Localized peripheral neuropathy amyloidosis is a rare disease that mainly occurred in elder people who present with focal neurological symptoms. AL is the main type of amyloid protein. Biopsy is the golden standard for diagnosis. Mass spectrometry and immunohistochemical analysis help to confirm the type of amyloid protein. This paper retrospectively analyzes the clinical and imaging data, auxiliary examinations, histological, and immunohistochemical markers. The patient, a 34-year-old woman, presented with a right neck mass and weakness of the right arm. Brachial plexus magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a tumor-like lesion in the nerve root at C5 and C6 and in upper trunk. Electrophysiological studies revealed damage in the upper trunk of the brachial plexus. Positive staining with Congo red was found in brachial plexus biopsy. Mass spectrometry showed that the type of amyloid protein was AHL(G-λ). The patient underwent nerve graft for treatment. Meanwhile, literature review revealed that the average onset age of localized spinal nerve amyloidosis was 62.4 years old.The radial nerve was the most susceptible, followed by the lumbosacral plexus. Fifty percent of the type of amyloid protein is AL.Until now, no consolidated treatment is available. Here, we summarize the clinical characteristics of localized peripheral neuropathy amyloidosis in order to raise the awareness of the disease.

Objective To explore an ideal form of graft for pituitary transplantation, which could restore normal pituitary function and avoid hyperprolactinmia providing it is implanted outside the hypophysiotrophic area.Methods Pituitary cells, hypothalamic cells and nigral cells were obtained from human embryos (4-6 months gestation) during therapeutic abortion, and three different cultures were conducted: group P (n=38), half amount of pituitary cells per embryo; group PH (n=18), half amount of pituitary cells mixed with double amount of hypothalamic cells obtained from each embryo; and group PHN (n=20), half amount of pituitary cells mixed with double amount of hypothalamic and nigral cells acquired from each embryo. The histological changes of the cultured cells were observed and the secretive levels of growth hormone and prolactin indifferent medium were measured.Results All the monolayer cultured cells grew well throughout the 30-day culture period. Ultrastructurally, the cells in group P degenerated significantly at the 21st day of culture. However, in the PH and PHN groups, the cells kept well viability. The secretive level of growth hormone in culture medium declined steadily in group P, but kept at 20 ng/ml in both PH and PHN groups. Prolactin concentration decreased rapidly following an initial increase in group P, but kept at a high level in PH group. In PHN group, the prolactin level was valuable, remaining at about 15 ng/ml.Conclusions In the mixed culture of fetal pituitary-hypothalamic-nigral cells, the pituitary cells kept high viability in a long period and its hormone secretion remained at ideal levels. These indicate that the mixed fetal pituitary-hypothalamic-nigral cells are a good graft, which can be implanted outside the cranium while maintaining normal pituitary function with no increase in blood prolactin concentration.

Objective To prepare monoclonal antibodies specific to lactate dehydrogenase of Plasmodiun falciparum. Methods The Plasmodium falciparum lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) gene was amplified from whole blood of malaria patients by PCR and cloned into expression vector pGEX-3X. Recombinant pLDH protein was expressed and purified, and used for immunizing mice to prepare monoclonal antibodies (McAbs). The McAbs were characterized by Western blotting analysis. Results The Plasmodium falciparum lactate dehydrogenase gene was amplified and cloned into expression vector pGEX-3X. The recombinant pLDH plasmid was expressed in E.coli) BL-21 cells. 15 cell lines of McAbs with high titer against pLDH were obtained using the recombinant pLDH as immunogen. Western blotting analysis showed that these McAbs recognized a Mr 33 000 of native Plasmodiun falciparum protein without cross-reaction with constituents of red blood cell of febrile patients from endemic area of malaria. Conclusion Fifteen hybridoma cell lines secreting high titer of McAb specific to Plasmodium falciparum LDH were established based on the recombinant pLDH.

Objective To analyze the status of Leishmania infantum asymptomatic infection in human population of a Kala-azar endemic area in Wenxian County,Gansu Province,and to evaluate the tests used.Methods Blood samples were tested by PCR using two pairs of primers,RV1-RV2 and K13A-K13B,for detecting Leishmania-specific DNA.ELISA and rK39-dipstick were used to detect Leishmania-specific antibodies.Results The positive rate of PCR,ELISA and rK39-dipstick was 30.9%(83/269),24.2%(65/269) and 0(0/269) respectively.Conclusion The prevalence of asymptomatic infection of L.infantum in humans is high in the area.PCR test based on RV1-RV2 and K13A-K13B primer pairs is a sensitive and specific method for detecting the asymptomatic infection.