We evaluated spleens (n = 26), appendices (n = 10) and branchial cleft cysts (n = 6) for TdT-positive cells in pediatric patients. In spleen, appendix and branchial cleft cysts the range of TdT-positivity was 0-13, 0-96 and 0-6 TdT+ cells/hpf, respectively. In spleens, scattered TdT+ cells were seen most frequently in periarteriolar lymphoid sheath regions.

In this study, the effects of exposure to pyrene, fluorene and a mixture of selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) upon branchial Na (+)/K (+)-ATPase was investigated in juvenile seabream Sparus aurata in a 96 h in vivo experiment. No significant effect was found, and thus it was concluded that branchial Na(+)/K (+)-ATPase is probably not affected by PAH.

This study aimed to test the hypothesis that branchial osmoregulatory acclimation involved increased apoptosis and replacement of mitochdonrion-rich cells (MRCs) in the climbing perch, Anabas testudineus, during a progressive acclimation from freshwater to seawater. A significant increase in branchial caspase-3/-7 activity was observed on day 4 (salinity 20), and an extensive TUNEL-positive apo...

Branchial cleft anomalies are a common cause of lateral neck masses and may present with infection, cyst enlargement or fistulas. They may affect any of the nearby neck structures, causing compressive symptoms or vessel thrombosis. We present a case of a branchial cleft cyst in a 10-year-old boy who had been present for 1year. At the time of operation, the cyst was found to completely envelop t...

We present a unique and challenging case of a remnant foreign body that presented to us in a child disguised as a strongly suspected congenital branchial cleft anomaly. This case entailed oropharyngeal trauma, with a delayed presentation as a retroauricular cyst accompanied by otorrhea that mimicked the classic presentation of an infected first branchial cleft anomaly. During surgical excision ...

OBJECTIVE To review our experience with branchial cleft anomalies, with special attention to their subtypes and anatomical relationship to the facial nerve. STUDY DESIGN Case series. SETTING Tertiary care center. PATIENTS Ten patients who underwent resection for anomalies of the first branchial cleft, with at least 1 year of follow-up, were included in the study. The data from all cases w...

Compartmental structures are the basis of a number of developing systems, including parts of the vertebrate head. One of the characteristics of a series of compartments is that mixing between cells in adjacent units is restricted. This is a consequence of differential chemoaffinity between neighbouring cells in adjacent compartments. We set out to determine whether mesenchymal cells in the bran...

OBJECTIVE To assess the safety and efficacy of surgical excision of selected first branchial cleft cysts using electrophysiological rather than anatomical location of the facial nerve. DESIGN Retrospective review of consecutive surgical procedures by a single surgeon, using a consistent technique during a 9-year period. SETTING Tertiary pediatric medical center. PATIENTS Eleven children w...