Diagnosis of Nonmigrating Metallic Foreign Bodies in the Abdomen Using Ultrasound: An Alternative Approach Using a Traditional Method

Ingestion of foreign bodies (FBs) is a common phenomenon among young children. Plain radiography is the first step diagnostic modality to detect the radio-opaque FBs. And computed tomography has been recommended by several guidelines as useful modalities for diagnosing ingested FBs. However, there is a risk of radiation exposure, making it burdensome to use in asymptomatic patients. Ultrasound (US) is not a commonly used technique for diagnosing ingested foreign bodies. However, US can provide real-time imaging with good resolutions without radiation exposure in pediatric patients. Herein, we report two pediatric cases of metallic foreign body ingestion that were successfully diagnosed using US for localizing foreign bodies. This study indicates that US may be used as an alternative method for detecting the localization of metallic foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract without exposure of radiation, particularly in pediatric patients.

Brown's syndrome diagnosed following repair of an orbital roof fracture: a case report

The upgaze deficit of Brown's syndrome differs from the upgaze deficit of an orbital floor fracture with entrapment. In Brown's syndrome, the upgaze limitation is most evident in adduction of the eye. This difference may be difficult to establish at times, particularly beneath the periorbital edema of an acute traumatic injury. Nevertheless, it is important to recognize this differentiation, since the approach to management of these two clinical entities is distinctly dissimilar. Brown's syndrome is produced by restriction of the superior oblique muscle tendon, usually in the region of the trochlea. In the course of describing a case of Brown's syndrome, recognized following the repair of an orbital roof fracture, issues related to etiology, diagnosis, and management are discussed. In the case presented, surgical repair of the left eye was performed.

Cassette for the generation of sequential gene disruptions in the yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe

The ability to conveniently construct gene disruptions is an important methodology for genetic analysis of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Because of the limited number of selectable markers available for generating gene disruptions in fission yeast, the construction of strains that contain multiple gene disruptions can be quite difficult. This becomes a particular problem when episomal plasmids carrying selectable markers are also required within the same strains. To alleviate these difficulties, we have constructed a hisG-ura(4+)-hisG cassette that can be used repeatedly for constructing gene disruptions in S. pombe. This cassette allows the recycling of the ura4+ marker, thereby permitting the disruption of an indefinite number of genes sequentially within the same strain and/or for subsequently introducing a ura(4+)-marked plasmid.

Redistribution of silencing proteins from telomeres to the nucleolus is associated with extension of life span in S. cerevisiae

A prior genetic study indicated that activity of Sir silencing proteins at a hypothetical AGE locus is essential for long life span. In this model, the SIR4-42 mutation would direct the Sir protein complex to the AGE locus, giving rise to a long life span. We show by indirect immunofluorescence that Sir3p and Sir4p are redirected to the nucleolus in the SIR4-42 mutant. Furthermore, this relocalization is dependent on both UTH4 a novel yeast gene that extends life span, and its homologue YGL023. Strikingly, the Sir complex is relocalized from telomeres to the nucleolus in old wild-type cells. We propose that the rDNA is the AGE locus and that nucleolar function is compromised in old yeast cells in a way that may be mitigated by targeting of Sir proteins to the nucleolus.