At the time when owing to COVID-19 pandemic, the public is more interested in infectious diseases and pathogens than in any other period, a book titled “The New Microbiology: From Microbiomes to CRISPR” by the renowned microbiologist Pascale Cossart was translated and published by our colleague. In this book, the author describes important discoveries and new conceptual advances in the field of microbiology over the past century. The author emphasizes that bacteria form a microbiome and lead a social life and explains the impact and importance of the microbiome on human health and ecosystem. Further, the discovery of ‘CRISPR,’ which led to the era of genome editing and gene therapy, has been described in details. This book will dramatically change our perspective regarding all living things, including bacteria, plants, animals, and even insects, as well as our eating habits and daily life, based on the new understanding of microorganisms. I recommend reading this book as I am sure that it will broaden the perspectives of both clinical microbiologists and health care workers.

Congenital hepatic fibrosis is an inherited, congenital disorder of the liver, and is occasionally associated with cystic disease of the liver and kidney. We present a case of congenital hepatic fibrosis with Caroli's disease. A 21-year-old woman had suffered from an episodic fever with headaches for 3 years. In laboratory examination, the liver function test was within the normal limits. Esophageal varix was noted by an endoscopic examination. Hepatosplenomegaly and multiple dilated bile ducts were seen by abdominal CT scanning. An orthotopic whole liver transplantation was done. The liver was fibrotic and enlarged. Multiple cystically dilated intrahepatic ducts were noted. Microscopically, diffuse portal fibrosis and widening with proliferation of bile ductules were seen. Intrahepatic bile ducts were markedly dilated and tortuous. The liver cell cords were well preserved.
Bile ; Bile Ducts ; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic ; Caroli Disease* ; Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; Female ; Fever ; Fibrosis* ; Headache ; Humans ; Kidney ; Liver ; Liver Function Tests ; Liver Transplantation ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

To evaluate the frequency of EM A and Ki-I antigen expression in the large cell lymphoma and to define the histologic characteristics of Ki-1 positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma, 40 cases of malignant lymphoma, diffuse large cell type were immunostained by Ki-I and EMA monoclonal antibodies. Eight cases of large cell lymphomas expressed EMA, among which 4 cases were positive for Ki-I antibody as well. The positive rate for EMA was much higher in T cell lymphomas than in B cell lymphomas. Among 4 cases of Ki-I positive lymphomas, 2 cases showing membrane staining of Ki-1 with prototypic histologic feature of anaplastic large cell lymphoma were classified as Ki-1 positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma(ALCL). Ki-I positive ALCL were T-cell in one and non-T, non-B cell type in the other, respectively. The remaining 2 cases of Ki-1 positive lymphomas showing cytoplasmic staining were classified as both B-cell centroblastic/centrocytic lymphoma and T-cell pleomorphic large cell lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Rapid screening of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) is very important for controlling and preventing the spread of VRE in hospitals. We compared the performance characteristics of a chromogenic agar (ChromID VRE, bioMerieux, France: CA) to that of Enterococcosel agar (supplemented with 6 microgram/mL of vancomycin :EA) for direct detection of VRE from stool swabs. METHODS: Total 125 rectal swabs were collected from 57 patients in the intensive care units of an 850-bed university hospital over a period of 3 months. The samples were inoculated on EA, CA and into broth enrichment containing 6 microgram/mL of vancomycin (BE). BE was subcultured on CA after overnight incubation. RESULTS: Eighty two samples from 22 patients were positive for VRE by BE. At 24 h, the sensitivity/specificity of EA and CA were 89%/100% and 72%/100%, respectively. At 48 h, the sensitivity/specificity of EA and CA were 94%/89% and 89%/100%, respectively. CONCLUSION: CA provides equivalent sensitivity comparable to EA for the recovery of VRE at 48 h incubation, and has additional advantage of being able to differentiate between vancomycine resistant E. faecium and E. faecalis.
Agar ; Humans ; Imidazoles ; Intensive Care Units ; Mass Screening ; Nitro Compounds ; Vancomycin

PURPOSE: To evaluate morphologic characteristics of the microcalcifications on mammography that were confirmed pathologically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty five cases of microcalcifications on mammography (fifteen cases of benign lesion, thirty cases of maiignancy) were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The number of microcalcifications within 1 cm2 were more than 5 in 22 cases (73%) of 30 malignancy and less than 5 in 11 cases (73%) of 15 benignity. The heterogeneity of microcalcifications were seen in 26 cases of malignancy (87%) and the homogeneity of microcaicifications were 11 cases of benignity (73%). The morphologic characteristics of the microcalcifications were linear-V shape in 9 cases (30%), punctate shape in 8 cases (27%), fine stippled shape in 7 cases (23%), and round dot shape in 6 cases (20%) of malignancy and, round dot shape in 11 cases (73%), punctate shape in 2 cases (13%), and linear-V shape in 2 cases (13%) of benignity. CONCLUSION: Numerous irregular microcalcifications that are heterogenous in size and morphology were strong indicators of malignancy.
Mammography ; Population Characteristics ; Retrospective Studies

The duration of the phases of left ventricular systole was measured from simultaneous recordings of the electrocardiogram, phonocardiogram and carotid arterial pulse tracing using a multichannel photographic system with paper speed at 100 mm per second. Observations were made in 81 male and 66 female patients with hypertension and 41 healthy males and 38 healthy females who served as controls. All hypertension patients were classified by change in funduscopic finding, EKG and grade of diastolic pressure. STI were measured in each group and analysed. The resutls were as follows: 1. The normal PEP/LVET was 0.293 in male and 0.303 in female. 2. In male & female hypertensive patients, all STI were significantly difference to that of normal control except QA2. 3. In male hypertensive patients, the degree of EKG, funduscopic change and diastolic pressure were positive relation to the increase of PEP/LVET.
Blood Pressure ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Male ; Systole*

BACKGROUND: Infection with respiratory virus has been shown to exacerbate asthma in humans. However, the role of a respiratory virus in the pathogenesis of chronic asthma and/or wheezing in young children has not been clearly defined. The objective of this study was to determine whether respiratory virus infections such as RSV, and influenza A virus are related to the productions of IL-11, IFN-gamma, and ECP levels in nasopharyngeal secretions. METHOD: We compared IL-11, IFN-gamma, and ECP levels in nasopharyngeal secretions from 38 non-asthmatic wheezing children with viral infections (RSV in 21 children, influenza A virus in 17 children), and 16 non-asthmatic healthy children who were included as the controls. IL-11, and IFN-gamma levels were analysed by ELISA. ECP concentrations were measured by monoclonal antibody-based fluorometric assay. RESULT: RSV infection in children induced a greater release of IL-11 in nasopharyngeal secretions than in influenza A virus infection, and in the controls. The release of IFN-gamma levels in nasopharyngeal secretions from children with influenza A virus infection was significantly higher than in nasopharyngeal secretions from children with RSV. ECP levels of subjects with viral infection were significantly higher than in control children. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that RSV is a potent inducer of IL-11 elaboration in nasal epithelium and that IL-11 is an important mediator in the pathogenesis of RSV infection. Increased IFN-gamma production in response to the influenza A virus infection may be related to effective Th1 responses.
Asthma ; Child* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Eosinophil Cationic Protein ; Humans ; Influenza A virus* ; Influenza, Human* ; Interferon-gamma ; Interleukin-11* ; Nasal Mucosa ; Respiratory Sounds* ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses*

No abstract available.
Pathology, Clinical*

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Hemangioma*