Concurrent deregulation of gelsolin and cyclin D1 in the majority of human and rodent breast cancers

Decreased gelsolin and increased cyclin D1 are among the most common defects found in human and rodent breast cancers. Our purpose was to determine the frequency of concurrence of these 2 alterations in this malignancy. Our results demonstrate that gelsolin protein and mRNA were significantly reduced in 80-100% of rodent mammary carcinomas that developed spontaneously, following oncogene introduction, or after treatment with viral, chemical or hormonal agents. The reduction in gelsolin most likely occurs during the transition from preneoplasia to carcinoma because hyperplasias had normal levels of gelsolin whereas microtumors had reduced expression. Southern analysis revealed no major mutations in the gelsolin gene of tumors with low expression. Cyclin D1 mRNA was increased in 50-100% of these rodent mammary tumors, although the cyclin D1 gene was not amplified. By nuclear runon assay, downregulation of gelsolin in both human and mouse mammary cancer cells involved diminished transcription and, conversely, human breast cancer cells expressing high levels of cyclin D1 had increased initiation of cyclin D1 transcription compared with cyclin D1 low expressors. Thus, alteration in the rate of transcription appears to be an important factor underlying the dysfunction of these genes. According to our data, concurrent deregulation of gelsolin and cyclin D1 is highly prevalent among breast cancers of humans and rodents, with both defects present in 89% of the neoplasms analyzed in this study. In fact, most tumors in every rodent model of mammary tumorigenesis examined had the 2 alterations.

[Study on the association between tumor necrosis factor alpha gene polymorphism and systemic lupus erythematosus]

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether polymorphism within the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) gene is associated with the susceptibility and clinic manifestations to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the patients of Han ethnic group collected from the Northern China.

METHODS

TNF(1) and TNF(2) subtypes of TNFalpha gene were defined by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis in 89 Chinese patients with SLE and 70 ethnically matched controls from Peking Union Medical College Hospital. All SLE patients were diagnosed by the American Rheumatological Association SLE diagnostic criteria setup in 1982. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR(2) gene frequency was assigned by PCR with sequence-specific primers (SSP-PCR).

RESULTS

The frequencies of TNF(2) and HLA-DR(2) were significantly increased in SLE patients respectively compared to that of the controls (0.23 vs 0.14, RR = 1.85, P < 0.05; 0.36 vs 0.22, RR = 2.02, P < 0.01). Both TNF(2) and HLA-DR(2) were associated with SLE independently (RR = 3.96, P < 0.05; RR = 3.07, P < 0.05), but there was no association between the two genes. In TNF(2) positive patients, the positive rate of anti-SSA antibody was apparently higher and the incidence of lupus nephritis was significantly increased.

CONCLUSION

Both TNF(2) and HLA-DR(2) gene may play a role in SLE susceptibility. Anti-SSA antibody and lupus nephritis were strongly associated with TNF(2) gene.

[Study on the effects of taxol on Hep-2 cell lines in larynx carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the sensitivity of Hep-2 cell lines in larynx squamous cell carcinoma to the taxol in vitro and to provide experimental basis for clinical therapy.

METHOD

Techniques of cell culture and randomized blank-contrast design were used. The degree and dose-dependency of taxol which induced growth inhibition in Hep-2 cell lines were observed and the alteration of cell cycle was analysed by flow cytomethy.

RESULT

All cells died at the concentration of taxol 1 x 10(-8) M; growth inhibition was observed clearly at the concentration of 5 x 10(-9) M and 2.5 x 10(-9) M. Flow cytometric data showed a G0/G1 arrest and apoptosis (28.96%) in two cell lines after exposure to taxol for 48 h at low and medium concentrations.

CONCLUSION

There is a high sensitivity of Hep-2 cell to taxol in vitro. The cells show G0/G1 arrest and apoptosis. This results may provide reliable guidance for treating largnx carcinoma.

The murine homolog (Mph) of human herpesvirus entry protein B (HveB) mediates entry of pseudorabies virus but not herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2

A mouse member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, originally designated the murine poliovirus receptor homolog (Mph), was found to be a receptor for the porcine alphaherpesvirus pseudorabies virus (PRV). This mouse protein, designated here murine herpesvirus entry protein B (mHveB), is most similar to one of three related human alphaherpesvirus receptors, the one designated HveB and also known as poliovirus receptor-related protein 2. Hamster cells resistant to PRV entry became susceptible upon expression of a cDNA encoding mHveB. Anti-mHveB antibody and a soluble protein composed of the mHveB ectodomain inhibited mHveB-dependent PRV entry. Expression of mHveB mRNA was detected in a variety of mouse cell lines, but anti-mHveB antibody inhibited PRV infection in only a subset of these cell lines, indicating that mHveB is the principal mediator of PRV entry into some mouse cell types but not others. Coexpression of mHveB with PRV gD, but not herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) gD, inhibited entry activity, suggesting that PRV gD may interact directly with mHveB as a ligand that can cause interference. By analogy with HSV-1, envelope-associated PRV gD probably also interacts directly with mHveB during viral entry.

[Analysis of C5 fractions and carbonyl compounds by capillary gas chromatography]

We used two capillary columns with different characters--SE-54 (30 m x 0.25 mm) and Squalane (92 m x 0.24 mm) to analyse C5 fractions and carbonyl compounds in the mixtures of complex chemical composition. The physical properties of some components are very similar, especially for 1,3-cyclopentadiene and cis-1,3-pentadiene. 1,3-Cyclopentadiene in the feed will directly affect the activity of catalyst. In the past we only used SE-54 column to separate 1,3-cyclopentadiene and cis-1,3-pentadiene, but the results were unsatisfactory. Later we found that squalane column could separate them fairly good, but it could not yet separate dicyclopentadiene from 1,3-cyclopentadiene and carbonyl compounds in C5 fractions very well. In this work SE-54 capillary column and squalane capillary column were used together to analyse C5 fractions, and SE-54 column was used to analyse carbonyl compounds. The results are satisfactory.

Synthesis and antimalarial activity of 11 dispiro-1,2,4,5-tetraoxane analogues of WR 148999. 7,8,15,16-Tetraoxadispiro[5.2.5.2]hexadecanes substituted at the 1 and 10 positions with unsaturated and polar functional groups

Eleven novel dispiro-1,2,4,5-tetraoxanes 3 bearing unsaturated and polar functional groups were designed to enhance the oral antimalarial activity of the prototype tetraoxane 2 (WR 148999). With the exception of 3g and 3h, tetraoxanes 3 were available via the peroxidation of corresponding cyclohexanone derivatives in H2SO4/CH3CN. Tetraoxanes 3g and 3h were prepared by hydrolysis of ester tetraoxanes 3e and 3i, respectively. Five of the 11 tetraoxanes were inactive, but six tetraoxanes had IC50 values of 6-26 nM against the K1 and NF54 strains of Plasmodium falciparum compared to corresponding IC50 values of 28 and 39 nM for 2, and 10 and 12 nM for artemisinin (1). Ester tetraoxane 3e was the most active in vitro, some 2-fold more potent than 1. However, none of the six tetraoxanes active in vitro were as effective as either 1 or 2 in vivo; at single doses of 100 mg/kg most possessed little to no vivo activity in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei. Unsaturated tetraoxane 3a was uniquely more active when administered per os (po) than subcutan (sc). For this series of tetraoxanes, the discrepancy between vitro and vivo activities underscores the limitations of conclusions drawn solely from in vitro antimalarial data and illustrates a practical benefit of complementary single-dose in vivo antimalarial screens.

IFN-gamma regulation of the type IV class II transactivator promoter in astrocytes

The transcriptional activation of class II MHC genes requires the class II transactivator (CIITA) protein, a regulator that is essential for both constitutive and IFN-gamma-inducible class II MHC expression. The CIITA gene is controlled by multiple independent promoters; two promoters direct constitutive expression, while another, the type IV CIITA promoter, mediates IFN-gamma-induced expression. We investigated the molecular regulation of IFN-gamma-induced type IV CIITA promoter activity in astrocytes. IFN-gamma inducibility of the type IV CIITA promoter is dependent on three cis-acting elements contained within a 154-bp fragment of the promoter; the proximal IFN-gamma activation sequence (GAS) element, the E box, and the proximal IFN regulatory factor (IRF) element. Two IFN-gamma-activated transcription factors, STAT-1alpha and IRF-1, bind the proximal GAS and IRF elements, respectively. The E box binds upstream stimulating factor-1 (USF-1), a constitutively expressed transcription factor. Furthermore, STAT-1alpha binding to the proximal GAS element is dependent on the binding of USF-1 to the adjacent E box. Functionally, the proximal IRF element is essential for IFN-gamma induction of type IV CIITA promoter activity, while the proximal GAS and E box elements contribute to the IFN-gamma inducibility of this promoter. In astrocytes, TNF-alpha enhances IFN-gamma-induced class II MHC transcription. Our results demonstrate that TNF-alpha does not enhance IFN-gamma-induced transcriptional activation of the type IV CIITA promoter, indicating that the enhancing effect of TNF-alpha is mediated downstream of CIITA transcription. These results define the molecular basis of IFN-gamma activation of the type IV CIITA promoter in astrocytes.

Cytotoxic hammerhead ribozymes

Small catalytic RNA molecules of the hammerhead ribozyme type were found to have cytotoxic effects unrelated to their intended activity. An expression library of ribozyme sequence variants was constructed in a recA-deficient strain of Escherichia coli such that individual library members differed in regions designed to form base pairs with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) tat mRNA. The parental ribozyme and many variants exhibited a bacteriostatic effect. One variant studied in detail was also bactericidal. When its expression was induced, ribozyme-dependent inhibition of bacterial growth was not observed in recA+ or recA+ lexA3 (Ind-) cells, suggesting that the recombination function of the RecA protein, not the absence of the SOS response, is sufficient to alleviate the cytotoxic effect. These data document the need for careful testing for toxic effects during intracellular studies of ribozyme action.

[Determination of trace Co in XF-210 phosphono-acid dirt preventing agent by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry]

This paper reports the development of the determination of trace metal Co in XF-210 phosphono-acid dirt preventing agent by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The method is convenient and the results show good precision and accuracy. The relative standard deviation was 1.42% and the rate of recovery was 95.7%.

Molecular cloning of mouse Lrp7(Lr3) cDNA and chromosomal mapping of orthologous genes in mouse and human

LRP7 (the HGMW-approved gene symbol for LR3) is a novel member of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) family. The unique modular features in both its extracellular and its intracellular regions and functional analysis suggest it to be a multifunctional protein with mitogenic activity and potential ligand-induced signal transduction capability. We describe here the cloning of Lrp7, the orthologue of the human LRP7 gene, from a mouse liver cDNA library and its expression profile in mouse tissues and developmental stages. Lrp7 is highly homologous to the human sequence, with 95% identity at the amino acid level and a perfect conservation of all the recognizable functional domains. A 6-kb mRNA transcript could be detected in all the tissues examined, with the highest expression levels in liver, heart, and lung and the lowest levels in brain and spleen. A similar expression level of a smaller transcript (4.5 kb) was seen at the four embryonic stages examined. We mapped the Lrp 7 gene to mouse chromosome 19B and the LRP7 gene to human chromosome 11q13.4. The LRP7 gene was also localized by radiation hybrid mapping between markers D11S24270 and D11S1975.

Spermicidal activity of oxovanadium(IV) complexes of 1, 10-phenanthroline, 2,2'-bipyridyl, 5'-bromo-2'-hydroxyacetophenone and derivatives in humans

We have recently reported that tetrahedral metallocene complexes containing vanadium(IV) (vanadocene) have potent spermicidal activity against human sperm. The spermicidal activity was dependent on vanadium(IV) as the central metal ion within the bis-cyclopentadienyl (Cp2)-metal complex, but the variation of diacido groups and/or replacement with bidentate ligands coordinated to the Cp2-vanadium(IV) moiety also significantly modulated the spermicidal potency. To assess the structure-activity relationship between vanadocenes and other coordination complexes of vanadium(IV), a set of 11 oxovanadium(IV) complexes with different geometrical configurations were synthesized and evaluated for spermicidal activity by computer-assisted sperm analysis. These complexes included mono and bis ancillary ligands, 1,10-phenanthroline (phen): [VO(phen), VO(phen)2, VO(Me2-phen), VO(Me2-phen)2, VO(Cl-phen), and VO(Cl-phen)2]; 2,2'-bipyridyl (bipy): [VO(bipy), VO(bipy)2, VO(Me2-bipy), and VO(Me2-bipy)2], linked via nitrogen atoms; and 5'-bromo-2'-hydroxyacetophenone (acph): [VO(Br,OH-acph)2], linked via oxygen donor atoms. All 11 oxovanadium(IV) complexes elicited concentration-dependent spermicidal activity at micromolar concentrations (EC50 values: 5.5-118 microM). The bis-phenanthroline complex of oxovanadium(IV), VO(Cl-phen)2, was the most active, and the mono bipyridyl complex, VO(bipy), was the least active; the order of efficacy was VO(Cl-phen)2 > VO(phen)2 > VO(Br,OH-acph)2 > VO(Me2-phen) > VO(bipy)2 > VO(phen) > VO(Cl-phen) > VO(Me2-phen)2 > VO(Me2-bipy)2 > VO(Me2-bipy) > VO(bipy). The neutral complex, VO(Br, OH-acph)2, induced rapid sperm immobilization (T1/2 = 38 sec). The sperm-immobilizing activity of mono- and bis-ligated oxovanadium(IV) complexes was irreversible, since the treated sperm underwent apoptosis, as determined by the flow cytometric quantitation of mitochondrial membrane potential, surface Annexin V binding assay, and in situ DNA nick-end labeling of sperm nuclei. The percentages of apoptotic sperm quantitated by the flow cytometric assay correlated well with the spermicidal potency of oxovanadium(IV) complexes. These results provide unprecedented evidence that the spermicidal and apoptosis-inducing activities of vanadium(IV) complexes are determined by the oxidation state of vanadium as well as their geometry. Because of its rapid and potent sperm-immobilizing activity, the bromo-hydroxyacetophenone complex, [VO(Br,OH-acph)2], may be useful as a contraceptive agent.

IL-1 beta inhibits IFN-gamma-induced class II MHC expression by suppressing transcription of the class II transactivator gene

Class II MHC Ags are critical for the initiation of immune responses by presenting Ag to T lymphocytes, leading to their activation and differentiation. The transcriptional activation of class II MHC genes requires the induction of the class II transactivator (CIITA) protein, a master regulator that is essential for both constitutive and IFN-gamma-inducible class II MHC expression. The cytokine IL-1beta has been shown to inhibit IFN-gamma-induced class II MHC expression in various cell types. We investigated the underlying mechanism of this inhibitory effect of IL-1beta using human astroglioma cell lines. Our findings demonstrate that IL-1beta prevents the expression of class II MHC mRNA and protein upon treatment with IFN-gamma. Furthermore, we demonstrate that IFN-gamma induction of CIITA mRNA expression is inhibited by treatment of cells with IL-1beta. IL-1beta suppressed IFN-gamma activation of the type IV CIITA promoter in astroglioma cells, indicating that the inhibitory influence of IL-1beta is mediated by inhibition of CIITA transcription. IL-1beta did not interfere with IFN-gamma receptor signal transduction, since tyrosine phosphorylation, nuclear translocation, and DNA binding of STAT-1alpha to an IFN-gamma activation sequence of the type IV CIITA promoter were not affected by IL-1beta. As well, IL-1beta treatment did not affect the ability of IFN-gamma-induced interferon-regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) to bind the IRF-1 element within the type IV CIITA promoter. This study suggests that IL-1beta may play a role in regulating immunoreactivity by inhibiting transcription of the CIITA gene, thereby reducing subsequent class II MHC expression.

Treatment of hepatitis caused by cytomegalovirus with allitridin injection--an experimental study

To demonstrate the anti-cytomegalovirus (CMV) activity of allitridin injection (AI), an active anti-infection component of garlic, the in vitro effects of AI on human CMV (HCMV) AD169 and 7 newly isolated strains from patients and its in vivo effect on mice of murine CMV (MCMV) hepatitis were assessed. It was found that plaque reduction rate reached 63.5% after infected cells were treated with cell maximal tolerable concentration (7.5 micrograms/ml) of AI. Meanwhile, flow cytometric analysis for effect of AI on expression of HCMV immediate-early antigen (IEA) showed that IEA inhibition rate of 7 isolated strains was in the range from 43.3% to 66.7%, with a mean of 58.4%, similar to that of AD169 strain (60.5%). On the other hand, in vivo anti-CMV activity of AI was evaluated in terms of liver pathological changes, liver function and viral replication. Six model mice with MCMV hepatitis received the treatment of AI for 2 weeks. The severity of liver damage, levels of sALT and MCMV IE genes expression in liver tissues in the treated mice were significantly lower than those of the corresponding untreated controls. Our results showed that AI had an obvious anti-CMV activity both in vitro and in vivo.

A sensitive assay for anti-HIV-1 drug discovery in a biological safety level-2 laboratory

Studies involving infectious, wild type HIV-1 must be performed under strict BSL-3 practice. We have employed a defective (deltaTat/Rev)MC99 and cloned 1A2 line, ie, mutated HIV-1 and Tat/Rev transfected cells to verify anti-HIV-1 activity in a BSL-2 laboratory. A number of extracts from various parts of 11 species of plants were studied. Results were correlated with those of an anti-HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) assay.

[HLA-DRB1 alleles genotyping in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Chinese]

To explore the role of HLA-DRB1 genes in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the correlations between HLA-DR alleles and clinical manifestations of patients with RA we studied 86 patients and 106 race matched controls in whom HLA-DR typing was performed by the method of DNA amplification with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP). The subtypes of HLA-DR4 were determined by the method of hybridization of PCR products with sequence-specific oligonucletides (PCR-SSO). The absence or presence of HLA-DR4 and its subtypes was evaluated with the clinical and serological characteristics of the patients. Compared with controls, an increased gene frequency of HLA-DR4 (48.8% vs 17.9%, P < 0.001) and a decreased frequency of HLA-DR5 (16.3% vs 27.4%, P = 0.06) were found. The DRB1 * 0405 accounted for 61.9% of DR4+ RA patients and 21.1% of DR+4 controls (P < 0.01). There was no difference between the DR4+ and DR4- patients with respect to age, sex, duration of disease, extra-articular manifestations including secondary Sjogren's syndrome. But rheumatoid factor (RF) was associated with HLA-DR4 (P < 0.05). According to the X-ray stage, the patients of DR4+ were more severe than those of DR4- (P < 0.05). HLA-DR4 and DR4 subtype of DRB1 * 0405 were related to the development of RA in Chinese. HLA-DR4 can be a useful prognostic marker in the patients with RA.

Fluoroquinolone action against mycobacteria: effects of C-8 substituents on growth, survival, and resistance

Fluoroquinolones trap gyrase on DNA as bacteriostatic complexes from which lethal DNA breaks are released. Substituents at the C-8 position increase activities of N-1-cyclopropyl fluoroquinolones against several bacterial species. In the present study, a C-8-methoxyl group improved bacteriostatic action against gyrA (gyrase-resistant) strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M. bovis BCG. It also enhanced lethal action against gyrase mutants of M. bovis BCG. When cultures of M. smegmatis, M. bovis BCG, and M. tuberculosis were challenged with a C-8-methoxyl fluoroquinolone, no resistant mutant was recovered under conditions in which more than 1, 000 mutants were obtained with a C-8-H control. A C-8-bromo substituent also increased bacteriostatic and lethal activities against a gyrA mutant of M. bovis BCG. When lethal activity was normalized to bacteriostatic activity, the C-8-methoxyl compound was more bactericidal than its C-8-H control, while the C-8-bromo fluoroquinolone was not. The C-8-methoxyl compound was also found to be more effective than the C-8-bromo fluoroquinolone at reducing selection of resistant mutants when each was compared to a C-8-H control over a broad concentration range. These data indicate that a C-8-methoxyl substituent, which facilitates attack of first-step gyrase mutants, may help make fluoroquinolones effective antituberculosis agents.

[Effect of tea on fluoride in plaque and saliva]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether tea drinking in a Chinese way in the Chinese population would affect fluoride in plaque and saliva.

METHODS

Two groups of students were involved. Group 1, 41 subjects, did not drink tea regularly. Group 2, 34 subjects, drank tea every day in a very regular way. During a study period of three weeks, Group 2 was requested to drink selected (known fluoride concentration) types of tea, and subdivided by the type of tea they drank into two subgroups, Groups 2a and 2b. Group 2a drank lower fluoride tea, while Group 2b drank higher fluoride tea. Plaque and saliva samples were collected at the 2nd and the 3rd end of week, respectively. Fluoride levels were determined with fluoride selective electrode.

RESULTS

Both plaque and saliva fluoride were higher in the tea drinking group compared with non-tea drinking group. Plaque fluoride in tea drinking group at the end of three week was significantly higher than the value of non-tea drinking group (t test, P = 0.02). In tea drinking group, three week plaque fluoride was higher than two week plaque. Plaque fluoride level was also significantly corresponded to fluoride in tea. Drinking higher fluoride tea resulted in higher fluoride in plaque. But saliva fluoride was not shown the correlation with tea.

CONCLUSION

Tea is an important fluoride source. Plaque is a main resorvior of fluoride. Saliva has not the ability to store fluoride up. When considering tea as a fluoride source, the type of tea which may contain different concentration of fluoride should be borne in mind.

Molecular cloning and characterization of LR3, a novel LDL receptor family protein with mitogenic activity

We report molecular cloning and initial functional characterization of a novel member of the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene family. The cDNA was isolated from a human osteoblast cDNA library and encoded a 1,615 amino acids protein designated as LR3. It has, in the extracellular region, a cluster of three LDLR ligand binding repeats at a juxtamembrane position and four EGF precursor homology domains separated by YWTD spacer repeats. The entire ectodomain shares the same modular organization with the middle portion of the extracellular regions of two LDLR family members, LDLR-related protein (LRP), and gp330/megalin. LR3 mRNA was expressed in most of the adult and fetal tissues examined. The highest expression level was seen in aorta. In human osteosarcoma cells examined, LR3 mRNA was highly enriched in TE85 cells, moderately expressed in MG63 cells and primary human osteoblasts, and undetectable in SaOS-2 cells. NIH 3T3 cells transfected with either full length LR3 or its ectodomain showed significantly increased proliferation, whereas transfection of intracellular domain had no proliferative effect. We predict that LR3 is a multi-functional protein with potential mitogenic activity.

17Beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases in human bone cells

Interconversion of estrogens by osteoblasts may play a role in regulating bone mass. As a first step toward exploring this possibility, we investigated the expression and activity of 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (17beta-HSDs) in cultured human osteoblasts (HOB) and osteoblast-like osteosarcoma cells (MG63, TE85, and SaOS-2). Significant 17beta-HSD activity was detected in cell-free extracts of all bone cells with oxidation of estradiol to estrone predominating over reduction. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) experiments showed that the mRNA for 17beta-HSD I was detectable only in MG63 cells, albeit at low levels, while 17beta-HSD II was present in MG63, TE85, and HOB, but not SaOS-2, and 17beta-HSD III was absent from each bone cell type. 17Beta-HSD IV was the only isoform present in all bone cells analyzed. Further analysis of the expression of 17beta-HSD IV in these bone cells by immunoblotting revealed both the full-length 83 kDa protein and the proteolytic 38 kDa form. The kinetic parameters for estradiol oxidation by purified recombinant 17beta-HSD IV (Km = 49.7 microM, Vmax = 79.4 nmol/minute/mg of protein) and its HSD-domain (Km = 79.4 microM, Vmax = 476 nmol/minute/mg of protein) were significantly higher than previously reported, but consistent with the values obtained with crude cell-free extracts of SaOS-2 cells (Km = 98.8 microM, Vmax = 0.07 nmol/minute/mg of protein) which contain only 17beta-HSD IV based on RT-PCR. These studies show that bone cells have the capacity to interconvert circulating estrogens and suggest that bone cell 17beta-HSDs serve primarily to attenuate the continuing actions of estradiol through conversion to its less potent form, estrone, under certain conditions.

Detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in archival specimens of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic cancer using a highly sensitive nested PCR method

Human papillomavirus is thought to be an etiological factor for urological tumors such as penile cancer. However, there is much conflicting data surrounding prostatic cancer. We recently established a highly sensitive nested PCR method with consensus human papillomavirus (HPV) primers for the detection of many high-risk HPV types. HPV DNA from the long-control region (LCR) to E7 open reading frame was amplified with first primer pairs and subsequently amplified with second internal E6-E7 primers. Our nested PCR method could detect HPV16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 52, 58 and some undetermined HPV DNAs. Using this method, we investigated the existence of HPV DNA in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue of the prostate. We found HPV DNA in three of 71 specimens of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and in none of 38 prostatic carcinomas. These three samples were infected with HPV 16. These results suggest that HPV is not a causal factor for prostatic cancer and BPH.

The protective effect of procaine blocking on nerve-electrophysiological study during operation

OBJECTIVE

To clinically evaluate the protective effect of procaine blocking on nerves.

METHODS

Electrophysiological examination before and after procaine blocking was conducted on 32 nerves during operation, 18 of which were donor nerves and 14 were injured ones.

RESULTS

The latency of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) was lengthened (15.30%) and the amplitude was lowered (18.47) after procaine blocking. Compared with the values before procaine blocking, the differences were significant (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). SEP waves disappeared after procaine blocking in some cases (28.13%).

CONCLUSION

Latency of SEP is lengthened and amplitude is lowered after procaine blocking. In some cases, SEPs even disappear.

Regulation of biologically active dimeric inhibin A and B from infancy to adulthood in the male

Inhibins are glycoprotein members of the transforming growth factor-beta family that have been implicated in the control of spermatogenesis by exerting a negative feedback on FSH secretion. In addition, locally produced inhibins may play a role in paracrine regulation of testicular function. Immunoassays were used to measure the two biologically active dimeric forms of inhibin (inhibin A and B) in serum, seminal plasma, and urine. To better define their actions, inhibins were measured in the male during infancy, sexual maturation, and senescence. Inhibin B but not A was measurable in the serum of male newborns, infants, children, and adults. In adult males, measurable levels of inhibin B were detected in the seminal plasma but not the urine. The circulating levels of inhibin B increased shortly after birth and peaked at 4-12 months of age (210 +/- 31 pg/mL). The concentration measured in the serum then decreased to a low of 81 +/- 12 pg/mL of inhibin B from 3-9 yr of age followed by a gradual increase beginning with the onset of puberty and reaching another peak of 167 +/- 20 pg/mL in males who were 20-30 yr of age. Inhibin B levels then gradually declined with increasing age up through 90 yr of age. Serum levels of gonadotropins and total testosterone production were also measured in these same males. There was a brief increase in the gonadotropins (FSH and LH) during the few months of postnatal development, followed by a decrease to basal levels until the onset of puberty at 10-14 yr of age. Testosterone was also increased in the serum of infants from day 1 through 12 months of age, which decreased in young children but increased again following the elevation of gonadotropins during puberty. In adults aged 20-90 yr, serum levels of inhibin B were inversely proportional to levels of FSH but not LH or testosterone. In males in which a semen analysis was performed, those males with normal semen analysis had a significantly higher inhibin B levels, sperm production, and lower FSH levels than males with either oligospermia or nonobstructive azoospermia. The levels of Inhibin B found in circulation were a good marker for testicular function and could be useful in the diagnosis of patients with semen abnormalities or a complete absence of spermatogenesis. Because this glycoprotein is secreted in high amounts in the prepubertal testis up to 3 yr of age, inhibin B could potentially be used as a marker in the diagnosis of cryptorchidism and precocious puberty.

[Determination of trace Fe in doxycycline hydrochloric acid by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry]

This paper reports the development of the determination of trace metal Fe in doxycycline hydrochloric acid by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The method is convenient to determine elements in doxycycline hydrochloric acid. The results show that the method offers good precision and accuracy. The relative standard deviation for Fe was 0.54% and the rate of recovery was 99.2%.

Primate renal transplants using immunotoxin

BACKGROUND

T-lymphocyte depletion 7 days before transplantation with immunotoxin FN 18-CRM9 has resulted in tolerance to subsequent renal allografts. We tested the effect of giving immunotoxin on the day of the transplantation and evaluated its effect on rhesus monkey and allograft survival, on antibody production, and on T-cell recovery.

METHODS

Major histocompatibility complex mismatched renal allografts were performed in rhesus monkeys. Immunotoxin was given starting on the day of transplantation, with and without prednisone and mycophenolate mofetil for 3 days. T-cell subsets and alloantibody levels were measured by flow cytometry. The ability of treated monkeys to develop antibody to tetanus, diphtheria, and xenoantibody was measured. Histology of renal transplants was read in a blinded manner.

RESULTS

Immunotoxin started on the day of transplantation resulted in prolonged allograft survival in all treatment groups. Graft loss between days 50 and 135 was most often due to interstitial nephritis. Later graft loss was due to chronic rejection. Monkeys had intact antibody responses to alloantigen, tetanus, diphtheria, and xenoantibody. Their CD4 cells recovered gradually over 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Immunotoxin reliably prolongs renal allograft survival when started on the day of transplantation, but interstitial nephritis and chronic rejection limit the development of long-term tolerance. T-cell-dependent B-cell responses remain intact after treatment.

Analysis of primate renal allografts after T-cell depletion with anti-CD3-CRM9

BACKGROUND

FN18-CRM9 is a CD3-specific immunotoxin that is capable of depleting CD3+ T cells. Pretreatment of rhesus monkeys with this agent before transplantation can induce donor-specific tolerance and "split tolerance" to renal allografts.

METHODS

Heterotopic renal transplants were performed on monkeys that received posttransplant FN18-CRM9. Histological and immunohistological staining, as well as analysis of the intragraft cytokine profile by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, was performed on percutaneous allograft biopsies.

RESULTS

Experimental monkeys had significant prolongation of allograft survival. Although an interstitial, mononuclear cell infiltrate was seen in all of the renal transplants, there was minimal evidence of acute cellular rejection. Histological evidence of alloantibody-mediated damage was detected 3 to 5 months after transplantation in the monkeys treated with FN18-CRM9. Immunohistology demonstrated the reappearance of CD3+ and CD4+ T cells, as well as CD20+ B cells, in the grafts. Cytokine analysis demonstrated expression of interferon-gamma. An intact anti-donor IgG response was seen.

CONCLUSION

Treatment of monkeys with FN18-CRM9 immediately after transplantation significantly prolongs renal allograft survival. Allograft biopsies demonstrate a lack of acute cellular rejection; however, alloantibody-mediated graft damage and rejection occur, with an intact anti-donor IgG response. The intragraft expression of the interferon-gamma may reflect this ongoing humoral rejection. These data suggest that even a brief period of T-cell allosensitization may lead to humorally mediated allograft damage. Efforts to achieve tolerance with posttransplant FN18-CRM9 will require modification of the protocol to deplete T cells before allosensitization exposure or to supplement the posttransplant immunomodification strategy.

[Study on HCV infection and the distribution of HCV genotypes in different populations in Shenyang area]

3,902 serum samples in different populations were tested for anti-HCV by ELISA. Among 100 samples of them, genotypes of HCV were detected by PCR with type-specific primers. The results showed: a) anti-HCV positive rates in general populations were 0.42%-1.66%; b) anti-HCV positive rates in the group of post-transfusion hepatitis and sporadic hepatitis (excluding HAV, HBV, EBV, CMV infection), hepatitis B post hepatitis cirrhosis (excluding HBV infection) and primary hepatocarcinoma were significantly higher than the group of patients without liver diseases or the group of patients without transfusion (P < 0.01); c) in HCV genotyping, HCV-II, HCV-III, II/III mixed type were 58%, 27%, 14% respectively. The rate of infection with HCV-III, was 80% in normal population but 91.7% with type II HCV in the group of patients with cirrhosis. These results suggested: (1) patients with different liver diseases were under high risk of HCV infection; (2) type HCV-II was predominant followed by HCV-III as well as II/III mixed in HCV genotype distribution of Shenyang area. Different genotypes of HCV might be related to the severity of hepatitis C.

Atrophy of the corpus callosum, cortical hypometabolism, and cognitive impairment in corticobasal degeneration

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether atrophy of the corpus callosum is associated with cognitive impairment and cerebral cortical hypometabolism in corticobasal degeneration.

DESIGN

Prospective clinicoradiological correlation with magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography.

SETTING

A university hospital.

PATIENTS

Eight right-handed patients with clinically diagnosed corticobasal degeneration (mean+/-SD age, 64+/-8 years).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Midsagittal corpus callosum area-skull area ratio (on T1-weighted magnetic resonance images), the sum of the scaled scores of the 6 subtests on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (Digit Span, Arithmetic, Picture Arrangement, Object Assembly, Block Design, and Digit Symbol), and cerebral metabolic rate of glucose (measured with positron emission tomography by using fludeoxyglucose F 18 as a tracer).

RESULTS

Compared with 36 age-matched right-handed control subjects, the patients had significantly decreased callosal area-skull area ratio. The reduction in this ratio was greatest in the middle half of the corpus callosum. The atrophy of the corpus callosum was accompanied by a decreased mean cortical glucose metabolic rate with hemispheric asymmetry and a decrease in the sum of the scaled subtest scores of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised.

CONCLUSIONS

Atrophy of the corpus callosum with middle predominance is present in corticobasal degeneration, and this atrophy is associated with cognitive impairment and cerebral cortical hypometabolism with hemispheric asymmetry. Atrophy of the corpus callosum might reflect the severity of the disconnection between cortical regions, and this may be an important factor in the development of cerebral cortical dysfunction in corticobasal degeneration.

Mutations in rotavirus nonstructural glycoprotein NSP4 are associated with altered virus virulence

Rotaviruses are major pathogens causing life-threatening dehydrating gastroenteritis in children and animals. One of the nonstructural proteins, NSP4 (encoded by gene 10), is a transmembrane, endoplasmic reticulum-specific glycoprotein. Recently, our laboratory has shown that NSP4 causes diarrhea in 6- to 10-day-old mice by functioning as an enterotoxin. To confirm the role of NSP4 in rotavirus pathogenesis, we sequenced gene 10 from two pairs of virulent and attenuated porcine rotaviruses, the OSU and Gottfried strains. Comparisons of the NSP4 sequences from these two pairs of rotaviruses suggested that structural changes between amino acids (aa) 131 and 140 are important in pathogenesis. We next expressed the cloned gene 10 from the OSU virulent (OSU-v) and OSU attenuated (OSU-a) viruses by using the baculovirus expression system and compared the biological activities of the purified proteins. NSP4 from OSU-v virus increased intracellular calcium levels over 10-fold in intestinal cells when added exogenously and 6-fold in insect cells when expressed endogenously, whereas NSP4 from OSU-a virus had little effect. NSP4 from OSU-v caused diarrhea in 13 of 23 neonatal mice, while NSP4 from OSU-a caused disease in only 4 of 25 mice (P < 0.01). These results suggest that avirulence is associated with mutations in NSP4. Results from site-directed mutational analyses showed that mutated OSU-v NSP4 with deletion or substitutions in the region of aa 131 to 140 lost its ability to increase intracellular calcium levels and to induce diarrhea in neonatal mice, confirming the importance of amino acid changes from OSU-v NSP4 to OSU-a NSP4 in the alteration of virus virulence.

Evidence that HetR protein is an unusual serine-type protease

The hetR gene plays a very important role in cell differentiation of heterocystous cyanobacteria. To understand the mechanism of the hetR gene product in regulation of heterocyst differentiation, the recombinant HetR protein (rHetR) was overproduced in Escherichia coli. Purified rHetR was unstable and degraded easily in solution. Phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride, a serine-type protease inhibitor, prevented the degradation and was shown to modify covalently rHetR. Dansyl fluoride (DnsF), another serine-type protease inhibitor, also covalently modifies rHetR as shown by electrophoresis and electroblotting of the labeled rHetR and by MS. The labeling of rHetR with phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride and DnsF was at the same site of rHetR and required Ca2+. S179N-rHetR, a mutant protein from strain 216 of Anabaena PCC 7120, which cannot differentiate heterocysts because of the mutation, was also overproduced and characterized. Although S170N-rHetR still can be labeled with DnsF, no proteolysis was observed, suggesting that Ser179 is involved in proteolytic activity. DnsF-labeled rHetR was digested with trypsin, and the labeled peptide was isolated and sequenced. The labeled peptide matches a sequence from HetR. These results show that HetR is a protease.

Functional implications of the 21-24 loop in recombinant prochymosin

To investigate the role of the 21-24 (pepsin numbering) loop in prochymosin, the amino acid residues GTPP at positions 21 through 24 were replaced with GG, the equivalent loop residues from its homologous protein, penicillopepsin, or SG, GS by site-directed mutagenesis. The mutants except GTPP(21-24)GS could be expressed in Escherichia coli. Activation studies indicated that the refolded prochymosin mutants were capable of undergoing autocatalytic activation to produce pseudochymosin by cleaving its N-terminal 27 amino acid residues at pH 2. The resulting pseudochymosin mutants were able to convert into chymosin at pH 5.5 by further autocatalytic cleavage to remove additional 15 amino acid residues. These results demonstrate that the prochymosin analogs can fold into an active state from an unfolded state and that the pseudochymosin analogs can proceed in the transformation from one active form into another active form. Spectroscopic analyses revealed that after mutation the far UV CD spectrum of prochymosin was considerably modified, showing less negative ellipticity values, and the fluorescence emission intensities of prochymosin and pseudochymosin were remarkably reduced. The stabilities of prochymosin and pseudochymosin, especially, were dramatically decreased. The stabilization energy of prochymosin was reduced by 7-8 kJ/mol. The inactivation temperature of pseudochymosin was decreased by 15-20 degrees C. The wild-type pseudochymosin was stable at pH 1.5 and 6.5, whereas the mutants were completely inactivated at the same pH values. Taken together, it is reasonable to conclude that the 21-24 loop (GTPP) plays an important role in determining the stability of prochymosin and pseudochymosin, although the mutants with mutated loop (GG or SG) still can refold into an active conformation.

Killing of Staphylococcus aureus by C-8-methoxy fluoroquinolones

C-8-methoxy fluoroquinolones were more lethal than C-8-bromine, C-8-ethoxy, and C-8-H derivatives for Staphylococcus aureus, especially when topoisomerase IV was resistant. The methoxy group also increased lethality against wild-type cells when protein synthesis was inhibited. These properties encourage refinement of C-8-methoxy fluoroquinolones to kill staphylococci.

Clinicopathological study of renal involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis

OBJECTIVE

To assess the incidence of renal involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) as well as its clinical and pathological changes.

METHODS

The renal involvement was studied clinicopathologically in 93 patients who were compatible with the diagnosis of SSc retrospectively.

RESULTS

Eighteen patients (19.4%) were diagnosed as renal involvement by one or more of the following: proteinuria, renal hypertension, elevated levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and/or serum creatinine (sCr). Renal impairment was observed in 5 patients (5.4%). The mortality rate was 12.9%, and 5 patients died of renal failure. Histological study was performed in 5 patients. The thickening of interlobular arterioles with intimal proliferation was found in 4 of the patients who also showed mild nonspecific glomerular changes. Two had no clinical features of renal involvement, 1 had renal hypertension and 1 died of renal failure. Another patient with a 22-year disease duration showed chronic glomerulonephritis with nephrosclerosis.

CONCLUSIONS

SSc patients should be followed-up clinically and renal biopsy performed if necessary in order to discover early renal involvement and to insert rational therapy to improve its prognosis.

Primary Sjögren's syndrome and its lymphoid malignancy: a report of four cases

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the incidence and spectrum of malignancy of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS).

METHODS

250 pSS who were followed-up in Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital were analyzed.

RESULTS

Four of them were diagnosed with histopathological findings of 2 non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, 1 AILD, 1 multiple myeloma. Two died of secondary infection while receiving chemotherapy for lymphoma, 2 remained remitted.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk factors were persistent enlargement of major salivary glands, appearance of monoclonal serum lg, and disappearance of auto antibodies.

Anti-Sa antibody in Chinese rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

To test anti-Sa antibody in different autoimmune connective tissue diseases and analyze the relationship between Sa antibody and clinical manifestations and laboratory tests in rheumatoid arthritis.

METHOD

Sa antigen was extracted from human placenta. Anti-Sa antibody was tested in 40 normal people and 478 connective tissue disease (CTD) patients using Western Blotting (WB).

RESULTS

Sa antigen was a protein with molecular weights of 50 kD and 55 kD. Anti-Sa antibody was positive in 31.9% (61/191) rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 3.0% (2/67) Sjögren's syndrome (SS), 4.3% (2/46) systemic lupus erythmatosus (SLE) and 0% (0/66) Behcet's disease, 0% (0/60) polymyositis/dermatomyositis (PM/DM), 0% (0/66) other CTD and 0% (0/40) normal controls. Anti-Sa antibody was different from other auto-antibodies in RA. In rheumatoid arthritis its sensitivity, specificity, positive prediction rate, negative prediction rate were 31.9%, 98.6%, 93.8% and 68.5% respectively. Anti-Sa antibody positive patients were significantly different from anti-Sa antibody negative patients in moming stiffness, ESR, ANA and X-ray grade.

CONCLUSION

Anti-Sa antibody was a new auto-antibody for the diagnosis of RA. Anti-Sa antibody positive patients seem to have more serious inflammation and more advanced disease process.

Clinical manifestations and immunological features of primary Sjögren's syndrome with liver involvement: analysis of thirty cases

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the incidence, severity, clinical manifestations and immunological features relevant to liver involvement in 135 cases of primary Sjögren's syndrome.

METHODS

One hundred and thirty-five patients with definite primary Sjögren's syndrome were analyzed retrospectively for liver involvement by the abnormalities of the liver enzymes, bilirubin level and liver biopsied section.

RESULTS

The liver involvement in 30 patients (22.2%) could be etiologically ascribed to Sjögren's syndrome itself. The clinical spectrum and severity of this entity differed widely, 36.6% showed no relevant clinical symptoms, however jaundice was found in 46.7% of patients. Six patients showed pathological changes of chronic active hepatitis. 73.3% of all patients with liver involvement responded to steroid and immunosuppressive drugs, yet with a tendency to relapse (two cases). Liver cirrhosis was developed in five cases. The spectrum of serum autoantibodies in the patients with liver involvement showed no difference from those without liver involvement. Most of them were compatible with the serum profile of autoimmune hepatitis type-1.

CONCLUSIONS

Liver involvement was complicated in 22.2% patients of primary Sjögren's syndrome. Clinical manifestations were non-specific and the main pathological change was chronic active hepatitis. The differential diagnosis between Sjögren's syndrome with liver involvement and type-1 autoimmune hepatitis could be only ascribed to other systemic clinical manifestations of Sjögren's syndrome.

Modulation of resuscitative effect of diaspirin cross-linked hemoglobin by L-NAME in rats

Diaspirin Cross-linked Hemoglobin (DCLHb), a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier, improves regional blood circulation and systemic hemodynamics in normal and hemorrhaged rats. The action of DCLHb is partly mediated by its scavenging effect on nitric oxide. This study was undertaken to determine the effect of DCLHb on nitric oxide mechanism in hemorrhagic conditions. We studied the modulation of cardiovascular effects of DCLHb by a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) in hemorrhaged rats. The base deficit, survival time, oxygen consumption, and blood circulation to the brain, heart, gastrointestinal tract, and kidneys were determined in 1) DCLHb (100 mg/kg, intravenously (i.v.), 2) L-NAME (2 mg/kg, i.v.), 3) L-NAME (2 mg/kg, i.v.) + DCLHb (100 mg/kg, i.v.), and 4) L-arginine (100 mg/kg/h, i.v.) + DCLHb (100 mg/kg, i.v.) treated rats. Hemorrhage was induced in urethane-anesthetized male rats by bleeding them at a rate of approximately .5 to 1 mL/min, until a mean arterial pressure of 35-40 mmHg was achieved. This blood pressure was maintained for 30 min. Sham-operated nonhemorrhaged rats survived for >300 min, whereas hemorrhaged rats survived for only 85+/-31 min. Hemorrhage significantly increased base deficit and decreased oxygen consumption. A significant decrease in heart rate, mean arterial pressure, cardiac output, stroke volume, and in blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys was observed after hemorrhage. Resuscitation with DCLHb produced a significant increase in survival time, oxygen consumption, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, cardiac output, total peripheral resistance, and blood flow to the brain, heart, and kidneys. In contrast, resuscitation with L-NAME did not improve base deficit, survival time, oxygen consumption, systemic hemodynamics, or regional blood flow. L-arginine pretreatment did not affect DCLHb-induced resuscitation of hemorrhaged rats. Furthermore, L-NAME (pretreated or co-administered) attenuated the resuscitative effect of DCLHb. These data suggest that nitric oxide mechanism may not be the only mechanism involved in the resuscitative effect of DCLHb.

Crystal structure of R22L trichosanthin

Crystals of R22L TCS were grown by vapour diffusion method. X-ray diffraction data were collected to 0.191 nm resolution on a Siemens X-200B area detector. The XENGEN programme was applied to data processing; the data were used to 0.22 nm. The structure was determined by the difference Fourier method and refined using X-PLOR programme. The final R factor was 0.182. The rms deviation of bond length and bond angle were 0.0013 nm and 2.770 degrees respectively. In R22L TCS, two water molecules occupy the space left by Arg changed to Leu. The side chain of Gin168 rotates abut 50 degrees . The OE2 atom of Glu168 links to the NZ atom of Lya165 through water molecule. The new hydrogen bond net partially replaces the Arg22 function. The effect of the conservative hydrogen bonds between secondary structures on the conformation of active pocket was discussed.

[Clinical significance of serum anti-mycobacterium tuberculosis antibody in diagnosis of tuberculosis]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the significance of measuring serum antilipoarabinomannan IgG (LAM-IgG), an anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis antibody, in diagnosis of tuberculosis.

METHOD

Sensitivity and specificity of the antibody in diagnosis of tuberculosis were detected. Results of the antibody detection, sputum smear and PPD examination were compared, and the relationship between the level of the antibody and the situation of the disease was also observed.

RESULT

The sensitivity of the antibody in diagnosis of tuberculosis was found to be 71.9%, while the specificity 91.9%. The consistent rates of the antibody with sputum smear and PPD test were 80.2% and 61.6% respectively. The level of the antibody was related with the situation of the disease.

CONCLUSION

Detection of the antibody is helpful for diagnosing tuberculosis and can be used to evaluate the prognosis of the disease.

Detection and identification of enteroviruses RNA by using polymerase chain reaction

For rapid diagnosis of enteroviral infection in clinic practice, we developed a reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. Primers homologous to the conserved 5' non-coding region were designed by analyzing enteroviral genomes, and then they were used to enzymatically amplify RNA from 31 prototype enteroviral strains and enteroviruses (EV) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 34 cases of aseptic meningitis and 11 cases of aseptic encephalitis. The RT-PCR products generated with these enteroviral primers were analyzed by agar gel electrophoresis and dot blot hybridization analysis. 31 EV strains showed an obvious monoclonal amplification band, and all dot blot hybridization results were positive. Four other viruses and cells cultured were all negative. The study of sensitivity of the RT-PCR showed that amplification production were positive to 10(-2)-10(-3) 50% tissue culture infective doses. With this assay, 21 (61.8%) of 34 aseptic meningitis and 8 (72.7%) of 11 aseptic encephalitis contained EV RNA in CSF samples. Two cases of meningitis and one of encephalitis with EV infection were still positive during convalescence. Our results suggest that this RT-PCR method was a fast, sensitive and specific technique for detection of common EV infection.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and interferon alpha in children with viral hepatitis

To investigate the cellular immunological changes in children with viral hepatitis, interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 8 (IL-8), interferon alpha (IFN alpha), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) in supernatant of cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 49 children with hepatitis A, B or C were measured. The levels of IL-6, IL-8, TNF alpha in PBMCs of the 3 viral hepatitis groups were increased and the level of IFN alpha decreased as compared with those of normal control group. But there were no significant differences among the 3 viral hepatitis groups. It was concluded that cellular immunological disorders were related to the onset and the induced damage of the viral hepatitis in children.

Cytomegalovirus infection in children's liver tissues

Immunoperoxidase histochemical assay with monoclonal antibody against human cytomaglovirus (HCMV) was used to detect immediate early antigen (IEA) and early antigen (EA) of HCMV infection in liver tissue of 72 pediatric cases (34 autopsies and 38 biopsies). The HCMV antigen was positive in 25% (18/27). Among them, 12 cases were both HCMV-IEA and EA positive; 4 were HCMV-IEA positive and 2 HCMV-EA positive only. Liver HCMV infection rate in neonates, the infants with the age < 1 year and > 1 year was 8.0%, 60.0%, and 14.8%, respectively, indicating that liver HCMV infection occurred at various ages. The liver HCMV infection rate in different diseases was 50.0% in infantile hepatitis syndrome; 70.0% in extrabiliary malformation, and 12.5% in other hepatopathies, suggesting that infantile hepatitis syndrome and extrabiliary malformation were related with HCMV infection in liver tissues.

Expression of MUC1 and MUC2 mucins in epithelial ovarian tumours

This is the first study to describe the association between expression of MUC1 and MUC2 mucins and prognosis in ovarian cancer. Paraffin sections of epithelial ovarian tumours (n = 182: 29 benign, 21 low malignant potential, and 132 invasive tumours) were analysed immunohistochemically for expression of MUC1 and MUC2 mucin core proteins. Most benign, low malignant potential, and invasive tumours showed high MUC1 expression in the cytoplasm. Low cytoplasmic expression of MUC1 was a predictor for good prognosis, particularly within stage III tumours. A minority of benign epithelial tumours, but most low malignant potential and invasive non-mucinous tumours, showed high MUC1 expression on the cell membrane. High apical MUC1 reactivity was associated with non-mucinous tumours. Low expression of MUC1 in the apical membrane was associated with early stage and good outcome for invasive tumours. Most benign and low malignant potential tumours, but only a minority of invasive tumours, showed MUC2 expression. MUC2 was found in non-mucinous as well as in mucinous tumours. The presence of MUC2 was inversely associated with high tumour grade but was not associated with altered survival. These results support experimental evidence that MUC1 influences the metastatic ability of ovarian cancer.

[The influence of teeth positions to lower complete denture retention and health of supporting tissues]

Three kinds of three dimension finite element models of edentulous mandibile and the complete denture were established to investigate the influence of artificial teeth positions to denture retention and the supporting tissue. Ten myodynamic and traditional complete dentures were constructed to compare the difference of artificial teeth positions to alveolar ridge. The results indicated: 1. The stress was not obvious different in mandible when teeth were placed over the crest of the ridge or moved lingually or buccally to the ridge in 3 mm; 2. Under occlusion force, it was beneficial for the lower supporting tissue with artificial molars being placed over the slope of mandible and beneficial for denture retention with molars teeth being placed on the crest of ridge buccally; 3. With the effects of oral muscles, the teeth on the crest of ridge buccally or lingually in 3 mm in molar and premolar regions were respectively available; 4. There were obvious difference in arch width of artificial teeth arrangement between traditional and myodynamic complete dentures, the arch was wider in myodynamic complete denture than that of traditional complete denture at molar region.

Transcriptional regulation of the HOX4C gene by basic fibroblast growth factor on rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts

OBJECTIVE

To examine the expression of genes of the HOX D cluster in the synovial tissue of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to determine whether basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) influences the expression and transcriptional regulation of the gene.

METHODS

The expression of genes of the HOX D cluster, including HOX4C, HOX4D, HOX4H, and HOX4I, was determined in the synovium of 4 patients with RA and 4 with osteoarthritis (OA) by in situ reverse transcription (RT) and RT-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The induction of HOX4C messenger RNA (mRNA) by bFGF was determined by RT-PCR. The binding activity of a transcriptional regulator of the HOX4C gene, C2, was analyzed by the mobility shift assay. NIH-3T3 cells transfected with a construct containing C2 binding sequence were incubated with bFGF, and the activity of the reporter was measured by luciferase assay.

RESULTS

Using an in situ RT assay, specific expression of HOX4C mRNA was detected in 3 of 4 RA synovial samples, whereas none of the OA synovia expressed HOX4C. HOX4D, HOX4H, and HOX4I genes were expressed in all synovial samples from RA and OA patients. The presence of HOX4C mRNA was also confirmed by RT-PCR and Southern blotting. Treatment with bFGF increased the expression of HOX4C mRNA in RA fibroblasts. The mobility shift assay and luciferase assay showed that bFGF enhanced C2 binding activity and significantly increased the transcriptional activity on RA fibroblasts.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that HOX4C is involved in synovial hyperplasia, and that the transcriptional regulation of HOX4C genes by bFGF may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of RA.