OT-ir cells in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) in females than in males in both species, no other sex differences were found in OT-ir or AVP-ir staining. These data failed to support our prediction that a sexually dimorphic pattern of neuropeptide staining in the brain is more apparent in Brandt''s voles than in greater long-tailed hamsters. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Neurofibromas are common peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Symptoms vary according to the site, including skin discoloration, disfiguration or neurologic deterioration. Neurofibromas cannot be seen on plain X-ray film unless they involve the bone and cause intraosseous lytic lesions. Ultrasonography plays an important role in the examination of soft tissue mass because it is inexpensive and has the advantage of being real-time for initial screening. In this study, we present a patient with a palpable mass over her right popliteal fossa. The texture of the mass was solid, without pulsation or fluctuation during palpation examination. There was no bruit on auscultation. Ultrasonography showed a well-defined, oval, solid and hypoechoic mass containing anechoic areas. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed the location of the tumor enveloped by the tibial nerve. An electrodiagnostic study supported the impression of entrapped neuropathy at the right popliteal area. After surgical excision of the mass, pathological findings confirmed the diagnosis of neurofibroma. This case report is clinically significant due to the rare site of the neurofibroma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Metastatic involvement of inguinal lymph nodes (ILN) from rectal adenocarcinoma is unusual, particularly without signs of distant spread to other organ sites. By current convention, ILN involvement, including solitary involvement, is classified as metastatic disease (M). However, anecdotal reports suggest that such patients are a distinct entity and should be managed differently. The aim of this study was to gain further insight regarding this seemingly distinct patient subset. Method This case series provides a descriptive report of patients with rectal adenocarcinoma and solitary inguinal lymph node metastasis (SILNM). Results Upon retrospective review of medical records from 4480 patients with rectal adenocarcinoma seen at Mayo Clinic Rochester from 1995 to 2004, six patients (0.13%) with SILNM were identified. Three had metachronous and three had synchronous SILNM (four left sided, one right sided, and one bilateral). The mean age at SILNM diagnosis was 61.3 years, and three patients had originally stage II (and three had stage III disease). Five patients received concurrent chemo-radiation therapy and one declined treatment. Among those with metachronous SILNM, the mean survival after diagnosis of rectal cancer was 42 months. By comparison, all three patients with synchronous SILNM were still alive after a mean duration of 40 months of follow up. Conclusion Solitary involvement of ILNs might represent a distinct subset of patients with metastatic rectal adenocarcinoma who have a more favourable prognosis. If confirmed by larger studies, our data suggest that alternate management algorithms might be reasonable for such patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe the clinicopathologic characteristics of 55 oral palisaded encapsulated (solitary circumscribed) neuromas (PEN/SCN). Fifty-five cases of PEN/SCN in 54 patients were reviewed. Lesions were categorized according to their histologic pattern, partial or complete encapsulation, presence of Verocay bodies and presence of a parent peripheral nerve. In 13 selected cases immunohistochemical evaluation for neuronal markers (S-100, GFAP, NFP, EMA) was performed. When immunoreaction with EMA was weak, claudin-1 and glut-1 stains were utilized. Thirty-eight patients were men and 16 were women. Mean patient age was 48 years (SD: ±14). The vast majority involved the masticatory (palate and gingiva) mucosa (76.4%) followed by the labial mucosa, the tongue and buccal mucosa. Recurrence was recorded in only one case. Histologically, 34 lesions had a lobular pattern, 10 were plexiform, 7 fungating and 4 multilobular. Stroma was limited, but focal myxoid changes were seen at the periphery of the lobules. Only one predominantly myxoid lesion was encountered. The number of intralesional axons varied, but the ratio of Schwann cells to axons was generally less than 1:2. Most lesions (89%) were only partially surrounded by perineurium. Tumor cells were S-100 positive and GFAP negative. The parent nerve was identified in 50% of the cases. Overlying epithelium was generally atrophic. Peritumoral connective tissue was generally unremarkable, but chronic inflammation was present in five cases. PEN/SCN is a relatively common peripheral nerve sheath tumor. Generally, its diagnosis is simple. GFAP may be of help to distinguish PEN/SCN from other peripheral nerve sheath tumors (schwannoma, neurofibroma, traumatic neuroma) in cases where histomorphologic features may be confusing. Finally, pathologists should be aware of the occurrence of plexiform and multilobular PEN/SCN variants, to avoid misinterpretation as plexiform neurofibroma or schwannoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The skeleton is the most common site of distant metastasis from nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The commonly affected sites are the spine, and the pelvis and lesions are multifocal. However, solitary bone involvement with no evidence of loco-regional failure nor any other metastasis, 7 years after achieving a complete response to initial definitive chemoradiotherapy, is rare. We report the case of a 41-year-old man who developed a solitary femoral bone recurrence. He received local radiotherapy to the femur followed by cisplatin-based chemotherapy. He presently enjoys good functional status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A 40-year-old woman presented with a rapidly enlarging palpable thyroid mass. The patient underwent a total thyrodectomy. The tumor fulfilled the criteria of primary solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma (SEP), including cellular expression of the CD138 and lambda light chain antibodies. Solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma of the thyroid occurs most commonly in patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis and must be distinguished from involvement of thyroid in multiple myeloma, inflammatory pseudotumor plasma cell variant, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, and medullary carcinoma. The distinction is determined on the basis of histologic findings, immunohistochemical analysis, and other laboratory tests. Currently, no standard treatment exists for this entity. In this report, we discuss the differential diagnosis of SEP of the thyroid and the clinical features observed in this case. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Skeletal muscle formation, growth and repair depend on myoblast fusion events. Therefore, in-depth understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms controlling these events that ultimately lead to skeletal muscle formation may be fundamental for developing new therapies for tissue repair. To this end, the greatest advances in furthering understanding myoblast fusion has been made in Drosophila. Recent studies have shown that transient F-actin structures, so-called actin plugs or foci, are known to form at the site of contacting myoblasts. Indeed, actin regulators of the WASP family that control the activation of the Arp2/3 complex and thereby branched F-actin formation have been demonstrated to be crucial for myoblast fusion. Myoblast-specific cell adhesion molecules seem to be involved in the recruitment of WASP family members to the site of myoblast fusion and form a Fusion-Restricted Myogenic-Adhesive Structure (FuRMAS). Currently, the exact role of the FuRMAS is not completely understood. However, recent studies indicate that WASP-dependent F-actin regulation is required for fusion pore formation as well as for the correct integration of fusing myoblasts into the growing muscle. In this review, I discuss latest cellular studies, and recent genetic and biochemical analyses on actin regulation during myoblast fusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Infantile myofibromatosis is a rare tumor of childhood, which involves the head and neck region in 30% of cases. There are 3 different types: solitary, multicentric, and multicentric with visceral involvement. Herein we describe the case of a male infant with a solitary lesion in the parapharyngeal space and to our knowledge this is the first infantile myofibromatosis case in this location. Additionally, radiological and histopathological characteristics of infantile myofibromatosis are discussed in the light of the literature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background Head and neck solitary extramedullary plasmacytomas are rare plasma cell neoplasms. Literature review reveals only small numbers of reports. The objective was to review our experience with treating patients with this neoplasm. Methods A retrospective chart review between 1960 and 2000 was performed. Sixty-eight patients with head and neck extramedullary plasmacytomas were included. Results The sinonasal tract was the most common site. Thirty-nine patients were treated with radiation, 8 with surgery, 14 with surgery and radiation, and 3 with chemoradiation. Median follow-up was 8 years. The 5-year local recurrence–free rate (LRFR) was 81%. There was a trend toward improved LRFR in patients treated primarily with radiation. Regional recurrence at 5 years was 5%. Multiple myeloma developed in 23% of patients. The 5-year survival was 76%. Conclusions Radiation is the treatment of choice with surgery reserved for large tumors and extensive bone destruction. Long-term follow-up is essential because local recurrence and disseminated disease can occur many years postdiagnosis. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Taste neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NST) not only send axons to the parabrachial nuclei (PbN), but also receive descending projections from gustatory nuclei in the forebrain in rodents. The parvicellular portion of the ventroposteromedial nucleus of the thalamus (VPMpc) receives projections from the bilateral PbN and transmits taste information to the gustatory cortex. Here, we examined the influence of bilateral stimulation of the VPMpc on taste-responsive neurons in the NST. Extracellular single unit activity was recorded from the urethane-anesthetized hamster. Taste responses were confirmed by delivery of four basic tastants to the anterior tongue. After identifying a taste neuron in the NST, the VPMpc was stimulated bilaterally. Thirty seven out of 83 neurons were orthodromically activated following VPMpc stimulation: 30 were excited and seven were inhibited. Among these cells, seven were excited and one was inhibited bilaterally. In addition, four NST neurons were antidromically invaded from the ipsilateral VPMpc. The effect of VPMpc activation on taste-driven responses was tested on 8 of 30 cells that were excited, and all seven cells that were inhibited by the VPMpc stimulation. The VPMpc stimulation enhanced responses to the effective taste stimuli or suppressed the taste-evoked activities in all eight and seven cells tested, respectively, parallel to the type of the inputs which they received from the VPMpc. These results suggest that a subset of taste neurons in the NST is under the influence from the bilateral VPMpc and that the VPMpc activation modulates taste responses of these cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Neurofibroma is a non-circumscribed, thick and irregular benign tumor of the peripheral nerve sheath. On the skin, the diffuse and soft nature of neurofibroma often resembles "a bag of worms". It can develop at any point along a nerve and often form by late adolescence. Although neurofibromas occur predominantly as a feature of neurofibromatosis affecting the soft tissue, a few cases of solitary intraoral neurofibromas have also been reported. Solitary intraosseous neurofibroma in the oral cavity is a rare benign tumor with very few cases reported in literature. This case report presents a case of intraosseous solitary neurofibroma of maxilla in a 5-month-old male child due to the rarity of this tumor at this site in very early age, along with a discussion of its clinical, radiological, and histopathological presentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We use traveling-wave theory to derive expressions for the rate of accumulation of deleterious mutations under Muller''s ratchet and the speed of adaptation under positive selection in asexual populations. Traveling-wave theory is a semi-deterministic description of an evolving population, where the bulk of the population is modeled using deterministic equations, but the class of the highest-fitness genotypes, whose evolution over time determines loss or gain of fitness in the population, is given proper stochastic treatment. We derive improved methods to model the highest-fitness class (the stochastic edge) for both Muller''s ratchet and adaptive evolution, and calculate analytic correction terms that compensate for inaccuracies which arise when treating discrete fitness classes as a continuum. We show that traveling-wave theory makes excellent predictions for the rate of mutation accumulation in the case of Muller''s ratchet, and makes good predictions for the speed of adaptation in a very broad parameter range. We predict the adaptation rate to grow logarithmically in the population size until the population size is extremely large. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]