Immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor gene-gene rearrangement in pleural cavity-based T-cell rich B-cell lymphoma in an immunocompetent patient

Body cavity-based lymphomas are fluid-based lymphomas that are not associated with a tumor mass or adenopathy which could explain the origin of the lymphomatous effusion. A distinct lymphoma that grows in the body cavity as a lymphomatous effusion in the absence of a tumor mass has been identified as a primary effusion lymphoma. This almost exclusively occurs in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), who invariably have a history of Kaposi sarcoma. We report a rare case of a recurrent pleural effusion in an immunocompetent patient. There was no evidence of lymphadenopathy or an associated mass on computerized tomography of the chest, abdomen and pelvis. Serology for HIV, HHS-8, EBV and HTLV-1 were negative. Cytologic examination of the pleural fluid showed an elevated white cell count with 97% lymphocytes, mostly with T-cell markers. Bone marrow aspirate and biopsy were negative and bronchoscopy was unrevealing. Pleural biopsy was significant for >70% T-lymphocytes and some large atypical cells. Which had CD19, CD20 and weak bcl-2 positivity. Kappa and lambda light chains did not show distinct clonality. A preliminary diagnosis of T-cell rich B-cell lymphoma (TCRBCL) of the pleural cavity was made. The diagnosis was confirmed with DNA studies done on the pleural biopsy specimen using PCR and southern blot. Dual rearrangement of Ig heavy chain region and TCR-beta genes were identified. The patient responded to combination chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, vincristine and prednisone. Our case is the first known case of pleural cavity-based TCRBCL and illustrates the role of gene rearrangement studies in such patients.     

A study from Nepal showing no correlation between lichen planus and hepatitis B and C viruses

A total number of 86 cases of Lichen planus (LP) were seen over a period of one and a half years. This constituted 0.58% of 14,833 new dermatological patients seen. Hepatitis B and C viral (HBV & HCV) serology was carried out in 64 patients and 43 age and sex matched controls. In the examined patients, 35 (54.27%) had the skin lesions only. Oral lesions were present in 15 (23.4%) of the patients in addition to skin lesions, while 14 (21.9%) had only oral involvement. Serology for HBsAg and HCV was negative in all types of LP patients and the controls. In Nepal, HBV and HCV seem to be not important in the pathogenesis of LP.     

High-dise standardization service of the IAEA

The mandate of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) includes assistance to Member States to establish nuclear technologies safely and effectively. In pursuit of this, the International Dose Assurance Service (IDAS) was initiated as a key element of the high-dose standardization program of the IAEA. The standardization of dosimetry for radiation processing provides justification for the regulatory approval of irradiated products and their unrestricted international trade. In recent times, the IAEA dosimetry laboratory has expended considerable effort in establishing a quality assurance program for its transfer dosimetry used for the IDAS.     

Suitability of LLC-PK1 pig kidney cells for the study of drug action on renal cell cholesterol uptake: identification and characterization of low-density lipoprotein receptors

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to identify and characterize the presence of low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDLr) in LLC-PK(1) cells. METHODS: LLC-PK(1) cells were assessed for the presence of LDLr by conducting dose-response, LDL specific binding and competitive studies with DiI-LDL, and Western blot and RT-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses. Assay conditions with IgG-C7, a monoclonal antibody (mAb) to the LDLr, were optimized, including temperature, preincubation time, and concentration in LLC-PK(1) cells. RESULTS: LLC-PK(1) cells express LDL receptors as determined by LDL specific and competitive binding studies and Western blot and RT-PCR analysis (specific binding 0.5 ng DiI-LDL/mug of cellular protein). DISCUSSION: Taken together, these findings confirm the presence of LDL receptors on LLC-PK1 cells and support the appropriateness of using these cells in studies involving renal cell cholesterol uptake and metabolism.     

A new PCR-ELISA for diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis in blood of HIV-negative subjects

The PCR-ELISA represents a promising advance for diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in blood samples. However, the method has been validated mostly with HIV-positive patients who are known to have high levels of parasitaemia. We developed a new PCR-ELISA assay for specific detection of Leishmania in patients' blood and validated it in Nepalese subjects with clinically suspected VL, almost all of whom were HIV-negative. For blood samples, PCR-ELISA was more sensitive (83.9%) than conventional PCR (73.2%), and demonstrated 100% and 87.2% specificity when using healthy controls who had never travelled to a VL-endemic area and controls from a VL-endemic area as references, respectively. We have demonstrated the ability of PCR-ELISA to detect parasites in blood of HIV-negative patients. The method could be used for epidemiological as well as clinical purposes, as it reduces the need for traumatic bone marrow sampling and risky spleen aspiration.     

New indolic cysticidal agents.

From a series of compounds having amino acid esters linked into the 3 position of substituted indole 3-acetic acids only the compounds 2 and 6 have shown promizing biological activity where as compound 2 process excystment property only, compound 6 has shown both excystment and cysticidal properties. All other compounds are inactive.     

Novel method of pancreatojejunal reconstruction after spontaneous closure of previous lateral pancreatojejunostomy

Lateral pancreatojejunostomy is a well-documented procedure for pain relief in chronic pancreatitis with a dilated main pancreatic duct. However, a number of patients develop recurrence of pain at variable intervals after a successful drainage procedure. A 40-year-old patient with tropical chronic pancreatitis developed recurrence of pain 13 years after a lateral pancreatojejunostomy. Investigation demonstrated a dilated main pancreatic duct. Re-exploration revealed a near complete closure of the previous lateral pancreatojejunostomy. A novel method of pancreatojejunal reconstruction was performed. Patient is pain-free after a follow-up of 18 months since surgery. The long-term status of lateral pancreatojejunostomy remains unclear. Our case documents, probably for the first time in published literature, a near total spontaneous closure of a previous lateral pancreatojejunostomy that was responsible for recurrence of pain. Our method of pancreatojejunal reconstruction adds to the armamentarium of the pancreatic surgeon.     

Pigmented trichoblastoma: report of a rare case

Trichoblastoma is a rare benign skin appendage tumour with follicular differentiation. Pigmented variant of trichoblastoma is an extremely uncommon tumour and only three cases have been described in the literature. We report a rare case of pigmented trichoblastoma in a 54-year-old female.     

Heat-Treated Fungizone Retains Amphotericin B Antifungal Activity Without Renal Toxicity in Rats Infected with Aspergillus Fumigatus

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the antifungal activity and renal and hepatic toxicity of amphotericin B (AmpB) following administration of Fungizone (FZ) and a heat-treated form of FZ (HFZ) to rats infected with Aspergillus fumigatus. METHODS: Infected rats were administered FZ and HFZ at a dosing regimen of 1 mg/kg i.v. once daily for 4 consecutive days. Following administration the number of colony forming units (CFUs) of Aspergillus fumigatus in different organs and serum creatinine concentrations were determined. RESULTS: FZ and HFZ had similar overall effectiveness in decreasing the total number of Aspergillus fumigatus CFUs found in all organs analyzed compared to controls. Except for the serum creatinine concentrations reported in the nontreated infected control rats, none of the treatment groups tested displayed a greater than 50% increase in serum creatinine. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, these findings suggest that HFZ at 1 mg/kg once daily x 4 days appears to be as effective as FZ as an antifungal agent without renal toxicity.