Lymphocyte subsets and activation antigens in a reference population: a flow cytometric study using single and double antibody staining

The transferrin receptor (TR), the HLA DR antigen (DR), and the antigen binding OKT10 (T10) are present on activated lymphocyte populations. The authors have studied their expression and that of antigens defined by eight commercial monoclonal antibodies on peripheral blood lymphocytes of 50 healthy hospital workers aged 23-60 years. A whole blood lysis technique was employed and cells were enumerated on a flow cytometer. The percentage of cells bearing the three activation antigens were generally low: mean values for T10 being 7.2%; for TR 1.8%; and for DR 8.8%. There was, however, considerable variability, with occasional subjects having 20% or more cells positive for one of the three antigens. High values of one activation antigen did not correspond with high values of another in the same subject. Nor was there correlation of the presence of activation antigens with the occurrence of cells bearing T11, T4, T8, Leu 1, Leu 2a, Leu 3a, or Leu 7. Double labelling with the following pairs of fluorescein (FITC) and phycoerythrin (PE) labeled antibodies: Leu 2a, DR; Leu 3a, DR; Leu 3a, Leu 2a; TR, DR, indicated that simultaneous expression of the corresponding antigens do not normally occur on lymphocytes of healthy individuals. Double labelling with B1 and DR in five subjects indicated the presence of B1 (+) DR (-) cell population. No pattern of relationship could be detected among common clinical variables or HLA type and an increased expression of activation antigens.     

IUD-induced changes in cervical secretion content of albumin, IgG and complement C3c

Cervical secretion albumin, IgG, complement C3c, spinnbarkeit and amount of wet weight mucus recovered were analyzed in a group of 13 women using IUD as a contraceptive method and the results were compared to those obtained in a control group. Significant differences were obtained when concentrations and amounts of soluble proteins in the respective groups were compared, but spinnbarkeit and amount of wet weight mucus recovered were not affected by the presence of the IUDs.     

Biological and chemotherapeutic studies on primary mammary tumors in C3H and C3HO mice

A reproducible chemotherapy assay system using primary mammary tumors in C3H and C3HO mice is described. These tumors, although possibly hormone-dependent to a minor extent, are not steroid-sensitive and their response to accepted anti-cancer compounds follows in general that of classical transplantable rodent tumors.     

Pathologic complete response to trastuzumab-based neoadjuvant therapy is related to the level of HER-2 amplification.

PURPOSE: Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) are used to determine human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) status and patient eligibility for trastuzumab therapy. Using FISH and IHC, we analyzed the relationship between pathologic complete response to trastuzumab-based neoadjuvant therapy and level of HER-2 amplification in locally advanced breast cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Breast biopsies from 93 HER-2-positive patients treated with trastuzumab-based neoadjuvant therapy were centrally collected and analyzed retrospectively for HER-2 amplification using FISH and HER-2 overexpression using IHC. Tumors were classified by FISH as no, low, or high amplification. Biopsies were reassessed centrally by IHC and graded 0, 1+, 2+, or 3+. RESULTS: HER-2 status of tumor samples as assessed by FISH and IHC correlated: 16 no amplification (11 IHC 1+ and 5 IHC 2+), 27 low amplification (26 IHC 3+ and 1 IHC 2+), and 50 high amplification (all IHC 3+). Trastuzumab-based neoadjuvant therapy achieved pathologic complete response in 35 of 93 (37.6%) tumors. Pathologic complete response rate in low- and high-amplification tumors was significantly higher than in no-amplification tumors (44% versus 6%; P < 0.004). Pathologic complete response rate in high-amplification tumors was significantly higher compared with low-amplification tumors (56% versus 22%; P < 0.005). In the subgroup of low- plus high-amplification tumors, no correlation was found between pathologic complete response rate and IHC score, treatment regimen, T or N stage, tumor grade, or hormonal receptors. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to show positive correlation between level of HER-2 amplification assessed by FISH and rate of pathologic complete response to trastuzumab-based neoadjuvant treatment.     

Psychometric examination of the Daily Spiritual experiences Scale

Despite the burgeoning research literature addressing spirituality and its measurements, few instruments have undergone rigorous reliability and validity testing. This study contributed to determining the reliability and validity of the 16- and 6-item Daily Spiritual Experiences Scale (DSES) in a convenience sample of African Americans ages 34-85. Data were collected via self-administered questionnaire including the DSES and sociodemographic variables thought to influence spiritual experiences. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests, ANOVA, inter-class correlation coefficients, Pearson's correlation, and Cronbach's alpha. Both versions were stable over time, internally consistent, and the forms were equivalent and valid in an all-African American sample.