Therapeutic effects of streptococcal preparation OK-432 on atopic dermatitis-like lesions in NC/Nga mice: possible shift from a Th2- to Th1-predominance.

Background: The inducement of Th1 cell-mediated immune response, possibly brought about through bacterial stimulation, may serve to control atopic disorders such as atopic dermatitis (AD). The streptococcal preparation, OK-432, has been shown a potent Th1 inducer through the action of IL-12. NC/Nga mice under ordinary conditions have been found to contract dermatitis similar to human AD.

Thyroid nodules, thyroid function and dietary iodine in the Marshall islands.

Background: Thyroid nodules have been found to be common in the population of the Marshall Islands. This has been attributed to potential exposure of radioiodines from the nuclear weapons tests on Bikini and Eniwetok between 1946 and 1958.

Methods: In order to get a full picture of thyroid pathology in the Marshallese population potentially exposed to radioactive fallout we performed a large thyroid screening programme using palpation, high resolution ultrasound and fine needle biopsies of palpable nodules.

Inversion(10)(q11q24) in a case of adult T-cell leukemia.

We report a case of adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) with complex chromosome abnormalities including an inversion (10)(q11q24) in a 64-year-old man. Although some abnormalities of chromosome 10 have been seen in ATL and other lymphoid neoplasias, inv(10)(q11q24) has previously been reported only in a case of T-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Recent studies have revealed a rearrangement of a novel homeobox-containing gene called TCL-3 or HOX11 on 10q24 in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia with the specific chromosome translocation t(10;14)(q24;q11), and thus the significance of 10q24 aberrations in leukemogenesis is indicated.

Influence of sympathetic nerve activity on ventricular arrhythmogenicity in the dog with chronic hypokalemia.

To examine the influence of sympathetic nerve activity on ventricular arrhythmogenicity in the dog with chronic hypokalemia, an electrophysiologic study was performed before and after bilateral stellectomy (BS) in 10 dogs with chronic hypokalemia (2.8 +/- 0.1 mEq/L), which was created by feeding a low-potassium diet and by administering furosemide over a four-week period, and the results were compared with those obtained from 10 dogs with normokalemia (4.

Heterotopic pancreas: a rare cause of bile duct dilatation--report of a case and review of the literature.

A case of a 77 year old woman with a heterotopic pancreas in the distal common bile duct is reported herein. The patient had no symptoms, but an ultrasound examination showed bile duct dilatation and subsequent endoscopic retrograde cholangiography demonstrated a spherical filling defect in the distal common bile duct. Under suspicion of a benign neoplasm in the common bile duct, resection of the common bile duct and hepaticojejunostomy using a Roux-en Y jejunal limb were successfully performed.