Monoclonal antibody analysis of canine hemopoietic cells. Role of Ia-like and Thy-1 antigens in bone marrow engraftment

The expression of Ia-like (class II MHC) antigens on canine hemopoietic cells was investigated using a cytotoxic murine monoclonal antibody, WM-2, reactive with dog Ia-like antigens. Another monoclonal antibody, WMD-1, reactive with canine Thy-1 antigen, was used as a positive control. Depletion of Ia+ cells from dog bone marrow by complement-mediated lysis with WM-2 antibody failed to inhibit growth of granulocyte-macrophage progenitors (CFUGM) in vitro, while WMD-1 produced complete inhibition of CFUGM. Lethally irradiated dogs receiving bone marrow autografts depleted of Ia-positive cells ex vivo showed initial engraftment, followed by prolonged pancytopenia, and eventual complete recovery of marrow function in the majority of animals. In contrast, dogs receiving autografts treated with WMD-1 and complement all died of marrow failure. We interpret these results as indicating: (1) that Thy-1 antigen is present on hemopoietic stem cells essential for marrow engraftment; and (2) that the expression of Ia antigens on hemopoietic cells is heterogeneous and related to the level of stem cell maturation. While Ia appears to be present on a stem cell population at an earlier stage than CFUGM, as evidenced by the transient phase of graft failure seen in dogs receiving Ia-depleted marrow, the most primitive stem cell, responsible for long-term engraftment, is effectively Ia-negative.     

Immunological detection of covert leukaemic spread in mediastinal T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma

A double immunofluorescence assay for terminal transferase (TdT) and surface membrane T-cell differentiation markers, defined by monoclonal antibodies, was used to analyse peripheral blood and bone marrow from patients with mediastinal T-cell lymphoma with clinically localized disease. In 2 patients, at diagnosis and during two subsequent relapses, cells with abnormal immunological phenotype were detected in low numbers in the peripheral blood, which contained no morphologically abnormal cells on any occasion. Bone marrow was uninvolved by immunological criteria on 3 of 4 examinations. The findings suggest that morphologically undectable T-lymphoblasts escape from the site of disease origin in the thymus in patients with lymphoblastic lymphoma, leading to "seeding" of sites such as bone marrow and central nervous system. Furthermore, the techniques described appear to be potentially very useful for the monitoring of lymphoblastic lymphoma patients for early prediction of disease relapse.     

The behavioral risk factor surveys: III. Chronic heavy alcohol use in the United States

Results of adult telephone interview data from aggregated state surveys show significant chronic alcohol use (two or more drinks per day) by 8.7 percent of the U.S. population. Rates are higher in men than in women (13.8 percent versus 4.0 percent, and higher in whites than in blacks (9.1 percent versus 4.5 percent). Women 25-44 years of age have significantly lower rates (2.9 percent) than women 18-24 (5.7 percent) or women 45-64 (4.6 percent). Also, rates are higher in heavy smokers (over one pack per day) than nonsmokers (22.4 percent versus 5.9 percent), among nonusers of seatbelts than users of seatbelts (10.5 percent versus 6.2 percent), and in those who reported driving after having had "too much" to drink than in those who did not (32.3 percent versus 7.5 percent). Overweight women (2.7 percent) and those who eat in response to stress (3.1 percent) have lower rates of chronic heavy alcohol use than those without these risk factors. Alcohol-related morbidity contributes substantially to the loss of productive life. We conclude that examining alcohol consumption in the light of other lifestyle behaviors would help in the design of effective prevention programs based on multiple risk factor interventions.     

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in children with cancer

We reviewed the clinical course of 32 children with cancer who received nutrition through a feeding tube placed percutaneously during gastroscopy (PEG). Their median age was 5.1 y (75%, range: 1.8-13.7 y, min: 3.5 mo) when the PEG was done 0.7-23 mo after diagnosis (median: 1.8 mo, 75%; range: 0.9-8 mo). Five of the children underwent bone marrow transplantation with the gastrostomy in place. There was a significant (p     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptobacillus moniliformis</Emphasis> septic arthritis: a clinical entity distinct from rat-bite fever?

Background  

Streptobacillus moniliformis is a zoonotic agent associated with rodent contacts. Although it is more commonly reported to cause rat-bite fever with reactive arthritides, it can also lead to pyogenic infection of the joints.     

Dental caries risk indicators among Australian Aboriginal young adults

Jamieson LM, Roberts‐Thomson KF, Sayers SM. Dental caries risk indicators among Australian Aboriginal young adults. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2010; 38: 213–221. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S Abstract – Objectives: To determine dental caries risk indicators among a birth cohort of Australian Aboriginal young adults (n = 442). Methods: Data were from the Aboriginal Birth Cohort study, a prospective longitudinal investigation of Aboriginal individuals born 1987–1990 at an Australian regional hospital. Models representing demographic, socioeconomic, behavioural, dental service utilization and clinical oral health variables were tested using multivariate regression. Results: The percent DT > 0 was 72.9 (95% CI 68.7–77.1), mean DT was 4.19 (95% CI 3.8–4.6), percent DMFT > 0 was 77.4 (95% CI 73.5–81.3) and mean DMFT was 4.84 (95% CI 4.4–5.3). After controlling for other covariates, risk indicators for percent DT > 0 included soft drink consumption every day or a few times a week (PR 1.25, 95% CI 1.08–1.45), not consuming milk every day or a few times a week (PR 1.16, 95% CI 1.04–1.30) and sweet consumption every day or a few times a week (PR 1.18, 95% CI 1.04–1.33). Risk indicators for mean DT included sweet consumption every day or a few times a week (B = 1.14, 95% CI 0.27–2.02), nonownership of a toothbrush (B = 0.91, 95% CI 0.10–1.87) and presence of plaque (B = 2.46, 95% CI 0.96–3.96). Those with 4 + occupants in their house the previous night had 1.2 times the prevalence of having DMFT > 0 than their counterparts with less household occupants (95% CI 1.01–1.49). Percent DMFT > 0 was also associated with consumption of soft drink every day or a few times a week (PR 1.18, 95% CI 1.04–1.34) and consumption of sweets every day or a few times a week (PR 1.23, 95% CI 1.10–1.37). Mean DMFT was higher among those who consumed sweets every day or a few times a week (B = 0.13, 95% CI 0.05–0.22) and who had dental anxiety (B = 0.10, 95% CI 0.01–0.19). Conclusions: In an Australian Aboriginal young adult cohort, risk indicators for dental caries included social determinants such as household size, dietary behaviours such as regular consumption of soft drink and sweets, dental behaviour such as nonownership of a toothbrush and dental anxiety.     

Comparison between ambulatory infusion mode and inpatient infusion mode from the perspective of quality of life among colorectal cancer patients receiving chemotherapy

Lee YM, Hung YK, Mo FKF, Ho WM. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2010; 16 : 508–516
Comparison between ambulatory infusion mode and inpatient infusion mode from the perspective of quality of life among colorectal cancer patients receiving chemotherapy Folfox and Folfiri are active chemotherapy treatments used in advanced colorectal cancer. The total admission for these treatments has been significantly increasing in the study hospital. An ambulatory infusion programme was launched to address the problems of long waiting list and bed shortage. The study objective was to compare the quality of life between patients receiving the chemotherapy treatments in the ambulatory infusion group and the inpatient infusion group. The results showed that some demographic variables of education level, family role and employment status were determinants of the treatment mode. Patients in the ambulatory infusion group of social and global domains performed better than the inpatient group. However, the inpatient group had better quality of life of nauseated symptom at different stages. Some nursing educations should be reinforced to address the symptom management for patients receiving ambulatory infusion at home. The ambulatory infusion programme offered considerable quality of life benefits to colorectal cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.     

Lack of transmission of neutrophil and platelet antibodies by intravenous immunoglobulin in bone marrow transplant patients

BACKGROUND: Several studies have demonstrated that the administration of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) may be followed by the transient appearance of positive red cell antibody screens, positive direct antiglobulin tests, and, occasionally, frank hemolysis. However, little information is available regarding the possibility that IVIG could transmit neutrophil and/or platelet antibodies. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Serum samples were obtained both immediately before and immediately after the administration of 12 separate lots of commercially available IVIG to bone marrow transplant patients. RESULTS: None of the patients were shown by standard granulocyte immunofluorescence testing to have acquired neutrophil antibodies. Four of the 12 postinfusion sera were positive for platelet antibodies in standard platelet suspension immunofluorescence testing, but in all four instances the corresponding preinfusion serum was positive as well. CONCLUSION: The risk of acquiring neutrophil and/or platelet antibodies after the administration of commercially available IVIG appears to be low.