Early neuroradiologic evidence of degeneration in Menkes' disease

We report the case of an infant with Menkes' disease who presented with moderately abnormal neurologic findings at birth and with extraaxial bleeding in the posterior fossa. Early cerebellar atrophy and hypomyelination were evident on magnetic resonance imaging at 5 weeks of age. We suggest that neurodegeneration occurs earlier than has been previously reported and may be identifiable even in neonates.

[Determination of mangiferin in qingqiliangying injection by reversed-phase HPLC]

A reversed-phase HPLC method has been established for the determination of mangiferin in Qingqiliangying Injection. The mangiferin was separated on a Nova-pak C18 column (150 mm x 3.9 mm) and detected at 258 nm, using methanol-tetrahydrofuran-0.85% H3PO4 aqueous solution (500:80:15) as the mobile phase. The average recovery of mangiferin was 100.9%. The method is simple, rapid, and well reproducible, and thus very reliable for the quality control of Qingqiliangying Injection.

Structure and dynamics of pentaglycyl bridges in the cell walls of Staphylococcus aureus by 13C-15N REDOR NMR

Whole cells and cell-wall fractions of Staphylococcusaureus have been labeled by various combinations of [1-13C]glycine, [15N]glycine, L--6-13C-lysine, L--6-15N-lysine, D--1-13C-alanine, and D--15N-alanine. The resulting materials have been examined using 13C and 15N solid-state, magic-angle spinning NMR techniques including cross-polarization, double cross-polarization, and rotational-echo double resonance. The results of these measurements indicate that the peptidoglycan glycyl bridges are complete (five units long) and form cross-links between three-quarters of all peptide stems. The pentaglycyl bridges are immobilized in lyophilized cell-wall fractions in a compact conformation with inter-residue spacings comparable to those of an alpha helix. The bridges have a similar compact conformation in intact whole cells, regardless of whether the cells have been lyophilized or were hydrated and frozen at -10 degrees C. The bridges are also in a time-averaged compact conformation in whole cells at 0 degrees C but with sizable structural fluctuations associated with local mobility. A small fraction of bridges are in extended-chain conformations.

Fetal atrial septal aneurysm. Prenatal diagnosis by ultrasonography

OBJECTIVE

To assess prenatal diagnosis by ultrasonography in five cases of fetal atrial septal aneurysm.

STUDY DESIGN

Five cases of fetal atrial septal aneurysm were diagnosed prenatally by ultrasound. Postpartum fetal cardiac echocardiography was performed in three of five infants from the first to the fourth day of life. The medical records of the five cases were reviewed and analyzed after delivery.

RESULTS

Echocardiograms confirmed atrial septal aneurysm in two of the three neonates. One of the two infants was also found to have a patent foramen ovale, and the other infant had patent duct arteriosis in addition to a patent foramen ovale. Two had fetal cardiac arrythmias that resolved after birth.

CONCLUSION

Atrial septal aneurysm in fetuses may be a natural transition in spontaneous closure of the associated patent foramen ovale or septal defect. The same phenomenon has been found in children and infants. Due to the uniqueness of the fetal circulation, atrial septal aneurysm may predispose to fetal arrythmias.

[Isolation and structure elucidation of three dihydrophenanthrenes from Ephemerantha lonchophylla]

In this paper, three dihydrophenanthrenes are isolated from the Stems and pseudobulbs of Ephemerantha lonchophylla (Orchidaceae). They are identified as Iusianthridin (1), ephemeranthol-B (2) and erianthridin (3) by spectral data.

Neurotactin, a membrane-anchored chemokine upregulated in brain inflammation

Chemokines are small secreted proteins that stimulate the directional migration of leukocytes and mediate inflammation. During screening of a murine choroid plexus complementary DNA library, we identified a new chemokine, designated neurotactin. Unlike other chemokines, neurotactin has a unique cysteine pattern, Cys-X-X-X-Cys, and is predicted to be a type 1 membrane protein. Full-length recombinant neurotactin is localized on the surface of transfected 293 cells. Recombinant neurotactin containing the chemokine domain is chemotactic for neutrophils both in vitro and in vivo. Neurotactin messenger RNA is predominantly expressed in normal murine brain and its protein expression in activated brain microglia is upregulated in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, as well as in mice treated with lipopolysaccharide. Distinct from all other chemokine genes, the neurotactin gene is localized to human chromosome 16q. Consequently we propose that neurotactin represents a new delta-chemokine family and that it may play a role in brain inflammation processes.

Effect of tripterine on collagen-induced arthritis in rats

AIM

To study the therapeutic effect of tripterine (Tri) on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA).

METHODS

Collagen type II (Col) 1.5 mg was injected intradermally to induce CIA in rats. Hind paw volumes of rats were measured with a water displacement method. The serum anti-collagen antibody was measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Delayed hypersensitivity was reflected by skin response to Col. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) activities were evaluated by [3H]TdR uptake. Joint was evaluated histologically.

RESULTS

Tri 15 and 30 mg.kg-1.d-1 given i.g. to rats 3 d after the first sign of arthritis reduced inflammatory swelling, suppressed humoral and skin response to Col, inhibited IL-2 and IL-1 production, reduced pathological progression of joint.

CONCLUSION

Tri has a therapeutic effect on CIA.

[Tetraploid clones characterized by double 8;21 translocations in two patients with acute myeloid leukemia]

OBJECTIVE

To report two cases of leukemia with t(8;21) and tetraploid clones.

METHODS

R-banding technique was used.

RESULTS

Cytogenetic studies of BM cells at diagnosis revealed that each of the two cases had three related abnormal clones besides a normal one: 46, XY, t(8;21) (2%), 46, idem, add((7)(q31)(6.8%) and 92, idem x 2 (80.6%) in case 1 and 46, XX, t(8;21) (13.4%), 47, idem, + 4 (46.3%) and 94, idem x 2 (39.1%) in case 2. They did not obtain complete remission on chemotherapy and survived 4 and 6 months, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Tetraploid or near tetraploid clones are secondary events which are specifically associated with t(8;21) leukemia and the prognosis of patients with this kind of abnormal karyotype is poor.

Contrast limits of coherence-gated imaging in scattering media

The fundamental difference between time-resolved and coherence-gated imaging modalities in scattering media is analyzed in terms of their optical transfer functions. The effectiveness of coherence gating for multiple-scattering rejection is shown by imaging a 100-mum-thick razor blade hidden in the scattering phantoms (i.e., Intralipid suspensions) with different scattering coefficients. We found that the imaging contrast is limited by multiple scattering and speckle effects in high-scattering media, and the measured effective penetration depth of optical coherence tomography is approximately equal to six mean free paths under the experimental conditions of a numerical aperture of less than 0.1 and a scattering anisotropy of approximately 0.8.

Bilateral reduction mammoplasty in a patient treated with calcium channel blocker and cyclosporine after renal transplant: a case report

A 28-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease secondary to diabetes mellitus and hypertension underwent cadaver renal transplant in April 1992. After surgery, she developed bilateral breast enlargement while she was taking cyclosporine for immunosuppression therapy and felodipine, a calcium channel blocker, for blood pressure control. She underwent bilateral reduction mammoplasty in June 1995 to treat progressive breast enlargement which interfered with her normal life activities. Through mechanisms only partially understood, calcium channel blockers and cyclosporine are reported to increase the serum prolactin level, producing gynecomastia in men. There is no report in current literature to support a similar phenomenon in women.

Immunoassay reagents for thyroid testing. 2. Binding properties and energetic parameters of a T4 monoclonal antibody and its Fab fragment with a library of thyroxine analog biosensors using surface plasmon resonance

A library of 16 thyroxine analog biosensors were prepared for use on the BIAcore surface plasmon resonance instrument. An anti-thyroxine monoclonal antibody and its Fab fragment were tested with each biosensor to generate the association and dissociation rate constants, equilibrium association constants, and Gibbs free energy values for characterizing the binding event.

mRNA expression and cDNA sequences of beta- and gamma-sarcoglycans are normal in cardiomyopathic hamster heart

In BIO14.6 cardiomyopathic hamster heart, the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex is disrupted and sarcoglycans are greatly reduced in abundance. We examined whether the gene expression of beta- and gamma-sarcoglycans is indeed defective in this hamster. We found that mRNA expression for these proteins and the cDNA sequences of their coding regions are identical in both normal and myopathic hamster cardiomyocytes. The results strongly suggest that defect in a currently unknown sarcoglycan-associated protein(s) is responsible for the deficiency of the sarcoglycan complex that leads to muscle cell necrosis in the myopathic hamster.

A Case of Malignant Histiocytosis having Polyploid Clones Characterized by an Isochromosome of the Long Arm of Chromosome 17 [i(17q)] and t(9;22) Translocation

We report an interesting case of Malignant Histiocytosis (MH) with polyploid clones characterized by i(17q) and t(9; 22) translocation. A 47-year-old man had lymphadenopthy, splenomegaly and leukopenia at presentation. Bone marrow (BM) cytology showed 10.5% abnormal histiocytes. Karyotypic analyses with R- and G-banding techniques on BM cells revealed complex abnormalities: 88, XXYY, add(2) (p25), -4, -8, -11, i(17q), -21[4]/89, idem, t(9; 22) (q34; q11), +22[26]/46, XY [47], of which, t(9; 22) was confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization using a chromosome 22 paint wcp 22+. This patient was treated with interferon-alpha and COP regimen. 10 months later he achieved a complete hematologic and cytogenetic remission (CR). However, relapse occurred one year after achieving CR. At that time, cytogenetic examination showed a new polyploid clone characterized by add(1) (p36), add(2) (p25), -4, -8, t(9; 22), -11, i(17q), -21, +22 in addition to the other two polyploid clones observed previously. RT-PCR indicated that the BCR/ABL transcript (165bp) observed in classic chronic myeloid leukemia, was present, MH with t(9; 22) has not previously been described in the literature. This case may be the first one of MH with t(9; 22), and is likely a secondary event.

Dystrophin-glycoprotein complex purified from hamster cardiac muscle. Comparison of the complexes from cardiac and skeletal muscles of hamster and rabbit

The dystrophin-glycoprotein complex was isolated from hamster ventricular muscle by a method involving homogenization of muscle directly in the presence of 1% digitonin, followed by chromatography on succinylated wheat germ agglutinin agarose, Diethyl aminoethyl (DEAE) cellulose, and/or immunoaffinity agarose. Protein yield of the DEAE cellulose-purified dystrophin-glycoprotein complex was 120 +/- 30 (n = 3) micrograms per 5 g hamster ventricular muscle. The cardiac dystrophin-glycoprotein complex, unlike the skeletal muscle counterpart, could not be solubilized from a microsomal fraction with digitonin or some other detergents. By sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis, protein composition of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complexes from hamster cardiac muscle was found to be significantly different from that of rabbit skeletal muscle which has been extensively studied. This difference mainly arises from the species difference, because in hamster the cardiac and skeletal muscle complexes exhibited essentially the same protein composition. In rabbit, on the other hand, there are differences between the cardiac and skeletal complexes in the relative abundance of 60 and 64 kDa proteins and in the apparent M(r) of alpha-dystroglycan. We found that the content of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex, estimated by quantitative immunoblot assay, is at least 5 times more abundant in cardiac than in skeletal muscle in hamster and rabbit.

Identification of two mutations in a compound heterozygous child with dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase deficiency

An infant girl with elevated blood lactate, pyruvate, and plasma branched-chain amino acids was diagnosed with dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (E3; dihydrolipoamide: NAD+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.8.1.4) deficiency. Activities of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and E3 from patient were 26 and 2% of controls in blood lymphocytes, and 11 and 14% in cultured skin fibroblasts, respectively. Western blot analysis demonstrated that the amount of E3 protein in fibroblasts from the patient and her father was about half of controls, while Northern blot analysis showed normal amounts of E3 RNA. DNA sequencing of cloned full-length E3 cDNAs from the patient revealed two mutations in separate alleles. One is a single base insertion of an extra adenine in the last codon of the leader peptide sequence (TAC-->TAAC) leading to a nonsense mutation which results in the premature termination of the precursor E3 polypeptide (Y35X). The other is a missense mutation due to substitution of guanine for adenine, causing an Arg-->Gly substitution at amino acid 460 of the mature protein (R460G) which triggers the loss of E3 activity probably by structural change in the E3 dimer. DNA sequencing of E3 cDNAs from the parents demonstrated that the nonsense mutation was inherited from the father and the missense mutation was inherited from the mother.

Fluoride analysis of apatite crystals with a central planar OCP inclusion: concerning the role of F- ions on apatite/OCP/apatite structure formation

To study the roles of F- ions in the formation of apatite crystals embedding octacalcium phosphate (OCP) lamella in the center of apatite (Ap), a range of the Ap/OCP/Ap lamellar-mixed crystals were synthesized under various concentrations of fluoride ion (F-) from 0. 1-1.0 ppm at pH 6.5 and 37 degrees C. The products were analyzed for the F- incorporation, F- distribution, and the amount of OCP and Ap by chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. The F- content and the amount of apatite in the crystalline product increased with an increase in the F- concentration in solution, whereas the amount of OCP and the yield of total product decreased. EPMA indicated that F- ions are distributed in the crystals almost homogeneously. The combined analysis suggested that a low-substituted fluoridated hydroxyapatite (FHAp) grew on a small amount of F--containing OCP or on a surface-reaction layer of OCP, which has accumulated a small amount of F-. The roles of F- ions were hypothesized as the reduction of the growth rate and/or the critical thickness in the a*-axis direction of OCP, the enhancement of hydrolysis of OCP, and the activation of the growth of FHAp, resulting in thinner OCP lamella and thicker apatite lamella in the a*-axis direction with an increase in F- concentration.

Tetraploid or near-tetraploid clones characterized by two 8;21 translocations and other chromosomal abnormalities in two patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia

Acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) with tetraploidy is rare. There have been only six such cases studied with banding techniques in the literature. Two were diagnosed as having AML-M2 and found to have similar near-tetraploid karyotypes with t(8;21) and missing Y chromosomes. We report two further cases of AML with tetraploid or near-tetraploid clones characterized by two t(8;21) and other chromosomal changes. Their cytogenetic findings were compatible with the diagnosis of AML-M2. Giant and bizarre blasts were seen on bone marrow (BM) smears from both cases. Immunologically, the blasts express CD2, CD15, and HLA-DR in case 1 and CD2 and CD65 in case 2. Cytogenetic studies on BM cells at diagnosis revealed that both cases had three related abnormal clones besides a normal one: 46,XY,t(8;21) (2%)/46,idem,add(7)(q31)(6.8%)/92, idem x 2 (80.6%) for case 1; and 46,XX,t(8;21)(13.4%)/47, idem,+4 (46.3%)/94,idem x 2 (39.1%) for case 2. Flow cytometric analysis displayed two cell populations in the former: one was in the diploid range and the other was in the tetraploid range. The patients did not obtain complete remissions and survived four and six months, respectively. These results indicate that tetraploid or near-tetraploid clones are secondary events which are associated with t(8;21) leukemia and may be associated with poor prognostic significance.

[Topographic stereoscopic measurements of optic disc in early primary open angle glaucoma]

OBJECTIVE

To search a sensitive parameter for the early diagnosis of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).

METHOD

A system of computerized image analysis was used to acquire images of the optic nerve head of patients with POAG, suspect glaucoma (SG) and of normal persons. Each of these groups contained 31 eyes of 31 cases. The mean relative depths of disc rim and cup at different areas in the optic nerve head were measured. All these patients were followed up for four to six months, and the changes of the mean depths of every sector were compared between each pair of the three groups with statistic analysis.

RESULTS

The mean depth of the neural rim and cup of each sector and that of total rim and total cup of POAG and SG patients were all deeper than that of normal controls. The mean depths of neural rim of the superior sector, inferior sector and the total rim area of POAG were deeper than that of SG patients. Compared to their first measurements, the changes of mean depths of neural rim of superior sector and total neural rim area of POAG patients were more prominent than that of normal controls and SG. We also compared the relative depth of the total rim area in the different areas in the optic nerve head with other two dimensional optic disc parameters such as cup/disc ratio, etc.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that three-dimensional stereoscopic measurement of the surface of optic nerve head and follow-up be of paramount importance in the early diagnosis of POAG patients.

Expression of a dystrophin-sarcoglycan complex in serum-deprived BC3H1 cells and involvement of alpha-sarcoglycan in substrate attachment

Dystrophin and alpha- and gamma-sarcoglycans were newly expressed in BC3H1 cells during differentiation induced by serum withdrawal. These proteins formed a tight complex with other dystophin-associated proteins (DAPs), as detected by immunoprecipitation with anti-dystrophin antibody. Integrins beta 1 and beta 3, vinculin, and focal adhesion kinase were also detected in the same immunoprecipitate. In a cell adhesion assay, differentiated BC3H1 cells attached more efficiently to type I collagen-coated dishes than nondifferentiated cells and loss of alpha-sarcoglycan induced by antisense ODN in differentiated cells resulted in significant inhibition of cell adhesion. Thus dystrophin and DAPs, at least partly, form a complex with the focal adhesion proteins in differentiated BC3H1 cells and alpha-sarcoglycan seems to modulate the function of the focal adhesion complex in these cells.

[DNA contents and cycle analysis of porcine burn wounds treated with growth factors]

Wound healing is a complex biologic process in which peptide growth factors play a very important role. The object of this research was to study the effects of recombinant human epidermal growth factors (rh-EGF) and acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and bovine brain extract (bBE) on porcine partial-thickness burn wound healing. The biopsies were taken for determination of DNA contents and cell DNA cycle with the aid of flow cytometry and histological observation. The results showed that more extensive reepithelization and greater thickness of epidermis exhibited in growth factor treated wounds, and DNA contents and percent of S phase of cell DNA cycle were also higher in those groups treated with growth factors. The results suggested that repeated topical application of rh-EGF, aFGF, bFGF and bBE accelerated epithelial healing of burn wounds, and it may be helpful in clinical practice.

[Experimental study on human glioma SHG44 treated by HSV-tk gene therapy]

The paper reports the construction of retroviral vector pLNTK carrying HSV-tk gene driven by PGK promoter and the successful transfer into human glioma cell SHG44. The in vitro study confirmed that ayclovir (ACV) sensitive level of the gene-transferred glioma cell (SHGLNTK) was 1,000 times that of SHG44. 3H-TdR incorporation confirmed that the DNA replication in SHGLNTK was considerably suppressed when treated with ACV. The in vivo study confirmed that ACV could suppress tumor formation of the SHGLNTK cells. In situ gene transfer treatment of nude mice carrying SHG44 tumor showed good therapeutic results. Such treatment may be used as an innovative method for brain tumor therapy.

Phosphorylation-dependent regulation of cardiac Na+/Ca2+ exchanger via protein kinase C

The cardiac Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX1) plays a major role in the extrusion of Ca2+ from cardiomyocytes. We studied the role of protein phosphorylation in the regulation of cardiac NCX1 using CCL39 stably overexpressing the canine cardiac NCX1 and rat neonatal cardiomyocytes. In both cell types, the NCX1 protein immunoprecipitated with a chicken anti-NCX1 antibody exhibited a significant basal phosphorylation that was further enhanced by treatment with endothelin-1, acidic fibroblast growth factor, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, or okadaic acid. In contrast, calphostin C, K252a, or EGTA inhibited the phosphorylation. The phosphorylation occurred on two major tryptic phosphopeptides (P1 and P2) exclusively on serine residues. Evidence is presented suggesting that P2 was derived from an N-terminal half (amino acids 240-475) of the central cytoplasmic domain of NCX1 and was phosphorylated directly by protein kinase C (PKC). The agents that increased NCX1 phosphorylation significantly enhanced both the forward and reverse modes of Na+/Ca2+ exchange. This exchange activation exhibited a very good correlation with the NCX1 phosphorylation. In NCX1-transfected cells, PKC down-regulation following prolonged exposure to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate abolished the acidic fibroblast growth factor-induced activation of exchange activity. On the other hand, cell ATP depletion reduced the exchange activity and abolished the effects of the above agents on exchange activity. These results indicate that the cardiac NCX1 is up-regulated by PKC-catalyzed phosphorylation. The cardiac NCX1 thus could play an important role in the previously reported negative inotropic actions of phorbol esters and other PKC-activating agents.

Expression of ceruloplasmin gene in human and rat lymphocytes

The acute phase plasma protein ceruloplasmin (Cp) appears to play some role in host defense. The possibility that production of Cp in extrahepatic sites may also be essential for the activation, effector functions and cytoprotection of immune cells in localized environments has received minimal attention. Here, we have surveyed various types of human and rat immune cells for the presence of Cp mRNA using RT-PCR with primers that span exons 17-19 as an initial step in addressing this possibility. Validated Cp RT-PCR bands were obtained from RNA samples isolated from resting and activated human lymphocytes, CD4 and CD8 T-cells and B-cells. Semiquantitative RT-PCR indicated that Cp mRNA in immune cells is present at about 0.2% the level of Cp mRNA in HepG-2 human liver cell line. Various human cell lines derived from the immune system, rat splenic MNC and purified rat T-lymphocytes also constitutively express Cp gene.

Growth rate of lung metastases and S-phase fraction as determined by flow cytometry from the primary tumour in 25 patients with bone or soft-tissue sarcomas

A significant correlation (r = -0.48) was found between the logarithm of the S-phase fraction of the primary tumour (SPF) and the logarithm of the doubling time of lung metastases (T2). The estimated median cell loss factor was 88% (range 35-99%).

S-phase fraction of 155 soft tissue sarcomas: correlation with clinical outcome

BACKGROUND

Traditionally, grade is considered the most important prognostic factor for soft tissue sarcomas (STS). However, because of the alleged difficulties in reproducibility of grading, new, objectively determined prognostic factors would be of value. The aim of our study was to establish if S-phase fraction (SPF) measured with flow cytometry was of prognostic significance for STS.

METHODS

In this study, we included all 193 adult STS patients with superficial trunk or limb tumors who were treated by the Helsinki University Central Hospital (HUCH) STS group between January 1987 and May 1993. One hundred and seventy-two formalin fixed paraffin embedded tumor samples were available. SPF measurement was successful in 155 cases.

RESULTS

Eighty-six cases were diploid. Ploidy was found to have no effect on overall survival. The median SPF was 6.8% (diploid tumors, 4% and nondiploid tumors, 12.9%). A high SPF predicted a shorter survival in patients with diploid tumors (P=0.003). The prognostic value was even stronger when we studied disease specific survival and excluded from analysis samples that contained less than 50% tumor cells (P=0.011). However, no prognostic value could be detected in nondiploid tumors or in the material as a whole.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that high SPF is an adverse prognostic factor for survival of patients with diploid STS. However, further studies are needed to confirm these results.

A simple solid-state NMR method for determining peptidoglycan crosslinking in Bacillus subtilis

The crosslink index of the peptidoglycan of intact cell walls of Bacillus subtilis grown in media containing L-[15N]aspartic acid has been determined by a combination of cross-polarization magic-angle spinning 15N NMR and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The crosslink index of 62% decreased to 52% when the bacteria were exposed to the antibiotic cephalothin.

[Influence of green tea polyphenols varnish on saliva]

This study observed the inhibitory effect of green tea polyphenols varnish on the activity of humman saliva.We found 0.78 and 1.56mg/ml green tea polyphenols varnish is the best.We also observed the release of green tea polyphenols from liquid varnish is more than that from membraniform vanish.The release quantities of green tea polyphenols from membraniform is limited,suggest the influence of green tea polyphenols varnish on the activity of human saliva is small.

An oligodeoxyribonucleotide N3'--> P5' phosphoramidate duplex forms an A-type helix in solution

The solution conformations of the dinucleotide d(TT) and the modified duplex d(CGCGAATTCGCG)2 with N3'--> P5' phosphoramidate internucleoside linkages have been studied using circular dichroism (CD) and NMR spectroscopy. The CD spectra indicate that the duplex conformation is similar to that of isosequential phosphodiester RNA, a A-type helix, and is different from that of DNA, a B-type helix, NMR studies of model dimers d(TpT) and N3'--> P5' phosphoramidate d(TnpT) show that the sugar ring conformation changes from predominantly C2'-endo to C3'-endo when the 3'-phosphoester is replaced by a phosphoramidate group. Two-dimensional NMR (NOESY, DQF-COSY and TOCSY spectra) studies of the duplex provide additional details about the A-type duplex conformation of the oligonucleotide phosphoramidate and confirm that all furanose rings of 3'-aminonucleotides adopt predominantly N-type sugar puckering.

Methionine-containing peptides can be used as methionine sources for protein accretion in cultured C2C12 and MAC-T cells

Twenty-two methionine-containing di- to octapeptides were evaluated for their ability to be a source of methionine to support protein accretion in C2C12 myogenic and MAC-T bovine mammary epithelial cells. The cell cultures were incubated for 72 h at 37 degrees C in a humidified environment of 90% air: 10% CO2 for C2C12 cells or 95% air: 5% CO2 for MAC-T cells. The basal medium contained methionine-free Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium and 6% desalted fetal bovine serum. Treatments included basal medium, the basal medium supplemented with one of the 22 methionine-containing peptides, or the basal medium supplemented with free L-methionine. Methionine-containing peptides with the exception of glycylmethionine and prolylmethionine in C2C12 cells were able to support protein accretion with responses ranging from 29.1 to 123.3% of the response of L-methionine. Dipeptides with methionine at the N-terminus promoted greater (P < 0.0001) protein accretion than dipeptides with methionine at the C-terminus. Stimulation of protein accretion by seven pairs of dipeptides with methionine at either the C- or the N-terminus was linearly (P < 0.0001) related to the hydrophobicity of the dipeptides. These results indicate that C2C12 myogenic and MAC-T mammary epithelial cells have the ability to utilize methionine-containing peptides as sources of methionine to support protein accretion.

Fluorescence image cytometry for measurement of nuclear DNA content in surgical pathology

A study was made on various methodological aspects of fluorescence image cytometry (FICM) for measurement of nuclear DNA content by using CCD cameras attached to an epifluorescence microscope. Cell nuclei of paraffin-embedded specimens from mouse tissues and human prostate carcinomas were isolated and stained with 4'-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). We found that fluorescence fading, lamp stability, and the homogeneity of the illumination can easily be controlled. A camera with a signal-to-noise ratio of 53 dB gave a slightly more precise measurement than did a 46-dB camera. The linearity of the analysis results was very good. The coefficient of variation of mouse kidney standard cells in the DNA histograms was about 5% and 7.4% in histograms of prostate carcinoma biopsies. Stained cell nuclei can be stored for long periods at -20 degrees C without impairment of quality. Comparative measurements of ploidy by FICM and flow cytometry confirmed the accuracy of the FICM analyses. Thus, FICM appears to be an easy method for quantifying the DNA content of visually inspected cell nuclei in surgical pathology.

Quantitative analysis of repeat adenovirus-mediated gene transfer into injured canine femoral arteries

We quantitatively evaluated the effectiveness of a repeat administration of a recombinant adenoviral vector expressing bacterial Escherichia coli lacZ into the same arterial site of a relatively large animal, the dog. The replication-defective adenoviral vector was introduced percutaneously into balloon-injured femoral arteries through a double-balloon catheter. After a single dose of adenoviral vector, up to 90% of surface (73 +/- 16%, n = 7) and smooth muscle cells in multiple layers of the media showed transgene expression as evaluated by 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indoyl beta-D-galactopyranoside histostaining without extralocal expression, as assessed by polymerase chain reaction. High-level expression (measured as beta-galactosidase activity) peaked 7 days after transfer and was transient, although it was retained for a month. Second does of the same adenovirus to the same arterial site were given 1, 2, 5, or 8 weeks after the first administration. At 1 week the second dose significantly enhanced lacZ expression. At 2, 5, or 8 weeks the second dose reinduced lacZ expression at 25% to 30% of the full expression. lacZ expression was also detected in preimmuned dogs, although the expression levels correlated inversely to the titer of neutralizing antibodies in their serum. These results demonstrate that arterial gene expression can be enhanced by a second administration of the same adenovirus after a short interval and that a repeat dose after a long interval partially but significantly reinduces gene expression despite the presence of an immune response. These data may provide an additional scientific foundation for the use of adenovirus-mediated arterial gene transfer in future clinical practice.

Mapping of chromosomal gains and losses in prostate cancer by comparative genomic hybridization

Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) allows detection of chromosomal imbalances in whole genomes in a comprehensive manner. With this approach, ten cases of prostate cancer (seven primary tumors and three metastases) were analyzed. Frequent chromosomal gains detected by CGH involved chromosome arms 7q, 8q, 9q, and 16p, and chromosomes 20 and 22, as well as frequent losses of chromosome arms 16q and 18q, in at least three of the ten cases. Overrepresentation of chromosome arm 9q has not been described in published reports. The CGH data were compared with results of a loss of heterozygosity (LOH) study, in which complete allelotyping was performed in the same prostate tumors with 74 different polymorphic markers. In general, a high concordance between the CGH and LOH results was observed (92%). Tumors revealing discrepancies by CGH and LOH analysis were investigated further by interphase cytogenetics, and the resulting picture regarding the genomic alterations is discussed in detail.

31P-19F rotational-echo, double-resonance nuclear magnetic resonance experiment on fluoridated hydroxyapatite

This work demonstrates 31P-19F rotational-echo, double-resonance nuclear magnetic resonance (REDOR NMR), a simple experiment used to measure 31P-19F dipolar couplings. 19F-observed 31P-19F REDOR NMR of fluorapatite revealed the 31P-19F connectivities. 31P-observed 31P-19F REDOR NMR determined the nearest 31P-19F distance in fluorapatite. The application on fluoride-treated hydroxyapatite, the principal inorganic constituent of dental enamel and dentine, showed the formation of fluorohydroxyapatite with a surface coverage of less than one unit-cell layer.

Expression of serum albumin and of alphafetoprotein in murine normal and neoplastic primitive embryonic structures

Alphafetoprotein (AFP), a major serum protein synthesized during the embryo-fetal and postnatal period (in the yolk sac, then in the liver), is also an oncoprotein. The intracellular presence of AFP and of serum albumin (SA) in normal and neoplastic neural crest and neural tube derivatives was previously demonstrated. In this work we have studied the comparative expression of AFP and SA in primitive neuroectoblastic structures of mouse embryos (6 and 7 days "post coitum") and mouse teratocarcinomas (derived from the PCC4 cell line). Using immunofluorescence technique, antibodies to SA gave a positive reaction in embryos of 7 days, while AFP was not detected during this period. By mRNA in situ hybridization, SA mRNA gave a strong signal in both 6 and 7 day embryos, whereas AFP mRNA gave a weak signal only in 7-day embryos. The distribution of SA and AFP and their mRNAs was investigated in primitive neuroectoblastic structures of the teratocarcinomas by in situ hybridization and immunostaining. Only SA protein was detectable by immunostaining. SA mRNA gave a strong signal in differentiating structures as well as in undifferentiated cell clusters. AFP mRNA was observed only in differentiating structure. Dot-blot hybridization indicated that the level of SA transcripts was at least 6-fold higher than that of AFP transcripts in the teratocarcinomas investigated. In teratocarcinoma-bearing mice injected intraperitoneally with 125I-radiolabeled SA and AFP, significant accumulations of both SA and AFP were demonstrated in the tumors, SA being about 3-fold higher than that of AFP after normalization to quantity of uptake in liver. External in vivo photoscanning confirmed this relationship of accumulated radiolabeled proteins. The last observation could be useful in vivo for diagnosis of teratocarcinoma. We conclude that the expression of SA relative to AFP and the external cellular uptake of SA relative to AFP are similar in normal embryonic developing tissues and in the corresponding morphologically neoplastic tissues of the teratocarcinomas. The same SA:AFP relationship constitutes an oncofetal marker of primitive neuroectoblastic structures.

Low-coherence optical tomography in turbid tissue: theoretical analysis

On the basis of white-light interferometry and statistical optics, a theoretical model for low-coherence optical tomography is presented that establishes the relation of interference modulation with path-length-resolved reflectance and that can provide analytical expressions and numerical solutions by means of a Fourier transform. The Monte Carlo technique is used to simulate the path-length-resolved reflectance from different multilayer tissue phantoms. Theoretical analyses and preliminary experimental results suggest that, unlike time-resolved spectroscopy, low-coherence optical tomography detects the local relative variations of path-length-resolved reflectance from the turbid tissues.

[Influence of fluoride varnish of different concentration on microhardness of enamel surface]

Varnish is a new type oral material which develops rapidly in recently years,It have had extensive study abroad.It is one of the topical application of fluoride,among them,fluoride-sodium varnish have more significant effect on prevention of dental caries.This study observed the changes of microhardness of cramels after applying fluorid-sodium varnish of different concentration to enamel surfaces.Enamels were randomly parted into three groups,A.B and C.Before fluoride application,the microhardness of enamels were detected,and no significant difference were found among three groups,After that,0.5%,1.5%,2.7% fluoride-sodium varnish were daubed respectively on the three groups enamel surfaces for 24h.The microhardness of enamels were detected again.The results showed all the microhardness of enamels have significant increase statistically after applying fluoride-sodium varnish of different concentration.But,for 0.5% fluorid-Sodium varnish,the increase of microhardness of enamels was only one half of the other two group,which suggested in some concentration range,the fluoride concentration increased one time,the microhardness of enamels increased about one time, but the increase of microhardness of enamels was not synchronized with the increase of fluoride concentration.The increase of microhardness of enamels is almost the same between the two high concentration fluoride-sodium varnish groups,and there in no significant difference statistically.That is when some fluoride concentration were reached,the microhardness of enamels won't increase any more.By the experiment,the writer suggests 1.5% fluorid-sodium varnish is the best on prevention of dental caries.

Proposed structure of the A domains of factor VIII by homology modelling

We have predicted a structure for the three A domains of blood coagulation factor VIII by virtue of their homology to blue copper-binding proteins. This structure, consisting of six beta-barrels, is arranged in a triangular configuration with a single type II copper-binding site linking the A1 and A3 domains.

Quantitative and dynamic MRI of neuroprotection in experimental stroke

Experimental studies of stroke in animal models have traditionally relied on histological endpoints for the measurement of neuroprotection. In this study, we used in vivo and dynamic MRI to quantify the neuroprotective effects of the non-competitive NMDA antagonist MK801. Four hours of occlusion followed by 6 h of reperfusion was performed in a rabbit model of focal cerebral ischemia. Spin-echo T2-weighted (T2W) MRI was used to quantify ischemic lesion volumes. Hemispheric measurements of perfusion deficits were assessed by using dynamic susceptibility-contrast MRI to map the first-pass transit of injected GdDTPA. Histological correlates of infarction were quantified using tetrazolium staining. Animals treated with 2 mg/kg MK801 infused immediately post-occlusion (n = 6) were compared with untreated controls (n = 8). T2W MRI scans obtained after 6 h of reperfusion showed high-intensity lesions in the ischemic basal ganglia and cortex. MK801-treated animals showed significantly decreased lesion volumes compared to untreated controls (7.3 +/- 3.2% treated vs 20.7 +/- 4.8% control, p < 0.05). Lesion volumes measured with MRI were significantly correlated with tetrazolium-defined infarct volumes (r = 0.766, p = 0.004). Dynamic MRI demonstrated the phenomenon of delayed hypoperfusion in the ischemic hemisphere during the late reperfusion phase; relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) was 45.2 +/- 10.3% in untreated animals. MK801 slightly improved these deficits although the differences did not reach statistical significance (rCBV = 77.0 +/- 9.7%, p = 0.128).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Percutaneous transluminal gene transfer into canine myocardium in vivo by replication-defective adenovirus

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to examine the feasibility, efficiency and safety of adenovirus-mediated in vivo gene transfer into the canine myocardium by a percutaneous transluminal method using a needle-catheter.

METHODS

Either a replication-defective adenovirus (Adex1SRLacZL) or a plasmid (pSRLacZ), both expressing E. coli lacZ coding beta-galactosidase (beta-gal), was directly injected into the left ventricle of dogs through a needle-catheter inserted via a femoral artery. Expression of lacZ was examined by histochemical staining and quantified by measuring beta-gal activity.

RESULTS

Injections with Adex1SRLacZL induced lacZ expression as a result of 40 out of 41 injections; the expression level was 10 times higher than that obtained with pSRLacZ. Induced beta-gal activity was detected within 24 h, peaked at 7 days and retained for 2 weeks after gene transfer. A repetitive administration of the same adenovirus at 14 days after the first injection also evoked a reduced but significant level of expression despite neutralizing antibodies to adenovirus in serum. Although injection induced an inflammatory response that peaked at 3 days after injection and gradually subsided without a second peak, the temporal change and the extent of inflammation induced by adenovirus injection was not significantly different from those induced by injection with either saline or plasmid. Neither leakage of enzymes such as CPK or LDH nor alteration in the ECG was detected in the 30 days following gene transfer.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrate that a catheter-mediated direct injection with an adenovirus can induce gene expression in the ventricle more efficiently without additional myocardial damage and inflammation compared with injection with a plasmid. A repeat dose of the same adenovirus elicited gene expression at an attenuated but significant level. This method may potentially have clinical applications: in modifying myocardial phenotype and/or improving general circulation under certain circumstances.