Prokaryote or eukaryote? A unique microorganism from the deep sea.

There are only two kinds of organisms on the Earth: prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Although eukaryotes are considered to have evolved from prokaryotes, there were no previously known intermediate forms between them. The differences in their cellular structures are so vast that the problem of how eukaryotes could have evolved from prokaryotes is one of the greatest enigmas in biology.

Prevalence and risk factors associated with decreased bone mineral density in patients with haemophilia.

Osteoporosis in adult males is an under-recognized problem. Patients with haemophilia have several predisposing factors for developing decreased bone mineral density (BMD) including prolonged periods of immobility, reduced weight bearing and co-morbidities associated with bone loss. To establish prevalence and risk factors associated with decreased BMD in patients with haemophilia.

Serum levels of TNF, IL-6 and sCD23 correlate with changes in lymphocyte count in patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia receiving interferon-alpha therapy.

The control of cell growth and differentiation in B-cell malignancies may be regulated by the autocrine production of cytokines, several of which have been implicated in the growth and survival of B-cells. The effect of interferon-alpha (IFN) therapy in these disorders may be to disrupt autocrine growth or survival loops. We have measured levels of circulating IL-1b, IL-6, TNF-a and soluble CD23 (sCD23) in 8 patients with Binet stage A B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL) receiving IFN therapy, and compared these with changes in the lymphocyte count following IFN therapy.

Growth factors can protect B-chronic lymphocytic leukaemia cells against programmed cell death without stimulating proliferation.

The proliferation and survival of B-chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL) cells may be regulated by autocrine growth factor loops. Furthermore, it has been suggested the reduction in lymphocytosis following therapy with interferon-alpha may be associated with the interruption of autocrine growth factor production. We have therefore examined the effects of a number of cytokines on the proliferation of B-CLL cells, and also on the regulation of programmed cell death, and the role of interferon-alpha in these systems.

BLT-esterase in infectious mononucleosis.

Peripheral blood lymphocytes of three patients suffering from infectious mononucleosis due to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection were analysed for BLT-esterase expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes by a well established cytochemical staining method. During the acute phase of disease with presence of clinical symptoms a very high level of up to 90% BLT-esterase-expressing lymphocytes were detected. The increased percentage of lymphocytes expressing BLT-esterase coincided with the time of greatest symptoms and the peak elevation of hepatocellular enzymes.