CD8+ T-cell responses to tumor-associated antigens correlate with superior relapse-free survival after allo-SCT.

The GVL effect following allo-SCT is one of the most prominent examples showing the ability of the immune system to eliminate malignant hematological diseases. Tumor-associated Ags (TAA), for instance WT1 and proteinase-3, have been proposed as targets for T cells to establish a GVL effect. Here, we examined an additional TAA (MUC1) as a possible T-cell target of GVL-related immune responses. We have defined new peptide epitopes from the MUC1 Ag to broaden patients' screening and to expand the repertoire of immunologic monitoring as well as for therapeutic approaches in the future. Twenty-eight patients after allo-SCT have been screened for T-cell responses toward TAA (proteinase-3, WT1, MUC1). We could detect a significant relationship between relapse and the absence of a TAA-specific T-cell response, whereby only 2/13 (15%) patients with TAA-specific CTL relapsed, in contrast to 9/15 (60%) patients without TAA-specific CTL responses (P<0.05). In conclusion, CD8(+) T-cell responses directed to TAA might contribute to the GVL effect. These observations highlight both the importance and the potential of immunotherapeutic approaches after allo-SCT.

Age of onset and progress toward independent living by patients with chronic schizophrenia in a community based program.

For 11 women and 12 men age of onset of schizophrenia correlated .70 with progress in intensive treatment toward independent living.

The influence of an animal on social interactions of nursing home residents in a group setting.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of the presence and absence of a dog on the frequency and types of social interactions among nursing home residents during a socialization group. Point sampling was used to evaluate the behaviors of 36 male nursing home residents at a Veterans Administration Medical Center under two conditions, Dog Present and Dog Absent. A significant difference in verbal interactions among residents occurred with the dog present, F(1, 69) = 4.92, p < .05. These findings are consistent with existing literature, thus providing further evidence of the value of Animal Assisted Therapy programs as an effective medium for increasing socialization among residents in long-term care facilities. Because an increase in social interactions can improve the social climate of an institution and occupational therapists frequently incorporate group process into their treatment, the therapeutic use of animals can become a valuable adjunct to reaching treatment goals.

Inappetence in ruminants as a measure of fluoride solubility in various phosphates.

Experiments with soft phosphate and fertilizer grade concentrated superphosphate and diammonium phosphate were to measure effects on voluntary intake of their fluoride in relation to that from calcium fluoride and sodium fluoride given once daily by capsule. Mature wethers were offered 1200 or 1400 g daily of mixed grain-roughage diet, and responses to fluoride were measured by inappetence, consumption of less than 10% of offered diet. When 40 ppm fluoride as sodium fluoride was given for 2 days, inappetence resulted, whereas 2,400 ppm fluoride as calcium fluoride did not decrease feed intake. Time required for recovery of appetite increased with more fluoride. When soft phosphate, concentrated superphosphate, and diammonium phosphate were tested at 100, 200, and 400 ppm fluoride, inappetence occurred always but severity of reduction of intake was related to parts per million fluoride. Solubility of fluoride in soft phosphate, concentrated superphosphate, and diammonium phosphate is more similar to sodium fluoride than to calcium fluoride, and their use should be in keeping with fluoride tolerances established for ruminants fed sodium fluoride.