Diminished presentation of complement regulatory protein CD55 on red blood cells from patients with hereditary haemolytic anaemias.

INTRODUCTION: Hereditary haemolytic anaemias (HHA) encompass a heterogeneous group of anaemias characterized by decreased red blood cell survival. The aim of this study was to evaluate the status of red blood cell (RBC) surface molecules known or previously proposed to participate in preventing premature RBC clearance, analysing erythrocytes from patients with two types of HHA: hereditary spherocytosis (HS) and microcytosis. MATERIAL/METHODS: Relative binding of five monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), anti-CD55, anti-CD59, anti-CD44, anti-CD47 and anti-CD58, was evaluated in erythrocytes of patients with HS and hereditary microcytosis, using flow cytometry. The amount of CD55 protein was assessed by semi-quantitative Western blots densitometry analysis. RESULTS: The majority of both HS and microcytic patients demonstrated significant reduction of anti-CD55 binding by erythrocytes (average 23% and 19%, respectively, P < .001), with no concomitant anti-CD59-binding deficiency. Anti-CD44, anti-CD47 and anti-CD58 binding was within the healthy control range or was slightly decreased. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence supporting the presence of erythrocytes deficient in CD55 presentation in HS and hereditary microcytosis. Moreover, deficiency of CD55 antigen presentation on RBC does not correlate with the amount of CD55 in RBC membrane. Further studies using molecular techniques will clarify the exact participation of CD55 deficiency in premature RBC clearance in HHA.

[The "Bizzare" leiomyoma in histopathological examination of the uterine myoma: dilemma of the range of operative treatment]. / "Bizzare" leiomyoma w badaniu histopatologicznym miesniaka trzonu macicy--dylemat zakresu leczenia operacyjnego.

The very rare case of leiomyoma sarcomatosum was presented and differentiated to "bizzare" leiomyoma at 39 years old woman, who was conservative preoperation diagnosis of uterine myoma. To get the after-operation prognosis the following elements of tumour have been studied: mitotic index, presence and type of necrosis, separation of the tumour and perivascular infiltration. A decision of conservative treatment was confirmed by shown world wide literature.

[A new device technic for cryotherapy of glaucoma]. / Eine neue Gerätetechnik für die Kryotherapie des Glaukoms.

With nitrogen cryotherapy, the authors achieve lasting normalization of intraocular pressure in more than 90% of their primary glaucoma cases. To accomplish this, the therapeutic parameters (working temperature, diameter of the applicator tip, duration of application, number of application points, applicator contact pressure) must be strictly defined and coordinated. The applicator contact pressure has hitherto been neglected in published data, although it dictates the heat transfer resistance between the applicator and the surface of the bulb and is therefore a major factor influencing the therapeutic effect. A device was therefore developed which indicates the applicator contact pressure continuously during therapy, both optically and acoustically. It renders cryotherapy just as effective as microsurgical methods, with no side-effects.

[Localization of the freezing front in tissue by the ultrasound-A picture technic in cryotherapy]. / Die Lokalisation der Gefrierfront im Gewebe mit dem Ultraschall-A-Bild-Verfahren bei Kryotherapie.

The knowledge of the depth of infiltration of the freezing front in the treated tissue represented an essential demand for an optimal cryotherapy (sprayfreezing and contactfreezing). The hitherto used invasive measuring methods are connected with a tissue traumatisation and therefore only applicable in a limited way. On that account the non-invasive ultrasound-A-picture-technique was applied for defining the freezing front extension. Its qualification was represented in vitro (gelatin), in living biological tissue (muscle of rabbit), and on the human eye (cryotherapy of the primary glaucoma). The use of the sonography in the cryotherapy can be recommended for other special medical branches too.

[Retinal thromboses with metabolic disturbances (author's transl)]. / Retinale Thrombosen bei metabolischen Störungen.

In 31 out of 35 patients with retinal thromboses metabolic disturbances were found. 11 patients showed disturbances of lipid, purine and carbohydrate metabolism and hypertension. In 19 further cases hyperuricaemia was found, usually combined with hypotriglyceridaemia. Two young women with branch vein thrombosis and pathological metabolic values were taking hormonal contraceptives. The possible relationships between vein thromboses and metabolic disturbances are discussed.