Priapism associated with lumbar stenosis in a dog

Priapism, a persistent long-lasting involuntary erection of the penis, is uncommon in dogs. In this report, the case of a 13-year-old male Pointer, referred to our services due to persistent exposition of the penis, is described. This condition was consecutive to an intermittent priapism situation lasting for several days, which has been initially attributed to the inflammation and haematoma associated with a perianal bite. The owners became unable to retract the penis into the prepuce. At presentation, the dog was anorectic for 48 h, intolerant to manipulation, and showed poor body condition and unsteady locomotion. During physical evaluation, a marked engorgement of the local vessels in the prepuce and penis was found. An abdominal X-ray was asked under the suspicion of a neurogenic origin for the clinical situation, which showed evidences of spondylosis. After discussion of the clinical condition, the owners asked for euthanasia. The necropsy confirmed the engorgement of the regional vessels deriving from the pudendal arteries and blood accumulation within all the cavernous spaces, accompanied by congestion and thrombosis within the erectile structures of the penis. No significant changes were observed in the pelvic organs that could be at the origin of priapism. The lumbar-sacral spinal regions were carefully inspected and evidenced signs of L7-S1 stenosis due to spondylosis. The case presented herein is a rare situation of priapism of neurogenic origin in a dog. Necropsy findings suggest that it was consecutive to cauda equina compression due to lumbar spinal stenosis.

The Innovative Socio-economic Interventions Against Tuberculosis (ISIAT) project: an operational assessment

SETTING

Tuberculosis (TB) affected households in impoverished shantytowns, Lima, Peru.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate socio-economic interventions for strengthening TB control by improving uptake of TB care and prevention services.

DESIGN

Barriers to TB control were characterised by interviews with TB-affected families. To reduce these barriers, a multidisciplinary team offered integrated community and household socio-economic interventions aiming to: 1) enhance uptake of TB care by education, community mobilisation and psychosocial support; and 2) reduce poverty through food and cash transfers, microcredit, microenterprise and vocational training. An interim analysis was performed after the socio-economic interventions had been provided for 2078 people in 311 households of newly diagnosed TB patients for up to 34 months.

RESULTS

Poverty (46% earned <US$1 per day), depression (40%), stigmatisation (77%), and perceived isolation (39%) were common among TB patients (all P < 0.05 vs. non-patients). The project had 100% recruitment, and involved 97% of TB-affected households in regular visits, 71% in community groups, 78% in psychosocial support and 77% in poverty-reduction interventions. The socio-economic interventions were associated with increases in household contact TB screening (from 82% to 96%); successful TB treatment completion (from 91% to 97%); patient human immunodeficiency virus testing (from 31% to 97%); and completion of preventive therapy (from 27% to 87%; all P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Socio-economic interventions can strengthen TB control activities.

KEYWORDS

tuberculosis; control; microcredit; poverty;social determinants.

Efficacy of BSI-201, a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP1) inhibitor, in combination with gemcitabine/carboplatin (G/C) in patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC): Results of a randomized phase II trial

3

Background: TNBC is an aggressive breast cancer subtype that shares molecular and pathologic features with BRCA1-related breast cancers. BRCA-deficient cells are sensitive to inhibition of PARP1, a critical enzyme of cell proliferation and DNA repair, and thus represent a rational target of PARP inhibitor-based cancer therapy. The objectives of this study were to evaluate BSI-201, a potent PARP1 inhibitor, in combination with gemcitabine/carboplatin (G/C) in subjects with metastatic TNBC. Methods: Eligible subjects had measurable disease and had ≤2 prior cytotoxic regimens for ER-, PR-, and HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer. Patients were randomized (1:1) to G/C alone or G/C + BSI-201. Gemcitabine (1000 mg/m2) and carboplatin (AUC=2) were given on days 1 and 8, and BSI-201 (5.6 mg/kg; iv; biweekly) on days 1, 4, 8, and 11 every 21 days. Endpoints were clinical benefit rate (CBR = CR + PR + SD ≥6 months), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: Analyses of the first 86 of a planned 120 patients showed that BSI-201 + G/C had improved CBR, median PFS, and median OS, compared with G/C alone. The frequency and nature of adverse events (AEs) did not differ between arms. Conclusions: This preliminary analysis demonstrates that BSI-201 + G/C significantly improves CBR, PFS, and OS, compared with G/C alone. BSI-201 + G/C was well tolerated, with BSI-201 adding no significant toxicity to G/C. Updated CBR, PFS, and OS for all 120 patients and exploratory correlative analyses of PARP expression and clinical response will be presented.

[Table: see text] [Table: see text]

Efficacy of BSI-201, a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP1) inhibitor, in combination with gemcitabine/carboplatin (G/C) in patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC): Results of a randomized phase II trial

3

The full, final text of this abstract will be available in Part II of the 2009 ASCO Annual Meeting Proceedings, distributed onsite at the Meeting on May 30, 2009, and as a supplement to the June 20, 2009, issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

[Table: see text]

Triple negative breast cancer: a phase 2, multi-center, open-label, randomized trial of gemcitabine/carboplatin (G/C), with or without BSI-201, a PARP inhibitor

Abstract #2120

Background: PARP is a critical enzyme of cell proliferation and DNA repair and BSI-201 has been shown to be a potent inhibitor of PARP-1 in humans. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) shares important features with BRCA1-related breast cancer, a validated target for PARP inhibition. Our studies demonstrate that PARP-1 gene expression is statistically significantly upregulated in TNBC compared with normal breast tissue. The primary objective of this study is to assess the Clinical Benefit Rate (CBR=CR+PR+SD &gt; 6 months) of Gemcitabine/Carboplatin with or without BSI-201 in patients with TNBC.&#x2028; Methods: Eligible subjects are ≥ 18 years old who had received ≤ 2 prior chemotherapies for metastatic disease with histologically documented breast cancer that is ER-negative, PR-negative, and HER2-negative. Patients were randomized (1:1 ratio) to one of 2 study arms: a) arm 1: G/C alone; b) arm 2: BSI-201 + G/C. G/C was given on days 1 and 8; G = 1000 mg/m2, C at an AUC=2. In study arm 2, BSI-201 was administered I.V. twice weekly (days 1, 4, 8 and 11) at a dose of 5.6 mg/kg. Cycles were defined as being 21 days in duration. Modified RECIST criteria are used to assess tumor response every 6 weeks (every 2 cycles). Subjects who have progressive disease may crossover to receive BSI-201 and continue G/C. Archived tissue samples were retrieved for the assay of cancer related genes including PARP-1 by multiplex quantitative RT-PCR.&#x2028; Results: To date, 50 subjects have been enrolled and treated for up to 8 cycles of therapy. Overall 39 of 50 (78%) subjects experienced at least 1 adverse event. The frequency and nature of the AE's do not differ between the two treatment groups. Gene expression profiling results from the first 28 patients enrolled confirm that the cancers of patients enrolled have uniformly low hormone receptor expression, variable HER2 receptor expression and significant upregulation of PARP-1 compared with normal breast tissue.&#x2028; Conclusions: This is the first randomized study of a PARP inhibitor in cancer patients. BSI-201 is safe and well tolerated when given in combination with G/C and adverse events observed were consistent with the known safety profiles of G / C regimens. An updated evaluation of toxicity profile and PARP-1 expression analysis will be presented.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 2120.

Serum levels of tumour necrosis factor family members a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) and B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) are inversely correlated in systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether serum levels of a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) are altered in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and correlate with disease parameters.

METHODS

Clinical and biological parameters were analysed for 43 patients that fulfilled American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for SLE classification and were positive for anti-double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibodies at least once in their medical records. Tests included measurement of serum levels of the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) family members APRIL and B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS; a cytokine shown to promote SLE disease).

RESULTS

Median APRIL levels were elevated in patients with SLE compared to patients with osteoarthritis and healthy controls, but did not correlate with the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). APRIL serum levels showed an inverse correlation with BLyS serum levels (r = -0.339; p = 0.03). For patients with SLE with positive anti-dsDNA titres (>40 arbitrary units (AU)/ml) at inclusion (n = 25), circulating APRIL was inversely correlated with BLyS levels (r = -0.465; p = 0.022) and anti-dsDNA antibody titres (r = -0.411; p = 0.046). In a follow-up study at their second visit, 27 patients showed an inverse correlation of APRIL serum levels with BLyS (r = -0.398; p = 0.03) as well as with anti-dsDNA (r = -0.408; p = 0.03) titres and SLEDAI (r = -0.408; p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The inverse correlation observed between APRIL and BLyS suggests that APRIL acts as a protective factor. APRIL and BLyS may thus have opposite roles in SLE, which must be considered when defining therapeutic applications of these cytokines.

The PCR-based detection of Trypanosoma cruzi in the faeces of Triatoma infestans fed on patients with chronic American trypanosomiasis gives higher sensitivity and a quicker result than routine xenodiagnosis

In the xenodiagnosis (XD) of American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease), Trypanosoma cruzi in the triatomine bugs fed on the patient can now be detected using PCR (XD-PCR) as well as by microscopy (XD-M). In a study to compare XD-PCR with XD-M, triatomine bugs were fed on 50 cases of chronic American trypanosomiasis, of whom only 25 were ever found positive by XD-M. Overall, the bugs fed on 34 of the patients (all 25 cases found positive by XD-M and nine of the other patients) were found PCR-positive, giving a 330-bp fragment corresponding to part of the hyper variable region of the kinetoplast DNA of T. cruzi. Of the 25 patients who were ever found positive by XD-M, 20 gave bugs that were smear-positive on day 90 and a similar number (24; P=0.125) gave bugs that were PCR-positive at this time. On day 30, however, the bugs fed on only 11 of these 25 patients were found positive by microscopy, whereas 23 of these patients were found positive by XD-PCR (P=0.0016). Thus, not only was XD-PCR more sensitive than XD-M but it was also quicker, revealing more cases within 30 days than detected using XD-M over a period of 90 days.

The occurrence of different Bs in Cestrum intermedium and C. strigilatum (Solanaceae) evidenced by chromosome banding

In this study, we examine the morphology, mitotic stability, meiotic behavior and the composition of heterochromatin of B chromosomes in Cestrum intermedium and C. strigilatum. The results showed that B chromosome number shows intraindividual variation in the root meristem, which seems to lead to a slight rate of B elimination in this somatic tissue. B chromosomes in both species were similar in size and shape, but differed with regard to the type, size and distribution of heterochromatin. Possible evolutionary pathways for B chromosome origin in Cestrum are discussed.

A comparison of organic and inorganic carbon controls over biological denitrification in aquaria

In aquaria and rearing tanks, nitrate accumulation as a result of organic matter degradation is inevitable and has two major negative side effects: direct toxicity to organisms, specially invertebrates, and the introduction of a reducing environment by oxygen consumption. The aim of this study was to compare two alternate methods of removing nitrogen compounds from closed systems, autotrophic columnar denitrification (ACD) and heterotrophic columnar denitrification (HCD) by following end product concentrations as reaction progressed. A pilot plant consisting of two series of 50 dm3 recirculating flow systems (each in triplicate) was used to test both methods. Absence of pH control was also useful in autotrophic denitrification systems in order to follow effects over reaction rates and pathways. Concentrations of NO(3-), NO2- and NH(4+) were followed throughout the experiment, as well as pH, temperature and salinity. Under different flow conditions results show that higher nitrate reduction rates were possible in the autotrophic systems (35.1+/-4.7 microM/day without pH control until reversal of the process and 20.6+/-7.3 microM/day after reestablishment of pH control) in comparison with heterotrophic (9.9+/-1.3 microM/day). However, pH control through calcium bicarbonate addition was found to be crucial in maintaining constant levels of total denitrification in ACD systems, just as it was necessary to closely maintain organic carbon addition to HCD systems.

[Topiramate: an experience in children with partial epilepsy]

Topiramate (TPM) is a new drug currently used in Brazil. We verified the clinical responses to TPM in children under 15 years-old. We started with 12.5 mg/day (1-7 mg/kg/day) and the doses increased 12,5 mg each week. Eleven children were studied, 9 females and 2 males, from 3 to 14 years-old with partial epilepsy associated to different etiological factors. Only one patient had an intense abdominal pain. The patients had weekly or daily seizures and after began TPM 1 patient stayed free from seizures, 5 improved more than 75% in frequency, 1 patient improved more than 50% and 3 had no control. A good control of seizures was achieved with a low dose of TPM as monotherapy and add-on therapy with carbamazepine even in severe cases.

Mouse adenovirus (MAV-1) expression in primary human endothelial cells and generation of a full-length infectious plasmid

Using RT-PCR, we show that mouse adenovirus type I (MAV-1) is capable of infecting and expressing in various cell types, specifically human endothelial cells. The capability of MAV-1 to infect and express in human endothelial cells makes it a potentially useful alternative to the use of human adenoviruses type 2/5 (Ad2/5) in virus-based gene therapy, although presently MAV-1 can only be produced at lower titers than Ad2/5. In this report, we present methods for the purification of MAV-1 DNA and use of this DNA along with a modified bacteria-based homologous recombination protocol to generate a full-length plasmid clone of MAV-1 DNA. Using various transfection procedures, we show that this plasmid MAV-1 DNA can generate plaques of MAV-1 virus, albeit at low efficiencies (about 0. 2 p.f.u./microg DNA). Furthermore, the construction of an MAV-1 plasmid along with its capability to express in human cells justifies the full development of MAV-1 into a system of gene therapy.

RS-127445: a selective, high affinity, orally bioavailable 5-HT2B receptor antagonist

Efforts to define precisely the role of 5-HT2B receptors in normal and disease processes have been hindered by the absence of selective antagonists. To address this deficiency, we developed a series of naphthylpyrimidines as potentially useful 5-HT2B receptor antagonists. RS-127445 (2-amino-4-(4-fluoronaphth-1-yl)-6-isopropylpyrimidine) was found to have nanomolar affinity for the 5-HT2B receptor (pKi = 9.5+/-0.1) and 1,000 fold selectivity for this receptor as compared to numerous other receptor and ion channel binding sites. In cells expressing human recombinant 5-HT2B receptors, RS-127445 potently antagonized 5-HT-evoked formation of inositol phosphates (pK(B) = 9.5+/-0.1) and 5-HT-evoked increases in intracellular calcium (pIC50 = 10.4+/-0.1). RS-127445 also blocked 5-HT-evoked contraction of rat isolated stomach fundus (pA2 = 9.5+/-1.1) and (+/-)alpha-methyl-5-HT-mediated relaxation of the rat jugular vein (pA2 = 9.9+/-0.3). RS-127445 had no detectable intrinsic activity in these assays. In rats, the fraction of RS-127445 that was bioavailable via the oral or intraperitoneal routes was 14 and 60% respectively. Intraperitoneal administration of RS-127445 (5 mg kg(-1)) produced plasma concentrations predicted to fully saturate accessible 5-HT2B receptors for at least 4 h. In conclusion, RS-127445 is a selective, high affinity 5-HT2B receptor antagonist suitable for use is vivo. The therapeutic potential of this molecule is being further evaluated.

[Clinical and neuroradiologic aspects of pseudohypoparathyroidism. Case report]

The authors describe the case of a 18-year-old man with short stature, epilepsy, mental deficiency and basal ganglia and central nervous system calcifications. The clinical and laboratorial findings have suggested pseudohypoparathyroidism which is a rare pathology with a peripheral resistance to parathormone, neuromuscular hyperexcitability, short stature and various clinical findings. This paper reviews the clinical form and treatment of pseudohypoparathyroidism and the neuroradiologic aspects of calcifications.

An indirect (derivatization) and a direct HPLC method for the determination of the enantiomers of ketorolac in plasma

An indirect and a direct HPLC method for the quantification of the (R) and (S) enantiomers of ketorolac are described here. The indirect method employs the chiral amine (+)-R-1-(1-naphthyl)ethylamine to form disastereomeric amides; separation of the disastereomeric derivates is achieved by normal-phase HPLC with a mobile phase of ethyl acetate-hexane. The direct method uses a C18 solid-phase extraction column to extract ketorolac enantiomers from plasma; the reconstituted extract is then injected onto an alpha 1-acid glycoprotein chiral column using a mobile phase of isopropanol-phosphate buffer (0.05 M; pH 5.5). Both methods are reproducible, accurate, and stereospecific, and both have equivalent quantification limits (0.02 microgram ml-1 of plasma for each enantiomer), ranges (0.02-2.0 micrograms per aliquot of plasma), precision (% relative standard deviations of < or = 10.5% and < or = 10.8% for (R)- and (S)-ketorolac respectively), and accuracy (mean recoveries of 88.4-110% and 90.1-110% for (R)- and (S)-ketorolac respectively). Results of analyses of clinical samples by the two methods showed excellent agreement (slope near 1.0 and coefficients of correlation between 0.9740 and 0.9864 for both enantiomers).

Chiral kinetics and dynamics of ketorolac

It has been shown that the analgesic and cyclooxygenase inhibitor activity of ketorolac tromethamine (KT), which is marketed as the racemic mixture of (-)S and (+)R enantiomers, resides primarily with (-)S ketorolac and that the ulcerogenic activity of this agent also resides in (-)S ketorolac. Resolution of individual enantiomers for analysis in plasma samples has been accomplished by two methods: derivatization to form diastereomers that are separated by HPLC, or direct HPLC using a chiral phase column. When mice and rats were given oral solutions of (-)S and (+) KT, it was found that the kinetics and interconversion of the enantiomers were species and dose dependent. Interconversion was higher in mice than in rats; when (-)S KT was administered, 71% of the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) was due to (+)R ketorolac in mice, compared with 12% in rats. More interconversion was observed at higher doses; the percent of AUC due to (-)S ketorolac when (+)R KT was administered increased from 12% to 25% in mice and from 2% to 8% in rats. In general, more interconversion occurred from (-)S to (+)R ketorolac in the animal studies. Human subjects were given single oral solution doses of racemic KT (30 mg), (-)S KT (15 mg), and (+)R KT (15 mg). The plasma concentrations of (-)S ketorolac were lower than (+)R ketorolac at all sample times after racemic KT (22% of the AUC was due to (-)S ketorolac). When (+)R KT was administered, (-)S ketorolac was not detectable and interconversion was essentially 0%. When (-)S KT was administered, significant levels of (+)R ketorolac were detectable and interconversion was 6.5%. After all doses, plasma half-life was shorter and clearance greater for (-)S ketorolac than for (+)R ketorolac. Thus, in humans very little or no interconversion of (+)R to (-)S was observed, and interconversion of (-)S to (+)R was minimal (6.5%). These data demonstrate that the kinetics and interconversion of the enantiomers of ketorolac is different in animals and humans as well as from most other NSAIDs. This may be due to more rapid excretion or metabolism of (-)S ketorolac and a different mechanism of interconversion.

[Evaluation of pipetting systems. III. Micropipette precision in a routine task]

OBJECTIVE

To establish a norm of the precision achievable with a micropipette in an IRMA assay under routine conditions.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A micropipette (Gilson) adjusted to dispense 100 microL was used by a single analyst with experience in its use. In each assay, ten aliquots of radioactive antiprolactin were pipetted in clean tubes (PRE-batch tubes), followed by pipetting of the tubes being processed in the assay, and at the end, a second pipetting of 10 aliquots in clean tubes (POST-batch tubes). The study includes the data of 15 consecutive batches during a seven month period with an overall mean of 283 tubes per batch. The PRE- and POST-tubes were read in a gamma counter (Crystal plus). The mean, SD and CV for PRE, POST and global (PRE+POST) tubes were calculated for each batch.

RESULTS

The global CV of the 15 batches ranged from 1.6 to 6.9%, mean of 3.1%. We found no evidence of increased imprecision due to fatigue of the analyst, but surprisingly, we observed that in nine of the 15 batches there was a significant difference in the means of the PRE-tubes vs the POST-tubes (t test) without differences in precision. Thus, part of the global variability is due to what we have called pseudoimprecision (i.e. an increase in CV due to differences in means). In addition, the POST-tubes had higher values in the first 7 batches but the opposite occurred in the last 8 batches (table 2). This shift in the sign of the PRE-POST differences suggests the presence of opposite factors operating in time, i.e. one or more factors increased the volume of pipetting after using the pipette more than 150 times (batches 1-7) whereas other/others decreased it (batches 8-15).

CONCLUSIONS

1. Our first approximation to a norm of micropipetting precision in batches of 200-300 tubes was a CV of 3.1%. 2. This norm was influenced by a problem of pseudoimprecision detected ex-post-facto. 3. Our findings justify continuation studies to detect the pseudoimprecision and evaluate its causes prospectively.

Schistosomiasis and vascular alterations of the colonic mucosa

The diagnosis of schistosomiasis is made by identification of Schistosoma in stool and urine, or by colonic or hepatic biopsies. The authors demonstrate in this paper, however, that it is also possible to suspect this disease by colonoscopy, i.e., by macroscopic observation of the vascular alterations in the mucous membrane of parasite infected patients. Out of 33 patients -21 with schistosomiasis and 12 with other intestinal parasitoses--the endoscopist correctly diagnosed Schistosomiasis in 18 (85.7%) patients, although he had no previous experience of the diagnosis. Since this infection is widespread throughout the world, these endoscopic findings are important; they may help the physician correctly diagnosis schistosomiasis in non-endemic areas where the diagnosis may not be suspected.

[Detection of TEM-beta-lactamase in strains of Haemophilus influenzae resistant to ampicillin using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)]

With the purpose of determining the type of beta-lactamases that mediate ampicillin resistance to in Haemophilus influenzae strains in the Hospital Infantil de México "Federico Gómez", we determined the minimum inhibitory concentration of 180 strains, isolated from different sources, to ampicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and ampicillin-sulbactam. All ampicillin resistant strains (29) were beta-lactamase positive as determined by nitrocephin hydrolysis. Using PCR with the primers from pBR322, we detected the presence of the gene for the TEM-beta-lactamase in 100% of the ampicillin resistant strains.

The first field trials of the chemically synthesized malaria vaccine SPf66: safety, immunogenicity and protectivity

This paper reports the results of the first field study performed to assess the safety, immunogenicity and protectivity of the synthetic malaria vaccine SPf66 directed against the asexual blood stages of Plasmodium falciparum. Clinical and laboratory tests were performed on all volunteers prior to and after each immunization, demonstrating that no detectable alteration was induced by the immunization process. The vaccines were grouped as high, intermediate or low responders according to their antibody titres directed against the SPf66 molecule. Two of the 185 (1.08%) SPf66-vaccinated and nine of the 214 (4.20%) placebo-vaccinated volunteers developed P. falciparum malaria. The efficacy of the vaccine was calculated as 82.3% against P. falciparum and 60.6% against Plasmodium vivax.

[Data analysis and quality control in radioimmunoanalysis. II. Evaluation of the internal and external quality in the quantification of pituitary gonadotropins]

The procedures for a systematic evaluation of the quality control of radioimmunoassay in general were described previously. In this report we present the parameters of quality control and their application to the radioimmunoassay (RIA) of pituitary gonadotrophic hormones, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in serum. We present the results obtained in the intra-assay variation for the measurement of the pituitary gonadotrophic hormones in serum (LH and FSH) from 1983 to 1989. The results on bias and the inter-laboratory assessment through an external quality control scheme during the same period are also presented.

Correlation between EEG spectral parameters and an educational evaluation

EEG spectral parameters were computed in a group of children with different degrees of difficulty in learning to read and write. For statistical analyses, Z-transformed values according to normative age-regression equations were used to control the age effects. Canonical Correlation Analysis between absolute power in different bands and the categories of the educational evaluation (good, regular, poor and very poor) showed that more delta was probably related to a poor evaluation and more alpha in occipital areas to a good one. MONOVA also showed highly significant differences in the absolute power in many leads between children with different evaluations. As children with a poor evaluation very frequently had antecedents of risk factors related to brain damage and were from a low socioeconomic status, and both factors have been shown to affect absolute power, it may be that the differences observed were due to these causes. However, relative power correlated more with the learning problems. Children with minor difficulties, with no antecedents and with good socioeconomic status had more theta in almost all leads than children with a good evaluation and with the same characteristics. Children with a poor, or very poor, evaluation had more delta in left frontal and temporal areas (F3, F7 and T3) which may reflect underlying cerebral dysfunction of these regions directly involved in reading and writing processes.

The influence of nutritional status on skin anergy in experimental cancer

Malignant tumours as well as severe malnutrition can interfere with carcass weight, serum albumin and delayed hypersensitivity tests. In order to identify the separate effects of these two phenomena, Wistar rats were submitted to various nutritional manipulations prior to Walker-256 carcinosarcoma inoculation (TU). Six groups of well-nourished rats with positive response to the Keyhole Limpet Haemocyanin (KLH) test were studied. Three TU-bearing groups were established, [1] protein-deprived before and after TU (group DDT), [2] protein deprived before TU and later brought back to normal chow (group DNT), and [3] those receiving a complete diet throughout the experiment (group NNT). Identical control groups without TU, sham-injected, were called DDC, DNC and NNC. Tumour size and body weight were measured daily. KLH tests were done sequentially and serum albumin was determined at sacrifice. Results indicated that cancer produced marked changes in immune response. Malnutrition was responsible for anergy and weight loss, and further aberrations tended to occur when both conditions were present. Feeding was able to restore body weight and KLH response in tumour-bearing as well as in control rats, but subsequent deterioration occurred in cancer bearing rats after the first week of tumour development. It is concluded that cancer potentiates the effects of malnutrition, on body weight and immune response, but temporary recovery could be demonstrated after adequate refeeding.

Detection and characterization of monoclonal antibodies specific to IgE receptors on human lymphocytes by flow cytometry

BALB/c mice were immunized with human lymphoblastoid cells (RPMI 8866 cells) expressing surface receptors for IgE (Fc epsilon R). Spleen cells from animals displaying high titres of anti-Fc epsilon R antibodies were fused with HGPRT-deficient NSI myeloma cells. Anti-Fc epsilon R antibodies were identified by a flow cytometric assay based on their ability to block the binding of IgE-coated fluorescent latex particles to Fc epsilon R-positive cells. Fourteen monoclonal hybridoma cell lines secreting antibody of the required specificity were amplified in tissue culture and then grown in the peritoneal cavity of BALB/c mice in order to obtain ascitic fluids with high antibody titres. The specificity of each monoclonal antibody (Mab) to lymphocyte Fc epsilon R was shown by the following observations: (i) the intact monoclonal antibody molecule or, in some cases, its F(ab')2 fragments blocked the binding of IgE to several Fc epsilon R(+) cell lines different from that employed for the initial immunization; (ii) the Mab bound directly to all the Fc epsilon R(+) cell lines tested, but not to several Fc epsilon R(-) cells as determined by indirect immunofluorescence; (iii) the binding of Mab to Fc epsilon R(+) cells was selectively blocked by IgE, but not by the other classes of Ig; and (iv) Mab had no effect on the binding of IgG to Fc gamma R on normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).