[The impact of arsenic trioxide or all-trans retinoic acid treatment on coagulopathy in acute promyelocytic leukemia]

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) or all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on coagulopathy in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), and the mechanism of hemorrhage in these patients.

METHODS

Thrombomodulin (TM) or tissue factor (TF) transcription of mRNA of freshly isolated bone marrow blast from APL patients was detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The parameters of coagulation and cell procoagulation activity (PCA) were assessed in plasmic levels. Bleeding symptom was observed during As2O3 or ATRA treatment.

RESULTS

TM expression in the APL cell surface was significantly upregulated from (14.31 +/- 1.60) ng/10(7) to (21.61 +/- 6.82) ng/10(7) cells. The levels of P-selectin, soluble fibrin monomer complex (SFMC) and D-dimer (D-D) decreased after ATRA or As2O3 treatment. Abnormal high expression of TF in APL cell was downregulated in patients treated with ATRA or As2O3. The expression level was (14.81 +/- 6.23) ng/L before treatment, but undetected after 20 days of treatment. In addition, the membrane PCA of fresh APL cells was predominantly FVII-dependent after ATRA or As2O3 treatment. Bleeding symptom was ameliorated during As2O3 or ATRA treatment.

CONCLUSION

Bleeding symptom was controlled in patients with APL after As2O3 or ATRA treatment.

[Expression and significance of serum soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor-I in patients with head and neck neoplasm]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression and significance of serum soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor-I (sTNFR-I) in patients with head and neck neoplasms.

METHOD

The study was undertaken to detect serum sTNFR-I levels in 160 head neck cancer patients (including 12 cases of malignant lymphoma, 62 nasopharyngeal cancer, 56 laryngeal cancer, 22 hypopharyngeal cancer, 3 maxillary cancer and 5 thyrophyma), using Sandwich enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay.

RESULTS

The sTNFR-I levels were significantly higher in patients with carcinoma than those of healthy controls (P < 0.01). The sTNFR-I levels of malignant lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma were the highest among patients with head and neck neoplasm. The correlations between the serum sTNFR-I levels and the stages of head and neck neoplasms and other laboratory parameters were also analyzed and discussed.

CONCLUSION

The serum sTNFR-I levels may reflect the human immunity function, therefore it can be used as a helpful indicator to evaluate the therapeutic effect and monitor the relapses and metastasis of cancer.

Cancer incidence in the Falkland Islands

Cancer incidence in the Falkland Islands, 1989-2000, was compared with rates in England and Wales, from which most Islanders originate. Colon and rectum cancer incidence was significantly raised 1989-93 but greatly reduced after 1994, when colonoscopic screening in high-risk families and sigmoidoscopic screening in the general population were introduced.

Tartary buckwheat flavonoid activates caspase 3 and induces HL-60 cell apoptosis

It has been proposed that flavonoids may have potential as anticancer agents. In this study, we showed that tartary buckwheat flavonoid (TBF) obviously inhibits the growth of human acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) HL-60 cells by MTT assay. The inhibitory effect of TBF on the proliferation of HL-60 cells is related to the induction of apoptosis, which is confirmed by DNA ladder formation on gel electrophoresis and apoptosis morphological changes under light microscope. Furthermore, HL-60 cells undergo rapid apoptosis upon treatment with TBF, as indicated by increased annexin V binding capacity and caspase 3 activation with flow cytometric analysis. Thus, our data provide a potential mechanism for the chemopreventive activity of tartary buckwheat flavonoid and suggest that it may have a potentially therapeutic role for human leukemia.

Suppression of occurrence and advancement of beta-catenin-accumulated crypts, possible premalignant lesions of colon cancer, by selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, celecoxib

Suppression of occurrence and advancement of premalignant lesions is important for cancer prevention. Our previous studies clarified that beta-catenin-accumulated crypts, independent of aberrant crypt foci (ACF), are probably direct precursors of colon cancers in rats. Here we investigated the effects of a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, celecoxib, on the development of beta-catenin-accumulated crypts in comparison with those on ACF. Male F344 rats were divided into 4 groups. Groups 1 - 3 were administered azoxymethane (AOM) s.c. at a dose of 15 mg / kg body weight, once weekly for 3 weeks to induce beta-catenin-accumulated crypts. Groups 2 and 3 also received experimental diet containing celecoxib (500 and 1500 ppm, respectively) for 8 weeks, starting a week before the first dosing of AOM. At termination, the frequency and crypt multiplicity (number of crypts / lesion) of beta-catenin-accumulated crypts of groups 2 and 3 were significantly less than that of group 1. Furthermore, numbers of silver-stained nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) / nucleus in beta-catenin-accumulated crypts were also decreased by exposure to celecoxib. In this study, celecoxib had greater effects on the frequency and growth of beta-catenin-accumulated crypts than on those of ACF. These findings represent additional evidence that beta-catenin-accumulated crypts are premalignant lesions of colon cancer. The results also suggest that beta-catenin-accumulated crypts could be a novel target for evaluation of possible chemopreventive agents against colon carcino-genesis, and indicate that possible chemopreventive effects of celecoxib on the initial stage of colon carcinogenesis may be related to modulation of cell proliferation activity in such early lesions.

Estrogen inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha release from murine macrophages

During their reproductive years, female have a lower risk for atherosclerosis as compared with age-matched males, although the mechanisms behind this are not clearly understood. Cytokines, including TNF-alpha play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. We therefore evaluated whether or not there was any difference between 17 beta-estradiol and testosterone in modulating TNF-alpha release from murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMM) in vitro. Cells were incubated with or without physiological concentrations (10(-10)-10(-8) M) of 17 beta-estradiol or testosterone for 48 h, followed by an additional 6 h in the absence or presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 10 micrograms/ml). The amount of TNF-alpha released into the culture medium was determined with radioimmunoassay. We found that 17 beta-estradiol or testosterone alone did not affect TNF-alpha release from BMM as compared to untreated controls. Preincubation with 17 beta-estradiol significantly inhibited LPS-induced TNF-alpha release by 18.15% (p < 0.05). 25.28% (p < 0.05) and 40.83% (p < 0.01) for 10(-10), 10(-9) and 10(-8) M of 17 beta-estradiol, respectively, as compared to LPS alone. In contrast, testosterone tested for 3 concentrations did not significantly effect TNF-alpha release induced by LPS. The results indicate that 17 beta-estradiol, but not testosterone, inhibits TNF-alpha release from LPS-stimulated macrophages, which may be one of the mechanisms by which estrogen protects against atherosclerosis.

The inhibitory effects of mangiferin, a naturally occurring glucosylxanthone, in bowel carcinogenesis of male F344 rats

Mangiferin, 1,3,6,7-tetrahydroxyxanthone-C2-beta-D-glucoside, is one of xanthone derivatives and C-glucosylxanthones, is widely distributed in higher plants and is one of constituents of folk medicines. Recent studies showed that mangiferin has a potential as an anti-oxidant and an anti-viral agent. In this study, we examined the effects of mangiferin in rat colon carcinogenesis induced by chemical carcinogen, azoxymethane (AOM). We performed two experiments: a short-term assay to investigate the effects of mangiferin on the development of preneoplastic lesions by AOM, aberrant crypt foci (ACF), and the following long-term assay for the influence of mangiferin on tumorigenesis induced by AOM. In the short-term assay, 0.1% mangiferin in a diet significantly inhibited the ACF development in rats treated with AOM compared to rats treated with AOM alone (64.6+/-22.0 vs. 108.3+/-43.0). In the long-term assay, the group treated with 0.1% mangiferin in initiation phase of the experimental protocol had significantly lower incidence and multiplicity of intestinal neoplasms induced by AOM (47.3 and 41.8% reductions of the group treated with AOM alone for incidence and multiplicity, respectively). In addition, the cell proliferation in colonic mucosa was reduced in rats treated with mangiferin (65-85% reductions of the group treated with AOM alone). These results suggest that mangiferin has potential as a naturally-occurring chemopreventive agent.

Growth hormone treatment of children with brain tumors and risk of tumor recurrence

GH is increasingly used for treatment of children and adults. It is mitogenic, however, and there is therefore concern about its safety, especially when used to treat cancer patients who have become GH deficient after cranial radiotherapy. We followed 180 children with brain tumors attending three large hospitals in the United Kingdom and treated with GH during 1965-1996, and 891 children with brain tumors at these hospitals who received radiotherapy but not GH. Thirty-five first recurrences occurred in the GH-treated children and 434 in the untreated children. The relative risk of first recurrence in GH-treated compared with untreated patients, adjusted for potentially confounding prognostic variables, was decreased (0. 6; 95% confidence interval, 0.4-0.9) as was the relative risk of mortality (0.5; 95% confidence interval, 0.3-0.8). There was no significant trend in relative risk of recurrence with cumulative time for which GH treatment had been given or with time elapsed since this treatment started. The relative risk of mortality increased significantly with time since first GH treatment. The results, based on much larger numbers than previous studies, suggest that GH does not increase the risk of recurrence of childhood brain tumors, although the rising trend in mortality relative risks with longer follow-up indicates the need for continued surveillance.

Templated Synthesis of CdS/PAN Composite Nanowires under Ambient Conditions

CdS/PAN (polyacrylonitrile) composite nanowires were prepared by templated synthesis under ambient conditions, using a 4 : 1 (v/v) distilled water-isopropyl alcohol solvent mixture and Na(2)S(2)O(3) as sulfur source. Transmission electron microscopy images showed typical CdS/PAN nanowires with diameters less than 6 nm and lengths from 200 nm to 1 µm. CdS/PAN nanowires were also characterized by FT-infrared spectra (FTIR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) patterns, and UV-vis spectra. It is found that the feed mole ratio of CdCl(2) to AN exerts a significant influence on the formation and morphology of CdS/PAN nanowires. In addition, possible mechanism of the reactive process was presented. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

Transient Notch activation initiates an irreversible switch from neurogenesis to gliogenesis by neural crest stem cells

The genesis of vertebrate peripheral ganglia poses the problem of how multipotent neural crest stem cells (NCSCs) can sequentially generate neurons and then glia in a local environment containing strong instructive neurogenic factors, such as BMP2. Here we show that Notch ligands, which are normally expressed on differentiating neuroblasts, can inhibit neurogenesis in NCSCs in a manner that is completely dominant to BMP2. Contrary to expectation, Notch activation did not maintain these stem cells in an uncommitted state or promote their self-renewal. Rather, even a transient activation of Notch was sufficient to cause a rapid and irreversible loss of neurogenic capacity accompanied by accelerated glial differentiation. These data suggest that Notch ligands expressed by neuroblasts may act positively to instruct a cell-heritable switch to gliogenesis in neighboring stem cells.

Carbachol blocks beta-amyloid fragment 31-35-induced apoptosis in cultured cortical neurons

We reported previously that many neurodegenerative changes characteristic of apoptosis could be induced by a short fragment of beta-amyloid protein, A(beta31-35), in cultured newborn mice cortical neurons, and that these changes were accompanied with alterations in expression of some genes. This study was designed to examine whether the apoptotic processes and related gene modulations in this model could be affected by coadministration of carbachol by electrophoretic analysis for DNA ladder formation and by RT-PCR assays for genomic modulation. The results showed that (1) simultaneous incubation with carbachol dose- and time-dependently blocked the specific DNA ladder formation induced by exposure to A(beta31-35) and (2) the A(beta31-35)-induced downregulation of bcl-2 and upregulations of bax, p53, and c-fos genes were reversed or ameliorated by the coadministration of carbachol. It is proposed that A(beta31-35)-induced apoptosis can be prevented by carbachol through mechanisms that modulate the expression of related genes.

[A study on the epidemiology and preventive measure on epidemic haemorrhage fever in army barrack area in Shandong]

OBJECTIVE

In order to guide the army and civilians to carry out the prevention on epidemic haemorrhage fever (EHF), it's necessary to elucidate the epidemic feature of natural epidemic foci and the risk factors of EHF in the army - stationed areas.

METHODS

Samples were tested by pathogenic and serologic means before data was collected and analyzed by case - control or family - control studies.

RESULTS

Cases belong to house - mouse type (91.48%), field - mouse type (7.21%) and unclassified (1.31%) coexist in the stationed area. In the two types of noticed cases, no significant difference in distributions of sex, profession and ages. Most house - mouse type cases occurred in the peak time from March to June and field - mouse type in November to next February. The type of EHF virus antigen of mice and the type of serum were both accordant with their host types. Dwelling in border area, living rooms with mice, dogs raising, injury of mouth tissue, eating food contaminated by mice, and household with mice living around were more frequently seen in cases themselves and in families of the cases than in controls of both groups (P < 0.05). The mice intensity could be under control to 1.0%, if comprehensive measure on mice control can be implemented.

CONCLUSIONS

The stationed area is an epidemic area mixed with both house - mouse and field - mouse types, with majority of house - mouse type. It was house - mouse type virus infection that caused the epidemic area expanded and the number of cases increased radically these years. EHF was epidemic in spring and summer season in the stationed area mainly because the infections were among family members. Food contaminated by mice or close contact with mice played an important role. Mice eradication and prevention were the leading measures to prevent EHF, from our more than ten years of experiences.

[Long-term effect of extra-trabeculectomy in treatment of congenital glaucoma]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the long-term effect of extra-trabeculectomy in treatment of congenital glaucoma.

METHODS

29 patients (47 eyes) with congenital glaucoma having undergone extra-trabeculectomy were followed up for over 5 years.

RESULTS

Success rates after single surgery were 70.2% at 6 months, 63.8% at 12 months, 57.5% at 18 months and 55.3% at 24 months. Re-elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) all happened within 2 years after surgery. 14 eyes underwent second trabeculectomy, and 7 eyes (50.0%) were successful the total success rate was 70.2%. The naked visual acuity of 12 eyes (36.0%) among successful eyes was >or= 0.5. All the diseased eyes were myopic (-0.50 to -25.00 D).

CONCLUSION

Follow-up of trabeculectomy should be emphasized within 2 years after surgery. Ametropic and anisometropic amblyopia should be corrected promptly after surgery.

[Detection and evaluation of bcl-x and bcl-2 gene expression in blasts from patients with acute leukemia]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression of bcl-x and bcl-2 genes in bone marrow cells of acute leukemia and their effects on response to chemotherapy.

METHODS

Semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expressions of bcl-xL, bcl-xs and bcl-2 in blast cells from 34 acute leukemia(AL) patients.

RESULTS

The expression of bcl-xL and bcl-2 or both in blast cells from 34 AL patients was higher than that in complete remission patients and normal subjects. The expression of bcl-xL and bcl-2 in relapsed patients was increased by 1.8 and 1.9 fold, respectively, compared with that in the newly diagnosed patients(P < 0.01). However, no relationship was found between the expression of bcl-xs and the relapse and chemotherapeutic response of the AL patients. There were positive correlations between the expression of bcl-xL and bcl-2 or bcl-xL and bcl-xs. The expression level of bcl-xL and bcl-2 in the patients with poor response to chemotherapy was significantly higher than that in the patients with better response. Treatment failure occurred in 80.0%, 91.7% and 100.0% of the patients with overexpression of bcl-xL and bcl-2 and both, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Overexpression of bcl-xL and bcl-2 may imply the lower sensitivity of the leukemic cells to chemotherapy and higher risk of relapse.

[Lipopolysaccharide-induced apoptosis of rat hepatocyte in vitro]

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effect of lipopolysaccharide(LPS) on hepatocyte in vitro.

METHODS

The hepatocytes were isolated in the way of liver perfusion with 0.05% collagenase type I and type IV, and cultured for 24 h in vitro before LPS was added directly into the culturing medium. Propidium iodide(PI) staining, and transmission electron microscopy techniques had been used to observe the morphological changes of hepatocyte treated with LPS. DNA-fragment assay was analyzed by the agarose gel electrophoresis to determine apoptotic level.

RESULTS

Hepatocytes incubated with LPS exhibited some typical apoptosis-specific morphological features. The DNA-fragment by agarose gel electrophoresis demonstrated the typical ladder pattern on the hepatocytes directly exposed to LPS, but it was absent in the group used ATA, an inhibitor of apoptosis. These morphological changes, accompanied by DNA fragmentation assay, confirmed that cells were dying through an apoptotic pathway. In addition, the hepatocyte number of apoptosis increased parallel with the dose of LPS and time within 24 h when hepatocytes were exposed to LPS alone.

CONCLUSIONS

LPS can induce apoptosis of hepatocyte in vitro.

The British Diabetic Association Cohort Study, I: all-cause mortality in patients with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus

AIMS

To assess mortality in patients with diabetes incident under the age of 30 years.

METHODS

A cohort of 23 752 diabetic patients diagnosed under the age of 30 years from throughout the United Kingdom was identified during 1972-93 and followed up to February 1997. Following notification of deaths during this period, age- and sex-specific mortality rates, attributable risks and standardized mortality rates were calculated.

RESULTS

The 23 752 patients contributed a total of 317 522 person-years of follow-up, an average of 13.4 years per subject. During follow-up 949 deaths occurred in patients between the ages of 1 and 84 years, 566 in males and 383 in females. All-cause mortality rates in the patients with diabetes exceeded those in the general population at all ages and within the cohort were higher for males than females at all ages except between 5 and 15 years. The relative risk of death (standardized mortality ratio, SMR), was higher for females than males at all ages, being 4.0 (95% CI 3.6-4.4) for females and 2.7 (2.5-2.9) for males overall, but reaching a peak of 5.7 (4.7-7.0) in females aged 20-29, and of 4.0 (3.1-5.0) in males aged 40-49. Attributable risks, or the excess deaths in persons with diabetes compared with the general population, increased with age in both sexes.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study from the UK of young patients diagnosed with diabetes that is large enough to calculate detailed age-specific mortality rates. This study provides a baseline for further studies of mortality and change in mortality within the United Kingdom.

The British Diabetic Association Cohort Study, II: cause-specific mortality in patients with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus

AIMS

To measure cause-specific mortality, by age, in patients with insulin-treated diabetes incident at a young age.

METHODS

A cohort of 23 752 patients with insulin-treated diabetes diagnosed under the age of 30 years, from throughout the United Kingdom, was identified during 1972-93 and followed to February 1997. Death certificates have been obtained for deaths during the follow-up period and cause-specific mortality rates and standardized mortality ratios by age and sex are reported.

RESULTS

During the follow-up period 949 deaths occurred and at all ages mortality rates were considerably higher than in the general population. Acute metabolic complications of diabetes were the greatest single cause of excess death under the age of 30 years. Cardiovascular disease was responsible for the greatest proportion of the deaths from the age of 30 years onwards.

CONCLUSIONS

Deaths in patients with diabetes diagnosed under the age of 30 have been reported and comparisons drawn with mortality in the general population. To reduce these deaths attention must be paid both to the prevention of acute metabolic deaths and the early detection and treatment of cardiovascular disease and associated risk factors.

[Glottal configuration and histological findings in vocal muscles following trauma to cricoarytenoid joint]

OBJECTIVE

The unilateral cricoarytenoid joints of the rabbits were traumatized bluntly to investigate the changes of glottal configuration and histology of the vocal muscles.

METHOD

10 New Zealand white rabbits divided into 4 groups were studied. Under direct laryngoscope, the unilateral cricoarytenoid joint of each rabbit was traumatized bluntly. The glottal configuration and histology of the true cords demonstrated atrophy of the vocal muscles. The remarkable atrophy of the vocal muscles was evaluated after 1, 3, 6 and 9 months.

RESULT

In 1 and 3 months after trauma, the glottal configuration of the rabbits showed no difference from that in the period of trauma. The histology of the vocal muscles was approximately normal. The lateral drift and deformity of the fixed vocal cord and wider glottal gap were seen 6 months after trauma. The histological sections of the vocal muscles were noted 9 months after trauma.

CONCLUSION

The atrophy of the vocal muscles may occur 6 months after trauma to cricoarytenoid jonint. This pathologic change may cause the lateral displacement and deformity of the vocal cord, which increases the glottal incompetence and affects voice recovery. The laryngeal electromyography may be influenced by the pathologic changes of the vocal muscles.

[An analysis of the therapeutic effects and reactions in treating acute promyelocytic leukemia with intravenous arsenic trioxide or all-trans retinoic acid]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the therapeutic effects and reactions of intra venous arsenic trioxide and all-trans retinoic acid in treating patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).

METHODS

75 cases of APL were randomized either to arsenic trioxide (37) or to all-trans retinoic acid (38). The rates of complete remission (CR), disease free survival (DFS) and side effects were observed.

RESULTS

In the two groups of patients with APL, the rate of CR was 86.4% and 84.2%. There was also no significant difference in the rate of DSF phase of CR (P > 0.05). The side effects of these two medications in therapeutic dose were mild and there was no cross resistance between them.

CONCLUSION

Arsenic trioxide can lead to apoptosis of leukemic cells and might be a new promising drug to induce differentiation.

[Changes of thyroid and adrenocortical functions after bone marrow transplantation with MAC conditioning regimen in leukemia patients]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of MAC conditioning regimen on endocrine glands function in leukemia patients after bone marrow transplantation(BMT).

METHODS

Thyroid and adrenocortical functions were assayed by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in 26 leukemia patients before and after BMT.

RESULTS

All patients had normal thyroid and adrenocortical functions before BMT. As compared with that pre BMT, the median serum TSH levels were increased at 1, 3 and 6 months post BMT(P < 0.01). This thyroid dysfunctions were found in 7 of 26 patients, 6 of whom were recovered at 6 months post BMT.

CONCLUSION

There was little effect of MAC conditioning regimen on adrenocortical function. Thyroid dysfunctions were found in 28% of the patients after BMT, and normalized in a short period without replacement therapy.

[Effects of extremity cuffs against physiological changes induced by head-down bedrest]

-6 degrees head down bedrest (HDBR) 10d was used to simulate weightlessness. 12 volunteers were randomed into control group and cuffs group, with 6 in each group. Inflated cuffs on the upper part of thighs and arms were performed 12 h/d in cuffs group during bedrest. No countermeasures were applied in the control group. During head up tilt (HUT) +75 degrees 20 min orthostatic tolerance test after HDBR, 5 in control group became presyncopal, while only one in cuffs group. The study indicates that the use of inflated cuffs provides a protective effect against the cardiovascular deconditioning after bedrest.

[The correlation between p170, p26 and multidrug resistance in refractory/relapse acute leukemia]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the role of two membrane proteins, p170 and p26, in clinical drug resistance and their correlation.

METHODS

The expression of p170 and p26 in bone marrow cells from 39 acute leukemia patients were detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

The expression ratios of p170 and p26 were 15.89% +/- 4.41% and 17.32% +/- 10.20%, respectively, in previously untreated group, and 31.02% +/- 14.33% and 33.78% +/- 15.97%, respectively, in refractory/relapse group. The difference between the two groups was significant, while there were no correlation between p170 and p26 (r = -0.1578, P > 0.5).

CONCLUSION

Both p170 and p26 were related to clinical multidrug resistance, but the mechanisms were different.

Trends in cancer incidence and mortality in Scotland: description and possible explanations

Secular and cohort trends in mortality from cancer in Scotland during 1953-93, and incidence during 1960-90, were analysed using individual records from the national mortality and registration files. For certain cancer sites, the secular analyses of mortality were extended back to 1911 by use of published data. Mortality from cancer at older ages in Scotland has increased over the last 40 years. In each sex, this trend has been dominated by the effects of smoking: all-cancer rates and rates of lung cancer, now the most common fatal cancer in men and in women in Scotland, reached a peak in the cohort of men born at the turn of the century and the cohort of women born in the 1920s. For much of the period, the Scottish all-age rates of lung cancer were the highest reported in the world; they are now decreasing on a secular basis in men, but are still increasing in women. There have also been large increases at older ages in the incidence and mortality rates for cancer of the prostate in recent years. bladder cancer, nervous system cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, myeloma and leukaemia; for each there is likely to be a considerable artefactual element to the increase, with differing degrees of possibility that there may in addition be an element of real increase. Substantial decreases in mortality at all ages have occurred for stomach and colorectal cancers and substantial increases at all ages for pleural cancer and melanoma. Rates of mortality from breast cancer, the most common cancer in women in Scotland, have generally increased over the past 80 years; a temporary cessation in this upward trend occurred in the years during and after the Second World War, and recently rates have turned downward, probably at least in part because of better treatment. Mortality from ovarian cancer, the second most common reproductive-related female tumour in Scotland, has also increased at older ages. At younger ages, mortality from cancer in Scotland has decreased, especially in men, whereas incidence has not. This divergence, which has been a consequence of better treatment, has occurred especially for cancers of the testis and ovary, Hodgkin's disease and leukaemia. There have been increases at young adult ages, however, in both mortality from and incidence of oral and pharyngeal, oesophageal and laryngeal cancers in men, and melanoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in each sex. Cervical cancer rates at young ages also increased, but this trend has reversed for incidence in the most recent birth cohorts. Incidence rates have also increased for testicular cancer in young adults and leukaemia in children. With the possible exceptions of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and childhood leukaemia, the increasing rates are likely largely to reflect real rises in incidence, and they highlight the need for investigation of the causes of these cancers, and, when causes are known, for preventive action.

[Relationship between bcl-X(L) expression and sensitivity to chemotherapy in acute myeloid leukemic cells]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the characteristics and regulation of apoptosis in acute myeloid leukemic cells.

METHODS

Flow cytometry, DNA electrophoresis and Northern blot were used to analyze the expression of bcl-X(L) before and after Vp16 treatment, and the relationships between bcl-X(L) expression and apoptotic sensitivity, clinical features and prognosis were also analyzed.

RESULTS

Most of the leukemic cells from AML patients overexpressed bcl-X(L) mRNA. The expression of bcl-X(L) was still maintained high level after Vp16 treatment in patients with pretreatment overexpression. These patients were resistant to apoptosis, poor responsed to chemotherapy and associated with adverse prognostic features, such as high WBC counts, local leukemic infiltrations. Bone marrow cells from long-term remission AML patients and normal controls also showed bcl-X(L) downregulation after in vitro Vp16 treatment, but the apoptotic rates were lower than that in nonremissive AML.

CONCLUSION

Overexpression of bcl-XL played an important role in leukemogenesis and drug resistance. Downregulation of bcl-X(L) was necessary but not sufficient to initiate apoptosis.

[SERS and electrochemistry studies on the structure of thiourea adsorption layer on silver electrode]

The structure of thiourea adsorption layer on silver electrode was studied by SERS and electrochemistry. It was found that the thiourea can be adsorbed on the electrode surface and can inhibit the reaction of hydrogen separation. And a change in structure of the thiourea adsorption layer on electrode surface took place at the voltage of about -0.6V. The further SERS experiment showed that the thiourea adsorption layer has a loose structure at about -0.9V and a compact structure at about -0.3V - -0.5V. The transition region is at about -0.6V - -0.8V.

Enhanced expression in spleen macrophages of the mouse homolog to the human putative tumor suppressor gene ZFM1

We have characterized the cDNA of MZFM, the mouse homolog to the novel human putative tumor suppressor gene ZFM1. The total length of the cDNA is 2,637 nucleotides with an open reading frame for a protein of 548 amino acids containing 4.7% methionine and 17.2% proline. The predicted molecular mass of 59 kD fits the 62-kD band experimentally determined by NaDodSO4-PAGE from in vitro translation products of in vitro-transcribed MZFM cDNA. The MZFM cDNA best matches to that ZFM1-isoform without the so-called 0.25-kb E-domain and to the L49345 cDNA recently identified in a human leukemia cell line. Northern analysis reveals expression of MZFM only in spleen macrophages. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in combination with Southern analysis also detects a low basal expression in splenic T cells and B cells, as well as in other tissues such as heart, kidney, brain, liver, testis, bone marrow, adrenal gland, lymph nodes, pancreas, and thymus. In splenic macrophages, MZFM mRNA is alternatively spliced yielding a 3.6-kb transcript with E-domain, a 3.0-kb transcript without E-domain, and a 2.7-kb transcript with E-domain. The predicted MZFM protein contains diverse functional domains, i.e., a nuclear localization signal, a metal binding motif, a glutamine/proline stretch, proline-clusters, a CGA-motif, and a QUA1-KH-QUA2 region, thus indicating multiple functions of MZFM. Presumably, MZFM is a new member of those proteins combining features of signal transduction and RNA activation (STAR-proteins). The different MZFM-isoforms may be part of a macrophage-inherent program of transduction of environmental signals into different activational states of macrophages.

Transcription of dopamine D1A receptor mRNAs in rat heart

The existence of dopamine receptor subtypes in the heart has been suggested by pharmacological and biochemical techniques. So far, however, very little data is available as to the transcription of dopamine D1 subtype receptor genes in the heart. Therefore, in this study we employed reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), which is a sensitive and highly specific method for identifying a low abundance mRNA in tissues, to determine if the D1A receptor gene was transcripted in the adult rat heart. Total RNA was isolated from the whole heart by the guanidium thiocyanate-CsCl method. Primers were based on the sequence of rat D1A cDNA cloned from the brain and corresponded to the third cytoplasmic loop of the receptor. A predicted size product (247bp) was evident from heart RNA. PCR performed in the absence of reverse transcriptase did not result in an amplification of the predicted product, indicating that these products were from cDNA and not from genomic DNA. The results demonstrate the existence of D1A receptor mRNA in the rat heart and that the D1A receptor in the heart are possibly identical to that from the brain. Since in this study the whole heart RNA was used, we cannot ascertain whether the mRNA comes from cardiac myocyte per se or from intermuscular coronary arterioles or from both.

The combination of melphalan, cyclophosphamide and cytosine arabinoside as a conditioning regimen for autologous bone marrow transplantation for acute leukemia

OBJECTIVE

To explore more effective and less toxic conditioning regimen without total body irradiation for autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) for acute leukemia (AL).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twenty patients with AL were treated with ABMT, including 13 cases of acute myelocytic leukemia (AML) and 7 cases of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). A median of 1.06 (range, 0.69-1.75) x 10(8) nucleated BM cells/kg was harvested and stored in normal salt solution containing heparin at 4 degrees C. The conditioning regimen (MAC) consisted of high-dose melphalan (M, 140-160 mg/m2), cyclophosphamide (CY, 120 mg/kg) and cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C, 2.0 g/m2). These 3 drugs were administered within 25 hours and the unpurged autologous marrow infusion began after another 24-hour interval.

RESULTS

MAC regimen could result in myeloblastic efficacy in a week. All marrow cells were reinfused within 56 hours after the harvest so that hemopoietic reconstitutions could occur in all the patients. The median time to reach a neutrophil count of > 1.0 x 10(9)/L and a platelet count of > 50 x 10(9)/L was 20 and 26 days respectively. With a median observation period of 25 months, the median duration on continuous complete remission in our patients was 22 months, and the longest reached 56 months. The median survival was 33 months, and the longest was over 6 years. The event-free survival at 2 years had reached 72%. In seven patients with leukemic relapse, six (86%) relapsed within 8 months after ABMT. The relapse rate and mortality in AML patients were significantly lower than those in ALL patients. In 7 patients with M3, relapse had not yet been observed. The nonhematologic toxic effects of MAC conditioning regimen occurred mainly in the gastrointestinal tract.

CONCLUSIONS

The preliminary results indicated that the ABMT using MAC conditioning regimen had some advantages in stronger antileukemic efficacy, less extrahematologic toxicity and earlier recovery of platelet and could greatly prolong the duration of remission and survival in some patients with AL.

Detection of parasites of the Leishmania donovani-complex by a polymerase chain reaction-solution hybridization enzyme-linked immunoassay (PCR-SHELA)

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based on the detection of the Lmet2 repeat sequence specific to members of the Leishmania donovani-complex is described. To improve PCR specificity, a post-PCR hybridization step is often performed but this usually involves an entirely new procedure with additional manipulations, expense and time. We have simplified this post-PCR hybridization by developing a strategy which includes the probe in the PCR and enables the hybridization to be performed automatically as part of the PCR programme. The hybrids are afterwards detected by capture in microtitre wells and colorimetric visualization. This method, which we have termed PCR-solution hybridization enzyme-linked immunoassay (PCR-SHELA), is rapid, able to detect less than 5 cultured parasites and is specific for parasites of the Leishmania donovani-complex. We also describe the application of PCR-SHELA to the detection of amastigotes in various tissues of infected laboratory animals.

The risk of melanoma in patients with congenital nevi: a cohort study

BACKGROUND

Giant congenital nevi are associated with a greatly increased risk of melanoma, but this has not been quantified. Smaller congenital nevi are believed by some authors to be associated with increased risk, but this is uncertain and needs to be clarified.

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose was to analyze cause-specific mortality and cancer incidence risks in patients with congenital nevi according to size of the nevi.

METHODS

We followed up 265 patients with congenital nevi first treated at the Hospital for Sick Children or at St. John's Hospital in London during 1950 to 1984 for mortality to mid-1993 and for cancer incidence from 1971 to 1989. Mortality and cancer incidence rates in the cohort were compared with expectations from national mortality and cancer incidence rates by sex, age, and calendar period.

RESULTS

Among the 33 patients with a congenital nevus covering at least 5% of the body area, two melanomas occurred during follow-up; both were fatal. The relative risk of melanoma mortality in these patients was 1046 (95% confidence interval, 127 to 3779). In the remaining 232 patients, 68 of whom had a nevus covering 1% to 4% of the body, and 164 with nevi smaller than 1% of body area, no melanomas occurred (0.18 melanoma deaths expected). The difference in melanoma mortality risk between the group with a nevus covering at least 5% of the body and the group with smaller nevi was significant (p < 0.05). There was not a significantly increased risk of nonmelanoma mortality or of nonmelanoma cancer incidence overall in the cohort, although two lymphohematopoietic malignancies occurred.

CONCLUSION

The data show the large risk of melanoma in patients with nevi covering more than 5% of the body surface area. The results do not support the hypothesis of greatly increased risk in persons with congenital nevi smaller than this, but because the confidence intervals of the result were wide, the data are compatible with a sizable risk. Much larger studies than those that have so far been undertaken, or combined analysis of data from several studies, are needed to quantify more precisely the risk of melanoma in relation to size of nevi and to determine the appropriate clinical management of these lesions.

A case-control study of dietary factors in patients with lung cancer

A case-control study was designed to investigate association of dietary factors with the risk of lung cancer in Sichuan, China. The cases consisted of 135 patients with preinvasive lung cancer which had been confirmed with histopathology, fiber bronchoscope, CT and X-ray film in three provincial hospitals in the recent one year. Controls were healthy subjects who went to one of these hospitals for health check-up; patients with pulmonary diseases was excluded. Controls were matched to cases for sex and age with a ratio of 1:1. Nutrient intakes, the eating habit and other relevant factors were investigated. The data analyzed with the conditional logistic regression model indicated that dietary beta-carotene intakes had a significantly inverse association with the risk of lung cancer. Vitamin C had a less significantly inverse association with the risk. Association of protein, fat, energy, retinol intakes or diet-balance index with the risk was not significant. Association of tea, alcohol, garlic or mushroom, respectively, with the risk was also not observed. Consumption of more processed foods and deep-fried foods were found to be risk factors. Smoking and air pollution from coal burning stoves were also observed as independent risk factors of lung cancer in the present study. The mental stress incidence in the case was significantly higher than that in the control.

[Isolation and identification of antibiotic constituents of propolis from Henan]

Sinapic acid, isoferulic acid, caffeic acid and chrysin were isolated from the alcoholic extraction of propolis and identified by spectrometric methods. The first three compounds were shown with inhibitive effect of against Staphylococcus aureus, while chrysin was ineffective.