Luteolin, apigenin, and chrysin inhibit lipotoxicity-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation and autophagy damage in macrophages by suppressing endoplasmic reticulum stress

Lipotoxicity leads to numerous metabolic disorders such as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Luteolin, apigenin, and chrysin are three flavones with known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but whether they inhibit lipotoxicity-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation was unclear. To address this question, we used J774A.1 macrophages and Kupffer cells stimulated with 100 μM palmitate (PA) in the presence or absence of 20 μM of each flavone. PA increased p-PERK, p-IRE1α, p-JNK1/2, CHOP, and TXNIP as well as p62 and LC3-II expression and induced autophagic flux damage. Caspase-1 activation and IL-1β release were also noted after 24 h of exposure to PA. In the presence of the PERK inhibitor GSK2656157, PA-induced CHOP and TXNIP expression and caspase-1 activation were mitigated. Compared with PA treatment alone, Bcl-2 coupled to beclin-1 was elevated and autophagy was reversed by the JNK inhibitor SP600125. With luteolin, apigenin, and chrysin treatment, PA-induced ROS production, ER stress, TXNIP expression, autophagic flux damage, and apoptosis were ameliorated. Moreover, TXNIP binding to NLRP3 and IL-1β release in response to LPS/PA challenge were reduced. These results suggest that luteolin, apigenin, and chrysin protect hepatic macrophages against PA-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation and autophagy damage by attenuating endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Detection and identification of occult HBV in blood donors in Taiwan using a commercial, multiplex, multi-dye nucleic acid amplification technology screening test

BACKGROUND

The ability of a new generation commercial, multiplex, multi-dye test from Roche, the cobas TaqScreen MPX test, version 2.0, to detect and identify occult HBV infections was evaluated using routine donor samples from Kaohsiung Blood Bank, Taiwan.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 5973 samples were tested by nucleic acid amplification technology (NAT); 5898 in pools of six, 66 in pools of less than six and nine samples individually. NAT-reactive samples were retested with alternative NAT tests, and follow-up samples from the donors were tested individually by NAT and for all the HBV serological markers.

RESULTS

Eight NAT-only-reactive donors were identified, and follow-up samples were obtained from six of the donors. The results indicated that all eight donors had an occult HBV infection with viral loads <12 IU/ml.

CONCLUSION

The cobas(®) TaqScreen MPX test, version 2.0, has an advantage over the current Roche blood screening test, the cobas TaqScreen MPX test, for screening donations in countries with a high prevalence of occult HBV infections since the uncertainty associated with identifying samples with very low viremia is removed by the ability of the test to identify the viral target in samples that are reactive with the cobas TaqScreen MPX test, version 2.0.

Improved treatment results for childhood acute myeloid leukemia in Taiwan

To improve treatment results for children with de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML), we introduced a novel protocol, Taiwan Pediatric Oncology Group-AML-97A, for AML other than acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), for which modified conventional protocols were used. From January 1, 1997, to December 31, 2002, 141 children younger than 17 years old with de novo AML were enrolled. In total, 117 patients with non-APL AML were treated with induction therapy of idarubicin and cytarabine (Ara-C), postremission therapy with high-dose Ara-C - containing regimens for four monthly courses, and moderate-dose therapy with idarubicin and Ara-C for four monthly courses. The first 19 patients with APL were treated with all-trans retinoic acid, idarubicin and Ara-C, with the remaining five patients receiving all-trans retinoic acid and idarubicin, followed by maintenance therapy for 2 years. Stem cell transplantation was performed in 29 patients in first remission with a similar outcome as chemotherapy alone. The remission rate in the AML-97A study was 90%, the 5-year survival 51 +/- 5.3% (s.e.) and the 5-year event-free survival 50 +/- 4.8%; for APL, these were 100%, 86 +/- 7.0, and 75 +/- 9.8%. For the whole group, the 5-year survival was 57 +/- 4.7% and the 5-year event-free survival 54 +/- 4.4%. The AML-97A regimen was well tolerated.

An engineering assessment of the burning of the combustible fraction of construction and demolition wastes in a redundant brick kiln

This paper confirms both technical feasibility and economic potential via the use of redundant brick kilns as an alternative option for disposal of the combustible fractions of construction and demolition wastes by a three-stage analysis. To assess such an idea, one brick kiln was selected for performing an engineering feasibility study. First of all, field sampling and lab-analyses were carried out to gain a deeper understanding of the physical, chemical, and thermodynamic properties of the combustible fractions of construction and demolition wastes. Kinetic parameters for the oxidation of the combustible fractions of construction and demolition wastes were therefore numerically calculated from the weight loss data obtained through a practice of thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). Secondly, an engineering assessment for retrofitting the redundant brick kiln was performed based on integrating several new and existing unit operations, consisting of waste storage, shredding, feeding, combustion, flue gas cleaning, and ash removal. Such changes were subject to the operational condition in accordance with the estimated mass and energy balances. Finally, addressing the economic value of energy recovery motivated a renewed interest to convert the combustible fractions of construction and demolition wastes into useful hot water for secondary uses.

Diabetic ketoacidosis and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in association with transfusional hemochromatosis in a man with beta-thalassemia major

We report a 23-year-old man with beta-thalassemia major and transfusional hemochromatosis, which manifested as diabetic ketoacidosis and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. This unusual presentation of diabetic ketoacidosis in hemochromatosis has rarely been reported. Magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen showed decreased signal intensity in the liver, spleen, and pancreas. In addition, the pituitary gland also showed heterogeneous low signal intensity, compatible with hemochromatosis. He was treated with insulin supplements and pulsatile human chorionic gonadotropin administration. Clinical improvement was noted after hormone replacement. Intensive iron chelation therapy was given to prevent cardiac complications, and to restore his gonadal function. During follow-up, the patient experienced improvement in libido and sexual potency.

Oxidation kinetics of the combustible fraction of construction and demolition wastes

Proper disposal of construction and demolition wastes (CDW) has received wide attention recently due to significantly large quantities of waste streams collected from razed or retrofitted buildings in many metropolitan regions. Burning the combustible fractions of CDW (CCDW) and possibly recovering part of the heat content for economic uses could be valuable for energy conservation. This paper explores the oxidation kinetics of CCDW associated with its ash characterization. Kinetic parameters for the oxidation of CCDW were numerically calculated using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and the resultant rate equations were therefore developed for illustrating the oxidation processes of CCDW simultaneously. Based on three designated heating rates, each of the oxidation processes can be featured distinctively with five different stages according to the rate of weight change at the temperature between 300 K and 923 K. In addition, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was employed, associated with a lab-scale fixed-bed incinerator for monitoring the composition of flue gas. Carbon dioxide (CO2) was found as a major component in the flue gas. The fuel analysis also included an ash composition analysis via the use of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), atomic absorption (AA) spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). The ash streams were identified as nonhazardous materials based on the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP). Overall, the scientific findings gained in this study will be helpful for supporting a sound engineering design of real-world CCDW incineration systems.

Abnormal glucose tolerance in transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemic patients

OBJECTIVE

To study the prevalence of and risk factors for abnormal glucose tolerance in transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemic patients.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 89 transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemic patients were interviewed. Diabetes was previously diagnosed in 14 of them. In the remaining 75 patients, 68 participated in an oral glucose tolerance test. Potential risk factors were identified using the independent t test, chi2 test, and Fisher's exact test. Logistic regression analysis was used to select the independent risk factors that best predicted abnormal glucose tolerance A two-tailed P value of <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

RESULTS

The prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance was 8.5% (7 of 82) and that of diabetes was 19.5% (16 of 82). Presentation with diabetic ketoacidosis was 31.1% (5 of 16). The risk factors for abnormal glucose tolerance found in transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemic patients were serum ferritin concentration and hepatitis C infection.

CONCLUSIONS

The interaction of iron overload and hepatitis C infection worsened the prognosis of thalassemic patients. Aggressive iron-chelation therapy as well as prevention and treatment of hepatitis C infection should be mandatory in managing glucose homeostasis in transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemic patients in Taiwan.

Treatment results of the TPOG-NHL92 protocols for childhood non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in Taiwan: a report from the Taiwan Pediatric Oncology Group (TPOG)

A nation-wide chemotherapeutic trial for childhood non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) was conducted by the Taiwan Pediatric Oncology Group (TPOG). Four TPOG-NHL92 protocols based on stage and histology were activated in 1992: TPOG-92LD (treatment duration: 8 months) was used for localized (stages I/II) NHL with any histology, 92LB (2 years), 92SNC (5 months), and 92LC (1 year) for advanced (stages III/IV) lymphoblastic (LB), small non-cleaved cell (SNC), and large cell (LC) lymphoma, respectively. From January 1992 through June 1998, 200 children with newly diagnosed NHL from 13 member hospitals of TPOG were enrolled. There were 140 boys and 60 girls. Their ages at diagnosis ranged from 2.4 months to 18.3 years with a median of 8.2 years. There were 54 (27.3%) patients with LB, 94 (47.5%) with SNC including B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), and 50 (25.2%) with LC. Stages I, II, III, and IV (including B-ALL) of the disease comprised 5%, 10%, 43%, and 42% of cases, respectively. There were 176 patients eligible for evaluation of treatment results. The remission rate of induction was 82.4%, induction failed in 22 (12.5%) patients, and nine patients died during induction. As of August 31, 1999, 26 patients relapsed, six died during remission, one patient developed secondary acute myelomonocytic leukemia, and 105 patients remained in continuous remission with a median remission duration of 49 months. The event-free survival (EFS) at 7 years was 63.5%, 61.5% and 65% for LB, SNC, and LC groups (P = 0.8298). The 7-year EFS for stages I/II, III, and IV of the disease was 73%, 68.9%, and 50.3% (P = 0.0212), respectively. We concluded that following the strategy of stratification of therapy, only disease stages had prognostic significance in this study. More efforts are needed to improve our treatment results.

Characterization of acute myeloid leukemia with MLL rearrangements--no increase in the incidence of coexpression of lymphoid-associated antigens on leukemic blasts

MLL gene rearrangements are associated with coexpression of myeloid- and lymphoid-associated antigens on leukemic blasts and a dismal outcome in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Whether the same conditions can apply to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is not quite clear. Rearrangements of the MLL gene were analyzed on 113 patients with newly diagnosed de novo AML in a single institution. Sixteen (14%) of them showed rearranged bands by Southern blot analysis, including three (50%) of six infants, three (14%) of 21 children between 1 and 15 years and 10 (12%) of 86 adults. MLL rearrangements were not only detected in M5 (four of 12 patients, 33%) and M4 (six of 31, 19%) subtypes but also in other non-M4-M5 AML (six of 70, 9%), including M1, M2 and M7, but not M3 subtype. Seven patients had chromosomal abnormalities involving 11q23, but nine did not. The latter comprised three (6%) of 48 patients with normal karyotype, one with t(8;21), none with t(15;17), inv(16) or t(9;22), and four (15%) of 27 with cytogenetic aberrations other than those specific structural abnormalities. In contrast to ALL, AML patients with MLL rearrangements did not tend to coexpress lymphoid- and myeloid-associated antigens simultaneously on leukemic blasts and have similar outcome as those without the gene rearrangements.

Optimization of separation and migration behavior of cephalosporins in capillary zone electrophoresis

The influences of buffer pH, buffer concentration and buffer electrolyte on the migration behavior and separation of 12 cephalosporin antibiotics in capillary zone electrophoresis using three different types of buffer electrolyte, including phosphate, citrate, and 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonate (MES), were investigated. The results indicate that, although buffer pH is a crucial parameter, buffer concentration also plays an important role in the separation of cephalosporins, particularly when cefuroxime and cefazolin, cephalexin and cefaclor, or cefotaxime and cephapirin are present as analytes at the same time. The electrophoretic mobility of cephalosporins and electroosmotic mobility measured in citrate and MES buffers are remarkably different from those measured in phosphate buffer. With citrate buffer, optimum buffer concentration is confined to a small range (35-40 mM), whereas buffer concentrations up to 300 mM can be used with MES buffer. Complete separations of 12 cephalosporins could be satisfactorily achieved with these three buffers under various optimum conditions. However, the separability of 12 cephalosporins with citrate or MES buffer is better than that with phosphate buffer. As a consequence of a greater electrophoretic mobility of cephalosporins than the electroosmotic mobility with citrate buffer at pH below about 5, some cephalosporins are not detectable. The cloudiness of the peak identification and of the magnitudes of the electrophoretic mobility of cefotaxime and cefuroxime reported previously are clarified. In addition, the pKa values of cephradine, cephalexin, cefaclor, and cephapirin attributed to the deprotonation of either an amino group or a pyridinium group are reported, and the migration behavior of these cephalosporins in the pH range studied is quantitatively described.

Fate of bromine in pyrolysis of printed circuit board wastes

Behavior of Br in pyrolysis of the printed circuit board waste with valuable copper and oil recycling has been studied in the present work. Experimentally, pyrolysis of the printed circuit board waste generated approximately 40.6% of oils, 24.9% of noncondensible gases and 34.5% of solid residues that enriched in copper (90-95%). The cuts of the oils produced from pyrolysis of the printed circuit board waste into weighted boiling fraction were primarily light naphtha and heavy gas oil. Approximately 72.3% of total Br in the printed circuit board waste were found in product gas mainly as HBr and bromobenzene. However, by extended X-ray absorption fine structural (EXAFS) spectroscopy, Cu-O and Cu-(O)-Cu species with bond distance of 1.87 and 2.95 A, respectively, were observed in the solid residues. Essentially, no Cu-Br species was found.

Minimally differentiated acute myeloid leukemia in Taiwan: predominantly occurs in children less than 3 years and adults between 51 and 70 years

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with minimal differentiation was usually referred to as acute undifferentiated leukemia in the past. With the help of immunophenotyping, this subtype of leukemia was shown to express myeloid antigens on the blasts and was designated AML-M0 by FAB Cooperative Study Group in 1991. Among the 423 consecutive newly diagnosed de novo AML at our institution, 12 (2.8%) were of M0 subtype. The proportion of M0 in AML was higher in children than in adults (8.2% vs 1.7%). Four other M0 patients referred from outside hospitals for immunophenotyping were also included in this study. There were two peaks in age distribution of these 16 patients: less than 3 years and between 51 and 70 years, respectively. Organomegaly was more common in patients with AML-M0 than in those with other subtypes (56.3% vs 29.2%, P = 0.025). The former patients had higher incidences of CD7 and CD34 expression on the leukemic cells than the latter ones (50% vs 16.9%, P = 0.003 and 69.2% vs 37.9%, P = 0.019, respectively). The patients with AML-M0 showed more frequent clonal chromosomal abnormalities in the leukemic cells than other AML patients (83.3% vs 53.9%, P = 0.039); the same is also true for complex cytogenetic aberrations (50% vs 11. 4%, P = 0.004). Adults with AML-M0 showed a lower complete remission (CR) rate and significantly poorer survival than those with non M0-AML. However there was no significant difference in outcome between the two groups of pediatric patients. In conclusion, AML-M0 is a unique subtype of leukemia that has distinct age distribution and shows different clinical and biological characteristics from other AML. Adult patients have poor prognosis. Whether pediatric patients had better outcome than adults needs to be clarified in further studies.

Amino acid residues involved in the functional integrity of Escherichia coli methionine aminopeptidase

Amino acid residues in the metal-binding and putative substrate-binding sites of Escherichia coli methionine aminopeptidase (MAP) were mutated, and their effects on the function of the enzyme were investigated. Substitution of any amino acid residue at the metal-binding site resulted in complete loss of the two cobalt ions bound to the protein and diminished the enzyme activity. However, only Cys70 and Trp221 at the putative substrate-binding site are involved in the catalytic activity of MAP. Changing either of them caused partial loss of enzyme activity, while mutations at both positions abolished MAP function. Both residues are found to be conserved in type I but not type II MAPs.

The spectrum of microsatellite loci on chromosomes 7 and 8 in Taiwan aboriginal populations: a comparative population genetic study

Sixteen microsatellite loci on chromosomes 7 and 8 of Han-Taiwanese and six Taiwan aboriginal populations were systematically analyzed by a high-resolution multiple-fluorescence-based polymerase chain reaction technique. Analysis of allele frequency distribution indicated the genetic divergence among these populations. Several alleles were unique to specific tribes. Only the D8S556 locus deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in all tribes. Its F(IS) level, as calculated with the Nei method, was also higher and more homozygous than expected. Therefore, with the exception of D8S556, these variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) loci are suitable genetic markers for forensic and paternal testing. The F(ST) level, as the proportion of the total variation among these tribes, ranged from 1.4% at the D7S484 locus to 6.8% at the D7S550 locus. The average F(ST) was 3.9%, suggesting that there were substantial variations among these populations. The genetic identity analysis and the genetic distance analysis reached the same conclusions, viz., that the Ami and the Paiwan tribes were genetically close to each other, that the Atayal tribe was relatively unique compared with other tribes, and that the Saisiat tribe was relatively close to the Han-Taiwanese. A dendrogram for these tribes was further constructed by the UPGMA method. These VNTR data not only facilitate forensic and paternity testing, but also provide anthropometric information for further elucidating the relationship of Taiwan populations to the Austronesian family.

Unexpected mortality from the use of E. coli L-asparaginase during remission induction therapy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a report from the Taiwan Pediatric Oncology Group

The relative efficacy and toxicity of E. coli L-asparaginase and epidoxorubicin used in remission induction therapy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) were assessed in a randomized trial conducted in Taiwan. All patients had standard-risk ALL, defined as a leukocyte count <10 x 10(9)/l and were aged between 1 and 2 or 7 and 10 years, or a leukocyte count <50 x 10(9)/l and were aged between 2 and 7 years, without evidence of a T cell or mature B cell immunophenotype, central nervous system leukemia or expression of two or more myeloid-associated antigens. Ninety-three patients were randomized to receive E. coli L-asparaginase at 10,000 IU/m2 thrice weekly for nine doses and 108 to receive epidoxorubicin at 20 mg/m2 weekly for two doses during remission induction with daily prednisolone, weekly vincristine and, on day 22, a dose of etoposide plus cytarabine. Patients treated with L-asparaginase had a significantly higher rate of fatal infection with or without hemorrhage than did those who received epidoxorubicin during remission induction (six of 93 vs none of 108, P = 0.009), resulting in a lower rate of complete remission in the former group (93.6 vs 99.1%, P = 0.05). In addition, patients treated with L-asparaginase had a higher frequency of hyperglycemia and hypoalbuminemia. The overall rate of event-free survival was lower in patients treated with L-asparaginase than in other patients (P = 0.06); estimated 3-year rates were 72% (95% confidence interval, 55-89%) and 87.2% (78-96%), respectively. We conclude that L-asparaginase (Leunase) given at 10,000 IU/m2 for nine doses was poorly tolerated and resulted in excessive toxicity, both through its effects as a single agent and possibly through potentiation of etoposide.

Design, synthesis, and initial evaluation of high-affinity technetium bombesin analogues

Potent antagonists of bombesin-like peptides have shown great potential for applications in cancer therapy. A 99mTc-labeled agent capable of identifying patients who could benefit from these emerging therapies would have a great impact on patient management. This study involves the synthesis and initial evaluation of technetium diaminedithiolate analogues derived from the potent bombesin analogue Pyr-Gln-Lys-Leu-Gly-Asn-Gln-Trp-Ala-Val-Gly-His-Leu-Met-NH2 (Lys3-bombesin). We coupled two diaminedithiol (DADT) bifunctional chelating agents (BCAs 1 and 2) to the Lys3 residue at the N-terminal region that is not required for binding to the receptor. 99mTc labeling was performed by ligand exchange on addition of [99mTc]glucoheptonate to a solution of the adduct at room temperature. Two products were obtained from each adduct on analysis by HPLC. The major to minor product ratios of the 99mTc-labeled analogues were 3:1 for products from BCA 1 and 9:1 for the products from BCA 2. Macroscopic amounts of the 99Tc analogues were similarly prepared using [99Tc]glucoheptonate. In this case, the major to minor ratios were 2:1 for the products from both BCAs. For initial evaluation of the binding of the Tc-labeled peptides to bombesin receptors, the 99Tc analogues were used in vitro in competitive binding assays in rat brain cortex membranes against [125I-Tyr4]bombesin. Results of the in vitro assays showed that the inhibition constants (Ki) of the major and minor products were 3.5+/-0.7 and 3.9+/-1.5 nM, respectively, for the products from BCA 1; and 7.4+/-2.0 and 5.2+/-1.5 nM for the products derived from BCA 2, respectively. The high affinity exhibited by these technetium analogues is an indication of their potential for use in non-invasive in vivo biochemical characterization of cancers that possess receptors for bombesin.

Relation between histological intensity of transforming growth factor-beta isoforms in human osteosarcoma and the rate of lung metastasis

Even though adjuvant chemotherapy has improved the 5-year survival rate of osteosarcoma patients, a significant percentage of patients eventually die from lung metastasis. Since transforming growth faCtor-beta (TGF-beta) has been demonstrated to be related to the tumor progression, we investigated the clinical implications of the presence of TGF-beta isoforms in 16 human osteosarcoma tissue. There were 10 males and 6 females with a mean age of 20.8 years of age (range, 8 to 57 years). Biopsied specimen before chemotherapy was fixed in 10% formalin, demineralized and followed by paraffin embedding. The locations of tumor included femur (10), tibia (3), humerus (1), fibula (1), and ilium (1). Histologic subtypes included osteoblastic (11), chondroblastic (2), and fibroblastic (3). All patients were followed for a minimum of 1 year (range 12 to 44 months) or to the development of lung metastasis. Five patients (31.3%) developed subsequent lung metastasis during the follow up. We used immunohistochemistry technique to investigate the presence of the TGF-beta isoforms in osteosarcoma tissue and its relationship to the subsequent pulmonary metastasis. The results showed the presence of one or more TGF-beta isoforms in tumor cells in osteosarcoma tissues (13 of 16, 81.3%) in all of the subtypes. However, minimal presence of TGF-beta isoforms was shown in the tumor bone matrix. The expression of TGF-beta1 or TGF-beta3 isoforms was associated with a higher rate of subsequent lung metastasis (p < 0.05, chi-square test). Further research is warranted to determine the utility of routine TGF-beta analysis in the clinical practice.

Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia in childhood

Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) offers the only potential for long-term control of chronic myelogenous leukemia. From November 1992 to August 1994, we prospectively studied five pediatric patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia, a unique finding in Taiwan, who were treated with allogeneic BMT at different stages of the disease. Their ages at diagnosis ranged from 2 to 10 years. Four donors were HLA-matched siblings and the other was an HLA-matched unrelated donor. All patients received busulfan (4 mg/kg/day for 4 days) followed by cyclophosphamide (60 mg/kg/day for 2 successive days) as the conditioning regimen. Engraftment was documented within 22 days after transplantation in all five patients. Two out of the four patients in the sibling donor group, both of whom had BMT in the first chronic phase, achieved event-free survival after follow-up for 41 months and 17 months. The other two patients, who had BMT in the second lymphoblastic crisis and the second chronic phase, died within 6 months after transplantation due to lymphoid blastic crisis and complication of cytomegaloviral pneumonitis, respectively. The patient who received marrow from the unrelated donor underwent BMT in the accelerated phase and died within 6 months after transplantation due to myeloid blastic crisis. In conclusion, allogeneic BMT performed in the first chronic phase of childhood Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia seems to have better results than BMT after the first chronic phase.

Involvement of AT2 receptors at NRVL in tonic baroreflex suppression by endogenous angiotensins

We evaluated the role of endogenous angiotensin II and III (ANG II and ANG III) at the rostral nucleus reticularis ventrolateralis (NRVL) in the modulation of baroreceptor reflex (BRR) response and the subtype of angiotensin receptors involved in this process. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats anesthetized and maintained with pentobarbital sodium were used. Exogenous application of ANG II or ANG III (10, 20, or 40 pmol) by bilateral microinjection into the NRVL significantly suppressed the BRR response to transient hypertension induced by phenylephrine (5 micrograms/kg i.v.). The suppressive effect of ANG II (20 pmol) was reversed by an equimolar dose (1.6 nmol) of its peptide antagonist, [Sar1, Ile8]ANG II, and the nonpeptide antagonists for AT1 and AT2 receptors, losartan and PD-123319, respectively. On the other hand, the inhibitory action of ANG III (20 pmol) was blunted by its peptide antagonist. [Ile7]ANG III or PD-123319, but not by losartan. Blocking the endogenous activity of the angiotensins by microinjection into the bilateral NRVL of [Sar1, Ile8]ANG II, [Ile7]ANG III, or PD-123319 elicited an appreciable enhancement of the BRR response, whereas losartan produced minimal effect. These results suggest that, under physiological conditions, both endogenous ANG II and ANG III may exert a tonic inhibitory modulation on the BRR response by acting selectively on the AT2 receptors at the NRVL.

In vitro evaluation of the effects of transportation and storage on platelet concentrates

Platelets may be activated and become acidic during transportation and storage, resulting in poor post-transfusion platelet survival and recovery. In this study, we evaluated the current local shipment protocol for platelet concentrates and the storage technique used at the National Taiwan University Hospital. Platelet concentrates were transported routinely in cardboard boxes at ambient temperature. They were then stored in an agitator at 20 degrees C to 24 degrees C in the blood bank. We measured changes in beta-thromboglobulin, pH, platelet distribution width (PDW) and platelet counts before and after shipment and storage. The level of beta-thromboglobulin reflects platelet activation and was determined by enzyme immunoassay. The beta-thromboglobulin levels and platelet counts were not significantly different after transportation and during the storage period but there were significant changes in pH and PDW after storage (p < 0.001). Regression study showed that the prestorage platelet counts and pH were strongly associated with the pH at the end of storage (r = -0.71, r = 0.75 respectively). We concluded that the current shipment technique has no adverse effect on the in vitro characteristics of platelets, and the prestorage pH and platelet count could be used as predictors for the pH at end of storage. The data indicate that it is important to measure the prestorage pH and platelet count to set up an optimal storage strategy.

Cord blood transplantation for acute lymphoblastic leukemia in a pediatric patient

The prognosis of Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is poor. While umbilical cord blood transplantation has been used successfully for hematopoietic reconstitution, patients' size may be a limiting factor. We report an 11-year-old, 55-kg patient with Ph+ ALL, who received human leukocyte antigen-identical sibling donor cord blood transplantation (5.94 x 10(6) CD34+ cells) during the second ALL relapse. On days 25, 41, 75 and 103, successful engraftment was confirmed by cytogenetic studies. However, the leukemia relapsed on day 117 and the patient died on day 146 due to refractory ALL. In conclusion, based on the documented engraftment in our patient, we believe cord blood transplantation may be successfully employed in adolescent or possibly even adult patients.

Can severe neonatal jaundice be prevented by neonatal screening for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency?--a review of evidence

An evidence-based approach is used to evaluate the neonatal screening program for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency. The primary consideration to include G-6-PD deficiency (G-6-PDD) in neonatal screening program was the public health burden of G-6-PDD-associated neonatal jaundice (G-6-PDDANJ) in the target population. However, the prevalence of G-6-PDD per se cannot be the sole index of the public health burden of G-6-PDDANJ. In more developed areas, G-6-PDDANJ is no longer a major public health problem. Further, most cases with G-6-PDDANJ in more developed areas are not precipitated by any identifiable icterogenic agents, and therefore not preventable by avoidance education. In less developed areas, however, G-6-PDDANJ is still a big public health burden and requires intervention. In this study, the effectiveness of neonatal screening programs for G-6-PDD to prevent severe neonatal jaundice(NJ) has been shown based on historical comparison, but the results may be confounded by other temporal factors. G-6-PDDANJ usually occurs in the first week after birth. Prompt need for G-6-PD screening results precludes it from incorporation into other existent neonatal screening programs (i.e., for PKU), and from centralization of laboratory work. The efficacy, adverse effects and cost-effectiveness of this mass screening program need further study.

Hemolytic disease of the newborn caused by anti-M antibody

An unusual case of hemolytic disease of the newborn caused by anti-M antibody is presented. Hyperbilirubinemia was noted in a full-term baby boy at 4 days of age. A total of 160 mL of M-positive packed red blood cells from the baby's father were transfused during the next 9 days and the hemolytic process became aggravated. The baby was referred to our hospital at 14 days of age. Maternal anti-M was detected and the baby was transfused with 50 mL of M-negative packed red blood cells. The baby's condition stabilized and he was discharged uneventfully at 18 days of age.

HLA-A, B antigens and their linkage with HLA-DR among blood donors in Taiwan

The distribution pattern of HLA antigens varies to a great extent among different ethnic groups. Availability of HLA antigen distribution information is very important for disease association study, paternity testing and recipient/donor matching. Analysis of 11,383 blood donors from the Taipei Blood Center, Chinese Blood Services Foundation (CBSF), gave evidence that the distribution pattern of HLA-A,B antigens was unique, yet closer to Southern Chinese with higher A11, A33, B16, B40 frequencies, and B46, B48, B54 as unique antigens when compared with Caucasians. Pairwise linkage disequilibrium analysis between HLA-A, -B and -DR antigens from 238 blood donors revealed unique linkages of A33-B17, A2-B46, A11-B15, A24-B40; A11-DR5, A2-DR9, B17-DR3, B40-DR8, B13-DR2. In addition, A33-B58-DR3 were the most frequent 3-loci haplotypes. Knowing linkage disequilibrium between HLA loci and preferential association of DR specificity among various HLA-A,B haplotypes may provide a more efficient strategy to obtain an HLA-DR or HLA-D region compatible unrelated bone marrow donor from an existing HLA data bank.

Evaluation of screening kits for the detection of anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and 2 (HIV-1/2) antibodies

HIV-1/HIV-2 3rd generation (Abbott), Wellcozyme HIV 1 + 2 (Murex), Enzygnost Anti-HIV 1/-HIV 2 (Behring), and Genelavia Mixt (Sanofi Diagnostics Pasteur) are currently registered by authorities as enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) for detecting HIV-1/2 infection. The present study dissects these reagents by means of the major antigenic components, assay principles and their actual performance. The performances have been evaluated by their test results in international panels of seroconversion, mixed titer performance and HIV-1/2 combination, respectively. Those EIA tests were further used to examine 26 potentially false-reacting samples, serial diluted sera prepared from two confirmed positive specimens and 720 specimens obtained from random blood donors in the Taipei Blood Center, Chinese Blood Services Foundation (CBSF). The results showed that, although standard sera of the mixed titer, performance and HIV-1/2 combination rows could not distinguish significantly among various EIAs, the seroconverting samples clearly showed their differences. The differences, as calculated by using 3 of 4 seroconverting sera, was a backward window period ranging from 19 to 23 days as compared to the detection of HIV-1 antigens. Together, these studies strongly suggest that assays which are capable of detecting HIV-specific IgM and IgG antibodies have a shorter seroconversion window. Furthermore, the HIV-2 antigen seems to be crucial for successful detection of anti-HIV-2. Finally, testing anti-HIV-1/2 in the routine screenings is expected not to increase the exclusion rate of blood units currently acquired from the examination of anti-HIV-1. Consequently, with both HIV-1/2 specificities and the ability of early detection, IgM/IgG-captured EIAs may represent a better screening method than assays based solely on the detection of HIV-specific IgG.

Recombinant alpha-interferon treatment of intracranial hemangioma and Kasabach-Merritt syndrome in an infant with cytomegalovirus

A 2-month-old girl presented with enlarged head girth, generalized petechiae, anemia, coagulopathy and hepatosplenomegaly. Imaging studies showed a huge, dumbbell-shaped intracranial hemangioma located between the falx, and involving the supra- and infra-tentorium, extending through the posterior fontanel to involve the subgaleal area. A urine culture grew cytomegalovirus. Severe thrombocytopenia was refractory to a massive platelet transfusion, intravenous immunoglobulin and corticosteroid therapy. Hypertension, pulmonary hemorrhage and sepsis complicated the course. After establishing a diagnosis of Kasabach-Merritt syndrome, subcutaneous injections of alpha-interferon were given with an initial dose of 1 x 10(6) IU/m2 followed by 3 x 10(6) IU/m2 per day for 12.5 mo. Her platelet count rose gradually and became stable after 1.5 mo of interferon treatment. The intracranial hemangioma regressed remarkably and the hepatosplenomegaly was also resolved. The infant showed good growth and development, without obvious side-effects during the 23-month follow-up period. The treatment with recombinant alpha-interferon appeared to be effective in reversing thrombocytopenia associated with the patient's massive intracranial hemangioma.

Immunomodulation treatment for childhood virus-associated haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), or human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) associated haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, has been found prevalent in Taiwan; it affects previously healthy children and is always fatal when treated only supportively. Recognition of the underlying pathogenesis for this disease prompted adoption of an immunomodulatory regimen of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and/or etoposide on 17 such patients treated between 1990 and 1993. Remarkable improvement in patients' prognoses was demonstrated. Eight patients are still alive with a median follow-up of 1 year and 2 months post-treatment. Both IVIG and etoposide had positive immunomodulation effects such as alleviation of fever and normalization of haematological and hepatic parameters. Sustained complete response was obtained in two of nine cases of EBV-associated diseases treated with IVIG only. EBV transcripts became undetectable after etoposide and/or IVIG treatment without antiviral agents. Etoposide given by split-doses schedule appeared to be superior to conventional three-consecutive-days schedule for both remission induction and disease-free survival. Our preliminary trial apparently provides a promising improvement in the treatment of this previously fatal disease. IVIG or etoposide is effective in reversing the process of lymphohistiocytic dysregulation resulting from virus infection of immune cells in this syndrome and probably helps hosts to control active virus replication in certain cases, through immunomodulation.

Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in second remission or relapse

Most children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are successfully treated by chemotherapy. For those patients, who relapse on therapy, bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is considered most appropriate after a subsequent remission is achieved. Three boys with ALL aged from 9 to 13 years met these criteria and received BMT from their HLA-compatible sisters after marrow ablation with total body irradiation 12 Gy plus high dose cytosine arabinoside 3 gm/m2/12h x 12 doses and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis with cyclosporine plus short course methotrexate from March 10, 1989 to May 23, 1992. Filgrastim (rhG-CSF) was used to hasten the recovery of granulocyte in one patient. All three patients got full engraftment and two had grade 1 acute GVHD. None of them developed chronic GVHD. Two patients have disease-free survival over 51 and 12 months respectively post BMT without further chemotherapy. One patient died of recurrent refractory leukemia 5 months after BMT. The toxicity of this conditioning regimen included photophobia, conjunctivitis and erythematous skin rashes. One patient who received filgrastim from day 1 to 21 developed severe bone pain. However, this patient had faster recovery of granulocyte count than the other two patients. The preliminary results of this work favors BMT for children with recurrent ALL whose ultimate survival is usually poor when treated with chemotherapy. Further efforts are necessary to investigate new methods for reducing leukemic relapse in ALL patients undergoing BMT.

Bone marrow transplantation for childhood acute myelogenous leukemia

Six consecutive patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) underwent 7 allogeneic bone marrow transplants at National Taiwan University Hospital. Marrow ablation for 4 patients consisted of busulfan 16 mg/kg and cyclophosphamide 120 mg/kg (BUCY 2). Two patients had busulfan 16 mg/kg and cyclophosphamide 200 mg/kg (BUCY 4) as marrow ablation. One had a second transplant following cytosine arabinoside 3 gm/m2/dose x 10 doses plus total body irradiation 12 Gy. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis consisted of cyclosporine and short course methotrexate. Four patients received marrow from their HLA compatible siblings and two from their HLA-haplotype-matched fathers. Four transplants were performed during first remission and the other three during subsequent remission or relapse. All patients except one engrafted and achieved a complete remission (CR). Three of 4 patients transplanted in first CR are alive for over 10, 20 and 59 months respectively after transplant. One of the two patients who each received marrow from their fathers during 2nd CR and relapse, developed relapse 5 months later and the other developed aplasia 3 months later. Acute GVHD occurred in two of six patients. Localized chronic GVHD occurred in one of these two patients. Toxicities of BUCY 2 were minimal except veno-occlusive disease. One patient who received BUCY 4 developed hemorrhagic cystitis. There were no treatment related deaths except one patient who received 2nd transplant. These results demonstrate that BUCY 2 should be considered as a preparative regimen for allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for patients with AML in first remission.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infects T lymphocytes in childhood EBV-associated hemophagocytic syndrome in Taiwan

We have reported the prevalence of a fulminant hemophagocytic syndrome (HS) in previously healthy young children in Taiwan, most of which probably represent a lethal form of primary or active Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. To further confirm their EBV association, in situ EBV hybridization (ISH) was performed on tissue biopsies from 15 pediatric HS patients (median age, 3 years and 4 months) using digoxigenin-labeled RNA probes EBER1. Double labeling immunostaining and ISH was then performed to define the immunophenotype of the lymphoid cells containing the EBV transcripts. Among the 13 patients who had serological evidence of acute or active EBV infection, 9 had demonstrable EBER1 transcripts in bone marrow, liver, and/or skin biopsies. EBER1-specific signal was not detectable in the two specimens from EBV-seronegative patients. The distribution of EBV-containing cells could be extensive or scattered. To our surprise, the EBER1 transcripts existed exclusively in T lymphoid cells in all nine cases examined rather than in B cells as previously believed in infectious mononucleosis. Considering the young affected age of the HS patients and the serological response to EBV, we suggest that EBV can infect T cells in primary EBV infection and the proliferation of these EBV-infected T cells may be responsible for the ominous outcome in childhood HS patients in Taiwan.

A comparative study of 99Tcm-HMPAO and 99Tcm-ECD as a leukocyte labelling agent

An attempt was made to use 99Tcm-ethyl cysteinate dimer (99Tcm-ECD) (Neurolite, Du Pont Merck, N. Billerica, MA) to label leukocytes. The radiochemical purity of 99Tcm-ECD, labelling efficiency of leukocytes, cell viability of labelled leukocytes and stability of 99Tcm-ECD-labelled leukocytes were calculated. Compared with the commercial cell-labelling agent, 99Tcm-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (99Tcm-HMPAO): (1) the radiochemical purity of 99Tcm-ECD was higher than that of 99Tcm-HMPAO and at immediately, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 24 h after 99Tcm labelling; (2) the labelling efficiency of 99Tcm-ECD-labelled leukocytes was lower than that of 99Tcm-HMPAO; (3) the viability of the labelled white blood cells (WBC) was high for both agents; and (4) the stability of 99Tcm-ECD-labelled leukocytes was worse than that of 99Tcm-HMPAO at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 24 h. It is concluded that although 99Tcm-ECD is more stable than 99Tcm-HMPAO, because of the lower labelling efficiency and power stability of 99Tcm-ECD-labelled leukocytes, 99Tcm-ECD is not a good choice as a leukocyte-labelling agent to replace commercial 99Tcm-HMPAO.

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma in childhood: a report of five cases in Taiwan

We encountered five children with peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTL) at National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH) from 1985-1989. The patients were four boys and one girl, aged between 5 and 13 years. The duration of prediagnostic symptoms varied from 1 month to 5 years. All had pyrexia and lymphadenopathy; one had a prolonged history of granulomatosis with repeated infection. Four had hepatosplenomegaly. One patient presented with diffuse pulmonary infiltration and impending respiratory failure. All patients were negative for human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV)-I antibody, and positive for HBsAg. Four patients who had EBV-viral capsid antigen (VCA) IgG and who were IgM tested were positive for EBV-VCA IgG, but only two had evidence of active EBV infection. Tumor cell markers were examined and showed the following phenotypes: all patients were CD2, CD3, and CD7 positive but CD19 and CD20 negative; three patients were CD4 positive and CD8 negative; the other two patients were CD4 negative and CD8 positive. Four patients died 2-7 months after diagnosis. The remaining patient received allogeneic bone marrow transplantation and has survived free of disease for more than 22 months after transplant. Our five cases reconfirm the high frequency of diagnostic delay, the heterogenous immunophenotypes, high mortality, and poor responsiveness to conventional therapy for PTL. Bone marrow transplantation in the early stage might be a possible cure of this disease.

Bone marrow transplantation for severe aplastic anemia

Fifteen patients (nine male, six female) with severe aplastic anemia (SAA) undergoing HLA-identical allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) received preparative regimens consisting of cyclophosphamide and total lymphoid irradiation. Patients were aged from eight to 26 years (median 15 years). Prophylaxis of graft versus host disease (GVHD) including cyclosporine and short course methotrexate was administered. One early death occurred at day 8 post BMT. Among the other 14 patients, one died of sepsis at day 53 with no evidence of engraftment, 13 were engrafted despite the number of donors exposed in transfusions of previous blood components. Eleven patients have survived from six to 100 months (median, 54 months), post BMT. The remaining two patients died of acute GVHD-related infections on days 44 and 63. Acute GVHD occurred among eight of 13 engrafted patients, five of whom were grades II-IV clinically. Chronic GVHD developed among five patients, three of whom were clinically progressive and extensive. Two of three patients with extensive chronic GVHD had received transfusion of donor's buffy coat after BMT. Our data indicate an engraftment rate of 87% (13/15). The projected probability of disease-free survival was 73% (11/15) at 9.3 years after BMT according to the Kaplan-Meier model. Further efforts must be made to eliminate GVHD and to control fatal infections.

Anionic glutathione S-transferases in shrimp eyes

1. Two anionic isoenzymes of glutathione transferases (EC 2.5.1.18), QI and QII, have been purified from the eyes of the shrimp Penaeus japonicus by using a combination of S-hexylglutathione affinity column chromatography and Mono-Q fast protein liquid chromatography (f.p.l.c.). 2. Both QI and II glutathione S-transferases are homodimers. They show similarity in substrate specificities and pH optima, but not in isoelectric points. 3. QI is distinct from QII by anion-exchange f.p.l.c., reverse-phase h.p.l.c. chromatography and amino acid sequencing analysis. QI has N-terminal amino acid sequences homologous to mu glutathione S-transferase, whereas QII is homologous to theta glutathione S-transferases.

Characterization of Philadelphia-chromosome-positive acute leukemia by clinical, immunocytochemical, and gene analysis

Philadelphia chromosome (Ph') was detected at presentation in 10 out of 110 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and five of 168 patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Two other ALL patients who had studies at relapse were also included in the analyses. One of the 12 Ph'-positive (Ph+) ALL patients had simultaneous expression of myeloid-associated antigen on the leukemic blasts, while all the five AML patients coexpressed markers of lymphoid cells. Double labeling of the cells with myeloperoxidase and CD10 on three Ph+ AML cases showed that most leukemic blasts expressed either myeloperoxidase activity or CD10 but not both. Cross-lineage gene rearrangements of T-cell receptor (TCR) beta-chain gene were detected in three of the eight Ph+ ALL patients tested. All the four Ph+ AML cases studied showed immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangements, and three of them also had simultaneous rearrangements of TCR beta-chain gene. The results revealed that Ph+ acute leukemia in this study belonged either to ALL or mixed lineage leukemia, and none was pure AML. This finding is contrary to that of acute blast crisis of chronic myelogenous leukemia in which the majority of patients had myeloid transformation. Rearrangements of bcr were detected in four of the 10 Ph+ ALL and three of the four Ph+ AML patients tested. No significant difference was noted in the clinical or hematologic manifestations among Ph+ leukemia with or without bcr rearrangements.

Purification and characterization of an alpha-glucosidase from the hepatopancreas of the shrimp Penaeus japonicus (Crustacea: decapoda)

1. The alpha-glucosidase purified from the hepatopancreas of Penaeus japonicus is not membrane-bound and labile to heating at 65 degree C for 10 min. 2. The specific activity of the purified enzyme is 223 units/mg of protein. After polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under denaturing conditions, the purified alpha-glucosidase from shrimp was found to consist of monomers of M(r) 105,000. 3.The alpha-glucosidase from shrimp has an isoelectric point (pI) of 3.8 and becomes more alkaline after the removal of sialic acid and phosphoric acid. 4.The shrimp enzyme has the pH optimum at 5.0 and its K(m) was 125 micrometer with 4-methylumbelliferyl-alpha-D-glucoside as substrate.

Comparative study of free and membrane-bound acidic beta-D-glucosidase from the hepatopancreas of the shrimp Penaeus japonicus (Crustacea: decapoda)

l. In the hepatopancreas of the shrimp Penaeus japonicus the beta-glucosidase is present, either free or membrane-bound. The specific activity of the purified enzyme is 237,333 units/mg of protein and 191,111 units/mg of protein for the free and the membrane-bound beta-glucosidase, respectively. 2.The non-membrane-bound beta-glucosidase appears to be the same molecular size as the membrane-bound enzyme, both being monomers and consisting of a polypeptide chain of apparent M(r) 65,000, as estimated by chromatography on Superose 12 and by SDS-PAGE. 3.Both enzymes share similarities in their molecular size and substrate specificities (with ratios of 100:17:4:12 for the non-membrane-bound and 100:32:13:12 for the membrane-bound enzyme for the activities with methylumbelliferyl-beta-D-glucoside, methylumbelliferyl-beta-D-galactoside, methylumbelliferyl-alpha -L-arabinopyranoside and methylumbelliferyl-beta-xyloside respectively, as substrates). 4.The membrane-bound beta-glucosidase can be differentiated from the non-membrane-bound enzyme by its isoelectric point (7.5 vs 6.6), Km (182 micrometer vs 76 micrometer), pH optimum (4.5 vs 5.5), phosphorylation,sialyation and thermostability.

Long-term observation of pediatric aplastic anemia

Fifty-nine verified cases of acquired aplastic anemia (AA), diagnosed at the Pediatric Department of the National Taiwan University Hospital from 1977 to 1987, were reviewed and analyzed. The demographic features showed a high relative incidence (acute myelogenous leukemia/AA ratio, 2.2/1), a high percentage of non-severe AA (39%) and a high association with hepatitis (20.8%). No evidence of hepatitis A, B or C virus infection was found in five cases of hepatitis-associated AA. No sex preponderance was noted in this pediatric series. The 10-year projected survival rate of the total series approached 55%. The crude two-year-survival and two-year-transfusion-free-survival rates were 59% and 44%, respectively, in the conservative therapy group treated with androgens and steroids; 36% and 32%, respectively, in patients with severe AA in the conservative therapy group; and 73% and 64%, respectively, in the aggressive therapy group treated with cyclosporin, anti-lymphocyte globulin or bone marrow transplant. The major causes of death were hemorrhage (44%) and infection (56%) in the conservative therapy group; but in the aggressive therapy group, two out of three deaths were related to therapeutic complications. Multivariate analysis of prognostic factors revealed that severity and treatment modality were independent risk factors. Only two out of 31 patients who survived more than two years (long-term survivors) experienced late mortalities. At two, five, seven and 10 years after diagnosis, 61%, 55%, 41% and 40% of the long-term survivors had inadequate hematopoietic recovery.

Acute myelofibrosis terminating in acute lymphoblastic leukemia: report of one case

A four-year-old boy suffered from acute myelofibrosis which became acute lymphoblastic leukemia during the course of the disease. Histologic and immunophenotypic studies revealed that the leukemic cells were lymphoblasts. Immunophenotypic examination also excluded the possibility of acute megakaryoblastic, monocytic and myeloid leukemia. Thus terminal leukemic transformation, in some cases of acute myelofibrosis, may be of a lymphoid nature.

Analysis of hemoglobin gamma chain in patients with Cooley's anemia in Taiwan

The beta-like globin gene cluster, consisting of five genes and a pseudogene, is located on chromosome 11 and is arranged in the order 5'-epsilon-G gamma-A gamma-phi beta-delta-beta-3'. With the fast and sensitive method of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in the gradient mobile system, we studied the G gamma values of fetal hemoglobin in 34 patients with Cooley's anemia, 100 normal adults and 100 newborns. There were 84 newborns with a mean G gamma value of 67.41 +/- 2.37%, 15 newborns with a G gamma value of 83.45 +/- 1.92% and one newborn with a G gamma value of 100%. Because the medium value of 67.41% and 100% is near the value of 83.45%, we speculate that there are different g gene genotypes; that is, the group with a G gamma value of 100% has a genotype of G gamma-G gamma/G gamma-G gamma, the group with a G gamma value of 83.45% has a genotype of G gamma-G gamma/G gamma-A gamma, and the group with a G gamma value of 67.41% has a genotype of G gamma-A gamma/G gamma-A gamma. The G gamma value for normal adults was 41.84 +/- 20.91%. While the G gamma values for patients with Cooley's anemia were divided into two groups, 56.23 +/- 6.55% and 80.60 +/- 3.05%. There was no case having a G gamma value of 100%. Our results suggest that the expression of the gamma gene in Cooley's anemia is similar to that of the newborns.

Results of therapy for beta-thalassemia major

During the last 10 years, 92 transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia patients have been encountered at the National Taiwan University Hospital and Provincial Taoyuan General Hospital. Seventy-seven of them were followed up regularly. Long-term results of conventional therapy in 63 cases and allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in 14 cases are reported. The conventional therapy included regular red cell transfusion and desferrioxamine iron chelation therapy. Preliminary results of conventional therapy showed a mortality of 7/63 (11%). Of those who were alive, the morbidity was 56/56 (100%). There was no disease-free-survival (0/56; 0%). BMT was performed after preparatory regimens of busulfan, cyclophosphamide, and/or total body or lymphoid irradiation. Preliminary results of BMT showed a mortality of 5/14 (36%). For those who were alive, the morbidity was 3/9 (33%), and the disease-free-survival rate was 6/9 (67%) during a follow-up period of three to six years. It is concluded that the only way to cure beta-thalassemia major at present is BMT. However, the risks of BMT and donor non-availability make conventional therapy unavoidable. Further study is needed to decrease the risk of BMT and to improve the efficacy of conventional therapy.

Participation of pertussis toxin-sensitive GTP-binding regulatory proteins in the suppression of baroreceptor reflex by neurotensin in the rat

We evaluated the molecular mechanism that may underlie the suppressive effect of neurotensin (NT) on the baroreceptor reflex (BRR), using Sprague-Dawley rats that were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital (50 mg/kg, i.p.). Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) application of NT (15 nmol) significantly inhibited the BRR response. Such an inhibition was appreciably antagonized by pretreating animals with i.c.v. injection of pertussis toxin (10 or 20 pmol), N-ethylmaleimide (1 or 2 nmol), forskolin (30 or 60 nmol) or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (2 or 4 nmol), but not by cholera toxin (15 or 30 pmol). More specifically, pretreatments with bilateral microinjection into the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) of pertussis toxin (80 or 160 fmol), N-ethylmaleimide (80 pmol), forskolin (480 pmol) or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (16 or 32 pmol) also blunted the NT-induced suppression of BRR, although cholera toxin (120 or 240 fmol), or 1,9-dideoxyforskolin (480 pmol) had no appreciable effect. These results suggest that a pertussis toxin-sensitive guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein(s), which is not likely to be Gs, possibly Gi or Gp, may be involved in the transmembrane signaling process that underlies the suppression of BRR response by NT at the NTS.

A new codon 31 (-C) mutant resulting in beta zero-thalassemia

A new beta zero-thalassemia mutation, a frameshift mutation with deletion of a single cytosine nucleotide in codon 31, is described. The propositus, which is compound heterozygous for this mutation and the 17 beta A-T beta zero-thalassemia mutation, has the phenotype of severe beta-thalassemia major.

A novel -32 (C-A) mutant identified in amplified genomic DNA of a Chinese beta-thalassemic patient

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A pathologic study of childhood lymphoma in Taiwan with special reference to peripheral T-cell lymphoma and the association with Epstein-Barr viral infection

The authors retrospectively reviewed the clinicopathologic and immunologic features of 65 consecutive cases of childhood lymphoma reported between 1980 and 1989. Southern blot hybridization was also performed in 23 cases to study their association with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1). The 65 cases included 56 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) (86%) and 9 Hodgkin's disease (HD) (14%). The NHL could be classified into the following groups: Group I, small noncleaved cell lymphoma (20 cases); Group II, lymphoblastic lymphoma (17 cases); Group III, large cell lymphoma (17 cases); and miscellaneous (2 cases). There was no follicular lymphoma case. Immunohistochemical study on paraffin sections and/or frozen specimens in 47 cases of NHL showed that all the Group I cases belonged to B-cell neoplasm (17 of 17 cases); most of the Group II cases belonged to T-cell neoplasm (9 of 14 cases); and most of the Group III cases were peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTL) (8 of 16 cases), including 2 cases of Ki-1 lymphoma. The majority of childhood NHL belonged to high-grade malignancy with an aggressive clinical course (median survival time, 8 months). The EBV DNA could be detected from the tumor tissues in 4 of 6 PTL, but in none of the remaining 19 cases of NHL including 6 Burkitt's type lymphomas. HTLV-1 proviral genome was not detected in all specimens examined. The authors concluded that the distribution pattern and clinicopathologic feature of childhood lymphoma in Taiwan are comparable to that in Japan and western countries. The frequent association of EBV with aggressive PTL was unique and deserves additional investigation.

Fulminant childhood hemophagocytic syndrome mimicking histiocytic medullary reticulosis. An atypical form of Epstein-Barr virus infection

Ten cases of pediatric fulminant hemophagocytic syndrome, encountered between 1986 and 1989, are described. They occurred in the summer, and the patients presented with fever, jaundice, hepatosplenomegaly, pancytopenia, coagulopathy, and abnormal liver function. Bone marrow studies revealed infiltration by atypical T-lymphoid cells, rare B immunoblasts, and mature histiocytes with hemophagocytosis. Initially, histiocytic medullary reticulosis was suspected in six cases. The clinical course was characterized by rapid deterioration, with a mean period of 16 days from onset of fever to death. The main causes of death were coagulopathy with multiple organ failure and opportunistic infection. In seven of eight cases studied by serologic assay and Southern blot hybridization, acute or active Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection was documented. It is suggested that an atypical or fulminant form of primary EBV infection distinct from classic infectious mononucleosis was prevalent in previously healthy children in Taiwan. Younger age involvement and seasonal clustering were characteristic of the disorder described.

The spectrum of beta-thalassemia mutations in Taiwan: identification of a novel frameshift mutation

Seventy-four beta-thalassemia genes from 37 unrelated beta-thalassemia-major patients were systematically characterized by using PCR, dot-blot hybridization, and direct sequencing of amplified genomic DNA. We found that six mutations--namely, II-654, 41/42, -28, 17 beta, -29, and 27/28--were prevalent, accounting, respectively, for 45.9%, 28.4%, 10.8%, 10.8%, 1.4%, and 2.7% of studied patients. The 27/28 mutation has at codon 27-28 a cytosine insertion which has never been reported before. These results indicate that four oligo-probes (II-654, 41/42, -28, and 17 beta) allow allele-mutant determination by oligonucleotide analysis in 95.9% of this group of patients, and direct sequencing can be carried out for other samples. These data will facilitate the prenatal diagnosis of this disease by DNA analysis in Taiwan.