IL-1B(3954) polymorphism and red complex bacteria increase IL-1β (GCF) levels in periodontitis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare IL-1β levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) from healthy and periodontitis sites of IL-1B(3954)-Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) positive and IL-1B(3954)-SNP negative periodontitis subjects in association with their bacterial profiles.

Background: Susceptibility to periodontitis has been associated with several risk factors, including allelic variants at multiple gene loci. Variations in the IL-1 gene cluster have been linked with increased risk for periodontitis.

Analysis of the role of hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation in infants with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in first remission and MLL gene rearrangements: a report from the Children's Oncology Group.

Purpose: Although the majority of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are cured with current therapy, the event-free survival (EFS) of infants with ALL, particularly those with mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) gene rearrangements, is only 30% to 40%. Relapse has been the major source of treatment failure for these patients. The parallel Children's Cancer Group (CCG) 1953 and Pediatric Oncology Group (POG) 9407 studies were designed to test the hypothesis that more intensive therapy, including dose intensification of chemotherapy, and hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) would improve the outcome for this group of patients.

Salivary testing for periodontal disease diagnosis and treatment.

For more than 50 years, clinicians have relied primarily on the same visual and mechanical assessment methods to diagnose and classify periodontal disease. Clinical signs are simply a measurement of the past damage of a disease process. While clinical presentation and probing depths are indicators that the disease exists, these alone cannot determine the types and quantities of the responsible pathogens.

Type-specific prevalence and persistence of human papillomavirus in women in the United States who are referred for typing as a component of cervical cancer screening.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to report type-specific prevalence and persistence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in women who underwent cytologic screening.

Study Design: We examined HPV prevalence in 73,371 women who had type-specific HPV testing in 1 of 23 clinical laboratories in the United States. Persistence was evaluated in 963 women who were tested within 8-16 months of their index test.

Protein self-organization patterns in dried serum reveal changes in B-cell disorders.

Background: Detection of serum monoclonal proteins is a common laboratory analysis used in the evaluation of patients with B-cell disorders. Since many individuals with elevated immunoglobulin have no symptoms, it is important to have simple methods for initial screening of patients with suspected B-cell disorders.

Methods: Samples of serum from healthy donors and from patients with elevated immunoglobulin levels were tested using a technology named Droplet MicroChromatography (DMC).

Analysis of prognostic factors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in infants: report on CCG 1953 from the Children's Oncology Group.

Infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has a poor therapeutic outcome despite attempts to treat it based on prognostic factor-guided therapy. This is the first cooperative group trial characterizing all infants at the molecular level for MLL/11q23 rearrangement. All infants enrolled on Children's Cancer Group (CCG) 1953 were tested for MLL rearrangement by Southern blot and the 11q23 translocation partner was identified (4;11, 9;11, 11;19, or "other") by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

The diagnosis of Trichomonas vaginalis in liquid-based Pap tests: correlation with PCR.

The conventional Papanicolaou smear (CPS) is not considered accurate for the diagnosis of Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis), and women noted to carry the organism on CPS are recommended to undergo confirmatory testing. Liquid-based preparations have been shown to facilitate the diagnosis of squamous lesions and may also facilitate the diagnosis of T.

Low-density addressable array for the detection and typing of the human papillomavirus.

We have developed a low-density DNA array for the detection and typing of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA. The gene chemistry strategy involves using a combination of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with the consensus oligonucleotide primers MY09/MY11 followed by a ligase detection reaction (LDR). Fluorochrome-labeled HPV-specific primers are joined to a common primer modified with a unique anchoring sequence called a zip code on its 3' end.

Hyperhomocyst(e)inemia and Thrombophilia.

Objective: To review the role of an elevated total plasma homocysteine level (hyperhomocyst[e]inemia) in patients with venous or arterial thrombosis, as reflected by the medical literature and the consensus opinion of recognized experts in the field.

Data Sources: Review of the medical literature, primarily from the last 10 years.

Data Extraction And Synthesis: The literature was reviewed to identify key points defining the condition, and the clinical study design of each article was examined.

Clinical and laboratory management of the prothrombin G20210A mutation.

Objective: To make recommendations regarding the appropriate evaluation for the prothrombin G20210A mutation, as reflected by published evidence and the consensus opinion of recognized experts in the field. DAT SOURCES: Review of the medical literature, primarily since 1996.

Data Extraction And Synthesis: After an initial assessment of the literature, key points defining the condition, and review of the clinical study design, a draft manuscript was prepared and circulated to every participant in the College of American Pathologists Conference on Diagnostic Issues in Thrombophilia before the meeting.

Oestrogen receptor transcripts associated with cervical human papillomavirus infection.

Objective: Studies have been inconsistent in establishing sex steroids as a risk factor for human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. This study was designed to determine whether cervical oestrogen receptors (as measured by oestrogen receptor transcripts) at the cervix would be associated with cervical HPV infections.

Methods: In 175 women, ages 14-44, we tested for the presence of HPV DNA and oestrogen receptors transcripts at the cervix during routine pelvic examinations.

Leukemia in donor cells after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

The development of leukemia in donor cells after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant is an extremely rare event. We report here the case of a patient who developed myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloid leukemia, in cells of donor origin 3.5 years after related donor HSCT for refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia and therapy-induced myelodysplastic syndrome.

MLL amplification in myeloid malignancies: clinical, molecular, and cytogenetic findings.

Structural rearrangements involving the MLL gene at 11q23 are common recurring abnormalities in de novo and therapy-related hematologic disorders. MLL rearrangement most often results from translocation or partial tandem duplication, although recent published reports suggest a different mechanism by which MLL might participate in leukemogenesis: MLL amplification. We report two patients with myeloid disorders who showed amplification of MLL at diagnosis and who, like the majority of reported cases, had an older age at onset and on aggressive clinical course.

The molecular characterization of fatal infectious mononucleosis.

We describe a retrospective study of 4 cases of sporadic fatal infectious mononucleosis (IM), 1 case of fatal IM, and 1 case of sporadic severe IM. Patients were 26 months to 17 years old; 3 were male. Five died of complications of IM.

Simultaneous allele-specific amplification: a strategy using modified primer-template mismatches for SNP detection--application to prothrombin 20210A (factor II) and factor V Leiden (1691A) gene mutations.

Background: Inherited thrombophilia is caused by mutations in genes central to the clotting cascade. Analysis of the factor V Leiden (FVL) and prothrombin G20210A mutations are the most prevalent in thrombophilia.

Methods And Results: We have optimized an allele-specific PCR assay for the simultaneous detection of both wild-type and mutant alleles.

Miniaturization technologies for molecular diagnostics.

Background: Molecular diagnostics devices are becoming smaller. With the advancement of miniaturization technologies, microchip-based systems will soon be available for genetic testing. The purpose of this review is to highlight the underlying principles in miniaturization, the strategies being developed for bioanalysis, and the potential impact on the practice of this rapidly growing medical discipline.

Non-leukemic autologous reconstitution after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for Ph-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia: extended remission preceding eventual relapse.

Autologous reconstitution is the recovery of autologous hematopoietic function after failure of an allogeneic graft to establish sustained hematopoiesis either with or without preceding donor engraftment. We reviewed 9 years experience of the University of Minnesota and identified 10 of 291 patients who underwent allogeneic BMT for Ph-positive CML and developed non-leukemic autologous reconstitution. All patients received the same preparative regimen with cyclophosphamide and total body irradiation.

Monitoring of bone marrow transplant engraftment.

Bone marrow transplantation is used as a primary treatment for many diseases, including leukemia, lymphoma, and inborn errors of metabolism. The procedure involves ablation of the recipient's bone marrow by chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, followed by transplantation of harvested bone marrow. In autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT), the patient's own marrow is harvested and treated to remove malignant cells before it is replaced into the patient.

Methods to detect clonal gene rearrangements in lymphomas and leukemias.

The process of lymphocyte differentiation involves structural alterations of specific genes including those for the immunoglobulin (Ig) and T-cell receptor (TCR) antigen genes. This process occurs very early in the differentiation of B- and T-lymphocytes and involves an ordered program for splicing and rearranging segments of these genes, depending on cell lineage and level of differentiation. Specific DNA cutting and splicing enzymes result in the removal of a number of constant, joining, and variable segments of the Ig and TCR genes.

Human papillomavirus oncogenesis.

HPVs have evolved to accomplish the task of controlling host cell proliferation and differentiation to the end of producing more infectious virions. Coincident with the viral life cycle, however, is the risk that the viral genome will be disrupted and its DNA integrated into the host cell chromosomes. Integration of the viral genome is potentiated by host factors and extracellular effectors that alone may increase genetic instability.