Clinicopathological Profile of Myelomatous Pleural Effusion: Single-center Real-world Experience and Review of Literature

Background

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematologic malignancy of plasma cell origin. MM primarily affects bone marrow, but extramedullary sites can also be involved. Myelomatous pleural effusion (MPE) is an atypical and rare complication of MM. We aimed to systematically study the incidence and clinicopathologic profile of patients with MPE in a real-world setting.

Radiosynthesis of 2'-deoxy-2'-[18F]-fluoro-5-methyl-1-beta-L-arabinofuranosyluracil ([18F]-L-FMAU) for PET.

Radiosynthesis of 2'-deoxy-2'-[(18)F]-fluoro-5-methyl-1-beta-L-arabinofuranosyluracil ([(18)F]-L-FMAU) is reported. Compound 1 was synthesized and converted to 2-triflate 2. Compound 3 was prepared from 2 using tetrabutylammonium[(18)F]fluoride, converted to 4, and then coupled with 5. The crude product was hydrolyzed, and purified by HPLC to obtain 7a. The radiochemical yield of [(18)F]-L-FMAU was 26% decay corrected (d.c.) in four runs with radiochemical purity >99% and specific activity 2200 mCi/micromol. The synthesis time was 3.3-3.5h from the end of bombardment (EOB).     

A genomic analysis of chicken cytokines and chemokines.

As most mechanisms of adaptive immunity evolved during the divergence of vertebrates, the immune systems of extant vertebrates represent different successful variations on the themes initiated in their earliest common ancestors. The genes involved in elaborating these mechanisms have been subject to exceptional selective pressures in an arms race with highly adaptable pathogens, resulting in highly divergent sequences of orthologous genes and the gain and loss of members of gene families as different species find different solutions to the challenge of infection. Consequently, it has been difficult to transfer to the chicken detailed knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of the mammalian immune system and, thus, to enhance the already significant contribution of chickens toward understanding the evolution of immunity. The availability of the chicken genome sequence provides the opportunity to resolve outstanding questions concerning which molecular components of the immune system are shared between mammals and birds and which represent their unique evolutionary solutions. We have integrated genome data with existing knowledge to make a new comparative census of members of cytokine and chemokine gene families, distinguishing the core set of molecules likely to be common to all higher vertebrates from those particular to these 300 million-year-old lineages. Some differences can be explained by the different architectures of the mammalian and avian immune systems. Chickens lack lymph nodes and also the genes for the lymphotoxins and lymphotoxin receptors. The lack of functional eosinophils correlates with the absence of the eotaxin genes and our previously reported observation that interleukin- 5 (IL-5) is a pseudogene. To summarize, in the chicken genome, we can identify the genes for 23 ILs, 8 type I interferons (IFNs), IFN-gamma, 1 colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), 2 of the 3 known transforming growth factors (TGFs), 24 chemokines (1 XCL, 14 CCL, 8 CXCL, and 1 CX3CL), and 10 tumor necrosis factor superfamily (TNFSF) members. Receptor genes present in the genome suggest the likely presence of 2 other ILs, 1 other CSF, and 2 other TNFSF members.     

Granulomatous Variant of Giant Centrifugal Miliaria Profunda

Abstract: Two infants presented with multiple asymptomatic papules and geographic and annular plaques over the extensor aspect of the upper and lower extremities and trunk. Skin biopsy of both lesions showed plugged and hyperplastic dilated acrosryingia and deep dermal ducts, along with granulomatous inflammatory reaction. These lesions showed self‐healing with complete resolution. A previous report described similar clinical and histopathologic features and labeled it giant centrifugal miliaria profunda. Because of the large granulomatous plaques and deep infiltrate, we propose that it was a granulomatous variant of giant centrifugal miliaria profunda. We report these cases for their rarity and self‐healing nature.     

Irritable bowel syndrome in Asia: Pathogenesis,natural history,epidemiology, and management

Historically, the epidemiology of gastrointestinal diseases in Asia was different from that in Western countries. Early studies suggested a low prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in Asia. As the diagnosis of IBS is symptom‐based and as symptom perception, expression, and interpretation are influenced by sociocultural perspectives including language, the presentation of IBS is expected to vary in different communities. Furthermore, the pathogenesis is multifactorial with psychosocial (stress, illness, behavior, and diet) and biological (infection, gut microbiota, and immune activation) variables interacting, and so, the present study can anticipate that the development of IBS will vary in different environments. In recognition of this aspect of functional gastrointestinal disorders, the recently published Rome IV documents have provided greater focus on cross‐cultural factors. In this review, the present study seeks to highlight Asian perspectives by identifying historical trends and recent publications from the region and comparing these with the observations from Western societies.