ProMACE-MOPP vs MACOP-B in high grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas: a randomised study in a multicenter cooperative study group (NHLCSG).

From January '85 to April '87, 81 patients (pts) with diffuse intermediate and high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas were treated with the ProMace/MOPP protocol in a large Italian Cooperative Study Group (NHLCSG). Criteria for entry into the study included: no prior therapy, stage III-IV or stage II with bulky disease and/or B-symptoms, age below 65. 79 pts were evaluable for response.

Gamma delta T cell receptor-bearing lymphocytes during Epstein-Barr virus infection.

Lymphocytes bearing gamma delta T cell receptors (TCR) constitute a minor subpopulation of human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Their role and function during microbial infections are largely unknown. In 10 patients with Epstein-Barr virus-induced infectious mononucleosis, the gamma delta TCR-expressing T cell population expanded during the acute phase.

[Therapy of hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia. Comparison of the lipid-lowering effect of simvastatin and tiadenol].

A comparative trial was carried out on the effect on lipid metabolism of two drugs which inhibit the enzyme systems involved in cholesterol synthesis: tiadenol and simvastatin. The trial was performed in 40 patients with non familial and non secondary hypercholesterolemia. Subjects were divided into two groups of 20 patients each, one to be treated with tiadenol, the other with simvastatin.

A New Combination of Idarubicin, Etoposide and Cytarabine in Untreated Acute Non-Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Sixty-seven unselected adult patients with untreated acute non lymphotblastic leukemia (ANLL) ranging in age from 15 to 80 years received a new induction regimen consisting of Idarubicin, Etoposide and Cytarabine. Patients who entered complete remission (CR) were then allocated to 4 courses of post remission intensification. After this, patients under 50 years of age with a compatible donor were given allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) or autologous BMT (ABMT) in those without an HLA-compatible donor; the remainder, older than 50, did not receive further therapy.

Fusarium peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis: report of two cases.

This report describes two cases of peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis caused by Fusarium species which have been incriminated in a variety of disease conditions. Treatment with 5-Fluorocytosine was unsuccessful, but removal of the catheter resulted in a rapid resolution of the infections.

Total body irradiation before allogeneic and autologous bone marrow transplantation: a ten year Genoa experience.

Since 1976 in Genoa, 291 TBI treatments were performed. Before allogeneic BMT, 1000 cGy/1 fx were prescribed in the first 22 patients, and then 990 cGy/3 fx/3 d in AML and CML, and the same or 1200 cGy/6 fx/3 d in ALL. Survival (S) and probability of remaining in remission (PRR) were 54% and 69% at 80 months in 80 AML; in 62 CML 45% and 60% at 60 months; in 69 ALL, 32% and 45% at 82 months.

Clinical use of GM-CSF in autologous bone marrow transplantation.

Over the last decade, the key role of specific glycoproteins (hematopoietic growth factors) in the proliferation and maturation of hematopoietic cells (in conjunction with some of their particular functional activities) has been demonstrated through in vitro and in vivo studies. These glycoproteins have been evaluated for their potential application in reducing the duration of myelosuppression following conventional chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation. Preliminary results using granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor to restore neutrophil competence seem to be encouraging.

Phenotypic analysis of a CD2- CD3+ T cell receptor gamma delta lymphocyte subset.

We have identified, in a patient with atopic dermatitis, a consistent population of peripheral blood lymphocytes expressing a CD3+ gamma/delta TCR complex, while being unreactive with CD2. Further immunofluorescence studies showed that these cells almost completely co-express CD29 and CD45RA and have high membrane levels of CD11a compared to the alpha/beta TCR T cells. Neither a genetic influence nor an acute or reactivated herpesvirus infection were found to be related to the expanded gamma/delta T-cell subpopulation.

Source and route of microbial colonisation of parenteral nutrition catheters.

To assess the effectiveness of tunnelling the polyurethane venous catheter for parenteral nutrition in reducing the frequency of catheter microbial colonisation, and to investigate the routes taken by microorganisms colonising the central venous catheter, 109 patients were randomised to traditional subclavian catheterisation (58, group A) or to subcutaneous catheter tunnelling (51, group B). Samples were taken from patients and their nurse attendants to identify their indigenous flora. Cultures were also done of swabs from the catheter insertion site, blood, nutrient solution, segment of the catheter, and washings of the catheter hub.

[Preliminary results of an open study on the effects of DEAE-dextran on various lipid metabolism parameters in dyslipidemic subjects].

The authors report the results of a study of 1963 patients treated with daily doses of 2 g DEAE-dextran. This was an open trial intended to evaluate the evolution of several biohumoral parameters under treatment for dyslipidemias. Statistically significant results were obtained for cholesterol blood level, triglycerides and body weight, as well as a favorable trend for HDL-cholesterol.

Autologous bone marrow transplantation for advanced stage adult lymphoblastic lymphoma in first complete remission. A pilot study of the non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Co-operative Study Group (NHLCSG).

Twenty successive adult patients with lymphoblastic lymphoma entered a study of sequential chemotherapy consisting of an intensive LSA2-L2-type protocol to induce first complete remission. Twelve patients in first CR (median age 22 years, range 15-43), after receiving a conditioning regimen consisting of cyclophosphamide and total body irradiation, underwent autologous bone marrow transplantation. Of these 12 patients at diagnosis, one was in stage III and 11 in stage IV; 11 showed mediastinal and seven showed bone marrow involvement.

Evaluation of an immunoluminometric assay for the AFP determination.

We evaluated a two-site immunoluminometric assay (AFP LIA-mat byk) for the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) determination. The assay, involving two monoclonal antibodies which recognize two different epitopes of the AFP, is rapid (approximately 4 h), with a wide working range (0-600 IU/ml) and a good sensitivity of detection. It presents a good reproducibility (CV less than 10% for the total working range).

Ofloxacin: in vitro activity against recently isolated gram-negative bacterial strains.

The activity of ofloxacin was determined against 117 Enterobacteriaceae, 13 Acinetobacter var, anitratus, 124 Pseudomonas aeruginosa in comparison with other antibiotics. Its activity was very high: against Enterobacteriaceae the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)50 was 0.125 micrograms/ml, the MIC90 1 micrograms/ml, and the geometric mean (GM) was 0.

Time-related shape control modifications during erythrocyte storage with additive solutions.

To obtain more detailed information on the reversibility of shape alterations in blood bank stored erythrocytes, we have studied shape recovery after chemical crenation and rheological properties in 8 PAGGS-sorbitol preserved erythrocyte concentrates during a five week storage period under blood bank conditions. Our results show that red cell capability to regain a normal discoid shape after chemical crenation decreases during storage but is not lost over a five week period. Moreover there is a significant but weak correlation between red cell ATP content and both shape recovery capability and viscosity.

Critical evaluation of bioluminescence methods for quantifying bacterial adhesion to polystyrene.

A total of 134 strains of Escherichia coli which included 60 fecal and 74 urinary isolates, cultured in liquid and on solid media, were examined for adhesive properties using bioluminescence and haemagglutination methods. The study aimed to verify whether irrespective of the absence or presence of flagella, there is any relation between haemagglutination and bioluminescence test. Examining the results we failed to note any correlation between the two methods: strains bearing MS, MR or MS-MR adhesins adhered to polystyrene at random.

Immunologic abnormalities related to antigenaemia during HIV-1 infection.

The expression of phenotypic markers on T and B lymphocytes in long-term human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) seropositive, antigen negative patients, in seropositive, antigen positive individuals without AIDS and in seronegative intravenous drug abusers was examined by two colour flow cytometry. Seropositive, antigen positive patients showed decreased CD4+ lymphocyte numbers, causing lower CD4/CD8 ratios when compared to seropositive, antigen negative subjects. While CD4 CDw29+ (4B4) lymphocytes are selectively reduced in seropositive, antigen negative individuals, both CD4 CDw29+ and CD4 CD45R+ (2H4) lymphocytes are decreased when antigenaemia is present.

Autologous unpurged bone marrow transplantation for acute non-lymphoblastic leukaemia in first complete remission.

Twenty-five patients with acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia (ANLL) in first complete remission underwent autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) between March 1984 and March 1988. The high-dose therapy employed included cyclophosphamide followed by total body irradiation (10 Gy), administered as a single dose. The median time from complete remission to ABMT was 5 months (range 2-9 months).

t(1;7) in acute myeloblastic leukemia following myelodysplastic syndrome (RAEB-T).

A case is described of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) refractory anemia type with an excess of blasts in transformation with early leukemic evolution (AML-M1). All bone marrow cells examined showed an unbalanced translocation t(1;7). The karyotype was 45, xy, -21, -7, + der dic t(1;7) (q12;q21).

Age-related changes in human lymphocyte subsets: progressive reduction of the CD4 CD45R (suppressor inducer) population.

The purpose of this study was to investigate, by double-labeling immunofluorescence, lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of healthy children, adults, and aged individuals. The absolute number of T and B lymphocytes decreases with age. The decline in T cells was attributed to a decrease in CD4 lymphocytes.