The multiple drug resistance gene,MDR1: Expression at the protein and RNA levels

A comparison of three different approaches to detect MDR₁ expression in myeloid leukemia cells was undertaken. With respect to the 4 different antibodies studied, a high proportion of false positive reactions were detected. Substantial discordance between MDR₁ expression as indicated by Northern blot analysis, PCR, and immunohistochemistry was found. These findings complicate the clinical interpretation of data derived from these methods.     

Collaborative study of antibiotic medium 3 and flow cytometry for identification of amphotericin B-resistant Candida isolates

Center 1 used the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards M27-A2 method and antibiotic medium 3 (AM3) test to determine amphotericin B resistance in 5 of 30 Candida isolates. These isolates were tested at center 2 by AM3 test and flow cytometry (FC). The agreements (C1-C2) were 90% for AM3 test and FC and 73% for the AM3 tests.     

No evidence for humoral autoimmunity against cardiomyocytes,adrenergic or muscarinic receptors in patients with Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy

Background

An association between Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) and underlying malignancies has been observed, suggesting that TTC might be the consequence of paraneoplastic phenomena. This study investigates the presence of autoantibodies against cardiomyocytes as well as adrenergic (β₁, β₂) and muscarinic (M2) receptors in patients with TTC.

Human interleukin 7 is a B cell growth factor for activated B cells

We investigated the capacity of human interleukin (IL) 7 to induce proliferation of B cells. Purified tonsillar B cells were cultured in the presence of IL7 with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (SAC) or anti-μ beads as co-mitogens. IL 7 supported a dose-dependent proliferation of anti-μ-activated B cells but did not significantly support proliferation of SAC-activated B cells. When B cells were separated on Percoll gradient into small (60%-80%) and large (50%–60%) B cells and then cultured with anti-μ beads, IL7 acted on both cell populations equally well. IL7 and BCGF (low molecular weight) were synergistic in their proliferative action on anti-μ-activated B cells in a 5-day culture. On the other hand, synergistic effect of IL 7 on activated B cells was not evident in the presence of any other factor recombinant [(r)IL 1β, rIL2, rIL3, rIL4, rIL5, rIL6, recombinant tumor necrosis factor-α, recombinant lymphotoxin, recombinant granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating factor and recombinant interferon-γ] we tested. IL7 did not induce IgG secretion by activated B cells.     

Diblock Copolymers Based on 1,4‐Dioxan‐2‐one and ε‐Caprolactone: Characterization and Thermal Properties

Summary: Various poly(ε‐caprolactone‐block‐1,4‐dioxan‐2‐one) (P(CL‐block‐PDX)) block copolymers were prepared according to the living/controlled ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of 1,4‐dioxan‐2‐one (PDX) as initiated by in situ generated ω‐aluminium alkoxides poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) chains in toluene at 25 °C. 1 ¹H NMR, PCS and TEM measurements have attested for the formation of colloids attributed to a growing PPDX core surrounded by a solvating PCL shell during the polymerization of PDX promoted by ω‐Al alkoxide PCL chains in toluene. The thermal behavior of the P(CL‐block‐PDX) copolymers was studied by DSC; showing two distinct melting temperatures (as well as two glass transition temperatures) similar to those of the respective homopolyesters. Finally, the thermal degradation of the P(CL‐block‐PDX) block copolymers was investigated by TGA simultaneously coupled to a FT‐IR spectrometer and a mass spectrometer for evolved gas analysis (EGA). The degradation occurred in two consecutive steps involving a first unzipping depolymerization of the PPDX blocks followed by the degradation of the PCL blocks via both ester pyrolysis and unzipping reactions.

TEM observation of P(CL‐block‐PDX) block copolyesters ( = 11 600 and = 22 100) as formed by vaporization starting from a diluted suspension in toluene/TCE mixture solvent (50/50 v/v).     

Asbestos exposure in lung carcinoma: a necropsy-based study of 414 cases.

BACKGROUND: The prerequisites necessary for attributing lung carcinoma to asbestos, represent a controversial issue. METHODS: Three parameters (occupational history, pleural plaques, and lung asbestos bodies) were investigated in 414 consecutive cases of lung carcinoma, examined at necropsy at the Hospital of Monfalcone, Italy. Occupational data were obtained from the patients' relatives by personal or telephone interviews. Pleural plaques were classified into three classes (small, moderate, large). Routine lung sections were examined for asbestos bodies in all cases; isolation and counting were performed in 408 cases. RESULTS: The series included 353 men, and 61 women, aged between 38 and 97 years. The male patients had worked in industries in 74% of cases (60% in shipbuilding). Men showed pleural plaques in 82% of cases (moderate or large plaques in 58.7%). Asbestos bodies were observed in routine lung sections in 34.8%, and in 31% exceeded the value of 5,000 bodies per gram of dried tissue. Among women the principal features were: history or domestic exposure to asbestos in 36% of the cases, prevalence of pleural plaques 34% (moderate or large plaques 15%), asbestos bodies in routine lung sections in 3.3% and there was no case with an asbestos body burden over 5,000/g. The fraction of asbestos-related carcinomas among male patients varied between 24.7 and 61%, depending on the criteria used for attribution. CONCLUSIONS: Different criteria indicated about 60% of the present lung carcinomas among men as plausibly attributable to asbestos.