Hepatitis C virus NS5B protein is a membrane-associated phosphoprotein with a predominantly perinuclear localization

Hepatitis C virus NS5B protein is an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. To investigate the properties and function of this protein, we have expressed the NS5B protein in insect and mammalian cells. NS5B was found to be present as fine speckles in the cytoplasm, particularly concentrated in the perinuclear region, suggesting its association with the nuclear membrane, the endoplasmic reticulum, or the Golgi complex. This conclusion was supported by the biochemical demonstration that NS5B was associated with the membranes in the cells. Furthermore, it was shown that NS5B protein is a phosphoprotein. These properties may be related to its function as an RNA polymerase.

The effect of intravenous infusion time on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the same total dose of azosemide in rabbits

The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of azosemide were evaluated after intravenous (IV) administration of the same total dose of azosemide, 1 mgkg(-l) in different infusion times, 1 min (treatment I) and 4h (treatment II) to rabbits (n= 5, each). The loss of water and electrolytes in urine induced by azosemide was immediately replaced with infusion of equal volume of lactated Ringer's solution. Some pharmacokinetic parameters of azosemide were different between treatments I and II. For example, the mean value of terminal half-life (70.5 versus 107 min), total body clearance (5.88 versus 8.32 mL min(-1)kg(-1), renal clearance (3.45 versus 6.51mL min(-1)kg(-1), and mean residence time (18.5 versus 31.7min) increased significantly in treatment II. The 8h urine output (236 versus 733mL) and 8h urinary excretion of sodium (29.2 versus 76.4mmol) and chloride (27.5 versus 78.9 mmol) increased significantly in treatment II although the total amount of 8h urinary excretion of unchanged azosemide increased by only 15% in treatment II. This could be due to the fact that the urinary excretion rates of azosemide in treatment II remained for a longer period of time close to the maximally efficient urinary excretion rates of azosemide for both urine output and urinary excretion rates of sodium than in treatment I. Plasma concentrations of azosemide and hourly urine output and hourly urinary excretion of azosemide, sodium, potassium, and chloride during the apparent steady state (between 2 and 4 h) in treatment II were fairly constant.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of azosemide after intravenous and oral administration to rats with alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus

Because physiological changes occurring in diabetes mellitus patients could alter the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the drugs used to treat the disease, the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of azosemide were investigated after intravenous and oral administration of the drug (10 mg kg-1) to control and alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus rats (AIDRs). After intravenous administration of azosemide to the AIDRs, the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) increased considerably (3120 compared with 2520 micrograms min mL-1; P < 0.135) and the total body clearance decreased considerably (3.20 compared with 3.96 mL min-1 kg-1; P < 0.0593). The considerable reduction in time-averaged total body clearance in the AIDRs was a result of the significant decrease in renal clearance (1.01 compared with 1.55 mL min-1 kg-1) in the AIDRs, the non-renal clearance being comparable between the two groups of rats. After intravenous administration, the 8-h urinary excretion of azosemide (29.5 compared with 40% of intravenous dose; P < 0.0883) and one of its metabolites, M1 (2.15 compared with 2.60% of intravenous dose, expressed in terms of azosemide; P < 0.05) decreased in the AIDRs because of the impaired kidney function. The diuretic, natriuretic, kaliuretic and chloruretic efficiencies increased significantly in the AIDRs. After oral administration of azosemide, AUC decreased significantly in the AIDRs (115 compared with 215 micrograms min mL-1) possibly because of the reduced gastrointestinal absorption of azosemide in the AIDRs. After oral administration of azosemide, the 8-h urine output decreased significantly in the AIDRs (9.32 compared with 16.1 mL per 100 g body weight) because of the significantly reduced 8-h urinary excretion of azosemide (3.00 compared with 9.14% of oral dose). After both intravenous and oral administration some pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters of azosemide were significantly different in AIDRs.

CT and MR findings of Krukenberg tumors: comparison with primary ovarian tumors

PURPOSE

The purposes of this study were to evaluate the CT and MR findings of Krukenberg tumors and to compare them with those of primary ovarian tumors.

METHOD

This study included 20 patients with Krukenberg tumors and 65 patients with various primary ovarian tumors. CT/MR/both imaging studies were available in 15/1/4 patients with Krukenberg tumor and 31/10/24 patients with primary ovarian tumors, respectively. Imaging findings of the tumors were categorized into three subgroups: a solid mass with intratumoral cysts, a solid mass without intratumoral cysts, and a predominantly cystic mass.

RESULTS

Among 32 Krukenberg tumors (bilateral in 12 patients), 22 were solid masses with intratumoral cysts, in 14 of which the wall of the intratumoral cysts showed apparently strong contrast enhancement on CT and/or MRI. Six Krukenberg tumors were solid masses without intratumoral cysts, and four were predominantly cystic masses. Imaging findings of 88 primary ovarian tumors (bilateral in 23 patients) were 5 solid masses with intratumoral cysts, 27 solid masses without intratumoral cysts, and 56 predominantly cystic masses. None of the five primary ovarian tumors with solid mass with intratumoral cysts demonstrated apparently strong contrast enhancement of the cyst wall.

CONCLUSION

Krukenberg tumor should be suspected when one sees solid ovarian tumors containing well demarcated intratumoral cystic lesions, especially if the walls of those cysts demonstrate apparently strong contrast enhancement.

Effect of a hepatoprotective agent, YH-439, on the pharmacokinetics of furosemide and azosemide in rats

The effect of YH-439 pretreatment on the pharmacokinetics of furosemide and azosemide was investigated after intravenous (iv) administration of furosemide, 6 mg per whole body weight, and azosemide, 10 mg per kg body weight, to rats pretreated with 3 consecutive daily oral administration of YH-439, 200 mg per kg body weight. The nonrenal clearance of furosemide (2.20 versus 3.53 ml/min/kg) increased significantly, and the 24 h-urinary excretion of furosemide (both the amount and percentages of iv dose) decreased significantly in the YH-439 treated rats when compared with those in the control rats. The results were unexpected since the metabolism of furosemide increased by pretreatment with phenobarbital (CYP2B inducer) and YH-439 pretreatment failed to affect CYP2B expression. The increased metabolism of furosemide by pretreatment with YH-439 could be due to other enzyme(s) induced by pretreatment with YH-439. Pharmacokinetic parameters of azosemide were not significantly different between the two groups of rats except t(1/2), MRT, and V(ss). The results were unexpected since azosemide metabolism increased with 3-methylchloranthane (3-MC, CYP1A inducer) and YH-439 pretreatment increased CYP1A expression. Above data indicate that the expression of CYP1A by treatment with YH-439 was not considerable when compared with that with 3-MC.

Characterization of cell lines established from human hepatocellular carcinoma

We characterized 8 human hepatocellular-carcinoma cell lines established from the primary tumors of Korean patients. All lines showed substrate adherence and one line from anaplastic tumor also grew as floating aggregates. Most cultured cells maintained many morphological characteristics of the original tumors from which they were derived. Doubling times varied from 34 to 72 hr. All lines showed relatively high viability and were not contaminated with Mycoplasma or bacteria. All lines showed aneuploidy and were proven to be unique by DNA fingerprinting analysis. Hepatitis-B-virus (HBV) DNA was integrated in the genomes of all lines. Two of the cell lines (SNU-354, SNU-368) showed expression of HBV and HBVx (HBx) transcripts. SNU-354 strongly expressed albumin, and SNU-368 expressed transferrin and insulin-like growth factor II. No lines produced alpha-fetoprotein at the RNA and protein level. These cell lines represent useful tools for in vitro studies related to hepatocellular carcinoma.

Adult Hirschsprung's disease. Results of the Duhamel's procedure

Eleven patients with adult Hirschsprung's disease were treated at Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH, 8 cases) and Chosun University Hospital (CUH, 3 cases) between 1985 and 1992. Of the 11 patients, seven were male. The age of the patients ranged from 11 to 30 years, and all presented with chronic constipation and recurrent faecal impactions that required periodic enemas and laxatives. The Duhamel's operation, as a single or staged procedure, was performed in all patients. Levels of aganglionosis in 9 patients were confined to the rectosigmoid colon (82%). There were three major post-operative complications. Two patients developed fistula-in-ano at the anastomotic site, and one patient developed ileus. However, these complications resolved with conservative management. The longterm results were excellent except for one patient who developed impotence. The mean frequency of bowel movements was usually once or twice a day without the aid of other treatments. Our results indicate that Duhamel's operation is a highly acceptable procedure in the management of adult Hirschsprung's disease.

Overexpression of phospholipase C-gamma 1 in familial adenomatous polyposis

Phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PLC) isozymes occupy a central role in the signal transduction system by regulating various cellular processes including proliferation and differentiation. In the present study, we examined the contents of PLCs in colorectal adenomas, carcinomas, and normal mucosa obtained from 4 familial adenomatous polyposis patients to find out whether this enzyme plays any role in the pathogenesis of adenomas and/or carcinomas in familial adenomatous polyposis. Radioimmunoassay and immunoblot analysis revealed that in contrast to little difference in PLC-beta 1 and PLC-delta 1 content, a considerably higher level of PLC-gamma 1 was detected in 3 of 4 cases for adenoma and in all cases for carcinoma as compared to normal mucosa. The level of PLC-gamma 1 expression increased from normal mucosa to adenoma, and finally to carcinoma progressively. Immunohistochemical findings also confirmed this observation. Likewise, activity of PLC-gamma 1 was considerably higher in adenomas and carcinomas than in normal mucosa. These results suggest that PLC-gamma 1-mediated signal transduction may play a significant role in the progression of colorectal tumors in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis.

Effects of day care on preschool sex-role development

Affiliative, aggressive, and problem-solving types of behavior were analyzed in middle-class preschoolers, 53 boys and 52 girls, grouped by length of time in day care. Boys were observed to be significantly more aggressive toward peers, but no differences between boys' and girls' aggressive or affiliative ratings were attributable to differential effects of time of entry into day care.

Intrathecal administration of interleukin-2 for meningeal carcinomatosis due to malignant melanoma: sequential evaluation of intracranial pressure, cerebrospinal fluid cytology, and cytokine induction

A patient with interleukin (IL)-2 responsive metastatic melanoma developed meningeal carcinomatosis. Treatment was attempted with intrathecal (i.t.) IL-2 (5 weekly doses of 3-6 x 10(6) IU) without glucocorticosteroids. Marked increases in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure occurred 5-10 h following each IL-2 dose, resulting in reversible abnormalities of neurologic function. IL-2 clearance from the CSF ranged from 21 to 85 ml/h, with an apparent first order rate constant of 0.08-0.23 hr-1. These values were consistent with clearance by bulk flow mechanisms. Clearance also correlated directly with peak CSF pressure. Progressive increases in CSF tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and IL-6 levels, but not Il-1 alpha, were also noted over successive treatment cycles. Increasing neutrophilia (peaking at 12 h postdose) and a delayed lymphocytosis and monocytosis (at 20-30 h) were observed with each successive i.t. IL-2 dose. Activated lymphocytes were not observed in the CSF, however, suggesting that an exogenous source of activated lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells may be helpful in obtaining effective antitumor responses.

Natural occurrence of Fusarium mycotoxins of the 1990 barley crop in Korea

During the barley harvest in June 1990, there was a great deal of rainfall and high humidity in the southern part of Korea, and natural occurrence of Fusarium mycotoxins was suspected in barley samples. The samples of undergrade barley were obtained from four provinces and analysed for the presence of deoxynivalenol (DON) and nivalenol (NIV) by gas chromatography and zearalenone (ZEN) by high performance liquid chromatography. Of 37 samples, 33, 37 and 10 were positive for DON, NIV and ZEN, respectively. The husked barley contained 29-677 ng/g for DON, 114-1546 ng/g for NIV and 183-1416 ng/g for ZEN. The naked barley contained 38-645 ng/g for DON, 85-4569 ng/g for NIV and 40-1081 ng/g for ZEN. The average concentration of NIV in naked barley was higher than that in husked barley, but the average concentration of DON in husked barley was higher than that in naked barley. The survey indicates that the 1990 barley crop in Korea was heavily contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins.

Risk of gastric cancer among Korean familial adenomatous polyposis patients. Report of three cases

Gastric cancer has been recognized as an extracolonic manifestation in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). In Korea, gastric cancer is the most common malignant neoplasm. In a recent survey, we collected data from 72 Korean patients with FAP. Among them, three (4.2 percent) were found to have associated gastric cancer. This incidence of gastric cancer in our series is much higher than the previous reports from Japan and other countries. The expected cumulative incidence of gastric cancer among these 72 patients was 0.44, which gives the standardized incidence ratio of 6.9 (95 percent CI, 1.4-20.1). This difference in incidence of gastric cancer was statistically significant (P less than 0.05), which implies that patients with FAP are at significantly higher risk of developing gastric cancer compared with the general population in Korea. These findings confirm an increased risk of gastric cancer in FAP patients, even in a region where gastric cancer is highly prevalent.

Beliefs, practices, and experiences of Korean women in relation to childbirth

Korean women's health beliefs and childbirth experiences in the United States were examined. A convenience sampling procedure was used, and face-to-face interviews were conducted in Korean. Interviews were audiotaped, typed, and translated from Korean to English. These women had a holistic concept of health. Some practices were influence by ancient Chinese medicine. Childbirth experiences indicated that language is a barrier requiring specific interventions. Recommendations include (a) development of an assessment tool with which health-care professionals can identify individual health beliefs early in pregnancy; (b) development of a bilingual pamphlet about medical terms and the U.S. health-care system; (c) development of a short bilingual dictionary of common foods for use in menu selection during hospitalization; and (d) provision of English practice periods based on anticipatory guidance principles to prepare women to ask for specific assistance.

Antiviral immunotoxins: antibody-mediated delivery of gelonin inhibits Pichinde virus replication in vitro

Immunotoxins were produced and evaluated for antiviral activity against Pichinde virus, a member of the family Arenaviridae. Immunoglobulins were conjugated to the ribosome-inactivating protein, gelonin, through a disulfide linkage to form the immunotoxins. Immunotoxins were produced utilizing monoclonal antibodies, immunoglobulin-binding proteins and hyperimmune sera. An immunotoxin consisting of hyperimmune rabbit sera conjugated with gelonin displayed strong antiviral activity against Pichinde virus, as did a protein G-gelonin indirect immunotoxin in combination with nonconjugated hyperimmune sera. Hyperimmune rabbit sera conjugated with gelonin caused no detectable cytotoxicity in non-infected Vero cells as measured by [3H]leucine incorporation. The 50% effective dose for the immunotoxin was 0.018 microM compared with 86 microM for ribavirin.

Hypertension in neonatal hyperthyroidism

Hypertension has only recently been reported in neonatal hyperthyroidism. We describe three children with hypertension as a prominent part of the syndrome. Antihypertensive therapy alone was ineffective in controlling elevated BP. All patients showed gradual resolution of hypertension once a euthyroid state was achieved.