Imatinib‐induced gastric antral vascular ectasia in a patient with chronic myeloid leukemia

Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) has been reported very rarely in imatinib‐treated gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and scleroderma/pulmonary hypertension patients. We present the first report of a case of GAVE in a chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patient after treatment with imatinib. This diagnosis should be considered in CML patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms and anemia.     

Consequent effects of the great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) predation on parasite infection and body condition of common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Lesions ranging from surface wounds to deep tissue wounds caused by cormorant predation were observed on several species of the farmed fish in Pohořelice, Czech Republic. Two-year-old stocked common carp Cyprinus carpio harvested in late March were examined for ectoparasites and endoparasites, injuries extent, and lysozyme concentration in skin mucus. Additionally, three body condition indices were measured. Endoparasite infection occurred only scarcely. Wounded fish were more susceptible to the ectoparasites Gyrodactylus spp. and Dactylogyrus spp. (Monogenea), and Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ciliophora). The intensity of infection of other ectoparasites Eudiplozoon nipponicum (Monogenea), Argulus spp. (Branchiura) and trichodinids (Ciliophora) did not significantly differ between wounded and control groups of fish. Lysozyme concentration in fish mucus was significantly higher in wounded fish and was positively associated with both the extent of damaged epithelium and Gyrodactylus spp. abundance. There were no differences in Fulton’s condition factor and lipid content in muscle and liver tissues between wounded and non-wounded fish. Higher values of spleen-somatic index in wounded fish corresponded to increased intensity of parasite infection, most likely reflecting changes in immune system of infected fish. Although our results did not show any significant effect of cormorant attacks on fish condition, the wounded fish had significantly higher parasite numbers which could impact the growth or survival of the fish throughout the production season.     

Structural findings in the basal ganglia in genetically determined and idiopathic Parkinson's disease

A bilateral compensatory increase of basal ganglia (BG) gray matter value (GMV) was recently demonstrated in asymptomatic Parkin mutation carriers, who likely have an increased risk to develop Parkinson's disease (PD). We hypothesized BG morphological changes in symptomatic Parkin mutation carriers (sPARKIN-MC) and idiopathic PD patients (iPD) after the occurrence of PD symptoms, reflecting the breakdown of compensatory mechanisms. Nine sPARKIN-MC, 14 iPD, and 24 controls were studied clinically and with voxel-based morphometry. Analysis of variance revealed mainly BG decrease of GMV in sPARKIN-MC and to a lesser extent in iPD. However, a slight increase in GMV was also found in the right globus pallidus externus in sPARKIN-MC and in the right putamen in iPD. This may reflect a structural correlate of functional compensation that can only partially be maintained when nigrostriatal neurodegeneration becomes manifest. Simple regression analyses with the UPDRS-III and disease duration score revealed a distinct more bilateral linear decrease of BG GMV in sPARKIN-MC than in iPD that may correspond to previous findings showing a symmetric reduction in putaminal (18)F-DOPA-uptake and bilateral manifestation of symptoms in sPARKIN-MC. In symptomatic PD, BG are subject to a progressive atrophy, which gradually increases with disease severity and duration.     

Mucosal changes associated with adenomatous colonic polyps.

In order to assess the presence of morphologically recognizable colonic nonneoplastic mucosal alterations that may be associated with adenomatous transformation the authors undertook a retrospective analysis of 984 colonic polyps removed between 1979 and 1983. There were 708 adenomatous and 276 nonadenomatous polyps, all colonoscopically removed. In addition to adenomatous mucosa, three different mucosal patterns were recognized and labeled as transitional, eosinophilic, and, hyperplastic. Each polyp, but not the polyp's shoulder, was scored by two pathologists for the presence of these changes. Analysis of the data (Pearson's chi-square test) demonstrated a strong association between eosinophilic and transitional mucosa as well as between eosinophilic mucosa and adenomas. There was also a strong negative association between both eosinophilic and transitional mucosa and hyperplastic mucosa. On the basis of these data, it is postulated that transitional mucosa, representing a nonspecific reactive mucosal phenomenon, may precede eosinophilic mucosa, which subsequently may represent fertile soil for adenomatous transformation.