Cytogenetic and molecular genetic analysis of tumorigenic human bronchial epithelial cells induced by radon alpha particles

To establish a cell culture model for lung carcinogenesis, independent populations of the human papillomavirus 18-immortalized human bronchial epithelial cell line BEP2D were treated with high linear energy transfer radon-simulated alpha-particles, expanded and xenotransplanted into Nu/Nu mice. Six independent cell lines were established from tumors that developed from three separate radiation treatments as follows: treatment (Tx) 1 (30 cGy--two doses), H2BT, Tx 2 (30 cGy-- single dose), R30T1L, R30T2 and R30T3L, Tx 3 (30 cGy--single dose), H1ATN and H1ATBA1. Cytogenetic analysis revealed common changes in all tumor lines: loss of the Y chromosome (ch), one of three copies of ch8, one of three copies of ch14, and one of two copies of ch4p16-pter and ch11p15-pter. Analysis of polymerase chain reaction-amplified short tandem repeats of informative loci confirmed the loss of chY in all lines and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at eight loci spanning the length of ch8 in all lines from Tx's 1 and 2. Our data support previous studies indicating the presence of tumor suppressor genes on ch8. LOH also was confirmed on ch14 at locus D14S306 in all cell lines from Tx 2 and in one of two lines from Tx 3. This region, 14q12-q13, may contain changes in one of the five known somatostatin receptor genes (SSTR1). No LOH was detected at any of the informative loci tested for on ch4 or ch11.      

Mycobacterial infection in an inner city children's hospital

Childhood tuberculosis is perceived by many as a disease of the past. Experience in a children's hospital serving a deprived population suggested that tuberculosis and other mycobacterial infections were not declining in clinical practice. Fifty three tuberculous and 11 atypical mycobacterial infections were identified between 1978 and 1992. There was no decline in tuberculosis and nine of the 11 atypical infections occurred in the last five years. Altogether 40% of cases of tuberculosis were in non-Asian children; 32% had arrived in the UK or visited family overseas in the previous year; and 38% had a history of tuberculosis contact, usually a close adult relative. Nationally, the previous decline in tuberculosis in all ages has reversed. In the local health districts in London's east end, childhood tuberculosis has also stopped declining and seems to be increasing. It is regrettable that BCG vaccination has been abolished by some districts in the UK, against current recommendations. Childhood tuberculosis is still common in the practice described here, including among children who do not fall into conventionally recognised high risk groups. Inner city dwellers and junior doctors are both highly mobile populations, adding to the risk that paediatricians, particularly those in training, may encounter tuberculosis with little or no previous experience of the condition.     

Angiostatic effects of suramin analogs in vitro

Suramin analogs are polyanionic naphthylureas structurally related to suramin, an antitumor agent with a narrow therapeutic window. The angiostatic activities of suramin and 16 suramin analogs were investigated using an easily quantifiable in vitro angiogenesis system. In addition, the antiproliferative activities of the analogs were studied in four different human tumor cell lines and in porcine aortic endothelial cells. The suramin analogs encompassed two main structural variations, i.e. their molecular size, and the number and substitution pattern of the sulfonate groups. Some suramin analogs with a reduced number of sulfonate groups (NF062, NF289 and NF326) showed significant dose-dependent angiostatic and also antiproliferative activities. The disulfonate NF062 was superior to suramin in inhibiting HT29 and T47D tumor cells while demonstrating a similar angiostatic potential as suramin. Therefore, the sulfonate groups in the para position of the amino groups of the naphthyl residues of suramin seem to be of special importance. The very small disulfonates (NF108, NF109, NF499, NF500 and NF241) and the asymmetric compound NF520, one half of the suramin molecule, are inactive. Therefore, a minimal molecule size seems to be essential for the biological activity. Suramin is a rather rigid molecule. The highly flexible analogs (NF527, NF528 and NF529) are inactive. This indicates that the molecular rigidity is important for the biological activity.     

Coagulase-negative staphylococcus in chronic prostatitis.

Three male patients with a clinical history of prostatitis with coagulase-negative staphylococci localized to the expressed prostatic secretion and who did not respond to antibiotics were studied intensively 4 weeks after cessation of therapy with repeat culture of the prostatic fluid, as well as with culture, and histological and ultrastructural examination of multiple prostatic biopsies. Coagulase-negative staphylococci were cultured in the biopsied prostatic tissue, and gram-positive staphylococci were identified in sparse and focal microcolonies adherent to the prostatic ductal walls. Coagulase-negative staphylococci may be implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic bacterial prostatitis.     

Pulmonary tuberculosis after gastric resection

Reviewing the charts of tuberculosis patients during a span of seventeen years, we found a large number of gastrectomized patients. In our general hospital population, the incidence of tuberculosis was 3.2 per cent. Among the gastrectomized patients, the percentage of tuberculosis was 6.3 per cent. Of our tuberculosis patients 1.9 per cent had gastrectomy, whereas of our general population 0.67 per cent had gastrectomy. We were unable to arrive at any definite conclusions regarding the causative relationship between gastrectomy and tuberculosis. It is a retrospective study with all the fallacies, but the data do show an extremely significant difference between the incidence of gastrectomy in the general hospital population and the incidence of gastrectomy in histories of patients admitted with tuberculosis. It appears that a patient having gastrectomy runs a considerably greater risk of having tuberculosis in later life than a patient admitted for other reasons.Clinically, we were impressed with the widespread character of the disease in association with the poor nutritional status in the majority of the patients. We, therefore, could not avoid associating the loss of stomach substance with its nutritional function and the development of tuberculosis. As a consequence, we recommend a purified protein derivative test for all patients undergoing gastric surgery. If the test proves to be positive, it is suggested the patient be given a course of isoniazid for one year. In the face of negative purified protein derivative test, we repeat the test at six month intervals. Should a conversion of the purified protein derivative occur, the patient is started on the course of isoniazid therapy.Our current belief is that more conservative methods of gastric surgery, that is, pyloroplasty, vagotomy, or antrectomy, should be substituted for gastrectomy in the treatment of duodenal ulcer disease to preserve a more normal gastric physiologic structure.     

MR imaging of blood vessels using three-dimensional reconstruction: methodology

Multisection, dual-echo magnetic resonance (MR) transaxial images of blood vessels contain both anatomic and qualitative information about flow. Even so, the images are produced as a series of two-dimensional tomographic sections from which full visualization of connected structures is difficult. A computer algorithm was developed that automatically detects flowing blood based on pixel intensity and calculated T2 and provides reconstructed views of vessels while analyzing and displaying flow characteristics. Images of abdominal vessels, aortic aneurysms, and the heart were encoded by flow and color to demonstrate depth. In addition, these data were reconstructed to derive a more accurate assessment of patency. With this technique, transaxial images can be used to analyze flow patterns, determine patent areas, and visualize all levels of vessels in a single image.     

The parietal sagittal suture

Summary A 3-year-old patient with a parietal sagittal suture is described. The radiological appearances of the skull in this extremely rare anomaly are defined and possible causes of the development of rare sutures are discussed. It is assumed that a histomechanical factor plays a decisive role in their development, probably by means of temporary local or generalised pressure changes provoking physiological or pathological growth disturbances between the skull and brain.

---

Die Sutura sagittalis-parietalis

Zusammenfassung Es wird ein dreijähriges Kind mit einer Sutura sagittalis-parietalis beschrieben. Dieses Bild ist außerordentlich selten. Die Genese dieser Sutur wird diskutiert.

---

La suture pariétale para-sagittale

Résumé L'auteur rapporte le cas d'un petit malade de 3 ans présentant une suture pariétale para-sagittale. Il indique les caractéristiques radiologiques de cette anomalie très rare et évoque les causes possibles du développement de sutures rares. On admet qu'un facteur histomécanique joue un rôle décisif dans leur développement, probablement à cause des modifications de pressions pouvant provoquer des troubles de la croissance entre le crâne et le cerveau.