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Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation among patients with leukemia of all ages in Texas.

BACKGROUND: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an effective but expensive medical procedure to which some ethnic minorities, the elderly, and those without insurance have been shown to have limited access. The purpose of the current study was to determine whether socioeconomic factors were associated with HSCT usage rates in patients with leukemia. METHODS: The authors identified 6574 patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia, or other leukemias from the 1999 Texas Hospital Inpatient Discharge Public Use Data File. Of these patients, 1604 received an autologous or allogeneic HSCT. The authors assessed patients' ethnicity, payer status, age, gender, and comorbid medical conditions. Logistic regression was used to control for patient characteristics and to evaluate associations among payer status, ethnicity, and HSCT use. P < or = 0.05 indicated statistical significance. RESULTS: Patients who self-paid had the highest rate of HSCT use in all age groups (32%; P < or = 0.01) and in the adult group (36%; P = 0.11). Elderly patients with Medicare had a low rate of HSCT use (17%; P = 0.13). Logistic regression showed no statistically significant associations between payer status or ethnicity and HSCT use. However, elderly women were significantly less likely to undergo HSCT than elderly men (odds ratio, 0.34; P < or = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The lack of statistically significant differences in HSCT use among adult patients with leukemia was surprising because previous studies had shown differences in HSCT by ethnicity and insurance.

Adolescent↗

Simultaneous use of rhodamine 123, phycoerythrin, Texas red, and allophycocyanin for the isolation of human hematopoietic progenitor cells.

The supravital, mitochondrial specific dye Rhodamine 123 (R123) was used in conjunction with three monoclonal antibodies to isolate a population of human bone marrow (BM) cells enriched for hematopoietic progenitor cells. BM cells stained with phycoerythrin-HLA-DR, Texas red-CD34, allophycocyanin-CD15, and R123 were fractionated using four-color immunofluorescence cell sorting. Cells expressing CD34 but not HLA-DR and CD15 (CD34+ HLA-DR- CD15-) were subdivided according to their reactivity with R123 into quiescent, R123 dull (R+) or cycling, R123 bright (R++) subpopulations. Morphological analysis and hematopoietic progenitor cell assays indicated that CD34+ HLA-DR- CD15- R+ cells contained larger numbers of blast cells and colony forming units than CD34+ HLA-DR- CD15- R++ cells. The flow cytometer settings used to accommodate the detection of the R123 fluorescence in combination with that of three other fluorochromes are described.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Intestinal fistulae formation following pelvic exenteration: a review of the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center experience, 1957-1990.

Intestinal fistulae are an uncommon but serious complication of pelvic exenteration. To characterize factors leading to fistula formation and to define optimal management of this complication, we reviewed 533 cases of patients who underwent pelvic exenteration at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center between 1957 and 1990. Forty-two of those patients developed an intestinal fistula following total (n = 29), anterior (n = 12), or posterior (n = 1) exenteration which was not tumor related. Prior to routine pelvic floor reconstruction, the fistula rate was 16%. With the advent of omental pedicle grafts and gracilis flaps, the rate decreased to 4.5%. The fistulae described included those from the small bowel to the pelvic cavity (n = 15) or the neovagina (n = 8), and from the large bowel to the neovagina (n = 8). Complex fistulae were noted in 11 patients. Early fistulae, those that developed during initial hospitalization, occurred in 25 patients and were mainly related to infectious complications. Twenty-three patients underwent attempted surgical repair of fistulae. Eleven died during their hospitalization of sepsis, recurrent wound complications, or fistula. Late fistulae, those that developed after discharge, occurred in 17 patients and were mainly related to delayed healing. Early and late fistulae did not differ in location. Only two patients with late fistula formation died from complications of therapy. Significant long-term morbidity, however, included short bowel syndrome. Based on our review, we conclude the following: (1) Pelvic floor reconstruction, careful attention to surgical technique and aggressive treatment of infections reduces the risk of early fistula formation; (2) in cases associated with significant infection, treatment should be surgical; and (3) in stable patients, conservative management with hyperalimentation and bowel should be considered.

Female↗

alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone and habituation of prey-catching behavior in the Texas toad, Bufo speciosus.

We investigated dose-dependent effects of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) on habituation in the Texas toad, Bufo speciosus. Additionally, we determined changes in plasma and brain levels of alpha-MSH following peripheral administration of the peptide or following exposure to an ether stressor. The ability of alpha-MSH to facilitate acquisition of habituation was dose dependent. Plasma alpha-MSH concentrations were elevated within 5 min of dorsal lymph sac injection and remained elevated up to 600% over controls after 30 min. Administration of 50 microgram alpha-MSH had no effect on plasma corticosterone levels. Radiolabeled alpha-MSH was detected in cerebrospinal fluid microdialysates within minutes of peripheral injection. Concentrations of alpha-MSH in the telencephalon and preoptic area were significantly lowered after ether exposure, whereas levels in the optic tectum, thalamus/hypothalamus, brainstem, and plasma were unchanged. We conclude that alpha-MSH administered peripherally facilitates habituation in a dose-dependent fashion. Our results confirm that the effects of alpha-MSH are independent of corticosterone secretion. The peptide is cleared rapidly into the bloodstream and enters the cerebrospinal fluid after dorsal lymph sac injection. Neuronal alpha-MSH may help toads gather information about their environment when exposed to certain stressors.

Animals↗

Comparative reproduction and nonparasitic development of Boophilus microplus and hybridized Boophilus ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) under natural field conditions in subtropical south Texas.

The reproductive biology and nonparasitic development of Boophilus microplus (Canestrini) and hybridized Boophilus ticks (B. annulatus (Say) male x B. microplus female) held under natural field conditions in south Texas throughout the year were compared. Comparisons between the two types of ticks indicated that the ovipositional biology (percentage of ovipositing females and number of eggs laid) of the females favored hybrid ticks during some months and B. microplus ticks during other months. However, on a year long basis, there was virtually no difference in the percentage of ovipositing females or in the number of eggs deposited by hybrid females as compared to B. microplus. The duration of each nonparasitic development period (preoviposition period, incubation period of eggs, and larval longevity) showed that both types of ticks had very similar developmental and survival rates during the year. Generally the difference in duration of each of the nonparasitic parameters was < 8 days, leading to a high degree of synchrony of the nonparasitic developmental rates between the two types of ticks. On the other hand, egg hatchability of hybrid ticks was consistently lower than pure-strain B. microplus throughout the year with significantly lower hatch rates occurring in April, July, August, October, and November. Thus, results obtained on percentage of ovipositing females, number of eggs laid, preoviposition period, incubation period of eggs, and larval longevity provide encouragement for the possible use of sterile hybrid males as a means of eliminating a native B. microplus population. In contrast, results of the egg hatchability of the two types of ticks indicate that the selective advantage afforded to B. microplus could have an adverse affect on the success of a sterile hybrid male program by making the number of hybrid ticks necessary to eliminate a native population prohibitively high.

Animals↗

Translation in a wheat germ cell-free system of RNA from mitochondria of the normal and Texas male-sterile cytoplasms of maize (Zea mays L.).

RNA isolated from etiolated seedling shoot mitochondria of maize (Zea mays L.) with normal (N) or Texas male-sterile (T) cytoplasm stimulated the incorporation of [35S]-methionine into protein when added to a cell-free protein-synthesizing system from wheat germ. Discrete polypeptides with molecular masses of up to approximately 67 kDa were synthesized, and the pattern of bands was distinct from that obtained with total RNA. Products of translation of T-urf13 RNA were identified by immunoprecipitation, and of atpA, coxI, and coxII RNA by hybrid arrest of translation by the cloned gene. Several polypeptides were differentially synthesized from N and T mitochondrial RNA; these differences were more extensive than those found when isolated, intact, N and T mitochondria are allowed to synthesize proteins.

Cell-Free System↗

Which fluorophore is brightest? A comparison of the staining obtained using fluorescein, tetramethylrhodamine, lissamine rhodamine, Texas red, and cyanine 3.18.

There are several red-emitting fluorophores available for immunofluorescence studies, including tetramethylrhodamine, lissamine rhodamine, Texas Red, and cyanine 3.18; however, it is unclear which of these is best. The present study compared the brightness of these fluorophores to that of fluorescein. Staining was attempted using a primary antibody raised against serotonin and a secondary antibody that was conjugated with either fluorescein or one of the red fluorophores. The intensity of staining was determined densitometrically. It was found that a conjugate of cyanine 3.18 provided significantly brighter staining that conjugates of any of the other fluorophores, including fluorescein. It is concluded that cyanine 3.18 should be useful for multicolor fluorescence experiments and that it may be the brightest fluorophore available for single-color fluorescence immunocytochemistry.

Animals↗

Genetic linkage maps of two apricot cultivars ( Prunus armeniaca L.) compared with the almond Texas x peach Earlygold reference map for Prunus.

Several genetic linkage maps have been published in recent years on different Prunus species suggesting a high level of resemblance among the genomes of these species. One of these maps (Joobeur et al., Theor Appl Genet 97:1034-1041 [(1998); Aranzana et al., Theor Appl Genet 106:819-825 (2002b)] constructed from interspecific almond Texas x peach Earlygold F(2) progeny (TxE) was considered to be saturated. We selected 142 F(1) apricot hybrids obtained from a cross between P. armeniaca cvs. Polonais and Stark Early Orange for mapping. Eighty-eight RFLP probes and 20 peach SSR primer pairs used for the 'reference map' were selected to cover the eight linkage groups. One P. davidiana and an additional 14 apricot simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were mapped for the F(1) progeny. Eighty-three amplified fragment length polymorphisms were added in order to increase the density of the maps. Separate maps were made for each parent according to the 'double pseudo-testcross' model of analysis. A total of 141 markers were placed on the map of Stark Early Orange, defining a total length of 699 cM, and 110 markers were placed on the map of Polonais, defining a total length of 538 cM. Twenty-one SSRs and 18 restriction placed in the TxE map were heterozygous in both parents (anchor loci), thereby enabling the alignment of the eight homologous linkage groups of each map. Except for 15 markers, most markers present in each linkage group in apricot were aligned with those in TxE map, indicating a high degree of colinearity between the apricot genome and the peach and almond genomes. These results suggest a strong homology of the genomes between these species and probably between Prunophora and Amygdalus sub-genera.

Chromosome Mapping↗

ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITING: An Aquifer Vulnerability Assessment of the Paluxy Aquifer, Central Texas, USA, Using GIS and a Modified DRASTIC Approach.

/ The Paluxy aquifer in north-central Texas is composed primarily of Lower Cretaceous clastics. This aquifer provides water for both domestic and agricultural purposes in the region. The study area for this investigation incorporates the outcrop and recharge areas, as well as the confined and unconfined portions of the aquifer. The purpose of this investigation is to perform a groundwater vulnerability assessment on the Paluxy aquifer using the GRASS 4.1 geographic information system combined with a modified DRASTIC approach. DRASTIC is an acronym for the variables that control the groundwater pollution potential (Depth to water, net Recharge, Aquifer media, Soil media,Topography, Impact of the vadose zone, andConductivity of the aquifer). Using such an approach allows one to investigate the potential for groundwater contamination on a regional, rather than site-specific, scale. Based upon data from variables such as soil permeability, depth to water, aquifer hydraulic conductivity, and topography, subjective numerical weightings have been assigned according to the variable's relative importance in regional groundwater quality. The weights for each variable comprise a GIS map layer. These map layers are combined to formulate the final groundwater pollution potential map. Using this method of investigation, the pollution potential map for the study area classifies 47% of the area as having low pollution potential, 26% as having moderate pollution potential, 22% as having high pollution potential, and 5% as having very high pollution potential.

Journal Article↗

SoftCopy Display Quality Assurance Program at Texas Children's Hospital.

With growing dependence on picture archiving and communication systems for viewing images, a quality assurance program to monitor the condition of workstation displays has become increasingly important. At present there is no universally accepted program for PACS, but there are groups such as DICOM Working Group 11 of the ACR-NEMA and AAPM Task Group 18 that are working on image quality guidelines for interpretation from soft-copy displays. Texas Children's Hospital (TCH) is developing our own quality assurance program. Data is being collected to determine the appropriate frequency of calibration, the useful life of the displays, appropriate manufacturers, and model-dependent limits on maximum and minimum luminance (black level), symptoms of degradation, and monitor cleanliness. Our system includes a variety of monitors manufactured by Sun, AFP, Siemens, Image Systems, Barco, and Orwin. We are presently collecting data on individual monitor luminance functions but have not yet initiated service calls based on deviation from the DICOM Part 14 Grayscale Display Function (GSDF). The GSDF was intended to produce a grayscale in which driving levels produce changes in luminance that are perceptually equivalent throughout the entire luminance range for a specific test target. Our data is based on measurements of luminance from a digital Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) test pattern, which is a standard used by many other institutions. TCH's biomedical engineer measures luminance data each month from the display of the SMPTE pattern and record the results in a spreadsheet. The engineer also makes subjective evaluations of sharpness, geometric distortion, and artifacts. When a monitor's luminance falls outside of arbitrary 10% limits of maximum or minimum luminance, then a service call is placed to the vendor. The luminance check by the biomedical engineer is used to verify both routine and unscheduled calibrations. In addition to the monthly monitor checks, the vendor calibrates the monitor every three months. The vendor checks the following: width and height of display, focus and position of image, SMPTE test pattern, and a graph of the GSDF Index produced by an automatic calibration software by the video driver card. Monitors are also cleaned occasionally for dust, fingerprints, ink, and pencil marks, which accumulate with routine use. This paper reports data collected to date on luminance drift, as well as conclusions on appropriate frequency of test and calibration, and our experience with monitor useful life.

Computer Terminals↗

New technologies in the treatment of severe cardiac failure: the Texas Heart Institute experience.

Various mechanical alternatives for the treatment of severe cardiac failure are currently in clinical use, and new mechanical devices are under preclinical and clinical investigation in laboratories around the world. These devices include the intraaortic balloon pump, left heart bypass pumps, left ventricular assist devices, and total artificial hearts. I describe briefly the devices and their applications with which my colleagues and I at the Texas Heart Institute have had experience.

Cardiac Output, Low↗

Non-linear curve-fitting programs for Phadezyme IgE PRIST using a Hewlett-Packard HP-97 and a Texas Instruments TI-59 with a PC-100A printer.

A non-linear curve-fitting program using a modified Hoerl's function on the Hewlett-Packard HP-97 and Texas Instruments TI-59 programmable calculators for the determination of Phadezaym IgE PRIST (IgE) results is described. Excellent correlation between the reference serum concentration and the curve fit concentration results were obtained. The equation used in the curve fit is ln y = A + B ln x + CxD, where A, B, C and an accuracy of fit term R are calculated by the program. The value of D must be specified by the user before the curve fit is performed.

Computers↗

Formaldehyde complaint investigations in mobile homes by the Texas Department of Health.

The Texas Department of Health sampled for formaldehyde (HCHO) in 443 mobile homes between April, 1979, and May, 1982, at the request of the occupants. Colorimetric detector tubes were used most frequently for sample acquisition. HCHO concentrations ranged from below detectable limits (less than 0.5 ppm) to 8.0 ppm. Twenty-seven percent of homes one year of age or less had mean concentrations equal to or greater than 2.0 ppm while 11.5% of older homes had concentrations of 2.0 ppm or more. An inverse relationship is demonstrated between home age and HCHO level. The primary health complaints reported were headaches, respiratory discomfort, and ocular irritation. Evidence of a dose-response relationship was not present.

Air Pollutants↗

Membrane modulation in a methylotrophic bacterium Methylococcus capsulatus (Texas) as a function of growth substrate.

Methylococcus capsulatus (Texas), when grown on methane, undergoes with age a progressive degeneration of internal membrane structure with a simultaneous accumulation of intracellular inclusions. When M. capsulatus is grown on methanol, virtually no internal membranes are present but, instead, cells contain many intracellular droplets morphologically similar to inclusions in old methane-grown cells. Membranes are regenerated by the cells when a methanol-grown culture is transferred back to methane. The oxidative ability of methane- and methanol-grown cells was compared.

Intracellular Membranes↗

Some effects and properties of Duvernoy's gland secretion from Hypsiglena torquata texana (Texas night snake).

The Texas night snake (Hypsiglena torquata texana), a small opisthoglyphic colubrid snake, produces a Duvernoy's secretion which has a relatively low lethal toxicity for mice, but produces pain, hemorrhage, and oedema at the site of injection. The subcutaneous LD50 of Hypsiglena torquata texana Duvernoy's secretion in Swiss-Webster mice was 26 mg/kg. Local hemorrhaging occurred at doses as low as 2.0 micrograms/mouse, while marked hemorrhage and oedema resulted at doses greater than 200 micrograms/mouse. The dry secretion contained 77% protein, and SDS-PAGE electrophoresis revealed the presence of seven major proteinaceous components.

Animals↗

Exposure to insecticides of brushland wildlife within the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas, USA.

Brushland wildlife within the Lower Rio Grande Valley of south Texas were studied following applications of eleven insecticides to nearby sugarcane or cotton fields. During the study no wildlife were found dead. Mean brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity of great-tailed grackles (Quiscalus mexicanus) and mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) was significantly lower than controls following application of some organophosphorous insecticides. Brain AChE activity varied significantly among chemicals, days after exposure and application rates. Mean brain AChE activity of white-winged doves (Zenaida asiatica) and three small mammal species was not significantly different than their respective controls following application of insecticides. Mean brain AChE activity of grackles was inhibited significantly more than white-winged doves after application of Bolstar, EPN-methyl parathion, and Azodrin and significantly more than that of mourning doves after applications of Bolstar and EPN-methyl parathion. Our data indicate that there were no adverse effects on most brushland wildlife. Exposure was probably dependent upon use of the agricultural fields as feeding or resting sites and only grackles and mourning doves were regularly present in the fields.

Journal Article↗

Morphological, biochemical, and histopathological indices and contaminant burdens of cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) at three hazardous waste sites near Houston, Texas, USA.

Male cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) were studied at three industrial waste sites near Houston, Texas, to determine whether various morphological, biochemical, and histopathological indices provided evidence of contaminant exposure and toxic insult. Only modest changes were detected in cotton rats residing at waste sites compared with reference sites. No single parameter was consistently altered, except hepatic cytochrome P-450 concentration which was lower ( [Formula: see text] ) at two waste sites, and tended to be lower ( [Formula: see text] ) at a third waste site. Elevated petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations were detected in rats at one waste site, but contaminant burdens of rats from the other sites were unremarkable. Unlike rats captured in summer, those trapped in winter exhibited hepatocellular hypertrophy and up to a 65% increase in liver: body weight ratio, cytochrome P-450 concentration, and activities of aniline hydroxylase, aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase, and glutathione S-transferase. Although genotoxicity has been previously documented in cotton rats residing at two of the waste sites, biomarkers in the present study provided little evidence of exposure and damage.

Journal Article↗

Reproductive success of barn swallows nesting near a selenium-contaminated lake in east Texas, USA.

Reproductive success and contaminant levels in 1986 and 1987 were compared between Barn Swallows nesting at selenium-contaminated Martin Lake, Texas, USA, and swallows nesting at a reference site. Nests were initiated about the same time or earlier at Martin Lake than at the reference site and clutch size was similar between the two locations. Nest success was significantly higher at Martin Lake than at the reference site and no embryo or chick deformities were documented. Selenium concentrations in 14 of 20 eggs from Martin Lake were above background (> 3 ppm, dry weight); two of 20 eggs contained > 5 ppm, a concentration associated with a 20% embryo mortality/deformity rate in some bird species. Selenium concentrations in the kidneys of adult swallows were higher at Martin Lake (mean = 14 ppm dry weight) than at the reference site (5.8 ppm). DDE, the only detected organochlorine compound, was in two of 10 eggs from Martin Lake; these concentrations were below those associated with chronic poisoning and reproductive problems. The maximum mercury concentration in livers of adult Barn Swallows (0.83 ppm, dry weight) was within the range for background levels (< 5 ppm).

Journal Article↗