Cytogenetic and histologic correlations in malignant lymphoma

Although a number of studies have indicated correlations between histologic subtypes of tumors and certain nonrandom chromosome changes, cytogenetic studies of lymphoma are in an early stage compared to those of leukemia. No comprehensive analysis of available data has so far been attempted in the literature either. Here we present an analysis of chromosome changes and their correlation with subtypes of lymphoma studied by conventional histology and cell surface markers, as observed in two sets of data: a group of 65 karyotypically abnormal tumors sequentially ascertained and studied by us during the period January 1, 1984 to April 30, 1985, and a larger data set derived by combining our data with those from two published series from the University of Minnesota that are comparable to our data. These combined data, which comprise the largest data set on the cytogenetics of lymphomas assembled so far, enabled a comprehensive analysis of correlation between chromosome change and tumor histology and the patterns of chromosome instability in these tumors. We found several significant associations, some previously described and others now recognized, between nonrandom chromosome gains, breaks, translocations, and deletions and histologic subtypes of tumors that characterize lymphomas. The data indicate that finding of chromosome breaks at certain sites (eg, 8q24, 14q32, 18q21) is of diagnostic value in dealing with cases of unusual lymphoma. Furthermore, nonrandom chromosome breakage exhibited three distinct patterns that reflected three levels of etiologically relevant genetic change.     

An outbreak of legionnaires disease caused by long-distance spread from an industrial air scrubber in Sarpsborg, Norway.

BACKGROUND: On 21 May 2005, the Norwegian health authorities were alerted by officials from a local hospital that several recent patients had received the diagnosis of legionnaires disease; all patients resided in 2 neighboring municipalities. We investigated the outbreak to identify the source and to implement control measures. METHODS: We interviewed all surviving case patients and investigated and harvested samples from 23 businesses with cooling towers and other potential infection sources. The locations of the businesses and the patients' residences and movements were mapped. We calculated attack rates and risk ratios among people living within various radii of each potential source. Isolates of Legionella pneumophila were compared using molecular methods. RESULTS: Among 56 case patients, 10 died. The case patients became ill 12-25 May, resided up to 20 km apart, and had not visited places in common. Those living up to 1 km from a particular air scrubber had the highest risk ratio, and only for this source did the risk ratio decrease as the radius widened. Genetically identical L. pneumophila serogroup 1 isolates were recovered from patients and the air scrubber. The air scrubber is an industrial pollution-control device that cleans air for dust particles by spraying with water. The circulating water had a high organic content, pH of 8-9, and temperature of 40 degrees C. The air was expelled at 20 m/s and contained a high amount of aerosolized water. CONCLUSIONS: The high velocity, large drift, and high humidity in the air scrubber may have contributed to the wide spread of Legionella species, probably for >10 km. The risk of Legionella spread from air scrubbers should be assessed.     

人芽囊原虫在不同培养基中生长状况的观察

目的筛选培养人芽囊原虫的最适培养基。方法将同一株人芽囊原虫阳性粪便标本以2×105细胞/管接种至RPMI1640、199和LES培养基中,加入20%小牛血清及青、链霉素,pH值为7.5,放置厌氧罐中于37℃恒温培养,每24h计数,每6d转种1次。观察人芽囊原虫在3种培养基中的存活时间、虫体密度和虫体形态。结果人芽囊原虫在RPMI1640培养基中存活时间最长、虫体密度最高,虫体以空泡型多见;在LES培养基中存活时间最短、虫体密度最低,但虫体形态清晰、规则;在199培养基中存活时间和虫体密度均介于前两者之间。结论RPMI1640培养基适宜人芽囊原虫的生长繁殖,为人芽囊原虫体外培养的首选培养基;LES培养基中虫体形态清晰、规则,可用于人芽囊原虫的形态学研究;199培养基也可用于人芽囊原虫的体外培养,但不作为首选。     

Endotoxin-induced suppression of erythropoiesis: the role of erythropoietin and a heme synthesis stimulating factor

The regulation of erythropoiesis is primarily controlled by erythropoietin (Ep). Recently, however, other factors that both stimulate and inhibit erythropoiesis have been reported. Using an in vitro liquid culture of bone marrow cells, a factor in normal mouse serum was demonstrated that markedly stimulated heme synthesis by marrow erythroid cells. In this study, the role of this heme synthesis stimulating factor (HSF) and Ep in the erythropoietic suppression caused by endotoxin administration to mice was examined. Although HSF levels did not alter appreciably after endotoxin injection, marrow erythroid cells from these animals became unresponsive to the factor. This could be reversed if Ep was added to the culture in vitro or if the hormone was injected into the mice 18 hr prior to harvesting the marrow. This marrow erythroid cell response is identical to that seen in animals in whom Ep levels are markedly reduced, such as that found in exhypoxic polycythemia, and suggest a decrease in the hormone following endotoxin administration. Additional studies demonstrated that when Ep was injected into mice 6 hr after endotoxin administration, an increase in femoral erythroid colony-forming units (CFU-E), proerythroblast number, and 59 Fe incorporation into femoral marrow cells could be demonstrated. These findings, together with the marrow erythroid cell response to the hormone, suggest that the mechanism for suppression of erythropoiesis after endotoxin injection is a reduction in the level of circulating Ep.     

ProMACE/CytaBOM方案治疗难治性或复发性非霍奇金淋巴瘤的疗效观察

目的：探讨ProMACE/CytaBOM方案治疗难治性和(或)复发性非霍奇金淋巴瘤(NHL)的疗效。方法：采用ProMACE／CytaBOM方案治疗18例难治性和(或)复发性NHL患者，其中难治性NHL患者8例，复发性NHL患者10例。结果：5例难治性和(或)复发性NHL患者达到完全缓解(CR率为27．8％)，4例达部分缓解(PR率为22．2％)，总有效率为50．0％；目前12例仍生存，其中生存最长者26个月(2例)，仍处于CR期。毒副作用主要为消化道症状、轻度肝功能异常以及骨髓抑制。结论：ProMACE／CytaBOM方案对部分难治性和(或)复发性NHL患者仍有效，毒副作用较轻，可用于治疗对其他化疗方案无效的难治性和(或)复发性NHL。     

New indicators for delay in initiation of antiretroviral treatment: estimates for Cameroon

Objective

To propose two new indicators for monitoring access to antiretroviral treatment (ART) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); (i) the time from HIV seroconversion to ART initiation, and (ii) the time from ART eligibility to initiation, referred to as delay in ART initiation. To estimate values of these indicators in Cameroon.

Methods

We used linear regression to model the natural decline in CD4+ T-lymphocyte (CD4+ cell) numbers in HIV-infected individuals over time. The model was fitted using data from a cohort of 351 people in Côte d’Ivoire. We used the model to estimate the time from seroconversion to ART initiation and the delay in ART initiation in a representative sample of 4154 HIV-infected people who started ART in Cameroon between 2007 and 2010.

Findings

In Cameroon, the median CD4+ cell counts at ART initiation increased from 140 cells/μl (interquartile range, IQR: 66 to 210) in 2007–2009 to 163 cells/μl (IQR: 73 to 260) in 2010. The estimated average time from seroconversion to ART initiation decreased from 10.4 years (95% confidence interval, CI: 10.3 to 10.5) to 9.8 years (95% CI: 9.6 to 10.0). Delay in ART initiation increased from 3.4 years (95% CI: 3.1 to 3.7) to 5.8 years (95% CI: 5.6 to 6.2).

Conclusion

The estimated time to initiate ART and the delay in ART initiation indicate that progress in Cameroon is insufficient. These indicators should help monitor whether public health interventions to accelerate ART initiation are successful.     

Effects of insulin resistance and insulin secretion on the efficacy of interventions to retard development of type 2 diabetes mellitus: the DA Qing IGT and Diabetes Study

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of insulin resistance (IR) and insulin secretion (IS) on the development of diabetes mellitus in individuals with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) who underwent lifestyle interventions. METHODS: 284 out of 577 individuals with IGT identified by population-based screening in Da Qing, China, who were randomized to undergo diet change and/or increased physical activity had baseline fasting and 2 h post-load insulin determinations. They were followed for 6 years for the development of diabetes. IR and IS were assessed using calculated indices based on fasting plasma insulin and glucose. The interactions of IR, IS, obesity and plasma glucose and the effects of the lifestyle interventions were evaluated using Cox Proportional Hazards analysis. RESULTS: Both IR and IS were significantly associated with the development of diabetes. Lifestyle interventions were more effective in those with lower IT and higher IS at baseline. Diet plus exercise interventions resulted in significantly lower incidence of diabetes, even after controlling for IR, IS, BMI and 2hrPG. CONCLUSION: Both IR and beta-cell function were predictors of diabetes in Chinese with IGT. Lifestyle intervention reduced the incidence of DM and these interventions were more effective in those with less IR.     

Molecular characteristics and susceptibility to antibiotics of serogroup A Neisseria meningitidis strains isolated in Senegal in 1999

A total of 22 strains of Neisseria meningitidis isolated from cerebrospinal fluid samples of patients in Dakar, Senegal, in the course of an epidemic of meningococcal meningitis in 1999 were studied. All the strains were serogroup A, serotype 21:P1.9 and belonged to clonal subgroup III-1. The strains were resistant to sulphonamide, but were susceptible to ampicillin, ceftriaxone and chloramphenicol, which are used in the treatment of cerebrospinal meningitis in Senegal.