Salicylate-enhanced activation of transcription factors induced by interferon-gamma

Salicylate enhanced the interferon-gamma-dependent activation of two transcription factors in a murine macrophage cell line: signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)1 and interferon-gamma-responsive factor 1. Salicylate alone did not activate these transcription factors. This enhancement was reflected by increased DNA-binding activities and was the consequence of prolonged tyrosine phosphorylation of these transcription factors following interferon-gamma treatment. However, salicylate did not directly inhibit protein-tyrosine phosphatase activity in nuclear extracts of interferon-gamma-treated cells. The enhanced activation of STAT1 resulted in increased induction of mRNA encoding interferon regulatory factor-1. These results not only demonstrate that aspirin and its metabolite salicylate may have pro-inflammatory as well as anti-inflammatory effects but also raise the possibility that new cellular targets may be identified for modulating the Janus kinase-STAT signalling pathway.

Intractable wheezing and swallowing problem in an infant: report of one case

A 9-month-old female infant with intractable wheezing and frequent aspiration pneumonia was poor response to the usual treatment for respiratory disease. The barium swallow test revealed barium aspirating into trachea directly. Because of the high-risk nature for aspiration in the swallowing disorder infant, a nasogastric tube feeding therapy was prescribed. Fortunately, her symptoms were greatly reduced. One month later, the clinical and roentgenographic findings strongly support a causal relationship between swallowing problem and wheezing. Therefore, swallowing problem should be considered when a young infant has refractory wheezing, even when there is no developmental problem.

Induction of 12-lipoxygenase expression by transforming growth factor-alpha in human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells

Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) increased the expression of 12-lipoxygenase activity in a time-dependent manner in human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells. The increase of 12-lipoxygenase activity was accompanied by an increase in 12-lipoxygenase mRNA. The effect of TGF-alpha on the promoter activation of 12-lipoxygenase gene was analyzed by using the luciferase fusion vectors. A dose-dependent effect of TGF-alpha on the reporter activity was observed, which paralleled with its effect on enzyme activity. Transient transfection with a series of 5'-deleted constructs showed that the 5'-flanking region spanning from -224 to -100 bp from translation starting site played an important role for TGF-alpha response. Site-directed mutagenesis and gel mobility shift assay indicated that two Sp1 binding sequences residing at -158 to -150 bp and 123 to -114 bp were responsible for the TGF-alpha in activation of human 12-lipoxygenase gene transcription. Expression of Sp1, but not Sp3, stimulated the promoter activity of 12-lipoxygenase in SL2 cells, indicating that the binding of Sp1 with Sp1 binding sequences played a significant role in the regulation of 12-lipoxygenase gene.

Use of standard radiography to diagnose paranasal sinus disease of asthmatic children in Taiwan: comparison with computed tomography

Paranasal sinus disease and bronchial asthma are frequently associated. Computed tomography imaging is currently the most reliable method for confirming the diagnosis of sinusitis. Due to the cost and amount of radiation during computed tomography, our aim was to analyze whether standard radiography, under computed tomography-control, had a reasonable degree of confidence in the diagnosis of sinusitis. Fifty-three asthmatic patients (42 males and 11 females) with a mean age of 9 years (range 4-14) were enrolled. We evaluated the maxillary sinuses, ethmoidal sinuses, frontal sinuses, and sphenoidal sinuses using standard radiography (Waters' view, Caldwell view, and lateral view) and compared with computed tomography (coronal views), the latter served as a standard. Computed tomography (CT) showed paranasal sinusitis in 58% (31/53) of the asthmatic children. Compared with the results of computed tomography, standard radiography revealed a sensitivity of 81.1% and a specificity of 72.7% for maxillary sinusitis. The sensitivity and specificity for ethmoidal, frontal, and sphenoidal sinusitis were 51.8%, 84.8%; 47.3%, 87.2%; and 40.8%, 93.3%, respectively. In 21 (40%) of the 53 patients, discrepancies were seen between the interpretations of standard radiography c and those of CT scans. In patients with maxillary sinusitis, the correlation between standard radiography and CT was good. However, ethmoidal, frontal, and sphenoidal sinusitis were poorly demonstrated using radiography. Standard radiography can be recommended as a screening method for maxillary sinusitis, but it is not recommended for the diagnosis of other paranasal sinusitis.

Antibody response to Cryptococcus neoformans proteins in rodents and humans

The prevalence and specificity of serum antibodies to Cryptococcus neoformans proteins was studied in mice and rats with experimental infection, in individuals with or without a history of potential laboratory exposure to C. neoformans, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive individuals who developed cryptococcosis, in matched samples from HIV-positive individuals who did not develop cryptococcosis, and in HIV-negative individuals. Rodents had little or no serum antibody reactive with C. neoformans proteins prior to infection. The intensity and specificity of the rodent antibody response were dependent on the species, the mouse strain, and the viability of the inoculum. All humans had serum antibodies reactive with C. neoformans proteins regardless of the potential exposure, the HIV infection status, or the subsequent development of cryptococcosis. Our results indicate (i) a high prevalence of antibodies reactive with C. neoformans proteins in the sera of rodents after cryptococcal infection and in humans with or without HIV infection; (ii) qualitative and quantitative differences in the antibody profiles of HIV-positive individuals; and (iii) similarities and differences between humans, mice, and rats with respect to the specificity of the antibodies reactive with C. neoformans proteins. The results are consistent with the view that C. neoformans infections are common in human populations, and the results have implications for the development of vaccination strategies against cryptococcosis.

Intraarticular triamcinolone hexacetonide injection in children with chronic arthritis: a survey of clinical practice

To assess the efficacy of the intraarticular steroid(IAS) injection in the management of arthritis and the possible related complications in children with chronic arthritis. We evaluated 11 children of chronic arthritis (4 girls and 7 boys), age of onset ranged from 2-13.6 years, who had persistent arthritis treated with IAS from November 1994 to June 1997. The results of injections showed that the beneficial effect was noted within one day to 2 weeks without significant adverse reactions, remission exceeding 6 months was seen in 10 of 11 patients (in 14 of 18 joints). According to subgroups of chronic arthritis, the remission rate of IAS injection in children with pauciarticular arthritis reached 100%. A significant fall in C-reactive protein (CRP) between pre- and post-IAS injection (p = 0.03), but there were no differences in hemoglobin (Hb), white blood cells (WBCs), thrombocytes (Plts), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and osteocalcin level. No injection-related complications were found. In conclusion, the IAS injection was an effective and safe treatment in children with chronic arthritis with no obvious complications especially in pauciarticular arthritis.

Labeling of proteins with [35S]methionine and/or [35S]cysteine in the absence of cells

Incubation of [35S]methionine and [35S]cysteine with bovine albumin, globulin, catalase, hemoglobin, or human globulin resulted in incorporation of the 35S label into each of these proteins. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) precipitation revealed that the percentage of label incorporated ranged from 1 to 15%. The 35S labeling was resistant to dissociation by reducing SDS-PAGE, prolonged dialysis against 4 M urea, heating, TCA precipitation, and dilution by gel filtration. The labeling effect was more efficient with [35S]cysteine than [35S]methionine. Incubation of 35S label with proteins differing in methionine and cysteine content revealed no requirement for sulfur-containing amino acids in the target protein. Protein carboxymethylation reduced but did not prevent 35S label incorporation. Amino acid analysis of labeled proteins revealed that the radioactive label was not consistently associated with an individual amino acid. Differences in the ability of various proteins to spontaneously label with these amino acids suggest caution in the interpretation of metabolic labeling experiments and the necessity for inclusion of additional controls. Alternatively, our experience indicates a potentially useful method for labeling proteins in the absence of cells.

[Coding theories and analyzing methods of information contained in neuronal spike trains]

Information transmission in the central nervous system relies on neurons working in relays. At chemical synapses information transmission is by means of neurotransmitters, whereas long-distance transmission is carried out by action potentials conducting along nerve fibers. Hence how to pick up and analyze information contained in the spike trains are important topics of several branches of sciences such as neuroscience, bioinformatics, etc. So far there is lack of ideal ways and means. This review briefly introduces the advantages and limitations of the principal coding theories and analyzing methods of information contained in spike trains, and the progress in this field.

Diagnosis of anomalous innominate artery syndrome by spiral CT with 3D reconstruction of the airway: report of one case

Stridor in infants is a symptom that indicates partial obstruction of the large airways. Vascular rings are an unusual cause of tracheal compression which can induce stridor in infants and children. We report a 4-month-old boy with recurrent wheezing and stridor for 2 months. Spiral computed tomography (CT) and three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction aided in the diagnosis of external compression on the trachea by an innominate artery. Successful relief of the airway's obstruction was achieved by aortopexy. Three months after surgery, he was symptom free without any medication.

Variants of a Cryptococcus neoformans strain elicit different inflammatory responses in mice

The virulence of Cryptococcus neoformans isolates with high and low extracellular proteolytic activity was investigated in mice. No consistent relationship between proteolytic activity and virulence was observed, but isolates derived from one strain were shown to elicit different inflammatory responses.

A centrifugal particle concentrator for use in inhalation toxicology

Epidemiologic studies have provided strong evidence that episodic exposure to ambient particulate matter is associated with increases in morbidity and mortality. These adverse effects have been demonstrated at concentrations far below the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS), and thus, the biological plausibility of these effects has been questioned. For the purpose of exposing test animals to relevant and reproducible exposure concentrations of ambient particulate matter (PM), we have developed a simple and inexpensive concentrator system that can concentrate ambient particles 10-fold. A high-volume blower is used to deliver ambient air to the inlet manifold of a centrifugal concentrator and the entrained particles travel along a concentric annulus formed by a stationary solid outer cylinder and a porous inner cylinder rotating at high speed (up to 12,500 rpm). Suction applied at one end of the porous shaft causes the dispersion medium (air) to pass through the porous cylinder and into the shaft. Since the rotational velocity of airborne particles is comparable to that of the rotating cylinder near its surface, the particles move radially outward due to the centrifugal force, in addition to their motion laterally along the cylinder and inward due to the suction of air into the rotating porous cylinder. The particles reach their highest concentration near the outlet manifold, where they enter the exposure chamber under positive pressure ( approximately 0.4 cm H2O). Except for coarse particle loss due to impaction and diffusional loss of ultrafine particles in the concentrator, the increase in particle concentration is the ratio of the flow rates for the inlet air and the air delivered to the exposure chamber. We have used the centrifugal concentrator to deliver concentrated ambient urban PM to a nose-only exposure chamber and examined the concentrating effect across ambient particle sizes.

Expression of metallothionein protein in the lungs of Wistar rats and C57 and DBA mice exposed to cadmium oxide fumes

Chronic exposure to inhaled cadmium (Cd) has been shown to induce lung tumors in rats (Wistar strain) but not in mice (NMRI strain). The protein metallothionein (MT) plays an important role in Cd detoxification, and it has been suggested that differential inducibility of pulmonary MT may lead to interspecies susceptibility differences to inhaled Cd. Interstrain differences in the pulmonary response of the MT gene to Cd stimuli have not been examined in rats or mice. We compared pulmonary MT expression in Wistar Furth (WF) rats with that in DBA and C57 mice, following a single 3-h exposure to CdO fumes containing 1 mg Cd/m3. Induction of the MT gene was assessed by the levels of MT-I and MT-II transcripts, MT-protein content, and number of MT-labeled alveolar and bronchiolar epithelial cells immediately after Cd exposure and 1, 3, and 5 days later. Control animals were exposed to air/argon furnace gases. We observed differential intra- and interspecies inducibility of the MT gene in the lung following Cd inhalation. DBA mice exhibited greater levels of MT-mRNA, mainly for the MT-I isoform, MT-protein content, and number of MT positive cells relative to C57 mice. WF rats showed lower transcription and translation responses of the MT gene upon Cd stimuli than C57 mice. The present results, in concert with our previous findings of higher lung cell proliferation in Cd-exposed C57 relative to DBA mice, predict greater susceptibility of C57 to the carcinogenic effects of inhaled Cd. Furthermore, the low transcriptional and translation responses of the MT gene to Cd stimuli in WF rats might explain the higher susceptibility of this rat strain to develop malignant lung tumors after chronic exposure to Cd via inhalation. Parallel to our findings in mice, differences in the responsiveness of lung MT gene may exist across rat strains. Thus intraspecies genetic variability in pulmonary MT may influence the susceptibility of rats or mice to lung carcinogenesis induced by inhalation of Cd compounds.

Sulphasalazine in the treatment of children with chronic arthritis

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and toxicity of sulphasalazine (SASP) in the treatment of children with chronic arthritis. The medical records of 36 children (25 boys, 11 girls) who received SASP for the treatment of chronic arthritis were reviewed. Twenty-one patients had juvenile spondyloarthropathies (JSA) (eight juvenile ankylosing spondylitis (JAS), 13 undifferentiated JSA (uJSA) and 15 had juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). The patients received SASP therapy for a mean of 2.5 years (range 3 weeks to 8.1 years). Clinical and laboratory data were reviewed retrospectively to determine the effects of treatment. A clinically significant response occurred in 23 (64%) children: remission in 14 (39%) (JRA 5, JSA 9) and improvement (25% reduction in joint count) in nine (25%) (JRA 4, JSA 5). There was no difference in response rate between JRA and JSA patients (p = 0.11), but the time to remission was shorter in JSA patients (mean 5 months) than in JRA patients (mean 25 months) (p = 0.024). Twelve of the 36 patients discontinued non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and six of eight patients discontinued prednisolone. A significant fall in erythrocyte sedimentation rate and rise in haemoglobin occurred in SASP-treated patients (p < 0.005) comparing most recent results with pretreatment levels. Side-effects occurred in four of 36 patients (11%); only one patient who had persisting severe diarrhoea required discontinuation of SASP. It was concluded that SASP appears to be effective and safe in the treatment of JRA and JSA patients. As a second-line agent, SASP is the drug of first choice for patients with JSA; for JRA patients SASP may be a useful, possibly less toxic alternative to methotrexate.

Differential regulation of arginases and inducible nitric oxide synthase in murine macrophage cells

Activated macrophages avidly consume arginine via the action of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and/or arginase. In contrast to our knowledge regarding macrophage iNOS expression, the stimuli and mechanisms that regulate expression of the cytosolic type I (arginase I) or mitochondrial type II (arginase II) isoforms of arginase in macrophages are poorly defined. We show that one or both arginase isoforms may be induced in the RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cell line and that arginase expression is regulated independently of iNOS expression. For example, 8-bromo-cAMP strongly induced both arginase I and II mRNAs but not iNOS. Whereas interferon-gamma induced iNOS but not arginase, 8-bromo-cAMP and interferon-gamma mutually antagonized induction of iNOS and arginase I mRNAs. Dexamethasone, which did not induce either arginase or iNOS, almost completely abolished induction of arginase I mRNA by 8-bromo-cAMP but enhanced induction of arginase II mRNA. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced arginase II mRNA, but 8-bromo-cAMP plus LPS resulted in synergistic induction of both arginase I and II mRNAs. In all cases, increases in arginase mRNAs were sufficient to account for the increases in arginase activity. These complex patterns of expression suggest that the arginase isoforms may play distinct, although partially overlapping, functional roles in macrophage arginine metabolism.

Pemphigus vulgaris

Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune vesiculobullous disease of the skin and the mucous membrane. It most commonly involves the population of the fifth and sixth decades, and is extremely rare in children. We report a case of this disease in a 13-year-old boy, who was documented to have pemphigus vulgaris with historical, histopathological, and immunological criterion. He received corticosteroid and immunosuppressive drugs and a good response was achieved. We concluded that pemphigus vulgaris is a rare disease in children, but it should be kept in mind as a differential diagnosis of oral ulceration along with skin manifestation in children.

Induction of interleukin-8 by ozone is mediated by tyrosine kinase and protein kinase A, but not by protein kinase C

Ozone is one of the most common air pollutants humans routinely inhale. We have previously shown that in vitro ozone exposure induces the DNA-binding activities of NF-kappaB and NF-IL6 as well as the expression of interleukin 8 in respiratory epithelial cells. In this study, we investigated intracellular signaling steps mediating ozone-induced inflammatory mediator release. A549 cells, a type II like alveolar epithelial cell line, were exposed in vitro to air or 0.1 ppm of ozone in the presence of several kinase inhibitors. Exposure to ozone increased interleukin 8 expression and transcription factor activities in a protein tyrosine kinase (PTK)-dependent and protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent, yet protein kinase C (PKC)-independent, manner. Furthermore, ozone-induced PTK and PKA activities but failed to induce PKC activity. In addition, our results suggest that ozone-induced PTK and PKA activities were reactive oxygen intermediate dependent and occurred in parallel, because specific inhibitors for PTK and PKA failed to block the other kinase's activity. These results indicate that PTK and PKA activities are early events in the signal transduction cascade mediating the ozone-induced activation of NF-kappaB and NF-IL6 as well as the release of interleukin 8.

Successfully treated sulphasalazine-induced fulminant hepatic failure, thrombocytopenia and erythroid hypoplasia with intravenous immunoglobulin

We report the simultaneous development of fulminant hepatic failure, thrombocytopenia and erythroid hypoplasia in a child treated with sulphasalazine. A 12-year-old girl with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis developed fulminant hepatic failure, thrombocytopenia and erythroid hypoplasia, which was confirmed by liver histology and bone marrow examination, 2 weeks after initiation of sulphasalazine therapy. The patient recovered after administration of high doses of intravenous immunoglobulin. This is the first reported case of the concurrent development of these complications associated with sulphasalazine hypersensitivity. The use of intravenous immunoglobulin may have helped in the treatment of this rare adverse effect of sulphasalazine.

Immunotoxicologic effects of inhaled chromium: role of particle solubility and co-exposure to ozone

Soluble and insoluble hexavalent chromium (Cr6+) agents are concomitantly released with ozone (O3) during welding. Although pulmonary/immunologic implications from exposure to each agent individually have been investigated, the effects from simultaneous exposure, as occurs under actual working conditions, are unclear. To investigate immunomodulatory effects of inhaled Cr6+, F-344 rats were exposed for 5 h/day, 5 days/week for 2 or 4 weeks to atmospheres containing soluble potassium chromate (K2CrO4) or insoluble barium chromate (BaCrO4), each alone at 360 micrograms Cr/m3 or in combination with 0.3 ppm O3. One day after the final exposure, rats were euthanized, their lungs were lavaged, and pulmonary macrophages (PAM) were recovered for assessment of basal and inducible functions. Rats inhaling K2CrO4-containing atmospheres had greater levels of total recoverable cells, neutrophils, and monocytes in bronchopulmonary lavage compared to rats exposed to insoluble Cr6+ atmospheres, O3 alone, or air; these rats also had a reduced percentage of PAM, although total PAM levels remained unaffected. Although Cr exposure-related changes in PAM functionality were evident, any dependence upon Cr solubility was variable. K2CrO4-containing atmospheres modulated PAM-inducible interleukins-1 and -6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production to a greater degree than those containing BaCrO4. Conversely, BaCrO4-containing atmospheres affected PAM basal nitric oxide production and interferon-gamma-primed/zymosan-stimulated reactive oxygen intermediate production to a greater extent than did those containing K2CrO4. In none of the PAM assays did co-inhalation of O3 result in a modulation of the effects obtained with either Cr6+ compound itself. The results indicate that, while immunomodulatory effects of inhaled Cr6+ upon PAM are related to particle solubility, the co-inhalation of O3 apparently does not cause further modifications of the metal-induced effects.

The human homologue for the Caenorhabditis elegans cul-4 gene is amplified and overexpressed in primary breast cancers

Amplification is a key mechanism whereby a cancer cell increases the message level of genes that confer a selective advantage when they are overexpressed. In breast cancer, there are many chromosome regions present in multiple copies relative to overall DNA copy number (amplicons), and their target genes are unknown. Using differential display, we have cloned and sequenced the full coding region of a candidate amplicon target gene located on chromosome 13. This candidate is the human homologue of the Caenorhabditis elegans cul-4 gene, cul-4A, a member of the novel cullin gene family, which is involved in cell cycle control of C. elegans. cul-4A was amplified and overexpressed in 3 of 14 breast cancer cell lines analyzed, and it was overexpressed in 8 additional cell lines in which it was not amplified. The latter observation, indicating that its overexpression can occur by mechanisms other than gene amplification, suggests that cul-4A plays a key role in carcinogenesis. Moreover, cul-4A was found to be amplified in 17 of 105 (16%) cases of untreated primary breast cancers, and 14 of 30 cases analyzed (47%) were shown by RNA in situ hybridization to overexpress cul-4A. These results suggest that up-regulation of cul-4A may play an important role in tumor progression.

Pulmonary and cardiovascular effects of acute exposure to concentrated ambient particulate matter in rats

To examine the biological plausibility of the adverse health effects of ambient particulate matter (PM), we have studied the cardio-pulmonary effects of PM in an animal model of pulmonary hypertension. Normal and monocrotaline-treated rats were exposed, nose-only, for 3 h to filtered air or concentrated ambient PM. At 3 h--but not 24 h--post-exposure, the percentage of neutrophils in peripheral blood was significantly elevated in PM-exposed animals while the percentage of lymphocytes was decreased with no change in white blood cell counts. These changes in white blood cell differential occurred in both normal and monocrotaline-treated animals. Small, but consistent changes in heart rate, but not core temperature, were observed after exposure to concentrated ambient PM. Pulmonary injury, as evidenced by increased protein levels in lavage fluid, occurred only in monocrotaline-treated animals exposed to > 360 microg/m3 PM. The observed pattern of hematological and cardiac changes suggests an activation of the sympathetic stress response.

Buffering capacity of coal and its acid-soluble Fe2+ content: possible role in coal workers' pneumoconiosis

Epidemiological studies have shown that the prevalence of coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) differed remarkably between different coal mine regions despite comparable exposures to respirable dust. In the United States, CWP was found to be most common in Pennsylvania coal miners and least common in miners from Utah. The active component(s) responsible for the regional differences in CWP has not yet been identified. In the present study, we found that coals from Pennsylvania, compared with Utah coals, showed a much lower buffering capacity as determined by the amount of acid consumed in order to reach pH 4.5, which is the pH of the phagolysosomes of macrophages. Moreover, the coals from Pennsylvania released large amounts of Fe2+ in the acidified extract, whereas the coals from Utah released little Fe2+. Using electron spin resonance (ESR), we found that the coals from Pennsylvania, but not from Utah, were effective in oxidizing formate by a radical pathway. Two coals, one from Utah with high buffering capacity and low acid-soluble Fe2+ and the other from Pennsylvania with low buffering capacity and high acid-soluble Fe2+, were then selected for cell treatment. We found that human tracheal epithelial (HTE) cells treated with the coal from Pennsylvania (10 microg/cm2) showed a 36% increase in oxidant formation over the control as detected by dichlorofluorescein assay, whereas the coal from Utah had no effect. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay was used to test the binding affinity of nuclear proteins extracted from the coal-treated HTE cells to an oxidative stress-responsive transcription factor activator protein-1 (AP-1) element. The coal from Pennsylvania with high acid-soluble Fe2+ (1 microg/cm2) activated AP-1 to the same extent as 10 microM H2O2, while the coal from Utah without acid-soluble Fe2+ had no effect. These results support our hypothesis that the prevalence of CWP may be higher in coal workers exposed to coal with high acid-soluble Fe2+ and low buffering capacity than in workers exposed to coal with low acid-soluble Fe2+ and high buffering capacity.

Penetration enhancement by menthol combined with a solubilization effect in a mixed solvent system

The improvement in solubility of indomethacin due to the presence of menthol in various cosolvent systems consisting of water, alcohol and propylene glycol was examined by a mixture design in this study. A proper model to quantitatively describe the effect of menthol at different concentrations on the solubility of indomethacin was compared based on the statistical parameters provided by DESIGN-EXPERT. Then three cosolvent systems with the addition of menthol to solubilize indomethacin to extents of 1.0, 1.5 or 2.0% w/v were selected. The penetration of indomethacin through nude mouse skin from these three cosolvent systems with the addition of 0-12% menthol was investigated and followed by a discussion on the penetration mechanism. The results showed that menthol was able to improve drug solubility to different extents for different cosolvent systems. Optimally, a cosolvent system with an equal ratio of the three solvents, water, alcohol and propylene glycol, showed the highest extent of improvement in the solubility at all concentrations of menthol. The enhancement factors for indomethacin penetration due to menthol in different cosolvent systems were compared, based either on the permeation coefficient (Kp) or the separate overall effects on the skin (Flux). Both comparisons gave similar results. The influence of menthol was more significant compared to that of the cosolvent systems and the extent of this influence increased with an increase in the amount added, reaching a maximum at a specific amount of menthol for each different cosolvent system.

Microevolution of a standard strain of Cryptococcus neoformans resulting in differences in virulence and other phenotypes

Cryptococcus neoformans is a major fungal pathogen for patients with debilitated immune systems. However, no information is available on the stability of virulence or of phenotypes associated with virulence for C. neoformans laboratory strains. A serendipitous observation in our laboratory that one isolate of C. neoformans ATCC 24067 (strain 52D) became attenuated after continuous in vitro culture prompted us to perform a comparative study of nine strain 24067 isolates obtained from six different research laboratories. Each isolate was characterized by DNA typing, virulence for mice, proteinase production, extracellular protein synthesis, melanin synthesis, carbon assimilation pattern, antifungal drug susceptibility, colony morphology, growth rate, agglutination titers, phagocytosis by murine macrophages, capsule size, and capsular polysaccharide structure. All isolates had similar DNA typing patterns consistent with their assignment to the same strain, although minor chromosome size polymorphisms were observed in the electrophoretic karyotypes of two isolates. Several isolates had major differences in phenotypes that may be associated with virulence, including growth rate, capsule size, proteinase production, and melanization. These findings imply that C. neoformans is able to undergo rapid changes in vitro, probably as a result of adaptation to laboratory conditions, and suggest the need for careful attention to storage and maintenance conditions. In summary, our results indicate that C. neoformans (i) can become attenuated by in vitro culture and (ii) is capable of microevolution in vitro with the emergence of variants exhibiting new genotypic and phenotypic characteristics.

Two functionally independent pathways for lipopolysaccharide-dependent activation of mouse peritoneal macrophages

We have investigated the effects of human LPS-binding protein (LBP) and human bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) on LPS-dependent activation of mouse thioglycolate-elicited peritoneal macrophages in vitro, in comparison with human PBMCs. Confirming earlier published studies, BPI inhibited, and LBP enhanced, the ability of LPS to stimulate PBMC production of the cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-6. In marked contrast to these results, under identical conditions of in vitro culture, both LBP and BPI suppressed, in a dose-dependent manner, the ability of LPS to stimulate cytokine production in mouse macrophages. Further, while human BPI also suppressed LPS-dependent NO secretion in mouse macrophages, human LBP had no inhibitory effect on NO secretion under conditions that inhibited TNF-alpha secretion. These data provide the first direct evidence that mouse macrophages may utilize two independent pathways in response to LPS, thus leading to different phenotypic responses.

Two functionally independent pathways for lipopolysaccharide-dependent activation of mouse peritoneal macrophages

We have investigated the effects of human LPS-binding protein (LBP) and human bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) on LPS-dependent activation of mouse thioglycolate-elicited peritoneal macrophages in vitro, in comparison with human PBMCs. Confirming earlier published studies, BPI inhibited, and LBP enhanced, the ability of LPS to stimulate PBMC production of the cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-6. In marked contrast to these results, under identical conditions of in vitro culture, both LBP and BPI suppressed, in a dose-dependent manner, the ability of LPS to stimulate cytokine production in mouse macrophages. Further, while human BPI also suppressed LPS-dependent NO secretion in mouse macrophages, human LBP had no inhibitory effect on NO secretion under conditions that inhibited TNF-alpha secretion. These data provide the first direct evidence that mouse macrophages may utilize two independent pathways in response to LPS, thus leading to different phenotypic responses.

Serum osteocalcin levels of normal children in Taiwan

Osteocalcin is mainly secreted by osteoblasts, and then diffuses into blood which can be detected by several experimental methods. This study determined the osteocalcin level by solid phase fluorescent immunosorbent assay (Pharmacia CAP; Sweden), a well-established and accurate laboratory method for determining the minor concentration of substances in blood. A total of 332 healthy children were enrolled in the study, including 176 boys and 156 girls ranging in age from one to fifteen years. It was concluded that (1) quantitative osteocalcin (OCs) value varies between 30.2 to 41.0 ng/ml; (2) there is an incremental tendency in both sexes until puberty; (3) girls generally have a higher osteocalcin level than boys before mid-puberty (2-12 years old). The differences are statistically significant.

Comparison of inflammatory lung responses in Wistar rats and C57 and DBA mice following acute exposure to cadmium oxide fumes

Inhalation of cadmium oxide (CdO) is a significant form of human exposure to cadmium (Cd). Furthermore, there is epidemiological and experimental data relating Cd inhalation with lung cancer. Animal studies indicate that rats are more susceptible to Cd-induced lung cancer than mice, but interstrain sensitivity differences to Cd-induced pulmonary inflammation or carcinogenesis have not been addressed in either species. We compared pulmonary inflammatory processes in Wistar Furth (WF) rats with those in C57 and DBA mice exposed to freshly generated CdO fumes in nose-only inhalation chambers. Animals were exposed to 1 mg Cd/m3 for 3 hr and terminated immediately or 1, 3, and 5 days after exposure. Control animals were exposed to air/argon furnace gases. Cd-induced lung injury was assessed by bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) analyses, histopathology, and immunohistochemical detection of cell proliferation. Inhalation of CdO resulted in pulmonary inflammatory processes that varied widely across species and strains. C57 mice responded with faster and greater influx of neutrophils and proliferation of alveolar macrophages, type II epithelial cells, and bronchiolar epithelial cells compared to DBA mice or WF rats. DBA mice retained a greater percentage of inhaled Cd in the lungs and presented higher levels of BALF protein than C57 mice or rats. In comparison to mice, WF rats responded with a more transient inflammatory response in BALF parameters and higher degree of acute inflammation in lung tissue. The more pronounced proliferation of alveolar and bronchiolar epithelial cells observed in C57 mice might indicate higher susceptibility of this mice strain to Cd-induced lung carcinogenesis compared to DBA mice or WF rats. Furthermore, the present results of fewer inflammatory cells and lower proliferation of epithelial cells in DBA mice in association with our previous observation of higher Cd-induced metallothionein protein in this strain suggest that DBA might be less susceptible to the pulmonary carcinogenic effects of inhaled Cd than C57 mice or WF rats. We conclude that mice might not necessarily be more resistant than rats to the carcinogenic effects of inhaled Cd, since intraspecies susceptibility differences are strongly suggested by the present data. An extrapolation of this conclusion is that genetic variations in the human population may determine individual sensitivity differences to inhaled Cd.

[A study of the mechanism of L-NNA on sleep inhibition]

In the present study, the sleep-waking cycle and the immunoreactivity of 5-HT-containing neurons in rats receiving intraperitoneal injections of N-Nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, 50 mg/kg) and L-arginine (L-arg, 110 mg/kg) were observed respectively. The results showed that injection of L-NNA suppressed both slow wave sleep (SWS) and rapid eye movement sleep (REMS) and increased mean arterial pressure (MAP). L-arg markedly attenuated MAP, whereas SWS and REMS were unchanged. The effects of L-NNA on sleep and MAP were reversed by preinjection of L-arg. In comparison with control group, the positive cells in dorsal raphe nucleus (DR) and raphe magus nucleus (MnR) increased 2 h after injection of L-NNA. The effect was attenuated by preadministration of L-arg. All these results suggest that L-arg: NO pathway is involved in the regulation of sleep-waking cycle and the increment of the positive immunoreactivity of the 5-HT-containing neurons in the DR may be related to the sleep-suppressive effects induced by L-NNA.

Metal fume fever: characterization of clinical and plasma IL-6 responses in controlled human exposures to zinc oxide fume at and below the threshold limit value

Results from animal and preliminary human exposure studies have called into question whether the 5 mg/m3 8-hour time-weighted average threshold limit value (TLV) for zinc oxide fume is sufficient to protect workers against metal fume fever. The objectives of this study were to determine the clinical effects of exposures to low concentrations of zinc oxide and to ascertain whether these exposures elevated circulating levels of specific cytokines, which could account for the symptoms of the metal fume fever syndrome. Thirteen resting naive subjects inhaled, on separate days, air and 2.5 and 5 mg/m3 of furnace-generated zinc oxide fume for 2 hours. Subjects recorded symptoms and temperature and had blood drawn before and after each exposure. The mean (+/- SE) maximum rise in oral temperature at 6 to 12 hours after exposure was 1.4 +/- 0.3 degrees F after 5 mg/m3, compared with 0.6 +/- 0.5 degrees F after air exposure (P < 0.05). Mean temperature was also elevated after exposure to 2.5 mg/m3 zinc oxide (1.2 +/- 0.3 degrees F). In a parallel fashion, plasma levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), a pyrogen, were significantly elevated after exposure to 5 mg/m3 zinc oxide. Mean IL-6 values (pg/mL) at pre-exposure and at 3 and 6 hours post-exposure were 1.9 (+/- 0.6), 2.8 (+/- 0.7), and 2.9 (+/- 0.6), respectively, on the air day and 1.6 (+/- 0.6), 4.4 (+/- 1.2), and 6.4 (+/- 1.1) on the 5 mg/m3 zinc oxide day. Zinc oxide exposure did not significantly affect plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor. Total symptom scores peaked 9 hours after the 5 mg/m3 zinc oxide exposure. Myalgias, cough, and fatigue were the predominant symptoms reported. Inhalation of zinc oxide for 2 hours at the current TLV of 5 mg/m3 produces fever and symptoms along with elevation in plasma IL-6 levels.

Extracellular proteins of Cryptococcus neoformans and host antibody response

Proteins secreted by the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans may be involved in invasion and could be useful in vaccine design. Despite the medical importance of this fungus, little is known about its extracellular proteins or the immune response to these antigens. To study C. neoformans extracellular proteins, 12 strains were metabolically radiolabeled and protein supernatants were analyzed. Both strain- and growth condition-dependent differences were observed. Enzymatic assays of filtered culture supernatants revealed butyrate esterase and caprylate esterase lipase activity for 11 of 12 strains, as well as acid phosphatase, naphthol-AS-BI-phosphohydrolase, and beta-glucosidase activities in some strains. Serum from infected rodents immunoprecipitated several secreted proteins, consistent with in vivo expression and development of an antibody response. For strain 24067, two immunodominant species, of approximately 75 and 30 kDa, were recognized. The relative intensity of the autoradiographic bands depended on the route of infection for both rats and mice. In summary, our results indicate that (i) there are multiple proteins in C. neoformans culture supernatants, (ii) there are strain differences in supernatant protein profiles, (iii) there are differences in supernatant protein profile depending on the growth conditions, (iv) there are several new extracellular and/or cell-associated enzymatic activities, and (v) antibodies to several supernatant proteins are made in the course of infection.

Mutations of the PATCHED gene in several types of sporadic extracutaneous tumors

Patients with basal cell nevus syndrome have a high incidence of multiple basal cell carcinomas, medulloblastomas, and meningiomas. Because somatic PATCHED (PTCH) mutations have been found in sporadic basal cell carcinomas, we have screened for PTCH mutations in several types of sporadic extracutaneous tumors. We found that 2 of 14 sporadic medulloblastomas bear somatic nonsense mutations in one copy of the gene and also deletion of the other copy. In addition, we identified missense mutations in PTCH in two of seven breast carcinomas, one of nine meningiomas, and one colon cancer cell line. No PTCH gene mutations were detected in 10 primary colon carcinomas and eighteen bladder carcinomas.

Influence of acid aerosol droplet size on structural changes in the rat lung caused by acute exposure to sulfuric acid and ozone

To investigate whether aerosol droplet size influences structural changes in the lung produced by short-term, concomitant exposure to ozone and sulfuric acid, groups of 10 rats were exposed 4 hr/day for 2 days to filtered air, 0.6 ppm ozone, 0.5 mg/m3 fine (aerosol mass median diameter (MMD) = 0.3 microm) or ultrafine (MMD = 0.06 microm) sulfuric acid, or a mixture of ozone and 0.5 mg/m3 fine or ultrafine sulfuric acid. The volume percentage of total parenchyma containing markedly to severely injured alveolar septae was measured morphometrically. There were no differences between the ultrafine or fine acid exposure groups and the sham group for any of the morphologic endpoints. Volume percentage of markedly to severely injured tissue was increased in the ultrafine, but not fine, mixture animals when compared with the ozone-only group. In addition, a synergistic interaction between ozone and ultrafine, but not fine, sulfuric acid was found for this endpoint. The bromodeoxyuridine cell labeling index in the periacinar region was greater in the rats exposed to the fine sulfuric acid and ozone mixture than that in rats exposed to ozone alone, and a synergistic interaction between ozone and fine sulfuric acid was found for this end point. None of the exposures produced any changes in ventilatory parameters. Thus, acid aerosol droplet size was found to influence the effect of sulfuric acid in modifying ozone-induced structural changes in the rat lung.

Ozone inactivates cyclooxygenase in human tracheal epithelial cells without altering PGHS-2 mRNA or protein

Exposure of human tracheal epithelial (TE) cells to ozone (0.1-0.5 ppm) leads to a transient increase followed by decreased production of prostaglandin (PG) E2 concomitant with dose-dependent loss and delayed recovery of cyclooxygenase (CO) activity [S.E. Alpert and R.W. Walenga. Am. J. Physiol. 269 (Lung Cell. Mol. Physiol. 13): L734-L743, 1995]. Formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cultured tracheobronchial epithelial cells during ozone exposure was recently demonstrated (L.C. Chen and Q.Qu. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 143: 96-101, 1997). In the present study, we investigated if ROS generated by ozone-exposed human TE cells contribute to PGE2 production and/or CO inactivation and whether the delay in recovery of CO activity after ozone reflects impaired gene transcription and/or protein synthesis. Rapid, dose-dependent ROS generation, assessed by fluorescence of dihydrorhodamine 123, was detected in human TE monolayers exposed to 0.21-0.63 ppm ozone. In a different system, TE cells were exposed to air or 0.5 ppm ozone for 1 h by serial renewal/collection of an adherent film of media. Ozone-induced ROS formation, the transient increase and decline in PGE2, and CO inactivation were attenuated by an intracellular hydroxyl radical scavenger, 1,3-dimethyl-2-thiourea. Ibuprofen, a reversible CO inhibitor, prevented PGE2 release during ozone exposure (and hence autocatalytic CO inactivation) but not loss of CO activity. Although CO activity remained depressed for hours after ozone exposure, compared with air-exposed cultures, no differences were detected in mRNA and protein levels of prostaglandin endoperoxide G/H synthase 2 (PGHS-2), the only CO isoform present in human TE cells, or in the rate of de novo PGHS-2 synthesis. Our findings suggest that ozone-induced PGE2 production and CO inactivation are primarily the result of formation of intracellular oxidant molecules and that delayed recovery of CO activity in human TE cells after short-term ozone exposure is due to persistent inactivation of PGHS-2, rather than to interference with its synthesis.

Formation of intracellular free radicals in guinea pig airway epithelium during in vitro exposure to ozone

In vivo exposure to ozone (O3) has been shown to cause airway epithelial damage and lipid peroxidation. The oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids has been shown to produce hydrogen peroxide and aldehydes with reactive oxygen species (ROS) as intermediates. These products of ozonation may react with other bioorganic molecules and cause cellular damage. To assess the production of ROS, confluent primary cultures of guinea pig airway epithelial cells were grown on Costar membrane with a liquid-air interface and exposed to 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 ppm O3. The concentrations of intracellular ROS during the exposure were monitored using the fluorescent dye dihydrorhodamine-123. The intracellular concentration of ROS increased immediately upon the commencement of the O3 exposure and persisted until the end of the exposure period (up to 1 hr). The concentration of ROS increased with increasing O3 concentration. To determine the species of ROS produced during O3 exposure, airway epithelial cells were perfused with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), sodium formate (hydroxyl radical scavengers), NaN3 (catalase inhibitor), or diethyl-dithio carbamate (DEDC, superoxide dismutase inhibitor) prior to and during the exposure period and the fluorescent intensity was monitored continuously. While both DMSO and sodium formate decreased the concentration of ROS, DEDC and NaN3 had no effect. We concluded that hydroxyl radicals instead of H2O2 or superoxide anions were produced immediately following the commencement of O3 exposure in guinea pig airway epithelial cells in an exposure concentration-dependent fashion.

Ozone-induced IL-8 expression and transcription factor binding in respiratory epithelial cells

Ozone, one of the most reactive oxidant gases to which humans are routinely exposed, induces inflammation in the lower airways. The airway epithelium is one of the first targets that inhaled ozone will encounter, but its role in airway inflammation is not well understood. Expression of inducible genes involved in the inflammatory response, such as interleukin (IL)-8, is controlled by transcription factors. Expression of the IL-8 gene is regulated by the transcription factors nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB, NF-IL-6, and possibly activator protein-1 (AP-1). Type II-like epithelial cells (A549) were grown on a collagen-coated membrane and exposed in vitro to 0.1 ppm ozone or air. Exposure to ozone induced DNA-binding activity of NF-kappaB, NF-IL-6, and AP-1. IL-8 mRNA and IL-8 protein levels were also increased after ozone exposure. These results link ozone-induced DNA-binding activity of transcription factors and the production of IL-8 by epithelial cells thus demonstrating a potential cellular cascade resulting in the recruitment of inflammatory cells into the airway lumen.

c-erbB-2/p185-directed therapy in human lung adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

These experiments were conducted to determine whether p185 can be therapeutically targeted in adenocarcinoma of the lung using an anti-p185-gelonin conjugate. c-erbB-2/p185 is overexpressed in up to one third of non-small cell lung cancers. CALU-3 is a human lung adenocarcinoma cell line that overexpresses p185. muMoAb-4D5 is a murine anti-p185 monoclonal immunoglobulin G1. Gelonin is a potent type 1 ribosomal inhibitory protein.

METHODS

4D5 and gelonin were covalently modified and linked. Purification was confirmed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Dose-dependent cytotoxicity was quantified using 3H-thymidine uptake by CALU-3 cells after incubation with 4D5-gelonin conjugate or with control substances (4D5, gelonin, unconjugated 4D5 + gelonin, or control antibody MOPC-21).

RESULTS

The 4D5-gelonin conjugate showed a 50% inhibitory concentration of 3.5 x 10(-10) mol/L, but 4D5 alone demonstrated no cytotoxic effect. Gelonin and the unconjugated 4D5-gelonin mixture had one tenth the cytotoxicity of the 4D5-gelonin conjugate (inhibitory concentration = 6.5 x 10(-9) mol/L and 8.5 x 10(-9) mol/L, respectively). The conjugate exhibited minimal toxicity against a p185-negative cell line (NIH3T3).

CONCLUSIONS

Selective and efficient killing of human lung adenocarcinoma cells can be achieved in vitro using c-erbB-2/p185-directed therapy.

Altered regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in macrophages from senescent mice

We investigated the capacity of mouse macrophages obtained from senescent animals to respond in vitro to microbial stimuli. Significant hypersecretion of nitric oxide (NO) was observed in thioglycolate-elicited macrophages from senescent mice compared with those obtained from young mice in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In contrast, both cell populations manifested equivalent responses to LPS with respect to tumor necrosis factor alpha secretion. Further, macrophages from senescent animals also showed potentiated responses to both zymosan and heat-killed Staphylococcus aureus, as assessed by NO production. Both cell populations were equivalently inhibited by a competitive inhibitor of NO synthase NG-monomethyl-L-arginine. Since endogenous beta interferon (IFN-beta) is recognized as an essential cofactor for LPS-induced NO production by macrophages, we investigated the role of IFN-beta in enhancing the capacity of both macrophage populations for LPS-induced NO production. Macrophages from young mice were minimally activated by LPS alone to express inducible NO synthase (iNOS), and the response was significantly potentiated by the addition of IFN-beta. These findings were confirmed by immunocytochemical staining of iNOS in which the frequency of iNOS-positive cells in response to LPS was enhanced in the presence of IFN-beta. Reverse transcription-PCR analyses revealed that macrophages from senescent animals produced larger amounts of iNOS mRNA in response to LPS. Further, exogenous IFN-beta potentiated iNOS mRNA expression in macrophages from young mice. In contrast, the frequency of LPS-activated macrophages for iNOS expression was markedly increased during senescence and addition of IFN-beta did not significantly change this frequency. These results correlated with reverse transcription PCR data showing high levels of iNOS mRNA in LPS-stimulated macrophages from senescent mice. LPS-induced NO production in macrophages from both young and senescent mice was inhibited by neutralizing antibody to either IFN-beta or IFN-gamma. Mixed cultures of macrophages from young and senescent mice stimulated with LPS manifested significantly enhanced NO production relative to that which would be predicted from an additive response of the two macrophage populations stimulated separately. The differential responsiveness of NO production observed with thioglycolate-elicited macrophages from young and senescent mice was also observed in resident macrophages but, interestingly, not in bone marrow culture-derived macrophages. These results suggest that environmental factors may be responsible for the potentiated NO responses of macrophages from senescent mice. Collectively, these data suggest that macrophages from senescent animals manifest an altered mechanism for regulation of macrophage function in NO production and iNOS expression by constitutive and/or induced expression of autoregulatory cytokines.

The tar fraction of cigarette smoke does not promote arteriosclerotic plaque development

In addition to being the single greatest known environmental cause of cancer, cigarette smoke (CS) is also a major contributor to heart disease. We reported previously that 1) inhalation of either mainstream or sidestream CS promotes aortic arteriosclerotic plaque development; 2) 1,3 butadiene, a vapor-phase component of CS, promotes plaque development at 20 ppm, which at the time was only 2 times higher than the threshold limit value; and 3) individual tar fraction carcinogens in CS, including polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nitrosamines, either do not promote plaque development or do so only at high concentrations. These results suggested that the tar fraction is not the primary source of plaque-promoting agents in CS. We asked whether repeated exposure to the tar fraction of CS, collected in a cold trap (TAR), promotes plaque development in an avian model of arteriosclerosis. Acetone extracts of mainstream CS tar from burning, unfiltered reference cigarettes were solubilized in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and injected weekly into cockerels for 16 weeks (25 mg/kg/week). Positive controls were injected weekly with the synthetic PAH carcinogen, 7,12 dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) dissolved in DMSO and negative controls were injected with DMSO. Plaque location and prevalence did not differ from group to group. Morphometric analysis of plaque cross-sectional areas showed that plaque sizes, which are log-normally distributed, were significantly larger in the DMBA cockerels compared to both the TAR and DMSO groups. There were no significant differences in plaque size between DMSO and TAR cockerels. The results reported here, combined with other recent findings, support the conclusion that the primary arteriosclerotic plaque-promoting components of CS are in the vapor phase.

Amplifications of oncogene erbB-2 and chromosome 20q in breast cancer determined by differentially competitive polymerase chain reaction

A new method of measuring gene copy number in small samples of DNA was used to measure amplification of the erbB-2 gene and of chromosome 20q in breast cancer. This method, termed 'differentially competitive polymerase chain reaction' (DC-PCR) combines the advantages of two other techniques for measuring amplification by PCR, namely differential PCR and competitive PCR. The DC-PCR methodology was evaluated for sensitivity and specificity by comparing amplification of erbB-2 measured by DC-PCR with that obtained by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for 42 cases or Southern blotting and/or slot blot analysis for 34 cases. There was over 90 percent concordance with both FISH and Southern blotting and/or slot blot analysis. DC-PCR was used to further characterize the newly described amplicon at chromosome 20q. By analyzing DNA from 10 breast cancer cell lines at 7 different loci, we identified a potential common region of amplification of approximately 5 centimorgans at chromosome 20q13 bordered by loci D20S52 and RMC20C100-S1. One hundred and seventeen cases of primary breast cancer were evaluated for amplification at these two loci. Amplification at one or more loci, defined as > 1.5 fold higher copy number than that of normal DNA, was found in 25 cases (21%). Sixteen cases were amplified at only one of the two probes (12 cases for RMC20C001-S1 and 4 cases for D20S52), suggesting that the target gene lies between the two markers or that there are two independent target genes within a small chromosome region.

Generation of stable test atmospheres of cocaine base and its pyrolyzate, methylecgonidine, and demonstration of their biological activity

Generating controlled test atmospheres of known chemical identity and airborne concentration upon demand is a significant technical obstacle that limits the scope and repeatability of studies of inhaled substances. We addressed this problem as applied to the generation of atmospheres that result from heating crack cocaine, which include both cocaine and its pyrolyzate methylecgonidine (MEG). A condensation aerosol generator was used to generate atmospheres comprised of monodisperse particles of cocaine, MEG, or mixtures of both that are of submicron size suitable for deposition in the alveolar region of primates. Compressed air seeded with nanometer-size sodium chloride particles was passed through a constant depth of molten cocaine or MEG in a bead bed, reheated, and condensed to an aerosol within an annulus of cold air. To achieve control of a mixture of both compounds, MEG was condensed onto cocaine particles in a separate coating step. On-line analytical instruments provided verification of airborne concentration, estimates of particle size, and dispersion as well as chemical identity. Specific airway conductance (SGaw), heart rate, and rectal and skin temperatures were measured in squirrel monkeys breathing atmospheres containing condensation aerosols of cocaine or MEG free base. SGaw was reduced after inhalation of either base, and both induced temperature and cardiovascular changes, demonstrating that the aerosols so generated had biological activity.

Extracellular proteinase activity of Cryptococcus neoformans

Extracellular proteinase activity was studied for eight strains of Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans and two strains of Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii. Proteinase activity was measured by protein agar clearance, azoalbumin hydrolysis, gelatin liquefaction, and protein substrate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. All strains of C. neoformans produced extracellular proteolytic activity. Maximal extracellular proteinase activity in supernatants of C. neoformans cultures was associated with late logarithmic- and stationary-phase cultures. C. neoformans was able to utilize murine immunoglobulin G1, bovine immunoglobulin G, and human complement factor 5 for growth in media containing these proteins as the sole sources of carbon and nitrogen, suggesting a capacity to degrade immunologically important proteins. Protein substrate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed several bands with proteolytic activity at apparent molecular masses of 200, 100, and 50 kDa. The results confirm the existence of extracellular proteinase activity for C. neoformans.

Activation of a human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor by the antitumor agent phenylacetate and its analogs

The aromatic fatty acid phenylacetate and its analogs induce tumor cytostasis and differentiation in experimental models. Although the underlying mechanisms of action are not clear, effects on lipid metabolism are evident. We have now examined whether these compounds, structurally similar to the peroxisome proliferator clofibrate, affect the human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (hPPAR), a homolog of the rodent PPAR alpha, a transcriptional factor regulating lipid metabolism and cell growth. Gene transfer experiments showed activation of hPPAR, evident by the increased expression of the reporter gene chloramphenicol acetyltransferase linked to PPAR-response element from either the rat acyl-CoA oxidase or rabbit CYP4A6 genes. The relative potency of tested drugs in the co-transfection assay was: 4-iodophenylbutyrate > 4-chlorophenylbutyrate > clofibrate > phenylbutyrate > naphthylacetate > 2,4-D > 4-chlorophenylacetate > phenylacetate >> indoleacetate. Phenylacetylglutamine, in which the carboxylic acid is blocked, was inactive. The ability of the aromatic fatty acids to activate PPAR was confirmed in vivo, as CYP4A mRNA levels increased in hepatocytes of treated rats. Further studies using human prostate carcinoma, melanoma, and glioblastoma cell lines showed a tight correlation between drug-induced cytostasis, increased expression of the endogenous hPPAR, and receptor activation documented in the gene-transfer model. These results identify phenylacetate and its analogs as a new class of aromatic fatty acids capable of activating hPPAR, and suggest that this nuclear receptor may mediate tumor cytostasis induced by these drugs.

Reliability of the Neonatal Neurobehavioral Examination--Chinese version

A Chinese version of the Neonatal Neurobehavioral Examination (NNE-C) was applied to 15 high-risk infants and five normal term infants for investigation of reliability. The infants were assessed by three physical therapists to examine inter-rater reliability and reassessed by one of the therapists within 2 days to examine test-retest reproducibility. The internal consistency of the NNE-C scale was high, with an alpha coefficient of 0.84. The inter-rater reliability was high for item scores (kappa coefficients > 0.75 for 81% of the items) and for section and total scores (all intraclass correlation coefficients > 0.80). The test-retest reproducibility was moderate for item scores (kappa coefficients > 0.40 for 85% of the items) and was high for section and total scores (all intraclass correlation coefficients > 0.80). We conclude that the NNE-C scale is clinically feasible and reliable for the evaluation of neurobehavioral functions of high-risk and normal term infants in Chinese-speaking societies.

Vasomolol: an ultra short-acting and vasorelaxant vanilloid type beta 1-adrenoceptor antagonist

The ultra-short-acting and vasorelaxant beta 1-adrenoceptor blocking activities of vasomolol, a guaiacoxypropanolamine derivative of vanillic acid ethyl ester, were studied. Vasomolol (0.5, 1.0, 3.0 mg/kg intravenously, i.v.) produced a dose-dependent bradycardia response and demonstrated particularly a hypotensive action with an ultra-short-acting property in pentobarbital-anesthetized normotensive rats. Vasomolol's steady state of beta-blockade was attained < or = 10 min after initial infusion, and a rapid recovery from blockade occurred after discontinuation of the infusion, although intravenous infusion of vasomolol (300 micrograms/kg/min) could not inhibit pressor responses induced by (-)phenylephrine (10 micrograms/kg i.v.). In isolated rat thoracic aorta, vasomolol (1-10 microM) inhibited vascular smooth muscle contractions induced by both (-)phenylephrine (10(-5) M) and high K+ (75 mM) concentration dependently. This inhibitory effect of vasomolol was more sensitive on K(+)-induced than on (-)phenylephrine-induced contractions, suggesting that the block of Ca2+ influx may involve the major mechanism of vasorelaxation. In isolated guinea pig tissues, vasomolol (0.01-10 microM) antagonized the (-)isoproterenol (ISO)-induced positive inotropic and chronotropic effects of the atria and tracheal relaxation responses in a concentration-dependent manner. The parallel shift to the right of the concentration-response curve of (-)ISO suggested that vasomolol was a beta-adrenoceptor competitive antagonist. The effect of vasomolol was more potent on atria than on tracheal tissues, indicating that it possesses beta 1-adrenoceptor selectivity. In addition, vasomolol did not show intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA). Moreover, the binding characteristics of vasomolol were evaluated in [3H]dihydroalprenolol ([3H]DHA) binding to porcine ventricular membranes. Vasomolol was an ultra-short-acting and highly selective beta 1-adrenoceptor antagonist with vasorelaxant activity and is devoid of ISA.

Novel actions of aspirin and sodium salicylate: discordant effects on nitric oxide synthesis and induction of nitric oxide synthase mRNA in a murine macrophage cell line

Aspirin and sodium salicylate each inhibit to a similar extent the production of nitric oxide (NO) in the RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cell line following stimulation by either lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). The similar potencies of aspirin and sodium salicylate indicate that acetylation of cellular macromolecules is not essential for the observed effects. The failure of added prostaglandin E2 to overcome the effects of aspirin or sodium salicylate indicates that these effects are not simply the result of inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis. The inhibition of NO production occurs irrespective of the effect of these agents on induction of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA by LPS or IFN-gamma. Aspirin and sodium salicylate inhibit iNOS mRNA induction in LPS-stimulated cells but enhance iNOS mRNA induction in IFN-gamma-stimulated cells. In contrast, these agents consistently inhibit induction of argininosuccinate synthetase mRNA in both LPS- and IFN-gamma-stimulated cells. Concentrations of aspirin in the 3-10 mM range inhibit induced NO production and expression of iNOS protein without inhibiting induction of iNOS mRNA. Discordances between effects on NO synthesis and induction of iNOS mRNA indicate that aspirin and sodium salicylate have multiple sites of action in their effects on pathways that are involved in the production of NO by stimulated RAW 264.7 cells.

Ozone-induced alteration in beta-adrenergic pharmacological modulation of pulmonary macrophages

Ozone is a ubiquitous air pollutant which can affect numerous function s of the respiratory system. However, previous work has not provided any information concerning its ability to modulate pharmacological receptors of pulmonary macrophages. This study examined, using a chemiluminescence assay, the beta-adrenergic modulation of pulmonary macrophages harvested from rabbits exposed for 3 hr/day for 5 days to 0.1, 0.3 or 0.6 ppm ozone (O3) or to 3 hr/day for 20 days to 0.1 or 0.3 ppm. Receptor activity was monitored using release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) following administration to the cells of the beta2-receptor agonist, isoproterenol. An O3-exposure concentration-dependent response was observed for isoproterenol efficacy following 5-day exposures, in that 0.1 ppm O3 induced a significant enhancement of beta-adrenergic inhibition of ROS production, 0.3 ppm ozone produced no significant change from control, and 0.6 ppm decreased inhibition. No significant effects on beta-adrenergic modulation were noted following the 20-day exposures. The results of this study suggest that short-term repeated exposures to O3 are capable of inducing alterations in the pharmacological functioning of pulmonary macrophages, while longer term exposures may result in adaptation. Alterations in receptor function have implications in terms of pulmonary defense and disease.