Loss of heterozygosity in acute leukemia: evidence of frequent submicroscopic deletions.

Although chromosomal abnormalities are detected by conventional cytogenetic analysis (CCA) in 40-60% of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), cryptic chromosomal deletions may only be detected by molecular analysis. To determine their frequency, we studied 74 cases of AML by microsatellite allelotype assay using 35 microsatellites spanning eight chromosomal regions known to be frequently involved in AML. In 42 (57%) we found DNA imbalance at the screened loci.

Fatal necrotising fasciitis associated with intramuscular injection of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs after uncomplicated endoscopic polypectomy.

Necrotising fasciitis is a life-threatening infection of the superficial muscle fascia and the adjacent deep layer of subcutaneous tissue that is often fatal. A 46-year-old woman was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) three days after an uncomplicated endoscopic polypectomy because of necrotising fasciitis of left tight, buttock and retroperitoneal space and septic shock. Six hours after the polypectomy she was given an intramuscular injection of ketorolac in the left tight because of moderate low abdominal pain.

Cytomegalovirus and inflammatory bowel disease: is there a link?

The objective of this report is to give an overall view of the epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic features of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). A review of published reports on this topic was carried out, with particular attention paid to the selection of patients included in studies and the diagnostic methods employed. CMV is frequently associated with IBD.

Cytokines and growth factors in wound drainage fluid from patients undergoing incisional hernia repair.

Knowing the dynamics of growth factor and cytokine secretion within the site of a surgical operation is important, as they play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of wound healing and are a target for modifying the repair response. The aim of this study was to evaluate the production of several cytokines and growth factors in the drainage wound fluid from patients undergoing incisional hernia repair: namely, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-1alpha, IL-1 ra, interferon-gamma, vascular endothelial growth factors and basic fibroblast growth factor. Ten female patients with abdominal midline incisional hernia undergoing surgical repair were included in this study.

Upregulation of basic fibroblast growth factor in smokers with chronic bronchitis.

The aim of the study was to investigate the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and its receptor, fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)-1, in the central airways of smokers with chronic bronchitis. The lobar bronchi from 17 subjects undergoing thoracotomy for solitary nodules were examined. All had a history of cigarette smoking, nine had symptoms of chronic bronchitis and airflow limitation, and eight were asymptomatic with normal lung function.

The role of calprotectin in predicting endoscopic post-surgical recurrence in asymptomatic Crohn's disease: a comparison with ultrasound.

Background And Objectives: Faecal calprotectin is predictive of clinical relapse in inflammatory bowel disease and ultrasound is sensitive in detecting its post-surgical recurrence. However, no data regarding the role of calprotectin in predicting post-surgical recurrence in asymptomatic Crohn's disease are available. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the role of calprotectin as a predictive marker for one year post-surgical endoscopic recurrence in comparison with ultrasound in patients with asymptomatic Crohn's disease.

Anderson-Fabry disease: a protean clinical behavior and a chance diagnosis.

Anderson-Fabry disease is a rare inborn X-linked glycosphingolipid storage disorder in which the deficient activity of the enzyme alfa-galactosidase A (alfa-gal A) leads to the progressive tissular accumulation of lipidic molecules which, in turn, cause a protean pattern of multi-organ disfunction. Enzyme replacement therapy has recently become available and has proved to be effective in controlling the disorder. We present and discuss the case of a family with this disease, with special attention to the variability of clinical features and the difficulty of a correct diagnosis.

Infliximab and newly diagnosed neoplasia in Crohn's disease: a multicentre matched pair study.

Background And Aims: The widespread use of anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha antibody (Infliximab) in Crohn's disease (CD) raises concerns about a possible cancer risk in the long term. In a matched pair study, we assessed whether Infliximab is associated with an increased risk of neoplasia.

Methods: In a multicentre matched pair study, 404 CD patients treated with Infliximab (CD-IFX) were matched with 404 CD patients who had never received Infliximab (CD-C).

Infliximab in the treatment of Crohn's disease: predictors of response in an Italian multicentric open study.

Background: Almost 20% of patients with active Crohn's disease are refractory to conventional therapy. Infliximab is a treatment of proven efficacy in this group of patients and it is not clear which variables predict a good response. AIMS.

C4BQ0: a genetic marker of familial HCV-related liver cirrhosis.

Background And Methods: Host may have a role in the evolution of chronic HCV liver disease. We performed two cross-sectional prospective studies to evaluate the prevalence of cirrhosis in first degree relatives of patients with cirrhosis and the role of two major histocompatibility complex class III alleles BF and C4 versus HCV as risk factors for familial clustering.

Findings: Ninety-three (18.

Cardiac complications in thalassemia: noninvasive detection methods and new directions in the clinical management.

The natural history of thalassemia has shown substantial change during these years. This applies for each aspect of the pathology (for example, endocrinological, hepatological and psychological) and also for the pathology that has presented and still presents the main cause of death: myocardial dysfunction. In this review, the pathophysiology of cardiac complications, possible role of myocarditis, new knowledge on pathogenesis, and noninvasive detection methods for iron overload in the heart are pointed out.

Clinical and hematological responses to hydroxyurea in Sicilian patients with Hb S/beta-thalassemia.

Although, several reports have detailed that hydroxyurea can ameliorate the clinical course of adult and pediatric patients with sickle cell anemia (Hb S or beta(S)), few clinical studies have been carried out in patients with beta(S)/beta-thalassemia. In a two-year clinical study, we evaluated the efficacy of hydroxyurea in a group of 22 adult Sicilian patients with beta(S)/beta-thalassemia with severe phenotypes. Among the 20 patients evaluated during 2 years of treatment, we observed a very good clinical response with a 93% reduction of the annual number of crises (median 7 versus 0.

Intravenous versus oral initial load of propafenone for conversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation in the emergency room: a randomized trial.

Background: Non-valvular paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is a common clinical condition associated with a high risk of thromboembolism and hemodynamic problems which increase with the duration of arrhythmia. Therefore, even if arrhythmia ceases spontaneously within 24 hours in about half of the patients, a higher early conversion rate is desirable. Propafenone either by intravenous or oral load has been shown effective in conversion to sinus rhythm.

Epidemiology of inflammatory bowel disease in Italy.

The incidence of inflammatory bowel diseases is similar throughout Italy. Two prospective multicentre studies in the same period have shown an incidence very similar to Northern Europe. The incidence of ulcerative colitis ranged from 3.

Treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma associated with cirrhosis by percutaneous ethanol injection. A trial with a comparison group.

Background: Ethanol injection has been reported to be effective in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, but no controlled randomized trials have been performed. We therefore performed a trial comparing ethanol injection with an untreated, matched historical comparison group in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methods: From 1992 to 1993, 35 patients (14 Child's A and 21 Child's B cirrhosis) with small (< 4 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma associated with cirrhosis were treated by ethanol injection.

The open infarct-related artery theory: a critical view.

Early reopening of the infarct-related artery salvages myocardium and, consequently, preserves left ventricular function, which results in an improved survival rate (the early open infarct-related artery theory). Nevertheless, late patency of the infarct-related artery is also important, because it prevents ventricular remodeling (the late-open infarct-related theory). A comprehensive view of the importance of both conditions is presented.

Cyclophosphamide 4 g/m2 plus rhG-CSF for mobilization of circulating progenitor cells in malignant lymphomas.

We report the preliminary results of a study exploring the possibility of collecting circulating progenitor cells (PBSC) with a protocol based on the administration of single doses (4 g/m2) of cyclophosphamide and G-CSF (5 or 10-micrograms/kg) in 9 patients with non Hodgkin's lymphoma. The peak level of CD34+ cells occurred after a median of 10 days (range 8-11), generally coinciding with the median peak level of CFU-GM, with a mean 31.27 fold increase above basal levels.

Radiographic indicants of adult celiac disease assessed by double-contrast small bowel enteroclysis.

The number of folds and lumen diameter of the proximal jejunum and distal ileum were retrospectively measured in 40 double-contrast small bowel enteroclysis studies of patients with a biopsy-proven diagnosis of adult celiac disease (ACD) and in 46 healthy control subjects. For both parameters an inverse radiographic pattern was found in celiacs compared to control subjects, in whom the number of folds and lumen calibers are physiologically greater in proximal jejunum than in the distal ileum. Mean differences in the jejuno-ileal number of folds (-7.

Prenatal diagnosis of haemoglobin disorders by cordocentesis at 12 weeks' gestation.

Prenatal diagnosis of haemoglobin disorders is accepted to be a useful procedure to avoid births of infants with homozygous diseases. Advances in sampling and molecular techniques, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and chorionic villus sampling (CVS), have made earlier and safer first-trimester prenatal diagnosis possible. However, these procedures need previous studies of at-risk couples, which can be very time-consuming when a number of different beta-thalassaemia mutations occur in the region.

Constrictive pericarditis versus restrictive cardiomyopathy: the role of Doppler echocardiography in differential diagnosis.

Doppler ultrasound recordings of velocities of flow across the mitral and tricuspid valves and in the hepatic veins, and their variation with respiration, were recorded in seven patients with constrictive pericarditis and in six patients with restrictive cardiomyopathy. Deceleration of mitral and tricuspid flow was also evaluated during apnea. Color flow Doppler was performed in order to evaluate mitral and tricuspid regurgitation.