Nonhuman primates express human leukemia-associated antigens

Serologic studies using four murine monoclonal antibodies specific for the common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen (CALLA) and five monoclonal antibodies specific for the gp24 surface antigen indicate that these leukemia-associated antigens are present on cells of comparable tissues in man and in four nonhuman primates. As in man, adherent cell populations obtained from skin, lung, and bone marrow of Macaca fascicularis, M mulatta, M nemestrina, and Papio cynocephalus react with these antibodies. Similarly, granulocytes from both man and these nonhuman primates bind CALLA- and gp24-specific antibodies. Radioimmune precipitation experiments confirm the identity of these antigens. Our studies suggest that nonhuman primates can be used to screen serologic reagents to leukemia-associated antigens for potential toxic effects on normal tissues prior to their use in man. Similarly, nonhuman primates could be employed to assess the possible role of antigen-positive stromal cells in the reconstitution of bone marrow following transplantation.     

Persistent atrial paralysis. Observation of a clinical case and review of the literature

A total, primitive, persistent, non-familial auricular standstill was observed in a twenty-two year old female with right hemiplegia and aphasia. The diagnosis was confirmed by electrocardiogram, fluoroscopy, echocardiography and intra-atrial recording and pacing. The patient was treated with permanent pacemaker and anticoagulant drugs. The various clinical presentations, diagnostic criteria, and therapeutic choices are reviewed.     

Nodular mixed lymphoma: results of a randomized trial failing to confirm prolonged disease-free survival with COPP chemotherapy

Fifty-two patients with stage III or IV nodular mixed lymphocytic- histiocytic lymphoma (NM) were entered on a prospective randomized trial comparing cyclophosphamide-prednisone (CP) to either COPP (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone) or BCVP (BCNU, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone). The COPP regimen utilized in this Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) trial was similar to the four-drug regimen C-MOPP reported by the National Cancer Institute to achieve prolonged relapse-free survival in this histology. No significant differences in complete response rates, response duration, or overall survival were noted among the three regimens. A pattern of continuous late relapse was observed for all three chemotherapy programs. Although 11 of the 18 (61%) COPP patients achieved a complete response, only 3/11 (27%) remain disease-free with a median follow-up of over 3 yr. However, two of these three long-term complete responders have died with no clinical evidence of recurrent disease. The COPP patients received 84% of the calculated ideal doses of cyclophosphamide and 78% of the ideal dosage of procarbazine. Grade 3-4 hematologic toxicity was noted in 22% of the COPP group, 36% with BCVP, and 0% for the CP patients. We were unable to confirm the ability of COPP to achieve durable complete remissions in NM lymphoma. The cyclophosphamide-prednisone combination was equally effective when compared with COPP and BCVP, but produced minimal toxicity.     

Defective platelet aggregation and increased platelet turnover in patients with myelofibrosis and other myeloproliferative diseases

In 9 patients with myeloproliferative diseases (MPD) (6 with myelofibrosis, MF, 1 with Ph1 positive chronic granulocytic leukaemia, CGL, 1 with primary eosinophilia, PE, 1 with pre-leukaemia syndrome, preL) collagen, epinephrine, and ADP-induced aggregation, N-ethylmaleimide-induced malondialdehyde (MDA) production, beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG) plasma levels, and platelet turnover were studied. Collagen-induced aggregation was found to be normal in 7 patients, absent in 1, and reduced in 1. In all but 3 patients, aggregation with ADP was markedly reduced. Epinephrine-induced aggregation was decreased in 7 patients. No difference was found between mean MDA production in MPD (3.21 +/- 0.50 nmol/10(9) PLTs) and in control group of 21 normal subjects (3.04 +/- 0.26 nmol/10(9) PLTs). Mean beta-TG levels were significantly higher (P less than 0.01) in MPD patients (165.00 +/- 28.29 ng/ml) than in healthy controls (81.76 +/- 14.63 ng/ml). Mean platelet production half-time was significantly shorter in MPD (2.48 +/- 0.24 d) than in the control group (3.43 +/- 0.17 d), after adjustment for age by covariance analysis (P less than 0.005). Our data do not indicate an abnormal prostaglandin synthesis and are consistent with the hypothesis that a disseminated intravascular platelet aggregation might take place in MPD patients.     

Oral rinse MMP‐8 point‐of‐care immuno test identifies patients with strong periodontal inflammatory burden

Oral Diseases (2010) 17 , 115–122 Objective: To determine whether oral rinse matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐8 levels, measured by three different methods, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloprotease‐1 (TIMP‐1) levels and elastase activity differentiate subjects with different periodontal condition; and second, to find out if MMP‐8 levels were comparable among the methods used. Methods: MMP‐8 levels were analysed with an immunofluorometric method (IFMA), dentoELISA and commercial ELISA. Also TIMP‐1 levels and elastase activity were measured. For statistical analysis 214 study subjects were categorized into four groups, specified by the presence and number of moderate (4–5 mm) and deep (≥6 mm) periodontal pockets, and bleeding on probing percentage. Results: MMP‐8 levels especially measured by dentoELISA and adjusted to the number of teeth per subject differentiated the study group with strong periodontal inflammatory burden from groups with lower levels. This was also verified with receiver operating characteristic ( ROC) analysis. Elastase activity associated with higher IFMA and dentoELISA MMP‐8 levels. IFMA MMP‐8/TIMP and dentoELISA MMP‐8/TIMP‐1 tended to be higher with the increasing level of periodontal inflammatory burden. TIMP‐1 levels decreased with increasing age. Conclusions: Oral rinse MMP‐8 together with TIMP‐1 analysis may have potential in complementary periodontal diagnostics. dentoELISA can be applied in quantitative oral rinse chair side biomarker diagnostics.