The nature and impact of neurobehavioral symptoms in neuronopathic Hunter syndrome.

In neuronopathic Hunter syndrome, neurobehavioral symptoms are known to be serious but have been incompletely described. While families face significant stress stemming from this complex and far-reaching array of symptoms, neither caregiver burden nor the neurobehavioral symptoms have been measured comprehensively. We delineated these neurobehavioral characteristics and their impact on the caregiver using multiple approaches. Methods: As part of the initial phase of developing a Hunter-specific behavioral assessment tool, we used multiple methods to obtain data on patient behaviors and caregiver burden, with the intention of drafting item sets for the tool. We utilized 1) caregiver descriptions from focus groups and individual interviews, 2) observations from video-recorded play of affected children, 3) descriptions from historic chart review, 4) consultation with patient advocacy groups and international experts, 5) reports from a caregiver advisory board, and 6) literature review. Results: Neurobehavioral symptoms were diverse and categorized as focus/attention, impulsivity/heightened activity, sensation seeking, emotional/behavioral function, social interaction, and sleep. A significant reported challenge was susceptibility to misinterpretation of some behaviors as defiant or aggressive, particularly if physical. Caregiver burden involved social isolation, exhaustion, stress, and financial and vocational strain. These new descriptions will aid in developing quantitative measures of change in neurobehavioral symptoms and family burden. These descriptions will be the foundation of a neurobehavioral rating scale, which is very much needed to aid in patient management and assess interventions for individuals with neuronopathic Hunter syndrome.

ABO antibody titer and risk of antibody-mediated rejection in ABO-incompatible renal transplantation.

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) preconditioning with immunosuppressive therapy reduces ABO antibody titers, permitting engraftment of ABO-incompatible (ABO-I) kidney transplants. The posttransplant predictive role of ABO antibody titers for antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is unknown. This retrospective study evaluated 46 individuals who received TPE to permit ABO-I kidney transplantation. ABO antibody titers were performed using donor-type indicator red cells. Seven individuals (15.2%) experienced clinical or subclinical AMR. There was no significant difference between recipient blood group, number of pretransplant TPE and baseline titer between those with and without AMR. At 1-2 weeks posttransplant the median titer was 64 (range 4 - 512) among individuals with AMR and 16 (range 2 - 256) among individuals without AMR. Total agglutination reactivity score was significantly higher among individuals with AMR (p = 0.046). The risk of AMR was significantly higher among individuals with an elevated posttransplant titer of >or=64 (p = 0.006). The sensitivity of an elevated posttransplant titer was 57.1% with a specificity of 79.5%. The positive predictive value was 33.3% and the negative predictive value was 91.2%. Most individuals with AMR have an elevated titer, however, the positive predictive value of a high titer for AMR is poor.

The use of antibody to complement protein C5 for salvage treatment of severe antibody-mediated rejection.

Desensitized patients are at high risk of developing acute antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). In most cases, the rejection episodes are mild and respond to a short course of plasmapheresis (PP) / low-dose IVIg treatment. However, a subset of patients experience severe AMR associated with sudden onset oliguria. We previously described the utility of emergent splenectomy in rescuing allografts in patients with this type of severe AMR. However, not all patients are good candidates for splenectomy. Here we present a single case in which eculizumab, a complement protein C5 antibody that inhibits the formation of the membrane attack complex (MAC), was used combined with PP/IVIg to salvage a kidney undergoing severe AMR. We show a marked decrease in C5b-C9 (MAC) complex deposition in the kidney after the administration of eculizumab.

The Upper Midwest Health Study: a case-control study of primary intracranial gliomas in farm and rural residents.

Since several studies indicated that farmers and agricultural workers had an excess risk of brain cancer, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health initiated the Upper Midwest Health Study to examine risk of intracranial glioma in the non-metropolitan population. This population-based, case-control study evaluated associations between gliomas and rural and farm exposures among adults (ages 18 to 80) in four upper midwestern states (Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin). At diagnosis/selection, participants lived in non-metropolitan counties where the largest population center had fewer than 250,000 residents. Cases were diagnosed 1 January 1995 through 31 January 1997. Over 90% of 873 eligible ascertained cases and over 70% of 1670 eligible controls consented to participate. Participants and nonparticipants, evaluated for "critical questions" on main and refusant questionnaires, differed significantly in farming and occupational experience, ethnicity, education, and lifestyle. The 1,175 controls were more likely than the 798 cases to have reported ever drinking alcohol (77% vs. 73%, adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0. 73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.59-0.92) and having had panoramic dental x-rays (34% vs. 29%, OR 0. 75, CI 0.61-0.92). Controls spent a greater percentage of their lives in non-metropolitan counties (78% vs. 75%, OR 0.81, CI 0.67-1.09). Among ever-farmers, controls were more likely to have had exposure to farm insecticides (57% vs. 50%, OR 0.75, CI 0.59-0.95) and farm animals (96% vs. 91%, OR 0.48, CI 0.25-0.90). Moving to a farm as an adolescent (ages 11 to 20) vs. as an adult was associated with a greater risk of glioma. In our study sample, farm or rural residence and summary farm exposures were associated with decreased glioma risk. However, nonparticipation by never-farming eligible controls could have affected results. Comparisons of farm chemical exposures may clarify associations between farming and glioma that others have reported.

C4d and C3d staining in biopsies of ABO- and HLA-incompatible renal allografts: correlation with histologic findings.

Biopsies of ABO-incompatible and positive crossmatch (HLA-incompatible) renal allografts were retrospectively examined to compare results of C4d and C3d staining, and the correlation between such staining and histologic findings suggestive of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). A total of 75 biopsies (55 protocol, 17 for graft dysfunction, 3 for other indications) of 24 ABO-incompatible grafts and 244 biopsies (103 protocol, 129 for graft dysfunction, 12 for other indications) of 66 HLA-incompatible grafts were examined; all were stained for C4d and approximately 40% for C3d. In ABO-incompatible grafts, 80% of protocol biopsies and 59% performed for graft dysfunction showed C4d staining in peritubular capillaries (PTC); this staining was not correlated with neutrophil margination in PTC. In HLA-incompatible grafts, PTC C4d was present in 26% of protocol biopsies and 60% of biopsies for graft dysfunction; 92% of biopsies with >1+ (0-4+ scale), diffuse PTC C4d had > or =1+ margination and/or thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), compared with 12% of C4d-negative biopsies. C3d was somewhat more predictive of margination than C4d in ABO-incompatible, but not HLA-incompatible, grafts. In summary, while PTC C4d deposition indicates probable AMR in biopsies of HLA-incompatible grafts, including protocol biopsies, there is no histologic evidence that C4d deposition is correlated with injury in most ABO-incompatible grafts.

Unique domain functions of p63 isotypes that differentially regulate distinct aspects of epidermal homeostasis.

p63 is critical for squamous development and exists as multiple isotypes of two subclasses, TA and DeltaN. DeltaNp63 isotypes can antagonize transcription by TAp63 and p53, and are highly expressed in squamous cell cancers. Using mouse keratinocytes as a biological model of squamous epithelium, we show that multiple p63 isotypes, DeltaN- and TA-containing, are expressed and differentially modulated during in vitro murine keratinocyte differentiation. DeltaNp63alpha declines with Ca2+-induced differentiation, while a smaller DeltaN-form, DeltaNp63s, persists, suggesting unique functions of the two DeltaN-forms. To investigate the impact of dysregulated p63 expression that is observed in cancers and to define the biological contribution of the different domains of the p63 isotypes, DeltaNp63alpha, DeltaNp63p40, TAp63alpha, TAp63gamma or beta-galactosidase were overexpressed in primary murine keratinocytes. Microarray, RT-PCR and western blot analyses revealed that overexpression of DeltaNp63p40, which lacks the entire alpha-tail present in DeltaNp63alpha, permits expression of a full panel of differentiation markers. This is in contrast to overexpression of the full-length DeltaNp63alpha, which blocks induction of keratin 10, loricrin and filaggrin. These findings support a role for the alpha-tail of DeltaNp63alpha in blocking differentiation-specific gene expression. Overexpression of either TAp63 isotype permits keratin 10 and loricrin expression, thus the alpha-terminus requires the cooperation of the DeltaN domain in blocking early differentiation. However, both TA isotypes block filaggrin induction. The DeltaN-terminus is sufficient to maintain keratinocytes in a proliferative state, as both DeltaN forms block Ca2+-mediated p21WAF1 induction and S-phase arrest, while sustaining elevated PCNA levels. No alteration in cell cycle regulation was observed in keratinocytes overexpressing TAp63alpha or TAp63gamma. Clarifying the functional distinctions between p63 isotypes and domains will help to elucidate how their dysregulation impacts tumor biology and may suggest novel therapeutic strategies for modulating behavior of tumor cells with altered expression of p53 family members.

Prophylactic antigen-matched donor blood for patients with warm autoantibodies: an algorithm for transfusion management.

BACKGROUND: Patients with warm autoantibodies are at high risk for delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions due to the presence of alloantibodies. To provide blood safe for transfusion and to avoid adsorption studies in some cases, the provision of prophylactic antigen-matched donor blood where feasible for patients with warm autoantibodies is advocated. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Twenty consecutive adult patients with warm autoantibodies (January 1999 to February 2000) received chronic RBC transfusions by use of this protocol: the serology consistent with warm autoantibodies was confirmed; the alloantibodies were identified; the complete phenotype was determined (i.e., C, E, c, e, K, Jk(a), Jk(b), Fy(a), Fy(b), S, and s); and prophylactic antigen-matched (i.e., donor RBCs matched with the patient's phenotype), WBC-reduced donor RBCs were provided for transfusion. On subsequent admissions, samples were evaluated by panel studies and DATs. If the serology remained consistent with previous findings, prophylactic antigen-matched, WBC-reduced RBCs were transfused without further testing. RESULTS: Eight of 20 (40%) patients had existing, clinically significant alloantibodies. In 12 of 20 (60%) patients, a phenotype was determined and the patients received transfusion of a total of 149 prophylactic antigen-matched RBC units (mean, 15 units per patient) precluding adsorption studies on 51 pretransfusion samples. In 8 of 20 (40%) cases (2 with alloantibodies), phenotypes were indeterminant, necessitating differential allogeneic adsorption studies on 39 samples before transfusion of 144 RBC units (mean, 18 units per patient). CONCLUSIONS: Determining complete phenotypes should be a routine component of the serologic evaluation of patients with warm autoantibodies. Our algorithm for providing prophylactic antigen-matched RBCs to these patients when a complete phenotype can be determined provides flexibility in their transfusion management while maintaining safety and circumvents or simplifies pretransfusion adsorption studies.

Gibberellins are not required for normal stem growth in Arabidopsis thaliana in the absence of GAI and RGA.

The growth of Arabidopsis thaliana is quantitatively regulated by the phytohormone gibberellin (GA) via two closely related nuclear GA-signaling components, GAI and RGA. Here we test the hypothesis that GAI and RGA function as "GA-derepressible repressors" of plant growth. One prediction of this hypothesis is that plants lacking GAI and RGA do not require GA for normal stem growth. Analysis of GA-deficient mutants lacking GAI and RGA confirms this prediction and suggests that in the absence of GAI and RGA, "growth" rather than "no growth" is the default state of plant stems. The function of the GA-signaling system is thus to act as a control system regulating the amount of this growth. We also demonstrate that the GA dose dependency of hypocotyl elongation is altered in mutants lacking GAI and RGA and propose that increments in GAI/RGA repressor function can explain the quantitative nature of GA responses.

An animal model for delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions.

Delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions (DHTRs) are a well-known complication of transfusion that may be defined as immune-mediated hemolysis of allogeneic donor red cells that occurs approximately 3 to 5 days after transfusion. In general, DHTRs occur in patients who have been alloimmunized previously, but the antibody titers have fallen below serologically detectable levels. Transfusion of seemingly compatible blood and exposure to the putative alloantigen results in an anamnestic immune response that may lead to in vivo accelerated destruction of donor red cells. Symptoms may include a drop in hemoglobin and hematocrit, fever, jaundice, and renal insufficiency. More recent studies have shown that there is a subset of cases called delayed serologic transfusion reactions (DSTRs) when there are serologic findings consistent with DHTRs but no clinical evidence of hemolysis. In both DHTRs and DSTRs, direct antiglobulin tests are often persistently positive long after the transfused donor red cells should have been removed from the circulation. Because the studies required to investigate the immunologic and clinical aspects of these reactions are precluded in humans, we developed an animal model for the study of DHTRs and DSTRs. Our article provides a comprehensive review of DHTRs and DSTRs, the role of complement and cytokines in these reactions, and the phenomenon of bystander hemolysis. We describe our studies using the rabbit as a model for the study of DHTRs and bystander hemolysis.

Fatal warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia resulting from IgM autoagglutinins in an infant with severe combined immunodeficiency.

Autoimmune diseases are rare in patients with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). The authors describe an 11-month-old infant girl with SCID with fatal warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) resulting from IgM autoagglutinins. Serologic evaluation revealed IgM autoantibodies that caused in vitro hemagglutination at 37 degrees C. The patient had clinical evidence of ongoing hemolysis and agglutination despite aggressive treatment. She had three strokes and died 6 weeks after unsuccessful bone marrow transplantation. Autoimmune disease is an unexpected complication of SCID. The presence of warm reactive IgM autoagglutinins in AIHA confers a dismal prognosis.

Plasmapheresis and intravenous immune globulin provides effective rescue therapy for refractory humoral rejection and allows kidneys to be successfully transplanted into cross-match-positive recipients.

BACKGROUND: Hyperacute rejection (HAR) and acute humoral rejection (AHR) remain recalcitrant conditions without effective treatments, and usually result in graft loss. Plasmapheresis (PP) has been shown to remove HLA- specific antibody (Ab) in many different clinical settings. Intravenous gamma globulin (IVIG) has been used to suppress alloantibody and modulate immune responses. Our hypothesis was that a combination of PP and IVIG could effectively and durably remove donor-specific, anti-HLA antibody (Ab), rescuing patients with established AHR and preemptively desensitizing recipients who had positive crossmatches with a potential live donor. METHODS: The study patients consisted of seven live donor kidney transplant recipients who experienced AHR and had donor-specific Ab (DSA) for one or more mismatched donor HLA antigens. The patients segregated into two groups: three patients were treated for established AHR (rescue group) and four cross-match-positive patients received therapy before transplantation (preemptive group). RESULTS: Using PP/IVIG we have successfully reversed established AHR in three patients. Four patients who were cross-match-positive (3 by flow cytometry and 1 by cytotoxic assay) and had DSA before treatment underwent successful renal transplantation utilizing their live donor. The overall mean creatinine for both treatment groups is 1.4+/-0.8 with a mean follow up of 58+/-40 weeks (range 17-116 weeks). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we present seven patients for whom the combined therapies of PP/IVIG were successful in reversing AHR mediated by Ab specific for donor HLA antigens. Furthermore, this protocol shows promise for eliminating DSA preemptively among patients with low-titer positive antihuman globulin-enhanced, complement-dependent cytotoxicity (AHG-CDC) cross-matches, allowing the successful transplantation of these patients using a live donor without any cases of HAR.

An acute hemolytic transfusion reaction due to anti-IH in a patient with sickle cell disease.

BACKGROUND: A hemolytic transfusion reaction (HTR) due to anti-IH is reported in a patient with sickle cell disease (SCD). CASE REPORT: An 18-year-old woman with SCD and a complete phenotype on file had been identified as group B-positive with negative antibody-screening tests and had received 1 unit of packed RBCs. Ten days later, she was readmitted in painful crisis with a Hb of 4.2 g per dL. Antibody-screening tests and panel cells were positive at all test phases with a negative autocontrol, which suggested alloantibodies. Phenotypically matched group O RBCs were issued emergently. After the transfusion of 100 mL, the patient had an HTR with chills, fever, and tachycardia and laboratory findings of hemoglobinemia, hemoglobinuria, and negative DATs. A high-titer, IgM anti-IH with a high thermal amplitude (reactive with group O, but not group B RBCs at 37 degrees C) was identified. Autologous RBCs appeared to have normal I antigen expression, but less H antigen than pooled group B RBCs. She was given group B RBCs, uneventfully, by use of a blood warmer. CONCLUSIONS: This is a rare case of anti-IH as the cause of a HTR, as a serologic problem that may be seen in SCD, and as an autoantibody that may mimic an alloantibody. Ironically, this HTR resulted from the effort to provide phenotypically matched RBCs, which necessitated the selection of group O RBCs.

Plasmapheresis: an effective therapy for primary allograft nonfunction after liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The role of plasmapheresis in liver failure and hepatic coma remains controversial. Also, its use as a salvage strategy for patients with severe allograft dysfunction after liver transplantation has not been defined. This report reviews the use of plasmapheresis in primary hepatic allograft nonfunction (PNF). METHODS: From May of 1997 to October of 1998, five patients underwent plasmapheresis for PNF after other causes of immediate allograft dysfunction were excluded. These patients underwent two to five plasmapheresis procedures during which one plasma volume was removed and replaced with fresh frozen plasma (FFP) or with 50% FFP and 50% albumin. RESULTS: All recipients who underwent plasmapheresis had restoration of liver function. There was one death from pulmonary embolism, for an overall survival rate of 80%. The four surviving patients all had functioning allografts 1 year after liver transplantation. In contrast, during the same period, there were two patients in whom PNF was treated by retransplantation, and both died within 3 months after surgery with functioning allografts. CONCLUSIONS: Plasmapheresis provides an effective treatment option for PNF immediately after liver transplantation and may obviate the need for retransplantation.

Automated RBC exchange transfusion:treatment for cerebral malaria.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral malaria is a life-threatening complication of Plasmodium falciparum infection. RBC exchange transfusion can reduce the level of parasitemia in this setting. Experience with automated RBC exchange for cerebral malaria may be limited, as most cases occur when the necessary equipment and blood components are not readily available. CASE REPORTS: Three patients were admitted with cerebral malaria. Parasites were found in more than 30 percent of RBCs in two cases and in more than 60 percent of RBCs in the third case. Many RBCs contained multiple organisms. In each case, antimalarial therapy was begun, and an automated RBC exchange was performed emergently with a cell separator. Exchange transfusion was repeated within 24 hours for two patients. Parasitemia levels were less than 1 percent in all patients 24 hours after the last exchange. The neurologic status of these patients returned to baseline, and they were discharged 7 to 18 days after admission. CONCLUSION: Automated RBC exchange transfusion can rapidly reduce the level of parasitemia and restore neurologic functioning in patients with cerebral malaria.

Construction of a human platelet alloantigen-1a epitope(s) within murine glycoprotein IIIa: identification of residues critical to the conformation of the antibody binding site(s).

The human platelet alloantigen 1 system (HPA-1) is determined by a polymorphism at position 33 in the N-terminus of human glycoprotein IIIa (GPIIIa). This naturally occurring substitution creates a conformation in the HPA-1a allelic form that can be antigenic when presented to an individual expressing the HPA-1b form. Anti-HPA-1a antibodies generated by this immune response can lead to the destruction of platelets, as seen in the clinical disorders, neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT) and posttransfusion purpura (PTP). To understand better the structural requirements for recognition by these pathogenic antibodies, we investigated the N-terminal 66 amino acids from the HPA-1a form of human GPIIIa and the analogous amino acids from the nonimmunogenic murine homolog. Our objectives were to define further the boundaries of the HPA-1a epitope(s) in the N-terminus of human GPIIIa, to isolate the murine 5' nucleotide sequence and compare the deduced murine N-terminal sequence to that of human, and to mutate the murine sequence systematically to include an HPA-1a epitope(s). Murine amino acids that differed from human were changed by site-directed mutagenesis to the analogous residues in the HPA-1a form of human GPIIIa, starting and radiating from murine position 33 (site of human polymorphism). This systematic approach allowed us to pinpoint amino acids critical to a conformation recognized by anti-HPA-1a antibodies. Our results show that an HPA-1a epitope can be created within the N-terminus of murine GPIIIa and raise the possibility that murine models of HPA-1a sensitization can be developed.

A comparison of a new affinity column system with a conventional tube LISS-antiglobulin test for antibody detection.

A recently introduced system for antibody detection (ReACT) consists of affinity columns (AFC) that contain protein A and protein G-coated agarose. We compared the ReACT system to a conventional tube low-ionic-strength saline antiglobulin test (LISS-AGT). We selected 100 LISS-AGT positive samples with clinically important and benign antibodies of varying strengths and 130 LISS-AGT negative samples to evaluate by the AFC method. AFC tests were positive with all 84 clinically important antibodies, including 36 antibodies that reacted <= 1+ at LISS-AGT (0% falsely negative). Eleven of 16 (69%) clinically benign antibodies reacted by AFC. Five samples (2 anti-Sda, 2 anti-I, and 1 inconclusive) were negative by AFC. AFC tests were negative with all 130 samples that were negative by LISS-AGT (0% falsely positive). The AFC method showed results comparable with results obtained with a conventional tube LISS-AGT for detection of clinically important antibodies. Some unwanted, clinically benign antibodies may not be detected by the AFC method.

Assessment of the clinical significance of anti-Dob.

BACKGROUND: Anti-Dob is an uncommon antibody, and there are few data regarding its clinical importance. In the present case, the patient's transfusion management was based on both in vivo and in vitro assay results. CASE REPORT: A delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction was suspected in a 64-year-old white woman awaiting cardiac surgery when the transfusion of 1 unit of red cells failed to raise her hematocrit. Although direct antiglobulin tests were negative, antibody screening tests on samples drawn 9 days after transfusion were positive, and anti-Dob was identified, reacting to a titer of 4. 51Cr in vivo survival studies with incompatible Do(b+) red cells showed poor survival: 83.2 percent at 1 hour, 43 percent at 24 hours, and 29.6 percent at 48 hours and t1/2 = 19 hours (normal t1/2 = 25-35 days). A monocyte monolayer assay performed with the same incompatible Do(b+) donor red cells also indicated poor survival: 22 percent and 30 percent reactive monocytes, respectively, with and without the addition of complement (normal, 0-3%). The patient was given 4 Do(b-) red cell units without clinical signs or symptoms of a reaction. CONCLUSIONS: This example of anti-Dob was implicated in a delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction. The 51Cr survival studies and monocyte monolayer assay results indicated that the anti-Dob was clinically significant, requiring the use of Do(b-) red cells for transfusion.