The use of nylon wool for the isolation of T lymphocyte subpopulations.

A simple method for the affinity isolation of lymphocyte subpopulations using nylon wool as a solid phase matrix is described. This matrix was coated with an acid-treated IgG fraction of polyclonal antibodies against mouse immunoglobulins. Using this approach, a simple isolation procedure for lymphocyte subpopulations, yielding purities higher than 95% was developed. The method can be used on a large scale for positive and negative cell selection, with very little non-specific binding. The isolated populations are fully functional.

Bidirectional Glenn shunt in association with congenital heart repairs: the 1(1/2) ventricular repair.

BACKGROUND: The bidirectional Glenn shunt has been used to incorporate a smaller tripartite ventricle into the circulation and create pulsatile pulmonary artery flow. We reviewed our operative experience and assessed hemodynamics of the bidirectional Glenn shunt in 1(1/2) ventricular repair or in conjunction with other repairs of congenital heart defects. METHODS: Between 1992 and 1998, 15 patients (mean age, 8.1+/-7.9 years) had bidirectional Glenn shunt in association with repair of congenital heart defects. Eighty-seven percent had at least one previous operation. All patients had simultaneous or previous intracardiac repair and had bidirectional Glenn shunt to volume unload the small right ventricle (group A, n = 7), to unload the poorly functioning right ventricle (group B, n = 2), to redirect superior vena cava-pulmonary venous atrial connection to treat cyanosis (group C, n = 2), or to unload the pulmonary left ventricle for residual intracavitary hypertension in patients with L-transposition of the great arteries, ventricular septal defect, and pulmonary stenosis (group D, n = 4). Intraoperative hemodynamic assessment was done in 2 patients in group A by selective use of inflow occlusion and flow probes. RESULTS: All patients survived. Four patients had successful, concurrent arrhythmia circuit cryoablation for Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome (n = 1) or atrial reentry tachycardia (n = 3). Superior and inferior vena caval flow averaged 36% and 64% of cardiac output, respectively. Postoperative superior vena caval pressure (n = 13) was 13.7+/-4.0 mm Hg with pulmonary arterial flow pattern contributed by the ventricle in systole (pulsatile) and the superior vena cava in diastole (laminar). CONCLUSIONS: The bidirectional Glenn shunt is an effective adjunct to congenital heart repair to treat pulmonary ventricular pressure-volume problems and anomalous superior vena caval to left atrial connections.

delta IK17: an antigen expressed on human lymphocytes.

Anti delta IK17 monoclonal antibody was produced by fusing SP2/0/Ag 14 myeloma with spleen cells of BALB/c mice immunized with normal human thymocytes. a delta IK17 antibody recognizes a 44kD cell surface protein detected on human lymphocytes. delta IK17 is expressed on human thymocytes, CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets, B, NK cells, as well as on activated cells. The antigen is detected on cells during the early, intermediate and late stages of lymphocyte maturation. In addition, the expression of the antigen is correlated with ontogenesis. A T+ delta IK17+ subpopulation responded poorly to TPA stimulation and provided a better helper signal for PWM-induced IgM synthesis than T+ delta IK17- cells. In addition, different levels of delta IK17 expression were detected in several hematological diseases tested.

Acute spontaneous pneumomediastinum in a child with Hodgkin's disease and pulmonary fibrosis.

A case of acute spontaneous pneumomediastinum in a 13-year-old boy suffering from Hodgkin's disease and pulmonary fibrosis is reported. He was initially treated for Pneumocystis carinii but his respiratory function progressively deteriorated, and fibrosis secondary to bleomycin was suspected. The day before the admission to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit the patient complained of anterior thoracic pain, and a chest x-ray revealed a left-sided small spontaneous pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum. Although air leak responded initially to conservative treatment, acute tension pneumomediastinum with cardiopulmonary decompensation recurred 6 days later, while the patient was on mechanical ventilation. Treatment with urgent evacuation of the accumulated air via subxiphoid drainage, using an old but ill-defined technique, resulted in complete resolution of pneumomediastinum and significant improvement of the hemodynamic condition.

Angiomyolipoma of the left ureterovesical junction associated with ipsilateral renal agenesis.

To our knowledge we report the first case of retroperitoneal angiomyolipoma located at the left ureterovesical junction associated with ipsilateral renal agenesis. Radiologically, the mass had the characteristics of a cystic soft tissue tumor. Final diagnosis was determined by histopathological examination, which revealed the specific characteristics of angiomyolipoma. The tumor is theorized to be a result of developmental malformation of fetal mesenchymal elements along the ureteral bud during fetal development since it was associated with ipsilateral renal agenesis.

Pleuropulmonary blastoma in childhood. A malignant degeneration of pulmonary cysts.

Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is an extremely rare intrathoracic neoplasm of early childhood with an unfavorable outcome. In this article, two children with PPB associated with pre-existing pulmonary cysts are presented. It is emphasized that surgical excision is the treatment of choice for all pulmonary cysts.

Eosinophilic cystitis: a rare case which presented as an invasive bladder tumor.

Eosinophilic cystitis is a rare inflammatory lesion of the bladder of unknown etiology. It can be confused clinically and cytoscopically with invasive bladder cancer. We report a case in which the lesion presented as an invasive bladder tumor and we discuss the literature in brief.