Spinal injuries in children

We reviewed 47 children with spinal injuries. Three distinct patterns of injury were observed: subluxations and dislocations without a fracture (type 1), spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality (type 2), and spinal fractures which may be associated with subluxation or dislocation (type 3), The neurological recovery was poor in complete lesions associated with type 2 injuries.     

CD31 (JC70) expression in plasma cells: an immunohistochemical analysis of reactive and neoplastic plasma cells.

AIMS: To investigate the immunohistochemical expression of CD31 (JC70) in normal and neoplastic plasma cells. METHODS: Plasma cells in bone marrow biopsies and extramedullary locations were examined. All extramedullary biopsies were formalin fixed and paraffin embedded. The bone marrow biopsies were fixed in formal acetic acid and embedded in paraffin wax. Twenty multiple myelomas (12 bone marrow and eight extramedullary deposits), 10 extramedullary plasmacytomas, and 30 biopsies with reactive plasma cells (10 bone marrow, 20 extramedullary biopsies) were stained with anti-CD31 (JC70) using the streptavidin-biotin detection system with diaminobenzidine as a chromogen. Antigen retrieval in bone marrow biopsies was achieved by pressure cooking. In all other biopsies, antigen retrieval was achieved by microwave pretreatment. RESULTS: All 20 extramedullary cases with reactive plasma cells showed intense membrane staining. Focal staining was detected in reactive plasma cells in bone marrow biopsies. Five of 10 plasmacytomas showed membrane staining. None of the cases of multiple myeloma, either medullary or extramedullary, showed any immunoreactivity for CD31. CONCLUSIONS: CD31, a member of the immunoglobulin supergene family of cell adhesion molecules, is strongly expressed in extramedullary reactive plasma cells, focally in bone marrow reactive plasma cells, and occasionally in extramedullary plasmacytomas.     

Toll-like receptor 3 gene polymorphisms in South African Blacks with type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is the consequence of exposure of genetically susceptible individuals to specific environmental precipitants. The innate immune system provides the initial response to exogenous antigen and links with the adaptive immune system. The aim of this study was to assess the role of polymorphisms occurring in the cytoplasmic region of toll-like receptor (TLR) 3 gene and immediate 5' sequence, in subjects of Zulu descent with type 1 diabetes in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Seventy-nine subjects with type 1 diabetes and 74 healthy normal glucose tolerant gender-matched control subjects were studied. Parts of exon 4 and exon 3/intron 3 of the TLR3 gene were studied by polymerase chain reaction, direct sequencing and restriction enzyme digestion with Bts 1. Of the nine polymorphisms studied, a significant association with type 1 diabetes was found for the major allele in the 2593 C/T polymorphism and for the minor alleles in the 2642 C/A and 2690 A/G polymorphisms, which were found to be in complete linkage disequilibrium. Correction of the P-values for the number of alleles studied, however, rendered the results no longer significant. These results suggest that polymorphisms in the TLR3 gene, which is part of the innate immune system, may be associated with type 1 diabetes in this population.     

A Cross-Country Network Analysis of Adolescent Resilience

PurposeIn situations of adversity, young people draw on individual, relational, and contextual (community and cultural) resources to foster their resilience. Recent literature defines resilience as a capacity that is underpinned by a network of interrelated resources. Although empirical studies show evidence of the value of a network approach, little is known regarding how different country contexts influence which resources are most critical within a resource network and how resources interact for adolescent resilience.MethodsNetwork analysis was conducted with data from studies that had used the Child and Youth Resilience Measure. Regularized partial correlation networks of 17 resources were estimated for 14 countries (Botswana, Canada, China, Colombia, Equatorial Guinea, India, Indonesia, Italy, Jordan, New Zealand, the Philippines, Romania, South Africa, and Syrian refugees living in Jordan). The sample size was 18,914 (mean age = 15.70 years, 48.8% female).ResultsWe observed mostly positive associations between the resources of interest. The salience and strength of associations between resources varied by country. The most central resource across countries was having supportive caregivers during stressful times because this resource had the most and strongest positive associations with other resources.ConclusionsThis study gives first empirical evidence from multiple countries that an interplay of social–ecological resources (such as individual skills, peer, caregiver and community support, and educational aspirations and opportunities) matter for adolescent resilience. Across countries, caregiver support appears to be most central for adolescent resilience. Future resilience interventions might apply this network approach to identify important, contextually relevant resources that likely foster additional resources.     

Cryptococcal osteomyelitis of the spine

We have treated seven patients with cryptococcal spondylitis. Five presented with a neurological deficit and one was HIV-positive. Amphotericin-B and 5-flucytosine were used in five patients and ketoconazole was given orally in the remaining two. Three patients made a complete neurological recovery. Since these lesions mimic spinal tuberculosis, which is commonly seen in our environment, we draw attention to the importance of obtaining a tissue diagnosis.     

Spinal tuberculosis in HIV positive and negative patients: immunological response and clinical outcome

We measured cytokine secretion patterns in peripheral blood and granulation tissue by flow cytometry in 16 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive and 26 HIV negative patients with spinal tuberculosis. Anti-retroviral therapy was not prescribed. There were no significant differences in the postoperative morbidity and neurological recovery between the two groups.

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Résumé  Nous avons mesuré, par cytométrie en flux, la sécrétion de cytokine dans le sang périphérique et le tissu de granulation chez des patients atteints de tuberculose rachidienne, 16 HIV positifs et 26 HIV négatifs. Il n’y avait pas de différence significative dans la morbidité post-opératoire et la récupération neurologique entre les deux groupes.

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Accepted: 21 February 2000     

The in vivo effects of Tulbhagia violacea on blood pressure in a salt-sensitive rat model

Aim of the study

The in vivo effects of Tulbhagia violacea on systemic arterial blood pressure and on the renin-angiotensin system in a Dahl salt-sensitive rat model were investigated.

Materials and methods

Animals were treated for 14 days intraperitoneally as follows: Tulbhagia violacea (Tvl) (50 mg/kg b.w.), captopril (Cap) (10 mg/kg b.w.) or DMSO (Con). Baseline blood pressures were recorded prior to the commencement of the study and biweekly during the experimental period. Urine volume and sodium concentration were measured during the experimental period. On day 15, animals were anaesthetized (sodium thiopentane, 50 mg/kg, i.p.), blood samples for aldosterone levels were taken and the kidneys removed for determining AT1a mRNA expression.

Results

Cap and Tvl groups showed significantly reduced AT1a mRNA expressions by 3.11- and 5.03-fold, respectively, when compared to the Con group (p < 0.05). When compared to baseline blood pressures (day 0); Cap and Tvl showed reductions in systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 7.76 ± 0.41% and 9.12 ± 0.31%, respectively (mean% decrease from day 0 to day 14). In contrast, in the Con group the systolic blood pressure increased from day 0 to day 14 by 4.66 ± 0.56%. Blood pressure changes in all treated groups differed from Con significantly. Systolic blood pressure decreased with the decrease in AT1a mRNA expressions in these groups. When comparing day 0 to day 14, urine output increased in the Cap and Tvl groups. In the Con group, urinary volume was reduced by day 14 as compared to day 0. Urinary sodium excretion was increased in the treated groups by day 14.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that Tulbhagia violacea reduces systemic arterial blood pressure in the Dahl rat by decreasing renal AT1 receptor gene expression and hence modulating sodium and water homeostasis.     

Primary esophageal sclerosing mucoepidermoid carcinoma with “tissue eosinophilia”

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma(MEC)is a rare primary esophageal malignancy.It is characterized by poor clinical recognition,pre-operative diagnostic challenges and a lack of standardized therapeutic guidelines.We report the clinicopathological features of a hitherto unreported variant of esophageal MEC,sclerosing MEC with"tissue eosinophilia",in a mid-esophageal location in a 51-year-old female.The diagnosis of the initial biopsy was challenging,because of the small size,poor orientation and inadequate representation of the MEC components.Recognition of the resectability of the tumor prompted surgical resection and enabled a demonstration of the low grade foci containing intermediate cells,mucin pools and the hitherto undescribed presence of stromal sclerosis and tissue eosinophils in esophageal MEC.Heightened clinicopathological awareness of esophageal MEC facilitated a definitive diagnosis and patient management.Increased recognition andglobal documentation of esophageal sclerosing MEC with"tissue eosinophilia"is necessary to improve the understanding and diagnosis of this malignancy in this location and to improve management guidelines.