Cocaine use in trauma: the vices-paradox revisited.

BACKGROUND: The "vices-paradox" describes the paradoxical association between illicit substance use and decreased mortality risk in trauma patients. Cocaine's vasoconstrictive effects may decrease hemorrhage but also increase the risk of thromboembolic complications. To clarify the effects of cocaine use on trauma patients, we compared the risk of mortality and thromboembolic complications in patients screening positive for cocaine with those screening negative. METHODS: We searched the Trauma Quality Improvement Program database to identify patients 18 years and over who had presented with a drug and alcohol screen on admission between 2017 and 2019. After excluding all patients who had tested positive for alcohol and substances other than cocaine, we then compared the clinical outcomes of patients who were positive and negative for cocaine use. RESULTS: Of the 312,553 patients identified, 11,942 (3.82%) had tested positive for cocaine. Cocaine users were significantly more likely to present with stab (8.0% vs 3.1%) or gunshot wounds (8.0% vs 3.0%) but had lower rates of mortality (3.6% vs 4.7%), myocardial infarction (0.1% vs 0.2%,) and cerebrovascular accident (0.3% vs 0.4%,). After controlling for covariates, the risk of death, myocardial infarction, and cerebrovascular accident did not significantly differ between cocaine and non-cocaine users. CONCLUSION: Trauma patients positive for cocaine have similar risks of death and thromboembolic complications and so have a similar prognosis to patients negative for all drugs or alcohol, indicating that the "vices-paradox" does not apply to cocaine use. However, these patients more commonly present after penetrating trauma, suggesting cocaine use in hazardous environments.

Obesity Does Not Increase Risk for Mortality in Severe Sepsis Trauma Patients.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of obesity in the United States is up to 40% in adults. Obese patients with severe sepsis have a lower mortality rate compared with normal body mass index (BMI) patients. We hypothesized that trauma patients with severe sepsis and obese BMI will have a decreased mortality risk in comparison with normal BMI patients. METHODS: The Trauma Quality Improvement Program (2017) was queried for adult trauma patients with documented BMI and severe sepsis. Patients were grouped based on BMI: non-obese trauma patients (nOTP) BMI <30 kg/m2 and obese trauma patients (OTP) ≥30 kg/m2. A multivariable logistic regression model was used for analysis of mortality. RESULTS: From 1246 trauma patients with severe sepsis, 566 (42.4%) were nOTP and 680 (57.6%) were OTP. OTP had increased length of stay (LOS) (19 vs 21 days, P < .001), intensive care unit (ICU) LOS (13 vs 18 days, P < .001) and ventilator days (10 vs 11 days, P < .001). After adjusting for covariates, when compared to normal BMI patients, patients who were overweight (OR 1.11 CI .875-1.41 P = .390), obese (OR .797 CI .59-1.06 P = .126), severely obese (OR .926 CI .63-1.36 P = .696) and morbidly obese (OR 1.448 CI 1.01-2.07 P = .04) all had a similar associated risk for mortality compared to patients with normal BMI. CONCLUSION: In adult trauma patients with severe sepsis, this national analysis demonstrated OTP had increased LOS, ICU LOS, and ventilator days compared to nOTP. However, patients with increasing degrees of obesity had similar associated risk of mortality compared to trauma patients with severe sepsis and a normal BMI.

Emergency medicine (EM) can safely manage geriatric trauma patients sustaining ground level falls: Fostering EM autonomy while safely offloading a busy trauma service.

OBJECTIVE: Limited data exists regarding different specialties care of geriatric (>74 years-old) trauma patients (GTPs). We created a "Tier-III" designation for ground-level fall (GLF) GTPs to be managed by EM, with a trauma consult as needed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-center comparison of PRE (1/1/2013-4/30/2016) versus POST (5/1/2016-11/30/2019) Tier-III GTP GLFs. The primary outcome was mortality. Secondary outcomes included admissions, trauma bay procedures and length of stay (LOS). RESULTS: 1,652 patients (314-PRE vs. 1,338-POST) were included. The admission rate was lower in the POST (56.9% vs. 88.9%, p < 0.001) cohort. There were no differences in LOS or trauma bay procedures between cohorts (p > 0.05). On multivariable analysis there was similar associated risk of mortality between groups (p = 0.68). CONCLUSION: The associated risk of mortality was similar between GLF GTP cohorts managed initially by EM and trauma surgeons, however the admission rate was lower in the POST group suggesting EM management may improve hospital bed utilization.

Comparative Outcomes for Trauma Patients in Prison and the General Population.

BACKGROUND: Prisoners are a vulnerable population, and there are few contemporary studies that consider trauma patient outcomes within the prisoner population. Therefore, we sought to provide a descriptive analysis of prisoners involved in trauma and evaluate whether a healthcare disparity exists. We hypothesized that prisoners and non-prisoners have a similar risk of mortality and in-hospital complications after trauma. METHODS: The Trauma Quality Improvement Program (2015-2016) was queried for trauma patients based upon location inside or outside of prison at the time of injury. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to compare these groups for risk of mortality-the primary outcome. RESULTS: From 593,818 trauma patients, 1115 were located in prison. Compared to non-prisoners, prisoner trauma patients had no significant difference in mortality (5.1 vs 6.0%, P = .204). However, after adjusting for covariates, prisoners had a shorter length of stay (LOS) (mean days, 6.3 vs 7.8, P < .001), shorter intensive care unit (ICU) LOS (mean days, 5.44 vs 5.89, P = .004), and fewer complications, including lower rates of drug/alcohol withdrawal (.4% vs 1.1%, P = .030), pneumonia (.5 vs 1.6%, P = .004), and urinary tract infections (.0 vs 1.1%, P < .001). Upon performing a multivariable logistic regression model, prisoner trauma patients had a similar associated risk of mortality compared to non-prisoners (OR 1.61, CI .52-4.94, P = .409). DISCUSSION: Our results suggest that prisoner trauma patients at least receive equivalent treatment in terms of mortality and may have better outcomes when considering some complications. Future prospective studies are needed to confirm these results and explore other factors, which impact prisoner patient outcomes.

The modern trauma pancreaticoduodenectomy for penetrating trauma: a propensity-matched analysis.

Trauma pancreaticoduodenectomy (TP) remains a challenging operation with morbidity and mortality rates as high as 80% and 50%. Many trauma surgeons consider it surgical dogma to avoid performing a TP during the index operation for patients with severe pancreatic or duodenal injuries. However, there is no modern analysis evaluating this belief. Therefore, we hypothesized no difference in risk of mortality between patients with severe pancreatic or duodenal injury undergoing a TP for penetrating trauma to propensity-matched controls undergoing laparotomy without TP. The Trauma Quality Improvement Program (2010-2016) was queried for adults with severe penetrating pancreatic or duodenal injuries undergoing laparotomy. A 1:2 propensity-matching including demographics/comorbidities, injury severity score, vitals on admission, Glasgow Coma Scale and concomitant injuries for laparotomy with or without TP was performed. Risk of mortality was reported using a univariable logistic regression model. Of 2182 patients with severe pancreatic or duodenal injuries undergoing laparotomy, 54 (2.5%) underwent TP and 2128 (97.5%) underwent laparotomy without TP. There were no differences in propensity-matching characteristics. Patients undergoing TP had a similar mortality rate (20.0% vs. 28.7%, p = 0.302) but a longer length of stay (LOS) (27.5 vs. 16.5 days, p = 0.017). The TP group had a similar associated risk of mortality (OR = 0.62, p = 0.302) but higher risk of major complications (OR 3.44, CI 1.35-17.47, p = 0.015). In appropriately selected penetrating trauma patients with severe pancreatic/duodenal injuries, TP is associated with a similar risk of mortality compared to laparotomy without TP. However, TP patients did have an increased associated risk of major complications and longer LOS.

Marijuana use and outcomes in adult and pediatric trauma patients after legalization in California.

BACKGROUND: Marijuana has become legal in eight states since 2012. We hypothesized the incidence of marijuana-positive trauma patients and rate of mortality has increased post-legalization. METHODS: A single level-I trauma center was used to identify patients screening positive for marijuana on urine-toxicology. Patients in the pre-legalization and post-legalization periods were compared. RESULTS: In the pre-legalization cohort 9.4% were marijuana-positive versus 11.0% in the post-legalization cohort (p = 0.001). Marijuana-positive patients post-legalization had higher rates of critical trauma activation (20.0% vs. 15.0%, p = 0.01) and mortality (2.6% vs. 1.2%, p = 0.03). In the pediatric (age 12-17) subgroup, the incidence of marijuana-positive patients did not change after legalization (pre: 39.3%, post: 46.4%, p = 0.24). CONCLUSION: The incidence of marijuana-positive trauma patients increased post-legalization. Adult marijuana-positive trauma patients post-legalization were more likely to meet criteria for critical trauma activation and have a higher mortality rate. A subgroup of pediatric patients had an alarmingly high rate of marijuana use. SUMMARY: The rate of marijuana use among trauma patients increased post-legalization in California. The rate of critical trauma activation also increased as well as the mortality rate.

Non-accidental trauma increases length of stay and mortality in pediatric trauma.

PURPOSE: More than half a million children experience non-accidental trauma (NAT) annually. Historically, NAT has been associated with an increased hospital length of stay (LOS). We hypothesized that in pediatric trauma patients, NAT is associated with longer hospital LOS, independent of injury severity, compared to accidental trauma (AT). METHODS: The Pediatric Trauma Quality Improvement Program (2014-2016) was queried for patients aged 1-16 years. Patients were stratified into two groups: AT and NAT. The median LOS for the entire cohort was identified and used in a multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: From 93,089 pediatric trauma patients, 417 (< 0.1%) were involved in NAT. Patients with NAT had a lower median age (3 vs. 9 years, p < 0.001) and higher median injury severity score (10 vs. 5, p < 0.001), compared to patients with AT. After controlling for covariates, patients with NAT were associated with a longer hospital LOS (≥ 2 days), compared to those with AT (OR = 4.99 CI = 3.55-7.01, p < 0.001). In comparison to AT, NAT was also associated with a higher mortality rate (10.3% vs. 0.8%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Pediatric patients presenting after NAT have a prolonged hospital and ICU LOS, even after adjusting for injury severity. Furthermore, pediatric victims of NAT had a higher mortality rate compared to those presenting after AT.

Ureteric transection secondary to penetrating handlebar injury.

Ureteric trauma is rare, occurring in < 1% of all traumas. We present a unique case of a 13 year old female who sustained a penetrating abdominal injury from a bicycle handlebar. Upon initial examination there was herniation of bowel through the abdominal wound, so exploratory laparotomy was performed. A serosal injury of the colon and bleeding mesenteric veins were encountered; the retroperitoneum was not explored at that time. Postoperative course was remarkable for a doubling of the serum creatinine, increasing abdominal distention and pain. Computed tomography on postoperative day five demonstrated a large amount of intra-abdominal fluid. The patient was taken for re-exploration. The left ureter was found to be completely transected. It was repaired over a double-J stent. This case demonstrates the need for a high index of suspicion in the diagnosis of ureteric injury.

Acromegalia: comparación de los niveles séricos de IGF-I por dos inmunoensayos y su correlación con la prueba de tolerancia oral a la glucosa / Acromegaly: Comparison of serum IGF-1 levels measured by two immunoassays and their correlation with the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test

Introducción: La determinación de IGF-I en suero o plasma es una herramienta esencial en el diagnóstico y seguimiento de la acromegalia. Sin embargo, se deben tener presentes algunos inconvenientes en su medición por diferentes inmunoensayos. Objetivos: Evaluar dos inmunoensayos para la determinación de IGF-I y su correlación con el nadir de GH en el TTOG en pacientes acromegalicos. Materiales y métodos: Se analizaron 37 pacientes acromegálicos, 20 mujeres y 17 hombres. IGF-I fue determinada por Immulite 1000, (IMM) y por IRMA (DSL). Se realizó el TTOG y se determinó glucosa y GH en todos los tiempos (basal, 30, 60, 90 y 120min). Se consideró respuesta normal un nadir de GH <1ng/ml. Nueve pacientes se encontraban bajo tratamiento y 28 sin tratamiento. Análisis estadístico: se utilizaron el test de Wilcoxon, de Bland y Altman y curvas ROC. Se consideró significativa una p<0,05. Resultados: Las concentraciones basales de glucosa fueron 97,86±10,91 mg/dl, de GH 2,8 (1,59-14,4) ng/ml, de IGF-I por IMM 602±318 ng/ml y por DSL 1006±596 ng/ml. IGF-I por IMM y DSL mostró una diferencia significativa con p <0,01 y un bias de - 403,2 ng/ml con valores menores por IMM. IGF-I elevada por IMM y DSL, se encontró en el 84% y en el 97% respectivamente. IGF-I elevada con nadir de GH >1ng/ml se encontró en el 70%, con nadir de GH normal en el 13,5%. IGF-I normal con nadir >1ng/ml en el 2,7% y con nadir de GH normal en el 13,5%. El área bajo las curvas ROC no mostró diferencias significativas. Conclusiones: Los niveles de IGF-I determinados por IMM y DSL fueron significativamente diferentes mostrando un bias negativo para IMM. La mayoría de los valores del nadir de GH fueron consistentes con los niveles de IGF-I observándose una discrepancia en el 30% de los pacientes, estuvieran o no bajo tratamiento.

Introduction: IGF-I determination in serum or plasma is an essential tool in the diagnosis and follow-up of acromegaly. Hepatic production of IGF-I is regulated by GH and circulates bound to several IGF-I binding proteins which extends its half life. IGF-I is not released in a pulsatile pattern and has no significant variability in 24 h. Objective: To evaluate two different methodologies in IGF-I levels determination and their correlation with GH nadir in OGTT in acromegalic patients. Material and methods: We analyzed 37 acromegalic patients, 20 women and 17 men, mean age was 45±12 years. IGF-I levels were assayed by Immulite 1000, DPC (IMM) and DSL-5600 ACTIVE® IGF-I Coated-Tube IRMA (DSL) and OGTTs (at baseline and at 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes) were performed by measuring plasma glucose and GH assay by immunochemiluminometric assay (Access); we considered a nadir <1ng/ml as normal response. Nine patients were under medical treatment (cabergoline: 4, octeotride: 4, and cabergoline plus octeotrite: 1) and 28 without treatment. Statistical analysis: Wilcoxon and, Bland and Altman tests and ROC curves. Differences were considered significant at p< 0.05. Results: Basal glucose levels were 97.86±10.91 mg/dl and mean GH was 2.8 (1.59-14.4) ng/ml. Mean IGF-I levels performed by IMM were 602±318 ng/ml and 1006±596 ng/ml by DSL. There was a statistically significant difference between both methodologies (p<0.01). Bland and Altman test showed a bias of - 403.2 ng/ml with lower values by IMM. We observed elevated IGF-I levels in 84% by IMM and in 97% by DSL, and only one patient had normal levels with both methodologies. Elevated IGF-I levels and GH nadir >1ng/ml were observed in 70% of the patients, increased IGF-I with normal GH nadir in 13.5%, normal IGF-I with GH nadir >1ng/ml in 2.7% and normal IGF-I with normal GH nadir in 13.5%. Patients under treatment: 3 showed normal GH nadir with elevated IGF-I levels, in 2 of them by both methodologies, and in the other one it was normal by IMM and elevated by DSL; the other 6 showed GH nadir > 1ng/ml, 5 of them presented elevated IGF-I by both methodologies and the other one showed discrepancy in IGF-I levels. The under ROC curve area and confidence interval (CI) of 95% for IGF-I IMM and DSL were 0.96 (0.90-1.00) and 0.91 (0.82-1.00) respectively. Differences between the ROC curves areas were not significant Conclusions: IGF-I levels determined by IMM and DSL were statistically significantly different. IGF-I levels showed a negative bias by IMM. Most of the results of GH nadir were consistent with IGF-I levels but we observed discrepancy in 30% of the patients, regardless of whether they were under treatment or not.

Estudio retrospectivo sobre las posibles complicaciones maternofetales de la exposición a cabergolina / Retrospective Study of any potencial Adverse Effects of Cabergoline on Pregnancy and Embryofetal Development

Objetivos: Estimar la frecuencia de complicaciones maternofetales en mujeres que se embarazaron durante el tratamiento con cabergolina (CAB). Estimar la frecuencia de patología detectada posnacimiento en los niños producto de dichos embarazos. Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo y multicéntrico de 86 embarazos en 78 mujeres con hiperprolactinemia idiopática (7) o tumoral (44 micro y 27 macro), en tratamiento con CAB en el momento de la concepción. Edad: 20 a 45 años; PRL inicial: 30 a 1429 ng/ml; duración del tratamiento previo al embarazo 1 a 120 meses; dosis: 0.125 a 4 mg/semana. El rango de exposición embriofetal a la CAB fue de 3 a 27 semanas, el 96.39% de las pacientes la recibió durante el primer trimestre y el 3.61% hasta el segundo. Resultados: No hubo complicaciones mayores durante el embarazo. Se registraron 7 abortos espontáneos (8.1%) y 75 partos, de los cuales 49 fueron vaginales y 26 cesáreas. Se registraron 69 recién nacidos, 63 fueron a término y 6 pretérmino (8.8%), ninguno bajo peso para la edad gestacional. En 3 (5.2%) recién nacidos se observó: 1 malformación mayor (Síndrome de Down) y 2 menores (hernia umbilical e inguinal). Se obtuvo seguimiento de 42 recién nacidos; se diagnosticó epilepsia refractaria en uno y un trastorno generalizado del desarrollo en otro. No se halló una mayor frecuencia de complicaciones en los embarazos ni en los recién nacidos expuestos a CAB que en la población normal. Sería necesario mayor número de pacientes para concluir sobre la seguridad de CAB durante el embarazo.

Objectives: To assess the rate of any potential adverse effects on pregnancy and embryo-fetal development in women who became pregnant under treatment with cabergoline (CAB). To follow up medical data of children who were born from mothers exposed to Cab in early weeks of gestation. Material and methods: Observational, retrospective and multicenter study on 86 pregnancies in 78 women with idiopathic or tumoral hyperprolactinemia. All patients were under Cab at conception. The average age was 29 (range: 20-45). Pituitary images at diagnosis showed 44 microadenomas, 27 macroadenomas and 7 were normal. Serum PRL at baseline was between 30 and 1429 ng/ml. Duration of therapy before pregnancy ranged from 1 to 120 months. Maternal and fetal exposure to cabergoline and doses ranged from 0.125 to 4 mg/week. The mean serum PRL level under which patients achieved pregnancy was 17 ng/ml. Fetal exposure ranged from 3 to 27 weeks; 96.39% of patients received CAB during the first trimester of pregnancy and 3.61% until the second one. Results: No significant complications during pregnancy were found. Seven women (8.1%) had spontaneous abortions. Term deliveries were recorded in 63/69, preterm in six (8.8%), none of them with low weight for gestational age. Neonatal abnormalities were observed in 3 (5.2%): 1 major (Down syndrome) and 2 minor malformations (umbilical and inguinal hernia). Two out of 42, developed abnormalities during the follow- up, one of them was a refractory epilepsy during the second month of life, the other presented a Pervasive Developmental Disorder diagnosed in the third year of life. Conclusion: No significantly higher frequency of complications was found in pregnancies and/or offspring exposed to CAB than in normal population. Larger series of patients are needed to asses the safety.

Primary malignant melanoma of the uterine cervix: case report and review of the literature.

This is a case report and review of the literature on primary melanoma of the cervix. There have been only 26 published cases of primary cervical melanoma and most are poorly documented and doubtful. The patients' ages ranged from 26 to 78 years old with a mean age of 55 +/- 13 years. The main presenting symptom was vaginal bleeding (83.0%). The majority of the patients, 88%, presented in stage I or II. Treatment varied from a simple excision of a cervical mass to a radical hysterectomy with lymph node dissection and adjuvant radiation or chemotherapy. Our patient presented with vaginal bleeding and was diagnosed as having stage IIa cervical melanoma. She underwent a radical hysterectomy, partial vaginectomy, and pelvic and paraaortic lymph node dissection. She received adjuvant radiation therapy and her survival was 29 months. The prognosis of primary cervical melanoma is usually poor and unpredictable. We recommend a radical hysterectomy and vaginectomy, if necessary, to obtain negative surgical margins of at least 2 cm. We advocate lymphadenectomy only for grossly positive nodes.

Lifetime of Floating Drops under Low Pressure.

To test the current explanation of the so-called floating drops phenomenon by the thinning and drainage of an interstitial film, we have produced such drops under low pressure. Our results show a lifetime of drops exceeding two h, which refutes previous results published in the literature. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Decreased CD4 and increased CD8 counts with T cell activation is associated with chronic helminth infection.

We have previously reported the presence of marked immune dysregulation with a dominant Th2 profile, in a population of Ethiopian immigrants (ETH) in Israel heavily infected with helminths. In order to characterize better this immune dysregulation we studied by flow cytometry the expression of several activation markers on peripheral T cell populations, and lymphocyte apoptosis, in blood samples obtained from 63 'new' ETH (recently arrived), 18 'old' ETH (> 5 years since immigration) and 34 non-Ethiopian Israelis. The main findings in the 'new' ETH group in comparison with the non-Ethiopian controls were: (i) decreased CD4 and increased CD8 lymphocyte counts; (ii) elevated levels of activated T cells (CD3, CD4 and CD8) expressing HLA-DR; (iii) decreased levels of 'naive' CD4+ cells (CD45RA+), with increased levels of 'memory' CD4+ cells (CD45RO+); (iv) decreased numbers of CD28+ CD8+ lymphocytes; (v) marked increase in lymphocyte apoptosis. These T cell alterations and activation profile remained unchanged in 10 'new' ETH in whom the helminth infections persisted for 6-11 months. In contrast, in 18 'old' ETH, without helminth infections, the T cell activation profile was within the normal range. These findings suggest that chronic helminth infections may have a profound effect on the immune system of the host that disappears after eradication of these infections and adjustment to the new environment. It should therefore be taken into consideration for every immunomodulation therapy and especially in vaccine design and trials, in regions endemic for helminth infections.

Localization of human cadherin genes to chromosome regions exhibiting cancer-related loss of heterozygosity.

This report presents the chromosomal localization of cadherin genes. Cadherins are cellular adhesion molecules. Since disturbance of intracellular adhesion is important for invasion and metastasis of tumor cells, cadherins are considered prime candidates for tumor suppressor genes. A variety of solid tumors show loss of heterozygosity of the long arm of chromosome 16, which is indicative of the potential location of tumor suppressor genes. Refined and new localizations of six cadherin genes (CDH3, 5, 8, 11, 13, and 15) to the long arm of chromosome 16 are shown. CDH15 was localized to 16q24.3, in a region that exhibits loss of heterozygosity in a number of sporadic breast cancer tumors. Previous localization of CDH13 (H-cadherin) to 16q24 suggested this gene as a tumor suppressor candidate in the 16q24.3 loss of heterozygosity region; however, refined mapping presented in this report localizes CDH13 proximal to this region. A human EST homologous to the chicken cadherin-7 was partially sequenced and found to represent a new human cadherin. This cadherin mapped to chromosome 18q22-q23, a region that exhibits loss of heterozygosity in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. CDH16 was localized to 8q22.1, a region exhibiting loss of heterozygosity in adult acute myeloid leukemia.

Novel intragenic polymorphisms in the tuberous sclerosis 2 (TSC2) gene. Mutations in brief no. 184. Online.

Twenty-three unrelated patients with tuberous sclerosis have been screened for the presence of mutations in six regions of the TSC2 gene. Eight novel intragenic polymorphisms have been found, one in intron 36 and seven in intron 4, with the use of SSCP analysis. Four of these polymorphisms alter the recognition sequence of specific restriction enzymes and can be detected as RFLPs. Study in a random sample of unrelated individuals from Northern Greece, showed that these polymorphisms have mean observed and expected heterozygosity values of 0.2996 and 0.3349, respectively and could be useful for linkage analysis. It is most likely that the wild type alleles from two pairs of these polymorphisms are strongly associated. A 667 bp segment of intron 4 (954 bp) and an additional 75 bp of intron 36 (352bp) were sequenced, thus completing the sequence of both introns.

Cellular and humoral immune responses of hydatidosis patients to Echinococcus granulosus purified antigens.

The cellular and humoral immune responses of 41 hydatidosis patients, 12 healthy uninfected individuals, and seven patients with other parasitic diseases were determined using serologic and lymphoproliferative assays (LPAs), respectively. Echinococcal antigens were obtained by gel filtration of crude hydatid cyst fluid (HCF) on a Sephadex G-200 column. The fractions contained either a mixture of antigens A plus B or antigen B alone that was further enriched by boiling. All the hydatidosis patients responded positively by LPA to either crude or purified echinococcal antigens: 95% of them responded to either crude HCF, or a mixture of antigens A plus B and 83% to antigen B alone. The degree of the response to crude HCF (mean stimulation index [SI] = 75.3) was higher than that of purified antigens (SI = 39.1 for a mixture of antigens A plus B and SI = 36.9 for antigen B alone). No positive LPA response was obtained with the control groups. Serologic examinations showed that 78% of cases were positive by immunoblot, 73% by indirect hemagglutination, and 46% by immunoelectrophoresis. No correlation between the degree of cellular and humoral responsiveness to both crude and purified echinococcal antigens was observed. Nine of the 41 patients examined who were serologically negative also developed a high lymphoproliferative (LP) response to either crude or purified echinococcal antigens. The LP response remained positive over a long period after successful treatment. No relationship was observed between the results of treatment and the LP response. The present study indicates that the LPA could be used as an additional tool for the diagnosis of hydatid disease, particularly in seronegative cases, although it is unsuitable for effective monitoring treatment/surgery.

Identification of the tuberous sclerosis gene TSC1 on chromosome 9q34.

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by the widespread development of distinctive tumors termed hamartomas. TSC-determining loci have been mapped to chromosomes 9q34 (TSC1) and 16p13 (TSC2). The TSC1 gene was identified from a 900-kilobase region containing at least 30 genes. The 8.6-kilobase TSC1 transcript is widely expressed and encodes a protein of 130 kilodaltons (hamartin) that has homology to a putative yeast protein of unknown function. Thirty-two distinct mutations were identified in TSC1, 30 of which were truncating, and a single mutation (2105delAAAG) was seen in six apparently unrelated patients. In one of these six, a somatic mutation in the wild-type allele was found in a TSC-associated renal carcinoma, which suggests that hamartin acts as a tumor suppressor.