Sequence and developmental expression of AmphiTob, an amphioxus homolog of vertebrate Tob in the PC3/BTG1/Tob family of tumor suppressor genes

Tob is a member of the PC3/ BTG1/Tob family of vertebrate tumor suppressor genes; its expression is known to inhibit proliferation of cells in vitro, but its possible roles during normal development have not been investigated previously. The present study concerns the structure and developmental expression of AmphiTob in an invertebrate chordate, amphioxus. This is the first investigation of any Tob gene during embryological development. The 311 amino acid AmphiTob protein is similar to vertebrate Tob but lacks the C-terminal PQ-rich domain of the latter. In early embryos of amphioxus, in situ hybridization first reveals AmphiTob expression in the hypoblast at the gastrula stage on the likely dorsal side of the embryo. During subsequent development, expression is seen in several tissues of the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. The most striking expression domains are in the developing somitic musculature and dorsal nerve cord. In the medial wall of each somite, AmphiTob is expressed strongly by cells destined to differentiate into the axial trunk muscles; this pattern persists until late in the larval stage, evidently because undifferentiated cells are continually becoming myogenic as the muscles grow. Nerve cord cells conspicuously transcribe AmphiTob from the late neurula until the early larval stage: Expression occurs in a few cells scattered along the nerve cord and in a group of cells located in the cerebral vesicle (in a region presumably homologous to the vertebrate diencephalic forebrain). During development, an intense and transitory transcription of AmphiTob may be an early event in cells exiting the cell cycle in preparation for differentiation.

A Unified Theory Based on SO(5) Symmetry of Superconductivity and Antiferromagnetism

The complex phase diagram of high-critical temperature (Tc) superconductors can be deduced from an SO(5) symmetry principle that unifies antiferromagnetism and d-wave superconductivity. The approximate SO(5) symmetry has been derived from the microscopic Hamiltonian, and it becomes exact under renormalization group flow toward a bicritical point. This symmetry enables the construction of a SO(5) quantum nonlinear final sigma model that describes the phase diagram and the effective low-energy dynamics of the system. This model naturally explains the basic phenomenology of the high-Tc superconductors from the insulating to the underdoped and the optimally doped region.

Cellular localization of stem cell factor and c-kit receptor in the mouse nervous system

We have characterized the cellular localization of stem cell factor (SCF) and c-kit receptor (c-kitR) in the adult mouse nervous system in situ and in culture by using immunocytochemistry. We found that SCF is largely confined to the neuronal population in normal brain, whereas c-kitR is expressed by glial cells as well as some neurons. We also found that astroglia at an early stage of culture (7 days in vitro) are strongly SCF positive and weakly c-kitR positive. Microglia in cultures express both SCF and c-kitR, but the immunostaining of SCF is weak and diffuse when microglia are cultured in the presence of colony stimulating factor-1. Northern blot analysis confirmed the expression of mRNAs of c-kit and SCF in cultured neurons, astroglia, and microglia. The addition of recombinant SCF to astroglia in culture upregulates the expression of mRNAs of nerve growth factor, brain derived neurotrophic factor, and ciliary neurotrophic factor. These observations suggest that SCF/c-kitR signaling is involved in neuron-neuron as well as neuron-glia interactions.

Neuron-microglia interactions in vitro

We observed that soluble factor(s) in microglia-conditioned medium supported the survival of cerebral cortical neurons from E15 mouse in a dose-dependent manner. In mixed neuron-microglia cultures, neurons possessed long neurites with extensive arborization and could survive for up to 4 weeks. In such cultures, neurons had an up-regulated level of phosphotyrosine immunoreactivity as compared to those in pure neuron cultures. In mixed cultures, microglia extended cytoplasmic processes toward the growing neurites, and when they contacted neurites, the microglia changed morphology by flattening and rounding up by extending thin cytoplasmic processes. Microglia survived longer in mixed cultures than in pure microglia cultures, with or without neuron-conditioned medium. Under all these culture conditions, microglia were phagocytic as evaluated by Fc receptor-mediated phagocytosis of opsinized sheep erythrocytes, suggesting that the phagocytic activity of microglia does not impair their capacity to support neuronal survival. However, lipopolysaccharide treated microglia did impede neuronal survival in mixed cultures. These observations indicate that, in vitro, microglia can be either neurotrophic or neurotoxic depending upon the microenvironment. The mixed neuron-microglia cultures described provide a valuable in vitro model systems for studying the direct interactions between neurons and microglia.

Relationship between hepatocellular carcinoma and subtypes of hepatitis C virus: a nationwide analysis

Although hepatitis C virus (HCV) has now been classified into several subtypes, the clinical significance of HCV subtypes is not well known. Typing of HCV is now routinely performed in Japan. In the present study, HCV subtypes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients were analysed from nationwide data collected in Japan using a standard questionnaire. Answers to the questionnaire concerning HCV subtypes in patients with chronic hepatitis (CH), liver cirrhosis (LC) and HCC were obtained from 14 hospitals. The prevalence of the 1b-related subtype, which includes the mixed subtype of 1b and 2a or 2b, in patients with LC and HCC in each hospital was higher than in patients with CH, with few exceptions. However, the differences were not statistically significant because of the small number of patients in each hospital. In summarized data from all 14 hospitals, the 1b-related subtype was found in 1370 of 1922 patients with CH (71.2%). In 356 LC and 426 HCC patients, the prevalence of the 1b-related subtype was 79.8 and 80.5%, respectively. The prevalence of the 1b-related subtype in patients with LC and HCC was significantly higher than in patients with CH. There was no significant difference between the prevalence of the 1b-related subtype in patients with HCC and LC. These results indicate that the oncogenic activity of subtype 1b, although not yet clearly characterized, may be stronger than subtypes 2a and 2b.

Early and late long-term effects of vasectomy on serum testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels

PURPOSE

We investigated whether the association between vasectomy and prostate cancer has a hormonal basis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We examined serum testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels by radioimmunoassay on 91 pairs of men who did and did not undergo vasectomy.

RESULTS

Men who underwent vasectomy 10 to 19 years previously had higher dihydrotestosterone levels than age matched controls. In men who underwent vasectomy 20 years or more ago testosterone was higher than in corresponding controls. No statistically significant difference in luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels was noted between the men who had had vasectomy and controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indirectly support the hypothesis that there is an elevated risk of prostate cancer among men who underwent vasectomy 20 or more years previously.

[Analysis and comparison of the essential oil from Evodia rutaecarpa (Juss.) Benth. before and after processing by GC-MS]

Analysis has been carried out by GC-MS on the essential oil from the crude drug Evodia rutaecarpa and its Glycyrrihiza uralensis processed product, vinegar processed product and salt processed product. The total amount of essential oil decreases in the order of crude drug, vinegar processed, G. uralensis processed and salt processed products. The results of GC-MS analysis show that the constituents of the essential oil from the crude drug and its G. uralensis processed product are markedly different, and the contents of these constituents vary significantly.

[Application of silicone oil in management of complicated retinal detachment surgery]

60 eyes of 60 cases with complicated retinal detachment were treated by vitrectomy combined with silicone oil tamponade, including grade D of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) in 27, giant retinal tears with posterior flaps folded up in 15, posterior polar or macular holes in 13 and traumatic PVR in 5 eyes. After 3-24 months of follow-up, it is shown that 48 eyes obtained anatomic reattachment, the success rate being 80%, and the post-operative visual acuities improved in 43 eyes of which 32 eyes achieved > 0.05. The authors consider that vitrectomy and membrane peeling create a situation for silicone oil tamponade to play its role fully, vitrectomy is perfected by the combination of silicone oil tamponade and the rate of success of the retinal detachment operation is increased. The theory, indications, advantages and disadvantages of silicone oil tamponade were briefly discussed.

[Micro-vitreoretinal surgery for the treatment of complicated retinal detachment]

Micro-vitreoretinal surgery combined with scleral buckling and intraocular tamponade were used in the treatment of 108 cases of complicated retinal detachment, including 5 cases with turbid media, 14 cases with traction bands, 53 cases with severe proliferative vitreoretinopathy, 13 cases with giant tears, and 23 cases with posterior retinal breaks. After a follow-up of 3-28 months, 69 cases (63.9%) achieved total retinal reattachment. Visual acuity was improved in 69 cases, unchanged in 24 cases, and decreased in 15 cases, 47 cases obtained visual acuities of over 0.05. The surgical procedures in different groups were discussed.

[Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration: report of 43 cases]

This study reviews the results of common bile duct exploration (CBDE) in 43 cases for suspected stones in the process of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Stones found and removed laparoscopically in 32 cases were 4.0-25.0mm in diameter and with the number ranging from 1 to 40 in a single patient. Exploration was negative in 11 patients (25.6%). AT-tube was inserted into the CBD in all patients exception 9. Two patients suffered from postoperative peritonitis including in one occurring in post-operation day 1 because of dislocated T-tube, and in the other after removing the tube 5 weeks postoperatively. Two patients had a retained stone. Our results suggest that laparoscopic CBDE is a feasible and effective measure for patients with choledocholithiasis.

[Analysis and comparison of the essential oil from Daphne genkwa Sied. et Zucc. before and after processing by GC-MS]

The results of the experiment showed that Daphne genkwa was slightly different from its processed product in the content and color of essential oil. The result of stimulation experiment showed that the essential oil had certain stimulation to eye-conjunctive of rabbits. The stimulation diminishes after processing with vinegar.

Activation of Xenopus laevis eggs in the absence of intracellular Ca activity by the protein phosphorylation inhibitor, 6-dimethylaminopurine (6-DMAP)

Xenopus laevis eggs pricked or microinjected with water or saline in medium containing a limited quantity of free Ca (1.0 to 2.0 microM) remain unactivated for at least 6 hr, even after transfer to oocyte medium containing Ca at higher concentrations (0.5-1.0 mM). These injected eggs, when later pricked in oocyte medium or exposed to A23187 or urethane are fully capable of activation. This confirms the observations of Wangh ('89). However, eggs injected in this Ca-limited medium (CaLM) with 6-DMAP as well as those simply exposed to this drug undergo changes characteristic of activation, including cortical contraction, cortical granule breakdown, a loss of MPF and CSF activities, and pronuclear formation. The time required for 6-DMAP to induce egg activation is inversely correlated to its concentration. Interestingly, eggs that have been injected with EGTA, and thus are unable to respond to activation stimuli such as pricking and A23187 or urethane treatment, can also be activated by exposure to 6-DMAP. In contrast, eggs exposed to or injected with a 6-DMAP analogue (6-aminopurine or puromycin) or a protein synthesis inhibitor (cycloheximide or emetine or puromycin) are not activated. As well, eggs injected in CaLM with 6-DMAP simultaneously with a phosphatase inhibitor (NaF or ammonium molybdate) fail to become activated. Although 6-DMAP-activated eggs remain at the pronucleus stage so long as 6-DMAP is present, they resume cell cycle activities after the drug is withdrawn. They form cleavage furrows, disassemble pronuclear envelopes, and recondense chromosomes. Also, MPF activity reappears and cycles at least twice, peaking each time shortly before cleavage furrow formation. These results suggest that activation of Xenopus eggs arrested at metaphase II by inhibition of protein phosphorylation does not require intracellular Ca release and that maintenance of the egg at metaphase II depends upon continuous protein phosphorylation.

[T-lymphocyte subsets and serum carcinoembryonic antigen in patients with lung cancer and its dynamic changes after therapy]

Using the indirect immunofluorescent assay, we observed the variation of T-lymphocyte subsets of peripheral blood in 100 patients of primary bronchogenic carcinoma and 31 cases with active pulmonary tuberculosis. Serum CEA were measured simultaneously. The decrease of OKT3+, OKT4+, OKT8+ lymphocytes were significant in patients with lung cancer than that in healthy controls (P less than 0.01). The ratio of OKT4+/OKT8+ increased. It suggested that both cellular immunoincompetence and immunoregulatory abnormality were present in patients with lung cancer. After the resection of tumors 65 cases, the percentage of OKT4+ cells increased at the first week. Fourty seven cases were observed continuously for six months, it was found that OKT8+ cells increased (P less than 0.01). After anticancer chemotherapy, the patients with small cell carcinoma revealed a similar changes too. After operation and chemotherapy, serum CEA level decreased significantly too.

Serum alpha-L-fucosidase. A more sensitive marker for hepatocellular carcinoma?

Forty-nine liver disease patients (7 chronic persistent hepatitis, CPH; 10 chronic active hepatitis, CAH; 13 liver cirrhosis, LC; 9 primary hepatocellular carcinoma, PHC, without LC; and 10 PHC with associated LC) and 20 controls were assessed for their serum alpha-L-fucosidase (ALF) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels and several routine liver injury parameters. Tumor diameter in those with hepatic cancer was assessed by angio-CT. Only ALF and AFP were significantly greater in patients with PHC and PHC + LC patients as compared to patients with LC alone. At an accepted cutoff level of 500 ng/ml, the AFP level provided 43% false negative tests. On the other hand, an ALF level exceeding 740 mumol/hr/ml provided a sensitivity of 84% with a specificity of 94%. No relationship between the ALF level and Child's criteria or with any liver injury parameter was evident. Considering all individual values, the ALF, rather than the AFP, correlated with tumor size. This finding suggests the ALF level may be of value in the early detection of PHC as well as in the follow-up of patients treated for PHC.

Cholesterol-rich LDL perfused at physiological LDL-cholesterol concentration induces platelet aggregation and PAF-acetylhydrolase activation

The aim of this research was to perform an in vivo study on the relationships between lipid oxide (LP), platelet aggregation and PAF-acetylhydrolase in a model using perfusion of cholesterol-rich LDL media diluted to physiological LDL-cholesterol concentration. Normal rabbits were infused with LDL (d 1.025-1.063 g/ml) extracted from rabbits previously fed either with standard food (I-LDL group), 1% cholesterol food (II-LDL group) or 1% cholesterol plus probucol (IV-LDL group). CU2+ modified II-LDL was also infused (III-LDL group). After dilution as above, LP increased significantly in III- and II-LDL media. After perfusion, LP significantly increased in III- and II-LDL groups as compared to baseline values and to control. Compared to the I-LDL group, PAF-acetylhydrolase and platelet aggregation significantly increased in III- and II-LDL groups. These data indicate the property of cholesterol- rich LDL to activate PAF-acetylhydrolase and enhance platelet aggregation, even when perfused through a medium containing a physiological LDL-cholesterol concentration.

[Microvitreous surgery combined with scleral encircling for the treatment of complex retinal detachments]

50 cases (50 eyes) of various complex retinal detachments (RD) were treated with a combination of vitrectomy, membrane peeling, intraocular air tamponade and scleral encircling. RD with opaque media, RD with proliferative vitroretinopathy, traction RD due to trauma or other factors, RD with posterior breaks, and giant tears were included. During the follow-up periods of 3-12 months, 27 cases (54%) obtained anatomic reattachment, 23 failed (46%). Of the successful case, 24 eyes achieved improvement, 2 eyes remained unchanged, and one eye became worse in their vision. The surgery complications were: retinal haemorrhage, choroidal haemorrhage, iatrogenic tears, and the development of cataract.