Translocation (11;14)(q13;q32) and preferential involvement of chromosomes 1, 2, 9, 13, and 17 in mantle cell lymphoma.

We have studied 13 cases of histologically confirmed mantle cell lymphomas (MCL) combining cytological-immunological features with conventional cytogenetics and in situ hybridization (ISH) techniques. Peripheral blood smears and lymph node biopsies expressed the typical mantle zone pattern with alpha B-cell phenotype. Most of the cases (11 of 13) had lymphomatous cells in the peripheral blood. Chromosome analysis was carried out on lymphoid cells from peripheral blood and/or lymph node biopsies. Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and phorbol 12-myristate 13 acetate (TPA) were used as mitogens. Biotin-labeled libraries of whole chromosomes implicated in complex karyotypes were used to improve their interpretation. Clonal chromosome abnormalities were found in 10 of 13 patients (77%); 7 of these had a complex abnormality. The most frequent recurrent structural abnormalities were: t(11;14)(q13;q32), involvement of chromosome 1 (der[1], del[1], dup[1]), chromosome 2 (del[2], der[2]), chromosome 9 (der[9], -9), chromosome 13 (add[13], t[13q]), and chromosome 17 (add[17], der[17], t[17q]). The most frequent numerical abnormalities were monosomy 21 and loss of the Y chromosome.

[Interstitial 9q deletion: a primary change in acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia?]. / Deleción intersticial 9q: Un cambio primario en leucemia aguda no linfoblástica?

Two cases of acute non-lymphoblastic leukaemia (ANLL), subtypes M1 and M5b, are presented. Both of them showed the 9q-interstitial deletion as the only abnormality. From our observations and others found in the literature it can be inferred that such abnormality might be a primary finding in ANLL, related to an unfavourable prognosis, regardless the morphological subtype.

Cytogenetic abnormalities in three patients with B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia.

We present the cytological features, conventional cytogenetics, and in situ hybridization (ISH) findings of three cases of B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (B-PLL). The diagnosis was made according to the French-American-British (FAB) criteria. We considered a diagnosis of B-PLL when a predominance (> 50%) of lymphoid cells with coarse chromatin but prominent central nucleoli and more abundant cytoplasm than typical chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells were present. B-PLL express strong SIg, B-cell antigens, and reactivity with the monoclonal antibody FMC7. Chromosome analysis was carried out on lymphoid cells from peripheral blood and, in one patient, from lymph node. The phytohemagglutinin (PHA) mitogen was used. ISH was performed with two types of probes: the biotin-labeled chromosome 12-specific alpha satellite DNA probe to detect trisomy 12, and biotin-labeled libraries of whole chromosomes 1, 7, and 14. Clonal chromosome abnormalities were found in all three patients; in one, a complex karyotype was observed. The most frequent recurrent abnormality was trisomy 12. Our results suggest that PLL usually presents with cytogenetic abnormalities. The finding of translocation (11;14) is noteworthy; chromosomes 1 and 3 are also involved.

Trisomy 12 is a rare cytogenetic finding in typical chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

We have studied 61 cases of B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), combining cytological features, conventional cytogenetics and in situ hybridization (ISH). The comparison of these results constitutes the main subject of this study. The patients were cytologically classified according to the FAB criteria as: chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) typical type (48 cases) and CLL atypical types (13 cases). Chromosome analysis was carried out on lymphoid cells from peripheral blood. The following mitogens were used: phytohemagglutinin (PHA) 5%, pokeweed (PWM) and lipopolysaccharide from E. coli. The ISH was performed with a biotin-labeled, chromosome 12-specific alpha satellite DNA probe, pSP12-1. Trisomy 12 was not found in any of the 48 patients with the typical type of CLL and in contradistinction it was present in some patients with atypical types. This study emphasizes the great importance of a closer link between hematological morphology and the cytogenetic approach.

Immunocytochemical investigation of normal and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia lymphocytes reveals unexpectedly frequent reactivity with some myelomonocytic associated antibodies.

Information about the expression of some myelomonocytic markers in lymphocytes of patients with B-CLL is scarce. We studied the CD13, CD14, CD11c and CD68 surface antigens in 42 controls and in 38 patients with B-CLL to detect their possible reactivity. Eighty-nine percent of B-CLL expressed very strongly the CD14 antigen; on the contrary, the other myelomonocytic antigens tested were very weakly expressed. Forty-one of 42 controls showed a few CD14-positive lymphocytes with a statistical difference between normal and CLL lymphocytes. No statistical difference was recorded either between CD14 expression and Rai's staging system or Binet's stages, nor between CD14 and bone marrow involvement and doubling time or between CD14 and heavy or light chain expression. A minor B lymphocytic subset in humans coexpresses the CD14 and CD5 antigens, it being increasingly speculated that B chronic lymphocyte leukaemias originate precisely from this B CD5- and CD14-positive cells. Just as the CD5 antigen is regarded as an excellent B-CLL marker, it seems to us that a strong expression of the CD14 antigen might have the same diagnostic relevance.

[Erythroid colonies derived from BFU-E from the bone marrow in a patient with type I congenital dyserythropoietic anemia]. / Estudio de colonias eritroides derivadas de BFU-E de medula ósea en un paciente con anemia diseritropoyética congénita tipo I.

The findings of in vitro culture of bone-marrow BFU-E from a patient with type I dyserythropoietic anaemia are reported, scarce data being seemingly available in the literature. The number of BFU-E in the culture was increased four-fold with respect to the normal values. The morphologic study of the colonies showed in all cases varying number of erythroblasts with internuclear bridges (5-20%). Upon ultrastructural examination of the colonies, a great number of erythroblasts exhibited morphologic alterations, spongy chromatin and internuclear bridges being commonest. These findings suggest that an alteration of the progenitor erythroid cells exists in type I dyserythropoietic anaemia, whereas the morphological defects appreciated show great variation in the progeny of each BFU-E.

[Hemoglobin niosomes. I. Preparation, functional and physico-chemical properties, and stability]. / Niosomes d'hémoglobine. I. Préparation, propriétés physicochimiques et oxyphoriques, stabilité.

Hemoglobin niosomes. I, Preparation, functional and physical properties and stability. Hemoglobin niosomes (non ionic liposomes) obtained from L'Oréal synthetic lipids by solvents vaporization appear as unilamellar spherical red vesicles, isolated from each other and with heterogeneous size (0.5 to 4 microns). Their suspensions show a visible spectra superimposable to that of free hemoglobin which is incorporated at a rate of 0.3 to 0.5 g per lipid gram. Vesicles are permeable to oxygen and the hemoglobin dissociation curve can be modified similarly to non-encapsulated hemoglobin. Niosomes appear physically stable while hemoglobin undergoes a progressive oxidation to methemoglobin reaching 30% after 5 months at 4 degrees C. Even in the absence of dicetylphosphate (DCP), niosomes possess a negative charge confering to them an electrophoretic mobility. 5% DCP allows to obtain a zeta potential near to that of erythrocytes. The niosomes suspensions are more viscous than red blood cells but their rheological behavior is similar and the vesicles may have some deformability.

Acquired refractory anaemia with excess of blasts of promegakaryoblastic type.

A case of acquired refractory anaemia with excess of blasts (RAEB) of the promegakaryoblastic type is described. The promegakaryoblastic origin was demonstrated by means of ultrastructural cytochemistry (platelet peroxidase) and immunological methods. The blasts were also 5'-Nucleotidase positive. After a stable course over 2.5 years the patient died from hematological failure, his marrow demonstrating a high degree of fibrosis.

The effect of niosomes and polysorbate 80 on the metabolism and excretion of methotrexate in the mouse.

The effect of non-ionic surfactant vesicle (niosome) encapsulation on the metabolism and urinary and faecal excretion of methotrexate (MTX) in mice has been studied following oral and intravenous administration, and compared with the effects of co-administration of free drug and polysorbate 80, which does not form vesicles. Niosome entrapment reduces the excretion of MTX into urine and bile whereas polysorbate 80 increases its excretion. Monitoring of the levels of MTX and its 7-hydroxy metabolite indicates that entrapped MTX is protected from rapid metabolism in vivo, particularly in niosomes but to a small degree in the micellar systems formed by polysorbate.

Anatomical study of the ulnar nerve in the hand.

This anatomical study is based on the dissection of fifty adult hands. The classic configuration of the ulnar nerve was found in thirty-nine cases out of fifty, and in eleven cases there were variations with respect to division. The levels of division of the different branches were precisely determined by an analysis of variations in the areas of muscular innervation.

The effect of non-ionic surfactant vesicle (niosome) entrapment on the absorption and distribution of methotrexate in mice.

Non-ionic surfactant vesicles (niosomes) prepared from a non-ionic surfactant, cholesterol and dicetyl phosphate and containing methotrexate (MTX) have been administered to mice. Given intravenously the niosomes prolong the levels of MTX in the blood, large amounts of the drug being taken up by the liver. There was also an increased uptake of MTX into the brain, perhaps due to an effect of the niosome components on the permeability of the blood brain barrier. Absorption of the drug from the gastrointestinal tract following oral ingestion, appeared to be increased at some doses; most of the entrapped MTX was taken up by the liver, but uptake of MTX into the brain was also increased. The metabolic profile of the drug is altered by the niosomes which appear to prevent the rapid formation of 7-hydroxy methotrexate.

Dispersions of lamellar phases of non-ionic lipids in cosmetic products.

Synopsis Although aqueous dispersions of lipids in the form of particles having a lamellar structure (liposomes) are already known as excellent vehicles for pharmaceutical substances, their usefulness in cosmetic formulations has not been demonstrated. The present work shows the advantages obtained by application of such systems to the skin, and in particular the use of non-ionic lipids in aqueous dispersions. Thus, in comparison with classical formulations such as emulsions, these systems exhibit lower toxicity and permit closer control of the availability of active substances at the stratum corneum. As examples, compositions suitable for skin moisturising and for tanning products are presented.