István Vályi-Nagy

Human Herpesvirus 8 in Hematologic Diseases

Human herpesvirus type 8 (HHV-8), also known as Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is a new member of the γ-herpesvirus family. It is an unusual herpesvirus in that it carries a large number of genes that encode oncoproteins or cell signaling proteins. In addition to being the causative agent of both HIV-associated and non-HIV-associated Kaposi’s sarcoma this DNA tumor virus has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several diseases. These include multiple myeloma (MM), Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM), multicentric Castleman’s disease (MCD), body cavity-based lymphoma (BCBL), and various other conditions such as sarcoidosis and pemphigus. While the causative role of the viral infection is fairly certain in the development of BCBL and multicentric Castleman’s disease, HHV-8 may act through a different mechanism to induce plasma cell malignancies. It has been suggested - though the finding is still controversial -that infection of bone marrow stromal dendritic cells by HHV-8 might be a key factor in the etiology and pathogenesis of monoclonal gammopathies. The aim of this review is to provide a short introduction into the tumorigenic potential of HHV-8 as well as to detail the available data and possible mechanisms on the involvement of this virus in different hematologic diseases.

Application of near infrared spectroscopy to the determination of haemoglobin

Seventy-two whole blood samples were investigated to determine the relationship between their spectral data measured in the near infrared (NIR) wavelength region and haemoglobin content based on laboratory data determined by a routine standard method as reference. Blood samples were obtained from the 1st Department of Medicine, Imre Haynal University of Health Sciences. Donors were selected randomly without respect to age, sex, state of health or medical treatment, from apparently healthy volunteers as well as from ambulatory and hospitalized patients. NIR spectra were measured with a SPECTRALYZER 1025 (PMC) computerized spectrophotometer in the 1000-2500 nm wavelength region. The relationship between laboratory data and values of the second derivative (i.e. second order finite difference) of the log(1/TF) spectra measured at different wavelengths was determined by multiple linear regression (MLR) using three- and four-term linear summation equations. The cross-validated standard error of performance (SEP) for haemoglobin was 1.348 g dL-1 with a three term model and 1.251 g dL-1 with a four term model over the range from 5.9 to 20 g dL-1. This preliminary study indicates that NIR measurements can be directly related to haemoglobin content and can be used to determine haemoglobin content in human whole blood.

Rapid analysis of whole blood and blood serum using near infrared spectroscopy

In the present study we describe the relationship between laboratory values obtained with routinely used laboratory analytical methods and near infrared (NIR) spectral data of 126 whole blood and 228 blood serum samples. Spectra were measured with a SPECTRALYZER 1025 (PMC) computerised research analyser. The relationship among laboratory data and values of the second derivative of the log (1/R) spectra measured at different wavelengths was determined by multiple linear regression (MLR) using three and four term linear summation equations, principal component regression (PCR) and partial least-squares (PLS) regression methods. Along with examples for qualitative detection of protein and lipid in human sera, as well as distinction of albumin and globulin dissolved in physiological saline solution, we describe mathematical models and evaluate their performance for the determination of protein and beta-lipoprotein (β-LP) content of serum as well as oxygen saturation and carbon dioxide pressure in whole blood. Validation of our results yielded a standard error of performance (SEP) of 2.47 g L−1 for protein content and 0.79 TU for β-LP content in blood serum, whereas SEP values of 5.41% for oxygen saturation and 5.27 mm Hg for carbon dioxide pressure in whole blood were found. Our results presented in this preliminary study indicate that NIR measurements can be related to analytical data of whole blood and serum. NIR spectroscopy is a rapid, accurate, cost effective method for determining quality parameters of whole blood and serum and might be a promising new tool in the field of automated clinical laboratory analysis.

Determination of Cholinesterase in Human Blood Using near Infrared Spectroscopy

The level of cholinesterase in the human blood is a very good indicator of liver function. In this study we desrcibe the relationship between cholinesterase values obtained with routine laboratory methods and near infrared (NIR) spectral data of 72 individuals with a wide range of cholinesterase levels. NIR spectra were measured with a SPECTRALYZER 10–25 (PMC) computerised research analyser. The relationship of laboratory data and values of the second derivative of the log (1/TF) spectra measured at different wavelengths was determined with multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis using three-term linear summation equations. A correlation coefficient (r) of 0.89 and a standard error of calibration (SEC) of 987 units L−1 (U/L) of the enzyme were obtained. Our results indicate that NIR measurements of cholinesterase in the human blood serum can be related to the analytical data obtained with routine laboratory methods. NIR spectroscopy is a rapid, accurate, and inexpensive method for determining various constituents in the human blood.

Prevalence and Type Diversity of Human Papillomaviruses in Penile Cancers in Hungary

To the editor Penile cancers are one of the rare forms of oncological diseases as in developed countries their prevalence is less than 1 %. Epidemiological studies suggested the role of oncogenic HPV-types as a causative agent of penile tumors [1, 2]. Around 40 % of patients with penile cancer had also been affected by HPV with type 16 being the most prevalent [3]. Currently available literature data explain HPV-induced tumors with the integration of virus into the epithelial cells’ genome, and its genetic manipulation of the host DNA. Another interesting fact is that HPV infection is much more frequently associated with certain types of penile cancers, than other malignant manifestations [3]. Clinical course and prognosis of patients with penile cancer is unequivocally determined by the lymphatic node status. Five year survival rate of pathologically negative lymph nodes (pN0) is 85–100 %, whereas the involvement of pathologically verified metastatic lymph nodes in the inguinal region dramatically reduces this rate [4]. A retrospective study including 145 male patients describes: tumor thickness and lymphatic or vascular invasion as prognostic factors for lymph node involvement. Interestingly, no statistical correlations can be indicated in lymphatic involvement in connection with T status and the grade of cancer [5]. The aims of the present study were i) to identify and estimate the prevalence of high-risk HPV (hrHPV) genotypes in both primary penile tumors and metastatic lymph nodes, ii) to analyse the potential correlation between the hrHPV positivity and the severity and progression of the cancer. Tissue samples were taken from both the primary tumor and the regional lymph nodes, in over the course of operations of penile cancers in the Department of Urology, University of Pécs, Hungary, between 2002 and 2012. Samples were forwarded to histopathological processing where tissues were fixed in formalin and embedded into paraffin for histological processing. For retrospective molecular studies, 10 μm sections of the paraffin blocks were deparaffinated. Subsequently, DNAwas extracted for the purpose of HPV-identification. Cells were disintegrated using TissueLyser (Qiagen), and subcellular structures were digested enzymatically using Proteinase-K. DNA was purified from tissues using QIAmp DNA FFPE Tissue Kit (Qiagen), according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. HPV DNA was detected by virus-specific TaqMan PCR (DIAGON Ltd., Hungay). In case of HPV positive samples Linear Array HPV Genotyping Test (Roche) was further used for genotyping. A total of 35 patients were involved in the current clinical study. High-risk HPV was identified from primary tumors in 17 cases (48.5 %), regional (inguinal) lymph nodes were positive in 3 cases. The average age of hrHPV positive males was 55 years (range: 44–87 years) while HPV negative patients were slightly older, averaging 66 years of age (range: 50– 82 years). Genotyping using high-sensitivity molecular assays was available for 14 cases out of the 17 hrHPV-positive patients. HPV 16 was identified in 11 of 14 samples (78.5 %), HPV 59 and 82 were detected in two separate cases, while * Ferenc Jakab jakabf@gamma.ttk.pte.hu