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Background The optimal treatment for primary gastric diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is unclear. The treatment for primary gastric DLBCL is in accordance with the principle of treatment for general DLBCL. We aimed to evaluate the treatment outcomes and pattern of failure in primary gastric DLBCL. Methods Between April 2001 and November 2018, 120 patients with stage I–IV primary gastric DLBCL were retrospectively reviewed in this study. All patients had been in complete remission after receiving rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP). Ninety patients (75%) were treated with R-CHOP alone, and the other 30 patients (25%) underwent R-CHOP with local treatment for gastric lesions. Twelve patients (10%) underwent gastrectomy, and 18 patients (15%) received consolidation radiotherapy (RT). Results The median follow-up time was 49 (range, 5 to 197) months. The 5-year locoregional failure-free survival (LRFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) rates were 85.6%, 86.5%, 83.4%, and 90.3%, respectively. During the follow-up, 17 patients (14.2%) experienced disease recurrence. Only 3 patients developed distant metastasis without locoregional failure (LRF). All except two cases of LRF included gastric failure. There was no LRF in patients who received R-CHOP with local treatment. On multivariate analysis, poor performance status was an independent prognostic factor for LRFS, and multiple gastric lesions influenced LRFS, DMFS, DFS, and OS. Conclusions The main pattern of initial failure is LRF, especially in the stomach in patients with primary gastric DLBCL. Gastric local treatment such as consolidation RT can effectively prevent gastric failure. Therefore, gastric local treatment should be considered for patients at high risk of LRF, such as multiple gastric lesions. Legal entity responsible for the study The authors. Funding Has not received any funding. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Oral Diseases (2011) 17, 690–695 Objective: Dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) gene mutations have been identified in isolated hereditary dentin defects; however, the genotype–phenotype correlations are poorly understood. We performed in vitro splicing assays to test the hypothesis that DSPP mutations in splice junctions as well as proposed missense/nonsense mutations experimentally result in aberrant pre-mRNA splicing. Materials and methods: The genomic fragment of the human DSPP gene was cloned into the pSPL3 splicing vector, and previously reported as well as informative de novo mutations were then introduced by PCR mutagenesis. The COS-7 cells were transfected with each plasmid vector, and total RNA was isolated. RT-PCR result was analyzed, and the band intensity of the product was calibrated using ImageJ. Results: The predictions by others of exon 3 skipping in specific DSPP mutations have been validated and a cryptic splicing donor site has been identified. However, the degree of mutational effect on pre-mRNA splicing varied considerably depending on the changed nucleotide. Conclusions: The predictions of exon 3 skipping in specific DSPP mutations have been validated, and a cryptic splicing donor site has been identified. Our data may provide insight into the contribution of DSPP mutations in the pathogenesis and genotype–phenotype correlations of hereditary dentin defects.

Lipoblastoma is a rare benign mesenchymal tumor of embryonal fat that occurs almost exclusively in infants and children. This study was done to determine the clinical and pathologic characteristics of lipoblastoma.Nine cases of pathologically proven lipoblastoma from 1979 to 1997 were reviewed. There were 6 boys and 3 girls ranging in age from 3 months to 29 months.A soft tissue mass was the chief complaint in 7 patients, abdominal distension in 1 patient with a retroperitoneal mass, and defecation difficulty in 1 patient with a perirectal mass. In 4 patients, tumors occurred on the back. Other tumor location includes the neck, scrotum, retroperitoneum, perirectal area, and buttock in 1 patient each. Lesions measured 2.3 to 19.5 cm. Complete excision was done in 8 patients. One perirectal tumor was removed by both the posterior sagittal approach and the intraabdominal approach but incompletely resected. Two tumors located on the back recurred with intraspinal extension 12 months and 18 months after resection. Second resection and second resection with laminectomy were done. Leg pain and urinary incontinence developed in 1 patient but improved on conservative treatment.Lipoblastoma is a benign neoplasm but can frequently recur (25%) in spite of complete excision. Lipoblastomas occurring on the back had a high recurrence rate (50%) and associated with intraspinal extension. J Pediatr Surg 36:905-907.

Introduction: The Epstein–Barr virus transforms resting B cells into proliferating lymphoblastoid cells, the origin of cell lines. Method and results: Our cDNA microarray analyses led to the identification of 232 up‐regulated and 112 down‐regulated genes with more than a 3‐fold difference in lymphoblastoid cell lines compared to resting B cells. The functional classification of these genes exhibited the distinct expression signature for cell proliferation, cell cycle and an immune response. Among them, we verified the differential expression of several oncogenes such as stathmin 1 (STMN1), RAB27A, RAB9A, BACH1 and BACH2 using quantitative real‐time reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reactions or Western blot analysis. Expression of STMN1 (which is involved in regulation of the microtubule filament system, cell growth and S‐phase of cell cycle) was increased in lymphoblastoid cell line as well as in 7‐day post‐Epstein–Barr virus infection B cells, compared to resting B cells. Conclusion: Thus, this study suggests that Epstein–Barr virus infection induces STMN1 expression, which play a role in cell cycle progression and proliferation in the human B lymphocyte.

The gene encoding Thermus filiformis (Tfi) DNA polymerase was expressed under the control of the tac promoter on a high-copy plasmid, pJR, in Escherichia coli. The Tfi DNA polymerase was purified by using heat treatment and DEAE-Sephacel column chromatography. The purified enzyme had a molecular mass of 92 kDa, as estimated by SDS/PAGE. The optimum pH and temperature of the enzyme were 8.4-9.0 and 70-72.5 degrees C respectively. The half-life of the enzyme at 94 degrees C was approx. 40 min. The enzyme was activated by the bivalent cations, Mg(2+) and Mn(2+), and was inhibited by EDTA. The optimal Mg(2+) concentration of the enzyme was 4 mM. The optimal conditions for the PCR reaction were slightly different from those for the enzyme activity except for the optimal Mg(2+) concentration. Low concentrations of KCl had no effect on either the enzymic activity or the PCR amplification. The result of the PCR experiment with the enzyme indicates that Tfi DNA polymerase might be useful in DNA amplification.

We assessed the utility of the resistance index ratio (RIR) in distinguishing between obstructive and nonobstructive upper urinary tract dilatation in children.Twenty-three children (7 days-14 years old) with unilateral dilated collecting systems and a contralateral normal kidney were prospectively evaluated by duplex Doppler sonography. We measured the resistance index (RI) of the intrarenal arteries and calculated the RIR. Ninety-six normal kidneys in 48 controls were also evaluated.Twelve kidneys were proved to be obstructed at the ureteropelvic junction, and 11 were found by renal scintigraphy with furosemide and/or by surgery to have nonobstructive dilatation. The mean RIR differed significantly between the obstructed and dilated nonobstructed kidneys (1.16+/-0.04 versus 1.04+/-0.04, respectively; p0.01). After surgical correction of ureteropelvic junction obstruction, the obstructed kidneys showed significant drops in the RIR (1.18+/-0.03 to 1.07+/-0.03, p0.01). The RIR showed no statistically significant relationship with age (r = -0.268, p0.01); however, the RI declined with increasing age (r= -0.414, p0.01). An RIR cut-off value ofor = 1.10 provided a good discriminatory level, resulting in a sensitivity of 92%, a specificity of 97%, a positive predictive value of 85%, and a negative predictive value of 97%.An RIR cut-off value ofor = 1.10 appears to be an effective parameter for evaluation and follow-up of unilateral obstructive hydronephrosis in children.

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase is the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis. HMG-CoA reductase converts HMG-CoA to mevalonate, which is then converted into cholesterol or various isoprenoids through multiple enzymatic steps. In this study, we examined the cytotoxic effects of lovastatin, an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, in C6 glial cells. Lovastatin at concentrations higher than 10 microM suppressed cell proliferation and induced cell death, which were prevented completely by mevalonate (300 microM). The data from lactate dehydrogenase assay and fluorescence microscopic assay using Hoechst 33342 and propidium iodide showed that mevalonate at a concentration of 100 microM could prevent lovastatin-induced cell death, whereas it could not prevent lovastatin-induced inhibition of cell proliferation. These data suggest that the lovastatin-induced interruption of cell cycle transition was not sufficient to induce cell death in C6 glial cells. In the presence of lovastatin at concentrations higher than 10 microM, DNA laddering, the typical finding of apoptosis, was identified. Lovastatin-induced apoptosis was prevented by mevalonate (100 microM). Both cycloheximide (0.5 microgram/ml) and actinomycin D (0.1 microgram/ml) prevented lovastatin-induced DNA laddering. In this study, we demonstrated that the cytotoxic effects of lovastatin fall into two categories: suppression of cell growth and induction of apoptosis in C6 glial cells.

Benign solitary fibrous tumour, a rare mesenchymal tumour of adults, usually arises from the pleura. Only a few cases have been reported in the retroperitoneum and, to our knowledge, there has been no report of its imaging features. We describe the MRI features of benign solitary fibrous tumour arising from the pre-sacral space.

The gene encoding Thermus filiformis (Tfi) DNA polymerase was cloned and its nucleotide sequence was determined. The primary structure of Tfi DNA polymerase was deduced from its nucleotide sequence. Tfi DNA polymerase is comprised of 833 amino acid residues and its molecular mass was determined to be 93,890 Da. The deduced amino acid sequence of Tfi DNA polymerase showed a high sequence homology to E. coli DNA polymerase I-like DNA polymerases: 78.5% homology to Taq DNA polymerase, 78.4% to Tca DNA polymerase, and 41.8% to E. coli DNA polymerase I. An extremely high sequence identity was observed in the region containing polymerase activity. The G + C content of the coding region for the Tfi DNA polymerase gene was 68.5%, which was higher than that of the chromosomal DNA (65%). The G + C contents in the first, second, and third positions of the codons used were 71.8%, 40.9%, and 92.7% respectively. Codon usage in Tfi DNA polymerase was heavily biased towards the use of G + C in the third position. Rare codons with U or A as the third base were sometimes used to avoid using GA(A/T) TC and TCGA sequences, as they are recognition sites for the restriction endonucleases TfiI and TaqI.

We report a case of eosinophilic cholangitis, with US, CT, and cholangiographic findings. The lesion showed marked wall thickening of cystic and common bile ducts on US and CT together with mild diffuse narrowing of the common duct on cholangiography.

Liver allografts in some rat strains are often spontaneously accepted across a complete major histocompatibility barrier without the requirement for immunosuppression while other nonliver allografts are rejected. In previous studies, we have shown that spontaneous acceptance is dependent on liver passenger leukocytes. Depletion of passenger leukocytes by donor irradiation allows rejection, with DA recipients of irradiated PVG livers having a median survival time (MST) of 16 days. Here we show that, in this model, spontaneous acceptance is reconstituted by intravenous injection of donor leukocytes. Intravenous injection of 3-5x10(7) PVG liver leukocytes significantly prolonged DA survival time (MST=96 days, P=0.026), as did 5x10(7) spleen leukocytes (MST100 days, P=0.002). Deletion of T cells from the reconstituting inoculum reduced survival time (MST=78 days, P=0.039), whereas deletion of B cells or monocytes/macrophages had no effect on survival time. In contrast, PVG hearts are regularly rejected by DA recipients, and PVG liver or spleen leukocytes, even at doses of greater than 3x10(8) cells/recipient, were unable to induce heart acceptance. To investigate the possibility that acceptance of the irradiated liver but not the heart might be due to the large mass of the liver, two kidneys and two hearts of PVG origin were transplanted to each DA recipient together with 1.5x10(8) PVG leukocytes. These organs survived for greater than 200 days, thereby showing that a large mass of donor tissue, in association with donor leukocytes, leads to acceptance of organs that are rejected if transplanted singly. It appears likely that spontaneous liver transplant tolerance is a high-dose or activation-associated immune phenomenon.

We performed a study to evaluate the corneal endothelial cell response in 26 patients who received a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) intraocular lens and 26 patients who received a soft, nonfolded poly-hydroxy-ethylmethacrylate (poly-HEMA) intraocular lens after posterior chamber phacoemulsification. Specular microscopy and pachymetry were done before surgery and a mean of 8 or more weeks after surgery. The mean percent cell loss was 8.2% in the PMMA group and 10.7% in the poly-HEMA group. There was no significant difference in the pachymetry values before or after surgery between the two groups; however, in the poly-HEMA group the postoperative value was significantly higher than the preoperative value (p = 0.027). The results suggest that the amount of perioperative corneal endothelial cell loss with poly-HEMA lenses is similar to that with PMMA lenses. Further study is needed to fully evaluate the long-term corneal effects of poly-HEMA lenses.

We have used high concentrations of recombinant-methionyl human interleukin 2 (rIL-2) for the initial growth and expansion of human tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL). Early in the life of the TIL bulk culture, cytotoxicity was non-major histocompatibility complex restricted. Under these culture conditions antitumor cytotoxicity was observed to decline with increasing age of the bulk culture. In addition, TIL became refractory to rIL-2-induced expansion. We have used solid-phase anti-CD3 antibodies for TIL activation followed by culture in reduced concentrations of rIL-2 to reactivate TIL previously grown in high concentrations of rIL-2. TIL refractory to rIL-2 in terms of growth and antitumor cytotoxicity proved sensitive to anti-CD3 activation. The use of solid-phase anti-CD3 was also more effective than high concentrations of rIL-2 in the expansion of TIL when used at the start of culture. Finally, TIL could be induced to secrete IL-2 following solid-phase activation with anti-CD3. These data suggest that human TIL are susceptible to activation by signals directed at the CD3 complex of the TIL cell surface.

Adoptive immunotherapy with high-dose interleukin 2 and lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells has proved to be successful in the treatment of some patients with metastatic cancer, but not without a significant degree of associated toxic effects. The primary goal of this study was to substantially reduce the toxicity of this complex and expensive treatment, while maintaining or improving efficacy. To this end, 29 patients were treated with LAK cells in conjunction with a low-dose regimen of interleukin 2 and a prolonged period of administration following LAK cell infusion. This protocol resulted in a considerable reduction in toxicity, as compared with that described in previous studies, without compromising the efficacy. This study offers further confirmation that adoptive immunotherapy of metastatic cancer can be clinically beneficial to patients for whom no other effective therapy is presently available.