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Biomedical subjects

M Greaves

Publications and source records attributed to M Greaves.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

A radiation hybrid panel for human chromosome 6q.

A panel of 63 radiation-reduced hybrids has been derived from a mouse cell line containing a neo-marked human Chromosome (Chr) 6, primarily to provide a resource for higher resolution localization of new markers. Hybrids were generated with radiation doses of 40-400 Gy, selected in G418, and were shown by PCR to contain the neo gene. PCR was also used to score the retention of 15 loci that map from 6q13 to q25.2 of the current consensus map, plus six other loci assigned to 6q26-q27. An average retention frequency of 27.8% was observed, with the highest frequencies at D6S313 and D6S280 (63.5%) located near the centromere at 6q13, and at D6S283 (68.5%) at 6q16.3-q21, presumably close to the neo integration site. Lowest frequencies (4.8%) were observed for telomeric markers. All markers segregated independently except D6S297 and D6S193. Agreement and some improvement to the current consensus map of 6q was made by mapping 12 loci by the non-parametric statistical method of Falk. In addition, deletion mapping with informative hybrids allowed the ordering of six loci from 6q26 to q27 and permitted some integration of maps of this region.

Animals↗

Livedo reticularis associated with hereditary protein C deficiency and recurrent thromboembolism.

We report the occurrence of livedo reticularis in a patient with symptomatic hereditary type 1 protein C deficiency. Antithrombin III deficiency and the antiphospholipid syndrome may also be associated with livedo reticularis, and we suggest that a thrombophilia screen may be a useful investigation in a patient with otherwise unexplained livedo, particularly if there is a personal or family history of thromboembolism.

Adult↗

Characterization and specificity of anti-endothelial cell membrane antibodies and their relationship to thrombosis in primary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS).

Immunoblotting was used to detect antibodies reacting with membrane and cytosol preparations of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), fibroblasts and a T lymphoma line HUT78 in 18 patients with anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) (14 of whom had had a thrombotic event), 11 patients with a recent myocardial infarction and 17 controls. Multiple membrane-specific antibodies to HUVEC were found in 10 of the patients with ACA (28 bands) and in nine of the patients with thromboses (27 bands) in contrast to only three of the patients with myocardial infarction (four bands) and one control (one band). The most frequently recognized HUVEC membrane epitopes were at 33 kD (four sera), 61-63 kD (five sera) and 76-79 kD (four sera). Although cross-reactivity with fibroblast and/or HUT78 membranes was seen at 33 kD, binding at 61-63 kD and 76-79 kD was specific for endothelial membranes. Although no correlations with the presence and titre of ACA were seen, HUVEC membrane-specific antibodies showed a correlation with venous thrombotic events.

Antibodies, Anticardiolipin↗

Interleukin 7-dependent B lymphocyte precursor cells are ultrasensitive to apoptosis.

We have compared the sensitivity of clonogenic interleukin 7 (IL-7)-dependent murine B cell precursors with that of clonogenic mature B cells and myeloid precursors to alpha-particles from plutonium-238 and X radiation. All three populations are relatively sensitive, but B cell precursors are ultrasensitive. This differential sensitivity is also observed with corticosteroid, etoposide, and cisplatin, all apoptosis-inducing drugs used in the treatment of leukemia and other cancers. Further, we show that x-rays and drugs induce the bulk of the B cell precursor population to undergo rapid apoptosis, despite the continued presence of IL-7. B cell precursors were found to express very low levels of BCL-2 protein compared with mature splenic B cells and their resistance to x-rays and corticosteroid could be enhanced by expression of a BCL-2 transgene. These data have important implications for normal lymphopoiesis and for the behavior of leukemic lymphoid precursor cells.

Alpha Particles↗

Inhibition of prostacyclin release by endothelial binding anticardiolipin antibodies in thrombosis-prone patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and the antiphospholipid syndrome.

IgG from 18 patients with SLE, eight with the primary antiphospholipid syndrome and 19 controls was examined for its effect on thrombin-induced prostacyclin (PGI2) release from human umbilical vein endothelial cells in relation to both the titre of anticardiolipin (ACA) and antiendothelial activity (AEA) and clinical thrombotic events. Although no significant inhibition of PGI2 release was found overall, examination of subgroups revealed that IgG from patients with ACA produced significant inhibition of PGI2 release (mean stimulation index IgGM, 0.74 +/- 0.12, P = 0.02) when compared with patients without ACA (1.18 +/- 0.12). Further analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between ACA and AEA (r = 0.52, P = 0.006) in the total patient group which was reflected in significant negative correlations between inhibition of PGI2 release and increasing titre of both ACA (r = -0.42, P = 0.032) and AEA (r = -0.57, P = 0.002). However, only increasing titre of AEA showed a significant negative correlation with inhibition of PGI2 release when patients with (r = -0.74, P = 0.0005) and without (r = 0.23, N.S.) thromboses were compared. The titre of ACA failed to show any significant correlation with inhibition of PGI2 release in either patients with (r = -0.42, N.S.) or without (r = -0.16, N.S.) thromboses. These findings suggest that previous, sometimes conflicting, reports of an association between inhibition of PGI2 release and ACA may be explained by the co-incidence of AEA with ACA.

Adult↗

High resolution computed tomography of the lungs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and interstitial lung disease.

We performed high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) on the lungs of 20 patients with RA and clinical and radiological evidence of interstitial lung disease (ILD). A case control group of patients with RA but without evidence of ILD were similarly studied and all patients underwent detailed pulmonary function testing. Clinical findings, drug therapy, smoking status, the presence/absence of SS and disease activity were also assessed. HRCT showed a range of abnormalities among patients thought to have ILD. Interstitial fibrosis was confirmed in 16 but was frequently associated with emphysema. Ground glass opacification was present in seven, while basal honey-combing was also evident in seven patients. Both these features were present in two patients with ILD. Bronchiectasis was identified in six patients and was the predominant finding in two patients previously thought to have ILD. Among the control patients, HRCT was normal in only five. Clinically unsuspected ILD was present in four patients, while a further four had bronchiectasis. Pleural disease was identified in seven controls. Pulmonary function tests were generally poor predictors of HRCT findings, although a reduced residual volume (RV) [> 1 S.D.] was 83% specific for the presence of ILD and a raised RV [> 1 S.D.] was 64% specific for emphysema. Smoking did not correlate with the presence of either ILD or emphysema and there were no correlations between disease activity and HRCT findings. RA patients with evidence of ILD have abnormalities on HRCT which cannot be confidently predicted on any other non-invasive test.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) for mobilizing peripheral blood stem cells: risk of mobilizing clonal myeloma cells in patients with bone marrow infiltration.

Peripheral blood stem cells have been used for autologous reconstitution of haemopoiesis after high dose cytotoxic therapy and produce similar disease response rates as autologous bone marrow transplants. Peripheral blood stem cell transplants are an especially attractive option for patients in whom marrow harvest is not feasible due to bone marrow damage or infiltration. Recombinant growth factors mobilize adequate numbers of stem cells from the marrow but their effect on tumour cell circulation kinetics is not known. We report a patient with multiple myeloma and bone marrow infiltration in whom the use of G-CSF for stem cell mobilization led to release of plasma cells into the peripheral circulation and contamination of the stem cell harvest.

Adult↗

Reversal of diabetes associated with escape of myeloma: evidence for inappropriate IGF-II secretion.

We report the sudden and dramatic reversal of maturity onset diabetes in a 57-year-old woman in association with relapse of IgA myeloma diagnosed 3 years earlier. Prior to the relapse of the myeloma, twice daily insulin had been administered at a dose which had been stable for 3 years. However, the same dose produced hypoglycaemic coma at the time of relapse and, subsequently, blood glucose was controlled by diet alone. There had been no significant change in weight or renal function prior to the hypoglycaemic episode. Investigations showed a suppressed fasting serum insulin level in association with an inappropriately high serum level of IGF-II compared with IGF-I and a 'big' IGF-II concentration at the upper end of the normal range. Pituitary, adrenal and liver disease, as well as the autoimmune insulin syndrome, were excluded. The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the plasma cell tumour was associated with excessive production of insulin-like peptides with consequent reduction in the blood glucose level.

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2↗

The development of antiphospholipid antibodies in haemophilia is linked to infection with hepatitis C.

In haemophilia the presence of antibodies to antiphospholipid has been linked with HIV infection, but other possibilities have not been fully explored and the specificity for various phospholipids not established. In order to investigate further the pathogenesis and clinical significance of these antibodies, we have determined IgG and IgM antibodies to a variety of phospholipids, including cardiolipin, in the serum of 52 haemophiliacs, and related our findings to the presence of antibodies to HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV), as well as to clotting factor concentrate usage and blood markers of liver biochemistry. Our results demonstrate that the presence of infection with hepatitis C virus is strongly associated with raised serum levels of antiphospholipid antibody even in the absence of HIV infection. They suggest that earlier conclusions on the relationships of antiphospholipid to HIV infection in haemophilia should be revised and that chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus should be added to the list of infective causes for the development of antiphospholipid antibody.

Adolescent↗

In utero rearrangements in the trithorax-related oncogene in infant leukaemias.

The majority (approximately 75%) of infant acute leukaemias have a reciprocal translocation between chromosome 11q23 and one of several partner chromosomes. The gene at 11q23 (named MLL, ALL-1, HRX or HTRX-1; refs 2-6) has been cloned and shares homology with the Drosophila developmental gene trithorax. Rearrangements of this gene (called HRX here) occur in introns and cluster in a region of approximately 10 kb; individual patients have different breakpoints. Here we describe three pairs of infant twins with concordant leukaemia who each share unique (clonal) but non-constitutive HRX rearrangements in their leukaemic cells, providing evidence that the leukaemogenic event originates in utero and unequivocal support for the intra-placental 'metastasis' hypothesis for leukaemia concordance in twins.

Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11↗