Expression and functionality of the trkA proto-oncogene product/NGF receptor in undifferentiated hematopoietic cells

The expression of the low-affinity NGF receptor (p75) and the trkA proto-oncogene product was analyzed in a series of human hematopoietic cell lines at protein and RNA levels. We did not detect any form of NGF receptor in cell lines displaying a myelomonocytic phenotype (HL60 and U937). In contrast, cells displaying a more immature erythroleukemic phenotype (TF1 and K562) expressed TrkA in the absence of detectable p75. Scatchard analysis showed a single high-affinity site for NGF (kd = 10(-10) mol/L), with a copy number ranging from 300 to 3,000 sites per cell depending on the studied cell line. In addition, NGF induced autophosphorylation of TrkA and could substitute for granulocyte- monocyte colony-stimulating factor to trigger the proliferation of the TF1 cell line, with a half-maximal signal observed at 50 pmol/L, indicating that p75 is not required for DNA synthesis in this cell line. The physiologic relevance of NGF in early hematopoiesis was confirmed by showing that 12% to 15% of progenitor blood cells from mice treated with 5-fluorouracil expressed TrkA and that these cells could be induced to proliferate and differentiate in response to NGF in association with macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Our study demonstrates for the first time that trkA proto-oncogene expression and activation is not restricted to the nervous system, but is also an important element in early hematopoiesis.     

Ages of Epiphyseal Union Around Wrist Joint - A Radiological Study

Age is an important parameter for medico-legal cases. Many times doctors are called upon togive opinion about age of a person. For this objective methods of age determination are required. Age of epiphyseal union is an objective important method of age determination. But these ages varies with racial, geographic, climatic and various other factors. These variations have suggested need of separate standards of ossification for separate regions.Present work is undertaken to work out ages of epiphyseal union around wrist joint for Vidarbha region. Study is carried out in total 80 healthy subjects (44 girls and 36 boys) aging from 13 to 23 years &; having length of residence in Vidarbha not less than 10 years. The chronological age upto the day of examination is determined &; A-P view of right wrist joint is taken in each case. These radiographs are studied to determine age of union of epiphyses of lower end of radius &; lower end of ulna. These ages are compared with those reported from various states of India &; also from other countries &; found to vary appreciably. Sexual dimorphism for ages of epiphyseal union is also studied.     

The utility of hepatocyte paraffin 1 antibody in the immunohistological distinction of hepatocellular carcinoma from cholangiocarcinoma and metastatic carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer and its diagnosis on routine stains is usually straightforward, except in some cases where there may be difficulty in distinguishing HCCs from metastatic carcinomas (MC) and cholangiocarcinomas (CC). Hepatocyte Paraffin 1 antibody (Hep Par 1) is a new monoclonal antibody which reacts with normal and neoplastic hepatocytes, and this study aims to determine its specificity and sensitivity in distinguishing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from cholangiocarcinoma (CC) and metastatic carcinomas (MC). Hep Par 1 antibody was applied to 28 cases of HCC, 22 cases of MC from varying sites and 8 CCs, and produced a strong, diffuse, granular, cytoplasmic staining of all benign hepatocytes. 23 out of 28 cases of HCC showed heterogeneously positive staining for Hep Par 1 irrespective of their degree of differentiation, while 2 out of 8 cases of cholangiocarcinoma were positive for Hep Par 1, and all 22 cases of metastatic carcinoma were negative. The sensitivity and specificity of Hep Par 1 for HCC was 82.1% and 93.3% respectively; whereby the antibody was noted to show occasional false positivity in cases of cholangiocarcinoma and non-neoplastic bowel mucosa, while its variable staining in HCC produced false negative results in some small biopsies. Thus, Hep Par 1 should be used in a panel with other antibodies to obtain useful information in distinguishing HCC from CC and MC.     

Development of underwater and hyperbaric medicine in Malaysia

Underwater and Hyperbaric Medicine is a treatment modality gaining recognition in Malaysia. It uses the hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) approach where patients are placed in recompression chambers and subjected to oxygen therapy under pressure. In Malaysia it was introduced as early as the 1960's by the Royal Malaysian Navy to treat their divers for decompression illness (DCI), arterial gas embolism (AGE) and barotraumas. Other sectors in the armed forces, universities and private health centres began developing this approach too in the late 1990's, for similar purposes. In 1996, Underwater and Hyperbaric Medicine began gaining its popularity when the Institute of Underwater and Hyperbaric Medicine at the Armed Forces Hospital in Lumut started treating specific clinical diseases such as diabetic foot ulcers, osteomyelitis, and carbon monoxide poisoning and other diseases using HBOT. This paper discusses the development of this interesting treatment modality, giving a brief historical overview to its current development, as well as provides some thought for its future development in Malaysia.     

The association of nutritional risk with physical and mental health problems among elderly in a semi-urban area of Mukim Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia

Imbalances and deficiencies of nutrients are particularly prevalent among the elderly, resulting in increased risk of illness and impaired outcome, as well as reduced quality of life. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the nutritional risk and to determine its association with physical and mental health problems among the elderly in a semiurban community in the District of Hulu Langat, Selangor. Elderly people aged 60 years and above were included in the study, conducted from 11th March to 10th May 2004. Data were collected using a questionnaire-guided interview method. The Nutrition Screening Initiative Checklist (NSI-13) was used to assess the level (low, moderate, high) of nutritional risk of the subjects. The questionnaire also included the Barthel Index, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-30) and Elderly Cognitive Assessment Questionnaire (ECAQ) to identify functional status, depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment respectively, among the respondents. Out of 316 elderly residents, 300 agreed to participate in the study (response rate 94.9%). Respondents aged from 60 to 93 years old and the mean age was 67.08±6.6. Prevalence of moderate and high nutritional risks were 25.3% and 36.3% respectively. Nutritional risks were found to be significantly associated with age (p=0.015), marital status (p=0.00), chronic illness (p=0.000), functional disability (p=0.000) and depressive symptoms (p=0.010). In conclusion, the health status of the elderly strongly depends on their nutritional risk. Age, marital status, chronic illness, functional disability and depressive symptoms are factors to be emphasised when assessing the nutritional risk of the elderly.     

Expression of tissue type and urokinase type plasminogen activators as well as plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 and type-2 in human and rhesus monkey placenta

The distribution of mRNAs and antigens of tissue type (t) and urokinase type (u) plasminogen activators (PA) plus their corresponding inhibitors, type-1 (PAI-1) and type-2 (PAI-2) were studied in human and rhesus monkey placentae by in situ hybridisation and immunocytochemistry. Specific monkey cRNA and antibodies against human tPA, uPA, PAI-1 and PAI-2 were used as probes. The following results were obtained. (1) All the molecules tPA, uPA, PAI-1 and PAI-2 and their mRNAs were identified in the majority of the extravillous cytotrophoblast cells of the decidual layer between Rohr's and Nitabuch's striae and in cytotrophoblast cells of the chorionic plate, basal plate, intercotyledonary septae and cytotrophoblast cells of the chorionic villous tree. (2) Expression of uPA and PAI-2 was noted in villous trophoblast whereas tPA and PAI-1 were mainly concentrated where detachment from maternal tissue occurs. (3) No expression of tPA, uPA, PAI-1 and PAI-2 was observed in the basal plate endometrial stromal cells, chorionic plate connective tissue cells, septal endometrial stromal cells or villous core mesenchyme. (4) The distribution of probes observed following in situ hybridisation is generally consistent with the immunofluorescence pattern of the corresponding antigens and no significant interspecies differences were noted. It is possible that both decidual and extravillous trophoblast cells of placentae of human and rhesus monkey are capable of producing tPA, uPA, PAI-1 and PAI-2 to differing extents. Coordinated expression of these genes in the tissue may play an essential role in the maintenance of normal placentation and parturition. The differences in distribution we observed are consistent with the suggestion that coordinated expression of tPA and its inhibitor PAI-1 may play a key role in fibrinolytic activity in the early stages of placentation and separation of placenta from maternal tissue at term. On the other hand, uPA with its inhibitor PAI-2 appears mainly to play a role in degradation of trophoblast cell-associated extracellular matrix, and thus may be of greatest importance during early stages of placentation.     

Ureaplasma Urealyticum or Mycoplasma Hominis Infections and Semen Quality of Infertile Men in Abidjan

Objective To determine the prevalence of U. urealyticum and M. hominis in semen samples collected from men admitted in clinic for infertility, and to compare the quality of these semen samples.
Methods A total of 1 058 semen samples collected were investigated. Sperm semiological assays were performed according to the guidelines of the World Health Organisation （WHO）. Semen were examined by Mycoplasma IST for the detection of mycoplasma. Semen culture on agar media was used to detect other microorganisms. Chlamydia was detected using direct fluorescent assay （DFA） of Clamydia Trachomatis.
Results Among 1 058 semen samples, microorganisms were detected in 638 （60.3%）. The infected sperms consisted of mycoplasma alone in 507 cases （47.9%）, mycoplasma and other microorganisms in 98 （9.3%）, giving in all 605 （57.2%） samples infected with mycoplasma. The last 33 （3.1%） consisted of other microorganisms alone. The frequency of U. urealyticum, M. hominis and mixed genital infections detected in semen samples of infertile men were 39%, 23.8% and 5.6%, respectively. The rates of abnormal semen parameters recorded among patients infected with mycoplasma were for volume （22.2%-25%）, viscosity （29.6%-43.5%）, pH （64.7%-72.9%）, motility （80.8%-93.8%）, morphology （36.3%-47.9%）, sperm concentration （53.3%-58.3%） and leukocyte count （51.4%-58.3%）.
Conclusion Frequency of U. urealyticum infection was higher than that of M. hominis. Mycoplasma infections were associated with disorders of pH, motility and sperm concentration. In addition M. hominis infection affected spermatozoa morphology. Therefore, screening of U. urealyticum clinically relevant in Abidjan. and M. hominis for routine semen analysis is     

The nutritional status of 1081 elderly people residing in publicly funded shelter homes in Peninsular Malaysia

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the: (1) prevalence of undernutrition as determined by the 'DETERMINE Your Nutritional Health Checklist' (NHC) and (2) factors independently associated with undernutrition among the older residents of these publicly funded shelter homes in Peninsular Malaysia. DESIGN: A total of 1081 elderly people (59%M) over the age of 60 y were surveyed using questionnaires determining baseline demographics, nutritional and cognitive status, physical function and psychological well-being. SETTING: Shelter homes, Peninsular Malaysia. RESULTS: In all, 41.4% (n = 447) were nourished (score <3), 32.1% (n = 347) at moderate risk (score between 3 and 5) and 26.6% (n = 287) were at high risk of undernutrition (score>5) according to the NHC. A large proportion of subjects were underweight with 14.3% of subjects recording a low body mass index (BMI) <18.5 kg/m2 and a further 18.2% recording a BMI between 18.5 and 20 kg/m2. The residential geriatric depression score (GDS-12R) (relative risk (RR) = 1.03 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.05); P = 0.002) and the number of illnesses (RR = 1.14 (95% CI 1.07-1.21); P < 0.001) were found to be independently associated with nutritional risk (NHC score > or = 3). Using a BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 as an objective marker for nutritional risk, the NHC was shown to have a sensitivity of 66.4% (95% CI 58.0-74.2%), specificity of 42.7% (95% CI 39.3-46.1%), positive predictive value of 16.2% (95% CI 13.3-19.5%) and a negative predictive value of 88.4% (95% CI 84.9-91.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Many elderly people residing in publicly funded shelter homes in Malaysia may be at-risk of undernutrition, and were underweight. The NHC is better used as an awareness tool rather than as a screening tool.     

报道一孟加拉国少年患结外鼻形NK／T细胞淋巴瘤

自然杀伤（NK）细胞瘤是比较罕见的肿瘤。直到2001年世界卫生组织才对其分级进行了明确的说明。在过去10年间，免疫血液学的发展对NK细胞瘤的识别和分类有一定的帮助。结外鼻形NK／T细胞淋巴瘤是这类肿瘤中的一型。这些淋巴细胞表达细胞毒性T细胞或NK细胞表型，包括CD56和TIA-1。鼻形NK／T细胞淋巴瘤起源于皮肤等结外部位，并常与EB病毒感染相关。亚洲成人的感染最常见。文献报道中极少有儿童患病者，且只有5例患者出现皮肤受累。作者报道1例结外鼻型NK／T细胞瘤，患者为一孟加拉国少年，表现为肢端皮肤结节。