Characteristics of deoxycholic acid-induced histamine release from mast cells of guinea-pig rectocolonic mucosa and rat peritoneal cavity

Deoxycholic acid (DA) caused a dose-related release of histamine (HR) from mast cells of rat peritoneum (RPMC) and mucosal cells of guinea pig rectocolon (RCMC). In both cell populations, DA-induced HR was: (1) accompared by a parallel release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), (2) not affected by metabolic inhibitors, (3) dependent on time of incubation, temperature and pH, and affected by Ca⁺⁺ concentration in RPMC but not in RCMC. DA-induced HR from RCMC may be involved in certain functional disorders of the colon.     

Multiple digital fractures from automobile air bag inflation

Automobile air bag inflation-caused injuries to the chest, neck, and face, in particular the orbital contents, are infrequent but recognized. We report the occurrence of multiple digital fractures in the left hand of a 30-yearold male driver as a result of sudden air bag inflation. Continued monitoring of the potential hazards of this device is suggested.     

Effect of adenosine agonists on guinea-pig isolated trachea

Inflammation Research -     

The pattern and frequency of t(14;18) translocation and immunophenotype in Asian follicular lymphoma

AIMS: Follicular lymphoma is frequently associated with t(14;18)(q32;q21) translocation. This study was undertaken to determine the pattern of Bcl-2, CD10 and Bcl-6 expression in relation to t(14;18) translocation in follicular lymphoma from a cohort of a multi-ethnic Asian population. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixty-two cases of follicular lymphoma were retrieved for immunohistochemistry, and t(14;18) translocation analysis by polymerase chain reaction and fluorescent in-situ hybridization techniques. Bcl-2 expression was present in 74% of the cases. CD10 expression was also relatively low (61%), with decreasing frequency of expression in high-grade tumours. Bcl-6 protein was expressed in most of the tumours (88%) regardless of the tumour grade. The t(14;18) translocation was detected in 46 cases (74%) with an extremely high rate of t(14;18) translocation in ethnic Indian cases (100%). CONCLUSION: The frequency of t(14;18) translocation in this series of follicular lymphomas was higher when compared with previous Asian reports, but in accordance with European and North American findings. CD10 expression is strongly associated with a t(14;18) translocation event, but the overall CD10 expression was relatively low, possibly due to the high proportion of high-grade tumours in the series. t(14;18) translocation was not associated with Bcl-2 or Bcl-6 expression.     

Osteochondroma and secondary synovial osteochondromatosis

Secondary synovial osteochondromatosis (SOC) is a rare disorder caused by a variety of joint disorders. Two unusual cases of secondary SOC are presented. The first patient is a 43-year-old man with extensive SOC developing within a bursa surrounding an osteochondroma of the pubic bone. The second patient is a 23-year-old man who developed florid and progressive SOC of his hip joint following excision of a femoral neck osteochondroma. SOC recurred despite three excisions over a 15-month period. Imaging was useful in pre-operative diagnosis of bursal SOC in the first patient and in detecting multiple recurrences in the second patient. Both cases illustrate prominent SOC developing secondary to osteochondroma. The different hypotheses regarding bursal and secondary SOC are reviewed. Received: 8 October 1998 Revision requested: 28 October 1998 Revision received: 13 November 1998 Accepted: 16 November 1998     

Intrafracture fluid: a new diagnostic sign of insufficiency fractures of the sacrum and ilium

MRI is generally regarded as being sensitive but non-specific for the detection of insufficiency fractures affecting the sacrum and pelvic ring. The finding of intrafracture fluid is described in two elderly patients with insufficiency fractures. This MR feature is believed to be a new diagnostic sign of these fractures affecting the sacrum and ilium.     

Comparison of supraspinatus tendon and glenohumeral joint axes in MR imaging of the shoulder

Objective. In magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the shoulder, oblique coronal images are used for evaluating the supraspinatus tendon (SST) of patients with suspected rotator cuff tear or impingement. This study aimed to compare orientation of the SST long axis with planes perpendicular to the glenohumeral joint (GHJ). Design and patients. The axial scans of 100 consecutive patients referred for MR imaging or MR arthrography of the shoulder were reviewed. Using the electronic cursors of a computer workstation, the angle of the SST long axis was measured and compared with the angle obtained through the GHJ utilizing three different landmarks: perpendicular to the joint (GHJ-90), joint–humeral head center axis (GHJ-H) and joint–scapular body axis (GHJ-S). Results. Differences in angulation between axes of the SST and the three GHJ axes averaged only about 5° [range of means 4.5–5.3°, range of standard deviation (SD) 3.8–4.6°]. In the majority of shoulders, angular differences measured 4 or less for all SST/GHJ comparisons. Similarly, small angular differences in the three GHJ axes were found: 4.5° (SD 3.3°) for GHJ-90/GHJ-S, 5.0° (SD 4.0°) for GHJ-S/GHJ-H and 2.9° (SD 3.0°) for GHJ-90/GHJ-H. Correlation between the GHJ-90 and GHJ-H axes was particularly good, with differences of 4° or less in 84% of shoulders. The orientations of the GHJ axes and that of the SST long axis are comparable. Conclusion. The GHJ may potentially be used as a landmark for obtaining oblique coronal images of the SST. Received: 19 November 1999 Revision requested: 18 January 2000 Revision received: 27 March 2000 Accepted: 5 April 2000     

Chest radiography in acute aortic syndrome: pearls and pitfalls

Acute aortic syndrome is a group of life-threatening diseases of the thoracic aorta that usually present to the emergency department. It includes aortic dissection, aortic intramural hematoma, and penetrating aortic ulcer. Rare aortic pathologies of aorto-esophageal fistula and mycotic aneurysm may also be included in this list. All these conditions require urgent treatment with complex clinical care and management. Most patients who present with chest pain are evaluated with a chest radiograph in the emergency department. It is important that maximum diagnostic information is extracted from the chest radiograph as certain signs on the chest radiograph are extremely useful in pointing towards the diagnosis of acute aortic syndrome.