A phase I study of intra-arterial (IA) cisplatin (C) and accelerated fractionation (AF) radiotherapy (RT) for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)

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Background: Concurrent IAC and conventional fractionation (CF) RT is an effective treatment for locally advanced HNSCC. AF RT with 2 late concurrent IAC doses may be equally effective since AF RT produces better local tumor control compared with CF RT and late chemotherapy boost may counteract accelerated repopulation of tumor cells. The maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) of IAC given concurrently with AF RT is not known. Methods: A phase I study was conducted in patients with locally advanced stage III/IV HNSCC to determine the MTD of C that was given as 2 selective IA infusions 1 week apart during the last 2 weeks of AF RT (70 Gy/35 fractions/6 weeks) using 6 fractions/week. IV sodium thiosulfate was used to neutralize the systemic toxicity of C. Starting at 100 mg/m2, cohorts of 3 to 6 patients were treated with escalating doses of IAC, in 25 mg/m2 increments, up to the highest level of 200 mg/m2 per infusion. Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was defined as the occurrence in 2 patients at a dose level of grade 3 acute mucositis or skin reactions lasting more than 8 weeks after completion of treatment; grade 4 hematologic, infective, metabolic or hearing toxicity; or grade 3 renal, hepatic or neurological toxicity. The MTD was defined as the dose level immediately lower than that resulting in DLT. Results: Ten patients were recruited with a mean age of 56 years. Two patients had stage III; 1, stage IVa; and 7, stage IVb disease. The T-stages were T1 (n = 2), T2 (n = 1), T3 (n = 2), and T4 (n = 5). The N-stages were N0 (n = 2), N1 (n = 1), N2 (n = 4), and N3 (n = 3). Three patients received IAC at a dose level of 100 mg/m2, 3 at 125 mg/m2, and 4 at 150 mg/m2. All patients had the 2 planned doses except one in the lowest dose level who developed grade 3 hyponatremia after the first dose. There was no treatment-related mortality. DLT occurred in 2 patients at the 150 mg/m2 dose level. One of them had grade 4 leukopenia, and the other had grade 3 acute skin reactions lasting 9 weeks after RT. Thus, MTD was 125 mg/m2. At a median follow-up of 24 months, 6 patients remained alive and disease-free. Conclusions: In patients with locally advanced HNSCC, AF RT with 2 doses of late IAC boost was feasible. The MTD of IAC was 125 mg/m2.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Two-sample comparison based on prediction error, with applications to candidate gene association studies

To take advantage of the increasingly available high-density SNP maps across the genome, various tests that compare multilocus genotypes or estimated haplotypes between cases and controls have been developed for candidate gene association studies. Here we view this two-sample testing problem from the perspective of supervised machine learning and propose a new association test. The approach adopts the flexible and easy-to-understand classification tree model as the learning machine, and uses the estimated prediction error of the resulting prediction rule as the test statistic. This procedure not only provides an association test but also generates a prediction rule that can be useful in understanding the mechanisms underlying complex disease. Under the set-up of a haplotype-based transmission/disequilibrium test (TDT) type of analysis, we find through simulation studies that the proposed procedure has the correct type I error rates and is robust to population stratification. The power of the proposed procedure is sensitive to the chosen prediction error estimator. Among commonly used prediction error estimators, the .632+ estimator results in a test that has the best overall performance. We also find that the test using the .632+ estimator is more powerful than the standard single-point TDT analysis, the Pearson's goodness-of-fit test based on estimated haplotype frequencies, and two haplotype-based global tests implemented in the genetic analysis package FBAT. To illustrate the application of the proposed method in population-based association studies, we use the procedure to study the association between non-Hodgkin lymphoma and the IL10 gene.

New VMD2 gene mutations identified in patients affected by Best vitelliform macular dystrophy

PURPOSE

The mutations responsible for Best vitelliform macular dystrophy (BVMD) are found in a gene called VMD2. The VMD2 gene encodes a transmembrane protein named bestrophin-1 (hBest1) which is a Ca(2+)-sensitive chloride channel. This study was performed to identify disease-specific mutations in 27 patients with BVMD. Because this disease is characterised by an alteration in Cl(-) channel function, patch clamp analysis was used to test the hypothesis that one of the VMD2 mutated variants causes the disease.

METHODS

Direct sequencing analysis of the 11 VMD2 exons was performed to detect new abnormal sequences. The mutant of hBest1 was expressed in HEK-293 cells and the associated Cl(-) current was examined using whole-cell patch clamp analysis.

RESULTS

Six new VMD2 mutations were identified, located exclusively in exons four, six and eight. One of these mutations (Q293H) was particularly severe. Patch clamp analysis of human embryonic kidney cells expressing the Q293H mutant showed that this mutant channel is non-functional. Furthermore, the Q293H mutant inhibited the function of wild-type bestrophin-1 channels in a dominant negative manner.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides further support for the idea that mutations in VMD2 are a necessary factor for Best disease. However, because variable expressivity of VMD2 was observed in a family with the Q293H mutation, it is also clear that a disease-linked mutation in VMD2 is not sufficient to produce BVMD. The finding that the Q293H mutant does not form functional channels in the membrane could be explained either by disruption of channel conductance or gating mechanisms or by improper trafficking of the protein to the plasma membrane.

A Polynomial Approximation Approach for Analyzing ST Shape Change

ST segment is the most important diagnostic parameter to finding myocardial ischemia. Generally physicians make theirs effort to find the change of ST level and shape in ECG to diagnose myocardial ischemia. Most of algorithms that have been developed until now place importance on the ST segment depression and elevation. However, ST change in shape is also good parameter to find a heart disease and it should be considered prudently. The aim of this study is to detect the change of ST in shape using a polynomial approximation method. The developed algorithm finds the least squares curve for the data between S wave and T wave in ECG and calculates the variance of ST shape. An approximate curve of ST is represented by one polynomial over the whole ST or three polynomials for the segmented ST by three parts. The algorithm considers only the relative change of ST shape based on the reference ST, normal shape typically. From the results of the developed algorithm, we can acquire visually the information about the place to include the change of ST shape in the test ECG provided by European ST database.

Mice with conditional inactivation of fibroblast growth factor receptor-2 signaling in oligodendrocytes have normal myelin but display dramatic hyperactivity when combined with Cnp1 inactivation

Fibroblast growth factor receptors (Fgfr) comprise a widely expressed family of developmental regulators implicated in oligodendrocyte (OL) maturation of the CNS. Fgfr2 is expressed by OLs in myelinated fiber tracks. In vitro, Fgfr2 is highly upregulated during OL terminal differentiation, and its activation leads to enhanced growth of OL processes and the formation of myelin-like membranes. To investigate the in vivo function of Fgfr2 signaling by myelinating glial cells, we inactivated the floxed Fgfr2 gene in mice that coexpress Cre recombinase (cre) as a knock-in gene into the OL-specific 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (Cnp1) locus. Surprisingly, no obvious defects were detected in brain development of these conditional mutants, including the number of OLs, the onset and extent of myelination, the ultrastructure of myelin, and the expression level of myelin proteins. However, unexpectedly, a subset of these conditional Fgfr2 knock-out mice that are homozygous for cre and therefore are also Cnp1 null, displayed a dramatic hyperactive behavior starting at approximately 2 weeks of age. This hyperactivity was abolished by treatment with dopamine receptor antagonists or catecholamine biosynthesis inhibitors, suggesting that the symptoms involve a dysregulation of the dopaminergic system. Although the molecular mechanisms are presently unknown, this novel mouse model of hyperactivity demonstrates the potential involvement of OLs in neuropsychiatric disorders, as well as the nonpredictable role of genetic interactions in the behavioral phenotype of mice.

[Identification of a novel human MAST4 gene, a new member of the microtubule associated serine-threonine kinase family]

Human protein kinases make up a large superfamily of homologous proteins, which are related by virtue of their kinase domains (also known as catalytic domains). Here we report the cloning and characterization of a novel human MAST4 (microtubule associated serine/threonine kinase family member 4) gene, which locates on human chromosome 5q13. The MAST4 cDNA is 7587 base pairs in length and encodes a putative protein of 2435 amino acids which contains a serine/threonine kinase domain and a PDZ domain. MAST4 protein has 64%, 63%, 59% and 39% identical aminoacid residues with MAST1, MAST2, MAST3 and MASTL respectively. RT-PCR analysis revealed relatively high expression level of MAST4 in most normal human tissues, with an exception of in testis, small intestine, colon and peripheral blood leukocyte.

Development of a recombinant fowlpox virus vector-based vaccine of H5N1 subtype avian influenza

The genetic stability of the recombinant fowlpox virus (named rFPV-HA-NA) was confirmed by serial passage on chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cells. The immune efficacy, safety, the minimum immunising dose, the time of immunity induced and the immune duration of the vector-based vaccine was evaluated in specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chickens. The recombinant virus vaccine containing 100 plaque form units (PFU) could induce complete protection against challenge with H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV). The immune efficacy, protecting chickens from clinical signs and death after challenge, was obtained one week after the immunisation with this vaccine. Protective immunity could last for 40 weeks post-immunisation. So the recombinant fowlpox vaccine is a safe and highly effective gene engineering vaccine candidate, and will be used to prevent H5 subtype avian influenza in the future.

Genetic association mapping under founder heterogeneity via weighted haplotype similarity analysis in candidate genes

Taking advantage of increasingly available high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers within genes and across genomes, more and more genetic association studies began to use multiple closely linked markers in candidate genes. A practical analytical challenge arising in such studies is the possibility that not all case chromosomes have inherited disease-causing mutations from a common ancestral chromosome (founder heterogeneity). To alleviate the problem, we propose a method that applies a clustering algorithm to haplotype similarity analysis. The method identifies a sequence of nested subsets of case chromosomes by a peeling procedure, where each subset is relatively homogeneous. The average similarity score estimated from each subset in the sequence is compared to that estimated in controls, and a raw (unadjusted for multiple comparisons) P value is obtained. The test for the association between the trait and the candidate gene is based on the minimum raw P value observed in the comparison sequence, with its significance level estimated by a permutation procedure. The method can be applied to both haplotype and genotype data. Simulation studies suggest that our method has the correct type I error rate, and is generally more powerful than existing methods of haplotype similarity analysis.

Classifying disease chromosomes arising from multiple founders, with application to fine-scale haplotype mapping

The availability of high-density haplotype data has motivated several fine-scale linkage disequilibrium mapping methods for locating disease-causing mutations. These methods identify loci around which haplotypes of case chromosomes exhibit greater similarity than do those of control chromosomes. A difficulty arising in such mapping is the possibility that case chromosomes have inherited disease-causing mutations from different ancestral chromosomes (founder heterogeneity). Such heterogeneity dilutes measures of case haplotype similarity. This dilution can be mitigated by separating case chromosomes into subsets according to their putative mutation origin, and searching for an area with excessive haplotype similarity within each subset. We propose a nonparametric method for identifying subsets of case chromosomes likely to share a common ancestral progenitor. By simulation studies and application to published data, we show that the method accurately identifies relatively large subsets of chromosomes that share a common founder. We also show that the method allows more precise estimates of the disease mutation loci than obtained by other fine-scale mapping methods.

Protection by a taurine supplemented diet from lead-induced deficits of long-term potentiation/depotentiation in dentate gyrus of rats in vivo

Previous studies have demonstrated that synaptic plasticity, which includes long-term potentiation (LTP) and depotentiation (DP) in hippocampus, is important for learning and memory. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of taurine via drinking water on the lead-induced impairments of LTP and DP in rat dentate gyrus (DG) in vivo. The experiments were carried out in four groups of rats (control, lead-exposed, control and lead-exposed with a taurine-supplement diet, respectively). The input-output (I/O) function, excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) and population spike (PS) amplitude were measured in the DG area of adult rats (60-90 days) in response to stimulation applied to the lateral perforant path. The results show that: 1. chronic lead exposure impaired LTP/DP measured on both EPSP slope and PS amplitude in DG area of the hippocampus; 2. in control rats, taurine had no effect on LTP/DP; 3. the amplitudes of LTP/DP of lead-exposed group were significantly increased by applying taurine. These results suggest that dietary taurine supplement could protect rats from the lead-induced impairments of synaptic plasticity and might be a preventive medicine to cure the cognitive deficits induced by lead.

The evolution of H5N1 influenza viruses in ducks in southern China

The pathogenicity of avian H5N1 influenza viruses to mammals has been evolving since the mid-1980s. Here, we demonstrate that H5N1 influenza viruses, isolated from apparently healthy domestic ducks in mainland China from 1999 through 2002, were becoming progressively more pathogenic for mammals, and we present a hypothesis explaining the mechanism of this evolutionary direction. Twenty-one viruses isolated from apparently healthy ducks in southern China from 1999 through 2002 were confirmed to be H5N1 subtype influenza A viruses. These isolates are antigenically similar to A/Goose/Guangdong/1/96 (H5N1) virus, which was the source of the 1997 Hong Kong "bird flu" hemagglutinin gene, and all are highly pathogenic in chickens. The viruses form four pathotypes on the basis of their replication and lethality in mice. There is a clear temporal pattern in the progressively increasing pathogenicity of these isolates in the mammalian model. Five of six H5N1 isolates tested replicated in inoculated ducks and were shed from trachea or cloaca, but none caused disease signs or death. Phylogenetic analysis of the full genome indicated that most of the viruses are reassortants containing the A/Goose/Guangdong/1/96-like hemagglutinin gene and the other genes from unknown Eurasian avian influenza viruses. This study is a characterization of the H5N1 avian influenza viruses recently circulating in ducks in mainland China. Our findings suggest that immediate action is needed to prevent the transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses from the apparently healthy ducks into chickens or mammalian hosts.

Development and characterization of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and their use in determining relationships among Lycopersicon esculentum cultivars

The simple sequence repeat (SSR) or microsatellite marker is currently the preferred molecular marker due to its highly desirable properties. The aim of this study was to develop and characterize more SSR markers because the number of SSR markers currently available in tomato is very limited. Five hundred DNA sequences of tomato were searched for SSRs and analyzed for the design of PCR primers. Of the 158 pairs of SSR primers screened against a set of 19 diverse tomato cultivars, 129 pairs produced the expected DNA fragments in their PCR products, and 65 of them were polymorphic with the polymorphism information content (PIC) ranging from 0.09 to 0.67. Among the polymorphic loci, 2-6 SSR alleles were detected for each locus with an average of 2.7 alleles per locus; 49.2% of these loci had two alleles and 33.8% had three alleles. The vast majority (93.8%) of the microsatellite loci contained di- or tri-nucleotide repeats and only 6.2% had tetra- and penta-nucleotide repeats. It was also found that TA/AT was the most frequent type of repeat, and the polymorphism information content (PIC) was positively correlated with the number of repeats. The set of 19 tomato cultivars were clustered based on the banding patterns generated by the 65 polymorphic SSR loci. Since the markers developed in this study are primarily from expressed sequences, they can be used not only for molecular mapping, cultivar identification and marker-assisted selection, but for identifying gene-trait relations in tomato.

Three electrophysiological phenotypes of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells

The conventional whole cell patch-clamp technique was used to measure the resting membrane conductance and membrane currents of nonstimulated cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in different ionic conditions. Three electrophysiological phenotypes of cultured HUVECs (n = 122) were determined: first, 20% of cells as type I mainly displaying the inwardly rectifying potassium current (IKi); second, 38% of cells as type II in which IKi was super-posed on a TEA-sensitive, delayed rectifying current; third, 27% of cells as type III predominantly displaying the outwardly rectifying current which was sensitive to TEA and slightly inhibited by a chloride channel blocker niflumic acid (N.A.). In cells of type I, the mean zero-current potential (V0) was dependent on extracellular K+ ([K+]o) but not on Cl-, indicating major permeability to K+. Whereas V0 of type II was also affected by extracellular Cl- ([Cl-]o), indicating the contribution of an outward Cl- current in setting V0. The cells of type III were not sensitive to decrease of [Cl-]o and the outward current was activated in a relative stable voltage range. This varying phenotypic expression and multipotential behavior of HUVECs suggests that the electrical features of HUVEC may be primarily determined by embryonic origin and local effect of the microenvironment. This research provided the detailed electrophysiological knowledge of the endothelial cells.

Solution structure of a cathelicidin-derived antimicrobial peptide, CRAMP as determined by NMR spectroscopy

CRAMP was identified from a cDNA clone derived from mouse femoral marrow cells as a member of cathelicidin-derived antimicrobial peptides. This peptide shows potent antimicrobial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria but no hemolytic activity against human erythrocytes. CRAMP was known to cause rapid permeabilization of the inner membrane of Escherichia coli. In this study, the structure of CRAMP in TFE/H2O (1 : 1, v/v) solution was determined by CD and NMR spectroscopy. CD spectra showed that CRAMP adopts a mainly alpha-helical conformation in TFE/H2O solution, DPC micelles, SDS micelles and liposomes, whereas it has a random structure in aqueous solution. The tertiary structure of CRAMP in TFE/H2O (1 : 1, v/v), as determined by NMR spectroscopy, consists of two amphipathic alpha-helices from Leu4 to Lys10 and from Gly16 to Leu33. These two helices are connected by a flexible region from Gly11 to Gly16. Previous analysis of series of fragments composed of various portion of CRAMP revealed that an 18-residue fragment with the sequence from Gly16 to Leu33 was found to retain antibacterial activity. Therefore, the amphipathic alpha-helical region from Gly16 to Leu33 of CRAMP plays important roles in spanning the lipid bilayers as well as its antibiotic activity. Based on this structure, novel antibiotic peptides having strong antibiotic activity, with no hemolytic effect will be developed.

CD200 immunoadhesin suppresses collagen-induced arthritis in mice

DBA/1 mice immunized with 100 microg bovine collagen type II emulsified in Freund's adjuvant, followed by booster injection in incomplete adjuvant at 18 days, develop profound arthritis (>50% of animals) by 30 days postinjection. The molecule CD200 (previously called OX2), associated with, among others, follicular dendritic cells, is implicated in delivery of immunosuppressive signals to the immune system, and an immunoadhesin in which the extracellular domains of CD200 were linked to a mouse IgG2a Fc region has been shown to promote renal allograft survival. DBA/1 mice receiving 15 microg/mouse CD200Fc at 3-day intervals following immunization with collagen did not develop arthritis in this model. Lymphocytes taken from CD200Fc-treated, collagen-immunized mice produced significantly lower levels of TNFalpha and IFN-gamma in culture supernatants after restimulation in vitro with collagen, in contrast to cells taken from control mice treated with PBS or normal mouse Ig. Serum from CD200Fc-treated mice contained less anti-collagen IgG (approximately 50% reduction), with relatively more IgG2b and IgG3, and lower levels of TNFalpha and IFN-gamma, than control mice. These data indicate that this immunoadhesin may have a potent role to play in the regulation of autoimmune disorders.

Effects of Fe(2+) on ion channels: Na(+) channel, delayed rectified and transient outward K(+) channels

The effects of Fe(2+) on the properties of three types of ion channels were studied in acutely dissociated rat hippocampal pyramidal neurons from area CA1 at postnatal ages of 7-14 days using the whole cell patch clamp technique. The results indicated that: (1) in the existence of Fe(2+), the activation voltage threshold of transient outward K(+) currents (I(A)) was decreased. The normalized current-voltage curves of activation were well fitted with a single Boltzmann function, and the V(1/2) was 2.44+/-1.14 mV (n=15) in control, whereas 1.79+/-1.53 (n=15), -2.96+/-0.92 (n=14), -5.11+/-1.31 (n=13), -9.05+/-1.64 mV (n=12) in 1, 10, 100 and 1000 microM Fe(2+), respectively. Differences between two groups were significant (P<0.05, n=12-15), except for that between the control and 1 microM (P>0.05, n=15). (2) Fe(2+) caused a left shift of the current-voltage curves of steady-state inactivation of I(A) in a concentration-dependent manner. The curves were well fitted with a single Boltzmann function with similar slope (P>0.05, n=10-13). The V(1/2) were -70.71+/-1.23 (n=13), -71.14+/-1.37 (n=13), -78.21+/-1.17 (n=11), -84.61+/-1.34 (n=12), and -89.68+/-2.59 mV (n=10) in control, 1, 10, 100 and 1000 microM Fe(2+), respectively. Fe(2+) also shifted the current-voltage curves of Na(+) channel steady-state inactivation to more negative depolarization potentials in parallel, with V(1/2), -67.37+/-1.33 mV (n=12) in control, and -67.52+/-1.28 mV (n=12), -68.24+/-1.61 mV (n=10), -71.58+/-1.45 mV (n=10), -76.65+/-1.76 mV (n=9) in 1, 10, 100 and 1000 microM Fe(2+) solutions, respectively. (3) In Fe(2+) solutions, the recovery from inactivation of I(A) was slowed. (4) With application of different concentrations of Fe(2+), the voltage threshold of activation of delayed rectified outward K(+) currents (I(K)) was decreased, while Fe(2+) showed a little inhibition at more positive depolarization. Briefly, the results demonstrated that Fe(2+) is a dose- and voltage-dependent, reversible modulator of I(A), I(K) and Na(+) channels. The results will be helpful to explain the mechanism of Fe(2+) physiological function and Fe(2+) intoxication in the central nervous system.

A three-dimensional porous framework complex, poly[[bis(ethylenediamine)copper(II)] [potassium hexacyanocobalt(III)]]

The crystal structure of the title compound, [[Cu(en)(2)][KCo(CN)(6)]](n) (en is ethylenediamine, C(2)H(8)N(2)), reveals a novel three-dimensional porous framework in which [Cu(en)(2)](2+) acts as a template and K(+) as a connecting unit. The Cu atom lies on an inversion centre and the Co and K atoms are on twofold axes.

A follow-up survey of alcohol consumption and knowledge in medical students

We surveyed a medical school's students' drinking habits and knowledge 12 years after a previous survey. In this current survey from two academic years, final year students drank less than second year students did. Women in their second year drank as much as men. Overall, 28% of students drank more than the safe limits; 27% of students were problem drinkers, as measured by the CAGE questionnaire, and 52%, as measured by the AUDIT questionnaire. The proportion of students not drinking any alcohol rose from 6% in the previous survey to 27% in the current survey, possibly due to context and demographic changes. In spite of this difference, there have been no statistically significant reductions in either unsafe drinking levels or CAGE scores over 12 years. A third of students overestimated the safe levels of drinking. All medical schools should write and implement an alcohol policy.

RGS18 is a myeloerythroid lineage-specific regulator of G-protein-signalling molecule highly expressed in megakaryocytes

Myelopoiesis and lymphopoiesis are controlled by haematopoietic growth factors, including cytokines, and chemokines that bind to G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Regulators of G-protein signalling (RGSs) are a protein family that can act as GTPase-activating proteins for G(alphai)- and G(alphaq)-class proteins. We have identified a new member of the R4 subfamily of RGS proteins, RGS18. RGS18 contains clusters of hydrophobic and basic residues, which are characteristic of an amphipathic helix within its first 33 amino acids. RGS18 mRNA was most highly abundant in megakaryocytes, and was also detected specifically in haematopoietic progenitor and myeloerythroid lineage cells. RGS18 mRNA was not detected in cells of the lymphoid lineage. RGS18 was also highly expressed in mouse embryonic 15-day livers, livers being the principal organ for haematopoiesis at this stage of fetal development. RGS1, RGS2 and RGS16, other members of the R4 subfamily, were expressed in distinct progenitor and mature myeloerythroid and lymphoid lineage blood cells. RGS18 was shown to interact specifically with the G(alphai-3) subunit in membranes from K562 cells. Furthermore, overexpression of RGS18 inhibited mitogen-activated-protein kinase activation in HEK-293/chemokine receptor 2 cells treated with monocyte chemotactic protein-1. In yeast cells, RGS18 overexpression complemented a pheromone-sensitive phenotype caused by mutations in the endogeneous yeast RGS gene, SST2. These data demonstrated that RGS18 was expressed most highly in megakaryocytes, and can modulate GPCR pathways in both mammalian and yeast cells in vitro. Hence RGS18 might have an important role in the regulation of megakaryocyte differentiation and chemotaxis.

Survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on strawberry fruit and reduction of the pathogen population by chemical agents

Survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 was studied on strawberry, a fruit that is not usually washed during production, harvest, or postharvest handling. Two strains of the bacteria were tested separately on the fruit surface or injected into the fruit. Both strains of E. coli O157:H7 survived externally and internally at 23 degrees C for 24 h and at 10, 5, and -20 degrees C for 3 days. The largest reduction in bacterial population occurred at -20 degrees C and on the fruit surface during refrigeration. In all experiments, the bacteria inside the fruit either survived as well as or better than bacteria on the surface, and ATCC 43895 frequently exhibited greater survival than did ATCC 35150. Two strains of E. coli also survived at 23 degrees C on the surface and particularly inside strawberry fruit. Chemical agents in aqueous solution comprising NaOCl (100 and 200 ppm), Tween 80 (100 and 200 ppm), acetic acid (2 and 5%), Na3PO4 (2 and 5%), and H2O2 (1 and 3%) were studied for their effects on reduction of surface-inoculated (10(8) CFU/ml) E. coli O157:H7 populations on strawberry fruit. Dipping the inoculated fruit in water alone reduced the pathogen population about 0.8 log unit. None of the compounds with the exception of H2O2 exhibited more than a 2-log CFU/g reduction of the bacteria on the fruit surface. Three percent H202, the most effective chemical treatment, reduced the bacterial population on strawberries by about 2.2 log CFU/g.

mTOR, a novel target in breast cancer: the effect of CCI-779, an mTOR inhibitor, in preclinical models of breast cancer

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a central regulator of G1 cell cycle protein synthesis that precedes commitment to normal cellular replication. We have studied the effect of cell cycle inhibitor-779 (CCI-779), a rapamycin ester that inhibits mTOR function, on the proliferation of a panel of breast cancer cell lines. Six of eight lines studied were sensitive (IC(50)< or = 50 nM) and two lines were resistant (IC(50)>1.0 microM) to CCI-779. Sensitive lines were estrogen dependent (MCF-7, BT-474, T-47D), or lacked expression of the tumor suppressor PTEN (MDA-MB-468, BT-549), and/or overexpressed the Her-2/neu oncogene (SKBR-3, BT-474). Resistant lines (MDA-MB-435, MDA-MB-231) shared none of these properties. CCI-779 (50 nM) inhibited mTOR function in both a sensitive and a resistant line. In nu/nu mouse xenografts, CCI-779 inhibited growth of MDA-MB-468 (sensitive) but not MDA-MB-435 resistant tumors. Treatment of sensitive lines with CCI-779 resulted in a decrease in D-type cyclin and c-myc levels and an increase in p27(kip-1) levels. There was good correlation between activation of the Akt pathway and sensitivity to CCI-779. Amplification of mTOR-regulated p70S6 kinase, which is downstream of Akt, may also have conferred CCI-779 sensitivity to MCF-7 cells. Taken together, the data suggest that mTOR may be a good target for breast cancer therapy, especially in tumors with Akt activation resulting from either growth factor dependency or loss of PTEN function.

The preliminary experimental study of induced differentiation of embryonic stem cells into corneal epithelial cells

PURPOSE

To study preliminarily induced differentiation of embryonic stem cells into corneal epithelial cells in vitro.

METHODS

Murine embryonic stem cells were co-cultured with Rabbit limbal corneal epithelial cells in Transwell system to induce differentiation. Mophological and immunohistochemical examination were implemented.

RESULTS

The induced cells from embryonic stem cells have an epithelial appearance. The cells formed a network and were confluent into film gradually after being co-cultured with rabbit limbal corneal epithelial cells for 24-96 hours. The cells ranged mosaic structure and localized together with clear rim. Most of the cells showed polygonal appearance. Transmission electron microscope showed lots of microvilli on the surface of induced cells and tight junctions between them. These epithelial-like cells expressed the corneal epithelial cell specific marker cytokeratin3/cytokeratin12.

CONCLUSION

The potential mechanism of the differentiation of murine embryonic stem cells into corneal epithelial cells induced by limbal corneal epithelial cell-derived inducing activity is to be further verified.

[Intraspinal implantation of genetically modified myoblasts with brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene in treating spinal cord injury in rats: neurophysiological study]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the value of gene therapy to spinal cord injury in vivo by transferring gene of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) to rat myoblast with retroviral vector electrophysiologically.

METHODS

Transection of spinal cord at the level of T9 was produced in 30 adult SD rats that were divided randomly into three groups: BDNF gene modified myoblast implantation (group A), myoblast implantation (group B), and no cell implantation as controls (group C). Three months after operation, whether the axon had regenerated and how the neural function was restored were observed, using the techniques of cerebral somatosensory evoked potential (CSEP) and motor evoked potential (MEP).

RESULTS

Three months after injury, 3 rats in group A showed CSEP signals and 5 rats MEP signals, but no electrophysiological response was found in group B or group C. The amplitudes of the recovery of CSEP or MEP signals decreased and their latencies increased as compared with those before injury. The neural function of the spinal cord was greater in group A than in B and C.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with genetically modified myoblasts producing BDNF can accelerate recovery from traumatic spinal cord injury in adult rats.

Mapping genes conferring resistance to Phytophthora root rot of soybean, Rps1a and Rps7

A linkage map was constructed for two Phytophthora sojae Kauf. +Gerd. root rot resistance genes, Rps1a and Rps7, in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) using microsatellite or simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. An F2 population consisting of 81 individuals derived from a cross between OX281, which carries Rps7, and Mukden, which carries Rps1a, was used as the mapping population. A linkage map consisting of 10 SSR markers was first constructed using the computer software MapMaker/EXP 3.0. Rps1a and Rps7 were then placed at two different loci in the same linkage group with LOD scores of 2.88 and 9.16, respectively. Rps1a and Rps7 were linked at a distance of 13.8 cM. Rps1a was flanked by Satt159 (0.7 cM) and Satt009 (3.2 cM). Rps7 was flanked by Satt009 (10.6 cM) and Satt125 (29.1 cM).

Neurophysiological evidence of spared upper motor conduction fibers in clinically complete spinal cord injury: discomplete SCI in rats

Motor evoked potentials (MEP) were recorded and characterized by epidural electrodes (scMEP) and extracellular microelectrodes (exMEP) on T(13) level from 10 normal rats and 40 rats with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). The spinal cord of 40 anesthetized rats were injured with various severity (sham, 35, 70, and 100 g/cm impact injury) at T(8)-T(9) cord using Allen's drop model. The incline plane and Tarlov techniques were investigated to assess clinical neurological function. MEPs in the normal rats elicited by applying transcortical suprathreshold stimulation consisted of 3-4 early negative peaks (N(1), N(2), N(3), N(4)) followed by several late waves. The N(1) and N(2) peaks had their maximal amplitudes in the anterior and ventrolateral funiculus, respectively, irrespective of the polarity of stimulation, which indicated that these impulses were conducted mostly through the extrapyramidal pathways. The 100 g/cm impact injury or transection of the cord caused abolishment of the MEP signals distal to the lesion, whereas the 35 g/cm injury resulted in a latency shift and amplitude decrement of the MEP peaks. Out of 20 rats with 70 g/cm injuries, 18 showed clinically paraplegia. Among them, seven had neurophysiological evidence of residual conduction pathways through the injured cord segment, such as the presence of N(1) and N(2) peaks in scMEP or exMEP. After 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) administration (1 mg/kg), the amplitude of spared exMEP increased significantly and spread more widely. These results suggest that MEPs evoked by transcortical stimulation travel mostly in the extrapyramid tract. The present study provides further direct and objective electrophysiological evidences of spared functional axons after discomplete SCI, since many other studies on this field have achieved similar results previously. Furthermore, pharmaceutical treatment with 4-AP or other K(+) channel blocking agents proved to be a potential therapeutic strategy for patient with chronic SCI.

Demand characteristics of residential substance abuse treatment programs

PURPOSE

This study examined the objective demand characteristics of treatment programs in which substance abuse patients, or psychiatric patients, were residing. It also examined associations of objective demand with substance abuse patients' perceived expectations for functioning during treatment and patients' in-program participation.

METHODS

A total of 994 patients living in 79 programs took part.

RESULTS

When patients had a substance abuse rather than a psychiatric problem, objective demand was higher: program policies had higher requirements for functioning and more resident control; programs offered fewer health-treatment services; and the physical design provided fewer safety features and social-recreational aids. Compared to substance abuse patients in low-demand programs, patients in high-demand programs perceived the program to have higher expectations, in that the treatment climate exerted more press to develop relationships, set goals, and be organized. Patients in high-demand programs engaged more in self-initiated activities and participated more in treatment services and program-organized events. Substance abuse patients' activity and participation levels were determined jointly by the level of demand and by the expectations for patients' expressiveness and self-understanding of their personal problems.

IMPLICATIONS

The findings illustrate the importance of considering objective indices of demand in conjunction with perceived expectations to improve patients' treatment outcomes.

Preparation and functional properties of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to murine MD-1

Rabbits, rats and hamsters were immunized with KLH-coupled synthetic peptide sequences of the murine MD-1 molecule. Serum from immunized animals bound in Western gels to a 25 KDa protein extracted from LPS stimulated mouse spleen cells, as did a rat hybridoma (SH1.2.47) prepared from peptide-immunized rats. CHO cells transfected with a plasmid cDNA construct encoding murine MD-1, the target antigen for the antibodies in question, were also stained (in FACS) by the same antibodies. Patching and capping of the antigen(s) detected by any one of these sera abolished binding of all antibodies in subsequent FACS analysis, consistent with the hypothesis that they all detected the same antigen. In a final study to assess the possible involvement of MD-1 in regulation of cell activation for cytokine production following allostimulation, we found that all of the antibodies inhibited IL-2 and IFNgamma production, while enhancing IL-4 and IL-10 production, in mixed leukocyte reactions (MLR) in vitro.

How to optimize OCT image

Quantization, which maps real values of raw data to a series of fixed gray levels, is an inevitable step in Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) image formation. Three new quantization methods, Minimum Distortion, Information Expansion and Maximum Entropy are applied in the specific problem. Quantization results of a capillary with milk and the femoralis of rabbit are shown in this paper. Comparisons with the present log-based methods show that a suitable quantization method significantly increases contrast, SNR and visual fineness of the final image and reduces quantization error effectively. Applicability of different quantization methods is also discussed.

Structural basis for fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 activation in Apert syndrome

Apert syndrome (AS) is characterized by craniosynostosis (premature fusion of cranial sutures) and severe syndactyly of the hands and feet. Two activating mutations, Ser-252 --> Trp and Pro-253 --> Arg, in fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) account for nearly all known cases of AS. To elucidate the mechanism by which these substitutions cause AS, we determined the crystal structures of these two FGFR2 mutants in complex with fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2). These structures demonstrate that both mutations introduce additional interactions between FGFR2 and FGF2, thereby augmenting FGFR2-FGF2 affinity. Moreover, based on these structures and sequence alignment of the FGF family, we propose that the Pro-253 --> Arg mutation will indiscriminately increase the affinity of FGFR2 toward any FGF. In contrast, the Ser-252 --> Trp mutation will selectively enhance the affinity of FGFR2 toward a limited subset of FGFs. These predictions are consistent with previous biochemical data describing the effects of AS mutations on FGF binding. Alterations in FGFR2 ligand affinity and specificity may allow inappropriate autocrine or paracrine activation of FGFR2. Furthermore, the distinct gain-of-function interactions observed in each crystal structure provide a model to explain the phenotypic variability among AS patients.

Disparate cleavage of poly-(ADP-ribose)-polymerase (PARP) and a synthetic tetrapeptide, DEVD, by apoptotic cells

In the present investigations, we have shown differential cleavage of cellular PARP and a caspase 3-selective synthetic tetrapeptide substrate, Z-DEVD-AFC or Ac-DEVD-AMC using a T lymphoblastoid cell line Jurkat, and its variant clone E6.1(J-E6). Anti-Fas antibody-mediated apoptosis resulted in DNA fragmentation and PARP cleavage in both Jurkat and J-E6 cells. However, unlike Jurkat, J-E6 cells did not cleave a synthetic tetrapeptide substrate efficiently. The failure to cleave the DEVD tetrapeptide by apoptotic J-E6 cells was not due to insufficient expression or processing of caspase 3 in J-E6 cells. Interestingly, when the J-E6 cells were transiently transfected with a cDNA encoding caspase 3, efficient cleavage of Z-DEVD-AFC was achieved. The observations that apoptotic J-E6 cells barely cleaved a synthetic DEVD tetrapeptide, but efficiently cleaved endogenous PARP, potentially at the most preferred DEVD site, suggest that active caspases may have disparate characteristics to recognize substrates presented in different context.

Estimating the frequency distribution of crossovers during meiosis from recombination data

Estimation of tetrad crossover frequency distributions from genetic recombination data is a classic problem dating back to Weinstein (1936, Genetics 21, 155-199). But a number of important issues, such as how to specify the maximum number of crossovers, how to construct confidence intervals for crossover probabilities, and how to obtain correct p-values for hypothesis tests, have never been adequately addressed. In this article, we obtain some properties of the maximum likelihood estimate (MLE) for crossover probabilities that imply guidelines for choosing the maximum number of crossovers. We give these results for both normal meiosis and meiosis with nondisjunction. We also develop an accelerated EM algorithm to find the MLE more efficiently. We propose bootstrap-based methods to find confidence intervals and p-values and conduct simulation studies to check the validity of the bootstrap approach.

A novel fibroblast growth factor receptor-5 preferentially expressed in the pancreas(1)

Using the polymerase chain reaction on human embryonic cDNAs, we isolated a cDNA encoding a novel 504 amino acid protein, termed fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)-5, which is highly homologous to known FGFRs. The NH(2)-terminal portion of FGFR5 contains a putative secretory signal sequence, three typical immunoglobulin-like domains, six cysteines, and an acidic box, but no HAV motif. The COOH-terminal portion of FGFR5 contains one transmembrane domain but no intracellular kinase domain. Recombinant FGFR5 expressed in COS-7 cells is not secreted, but recombinant truncated FGFR5 lacking the predicted transmembrane domain is secreted. Acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) do not bind to FGFR5. Among 23 adult human tissues, FGFR5 mRNA is preferentially expressed in the pancreas. These results suggest that FGFR5 may provide a binding site for some other fibroblast growth factors and may regulate some pancreatic function.

[A study on city motor vehicle emission factors by tunnel test]

Applying the principle of tunnel test to run a typical across-river tunnel test in Guangzhou city, 48 h-online-monitor data include pollutant concentration, traffic activity and meteorological data were gained. The average motor vehicle emission factors of NOx, CO, SO2, PM10 and HC were calculated using mass balance which are 1.379, 15.404, 0.142, 0.637, 1.857 g/km. vehicle respectively. Based on that, combined emission factors of 8 types of city vehicles were calculated using linear regression. The result basically showed the character and level of motor vehicle emission in Chinese city.