[Effect of prostate peripheral zones stromal cells on the proliferation of prostate cells by overexpression of LMO2 gene]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the biological effect of prostate peripheral zones (PZs) stromal cells on the proliferation of prostate cells by overexpression of LMO2 gene.

METHODS

Genes expressional distinction of different prostate stromal cells was screened by gene expression arrays. To validate the microarray data, real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting analysis were used to check the over expression of LMO2 in PZs cells.To compare the effect of stromal cells which overexpressed LMO2 gene on in vitro proliferation ability of BPH-1 and PC3 cell lines, cell proliferation was measured by CCK-8 and EdU assay. Cytokines chip was used to screen expression of cytokines in WPMY-1-LMO2 conditioned medium. The changes of BPH-1 and PC3 proliferation associated proteins were assessed by Western blotting.

RESULTS

A total of 512 genes were identified as markedly differentially expressed in stromal cells originated from different zones. Among these genes, LMO2 gene was overexpression in peripheral zones stromal cells, and confirmed by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Expression level of LMO2 gene was significantly up-regulated in peripheral zones stromal cells compared with transitional zones stromal cells, increased by 3.36 folds on average (P<0.01). The proliferation of both PC3 and BPH-1 were found increased and STAT3 phosphorylation and CCND1 expression were increased after cultured in conditioned medium from stromal cells which stably expressed LMO2. Cytokines chip found increased FGF-9 and IL-11 expression in the medium supernatant reserved from LMO2-overexpressed stromal cell line.

CONCLUSIONS

Distinct gene expression exists among prostate stromal cells originated from different zones. LMO2 overexpressed stromal cells can induce prostate epithelial cell growth via paracrine of FGF-9, IL-11 or other cytokines.

Clinical efficacy of fiberoptic ductoscopy in combination with ultrasound-guided minimally invasive surgery in treatment of plasma cell mastitis

OBJECTIVES

To analyze clinical efficacy between fiberoptic ductoscopy plus ultrasound-guided minimally invasive irrigation and lesion resection in treating plasma cell mastitis (PCM), aiming to provide clinical evidence for treating PCM.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

119 patients undergoing fiberoptic ductoscopy plus ultrasound-guided minimally invasive surgery in Ningxia People's Hospital were allocated into the breast duct irrigation group, and 95 counterparts receiving lesion resection in the Affiliated Hospital of Ningxia Medical University into the control group. Clinico-pathological characteristics and therapeutic effect were compared between two groups.

RESULTS

The cure rate in the breast duct irrigation group was 98.31% (117/119), significantly higher than 90.53% in the control group (p < 0.05). In the breast duct irrigation group, overall treatment time was 20.13 days, significantly longer than 15.15 days in the control group (p < 0.05). During postoperative follow-up, no recurrence was observed, significantly lower compared with 48.8% (42/86) in the control group. The degree of satisfaction in the breast duct irrigation group was 95.79% (114/119), significantly higher compared with 74.74% (71/95) in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Fiberoptic ductoscopy plus with ultrasound-guided minimally invasive drainage is a novel and effective treatment of PCM with high cure rate, low recurrence rate, slight pain, and effectively maintains breast integrity.

TRB3 links insulin/IGF to tumour promotion by interacting with p62 and impeding autophagic/proteasomal degradations

High insulin/IGF is a biologic link between diabetes and cancers, but the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. Here we report a previously unrecognized tumour-promoting mechanism for stress protein TRB3, which mediates a reciprocal antagonism between autophagic and proteasomal degradation systems and connects insulin/IGF to malignant promotion. We find that several human cancers express higher TRB3 and phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate 1, which correlates negatively with patient's prognosis. TRB3 depletion protects against tumour-promoting actions of insulin/IGF and attenuates tumour initiation, growth and metastasis in mice. TRB3 interacts with autophagic receptor p62 and hinders p62 binding to LC3 and ubiquitinated substrates, which causes p62 deposition and suppresses autophagic/proteasomal degradation. Several tumour-promoting factors accumulate in cancer cells to support tumour metabolism, proliferation, invasion and metastasis. Interrupting TRB3/p62 interaction produces potent antitumour efficacies against tumour growth and metastasis. Our study opens possibility of targeting this interaction as a potential novel strategy against cancers with diabetes.

Ionic liquid catalyzed synthesis of 2-(indole-3-yl)-thiochroman-4-ones and their novel antifungal activities

2-(Indole-3-yl)-thiochroman-4-ones were synthesized via ionic liquid and tested for in vitro antifungal activity. The contribution of ionic liquid to Michael addition reaction is significant. Structures of all compounds are elucidated by (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR and HRMS. Most of these compounds showed better antifungal activity than fluconazole. The results suggest that 2-(indole-3-yl)-thiochroman-4-ones would be efficient antifungal agents.

First Report of Penicillium crustosum Causing Blue Mold on Stored Apple Fruit in Serbia

Penicillium crustosum Thom (1930) causes blue mold on pome fruits and is also regularly found on cheese, nuts, and soil (1,3). The fungus produces a wide range of mycotoxins such as penitrem A, roquefortine C, terrestric acid, and cyclopenol, which impact human health (1). In January and February 2013, 20 decayed apples, 'Golden Delicious' and 'Jonagold' (Malus × domestica Borkh.) with blue mold symptoms were collected from cold storages in Svilajnac and Bela Crkva, Serbia. Decayed areas were light to medium brown with blue green sporulation on the surface of the lesion. Decayed tissue was soft and watery with a sharp margin between the diseased and healthy areas. One isolate from each cultivar was designated JP2 ('Golden Delicious') and JBC7 ('Jonagold') and further characterized. Conidiophores of both isolates were terverticillate, stipes were septate with rough walls, and phialides were ampulliform. Conidia were smooth, borne in columns, and were spherical to subglobose. Conidial dimensions for JP2 were 3.2 to 4.56 (3.73) × 2.64 to 4.3 (3.32) μm and for JBC7 were 3.1 to 4.46 (3.65) × 2.81 to 4.27 (3.31) μm (n = 50). The isolates were cultured on Czapek yeast autolysate agar (CYA), malt extract agar (MEA), and yeast extract sucrose agar (YES) media and incubated at 25°C for 7 days. Mycelia were white with heavy sporulation yielding grayish green colonies on all media. Colonies were radially sulcate and velutinous, with clear exudate, and produced a yellow to orange reverse on CYA and YES. On MEA, colonies were plane, low, and mycelia subsurface with conidia having a dry powdery appearance. Crusts of conidial masses formed after 10 or more days. No growth was observed on CYA when these isolates were incubated at 37°C. Both isolates were identified as P. crustosum Thom using morphological characters according to (2) and (1). Species level identification was confirmed by isolating genomic DNA followed by amplification of the β-tubulin locus using gene specific primers via conventional PCR (4). MegaBLAST analysis of the 2X consensus nucleotide sequences revealed that JP2 and JBC7 (GenBank KJ433984 and 85) were 99% identical to P. crustosum culture collection isolate IBT 21518 (JN112030.1). Koch's postulates were examined using two apple cvs. Idared and Kolacara. Ten fruit per cultivar per isolate were inoculated on two sides of each fruit; 20 fruit were used as water-only inoculated controls. Fruit were washed with soap and water, surface sanitized with 70% ethanol, and placed into polyethylene boxes. Using a finishing nail, 4-mm wounds were created and inoculated with 50 μl of a 3 × 10⁵/ml conidial suspension or Tween-treated sterile distilled water. Boxes with inoculated and control fruit were stored at 25°C for 10 days. The inoculated fruit developed small, soft, watery lesions, which enlarged into decayed areas with defined edges and abundant sporulation on the surface. Symptoms were identical to the original ones, while the control fruit remained symptomless. The fungus was re-isolated from infected tissue and showed the same morphological characteristics as the original isolates, thus completing Koch's postulates. Blue mold occurs during long term storage of apples and is predominantly caused by P. expansum. This is the first report of P. crustosum causing postharvest blue mold decay on apple fruit obtained from storage in Serbia and indicates that P. crustosum is an emerging pathogen for the Serbian pome fruit growing and packing industry. References: (1) J. C. Frisvad and R. A. Samson. Stud. Mycol. 49:1, 2004. (2) J. I. Pitt and A. D. Hocking. Fungi and Food Spoilage, 239. Springer, 2009. (3) P. G. Sanderson and R. A. Spotts. Phytopathology 85:103. 1995. (4) P. L. Sholberg et al. Postharvest Biol. Technol. 36:41, 2005.

[Autophagy in ageing and ageing-related diseases]

Autophagy is an important homeostatic cellular recycling mechanism responsible for degrading injured or dysfunctional cellular organelles and proteins in all living cells. Aging is a universal phenomenon characterized by progressive deterioration of cells and organs due to accumulation of macromolecular and organelle damage. Growing evidences indicate that the rate of autophagosome formation and maturation and the efficiency of autophagosome/lysosome fusion decline with age. Dysfunctional autophagy has also been observed in age-related diseases. Autophagy disruption resulted accumulation of mutated or misfolded proteins is the essential feature of neurodegenerative disorders. However, in cancers, fibroproliferative diseases or cardiovascular diseases, autophagy can play either a protective or destructive role in different types of disease, and even in different stages of the same disease. The review will discuss the cellular and molecular mechanisms of autophagy and its important role in the pathogenesis of aging and age-related diseases, and the ongoing drug discovery strategies for therapeutic intervention.

Prostasin may contribute to chemoresistance, repress cancer cells in ovarian cancer, and is involved in the signaling pathways of CASP/PAK2-p34/actin

Ovarian cancer is the deadliest of gynecologic cancers, largely due to the development of drug resistance in chemotherapy. Prostasin may have an essential role in the oncogenesis. In this study, we show that prostasin is decreased in an ovarian cancer drug-resistant cell line and in ovarian cancer patients with high levels of excision repair cross-complementing 1, a marker for chemoresistance. Our cell cultural model investigation demonstrates prostasin has important roles in the development of drug resistance and cancer cell survival. Forced overexpression of prostasin in ovarian cancer cells greatly induces cell death (resulting in 99% cell death in a drug-resistant cell line and 100% cell death in other tested cell lines). In addition, the surviving cells grow at a much lower rate compared with non-overexpressed cells. In vivo studies indicate that forced overexpression of prostasin in drug-resistant cells greatly inhibits the growth of tumors and may partially reverse drug resistance. Our investigation of the molecular mechanisms suggests that prostasin may repress cancer cells and/or contribute to chemoresistance by modulating the CASP/P21-activated protein kinase (PAK2)-p34 pathway, and thereafter PAK2-p34/JNK/c-jun and PAK2-p34/mlck/actin signaling pathways. Thus, we introduce prostain as a potential target for treating/repressing some ovarian tumors and have begun to identify their relevant molecular targets in specific signaling pathways.

[Establishment and application of TLR2 receptor-based cell screening model]

TLR2 activity plays an important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, tumor carcinogenesis and cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. To establish a TLR2 receptor-based cell screening model, NF-kappaB promoter-driven luciferase reporter plasmids were transfected into human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293) stably expressing human TLR2 and co-receptors CD14, TLR1 and TLR6. Single clones were then isolated and characterized. Using this screening system, a human TLR2-binding peptide C8 was obtained from the Ph.D.-7 Phage Display Peptide Library through biopanning and rapid analysis of selective interactive ligands (BRASIL). The binding characteristic of C8 with human TLR2 was evaluated by ELISA, flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. The NF-kappaB luciferase activity assay showed that C8 could activate the TLR2/TLR1 signaling pathway and induce the production of cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-6. In conclusion, the TLR2 receptor-based cell screening system is successfully established and a new TLR2-binding peptide is identified by using this system.

Population pharmacokinetics of valnemulin in swine

This study was carried out in 121 pigs to develop a population pharmacokinetic (PPK) model by oral (p.o.) administration of valnemulin at a single dose of 10 mg/kg. Serum biochemistry parameters of each pig were determined prior to drug administration. Three to five blood samples were collected at random time points, but uniformly distributed in the absorption, distribution, and elimination phases of drug disposition. Plasma concentrations of valnemulin were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The concentration-time data were fitted to PPK models using nonlinear mixed effect modeling (NONMEM) with G77 FORTRAN compiler. NONMEM runs were executed using Wings for NONMEM. Fixed effects of weight, age, sex as well as biochemistry parameters, which may influence the PK of valnemulin, were investigated. The drug concentration-time data were adequately described by a one-compartmental model with first-order absorption. A random effect model of valnemulin revealed a pattern of log-normal distribution, and it satisfactorily characterized the observed interindividual variability. The distribution of random residual errors, however, suggested an additive model for the initial phase (<12 h) followed by a combined model that consists of both proportional and additive features (≥ 12 h), so that the intra-individual variability could be sufficiently characterized. Covariate analysis indicated that body weight had a conspicuous effect on valnemulin clearance (CL/F). The featured population PK values of Ka , V/F and CL/F were 0.292/h, 63.0 L and 41.3 L/h, respectively.

Laparoscopically-assisted radical vaginal hysterectomy with five years follow-up: a case control study

OBJECTIVE

To compare a novel surgical approach, laparoscopically-assisted radical vaginal hysterectomy (LARVH) with abdominal radical hysterectomy in women with cervical cancer, and to investigate whether selected women benefit from the minimally-invasive approach without high recurrence rate and complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty women undergoing LARVH were included and compared with 40 women undergoing abdominal radical hysterectomy. The control group was matched for age and disease stage. Retrospective chart review was performed and patients were followed for an average of 2.5 years.

RESULTS

Blood loss was significantly increased in the control group (343.3 vs 606.3 ml, p = 0.012). Transfusions were given in 42.5% of women in the control group and 17.5% in the LARVH group. Mean operative time was longer in the control group (151 vs 240 minutes p = 0.0001). Mean nodal counts did not show a significant difference (27.3 in control vs 21.4 in LARVH, p = 0.886). Recurrence group was 7.5% at mean follow up of 30.1 months in LARVH group and in 30.8 months follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The LARVH procedure was comparable in terms of safety (recurrence and complication rates) meanwhile LARVH showed minimally-invasive advantages in terms of blood loss, operative time, and shorter hospital stay.

Population pharmacokinetics of cefquinome in pigs

This study was performed in 145 pigs to develop a population pharmacokinetics (PPK) model by i.m. administration of cefquinome (CEQ) at the dose of 2 mg/kg in the neck muscle. Serum physiological and biochemical parameters for each pig were determined before administration. After administration, 2-4 samples were collected at random, with the sampling point evenly distributed in the three periods (<1 h, 1-4 h and >4 h). The plasma concentration of CEQ was determined by high performance liquid chromatography with UV detector. The pharmacostatistical analyses of concentration-time data, weight, age, gender, serum physiological and biochemical parameters were performed with nonlinear mixed effect modeling (NONMEM). A one-compartmental model with first-order absorption and elimination adequately described the data from the study group. The optimal random effect model of pharmacokinetics parameters was of log-normal distribution and the residual errors assumed a mixed-type model (proportional and additive) to best explain intra-individual variability. Covariate analysis showed that body weight is positively correlated with apparent volume of distribution (V/F) and body clearance (CL/F). The typical PPK parameters of Ka , CL, and V were 0.564/h, 5.15 L/h, and 1.36 L, respectively.

Celecoxib radiosensitizes the human cervical cancer HeLa cell line via a mechanism dependent on reduced cyclo-oxygenase-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor C expression

OBJECTIVE

The effects of celecoxib, a selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, on HeLa cervical cancer cell growth and radiosensitivity were investigated.

METHODS

Cytotoxicity was quantified using a 3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium assay and effects on radiosensitivity were assessed using the lethal dose, quasithreshold dose, fraction surviving after 2 Gy irradiation and the radiosensitization ratio (SER, based on average lethal dose) determined using a single-hit multitarget model.

RESULTS

Celecoxib inhibited HeLa cell proliferation in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration at 72 h of 44 μmol/l. Treatment with 20 μmol/l celecoxib for 72 h before irradiation was associated with an SER of 2.01. The SER of irradiated cells was 2.41 when treated with 40 μmol/l celecoxib before irradiation, 1.89 when treated simultaneously and 1.44 when treated after irradiation. Celecoxib downregulated COX-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) expression evaluated immunohistochemically.

CONCLUSION

Celecoxib pretreatment radiosensitizes HeLa cells via a mechanism dependent on down-regulation of COX-2 and VEGF-C.

Bio-distribution and anti-tumor efficacy of PEG/PLA nano particles loaded doxorubicin

As a more effective in vivo drug delivery system, several methods loading anti-cancer drugs to biodegradable and biocompatible nano-particles have been explored and developed. Supposedly due to the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, systemic administration of these nano-particles have been found to result in accumulation of nano-particles into solid tumors. In this study, we prepared nano-particles using polyethylene glycol (PEG)/poly-L-lactide (PLLA) diblock copolymer and loaded doxorubicin into these nano-particles (Nano-dox). The fabricated nano-particles exhibited sustained release kinetics of the drug in vitro. To follow the in vivo biodistribution of 200-350 nm sized nano-dox particles in tumor (syngenic renal cell adenocarcinoma: RENCA) bearing mouse, the carboxylfluorescenin diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE) was loaded into the nano-particles. Nano-dox accumulated preferentially in tumors; however, in terms of its anti-tumor efficacy, it did not show any marked benefits, compared to freely-administered doxorubicin. This result suggests the need to re-consider and evaluate what type of anti-cancer reagents we to be used in the ongoing efforts of coupling drug delivery system with tumor EPR effects.

Urethral cystoscopic realignment and early end-to-end anastomosis develop different influence on erectile function in patients with ruptured bulbous urethra

The objective of this study is to compare the influence on erectile function between urethral cystoscopic realignment and early end-to-end anastomosis treating ruptured bulbous urethra. 58 cases were selected, 32 had urethral cystoscopic realignment (group I) and 26 cases had urethral end-to-end anastomosis (group II). The parameters of P-CDU (Penile Color Duplex Ultrasound), NPT (Nocturnal Penile Tumescence), and IIEF-5 (International Index of Erectile Function) were compared between the two groups 6 months after operation. Group I was higher than group II in IIEF (21 vs 14) with significant differences. With P-CDU we observed an improvement in penile vascularization in group I as confirmed by the detection of an increase in peak systolic velocity (PSV) (26 cm/s vs 16 cm/s, p<0.01) and a decrease in end diastolic velocity (EDV) (3 cm/s vs 6 cm/s p<0.05), resulting in an increase in resistive index (RI) (0.85 vs 0.56, p<0.05). The parameters of NPT showed a significant increase compared to group II (p<0.01) in satisfactory erection number (5 vs 1.5), maximum rigidity (80% vs 42%), and total time that the increase in circumference was greater than 30% of baseline during sleep (100 sec vs 30 sec). Urethral cystoscopic realignment treating ruptured bulbous urethra can reduce the incidence of erectile dysfunction [ED]. A long term follow-up should be studied.

Reduced semen quality in chronic prostatitis patients that induce the release of apoptotic protein Omi/HtrA2 from spermatozoa

The relationship between chronic prostatitis and fertility has been disputed for many years. Several groups have shown infection and autoimmune response against prostate antigens could have a deleterious effect on semen quality and fertility. This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that Omi/HtrA2-induced apoptosis in chronic prostatitis could be a mechanism underlying the observed clinical benefit. The Omi/HtrA2 serine protease is a nuclear-encoded mitochondrial protein, which can be released from mitochondria into the cytosol after apoptosis stimuli, inducing apoptosis in caspase-dependent and independent manners. Forty-one patients diagnosed as suffering from chronic prostatitis were included. Healthy normal individuals were included as controls. Human spermatozoa in the semen were purified by Percoll-gradient technique to separate the seminal plasma and other round cells. Measurements for sperm concentration, motility, morphology, proinflammatory cytokines, Omi/HtrA2 mRNA and protein levels in spermatozoa of chronic protatitis patients, were performed accordingly. Significantly increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines were detected in seminal plasma from these prostatitis patients. Omi/HtrA2 mRNA and protein levels were significantly higher in prostatitis men than in normal men. This study shows that chronic prostatitis patients present important alterations in their semen quality parameters, Omi/HtrA2 mRNA and protein levels of spermatozoa. We speculate that the inflammatory process involved may affect male fertility by release of proapoptotic protein Omi/HtrA2.

A vaccine against coccidioidomycosis is justified and attainable

Coccidioides is a fungal pathogen of humans which can cause a life-threatening respiratory disease in immunocompetent individuals. Recurrent epidemics of coccidioidal infections in Southwestern United States has raised the specter of awareness of this soil-borne microbe, particularly among residents of Arizona and Southern California, and has galvanized research efforts to develop a human vaccine against coccidioidomycosis. In this review, we discuss the rationale for such a vaccine, examine the features of host innate and acquired immune response to Coccidioides infection, describe strategies used to identify and evaluate vaccine candidates, and provide an update on progress toward development of a vaccine against this endemic pathogen.

Maternal histidinaemia: pregnancies and offspring outcomes

Untreated pregnancies and their outcomes were studied in 10 women with histidinaemia and their 26 pregnancies. The mean maternal assigned histidine level was 727+/-186 micromol/L (range 484-1,053). Six women had classic histidinaemia (assigned level >700 micromol/L) and the remaining four had mild (atypical) histidinaemia. The pregnancies were uneventful, with only one spontaneous loss and 25 live births. Birth measurements were normal and no congenital anomalies were observed. Growth and development were normal in all offspring. IQ among the 23 offspring tested was 103+/-12 (range 79-122). Four offspring required special education for brief periods and one for several years, but this frequency, as well as that of 12% for attention deficit hyperactive disorder, was not significantly different from expected in the general population. It would appear that maternal histidinaemia, unlike maternal phenylketonuria, can be added to the list of maternal inborn errors of metabolism that are nonteratogenic.

Lactacystin enhances cisplatin sensitivity in resistant human ovarian cancer cell lines via inhibition of DNA repair and ERCC-1 expression

Cisplatin is among the most effective chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of human ovarian cancer. The cytotoxicity of cisplatin results primarily from its ability to bind covalently to DNA and prevent DNA replication and transcription. The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway plays important roles in a broad array of basic cellular processes. Lactacystin is a selective inhibitor of the proteasome that can inhibit the ubiquitin pathway. However, the effect of lactacystin on DNA repair and the antitumor activity of cisplatin in ovarian cancer have not been evaluated. We report in this work that lactacystin, at concentrations that do not appear harmful, increased cisplatin toxicity in three resistant human ovarian carcinoma cell lines. In addition, lactacystin significantly enhanced DNA platination and decreased DNA repair of cisplatin-DNA adducts in these cell lines, as measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. Furthermore, Northem blot analysis and in vitro nuclear transcript elongation assay demonstrated that lactacystin dramatically reduced the steady-state mRNA expression and the rate of transcription of the DNA repair gene ERCC-1 in these cells. These observations indicate that proteasome inhibition has impact on nucleotide excision repair in several ways: i/ the normal ERCC-1 message upregulation is suppressed; ii/ cisplatin-DNA adduct repair is inhibited, and iii/ DNA platination, as well as cisplatin cytotoxicity, is enhanced.

An ERCC1 splicing variant involving the 5'-UTR of the mRNA may have a transcriptional modulatory function

Human ovarian cancer cells and tissues were examined for the presence or absence of a 42-bp splicing variant of ERCC1 gene, and for a possible functional role of this 42-bp sequence. This specific sequence exists in exon I, the 5'-UTR of the gene. Loss of this 42-bp sequence was associated with increased ERCC1 mRNA expression, in an assessment of 121 ovarian cancer specimens (p2<10(-6)). In cells in tissue culture, the absence of the 42-bp segment was associated with a twofold increased ability to drive transcription in a Luciferase reporter system. Protein can be demonstrated in ovarian cancer cells based on EMSA analysis. Computer analysis shows that this 42-bp sequence contains several binding sites, including a core-binding domain for protein RFX1, transcriptional repressor. These preliminary results lay the groundwork in determination of potential roles for a negative regulatory element in NER repair pathway.

Effect of the proteasome inhibitor ALLnL on cisplatin sensitivity in human ovarian tumor cells

Small molecules suppressing proteasome function inhibit the post-translational ubiquitination of selected proteins. Ubiquitin H2A is an example of an abundant chromatin-associated protein that is known to be ubiquitinated, which is important for several proteins involved in the repair of DNA damage. We therefore studied the effect of the proteasome inhibitor, N-acetyl leucyl-leucyl norlucinal (ALLnL), on cisplatin sensitivity in three human ovarian tumor cell lines. The proteasome inhibitor ALLnL was administered for 4 h before cells were subsequently exposed to cisplatin for 1 h. Our results showed that ALLnL, at its respective IC20 concentration, increased cellular sensitivity to cisplatin in an additive manner in human ovarian cancer A2780, A2780/CP70, and OVCAR3 cells. We also demonstrated that ALLnL caused a 50% increase in total cellular accumulation of cisplatin, and reduced the rate of cisplatin efflux by about 50%. In addition, DNA damage levels were increased after ALLnL treatment. By contrast, DNA repair was inhibited 2 to 3-fold in ALLnL-pretreated cells, as compared to the controls. Furthermore, our study showed that ALLnL deubiquitinated nucleosomal histone H2A in these cells in a concentration-dependent fashion, as assessed by Western blot analysis. These data suggest that sublethal levels of exposure to agents that inhibit proteasome function may alter the subcellular pharmacology of platinum in human ovarian carcinoma cells.

Recombinant urease and urease DNA of Coccidioides immitis elicit an immunoprotective response against coccidioidomycosis in mice

Coccidioides immitis antigens which stimulate a T helper cell 1 (Th1) pathway of host immune response are considered to be essential components of a vaccine against coccidioidomycosis. Recombinant urease (rURE) and recombinant heat shock protein 60 (rHSP60) of C. immitis were expressed in Escherichia coli and tested as vaccine candidates in BALB/c mice. A synthetic oligodeoxynucleotide which contained unmethylated CpG dinucleotides and was previously shown to enhance a murine Th1 response was used as an immunoadjuvant. T cells isolated from the spleens and lymph nodes of the rURE- and rHSP60-immune mice showed in vitro proliferative responses to the respective recombinant protein, but only those T lymphocytes from rURE-immunized mice revealed markedly elevated levels of expression of selected Th1-type cytokine genes. BALB/c mice immunized subcutaneously with rURE and subsequently challenged by the intraperitoneal (i.p.) route with a lethal inoculum of C. immitis arthroconidia demonstrated a significant reduction in the level of C. immitis infection compared to control animals. rHSP60 was much less effective as a protective antigen. Evaluation of cytokine gene expression in lung tissue and levels of recombinant urease-specific immunoglobulins (immunoglobulin G1 [IgG1] versus IgG2a) in murine sera at 12 days after challenge provided additional evidence that immunization with rURE stimulated a Th1 response to the pathogen. Urease was further evaluated by expression of the URE gene in a mammalian plasmid vector (pSecTag2A.URE) which was used to immunize mice by the intradermal route. In this case, 82% of the vector construct-immunized animals survived more than 40 days after i.p. infection, compared to only 10% of the mice immunized with the vector alone. In addition, 87% of the pSecTag2A.URE-immunized survivors had sterile lungs and spleens. These data support the need for further evaluation of the C. immitis urease as a candidate vaccine against coccidioidomycosis.

Cloning and expression of the gene which encodes a tube precipitin antigen and wall-associated beta-glucosidase of Coccidioides immitis

We report the structure and expression of the Coccidioides immitis BGL2 gene which encodes a previously characterized 120-kDa glycoprotein of this fungal respiratory pathogen. The glycoprotein is recognized by immunoglobulin M tube precipitin (TP) antibody present in sera of patients with coccidioidomycosis, a reaction which has been used for serodiagnosis of early coccidioidal infection. The deduced amino acid sequence of BGL2 shows 12 potential N glycosylation sites and numerous serine-threonine-rich regions which could function as sites for O glycosylation. In addition, the protein sequence includes a domain which is characteristic of family 3 glycosyl hydrolases. Earlier biochemical studies of the purified 120-kDa TP antigen revealed that it functions as a beta-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.21). Its amino acid sequence shows high homology to several other reported fungal beta-glucosidases which are members of the family 3 glycosyl hydrolases. Results of previous studies have also suggested that the 120-kDa beta-glucosidase participates in wall modification during differentiation of the parasitic cells (spherules) of C. immitis. In this study we showed that expression of the BGL2 gene is elevated during isotropic growth of spherules and the peak of wall-associated BGL2 enzyme activity correlates with this same phase of parasitic cell differentiation. These data support our hypothesis that the 120-kDa beta-glucosidase plays a morphogenetic role in the parasitic cycle of C. immitis.

Increased mRNA levels of xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group B (XPB) and Cockayne's syndrome complementation group B (CSB) without increased mRNA levels of multidrug-resistance gene (MDR1) or metallothionein-II (MT-II) in platinum-resistant human ovarian cancer tissues

Tumor tissue specimens from human ovarian cancer patients were assessed for relative mRNA abundance levels of several genes thought to be involved in the development of in vitro drug resistance in this disease. Higher mRNA levels of Xeroderma pigmentosum group B (XPB), which links DNA repair with DNA transcription, and of Cockayne's syndrome group B (CSB), which is essential for gene-specific repair, were observed in tumor tissues that were clinically resistant to platinum-based chemotherapy, as compared with tissues from patients responding to therapy. In a cohort of 27 patients, mRNA levels of XPB averaged 5-fold higher in platinum-resistant tumors (P = 0.001); and for CSB, mRNA levels averaged 6-fold higher but with greater variability (P = 0.033). Concurrently, these platinum-resistant tumor tissues did not exhibit significantly higher mRNA levels for the MDR1 (multidrug-resistance) gene (P = 0.134) or of the metallothionein-II (MT-II) gene (P = 0.598). Since these platinum-resistant tumors also show higher mRNA levels of ERCC1 and XPA, platinum resistance appears to be associated with concurrent up-regulation of four genes (XPA, ERCC1, XPB, and CSB). These four genes participate in DNA damage excision activity, gene-specific repair, and linkage of DNA repair with DNA transcription. These data suggest that concurrent up-regulation of genes involved in nucleotide excision repair may be important in clinical resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy in this disease.

Linear and nonlinear pathways of spectral information transmission in the cochlear nucleus

At the level of the cochlear nucleus (CN), the auditory pathway divides into several parallel circuits, each of which provides a different representation of the acoustic signal. Here, the representation of the power spectrum of an acoustic signal is analyzed for two CN principal cells-chopper neurons of the ventral CN and type IV neurons of the dorsal CN. The analysis is based on a weighting function model that relates the discharge rate of a neuron to first- and second-order transformations of the power spectrum. In chopper neurons, the transformation of spectral level into rate is a linear (i.e., first-order) or nearly linear function. This transformation is a predominantly excitatory process involving multiple frequency components, centered in a narrow frequency range about best frequency, that usually are processed independently of each other. In contrast, type IV neurons encode spectral information linearly only near threshold. At higher stimulus levels, these neurons are strongly inhibited by spectral notches, a behavior that cannot be explained by level transformations of first- or second-order. Type IV weighting functions reveal complex excitatory and inhibitory interactions that involve frequency components spanning a wider range than that seen in choppers. These findings suggest that chopper and type IV neurons form parallel pathways of spectral information transmission that are governed by two different mechanisms. Although choppers use a predominantly linear mechanism to transmit tonotopic representations of spectra, type IV neurons use highly nonlinear processes to signal the presence of wide-band spectral features.

Evidence for in the appearance of mRNAs of nucleotide excision repair genes, in human ovarian cancer tissues

Nucleotide excision repair (NER) is the DNA repair pathway through which cisplatin-DNA intrastrand adduct is repaired. Clinical studies have shown that increased mRNA expression of selected genes involved in the rate-limiting step of NER, appear to be closely associated with clinical resistance to platinum agents. These specific studies have led to the possibility of an assessment of the order in which, the appearance of mRNAs of selected NER genes may occur. Included in this assessment are ERCC1, XPB, CSB, and XPA, studied in 28 ovarian cancer tumor tissue specimens. The study of these four genes, in pairs, from 28 ovarian cancer specimens, results in 168 separate observations. Based on the mRNA expression patterns of these genes in these tissues, it is suggested that ERCC1 mRNA may appear before the mRNA of any of the other genes, in an obligate fashion. This is followed by XPB mRNA; which appears before the mRNA of XPA; which in turn, may appear before CSB. This pattern is consistent with what we have reported previously, in non-malignant human bone marrow specimens from a cohort of 52 patients.

Human microphthalmia associated with mutations in the retinal homeobox gene CHX10

Isolated human microphthalmia/anophthalmia, a cause of congenital blindness, is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous developmental disorder characterized by a small eye and other ocular abnormalities. Three microphthalmia/anophthalmia loci have been identified, and two others have been inferred by the co-segregation of translocations with the phenotype. We previously found that mice with ocular retardation (the or-J allele), a microphthalmia phenotype, have a null mutation in the retinal homeobox gene Chx10 (refs 7,8). We report here the mapping of a human microphthalmia locus on chromosome 14q24.3, the cloning of CHX10 at this locus and the identification of recessive CHX10 mutations in two families with non-syndromic microphthalmia (MIM 251600), cataracts and severe abnormalities of the iris. In affected individuals, a highly conserved arginine residue in the DNA-recognition helix of the homeodomain is replaced by glutamine or proline (R200Q and R200P, respectively). Identification of the CHX10 consensus DNA-binding sequence (TAATTAGC) allowed us to demonstrate that both mutations severely disrupt CHX10 function. Human CHX10 is expressed in progenitor cells of the developing neuroretina and in the inner nuclear layer of the mature retina. The strong conservation in vertebrates of the CHX10 sequence, pattern of expression and loss-of-function phenotypes demonstrates the evolutionary importance of the genetic network through which this gene regulates eye development.

Contaminated site remedial investigation and feasibility removal of chlorinated volatile organic compounds from groundwater by activated carbon fiber adsorption

Groundwater contaminated by dense, non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) such as chlorinated solvents has become a serious problem in some regions of Taiwan. The sources of these contaminants are due to industrial discharges. These chlorinated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been proven to be carcinogenic to humans. The groundwater is used for domestic drinking water supply in some cities of Taiwan and the severely contaminated groundwater has to be treated in order to meet the requirement of drinking water standards. This study covers two areas of work. In the first part, polluted groundwater samples were collected from the contaminated site and analytical results indicated measurable concentrations of 12 representative chlorinated VOCs in water samples. The primary VOCs detected included trichloroethene (TCE), tetrachloroethene (PCE), 1,1,2-trichloroethane (1,1,2-TCA), and 1,1-dichloroethene (1,1-DCE). Second, to remove VOCs groundwater was treated using adsorption on activated carbon fiber (ACF). This involved pumping groundwater through vessels containing ACF. Most VOCs, including TCE, PCE, 1,1,2-TCA, and DCE, were readily adsorbed onto ACF and are removed from the water stream. Our study showed that the technology was able to significantly reduce chlorinated VOCs concentrations in groundwater.

Absence of evidence for allelic loss or allelic gain for ERCC1 or for XPD in human ovarian cancer cells and tissues

We have previously reported on mRNA expression of ERCC1, XPA and XPD in human ovarian cancer cells and tissues. Several factors can influence mRNA expression for any given gene. Alterations in gene copy number for ERCC1 and/or XPD have been reported to occur in malignant glioma specimens. Human ovarian cancer cell lines and tissues were therefore examined for evidence of altered gene copy number in selected genes within the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway. Six ovarian cancer cell lines were studied: A2780, A2780/CP70, SKOV3, MCAS, QvCar3 and Caov4. Cellular sensitivity to cisplatin varies by more than 1 log between some of these cells. In each of these cell lines, the genes examined included ERCC1, XPA, XPB, XPD, XPG, CSB and p53. Genomic DNA was also extracted from ovarian cancer specimens taken from 22 patients and assessed for evidence of allelic loss and/or allelic gain for ERCC1 and XPD. Twelve of the clinical specimens were from patients with platinum-sensitive tumors and ten were from patients with platinum-resistant tumors. In no case could we demonstrate a reproducible variation in gene copy number in any cell line. Among the human tissues studied, there was one case of allelic gain out of 22 specimens. We therefore conclude that alterations in gene copy number is not a common event in human ovarian cancer. Other mechanisms must be invoked to explain differences in mRNA expression for these genes.

Association between the level of ERCC-1 expression and the repair of cisplatin-induced DNA damage in human ovarian cancer cells

Nucleotide excision repair (NER) is responsible for the repair of platinum-DNA lesions. ERCC-1 is a critical gene within the NER pathway, and cells without a functional ERCC-1 do not repair cisplatin-caused DNA damage. The present study was therefore designed to evaluate the relationship between the expression of ERCC-1 and the repair of cisplatin-induced DNA adducts in human ovarian cancer cells in vitro. One hour exposure of MCAS cells to cisplatin yielded an approximately two-fold increment in the levels of ERCC-1 mRNA and ERCC-1 protein, as determined, respectively, by Northern and Western blottings. In addition, nuclear run-on assay showed that ERCC-1 gene transcription rate was increased to about the same extent as steady-state ERCC-1 mRNA and protein, in response to cisplatin treatment. However, the levels of ERCC-1 mRNA, ERCC-1 protein, and ERCC-1 transcript in MCAS cells are two-fold lower than those in A2780/CP70 cells, as previously reported. Furthermore, the repair of cisplatin-DNA adducts in MCAS cells, as measured by atomic absorption spectrometry, is also nearly two-fold less than that in A2780/CP70 cells, indicating a strong association between the level of ERCC-1 expression and the activity of excision repair in these two human ovarian tumor cell lines. These results suggest that ERCC-1 may be a useful marker to monitor the repair of platinum-DNA damage in tumor cells, and further highlight that potential pharmacological approaches which specifically inhibit ERCC-1 expression may increase cellular sensitivity to cisplatin.

Comparison of two human ovarian carcinoma cell lines (A2780/CP70 and MCAS) that are equally resistant to platinum, but differ at codon 118 of the ERCC1 gene

ERCC1 is an essential gene within the nucleotide excision repair process. We studied two human ovarian carcinoma cell lines for cisplatin resistance, which differed with respect to ERCC1. The A2780/CP70 cell line has been extensively studied previously, and has the wild-type ERCC1 sequence. The MCAS cell line has a recently described ERCC1 polymorphism at codon 118, which is associated with an approximate 50% reduction in codon usage. These cells did not differ with respect to p53 sequence nor p53 mRNA induction following cisplatin exposure. The induction of ERCC1 mRNA was markedly reduced in MCAS cells as compared to A2780/CP70 cells. At the IC50 cisplatin dose for each cell line, MCAS cells were less proficient at cisplatin-DNA adduct repair than A2780/CP70 cells. In absolute terms, A2780/CP70 cells repaired 3-fold as much adduct (2.7 pg/microgram DNA over 6 h vs 0.86 pg/microgram DNA); and when expressed in terms of the maximal DNA adduct load, A2780/CP70 cells repaired 50% more adduct than MCAS cells. MCAS cells had increased cytosolic inactivation of drug at the IC50 dose level, which has been previously suggested to be a compensatory cellular response for reduced DNA repair capacity. These data suggest the possibility that this specific ERCC1 polymorphism, may be associated with reduced DNA repair capacity in human ovarian cancer cells. This association may be effected through a reduction in peak production of ERCC1 mRNA, and a consequent reduction in the translation of ERCC1 mRNA into protein.

Sequence, expression and functional analysis of the Coccidioides immitis ODC (ornithine decarboxylase) gene

The ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) gene of the human respiratory fungal pathogen, Coccidioides immitis (Ci) was cloned, sequenced, chromosome-mapped, and expressed in Escherichia coli (Ec). The genomic, cDNA and translated sequences are presented. Transformation of an ODC null mutant strain of Ec (EWH 319) with the Ci ODC gene was conducted to confirm function of the protein encoded by the fungal gene. Activity of the enzyme by the bacterial transformant was inhibited by 1, 4-diamino-2-butanone (DAB), a known inhibitor of eukaryotic ODC. Temporal expression of the Ci ODC gene during the parasitic cell cycle is constitutive, based on results of RT PCR. However, results of enzyme activity assays of cell homogenates obtained at different stages of parasitic cell development in vitro showed that the functional protein is present only during periods of isotropic growth and segmentation, and these morphogenetic events can be arrested by the addition of DAB. The observed absence of a difference in steady-state mRNA transcript amounts, and the developmentally correlated variation in levels of enzyme activity, suggest a translational or post-translational mechanism of ODC regulation. Since no PEST sequence was detected in the Ci ODC, enzyme regulation by programmed protein degradation as reported for many other eukaryotic ODCs may not occur in this case. ODC activity appears to play a key role in the morphogenesis of Ci, and the enzyme could be a rational target for therapy of disseminated coccidioidomycosis.

Excluding polio in areas of inadequate surveillance in the final stages of eradication in China

In 1996, China adopted a virological classification of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases for its surveillance system. Only AFP cases with wild poliovirus in stool specimens are confirmed as polio. Cases with adequate stool specimens that are negative for wild poliovirus are not counted. This paper describes a methodology to rule out poliomyelitis in AFP cases with inadequate stool specimens. National surveillance data were analysed using dot maps to detect clusters of AFP cases with high-risk factors for poliomyelitis. The surveillance system and vaccine coverage were assessed during field investigations. Four clusters of AFP cases were identified, but no poliomyelitis cases. Programmatic failures in the identified high-risk areas included low vaccination rates, poor stool specimen collection and inadequate AFP surveillance. Programme strategies were implemented to correct the identified failures. Use of this methodology provides strong evidence consistent with the absence of wild poliovirus in China.

Interleukin-6 activates phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase, which inhibits apoptosis in human prostate cancer cell lines

BACKGROUND

A number of recent studies have identified interleukin (IL)-6 as an important regulator of prostate cancer growth. Here, we investigate the potential interaction of IL-6 with phosphatidylinositol (PI)-3 kinase, a key growth regulatory enzyme, in prostate cancer cell lines.

METHODS

Tyrosine phosphorylation of p85, the regulatory subunit of PI-3 kinase, in the human prostate cancer cell lines LNCaP and PC-3 was assessed by sequential immunoprecipitation with anti-p85 antibody and immunoblotting with anti-phosphotyrosine. The effects of wortmannin, an inhibitor of PI-3 kinase, and/or IL-6 on cell growth were assessed by MTT assays. DNA laddering experiments were performed to assay for programmed cell death.

RESULTS

Tyrosine phosphorylation of p85 is upregulated by IL-6 in both LNCaP and PC-3. IL-6 promotes coprecipitation of p85 with gp130, the signal-transducing component of the IL-6 receptor. Inhibition of PI-3 kinase with wortmannin induces programmed cell death in PC-3 cells. In contrast, wortmannin has no effect on LNCaP growth when used alone; however, combined with IL-6, wortmannin promotes apoptosis in these cells.

CONCLUSIONS

PI-3 kinase is involved in IL-6 signal transduction and delivers an antiapoptotic signal in human prostate cancer cell lines.

Characterization of the role of IL-6 in the progression of prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

We recently identified IL-6, a pleiotropic cytokine implicated in the neoplastic process of a variety of neoplasms, as a mediator of prostate cancer morbidity. In the present study, we investigated the expression of members of the IL-6 supergene family and related cytokines and the potential role of IL-6 in prostate cancer growth regulation.

METHODS

Five established human prostate cancer cell lines were screened by ELISA for production of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), oncostatin M (OSM), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-1 (IL-1), and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Expression of the ligand-binding component of the IL-6 receptor, IL-6Rp80, was evaluated by ELISA and RT-PCR. Sequential immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting were performed to assay for expression of the signal-transducing component of the IL-6 receptor, gp130. The effects of IL-6 on cell growth were assessed by MTT assays.

RESULTS

The three hormone-refractory cell lines, DU-145, TSU, and PC-3, secreted distinct combinations of cytokines (DU-145: IL-6, GM-CSF; TSU: IL-6, LIF; PC-3: IL-6, G-CSF, LIF, IL-1, GM-CSF), each uniformly expressing IL-6. In contrast, neither of the two hormone-dependent cell lines, LNCaP-ATCC and LNCaP-GW, secreted significant quantities of any of the cytokines analyzed. None of the cell lines secreted detectable quantities of OSM, CNTF, or TNF. All cell lines, irrespective of hormone status, expressed both Il-6Rp80 and gp130. Addition of IL-6 in vitro inhibited growth of hormone-dependent cells, but had no effect on hormone-refractory lines. Anti-IL-6 neutralizing antibody inhibited growth of hormone-refractory cells.

CONCLUSIONS

IL-6 appears to undergo a functional transition from paracrine growth inhibitor to autocrine growth stimulator during progression of prostate cancer to the hormone-refractory phenotype.

Isolation and confirmation of function of the Coccidioides immitis URA5 (orotate phosphoribosyl transferase) gene

The OPRTase (URA5) gene of the human pathogenic fungus, Coccidioides immitis (Ci), was cloned, sequenced, chromosome-mapped and expressed both by transformation of Escherichia coli and by complementation of wdura5Delta, an auxotrophic strain of Wangiella dermatitidis (Wd) with a disrupted URA5 gene. A functional assay of the recombinant URA5 expressed by E. coli was conducted to ensure that the isolated Ci gene encodes the appropriate enzyme. In the absence of a transformation system for Ci, we also used a reported method of introduction of heterologous DNA into cells of the phylogenetically related fungus, Wangiella dermatitidis, to confirm the function of the Ci URA5 gene. Both the genomic and cDNA sequences of the Ci URA5 gene are presented. The transcription start point and two poly(A) addition sites were confirmed. The gene contains a 714-bp ORF that translates a 238-amino-acid (aa) protein of 25.5kDa and pI of 6.5. No introns are present. The translated protein contains a single, putative N-glycosylation site. The deduced Ci protein showed 55-63% aa sequence similarity to reported fungal OPRTases. The URA5 gene was mapped to chromosome IV of Ci, and was shown to be a single copy gene by Southern and Northern hybridizations. Transformation of the wdura5Delta mutant to prototrophy was accomplished by electroporation of Wd yeast cells with the Ci URA5 gene. Cellular uptake of the heterologous DNA was confirmed by Southern hybridization. The stable transformants were unable to grow on a medium containing 5-FOA. Expression of the Ci URA5 gene can be used as a selectable marker for a transformation system, and the latter is essential for molecular studies of this pathogenic fungus.

Cisplatin and phorbol ester independently induce ERCC-1 protein in human ovarian carcinoma cells

Nucleotide excision repair (NER) is the DNA repair pathway by which cisplatin-induced damage is removed from DNA in human cells. ERCC-1 is one of the essential proteins in NER, and is essential for life. Enhanced ERCC-1 expression has been associated with clinical and cellular resistance to cisplatin. We therefore carried out this study to investigate the effect of cisplatin on ERCC-1 protein expression in A2780/CP70 human ovarian cancer cells. Western blot analysis showed that ERCC-1 protein levels were increased to more than 3 times control after a 1 h cisplatin exposure to A2780/CP70 cells in culture. This increase was time- and concentration-dependent. The effect of cisplatin was maximal at 40 mM and peaked 24-48 h after exposure to the drug. These results extend our previous observations that ERCC-1 mRNA expression is induced by cisplatin in this system. TPA, a known AP-1 activator and tumor-promoting phorbol ester, also induced ERCC-1 protein to the same extent as cisplatin, but did not synergize with cisplatin in this regard. These findings suggest that ERCC-1 gene up-regulation in these cells can result through a DNA damage-response pathway, or through the induction of AP-1 activity, independent of the occurrence of DNA damage.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha-based gene therapy enhances radiation cytotoxicity in human prostate cancer

The purpose of the present study was to determine the therapeutic potential of combining radiotherapy with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-based gene therapy in the human prostate cancer PC-3 xenograft. PC-3 cells are highly resistant to TNF-alpha-induced cytotoxicity in vitro. A modest enhancement of radiation killing was observed with the addition of TNF-alpha in clonogenic survival assays. Combined treatment with Ad.Egr-TNF, a replication-deficient adenovirus modified to express TNF-alpha following the exposure of infected cells to ionizing radiation (40 Gy administered at 5 Gy per fraction) in vivo, resulted in increased tumor control, as defined by a reduction of tumor volume, when compared with treatment with Ad.Egr-TNF alone or with radiation alone (P < .03). The improvement in tumor control was achieved without increasing acute normal tissue damage when compared with tissue injury from radiation alone. The results of these studies support further development and clinical application of genetic radiotherapy for human prostate cancer.

Reducing lipid peroxidation stress of erythrocyte membrane by alpha-tocopherol nicotinate plays an important role in improving blood rheological properties in type 2 diabetic patients with retinopathy

The effects of alpha-tocopherol nicotinate on blood viscoelasticity and viscosity and on lipid peroxidation stress in erythrocyte membranes in patients with Type 2 DM were investigated. Thirteen Type 2 diabetic subjects with retinopathy were given alpha-tocopherol nicotinate 300 mg tds, after meals, for 3 months. The treatment resulted in significant reductions of blood viscosity at different shear rates (e.g. -2.23 +/- 2.82 p<0.015, gamma = 1.5 s(-1)) and viscoelasticity (p<0.004); resistance of erythrocyte deformation (p<0.001) and lipid peroxidation stress in red cell membrane (malondialdehyde or MDA reduced by 0.17 +/- 0.13 nmol l(-1) p<0.005). Plasma viscosity, red cell rigidity, and HbA1c were unchanged. There were negative linear correlations between the indices of red cell deformability and the levels of MDA of red cell membrane both pre- and post-treatment (e.g. R = -0.79, p<0.001; R = -0.78, p<0.002, n = 13; pre- and post-, respectively). We suggest that the improvements of rheological properties of blood and red cell deformability by alpha-tocopherol nicotinate are mainly attributed to reducing lipid peroxidation stress on membrane of red blood cells. The treatment may be useful in slowing deterioration of microangiopathy in Type 2 DM.

Alternative splicing of ERCC1 and cisplatin-DNA adduct repair in human tumor cell lines

Alternative splicing is a common natural tool for the inhibition of function of full length gene products. We explored whether there was evidence that alternative splicing of ERCC1 may serve such a function for nucleotide excision repair. The ratio of alternatively spliced species to full length species was assessed for the protein and/or for the mRNA, for a series of human cell lines and tissues. This ratio was plotted against the amount of cisplatin-DNA adduct repair in each cell line (n=9), as measured by atomic absorbance spectrometry. As the percentage of alternatively spliced protein and/or mRNA increased, the amount of cisplatin-DNA adduct that was repaired was reduced. This inverse relationship was associated with a substantial amount of scatter (r=0.635), particularly at low levels of repair. These data demonstrate an association between alternative splicing of ERCC1, and reduction in cellular capability to repair cisplatin-DNA adduct.

Costs of polio immunization days in China: implications for mass immunization campaign strategies

Ten provinces of China were selected to estimate the cost per immunization of the 1994-95 national immunization days (NIDs) at five levels (e.g. province, prefecture, county, township and village). Personnel costs accounted for the largest overall share of costs (39 per cent), followed by publicity and promotion costs (27 per cent), and logistic costs (15 per cent). Without consideration of vaccine costs, the major part of NID expenses were shouldered at the township level, which paid for 47 per cent of all incremental costs, while county and village level covered 28 per cent and 18 per cent respectively. Estimation of average costs per immunization was 2.86 RMB yuan, or $0.34, including vaccine costs, buildings and equipment amortization and salaries at all levels. The factors affecting average cost of NID included the output volume, socio-economic development and geographic features. Various approaches were recommended: to intensify the productivity of time and staff, to employ alternative inexpensive manpower resources, to make the best use of publicity and social promotion, the expansion of the age groups and utilization of multi-intervention strategies. Good planning at township level was a decisive factor to ensure an effective NID conducted in an efficient manner. The average cost of China's NID was the lowest among all mass immunization campaigns ever documented. Much of the reduced average cost was attributable to economies of scale.

The hsp60 gene of the human pathogenic fungus Coccidioides immitis encodes a T-cell reactive protein

A heat shock protein-encoding gene (hsp60) from the human respiratory fungal pathogen, Coccidioides immitis (Ci), was cloned, sequenced, chromosome-mapped, expressed and immunolocalized in parasitic cells. Both the genomic and cDNA sequences are presented. The transcription start point and poly (A) addition site were confirmed. The hsp60 gene contains two introns and a 1782-bp ORF which translates a 594-amino acid (aa) protein of 62.4 kDa and pI of 5.6. The translated protein revealed two potential N-glycosylation sites. The deduced HSP60 showed 78-83% aa sequence similarity to reported fungal HSP60 proteins. The hsp60 gene was mapped to chromosome III of Ci and was shown to be a single copy gene by Southern and Northern hybridization. Expression of a 1737-bp cDNA fragment of the hsp60 gene in E. coli resulted in production of a recombinant protein. Amino acid sequence analysis of the recombinant protein confirmed that it was encoded by the Ci hsp60 gene. Antiserum raised in mice against the isolated recombinant protein immunolocalized HSP60 in the cytoplasm and wall of parasitic cells of Ci. The recombinant HSP60 was used to immunize BALB/c mice and was shown to induce proliferation of T cells isolated from lymph nodes of these animals. The hsp60 gene of Ci is the first reported heat-shock protein gene of this human pathogen.

Isolation and characterization of the urease gene (URE) from the pathogenic fungus Coccidioides immitis

The urease (URE)-encoding gene from Coccidioides immitis (Ci), a respiratory fungal pathogen of humans, was cloned, sequenced, chromosome-mapped and expressed. Both the genomic and cDNA sequences are reported. The transcription start point and poly(A)-addition site were confirmed. The URE gene contains eight introns and a 2517-bp ORF that translates a 839-amino-acid (aa) protein of 91.5 kDa and pI of 5.5, as deduced by computer analysis of the nucleotide sequence. The translated protein revealed eight putative N-glycosylation sites. The deduced URE showed comparable levels of homology to reported URE of the jack bean plant (Canavalia ensiformis; 71.8%) and URE of several genera of bacteria (Bp, 71.7%; Hp, 68.3%; Ka, 71.6%; Pm, 71.9%). The URE gene was mapped to chromosome III of Ci and was shown to be a single copy gene by Southern hybridization. Expression of a 1687-bp fragment of the URE gene in E. coli resulted in the production of a 63-kDa recombinant protein that was recognized in an immunoblot by antiserum raised against the Ka URE homolog. This is the first report of a fungal URE gene.