Genomic profile of chronic myelogenous leukemia: Imbalances associated with disease progression.

The expression of the chimeric BCR/ABL1 fusion gene resulting from t(9;22)(q34;q11) in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is necessary for malignant transformation, but not sufficient to maintain disease progression. The appearance of various chromosomal and molecular alterations in the accelerated and terminal phase of CML is well documented, but evidence for causal relationship is largely lacking. We carried out a genome wide screening at a resolution of 1 Mb of 54 samples at different stages of CML together with 12 CML cell lines and found that disease progression is accompanied by a spectrum of recurrent genome imbalances. Among the most frequent are losses at 1p36, 5q21, 9p21, and 9q34 and gains at 1q, 8q24, 9q34, 16p, and 22q11, all of which were located with higher precision within the genome than previously possible. These genome imbalances are unique to CML cases with clinically manifested or suspected accelerated/blast stage alike, but not seen in chronic phase samples. Previously unrecognized cryptic imbalances occurring within the Ph-chromosome were also detected, although further scrutiny is required to pin-point gene involvement and seek association with disease features. Importantly, some of these imbalances were seen in the CD34(+) cells but not in the whole BM samples of patients in accelerated phase. Taken together, these findings highlight the potential of screening CD34(+) cells for genome wide imbalances associated with disease progression. Finally, the numerous single copy number variations recorded, many unique to this cohort of patients, raise the possible association of genome polymorphism and CML.

[Saliva and dental caries: diagnostic tests in practical dentistry]. / Sliuna i karies zubov: diagnosticheskie testy v zubovrachebnoi praktike.

New qualitative methods of diagnosis are used now in dental practice. Very popular are saliva diagnostic tests. They are fast and convenient for use. By the saliva one can make diagnosis on the caries activity because of wrong diet (Lactobacillus bacteria in saliva), elevated level of cariogenic microorganisms in saliva (Streptococcus mutans level in saliva) and saliva pH. It is possible to detect the level of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus in saliva using selective diagnostic medium for the bacterial culture.