[The establishment of ADBS data bank system for autopsy records]

The ADBS data bank system consists of PC 286 microcomputer, (or 386 and other more advanced machine) VGA color monitor, printer and ADBS V. 2.0 software. According to the international classification of diseases (ICD-9 or ICD-10, SNOMED), pathological diagnoses are coded and put into computer. This system has five functions: search, statistics, edition, print and system restore. For facilitating the operation of this system, all orders are listed as window menu. The statistic results can be shown as tables or figures and put out as disk files or prints. The system is currently an advanced computerized system of histopathological and autopsied records in Chinese.

Synthesis, characterization and antibacterial activity of novel Fe(III), Co(II), and Zn(II) complexes with norfloxacin

Three novel complexes of norfloxacin (abbreviated as NFL), [M(NFL)2(H2O)2]Cl3.6H2O, (M = Fe, Co), and [Zn(NFL)2]Cl2.7H2O, have been prepared. The compounds were characterized by IR, UV-Vis, NMR spectra, molar conductivity, and elemental analyses. In all of the complexes, the ligand NFL was coordinated through two carboxyl oxygen atoms. Octahedral and tetrahegon geometries have been proposed for Fe(III)-, Co(II)-complexes and Zn(II)-complex, respectively. In vitro test of susceptibility of Fe(III)- and Zn(II)-complexes showed stronger activity than that of norfloxacin against G(-) E.Coli and Bacillus dysenteriae bacteria.

Comparison of bupivacaine plus buprenorphine with bupivacaine alone by caudal blockade for post-operative pain relief after hip and knee arthroplasty

In a double-blind, parallel group trial, 15 patients who were given a caudal injection of 1.8 mg kg-1 of bupivacaine after induction of anaesthesia, were compared with 15 patients in whom 7.2 mg kg-1 of buprenorphine was added to the same dose of bupivacaine, prior to knee or hip replacement surgery. The duration of analgesia was much longer (mean 606 min vs. 126 min P < 0.001) in those receiving added buprenorphine; mean morphine consumption in the first 24 h was halved (14 mg vs. 28 mg) and patient satisfaction greatly increased. There were no significant differences in the incidence of complications although the group which had added buprenorphine had a lower incidence of vomiting.

Study on the DNA synthesis of pulmonary cells in aging mice by light microscopic radioautography

The DNA synthesis and morphological changes of the pulmonary cells of 11 groups of mice from fetal day 16 to 22 months after birth were studied by light microscopic radioautography after 3H-thymidine incorporation. A detailed investigation was first carried out to determine the localization and the frequency of 3H-thymidine incorporation with the age-related change of pulmonary cells in the mouse lung. The results showed that the DNA synthesis of pulmonary cells changed with aging. The examination of radioautograms demonstrated that the activity of DNA synthesis of type 1 epithelial cells was very low, which reached the peak on the third day after birth, decreased gradually with aging, and lost the ability from postnatal 6 months onwards. On the other hand, the labeling indices of type 2 epithelial, interstitial and endothelial cells were the highest on the fetal day 16, then fell down with the developing of the lung, but increased again on the third postnatal day, and decreased gradually with age. These data provided the evidence that the DNA synthesis of type 2 epithelial, interstitial and endothelial cells were the largest on fetal day 16, then decreased with the developing of the lung due to aging.

The role of charge in polyamine analogue recognition

A series of analogues and homologues of N1,N12-diethylspermine (DESPM) was synthesized, and their biological properties were evaluated. These tetraamines include a simple linear analogue of DESPM, N1,N12-bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)spermine (FDESPM), the cyclic analogues of DESPM, N,N'-bis(4-piperidinylmethyl)-1,4-diaminobutane [PIP(4,4,4)] and N,N'-bis[2-(4-piperidinyl)ethyl]-1,4-diaminobutane [PIP(5,4,5)], and their aromatic counterparts, N,N'-bis-(4-pyridylmethyl)-1,4-diaminobutane [PYR(4,4,4)] and N,N'-bis[2-(4-pyridyl)ethyl]-1,4-diaminobutane [PYR(5,4,5)]. The analogues FDESPM, PIP(4,4,4), and PYR(4,4,4) have distances between their nitrogen atoms almost identical to those of DESPM. The longer analogues PIP(5,4,5) and PYR(5,4,5) are very similar in the spacing of their amino groups. However, the pKa of the nitrogens in the groups differ; thus, the extent of protonation and the charge characteristics among the members of the groups differ. A comparison of the biological properties of these compounds clearly demonstrates that the tetraamines must be charged to be "recognized" by the cell. Analogues with low nitrogen pKa's such that the nitrogens are poorly protonated at physiological pH do not compete well with spermidine for uptake and, as expected, have high 96 h IC50 values and have little effect on S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, ornithine decarboxylase, and spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase activities and on intracellular polyamine pools.

Effect of outdoor airborne particulate matter on daily death counts

To investigate the possible relationship between airborne particulate matter and mortality, we developed regression models of daily mortality counts using meteorological covariates and measures of outdoor PM10. Our analyses included data from Cook County, Illinois, and Salt Lake County, Utah. We found no evidence that particulate matter < or = 10 microns (PM10) contributes to excess mortality in Salt Lake County, Utah. In Cook County, Illinois, we found evidence of a positive PM10 effect in spring and autumn, but not in winter and summer. We conclude that the reported effects of particulates on mortality are unconfirmed.

In vitro assembly of the core catalytic complex of the chloroplast ATP synthase

The regulatory gamma subunit and an alpha beta complex were isolated from the catalytic F1 portion of the chloroplast ATP synthase. The isolated gamma subunit was devoid of catalytic activity, whereas the alpha beta complex exhibited a very low ATPase activity (approximately 200 nmol/min/mg of protein). The alpha beta complex migrated as a hexameric alpha 3 beta 3 complex during ultracentrifugation and gel filtration but reversibly dissociated into alpha and beta monomers after freezing and thawing in the presence of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid and in the absence of nucleotides. Conditions are described in which the gamma and alpha beta preparations were combined to rapidly and efficiently reconstitute a fully functional catalytic core enzyme complex. The reconstituted enzyme exhibited normal tight binding and sensitivity to the inhibitory epsilon subunit and to the allosteric inhibitor tentoxin. However, neither the alpha beta complex nor the isolated gamma subunit alone could bind the epsilon subunit or tentoxin with high affinity. Similarly, high affinity binding sites for ATP and ADP, which are characteristic of the core alpha 3 beta 3 gamma enzyme, were absent from the alpha beta complex. The results indicate that when the gamma subunit binds to the alpha beta complex, it induces a three-dimensional conformation in the enzyme, which is necessary for tight binding of the inhibitors and for high-affinity, asymmetric nucleotide binding.

The dynamical structure of tremor in tardive dyskinesia

The movement disorder syndrome of tardive dyskinesia arises as a consequence of prolonged regimens of neuroleptic medication, and is characterized, although not exclusively, by jerky and sometimes rhythmical stereotypical motions in a wide range of muscle systems. It is well established that the degree and variability of tremor in tardive dyskinesia is greater than that in normal age-matched subjects. The findings from the current experiment show that the dimension of the tardive dyskinetic finger tremor time series is systematically lower than that evident in normal finger tremor. Furthermore, the variability of finger motion in both groups is inversely related to the dimension of the respective attractor dynamic. The neuroleptic medication appears to constrain the degrees of freedom regulated in organization of the motor system. (c) 1995 American Institute of Physics.

P-glycoprotein expression in primary breast cancer

In a retrospective study, liquid nitrogen preserved specimens from 50 women with primary breast cancer, who underwent surgery at the Beijing Institute for Cancer Research between June, 1986 and September, 1988, were investigated. All patients under this study were staged in TNM II or later, involved with axillary lymph node metastasis, and treated with systemic postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. The median length of follow-up was 69 months. The expression of P-glycoprotein was investigated by means of immunohistochemistry, using a monoclonal antibody C219 specifically against P-glycoprotein and avidin-biotin peroxidase method. Positive staining for P-glycoprotein was found in 23 (46%) of the 50 patients. The P-glycoprotein expression negative group fared better than the group that was P-glycoprotein positive in overall survival curves (p = 0.0008, by the generalized Wilcoxon test). The prognostic effect of P-glycoprotein expression remained statistically significant (p = 0.0007) after adjustment by multivariate analysis (Cox's model) for other prognostic factors. It is demonstrated that P-glycoprotein expression is a significant and independent predictor of postoperative survival in breast cancer patients. The results of the present study suggest that P-glycoprotein expression might also influence the biological behavior of breast cancers.

Age-related changes of male mouse submandibular gland: a morphometric and radioautographic study

The DNA synthesis and the changes of cell population kinetic of aging male mouse submandibular glands were studied by light and electron microscopic radioautography from embryonic day 19 to 21 months postnatal. At the embryonic day 19, the gland consisted of developing acinar cells (49%), intercalated duct (ICD) (37%), juxta-acinar (JA) (3%) and striated duct (SD) cells (11%). At birth, JA cells increased rapidly to 32%, thereafter decreased gradually. At 1 month of age, granular convoluted tubule cells appeared and increased rapidly in number with age. They reached a maximum at 6 month after birth. Then they appeared to decrease gradually from 6 to 21 months. The most conspicuous feature of the aged submandibular glands was the regressive changes of the granular ducts. The extent and height of the granular ducts as well as the content of mature secretory granules decreased. These changes may play an important role during the development of mice, because the granular duct synthesizes many biological factors. The 3H-thymidine labeling index of each cell type of male mouse submandibular glands reached a peak 1 day after birth and decreased with aging. The labeling index of intercalated duct cells was higher than the others and persisted for a long time. On the other hand, the labeling indices of the other cells were significantly depressed at one week after birth. From these observations on morphology, it was also shown that ICD cells were concerned with the generation of the other cell types.

Radioautographic study of the macromolecular synthesis of Leydig cells in aging mice testis

The studies on DNA, RNA and protein synthesis of Leydig cells in aging mice testis of several groups were carried out by light microscopic radioautography. The cells labelled with 3H-thymidine, 3H-uridine and 3H-leucine were observed in various aging groups. The labeling index with 3H-thymidine was low at embryonic and early postnatal stages. It increased slightly at 6 months, reached its peak at 9 months and maintained a relatively high level at a later period. The number of the silver grains labelled with 3H-uridine over the nuclei and cytoplasm were observed from embryonic day 19 and increased from 3 months onwards. From adult to old ages, the activity of 3H-uridine incorporation was maintained at a high level in the nuclei and a relatively low level in the cytoplasm. The aging change of 3H-leucine incorporation was found from this experiment. The labeling indices between embryonic and early postnatal stages showed no obvious differences while the number of the silver grains over both cytoplasm and nucleus increased from 6 months onwards and was maintained a high level until old age.

Ultrastructural and radioautographic studies on DNA synthesis in Leydig cells on aging mouse testis

A morphological observation and a radioautographic study were carried out to detect the ultrastructure and aging changes of DNA synthesis of the Leydig cells, whose structure has been observed and the area of the lipid droplets in the cytoplasm calculated. The observation by electron microscopy showed that Leydig cells contained abundant mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum and that the area of the lipids in the cytoplasm changed with aging. Only little lipid droplets were found in embryonic and early postnatal stages, but they increased from postnatal two weeks onwards and no significant differences were found from 9 months to 21 months. The DNA synthesis in these cells was not vigorous at embryonic day 19, explored by light microscopic radioautography 1 hr. following a single injection of 3H-thymidine. The labeling index increased slightly before six months of age and reached its peak at 9 months. There was no significant difference found in the number of labelled cells from that time on. A relatively high level was maintained at adult and senescent periods. Our results demonstrate that the generation of the Leydig cells contained plentiful lipid droplets was vigorous at adult and senescence.

Hel-N1, an RNA-binding protein, is a ligand for an A + U rich region of the GLUT1 3' UTR

Hel-N1, is an RRM protein which is a mammalian homologue of the Drosophila melanogaster RNA binding protein, ELAV (embryonic lethal abnormal vision). Hel-N1 binds to RNA containing short stretches of uridylates similar to those found in the 3' untranslated regions (3'-UTRs) of oncoprotein and cytokine mRNAs. The GLUT1 glucose transporter has an extensive 3' UTR that is AU-rich reminiscent of the 3'UTR of an oncogene mRNA. An in vitro RNA binding assay using Hel-N1 demonstrated binding to a specific portion of the GLUT1 3'UTR. Analysis of the folding pattern of this region depicted the retention of a stem loop structure, wherein the loop is composed of a stretch of uridylates. To further analyze the potential function of Hel-N1, stable transfectants were made in the 3T3-L1 cell line. The transfectants have been characterized, and the presence of the Hel-N1 DNA and protein verified. Data indicate Hel-N1 is a ligand for GLUT1 and its binding affects the stability and translatability of the GLUT1 message.

Comparison of the antitumor activity of bryostatins 1, 5, and 8

Bryostatin 1, a macrocyclic natural lactone isolated from a marine Bryozoan, has undergone phase I testing in humans. Side effects of treatment have included muscle pain and joint aches, a transient decrease in platelets, and the release of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and IL-6 into the blood stream. In animals, anticancer activity has been demonstrated against murine leukemias, lymphomas, melanomas, and sarcomas. The mechanism of action of this compound depends in part on its ability to activate protein kinase C. To determine the biologic activity and toxicity of other members of the family of bryostatin compounds, we studied the ability of bryostatins 5 and 8 to inhibit the growth of murine melanoma K1735-M2. Bryostatins 1, 5, and 8 induced equivalent inhibition of melanoma growth, but bryostatins 5 and 8 induced less weight loss than bryostatin 1 (P < 0.001). Neither the injection of an antimurine TNF alpha antibody nor an adenovirus, which produces a mutated TNF receptor inhibiting TNF alpha activity, into mice had any effect on either bryostatin-induced weight loss or melanoma tumor growth inhibition. Using a novel competition assay, the levels of bryostatin in the plasma were measured. The approximate half-life (t1/2) of bryostatin was 8.62 min, the clearance (Cl) 3.53 ml/min and the AUC 322.20 nmol/l min. A similar result was obtained with each bryostatin analog. These results suggest that human testing of additional bryostatin analogs may yield compounds with similar antitumor activity but decreased side effects. A novel assay to measure the level of all bryostatins in the plasma of patients undergoing treatment is described.

MR evaluation of acoustic schwannoma with fractional contrast doses

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the utility of lower contrast medium doses for the detection and conspicuity of acoustic schwannomas.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The L/B (L, lesion; B, background) ratios or lesion contrast of 17 pathologically proven acoustic schwannomas studied with a standard dose (0.1 mmol/kg) of gadopentetate dimeglumine was measured. In addition, 22 patients with acoustic schwannomas were studied prospectively with fractional doses using the incremental dose technique. Each patient received an initial bolus injection of one-eight the standard dose (0.0125 mmol/kg) followed by an injection of one-eighth, one-fourth, and one-half the standard dose at 5 min intervals to achieve a cumulative dose of one-fourth, one-half and full dose, respectively. Imaging was performed immediately after each injection.

RESULTS

Standard dose--The L/B ratios of pathologically proven acoustic schwannomas to mastoid air cells ranged from 14.8 to 41.2 (mean +/- SEM, 28.0 +/- 1.95), which were approximately 17 times more than those of intraparenchymal lesions. Fractional cumulative dose--Qualitative visual analysis demonstrated that all acoustic schwannomas showed apparent enhancement at one-fourth dose. Intense enhancement was noted at one-half and full dose. Quantitative analysis demonstrated the mean L/B ratios between the acoustic schwannomas and mastoid air cells of the precontrast and one-eighth, one-fourth, one-half, and full dose studies were 8.33 +/- 0.52, 11.21 +/- 0.75, 13.02 +/- 0.83, 15.38 +/- 0.98, and 18.03 +/- 1.36, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The L/B ratios or lesion contrast of acoustic schwannomas at various fractional contrast medium doses was significantly higher compared with that of intraparenchymal lesions. Thus, the standard contrast medium dose may not be necessary for detection of acoustic schwannomas, and a fractional dose may be sufficient. Although the optimal fractional dose remains to be determined, one-half of the standard dose (0.05 mmol/kg) appears to be sufficient because of intense enhancement at this dose.

Genotypes of the Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Lacking the Nodule-Enhanced Isoform of Glutamine Synthetase

Glutamine synthetase (GS) is an octameric enzyme. The nodule cytosol of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) has two major types of GS subunit polypeptides ([beta] and [gamma]). As a result, nine different isozymes containing varied proportions of [beta] and [gamma] can be generated. The isozymes are resolvable by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Staining the gel for GS activity reveals two isoforms, GSn1, which is nodule enhanced and is composed of the eight [gamma] polypeptide-containing isozymes, and GSn2, which is the isozyme [beta]8. We screened 104 cultivars and genotypes of common beans for variations in isozyme formation and found two, PI317350 and PI326054, that had no GSn1. The PI beans appeared to nodulate normally and had cytosolic protein concentrations and total GS activities similar to those of the cultivar UI-111, which has GSn1. They accumulated the [gamma] polypeptide, which had the same molecular weight (46,000) and isoelectric point (6.3) as the [gamma] polypeptide of UI-111. Experiments with extracts prepared by mixing UI-111 and the PI bean nodules suggested that the PI bean nodule extracts did not have an inhibitor or a proteolytic system that specifically inhibited or degraded GSn1. Nodules from UI-111 and the PI beans were dissected into cortex and central infection zone tissue fractions. GSn2 was found in the cortex and the central infection zone tissue of all beans. Our results suggested that the reason we were unable to detect GSn1 from the PI beans was not because their GSn1 and GSn2 had an identical electrophoretic mobility, nor was it due to an inhibited or unstable GSn1. Our results suggested that either their [gamma] gene had mutated in the region that is essential for the [gamma] polypeptide to assemble or the assembly of GS may require a chaperone. In the two PI beans, the chaperone accumulated to a lower level than it did in UI-111. This lower amount limited the assembly of the [gamma] polypeptide into GS.

Genetic variation of HIV type 1 in four World Health Organization-sponsored vaccine evaluation sites: generation of functional envelope (glycoprotein 160) clones representative of sequence subtypes A, B, C, and E. WHO Network for HIV Isolation and Characterization

As part of the WHO Network for HIV Isolation and Characterization, we PCR amplified, cloned, and sequenced gp120 and gp160 genes from 12 HIV-1 isolates collected in four WHO-sponsored vaccine evaluation sites (Brazil, Rwanda, Thailand, Uganda). Envelope clones were derived from PBMC-grown isolates obtained from asymptomatic individuals within 2 years of seroconversion. Analysis of their deduced amino acid sequences identified all but one to contain an uninterrupted open reading frame. Transient expression and biological characterization of selected gp160 constructs identified six clones to encode full length and functional envelope glycoproteins. Phylogenetic analysis of their nucleotide sequences revealed that they represent HIV-1 subtypes A, B, C, and E. Since current knowledge of HIV-1 envelope immunobiology is almost exclusively derived from subtype B viruses, these reagents should facilitate future envelope structure, function and antigenicity studies on a broader spectrum of viruses. This should assist in the design and evaluation of effective vaccines against HIV-1.

Genetic diversity of human immunodeficiency virus type 2: evidence for distinct sequence subtypes with differences in virus biology

The virulence properties of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) are known to vary significantly and to range from relative attenuation in certain individuals to high-level pathogenicity in others. These differences in clinical manifestations may, at least in part, be determined by genetic differences among infecting virus strains. Evaluation of the full spectrum of HIV-2 genetic diversity is thus a necessary first step towards understanding its molecular epidemiology, natural history of infection, and biological diversity. In this study, we have used nested PCR techniques to amplify viral sequences from the DNA of uncultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 12 patients with HIV-2 seroreactivity. Sequence analysis of four nonoverlapping genomic regions allowed a comprehensive analysis of HIV-2 phylogeny. The results revealed (i) the existence of five distinct and roughly equidistant evolutionary lineages of HIV-2 which, by analogy with HIV-1, have been termed sequence subtypes A to E; (ii) evidence for a mosaic HIV-2 genome, indicating that coinfection with genetically divergent strains and recombination can occur in HIV-2-infected individuals; and (iii) evidence supporting the conclusion that some of the HIV-2 subtypes may have arisen from independent introductions of genetically diverse sooty mangabey viruses into the human population. Importantly, only a subset of HIV-2 strains replicated in culture: all subtype A viruses grew to high titers, but attempts to isolate representatives of subtypes C, D, and E, as well as the majority of subtype B viruses, remained unsuccessful. Infection with all five viral subtypes was detectable by commercially available serological (Western immunoblot) assays, despite intersubtype sequence differences of up to 25% in the gag, pol, and env regions. These results indicate that the genetic and biological diversity of HIV-2 is far greater than previously appreciated and suggest that there may be subtype-specific differences in virus biology. Systematic natural history studies are needed to determine whether this heterogeneity has clinical relevance and whether the various HIV-2 subtypes differ in their in vivo pathogenicity.

Binding of [26-3H]bryostatin 1 and analogs to calcium-dependent and calcium-independent protein kinase C isozymes

In this study we explored the pattern of protein kinase C (PKC) isozyme selectivity of the bryostatins, a unique class of PKC activators that induce only a subset of the typical phorbol ester responses and antagonize those phorbol ester-mediated responses that they themselves fail to induce. The binding properties of individual recombinant PKC isozymes that had been expressed in insect cells, isolated, and reconstituted in Triton X-100/phosphatidylserine mixed micelles were determined. [3H]Bryostatin 1 showed lower affinity for PKC-beta 1 and -gamma, compared with PKC-alpha, -delta, -epsilon, and -eta. This pattern contrasts with that observed for other PKC ligands. These latter assays were conducted with isozymes reconstituted in phosphatidylserine, conditions that unfortunately do not permit quantitation of bryostatin 1 binding under equilibrium conditions. Using delta 19,20-bryostatin 10 and delta 19,20-isobryostatin 10, we could distinguish the respective roles of ligand and lipid in the pattern of selectivity. When isozymes were reconstituted in phosphatidylserine vesicles, delta 19,20-bryostatin 10 and delta 19,20-isobryostatin 10 showed similar affinities for PKC-alpha and -gamma, similarly to the phorbol esters. However, in the mixed micellar system, PKC-gamma showed a significantly lower binding affinity, as had been observed for bryostatin 1. These results suggest that the unique pattern of biological responses to the bryostatins does not represent a unique pattern of isotype recognition. Furthermore, the lipid environment of PKC plays an important role in determining the binding selectivity for individual isozymes.

Light and electron microscopic radioautographic study on the incorporation of 3H-thymidine into the lung by means of a new nebulizer

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the water particles produced by a nebulizer can reach the alveoli of the lung when they are inhaled with the air. For the purpose of demonstrating water particle incorporation into the lung, light and electron microscopic radioautography with tritiated thymidine was employed. Tritiated thymidine was dissolved in distilled water and nebulized to fine water particles with a new type nebulizer named Shinki, then inhaled by mice. The lungs were taken out and processed by either rapid-freezing and freeze-substitution for dry-mounting radioautography or conventional chemical fixation for wet-mounting radioautography. By wet-mounting radioautography, silver grains were observed in the nuclei of a few alveolar type 2 cells and interstitial cells, demonstrating DNA synthesis. By dry-mounting radioautography numerous silver grains were located diffusely in all the epithelial and interstitial cells, demonstrating diffuse localization of soluble radioisotope-labeled compounds. These results show that water particles produced by the Shinki nebulizer can directly reach the alveoli and thus, better therapeutic effect can be acquired with the Shinki nebulizer than with the usual nebulizer. Further, the nebulizer can be used for the radioautographic studies of the lung in demonstrating incorporation of some drugs into alveolar tissues.

Antineoplastic agents. 278. Isolation and structure of axinastatins 2 and 3 from a western Caroline Island marine sponge

The Republic of Palau marine sponge Axinella sp. was found to be an exceptionally productive source of cell growth inhibitory substances. The strongly antineoplastic polyether macrocyclic lactones halichondrin B (1) and homohalichondrin B (2) were isolated in 1.2 x 10(-6)% and 5.4 x 10(-7)% yields, respectively. In addition to axinastatin 1 (3), two new and cytostatic (GI50 values of 0.35 to 0.0072 microgram/mL against six human cancer cell lines) cycloheptapeptides designated axinastatins 2 (4) and 3 (5) were discovered in 1.4 x 10(-6)% and 1.25 x 10(-6)% yields. Structures were elucidated by high-resolution FABMS and tandem MS/MS techniques augmented by high-field (400 and 500 MHz) 2D-NMR spectral analyses. The absolute configurations were established by a combination of hydrolysis, derivatization, and chiral gas chromatographic methods.

MR of fetal central nervous system abnormalities

PURPOSE

To investigate whether MR can provide additional information on fetuses with central nervous system abnormalities as demonstrated by ultrasonography.

METHODS

Fetal MR examinations were studied prospectively in 22 pregnant women whose fetuses showed evidence of anomalies on ultrasound performed in the High-Risk Obstetric Clinic.

RESULTS

In 19 of 22 cases, postpartum confirmatory diagnoses were obtained by MR or CT examinations, autopsy, or surgery. In general, the image quality of MR is comparable with that of ultrasound. However, in six of 22 cases (27%), MR provided additional information that altered the ultrasound diagnosis; these included cases of infarction, diastematomyelia, normal hemimegalencephaly with early myelination, Dandy-Walker variant, and lipoma. All of these cases had postpartum confirmation. The additional information changed the treatment in three of six patients (no intervention or elective abortion).

CONCLUSIONS

In certain situations MR can add valuable information to that obtained by sonography in the evaluation of the fetal central nervous system.

[Effect of Leontopodium leontopodioides (Willd.) Beauv. on inflammation induced by animal reversed passive arthus (RPA)]

The extract from Leontopodium leontopodioides 50-100mg/kg ip has been proved able to suppress the swelling of normal or adrenalectomised rat hind paws induced by RPA, and strongly inhibit the cutaneous hemorrhage of animals induced by RPA, lysosome or lysosome of broken membrane. It has also been shown that the extract 100 mg/kg ip can markedly inhibit the migration of leukocytes. These suggest that the anti-inflammatory properties of the extract are not dependent on the pituitary-adrenal system or membrane of lysosome.

Lack of difference in brain hyperintensities between patients with early Alzheimer's disease and control subjects

OBJECTIVE

To rate magnetic resonance image signal hyperintensities in clearly defined white and deep gray matter areas in patients with early Alzheimer's disease and controls.

DESIGN

Prospective series. The National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke--The Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association criteria for probable Alzheimer's disease. Blinded assessment.

SETTING

University hospital, dementia study group.

SUBJECTS

Thirty-four patients with Alzheimer's disease. Thirty-eight age-matched healthy community volunteers.

MEASURES

Frequency of hyperintensities in axial magnetic resonance images (1.5-T system) seen both in the proton density and T2-weighted scans examined in vascular centrencephalon, centrum semiovale, watershed, periventricular, and subcortical white matter. Periventricular hyperintensities classification include caps, thin lining, and smooth and irregular halo. Hyperintensities in other areas include small and large focal, focal confluent, and diffusely confluent. The hyperintensities were counted and rated using a five-point scale and the Fazekas method.

RESULTS

No difference in the ratings, frequency, or extent of the hyperintensities between patients with early Alzheimer's disease and controls. Majority of patients and controls had two or fewer hyperintensities and they were mostly small foci, caps, and thin linings. The hyperintensities are associated with arterial hypertension, diabetes, cardiac disorder, and age in different combinations, but not with Alzheimer's disease.

CONCLUSION

Tiny hyperintensities on magnetic resonance images are frequent both in patients with early Alzheimer's disease and in healthy controls; most of the lesions are not related to brain ischemia. When age and vascular risk factors were taken into account, no difference between patients with early Alzheimer's disease and control subjects could be detected.

Radioautographic study of benidipine hydrochloride. Localization in the mesenteric artery of spontaneously hypertensive rat

Microradioautographic study of [3H]-benidipine hydrochloride (KW-3049, CAS 91599-74-5) and nitrendipine (CAS 39562-70-4) localization was performed in the supramesenteric arteries of the spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) at 10 and 30 min after intravenous administration or in vitro incubation. The distribution of silver grains was observed by light and electron microscopy and the number of grains was counted in the tunicae intima, media and adventitia of the arteries. Areas of the correlated part of the artery were measured and the grain count per area was calculated. The grain count of [3H]-benidipine hydrochloride showed almost uniform distribution in the tunicae intima and media, which was compared at 10 and 30 min after the administration both in the in vivo and in the in vitro studies. The grain density of [3H]-nitrendipine to the tunicae intima and media increased time-dependently. Electron microscopic observation revealed that the fine distribution of [3H]-benidipine hydrochloride was mainly localized on the plasma membrane and on the cytoplasm of the cellular components of the mesenteric artery. The result suggested that the distribution of [3H]-benidipine hydrochloride was related to its pharmacologically active site, i.e. plasma membrane of the tunica intima and the smooth muscle cells of the tunica media.

[The extracellular matrix and liver disease: a study with enzymoimmunological assay]

Serum concentrations of laminin and hyaluronate were assayed in 138 patients of liver disease with an enzymoimmunological method. There was a mild increase of hyaluronate level in patients with acute hepatitis (P < 0.05) and a significant increase of both serum laminin and hyaluronate concentrations in patients with chronic hepatic diseases, as compared with those in healthy controls (P < 0.001). Serum laminin and hyaluronate reached the highest levels in patients with liver cirrhosis. Comparing the results from a group of patients with liver cirrhosis with those from a reference group of patients with chronic active hepatitis, we obtained values for specificity, sensitivity, and diagnostic efficiency of 0.90, 0.90 and 0.90 respectively. The results suggested that quantification of serum laminin and hyaluronate may be a useful test to assess the degree of chronic liver injury and to diagnose liver fibrosis.

Brain parenchymal infection in bone marrow transplantation patients: CT and MR findings

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to assess the MR and CT appearance of brain infection after bone marrow transplantation and to correlate the appearances with laboratory and pathologic findings.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the records of seven bone marrow transplant recipients with radiologic evidence of brain infection.

RESULTS

Forty-one lesions were detected in seven patients with proved infectious foci outside the brain before brain infection was suspected clinically. Six patients had low total WBC or lymphocyte counts and one patient had normal total WBC and lymphocyte counts. Most lesions in patients with low total WBC or lymphocyte counts showed no appreciable edema or contrast enhancement. However, all lesions detected in the patient with normal total WBC and lymphocyte counts showed marked vasogenic edema and ring enhancement.

CONCLUSION

Brain infection in bone marrow transplant recipients during immunosuppression exhibited MR characteristics different from those typically seen in immunocompetent patients. This appearance may be related to a diminished immunologic/inflammatory response.

Sequential MR enhancement pattern in normal pituitary gland and in pituitary adenoma

PURPOSE

To measure and evaluate the temporal enhancement characteristics of the normal pituitary gland and pituitary adenoma.

METHODS

Thirty healthy subjects and 10 patients with sellar pituitary adenomas were studied prospectively using dynamic MR imaging with a 5- or 10-sec temporal resolution during a bolus injection of gadolinium.

RESULTS

Qualitative visual analysis demonstrated a consistent sequential pattern of pituitary enhancement in which the posterior lobe enhanced earlier than the anterior lobe by approximately 35 sec. Quantitative analysis revealed that posterior lobe enhancement occurred 9.8 +/- 1.5 sec (mean +/- SEM) before the anterior lobe in healthy subjects, whereas tumor enhancement occurred significantly before the anterior lobe but only slightly before the posterior lobe in patients with adenomas.

CONCLUSION

The sequential enhancement pattern of the normal pituitary gland was found to be consistent with its vascular anatomy. In contrast to previous reports, pituitary adenomas were found to enhance earlier than the anterior lobe. These results suggest that pituitary adenomas have a direct arterial blood supply, similar to that of the posterior pituitary lobe.

Structure-activity relationships of the antimalarial agent artemisinin. 1. Synthesis and comparative molecular field analysis of C-9 analogs of artemisinin and 10-deoxoartemisinin

A series of C-9 beta-substituted artemisinin analogs (2-21) were synthesized via dianion alkylation of the total synthetic intermediate 57 followed by subsequent ozonolysis/acidification, or by alkylation of the enolate derived from (+)-9-desmethylartemisinin, 2. Inactive acyclic analogs 22 and 23 were synthesized by nucleophilic epoxide opening and the ring contracted analog 24 was prepared by an alternate route. 10-Deoxo-9-alkyl derivatives 68 and 70 were synthesized convergently from intermediates in the preparation of 9-alkyl derivatives. In vitro bioassay was conducted in W-2 and D-6 clones of drug resistant Plasmodium falciparum. Comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) of the 9-alkyl lactone derivatives provided a model with a cross-validated r2 = 0.793. Inclusion of inactive 1-deoxyartemisinin analogs 26-42 provided a model with a value of 0.857. The activities of a number of other analogs of divergent structure (43-56) were predicted with good accuracy using the CoMFA model.

Identification of a proline residue as a transduction element involved in voltage gating of gap junctions

Gap junction channels are structurally distinct from other ion channels in that they comprise two hemichannels which interact head-to-head to form an aqueous channel between cells. Intercellular voltage differences together with increased intracellular concentrations of H+ and Ca2+ cause closure of these normally patent channels. The relative sensitivity to voltage varies with the subunit (connexin) composition of the channels. The third of four transmembrane-spanning regions (M3) in connexins has been proposed to form the channel lining, and a global 'tilting' of the hemichannel subunits has been correlated with channel closure. But specific components involved in transduction of channel gating events have not been identified in either gap junctions or other ion channel classes (however, see model in ref. 5). We have examined a strictly conserved proline centrally located in M2 of connexin proteins. Mutation of this proline (Pro 87) in connexin 26 causes a reversal in the voltage-gating response when the mutant hemichannel is paired with wild-type connexin 26 in the Xenopus oocyte system. This suggests that the unique properties associated with this residue are critical to the transduction of voltage gating in these channels.

Study on the macromolecular synthesis in aging mouse seminiferous tubules by light and electron microscopic radioautography

Morphologic alternation and the changes of DNA, RNA and protein syntheses of the seminiferous tubules of aging mice were studied by light and electron microscopic radioautography. The morphology varied characteristically during the developmental periods. At embryonic and neonatal stages, the labelled myoid cells and Sertoli cells with 3H-thymidine were well observed, while at adult period, the labeling indices of both cells decreased to low levels. In contrast to this, the radioautograms showed that the gonocytes did not incorporate the labelled thymidine at embryonic day 19. As development proceeded to the 4th day after birth, the activity of DNA synthesis of gonocytes started. The labeling indices of spermatogonia reached the first peak at 3 weeks and were nearly constant thereafter. On the other hand, the activity of RNA synthesis of the cells in seminiferous tubules was not prosperous at embryonic day 19 and the neonatal stage. It was vigorous at adult and maintained a relatively high level at old period. The aging change of protein synthesis was detected in all kinds of the cells one hour after the 3H-leucine labeling. These results indicated that the old mice still kept adequate spermatogenesis. The Sertoli and myoid cells may play an important role in spermatogenesis in the whole life.

Radioautographic study on 3H-thymidine incorporation at different stages of muscle development in aging mice

The DNA synthesis of mouse intercostal muscle from the 13th prenatal day through postnatal 24 months has been studied by light microscopic radioautography after the injection of 3H-thymidine. Chronological changes of labeling indices showed the highest value at E13, decreased gradually and reached almost 0% at 3 months after birth. We classified the embryonic muscle development into five stages, and the LI at stage I was the highest, the LI at stage II was significantly lower than that at stage I, the LI at stage IV was significantly higher than that at stage II, and the LI at stage V was significantly lower than that at stage IV. These changes accorded well with the primary and secondary myotube formation.

Light microscopic radioautographic study on DNA synthesis in aging mice corneas

The morphological change and DNA synthesis of the aging mice corneal cells were investigated by light microscopic radioautography after injection of tritiated thymidine. The result showed that the incorporation of tritiated thymidine in corneal cells changed with aging. The sites of tritiated thymidine incorporation were located in the epithelium from postnatal day 19 to 1 year after birth, in the stroma and endothelium from prenatal day 19 to postnatal day 8 only. The labeling index in the epithelial cells reached its highest value at 1 month after birth. Labelled stromal and endothelial cells reached their peaks simultaneously on the third day after birth and disappeared completely from postnatal 1 month onwards. The thickness of the cornea increased obviously at one month and there were no notable morphological change thereafter. Our investigation provides for the first time a systematic study on the age-related changes of DNA synthesis and construction in the aging mice corneas.

Hel-N1: an autoimmune RNA-binding protein with specificity for 3' uridylate-rich untranslated regions of growth factor mRNAs

We have investigated the RNA binding specificity of Hel-N1, a human neuron-specific RNA-binding protein, which contains three RNA recognition motifs. Hel-N1 is a human homolog of Drosophila melanogaster elav, which plays a vital role in the development of neurons. A random RNA selection procedure revealed that Hel-N1 prefers to bind RNAs containing short stretches of uridylates similar to those found in the 3' untranslated regions (3' UTRs) of oncoprotein and cytokine mRNAs such as c-myc, c-fos, and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Direct binding studies demonstrated that Hel-N1 bound and formed multimers with c-myc 3' UTR mRNA and required, as a minimum, a specific 29-nucleotide stretch containing AUUUG, AUUUA, and GUUUUU. Deletion analysis demonstrated that a fragment of Hel-N1 containing 87 amino acids, encompassing the third RNA recognition motif, forms an RNA binding domain for the c-myc 3' UTR. In addition, Hel-N1 was shown to be reactive with autoantibodies from patients with paraneoplastic encephalomyelitis both before and after binding to c-myc mRNA.

Enhancement in the safety of immune globulins prepared from high-risk plasma

Hyperimmune gamma-globulins have proven efficacious in the prevention and treatment of viral infections, including those caused by hepatitis A and B viruses, cytomegalovirus, parvovirus. Interest in the prevention and/or treatment of infections caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has led to clinical trials with anti-HIV immune plasma and purified immune globulin prepared from donors who are actively infected with HIV. The handling and fractionation of this or other infectious plasma requires the construction and operation of virus containment facilities designed to protect fractionation employees and the immediate environment. This requirement would be reduced substantially by applying virucidal procedures prior to or during plasma pooling. We have shown that heating plasma at 56 degrees C for 1 h followed by treatment with 1% tri(n-butyl) phosphate (TNBP) and 1% Triton X-100 for 4 h at 30 degrees C resulted in the inactivation of > or = 10(12.1) tissue culture infectious doses (TCID50) of HIV. With this treatment, the recovery of IgG was 87 +/- 3%. Fractionation of treated plasma by cold ethanol precipitation proceeded normally, and overall recovery, purity, and potency against selected viral markers were unaffected. The additional treatment of plasma with 15 g/l Aerosil for 4 h at 45 degrees C removed 10(4.5) TCID50 of HIV but resulted in substantial IgG losses both prior to and following fractionation. We conclude that potentially infectious plasma can be treated at 56 degrees C for 1 h and by TNBP/Triton X-100 at 30 degrees C for 4 h prior to fractionation. These steps appear sufficient to assure safety and to permit routine fractionation of plasma.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Postnatal development and aging of esophageal epithelium in mouse: a light and electron microscopic radioautographic study

DNA synthesis and fine structure of the esophageal epithelium of ddY mouse in different age groups, from neonatal to senescent, were investigated by light and electron microscopic radioautography after 3H-thymidine labeling in vitro. At 1-3 days after birth, the esophagus was lined with two cell types, ciliated and nonciliated cells. From 1 week on, ciliated cells could not be found. At 2 weeks, the superficial cells still possessed nuclei and short microvilli on the apical plasma membranes. From 1 month, the superficial cells became keratinized and the microvilli on the apical plasma membrane disappeared. With aging of the mice, the epithelia became markedly thick. These results show that disappearance of ciliated cells, keratinization of superficial cells and increase of the thickness are the main changes in structure of mouse esophageal epithelium from neonatal to senescent ages. By light microscopic radioautography, labelled cells were almost confined in the basal layer, regardless of the aging stages. The highest labeling index was recorded at 1 day after birth, then decreased with age. By electron microscopic radioautography, silver grains indicating DNA synthesis were observed in nuclei. As compared with those of unlabelled cells in the basal layer, the nuclei and nucleoli of labelled cells were larger, with fewer cell organelles. The present study provides, for the first time, the basic quantitative data regarding cell proliferation of mouse esophageal epithelium from neonatal to senescent stage.

Temporal lobe atrophy on magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of early Alzheimer's disease

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the use of simple ratings and linear measures of atrophy in the temporal lobe structures obtained with magnetic resonance imaging coronal scans in the diagnosis of early Alzheimer's disease.

DESIGN

Prospective series. The National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke-Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association criteria for probable Alzheimer's disease. Blinded assessment.

SETTING

Dementia study in a university hospital.

SUBJECTS

Patients with Alzheimer's disease (n = 34), scoring 150 or more on the Extended Scale for Dementia, and age-matched healthy community volunteers (n = 39) who had both magnetic resonance imaging coronal scans and a psychometric assessment using the Extended Scale for Dementia within 6 months were included.

MEASURES

MAIN MEASURES

T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging coronal scans, a 1.5-T system. The degree of atrophy rated (0 to 4) in both sides of the temporal neocortex, entorhinal cortex, hippocampal formation, temporal horns, third ventricle, lateral ventricles, and frontal and parietal cortex. Linear measures: the area of hippocampus and the maximal transverse width of temporal horns.

RESULTS

Differentiation between patients with Alzheimer's disease and controls was limited by considerable variations in sensitivity and specificity. Receiver operating characteristics analysis revealed a clear order of discrimination, the entorhinal cortex and the temporal neocortex being the two best, followed by the temporal horns and hippocampal formation. For a given specificity of 90%, the corresponding sensitivity for the entorhinal cortex, temporal neocortex, temporal horns, and hippocampal formation was 95%, 63%, 56%, and 41%, respectively. Linear measures differed significantly but showed considerable overlap.

CONCLUSION

The presence of rated atrophy in selected temporal structures makes the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease more likely, but the absence does not rule out the possibility of early Alzheimer's disease.