Percutaneous transluminal dilatation of the iliac artery: long-term results

One hundred fifty-four patients with stenosis of the iliac artery underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). These patients were followed for 1-7 years. The long-term results of the PTAs were analyzed by computer, and life tables were generated for dilatations of the iliac arteries with unimpaired flow and for those with an obstruction in the outflow tract. The accumulative 7-year patency rate was 90%, which agrees with other reports. This study demonstrates that the long-term results of PTA of iliac arterial stenoses are competitive with reconstructive vascular surgery. PTA should be the treatment of choice in patients with iliac arterial stenoses.     

Signaling and induction of enhanced cytoadhesiveness via the hematopoietic progenitor cell surface molecule CD34

The transmembrane glycoprotein CD34 shows a highly restricted expression on a crucial subset of hematopoietic cells. We show here that engagement of particular determinants of CD34 can lead to signal transduction and to enhanced adhesiveness of CD34+ hematopoietic cells. Monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) directed against O-sialoglycoprotease- sensitive epitopes of CD34 (QBEND10, ICH3, BI.3C5, MY10) but not MoAbs against O-sialoglycoprotease-resistant epitopes (9F2, 8G12) induce actin polymerization in KG-1a and KG-1 cells and strongly enhanced cytoadhesiveness. The capacity to induce adhesion requires cellular energy, divalent cations, and intact cytoskeleton but not de novo protein synthesis. The observed cytoadhesion seems at least in part to be caused by a concomitant activation of the beta 2 integrin cytoadhesion pathway. It can be significantly inhibited with lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 and intercelluar adhesion molecule-1 antibodies. Protein kinase inhibition analyses suggest that the pathways initiated by engagement of the CD34 molecule with certain CD34 MoAbs involves protein tyrosine kinases but that protein kinase C is not critically involved.     

Generation of CD4+ cytotoxic T-lymphocyte clones from a patient with severe graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation: implications for graft-versus-leukemia reactivity

HLA-identical bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is associated with both graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) reactivity. Different T-cell subsets from the bone marrow (BM) graft may be responsible for GVHD and GVL reactivity after BMT. In the etiology of GVHD, not only CD8+ but also CD4+ donor T lymphocytes may play an important role. Here we report a patient with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who was transplanted with the BM from his HLA- genotypically identical sister. After BMT there was complete engraftment, but the patient died because of acute GVHD grade III-IV in complete remission. Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) lines were generated after BMT using the irradiated leukemic cells from the patient as stimulator cells and the donor-originated peripheral blood mononuclear cells, procured from the patient after BMT, as responder cells. The generated CTL lines showed specific lysis of the recipient lymphocytes and leukemic cells in a 51Cr release assay. Two types of CTL clones could be established from these CTL lines, both phenotypically CD4+. Clone type I showed male-specific HLA-DQ5-restricted lysis of the recipient lymphocytes, but not of the circulating relatively mature leukemic cells from the patient. This may be explained by the low HLA- DQ5 expression of the more mature CML cells. Clone type II showed HLA- DR2-restricted minor histocompatibility antigen-specific lysis of the recipient lymphocytes and leukemic cells. Both types of CTL clones showed antigen-specific cell-mediated growth inhibition of the recipient clonogenic leukemic precursor cells. These CD4+ CTL clones produced several activating cytokines including tumor necrosis factor alpha, interferon gamma, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and macrophage CSF. Our results illustrate that these CD4+ CTL clones may have induced GVHD directly by cytolysis and indirectly by activating cytokines. Because both types of CTL clones recognized the recipient leukemic progenitor cells, they may also contribute to GVL reactivity after BMT.     

The politics of emergency health powers and the isolation of public health

The Model State Emergency Health Powers Act became a contentious document in more than 30 states in 2001 and 2002. Controversy has focused on recommendations by the authors of the Model Act that seemed to accord higher priority to collective action in emergencies than to protecting privacy and property. This situation has several causes that derive from the characteristics of public health emergencies during the past half century and the relative isolation of public health officials from both their colleagues in government and many members of the public.     

The central afferent and efferent organization of the gravity receptor system of the statocyst of Octopus vulgaris

In Octopus vulgaris, the projections of the afferent fibers from, and the locations of cell bodies of the efferent fibers of, the nerve innervating and macula (statocyst gravity receptor epithelium) were studied within the CNS using iontophoretic whole nerve injection of either cobalt chloride or Lucifer Yellow CH.13 Afferent fibers from the macula nerve project to subesophageal, periesophageal and supraesophageal areas of the brain. Large numbers of such fibers were found in the subeosophageal lateral pedal and posterior lateral pedal lobes, palliovisceral lobe, and the magnocellular commissure. Afferent fibers were also found in the periesophageal ventral and dorsal magnocellular lobes. Supraesophageal macular nerve afferent projections were seen to the peduncle lobe and the ipsilateral median basal lobe. There is evidence for two different macular nerve afferent projections to the contralateral median basal lobe, via and suprapedal commissure and the macula-to-contralateral-median-basal-lobe tract. Evidence is presented for the location of at least some of the macula's efferent fiber's cell bodies in the lateral and posterior lateral pedal lobes, and magnocellular lobes. The differences between the results obtained here with the two different staining methods are discussed. The results imply that processing of static information occurs in many areas of the Octopus CNS, and is much more complex than previously thought. Some of the possible physiological consequences are considered.     

Transluminal angioplasty evaluated by electron microscopy

To gain more understanding about the changes that follow balloon angioplasty, an electron and light microscopic study was carried out in normal canine arteries. Thirty-five arterial segments were dilated with balloon catheters. Early changes consisted of denudation of the intima with widespread necrosis of myocytes and dehiscence of collagen fibers. After three days, myocytes had disappeared leaving empty spaces and edematous ground substance. After two weeks, reendothelization occurred and there was evidence of intimal hyperplasia persisting up to two months. Repair of the dilated arterial segments occurred by proliferation of myocytes, formation of intima, and proliferation of collagen. In two to three months, repair of the intima and media was completed. After six months, dilated segments were characterized by persistent intimal hyperplasia and increased collagen content in the media.