BACKGROUND: Both the Natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (NKTL) and the peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) are relatively prevalent in the Asian population, and they are strongly associated with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). These two diseases have several common pathologic features, but show somewhat different clinical presentations. The critical point in terms of differentiating of these disease groups might be the impact of EBV in pathogenesis, and the variable gene expression of EBV regulated by a major latent C promoter (Cp). METHODS: We investigated 43 cases of NKTL and 30 cases of PTCL to evaluate EBV associated characteristics. EBV in situ hybridization was performed in all of the submitted cases. In the EBV positive cases, the methylation status of Cp which drives the expression of immunodominant viral nuclear protein, was examined by sensitive methylation specific PCR using paraffin embedded tissue. RESULTS: EBV was found in 70% (30/43) of NKTL and 43% (13/30) of PTCL. Nasal and gastrointestinal lymphomas were predominantly NKTL. All of the successfully amplified cases of EBV positive NKTL and PTCL were of methylated Cp status. CONCLUSIONS: The detection rate of EBV is high in NKTL, especially in the nasal area. The constantly methylated EBV Cp reflects the major role of Cp in regulating the EBV latency pattern and in helping EBV to avoid host immune system in both NKTL and PTCL.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Gene Expression ; Herpesvirus 4, Human* ; Humans ; Immune System ; In Situ Hybridization ; Lymphoma* ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral* ; Methylation* ; Nuclear Proteins ; Paraffin ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

BACKGROUND: In the patients with thoracic injury, we suspect simultaneous cardiac contusion or concussion. We analyzed the patients with possible cardiac injury by electrocardiography, serum creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase isoenzyme fraction (CK-MB) screening, followed by two dimentional echocardiogram (2-DE) to access the severity of injury. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From January 1997 to April 1998, 15-month retrospective study of suspicious myocardial injury was undertaken in including 24 patients admitted for suspected cardiac injury. All patients with history or signs of blunt chest injury were checked serially and the serial CK, CK-MB fraction, electrocardiography (EKG) analysis screening were followed by 2-DE. RESULT: The age range was between 20-40 years and were predominant male patients in(M:F=3:1). Most common causes of injury were traffic accidents, 15 patients(62.5%). Associated injuries involved multiple rib fractures, sternal fracture and such. EKG findings on the cardiac concussion were within normal limits, EKG findings on the cardiac contusion were nonspecific ST and T wave abnormality. In cardiac contusion patients, CK-MB fraction did not increase significantly on admission but on 2nd, 3rd, 4th hospital days, it increased significantly (p=0.0080, 0.0130, 0.0130). The average admission days were 9.22 in concussion and 26.18 in contusion patients(p=0.0075). Most common complication was the adult respiratory distress syndrome(7 cases), 5 out of the patients with ARDS were mechanically ventilated. There were no deaths. CONCLUSION: We believe the serial checks of CK-MB, EKG and subsquent two-dementional echocardiographic sector scanning are presently the most sensitive indicators available for structural and functional cardiac injury.
Accidents, Traffic ; Adult ; Commotio Cordis* ; Contusions* ; Creatine Kinase ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Heart Injuries ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Retrospective Studies ; Rib Fractures ; Thoracic Injuries