Molecular heterogeneity of sporadic adult Burkitt-type leukemia/lymphoma as revealed by PCR and cytogenetics: correlation with morphology, immunology and clinical features.

Chromosomal translocations involving the MYC oncogene are a hallmark of Burkitt lymphoma but they are only found in a varying frequency in mature Burkitt-type acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). We have investigated samples of 56 sporadic Burkitt leukemia/lymphoma patients for the translocations t(8;14)(q24;q32), t(2;8)(p11;q24) and t(8;22)(q24;q11). Long PCR was used for detecting the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) translocation and cytogenetics and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization for detecting the 'variant' MYC translocations. A total of 29 samples (51.8%) were t(8;14)-positive by long PCR. Approximately one-third had a chromosomal breakpoint in the IgH joining region while the others had breakpoints in the IgH switch regions. Among them were two cases with a previously unreported MYC translocation into the IgE switch region. Long PCR was more reliable compared to conventional cytogenetics for detecting the t(8;14). Epstein-Barr virus was detected in high copy number in two (3.6%) t(8;14)-positive cases by real-time quantitative PCR. Human herpesvirus 8 was not detected in any case by nested PCR. A typical L3 or L3-compatible cytomorphology was highly predictive (>80%) but not specific of a MYC translocation. A total of 34 patients were treated according to the GMALL B-ALL therapy protocols and there was no significant difference in overall survival between patients with or without t(8;14).     

Pharmacological aspects of neonatal antidepressant withdrawal

Depression is common in reproductive age women, and continued pharmacologic treatment of depression during pregnancy may be necessary to prevent relapse, which could be harmful for both the fetus and the mother. Although data on drug safety are imperfect and incomplete, the benefits of antidepressant therapy during pregnancy generally outweigh the risks. Neonates who are exposed to antidepressant medications during gestation are at increased risk to have neonatal withdrawal syndrome, although the exact incidence of this complication is unknown because the definition of the syndrome is not clear and withdrawal reactions are probably underreported. Tricyclic antidepressant withdrawal syndrome is most likely related to muscarinergic activity and individual drug half-lives, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor withdrawal may be due to a decrease in available synaptic serotonin in the face of down-regulated serotonin receptors, the secondary effects of other neurotransmitters, and biological or cognitive sensitivity. Other factors that influence neonatal toxicity or withdrawal include the normal physiologic changes of pregnancy, the altered activity of CYP450 enzymes during pregnancy, drug-drug transporter (PgP and OCT3) interaction, and the presence of genetic polymorphisms in genes influencing drug metabolism. Further research is necessary. Target Audience: Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians Learning Objectives: After completion of this article, the reader should be able to explain the importance of antidepressant therapy during pregnancy and postpartum, summarize the important neonatal effects of antidepressants, and describe the potential teratogenic effects of antidepressants.     

The added value of simultaneous EEG and amplitude-integrated EEG recordings in three newborn infants

Amplitude-integrated electroencephalograms (aEEGs) recorded by cerebral function monitors (CFMs) are used increasingly to monitor the cerebral activity of newborn infants with encephalopathy. Recently, new CFM devices became available which also reveal the original EEG signals from the same leads. To date it was unclear whether this single-lead EEG provides additional information towards interpreting the aEEG traces more accurately. Our report deals with three cases in which the single-lead EEG from the CFM device did indeed reveal important additional information not provided by the aEEG alone. In cases 1 and 3, the aEEGs showed drifting of the baseline to higher amplitudes. The single-lead EEG revealed that this was due to muscle artefacts, high-frequency oscillation ventilation and the electrocardiogram rather than to cerebral activity. Hence, without knowledge of the EEG, the aEEG trace might have been misinterpreted as being fairly normal. Case 2 showed paroxysmal elevation of the lower margin of the amplitude on the aEEG which looked like epileptic activity. However, additional information from the single-lead EEG revealed that it was due to muscle artefacts. Thus, simultaneously recorded EEG can help to interpret seizure-like episodes on the aEEG. CONCLUSION: Simultaneously recorded single-lead EEGs can help to interpret aEEG traces more accurately.     

Zur Antigenität des Yoshida-Sarkoms der Ratte

Zusammenfassung Homogenisiertes Yoshida-Sarkomgewebe wurde mit halogeniertem Kohlenwasserstoff extrahiert. Mit diesem Extrakt wurden Kaninchen immunisiert und Ratten vor der Sarkomimplantation behandelt. Mit beiden Methoden war es nicht möglich, ein Yoshida-Sarkom-spezifisches Antigen nachzuweisen.

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Specific antigens of the Yoshida sarcoma

Summary Fluorocarbon extracts from Yoshida sarcoma tissue were used to immunize rabbits and also to treat rats before transplantation. It was not possible with either method to demonstrate a specific antigen of the Yoshida sarcoma.

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Ergänzende Mitteilung zur Arbeit Scheiffarth u. Mitarb. in dieser Z. 70, 178 (1967).     

Sella Turcica und Hypophyse

Journal of Molecular Medicine -     

Schwangerschaftsödeme und Aussentemperatur

Journal of Molecular Medicine -