Serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 are increased in chronic B-lymphocytic leukemia and correlate with clinical stage and prognostic markers [see comments]

The serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) were significantly elevated (P < .001) in patients with chronic B- lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL, n = 113) compared with healthy controls (n = 31). sICAM-1 levels in B-CLL were positively correlated to the tumor mass as reflected by the modified Rai and the Binet staging systems, lymphocyte counts, and isolated spleno/hepatomegaly. During disease progression or regression on cytoreductive therapy, the circulating sICAM-1 levels changed accordingly. sICAM-1 was also correlated to a kinetic parameter such as the lymphocyte doubling time. Furthermore, the serum sICAM-1 levels were inversely correlated to hemoglobin levels in patients with early clinical stage, and this may turn out to be of prognostic value. sICAM-1 was compared with other serum markers said to reflect disease activity in B-CLL, ie, soluble CD23, thymidine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and beta 2-microglobulin. sICAM-1 was equally well or better correlated to clinical stage and lymphocyte doubling time. In univariate regression analysis, all serum markers but LDH correlated with survival, and in multivariate analysis, sICAM-1 was the only marker approaching significance for additional prognostic information when included after clinical stage and lymphocyte doubling time. Based on the present observations, it appears that prospective studies repeatedly monitoring serum sICAM-1 in B-CLL are justified.     

Antibody-dependent enhancement of HIV-1 infection in human term syncytiotrophoblast cells cultured in vitro

We examined if Fc receptor-mediated antibody-dependent enhancement (FcR-ADE) or complement-mediated antibody-dependent enhancement (C′-ADE) of virus infection can contribute to increasing replication of HIV-1 in human syncytiotrophoblast (ST) cells. Here we report that both FcR-ADE and C′-ADE may result in enhanced virus release from HIV-1-infected ST cells. We show that FcR-ADF of HIV-1 infection in ST cells is mediated by FcRIII and other FcR(s) belonging to undetermined Fc classes and does not require CD4 receptors, whereas C'-ADE uses both CD4 and CR2-like receptors. FcR-ADE: seems to be more efficient in enhancing HIV-I replication than C′-ADE. While FcR-ADE leads to increased internalization of HIV-1. C′-ADE does not result in enhanced endocytosis of the virus. In addition, antibodies mediating FcR-ADE arc reactive with the gp120 viral envelope antigen, whereas antibodies involved in C′-ADE react with the viral transmembrane glycoprotein gp41. Data suggest that both FcR-ADH and C′-ADE may contribute lo the spread of HIV-1 from mother to the fetus.     

In-111-labeled leukocyte scintigraphy in suspected orthopedic prosthesis infection: comparison with other imaging modalities

When infection of prosthetic orthopedic implants is suspected, optimal management requires accurate confirmation or exclusion of infection. The authors retrospectively studied 98 patients with possible infection who underwent scanning with indium-111-labeled white blood cells (WBCs) and subsequently underwent surgery within 14 days. At surgery, 50 patients had infections, as determined by means of culture or histologic results. The diagnostic accuracy of In-111 scanning was compared with that of plain radiography, arthrography, three-phase bone scanning, and various clinical and laboratory findings classically associated with infection. Positive findings on In-111 WBC scans and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rates were found to be the most predictive variables in the diagnosis of septic prostheses (P less than or equal to .001 and P less than or equal to .002, respectively). Likelihood ratio analysis more clearly demonstrated the superiority of In-111 WBC scanning, with positive and negative scans yielding likelihood ratios of 5.0 and 0.16, respectively.     

A LIGHT AND ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC HISTOCHEMICAL STUDY ON THE MECHANISM OF DFP-INDUCED ACUTE AND SUBACUTE MYOPATHY

Tóth L., Karcsú S., Poberai M. & Sávay Gy. (1981) Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology 7, 399–410
A light and electron microscopic histochemical study on the mechanism of DFP-induced acute and subacute myopathy
The histochemical changes occuring in association with the development of acute and subacute myopathy have been studied in the rat diaphragm 30 min-48 h after a single i.p. injection of 1–82 mg/kg of the irreversible cholinesterase inhibitor organophosphate, diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP). In addition to a considerable inhibition of the AChE activity of the motor end-plates, accumulation of ionic Ca²⁺ and an increase in neutral protease activity in the subjunctional sarcoplasm have been demonstrated. A temporal and causal relationship has been established between the histochemical changes and the development of the ultrastructural signs of myopathy.     

Treatment of Alcoholic Patients in a Psychiatric Hospital

This study was undertaken on 50 male patients chosen at random among the 188 who came in the last 6 months.