Amplification of genes encoding human myeloid membrane antigens after DNA-mediated gene transfer

Spontaneous amplification of genes encoding two different human myeloid surface antigens was observed after DNA-mediated gene transfer of cellular DNA from the human myeloid cell line HL-60 into NIH-3T3 mouse fibroblasts. Transformed recipient cells with highly amplified expression of either of two donor membrane polypeptides, gp150 or p67, were isolated with a fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS), using monoclonal antibodies specific for human myeloid cells. Immunoprecipitation of enzymatically radioiodinated polypeptides from the surface of transformed NIH-3T3 cells confirmed that expression of these proteins was amplified tenfold to 20-fold in comparison to their expression on human myeloid cell lines. The cellular DNA of cloned secondary and tertiary transformants expressing high levels of gp150 and p67 contained amplified sets of DNA restriction fragments that hybridized with human repetitive DNA sequences. Cytogenetic analysis of subclones overexpressing gp150 revealed extrachromosomal double minutes (DMs), whose presence correlated with the unstable expression of the membrane polypeptide. Human sequences in gp150-positive clones did not localize to chromosomes, consistent with their association with extrachromosomal DMs. By contrast, p67-positive subclones stably expressed the antigen, and in situ hybridization to metaphase spreads demonstrated that amplified human DNA sequences were integrated into a specific marker chromosome. Cytogenetic analysis of the parental NIH- 3T3 subclone used in these studies disclosed DMs in a low percentage of metaphases, suggesting that the recipient cells have a propensity for amplifying donor DNA.     

Mandatory Procedures and Fairness in Mental Impairment Hearings

Uncertainty has attended procedures for adjudging unfitness to stand trial in Victoria pursuant to the Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act 1997 (Vic) and how “special hearings” should be conducted when a person is determined to be unfit to stand trial but does not wish to pursue the defence of not guilty because of mental impairment. In R v Langley [2008] VSCA 81, (2009) 19 VR 90 the Victorian Court of Appeal clarified the procedures to be employed at jury trials on such matters and quashed a decision not in conformity with proper procedures, making clear that denial of fairness to such accused persons has the potential to result in appealable error.     

Interleukin-6 enhances growth factor-dependent proliferation of the blast cells of acute myeloblastic leukemia

The effects of recombinant interleukin-6 (IL-6) on the proliferation of blast precursors present in the peripheral blood of patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) was investigated. IL-6 had little effect by itself; however, it synergized with granulocyte macrophage colony- stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-3 (IL-3) in the stimulation of AML blast colony formation. Responsiveness of blast progenitors to IL-6 was heterogeneous. On normal bone marrow cells the same synergy was observed on granulocyte and monocyte precursors (GM-CFC), while there was no significant effect on erythroid and multipotential precursors.     

清开灵与利巴韦林治疗小儿呼吸道合胞病毒肺炎的比较：单盲、随机、平行对照试验

目的:比较清开灵与利巴韦林对呼吸道合胞病毒肺炎患儿治疗效果的差异。方法:选择2005-02/2006-04在北京儿童医院分中心治疗的小儿呼吸道合胞病毒肺炎97例,患儿法定监护人知情同意。采用单盲、随机、平行对照试验的原则,按区组随机化方法分为2组,清开灵注射液组49例,利巴韦林组48例。①清开灵注射液组:清开灵注射液静脉滴注加口服中成药。②利巴韦林组:利巴韦林注射液静脉滴注加口服复方愈创木酚磺酸钾口服液。两组疗程均为10d,比较两组患儿的疗效。结果:清开灵注射液组脱落3例,利巴韦林组脱落1例,进入结果分析清开灵注射液组46例,利巴韦林组47例。①清开灵注射液组发热患儿体温恢复正常时间比利巴韦林组短[(2.72±1.86)d,(6.29±2.41)d(P<0.01)]。②清开灵注射液组患儿咳嗽、痰壅、气促症状积分改善方面优于利巴韦林组(P<0.05～0.01)。③清开灵注射液组的呼吸道合胞病毒转阴时间明显优于利巴韦林组。④咳嗽、痰壅、病毒转阴时间、气促均进入Logistic模型,其中前两个症状的回归系数绝对值较大。结论:清开灵注射液治疗小儿呼吸道合胞病毒肺炎在退热、止咳平喘、呼吸道合胞病毒转阴时间等方面均具有明显优势,咳嗽、痰壅这两个症状更能反映清开灵注射液的疗效优于利巴韦林。