Health impacts of AT&T's Total Life Concept (TLC) program after five years

For study group participants who returned for measurement in 1988, the health promotion program appeared to have a limited effect on health risk indicators and a positive effect on health-related attitudes. The data suggest that decreases in smoking and alcohol consumption may be attributed to the program. The combined evidence after 5 years of improved health behaviors, better health attitudes, and self-reports of lifestyle improvements suggests that the program has a positive impact on habit and attitude changes.

Effects of kappa-opioid receptor agonists on stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis in rat kidney

To determine the effects of kappa-opioid receptor agonists on phosphoinositide metabolism in rat renal cortex, tissue slices labelled with [3H]inositol were stimulated with norepinephrine or carbachol alone or in combination with the kappa-opioid receptor agonists, ethylketocyclazocine, trans-3,4-dichloro-N-methyl-N-[2-(pyrrolindinyl)-cyclohexyl)- benzeneacetamide (U50,488) and nalorphine. Both norepinephrine and carbachol stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis (measured in a LiCl buffer) concentration- and time-dependently. The EC50 and maximal stimulation of phosphoinositide hydrolysis for norepinephrine and carbachol were approximately 3 microM and 0.15 dpm released/dpm incorporated, respectively. Concentrations up to 1 mM of ethylketocyclazocine, U50,488 or nalorphine alone did not affect phosphoinositide hydrolysis. However, ethylketocyclazocine and U50,488 decreased 10 microM norepinephrine-stimulated phosphonositide hydrolysis concentration-dependently, each with an approximate IC50 of 30 microM. In contrast, nalorphine had no effect on norepinephrine-stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis. In addition, concentrations of up to 1 mM ethylketocyclazocine or U50,488 did not alter carbachol-stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis. The inhibitory effect of U50,488 and ethylketocyclazocine on norepinephrine-stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis was blocked by the selective kappa-opioid receptor antagonist, nor-binaltorphimine. These results indicate that kappa 1-opioid receptor stimulation may affect phosphoinositide metabolism in rat renal cortex by modulating the subcellular effects of renal alpha 1-adrenoceptor activation.

Considerations on developmental aspects of biocompatible dialysis membranes

Modern strategies in developing new polymers for dialysis membranes aim to improve their blood compatibility. To achieve such a goal, two approaches have been successfully applied: existing cellulosic polymers were modified, either by introducing functional groups through ester or ether bonds, by mixing synthetic polymers with bulk additives, or by using copolymerization techniques. As a detailed example, the first synthetically modified cellulose membrane, Hemophan, was prepared by substituting some hydrogen atoms in the cellulosic glucose unit by diethyl-amino-ethyl groups with the modification having a considerable impact on the membrane's hemocompatibility. It is further known that the hemocompatibility of hydrophobic synthetic membranes is improved by rendering these materials partially hydrophilic. We tested the hypothesis, whether the hemocompatibility of a material, which is hydrophilic per se, such as unmodified cellulose, is changed after the introduction of hydrophobic substituents. For this purpose, the number and nature of substituents have been systematically varied in order to alter surface properties, and these variations have been subsequently related to blood compatibility parameters. As expected, thrombin generation as well as complement- and cell-activation depend on the number and nature of the substituents whereby some of the substituents show a very narrow optimum if their hemocompatibility is related to the degree of substitution. Changes in hemocompatibility can be followed by physical methods, such as surface angle analyses and zeta potential determinations. Data show that alterations in the lipophilic/hydrophilic balance on the polymer surface may explain substituent-related changes in polymer hemocompatibility.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Autocrine mitogen IgEGF cooperates with c-myc or with the Hcs locus during hepatocarcinogenesis in transgenic mice

Hepatocarcinogenesis is deterministic in transgenic mice expressing in the liver gene construct Alb-DS4 that encodes autocrine growth factor IgEGF (D Stern et al. (1987), Science 235: 321-324), causing their death within 7.1 months. Hepatic expression of construct AAT-myc encoding murine c-myc causes liver cancer in 44% of the mice at 14.8 months. Cooperation of these genes was evident in CD2F1 transgenics bearing Alb-DS4 plus AAT-myc, in which accelerated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) formation caused death of all mice within 4.4 months. Alb-DS4 also cooperates with the Hcs locus, which in C3H/HeJ mice mediates high susceptibility to spontaneous hepatocarcinogenesis, causing accelerated formation of HCC to which mice succumbed at 5.1 months. Thus, genes that predispose to HCC formation cooperate in transgenic mice and their interaction is a key to understand mechanisms that cause liver cancer.

Long-term effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist therapy on final and near-final height in 26 children with true precocious puberty treated at a median age of less than 5 years

We report a long term study on the effectiveness of chronic GnRH agonist treatment on final or near-final height in 26 patients (20 females and six males) with true precocious puberty (TPP). This study differs from other treatment studies in that the median age at onset of therapy was 4.7 yr for females and 6.2 yr for males, the youngest cohort of treated patients reported to date. We compared patients treated with GnRH agonists who attained final or near-final height with a historical control group of untreated children with TPP (n = 116) matched for mean age of pubertal onset, etiology of TPP (idiopathic or neurogenic), rate of progression, and sex ratio. The current mean height of GnRH agonist-treated females who began therapy at more than 5 yr of age (157.6 +/- 6.6 cm) is already significantly greater than the mean final height of untreated females (152.7 +/- 8.6 cm). The current mean predicted height of the treated females is 164.6 +/- 9.7 cm. The current mean height of females whose treatment was started before 5 yr of age is greater (164.1 +/- 7.7 cm) than that of females whose treatment began after 5 yr of age (157.6 +/- 6.6 cm). The final height of untreated children whose age of sexual precocity was less than 5 yr at diagnosis is significantly less than that of treated patients who were less than 5 yr when they developed TPP (P = 0.0006). The current mean height of GnRH agonist-treated males is 166.3 +/- 12.2 cm, and the current mean predicted height is 170.8 +/- 11.3 cm. This is in sharp contrast to the mean final height of untreated males (155.6 +/- 7.7 cm). The current predicted height correlates negatively with the age at initiation of treatment and the initial bone age and positively with height SD for bone age in the agonist-treated children. The current mean height deviation from target height is significantly less in the 20 treated females (-1 SD) than in 93 untreated females (-2.4 SD; P = 0.006). The mean final height deviation from target height in 23 untreated males (-3.7 SD) is significantly greater than the current height deviation from target height in 6 treated males (-1.7 SD; P = 0.03). The salutary effects of long term GnRH agonist therapy on stature are more clear-cut in the younger treated children. Young untreated children may have the worst outcome with respect to final height.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Differential cross-tolerance between analgesia produced by alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists and receptor subtype selective opioid treatments

Analgesic cross-tolerance between alpha 2-adrenoceptor and opioid receptor agonists was studied using the mouse tail-flick assay. Mice tolerant to clonidine (0.3 mg/kg s.c.) or xylazine (7 mg/kg s.c.) were cross-tolerant to morphine (5 mg/kg s.c.), nalorphine (70 mg/kg s.c.) and supraspinal [D-Ala2,MePhe4,Gly(ol)5]enkephalin (DAMGO; 4 ng i.c.v.), but not trans-(+/-)-3,4-dichloro-N-methyl-N-[2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)- cyclohexyl] benzeneacetamide methanesulfonate (U50,488; 5 mg/kg s.c.), spinal DAMGO (10 ng i.t.), supraspinal [D-Pen2,D-Pen5]enkephalin (DPDPE; 9 micrograms i.c.v.) or spinal DPDPE (700 ng i.t.). In the complimentary studies, mice tolerant to morphine and nalorphine were cross-tolerant to both of the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists, but U50,488 tolerant mice were not. The results suggest differential interactions between alpha 2-adrenoceptor and mu 1-, mu 2-, delta-, kappa 1- and kappa 3-opioid analgesic circuitry.

A transgenic mouse model for lung adenocarcinoma

Lung cancer is a leading cause of tumor-related deaths in humans but its origin and development are poorly understood. To study the biology of these tumors, appropriate animal and cell culture models will be of eminent importance. Uteroglobin is a marker protein for the nonciliated epithelial Clara cells lining the respiratory and terminal bronchioli of the lung. We have used the promoter and 5'-flanking sequences of the rabbit uteroglobin gene to target expression of the SV40 T antigen to the lung of transgenic mice. All transgenic founders as well as the descendants from an established line, UT7.1, developed multifocal bronchioloalveolar adenocarcinomas originating from Clara cells. At least three different stages in tumor development with progressive loss of the differentiated phenotype can be distinguished by immunohistochemical data and in situ hybridization. Only in the initial stage did bronchiolar cells express both uteroglobin and SV40 T antigen, whereas at later stages, only SV40 T antigen was detected, and the most advanced tumors were negative for both proteins. Starting from the lungs of UT7.1 mice, a bronchiolar cell line was established that maintains the features of differentiated Clara cells. This system provides a useful model for further studying the development and progression of lung adenocarcinomas in vivo and in vitro.

Potentiation of intrathecal DAMGO antinociception, but not gastrointestinal transit inhibition, by 5-hydroxytryptamine and norepinephrine uptake blockade

Spinally administered mu opioid agonists produce potent antinociception and inhibition of gastrointestinal transit. Blockade of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) or norepinephrine (NE) uptake potentiates intrathecal (i.t.) DAMGO antinociception. To determine whether 5-HT and NE uptake blockade will also potentiate the gastrointestinal inhibition, mice were treated with zimelidine, desipramine or saline, followed by i.t. DAMGO and tested for tailflick antinociception or inhibition of gastrointestinal transit. DAMGO produced antinociception dose-dependently (ED50 = 4.6 ng). Zimelidine (10 mg/kg, s.c., 1 hr before DAMGO) produced a 6.2-fold leftward shift in the antinociceptive dose-response curve (ED50 = 0.73 ng). Desipramine produced a 5.3-fold shift (ED50 = 1.4 ng). DAMGO also produced a dose-dependent inhibition of gastrointestinal transit (ED50 = 117 ng). However, zimelidine or desipramine treatment did not affect DAMGO inhibition of gastrointestinal transit (ED50 = 80 ng.).

Characterization of single-stranded DNA binding proteins in rat glial-enriched nuclei

Single-stranded DNA binding proteins (SSBs) are those proteins which preferentially bind single-stranded DNA as opposed to double-stranded DNA and are known to be involved in recombination, amplification, and repair of DNA. To characterize single-stranded DNA binding proteins of glial cells and to examine their potential involvement in induction of neurogenic tumors in rats, nuclei were isolated from target glia and non-target liver of carcinogenically sensitive Sprague-Dawley (SD) and resistant Berlin-Druckrey-IV (BD-IV) rats of various ages and rapidly proliferating glioma cells. Nuclei were fractionated into chromatin, a preribosomal RNA protein complex, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein complex (hnRNP), and nucleoplasm. SSBs were isolated, quantitated, and characterized by electrophoresis. A comparison of the contents of SSBs relative to RNA and their electrophoretic profiles between chromatin and hnRNP revealed that SSBs of liver chromatin were mainly associated with RNA. However, it was found that glial chromatin, particularly that of juvenile rats, was enriched with a heterogeneous series of SSBs which were not found in liver chromatin and presumably associated with chromosomal DNA. Some of these SSBs were enriched in glial chromatin of sensitive SD rats compared with that of resistant BD-IV rats. High mobility group proteins (HMG) 1 and 2 constituted major SSB components in the nucleoplasm and a greater amount of these HMGs were found in juvenile glia, compared to adult glia and juvenile and adult liver. Fractionation of glial SSBs and determination of their biological functions may contribute to the further understanding of the role these proteins may play in the processes of carcinogenesis.

The uteroglobin promoter targets expression of the SV40 T antigen to a variety of secretory epithelial cells in transgenic mice

Adenocarcinomas derived from the lining epithelia of various organs are the most common malignant tumors in human pathology and about 50% are hormone dependent. The tissue-specific and hormally regulated expression of the rabbit uteroglobin gene is secretory epithelial cells could provide a means of establishing in vivo models for a variety of human tumors originating from such tissues. We have generated trangenic mice inheriting a hybrid gene containing 4.7 kb of the rabbit uteroglobin 5'-flanking sequences fused to the SV40 T antigen encoding region. All transgenic founders examined exhibited bronchio-alveolar adenocarcinomas, probably due to expression of the transgene in Clara cells. Most founders also developed tumors of the submandibular salivary gland, and adenocarcinomas of the stomach. Adenocarcinomas and dysplasias in epithelial cells of the male and female genital tract were found in single founders. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that T antigen expression interfered with stable maintenance of the differentiated phenotype as documented by expression of the endogenous uteroglobin gene. One founder gave rise to a mouse line, UT7.1. Transgenic descendants of UT7.1 developed lung adenocarcinomas and, depending on the genetic background, exhibited tumors of the stomach, the salivary gland and the pancreas. Sporadically male descendants developed prostatic adenocarcinoma whereas females developed dysplasias and adenocarcinomas of the uterus and the oviduct. Thus, the UT7.1 mouse line could be a useful model for several epithelial neoplasias.

Effects of lovastatin (20-80 mg daily) on lipoprotein fractions in patients with severe primary hypercholesterolemia

The effect of lovastatin on lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins was studied in 10 patients with primary hypercholesterolemia. After four weeks diet/placebo alone, patients received diet plus lovastatin at daily doses of 20 mg (weeks 1-4), 40 mg (weeks 5-8) and 80 mg (weeks 9-12). Twelve weeks of treatment with lovastatin resulted in a lowering of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol by 34% and 41%, respectively. Triglycerides and VLDL-cholesterol decreased by 19% and by 42%, respectively. HDL-cholesterol and HDL2-cholesterol increased, whereas HDL3-cholesterol was not affected. IDL-cholesterol decreased by 50%, suggesting that the clearance of remnant lipoproteins was enhanced by lovastatin. In the VLDL and the IDL fraction, the triglyceride to cholesterol mass ratio increased significantly after twelve weeks of therapy. Lipoprotein(a) was not affected. Lovastatin was well tolerated and the data shows that lovastatin exerts favorable effects on plasma lipoprotein fractions. It may, therefore, prove a useful drug in the primary and secondary prevention of atherosclerotic vessel diseases.

Molecular analysis of radiation-induced albino (c)-locus mutations that cause death at preimplantation stages of development

Deletion mutations at the albino (c) locus have been useful for continuing the development of fine-structure physical and functional maps of the Fes-Hbb region of mouse chromosome 7. This report describes the molecular analysis of a number of radiation-induced c deletions that, when homozygous, cause death of the embryo during preimplantation stages. The distal extent of these deletions defines a locus, pid, (preimplantation development) genetically associated with this phenotype. The proximal breakpoints of eight of these deletions were mapped with respect to the Tyr (tyrosinase; albino) gene as well as to anonymous loci within the Fah-Tyr region that are defined by the Pmv-31 viral integration site and by chromosome-microdissection clones. Rearrangements corresponding to the proximal breakpoints of two of these deletions were detected by Southern blot analysis, and a size-altered restriction fragment carrying the breakpoint of one of them was cloned. A probe derived from this deletion fusion fragment defines a locus, D7Rn6, which maps within (or distal to) the pid region, and which discriminates among the distal extents of deletions eliciting the pid phenotype. Extension of physical maps from D7Rn6 should provide access both to the pid region and to loci mapping distal to pid that are defined by N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea-induced lethal mutations.

Differential expression of gap junction connexins in endocrine and exocrine glands

We have investigated the expression of three gap junction proteins and their corresponding mRNAs by secretory cells of a variety of endocrine and exocrine rat glands. By immunostaining cryostat sections (indirect immunofluorescence) with antibodies against connexins (Cx) 26, 32, and 43 and by hybridizing total glandular RNA (Northern blot) with cRNAs for these proteins, we have found that several endocrine glands (pituitary, parathyroid, pancreatic islets, and adrenal) express Cx43, variable levels of Cx26, and no Cx32, whereas several exocrine glands (lacrimal gland, salivary glands, pancreas, prostate, and seminal vesicle) express high levels of Cx32 and variable levels of Cx26, but no Cx43. Thus, different sets of proteins comprise the gap junctions of endocrine and exocrine glands. Together with the findings that an endocrine gland (thyroid) that discharges secretory products extracellularly before releasing them in the vascular compartment expresses both Cx43 and Cx32 and that an exocrine gland (preputial gland) that has a pheromonal role expresses Cx43, these observations suggest that the differential expression of gap junction connexins may be required to specify the endocrine or exocrine differentiation of a secretory cell.

Development of short-term mutagenicity test systems in vitro: metabolic activation of indirectly acting mutagens by three immortal rat hepatocyte lines

The metabolic capacity to activate the indirectly acting promutagens aflatoxin B1, cyclophosphamide, benzo[a]-pyrene, 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene and dimethylnitrosamine into DNA-reactive metabolites was investigated in three immortalized rat hepatocyte cell lines (NRL cl-B, NRL cl-C and ARL) by analysing chromosome aberrations and sister chromatid exchange (SCE). In all three cell lines a significant clastogenic and SCE inducing response was observed after exposure to each test compound. Furthermore, activities of the two enzymes aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase and aldrin-epoxidase, which play major roles in the cytochrome P450-dependent metabolism, could be determined in all cell lines. In contrast to the hepatocyte lines in V79 Chinese hamster cells, which were used as a reference cell line without any cytochrome P450 metabolizing capacity, no arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase or aldrinepoxidase activities were detected. A cytogenetic response to the test compounds was only observed in the presence of the exogenous activating system S9 mix. Due to the wide, efficient and stable spectrum of their metabolizing capacities, the tested rat hepatocyte lines offer promising perspectives as alternative assay systems for the detection of indirectly acting mutagens.

Alpha adrenergic and mu-2 opioid receptors are involved in morphine-induced suppression of splenocyte natural killer activity

The immunosuppressive effects following acute morphine administration have been mapped to opioid receptors in the central nervous system, specifically to the periaqueductal gray matter of the mesencephalon. The mesencephalon is associated with sympathetic neuronal processes, and the spleen is innervated with sympathetic neurons that are in direct apposition with lymphocytes in the periarteriolar lymphatic sheath. Accordingly, we investigated adrenergic involvement following morphine administration on natural killer (NK) activity by splenic lymphocytes. Acute morphine administration (25 mg/kg s.c.) suppresses (30-50%) NK activity by murine splenic immunocytes as measured in a 4-hr 51Cr-release assay. The suppression is blocked by phentolamine (4 mg/kg) and propranolol (10 mg/kg) in a dose-dependent fashion. However, phentolamine (2 mg/kg), but not propranolol (5 mg/kg), can also effectively antagonize morphine-induced immunosuppression. In addition, phentolamine (4 mg/kg) and prazocin (1 mg/kg), but not yohimbine (1 mg/kg), antagonizes morphine-elicited suppression of splenic NK activity. Selective opioid receptor antagonists were also utilized to determine the type or subtype of receptor activated following morphine administration. beta-Funaltrexamine (40 mg/kg) but not naloxonazine (35 mg/kg), naltrindole (20 mg/kg) or norbinaltorphimine (10 mg/kg) effectively blocks morphine-induced suppression of splenic NK activity. Collectively, morphine interacts with 1) mu-2 opioid receptors (most probably centrally) and 2) activates both alpha and beta adrenergic pathways.

Mycobacterium marinum skin infections: two case reports

Most infections of soft tissue injury sites are caused by Staphylococcus or Streptococcus and respond to beta-lactam antibiotics. Occasionally, a patient does not respond to routine antibiotics, and other possibilities must be considered. A detailed history of the event that caused the soft tissue injury can be important in the diagnosis. Two cases of Mycobacterium marinum soft tissue infection (ie, fish tank granuloma) are presented.

Expression of c-fos and c-myc protooncogenes in an immortalized hepatocyte line harbouring SV40 T antigen and hGH as transgenes

A clonal hepatocyte line (FMH-202-2), derived from livers of fetal transgenic mice harbouring human growth hormone (hGH) and SV40 T antigen as transgenes, was used in the investigation of protooncogene expression involved in liver-specific growth control and/or in hepatocellular transformation. In this model system, representing an immortalized, yet untransformed phenotype, the transgenes hGH and SV40 T antigen were expressed constitutively. The c-fos protooncogene was induced by incubation with insulin, epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) in a transient manner comparable to its expression in primary murine hepatocytes. Elucidation of second messenger mechanisms demonstrated that c-fos induction by hepatotrophic growth factors was not mediated by protein kinase C. In contrast to primary hepatocytes, the c-myc protooncogene exhibited a constitutive expression pattern which was independent of growth factor stimulation. These results indicate that apart from hGH and SV40 T antigen, c-myc may play a role in cellular immortalization, but that constitutive expression of these genes, even in combined coexpression, does not suffice to induce the transformed phenotype.

[Long-term treatment of mucoviscidosis. Results with a microencapsulated pancreatic enzyme preparation]

METHODS

In 30 children suffering from cystic fibrosis, the long-term effect (2 years) of treatment with an acid-protected micro-encapsulated pancreatin preparation was investigated in comparison with prior enzyme replacement with a conventional pancreatin preparation given over a period of years. Assessment criteria was the development of body length and body weight, lung function (vital capacity, FEF1) and the Shwachman-Kulczycki score.

RESULTS

The therapeutic efficacy of the acid-protected micro-encapsulated preparation is considered to be higher than that of conventional preparations, since the same effect was achieved with only one-quarter to one-third of the pancreatin dose of the conventional preparation (average: 6.5 +/- 2.9 g pancreatin/d, as compared with 1.6 +/- 0.6 g pancreatin in the case of the acid-protected micro-encapsulated preparation). However, none of the clinical parameters investigated revealed any significant changes during the course of the observation period. The results indicate that, if the general state of health and nutritional status of patients with cystic fibrosis is to be improved further, in addition to a special diet, attempts must be made to achieve further optimization of the intraluminal digestion.

Ion channels in single bilayers induced by rat connexin32

The gap junction channel mediates an important form of intercellular communication, but its detailed study is hindered by inaccessibility in situ. We show here that connexin32, the major protein composing junctional channels in rat liver, forms ion channels in single bilayer membranes. The properties of these reconstituted connexin32 channels are characterized and compared with those of gap junction channels. The demonstration that connexin32 forms channels in single membranes has implications for assembly and regulation of junctional channels, and permits detailed study of the gating, permeability and modulation of this channel-forming protein.

Transcriptional downregulation of gap-junction proteins blocks junctional communication in human mammary tumor cell lines

Subtractive hybridization, selecting for mRNAs expressed in normal human mammary epithelial cells (NMECs) but not in mammary tumor cell lines (TMECs), led to the cloning of the human gap junction gene connexin 26 (Cx26), identified by its sequence similarity to the rat gene. Two Cx26 transcripts derived from a single gene are expressed in NMECs but neither is expressed in a series of TMECs. Northern analysis using rat Cx probes showed that Cx43 mRNA is also expressed in the normal cells, but not in the tumor lines examined. Connexin genes Cx31.1, Cx32, Cx33, Cx37, and Cx40 are not expressed in either normal cells or the tumor lines examined. In cell-cell communication studies, the normal cells transferred Lucifer yellow, while tumor cells failed to show dye transfer. Both Cx26 and Cx43 proteins were immunolocalized to membrane sites in normal cells but were not found in tumor cells. Further analysis demonstrated that Cx26 is a cell-cycle regulated gene expressed at a moderate level during G1 and S, and strongly up-regulated in late S and G2, as shown with lovastatin-synchronized NMECs. Cx43, on the contrary is constitutively expressed at a uniform low level throughout the cell cycle. Treatment of normal and tumor cells with a series of drugs: 5dB-cAMP, retinoic acid, okadaic acid, estradiol, or TGFb had no connexin-inducing effect in tumor cells. However, PMA induced re-expression of the two Cx26 transcripts but not of Cx43 in several TMECs. Thus Cx26 and Cx43 are both downregulated in tumor cells but respond differentially to some signals. Modulation of gap-junctional activity by drug therapy may have useful clinical applications in cancer.