Efficacy and Feasibility of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation in the Treatment of Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Background

Refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) includes AML includes failure of disease to respond to standard induction chemotherapy, relapse within 6 months after first CR, and 2 or more relapses. The outcome of these patients is usually very poor; only a small proportion can be rescued by allogenic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of allo-HSCT in patients with refractory AML.

The effect of nadroparine on coagulation mechanisms: ultrastructural analysis.

Low molecular weight heparins are widely used in the prophylaxis and treatment of thrombotic disorders. The effect of low molecular weight heparins on coagulation was examined ultrastructurally in an animal model. A test and a control group was formed, each consisting of five rabbits. Nadroparine (225 Institute of Chaoy Unit/kg twice daily) was applied to the test group for 10 days. The control group received 1 ml saline solution subcutaneously. Blood and vascular tissue samples collected at the end of the 10th day were evaluated under a JEM 100 B electron microscope. Platelet degranulation and agglutination was observed in the control group. Fibrin materials were detected in the cytoplasms and surroundings of degranulated platelets. Erythrocyte accumulation was remarkable on the vascular endothelium with intact coagulation periods. In the test group, outer membranes of platelets, hyalomere, and granular structures in the granulomeres were detected to be nearly intact. There were rare erythrocytes in the large vascular lumens. The aggregation phase had occurred but no agglutination was detected. Nadroparine seems to preserve consistency of lipoprotein membranes of platelets and granular structures containing enzymes, which contribute to the coagulation mechanisms.     

Ligneous periodontitis and gingival antioxidant status: report of two cases.

Ligneous periodontitis (LP) is a rare periodontal disease in which plasminogen deficiency and fibrin deposition both play a part, resulting in characteristic gingival enlargement and periodontal breakdown. Recent data suggest that oxidant/antioxidant changes are significant in the pathology of oral diseases. This study examines the gingival histopathology in 2 cases with LP. To examine the antioxidant (AO) status, the activity of the major AOs glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) and the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, a product of lipid peroxidation, were measured and compared with healthy control subjects. The histopathologic examination of the gingiva revealed subepithelial fibrin accumulation and irregular extensive downward proliferation of the epithelium. Biochemical analysis showed that the CAT, GST, and MDA levels were higher in LP patients than in the control subjects, and the GSH level was lower. Our preliminary findings show that in LP, the AO capacity of the gingiva changes or decreases and lipid peroxidation increases, which suggests that oxidative stress is involved in the pathology of the periodontal breakdown observed in this disease.     

Comparison of CT-guided sclerotherapy with using 95% ethanol and 20% hypertonic saline for managing simple renal cyst.

OBJECTIVE: We wanted to compare the efficacies of 95% ethanol and 20% hypertonic saline (HS) sclerotherapies that were performed in a single session under CT guidance for the management of simple renal cysts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective series of 74 consecutive patients (average age: 57.6 +/- 8.1 years) with simple renal cysts were enrolled in this study. They were randomized into two groups and 95% ethanol or 20% HS, respectively, corresponding to 25% of the aspiration volume, was injected. Treatment success was determined six months later with follow-up clinical evaluation and performing ultrasonography. RESULTS: The sclerotherapy was accepted as technically successful without major complications in all except two patients who were excluded because of a communication between the simple renal cyst and the pelvicalyceal collecting system. Thirty-six patients in the ethanol group received sclerotherapy with 95% ethanol and 36 patients in the HS group underwent sclerotherapy with 20% HS. The complete regression ratio of the ethanol group was significantly higher (94% versus 72%, respectively) than that of the HS group. There was one patient with partial regression in each group. The failure ratio of the ethanol group was significantly lower (3% versus 25%, respectively) than that of the HS group. CONCLUSION: Ethanol sclerotherapy under CT guidance is a successful and safe procedure and it can be used for the treatment of simple renal cysts. Sclerotherapy with 95% ethanol is more effective than 20% HS sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy with HS may be an option for patients preferring to undergo a less painful treatment procedure.     

The significance of extracellular GABA in the substantia nigra of the rat during seizures and anticonvulsant treatments

The effects of the anti-epileptic drugs valproic acid and gamma-vinyl-GABA j(vigabatrin) on the extracellular content of GABA was determined by microdialysis. Probes were implanted in the substantia nigra reticulata (SNR) of rats. It was found that gamma-vinyl-GABA (1000 mg/kg) induced a 4–6-fold increase in the extracellular content of GABA. This increase lasted for at least 72 h. PTZ-induced convulsions were partly antagonized by the GVG treatment. The increase of extracellular GABA after gamma-vinyl-GABA was not affected by infusion of tetrodotoxin. In contrast valproic acid (200 mg/kg), although effective in preventing pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced convulsions, did not affect extracellular GABA in the SNR. PTZ-induced convulsions did not modify extracellular GABA, neither in control rats nor in valproic acid or gamma-vinyl-GABA pretreated animals. The results do not support the idea that extracellular GABA in the SNR plays a significant role in anti-convulsive treatment. However, the present data can also be interpreted that extracellular GABA, as sampled by microdialysis, is not a reliable marker for GABA release.     

Prestress Due to Dimensional Changes Caused by Demineralization: A Potential Mechanism for Microcracking in Bone

Microcracking in bone due to internal strains caused by mineralization is a possible mechanism of damage. Similar damage can be seen in other biological composites such as trees experiencing growth-related prestresses. Dimensional changes in cortical bone due to demineralization and experimental glycation were studied to test whether mineralization-related prestrains are consistent with observed microcracking patterns in bone. A microscopy technique that enables wet measurements of length and angle of milled bone specimens was used. Demineralization of bovine and human bones caused significant anisotropic changes in tissue size. Dimensional changes due to demineralization in bovine bone were prevented or reduced when collagen cross linking was increased by glycation. The dimensional changes of bone caused by demineralization are consistent with the hypothesis that mineralization-caused stresses in remodeling tissue can cause microcracks. © 2002 Biomedical Engineering Society. PAC2002: 8719Rr     

Inhibition of chemokines prevents intraperitoneal adhesions in mice

BACKGROUND: The present study evaluates the efficacy of a broad-spectrumchemokine inhibitor, NR58-3.14.3, in the prevention of adhesionformation after i.p. surgery in mice. METHODS: A total of 110eight week old female Balb/c mice underwent laparotomy. Fortyanimals were randomly assigned to receive daily i.p. injectionsof either vehicle (control) or NR58-3.14.3. Time-course of adhesionformation was assessed. A titration of NR58-3.14.3 was conductedfor i.p. and s.c. administrations. The effectiveness of a singleintra-operative dose of NR58-3.14.3 was evaluated. Number, extent,location and type of adhesions were recorded. Immunohistochemistryof adhesions was done with leukocyte common antigen, CD45. RESULTS:Adhesion scores peaked on post-operative days 6–8. Onboth days 6 and 8, there were smaller adhesion size and lowercumulative adhesion scores in NR58-3.14.3-treated group. Moreover,on day 8, there were significantly fewer adhesions in NR58-3.14.3-treatedgroup compared to controls. The least effective dose for i.p.administration of NR58-3.14.3 was 0.45 mg/animal. Subcutaneousand single intra-operative i.p. administrations were also effectivein the prevention of i.p. adhesions. Although NR58-3.14.3 decreasedthe number of CD45⁺ inflammatory cells in the adhesions by 22.5%compared to control group, this was not significant. CONCLUSIONS:Our results show that this broad-spectrum chemokine inhibitorprevents post-operative adhesions in mice and may have a potentialclinical use.     

Removal of hydrosalpinges increases endometrial leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) expression at the time of the implantation window

BACKGROUND: The presence of hydrosalpinges is associated with lower implantation and pregnancy rates in women undergoing IVF-embryo transfer, while salpingectomy improves these parameters. Although the mechanism by which hydrosalpinges affects fertility is not entirely understood, an adverse effect on endometrial receptivity has been postulated. In this study, we hypothesized that the adverse effects of hydrosalpinges on fertility may be in part mediated by inappropriate endometrial expression of leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), a cytokine implicated in implantation. METHODS: In order to test our hypothesis, we prospectively examined the expression of LIF during the window of implantation in the endometrium of infertile women (n = 10) with hydrosalpinges prior to and following salpingectomy and of fertile controls (n = 10) by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: LIF expression was significantly lower in infertile women with hydrosalpinges compared with fertile controls (P < 0.05). Salpingectomy resulted in an increase in LIF expression in eight out of 10 women with hydrosalpinges. LIF levels were increased by 231 +/-49% (mean +/- SEM) following salpingectomy. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the Western blot findings. The increased LIF immunoreactivity was predominantly localized to luminal and glandular epithelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that observed benefit from salpingectomy in infertile women with hydrosalpinges may be in part mediated by the up-regulation of endometrial LIF expression.     

Myoepithelial carcinoma in the nasopharynx: an unusual localization

Myoepithelial carcinoma is an extremely rare, malignant epithelial tumor which is usually encountered in the parotid region. In this report, a myoepithelial carcinoma arising from a minor salivary gland in the nasopharynx is presented, along with a discussion of the clinical, histopathological and immunocytochemical characteristics of this rare disorder. Larger clinical series and longer follow-up periods are needed in order to establish the best therapy option for these patients.