OP0230 ANTIHISTAMINE USE AND STRUCTURAL PROGRESSION OF KNEE OA: A POST-HOC ANALYSIS OF TWO PHASE III CLINICAL TRIALS

Background

Prior studies indicate that mast cells are involved in chronic inflammation and that their activity in the synovium may contribute to structural progression of osteoarthritis (OA), however the exact role of mast cells in OA remains unclear. Antihistamines act by blocking histamine receptors, and further are found to have anti-inflammatory effects by stabilizing mast cell membranes. Current reports describing antihistamine use in OA patients suggest that antihistamines may reduce development of OA and lead to reduced risk of structural progression.

Objectives

We aimed to investigate whether antihistamine use during a two-year trial period was associated with differences in structural progression of OA, as compared with non-use.

Methods

This is a post-hoc analysis of two large phase III trials investigating oral salmon calcitonin in knee OA (NCT00486434 and NCT00704847). The primary outcome measure was structural progression defined as the change in minimum joint-space width measured by use of x-ray imaging from baseline to Year Two. In these trials, participants reported use of antihistamines, defined as medication coded with the ATC code R06A. In our study, we evaluated differences between groups of participants who reported use of antihistamines, versus those who did not, over the 2-year study period. Secondly, the duration of antihistamine use divided into categories of either no use, 1-49, 50-299 or >300 days of use was investigated to evaluate exposure-response relationships. The effect of use of antihistamines was evaluated using ANCOVA analysis adjusting for age, sex, BMI, and baseline JSW.

Results

Of a total study population of 2,206 participants, 1,485 completed the trial. Of these, 1,327 were non-users of antihistamines (mean age 64.4 years, 64.1% female, mean BMI 29.0 kg/m2) and 158 reported use of antihistamines of any duration during the trial (mean age 64.5 years, 75.2% female, mean BMI 28.1 kg/m2). Seventy-four participants reported use of antihistamines of a duration between 1-49 days, 21 participants between 50-299 days, and 63 reported use of 300 days or more. As illustrated in Figure 1A, the mean JSW change from baseline in the group of non-users was -0.32 mm (95% CI: -0.36 to -0.29), versus -0.19 mm (95%CI: -0.29 to -0.08, p=0.02 for difference) in the group of patients reporting antihistamine use of any duration. A trend towards an association between duration of antihistamine use and reductions in narrowing of JSW was observed (p for trend: 0.02), Figure 1B).

Conclusion

Use of antihistamines was associated with reduced structural progression in knee OA. Further research evaluating the role of antihistamines in OA is needed to further characterize this observation.

Disclosure of Interests

Asger Reinstrup Bihlet Shareholder of: Shareholder of NBCD A/S, Employee of: Employee at NBCD A/S, Claire Prener Miller Employee of: Employee at NBCD A/S, Inger Byrjalsen Employee of: Past employee at NBCD A/S, Jeppe Ragnar Andersen Shareholder of: Shareholder of NBCD A/S, Employee of: Employee at NBCD A/S, Morten Karsdal Shareholder of: Shareholder of Nordic Bioscience A/S, Employee of: Employee at Nordic Bioscience A/S, Matthew C. Baker Shareholder of: Shareholder of Mobility Bio Inc., Employee of: Employee at Mobility Bio Inc., Tharaknath Rao Shareholder of: Shareholder of Mobility Bio Inc., Employee of: Employee of Mobility Bio Inc.

Degradation of oil by fungi isolated from Gulf of Mexico beaches

Fungi of the Ascomycota phylum were isolated from oil-soaked sand patties collected from beaches following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. To examine their ability to degrade oil, fungal isolates were grown on oiled quartz at 20°C, 30°C and 40°C. Consistent trends in oil degradation were not related to fungal species or temperature and all isolates degraded variable quantities of oil (32-65%). Fungal isolates preferentially degraded short (<C18; 90-99%) as opposed to long (C19-C36; 7-87%) chain n-alkanes and straight chain C17- and C18-n-alkanes (91-99%) compared to their branched counterparts, pristane and phytane (70-98%). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds were also degraded by the fungal isolates (42-84% total degraded), with a preference for low molecular weight over high molecular weight PAHs. Overall, these findings contribute to our understanding of the capacity of fungi to degrade oil in the coastal marine environment.

Brain atrophy over time in genetic and sporadic frontotemporal dementia: a study of 198 serial magnetic resonance images

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The aim of our study was to determine the utility of longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements as potential biomarkers in the main genetic variants of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), including microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) and progranulin (GRN) mutations and C9ORF72 repeat expansions, as well as sporadic FTD.

METHODS

In this longitudinal study, 58 subjects were identified who had at least two MRI and MAPT mutations (n = 21), GRN mutations (n = 11), C9ORF72 repeat expansions (n = 11) or sporadic FTD (n = 15). A total of 198 serial MRI measurements were analyzed. Rates of whole brain atrophy were calculated using the boundary shift integral. Regional rates of atrophy were calculated using tensor-based morphometry. Sample size estimates were calculated.

RESULTS

Progressive brain atrophy was observed in all groups, with fastest rates of whole brain atrophy in GRN, followed by sporadic FTD, C9ORF72 and MAPT. All variants showed greatest rates in the frontal and temporal lobes, with parietal lobes also strikingly affected in GRN. Regional rates of atrophy across all lobes were greater in GRN compared to the other groups. C9ORF72 showed greater rates of atrophy in the left cerebellum and right occipital lobe than MAPT, and sporadic FTD showed greater rates in the anterior cingulate than C9ORF72 and MAPT. Sample size estimates were lowest using temporal lobe rates in GRN, ventricular rates in MAPT and C9ORF72, and whole brain rates in sporadic FTD.

CONCLUSION

These data support the utility of using rates of atrophy as outcome measures in future drug trials in FTD and show that different imaging biomarkers may offer advantages in the different variants of FTD.

MRS in presymptomatic MAPT mutation carriers: a potential biomarker for tau-mediated pathology

OBJECTIVE

To determine the proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H MRS) changes in carriers of microtubule-associated protein (MAPT) mutations in a case-control study.

METHODS

Patients with MAPT mutations (N279K, V337M, R406W, IVS9-10G>T, P301L) from 5 different families (n = 24) underwent MRI and single voxel (1)H MRS from the posterior cingulate gyrus inferior precuneus at 3 T. Ten of the patients were symptomatic with median Clinical Dementia Rating sum of boxes score (CDR-SOB) of 6.5 and 14 patients were presymptomatic with CDR-SOB of 0. Age- and sex-matched controls (n = 24) were recruited.

RESULTS

Symptomatic MAPT mutation carriers were characterized by decreased N-acetylaspartate/creatine (NAA/Cr) ratio, an index of neuronal integrity, increased myoinositol (mI)/Cr ratio, a possible marker for glial activity, decreased NAA/mI, and hippocampal atrophy (p < 0.001). Whereas presymptomatic MAPT mutation carriers had elevated mI/Cr and decreased NAA/mI (p < 0.001), NAA/Cr levels and hippocampal volumes were not different from controls. Decrease in NAA/Cr (R(2) = 0. 22; p = 0.021) and hippocampal volumes (R(2) = 0.46; p < 0.001) were associated with proximity to the expected or actual age at symptom onset in MAPT mutation carriers.

CONCLUSION

(1)H MRS metabolite abnormalities characterized by an elevated mI/Cr and decreased NAA/mI are present several years before the onset of symptoms in MAPT mutation carriers. The data suggest an ordered sequencing of the (1)H MRS and MRI biomarkers. MI/Cr, a possible index of glial proliferation, precedes the decrease in neuronal integrity marker NAA/Cr and hippocampal atrophy. (1)H MRS may be a useful inclusion biomarker for preventive trials in presymptomatic carriers of MAPT mutations and possibly other proteinopathies.

Mapping, monitoring, and surveillance of neglected tropical diseases: towards a policy framework

As national programmes respond to the new opportunities presented for scaling up preventive chemotherapy programmes for the coadministration of drugs to target lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, and trachoma, possible synergies between existing disease-specific policies and protocols need to be examined. In this report we compare present policies for mapping, monitoring, and surveillance for these diseases, drawing attention to both the challenges and opportunities for integration. Although full integration of all elements of mapping, monitoring, and surveillance strategies might not be feasible for the diseases targeted through the preventive chemotherapy approach, there are opportunities for integration, and we present examples of integrated strategies. Finally, if advantage is to be taken of scaled up interventions to address neglected tropical diseases, efforts to develop rapid, inexpensive, and easy-to-use methods, whether disease-specific or integrated, should be increased. We present a framework for development of an integrated monitoring and evaluation system that combines both integrated and disease-specific strategies.

Plasma amyloid beta protein is elevated in late-onset Alzheimer disease families

OBJECTIVE

Plasma A beta levels are elevated in early-onset Alzheimer disease (AD) caused by autosomal dominant mutations. Our objective was to determine whether similar genetic elevations exist in late-onset AD (LOAD).

METHODS

We measured plasma A beta in first-degree relatives of patients with LOAD in a cross-sectional series and in extended LOAD families. We screened these subjects for pathogenic mutations in early-onset AD genes and determined their ApoE genotypes.

RESULTS

Plasma A beta is significantly elevated in the LOAD first-degree relatives in comparison to unrelated controls and married-in spouses. These elevations are not due to ApoE epsilon 4 or pathogenic coding mutations in the known early-onset AD genes.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings provide strong evidence for the existence of novel, as yet unknown genetic factors that affect late-onset Alzheimer disease by increasing A beta.

Clinical and genetic features of families with frontotemporal dementia and parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 with a P301S tau mutation

In 9 patients with frontotemporal dementia and parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 (FTDP-17) with a P301S tau mutation, the predominant phenotype was frontotemporal dementia in 3 and parkinsonism in 6. Comparison of the tau genotype/haplotype carrying the mutation and the initial clinical sign showed association between H1/H1 and parkinsonism and between H1/H2 and personality change. Thus, the tau haplotype carrying the mutation and the tau genotype may be related to the clinical phenotype throughout the disease course.

Autosomal dominant dystonia-plus with cerebral calcifications

OBJECTIVE

To report genealogic, clinical, imaging, neuropathologic, and genetic data from a Canadian kindred with dystonia and brain calcinosis originally described in 1985.

METHODS

The authors performed clinical examinations and CT and PET studies of the head and analyzed blood samples. One autopsy was performed.

RESULTS

The family tree was expanded to 166 individuals. No individuals were newly affected with dystonia, but postural tremor developed in two. The mean age at symptom onset was 19 years. Eight individuals had dystonia: three focal, one segmental, one multifocal, and three generalized. Seven displayed additional signs: chorea, intellectual decline, postural tremor, and dysarthria. CT studies were performed on five affected and 10 at-risk family members. All affected individuals and eight at-risk individuals had brain calcinosis. PET scans in two individuals showed reduced D(1)- and D(2)-receptor binding and reduced uptake of 6-[(18)F]fluoro-l-dopa. Autopsy of one affected individual showed extensive depositions of calcium in the basal ganglia, thalamus, cerebral white matter, and cerebellum. No specific immunohistochemistry abnormalities were seen. Genome search data showed no evidence of linkage to the previously described loci IBGC1, DYT1, and DYT12.

CONCLUSIONS

The phenotype of this family consists of dystonia-plus syndrome. Brain calcium deposits vary in severity and distribution, suggesting that calcifications alone are not entirely responsible for the observed clinical signs. Further studies are needed to elucidate the etiology of this heterogeneous group of disorders.

Assessment of patient satisfaction with pain management in small community inpatient and outpatient settings

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES

To describe patient outcomes (e.g., pain intensity and relief, satisfaction, expectations) and analgesic practices of healthcare providers for inpatients and outpatients in community hospital settings.

DESIGN

Descriptive, correlational, and random sampling.

SETTING

Three community-based institutions in southeast Louisiana.

SAMPLE

114 inpatients and outpatients with cancer-related or acute postoperative pain. Inpatients (n = 68) mostly were women and younger than 60 years of age. Outpatients (n = 46) mostly were men and older than 60 years of age. Both groups were predominantly well-educated and Caucasian.

METHODS

Subjects completed a modified version of the American Pain Society's Patient Satisfaction Survey. Researchers completed a chart audit tool reviewing analgesic prescriptive and administrative practices.

FINDINGS

Weak to moderately strong correlations existed for the relationships between the satisfaction variables and the pain intensity, pain relief, and expectation variables for all subjects. Satisfaction with current pain intensity was correlated most strongly with pain intensity and relief scores. Higher pain intensity and relief were related to lower satisfaction with current pain intensity.

CONCLUSIONS

Regardless of setting or pain type, subjects experienced significant amounts of pain during a 24-hour period. Patient expectations for experiencing high levels of pain were realized, but expectations for significant pain relief were not.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Institutional pain management programs that approach pain from a multidimensional perspective need to be developed. Continued education for healthcare professionals and patients is a vital part of this process.

Religious commitment and the construal of sources of help for emotional problems

Religious commitment as an influence upon seeking help for psychological problems has not received the same level of research attention as variables such as sex, ethnicity and cultural background. The construing of members of a group of committed UK Christians was investigated, regarding their receiving such help from a variety of different helpers, professional and non-professional, secular and spiritual. Each participant was asked to interpret the factors statistically identified from construct and element relationships in a repertory grid that they had completed. Their commentaries formed the data for a qualitative thematic analysis, which gave rise to four main themes. From these, a tentative model is discussed. Possible implications for the acceptance of service provision by the substantial minority groups of religiously committed people in the UK are considered in the light of this model--and in the light of the further research that would be needed to establish it.

Black-capped chickadee call dialects along a continuous habitat corridor

The gargle call, a vocalization used in agonistic encounters by black-capped chickadees, Poecile atricapillus, was examined for evidence of geographical variation along a corridor of continuous riparian habitat in northern Colorado. We captured birds from three different sites during the nonbreeding season and brought them into the laboratory, where their gargle calls were recorded. We sorted sonagrams produced from these vocalizations visually into distinct gargle types having similar compositions of individual units, or syllables. This allowed us to characterize both individual and population repertoires. The majority (88.7%) of gargle types analysed were found to be unique to individual populations rather than shared among or between populations. Examination of individual repertoires showed that chickadees shared a higher proportion of gargle types with birds from their own sites compared with birds from either of the two other sites. Thus, gargle dialects occurred among these chickadee populations despite the absence of geographical barriers to blending of vocal traditions. As the birds studied were obtained from sites along an uninterrupted dispersal corridor, the results of this study suggest that behavioural mechanisms are responsible for maintenance of dialects in this aggressive call. Copyright 1999 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

Diffuse large cell (Kiel-1) lymphoma with a t(9;11)(p21-22;q13) and a missing Y as the only chromosome changes

We describe a diffuse large cell (Kiel-1) lymphoma in a 76-year-old man that is noteworthy because, apart from a missing Y, the only chromosome change was a hitherto undescribed reciprocal translocation, t(9;11)(p21-22;q13). It is interesting that the breakpoints lay in the vicinity of genes that encode proteins engaged in cell cycle control: CCND1 situated at 11q13 and p15 and p16 at 9p21.

Ectopic nucleolar organizer regions. A common anomaly revealed by Ag-NOR staining of metaphases from nine cancers

In view of the sparsity of reports on nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) in human tumor metaphase chromosomes, we have applied the silver (Ag-NOR) technique to a previously studied testicular germ-cell tumor that had an abnormal translocation, which involved a 13p, and to nine new sequentially studied tumors. Six of the new tumors, and the germ cell tumor, showed ectopic NORs (e.g., at the end of the long arm of acrocentrics or metacentrics, or interstitially in metacentrics): five carcinomas and a leiomyosarcoma, all of which also revealed numerous structural chromosome changes after G-banding. The three tumors that did not show ectopic NORs were lymphomas with relatively simple karyotypic changes. It seems that the presence of ectopic NORs in the majority of the tumors is a reflection of the multiplicity of structural changes in these tumors and does not signify that there is any particular propensity for acrocentrics to take part in these changes. It was interesting that several of the chromosomes showed large notably a metacentric in a squamous cell carcinoma of the skin in which the Ag-NOR-positive region was seen as an unstained gap in unbanded and G-banded chromosomes.

A packaging update. Recycling, testing, and pricing

Europe has taken legislative measures to improve the management of packaging and packaging waste. This article outlines the arguments for excluding medical device packaging from the provisions of the recently published European Directive on packaging and packaging waste. Developments in a new barrier test method and further increases in the price of raw materials are also discussed.

Chromosome abnormalities and p53 expression in a small cell carcinoma of the bladder

Chromosome studies on a highly malignant tumor, a small cell carcinoma of the bladder (the first to be studied cytogenetically), showed a hypertriploid mainline and a hypertetraploid minor line. Extensive chromosomal rearrangements were present in both lines, some rearranged chromosomes being seen in only one of the lines, while others, derived from chromosomes 6, 9, 11, 13, and 18, were seen in both. Although different giant chromosomes were present in the two lines, they shared a possibly significant common feature: multiple copies of 2q. DNA flow cytometry confirmed that the tumor had a hypertriploid main mode and showed that dysplastic surface epithelium present in the histologic material also had a hypertriploid DNA index. p53 expression in the tumor was demonstrated by flow cytometry.

Derivative chromosome, der(17;22)(q10;q10), in two carcinomas of the cervix uteri and one of the skin

In a previous study, we described 17p+ chromosomes in about 40% of carcinomas of the cervix, but it was usually not possible to identify the additional material on the short arm of the chromosome 17. Here we report an apparently identical rearranged chromosome in two squamous cell carcinomas of the cervix and one of the skin, in which the whole of 17p has been replaced by the long arm of a chromosome 22: der(17;22)(q10;q10), suggesting that this rearrangement may represent a significant step in the development of carcinomas of the cervix and other sites.

Pediatric fiberoptic video bronchoscopy: the use of computer interfacing

Conventional video-recordings of pediatric bronchoscopic procedures are routinely performed in many centers. The limitations of conventional video-recordings include an inability to concurrently compare serially recorded images, lack of color fidelity of the displayed image, difficulty in image retrieval of archived video, and the inability to subject the image to mathematical analysis. We describe a computer interface which addresses each of these limitations.

Chromosome 7q deletions: observations on 13 malignant tumors

Deletions of the long arm of chromosome 7, with breakpoints varying from q11 to q34, are described in 13 malignant tumors, including three carcinomas of the prostate, three colorectal carcinomas, and four testicular germ cell tumors. In two of the tumors, the chromosome also had a deletion of 7p. Review of the literature shows that 7q- chromosomes have been detected in various tumor types and are particularly common in benign and malignant mesothelial tumors, secondary leukemias, testicular cancers, and carcinomas of the ovary and prostate. Their significance may lie in loss of an unknown tumor-suppressor gene situated distally on 7q.

Chromosome 12-containing markers, including two dicentrics, in three i(12p)-negative testicular germ cell tumors

A chromosome 12-derived marker was seen in each of 3 testicular germ cell tumors that lacked the i(12p). An interesting feature of 2 of the markers was that the major part, including the centromere, of an acrocentric (a #13 and #14, respectively) was translocated onto 12p, resulting in a dicentric. In the third tumor, 13q (translocated onto 12q) was again probably involved in the rearrangement. The findings support the view that the amplification of genes on 12p represents a significant step in the development of germ cell tumors.

X-chromatin, sex chromosomes, and ploidy in 37 germ cell tumors of the testis

X-chromatin was present in interphase cells from nine of 14 teratomas and all of three combined tumors, but only one of 20 seminomas (which tended to have higher chromosome numbers). Eight of the 37 tumors were karyotyped; seven, only one of which (a teratoma) was X-chromatin-positive, had two X chromosomes while one, the X-chromatin-positive seminoma, had three. A possible relationship between the presence of inactive, X-chromatin-forming, X chromosomes and the number of autosomes is suggested by the data on the eight karyotyped tumors; the ratio of the number of Xs to the number of autosomes was higher for the two X-chromatin-positive tumors than for the remainder. All eight had at least one Y chromosome, and eight further tumors had one to three Y-bodies in their interphase cells. It is uncertain whether retention of the Y is a characteristic of male germ cell tumors, as tumors lacking a Y have been described by other workers. Two characteristics of these tumors, however, are high ploidy (at least 55 chromosomes), perhaps signifying an origin from a triploid or tetraploid cell, and chromosome 12 aberrations, usually resulting in an i(12p).

Numerical chromosome changes in 165 malignant tumors. Evidence for a nonrandom distribution of normal chromosomes

The numbers of normal copies of each of the chromosomes in representative karyotypes from 165 malignant tumors of the bladder, breast, cervix, colorectum, and testis studied in this laboratory or described in the literature were assessed to determine whether particular chromosomes were over- or underrepresented. For each chromosome, the mean number of copies was expressed as a percentage of the number expected on the basis of the total number of chromosomes in the karyotypes. The most highly represented autosomes in the tumors as a whole were, in descending order of frequency, numbers 7, 20, 12, 19, 21, and 3, while those most underrepresented were numbers 10, 1, 4, 5, 14, 17, 11, and 18. In tumors of males, the Y tended to be underrepresented. The X was highly represented in the testicular tumors (there were usually two or more copies) and in colorectal tumors of males, but not in the other tumor categories studied. For the tumors as a whole, statistically significant differences could be demonstrated between pairs of autosomes that were at opposite ends of the frequency range. Differences between tumors at the different sites studied were not demonstrable. It is suggested that the determination of the number of normal copies of chromosomes, i.e., whether there are more or fewer than expected, may usefully complement observations on structural changes by reflecting the presence of oncogenes and tumor-suppressor genes, respectively. It may also point to chromosomes that are involved in significant genic changes in which cytogenetic observations on structural changes are equivocal.

Chromosome changes in 43 carcinomas of the cervix uteri

A summary of the chromosome changes in 43 carcinomas of the cervix studied by a direct technique showed that the most common anomaly was a small metacentric [in 77%, often in two copies: an i(5p) or possibly an i(4p)]. Others commonly involved in structural changes were: chromosome 1 (60%; most commonly an i(1q), 1p-, or translocation of part of 1q onto another chromosome); chromosome 17 (47%; translocations onto the short arm or long-arm isochromosomes), chromosome 11 (37%; translocations onto the short arm); chromosome 3 (26%; including 3p- and 31-); and chromosomes 2, 6, and 9 (each in 19%). Considering the four most frequent categories of markers--small metacentrics and markers derived from chromosomes 1, 17, and 11, none of which is specific for cervical carcinoma--almost any combination of these four might be present in a tumor (and at least one was present in all tumors) so that they were not mutually exclusive. Estimates of the average numbers of normal chromosomes based on representative karyotypes from 35 of the tumors showed that three chromosomes in particular were underrepresented (chromosomes 4, 11, and 14; 72-73% of the expected values), while chromosomes 3, 19, and 20 were those most highly represented (99-103%).

Chromosome 17p loss in carcinoma of the cervix uteri

Markers derived from chromosome 17 were present in 13 (42%) of 31 carcinomas of the cervix uteri. Altogether, 14 such markers were present, ten of which were 17p+ chromosomes with a small amount of additional material, probably of variable origin, while three were i(17q)s. The significance of the chromosome 17 aberrations in cervical carcinoma may lie in the loss of recessive genes on 17p.

Value of aceto-orcein squash preparations in the cytogenetic study of solid tumours

The value of aceto-orcein squash preparations as a routine initial step in the cytogenetic study of solid tumours is pointed out. This simple procedure allows a rapid evaluation to be made of various characteristics of the tumour, including the ploidy level, as well as a definitive assessment of nuclear phenomena including the incidence of X-chromatin bodies. Evaluation of the latter in normal as well as tumour cells led to the discovery of unsuspected congenital sex chromosome anomalies in two patients in this laboratory.

Favorable prognosis of solid tumors with very low chromosome numbers?

In contrast to near-haploid leukemias, the rare solid cancers with very low chromosome numbers (below 34) may be characterized by a particularly favorable outcome, as was shown by three such tumors studied in this laboratory.

Small metacentric marker chromosomes, particularly isochromosomes, in cancer

At least two types of small metacentrics, which are isochromosomes for 12p and either 4p or 5p, respectively, are significantly associated with certain types of cancer and their formation may represent important stages in the development of these tumours. The specificity of the i(12p) for testicular cancer is now well established (it may also be present, however, in dysgerminomas and mixed Müllerian tumours of the ovary). This review is therefore mainly concerned with another marker, probably an i(5p) although an i(4p) should also be considered. Recent data suggest that this marker represents a significant chromosomal change occurring with a fairly high frequency in a variety of cancers, including carcinomas of the cervix, ovary, breast, bladder and bronchus (excluding small-cell carcinomas). These isochromosomes may contribute to tumour development through gene amplification; consistent with this is the frequent presence of these markers in two or more copies.

Abnormal chromosomes including small metacentrics in 14 ovarian cancers

In direct preparations of 14 ovarian cancers including 11 primary tumors, chromosomes #1 (12 tumors), #3 (12 tumors, including 3q- chromosomes in five), #6 [eight tumors, including six with a 6q- and two with an i(6p)], #11 (11p + in seven tumors), and #14 (14q+ in at least seven tumors) were most frequently involved in structural aberrations. Also, abnormal small metacentrics were seen in 11 tumors. In ten of these the chromosome appeared to be an i(4p) or i(5p) and in one of these, a mixed Müllerian tumor, there was also an i(12p); the latter anomaly was also present (in duplicate) in a dysgerminoma.

Radiation damage in patients treated by total-body irradiation, bone marrow grafting, and cyclosporin

The bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) from 63 patients were assessed for the presence of chromosomal aberrations after bone marrow transplantation (BMT) following total body irradiation (TBI) for leukemia. Forty-one patients showed no abnormalities in either BM or PB, and 22 had aberrations in either BM or PB or both. Only stable aberrations were found in the BM, but both stable and unstable abnormalities were present in the PB, the majority showing only unstable aberrations. Among the 25 patients who had a leukemic relapse, clonal chromosomal abnormalities were found in the BM of 12 out of the 16 cases for whom marrow was studied at the time of the relapse. A statistically significant negative correlation between leukemic relapse and graft versus host disease (GvHD) was found, but the relationships between chromosome damage and leukemic relapse, GvHD, and the pretransplant radiation dose and between the radiation dose and both leukemic relapse and GvHD were not significant.

Chromosome study of five cancers of the prostate

Nonrandom chromosome changes were sought in direct preparations of tumour material from the primary site of four carcinomas and one leiomyosarcoma of the prostate. Two of the carcinomas had previously received oestrogen therapy. A deleted chromosome 10, del(10)(q24), was found in all four carcinomas and may represent a specific marker in prostatic carcinoma. Three of the carcinomas also had a deleted chromosome 7, del(7)(q22), while the fourth had a 7p+. Deleted chromosomes 7 and 10 were not identified among the markers present in the leiomyosarcoma. All five tumours contained one or more abnormal chromosomes derived from chromosome 1. A Y chromosome was present in the leiomyosarcoma but in none of the carcinomas.

Chromosome analysis of three seminomas

Each of three seminomas revealed chromosome #1 and #12 structural changes in direct preparations and short-term cultures. The #1 changes involved duplication of 1q and loss of 1p; in two, the breakpoint was in the heterochromatic region. The anomaly in #12 was a short arm isochromosome, usually present in duplicate. In one tumor, these were the only structural changes; in the other two, there was also involvement of #7, with extra copies of 7p. In one of these two tumors, a heterochromatic minute was identified after C-banding, and in the other, aside from two different markers containing part of #7, there was a dicentric derived from two chromosomes #15; this tumor proved to be prognostically unfavorable. Three normal chromosomes #1 and XXY sex chromosomes were present in each tumor. Chromosomes #11 and #13 were generally underrepresented, and #12 and #19-22 were over-represented.

Cytogenetic study of ten carcinomas of the bladder: involvement of chromosomes 1 and 11

In direct preparations of ten untreated transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder, chromosomes #1 and #11 were most frequently involved in structural changes (in at least seven tumors each). Three tumors had one or two 11p- chromosomes, and, in other tumors, chromosome #11 had taken part in translocations or isochromosome formation, which, except in one tumor, resulted in a loss of short arm material. Also, there was a tendency for the presence of fewer than expected normal chromosomes #11. Chromosome #1 anomalies are common in most types of tumor; however, chromosome #11 abnormalities, particularly the loss of short arm material, are not common and may thus characterize carcinoma of the bladder, a finding that is of interest in view of the location of an oncogene, c-Ha-ras1, on 11p. Translocations probably involved chromosome #17 in four tumors. Structurally changed chromosomes #3 were seen in four tumors, including one or two 3q- chromosomes in two or possibly three tumors.

Nonrandom chromosome changes in carcinoma of the cervix uteri. II. Ten tumors in the triploid-tetraploid range

Nonrandom chromosome changes in direct preparations of 10 cervical carcinomas with modal numbers in the range of 60-82 were similar to those found in a previous study on near-diploid tumors: Chromosomes 1 (seven tumors) and 11 (five tumors) were most often involved in structural rearrangements and a small metacentric, often present in duplicate, was seen in six tumors. The appearances of the small metacentric again suggested an origin from a chromosome #4 or #5: either a long arm deletion or a short arm isochromosome; in one tumor, Giemsa-11 banding was more compatible with a #4 than a #5. Chromosome #17 anomalies were probably present in four tumors, and two tumors had markers, probably derived from chromosome #2, containing homogeneously staining regions.

Sexual dimorphism and lack of seasonal changes in vocal control regions of the white-crowned sparrow brain

The volumes of brain regions involved in vocal control were measured in adult male and female white-crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys nuttali) captured in the summer, and in captive males held on long-day or short-day photoperiods. There is a large sex difference in the volume of two nuclei, the caudal nucleus of the hyperstriatum ventrale (HVc) and the robust nucleus of the archistriatum (RA), which correlates with a large sex difference in singing behavior. There were no differences in the size of HVc and RA in adult males held on summer or winter photoperiods, even though the 'summer' males had high androgen levels and were singing, whereas the 'winter' males had regressed testes and were not singing. The data bear on hypotheses concerning the relationship between size of brain nuclei and song learning.

Cytogenetic studies on recipients of allogeneic bone marrow using the sex chromosomes as markers of cellular origin

In 45 patients whose donor was of unlike sex, the sex chromosomes were used as markers of the cellular origin of myeloid and lymphoid tissues after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Successful engraftment was characterized by the appearance of dividing donor cells in marrow within 2 weeks of grafting and in mitogen stimulated blood cultures by 3 weeks. Leukaemic relapse was identified in eight cases and was associated with different patterns of cellular origin of the myeloid and lymphoid tissues. At the time of relapse the marrow contained either a mixed population of normal donor and leukaemic recipient cells, or only recipient cells. Thus, in this series, leukaemic relapse was not found occurring in donor cells. The importance of defining the origin of cells in interphase as well as in metaphase was demonstrated. In all but one case, the dividing lymphoid population remained of donor origin during relapse.

i(12p): specific chromosomal marker in seminoma and malignant teratoma of the testis?

A similar small marker chromosome, frequently present in duplicate, was seen in direct preparations and short-term cultures of each of ten seminomas, one combined seminoma and teratoma, and one malignant teratoma of the testis. In the four most favorable tumors (seminomas) this chromosome was identified as an i(12p). The findings may point to a chromosomal change that is specific for malignant testicular tumors.