Nucleolar organizer regions of lymphomas in Korea

Nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) are loops of DNA which occur in the nucleoli of cells and which possess ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. The numbers and/or configurations of NORs have been thought to be related to cellular activities. To assess the applicability of NORs associated protein (Ag-NORs) in the field of diagnostic histopathology, a silver staining was done in paraffin sections of malignant lymphomas, tonsils and reactive lymph nodes and the numbers of Ag-NORs in the nuclei of low-grade and those of high-grade lymphomas were compared. A significant difference was found between the numbers of Ag-NORs in the nuclei of low-grade lymphoma (a mean of 1.3 per nucleus) and those of high-grade lymphomas (a mean of 4.2 to 8.3 per nucleus). The Ag-NORs were often observed in nuclei in areas where nucleoli themselves were not visible in H&E stain. It is suggested that this method would be of great value in the field of tumor histopathology.

Serological identification of thymocyte differentiation antigens

We have examined subfractions of human thymocytes for the expression of novel differentiation antigens. Non-HLA alloantisera procured from multiparous women served as antibody probes. Thymocytes from five individuals were sequentially separated by discontinuous Percoll density gradient centrifugation and a peanut agglutinin (PNA) panning technique. Subfractions were selected and examined for their relative intensity of HLA class I and CD1 antigens as determined by cytofluorometric analysis. Two subfractions were characterized as follows: an immature population (Fr6 PNA-) expressed a high level of CD1 (OKT6 binding) antigen and a low level of class I HLA antigen; and a more mature fraction (Fr3 PNA-) expressed minimal amounts of CD1 antigen and relatively high levels of HLA class I molecules. Fr6 PNA+ and Fr3 PNA- thymocytes were tested for their reactivity with a panel of non-HLA alloantibodies as determined by cytofluorometric analysis. We observed that three alloantibodies demonstrated strong fluorescence staining with Fr6 PNA+ thymocytes only, whereas three other alloantibodies reacted with both the Fr6 PNA+ and the Fr3 PNA- subfractions. All six alloantibodies failed to react with peripheral T cells. However, the six antibodies did react with a panel of cultured T lymphoblastoid leukemic cells and fresh leukemic T cells. Blocking studies demonstrated that these alloantibodies do not bind beta 2-microglobulin-associated determinants. These results suggest that the alloantibodies detect thymocyte differentiation antigens (TDA) that are shared by or are cross-reactive with antigens expressed on certain leukemia T cells. The non-beta 2m-associated TDA antigens are not expressed on normal resting T cells.

Effects of repeated days of intensified training on muscle glycogen and swimming performance

Twelve, highly trained male swimmers were studied before, during, and after 10 successive days of increased training in an attempt to determine the physical effects of training over-load. Their average training distance was increased from 4,266 to 8,970 m.d-1, while swimming intensity was maintained at 94% (SE +/- 2%) of their maximal oxygen uptake, resulting in an average caloric cost during training of 2,293 kcal.d-1 (+/- 74). As a result of the intensified training regimen, the swimmers experienced local muscular fatigue and difficulty in completing the training sessions. Nevertheless, their swimming power, sprinting (s.22.86 m-1), endurance (s.365.8 m-1) performance, aerobic capacity, and muscle (m. deltoid) citrate synthase were unchanged as a consequence of the 10-d training regimen. Four of the 12 swimmers were, however, unable to tolerate the heavier training demands, and were forced to swim at significantly slower (P less than 0.05) speeds during the training sessions. These men were found to have significantly reduced muscle glycogen values, which was the result of their abnormally low carbohydrate intake. The findings of this research suggest that some swimmers may experience chronic muscular fatigue as a result of their failure to ingest sufficient carbohydrate to match the energy demands of heavy training.

Cyclic GMP-phosphodiesterase of rd retina: biosynthesis and content

Deficient cGMP-phosphodiesterase (cGMP-PDE) activity results in elevated levels of cGMP in the rd retina before any pathological signs are observed. Since the enzyme is present in rd retina, although it is barely activated by light, we determined whether its synthesis starts at the same time as that of cGMP-PDE in normal retina, or if either its synthesis is halted or degradation of the enzyme increases before the degeneration of the visual cells. We found that synthesis of cGMP-PDE in rd retina is comparable with that in normal retina while the photoreceptors are viable but that cGMP-PDE content is lower than that of normal retina before the visual cells begin to degenerate. Our results suggest that cGMP-PDE is more susceptible to degradation in rd than in normal photoreceptors or, alternatively, that proteolytic enzyme(s) involved in the degradation of cGMP-PDE are in higher concentration or more active in the defective than in the normal retina.

Malignant tumors among Koreans-relative frequency study on 19,140 cases during 1978 to 1986

A statistical analysis was made on 19,140 primary malignant tumors histopathologically diagnosed at Seoul National University Hospital during 9 year period from 1978 to 1986. The study was performed to understand the recent trend of the relative frequency of the primary malignant tumors among Koreans and to compare it with the previous studies using same hospital materials, twice presented in 1968 and 1978, respectively. Sex distribution of the cases was 10,025 (52.38%) males and 9,115 (47.62%) females. Among males the frequency rank was stomach (33.88%), lung and bronchus (8.73%), leukemia (7.02%), liver (4.79%) and oral cavity (4.70%). And among females it was uterine cervix (24.48%), stomach (20.45%), thyroid (7.87%), breast (6.48%) and leukemia (4.78%). The relative frequency of malignant tumors in this study was generally similar to the previous data published in 1978 at this department, except for the fact that stomach and lung cancers were more commonly seen in both sexes during this study period than the previous periods of years.

Histopathologic study of the so called 'palpation thyroiditis'

We have reviewed 1066 thyroid lesions and compared the relative incidence of the so called 'palpation thyroiditis' between autoimmune thyroiditis and normal thyroid parenchyme surrounding the nodular thyroid lesion and also discussed the pathogenesis of palpation thyroiditis. The typical histopathologic features of 'palpation thyroiditis' were seen in 275 cases among 467 adenomatous goiters and in none of the autoimmune thyroiditis. We here in this paper suggest that the so called 'palpation thyroiditis' is not merely a secondary phenomenon to mechanical follicular damage by vigorous palpation, but this lesion more likely develops in conditions where certain types of physiologic alteration has occurred in follicular basement membrane, just like a pathogenesis of subacute granulomatous thyroiditis.

Modulation of folding pathways of exported proteins by the leader sequence

Leader peptides that function to direct export of proteins through membranes have some common features but exhibit a remarkable sequence diversity. Thus there is some question whether leader peptides exert their function through conventional stereospecific protein-protein interaction. Here it is shown that the leader peptides retarded the folding of precursor maltose-binding protein and ribose-binding protein from Escherichia coli. This kinetic effect may be crucial in allowing precursors to enter the export pathway.

Sodium bicarbonate ingestion improves performance in interval swimming

In an effort to determine the effects of bicarbonate (NaHCO3) ingestion on exercise performance, ten male college swimmers were studied during five different trials. Each trial consisted of five 91.4 m (100-yd) front crawl swims with a two-minute rest interval between each bout. The trials consisted of two NaHCO3 treatments, two placebo trials and one test with no-drink. One hour before the onset of swimming, the subjects were given 300 ml of citric acid flavored solution containing either 17 mmol of NaCl (placebo) or 2.9 mmol of NaHCO3.kg-1 body weight (experimental), or received no drink (no-drink). Performance times for each 91.4 m swim were recorded. Blood samples were obtained before and one hr after treatment, two min after warmup, and two min after the final 91.4 m sprint. Blood pH, lactate, standard bicarbonate (SBC) and base excess (BE) were measured. No differences were found for performance or the blood measurements between the placebo and no-drink trials. Bicarbonate feedings, on the other hand, produced a significant (P less than 0.05) improvement in performance on the fourth and fifth swimming sprints. Blood lactate, pH, SBC and BE were significantly higher (P less than 0.05) at post-exercise in NaHCO3 treatments. These data are in agreement with previous findings that during repeated bouts of exercise pre-exercise administration of NaHCO3 improves performance, possibly by facilitating the efflux of hydrogen ions from working muscles and thereby delaying the onset of fatigue.

An evaluation of frozen section biopsy in 4434 cases

Frozen section diagnosis is a highly useful method of diagnosis. There were 4434 frozen sections, 24 false positive diagnosis, 65 false negative diagnosis and 30 deferred diagnosis. This method achieves the highest accuracy when there is a cooperation between experienced surgeon and reliable and careful pathologist. It is wise to defer the diagnosis of consult to other pathologist in difficult situation.

Prostatic malacoplakia. An ultrastructural and immunohistochemical study

A case of malacoplakia of the prostatic gland associated with prostatic nodular hyperplasia from a 69 years old man was presented, and its light and electron microscopic and immunohistochemical features were discussed along with its pathogenesis. This lesion was incidentally found in a transurethral prostatectomy specimen, and consisted of large number of epithelioid cells in which were typical cytoplasmic inclusions known as Michaelis-Gutmann bodies. Ultrastructurally, these inclusions showed a dense, central calcified bodies of various developmental stages. Immunohistochemical study using antilysosomal antibody revealed no lysosomal activity. Based on these findings, we could suspect that main problem for this development of malacoplakia is altered intracellular digestion process of foreign biologic materials.

Protein kinase C in the regulation of smooth muscle contraction

The cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying smooth muscle contraction are reviewed in the light of recent studies of smooth muscle ultrastructure and of the role of polyphosphoinositide turnover and protein kinase C function in smooth muscle contraction. A new model of smooth muscle contraction is proposed that differs radically from accepted views, particularly the latch bridge hypothesis, in terms of both Ca2+ messenger function and the molecular events underlying this process. A coordinate fibrillar domain model of contraction is proposed in which the initial and sustained phases of contraction are mediated by different cellular and molecular events. The initial phase of response is mediated by a rise in [Ca2+]c and the resulting calmodulin-dependent activation of both myosin light chain kinase and the dissociation of caldesmon from the actin-caldesmon-tropomyosin-myosin fibrillar domain. These events lead to an interaction between actin and the phosphorylated light chains of myosin just as in previous models. However, this initial phase is followed by a sustained phase in which a rise in [Ca2+]sm stimulates the plasma membrane-associated, Ca2+-sensitive form of protein kinase C that results in the phosphorylation of both structural and regulatory components of the filamin-actin-desmin fibrillar domain. These events underlie the tonic phase of contraction.

The immune response to experimental Pasteurella haemolytica infection in calves

Four male dairy calves, ages 1-9 months, were inoculated intratracheally (IT), with log dilutions (1.5 X 10(3)-1.5 X 10(6)) of an isolate of P. haemolytica A-1. Doses of bacteria varied according to ages of the calves, older calves receiving the larger doses. All four calves became severely ill within 24 h after inoculation and antibiotic treatment was considered essential. Two months later the four calves remained healthy after IT injection of P. haemolytica, again given in log dilution (2.8 X 10(2)-2.8 X 10(5)). The control calf, given a dilution of only 28 viable P. haemolytica (plate count), developed severe respiratory infection 9 days post inoculation. Antibiotic treatment was given to this calf for 7 days, at which time recovery was evident. All five calves developed direct bacterial agglutination titers to P. haemolytica. Persistent leukocyte migration inhibition indexes of all calves were decreased by greater than or equal to 20% compared to their controls. Although the initial doses administered were low, the calves became ill. Most reports refer to massive doses necessary to produce primary disease and significant agglutination titers.

Postural relief of food impaction in a patient with stenosed esophagus--a case report

A patient with past history of esophageal stenosis complained of sudden dysphagia in the erect position which was relieved transiently in the supine position. Initial esophagoscopy failed to detect any mass in the lumen. Esophagogram revealed shifting foreign body from lower stenotic site to upper dilated area with postural change from the erect to the supine position. A French bean was detected and removed during the second esophagoscopy.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy for enteral nutrition

From January to October, 1986, at Wonkwang University Hospital in Iri, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy(PEG) was attempted in 26 patients and was successful in 24. This study was designed to review the technique and to evaluate the efficacy of PEG. The mean operation time was 22 minutes (range: 14 to 42 minutes). After feeding started, early positive nitrogen balance was achieved in all patients. All gastrostomies functioned well throughout the patient’s survival with the longest functioning at 10 month. There were no procedure-related deaths, and morbidity was lower and less severe as compared with large-bore nasogastric tube feeding. Complications included minor wound infection in two patients, stomal growth in one patient, leaks around the tube in two patients, and intraperitoneal leak in one patient. No patient developed aspiration pneumonia or required laparotomy for complications from PEG. The gastrostomy tube was easily removed endoscopically when treatment was completed. Feeding via a large-bore tube increased the risk of aspiration pneumonia (72%) and the feeding cost via a small-bore tube with elemental diet exceeded that of PEG by more than tenfold. This author’s experience with these 26 patients has led to the conclusion that PEG is safe, easy to perform, and effective means of creating feeding gastrostomy without laparotomy or general anesthesia. The authors suggest that PEG be the preferred route of alimentation in those patients who are unable to swallow for prolonged periods of time.

Carbachol-induced protein phosphorylation changes in bovine tracheal smooth muscle

The changes in protein phosphorylation associated with bovine tracheal smooth muscle contraction were studied by labeling intact muscle strips with [32P]PO4(3-) and analyzing the phosphoproteins by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Among 20 to 30 phosphoproteins resolvable with the two-dimensional electrophoresis system, the phosphorylation of 12 proteins was reproducibly affected by treatment with carbachol, in a time-dependent manner. Five of these proteins have been identified as 20-kDa myosin light chain, caldesmon, synemin, and two isoelectric variants of desmin. The other 7 are low molecular weight (Mr less than 40,000) cytosolic proteins. One cytosolic protein and myosin light chain are quickly but transiently phosphorylated by carbachol, the peak of myosin light chain phosphorylation being at about 1 min after agonist addition. In contrast, both variants of desmin, synemin, caldesmon, and 5 cytosolic proteins are phosphorylated at varying rates and remain phosphorylated for the duration of carbachol action. These "late" phosphorylation changes occur simultaneously with the dephosphorylation of one cytosolic protein. These carbachol-induced phosphorylation changes, like the contractile response, appear to be calcium-dependent. The addition of 12-deoxyphorbol 13-isobutyrate, a protein kinase C activator, causes a dose-dependent, sustained contraction of tracheal smooth muscle which develops more slowly than that induced by carbachol. This contractile response is associated with the same protein phosphorylation changes as those observed after prolonged carbachol treatment. In contrast, forskolin, an adenylate cyclase activator and a potent smooth muscle relaxant, induces the phosphorylation protein 3 and one variant of desmin. These observations strongly suggest that different phosphoproteins may be mediators of tension development and tension maintenance in agonist-induced contraction of tracheal smooth muscle.

Effect of intravenous ferric or aluminum chloride on the uptake of 203Pb into brain and other soft tissues of rats

The hypothesis was investigated that colloidal ferric or aluminum hydroxides, formed in blood plasma in vivo, potently absorb lead and thus profoundly influence uptake of lead into certain soft tissues. Rats were given 203Pb i.v. to obtain a near constant plasma level of 203Pb. Tissue uptake of 203Pb at 1 hr was determined with and without the i.v. infusion of 5.0 mM ferric chloride or 5.0 mM aluminum chloride. Infusion of Fe chloride or Al chloride suppressed the uptake of 203Pb into brain, cerebrospinal fluid, skeletal muscle, kidney and red cells by 70 to 94%. In contrast, the uptake of 203Pb into liver and spleen was not significantly reduced, in the case of spleen being greater after Fe chloride or Al chloride infusion. The latter increases were not statistically significant. After ultracentrifugation, greater than 70% of plasma 203Pb activity was associated with the hydroxide-protein pellet (Fe chloride and Al chloride experiments). The ultrafilterable 203Pb in such sera was reduced by greater than 90% compared with controls. By the use of the lead electrode in vitro, lead adsorption to ferric hydroxide was confirmed. Thus, in vivo formation of colloidal hydroxides must occur under the authors' conditions, leading to a reduction of ionized lead in plasma and lower uptake where this depends on free lead and comparable or enhanced uptake into tissues containing reticuloendothelial cells capable of phagocytosis.

Procoagulant activity and thrombelastography in Korean hemorrhagic fever

Twenty male patients with Korean hemorrhagic fever were evaluated with thrombelastography (TEG) to assess the changes in coagulation system, and the results were compared with those of conventional coagulation tests. Procoagulant activity in the plasma was determined by comparing the reaction time "r" of the normal plasma and that of the mixture of equal parts of the normal plasma and the patient's plasma. The TEG was found to be a useful measure of the changes in the coagulation profile, and provided instant accurate assessment of the patient's hemostatic function. Presence of the procoagulant activity was demonstrated in the plasma of the patients and indicated occurrence of active intravascular coagulation during the early stage of the disease.

Hostility and recovery from melancholia

Twenty inpatients suffering from major depressive illness with melancholia were administered the hostility subscale of the Kellner Symptom Questionnaire and Paykel's Clinical Interview for Depression before and after treatment with amitriptyline. A matched control group of normal subjects had the same assessments at two points in time. Hostility decreased and friendliness increased in depressives after amitriptyline; upon recovery, there were no significant differences in hostility between depressed patients and control subjects, whereas such differences were striking during the illness. Patients who had reported losses before onset of illness rated themselves as more friendly than the other depressives; their hostility did not significantly decrease with recovery. The results suggest that hostility improves with the treatment of depression; life events appear to influence the degree of hostility in depressive illness as well as the response to treatment.

Rating depression in normals and depressives: observer versus self-rating scales

Different methods of assessing depression and anxiety were tested in 20 patients suffering from a major depressive disorder with melancholia and 20 matched control subjects. Depressives were assessed before and after treatment with amitriptyline and normals were retested at the same interval. The scales used were: Paykel's Clinical Interview for Depression--which is an expanded version of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale; the Brief Depression Rating Scale; and Symptom Questionnaire (SQ). All scales discriminated sensitively between patients and normals and the scores changed substantially with treatment. Except for the well-being subscales of the SQ, the scales showed an adequate test-retest reliability in normals. Although all scales were suitable for the measurement of depression, they differed in psychometric properties. For example, the Depression subscale of the SQ showed an unusually high test-retest reliability in normals, whereas the Contentment subscale was unreliable. Yet, the latter has been found to be highly sensitive in detecting differences between the effects of psychotropic drugs and placebo in drug trials, so it appears to measure sensitively a fleeting mood. The combined use of all three scales in patients with affective disorders yields information that might not be revealed if only one scale is used.

pH dependence of kinetic parameters for oxalacetate decarboxylation and pyruvate reduction reactions catalyzed by malic enzyme

Both chicken liver NADP-malic enzyme and Ascaris suum NAD-malic enzyme catalyze the metal-dependent decarboxylation of oxalacetate. Both enzymes catalyze the reaction either in the presence or in the absence of dinucleotide. The presence of dinucleotide increases the affinity of oxalacetate for the chicken liver NADP-malic enzyme, but this information could not be obtained in the case of A. suum NAD-malic enzyme because of the low affinity of free enzyme for NAD. The kinetic mechanism for oxalacetate decarboxylation by the chicken liver NADP-malic enzyme is equilibrium ordered at pH values below 5.0 with NADP adding to enzyme first. The Ki for NADP increases by a factor of 10 per pH unit below pH 5.0. An enzyme residue is required protonated for oxalacetate decarboxylation (by both enzymes) and pyruvate reduction (by the NAD-malic enzyme), but the beta-carboxyl of oxalacetate must be unprotonated for reaction (by both enzymes). The pK of the enzyme residue of the chicken liver NADP-malic enzyme decreases from a value of 6.4 in the absence of NADP to about 5.5 with Mg2+ and 4.8 with Mn2+ in the presence of NADP. The pK value of the enzyme residue required protonated for either oxalacetate decarboxylation or pyruvate reduction for the A. suum NAD-malic enzyme is about 5.5-6.0. Although oxalacetate binds equally well to protonated and unprotonated forms of the NADP-enzyme, the NAD-enzyme requires that oxalacetate or pyruvate selectively bind to the protonated form of the enzyme. Both enzymes prefer Mn2+ over Mg2+ for oxalacetate decarboxylation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antineoplastic activity of 3'-(chloroethyl)nitrosourea analogues of 2'-deoxyuridine and 2'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine

The (chloroethyl)nitrosourea analogues of 2'-deoxyuridine and 2'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine, 3'-[3-(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitrosoureido]-2',3'-dideoxyuridine (3'-CdUNU, 7) and 3'-[3-(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitrosoureido]-2,3'-dideoxy-5-fluorouridine (3'-CFdUNU, 8), have been synthesized by treatment of the corresponding 3'-amino nucleosides with chloroethyl isocyanate, followed by nitrosation of the resulting ureas. Nucleoside nitrosoureas 7 and 8 exhibited marked anticancer activity against L1210 leukemia in tumor-bearing mice. At an optimum dosage level of 40 mg/kg, 7 and 8 produced 90% and 60% "cures" (greater than 60-day survivors), respectively. The structure-activity relationships are discussed.

3H-5-hydroxytryptamine accumulation by rat brain synaptic vesicles in a membrane-impermeant medium, and selective reduction by 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine

In order to examine possible selectivity of amine uptake by synaptic vesicles, the ATP-stimulated accumulation of 3H-5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) by synaptic vesicles from rat whole brain was examined in a medium comprised largely of membrane-impermeant anions (d-tartrate). Such media have previously been shown to stabilize vesicular accumulation of several neurotransmitters. Accumulation of 3H-5HT did not occur in tartrate medium alone, but was increased biphasically with increasing concentrations of both potassium phosphate and potassium bicarbonate. At optimal concentrations of each anion (10 mM), stable accumulation of 3H-5HT was observed at 37 degrees (26.1 +/- 1.2 pmol/mg protein; Km 6 X 10(-7) M), which was reduced by greater than 95% in the absence of K2ATP, at 4 degrees C, in the presence of 10(-6) M reserpine, or in the presence of the proton ionophore carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP). Uptake was significantly antagonized by millimolar concentrations of Na+, Mg++ or Cl-, but was unaffected by ouabain (10(-5) M). Pretreatment of animals with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT) (200 micrograms, intraventricular) 10 days prior to sacrifice reduced endogenous 5HT levels by 70%, while levels of endogenous norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) were unaffected. Accumulation of 3H-5HT, examined in the presence of 10(-6) M NE to block 3H-5HT accumulation by vesicles from noradrenergic nerve endings, was reduced by 40% in vesicles from treated animals. Vesicular accumulation of 3H-(-)-NE and 3H-DA was unaffected by 5,7-DHT treatment. The data suggest the possibility of preferential accumulation of 3H-5HT by vesicles arising from serotonergic nerve endings.