[Treatment of primary bone lymphomas]. / Traitement des lymphomes osseux primitifs.

Primary bone lymphoma constitutes a rare entity. They are often localized. The studies published are retrospective, using definitions and different classifications. The populations of the studied patients are often heterogeneous. The therapeutic modalities used are also different. Consequently, the prognostic stratification and the analysis of the therapeutic results are difficult. We review the literature and discuss the therapeutic modalities and the results as well as the prognosis of the primary bone lymphomas.

Iodine status among pregnant women in Kuwait.

UNLABELLED: Up to now, little has been known about iodine intake and the prevalence of iodine deficiency (ID), if any, in Kuwait. Urinary iodine excretion (UIE) and changes in thyroid function during pregnancy were thus evaluated. METHODS: Urinary iodide level was measured in random urine samples collected from 326 pregnant women at different gestational trimesters. Blood samples were drawn for free T4 (FT4) and TSH level determination. RESULTS: Median UIE levels fall within the normal range during all gestational trimesters i.e. >100 microg/l. However, if the new suggested recommendation for pregnant women <140 microg/l, is applied, median UIE values during trimesters 2 and 3 indicate ID. Mean serum TSH levels increased between trimesters 1 and 3 (p<0.05), whereas serum FT4 decreased between first and second trimesters (p<0.05), and this reduction continued at the third trimester. Furthermore, an increase in TSH levels for subjects with mild and moderate ID (Mi and Mo, respectively) were noticed (p<0.05) during the second trimester. However, FT4 levels dropped in subjects with Mi and Mo ID during the first trimester (p<0.05). In conclusion, these results suggest that 56.8% of pregnant women had median UIE level <145 microg/l, associated with high TSH and low FT4 levels. CONCLUSION: Data obtained may indicate insufficient iodine intake among pregnant women in Kuwait.

Effect of clinostat rotation on differentiation of embryonic bone in vitro.

We have investigated the effect of changes in the gravity vector on osteoblast behaviour, using the clinostat set at 8 rpm. Two sources of osteoblasts were used: secondary cultures of fetal rat bone cells, and the rat osteosarcoma line 17/2.8 (ROS). Cell number was determined by incubation with 3-(4,dimethyl-2yl)-2,3 diphenyl) tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and measurement of optical density at 570 nm (OD). Alkaline phosphatase activity was detected by standard cytochemical methods. Dividing cells were localised by labelling dividing nuclei with Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), detected by immunofluorescence. Cell culture was initiated at densities between 1-4x10(4) cells ml-1. Growth rates in all cultures during the first 48 hours exposure to clinostat rotation were less than in stationary controls. After 3 days, ROS cell numbers were 35% lower, and calvarial cells 39% lower than their respective controls. Alkaline phosphatase activity in calvarial control cultures was uniformly present in characteristically polygonal cells, but after culture in the clinostat the enzyme was present sporadically, and the cells were cuboid. There was also no BrdU uptake in nuclei, but it was present in cell cytoplasms. We conclude that the clinostat decreases cell numbers and cell division. Both cell shape and the distribution of alkaline phosphatase activity in calvarial cell cultures were also affected. This implies that changes in the gravity vector can affect osteoblasts directly, without interaction with other cell types.

Presence of vesicular bodies and thick basal laminae in the nephron of the desert gerbil Meriones crassus.

Kidney samples of the adult gerbil Meriones crassus were aldehyde fixed and Epon embedded for studies of the general features of various parts of the nephrons, with particular attention to their basal laminae in all regions. Results obtained showed the presence of thick basal laminae (2-6 microns) in the parietal layer of Bowman's capsule, proximal convoluted tubule, thin loop of Henle and distal convoluted tubule. With the aid of the electron microscope, extracellular vesicular bodies were observed within the thick basal laminae in the previous regions. The bodies (50-500 nm in diameter) were found at various levels of the basal laminae. Some of them appeared to have been pinched off directly from the epithelial layer and to have moved to the underlying basal lamina, which may suggest that these vesicular bodies originated from the epithelial layer. The bodies, with a variable electron opacity, may be found either in small groups or as a single structure surrounded by a clear halo of basal lamina.