Supratentorial ependymoma: CT appearance

The computed tomographic appearances of 22 biopsy-proved supratentorial ependymomas were analyzed. Supratentorial ependymomas were usually intraparenchymal, larger than 4 cm, and cystic. Contrast enhancement was moderate to intense, with homogeneous or ring-enhancement patterns commonly seen. Intratumoral calcification was present in one-third of the cases, while hydrocephalus and peritumoral edema were seen in 50%. Intratumoral hemorrhage was not a characteristic of the lesion. In contrast to cellular ependymomas, malignant ependymomas and ependymoblastomas demonstrate higher attenuation prior to administration of contrast material, more intense enhancement, lower frequency of calcification within the tumor, and less distinct margination.     

Contribution of second stool specimen to increased sensitivity of poliovirus detection in India, 1998-2000

Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance data from India were analysed to examine sensitivity of poliovirus isolation from stool specimens and the added sensitivity obtained from collection of a second stool specimen. Analysis was restricted to Indian AFP cases, 1998-2000, with two adequate stool specimens. The proportion of cases confirmed with wild poliovirus isolation by the second specimen only was calculated, regardless of specimen quality. Overall specimen sensitivity (1998-2000) was 81% using the first specimen, 78% using the second, and 96% using both. Sensitivity increased from 1998 to 2000, with slightly higher sensitivity each year for the first specimen. The second specimen increased sensitivity by 15% overall and contributed more when the first specimen was collected late or was in poor condition. As wild poliovirus disappears, increased sensitivity provided by a second stool specimen may reduce the risk of missing circulating virus.     

Compatible poliomyelitis cases in India during 2000

OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics of compatible poliomyelitis cases and to assess the programmatic implications of clusters of such cases in India. METHODS: We described the characteristics of compatible poliomyelitis cases, identified clusters of compatible cases (two or more in the same district or neighbouring districts within two months), and examined their relationship to wild poliovirus cases. FINDINGS: There were 362 compatible cases in 2000. The incidence of compatible cases was higher in districts with laboratory-confirmed poliomyelitis cases than in districts without laboratory-confirmed cases. Of 580 districts, 96 reported one compatible case and 72 reported two or more compatible cases. Among these 168 districts with at least one compatible case, 123 had internal or cross- border clusters of compatible cases. In 27 districts with clusters of compatible cases, no wild poliovirus was isolated either in the same district or in neighbouring districts. Three of these 27 districts presented laboratory-confirmed poliomyelitis cases during 2001. CONCLUSION: Most clusters of compatible cases occurred in districts identified as areas with continuing wild poliovirus transmission and where mopping-up vaccination campaigns were carried out. As certification nears, areas with compatible poliomyelitis cases should be investigated and deficiencies in surveillance should be corrected in order to ensure that certification is justified.     

塞来昔布治疗骨关节炎的随机对照试验

目的：比较塞来昔布、萘普生以及安慰剂在治疗膝关节骨关节炎时的疗效、安全性、方法：１００３名有症状的膝关节骨关节炎患者随机接受塞米昔布５０,１００,２００ｍｇ,ｂｉｄ;萘普生５００ｍｇ,ｂｉｄ或安慰剂１２周。患者在停用既往ＮＳＡＩＤ药或止痛治疗后２－７ｄ以及服用受试药物治疗后２,６,１２周,根据标准疗效判定方法进行评估。结果：塞来昔布在改善骨关节炎的症状和体征上有显著效果。在治疗后的２ｄ内疼痛明显缓     

Intermediate lymphocytic lymphoma: immunophenotypic and cytogenetic findings

A detailed immunohistologic and cytogenetic analysis of 12 cases of intermediate lymphocytic lymphoma was performed. The characteristic immunophenotype of intermediate lymphocytic lymphoma was: surface IgM and IgD+, BA1+, B1+, BA2-, B2-, B4+, Leu 14+, Leu 1+, HLA-DR+, and common acute lymphocytic leukemia associated (CALLA) antigen negative. Clonal chromosome abnormalities were identified in ten cases, with structural or numerical abnormalities of chromosomes 11 or 12 in nine cases. Five cases had structural abnormalities involving the long arm of chromosome 11; three of these had translocations with chromosome 14 at band q32. Three cases had trisomy 12, and one case had a translocation involving the long arm of chromosome 12. The tenth case had a translocation involving the long arms of chromosomes 7 and 9. These characteristic immunophenotypic and cytogenetic findings suggest a close lineage relationship between intermediate lymphocytic lymphoma and small lymphocytic (well differentiated) lymphoma/chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Their differing clinical, cytologic, and architectural features suggest, however, that intermediate lymphocytic lymphoma should be considered a separate category of lymphocytic lymphoma in the International Working Formulation.     

Plasma cytokine levels and monocyte activation in patients with obstructive jaundice

Some monocytic cytokines are important immune regulators. We have investigated cytokine production by monocytes and the blood levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα, and TGFβ, in patients with obstructive jaundice. The supernatant from LPS stimulated monocytes from jaundiced patients released significantly increased quantities of TNFα by both bioassay and radioimmunoassay (RIA) (12.4 ± 2.5 fmol/mL and 32.6 ± 8.3 fmol/mL, respectively, for jaundice, compared with 1.6 ± 0.3 fmol/mL and 2.4 ± 0.5 fmol/mL respectively for controls, and also of IL-6 (54.8 ± 5.0 fmol/mL in jaundice compared with 35.6 ± 5.0 fmol/mL for controls). The production of IL-1β and TGFβ by stimulated monocytes was unchanged. Jaundiced patients had significantly higher plasma TGFβ, but TNFα and IL-1β were below the limits of detection. The highest monocyte TNFα and IL-6 levels were seen in malignant disease patients, especially those with a poor immediate prognosis. We conclude that the production of some cytokines by monocytes is up-regulated in patients with obstructive jaundice.     

Outcomes of persons with coronavirus disease 2019 in hospitals with and without standard treatment with (hydroxy)chloroquine

ObjectiveTo compare survival of individuals with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treated in hospitals that either did or did not routinely treat patients with hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine.MethodsWe analysed data of COVID-19 patients treated in nine hospitals in the Netherlands. Inclusion dates ranged from 27 February to 15 May 2020, when the Dutch national guidelines no longer supported the use of (hydroxy)chloroquine. Seven hospitals routinely treated patients with (hydroxy)chloroquine, two hospitals did not. Primary outcome was 21-day all-cause mortality. We performed a survival analysis using log-rank test and Cox regression with adjustment for age, sex and covariates based on premorbid health, disease severity and the use of steroids for adult respiratory distress syndrome, including dexamethasone.ResultsAmong 1949 individuals, 21-day mortality was 21.5% in 1596 patients treated in hospitals that routinely prescribed (hydroxy)chloroquine, and 15.0% in 353 patients treated in hospitals that did not. In the adjusted Cox regression models this difference disappeared, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.09 (95% CI 0.81–1.47). When stratified by treatment actually received in individual patients, the use of (hydroxy)chloroquine was associated with an increased 21-day mortality (HR 1.58; 95% CI 1.24–2.02) in the full model.ConclusionsAfter adjustment for confounders, mortality was not significantly different in hospitals that routinely treated patients with (hydroxy)chloroquine compared with hospitals that did not. We compared outcomes of hospital strategies rather than outcomes of individual patients to reduce the chance of indication bias. This study adds evidence against the use of (hydroxy)chloroquine in hospitalised patients with COVID-19.