Further cytogenetic evidence for a multistep pathogenesis of Ph-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia

A case of Ph-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia in blastic crisis was studied extensively by means of cytogenetic techniques. Karyotypic features, as well as growth patterns, kinetic data, and rates of sister chromatid exchange, were examined in bone marrow, blood, and pleural effusion cells. The data provide strong evidence for a multistep pathogenesis of the disease, the development of which appears to be linked to mechanisms of clonal selection and genetic imbalance in the malignant cell population.

Indirect stimulation of B-cell proliferation in vitro by T cells, as evidenced by cytogenetic analysis of PHA-stimulated cell cultures of B-cell lymphomas

In a retrospective study of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, the 14q+ marker was found in at least one of the samples examined from 17 patients with B-cell lymphoproliferative diseases (LPD). In the PHA-stimulated cultures, the marker was found in each sample in 10%-100% of the cells. An indirect stimulation, as indicated by a 3H-thymidine incorporation and IG secretion, of normal B cells by a T-cell mitogen, such as PHA, has been recently documented. This phenomenon is confirmed by our chromosome analysis, which demonstrated characteristic chromosome changes in PHA-stimulated cultures of patients with B-cell malignancies and indicated that the phenomenon can be observed not only in normal B cells but also in malignant B cells.

[M-mode echocardiography: determination of morphological parameters in the normal newborn infant]

The purpose of this study is to establish normal echocardiographic values of 25 parameters in the newborn infants. The study group is composed of 100 normal, healty neonates (of 72 to 96 hours of age), from whom echocardiograms and measurements were obtained in a standardized manner. Criteria have been established for a complete echocardiographic profile in the full-term newborn. In addition, attempts have been made to correlate the most relevant measurements with body surface area. No significant correlation was found to exist in the small range we have studied (BSA = 0,16 - 0,26 m2).

Preliminary data on the in vitro proliferation pattern and karyotypic characteristics in cells of patients with ANLL

Preliminary results of an in vitro study of the proliferation characteristics and karyotypes in the cells of a series of 20 patients with ANLL are presented. The leukemic cells exhibited in vitro proliferation patterns of essentially three types, all of which were very different from the proliferation pattern of normal bone marrow. Correlation with the karyotypic findings did not confirm that the cell cycle may be longer in aneuploid cells. To the contrary, a substantial part of the ANLL presented a karyotype that was normal by routine banding technique standards, in spite of the presence of a strikingly abnormal proliferation pattern of the dividing cells. These observations are important for a better understanding of the significance of chromosome anomalies in the development of leukemia, as well as for the clinician who, in the absence of chromosome markers, may use the proliferation pattern in the monitoring of leukemic patients.

Anomalies of the long arm of chromosome 11 in human myelo- and lymphoproliferative disorders. I. Acute nonlymphocytic leukemia

In a series of 365 consecutive ANLL cases of which 45.1% had abnormal karyotypes, 13 cases were detected with a structural abnormality of the long arm of chromosome 11. Besides one isochromosome 11q, there were six deletions and six translocations. Of these 12 patients, seven had acute monocytic leukemia (FAB-type M5), two had an M4, two had an M2, and one case of secondary leukemia had an M3-like disorder. Similar results with regard to the type of leukemia were obtained upon analysis of 41 cases of ANLL with an 11q anomaly described in the literature. This study confirms that a high proportion of acute monocytic leukemias and a lesser proportion of acute myelomonocytic leukemias are characterized by an 11q anomaly, mostly involving bands q22 and/or q23. Acute monocytic leukemia with an 11q structural anomaly appears to have a poor prognosis.

3q-, 3q+ anomaly in malignant proliferations in humans

Anomalies of both No. 3 chromosomes, of the t(3q-; 3q+) type can be observed in human malignancy as reported previously. It is our experience that this anomaly is found predominantly in myeloproliferative disorders, as a rather rare event, though occurring more frequently than similar exchanges between other homologous chromosomes. Previous claims about a relationship between this anomaly and thrombocytosis could not be confirmed, but the features found in a few patients indicate that further research should be undertaken to clarify this point.

Normal bone marrow karyotype in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria--a cooperative European study

Sixteen patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) from five European centers have been submitted to chromosome analysis. All of them had a normal bone marrow karyotype. The associations between some chromosomally abnormal cases reported in the literature and "typical" PNH or PNH phenomenon during the course of other hematological disorders are discussed.

Giardiasis in childhood. Absorption tests and biochemistry, histochemistry, light and electron microscopy of jejunal mucosa

Eleven symptom-free children with infestation by Giardia lamblia but without other diseases were studied by absorption tests and jejunal biopsy. Lipiodol and d-xylose tests showed a mild degree of malabsorption. Light microscopy showed no tissue invasion in the jejunal mucosa. The number and appearance of the villi were normal or almost normal, but the lamina propria was usually infiltrated by inflammatory cells. Electron microscopy showed an increased mucoid coat of the epithelial cells, branching and gaps in the microvilli, an increased number of cytoplasmic dense bodies, and intercellular spaces infiltrated with lamina propria inflammatory cells. Biochemical and histochemical studies of acid phosphatases, alkaline phosphatases, and succinic dehydrogenase showed no differences in enzyme activity of the jejunal epithelia before and after treatment. It is suggested that the malabsorption which occurs in giardiasis depends on several factors, such as blockade of the mucosa by the parasite, nutritional competition between host and parasite, and changes in the jejunal mucosa due to the presence of protozoa.