Association between maltreatment and polydrug use among adolescents.

Different studies have related sexual and physical abuse during childhood and adolescence to the development of substance abuse disorders. Nevertheless, we are not aware of the role that other more common maltreatment types, such as neglect, will play among the most risky pattern of consumption: the polydrug use. A clinical sample of 655 adolescents, divided into two groups: polydrug users and non-polydrug users, were assessed on their pattern of drug consumption, history of childhood maltreatment, current psychopathology and their family history of alcoholism. Polydrug users had a greater prevalence of all types of maltreatment, although the most associated to this group were sexual abuse and emotional neglect. Other relevant variables to adolescent consumption were: the diagnosis of depressive disorder, the presence of anxiety traits and the family history of alcohol dependence. Polydrug users have higher risks of having had problems during infancy and adolescence, such as maltreatment and other psychopathological conditions, with the addition of family history of alcoholism. Accordingly, practitioners should take into account that those variables may influence polydrug abuse because it is the most risky pattern for subsequent dependence of substances, and they should always be considered during treatment.

Contaje absoluto de linfocitos como factor pronóstico en la leucemia aguda linfoblástica del niño / Absolute lymphocyte count as a prognostic factor in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Introducción: Estudios recientes sugieren el contaje absoluto de linfocitos (CAL) como un nuevo indicador pronóstico en enfermedades malignas, de forma que aquellos pacientes que posean CAL superiores en determinados momentos del tratamiento, tendrán mayores posibilidades de supervivencia. En particular se ha visto la influencia de las células T y las células naturales asesinas en la inmunidad de pacientes con cáncer. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo en pacientes pediátricos con leucemia aguda linfoblástica tratados en el Instituto de Hematología e Inmunología entre los años1995 y 2008 (105 pacientes), con el objetivo de evaluar la influencia del conteo absoluto de linfocitos como factor pronóstico en la sobrevida libre de enfermedad (SLE) y la sobrevida global (SG) a los 5 años. Resultados: Evolucionaron desfavorablemente 24,8% y la mediana del CAL determinado los días 15 y 28 de tratamiento de estos pacientes fue de 1.000 células/ l. Los pacientes con CAL el día 15 (CAL-15) y 28 (CAL-28) <1.000 y ≥ 1.000/ l, mostraron una SLE de 51% vs 83% y 55%vs 82% (p = 0,02 y p = 0,04), respectivamente. Igualmente la SG para aquellos con CAL-15 yCAL-28 ≥1.000/ l fue 89% y 86% contra un 59% y 66% para valores <1.000 (p = 0,001 y p = 0,01),respectivamente. Al realizar el análisis multivariado junto a otros factores de riesgo como la edad, el estudio molecular, la respuesta al tratamiento y el contaje inicial de leucocitos, el CAL-15 mostró significación estadística tanto para la SLE (p = 0,006) como para la SG (p = 0,001). Conclusiones: El CAL fue un predictor significativo de supervivencia y recaída. Además tuvo un comportamiento independiente como factor pronóstico (AU)

Introduction: Recent studies have suggested that the absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) may bea prognostic indicator in malignant diseases, in that those patients who have higher ALC at certain times during treatment may have a better chance of survival. The influence of T cellsand natural killer cells in the immune system of the patient with cancer as a response to cancercells is particularly noted. Materials and Method: We prospectively assessed the prognostic value of absolute lymphocytic count (ALC) in 105 pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), treated in the Cuban Immunology and Hematology Institute from 1995 to 2008. ALC was studied at days 15 (ALC-15) and 28 (ALC-28) of treatment. Results: In our patients, 1000 cells/uL was the median ALC value for patients who relapsed ordied. Using 1000/uL we found that ALL patients with an ALC-15 <1000 cells/ l had a 5-year relapse free survival (RFS) of 51%. In contrast, an ALC-15 >1000 cells/uL showed an excellent prognosis, with a 5-year RFS of 83% (p=0.02). Similarly in our study, an ALC-28 <1000 cells/ lpredicted a 5-year overall survival (OS) of 66%, where as an ALC-28 >1000 cells/ l predicted excellent outcome, with a 5-year OS of 86% (p=0.01). Importantly, ALC is also a strong predictorin multivariate analysis with known prognostic factors. ALC is a simple, statistically powerful measurement for patients with de novo ALL. Conclusions: The results, when combined with previous studies, demonstrate that ALC is a powerful new prognostic factor for a range of malignancies (AU)

[Absolute lymphocyte count as a prognostic factor in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia]. / Contaje absoluto de linfocitos como factor pronóstico en la leucemia aguda linfoblástica del niño.

INTRODUCTION: Recent studies have suggested that the absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) may be a prognostic indicator in malignant diseases, in that those patients who have higher ALC at certain times during treatment may have a better chance of survival. The influence of T cells and natural killer cells in the immune system of the patient with cancer as a response to cancer cells is particularly noted. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We prospectively assessed the prognostic value of absolute lymphocytic count (ALC) in 105 pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), treated in the Cuban Immunology and Hematology Institute from 1995 to 2008. ALC was studied at days 15 (ALC-15) and 28 (ALC-28) of treatment. RESULTS: In our patients, 1000 cells/uL was the median ALC value for patients who relapsed or died. Using 1000/uL we found that ALL patients with an ALC-15 <1000 cells/µl had a 5-year relapse free survival (RFS) of 51%. In contrast, an ALC-15 >1000 cells/uL showed an excellent prognosis, with a 5-year RFS of 83% (p=0.02). Similarly in our study, an ALC-28 <1000 cells/µl predicted a 5-year overall survival (OS) of 66%, whereas an ALC-28 >1000 cells/µl predicted excellent outcome, with a 5-year OS of 86% (p=0.01). Importantly, ALC is also a strong predictor in multivariate analysis with known prognostic factors. ALC is a simple, statistically powerful measurement for patients with de novo ALL. CONCLUSIONS: The results, when combined with previous studies, demonstrate that ALC is a powerful new prognostic factor for a range of malignancies.

Y-chromosome lineages in native South American population.

The present work tries to investigate the population structure and variation of the Amerindian indigenous populations living in Argentina. A total of 134 individuals from three ethnic groups (Kolla, Mapuche and Diaguitas) living in four different regions were collected and analysed for 26 Y-SNPs and 11 Y-STRs. Intra-population variability was analysed, looking for population substructure and neighbour populations were considered for genetic comparative analysis, in order to estimate the contribution of the Amerindian and the European pool, to the current population. We observe a high frequency of R1b1 and Q1a3a* Y-chromosome haplogroups, in the ethnic groups Mapuche, Diaguita and Kolla, characteristic of European and Native American populations, respectively. When we compare our native Argentinean population with other from the South America we also observe that frequency values for Amerindian lineages are relatively lower in our population. These results show a clear Amerindian genetic component but we observe a predominant European influence too, suggesting that typically European male lineages have given rise to the displacement of genuinely Amerindian male lineages in our South American population.

Gender bias in the multiethnic genetic composition of central Argentina.

A sample of central Argentina (Córdoba) was genotyped for the first hypervariable region (HVS-I) plus a set of coding region mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (N = 102) and compared with a data set of Y-chromosome short tandem repeats (Y-STRs; N = 100) previously genotyped in the same individuals. We additionally compiled a database containing more than 4,000, 6,800, and 12,000 HVS-I sequences of Native American, sub-Saharan African, and European origin, respectively. The Y-Chromosome Haplotype Reference Database (YHRD) was used as a reference for the Y-STR profiles from Córdoba. The Native American component is highly prevalent on the maternal side (approximately 41%) in contrast to the Y-chromosome paternal contribution (approximately 2%), indicating a strong gender bias in the colonization and admixture processes that occurred in the recent history of Argentina, in agreement with historical records. The demographic input of African slaves in Córdoba was very high in the eighteenth century (approximately 40% of the total population) but decreased dramatically after a few decades; therefore, the minor traces of sub-Saharan Y-chromosome and mtDNA lineages observed in our sample fit well with these historical records. The European Y-chromosome component of Córdoba (approximately 97%; in contrast to the 57% observed in the mtDNA side) also mirrors the substantial immigration experienced by Argentina during the beginning of the last century, predominantly from Italy and Spain.

Coding region mitochondrial DNA SNPs: targeting East Asian and Native American haplogroups.

We have developed a single PCR multiplex SNaPshot reaction that consists of 32 coding region SNPs that allows (i) increasing the discrimination power of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) typing in forensic casework, and (ii) haplogroup assignments of mtDNA profiles in both human population studies (e.g. anthropological) and medical research. The selected SNPs target the East Asian phylogeny, including its Native American derived branches. We have validated this multiplex assay by genotyping a sample of East Asians (Taiwanese) and Native Americans (Argentineans). In addition to the coding SNP typing, we have sequenced the complete control region for the same samples. The genotyping results (control region plus SNaPshot profiles) are in good agreement with previous human population genetic studies (based on e.g. complete sequencing) and the known mtDNA phylogeny. We observe that the SNaPshot method is reliable, rapid, and cost effective in comparison with other techniques of multiplex SNP genotyping. We discuss the advantages of our SNP genotyping selection with respect to previous attempts, and we highlight the importance of using the known mtDNA phylogeny as a framework for SNP profile interpretation and as a tool to minimize genotyping errors.

Immune-mediated agglutination of cytoskeleton-free RBC microvesicles.

BACKGROUND: The factors contributing to RBC agglutination are complex. The RBC cytoskeleton's participation in and contribution to this phenomenon are difficult to separate from those of the plasma membrane. Immunoreactive, cytoskeleton-free, band 3-enriched microvesicles can be generated from normal RBCs. Band 3 has been defined as an important antigen in autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: RBC microvesicles devoid of major cytoskeletal proteins were generated and sensitized with eluates obtained from AIHA patients, DAT-positive blood donors, and antisera to common RBC antigens. Monoclonal anti-human IgG was added and agglutination was investigated. Autoantibody-specific binding was evaluated by employing (125)I protein A. RESULTS: RBC vesicle agglutination with a 4+ anti-human globulin score was obtained with 10 autoantibody eluates from AIHA patients and anti-D (3+), but not with eluates from 20 DAT-positive blood donors or antisera directed to eight other common RBC antigens. Microvesicles sensitized with AIHA eluates bound 67 to 167 times as much (125)I protein A radioactivity as did those incubated with buffered normal saline and 18 to 45 times more than vesicles incubated with normal serum. CONCLUSION: The major proteins of the RBC cytoskeleton are not required for supporting IgG immune-mediated agglutination of RBC microvesicles.

Iron stores in remunerated blood donors as evaluated by plasma ferritin levels.

This study was undertaken to investigate body iron stores in so-called remunerated blood donors as well as to evaluate the sensitivity of hemoglobin determination in detecting iron deficiency in two populations of blood donors. The authors studied 522 male donors who were divided into three groups: Group I, first-time volunteer donors with hemoglobin levels greater than or equal to 13 g per dl; Group II, remunerated donors with hemoglobin levels greater than or equal to 13 g per dl; and Group III, remunerated donors rejected because their hemoglobin levels were less than 13 g per dl. Iron stores were evaluated with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for plasma ferritin. In Group I, 4.5 percent were iron-deficient with a mean ferritin value of 55.3 ng per ml; in Group II, 59.7 percent were iron deficient with a mean ferritin level of 17.4 ng per ml, and in Group III, 82.5 percent were iron-deficient and the mean ferritin level was 8.4 ng per ml. The last values represent the highest percentage of iron deficiency and the lowest mean ferritin value thus far reported. In Group I, hemoglobin determination had a sensitivity of 95 percent in detecting iron deficiency, but in Group II had only 40 percent sensitivity. These results indicate that a more accurate and reliable test, such as a plasma or serum ferritin determination, may be necessary to detect iron deficiency in blood donors when they donate more than five times per year, particularly those who are remunerated.