Proctitis following fecal diversion

Nonspecific colitis, histologically similar to ulcerative colitis, may be seen in the defunctionalized colon of patients who have undergone fecal diversion for indications other than inflammatory bowel disease. Little is known about this entity, which may have important diagnostic and therapeutic implications in any patient who undergoes fecal diversion. A case of symptomatic diversion colitis is presented. A review of the records of all patients who underwent fecal diversion in our hospital between 1978 and 1983 yielded one additional patient with asymptomatic colitis in the defunctionalized rectum. Further review of the literature produced only two articles pertaining to diversion colitis, underscoring the lack of recognition of this entity in this group of patients.     

Contact sensitizers downregulate the expression of the chemokine receptors CCR6 and CXCR4 in a skin dendritic cell line

Chemokines are involved in the control of dendritic cell (DC) trafficking, which is critical for the immune response, namely in allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). In this work, we investigated by flow cytometry the effect of the contact sensitizers 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB), 1,4-phenylenediamine (PPD) and nickel sulfate (NiSO₄), on the surface expression of the chemokine receptors CCR6 and CXCR4 in DC. As an experimental model of a DC we used a fetal skin-derived dendritic cell line (FSDC), which has morphological, phenotypical and functional characteristics of skin DC. Our results show that all the skin sensitizers studied decreased the membrane expression of the chemokine receptors CCR6 and CXCR4. In contrast, 2,4-dichloronitrobenzene (DCNB), the inactive analogue of DNFB without contact sensitizing properties, was without effect on the surface expression of these receptors. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which induces the maturation of DC, also reduced surface CCR6 and CXCR4 expression.     

TRICHO-RHINO-PHALANGEAL SYNDROME

The major characteristics of tricho-rhino-phalangeal syndrome (TRPS) include shortened and deviated digits, a typical facies with a pear-shaped nose, a long philtrum and slow-growing, fine, sparse hair. Cone-shaped digital epiphyses are seen on x-ray. A few patients with TRPS are mentally retarded. Associated endocrine abnormalities have been reported. Autosomal dominant and recessive patterns of inheritance have been described with most cases showing a dominant mode of inheritance.