An efficient one-pot method for the large-quantitative production of radiopharmaceutical ligand: diazadioximes

An efficient one-pot procedure for the preparation of diazadioxime was described. Treatment of ketooximes with alkyldiamine followed by NaBH4 in dry ethanol afforded the corresponding d,l-diazadioximes in 56--74% yield without isolation of the intermediates.

Synthesis of Tc-D,D-HMPAO and Tc-L,L-HMPAO and their comparison of chemical and biological properties

Tc-D,D- and TC-L,L-HMPAO were synthesized. The stability of Tc-D,D- and TC-L,L-HMPAO in vitro is similar to that of d,l-isomers by the spectrophotometric and three strips methods. Cerebral uptake (%D in brain) for the L,L-isomer is higer than the D,D- and d,l-isomer in rats. Delayed studies shows that T-L,L-HMPAO reveals less washout and reflects a higher cerebral deposition properties than the D,D- and d,l-isomer.

Pilot fragile X screening in normal population of Taiwan

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common hereditary form of mental retardation. Molecular analysis of the FMR1 gene has now been applied to diagnosis and carrier detection. Because treatment is not feasible, prevention of FXS by prenatal diagnosis of carrier women early during pregnancy is important. The aim of this pilot study was to ascertain the prevalence of mutant FMR1 gene in normal population of Taiwan and to evaluate the efficacy of a betaine-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nonradioactive Southern blot assays. The DNA was randomly and anonymously collected from 100 women and 100 men. The results showed 62% of the women were heterozygous for the CGG-repeat size in FMR1 gene. One of 300 X chromosomes in this study showed premutation, with 95 CGG repeats. All other chromosomes have CGG repeats ranging from 19 to 52, with eight chromosomes (3%) having more than 40 CGG repeats. The most prevalent allele has 29 repeats (48.1%), followed by 30 (24.0%) and 36 (9.5%), respectively. The results of this study reconfirmed previous reports that the prevalent FMR1 CGG repeat alleles in Chinese population are different from that of other populations. However, the prevalence of premutation gene seems to be comparable among them. The betaine-based PCR could minimize the intrinsic problem of preferential amplification and may reliably determine the different allele repeats in heterozygous females. This nonradioactive Southern blot protocol is safe, efficient, and inexpensive. However, further technical improvement may be needed to be more cost-effective for a wide screening of all pregnant women.

Unusual chromosome 9 variant with an extra G-dark and C-negative segment in the short arm, proximal to the centromere: a case study

Polymorphic variation of constitutive heterochromatin in human chromosomes is commonly seen in clinical cytogenetic analyses. Normal variant can be confirmed with C-banding and are generally considered clinically insignificant. However, it may be a concern if an unusual variant chromosome is detected in a prenatal specimen. We report an unusual chromosome 9 variant with an extra G-dark and C-negative segment in the short arm, proximal to the centromere. This chromosome 9 variant has been previously reported in only nine independent families. Whether this is a rare variant or an underestimation requires further evaluation. Of note is that all probands so far reported in the literature are clinically normal.

Synthesis and anticancer evaluation of certain alpha-methylene-gamma-(4-substituted phenyl)-gamma-butyrolactone bearing thymine, uracil, and 5-bromouracil

Certain alpha-methylene-gamma-(4-substituted phenyl)-gamma-butyrolactone bearing thymine, uracil, and 5-bromouracil were synthesized and evaluated for their anticancer activity. These compounds demonstrated a strong growth inhibitory activity against leukemia cell lines. The anticancer potency for the substituents of the lactone C(gamma)-phenyl is in an order of 4-Ph > 4-Cl, 4-Br > 4-Me, 4-NO2 > 4-F. For the pyrimidine portion, 5-bromouracil is more potent than uracil and thymine.

Synthesis and anticancer evaluation of certain gamma-aryloxymethyl-alpha-methylene-gamma-phenyl-gamma-butyrolactones

Certain gamma-aryloxymethyl-alpha-methylene-gamma-phenyl- gamma-butyrolactones were synthesized and evaluated for their anticancer activity. These compounds demonstrated a strong growth inhibitory activity against leukemia cell lines but are relatively inactive against non-small cell lung cancers and CNS cancers. The anticancer potency for aryl portion is in an order of quinoline > 8-hydroxyquinoline > 2-methylquinoline >> naphthalene >> benzene.

alpha-Methylene-gamma-butyrolactones: synthesis and vasorelaxing activity assay of coumarin, naphthalene, and quinoline derivatives

Certain alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactone derivatives of coumarin, naphthalene, and quinoline were synthesized and evaluated for vasorelaxing effects on isolated rat thoracic aorta. The 7-[(2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-2-methyl-4-methylene-5-oxo-2-furanyl)methoxy]-2H- 1- benzopyran-2-ones, which have an aliphatic methyl substituent at the lactone C2, were more active than their C2-phenyl counterparts against high-K+ (80 mM) medium, Ca2+ (1.9 mM)-induced vasoconstriction and the norepinephrine (NE, 3 microM)-induced phasic and tonic constrictions (2a vs. 2b; 2c vs. 2d; 2e vs. 2f; 2g vs. 2h). Although 3-chloro-7-[(2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-2-methyl-4-methylene-5-oxo-2- furanyl)methoxy]-4-methyl-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one (2g) demonstrated the most potent inhibitory activities on the NE-induced phasic and tonic constrictions at concentrations of as low as 10 micrograms/ml, it possesses both affinity for NE-receptor and intrinsic activity to trigger the vasoconstriction. However, 8-[(2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-2-methyl-4-methylene-5-oxo-2- furanyl)methoxy]quinoline (10a) and other quinoline derivatives (11a, 12a) are pure irreversible non-competitive blockers of NE-receptor with no intrinsic activity. The aromatic ring played an important role in the vasorelaxing effects of alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactones; naphthalene was inactive, quinolines exhibited only affinity to the alpha-receptor, and coumarins possessed both affinity and intrinsic activity.

Cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase inhibition by an antiplatelet agent, 6-[(3-methylene-2-oxo-5-phenyl-5-tetrahydrofuranyl)methoxy)quinol inone (CCT-62)

The antiplatelet activity of (6-[(3-methylene-2-oxo-5-phenyl-5-tetrahydrofuranyl)methoxy]quinol inone) (CCT-62) was determined in vitro in rabbit platelets. CCT-62 inhibited rabbit platelet aggregation and ATP release caused by thrombin (0.1 U/ml), platelet-activating factor (2 ng/ml), collagen (10 microg/ml), arachidonic acid (100 microM), and 9,11-dideoxy-9alpha,11alpha-methanoepoxy prostaglandin F2alpha (1 microM) in a concentration-dependent manner. The IC50 values for platelet aggregation were 18.4 +/- 4.5, 10.1 +/- 1.6, 3.0 +/- 0.9, 1.5 +/- 0.3 and 1.0 +/- 0.3 microM, respectively. In addition, CCT-62 disaggregated the clumped platelets caused by these aggregation inducers. It also inhibited phosphoinositide breakdown and intracellular calcium elevation induced by the above platelet aggregation inducers. CCT-62 increased intracellular cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP levels in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, it potentiated cyclic AMP formation caused by prostaglandin E1 but not that caused by 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine. CCT-62 did not affect adenylate or guanylate cyclase but inhibited cyclic AMP- and cyclic GMP-phosphodiesterase activities. The antiplatelet effect of CCT-62 was reversed by a protein kinase A inhibitor, N-[2-(P-bromocinnamylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide (H89). This data clearly indicated that CCT-62 is an inhibitor of phosphodiesterases and that its antiplatelet effect is mainly mediated by elevation of cyclic AMP levels.

Synthesis and antiplatelet evaluation of alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactone bearing 2-methylquinoline and 8-hydroxyquinoline moieties

In a search for inhibitors of platelet aggregation, some alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactones bearing 2-methylquinoline and 8-hydroxyquinoline moieties were synthesized and evaluated for antiplatelet activities against thrombin (Thr)-, arachidonic acid (AA)-, collagen (Col)-, and platelet-activating factor (PAF)-induced aggregation in washed rabbit platelets. With the exception of 2-[[2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-4-methylene-5-oxo-2-(4-phenylphenyl)-2 -furanyl]methoxy]-8-hydroxyquinoline (8f), these alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactones completely inhibited the platelet aggregation induced by AA and Col. The 2-methylquinoline derivatives were also active against Thr- and PAF-induced aggregation, while their 8-hydroxyquinoline counterparts were relatively inactive.

Clonal karyotype abnormalities in EBV-associated hemophagocytic syndrome

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

An EBV-associated hemophagocytic syndrome (HS) in previously healthy children or young adults has been documented in Taiwan. The exact nature of this syndrome, i.e., either an infectious process or a neoplastic disease, remains to be clarified.

METHODS

Three patients diagnosed as having HS were studied retrospectively. Chromosomes from bone marrow were examined by a conventional trypsin-Giemsa banding technique and karyotyped at the beginning of diagnosis or during treatment. In situ hybridization studies for EBV using EBER1 were performed.

RESULTS

All three patients presented the classic manifestations of HS including fever, splenomegaly, jaundice, pancytopenia and coagulopathy. Bone marrow aspiration revealed atypical lymphocyte and histiocyte infiltration with hemophagocytosis. EBV genomes were found in bone marrow in all patients. In addition to normal mitotic cells, clonally karyotypically abnormal cells were demonstrated in all three patients whose diseases were rapidly progressive and eventually refractory to etoposide-based therapy. The consistent karyotypical abnormality of add(9)(p24) was noted in two of them.

INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS

Although HS is usually considered a reactive process, the emergence of clonal cytogenetic abnormalities should be considered a malignant entity and treated with more intensive chemotherapy. A large series of cytogenetic and molecular studies is needed to clarify the exact nature of this fatal disease.

Accuracy of three-dimensional ultrasonography in volume estimation of cervical carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the accuracy of a three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound system in volume estimation of cervical carcinoma.

STUDY DESIGN

Transvaginal 3D and two-dimensional (2D) scans on cervical carcinoma volumes were performed 1 day before surgery. The volume of cervical carcinoma measured from each surgical specimen was compared with the corresponding volume of the cervical tumor measured by a 3D ultrasound and with the conventional 2D ultrasound volume measurement calculated using the formula pi/6 x(R1 x R2 x R3), where R1, R2, and R3 were the maximal transverse, anteroposterior, and longitudinal length of tumor, respectively. Limits of agreement and 95% confidence intervals were calculated and systemic bias between the methods was analyzed. The Klotz test was also used to assess the statistical significance of the degree of dispersion.

RESULTS

A total of 61 cases, 55 with exophytic tumors and 6 with endocervical tumors, were examined in this study. The limits of agreement between the volume measured from specimen and tumor volume determined by ultrasound were +6.68 to -6.10 mL for 3D measurements and +12.46 to -10.98 mL for 2D measurements. The Klotz test showed the discrepancy in the degree of dispersion between 3D and 2D ultrasound measurements was statistically significant (P = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The true volume of cervical carcinoma is measured more accurately by a 3D ultrasound system than 2D ultrasound.

Papillary cystic tumors of the pancreas: assessment of malignant potential by analysis of progesterone receptor, flow cytometry, and ras oncogene mutation

BACKGROUND

Although the biologic behavior of papillary cystic tumor (PCT) of the pancreas is more favorable than the adenocarcinoma, a malignant form has been reported. There has been much controversy as to the histologic evidence for malignancy. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether the ras oncogene mutation is present in the PCT, together with hormone receptor status and DNA flow cytometry that can be used to predict tumor aggressiveness.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In 6 collected cases of PCT, estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR) were detected by immunohistochemical techniques, DNA ploidy and S-phase fraction (SPF) were studied by flow cytometry, and H, K, and N-ras oncogene mutation were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

RESULTS

General strong positive immunostaining of PR and negative staining of ER are found in all 6 cases of PCT, including 5 adolescent girls and one 55-year-old women with areas of anaplastic transformation. Flow cytometry analysis revealed diploid DNA in all 6 cases but higher SPF in the anaplastic portion of the old one. None of the 6 cases showed H-, K-, or N-ras oncogene mutation.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest PR status and ras oncogene mutation appear to be not useful in predicting aggressive behavior. DNA ploidy and S-phase fraction may provide useful information for prognosis, but their more precise prognostic value of PCT needs a larger number of cases to clarify.

Prenatal molecular diagnosis of RET proto-oncogene mutation in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A

We report a case of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN 2A) diagnosed prenatally at 16 weeks gestation. The 35-year-old mother is a MEN 2A patient. She had had three prior pregnancies: one resulted in a stillbirth; one produced a genetically unaffected boy; and the third was terminated in the first trimester owing to a diagnosis of blighted ovum. Autopsy did not reveal the cause of death of the stillborn infant, who was also found to be affected with MEN 2A by molecular study of paraffin-embedded tissue. Because of poor obstetric history and the patient's age, amniocentesis for cytogenetic and molecular studies was performed at 16 weeks' gestation during the pregnancy under discussion. As with other affected members in the mother's family, the missense mutation of TGC to TTC at codon 634 of the RET proto-oncogene was found in amniotic fluid cells. Analysis of DNA extracted from the lymphocytes of the infant's blood at birth confirmed the diagnosis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of prenatal diagnosis of MEN 2A.

Papillary cystic tumor of the pancreas in children

Papillary cystic tumor of the pancreas, so-called Frantz tumor, is a very rare tumor in children. Only 157 cases had been reported since 1959. The clinical manifestations of this disease are usually a slowly growing abdominal mass with or without abdominal pain. It occurs predominantly in young females, and its pathogenesis is still unknown. Surgical resection is usually curative, and its prognosis is excellent. Four adolescent girls with acute or chronic abdominal pain were found to have papillary cystic tumor of the pancreas at our hospital in the past 4 years. They all have a variable clinical presentation. Papillary cystic tumor of the pancreas should therefore be considered one of the differential diagnoses of abdominal pain or abdominal mass in adolescent girls.

Reciprocal expression of Bcl-2 and p53 in breast ductal carcinoma

Apoptosis or programmed cell death represents a mechanism by which tumor cells with DNA damage can be deleted. Bcl-2 and p53 gene products have both been linked to apoptosis. Bcl-2 plays a role as an inhibitor of apoptosis that may extend the viability of cells containing genetic alterations and facilitate tumor progression. Mutant p53 has a similar effect. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between bcl-2 and p53 expression and to clarify their roles in apoptosis in different histological graded breast carcinomas. We analysed 101 invasive ductal carcinomas of the breast for the expression of bcl-2, p53, c-erbB-2, estrogen and progesterone receptors using immunohistochemistry. Reciprocal expression of bcl-2 and p53 was present in 71.3% of cases. The bcl-2+/p53-expression pattern was prevalent in histological grade I and II tumors (77.4% and 59.3% respectively) and rarely present in histological grade III (6.3%). Conversely, bcl-2-/p53+ expression pattern was rarely present in histological grade I and II tumors (3.2% and 11.1% respectively) and prevalent in histological grade III (50.0%). Our results also showed that Bcl-2 expression was positively correlated with ER and PR, more prevalent in pre-menopausal status, and negatively correlated with cerbB-2 expression. Bcl-2 expression was involved in tumor progression in well-differentiated tumors and mutant p53 could substitute for bcl-2 function in poorly differentiated tumors. The bcl-2/p53 expression pattern of tumors may be of value in predicting therapeutic response and prognosis. Bcl-2 expression was correlated with other well-established prognostic factors and bcl-2 could be an estrogen-related protein.

Synthesis and evaluation of coumarin alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactones: a new class of platelet aggregation inhibitors

In a search for new inhibitors of platelet aggregation, certain coumarin-bearing alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactones were synthesized and evaluated for inhibitory activity against thrombin (Thr)-, arachidonic acid (AA)-, collagen (Col)-, and platelet-activating factor (PAF)-induced aggregation in washed rabbit platelets. These compounds were efficiently synthesized from commercially available 7-hydroxycoumarin or its derivatives. Among them, 7-[(2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-4-methylene-5-oxo-2-phenyl-2-furanyl) methoxy]-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one (3d) showed the most potent inhibition of AA- and PAF- induced aggregation, with IC50 values of 3.65 and 16.36 microM respectively.

Characterization of two urothelium cancer cell lines derived from a blackfoot disease endemic area in Taiwan

Established cancer cell lines with distinct characteristics are valuable in many aspects of in vitro study pertaining to tumor biology, as well as the possible geographic significance. Two long-term cell lines, BFTC905 and BFTC909, were established from primary transitional cell carcinomas (TCC) of patients from a blackfoot disease endemic area in Taiwan, where the prevalence and standard mortality rates of this cancer are unusually high. BFTC905 derived from a grade III TCC of urinary bladder has an epitheloid morphology, and BFTC909 derived from the sarcomatoid component of a grade III TCC of renal pelvis exhibits a fibroblastic growth pattern. They share similar morphological and immunocytochemical characteristics with the tumors of origin, have multiple chromosomal aberrations, and are tumorigenic in nude mice. BFTC905 reveals a unique homogeneously staining region at 11q13, the amplification of which has been detected in 20% of transitional cell carcinoma. In addition to the rarity of renal pelvic origin, the vimentin expression associated with an aggressive clinical behavior and a relatively high tumorigenicity as demonstrated by BFTC909 cells has also rarely been mentioned in TCC cell lines, but has been well documented in vivo and in vitro in renal cell carcinoma and breast cancer.

Establishment and characterization of a human-papillomavirus negative, p53-mutation negative human cervical cancer cell line

A human cervical cancer cell line, CX, was established from a patient with squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. The CX cells were epithelial in morphology with relatively large vesicular nuclei, and prominent nucleoli. Cytoplasmic organelles were generally sparse but tonofilaments were relatively abundant. The cells grew as a compact sheet with close membrane approximation interconnected by desmosome-like junctions. CX cells contained cytokeratin, but not vimentin. Elevated levels of squamous cell carcinoma antigen and carcinoembryonic antigen were detected in the cell supernatants. Population doubling time was estimated to be about 20 h. CX cells were not able to grow in soft agar and not tumorigenic in nude mice. Chromosome analysis revealed that CX cells were heterogeneous and mainly had a female diploid karyotype. Unlike cervical cancer cell lines published previously, CX cells were demonstrated to be human papillomavirus-negative, p53 mutation-negative. Based on the distinct characteristics, CX cell line may prove to be a useful tool for the study of human cervical carcinogenesis.

Melanosis peritonei associated with enteric duplication cyst. A case report

Melanosis peritonei is extremely rare, and only five cases have been reported in the English literature, four in association with ovarian dermoid cysts, and one with a peritoneal cyst. We describe an additional case occurring in a girl two years of age who also had an enteric cyst. This is the first reported case of melanosis peritonei not associated with an ovarian teratoma, but with an enteric duplication cyst. Melanophages were present focally in the submucosa, superficial muscle layer, and ulcer bases of the cyst and extensively as small nodules on the peritoneal surface and in the omentum. The tendency of perivascular nodular aggregation of melanophages favors a hematogenous (or lymphatic) spread rather than implantation. Although clear evidence of melanocytic aggregation is lacking, are speculate that the melanin originated from the esophageal-like squamous mucosa of the cyst.

Overexpression of p53 protein in squamous cell carcinoma of buccal mucosa and tongue in Taiwan: an immunohistochemical and clinicopathological study

Sixty squamous cell carcinomas of tongue and buccal mucosa were examined for expression of p53 protein by using an immunohistochemical technique improved by an antigen retrieval method. Twenty-seven (45%) tumors demonstrated strongly positive staining. Thirteen of p53-positive tumors (48%) also exhibited overexpression of p53 in immediately adjoining hyperplastic or pre-malignant epithelium. All 22 metastatic lymph nodes and 18 local recurrent lesions (except two) had an identical p53 immunophenotype to their corresponding primary sites. Mitotic indices were significantly higher in p53-positive tumors (P < 0.01); however, no association of PCNA scores with p53 expression was found (P > 0.1). There was no correlation between p53 overexpression and tumor grade, size and staging, vascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, and early local recurrence. Overexpression of p53 was found to be relatively higher, although not statistically significant, in nonsmokers than in heavy smokers (66.7% vs. 42.9%), and in nonbetel-quid chewers than in heavy chewers (62.5% vs. 34.2%). These data are consistent with the hypothesis that inactivation of p53 protein may occur in the early phases of oral tumorigenesis. It may not be a useful prognostic marker but could possibly be used for risk assessment and surveillance of local recurrence.

Detection of Y-chromosome sequences in patients with X-chromosome abnormalities

The polymerase chain reaction was used to test 18 adults and eight fetuses with numerical or structural X-chromosome abnormalities for the presence of nine Y-specific loci. Y-chromosomal DNA was detectable in one adult patient with X-chromosome mosaicism. This study and previous reports provide evidence to support further screening of patients with X-chromosome abnormalities for the presence of Y-chromosomal DNA sequences. Long-term follow-up of patients with Y-chromosomal sequences is required to determine the risk of gonadal neoplasms and other abnormal phenotypes.

Detection of Y-chromosomal DNA with marker chromosomes in Turner's syndrome

Patients with clinical features of Turner's syndrome may have a 45,X/46,X + mar or 46,X + mar karyotype. It is estimated that phenotypic females or intersexuals with a Y chromosome and gonadal dysgenesis have a 20% risk of developing gonadoblastoma, so it is crucial to know whether Turner's syndrome patients have a Y chromosome. We studied the chromosomal make-up of four patients with Turner's syndrome using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Nine Y-chromosomal loci including four loci (PABY, SRY, ZFY, DYS14) on the short arm, one loci (DYZ3) on the centromere, and four loci (DYS132, DYS1, DYZ1, DYZ2) on the long arm were amplified to determine the origin of marker chromosomes. Three patients were identified as having Y chromosome DNA. Patient 1 contained the presumed gonadoblastoma locus (DYS132) and a prophylactic gonadectomy was carried out. DNA extracted from dysgenetic gonads did not show Y chromosome DNA. A rapid, highly sensitive and isotope-free method for detection of abnormal Y chromosomes in Turner's syndrome patients has been developed. Chromosome in situ hybridization analysis is required to confirm the PCR results, to provide further evidence for molecular organization of these marker chromosomes.

Overexpression of MDM-2 mRNA and mutation of the p53 tumor suppressor gene in bladder carcinoma cell lines

To investigate the importance of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in bladder carcinogenesis, we determined the status of the expression of the MDM-2 and p53 genes and genetic alterations in the p53 gene in five bladder carcinoma cell lines and one kidney urothelial carcinoma cell line. Overexpression of MDM-2 mRNA was observed in three bladder carcinoma cell lines, J82, SCaBER, and BFTC-905. Amplification of the MDM-2 gene was not detected in any of the six cell lines by southern analysis. The deletion in the p53 gene was observed in J82, and point mutation was detected in J82 and BFTC-909, the kidney urothelial carcinoma cell line. In contrast, no mutations were found in codons 12, 13, and 61 in the Ha-ras and Ki-ras genes in these six cell lines. These results indicate that alterations in the p53-regulated pathway are important in bladder carcinogenesis.

Optimal dose of garlic to inhibit dimethylhydrazine-induced colon cancer

This study was designed to investigate the optimal dose of garlic during long-term feeding and its preventive and therapeutic effects on colon cancer in rats induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH). A total of 240 male Sprague-Dawley rats were grouped and fed with either a basal or a garlic diet of different concentration, and some groups were subcutaneously injected with DMH 20 mg/kg once a week for 20 weeks. The incidence of colon tumor was significantly decreased in the groups fed with 2.5%, 5%, and 10% garlic diets (p < 0.001). There was no distinct difference among these concentrations (p > 0.05). Therefore the minimal optimal dose of garlic to inhibit colon cancer was 2.5%. The equivalent dose of this concentration in humans is 4.76 g/m2 body surface/day. In a therapeutic study, the tumor-inducing interval in nude mice subcutaneously injected with colon cancer cells (CC-M2) was prolonged by a 2.5% garlic diet (p < 0.01). Thus smaller tumor volume and longer survival time were found in the garlic group than in the controls (p < 0.01). However, the growth rate of tumors was not markedly inhibited by garlic. All rats finally died within 18 weeks. This study suggested that a 2.5% garlic dose may be used mainly as an inhibitor to prevent colon cancers and improve survival time.

Congenital isolated absence of pulmonary valve in a neonate with partial trisomy 13q

A term female newborn with partial trisomy 13q [46,XX, -18, +der(18) t(13;18) (13qter-->13q22:: 18q23--> 18pter) pat], is described with unbalanced translocation and isolated absence of the pulmonary valve. The clinical manifestations included hypertelorism, corneal opacification, high arch palate, rocker-bottom feet, polydactyly (both hands and feet), respiratory distress and intractable congestive heart failure. Echocardiogram showed isolated absent pulmonary valve. This consents report such a combination in partial chromosome 13 trisomy.