New onset of body dysmorphic disorder following frontotemporal lesion.

The etiology and pathophysiology of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) have not been delineated. The authors report a 24-year-old man who developed BDD at age 21 after an inflammatory brain process. Neuroimaging studies showed new atrophy in the frontotemporal region. The authors review cases from the literature with similar clinical features and neuroimaging findings as well as discuss the possible correlation between the neuroanatomic lesion and the clinical presentation of BDD in the patient.

Cytokines regulate membrane adenosine deaminase on human activated lymphocytes.

CD26 is a lymphocyte marker that can anchor adenosine deaminase (ADA) on the T cell surface. We found that ADA is regulated by cytokines on the cell surface during T cell activation. By means of flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and immunoblotting techniques, we found that interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-12 up-regulate ecto-ADA and CD26 expression. In clear contrast, IL-4 led to down-regulation of lymphocyte surface ADA without modifying the level of CD26. Moreover, neither circulating ADA transcription nor mRNA translation was regulated by cytokines. These results, along with absence of total-ADA modulation, the variable amount of ADA found in purified plasma membranes, and the different effect of Brefeldin A on the surface presence of ADA and CD26 indicated that cytokines regulate the translocation of ADA towards the cell surface through a mechanism not involving CD26. Ecto-ADA protected activated lymphocytes from the toxic effects of extracellular adenosine. Therefore, this cell surface ADA control might constitute part of the fine immunoregulatory mechanism of adenosine-mediated signaling through purinergic receptors in leukocytes.

Effects of IV cyclophosphamide on HIV viral replication in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Several cases of patients with concomitant SLE and HIV infection have been reported in the literature; however, the effect of immunosuppressive therapy on HIV replication has not been described. We present the case of a 46 y/o woman with a ten-year history of HIV infection who was treated with IV cyclophosphamide for SLE nephritis. She had a positive HIV Western Blot just a few months before the diagnosis of SLE. Serum levels of HIV RNA had been persistently non-detectable since the assay became available. The patient was not receiving any antiretroviral therapy, raising doubts about the diagnosis of HIV infection. After 3 pulses of IV cyclophosphamide, HIV RNA levels went up to 135,720 copies/ml. Shortly after discontinuation of therapy viral levels were again undetectable. This case shows one of the possible clinical scenarios in patients with coexistent HIV infection and SLE. In our patient SLE appears to provide some immunologic defense against viral replication. Cross-reactivity of autoantibodies with HIV proteins may play a role in this mechanism. Effective immunosuppressive therapy suppresses this protection and leaves the immune system vulnerable to HIV reproduction. Treatment in these cases can be difficult and should be individualized in an attempt to achieve a balance between control of viral infection and SLE activity.

Amniocentesis after multifetal pregnancy reduction: is it safe?

OBJECTIVE: This report reviews the obstetric outcomes of women with multifetal pregnancy reductions who subsequently underwent elective amniocentesis. STUDY DESIGN: Five hundred eight patients underwent multifetal pregnancy reduction at our institution. Among these, 91 patients underwent subsequent elective amniocentesis. The obstetric outcomes of all 508 patients were followed up. By means of logistic regression we evaluated several variables to determine any association with loss rate: (1) the finishing number of fetuses, (2) the number of fetuses undergoing reduction (starting number of fetuses minus the finishing number of fetuses), (3) the gestational age at reduction, (4) the maternal age at reduction, and (5) the procedure protocol. We observed that the finishing number of fetuses, the number of fetuses removed, and the procedure protocol were significantly associated with pregnancy loss rate. Women who underwent subsequent amniocentesis were compared with those who did not undergo amniocentesis. By means of multivariate conditional likelihood analysis we stratified the two groups according to the previously mentioned significant variables to compare the pregnancy loss rates. RESULTS: Among patients who subsequently underwent elective amniocentesis the total uncorrected pregnancy loss rate was 9.0% and the early premature delivery rate was 4.5%. The number of fetuses removed, the finishing number of fetuses, and the procedure protocol were statistically significantly associated with the loss rate. The adjusted odds ratio relating amniocentesis to the pregnancy loss rate was 0.7 (95% confidence interval, 0.31.5; P =.3.) CONCLUSIONS: The uncorrected rates of pregnancy loss and of early premature delivery among patients with multifetal pregnancy reduction who underwent subsequent amniocentesis were comparable to those of patients with multifetal pregnancy reduction who did not undergo amniocentesis.

Osteófitos cervicais: um incomum caso de paralisia de pregas vocais / Cervical osteophytes: an unusual case of vocal fold palsy

Os autores relatam um caso de osteofitose cervical com compressäo e desvio do esqueleto cartilaginoso laríngeo, associado a paralisia de prega vocal e reduçäo do espaço glótico em paciente idoso. A revisäo da literatura mostra que, geralmente, os osteófitos cervicais säo assintomáticos, poucas vezes aparecem com disfagia e raríssimos casos foram relatados citando paralisia de pregas vocais associada a comprometimento das vias aéreas. Discute-se sintomatologia, mecanismos de comprometimento das vias aéreas, métodos diagnósticos, diagnóstico diferencial e tratamento

Depletion of monocytes from human peripheral blood leucocytes by passage through sephadex G-10 columns.

Passage of human peripheral blood leucocytes through Sephadex G-10 columns results in a complete depletion of monocytes. Microscopic examination and ingestion of latex particles failed to reveal any monocytes in the column-passed cells. The study of surface markers shows a slight enrichment of T-cells and a decrease of B-cells that is more pronounced in the IgG- and IgA-bearing lymphocytes. No changes were seen in the Fc receptor-positive cells. Con A-induced activation was significantly affected. Pokeweed mitogen activation was reduced 50% at optimal doses of mitogen whereas the response was unaffected at suboptimal doses. Mixed leucocyte reactions (MLR) were greatly depressed when monocytes were removed from either the responder or the stimulator cells, indicating an important role of monocytes both in the elicitation of the response and as auxiliary cells in the mixed leucocyte culture.