The rare alpha-thalassemia-1 of blacks is a zeta alpha-thalassemia-1 associated with deletion of all alpha- and zeta-globin genes

Restriction endonuclease mapping with alpha and zeta-globin gene probes showed differences between the alpha-thalassemia-1 (alpha-thal-1) condition in two patients with HbH disease. One patient had the rare black type of alpha-thal-1 together with alpha-thal-2 and HbS heterozygosities. The second patient was a Laotian child with HbE, Hb Constant Spring (alpha-thal-2), and alpha-thal-1 heterozygosities. The diagnoses were based on clinical, hematologic, and biochemical data. Whereas DNA fragments hybridizing to a zeta-probe were obtained from the Laotian type of alpha-thal-1, neither alpha nor zeta-gene fragments could be identified deriving from the black type of alpha-thal-1. Therefore, the black type of alpha-thal-1 is associated with a deletion of the entire zeta 2-psi zeta-psi alpha-alpha 2-alpha 1 gene complex and can be considered a zeta alpha-thal-1. It is likely that homozygosity for such a condition will lead to embryonic wastage, explaining the absence of hydrops fetalis in blacks.     

Fragility and structure of hemoglobin S fibers and gels and their consequences for gelation kinetics and rheology

Pathogenesis in sickle cell disease depends on whether red blood cells can pass the microvasculature during the delay time before hemoglobin S gelation and cell rigidification occur. Here we observe individual hemoglobin S fibers by differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy and show that hemoglobin S gels and fibers are fragile and easily broken by mechanical perturbation, and that breakage results in vast acceleration of gelation kinetics due to the creation of new, growing fiber-ends. Hence, in vivo this may be an important factor, in addition to hemoglobin concentration and degree of deoxygenation, that governs delay time and pathogenesis. Pathogenesis also depends on gel rheology and cell rigidification, which depend on fiber cross-linking. We show different mechanisms by which X-shaped, Y-shaped, and "zippering" cross-links form. Finally, we estimate the "on" rate constant for fiber growth to be about 200 mmol/(L.s) and obtain a value for the heterogeneous nucleation rate at 13.5 mmol/L heme.     

Analysis of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell populations in cytomegalovirus-infected mice

We have studied the effects of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection on bone marrow stem and progenitor cell populations to find an explanation for the defects in hematopoiesis that accompany CMV infections in patients. Sublethal MCMV infection of BALB/c mice resulted in a 5- to 10-fold decrease in the numbers of myeloid (colony- forming unit-granulocyte-macrophage [CFU-GM]) and erythroid (burst- forming unit-erythroid [BFU-E]) progenitor cells in the marrow, but not in primitive myeloerythroid progenitor cell (colony-forming unit-spleen [CFU-S]) numbers. In contrast, we observed a 10- to 20-fold reduction in CFU-S as well as CFU-GM and BFU-E in lethally infected mice. Depletion of marrow CFU-GM was less severe in C57BL/10 and C3H/HeJ mice, which are more resistant to the effects of MCMV infection. Treatment of bone marrow cells with MCMV preparations in vitro did not reduce the numbers of CFU-GM, although up to 10% of the cells were productively infected. This finding suggests that CFU-GM were not susceptible to lytic MCMV infection in vitro and are probably not eliminated by lytic infection in vivo. Increases in the frequencies of Sca-1+Lin- marrow cells, a population that includes cells with the characteristics of pluripotential stem cells, were observed in MCMV- infected BALB/c, C57BL/10, and DBA/2J mice. Increases in the frequencies of c-kit+Lin- marrow cells were only seen in DBA/2J mice. MCMV infection did not impair the function of pluripotential stem cells because transplantation of marrow from MCMV-infected donors into irradiated recipient mice resulted in successful reconstitution of the T, B, and myeloid cell lineages.     

Neutrophil Fc gamma RIIIb deficiency, nature, and clinical consequences: a study of 21 individuals from 14 families

Several individuals have been described whose neutrophils lack the normally abundantly expressed IgG Fc gamma receptor IIIb (Fc gamma RIIIb). We now studied the responsible genomic defect and analyzed the medical history in detail of 21 Fc gamma RIIIb-negative donors identified in 14 unrelated families. We developed a polymerase chain reaction allele-specific-primer annealing assay to genotype for the NA polymorphism of the Fc gamma RIIIB gene. All Fc gamma RIIIb-deficient individuals were negative for both the NA1 and the NA2 allele. In all cases the complete absence of the Fc gamma RIIIB alleles was confirmed using a Southern blot-based restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. Furthermore, an additional deletion of the next more telomeric located Fc gamma RIIC gene was found. Family studies showed that at least one Fc gamma RIIIB allele was absent in both parents in 6 families, whereas in 2 families the father had a normal phenotype. Two individuals suffered from an autoimmune thyroiditis. Four individuals had had multiple episodes of infection, 3 had only incidental infections, and 14 never had any serious infection. Genotyping showed a normal Fc gamma RIIa phenotype distribution among the Fc gamma RIIIb- negative individuals, thus excluding the possibility that the presence of the favorable IgG2-binding low-responder isoform of Fc gamma RIIa (131-H) contributed to the overall absence of recurrent bacterial infections.     

Rh E/e genotyping by allele-specific primer amplification

It has been shown that the Rhesus (Rh) blood group antigens are encoded by two homologous genes: the Rh D gene and the Rh CcEe gene. The Rh CcEe gene encodes different peptides: the Rh C, c, E, and e polypeptides. Only one nucleotide difference has been found between the alleles encoding the Rh E and the Rh e antigen polypeptides. It is a C-- >G transition at nucleotide position 676, which leads to an amino acid substitution from proline to alanine in the Rh e-carrying polypeptide. Here we present an allele-specific primer amplification (ASPA) method to determine the Rh E and Rh e genotypes. In one polymerase chain reaction, the sense primer had a 3'-end nucleotide specific for the cytosine at position 676 of the Rh E allele. In another reaction, a sense primer was used with a 3'-end nucleotide specific for the guanine at position 676 of the Rh e allele and the Rh D gene, whereas the antisense primer had a 3'-end nucleotide specific for the adenine at position 787 of the Rh CcEe gene. We tested DNA samples from 158 normal donors (including non-Caucasian donors and donors with rare Rh phenotypes) in these assays. There was full concordance with the results of serologic Rh E/e phenotyping. Thus, we may conclude that the ASPA approach leads to a simple and reliable method to determine the Rh E/e genotype. This can be useful in Rh E/e genotyping of fetuses and/or in cases in which no red blood cells are available for serotyping. Moreover, our results confirm the proposed association between the cytosine/guanine polymorphism at position 676 and the Rh E/e phenotype.     

Double bypass for inoperable pancreatic malignancy at laparotomy: postoperative complications and long-term outcome

INTRODUCTION

Between 4% and 13% of patients with operable pancreatic malignancy are found unresectable at the time of surgery. Double bypass is a good option for fit patients but it is associated with high risk of postoperative complications. The aim of this study was to identify pre-operatively which patients undergoing double bypass are at high risk of complications and to assess their long-term outcome.

METHODS

Of the 576 patients undergoing pancreatic resections between 2006 and 2011, 50 patients who underwent a laparotomy for a planned pancreaticoduodenectomy had a double bypass procedure for inoperable disease. Demographic data, risk factors for postoperative complications and pre-operative anaesthetic assessment data including the Portsmouth Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and morbidity (P-POSSUM) and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) were collected.

RESULTS

Fifty patients (33 men and 17 women) were included in the study. The median patient age was 64 years (range: 39–79 years). The complication rate was 50% and the in-hospital mortality rate was 4%. The P-POSSUM physiology subscore and low anaerobic threshold at CPET were significantly associated with postoperative complications (p=0.005 and p=0.016 respectively) but they were unable to predict them. Overall long-term survival was significantly shorter in patients with postoperative complications (9 vs 18 months). Postoperative complications were independently associated with poorer long-term survival (p=0.003, odds ratio: 3.261).

CONCLUSIONS

P-POSSUM and CPET are associated with postoperative complications but the possibility of using them for risk prediction requires further research. However, postoperative complications following double bypass have a significant impact on long-term survival and this type of surgery should therefore only be performed in specialised centres.     

Quantitative assessment of magnetic resonance derived myocardial perfusion measurements using advanced techniques: microsphere validation in an explanted pig heart system

Background

Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (CMR) myocardial perfusion imaging has the potential to evolve into a method allowing full quantification of myocardial blood flow (MBF) in clinical routine. Multiple quantification pathways have been proposed. However at present it remains unclear which algorithm is the most accurate. An isolated perfused, magnetic resonance (MR) compatible pig heart model allows very accurate titration of MBF and in combination with high-resolution assessment of fluorescently-labeled microspheres represents a near optimal platform for validation. We sought to investigate which algorithm is most suited to quantify myocardial perfusion by CMR at 1.5 and 3 Tesla using state of the art CMR perfusion techniques and quantification algorithms.

Methods

First-pass perfusion CMR was performed in an MR compatible blood perfused pig heart model. We acquired perfusion images at physiological flow (“rest”), reduced flow (“ischaemia”) and during adenosine-induced hyperaemia (“hyperaemia”) as well as during coronary occlusion. Perfusion CMR was performed at 1.5 Tesla (n = 4 animals) and at 3 Tesla (n = 4 animals). Fluorescently-labeled microspheres and externally controlled coronary blood flow served as reference standards for comparison of different quantification strategies, namely Fermi function deconvolution (Fermi), autoregressive moving average modelling (ARMA), exponential basis deconvolution (Exponential) and B-spline basis deconvolution (B-spline).

Results

All CMR derived MBF estimates significantly correlated with microsphere results. The best correlation was achieved with Fermi function deconvolution both at 1.5 Tesla (r = 0.93, p < 0.001) and at 3 Tesla (r = 0.9, p < 0.001). Fermi correlated significantly better with the microspheres than all other methods at 3 Tesla (p < 0.002). B-spline performed worse than Fermi and Exponential at 1.5 Tesla and showed the weakest correlation to microspheres (r = 0.74, p < 0.001). All other comparisons were not significant. At 3 Tesla exponential deconvolution performed worst (r = 0.49, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

CMR derived quantitative blood flow estimates correlate with true myocardial blood flow in a controlled animal model. Amongst the different techniques, Fermi function deconvolution was the most accurate technique at both field strengths. Perfusion CMR based on Fermi function deconvolution may therefore emerge as a useful clinical tool providing accurate quantitative blood flow assessment.     

The common 'thermolabile' variant of methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase is a major determinant of mild hyperhomocysteinaemia

Mild hyperhomocysteinaemia is a major risk factor for vascular disease and neural tube defects (NTDs), conferring an approximately three-fold relative risk for each condition. It has several possible causes: heterozygosity for rare loss of function mutations in the genes for 5,10-methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) or cystathionine-&bgr;-synthase (CBS); dietary insufficiency of vitamin co-factors B6, B12 or folates; or homozygosity for a common 'thermolabile' mutation in the MTHFR gene which has also been associated with vascular disease and NTDs. We quantified the contribution of the thermolabile mutation to the hyperhomocysteinaemic phenotype in a working male population (625 individuals). Serum folate and vitamin B12 concentrations were also measured and their relationship with homocysteine status and MTHFR genotype assessed. The homozygous thermolabile genotype occurred in 48.4, 35.5, and 23.4% for the top 5, 10 and 20% of individuals repectively) ranked by plasma homocysteine levels, compared with a frequency of 11.5% in the study population as a whole establishing that the mutation is a major determinant of homocystein levels at the upper end of the range. Serum folate concentrations also varied with genotype, being lowest in thermolabile homozygotes. The MTHFR thermolabile genotype should be considered when population studies are designed to determine the effective homocysteine-lowering dose of dietary folate supplements, and when prophylactic doses of folate are recommended for individuals.      

Detection of cytomegalovirus antibody in platelet concentrates by fluorescence immunoassay and latex agglutination

A passive latex agglutination (PLA) test for cytomegalovirus (CMV) antibody detection has been shown to be an acceptable method of screening both donor sera and plasma from units of red cells and platelets stored in CPDA-1. However, most plateletpheresis concentrates are collected in ACD, and CMV antibody testing of ACD-stored products has not been systematically evaluated by PLA. Sera and ACD-stored platelet concentrate bag segments from 104 donors were tested by PLA and by a solid-phase fluorescence immunoassay (FIAX) as a reference standard for CMV-IgM and CMV-IgG antibodies. Sera were stored at both 4 and 22 degrees C and were tested on Days 1 and 5 of storage; segments were tested daily for 5 days. Of 63 donor samples (61%) that tested negative for CMV-IgG by FIAX, there were two false-positive results in bag segments by PLA testing, one on Day 1 and the other on Day 2 of storage. PLA testing was consistently positive in sera and segments in the 40 donors (38%) who tested positive for CMV-IgG by FIAX. Potential false-negative PLA results occurred in five bag segments derived from one donor whose serum gave equivocal CMV-IgG results on FIAX. The sensitivity and specificity of the PLA assay were 100 percent for donor sera tested at both 4 and 22 degrees C and 91.5 and 98.4 percent, respectively, for platelet bag segment tests. Although no donors positive for CMV-IgM were identified, 15 (14.4%) had equivocal IgM anti-CMV test results.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Anesthesia systems. Part II: Operating principles of fundamental components

This second article in a 2-part series on the operation of principal components within Narkomed anesthesia systems describes the function and compensation mechanisms of the Dräger 19.n vaporizer, the operating principles of the anesthesia ventilator-electronic, the structure and mechanics of the pressure limit control, and the 3 basic monitoring systems built into the anesthesia system. Part II of this series builds on the data published in part I (J Clin Monit 1992;8:295–307).