Phylogeography and demographic history of two widespread Indo-Pacific mudskippers (Gobiidae: Periophthalmus).

This study provides a first description of the phylogeographic patterns and evolutionary history of two species of the mudskipper genus Periophthalmus. These amphibious gobies are distributed throughout the whole Indo-Pacific region and Atlantic coast of Africa, in peritidal habitats of soft-bottom coastal ecosystems. Three sequence datasets of two widely distributed species, Periophthalmus argentilineatus and P. kalolo, were obtained by amplifying and sequencing two mtDNA markers (D-loop and 16S rDNA) and the nDNA rag1 region. The three datasets were then used to perform phylogeographic, demographic and population genetic analyses. Our results indicate that tectonic events and past climatic oscillations strongly contributed to shape present genetic differentiation, phylogeographic and demographic patterns. We found support for the monophyly of P. kalolo, and only shallow genetic differentiation between East-African and Indo-Malayan populations of this species. However, our collections of the morphospecies P. argentilineatus include three molecularly distinct lineages, one of them more closely related to P. kalolo. The presence of Miocenic timings for the most recent common ancestors of some of these morphologically similar clades, suggests the presence of strong stabilising selection in mudskippers' habitats. At population level, demographic analyses and palaeoecological records of mangrove ecosystems suggest that Pleistocene bottlenecks and expansion plus secondary contact events of the studied species were associated with recurrent sea transgressions during interglacials, and sea regressions or stable regimes during glacials, respectively.

Demographic history and population structure of the Antarctic silverfish Pleuragramma antarcticum.

The Antarctic silverfish Pleuragramma antarcticum (Nototheniidae) is the most abundant pelagic fish inhabiting Antarctic waters. In this study we investigated, through partial sequencing of the D-loop mitochondrial region, samples collected at four different locations in the Southern Ocean, three in the Atlantic and one in the Pacific sector. Sampling was replicated in two different years at two locations. Sequence analysis showed a remarkably high polymorphism, with 110 haplotypes over the 256 investigated specimens, and about 80% of haplotypes occurring only once. Neutrality tests indicated that all samples were not at mutation-drift equilibrium, and suggested a past population expansion. This result was supported by the presence of a star-like topology in the D-loop gene tree, and by results of mismatch distribution. The start of the expansion was dated, using a specifically calibrated clock, between 111 and 126 thousand years ago. This value corresponds to the start of the cooling period that led to the last glaciation peak, and is in close agreement with a recently suggested range expansion for pelagic Antarctic ecosystems. Analysis of molecular variation indicated a small, though highly significant, value of differentiation between samples. This result, together with the lack of association between clades and geographical locations, indicates a weak population structure for the species.

Jugular vein thrombosis: a rare presentation of atypical chronic myeloproliferative disorder in a young woman.

Venous thromboembolism is common in subjects with chronic myeloproliferative disorders and is a recognized presenting feature of occult myeloproliferation. We report the case of a young woman who presented with acute thrombosis in the right jugular vein and pulmonary embolism. Splenomegaly and myeloid proliferation with bone marrow fibrosis, in the absence of the criteria for typical myeloproliferative disorders, allowed a diagnosis of an atypical form of chronic myeloproliferative disorder. This form carries a high risk of thrombosis and venous thromboembolism can be the presenting feature, though the course is often indolent. Acute thrombosis in the right jugular vein has not been so far described in these subjects. The outcome of young people with myelofibrosis is unpredictable, but a normal level of hemoglobin and the absence of blast cells and constitutional symptoms at presentation identifies subjects with a low probability of rapid disease progression.

[Bone marrow changes in HIV-positive patients (clinical, cytological, histological, and ultrastructural study of 57 cases)]. / Alterazioni osteomidollari in pazienti HIV positivi (studio clinico, citologico, istologico ed ultrastrutturale su 57 casi).

The authors take into consideration clinical, cytological, histological and ultrastructural pattern of 57 HIV+ patients. They want to quantify bone marrow alterations and research their relation with haematological pattern of these patients. They think that peripheral haematological deficit is related with cellular and stromal alterations of the bone marrow. In fact there are many morphological cellular alterations. The most characteristic are that of megakaryocytes. The alterations of these cells are, probably, responsible for bone marrow early sclerosis of these patients. The plasma cells are also numerous and activated. They respect an immunological response.

Amphotericin B prophylaxis against invasive fungal infections in neutropenic patients: a single center experience from 1980 to 1995.

Fungal infections are a common complication in hematological and oncological patients. In the study the results of a retrospective analysis of the onset of fungal infections among 383 patients admitted at the hematology unit of San Camillo Hospital, Rome, from 1980 to 1995 are reported. In the eleven years prior to 1991 only four cases of fungal infection were detected in high risk patients (1.8% of the high risk patients). From 1991 to 1993 there was a dramatic increase of fungal infections (Candida and Aspergillus). Thirteen cases of infections were observed during this period, eight of which were due to Aspergillus (12% of the high risk patients). For this reason it was decided to introduce a different prophylactic treatment for all high risk patients consisting of combined conventional intravenous (i.v.) amphotericin B, oral amphotericin B and nebulized amphotericin B, starting from the first day of hospitalization. Since the introduction of this new prophylactic regimen no cases of invasive fungal infections were observed in the 48 high risk patients examined. The prophylactic treatment was well tolerated by all patients. The results suggest that the combined use of oral, nebulized and i.v. amphotericin B is very effective in preventing invasive fungal infections in high risk patients.

Recombinant interleukin-2 treatment before and after autologous stem cell transplantation in hematologic malignancies: clinical and immunologic effects.

Autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) for hematologic malignancies is associated with a high relapse rate. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) administration is a therapy that may prevent relapse if used when the tumor burden is minimal. In this study we administered recombinant IL-2 (rIL-2) therapy to 12 patients affected by hematologic malignancies either before or after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). rIL-2 was given by a 6 day continuous intravenous infusion with escalating doses, up to 18 x 10(6)/m2/day, depending on patient tolerance. The functional immune responses of the patients were assessed as natural killer (NK) and lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cytotoxic activities and in vitro interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) synthesis. During rIL-2 treatment, the expected side effects occurred; only 3 patients, who showed severe cardiovascular toxicity, required suspension of the treatment. All toxicities reversed after the end of the therapy. Immunologic monitoring was carried out the day before starting rIL-2 infusion and then repeated on days 3, 7, and 14 after rIL-2 was discontinued. Following every rIL-2 course, a pronounced increase in CD3+, CD8+, CD56+ cells was found, with a peak value on day 3. The NK and LAK activities showed a significant increase on day 3 (p < 0.001) over pretherapy values; the increase lasted until day 14, although the difference at later time points was not significant. Before transplant the synthesis of both IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha decreased following rIL-2 therapy, whereas higher levels of these lymphokines were found after posttransplant rIL-2 courses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[The clinical and immunological efficacy of a combination of immunoglobulins and an oral polyvalent antibacterial vaccine in recurrent respiratory infections]. / Efficacia clinica ed immunologica dell'associazione di immunoglobuline e vaccino antibatterico polivalente orale nelle infezioni ricorrenti respiratorie.

Ninety patients with a history of recurrent upper and lower respiratory infections were randomized into three groups of 30 patients each. Group 1 was treated with i.m. immunoglobulins and oral polyvalent bacterial vaccine, group 2 with vaccine only, while group 3 was not submitted to prophylactic treatment. During and after prophylaxis, all three groups were evaluated for frequency of recurrent respiratory infections and the most relevant immunological parameters. In groups 1 and 2, a significant reduction of minor and major upper and lower respiratory infections was observed compared to the control group. Patients treated with Ig+vaccine or vaccine alone showed an increase of IgG2 subclasses and CD4 lymphocytes and positive changes of delayed skin tests. These findings confirm the results of previous preliminary studies which had shown the polyvalent bacterial vaccine to be useful for the reduction of recurrent infections of the respiratory tract, especially during the winter. Further studies will have to be carried out in order to identify the precise mechanism by which antigen stimulation with the oral vaccine improves the immunological response of the respiratory tract.

Relative increase of T cells expressing the gamma/delta rather than the alpha/beta receptor in ataxia-telangiectasia.

In ataxia-telangiectasia, B-cell and T-cell deficiencies are thought to be due to a defect of rearrangements of immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor genes. T cells recognize antigens through two types of CD3-associated receptors: alpha/beta chains on mature cells and gamma/delta chains mostly on immature cells. We studied 10 patients with ataxia-telangiectasia and found that most had a relative increase of circulating T cells bearing gamma/delta receptors rather than alpha/beta receptors, as compared with normal subjects (P less than 0.001). Patients with other immune deficits, including eight with common variable immunodeficiency, one with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, two with hyperimmunoglobulinemia E syndrome, and one with severe combined immunodeficiency, had normal ratios of gamma/delta-bearing to alpha/beta-bearing cells. A marked predominance of gamma/delta-bearing T cells was found in a patient with a primary T-cell defect. The relative increase in gamma/delta-bearing T cells in the patients with ataxia-telangiectasia was largely accounted for by cells that reacted with the monoclonal antibody BB3, an apparently distinct subset of T cells that selectively express the C gamma 1 gene product of the T-cell receptor. Although they had normal ratios of gamma/delta-bearing to alpha/beta-bearing T cells, the patients with common variable immunodeficiency had a significant increase (P = 0.01) in the number of T cells expressing C gamma 2 that reacted with the monoclonal antibody delta-TCS-1. We conclude that the increased ratio of gamma/delta-bearing to alpha/beta-bearing T cells in ataxia-telangiectasia may reflect both a recombinational defect that interferes with T-cell and B-cell gene rearrangements and an inability to repair damage to the DNA.

Studies on the in vitro effects of auto-anti-IgE. Inhibition of total and specific serum IgE detection by a human IgG autoantibody to IgE.

We isolated a human IgG anti IgE autoantibody by affinity chromatography on a myelomatous IgE (N.D.) coated Sepharose column, from the serum of a patient with atopic eczema, and probed its ability to inhibit IgE recognition by heteroantisera to IgE used in commonly available assays for serum total and specific IgE determinations (Paper radio-immunosorbent test--PRIST and Phadezym radioallergosorbent test--RAST, both from Pharmacia, Uppsala--Sweden). Our results indicate that IgG anti IgE decrease total IgE results by 10-90% according to its weight ratio to IgE molecules present in samples devoid of endogeneous anti-IgE. Sera with high content of specific IgE to house dust mite (RAST class 3 or 4) are less affected by this autoantibody, but RAST class 2 may be significantly lowered when purified IgG anti IgE is added. These data imply that anti IgE can affect both total and specific IgE determinations.

IgG subclasses to food antigens.

Involvement of sub-classes of IgG that are specific for food allergens in anaphylactoid reactions and some manifestations of atopy no longer needs to be shown. Accordingly, sub-classes of IgG specific for ovalbumin (OVA) and beta-lactoglobulin (BLG) were compared in healthy subjects and those who presented with an intolerance or food allergy to OVA and BLG to decide whether a restrictive diet was necessary. The four sub-classes of IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4 were isolated in all the groups. IgG4 was highest in the allergic subjects and the IgG sub-class values were modified by the diet differently in each group. Unfortunately, the small number of subjects does not allow the formation of a definite conclusion to this study.

Evaluation of the presence of RF-like activities in immunoglobulin preparations for intravenous use. I. IgG anti-IgE in intravenous Ig.

We have studied the IgG anti-IgE antibody content of 8 IgG preparations for intravenous administration that we use in our Day Hospital as replacement therapy for patients with hypogammaglobulinemia. In all preparations we found the presence of both IgE and IgG anti-IgE as monomers and oligomers after fractionation with ultracentrifugation on sucrose gradient. This RF-like activity seem to be an essential constituent of low m.w. aggregates, disappearing at acid pH. We suggest that its presence could be responsible for the enrichment of IgE in Ig preparations for therapeutic use and perhaps for immediate and long-term adverse reactions.

Evaluation of the presence of RF-like activities in immunoglobulin preparations for intravenous use. II. IgG and IgA anti-IgG in intravenous Ig.

IgG- and IgA-rheumatoid factor like activities have been found in 4 out of 8 i.v. Ig preparations and in 1 i.m. Ig studied as control. In 2 i.v. Igs as well as in the 1 i.m., these RF-like activities were both present. These RF-like activities seem to be essential constituents of low m.w. aggregates, disappearing at acid pH. Their presence could perhaps be responsible for the enrichment of IgA in Ig preparations for therapeutic use and theoretically for the side-effects occurring "in vivo" after injection.

Case report of a Burkitt-like lymphoma in a bisexual HIV-positive man.

The clinical and pathologic features of a Burkitt-like lymphoma in a bisexual HIV-sero-positive man are reported. Emphasis is placed on some histologic characteristics present in a hyperplastic lymph node removed 2 years before the development of the B-cell lymphoma.

Hypogammaglobulinemia with hyper-IgM, severe T-cell defect, and abnormal recirculation of OKT4 lymphocytes in a girl with chronic lymphadenopathy.

We describe here one 8-year-old girl with an unusual form of immunodeficiency, characterized by hypogammaglobulinemia with hyper-IgM, severe T-cell defect, and chronic lymphadenopathy. Patient's B cells failed to produce IgG or IgA in vitro following stimulation with either pokeweed mitogen or Epstein-Barr virus, suggesting an intrinsic B-cell defect. Abnormal T-cell function was demonstrated by impaired in vivo delayed type hypersensitivity, reduction of mitogen-induced proliferation and interleukin 2 production, reduction of interferon-gamma production, and marked decrease of circulating OKT4+ cells. The latter cells were found in normal proportion in the patient's lymph node tissue. This finding suggests that the decrease of OKT4+ cells in peripheral blood was due to the abnormal recirculation of these cells. The identity of this syndrome with the infantile form of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome was apparently ruled out by the failure to demonstrate HTLV-III-related sequences in patient's lymphocytes or virus-specific serum antibodies.