[New trends in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma therapy].

Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are a heterogeneous group of lymphoid malignancies. Although great progress in the treatment of these diseases has been made in the last years, it is still difficult to achieve and sustain remission in different lymphoma subtypes and some of patients have poor prognosis. Apart from monoclonal antibodies, radioimmunotherapy, and autologous stem cell transplantation, which are used as standard therapy for some lymphomas, new drugs with different mechanism of action are currently being tested.

Circulating sCD138 and some angiogenesis-involved cytokines help to anticipate the disease progression of early-stage B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Syndecan-1 (CD138) is a transmembrane heparin sulfate proteoglycan expressed on distinct stages of differentiation of B-lymphoid cells. Its prognostic value in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) has not been evaluated so far. The serum concentration of sCD138 and some angiogenesis-involved cytokines: vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basis fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and endostatin were studied in 52 previously untreated patients with B-CLL.

[Familial incidence of myelodysplastic syndromes].

The myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are heterogeneous group of clonal disorders of hematopoietic stem cells, which manifestation is cytopenia and hypercellular, dysplastic bone marrow, often with increased amount of blasts. The pathogenesis of majority of MDS remains unexplained. It is regarded that genetic predisposition and exposure to toxic environmental agents contribute to genetic mutations in MDS.

Angiogenic and coagulation-fibrinolysis factors in non Hodgkin's lymphoma.

High serum VEGF and bFGF levels are independent prognostic factors of poor prognosis in NHL patients. There is growing evidence that both angiogenesis and haemostatic aberrancies are integral parts of the pathobiology of cancer growth and dissemination. The purpose of the study was: (a) to analyze relations of VEGF and bFGF serum levels, fibrinogen and D-dimer plasma levels with lymphoma Ann Arbor Staging System (AASS) and International Prognostic Index (IPI) and, (b) to evaluate correlations between serum levels of angiogenic cytokines and plasma levels of coagulation-fibrinolysis factors in 52 previously untreated NHL patients included to the study.

TGF-beta1 gene polymorphisms influence the course of the disease in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) constitute a heterogenous group of mainly B-cell lymphoproliferative diseases with different patterns of clinical behaviour. Biological mechanisms leading to development of NHL are not clearly understood. Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) influences B cell growth and development.

sVE-cadherin and sCD146 serum levels in patients with multiple myeloma.

The role of angiogenesis in multiple myeloma (MM) pathogenesis is well established. Angiogenesis is linked to the functional state of endothelial junctions that are modulated by the growth and activation of endothelial cells. CD146 and vascular endothelial-cadherin (VE-cadherin) are cell adhesion molecules localized at the endothelial junction.

Lack of association between the TNF-alpha promoter gene polymorphism and susceptibility to B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL) is a lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by clonal expansion of B lymphocytes. The present study aimed to determine whether there is an association between the polymorphic features located within the promoter/enhancer region of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFA) gene and susceptibility to B-CLL. TNFA (-308 G/A) promoter single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was determined by polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP) using commercial oligonucleotides.

LYVE-1 expression on high endothelial venules (HEVs) of lymph nodes.

LYVE-1 (lymphatic endothelium hyaluronan receptor) has been identified as a powerful marker for lymphatic endothelium. Apart from lymphatic endothelium, LYVE-1 is expressed in normal liver blood sinusoids, spleen endothelium and activated tissue macrophages. LYVE-1 has not been detected in blood vascular endothelium with the exception of blood vessels in the lung.

[Effect of metals, benzene, pesticides and ethylene oxide on the haematopoietic system].

The hematopoietic system, due to intensive cells proliferation, is very sensitive to toxic substances. Many chemicals, including benzene, pesticides (dithiocarbamines), ethylene oxide and metals (mercury, cadmium, chrome, cobalt, lead, aluminum) exert their toxic effect on the hematopoietic system. Exposure to each of these substances may occur in the work place due to environmental pollution and in municipal or residential areas.

[Amyloidosis in the course of multiple myeloma].

The amyloidoses are group of heterogeneous disorders, in which synthesized and secreted proteins, as a soluble molecules, are formed into insoluble, fibrillar tissue deposits, leading to organ dysfunction. Classification now is based on the chemical nature of the fibrillar component of the deposits. One of these is light-chain amyloidosis (AL).

Self-report problem scales and subscales and behavioral ratings provided by peers: unique evidence of test validity.

The relationship between children's self-reported problems on the Personality Inventory for Youth (PIY) and peer descriptors derived from the Pupil Evaluation Inventory was examined in a regular education sample of 156 children in fourth through eighth grade. The relative contributions of the PIY scales and subscales to the prediction of peer ratings were compared. Peer ratings of withdrawn, disruptive, and prosocial behaviors were substantially correlated to self-report problem scales made up of logically related content.

[Anagrelide in the treatment of thrombocythemia essential (ET)].

Essential thrombocythaemia (ET), the most often occurring myeloproliferative disorder is a clonal malignant disorder arising from stem cell. The course of the disease is complicated by some severe thrombotic events and far less commonly by haemorrhagic phenomena. Treatment of ET consist of antiplatelet drugs (e.

Endostatin serum level in acute myeloid leukemia.

Increased levels of tumor angiogenesis have been demonstrated in variety of solid tumors and hematological malignancies including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The aim of the study was to evaluate serum level of endostatin in newly diagnosed patients with AML before chemotherapy and after achieving complete remission (CR). Serum samples from 68 adult patients (28 females and 40 males, median age 42 years, range 21-83 years) with AML had been taken before chemotherapy was administered.

Angiogenesis measured by expression of CD34 antigen in lymph nodes of patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Angiogenesis is important in development, maintenance and progression of haematological malignancies. Some clinical observations have indicated that in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (nHL) tumour microvessel density (MVD) may correlate with tumour staging and outcome. The aim of the study was to examine relationship between MVD as a parameter of tumour angiogenesis measured by expression of CD34 and the grade of nHL histological malignancy as determined by REAL classification.

[Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) serum concentration in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients].

Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (nHL) is a heterogenous group of lymphoid malignancies with different patterns of behaviour and response to treatment. International Prognostic Index (IPI) is commonly used to predict outcome of treatment in nHL. There are several reports that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the most potent inducer of angiogenesis, may have prognostic significance in nHL.

Survivin expression in lymph nodes, affected by lymphoma and reactive hyperplasia.

Survivin is a member of the inhibitors from the apoptosis family over-expressed in various human cancers. The aim of the study was to evaluate the expression of survivin in lymph nodes, invaded by non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (nHL) and in lymph nodes reactive hyperplasia. We analysed paraffin sections obtained from 50 patients with nHL and from 13 patients with reactive hyperplasia using, an anti-survivin antibody.

Macrophage/histiocytic antigen CD68 expression in neoplastic and reactive lymph nodes.

There are some reports, suggesting that infiltrating macrophages may promote tumour progression in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (nHL). The aim of the study was an evaluation of macrophages, marked by antibody against CD68 in indolent and aggressive nHL. The study was performed in 65 patients: 50 with nHL and 15 with lymph nodes affected by reactive hyperplasia.

Changes in spectrin organisation in leukaemic and lymphoid cells upon chemotherapy.

The aim of the present study was to investigate changes in spectrin and protein kinase C theta; (PKC theta;) organisation in human lymphoid and leukaemic cells undergoing chemotherapeutically induced apoptosis. An analysis of spectrin arrangement in human peripheral lymphoid (non-Hodgkin lymphoma) and leukaemic (acute lymphoblastic leukaemia) cells before and after chemotherapy revealed radical differences in the distribution of this protein. By using immunofluorescent technique, in lymphocytes isolated before chemotherapy, we found spectrin evenly distributed in the cytoplasm and the plasma membrane, while after the therapy changes in spectrin organisation occurred.

IL-6 and IL-10 promoter gene polymorphisms do not associate with the susceptibility for multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell malignancy characterised by bone marrow infiltration and the presence of a monoclonal protein in serum and/or urine. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been identified as one of the most important cytokines that contributes to myeloma cell survival and proliferation. Recent investigations suggest involvement of another cytokine, IL-10, in the activation of MM cells.

Bone marrow angiogenesis and proliferation in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Objective: To assess angiogenesis and the proliferative activity of bone marrow in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in relation to the bone marrow infiltration pattern.

Study Design: Bone marrow samples were obtained by trephine biopsy from 46 patients with B-cell CLL (B-CLL). Infiltration pattern was diffuse in 20 patients and nondiffuse--i.

Contribution of flow cytometric immunophenotyping and bone marrow trephine biopsy in the detection of lymphoid bone marrow infiltration in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

The bone marrow (BM) is a frequent site of involvement in non-Hodgkińs lymphomas (NHL) and evidence of an infiltrated BM may implicate different therapeutical regimens. Flow cytometric immunophenotyping of bone marrow aspirates now is included in the assessment of patients with NHL and used as an adjunct to morphologic evaluation in the staging of lymphoma. The aim of the study was to compare flow cytometric immunophenotyping of BM and paraffin section staining of BM biopsies in the marrow involvement of NHL.

[Extramedullary hematopoiesis in inguinal lymph nodes in the course of osteomyelofibrosis--case report].

Osteomyelofibrosis (OMF) is a chronic myeloproliferative disorder characterized by bone marrow fibrosis, suppression of hematopoiesis and extramedullary hematopoiesis. Extramedullary hematopoiesis usually occurs in spleen and liver, however it may be observed in another sites. We present a patient with OMF accompanied by myeloid metaplasia in inguinal lymph nodes.

[Assessment of hematopoiesis regeneration in patients with solid tumors after radiotherapy].

The myelotoxicity is one of the most severe adverse events of radiotherapy. Increase of CD34+ cells level in peripheral blood as result of raised output of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) can be result of hematopoiesis regeneration after radiotherapy. The aim of this study was to determine the hematopoiesis regeneration using analysis of CD34+ cells level in peripheral blood and serum concentration of G-CSF in patients treated with radiotherapy according to irradiated body region and irradiation field size.

A personological examination of self- and other-forgiveness in the five factor model.

In a sample composed of 147 undergraduates (age range 18 to 55 years; M = 22), we conducted an examination of the convergent and discriminant validity of self- and other-forgiveness in the Five-factor model of personality (FFM). Using multiple measures of each construct, principal components analysis (PCA) supported a 2-component model of forgiveness. Findings for the PCA and external correlates with the FFM provided evidence for a largely orthogonal relationship between self- and other-forgiveness.

Expression of metallothionein (MT) and gluthatione s-transferase pi (SGTP) in the bone marrow of patients with myeloproliferative disorders (MPD).

Overexpression of SGTP and/or MT may contribute to various carcinogenic processes and to resistance to anticancer treatment. The importance of these proteins, although clearly established in solid tumours, has not been fully understood in haematopoietic neoplasm. The aim of this study was to determine the expression of MT and SGTP in the bone marrow of patients with MPD.