Laminin-6 and laminin-5 are recognized by autoantibodies in a subset of cicatricial pemphigoid

To aid treatment choice in early stage of Hodgkin's disease, we analysed patients registered in the IDHD Database with clinical stages I or II Hodgkin's disease who were not staged with laparotomy and whose initial treatment was with radiotherapy alone. The factors analysed for outcome after first relapse included initial stage, age, sex, histology, number of involved areas, mediastinal involvement, E-lesions, B-symptoms, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, alkaline phosphatase, serum albumin and haemoglobin. As well as presentation variables, we analysed the disease-free interval after initial radiotherapy and the extent of disease at relapse. A total of 1364 patients with clinical stage I or II Hodgkin's disease were treated with initial radiotherapy, of whom 473 relapsed. The probability of survival 10 years after relapse was 63%. For cause-specific survival (CSS), both multivariate and univariate analysis identified the importance of age at presentation and histological subtypes. When all causes of death were considered, the multivariate analysis identified age as the only significant factor. The length of initial disease-free interval had no influence on prognosis after relapse, but the 169 patients with nodal relapse had a higher cause-specific survival than those with an extranodal component of relapse (74% versus 51% at 10 years, P < 0.005). Thus, the important factors for outcome after initial treatment with radiotherapy are those factors predicting the risk of relapse after initial treatment together with those predicting outcome after relapse, namely age, histologic subtype and extent of disease at relapse.     

Oxidative stress: the role of cytochromes P450 in oxygen activation

Oxidative stress is associated with a number of degenerative disease states, such as cancer and AIDS. Fundamental to oxidative stress is the generation of superoxide, peroxide and other reactive oxygen species (ROS). This review focuses on the importance of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes in the activation of oxygen and ROS generation, together with a discussion of defence mechanisms which can offer protection against oxidative stress. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry.     

A mild form of Proteus syndrome

An increased level of serum estrogen is one marker of breast cancer risk. We have recently reported that increased risk of advanced breast cancer is associated with a common allele of the cytochrome P450c17alpha gene (CYP17), designated A2. We now show that CYP17 genotype is associated with serum hormone levels among 83 young, nulliparous women. Serum estradiol (E2) levels measured around day 11 of the menstrual cycle were 11 and 57% higher (P = 0.04), respectively, among women hetero- and homozygous for the CYP17 A2 allele compared to A1/A1 women. Similarly, around cycle day 22, E2 levels were 7 and 28% higher (P = 0.06), and progesterone levels were 24 and 30% higher (P = 0.04), respectively. These data provide direct evidence of genetic control of serum hormone levels.     

Metabolites from an Antarctic sponge-associated bacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa

In an ongoing survey of the bioactive potential of microorganisms associated with marine invertebrates, the culture media of a sponge-associated bacterial strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was found to contain metabolites which inhibit the growth of several Gram-positive microorganisms. A series of diketopiperazines (1-6) including a new natural product (6) and two known phenazine alkaloid antibiotics (7 and 8) were isolated from the culture broth of this bacterium.     

Cost effectiveness and the choice of ‘best environmental options’

‘Best’ environmental options can be identified by standard techniques of economic analysis. However, the concept of ‘best’ will depend on the nature of the damage avoided by the use of different control types, the secondary cross-media effects of using environmental control, and the costs of control.

Control cost estimation does present problems but these can be largely overcome. However, damage estimates have been notoriously difficult to generate. To overcome some of the intractible problems, an alternative approach is suggested which is less powerful but more operational.     

The distribution of parenterally administered antibody to CEA in colorectal xenografts. Preliminary findings

Autoradiography was used to identify the distribution of parenterally administered anti-CEA in human colorectal tumours xenografted to nude mice. Four xenograft lines were studied: three mucinous adenocarcinomas of various degrees of differentiation and one undifferentiated tumour. 125Iodine-labelled, affinity purified goat anti-CEA was given intravenously to xenograft-bearing mice, who were killed at intervals thereafter up to 7 days. Autoradiograms were prepared by both conventional methods and the Appleton 'diffusible compound' technique which is designed to avoid possible translocation and extraction of labelled antibody tracer during tissue processing. Control experiments were done using a non-specific goat gamma-globulin. By combining autoradiography with a PAP-immunoperoxidase method of demonstrating CEA, anti-CEA was found to be preferentially retained at extracellular sites of CEA-positive material within viable tumour areas. Cell surface retention was not observed. At all times following administration more antibody was detected within necrotic areas, extracellular spaces and stromal connective tissue than within the tumour cell compartment. These preliminary results are discussed in relation to the possibility of using anti-CEA as a carrier to deliver chemotherapeutic agents into colorectal tumours. The suitability of diffusible compound and conventional autoradiography for studies of this nature are also examined.     

Mouth care in intubated patients with nothing-by-mouth diet in an in tensive care unit

The objective of this study is to value the effectiveness of a care plan of mouth care and at the same time, compare the effects of the use of two different solutions: physiologic serum and non-diluted hexetidine (Oraldine). The sample studied was formed by 40 intubated patients or patients with an absolute oral diet who were in the Intensive Care Unit of the University Clinic. 50% of the patients underwent oral hygiene with physiological serum, following the established protocol and the other 50% were treated with non-diluted hexetidine with a frequency of five times a day. The mouth status was checked at the moment of admission and then daily: lips, tongue, gums, palate, presence of residua and saliva characteristics. Also, a series of factors which could alter the buccal integrity were registered: oxygenotherapy, orotraqueal intubation, anemia, plaquetopenia, medicines, etc. Bacteriological controls of traqueal secretion were performed periodically. From the analysis of the results we can conclude that the care plan established is efficient, although it is not enough for patients with coagulation alterations (plaquetopenia). From the solutions used for oral hygiene we can say that although there have not been significant differences, the physiologic serum is the chosen product, as it maintains the mouth status better and helps to keep the oral microbiota.