Two-photon laser scanning microscopy of epithelial cell-modulated collagen density in engineered human lung tissue

Tissue remodeling is a complex process that can occur in response to a wound or injury. In lung tissue, abnormal remodeling can lead to permanent structural changes that are characteristic of important lung diseases such as interstitial pulmonary fibrosis and bronchial asthma. Fibroblast-mediated contraction of three-dimensional collagen gels is considered an in vitro model of tissue contraction and remodeling, and the epithelium is one factor thought to modulate this process. We studied the effects of epithelium on collagen density and contraction using two-photon laser scanning microscopy (TPLSM). TPLSM was used to image autofluorescence of collagen fibers in an engineered tissue model of the human respiratory mucosa -- a three-dimensional co-culture of human lung fibroblasts (CCD-18 lu), denatured type I collagen, and a monolayer of human alveolar epithelial cell line (A549) or human bronchial epithelial cell line (16HBE14o(-)). Tissues were imaged at days 1, 8, and 15 at 10 depths within the tissue. Gel contraction was measured concurrently with TPLSM imaging. Image analysis shows that gels without an epithelium had the fastest rate of decay of fluorescent signal, corresponding to highest collagen density. Results of the gel contraction assay show that gels without an epithelium also had the highest degree of contraction (19.8% +/- 4.0%). We conclude that epithelial cells modulate collagen density and contraction of engineered human lung tissue, and TPLSM is an effective tool to investigate this phenomenon.

[A controlled clinical study between hepatic arterial infusion with embolized curcuma aromatic oil and chemical drugs in treating primary liver cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness, toxicity and prospective application of hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) with Embolized Curcuma Aromatic oil (CAO) in treating primary liver cancer (PLC).

METHODS

In the treated group, 32 patients with PLC were treated by HAI with 1-3 ml of embolized CAO and oral administration of Chinese herbal medicine. In the control group, 32 patients with PLC were treated with transcatheter artery chemoembolization (TACE).

RESULTS

In the treated group, one patient attained complete remission (CR) and 13 partial remission (PR), the total effective rate being 43.75%. The level of alpha fetal protein (AFP) turned to normal range in 7 cases and decreased in other 7. In the control group, 10 obtained PR and the total effective rate being 31.25%, AFP level turned to normal in 5 and decreased in 2. There was no statistical significance between the two groups. The incidences of post-embolism syndrome, such as fever, abdominal pain and vomiting were similar between the two groups but no myelosuppression occurred in the treated group with significant difference (P < 0.01) as comparing with that in the control group. The mean survival time, median survival time, 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rate in the treated group was 11.5 months, 10 months, 37.5%, 13.3% and 6.9% respectively, while in the control group was 7.25 months, 6 months, 15.6%, 3.2% and 0 respectively. The treated group was better in mean survival time, median survival time and 1-year survival rate than that of the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

HAI with embolized CAO showed a similar favorite effect in treating PLC as that of TACE, but superior than TACE with longer survival time and milder myelosuppression.

Synthesis of a polymeric 4-N-linked sialoside which inhibits influenza virus hemagglutinin

A multiple sialic acid-bearing polymer 7 has been made in which a novel 4-N-substituted sialoside 5 has been coupled to polyacrylamide. The conjugate 7 has been found to inhibit the agglutination of influenza virus to red blood cells with HAI inhibition constants of around 10(-6) M, based on the sialic acid concentration.

Cytogenetic study of workers exposed to chromium compounds

The frequency of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs), high SCE frequency cells (HFCs), and genetic polymorphism of genotypes glutathione S-transferase (GST) M1 and T1 were analyzed in peripheral lymphocytes of 35 workers occupationally exposed to chromium (Cr) and 35 matched control group. Results showed that workers exposed to Cr showed 6.07 SCE/cell, as compared to 4.76 SCE/cell for the control group (p<0.01). Smokers showed a statistically significant higher frequency of SCE than non-smokers in both groups. The work duration of Cr workers was an important factor. Workers exposed for more than 5 years showed a significantly higher level of SCEs (p<0.05). Workers exposed to Cr for 5 or more years had higher HFC rates (51.4%) than those exposed for less than 5 years (22.9%), with an odds ratio of 4.5 times than those exposed for less than 5 years. In HFC analysis, Cr workers who smoked showed a higher level of HFC (60%) than the control group (5.7%) and also had a higher odds ratio (60.4) compared with the control group. Among non-smokers, the odds ratio was 9.0. Another objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between SCE and genetic polymorphisms of GST M1 and T1 in Cr workers. The results showed that the incidence of GSTM1 null genotype was 60% in the control group and 77.1% in Cr workers, and percentages of GSTT1 deletion were 42.9% and 62.9% in control and exposed individuals, respectively. There was a slightly increased frequency of SCE among Cr workers with GSTM1 null genotype as opposed to non-null genotype individuals. A similar result was seen among the control group; however, there were no statistically significant differences. In conclusion, the current study found the positive induction of SCE in workers who smoked or/and were exposed to Cr. However, different GST genotypes did not influence the level of cytogenetic damage between groups. Despite slight variation in numbers, they all appear to be not different.

Two-dimensional object recognition through two-stage string matching

A two-stage string matching method for the recognition of two-dimensional (2-D) objects is proposed in this work. The first stage is a global cyclic string matching. The second stage is a local matching with local dissimilarity measure computing. The dissimilarity measure function of the input shape and the reference shape are obtained by combining the global matching cost and the local dissimilarity measure. The proposed method has the advantage that there is no need to set any parameter in the recognition process. Experimental results indicate that the hostage string matching approach significantly improves the recognition rates compared to the one-stage string matching method.

A cross-cultural validation of coping strategies and their associations with caregiving distress

Coping strategies were compared among family caregivers of Alzheimer's disease patients in Shanghai, China (n = 110) and San Diego, California (n = 139). Four coping factors were reliably consistent in both samples, supporting their widespread relevance to life adversity; behavioral confronting, behavioral distancing/social support, cognitive confronting, and cognitive distancing. Shanghai and San Diego caregivers endorsed similar rates of coping, but Shanghai caregivers reported fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety. Although coping strategies were similar, cultural ideals promoting family interdependence, veneration of elderly family members, and acceptance of traditional family roles may have reduced the psychological impacts of caregiving in the Shanghai sample.

A study of the active site of influenza virus sialidase: an approach to the rational design of novel anti-influenza drugs

The development of sialidase inhibitor-based potential anti-influenza drugs using rational drug design techniques has been of recent interest. The present study details as investigation of the active site of influenza virus sialidase by using the program GRID in an attempt to design more potent inhibitors in the hope they will eventually lead to anti-influenza drugs. A number of different probes (amino, carboxy, hydroxy, methyl, etc) have been used in an effort to determine the functional groups most likely to improve the binding of the starting template 2-deoxy-2,3-didehydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac2en). The data have correctly predicted the binding regions for the carboxylate, acetamido (NH and methyl), and glycerol (OH) groups of N-acetylneuraminic acid. Moreover, the data suggest that the addition of certain functionalities (amino group) at the C-4 position should enhance the overall binding.

Analysis of the double-stranded RNA genome segments among avian reovirus field isolates

Nine isolates of avian reovirus (ARV) from both healthy birds and birds with different clinical illness and one commercially available vaccine strain were selected and characterized by analysis of the migration pattern of their genomic double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) segments following separation by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Different electropherotypes were observed and analyzed. The results show that the dsRNA segments of ARV were markedly polymorphic among isolates within the same serotype as well as among different serotypes. The results also show no correlation between electropherotype and disease state.

National field trial of the Chinese classification and diagnostic criteria of mental disorders: comprehensibility, acceptability and applicability

The Chinese Neurology and Psychiatry Association conducted a national field trial of its Chinese Classification and Diagnostic Criteria of Mental Disorders (CCMD-2) involving 26 provinces and municipalities, 80 psychiatric institutes, and 224 professionals. The results were as follows: (1) 95.2% of researchers considered the comprehensibility of the CCMD-2 diagnostic criteria good. Within the ten major categories, comprehensibility ranged from 85.7% to 100%. (2) Of those surveyed concerning the acceptability of the CCMD-2 diagnostic criteria, 85.9% considered them acceptable. In individual classifications, the rate ranged from 74.1% to 95.2%. (3) 1498 cases were tested. The overall applicability rate which indicated the consistency between the CCMD-2 result and the actual clinical diagnoses was found to be 87.6%, (averaging Kappa = 0.82, P < 0.01), better than those obtained from non-Chinese systems of diagnosis.

Rational design of potent sialidase-based inhibitors of influenza virus replication

Two potent inhibitors based on the crystal structure of influenza virus sialidase have been designed. These compounds are effective inhibitors not only of the enzyme, but also of the virus in cell culture and in animal models. The results provide an example of the power of rational, computer-assisted drug design, as well as indicating significant progress in the development of a new therapeutic or prophylactic treatment for influenza infection.

Inhibition of sialidases from viral, bacterial and mammalian sources by analogues of 2-deoxy-2,3-didehydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid modified at the C-4 position

The inhibition of sialidase activity from influenza viruses A and B, parainfluenza 2 virus, Vibrio cholerae, Arthrobacter ureafaciens, Clostridium perfringens, and sheep liver by a range of 2-deoxy-2,3-didehydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid analogues modified at the C-4 position has been studied. All substitutions tested resulted in a decrease in the degree of inhibition of the bacterial and mammalian sialidases. For sialidases from influenza viruses A and B, on the other hand, most of the substitutions tested either had no significant effect on binding or, in the case of the basic amino and guanidino substituents, resulted in significantly stronger inhibition. The results for parainfluenza 2 virus sialidase were mostly intermediate, in that inhibition was neither significantly increased nor decreased by most of the modifications. We conclude that only the influenza A and B sialidase active sites possess acid groups correctly positioned to participate in charge-charge interactions in the region of C-4 of bound substrate, and that the C-4 binding pockets of the bacterial and mammalian sialidases examined are considerably smaller than is observed for either the influenza virus or parainfluenza virus sialidases.

[A nationwide field trial of the Chinese classification and diagnostic criteria of mental disorders: application and evaluation]

To test the quality and feasibility of the Chinese Classification and Diagnostic Criteria of Mental Disorders (CCMD-2), a nationwide field trial was carried out by 224 professionals from 80 psychiatric facilities. The results showed that the diagnostic criteria of CCMD-2 was clearly understandable and acceptable reported by 95.2% and 85.2% of the researchers. From a survey sample of 1,489 cases of mental disorders, the interrater agreement of criteria diagnosis was 0.96 (K) and the concordance between the diagnosis from clinical records and that based upon the criteria was 0.84(K) indicating the excellent reliability and validity of CCMD-2.

The development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for cephalexin

Cephalexin was structurally modified by the attachment of a spacer at the carboxylic acid through which it was subsequently covalently attached to BSA. This method permitted the molecule to be attached without cleavage of the beta-lactam ring giving a conjugate distinct from previously described immunogenic preparations of penicillins and cephalosporins. This approach required the development of a novel spacer molecule, and its synthesis and characterisation are reported. Rabbits were used to raise antisera and the antibodies produced were characterised with respect to their reactivity with cephalexin and various analogues, other cephalosporins, and a number of penicillins.

The double porosity model for mass transfer between capillaries and tissues in lung microcirculation

This paper proposes a double porosity model to deal with the mass transfer between capillaries and tissues in the lung microcirculation on the basis of. Utilizing the analytic method of small parameter expansion and the numerical method, the nonlinear governing equations are solved. Comparison shows that the small parameter solution is accurate enough to illustrate the mass exchange between the lung capillary and tissues. Finally the results are used to discuss the mechanism of formation of lung edema.

[Ectopic HCG in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder by immuno-histochemical survey]

Production of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) by transitional cell carcinoma of bladder is considered as a rare phenomenon. Among 60 cases of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder, six cases were positive for beta-HCG, which were detected with anti-beta-HCG by PAP technique. They were classified as grade III and IV, being provided with 20.68% of all of the grade III and IV cases reported, of these six patients, four died within one year. It is suggested that carcinomas of the bladder bearing the capability of producing HCG tend to have a higher malignancy and poor histological differentiation. The possible origin and histogenesis of HCG are discussed.

[Comparison of the development between the satellite cells of ALD and PLD muscles of adult chicken in vitro]

Satellite cells isolated from the anterior (slow) and posterior (fast) latissimus dorsi of adult chick were cultured separately in the absence of neural factors. The cells were observed under an inverted phase contrast microscope every day. The morphological changes of satellite cells, described by other workers, were seen in these cultures. Furthermore, the difference in the time course of development of the satellite cells from different muscles was found. That is, the transformation of the satellite cells of PLD into the myoblasts and the fusion of the latter delayed about 24 h as compared with ALD. The results support the idea that there may be an intrinsic developmental tendency in the myogenic cells of bird, since it proved possible to see the difference of the myogenic cells even in mononuclear phase.

[Localization of tumor-associated placental protein in human placental tissue and detection in carcinoma cell lines]

Sections of human placental villi tissue and carcinoma cell lines (SMMC-7721, (MGC-803 and Kato-111; were examined using the indirect immunoperoxidase histological technique to further investigate the localization of the tumor-associated placental protein (PP) in human placental tissue and the expression of PP on carcinoma cell lines. PP was prepared from placenta in the first trimester. Placental tissue sections exposed to PP antisera showed a marked staining of the trophoblast cells, especially in syncytiotrophoblast. The strongly stained area was localized to the cell membrane of syncytiotrophoblast. In contrast, the nucleus and the cytoplasm of syncytiotrophoblast were stained weakly. The specific PP antisera also stained the carcinoma cell lines. Among different carcinoma cell lines, the degree of staining of liver carcinoma cell line (SMMC-7721) was higher than that of gastric carcinoma cell lines (MGC-803 and Kato-111). In the carcinoma cell lines the presence of antigen similar to PP suggests that oncogene (one) occur in human trophoblast cells as well as mice trophoblast cells.

A New Preparative Route to 3-Unsubstituted Cephalosporins From Penicillin V

p- Nitrobenzyl (2R,3R)-2-(benzothiazol-2′-yldithio)-α-isopropylidene-4- oxo-3-phenoxyacetyl-aminoazetidine-1-acetate (7), readily prepared from penicillin V, can be converted into the corresponding 2-allylthio compound (2) by addition of allyl bromide and sodium borohydride at a low temperature. This compound (2) on treatment with ozone, followed by cyclization with trimethyl phosphite, produces a 3H-ceph-3-em ester (4). The ester can be easily de-esterified to the free acid (1b).

Improved Procedure for Conversion of Penicillin V Into Monocyclic β-Lactams

Improved procedures for the preparation of the Kamiya compound (3 R,4R)-4-(benzothiazol-2′-yldithio)-3-phenoxyacetamidoazetidin-2-0 (6) from penicillin V (1) are described. A novel feature is ozonolysis, near room temperature, in aqueous methanol in the presence of pyridine or a trace of manganese dioxide.

A New Dihydrothiazine Ring Closure for the Preparation of 3-Methylcephalosporins From Azetidinone Disulfides at 5-10-Degrees

p - Nitrobenzyl (2R,3R)-2-(benzothiazol-2'-yldithio)-α-isopropenyl-4-oxo-3-phenoxyacetylaminoazetidine-1-acetate (3a), readily prepared from penicillin V, is smoothly cyclized by ammonium acetate in a dimethyl sulfoxideltetrahydrofuran mixture at 5-10� to the ceph-3-em ester (2a) in high yield. Other esters (3b-d), but not the free acid (3e), behave in a similar way. The ceph-3-em esters can be readily de-esterified to the free acid (2e).

Photooxidation of Tetrabromofuran in Benzene

Photooxidation in the solid state of tetrabromofuran (1) gave the tetrabromo -γ-lactone (2) (30%), but in benzene solution gave dibromomaleic anhydride (3) (85%). Possible radical chain mechanisms for the transformations (1) → (2) and (1) → (3) are suggested. A molecular orbital discussion attempts to explain how an initial π-π* transition of a C=C bond in (1) leads to a σ C-Br bond fission. Use of e.p.r . to detect radicals in the transformations (1) → (2) and (1) → (3) failed.