Trisomy 12 in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia: interphase study by in situ hybridization in 75 patients

Trisomy 12 is the most common cytogenetic abnormality in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and may be a prognostic indicator. In the present study, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is shown to be a method of choice for detection of trisomy 12 in interphase cells. Seventy-five cases of B-cell CLL were analysed with a chromosome 12 specific alpha satellite DNA probe and results compared with those from cytogenetic analysis. FISH showed the three hybridization spots characteristic of trisomy 12 in 32/75 patients (42.6%). Sixty-three patients were also studied by conventional cytogenetics: failure in 7 cases, normal karyotype in 28, trisomy 12 in 9 (14.3%) and in 19 cases abnormalities other than trisomy 12. In these same 63 patients, trisomy 12 was detected on 29 occasions by FISH (46%): in one case of failure by cytogenetic analysis, in 9 cases thought to have a normal karyotype, in 10 cases carrying abnormalities other than trisomy 12 and in all 9 cases showing trisomy 12 by conventional cytogenetic investigation. Correlation between trisomy 12 and the three stages of the Binet classification indicated an increasing proportion of trisomy 12 from stage A to stage C. It is concluded that fluorescence in situ hybridization is a powerful and sensitive technique for detection of trisomy 12 in CLL and although more cases will be required to confirm a correlation between the incidence of trisomy 12 and the stage of the disease, this link could be important from a prognostic point of view.

[Chronopharmacology of fractionated heparin (nadroparin) administrated by subcutaneous route at prophylactic doses in healthy volunteers]

This study evaluated the effect of injection time on pharmacodynamic of a single subcutaneous bolus of nadroparine (7500 anti-Xa IC U) evaluated by anti-Xa activity (Hepaclot and Heptest) and by activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT by auto PTT reagent). 10 healthy male volunteers were studied at 4 different 24 hours periods with 4 different injection times (6 am, 12 am, 6 pm, 12 pm) and with a one week wash-out period between each period. No chronopharmacological variation of the anti-Xa activity evaluated by Hepaclot was found. However the anti-Xa activity evaluated by Heptest was higher at the sixth hour after 12 am injection (p = 0.0022). No difference on APTT values was observed whatever the injection time. So the injection time of nadroparine has a weak influence on anti-Xa activity and no effect on APTT; Before to conclude on the lack of chronopharmacological effect of nadroparine, it seems necessary to evaluate such a possibility with higher dosage, with sick and older subjects.

t(2;18) and t(18;22) variant chromosomal translocations in B cell malignancies

Variant translocations (2;18 and 18;22) are described in this review. The chromosomal and molecular findings of these translocation of BCL2 and their effect on possible BCL2 gene activation is discussed. Unanswered questions still remain and these include why this is so rare compared to the 25% incidence recorded for translocations in Burkitt's lymphoma. Further studies are obviously still needed in order to determine the true frequency of these findings and their distribution in the various B-cell disorders.

Hydroxyurea versus interferon alfa-2b in chronic myelogenous leukaemia: preliminary results of an open French multicentre randomized study

In order to compare the effects of interferon versus hydroxyurea for the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML), 58 CML patients, having received no previous treatment, were randomized into two treatment groups (hydroxyurea or interferon) for an open multicentre study from 1 May 1987 until 1 July 1990. Fifty patients were evaluable: 24 in the interferon group and 26 in the hydroxyurea group. Haematological response was obtained in 16/24 interferon-treated patients and 23/26 hydroxyurea patients. Failure to obtain haematological remissions occurred in eight of 24 interferon-treated patients and in three of 26 hydroxyurea patients. Four interferon-treated patient failures and one hydroxyurea-treated failure were due to drug intolerance. Progression occurred in one interferon-treated patient and in three patients given hydroxyurea. Fourteen of 16 patients in the interferon group and 17/23 in the hydroxyurea group continue on study and show no progression.

Evolution and differentiation of populations of Lotus corniculatus s.l. (Fabaceae) from the southern French Alps (Massif du Ventoux and Montagne de Lure)

A chemical analysis of the polyphenolic patterns of diploid and tetraploid populations of Lotus corniculatus s.l. (Fabaceae) growing in the southern French Alps showed that diploids from Mont Ventoux and from Montagne de Lure belong to the same chemotype. On the other hand, tetraploids showed two different chemotypes. This paper suggests the following hypothesis about the evolution of Lotus corniculatus in this area since the last glaciation: diploids could be derived from a relic diploid population scattered by glaciation and restricted within very narrow areas, whereas the tetraploids originating from the diiploids were more competitive and radiated into larger areas cleared from ice. Key words: Lotus corniculatus, birdsfoot trefoil, Fabaceae, polyploidy, polyphenolic metabolism, evolution.

A case of myelodysplastic syndrome with abnormal megakaryocytes and ins(8;3)(q24;q21q26)

We report a 56-year-old male patient with refractory anemia with excess of blasts in transformation (RAEB-T) who had an ins(8;3)(q24;q21q26) as the sole chromosome abnormality in bone marrow (BM) cells. The findings of disturbed thrombocytopoiesis with numerous micromegakaryocytes suggest that it could be a variant of the classic ins(3;3)(q26;q21q26) described in hematologic malignancies with abnormal thrombopoiesis.

A complex t(3;8;17) involving breakpoint 8p11 in a case of M5 acute nonlymphocytic leukemia with erythrophagocytosis

The t(8;16)(p11;p13) is a recently described new chromosome rearrangement of acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL). It appears to be specifically associated with acute monoblastic (AML-M5) or unusual myelomonocytic leukemia with prominent erythrophagocytosis in the leukemic cells. A complex t(3;8;17)(q27;p11;q12) is reported in a case of acute monoblastic leukemia with erythrophagocytosis. Sixteen cases of this t(8;16) and two other variant translocations are reviewed. The pathogenetic mechanism of the variant translocations is discussed, suggesting that the der(8) is a consistent recombinant.

[Pancreatitis: a little-known cause of ureteral obstruction]

Left ureteral stenosis induced by pancreatitis was observed in one case. Five similar cases have been reported in the literature. Ureteral obstructions may be found in two clinical contexts--patent pancreatitis or retroperitoneal fibrosis. The ureter may be simply compressed mechanically, or there may also be enzymatic or ischemic necrosis. The clinical approach should be directed towards treating primarily the pancreatitis and secondarily the urological pathology. As regards the urological treatment, ureterolysis or ilio-ureteroplasty are indicated in cases of organized irreversible ureteral stenosis.

[Generalized peritonitis of non-traumatic colonic origin. Reflexions on 62 cases]

The authors analyze sixty-two cases of acute generalized peritonitis with a non-traumatic colonic etiology. They point out that the prognosis depends on three main factors: the age of the patient, the time spent in diagnosis and the therapeutic difficulties. They recommend a gastrographin colonic enema to obtain earlier diagnosis, in the absence of radiological evidence of pneumoperitoneum, in elderly patients presenting with abdominal signs. They also recommend multistage surgical management combining effective drainage of the abdominal cavity with resection of the perforated segment of the colon, whenever there is extensive damage to the colon, or in the presence of a tumor. In their view, conservative surgery should be confined to strictly selected cases not involving tissue resection. These indications are essential if a satisfactory result is to be achieved.

Auditory brain stem responses and cortical auditory-evoked potentials in difficult-to-test children

Brain-stem-evoked responses (BERs) and cortical auditory-evoked potentials (AEP) were recorded in 24 children showing severe behavioral disorders. BER testing always requires sedation if not general anesthesia. This allowed us to perform precise acoustic impedance measurements, and thus to find 3 glue ears. The electrophysiological tests revealed whether there was sensorineural deafness, which was cared for if necessary. Finally, when the BERs were normal, we evaluated the modifications in the cortical AEP, in relation to a clinical classification closely related to that of the DSM III of the American Academy of Psychiatry.