The relationship between myeloblast-like cells and cluster-forming cells detected by growth in agar has been studied in 22 untreated patients with acute non-lymphocytic leukemia by means of comparing data for 3H-TdR labelling of myeloblast-like cells and 3H-TdR suiciding of cluster-forming cells. The fraction of myeloblast-like cells in S-phase was significantly smaller (13.1 +/- 8.7 per cent) than the fraction of cluster-forming cells in S-phase (35.5 +/- 15.3 per cent). In 2/22 patients approximately half of the myeloblast-like cells in DNA-synthesis were calculated to produce clusters in agar which may suggest similarity for cell cycle active myeloblast-like cells and cluster-forming cells. The other patients showed decreased plating efficiency for myeloblast-like cells in S-phase indicating non-identity or modification of the growth pattern due to environmental factors and variations in death rate during culture. Sequential studies in three patients indicated a changing relationship between myeloblast-like cells and cluster-forming cells suggesting non-identity or differences in growth regulation during the course of the disease.

Acute Disease↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Lymphotoxin produced by human B- and T-cell lines appears in two distinct forms.

Production and release of lymphotoxin (LT) was studied by metabolic labeling of human B- and T-cell lines with 14C-leucine and 35S-methionine. LT was immunoprecipitated with antiserum to LT and separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) followed by fluorography. Two molecular weight forms of LT with different rates of release were found both in cell supernatants and cell extracts. Monensin, a sodium ionophore, inhibited the release of LT. LT still appeared in two molecular weight forms after deglycosylation with N-glycanase. Treatment of cells with swainsonine followed by digestion of released LT with endoglycosidase H (endo H) demonstrated that the oligosaccharides were of the complex type. Subcellular fractionation of cells on Percoll density gradients demonstrated that intracellular LT is located to intermediate density fractions. No LT was found in the high density fractions corresponding to lysosomes. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate induced production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in the B-lymphoblastoid cell line RPMI-1788. In conclusion, we have demonstrated the presence of two distinct molecular weight forms of LT, which contain N-linked oligosaccharides of the complex type.

B-Lymphocytes↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Epidemiology of absence epilepsy: EEG findings and their predictive value.

This population-based study of absence epilepsy comprised 97 children, ranging in age from newborns to 15 years. All had regular bilaterally synchronous and symmetric 2-4 Hz spike-and-slow wave discharges and absences with or without generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS). Patients without GTCS tended to have long episodes of 2-4 Hz spike-and-slow wave discharges (greater than or equal to 10 sec), and simultaneous clinical correlates more frequently than those with GTCS. Posterior delta rhythm was found only in patients without GTCS. Focal abnormalities, albeit transient, were more frequent among patients with GTCS. The initial electroencephalogram was of some early predictive value in patients with only absences at the time of the initial registration. Brief episodes of 2-4 Hz spike-and-slow wave (less than 10 sec) without clinical correlates were associated with a slightly increased risk of future GTCS.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Monoclonal antibodies distinguish between storage and secreted forms of eosinophil cationic protein.

The toxic effects of eosinophils on parasites and cells are due largely to the secretion of various granule proteins, following stimulation. In order to study this secretory process (degranulation) further, we have raised mouse monoclonal antibodies against both human eosinophil granule extracts and secretion products. From immunocytochemical studies it appears that one antibody, EG1 , recognized both the storage and secreted forms of eosinophilcationic protein (ECP), whereas antibody EG2 only bound to ECP during secretion (and extraction). This antibody also bound to eosinophil protein-X (EP-X). As both antibodies stained eosinophils in formalin-fixed tissues, they were used to demonstrate sites of eosinophil activation and secretion in chronic urticaria. The capacity of monoclonal antibodies to detect differences between storage and secreted forms of proteins is an important property of these reagents with many potential applications in cell biology.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Social adjustment in young adults with absence epilepsies.

A long-term follow-up of 58 young adults, aged 18-27 years, with persisting absence epilepsies since childhood or early adolescence, was performed to assess psychosocial outcome and the patients' own concept of their epilepsy. They were well adjusted in the areas of family status and employment, but had more unqualified jobs as compared with a reference group. They were also inclined to lead very regular lives in a way that led to social isolation. At least one of the following factors was considered by 74% of the group to have been affected by their epilepsy: schooling, occupation, routines of daily life, relations with friends, leisure time activities, and housing, this was independent of whether or not they had achieved seizure control. In treating absence epilepsies, it is important that one considers psychosocial aspects, even if a medically satisfying result with seizure control is obtained.

Activities of Daily Living↗