Histone-mediated transfer and expression of the HIV-1 tat gene in Jurkat cells

We studied the gene transfer efficiency of lipofection reagents in comparison to DEAE-Dextran. DOTAP, Dosper, and Lipofectin have lower transfection efficiency; Lipofectamine has a 2.5-fold better efficiency compared with DEAE-Dextran. We report a novel and highly efficient DNA transfer system based on the DNA-binding proteins histone 3 and histone 4. We have transferred the HIV-1 tat gene and measured the transactivation of HIV-1 LTR by the transactivator protein, expressed in Jurkat cells. The HIV-1 LTR was linked to the CAT gene as a reporter. Compared to DEAE-Dextran-mediated transfection, histone-mediated transfection resulted in a sevenfold higher expression of the CAT gene. The maximum transfection efficiency mediated by histones is dependent on the relative concentration (DNA:histone ratio) and the incubation time. In a gel-retardation assay, an optimal complex formation was observed under the same conditions that allowed the highest transfection efficiency. This ability of histones to increase the delivery and transgenic expression of foreign DNA in eukaryotic cells is not simply due to the positive ionic character of the histone proteins. Polylysine, histone H1, and histone H2A were unable to mediate gene transfection in our system. Monoclonal antibodies that recognize antigenic determinant present on all five histone proteins (anti-histone, pan) were able to neutralize the transfection-enhancing potential of histone 3 and histone 4. However, anti-histone IgG enhanced the retardation of mobility of histone-DNA complexes. The results of this study allow us to conclude that histones H3 and H4 can catalyze gene transfer and gene expression in eukaryotic cells without any requirement for additional constituents. For this reason, we have termed the new gene-delivery system as histonefection.

Kinetic studies of FR-1, a growth factor-inducible aldo-keto reductase

Murine fibroblasts cultured in the presence of fibroblast growth factor-1 express relatively high levels of FR-1, a approximately 36 kDa protein related to the aldo-keto reductase superfamily [Donohue, P. J., Alberts, G. F., Hampton, B. S., Winkles, J. A. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 8604-8609]. While the crystal structure of FR-1 shows striking homology with human aldose reductase [Wilson, D. K., Nakano, T., Petrash, J. M., Quiocho, F. A. (1995) Biochemistry 34, 14323-14330], an enzyme linked to the pathogenesis of diabetic complications, the physiological role of FR-1 is not known. We show that FR-1 is capable of reducing a broad range of aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes, including the abundant and highly reactive lipid-derived aldehyde 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE; Km approximately 9 microM). However, in the absence of coenzyme, HNE caused a time-dependent inactivation of FR-1. Results from electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry and Edman-degradation of peptides derived from HNE-modified FR-1 were consistent with formation of a Michael adduct at Cys298. This was confirmed with a C298S mutant, which was resistant to HNE-induced inactivation. Since steady-state Km values determined with alkanals, alpha,beta-unsaturated alkenals, alkadienals, and 4-hydroxyalkenals fall within their physiological concentrations, lipid-derived aldehydes appear to be potential in vivo substrates for FR-1.

Germ cell tumour of testis

Germ cell tumour, though rare, represents most common malignancy among young men aged between 15 to 35 years. In 1990's dramatic improvement has taken place in survival rate of testicular tumours (from 10% in 1970's and 90% in 1990's). This has been possible because of effective diagnostic techniques, accurate monitoring with biological markers and use of effective platinum based combination chemotherapy in its management. The most significant improvement in survival rate has occurred in advanced stage germ-cell tumours. Seminomas are sensitive to radiation therapy and NSGCT (Non Seminomatous Germ Cell Tumours). are effectively treated by combination chemotherapy of 3 drugs of which Bleomycin is most expensive and many patient can not afford it and so compliance is poor. In the present series we have tried only 2 drug regimen consisting of Platinum and Etoposide (PE). Since January 1992 to December 1994, 40 cases of testicular tumours were treated. 16 cases received PEB regimen and 24 cases were treated by PE regimen of which only 6 cases in the former and 20 cases in the later group completed the scheduled course. Patients were given 6 cycles of PE regimen (inj. Platinum 20 mg/m2 D1-D5, VP-16 (ETOPOSIDE), 100 MG/M2 1.V. D1-D5) repeated every three weeks. Final evaluation was done in June 1996. 17/20 (85%) patients on PE regiment exhibited complete regression of the disease by the end of June 1996, I was lost to follow up, and 2 of them had the disease in progressive stage and were considered for another regimen. 18 months disease free survival was 85%. Table I. Royal Marsden Staging System Stage I: Disease econfined to testes Stage II: Intradiaphragmatic node involvement A: Less than 2 cm B: 2-5 cm C: Greater than 5 cm Stage III: Supradiaphragmatic node involvement Stage IV: Extralymphatic disease Lung, Liver, Bone etc.

Updated projections of infertility in the United States: 1995-2025

OBJECTIVE

To project the number of infertile women aged 15-44 every 5 years from 2000 to 2025.

DESIGN

Data are used from Cycle 5 of the National Survey of Family Growth conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics. Population projections prepared by the U.S. Bureau of the Census are used as the base population for 2000-2025. Prospective demographic projections are used to estimate the number of infertile women.

PARTICIPANTS

The National Survey of Family Growth (Cycle 5) interviewed 10,847 women aged 15-44 in 1995.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Number of infertile women.

RESULT(S)

The number of women experiencing infertility will range from 5.4-7.7 million in 2025, with the most likely number to be just under 6.5 million.

CONCLUSION(S)

This is a substantial revision (upward) in the number of infertile women, largely a result of the increase in the observed percentage of infertile women in 1995. This is the base population of concern to providers; of particular interest is the percentage of infertile women who seek medical treatment.

Surgical sterilization in the United States: prevalence and characteristics, 1965-95

OBJECTIVES

This report presents national data on the prevalence of surgical sterilization from 1965 to 1995 among women 15-44 years of age. Data are shown by type of sterilizing operation and demographic characteristics of the women. For the 1995 survey data, reasons for the three most common sterilizing operations (tubal ligation, vasectomy, and hysterectomy) are shown, as well as the desire for reversal among those with potentially reversible operations.

METHODS

Data are based on nationally representative samples of women 15-44 years of age: the 1965 National Fertility Study (NFS), and the 1973, 1982, 1988, and 1995 cycles of the National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG).

RESULTS

After rising from 16 to 42 percent between 1965 and 1988, the prevalence of surgical sterilization among married women 15-44 years old remained stable at 41 percent in 1995. Age, parity, religious affiliation, and education continued to be strongly associated with overall surgical sterilization levels. Tubal ligation and vasectomy were equally prevalent in the 1965 and 1973 surveys, but since 1962, tubal ligation has been more prevalent than vasectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Several factors contributed to the rise in reliance upon surgical sterilization among women 15-44 years old over the last 3 decades: (a) aging of the post-World War II Baby Boom women (and their partners) through the primary reproductive years; (b) relatively high contraceptive failure rates, particularly among socioeconomically less advantaged women; and (c) higher expectations for contraceptive effectiveness, safety, and convenience. Overall sterilization prevalence may be leveling off among women 15-44 years old, in part due to greater delay of first and subsequent births, thus making sterilization less of a concern while women are in this age range.

Metabolism of the lipid peroxidation product, 4-hydroxy-trans-2-nonenal, in isolated perfused rat heart

The metabolism of 4-hydroxy-trans-2-nonenal (HNE), an alpha, beta-unsaturated aldehyde generated during lipid peroxidation, was studied in isolated perfused rat hearts. High performance liquid chromatography separation of radioactive metabolites recovered from [3H]HNE-treated hearts revealed four major peaks. Based on the retention times of synthesized standards, peak I, which accounted for 20% radioactivity administered to the heart, was identified to be due to glutathione conjugates of HNE. Peaks II and III, containing 2 and 37% radioactivity, were assigned to 1, 4-dihydroxy-2-nonene (DHN) and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenoic acid, respectively. Peak IV was due to unmetabolized HNE. The electrospray ionization mass spectrum of peak I revealed two prominent metabolites with m/z values corresponding to [M + H]+ of HNE and DHN conjugates with glutathione. The presence of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenoic acid in peak III was substantiated using gas chromatography-chemical ionization mass spectroscopy. When exposed to sorbinil, an inhibitor of aldose reductase, no GS-DHN was recovered in the coronary effluent, and treatment with cyanamide, an inhibitor of aldehyde dehydrogenase, attenuated 4-hydroxy-2-nonenoic acid formation. These results show that the major metabolic transformations of HNE in rat heart involve conjugation with glutathione and oxidation to 4-hydroxy-2-nonenoic acid. Further metabolism of the GS-HNE conjugate involves aldose reductase-mediated reduction, a reaction catalyzed in vitro by homogenous cardiac aldose reductase.

Novel bioactivities of Curcuma longa constituents

Bioassay-directed fractionation of ethyl acetate extract from Curcuma longa Linn. rhizomes yielded three curcuminoids, which displayed topoisomerase I and II enzyme inhibition activity. Curcumin III (3) was the most active curcuminoid, inhibiting topoisomerase at 25 micrograms mL-1. Curcumin I (1) and curcumin II (2) inhibited the topoisomerases at 50 micrograms mL-1. Fractionation of the volatile oil from the rhizomes afforded ar-turmerone (4), which displayed mosquitocidal activity with an LD100 of 50 micrograms mL-1 on Aedes aegyptii larvae. Bioassay-directed fractionation of hexane extract from the turmeric leaves yielded labda-8(17),12-diene-15,16 dial (5) with antifungal activity against Candida albicans at 1 micrograms mL-1 and inhibited the growth of Candida kruseii and Candida parapsilosis at 25 micrograms mL-1. In addition, 5 displayed 100% mosquitocidal activity on A. aegyptii larvae at 10 micrograms mL-1.

Identification of cardiac oxidoreductase(s) involved in the metabolism of the lipid peroxidation-derived aldehyde-4-hydroxynonenal

The aim of this study was to identify the cardiac oxidoreductases involved in the metabolism of 4-hydroxy-2-trans-nonenal (HNE), an alpha,beta unsaturated aldehyde generated during the peroxidation of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. In homogenates of bovine, human and rat ventricles the primary pyridine coenzyme-linked metabolism of HNE was associated with NADPH oxidation. The NADPH-dependent enzyme catalysing HNE reduction was purified to homogeneity from bovine heart. The purified enzyme displayed kinetic and immunological properties identical with the polyol pathway enzyme aldose reductase (AR), and catalysed the reduction of HNE to its alcohol 1,4-dihydroxynonene (DHN), with a Km of 7+/-2 microM. In the presence of NADP the enzyme did not catalyse the oxidation of DHN. During catalysis, HNE did not cause inactivation of AR. Nevertheless when the apoenzyme was incubated with HNE a dissociable complex was formed between the enzyme and HNE, followed by irreversible loss of activity. Inactivation of the enzyme by HNE was prevented by NADP. Partial modification of the enzyme with HNE led to a 17-fold increase in the KHNEm and Kglyceraldehydem, and the HNE-modified enzyme had a 500-fold higher IC50 for sorbinil than for the reduced enzyme, whereas the IC50 for tolrestat increased 25-fold. Incubation of the enzyme with radiolabelled HNE resulted in the incorporation of 2 mol of the aldehyde per mol of the enzyme. Sequence analysis of the radiolabelled peptides revealed modification of Cys-298 and Cys-187. The amino acid sequence of the HNE-modified peptides confirmed that the HNE-reducing cardiac enzyme is AR and not a related protein such as the fibroblast-growth-factor-regulated protein FR-1 or the mouse vas deferens protein MVDP. These results indicate that AR represents the only major oxidoreductase in the heart capable of utilizing HNE. The high affinity of the enzyme for HNE, the lack of inactivation during catalysis, and the lack of significant alcohol dehydrogenase activity of the protein suggests that AR-mediated catalysis of HNE is unlikely to be limited by substrate/product inhibition. Thus AR might constitute an antioxidative enzyme involved in myocardial protection against endogenous and exogenous cytotoxic aldehydes and against oxidative stress.

Persistent left superior vena cava discovered during placement of central venous catheter

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Impaired fecundity in the United States: 1982-1995

CONTEXT

The 1995 National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) provides new nationally representative data to test the accuracy of the commonly held assumption that impaired fecundity has been rising in the United States over the past decade.

METHODS

Using data from the 1982, 1988 and 1995 rounds of the NSFG, trends in both the proportions and numbers of women with impaired fecundity and of those who received infertility services were examined. Multiple logistic regressions were carried out to estimate the effects of demographic characteristics on the likelihood of currently having impaired fecundity and of ever having received medical help for infertility.

RESULTS

The proportion of U.S. women aged 15-44 who reported some form of fecundity impairment rose from 8% in 1982 and 1988 to 10% in 1995, an increase in absolute numbers from 4.6 million to 6.2 million women. Although the proportion of fecundity-impaired women who had ever sought medical help did not change between 1988 and 1995 (44%), the absolute numbers of such women grew by nearly 30%, from 2.1 million to 2.7 million. Women who had ever sought help for fertility problems were older and had a higher income than those who had not, and were more likely to be married.

CONCLUSION

The dramatic increase in the numbers of U.S. women with impaired fecundity occurred because the large baby-boom cohort, many of whom delayed childbearing, had reached their later and less fecund reproductive years. This increase in both rates and numbers occurred across almost all age, parity, marital status, education, income, and race and ethnicity subgroups.

Modification of aldose reductase by S-nitrosoglutathione

Kinetic and structural changes in recombinant human aldose reductase (AR) due to modification by S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) were investigated. Incubation of the enzyme with 10-50 microM GSNO led to a time- and concentration-dependent inactivation of the enzyme, with a second-order rate constant of 0.087 +/- 0.009 M-1 min-1. However, upon exhaustive modification, 30-40% of the enzyme activity was retained. The non-inactivated enzyme displayed a 2-3-fold change in Km for NADPH and Km fordl-glyceraldehyde, whereas the Km for the lipid peroxidation product, 4-hydroxy-2-trans nonenal (HNE), was comparable to that of the untreated enzyme. The residual activity of the enzyme after GSNO treatment was less sensitive to inhibition by the active site inhibitor sorbinil or to activation by sulfate. Significantly higher catalytic activity was retained when the enzyme was modified in the presence of NADPH, suggesting relatively low reactivity of the E-NADPH complex with GSNO. The modification site was identified using site-directed mutants in which each of the solvent-exposed cysteines of the enzyme was replaced individually by serine. The mutant C298S was insensitive to GSNO, whereas the sensitivity of the mutants C303S and C80S was comparable to that of the wild-type enzyme. Electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy of the GSNO-modified enzyme revealed a major modified species (70% of the protein) with a molecular mass that was 306 Da higher than that of the untreated enzyme, which is consistent with the addition of a single glutathione molecule to the enzyme. The remaining 30% of the protein displayed a molecular mass that was not significantly different from that of the native enzyme. No nitrosated forms of the enzyme were observed. These results suggest that inactivation of AR by GSNO is due to the selective formation of a single mixed disulfide between glutathione and Cys-298 located at the NADP(H)-binding site of the enzyme.

Active site modification of aldose reductase by nitric oxide donors

Nitric oxide (NO) donors sodium nitrosoprusside (SNP), S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), and 3-morpholinosydnonemine (SIN-1) caused a time- and concentration-dependent loss of catalytic activity of recombinant human placental aldose reductase. Modification of the enzyme was prevented by NADPH and NADP and reversed partially by dithiothreitol (DTT) and sodium borohydride. The protection by NADPH was lost in the presence of both substrates (NADPH and glyceraldehyde), indicating that the enzyme becomes sensitive to inhibition by SNP during catalysis. Site-directed mutant form of the enzyme, in which active site cys-298 was substituted with serine (C298S) was not inactivated by NO donors, whereas, ARC80S and ARC303 were as sensitive as the wild type enzyme, indicating that inactivation of aldose reductase is due to modification of the active site at cys298. These results suggest that NO may be an endogenous regulator of aldose reductase, and consequently the polyol pathway of glucose metabolism; which has been implicated in the pathogenesis of secondary diabetic complications.

A synthesis of 4-hydroxy-2-trans-nonenal and 4-(3H) 4-hydroxy-2-trans-nonenal

4-Hydroxy-2-trans-nonenal, the most abundant and toxic unsaturated aldehyde generated during membrane lipid peroxidation, was synthesized starting from fumaraldehyde dimethyl acetal. In the first step of the synthesis, the fumaraldehyde dimethyl acetal was partially hydrolyzed using amberlyst catalyst to obtain the monoacetal. The 4-hydroxy-2-trans-nonenal was synthesized by the Grignard reaction of the fumaraldehyde monoacetal with 1-bromopentane. 4-Hydroxy-2-trans-nonenal, obtained as its dimethylacetal, was oxidized to its corresponding 4-keto derivative using pyridinium chlorochromate buffered with sodium acetate as the oxidizing agent. 4-(3H) 4-Hydroxy-2-trans-nonenal was obtained in one step by the sodium borotriteride reduction of the 4-keto derivative.

Fertility, family planning, and women's health: new data from the 1995 National Survey of Family Growth

OBJECTIVES

This report shows data on a wide range of topics from the 1995 National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG), including: pregnancy and birth, marriage, divorce, cohabitation, sexual intercourse, contraception, infertility, use of family planning and other medical services, and health conditions and behavior.

METHODS

The data in this report are based on in-person interviews with a national sample of 10,847 women 15-44 years of age. The interviews lasted an average of 103 minutes. The response rate was 79 percent. The sample data are adjusted for nonresponse and are national estimates.

RESULTS

Following large increases in the 1970's and 1980's, the proportion of teenagers who have ever had sexual intercourse decreased slightly between 1990 and 1995; condom use, both at first intercourse and currently, has increased markedly since the 1970's. These changes may have contributed to the decreases in the teen birth rate observed in the 1990's. For all women 15-44 years of age, the number whose partner was currently using the condom (at the date of interview) increased from 3.6 million in 1982 to 5.1 million in 1988 and 7.9 million in 1995. About 8 percent of women reported that their first intercourse was not voluntary. This result is consistent with an earlier national survey. About 20 percent reported that they had been forced by a man to have intercourse at some time in their lives. About 10 percent of births in 1990-95 were unwanted by the mother compared with 12 percent in 1984-88. The decrease in unwanted births was particularly large for black women. It appears that the prevalence of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and vaginal douching have both decreased since 1988.

Differential display of genome subsets containing specific interspersed repeats

A genomic differential display method was developed that analyzes many restriction fragment length polymorphisms simultaneously. Interspersed repeat sequences were used to reduce DNA sample complexity and to target genomic subsets of interest. This work focused on trinucleotide repeats because of their importance in human inherited diseases. Immobilized repeat-containing oligonucleotides were used to capture genomic DNA fragments containing sequences complementary to the oligonucleotide. Captured fragments were amplified by PCR and fluorescently labeled using primers complementary to the repeat sequence and/or to the known sequences ligated to the ends of the restriction fragments. The labeled PCR fragments were displayed by size on a high-resolution automated fluorescent DNA sequencing instrument. Although there was a conservation in the overall pattern of displayed genome subsets, many clear and reproducible differences were detected when genomes from different individuals were compared. Fewer differences were detected within, than between, monozygotic twin pair genomes. In control experiments, the method distinguished between Huntington disease alleles with normal and expanded CAG repeat lengths.

Low molecular weight proteins secreted by peritoneal macrophages obtained from 2,3,7,8-tetrabromodibenzo-p-dioxin-treated NMRI mice

The protein secretion patterns in a macrophage-like cell line (CBrD), established from the peritoneal cells of NMRI mice treated with the dioxin analog 2,3,7,8-tetrabromodibenzo-p-dioxin (TBrDD), were analyzed by high resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-D PAGE), and compared to the pattern of proteins secreted by control macrophages which were intraperitoneally activated by bacterial lipopolysaccharide. The most striking alterations were observed in the low molecular range. The transformed cells encode a number of low molecular mass proteins (10-20 kDa) which were not detected in control cells under identical experimental conditions. The protein pattern with respect to isoelectric point, molecular weight, optical density (OD) and area of the spot (in mm2) has been depicted by computer analysis in relation to a standardized spot outline and the spot's background (in OD). It is concluded that the transformation of murine peritoneal macrophages by TBrDD leads to an upregulation of proteins, in particular of low-molecular-weight proteins.

Characterization of the RNA dependent DNA polymerase of bovine leukemia virus

The reverse transcriptase-RNA dependent DNA polymerase of Bovine Leukemia Virus (BLV) was isolated and characterized. The enzyme has a molecular weight of about 80kd and the isoelectric point is 7.6. The enzyme prefers magnesium, as a divalent cation using synthetic homopolymeric template primer poly (C) oligo (dG). Monoclonal antibodies directed against reverse transcriptase of human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-I) did not crossreact with the isolated polymerase.

Lipid peroxidation product, 4-hydroxynonenal and its conjugate with GSH are excellent substrates of bovine lens aldose reductase

There is increasing evidence that lipid aldehydes generated endogenously during the process of degradation of lipid peroxides, are causally involved in the pathophysiology effects associated with oxidative stress. We report here that 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), which is one of the most abundant and toxic lipid aldehyde can be efficiently detoxified by the aldo-keto reductase, aldose reductase, purified from bovine lens. The enzyme displays a Km of congruent to 9 microM for HNE and 34 microM for the glutathione adduct of HNE (HNE-GS) assigning HNE and HNE-GS to be the best natural substrates of aldose reductase known so far and exposing a new efficient detoxification route of HNE.

Health aspects of pregnancy and childbirth: United States, 1982-88

Statistics collected in 1988 are presented on the timing of the first prenatal visit, the source of prenatal care, smoking and alcohol use during pregnancy, low birthweight, and how delivery was paid for. The data are shown by race and characteristics of the mother and the pregnancy. Trends between 1982 and 1988 are also presented.

The value of a postoperative radiation therapy in FIGO stage I and II endometrial cancers

PURPOSE

The incidence of endometrial cancer has increased considerably within the last decades. Due to early symptoms more than 88% of all patients present initially with FIGO stage I or II disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

One hundred and forty-four patients out of 192 patients with stage I endometrial cancers received surgical treatment alone. Like the remaining 48 patients 39 out of 65 patients with stage II tumors received adjuvant radiation therapy with 50 Gy to the true pelvis.

RESULTS

Independent on the chosen treatment results in stage I were influenced by the depth of myometrial invasion (p = 0.023). With a crude 5-year survival rate of 88% patients with less than 33% reached life expectation of matched healthy women. With deeper infiltration crude survival rates were as low as 77%. In stage II tumors 5-year crude survival was elevated 60 to 80% independent on the depth of myometrial infiltration by adjuvant radiation therapy (p = 0.11).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite its potential curability and the general knowledge that the prognosis of endometrial carcinomas is governed by a number of factors there are no generally accepted standard treatment modalities available Thus there is great demand for randomized clinical trials.