[An exploration of sexual knowledge, attitudes and behavior in aboriginal elementary school students in the Ping-Tung area]

The purpose of this study was to investigate sexual knowledge, attitudes and behavior of fifth and sixth grade students in aboriginal elementary schools in the Ping-Tung area. A structured questionnaire was administered to 1091 students who were selected by cluster sampling. The results showed: (1) The sexual knowledge score was low but sexual attitudes showed a positive trend. (2) 64.7% and 67.4% of students had at some time seen pictures of male or female sexual organs. (3) About 61% of students had seen sexual magazines or videotapes. (4) 66.2% of male and 88.1% of female students had heard about wet dreams or menstruation before their first experience; more than half of the students thought that wet dreams need treatment. (5) 17.8% of students had masturbation experience, and after that 59.3% of students had fear or guilt feeling. (6) Female students had significantly higher knowledge and attitude scores than male students, Demographic variables produced no significant difference in the above scores. (7) 42.4% of students most desired to know what phenomena indicate sexual maturity. (8) Sex knowledge had significantly positive correlation with sex attitude.

Gossypol arrests human benign prostatic hyperplastic cell growth at G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle

Recently we demonstrated that gossypol (GP), a male antifertility agent, is a potent inhibitor of malignant human prostate cancer cell growth that acts by arresting cells in G0/G1 phase and that this inhibitory effect may be mediated by transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1). In this study we examined the effect of GP on the growth of prostatic cells from human benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients in vitro. Consistent with its inhibitory effect on the growth of malignant human prostate cancer cells, GP also acts as a potent inhibitor of cultured human BPH cell growth as assessed by thymidine incorporation assay. These results were confirmed by flow cytometric analysis which revealed that treatment of human BPH cells with increasing concentrations of GP resulted in a dose-dependent accumulation of cells in the G0/G1 phase with a concomitant decrease in cells progressing to the S and G2/M phases. Since inhibition of prostate cancer cells by GP appears to be mediated by TGF-beta 1, we also investigated the effect of GP on TGF-beta 1 gene expression in BPH cells. The results show that GP treatment resulted in a marked elevation of TGF-beta 1 gene expression indicating that TGF-beta 1 might be involved at least in part in the inhibitory pathway that is initiated by GP.

Inhibition of xanthine oxidase by synthetic cytokinin analogues

Thirteen synthetic cytokinin analogues were tested for their inhibitory effects on xanthine oxidase. The enzyme, xanthine oxidase catalyses the oxidation of hypoxanthine to xanthine and of xanthine to uric acid, which has a gamma max of 295 nm, forming the basis for a spectrophotometric assay of the activity of xanthine oxidase. The results showed that 8-azaadenine(1), 4-amino-6-hydroxypyrazolo [3,4-d] pyrimidine(4), 4-amino-6-mercaptopyrazolo [3,4-d] pyrimidine(5) and 4-aminopyrazolo [3,4-d] pyrimidine(6) display inhibitory effects on xanthine oxidase with an order of activity of IC50 = 0.54, 5.91, 8.17 and 25.46 microM, respectively. Their apparent inhibition constants (Ki) were 0.66, 1.54, 6.61 and 26.79 microM, and induced mixed(competitive-non-competitive), competitive, mixed (competitive-non-competitive), and competitive types of inhibition respectively, with respect to the substrate xanthine.

Gossypol induces spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase in canine prostate epithelial cells

Gossypol is an antisteroidogenic compound naturally found in cottonseed. Gossypol has been shown to inhibit steroidogenesis in the canine prostate and may inhibit canine prostate growth. Its mechanism of action, however, is largely unknown. Our laboratory has previously demonstrated that in vivo administration of gossypol to male dogs can reduce circulating levels of testosterone and estradiol. Gossypol also showed an ability to reduce prostate weights. To search for genes regulated by gossypol in the canine prostate, differential display RT-PCR was performed on total RNAs isolated from control and gossypol-treated male dogs. Gossypol was demonstrated to induce expression of spermidine/spermine-N1-acetyl-transferase (SSAT), the major catabolic enzyme for polyamines. This induction was confirmed by Northern hybridization analysis of total RNA isolated from prostates of mature dogs treated with gossypol for 2 months. Gossypol was also shown to inhibit the progression of cells into the S phase mediated by spermidine. Our findings support the notion that gossypol can inhibit prostate cell proliferation and may be a potential therapeutic agent for use in controlling overgrowth of the prostate.

Establishment and characterization of conditionally immortalized astrocytes to study their interaction with ts1, a neuropathogenic mutant of Moloney murine leukemia virus

The cytopathic infection of primary astrocytes with ts1, a neuroimmunopathogenic mutant of Moloney murine leukemia virus (MuLV), has been correlated to intracellular accumulation of viral precursor envelope protein gPr80env. To further study this specific virus-astrocyte interaction in a homogenous population, several immortal astrocyte lines were established from neonatal FVB/N mice using the temperature-sensitive SV40 tsA58 T antigen. These cells expressed glial fibrillary acidic protein, vimentin and T antigen; appeared nontransformed; were star-shape with long processes. They were susceptible to ts1 infection and suffered a cytopathic effect similar to that caused by ts1 infection of primary astrocytes. This cytopathic effect was characterized by growth inhibition, loss of cell processes and syncytium formation. Some cells also rounded up, formed mini cells and became detached from the culture dish. As in primary astrocytes, the processing of gPr80env in the immortalized astrocytes was inefficient. Since the envelope proteins interact with the ecotropic MuLV receptor both intracellularly and on the cell surface and since the receptor has been shown to be an arginine transporter, we attempted to determine the effect of ts1 on arginine uptake by these cells. Our results showed that in both immortalized and primary astrocytes, ts1 infection reduced the uptake of arginine more than did wild-type virus infection. Since arginine localizes predominantly in astrocytes in the CNS and has diverse functions, the decrease of arginine uptake in ts1-infected astrocytes may alter the metabolism of these cells, leading to impairment of their functions.

Fibroblasts contracting collagen matrices form transient plasma membrane passages through which the cells take up fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran and Ca2+

When fibroblasts contract collagen matrices, the cells activate a Ca(2+)-dependent cyclic AMP signaling pathway. We have found that contraction also stimulates uptake of fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran molecules from the medium. Our results indicate that fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran enters directly into the cell cytoplasm through 3- to 5-nm plasma membrane passages. These passages, which reseal in less than 5 s in the presence of divalent cations, also are likely sites of Ca2+ uptake during contraction and the first step in contraction-activated cyclic AMP signaling. The formation of plasma membrane passages during fibroblast contraction may reflect a general cellular response to rapid mechanical changes.

Pharmacologic modulation of pulmonary vascular permeability during air embolism

Pulmonary air embolism induces the generation of vasoactive and cytotoxic substances leading to lung injury. In the present study we investigated, in isolated and perfused rat lungs, the involvement of arachidonic acid metabolites in the alterations of vascular pressure, lung water content, and the filtration coefficient (Kf). We also tested the effects of a beta-agonist, a calcium channel blocker, and a cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor on the hemodynamic and the permeability changes following pulmonary air embolism. The artificially ventilated rat lungs were removed en bloc and suspended in a humidified chamber at 37 degrees C. The salt and buffered perfusate contained 4% Ficoll as albumin substitute for osmotic balance. We introduced air bubbles through the pulmonary artery. Air embolism increased pulmonary arterial resistance and caused pulmonary hypertension. Lungs receiving air infusion contained 88.6 +/- 0.6% water, which was significantly greater than the lung water content in the control groups (81.9 +/- 0.4%). Air embolism increased Kf by 145 +/- 19% from the baseline value. Pretreatment with indomethacin, isoproterenol, or nifedipine significantly reduced post-air-embolism lung water content to 85.8 +/- 0.5%, 84.1 +/- 0.4%, and 86.5 +/- 04%, respectively, and reduced the Kf increase to 17 +/- 8%, 1 +/- 9%, and 72 +/- 8%, respectively. These interventions did not alter the hemodynamic responses, except for the isoproterenol infusion, which shortened the half-time (T1/2) for pressure recovery after ending air infusion compared to the group with air embolism alone. Our results showed that indomethacin prevented vascular permeability increase and reduced pulmonary edema, suggesting that the cyclo-oxygenase products partially mediate the lung injury following air embolism. Furthermore, isoproterenol and nifedipine prevented or reduced the permeability increase, suggesting that alterations of the intracellular cAMP and cytosolic Ca2+ level play an important role in the pathophysiology of pulmonary air embolism.

Detection of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) messenger ribonucleic acid and immunolocalization of KGF in the canine testis

Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) was originally discovered in human embryonic lung fibroblasts and is a member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. Members of the FGF family have been shown to regulate testicular function. However, the recently discovered KGF has not been studied in the testis. KGF has been detected in many other tissues, including the prostate, an organ whose development and function have been associated with presence of the testis. In this study, KGF mRNA was detected in the whole testis using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The 575-bp KGF-specific product was detected along with a 594-bp β-actin-specific product. To identify the cell types in which KGF mRNA was predominantly expressed, interstitial cells were physically separated from seminiferous tubules. The interstitial cells were then sorted on a discontinuous Percoll gradient and total cellular mRNAs isolated. Using RT-PCR and Southern hybridization with specific cDNA probes, the KGF mRNA was detected in interstitial cells. KGF expression levels were then evaluated semiquantitatively with a competitive RT-PCR assay. KGF expression levels were highest in interstitial cells that equilibrated between 20 and 30% Percoll. Enriched Leydig cells and seminiferous tubules expressed low levels of KGF. Finally, immunohistochemical analysis was performed on canine testes using a rabbit anti-KGF polyclonal antibody. The KGF protein was localized predominantly to peritubular cells of the canine testis. These results suggest that KGF is synthesized in the canine testis.

Inhibition of xanthine oxidase by cytokinins and related substances

Fourteen cytokinins were tested for their inhibitory effects on xanthine oxidase. The enzyme, xanthine oxidase catalyses the oxidation of hypoxanthine to xanthine and of xanthine to uric acid which has lambda max of 295 nm, forming the basis for a spectrophotometric assay of the activity of xanthine oxidase. The results showed that adenine-HCl, N6-(2-isopentenyl)-adenine, purine and DL-dihydrozeatin displayed very potent activities (IC50 = 1.92, 10.99, 60.98 and 86.36 microM respectively). Their apparent inhibition constants (Ki) were 2.20, 17.99, 13.59 and 115.62 microM, and induced competitive, uncompetitive, competitive and non-competitive type inhibitions respectively with respect to the substrate xanthine.

Inhibition of human prostate cancer cells growth by gossypol is associated with stimulation of transforming growth factor-beta

Gossypol (GP), an antifertility agent in males, is also capable of inhibiting the proliferation of a wide range of cancer cells in vivo and in vitro. Thus, in this study we investigated the effect of GP on the growth of human androgen-independent prostate cancer cell line (PC3). The results showed that GP acts as a potent inhibitor of PC3 cells as determined by thymidine incorporation assay and flow cytometric analysis. Flow cytometry revealed that treatment of PC3 cells with GP resulted in a dose- and time-dependent accumulation of cells in the GO/GI phase with a concomitant decrease in cells progressing to the S and G2/M phase. These data support our thymidine incorporation results which indicated that GP is a potent inhibitor of PC3 cells. By ribonuclease protection assay, we also investigated the effect of GP on transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) gene expression in PC3 cells. Interestingly, the stimulatory effect of GP on TGF-beta 1 gene expression correlates well with its inhibitory effect on PC3 cell DNA synthesis and its ability to arrest cells in GO/G1 phase. Based on these data, it can be concluded that GP is a potent inhibitor of prostate cancer cell growth that acts by arresting cells in GO/G1 phase and that this inhibitory effect may be mediated by TGF-beta 1.

Measurement of pulmonary status and surfactant protein levels during dexamethasone treatment of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome

BACKGROUND

Early postnatal use of dexamethasone in infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) has been shown effectively to improve pulmonary status and to allow early weaning off mechanical ventilation. However, the mechanisms to explain the beneficial effects of dexamethasone in ventilatory dependent preterm infants remain unclear.

METHODS

A double blind, placebo controlled study was performed to determine the change in pulmonary ventilation of premature infants with RDS as a result of dexamethasone treatment, and to evaluate the effect of dexamethasone on the levels of surfactant-associated proteins A (SP-A) and D (SP-D) in the tracheal fluid from 34 premature infants with RDS and 29 control subjects.

RESULTS

Dexamethasone treatment decreased fractional inspired oxygen concentration (FIO2), arterial carbon dioxide tension (PCO2), mean airway pressure (MAP), and facilitated successful weaning from mechanical ventilation. SP-A concentrations in the tracheal aspirates were increased at days 7 and 14, and SP-D concentrations were increased during the period from days 3 to 14 in the dexamethasone treated group compared with the control group. However, albumin levels in the tracheal aspirate samples were decreased after dexamethasone treatment over the period from days 3 to 14. There was an inverse correlation between PCO2 values and SP-A concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that early use of dexamethasone can improve pulmonary status and also increase SP-A and SP-D levels in the tracheal fluid in premature infants with RDS.

Experimentally-induced prostatic hyperplasia in young beagles: a model to evaluate the chemotherapeutic effects of gossypol

This study investigated the effect of gossypol on hyperplastic canine prostates induced with long-term administration of androgen and estrogen. Twelve 16-week-old male beagle dogs were divided evenly (n = 3) into 4 treatment groups: (1) CONTROL: vehicle only; (2) Gossypol-Treated: 20 mg/kg gossypol acetic acid; (3) Steroid-Induced: 4 mg/kg testosterone and 40 micrograms/kg estradiol-17 beta; (4) Gossypol-Treated and Steroid-Induced: 4 mg/kg testosterone, 40 micrograms/kg estradiol-17 beta and 20 mg/kg gossypol. The subjects received treatments every other day for 1 month. The beagles treated with steroids developed an acute enlargement (approximately 10-fold) of the prostate as compared to control. The prostatic acini were underdeveloped and characterized by simple squamous to low cuboidal epithelium in the control subjects while acini in steroid-induced subjects were characterized by simple tall columnar epithelium. The subjects treated with gossypol had prostates histologically similar to controls with the exception of loosened periurethral connective tissue. Serum testosterone and estradiol-17 beta levels imply that gossypol can reduce steroid hormonal levels. Mean serum testosterone levels in gossypol-treated subjects were reduced approximately 50% from controls. Serum biochemistry profiles indicate that steroid and/or gossypol treatments were not toxic at the doses and duration used in this study. These observations imply that gossypol and steroid hormones can interact to alter prostate development and gossypol metabolism and/or clearance.

2-(Hydroxyalkyl)estradiols: synthesis and biological evaluation

Synthetic estrogens possessing hydroxyalkyl side chains at the C-2 position of the A-ring were designed in order to further elucidate the structural and electronic requirements of the estrogen receptor to A-ring modifications. Furthermore, these compounds were envisaged as being stable analogs of the estradiol metabolite 2-hydroxyestradiol. The homologous series of 2-(hydroxyalkyl)estradiols 1-3 has been prepared by chain extension of 2-formylestradiol 6, which, in turn, was prepared via ortholithiation of estradiol. The substituted estradiols 1-3 were assayed for their abilities to bind to the estrogen receptor in MCF-7 cells and induce estrogen-responsive gene expression. The estradiol homologs exhibited significantly weaker affinity than estradiol for the MCF-7 cell estrogen receptor, with relative binding affinities (estradiol = 100) ranging from 1.11 for 2-(hydroxymethyl)estradiol (1) to 0.073 for 2-(hydroxypropyl)estradiol (3). The relative activities for mRNA induction of the pS2 gene by the estradiol homologs closely parallel the relative binding affinities for the estrogen receptor in MCF-7 cells. 2-(Hydroxymethyl)-estradiol exhibited similar estrogen receptor affinity and pS2 gene induction to the catechol estrogen 2-hydroxyestradiol and may prove useful in examination of the further biological effects of 2-hydroxyestrogen homologs.

Three novel and one C31133T (Arg-338-->Stop) mutations of antihemophilic factor IX gene detected in Taiwan

BACKGROUND

Hemophilia-B is caused by mutation of the coagulation factor IX (F.IX) gene. The gene is about 34 kilobases in length and contains 8 exons ranging from 25 to 548 base pairs. There is no common mutation pattern of this gene in any population as there is in thalassemia. The hope is to localize the mutations in patients for use in making rapid familial surveys and for prenatal diagnoses.

METHODS

Diagnoses for a male patient with a newly-discovered mutation in Taiwan and three others with different novel mutations of F.IX gene were made from the results of prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), assay of coagulation factors activity and factor IX antigen (F.IX:Ag) and also by assay of its inhibitor. The polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR)-based direct sequencing method was applied to evaluate all of the 8 exons and their flanking regions of F.IX gene for these patients.

RESULTS

The four male patients are all severe hemophilia-B. In the three patients with novel mutation of F.IX gene, two have a very low F.IX:Ag of less than 1% and one has 73%, but no one has any inhibitor. One of the four mutations is A to C transversion at nucleotide (nt) 10458 resulting in tyrosine (69) to serine change in epidermal growth factor (EGF) type B domain. Although the F.IX:Ag is present, the F.IX activity (F.IX:C) is markedly deficit owing to the change of beta-hydroxylase recognition site. Another two have mutations at the splicing junctions. They are G to C transversion at nt 118, i.e. the first base of IVS-1 splicing donor, and G to T transversion at nt 17668, the last base of IVS-4 splicing recipient. These mutations may cause splicing failure and subsequently result in deficiency of both F.IX activity and antigen. The other mutation that has never previously presented in this country is a C to T transition (arginine-338 to stop) at nt 31133 that results in early termination of translation.

CONCLUSIONS

The G to C mutation at nt 118 creates an Alu I restriction site and the C to T mutation at nt 31133 abolishes a Taq I site. Therefore, familial survey and rapid prenatal diagnosis for these patients by PCR-based direct sequencing method or by the restriction of enzyme cutting method pointing at the known mutation sites are certainly possible to achieve in our patients.

Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF/FGF-7) has a paracrine role in canine prostate: molecular cloning of mRNA encoding canine KGF

cDNA encoding the canine keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) was cloned from normal canine prostate tissue. The authentic canine KGF cDNA sequence, 686 bp in length, spans the protein-coding region and 88 bp of the 5' and 19 bp of the 3' untranslated regions of canine KGF. The predicted amino acid sequence of canine KGF is composed of 194 amino acid residues. Canine KGF exhibits highest homology with the human KGF cDNA and amino acid sequences (95.8% and 97.4%, respectively), while it demonstrates the lowest homology with the rat sequences at 88.0% and 92.3%, respectively. The degrees of homology with mouse cDNA and amino acid sequences are 91.8% and 95.9%, respectively. By using RNase protection assay, KGF was shown to be expressed in normal prostate tissues of both mature and young (5-month-old) dogs. In vitro, the recombinant canine KGF has mitogenic activity on cultured canine epithelial cells, whereas it has no effect on cultured canine prostatic stromal cells. This novel canine KGF cDNA may be a valuable tool in the study of human benign prostatic hyperplasia using the canine prostatic as a model.

Gossypol inhibits human chorionic gonadotropin-stimulated testosterone production by cultured canine testicular interstitial cells

Gossypol (GP) is a natural polyphenolic compound that possesses antifertility and antisteroidogenic activities in both males and females. The dog is highly sensitive to GP toxicity, yet GP's effect on canine testicular steroidogenesis has never been reported. Thus, the present study examines GP's effects on human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-induced testosterone (T) production by primary cultured canine testicular interstitial cells. After decapsulation and enzymatic dissociation of canine testes in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium with Ham's Nutrient Mixture F-12 (1:1; DME/F-12) containing 0.1% collagenase, 0.1% BSA, and 10 micrograms/ml DNase 1 (37 degrees C, 20 min), interstitial cells were isolated by sedimentation and filtration (140 microns) and then cultured in supplemented DME/F-12 medium (5 micrograms/ml insulin, 5 micrograms/ml transferrin, 5 ng/ml sodium selenite; DME/F-12/S) containing 0.1% fetal bovine serum (FBS). FBS was used to enhance cell attachment during the first 24 hours of culture. After 24 hours, the medium was replaced with serum-free DME/F-12/S and the cells were cultured for an additional 24 hours. Thereafter, cells were treated with hCG (0.1 IU/ml) alone and in combination with GP (0.05, 0.5, 2.5 and 5.0 microM). Media were collected for T radioimmunoassay and cells for protein estimation after 8, 16 and 24 hours of treatment. Treatment with hCG significantly (p < 0.05) stimulated T production over that of controls at all treatment times examined. At 8, 16 and 24 hours, T secretion was elevated from 0.91 +/- 0.25, 1.32 +/- 0.42, and 1.41 +/- 0.40 pg/microgram protein to 2.36 +/- 0.50, 2.84 +/- 0.60, and 2.82 +/- 0.43 pg/microgram protein, respectively. At 0.5, 2.5 and 5.0 microM, GP significantly (p < 0.05) reduced hCG-induced T secretion at 16 and 24 hours of treatment to 1.79 +/- 0.50, 1.62 +/- 0.12, 1.34 +/- 0.16 (16 hr), and 1.53 +/- 0.38, 1.43 +/- 0.11, 1.42 +/- 0.32 (24 hr) pg/microgram protein, respectively. At 8 hours, T production was reduced by 2.5 and 5.0 microM GP to 1.08 +/- 0.55 and 0.93 +/- 0.61 pg/microgram protein, respectively. GP, however, did not reduce T production to below basal levels. These results demonstrate the inhibition of hCG-induced T production by GP in cultured canine testicular interstitial cells.

Long-term cultivation and productive infection of primary thymocyte cultures by a thymocytopathic murine retrovirus

ts1, a mutant of MoMuLV, selectively kills T cells and neurons in the infected host resulting in neuroimmunodegeneration. In the infected thymus there is an early increase in mitosis of thymocytes followed by rapid death, suggesting that thymocyte death may be induced by viral mitogenic activation. Studies on thymocytes obtained from ts1-infected mice indicated that the ts1-induced depletion of thymocytes is mediated through activation-induced death by apoptosis. To further investigate the interaction between ts1 and thymocytes, we have established long-term primary murine thymocyte cultures by placing the thymocytes together with thymic remnants in culture medium containing IL-2 and IL-7. These thymocytes retained their immature phenotype and we susceptible to infection by ts1 and its parental wild-type MoMuLV. ts1-infected thymocytes proliferated initially at accelerated rate but subsequently produced more infectious virus and died much faster than control or MoMuLV-infected thymocytes. These in vitro studies to some extent reflect our in vivo studies reported previously.

Mechanism of action of epidermal growth factor-induced porcine oocyte maturation

EGF has been reported to promote oocyte maturation in several species, although the mechanism of action is not yet known. The present study is designed to determine the pathway used by EGF to enhance porcine oocyte maturation. Oocytes were aspirated from 2-5 mm follicles and cultured with various treatments in Medium-199 at 37 degrees C, 100% relative humidity, and 5% CO2 for 48 hr for the maturation study and 3 hr for intracellular cAMP measurement. Although treatment with 100 IU/ml hCG stimulated both intracellular cAMP formation and oocyte maturation, 10 ng/ml EGF stimulated oocyte maturation only. Dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) inhibited oocyte maturation at 10(-5), 10(-4), and 10(-3) M concentration s in the control medium. However, in the presence of 10 ng/ml EGF, dbcAMP inhibited oocyte maturation only at a concentration of 10(-3) M. Increasing concentrations of EGF (i.e., 25 and 50 ng/ml) were ineffective in overcoming the inhibitory effect of dbcAMP at 10(-3) M. In contrast, EGF reversed the decreased maturation rate caused by transforming growth factor-beta. Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), a tumor-promoting phorbol ester, enhanced the spontaneous maturation rate; 4 alpha-phorbol dideconoate, an inactive phorbol ester, did not show this effect. PMA- and EGF-stimulated porcine oocyte maturation is reversed by calphostin-C, a PKC inhibitor. In conclusion, EGF's promotional activity on porcine oocyte maturation is independent of the cAMP pathway and probably mediated by the PKC pathway.

Treatment of human fibroblasts with vanadate and platelet-derived growth factor in the presence of serum inhibits collagen matrix contraction

Human fibroblasts cultured in an anchored collagen matrix reorganize the matrix and develop stress. Upon experimental release of the matrix, cells contract the matrix, a phenomenon that has been studied as an in vitro model of wound contraction. We have found that treatment of fibroblasts in stressed collagen matrices with vanadate and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in serum-containing medium inhibits the ability of cells to contract the matrix. Vanadate/PDGF/serum stimulation did not block contraction immediately, but rather resulted in generation of an inhibitory signal that developed over a period of 80 min. The signal was highly specific since other factors such as lysophosphatidic acid and epidermal growth factor were unable to replace PDGF or serum. The presence of vanadate also blocked dephosphorylation of p-Tyr-PDGF receptors after PDGF/serum stimulation and caused accumulation of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins in the cells. In parallel experiments, fibroblasts in monolayer culture were found to undergo reorganization of their actin cytoskeleton when treated with vanadate in the presence of PDGF and serum-containing medium. Our results suggest that a p-Tyr signaling pathway is important in the regulation of wound contraction.

Regulation of cumulus cell steroidogenesis by the porcine oocyte and preliminary characterization of oocyte-produced factor(s)

This study was designed to investigate whether porcine oocytes produce a factor(s) that influences cumulus and mural granulosa cell steroid production and to characterize the biochemical nature and mode of action of a such factor(s). Porcine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) were collected from 2-5 mm follicles and cultured either intact or after oocytectomy for 48 h. Steroid levels were then measured in the culture media. Conditioned media, obtained by culturing denuded oocytes for 48 h, were subjected to heat treatment of charcoal extraction and utilized to culture intact and oocytectomized COC. FSH-stimulated progesterone, 20 alpha-OH-progesterone, and estradiol were significantly higher in oocytectomized vs. intact COC cultures. Denuded oocytes cultured with granulosa cells significantly inhibited progesterone production compared to control. Also, media conditioned with different numbers of denuded oocytes (0 to 300) significantly inhibited progesterone production by oocytectomized COC in a manner dependent on oocyte number. Charcoal extraction, but not heat treatment, significantly removed the inhibitory effect of the conditioned media on progesterone production by oocytectomized COC. Increased progesterone production by oocytectomized COC was not accompanied by a similar increase in cAMP formation. Heptanol, a gap junction blocker, did not alter progesterone production by intact COC. In conclusion, porcine oocytes secrete a factor(s) that inhibits cumulus and mural granulosa cell steroidogenesis. This factor(s) is heat stable but extractable by charcoal. The factor(s) appears not to be transferred to somatic cells via gap junctions, and its effect is downstream of cAMP formation.

Prolonged stabilization of progressive endometrial stromal sarcoma with prolonged oral etoposide therapy

We report the case of a patient who has a 23-year history of endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS). She initially underwent tumor-reductive surgery followed by adjuvant radiotherapy. The pelvic tumor recurred nearly 8 years later, obstructing the ureter and directly invading the bladder. It propagated into the vena cava as a thrombus and finally spread into the right heart chambers, leading to cardiac failure 13 years after the recurrence. The patient was treated with hormonal therapy, multiple resections of the pelvic tumor, chemoembolization, and systemic chemotherapy with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide. She developed recurrent intractable symptoms and was started on prolonged oral etoposide therapy, which stabilized the size of the pelvic tumor and relieved her symptoms for 3 years. Her quality of life has markedly improved without significant morbidity. We review the options for treating recurrent ESS and suggest that use of prolonged oral etoposide therapy warrants further study in this setting.