Ex vivo expansion with stem cell factor and interleukin-11 augments both short-term recovery posttransplant and the ability to serially transplant marrow

The characterization of many cytokines involved in the control of hematopoiesis has led to intense investigation into their potential use in ex vivo culture to expand progenitor numbers. We have established the optimum ex vivo culture conditions that allow substantial amplification of transient engrafting murine stem cells and which, simultaneously, augment the ability to sustain serial bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Short-term incubation of unfractionated BM cells in liquid culture with stem cell factor (SCF) and interleukin-11 (IL-11) produced a 50-fold amplification of clonogenic multipotential progenitors (CFU-A). Following such ex vivo expansion, substantially fewer cells were required to rescue lethally irradiated mice. When transplanted in cell doses above threshold for engraftment, BM cells expanded ex vivo resulted in significantly more rapid hematopoietic recovery. In a serial transplantation model, unmanipulated BM was only able to consistently sustain secondary BMT recipients, but BM expanded ex vivo has sustained quaternary BMT recipients that remain alive and well more than 140 days after 4th degree BMT. These results show augmentation of both short-term recovery posttransplant and the ability to serially transplant marrow by preincubation in culture with SCF and IL-11.     

Biliary obstruction due to duodenojejunal intussusception in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome

We reported an operative case of bilateral coronary artery fistulae to pulmonary artery associated with a giant saccular aneurysm, the largest of which measured 30 x 30 mm. The patient was a 75 year old female who had anginal pain due to coronary steal phenomenon. A continuous murmur was detected. After establishing total cardiopulmonary bypass, two distal orifices of the fistula connected to the main pulmonary artery were closed with 5-0 polypropylene plegeted sutures. Aneurysmorrhaphy was then performed for giant saccular aneurysm. Postoperative course was uneventful.     

Digit Symbol and Symbol Digit Modalities Tests: Are they directly interchangeable?

45 persons (aged 19–74 yrs) referred for neuropsychological evaluation were administered both the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) and the Digit Symbol (DS) subtest of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS). SDMT and DS scores correlated very highly (r?=?.91). Relative to the tests' normative populations, however, the SDMT yielded scores for individual Ss that were the equivalent of 4–5 WAIS age-scaled points lower than obtained DS age-scaled scores. Results indicate that SDMT and DS scores cannot be presumed to be directly interchangeable in clinical use and suggest a general need for caution when interpreting interest patterns across measures normed on different populations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Thermal stability of indium-tin-oxide/n-GaAs Schottky diodes

The thermal degradation of ITO Schottky contacts on GaAs has been studied. The rectifying contacts show rapid degradation with heating and could have serious implications for optoelectronic devices that operate at elevated temperatures.<>