Intravascular Large B-Cell Lymphoma in Acute Hypoxic Respiratory Failure.

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma, an extranodal large B-cell lymphoma, is a rare hematological malignancy with only a few reports of lung involvement. We report a case of intravascular large B-cell lymphoma with acute hypoxic respiratory failure and interstitial lung disease diagnosed via random skin biopsies. A 54-year-old woman presented with fever, cough, and dyspnea. Computed tomography imaging revealed findings concerning interstitial lung disease. The patient's respiratory status worsened despite the treatment with antibiotics and steroids. Generalized edema and thrombocytopenia also developed. Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma was clinically suspected and ultimately diagnosed by skin biopsy, although she had no apparent skin lesions. The patient's condition considerably improved after chemotherapy. Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma should be considered in patients with acute respiratory failure and interstitial lung lesions.

Environmental protection: researches in National Institute of Radiological Sciences.

Some studies for radiological protection of the environment have been made at the National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS). Transfer of radionuclides and related elements has been investigated for dose estimation of non-human biota. A parameter database and radionuclide transfer models have been also developed for the Japanese environments. Dose (rate)-effect relationships for survival, growth and reproduction have been investigated in conifers, Arabidopsis, fungi, earthworms, springtails, algae, duckweeds, daphnia and medaka. Also genome-wide gene expression analysis has been carried out by high coverage expression profiling (HiCEP). Effects on aquatic microbial communities have been studied in experimental ecosystem models, i.e., microcosms. Some effects were detected at a dose rate of 1 Gy day(-1) and were likely to arise from interspecies interactions. The results obtained at NIRS have been used in development of frameworks for environmental protection by some international bodies, and will contribute to environmental protection in Japan and other Asian countries.