Pyoderma gangrenosum and related disorders

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is an uncommon ulcerative cutaneous condition with distinctive clinical characteristics and a frequent association with systemic diseases. Most frequently among the associated disease list are: inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, and a variety of hematologic disorders. There is no specific treatment of PG; however, the effective treatment of an accompanying systemic disease, local therapy, and/or the use of topical or systemic agents known to be useful in neutrophil disorders, have been beneficial in most patients.     

Chromosome abnormalities in chronic lymphocytic leukemia revealed by TPA as a mitogen

Bone marrow and peripheral blood cultures of chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients were mitogenically stimulated with TPA (12-0-tetradecanylphorbol-13-acetate). Clonal cytogenetic abnormalities were detected in frequencies varying from 15% to 100%, in five of the six patients studied. Parallel studies with pokeweek mitogen showed a much lower level of stimulation and only two abnormal clones were detected. The chromosome abnormalities described in this study are similar to those reported in CLL by other authors, particularly with respect to trisomy 12 and deletion 11q. A significant frequency of hypodiploidy and chromosome deletion was also detected in this study, and further studies are underway to determine the significance of these findings.     

Small marker chromosomes in man: origin from pericentric heterochromatin of chromosomes 1, 9, and 16.

Three patients with different marker chromosomes were screened by in situ hybridisation using biotinylated probes to chromosome specific pericentric repeats to determine the chromosomal origin of the marker. Each marker had a different origin, with one from each of chromosomes 1, 9, and 16. This is the first time that autosomal marker chromosomes consisting of a small ring have been shown to be derived from the pericentric heterochromatin of metacentric and submetacentric chromosomes. Evidence suggests that such markers are not associated with any significant risk of phenotypic abnormalities, but additional cases need to be studied.     

The secretary's Conference for Youth on Drinking and Driving: special report

Part of a Department of Health and Human Services initiative against teenage alcohol abuse, a national Conference for Youth on Drinking and Driving--held March 26-28, 1983 in Chevy Chase, Md. --brought together more than 300 high school student delegates and school superintendents from every State and Territory. The conference spotlighted successful programs that students around the country have undertaken to promote sober driving--programs that incorporate these key principles: (a) they rely almost solely on peer leadership "by students for students"; (b) they employ a "holistic" approach to health promotion, emphasizing self-esteem and alternatives to alcohol and drug abuse; and (c) they use the resources of the whole community. Working with student leaders of these model programs, conference delegates devised ways to launch similar programs in their own schools and communities and to enlist help from parents, teachers, lawmakers, the media, and business and civic groups. The Department of Health and Human Services plans to hold similar conferences annually, to mobilize future generations of students against drunk driving.     

A Review of: “The Past in the Present”

Older women report more loneliness than male peers. Loneliness is an area of concern related to the well being of older women because it is a cause of emotional distress and is linked to a variety of health problems in older individuals. Life changes, including widowhood and relocation, are associated with increased vulnerability to loneliness. Gender, social, and cultural factors influence the experience of loneliness in older women. Cognitive and interactionist theoretical approaches to loneliness have utility for nursing practice and research with older women who experience loneliness.