Left ventricular (LV) dimensions and function and maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2)max) were measured in endurance-trained (10 male, m, 10 female, f), strength-trained athletes (8 m, 10 f) and untrained subjects (9 m, 10 f). LV dimensions were measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and echocardiography and the results were equal irrespective of method. Endurance-trained m and f had significantly higher LV volumes and mass than both strength-trained and controls. No VO(2)max or dimensional differences were seen between strength-trained and untrained subjects. In endurance-trained males, LV volumes and mass/kg bw were higher than in endurance-trained females. There was no significant gender difference for strength-trained or untrained subjects regarding body weight-related heart dimensions. It is concluded that LV dimensions and volumes are strongly dependent on oxygen transport capacity in normal subjects practising different modes of training, and that the gender differences, if LV dimensions are related to aerobic work capacity, are smaller than previously reported.

ABSTRACT.Purpose: To identify and characterize cells of donor origin in the ocular surface of female recipients who have undergone allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) from a male donor. Methods: Cytological impressions from the eyes of nine allografted patients (17 eyes) were analysed. Donor cells were identified using sex-chromosomespecific fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Cells were characterized by immunohistochemistry (IHC) using the CK3 and CK19 epithelial markers, the panleucocytic marker CD45 and the myofibroblast marker a-SMA. Results: No epithelial cells of donor origin were observed in the corneal or conjunctival samples. Cells of donor origin were found in the corneal samples, although these were often too degraded to allow characterization by IHC. In the conjunctiva, a median of 86% of the total number of cells were of recipient origin, including a subgroup (2%) of giant cells exhibiting polyploidy (range 4-18 n), found in the limbal region. Donor cells were detected in the conjunctiva of all nine patients at a median ratio of 9%, of which two-thirds were CD45+ + ⁄ a-SMA+. Conclusions: We observed superficially located myofibroblasts of donor origin in all allografted patients, but not in samples from healthy controls. Whether myofibroblasts are implicated in ocular graft-versus-host disease requires further studies.

Summary:We present a patient with a Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+) acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL) refractory to standard induction chemotherapy. Treatment with the ABL-specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor STI571 (Glivec, Gleevec, imatinib mesylate) resulted in a complete haematologic and cytogenetic remission. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation from an unrelated donor could be undertaken while the patient was in STI571-induced complete remission from the leukaemia. At present, the patient has a 15-month posttransplantation follow-up and is in stable molecular remission as evaluated by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) for the BCR/ABL fusion gene transcript. The Philadelphia chromosome, t(9;22), is found in about 5% of children with ALL but in 15-25% of adults with ALL. The t(9;22) translocation results in a fusion of the oncogene ABL on chromosome 9 with the BCR (breakpoint cluster region) on chromosome 22. The hybrid gene is expressed, with the gene product being a protein of p190 or p210 in size that has tyrosine kinase activity. The t(9;22) translocation with the deregulated tyrosine kinase activity of the BCR/ABL-fusion protein is known to be the causative molecular event in chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML). 1 The presence of a t(9;22) translocation in ALL is associated with a poor prognosis and a high risk of relapse. 2 Here we report a female patient who presented with chemo- Treatment with the novel ABL-specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor STI571 (Glivec, Gleevec, imatinib mesylate), a drug that has remarkable activity in CML, 3 resulted in a rapid clearance of the blast cells and an allogeneic stem cell transplantation procedure could be performed during complete remission of the leukaemia. Case reportA 43-year-old female was referred to our hospital in January 2000 with a 1-month history of night sweats, weight loss and tiredness. The physical examination was unremarkable and there were no hepatosplenomegaly or palpable lymph nodes. The initial laboratory evaluation revealed haemoglobin 123 g/l, white cell count 100 ϫ 10 9 /l, platelet count 263 ϫ 10 9 /l, and 80% blast cells in the blood smear. A bone marrow aspirate showed 73% blast cells, with morphology compatible with an acute lymphocytic leukaemia. The immunophenotype, established by flow cytometry, was consistent with a pre-B-ALL (CD10 + , CD19 + , CD34 + , HLA-DR + , S Ϫ Ig Ϫ ). Cytogenetic examination revealed a Philadelphia translocation and the karyotype was 46,XX,t(9;22)(14(/45,XX,-21)(3(/46,XX)(4). Presence of the BCR/ABL fusion gene was demonstrated using quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) giving a product corresponding to p190. The leukaemia did not respond to three courses of standard induction chemotheraphy. The patient withstood the three courses without any major complication. The induction courses consisted of ABCDV (ara-C 3 g/m 2 b.i.d., days 1-3; betamethasone, 20 mg/m 2 , days 1-5; cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m 2 , day 1, daunorubicin 30 mg/m 2 , days...

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