Biological and receptor-binding activities of human interleukin-2 mutated at residues 20Asp, 125Cys or 127Ser

We have used site-directed mutagenesis to analyse structure-function relationships of the human Interleukin-2 molecule. The mutations introduced targetted residue 20Asp, within the N-terminal A helix, as well as residues 125Cys and 127Ser in the C-terminal D helix. The results presented here demonstrate that destabilizing the C-terminus alpha helix through introduction of Pro residues in either positions 125 or 127 reduced the biological activity of IL-2 by a factor of 10 that was correlated with a decreased ability to bind the receptor. A number of substitutions in position 20 have an even more drastic effect on biological activity and receptor binding. However, specific substitutions such as 20Asn and 20Leu displayed a differential effect on human or mouse IL-2 receptors. Furthermore, 20Leu IL-2 was found to behave as a partial antagonist of natural IL-2 when tested on murine cells.

Population and family studies of three disease-related polymorphic genes in systemic lupus erythematosus

The contribution to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) of three lupus-associated polymorphisms (involving the C4A2 complement component, Humhv3005 and the T cell antigen receptor alpha chain gene) are investigated in 81 individuals from 14 multiplex SLE families, 41 unrelated lupus patients, and 88 unrelated healthy controls. The results show a strong association between C4A deletion and SLE in these families. While the current study confirms the previously reported association between hv3005 deletion and sporadic SLE, the study fails to support this association in familial SLE patients. Moreover, no correlation is detected between the occurrence of hv3005 deletion and C4A null alleles in lupus patients, suggesting that the effects of these genetic polymorphisms on predisposition to lupus are independent. The previously reported lupus-associated T cell receptor (TCR) alpha chain polymorphism is not detected in any of the individuals studied here. The combined data suggest that C4A null alleles predispose strongly to development of lupus, whereas the influence of hv3005 deletion is relatively weak. The results also suggest that contributions of weak susceptibility genes such as hv3005 to disease predisposition may be obscured by the effects of stronger genetic factors and thus need to be examined in patients lacking these factors.

Therapeutic effect of chai-ling-tang (sairei-to) on the steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome in children

37 children with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS) were administered with Chai-Ling-Tang (Sairei-to) under corticosteroid. After treatment with Chai-Ling-Tang, relapse was markedly improved, time for negative conversion of proteinuria shortened, prednisone dosage significantly reduced, and side effects eased. 32 children with SDNS treated with prednisone and cyclophosphamide served as control. Results showed that short-term and long-term relapse and average prednisone dosage were similar between these two groups. It is considered that Chai-Ling-Tang may be a useful substitute for patients with SDNS who fail to respond to or manifest severe toxic effect from cytotoxic agents.

[Multivariate analysis of relationship between breast feeding and infant physical development]

Longitudinal analysis with generalized estimating equation (GEE) revealed breast feeding can promote infant physical development and growth, and cross-sectional analysis with canonical correlation showed protein intake with breast milk as its main source brought about infants to develop physically tall and lean at first, which might support the theory that protein intake affects more on their development and growth. The extent of infant physical development and growth varied with the amount of breast milk of his or her mother, which should be caught attention in comparison of infant physical development with different feeding patterns. It is suggested that intervention of breast feeding should be implemented during perinatal period and 1-2 months after delivery with emphasis on health education.

[The central mechanism of pressor response induced by infusing 7.5% sodium chloride solution in hemorrhagic hypotension dog]

Nine pairs of dogs were operated with head cross circulation and four pairs of dogs with brain cross circulation. Bleeding of formoral artery decreased the mean arterial pressure to 5.33 kPa and maintained for 30 min. In each pair of A dog 10% of total blood lose was infused intravenously by 7.5% NaCl solution (as test) or normal saline (as control), but B dog was not treated. The results showed that in the test group the arterial blood pressure recovered immediately in both A and B dogs and lasted for more than 60 min after infusion. The recovery value of systolic pressure was higher than diastolic pressure and pulse pressure increased. In the control group the blood pressure recovered slightly but of no statistical significance. There was no remarkable difference in heart rate between the two groups. A marked decrease in hematocrit appeared after bleeding and infusion, but there was no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). Plasma sodium increased significantly after infusion in A dogs of the test group (P < 0.01), but the change in B dogs was the same in the control group. These results mentioned above indicate that the central nervous system plays important role on the mechanism of pressor response induced by infusing 7.5% NaCl solution in the hemorrhagic hypotension dog.

Operable squamous esophageal cancer: current results from the East

From 1958 through 1992 a total of 3603 patients underwent surgery for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in our department. Among these patients 3099 resections were performed, for an overall resectability of 86.0%. Of the resections, 2341 (75.5%) were classified as curative and 758 (24.5%) palliative. The overall morbidity and 30-day mortality rates were 23.4% and 3.8%, respectively. For resected cases the mortality was 4.0%. The more than 5-year follow-up rate of patients with resection was 97%. The actual 5-, 10-, and 15-year survival rates were 30.4%, 23.6%, and 17.9%, respectively. Recurrence or metastasis remained the cause of death in 60.9% and 25.5% of patients who lived longer than 5 years and 15 years, respectively, after operation. The TNM staging, lymph node metastasis, extra-esophageal invasion, tumor differentiation, tumor length, and category of operation were major determinants influencing long-term prognosis. The left thoracotomy approach was used exclusively in 2613 cases (84.3% of all resected cases) in which intrathoracic resections and anastomoses were performed. The stomach was used as a substitute for the esophagus in 98.8% of the resected cases compared with 1.2% colon transplants. The former procedure was far safer than the latter. Above-average results presented in this paper support the surgical policy we have pursued thus far: to resect the primary tumor by partial or subtotal esophagectomy and to remove all lymph nodes wherever they were found in all patients with disease earlier than stage III. Early detection and early treatment no doubt are the only ways to materially improve the long-term surgical results.

Geminate recombination of diatomic ligands CO, O2, and NO with myoglobin

The kinetics of geminate recombination of horse heart myoglobin with the diatomic ligands carbon monoxide, dioxygen, and nitric oxide have been reexamined. The new measurements are distinguished from previous studies by (1) consideration of the complete time range longer than 1 ps, (2) inclusion of the effect of temperature changes near ambient, (3) attention to the relation between recombination kinetics and the yield of dissociated partners on the millisecond time scale, and (4) use of singular value decomposition in the analysis. These picosecond results, together with earlier nanosecond data, for O2 prove that models incorporating one, two, or even three discrete intermediates are not sufficient to account for all features of geminate recombination kinetics. Instead, a continuous evolution of the geminate pair distribution is preferred.

[24-hour electroencephalography monitoring in children: analysis of 403 cases]

24-hour EEG monitoring was performed in 403 children with repeated seizure of various types. The positive rate was 82.7% for defined epilepsy. Epileptic discharges mainly occurred in NREM stage and focal discharges accounted for 69%. More than 70% of the children suspected of epilepsy were excluded from epileptic seizures. 24-hour EEG monitoring is of significant value in determining seizure characteristics, epilepsy types, the relations between epilepsy and sleep and between clinical seizures and EEGs.

Specific overexpression of P53 in sarcoma derived from Rat-1 cells transformed by cigarette smoking condensate-treated human fetal lung DNA

The p53 protein is highly expressed in fibrosarcoma derived from Rat-1 cells transfected with cigarette smoke condensate-treated human fetal lung DNA but expressed low in the counterparts of nitroso-N-methylurea and dimethyl sulfoxide groups. Our results denoted that a high expression of p53 protein specifically contributes to the initiation of human lung carcinogenesis induced by cigarette smoke condensate. High expression and missense mutation of p53 may probably be a potential biomarker of initiation of human lung carcinogenesis.

Effect of Napip on K0 activation of the Na-K pump in adult rat cardiac myocytes

To determine if environmental factors influence the external K (K0) dependence of Na-K pump current (Ip), we systematically varied internal (pipette) Na (Napip) and Na-K pump activity while measuring the K0 dependence in adult rat cardiac myocytes. For each Napip, reactivation of Ip by K0 was dose dependent. The maximal Ip (Ipmax) and apparent affinity for K0 binding to the Na-K pump (K0.5) increased as Napip increased. The results of making an equimolar substitution of tetramethylammonium for K and Cs, and partial Ip inhibition with ouabain, also showed that Ipmax and K0.5 increased as Napip increased. We simulated pump activity as a function of intracellular Na (Nai) and K0 using a cyclic model of the Na-K pump and found that the model predicts K0.5 for K0 binding increases as Na increases, even when the conditions are adjusted by removing pipette K and partial pump inhibition with ouabain.

Adaptive response to mutagenesis and its molecular basis in a human T-cell leukemia line primed with a low dose of gamma-rays

The effect was studied of a low dose of gamma-ray preexposure on the frequency and molecular spectrum of radiation-induced mutations at the hprt locus in a human T-cell leukemia line. When the cells were preexposed to 0.01 Gy of gamma-rays, the yield of mutations induced by a subsequent 2-Gy challenge dose was reduced by 60%, compared with the 2 Gy of irradiation alone. The data of Southern blot analysis showed that 47% of the mutants induced by 2 Gy in the cells without low-dose preexposure were of the deletion or rearranged mutations type. In contrast, in the low-dose radioadapted cells the proportion of this type of 2-Gy-induced mutations decreased to 28%. This is close to the control level (22%) of spontaneous mutations. Our results confirm that a low dose of gamma-ray preexposure leads to a decreased susceptibility to gene deletions and rearrangements after high-dose irradiation.

The sartorius myocutaneous island flap

The vascular supply to the distal part of sartorius m. was studied in 37 limbs by dissection under magnification and after black ink and latex injections. The muscle or myocutaneous island flap pedicled on the saphenous artery (SA) is supplied by a retrograde circulation through anastomoses of the SA with the perforating branches of the posterior tibial artery and the medial inferior genicular artery. Three different vascular patterns were defined. Retrograde injection also showed good perfusion of the SA. The flap is useful for covering around the knee, the proximal and middle thirds of the lower leg, and the end of the amputation stump. Raising of the flap has not resulted in any functional or cosmetic defect. Eighteen operations have so far been performed, six using the muscle island flap and twelve using the myocutaneous island flap, and all survived completely.

Endoscopic variceal ligation. Experience in 78 patients

Endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) is a new alternative to sclerotherapy in the treatment of esophageal variceal hemorrhage, which results in strangulation, necrosis and scar formation of varices without systemic or local adverse effect. From May 1, 1991 through July 1, 1992, EVL was performed in 78 consecutive patients, in 35 of them it was performed during active massive bleeding, and active bleeding was controlled by the initial session in 31 patients. With repeated EVL treatment, 32 patients had their varices obliterated. The varices had reduced in size in other patients. No ligation-related complications were observed. This procedure is a safe, effective and rather simple method to treat esophageal varices, especially in patients with poor liver function and recurrent bleeding after devascularization or shunt surgery.

The second dorsal metacarpal flap with vascular pedicle composed of the second dorsal metacarpal artery and the dorsal carpal branch of radial artery

A pedicle second dorsal metacarpal flap, comprising the second dorsal metacarpal artery, the partial carpal arterial arch of the dorsal hand, and the dorsal carpal branch of radial artery, was designed. The flap may be rotated through two axes of rotation, one at the entry of carpal branch of radial artery into the first dorsal interosseous muscle and one at the entry of the recurrent cutaneous branch arising from the second dorsal metacarpal artery into the skin. The method introduced can increase as much as possible the length of the vascular pedicle of the second dorsal metacarpal flap. Thus, it can cover a small defect at a more distant area. If the width of this flap is not more than 3 cm, the donor site can be closed directly. The flap had been used in five cases with no necrosis of the flap or complication of the donor site. In further investigation of the postoperative patients, no stiffness and tightness have been observed through a short period of rehabilitation of the hand. The results are satisfactory. The anatomy, the operative technique, and three selective cases are described here.

Nucleotide sequence of the Buzura suppressaria single nucleocapsid nuclear polyhedrosis virus polyhedrin gene

A portion of the genome of the Buzura suppressaria (Lepidoptera) single nucleocapsid nuclear polyhedrosis virus (BsSNPV) containing the polyhedrin gene was sequenced. An open reading frame of 738 nucleotides encoded a protein of 246 amino acids and represented the polyhedrin gene. A conserved TAAG motif, associated with transcriptional start sites in other polyhedrin genes, was identified 51 nucleotides upstream of the BsSNPV polyhedrin gene. A putative polyadenylation signal, AATAAA, was found immediately downstream of the polypeptide termination codon. Comparison of the amino acid sequence of BsSNPV polyhedrin with other NPV polyhedrins and granulosis virus granulins showed that the BsSNPV polyhedrin was most closely related to the polyhedrin of Orgyia pseudotsugata (Lepidoptera) SNPV and most distantly related to the polyhedrin of Neodiprion sertifer (Hymenoptera) SNPV.

[Effects of Ilexonin A on chemical salpingitis induced tubal obstruction in rats]

Ilexonin A, a new drug in improving the blood circulation and microcirculation, is extracted from Ilicis pubescentis. The preventive and therapeutic effects of Ilexonin A on chemical salpingitis induced tubal obstruction (CSTO) with morphological and hemorheological change in rats was studied. Results showed that Ilexonin A was effective in treating (CSTO by oppositing the degeneration and necrosis of epithelium, inhibiting the hyperplasia of connective tissue, and reducing the infiltration of inflammatory cells. The improvement of morphology was more significant in treated groups than that in controls (P < 0.05-0.01). The indices concerning model rat's hemorheology were also analysed between treated groups and controls. It indicated that Ilexonin A could improve the viscosity of blood and aggregation of red blood cells. It is suggested Ilexonin A could promote the absorption of inflammatory substances as a result of improving hemorheology.

Brainstem auditory evoked responses from birth to adulthood: development of wave amplitude

Brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) was recorded in children from birth to 6 years and adults to study the development of wave amplitude. The amplitudes of all BAER waves increased with age, the greatest changes occurring during early infancy. Adult values were reached at 6 months of age for wave I and 2 years for wave V. The two waves continued to increase above the adult values until the highest amplitude value was reached at 3 years for wave I and 5 years for wave V. Subsequently, the amplitudes decreased towards the values in adults. The V/I amplitude ratio, which was slightly than the adult value shortly after birth, decreased during the first year of life and reached the minimum value between 1 and 4 years. Thereafter, it increased towards the adult value. Throughout the maturational stages the ratio was smaller than in adults. The amplitude of wave V was relatively stable and its variation was much smaller than those of wave I and V/I amplitude ratio. Lower normative limits of these amplitude measures were given to provide a reference baseline for further study under the similar experimental conditions. We suggest that, in light of age-related differences of the V/I ratio, the normative criteria for the amplitude ratio should be established in relation to age. The amplitude of wave V is recommended to be useful in some clinical situations.