The frequency and prognostic impact of dic(9;20)(p13.2;q11.2) in childhood B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia: results from the NOPHO ALL-2000 trial.

The dic(9;20)(p13.2;q11.2) is reported to be present in ∼2% of childhood B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP ALL). However, it easily escapes detection by G-banding analysis and its true prevalence is hence unknown. We performed interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization analyses-in a three-step manner-using probes for: (i) CDKN2A at 9p21, (ii) 20p and 20q subtelomeres and (iii) cen9 and cen20. Out of 1033 BCP ALLs diagnosed from 2001 to 2006, 533 were analyzed; 16% (84/533) displayed 9p21 deletions, of which 30% (25/84) had dic(9;20). Thus, dic(9;20)-positivity was found in 4.7% (25/533), making it the third most common genetic subgroup after high hyperdiploidy and t(12;21)(p13;q22). The dic(9;20) was associated with a female predominance and an age peak at 3 years; 18/25 (72%) were allocated to non-standard risk treatment at diagnosis. Including cases detected by G-banding alone, 29 dic(9;20)-positive cases were treated according to the NOPHO ALL 2000 protocol. Relapses occurred in 24% (7/29) resulting in a 5-year event-free survival of 0.69, which was significantly worse than for t(12;21) (0.87; P=0.002) and high hyperdiploidy (0.82; P=0.04). We conclude that dic(9;20) is twice as common as previously surmised, with many cases going undetected by G-banding analysis, and that dic(9;20) should be considered a non-standard risk abnormality.

Th2 activities induced during virgin T cell priming in the absence of IL-4, IL-13, and B cells.

Virgin T cells being primed to Th2-inducing or Th1-inducing Ags, respectively, start to synthesize IL-4 or IFN-gamma as they begin to proliferate. Parallel respective induction of B cells to produce gamma1 or gamma2a switch transcripts provides additional evidence of early divergent Th activity. This report concerns the roles of IL-4, IL-13, and B cells in these early events in vivo. Th2 responses were induced in lymph nodes against hapten-protein given s.c. with killed Bordetella pertussis adjuvant. In T cell proliferation in wild-type mice, IL-4 message up-regulation and gamma1 and epsilon switch transcript production were underway 48-72 h after immunization. The absence of IL-4, IL-13, or B cells did not alter the early T cell proliferative response. The gamma1 and epsilon switch transcript production was still induced in the absence of IL-4, IL-13, or both, but at a reduced level, while the dominance of switching to IgG1 in the extrafollicular hapten-specific plasma cell response was retained. The up-regulation of IL-4 message was not reduced or delayed in the absence of B cells and was only marginally reduced by the absence of IL-13. It is concluded that signals delivered by dendritic cells, which are not dependent on the presence of IL-4, IL-13, or B cells, can prime virgin T cells and induce the early Th2 activities studied. These early events that direct virgin T cells toward Th2 differentiation contrast with the critical later role of Th2 cytokines in selectively expanding Th2 clones and driving further IL-4 synthesis.

La Chine, ou Costumes, moeurs et usages des Chinois, par J.-B.-B. Eyriès

Mécénat texte imprimé : Cet ouvrage a été numérisé grâce à Catherine Berton à loccasion de lanniversaire de sa mère Lucienne

Teores de nutrientes do mamoeiro 'Improved Sunrise Solo 72/12' sob diferentes lâminas de irrigação, no Norte Fluminense

Entre os fatores que limitam a produtividade do mamoeiro, destacam-se a disponibilidade de água e nutrientes minerais. Assim, o ajuste de uma lâmina de irrigação adequada para a cultura exige também o monitoramento do estado nutricional das plantas. O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar a resposta das diferentes lâminas de irrigação (0; 40; 80; 120; 160; 200 e 240% da ETo) sobre os teores de nutrientes nas folhas do mamoeiro 'Improved Sunrise Solo 72/12'. As avaliações dos teores de nutrientes no mamoeiro foram realizadas em junho de 1999, retirando-se amostras de duas plantas de cada tratamento, das quais foram analisados, separadamente, o limbo e o pecíolo foliar. Os resultados indicam que os teores de N, P, K, Ca, Mg, B, Na, Fe e Cu, no limbo, e os teores de N, P, Ca, Mg, S, B, Na e Fe, no pecíolo, variaram significativamente com a lâmina de água aplicada. A concentração desses nutrientes em função das lâminas de irrigação foi explicada, na maioria dos casos, por regressões lineares, decrescentes para N, K e Fe, e crescente para os demais nutrientes. A variação significativa dos teores de nutrientes, em função da irrigação, mostra a necessidade de estudos que permitam o ajuste da adubação à lâmina de irrigação empregada.

Results of CHOP chemotherapy for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma treated in a University Hospital were studied from 1990 to 2001. Two treatment regimens were used: ProMACE-CytaBOM and then, from November 1996 on, the CHOP regimen. Complete remission (CR), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) rates were determined. Primary refractory patients and relapsed patients were also assessed. A total of 111 patients under 60 years of age were assessed and ranked according to the international prognostic index adjusted to age. Twenty (18%) of them were classified as low risk, 40 (36%) as intermediate risk, 33 (29.7%) as high intermediate risk, and 18 (16.3%) as high risk. Over a five-year period, OS and DFS rates were 71 and 59%, respectively, for all patients. For the same time period, OS and DFS rates were 72.8 and 61.3%, respectively, for 77 patients treated with CHOP chemotherapy and 71.3 and 60% for patients treated with the ProMACE-CytaBOM protocol. There was no significant difference in OS or DFS between the two groups. Eleven of 50 refractory and relapsed patients were consolidated with high doses of chemotherapy. Three received allogenic and 8 autologous bone marrow transplantation. For the latter, CR was 62.5% and mean OS was 41.1 months. The clinical behavior, CR, DFS, and OS of the present patients were similar to those reported in the literature. We conclude that both the CHOP and ProMACE-CytaBOM protocols can be used to treat diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients, although the CHOP protocol is preferable because of its lower cost and lower toxicity.

Surfactant protein B gene polymorphism in preterm babies with respiratory distress syndrome

The etiology of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is multifactorial and multigenic. Studies have suggested that polymorphisms and mutations in the surfactant protein B (SP-B) gene are associated with the pathogenesis of RDS. The objectives of this study were to determine and compare the frequencies of SP-B gene polymorphisms in preterm babies with and without RDS. We studied 151 neonates: 79 preterm babies without RDS and 72 preterm newborns with RDS. The following four SP-B gene polymorphisms were analyzed: A/C at -18, C/T at 1580, A/G at 9306, and G/C at nucleotide 8714. The polymorphisms were detected by PCR amplification of genomic DNA and genotyping. The genotypes were determined using PCR-based converted restriction fragment length polymorphisms. The control group consisted of 42 (53%) girls and 37 (47%) boys. Weight ranged from 1170 to 3260 g and mean gestational age (GA) was 33.9 weeks (range: 29 to 35 weeks and 6 days). The RDS group consisted of 31 (43%) girls and 41 (57%) boys. Weight ranged from 614 to 2410 g and mean GA was 32 weeks (range: 26 to 35 weeks). The logistic regression model showed that GA was the variable that most contributed to the occurrence of RDS. The AG genotype of the A/G polymorphism at position 9306 of the SP-B gene was a protective factor in this population (OR = 0.1681; 95%CI = 0.0426-0.6629). We did not detect differences in the frequencies of the other polymorphisms between the two groups of newborns.

Occult hepatitis B virus infection in liver transplant patients in a Brazilian referral center

Estimates of occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection prevalence varies among different studies depending on the prevalence of HBV infection in the study population and on the sensitivity of the assay used to detect HBV DNA. We investigated the prevalence of occult HBV infection in cirrhotic patients undergoing liver transplantation in a Brazilian referral center. Frozen liver samples from 68 adults were analyzed using a nested polymerase chain reaction assay for HBV DNA. The specificity of the amplified HBV sequences was confirmed by direct sequencing of the amplicons. The patient population comprised 49 (72.1%) males and 19 (27.9%) females with a median age of 53 years (range=18-67 years). Occult HBV infection was diagnosed in three (4.4%) patients. The etiologies of the underlying chronic liver disease in these cases were alcohol abuse, HBV infection, and cryptogenic cirrhosis. Two of the patients with cryptic HBV infection also presented hepatocellular carcinoma. Markers of previous HBV infection were available in two patients with occult HBV infection and were negative in both. In conclusion, using a sensitive nested polymerase chain reaction assay to detect HBV DNA in frozen liver tissue, we found a low prevalence of occult HBV infection in cirrhotic patients undergoing liver transplant, probably due to the low prevalence of HBV infection in our population.

Preparação das subamostras, temperatura e período de secagem na determinação do grau de umidade de sementes de camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia (H.B.K.) McVaugh)

O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a preparação das subamostras (sementes inteiras e cortadas), temperaturas (80 e 105ºC) e períodos de secagem (12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72 e 96 horas) na determinação do grau de umidade de sementes de camu-camu. Paralelamente, foi avaliado o número de sementes por quilograma, visando a utilização da tabela de tolerâncias máximas permitidas para as diferenças entre duas subamostras, e analisada a variação dos resultados de grau de umidade entre subamostras de lotes de sementes. Desse modo, foi verificado que o número de sementes por quilograma é inferior a 5000 unidades e que 33% dos lotes ultrapassaram as tolerâncias de grau de umidade admitidas pelas Regras de Análise de Sementes brasileiras. Por outro lado, não foi possível estabelecer o método mais apropriado à determinação do grau de umidade das sementes dessa espécie, mas foram considerados como inadequados a combinação sementes cortadas/temperatura de 105ºC, em qualquer período de exposição, e as combinações de sementes inteiras e de sementes cortadas na temperatura de 80ºC/12 horas de exposição.

Genotipificación de HLA-B en pacientes colombianos afectados por el síndrome Stevens-Johnson y la Necrólisis Epidérmica Tóxica

Las reacciones alérgicas a medicamentos cutáneas severas (RAM) como el Síndrome Stevens Johnson (SJS) y la Necrólisis Epidérmica Tóxica (NET),caracterizadas por exantema, erosión de la piel y las membranas mucosas, flictenas, desprendimiento de la piel secundario a la muerte de queratinocitos y compromiso ocular. Son infrecuentes en la población pero con elevada morbi-mortalidad, se presentan luego de la administración de diferentes fármacos. En Asia se ha asociado el alelo HLA-B*15:02 como marcador genético para SJS. En Colombia no hay datos de la incidencia de estas RAM, ni de la relación con medicamentos específicos o potenciales y tampoco estudios de aproximación genómica de genes de susceptibilidad.

Incidencia de fibrilación auricular en las primeras 72 horas del post operatorio de revascularización miocárdica

Determinar la incidencia de fibrilación auricular en las primeras 72 horas del post operatorio en pacientes llevados a revascularización miocárdica utilizando dos técnicas de anestésia una convencional (AC) con anestésicos inhalados y opioides y otra con dexmedetomidina (AD.). cohorte retrospectivo, en donde se seleccionarán dos grupos de estudio, un grupo de expuestos, pacientes llevados a revascularización miocárdica con utilización técnica anestésica convencional y un grupo de no expuestos pacientes llevados a revascularización miocárdica con uso de dexmedetomidina como técnica de anestesia; A estos grupos se les hizo seguimiento por 72 horas para determinar la presencia de fibrilación auricular y la terapéutica instaurada.

Análisis crítico del test de habilidad mental : forma B.

Corregir las deficiencias que los diferentes ítems de la prueba test de habilidades, forma B, puedan presentar y adaptarlo y/o baremarlo para una muestra española masculina. Para la verificación de la forma original del test escoge una muestra aleatoria de 300 sujetos varones del curso 1971-72. Para la aplicación de la prueba piloto corregida se usan 100 sujetos del curso acdémico 1974-75 de quinto, sexto y séptimo de EGB. Para la aplicación y la forma definitiva realizada, utiliza una muestra de 300 sujetos de quinto, sexto y séptimo de EGB, de 1977-78. Expone los conocimientos necesarios sobre la inteligencia y su medida y presenta el test original, forma B. Realiza un estudio experimental en varias muestras del test original: fiabilidad, baremación, etc. Realiza un juicio crítico estadístico de la dificultad de los ítems originales y de la discriminación y redacta ítems nuevos. Estudia estos ítems con 100 sujetos y crea una forma definitiva del mismo. Experimenta y barema el nuevo test. Test de habilidad mental, forma B, utilizado por el Instituto Pedagógico Saint-Georges de la Universidad de Canadá y adaptado a España por alumnos del Seminario de Pedagogía San Pío X de Salamanca. Consta de 75 ítems aplicables desde cuarto de EGB hasta COU, ya sea individual o colectivamente. Pruebas de significación estadística de medias, índices de fiabilidad, validez, análisis de ítems y baremaciones. La significación y fiabilidad del test es significativa al 5 por ciento. El test revisado consta de mayor fiabilidad que el original. Respecto al control de tiempo, hay continuidad entre los resultados de los 20 primeros minutos y los obtenidos sin control de tiempo. Respecto a la baremación, las medias de la prueba revisada son superiores a las del original, siendo la desviación típica inferior. Respecto a la validez externa, los índices de validez de capacidad intelectual verbal son aceptables al igual que los de capacidad numérica, si bien estos son algo inferiores. El test revisado de habilidad mental forma B en la población española masculina posee mayor fiabilidad y validez externa que la forma anterior.

Jornadas de estudio sobre la terminología lingüística en el B.U.P. (1. 1979. Cullera).

Se exponen los contenidos de las ponencias y comunicaciones que intervienen en las I Jornadas de Estudio sobre la terminología lingüística en el BUP, celebradas en Valencia en 1979, donde se reflexiona sobre la importancia de la cuestión terminológica para la enseñanza del castellano.

Un proyecto de ciencia integrada para Bachillerato : proyecto C.I.B.

Se analiza el Proyecto de Ciencia integrada para Bachillerato o proyecto C.I.B. Se trata de un intento de renovación didáctica en el área de Ciencias realizado por el departamento de Ciencias Naturales del IEPS. La conclusión principal a que se llegó fue que el Proyecto debería incluir las pautas necesarias para realizar programaciones integradas del currículum para alumnos de Bachillerato, que abarcaran las materias Física, Química, Biología y Geología. En los grupos de trabajo se analizaron datos de la realidad como cuestión previa: hacia dónde va la investigación educativa en relación a la renovación de los currículos a nivel internacional; y las posibilidades de renovación que ofrece y admite nuestra realidad nacional. Por otro lado se señalan los principios básicos del proyecto CIB, que son: principio de activación, principio de realismo, principio de flexibilidad y principio de creatividad. A continuación se pormenorizan los objetivos generales del proyecto CIB, y los materiales necesarios para llevarlo a cabo. Para concluir se estudia el papel de la física y la química en el proyecto CIB, y el material para el estudio integrado de la física y la química.