Inhibition of aortic wall calcification in bioprosthetic heart valves by ethanol pretreatment: biochemical and biophysical mechanisms

The effectiveness of ethanol pretreatment on preventing calcification of glutaraldehyde-fixed porcine aortic bioprosthetic heart valve (BPHV) cusps was previously demonstrated, and the mechanism of action of ethanol was attributed in part to both lipid removal and a specific collagen conformational change. In the present work, the effect of ethanol pretreatment on BPHV aortic wall calcification was investigated using both rat subdermal and sheep circulatory implants. Ethanol pretreatment significantly inhibited calcification of BPHV aortic wall, but with less than complete inhibition. The maximum inhibition of calcification of BPHV aortic wall was achieved using an 80% ethanol pretreatment; calcium levels were 71.80+/-8.45 microg/mg with 80% ethanol pretreatment compared to the control calcium level of 129.90+/-7.24 microg/mg (p = 0.001). Increasing the duration of ethanol exposure did not significantly improve the inhibitory effect of ethanol on aortic wall calcification. In the sheep circulatory implants, ethanol pretreatment partly prevented BPHV aortic wall calcification with a calcium level of 28.02+/-4.42 microg/mg compared to the control calcium level of 56.35+/-6.14 microg/mg (p = 0.004). Infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) studies of ethanol-pretreated BPHV aortic wall (vs. control) demonstrated a significant change in protein structure due to ethanol pretreatment. The water content of the aortic wall tissue and the spin-lattice relaxation times (T1) as assessed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy did not change significantly owing to ethanol pretreatment. The optimum condition of 80% ethanol pretreatment almost completely extracted both phospholipids and cholesterol from the aortic wall; despite this, significant calcification occurred. In conclusion, these results clearly demonstrate that ethanol pretreatment is significantly but only partially effective for inhibition of calcification of BPHV aortic wall and this effect may be due in part to lipid extraction and protein structure changes caused by ethanol. It is hypothesized that ethanol pretreatment may be of benefit for preventing bioprosthetic aortic wall calcification only in synergistic combination with another agent.

A constitutive nuclear localization signal from the second zinc-finger of orphan nuclear receptor TR2

The orphan nuclear receptor TR2 and its truncated isoform deleted in the ligand binding domain (LBD) were localized exclusively in the nuclei as revealed by two methods of detection. An anti-hemagglutinin (HA) antibody detected specific nuclear localization of HA-tagged receptors and the green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged receptors were found to be distributed in the nuclei of living cells. By deletion analyses, the sequence responsible for targeting this receptor into the nucleus was defined. A stretch of 20 amino acid residues (KDCVINKHHRNRCQYCRLQR) within the second zinc-finger of this receptor is required for its nuclear localization and this signal is constitutively active. No nuclear localization signal was found in the N-terminus or the LBD. The GFP-tagged receptor remained biologically active, as evidenced by its repressive activity on the reporter that carried a binding site for this receptor, a direct repeat-5 (DR5). An electrophoretic mobility shift assay was performed to characterize the binding property of TR2 and its truncated isoform. TR2 bound to the DR5 as dimers whereas its truncated isoform bound as monomers.

Increased P-glycoprotein messenger RNA stability in rat liver tumors in vivo

P-glycoproteins (Pgp) are comprised of a small family of plasma membrane proteins whose abundance in cultured cells is often associated with the multidrug resistance phenotype. Overexpression of Pgp has been observed in many types of human cancers, but the molecular basis for this overexpression has not been established. We have used primary monolayer cultures of adult rat hepatocytes and a stepwise model of rat liver carcinogenesis to study the regulation of Pgp gene expression. We observed a marked overexpression of Pgp, specifically the class II Pgp, in both systems. In addition, we observed that a number of unrelated genes including alpha-tubulin, beta-actin, gamma-actin, cytokeratin 8, cytokeratin 18, and c-myc are overexpressed in cultured hepatocytes, and they are also overexpressed during liver carcinogenesis and in transplantable tumors. Nuclear run-on assays showed no increase in the transcriptional activity of Pgp genes in transplantable liver tumors compared to normal liver. Studies of in vivo mRNA stability, however, revealed that all three Pgp mRNAs were relatively stable in transplantable liver tumors (t(1/2) > 12 h), in contrast to what was found in normal liver (t(1/2) < 2 h). In addition, mRNA for several other genes, including alpha-tubulin, c-myc, and cyclin D1, all appear to be stabilized in the tumors. These findings suggest that the overexpression of Pgp genes in rat liver tumors may be the result of a mechanism involving stabilization of a diverse group of mRNAs.

Purification and characterization of a polysome-associated endoribonuclease that degrades c-myc mRNA in vitro

The regulation of mRNA half-lives is determined by multiple factors, including the activity of the messenger RNases (mRNases) responsible for destroying mRNA molecules. Previously, we used cell-free mRNA decay assays to identify a polysome-associated endonuclease that cleaves c-myc mRNA within the coding region. A similar activity has been solubilized and partially purified from a high salt extract of adult rat liver polysomes. Based on a correlation between protein and enzyme activity, the endonuclease is tentatively identified as a approximately 39-kDa protein. It cleaves the coding region stability determinant of c-myc mRNA with considerable specificity. Cleavages occur predominantly in an A-rich segment of the RNA. The endonuclease is resistant to RNase A inhibitors, sensitive to vanadyl ribonucleoside complex, and dependent on magnesium. In these and other respects, the soluble enzyme we have purified resembles the polysome-associated c-myc mRNase.

A novel nuclear receptor heterodimerization pathway mediated by orphan receptors TR2 and TR4

A unique heterodimerization pathway involving orphan receptors TR2 and TR4 is demonstrated. TR2 and TR4 preferentially form heterodimers in solution as well as on DNA elements containing a direct repeat-5 (DR5). The in vitro interaction between TR2 and TR4 is demonstrated by the yeast and the mammalian two-hybrid interaction assays, the pull-down assay, and the gel mobility shift assay. The in vivo interaction is demonstrated by following the intracellular localization of fusion receptors tagged with a green fluorescent protein. The dimerization is mediated by the ligand binding domains, and the three leucine residues on helix 10 of TR2 are critical for this interaction. In addition, coexpression of these two receptors exerts a much stronger repressive activity on a DR5-containing reporter than expressing either receptor alone. In the developing testis, TR2 and TR4 are coexpressed in the same testicular cell populations and exhibit a parallel pattern of expression along development. The preferential heterodimerization between TR2 and TR4 and their coexistence in specific germ cell populations suggest a physiological role of TR2/TR4 heterodimers in germ cell development.

Serodiagnosis of tuberculosis by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for anti-A60 and anti-A38

BACKGROUND

For early diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB), especially in the patients without adequate sputum specimens for examination, we found a simple, rapid and inexpensive method among many current available diagnostic tools, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). To investigate the diagnostic effectiveness of this method, we applied ELISA for detection of antigen 60 IgG and IgM as well as antigen 38 IgG antibodies at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital from April 1995 through June 1996.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty-seven patients were enrolled and divided into 3 groups, Group A (n = 24), patients with positive sputum acid-fast stain; Group B (n = 18), patients with lung cancer and negative sputum acid-fast stain; and Group C (n = 25), patients with chest roentgenogram (CXR) which were suggestive of TB but with negative acid-fast stain results or no sputum for examination.

RESULTS

For the A60 IgG antibody, we found a sensitivity rate of 91.7% for Group A and Group B, and 85.7% for Group C as well as an overall sensitivity of 89.5% but with lower specificity. For the A60 IgM antibody, a lower sensitivity (37.5%, 14.3%, 28.9%, respectively) was found but with higher specificity. For the A38 IgG antibody, we found a lower sensitivity (40%, 11.1%, 31%, respectively) but with higher specificity (100%, 71.4%, 90%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

With a high sensitivity but low specificity for diagnosis of TB, A60 IgG ELISA could be used as a rapid, simple screening test for patients with results suggestive of TB, especially in those who had no sputum or had negative sputum acid-fast stain results. Otherwise, A60 IgM or A38 IgG ELISA, with a high specificity, could be used as a reliable test in the diagnosis of pulmonary TB when the result is positive. In summary, although ELISA is a simple, rapid, inexpensive method, it is helpful but limited in the diagnosis of pulmonary TB.

Determination of copy number of rRNA genes in Pneumocystis carinii f. sp. hominis

Differential PCR was performed to determine the copy number of rRNA genes in Pneumocystis carinii f. sp. hominis. Two different reference genes, thymidylate synthase (TS) and beta-tubulin (BTU) genes, were used. Primers for the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuclear rRNA genes and either the TS or BTU gene were mixed together to perform PCR on seven different bronchoalveolar lavage specimens from patients with P. carinii pneumonia. The radioactivity derived from the incorporated radioactive nucleotides of each PCR product band was then used to calculate the copy number of the ITS relative to that of the TS or BTU gene. The copy number ratio between the ITS and the TS gene was determined to be 0.8, and that between the ITS and the BTU gene was also 0.8. These results suggest that the ITS has the same copy number as the TS or BTU gene. Since the copy number of the TS or BTU gene is presumed to be 1, the results also suggest that P. carinii f. sp. hominis has only one copy of the ITS and thus one copy of the nuclear rRNA genes. Therefore, two types of ITS sequences derived from a specimen would indicate that the patient is infected by two types of P. carinii f. sp. hominis.

Double blind, randomised, placebo controlled study of oral vancomycin in prevention of necrotising enterocolitis in preterm, very low birthweight infants

AIMS

To evaluate the effectiveness of oral vancomycin in the prophylaxis of necrotising enterocolitis in preterm, very low birthweight infants.

METHODS

A prospective, double blind, randomised, placebo controlled study in a tertiary referral centre of a university teaching hospital was conducted on 140 very low birthweight infants consecutively admitted to the neonatal unit. The babies were randomly allocated to receive oral vancomycin (15 mg/kg every 8 hours for 7 days) or an equivalent volume of placebo solution. Prophylaxis was started 24 hours before the start of oral feeds. All suspected cases of necrotising enterocolitis were investigated with a full sepsis screen and serial abdominal radiographs. Necrotising enterocolitis was diagnosed and staged according to modified Bell's criteria.

RESULTS

Nine of 71 infants receiving oral vancomycin and 19 of 69 infants receiving the placebo solution developed necrotising enterocolitis (p = 0.035). Infants with necrotising enterocolitis were associated with a significant increase in mortality (p = 0.026) and longer duration of hospital stay (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Prophylactic oral vancomycin conferred protection against necrotising enterocolitis in preterm, very low birthweight infants and was associated with a 50% reduction in the incidence. However, widespread implementation of this preventive measure is not recommended, as it would only be effective in necrotising enterocolitis caused by Gram positive organisms and could increase the danger of the emergence of vancomycin resistant or dependent organisms. Its use should be restricted to a high prevalence nursery for a short and well defined period in a selected group of high risk patients.

Differential coupling of G alpha q family of G-protein to muscarinic M1 receptor and neurokinin-2 receptor

The ligand binding signals to a wide variety of seven transmembrane cell surface receptors are transduced into intracellular signals through heterotrimeric G-proteins. Recently, there have been reports which show diverse coupling patterns of ligand-activated receptors to the members of Gq family alpha subunits. In order to shed some light on these complex signal processing networks, interactions between G alpha q family of G protein and neurokinin-2 receptor as well as muscarinic M1 receptor, which are considered to be new therapeutic targets in asthma, were studied. Using washed membranes from Cos-7 cells co-transfected with different G alpha q and receptor cDNAs, the receptors were stimulated with various concentrations of carbachol and neurokinin A and the agonist-dependent release of [3H]inositol phosphates through phospholipase C beta-1 activation was measured. Differential coupling of G alpha q family of G-protein to muscarinic M1 receptor and neurokinin-2 receptor was observed. The neurokinin-2 receptor shows a ligand-mediated response in membranes co-transfected with G alpha q, G alpha 11 and G alpha 14 but not G alpha 16 and the ability of the muscarinic M1 receptor to activate phospholipase C through G alpha q/11 but not G alpha 14 and G alpha 16 was demonstrated. Clearly G alpha q/11 can couple M1 and neurokinin-2 receptor to activate phospholipase C. But, there are differences in the relative coupling of the G alpha 14 and G alpha 16 subunits to these receptors.

Cytokine gene expression in nasal polyps

Nasal polyps are the most common mass lesion of the nasal cavity. Various pathogenetic mechanisms have been proposed. However, the cause is still largely unknown, and treatment methods have not been changed for several hundred years. In order to investigate the role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps, expression of cytokine messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in nasal polyps was investigated. We performed reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot to examine gene expression of the cytokines interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, IL-4, IL-5, and interferon (IFN)-gamma and compared the results with the gene expressions of these cytokines in normal nasal mucosa. Nasal polyp tissues were obtained from 14 patients undergoing polypectomy for nasal obstruction. Among them, 4 patients suffered from associated perennial allergic rhinitis. The mRNAs of IL-4 and IL-5 (Th2 cytokines) as well as IFN-gamma (Th1 cytokine) were expressed in all of the nasal polyps obtained from the 14 patients, irrespective of the presence or absence of allergy, while 2, 0, and 4 of 6 normal turbinate mucosae expressed IL-4, IL-5, and IFN-gamma mRNAs, respectively. The mRNAs of IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8, and TGF-beta were expressed in 6, 1, 2, and 3 of 6 normal turbinate mucosae, respectively, while the mRNAs of these cytokines were expressed in all of the 14 polyp tissues except IL-6 mRNA, which was expressed in 13 nasal polyp tissues. There were no differences in the mean density ratios of each cytokine band on Southern blot between polyp tissues with allergy and those without allergy. These results suggest that many cytokines are produced in nasal polyps, that they may play important roles in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps, and that allergy per se may not play a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps.

Mechanisms of the mouse orphan nuclear receptor TR2-11-mediated gene suppression

The mouse orphan nuclear receptor TR2-11 functions as a repressor for reporter genes containing a direct repeat-5 or direct repeat-4 hormone response element. The functional domains responsible for its suppressive activity are defined, including the DNA-binding domain and the ligand-binding domain. The C-terminal 30 amino acid residues can be deleted without compromising its suppressive activity, whereas a deletion for 40 amino acids completely abolishes the suppressive activity and receptor dimerization, and reduces the DNA-binding affinity. Point mutation at three conserved leucine residues located on the predicted dimer interface abolishes the suppressive activity, receptor dimerization and its DNA binding property. However, mutation at two consecutive glutamate residues located within the hinge between the last two helices of the ligand-binding domain (helix 10 and helix 11 according to the human retinoid receptor X alpha structure) drastically reduces its DNA-binding affinity and abrogates the suppressive activity without compromising its ability to dimerize, indicating that receptor dimerization property can be functionally uncoupled from its suppressive activity. A transferable, active silencing activity is encoded within the DEF segment of the receptor molecule, as evidenced by the suppression of a GAL4 reporter by a chimeric protein containing the DNA-binding domain of GAL4 and the DEF segment of TR2-11. Moreover, the C-terminal 49 amino acid sequence is required for this trans-suppressive activity. It is suggested that TR2-11 functions as a repressor, mediated by mechanisms requiring high affinity DNA binding, receptor dimerization, and active silencing.

Molecular and biochemical characterization of cytosolic phosphoglucomutase in maize. Expression during development and in response to oxygen deprivation

Phosphoglucomutase (PGM) catalyzes the interconversion of glucose (Glc)-1- and Glc-6-phosphate in the synthesis and consumption of sucrose. We isolated two maize (Zea mays L.) cDNAs that encode PGM with 98.5% identity in their deduced amino acid sequence. Southern-blot analysis with genomic DNA from lines with different Pgm1 and Pgm2 genotypes suggested that the cDNAs encode the two known cytosolic PGM isozymes, PGM1 and PGM2. The cytosolic PGMs of maize are distinct from a plastidic PGM of spinach (Spinacia oleracea). The deduced amino acid sequences of the cytosolic PGMs contain the conserved phosphate-transfer catalytic center and the metal-ion-binding site of known prokaryotic and eukaryotic PGMs. PGM mRNA was detectable by RNA-blot analysis in all tissues and organs examined except silk. A reduction in PGM mRNA accumulation was detected in roots deprived of O2 for 24 h, along with reduced synthesis of a PGM identified as a 67-kD phosphoprotein on two-dimensional gels. Therefore, PGM is not one of the so-called "anaerobic polypeptides." Nevertheless, the specific activity of PGM was not significantly affected in roots deprived of O2 for 24 h. We propose that PGM is a stable protein and that existing levels are sufficient to maintain the flux of Glc-1-phosphate into glycolysis under O2 deprivation.

Pituitary-adrenal suppression in preterm, very low birth weight infants after inhaled fluticasone propionate treatment

Systemic corticosteroids prescribed for treatment of pulmonary diseases in preterm, very low birth weight infants caused severe suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and produced serious physiological and metabolic disturbances. However, the effect of inhaled corticosteroids on their pituitary-adrenal functions is not known. We prospectively evaluate the pituitary-adrenal function using the human CRH stimulation test in a cohort of very low birth weight infants at risk for hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression in a double blind, randomized pilot study designed for assessing the efficacy and adverse effects of inhaled fluticasone propionate in newborn preterm infants who required mechanical ventilation for treatment of respiratory distress syndrome. Twenty-five preterm (< 32 gestational weeks), very low birth weight (< 1500 g) infants were randomized to receive inhaled fluticasone propionate (n = 13) or a placebo inhaler (n = 12). The medication was given every 12 h (fluticasone propionate, 1,000 micrograms/day) for 14 days. All surviving infants had their pituitary-adrenal functions assessed by human CRH test on the following morning immediately after completion of the 2-week course. All basal (0 min) and post-stimulation (15, 30, and 60 min) plasma ACTH and serum cortisol concentrations were significantly suppressed in the inhaled fluticasone group compared to their corresponding levels in the placebo group [basal plasma ACTH concentrations (F = 6.0; P = 0.02), poststimulation plasma ACTH concentrations (F > 8.6; P < 0.01), basal serum cortisol concentrations (F = 5.6; P = 0.03), and poststimulation serum cortisol concentrations (F > 15.6; P < 0.001)]. This is the first study in very low birth weight infants that demonstrates unequivocally that cumulative high dose inhaled corticosteroids can induce moderately severe suppression of both the pituitary and adrenal glands. The systemic bioactivity is probably associated with pulmonary vascular absorption, which effectively circumvents the hepatic first pass metabolism. Until the question of safety can be adequately addressed, inhaled fluticasone propionate should be used with cautionin preterm infants.

Validity of the specialized columnar epithelium as a diagnostic criterion of the short segment Barrett's esophagus

OBJECTIVE

In the areas where intestinal metaplasia of the stomach is highly prevalent, diagnosing Barrett's esophagus solely by the presence of specialized columnar epithelium in the distal esophagus may lead to many false positive diagnoses. The aim of this study was to test validity of the specialized columnar epithelium as a diagnostic criterion of the short segment Barrett's esophagus in Korea.

METHODS

During routine gastroscopy, the length of columnar-lined esophagus was measured and biopsy samples were taken from the mucosa immediately distal to the squamocolumnar junction. Under light microscopy, alcian blue-positive cells were identified.

RESULTS

Prevalence of the specialized columnar epithelium in cases without the columnar-lined esophagus and with the short segment columnar-lined esophagus were 57.1% and 31.2%, respectively (P = 0.0281). The specialized columnar epithelium is frequently seen around the cardia in Koreans with or without the columnar-lined esophagus.

CONCLUSION

Simple presence of the specialized columnar epithelium is not a valid criterion for a diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus. We propose that both the short segment Barrett's esophagus and the goblet cell metaplasia of the cardia might be grouped together under a title of "the specialized columnar epithelium around the gastroesophageal junction" as a potential preceding condition of adenocarcinoma around the cardia.

[Inhibitory effect of methanol extract of Boschniakia rossica Fedtsch. et Flerov on rat hepatic preneoplastic lesions induced by diethylnitrosamine]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the inhibitory effect of Boschniakia rossica(BR) on hepatocarcinogenesis in rats.

METHOD

Based on immunohistochemistry techniques, the expression of placental form glutathione S-transferase(GST-P), mutant p53 and p21 protein were investigated in hepatic preneoplastic lesions induced by Solt-Farber protocol in the liver of rats that had been treated with the above method, administered with BR extract and of control group.

RESULT

The extract of BR(500 mg/kg) has inhibitory effect on the formation of diethylnitrosamine-induced GST-P-positive foci in F344 rat and the expression of mutant p53 and p21 protein was lower than that of hepatic preneoplastic lesions, and the increasing gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase(gamma-GT) activity in rat liver treated with Solt-Farber protocol was decreased by the extract of BR.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that BR has inhibitory effect on DEN induced hepatic preneoplastic lesions in F344 rat.

Autotransplantation of parathyroid glands into subcutaneous forearm tissue for renal hyperparathyroidism

BACKGROUND

Autotransplantation of diseased parathyroid glands into subcutaneous adipose tissue has been mentioned previously, but as far as we know there is no previous systemic study concerning parathyroid function after subcutaneous autotransplantation.

METHODS

From January 1993 to June 1996, total parathyroidectomy and autotransplantation were carried out in 46 patients with renal hyperparathyroidism. The symptoms and signs before operation were intractable pruritus in 29 patients (63%), bone pain in 27 patients (58.7%), general weakness in 17 patients (37%), soft tissue calcification in 15 patients (32.6%), bone fracture in one patient, and failure to thrive in one patient. Twenty-four patients (group A) underwent autotransplantation of 60 mg of a diffuse hyperplastic parathyroid gland into subcutaneous forearm tissue, and 22 patients (group B) underwent autotransplantation of 15 pieces (60 mg) of 1 mm3 tissue into forearm muscles, as mentioned previously. Four patients in group A and one in group B who had high levels of intact parathyroid hormone (I-PTH) immediately after operation were excluded. After the operation, calcium carbonate, 1.5 to 16 gm daily, and calcitriol, 0.25 to 1.5 micrograms/daily, were prescribed according to the patients' calcium levels.

RESULTS

After 6 months, all patients in both groups were given calcium carbonate, 1 gm/day, and calcitriol, 0.25 microgram/day, for parathyroid suppression, and none had to take more medicine to maintain calcium levels. There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding serum calcium, phosphorous, alkaline phosphatase, and I-PTH levels 1 week, 3 to 6 months, and 1 year after operation. Eighteen patients in group A and 19 patients in group B had normal levels of I-PTH 1 year after operation. In the follow-up period from 1 to 3 1/2 years, only one patient in group A had a subnormal I-PTH level and one in group B had graft-dependent hyperparathyroidism.

CONCLUSIONS

We therefore suggest that autotransplantation of a parathyroid gland into forearm subcutaneous tissue for renal hyperparathyroidism is as effective as autotransplantation into forearm muscles and can be done easier.

Skin injury in the operating room

Skin injury occurring in the operating room may occur as a result of electrical current, thermal injury, chemical irritation and mechanical stress. Between 1 December 1996 and 28 February 1997, 19 cases of skin injury from a total of 3657 operations were noted in our hospital. These injuries tend to be ignored because of their early spontaneous healing. We suggest that medical staff should pay more attention to this complication and prevent it from occurring.

Metastatic leiomyosarcoma of the thyroid: a case report

Metastatic malignant tumors of the thyroid are rarely encountered clinically. Most arise from primary sites in the lung, breast, kidney or gastrointestinal tract. Their clinical presentation may mimic a primary thyroid tumor and include signs and symptoms such as enlargement of the neck, hoarseness and dysphagia. Without a history of carcinoma in other organs, management as for primary thyroid tumor is often undertaken and misdiagnosis is common. This report concerns a 63-year-old female patient with a rapidly progressive enlargement of the neck. She had had a primary leiomyosarcoma lesion in her left leg that had been well controlled after wide excision. Bilateral pulmonary metastases were noted two years later without local recurrence. She receive wedge lung resections several times. To relieve progressive shortness of breath, debulking surgery of the thyroid was performed and metastatic leiomyosarcoma was proved. The related clinical data of this rare metastatic leiomyosarcoma of the thyroid is presented and the literature is reviewed.

Selective activation of oncogenic Ha-ras-induced apoptosis in NIH/3T3 cells

A Ha-ras transformant '7-4', derived from mouse NIH/3T3 fibroblasts, was used to study the relationship between overexpression of activated Ha-ras and cell apoptosis. This cell line contains an inducible Ha-rasVal12 oncogene, which was under the regulation of the Escherichia coli (E. coli) lac operator/repressor system. We demonstrate that overexpression of activated Ha-ras oncogene by exogenous isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG) under serum-depleted conditions can stimulate cell apoptosis. Cell cycle analysis showed that most of the 7-4 cells with Ha-ras overexpression accumulated at S-phase and that the expression level of p34cdc2 kinase was decreased, suggesting that p34cdc2 may be involved in 7-4 cell apoptosis. Overexpression of bcl-2 transgene in these cells blocked Ha-ras-induced apoptosis, and this blockage was confirmed downstream of Ha-ras gene expression. Cycloheximide blocked the apoptosis of 7-4 cells in a dose-dependent manner, indicating that specific protein regulating apoptosis may be synthesized through Ha-ras overexpression. Ha-ras overexpression-triggered apoptosis was also prevented in the 7-4 derivatives that express either dominant-negative rasAsn17 or dominant-negative raf-1C4B to suppress Ha-ras signal transduction at different stages, indicating that overexpression of activated Ha-ras can induce cell apoptosis and that raf-1 pathway activity is required for this process.

Massive subdural haematoma: an unusual complication of septicaemia in preterm very low birthweight infants

Non-traumatic massive subdural haematoma is a rare condition in newborn infants and is usually associated with hereditary coagulation disorders or congenital vascular malformation. Its occurrence in preterm very low birthweight infants secondary to systemic bacterial infection has not been reported. We describe two extremely preterm neonates who developed massive subdural haematoma as a result of gram-negative septicaemia and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Both infants suffered severe parenchymal cerebral injury and hydrocephalus. Clinicians should be aware of this unusual and catastrophic complication if a very low birthweight infant with severe sepsis and disseminated intravascular coagulation suddenly deteriorates despite successful treatment with antibiotics. Radiological imaging by cranial ultrasound or computed tomography scanning should be routinely considered in all such infants for the detection of intracranial bleeding.

Characterization of the structural proteins of hepatitis C virus expressed by an adenovirus recombinant

Human adenoviruses have been used for mammalian expression vectors and recombinant vaccines for heterologous antigens. We constructed and characterized an infectious adenovirus recombinant containing core-E1-E2 genes of hepatitis C virus (HCV). The core protein was produced mainly during the early phase of viral infection. Expression of HCV E1 and E2 envelope proteins was detected by an immunoprecipitation with HCV-positive patient's sera. The purified E1 and E2 proteins appeared to be composed of mainly a heterodimeric form via noncovalent interaction, as previously observed in other mammalian expression systems. A small portion of E1 and E2 monomers as well as E1E2 aggregates by interdisulfide linkage were detected. Apparently heterodimeric E1E2 complexes were serologically reactive. The results suggest that adenovirus is an useful HCV antigen-expression vector.

Early recognition of unsuspected malignant hyperthermia and successful management of serve myoglobinuric renal failure in subsequent rhabdomyolysis: a case report

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a rare inherited disorder of skeletal muscle, its inheritance being autosomal dominant and its mutant gene located on chromosome 19. MH is occasionally observed during general anesthesia when using some special triggering agents. In the susceptible patient, it presents with a fulminant skeletal muscle hypermetabolic crisis and proceeds to serve rhabdomyolysis. Once rhabdomyolysis is established, acute renal failure is not an inevitable consequence, yet it is the fatal complication if the condition is not appropriately managed. We describe a case of acute renal failure in the setting of rhabdomyolysis in unsuspected MH, resulting in full recovery after intermittent hemodialysis. In this case, we emphasize the importance of early recognition of MH and the favorable prognosis of subsequent myoglobinuric renal failure if treated appropriately.

Semiquantitative Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) polymerase chain reaction for the determination of patients at risk for EBV-induced lymphoproliferative disease after stem cell transplantation

Epstein-Barr virus-induced lymphoproliferative disease (EBV-LPD) is a serious and potentially fatal complication after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). To evaluate levels of EBV DNA in SCT patients, a semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes and diluted, and PCR was performed by using a primer set specific for a well-conserved sequence of the internal repeat 1 region of the EBV genome. Forty-one SCT patients were screened with this method. Thirty-seven patients received allogeneic transplants, of which 18 were T-cell-depleted marrow. Four additional patients received autologous SCT, one of which was T-cell depleted. The mean time of follow-up by EBV PCR was 147 days (range, 47 to 328 days) posttransplant. The range of EBV copies/microg DNA from normal EBV sero-positive donors was 40 to 4,000. Seven patients had >/=40,000 copies of EBV DNA/microg DNA, all of whom were recipients of T-cell-depleted SCT. Five of the seven patients with elevated levels of EBV DNA developed EBV-LPD. Four of these five patients with EBV-LPD had elevated levels of EBV DNA from 1 to 8 weeks before diagnosis. Two patients with EBV-LPD had normal levels of EBV DNA, and two patients with >/=40,000 copies EBV/microg DNA did not develop EBV-LPD. In one patient, clinical resolution of disease correlated with a decrease in EBV DNA and an increase in the level of EBV-specific cytotoxic T-cell precursors. These data indicate that the measurement of EBV viral load with semiquantitative PCR is useful in detecting EBV-LPD in high-risk patients before the onset of clinical symptoms. Because not all patients with elevated levels of EBV DNA develop EBV-LPD, semiquantitative PCR results cannot substitute for clinical, radiographic, and pathological confirmation of this diagnosis.