Lamin A and lamin C, both products of Lmna, are key components of the nuclear lamina. In the mouse, a deficiency in both lamin A and lamin C leads to slow growth, muscle weakness, and death by 6 weeks of age. Fibroblasts deficient in lamins A and C contain misshapen and structurally weakened nuclei, and emerin is mislocalized away from the nuclear envelope. The physiologic rationale for the existence of the 2 different Lmna products lamin A and lamin C is unclear, although several reports have suggested that lamin A may have particularly important functions, for example in the targeting of emerin and lamin C to the nuclear envelope. Here we report the development of lamin C-only mice (Lmna LCO/LCO ), which produce lamin C but no lamin A or prelamin A (the precursor to lamin A). Lmna LCO/LCO mice were entirely healthy, and Lmna LCO/LCO cells displayed normal emerin targeting and exhibited only very minimal alterations in nuclear shape and nuclear deformability. Thus, at least in the mouse, prelamin A and lamin A appear to be dispensable. Nevertheless, an accumulation of farnesyl-prelamin A (as occurs with a deficiency in the prelamin A processing enzyme Zmpste24) caused dramatically misshapen nuclei and progeria-like disease phenotypes. The apparent dispensability of prelamin A suggested that lamin A-related progeroid syndromes might be treated with impunity by reducing prelamin A synthesis. Remarkably, the presence of a single Lmna LCO allele eliminated the nuclear shape abnormalities and progeria-like disease phenotypes in Zmpste24 -/-mice. Moreover, treating Zmpste24 -/-cells with a prelamin A-specific antisense oligonucleotide reduced prelamin A levels and significantly reduced the frequency of misshapen nuclei. These studies suggest a new therapeutic strategy for treating progeria and other lamin A diseases.

Anthracyclines are potent antineoplastic agents associated with cardiotoxicity, which may lead to congestive heart failure, causing impairment of autonomic cardiovascular function as assessed by heart rate variability (HRV). This decreases survival rates. This study aimed to determine whether music therapy intervention improves autonomic function in anthracycline-treated breast cancer patients, and if so, whether such improvements persist after cessation of the intervention. Participants were 12 women with breast cancer who had undergone mastectomy or breast-conserving treatment and adjuvant chemotherapy; they attended 8 weekly music therapy sessions, each lasting 2 hours. Electrocardiogram traces (5 minutes) for HRV analysis were recorded 4 times: prior to the first music session, T1; after the fourth music session, T2; after the eighth music session, T3; and 4 weeks after the completion of music therapy, T4. HRV parameters were subjected to a nonparametric Friedman test on the differences between T1 and T2, T3, and T4. The standard deviation of normal intervals and the total power of HRV parameters, related to global autonomic function, were significantly higher at T3 than at T1. The root-mean-square differences of successive normal R-R intervals and high-frequency (HF) HRV parameters, related to parasympathetic activity, were significantly increased, but no change was seen in the LF/HF ratio of HRV parameters (which is related to sympathetic activity) during the music therapy. Global autonomic function and parasympathetic activity had not changed significantly at T4 relative to T1. The authors provide preliminary evidence of the benefits of music therapy for anthracycline-treated breast cancer survivors.

OBJECTIVE. Oxidized regenerated cellulose (Surgicel), a sterile knitted fabric that causes thrombus formation because of its physical properties, is frequently used for intraoperative hemostasis. Unlike traditional surgical sponges, it is bioabsorbable and can be left in the surgical bed. On CT scans, the appearance of the retained oxidized cellulose can mimic that of an abscess. The purpose of this study was to describe the appearance of oxidized regenerated cellulose on postoperative CT scans so that an erroneous diagnosis of an abscess can be avoided. MATERIALS AND METHODS. We reviewed the CT examinations of five postoperative patients in whom oxidized regenerated cellulose had been used for surgical hemostasis. Operative reports and surgeons confirmed the use of oxidized cellulose. Four CT scans were abdominal examinations, and one was a head examination. RESULTS. In four cases, CT scans showed focal, linear collections of gas within masses with mixed attenuation in or near the operative site. No air-fluid levels were present. In three patients, cultures of specimens obtained by aspiration were negative for pyogenic organisms.

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Nodule size did not affect GEC test performance in the present cohort. GEC benign results remain reliable in large nodules. GEC suspicious nodules >3 cm carry a similar risk of malignancy compared to smaller nodules, and do not warrant more aggressive treatment. GEC testing has limited clinical utility for HCNs due to the high rate of false-positive results.