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Presents a letter to the editor in response to the article "Serum Levels of Soluble Interleukin-2 Receptor at Acute Asthma Exacerbation," which appeared in the 1998 issue of the journal "International Archives of Allergy and Immunology."

Background: Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is an essential water-soluble nutrient which primarily exerts its effect on immune homeostasis as physiological antioxidant. However, conflicting data exist regarding the effect of vitamin C on the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines.Methods: It was the aim of this study to investigate the impact of vitamin C on intracytoplasmic production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in monocytes and lymphocytes by flow cytometry after human whole blood assay.Results: Vitamin C dose dependently inhibited the LPS-induced number of monocytes producing IL-6 (e.g., 41.0% reduction, p<0.001, 20 mM vitamin C) and TNF-α (e.g., 26.0% reduction, p<0.005, 20 mM vitamin C). Simultaneously, the number of lymphocytes producing IL-2 after PMA/ionomycin stimulation was dose dependently reduced (e.g., 24.2% inhibition, p<0.005, 20 mM vitamin C). Notably, the number of IL-1 and IL-8 producing monocytes as well as TNF-α and IFN-γ producing lymphocytes were not significantly affected by 20 mM vitamin C.Conclusions: These data suggest that vitamin C selectively influences intracytoplasmic cytokine production and therefore, further studies are needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of immunomodulation, i.e. regulation of NFκB activation which is mandatory for the induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article examines the prognostic value of the tumor, lymph node and metastasis (TNM) criteria and the first staging classification for adrenocorticaI carcinoma (ACC) proposed by the International Union Against Cancer in 2004. The classification outlines the stage three ACC by tumor infiltration in the adipose tissue or positive lymph node, and sets criteria for stage IV as tumor infiltration into tissue, positive lymph nodes and adjacent organs, or the presence of distant metastasis.

Presents the case report of a 11-year-old girl with intractable anaemia and short stature. Complaints such as recurrent headaches and heat intolerance; Results of blood tests; Diagnosis of cystinosis; Treatment of cystinosis.