The inflammatory pseudotumor of the lung is a non-neoplastic pulmonary mass lesion, composed of a variey of inflammatory cells including plasma cells, histiocytes(often xanthomatous), mast cells, lymphocytes, and spindle shaped mesenchymal cells. Although the pathogenetic etiology of this lesion is not estabilished, it has been claimed that it is associated with local inflammatory reaction. From 1984 to 1986, we experienced three cases of pathologically confirmed inflammatory pseudotumor of the lung. All three cases revealed similar gross and microscopic features, with only minor differences in components on microscopic level. All specimens were products of lobectomy. They showed a relatively well defined, yellowish white and solid mass, measuring about 5.0 cm in diameter. Histologically, the lesions, which were well demarcated from the uninvolved region, were characterized by dense infiltration of plasma cells and xanthomatous histiocytes admixed with lymphocytes, spindle shaped mesenchymal cells and polymorphonuclear leukocytes. At periphery, bronchi and bronchioles were entrapped by these cells. In focal areas, spindle shaped mesenchymal cells were aggregated, resulting in formation of thick bundles in which plasma cells were infiltrated. In case 1 and 2, myxoid change of stromal tissue was noted. Also noted were foci of osteoid metaplasia of the stromal layer in case 1. The authors report three cases of inflammatory pseudotumor of the lung, with comparative observation of each case, associated with literature review, with emphasis on the pathogenesis of this rather infrequent lesion. And some reviews were made on differential diagnosis between inflammatory pseudotumor and non-neoplastic or neoplastic lung mass including so called sclerosing hemangioma.
Diagnosis, Differential

The inflammatory pseudotumor of the lung is a non-neoplastic pulmonary mass lesion, composed of a variey of inflammatory cells including plasma cells, histiocytes(often xanthomatous), mast cells, lymphocytes, and spindle shaped mesenchymal cells. Although the pathogenetic etiology of this lesion is not estabilished, it has been claimed that it is associated with local inflammatory reaction. From 1984 to 1986, we experienced three cases of pathologically confirmed inflammatory pseudotumor of the lung. All three cases revealed similar gross and microscopic features, with only minor differences in components on microscopic level. All specimens were products of lobectomy. They showed a relatively well defined, yellowish white and solid mass, measuring about 5.0 cm in diameter. Histologically, the lesions, which were well demarcated from the uninvolved region, were characterized by dense infiltration of plasma cells and xanthomatous histiocytes admixed with lymphocytes, spindle shaped mesenchymal cells and polymorphonuclear leukocytes. At periphery, bronchi and bronchioles were entrapped by these cells. In focal areas, spindle shaped mesenchymal cells were aggregated, resulting in formation of thick bundles in which plasma cells were infiltrated. In case 1 and 2, myxoid change of stromal tissue was noted. Also noted were foci of osteoid metaplasia of the stromal layer in case 1. The authors report three cases of inflammatory pseudotumor of the lung, with comparative observation of each case, associated with literature review, with emphasis on the pathogenesis of this rather infrequent lesion. And some reviews were made on differential diagnosis between inflammatory pseudotumor and non-neoplastic or neoplastic lung mass including so called sclerosing hemangioma.
Diagnosis, Differential

The elderly people are often afflicted with chronic illnesses of which depression and dementia comprise substantial proportion. The authors tried to figure out the impact of depression and dementia on the quality of life of elderly. 1,300 community residents over 65 years of age were selected by random sampling. Using Geriatric Mental State-Automated Geriatric Examination for Computer Assisted Taxonomy, the authors selected 3 groups of subjects, namely dementia group (N=113), depression group (N=157), normal control group (N=289). The 3 groups of subjects were examined with General Health Questionnaire 12-Quality of Life, Geriatric Depression Scale, Mini-Mental State Exam-K, and Physical Self-Maintenance Scale. The results were compared between groups and the correlations of each scales were examined. The quality of life was lower in the older, female, lower educational groups. The quality of life was significantly lower in dementia group and depression group than in normal elderly group. The subjective quality of life of depressed elderly got lower with increasing severity of depression. Demented elderly had low quality of life but no correlation was found between subjective quality of life and severity of depression. The score of Mini-Mental State Exam-K was found to have significant correlation with the quality of life in demented group. The quality of life of normal elderly and those with dementia had significant correlation with Physical Self-Maintenance Scale. Conclusively, the quality of life was decreased in both normal elderly group and dementia group. The severity of depressive symptoms were correlated with the decrease of quality of life in depression group, whereas the degree of cognitive impairment had significant correlation with quality of life in dementia group. Therefore, the subjective quality of life must be considered in the treatment of the depression and dementia, and further study about the relation between psychopathology and the various aspects of living and the quality of life in the elderly is needed.
Aged* ; Chronic Disease ; Classification ; Dementia ; Depression ; Female ; Humans ; Psychopathology ; Quality of Life* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Weights and Measures

Group B subtype, A1B3, was observed in a 22-year-old blood donors by conventional serologic test. In our family study, his father demonstrated uncomplicated B phenotype and his mother typed as group A. We sequenced exon 6 and 7 of phenotypically A1B3 propositus and his family members by direct sequencing and PCR-based cloning. And we have identified a novel Bvar allele characterized by a 547G>A polymorphism present in propositus and his father. This suggests that the Bvar allele is expressed differently depending on the co-inherited ABO allele.
Alleles* ; Blood Donors ; Child* ; Clone Cells ; Cloning, Organism ; Exons ; Fathers* ; Humans ; Mothers* ; Phenotype ; Serologic Tests ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To determine phenotypic and functional characteristics of memory B cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: The percentage of memory B cell subsets in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from normal control (n=11), inactive (n=15) and active (n=10) SLE patients was determined by Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorter (FACS). In addition, the activation status of memory B cells was measured by the surface expression of CD86 (B7-2). The production of antibodies to chromatin and dsDNA (IgG and IgM type) by isolated memory B cell subsets was examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: In this study, we analyzed 2 subtypes of memory B cells: FSC (Forward Side Scatter)(low) and FSC(high) memory B cell. The percentage of both subtypes from active and inactive SLE patients was significantly reduced compared to that of normal controls (p<0.01). In addition, the expression of activation markers, CD86 on FSC(high) memory B cells from active SLE patients was higher than those of inactive SLE patients and normal controls (p=0.014). Upon stimulation with CpG and IL-15 in vitro for 8 days, isolated FSC(high) memory B cells from active SLE patients revealed augmented production of autoantibodies to chromatin and dsDNA. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that abnormally activated FSC(high) memory B cells from active SLE patients might be involved in spontaneous production of autoantibodies and induce transition from inactive to active phase of the patients.
Antibodies ; Autoantibodies ; B-Lymphocyte Subsets ; B-Lymphocytes* ; Chromatin ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fluorescence ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; Interleukin-15 ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* ; Memory*