Occurrence of the t(2;5)(p23;q35) in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Primary CD30(Ki-1)-positive anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) is considered by some to be a distinct clinicopathologic entity associated with the t(2;5) (p23;q35). However, the specificity of t(2;5) for ALCL has not been carefully studied. Therefore, we performed a detailed analysis of all cases of ALCL with abnormal cytogenetics results in the Nebraska Lymphoma Study Group registry, as well as all other cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with t(2;5) in the registry. We found the t(2;5) in only five of 10 cases of ALCL, four of whom were young patients. However, we also found the t(2;5) in 11 other cases of nonanaplastic lymphoma, including eight children with typical peripheral T-cell lymphomas of various types. The t(2;5) was also found in three older adults with B-cell lymphomas of various types. Thus, the t(2;5) was not specific for CD30+ ALCL. However, t(2;5) may define a clinicopathologic entity in children and young adults characterized by variable morphologies with a T-cell or indeterminate phenotype, CD30-positivity, nodal disease with frequent extranodal involvement, advanced stage, and an excellent response to therapy, including bone marrow transplantation for relapsed disease. The clinical relevance of the t(2;5) in older patients requires further study.     

Dural sinus thrombosis: study using intermediate field strength MR imaging

The magnetic resonance (MR) images of six patients with thrombosis of a dural sinus were reviewed. The diagnosis had been verified by computed tomographic scans in three patients and arteriograms in two; in the sixth patient, only MR imaging was used to confirm the clinical syndrome. In all patients, high-intensity signal was seen from the thrombus within the affected dural sinus on all echoes. This persistent signal intensity allowed intravascular clot to be distinguished from normal causes of increased signal such as flow-related enhancement (entry phenomenon) and even-echo rephasing. MR imaging demonstrated the cause of the thrombosis in three patients: two were secondary to adjacent tumors, and one was secondary to unsuspected mastoiditis. Complications such as infarction were also demonstrated. Using MR imaging, one can easily and safely diagnose thrombosis of a dural sinus. MR should be the imaging method of choice in patients suspected of having thrombosis of a dural sinus.     

Clinical MR imaging with a Helmholtz-type surface coil

Limited-field-of-view radio-frequency receiver antennas provide improved near-field sensitivity for magnetic resonance imaging by decreasing the antenna volume. The Helmholtz-type surface coil, consisting of two flat rings, is an organ-encompassing antenna that takes advantage of this principle to yield an improved signal-to-noise ratio (S/N). The coil was tested in a group of 50 patients and 16 healthy volunteers. Images obtained with the Helmholtz coil demonstrated quantitatively superior S/N of 2.2-fold or greater than that of comparison body coil images, as well as qualitatively superior anatomic resolution.     

Low-artifact intravascular devices: MR imaging evaluation

Flow-phantom magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, with use of both spin-echo (SE) and gradient-echo (GRE) techniques at 1.5 T, was performed on the percutaneous Greenfield (beta-III titanium alloy [TMA wire]), Amplatz (MP32-N alloy), and Simon nitinol filters and TMA wire facsimiles of the bird's nest, Gunther, new retrievable, and Amplatz vena caval filters. SE imaging allowed detection of thrombi as small as 5 X 5 mm trapped within the percutaneous Greenfield, Simon nitinol, and TMA-wire facsimile filters; with the MP32-N Amplatz filter, a larger volume of thrombus (10 X 20-mm clots) was necessary for clot detection. GRE imaging allowed detection of intraluminal tilting of the percutaneous Greenfield and facsimile Amplatz (TMA-wire) filters. GRE imaging was useful for demonstrating postfilter turbulence due to clots, which was greatest for the Amplatz filter. Imaging of facsimile vascular devices made of tantalum or TMA wire did not cause the severe "black-hole" MR artifacts typical of the stainless-steel devices. SE and GRE imaging were very useful for determining caval patency in two patients with previously placed Mobin-Uddin filters. Noninvasive MR evaluation of blood vessels in the presence of a variety of low-artifact intravascular devices appears feasible.     

T-cell survival

Summary: Like other cells, T cells are dependent on signals from their environment for their survival. Resting T cells are supported in vitro by cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6 and IL-7. The latter two cytokines are made constitutively in animals and hence might affect the lifetimes of their resting T cells. Resting T cells are also kept alive by interaction with an as yet unidentified molecule on the surface of other cells. Activated T cells are also supported in vitro by members of two families of these proteins, the IL-2 family and the interferon-αβ family. Members of the latter family may have effects on activated cells in vivo. Thus although both resting and activated T cells require signals to keep themselves alive, the signals are different for the two types of cells. This perhaps allows the immune response to control the numbers of activated cells during infections without compromising its pool of precursor, resting T cells.     

Selenium status of malnourished hospitalized patients

We evaluated selenium (Se) status of 44 hospitalized patients with protein-energy malnutrition. The patients were assigned to "normal" or "low" Se groups-1 and 2, respectively-based on whether the plasma Se level exceeded or was below the value of the mean-2SD of healthy Georgians'. Plasma and erythrocyte Se levels correlated significantly (r = .52, P less than .01). Erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity was highly correlated with plasma Se (r = .68) in group 2; there was no significant correlation between these parameters in group 1. In group 2 the mean plasma prealbumin level was significantly lower, and the mean corpuscular volume and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase level were significantly higher compared to group 1. Other nutritional parameters did not correlate with Se status. Concomitant deficiencies of other nutrients were common in both patient groups. Se levels may relate to protein status, and abnormal hematologic and hepatic parameters may reflect low Se status and/or protein-energy malnutrition. Low Se status is common in malnourished patients from a low Se area, and Se supplementation should be included in their nutritional-repletion regimens.