Molecular cloning of the pheromone biosynthesis-activating neuropeptide in Helicoverpa zea

Pheromone biosynthesis-activating neuropeptide (PBAN) regulates sex pheromone biosynthesis in female Helicoverpa (Heliothis) zea. Two oligonucleotide probes representing two overlapping amino acid regions of PBAN were used to screen 2.5 x 10(5) recombinant plaques, and a positive recombinant clone was isolated. Sequence analysis of the isolated clone showed that the PBAN gene is interrupted after the codon encoding amino acid 14 by a 0.63-kilobase (kb) intron. Preceding the PBAN amino acid sequence is a 10-amino acid sequence containing a pentapeptide Phe-Thr-Pro-Arg-Leu, which is followed by a Gly-Arg-Arg processing site. Immediately after the PBAN amino acid sequence is a Gly-Arg processing site and a short stretch of 10 amino acids. This 10-amino acid sequence contains a repeat of the PBAN C-terminal pentapeptide Phe-Ser-Pro-Arg-Leu and is terminated by another Gly-Arg processing site. It is suggested that the PBAN gene in H. zea might carry, besides PBAN, a 7- and an 8-residue amidated peptide, which share with PBAN the core C-terminal pentapeptide Phe-(Ser or Thr)-Pro-Arg-Leu-NH2. The C-terminal pentapeptide sequence of PBAN represents the minimum sequence required for pheromonotropic activity in H. zea and also bears a high degree of homology to the pyrokinin family of insect peptides with myotropic activity. It is possible that the putative heptapeptide and octapeptide might be new members of the pyrokinin family, with pheromonotropic and/or myotropic activities. Thus, the PBAN gene products, besides affecting sexual behavior, might have broad influence on many biological processes in H. zea.

Transforming growth factor-alpha and epidermal growth factor messenger ribonucleic acid and protein levels in human placentas from early, mid, and late gestation

OBJECTIVE

Human placenta expresses receptors for transforming growth factor-alpha and epidermal growth factor throughout pregnancy. Experiments were performed to determine whether epidermal growth factor or transforming growth factor-alpha might be synthesized by placental cells and act through an autocrine mechanism to influence functioning of placental cells in vivo.

STUDY DESIGN

Human placentas from early, mid, and late gestations were analyzed for transforming growth factor-alpha and epidermal growth factor messenger ribonucleic acid and proteins. Polyadenylic acid-positive ribonucleic acid was isolated from placentas from 10, 11, 13, 21, 32, 38, 39, and 40 weeks of gestation and analyzed by Northern analysis for hybridization with complementary deoxyribonucleic acid probes specific for epidermal growth factor or transforming growth factor-alpha. Levels of immunoreactive epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor-alpha were measured by specific radioimmunoassays in pools of placentas from early, mid, and late gestations, and levels of epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor-alpha receptor-active protein were measured by radioreceptor assay.

RESULTS

All placentas had a strong transforming growth factor-alpha hybridization band at 4.5 kb and a weak epidermal growth factor hybridization band at 5.2 kb. High levels of transforming growth factor-alpha immunoreactive protein (90 to 180 ng/mg protein) and low levels of immunoreactive epidermal growth factor (3 to 9 pg/mg protein) were detected in pools of placentas from early, mid, and late gestations. High levels of epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor-alpha receptor-active protein (250 ng/mg protein) were also detected.

CONCLUSION

Human placentas contain relatively high levels of immunoreactive and receptor-active transforming growth factor-alpha, as well as transforming growth factor-alpha messenger ribonucleic acid, throughout gestation. This finding suggests that transforming growth factor-alpha may act by an autocrine system to influence human placental cell function in vivo.

Cancer associated antigen CA19-9 in colonic effluent of patients with neoplasia of the colon and inflammatory bowel disease

We measured colonic effluent samples from 10 patients with colorectal cancer, 13 with adenomatous polyps, 14 with normal colons and compared them to 10 patients with inflammatory bowel disease by measuring this CA19-9 content. Results showed considerable overlap between the different pathologic categories, making differentiation impossible. A lower level of CA19-9 in the effluent samples from patients with adenomas was noted. These differences were reproducible for assays performed several months apart. CA19-9 may originate from the upper gastrointestinal tract since large amounts are present in pancreatico-biliary secretions. This antigen is therefore not useful in the diagnosis of neoplasia or inflammatory bowel disease using colonic effluent samples as the test material.

Immunohistochemical and other features of breast carcinomas presenting clinically compared with those detected by cancer screening

Features of 111 mammary carcinomas derived from breast cancer screening were compared with those of 69 carcinomas presenting 'clinically'. Screen detected cancers were smaller, had less likelihood of nodal metastases, included a higher proportion of in situ tumours and if invasive, tended to be of lower grade. Using immunohistochemical methods, the expression of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and cathepsin D were compared in the two groups. A similar proportion of screened and unscreened tumours expressed c-erbB-2 oncoprotein and EGFR but expression of the oestrogen regulated protein cathepsin D was significantly more frequent in the screened group (P less than 0.05). Although a relatively small series, the results suggest a biological difference between 'screened' and 'clinical' tumours.

Tinnitus reaction questionnaire: psychometric properties of a measure of distress associated with tinnitus

The development of the Tinnitus Reaction Questionnaire (TRQ), a scale designed to assess the psychological distress associated with tinnitus, is described. Psychometric analyses of the TRQ are examined with a total of 156 subjects in three separate samples. The results indicate very good test-retest reliability (r = .88) and internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = .96). Factor analysis yielded four factors that were interpreted as General Distress, Interference, Severity, and Avoidance. Moderate to high correlations were found between the TRQ and clinician ratings (r = .67) and self-report measures of anxiety and depression (r = .58-.87), but a low correlation was found with neuroticism (r = .27). It is concluded that the TRQ provides a useful index of distress related to tinnitus for subject selection and clinical assessment and has potential as a measure of change in coping ability.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr); results of a 6 year follow-up study in operable breast cancer with emphasis on the node negative subgroup

More accurate criteria are required for the selection of patients with node-negative breast cancer for systemic adjuvant therapy. Expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) has been shown previously to be inversely related to oestrogen receptor (ER) in patients with operable breast cancer and to be associated with a poorer prognosis. Analysis of EGFr and ER was performed on tumour samples from 231 patients with operable breast cancer followed for up to 6 years after surgery. The median duration of follow-up in patients still alive at the time of analysis was 45 months. Thirty-five percent of patients (82) had tumours with greater than 10 fmol mg-1 I125-EGF binding (EGFr+) and 47% (109) and cystolic ER concentrations greater than 5 fmol mg-1 (ER+), with a marked inverse relationship between EGFr and ER (P less than 0.00001). In a univariate analysis EGFr was second only to axillary node status as a prognostic marker for all patients both in terms of relapse-free and overall survival (P less than 0.001, log rank). For patients with histologically negative axillary nodes EGFr was superior to ER in predicting relapse and survival (P less than 0.01 and P less than 0.005 respectively compared to P less than 0.1 and P less than 0.1, log rank). In a multivariate (Cox model) analysis only EGFr, out of EGFr, ER, size and grade, was predictive for either relapse-free or overall survival for patients with node-negative disease (P = 0.05 and P = 0.026 respectively). EGFr has been shown to be a marker of poor prognosis for patients with node-negative breast cancer. Since patients with EGFr+ tumours are unlikely to respond to hormone therapy it may be possible to select them for trials of systemic adjuvant chemotherapy.

Transtelephonic defibrillation

STUDY OBJECTIVES

This study was undertaken to assess the safety and reliability of a device for transtelephonic defibrillation.

DESIGN

The transtelephonic system consists of a patient unit and a base station. The patient unit contains a monitor-defibrillator, electrode pads, microphone, microprocessor, and DC defibrillator. The base station comprises a control panel, computer, and ECG display.

SETTING

Fifteen patients who were treated in our emergency department for cardiac arrest were placed on patient units that activated our base station in a remote location within the ED.

TYPE OF PARTICIPANTS

Thirteen patients were treated for ventricular fibrillation, and two patients were treated for ventricular tachycardia.

INTERVENTIONS

Thirty-one shocks were delivered transtelephonically.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

In all cases, voice and ECG transmission were established without difficulty.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that this system represents a safe and reliable method for the treatment of ventricular fibrillation, and we advocate additional use to study the prehospital applications of transtelephonic defibrillation.

Light and electron microscopy studies of the ulnar, saphenous, and caudal cutaneous sural nerves of the dog

Transverse sections of the ulnar, saphenous, and sural nerves taken at specific levels in normal, young-adult beagle dogs were examined qualitatively and quantitatively at both the light and electron microscopic levels. The aim of this investigation was to provide baseline information for future studies of peripheral nerve disease in this species. A systematic sampling technique was used for the determination of nerve components (i.e., unmyelinated axons and Schwann cell and fibroblast nuclei). In all nerves sampled, the average size distribution for unmyelinated axons was unimodal, and most of the axons were 0.4-1.1 micron in diameter. Within this range, there were slight individual and nerve-to-nerve variations in the location of the largest diameter peak. The mean densities of Schwann cell nuclei (numbers/mm2) ranged from 841/mm2 in the palmar branch of the ulnar nerve, to 1,223/mm2 in the caudal cutaneous sural nerve, being nearly four times the average density or fibroblast nuclei. In every animal and in almost every nerve, a few abnormalities were found; and these should be kept in mind when assessing peripheral nerves in the dog.

[Silent myocardial ischemia. The practice of sports in coronary patients]

In 1988 we retrained for exercise 800 coronary patients who had suffered a myocardial infarction or had benefited from revascularization surgery. Twenty per cent of these patients under anti-anginal treatment have silent myocardial ischaemia (SMI). Four per cent still have exercise-induced angina. The influence of SMI on the prognosis, frequently through an acute coronary accident or through the slow development of an ischaemic cardiomyopathy, has prompted us to determine a heart rate that should not be exceeded by coronary patients while practising sports. We learned by experience that coronary subjects with SMI should not practise sports immediately they get up; they should proceed gradually and always after a mandatory warming up period. Outdoor activities in periods of severe cold or strong winds should be banned and replaced by indoor games which should take place outside the digestion period. Finally, all concepts of competition, endurance or performance should be excluded from their practice of sports. The finding that two out of three coronary patients underestimate their rate by 20% should, in the absence of atrial or thoracic capillary feelers, lead to the conclusion that the heart rate not to be exceeded must be underestimated by 20%.

The brain-specific gene for rat aldolase C possesses an unusual housekeeping-type promoter

A DNA fragment encompassing the first exon and about 750 bp of the 5'-flanking sequence has been isolated and sequenced. The gene has multiple start sites of transcription which are dispersed over about 200 bp. The promoter lacks TATA and CAAT boxes and is very G + C-rich, with putative binding sites for the transcriptional factors Sp1 and AP2. Similar features are shared with two other brain-specific genes encoding thy-1 antigen and gamma-enolase. The existence of a conserved block of similarity upstream of the human and rat aldolase C genes suggests that this region could be involved in tissue-specific expression whose mechanism seem to be, at least in part, transcriptional.

[Spontaneous bilateral lens luxation]

Spontaneous luxation of lens is a rare ocular disease. There are three forms: hereditary, great myopia and senile cataract. The authors report on a senile cataract case: the posterior luxation in the second eye occurs three months after the first. After temporary intraocular pressure elevation, there are no complications 8 years later.

[X-ray computed tomographic aspects of benign mesotheliomas. Apropos of 4 cases]

Localized pleural mesothelioma or benign mesothelioma is a rare tumor and it has a good prognosis. The value of computed tomography (CT) in the evaluation of pleural disease is now well recognized. However, little information has been written regarding the value of CT in localized pleural mesothelioma. We describe four cases. CT findings include sharply delineated, smoothly contoured masses, often with homogeneous soft tissue density. Angles with the chest wall are obtuse or acute. In case of acute angles, a smoothly tapering margin may be encountered.

Hysteresis phenomena between periodic and stationary solutions in a model of pacemaker and nonpacemaker coupled cardiac cells

We were interested in investigating the behaviour of a cardiac electrophysiological model including coupled pacemaker (PM) and nonpacemaker (NPM) cells. To this aim, a modified version of the model of Van Capelle and Durrer was used. First, few discrete values were assigned to coupling resistance (CR) and respective cell sizes and numerical simulations versus time showed three possible kinds of response pattern: sustained rhythmic activity, subthreshold oscillations, and complete inhibition. Then, after setting a fixed value to PM cell size, we undertake a thorough study of the system by using bifurcation-continuation techniques and CR was chosen as the continuation parameter. On the maximum action potential--CR plane representation, we could describe five behavioural zones: complete inhibition, coexistence of complete inhibition and NPM large oscillations, NPM large oscillations, coexistence of NPM large oscillations and subthreshold oscillations, subthreshold oscillations. Within the zones of qualitatively different coexisting solutions, a detailed exploration clearly demonstrated the presence of hysteresis cycles. Indeed, the status of the system depended on its immediate previous story within narrow ranges of CR values. Such a coexistence of stable solutions for identical values of CR may suggest an explanation of the intermittant activity elicited from abnormal ectopic foci observed in certain ventricular rhythm disturbances. In addition, a Hopf bifurcation point, from which emerged stationary and periodic solutions, was followed on the PM cell size--CR plane and from this representation we could deduce that the smaller the PM cell, the higher the CR must be for the PM cell to escape from the NPM cell inhibition.

Fatal toxicity of antidepressant drugs in overdose

A fatal toxicity index (deaths per million National Health Service prescriptions) was calculated for antidepressant drugs on sale during the years 1975-84 in England, Wales, and Scotland. The tricyclic drugs introduced before 1970 had a higher index than the mean for all the drugs studied (p less than 0.001). In this group the toxicity of amitriptyline, dibenzepin, desipramine, and dothiepin was significantly higher, while that of clomipramine, imipramine, iprindole, protriptyline, and trimipramine was lower. The monoamine oxidase inhibitors had intermediate toxicity, and the antidepressants introduced since 1973, considered as a group, had significantly lower toxicity than the mean (p less than 0.001). Of these newer drugs, maprotiline had a fatal toxicity index similar to that of the older tricyclic antidepressants, while the other newly introduced drugs had lower toxicity indices, with those for mianserin, nomifensine, trazodone, and viloxazine reaching significance. Provided that these drugs are equally effective clinically, serious consideration should be given to prescribing antidepressants with a lower fatal toxicity.

[Isolated sphenoidal tumor localization in a child, disclosing histiocytosis X]

A case of isolated sphenoidal tumor localization in a child without any endocrinological disorder and revealing an histiocytosis X is reported. This mode of presentation is extremely rare. The diagnosis of histiocytosis X must be evoked and proved in lesions of the sellar region in children.

Tyrosine kinases in normal human blood cells. Platelet but not erythrocyte band 3 tyrosine kinase is p60c-src

The major tyrosine kinase from platelets was purified as a 51 kDa active enzyme which was shown to be a degradation product of the protooncogene product p60c-src. Immuno-depletion experiments using a monoclonal antibody recognizing p60c-src failed to remove band 3 phosphorylating activity from red blood cell membranes. The erythrocyte tyrosine kinase was not at all immunoprecipitated by this antibody under conditions where the platelet enzyme was immunoprecipitated.

Cellular immune aspects of the human fetal-maternal relationship

In the present study the number and the function of T lymphocytes obtained from peripheral blood of 35 mothers immediately after delivery and from the cord blood of the respective newborns were tested. Furthermore, the effect of the newborns' lymphocytes on the immunological competence of the mothers' lymphocytes was investigated by means of graft-versus-host-reaction xenograft test. The blood of 14 of the mothers and their newborns was also examined by monoclonal antibodies for determination of T helper and T suppressor lymphocytes. A marked reduction in the absolute number of T helper cells was found in the blood of mothers after delivery. In addition, mothers' lymphocytes manifested a high suppressor activity when added to normal human lymphocytes. It was also found that the cord blood contains lower number and percentage of T suppressor cells. Yet the T cells of the cord blood exert a high suppressor activity on the mother as well as on normal donor lymphocytes. The impaired function of cord blood lymphocytes could be impaired function of cord blood lymphocytes could be restored by in vitro addition of THF, a thymic hormone.

The mutagenicity of cigarette smokers' urine

Using the methods of Yamasaki and Ames (1977), we have studied the mutagenicity of urine samples from 29 cigarette smokers and 14 nonsmokers. Duplicate plates at each dose yield reproducible dose-response curves, evening and 24-hour samples of smokers' urine have similar levels of mutagenic activity, as do evening samples from the same smoker from different days. Smokers' daily cigarette tar intake is correlated with urinary mutagen concentration, but the correlation achieves statistical significance only in the sub-sample of smokers over 25 years old. Mutagenic activity is also detectable in some nonsmokers, but as a group, their urinary mutagenic activity is far lower than that of smokers.

Protein kinases in human leukemic cells

Protein kinase activities and cyclic AMP binding capacity were investigated in human peripheral blood cells from leukemic patients and normal controls. Using [gamma 32P] ATP as phosphoryldonor, the phosphorylating activities were not found to be significantly different in either normal or leukemic cells when measured on both artificial basic and acidic substrates. In contrast, the GTP-dependent casein kinase activity, CK2, which is almost undetectable in normal granulocytes, was markedly increased in highly proliferating myeloblastic cells from patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) or with chronic myelogenous leukemia in blastic crisis (BC-CML). Levels of endogenous phosphotyrosine were not higher in leukemic cells than in normal peripheral lymphocytes or granulocytes. Finally, cAMP binding capacity was found to be increased in several types of proliferating leukemic cells, due to a higher amount of the R1-type regulatory subunit of the cAMP-dependent protein kinases. Specific patterns of cAMP binding proteins observed in the different types of normal blood cells were rather blurred in leukemic cells. In conclusion, modifications observed in human leukemic cells seem to be more related to proliferation or blockage in normal differentiation than to their cellular origin.

Knee problems in children and adolescents

It is important to recognize that there are differences in the spectrum of knee injuries that occur in childhood and adolescence and to always keep these in mind when examining the younger athlete. Constant vigilance for hip pathology presenting as knee pain is also necessary in this age group. As the tendency becomes greater for practitioners to become more specialized in treatment modalities (for example, arthroscopic surgeons, knee surgeons, and so forth), the likelihood of making preventable errors in the case of young athletes increases. The comprehensive care of the athlete and his or her injury is paramount, and one should be wary of the pressure to treat the youngster as one might the college or professional athlete in order to return him or her to sports more quickly. Serious injuries require time to heal and even more time for the patient to convalesce and undergo rehabilitation.

Characterization of human red blood cell tyrosine kinase

A new tyrosine kinase in human red blood cells has been characterized and partially purified. The major substrate was a protein of molecular weight 93 K which could be phosphorylated both in whole red blood cells incubated with inorganic [32P] orthophosphate and in ghost preparations incubated with [gamma 32P] ATP. This tyrosine kinase displayed an alkaline isoelectric pH (around 8.5), a molecular weight of 32-33 K and does not seem to be autophosphorylable. Some kinetics of the enzyme are reported. This red blood cell tyrosine kinase is unrelated to EGF and insulin or insulin-like receptor subunits. This enzyme may represent a novel class of tyrosine kinases.

A multivariate analysis of prognostic factors in early stage Hodgkin's disease

A multivariate analysis of the prognostic factors was carried out with a Cox model on 1,139 patients with clinical Stage I + II Hodgkin's disease included in three controlled clinical trials. The following indicators had been prospectively registered: age, sex, systemic symptoms, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), number and sites of involved lymph node areas, histologic type, clinical stage, pattern of presentation, results of staging laparotomy when performed, as well as the date and type of treatment. A linear logistic analysis showed that most of the indicators are interrelated. This emphasizes the necessity of a multivariate analysis in order to assess the independent influence of each of them. The two main prognostic indicators for relapse-free survival are systemic symptoms and/or ESR and number of involved areas. The only significant factor for survival after relapse is age. Sex has a small but significant influence on relapse-free survival. The relative influence of each indicator varies with the type of treatment and these variations may help in understanding the biologic significance of the indicators.

ABC of poisoning. Analgesics: opioids

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ABC of poisoning. Analgesic poisoning: I--salicylates

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ABC of poisoning. Cardiovascular, neurological, and other complications

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ABC of poisoning. Respiratory complications

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ABC of poisoning. Problems in children

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ABC of poisoning. Preventing absorption

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ABC of poisoning. Non-poisons

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ABC of poisoning. Diagnosis

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ABC of poisoning. Immediate measures--in hospital

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Tumoricidal response following perfusion over immobilized protein A: identification of immunoglobulin oligomers in serum after perfusion and their partial characterization

Previously, we showed that perfusion of plasma from hosts bearing breast adenocarcinoma over immobilized staphylococcal protein A resulted in objective tumor regressions. In the present study, sera perfused in vitro over immobilized staphylococcal protein A were analyzed by physicochemical and immunochemical methods to characterize newly formed products. Sera from normal and breast adenocarcinoma-bearing dogs showed increased levels of C1q-binding IgG after perfusion over a strain of staphylococcus that is protein A rich (Cowan I), but not protein A deficient (Woods 46). C1q binding levels were also increased in normal and tumor-bearing canine or human sera which were perfused over purified protein A immobilized in collodion charcoal (PACC), and this increase was localized in sucrose density gradient fractions ranging from 7S to 19S. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of the high-molecular-weight fraction in postperfusion canine sera, isolated by G-200 fractionation and immunoaffinity chromatography, showed predominantly heavy and light immunoglobulin chains of canine IgG. Furthermore, protein A was released from PACC after perfusion with serum or solutions containing IgG or albumin from humans, dogs, and chickens. After serum perfusion over PACC, protein A was identified in the effluent by additional studies as follows: (a) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis showed that eluted 125I-protein A comigrated with the protein A marker; (b) postperfusion C1q-binding complexes, isolated by gel filtration under dissociating conditions and affinity chromatography on IgG-Sepharose showed a single precipitin band with normal human (protein A reactive) but not chicken (protein A unreactive) serum. Protein A released from PACC which appeared in postperfusion sera was associated with immunoglobulins in macromolecular complexes since (a) eluted 125I-protein A was largely (NH4)2SO4 and polyethylene glycol precipitable, whereas free protein A was not, and it sedimented in sucrose density gradient fractions distributed beyond the 7S marker, compared to free protein A which localized below 7S; (b) radiolabeled protein A eluting from PACC after serum perfusion showed 8-fold greater binding to C1q-coated tubes compared to free protein A; and (c) increased C1q-binding IgG in postperfusion sucrose density gradient fractions corresponded to the appearance of protein A in parallel gradient fractions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)