The validity of the letter memory test as a measure of memory malingering: robustness to coaching.

The letter memory test (LMT) is a computerized forced-choice test of malingering detection including two face valid difficulty manipulations: increase in target stimulus length and increase of response foils. Prior research suggests the LMT shows promise as a malingering detection measure. In the present study, the utility of the LMT in the identification of malingering was further explored, using a counterbalanced design in a simulated malingering sample. Prior work was extended by assessing the robustness of the LMT to coaching and assessing the effectiveness of an additional scoring method, utilizing the face valid difficulty manipulations. Results were consistent with prior research on the LMT, with the standard cutoff score yielding high indices of accuracy. The LMT showed no order effects and was superior to the 15-item test in accuracy indices. Both the standard LMT score and the proposed score based on difficulty manipulations were relatively robust to coaching. Overall, findings indicate the LMT is a viable contender among measures of memory malingering.     

Flavonoids modulate monocarboxylate transporter-1-mediated transport of gamma-hydroxybutyrate in vitro and in vivo.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of flavonoids on the in vitro monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1)-mediated transport and in vivo disposition of the drug of abuse, gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB). The uptake of GHB in rat MCT1 gene-transfected MDA-MB231 cells was significantly decreased in the presence of the flavonoids apigenin, biochanin A, chrysin, diosemin, fisetin, genistein, hesperitin, kaempferol, luteolin, morin, narigenin, phloretin, and quercetin, but was not affected by the flavonoid glycosides phloridzin and rutin. The IC(50) values for luteolin, morin, and phloretin were 0.41 +/- 0.14, 6.41 +/- 2.01, and 2.57 +/- 0.48 microM, with the inhibition mechanism for luteolin being competitive. [(3)H]Kaempferol and [(3)H]biochanin A did not exhibit MCT1-mediated uptake, suggesting that these flavonoids are not substrates for MCT1. The combination of luteolin and phloretin inhibited the uptake of GHB in a synergistic manner; however, the combination of luteolin and morin was antagonistic. GHB 1000 mg/kg was administered to rats by i.v. bolus, with or without the concomitant administration of luteolin 10 mg/kg i.v. After luteolin treatment, the renal and total clearances of GHB were significantly increased, probably because of inhibition of the MCT1-mediated renal reabsorption of GHB, and the sleep time significantly decreased (121 +/- 5 min versus 165 +/- 10 min) compared with control rats. Overall, the results of this study indicate that flavonoids from food or herbal products may significantly alter the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of MCT substrates.     

Autologous graft-versus-host disease: a novel approach for antitumor immunotherapy.

Autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is a therapeutic option for the treatment of lymphohematopoietic malignancies and solid tumors. Despite the intensive cytoreductive therapy, however, the rates of tumor recurrence after autologous BMT remain unacceptably high. Current studies suggest that the administration of cyclosporine (CsA) disrupts the reconstitution of self-tolerance following autologous BMT leading to the induction of an autoimmune graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Studies in a rat tumor model and preliminary clinical trials suggest that this autoimmune or autologous GVHD provides a significant antitumor effect. Moreover, the antitumor effect of autologous GVHD can be enhanced by administration of gamma-interferon, which upregulates the antigen recognized by the autoreactive effector cells of autologous GVHD. These studies indicate that the induction of an autoimmune GVHD after autologous BMT may be a promising immunotherapeutic approach for treatment of certain neoplastic diseases.     

Disseminating tumor cells and their interactions with leukocytes visualized in the brain.

Brain tumors are increasingly prevalent. Recent advances focus attention on individual, disseminated tumor cells that cannot be imaged or eliminated. Cells of the immune system may be ideally suited to attack individual tumor cells, but more basic understanding is needed. We describe a rat model, using the lacZ reporter gene, that allows identification of individual tumor cells, and tumor-leukocyte interactions in vivo. The model demonstrates how widely tumor can disseminate, without secondary tumorigenesis or recruitment of nonneoplastic cells. It demonstrates that leukocytes have access to disseminating tumor. Among its many applications, this work lays a foundation for developing cell-mediated immunotherapy against individual brain tumor cells.     

Quality of life among children with sickle cell disease receiving chronic transfusion therapy.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disorder that is most prevalent among those of African American and Mediterranean descent. Hemoglobin SS is the most severe form of SCD and carries an increased risk for stroke. Although the initial treatment for stroke is an exchange transfusion, the use of routine, chronic transfusion therapy (CTT) has been shown to help prevent this neurological injury. The treatment plan is rigorous and time consuming, both of which impact one's quality of life (QoL). The purpose of this study was to explore QoL, from the child's perspective, as it is affected by CTT Semistructured interviews were performed on 10 children undergoing CIT: Five themes emerged from the data: (a) pain, (b) school issues, (c) disease knowledge, (d) transfusion therapy, and (e) having a stroke. Data from this study reveal that CTT does have an impact on QoL. This information is important to share with those making CTT treatment decisions.     

In vivo circumvention of human colon carcinoma resistance to bleomycin.

Metabolic inactivation of bleomycin (BLM) by cysteine proteinase-like enzymes is thought to be a major mechanism of BLM tumor resistance. We now report that the human colon carcinoma COLO-205 is highly resistant to BLM and that E-64, a cysteine proteinase inhibitor, sensitizes COLO-205 to BLM. Treatment of COLO-205-bearing nude mice with either E-64 (40 mg/kg) or BLM (10 mg/kg) alone did not inhibit COLO-205 growth. However, pretreatment with E-64 prior to BLM prevented these xenografts from growing. Analysis by high performance liquid chromatography of in vivo BLM metabolism following [3H]BLM A2 treatment of COLO-205-bearing nude mice showed a different metabolic profile among the various organs and the tumor. Whereas [3H]BLM A2 was the only major radioactive peak detected in sera and tumors, several metabolites, including deamido-BLM A2, were found in kidney, liver, and lung as early as 15 min. Pretreatment of mice with E-64 inhibited tumor, kidney, and lung BLM A2 metabolism. Furthermore, pretreatment with E-64 increased BLM A2 accumulation in tumors (6.1-fold), kidney (4.0-fold), lung (2.8-fold), liver (1.8-fold), and serum (1.7-fold). E-64 pretreatment did not enhance the major toxicity of BLM, pulmonary fibrosis, as determined by both lung hydroxyproline levels and histopathology. Thus, the cysteine proteinase inhibitor E-64 affects the metabolic fate and the levels of accumulation of BLM in vivo. These results demonstrate that resistance of human COLO-205 tumors to BLM can be circumvented by E-64 without enhancement of the major side effect of BLM, suggesting a possible clinical use of this combination therapy.     

Significance of Anticardiolipin Antibodies on Short and Long Term Allograft Survival and Function following Kidney Transplantation

The significance of anticardiolipin antibodies (ACAs) prior to renal transplantation is unclear. We studied a cohort of 337 patients who underwent renal transplantation from 1996 to 2001. Follow-up continued until allograft loss, patient death or 31 December 2002. The primary outcome was a composite endpoint of death-censored allograft loss or a 25% reduction in estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) from 1-month post-transplant. Secondary outcomes were allograft loss, a 25% reduction in GFR, acute rejection and creatinine at 1 year. IgG and IgM ACA titers were positive (> or =15) in 18.1% of recipients. There were no significant differences at baseline between recipients, except coumadin therapy in those with positive ACA titers (20% vs. 7.4%). Post-transplant, there was no increase in the primary outcome in ACA-positive patients, even after adjustment for anticoagulation with coumadin (HR = 1.42 [0.68, 2.96]). There was no difference in secondary outcomes between those with or without positive titers. Two of five patients with very high titers (>50) who were not anticoagulated had early graft loss. A positive ACA titer prior to kidney transplantation was not associated with inferior renal outcomes after transplantation, although more research is required to address the prognostic significance of very high ACA titers.