A comparative map of macrochromosomes between chicken and Japanese quail based on orthologous genes

In order to develop a comparative map between chicken and quail, we identified orthologous gene markers based on chicken genomic sequences and localized them on the Japanese quail Kobe-NIBS linkage map, which had previously been constructed with amplified fragment length polymorphisms. After sequencing the intronic regions of 168 genes located on chicken chromosomes 1-8, polymorphisms among Kobe-NIBS quail family parents were detected in 51 genes. These orthologous markers were mapped on eight Japanese quail linkage groups (JQG), and they allowed the comparison of JQG to chicken macrochromosomes. The locations of the genes and their orders were quite similar between the two species except within a previously reported inversion on quail chromosome 2. Therefore, we propose that the respective quail linkage groups are macrochromosomes and designated as quail chromosomes CJA 1-8.

Regulation of Nur77 nuclear export by c-Jun N-terminal kinase and Akt

Proapoptotic nuclear receptor family member Nur77 translocates from the nucleus to the mitochondria, where it interacts with Bcl-2 to trigger apoptosis. Nur77 translocation is induced by certain apoptotic stimuli, including the synthetic retinoid-related 6-[3-(1-adamantyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]-2-naphthalenecarboxylic acid (AHPN)/CD437 class. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanism by which AHPN/CD437 analog (E)-4-[3-(1-adamantyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]-3-chlorocinnamic acid (3-Cl-AHPC) induces Nur77 nuclear export. Our results demonstrate that 3-Cl-AHPC effectively activated Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), which phosphorylates Nur77. Inhibition of JNK activation by a JNK inhibitor suppressed 3-Cl-AHPC-induced Nur77 nuclear export and apoptosis. In addition, several JNK upstream activators, including the phorbol ester TPA, anisomycin and MAPK kinase kinase-1 (MEKK1), phosphorylated Nur77 and induced its nuclear export. However, Nur77 phosphorylation by JNK, although essential, was not sufficient for inducing Nur77 nuclear export. Induction of Nur77 nuclear export by MEKK1 required a prolonged MEKK1 activation and was attenuated by Akt activation. Expression of constitutively active Akt prevented MEKK1-induced Nur77 nuclear export. Conversely, transfection of dominant-negative Akt or treatment with a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) inhibitor accelerated MEKK1-induced Nur77 nuclear export. Furthermore, mutation of an Akt phosphorylation residue Ser351 in Nur77 abolished the effect of Akt or the PI3-K inhibitor. Together, our results demonstrate that both activation of JNK and inhibition of Akt play a role in translocation of Nur77 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm.

A novel rationally designed agonist antibody fragment that functionally mimics thrombopoietin

2541

Background: Thrombocytopenia, or low platelet count, is a significant clinical problem associated with ITP, cancer chemotherapy, or other clinical settings. To avoid transfusions, agents that stimulate platelet production are in development. Clinical trials with recombinant versions of thrombopoietin (TPO), which stimulates platelet production in a lineage specific manner by binding to cMpl receptor (cMpl-R) on megakaryocytic progenitors, were demonstrated to increase platelet counts in humans. However, the possible generation of an anti-TPO immune response that cross-reacts with and impairs the function of the endogenous cytokine is a significant disadvantage of this treatment approach. Alternate thrombopoietic agents that lack native TPO primary sequences have been developed to address this concern. Methods: Using rational design, antibody fragments (Fabs) that mimic TPO were created. A peptide with cMpl-R binding capability was grafted into different CDRs of a fully human Fab scaffold. Functional presentation of the peptide was optimized using phage display and cell-based panning. Select antibodies and fragments containing two grafted peptides were assayed for their ability to stimulate cMpl-R in vitro. In vivo stimulation of platelet production was tested in normal mice injected daily for five days with either rhTPO (90 μg/kg) or Fab59 (0.2 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg or 5 mg/kg) or negative control Fab (5mg/kg). Results: Several candidates demonstrated agonist activity in an in vitro cMpl-R signaling reporter assay, including Fab59 which was estimated to be equipotent to TPO. In vivo, a rise in peripheral platelet counts comparable to rhTPO was seen with Fab59 at 2 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg. Serum antibodies generated in response to dosing with Fab59 did not cross-react with murine or human TPO. Conclusion: These rationally-designed mimetic Fabs may provide a therapeutic intervention for thrombocytopenia while avoiding the potential generation of neutralizing antibodies to endogenous TPO.

[Table: see text]

Enzastaurin safety review: Data from phase I and phase II trials

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Background: Enzastaurin, an oral inhibitor of PKC and PI3K/AKT pathways, blocks tumor angiogenesis, tumor cell proliferation and induces tumor cell death. Enzastaurin has demonstrated promise in phase I and II trials in patients (pts) with various advanced cancers. We report preliminary analysis of safety data of enzastaurin, obtained in previous trials, with particular consideration to long-term therapy. Methods: Data available to date from 3 different non-randomized, single-arm trials in pts with advanced cancers, diffuse large B cell lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma, were analyzed with regards to treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs). Severities were defined by NCI guidelines and investigators assessed the relatedness of AEs to enzastaurin. Results: A total of 135 pts (58 F; 77 M), mean age 64 years (range: 24–87) received 20–700 mg oral enzastaurin daily (103 pts at 525 mg). 36 pts were dosed for 0–30 days, 45 for 31–60 days, 35 for 61–180 days and 19 for ≥ 180 days. No deaths were related to enzastaurin. Chromaturia was the most common drug-related event (14%). No drug-related bone marrow suppression, Gr 3 neutropenia, thrombocytopenia or anemia was reported. TEAEs in ≥ 15% pts, or drug-related events ≥ Gr 3 reported in > 1 pt, are listed in the table . Other Gr 3 AEs, including edema, migraine and peripheral motor neuropathy were observed in 1 pt, each. Pts on therapy for ≤ 30 D reported highest number of AEs, consistent with the severity of their disease. Pts with exposure ≥ 180 days did not experience any drug related AE ≥ Gr 3. Conclusions: Enzastaurin is well tolerated across all doses and for extended durations with minimal AEs. In the 19 patients who received oral enzastaurin for ≥ 180 days, there was no indication of increased severity of any event. Given the severity of the disease and the absence of controlled studies for comparison, no event other than chromaturia or fecal discoloration (due to reddish-orange color of the active ingredient) appears to be definitively attributable to enzastaurin by this analysis.

[Table: see text]

[Table: see text]

Modelling the fate of faecal indicators in a coastal basin

The paper describes a modelling study of near-shore coastal waters, undertaken to assess the impact of various bacterial input loads on the receiving waters in a coastal basin in the UK. Total and faecal coliforms, used as the indicators for bathing water quality under the European Union (EU) Bathing Water Directive, were numerically modelled using a 2D depth integrated hydro-environmental model. Details are given of the governing equations and solution methods used in the numerical model, together with a discussion of the recent development in faecal bacterial indicator modelling. Details are also given of a field data collection exercise, which involved initially collecting existing information on effluent input loads and followed by an intensive field survey. Using the water quality model, the mortality rate of the pathogen bacteria was investigated. Three methods were used to represent the relationship between the decay rate and the level of solar radiation including: a constant decay rate, day- and night-time decay rates and a solar radiation related time varying decay rate. Relatively close agreement between model predicted and measured total and faecal coliform concentration distributions were obtained for different day- and night-time decay rates and time varying decay rates. No significant differences were found in the optimum decay rates for total and faecal coliform levels. Finally, the impact of the individual inputs on the bathing water quality of the basin was also statistically and numerically investigated. Results showed that the River Irvine was the most significant input during high river flows, and that under these conditions the bathing waters were likely to fail to comply with the European Union Bathing Water Directive. For base river flow conditions the Meadowhead effluent input was found to be critical for both total and faecal coliform level predictions.

Surveillance of transcriptomes in basic military trainees with normal, febrile respiratory illness, and convalescent phenotypes

Gene expression profiles permit analysis of host immune response at the transcriptome level. We used the Pax gene Blood RNA (PAX) System and Affymetrix microarrays (HG-U133A&B) to survey profiles in basic military trainees and to classify them as healthy, febrile respiratory illness (FRI) without adenovirus, FRI with adenovirus, and convalescent from FRI with adenovirus. We assessed quality metrics of RNA processing for microarrays. Class prediction analysis discovered nested sets of transcripts that could categorize the phenotypes with optimized accuracy of 99% (nonfebrile vs febrile, P<0.0005), 87% (healthy vs convalescent, P=0.001), and 91% (febrile without vs with adenovirus, P<0.0005). The discovered set for classification of nonfebrile vs febrile patients consisted of 40 transcripts with functions related to interferon induced genes, complement cascades, and TNF and IL1 signaling. The set of seven transcripts for distinguishing healthy vs convalescent individuals included those associated with ribosomal structure, humoral immunity, and cell adhesion. The set of 10 transcripts for distinguishing FRI without vs with adenovirus had functions related to interferon induced genes, IL1 receptor accessory protein, and cell interactions. These results are the first in vivo demonstration of classification of infectious diseases via host signature transcripts and move us towards using the transcriptome in bio-surveillance.

Phototransformations of advanced glycation end products in the human eye lens due to ultraviolet A light irradiation

Previous studies from this laboratory have shown that ultraviolet A (UVA) light can bleach the yellow advanced glycation end products (AGEs) of aged and cataractous human lenses. The AGEs OP-lysine and argpyrimidine are two UVA-absorbing posttranslational modifications that are abundant in the eye lens. The purpose of this study was to outline the changes in these two AGEs due to UVA irradiation. The changes of OP-lysine, OP-phenethylamine (a phenethylamine analogue of OP-lysine), and argpyrimidine due to irradiation with UVA light in the presence or absence of air and ascorbic acid were followed by different spectral methods. Aged human lenses were similarly irradiated in artificial aqueous humor. The amounts of OP-lysine in the irradiated lenses and in the corresponding dark controls were determined by HPLC. Both OP-lysine and argpyrimidine decreased 20% when irradiated with UVA light in the absence of ascorbic acid. Under the same conditions, OP-lysine was bleached 80% in the presence of ascorbic acid during irradiation experiments. In contrast, argpyrimidine UVA light bleaching was not affected by the presence of ascorbic acid. Interestingly the major product of OP-phenethylamine after UVA irradiation in the presence of ascorbic acid was phenethylamine, which indicates that the entire heterocycle of this AGE was cleaved and the initial amino group was restored. Some AGEs in the human eye lens can be transformed by UVA light.

Toxicity, bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of a newly formulated colistin sulfate solution

We formulated a new colistin sulfate injectable solution and tested its effectiveness, toxicity and pharmacokinetics in vivo on mice, rabbits, and piglets. When intramuscularly injected (i.m.) into rabbits at 0.5 mL per site, the 2.5% colistin sulfate solution caused no reaction at the injection site, but the 5.0% solution caused the muscle circumference to appear erythematic. Tested LD50 in CD-1 mice were 38.72 mg/kg for i.m. and 431.95 mg/kg for oral administration, respectively. At 15.0 mg/kg/day (i.m.) for 5 days, colistin sulfate caused obvious neurotoxicity to piglets with moderate granular degenerations in the epithelial tissues from kidney and liver. These toxic responses were not seen when colistin sulfate was injected at 10.0 mg/kg/day for 5 days. Pharmacokinetic studies revealed Cmax of 3.73 +/- 0.28 and 6.40 +/- 0.18 microg/mL, Tmax of 32 +/- 1.5 and 34 +/- 1.8 min, t(1/2beta) of 256 +/- 14 and 264 +/- 29 min, and absolute bioavailability of 95.94 and 88.45% for colistin sulfate intramuscularly injected to piglets at 2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg, respectively. Serum colistin sulfate concentration followed a two-compartment open model showing first-order absorption. The high bioavailability and the long-lasting serum retention time indicated that the new solution is suitable for i.m. in piglets with a recommended dose of 2.5 mg/kg injected twice daily.

Polymorphism of human leukocyte antigen-DRB1, -DQB1, and -DPB1 genes of Shandong Han population in China

In the present study, polymerase chain reaction-sequence-based typing (PCR-SBT) was used to analyze human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1, -DQB1, and -DPB1 alleles of 98 unrelated healthy Shandong Han individuals. A total of 60 alleles, in which 28 in DRB1, 15 in DQB1 and 17 in DPB1 were found. Among the 28 detected DRB1 alleles, DRB1*150101, DRB1*070101, DRB1*090102, DRB1*120201, and DRB1*080302 were commonly observed, with frequencies of 16.3%, 11.2%, 10.2%, 8.2%, and 5.6%, respectively. The most predominant DQB1 allele was DQB1*030101/0309 with the frequency of 20.4%, followed by DQB1*0201/0202 (14.8%), DQB1*0602 (14.3%), DQB1*030302 (12.2%), and DQB1*060101/060103 (10.7%). Of the 17 detected DPB1 alleles, DPB1*0501 was the most frequent allele with the frequency of 37.2%. DPB1*020102 (18.4%), DPB1*040101 (11.2%), DPB1*0402 (7.1%), and DPB1*1701 (6.6%) were also very frequent alleles. A total of 53 estimated DRB1-DQB1 two-locus haplotypes were observed in Shandong Han population, of which DRB1*150101-DQB1*0602 was the most predominant, followed by DRB1*090102-DQB1*030302, DRB1*070101-DQB1*0201/0202 DRB1*120201-DQB1*030101/0309, and DRB1*080302- DQB1*060101/060103. The distribution of the HLA class II alleles and haplotypes frequencies as well as the dendrogram showed that the Shandong Han population belongs to the northern group of Chinese. The data have implications for anthropological studies and disease associations.

Molecular networks perturbed in a developmental animal model of brain injury

Methylazoxymethanol (MAM) is widely used as a developmental neurotoxin and exposure to its glucoside (i.e., cycasin) is associated with the prototypical neurological disorder western Pacific ALS/PDC. However, the specific molecular targets that play a key role in MAM-induced brain injury remain unclear. To reveal potential molecular networks targeted by MAM in the developing nervous system, we examined characteristic phenotypic changes (DNA damage, cytoarchitecture) induced by MAM and their correlation with gene expression differences using microarray assays (27,648 genes). Three day-old postnatal C57BL/6 mice (PND3) received a single injection of MAM and the cerebellum and cerebral cortex of PND4, 8, 15, and 22 mice were analyzed. DNA damage was detected in both the cerebellum (N7-mGua, TUNEL labeling) and cerebral cortex (N7-mGua) of PND4 mice, but progressive disruption of the cytoarchitecture was restricted to the cerebellum. A majority (>75%) of the genes affected (cerebellum 636 genes, cortex 1080 genes) by MAM were developmentally regulated, with a predominant response early (PND4) in the cerebellum and delayed (PND8 and 15) in the cerebral cortex. The genes and pathways (e.g., proteasome) affected by MAM in the cerebellum are distinct from cortex. The genes perturbed in the cerebellum reflect critical cellular processes such as development (17%), cell cycle (7%), protein metabolism (12%), and transcriptional regulation (9%) that could contribute to the observed cytoarchitectural disruption of the cerebellum. This study demonstrates for the first time that specific genes and molecular networks are affected by MAM during CNS development. Further investigation of these targets will help to understand how disruption of these developmental programs could contribute to chronic brain injury or neurodegenerative disease.

A dominant form of congenital stationary night blindness (adCSNB) in a large Chinese family

Summary A pedigree of congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB) is described in a large Chinese family. The clinical description, pedigree, dark adaptation and elctroretinogram (ERG) studies indicate that the patients have an autosomal dominant form (ad) of CSNB. The disorder has been transmitted through at least 12 generations with over 40 affected individuals identified. The ERG data reveal that affected persons have severely diminished b-wave responses to dim light, but normal a-wave and subnormal b-wave responses to maximum light stimuli. The dark adaptation curves of three patients show a monophase curve, typical for night blindness. We have excluded the five previously known mutations in the three genes (RHO, PDE6B and GNAT1) associated with adCSNB, and linkage studies have excluded tight linkage between the disease locus and markers associated with these three genes. Thus, this family has adCSNB caused by a different gene from the previously identified RHO, PDE6B, and GNAT1.

Inhibition of hepatitis B virus replication in 2.2.15 cells by expressed shRNA

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a worldwide health problem. To determine whether RNA interference (RNAi) could inhibit ongoing HBV replication in 2.2.15 cells, we constructed shRNA-producing vector pU6P based on the mouse U6 RNA promoter and cloned 12 targeted sequences against HBV into the vector, resulting in a series of pU6-siHBV vectors. The recombinant vectors were transfected into 2.2.15 cells, HBsAg and HBeAg in cultured media were assayed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at various days after transfection. The amount of HBV DNA in the culture medium was quantitated by real-time polymerase chain reaction. HBsAg and HBeAg expression were inhibited by 72.8 +/- 5.4% (P = 0.00003) and 55.8 +/- 6.2% (P = 0.000026), respectively, 4 days after transfection with pU6-siHBV5. The greatest inhibition of HBV DNA was decreased by approximately 1.9-fold (P = 0.013) on day 6 post transfection with pU6-siHBV11 compared with that of empty vector. No change was found for HBV protein expression and DNA replication on pU6-siGFP (negative control) transfected cells. Our data demonstrate that the transfection of HBV-targeted shRNA-producing vector in 2.2.15 cells could inhibit the HBV protein expression and HBV DNA replication specifically. RNAi may be considered as a potential antiviral approach for human HBV infection.

Decay of intestinal enterococci concentrations in high-energy estuarine and coastal waters: towards real-time T90 values for modelling faecal indicators in recreational waters

Intestinal enterococci are the principal 'health-evidence-based' parameter recommended by WHO for the assessment of marine recreational water compliance. Understanding the survival characteristics of these organisms in nearshore waters is central to public health protection using robust modelling to effect real-time prediction of water quality at recreation sites as recently suggested by WHO and the Commission of the European Communities Previous models have more often focused on the coliform parameters and assumed two static day-time and night-time T90 values to characterise the decay process. The principal driver for enterococci survival is the received dose of irradiance from sunlight. In the water column, transmission of irradiance is determined by turbidity produced by suspended material. This paper reports the results of irradiated microcosm experiments using simulated sunlight to investigate the decay of intestinal enterococci in relatively turbid estuarine and coastal waters collected from the Severn Estuary and Bristol Channel, UK. High-turbidity estuarine waters produced a T90 value of 39.5 h. Low-turbidity coastal waters produced a much shorter T90 value of 6.6 h. In experiments receiving no irradiation, high-turbidity estuarine waters also produced a longer T90 of 65.1 h compared with corresponding low-turbidity coastal waters, T90 24.8 h. Irradiated T90 values were correlated with salinity, turbidity and suspended solids (r>0.8, p<0.001). The results suggest that enterococci decay in irradiated experiments with turbidity >200 NTU is similar to decay observed under dark conditions. Most significantly, these results suggest that modelling turbidity and or suspended solids offers a potential means of predicting T90 values in 'real-time' for discrete cells of a hydrodynamic model.

Modelling hydroenvironmental and health risk assessment parameters along the South Wales Coast

This paper highlights the increasing concerns relating to hydroenvironmetal issues and cites recent examples of the challenges now being regularly faced by hydroenvironmetal scientists and engineers. The limitations and restrictions of both physical (or laboratory) and numerical (or computer based) hydraulic models used in the planning and management of aquatic basins are discussed. General details are given of numerical models used for flow and water quality concentration predictions in estuarine waters, with particular application to the challenges occurring along the South Wales coast. A highly accurate and non-diffusive finite difference scheme that solves the transport equation for predicting water quality indicators and suspended sediment concentration distributions is also discussed. In particular, details are outlined of the extension of the water quality indicators of faecal coliforms, as required to comply with the EU Bathing Water Directive, to predict health risk assessment, in the form of predicting the risk of gastroenteritis. Three example research projects along the South Wales coast are described; the projects involve the application of two-dimensional and three-dimensional hydroenvironmetal models to predict flow patterns and water quality indicator organism distributions in the coastal receiving waters. These studies include: (i) a curvilinear finite difference approach to modelling flows in the Bristol Channel, (ii) coastal health risk predictions in Swansea Bay using combined water quality and epidemiological models, and (iii) combined sewer overflow discharges into Cardiff Bay.

The Escherichia coli GTPase CgtAE cofractionates with the 50S ribosomal subunit and interacts with SpoT, a ppGpp synthetase/hydrolase

CgtA(E)/Obg(E)/YhbZ is an Escherichia coli guanine nucleotide binding protein of the Obg/GTP1 subfamily whose members have been implicated in a number of cellular functions including GTP-GDP sensing, sporulation initiation, and translation. Here we describe a kinetic analysis of CgtA(E) with guanine nucleotides and show that its properties are similar to those of the Caulobacter crescentus homolog CgtA(C). CgtA(E) binds both GTP and GDP with moderate affinity, shows high guanine nucleotide exchange rate constants for both nucleotides, and has a relatively low GTP hydrolysis rate. We show that CgtA(E) is associated predominantly with the 50S ribosomal subunit. Interestingly, CgtA(E) copurifies with SpoT, a ribosome-associated ppGpp hydrolase/synthetase involved in the stress response. The interaction between CgtA(E) and SpoT was confirmed by reciprocal coprecipitation experiments and by two-hybrid assays. These studies raise the possibility that the ribosome-associated CgtA(E) is involved in the SpoT-mediated stress response.

A novel HLA-DRB1 allele, DRB1*0449, with a rare point mutation found in the Han population of Guangdong China

Anovel HLA-DRB1 allele, DRB1*0449, has been identified in the Han population of Guangdong Province of China. Compared with DRB1*0406, it has only one single-nucleotide mutation from G to A at position 18 of exon 2, which causes a change in the protein sequence from valine to isoleucine at codon 11 of DR beta chain.

Predicting near-shore coliform bacteria concentrations using ANNS

Details are given of the application of Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) to predicting the compliance of bathing waters along the coastline of the Firth of Clyde, situated in the south west of Scotland, UK. Water quality data collected at 7 locations during 1990-2000 were used to set up the neural networks. In this study faecal coliforms were used as a water quality indicator, i.e. output, and rainfall, river discharge, sunlight and tidal condition were used as input of these networks. In general, river discharge and tidal ranges were found to be the most important parameters that affect the coliform concentration levels. For compliance points close to the meteorological station, the influence of rainfall was found to be relatively significant to the concentration levels.

Immunomodulatory analogs of thalidomide inhibit growth of Hs Sultan cells and angiogenesis in vivo

We have previously shown that thalidomide and its potent immunomodulatory derivatives (IMiDs) inhibit the in vitro growth of multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines and patient MM cells that are resistant to conventional therapy. In this study, we further characterize the effect of these drugs on growth of B cell malignancies and angiogenesis. We established a beige-nude-xid (BNX) mouse model to allow for simultaneous in vivo measurement of both anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic effects of thalidomide and its analogs. Daily treatment (50 mg/kg/d) with thalidomide or IMiDs was nontoxic. The IMiDs were significantly more potent than thalidomide in vivo in suppressing tumor growth, evidenced by decreased tumor volume and prolonged survival, as well as mediating anti-angiogenic effects, as determined by decreased microvessel density. Our results therefore show that the IMiDs have more potent direct anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic effects than thalidomide in vivo, providing the framework for clinical protocols evaluating these agents in MM and other B cell neoplasms.

The Internet and hospital marketing strategy: a survey

This project, which was conducted in the U.S. using a large number of healthcare organizations, is an attempt to discover if we can find any evidence of the impact of marketing theories on the real world of healthcare organizations. This paper addresses three major themes: Do healthcare organizations have an Internet strategy? Are they using the Internet in a strategic fashion? Can we identify any difference among the sectors concerning the strategic use of the Internet? Finally, implications for further research and health care practices are highlighted as well.

Hydro-environmental modelling for bathing water compliance of an estuarine basin

In recent years, considerable investment has been committed to sewerage infrastructure and new sewage treatment plants in the catchment surrounding an estuarine basin along the north-west coast of England. Although this capital investment has resulted in a marked reduction in the input of bacterial loads, relatively high counts of faecal indicator organisms are still being encountered in the coastal receiving waters, and the local bathing waters continue to fail on occasions to comply with the European Community (EC) Bathing Water Directive (1976) mandatory standards. Details are given herein of a comprehensive modelling study aimed at quantifying the impact of various bacterial inputs into the estuary and surrounding coastal waters on the bathing water quality. The model domain includes the coastal area and the entire estuary (namely the Ribble) up to the tidal limits of its tributaries. Faecal coliforms have been used as the main water quality indicator organisms. The numerical model developed for this study combines a depth integrated two-dimensional coastal model and a cross-sectionally integrated one-dimensional river model, and is capable of predicting water surface elevations, velocity fields and faecal coliform concentration distributions across the entire model domain. The hydrodynamic model was calibrated using water level and velocity measurements from three surveys and then validated against measured data from three other surveys. In order to predict the faecal coliform concentration distributions, variable faecal coliform decay rates were used, i.e. different values of decay rates were applied to the coastal and riverine waters, for day- and nighttime, and for wet and dry weather conditions. The maximum and minimum decay rates used were 2.32/day and 0.71/day for the dry and wet weather surveys, respectively. The model was then applied to (i) assess the impact of previous discharge strategies and investigate the effectiveness of future capital investment works and (ii) predict the impact of a range of strategic options, including: the effects of adding UV treatment, constructing storm water storage tanks and incorporating various combined sewer overflow (CSO) discharge scenarios for different weather conditions.

Adherence of multiple myeloma cells to bone marrow stromal cells upregulates vascular endothelial growth factor secretion: therapeutic applications

Increased angiogenesis has recently been recognized in active multiple myeloma (MM). Since vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) are two key mediators of angiogenesis, we characterized the production of VEGF, b-FGF and interleukin-6 (IL-6) (a MM growth and survival factor) in MM cell lines and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) transformed B cell lines from MM patients, patient MM cells, as well as bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) from normal healthy donors and MM patients. We detected secretion of VEGF, but no bFGF and IL-6, in MM cell lines (MM.1S, RPMI 8226 and U266); EBV transformed B cell lines from MM patients (IM-9, HS-Sultan and ARH77); MM cell lines resistant to doxorubicin (RPMI-DOX40), mitoxantrone (RPMI-MR20), melphalan (RPMI-LR5) and dexamethasone (MM.1R); and patient MM cells (MM1 and MM2). BMSCs from MM patients and normal donors secreted VEGF, b-FGF and IL-6. Importantly, when MM cells were adhered to BMSCs, there was a significant increase in VEGF (1.5- to 3.1-fold) and IL-6 (1.9- to 56-fold) secretion. In contrast, the bFGF decreased in co-cultures of BMSCs and MM cells. Paraformaldehyde fixation of BMSCs or MM cells prior to adhesion revealed that VEGF was produced both from BMSCs and MM cells, though it may come primarily from BMSCs in some cultures. IL-6 was produced exclusively in BMSCs, rather than MM cells. Moreover, when MM cells were placed in Transwell insert chambers to allow their juxtaposition to BMSCs without cell to cell contact, induction of VEGF and IL-6 secretion persisted, suggesting the importance of humoral factors. Addition of exogenous IL-6 (10 ng/ml) increased VEGF secretion by BMSCs. Conversely, VEGF (100 ng/ml) significantly increased IL-6 secretion by BMSCs. Moreover, anti-human VEGF (1 microg/ml) and anti-human IL-6 (10 microg/ml) neutralizing antibodies reduced IL-6 and VEGF secretion, respectively, in cultures of BMSCs alone and co-cultures of BMSCs and MM cells. Finally, thalidomide (100 microM) and its immunomodulatory analog IMiD1-CC4047 (1 microM) decreased the upregulation of IL-6 and VEGF secretion in cultures of BMSCs, MM cells and co-cultures of BMSCs with MM cells. These data demonstrate the importance of stromal-MM cell interactions in regulating VEGF and IL-6 secretion, and suggest additional mechanisms whereby thalidomide and IMiD1-CC4047 act against MM cells in the BM millieu.

Spatial temperature gradient capillary electrophoresis for DNA mutation detection

A continuous spatial temperature gradient was established in capillary electrophoresis by using a simple temperature control device. The temperature profile along the capillary was predicted by theoretical calculations. A nearly linear spatial temperature gradient was established and applied to DNA mutation detection. By spanning a wide temperature range, it was possible to perform simultaneous heteroduplex analysis for various mutation types that have different melting temperatures.

Survey of the distribution of red tide toxins (okadaic acid and dinophytoxin-1) in the Dalian Bay sea area of China by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography

Two kinds of diarrhoetic shellfish toxins, okadaic acid (OA) and dinophytoxin-1 (DTX-1) were determined by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MEKC) with ultraviolet detection. A detection limit of 3.25 microg/mL for both of them was achieved. The UV absorbance of these toxins measured at 200 nm showed good linearity in the range of 6.25-200 microg/mL with R = 0.992 for OA and 0.997 for DTX-1. Three kinds of shellfish (Chlamys farreri, Mytilus edulis and Ruditaps philippinarum) collected from eight locations (sampling in the intertidal zone) along the Dalian Bay sea area of China were surveyed in February and May of 2000. Results indicated that three kinds of shellfish were contaminated by OA and DTX-1. Based on per gram of hepatopancreas in February, the contamination contents ranged from 0 to 1.26 microg for OA and from 0 to 1.82 microg for DTX-1, and in May, the contents ranged from 0 to 1.45 microg for OA and 0 to 2.56 microg for DTX-1. Among the eight locations, Hei Shi Jiao and Long Wang Tang were the most contaminated areas. Of the three kinds of shellfish, Mytilus edulis was the most significant species in accumulating OA and DTX-1.

Multi-photon fluorescence microscopy--the response of plant cells to high intensity illumination

Multi-photon fluorescence microscopy has been cited for its advantage in increased depth penetration due to low linear absorption and scattering coefficient of biological specimen in the near infrared (NIR) range. Because of the need of high peak power for efficiently exciting two-photon fluorescence, the relationship between cell damage and peak power has become an interesting and much debated topic in the applications of multi-photon fluorescence microscopy. It is conceivable that at high illumination intensity, non-linear photochemical processes have impacts on cell physiology and viability in ways much different from low illumination in the linear domain. In this article, we discuss some of the issues in two-photon fluorescence microscopy, including the degree of transparency of the specimen, a comparison of single- and two-photon excited fluorescence spectra, and the cell damage under high intensity illumination, using plant cells as a model.

The mechanism of oxidation-induced low-density lipoprotein aggregation: an analogy to colloidal aggregation and beyond?

Atherosclerosis is a disease initiated by lipoprotein aggregation and deposition in artery walls. In this study, the de novo low-density lipoprotein aggregation process was examined. Nine major intermediates were identified in two stages of the aggregation process. In the aggregation stage, low-density lipoprotein molecules aggregate and form nucleation units. The nucleation units chain together and form linear aggregates. The linear aggregates branch and interact with one another, forming fractals. In the fusion stage, spatially adjacent nucleation units in the fractal fuse into curved membrane surfaces, which, in turn, fuse into multilamellar or unilamellar vesicles. Alternatively, some adjacent nucleation units in the fractals assemble in a straight line and form rods. Subsequently, the rods flatten out into rough and then into smooth ribbons. Occasionally, tubular membrane vesicles are formed from the fractals. The aggregation stage seems to be analogous to colloidal aggregation and amyloid fiber formation. The fusion stage seems to be characteristic of the lipid-rich lipoproteins and is beyond colloidal aggregation and amyloid fiber formation.

Relationships between microbial community structure and hydrochemistry in a landfill leachate-polluted aquifer

Knowledge about the relationship between microbial community structure and hydrogeochemistry (e.g., pollution, redox and degradation processes) in landfill leachate-polluted aquifers is required to develop tools for predicting and monitoring natural attenuation. In this study analyses of pollutant and redox chemistry were conducted in parallel with culture-independent profiling of microbial communities present in a well-defined aquifer (Banisveld, The Netherlands). Degradation of organic contaminants occurred under iron-reducing conditions in the plume of pollution, while upstream of the landfill and above the plume denitrification was the dominant redox process. Beneath the plume iron reduction occurred. Numerical comparison of 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA)-based denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) profiles of Bacteria and Archaea in 29 groundwater samples revealed a clear difference between the microbial community structures inside and outside the contaminant plume. A similar relationship was not evident in sediment samples. DGGE data were supported by sequencing cloned 16S rDNA. Upstream of the landfill members of the beta subclass of the class Proteobacteria (beta-proteobacteria) dominated. This group was not encountered beneath the landfill, where gram-positive bacteria dominated. Further downstream the contribution of gram-positive bacteria to the clone library decreased, while the contribution of delta-proteobacteria strongly increased and beta-proteobacteria reappeared. The beta-proteobacteria (Acidovorax, Rhodoferax) differed considerably from those found upstream (Gallionella, Azoarcus). Direct comparisons of cloned 16S rDNA with bands in DGGE profiles revealed that the data from each analysis were comparable. A relationship was observed between the dominant redox processes and the bacteria identified. In the iron-reducing plume members of the family Geobacteraceae made a strong contribution to the microbial communities. Because the only known aromatic hydrocarbon-degrading, iron-reducing bacteria are Geobacter spp., their occurrence in landfill leachate-contaminated aquifers deserves more detailed consideration.

Prediction of soil organic partition coefficients by a soil leaching column chromatographic method

The soil organic partition coefficient (Koc) is one of the most important parameters to depict the transfer and fate of a chemical in the soil-water system. Predicting Koc by using a chromatographic technique has been developing into a convenient and low-cost method. In this paper, a soil leaching column chromatograpy (SLCC) method employing the soil column packed with reference soil GSE 17201 (obtained from Bayer Landwirtschaftszentrum, Monheim, Germany) and methanol-water eluents was developed to predict the Koc of hydrophobic organic chemicals (HOCs), over a log Koc range of 4.8 orders of magnitude, from their capacity factors. The capacity factor with water as an eluent (k'w) could be obtained by linearly extrapolating capacity factors in methanol-water eluents (k'w) with various volume fractions of methanol (symbol in text). The important effects of solute activity coefficients in water on k'w and Koc were illustrated. Hence, the correlation between log Koc and log k'w (and log k') exists in the soil. The correlation coefficient (r) of the log Koc vs. log k'w correlation for 58 apolar and polar compounds could reach 0.987, while the correlation coefficients of the log Koc -log k' correlations were no less than 0.968, with (symbol in text)ranging from 0 to 0.50. The smaller the (symbol in text), the higher the r. Therefore, it is recommended that the eluent of smaller (symbol in text), such as water, be used for accurately estimating Koc. Correspondingly, the r value of the log Koc -log k'w correlation on a reversed-phase Hypersil ODS (Thermo Hypersil, Kleinostheim, Germany) column was less than 0.940 for the same solutes. The SLCC method could provide a more reliable route to predict Koc indirectly from a correlation with k'w than the reversed-phase liquid chromatographic (RPLC) one.

Transient changes of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA expression in hippocampus during moderate ischemia induced by chronic bilateral common carotid artery occlusions in the rat

Chronic bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) induces moderate ischemia (oligemia) in the rat forebrain in the absence of overt neuronal damage. In situ hybridization for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA was used to search for a molecular response to moderate ischemia. BDNF mRNA was significantly increased in the hippocampal granule cells at 6 h of occlusion (ANOVA, Tukey test P<0.05). At 1, 7 and 14 days BDNF mRNA levels returned to control levels. The frequency of BDNF gene expression at 6 h was 83%, which was significantly higher than the 7% incidence of histological injury in the hippocampus (Fisher's exact test, P<0.002). Cerebral blood flow was reduced to 75% of control levels in the hippocampus after 1 week of BCCAO when measured with the autoradiographic method. Measurements of tissue flow with a microprobe for laser Doppler flow excluded decreases into the ischemic range during the period when elevated gene expression was observed. Prolonged moderate ischemia (oligemia) is a sufficient stimulus for BDNF gene expression in the hippocampus. These molecular studies provide direct evidence for an involvement of the hippocampus in the BCCAO model.

Linking Notch signaling, chromatin remodeling, and T-cell leukemogenesis

Intercellular communication that controls the developmental fate of multipotent cells is commonly mediated by the Notch family of transmembrane receptors. Specific transmembrane ligands activate Notch receptors on neighboring cells inducing the proteolytic liberation and nuclear translocation of the intracellular domain of Notch (N(IC)). Nuclear N(IC) associates with a transcriptional repressor known as C-promoter binding factor/RBP-J kappa, suppressor of hairless, or LAG-1, converting it from a repressor into an activator. Through physical interactions with chromatin remodeling enzymes and potentially with components of the transcriptional machinery, N(IC) activates target genes that mediate cell fate decisions. As Notch1 is disrupted via a chromosomal translocation in a subset of human T-cell leukemia, leading to a truncated polypeptide resembling N(IC), deregulated chromatin remodeling and transcription may fuel uncontrolled cell proliferation in this hematopoietic malignancy. This review summarizes the mechanics of Notch signaling and focuses on prospective molecular mechanisms for how constitutively active Notch might derail nuclear processes as an initiating step in T-cell leukemogenesis. J. Cell. Biochem. Suppl. 35:46-53, 2000.

Altered expression of growth factors and cytokines in keratoconus, bullous keratopathy and diabetic human corneas

The purpose of this study was to identify the growth factors and cytokines present in normal and diseased corneas. Total RNA was isolated from normal and diseased corneas. cDNA was synthesized from individual corneas and semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed with primers to IL-1alpha, 1IL-8, PDGF-B, BMP-2, BMP-4, IGF-I, TGF-beta2, FGF-2, and VEGF. After normalization to beta2-microglobulin, several factors were identified that were significantly different from normal. Antibodies to IGF-I, BMP-2, VEGF and TGF-beta2 were used for immunohistochemistry. A total of 93 corneas were used for this study including 31 normal, 20 keratoconus, 19 bullous keratopathy (pseudophakic and aphakic, PBK/ABK), and 23 diabetic corneas. The VEGF RNA levels were significantly decreased in the keratoconus and PBK/ABK corneas but increased in the diabetic corneas. BMP-2 gene expression was lower than normal in the PBK/ABK and diabetic corneas. IGF-I and BMP-4 RNA levels were increased in PBK/ABK. In the immunohistochemical studies, the protein patterns paralleled those found at the mRNA level. The only exception was IGF-I in diabetic corneas that showed increased staining in the epithelium and its basement membrane without a significant increase in mRNA levels. TGF-beta2 mRNA and protein levels were similar to normal in all diseased corneas. Thus, no alterations in the tested growth factors/cytokines were unique to keratoconus corneas. In contrast, PBK/ABK corneas had specific significant elevations of BMP-4 and IGF-I. Diabetic corneas were unique in their increased VEGF mRNA levels. These data suggest that while some growth factor/cytokine alterations are non-specific and can be found in multiple corneal diseases, there are others that are unique to that disease.

Similarity of the yellow chromophores isolated from human cataracts with those from ascorbic acid-modified calf lens proteins: evidence for ascorbic acid glycation during cataract formation

Chromatographic evidence supporting the similarity of the yellow chromophores isolated from aged human and brunescent cataract lenses and calf lens proteins ascorbylated in vitro is presented. The water-insoluble fraction from early stage brunescent cataract lenses was solubilized by sonication (WISS) and digested with a battery of proteolytic enzymes under argon to prevent oxidation. Also, calf lens proteins were incubated with ascorbic acid for 4 weeks in air and submitted to the same digestion. The percent hydrolysis of the proteins to amino acids was approximately 90% in every case. The content of yellow chromophores was 90, 130 and 250 A(330) units/g protein for normal human WISS, cataract WISS and ascorbate-modified bovine lens proteins respectively. Aliquots equivalent to 2.0 g of digested protein were subjected to size-exclusion chromatography on a Bio-Gel P-2 column. Six peaks were obtained for both preparations and pooled. Side by side thin-layer chromatography (TLC) of each peak showed very similar R(f) values for the long wavelength-absorbing fluorophores. Glycation with [U-(14)C]ascorbic acid, followed by digestion and Bio-Gel P-2 chromatography, showed that the incorporated radioactivity co-eluted with the A(330)-absorbing peaks, and that most of the fluorescent bands were labeled after TLC. Peaks 2 and 3 from the P-2 were further fractionated by preparative Prodigy C-18 reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Two major A(330)-absorbing peaks were seen in peak 2 isolated from human cataract lenses and 5 peaks in fraction 3, all of which eluted at the same retention times as those from ascorbic acid glycated calf lens proteins. HPLC fractionation of P-2 peaks 4, 5 and 6 showed many A(330)-absorbing peaks from the cataract WISS, only some of which were identical to the asorbylated proteins. The major fluorophores, however, were present in both preparations. These data provide new evidence to support the hypothesis that the yellow chromophores in brunescent lenses represent advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) probably due to ascorbic acid glycation in vivo.

New insights on the mechanisms of the pH-independent reactions of benzo[a]pyrenes 7,8-diol 9,10-epoxides

The rates and products of the reactions of (+/-)-7beta,8alpha-dihydroxy-9beta,10beta-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (1) and (+/-)-7beta,8alpha-dihydroxy-9alpha,10alpha-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (2) in water and dioxane-water mixtures have been determined over a pH range wider than that of earlier studies. This study provides additional insight on the mechanisms of the pH-independent reactions of 1 and 2. The rate profile for reaction of 1 shows acid-catalyzed hydrolysis at pH <5, a rate plateau at pH 5-9.5, a negative inflection at pH 10-11.5, and a rate increase at pH >11.5. The rate decrease between pH 10 and pH 11.5 is accompanied by a decrease in the yield of tetrols from 60% (pH 8) to 29% (pH 11.2) and is interpreted to be the result of a partial change in mechanism brought about by attack of hydroxide ion acting as a base to deprotonate a carbocation intermediate and regenerate 1 at pH >10, thus reducing the contribution of the pathway for tetrol formation in which water attacks the carbocation. The rate profile for the reaction of 2 exhibits only a single rate plateau at intermediate pH, along with increases in rate at low and high pH because of second-order reactions of 2 with H+ and HO-, respectively. The lack of a rate depression at pH >10 and the product studies for the reaction of 2 in dilute sodium azide solutions suggest that the tetrol-forming reactions of the pH-independent reaction of 2 are concerted or near-concerted.

Differences in synovial fluid levels of matrix metalloproteinases suggest separate mechanisms of pathogenesis in Lyme arthritis before and after antibiotic treatment

The cause of persistent arthritis in patients with Lyme disease who have received standard antibiotic therapy remains an area of debate. In this study, synovial fluid levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were compared in persons with untreated and antibiotic-resistant Lyme arthritis. Levels of MMP-1 and MMP-3, as determined by ELISA, were higher in untreated patients (P=.0064 and P=.002, respectively), whereas levels of MMP-8 and MMP-9 were higher in antibiotic-resistant patients (P=.0002 and P=.0014, respectively). In vitro studies of chondrocyte cultures infected with Borrelia burgdorferi revealed induction of MMP-1 and MMP-3 but not of MMP-8 or MMP-9. Neither Staphylococcus aureus nor lipopolysaccharide stimulated MMP-1 or MMP-3 release from these cells. The mechanism of recognition of B. burgdorferi may be through CD14 and toll-like receptor-2, which were up-regulated in the presence of B. burgdorferi. These findings suggest different stimuli for MMP induction in untreated and antibiotic-resistant Lyme arthritis.

Binding studies of porphyrins to human serum albumin using affinity capillary electrophoresis

The present work demonstrates that affinity capillary electrophoresis (ACE) can be employed as a valuable and powerful tool for studying the interactions between porphyrins and proteins in biological and biomedical research, such as the development of porphyrins and related compounds as efficient and selective photosensitizers in the photodynamic therapy of cancers. Binding constants of human serum albumin (HSA) to four biological porphyrins (uroporphyrin I, heptacarboxylporphyrin, coproporphyrin I, protoporphyrin IX), which possess a wide range of hydrophobicity, were estimated by ACE. Based on 1:1 molecular association between these individual porphyrins and HSA, the change of the electrophoretic mobility of HSA as a function of porphyrin concentration in the run buffer was measured and the binding constants were calculated from the slope of the Scatchard plots. The binding constant values were found to be 8.80 +/- 0.51 x 10(4) M(-1), 2.39 +/- 0.16 x 10(5) M(-1), 1.61 +/- 0.11 x 10(6) M(-1), and 9.34 +/- 0.30 x 10(6) M(-1) for uroporphyrin I, heptacarboxylporphyrin, coproporphyrin I, and protoporphyrin IX, respectively, and most of these results are in good agreement with those reported in the literature using conventional methods for binding measurements. Additionally, experimental binding constant data obtained using ACE was found to exhibit very good correlation with theoretical hydrophobicity values calculated using the Rekker's hydrophobic fragmental constant method, thus further supporting the hypothesis that the hydrophobicity of the porphyrin side chains play an important role in governing the hydrophobic interaction of porphyrins with serum proteins such as HSA.

Electrophoretic migration behavior of DNA fragments in polymer solution

A newly developed polymer coil shrinking theory is described and compared with the existing entangled solution theory to explain electrophoretic migration behaviour of DNA in hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) polymer solution in buffer containing 100 mM tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane 100 mM boric acid, 2 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid at pH 8.3. The polymer coil shrinking theory gave a better model to explain the results obtained. The polymer coil shrinking concentration, Cs, was found to be 0.305% and the uniform entangled concentration, C+, 0.806%. The existence of three regions (the dilute, semidilute, and concentrated solution) at different polymer concentrations enables a better understanding of the system to guide the selection of the best conditions to separate DNA fragments. For separating large fragments (700/ 800 bp), dilute solutions (HPMC < 0.3%) should be used to achieve a short migration time (10 min). For small fragments (200/300 bp), concentrated solutions are preferred to obtain constant resolution and uniform separation. The best resolution is 0.6% HPMC due to a combined interaction of the polymer coils and the entangled structure. The possibility of DNA separation in semidilute solution is often neglected and the present results indicate that this region has a promising potential for analytical separation of DNA fragments.

Thalidomide and immunomodulatory derivatives augment natural killer cell cytotoxicity in multiple myeloma

The antiangiogenic activity of thalidomide (Thal), coupled with an increase in bone marrow angiogenesis in multiple myeloma (MM), provided the rationale for the use of Thal in MM. Previously, the direct anti-MM activity of Thal and its analogues (immunomodulatory drugs, IMiDs) on MM cells was demonstrated, suggesting multiple mechanisms of action. In this study, the potential immunomodulatory effects of Thal/IMiDs in MM were examined. It was demonstrated that Thal/IMiDs do not induce T-cell proliferation alone but act as costimulators to trigger proliferation of anti-CD3-stimulated T cells from patients with MM, accompanied by an increase in interferon-gamma and IL-2 secretion. However, an increase in autologous T-cell killing of patient MM cells could not be demonstrated. A role for natural killer (NK)- and LAK-cell-mediated killing is suggested because IL-2-primed peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) treated with Thal/IMiDs demonstrated significantly increased lysis of MM cell lines. Cold target inhibition assays suggested NK- rather than LAK-cell-mediated killing. Furthermore, this killing was not major histocompatibility complex-class restricted, and the depletion of CD56(+) cells blocked the drug-induced MM cell lysis. It was significant that increased killing of patient MM cells by autologous PBMCs treated with Thal/IMiDs was also observed. Although the in vivo relevance of NK-cell-mediated MM cell killing is unknown, phenotypic analysis performed in MM patients receiving Thal therapy demonstrated an increase in CD3(-)CD56(+) cells in patients responding to therapy. Thus in vitro and in vivo data support the hypothesis that Thal may mediate its anti-MM effect, at least in part, by modulating NK cell number and function.

Determination of sialic acids in the serum of cancer patients by capillary electrophoresis

A novel method for the determination of N-acetylneuraminic acid (NANA) and N-glycolylneuraminic acid (NGNA) was developed by using high-performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE) with UV detection at 195 nm. NANA and NGNA were separated directly and analyzed without pre- or postcolumn derivation. The detection limit of NANA is 9.6 x 10(-6) mol L(-1) and for mass 3.879 x 10(-14) mol (39 fmol). This method was applied for the determination of NANA in 30 normal human and 72 cancer patients. The results demonstrated that NANA in the sera of cancer patients increased significantly as compared with the normal human (P < 0.001). The new method is simple and sensitive, and is suitable for basic research and clinical application to malignant tumors.

Assessing exposure to disinfection by-products in women of reproductive age living in Corpus Christi, Texas, and Cobb county, Georgia: descriptive results and methods

We conducted a field study in Corpus Christi, Texas, and Cobb County, Georgia, to evaluate exposure measures for disinfection by-products, with special emphasis on trihalomethanes (THMs). Participants were mothers living in either geographic area who had given birth to healthy infants from June 1998 through May 1999. We assessed exposure by sampling blood and water and obtaining information about water use habits and tap water characteristics. Two 10-mL whole blood samples were collected from each participant before and immediately after her shower. Levels of individual THM species (chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane, and bromoform) were measured in whole blood [parts per trillion (pptr)] and in water samples (parts per billion). In the Corpus Christi water samples, brominated compounds accounted for 71% of the total THM concentration by weight; in Cobb County, chloroform accounted for 88%. Significant differences in blood THM levels were observed between study locations. For example, the median baseline blood level of bromoform was 0.3 pptr and 3.5 pptr for participants in Cobb County and Corpus Christi, respectively (p = 0.0001). Differences were most striking in blood obtained after showering. For bromoform, the median blood levels were 0.5 pptr and 17 pptr for participants in Cobb County and Corpus Christi, respectively (p = 0.0001). These results suggest that blood levels of THM species vary substantially across populations, depending on both water quality characteristics and water use activities. Such variation has important implications for epidemiologic studies of the potential health effects of disinfection by-products.

Changes in the profile of genistein, daidzein, and their conjugates during thermal processing of tofu

Profiles of genistein, daidzein, genistin, daidzin, and their acetyl- and malonyl-beta-glycosides were determined in tofu as affected by temperature and time. Tofu was heated in water at 80, 90, and 100 degrees C for 0 (control), 10, 20, 30, and 40 min, and the contents of the isoflavones of interest were quantified using reversed-phase HPLC. Total isoflavone content decreased most likely due to leaching of isoflavones into the water. Because the content of the isoflavones of the genistein series was little affected by the treatments, the decrease in the total isoflavone content was almost exclusively due to a decrease of the daidzein series. Changes in the profile of the daidzein series suggest little decarboxylation of the malonylglycoside to the acetylglycoside, but considerable de-esterification of the malonyl- and acetylglycoside to the beta-glucoside. Strongly temperature dependent decreases of the aglycon suggest possible thermal degradation of daidzein in addition to losses due to leaching.

Identification of target genes responsive to JP-8 exposure in the rat central nervous system

Concern for the health risk associated with occupational exposure to jet fuel has emerged in the Department of Defense. Jet propulsion fuel-8 (JP-8) is the fuel used in most US and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) jet aircraft, and will be the predominant fuel both for military land vehicles and aircraft into the twenty-first century. JP-8 exhibits reduced volatility and lower benzene content as compared to JP-4, the predominant military aircraft fuel before 1992, possibly suggesting greater occupational exposure safety. However, the higher rates of occupational exposure through fueling and maintenance of increasingly larger numbers of aircraft/vehicles raise concerns with respect to toxicity. Clinical studies of workers experiencing long-term exposure to certain jet fuels demonstrated deficits in CNS function, including fatigue, neurobehavioral changes, psychiatric disorders, and abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG). In the present study, cDNA nylon arrays (Atlas Rat 1.2 Array, Clontech Laboratories, Palo Alto, CA) were utilized to measure changes in gene expression in whole brain tissue of rats exposed repeatedly to JP-8, under conditions that simulated possible real-world occupational exposure (6 h/day for 91 days) to JP-8 vapor at 1,000 mg/m3. Gene expression analysis of the exposure group compared to the control group revealed a modulation of several genes, including glutathione S-transferase Yb2 subunit (GST Yb2); cytochrome P450 IIIAl (CYP3A1); glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP); alpha1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha1-AT); polyubiquitin; GABA transporter 3 (GAT-3); and plasma membrane Ca2+-transporting ATPase (brain isoform 2) (PMCA2). The implications of these vapor-induced changes in gene expression are discussed.