Adrenal cortical carcinoma: a case of late pulmonary metastasis

A 71 year-old woman with a large tumor of the upper lobe of the left lung was diagnosed as having metastatic adrenal cortical carcinoma nine years after the initial adrenalo-nephrectomy. The patient was well with no recurrence for six years following resection of the single lung metastasis.     

Release of lymphotoxin by control and chemical carcinogen-treated lymphocyte cultures derived from black healthy subjects and cancer patients

In an age-adjusted comparison with white men, black men have a significantly higher increase in esophageal and other types of cancer associated with environmental causes. The basis of this increase in cancer rates in blacks over the last two decades is unknown. Since cancer patients generally show an impairment in cell-mediated immune (CMI) functions, we measured certain CMI reactions in cultured lymphocytes derived from black healthy subjects and cancer patients. We also determined the levels of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) induced in these lymphocytes. AHH catalyzes the activation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) to intermediates which might alter CMI functions.     

Spontaneous keloids in siblings

The authors report two rare cases of 'non-syndromic spontaneous keloids' occuring in siblings. This represents another unexplored area in the field of 'keloid challenge', warranting further research and development.     

Isolation and preliminary characterization of Escherichia coli mutants resistant to lethal action of the bacteriophage lambda P gene.

Both spontaneous and NTG-induced mutants of Escherichia coli 594 insensitive to the lethal action of lambda P gene were isolated and called rpl (resistant to P lethality). These mutants were of two types, showing different phenotypes. On type I rpl mutants, lambda cl- and lambda v1v3 did not plate, while lambda vir, lambda cl- c17, lambda imm434, and lambda imm21 did; plasmid pMR45 carrying the lambda P gene could not complement lambda imm21P- phage in type I mutants. On the other hand, the type II rpl mutants support the growth of all the above phages including lambda cl-. Neither type of rpl mutation affects growth of the bacteria.     

Immobilization of antibodies on a new solid phase for use in ELISA

Antibodies to myoglobin were immobilized by covalent linkage to polyester film for use in a solid-phase ELISA. The covalent linkage of antibody to this new solid phase was accomplished by partial acid hydrolysis of the film followed by periodate oxidation. About 60 ng of protein could be immobilized per cm2 of film and the binding was stable. Antimyoglobin IgM immobilized on the films was used in the ELISA technique to detect myoglobin within the range 0.25-10 ng. The assay procedure was found to be very accurate and the coefficient of variation of each concentration ranged from 0.63 to 2.1%. Furthermore the immobilized film could be re-used after dissociating the antigen antibody complexes.     

Comparison of Vitek Yeast Biochemical Card with conventional methods for speciation of Candida

The ability of the Vitek Yeast Biochemical Card to identify yeast isolates was compared with conventional methods. Of the fifty yeast isolates tested same species identification was obtained in thirty-four isolates. The Vitek yeast biochemical card identified 13 isolates which could not be identified by the conventional tests. Though the Vitek Yeast biochemical card gave a good rapid identification the high cost of each test severely limits its routine use in most of the laboratories.     

Early experience in using and 18 Me V linear accelerator for mycosis fungoides at Howard University Hospital.

This paper describes the problems and solutions in using 18 MeV linear accelerator, with minimum 6 MeV electron capability, for total skin irradiation for mycosis fungoides. The 6 MeV electron energy can be degraded to acceptable electron energy of 3.2 MeV by interposing a plexiglass sheet of 9.6 mm in the beam. To minimize the bremsstrahlung, the degrading plexiglass should be kept away from the machine head. A wide area with uniform dose distribution over single plane can be achieved by using dual fields but homogenous dose distribution over irregular body surface cannot be achieved mainly because of self-shielding. The nails and the ocular lens can be easily shielded from the low energy electrons with 1.5 mm lead shield.     

Lymphocyte transformation responses to phytohaemagglutinin and pokeweed mitogen in patients at differing stages of HIV infection: are they worth measuring?

AIMS--To determine whether the routine measurement of lymphocyte transformation responses to mitogenic stimuli provide any information additional to that available from routine T cell CD4 and CD8 analysis in patients with HIV infection. METHODS--The case records of 197 immunologically investigated HIV seropositive patients were reviewed. The influence of disease stage on T lymphocyte subsets and lymphocyte transformation responses (LyTR) to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and Pokeweed mitogen was assessed. RESULTS--The median CD3 and CD4 counts and LyTR to PHA and Pokeweed mitogen were highest in patients with persistent generalised lymphadenopathy (PGL) and decreased progressively in the order: asymptomatic patients, those with ARC, those with AIDS. LyTR to PHA was preserved in over 70% of all patients, but the response to Pokeweed mitogen was depressed in 8% of patients with PGL, 34% of asymptomatic patients, 68% of those with ARC and 78% of those with AIDS. Subnormal values of both CD4 + T cells and LyTR to Pokeweed mitogen were more common in patients with ARC and AIDS (68%) than in those who were asymptomatic or had PGL (20%). CONCLUSIONS--CD4 T cell analysis and LyTR to Pokeweed mitogen, but not to PHA, both correlate with disease states in patients with HIV infection.     

VIRAL ENCEPHALITIS PRESENTING AS CATATONIC SCHIZOPHRENIA (A Case Report)

A rare case of viral encephalitis in an 18 year old recruit who presented with signs of catatonic schizophrenia is reported.KEY WORDS: Viral encephalitis, Catatonic schizophrenia