Integrable surface-emitting laser-based optical switches and logic gates for parallel digital optical computing

We describe the recent advances in a monolithic optoelectronic technology based on the integration of two-dimensional arrays of cascadable optical switches and optical logic gates consisting of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSEL's) and heterojunction phototransistors or photothyristors. Different combinations of these components can perform optical switching, logic, memory, and regeneration. Latching, nonlatching, and bistable switches with high optical gain and contrast are demonstrated by using a single GaAs-AlGaAs epilayer design along with single-stage Boolean optical logic functions: AND, OR, IDENTITY, INVERT, NAND, NOR, and XOR. As an application to parallel, digital arithmetic logic, we describe a simple, compact, two-chip binary adder, which uses optical symbolic substitution and two-dimensional VCSEL-PNPN logic gate arrays.

The genetic basis of epidermolytic hyperkeratosis: a disorder of differentiation-specific epidermal keratin genes

Epidermolytic hyperkeratosis (EH) is a skin disease characterized by keratin filament clumping and degeneration in terminally differentiating epidermal cells. We have discovered that the genetic basis for EH resides in mutations in differentiation-specific keratins. Two of six distinct incidences of EH had a keratin 10 (K10) point mutation in a highly conserved arginine. Remarkably, this same residue is mutated in the basal epidermal K14 in three incidences of another skin disease, epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS). By genetic engineering, gene transfection, and 10 nm filament assembly, we show that this mutation is functionally responsible for the keratin filament clumping that occurs in basal (EBS) or suprabasal (EH) cells. These studies strengthen the link between filament perturbations, cell fragility, and degeneration first established with EBS. They also suggest a correlation between filament disorganization and either cytokinesis or nuclear shape, giving rise to the seemingly binucleate cells typical of EH.

Differential effects of intracellular calcium elevating agents on adrenergic-stimulated cyclic nucleotide and melatonin synthesis in rat pinealocytes

In this study, the role of elevation of intracellular Ca2+ and activation of protein kinase C on adrenergic-stimulated cyclic nucleotide accumulation and melatonin synthesis in rat pinealocytes was investigated. It was found that whereas KCl, ionomycin, and ouabain, three Ca(2+)-elevating agents, had a potentiating effect on adrenergic-stimulated cyclic AMP response, their effects on melatonin synthesis were inhibitory. Similar inhibition was also observed when dibutyryl cyclic AMP was used to stimulate melatonin synthesis. By determining intracellular Ca2+ directly, it was found that the enhancing effects of these agents on the cyclic AMP response but not their inhibitory effects on melatonin synthesis paralleled their abilities to elevate intracellular Ca2+. In comparison, activation of protein kinase C significantly enhanced the adrenergic-stimulated cyclic AMP response and, to a lesser degree, the adrenergic-stimulated N-acetyltransferase and melatonin levels. These results indicate that (i) Ca(2+)-elevating agents have opposite effects on adrenergic-stimulated cyclic AMP and melatonin production; (ii) a post cyclic AMP event of importance to melatonin synthesis is inhibited by these agents; and (iii) the mechanism of inhibition may not be directly related to their effect on intracellular Ca2+.

Transcriptional regulation of human apolipoprotein genes ApoB, ApoCIII, and ApoAII by members of the steroid hormone receptor superfamily HNF-4, ARP-1, EAR-2, and EAR-3

Apolipoproteins B, CIII, and AII are synthesized primarily in the liver and intestine and play an important role in lipid and cholesterol metabolism. It was previously shown that the cis-acting elements (BA1 (-79 to -63), CIIIB (-87 to -63), and AIIJ (-740 to -719) present in the regulatory regions of the human apoB, apoCIII, and apoAII genes, respectively, are recognized by common transcription factors present in hepatic nuclear extracts. This report shows that four members of the steroid receptor superfamily, ARP-1, EAR-2, EAR-3, and HNF-4, bind specifically to the regulatory elements BA1, CIIIB, and AIIJ. Dissociation constant measurements showed that ARP-1, EAR-2, and HNF-4 bind to elements BA1 and CIIIB with similar affinities (Kd 1-3 nM). Cotransfection experiments in HepG2 cells revealed that ARP-1, EAR-2, and EAR-3 repressed the BA1, CIIIB, and AIIJ element-dependent transcription of the reporter gene constructs and the transcription driven by homopolymeric promoters containing either five BA1 or two CIIIB elements. In contrast, HNF-4 activated transcription of reporter genes containing the elements BA1, CIIIB, and AIIJ and reversed the ARP-1-mediated repression of the apoB and apoCIII genes. These results suggested that the opposing transcription effects observed between HNF-4 and ARP-1 may be due to competition for binding to the same regulatory element. Mutations which affected the binding of HNF-4 to elements BA1 and CIIIB affected its ability to activate transcription of the apoB and apoCIII reporter genes, respectively. Transcriptional activation by HNF-4 depended on the presence of elements II (-112 to -94) and III (-86 to -62) of the apoB and H (-705 to -690), I (-766 to -726), and J (-792 to -779) of the apoCIII promoters, indicating that transcriptional activation of apoB and apoCIII genes by HNF-4 requires the synergistic interaction of factors binding to these elements. The finding that HNF-4, ARP-1, EAR-2 and EAR-3 can regulate the expression of the apoB, apoCIII, and apoAII genes suggest that these nuclear hormone receptors may be an important part of the signal transduction pathways modulating lipid metabolism and cholesterol homeostasis.

Cachexia and graft-vs.-host-disease-type skin changes in keratin promoter-driven TNF alpha transgenic mice

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) orchestrates a wide range of effects that combat severe infections in animals. At lower levels, TNF alpha plays an important protective role in stimulating chemotaxis and antimicrobial activity of neutrophils, macrophages, and eosinophils. During chronic illness, TNF alpha secretion can be elevated markedly, giving rise to cachexia, hemorrhage, necrosis and, ultimately, death. Although TNF alpha may mediate many of its effects through macrophages, 30% of TNF alpha injected into animals concentrates in the skin. In recent years, it has been shown that keratinocytes can be induced to synthesize TNF alpha. To explore the role of TNF alpha synthesis in keratinocytes, we used a keratin-14 (K14) promoter to target human TNF alpha expression in the epidermis and other stratified squamous epithelia of transgenic mice. Most mice expressing the K14-TNF alpha transgene stopped gaining weight within 1 week postbirth, and exhibited retarded hair growth. In the skin, adipose production was profoundly inhibited, whereas signs of fibrosis and immune infiltration were evident in the dermis. Over time, the epidermis exhibited an increased stratum corneum, as signs of necrosis began to appear in the skin. Within 3-5 weeks, the mice displayed features characteristic of cachexia and necrosis. Our results suggest that TNF alpha expression by keratinocytes not only plays a role in inflammatory and graft-versus-host-disease-like responses in the skin, but also in other tissues, apparently by virtue of stratified squamous epithelial-derived TNF alpha entering the bloodstream. Our results have enabled the first evaluation of many of the effects of TNF alpha in transgenic animals.

Primary malignant lymphoma of the salivary gland: a tumor of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue

The clinical, morphologic and immunohistochemical features of 10 cases of the low-grade mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma of salivary glands are described. Although the initial histologic diagnosis in nine of these cases was myoepithelial sialadenitis, the diagnosis of primary salivary gland MALT lymphoma was based on the demonstration of light chain restriction and on morphologic characteristics. Histologic study showed a characteristic cytology, which included centrocytoid cells (composed of small centrocytes and monocytoid B cells) and a varying degree of plasma cell differentiation; the occurrence of epithelial or acinar invasion by neoplastic centrocytoid cells; and the presence of reactive lymph follicles among the neoplastic cells. Furthermore, multinucleate giant cells resembling Warthin-Finkeldey cells were detected in seven cases. In the light of these findings, cases previously diagnosed as myoepithelial sialadenitis require careful assessment and nine out of 32 cases are, in reality, examples of primary salivary gland MALT lymphomas. Immunohistochemical analysis of paraffin sections revealed the following characteristic immunophenotype of MALT lymphoma: L26, KiB3 and LN2 positive, and a monotypic immunoglobulin pattern (predominantly IgM/kappa). It was of interest that salivary gland parenchyma, infiltrated by neoplastic centrocytoid cells, reacted with LN3 for cells expressing human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR) antigens. Whereas salivary gland epithelia devoid of a neoplastic invasion were invariably negative for LN3. This suggests a lymphocyte-mediated role in salivary epithelial HLA-DR expression. It appears that HLA-DR expression is an inducible phenomenon in MALT lymphomas of salivary gland.

Basement membranes in adenoid cystic carcinoma. An immunohistochemical study

Tissue samples from 30 patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma and 20 with adenocarcinoma of salivary gland origin were studied by immunohistochemical staining with specific antibodies to the four macromolecules that are present in normal basement membranes: type IV collagen, laminin, heparan sulfate proteoglycan, and entactin. In the adenoid cystic carcinoma samples, the four proteins were localized in different types of extracellular matrices in the tumor, namely pseudocystic spaces, hyaline stroma, and around tumor cell nests. The staining intensity was enhanced by pretreatment with hyaluronidase. The tumor cells of adenoid cystic carcinoma showed a tendency to proliferate with individual cells in contact with the basement membrane and to infiltrate through basement membrane-rich tissues, such as peripheral nerves, blood vessels, and skeletal muscles. In contrast, only circumferential staining of tumor cell nests was obtained in adenocarcinoma samples. The results suggest that adenoid cystic carcinoma is a tumor with affinity for basement membranes, and this basic feature is reflected in its histology and presumably in its biologic behavior. Immunostaining with antibodies to basement membrane proteins appears to be useful for differential diagnosis of some types of these two carcinomas.

Kappa 3 opiate receptor binding in the mouse and rat

Previous work examining the binding of [3H]naloxone benzoylhydrazone (NalBzoH) in calf brain has identified a novel binding site, kappa 3. In mice and rats NalBzoH elicits an analgesic response which can clearly be differentiated from classical mu, delta or kappa 1 mechanisms and which is pharmacologically consistent with a kappa 3 receptor mechanism of action. In the current studies we demonstrate the presence of kappa 3 sites in both mouse and rat brains. The selectivity of the kappa 3 sites for opioids clearly discriminated it from traditional mu, kappa 1, kappa 2 or delta receptors. In the rat, the density of kappa 3 sites increased 2.5-fold from age 2 days to 21 days, after which it remained relatively stable. Among a number of brain regions in the rat, the density of kappa 3 sites varied dramatically. Highest levels were present in the hypothalamus, thalamus, striatum and midbrain with very low levels in the cerebellum. Intermediate levels were present in cortex, brain stem and spinal cord. Together, these studies support the presence of kappa 3 receptors in both mouse and rat brain which are very similar to those previously reported in calf brain.

Molecular analysis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome I. On the number of genes and the identification of essential genes using temperature-sensitive-lethal mutations

Previous analyses of Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome I have suggested that the majority (greater than 75%) of single-copy essential genes on this chromosome are difficult or impossible to identify using temperature-sensitive (Ts-) lethal mutations. To investigate whether this situation reflects intrinsic difficulties in generating temperature-sensitive proteins or constraints on mutagenesis in yeast, we subjected three cloned essential genes from chromosome I to mutagenesis in an Escherichia coli mutator strain and screened for Ts- lethal mutations in yeast using the "plasmid-shuffle" technique. We failed to obtain Ts- lethal mutations in two of the genes (FUN12 and FUN20), while the third gene yielded such mutations, but only at a low frequency. DNA sequence analysis of these mutant alleles and of the corresponding wild-type region revealed that each mutation was a single substitution not in the previously identified gene FUN19, but in the adjacent, newly identified essential gene FUN53. FUN19 itself proved to be non-essential. These results suggest that many essential proteins encoded by genes on chromosome I cannot be rendered thermolabile by single mutations. However, the results obtained with FUN53 suggest that there may also be significant constraints on mutagenesis in yeast. The 5046 base-pair interval sequenced contains the complete FUN19, FUN53 and FUN20 coding regions, as well as a portion of the adjacent non-essential FUN21 coding region. In all, 68 to 75% of this interval is open reading frame. None of the four predicted products shows significant homologies to known proteins in the available databases.

[Studies on sedative and anticonvulsion effects of differently processed rhizoma Typhon]

Mice were employed to study sedative and anticonvulsion effects of Rhizoma Typhon processed by different methods. The results showed that processed and raw Rhizoma Typhon had marked sedative effect and delayed convulsion time, caused by cardiazole and strychnine. Processed and raw Rhizoma Typhon had similar action. With the new processing method, similar sedative and anticonvulsion effects were obtained compared with the old processing method.

Separation of albumin from autologous plasma by heat

A simplified technique has been developed to separate albumin from the plasma of a patient undergoing treatment with plasma exchange. This albumin can be returned to the patient to maintain colloid osmotic pressure without risk of transmitting disease. Patient plasma is obtained by apheresis. It is heated at 70 degrees C for 60 minutes to denature and remove autoantibodies, immune complexes, and abnormal globulins. The resulting low-concentration albumin solution (LCAS) retains its natural properties. Immunologic analysis by gel diffusion shows a reaction pattern of complete identity with that of human serum albumin. The albumin in LCAS is more than 90 percent of the remaining protein, as determined by scan of a cellulose acetate electrophoresis pattern. More than 97 percent of the albumin is in monomer form, as judged by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. No patient antibodies to neonantigens in the heat-treated albumin can be identified by double radial immunodiffusion. More than 80 percent of the plasma albumin is recovered in LCAS. LCAS is safe and efficient for use in plasma exchange.

Closure mechanisms of laryngeal vestibule during swallow

This study examined the temporal effects of bolus volume on closure of the laryngeal vestibule at the arytenoid to epiglottic base and the mobile portion of the epiglottis, the temporal relationships between these levels of airway closure and cricopharyngeal opening for various bolus volumes, and the mechanisms responsible for these two levels of airway protection during deglutition. Closure of the laryngeal vestibule progressed inferiorly to superiorly at all bolus volumes. Duration of closure of the airway at the arytenoid to epiglottic base increased systematically with bolus volume, as did the duration of descent of the epiglottis below horizontal. Closure at the arytenoid to epiglottic base occurred earlier in relation to maximal laryngeal elevation as bolus volume increased. In contrast, descent of the epiglottis to horizontal and the temporal relationship between closure of the airway at the arytenoid to epiglottic base and cricopharyngeal opening were independent of bolus volume. These findings indicate a tightly organized neural program for some pharyngeal swallow events with systematic variability with volume in other pharyngeal events, possibly modulated by afferent input from the periphery. The neuromuscular mechanisms responsible for closure of the airway at the arytenoid to epiglottic base and at the mobile epiglottis appear to be quite different. Closure at the arytenoid to epiglottic base is apparently under direct neural control by active anterior tilting of the arytenoid cartilage and posterior projection of the epiglottic base as the larynx elevates, whereas epiglottic downward movement to closure is the biomechanical effect of hyolaryngeal movement, downward bolus movement, and tongue base retraction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Immunohistochemical localization of progesterone receptor in human decidua of early pregnancy

Rat monoclonal antibodies to human progesterone receptor were used for immunolocalization studies in human decidua of early pregnancy. Frozen sections of 42 specimens of decidua were stained by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method (PAP). Progesterone receptor was localized exclusively in the nuclei of decidual and myometrial cells with no specific staining in the cytoplasm. In the decidualized endometrium, stroma were always positively stained. Smooth muscle, pericyte and endothelial cells of blood vessels were extensively stained. Glandular epithelia showed variation in staining, which was positive in the basal but very weak or negative in the superficial layer of the decidua. No specific staining could be detected in the control sections. Of special interest was the positive staining of the endothelium of decidual blood vessels, a finding which has not been reported previously. The cells of the inner lining of vessels that stained with the antiprogesterone receptor antibodies were also Factor VIII positive, thus confirming the endothelial nature of these cells. It is concluded from these results that endothelial cells from human first trimester decidua express progesterone receptors.

Suppression of acute lymphoblastic leukemia by the human wild-type p53 gene

Independent mutations in both alleles of the p53 tumor suppressor gene are a frequent finding in human T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cell lines and in the cells of some T-ALL patients in relapse. One major goal of studying the status of p53 (and other tumor suppressor genes) in human cancer is to facilitate the suppression of the tumorigenic phenotype through the restoration of the expression of the wild-type allele. While the efficient insertion of a suppressor into all cells of solid/metastatic human tumors may at present be impossible, insertion into leukemia cells may be feasible due to the accessibility of the leukemia cells in the body. To examine the feasibility of suppressing the tumorigenicity of human T-leukemia cells, the human T-ALL cell line Be-13, which lacks endogenous p53 protein, was infected with a recombinant retrovirus encoding the wild-type allele of human p53 (hwtp53). Expression of p53 reduced the growth rate of infected Be-13 cells in vitro, suppressed colony formation in methylcellulose cultures, and abrogated their tumorigenic phenotype in nude mice in vivo. These results suggest that suppression of the leukemic phenotype of relapse T-ALL-derived Be-13 cells is feasible. Acute leukemia cell suppression via high-efficiency infection with retroviruses encoding wtp53 may be feasible and beneficial in T-ALL cases as part of a bone marrow transplantation regimen in an effort to reduce the frequency of posttransplantation relapse.

Genetic influences in opioid analgesic sensitivity in mice

Studies of various strains of mice revealed marked differences in their analgesic sensitivity towards morphine (mu), U50,488H (kappa 1) and naloxone benzoylhydrazone (NalBzoH; kappa 3). Sensitivity to mu and kappa analgesia varied independently of the other. Analgesic sensitivity to morphine remained relatively consistent among 3 different nociceptive assays for each strain. However, the sensitivity of an individual strain to NalBzoH remained highly dependent upon the assay used. CD-1 mice were sensitive to NalBzoH in all 3 assays, but in BALB/c mice NalBzoH produced analgesia only in the hot plate and cold water tail-flick assays. In Swiss-Webster mice, NalBzoH was active in the radiant heat and cold water tail-flicks but inactive in the hot plate. Although the levels of mu, kappa 1 and kappa 3 binding in whole brain homogenates did vary somewhat, they did not correlate with analgesic sensitivity. These results suggests that the genetic controls over mu and kappa analgesia operate independently and further illustrate the many difficulties in evaluating potential analgesics.

Binary arithmetic using optical symbolic substitution and integrated phototransistor surface-emitting laser logic

We outline an architecture for performing binary addition by using optical symbolic substitution and optical logic gates based on heterojunctionphototransistors and verticalcavity surface-emitting lasers.

Observation of the activity of factor VIII in the endometrium of women pre- and post-insertion of three types of IUDs

The endometrial materials were obtained from 90 women who had been randomly inserted with three types of IUDs (Stainless steel ring, SS; copper T 220, TCu 220, and levonorgestrel-releasing device, LNG). An immunoperoxidase reaction, PAP method, with the antiserum of Factor VIII as the primary antibody, was carried out to detect the Factor VIII activity in the endometrial endothelium pre- (control) and post-insertion of the IUDs. The results revealed that: 1. There was a generalized lower Factor VIII activity in the endometrium of women post-insertion of IUDs (except LNG). 2. Comparison of the Factor VIII activity in the endometrium of women using different types of IUDs showed that the TCu type and the SS type decreased the activity significantly whereas the activity remained unchanged after 3-6 months' use of the LNG-IUD. The different types of IUDs seemed to influence the coagulation regulatory system in different ways; the lower Factor VIII activity, the more tendency to bleeding. 3. The Factor VIII activity in the endometrium of women using IUDs was lower in all phases of the menstrual cycle including the proliferative phase when the Factor VIII activity is normally high. It cannot be excluded that this could be a contributing factor to IUD-induced bleedings.

Effects of spatial dispersion of acetylcholine release on AV conduction responses to vagal stimulation in dogs

We determined the effects on atrioventricular (AV) conduction of changing the spatial dispersion of acetylcholine (ACh) release from vagal nerve fibers in anesthetized dogs. We paced the atria at a constant rate and stimulated the vagus nerves with one stimulus burst per cardiac cycle. We varied the spatial heterogeneity of ACh release in the cardiac tissues by changing the stimulus voltage, and we varied the quantity of ACh release from each excited nerve fiber by changing the number of pulses per stimulus burst. We slightly changed the stimulus timing with each heartbeat to scan the entire cardiac cycle. We constructed phase-response curves (PRCs) by plotting the changes in AV conduction time as a function of the timing of vagal stimulation. We found that the amplitude of the PRC varied directly with average AV conduction time (AV), whereas the minimum-to-maximum phase difference of the PRC varied inversely with AV. However, for any given change in AV, the specific characteristics of the PRCs did not depend on whether we varied the number of pulses per burst or the stimulus voltage. Therefore, the phase-dependent characteristics of the dromotropic responses appear to be unaffected by the spatial dispersion of ACh release from the vagal nerve endings. The effects of vagal activity on the AV conduction time are determined by those conducting fibers that are the least restrained by neurally released ACh.

Endosonographic TNM staging of extrahepatic bile duct cancer: comparison with pathological staging

Endosonography was performed preoperatively in 33 patients with common bile duct carcinoma and in 43 patients with carcinoma of the common hepatic duct and its bifurcation. The results were correlated with the histology of resected specimens according to the new (1987) TNM (tumor, node, metastasis) classification. Endosonography was accurate in the evaluation of the depth of tumor infiltration. Overall accuracy for common bile duct carcinoma and common hepatic duct carcinoma was 82.8% and 85%, respectively. Endosonography was helpful in diagnosing regional lymph node metastases but not accurate in diagnosing nonmetastatic lymph nodes. With common bile duct carcinoma, the incidence of lymph node metastasis increased with progressive depth of tumor infiltration. No such correlation was found in common hepatic duct carcinomas. In the staging of distant metastasis, this technique was limited by the low-penetration depth of ultrasonography. Thus, additional transcutaneous ultrasonography or computed tomography was necessary for complete staging. The routine use of the biopsy channel for endosonographically guided aspiration puncture will further enhance the diagnostic value of endosonography in the future.

[Research and application of SUPER-1 intellectural instrument used in physiology laboratory]

Research work for making a biomedical signal processing instrument based on the APPLE-II computer is reported in this paper. According to the theory of the computer, two interface boards were designed as the hardware of the instrument. The memorizing waveform program was designed as the main program in the software system. Through a functional extended program, also called software inter face, more than ten programs especially for physiology can be easily linked to the main program. with the combination of both the software and hard ware several parameters of the instrument, such as sampling speed, gain of the amplifier, etc. can be controlled by a closed loop. This instrument is available in the physiology laboratory to replace oscilloscope, recorder, stimulator simultaneously. The functions of the instrument are stronger than those of the conventional instruments.

Lectin histochemistry of cystic jaw lesions: an aid for differential diagnosis between cystic ameloblastoma and odontogenic cysts

The binding sites for Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEA-I), Bandeirea simplicifolia agglutinin I (BSA-I), and peanut agglutinin (PNA) were comparatively examined in the surgical materials from 41 cases of cystic and solid ameloblastomas and 42 cases of non-neoplastic odontogenic cysts including dentigerous cyst, odontogenic keratocyst, and radicular cyst. In non-neoplastic cysts, most of epithelial lining layers gave positive binding with UEA-I and BSA-I. However, no positive reactions were obtained for these two lectins in the epithelial components of ameloblastoma, except for limited UEA-I binding to markedly keratinized tumor cells in four cases. PNA binding was irregular and did not make any clear distinction between ameloblastomas and cysts. The results suggest that the lectin staining for UEA-I and BSA-I is a useful histologic aid for differential diagnosis between cystic ameloblastoma and non-neoplastic jaw cysts.