Demonstration of i(17q) in metaphase and interphase of malignant hematopoietic cells by fluorescence in situ hybridization

In 10 patients with various hematopoietic disorders, i(17q) has been studied by the technique of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) both in metaphase and interphase cells using an alpha-satellite centromere-specific probe #17. We observed some minor quantitative differences between metaphase and interphase cells with regard to the incidence of i(17q) in individual cases and considerable heteromorphism of the size of signal of i(17q) among different cases. Our results suggest that formation of i(17q) results from a break in the p-arm proximal to the centromere and that the breakpoints vary from case to case.

Effects of sterigmatocystin and T-2 toxin on the induction of unscheduled DNA synthesis in primary cultures of human gastric epithelial cells

Primary cultures of human gastric epithelial cells were tested for induction of unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) by sterigmatocystin (ST) and T-2 toxin. Autoradiographic results indicated that ST (10(-6)-10(-4)M) induced UDS in the presence of S9 activation system. The repair rates were 24-91% (net grains > or = 3) and 2-71% (net grains > or = 5). T-2 toxin did not induce UDS in this study.

[Fetal heart rate monitoring in the prenatal diagnosis of cord position abnormalities]

External monitorings of fetal heart rate in 2,628 cases of cord around the neck and funis presentation from June 1985 to June 1991 were analysed. The positive rate was 81.66% and the pseudo-negative rate 18.34%. 1,680 cases (63.93%) with variable deceleration were observed. Among them V wave was seen in 745 monitorings (28.53%), mostly due to umbilical compression: U wave in 238 monitorings (9.06%), mostly due to intrauterine asphyxia; and W wave in 223 monitorings (8.49%), more due to cord compression and funis presentation but also due to acute fetal intrauterine anoxia, rebound acceleration and rebound deceleration wave was observed in 316 monitorings (12.02%), more due to cord compression. The remaining 158 monitorings (6.01%) showed mixed waves. There were 51 perinatal deaths including 6 fetal, 5 still births, and 40 neonatal deaths. The perinatal mortality rate was 19.41%. The relationship among the monitor waves, the fetal growth, umbilical cord, nature of the amnionic fluid, Apgar score, etc, immediately after delivery was analyzed and the clinical significance was discussed. It was suggested that Nipple Stimulation Contraction Stress Test (NS-CST) or Contraction Stress Test (CST) could be used as a good method for prenatal diagnosis.

Translocation (2;4)(p23;q25): an additional case of a new recurrent anomaly in acute myeloid leukemia

A second case of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a t(2;4)(p23;q25) as the sole anomaly is reported. Our case had a de novo AML (M2); the case previously described had AML (M2) post-MDS. It is suggested that t(2;4)(p23;q25) is a new, recurrent, but rare anomaly in AML.

Identification of some marker chromosomes in acute leukemias by fluorescence in situ hybridization

Four patients with acute leukemia are presented in whom conventional karyotypic analysis had revealed complex numerical and structural changes including unidentifiable (marker) chromosomes. It is demonstrated that the application of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) may contribute to the identification of such anomalies.

[An epidemiological investigation on an outbreak of non-A, non-B hepatitis occurring after a dinner party]

This paper reports an investigation on an outbreak of Non-A, Non-B hepatitis occurred after a dinner party. The attack rate was 25.89%. The ratio of male to female was 1.48 to 1. Two patients were suffering from fulminant hepatitis. The attack rates showed no significant difference among various age groups. Thirty-three percent of the patients had jaundice and 50% had fever. The results indicated that this outbreak was probably related to some food taken during the party.

China's first total care unit for the spinal cord injured

Before discussing China's first total care unit for the spinal cord injured, it is important, though difficult due to lack of an epidemiological study, to give the incidence of spinal cord injury in China. The only seriously conducted study of this kind was that from the Beijing Area (Spinal Cord Injury Investigating Group in Beijing, 1988). Some of the results will be presented below.