Overexpression of the MDM2 gene by childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells expressing the wild-type p53 gene

The wild-type (wt) p53 tumor suppressor gene is commonly inactivated in human malignancies, either by mutations or by loss of expression. An additional proposed mechanism for inactivation of wt-p53 is amplification of the murine double minute 2 (MDM2) gene and overexpression of the MDM2 protein, which binds to p53 and eliminates its tumor suppressor function. To investigate a potential role for MDM2 in the inactivation of wt-p53 in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), we examined the expression of MDM2 and p53, as well as the occurrence of p53 mutations and possible amplification of the MDM2 gene, in 19 pediatric ALL cell lines and one pediatric acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) line. Although we did not find significant amplification of the MDM2 gene in any of the leukemic lines, we detected overexpression of MDM2 in all 10 lines that expressed wt-p53. Of the 10 lines without overexpression of the MDM2 gene, six (including the AML line) did not express p53, and four expressed mutant p53 with single point mutations in exons 7 and 8. To determine whether primary leukemic cells showed a similar correlation, we analyzed the original cryopreserved leukemic bone marrow cells from seven patients from whom cell lines were established. We obtained similar results from both the primary leukemic cells and the corresponding cell lines: overexpression of MDM2 was present in primary cells that expressed wt-p53 but not in cells that lacked expression of wt-p53. These findings suggest an important role for MDM2 in the pathogenesis of pediatric ALL in which leukemic cells express wt-p53.     

Hepatitis B e antigen negative chronic hepatitis in Indian patients : A reality

Background: Hepatitis B e antigen negative chronic hepatitis (e⁻ CHB) with detectable levels of hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV DNA) in serum has been reported in cases from Asia. This study was undertaken to find out prevalence e⁻CHB and to correlate its presence with the clinical status and severity of the illness in cases of chronic liver disease in India.     

No effect of an oleoylethanolamide-related phospholipid on satiety and energy intake: a randomised controlled trial of phosphatidylethanolamine

Background  

Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) is a phospholipid which is biosynthesized into long chain N-acylethanolamines (NAEs) including oleoylethanolamide (OEA), a known inhibitor of food intake. The aim of this study was to investigate whether PE-containing lipids can also inhibit intake. This was a 4 treatment intervention where 18 male participants were given a high-fat test breakfast (2.5MJ, 53 en% fat) containing (i) high-phospholipid, high-PE lipid (ii) high-phospholipid, medium-PE lipid (iii) no-phospholipid, no-PE control lipid or (iv) water control, in a randomised cross-over. Visual analogue scales (VAS) were used to assess post-ingestive hunger and satiety, and energy intake (EI) was measured at an ad libitum lunch meal after 3.5hours.     

Anthelmintic Prescribing Patterns of a Sample of General Practitioners from Selected Areas in the Colombo District of Sri Lanka

General Practitioners (GPs) provide first contact care of children and pregnant mothers in the community. This study ascertained the prescribing pattern of anthelmintics to children and pregnant women by a sample of GPs from the district of Colombo. Two hundred medical practitioners engaged in full-time General Practice (100 urban and 100 rural), were selected randomly. A pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. A total of 183 GPs aged between 26 and 72 years (median 38) participated with 94 coming from urban areas. Seventy percent of the GPs were male. Almost 13% of GPs from urban areas had a Postgraduate degree in comparison to 4.5% from the rural areas (P < 0.05). Over 50% of GPs had 6-20 years of service and over 30% treated 16-30 patients daily. Seventy-three percent of GPs from rural areas accessed health-related reading material either daily or weekly in contrast to only 40% from urban areas (P < 0.001). All GPs prescribed anthelmintics to children. Pyrantel pamoate was the preferred anthelmintic used for children by both groups. Approximately 55% and 64% of GPs from urban and rural areas, respectively, prescribed anthelmintics during pregnancy. A majority of GPs prescribed drugs after the first trimester. However, 25% from urban areas gave drugs during any trimester (P < 0.001). Regression analysis revealed that GPs with postgraduate qualifications, those having frequent access to health-related material and those seeing more than 30 patients daily, prescribed anthelmintics to pregnant women more often. Although routine de-worming of pregnant women and children should occur through government antenatal and well-baby clinics, and through the schools de-worming programme, it may not happen due to various reasons. Thus, GPs play a vital role in achieving good coverage of anthelmintics among children and pregnant women. Making available clear national guidelines on prescribing anthelmintics in Sri Lanka would improve the prescribing patterns of anthelmintics among GPs.     

Detection of virulence genes in Malaysian <Emphasis Type="Italic">Shigella</Emphasis>species by multiplex PCR assay

Background  

In Malaysia, Shigella spp. was reported to be the third commonest bacterial agent responsible for childhood diarrhoea. Currently, isolation of the bacterium and confirmation of the disease by microbiological and biochemical methods remain as the "gold standard". This study aimed to detect the prevalence of four Shigella virulence genes present concurrently, in randomly selected Malaysian strains via a rapid multiplex PCR (mPCR) assay.     

Antifertility effect of an octapeptide,a fragment of FSH binding inhibitor,in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)

The follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) binding inhibitor (FSHBI) has been identified as one of the factors present in follicular fluid exerting autocrine/paracrine effects on FSH actions in the ovary. Our group has isolated FSHBI from human ovarian follicular fluid and deduced its partial amino acid sequence from the N-terminal region. A synthetic peptide corresponding to this sequence also demonstrated FSH binding inhibitory activity in vitro. The objective of the present study was to elucidate the effect of the octapeptide on ovarian cyclicity and pregnancy in the common marmoset. For the study, three groups of postpartum marmosets were treated with the octapeptide during the follicular phase. Administration of the octapeptide from days 6-10 postpartum (pp) predominantly induced luteal insufficiency in two of seven and two of five marmosets at a dose of 100 microg/day (group 1) and 300 microg/day (group 2), respectively. This was confirmed by the presence of small regressing corpora lutea on day 13 pp. Pregnancy was terminated prematurely in one animal from each of these groups. The treatment impaired fertility by 43% and 60% in the marmosets of groups 1 and 2, respectively. In view of the fact that FSH levels peak on day 2 and day 6 of the follicular phase in marmosets, a third group was administered 200 microg/day octapeptide from days 1-8 pp. The treatment induced luteal insufficiency in one out of four marmosets, while premature termination of pregnancy occurred in two other marmosets of this group, demonstrating a 75% effect on pregnancy. Thus, treatment of marmosets with the octapeptide, a fragment of the FSHBI, predominantly induced luteal insufficiency as well as resorption of the fetus leading to impairment of fertility.     

PGD8 Comparison of Prevalence Rates of Low Back Disorders Obtained from Two Large National Claims Databases

Large national claims databases are sources of vital information concerning health care resource utilization. However, the comparability of data obtained from such databases has not yet been ascertained.
OBJECTIVE: To compare prevalence rates of low back disorders obtained from two large national inpatient claims databases and to study variations in length of stay and corresponding costs.
METHODS: Data were obtained from two independent databases with inpatient claims information including ICD-9 codes for specific diagnoses, demographics, length of stay (LOS), and payments or charges made. One of the databases is a 20% national inpatient sample of all community hospitals in the U.S. (HCUP). The other national database consists of data gathered for privately insured population (MarketScan). Claims for specific diagnoses of low back disorders (ICD-9 codes: 720.0–724.9) for 1994 were obtained. Using age, gender, and diagnosis-adjusted rates (direct method), the overall low back disorder rates were compared. Also age, gender, and diagnosis-specific low back disorder rates were compared between two databases.
RESULTS: The overall adjusted prevalence rates of low back disorders were 1.49 and 1.88 per 100 admissions for HCUP and MarketScan, respectively. Significant difference was observed in the age, gender-adjusted rates for diagnosis of displacement of lumbar intervertebral disc without myelopathy, with MarketScan showing a higher rate as compared to HCUP (1.06 vs. 0.78/100 admissions). The adjusted average LOS and age, gender, and diagnosis-specific LOS were higher for HCUP than MarketScan. The specific and adjusted payments (based on MarketScan) were, however, higher than the charges reported in HCUP.
CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence rate of low back disorders is higher in the MarketScan database than in HCUP. The differences in the length of stay and associated costs might be attributable to other variables such as geographical variations.     

A new improved clinical staging system for multiple myeloma based on analysis of 123 treated patients

The effect of the presenting clinical features on survival time was evaluated in 173 patients of a population of 201 individuals with multiple myeloma observed at Malmo General Hospital during the 11-yr period 1960 to January 1, 1971. Complete follow-up was continued until December 1978. One-hundred and five of the patients came from the city of Malmo and constitute a complete nonselected myeloma population. Bivariate correlation and multivariate regression analyses showed that the survival (i.e., the prognosis) could be accurately predicted in IgG and pure Bence Jones myeloma patients from (A) serum creatinine level, (B) serum calcium level, and (C) bone marrow plasma cell percentage; and in IgA myeloma patients from (A) hemoglobin level, (B) serum calcium level, and (C) serum M-component level. The results were synthesized to produce a simple and reliable clinical staging system with three stages (i.e., risks of death). To facilitate the clinical application, multivariate regression equations were developed to optimally predict the prognosis, and graphs were constructed in order to make the staging of the myeloma patients easier and quicker. The comparison of the duration of survival between the three groups of staged patients confirmed the high reliability of the present staging system.