The BAFF Receptor Transduces Survival Signals by Co-opting the B Cell Receptor Signaling Pathway

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Highlights? Inducible loss of the Syk tyrosine kinase results in death of follicular B cells ? Syk transduces survival signals from BAFFR to the ERK and PI3 kinase-PDK1 pathways ? BAFFR signaling results in phosphorylation of Igα and Syk ? BAFFR transduces signals via the BCR to activation of Syk     

AMIGO2 mRNA expression in hippocampal CA2 and CA3a

AMIGO2, or amphoterin-induced gene and ORF (open reading frame) 2, belongs to the leucine-rich repeats and immunoglobulin superfamilies. The protein is a downstream target of calcium-dependent survival signals and, therefore, promotes neuronal survival. Here, we describe the mRNA distribution pattern of AMIGO2 throughout the mouse brain with special emphasis on the hippocampus. In the Ammon’s horn, a detailed comparison between the subregional mRNA expression patterns of AMIGO2 and Pcp4 (Purkinje cell protein 4)—a known molecular marker of hippocampal CA2 (Cornu Ammonis 2)—revealed a prominent AMIGO2 mRNA expression level in both the CA2 and the CA3a (Cornu Ammonis 3a) subregion of the dorsal and ventral hippocampus. Since this CA2/CA3a region is particularly resistant to neuronal injury and neurotoxicity [Stanfield and Cowan (Brain Res 309(2):299–307 1984); Sloviter (J Comp Neurol 280(2):183–196 1989); Leranth and Ribak (Exp Brain Res 85(1):129–136 1991); Young and Dragunow (Exp Neurol 133(2):125–137 1995); Ochiishi et al. (Neurosci 93(3):955–967 1999)], we suggest that the expression pattern of AMIGO2 indeed fits with its involvement in neuroprotection.     

A case of giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica misdiagnosed as temporomandibular dysfunction

We report the case of a 83-year-old man who presented with bilateral scalp ulcerations, temporomandibular joint pain, anorexia, and generalized discomfort. The aspecific presentation and timing of the symptoms led to a referral delay of 117 days. A temporal artery biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis (GCA). FDG-PET showed increased uptake at the large vessels, shoulders, and hips, suggesting concomitant polymyalgia rheumatica. Initiation of methylprednisolone resulted in resolution of the muscle-related complaints and healing of the ulcerations. This report highlights the importance of prompt diagnosis and the rarity of bilateral scalp necrosis in GCA, with an incidence of <5%.     

High-dose cytosine arabinoside and daunorubicin as consolidation therapy for acute nonlymphocytic leukemia in first remission: a pilot study

High-dose (HD) cytosine arabinoside (ARA-C) is more effective treatment than conventional-dose ARA-C regimens for patients with relapsed acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL). We report here that HD ARA-C given during the first remission of ANLL has resulted in long remission durations and a high proportion of patients who survive more than three years free of disease. From August 1979 to September 1983, 36 adult patients with ANLL in first remission received one to three courses of HD ARA-C (3 g/m2 by one-hour infusion every 12 hours for 12 doses on days 1 through 6) alone or with daunorubicin (30 mg/m2 for two or three doses on days 7 through 9). Three patients died of sepsis or hemorrhage during consolidation, and 14 patients have relapsed from five to 48 months after diagnosis. The remaining 19 patients are in continued complete remission (CCR) from 11 to 62 months. Denoting all deaths in remission as relapse, the actuarial probability of CCR is 42% at 62 months, with an apparent plateau in the survival curve. Of the first 22 patients treated, ten remain in CCR from 37 to 62 months with no therapy for at least three years. Due to its heightened anti-leukemic activity, HD ARA-C allows brief but effective consolidation of ANLL in first remission, with long-term disease-free survival comparable to other approaches.     

Successful Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery in a Patient with Severe Haemophilia a with Low Titre Inhibitor

Acute leukemia, secondary myelodysplasia and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria evolving from severe aplastic anemia (AA) following immunosuppressive therapy are well recognized. However, severe AA occurring after complete remission of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) has been documented only once in 2009. We report a case of 30-year-old male diagnosed with APL who achieved complete cytogenetic remission with all-trans retinoic acid based induction regimen and developed severe AA few months later during maintenance therapy.     

Anterior superior iliac spine avulsion in a young soccer player

Avulsion fractures of the anterior superior iliac spine are rare. They usually occur in teenagers during sport activities. Cases concerning adults are very uncommon. We report here the case of a 23-year-old man who was admitted for recent pain of the left hip that worsened while kicking a ball in a soccer match eight days earlier. The examination found pain when moving the left hip in extension. Radiographs showed an avulsion fracture of the left anterior superior iliac spine, which was confirmed by computer tomography. The treatment was conservative consisting in rest and non-weight bearing with releasing of pain a few weeks later.     

Medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction in patellar instability

Background:

Medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) is one of the major static medial stabilising structures of the patella. MPFL is most often damaged in patients with patellar instability. Reconstruction of MPFL is becoming a common surgical procedure in treating patellar instability. We hypothesised that MPFL reconstruction was adequate to treat patients with patellar instability if the tibial tubercle and the centre of the trochlear groove (TT-TG) value was less than 20 mm and without a dysplastic trochlea.

Materials and Methods:

30 patients matching our inclusion criteria and operated between April 2009 and May 2011 were included in the study. MPFL reconstruction was performed using gracilis tendon fixed with endobutton on the patellar side and bio absorbable interference screw or staple on the femoral side. Patients were followed up with subjective criteria, Kujala score and Lysholm score.

Results:

The mean duration of followup was 25 months (range 14-38 months). The mean preoperative Kujala score was 47.5 and Lysholm score was 44.7. The mean postoperative Kujala score was 87 and Lysholm score was 88.06. None of the patients had redislocation.

Conclusion:

MPFL reconstruction using gracilis tendon gives excellent results in patients with patellar instability with no redislocations. Some patients may have persistence of apprehension.     

Interferon-γ and interleukin-4 reciprocally regulate the production of monocytes/macrophages and neutrophils through a direct effect on committed monopotential bone marrow progenitor cells

We studied the direct effects of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in single cell colony assays of CD34⁺HLA-DR++ bone marrow progenitor cells stimulated by either granu-locyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), interleukin(IL)-3, granulocyte/macro-phage-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), combinations of these CSF or medium conditioned by the 5637 human bladder carcinoma cell line. In this culture system IFN-γ stimulated monocytic colonies (CFU-M) no matter which CSF or CSF combination was used to support them and inhibited granulocytic colonies (CFU-G) if they were generated in the presence of G-CSF. IL-4 antagonized the myelopoietic effects of IFN-γ: the IFN-γ induced suppression of G-CSF-supported CFU-G, as well as the stimulation of CFU-M, were reversed by IL-4. In all cultures, IFN-γ had a limited, but statistically non-significant, inhibitory effect on CFU-GM, which was not affected by the presence of IL-4. These data show that IFN-γ and IL-4 reciprocally regulate the generation of myeloid cells involved in humoral (neutrophils) and cellular (macrophages) immune responses through a direct effect on monopotential myeloid progenitor cells.