Chromosome aberrations in desmoid tumors. Trisomy 8 may be a predictor of recurrence

Cytogenetic analyses of short-term cultures revealed clonal chromosome aberrations in 6 of 13 desmoid tumors. These aberrations included two consistent events, trisomy 8 (n = 4) and trisomy 20 (n = 3), which have not been reported previously in desmoid tumors. Because trisomy 8 was found in two recurrent desmoid tumors, we used fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) methodology to evaluate chromosome 8 in 25 paraffin-embedded and frozen desmoid specimens. The FISH studies demonstrated that both patients with cytogenetic trisomy 8 at the time of recurrence also had had trisomy 8 in primary tumors 4 years earlier. The proportion of trisomy 8 cells in these cases did not change substantially between original diagnosis and recurrence. The FISH studies also revealed trisomy 8 in one recurrent desmoid tumor which had been cytogenetically unremarkable and revealed trisomy 8 in one recurrent desmoid that had not been karyotyped. Four of six patients with trisomy 8 had been followed for more than 1 year, and the desmoid tumors in each of these 4 patients recurred. By contrast, recurrence was noted in only 2 of 17 patients whose desmoid tumors lacked trisomy 8. Our findings demonstrate that trisomy 8 and trisomy 20 are nonrandom aberrations in desmoid tumors. Trisomy 8 appears to be associated with an increased risk of recurrence.

[Field studies on preventive effect of artemether against infection with Schistosoma japonicum]

From August to October 1994, a field trial of preventive treatment with artemether (Art) was carried out in Minglang District of Yiyang City, Hunan Province, an islet with embankment type endemic area nearby southern Donting Lake region. The residents who frequently contacted with the infested water were selected for study and allocated to the Art group and the control group in reference to paired methods of randomization table. About one month before administration of Art, all residents under study were examined by stool hatching technique after nylon-bag concentration to determine the infection rate of each group, and then treated with praziquantel at a single dose of 40 mg/kg in stool egg-negative residents and 50 mg/kg in stool egg-positive ones. In Art group, the first dose of 6 mg/kg was given in late August, followed by repeated dosing every 15 days for 3 times. Placebo (starch) was given to the study residents in the control group at the same time as in Art group. The efficacy was evaluated by stool examination 25-32 days after the last medication. The results showed that after the preventive administration of Art, 20 out of 365 study residents in Art group revealed stool positive with an infection rate of 5.5%, while in the control group 51 out of 376 study residents showed stool positive with an infection rate of 13.6%. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant. Meantime, two cases of acute schistosomiasis were seen in the control group, but none was observed in Art group. The egg per gram of feces (EPG) determined with the Kato-Katz method was 122 +/- 79 (range 12-192) in Art group and 681 +/- 909 (range 12-2,760) in the control group. No apparent adverse side effect was seen during the treatment with Art, and no abnormal change in liver and renal function was detected after the last medication. The preliminary study indicates that application of the preventive administration of Art in the endemic area during the transmission season may effectively reduce both the infection rate and intensity of schistosomiasis.

[Synthesis of new fluorescent reagent and its application in solution fluorescence analysis]

In our laboratory we have designed and synthesized a new fluorescent CGE(N), which has a fluo-rigen and can react with active hydrogen in chemical compounds. We have studied its application in solution fluorescence, thin-layer fluorescence and solid fluorescence analysis. The results have indicated that CGE (N) is a good reagent in analysis. And the example of its application in solution fluorescence analysis is given in this paper.

Syp (SH-PTP2) is a positive mediator of growth factor-stimulated mitogenic signal transduction

Syp (SH-PTP2) was recently identified as a phosphotyrosine phosphatase containing two SH2 domains within its primary structure. In response to appropriate growth factor stimulation, Syp becomes phosphorylated on tyrosine residues and associates with insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) and/or the corresponding growth factor receptor via its SH2 domains, leading to increased Syp activity. To assess the importance of Syp in mitogenic signaling, we microinjected mammalian fibroblasts with several reagents designed to interfere with Syp SH2/phosphotyrosine interaction in vivo. Insulin-, insulin-like growth factor-1-, and epidermal growth factor-stimulated DNA synthesis, indicated by bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd) incorporation, was dramatically decreased following microinjection of a Syp antibody (Ab) (65-85%) or a Syp GST-SH2 fusion protein (approximately 90%) in comparison with cells microinjected with control IgG or glutathione S-transferase (GST), respectively. In addition, microinjection of an IRS-1-derived phosphonopeptide, which inhibits in vitro binding of Syp-SH2 to IRS-1 with an ED50 value of approximately 23 microM, also decreased BrdUrd incorporation in vivo by approximately 50-75%. Microinjection of the Syp Ab, Syp GST-SH2 fusion protein, or the phosphonopeptide had no effect on serum-stimulated BrdUrd incorporation. In conclusion, disruption of Syp function in living cells inhibited cell cycle progression in response to growth factor stimulation, indicating that Syp is a critical positive regulator of mitogenic signal transduction.

Effect of albendazole on Ancylostoma caninum larvae migrating in the muscles of mice

When mice inoculated with 1,000 third-stage larvae of Ancylostoma caninum for 1 week were treated intragastrically (ig) with albendazole (Alb) 75, 150 or 300 mg/kg.d for 3 days, the mean larva numbers collected from the muscles of each group were 2.7 +/- 1.7, 2.0 +/- 1.5 and 1.0 +/- 1.0, respectively, being much less than that 205 +/- 68 of the control group. In mice treated ig with Alb 150 mg/kg.d for 3 days, the concentrations of Alb and its effective metabolite, albendazole sulfoxide (AlbSO), were determined in plasma and the muscles at different intervals after the last medication using high performance liquid chromatography. The results showed that only low concentrations of Alb were detected in both plasma and the muscles. However, higher concentrations of AlbSO were found not only in the plasma (5.4-10.5 micrograms/ml), but also in the muscles (2.2-4.6 micrograms/g). The higher contents of AlbSO in the muscles would be helpful for killing the Ancylostoma larvae migrating in the muscles of mice.

Direct chromosome analysis of 50 primary breast carcinomas

Direct chromosome analyses were performed in 50 cases of primary breast carcinoma. Thirty-six cases had modal chromosome counts in the diploid range; the other 14 cases were polyploid. Of the 22 cases with detailed G-banding analyses, the most frequent structural changes involved chromosome 1 (15 of 22), 3 (13 of 22), and 6 (13 of 22). Deletion of chromosome 1p was noted in nine cases, and both 3p- and 6q- were noted in 10 cases.

5' distal and proximal cis-acting regulator elements are required for developmental control of a rice seed storage protein glutelin gene

Using a homologous transgenic rice system it is demonstrated that 5' distal and proximal cis-acting transcriptional regulatory elements are required for developmental control of a rice seed storage protein glutelin gene. Analyses of gene expression of nine progressively truncated 5' promoter sequences in developing endosperm indicated the existence of at least one major positive element located from the -5.1 to -1.8 kb region. The functional importance of proximal elements in the context of 1.8 kb promoter was demonstrated by single substitution mutations in the TATA box (-28/-23), AACA motif (-73/-61), and protein-binding boxes I (-103/-86), II (-124/-110), III (-175/-158) and IV (-200/-217). A simultaneous mutation of five protein-binding sites (-410/-86) essentially eliminated the activity of the 1.8 kb promoter. Although temporal control of the Gt1 gene during endosperm development was retained in plants of constructs from -5.1 kb to -155 bp, spatial control of the glutelin gene was altered when the 5.1 kb promoter was deleted to -507 bp or -154 bp as the reporter gene activities of these constructs were detected in phloem of leaves, and in stems, sheaths and roots of plants.

Cytogenetic abnormalities in a squamous cell carcinoma of the penis

Cytogenetic findings in a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the penis in a 60-year-old patient was observed for the first time. The stemline karyotype of the tumor was 46,XY,del(2) (q33q36),der(4)t(4;?)(p16;?),der(5;15)(q10;q10),der(8)t(8;?13)(p21 ;?),-13,- 13,-15,+3mar.

Interaction between activin and follicle-stimulating hormone-suppressing protein/follistatin in the regulation of basal inhibin production by cultured rat granulosa cells

There is evidence that FSH-suppressing protein (FSP) antagonizes the action of activin on the differentiation of rat granulosa cells by binding activin in vitro. We tested the interaction of activin and FSP in this in vitro system by examining the effects of FSP on activin dose-related stimulation of immunoreactive inhibin release by rat granulosa cells. Granulosa cells (2 x 10(5) viable cells/well) from diethylstilbestrol-treated immature rats were cultured for 48 h in McCoy's 5a serum-free medium with additives and increasing doses of bovine FSP (0-30 nM) and human recombinant activin (0-20 nM). Inhibin was measured in the medium by RIA. Activin caused a dose-related increase in basal inhibin production, which was maximal between 4-10 nM activin (ED50, 0.6 nM). With the addition of FSP, an apparent increase in the ED50 of the activin dose-response curves was observed, but there were no changes in the maximum response. This pattern closely resembled that of chemical antagonism of an agonist by an agent that binds with relatively high affinity to form a biologically inactive complex. Based on this premise, apparent high affinity activin binding to FSP was determined by Scatchard analysis to have a Kd of 0.13 +/- 0.07 nM (mean +/- SD) and to occur in a 2:1 or greater FSP/activin molar ratio. These data support the proposition that the antagonistic effect of FSP on activin is due to the formation of an inactive complex.

Effects of activin and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-suppressing protein/follistatin on FSH receptors and differentiation of cultured rat granulosa cells

The aim of this study was to investigate the actions of both activin and FSH-suppressing protein (FSP)/follistatin either alone or in combination on FSH receptor number and on the responsiveness of granulosa cells to FSH and LH. Granulosa cells were harvested from diethylstilbestrol-treated immature Sprague-Dawley rats and cultured 48 h in serum-free medium with or without treatment. Activin treatment alone (3-100 ng/ml) resulted in a 4-fold increase in FSH receptor number with no change in binding affinity. This effect of activin was inhibited 31% by FSP (100 ng/ml) treatment which alone had no effect on FSH receptor number. Treatment with activin (100 ng/ml) prevented FSH-induced down-regulation of FSH receptor number, whereas at lower concentrations (3-30 ng/ml) activin enhanced down-regulation of FSH receptor number by 20% (P less than 0.05). In contrast, FSP alone prevented FSH-induced down-regulation by increasing FSH receptor number up to 40-50%. Pretreatment of granulosa cells with activin, but not FSP, for 24 h increased the responsiveness of cells to FSH (20 ng/ml) and LH (40 ng/ml) shown by increases in aromatase activity, progesterone, and immunoreactive inhibin production over and above control in a manner which depended upon activin doses. We conclude that 1) activin enhancement of FSH action on rat granulosa cells may be mediated in part via regulation of FSH receptor number, and 2) the effects of FSP on granulosa cells are likely to be due to its activin binding properties.

Direct chromosome analysis of seven primary colorectal carcinomas

Chromosome studies were performed on direct preparations of seven cases of primary colorectal carcinomas. Two cases had relatively simple chromosome changes: 48,XY,+8,+21/51, XY,+8,+9,+10,+i(17q),+21, and 47,der(X)t(X;14)(q11;q11)-Y,t(6;18)(p22;q24)+7,+8,der(19)t (19;?)(q13;?). The five others had complicated deletions and translocations; 1p- was noted in five cases, and i(17q) was noted in three cases.

Modulation of differentiation of rat granulosa cells in vitro by interferon-gamma

The effects of recombinant rat interferon-gamma (rRaIFN-gamma) and rat IFN (RaIFN, a mixture of IFN-gamma and -alpha) on basal and FSH-induced ovarian granulosa cell function were studied. Granulosa cells were harvested from diethylstilboestrol-treated immature rats and cultured (2 x 10(5) viable cells/well per 0.5 ml) in serum-free medium with or without treatment for 48 h. In the presence of FSH (20 ng/ml), rRaIFN-gamma (10-1000 U/ml) significantly inhibited FSH-stimulated aromatase activity (76.4 +/- 2.3% maximum inhibition compared with FSH treatment alone), inhibin (40.4 +/- 3.7%), progesterone (47.7 +/- 8.6%) and 20 alpha-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one (20 alpha-OHP) (51.8 +/- 1.7%) production in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, rRaIFN-gamma inhibited FSH- and forskolin (FSK; 30 mumol/l)-induced extracellular cAMP accumulation (46.0 +/- 6.6% and 29.1 +/- 7.3% respectively). The inhibitory effect of rRaIFN-gamma on FSK-induced cAMP was accompanied by decreased FSK-induced aromatase activity, inhibin, progesterone and 20 alpha-OHP production. rRaIFN-gamma had no detectable effect on aromatase activity, progesterone production and 20 alpha-OHP production in the absence of FSH, but significantly stimulated basal inhibin production by 1.5-fold. rRaIFN-gamma alone also caused a small but significant increase in basal levels of cAMP. The time-course studies showed that FSH-induced aromatase activity and inhibin production were consistently suppressed by rRaIFN-gamma, FSH-induced progesterone and 20 alpha-OHP were inhibited at 1 and 2 days and then stimulated on days 3, 4 and 5 relative to FSH alone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cytogenetic studies of eight primary gastric cancers

Cytogenetic analysis was performed on eight primary gastric cancers. Three of them had simple chromosome changes: 47,XX,+X/48,XX,+X,+X; 48,XX,+8,+19,t(3;5) (q21;q31) and 47,XY,+del(7)(q22). The five others had complicated chromosome changes; both 3p- and 7q- were noted in four cases and i(5p) was noted in two cases.

[Methanogens from feces of patients with intestine disorder]

Fecal specimens from 10 colorectal cancer, 1 duodenum diverticulosis and 2 healthy adults were examined. Nine fecal enrichments contained Methanobrevibacter. The percentage of methanogen positive individuals was 69% Methanobrevibacter were isolated from fecal enrichments of 4 colorectal cancer and 1 duodenum diverticulosis. The percentage of breath methane positive individuals and methane production had significantly increased in colorectal cancer patients. It will be hopeful that methane production in breath samples at the end of exhalation will became a rapid, simple and non-penetrative method for monitoring precancerous colonic or rectal carcinogenesis and monitoring the relapse of individuals with carcinosectomy.

[Psychologic correlates in peptic ulcer]

Psychological correlates of peptic ulcer were assessed in a group of volunteer patients whose ulcers were identified by endoscopy. Logistic regression analysis and "t" test indicates that the peptic ulcer patients studied had higher "neuroticism" scores on EPQ, more life events experienced in the year previous to the investigation (on the revised Holmes' Social Readjustment Rating Scale), more severe symptoms on SCL-90, and lower social support scores on the Social Support Rating Scale than matched controls. The most frequently reported SCL-90 symptoms were anxiety, depression, somatization and obsession. The relationship between the occurrence of peptic ulcer and the characteristics of personality, life events, social support and psychological health level is discussed.

Cytogenetic studies of five primary esophageal cancers

In direct preparation of five primary esophageal cancers, chromosomes 1, 3, and 12 were most frequently involved in structural abnormalities; 12p- was consistently seen in all five cases and, thus, could be considered as one of the characteristic chromosome changes in esophageal cancer. Moreover, 2p-, 4p-, and 7q- were seen in three cases.

Interactions between activin and follicle-stimulating hormone-suppressing protein and their mechanisms of action on cultured rat granulosa cells

Direct roles of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-suppressing protein (FSP) and activin in regulation of ovarian granulosa cell differentiation have been reported recently. The present study further investigated the effects of these peptides on steroidogenesis and inhibin production as well as cAMP generation in cultured granulosa cells from immature, diethylstilbestrol (DES)-treated rats. In the presence of FSH (20 ng/ml) and activin (30 ng/ml), which enhanced FSH-induced aromatase activity, progesterone production and inhibin production, FSP (1-100 ng/ml) reversed the stimulating activities of activin in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, activin reversed the inhibitory effects of FSP on FSH-induced aromatase activity and inhibin production. In the presence of FSH, activin enhanced FSH-stimulated extracellular cAMP accumulation, and FSP caused a reduction in extracellular cAMP. Activin but not FSP also stimulated basal cAMP level. In the presence of forskolin, a potent stimulant of adenyl cyclase activity which stimulated extracellular cAMP, aromatase activity, progesterone production and inhibin production, activin augmented the effect of forskolin on all four parameters, whereas FSP significantly enhanced progesterone production without changing the other three parameters. Our findings suggest that activin action on rat granulosa cells may be mediated via regulation of cAMP generation. The action of FSP and FSH and/or activin-dependent, consistent with either an action as an activin binding protein or by a direct action of FSP on the granulosa cells.

Histological classification of schistosomal egg induced polyps of colon and their clinical significance. An analysis of 272 cases

272 cases of schistosomal egg induced polyps collected from mass-screening for colorectal carcinoma in Jiashan County were divided into 3 types: fibrous type (FT), mixed type (MT) and epithelial proliferative type (ET). The ET was characterized by crypt elongation, hypertrophy, variation in size, disorderly arrangement, as well as the high percentage of atypical hyperplasia (64.9%). The coexistence and transition between inflammatory reactive hyperplastic and neoplastic crypts were noticed. By HID/AB staining, sialomucins were increased in ET, CEA and PNA receptors detected by the ABC method were present in 18/20 and 6/18 of ET respectively. The mucin expression of ET was similar to that of adenomas. It is likely that a spectrum of ET, atypical hyperplasia and adenoma may exist. We suggest that the patients with ET, especially those with atypical hyperplasia, should be regarded as "risk group", and close follow-up is needed.

[Demonstration of the presence of Methanobrevibacter in a colon cancer Chinese patient]

A fecal specimen from a Chinese patient (85-year-old man) suffering from colonic cancer was examined for the presence of methane-producing bacteria. As a result, a Methanobrevibacter organism was isolated. Our isolate did not grow in the presence of bile salts, a result different from Methanobrevibacter from healthy Americans' feces by Miller et al.