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Biomedical subjects

R Zaizov

Publications and source records attributed to R Zaizov.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Iron overload following bone marrow transplantation in children: MR findings.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of post-transfusional iron overload in children after bone marrow transplantation by reviewing their magnetic resonance imaging (MR) findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the abdominal MR studies of 13 children after autologous bone marrow transplantation. Nine of the children had also undergone MR prior to transplantation. Iron deposition in the liver, spleen and bone marrow was graded semi-quantitatively on both T1- and T2-weighted images. Serum ferritin levels and number of blood units given after bone marrow transplantation were recorded. RESULTS: None of the pre-transplantation MR studies revealed iron overload. After bone marrow transplantation, three children showed normal liver and spleen. Iron overload in the liver was noted in ten patients (77 %), six of whom also showed iron overload in the spleen (46 %) and five in the bone marrow (38.5 %). The degree of hepatic iron overload was correlated significantly and splenic iron overload was correlated weakly with the number of blood transfusions (P = 0.01 and P > 0.01, respectively), but neither was correlated with the serum ferritin level. CONCLUSION: Iron overload commonly accompanies bone marrow transplantation. The observed pattern of iron deposition, in which the spleen was uninvolved in 40 % of patients demonstrating iron overload, is not typical of post-transfusional hemochromatosis.

Abdomen↗

Neonatal manifestations of congenital dyserythropoietic anemia type I.

Congenital dyserythropoietic anemia type I is a rare inherited bone marrow disorder characterised by macrocytic anemia with pathognomonic morphological ultrastructural features in erythroid precursors. The disease is usually not diagnosed in the neonatal period. In a retrospective study of 31 patients we found that 17 were first seen in the neonatal age with significant anemia (birth hematocrit 0.34 +/- 0.07); 14 of the 17 infants also had early jaundice. Six infants were small for gestational age and two had syndactyly. Although rare, congenital dyserythropoietic anemia type I should be considered in the differential diagnosis of neonatal anemia.

Anemia, Dyserythropoietic, Congenital↗

Exon 5 mutations in the p53 gene in relapsed childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Thirty seven children with relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), 25 B-lineage and 12 T-lineage, were analyzed for p53 alterations at different stages of the disease. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) was detected in the relapse phase in three patients. p53 mutations were identified by single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and sequencing analyzes in seven of the 37 ALL patients (19%); three B-lineage (12%) and four T-lineage (33%). Most of the mutations were identified in the relapse phase. In two exceptional cases, one of the mutations was indicated as a germ line and the other was already present at diagnosis. No p53 mutation was identified in any of the other 20 available bone marrow samples obtained at diagnosis. No correlation between the p53 status and clinical outcome could be determined. The majority of the mutations (four out of seven, 57%) were clustered at exon 5. Our data implicate that p53 exon 5 is a frequent site of mutations in relapsed childhood ALL.

Adolescent↗

Prognostic relevance of genetic alterations in the p32 region of chromosome 1 in neuroblastoma.

Thirty-six neuroblastomas were analysed for chromosome 1p alterations and their prognostic relevance. In 72% (26/36) of the patients, 1p alterations were identified in the tumours using 24 polymorphic loci ranging 1p22-1p36.3. LOH was identified in 25 children, and in 10 additional allelic imbalance was identified. In 1 child allelic imbalance was the sole alteration. Imbalance was termed as gain in intensity of one allele with or without reduction of the second allele (< 50%). The imbalance was identified in adjacent regions to the LOH. Two distinct regions of LOH were identified: 1p36.1-p36.3 and 1p31-p32. The common imbalance regions overlapped the common LOH regions. The children with LOH and imbalance had improved survival (100%) compared to the children with LOH only (26%) after 48 months of follow-up. The imbalance had an advantageous effect that is reflected by the improved outcome in children with other unfavourable clinical features.

Alleles↗

Additional chromosome 1q aberrations and der(16)t(1;16), correlation to the phenotypic expression and clinical behavior of the Ewing family of tumors.

The cytogenetic hallmark of the Ewing family of tumors is t(11,22)(q24;q12) in its simple, complex or variant forms and/or its molecular equivalent EWS/FLI, EWS/ERG rearrangement. Additional secondary consistent chromosomal aberrations include the der(16)t(1;16) and frequently, other chromosome 1q abnormalities leading to 1q overdosage. We studied whether these secondary cytogenetic changes are correlated to clinical features and phenotypic expression which may have a prognostic impact. Successful cytogenetic evaluation was performed in eight patients with a Ewing family tumor. In four of these, in addition to the primary aberration, chromosome 1q overdosage (including two with der (16)t(1;16)) was noted. Out of these four patients, two had metastatic disease at the time of evaluation, while in the other four, disease was localized. Morphologically, the tumors with the additional 1q aberration, revealed the pPNET subtype more frequently than the typical Ewing. They also expressed a higher degree of neural differentiation by neural marker immunocytochemistry, in comparison to tumors without the 1q aberration. Determination of the prognostic significance of this finding requires a longer follow-up with a larger group of patients.

Adolescent↗

Visual pathway glioma: an erratic tumour with therapeutic dilemmas.

OBJECTIVE: Our experience in children with visual pathway glioma (VPG) was reviewed to delineate its clinical characteristics. DESIGN: The charts and imaging studies of 21 children with VPG who were followed up in our centre during the last 12 years were reviewed and summarised. RESULTS: VPG accounted for 13.1% of all brain tumours treated during this period. Sixty two per cent of the children with VPG had neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1). Among these, more than 60% were detected as part of routine work up. In some cases decreasing visual function preceded the appearance of the VPG on imaging studies. Tumour growth rate was markedly unpredictable. All treatment modalities employed led to tumour shrinkage and stabilisation for a variable period, but none was successful in totally eradicating the tumour. Complications were less severe after chemotherapy compared with radiotherapy. Three children died, none with NF-1, with a globular hypothalamic/chiasmatic tumour and accompanying electrolyte abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: NF-1 is a favourable prognostic marker for VPG. Whenever possible a period of observation is necessary before treatment is initiated, during which time tumour size and visual function should be closely followed up; an untoward change in either of these is an indication for the start of treatment, preferably chemotherapy first. The combination of a globular hypothalamic/chiasmatic glioma and electrolyte abnormalities in a child without NF-1 are related to a poor prognosis.

Antibiotics, Antineoplastic↗

alpha-thalassemia caused by a 16 bp deletion in the 3' untranslated region of the alpha 2-globin gene including the first nucleotide of the poly A signal sequence.

We have identified a 16 bp deletion in the 3' untranslated region of the alpha 2-globin gene, including the first nucleotide of the polyadenylation signal sequence. The propositus, her mother and one of her brothers, all heterozygotes for the above deletion, have mild microcytic anemia. This is the first description of a deletion in the alpha gene involving both the 3' untranslated region and the polyadenylation signal sequence, causing alpha-thalassemia.

Anemia↗

Identification of human juvenile chronic myelogenous leukemia stem cells capable of initiating the disease in primary and secondary SCID mice.

Most juvenile chronic myelogenous leukemia (JCML) cells have limited long-term proliferative capacity, and only a minority of immature cells give rise to colonies in semisolid cultures. Clonogenic JCML progenitors cannot be maintained in culture because they differentiate, and within a few weeks the leukemic clone is lost. This makes it difficult to identify the cell that initiates and maintains the disease in patients. To determine the proliferative capacity of JCML cells in vivo, bone marrow (BM), peripheral blood, or spleen cells from eight patients with JCML either at diagnosis or during treatment were transplanted into sublethally irradiated severe combined immune deficient (SCID) mice. JCML cells from all patients homed to the murine BM and proliferated extensively in response to exogenous stimulation with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Within a few weeks, highly engrafted mice became ill and cachectic due to infiltration of leukemic cells and secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Murine BM, spleen, and liver were infiltrated with leukemic blasts, and typical JCML colony-forming progenitors could be recovered. Kinetic experiments demonstrated that only a small minority of transplanted cells homed to the murine BM, and that these cells initiated and maintained the disease in vivo by extensive proliferation and differentiation. To characterize the cell-surface phenotype of the JCML initiating cell (JCML-IC), JCML blood or spleen cells were fractionated on the basis of CD34/CD38 marker expression and transplanted into SCID mice. Only immature CD34+ cells could initiate the disease, while mature CD34- cells did not engraft. Within the CD34+ compartment, there was enrichment for JCML-ICs by immature cells with a CD34+/CD38- stem-cell-like phenotype. Mice transplanted with more mature CD34+/CD38+ populations that also contained clonogenic JCML progenitors were poorly engrafted. These results indicate that the JCML-IC is an earlier stage of development than clonogenic JCML progenitors. Additional evidence that the JCML-IC has stem-cell properties comes from secondary transplant experiments that test the self-renewal capacity. The JCML-IC from all three patients tested could successfully reinitiate the disease in secondary murine recipients. Thus, we have developed a functional in vivo model that replicates many aspects of human JCML, and have used this model to identify and characterize JCML-ICs and their stem-cell properties.

Animals↗

Clinical features and studies of erythropoiesis in Israeli Bedouins with congenital dyserythropoietic anemia type I.

Congenital dyserythropoietic anemia (CDA) type I is a rare macrocytic anemia of unknown etiology. In the present study, we redefined the clinical and laboratory picture of CDA type I, some of its pathogenic aspects, and the association with thalassemia-like features in 20 patients, all of whom belong to one Bedouin tribal group and are probably descended from a common ancestor. In each case ultrastructural studies of bone marrow (BM) erythroblasts showed the classic morphological findings of CDA type I. Serological tests for CDA type II were negative. The clinical picture was variable, but mostly benign. Some patients displayed elevated hemoglobin A2 levels or high ratio of alpha- to non-alpha- globin. However, neither family studies nor complete sequence analysis of the beta-globin was compatible with beta-thalassemia. Increased erythropoiesis was manifested by a high number of BM erythroid burst-forming units. Serum erythropoietin was also elevated. BM flow cytometry studies demonstrated arrest of erythroid precursors in the S phase of the cell cycle. The ultrastructural morphological features of the erythroid precursors, showing peripheral chromatin condensation, suggest apoptosis. Additional studies are indicated to define the molecular basis of this disease.

Adolescent↗

Metastatic extraosseous Ewing tumor. Association of the additional translocation der(16)t(1;16) with the variant EWS/ERG rearrangement in a case of cytogenetically inconspicuous chromosome 22.

In Ewing sarcoma and related tumors, recently referred to as the Ewing tumors (ET), t(11;22)(q24q12) and its molecular genetic equivalent, the EWS/FLI-1 rearrangement, characterize approximately 85% of cases, while variant aberrations are rare. A second nonrandom aberration in ET is the unbalanced t(1;16) accompanying the t(11;22) in roughly 17% of cases. We present a 17-year-old man with estraosseous ET and multiple metastases, in whom the only cytogenetically detectable chromosomal aberration was der (16)t(1;16)(q12;q11.2). This finding was confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Using the RT-PCR technique, a variant EWS/ERG fusion transcript was noted, resulting from a t(21;22) chromosomal rearrangement which recently demonstrated in roughly 10% of ET. However, data on possible biologic differences in EWS/FLI-1 versus EWS/ERG expressing ET are as yet unavailable. This is the first reported combination of t(1;16) with the EWS/ERG rearrangement. A possible significance of this finding for Ewing tumor progression is discussed.

Adolescent↗

Hodgkin disease in children: reduced tailored chemotherapy for stage I-II disease.

PURPOSE: Between January 1982 and January 1994, 46 children with stage I-II Hodgkin disease were treated with a tailored regimen to maintain a high cure rate while reducing toxicity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-six previously untreated children with stage I-II Hodgkin disease received four to six courses of cyclophosphamide, oncovin, procarbazine, and prednisone (COPP) alternating with doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD), tailored according to clinical response. Staging was based on various imaging modalities and gallium scan, but surgical staging was not performed. Radiotherapy was given only to bulky mediastinal disease. RESULTS: The median age at diagnosis was 13 years (range 4-18) and only 4 of 46 children had B symptoms. The majority (31 of 46) had stage II disease; 10 had bulky mediastinal disease. Nodular sclerosis histology predominated (32 of 46). Gallium scan was positive in 66% of the patients who were evaluated. Forty-three patients (93%) achieved complete remission after planned therapy. Thirty-six patients (78%) received chemotherapy alone, and 10 (22%) received combined-modality treatment. Fifteen children (33%) completed treatment with only four courses of COPP/ABVD. Overall freedom from relapse was 87% and overall survival was 98% with a median follow-up of 5 1/2 years. Long-term treatment-related morbidity was found mainly in patients receiving radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: Comprehensive clinical staging combined with tailored COPP/ABVD therapy according to response results in excellent disease control and may reduce toxicity.

Adolescent↗

Effective treatment of painful bone crises in type I gaucher's disease with high dose prednisolone.

In type I Gaucher's disease, episodes of severe disabling bone pain, the so called bone crises, may be resistant to all analgesics, including narcotics. The demonstration of subperiosteal oedema on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) led to an attempt to use steroids to relieve the oedema and thereby the pain. On eight occasions, five patients with documented bone crises received conventional dose steroids (20 mg/m2/day) with considerable shortening of the attacks. On six occasions five further patients received high dose methylprednisolone (30 mg/kg intravenously or 1 g/m2 orally daily for two days), which was followed by oral prednisone for three to five days on the last four occasions. In this later group, pain relief was evident within several hours. Three treatments were given on an ambulatory basis. The MRI scan of one of these patients showed no subperiosteal fluid collection five days after high dose steroids had been started, and on subsequent x ray examination, there was no periosteal elevation. This treatment should be considered in cases of Gaucher's disease with bone crises.

Adolescent↗

Ala244Val is a common, probably ancient mutation causing factor VII deficiency in Moroccan and Iranian Jews.

We investigated the molecular basis for factor VII (FVII) deficiency in Israel and found that 13 patients were homozygous and 10 heterozygous for a C to T substitution at nucleotide 10648 of the FVII gene. This predicted an Ala244Val change and was associated with decreased FVII activity and antigen level. Of the 36 Ala244Val positive alleles, 20 were observed in patients of Moroccan origin, 10 in Iranian-Jewish patients and 6 in patients of other origins. A computer model of the serine protease domain of FVII suggested that the Ala244Val substitution may cause distortion of the entire protein structure. Intragenic polymorphic sites analyses disclosed a founder effect for the Moroccan and Iranian-Jewish patients. A survey of the Ala244Val mutation revealed an allele frequency of 1:42.5 in Moroccan Jews and 1:40 in Iranian Jews. As Moroccan Jews have been separated from Iranian Jews for more than two millennia, the data suggest that the Ala244Val mutation occurred in ancient times.

Alanine↗

Progressive spinocerebellar degeneration "plus" associated with Langerhans cell histiocytosis: a new paraneoplastic syndrome?

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), formerly known as histiocytosis-X, manifests by granulomatous lesions consisting of mixed histiocytic and eosinophilic cells. The hallmark of LCH invasion into the CNS is diabetes insipidus, reflecting local infiltration of Langerhans cells into the posterior pituitary or hypothalumus. In five patients who had early onset LCH with no evidence of direct invasion into the CNS, slowly progressive spinocerebellar degeneration accompanied in some by pseudobulbar palsy and intellectual decline was seen. Neurological impairment started 2.5 to seven years after the detection of LCH. No correlation was found between the clinical syndrome and location of LCH or its mode of treatment. An extensive search for metabolic, toxic, neoplastic, and hereditary aetiologies for progressive cerebellar degeneration was negative. It seems that the clinical entity described here may be considered a new paraneoplastic syndrome related to LCH. It may be induced by the eosinophil derived neurotoxin, which was shown to cause damage to Purkinje cells and pyramidal neurons.

Adult↗

Involvement of 11p15 and 3q21q26 in therapy-related myeloid leukemia (t-ML) in children. Case reports and review of the literature.

The cytogenetic findings of therapy-related myeloid leukemia (t-ML) in three children are presented. These included one male patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who underwent bone marrow transplantation and developed therapy-related myeloproliferative disease (t-MPD) in the female-donor hematopoietic cells 2.5 years after receiving radiation and epipodophyllotoxin therapy for ALL testicular relapse. Bone marrow leukemic cell karyotype revealed 46,XX,add (11)(p15) and a normal female karyotype in the peripheral blood lymphocytes. The other two children, one with ALL and one with ganglioneuroblastoma, developed fatal t-MPD and therapy-related acute myeloblastic leukemia (t-AML) preceded by myelodysplastic syndrome (t-MDS), respectively, 5 years after diagnosis, following administration of alkylating agents and irradiation. Monosomy 7 was present in both, and was combined with inv(3)(q21q26) in the second patient. Our review of the cytogenetic findings in 91 previously reported pediatric patients with t-ML suggested that the involvement of 11p15 and 3q21-->23, 3q24-q26 with or without a combination of translocation 11q23 and -7/7q-, respectively, are nonrandom aberrations of t-ML in children. Comparison of the chromosomal changes in t-ML between the pediatric and an adult series revealed some differences which may result from differences in treatment modalities and which, in addition, may indicate a possible role of genetic and/or age-dependent factors in the pathogenesis of therapy-related leukemogenesis in children.

Antineoplastic Agents↗