Expression and regulation of the 67-kda laminin-binding protein and its precursor gene in lymphoid-cells

The 67-kDa laminin-binding protein is a non-integrin laminin-binding protein that mediates cancer cell adhesion and migration. The expression of the 67-kDa laminin-binding protein and of its putative precursor, a 37-kDa polypeptide, was studied in peripheral T-cells and T-lymphoma cell lines. Immunofluorescence experiments detected antigen in both the cytosol and on the cell membrane. On immunoblots of T-cell protein extracts, both the 37-kDa precursor and the mature 67-kDa protein were present. The mRNA for the precursor was expressed in both immature and mature thymocytes. In three independent T-lymphoma cell lines, the mRNA levels were decreased after prolonged stimulation with phorbol esters. Since the latter directly activate protein kinase C, it appears that regulation of the 37-kDa precursor in T-cells may be mediated by the signal transduction cascade associated with protein kinase C activation.

Characterization of ectopically-expressed ets1 in human colon-cancer cells - induction of putative ets1-target gene

We have previously shown that the ETS1 gene is expressed in a tissue-specific manner, and encodes a transcription factor, that may be involved in lymphocyte development, activation and proliferation. To understand the ETS1 function in non-lymphoid cells, we have ectopically expressed ETS1 protein in a human colon cancer cell line, and studied its biochemical properties. The 51 kDa ETS1 protein expressed in transfected cells localized in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm, has similar biochemical properties compared to ETS1 protein expressed in lymphoid cells. The ectopically expressed ETS1 binds to the DNA in sequence-specific manner and the binding activity is affected by the flanking sequences outside the 'GGA' core. Our results also demonstrate that the DNA-binding activity of full-length ETS1 is similar in lymphoid and non-lymphoid cells. The ETS1 expressed in DLD-1 cells is biologically active since it induces a 54.5 kDa polypeptide, whose expression level correlates with the expression of ETS1 in DLD-1 cells.

Detergent permeabilized yeast cells as the source of intracellular enzymes for estimation of biomolecules

The feasibility of using permeabilized whole cells as a source of intracellular enzymes instead of isolated expensive enzymes for the estimation of biomolecules has been studied. Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), hexokinase (HK), and beta-galactosidase (beta-GAL) activities of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-permeabilized whole yeast cells were employed to estimate ethyl alcohol, glucose, and lactose. The method using permeabilized cells was comparable to that of isolated enzymes and was applicable for the estimation of these analytes in complex samples such as blood, milk, and fermented samples. The usefulness of permeabilized cells as a single source of more than one enzyme required for coupled enzyme assays was demonstrated.

Broken tracheostomy introducer--an unusual tracheobronchial foreign body

We present a rare case where the introducer of a metal tracheostomy tube became lodged in the tracheobronchial tree. This may be the only reported case. The literature is reviewed to study the possible cause of tracheostomy tube component fracture and to suggest methods for preventing this complication.

Ontogeny of human natural killer (NK) cells: fetal NK cells mediate cytolytic function and express cytoplasmic CD3 epsilon,delta proteins

Natural killer (NK) cells have been defined as CD3 epsilon-, CD16+ and/or CD56+ lymphocytes that mediate major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-unrestricted cytotoxicity against certain tumors and virus- infected cells. Unlike T lymphocytes, NK cells do not rearrange or productively express T cell antigen receptor genes. Moreover, NK cells from adults have been reported to not express CD3 gamma, delta, or epsilon proteins on the cell surface or in the cytoplasm. Nonetheless, NK cells have been shown to share a number of antigenic and functional similarities to T cells that suggest the possibility of common origins. In this report, we demonstrate that functional NK cells exist in liver at early stages of human embryonic development. Freshly isolated fetal NK cells mediated MHC-unrestricted cytotoxicity against NK-sensitive targets and acquired the ability to lyse NK-resistant tumors after overnight culture in interleukin 2. Unlike adult NK cells, freshly isolated fetal liver NK cells and clones derived from these cells, as well as a subset of cord blood NK cells, express substantial levels of CD3 delta and CD3 epsilon proteins in the cytoplasm. Expression of CD3 epsilon and CD3 delta transcripts and cytoplasmic proteins in fetal NK clones was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. These findings support the concept that NK and T cells may arise from a common progenitor that expresses components of the CD3 complex. Alternatively, it is possible that the cytoplasmic CD3 delta, epsilon+ fetal NK cells represent a distinct subpopulation of NK cells that is predominant in the fetus, but replaced by the cytoplasmic CD3 delta,epsilon- adult NK cell population after embryogenesis.

Pregnancy interceptive efficacy and biological profile of 3-amino-6,7-dimethoxy-1H-pyrazolo [3,4-b] quinoline (compound 85/83) in rodents

Administration of compound 85/83 during the peri- and post-implantation period intercepted pregnancy in hamster and guinea pig by parenteral route and in hamster by oral route also. The m.e.d. for hamster and guinea pig was 10 and 20 mg/kg, respectively; lower doses were less effective. Restricting the administration to early post-implantation schedule interrupted pregnancy partially in both species. The compound was, however, ineffective in rat and in the pre-implantation schedule (days 1-4 post-coitum) in hamster. When tested in vitro on growing trophoblasts at 13.8 x 10(-5) M concentration, it prevented growth and caused degeneration of the cells within 24 h; lower concentration (9.2 x 10(-5) M) was less effective. The compound was found to be devoid of estrogenic, antiestrogenic, progestational and antiprogestational properties in conventional bioassays. In hormone competition assays, its relative binding affinity (RBA) to estrogen receptor was negligible (0.002% of estradiol-17 beta), while for uterine cytosol progesterone receptors in rabbit and hamster was 0.06 and 0.08% of progesterone, respectively. The compound 85/83 appears to intercept pregnancy by interfering with development of trophoblast cells.

Residual trophoblastic tissue as a source of highly atypical cells in the postpartum cervicovaginal smear

A cervicovaginal smear containing atypical cells, which were interpreted as dysplastic cells, was obtained from a women one-year postpartum. These cells were seen singly, in small groups and in clusters embedded in an amorphous pink matrix. They had amphophilic cytoplasm and increased nuclear/cytoplasmic ratios, as well as hyperchromatic nuclei with variably prominent nucleoli, features that are characteristic of trophoblastic cells. No evidence of dysplasia was seen on subsequent colposcopic examination or cervical biopsy. Endocervical curettage yielded fragments of exfoliated endometrium and residual trophoblastic tissue associated with a placental implantation site. Although involution of the placental site is generally complete by six to seven weeks postpartum, maternal-fetal tissue may in fact continue to be exfoliated for several months or longer after delivery. If seen on a cervicovaginal smear, these cells can be highly atypical and may be mistaken as dysplastic or malignant. The cytologic features that characterize trophoblasts and their persistence in postpartum cervicovaginal smears are discussed.

Gynecomastia in a mortician. A case report

The fine needle aspiration (FNA) observations in a case of gynecomastia occurring in a mortician are described. The FNA smear showed cytomorphologic features typical of a gynecomastia. Morticians use an embalming cream that contains estrogens or estrogenlike compounds; these substances may be absorbed percutaneously and cause the development of gynecomastia. The mortician should be made aware of the potential risk of such an occupational exposure and development of the "embalmer's curse. "Recognition by the clinicians and cytopathologists of such an occurrence and its implications can help with the proper management.

Transbronchial needle aspiration biopsy in the diagnosis of pulmonary neoplasms

To evaluate the usefulness of transbronchial needle aspiration biopsy (TBNAB) in the primary diagnosis of lung cancer, we undertook a prospective study of this technique, assessing specimens from 124 patients over a 3-yr period. Cytologic and/or histologic material obtained by an alternate technique was available for 105 (84.7%) of the patients. The diagnostic sensitivity of TBNAB was comparable with that of other bronchoscopic techniques; with the addition of TBNAB, the overall sensitivity of bronchoscopy was increased from 54% to 72% (P less than 0.001). Because of its usefulness for diagnosis of submucosal tumors and its safety, we conclude that TBNAB is a useful addition to current methods for the diagnosis of suspicious pulmonary lesions.

Paradoxical response to intravenous terbutaline

Marked uterine hypertonus was observed in our patient subsequent to the intravenous administration of terbutaline prior to an attempt at external cephalic version. The proximity of hypertonus to terbutaline infusion and the absence of other stimuli suggests that this was a paradoxical response to terbutaline.

Cytoskeletal structures and oligodendroglial differentiation in C-6 glial cells

The relationship of the cytoskeleton to a biochemical expression of oligodendroglial differentiation was studied in cultured C-6 glial cells. Specifically, we investigated the effect of the cytoskeletal perturbants, colchicine and cytochalasin D, on the induction of the oligodendroglial marker enzyme, 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphohydrolase (CNP), caused by removal of serum from the culture medium. Each drug inhibited CNP induction in a concentration-dependent manner, and essentially complete inhibition of induction was observed with 0.25 microM colchicine or 2.0 microM cytochalasin D. Detailed study of the effect of colchicine was carried out. This antimicrotubular agent not only totally prevented induction if added at the onset of serum removal, but also prevented further induction when added at various times after serum removal. That the effect of colchicine related to the drug's effect on microtubules was supported by the demonstration that lumicolchicine, a colchicine isomer which has no effect on microtubules, had no effect on the CNP induction. Moreover, colchicine, but not lumicolchicine, prevented the morphological signs of differentiation provoked by serum removal. The effect of colchicine was reversible and relatively specific. Thus, no concomitant effect of colchicine on the activity of another plasma membrane enzyme of C-6 cells, i.e., (Na+ + K+)-activated ATPase, or on the rate of incorporation of [3H]leucine into total protein of intact cells could be discerned. The possibility that the site of the effect of colchicine is on intracellular events was suggested by the observation that the drug inhibited the induction of CNP by dibutyryl cyclic AMP. The data suggest that the cytoskeleton is involved in oligodendroglial differentiation.

Evaluation of the teratogenic potential in Ciba-Geigy Go 10213, a new nitroimidazole derivative: 1-methane-sulphonyl-3-(1-methyl-5-nitro-1H-imidazole-2-yl)-2- imidazolidinone, an amoebicide, trichomonicide and giardicide, in giardicide, in rats

With a view to evaluate the possible teratogenic potential of 1-methane-sulphonyl-3-(1-methyl-5-nitro-1H-imidazole-2-yl)-2-imidazolidi none (Go 10213), groups of pregnant rats were medicated orally with: 0, 100, 300 and 600 mg/kg of the compound daily from day 6 to day 15 of gestation. Foetuses were removed on day 20 of gestation, and were examined for their mortality, size, weight and any gross malformation. One third of the foetuses were fixed in Bouin's Fluid and sectioned by Wilson's technique for histological evaluation. The remaining pups were examined for the skeletal anomalies. CIBA-GEIGY Go 10213 appears to be neither embryotoxic nor teratogenic to the rat-foetuses, when the mothers were medicated at the aforesaid doses, during their critical phase of the pregnancy.