Prominent hyperkeratotic plantar and palmar warts

We report the case of a 28-year-old man who had prominent hyperkeratotic plantar and palmar warts, and flat warts on his face and chest. By DNA hybridization, human papillomavirus 1 and/or 2, and 3 DNA were detected from the tissues of these skin lesions. Results of laboratory investigations revealed leukopenia, eosinophilia, anti-HBs antigen and anti-hepatitis C virus antibody, and decrease in the OKT4/OKT8 ratio. He had no abnormality in cellular immunity. He was treated with multiple modalities, but was successfully treated with electrocautery to the plantar and palmar warts, and cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen to the flat warts. Nine years after the initial treatment, almost no recurrence was recognized.     

Sex differences in the densities of epidermal Langerhans cells of the mouse

Cutaneous immune reactions are known to show sexual dimorphism. Langerhans cells (LCs) are bone marrow-derived immune cells in the epidermis and are essential to immune reactions in the skin. In the present research, a study was made of the differences in LC density of male and female mice. Epidermal sheets were separated from the skin of the glabrous part of hind limbs and ears of specific pathogen-free (SPF) mice by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) treatment and stained for adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity. The density of LCs of hind limb epidermis in male C57BL/6 (823 +/- 20/mm2) and BALB/c (1689 +/- 66/mm2) mice was significantly less than that in females (1363 +/- 52/mm2, p less than 0.001; 2249 +/- 105/mm2, p less than 0.001, respectively). Langerhans cell density in the ears of male C57BL/6 (465 +/- 24/mm2) mice was also significantly less than that in females (542 +/- 17/mm2, p less than 0.02). Although ovariectomy failed to bring about any change in the LC density of hind limb epidermis in female C57BL/6 mice, the LC density in male C57BL/6 mice increased significantly at 4 weeks following orchiectomy (sham operation, 564 +/- 27/mm2; castration, 1179 +/- 49/mm2, p less than 0.001). These results indicate that mouse epidermal LC density depends on sex, i.e., male mice have fewer LCs than female mice. The reduction in LC density in males may possibly be caused by the testis.     

Survey of pediatric ward hospitalization due to respiratory syncytial virus infection after the introduction of palivizumab to high‐risk infants in Japan

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is a major cause of hospitalization during the winter among infants and young children. In 2002 palivizumab was introduced to high‐risk infants for RSV hospitalization in Japan. It is important to characterize the hospitalized children due to RSV infection after the introduction of palivizumab. Methods: A survey was conducted to collect the data from the hospitalized children at 12 participating hospitals during the winter of 2007. Results: From October 2007 through April 2008, 8163 children were admitted to participating hospitals, with RSV infection accounting for 811 of those hospitalizations. Mean age in children with RSV infection at hospitalization was 12.4 ± 12.7 months, and children under 24 months of age accounted for 86.4%. The mean gestational age of those at birth was 38.0 ± 2.6 weeks, with 82.4% of the children born at term. Palivizumab was administered in 24 cases of RSV infection, while there were 28 patients who were not treated with palivizumab, even though they met the indication for palivizumab. Death, in a total of five cases, occurred in children who were not treated with palivizumab. Conclusions: Palivizumab has been widely used in high‐risk infants who were covered by health insurance, and most of the hospitalized children with RSV infection in the study hospitals were not treated with palivizumab.     

Histologic and mechanical evaluation of impacted morcellized cancellous allografts in rabbits: comparison with hydroxyapatite granules

The bioactivity and mechanical properties of morcellized allografts and hydroxyapatite (HA) granules were evaluated in a rabbit model. Allografts were replaced by viable trabecular structures within 8 weeks. The yield strength and stiffness of allografts were within normal cancellous bone levels by 3 weeks and were maintained afterward. The amount of newly formed bone around HA granules was comparable to that around allografts. The yield strength and stiffness of HA granules were significantly higher than those of allografts at 3 and 12 weeks. Allografts offer the advantage of being replaced by host-bone without significant deterioration in mechanical properties over the course of remodeling. HA granules can also be used for a bone substitute given their bioactivity in bone conduction and superiority in mechanical properties to allografts.     

Neck metastasis of a myxoid liposarcoma of the lower extremity

We report the clinical features of two cases presenting metastatic neck tumors (in the anterior neck and submandibular regions) secondary to myxoid liposarcoma of the lower extremity. Both cases underwent repeated resection of primary legions of the lower extremities because of recurrences. Such repeated surgical procedures are thought to be a risk factor for distant metastasis resulting from hematogeneous dissemination of tumor cells, although there is considerable debate about multicentricity versus metastasis in liposarcomas. Where possible, therapy for liposarcomas should initially comprise complete and wide resection of the lesions. Combined therapy consisting of surgery and postoperative radiation and chemotherapy should be investigated in the future.     

Removal of small extracellular vesicles inhibits the progression of peritoneal dissemination in gastric cancer

Gastric Cancer - The prognosis of gastric cancer patients with peritoneal dissemination is extremely poor and effective treatment for peritoneal dissemination has not been established. Gastric...