Application of a new protocol for nested PCR to the detection of minimal residual bcr/abl transcripts.

Nested PCR (NPCR), a two-step procedure in which the products of a first PCR using 'outer' primers are reamplified using 'inner primers', has been successfully used to test for the chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)-specific bcr-abl transcripts. A major drawback of the conventional nesting strategy is linked to the opening of the reaction tube between the two successive PCR reactions, giving a risk of contaminating the second mix with amplicons. In this paper, the application of a new protocol for NPCR without reopening the reaction tube between the two steps of the procedure is described for the research of residual leukemic cells in the peripheral blood of 14 CML patients treated by bone marrow transplantation (BMT) or interferon (IFN). This assay which is both highly specific and sensitive, offers several advantages over the use of conventional NPCR: it is more sensitive, faster and decreases the risk of false-positive results. In addition, chemiluminescent detection of amplified DNA after transfer onto a nylon membrane, although comparable with radioactive hybridization in terms of sensitivity and speed, is more advantageous in safety and convenience. In conclusion, this assay could be adapted to a number of clinical diagnostic uses.

EHT0202 in Alzheimer's disease: a 3-month, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study.

BACKGROUND: EHT0202 (etazolate hydrochloride) is a new compound exhibiting both potential disease-modifying and symptomatic treatment properties in Alzheimer's Disease increasing alpha-secretase activity and sAPP alpha secretion, as well as acting as a GABA-A receptor modulator and as a PDE-4 inhibitor. METHODS: This pilot, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group, multicentre, Phase IIA study was conducted in 159 randomized patients suffering from mild to moderate Alzheimer's Disease. EHT0202 (40 or 80 mg bid) or placebo was administered as adjunctive therapy to one acetylcholinesterase inhibitor over a 3-month period. This study was designed to assess the clinical safety and tolerability of EHT0202 as a primary objective, with secondary endpoints (cognitive function, daily living activities, behaviour, caregiver burden and global functioning) included to explore clinical efficacy of EHT0202 versus placebo. RESULTS: EHT0202 was shown to be safe and generally well tolerated. Dose-dependent numbers of early withdrawal and central nervous system related adverse events were observed. As expected, since the study was not powered and not designed to show drug efficacy, and except for ratings on the ADCS-ADL scale, no significant differences were seen between treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: These first encouraging safety results do support further development of EHT0202 in order to assess its clinical efficacy and to confirm its tolerability in a larger cohort of Alzheimer patients and for a longer period.

Psychological impact and prevalence of traumatic events in a student sample in Israel: the effect of multiple traumatic events and physical injury.

The prevalence of exposure and the psychological impact of traumatic events were studied in 983 Israeli university students. The psychological effects of exposure to single versus multiple traumatic events, and the effects of trauma-related physical injury were also examined. It was found that 67% of the respondents reported having been exposed to at least one traumatic event. Of those exposed, 6% were diagnosed as having posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Men were more at risk for exposure, but women were more at risk for PTSD. Women and the physically injured showed more psychological distress following exposure. Being exposed to one type of traumatic event was associated with increased psychological distress, but being exposed to multiple types of traumatic events was associated with lowering of distress. The results are discussed in comparison with similar studies from the United States.

Nonisotopic competitive RT-PCR assay to measure MDR1 gene expression.

We report an original application of competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the quantification of MDR1 mRNA in clinical specimens by simultaneous reverse transcription and PCR amplification of cellular RNA with decreasing amounts of an internal standard. The competitor RNA shares the same MDR1 primer sequences as the cellular mRNA, but yields a different-sized PCR product. This allows resolution of the amplified cDNA fragments after agarose gel electrophoresis and ethidium bromide staining. The concentration of MDR1 mRNA is derived from the ratio between the intensities of the bands corresponding to the amplified products. We have used this assay to measure MDR1 expression in breast carcinomas and assessed the precision, sensitivity, and accuracy of the method. Competitive RT-PCR is a simple, highly specific, nonradioactive procedure for the quantification of MDR1 mRNA and is particularly suitable for use in the clinical laboratory.

Absceso hepático amebiano

Se señala la relativa frecuencia con que se observa el absceso amebiano entre nosostros. Se muestran los porcentajes que aceptan diversos autores en cuanto a síntomas y signos. Se señala el valor de los exámenes complementarios en especial la radiología y la rectosigmoidoscopía. Se resalta el valor de la punción y se describe su técnica. Se demuestran los medicamentos que utilizamos y sus dosis. Se precisan las indicaciones del tratamiento quirúrgico. Se señalan los peligros de las vías transserosas. Se preconiza la utilización de las vías extraserosa anterior y posterior. Se recomienda el uso de la anestesia local infiltrativa. Se describe la técnica de abordaje y drenajes de los abscesos empleada. Se presentan los datos obtenidos en 16 casos tratados quirúrgicamente (AU)