Chromosome abnormalities in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).

Sixteen patients, 15 adults and one child, with APL have been studied cytogenetically; 14 of these had an abnormal karyotype (87%). Eleven of these consistently showed a t(15;17)(q26;q22) structural anomaly, one patient showed a 47,+8 karyotype, one a rearrangement of chromosomes No. 15 and No. 17, apparently different from that in the other patients, and one a No. 17 deletion without a demonstrable translocation. as an additional chromosome change trisomy No. 8 was found in 5 cases and monosomy No. 7 in two. The t)15;17)(q26;q22) structural anomaly is highly characteristic of APL, is found in APL of children and adults, but it is apparently not associated with a clinically different form of APL.     

Effects of COVID-19 confinement on the incidence and mortality of major osteoporotic fractures: an observational study in Catalonia,Spain

Archives of Osteoporosis - Fragility fractures (i.e., low-energy fractures) account for most fractures among older Canadians and are associated with significant increases in morbidity and...     

Prevalence,incidence and mortality of inflammatory bowel disease in Catalonia. A population-based analysis

Abstract

Introduction: Few recent data on the epidemiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are available, especially in Southern Europe.

Aim: To evaluate the prevalence, incidence and mortality of IBD in Catalonia during the period 2011–2016.

Material and methods: Data on the prevalence, incidence and mortality of IBD were obtained from the Catalan Health Surveillance System (CHSS). Crude incidence and prevalence rates were calculated for all the Catalan population. Trends in age-sex-adjusted rates were also estimated, and logistic regression was used to calculate the adjusted mortality odds ratio (OR). Data for Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) were analyzed separately.

Results: The prevalence per 100,000 inhabitants in 2016 was 353.9 for UC and 191.4 for CD. The total number of IBD patients rose from 29543 in 2011 to 40614 in 2016. IBD was associated with significantly elevated adjusted mortality ratios: 1.28 (95% CI: 1.6–1.4) for UC and 1.85 (95% CI: 1.62–2.12) for CD.

Conclusions: IBD prevalence is very high and is increasing rapidly in Catalonia. Both CD and UC are associated with significantly higher mortality rates.

• Key message

• Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis present a small but significant increase in mortality compared to non-inflammatory bowel disease.

• The prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease is increasing rapidly in Catalonia.

• Data on prevalence and incidence suggest that the number of patients may double in approximately 10 years.

     

High-density rafts preferentially host the complement activator measles virus F glycoprotein but not the regulators of complement activation

The fusion (F) protein of measles virus (MeV) activates the alternative pathway of human complement in the presence of both CD46 and CD55 which regulate the complement activation [Devaux, P., Christiansen, D., Plumet, S., Gerlier, D., 2004. Cell surface activation of the alternative complement pathway by the fusion protein of measles virus. J. Gen. Virol. 85, 1665-1673]. The original observation of cold detergent-resistant membranes sedimenting at a higher density than the membrane rafts lead us to analyse the respective distribution of F, CD46 and C55 molecules in what we call heavy rafts (HRs) and in the classical low-density membrane rafts (Rs). Membrane rafts were isolated after cold TX100 solubilization and flotation on a sucrose gradient. The denser fractions collected from the lower part of the gradient could be further separated into a translucent pellet (HR) and a soluble supernatant (S). HR and R were both sensitive to TX100 solubilization after cholesterol depletion and solubilized by octyl-d-glucoside but differed in their lipid and protein composition. A proteomic analysis revealed that the HR fraction was derived from heterogeneous cellular membranes including plasma membrane, early endosomes and rough endoplasmic reticulum. Interestingly, CD55 and CD46 almost exclusively associated with R and S fractions, respectively, while after MeV infection or transient expression, MeV-F distributed almost equally between R, HR and S fractions. However more immature MeV-F(0) than mature MeV-F(1) proteins was associated with the HR fraction whereas this ratio was reverse in R and S fractions. After activation of the alternative pathway of human complement by F expressing cells, both C3b and F protein associated with R, HR and S fractions. When four or five of the five cysteines located in the transmembrane and cytoplasmic tail of F protein were substituted with serine residues, the mutated F distributed almost exclusively in HR fractions and was still efficient in activating the complement. We propose that the partitioning of F, CD46 and CD55 molecules in different membrane microdomains could account for the ability of F to escape complement regulation by the CD55 and CD46 regulators.     

Leukaemic Intermediate Lymphocytic Lymphomas: Analysis of Twelve Cases Diagnosed by Morphology

Twelve cases of leukaemic intermediate diffuse lymphocytic lymphoma (ILL), diagnosed by morphology, were analysed. The morphology of the ILL cells was so typical that it allowed ready distinction from chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and other related B cell disorders. All cases were of B derivation, had strong µ and x or λ immunoglobulin (Ig) staining, were CD5 and FMC7 positive and CD 10 negative. Cytogenetic abnormalities were found in 8 patients all having t(11;14)(q13;q32). DNA analysis revealed a relatively high incidence of hypoploidy. At diagnosis all the patients (9 males, 5 females; median age 68) had a low degree of absolute lymphocytosis but the disease was advanced and mostly widespread. The course of the disease appears to be aggressive and incurable with conventional combination chemotherapy.     

Bone growth on and resorption of calcium phosphate coatings obtained by pulsed laser deposition

Three different calcium phosphate coatings of crystalline hydroxyapatite (HA), alpha- and beta-tricalcium phosphate (alpha+beta-TCP), or amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) obtained by pulsed laser deposition on Ti-6Al-4V were incubated in a potentially osteogenic primary cell culture (rat bone marrow) in order to evaluate the amount and mode of mineralized bone matrix formation after 2 weeks with special emphasis on the type of interfacial structure that was created. Evaluation techniques included fluorescence labeling and scanning electron microscopy. The resistance to cellular resorption by osteoclasts was also studied. Bone matrix delaminated from the ACP coatings, while it remained on the HA and the alpha+beta-TCP coatings even after fracturing. A cementlike line was seen as the immediate contiguous interface with the nondegrading dense HA surface and with the surface of the remaining porous beta-TCP coating. Highly dense and crystalline HA coatings do not dissolve but are capable of establishing a strong bond with the bone matrix grown on top. Chemical and mechanical bonding were considered in this case. Cellular resorption was practically not observed on the HA coatings, but it was observed on the alpha+beta-TCP coatings. Resorption took place as dissolution that was due to the acidic microenvironment.     

Variant translocation t(15q;17q) accompanying a promyelocytic accelerated phase of Ph-positive chronic myeloid leukemia

One case of Philadelphia-positive chronic myeloid leukemia showed a high promyelocytic component associated with a variant t(15q-,17q+) translocation. A key role for chromosome #17 in the promyelocytic proliferation and/or differentiation is emphasized.