Cytogenetic and histologic correlations in malignant lymphoma

Although a number of studies have indicated correlations between histologic subtypes of tumors and certain nonrandom chromosome changes, cytogenetic studies of lymphoma are in an early stage compared to those of leukemia. No comprehensive analysis of available data has so far been attempted in the literature either. Here we present an analysis of chromosome changes and their correlation with subtypes of lymphoma studied by conventional histology and cell surface markers, as observed in two sets of data: a group of 65 karyotypically abnormal tumors sequentially ascertained and studied by us during the period January 1, 1984 to April 30, 1985, and a larger data set derived by combining our data with those from two published series from the University of Minnesota that are comparable to our data. These combined data, which comprise the largest data set on the cytogenetics of lymphomas assembled so far, enabled a comprehensive analysis of correlation between chromosome change and tumor histology and the patterns of chromosome instability in these tumors. We found several significant associations, some previously described and others now recognized, between nonrandom chromosome gains, breaks, translocations, and deletions and histologic subtypes of tumors that characterize lymphomas. The data indicate that finding of chromosome breaks at certain sites (eg, 8q24, 14q32, 18q21) is of diagnostic value in dealing with cases of unusual lymphoma. Furthermore, nonrandom chromosome breakage exhibited three distinct patterns that reflected three levels of etiologically relevant genetic change.     

Validation of a brief screening test for depression in the elderly

This paper describes the clinical validation of the 10-question Short Zung Interviewer-assisted Depression Rating Scale (Short Zung I.D.S.) which has been derived from the 20-question Zung Self-rating Depression Scale (Zung S.D.S) for use in the elderly. The Short Zung I.D.S. was administered to 104 elderly volunteers from the community and to 33 elderly depressed patients assessed by a psychiatrist. The mean scores (41.3 and 81.0, respectively) were significantly different (P less than 0.0001). The Short Zung I.D.S. has proved to be a useful brief screening test for depression in the elderly and should be of value in measuring changes in mood.     

Effects of fibroblast growth factor-4 (k-FGF) on long-term cultures of human bone marrow cells

Fibroblast growth factor-4 (FGF-4), a highly mitogenic protein encoded by the k-fgf/hst oncogene, stimulates the growth of a variety of cells of mesenchymal and neuroectodermal origin. Addition of FGF-4 to human long-term bone marrow cultures increased both the cell density of the stromal layer and the number of hematopoietic colony forming cells in the cultures in a dose-dependent manner. Hematopoiesis in the stromal layer persisted for up to 8 months. Erythropoiesis was maintained for up to 4 weeks, but granulocytes were the predominant nonadherent cell type. Cultures treated with FGF had increased numbers of monocytes compared with control cultures and some CD14+, CD45+ monocytes could still be detected after 8 months of continuous culture. The addition of the growth factor increased the rate of growth of the stromal layer and appeared to delay its senescence. Subcultures made in the presence of FGF-4 had up to 10-fold increases in plating efficiency and grew as relatively uniform monolayers. These subcultures retained the capacity to support hematopoiesis for several months, while untreated subcultures, made without FGF-4, grew erratically and generally lost the capacity to support hematopoiesis within 4 to 6 weeks. The improved growth after subculture greatly enhanced the reliability of limit- dilution assays of multipotential hematopoietic stem cells that use stromal cell monolayers. The primary effect of FGF-4 appeared to be on the stromal cells of the long-term bone marrow cultures, but a direct effect on hematopoietic progenitors could not be ruled out.     

Modification of serum luteinizing hormone and prolactin concentrations by corticotropin and adrenalectomy in ovariectomized rats.

The effects of ACTH and adrenalectomy (ADX) on serum concentrations of LH and prolactin were examined in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. In the first study ACTH (4 IU) was administered daily for one week. ACTH prevented an increase in serum LH in response to OVX and stimulated serum prolactin. ACTH also reduced serum LH in OVX+ADX rats and increased prolactin concentration. ADX was utilized in the second experiment to enhance secretion of endogenous ACTH. Two weeks after ADX serum prolactin was elevated above intact values. ADX also enhanced serum prolactin in OVX rats to the level found in intact animals. ADX markedly reduced the LH response to OVX but ADX alone had no effect on serum LH concentration. All of these findings indicate that ACTH acts directly to reduce serum LH concentration and to enhance serum prolactin. The influence of adrenal corticoids on serum concentrations of LH and prolactin as reported by other investigators appears to be mediated via their negative feedback effects on ACTH release. Whether ACTH has its action on adenohypophyseal cells or on hypothalamic sites has yet to be determined.