Impact of constitutional polymorphisms in VCAM1 and CD44 on CD34+ cell collection yield after administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor to healthy donors

Background The number of CD34(+) cells mobilized from bone marrow to peripheral blood after administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor varies greatly among healthy donors. This fact might be explained, at least in part, by constitutional differences in genes involved in the interactions tethering CD34(+) cells to the bone marrow.

DESIGN AND METHODS

We analyzed genetic characteristics associated with CD34(+) cell mobilization in 112 healthy individuals receiving granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (filgrastim; 10 μg/kg; 5 days).

RESULTS

Genetic variants in VCAM1 and in CD44 were associated with the number of CD34(+) cells in peripheral blood after granulocyte colony-stimulating factor administration (P = 0.02 and P = 0.04, respectively), with the quantity of CD34(+) cells ×10⁶/kg of donor (4.6 versus 6.3; P < 0.001 and 7 versus 5.6; P = 0.025, respectively), and with total CD34(+) cells ×10⁶ (355 versus 495; P = 0.002 and 522 versus 422; P = 0.012, respectively) in the first apheresis. Of note, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor administration was associated with complete disappearance of VCAM1 mRNA expression in peripheral blood. Moreover, genetic variants in granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor (CSF3R) and in CXCL12 were associated with a lower and higher number of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-mobilized CD34(+) cells/μL in peripheral blood (81 versus 106; P = 0.002 and 165 versus 98; P=0.02, respectively) and a genetic variant in CXCR4 was associated with a lower quantity of CD34(+) cells ×10⁶/kg of donor and total CD34(+) cells ×10⁶ (5.3 versus 6.7; P = 0.02 and 399 versus 533; P = 0.01, respectively). Conclusions In conclusion, genetic variability in molecules involved in migration and homing of CD34(+) cells influences the degree of mobilization of these cells.

Lead levels in primary teeth of children living in Mexico City

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to discover the lead concentration in primary teeth extracted in the peripheral clinics of the Faculty of Dentistry, UNAM (Mexico City).

DESIGN

One hundred healthy primary teeth were collected from 2 to 13-year-old children (52 girls and 48 boys). Sixty-six were maxillary teeth and 34 were mandibular teeth. Lead concentrations were measured by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry.

RESULTS

Our results indicate that lead concentration in the 10-13-year-old group (7.7 micro g/g(-1)) was higher than in the other groups. Geometric mean lead concentration was higher in girls than in boys (7.3 micro g/g(-1) and 6.3 micro g/g(-1), respectively). Maxillary teeth had higher lead concentrations than mandibular teeth and primary canines showed the highest mean lead concentration followed by incisors and molars. Teeth from children living in the south-east area (which according to the Mexico City's Pollution Center data is the more polluted area), presented the highest lead concentration but no statistically significant difference was found among teeth from the different areas.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that age, gender and place of residence are not related to the lead concentration in human primary teeth. This fact seems to indicate the ubiquitous presence of lead in the whole atmosphere of Mexico City and suggests that zones of residence do not appear to influence tooth lead concentration.

Complementary spiritual beliefs in the Latino community: the interface with psychotherapy

A model involving a dynamic spectrum of belief by Latinos in the spiritual traditions of Santeria and Espiritismo is proposed as replacement for the more static prevalence model. The issue of clinical responsiveness to such material is examined and illustrated, and implications for research and practice are discussed.

Three TRH-like molecules are released from rat hypothalamus in vitro

TRH-like immunoreactivity distinct from TRH is present in various tissues and fluids. In order to determine whether TRH-like molecules are secreted by the hypothalamus, we analyzed tissues and media from hypothalamic slices incubated in Krebs Ringer bicarbonate. Media from basal or high KCl conditions contained 3 TRH-like molecules evidenced by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography followed by TRH radioimmunoassay. Peak I corresponded to authentic TRH (73% of total immunoreactivity) and peaks II and III had a higher retention time. These additional TRH-like forms were neither detected in hypothalamic tissue nor in tissue or medium from olfactory bulb. Gel filtration analysis of hypothalamic media revealed only one TRH-like peak eluting as TRH, suggesting that the molecular weights of peaks II and III are similar to that of TRH. Peak II retention time was similar to that of pglu-phe-proNH2. We analysed if they could be produced by post secretory metabolism of TRH. Incubation of hypothalamic slices with [3H-Pro]-TRH did not produce radioactive species comigrating with peaks II or III. However, it induced rapid degradation to [3H-Pro]-his-prodiketopiperazine ([3H]-HPDKP). Inhibitor profile suggested that pyroglutamyl aminopeptidase II, but not pyroglutamyl aminopeptidase I, is responsible for [3H]-HPDKP production. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that pyroglutamyl aminopeptidase II is the main aminopeptidase degrading TRH in hypothalamic extracellular fluid. Furthermore, we suggest that the hypothalamus releases additional TRH-like molecules, one of them possibly pglu-phe-proNH2, which may participate in control of adenohypophyseal secretions.

Salivary lead and cadmium in a young population residing in Mexico city

Mexico city has a very high pollution index. Based on the view 'that salivary monitoring can be extended to environmental pollutants', we performed this study in order to determine not only the concentrations of lead and cadmium in human saliva, but also to establish their possible association with some socio-demographic factors. One hundred dental students from the National Autonomous University of Mexico living in Mexico city participated in the study. Stimulated human whole saliva samples were analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The results show that Pb (x = 3.10 microg/dl(-1); maximum x = 16.8 microg/dl(-1) and minimum x = 0.04 microg/dl[-1]) and Cd (x = 0.25 microg/dl(-1); maximum x = 2.04 microg/dl(-1) and minimum x = 0.004 microg/dl[-1]) concentrations were higher than those reported elsewhere, and that there was no association between several variables studied (age, gender, geographic area and consumption of canned food) and salivary Pb. However, an inverse association was found between Cd and age (chi2 = 5.9012; P < or = 0.05; gamma = -0.5224, P < or = 0.05). From this study it can be concluded that saliva has potential as a technique for monitoring ambient pollutants recent exposure, since circulating levels of certain polluting chemicals can be transported into salivary glands and secretions.

Myeloid differentiation of HL-60 cells induced by anti-tumor drug 3-nitrobenzothiazolo[3,2-a]quinolinium

Drugs which elicit cell differentiation might have an important role in the treatment of leukemias and other neoplasias. Various chemotherapeutic agents promote leukemic cell differentiation. The HL-60 cell line is a useful model to study in vitro myeloid differentiation. Sublethal concentrations of 3-nitrobenzothiazolo[3,2-a]quinolinium (NBQ), an antitopoisomerase II drug, were given to HL-60 cells from one to five days to evaluate its capacity to induce differentiation. NBQ-induced HL-60 cells reduced nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT), increased MY-4 receptors, increased phagocytic activity and displayed the granulocytic morphology. Flow cytometric DNA analysis of NBQ-induced cells revealed an arrest in the G1 phase a reduction in the relative percentage of cells in S and G2+M phases. Our results suggest that NBQ induces an S-phase specific differentiation of HL-60 cells comparable to that previously described with dimethyl sulfoxide and retinoic acid. NBQ and its analogs, as differentiation inducers, may have potential utility as a novel therapeutic modality for leukemias.

Incidence of premature rupture of membranes in pregnant women with low leukocyte levels of vitamin C

The present study was undertaken to explore the association between vitamin C nutritional status in pregnant women with premature rupture of the chorioamniotic membranes (PRM). A case-control cross-sectional study was carried out in 10 women with PRM and 19 women without PRM. The women were evaluated in the first hours postpartum while hospitalized: 10 ml of blood were obtained from each woman to determine vitamin C expressed as micrograms/10(8) leucocytes or microgram/mg of leucocyte protein. Data on fruit and vegetable consumption was collected by a frequency dietary survey and the hospital clinical records were reviewed to obtain their obstetric history and data on the presence of infection during pregnancy, in placenta and/or in fetal membranes. Low vitamin C levels were considered at a cut-off point equal or less than 26.33 micrograms/10(8) leucocytic cells and 3.15 micrograms/mg leucocyte protein. An association was found between low vitamin C levels and cases with PRM. No difference was found in the frequency of consumption of fruit and vegetables between the two groups. Infections were more frequently found in the PRM group, when the women had low levels of vitamin C, and when both risk factors were present simultaneously the proportion of PRM cases identified was greater than 0.75.

Carpal tunnel syndrome in patients who are receiving long-term renal hemodialysis

In forty-six (9 per cent) of 485 patients who were receiving long-term renal hemodialysis, a carpal tunnel syndrome developed in at least one hand. A total of sixty-four surgical procedures were performed for this problem in forty-one patients. All of the forty-one patients reported symptomatic relief, although three had recurrent symptoms. There was no correlation between the time of onset of the carpal tunnel syndrome and such factors as the patient's age, sex, or race; the cause of renal failure; the site of vascular access for hemodialysis; or a history of parathyroidectomy. There was a correlation, however, between the development of the carpal tunnel syndrome, the side of the longest functional vascular access, and the presence of arterial calcifications. In all eleven patients in whom a radial steal syndrome developed, an ipsilateral carpal-tunnel syndrome also developed. It was concluded that factors other than those involving the site of vascular access must have important etiological roles.

The antitumor drug 3-nitrobenzothiazolo(3,2-a)quinolinium chloride (NBQ): effects on lens regeneration and interaction with DNA of Notophthalmus viridescens

We have studied the effect of 3-nitrobenzothiazolo(3,2-a)quinolinium (NBQ) on the regeneration of the lens in adult newt Notophthalmus viridescens. NBQ has marked cytotoxic effects in tumor cells, intercalates DNA, and was found to enhance lens regeneration. Newt liver DNA was isolated, and the thermal denaturation temperature (Tm) determined to be 76.6% +/- 0.8%. The G-C content was determined to be 44.0% +/- 0.4% and 45.0% +/- 0.1%. Parameters of NBQ binding to newt DNA were determined by spectrophotometric methods and compared with those obtained for calf thymus and Micrococcus lysodeikticus. The association constant, K(o), was found to be 1.1 x 10(+5) M-1 with a site-size parameter, n, of 8.7 nucleotides. No explanation is apparent for the paradoxical stimulation of lens regeneration.

Prostaglandins participate in the renal vasodilation due to hydralazine in dogs

The authors studied the effects of bolus injections of hydralazine (500 micrograms) into the renal artery of chloralose-anesthetized dogs. In control dogs, hydralazine injection resulted in an increase in renal artery blood flow of 110 +/- 10.4 ml/min (53 +/- 4.7%) from 214 +/- 28 ml/min. In dogs that were pretreated with the alpha-1 adrenergic antagonist, prazosin (1 mg/kg), hydralazine injection increased renal blood flow by 95 +/- 22 ml/min (37 +/- 7.4%) from 253 +/- 19 ml/min, an increase not different from that found in control dogs. However, in dogs pretreated with indomethacin (5 mg/kg) or sodium meclofenamate (3 mg/kg), inhibitors of cyclooxygenase, hydralazine injection resulted in an increase in renal artery blood flow of only 44 +/- 5.3 ml/min (19 +/- 2.7%) from 235 +/- 23 ml/min, an increase significantly different from that in control dogs (P less than .05). The renal blood flow response to hydralazine injection developed slowly, reached a maximum in 20 min and was maintained for at least 1 hr. Arterial blood pressure, heart rate and descending aortic blood flow were not significantly changed after hydralazine injection. The authors conclude that hydralazine increases renal blood flow in dogs by a mechanism independent of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors and that this increase is, in large part, mediated by prostaglandin release.

Prostaglandins modulate baroreflex-induced changes in blood pressure and myocardial function in anesthetized dogs

The purpose of our study was to investigate the role of prostaglandins in the changes in myocardial function and peripheral and coronary vascular resistance which accompany a generalized increase in sympathetic tone caused by carotid baroreflex unloading in the anesthetized dog. Bilateral carotid artery occlusion (BCO) with heart rate held constant by electrical pacing (150 beats/min) resulted in increases in systolic, (33%) diastolic (40%), and mean (35%) arterial pressures, LV systolic pressure (33%) and left ventricular (LV) dP/dt (37%). After blockade of prostaglandin synthesis with indomethacin (N = 11) or meclofenamate (N = 6) the increases in systolic (41%), diastolic (45%), and mean (41%) arterial pressures, LV systolic pressure (39%), LV dP/dt (52%), and cardiac work caused by BCO were significantly greater, in spite of the initially higher baseline values (11-18%) following the administration of the drugs. In contrast, the changes in circumflex coronary blood flow and coronary vascular resistance to BCO were essentially the same before and after inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis. Systemic prostaglandin synthesis may, therefore, play a significant role in the control of systemic arterial pressure and myocardial function, most probably by modulating the release of norepinephrine from adrenergic nerve terminals, without adversely affecting coronary blood flow regulation.

Nitroglycerin and nitroprusside increase coronary blood flow in dogs by a mechanism independent of prostaglandin release

The hypothesis that local release of vasodilator prostaglandins mediates, in part, the decrease in coronary resistance after nitroglycerin (NG) administration was tested. NG (60 micrograms/min) and nitroprusside (NP) (30 micrograms/min) were infused for 10 minutes into the left circumflex coronary artery of 9 open-chest, chloralose-anesthetized dogs before and after blockade of prostaglandin synthesis with indomethacin (5 mg/kg). Also, to eliminate the effects of reflex tachycardia on the responses to NG and NP, these experiments were repeated in 6 dogs with heart rate held constant by pacing. NG infusion into dogs without pacing resulted in a maximal increase in coronary blood flow of 55% and after 8 minutes of infusion an increase of 20%, from a baseline of 57 ml/min. NP infusion resulted in a maximal increase in blood flow of 89% and after 8 minutes an increase of 71%, from a baseline of 64 ml/min. In dogs with heart rate held constant, NG infusion caused a maximal increase in coronary artery blood flow of 132% and after 8 minutes of infusion an increase of 18%, from a baseline of 48 ml/min; NP infusion resulted in increase from 51 ml/min of 132% and 62%, respectively. In neither group of dogs did indomethacin significantly change the increases in coronary blood flow or decreases in coronary resistance to NG or NP. Thus, both NG and NP, when infused into the coronary artery of dogs, cause increases in coronary blood flow and decreases in coronary resistance by a mechanism which is independent of prostaglandin release.

Interaction between a 3-nitrobenzothiazolo (3,2-a) quinolinium antitumour drug and deoxyribonucleic acid

The interaction of 3-nitrobenzothiazolo (3,2-a) quinolinium (NBQ) perchlorate with DNA was studied by u.v.-visible and fluorescence spectrophotometry as well as by hydrodynamic methods. On binding to DNA, the absorption spectrum underwent bathochromic and hypochromic shifts, and the fluorescence was quenched. Binding parameters, determined from spectrophotometric measurements by Scatchard analysis according to an excluded-site model, indicated a binding constant of 2.4 X 10(5)M-1 for calf thymus DNA at ionic strength 0.01. The interaction was markedly suppressed by increasing the salt concentration. Binding to the GC-rich DNA of Micrococcus lysodeikticus was weaker than the binding to calf thymus DNA at ionic strength 0.01 NBQ increased the viscosity of sonicated rod-like DNA fragments, producing a calculated increment in length of 2.4 A/bound drug molecule. It removed and reversed the supercoiling of closed circular duplex plasmid pBR322 DNA by virtue of a helix-unwinding angle estimated as approximately 13 degrees/bound ligand molecule. We conclude that the binding of NBQ to DNA occurs by a mechanism of intercalation, which probably accounts for its reported antitumor activity.

Patients surviving 10 years of hemodialysis

Experience with 37 patients surviving 10 years of hemodialysis therapy was reviewed. These patients were compared with 103 patients who began hemodialysis between 1967 and 1971 and who subsequently died. Males had an excess risk of death. Patients with polycystic kidneys survived longer. There was more uncontrolled hypertension among a control group than in 10-year survivors. In survivors, the hematocrit level increased over time and averaged 30.4 percent at 10 years. Over 10 years, many complications arose including parathyroidectomy (24), pericarditis (13), gastrointestinal bleeding (11), myocardial infarction (10), septicemia (eight), and active tuberculosis (six). Despite complications, most patients are now stable. Between their eighth and 10th years they required an average of only one hospitalization with a mean stay of 9.7 days. Eighteen patients were not hospitalized. Excluding housewives, 67 percent of patients between ages 20 and 59 years are employed full-time and 10 percent part-time. Patients surviving 10 years are not progressively deteriorating and may look to the future with cautious optimism.

A comparison of androgens for anemia in patients on hemodialysis

To compare the erythropoietic effects of nandrolone decanoate, testosterone enanthate, oxymetholone, and fluoxymesterone, we performed a randomized clinical trial in patients with anemia who were receiving maintenance hemodialysis (the women were not given testosterone enanthate). After a control period of at least two months, patients received one of the drugs for six months and then returned to control status; a second and third drug were administered in a similar fashion. Seventy-seven patients completed the first drug period, 56 the second, and 35 the third. The response to nandrolone and testosterone enanthate, the two drugs given by injection, was clearly superior to the response to oxymetholone or fluoxymesterone, given by mouth, in terms of the percentage of patients responding and the mean rise in hematocrit. Approximately half the patients had an increase of at least 5 percentage points in hematocrit after an injectable androgen was given; more than half the women responded. Patients who required transfusions regularly and those who had bilateral nephrectomies did not respond.

Experience with arterial substitutes in the construction of vascular access for hemodialysis

Thirty autogenous saphenous vein grafts, 91 modified bovine heterografts and 96 PTFE grafts were used in the construction of vascular access for hemodialysis. The indication for the use of an arterial substitute was the unavailability of suitable artery or vein for the construction of a standard subcutaneous arteriovenous fistula. Ten of these grafts were placed in the lower extremity while the rest were placed in either the forearm or upper arm. All three types of grafts provided an immediate satisfactory solution to a difficult problem. When compared in terms of longterm patency, the autogenous saphenous vein proved to be inferior to either the modified bovine heterograft or the PTFE graft. Comparing all three grafts, the PTFE graft is currently our vascular substitute of choice for patients requiring grafts for arteriovenous fistulas for hemodialysis.

Binding of [3H]narciclasine to eukaryotic ribosomes. A study on a structure-activity relationship

[3H]Narciclasine is a specific inhibitor of peptide bond formation on eukaryotic ribosomes and binds to 60-S ribosomal subunits. Binding of [3H]-narciclasine to yeast ribosomes is inhibited by many other inhibitors of peptide bond formation including anisomycin, several sequiterpene antibiotics (trichodermin, trichothecin, fusarenon X and verrucarin A) several Cephalotaxus alkaloids (harringtonine, homoharringtonine and isoharringtonine), several Amaryllidaceae alkaloids (pretazettine, haemanthamine, lycorine, pseudolycorine and dihydrolycorine) and the narciclasine derivatives trans-dihydronarciclasine, trans-dihydronarciclasine acetonide and isonarciclasine. Binding is also inhibited, although to a very small extent, by methylnarciclasine and cisdihydronarciclasine. In contrast, no inhibition of [3H]narciclasine binding was observed in the presence of certain other inhibitors of peptide bond formation including blasticidin S, gougerotin, sparsomycin and puromycin.

Strictures of the ileal loop

Intrinsic ileal loop strictures in children are much more common than previously reported. They occur late and are usually clinically silent. Their etilogy is inflammatory rather than ischemic and a local immunosuppressive effect of urine also may play a role. Periodic urography, continued indefinitely, is the only certain method of early detection.

Endothelial injury. Association with elevations of serum bile acid and cholesterol concentration in biliary-obstructed rats

An association between atherosclerosis, biliary obstruction and hyperlipidemia has been reported in the literature. In previous study from this laboratory, ultrastructural evidence of coronary artery endothelial damage was obtained in rats following ligation-induced biliary obstruction. In the present investigation, serum bile acids, total cholesterol and alkaline phosphatase levels were studied in association with similarly induced biliary obstruction and related to electron-microscopic observations of coronary artery endothelium. The results disclosed marked elevation of all serum parameters in as short a time as 24 hr following ligation compared with shamoperated controls. Animals exhibiting increases of serum bile acids and cholesterol also revealed severe configurational changes of endothelial cells which manifesed as buckling, detachment from the underlying internal elastic lamina, and vacuole formation. The role of elevated circulating bile acids and hypercholesterolemia as possible factors in producing arterial injury through membrane interaction is discussed. These observations suggest that biliary obstruction, even of short duration, may act as a potentially atherogenic mechanism in the experimental animal.