EBV-positive Hodgkin's lymphoma in children under 10 years

The number of EBV-positive child patients with HL varies in different countries and regions. In developing countries the number of child patients with this disease is higher than in the patient population of economically advanced countries. The authors examined 24 patients under 10 years with Hodgkin's lymphoma. Twenty patients were males, four females. In ten cases according to histological examination type II of HL was involved--nodular sclerosis (7 boys, 3 girls). In 14 instances the authors detected the mixed cellularity type (13 boys and 1 girl). EBV positivity was assessed immunohistologically by means of the antibody against LMP-1 and EBER-1 by the method of in situ hybridization. In 20 EBV positive HL 18 boys and 2 girls were affected. EBV positivity was proved in 83%. The marked intersexual difference in different EBV positive HL has not been explained unequivocally so far. The authors proved, that 14 EBV positive HL were type III--mixed cellularity. In 6 cases the type of nodular sclerosis was involved. The authors assume that marked positivity of child patients is associated with the initial massive EBV infection. EBV positive tumour cells are to a considerable extent removed by the immune apparatus and thus in the second and third decade EBV negative patients predominate.     

Transthyretin familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy: histopathological study of the explanted livers

FAP is an autosomal dominant inherited disease, characterized by systemic deposition of amyloid fibrils in various tissues. The purpose of this study is to describe the gross and microscopic findings of the explanted livers for FAP.10 patients were transplanted for FAP at our institution. Diagnosis was supported by positive familiar history, clinical data and detection of mutated TTR by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry with Val30Met mutation verified by PCR. All the explanted livers were photographed, fixed in formol and processed according to protocol. Later they were examined with HyE, reticulin, PAS diastasa, Masson trichromic, Congo red with polarised light and immunoreactivity against TTR. The gross aspect was normal. We obtained multiple samples representative of the organ and the hepatic hilium. All of the patients presented with deposits of amyloid substance in the lymph nodes and the nerves of the hepatic hilium These deposits were Congo red positive with a greenish birefringence to polarized light Deposits show immunoreactivity with antihuman TTR. Whereas liver transplantation restores hepatic function in patients with cirrhosis, liver transplantation cures the FAP patient of their genetic defect. Domino transplantation is a procedure in which the index patient receives an organ, while the explanted organ is reused for transplantation into another patient. In conclusion, exclusion of hepatic amyloid deposits which can cause functional alterations in the FAP liver is vital; and is important to study the explanted livers of patients with FAP to confirm the results of the scarce published series.     

4-(1H)-Quinolones and 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroacridin-9(10H)-Ones Prevent the Transmission of Plasmodium falciparum to Anopheles freeborni

Malaria kills approximately 1 million people a year, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa. Essential steps in the life cycle of the parasite are the development of gametocytes, as well as the formation of oocysts and sporozoites, in the Anopheles mosquito vector. Preventing transmission of malaria through the mosquito is necessary for the control of the disease; nevertheless, the vast majority of drugs in use act primarily against the blood stages. The study described herein focuses on the assessment of the transmission-blocking activities of potent antierythrocytic stage agents derived from the 4(1H)-quinolone scaffold. In particular, three 3-alkyl- or 3-phenyl-4(1H)-quinolones (P4Qs), one 7-(2-phenoxyethoxy)-4(1H)-quinolone (PEQ), and one 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridin-9(10H)-one (THA) were assessed for their transmission-blocking activity against the mosquito stages of the human malaria parasite (Plasmodium falciparum) and the rodent parasite (P. berghei). Results showed that all of the experimental compounds reduced or prevented the exflagellation of male gametocytes and, more importantly, prevented parasite transmission to the mosquito vector. Additionally, treatment with ICI 56,780 reduced the number of sporozoites that reached the Anopheles salivary glands. These findings suggest that 4(1H)-quinolones, which have activity against the blood stages, can also prevent the transmission of Plasmodium to the mosquito and, hence, are potentially important drug candidates to eradicate malaria.     

Acute central nervous system infection by Trypanosoma cruzi and AIDS.

The acute infection of the CNS by Trypanosoma cruzi acquired by blood transfusion is uncommon. The concomitance of AIDS in the patient reported shows the importance of cellular immunity in restriction of this parasite, and reinforces the problem of blood transfusion in endemic zones.     

Reproducibility of exercise tests in patients with symptomatic ischaemic heart disease.

In 50 patients with ischaemic heart disease prospective analyses of the reproducibility of exercise tests at 3-month intervals were performed. The same method of testing was used repeatedly in a smaller group of patients 3 or more times at 6- to 8-week intervals. No significant differences were found in maximal heart rate, maximal systolic blood pressure, rate-pressure product, and total work. Symptoms resulting in the discontinuation of exercise were unchanged in 94 per cent of patients. The evaluation of the electrocardiographic recordings revealed good agreement in 94 per cent of patients. The evaluation of the electrocardiographic recordings revealed good agreement in ST segment depression and ST segment elevation. The reproducibility of arrhythmic events was very poor. The standardized electrocardiographic exercise test is, therefore, recommended for objective evaluation of various interventions in patients with manifest ischaemic heart disease, both in short-term and long-term follow-up studies.     

Circulating endothelial cells in acute myocardial infarction and angina pectoris

Summary The authors have counted circulating anuclear carcasses of endothelial cells by a new method in 105 patients with acute myocardial infarction and angina pectoris. In infarction cases as well as in severe angina a significant increase of endothelaemia was observed in duration of several days. No increase was observed in milder angina cases (type I–II).     

Surgical treatment of post-infarction ventricular septal rupture

The authors describe their series of 9 patients operated upon for post-infarction rupture of the ventricular septum. Two patients operated upon earlier than 6 weeks following the rupture died. Of the 7 patients operated upon 6 weeks after the diagnosis of rupture 1 died. The risk of operative intervention is determined not only by the time between rupture and surgery, but also by the magnitude of rupture and the extent of the myocardial infarction, as well as the functional state of the residual myocardium.