Epstein-Barr virus DNA in Reed-Sternberg cells of Hodgkin''s disease is frequently associated with CR2 (EBV receptor) expression

We studied 44 cases of Hodgkin's disease for the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA, its localization and the expression of the EBV receptor on the tumour cells. EBV DNA was found in 52% (16/31) of the Hodgkin's lymphomas using the polymerase chain reaction. With a very sensitive non-radioactive DNA in situ hybridization technique in combination with immunohistochemistry for CD 30 or CD 15 antigens, EBV DNA was localized to Reed-Sternberg cells and its mononuclear variants. The relationship between the presence of EBV DNA and the expression of the EBV-receptor CR2 (CD 21) on Reed-Sternberg cells was studied using the same techniques and two different monoclonal anti-CD 21 antibodies. CR2 could be detected on a substantial number of the Reed-Sternberg cells in EBV DNA positive Hodgkin's lymphomas (9/12; 75%), whereas in EBV negative cases positivity with anti-CD 21 was rare (1/13; 8%). The results indicate that CR2 expression on Reed-Sternberg cells and the presence of EBV DNA sequences are frequently associated in Hodgkin's lymphomas.     

Primary extrarenal Wilms'' tumour: identification of a putative precursor lesion

We report a case of primary extrarenal Wilms' tumour which, on histological examination, revealed a zone of hyalinized blastema adjacent to, and within the tumour capsule. The tumour showed a predominant stromal component. The presence of the hyalinized blastema adjacent to the tumour raises the possibility that some cases of extrarenal Wilms' tumour may have a precursor lesion.     

Pseudoangiosarcomatous carcinoma: a clinicopathological study of seven cases

Seven cases of carcinoma mimicking angiosarcoma occurring in skin (3 cases), breast (3) and lung (1) are described. The cutaneous, pulmonary and one of the breast carcinomas were poorly differentiated and squamous in type; the other two breast tumours were poorly differentiated ductal carcinomas with focal squamous differentiation. Histologically, the pseudoangiosarcomatous pattern was due to complex anastomosing channels and spaces lined by neoplastic cells. The spaces contained hyaluronic acid. The neoplastic cells exhibited cytokeratin positivity but yielded negative results with the endothelial cell markers, factor VIII-related antigen and CD 34 (QB-END/10). Two breast tumours showed binding of UEA-1. Ultrastructurally, unequivocal epithelial differentiation was demonstrated in six of the cases. Pathogenetically, these tumours appeared to be variants of acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma. Recognition of this unusual form of carcinoma is important, as an incorrect diagnosis of angiosarcoma may lead to inappropriate treatment and prognostication.     

Auditory event-related potentials during stage 2 NREM sleep in humans

SUMMARY  Event-related potential (ERP) recordings were used to investigate the nature of auditory stimulus evaluation during stage 2 sleep. Frequent and rare stimuli, differing in intensity and frequency, were presented to six adult subjects while awake and asleep. The latency and voltage distribution of one of the long-latency components evoked during sleep resembled the P3 component evoked while awake. However, it was attenuated in voltage and superimposed on N3, a large late negative component, most probably the slow potential of the K complex. The identification of a P3-like potential during sleep suggests that the P3 potential is not solely a marker of active cognitive processes, but contains a small component which reflects automatic, pre-attentive evaluation of deviant stimuli.     

Spontaneous phasic activity in the brain: differences between waves in lateral geniculate and central lateral nuclei across sleep states

SUMMARY  Ponto-geniculo-occipital (PGO) waves are spontaneously-occurring macropotential waveforms recorded in the pons, lateral geniculate body (LGB) and occipital cortex. PGO waves mark the onset and course of rapid eye movement sleep (REM). PGO-like waves can be recorded in several brain areas including the thalamic central lateral nucleus (CL). Alerting stimuli elicit PGO waves (PGO_E) from LGB and waves from CL (CL_E) in all behavioural states. We compared spontaneous activity in LGB and CL across behavioral states to examine the relationship of CL waves to PGO waves. Spontaneous waves in LGB and CL may occur concurrently or separately in all states. Although REM is marked by a high level of LGB PGO activity, CL waves are rare. Frequencies of CL and LGB waves are similar in non-REM (NREM) although the waves do not necessarily occur at the same time. These findings suggest that the widespread phasic activity recorded throughout the brain in sleep cannot be assumed to be a non-specific unitary phenomenon propagated from a single brainstem generator.     

血浆HCY、hs-CRP水平与高血压患者颈动脉粥样硬化的相关性及其危险因素分析（1）

[摘要]：目的：探讨血浆HCY、hs-CRP水平与高血压患者颈动脉粥样硬化的相关性及其危险因素分析。方法：110例高血压患者,按照高血压诊断标准进行分组分别为Ti、Tz、Ts组,观察Ti、Tz、Ts组颈动脉超声检查结果、总胆固醇、HCY、甘油三酯、hs-CRP水平;分析HCY、hs-CRP水平与颈动脉粥样硬化的关系,并做logistic回归分析。结果：超声检查Ts组20例出现斑块（指不稳定和稳定斑块）,Tz组出现斑块有15例,Ti组出现斑块有12例,Tz、Ts组患者斑块检出率比Ti组低,Ti、Tz、Ts组间无显著差异（P＞0.05）。Ti、Tz、Ts组患者血清TC、TG值无显著差异（P＞0.05）,Ti组HCY、hs-CRP水平最低,Tz组HCY、hs-CRP水平其次,Ts组出现最高HCY、hs-CRP值（9.86±4.32、13.84±1.21）,Ti、Tz、Ts组间有显著差异（P＜0.05）。与不稳定斑块组相比,无斑块组hs-CRP、HCY值明显降低,稳定斑块组hs-CRP、HCY值高于无斑块组,且低于不稳定斑块组,不稳定斑块组hs-CRP、HCY值为（26.45 ± 10.21、34.54 ± 11.62）,无斑块组、稳定斑块组、不稳定斑块组间有显著差异（P＜0.05）。由logistic回归分析发现,HCY、hs-CRP和颈动脉斑块、TC、TG均为影响高血压颈动脉粥样硬化的独立危险因素。结论：HCY及hs-CRP值增加,高血压患者颈动脉粥硬化加重,HCY及hs-CRP与高血压颈动脉粥样硬化为正相关关系,HCY、hs-CRP也是其独立危险因子。     

Assessment of mouth-to-mask ventilation in resuscitation of asphyxic newborn babies. A pilot study

The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of mouth-to-mask ventilation (MM) in neonatal asphyxia with bag-and-mask ventilation (BM). A new mouth-to-mask infant resuscitation system was constructed. The study was performed in two university clinics with different resources. The KEM Hospital in Bombay was well equipped and neonatologists took part in all resuscitations; Muhimbili Medical Centre in Dar es Salaam was understaffed and had no physicians available at resuscitation. Therefore, different protocols had to be used. In Bombay, the study period was limited to 5 minutes. If needed, mask ventilation was then replaced by intubation. In Dar es Salaam, MM ventilation was continued for up to 10 minutes, the inspiratory pressure was adjusted to 30 cmH₂O and the ventilation was slow (8–10 breaths/min). In Bombay, 30 babies were allocated to the BM and 24 to the MM groups. In Dar es Salaam 56 were in the BM and 64 in the MM groups. The results for term babies in Bombay and both term and pre-term babies in Dar es Salaam showed no significant differences between the two groups of treatment, as determined by Apgar score 4 at 5 and 10 minutes, number of babies with their first gasp, heart rate >130 beats/min or pulse oximeter values above 75%, all at 5 minutes. An Apgar score 4 at 5 minutes was achieved in more than 75% of all infants, irrespective of treatment. The rates of early neonatal mortality and neonatal convulsions did not differ between the two methods of resuscitation. In Dar es Salaam, the low respiratory frequency used in both groups was associated with a slow increase in heart rate above 130 beats per min. This result indicates that further studies will be needed before such slow respiratory frequencies are used. We conclude that, if adequate training is provided and the respiratory frequency is kept within the normal range, MM ventilation is an alternative to assisted ventilation when no bag and mask is available. However, further studies are necessary, since this method has proved to be tiring and uncomfortable for the resuscitating health personnel.     

基于语义的电子病历智能全文检索

目的:研究检索结果更精确的电子病历检索算法,更好地促进电子病历在科研辅助方面的开发利用。方法:以基于关键字的全文检索技术为基础,通过对电子病历档案库的前期分析,自动学习相关领域词汇的语义关系并建立本体库,在此基础上对电子病历进行全文语义检索。结果:该技术强调关键词的语义性,检索结果更精确更智能,更符合人类的思维习惯。结论:使用基于语义的电子病历智能全文检索系统,可以有效地改善检索结果,提高电子病历的利用率。