Rapid prenatal diagnosis of beta thalassemia using DNA amplification and nonradioactive probes

We used in vitro DNA amplification by the polymerase chain reaction and nonradioactive probes for prenatal diagnosis of beta thalassemia in Chinese from the Guangdong province. Exact molecular diagnoses were made in all 20 fetuses studied over a 6-month period. We conclude that this method of prenatal diagnosis for beta thalassemia is a viable approach in many parts of the world where this disease is common.     

Response to 2'-deoxycoformycin after failure of interferon-alpha in nonsplenectomized patients with hairy cell leukemia

Two patients with hairy cell leukemia with massive splenomegaly and severe pancytopenia were treated with recombinant alpha-A interferon (IFN-alpha-2a). There was no significant response to a trial of IFN- alpha-2a (11 and 20 weeks) with respect to blood counts or spleen size. Subsequent treatment with 2'-deoxycoformycin (dCF) for 8 consecutive weeks (4 mg/m2/wk) resulted in normalization of spleen size and a normalization of peripheral blood counts and bone marrow in one patient. The second patient demonstrated a reduction in spleen size and improved blood counts following 9 weeks of dCF therapy but eventually became refractory. This demonstrates that dCF is non-cross-resistant with interferon and confirms the efficacy of dCF in nonsplenectomized patients.     

High-dose intravenous gammaglobulin in alloimmunized platelet transfusion recipients

High-dose intravenous gammaglobulin (polyvalent immunoglobulin G) has been shown to be of benefit in some patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), possibly by producing reticuloendothelial system blockade. We studied this approach in patients refractory to random donor platelet transfusion using an IV IgG preparation manufactured by the Swiss Red Cross. Eleven adult patients with acute leukemia received either 0.4 g IgG/kg/d intravenously X five days (four patients) or 0.6 g/kg/d X five days (seven patients). All patients had high levels of lymphocytotoxic antibody and poor responses to random donor platelets. Except for mild headaches in two patients, there were no side effects related to the IgG infusions. All patients had significant elevations of serum IgG on the day after completion of treatment. Either random donor or partially HLA-matched platelet transfusions were administered the day after and, in some cases, during the IgG therapy. No patient had an improvement in one hour posttransfusion platelet count increments. Two additional patients received pooled platelet concentrates incubated for 30 minutes at 37 degrees C with IgG at a final concentration of 3 g% prior to transfusions. These results indicate that high-dose IgG, an extremely expensive treatment, cannot be recommended for alloimmunized adults with leukemia.     

Quality control of multidrug resistance assays in adult acute leukemia: correlation between assays for P-glycoprotein expression and activity

We have compared multiple assays for the P-glycoprotein (Pgp/MDR1) phenotype in fresh and thawed adult acute leukemia to validate and quantitate measures for the expression and function of Pgp. The results are related to the Pgp-expressing KB8 and KB8-5 call lines. The most sensitive assay was the measurement of modulation of the rhodamine 123 (R123) fluorescence by 2 micromol/L PSC833, followed by the modulation of the probe calcein-AM. We also found a good intralaboratory and interlaboratory correlation between the values of the R123/PSC833 assay for fresh as well as thawed samples. In addition, the affects of PSC833 on 3H-daunorubicin (DNR) accumulation, DNR fluorescence, and 3H- vincristine accumulation were very similar. The correlation between the DNR/PSC833 and R123/PSC833 test was r = .86 (N = 51). The modulation of drug accumulation by 8 micromol/L verapamil was the some as the PSC833 effect for DNR (117%, N = 21), but was higher for vincristine in every single case (161% v 121%, N = 22; P< .001), indicating additional verapamil effects, not related to Pgp. The correlation of the staining of viable cells for Pgp with the monoclonal antibody MRK16 was r = .77 (N = 52) for the R123/PSC833 functional test and r = .84 (N = 50) for the DNR/PSC833 test. From these results it could be calculated that a maximal increase of the mean DNR accumulation of about 50% can be achieved by blocking Pgp pump activity with PSC833 in leukemic blast samples with the highest mean Pgp expression. Subpopulations of blast calls with higher Pgp activity are likely to be present. Their relevance has to be studied further. The methods outlined here allow the reliable, quantitative monitoring of the Pgp/MDR1 phenotype in leukemias in multicentered, clinical Pgp modulation studies.     

Prediction of progression of radiologic damage in newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis

Objective. To investigate the extent to which early radiologic damage is predicted by joint inflammation in patients with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods. Regression analysis was performed on 1-year progression of total radiologic damage for baseline characteristics and cumulative disease activity measures, and the effects of continued joint inflammation on the progression of damage in separate joint groups were investigated. Results. Odds ratios for progression of total damage were 12 for the presence of rheumatoid factor, 5 for the presence of damage at baseline, and 2 for cumulative joint inflammation. A positive association between continued joint inflammation and progression of damage was found to be statistically significant for most joint groups. Conclusion. Progression of radiologic damage in patients with newly diagnosed RA is independently associated with the presence of rheumatoid factor and damage at baseline and with cumulative joint inflammation.     

右美托咪定用于腹腔镜子宫切除术的效果探讨

目的探讨右美托咪定用于腹腔镜子宫切除术全麻维持的效果。方法选取该院进行腹腔镜子宫切除术患者100例,随机分为两组,研究组气管插管后静脉泵注右美托咪定;对照组不使用右美托咪定。结果研究组的自主呼吸恢复时间、气管导管拔出时间、术后清醒时间优于对照组（P〈0.05）。结论右美托咪定静脉泵注用于全麻维持可缩短患者的全麻复苏时间,效果显著。     

60家医院创建无烟医院对医生控烟知识态度行为的影响

目的：通过创建无烟医院活动,了解医生的吸烟状况和控烟知识、态度与行为,并对干预效果进行评价。方法：在北京、上海、广州选择60家医院创建无烟医院,对全院医生开展控烟干预,在干预前对19580名医生、干预后对20772名医生进行问卷调查,了解医生的吸烟状况和控烟知识、态度与行为的变化。结果：通过一年的控烟干预,医生吸烟率由...     

经关节入路微创钢板固定技术治疗股骨远端C型骨折

目的探讨经关节入路微创钢板固定(MIPPO)技术治疗股骨远端C型骨折的临床疗效。方法2002年4月～2005年2月,应用MIPPO技术治疗股骨远端C型骨折14例,按AO/ASIF分类：C1型3例,C2型6例,C3型5例。先行关节内骨折切开复位、松质骨螺钉固定,再行髁上部分骨折间接复位、经关节内切口插入髁支撑钢板或LISS钢板桥接固定骨折。结果12例患者获得10～32个月(平均18．4个月)随访,骨折均获愈合,愈合时间10周～12个月,平均4．6个月。按Kolmert和Wulff的评价标准：优4例,良5例,可2例,差1例,优良率为75%。结论应用MIPPO技术治疗股骨远端C型骨折实现了微创操作,具有创伤小、软组织干扰少、骨折愈合快等优点,疗效满意。     

抗体介导的排斥反应与临床

随着器官移植体液免疫理论的发展与抗体检测技术的进步,抗体介导的排斥反应(AMR)已逐渐被认识和引起关注。其治疗难度大、逆转率较低,已成为导致移植物失功的重要原因。本文较为系统地介绍了AMR的免疫机制、诊断与防治进展,以及供者特异性抗体的检测技术和临床意义,从而提出供者特异性抗体是引起移植物排斥反应特别是慢性排斥反应的主要原因,移植受者需常规监测抗体以利及时干预和治疗。