Clonality studies in myelodysplasia and acute myeloid leukemia

In adult humans, the production of blood cells or hematopoiesis is mainly restricted to the bone marrow. A small number of pluripotent stem cells, which are capable of selfrenewal, can generate committed progenitor cells. The latter are ineversibly committed to the granulocytic, monocytic, erythroid, megakaryocytic or the lymphoid cell lineage. After proliferation and differentiation, the mature blood cells entcr the circulation. The granulocytic and monocytic cells may be designated as myeloid cells; the erythroid cells are sometimes also included in this group. The blood cell formation is regulated by hematopoietic growth factors and cellular interactions e.g. with bone marrow stromal cells. Malignant transformation of hematopoietic cells results in ineffective hematopoiesis. Progenitor and/or precursor cells may accumulate due to a maturation arrest. Depending on the cell lineage involved, these disorders are refelTed to as myeIodysplastic syndrome, acute myeloid or lymphoblastic leukemia, myeloproliferative or lymphoproIiferative disease. The myelodyspIastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia are the subjects of investigation of this thesis

When public action undermines public health: A critical examination of antifluoridationist literature

Background: The addition of the chemical fluorine to the water supply, called water fluoridation, reduces dental caries by making teeth more resistant to demineralisation and more likely to remineralise when initially decayed. This process has been implemented in more than 30 countries around the world, is cost-effective and has been shown to be efficacious in preventing decay across a person's lifespan. However, attempts to expand this major public health achievement in line with Australia's National Oral Health Plan 2004–2013 are almost universally met with considerable resistance from opponents of water fluoridation, who engage in coordinated campaigns to portray water fluoridation as ineffective and highly dangerous. Discussion: Water fluoridation opponents employ multiple techniques to try and undermine the scientifically established effectiveness of water fluoridation. The materials they use are often based on Internet resources or published books that present a highly misleading picture of water fluoridation. These materials are used to sway public and political opinion to the detriment of public health. Despite an extensive body of literature, both studies and results within studies are often selectively reported, giving a biased portrayal of water fluoridation effectiveness. Positive findings are downplayed or trivialised and the population implications of these findings misinterpreted. Ecological comparisons are sometimes used to support spurious conclusions. Opponents of water fluoridation frequently repeat that water fluoridation is associated with adverse health effects and studies are selectively picked from the extensive literature to convey only claimed adverse findings related to water fluoridation. Techniques such as "the big lie" and innuendo are used to associate water fluoridation with health and environmental disasters, without factual support. Half-truths are presented, fallacious statements reiterated, and attempts are made to bamboozle the public with a large list of claims and quotes often with little scientific basis. Ultimately, attempts are made to discredit and slander scientists and various health organisations that support water fluoridation. Summary: Water fluoridation is an important public health initiative that has been found to be safe and effective. Nonetheless, the implementation of water fluoridation is still regularly interrupted by a relatively small group of individuals who use misinformation and rhetoric to induce doubts in the minds of the public and government officials. It is important that public health officials are aware of these tactics so that they can better counter their negative effectJason M Armfiel

Notes for genera: basal clades of Fungi (including Aphelidiomycota, Basidiobolomycota, Blastocladiomycota, Calcarisporiellomycota, Caulochytriomycota, Chytridiomycota, Entomophthoromycota, Glomeromycota, Kickxellomycota, Monoblepharomycota, Mortierellomycota, Mucoromycota, Neocallimastigomycota, Olpidiomycota, Rozellomycota and Zoopagomycota)

Compared to the higher fungi (Dikarya), taxonomic and evolutionary studies on the basal clades of fungi are fewer in number. Thus, the generic boundaries and higher ranks in the basal clades of fungi are poorly known. Recent DNA based taxonomic studies have provided reliable and accurate information. It is therefore necessary to compile all available information since basal clades genera lack updated checklists or outlines. Recently, Tedersoo et al. (MycoKeys 13:1--20, 2016) accepted Aphelidiomycota and Rozellomycota in Fungal clade. Thus, we regard both these phyla as members in Kingdom Fungi. We accept 16 phyla in basal clades viz. Aphelidiomycota, Basidiobolomycota, Blastocladiomycota, Calcarisporiellomycota, Caulochytriomycota, Chytridiomycota, Entomophthoromycota, Glomeromycota, Kickxellomycota, Monoblepharomycota, Mortierellomycota, Mucoromycota, Neocallimastigomycota, Olpidiomycota, Rozellomycota and Zoopagomycota. Thus, 611 genera in 153 families, 43 orders and 18 classes are provided with details of classification, synonyms, life modes, distribution, recent literature and genomic data. Moreover, Catenariaceae Couch is proposed to be conserved, Cladochytriales Mozl.-Standr. is emended and the family Nephridiophagaceae is introduced

Eosinophilia and granulocytic dysplasia terminating in acute-myeloid leukaemia after 24 years

Eosinophilia of variable duration, and subsequent progression to granulocytic sarcoma and acute myeloid leukaemia, has been infrequently reported in the literature. We report a patient with eosinophilia and normal cytogenetics who, after 24 years, showed transformation to a granulocytic sarcoma of the brain. Haematological counts were normal but the marrow revealed the cytogenetic abnormality trisomy 8 in 25% of mitoses. Subsequently an AML-M2 developed, showing a complex karyotype including the trisomy 8 in all metaphases. FISH analysis combined with cytological examination identified the trisomy 8 in blasts, eosinophils and dysplatic granulocytes only. Thus progressive leukaemic transformation selectively involved the myeloid compartment.</p

Eosinophilia and granulocytic dysplasia terminating in acute-myeloid leukaemia after 24 years

Eosinophilia of variable duration, and subsequent progression to granulocytic sarcoma and acute myeloid leukaemia, has been infrequently reported in the literature. We report a patient with eosinophilia and normal cytogenetics who, after 24 years, showed transformation to a granulocytic sarcoma of the brain. Haematological counts were normal but the marrow revealed the cytogenetic abnormality trisomy 8 in 25% of mitoses. Subsequently an AML-M2 developed, showing a complex karyotype including the trisomy 8 in all metaphases. FISH analysis combined with cytological examination identified the trisomy 8 in blasts, eosinophils and dysplatic granulocytes only. Thus progressive leukaemic transformation selectively involved the myeloid compartment.</p

Erythropoietin-induced activation of STAT5 is impaired in the myelodysplastic syndrome

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