Chemokine receptor CCR6 as a prognostic factor after hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma

Background and Aims: Chemokines and their receptors have recently been shown to have major roles in cancer metastasis. The aim of this study was to determine whether the interaction between chemokine receptor 6 (CCR6) and its ligand, macrophage inflammatory protein‐3 alpha (MIP‐3α), correlates with metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: To observe the reaction of CCR6 expressed cancer cells to MIP‐3α stimulation, chemotactic and actin polymerization assays for both CCR6 high cells (HepG2) and CCR6 low cells (MCF‐7) were performed. CCR6 mRNA levels in tumor specimens from 30 HCC patients were quantified by real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Patients were classified into two groups, high (≥ 20 copies; n = 10) CCR6 and low (<20 copies; n = 20) CCR6 on the basis of CCR6 expression, and the groups were compared with respect to clinicopathological features. Results: When HepG2 cells (CCR6 high) were stimulated with MIP‐3α, they migrated in a dose‐dependent manner, and formation of pseudopodia was observed. These phenomena were not observed in the CCR6 low cells. The incidence of intrahepatic metastasis was higher in the high CCR6 expression group than in the low CCR6 expression group (P < 0.05). Disease‐free survival was significantly poorer in the high CCR6 expression group than in the low CCR6 expression group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: It was indicated that CCR6 might be associated with intrahepatic metastasis of HCC and might be able to become one of the prognostic factor after hepatic resection for HCC.     

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in a human immunodeficiency virus-positive homosexual high school student

The spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has exploded over the past two decades and such infections in young people are no longer uncommon. However, the major infection route of pediatric patients remains vertical transmission, and sexual, especially homosexual transmission, is highly unusual. We herein describe the case of a 17-year-old boy who developed hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Although HLH was remitted soon with dexamethasone therapy, an HIV infection caused by homosexual transmission was detected.     

Value of B-Scan Ultrasonography in the Diagnosis of Liver Cancer

Seventy-one patients with liver cancer were examined by B-scan ultrasonography. The presence of liver cancer was assumed through the irregularity and increased intensity of echos. The accuracy of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of liver cancer was 72%, while the diagnostic accuracy of scintigraphy was 85% and angiography 93%. No obvious correlation could be demonstrated between the ultrasonographic patterns and serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels. Ultrasonography is a useful method of detecting liver cancer.     

MMP-2及MMP-9表达在侵袭性垂体腺瘤中的生物学意义

目的本研究的目的是探讨基质金属蛋白酶-2(matrix metalloproteinase 2, MMP-2)及基质金属蛋白酶-9(matrix metalloproteinase 9, MMP-9)的表达与侵袭性垂体腺瘤相关性研究.以寻找垂体腺瘤侵袭性可能的发病机理.方法用免疫组化方法对54例垂体瘤患者的组织标本进行研究.并对其中16例患者采用逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)的方法对MMP-2及MMP-9 mRNA的表达进行分析.结果 54例垂体瘤患者中,有32例女性,22例男性.平均年龄为49.9岁(从18～76岁).其中,12例为侵袭性垂体腺瘤,42例为非侵袭性垂体腺瘤.免疫组化显示,侵袭性垂体腺瘤的MMP-2及MMP-9的表达明显高于非侵袭性垂体腺瘤(3.9±0.5; 2.3±0.2;P<0.01)和(4.1±0.4; 2.6±0.2; P<0.01).MMP-2及MMP-9的表达与MIB-1的表达无明显相关性(r=–0.05; P>0.05).侵袭性垂体腺瘤MMP-2及MMP-9 mRNA的表达,明显高于非侵袭性垂体腺瘤[(59.7±12.5)%; (33.3±5.4)%, P<0.05] 及[(68.2±15.3)%; (21.8±8.2)%; P<0.05] .结论 MMP-2及MMP-9的高表达与肿瘤的侵袭性密切相关.但与肿瘤的大小及分泌功能无明显关系.MMP-2及MMP-9可以作为肿瘤侵袭性一项有效的指标.肿瘤的侵袭性和增殖之间可能存在不同的生物学机制.     

International cooperation of Japanese pediatricians with Cairo University Pediatric Hospital

In connection with ‘Child Year’ in 1980, an agreement on the construction and donation of a pediatric hospital was concluded between the Egyptian and Japanese Governments. Under this agreement, the Cairo University Pediatric Hospital (CUPH) was opened in March 1983, as a four-storey building with 240 beds, and including four operating rooms, an intensive care unit (ICU) and neonatal ICU. The technical cooperation and supply of medical equipment in all areas of CUPH is ongoing during this project. The subject matter of technical cooperation is as follows. (1) Dispatch of Japanese experts to Egypt for short and long terms. (2) Acceptance of Egyptian trainees to Japan. (3) Supply of medical equipment and materials. Through the first 5 years of this cooperation, the management of ICU, operating theaters, medical and surgical wards has improved markedly with great efforts from the Egyptian and Japanese staff. Based on this successful cooperation, the Pediatric Cardiovascular Center was established in 1988 with a two-storey extension in the hospital including two cardiac operation theaters, ICU and other special facilities. Now, CUPH has become the center of pediatric medical care in not only Egypt but also the surrounding Arabic countries, supported by the friendly and close relationship between Egypt and Japan.     

Common clonal origin of lymphocytes and plasma cells in splenic lymphoma with villous lymphocytes

In two-thirds of patients with splenic lymphoma with villous lymphocytes (SLVL) a small amount of M-protein can be detected in association with the presence of plasma cells in the peripheral blood (PB) and/or bone marrow (BM). However, it is not known whether lymphoma cells and plasma cells originate from the same clone. In this report we describe a case of SLVL which was characterized by the presence of marked monoclonal gammopathy (IgG-κ 90 g/l) and increased plasma cells in the BM. In an attempt to elucidate the origin of lymphoma cells and plasma cells, we performed morphological, cytogenetic and molecular studies on PB mononuclear cells (PBMNC) without plasma cells and BMMNC containing 10% plasma cells from this patient.
Immunofluorescence showed that lymphoma cells and plasma cells were positive for cytoplasmic γ heavy and κ light chains. Well-developed endoplasmic reticulum was observed in the cytoplasmic organelles of PBMNC using an electron microscope. The mean IgG concentration in the 3 d supernatant cultures of PBMNC was 374±24μg/l. More than 50% PBMNC differentiated into plasmacytoid cells in 6 d of liquid culture with IL-3 and IL-6. Analysis by two-colour FISH revealed that karyotypic abnormalities of monosomy X and trisomy 17 existed simultaneously in both lymphoma cells and plasma cells. JH gene rearranged bands from PBMNC and BMMNC by Southern blot hybridization were identical, whereas DNAs from PBMNC failed to hybridize with the Cμ probe.
These observations strongly suggest that lymphoma cells and plasma cells originate from the same clone, and that plasma cells, as well as lymphoma cells, which have undergone class switch recombination, could produce IgG type M-protein in this case.     

A Case of Esophagitis Associated with Stevens-Johnson's Syndrome

Abstract: Stevens-Johnson's syndrome (SJS) is a severe type of erythema multiforme with involvement of the mucous surfaces of the mouth, nose and conjunctiva. Although various complications have been described, reports of digestive tract lesions associated with SJS are rare. A 21-year-old woman developed erythematous lesions on the limbs three days after receiving antibiotic and anti-inflammatory agent treatment for common cold-like symptoms. On initial consultation at our hospital, endoscopy was performed to investigate the cause of a disagreeable sensation in the esophagus and mucosal exfoliation of a white membrane-like substance was recognized as involving the entire esophagus. Sporadic white mucosal protrusions were also observed, suggesting exfoliative esophagitis. No abnormal findings were noted in the stomach or duodenum. After admission, the skin lesions rapidly expanded to involve the entire body including the mucous membranes of the lips, oral cavity, conjunctiva and vulva. Nikolsky's sign was positive. A diagnosis of SJS was made and systemic corticosteroid administration was initiated. Both the esophagitis and the skin lesions improved within 2 months of starting treatment. Esophageal lesions constitute a relatively rare manifestation of SJS, and only 10 cases have been reported in the international literature.