[Clinicopathological features of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma pattern Ⅰ]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma pattern Ⅰ (AITL Pattern Ⅰ). Methods: The clinicopathological data of 11 AITL Pattern Ⅰ cases that were diagnosed at the Beijing Friendship Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University (10 cases) and Beijing Lu Daopei Hospital (1 cases) from January 2019 to October 2021 were retrospectively collected. Immunophenotype, Epstein-Barr virus infection status and T cell receptor (TCR) clonality of the tumor cells were tested, and clinicopathological features of cases were analyzed. Results: Among the 11 AITL Pattern Ⅰ cases, the male to female ratio was 1.2∶1.0. The median age was 59 years (range 47-78 years). Seven cases had B symptoms, while eleven cases presented with systemic lymphadenopathy. According to Ann Arbor system staging, two cases were classified as stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ, and 9 cases as stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ. Hepatosplenomegaly was present in two cases (2/11), three cases (3/11) had skin rash and pruritus, and two cases (2/11) had pleural effusion. Previously, 6 cases (6/11) were diagnosed as reactive hyperplasia, 1 case (1/11) as EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disorder, and 4 cases (4/11) as hyperplasia of lymphoid tissue, which was unable to exclude lymphoma. Histologically, all the 11 cases showed hyperplastic follicles in the paracortical regions with well-formed germinal centers. The hyperplastic follicles showed ill-defined borders and attenuated mantle zones in 7 cases. Mantle zones completely disappeared in 4 cases. The follicles were surrounded by a thin layer of atypical lymphocytes with bright or faintly stained cytoplasm. In 2 cases, the clear cells were located between the germinal centers and the thin residual mantle cell layers, showing a circular growth pattern. The cells were medium in size, with irregular karyotype, coarse chromatin and indistinct nucleoli. Immunohistochemically, CD21 staining showed that the meshworks of follicular dendritic cells(FDC)were mainly confined to the follicles. There was a subtle expansion of the meshworks of FDC in 4 cases with ill-defined borders. The atypical cells surrounding the follicles expressed CD3 (11/11), CD4 (11/11), PD-1 (11/11), CXCL13 (6/11), ICOS (10/11) and CD10 (7/11). PD-1 staining showed a strong perifollicular pattern, and a small number of positive cells were scattered around the high endothelial veins in the interfollicular region. CXCL13, ICOS and CD10 showed similar distribution patterns. EBV-encoded small RNA probe (EBER) in situ hybridization showed that EBER positive B lymphocytes were scattered in the interfollicular region (5-20/HPF) in all cases. T cell receptor gene rearrangement was monoclonal in all cases. Conclusions: Diagnosing AITL Pattern Ⅰ may be challenging and requires comprehensive analysis of clinical manifestations, histological morphology, immunophenotype and gene rearrangement results.

[Clinical and imaging features of Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia: an analysis of 48 cases in China]

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics, imaging findings, laboratory tests and treatment strategies for Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia. Methods: From January 1, 2019 to January 20, 2021, 48 cases of Psittacosis from 11 hospitals in China were diagnosed via metagenomic next-generation sequencing(mNGS). The data of all patients on occupational history, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, chest computed tomography(CT)findings, treatment outcomes and prognosis were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Among the 48 patients, there were 29 males and 19 females, with a mean age of (57.1±10.3) years. Thirty patients had a confirmed history of exposure to poultry. The onset to admission interval was (6.5±3.2) days, and hospital stay was (12.4±4.8) days. Clinical manifestations included fever (100%, 48/48), relative bradycardia (71%, 34/48), cough (54.2%, 26/48), sputum (27.1%, 13/48), fatigue (16.7%, 8/48), headache and delirium (20.8%, 9/48), and gastrointestinal symptoms (16.7%, 8/48). Laboratory data showed that white blood cells were (8.0±3.8)×10⁹/L, and the proportion of neutrophils increased in 44 patients. The level of C-reactive protein was (155.3±74.1)mg/L, and that of procalcitonin (PCT)in 59.5% of patients was more than 0.5 μg/L. Percentages of patients with increased lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase were 82.9% and 45.2%, respectively. Chest CT scans showed unilateral lung involvement in 34 cases(70.8%) and single lobe involvement in 27 cases(56.3%).The most common imaging change was consolidation, with 38 cases (79.2%) showing lobar consolidation. In terms of treatment, 25 patients were treated with fluoroquinolones alone, 6 patients with doxycycline alone, and 13 patients with combined treatment. The combined-treatment group and the doxycycline alone group were similar in the course of defervescence. The combined treatment group and the doxycycline alone group were both superior to the fluoroquinolones alone group. However, 11 patients were admitted to ICU, all of them received artificial ventilation, and 5 cases developed shock, and one died. Conclusions: Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia is an animal-derived infectious disease with unique features in clinical symptoms, laboratory tests and chest imaging. Appropriate treatment is able to significantly shorten the course of disease and improve the prognosis.

[Study on optimization of induction system of test-tube tuberous roots from leaves of Rehmannia glutinosa]

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of sucrose and plant growth substances of different concentrations on the induction of test-tube tuberous roots of Rehmannia glutinosa, in order to establish an efficient system for the induction of test-tube tuberous roots from leaves of R. glutinosa.

METHOD

Leaves from test-tube seedlings of 85-5 R. glutinosa were used as explants. After rooting induction, they were transferred to medium with orthogonal design for inducing test-tube tuberous roots of R. glutinosa.

RESULT AND CONCLUSION

NAA played a significant role in induction of test-tube tuberous roots of R. glutinosa, followed by sucrose and 6-BA. With leaves from test-tube seedlings as the explants, the optimal medium for inducing test-tube tuberous roots of R. glutinosa was MS + BA 3.0 mg x L(-1) + NAA 0.1 mg x L(-1) + sucrose 7%. The study provides an efficient induction system for studies on artificial seeds and secondary metabolism with test-tube tuberous roots of R. glutinosa.

[Study on optimization of SRAP-PCR reaction system for Pinellia ternata in Suzhou]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the optimization system of SRAP-PCR molecular marker technology in the analysis on Pinellia ternata.

METHOD

SRAP-PCR reaction system for P. ternata was optimized by L16 (5(4)) orthogonal design with five elements (dNTPs, Mg2+, the template DNA, primers, Taq enzyme) and four standards.

RESULT

The most suitable forward primer for SRAP for Pinellia ternata was 5'-TGAGTCCAAACCGGAAG-3', while the reverse primer was 5'-GACTGCGTACGAATTACG-3'. The optimized reaction system contained 70 ng DNA template, 0.9 micromol x L(-1) primer, 0.20 mmol x L(-1) dNTP s, 1.5 - 2.0 mmol x L(-1) Mg2+, and 2 U Taq enzyme.

CONCLUSION

SRAP-PCR system for P. ternata is established to lay a foundation for future construction of SRAP genetic map of P. ternata.

A rapid topographic mapping and eye alignment method using optical imaging in Macaque visual cortex

In optical imaging experiments, it is often advantageous to map the field of view and to converge the eyes without electrophysiological recording. This occurs when limited space precludes placement of an electrode or in chronic optical chambers in which one may not want to introduce an electrode each session or for determining eye position in studies of ocular disparity response in visual cortex of anesthetized animals. For these purposes, we have developed a spot imaging method that can be conducted rapidly and repeatedly throughout an experiment. Using small 0.2 degrees -0.5 degrees spots, the extent of the imaged field of view is mapped by imaging cortical response to single spots, placed at different positions (0.2 degrees steps) in either the horizontal or vertical axes. By shifting the relative positions of two spots, one presented to each eye, eye convergence can be assessed to within 0.1 degrees resolution. Once appropriate eye alignment is determined, stimuli for further optical imaging procedures (e.g. imaging random dot stimuli for study of disparity responses) can then be confidently placed. This procedure can be quickly repeated throughout the experiment to ensure maintained eye alignment.

[Integration of visual signals in the brain: mechanisms and functional significance of synchronous oscillation]

How are the functions performed by one part of the nervous system integrated with those of others? One possible way is by synchronous oscillation. We have reviewed recent advances in visual system, where synchronous oscillations have been intensively observed and investigated. This article is concentrated on discussing theoretical reasoning, experimental evidence, possible mechanisms underlying the generation and the functional significance of visual synchronous oscillations. Predictions on several prosperous areas were also outlined.