Tumor-specific alterations at the RB1 gene locus in 30 human vestibular schwannomas including 10 NF2 and 20 sporadic cases were analysed. Southern blot analysis of DNA from these samples revealed loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the RB1 locus in 6 of 24 informative cases (25%) compared to normal blood DNAs from the same patients. Northern blot analysis showed normal size RB1 mRNA in all the tumor samples. However, there was a 2-5-fold increase in the level of expression of the RB1 gene in all the tumor samples compared to the WI38 cell line which was used as control. Western blot analysis of the RB1 protein, pRb showed a 2.5-5-fold increase in the level of total pRb as compared to normal WI38 cell line. Sixty five to seventy five percent of the total pRb were in phosphorylated form in most tumors. The LOH at the RB1 gene locus suggests genetic instability in these patients. Further, increased levels of RB1 mRNA, total pRb and the phosphorylated form of pRb suggests that RB1 gene in these tumors may have anti-apoptotic function. These results suggest that the RB1 gene has a major role in the development of human vestibular schwannomas.
Introduction: Measles is a disease predominantly seen in young children and infants. It is an unusual occurrence of the disease in the adolescent population warranting an investigation. This would help understand the possible cause-effect relation, changing epidemiology of the disease and immunity gaps to initiate targeted interventional strategies.
An interstitial ectopic pregnancy is a rare and a dangerous form of an ectopic pregnancy. It presents late clinically and it is difficult to be imaged radiographically. We are presenting a case of an interstitial pregnancy which was a surprise intra operative finding.As Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) procedures are becoming popular, the incidence of ectopic pregnancies is likely to increase. The clinicians should be well equipped to diagnose and to treat this unusual form of ectopic pregnancies at the earliest.
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