Avian influenza and sialic acid receptors: more than meets the eye?

Given our recent discoveries that the ocular human pathogens adenovirus serotype 37 and enterovirus serotype 70 use sialic acid linked to galactose via alpha2,3 glycosidic bonds as a cellular receptor, we propose that the presence of this receptor in the eye also explains the ocular tropism exhibited by zoonotic avian influenza A viruses such as subtype H5N1 in Hong Kong in 1997, H7N7 in the Netherlands in 2003, H7N2 in the USA in 2003, and H7N3 in Canada in 2004. We also draw attention to the implications this hypothesis may have for epizootic and zoonotic influenza, and the initiation of future pandemics.     

Effects of anti-hypertensive therapy on serum lipoproteins. Treatment with metoprolol, propranolol and hydrochlorothiazide

The effects of metoprolol, propranolol and hydrochlorothiazide on lipoprotein metabolism were studied in three different but comparable groups of middle-aged men with previously untreated hypertension (n=10, n=10, and n=11, respectively). All three treatments were associated with an increase in serum triglyceride and VLDL-cholesterol levels. Propranolol treatment was associated with consistent and significant decreases in HDL-cholesterol, apoA-I and A-II levels, whereas these changes during the other treatments were neither significant nor consistent. An increase in adipose tissue LPL-activity and a decrease in serum free fatty acids were seen in the propranolol treatment group. Significant changes were not observed in glucose tolerance or catecholamine excretion. The blood pressure reduction was similar in the three groups. The design of the present study was in some important respects different from that of others. This may help to explain why we found a difference between the two beta-blockers in our study.     

A method for simultaneous study of the karyotype, morphology, and immunologic phenotype of mitotic cells in hematologic malignancies

A major problem in the cytogenetic analysis of hematologic neoplasms has been an inability to identify the cell from which the chromosomes were obtained. We describe a procedure that allows simultaneous analysis of karyotype and cell cytology in mitotic cells. The method differs from conventional cytogenetic analysis in that after mild hypotonic treatment, the cells are cytocentrifuged onto glass slides. In mitotic cells, this procedure often results in adequate spread of the chromosomes within the intact cell membrane. The cytoplasmic structure also remains intact, so that cytologic preparations are of good quality. Morphologic and immunologic identification of mitotic cells can be done using routine hematologic stains, such as Giemsa or Sudan black B, and various antisera using immunofluorescence techniques. The chromosomes can be simultaneously analyzed either without banding on slides stained with Giemsa or with Q-banding on slides stained with immunofluorescence techniques. Identification of numerical and structural karyotype aberrations thus is possible in morphologically identified cells.     

Surgery and postoperative radiotherapy a valid treatment for advanced oropharyngeal carcinoma

Since 1992 we have prospectively included all head and neck cancer patients in our health region in a departmental based register. Our hospital takes care of all head and neck cancer patients in our health region consisting of approximately 1 million people. In 1997, we evaluated the results of the treatment of oropharyngeal cancer in the 1992?C1997 period. On the basis of this evaluation, we changed our treatment policy for tonsillar and base of tongue carcinoma. We first changed the treatment for the lesions with worst prognosis, i.e., those with T3?CT4 carcinomas, from radiotherapy only, to radical surgery and postoperative radiotherapy. We have since that time increasingly also operated the smaller oropharyngeal carcinomas. The 2?years?? overall survival and disease-specific survival for all patients diagnosed in the 1992?C1997 period was 56 and 63%, respectively. The results from a similar group of patients in the 6?years?? period from 2000 to 2005, after the change in treatment, have increased to 83 and 88%. When we looked at the subgroup of patients in the 2000?C2005 period treated with surgery and postoperative radiotherapy, 45 out of 69 patients (65%) presenting with an oropharyngeal cancer were fit for operation. With radical surgery and postoperative radiation therapy, the 2?years overall survival is now 91%. The 2-year disease-specific survival is 96% and the locoregional control is 98%. This is a marked improvement as compared to radiotherapy alone and definitely competitive with modern radiochemotherapy.