Bone marrow involvement in small cell lung cancer: Prognostic significance and correlation with hematological and biochemical parameters

The more metastatic sites and bone marrow metastasis in small cell lung cancer (SCLC), the worse the prognosis. Diagnosing the bone marrow invasion at the beginning of the therapy is important for determining of the prognosis and planning the treatment. Abnormalities of some blood parameters may help to estimate the extent of bone marrow invasion by cancer cells. In this retrospective review, the changes in routine laboratory tests that may indicate bone marrow invasion, the predictive values of these tests, and the prognostic importance of bone marrow invasion were evaluated in SCLC patients who were being followed up according to a protocol. One hundred and forty‐four patients with SCLC were enrolled in this study. Retrospectively, it was evaluated that 25 (17.4%) of the patients had bone marrow metastasis. According to univariate analysis, there was a significant difference between hemoglobin, white blood cell count, platelet count, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase and uric acid of the patients with and without bone marrow involvement. Among the biochemical parameters, the elevated LDH and AP had the highest sensitivity and specificity as indicators of bone marrow invasion (0.80–0.82 and 0.84–0.78, respectively). The median overall survival of extensive‐stage disease with and without bone marrow metastasis were 4.0 ± 1.0 months (95% CI 2.2–5.7) and 7.0 ± 1.2 months (95% CI 4.7–9.3), respectively (P = 0.03). Bone marrow metastasis was found to be an indicator of a bad prognosis. Bone marrow biopsy, that is an invasive procedure, can be performed on selected patients who have changes of routine laboratory tests suggesting bone marrow invasion.     

Potentiation of fibroblast DNA synthesis by a phenytoin-induced mononuclear cell derived factor in vitro

Abstract – Human mononuclear cells purified by Lymphoprep flotation were incubated with phenytoin (PHT) (20 μg/ml) or its metabolite p-HPPH (2 μg/ml) in the presence of Concanaval-in A (10 μg/ml) in vitro. The results indicate that phenytoin and its metabolite p-HPPH induce the release of a mononuclear cell factor(s) that activates quiescent human gingival fibroblast to synthesize DNA.     

Cervical myelopathy due to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament

A case of cervical myelopathy due to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament is presented. This disease is rather frequent among Japanese, but rare among non-Mongolian persons. To our knowledge, this is the first published Belgian patient with a myelopathy. The clinical and radiographic data are discussed together with a review of the literature.     

Intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography of the spinal cord

Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) of the spinal cord was performed in 6 patients using selective intra-arterial injections of contrast material. Two arteriovenous malformations of the spinal cord, 1 dural fistula, and 1 case of multiple hemangioblastomas were studied. Contrast and spatial resolution were satisfactory for defining normal and abnormal vascularity while reducing examination time, contrast dosage, patient discomfort, and film cost. The only significant limitation was misregistration artifacts seen on lateral views encompassing the diaphragm.     

Effects of malnutrition on the erythrocyte fatty acid composition and plasma vitamin E levels of Pakistani children

Abstract Erythrocyte fatty acids and plasma vitamin E concentrations were determined in 47 grade 2 and 21 grade 3 malnourished Pakistani children (ages 4–56 months). Data were compared with those of 26 age- and sex-matched apparently healthy controls. Evaluation with three statistical approaches revealed that both grade 2 and grade 3 malnourished children had decreased erythrocyte ω6 fatty acids and to a lesser extent decreased ω3 fatty acids. These decreases were compensated for by increased ω9 fatty acids. The patients tended to have lower plasma vitamin E concentrations. We conclude that malnourished Pakistani children have low essential fatty acid status, notably those of the ω6 series. The combination of low erythrocyte 22:6ω3 and a low 22:5ω6/22:4ω6 ratio in grade 2 patients suggests low Δ4-desaturation activity, which may be due to impaired peroxisomal β-oxidation.