Self-regulation as a resource for coping with developmental challenges during middle childhood and adolescence: the prospective longitudinal PIERYOUTH-study.

BACKGROUND: Self-regulation (SR) as the ability to regulate one's own physical state, emotions, cognitions, and behavior, is considered to play a pivotal role in the concurrent and subsequent mental and physical health of an individual. Although SR skills encompass numerous sub-facets, previous research has often focused on only one or a few of these sub-facets, and only rarely on adolescence. Therefore, little is known about the development of the sub-facets, their interplay, and their specific contributions to future developmental outcomes, particularly in adolescence. To fill these research gaps, this study aims to prospectively examine (1) the development of SR and (2) their influence on adolescent-specific developmental outcomes in a large community sample. METHODS/DESIGN: Based on previously collected data from the Potsdam Intrapersonal Developmental Risk (PIER) study with three measurement points, the present prospective, longitudinal study aims to add a fourth measurement point (PIERYOUTH). We aim to retain at least 1074 participants now between 16 and 23 years of the initially 1657 participants (6-11 years of age at the first measurement point in 2012/2013; 52.2% female). The study will continue to follow a multi-method (questionnaires, physiological assessments, performance-based computer tasks), multi-facet (assessing various domains of SR), and multi-rater (self-, parent-, and teacher-report) approach. In addition, a broad range of adolescent-specific developmental outcomes is considered. In doing so, we will cover the development of SR and relevant outcomes over the period of 10 years. In addition, we intend to conduct a fifth measurement point (given prolonged funding) to investigate development up to young adulthood. DISCUSSION: With its broad and multimethodological approach, PIERYOUTH aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the development and role of various SR sub-facets from middle childhood to adolescence. The large sample size and low drop-out rates in the first three measurements points form a sound database for our present prospective research. Trial registration German Clinical Trials Register, registration number DRKS00030847.

Author Correction: Is body-weight supported treadmill training or robotic-assisted gait training superior to overground gait training and other forms of physiotherapy in people with spinal cord injury? A systematic review.

The original article can be found online at https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.2017.31 .

Is body-weight-supported treadmill training or robotic-assisted gait training superior to overground gait training and other forms of physiotherapy in people with spinal cord injury? A systematic review.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review about randomised trials comparing different training strategies to improve gait in people with spinal cord injuries (SCI). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this systematic review was to compare the effectiveness of body-weight-supported treadmill training (BWSTT) and robotic-assisted gait training with overground gait training and other forms of physiotherapy in people with traumatic SCI. SETTING: Systematic review conducted by researchers from Germany and Australia. METHODS: An extensive search was conducted for randomised controlled trials involving people with traumatic SCI that compared either BWSTT or robotic-assisted gait training with overground gait training and other forms of physiotherapy. The two outcomes of interest were walking speed (m s-1) and walking distance (m). BWSTT and robotic-assisted gait training were analysed separately, and data were pooled across trials to derive mean between-group differences using a random-effects model. RESULTS: Thirteen randomised controlled trials involving 586 people were identified. Ten trials involving 462 participants compared BWSTT to overground gait training and other forms of physiotherapy, but only nine trials provided useable data. The pooled mean (95% confidence interval (CI)) between-group differences for walking speed and walking distance were -0.03 m s-1 (-0.10 to 0.04) and -7 m (-45 to 31), respectively, favouring overground gait training. Five trials involving 344 participants compared robotic-assisted gait training to overground gait training and other forms of physiotherapy but only three provided useable data. The pooled mean (95% CI) between-group differences for walking speed and walking distance were -0.04 m s-1 (95% CI -0.21 to 0.13) and -6 m (95% CI -86 to 74), respectively, favouring overground gait training. CONCLUSIONS: BWSTT and robotic-assisted gait training do not increase walking speed more than overground gait training and other forms of physiotherapy do, but their effects on walking distance are not clear.

Size effects and strain localization in atomic-scale cleavage modeling.

In this work, we study the adhesion and decohesion of Cu(1 0 0) surfaces using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. An upper stress to surface decohesion is obtained via the universal binding energy relation (UBER), but the model is limited to rigid separation of bulk-terminated surfaces. When structural relaxations are included, an unphysical size effect arises if decohesion is considered to occur as soon as the strain energy equals the energy of the newly formed surfaces. We employ the nudged elastic band (NEB) method to show that this size effect is opposed by a size-dependency of the energy barriers involved in the transition. Further, we find that the transition occurs via a localization of bond strain in the vicinity of the cleavage plane, which resembles the strain localization at the tip of a sharp crack that is predicted by linear elastic fracture mechanics.

Physical rehabilitation for critical illness myopathy and neuropathy: an abridged version of Cochrane Systematic Review.

Intensive care unit (ICU) acquired or generalised weakness due to critical illness myopathy (CIM) and polyneuropathy (CIP) are major causes of chronically impaired motor function that can affect activities of daily living and quality of life. Physical rehabilitation of those affected might help to improve activities of daily living. Our primary objective was to assess the effects of physical rehabilitation therapies and interventions for people with CIP and CIM in improving activities of daily living such as walking, bathing, dressing and eating. Secondary objectives were to assess effects on muscle strength and quality of life, and to assess adverse effects of physical rehabilitation. On 16 July 2014 we searched the Cochrane Neuromuscular Disease Group Specialized Register and on 14 July 2014 we searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL Plus. In July 2014, we searched the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) and three trials registries for ongoing trials and further data about included studies with no language restrictions. We also handsearched relevant conference proceedings and screened reference lists to identify further trials. We planned to include randomised controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-RCTs and randomised controlled cross-over trials of any rehabilitation intervention in people with acquired weakness syndrome due to CIP/CIM. We would have extracted data, assessed the risk of bias and classified the quality of evidence for outcomes in duplicate, according to the standard procedures of The Cochrane Collaboration. Outcome data collection would have been for activities of daily living (for example, mobility, walking, transfers and self care). Secondary outcomes included muscle strength, quality of life and adverse events. The search strategy retrieved 3587 references. After examination of titles and abstracts, we retrieved the full text of 24 potentially relevant studies. None of these studies met the inclusion criteria of our review. No data were suitable to be included in a meta-analysis. There are no published RCTs or quasi-RCTs that examine whether physical rehabilitation interventions improve activities of daily living for people with CIP and CIM. Large RCTs, which are feasible, need to be conducted to explore the role of physical rehabilitation interventions for people with CIP and CIM. This paper is based on a Cochrane Review published in in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) 2015, Issue 3, DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010942.pub2. (see www.thecochranelibrary.com for information). Cochrane Reviews are regularly updated as new evidence emerges and in response to feedback, and the CDSR should be consulted for the most recent version of the review.

Terapia intravesical con o sin mantenimiento de bacilo de Calmette-Guerin en carcinoma transicional T1G3 vesical / Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy with or without maintenance in transitional T1G3 bladder carcinoma

Introducción: La utilización del bacilo de Calmette-Guerin (BCG)ha mostrado una acción eficaz en la disminución de la recurrencia y la progresión en carcinomas de alto grado. Actualmente se discute el régimen más adecuado en el uso de BCG. Es el próposito del presente estudio comparar la evolución a largo plazo y tolerancia en pacientes con carcinoma transicional de alto grado T1G3, tratados mediante instilación intracavitaria de BCG, con o sin mantenimiento. Material y métodos:En el Centro de Urología CDU fueron tratados por carcinoma transicional de vejiga con resección transuretral (RTU-V) 213 pacientes entre marzo de 1993 y agosto de 2004. Se evaluaron 56 pacientes con diagnostico histopatológico de carcinoma transicional T1G3 con o sin carcinoma in situ asociado, informados por un mismo patólogo; 22 ingresaron en el esquema de inducción y mantenimiento con BCG, y 19 pacientes fueron tratados solo con inducción de BCG. Ocho pacientes no realizaron tratamiento posterior, 4 fueron tratados con mitomicina y 3 fueron perdidos en seguimiento. El tratamiento de BCG con mantenimiento se realizó según el esquema del Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG). Cada semana se registró los eventuales efectos adversos y de haberlos se los clasificó en leves, moderados o severos. Se analizaron los datos con test de Fisher para proporciones. Resultados: Promedio de seguimiento general de 50 meses (6-112). Fueron tratados con mantenimiento de BCG 22 pacientes. Se observó recidiva de la enfermedad en 8 pacientes, 3 de los cuales recayeron en 2 oportunidades siendo un total de 11 recidivas. Un solo caso progresó a un estadio T2. Diecinueve pacientes fueron tratados solo con seis dosis de BCG, observándose una recidiva en 8 pacientes recayendo dos pacientes en 2 oportunidades, siendo un total de 10 recidivas y progresión en 2 pacientes. No se observó diferencia en la recidiva ni en la progresión. Al evaluar los efectos adversos se observaron en 24 pacientes, 13 en el grupo de mantenimiento con solo un caso de efecto sistémico severo y 11 en el grupo de inducción con dos casos de toxicidad sistemica severa. Conclusión: El tratamiento de pacientes con carcinoma transicional T1G3 con BCG es una terapia efectiva en la reducción de las tasas de recidiva y progresión. No encontramos diferencia entre la terapia de mantenimiento o de inducción solamente en las tasas de recurrencia y progresión de la enfermedad. Los efectos adversos fueron similares en ambos grupos

Rearreglos de genes de cadenas pesadas de las inmunoglobulinas en las gammapatias monoclonales / Immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangements in the monoclonal gammopathies

Las neoplasias de células plasmáticas resultan de la expansión de un clon de células B que secreta inmunoglobulinas, conocido como componente monoclonal o componente M. Las neoplasias malignas incluyen al mieloma múltiple y la macroglobulinemia de Waldenström, y la condición premaligna comprende las gammapatías monoclonales de significado incierto (MGUS). El MGUS presenta un componente monoclonal sin evidencia de mieloma múltiple, macroglobulinemia de Waldenström, amiloidosis primaria u otros desórdenes. El diagnóstico se basa en la combinación de características patológicas, radiológicas y clínicas. Aproximadamente el 25% de las gammapatías monoclonales de significado incierto desarrollarán mieloma múltiple, amiloidosis sistémica, macroglobulinemia o enfermedades linfoproliferativas malignas, indicando que sería una condición premielomatosa. El objetivo del presente trabajo es establecer la utilidad clínica de la inmunofenotipificación por citometría de flujo (CF) y la detección de clonalidad por biología molecular. Se estudiaron 32 pacientes, siete con diagnóstico de mieloma múltiple y veinticinco con gammapatía monoclonal em estudio, los cuales fueron divididos en cuatro grupos basados en los datos clínicos y los resultados de CF. Em el grupo de pacientes con CF no diagnóstica, se realizó la detección de los rearreglos de los genes de las cadenas pesadas de las inmunoglobulinas mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR), detectándose monoclonalidad en el 59% de los casos. El estudio de los rearreglos de los genes de las cadenas pesadas de las IgH mediante PCR incrementa la sensibilidad de detección de monoclonalidad.

Linfoma del manto vs. leucemia linfatica crónica atipica: utilización de inmunohistoquímica, citometría de flujo y biología molecular para su correcta tipificación / Mantle cell lymphoma vs. atypical chronic lymphocytic leukemia: use of immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and molecular biology for their adequate typing

The differential diagnosis of certain B CD5+ lymphoproliferative processes, such as mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and atypical chronic lymphocytic leukemia (ACLL), is difficult. The aim of this study was to correlate morphological findings, cyclin D1 (cD1) detection by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunophenotype by flow cytometry (FC) with the results obtained by molecular biology in this type of neoplasias. We analyzed 20 samples classified as B CD5+ lymphoproliferative processes by FC. PCR was used for t(11;14) bcl-1/IgH determination. Histopathological and IHC studies for cD1 were done in 14 cases. Twelve cases were diagnosed as MCL, with positive cD1 in 5 (5/9), five as ACLL and three as B lymphoproliferative process. PCR revealed t(11;14) in 6/12 MCL and negative results in the other groups (0/8). Molecular biology evidenced translocation in 4/5 MCL positive for cD1 with IHC. The presence of translocation could be demonstrated by IHC and PCR in 7/12 MCL: 4 with both techniques, 2 with PCR alone, and 1 with IHC alone. These findings show a significant association between cD1 by IHC and bcl-1/ IgH gene detection by PCR, which implies that both techniques are complementary for MCL typing.

Algunos procesos linfoproliferativos B CD5+ son de difícil diagnóstico diferencial como es el casodel linfoma del manto (LM) y la leucemia linfocítica crónica atípica (LLCA). El motivo del presenteestudio fue correlacionar los hallazgos morfológicos, la detección de ciclina D1 (cD1) por inmunohistoquímica(IHQ) y el inmunofenotipo por citometría de flujo (CF) con los resultados obtenidos por biología molecular en este tipo de neoplasias. Se estudiaron 20 muestras clasificadas como procesos linfoproliferativos B CD5+ por CF. Se realizó la determinación de t(11;14) bcl-1/IgH por PCR. El estudio histopatológico e IHQ para cD1 se efectuó en 14 casos. Doce casos fueron diagnosticados como LM, con cD1 positiva en 5 (5/9); cinco como LLCA y tres como proceso linfoproliferativo B. Con PCR se observó t(11;14) en 6/12 LM y negatividad en losrestantes grupos (0/8). Se pudo demostrar la presencia de traslocación en 7/12 LM mediante IHQ Y PCR: 4con ambas técnicas, 2 con PCR exclusivamente y 1 con IHQ, evidenciando una alta asociación entre cD1 por IHQ y la detección del gen bcl-1/IgH por PCR, ambas técnicas complementarias en la tipificación de LM.

Epidemiologia del cancer de prostata bajo la optica de una campaña de deteccion temprana / Epidemiology of prostate cancer through the perspective of an early detection campaign

Introduccion: El cancer de prostata (Ca P) es la segunda causa de muerte por cancer entre los hombres. Desde hace mas de una decada, para disminuir la mortalidad por Ca P se desarrollan campañas de rastreo poblacional, tendientes a identificar carcinomas precozmente e instituir tratamientos con mayor potencial curativo. Este estudio resume los hallazgos de la campaña denominada "Semana de la Prostata 2001", desarrollada por la Division Urologia del Hospital de Clinicas "Jose de San Martin", utilizando un algoritmo creado especialmente. Material y metodos: A 2.686 varones (edad 63,41 mas o menos 0,1888 años) se les realizo examen digital rectal, dosaje de antigeno prostatico especifico (PSA) total y, segun los resultados de estos examenes, PSA libre y/o biopsia orostatica ecodirigida. Resultados: Se detectaron 65 Ca P (indice de deteccion global igual 2,42 por ciento; indice respecto de individuos biopsiados igual 22,82 por ciento). Se encontro un ascenso progresivo del indice de deteccion desde los 50 años y hasta los 80. El 53,85 por ciento de los adenocarcinomas dignosticados pueden considerarse confinados al organo y pertenecientes, por ello, a la poblacion que busca identificar una campaña de rastreo poblacional. Conclusiones: La "Semana de la Prostata 2001" implico grandes costos y esfuerzos, justificados sobre todo, por la informacion recogida y la formacion por quienes intervinieron en ella

[Validation of a rapid urease test for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection]. / Validación de un test de ureasa rápido para el diagnóstico de la infección por H. pylori.

OBJECTIVE: Several non-commercial rapid urease tests have been designed with the objective of reducing the cost of Helicobacter Pylori infection diagnosis. The objective of the present prospective trial is to assess one of these tests, using the histologic evaluation for the presence of Helicobacter Pylori, as the standard reference of diagnosing this infection. METHODS: Patients undergoing upper endoscopy for various reasons were prospectively enrolled. Three endoscopic biopsies of the antrum and three from the corpus of the stomach were taken in every patient enrolled. The specimens were evaluated by the rapid urease test on an individual basis, comparing the results with the histology assessment of the Helicobacter Pylori status, which was considered as the standard reference for the diagnosis of the infection. RESULTS: One hundred and four patients were enrolled, of which 94 were eligible. Fifty-five patients (60.43%) were infected with Helicobacter Pylori. The sensibility and specificity of the urease test evaluated at 4 hours was 65.45% and 100% respectively. The evaluation at 24 hours of the sensibility and specificity was 83% and 94% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The non-commercial rapid urease test is a practical, fast, and cost effective method for the detection of Helicobacter Pylori infection, and its diagnostic utility is similar to the commercial test available.

Validación de un test de ureasa rápido para el diagnóstico de la infección por H. Pylori / Validation of a rapid urease test for the diagnosis of helicobacter pylori infection

OBJECTIVE: Several non-commercial rapid urease tests have been designed with the objective of reducing the cost of Helicobacter Pylori infection diagnosis. The objective of the present prospective trial is to assess one of these tests, using the histologic evaluation for the presence of Helicobacter Pylori, as the standard reference of diagnosing this infection. METHODS: Patients undergoing upper endoscopy for various reasons were prospectively enrolled. Three endoscopic biopsies of the antrum and three from the corpus of the stomach were taken in every patient enrolled. The specimens were evaluated by the rapid urease test on an individual basis, comparing the results with the histology assessment of the Helicobacter Pylori status, which was considered as the standard reference for the diagnosis of the infection. RESULTS: One hundred and four patients were enrolled, of which 94 were eligible. Fifty-five patients (60.43%) were infected with Helicobacter Pylori. The sensibility and specificity of the urease test evaluated at 4 hours was 65.45% and 100% respectively. The evaluation at 24 hours of the sensibility and specificity was 83% and 94% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The non-commercial rapid urease test is a practical, fast, and cost effective method for the detection of Helicobacter Pylori infection, and its diagnostic utility is similar to the commercial test available

Papillary carcinoma in thyroglossal duct cyst.

OBJECTIVE: To report the management and outcome of three cases of papillary carcinoma (PC) in thyroglossal duct cysts (TGCs). METHODS: We present case reports of one female and two male patients between the ages of 22 and 46 years who had TGCs. In addition, we discuss the theories about the pathogenesis of TGC carcinoma (de novo versus metastatic lesions). RESULTS: In all three patients, we found a TGC that contained a vegetating mass. Subsequent pathologic examination revealed the presence of a PC. All patients underwent total thyroidectomy, and two of them concurrently had PC in the thyroid gland. Besides the PC in the TGC, the first patient had a "cold" scintigraphic thyroid nodule that was also a PC, whereas the second patient had a thyroid microcarcinoma that had not been detected before surgical intervention. The third patient did not have carcinoma of the thyroid, but the histologic pattern of the gland resembled that observed in de Quervain's disease. We interpreted this finding as "palpation thyroiditis." The patients received postoperative 131I and suppressive therapy with levothyroxine. During a follow-up period of 2 to 12 years (mean, 5.8), we found no recurrence of the disease, and serum thyroglobulin remained undetectable in all cases. CONCLUSION: Although use of total thyroidectomy followed by radioiodine therapy and suppressive treatment with levothyroxine is a matter of debate in patients with PC in TGCs, we conclude that this approach yields a favorable outcome in most cases, especially when the thyroid is also involved by the PC, and allows a better postoperative follow-up.

Long-term follow-up of contralateral lobe in patients hemithyroidectomized for solitary follicular adenoma.

OBJECTIVES: Since there are no available conclusive studies on the long-term evolution of remnant thyroid tissue after hemithyroidectomy in patients who undergo surgery for solitary follicular adenomas, we searched for such cases in our records to elucidate this issue. DESIGN: Search criteria were as follows: (i) presence of a single palpable thyroid nodule with the remainder of the gland normal on palpation; (ii) clinically euthyroid status at the time of surgery; (iii) histological diagnosis of nodule as follicular adenoma; (iv) a hemithyroidectomy operation, sparing the contralateral lobe; (v) normal macroscopic aspect of the contralateral lobe at the time of surgery; and (vi) at least 4 years of postoperative follow-up. PATIENTS: Only 47 female cases were found to meet above criteria, with a mean age of 45.9 years (range: 23-79) at the time of surgery and a mean follow-up of 7.2 years (range: 4-32). Besides evaluating the presence or absence of antithyroid antibodies and the extranodular histology of tissue removed during surgery, a preoperative TRH test also allowed patients to be classified into two groups: normal extranodular thyroid (NET) (n = 32) and abnormal extranodular thyroid (AET) (n = 15). RESULTS: Eleven of the 15 patients with AET had thyroid autoimmunity, with or without overt histological thyroiditis, and the remaining four had subclinical hypothyroidism with negative antithyroid antibody titres. In the entire study population, only 28 patients received treatment with L-T4 immediately after surgery, none of whom had any alterations in the contralateral lobe. However, six of the nineteen patients not treated with T4 (31.6%) developed overt abnormalities in the contralateral lobe, including the only three with AET who had not received L-T4 treatment. The remaining three were two patients with NET, who showed postoperative TSH hyper-responsiveness to TRH (peak TSH > 25 mU/l), and one who developed a new follicular adenoma 32 years later. To date, none of the patients with NET, who had a normal TRH test after surgery, have developed any kind of alterations in the contralateral lobe, even those who received no L-T4 prophylactic treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that: (i) there is a higher risk of follicular adenomas developing in a gland affected by thyroid autoimmunity than in a previously normal gland; (ii) L-T4 therapy may prevent the formation of new nodules or the development of goitre in the contralateral lobe; and (iii) in the absence of prophylactic treatment after surgery, the contralateral lobe of subjects with thyroid autoimmunity and/or previous subclinical hypothyroidism develops morphological abnormalities.

Effect anticipation and action control.

According to the authors' 2-phase model of action control, people first incidentally acquire bidirectional associations between motor patterns and movement-contingent events and then intentionally use these associations for goal-directed action. The authors tested the model in 4 experiments, each comprising an acquisition phase, in which participants experienced co-occurrences between left and right keypresses and low- and high-pitched tones, and a test phase, in which the tones preceded the responses in forced- and free-choice designs. Both reaction time and response frequency in the test phase depended on the learned associations, indicating that presenting a tone activated the associated response. Results are interpreted as evidence for automatic action-outcome integration and automatic response priming through learned action effects. These processes may be basic for the control of voluntary action by the anticipation of action goals.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the lung.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumors occur most frequently in bone and soft tissue but have been reported in other locations. Primary lung primitive neuroectodermal tumors without pleural or chest wall involvement are extremely rare. We present a case with immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies and follow-up of the patient. An 18-year-old man presented with hemoptysis. Chest radiographs revealed a right middle lobe mass, and bronchoscopy showed an endobronchial tumor. The lesion was resected by middle lobectomy. After 2 years, a local recurrence was treated by pneumonectomy. The patient died after surgery. Histologically, the tumor was composed of uniform cells with round nuclei and scanty cytoplasm arranged in cohesive lobules with occasional rosette formation. Immunohistochemically, the tumor was positive for vimentin, CD99, neuron-specific enolase, and neurofilaments. Ultrastructural study revealed neurosecretory granules and cytoplasmic processes. Our case shows the value of immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy in the diagnosis of primitive neuroectodermal tumors in unusual locations.

[Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in southern Argentina]. / Síndrome pulmonar por Hantavirus en el sur andino argentino.

Andes virus was identified in 1995 as the etiologic agent of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) in Southern Argentina. We describe herein the main clinical characteristics of 25 HPS confirmed cases acquired in this area between 1993 and September 1999. The mean age was 34 years (range 11-70), with 72% males. Clinical characteristics were similar to those previously reported for Sin Nombre virus (SNV) cases. However, in this group of patients we also observed conjuntival injection in 10/25 (42%), facial flushing in 8/25 (33%), pharyngeal congestion in 7/25 (29%) and petechiae in 3/25 (12%). On the other hand, BUN was increased in 83% of cases (mean 0.77 g/l range 0.31-2.01). Mean serum creatinine concentration was 26.8 mg/l (range: 8.1-110 mg/l) with serum creatinine being higher than 20 mg/l in 8/15 patients (53%). Urinalysis was abnormal in 12/12 cases and was characterized by presence of proteins, red blood cells and granular casts. Aminotransferases were increased in 90% of cases with levels 5-10 times over normal values in 50% of cases. Serum creatine kinase concentration was elevated in 11/14 cases. Two patients required hemodialysis. Case fatality rate was 44% (11/25) and 10 of these cases died among the first 10 days of illness. Mononuclear myocarditis was observed in two cases, a finding that has not been reported for SNV cases. During the 1996 HPS outbreak in Southern Argentina due to Andes virus, there were epidemiological and molecular evidences of person-to-person transmission, a feature not previously shown for other members of the hantavirus genus. These data would also be indicative of some distinctive clinical characteristics of HPS caused by Andes virus, with more frequent renal involvement than in SNV cases.

Relation between natural killer cells and neoplastic cells in serous fluids.

Natural killer (NK) cells are capable of lysing certain tumor cells in vitro. We investigated whether the percentage of NK cells (NK%) in serous effusions has any relation with the presence of malignant cells. Fresh effusions were routinely processed, and a portion of them was submitted for lymphocyte immunophenotyping, using a flow cytometer. Fifty-one fluids (15 peritoneal, 36 pleural), from 47 patients were analyzed. Thirty-two cases were negative and 19 were positive for neoplastic cells: there were 13 adenocarcinomas, 2 malignant mesotheliomas (MM), 3 malignant lymphomas (ML), and 1 rhabdomyosarcoma (R). Negative cases showed an average NK% of 5.09% (1-16%). Effusions positive for adenocarcinoma had an average NK% of 22.08% (12-33%) (P < 0.001). MM, ML, and R had a low NK%, with an average of 3.01% (0-5%). Investigation of the NK% could be useful in cytologically doubtful cases and in the differential diagnosis between MM and adenocarcinoma.

[Kikuchi-Fujimoto necrotizing lymphadenitis. Report of 2 cases]. / Linfadenitis necrotizante de Kikuchi-Fujimoto. Presentación de dos casos.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a form of necrotizing lymphadenitis. The disease is a usually benign, self limited cause of lymph node enlargement affecting predominantly young women. Several other clinical manifestations have been described, though the only consistent findings are a macular eruption and a fever. Occasionally, the disease has presented as a fever of unknown origin. Lymph node specimens show areas of necrosis without neutrophilic infiltration. Lymphocyte mediated apoptotic mechanisms are responsible for the necrosis observed. Clinically, it should be differentiated from many different conditions, including infections such as cat scratch disease and rheumatological diseases like Still's disease and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Pathologically, it should be differentiated from lymphomas. KFD is widely known in the Far East, but very rare in Latin America. As a matter of fact, we have only detected four reported cases from Argentina, Brazil and Chile. We here describe two additional cases from Argentina. Both occurred in young women. One had a mediastinal compromise and a recurrent course, only observed in 4% of cases. The second one had a classical cervical presentation. The diagnosis in both was made by lymph node biopsy, although, in areas of great prevalence, an aspiration may be sufficient to establish the disease. We anticipate that the real prevalence of this unusual disease is highly underrepresented.