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A letter to the editor is presented related to the activation of NF-KB in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Studies are revealing that lymphoid neoplasms are characterized by well-defined chromosome translocations and by the accumulation of subsequent molecular alterations involving mainly the cell cycle and/or apoptotic pathways. However, survival of B and T tumor cells is also dependent on the interactions with the accompanying cells that comprise the lymphoma microenvironment. Although non-tumor cells can contribute both positive and negative signals to the lymphoma cells, in this review we present compelling evidence of the essential influence of the tumor microenvironment on the initiation and progression of specific lymphoma types, highlighting some new therapeutic approaches that target the lymphoma microenvironment.Leukemia (2008) 22, 49–58; doi:10.1038/sj.leu.2404970; published online 4 October 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extra-oesophageal autonomic dysfunction in idiopathic achalasia is not well documented, due to contradictory results reported. We aimed to study the cardiovascular and pancreatic autonomic function in patients with idiopathic achalasia. Thirty patients with idiopathic achalasia (16M/14F; 34.5 ± 10.8 years) and 30 healthy volunteers (13M/17F; 34.8 ± 10.7 years) were prospectively studied. Age >60 years and conditions affecting results of autonomic evaluation were excluded. Both groups underwent the sham feeding test and plasmatic levels of pancreatic polypeptide (PP) were determined by radioimmunoassay (basal, at 5, 10, 20 and 30 min). Cardiovascular parasympathetic (deep breathing, standing, Valsalva) and sympathetic function (postural decrease of systolic blood pressure, Handgrip test) were assessed. Statistical comparison of basal and increase levels of PP and parasympathetic/sympathetic cardiovascular parameters was performed between groups. Basal levels of PP were similar in controls and patients and maximum increase of PP during sham feeding test. A similar rate of abnormal cardiovascular tests was found between groups ( P > 0.05). E/I ratio was the mostly impaired parameter (patients: 36.7% vs controls: 20%, P = 0.15, chi-squared test). Autonomic cardiovascular tests and pancreatic response to vagal stimulus are not impaired in patients with primary achalasia of the oesophagus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CVAN) and oesophageal dysfunction in diabetes mellitus has not been well established because reports are contradictory. The aim of this study was to assess oesophageal function and its correlation with CVAN in type 1 diabetic patients without oesophageal symptoms. Forty-six type 1 diabetic patients without oesophageal symptoms (DG) and 34 healthy volunteers (CG) were studied. Both groups underwent CVAN tests and oesophageal manometry and pH-metry. Differences between groups regarding results of cardiovascular autonomic tests and oesophageal studies were statistically analysed. Compared with the CG, the DG group showed insufficient lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) relaxation and a higher percentage of simultaneous waves ( P < 0.01). Patients with CVAN ( n = 22) showed a higher prevalence of pathological simultaneous contractions (>10%), and the prevalence of simultaneous waves related to the degree of autonomic neuropathy was: 9% of patients without CVAN, 7% of those suspected to have it and 50% of patients with CVAN ( P < 0.001). Factors associated with the presence of pathological simultaneous waves (>10%) were the presence of CVAN and duration of diabetes ( P < 0.05, logistic regression analysis). Increase in simultaneous waves and impaired relaxation of LOS are more frequent in diabetic patients with CVAN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract. The incorporation of praseodymium into LiNbO[sub 3] by diffusion doping is investigated by means of secondary neutral mass spectrometry and secondary ion mass spectrometry. The diffusion of praseodymium in LiNbO[sub 3] can be described by Fick's laws of diffusion with a concentration-independent diffusion coefficient and a limited solubility of praseodymium in LiNbO[sub 3] increasing exponentially with rising temperature. The diffusion depends on the Li[sub 2]0 content of the LiNbO[sub 3] crystal. For LiNbO[sub 3] crystals with a nominal slight difference in the congruent composition, the diffusion constants and activation energies for Z-cut LiNbO[sub 3] are 3.28 x 10[sup -5] cm[sup 2]/s and 2.27 eV, and 1.39 x 10[sup -5] cm[sup 2]/s and 2.24 eV, respectively. Titanium-doped waveguides are formed in Pr:LiNbO[sub 3] and characterised in relation to waveguide loss and absorption in the visible and near infrared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have studied the all or none cell response of Ca2+-dependent K+ channels to added Ca in human red cells depleted of ATP by incubation with iodoacetate and inosine. A procedure was used which allows separation and differential analysis of responding and nonresponding cells. Responding (H for heavy) cells incubated in medium containing 5 mM K lose KCl and water and increase their density to the point of sinking on diethylphthalate (specific gravity = 1.12) on centrifugation. Nonresponding (L for light) cells do not lose KCl at all. There is no intermediate behavior. Increasing the Ca concentration in the medium increases the fraction of cells which become H. No differences in the sensitivity to Ca2+ of the individual K+ channels were detected in inside-out vesicles prepared either from H or from L cells. The Ca content of H cells was higher than that of L cells. Cells depleted of ATP by incubation with iodoacetate and inosine sustain pump-leak Ca fluxes of about 15 mumol/liter cells per hour. ATP seems to be resynthesized in these cells at the expense of cell 2,3-diphosphoglycerate stores at a rate of about 150 mumol/liter cells per hour. Inhibition of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate phosphatase by tetrathionate increased 6-8 times the measured rate of uptake of external 45Ca. This was accompanied by an increase in the fraction of H cells. All or none cell responses of Ca2+-dependent K channels have also been evidenced in intact human red cells on addition of Pb. They have the same characteristics as those in responding and nonresponding cells. The detailed study of the kinetics of Pb-induced shrinkage of red cells suspended in medium containing 5 mM K showed that changes of Pb concentration changed not only the fraction of H cells but also the rate of shrinkage of responding cells. H cells generated by Pb treatment contained significantly more lead than L cells. The above results suggest that the two all or none cell responses studied here can be explained by heterogeneity of agonist distribution among cells. Since pump-leak fluxes exist in both cases, differences of agonist distribution could be generated by heterogeneity of pumping among cells. This interpretation turns interest from K channels to Ca pumps to explain the heterogeneous behavior of red cells in response to a uniform stimulus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have studied the all or none cell response of Ca-dependent K channels to added Ca in human red cells depleted of ATP by incubation with iodoacetate and inosine. A procedure was used which allows separation and differential analysis of responding and nonresponding cells. Responding (H for heavy) cells incubated in medium containing 5 mM K lose KCl and water and increase their density to the point of sinking on diethylphthalate (specific gravity=1.12) on centrifugation. Nonresponding (L for light) cells do not lose KCl at all. There is no intermediate behavior. Increasing the Ca concentration in the medium increases the fraction of cells which become H. No differences in the sensitivity to Ca of the individual K channels were detected in inside-out vesicles prepared either from H or from L cells. The Ca content of H cells was higher than that of L cells. Cells depleted of ATP by incubation with iodoacetate and inosine sustain pump-leak Ca fluxes of about 15 μmol/liter cells per hour. ATP seems to be resynthesized in these cells at the expense of cell 2,3-diphosphoglycerate stores at a rate of about 150 μmol/liter cells per hour. Inhibition of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate phosphatase by tetrathionate increased 6-8 times the measured rate of uptake of externalCa. This was accompanied by an increase in the fraction of H cells. All or none cell responses of Ca-dependent K channels have also been evidenced in intact human red cells on addition of Pb. They have the same characteristics as those in responding and nonresponding cells. The detailed study of the kinetics of Pb-induced shrinkage of red cells suspended in medium containing 5 mM K showed that changes of Pb concentration changed not only the fraction of H cells but also the rate of shrinkage of responding cells. H cells generated by Pb treatment contained significantly more lead than L cells. The above results suggest that the two all or none cell responses studied here can be explained by heterogeneity of agonist distribution among cells. Since pump-leak fluxes exist in both cases, differences of agonist distribution could be generated by heterogeneity of pumping among cells. This interpretation turns interest from K channels to Ca pumps to explain the heterogeneous behavior of red cells in response to a uniform stimulus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proposes a method to produce monomode and multimode optical waveguides in LiNbO3 by zinc metal diffusion from vapor phase. Measurements of the dopant distribution in Zn-diffused LiNbO3 waveguides by energy dispersive x-ray analysis; Values of the diffusion coefficient of Zn in LiNbO3; Comparison between diffusion coefficients of Zn, ZnO and Ti.

Introduction: Infections of the hand may be associated with lymphangitis and lymphadenitis. In most cases, bacterial infections are responsible but these may be also due to viral infections. Material and Methods: We describe a clinical case of a recurrent infection in the left thumb of a health male. Bacterial and viral cultures were performed. Results: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 2 was isolated on viral culture and on direct fluorescent antibody testing; so, the final diagnosis was herpetic whitlow. Conclusions: Herpetic whitlow should be considered in cases of recurrent finger infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tryptophan (4-10 m M) reduces the stimulating effect of insulin on glucose uptake, CO output and lactate production by adipose tissue. Similar but lesser effects were also obtained with high concentrations of other amino acids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Experientia is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)