Mesalazine-associated severe aplastic anemia successfully treated with antithymocyte globulin, cyclosporine and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.

A 20-year-old male with ulcerative colitis complicated by mesalazine-associated severe aplastic anemia is described. The patient developed aplastic anemia four months after the start of mesalazine therapy. He was treated with antithymocyte globulin, cyclosporine, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and responded well. Hematological complications of mesalazine are rare, but if bone marrow suppression is detected, immediate cessation of the drug and intensive immunosuppressive treatment with G-CSF should be considered.

Primary central nervous system lymphomas express Vh genes with intermediate to high somatic mutations.

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare disease, especially among non-AIDS patients. Although almost all PCNSLs belong to the diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBL) category, its clinical course differs from that of other types of DLBL. To elucidate the histogenesis of PCNSL, we analyzed the source of the cells from its variable region (VH) sequences using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method to amplify the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene of DNA extracted from paraffin sections. Fifteen patients with AIDS-unrelated PCNSL of DLBL type, (7 males and 8 females), were evaluated. Only one case showed positive evidence of EBV infection. The prognosis was very poor with a median survival of 9 months. Analysis of the VH sequences revealed that the VH4 family was used in 4 cases and the VH3 family in 2 cases. The homology with previously published germline sequences was random, ranging from 82.7-93.2%, showing intermediate to high somatic mutations. In 3 of 6 cases, the existence of intraclonal diversity was suspected. These findings suggest that PCNSLs are histogenetically derived from antigen selected B cells in the germinal center (GC) environment.

[Clinical studies on septicemia and infective endocarditis encountered between 1985-1986].

Septicemia encountered at Kawasaki Municipal Hospital between 1985 and 1986 were studied clinically. Forty six patients had monomicrobial and 5 has polymicrobial infections, respectively. Out of these 46 patients with septicemia, 17 were due to Escherichia coli, 7 were due to Klebsiella pneumoniae and 4 were due to Staphylococcus aureus. Ten patients had hepatobiliary, 7 had hematological, 7 had malignant diseases as underlying diseases, respectively. Out of 10 patients complicated with septic shock, 7 died. Twenty three patients were community acquired infections. The age of most of the patients were over 50. The mortality rate of more than 65-year-old patients were higher than that of other patients. Our of 5 patients with septicemia due to polymicrobial infection, only 1 patient with erythroleukemia died. Fifty patients were treated mainly with beta-lactam antibiotics such as piperacillin or cefmetazole alone or in combination with aminoglycosides and so on. Three patients with infective endocarditis were encountered during this period. Two were due to alpha-streptococcus and 1 was due to Enterococcus. A 41-year-old patient with mitral valve insufficiency and metastatic gastric carcinoma to the bone marrow were complicated with disseminated intravascular coagulation. This patient, however, was successfully treated with a daily dose of 24 mega units of benzylpenicillin, and was given gabexate mesilate, concomitantly.

[Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the uterine cervix complicated by acute renal failure due to ureter obstruction].

An 80-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of irregular genital bleeding. An abnormal mass was found in the uterine cervix, and diagnosed as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, diffuse large B cell type. Soon after admission, the patient became anuric and was given a diagnosis of acute renal failure due to obstruction of the ureter. She was immediately placed on dose-reduced CHOP and radiotherapy of 15 Gy. As a result, not only did the malignant lymphoma go into remission, but diminished renal function was alleviated. Because malignant lymphoma of the uterus is extremely rare, it exact biocharacteristics are not well understood. We are unaware of any previous report concerning uterine lymphoma complicated by renal failure.

[Erythropoietin improved anemia in a case of multicentric Castleman's disease].

Severe anemia A 37 year-old male with therapy resistant multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD) anemia was treated by subcutaneous injection of erythropoietin. Although immunoglobulin and CRP concentration increased, anemia obviously improved with hemoglobin levels increasing from 4.8 g/dl to 8.5 g/dl without any side effects. Colony assay revealed that the bone marrow mononuclear cells responded to erythropoietin in a dose dependent manner. The mechanism of anemia of MCD is not clearly understood, and treatment is sometimes very difficult. There is no other previous report concerning erythropoietin as a treatment for anemia in MCD.

[Acute myelomonocytic leukemia complicated with syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone, nephrotic syndrome, and hemophagocytic syndrome].

A 59-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of fever in August 1991. Bone marrow showed normocellularity with 41.5% of CD13, 14, 33 positive blasts, and a diagnosis of AMMoL was made. Laboratory investigation revealed hyponatremia and elevated serum ADH level, indicating the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Intensive chemotherapy successfully induced hematological complete remission and his serum sodium level became normal. In February 1992, he developed proteinuria and findings were consistent with nephrotic syndrome (NS). Renal biopsy specimen showed membranous proliferative glomerulonephritis and massive infiltration of macrophages, and his serum interleukin 6 level was elevated. Five months later, he suffered from pancytopenia and elevation of biliary enzymes with increase of hemophagocytic histiocytes in his bone marrow (hemophagocytic syndrome). He transiently responded to low dose chemotherapy but he died due to severe infection. It is interesting that association between macrophages and/or cytokines with these various complications was suggested in AMMoL.

[Aplastic anemia with giant splenomegaly and myelofibrosis successfully treated with antilymphocyte globulin].

Severe aplastic anemia was diagnosed in a 58-year-old female because of pancytopenia with leukocyte count 700/microliters, hemoglobin 3.4 g/dl, platelet count 4.2 x 10(4)/microliters and fatty hypoplastic bone marrow in August 1992. In January 1993, she was admitted with an abdominal skin infection caused by pseudomonas aeruginosa. After treatment of the infection, antilymphocyte globulin was given at a dose of 2,000 mg/day for four consecutive days in July 1993. This resulted in a gradual but steady improvement in her hematological data. In February 1995, her leukocyte count increased to 2,000/microliters, hemoglobin to 15.2 g/dl and platelet count to 11.0 x 10(4)/microliters. Although no splenomegaly or myelofibrosis was found previously, from April 1993, the spleen enlarged and was palpable 10 cm below the costal margin. Her bone marrow biopsy in June 1993 revealed prominent myelofibrosis. Thereafter no changes were found in these features. Splenomegaly and myelofibrosis are characteristic of primary myelofibrosis and although the relationship is uncertain, there is no previous report on aplastic anemia with splenomegaly and myelofibrosis.

[RAEB in T with monosomy 7 after treatment of severe aplastic anemia with long term G-CSF].

A 19-year-old male who suffered from severe aplastic anemia had been treated with granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) from September 1991. Marked increase of hematopoietic cells in his bone marrow was observed, and maintenance administration of G-CSF was continued. 15 months later, myeloblasts with nuclear abnormality increased, and 22 months later, myeloblasts with chromosomal abnormality presenting 46, XY, -7, +21 exceeded 20%, and aplastic anemia seemed to be transformed into refractory anemia with excess of blasts in transformation (RAEB in T). The usefulness of G-CSF in the treatment of aplastic anemia is now established, but there are some reports questioning the effect of long-term administration, especially transformation to MDS with monosomy 7. Leukemic transformation from aplastic anemia is very complex, but in some cases, long term administration of G-CSF may affect the natural course and may lead to the earlier development of leukemia.

[Bilateral ankle ulcers associated with hydroxyurea therapy for chronic myelogenous leukemia].

Bilateral ankle skin ulcers developed in a 61-year-old man in the chronic phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia receiving hydroxyurea therapy. The circulating immune complex (anti-C3d antibody) was high in this case, but vasculitis was not observed in the pathological findings of biopsied skin materials. This association has been reported in patients who had chronic myelogenous leukemia or other myeloproliferative disorders and were treated with hydroxyurea. It is likely that skin ulcers are caused by hydroxyurea.

[Clinical evaluation of measuring system of occlusal force].

An occlusal diagnostic system was evaluated for clinical applications. This system consists of pressure sensitive sheets (DENTAL PRESCALE, Fuji Photo Film Co.) and analyzing computer (OCCLUZER FPD703, Fuji Photo Film Co.). The clinical efficiency of this system was evaluated in aged dentates, aged complete denture wearers and an aged patient suffered from periodontitis. The results were as follows: 1. There was a positive correlation between the masticatory efficiency and maximum occlusal force. 2. In the complete denture wearers, the distances from the medial line to the center of the occlusal load were statistically greater in the adjustment needed cases than in the control group. 3. In a case of periodontitis, the full arch fixed splint was adjusted using this system. After adjustment, the maximum occlusal force and contact area increased, and the maximum and medial pressure of the occlusal contact force decreased. 4. It was suggested that this system would be available for the examination of masticatory efficiency and diagnosis of various types of occlusions.

[Occlusal contacts of complete denture during mastication in telemetry system].

The purpose of this study was to develop a telemetry system and to analyze the occlusal contacts of complete denture during mastication. The telemetry system consisted of a transmitter unit and a receiver unit. The transmitter allowed 6 channels of information of the occlusal contacts to be telemetered by time division multiplex communication method within the approximate distance of 2 m. The occlusal surface of the upper complete denture was made of metal and that of the lower denture was made of metal contact plates of 0.5 mm in width with each space of 0.5 mm. Then the transmitter was embedded in the lower complete denture. Occlusal contacts of 66 aged edentulous male were investigated both on the chewing side and on the nonchewing side in the premolar, the 1st molar and the 2nd molar regions. The results were as followed: 1. The occlusal contacts in the nonchewing side preceded those in the chewing side, with higher frequency and longer duration. 2. In the nonchewing side, the occlusal contact occurred at different time; the occlusal contact was observed first in the 2nd molar, then 32-48 ms later in the 1st molar, and 2-48 ms later in the premolar regions. 3. It is suggested that the balancing contact should be considered for stabilizing the denture in mastication.

Measuring system for lip movements using two video trackers.

Movements of soft tissues surrounding the oral cavity, especially lips and cheeks, have a strong influence on mastication and phonetics. They also influence the relationship between a denture and its oral environment. The purpose of this study was to develop a three-dimensional measuring system for soft tissue movement. This system consisted of two video trackers placed stereographically and a computer. In addition, one video tracker was connected for measuring mandibular movements. The accuracy of this system was evaluated using computerized XYZ pulse stage. The resolution of this system was 0.10 x 0.10 x 0.10 mm, when the measurement was carried out in the area of the 24.0 (X) x 20.0 (Y) x 20.0 (Z) mm with a working distance of 500 mm and a frequency of 120 Hz. In the present study, the lip movements of a dentulous subject with mandibular movements during chewing peanuts were analysed using this system. The new system demonstrated its value for analysing soft tissue movement.