Recurrent deletion of 9q34 in adult normal karyotype precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The prognosis of adult normal karyotype (NK) precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) has not improved over the last decade, mainly because separation into distinct molecular subsets has been lacking and no targeted treatments are available. We screened the genome of blasts from 10 adult NK B-ALL patients for novel genomic alterations by array comparative genomic hybridization and verified our results with fluorescent in situ hybridization and gene expression profile with the same probes. The results demonstrate cryptic deletions of 9q34 involving SET, PKN3, NUP188, ABL1, and NUP214 in three of the samples.

Measuring soluble ion concentrations (Na(+), K(+), Cl(-)) in salt-treated plants.

The control of Na(+) and Cl(-) uptake from soils, and the partitioning of these ions within plants, is an essential component of salinity tolerance. Genetic variation in the ability of roots to exclude Na(+) and Cl(-) from the transpiration stream flowing to the shoot has been associated with salinity tolerance in many species. The maintenance of a high uptake of K(+) is also essential, so measurements of Na(+), K(+) or Cl(-) are frequently used to screen for genetic variation in salinity tolerance.

NADPH oxidase limits innate immune responses in the lungs in mice.

Background: Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), an inherited disorder of the NADPH oxidase in which phagocytes are defective in generating superoxide anion and downstream reactive oxidant intermediates (ROIs), is characterized by recurrent bacterial and fungal infections and by excessive inflammation (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease).

Profiles of 800,000 users of the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service since the debut of online assistance, 2003-2008.

Introduction: In 2002, the Cancer Information Service (CIS) of the National Cancer Institute added to its toll-free telephone number 2 choices of media for access to cancer information specialists: e-mail and a proprietary online instant messaging service called LiveHelp. We sought to determine how new media users differ from telephone callers and the US population in general.

Methods: During the 6 years since the new media were added, we collected data from more than 800,000 people who contacted CIS.

External quality assessment of the molecular diagnostics and genotyping of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Two multicentre external quality assessments (EQA) for the molecular detection and genotyping of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were arranged. Firstly, 11 samples containing various amounts of inactivated MRSA strains, meticillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA), meticillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (MRCoNS) or Escherichia coli were distributed to 82 laboratories.

Networks offer new opportunities for diabetes research.

The incidence of diabetes continues to rise and demands on healthcare resources continue to grow. High quality research offers a way forward for developing new treatments and care options for people with this condition. The Diabetes Research Network represents a new approach to supporting collaborative research and has been at the vanguard of encouraging patients to get involved through its advocacy workstream.

Characterization of regulatory T cells in urban newborns.

Background: In the United States, asthma prevalence is particularly high among urban children. Although the underlying immune mechanism contributing to asthma has not been identified, having impaired T regulatory (Treg) cells at birth may be a determining factor in urban children. The objective of this study was to compare Treg phenotype and function in cord blood (CB) of newborns to those in peripheral blood (PB) of a subset of participating mothers.

Improving recruitment to health research in primary care.

Background: Recruitment to health research is known to be problematic. However, evidence concerning ways of improving recruitment is sparse.

Objective: To outline the process of recruitment, factors impacting on recruitment success and key areas for further research and development.

Efficacy of levo-1-methyl tryptophan and dextro-1-methyl tryptophan in reversing indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase-mediated arrest of T-cell proliferation in human epithelial ovarian cancer.

It has been reported that levo-1-methyl tryptophan (L-1MT) can block indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) expressed by human dendritic cells (DC), whereas dextro-1-methyl tryptophan (D-1MT) is inefficient. However, whether L-1MT or D-1MT can efficiently reverse IDO-induced arrest of human T-cell proliferation has not been clarified. Here, we show a marked immunosuppressive effect of IDO derived from INDO-transfected 293 cell, IDO+ ovarian cancer cells, and monocyte-derived DCs on CD4+ Th1 cells, CD8+ T cells, and natural killer cells derived from peripheral blood, ascites, and tumors of ovarian cancer patients.

Methodological challenges in online trials.

Health care and health care services are increasingly being delivered over the Internet. There is a strong argument that interventions delivered online should also be evaluated online to maximize the trial's external validity. Conducting a trial online can help reduce research costs and improve some aspects of internal validity.

Treating octogenarian and nonagenarian acute myeloid leukemia patients--predictive prognostic models.

Background: Treating the octogenarian and nonagenarian patients who have acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with intensive chemotherapy is controversial. Several models to predict outcome were proposed, including the use of a comorbidity index. However, it is unclear whether the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) or the hematopoietic cell transplant comorbidity index (HCTCI) is more sensitive.

Metachronous and synchronous presentation of acute myeloid leukemia and lung cancer.

Smoking is associated with both acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and lung cancer. We therefore searched our database for concomitant presentation of AML and lung cancer. Among 775 AML cases and 5225 lung cancer cases presenting to Roswell Park Cancer Institute between the years January 1992 and May 2008 we found 12 (1.

Reduction of appeasement-related affect as a concomitant of diazepam-induced aggression: evidence for a link between aggression and the expression of self-conscious emotions.

Aggressive responding following benzodiazepine ingestion has been recorded in both experimental and client populations, however, the mechanism responsible for this outcome is unclear. The goal of this study was to identify an affective concomitant linked to diazepam-induced aggression that might be responsible for this relationship. Thirty males (15 diazepam and 15 placebo) participated in the Taylor Aggression Paradigm while covertly being videotaped.

Recruitment of myeloid and plasmacytoid dendritic cells in cervical mucosa during Chlamydia trachomatis infection.

The mobilization of myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) to the cervix during chlamydial infection is not fully understood, and the role of these cells in immunopathogenesis is largely unknown. As an effective vaccine to control chlamydial infection is currently unavailable, understanding the regulation of the local immune response becomes a necessity. Therefore, mDC and pDC populations were analysed in peripheral blood and cervical samples of controls and Chlamydia-positive women, with or without mucopurulent cervicitis (MPC).

UK research staff perspectives on improving recruitment and retention to primary care research; nominal group exercise.

Background: Primary care studies often encounter recruitment difficulties, but there is little evidence to inform solutions. As part of a National Institute for Health Research School for Primary Care Research and UK Clinical Research Network programme, we elicited research staff perspectives on factors facilitating or obstructing recruitment.

Objective: To identify factors that experienced research staff consider important in successful recruitment and retention and their confidence in achieving them.

Role of cervical dendritic cell subsets, co-stimulatory molecules, cytokine secretion profile and beta-estradiol in development of sequalae to Chlamydia trachomatis infection.

Background: Chlamydia trachomatis infection of the female genital tract can lead to serious sequelae resulting in fertility related disorders. Little is known about the mechanism leading to Chlamydia induced pathology and factors responsible for it. As only some of the women develops reproductive disorders while majority of the women clears infection without any severe sequalae, mucosal immune response in women with or without fertility disorders was studied to identify factors which may lead to final clinical outcome of chlamydial infection.

Impact of nasal continuous positive airway pressure therapy on markers of platelet activation in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Background: Considerable evidence implicates CD40 signaling in the pathogenesis of atheromas. Exposure to CD40 ligand induces platelet-leukocyte conjugation, a heightened expression of inflammatory cytokines, matrix-degrading enzymes, and procoagulant factors.

Objectives: To investigate the association between plasma soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) and platelet-monocyte aggregates in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and to determine whether treatment of OSA with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) alters this relationship.

Tracking antigen-driven responses by flow cytometry: monitoring proliferation by dye dilution.

Cell-tracking reagents such as the green-fluorescent protein labeling dye CFSE and the red-fluorescent lipophilic membrane dye PKH26 are commonly used to monitor cell proliferation by flow cytometry in heterogeneous cell populations responding to immune stimuli. Both reagents stain cells with a bright homogeneous fluorescence, which is partitioned between daughter cells during each cell division. Because daughter cell fluorescence intensities are approximately halved after each division, the intensity of a cell relative to its intensity at the time of staining provides information about how many divisions it has undergone.

Validated protocol for FoxP3 reveals increased expression in type 1 diabetes patients.

Background: FoxP3 has become a key identifier of regulatory T cells. Investigators have used a variety of antibodies and methods for detecting FoxP3 by flow cytometry. To standardize FoxP3 antibody staining for use in clinical trial samples, we tested various antibodies from different vendors, cell preparation protocols and fix/perm reagents, and cell isolation procedures.

Enhanced red and near infrared detection in flow cytometry using avalanche photodiodes.

Polychromatic flow cytometry enables detailed identification of cell phenotype using multiple fluorescent parameters. The photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) used to detect fluorescence in current instruments limit the sensitivity in the long wavelength spectral range. We demonstrate the flow cytometric applications of silicon avalanche photodiodes (APDs), which have improved red sensitivity and a working fluorescence detection range beyond 1,000 nm.