Although the mechanical behavior of single-motor protein molecules such as kinesin has been carefully studied in buffer, the mechanical behavior of motor-driven vesicles in cells is much less understood. We have tracked single vesicles in neurites of PC12 cells with a spatial precision of +/-30 nm and a time resolution of 120 ms. Because the neurites are thin, long, straight, and attached to the surface of planar cover glasses, the velocity of individual vesicles could be measured for times as long as 15 s and distances as long as 15 mum. The velocity of anterograde vesicles was in most cases constant for periods of 1-2 s, then changed in a step-like fashion to a new constant velocity. The viscoelastic modulus felt by the vesicles within live PC12 cells was determined from the Brownian motion, using Mason's generalization of the Stokes-Einstein equation. From Stokes' law, the drag force at the smallest sustained velocity was 4.2+/-0.6 pN for vesicles of radius 0.30-0.40 mum, about half the maximum force which conventional kinesin can develop during bead assays in buffer. We interpret the observed velocity steps as changes of +/-1 or occasionally +/-2 in the number of active motor proteins dragging that vesicle along a microtubule. Assuming that the motor is conventional kinesin, which hydrolyzes one ATP per 8 nm step along the microtubule, the motor protein efficiency in PC12 neurites is approximately 35%.

Diagnosis and treatment of pediatric CNS tumors necessitate a multi-disciplinary approach and require expertise and diligence of all parties involved. Imaging is an essential component has evolved greatly over the past decade. We are becoming better at making a preoperative diagnosis of that tumor type, detecting recurrence, and guiding surgical management to avoid injury to vital brain structures.

OBJECTIVE. Our objective is to review the imaging characteristics and applications of conventional and advanced neuroimaging techniques of supratentorial intracranial masses in the pediatric population. Specifically, we review astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, primary neuroectodermal tumors, dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors, gangliogliomas, arachnoid cysts, and choroid plexus and pineal region masses. CONCLUSION. Advanced imaging methods, such as MR spectroscopy, perfusion MRI, functional MRI, diffusion-tensor imaging, and tractography, help develop a more accurate differential diagnosis and aid in planning tumor treatment.

Breast fibromatosis is a rare entity responsible for 0.2% of all solid breast tumors. It has been associated with scars, pregnancy, implants, and familial adenomatous polyposis. We present an interesting case of breast fibromatosis in a 29 year old woman which encroached upon her saline implant and subsequently filled its cavity once the implant was removed. The patient was put on tamoxifen therapy and at 14 month follow-up there was a significant decrease in the size of the mass. Dynamic MRI images are offered for review and current treatment options are discussed.

Phyllodes tumor of the breast is rare and often resembles the more commonly seen fibroadenoma at imaging and histologically. As core biopsy cannot always distinguish the two, assessing radiologic-pathologic concordance is essential to guide appropriate clinical management. We review the imaging characteristics of phyllodes tumor at mammography, ultrasound, and MRI to help the interpreting radiologist be aware of key imaging features that should alert him to the possibility of a phyllodes tumor even if not verified by initial core biopsy.

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