The theory of five elements in acupuncture

The theory of five elements is extensively used in traditional Chinese medicine. It is proposed that the theory of five elements was developed on the basis of the theory of elements, the law of contagion and the law of similarity which were prevalent in that era. The theory of elements spread in various forms all over the face of the globe. The law of contagion stated that objects, which at one time had been in continuity or juxtaposition, continued to exert an effect one upon the other. The internal organs were coupled probably on the basis of the law of contagion. The law of similarity stated that objects or circumstances which bear apparent similarity in form, shape, color or sequence of events, were considered to be fundamentally related. On the basis of the law of similarity the coupled internal organs were classified into five elements and the theory of five elements was compared with various things like seasons, color, tastes, emotions, etc. The theory of five elements is probably the earliest documented evidence correlating physiology with pathogenesis of diseases and a guideline for treatment of diseases.     

Sinonasal small cell neoplasm developing after radiation therapy for retinoblastoma: an immunohistologic, ultrastructural, and cytogenetic study.

Patients with retinoblastoma have an increased risk of developing second primary tumors. Only a few examples of sinonasal small cell neoplasms developing after radiation therapy for retinoblastoma have been reported. We report one such case that developed 18 years after treatment for retinoblastoma. Histologic examination revealed a small, blue, round cell tumor without rosettes or cytoplasmic glycogen. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for neuron-specific enolase, synaptophysin, and S-100 protein, but negative for epithelial and mesenchymal markers, suggesting that this was a primitive neuroectodermal tumor. Cytogenetic studies of this tumor failed to reveal the chromosome 13 abnormality typical of retinoblastoma and the t(11:22) translocation typical of the group of peripheral neuroepitheliomas.     

Beta 2-microglobulin amyloidosis (AB2M) in patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis. A new type of amyloid

Amyloidosis has been increasingly recognized in association with renal failure and chronic hemodialysis. This report describes three patients who had long-term hemodialysis (between 7-18 years), in whom deposits developed of a new type of amyloid of beta 2-microglobulin origin. Beta 2-microglobulin amyloid (AB2M) was found in multiple organs, i.e., bone, subendocardium, gastrointestinal blood vessels, tongue, and carpal tunnel connective tissue. AB2M displayed characteristic amyloid features on conventional light and polarized microscopic examination after congo red staining. However immunostaining with anti-amyloid A protein, kappa, and lambda antisera were negative. The studied material reacted positively with beta 2-microglobulin antisera, identifying AB2M in all three cases. Ultrastructural study revealed an unusual curvi-linear fibrillar configuration. AB2M appears to be a new subtype of systemic amyloidosis secondary to renal failure and long-term hemodialysis.     

Gene discovery in the Entamoeba invadens genome

Entamoeba invadens, a parasite of reptiles, is a model for the study of encystation by the human enteric pathogen Entamoeba histolytica, because E. invadens form cysts in axenic culture. With approximately 0.5-fold sequence coverage of the genome, we were able to get insights into E. invadens gene and genome features. Overall, the E. invadens genome displays many of the features that are emerging from ongoing genome sequencing efforts in E. histolytica. At the nucleotide level the E. invadens genome has on average 60% sequence identity with that of E. histolytica. The presence of introns in E. invadens was predicted with similar consensus (GTTTGT em leader A/TAG) sequences to those identified in E. histolytica and Entamoeba dispar. Sequences highly repeated in the genome of E. histolytica (rRNAs, tRNAs, CXXC-rich proteins, and Leu-rich repeat proteins) were found to be highly repeated in the E. invadens genome. Numerous proteins homologous to those implicated in amoebic virulence, (Gal/GalNAc lectins, amoebapores, and cysteine proteinases) and drug resistance (p-glycoproteins) were identified. Homologs of proteins involved in cell cycle, vesicular trafficking and signal transduction were identified, which may be involved in en/excystation and cell growth of E. invadens. Finally, multiple copies of a number of E. invadens genes coding for predicted enzymes involved in core metabolism and the targets of anti-amoebic drugs were identified.     

Blood-group-related antigen Lewis(x) and Lewis(y) in the differential diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma

Distribution of Lewis(x) (Le(x)) and Lewis(y) (Le(y)) blood-group antigens was studied in nine formaldehyde-fixed, paraffin-embedded cholangiocarcinomas (CCs), 26 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), and eight normal livers. All CCs, with one exception, expressed both Le(x) and Le(y) antigens on few or many cells. In HCCs Lex was expressed infrequently (8%), while Le(y) was detected in 31% of cases. Both markers, when present in HCCs, tended to be spotty. Fibrolamellar carcinomas and normal livers did not react with either Le(x) or Le(y) antigens; however, Le(y) antigen was observed occasionally in bile duct epithelial and ductular cells. In conclusion, inappropriate tissue distribution of Le(y) blood-group antigens was observed in CCs and, much less frequently, in HCCs. The high frequency of Le(x) antigen in CCs but not in HCCs may help in the differential diagnosis of these two tumors.     

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma arising in Warthin's tumor: a case report

Malignant transformation of the epithelial component of Warthin's tumor is extremely rare. We describe our experience of mucoepidermoid carcinoma arising in Warthin's tumor of the parotid gland in a 35 year old female. The tumor removed from the parotid region was well encapsulated and histologically comprised ofmucoepidermoid carcinoma along with areas of Warthin's tumor. The pathogenesis and differential diagnosis of this rare occurrence have been discussed.