Energy flow in light-coupling masks for lensless optical lithography

We illustrate the propagation of light in a new type of coupling mask for lensless optical lithography. Our investigation shows how the different elements comprising such masks contribute to the definition of an optical path that allows the exposure of features in the 100-nm-size range in the photoresist.

Efficacy of dicyclanil in the prevention of screwworm infestation (Cochliomyia hominivorax) in cattle castration wounds

A field trial was carried out during summer 1996 in a commercial beef cattle farm located in the central area of Argentina (30 degrees 16'S, 60 degrees 30'W) to evaluate the efficacy of a new insect growth regulator material (dicyclanil) in the prevention of myiosis caused by screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) larvae. Forty bull calves (Bos indicus x Bos taurus), 5 to 6 months old were allocated by ranked paris to a control (G.1) and a treated group (G.2) of the same number of animals. On day 0, all experimental animals were surgically castrated and calves of group 2 were treated topically with 20 ml as a single dose of a ready-to-use formulation containing 5% w/v dicyclanil. Inspections for screwworm larva infestation were carried out on days 4, 8, 12, 16, 19, 23 and 25 after castration. The incidence of egg masses on the scrotal wounds evidenced a similar challenge for all groups (P > 0.05 chi(2)). However, 16 animals of G.1 (80%) and only one of G.2 (5%) developed active myiosis, respectively. This difference was significant (P=0.003 X(2)).

Increased activity of cathepsin B in fibroblasts isolated from primary melanoma in comparison to fibroblasts from normal skin

We determined activity of cathepsin B in early-passage fibroblasts isolated from primary melanoma and in fibroblasts from normal skin. Our results show an up to 5-fold increase in activity of cathepsin B in the tumor-derived fibroblasts in comparison to the fibroblasts from normal skin. We conclude that fibroblasts isolated from melanoma tissue are altered with regard to their specific activity of cathepsin B and preserve this elevated activity in early-passage cell culture. The data support the idea that stromal cells are not passive elements of the peritumoral environment but actively participate in the production of proteolytic enzymes.

Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for a subset of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in third remission: a conceivable alternative?

In the BFM Relapse Study registry we retrospectively identified 136 patients with a first marrow relapse who had undergone BMT in second complete remission (CR2) (group A) and 33 patients who received transplants only after a 2nd bone marrow (BM) relapse had occurred (group B). Event-free survival (EFS) rates at 6 years after BMT were 0.49 +/- 0.05 and 0.48 +/- 0.09 for patients transplanted in CR2 and CR3, respectively. In context with the BFM chemotherapy trials for relapsed childhood ALL there is a clear benefit from BMT in 2nd CR for children with unfavorable prognostic features (isolated early BM relapse, very early BM relapse or BM relapse of T cell ALL). Similar control of leukemia can be achieved with either chemotherapy or BMT in late BM relapse of ALL. Assuming a 60% failure rate with chemotherapy for patients in second relapse, a third remission can be achieved in about 60% of patients who have received chemotherapy, rendering them eligible for BMT in 3rd CR. With this strategy 58% of these patients would survive and late sequelae of BMT be restricted to a minority. To withhold BMT in CR2 and not perform BMT before a 2nd BM relapse has occurred, may be a conceivable alternative for children with late ALL BM relapse, at least if no related donor is available.

[Paraneoplastic retinopathy in 2 patients with breast carcinoma]

Paraneoplastic retinopathies are rare paraneoplastic phenomena resulting in retinal degeneration. They occur in association with different tumor types, yet most frequently encountered in small cell carcinoma of the lung. Clinical symptoms may be present before the diagnosis of the underlying malignancy. They are characterized clinically by progressive visual loss with ring scotomas, photopsia and night-blindness. An autoimmune disorder is suggested. In the sera of patients antiretinal antibodies may be detected that are sometimes reactive with the 23 kD retinal antigen recoverin, a photoreceptorprotein. We report on two patients with breast cancer who developed paraneoplastic retinopathy during the course of disease. Immunologic tests showed antiretinal antibodies that were not reactive with the 23 kD retinal antigen recoverin.

Influence of monomethylfumarate on monocytic cytokine formation--explanation for adverse and therapeutic effects in psoriasis?

Although the effectiveness of systemic antipsoriatic treatment with fumaric acid esters has been proven, their mode of action is still not understood. Recent results indicate their potency in inducing cytokine production in stimulated T cells. Since monocytes and their cytokines are also considered to be of pathogenic importance in psoriasis, we investigated the effect of monomethylfumarate (MMF) on proinflammatory (TNF-alpha, IL-12) and antiinflammatory (IL-10, IL-1RA) cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and separated monocytes. In 24-h PBMC cultures from both psoriatic patients (n = 6-13) and healthy volunteers (n = 7-9), MMF at 100 microM induced secretion of TNF-alpha, IL-10, and IL-1RA. Kinetics of IL-10 protein and mRNA expression indicated de novo production. Moreover, MMF significantly augmented endotoxin-induced synthesis of TNF-alpha, IL-10 and IL-1RA. In contrast, no influence on IL-12 secretion was found. Similar effects of MMF in purified monocytes indicated these cells to be responsible for aberrant cytokine formation. Furthermore, enhanced expression of costimulatory molecules after MMF stimulation confirmed monocyte activation. Multiple restimulation with fumaric acid esters in vitro, however, and immunomonitoring in a patient during Fumaderm initial therapy suggested that initial monocyte activation is followed by subsequent deactivation associated with an antiinflammatory response. Our results may explain the well-known effects of therapy with fumaric acid esters. Thus, initial treatment is often accompanied by adverse effects which may be caused by MMF-induced TNF-alpha formation. The change in the IL-10/IL-12 balance as a result of elective induction of IL-10, however, may have antipsoriatic activity by diminishing type-1/proinflammatory cytokine over-expression and the antigen-presenting capacity of monocytes/macrophages, and by upregulation of IL-1RA.

Time course of changes in heart rate and blood pressure variability in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats treated with insulin

Autonomic neuropathy is a frequent complication of diabetes associated with higher morbidity and mortality in symptomatic patients, possibly because it affects autonomic regulation of the sinus node, reducing heart rate (HR) variability which predisposes to fatal arrhythmias. We evaluated the time course of arterial pressure and HR and indirectly of autonomic function (by evaluation of mean arterial pressure (MAP) variability) in rats (164.5 +/- 1.7 g) 7, 14, 30 and 120 days after streptozotocin (STZ) injection, treated with insulin, using measurements of arterial pressure, HR and MAP variability. HR variability was evaluated by the standard deviation of RR intervals (SDNN) and root mean square of successive difference of RR intervals (RMSSD). MAP variability was evaluated by the standard deviation of the mean of MAP and by 4 indices (P1, P2, P3 and MN) derived from the three-dimensional return map constructed by plotting MAPn x [(MAPn + 1)-(MAPn)] x density. The indices represent the maximum concentration of points (P1), the longitudinal axis (P2), and the transversal axis (P3) and MN represents P1 x P2 x P3 x 10(-3). STZ induced increased urinary glucose in diabetic (D) rats compared to controls (C). Seven days after STZ, diabetes reduced resting HR from 380.6 +/- 12.9 to 319.2 +/- 19.8 bpm, increased HR variability, as demonstrated by increased SDNN, from 11.77 +/- 1.67 to 19.87 +/- 2.60 ms, did not change MAP, and reduced P1 from 61.0 +/- 5.3 to 51.5 +/- 1.8 arbitrary units (AU), P2 from 41.3 +/- 0.3 to 29.0 +/- 1.8 AU, and MN from 171.1 +/- 30.2 to 77.2 +/- 9.6 AU of MAP. These indices, as well as HR and MAP, were similar for D and C animals 14, 30 and 120 days after STZ. Seven-day rats showed a negative correlation of urinary glucose with resting HR (r = -0.76, P = 0.03) as well as the MN index (r = -0.83, P = 0.01). We conclude that rats with short-term diabetes mellitus induced by STZ presented modified autonomic control of HR and MAP which was reversible. The metabolic control may influence these results, suggesting that insulin treatment and a better metabolic control in this model may modify arterial pressure, HR and MAP variability.

Tumor-associated cysteine proteinase activities in human melanoma cells and fibroblasts of different origin

Specific catalytic activities of cysteine proteinases including cathepsins B (EC 3.4.22.1) and L (EC 3.4.22.15) in human melanoma cell lines SK-MEL-28, SK-MEL-30, MEL-HO and in fibroblasts of different origin are reported. Cell line-specific pH profiles of these cysteine proteinases were determined fluorometrically with benzyloxycarbonyl-phenylalanyl-arginine-amidomethylcoumarine (Z-Phe-Arg-AMC) under saturated conditions. Single activities of cathepsins B and L were inactivated by urea and by benzyloxycarbonyl-phenylalanyl-phenylalanine-diazomethylketone (Z-Phe-Phe-CHN2) in order to describe the activities of these enzymes separately. The melanoma cell line MEL-HO, which originated from a primary lesion, showed highest activity of an unknown cysteine proteinase. This enzyme is not inactivated by urea and Z-Phe-Phe-CHN2 and has a Michaelis constant (K(M) value) of approximately 1 mM. The specific characteristics suggest that it is a tumor-associated cathepsin B. In addition, high invasive subpopulations of SK-MEL-28 and SK-MEL-30 cell lines isolated by an invasion assay showed higher proteinase activities than the low invasive subpopulations. Furthermore, in fibroblasts originating from melanoma tissue cysteine proteinase activities were increased compared to normal skin fibroblasts. In conclusion, these results indicate that these cysteine proteinases shown here are tumor-associated proteinases, possibly facilitating invasion and dissemination of melanoma cells.

Immunomagnetic selection of CD34+ peripheral blood stem cells for autografting in patients with breast cancer

Contamination of transplants with tumour cells may contribute to relapse after peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). We studied the feasibility of CD34+ cell selection from blood-derived autografts obtained following G-CSF-supported cytotoxic chemotherapy in a group of 25 patients with breast cancer (10 with high-risk stage II/III and 15 with stage IV without bone or bone marrow involvement). Using immunomagnetic beads (Isolex 300 SA. Baxter) CD34+ cells were enriched and released by chymopapain resulting in a median purity of 95% (range 82-99%) and a median recovery of 80% (range 27-132%). The enrichment procedure did not change the proportion of CD34+ subsets coexpressing HLA-DR, CD38 and Thy-1, while L-selectin was removed from the cell surface following selection. Using a sensitive immunocytological technique with a cocktail of epithelial-specific antibodies (anti-cytokeratin 8, 18 and 19; HEA125; BM7 and BM8), five leukaphereses products contained epithelial cells, whereas the selected CD34+ cell fraction was free of tumour cells. A neutrophil count of 0.5 x 10(9)/l and a platelet count of 20 x 10(9)/l was reached after a median time of 14 and 10d following 40 high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) cycles. Our results indicate that immunomagnetic selection of CD34+ cells yields highly purified autografts devoid of tumour cells whereas the engraftment ability of the progenitor and stem cells is fully retained.

Patterned delivery of immunoglobulins to surfaces using microfluidic networks

Microfluidic networks (microFNs) were used to pattern biomolecules with high resolution on a variety of substrates (gold, glass, or polystyrene). Elastomeric microFNs localized chemical reactions between the biomolecules and the surface, requiring only microliters of reagent to cover square millimeter-sized areas. The networks were designed to ensure stability and filling of the microFN and allowed a homogeneous distribution and robust attachment of material to the substrate along the conduits in the microFN. Immunoglobulins patterned on substrates by means of microFNs remained strictly confined to areas enclosed by the network with submicron resolution and were viable for subsequent use in assays. The approach is simple and general enough to suggest a practical way to incorporate biological material on technological substrates.

Tandem high-dose therapy with ifosfamide, epirubicin, carboplatin and peripheral blood stem cell support is an effective adjuvant treatment for high-risk primary breast cancer

We evaluated the therapeutic efficacy and toxicity of a tandem high-dose therapy with peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) support in 40 patients with high-risk, primary breast cancer (stage II-III) and involvement of ten or more positive axillary lymph nodes. Their median age was 44 years (range 23-56). Two cycles of cytotoxic chemotherapy with ifosfamide (10000 mg/m2) and epirubicin (100 mg/m2) were administered. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was given to hasten neutrophil reconstitution and to mobilise PBSC during marrow recovery. Leukaphereses were performed following the first and/or second cycle. Tandem high-dose therapy consisted of two cycles with ifosfamide (15 or 12 g/m2) and epirubicin (150 mg/m2), while carboplatin (900 mg/m2) was added for the last 24 patients included. Using an immunocytochemical method, two of 11 patients had cytokeratin-positive tumour cells in three leukapheresis products that were collected following the first G-CSF-supported cycle with ifosfamide and epirubicin, whereas only two harvests obtained following the second cycle in 26 patients contained cytokeratin-positive tumour cells. The number of CD34+ cells/kg re-infused following both high-dose cycles was similar (4.20 +/- 0.29 x 10(6), first cycle and 5.25 +/- 0.63 x 10(6), second cycle), and no notable difference was noted in the speed of haematological reconstitution. An absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of 0.5 x 10(9)/1 was reached after a median time of 13 days, while an unsupported platelet count of 20.0 x 10(9)/1 was achieved after a median time of 8 (first cycle) and 9 (second cycle) days post-transplantation. Patients autografted with more than 7.5 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg had platelet counts above 20 x 10(9)/1 within less than 10 days. 6 patients relapsed between 7 and 11 months (median 8 months) post-transplantation. 37 patients are alive and in remission with a median follow-up time of 11 months (range 1-38). This translates into a probability of disease-free survival (DFS) of 77% (95% CI 32-95%) at 38 months. The probability of overall survival is 85%, since 3 patients with local relapse achieved a second complete remission following surgery and involved-field radiotherapy. In conclusion, a sequential high-dose therapy including ifosfamide, epirubicin, carboplatin and PBSC support is well tolerated and effective in patients with high-risk primary breast cancer. Involved-field irradiation should be performed post-transplantation to reduce the risk of local relapse.

Treatment of prolonged chemotherapy induced severe thrombocytopenia with recombinant human interleukin-3--a report on four cases

Interleukin-3 (IL-3) is a multipotent hematopoietic growth factor, which exhibits stimulatory effects on leucocytes, reticulocytes and platelets. Due to its pronounced induction of megakaryopoiesis, IL-3 is thought to be a cytokine with the potential to prevent and to overcome chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia. We report on four cases (two of metastatic breast cancer, one of metastatic ovarian cancer and one of Hodgkin's disease) with prolonged chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia in whom rhIL-3 in combination with either recombinant human (rh) granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) or rh granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) was administered. In all cases, a steady and clinically significant increase in platelet counts could be observed. No major side effects, neither due to the application of rhIL-3 nor due to rhGM-CSF or rhG-CSF, occurred; only flu-like symptoms were seen, which could effectively be treated with paracetamol. This report highlights the efficacy of combined treatment with rhIL-3 plus rhGM-CSF or rhG-CSF in chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia, where megakaryopoiesis could be stimulated efficiently by rhIL-3. Based on this experience, the authors conclude that established thrombocytopenia as a major side effect of myelosuppressive chemotherapy should be considered as an indication for the use of rhIL-3 in interventional treatment. Further investigations in this area are encouraged.

Standardization of a computerized method for calculating autonomic function test responses in healthy subjects and patients with diabetes mellitus

The objectives of the present study were 1) to compare results obtained by the traditional manual method of measuring heart rate (HR) and heart rate response (HRR) to the Valsalva maneuver, standing and deep breathing, with those obtained using a computerized data analysis system attached to a standard electrocardiograph machine; 2) to standardize the responses of healthy subjects to cardiovascular tests, and 3) to evaluate the response to these tests in a group of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). In all subjects (97 healthy and 143 with DM) we evaluated HRR to deep breathing. HRR to standing, HRR to the Valsalva maneuver, and blood pressure response (BPR) to standing up and to a sustained handgrip. Since there was a strong positive correlation between the results obtained with the computerized method and the traditional method, we conclude that the new method can replace the traditional manual method for evaluating cardiovascular responses with the advantages of speed and objectivity. HRR and BPR of men and women did not differ. A correlation between age and HRR was observed for standing (r = -0.48, P < 0.001) and deep breathing (r = -0.41; P < 0.002). Abnormal BPR to standing was usually observed only in diabetic patients with definite and severe degrees of autonomic neuropathy.

Specific catalytic activity of cathepsin S in comparison to cathepsins B and L along the rat nephron

Assay conditions were elaborated to determine the catalytic activity of cathepsin S fluorometrically for direct comparison with the activities of cathepsins B + L(+S) and B along the nephron of the normal rat. These conditions include the use of 0.5 mM Z-Phe-Arg-AMC as substrate, which is saturating for the three enzymes. The stability of cathepsin S at pH 7.5 and the resistance of cathepsin B against inactivation by 0.5 microM Z-Phe-Phe-CHN2 permitted differentiation of these enzyme activities. The catalytic activity of cathepsin S in rat kidney homogenate (1.11 mumol/min x g protein) amounted to 2.1% of that of cathepsins B + L(+S) and to 3.2% of that of cathepsin B. It was ten-fold higher in the cortex (1.54 mumol/min x g protein) than in the medulla resembling the activity ratio of cathepsins B + L(+S) and B. In suspensions of isolated glomeruli and isolated proximal tubules the activities of cathepsin S were 0.76 and 3.21 mumol/min x g protein, respectively. The corresponding activities of cathepsins B + L(+S) amounted to 80.0 and 211.7 mumol/min x g protein consisting of 71% cathepsin B activity. In nephron segments microdissected from lyophilized renal sections, highest cathepsin S activity was found in the proximal convoluted tubules (4.21 mumol/min x g dry weight) followed by 0.83 mumol/min x g dry weight in proximal straight tubules of the superficial cortex. In the remaining segments cathepsin S activity was hardly detectable. Unlike cathepsin S activity, the activity of cathepsin B was distributed in parallel to that of cathepsins B + L(+S). The presence of relatively high cathepsin S activity in proximal convoluted tubules in co-localization with the activities of cathepsins B + L(+S) and B suggests a primary role of these enzymes in heterophagocytosis of proteins from the ultrafiltrate.

[Possibilities and limitations of drugs to protect the liver]

In this paper preventive liver protective agents for the prophylaxis of hepatopathies due to functional stress, and curative protective agents for therapy of existing liver damage are distinguished. Preventive liver protective agents are key substances in the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and sulfur. For curative liver protective agents, inhibitors of RNA and protein synthesis, calcium antagonists and inhibitors of sulfhydryl (-SH) containing enzymes are proposed and substantiated.

Allogeneic BMT vs. chemotherapy in late bone marrow relapsed childhood non-T/non-B ALL: results of BFM ALL relapse studies. BFM Relapse Study Group

In first BM relapsed non-T/non-B ALL, the outcome is not significantly different after radio-chemotherapy compared with allogeneic BMT. Therefore, radio-chemotherapy is convenient af first late BM relapse and BMT may be performed not before a second BM relapse had occurred. Only a small subgroup of children with isolated BM relapse and peripheral blast cells > or = 10,000/microliter at diagnosis of first relapse has a dismal prognosis after radio-chemotherapy and might benefit from BMT.

Risk factors for sporadic salmonellosis in Switzerland

A case-control study was conducted to identify determinants for the acquisition of sporadic Salmonella infection in Switzerland. Over a one-year period (1993), 223 case-control pairs were enrolled in the study and risk factors were assessed by means of self-administered questionnaires. Three-quarters of the isolates were identified as Salmonella enteritidis, most of which (80%) belonged to phage type 4. There were distinct differences in risk factors between infections with Salmonella enteritidis and those with other Salmonella serovars. In both groups recent travel abroad was positively associated with illness. This association was more pronounced for infections with non-enteritidis salmonellae [odds ratio (OR) 39.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) 6.6-236.8, compared to Salmonella enteritidis 4.0; 95% CI 1.8-9.1]. Among the presumably imported infections, Salmonella enteritidis was acquired mostly in other European countries, while other serovars were acquired mostly in countries outside of Europe. Eating food containing raw or undercooked eggs during the three days before the onset of illness increased the risk of infection with Salmonella enteritidis. Desserts made with raw eggs (OR 4.6; 95% CI 2.0-10.6) were more strongly associated with disease than consumption of soft-boiled eggs (OR 2.1; 95% CI 1.2-3.7), suggesting that the risk of infection was dependent on the extent to which eggs were cooked. Egg consumption was not associated with infections with serovars other than Salmonella enteritidis; however, the intake of medications other than antacids was found to be a risk factor (OR 3.5; 95% CI 1.1-11.4).

[Trends in alcohol consumption in Switzerland from 1975-1992]

Based on four representative surveys independently conducted at 6-year intervals, the study presented here delineates the development of alcohol consumption in the general population of Switzerland between 1975 and 1992. A description of changes in the frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption by sex is presented, as well as specific changes by beverage type. Even though Switzerland remains one of the high consumption countries, a marked decline can be observed. Compared to 1975 when 28% of respondents reported daily alcohol consumption, this figure dropped to 20% in 1992. Although 10% consumed more than 60 grams of pure alcohol in the 1975 sample, this proportion fell to only 3% in 1992. This downward trend, which is also reflected in secondary statistics such as sales and mortality figures, can be mainly attributed to male consumers. In contrast to international trends, which in general demonstrate converging drinking patterns, reduced consumption in Switzerland, a wine-producing country, is mainly due to a decline in beer consumption and not in wine consumption.

Determination of choline dehydrogenase activity along the rat nephron

A radioenzymatic microassay was developed to quantitate choline dehydrogenase activity in single microdissected nephron segments. This enzyme is the rate limiting step in the biosynthesis of betaine, which serves as an intracellular osmoregulatory organic solute in mammalian kidney. The enzyme localized in renal mitochondrial inner membrane forms betaine aldehyde, which in the assay is converted to betaine by oxidative treatment. A histochemical procedure based on the formazan detection of tetranitroblue tetrazolium chloride was applied in parallel. The results show that activities in proximal convoluted and straight tubules are more than 5 times higher (21 to 25 pmol h-1 mm tubule-1) compared to distal nephron segments with no significant differences along the proximal tubule. Along the osmotic gradient from the outer medullary towards the papillary structures enzyme activities increased in ascending limbs of Henle's loop and collecting tubules. Collecting ducts showed two times higher activities than ascending loop segments when corrected for tubular cell volumes. The quantitative data were confirmed by the histochemical procedure. The results allow for the conclusion that betaine synthesis is sufficient to build up renal betaine, but cannot explain the distribution pattern of betaine along the corticopapillary axis. Additional mechanisms like intrarenal and tubular transport have to be postulated.