[Multi-slice CT scanners]

Some basic specifications of four commercial multi-slice CT scanners are compared with each other. The new technologies under the development of multi-slice CT are described and the image quality performance of multi-slice is discussed in this paper.

Nonnative intermediate state of acid-stable beta-sheet protein

Cell adhesion molecule, CD2, from the immunoglobulin superfamily, is comprised of antibodies and Ig-like domains and plays a fundamental role, not only in the immune system, but also in the interactions between cells, specifically in cell-cell adhesion. This study examines the N-terminal domain 1 of CD2 (CD2-1) at different pHs, and in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE), using nears- and far-UV circular dichroism (CD), fluorescence, and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance to elucidate factors contributing to the Ig beta-structure. Contrary to the complete unfolding induced by guanidinehydrochloride, CD2-1 retains its native tertiary structure at pHs from 1.0 to 10.0. Like the effects of high temperatures that have previously been observed, TFE reduces the integrity of the tertiary structure, while reorganizing the secondary structure from a native all-beta-sheet to a significantly alpha-helical conformation. The induced helicity of CD2-1 correlates with the helicity inherent in its primary sequence. Our results suggest that electrostatic interactions are less important for the formation of the native secondary and tertiary structure of CD2-1, although they are crucial for CD2's adhesion function. Interference with the protein's hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen-bonding networks, however, causes significant changes in its conformation. Residues of CD2-1, with high conformational flexibility, may contribute for the formation of a metastable dimer by domain-swapping.

Dietary fat and garlic oil independently regulate hepatic cytochrome p(450) 2B1 and the placental form of glutathione S-transferase expression in rats

The individual and combined effects of dietary fat and garlic oil on two drug-metabolizing enzymes, cytochrome P(450) 2B1 and the placental form of glutathione (GSH) S-transferase (PGST), in rat liver were examined in this study. Rats were fed a low corn oil, high corn oil or high fish oil diet and received various amount of garlic oil (0, 30, 80, 200 mg/kg body) orally three times per week for 6 wk. The fat energy in the low and high fat diets accounted for 11.6 and 45.7% of total energy, respectively. Final body weights did not differ among the three dietary fat groups and were not affected by garlic oil treatment. The fatty acid profile in hepatic phospholipids revealed higher eicosapentaenoic acid [20:5(n-3)] and docosahexaenoic acid [22:6(n-3)] levels in the fish oil-fed group than in the low and high corn oil-fed groups (P < 0.05). In contrast, the corn oil-fed groups had greater hepatic phospholipid arachidonic acid [20:4(n-6)] levels (P < 0.05). Both dietary fat and garlic oil significantly affected hepatic cytochrome 7-pentoxyresorufin O-dealkylase (PROD) activity and GST activity toward ethacrynic acid. Rats fed the high fish oil diet had 85 and 51% higher PROD activity compared with those fed the low or the high corn oil diet, respectively (P < 0.05). The GST activity in the high fish oil and the high corn oil groups was 33 and 18% higher than that in the low corn oil group (P < 0.05), respectively, and the GST activity in rats fed the high fish oil diet was higher than in those fed the high corn oil diet (P < 0.05). Garlic oil dose-dependently increased GST activity. No interaction between dietary fat and garlic oil on PROD or GST activity was noted. Northern and Western blot analysis revealed that dietary fish oil increased both cytochrome P(450) 2B1 and PGST mRNA and protein levels. Cytochrome P(450) 2B1 and PGST mRNA and protein levels were also dose-dependently increased by garlic oil treatment. The effects of garlic oil and dietary fat on P(450) 2B1 and PGST mRNA and protein expression were independent. These results indicate that dietary fat and garlic oil independently modulate P(450) 2B1 and PGST expression at transcriptional and/or post-transcriptional stages.

[Analysis of monoclonal protein in 72 cases of multiple myeloma]

Serum and urinary monoclonal proteins (M protein) were measured in 72 cases of multiple myeloma (MM) using rate nephelometry. In IgG and IgA types of MM, the level of immunoglobulin (Ig) corresponding to the malignant isotype was significantly higher and that of Ig uncorresponding to the malignant isotype lower than the normal level. The light chain corresponding to the malignant isotype in serum was increased and the light chain uncorresponding to that in serum was decreased either kappa-IgG, IgA types or lambda-IgG, IgA types. Either kappa-LC or lambda-LC type of MM, the serum light chain corresponding to the malignant isotype was in the normal range and uncorresponding to that was decreased, and the corresponding light chain in urine was significantly elevated. Kappa/lambda ratio in serum and urine was all significantly abnormal in IgG, IgA, and LC types of MM. Our data suggest that any quota among kappa light chain > 20 g.L-1 or < 5 g.L-1, lambda light chain > 10 g.L-1 or < 2 g.L-1 in serum and kappa/lambda ratio > 5 or < 0.75 in serum and urine has an important value for diagnosing MM.

Use of an Amplatz Goose Neck snare as a target for collateral neck vein dialysis catheter placement

The authors describe a technique for insertion of a hemodialysis catheter when the usual large neck veins are difficult to access. The essence of the procedure is the use of the Amplatz Goose Neck snare as a fluoroscopic target. The snare is used in its conventional mode to grasp the introduction wire. The dialysis line then can be placed in its usual fashion.

Structural biology of the cell adhesion protein CD2: alternatively folded states and structure-function relation

Cluster of differentiation 2 (CD2) is a cell surface glycoprotein expressed on most human T cells and natural killer (NK) cells and plays an important role in mediating cell adhesion in both T-lymphocytes and in signal transduction. The understanding of the biochemical basis of molecular recognition by the cell adhesion molecule CD2 has been advanced greatly through the determination of structures and the dynamic properties of the complexes and their individual components and through site-directed mutagenesis. A number of general principles can be derived from the structural and functional studies of the extracellular domains of CD2 and CD58 and their complex. Significant electrostatic interactions within the protein-protein interfaces contribute directly to the formation of macromolecular complexes of CD2 and CD58. Also, residues located on the protein-protein interface demonstrate a certain degree of conformational change upon the formation of a complex. Structural analysis of CD2 has revealed that this adhesion molecule exhibits strong conformational flexibility with a partial non-native helical conformation at high temperatures and in the presence of an organic solvent. In addition, it can be converted into a domain swapped dimer, or trimer and tetramer through hinge deletion. Thus, the conformational status of the adhesive proteins contributes to the regulation of cell adhesion and the folding of CD2.

Internalization of proteinase 3 is concomitant with endothelial cell apoptosis and internalization of myeloperoxidase with generation of intracellular oxidants

The important issue addressed by the studies presented here is the mechanism of neutrophil-mediated damage to endothelial and epithelial cells during inflammation. Binding of neutrophil-released granule proteins to endothelial cells may be involved in vascular damage in patients with inflammatory vascular diseases. We have determined whether granule proteins proteinase 3(PR3) and/or myeloperoxidase (MPO) are internalized into endothelial cells, as examined by UV light, confocal, and electron microscopy. Coincident induction of apoptosis and/or the generation of intracellular oxidants were monitored. The results indicate that human endothelial cells (human umbilical vein endothelial cells, human umbilical arterial endothelial cells, human lung microvascular endothelial cells) internalize both PR3 and MPO, which are detected on the cell surface, in the cytoplasm, and possibly nuclear. Epithelial cells (small airway epithelial cells) internalized MPO but not PR3, implying that the mechanism of PR3 internalization may be cell-type specific and different from that of MPO. Internalization of PR3, but not MPO, correlated with activation of apoptosis. Internalization of MPO correlated with an increase in intracellular oxidant radicals. The requirement for the proteolytic activity of PR3 for the induction of apoptosis was examined by generating PR3-truncated fragments that did not contain the components of the catalytic triad. An apoptotic function was localized to the C-terminal portion of PR3. These studies reveal novel mechanisms by which the neutrophil granule proteins PR3 and MPO contribute to tissue injury at sites of inflammation.

[Intranasal endoscopic treatment of chronic sinusitis in children]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the curative effect of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) and the factors associated with surgery effect for treating children with chronic sinusitis.

METHOD

Thirty-one children with a median age of 10 years (range 5-14 years) who suffered from chronic sinusitis or/and nasal polyps and were operated via ESS from May 1996 to January 1999 were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULT

According to the therapeutic evaluation standard (ESS-1997, Haikou), twelve cases (38.7%) were completely cured, fifteen cases (48.4%) were improved and four children (12.9%) showed no change with a general effective rate of 87.1% without any severe operative complication.

CONCLUSION

The results suggested ESS is a safe and effective method in the treatment of children with chronic sinusitis or/and nasal polyps. Furthermore, meticulous postoperative endoscopic care and medication are also important for securing optimal long-term results.

Cloning and expression of ZAK, a mixed lineage kinase-like protein containing a leucine-zipper and a sterile-alpha motif

A novel mixed lineage kinase-like protein ZAK, containing a leucine-zipper (LZ) and a sterile-alpha motif (SAM), was cloned. This cDNA has 2456 bp and encodes a protein of 800 amino acids that contains a kinase catalytic domain, a leucine-zipper and a SAM. The molecular weight of this protein is 91kDa. Northern blot analysis revealed that the expression of this ZAK gene is found in various parts of human tissues. We also found that ZAK proteins might form homodimers or oligomers in mammalian cells. MLKs have been proposed to function as mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase in pathways leading to MAPK cascade. The expression of ZAK in mammalian cells specifically leads to the activation of the JNK/SAPK pathway as well as the activation of transcription factor, NF-kappaB. Overexpression of the ZAK gene induces the apoptosis of a hepatoma cell line.

Target antigens for anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA) are on the surface of primed and apoptotic but not unstimulated neutrophils

The reaction of ANCA with ANCA antigens on the surface of neutrophils may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of ANCA vasculitis. Therefore, an understanding of the circumstances that result in surface expression of these antigens is important for an understanding of pathogenic mechanisms. In this study we investigated the surface expression of ANCA antigens on quiescent, primed, and apoptotic neutrophils. ANCA antigens and other granule constituents were not detected on the surface of neutrophils in freshly heparinized blood. ANCA antigens were on the surface of neutrophils primed by in vitro incubation for 4 h and 8 h. These cells did not show evidence of apoptosis. After 24 h incubation, about 30% of the neutrophils were apoptotic, and ANCA antigens and other granule constituents were present on the surface of both apoptotic and non-apoptotic cells. Our data indicate that there are no ANCA antigens on the surface of quiescent neutrophils, but that they are on the surface of primed neutrophils before the cells become apoptotic, and remain on the surface of cells after they become apoptotic. Based on these observations, we hypothesize that ANCA can react in vivo with primed but not quiescent neutrophils. Previously published observations indicate that the interaction of ANCA with primed neutrophils results in neutrophil activation, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of ANCA vasculitis.

ANCA antigens, proteinase 3 and myeloperoxidase, are not expressed in endothelial cells

BACKGROUND

One hypothesis for the pathogenesis of vasculitis associated with antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCAs) proposes that ANCAs bind to ANCA antigens, such as proteinase 3 (PR3) or myeloperoxidase (MPO), which are produced by endothelial cells and expressed on their surfaces. There are conflicting reports, however, on whether endothelial cells express the ANCA antigen PR3, and there are no reports on endothelial expression of MPO. The aim of this study was to determine the presence or absence of PR3 and MPO mRNA in both venous and arterial endothelial cells, employing standard reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) techniques and also the quantitative and highly specific method, TaqMan PCR.

METHODS

RT-PCR (with 3 primer sets) and TaqMan PCR, a method for detecting low copy transcripts, were used to probe for PR3 and MPO transcripts in human endothelial cells from umbilical vein (HUVEC) and artery (HUAEC) and from lung microvascular (HLMVEC). Cells were treated with interferon-gamma (200 units/mL) or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (3 or 10 ng/mL) or both.

RESULTS

Transcripts for PR3 and/or MPO were not detected in HUVEC, HUAEC, and HLMVEC by standard RT-PCR. Analyses for PR3 protein confirmed that PR3 is not expressed in HUVEC. HUVEC and HUAEC were negative for PR3 and MPO by TaqMan PCR.

CONCLUSIONS

PR3 and MPO are not expressed in HUVEC, HUAEC, or HLMVEC. Endothelial cell presentation of endogenous PR3 and MPO antigens is not involved in the pathogenesis of ANCA-associated vasculitis. Alternative explanations need to be explored to determine the pathogenic effect of ANCAs.

Role of P-glycoprotein in restricting propranolol transport in cultured rabbit conjunctival epithelial cell layers

PURPOSE

To determine the role of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in propranolol transport in cultured rabbit conjunctival epithelial cell layers (RCEC).

METHODS

The localization of P-gp in the cultured RCEC as well as in the excised conjunctiva was determined by immunofluorescence technique. The role of P-gp in transepithelial transport and uptake of propranolol in conjunctival epithelial cells cultured on Transwell filters was evaluated in the presence and absence of P-gp competing substrates, an anti-P-gp monoclonal antibody (4E3 mAb), or a metabolic inhibitor, 2,4-dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP).

RESULTS

Immunofluorescence studies revealed positive staining in the apical membrane of cultured RCEC and in the apical surface of the superficial cell layers in the excised conjunctiva, but not the basolateral membrane of cultured RCEC. Transport of propranolol showed preference in the basolateral-to-apical direction. The net secretory flux was saturable with a Km of 71.5 +/- 24.0 nM and a Jmax of 1.45 +/- 0.17 pmol/cm2/hr. Cyclosporin A, progesterone, rhodamine 123, verapamil, 4E3 mAb and 2,4-DNP all increased apical 50 nM propranolol uptake by 43% to 66%. On the other hand, neither beta-blockers (atenolol, metoprolol, and alprenolol) nor organic cation transporter substrates (tetraethylammonium (TEA) and guanidine), affected apical 50 nM propranolol uptake.

CONCLUSIONS

The energy-dependent efflux pump P-gp appears to be predominantly located on the apical plasma membrane of the conjunctival epithelium. It may play an important role in restricting the conjunctival absorption of some lipophilic drugs.

A new acylated flavonol glycoside and antioxidant effects of Hedyotis diffusa

A study on the bioactive principles of Hedyotis diffusa Willd., led to the isolation of a new acyl flavonol di-glycoside which was characterized as kaempferol 3-O[2"-O-(E-6'"-O-feruloyl)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-beta-D-galactop yranoside by spectral and chemical methods from the methanolic extract. In addition, three known flavonol glycosides and six known iridoid glycosides were also obtained. The above-mentioned glycosides were tested for antioxidant effects on xanthine oxidase inhibition, xanthine-xanthine oxidase cytochrome c and TBA-MDA systems.

Left prefrontal cortex activation during semantic encoding accessed with functional near infrared imaging

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the left prefrontal lobe activation during semantic and non-semantic encoding tasks with functional near-infrared imaging (fNIRI) technique.

METHOD

22 healthy subjects were assigned semantic encoding and non-semantic encoding tasks. During semantic encoding tasks, subjects were asked to make a meaningful sentence including two unrelated Chinese word pairs, while during non-semantic encoding task they were asked to judge whether the two Chinese word pairs had the same morphological structure or not. Light intensity of two wavelengths (760 nm and 850 nm) diffused through skull and left prefrontal lobe were real-time recorded and used to reconstruct the brain activation image during the experiment.

RESULT

With the fNIRI, significant activations were observed in the left inferior prefrontal cortex (Brodmann' areas 45 and 47) during the two tasks, but the evoked activations were more significant for semantic than non-semantic task. These observations were consistent with the results reported by others with functional megnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and positron-emission tomography PET.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that fNIRI provides an important, non-invasive way to map the prefrontal activation during cognitive tasks.

Induction of apoptosis in KB cells by pingyangmycin

Pingyangmycin (PYM; Bleomycin A(5)), an antitumour antibiotic is currently used during anticancer therapy. Previous experiments demonstrated that the therapeutic efficiency of PYM for treatment of malignant tumours is considered to be related to its ability to cause DNA strand breaks in vitro. However, very little is known about the interaction of PYM with the target cells, and it is still unclear how PYM enters the cells. In this study, cell death induced by PYM was studied in a human squamous cell carcinoma cell line (KB cells). In order to determine if cell death occurred by necrosis (reproductive cell death) or apoptosis (programmed cell death), KB cells were exposed to different concentrations of PYM and evaluated by biochemical and morphological criteria. Our results indicate that KB cells displayed an arrest in the G(2)-M phase of the cell cycle and became enlarged and polynucleated before dying at the low concentrations of PYM. In contrast, when cells were exposed to high concentrations of PYM, morphological changes identical to those usually associated with apoptosis were observed as well as internucleosomal digestion of genomic DNA. In conclusion, we demonstrate that PYM is able to induce two distinct modes of cell death depending on the doses of PYM.

Meeting future challenges in topical ocular drug delivery: development of an air-interfaced primary culture of rabbit conjunctival epithelial cells on a permeable support for drug transport studies

The purpose of this study was to develop and characterize a functional air-interfaced primary culture of rabbit conjunctival epithelial cells grown on a permeable support for drug transport studies. Conjunctival epithelial cells from the pigmented rabbit were isolated, seeded at 1.2 x 10(6) cells cm(-2) on permeable Transwell filters, and cultured at the air interface using a modified PC-1 medium. Conjunctival epithelial cell layers showed a transepithelial resistance of 1.1+/-0.1 kOmega cm(2), a potential difference of 17.0+/-0.5 mV, and an equivalent short-circuit current (I(eq)) of 16.1+/-0.4 microA cm(-2). The I(eq) was reduced by 35% using 0.01 mM bumetanide, 66% using 0.1 mM ouabain, 46% using 2 mM barium chloride (all three in the basolateral fluid), and 63% using 0.3 mM NPAA in the apical fluid, consistent with active Cl(-)-secretion across the conjunctival epithelial barrier. Amiloride-sensitive Na(+) channels were absent. The permeability of the cell layers to polar solutes decreased with increased solute size, and the calculated equivalent pore size was about 8.0 nm. The Papp of beta-blockers varied with lipophilicity in a sigmoidal fashion. Uridine transport showed temperature sensitivity and directionality, favoring transport in the apical-to-basolateral direction. Apical L-carnosine uptake was reduced by 46% in the absence of an inwardly directed proton gradient, and lowering the temperature to 4 degrees C abolished direction-dependent L-carnosine uptake. Furthermore, uptake was inhibited by 73% using apical 10 mM glycyl sarcosine (a dipeptide transporter substrate) and by 60% using 1 mM L-valacyclovir (a dipeptide prodrug). In conclusion, a functional air-interfaced primary culture of rabbit conjunctival epithelial cell layers was established. This air-interfaced primary culture model may be useful for studying passive and active transport processes for ion and solute translocation in the mammalian conjunctival epithelial barrier in a defined experimental setting.

Genetic and physical mapping of a type 1 diabetes susceptibility gene (IDDM12) to a 100-kb phagemid artificial chromosome clone containing D2S72-CTLA4-D2S105 on chromosome 2q33

Polymorphic markers within the CTLA4 gene on chromosome 2q33 have been shown to be associated with type 1 diabetes. Therefore, a gene responsible for the disease (IDDM12) most likely lies within a region of <1-2 cM of CTLA4. To define more precisely the IDDM12 interval, we genotyped a multiethnic (U.S. Caucasian, Mexican-American, French, Spanish, Korean, and Chinese) collection of 178 simplex and 350 multiplex families for 10 polymorphic markers within a genomic interval of approximately 300 kb, which contains the candidate genes CTLA4 and CD28. The order of these markers (D2S346, CD28, GGAA19E07, D2S307, D2S72, CTLA4, D2S105, and GATA52A04) was determined by sequence tagged site content mapping of bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) and yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) clones. The transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) analyses of our data revealed significant association/linkage with three markers within CTLA4 and two immediate flanking markers (D2S72 and D2S105) on each side of CTLA4 but not with more distant markers including the candidate gene CD28. Tsp analyses revealed significant association only with the three polymorphic markers within the CTLA4 gene. The markers linked and associated with type 1 diabetes are contained within a phagemid artificial chromosome clone of 100 kb, suggesting that the IDDM12 locus is either CTLA4 or an unknown gene in very close proximity.

Peptide analogs from E-cadherin with different calcium-binding affinities

Cadherins are a family of calcium-dependent cell-surface proteins that are fundamental in controlling the development and maintenance of tissues. Motif B of E-cadherin seems to be a crucial calcium-binding site as single point mutations (D134A and D134K) completely inactivate its adhesion activity. We analyzed peptide models corresponding to motif B (amino acids 128-144) as well as selected mutations of this motif. Our NMR studies showed that this motif B sequence is actually an active calcium-binding region, even in the absence of the rest of the cadherin molecule. We found that the binding affinity of this motif is very sensitive to mutations. For example, our peptide P128-144 with the native calcium-binding sequence has an affinity of Kd 0.4 mM, whereas the mutants P128-144/ D134A and P128-144/D134K containing the replacement of Asp134 by Ala and Lys, have Kd values of only 1.5 and 11 mM, respectively. Removing Asp at position 134, which correlates with the loss of adhesion activity, decreases calcium-binding affinity 20-fold. Ala132, along with residues Asp134, Asp136 and Asn143, is involved in calcium binding in solution. We also demonstrated that the calcium-binding affinity can be increased 3-fold when an additional Asp is introduced at position 132. In 50% organic solvent, this binding affinity of peptide P128-144/A132D (17-mer) from E-cadherin is similar to that of peptide P72-100/C73-77-91A (29-mer) from alpha-lactalbumin.

Fine-mapping of the type 1 diabetes locus (IDDM4) on chromosome 11q and evaluation of two candidate genes (FADD and GALN) by affected sibpair and linkage-disequilibrium analyses

Previous studies have identified a susceptibility region for insulin-dependent (type 1) diabetes mellitus on chromosome 11q13 (IDDM4). In this study, 15 polymorphic markers were analyzed for 382 affected sibpair (ASP) families with type 1 diabetes. Our analyses provided additional evidence for linkage for IDDM4 (a peak LOD score of 3.4 at D11S913). The markers with strong linkage evidence are located within an interval of approximately 6 cM between D11S4205 and GALN. We also identified polymorphisms in two candidate genes, Fas-associated death domain protein (FADD) and galanin (GALN). Analyses of the data by transmission/disequilibrium test (TDT) and extended TDT (ETDT) did not provide any evidence for association/linkage with these candidate genes. However, ETDT did reveal significant association/linkage with the marker D11S987 (P=0.0004) within the IDDM4 interval defined by ASP analyses, suggesting that IDDM4 may be in the close proximity of D11S987.

Effects of diesel exhaust particles (DEP), carbon black, and silica on macrophage responses to lipopolysaccharide: evidence of DEP suppression of macrophage activity

The effects of diesel exhaust particle (DEP) exposure on alveolar macrophage (AM) response to ex vivo and in vivo lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge were determined by monitoring LPS-stimulated production of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). The roles of the insoluble particulate and the organic compounds of DEP in altering pulmonary responses were evaluated by comparing the DEP-induced pulmonary responses to those of carbon black (CB), a carbonaceous particle with few adsorbed organic compounds, or to silica, a known pneumotoxic dust. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to a single intratracheal dose (5 or 35 mg/kg body weight) of DEP, CB, or silica, or to saline vehicle. Rats were sacrificed 1, 3, or 7 d postexposure. To study the responsiveness to the bacterial product LPS, AM isolated from particle-exposed rats were challenged ex vivo with LPS (0.1 microg/10(6) AM) and LPS-stimulated cytokine release was monitored. In addition, rats were exposed intratracheally to a single dose of DEP (5 mg/kg) and 3 d later exposed in vivo to 1 mg/kg LPS for 3 h prior to measurement of cytokine production by AM. DEP exposure resulted in neutrophil infiltration and elevated levels of albumin and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid; these responses were not substantially different from those elicited by CB or silica exposure. AM from DEP-exposed rats showed increased spontaneous production of IL-1, but not TNF-alpha, while the opposite was true for CB or silica. Upon ex vivo challenge with LPS, AM from DEP-exposed rats showed a significant decrease in the secretion of TNF-alpha and, to a lesser extent, IL-1, compared to the sum of the DEP and LPS effects. In contrast, AM from CB- or silica-exposed rats did not show this decreased responsiveness to subsequent LPS challenge. This inhibitory action of DEP on LPS-stimulated AM production of IL-1 and TNF-alpha was further confirmed by the results obtained from rats exposed to both DEP and LPS in vivo. In summary, these results indicate that while DEP, CB, and silica all induce pulmonary inflammatory responses due to particle stimulation, only DEP suppress AM cytokine release in response to LPS stimulation. The contrasting cellular response with respect to DEP and CB exposures may be due to the presence of adsorbed organic compounds on DEP, which may contribute to the increased susceptibility of hosts to pulmonary infections after DEP exposure.

The anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects of fractions from Cudrania cochinchinensis var. gerontogea

Various fractions of the ethanol extract from the root wood of Cudrania cochinchinensis var. gerontogea (Moraceae) were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory effects on carrageenan-induced edema and hepatoprotective activities on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced and D-galactosamine-(D-GalN) induced acute hepatotoxicity in rats. The fractions (n-hexane, CHCl3, EtOAc, n-BuOH, and H2O) displayed significant inhibitory activity against carrageenan-induced edema, and the active anti-inflammatory components were further localized in the n-BuOH fraction, which exhibited the greatest anti-inflammatory effect, an effect 5% greater than indomethacin (which was used as a standard reference substance). Each fraction exerted a significant hepatoprotective effect by reducing enzymatic alteration (sGOT and sGPT) and by improving hepatic lesions, including liver centrilobular inflammation, cell necrosis, fatty change, ballooning degeneration in CCl4-induced acute hepatitis; and necrosis of the portal area in D-GalN-induced acute liver injury. The n-BuOH and EtOAc fractions had the greatest hepatoprotective effects on CCl4-induced liver injury; in contrast, the CHCl3 fraction was most potent against D-GalN intoxication, which is comparable to silymarin, as a recognized hepatoprotective drug.

Evaluation of the antioxidant activities of Erycibe obtusifolia

Free radicals may be involved in various pathogenesis processes. Tissue damage and cellular toxicity of some chemicals mediated by oxygen free radicals can be monitored by studying the levels of lipid peroxidation in the tissues. The study reported here is to investigate the MDA concentrations in different tissues after various doses of Erycibe obtusifolia (EO) treatments. EO given at doses of 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg body weight is experimentally tested through oral administration. The antioxidant effect of EO extract is assessed by the measurements of hepatic, renal and splenic lipid peroxides (measured as malondialdehyde; MDA) after treatments. The results show no significant time-related and dose-dependent increase or decrease of MDA concentrations in the liver, kidney and spleen after EO administrations, respectively. The peak of antioxidant activities is found on the first day and the 6 hrs after treatments for liver and kidney, respectively. In contrast, the MDA concentrations in spleen after EO administrations remained above the normal values. This result suggests that a high dose of EO administration may contribute a little antioxidant activity in both liver and kidney.

Difference in the effects of radioprotection between aerial and root parts of Lycium chinense

Radiation protection from bone marrow death by consecutive injections of crude extracts from different parts of Lycium chinense (LC), root (LCR) and aerial part (LCA), before whole body X-irradiation was confirmed by tests with ICR strain mice. Both extracts were effective after intraperitoneal injection of a high dose, once a day, for seven consecutive days before irradiation. Based on the studies of endogenous hematopoietic spleen colony formation (CFUs), and the postirradiation behavior of hematograms and hematocrits, it was demonstrated that the LCR protects mice more effective when given in a dose of 500 mg/kg. Enhanced CFUs was found in the irradiation range of 4-8 Gy by various treatments. Recovery of leukocyte, erythrocyte and thrombocyte counts was significantly stimulated by the extract of LCR with 500 mg/kg administration. Stimulated recovery by the extract from the LCR was also observed in hematocrit. On the contrary, the extracts of both LCA and LCR did not markedly affect recovery of leukocyte, erythrocyte, thrombocyte counts and hematocrits by 250 mg/kg administration. It could be deduced that the uncertainly radioprotective action is induced by a possible process of enhanced regeneration of the hematopoietic stem cells due to either enhanced postirradiation repair or an increased proliferation of the hematopoietic stem cells under the suitable extract administration.

Histamine H3 activation depresses cardiac function in experimental sepsis

In the heart, histamine (H3) receptors may function as inhibitory presynaptic receptors that decrease adrenergic norepinephrine release in conditions of enhanced sympathetic neural activity. We hypothesized that H3-receptor blockade might improve cardiovascular function in sepsis. In a canine model of Escherichia coli sepsis, we found that H3-receptor blockade increased cardiac output (3.6 to 5.3 l/min, P < 0.05), systemic blood pressure (mean 76 to 96 mmHg, P < 0.05), and left ventricular contractility compared with pretreatment values. Plasma histamine concentrations increased modestly in the H3-blocker-sepsis group compared with values obtained in a nonsepsis-time-control group. In an in vitro preparation, histamine H3 activation could be identified under conditions of septic plasma. We conclude that activation of H3 receptors may contribute to cardiovascular collapse in sepsis.

QSAR analysis of polyamine transport inhibitors in L1210 cells

PURPOSE

In this paper, the authors attempt to construct a mathematical model to correlate the biological activities of 63 polyamine transport inhibitors in L1210 cells with their physicochemical parameters.

METHOD

The inhibitory constants (Ki) were obtained from the published work of Bergeron et al. Non-weighted least square method was used in deriving the regression equations with a BMDP program. An AM1 subroutine of the HyperChem program was used to optimize the geometry and calculate the molecular dipole moments and the distance between two terminal amino groups. A CQSAR program was used to calculate Clog P (oct./w.).

RESULTS

A good correlation (r2 = 0.81) was obtained by using a five-parameter equation including the distance between two terminal amino groups (d), the number of cationic charge (Charge), molecular weight (MW), dipole moment (mu), and hydrogen bond forming ability (Hb).

CONCLUSION

This model accounts for 81% of the variance in the data and can be used to estimate transport-inhibitory activity of many other polyamine analogues. It gives some quantitative information about the relationship between the polyamine analogues' function as transport inhibitors and their molecular structures.

Toxic effects of Erycibe obtusifolia, a Chinese medicinal herb, in mice

Extract of stem of Erycibe obtusifolia (EO) at doses of 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg was experimentally tested through oral and intraperitoneal administration. Toxic effects of EO were assessed through functional changes of the liver and kidneys. Mice died immediately following the i.p. injection at the dose of 10 mg/kg. However, no death occurred after the oral administration at the dose of 10, 20 or 30 mg/kg under close observations for at least 2 weeks. Changes of several functional parameters in both the liver and kidney appeared simultaneously after the oral administration. Although the higher dose increased the levels of serum glutamate-oxalate-transaminase (sGOT), serum glutamate-pyruvate-transaminase (sGPT), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and decreased the levels of hematocrit at 6 h after the treatment, no distinct dose-dependent relationship existed between the administered doses and the changes in functional parameters observed.

Effects of repletion with zinc and other micronutrients on neuropsychologic performance and growth of Chinese children

The knowledge that zinc is essential for growth and neuropsychologic performance and a report of zinc-responsive stunting in Chinese children prompted this project. This article summarizes findings from a 10-wk, double-blind, controlled trial of zinc repletion in 740 urban, 6-9-y-old first graders from low-income families in Chongqing, Qingdao, and Shanghai, People's Republic of China. Treatments were 20 mg Zn alone (Z), 20 mg Zn with micronutrients (ZM), and micronutrients alone (M). The M mixture was based on National Research Council guidelines. Nutrients that might interfere with zinc retention were excluded or given in lower amounts. Main outcomes were changes in neuropsychologic performance and knee height. Hemoglobin, serum ferritin, plasma and hair zinc, and whole blood and hair lead were also measured. Anemia was not common, and serum ferritin concentrations were usually within the range of normal. Mean baseline plasma zinc concentrations were marginal in children from Chongqing and Qingdao and normal in children from Shanghai. After treatment with ZM or M plasma zinc increased. Hair zinc tended to decrease after all treatments. Mean baseline whole blood lead concentrations were slightly below the limit considered excessive for children by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Neuropsychologic performance and growth were most improved after treatment with ZM. These findings were consistent with the presence of zinc and other micronutrient deficiencies.

Existence of a p-glycoprotein drug efflux pump in cultured rabbit conjunctival epithelial cells

PURPOSE

To determine whether a p-glycoprotein (P-gp) drug efflux pump exists in cultured rabbit conjunctival epithelial cells (RCEs) to restrict the absorption of cyclosporin A (CSA) and other lipophilic drugs such as verapamil and dexamethasone.

METHODS

The anti-P-gp monoclonal antibody (mAb) C219 was used in western blot analysis to reveal the presence of P-gp in freshly isolated and cultured RCEs. Bidirectional transport of tritiated CSA, verapamil, and dexamethasone (0.5 or 5.0 microM) across cultured RCEs was evaluated in the absence and presence of P-gp inhibitors and an external mAb to P-gp (4E3).

RESULTS

Western blot analysis of lysates of freshly isolated and cultured RCEs with C219 mAb revealed a 170-kDa membrane protein band. At 0.5 microM CSA, the basal-to-apical (ba) apparent permeability coefficient (P(app) that is, efflux) was 9.3 times higher than that in the apical-to-basal direction (that is, influx). At 5 microM, this ratio was halved. Net CSA secretion was blocked completely at 4 degrees C. Verapamil (100 microM), progesterone (100 microM) and 4E3 mAb (5 microg/ml) increased CSA influx three times, while reducing efflux by 50% to 70%. Verapamil and progesterone inhibited CSA efflux in a concentration-dependent manner. In all cases, net secretory CSA flux was markedly reduced. The P(app) for verapamil (0.5 microM) and dexamethasone (0.5 microM) in the ba direction was 3.4 and 1.6 times, respectively, which was higher than that in the opposite direction. The 4E3 mAb reduced net verapamil secretion by 65%.

CONCLUSIONS

There may exist a P-gp-mediated drug efflux pump on the apical aspect of the rabbit conjunctiva to restrict the absorption of cyclosporin A and other lipophilic drugs.

Ras signals to the cell cycle machinery via multiple pathways to induce anchorage-independent growth

Several specific cell cycle activities are dependent on cell-substratum adhesion in nontransformed cells, and the ability of the Ras oncoprotein to induce anchorage-independent growth is linked to its ability to abrogate this adhesion requirement. Ras signals via multiple downstream effector proteins, a synergistic combination of which may be required for the highly altered phenotype of fully transformed cells. We describe here studies on cell cycle regulation of anchorage-independent growth that utilize Ras effector loop mutants in NIH 3T3 and Rat 6 cells. Stable expression of activated H-Ras (12V) induced soft agar colony formation by both cell types, but each of three effector loop mutants (12V,35S, 12V,37G, and 12V,40C) was defective in producing this response. Expression of all three possible pairwise combinations of these mutants synergized to induce anchorage-independent growth of NIH 3T3 cells, but only the 12V,35S-12V,37G and 12V,37G-12V,40C combinations were complementary in Rat 6 cells. Each individual effector loop mutant partially relieved adhesion dependence of pRB phosphorylation, cyclin E-dependent kinase activity, and expression of cyclin A in NIH 3T3, but not Rat 6, cells. The pairwise combinations of effector loop mutants that were synergistic in producing anchorage-independent growth in Rat 6 cells also led to synergistic abrogation of the adhesion requirement for these cell cycle activities. The relationship between complementation in producing anchorage-independent growth and enhancement of cell cycle activities was not as clear in NIH 3T3 cells that expressed pairs of mutants, implying the existence of either thresholds for these activities or additional requirements in the induction of anchorage-independent growth. Ectopic expression of cyclin D1, E, or A synergized with individual effector loop mutants to induce soft agar colony formation in NIH 3T3 cells, cyclin A being particularly effective. Taken together, these data indicate that Ras utilizes multiple pathways to signal to the cell cycle machinery and that these pathways synergize to supplant the adhesion requirements of specific cell cycle events, leading to anchorage-independent growth.

SAR models for estimating the percutaneous absorption of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons

A structure-activity relationship (SAR) of the in vitro percutaneous absorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) is described. The data set consisted of 60 three to seven ring PAH. Over 50 numeric descriptors were generated from the modeled molecular structures. Computer aided methods were used to evaluate descriptors and develop linear expressions relating the percent of dermally applied PAH dose absorbed through skin (PADA) to PAH structure. Three regression models with one and two variables were developed. The log octanol/water partition coefficient (log P) was the most important variable in determining percutaneous absorption. An inverse relationship between log P and the skin penetration properties of the PAH was observed. Nearly 40 of 60 PAH tested had PADA-values within a factor of two of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP); well over 50 of 60 had PADA-values within a factor of three. The results lend support to the use of isotopically labeled BaP as a surrogate for measuring the dermal flux (in vivo and in vitro) and estimating the dermal bioavailability of PAH from complex mineral oil and coal-tar derived mixtures.

Effect of oxypurinol on cyclosporine toxicity in cultured EA, LLC-PK1 and MDCK cells

It has been proposed that cyclosporin (CsA) toxicity may in part be due to the action of oxygen-based free radicals. We compared the response of cultured endothelial (EA) and epithelial (LLC-PK1 and MDCK) cells to CsA, 250 or 1000 ng/mL for 24 or 72 h, with or without the xanthine oxidase inhibitor oxypurinol (Oxy), 10 mg/mL. CsA-induced alterations were seen on phase contrast and electron microscopy. In EA cells, swollen mitochondria and large cytoplasmic vacuoles surrounded by a thin membrane containing ribosomes were present at the periphery of the cell. In LLC-PK1 cells no vacuoles were present while in MDCK cells, the vacuoles were smaller and more centrally located. In both epithelial cell lines, mitochondria were distorted with loss of cristae. In all three cell lines, CsA depressed cell counts and decreased 3H-thymidine incorporation. Also, LDH release was accelerated. The addition of Oxy minimized the morphologic effect of CsA on all three cell lines with the effect more apparent in EA cells. The CsA-induced reduction of cell replication and increase in LDH release were also attenuated by Oxy. These results support the notion that the peroxidative properties of CsA may be responsible in part for CsA-induced nephrotoxicity.

Comparative study of different interventional therapies for primary liver cancer

AIM: To compare the therapeutic effect of three types of inter-ventional management for primary liver cancer.

METHODS: A total of 468 patients with primary liver cancer were randomly allocated to the following three groups: 138 cases treated with chemotherapy alone using mitomycin C, adriamycin and 5-FU (group A); 158 cases treated with chemoembolization using lipiodol (group B); and 172 cases with chemoembolization using lipiodol and gelfoam (group C). All patients were angiographically and sonographically followed-up.

RESULTS: In group C, 67.5% patients had AFP value decreased by > 50%, which was much higher than the 43.3% in group B and 32.2% in group A. Tumor size reduction by ≥ 50% occurred in 20.3% of patients in group A, 41.2% of patients in group B and 44.8% of patients in group C. The intergroup differences between group A and group B or C were significant (P < 0.01). The 1-year and 3-year survival rates were 20.5% ± 3.6% and 1.9% ± 2.4% for group A, 51.3% ± 4.4% and 10.1% ± 4.9% for group B, and 63.0% ± 2.4% and 13.9% ± 5.0% for group C, respectively. The differences between all three groups were significant (P < 0.05). The mean survival time for patients in groups A, B and C were 9.6 mo, 16.1 mo and 17.9 mo, respectively.

CONCLUSION: Chemoembolization with lipiodol and gelfoam was the most effective therapy for primary liver cancer in this study. The position of the embolization should be far and middle sections of the hepatic artery, and the proximal section should be reserved as the route of the next intra-arterial chemoembolization.

Hypoxia-induced differential electrophysiological changes in rat locus coeruleus neurons

The effects of hypoxia on rat locus coeruleus (LC) neurons were investigated by intracellular recording from in vitro brain slices. In response to a brief exposure to hypoxic medium (2-5 min), equilibrated with 95% N2 - 5% CO2, two populations of cells could be distinguished, type 1 neurons (61%), showing hyperpolarization (9.3 +/- 0.4 mV, n = 125) and cessation of spontaneous action potentials, and type 2 neurons (39%), displaying gradual pure depolarization (6.0 +/- 0.3 mV, n = 80), instead of hypoxic hyperpolarization. Both types of response were associated with a reduction in membrane input resistance (34 +/- 1% for type 1 cells, n = 125, and 21 +/- 2% for type 2 cells, n = 68). While both types of neurons share similar electrophysiological properties, their membrane input resistance differ significantly (type 1 cells: 144 +/- 5 M omega, n = 125; type 2 cells: 183 +/- 9 M omega, n = 80, p < 0.001). These responses were compared to cyanide-induced chemical hypoxia. Cyanide (2 mM) induced the identical membrane response as effected by nitrogen hypoxia. All cells which responded to nitrogen-saturated hypoxic medium with a pure depolarizing response gave a similar response to cyanide and all neurons hyperpolarized by cyanide were also hyperpolarized by hypoxic medium. Moreover, the K(ATP) channel opener, diazoxide (1 mM), could mimic the hypoxia-induced hyperpolarization in type 1 neurons (10.6 +/- 0.9 mV, n = 18), but was unable to induce hyperpolarization in type 2 cells (n = 13). In addition, the N2-hypoxia-induced hyperpolarization was completely blocked by tolbutamide (200 microM, n = 8) or glibenclamide (3 microM, n = 9). These results indicate that a brief period of hypoxia evokes two different responses in LC neurons and this may be due to the heterogeneous distribution of K(ATP) channels among different LC neurons.

A preliminary report: effects of zinc and micronutrient repletion on growth and neuropsychological function of urban Chinese children

OBJECTIVE

Zinc is essential for growth and cognition of experimental animals. Past research found zinc repletion improved growth of stunted Chinese children. Therefore we measured effects of zinc repletion on growth and neuropsychological functions of children.

DESIGN

Double-blind randomized controlled treatment trial.

SETTING

Elementary schools in low income districts of Chongqing, Qingdao and Shanghai.

SUBJECTS

Three hundred-seventy-two 6 to 9 year old first graders.

INTERVENTIONS

Treatments were 20 mg zinc, 20 mg zinc with micronutrients, or micronutrients alone. The micronutrient mixture was based on guidelines of the US NAS/NRC. Treatments were assigned to classrooms of 40 or more children each, and administered by teachers 6 days per week for 10 weeks.

MEASURES OF OUTCOME

Changes in knee height and neuropsychological functions.

RESULTS

Zinc alone had the least effect on growth while zinc with micronutrients had the largest effect; micronutrients alone had an intermediate effect. Zinc-containing treatments improved neuropsychological functions, but micronutrients alone had little effect.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings confirm the essentiality of zinc for growth of children, and show, for the first time, the essentiality of zinc for neuropsychological functions of children. In addition, the need for repletion of other potentially limiting nutrients in studies examining the effects of specific nutrients on growth and neuropsychological functions was confirmed.

Comparisons of geniposidic acid and geniposide on antitumor and radioprotection after sublethal irradiation

The antitumor effects of two iridoid compounds, geniposidic acid (GA) and geniposide (GP), were investigated in mice along with their possible effects on radioprotection after sublethal X-irradiation. Decreases in the growth of the implanted tumor by ascitic cells were a result of intraperitoneal administration of GA and GP at high concentrated levels. This result was achieved by exerting the levels of dosage in a dose-dependent manner. Except on the 12th day after treatment by the dosage of 500 mg/kg, reduced radiation effects of mice treated with the drugs in the 30 min preirradiated period by GA and GP on peripheral leukocytes were not observed significantly by the sublethal whole-body X-irradiation. And except on the 7th day after treatment, when these two compounds were administered i.p. to mice 30 min before 4 Gy irradiation, neither GA nor GP enhanced significantly the postirradiation responses of splenic blastogenesis by PHA. In addition, GA might be a more potent tumor growth inhibitor than GP when combined with the X-irradiation, though there was no significant synergetic effect on their combined antitumor activity. The preliminary results of GA and GP on hematological and blastogenic observations in this study suggested that they may very well, partially, play a role in an effective anticancer product with the ability to decrease undesirable radiation damage to the hematologic tissue after high dose irradiation.

Extracellular ATP induces anchorage-independent expression of cyclin A and rescues the transformed phenotype of a ras-resistant mutant cell line

Anchorage-independent growth is characteristic of neoplastic cells, but the signal transduction pathways that mediate this phenotype are poorly understood. Several important cell cycle events are dependent on cell-substratum adhesion in non-transformed cells, including activation of G1 cyclin-dependent kinases and expression of cyclin A; the adhesion requirement of these events is abrogated in Ras-transformed cells. The ER-1-2 mutant rat fibroblast cell line is: 1) resistant to Ras-mediated, anchorage-independent growth; 2) defective in Ras-mediated, adhesion-independent expression of cyclin A, but not adhesion-independent activation of cyclin-dependent kinases; and 3) rescued for Ras-induced, anchorage-independent growth by ectopic expression of cyclin A. We report here that extracellular ATP induces adhesion-independent expression of cyclin A and rescues growth in soft agar by ER-1-2 cells that express Ras. ADP, AMP and the non-hydrolyzable analog adenosine 5'-(beta, gamma-iminodiphosphate) are also effective, but adenosine is not. Adenine nucleotide-induced growth in soft agar is inhibited by reactive blue 2, an antagonist of some P2 purinoceptors. ATP does not induce adhesion-independent expression of cyclin A in ER-1-2 or control rat fibroblasts that do not express Ras, indicating a requirement for additional Ras-regulated signals for expression of this gene; one such signal may lead to phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein, pRB, and related proteins. These results suggest that extracellular ATP could play a role in the multistage carcinogenic process in vivo.

Effects of oleanolic acid and ursolic acid on inhibiting tumor growth and enhancing the recovery of hematopoietic system postirradiation in mice

Two triterpene acids, oleanolic acid (OA) and ursolic acid (UA) were examined for their ability to inhibit the tumor growth and modify hematopoiesis after irradiation in three experimental systems: (a) in vivo anti-tumor activity of implanted tumor by ascitic cells was found to be augmented by addition of OA and UA at a high concentration and inhibited in a dose-dependent manner; (b) in the sublethal whole-body irradiated mice treated with the drugs in the 30 min preirradiation period, enhanced effects of OA and UA on peripheral leukocytes were observed by a different significance, and (c) when these chemicals were administered i.p. to mice 30 min before 4 Gy irradiation, both OA and UA enhanced the postirradiation responses of splenic blastogenesis by PHA. UA was a more potent tumorigenic inhibitor than OA. Combining with the gamma-irradiation, however, there was no significant synergetic effect on their anti-tumor activity. The beneficial effects of OA and UA on hematopoiesis and immunocompetence under this study, suggested they might partially play a role in anti-cancer and, furthermore, with the ability to decrease undesirable radiation damage to the hematopoietic tissue after radiotherapy.

Recovery of the hematopoietic system by Si-Jun-Zi-Tang in whole body irradiated mice

The herbal formulation Si-Jun-Zi-Tang reduced the decrease of leukocytes, erythrocytes, thrombocytes and hematocrit in irradiated mice. In general, its protection was more effective in leukocytes and thrombocytes than other hematocytes. Protection of bone marrow stem cells by Si-Jun-Zi-Tang was markedly enhanced by increased radiotolerance under the dose ranging from 0 to 5 Gy. This increased radiotolerance led to a prolonged shoulder in the survival curve but did not influence the D0 value. Si-Jun-Zi-Tang exerted a beneficial effect on clinical syndromes such as anemia. From the results in this study, we concluded preliminarily that the most effective concentration with least toxicity was about 20 mg/20 g body weight. At this dose, levels of leukocytes as well as thrombocytes were enhanced significantly after chi-irradiation. Elevation of erythrocytes and hematocrits could also be found but was not significant.

Apoptosis of endothelial cells induced by the neutrophil serine proteases proteinase 3 and elastase

The pathogenesis of vasculitis associated with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies is not established. The anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody autoanigens proteinase 3 (PR3) and elastase induce detachment and cytolysis of endothelial cells in vitro. We investigated whether PR3 and elastase trigger endothelial cell apoptosis. Primary bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells were treated with either PR3, elastase, or myeloperoxidase (MPO) and apoptosis assessed by four different methods. By the cell death detection enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, DNA fragmentation increased to 208 +/- 84% or 153 +/- 27% of control with 1 micrograms/ml PR3 or elastase at 24 hours. By ultraviolet light microscopy, the percentage of apoptotic cells significantly increased (P < 0.05) with 5 or 10 micrograms/ml PR3 and 25 or 50 micrograms/ml elastase at 6, 12, or 24 hours. Values at the 24-hour time point are 15.3 +/- 6.4% or 25.8 +/- 6.6% for 5 or 10 micrograms/ml PR3 and 13.9 +/- 3.6% or 20.7 +/- 1.8% for 25 or 50 micrograms/ml elastase compared with 2.2 +/- 1.2% for control. Similarly, with flow cytometry, 5 or 10 micrograms/ml PR3 and 25 or 50 micrograms/ml elastase for 6, 12, or 24 hours demonstrated increasing apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner with the highest values achieved at 24 hours (23.4 +/- 4.0% and 35.6% for 5 and 10 micrograms/ml PR3 and 31.8 +/- 4.0% and 47.8% for 25 and 50 micrograms/ml elastase compared with 7.9 +/- 2.2% in control). Typical DNA laddering was apparent from 6 to 24 hours at 5 or 10 micrograms/ml PR3 and 25 or 50 micrograms/ml elastase. Myeloperoxidase did not induce cell apoptosis. Release of PR3 and elastase by activated neutrophils during acute inflammation, including anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis, may result in vascular damage by endothelial cell apoptosis.

Stigmata: an algorithm to determine structural commonalities in diverse datasets

An algorithm, Stigmata, is described, which extracts structural commonalities from chemical datasets. It is discussed using several illustrative examples and a pharmaceutically interesting set of dopamine D2 agonists. The commonalities are determined using two-dimensional topological chemical descriptions and are incorporated into the key feature of the algorithm, the modal fingerprint. Flexibility is built into the algorithm by means of a user-defined threshold value, which affects the information content of the modal fingerprint. The use of the modal fingerprint as a diversity assessment tool, as a database similarity query, and as a basis for color mapping the determined commonalities back onto the chemical structures is demonstrated.

Frequency of anti-bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) and anti-azurocidin in patients with renal disease

The major subtypes of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) detected by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) are P-ANCA and C-ANCA. In patients with vasculitis, myeloperoxidase (MPO) is the major P-ANCA antigen and proteinase 3 (PR3) is the major C-ANCA antigen. BPI and azurocidin, which are also called 57-kD cationic antimicrobial protein (CAP 57) and 37-kD cationic antimicrobial protein (CAP 37), respectively, have been proposed as less frequent target antigens for C-ANCA and P-ANCA. In patients with renal disease, we determined the frequency of antibodies against BPI and azurocidin. By IFA on alcohol-fixed neutrophils, monoclonal and polyclonal anti-BPI antibodies produced a C-ANCA pattern, whereas rabbit anti-azurocidin antibody produced a P-ANCA pattern. By ELISA, sera from 229 P-ANCA-positive patients, 99 C-ANCA-positive patients and 48 ANCA-negative (by IFA) patients with renal biopsies were tested for reactivity with recombinant human BPI and purified human azurocidin. Of these sera, 17.5% of P-ANCA, 30.3% of C-ANCA and 20.8% of IFA-ANCA-negative sera were positive for anti-BPI; and 8.3% of P-ANCA, 3.0% of C-ANCA and 8.3% of IFA-ANCA-negative sera were positive for anti-azurocidin. There was no statistical difference in frequency of anti-BPI between pauci-immune necrotizing and crescentic glomerulonephritis (NCGN) and other glomerular disease (OGD), and there was a lower frequency of anti-azurocidin in NCGN samples than in OGD samples. By Western blot, anti-BPI-positive sera reacted with a 57-kD BPI band and anti-azurocidin-positive sera with a 29-kD azurocidin band. In conclusion, there is a low frequency of anti-BPI and anti-azurocidin antibodies in ANCA-positive patient sera; however, this does not correlate with NCGN, which is a marker for ANCA-associated small vessel vasculitis, and a similar positivity is found in IFA-ANCA-negative patients with renal disease. Therefore, serologic detection of anti-BPI and anti-azurocidin is not diagnostically specific in patients with renal disease.

Hepatoprotective effects of emodin from Ventilago leiocarpa

A major component of ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and chloroform (CHCl3) fractions of Ventilago leiocarpa Bunge (Rhamnaceae), emodin, was isolated and exhibited hepatoprotective effects on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) as well as D-galactosamine (D-GalN)-induced liver damage. The histopathological examination also clearly showed that emodin reduced lymphocyte cells, Kupffer cells, ballooning degeneration, cell necrosis and hyaline degeneration on CCl4 and D-galactosamine-induced tests.

Angiogenesis factor in endometrial carcinoma: a new prognostic indicator?

OBJECTIVE

Tumor angiogenesis is believed to be a prognostic indicator associated with tumor growth and metastasis. Studies of angiogenesis in breast, prostate, and lung cancer, as well as melanoma, have shown that neovascularization correlates with the likelihood of metastasis and recurrences. The purpose of this study was to evaluate microvessel density as a prognostic factor in endometrial cancer.

METHODS

Between 1980 and 1991 the tumor registry identified 25 patients with a diagnosis of recurrent endometrial cancer. These patients were matched with 25 patients with nonrecurrent disease for age, stage, grade, and treatment. The histologic slides of the 50 patients were reviewed. The paraffin blocks were obtained, and the area of the deepest myometrial invasion was selected for staining. The microvessels within the invasive cancer were highlighted by means of immunocytochemical staining to detect factor VIII-related antigen. Microvessels were counted by two investigators who were blinded to the patients' clinical status. Survival data were analyzed with Kaplan-Meier survival curves.

RESULTS

Microvessel count was related to likelihood of recurrence, although this trend did not reach statistical significance. Patients with tumors of low capillary density had a mean survival time of 123 months. Patients with tumors of high capillary density had a mean survival time of 75 months (p = 0.02). Among patients with recurrent disease, those with a low capillary count survived a mean of 64 months. Patients with recurrent disease with tumors of high capillary density survived a mean of 45 months (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

Angiogenesis factor correlates with survival in endometrial carcinoma.

Shared idiotypy among patients with myeloperoxidase-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody associated glomerulonephritis and vasculitis

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA) have been hypothesized to participate in the pathogenesis of necrotizing vasculitis based on their association with small vessel vasculitides and the in vitro ability of such antibodies to activate cytokine-primed neutrophils. Much remains to be elucidated about the factors responsible for the generation and perpetuation of these autoantibodies and the shaping of the ANCA immune response. This study evaluated the clonal diversity of the ANCA immune response in patients with myeloperoxidase-ANCA associated disease. Isoelectric focusing was used to investigate the clonality of myeloperoxidase-ANCA from 34 patients with pauci-immune necrotizing glomerulonephritis. Sixty-nine percent of the patients had two or less clonotypes to myeloperoxidase, whereas 31% had more than two clonotypes. Clonality was stable over the course of the disease and shared among some unrelated patients. Shared idiotypy was specifically investigated using a murine monoclonal anti-idiotype (7F2C11) to the anti-myeloperoxidase antibodies of one patient with ANCA associated vasculitis. This monoclonal antibody was selected by demonstrating: (1) binding to the proband's affinity purified anti-myeloperoxidase antibodies; (2) an inhibitory effect on the binding of the proband's anti-myeloperoxidase to myeloperoxidase; and (3) lack of binding to control human antibody preparations, or to the proband's crude immunoglobulin preparation, thus excluding an anti-allotype antibody. Purified 7F2C11 was immobilized on Sepharose, and this monoclonal anti-idiotype affinity column was used to search for a shared anti-myeloperoxidase idiotype in the plasma of four other patients with myeloperoxidase-ANCA associated disease. Using this column, we were able to extract anti-myeloperoxidase antibodies from plasma of the other patients but not from control antibody preparations. We concluded that most myeloperoxidase-ANCA patients have a restricted response to myeloperoxidase and that some patients share a common idiotype. The demonstration of shared idiotypy suggests a restricted number of autoreactive epitopes of the myeloperoxidase molecule, or that some anti-myeloperoxidase autoantibodies are encoded by germ line genes, or both.

Light catalytically cracked naphtha: subchronic toxicity of vapors in rats and mice and developmental toxicity screen in rats

Both a subchronic inhalation study and a developmental toxicity screen were performed with vapors of light catalytically cracked naphtha (LCCN). In the subchronic study, four groups of mice and rats (10 animals per sex per species) were exposed for approximately 13 wk (6 h/d, 5 d/wk) to concentrations of LCCN vapors of 0, 530, 2060, or 7690 mg/m3. An untreated control group was also included. Animals were observed daily and body weights were taken weekly. No significant treatment-related changes were found in clinical signs, body weight, serum chemistry, hematology, histopathology of 24 tissues, or weights of 12 organs. A marginal decrease was noted in the number of sperm per gram of epididymis. In the developmental toxicity screen, presumed-pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 0, 2150, or 7660 mg/m3 of LCCN vapors, 6 h/d on d 0-19 of gestation. Females were sacrificed on d 20; dams and fetuses were examined grossly and fetuses were later evaluated for skeletal and visceral effects. The number of resorptions was increased by approximately 140% in the group receiving 7660 mg/m3; no other definite treatment-related changes were observed. Overall, the effects of exposure to partially vaporized LCCN were minimal.

Anti-inflammatory and radical scavenge effects of Arctium lappa

The effects of Arctium lappa L. (root) on anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenger activity were investigated. Subcutaneous administration of A. lappa crude extract significantly decreased carrageenan-induced rat paw edema. When simultaneously treated with CCl4, it produced pronounced activities against CCl4-induced acute liver damage. The free radical scavenging activity of its crude extract was also examined by means of an electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometer. The IC50 of A. lappa extract on superoxide and hydroxyl radical scavenger activity was 2.06 mg/ml and 11.8 mg/ml, respectively. These findings suggest that Arctium lappa possess free radical scavenging activity. The inhibitory effects on carrageenan-induced paw edema and CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity could be due to the scavenging effect of A. lappa.

Native-like secondary structure in a peptide from the alpha-domain of hen lysozyme

BACKGROUND

To gain insight into the local and nonlocal interactions that contribute to the stability of hen lysozyme, we have synthesized two peptides that together comprise the entire alpha-domain of the protein. One peptide (peptide 1-40) corresponds to the sequence that forms two alpha-helices, a loop region, and a small beta-sheet in the N-terminal region of the native protein. The other (peptide 84-129) makes up the C-terminal part of the alpha-domain and encompasses two alpha-helices and a 3(10) helix in the native protein.

RESULTS

As judged by CD and a range of NMR parameters, peptide 1-40 has little secondary structure in aqueous solution and only a small number of local hydrophobic interactions, largely in the loop region. Peptide 84-129, by contrast, contains significant helical structure and is partially hydrophobically collapsed. More specifically, the region corresponding to helix C in native lysozyme is disordered, whereas regions corresponding to the D and 3(10) helices in the native protein are helical in this peptide. The structure in peptide 84-129 is at least partly stabilized by interactions between residues in the two helical regions, as suggested by further NMR analysis of three short peptides corresponding to the individual helices in this region of the native protein.

CONCLUSIONS

Stabilization of structure in the sequence 1-40 appears to be facilitated predominantly by long-range interactions between this region and the sequence 84-129. In native lysozyme, the existence of two disulphide bonds between the N- and C-terminal halves of the alpha-domain is likely to be a major factor in their stabilization. The data show, however, that native-like secondary structure can be generated in the C-terminal portion of the alpha-domain by nonspecific and nonnative interactions within a partially collapsed state.

Anti-inflammatory effects of emodin from ventilago leiocarpa

Emodin, a major component of the AcOEt and CHCl3 fractions from Ventilago leiocarpa Bunge (Rhamnaceae), was isolated. It exhibited apti-inflammatory effect on carrageenan-induced edema in rats.