Lymphoid Neogenesis in Murine Cardiac Allografts Undergoing Chronic Rejection

Lymphoid neogenesis is the process by which ectopic lymphoid accumulations that resemble lymph nodes arise in nonlymphoid tissues. Such lymphoid accumulations, known as tertiary lymphoid organs (TLO), are observed in chronic autoimmunity and they propagate immune pathology by setting up local antigen presenting sites. Whether lymphoid neogenesis occurs in transplanted organs and contributes to rejection is not well understood. To begin to address this question, we retrospectively analyzed 319 murine cardiac allografts for microscopic evidence of lymph-node-like structures. We found 78 allografts that had either classical TLO, characterized by discrete T- and B-cell zones and high endothelial venules (HEV) expressing peripheral node addressin (PNAd) (n = 34), or PNAd(+) HEV without organized lymphoid accumulations (n = 44). These changes were present in both short- and long-lived allografts and were invariably associated with rejection. Importantly, they occurred in 78% of allografts undergoing chronic rejection (n = 85) but in only 7% of allografts undergoing primarily acute rejection (n = 184). These findings indicate that, like autoimmunity, alloimmunity is associated with lymphoid neogenesis in the target organ and suggest a role for local T-cell activation in chronic allograft rejection.     

Immediate earlobe reconstruction with double-crossed skin flaps.

A new technique for earlobe reconstruction is described, illustrated by a case report. This technique uses double-crossed skin flaps from the pre-auricular and retromandibular areas. No skin grafts and no cartilage framework are needed. This technique is particularly indicated for immediate earlobe reconstruction.     

Factors affecting aerosol performance during nebulization with jet and ultrasonic nebulizers

Nebulization of aqueous solutions is a convenient delivery system to deliver drugs to the lungs because it can produce droplets small enough to reach the alveolar region. However, the droplet size might be affected by the changes in the temperature and the concentration of the nebulizing solution in the reservoir during nebulization. In this study, the changes in the droplet size over the nebulization time using a PariBoy air-jet and a Multisonic ultrasonic nebulizer have been studied. The findings were related to changes in the temperature, concentration, surface tension, viscosity and saturated vapour pressure of the nebulizing solution. By using the jet nebulizer, an increase in the droplet size followed by a decrease has been observed. This observation could be attributed to the approx. 7 degrees C reduction of the temperature during the first 2 min in the jet nebulizer reservoir which increased the viscosity of the nebulizing solution. After this initial period of time, the increasing drug concentration induced a reduction of the surface tension and, consequently, a decrease in the droplet size. However, with the ultrasonic nebulizer a temperature increase of approx. 20 degrees C during the first 6 min in the nebulizing solution was observed leading to a decrease in droplet size, viscosity and surface tension and an increasing saturated vapour pressure. This again led to smaller average droplet sizes.     

Malignant Struma Ovarii: Recurrence and Response to Treatment Monitored by Thyroglobulin Levels

A patient with malignant struma ovarii who had elevated thyroglobulin levels at the time of her original surgery was diagnosed with recurrence on the basis of progressive thyroglobulin level elevation while on thyroid suppressive therapy. Subsequent treatment with therapeutic doses of iodine-137 resulted in normalization of the elevated thyroglobulin level. The patient remains disease free on thyroid replacement.     

Establishment of a formal program for retinoblastoma: Feasibility of clinical coordination across borders and impact on outcome

Retinoblastoma is an ocular tumor that occurs in young children, in either heritable or sporadic manner. The relative rarity of retinoblastoma, and the need for expensive equipment, anesthesia, and pediatric ophthalmologic expertise, are barriers for effective treatment in developing countries. Also, with an average age‐adjusted incidence of two to five cases per million children, patient number limits development of local expertise in countries with small populations. Lebanon is a small country with a population of approximately 4.5 million. In 2012, a comprehensive retinoblastoma program was formalized at the Children's Cancer Institute (CCI) at the American University of Beirut Medical Center, and resources were allocated for efficient interdisciplinary coordination to attract patients from neighboring countries such as Syria and Iraq, where such specialized therapy is also lacking. Through this program, care was coordinated across hospitals and borders such that patients would receive scheduled chemotherapy at their institution, and monthly retinal examinations and focal laser therapy at the CCI in Lebanon. Our results show the feasibility of successful collaboration across borders, with excellent patient and physician adherence to treatment plans. This was accompanied by an increase in patient referrals, which enables continued expertise development. However, the majority of patients presented with advanced intraocular disease, necessitating enucleation in 90% of eyes in unilateral cases, and more than 50% of eyes in bilateral cases. Future efforts need to focus on expanding the program that reaches to additional hospitals in both countries, and promoting early diagnosis, for further improvement of globe salvage rates.     

Accuracy of fetal fibronectin to predict preterm birth in twin gestations with symptoms of labor

OBJECTIVE: To investigate accuracy of fetal fibronectin testing to predict preterm birth in twin gestations with symptoms of preterm labor. METHODS: We reviewed charts of all patients with twin gestations who underwent fetal fibronectin testing and presented with complaints of preterm labor between January 1, 2000, and June 30, 2004. We also reviewed the charts of all singleton gestations with similar complaints that had fetal fibronectin testing between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2001. All samples were processed using a rapid fetal fibronectin detection system. We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of fetal fibronectin testing in singleton and twin gestations in predicting delivery within 14 days of testing. RESULTS: Four hundred twenty-nine singletons and 87 twins met the inclusion criteria. The birth rate before 34 weeks of gestation for singletons was 3.5% compared with the rate of twin pregnancies of 28.7%. Fetal fibronectin predicted delivery within 14 days of testing with a sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values in singleton gestations of 82%, 90%, 17%, and 99%, respectively. In twin gestations, fetal fibronectin predicted delivery within 14 days of testing with a sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 71%, 74%, 19%, and 97%, respectively. CONCLUSION: As noted in singleton pregnancies, fetal fibronectin testing in twins has a high negative predictive value. Fetal fibronectin evaluation may be a useful tool in screening twins with symptoms of preterm labor, because a negative result places these women at a low risk for delivering within 2 weeks of testing.     

灵活运用活页教材全面提升学生的医学英语听说写读译能力

在医学双语教学中,我们发现教材的滞后性与学生求知要求的超前性矛盾随着教学的进展,越来越严重。所以我们将反映国内外医学教学最新研究成果的、常见的、多发的临床病例、病历讨论等编辑成活页教材,对2000、2001、2002级中医对外交流学生进行教学,并与传统教学模式进行对照,对学生的听说读写能力进行全面测试,结果说明活页教材方式要优于传统教学方法。现总结如下:1丰富听力活页教材内容,强化听说能力英语双语教学过程中,听力教学有其不容忽视的地位,在医学交流中又是一个非常重要的手段。但听力在医学双语教学中是一个易被忽视的部分,很多…