In order to further explore low dose chemotherapy for high risk acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), low dose Ara-C and oral idarubicin (LAI) were given to 33 patients of 24-84 (median 66) years with AML after myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) (12 patients), refractory AML (13 patients), and AML with contraindications to intensive chemotherapy (8 patients). Patients received 1 to 4 cycles of Ara-C 10 mg/m2 q 12 h s.c. inject. on days 1-14 and idarubicin 20 mg/m2/d orally days 3, 4, 5. Three Three patients attained complete remission, four patients partial remission and one patient minor response, whereas 11 patients succumbed to early mortality from hemorrhage (two patients) and/or infections (10 patients). Three of 13 patients with heavily pretreated refractory AML went into remission compared to 3/12 with AML after MDS and 1/8 with AML and contraindications against intensive treatment. Median duration of CR is 102 (70-488 +) days. Thirty-two of 33 patients developed grade 4 hematological toxicity requiring platelet transfusions. The non-hematologic toxicity was acceptable. LAI provides a standardized therapeutic option especially for heavily pretreated patients with AML.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Molecular biological databases--present and future.

The importance of databases as a research tool in molecular biology is growing steadily, and a wide range of databases relevant to genome research is currently available. However, the design of current databases is inadequate for accurate representation and analysis of the results of large-scale genome mapping and sequencing projects. A new generation of databases is required to master the challenges of the future.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Overexpression of the human neonatal Fc-receptor alpha-chain in trophoblast-derived BeWo cells increases cellular retention of beta2-microglobulin.

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and MHC class I-type molecules such as the neonatal Fcgamma-receptor, FcRn, are heterodimers consisting of a transmembrane alpha-chain non-covalently associated with beta2-microglobulin (beta2m). Human placental villous syncytiotrophoblast (STB) lacks MHC class I molecules, but express hFcRn that mediates materno-fetal transmission of immunoglobulin G (IgG). Trophoblast-derived BeWo cells that are used to study placental IgG transport likewise express beta2m and low levels of hFcRn alpha-chain. The contribution of FcRn alpha-chain in retention and subcellular distribution of beta2m in STB and BeWo cells is unclear. To investigate this issue, we increased expression of hFcRn alpha-chain in BeWo cells (BeWo/hFcRn) by cDNA transfection. Overexpressed hFcRn protein exhibited the characteristic pH-dependent IgG binding and association with beta2m. In comparison to parental BeWo cells, beta2m mRNA levels in BeWo/hFcRn cells were not significantly altered, but total cell-associated beta2m protein was increased by 120%. Treatment of BeWo and BeWo/hFcRn cells with brefeldin A, an inhibitor of the secretory pathway, abrogated this effect, demonstrating that hFcRn alpha-chain expression retained otherwise secreted beta2m. Flow cytometry revealed that beta2m plasma membrane expression was unaffected by alpha-chain overexpression whereas by fluorescence microscopy a preferential staining of beta2m in peripheral endosomes was observed.

Antigens, CD↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Practical considerations in operation and scale-up of spin-filter based bioreactors for monoclonal antibody production.

Minimum spin-filter fouling and optimum cell retention at high specific perfusion rates are important for efficient operation of a spin-filter based continuous perfusion bioreactor. We examined the effect of operation conditions and spin-filter configuration on the performance of continuous perfusion bioreactors using a perfusion recycle scheme. This study showed that single cell suspensions foul a spin-filter screen, partially but irreversibly, in the early stages of the bioreactor run. A high perfusion rate and cell density contribute to screen fouling, while an increase in rotational velocity and screen surface area per reactor volume reduce screen fouling. An empirical model was developed to describe the effects of these parameters on the perfusion capacity of a spin-filter. Examination of screen samples by scanning electron microscopy confirmed that partial screen fouling occurs at relatively early stages of fermentation. Once the initial partial screen fouling has occurred, further fouling continues slowly due to cell growth on the screen surface, and this gradually leads to the overflow state. The rate of this gradual fouling phase probably depends upon the number of cells deposited on the screen surface during the initial partial fouling. The usefulness of this model was confirmed by successful scale-up of high-cell-density (> 10 x 10(6)/mL) long-term (> 30 days) continuous perfusion process for commercial scale production of monoclonal antibodies.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Sprinting and intoeing.

The relationship between sprinting ability and intoeing was explored in a single blinded controlled study performed on 100 high school students. Rotational profiles and sprinting foot-progression angles were compared in 50 high school sprinters and 50 high school controls. Sprinters had a significantly lower (p < 0.05) thigh-foot angle than did controls. The mean thigh-foot angle for sprinters and controls was +3 and +10 degrees, respectively. Significantly more sprinters intoed during sprinting than controls (p < 0.05). Neither walking foot-progression angle nor hip rotation appears to be a factor in sprinting. The findings of this study suggest that low normal thigh-foot angles and sprinting intoed may correlate with sprinting ability. This information may reduce anxiety of parents of children with medial tibial torsion.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A pyoverdin from Pseudomonas sp. CFML 95-275.

From Pseudomonas sp. CFML 95-275 a pyoverdin was isolated with a cyclopeptidic substructure. It could be shown that this pyoverdin is identical with one obtained from Pseudomonas fluorescens BTP 7 for which a lactone structure had been deduced from the interpretation of a FAB spectrum. The elucidation of the correct structure of the pyoverdin is described.

Amino Acid Sequence↗