Antioxidative effects of black tea theaflavins and thearubigin on lipid peroxidation of rat liver homogenates induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide

The antioxidative activity of theaflavins (TFs) and thearubigin (TR) purified from the infusion of black tea leaves was examined using the tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced lipid peroxidation of rat liver homogenates. The concentrations which produced 50% inhibition of lipid peroxidation (IC50) by theaflavin (TF), theaflavin monogallate-A (TFM-A), and TR were 4.88 x 10(-4), 4.09 x 10(-4), and 4.95 x 10(-4%) (w/v), respectively. The anti-oxidative activity of these compounds was higher than that of glutathione, L(+)-ascorbic acid, dl-alpha-tocopherol, butylated hydroxytoluene, butyl hydroxyanisole, etc., but was lower than the activity of (-)-epicatechin gallate, (-)-epigallocatechin, and (-)-epigallocatechin gallate. As to the IC50 in molarity, the antioxidative activity of TFM-A was the second highest among all the samples used in this study. The antioxidative activity of lyophilized tea infusions was compared. The activity of black tea was about as potent as that of green tea. These results suggest that black tea infusion containing TFs and TR could inhibit lipid peroxidation in biological conditions in the same way as green tea infusion containing epicatechins.

Studies on the influence of ovarian small cysts on endocrine in patients with polycystic ovaries

To clarify the influence of small follicular cysts in ovaries on endocrine in ovulatory patients with multifollicular ovaries (MFO), the comparative study of endocrine among ovulatory patients with MFO and anovulatory patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) were examined. In ovulatory patients with MFO, there was no significant correlation between the increase in the number of ovarian cysts and gonadotropin levels, however, estrone and androgen levels tended to increase as the number of cysts increased. LH levels in PCOS were significantly higher than those in patients with more than 10 small cysts; however, there was no significant difference in androgen levels between the two. It was suggested that MFO is a progressive disease and that the presence of more than 10 small follicular cysts in each ovary in ovulatory women may be latent PCOS.

Plasma androgens and sex hormone binding globulin in women with polycystic ovaries diagnosed by transvaginal ultrasound

In order to investigate the androgen and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels in the polycystic ovary, we compared the total testosterone, free testosterone and SHBG levels in three patterns of polycystic ovary diagnosed with transvaginal ultrasonography (18 in group 1, fewer than 5 cysts identified; 16 in group 2, 5-10 cysts; and 27 in group 3, 10 or more). Free testosterone, but not total testosterone, significantly correlated with body mass index. Androgen levels were found to increase and SHBG levels to decrease with increases in the amount of ovarian cysts, and the evaluation of free testosterone was important in diagnosing the polycystic ovary syndrome.

Immunological aspects of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

This article reviews the evidence from recent studies on immunological abnormalities associated with pathophysiologic mechanisms operating in three clinical subtypes of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) (polyarticular, pauciarticular and systemic). The main discussion is focused on three hallmarks of immunopathological studies. First, abnormalities in phenotype and function of lymphocytes from peripheral blood and inflamed synovium are discussed. The aberrations of lymphocytes are elucidated by T and B cells expressing phenotypic cell-markers such as CD20, CD21, CD4, CD8 and DR in association with different subtypes and disease activity. The functional imbalance and impairment of T and B cells are mainly observed by abnormal proliferation and/or in vitro Ig production in response to mitogens and alloantigens. Second, because the appearance of rheumatoid factors (RF) in serum indicates that the pathogenesis of JRA may be based on the autoimmune mechanism, the prevalence of RF including IgM, IgA and IgG isotype, hidden IgM RF and cross-reactive idiotype RF, and their characteristic properties are discussed. Moreover, specific auto-antibodies (antinuclear antibodies and others) for JRA are illustrated in this paper. Third, the production of various pro-inflammatory cytokines resulting in the release of tissue-damaging chemical mediators is also discussed. This may play a central role in the generation of systemic inflammation and joint involvement in JRA.

[A meningioma in the posterior fossa without dural attachment: case report]

An extremely rare case of a meningioma in the posterior fossa without dural attachment has been reported. The patient was a 56-year-old male whose chief manifestation was the abnormality of his CT scan. His past history included gastric and colonic polyp when he was 54, 55 years old, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma before hospitalization in our department. CT scan showed a small round non-enhancing lesion located at the lateral site of the right cerebellar cortex. T1 weighted image of MRI showed a homogeneous low intensity lesion with partial enhancing with Gd-DTPA. Proton image showed a remarkable low intensity lesion which showed an extramedullary mass. Right retromastoid craniectomy was performed. The mass was an extramedullary tumor which had no relation with the cerebellar cortex and dura matter. The arachnoid membrane around the tumor was intact. The tumor was totally resected and the patient had no neurological deficits. Histopathologically, the tumor was delineated into laminar structures by collagen fiber. Tumor cells were spindle in shape and made a whorling formation. There was no psammoma body and it had a hyperchromatic nuclei without mitotic features. Electron microscopic studies revealed no typical interdigitation but irregularity of the cell membrane. Abundant collagen fibers were in contact with basement membrane of the tumor. According to these findings, we diagnosed fibroblastic meningioma with atypical forms. Meningiomas without dural attachment are rare in adults, especially extremely rare of the posterior fossa. There are only 23 previous reports of "meningioma of the posterior fossa without dural attachment". Cantore divided these meningiomas into three groups (IV ventricle, inferior tela choroidea and cisterna magna).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Evaluation of sperm fertilizing capacity using the determination of acrosome reaction

To evaluate the usefulness of the determination of acrosome reaction (AR) at 2 and 4 hours of incubation for predicting sperm fertilizing capacity in vitro, semen samples obtained from 45 partners of couples participating in the IVF (in vitro fertilization) program were examined. The population was divided into 2 groups, depending on the fertilization rate in the IVF program: Group A, with a good fertilizing capacity (> or = 50% fertilized oocytes); and Group B, with a poor fertilizing capacity (< 50% fertilized oocytes). The rate of acrosome reaction (%AR) was examined using the fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated Concanavalin A lectin method. The efficacy of this procedure was compared with that of the zona-free hamster oocyte human sperm penetration assay (SPA) and sperm characteristics (SC) that appear in routine semen analysis. The sensitivities in the test of AR, SPA and SC were 91%, 86% and 82%, respectively. However, their specificities were 83%, 48% and 43%, respectively. Therefore, the screening procedure using the determination of acrosome reaction might be a useful tool in predicting IVF results.

Radiation therapy of the nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Treatment results and prognostic factors

Between September 1977 and December 1989, 89 consecutive patients of nasopharyngeal carcinoma were treated with radiation therapy. The study comprised of 66 males and 23 females; their ages ranged from 17 to 80 years (mean 55 years). Five-year survival rates according to stage were as follows: stages I and II (n = 10), 90%; stage III (n = 10), 43%; stage IV (n = 69), 47%. The important prognostic factors for predicting poor prognostic in this series, which were shown by stepwise proportional hazard (Cox) model, were the level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and neck node involvement. LDH level also influenced nodal failure (p = 0.0002) and distant metastasis (p = 0.006).

[Treatment of cancer by intraperitoneal infusion of anticancer drugs using an anti-adhesion sheet connected with a subcutaneously implanted reservoir]

Intraperitoneal infusion of anticancer drugs via a catheter fitted with a subcutaneously implanted reservoir, when repeated frequently, usually becomes increasingly more difficult to perform owing to the catheter's becoming more and more clogged. Moreover, intraperitoneally administered anticancer drugs give rise to severe intestinal adhesions, which in turn interfere with rapid, even and widespread diffusion of the infused drugs in the peritoneal cavity. With the aim of overcoming the difficulties and inconveniences with conventionally used apparatuses for the intraperitoneal administration of drugs, we tentatively manufactured a new apparatus for intraperitoneal drug infusion. A special protective sheet, devised by Tanaka, for the prevention of postoperative intestinal adhesion following abdominal surgery, is connected with a reservoir to be implanted in the subcutis. The apparatus is inserted into the peritoneal cavity of gastric patients with peritoneal dissemination to allow it to remain in place therein. Treatment with anticancer drugs administered intraperitoneally with the use of this device proved apparently more successful than without it, resulting in improvement of QOL, disappearance of ascites, shrinkage in the size of tumor mass and depressed serum levels of a tumor marker, CA 19-9. The sheet was thus found to have the advantages of permitting safe repeated administration of anticancer drugs, even and extensive drug delivery to the peritoneal cavity, sampling of intraperitoneal cancer cells and ascitic fluid without inconvenience, and easy-to-perform continual infusion of anticancer drugs at the outpatient service.

Purification and sequence determination of heat-stable enterotoxin elaborated by a cholera toxin-producing strain of Vibrio cholerae O1

Four molecular species of heat-stable enterotoxins elaborated by a cholera toxin-producing strain of Vibrio cholerae O1 were isolated from its culture supernatant. The amino acid sequence of one of the enterotoxins was determined to be Phe-Ile-Lys-Gln-Val-Asp-Glu-Asn-Gly-Asn-Leu-Ile-Asp-Cys-Cys-Glu-Ile-Cys- Cys-Asn-Pro-Ala-Cys-Phe-Gly-Cys-Leu-Asn with three intramolecular disulfide linkages. The other enterotoxins had shorter amino acid sequences in the N-terminal regions, but possessed the same sequence in their C-terminal regions including the three disulfide linkages. The enterotoxins with the shorter N-terminal sequences showed more potent toxicities, and the minimum effective dose of the longest one with 28 amino acid residues was 10-folds of that of the shortest one.

Peripheral catecholamine metabolites and menstrual irregularity in patients with polycystic ovaries

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the catecholamine status of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

DESIGN

Three parallel groups with polycystic ovary were diagnosed by ultrasound: (a) 5 patients with regularly ovulatory menstruation; (b) 10 with anovulatory menstruation; (c) 13 with secondary amenorrhea who responded to progestagen with withdrawal bleeding. Blood samples for measurement of LH, testosterone, and catecholamine metabolites were drawn during cycle days 4-7.

RESULTS

(1) Serum LH and testosterone of the patient groups (b) and (c) were significantly higher than those of controls. (2) Plasma 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol (DOPEG) and the DOPEG/DOPAC ratio were elevated in patients, and DOPAC levels were reduced. However, there was no significant difference of catecholamine metabolites among the three patient groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The androgen status in polycystic ovary diagnosed by ultrasound is correlated, but catecholamine status is not correlated, with the menstrual irregularity of polycystic ovary syndrome.

[Experiment on validity of skin resistance level as an index of arousal level]

It is important in establishing and improving work management and work planning to estimate the arousal level of workers during operation and monitoring tasks. This paper proposes a technique based on experimental results to estimate the arousal level during job execution. In this experiment, both a monotonous low workload task which degrades the arousal level and a high workload task which has an awakening action were alternately applied to five subjects for three hours. Skin resistance level (SRL) as an index of arousal level of the autonous nervous system was measured with subjective drowsiness and task performance, that is, signal omission probability for low workload task and both reaction time and error probability for high workload task, as indexes of arousal level of the central nervous system. The following results were obtained. (1) The results suggested that SRL as an index of arousal level of the autonous nervous system is significantly related and correlated with subjective drowsiness and signal omission probability as indexes of arousal level of the central nervous system. (2) The average reaction time and the error probability tended to increase by the application of high workload when the arousal level was degraded. The influence of degraded arousal continued for a short time and showed an unfavorable effect on task execution. The degree of this influence, however, differed between subjects. (3) SRL can be used as an index of arousal level of the autonous nervous system because the measurement is comparatively easy and is little influenced by artifacts due to body movements. (4) Using SRL at initial high workload period as the standard value, it is possible to quantify the SRL value at arbitrary time by estimating how many times the standard value goes into the SRL value. Based on this quantified value as an index of arousal level, comparison with task performance can be made. The proposed index of arousal level of the autonous nervous system showed a significant correlation with indexes of the central nervous system. This technique can be applied to various kinds of estimation on human characteristics accompanied with changes in arousal level.

[Voice rehabilitation with esophageal speech in the laryngectomized]

From January 1988 to December 1990, 186 patients with laryngeal cancer or hypopharyngeal cancer underwent total laryngectomy in our hospital. We studied voice restoration in 110 of these patients by means of a direct interview method at the end of 1991. Seventy-six cases were excluded because of death (70) or being lost to follow-up (6). About 80% of the patients (89/110) attended esophageal speech classes, with a success rate of 78% (69/89). Seventy-four percent (51/69) had no problems with daily oral communication using esophageal speech. Neither radiation therapy nor post operative pharyngocutaneous fistula formation influenced the success rate. Neither did the site of the primary tumor in the larynx or hypopharynx exert an influence, although patients with laryngeal cancer were superior to those with hypopharyngeal cancer in terms of the quality of esophageal speech. It was found that age was the most important factor. Patients below 60 years old had a 90% success rate, between 60 and 75 the rate was 60% and above 75 it was only 10%. Unfortunately, 15% (17/110) of the laryngectomized patients used a pen and pad alone. Most were too old to attend esophageal speech classes.

Morphological assessment of polycystic ovary using transvaginal ultrasound

A total of 104 patients with bilateral polycystic ovaries (PCO) diagnosed by transvaginal ultrasound were classified into four groups (A < 5 cysts, B 5-10 cysts, C > 10 cysts located under ovarian capsule, D numerous cysts distributed all over the ovary) according to the number of microcysts. Ovarian volume, clinical features (menstrual disturbance, obesity and hirsutism), endocrine levels [luteinizing hormone (LH), LH/follicle stimulating hormone ratio, testosterone, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate] and response to clomiphene were compared for each group and 17 control subjects with normal ovulatory cycles. Ovarian volume in PCO subjects was significantly larger than that in control subjects. As the number of microcysts increased, the ovarian volume enlarged and the endocrine abnormality worsened. All endocrine parameters in PCO subjects with menstrual disturbances were significantly higher than those in PCO subjects without menstrual disturbances and controls. In PCO subjects without menstrual disturbances only androstenedione was significantly higher than in controls. Among PCO subjects, the frequency of menstrual disturbances, the percentage of response to clomiphene and the pregnancy rate in groups C and D were significantly higher than in groups A and B. Therefore, screening the ovaries in infertile patients by means of transvaginal ultrasound and subsequent assessment of morphology in PCO may suggest endocrine abnormality and help in selecting the proper treatment.

Possible involvement of protein kinase C with induction of haptoglobin in cows by treatment with dexamethasone and by starvation

Haptoglobin (Hp), an acute-phase protein, is detected in serum of cows with hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver). To assess the relevance of Hp in fatty liver, induction of Hp was examined, using conditions similar to those involving development of fatty liver in cows. Induction of Hp was achieved by a combination of dexamethasone administration (0.1 mg/kg of body weight) and 2 days' starvation. Haptoglobin appearance in serum was not associated with the increase of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (a marker for inflammation). This treatment increased serum nonesterified fatty acids concentration and decreased serum triglycerides concentration. Protein kinase C activity was decreased in the cytosolic fractions of liver and mononuclear cells. Reduction of protein kinase C-catalyzed endogenous protein phosphorylation also was observed, particularly in the cytosolic fractions of the tissue and cells. Detection of Hp in serum of cows with fatty liver appears to be explained by the fact that Hp is induced by dexamethasone administration and starvation, which are similar to the condition responsible for fatty liver development. The change of protein kinase C-catalyzed phosphorylation was suggested to be involved in the induction of Hp in cows.

Usefulness of fecal alpha-1-antitrypsin for detection of gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with gastric cancer

Hemoglobin (Hb), albumin (Alb), immunoglobulin G (IgG) and alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) were measured in 87 fecal samples from 29 normal volunteers and 68 fecal samples from 33 patients with gastric cancer before surgery to evaluate the usefulness of fecal AAT as an indicator of gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with gastric cancer. Mean values and standard deviation of fecal Hb, Alb, IgG and AAT in normal volunteers were 0.13 +/- 1.19 micrograms/g, 6.96 +/- 20.48 micrograms/g, 17.52 +/- 10.16 micrograms/g, and 0.483 +/- 0.315 mg/g, respectively. These parameters in the patients with gastric cancer were significantly higher than those in the normal volunteers. No statistically significant correlations were observed between these fecal parameters, except between fecal Alb and IgG. Data obtained from peripheral blood also showed no significant correlation with these fecal parameters. When the cut-off levels of fecal Hb, Alb, IgG and AAT were set at M + 2SD of the values obtained from the normal volunteers, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 80.0%, 86.2% and 84.1% for fecal AAT, and 66.7%, 96.6% and 86.4% for fecal Hb in the patients with advanced gastric cancer in a cohort consisting of patients with advanced gastric carcinoma and normal volunteers. Since fecal AAT showed higher sensitivity in patients with advanced gastric cancer with a low number of false negative cases, we concluded that measurement of fecal AAT could be a promising method for assessment of gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with advanced gastric carcinoma instead of immunological detection of fecal Hb.

Expression of cell adhesion molecules in the salivary and lacrimal glands of Sjogren's syndrome

We attempted to determine whether cell adhesion molecules, including vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and E-selectin (endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1; ELAM-1), are involved in the lymphoid cell infiltration of the salivary and lacrimal glands in Sjogren's syndrome (SS) patients. Both immunohistochemical analysis and the reverse-transcripts polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to analyze the expression of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, ELAM-1, very late antigen 4 (VLA-4 [alpha 4,beta 1]), lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta). Immunohistochemical analysis of salivary gland biopsies from SS patients showed a marked expression of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 in the venules surrounded by infiltrated CD4+ CD45RO+ T cells. E-selectin was expressed on vascular endothelium with weak intensity. Increased levels of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, IFN-gamma, and IL-1 beta mRNA were demonstrated by RT-PCR, whereas E-selectin mRNA were weakly expressed in SS lacrimal and salivary gland tissues. This is in contrast with strong expression of ELAM-1 in IL-1 beta-stimulated human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC) in vitro. Cytokine-mediated up-regulation of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 that facilitates the recruitment of VLA-4 and LFA-1 expressing T cells might contribute to lymphoid cell infiltration in the salivary and lacrimal glands in SS.

[Natural killer cell activity in severely handicapped children: correlation with malnutrition and frequent infections]

We studied natural killer cell (NK) activity in 20 severely handicapped children and investigated the relationship between NK activity and malnutrition. We divided our patients into two groups with regard to frequency of infections: high frequency group (group 1) and low frequency group (group 2). NK activity in group 1 was low in comparison with group 2. Calorie intake and Rohrer's index were lower in group 1. Serum albumin (Alb) and iron (Fe) in group 1 were also lower than those in group 2, and serum zinc (Zn) and hemoglobin (Hb) were slightly lower in group 1. NK activity was positively correlated with calorie intake, Alb, Zn and Hb. Six patients with low NK activity were given supplementary diet; two patients were given protein-enriched diet; three patients were given protein-enriched diet and zinc sulfate; one patient was given increased diet. NK activity rose in 4 patients. These results indicated that the depression of NK activity was associated with frequent infections and correlated with nutritional conditions of the severely handicapped children.

Accumulation of (E)-4-hydroxy-2-nonenal and n-hexanal, degradation products of lipid peroxides, in mouse lung and liver

Effects of lipid peroxide breakdown products, (E)-4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HN) and n-hexanal, on mouse lung lesion were examined. When 4-HN was injected i.v., the plasma level of 4-HN increased just after the injection and then decreased immediately. The amounts of 4-HN increased in the liver and lung were ca. 0.085 and 0.43% to the dose administered, respectively, 5 min after the injection. Reduced glutathione (GSH) content and both GSH peroxidase (GSH-Px) and GSH reductase (GSSGR) activities in the lung were decreased significantly by 4-HN treatment. On the other hand, in the case of i.v. injection of n-hexanal into mice, the amount of n-hexanal detected in the lung was 5.0% to that of 4-HN, and no effect on the activities of GSH-Px and GSSGR and the content of GSH was observed. These results suggest that 4-HN generated from lipid peroxides would be transferred into the lung and cause the lung lesion through the inhibition of GSH-dependent antioxidative defense systems.

[Effect of diaphragmatic fatigue on ventilatory response to carbon dioxide]

To clarify the effect of respiratory muscle fatigue on ventilatory response to carbon dioxide, we performed CO2 rebreathing study before and after diaphragmatic fatigue in nine healthy males. Diaphragmatic fatigue was induced by inspiratory resistor loading and confirmed by the increase in Tension Time Index and the decrease in Pdi max at FRC. The effects of diaphragmatic fatigue were as follows: 1) S and B value of VE-CO2 curve did not change. 2) P1-CO2 curve shifted to the left but the slope of the curve did not change. 3) delta Ppl response to CO2 decreased, but delta Pdi response to CO2 did not change. 4) The increase in respiratory accessory muscle EMG was more prominent, compared to diaphragmatic EMG. 5) Rib cage movement became more marked. In conclusion, diaphragmatic fatigue (with 60 percent decrease in Pdi max at FRC) does not affect on ventilatory response to carbon dioxide. To maintain the homeostasis of the chemical ventilatory feedback system, diaphragmatic dysfunction is compensated by the increased activity of respiratory accessory muscles with possible increase in neural drive.

Endogenous urinary 3-hydroxyproline has 96% specificity and 44% sensitivity for cancer screening

A method for determining the endogenous urinary excretion levels of both 3-hydroxyproline and 4-hydroxyproline that may be useful for cancer screening of the general population and at the workplace is evaluated in this report. The excretion levels of 3-hydroxyproline and 4-hydroxproline were estimated in 97 patients with cancer and in 99 patients with various nonmalignant diseases and were compared with those of 211 healthy persons. Measurable 3-hydroxyproline peaks (by amino acid autoanalyzer) were absent from 93 samples from 211 healthy persons (44%), 50 of 99 patients with nonmalignant disease (50%), and 10 of 96 patients with cancer (10%). The levels of both 3-hydroxyproline and 4-hydroxyproline in cancer patients were significantly higher than those in healthy persons (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively) and those in patients with nonmalignant diseases (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). Cancer patients were classified into three groups according to grade of cancer growth and invasion. The sensitivity of 3-hydroxyproline was 44% and higher than that of 4-hydroxyproline for the detection of stage II cancers (no distant metastasis); the sensitivities of both hydroxyprolines for the detection of stage I (very early cancer) were low. The specificity of these assays for healthy persons and patients with nonmalignant disease was 96% and 92% for 3-hydroxyproline, and 97% and 79% for 4-hydroxyproline, respectively. Urinary 3-hydroxyproline level should be further investigated as a cancer screening method for healthy persons in the community or the workplace, but appears unlikely to detect many cancers in the earliest stages.

Efficient production of a small peptide by expression as a multimeric form fused with the dihydrofolate reductase affinity handle

A pentapeptide which potently inhibits primary IgE antibody formation, Asp-Ser-Asp-Gly-Lys (DSDGK), has been efficiently produced with the aid of the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) handle [M. Iwakura, et al. (1992) J. Biochem. 111, 37-45]. The genes coding fused proteins comprising DHFR and multimeric forms of DSDGK, namely, DHFR-(DSDGK)3, DHFR-(DSDGK)14, and DHFR-(DSDGK)28, were constructed and expressed in Escherichia coli. The C-terminal peptides attached to DHFR did not affect the expression or the function of the DHFR handle, even when the length of the C-terminal peptide was as long as 160 amino acid residues. The fused proteins were easily purified by methotrexate affinity chromatography, one of the major advantages of the DHFR handle. The fused proteins were digested with trypsin and the monomeric peptide, DSDGK, was purified by HPLC. The yields of the peptide were estimated to be 11, 43, and 99 mg per 1 gram of the total cell proteins from E. coli cells producing DHFR-(DSDGK)3, DHFR-(DSDGK)14, and DHFR-(DSDGK)28, respectively.

Endocrinological environment with regard to the number of microcysts in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Androgen, oestrogen and gonadotrophin levels in patients with the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) were compared with those in normal ovulatory women (controls), and were correlated with the number of microcysts in the polycystic ovaries studied. The androgen levels (testosterone, delta 4-androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate), oestrogen levels (oestrone and oestrone/oestradiol-17 ratio) and gonadotrophin levels [luteinizing hormone (LH) and LH/follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio] of PCOS patients were significantly higher than those of controls. The number of microcysts in polycystic ovaries was significantly correlated with androstenedione, which in turn was also significantly correlated with LH and LH/FSH ratio. These correlations may play a part in the maintenance of chronic anovulation in PCOS.