MALIGNANT HEMANGIOENDOTHELIOMA

Background. The administration of interleukin-2 (il-2 ) has recently been reported to be favorable for treating malignant hemangioendothelioma (mhe ). Methods. Two patients with mhe responded well to intra-lesional injections of recombinant il-2 (ril-2 ) without major side effects. The purpose of this study was to characterize cells infiltrating the regressing tumor following ril-2 treatment. Immunohistochemical studies were performed on biopsy specimens taken from ril-2 -injected lesional skin. Results. It was shown that CD8⁺ lymphocytes and CD56⁺ natural killer (nk ) cells infiltrated at the ril-2 -injection sites, suggesting that these cells contributed to the tumor regression. In addition, MHE cells bore intercellular adhesion mole-cule-1 (icam -1) whose expression was augmented by rn-2 injections. Conclusions. These findings suggested, that ril-2 not only induces lymphokine-activated killer (lak ) cells and nk cells, but also facilitates these cytotoxic cells to adhere to MHE cells by enhancing icam -1 expression of tumor cells.     

Characterization of epitopes on a 32 kDa merozoite surface protein of Theileria sergenti

Epitopes on a 32 kDa protein, which is an immunodominant major surface protein ofTheileria sergenti, recognized by anti-merozoite monoclonal antibodies were characterized. The results of a competetive binding assay between monoclonal antibodies indicated that there were at least three epitopes in this protein. The presence of repeated epitopes was suggested by using two-site enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The protein was partitioned into the detergent phase of Triton X-114 extracts, indicating that the 32 kDa protein is an integral membrane protein. Periodate treatment of 32 kDa protein implies that one epitope of the epitopes recognized by monoclonal antibody has a carbohydrate moiety.     

An Unusual Case of Portasystemic Encephalopathy Caused by Splenic Vein Occlusion Following Gastrectomy

A patient with recurrent episodes of consciousness disturbance following partial gastrectomy is presented. Angiographic examination revealed a great portasystemic shunt, which probably developed following the postoperative splenic vein thrombosis. This is suspected a rare cause of the condition. In chronic liver disease, recurrent encephalopathy which is caused by portasystemic shunt is well known as one of the most frequent complications. It is very uncommon in adults, however, when the liver is not concerned in the shunt formation. In the present paper the authors report an unusual case of recurrent consciousness confusion which is due to the great portasystemic shunt probably caused by postgastrectomy splenic vein thrombosis.     

A newly identified exonic mutation of the WT1 gene in a patient with Denys-Drash syndrome

An 11 month old boy with hypospadias and bilateral undescended testes developed renal failure. Denys-Drash syndrome was suspected and molecular analysis of the WT1 gene was performed, although no Wilms' tumor was identified. Direct sequencing analysis of genomic DNA from this patient revealed a G to A transition resulting in ³⁶⁶Arg to Leu substitution in exon 8 which has hitherto not been described. This newly identified mutation will help in the understanding of functional domains and in making a diagnosis of Denys-Drash syndrome.     

A Case of Ménétrier's Disease Accompanied by Severe Hypogammaglobulinemia

We describe a case of Ménétrier's disease accompanied by severe hypoproteinemia with marked decrease of gamma globulin. Roentogenograms and endoscopic findings of the upper gastrointestinal tract demonstrated enlarged gastric rugae and multiple small protuberances of the duodenal mucosa. Histological findings of gastric biopsy specimens showed mucosal thickening and hypertrophy. Plasminogen activator activities were increased in both gastric and jenunal mucosal biopsy specimens. Severe hypoproteinemia was proven by the Gordon test and by determination of ptotein content of gastric Juice to be due to protein loss into the gastric lumen.