Search for Monopole-Dipole Interactions at the Submillimeter Range with a

Monopole-dipole interactions involving scalar couplings between a spin and a massive particle violate both P and T symmetry, and can be mediated by axions. We use a ^{129}Xe-^{131}Xe-Rb atomic cell comagnetometer to measure the ratio of precession frequencies between the two xenon isotopes, and search for changes of the ratio correlated with the distance between the atomic cell and a nonmagnetic bismuth germanate crystal. A modulated Rb polarization scheme is used to suppress systematic effects by 2 orders of magnitude. The null results of this search improve the upper limit on the coupling strength g_{s}^{N}g_{p}^{n} over the interaction range 0.11-0.55 mm, and by a maximum improvement factor of 30 at 0.24 mm. The corresponding propagator mass range of this new excluded region covers 0.36-1.80 meV.

[Clinicopathologic features of gastric plexiform fibromyxoma].

Objective: To analyse the clinicopathologic features of gastric plexiform fibromyxoma (PF) including diagnosis, differential diagnosis, immunohistochemistry and molecular pathology. Methods: Eight cases of PF were collected from June 2006 to June 2017 at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University and the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. The clinicopathologic findings of eight cases of PF were retrospectively analyzed, and immunohistochemistry (EnVision method) and molecular detection of glioma-associated oncogene homologue 1 (GLI1) gene translocation were performed. All cases were histologically reviewed with immunohistochemical staining for smooth muscle actin (SMA), CD10, CD117, DOG1, CD34, ER, PR, ALK and S-100. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to detect the GLI1 gene translocation, and mutation of CKIT exons 9, 11, 13 and 17; and PDGFRA exons 12, 14 and 18 were identified by Sanger sequencing in four cases. Relevant literature was reviewed. Results: The study included four men and four women, age ranged from 26 to 72 years (mean 51 years). Histologically, the tumors were rich in small thin-walled blood vessels and myxoid matrix, and exhibited multiple nodular growth pattern in the gastric wall. The tumor cells were bland, spindled or oval. Immunohistochemically, all cases strongly expressed vimentin and SMA, and some expressed CD10 (4/8), desmin (3/8), H-caldesmon (5/8) and PR (5/8), but were negative for CD34, S-100, ER, ALK, CD117 and DOG1. The GLI1 gene translocation detection was performed in eight cases by FISH with three positive cases and five negative cases. Mutation analyses for exons 9, 11, 13, and 17 of CKIT genes and exons 12, 14, and 18 of the PDGFRA genes were performed and the tumors all of four tested cases were wild-type. Seven patients were followed up (ranged from 24 to 95 months, mean 50 months) after diagnosis and none of the patients had recurrence or metastasis. Conclusions: PF is a rare novel mesenchymal tumor of the stomach. Its distinct clinicopathologic features and immunohistochemical positivity for SMA, CD10 and PR can help differentiating this entity from other gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors. FISH detection of GLI1 gene translocation offers an additional molecular diagnostic marker for the diagnosis.

[Gastrointestinal leiomyoma with interstitial cells of Cajal: mimicker of gastrointestinal stromal tumor].

Objective: To study clinical and pathologic characteristics of leiomyomas of the gastrointestinal tract, and to investigate the distribution characteristics of interstitial cells of Cajal ( ICCs ) in gastrointestinal leiomyomas. Methods: One hundred and forty-seven cases of leiomyomas of gastrointestinal tract were collected at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from June 2012 to June 2017. Clinical and pathologic findings were analyzed, combined with immunohistochemistry, Alcian blue-osafranin staining and molecular study. Results: The age of patients ranged from 13-82 years with mean age of 52 years. Male to female ratio was about 1∶2. Histologically, all tumors were composed of ovoid to spindle cells arranged in short intersecting fascicles. All tumors were diffusely and strongly positive for smooth muscle antibodies, desmin and h-caldesmon by immunohistochemical staining. A prominent interspersed subpopulation of elongated/dendritic-like cells with CD117 and DOG1 positivity (accounting for 1% to 30% of all tumor cells) and negative for Alcian blue-osafranin staining was identified in all esophageal leiomyomas, 16 of 20 (80%) gastric leiomyomas and 3 of 12 small bowel leiomyomas, but none in colonic/rectal leiomyomas. Mutational analysis in 16 cases showed absence of mutation in exons 9, 11, 13 or 17 of C-KIT and exons 12 or 18 of PDGFRA. Conclusions: ICCs are identified in esophageal and gastric leiomyomas, as well as in small percentage of intestinal leiomyomas. Such findings may bring significant diagnostic pitfalls for misdiagnosis as gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Careful attention to the distribution of CD117 and DOG1 positive cells and molecular mutation analysis of C-KIT and PDGFRA may be necessary to establish the correct diagnosis.

Analysis of peripheral blood dendritic cell subtypes in thymomatous MG.

The object of this work was to measure the levels of monocyte-derived dendritic cell precursors (pDC1) and plasmacytoid dendritic cell precursors (pDC2) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of patients with thymomatous MG and to assess the ratio of pDC1/pDC2 in these patients. Three-colour monoclonal antibody labelling technology was used to detect the cell counts and ratio of pDC1 and pDC2 in PBMCs of 18 patients with myasthenia gravis (MG), nine thymomatous patients without MG, and 15 normal controls. The number of pDC and pDC subsets in peripheral blood of patients with thymomatous generalized MG was significantly lower than that in thymomatous controls before and after the treatment. After the treatment, patients with both generalized MG and ocular MG had significantly lower number of pDC compared with thymomatous controls. We found no significant differences in pDC1/pDC2 ratio among groups. Before the extended thymomatous treatment, the number of pDC in patients with generalized MG was significantly lower than that in patients with ocular MG (P < 0.05). The counts of peripheral blood pDC and pDC subsets of patients with thymomatous MG were significantly lower 1 week after extended thymectomy. The counts of pDC and pDC subsets decreased in generalized thymomatous MG, and the patients with generalized MG had lower pDC counts than the patients with ocular MG before the treatment. Treatment resulted in decreased counts of pDC and pDC subsets in thymomatous MG. We suggest that the level of peripheral blood pDC can be used as a marker to define the progress of the disease.

Virus-induced subacute spongiform encephalopathy (Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease). A report of two Chinese cases with clinico-pathologic studies.

Two Chinese cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) are described which show the typical clinical, EEG and neuropathological changes of a subacute spongiform encephalopathy. One case was sporadic and the other was probably familial. This is the first formal report of CJD occurring in China.

Infantile spasms. A retrospective study of 105 cases.

This paper is a summary of our observations on 105 cases of infantile spasms. The age of onset was around six months after birth, but the patients came for treatment mainly about one year after onset. Fever of unknown cause, asphyxia, birth injury, infection of the central nervous system, tuberous sclerosis, phenylketonuria and recent immunization etc. were complained. Clinically, it is characterized by head nodding, mental retardation, myoclonic jerks and various neurologic deficits. EEG findings showed classical or modified arrythmia or other epileptiform patterns. About one third of 22 cases examined had abnormal brain stem auditory evoked potentials. Among 42 patients who underwent CT scanning before ACTH treatment, 18 were normal and 7 abnormal; during ACTH treatment 3 normal and 4 abnormal; after completion of treatment, 4 normal and 6 abnormal, suggesting no further atrophy of the brain. Examination of trace elements of the hair by particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) method in 23 patients revealed a significant difference in lead, calcium and zinc contents between patients and 101 controls, but no statistical difference in iron and copper contents between the two groups. Sodium valproate, prednisone and ACTH appear to be effective in the treatment of infantile spasms. Eight patients fully recovered, and they can go to school without difficulty. Many patients derived various degrees of improvement to the satisfaction of their parents. Two patients were still amented and often attacked by myoclonus. The effects, side effects of these drugs, and the possible pathogenesis were discussed.