Antiganglioside antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid of children with neuropsychiatric lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE

To determine antiganglioside antibodies (AGA) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of children with neuropsychiatric lupus erythematosus (NPLE), and to investigate their association with clinical manifestations and other laboratory tests.

METHODS

An enzyme linked immunoabsorbent assay was used to detect AGA in 22 CSF samples obtained from 18 children with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). These patients were further classified into clinical active NPLE (9 patients) and SLE (9 patients) groups. Indirect immunofluorescent assay was used for determination of CSF antinucleus antibodies (ANA).

RESULTS

AGA could be found in CSF of all the 9 active NPLE children who had neuropsychiatric manifestations within 6 months before or after AGA was tested. A clear association was observed between AGA and brain CT scan. No detectable ANA was found in CSF samples even though high titer of ANA was present in corresponding serum samples of SLE patients.

CONCLUSION

Detection of AGAs in CSF, more sensitive and specific than routine CSF examination and EEG, and positively associated with brain CT scan, is a simple and practical test for early judgment of childhood NPLE.

[Effects of yizhi pills on memory, superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde of brain and immunity in mice]

Passive avoidance tests have shown that Yizhi Pills (YZ) markedly improve the memory of normal mice at a dose of 100 mg/kg after oral administration for fifteen days, and significantly reverse the scopolamine, NaNO2 and EtOH-induced disruptions of memory retention in mice at doses of 100, 200, 500 mg/kg after oral administration for five days. In aged mice induced by D-galactose, YZ also significantly improve the impaired memory, increase the activity of SOD and decrease the content of MDA in brain. All these effects were observed at doses of 200, 500 mg/kg after oral administration for forty-one days. YZ significantly promote blood carbon particle clearance, enhance hemolysin antibody in immunodepressed mice induced by cyclophosphamide, and increase earswelling in immunodepressed mice induced by prednisolonum.

Identification of the histidine protein kinase KinB in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its phosphorylation of the alginate regulator algB

The exopolysaccharide alginate is an important virulence factor in chronic lung infections caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Two positive activators for alginate synthesis, algB and algR, are members of a superfamily of response regulators of the two-component regulatory system. AlgB belongs to the NtrC subfamily of response regulators and is required for high-level production of alginate. In this study, an open reading frame encoding a polypeptide of 66 kDa, designated kinB, was identified immediately downstream of algB. The sequence of KinB is homologous to the histidine protein kinase members of two-component regulatory systems. Western blot analysis of a P. aeruginosa strain carrying a kinB-lacZ protein fusion and studies of kinB-phoA fusions indicate that KinB localizes to the inner membrane and has a NH2-terminal periplasmic domain. A KinB derivative containing the COOH terminus of KinB was generated and purified. In the presence of [gamma-32P]ATP, the purified COOH-terminal KinB protein was observed to undergo progressive autophosphorylation in vitro. Moreover, the phosphoryl label of KinB could be rapidly transferred to purified AlgB. Substitutions of the residues conserved among histidine protein kinases abolished KinB autophosphorylation. These results provide evidence that kinB encodes the AlgB cognate histidine protein kinase.

[Preoperative intraperitoneal versus intravenous carboplatin chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer, pharmacokinetics and drug accumulation study]

OBJECTIVE

To examine the accumulation of anticancer drugs in tumor tissues by different routes of administration.

METHODS

Pharmacokinetic comparison of preoperative intraperitoneal (i.p.) and intravenous (i.v.) carboplatin chemotherapy was done in 10 patients each with advanced, resectable gastric cancer. Preoperatively, 300 mg/m2 carboplatin in 750 ml 0.9% sodium chloride was administered by i.p. or i.v. At 160-180 minutes after drug administration, peritoneal fluid, portal vein blood and peripheral blood were taken. At 240-270 minutes later, cancer tissues, peritumor normal tissues, omentum majus, peritoneum and cancer-free lymph nodes were collected during operation. Total carboplatin concentrations were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

RESULTS

High concentrations of carboplatin were found in all tissues by i.p. administration. Drug concentration was highest in the peritonaeum, being 4 times as high as that after i.v. administration. Cancer tissue had higher drug concentration than did peritumor normal tissues. Compared to those after i.v. administration, concentrations in the peritoneal fluid, portal vein blood and peripheral blood were 13, 3 and 1.5 times as high, respectively. No significant differences were observed in drug concentrations in the peritoneum, omentum majus and lymph nodes after i.v. administration.

CONCLUSION

For gastric cancer, carboplatin chemotherapy by i.p. administration is a better route for clinical practice.

Capillary zone electrophoresis at subzero temperatures II: chiral separation of biogenic amines

The separation of enantiomer pairs of eight biogenic amines by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) was investigated with heptakis (2,6-di-O-methyl)-beta-cyclodextrin as the chiral selector at temperatures ranging from -20 degrees to 40 degrees C by using a commercial electrophoresis unit retrofitted with an external thermostated refrigerated circulating bath in order to assist the original cooling system. Sodium phosphate in both neat aqueous and methanolic media at pH 2.5, as measured by the glass pH electrode, were used with the fused silica capillary from 1.5 degrees to 40 degrees C and -20 degrees to 40 degrees C, respectively. The effect of temperature on enantioselectivity was found to depend on the number of phenolic hydroxyl groups in the molecule. Upon lowering the temperature from 40 degrees to -20 degrees C, the chiral selectivity of the system, as measured by the relative mobility difference, increased tenfold for the amines with two vicinal phenolic hydroxyls, whereas the increase was insignificant for those having no phenolic hydroxyl groups. The complex formation constants of three amines which have the same molecular structure but the number of phenolic hydroxyl groups were determined at different temperatures and the thermodynamic parameters as well as compensation temperatures for the process were evaluated. Whereas the compensation temperature was 690 K for the amine without phenolic hydroxyl group, it was < 400 K for the amines with one or two phenolic hydroxyl groups. The difference in the compensation temperatures indicates that the intrinsic mechanisms of their complexation with the chiral selector are not the same; this may account for the discrepancies observed in the temperature dependency of the chiral selectivity. The enthalpy change per phenolic hydroxyl group was 2.5 kcal mol(-1), which compares favorably with the typical value for a single hydrogen bond. Therefore, when the amines have phenolic hydroxyl groups, the strong increase in chiral selectivity with decreasing temperature may be due to enhanced H-bonding between the cyclodextrin and the phenolic hydroxyls under the conditions employed in this study.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 induce activation of MAP kinase and SAP kinase in human neuroma fibroblasts

Two cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1 (IL-1), which are released by macrophages during the early inflammatory phase of nerve injury, are known to induce activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK), which locate at different signal transduction pathways and are involved in cell cycle G0/G1 transition and cellular proliferation in human fibroblasts. Activation of these two protein kinases by the cytokines may stimulate fibroblast proliferation in damaged nerves and thereby play a role in the formation of a neuroma, a disorganized mass of tissue that interferes with neural regeneration and repair. To investigate the possibility that this mechanism is operative in neuroma formation, we used cultured, serum-starved fibroblasts from surgically removed human neuromas stimulated with TNF-alpha and/or IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta, and measured the activation of MAPK and SAPK using myelin basic protein (MBP) and human c-Jun (1-169) glutathione S-agarose transferase (GST) fusion protein as substrates. For comparison, neuroma fibroblast cultures were also stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and platelet-derived growth factor-AB (PDGF-AB), a potent activator for MAPK. TNF-alpha and both forms of IL-1 produced a rapid activation of MAPK, with a peak at 15 min for TNF-alpha stimulation, and a peak at 30 min for IL-1 stimulation. TNF-alpha combined with either IL-1 alpha or IL-1 beta produced a synergistic effect on the activation of MAPK. The increases in MAPK induced by TNF-alpha and IL-1 were similar to the increases induced by PMA and PDGF-AB. To confirm the presence of MAPK, immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting were carried out on experimental and control lysates. TNF-alpha and IL-1 also increased activation of SAPK, but to a lesser extent than MAPK. PMA and PDGF-AB were also much less effective in stimulating activation of SAPK. Our findings indicate that TNF-alpha and IL-1 activate parallel signal transduction pathways in human neuroma fibroblasts, and that they are relatively stronger activators of MAPK than of SAPK. Previous studies have convincingly demonstrated that MAPK and SAPK are involved in human fibroblast proliferation. The results of our study suggest that TNF-alpha and IL-1 may play a role in frustrating functional nerve regeneration after injury by stimulating these two kinases, which, in turn, leads to fibroblast proliferation and formation of neuromas.

Investigation of effects of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) on the chromosomal complement of CD-1 mouse embryos

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of superovulatory doses of gonadotropins on the frequency of chromosomal abnormalities of mouse embryos.

METHODS

Chromosome analysis of 8- to 16-cell stage mouse embryos and zygotes was performed by a cytogenetic method.

RESULTS

There was no significant effect of the pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) dose on the level of aneuploidy and structural abnormalities from 8- to 16-cell-stage embryos among superovulated groups. However, a simple dose-response relationship between the PMSG dose and the incidence of polyploidy was observed, with the level of polyploidy rising from 2.9% with 10 i.u. PMSG to 10.5% with 15 i.u. PMSG. In zygote stage, the proportion of polyploid embryos also increased as the dose increased, from 1.9% in 5 i.u. to 6.7% in 15 i.u. PMSG. It was observed that the extra chromosomal set in polyploidy embryos originated by both fertilization of a diploid oocyte and dispermy.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate a dose-response relationship between the PMSG dose and the incidence of polyploidy in the CD-1 mouse. Both a disturbance at maturation division and an error at fertilization were the cause of polyploidy.

Role for insulin-like growth factor I in the regulation of electrolyte composition of uterine luminal fluid

A potential role for insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in the regulation of the uterine electrolyte environment was studied in conjunction with hyperoestrogenaemia caused by superovulation. Uterine luminal fluid from immature rats treated with 4 (control), 10, 20 and 40 i.u. (superovulation) pregnant mares' serum gonadotrophin (PMSG, day -2) and the electrolyte composition was determined on day 3 of pregnancy. Superovulation increased total cation content in uterine flushes by more than twofold, suggesting a comparable increase in the uterine luminal fluid volume. Percentages of K+ and HCO-3 content to total cations or anions increased by 27% and 16%, respectively, and those of Na+ and Cl- decreased by 26% and 15%, respectively, after superovulation. Daily injections with 1.0 micrograms or more oestradiol, from day 0 to day 2, in the 4 i.u. PMSG-primed immature rats caused similar changes in total cation content and electrolyte composition of uterine luminal fluid. Anti-IGF-I antibody infusion in the superovulated or oestradiol-treated immature rats restored the alterations in cation composition but had no effect on anion composition and total cation content. IGF-I was infused into adult rats to achieve increased IGF-I action observed after superovulation. IGF-I infusion altered electrolyte composition, as is observed after superovulation or oestradiol treatment, but had no effect on total cation content. In conclusion, hyperoestrogenaemia caused by superovulation may alter the uterine electrolyte environment for preimplantation embryonic development. IGF-I appears to play a central role in mediating this action of oestrogen.

Structural, functional analysis and localization of the human CAP18 gene

CAP18 is an antimicrobial protein found in specific granules of PMNs. The human CAP18 (HCAP18) gene was cloned from a human genomic phage library. Sequence analysis revealed the HCAP18 gene to have 4 exons spanning 3 kb, including 700 bp of upstream DNA. Using 3' RACE no homologs of human HCAP18 were found in human bone marrow or leukocyte populations. By PCR analysis of a somatic cell mapping panel and fluorescence in situ hybridization of a genomic clone to metaphase chromosomes the gene was mapped to chromosome band 3p21.3. Like several other genes expressed late in PMN development the CAP18 gene did not contain typical TATA box or CCAAT sequences. Expression in Cos 7 cells permitted limited mapping of the promoter function in upstream fragments of the HCAP18 gene. Western blot, Northern blot and RT-PCR analysis show HCAP18 to be produced specifically in granulocytes. This work forms the groundwork for future analysis of the genetic regulation of this antimicrobial protein during PMN differentiation.

Measurement of radiation-induced DNA double-strand breaks in human diploid fibroblasts from keloid and normal skin by single-cell gel electrophoresis

Cell culture experiments recently have shown that different populations of fibroblasts may exist in keloid patients. Moreover, several studies have strongly suggested heterogeneity in cell response of skin fibroblasts in the same individual. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiation sensitivity of skin fibroblasts from keloid and normal skin. Single-cell gel electrophoresis was employed in detecting amounts of DNA double-strand breaks generated in individual fibroblasts primarily cultured from normal skin and from keloid tissue after various doses of gamma-irradiation (0, 25, 50, and 100 Gy aerobically) from a 137Cs radiation generator. For the repair study, cells were incubated at 37 degrees C for 0 and 15 minutes and 1 and 2 hours after irradiation. Following neutral lysis and electrophoresis, DNA double-strand breaks were then detected by propidium iodide staining and determined by fluorescence microscope and quantitative image analysis. No significant difference in the extent of DNA double strand breaks in fibroblasts from normal skin or keloid after various doses of irradiation was observed. However, the residual DNA double-strand breaks remaining after various periods of incubation were demonstrated to be significantly increased in fibroblasts from keloid (p < 0.01). In conclusion, different repair capacities were found in fibroblasts from normal skin and keloid scar; this finding may play a role in the treatment of the disease entity.

[Clinical study of imposed work of breathing caused by the breathing apparatus]

OBJECTIVE

The imposed work of breathing caused by the breathing apparatus (endotracheal tube, breathing circuit tubing, and ventilator's valves) may increase patient's work of breathing. To evaluate the imposed work may be useful to determine weaning.

METHODS

Work of breathing was observed by Bicore CP-100 breathing monitor at different levels pressure support (PS), T piece and after extubation, and the PS level to compensate imposed work of breathing was computed.

RESULTS

When PS level decreased, patient's work of breathing increased significantly. At PS O kPa, the patient's work of breathing increased 57%, which was caused by imposed work of apparatus. Because of the resistance of endotracheal tube, the patient's work of breathing increased 41% at T piece. The PS level that compensated for the imposed work was 0.7 kPa.

CONCLUSIONS

When PS level was too low or T piece was applied, the imposed work of breathing caused by apparatus could markedly increase patient's work of breathing.

Kinetic study on the cis-trans isomerization of peptidyl-proline dipeptides

The equilibrium and kinetic parameters of cis-trans interconversion of dipeptides containing peptidyl-proline moiety were investigated using the in-column incubation method with both CZE and HPLC and the ad hoc dissolution method. The use of the latter was possible because the conformational make-up of the solid peptides, and consequently of their ad hoc solution, was sufficiently different from that of the solution at equilibrium. This method with 1H-NMR and CZE analyses yielded very similar results for the cis-trans isomerization of Phe Pro in aqueous sodium borate, pH 8.4, at 10 degrees C with an average value of 0.34 and 6.6 x 10(-5) s-1 for the equilibrium and rate constant, respectively. The in-column incubation method is performed by CZE or HPLC so that the conformers are separated in the first half of the column and then incubated in column where they interconvert and reach equilibrium. Subsequent separation in the second half of the column yielded four peaks. Thus by measuring the conformer composition as a function of the reaction time, the rate constant can be evaluated. The forward rate constant of 1.42 x 10(-4) s-1 determined by the CZE in-column incubation method for Phe-Pro isomerization at 10 degrees C was twice of the value obtained by the ad hoc dissolution method. It is believed that the inner wall of fused-silica capillaries has a catalytic effect on the isomerization. Computer simulation was also employed to gain further insight on the catalytic activity of the capillary inner wall on such isomerization. Whereas the experimental and simulation profiles of Phe-Pro in aqueous borate buffer, pH 8.4, with a 37 cm long capillary were in excellent agreement, a four times faster interconversion rate had to be used to match the experimental profile obtained with a 57 cm long capillary under otherwise identical conditions. The catalytic effect of the octadecyl silica stationary phase on the isomerization was confirmed by the in-column incubation method with HPLC. The overall rate of the cis-trans isomerization of Phe-Pro, which entails the reaction both on the stationary phase and in the mobility phase, was about six times faster at 0 degree C than the rate measured by NMR in free solution using the mobile phase containing 65% (v/v) sodium phosphate, pH 6.5, and 35% (v/v) methanol. The results presented here serve as a caveat that the effect of the wall in CZE or the stationary phase in HPLC on the reaction cannot be ignored.

[Pharmacognostical study on the Chinese drug biejia]

The Chinese drug Biejia is taken from a variety of animals. In this paper, 3 kinds of Biejia from different genera have been studied in their pharmacognostical characteristics and microproperties. A key has been complied based on the experimental results.

Anti-inflammatory activities of 70% methanolic extract from Cinnamomi Cortex

The effects of 70% methanolic extract (CC-ext) from Cinnamomi Cortex on acute and chronic inflammation were investigated. CC-ext inhibited the rise in vascular permeability induced by acetic acid and the increase of paw edema induced by carrageenin in mice. It was ineffective on edema derived by histamine or bradykinin, and exhibited only weak inhibitory effect on the edema derived by serotonin. CC-ext also showed inhibitory effects on the prekallikrein enzyme activity and ear edema induced by arachidonic acid. It also had an inhibitory effect on cotton pellet-induced granuloma but showed no atrophying action against the adrenal or thymus glands. Little effect was shown on secondary lesions in the development of adjuvant-induced arthritis (the arthritis reappeared from 11 to 27 d after injection of the adjuvant). These results suggest that some active component having an inhibitory effect on acute inflammation is contained in Cinnamomi Cortex.

Antenatal diagnosis and management of Dandy-Walker syndrome

The Dandy-Walker syndrome (DWS) can be accurately diagnosed in utero by sonographic demonstration of characteristic morphologic changes of the fetus, which includes hydrocephalus, incomplete cerebellar vermis and a posterior fossa cyst. We present a case of Dandy-Walker syndrome diagnosed antenatally. The associated anomalies are reviewed, and the value of antenatal diagnosis is discussed.

An improved technique for molecular cytogenetic analysis of human preimplantation embryos with fluorescence in situ hybridization

OBJECTIVE

To develop a method for the cytogenetic evaluation of preimplantation embryos using nonradioactive centromeric probes for chromosomes 1, 16 and X.

STUDY DESIGN

The embryos used for this study were either fragmented or polyploid embryos rejected from an in vitro fertilization program. Prior to in situ hybridization, the embryos were treated with 0.5% protease. After application of gradual fixation, conventional hybridization protocol was followed.

RESULTS

Ten of 11 embryos showed hybridization signals suggesting that the success rate of in situ hybridization of human embryos is improved when a modified method of digesting the zona pellucida and gradual fixation with removal of the cytoplasm are used.

CONCLUSION

The method described in this study demonstrates that the zona pellucida is the key to successful in situ hybridization of whole human embryos. When the zona pellucida is removed, penetration by a probe becomes possible.

[Therapeutic effect of vaccinia virus secreting granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor on pulmonary metastatic melanoma]

A recombinant vaccinia virus containing and expressing the gene of murine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (VVGM-CSF) was tested for its antitumor activity. Murine pulmonary metastasis was established by injecting 2 x 10(5) B16F10 melanoma cells into tail vein of C57BL/6 mouse. Three days after B16F10 inoculation, VVGM-CSF or VVTK, a thymidine kinase gene deficient vaccinia virus, was injected intraperitoneally twice weekly for 2 weeks. Two weeks later mice were sacrificed and pulmonary metastasis foci counted. The results showed that VVGM-CSF treatment significantly decreased the number of pulmonary metastasis and prolonged the survival time of tumor-bearing mice (P < 0.01). Cytotoxic and phagocytic activities of peritoneal macrophages were found to be markedly elevated in mice treated with VVGM-CSF. Nitric oxide released from macrophages was also found to be increased. Based on these data, together with our previous results, we may speculate that continuous secretion of GM-CSF and activation of macrophages might partially explain the antitumor effects of VVGM-CSF.

[Ovarian metastasis in uterine cervical cancer: analysis of 17 cases]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the incidence of ovarian metastasis in cervical cancer, especially in early FIGO stages.

METHODS

Seventeen cervical cancer patients with ovarian metastasis treated at Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from 1958 to 1994 were retrospectively analysed. The diagnoses of all patients were confirmed by operations and pathologic examinations.

RESULTS

The incidence of ovarian metastasis in cervical cancer was 0.07% in squamous cell carcinoma and 1.81% in adenocarcinoma (P < 0.05). In early stages (stage l-I), the incidence of ovarian metastasis in adenocarcinoma was higher than that in squamous cell carcinoma (2.2% VS 0.08%, P < 0.05). In patients treated by surgery, the rate of ovarian metastasis in adenocarcinoma was also higher than that in squamous cell carcinoma (7.8% VS 1.6%, P < 0.05). 10 of the 17 cases had macroscopic metastasis and 7 had microscopic metastasis. 11 patients (58.8%) were with bilateral ovarian involvement. Uterine corpus invasion and retroperitoneal lymph node involvements were high risk factors for ovarian metastasis in cervical cancer. The prognosis of cervical cancer patients with ovarian metastasis was poor, the 5-year survival rate in this study being only 17.6%.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with cervical cancer are threatened with the risk of ovarian metastasis, especially in adenocarcinoma. Conservative treatment of the cervical cancer with reservation of the ovary should be further investigated.

[Epicanthoplasty during double-fold eyelid operation]

OBJECTIVE

In order to achieve an artistic epicanthoplasty and gain an ideal eyelid double-fold parallel to the lid margin.

METHODS

Various epicanthoplasty procedures were performed on 183 patients. Combining Fox's plastic operation for correcting upper lid type epicanthus and "L" form removal of skin for correcting lower lid type epicanthus, we put forward three kinds of methods available for epicanthoplasty. According to the degree of seriousness of upper lid type epicanthus, the patients who had a strong desire to receive treatment or improve their looks underwent different operative procedures. The skin resection in 38 cases was of shuttle-form and in 120 cases, of cuneiform: low level "Z"-plasty was performed on 25 cases.

RESULTS

Satisfactory cosmetic results were obtained in 183 cases.

CONCLUSION

These methods of plastic surgery can achieve artistic epicanthoplasty in double-fold eyelid operation.

Heterogeneity in radiosensitivity of human diploid fibroblasts from keloids and normal skins

Colony-forming ability was employed in evaluating the susceptibility to in vitro gamma ionizing radiation in human diploid skin fibroblasts (HDF). Twelve pairs of HDF, each composed of fibroblasts from excised keloid lesion and local normal skin tissue as its control, were studied in patients with clinically persistent keloids. Parameters of radiosensitivity, both D0 and D10, and growth kinetics were examined. The radiosensitivity in three of the 12 keloids (25%) were demonstrated significantly increased than their counterpart controls, even though no difference in growth kinetics in between. Moreover, a broad range in the radiosensitivity of fibroblast cells was demonstrated and it is suggested that there is a great heterogeneity of cellular response to radiation in HDF.

[Acceleration of hematopoietic reconstitution in mice transplanted with syngeneic bone marrow cells by IL-6 gene therapy]

In the present study, the potential of fibroblast-mediated IL-6 gene therapy for accelerating hematopoietic reconstitution after syngeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in BALB/c mice subjected to total body irradiation at a dose of 7 Gy was investigated. We observed that not only recovery of platelets, WBCs, CFU-GM or CFU-MK in bone marrow in mice treated with IL-6 gene therapy in combination with transplantation of 10(7) syngeneic bone marrow cells was faster than that in mice treated with IL-6 gene therapy in combination with transplantation of 10(6) or 10(5) syngeneic bone marrow cells, but also the number of CFU-S or survival rate in mice treated with IL-6 gene therapy in combination with transplantation of 10(7) syngeneic bone marrow cells was significantly higher. Nevertheless, the number of platelets, WBCs, CFU-GM or CFU-MK in bone marrow, CFU-S and survival rate in mice treated with IL-6 gene therapy in combination with transplantation of syngeneic bone marrow cells were elevated more significantly than that in mice transplanted with syngeneic bone marrow cells alone. These data demonstrated that IL-6 gene therapy could markedly augment hematopoietic reconstitution after syngeneic bone marrow transplantation and the more bone marrow cells transplanted, the better was the effect.

SiCl 3 (+) and SiCl (+) affinities for pyridines determined by using the kinetic method with multiple stage mass spectrometry: Agostic effects in the gas phase

Cluster ions, Py1SiCl 3 (+) Py2 and Py1SiCl(+)Py2, where Py1 and Py2 represent substituted pyridines, formed upon reactive collisions of mass-selected SiCl 3 (+) or SiCl(+) cations with a mixture of pyridines, are shown to have loosely bound structures by multiple stage mass spectrometry experiments in a pentaquadrupole mass spectrometer. The fragment ion abundance ratio, ln([Py1SiCl n (+) ]/[Py2SiCl n (+) ]) (n=1 or 3) is used to estimate the relative SiCl 3 (+) or SiCl(+) affinities of the constituent pyridines by the kinetic method. In the case of clusters comprised of meta- and/or para-substituted pyridines (unhindered pyridines), the SiCl 3 (+) and SiCl(+) affinities are shown to display excellent linear correlations with the proton affinities (PAs). On the assumption that the effective temperatures of the SiCl 3 (+) - and SiCl(+)-bound dimers are 555 K (i. e., the same as those of the corresponding Cl(+)-bound dimers), SiCl 3 (+) and SiCl(+) affinities of the substituted pyridines, relative to pyridine, are estimated to be 3-MePy (2.1 kcal/mol), 4-MePy (3.2 kcal/mol), 3-EtPy (3.7 kcal/mol), 4-EtPy (4.2 kcal/mol), 3,5-diMePy (4.8 kcal/mol), and 3,4-diMePy (5.4 kcal/mol). The SiCl 3 (+) and SiCl(+) cation affinities are related to the proton affinities by the expressions: relative (SiCl 3 (+) ) affinity = 0.95 ΔPA and relative (SiCl(+)) affinity = 0.60 ΔPA. The smaller constant in the relationship between the relative SiCl affinity and the relative proton affinity is the result of weaker bonding.Steric effects between the ortho-substituted alkyl group and the central SiCl 3 (+) cation reduce the SiCl 3 (+) affinities of dimers that contain ortho-substituted pyridines. The magnitude of the steric acceleration of fragmentation is used to measure a set of gas-phase steric parameters (S (k)). The steric effects in the SiCl 3 (+) dimers are similar in magnitude to those in the corresponding Cl(+)-bound dimers but weaker than those produced by the bulky [OCNCO](+) group. An inverted steric effect is observed in those SiCl(+)-bound dimers that incorporate ortho-substituted pyridines and is ascribed to auxiliary Si-H-C bonding, which stabilizes the ortho-substituted pyridine-SiCl(+) bond. This auxiliary bonding appears to correspond to agostic bonding, which is well characterized in solution and occurs in competition with steric effects that weaken the pyridine-SiCl(+) interaction.Ion-molecule reactions of pyridines with halosilicon radical cations SiCl 2 (+) and SiCl 4 (+) as well as alkylated halosilicon cations Si(CH3)2Cl(+) and Si(CH3)Cl 2 (+) also are investigated. In these cases, charge exchange and associated reactions are the main reaction channels, and clustering is not observed.

Expression and characterization of a divalent chimeric anti-human CD3 single chain antibody

Murine anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) are used in clinical practice for immunosuppression. However, there are two major drawbacks to this treatment: the associated cytokine release syndrome and human anti-mouse antibody response. To overcome these side-effects, the authors generated a chimeric anti-human CD3 single chain antibody, scUCHT1. It is an IgM variant of UCHT1, a mouse IgG1 MoAb directed against human CD3. scUCHT1 consists of the light and heavy variable chain binding domains of UCHT1 and a human IgM Fc region (CH2 to CH4). scUCHT1 was produced by COS-7 and SP2/0 transfectants, and mainly assembled in a dimeric form. It retained the binding specificity and affinity of the parental MoAb UCHT1. In contrast to UCHT1, scUCHT1 did not induce T-cell proliferation and cytokine release (TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma) in in vitro assays. These results suggest that the engineered chimeric anti-CD3 single chain antibody (scUCHT1) may be useful in clinical immunosuppressive treatment.

Capillary zone electrophoresis at subzero temperatures. I. Separation of the cis and trans conformers of small peptides

The cis-trans conformers of two dipeptides, Phe-Pro and Leu-Pro, and two opioid heptapeptides containing one or two proline residues were separated by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) in borate buffer at low temperatures down to -17 degrees C. At temperatures near ambient, the relaxation time of the cis-trans isomerization is on the time-scale of minutes for the dipeptides and thus commensurate with the migration times in CZE under usual operating conditions. The conformers of both dipeptides could be separated with baseline resolution below 10 degrees C in neat aqueous 100 mM sodium borate (pH 8.4). The conformer peaks on the electropherograms were identified by using authentic samples of the cis and trans forms of Phe-Pro and Leu-Pro that were obtained by reversed-phase HPLC at 0 degree C, validated by NMR spectroscopy and stored in liquid nitrogen. The interplay of the electrophoretic migration and on-column isomerization reaction in CZE of Phe-Pro under various conditions was analyzed in the light of the Damköhler number (Da). The results showed that besides employing low temperature increasing the voltage and/or decreasing the capillary length also reduce the magnitude of Da to bring about the separation of interconverting species. In this work the use of low temperature in this work was preferred due to the experimental simplicity. The separation of cis-trans conformers of two opioid heptapeptides was carried out by CZE at subzero temperatures with aqueous sodium borate containing 23% (v/v) glycerol at pH* 11.3 as measured with a glass electrode. The two conformers of Tyr-Pro-Phe-Asp-Val-Val-Gly-NH2 were baseline separated at -12 degrees C and the four conformers of Tyr-Pro-Phe-Gly-Tyr-Pro-Ser-NH2 due to the presence of two peptidyl-proline bonds in the molecule, were also resolved at -12 degrees C. From the electrophoretic mobilities, the hydrodynamic radii of the cis-trans conformers of the dipeptides Phe-Pro and Leu-Pro were estimated. In both cases, the trans isomers had 1.3 times greater Stokes radii than the cis conformers. This agrees with the observed migration order and molecular modeling results. The hydrodynamic radii of the Phe-Pro conformers were smaller than those of the Leu-Pro isomers despite the lower molecular mass of the latter. The results demonstrate that CZE is suitable for measuring certain molecular properties and suggest that the methods introduced here are applicable to the study of other systems of interconverting conformers.

In vivo and in vitro studies on the neurotoxic potential of 6-hydroxydopamine analogs

In an attempt to determine which physical and biological properties could best be correlated with neurotoxic potential, seven analogs of 1-(2,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl)-2-aminoethane (1), better known as 6-hydroxydopamine, were synthesized and compared to 1 in a variety of ways both in vivo and in vitro. The analogs, in combination with the standard 1, include all eight of the 2,4,5-trisubstituted-phenyl derivatives of phenethylamine and alpha-methylphenethylamine in which the substitution is of the trihydroxy or aminodihydroxy form. Low (60 nmol) and high (300 nmol) intracerebroventricular doses of all analogs produced long-term (7 day) reduction of mouse whole brain norepinephrine (NE) and lesser depletions of dopamine (DA), and effects on serotonin were varied. The analog 1-(5-amino-2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-aminopropane (8) was both more complete and more selective than the standard 1 in depleting NE. Using a histofluorometric glyoxylic acid method and Fink-Heimer silver degeneration stain, it was determined that overt neural degeneration was produced by 8. In vitro, the ease of oxidation of the eight analogs was found to be represented by a formal potential range of -130 to -212 mV vs SCE. However, there was no obvious relationship between ease of oxidation and the extent of monoamine depletion from mouse brain. Using kinetic analysis of synaptosomal accumulation of [3H]NE and [3H]DA, it was found that the standard 1 is more potent in its interaction with the DA uptake site (Ki = 12 +/- 0 microM) than the NE uptake site (Ki = 51 +/- 1 microM). A correlation analysis was used to determine that differences in NE and DA depletion by each analog could not be explained by differences in potency for in vitro uptake blockade. However, there was a correlation between the Ki for [3H]NE uptake blockade and the EC50 for synaptosomal release of preloaded [3H]NE for the eight analogs (R2 = 0.96; for log:log plot, R2 = 0.54), indicating that the results for these two in vitro tests both reflect interaction with the same NE neuronal membrane transport site. A similar correlation between Ki and EC50 was shown for all eight analogs using [3H]DA (R2 = 0.92; for log:log plot, R2 = 0.52), indicating interaction with the same DA neuronal membrane transport site. These findings demonstrate that there is no single property that can account for selectivity of action and/or potency of catecholamine neurotoxins related to 6-hydroxydopamine.

Magnetic resonance spectroscopic findings in patients with subcortical ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND

Biochemical changes inside the brain during acute ictus have been extensively studied by means of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Previous reports revealed that cerebral cortical infarction causes reduction of N-acetylaspartate (NAA) and elevation of lactate. This study was designed to evaluate the biochemical changes in subcortical infarction.

METHODS

Nine normal controls and four patients, including two thalamic infarct, one basal ganglia infarct, and one putamen infarct cases were examined using MRS in addition to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Evaluation experiments were performed on a Siemens Wagnetom 63SP machine. A spin echo sequence with TE 270 msec was applied for the measurement. The voxel was located at basal ganglia in the controls and at the lesion site, as well as at the contralateral corresponding region in the patients.

RESULTS

Three resonance signals were present in the spectrum-NAA, choline-containing compounds (Cho) and creatine-phosphocreatine (Cr). The NAA/Cho and NAA/Cr ratios were reduced significantly on the lesion side compared with the controls. NAA/Cho also decreased on the lesion side compared with the healthy side.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a remarkable reduction of NAA concentration even in subcortical infarction. Further study is needed for the detection of changes in lactate in patients with subcortical lesion.

[Action of Rhodobrum roserm Limpr on changes of red cell aggregation and yield-shear stress in dogs with acute experimental coronary occlusion]

Following acute occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery in dogs, significant increases were observed in the red cell aggregation index, yield-shear stress and red cell electrophoretic time in blood drained from ischemic area. When transfusion was performed with Rhodobrum roseum solution from the right femoral vein, significant rises of the above-said items were observed.

Capillary electrophoresis of S. nuclease mutants

The electrophoretic migration behavior of 12 S. nuclease variants from Staphylococcus aureus with small but well defined structural differences from site directed mutation was investigated in free solution capillary electrophoresis at pH 2.8 to 9.5. The nucleases are basic proteins; the pI and the M(r) of the wild type are 10.3 and 16.811 kd, respectively. With specially selected oligoamino buffers and with an inert, hydrophilic wall coating in 75 microns I.D. quartz capillary tubes, most of the proteins could be separated by CZE without interference by wall adsorption even at pH 9.5 where the selectivity was the highest. At pH 2.8, 4.1 and 7.0, S. nucleases are known to be in the random coil, "swollen" and the tight native state. Assuming that in a given state, i.e., at a certain pH, the molecular radii of the nucleases are the same, their hydrodynamic radii were calculated from their pertinent electrophoretic mobilities. The respective radii of 50.1, 26.8, and 25.0 Angstrum thus obtained agreed very well with the corresponding radii of gyration obtained from X-ray scattering. In fact, from the electrophoretic mobilities at pH 9.5, the existence of a hitherto unknown swollen basic state of the nuclease having a hydrodynamic radius of 30.5 Angstrum was postulated. In addition, a method was described to evaluate the valence of the protein at different pH from their pertinent electrophoretic mobilities. A general advantage of this method is that only the differences between the valences of the mutants and the wild type are needed; and for none of the proteins is required the knowledge of the actual valence. The results of the methods allowed the construction of a pH profile of the protein's valence. For the wild type, this profile was compared to the H+ titration curve and the agreement was excellent. Both methods employed some novel structure-electrophoretic mobility relationships and the predicted protein properties compared remarkably well to the values obtained by exoelectrophoretic methods such as pH titration and X-ray scattering. Surprisingly, certain S. nucleases having the same valence could also be readily separated by CZE in some cases under the same conditions used for the others. Close examination of appropriate X-ray crystallography and/or NMR data indicated subtle differences in the molecular structure of these proteins that could be responsible for slight alteration in their hydrodynamic radii.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

The chromosome pattern of embryos derived from tripronuclear zygotes studied by cytogenetic analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization

OBJECTIVE

To detect the chromosomal complement of embryos, which developed from tripronuclear zygote, using nonradioactive centromeric probes.

DESIGN

The chromosome pattern of embryos developing from tripronuclear zygote, studied by fluorescence in situ hybridization, was compared with that of embryos studied by standard cytogenetic methods.

SETTING

These embryos were obtained from superovulated patients undergoing IVF treatment.

RESULTS

We have attempted to examine the chromosomal complement of 72 embryos derived from tripronuclear zygotes using both traditional cytogenetic analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization. Of these 72 embryos, 22 were analyzed with fluorescence in situ hybridization and 50 were analyzed with traditional cytogenetic analysis. For fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis, probes specific for the centromeric regions of chromosomes 1, 16, and X were used, with results being obtained from 18 embryos. One embryo was haploid (5.6%), five were triploid (27.8%), and one was hexaploid (5.6%). Eleven (61%) embryos were mosaic. Traditional cytogenetic analysis could be performed on 25 of 50 embryos. Five (20%) were haploid, one (4%) was diploid, seven (28%) were triploid, one (4%) were tetraploid, and two were hexaploid. Nine (36%) were mosaic.

CONCLUSION

These findings indicate that not all tripronuclear human zygotes develop into triploid embryos. This study also demonstrates the usefulness of fluorescence in situ hybridization for preimplantation diagnosis and screening for chromosome abnormalities.

Two functionally different synergies during arm reaching movements involving the trunk

1. To address the problem of the coordination of a redundant number of degrees of freedom in motor control, we analyzed the influence of voluntary trunk movements on the arm endpoint trajectory during reaching. 2. Subjects made fast noncorrected planar movements of the right arm from a near to a far target located in the ipsilateral work space at a 45 degrees angle to the sagittal midline of the trunk. These reaching movements were combined with a forward or a backward sagittal motion of the trunk. 3. The direction, positional error, curvature, and velocity profile of the endpoint trajectory remained invariant regardless of trunk movements. Trunk motion preceded endpoint motion by approximately 175 ms, continued during endpoint movement to the target, and outlasted it by 200 ms. This sequence of trunk and arm movements was observed regardless of the direction of the endpoint trajectory (to or from the far target) or trunk movements (forward or backward). 4. Our data imply that reaching movements result from two control synergies: one coordinates trunk and arm movements leaving the position of the endpoint unchanged, and the other produces interjoint coordination shifting the arm endpoint to the target. The use of functionally different synergies may underlie a solution of the redundancy problem.

High-resolution proton nuclear magnetic resonance studies of urine from asphyxiated newborn infants

High-resolution proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to study human urine obtained from 10 normal babies and twenty babies with various degrees of neonatal asphyxia, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), and meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS). All sick babies showed different degrees of oxygen deficiency, indicated by an obvious increase of the lactate signal level in the urine spectra. Changes in the concentration of other urinary metabolites produced from the citric acid cycle were also observed. In extremely serious cases, the signals of some of the major components, including citrate, alpha-ketoglutarate, and succinate, simply disappeared. The spectra of urine, serum, and CSF of an infant suffering from SIDS showed common characteristics of the metabolites.

Charge and size effects in the capillary zone electrophoresis of nuclease A and its variants

The migration behavior of nuclease A from Staphylococcus aureus and 11 of its variants in capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) was investigated in the light of their three-dimensional structure known from X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements. Nuclease A (molecular mass 16.8 kDa, pKa 10.3) and the variants differ only in a single amino acid residue and have a very similar crystal structure. With the use of coated quartz capillaries and suitable buffers, the protein migration was investigated at pH from 2.8 to 9.5 without interference by wall adsorption. Although the selectivity of the electrophoretic system for the proteins was mainly determined by their charge differences, certain variants having the same net charge could also be readily separated under nondenaturing conditions. For instance, the mobility of variant K116A was sufficiently higher than that of K116G so that they could be separated by CZE. The structures of both variants are the same except for the solvent-exposed loop containing residue 116. For this reason, the difference in electrophoretic mobilities can be attributed to the fact that in K116G the backbone of the 112 to 117 amino acids protrudes slightly from the protein, with a concomitant increase in the hydrodynamic radius with respect to that of K116A. Consequently, K116G shows a smaller mobility than K116A due to its larger hydrodynamic radius despite its smaller molecular mass. The interpretation of the experimentally measured mobilities of such closely related proteins therefore requires not only consideration of their electrostatic charge but also the fine details of their molecular structures.

[Adenocarcinoma of the cervix--analysis of 363 cases]

Form 1959 through to May, 1993, 363 patients with adenocarcinoma of uterine cervix were initially treated which accounted for 2.5% of all initially treated cases of cervical carcinoma. Patients' mean age was 50.5 years. Forty-six percent of the patients were post-menopausal. The main symptom was irregular vaginal and/or discharge. Over 88% of the cases were in stage II and III of the disease. They were treated with radiotherapy alone. The overall 5-year survival rate was 51.8%. The recurrence rate was 17.4% with a mean time to recurrence of 33.3 months. Thirteen patients recurred beyond 5 years. Recurrence was accompanied with lung metastasis in 17 patients and supraclavicular eymph node metastases in 11. Among patients whose tumor recurred the 1- and 2-year survival rate were 35.2% and 19.2% respectively. The most significant prognostic factors were the stage of disease, the size of the tumor and the histologic subtypes

Influence of power tool-related parameters on the response of finger flexor muscles

Surface electromyography (EMG) and statistical analysis techniques were applied to investigate the response of finger flexor muscles to hand-transmitted vibration in all the three orthogonal directions. The trends in measured data were examined to derive the influence of variations in the tool-related parameters. Single-factor and multi-factor statistical analyses were performed to establish the significance of influence of different individual and coupled power tool-related parameters. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) results indicated that the vibration direction, acceleration and grip force influence the EMG of finger flexor muscles in a significant manner (P < 0.001), while the effect of vibration frequency was observed to be insignificant (P > 0.9). The electrical activity measured under different vibratory test conditions was observed to be 1.5-6.0 times higher than that measured under the static loads. The increase in electrical activity of the finger flexor muscles with an increase in the grip force was observed to be most significant under static as well as dynamic loading conditions.

Effects of L-arginine-derived nitric oxide synthesis on neuronal activity in nucleus tractus solitarius

The purpose of these studies was to determine the effects of L-arginine-derived nitric oxide (NO) synthesis on neuronal activity in solitary tract nucleus (NTS) neurons. Single unit activity was recorded extracellularly from medial NTS neurons in Fischer-344 rats in vivo and in vitro. In anesthetized rats with arterial pressure maintained constant, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10 mg/kg iv), an inhibitor of NO synthesis, decreased the discharge rate in 12 of 14 neurons and increased the discharge rate in two. After injection of L-NAME, the slowing of neuronal activity began within 2-5 min, and maximal responses were observed 12-15 min after injection. The decreases in activity were reversed within 12-15 min with L-arginine (30 mg/kg iv) or immediately with nitroglycerin (NTG, 10-30 micrograms/kg iv). In superfused rat brain slices, the discharge rate was reduced by 1 mM L-NAME in seven neurons, increased in two, and unchanged in one. The decreases in discharge rate were reversed by 2 mM L-arginine (4 of 6 neurons) and by 10-30 microM NTG (6 of 7 neurons). The results show that L-arginine-derived NO can affect the spontaneous discharge rate of NTS neurons. We conclude that NO may influence the excitability of NTS neurons involved in central autonomic control.

Isolation of predominantly submicron-sized UHMWPE wear particles from periprosthetic tissues

A method of tissue digestion using sodium hydroxide was applied to the isolation and recovery of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) particles from tissues around failed total hip replacements. Density gradient ultracentrifugation of the digested tissues was performed to separate the UHMWPE from cell debris and other particulates. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) verified that the recovered particles were UHMWPE. When viewed by scanning electron microscopy, individual particles were clearly observed and were either rounded or elongated. The majority were submicron in size. The application of this method to the study of particles from periprosthetic tissues may elucidate aspects of biomaterial particle size and shape that are important to the biologic response to, and clinical outcome of, total joint replacement.

Identification of a novel protein tyrosine phosphatase with sequence homology to the cytoskeletal proteins of the band 4.1 family

Use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in conjunction with Southern hybridization, using probes corresponding to known phosphatase sequences, resulted in the identification of rat cDNA clones encoding a novel protein tyrosine phosphatase which was termed rPTP2E. The cDNAs comprise 5,543 bp and predict a polypeptide of 1175 amino acids possessing a single catalytic domain at its C-terminus. The N-terminal region of the deduced polypeptide displays high sequence homology to the cytoskeleton-associated proteins of the band 4.1 family. A variant form, termed rPTP2E1, was also identified which contains the catalytic domain only. rPTP2E and rPTP2E1 were expressed in various rat tissues, particularly abundantly in adrenal glands. The catalytic domain of PTP2E was expressed in Escherichia coli and was shown to possess specific protein tyrosine phosphatase activity. The identification of rPTP2E suggests the existence of a subfamily of band 4.1 domain-containing PTPs which may play an important role in signalling pathway and control of cytoskeletal integrity.

The rat Nb2 lymphoma: a novel model for tumor progression

Tumor progression of cancers is manifested by phenotypic property changes including development of hormone/growth factor independence and metastatic ability. The progression results from acquired genomic alterations leading to clonal heterogeneity and outgrowth of more aggressive and therapy-resistant sublines. Previously, a cultured rat "Nb2 lymphoma" cell line was established, whose viability depends critically on the hormone, prolactin, acting as the principal growth factor. By prolactin starvation, prolactin-independent sublines were generated which possessed the parent karyotype plus extra acquired chromosomal changes (clonal evolution). In this study, the parent line (Nb2-U17) and a cloned subline (SFJCD1) were compared for metastatic ability using single s.c. tumor transplants in Noble rats. Rats (22) bearing Nb2-U17 tumors showed no evidence of metastases at autopsy, even when tumors at implantation site reached a size of 9 cm (length + width). In contrast, rats (19) bearing SFJCD1 tumors showed multiple metastases (liver, kidney) when transplants exceeded 5 cm. This difference in metastatic ability may be related to the acquisition of an inversion in chromosome 1, i.e. inv(1)(q31q41). The 1q41 locus is adjacent to the reported H-ras-1 proto-oncogene locus (1q41-q42). In another subline, tetraploidization (flow cytometric analysis, karyotyping) occurred spontaneously following prolonged culturing (20 mo). Together, the parent Nb2 lymphoma line and its clonal derivatives provide a novel system for studying cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying tumor progression to the metastatic phenotype.

Endoscopic mandibular angle surgery: a swine model

The improvement of endoscopic technology has revolutionized surgery, and endoscopy has become a trend in recent years. In plastic surgery, endoscopic release of the carpal tunnel and endoscopic face-lifting have been used clinically. However, no report has been noted that deals with the bone of the face. Using pigs as the animal model, endoscopic resection of the mandibular angles was undertaken. The result was satisfactory; it appears that it can also be effective in humans.

Pericardiocentesis and drainage by a silicon rubber line without echocardiographic guidance. Experience in 55 consecutive patients

Pericardiocentesis and drainage with a silicon rubber line were performed safely in 55 patients via the subxiphoid (80 times) or apical (1 time) approach at the bedside without echocardiographic guidance. The subxiphoid approach, which is close to the posterior of the sternum or the costal cartilage with a small acute-angle (15-30 degrees) to the parietal pericardium in front of the right ventricle, can avoid injuring the heart, liver and lungs. A line with sideholes near the distal end, which provides convenient drainage and has better histocompatibility, can be kept in place for a long period of time (1-82 days). It was also convenient to inject air, drugs or fluid through the line. There were no procedure-related serious complications or deaths. Emergency drainage with the Seldinger technique, especially for small to moderate effusions, is safe and simple.

Chromosome investigation in in vitro fertilization failure

PURPOSE

A chromosomal complement of 227 human oocytes was studied to provide information on the frequency and type of chromosomal abnormalities in oocytes failing in vitro fertilization.

RESULTS

Normal haploid chromosome complement was found in 54.6%; chromosomal abnormalities consisting of diploid sets were identified in 16.7% and aneuploidy was observed in 26%. Premature condensation of sperm chromosomes of the GI-phase was observed in 22.9% oocytes. Male infertility was correlated with an increase in the rate of aneuploidy when compared with tubal infertility. The rate of chromosome abnormalities for the oocytes recovered from women who had no fertilized oocytes was significantly higher compared to those with at least one oocyte fertilized.

CONCLUSION

A high frequency of chromosome abnormalities in unfertilized oocytes suggests that natural selection against chromosome abnormalities may occur even prior to fertilization.

Surgical treatment of axillary osmidrosis: an analysis of 343 cases

From July of 1986 to July of 1992, 343 patients have received surgery for axillary osmidrosis by partially removing skin and cellular tissue en bloc and removing the subcutaneous cellular tissue of the adjacent area. A total of 102 patients were followed for 4 months to 6 years, with an average of 32 months. The total satisfaction rate was 91 percent (93 of 102). The wound complication rate was 6.715 percent (46 of 685). There were no scar contractures or limitations of arm abduction. In this paper we emphasize three merits of our procedure. One is that partially removing the skin promises definite excision of more than half the eccrine glands which were located in the dermis of the operative field. The second merit is good exploration for undermining and defatting of the under-surface of the adjacent area. The third merit is a low wound complication rate because the width of the skin excision is less than 3 cm. Therefore, partial removal of skin and cellular tissue en bloc and the subcutaneous cellular tissue of the adjacent area is the choice for surgical treatment for axillary osmidrosis.

Conformation of CD4-derived cyclic hexapeptides by NMR and molecular dynamics

Two cyclic hexapeptides, cyclo[Ala1-D-Ala2-Ser3-Phe4-Gly5-Ser6] and cyclo[Ala1-Gly2-Ser3-Phe4-Gly5-Ser6], derived from the loop portion of the C'C" ridge of CD4, were characterized by high-resolution nmr spectroscopy and simulated annealing studies. In DMSO-d6 both of these peptides display a single conformer on the nmr time scale with two intramolecular H-bond (1<--4) stabilized beta-turns at positions 2-3 and 5-6. The nmr derived distance constraints were used in simulated annealing calculations to generate the solution structures. These structures adopt energetically comparable conformational substates that are not resolvable on the nmr time scale. In aqueous solution, the H-bond stabilized beta-turn conformation for cyclo[Ala-D-Ala-Ser-Phe-Gly-Ser] is no longer the predominant structural form. Structures generated using molecular dynamics simulations with no experimental constraints were compared with those from nmr analysis. The correlation between these two sets of structures allows the use of molecular simulations as a predictive tool for the conformational analysis of small peptides.

[Effects of phenytoin and cabamazepine on sex hormones in male patients with epilepsy: a controlled study]

We measured the levels of estradiol (E2), total testosterone (TT) and free testosterone (FT) in 24 male patients with epilepsy receiving phenytoin (DPH), 21 male patients with epilepsy receiving cabamazepine (CBZ), 23 male epileptics receiving no treatment, and in 10 healthy age-matched male controls. The FT and TT levels of the DPH group were significantly lower and higher than those of the normal control group, respectively. The E2, FT and TT of the CBZ group were all lower than those of the normal controls. The results showed the difference between DPH and CBZ in the mechanism of affecting the levels of sex hormones; therefore, the treatments should not be the same.