Early onset of autoimmunity in MRL/++ mice following immunization with beta 2 glycoprotein I.

Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) are associated with thrombosis, thrombocytopenia and recurrent fetal loss in humans and in some animal models. Immunization with beta 2 glycoprotein I (beta 2GPI) induced aPL production in normal rabbits and mice. However, the association of these antibodies with disease manifestations remains controversial. To determine whether induction of aPL by beta 2GPI immunization in an autoimmune strain of mice (MRL/++) would result in acceleration of clinical and serological autoimmune disease manifestations, three groups of 8-week-old female mice were studied. One group was immunized with beta 2GPI, and one with ovalbumin (OVA); the third was not immunized. After two booster injections, sera were analysed for the presence of anticardiolipin (aCL) and anti-DNA by ELISA and anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) by immunofluorescence. Mice were studied for thrombocytopenia, proteinuria, fecundity rates, litter sizes and the development of central nervous system dysfunction. Elevated levels of aCL, anti-DNA and ANA were detected in all beta 2GPI-immunized, in three OVA-immunized, and in none of the unimmunized mice. The anti-DNA antibodies were inhibited by CL micelles, suggesting cross-reactivity between aCL and anti-DNA. Platelet counts, fecundity rates and litter size were reduced in beta 2GPI-immunized but not in OVA-immunized or unimmunized mice. None of the mice developed neurological dysfunction or significant proteinuria over a 10-week period post-immunization. These findings suggest that beta 2GPI immunization induces aPL in MRL/++ mice associated with accelerated autoimmune manifestations resembling the antiphospholipid syndrome.     

Right pneumonectomy syndrome: Report of two cases

We report herein the cases of two infants who developed right pneumonectomy syndrome, both of whom were born with gross C-type esophageal atresia (EA/TEF), and a hypoplastic right lung arising from the lower esophagus, being a bronchopulmonary foregut malformation (BPFM). Appropriate and well-timed treatments for a variety of sequelae primarily caused by the mediastinal shift must be considered after right pneumonectomy in early childhood.     

Hepatitis C associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome

ABSTRACT— Hepatitis C is frequently associated with immune-mediated diseases, such as cryoglobulinemia. Guillain-Barré syndrome is an acute demyelinating neuropathy of probable immune pathogenesis. We describe two patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome, and associated chronic hepatitis C, the second one previously treated with interferon. The link between both conditions may be hepatitis C being the trigger of this immune polyneuropathy. Guillain-Barré syndrome should be added to the list of conditions associated with hepatitis C.     

Hypersensitivity reactions to latex in patients having topical treatment applied by health professionals wearing latex gloves

Pomegranate is the fruit of the pomegranate tree ( Punica granatum ), native to Africa, introduced into the Mediterranean area, and now widely cultivated. The tree be-longs to the Myrtaceae family and is currently used therapeutically for gingivitis and gastric-duodenal trait. The fruit pulp is made up of a cluster of red-violet seeds.     

Impaired spatial working and reference memory in segmental trisomy (Ts65Dn) mice

To evaluate the cognitive phenotype of the segmental trisomy 16 (Ts65Dn) mouse, a model of Down Syndrome (DS, trisomy 21), we assessed spatial working and reference memory using a 12-arm radial maze (RAM). Ts65Dn mice made a greater number of reference memory errors across trials compared to control mice. Both genotypes showed improvement across trials, although improvement was slower in Ts65Dn mice. Ts65Dn mice also made a greater number of working memory errors on the RAM, and in contrast to control mice, did not improve across trials, always performing at near-chance levels. These results provide evidence for both spatial working and reference memory deficits in Ts65Dn mice, characteristics of cognitive dysfunction.     

Isolated splenic hemangioma presenting with bleeding into serous body cavities

We present two children with massive bleeding into the serous body cavities accompanied by intractable consumption coagulopathy. One had a large spleen palpable at admission, the other developed progressive splenomegaly while in hospital. Neither child had any external evidence of angiomatous lesions. A splenic hemangioma was suspected clinically and on abdominal ultrasound; the diagnosis was confirmed at laparotomy. Splenectomy resulted in a prompt cure in both cases.     

Mental retardation,structural anomalies of the central nervous system,anophthalmia and abnormal nares: A new MCA/MR syndrome of unknown cause

We report on 2 unrelated Brazilian girls, born to nonconsanguineous parents, and presenting structural central nervous system defects, hydrocephaly, macrocephaly, craniosynostosis, prominent forehead, anophthalmia, and abnormal nares. These patients may have a previously undescribed recurrent-pattern cerebro-oculo-nasal syndrome. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Abdominal zygomycotic thromboangiitis in a patient with AML and t(1;13;14)

 The case report of a 61 year-old man with AML M2 FAB, t(1; 13; 14) and zygomycotic mesenterial thromboangiitis is presented. Two induction cycles of chemotherapy were administered due to primary drug resistance. They were complicated by pneumonia, colonic pseudo-obstruction and perforation with peritonitis. The patient died on the 40th day of therapy, 4 days after undergoing palliative surgery. Zygomycotic thromboangiitis, which very probably contributed to the intestinal perforation, was confirmed morphologically at necropsy. The novel complex chromosomal translocation t(1; 13; 14) (q31; q32; q24) and the problems connected with the diagnosis of invasive fungal infections are discussed. Received: 26 January 1996 / Accepted: 12 June 1996