Pseudomembranes in reflux esophagitis

Three cases are presented in which double-contrast esophagograms revealed one or more plaquelike lesions in the distal esophagus, representing pseudomembrane formation in patients with severe reflux esophagitis. Although to our knowledge this finding has not been reported previously in the radiologic literature, pseudomembranes have been documented endoscopically in patients with reflux esophagitis and biopsy-proved Barrett esophagus. Radiologists should be aware of this finding, since these pseudomembranes may be indistinguishable radiographically from plaquelike carcinomas arising in Barrett esophagus.     

Zur Erstattungsfähigkeit dentinadhäsiver Versorgungen

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

肺源性心脏病急性发作期免疫功能的改变

目的:观察肺源性心脏病(简称肺心病)急性发作期患者免疫功能的变化。方法:选择南华大学附属第一医院2004-11/2006-01收治慢性肺心病急性发作期患者60例为肺心病组,于急性加重期入院第2天7:00,空腹抽取静脉血,采用流式细胞仪检测T细胞亚群CD3 、CD4 、CD8 及自然杀伤细胞活性,免疫浊度法检测体液免疫指标(IgG,IgM,IgA及补体C3)。以同期60例健康体检者为对照。结果:120例是否受试者均进入结果分析。①T细胞亚群:肺心病组CD3 ,CD4 水平低于对照组(0.52±0.06,0.62±0.04;0.32±0.06,0.41±0.06;P均<0.05),CD4 /CD8 高于对照组(1.96±0.26,1.84±0.78,P<0.05)。②免疫血清指标:肺心病组IgA、补体C3及自然杀伤细胞活性低于对照组[(1.26±0.74),(2.45±0.85)g/L;(6200±217),(9960±302)mg/L;0.34±0.08,0.57±0.07;P均<0.05]。结论:肺源性心脏病急性发作期患者的细胞免疫和体液免疫功能均受损,尤以细胞免疫功能受损更突出,且与病情呈平行关系。     

Histamine levels in stored platelet concentrates. Relationship to white cell content

The histamine levels in samples from platelet concentrates (PC) were measured at various storage times by a radioenzymatic assay. Elevated histamine levels were detected in 5 of 14 PC after 3 days of storage (range, less than 1 to 13.3 ng/ml) and in 9 of 14 PC after 5 days (range, less than 1 to 22.2 ng/ml). A very good linear correlation (r = 0.913) was found between the initial white cell content of the PC and the histamine level at 5 days of storage. The rise in histamine content was not influenced by the type of plastic container. The results indicate a process of histamine release by the white cells during storage. Although histamine is metabolized rapidly in vivo, a critical histamine threshold could be reached in man by the rapid infusion of stored PC containing high levels of histamine. This could explain some unexpected transfusion reactions in patients receiving PC.     

Markers of HIV infection in the Concorde trial. Concorde Co-ordinating Committee

The Concorde trial compared immediate (Imm) with deferred (Def) AZT monotherapy in asymptomatic HIV-positive participants. Haematological and immunological markers and weight were measured throughout, and correlated with clinical endpoints. Markers associated with disease progression (CD4 lymphocyte count and percentage, platelets, p24 antigen and beta 2 microglobulin favoured Imm: those associated with toxicity (haemoglobin, neutrophils and white cell count) favoured Def. CD8 and total lymphocyte count did not differ significantly between groups. In multivariate analysis, the combination of baseline CD4, p24 antigen and beta 2m was the best baseline predictor of disease. Including change in CD4 and beta 2m at 12 weeks, or changes over follow- up in these markers significantly improved the fit. Markers were also incorporated into the definition of 'clinical' endpoints. Hazard ratio estimates from end-points that included CD4 < 50 and CD4 < 25 were closest to those for AIDS or death alone, but added very few extra events. Use of other landmark CD4 counts (100 or greater) or relative decreases in counts (25% or more) increased the number of events, but overestimated the effect of immediate AZT. Although AZT had a beneficial effect on the surrogate markers of efficacy evaluated, these changes did not predict clinical outcome, nor could the markers be usefully incorporated into an endpoint definition.      

Bladder cancer biomarkers and their role in surveillance and screening

Early detection of bladder cancer and its recurrences is essential for improved prognosis and long-term survival. The detection and follow-up of these patients is currently based on cystoscopy, which is expensive and invasive, and, in most cases, cytology, which is non-invasive but not very sensitive. During recent years, many urine-based tests have been developed and tested in different patient populations. In this review we discuss new developments for biomarkers in bladder cancer that have potential use in surveillance and screening. In almost all publications authors compare sensitivity of the test with a concomitantly executed cystoscopy, for example, determine cross-sectional sensitivity. However, it has also been shown that false positive test results may be followed by a positive cystoscopy in the near future, showing that cystoscopy itself does not provide 100% sensitivity. This suggests that for a proper evaluation of urine-based tests, longitudinal studies should be carried out and the results communicated to the urologist.