3p abnormalities in peripheral lymphocytes in small cell lung cancer.

3p abnormalities are the most frequent chromosome abnormalities in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). To date these abnormalities have only been observed in cells derived from tumor tissues. It is thought that cancer-related chromosome abnormalities in peripheral lymphocytes could help to predict cancer development, prognosis, and future metastasis. We report clonal and nonclonal 3p abnormalities in the peripheral lymphocytes of two patients with SCLC. A standard T-lymphocyte culture method and GTL banding technique were applied to the samples, and various clonal and nonclonal chromosome 3 abnormalities, i.e., -3, del(3)(p24), del(3)(p21), del(3)(p11), del(3)(q22), inv(3)(p14q29), and inv(3)(q21q29) were observed. Efforts have been made to understand if there are cancer-related chromosome abnormalities in lymphocytes and the suitability of these abnormalities to predict cancer development or metastases. As far as we know, this is the first report on chromosome 3 abnormalities in lymphocytes. Since 3p abnormalities are specific for SCLC, it is important to show that these cancer-related abnormalities can be found in blood cells.

[The value of SF-36 questionnaire for the measurement of life quality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]. / Kronik obstrüktif akciger hastaliginda yasam kalitesinin belirlenmesinde SF-36 saglik taramasinin degeri.

This study was performed in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients to compare the SF-36 questionnaire with pulmonary function tests and non-functional parameters. Fourty-five COPD patients diagnosed according to GOLD 2004 criteria were included in the study. The stable patients were evaluated by spirometry, static lung volumes, diffusion capacity, 6 MWD, BORG scale, MMRC dyspnea measurement and SF-36 life questionnaire performed on the same day. The mean age of the patients was 66 +/- 10 years and the female/male ratio was 4/41. The mean FEV1/FVC ratio was 0.49 (moderate COPD n = 18, severe COPD n = 27). The RV/TLC ratio was 0.52. Walking distance was less than normal, with a mean of 375 +/- 119 m. All the SF-36 scale except pain index are low compared to normal. General health perceptions, physical functioning, role physical, role emotional, social functioning, energy and mental health index are as follows: 47 +/- 24, 50 +/- 30, 35 +/- 38, 49 +/- 37, 63 +/- 33, 49 +/- 20, 59 +/- 20, respectively. When the general health scale compared with FVC and FEV1 revealed moderate correlation was found (r = 0.56, r = 0.55, respectively). Physical functioning compared with FVC, FEV1, RV/TLC and IC revealed moderate correlation (r = 0.62, r = 0.67, r = -0.54, r = 0.65, respectively). General health and physical functioning scales correlated with the non-functional parameters (MMRC, 6 MWD) (r = -0.51, r = 0.53, r = -0.61, r = 0.64 respectively). The SF-36 general quality of life questionnaire is a useful measurement instrument for the evaluation of therapeutic efficiency and follow up of COPD patients.

The effect of renal transplantation on pulmonary function.

In patients with chronic renal failure, mechanical and hemodynamic changes could occur in the lungs without obvious pulmonary symptoms and findings and their effects could pave the way to pulmonary functional disorders. In this study, pulmonary functional disorders and especially alveolocapillary defects, which are frequently seen in uremia, were determined in renal transplanted patients. Pulmonary functions and diffusion capacity were assessed in uremic patients (n = 20) and in successfully transplanted patients (n = 20) without any lung disease or pulmonary edema symptoms and findings. Patients were selected randomly among outpatients who were followed up in a Nephrology and Transplantation Unit. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), and peak expiratory flow (PEF25-75) were measured. Single breath carbon monoxide diffusion test and diffusion lung capacity adjusted for hemoglobin concentration (DLAdj) were done. The means of the spirometric values such as FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC were normal in the nondialyzed uremic group, but the PEF25-75 value (68.7%) and diffusion capacity (DLAdj 72.7%) were found to be slightly low. There were 2 patients with normal values and 18 patients with some functional abnormalities in this nondialyzed uremic group. The means of all spirometric parameters and diffusion capacities were found to be normal in the transplanted group. There were 7 patients with normal function and 13 patients with some functional abnormalities in this transplanted group. When the nondialyzed uremic group and the transplanted group were compared statistically, significant differences were found between their spirometric values (except for FVC) and their diffusion capacities. Even though the uremic patients did not show any symptoms, their pulmonary function tests, especially diffusion capacity, were found to be disturbed. Although the transplanted patients as a group had normal mean spirometric values and diffusion capacity there were nevertheless many individual transplanted patients with defective diffusion capacity and abnormal spirometric values.