The tumor-associated antigens BR55-2, GA73-3 and GICA 19-9 in normal and corresponding neoplastic human tissues, especially gastrointestinal tissues

Immunohistochemical analysis with a monoclonal antibody, anti-BR55-2, was carried out on 163 tumors with their adjacent normal tissues and on 51 normal tissues from various organs by the ABC method. The expression of the antigen BR55-2 was compared with the expression of the colorectal carcinoma (CRC) associated antigens, GA73-3 and GICA19-9. BR55-2 was expressed in most normal epithelial tissues, whereas in the colon it seems to be exclusively a tumor-associated antigen. MAb55-2 might be of value in studying dysplastic lesions of the colon and in assessing the depth of invasion of CRC. In CRC, the expression of BR55-2 was complementary to that of GA73-3. MAb55-2 may therefore be of value in immunotherapy of CRC.

Further studies on the carcinogenic-free interval following exposure in experimental esophageal tumorigenesis

247 C57B1 male mice were killed after Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) treatment at various time intervals ranging from one day to nine months. The number of esophageal tumors was divided by the length of the resected esophagus (i.e. Tumor Index = TI). Animals treated for up to 2 months had a TI of 0.1. Since the histological examination of the esophagi in those animals revealed only normal histology, the conclusion drawn was that the TI of 0.1 was a methodological error in assessing esophageal tumors by transillumination. Three months' treatment with DEN resulted in a 9-fold increased TI and 6 months' treatment in a 69-fold increased TI. Other groups of animals treated with DEN for the same period of time were allowed to survive 7, 9 or 12 months without further treatment. Animals treated with DEN for 1 day but followed without further treatment for 7 months demonstrated a 3.5-fold increased TI. For animals treated with DEN for only 14 days, (TI 0.1) and followed for 7 months with a carcinogenic-free diet, a 7-fold TI was observed. For the group of animals treated for 3 months (TI 0.9) but allowed to survive to complete 7 months on a carcinogen-free diet, a 5-fold higher TI was recorded. DEN animals treated for 6 months (TI 6.9) but allowed to survive 3 additional months had a TI of 9.6. A similar TI, namely 9.7, was found when the carcinogen-free interval was prolonged for 6 more months. These results suggest that clones of esophageal cells are "programmed" for tumor growth at an early stage of DEN treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Diagnostic efficiency of biological markers of alcohol consumption for the detection of excessive drinkers]

The objective of our study was to test the usefulness of some biological markers of alcoholism to detect heavy drinkers, using a structured interview with a 7-day memory as this is currently considered the most reliable technique for determining alcohol consumption. A transversal, observational study was designed with a sample representative of the working population of the province of Alicante seen by the Ibermutua medical service. Participants were selected randomly and classified according to region and sex. The total sample include 1,033 subjects (644 men and 389 women, mean age 36 +/- 11.7 years). Of these 13.5 were heavy drinkers (> 40 g. of alcohol per day), 23.3 moderates drinkers (20-40 g. alcohol per day). Average consumption of alcohol was from 26 g/day + 29.9 grams. In order to quantify the random error, the confidence interval was set at 95. The methods used to test the biological markers were 2 x 2 tables and the calculation of indicators of sensitivity (S). specificity (E), positive predictive value (Vp+), negative predictive value (Vp-) and effectiveness. The highest S was obtained by associating various markers (65.5%), followed by GGT with 53.9%. The GGT/ALP quotient obtained an E of 95.9% and an AST of 92.2%. The GGT/ALP quotient achieved the best effectiveness (85%) and Vp+ (36.2%) and the association of markers the best Vp-at 92.9%, followed by GGT at 91.3%. In spite of the fact that the markers studied do not meet the conditions required to be considered acceptable as screening (S and E > 80%), their use seems appropriate if their limitations are kept in mind (many false negatives). As the GGT/ALP quotient has the highest E, there are few false positives. In order to decrease the number of false negatives, an evaluation of GGT or marker association can be done for those with negative values. In order to resolve the disadvantages of Vp+, the best solution is to order tests for groups of markers that are most prevalent in heavy drinkers.

The relationship between climate and the distribution of Culicoides imicola in Iberia

The biting midge Culicoides imicola was captured at 17 of 27 farms in Spain and Portugal during a survey of its distribution following outbreaks of African horse sickness in Iberia that occurred between 1987 and 1990. Farms were sampled approximately twice weekly from October 1992 to February 1995. Farms were widely spaced apart (maximum 850 km) and had considerable variation in climate. Across sites, summer temperatures ranged from 18.3 degrees C-27.2 degrees C; in winter the range was 4.4 degrees C-11.6 degrees C. Relative humidities in summer ranged from 37.2% to 90.1%. Proximity to southern Spain (Seville) was the most significant predictor of the presence/absence of C. imicola, but high summer temperatures and possibly dry summer conditions, were also important. Vila Nova de Milfontes in Portugal, where C. imicola was abundant and the climate is relatively cool, was an exception to the climatic trends at the other 26 sites. This exception points to a lack of knowledge of climatic requirements for immature development of C. imicola. The absence of C. imicola from the three most easterly sites, which have apparently favourable climates, suggests a relatively recent invasion by this species into Iberia.

Twenty-four hour fasting increases endotoxin lethality in the rat

The effect of 24 h food deprivation on endotoxin (ET) lethality in SpD rats was studied. Fed and fasted animals received either 6 h i.v. infusions or i.p. boluses of ET at low, intermediate and high doses, and survival for seven days observed. Fasting was associated with 208-240% greater mortality when ET was infused i.v., and 87-200% when given i.p. ET doses LD10-LD80 gave a linear relationship with mortality. In non-fasted control rats liver glycogen content reduced by 1.28 mumols/min/g dry liver wt over the first post-prandial six hours, and increased by 65-99% in a dose dependent manner after ET (p less than 0.01). Evidence was also obtained relating both liver damage (assessed blind by histopathological scoring) and leucopenia with endotoxin dose, results which were modified by nutritional status. The evidence supports the role of liver glycogen as a protective substrate resource in endotoxic shock.

Image cytometry DNA analysis of invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus

The Feulgen-DNA content of squamous carcinoma cell nuclei from the human esophagus was assessed in punch biopsies from 47 untreated patients. Forty-four of the 47 biopsies (93.6%) demonstrated aneuploid cell populations, and the remaining 3 (6.4%) were non-diploid. Previous studies have demonstrated that in esophageal dysplasias adjacent to invasive squamous cell carcinoma, DNA in single cells is substantially altered. Thus the process of esophageal carcinogenesis can be monitored not only by histological changes, but also by DNA aberrations in single cells. Quantitative DNA measurement appears, therefore, to be a complement to the histological evaluation of esophageal lesions with suspected, but not unequivocal, evidence of neoplastic growth.

Is there a place for preimplantation genetic diagnosis screening in recurrent miscarriage patients?

Chromosomal abnormalities are one of the factors known to interfere with normal embryo development; thus preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for chromosome anomalies may be a new tool for improving the pregnancy rate in selected groups of patients. Embryos from three groups of patients (control, aged and recurrent miscarriage patients) were screened by PGD using specific DNA probes for chromosomes 13, 16, 18, 21, 22, X and Y. The control and aged groups were included in the PGD study because the women carried sex-linked genetic disease. The frequencies of chromosome anomalies observed in older women (46.3%) and in recurrent miscarriage patients (53%) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the frequency in the control group (19.3%). After PGD screening and transfer of normal embryos, pregnancies were obtained in women who had undergone repeated abortions (approximate 25% pregnancy rate per transfer) but not in older women. On the basis of these data, it seems that PGD screening of embryos can help some women undergoing repeated abortions, as these techniques allow successful pregnancies to be obtained or, if no pregnancy can be obtained, the results may help the couple to decide whether to enter an embryo or gamete donation programme.

[Hepatitis C virus genotypes. Study of 302 patients coinfected by the human immunodeficiency virus]

BACKGROUND

To study the distribution of different HCV genotypes in HIV-infected patients.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

This study was carried out in 302 HIV/HCV-coinfected patients who were followed-up at the HIV/AIDS Unit of the Arnau de Vilanova University Hospital of Lleida (Spain). HCV genotypes were determined by Inno-Lipa HCV II technique (Innogenetics, Belgium).

RESULTS

143 patients (51.43%) had a genotype-1, followed by genotype-3 (81 patients; 29.13%), genotype-4 (53 patients; 19.06%), and genotype-2 (one patient; 0.35%). It was not possible to know the genotype in 24 patients (NT).

CONCLUSIONS

In our health care area, HCV genotype-1 was the commonest among HIV/HCV-coinfected patients. However, a given HIV-infected patient with HCV antibodies has practically the same probability of having a genotype-1 as a genotype non-1.