Estrogen receptor analysis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Estrogen receptor (ER) determinations were performed on cytosol preparations of Ficoll-Hypaque density separated mononuclear cells from 11 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The presence of ER was noted in 8 of 11 specimens (73%). ER ranged from 431 fmole/mg to 4.3 fmole/mg cytosol protein. Two types of receptor subunits were observed at the 8S and 4S region of the sucrose gradient. In addition, 1 of 3 Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) transformed B-lymphoblastoid cell lines from healthy donors had a measurable amount of ER. Patient R.L., who was refractory to standard chemotherapy and radiation and was ER positive, experienced a minor response to Tamoxifen therapy, with subsequent loss of ER. The demonstration of ER in CLL suggests that this malignancy may have a hormone-dependent subpopulation of cells.     

Meningioma presenting as an intraoral mass in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1

A 77-year-old woman with neurofibromatosis type 1 presented with ill-fitting dentures due to intraoral extension of a right temporal fossa mass. Computed tomographic scanning demonstrated that the masticator space mass bowed the zygomatic arch and remodeled the lateral orbit and maxillary sinus walls, findings that were consistent with the clinical diagnosis of a neurofibroma with possible malignant transformation. However, light microscopic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural examination of tissue from an incisional biopsy specimen were diagnostic of meningioma. This case illustrates that the clinicopathologic differential diagnosis of an enlarging mass in patient with neurofibromatosis should include sporadic, unrelated neoplasms as well as tumors known to be associated with the syndrome.     

Effect of prior parental blood transfusions on the survival of renal allografts from a DLA-identical sibling.

Renal allografting was performed between DLA-identical beagle littermates without immunosuppressive treatment. One transfusion of 200 ml of parental blood donor to induce the formation of antibodies against non-DLA antigens that might enhance renal graft survival. Kidney graft survival times of transfused dogs were compared with the survival times of transfused dogs were compared with the survival times of transfused dogs were compared with the survival times of DLA-identical nontransfused littermates. Blood transfusions did not have a significant influence on the median graft survival time. Antibodies against the kidney donor lymphocytes were not demonstrated after blood transfusion. However, antibodies were induced in three of the six animals tested as shown by the reactivity of the sera of these animals against a lymphocyte panel. Antibodies occurred in animals with long-term as well as short-term surviving grafts.     

Iopamidol and meglumine diatrizoate: comparison of effects on patient discomfort during aortofemoral arteriography

Iopamidol was compared with Renografin-60 (meglumine diatrizoate, Squibb) in a controlled, randomized double-blind study of 40 patients undergoing peripheral arteriography for arteriosclerotic occlusive disease to determine which agent caused less discomfort. Each patient was evaluated for objective signs of discomfort and subjective feelings of pain and heat. Monitoring was achieved by multiple physical examinations, chemical tests, electrocardiograms, and intra-arterial pressure recordings. It is concluded that iopamidol is safe and causes significantly less patient discomfort than Renografin-60.