Detection of mitochondrial DNA mutations in esophageal cancer tissue
Aim: To detect the mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA) mutations in esophageal cancer tissue. Methods: mtDNA was extracted from tissue of 8 patients with esophageal cancer. D-loop region was amplified using PCR. The PCR products were purified, and linked with T-vector and transformed into JM109. The positive clone was screened and identified by primer T7/SP6 and then sequenced. The mtDNA mutations in the tumor tissue were compared with the GenBank sequence. Results: Mutations were found in all specimens.Totally 36 sites of mutation were found,including 32 sites of coversion,and 4 sites of transversion;13 sites of synonymous mutation and 23 sites of missense mutation. Conclusion: mtDNA mutation probably plays a role in the development of esophageal cancer.
OBJECTIVE ::: The present study describes the advantages of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of bladder pheochromocytoma. ::: ::: ::: METHODS/RESULTS ::: A case of bladder pheochromocytoma is described, with special reference to the diagnostic aspects and the usefulness of MRI in the evaluation of patients with this condition. ::: ::: ::: CONCLUSIONS ::: Bladder pheochromocytoma is a rare tumor type. Since most of these are catecholamine-producing lesions, early diagnosis is warranted to avoid the severe complication of hypertensive episodes that may arise from unnecessary maneuvers. MRI is the diagnostic imaging method of choice in those cases with a clinical and analytical suspicion of pheochromocytoma.