p53 mutations in all stages of thyroid carcinomas

The p53 gene has been implicated as a tumor suppressor gene whose inactivation by mutations has been noted in a variety of human malignancies. Using single strand conformation polymorphism analysis of cDNA fragments amplified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, we analyzed 57 thyroid tumor specimens (8 follicular adenomas and 49 carcinomas) for the presence of mutations in exons 5, 6, 7, and 8 of p53 gene. Twelve of 49 (24.5%) of the thyroid carcinomas tested presented a mutated p53 allele, but none of the 8 benign thyroid tumors did. Mutations were found in 1 of 5 anaplastic carcinomas and 11 of 44 differentiated carcinomas. Three of these 11 differentiated tumor specimens showed foci of solid tissue with evidence of dedifferentiation. Two samples (1 with anaplastic carcinoma, the other with papillary carcinoma) had double mutations on the same allele resulting in a frameshift. Most mutations were point mutations, and 50% of those were G:C to A:T transitions. Seventy-five percent of the mutations were in exons 7 and 8. The presence of p53 mutations was not associated with tumor stage or histological type. Our data suggest that p53 mutations are involved in thyroid carcinogenesis and may play an important role in the malignant transformation of thyroid cells as well as thyroid tumor progression.

A rapid, multiwell colorimetric assay for chemotaxis

This paper describes a colorimetric assay for the rapid quantification of chemotaxis in multiple samples. In this assay, cells that have migrated through polycarbonate membrane filters are collected onto the bottom wells of a chemotaxis chamber after centrifugation then the number of viable cells collected in the bottom well is quantified by measurement of the reduction of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenol tetrazolium bromide (MTT). The degree of MTT reduction, which corresponds to the relative cell number, is measured automatically with an ELISA reader. The MTT method of quantitation is as sensitive as the standard manual method, is especially useful for large numbers of samples and requires no specialized laboratory equipment.

Plasma nitric oxide levels in newborn infants with sepsis

Nitric oxide is thought to play an important role in the mediation of the cardiovascular features of septic shock. We determined plasma levels of nitrite and nitrate (not differentiated in measurement) in neonates with sepsis and found these levels to be elevated at the time of entry compared with those of control subjects (p < 0.05); the levels were significantly higher in the patients with sepsis and shock than in those without shock (p < 0.05). Elevations of nitrite plus nitrate were correlated with tumor necrosis factor and severity of illness judged by pediatric risk of mortality (PRISM) scores at onset (p < 0.05). Of 8 newborn infants with a nitrite-plus-nitrate value > 200 mumol/L, 6 had septic shock; none of 12 not reaching that cutoff value had septic shock (p < 0.05). Levels of nitrite plus nitrate were elevated as much in gram-positive as in gram-negative sepsis. We conclude that the determination of circulating plasma levels of nitrite plus nitrate may be useful in forecasting the severity of illness and the occurrence of septic shock; therapeutic approaches associated with inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis may be worth trying in infants with septic shock.

Association between protective efficacy of antibodies to tumor necrosis factor and suppression of nitric oxide production in neonatal rats with fatal infection

In a rat model of fatal infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the circulating level of nitrite/nitrate (NO2-/NO3-), a good indicator for nitric oxide production, was remarkably increased after elevation of circulatory tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Anti-TNF MAb cotreatment was shown to blunt hypoglycemia and hyperlacticemia and was associated with decreased mortality of septic animals. Moreover, anti-TNF MAb significantly reduced not only plasma TNF but also plasma NO2-/NO3- levels. Dexamethasone had a similar effects, and when anti-TNF MAb was used in combination with dexamethasone, the suppression of nitric oxide production and the protective efficacy were more remarkable compared with therapy with either anti-TNF MAb or dexamethasone alone. Our present data suggested that the protective efficacy of anti-TNF MAb may correlate with the suppression of nitric oxide production and also with a modulation in metabolic abnormalities in the septic newborn rats.

Expression of thyrotrophin receptor gene in thyroid carcinoma is associated with a good prognosis

OBJECTIVE

The clinical course of thyroid carcinoma is very variable. It is well known that thyroid carcinomas of similar histology can behave differently in terms of local invasion and distant metastases: there is no reliable way to predict the disease course with confidence. In the present study we compared the TSH receptor and c-myc mRNA levels in different stages of thyroid carcinomas to identify whether they are useful markers for thyroid tumour biological behaviour and prognosis.

DESIGN

Thyroid tumour specimens were used as the source of RNA. The TSH receptor and c-myc mRNA levels were detected by Northern blot analysis and quantitated by laser densitometry.

PATIENTS

Thyroid tissues were obtained from five patients with multinodular goitres, 22 with differentiated and three with anaplastic carcinomas.

MEASUREMENTS

Total cellular RNA was extracted from thyroid tissue specimens and blotted onto nylon membranes. Northern blot analysis was used to detect TSH receptor and c-myc mRNA. The mRNA levels were then quantitated by laser densitometry and compared with each disease stage.

RESULTS

TSH receptor mRNA levels were significantly lower in carcinomas as compared to benign tumours. With advancing disease stage, the neoplastic tissues generally showed a progressive decline in TSH receptor mRNA levels. Interestingly, in two specimens from patients with distant metastases, TSH receptor mRNA levels were not significantly reduced and were comparable to those in benign tumours. Both patients are still alive, one of them 18 years after operation, indicating that tumour histology is dissociated from its biological behaviour. c-myc mRNA levels were increased but not significantly so in stage 1-3 carcinomas. However, in stage 4 carcinomas c-myc expression was significantly increased. Thus c-myc overexpression is associated with poor prognosis. Although there is a negative correlation between TSH receptor and c-myc mRNA levels, the correlation was not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that decreased TSH receptor and increased c-myc gene expression levels are associated with thyroid cell de-differentiation. They are useful markers for thyroid tumour de-differentiation and disease prognosis.

Downregulation of c-myc expression by antisense oligonucleotides inhibits proliferation of human smooth muscle cells

BACKGROUND

Proliferation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) plays an important role in vascular pathobiology, being involved in the development of coronary restenosis and atherosclerosis. The activation of nuclear proto-oncogenes appears to be a final common pathway onto which various mitogenic signals coverage. Accordingly, we attempted to determine whether the activation of the c-myc nuclear proto-oncogene is essential for human SMC proliferation and explored the possibility of inhibiting their growth using antisense oligonucleotides directed against c-myc messenger RNA (mRNA).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Proliferation of human SMCs was associated with an increase in c-myc mRNA expression after growth stimulation. Using 15-mer phosphorothioate oligonucleotides (oligomers), we tested their growth-inhibitory effect in SMCs in vitro. Antisense oligomers directed against the translation initiation region of the human c-myc gene exhibited a significant antiproliferative effect, whereas sense and mismatched oligomers did not inhibit the growth. The growth-inhibitory effect of c-myc antisense oligomers was dose dependent and preventable by an excess of sense oligomers. Furthermore, growth inhibition of SMCs treated with c-myc antisense oligomers was associated with a marked decrease in the c-myc mRNA level. Phosphorothioate oligomers remained stable in medium containing 20% serum and were detectable in SMCs as early as 1 hour after cell exposure. Intact oligomers rapidly accumulated intracellularly and persisted within human SMCs for at least 16 hours.

CONCLUSIONS

c-myc antisense oligomers reduced c-myc expression and produced a significant growth inhibition of human SMCs, indicating an important role of c-myc gene activation in the process of SMC proliferation. Furthermore, extracellular stability and rapid cellular uptake provide the basis for future studies assessing the therapeutic role of the c-myc antisense approach in reducing SMC proliferation in the process of vascular restenosis.

Relative binding free energy calculations of DNA to daunomycin and its 13-dihydro analogue

We present the results of thermodynamic integration/molecular dynamics on the 13-dihydrodaunomycin.d(CGTACG) complex and 13-dihydrodaunomycin in vacuo based on the GROMOS force field. The objective is to calculate the binding free energy differences between two complexes--13-dihydrodaunomycin.d(CGTACG) and daunomycin.d(CGTACG). The results are in agreement with the experimental data, i.e. the theoretical binding free energy difference of 13-dihydrodaunomycin.d(CGTACG) and daunomycin.d(CGTACG) is 2.1 +/- 1.6 kcal/mol which accords well with the experimental value of 0.6 kcal/mol. The free energy contributions of different interactions and different groups have also been analysed.

High levels of Nm23 gene expression in advanced stage of thyroid carcinomas

The product of Nm23 gene has been proposed as a candidate tumour metastasis suppressor protein. A strong association has been observed between reduced expression of Nm23 gene and acquisition of metastatic behaviour in some tumour cells including breast cancer and melanoma, but not in others such as colon cancer, neuroblastoma, and cervical cancer. In the present study, we examined the abundance of Nm23 mRNA in 39 thyroid tissue specimens including five multinodular goitres, one follicular adenoma, 26 papillary and three follicular carcinomas, and four anaplastic carcinomas. Nm23 was found to be expressed in all the tissue specimens. The expression was, however, variable in different stages of thyroid carcinoma. In stages I through III of differentiated thyroid carcinoma, the average level of Nm23 gene expression was comparable to that in multinodular goitres. In advanced stage of thyroid carcinoma (stage IV and anaplastic), 2-fold increase of Nm23 expression was noted. No mutations were found in the coding region of the gene. Nm23 mRNA level cannot, therefore, be used as a marker of low metastatic potential in thyroid carcinomas. The association of high level Nm23 expression with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma suggests its correlation with rapid cell proliferation.

Evidence for physical interaction between the zinc-finger transcription factors YY1 and Sp1

Two promoter elements are important for basal-level transcription, the TATA motif typically located 30 nucleotides upstream of the transcription initiation site and the initiator (Inr) element encompassing the start site. The mechanism of how Inr elements work is poorly understood, partly because very few proteins that bind to Inr elements have been identified and isolated. The recently cloned YY1 is such an Inr-binding protein. YY1 is able to direct transcription upon binding to its recognition sequence in vitro. The ability of YY1 to initiate transcription is augmented by the presence of a TATA motif or binding sites for transcription factor Sp1. To study the mechanism underlying the apparent functional cooperation between YY1 and Sp1, we explored the possibility of protein-protein interactions between these two transcription factors. We found that YY1 and Sp1 can form a physical complex. In addition, we identified domains within YY1 and Sp1 that mediate their interactions with each other. The physical interaction between YY1 and Sp1 may thus form the basis for the functional interplay observed previously.

[High-resolution cytogenetic study of a patient with Prader-Willi syndrome]

We investigated a patient with Prader-Willi syndrome by using the high-resolution banding technique. His clinical findings were also examined in some detail. The patient had interstitial deletion of 15q, with breakpoints at 15q11.2 and 15q13. However, he had a normal karyotype at about 400 bands per haploid-set. During the course of this study, it was realized that a small deletion in the proximal 15q could be easily overlooked when a mitotic spread of about 400-bands or less per haploid-set was used. It is suggested that the high-resolution banding technique is of great importance in identifying microdeletions and other microaberrations of chromosomes.

Temporal masking of human auditory evoked brain stem responses using two simultaneously presented maximum length sequences

Two simultaneously presented maximum length sequences (MLSs) were used to investigate temporal nonlinearities. Not only did the recorded auditory evoked brain stem responses to these stimuli predictably increase in latency and decrease in amplitude as a function of the temporal interactions between MLSs, but thresholds were elevated by more than 20 dB. Simultaneous MLS paradigms make it possible to investigate a number of nonlinearities in the auditory system efficiently. This study also demonstrated that binaural MLS techniques can be used to assess auditory function even in individuals with asymmetric hearing losses without fear of crossover effects.

DNA fragmentation induced by cytotoxic T lymphocytes can result in target cell death

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)-mediated lysis is accompanied by fragmentation of target cell DNA into an oligonucleosome ladder, a hallmark of apoptosis. Is this a fortuitous coincidence, or could CTL be inducing lysis by activation of the suicide signal? In this report we demonstrate that CTL-mediated target cell death can be blocked with the drug aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA). The abrogation of death correlates with the inhibition of DNA fragmentation. While ATA prevented DNA fragmentation, it failed to significantly alter protein, RNA, or DNA synthesis in the cell lines over the dose range used. In addition, there was no inhibition of cell-cell interaction or granule exocytosis during CTL-mediated killing. ATA also significantly inhibited the cytolysis and DNA fragmentation mediated by isolated cytolytic granules, as well as the granular protein fragmentin. We developed an assay in which target cells could be separated from CTL after binding and programming for lysis. Once they had received the "kiss of death," target cells could be rescued from lysis (as indicated by inhibition of DNA fragmentation and increased target cell viability) by treatment with ATA. These results suggest that ATA blocks target cell death by inhibition of DNA fragmentation, and further, that chromatin degradation is a cause rather than a result of cell death in CTL-mediated lysis.

Binaural maximum length sequence auditory-evoked brain-stem responses in human adults

This study compared monaural and binaural maximum length sequence auditory-evoked brain-stem responses (MLS ABRs) in normal hearing adults. The first experiment demonstrated that reliable binaural MLS ABRs could be recorded which were essentially the same as those recorded monaurally. The second experiment generalized this finding by assessing a range of intensities including threshold stimuli. ABR thresholds, wave V latency x intensity and amplitude x intensity functions, wave V latency and amplitude reproducibility, and waveform reproducibility were comparable for the monaural and binaural MLS ABRs with some minor qualifications. In the third experiment, comparability of monaural and binaural MLS ABRs was generalized to a range of rates from those used conventionally to rates far faster than possible with signal averaging. Again, there was little difference between the binaural and monaural MLS ABRs over the range of rates assessed.

Autoreactive epitopes defined by diabetes-associated human monoclonal antibodies are localized in the middle and C-terminal domains of the smaller form of glutamate decarboxylase

The gamma-aminobutyrate-synthesizing enzyme glutamate decarboxylase (GAD; L-glutamate 1-carboxy-lyase, EC 4.1.1.15) is a major target of autoantibodies associated with both early and late stages of pancreatic beta-cell destruction and development of type 1 diabetes. We have used five monoclonal anti-islet-cell antibodies (MICAs 1,2,3,4, and 6) derived from a newly diagnosed diabetic patient to probe the autoimmune epitopes in the enzyme. All the MICAs specifically recognized the smaller GAD protein, GAD65, and did not recognize the nonallelic GAD67 protein. A series of N-terminal, C-terminal, and internal deletion mutants, as well as protein footprinting, were used to identify the target regions in GAD65. Immunoprecipitation revealed two major native epitope areas in the GAD65 molecule. The first, defined by MICAs 1 and 3, is destroyed by deleting 41 amino acids at the C terminus but is also dependent on intact amino acids 244-295. This epitope (or epitopes) may span both middle and C-terminal domains of the protein. The second conformational epitope region, defined by MICAs 4 and 6, is dependent on intact amino acids 245-295 but is not affected by deletion of 110 amino acids at the C terminus and is therefore confined to domain(s) in the middle of the molecule. MICA 2 recognizes a linear epitope close to the C terminus. Thus, the N-terminal domain of GAD65, which differs most significantly from GAD67, does not harbor the MICA epitopes. Rather subtle amino acid differences in the middle and C-terminal domains define the GAD65-specific autoimmune epitopes. Analysis of sera from 10 type 1 diabetic patients suggests that MICAs 1, 3, 4, and 6 represent a common epitope recognition in this disease, whereas the MICA 2 epitope is rare. Furthermore, autoantibodies in some sera are restricted to the MICA 1/3 epitope, suggesting that this epitope may represent a single dominant epitope in the early phases of beta-cell autoimmunity.

Metal binding properties of single amino acid deletion mutants of zinc finger peptides: studies using cobalt(II) as a spectroscopic probe

Peptides corresponding to Cys2His2 zinc finger domains from which one amino acid has been deleted have been synthesized and their metal-binding properties characterized. In contrast to earlier reports (Párraga, G., S. Horvath, L. Hood, E. T. Young, and R. E. Klevit. 1990. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 87:137-141.), such peptides do bind metal ions such as cobalt(II). A peptide with the sequence ProTyrLysCysProGluCysLysSerPheSerGlnLysSerAspLeuValLysHisGlnArgThrHis ThrGly (which corresponds to a previously characterized consensus zinc finger sequence from which a Gly residue immediately following the second Cys residue has been deleted) was found to form a 1:1 peptide to cobalt(II) complex with an absorption spectrum quite similar to those previously observed for zinc finger peptide-cobalt(II) complexes. The dissociation constant for this complex is 6 x 10(-6)M, a factor of 100 times higher than that for the parent peptide. A peptide with the sequence LysProTyrProCysGlyLeuCysArgCysPheThrArgArgAspLeuLeulleArgHisAlaGln - LyslleHisSerGlyAsnLeu corresponding to a similar mutation of the peptide ADR1 was also characterized. Spectroscopic studies with cobalt(II) revealed that this peptide forms both 1:1 and 2:1 peptide to cobalt(II) complexes. The absorption spectra of the two forms and the dissociation constants were determined via deconvolution methods. In contrast, the parent peptide ADR1a was found to form only a 1:1 complex under comparable conditions and this 1:1 complex was found to be more stable than that for the mutant. These results reveal that deletion mutations do adversely affect the stability of zinc finger peptide-metal complexes but that the effects are not as drastic as had been previously described.

[Transformation of recombinant plasmid pRK 41 and amplification of full-length coding region of human brain myelin basic protein cDNA]

Transformation of the recombinant plasmid pRK41 containing 2.15 kd human brain myelin basic protein MBP)-coding sequence and 3' untranslated region (1.2 kb) into the E. coli JM109 was made by using Hanahan's method. Positive colonies were screened with digoxigenin oligo labelled rat brain MBP cDNA fragment (1.2 kb). To remove 3' untranslated region and obtain the full-length coding sequence of MBP cDNA, a pair of specific DNA primers was designed and synthesized. A 600 bp fragment was amplified from the recombinant plasmid, extracted from the positive colony by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR fragment was isolated, and then digested with BamH I, Kpn I and BamH I + Kpn I. The results of restriction analysis indicate that the PCR amplified fragment is desirable and can be used directly to constract expression vectors.

[Clinical observation of the effect of pretreatment with nifedipine in preventing oxygen free radicals in the cardiopulmonary release bypass operation]

The effect of pretreatment with nifedipine in preventing oxygen free radicals release was observed in the cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) operation. Twenty cases were divided into two groups for comparison. Nifedipine (0.6 mg/kg) was given to the test group. MDA, XO, UA and SOD were measured. These examinations were taken at pre-aortic clamping, 15 min after aortic clamping, and 30, 60, 120, 180 min after reperfusion. The results indicated that pretreatment with nifedipine reduced oxygen free radicals release in the CPB operation.

Vaccination of bovines against Schistosomiasis japonica with cryopreserved-irradiated and freeze-thaw schistosomula

Four laboratory tests and one field trial with cryopreserved irradiated (CI) schistosomula vaccine and a freeze-thaw (F/T) vaccine against bovine Schistosomiasis japonica were carried out in 1979 and 1980 with the following results: (1) Single intradermal vaccination in buffalo calves each with 10,000 20 krad CI Schistosomula plus 1 ml BCG gave 62% worm reduction (P < 0.05). Using the same protocol 55% worm reduction (P < 0.01) was obtained in cattle. (2) Buffalo calves immunized twice, at a 1.5 month interval, with 10,000 and 20,000 CI schistosomula, respectively, resulted in a worm reduction 65%. (3) In a preliminary field trial with 10,000 CI schistosomula plus 1 ml BCG resulted in a worm reduction of 53% in buffalo calves. (4) Intradermal vaccination of 30,000 F/T schistosomula with 1 ml BCG was also tried in cattle and revealed a worm reduction of 57% but increasing the number of vaccinations did not improve the protective effect. (5) Evidence regarding the effects of immunization with CI vaccine in buffaloes and F/T vaccine in cattle, on the number of eggs and miracidia and that of female worms themselves was obtained. (6) Immune responses, cellular and humoral, elicited in buffaloes vaccinated with CI schistosomula were detected by means of Lymphocyte Transformation Assay and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay.

Coexisting stable conformations of gaseous protein ions

For further insight into the role of solvent in protein conformer stabilization, the structural and dynamic properties of protein ions in vacuo have been probed by hydrogen-deuterium exchange in a Fourier-transform mass spectrometer. Multiply charged ions generated by electrospray ionization of five proteins show exchange reactions with 2H2O at 10(-7) torr (1 torr = 133.3 Pa) exhibiting pseudo-first-order kinetics. Gas-phase compactness of the S-S cross-linked RNase A relative to denatured S-derivatized RNase A is indicated by exchange of 35 and 135 hydrogen atoms, respectively. For pure cytochrome c ions, the existence of at least three distinct gaseous conformers is indicated by the substantially different values--52, 113, and 74--of reactive H atoms; the observation of these same values for ions of a number--2, 7, and 5, respectively--of different charge states indicates conformational insensitivity to coulombic forces. For each of these conformers, the compactness in vacuo indicated by these values corresponds directly to that of a known conformer structure in the solution from which the conformer ions are produced by electrospray. S-derivatized RNase A ions also exist as at least two gaseous conformers exchanging 50-140 H atoms. Gaseous conformer ions are isometrically stable for hours; removal of solvent greatly increases conformational rigidity. More specific ion-molecule reactions could provide further details of conformer structures.

High-affinity binding of thyrotropin to the extracellular domain of its receptor transfected in Chinese hamster ovary cells

Thyrotropin (TSH) receptor is a cell surface receptor that shares a high degree of homology with other glycoprotein hormone receptors including lutropin-choriogonadotropin (LH/CG) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) receptors. Although the extracellular domain of TSH receptor is important for ligand binding, no direct information is available on whether extracellular domain alone is sufficient for high-affinity binding. Moreover, mutations made in the second cytoplasmic loop or the cytoplasmic tail of TSH receptor were reported to reduce significantly the affinity of TSH binding. In an attempt to determine whether TSH receptor extracellular domain is sufficient for high-affinity TSH binding or whether it requires transmembrane regions, we made a construct (TSHR-EX/CMV) that encodes for only the extracellular domain plus a foreign hydrophobic tail. The TSHR-EX/CMV was transfected and stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. The truncated receptor was anchored to the cell surface through the hydrophobic tail at the carboxyl terminus. High-affinity TSH binding was observed comparable to that of the cells transfected with full-length TSH receptor. The CHO cells transfected with TSHR-EX/CMV did not respond to TSH stimulation of adenylate cyclase, whereas the cells transfected with the full-length TSH receptor cDNA did. The data presented here show that the extracellular domain of TSH receptor is sufficient to confer high-affinity TSH binding.

Structure-function studies of the C-terminal alpha-helix of human interleukin-2 by site-directed mutagenesis

By using oligonucleotide-mediated site-directed mutagenesis, we obtained three human interleukin-2 analogs with substitution of Pro in the C-terminal amphiphilic alpha-helix, 125Pro-IL-2, 127Pro-IL-2 and 125Pro-127Pro-IL-2. The bioactivities of all these analogs were decreased. The extent of the decrease in bioactivity coincided with the degrees of secondary and tertiary structure destroyed, as evaluated by circular dichroism and intrinsic fluorescence analysis. The results suggested that the integrity of the hydrophobic face in the C terminal alpha-helix is crucial for the structure and function of interleukin-2.

Hypoxia-associated proteins in human cells cultivated in vitro: lack of association with hypoxia-induced cell cycle regulation

The synthesis of proteins expressed in human NHIK 3025 cells following exposure to extremely hypoxic conditions (< 4 ppm O2) has been studied. Populations of cells, either in exponential growth or synchronized by the method of detaching mitotic cells, were exposed to extremely hypoxic conditions for up to 20 h. The rate of total protein synthesis was measured at various time points after reoxygenation, and it appeared to be relatively constant and similar to the control level. The protein expression in cells was studied by pulse labelling for 1 h with [35S]-methionine, and subsequently visualized by SDS-PAGE and autoradiography. Six proteins appeared to have a changed expression after exposure to extreme hypoxia as compared to control cells; four of them (45, 80, 100 and 150 kD) showed increased, while two (46 and 90 kD) showed decreased expression. The response of these proteins to extreme hypoxia seems to be relatively slow, i.e. with half-times of several hours. Since extreme hypoxia influences cell cycle progression by instantaneous blockage at the G1/S border as well as halting DNA synthesis in S cells, these proteins can hardly cause these effects. Neither is the altered expression of these proteins due to the accumulation of G1 cells caused by hypoxia.

Activation-induced apoptosis in lymphoid systems

Lymphocytes become activated when antigen receptors on the cell surface are cross-linked, or when they are exposed to agents that mimic this signal. Although such activation is usually associated with the production of immune mediators (e.g. antibodies, cytokines) and entry into the cell cycle, it can alternatively lead to death via apoptosis. This activation-induced apoptosis was first observed in developing lymphocytes and has been proposed as a mechanism for negative selection, by which immature cells with potential for autoreactivity are eliminated from the maturation pathway. Activation-induced apoptosis has also been observed in normal, mature lymphocytes under some conditions, and this may account for the phenomena of peripheral deletion, in which mature T cells are eliminated upon exposure to high doses of antigen. It may also be an important mechanism whereby CD4+ T cells are depleted in HIV+ individuals. Although the phenomenon of activation-induced apoptosis is not understood, recent studies have begun to implicate specific signal transduction pathways and gene products in the process. Among the latter is the c-myc proto-oncogene, which paradoxically can play an essential role in several forms of apoptosis, including that induced by activation of lymphocytes.

The modulation transfer function in impedance imaging

The concepts of the point spread function (PSF) and its Fourier transform, the modulation transfer function (MTF) are introduced to evaluate an impedance imaging system. The effects of some practical factors which should be taken into account in calculating the MTF are analysed. Experimental results from the groups in Sheffield, Barcelona and Toulouse are presented.

Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides as probes of T-lymphocyte gene function

Conventional and thiophosphonate-derivatized oligonucleotides were employed to specifically regulate functional gene expression in murine T-cell hybridomas. For example, induction of apoptotic cell death following activation of T-cell hybridomas was examined using antisense oligonucleotides corresponding to several protooncogenes. We found that antisense oligodeoxynucleotides corresponding to c-myc inhibited both the characteristic DNA fragmentation and the loss of cell viability following activation without affecting production of lymphokines. Functional antisense oligonucleotides corresponding to c-fos had no effect in this system. These results demonstrate the use of antisense oligonucleotides to regulate function in T-cell hybridomas and provide valuable insights into the molecular bases of this biological phenomenon. Antisense oligonucleotides were also used to study another problem, the relation of T-cell-derived antigen-specific immunoregulatory factors to the T-cell receptor (TCR). Because the translation start of each TCR gene usually varies from one T cell to another, antisense oligonucleotides corresponding to the TCR V alpha or V beta of different cells were shown to act in a cell-specific manner. Furthermore, this method was used to demonstrate that a soluble antigen-specific regulatory activity produced by one of the T-cell lines depends on expression of the specific TCRa, an observation that has since been confirmed by gene transfer experiments. Expression of the CD3-TCR complex on the cell surface was also blocked by antisense oligonucleotides corresponding to CD3 gamma and CD3 zeta; however, neither these nor TCR V beta antisense oligonucleotides had any effect on production of the soluble regulatory activity.

Displacement of BrdUrd-induced YY1 by serum response factor activates skeletal alpha-actin transcription in embryonic myoblasts

Muscle-restricted transcription of the skeletal alpha-actin gene is controlled in part by a positive regulator, serum response factor (SRF), and a negative regulator, F-ACT1, which bind competitively to the most proximal serum response element (SRE1). We show here that F-ACT1 is identical to a transcription factor recently cloned and described as YY1, NF-E1, delta, or UCRBP. We found that although the DNA-binding activity of SRF accumulates during myogenesis, that of YY1 diminishes simultaneously. Myoblasts rendered incapable of differentiation by BrdUrd treatment exhibited the highest level of YY1 and the lowest level of SRF activities. Transfected SRF could directly transactivate the skeletal alpha-actin promoter by overcoming the inhibitory effect of BrdUrd-induced YY1. The transactivation depends on intact SRE DNA elements and requires the DNA-binding/dimerization domain of SRF as well as its C-terminal half rich in serines and threonines. Since the functions of YY1 and SRF appear to be developmentally regulated, the convergence of their binding sites upon the SRE constitutes an integrated mechanism whereby temporal and spatial muscle gene expression may be accomplished.

Intracellular distribution of a nuclear localization signal binding protein

The transport of proteins into the nucleus requires the recognition of a nuclear localization signal sequence. Several proteins that interact with these sequences have been identified, including one of about 66 kDa. We have prepared antibodies that recognize the 66-kDa nuclear localization signal binding protein (NLSBP) and inhibit nuclear localization in vitro. By immunofluorescence, it is seen that the NLSBP is predominantly cytoplasmic and is distributed peripherally around the nucleus and the microtubule organizing center. There is also a weak punctate staining of the surface of the nucleus. Methanol-fixed cells can also be stained directly with fluorescently labeled karyophilic proteins. These stains reveal the same cytoplasmic structures as anti-NLSBP. The expression of the NLSBP is growth dependent. When cells grown to confluence are examined, the cytoplasmic staining is greatly reduced, leaving the punctate nuclear staining as the predominant feature. In serum-starved cells, very little staining of either the cytoplasm or the nucleus can be seen. Upon simulation by the addition of serum, the original cytoplasmic and nuclear envelope staining is restored. Cells grown in the presence of colchicine or taxol have an altered NLSBP distribution but apparently normal cytoplasmic nuclear transport.

Typing for major histocompatibility complex class II antigens in thyroid tissue blocks: association of Hashimoto's thyroiditis with HLA-DQA0301 and DQB0201 alleles

This study was undertaken 1) to find out whether we can type major histocompatibility class II antigens from the paraffin-embedded series of thyroid tissue, and 2) to investigate whether HLA-DQ genes are involved in conferring a risk of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. To this end we used the polymerase chain reaction to amplify DNA from paraffin-embedded thyroid tissue blocks of histologically proven Hashimoto's disease. We used 46 specimens for HLA-DQA and 32 for DQB typing. The alleles were identified by sequence-specific oligonucleotide hybridizations. Fifty controls from the same geographic region were also typed using peripheral leukocyte DNA. HLA-DQA0301 (in linkage disequilibrium with DR4) was significantly increased (58.7% vs. 32% in controls; chi 2 = 6.73; P less than 0.01) in patients compared to controls. DQB0201 (in linkage disequilibrium with DR3) was also increased in the patient group (66% vs. 36% in controls; chi 2 = 6.63; P less than 0.01). Although DQA0301/DQB0201 heterozygotes (18.8%) were increased in patients compared to controls (6%), the difference was not significant. However, 81% of the patients (26 of 32) were DQA0301 and/or DQB0201 positive compared to 48% of controls (chi 2 5.98; P less than 0.05). We conclude that it is feasible to type HLA antigens from tissue blocks and that susceptibility to Hashimoto's disease is probably mediated through two pathways: DQA0301/DR4 and DQB0201/DR3.

Selective dopamine-1 receptor agonist augments regional myocardial blood flow: Comparison of fenoldopam and dopamine

A new class of vasodilators exhibiting selective dopamine-1 receptor agonist activity is being introduced into clinical practice. Inasmuch as various vasodilators either augment or decrease myocardial blood flow ("coronary steal") depending on their pharmacologic action, the goal of this study was to assess the effects of fenoldopam (selective dopamine-1 receptor agonist) and dopamine (nonselective dopamine-1 receptor agonist) on regional myocardial blood flow in the presence of coronary occlusion. Accordingly, in 16 dogs anesthetized with pentobarbital, the left anterior descending coronary artery was occluded. Cardiovascular and renal hemodynamic effects were measured before and after intravenous infusion of renal equipotent doses of either fenoldopam (n = 9, 0.1 micrograms/kg/min) or dopamine (n = 7, 1 micrograms/kg/min). Both fenoldopam and dopamine caused a significant and comparable increase in renal blood flow. Fenoldopam but not dopamine significantly decreased the calculated peripheral vascular resistance and subsequently increased cardiac output. Dopamine had no effect on regional myocardial blood flow. In contrast, fenoldopam augmented transmural myocardial blood flow in normal (from 114 +/- 10 to 188 +/- 27 ml/100 gm/min, p less than 0.02) and ischemic border myocardium (from 45 +/- 5 to 68 +/- 11 ml/100 gm/min, p less than 0.03 and p less than 0.02 vs dopamine). There was a significant increase in blood flow to both the endocardial and epicardial layers of normal and ischemic border myocardium. These changes were accompanied by a significant reduction in coronary vascular resistance in the normal myocardium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Response surface analysis of the effects of pH and dilution rate on Ruminococcus flavefaciens FD-1 in cellulose-fed continuous culture

The ruminal cellulolytic bacterium Ruminococcus flavefaciens FD-1 was grown in cellulose-fed continuous culture with 20 different combinations of pH and dilution rate (D); the combinations were selected according to the physiological pH range of the organism (6.0 to 7.1) and growth rate of the organism on cellulose (0.017 to 0.10 h-1). A response surface analysis was used to characterize the effects of pH and D on the extent of cellulose consumption, growth yield, soluble sugar concentration, and yields of fermentation products. The response surfaces indicate that pH and D coordinately affect cellulose digestion and growth yield in this organism. As expected, the net cellulose consumption increased with increasing D while the fraction of added cellulose that was utilized decreased with increasing D. The effect of changes in pH within the physiological range on cellulose consumption was smaller than that of changes in D. Cellulose degradation was less sensitive to low pH than to high pH. At low Ds (longer retention times), cellulose degradation did not follow first-order kinetics. This decreased rate of cellulose digestion was not due to poor mixing, limitation by other medium components, or preferential utilization of the more amorphous fraction of the cellulose. The cell yield increased from 0.13 to 0.18 mg of cells per mg of cellulose with increasing Ds from 0.02 to 0.06 h-1 and decreased when the pH was shifted from the optimum of 6.5 to 6.8. The effect of pH on cell yield increased with increasing D. The reduced cell yield at low pH appears to be due to both an increase in maintenance energy requirements and a decrease in true growth yield.

[Lung sound analysis of upper airway obstruction]

The frequency spectrum of stridor was studied by the computer program in the patients with upper airway obstruction. The results showed that the peak frequency of respiratory sound increased significantly, the frequency spectrum got wider and removed to the high frequency area above 200Hz, the E ratio was smaller than 1. These changes were more apparent during inspiration than those during expiration. It is concluded that the stridorous sound could be determined exactly and quantitatively, and differentiated from wheezing by the spectral analysis.

Role for c-myc in activation-induced apoptotic cell death in T cell hybridomas

Immature T cells and some T cell hybridomas undergo apoptotic cell death when activated through the T cell receptor complex, a phenomenon that is probably related to antigen induced negative selection of developing T cells. This activation-induced apoptosis depends on active protein and RNA synthesis in the dying cells, although none of the genes required for this process have previously been identified. Antisense oligonucleotides corresponding to c-myc block the constitutive expression of c-Myc protein in T cell hybridomas and interfere with all aspects of activation-induced apoptosis without affecting lymphokine production in these cells. These data indicate that c-myc expression is a necessary component of activation-induced apoptosis.

Comparison of the properties of the CsA analogs monoacetyl CyC (o-acetyl-threonine2 cyclosporin) and methyl-alanyl CsA (N-methyl-L-alanyl6 cyclosporin); monoacetyl cyclosporin is immunosuppressive without binding to cyclophilin

Cyclosporin (CsA) is an immunosuppressant which binds to cyclophilin (Cyp). The relationship between Cyp binding and immunosuppression has been questioned since one of the analogs of CsA, N-methyl-L-alanyl6 cyclosporin (methyl-alanyl CsA) binds to Cyp but is not immunosuppressive. We compared the immunosuppressive properties of CsA, methyl-alanyl CsA and o-acetyl-threonine2 cyclosporin (monoacetyl CyC), since monoacetyl CyC does not bind to Cyp when tested in cell-free assays and its immunosuppressive properties had not been tested. Cyp is a peptidyl-prolyl isomerase which is abundant in all human tissues, yet the activities of CsA are mostly confined to inhibition of T cell and thymocyte activation, and to neuro- and nephro-toxicity and are independent of inhibition of the isomerase. Activation of thymocytes and of T cells is regulated by the binding of a nuclear factor(s) (NFs) to the NF-AT region (-285 to -255) of the IL-2 promoter. We studied inhibition of binding to the NF-AT region of NFs derived from primary cultures of thymocytes treated with CsA or its analogs. In addition, we compared the effect of CsA and its analogs on the expression of the IL-2 gene in a stably transfected Jurkat-cell line (Fgl 5) which contains three copies of NF-AT and the reporter enzyme beta-galactosidase; and on inhibition of proliferation induced by concanavalin A (Con A) or IL-2. We found that monoacetyl CyC which does not bind to Cyp is immunosuppressive by our criteria when tested in cultured cells due to either a different mechanism of action or to metabolic activation.

[Isolation and identification of a strain of Pseudomonas SP. producing insoluble glucan hydrolase]

A strain, CIB871, isolated from the natural world can hydrolyze insoluble glucan(IG) produced by S. mutans. This organism has been identified to be a strain of Pseudomonas SP. It grows well at 30 degrees C. The optimum medium for producing insoluble glucan hydrolase (IGase) is composed of 0.3% peptone, 0.03% IG and M1 salt solution (NH4)2 SO4 1mg/ml, MgSO4 50 micrograms/ml, FeCl2 50 micrograms/ml, K2HPO4 0.5mg/ml). The IGase production reached maximum when cultured for 65-70 hours.

[The construction of rich genomic library of bovine Y chromosome]

According to the fundamentals of DNA renatured kinetics, we made a study in which genomic DNA from male cattle was completely digested with Sau 3A, while female DNA was sheared to an average size of 500 bp fragments. The Y derived DNA sequence rich library of bovine has been contracted with pUC19 plasmid as vector and JM109 as host bacteria by reassociation of male and female DNA. Male and female DNA probes, were used. The result of colony hybridization showed that out of 1000 recombinants analysed, 6 were found to be stronger signal with male probe. Analysis of Pvu' I digested DNA fragment revealed that most of the inserts were in the 90-300 bp.

The transport of proteins into the nucleus requires the 70-kilodalton heat shock protein or its cytosolic cognate

The 70-kDa heat shock protein hsp70 and its constitutively expressed cognate, hsc70, are abundant proteins implicated in a number of cellular processes. When a permeabilized cell system for examining the transport of proteins into the nucleus is depleted of hsc70 and hsp70, either by affinity chromatography on ATP-agarose or with antibodies against these proteins, nuclear transport activity is lost. Full activity is restored by the addition of HeLa proteins that bind to ATP-agarose. hsc70 and hsp70 are the active factors, since activity is also fully restored by the addition of either recombinant hsc70 or hsp70 which has been bacterially expressed and highly purified. The restoration of activity is saturable. The transport system requires other cytosolic factors as well, including at least one protein that is sensitive to inactivation by N-ethylmaleimide, but neither hsc70 nor hsp70 is the sensitive protein.

Early luteal progesterone supplementation during in vitro fertilization cycles. A randomized trial

The effects of early luteal phase progesterone (P) supplementation were studied in women with endogenous serum P levels less than or equal to 12 ng/mL prior to embryo transfer. From a total of 129 cycles that received the same ovarian hyperstimulation protocol, 72 cycles were characterized by levels less than 12 ng/mL on the day prior to embryo transfer. Of those women, 42 (group B) were started on P supplementation one day prior to embryo transfer, and 30 (group C) were started according to the standard protocol after embryo transfer. The clinical course and outcomes in both groups were compared with 57 cycles that had P levels greater than or equal to 12 ng/mL (group A). The early P supplementation in group B resulted in a transient increase in P levels on the morning of embryo transfer as compared with group C. It did not, however, approach the levels seen in group A, which had higher P levels from the early luteal phase through embryo transfer and more favorable oocyte recovery, fertilization and cleavage rates. We were unable to improve the clinical outcome in group B as compared with group C by providing earlier P supplementation.

Microcarrier culture of fish cells and viruses in cell culture bioreactor

This article deals with the culture of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) lip and embryo cells on Cytodex 3 and GT-2 microcarriers in a 1.5-L cell culture bioreactor to propagate grass carp hemorrhage virus. The cells and viruses were successfully cultivated at 26 degrees C, pH 7.0, and dissolved oxygen 40% of air saturation. The cell density achieved was as high as 7.4 x 10(6) cells/mL, and the virus titre reached 6.75 log LD50/0.5 mL from an initial 3.00 log LD50/0.5 mL. The results present broad prospects for fish virus vaccine production.

WHO pathfinder caries survey in Beijing extended with data for prevalence of mutans streptococci

A pathfinder caries survey was carried out in Beijing, People's Republic of China, using WHO standard methodologies, in order to estimate the trend by comparing the results with the 1981 caries survey, performed in the same area. Simultaneously, the levels of mutans streptococci in the group were estimated in order to define the proportion of children with high and low mutans levels. Twelve-year-old children were randomly selected from schools in five districts within the city limits. Examinations for caries were performed according to 'WHO Oral Health Surveys' by two calibrated examiners. A total of 178 children were examined for caries and 156 of them were randomly selected for saliva sampling of mutans streptococci, using the 'Strip mutans' method. The number of colonies adhering to the strips were compared with a chart, supplied by the manufacturer, and given a score between 0 and 3, indicating low to very high saliva mutans counts, respectively. The results showed a mean DMFT of 1.87 (1.61-0.06-0.20, for decayed, missing and filled teeth respectively); 66.3 per cent of the children were affected. Fourteen per cent had mutans class 0, 28 per cent class 1, 35 per cent class 2 and 23 per cent class 3. The mean DFT, for each mutans class was 0.82, 1.48, 2.09 and 2.69, respectively. The differences were statistically significant (P = 0.0015). In the lowest mutans class, 50 per cent had caries and the mean number of teeth requiring conservative care was 0.68. For the high mutans group, the corresponding values were 72 per cent and 2.11 teeth.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Fibrinolytic activity after vessel wall injury

The goal of this study was to assess fibrinolytic activity after vessel wall injury and to correlate changes in fibrinolytic activity with angiographic and histologic findings. Accordingly, in 18 atherosclerotic rabbits, vessel wall injury was produced by means of iliac artery balloon angioplasty (the injury group), whereas 8 atherosclerotic rabbits served as a control group. In all rabbits from the injury group, deep vessel wall injury was documented by either angiography or histologic study. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 activity in plasma increased significantly, from 21.79 +/- 1.29 arbitrary units/ml (AU/ml) at baseline study to 32.05 +/- 1.47 AU/ml at 6 h after vessel wall injury (p less than 0.01), whereas activity remained unchanged throughout the 24-h period in the control group. Plasma levels of tissue plasminogen activator activity were similar in both groups. Intravascular thrombus was found in five of six additional rabbits 6 h after vessel wall injury, that is, at the time of impaired fibrinolytic activity, whereas no thrombus was found in the control group (p less than 0.05). It is concluded that deep vessel wall injury is associated with reduced fibrinolytic activity. In addition to other procoagulant factors, elevated plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 activity may lead to intravascular thrombosis and impaired resolution of thrombus.