BACKGROUND Mast cell leukemia(MCL),a subtype of systemic mastocytosis(SM),is an extremely rare clinical entity characterized by a very poor prognosis.Chemotherapy,tyrosine kinase inhibitors,and allogeneic hematopoieti...BACKGROUND Mast cell leukemia(MCL),a subtype of systemic mastocytosis(SM),is an extremely rare clinical entity characterized by a very poor prognosis.Chemotherapy,tyrosine kinase inhibitors,and allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation are the only treatment options,but they cannot provide the desired outcomes in most cases of MCL.However,other types of SM can be successfully treated.The disease has no specific manifestation,but gastroenterological symptoms are present in most cases.CASE SUMMARY The authors,hereby,report a case of a 46-year-old female patient diagnosed with MCL-the rarest subtype of SM.The patient presented to the gastroenterology clinic with multiple,various,and unspecific gastroenterological symptoms.Concomitance of skin lesions significantly contributed to a relatively prompt diagnosis.The serum tryptase level was extremely high and bone the marrow aspirate showed an infiltration of atypical mast cells.The disease was rapidly progressive and primary refractory to chemotherapy and the patient succumbed to the illness about a month after the initiation of treatment.CONCLUSION Despite its“hematological nature”,MCL,in most cases presents dominantly with unspecific gastroenterological symptoms.Thus,a high disease awareness among physicians other than hematologists is necessary to improve treatment outcomes.Serum tryptase level,due to its non-invasive nature and easy access,may serve as an initial step to estimate the probability of mastocytosis.展开更多
Mast cells are a subtype of white blood cells and are involved in the immune system.These cells contain many chemical substances called mediators,which are involved in the allergic response.The fact that mast cells pl...Mast cells are a subtype of white blood cells and are involved in the immune system.These cells contain many chemical substances called mediators,which are involved in the allergic response.The fact that mast cells play a role in many events that require urgent intervention,especially anaphylaxis,has led to a more detailed study of these cells.The diseases also caused by dysfunctions of mast cells have been examined in many circumstances.For instance,mast cell activation syndrome is known as an augmented number of cells due to decreased cell death,resulting in clinical symptoms affecting many systems.The main common symptoms include flushing,hypotension,urticaria,angioedema,headache,vomiting and diarrhea.Although the underlying mechanism is not yet clearly known,we aim to review the literature in a broad perspective and bring together the existing knowledge in the light of the literature due to the diversity of its involvement in the body and the fact that it is a little known syndrome.展开更多
Carnoy′s fluid and neutral buffered formalin(NBF)have been proved to be good fixatives for preservation of mast cells in pig,cattle and sheep except NBF blocked staining of most porcine mast cells,especially thos...Carnoy′s fluid and neutral buffered formalin(NBF)have been proved to be good fixatives for preservation of mast cells in pig,cattle and sheep except NBF blocked staining of most porcine mast cells,especially those located in intestinal mucosa(MMC)and in thymus medulla(TMMC). Both toluidine blue and Alcian blue were the excellent stains generally,but Alcian blue stained more porcine mast cells than did toluidine blue( P <0 01). Staining with toluidine blue of a wide pH range(from 0 1 to 7 0)showed that porcine mast cells were not very pH dependent,but the dye at pH 0 5 seemed to have the strongest affinity for all mast cells in pigs and it was also suitable for bovine and ovine mast cell staining. In the three species,unlike in rodents,the Alcian blue method did not distinguish between mast cells in the intestinal mucosa(MMC)and those in the connective tissue of the intestinal submucosa,tongue and skin(CTMC). Porcine CTMC,but not MMC,fluoresced strongly when stained with berberine sulphate or with a mixture of berberine sulphate and acridine orange. It suggested that porcine CTMC contained heparin proteoglycan.展开更多
To simplify the complicated design process of deployable/retractable structures, a new design process is developed. The process is divided into three phases: the concept design phase, the model phase and the optimiza...To simplify the complicated design process of deployable/retractable structures, a new design process is developed. The process is divided into three phases: the concept design phase, the model phase and the optimization phase. In each phase, different parameter targets have to be fulfilled. According to three phases, a deployable/retractable mast composed of four right triangle prism modules in the longitudinal direction is designed. It can be deployed and folded simultaneously by the linear movements of sleeve-joints. The deployable and retractable movement of the mast is analyzed and key joint forms are designed. Then bar diameters and joint forms are modified based on mast structural mechanics characteristics in the optimization phase. Finally a 1:1 scaled model mast is built to verify the design and the optimization. Analytical results show that the model mast has the advantages of simple locking mechanism, fewer types of joints and bars, so it can be easily manufactured.展开更多
Aim: To investigate the role of fexofenadine, a mast cell blocker, on semen quality in the treatment of infertile men. Methods: The study included 16 Turkish idiopathic infertile men with azoospermia or oligozoospermi...Aim: To investigate the role of fexofenadine, a mast cell blocker, on semen quality in the treatment of infertile men. Methods: The study included 16 Turkish idiopathic infertile men with azoospermia or oligozoospermia who underwent testicular biopsy to examine mast cells containing tryptase. In all patients, a complete medical history, clinical examination, semen analysis and serum hormone assay were carried out. The biopsy specimens were immunohistochemically stained with antihuman tryptase for mast cells. The number of total mast cells per seminiferous tubule was calculated and recorded as mast cell index. The patients were divided into two groups according to their mast cell index: the higher (≥1, n=9) and the lower (<1, n=7) index groups. Fexofenadine was administered orally at a dose of 180 mg/day for 4 to 9 months. Pre-and post-treatment semen parameters, including total motile sperm counts (TMC) were recorded and compared. Spontaneous pregnancies after the treatment were registered. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in TMC between the pre-treatment and post-treatment values in patients with higher and lower mast cell index (P≥0.05). In both groups, nobody had a significant response to the treatment and there was no spontaneous pregnancy after the treatment. Conclusion: Although testicular dysfunction is closely associated with increased number of testicular mast cells, fexofenadine, a mast cell blocker, appears not having any benefit in the treatment of Turkish infertile men with a significant increase in testicular mast cells. (Asian J Androl 2002 Dec; 4: 291-294)展开更多
AIM: To investigate the effects of fluoxetine on depression-induced changes of mast cell morphology and protease-1 (rMCP-1) expression in rats. METHODS: A Sprague-Dawley rat model of chronic stress-induced depression ...AIM: To investigate the effects of fluoxetine on depression-induced changes of mast cell morphology and protease-1 (rMCP-1) expression in rats. METHODS: A Sprague-Dawley rat model of chronic stress-induced depression was established. Fifty experimental rats were randomly divided into the following groups: normal control group, fluoxetine + normal control group, depressed model group, saline + depressed model group, and fluoxetine + depressed model group. Laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) immunofluorecence and RT-PCR techniques were used to investigate rMCP-1 expression in gastric antrum. Mast cell morphology was observed under transmission electron microscopy. ANOVA was used for statistical analysis among groups.RESULTS: Morphologic observation indicated that depression induced mast cell proliferation, activation, and granule hyperplasia. Compared with the normal control group, the average immunofluorescence intensity of gastric antrum rMCP-1 significantly increased in depressed model group (37.4 ± 7.7 vs 24.5 ± 5.6, P < 0.01) or saline + depressed model group (39.9 ± 5.0 vs 24.5 ± 5.6, P < 0.01), while there was no significant difference between fluoxetine + normal control group (23.1 ± 3.4) or fluoxetine + depressed model group (26.1 ± 3.6) and normal control group.The average level of rMCP-1mRNA of gastric antrum significantly increased in depressed model group (0.759 ± 0.357 vs 0.476 ± 0.029, P < 0.01) or saline + depressed model group (0.781 ± 0.451 vs 0.476 ± 0.029, P < 0.01 ), while no significant difference was found between fluoxetine + normal control group (0.460 ± 0.027) or fluoxetine + depressed model group (0.488 ± 0.030) and normal control group. Fluoxetine showed partial inhibitive effects on mast cell ultrastructural alterations and de-regulated rMCP-1 expression in gastric antrum of the depressed rat model.CONCLUSION: Chronic stress can induce mast cell proliferation, activation, and granule hyperplasia in gastric antrum. Fluoxetine counteracts such changes in the depressed rat model.展开更多
As recognition of mast cell(MC) involvement in a range of chronic inflammatory disorders has increased, diagnosticians' suspicions of MC activation disease(MCAD) in their chronically mysteriously inflamed patients...As recognition of mast cell(MC) involvement in a range of chronic inflammatory disorders has increased, diagnosticians' suspicions of MC activation disease(MCAD) in their chronically mysteriously inflamed patients have similarly increased. It is now understood that the various forms of systemic mastocytosis- diseases of inappropriate activation and proliferation of MCs seemingly driven by a small set of rare, usually constitutively activating mutations in assorted MC regulatory elements-comprise merely the tip of the MCAD iceberg, whereas the far larger and far more clinically heterogeneous(and thus more difficult to recognize) bulk of the iceberg consists of assorted forms of MC activation syndrome(MCAS) which manifest little to no abnormal MC proliferation and may originate from a far more heterogeneous set of MC mutations. It is reasonable to suspect MCAD when symptoms and signs of MC activation are present and no other diagnosis better accounting for the full range of findings is present. Initial laboratory assessment should include not only routine blood counts and serum chemistries but also a serum total tryptase level, which helps direct further evaluation for mastocytosis vs MCAS. Appropriate tissue examinations are needed to diagnose mastocytosis, while elevated levels of relatively specific mast cell mediators are sought to support diagnosis of MCAS. Whether assessing for mastocytosis or MCAS, testing is fraught with potential pitfalls which can easily yield false negatives leading to erroneous rejection of diagnostic consideration of MCAD in spite of a clinical history highly consistent with MCAD. Efforts at accurate diagnosis of MCAD are worthwhile, as many patients then respond well to appropriately directed therapeutic efforts.展开更多
文摘BACKGROUND Mast cell leukemia(MCL),a subtype of systemic mastocytosis(SM),is an extremely rare clinical entity characterized by a very poor prognosis.Chemotherapy,tyrosine kinase inhibitors,and allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation are the only treatment options,but they cannot provide the desired outcomes in most cases of MCL.However,other types of SM can be successfully treated.The disease has no specific manifestation,but gastroenterological symptoms are present in most cases.CASE SUMMARY The authors,hereby,report a case of a 46-year-old female patient diagnosed with MCL-the rarest subtype of SM.The patient presented to the gastroenterology clinic with multiple,various,and unspecific gastroenterological symptoms.Concomitance of skin lesions significantly contributed to a relatively prompt diagnosis.The serum tryptase level was extremely high and bone the marrow aspirate showed an infiltration of atypical mast cells.The disease was rapidly progressive and primary refractory to chemotherapy and the patient succumbed to the illness about a month after the initiation of treatment.CONCLUSION Despite its“hematological nature”,MCL,in most cases presents dominantly with unspecific gastroenterological symptoms.Thus,a high disease awareness among physicians other than hematologists is necessary to improve treatment outcomes.Serum tryptase level,due to its non-invasive nature and easy access,may serve as an initial step to estimate the probability of mastocytosis.
文摘Mast cells are a subtype of white blood cells and are involved in the immune system.These cells contain many chemical substances called mediators,which are involved in the allergic response.The fact that mast cells play a role in many events that require urgent intervention,especially anaphylaxis,has led to a more detailed study of these cells.The diseases also caused by dysfunctions of mast cells have been examined in many circumstances.For instance,mast cell activation syndrome is known as an augmented number of cells due to decreased cell death,resulting in clinical symptoms affecting many systems.The main common symptoms include flushing,hypotension,urticaria,angioedema,headache,vomiting and diarrhea.Although the underlying mechanism is not yet clearly known,we aim to review the literature in a broad perspective and bring together the existing knowledge in the light of the literature due to the diversity of its involvement in the body and the fact that it is a little known syndrome.
文摘Carnoy′s fluid and neutral buffered formalin(NBF)have been proved to be good fixatives for preservation of mast cells in pig,cattle and sheep except NBF blocked staining of most porcine mast cells,especially those located in intestinal mucosa(MMC)and in thymus medulla(TMMC). Both toluidine blue and Alcian blue were the excellent stains generally,but Alcian blue stained more porcine mast cells than did toluidine blue( P <0 01). Staining with toluidine blue of a wide pH range(from 0 1 to 7 0)showed that porcine mast cells were not very pH dependent,but the dye at pH 0 5 seemed to have the strongest affinity for all mast cells in pigs and it was also suitable for bovine and ovine mast cell staining. In the three species,unlike in rodents,the Alcian blue method did not distinguish between mast cells in the intestinal mucosa(MMC)and those in the connective tissue of the intestinal submucosa,tongue and skin(CTMC). Porcine CTMC,but not MMC,fluoresced strongly when stained with berberine sulphate or with a mixture of berberine sulphate and acridine orange. It suggested that porcine CTMC contained heparin proteoglycan.
文摘To simplify the complicated design process of deployable/retractable structures, a new design process is developed. The process is divided into three phases: the concept design phase, the model phase and the optimization phase. In each phase, different parameter targets have to be fulfilled. According to three phases, a deployable/retractable mast composed of four right triangle prism modules in the longitudinal direction is designed. It can be deployed and folded simultaneously by the linear movements of sleeve-joints. The deployable and retractable movement of the mast is analyzed and key joint forms are designed. Then bar diameters and joint forms are modified based on mast structural mechanics characteristics in the optimization phase. Finally a 1:1 scaled model mast is built to verify the design and the optimization. Analytical results show that the model mast has the advantages of simple locking mechanism, fewer types of joints and bars, so it can be easily manufactured.
文摘Aim: To investigate the role of fexofenadine, a mast cell blocker, on semen quality in the treatment of infertile men. Methods: The study included 16 Turkish idiopathic infertile men with azoospermia or oligozoospermia who underwent testicular biopsy to examine mast cells containing tryptase. In all patients, a complete medical history, clinical examination, semen analysis and serum hormone assay were carried out. The biopsy specimens were immunohistochemically stained with antihuman tryptase for mast cells. The number of total mast cells per seminiferous tubule was calculated and recorded as mast cell index. The patients were divided into two groups according to their mast cell index: the higher (≥1, n=9) and the lower (<1, n=7) index groups. Fexofenadine was administered orally at a dose of 180 mg/day for 4 to 9 months. Pre-and post-treatment semen parameters, including total motile sperm counts (TMC) were recorded and compared. Spontaneous pregnancies after the treatment were registered. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in TMC between the pre-treatment and post-treatment values in patients with higher and lower mast cell index (P≥0.05). In both groups, nobody had a significant response to the treatment and there was no spontaneous pregnancy after the treatment. Conclusion: Although testicular dysfunction is closely associated with increased number of testicular mast cells, fexofenadine, a mast cell blocker, appears not having any benefit in the treatment of Turkish infertile men with a significant increase in testicular mast cells. (Asian J Androl 2002 Dec; 4: 291-294)
文摘AIM: To investigate the effects of fluoxetine on depression-induced changes of mast cell morphology and protease-1 (rMCP-1) expression in rats. METHODS: A Sprague-Dawley rat model of chronic stress-induced depression was established. Fifty experimental rats were randomly divided into the following groups: normal control group, fluoxetine + normal control group, depressed model group, saline + depressed model group, and fluoxetine + depressed model group. Laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) immunofluorecence and RT-PCR techniques were used to investigate rMCP-1 expression in gastric antrum. Mast cell morphology was observed under transmission electron microscopy. ANOVA was used for statistical analysis among groups.RESULTS: Morphologic observation indicated that depression induced mast cell proliferation, activation, and granule hyperplasia. Compared with the normal control group, the average immunofluorescence intensity of gastric antrum rMCP-1 significantly increased in depressed model group (37.4 ± 7.7 vs 24.5 ± 5.6, P < 0.01) or saline + depressed model group (39.9 ± 5.0 vs 24.5 ± 5.6, P < 0.01), while there was no significant difference between fluoxetine + normal control group (23.1 ± 3.4) or fluoxetine + depressed model group (26.1 ± 3.6) and normal control group.The average level of rMCP-1mRNA of gastric antrum significantly increased in depressed model group (0.759 ± 0.357 vs 0.476 ± 0.029, P < 0.01) or saline + depressed model group (0.781 ± 0.451 vs 0.476 ± 0.029, P < 0.01 ), while no significant difference was found between fluoxetine + normal control group (0.460 ± 0.027) or fluoxetine + depressed model group (0.488 ± 0.030) and normal control group. Fluoxetine showed partial inhibitive effects on mast cell ultrastructural alterations and de-regulated rMCP-1 expression in gastric antrum of the depressed rat model.CONCLUSION: Chronic stress can induce mast cell proliferation, activation, and granule hyperplasia in gastric antrum. Fluoxetine counteracts such changes in the depressed rat model.
文摘As recognition of mast cell(MC) involvement in a range of chronic inflammatory disorders has increased, diagnosticians' suspicions of MC activation disease(MCAD) in their chronically mysteriously inflamed patients have similarly increased. It is now understood that the various forms of systemic mastocytosis- diseases of inappropriate activation and proliferation of MCs seemingly driven by a small set of rare, usually constitutively activating mutations in assorted MC regulatory elements-comprise merely the tip of the MCAD iceberg, whereas the far larger and far more clinically heterogeneous(and thus more difficult to recognize) bulk of the iceberg consists of assorted forms of MC activation syndrome(MCAS) which manifest little to no abnormal MC proliferation and may originate from a far more heterogeneous set of MC mutations. It is reasonable to suspect MCAD when symptoms and signs of MC activation are present and no other diagnosis better accounting for the full range of findings is present. Initial laboratory assessment should include not only routine blood counts and serum chemistries but also a serum total tryptase level, which helps direct further evaluation for mastocytosis vs MCAS. Appropriate tissue examinations are needed to diagnose mastocytosis, while elevated levels of relatively specific mast cell mediators are sought to support diagnosis of MCAS. Whether assessing for mastocytosis or MCAS, testing is fraught with potential pitfalls which can easily yield false negatives leading to erroneous rejection of diagnostic consideration of MCAD in spite of a clinical history highly consistent with MCAD. Efforts at accurate diagnosis of MCAD are worthwhile, as many patients then respond well to appropriately directed therapeutic efforts.