The significance of a rapid cold hemagglutination test for detecting mycoplasma infections in children with asthma exacerbation.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is a frequent cause of community-acquired respiratory infections in children and adults. However, standardized, rapid, specific methods for its diagnosis are lacking. The relationship between M. pneumoniae infection and asthma exacerbation has been recently discussed in the literature. We investigated the accuracy of rapid detection of mycoplasma infection by cold hemagglutination test compared to conventional enzyme immunoassays. The clinical characteristics of mycoplasma infection seen during emergent visits in asthmatic children were reviewed. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients with asthma exacerbation visiting the Department of Pediatric Emergency, National Taiwan University Hospital, over a 12-month period. Subjects 2-18 years of age diagnosed with asthma at our outpatient clinic were included in this study. Patients with immunodeficiency, congenital anomalies, neurological diseases and irregular follow-up were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 269 children (174 males and 95 females) with a mean (+/- standard deviation) age of 6.15 +/- 3.08 years were included. The prevalence of asthma exacerbation in regular follow-up patients was 13.4%, and as many as 19.6% of cases (74/378 person-times) required hospitalization. Asthma attacks were most prevalent during December. 126 patients had both rapid cold hemagglutination testing and mycoplasma immunoglobulin M titers determined using acute blood samples drawn in the emergency room; 46 (36.5%) of these patients demonstrated mycoplasma infection. Sensitivity and specificity of the rapid cold hemagglutination test was 78.3% and 41.3%, respectively. The positive predictive value was 43.4%. Comparison of patients with or without mycoplasma infection revealed no differences in gender, age, chest X-ray findings, and most symptoms/signs and laboratory data, except that more signs of fever and auscultatory rales were seen in the non-mycoplasma infection group. CONCLUSIONS: Mycoplasma infections could be an exacerbating factor for asthma, and the rapid cold hemagglutination test should not be a guideline for prescribing macrolides in the emergency room.     

In vitro growth inhibition of neoplastically transformed cells by non-transformed cells: requirement for gap junctional intercellular communication

We examined whether the inhibition of neoplastically transformedcell growth by co-cultured non-transformed cells involved gapjunctional intercellular communication (GJIC). The growth ofpoorly communicating (     

Prostaglandin E1 and dibutyryl cyclic AMP enhance platelet resistance to deformation

The effect of prostaglandin E₁ (PGE₁) on platelets is mediated through the PGE₁ receptor and the consequent maintenance of the platelet's discoid shape. The effects of PGE₁ and dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) on the deformability of human platelets were studied. Deformability tests based upon the micropipette aspiration on the platelets were performed by using pipettes with radii (Rp) of 0.26-0.36 gm. The time course of the extension length (Dp, in μg) of the platelets in response to aspiration with a negative pressure (ΔP) of 5 cm H₂ O (ΔP × Rp = 0.15 dynes/cm) was analyzed. PGE₁ treatment (0.1 μM) resulted in a decrease of platelet deformability as compared with results obtained for apparently non-activated, control platelets. The deformation index, i.e., Dp/Rp (PGE₁ -treated) / Dp/Rp (control), was significantly reduced to 0.90 ± 0.04. DbcAMP treatment also significantly decreased the deformability of platelets and this decrease was dbcAMP dose dependent. In contrast, colchicine- or cytochalasin D-treated platelets increased deformability. PGE₁ -treated platelets had a higher [cAMP]_i than controls. Platelets treated with PGE₁ or dbcAMP showed a reduced [Ca²⁺]i increment induced by thrombin as compared to non-treated controls. These results indicate that PGE₁ and dbcAMP treatment of platelets is accompanied by an enhancement of platelet resistance to deformation. The increased [cAMP]_i and low [Ca²⁺]_i after PGE₁ treatment may limit the rearrangement of cytoskeleton and thus enhance platelet resistance to deformation.     

Quantitative whole-body autoradiographic analysis of the tissue distribution of orally-administered [14C]cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic rats

The cholesterol-fed rat model has been used to examine the distribution of radiolabeled cholesterol by whole-body autoradiographic and quantitative videodensitometric methods. Animals were fed a hypercholesterolemic diet for 7 days, and were subsequently killed at 3, 6, 12, 24, or 72 h following a single oral dose of [14C]cholesterol. Maximum blood and tissue levels were observed at 12 h, while liver and adrenals were the most intensely labeled tissues. Liver maintained consistently high levels over the course of the study, while activity in other tissues declined moderately by 72 h, indicating the long half-life of cholesterol radioequivalents in tissue. The results of these experiments suggest that autoradiographic examination of cholesterol distribution in animals treated with pharmaceutical agents designed to modify cholesterol absorption or clearance will be useful in providing supplemental or confirmatory information on the drugs' mode of action.     

Malignant melanoma metastatic to the stomach: upper G-I endoscopic finding--report of a case

a 54-year-old male was presented with huge, black, ulcerative and painless tumor of the sole of left foot. Malignant melanoma was proved by biopsy, but patient refused any treatment. He visited our hospital again when bloody vomitus was noted two months later. Chest P-A revealed multiple lung metastases, and marked liver metastasis was also found by abdominal echo. Upper gastrointestinal (UGI) panendoscopy revealed multiple melanotic nodules with ulcerations at the tip, scattering diffusely on the fundus and upper body of the stomach. Metastatic malignant melanoma was proved by endoscopic biopsy. Metastatic tumor of the stomach was rare, and the endoscopic finding of the malignant melanoma with gastric metastasis was more rarer in the literature in Taiwan. So we would like to present the very rare finding of the endoscopy.     

Pancreas divisum with early pancreatic cancer--presenting as chronic obstructive pancreatitis.

A 61-year-old man experienced four bouts of pancreatitis in 1 year. Detailed history taking and a series of examinations, including sonography, computed tomography scan, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), revealed pancreas divisum on the first admission. He was treated conservatively. However, repeated ERCP on the fourth admission, 1 year later, showed a small filling defect in the tail of the pancreatic duct. A distal pancreatectomy was carried out. Pathological studies revealed a small papillary adenocarcinoma (1.5 x 1.0 x 0.5 cm) confined to the pancreatic duct grossly with minimal parenchymal invasion microscopically. He has been free from cancer and pancreatitis for 13 months since the operation.