Phagocyte dysfunction in common variable immune deficiency

The history of a 13-year old boy is reported who suffered from frequent bacterial, enteroviral, and protozoal infections since late infancy. A decrease in the serum levels of IgG2, IgG3, IgA, a neutrophil dysfunction, and a partial cellular immune deficiency could be demonstrated. A deficiency of folic acid produced a pancytopenia which enhanced the patient's susceptibility to infections. The combined substitution of gammaglobulins and folic acid only was able to break this vicious cycle.     

Effects of xenotransplantation of pancreatic islet cells on immunological state of patients with diabetic angiopathies

The cell and humoral immunity state was studied up in 35 patients with diabetic angiopathy (insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus) before and 7 days, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after the pancreatic islet cells (PIC) xenotransplantation conduction in newborn piglets. Stimulation or suppression of the recipient immune system were not observed. This is associated with the PIC immune modulation due to their cultivation. Transplantation of the newborn piglets PIC is a safe method concerning the recipient immune system state. The contents of antibodies to insulin do not change in term of observation up to one year after the PIC cultures xenotransplantation conduction.     

Expression of vimentin and cytokeratin in eutopic and ectopic endometrium of women with adenomyosis and ovarian endometrioma

Tuberculosis is a continuous threat for health in all parts of the world. In industrialized centers an emerging increase of tuberculosis is observed due to low health standards, poor health education and control, increasing migration and the HIV epidemic. This should alert the pediatrician, since most tuberculosis infections in childhood start with contacts of infected adults with children. There is still a good response to most drugs against tuberculosis, but in some parts of the world the resistance to conventional treatment is an emerging problem. In general incidence, morbidity and mortality of tbc in children of the western world is low and has good prognosis. However, the diagnostic principles and the education of pediatricians for recognizing tbc is still of utmost importance.     

Imaging of follicular dendritic cell tumours of the liver

Follicular dendritic cell tumour of the liver is a recently recognized entity. To date, only two cases have been described, both in the pathology literature. Histologically, it resembles an inflammatory pseudotumour and immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies are required for its diagnosis. The ultrasound, computed tomography and angiographic features of two cases of follicular dendritic cell tumour of the liver are described in detail. One of the patients had multiple recurrences of this tumour. The imaging features are very similar to those of hepatocellular carcinoma. As follicular dendritic cell tumour is considered to be of low-grade malignant potential, in contrast to the dismal prognosis for hepatocellular carcinoma, it is important to be able to accurately distinguish between the two types of tumour prior to initiating definitive therapy.     

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the central skull base: MR manifestations

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the MR characteristics of non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the skull base to help in the differential diagnosis of this neoplasm from other conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR of five patients, 7-64 years old, with pathologically proved lymphomas of the skull base were reviewed. Three cases had primary skull base lesions involving the sphenoid bone and the cavernous sinus. One case with a nasal cavity lesion involving the skull base and one with a relapsing skull base lesion of previously treated tonsillar lymphoma were included. RESULTS: The lesions had signal intensities that were similar to that of gray matter of brain on both T1- and T2-weighted imaging. Bilateral cavernous sinuses were involved with encasement of internal carotid arteries in every case. Postcontrast MR showed homogeneous enhancement of the tumor with dural infiltration along the planum sphenoidale, clivus, or tentorium. The clivus was destroyed or replaced by tumors in adult cases but in two children the clivus was preserved with intact sphenooccipital synchondrosis. In one case the tumor extended to the extracranial portion through the jugular foramen. CONCLUSION: The MR findings of a permeative lesion of the skull base, invasion of the cavernous sinus without arterial narrowing, infiltration along the dural surface, and an iso- or hypointensity with brain on T2-weighted imaging should suggest lymphoma.     

Information systems and uncertainty: a conspiracy of misplaced confidence

Abstract. Information technology is becoming an increasingly important factor in contemporary management. Information systems are being set up in business explicitly to accommodate the new opportunities of this technology, and these are having a lasting effect on managerial practice. The full implications of this technology-driven development have not been appreciated by organizations, which in absorbing technological systems, are tolerating a great drain on their resources.
The efficacy of computers is predicated on the acceptance of some very specific perspectives. A growing discontent and disappointment with their limited achievements is our reason for advocating a different point of view. We will discuss how a shift in perspective, particularly in respect to the perception of uncertainty, will affect thinking and practice in the field of management support systems. We will render our view of the application of computerized decision support systems (DSS), and especially, we will focus on the beliefs and assumptions that have shaped this technology thus far. To this end we will discuss the concept of uncertainty, by juxtaposing current thinking and practice with our understanding of the context of its application. Finally, we will place our understanding of uncertainty in a managerial context and explain the implications this would have for strategists.     

Oestrogen-regulated genes in breast cancer: association of pLIV1 with response to endocrine therapy

Northern hybridization analyses of the oestrogen-inducible mRNAs pLIV1 and pS2 were compared with oestrogen receptor (ER) immunocytochemistry assessments in 40 untreated primary or early recurrent breast tumours. Significant associations were observed between pLIV1/ER (P < 0.03), pS2/ER (P < 0.001) and pLIV1/pS2 (P < 0.04) status. After disease recurrence, patients were treated with assessable courses of endocrine therapies. Positive pLIV1, pS2 and ER statuses in primary disease were consequently found to be predictive of endocrine responsiveness in the secondary lesions (P < 0.03, P < 0.02, P < 0.005 respectively). However, despite these associations, a number of pLIV1- and/or pS2-positive tumours failed to respond to therapy.