Relapse of TEL-AML1--positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia in childhood: a matched-pair analysis.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate whether, in relapsed childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the frequent genetic feature of TEL-AML1 fusion resulting from the cryptic chromosomal translocation t(12;21)(p13;q22) is an independent risk factor.

Patients And Methods: A matched-pair analysis was performed within a homogeneous group of children with first relapse of BCR-ABL-negative B-cell precursor (BPC) ALL treated according to relapse trials ALL-Rezidiv (REZ) of the Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster Study Group. A total of 249 patients were eligible for this study: 53 (21%) were positive for TEL-AML1, and 196 (79%) were negative.

[Ligament repair with PDS (polydioxanone) in chronic insufficiency of the fibular ligament of the upper ankle joint: experimental and clinical experiences].

From September 1988 till February 1989, 14 patients with chronic ligamentous rupture of the ankle had been operated on using PDS-plasty. Of 12 patients checked in follow-up examination (mean postoperative period 45 weeks), only two showed good or very good results. Most patients had the same signs of chronic instability as preoperatively.

Alterations in function and phenotype of monocytes from patients with septic disease--predictive value and new therapeutic strategies.

Recently we described the predictive value of the proportion of HLA-DR+ peripheral blood monocytes for the clinical outcome of septic disease in immunosuppressed patients (allograft recipients) and surgical patients mostly with peritonitis as septic focus (following perforation of gastrointestinal tract). The experiments described here show that the loss of HLA-class II antigen expression and other phenotypical abnormalities of monocytes from septic patients with fatal outcome are associated with functional defects (antigen presentation, formation of reactive oxygen species, cytokine secretion). The picture of phenotypical and functional defects of monocytes was termed "immunoparalysis" (leading parameter: loss of HLA-DR antigen expression less than 20%).

[Use of gentamicin chains in infected osteosyntheses of long tubular bones].

Early and late infections are severe complications after osteosynthesis in closed fractures. Using gentamicin chains is an effective form of local treatment in these cases. The indications for the application and different surgical procedures are described and the authors experiences are given.