Ph1-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia with a 14q+ chromosome abnormality

A 13-yr-old Japanese female with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) that was associated with a Philadelphia chromosome (Ph1) as well as a 14q+ chromosome abnormality is reported. The cell surface phenotype of leukemic cells was determined to be non-T, non-B ALL on the basis of positive Ia-like antigen, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase activity, and lack of receptors for sheep erythrocytes, surface immunoglobulin, or intracytoplasmic mu-chain immunoglobulin. The combination of both a Ph1 and a 14q+ has not been reported previously in patients with ALL.

Cytogenetic evidence of clonal evolution in a case of hemopoietic dysplasia with a 5q- chromosome

A 70-year-old Japanese male with hemopoietic dysplasia is described. Cytogenetic investigation revealed an abnormal karyotype, 46,XY,del(5)(q13q33), in all metaphases examined at the time of diagnosis. Eight months later, a newly appearing abnormal hyperdiploid karyotype, 47,XY,5q-, +21, was observed in 74% of the cells analyzed, which was associated with evolution of the disease when a pathologic diagnosis of a myeloproliferative disorder was made.

Paraquat poisoning--a review of four cases

Paraquat poisoning has been associated with very high mortality. The toxic mechanism is considered to be related to the production of superoxide ions. Review of the literatures reveals that with vigorous treatment recovery from poisoning is not impossible. Clinical experience in four cases of paraquat poisoning and the principles of management of this intoxication are presented.

Transfer of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide through normal adult human skin

The resistance to the flow of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide through the skin ws measured in three normal adult human subjects. A sampling chamber 2.5 cm in diameter, heated to 43-44 degrees C, was applied to the skin of the forearm and gas sampled with a mass spectrometer at a rate of about 10(-5) ml . s-1 through membranes of different resistance. Skin resistance was calculated from the results of sequential studies with different membranes of known resistance on the sampling chamber. The resistance to oxygen flow (1.79 +/- 0.92 X 10(3) atm . ml-1 . min . cm2) was 1/5 of that for nitrogen and 28.5 times that for carbon dioxide. The response time of the skin to a sudden change in arterial gas tension was investigated by having the subjects rebreathe 5% carbon dioxide in oxygen and then breathe air. The mean transit times though the skin for oxygen and carbon dioxide were similar (approx 30 s) and about twice those for nitrogen. The finding of similar response times for oxygen and carbon dioxide transfer in the face of large differences in resistance suggests that there is a high capacitance for carbon dioxide in the skin, presumably due to its high solubility and the effects of buffering.

Transcutaneous blood gas measurement using a mass spectrometer

We use a Perkin Elmer MGA 1100 mass spectrometer modified for blood gas tension measurements to study transcutaneous measurements of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and helium in normal subjects. We use an aluminum sampling chamber heated to 42--44 degree C and connected to the mass spectrometer by about 2 m of stainless steel tubing. The sampling area of 5 cm2 is covered with a polytrifluorochloroethylene membrane 18 micrometer thick (Allied Chemical Co., Aclar 33c). The membrane is supported by sintered stainless steel disc with a thermistor incorporated for measurement of "membrane" temperature. The chamber is heated with a printed circuit heater (Minco) and is temperature regulated by a servo circuit. We have used the system to measure, O2, CO2 N2 and He via the heated skin in four normal subjects, breathing air and then 100% oxygen. We also observed the response to a single breath of helium. Helium appears at the skin within 10--15 sec. The time constant of its disappearance is about 70 sec. The average uncorrected gas tensions which we obtained breathing air were 11.2 kPa for oxygen, 5.1 kPa for carbon dioxide and 67.1 kPa for nitrogen. The corresponding values breathing oxygen were 41.1 kPa for oxygen, 4.4 kPa for carbon dioxide and 13.1 kPa for nitrogen.