Long-term follow-up of a retrospective comparison of reduced-intensity conditioning and conventional high-dose conditioning for allogeneic transplantation from matched related donors in myelodysplastic syndromes.

This study shows the long-term updated outcomes of a multicenter retrospective study which analyzed 843 patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) who underwent transplantation with an HLA-identical sibling donor with either reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) in 213 patients, or standard myeloablative conditioning (MAC) in 630 patients. In multivariate analysis, the 13-year relapse rate was significantly increased after RIC (31% after MAC vs 48% in RIC; HR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1-1.9; P=0.04), but with no differences in overall survival (OS) (30% after MAC vs 27% in RIC; P=0.4) and PFS (29 vs 21%, respectively, P=0.3). Non-relapse mortality was higher in MAC (40 vs 31%; P=0.1), especially in patients older than 50 years (50 vs 33%, P<0.01). In addition, long-term follow-up confirms the importance of other variables on 13-year OS, mainly MDS risk category, disease phase, cytogenetics and receiving a high donor cell dose, irrespective of the conditioning regimen used.

The effects of endothelin-1 on human dermal fibroblast growth and synthetic activity.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is the most potent vasoconstricting substance known, and is believed to have a fundamental role in the regulation of blood flow. It is a peptide produced and secreted by endothelial cells in response to hypoxia and injury, as well as by macrophages. These properties suggest that ET-1 may play a role during tissue repair. In this study, we have examined the effects of ET-1 on the growth and synthetic activity of human dermal fibroblasts. ET-1 stimulated DNA synthesis in serum-deprived cultures: this effect reached a mean value of 64% more than control (P < 0.01) at 2.5 ng/ml (10(-9) M) of ET-1. In contrast, the addition of ET-1 to fibroblasts at different densities and in 0, 3, or 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) failed to increase cell counts. In 1% FBS, a 41% mean increase in cell counts compared to control values was observed in cultures treated with 2.5 ng/ml of ET-1 (P < 0.01). Incubation of dermal fibroblast cultures at 37 degrees C for 1 hr with increasing concentrations of 125I-ET-1 resulted in saturable binding and a half-maximal specific binding of 27.5 pM. Scatchard plot analysis of the binding showed a Kd of 224 pM and 11,400 high-affinity binding sites per cell. ET-1 had no effect on [14C]-glucosamine incorporation by fibroblasts and caused no increase in collagen synthesis, as measured by collagenase-sensitive [3H]proline incorporation and by salt precipitation of 3H-labeled collagen at acid and neutral pH successively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Human wound fluid from acute wounds stimulates fibroblast and endothelial cell growth.

One proposed mechanism for the beneficial effect of occlusive dressings on healing is the maintenance of contact between the wound bed and accumulated wound fluid, which is thought to contain growth stimulatory substances. We have examined the effect of human wound fluid on the in vitro growth of human dermal fibroblasts and umbilical vein endothelial cells. Acute wound fluid was collected from six patients undergoing split-thickness skin grafting. The acute wound fluid was sterilely collected daily from underneath a vapor-permeable membrane applied to the donor site and changed every 24 hours for 3 days postoperatively. After seeding in optimal growth media (control) on day 0, cultures of human dermal fibroblasts and umbilical vein endothelial cells were supplemented with or without acute wound fluid on the next day (day 1) and on day 3. As determined by cell counts, 2% acute wound fluid stimulated the growth of human dermal fibroblasts (p less than 0.05) and umbilical vein endothelial cells (p less than 0.01) when these cells were cultured in 2% fetal bovine serum and endothelial growth medium, respectively. Wound fluid from postoperative days 1 or 3 caused the same level of stimulation. The addition of an anti-platelet-derived growth factor antibody to wound fluid resulted in a 45% mean reduction in its stimulatory effect on fibroblast growth (p less than 0.02), suggesting that platelet-derived growth factor contributes to the observed effect.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Use of thermoplasticized gutta-percha in retrograde obturation]. / Uso de la gutapercha termoplastizada como material para la obturación retrógrada.

In 29 teeth, apicoectomies with retrograde instrumentation and retrofilling with low temperature thermoplasticized gutta-percha were performed. Nineteen of them were clinically an radiographically evaluated, showing the following average rate: successes 84.2% (16 cases), failures 10.5% (2 cases) and incomplete healing 5.2% (1 case). The observation period varied from 12 to 41 months. The use of retrograde instrumentation an retrofilling with thermoplasticized gutta-percha is suggested as a useful method in surgical procedures.

The effect of topical nitroglycerin on transcutaneous oxygen.

The use of topical nitroglycerin has been reported to aid the healing of chronic skin ulcers. In this study, the effect of 2% nitroglycerin ointment on transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2) was investigated in skin adjacent to the area of ointment application. Topical nitroglycerin caused a two-fivefold decrease in TcPO2 in skin next to or up to 9 cm away from the site of application of the ointment.

Uso de la gutapercha termoplastizada como material para la obturación retrógrada. / [Use of thermoplasticized gutta-percha in retrograde obturation]

In 29 teeth, apicoectomies with retrograde instrumentation and retrofilling with low temperature thermoplasticized gutta-percha were performed. Nineteen of them were clinically an radiographically evaluated, showing the following average rate: successes 84.2

(16 cases), failures 10.5

(2 cases) and incomplete healing 5.2

(1 case). The observation period varied from 12 to 41 months. The use of retrograde instrumentation an retrofilling with thermoplasticized gutta-percha is suggested as a useful method in surgical procedures.

Uso de la gutapercha termoplastizada como material para la obturación retrógrada / [Use of thermoplasticized gutta-percha in retrograde obturation]

In 29 teeth, apicoectomies with retrograde instrumentation and retrofilling with low temperature thermoplasticized gutta-percha were performed. Nineteen of them were clinically an radiographically evaluated, showing the following average rate: successes 84.2

(2 cases) and incomplete healing 5.2

(1 case). The observation period varied from 12 to 41 months. The use of retrograde instrumentation an retrofilling with thermoplasticized gutta-percha is suggested as a useful method in surgical procedures.

[Mouth diseases and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome]. / Enfermedades estomatológicas y síndrome de inmuno deficiencia adquirida.

The purpose of this article is to describe oral manifestations of AIDS, specially opportunistic infections, hairy leukoplakia and Kaposi's sarcoma. Fungal infections, viral infections, salivary glands disturbances and neoplasms are related. Treatment and epidemiology in Argentine are included.

Enfermedades estomatológicas y síndrome de inmuno deficiencia adquirida. / [Mouth diseases and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome]

The purpose of this article is to describe oral manifestations of AIDS, specially opportunistic infections, hairy leukoplakia and Kaposis sarcoma. Fungal infections, viral infections, salivary glands disturbances and neoplasms are related. Treatment and epidemiology in Argentine are included.