Platelet concentration and its effect on bone formation in calvarial defects: an experimental study in rabbits

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

The use of the platelet concentration technique is widespread in dental implant surgery. However, its effect or mechanism is not clearly understood.

PURPOSE

This study introduced an animal model for the platelet concentration technique and evaluated its effect on bone formation with natural cancellous bovine bone mineral.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Adult New Zealand white rabbits were used as the animal model. A density gradient medium was used to obtain a constant platelet count for the preparation of platelet concentrates. In the experimental group, natural cancellous bovine bone mineral with added platelet concentrates was grafted onto critically sized bony defects of the rabbit calvarium. Bone formation in the tissue sections was evaluated with soft x-ray imaging and computer tomography.

RESULTS

The average platelet count of the rabbit platelet concentrates was 1487 x 10(3)/microL (287% concentrated). In all the tested parameters, greater bone densities were obtained in grafts that were combined with platelet concentrates.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that the rabbit is a useful animal model for studying the platelet concentration technique. When combined with grafts of natural cancellous bovine bone mineral, the technique increased bone formation.

Resolution analysis of incoherent triangular holography

We derived the point-spread function (PSF) including the recording and reconstruction systems of the modified triangular interferometer; the modified triangular interferometer forms incoherent holograms without bias and the conjugate image. We also derived and analyzed the resolution of the modified triangular interferometer and compared it with that of the conventional one for amplification factor, wavelength, and hologram size.

Congenital abdominal aortic aneurysm causing renovascular hypertension, cardiomyopathy, and death in a 19-day-old neonate

A full-term baby girl who was sent home day of life 2 was admitted to the hospital on day of life 7 for respiratory distress and poor feeding. The child was found to be hypertensive and in heart failure. Further workup led to the diagnosis of a suprarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm, but the infant had deteriorated clinically with heart failure, modest renal failure, renovascular hypertension, and no operative cure. The child died on day of life 20. Early diagnosis and prompt surgical resection are essential to managing this rare and lethal condition.

Aortic dissection: percutaneous management with a separating stent-graft--preliminary results

The authors used a separating stent-graft to treat Stanford type B aortic dissection. The separating stent-graft consists of two stents: a stent-graft and an inner bare stent. The separating stent-graft has three parts: a proximal stent, a graft made of synthetic polyester textile fiber, and a distal stent. A 12-F introducing sheath was used. After the separating stent-graft was placed, false-lumen thrombosis was evident in all six patients during a follow-up period of 206 days. The major advantages of this technique are that a cutdown and blood pressure control are not required.

The impact of smoking status, disease stage, and index tumor site on second primary tumor incidence and tumor recurrence in the head and neck retinoid chemoprevention trial

Second primary tumors (SPTs) develop at an annual rate of 3-7% in patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC). In a previous Phase III study, we observed that high doses of 13-cis-retinoic acid reduced the SPT rate in this disease. In 1991, we launched an intergroup, placebo-controlled, double-blind study to evaluate the efficacy of low-dose 13-cis-retinoic acid in the prevention of SPTs in patients with stage I or II squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, oral cavity, or pharynx who had been previously successfully treated with surgery, radiotherapy, or both, and whose diagnoses had been established within 36 months of study entry. As of September 16, 1999, the Retinoid Head and Neck Second Primary (HNSP) Trial had completed accrual with 1384 registered patients and 1191 patients randomized and eligible. All of the patients were followed for survival, SPT development, and index cancer recurrence. Smoking status was assessed at study entry and during study. Smoking cessation was confirmed biochemically by measurement of serum cotinine levels. The annual rate of SPT development was analyzed in terms of smoking status and tumor stage. As of May 1, 2000, SPTs have developed in 172 patients. Of these, 121 (70.3%) were tobacco-related SPTs, including 113 in the aerodigestive tract (57 lung SPTs, 50 HNSCC SPTs, and 6 esophageal SPTs) and 8 bladder SPTs. The remaining 51 cases included 23 prostate adenocarcinomas, 8 gastrointestinal malignancies, 6 breast cancers, 3 melanomas, and 11 other cancers. The annual rate of SPT development observed in our study has been 5.1%. SPT development related to smoking status was marginally significant (active versus never, 5.7% versus 3.5%; P = 0.053). Significantly different smoking-related SPT development rates were observed in current, former, and never smokers (annual rate = 4.2%, 3.2%, and 1.9%, respectively, overall P = 0.034; current versus never smokers, P = 0.018). Stage II HNSCC had a higher overall annual rate of SPT development (6.4%) than did stage I disease (4.3%; P = 0.004). When evaluating the development of smoking-related SPTs, stage was also highly significant (4.8% for stage II versus 2.7% for stage I; P = 0.001). Smoking-related SPT incidence was significant for site as well (larynx versus oral cavity, P = 0.015; larynx versus pharynx, P = 0.011). Primary tumors recurred at an annual rate of 2.8% in a total of 97 patients. The rate of recurrence was higher in patients with stage II disease (4.1% versus 2.2%, P = 0.004) as well as oral cavity site when compared with larynx (P = 0.002). This is the first large-scale prospective chemoprevention study evaluating smoking status and its impact on SPT development and recurrence rate in HNSCC. The results indicate significantly higher SPT rates in active smokers versus never smokers and significantly higher smoking-related SPT rates in active smokers versus never smokers, with intermediate rates for former smokers.

IMC-C225, an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody, for treatment of head and neck cancer

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck (H&N) remains a clinical challenge due to its high rate of locoregional disease recurrence. The importance of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in the development and progression of many solid tumours (including SCC of the H&N) is well understood; increased expression is associated with enhanced tumour invasion, resistance to chemotherapy and decreased patient survival. Several approaches have been developed to achieve EGFR blockade as an anticancer treatment strategy, including an anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody (mAb), IMC-C225, which competitively binds to the extracellular receptor site to prevent binding by natural EGFR ligands (EGF and TGF-alpha). Preclinical studies evaluating this chimeric mAb in human cancer cell lines in vitro and human tumour xenografts in vivo have demonstrated its potent antitumour activity. The clinical efficacy of IMC-C225 appears to involve multiple anticancer mechanisms, including inhibition of cell cycle progression, induction of apoptosis, anti-angiogenesis, inhibition of metastasis and its ability to enhance the response to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Phase I studies of IMC-C225 combined with chemotherapy or radiation for SCC of the H&N demonstrate excellent response rates in patients with recurrent or refractory disease. Phase II and III trials examining the efficacy and safety of these combinations are currently underway. To date, IMC-C225 has been well-tolerated, with skin rashes and allergic reactions being the most clinically important adverse events reported. IMC-C225 displays dose-dependent elimination characteristics and a half-life of approximately 7 days. Current recommendations for dosing include a 400 mg/m2 loading dose, followed by weekly infusions of 250 mg/m2.

Pseudonocardia kongjuensis sp. nov., isolated from a gold mine cave

The taxonomic position of an isolate that was recovered from a gold mine cave near Kongju, Republic of Korea, was determined by 16S rDNA sequence studies and chemotaxonomic characterization. Comparative studies of 16S rDNA sequences indicated that this organism was phylogenetically related to members of the genus Pseudonocardia, branching outside a cluster encompassing Pseudonocardia autotrophica and Pseudonocardia compacta. The affiliation to the genus was also supported by the cell chemistry, which was represented by a type IV cell wall, MK-8(H4) as the major menaquinone, a phospholipid type PIII pattern (phosphatidylcholine as a diagnostic phospholipid) and a DNA G+C content of 71 mol%. The fatty acid profile contained saturated, unsaturated and 10-methyl branched fatty acids, but tuberculostearic acid and hydroxy fatty acids were not present. The isolate differed from its phylogenetic neighbours in the presence of phosphatidylethanolamine, dodecanoate, 16-methylheptadecenoate and 16-methylheptadecanoate and the absence of phosphatidylinositol mannoside and phosphatidylmethylethanolamine. The unique combination of physiological properties, the cellular fatty acid profile and DNA-DNA hybridization data indicates that this organism is readily differentiated from the type strains of all of the validly published species of the genus Pseudonocardia. The name Pseudonocardia kongjuensis sp. nov. is proposed for the type strain, LM 157T (= IMSNU 50583T = KCTC 9990T = DSM 44525T).

Prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus infection among women in Jeju Island, Republic of Korea

Hepatitis B and C virus infection prevalence was investigated in the Island of Jeju (formerly Cheju), the Republic of Korea, by means of a small-scale sero-epidemiological survey in 2000. Adult women in the city of Jeju (the provincial capital) and two fishing-farming villages A and B were invited to offer venous blood samples for immunological examination for infection markers of two virus and serum biochemistry for liver function. In practice, 66 married women (33, 16 and 17 women from the city, Village A and Village B, respectively) volunteered. Sera were separated on site and were assayed for HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc, and anti-HCV positivities and liver function markers including AST, ALT and gamma-GTP. The serum assay showed that the prevalence of HbsAg+ or anti-HCV+ cases was low (5 and 2%, respectively), whereas that of anti-HBs+ and anti-HBc+ cases were high (71 and 62%) so that the over-all HBV positivity was 82%. There were essentially no urban-rural difference or age-dependent changes in the positivity. Comparison with the prevalence reported in literature shows that prevalence of HBsAg+ and anti-HCV+ is in general agreement with the values reported for the populations in general, but HBV+ prevalence might be somewhat higher than the levels reported for the general populations.

Maternal and neonatal outcomes after uterine rupture in labor

OBJECTIVE

There is significant controversy about the risks related to attempted vaginal birth after cesarean and the implications for informed consent of the patient. Recent data suggest that women who deliver in hospitals with high attempted vaginal birth after cesarean rates are more likely to experience successful vaginal birth after cesarean, as well as uterine ruptures. We conducted a study to evaluate maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality after uterine rupture at a tertiary care center.

STUDY DESIGN

We performed a retrospective chart review of cases of uterine rupture from 1976 to 1998. All women who had a history of uterine rupture were identified with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, identifiers with hospital discharge data cross-referenced with a separate obstetric database. We abstracted demographic information, fetal heart rate patterns, maternal pain and bleeding patterns, umbilical cord gas values, and Apgar scores from the medical record. Outcome variables were uterine rupture events and major and minor maternal and neonatal complications.

RESULTS

During the study period there were 38,027 deliveries. The attempted vaginal birth after cesarean rate was 61.3%, of which 65.3% were successful. We identified 21 cases of uterine rupture or scar dehiscence. Seventeen women had prior cesarean deliveries (10 with primary low transverse cesarean delivery, 3 with unknown scars, 1 with classic cesarean delivery, 2 with two prior cesarean deliveries, and 1 with four prior cesarean deliveries). Of the 4 women who had no history of previous uterine surgery, one had a bicornuate uterus whereas the others had no factors increasing the risk for uterine rupture. We confirmed uterine rupture and scar dehiscence in 19 women. Specific details were not available for 2 patients. Uterine rupture or scar dehiscence was clinically suspected in 16 women with 3 cases identified at delivery or after delivery. Sixteen women had symptoms of increased abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, or altered hemodynamic status. There were 2 patients who required hysterectomies and 3 women who received blood transfusions; there were no maternal deaths related to uterine rupture. The fetal heart rate pattern in 13 cases showed bradycardia and repetitive variable or late decelerations. Thirteen neonates had umbilical artery pH >7.0. Two cases of fetal or neonatal death occurred, one in a 23-week-old fetus whose mother had presented to an outlying hospital and the second in a 25-week-old fetus with Potter's syndrome. All live-born infants were without evidence of neurologic abnormalities at the time of discharge.

CONCLUSION

Our data confirm the relatively small risk of uterine rupture during vaginal birth after cesarean that has been demonstrated in previous studies. In an institution that has in-house obstetric, anesthesia, and surgical staff in which close monitoring of fetal and maternal well-being is available, uterine rupture does not result in major maternal morbidity and mortality or in neonatal mortality.

Potential role of caspase-3 and -9 in arsenic trioxide-mediated apoptosis in PCI-1 head and neck cancer cells

Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) has been shown to inhibit the proliferation of hematologic malignant cells. Previously, we reported that As2O3 had an antitumoral effect in head and neck cancer. Here, we investigated the induction of apoptosis and its mechanism in PCI-1 head and neck squamous carcinoma cells, after treatment with As2O3. Treatment with 2 microM of As2O3 caused apoptosis in PCI-1 cells following 3 days of exposure, which was detected by the annexin V-PI and DAPI staining methods. The cell death population was markedly increased, being 88% larger than the As2O3-untreated control cells. To address the mechanism of apoptosis, a Western blot assay was performed, showing that Bax was up-regulated without a change in Bcl-2. Activation of caspase-9 during As2O3-induced apoptosis was substantiated by monitoring the proteolysis of the caspase-9, which was associated with an increase of Apaf-1 and cytochrome c protein. PCI-1 cells rapidly changed the mitochondria membrane potential (DeltaPsim) after addition of As2O3. Furthermore, activation of caspase-3 was demonstrated by monitoring the proteolysis of the caspase-3 and by measuring caspase-3 activity with a fluorogenic substrate, which was associated with the cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. To examine the in vivo effect of As2O3, C3H mouse inoculated with syngenic SCC7 cells was treated by intratumoral injection of As2O3 (300 microg) every day, demonstrating that tumor mass was dramatically reduced on day 4, and revealed induction of apoptosis by TUNEL assay. These results suggest that apoptosis of PCI-1 cells by As2O3 is induced by activation of caspase-3 via cytochrome c, caspase-9 and Apaf-1 complex.

Modulation of actinorhodin biosynthesis in Streptomyces lividans by glucose repression of afsR2 gene transcription

While the biosynthetic gene cluster encoding the pigmented antibiotic actinorhodin (ACT) is present in the two closely related bacterial species, Streptomyces lividans and Streptomyces coelicolor, it normally is expressed only in S. coelicolor-generating the deep-blue colonies responsible for the S. coelicolor name. However, multiple copies of the two regulatory genes, afsR and afsR2, activate ACT production in S. lividans, indicating that this streptomycete encodes a functional ACT biosynthetic pathway. Here we report that the occurrence of ACT biosynthesis in S. lividans is determined conditionally by the carbon source used for culture. We found that the growth of S. lividans on solid media containing glucose prevents ACT production in this species by repressing the synthesis of afsR2 mRNA; a shift to glycerol as the sole carbon source dramatically relieved this repression, leading to extensive ACT synthesis and obliterating this phenotypic distinction between S. lividans and S. coelicolor. Transcription from the afsR2 promoter during growth in glycerol was dependent on afsR gene function and was developmentally regulated, occurring specifically at the time of aerial mycelium formation and coinciding temporally with the onset of ACT production. In liquid media, where morphological differentiation does not occur, ACT production in the absence of glucose increased as S. lividans cells entered stationary phase, but unlike ACT biosynthesis on solid media, occurred by a mechanism that did not require either afsR or afsR2. Our results identify parallel medium-dependent pathways that regulate ACT biosynthesis in S. lividans and further demonstrate that the production of this antibiotic in S. lividans grown on agar can be modulated by carbon source through the regulation of afsR2 mRNA synthesis.

Cloning and expression of thermophilic catechol 1,2-dioxygenase gene (catA) from Streptomyces setonii

Streptomyces setonii (ATCC 39116) degrades various single aromatic compounds such as phenol or benzoate via an ortho-cleavage pathway using catechol 1,2-dioxygenase (C12O). A PCR using degenerate primers based on the conserved regions of known C12O-encoding genes amplified a 0.45-kbp DNA fragment from S. setonii total DNA. A Southern hybridization analysis and size-selected DNA library screening using the 0.45-kbp PCR product as a probe led to the isolation of a 6.4-kbp S. setonii DNA fragment, from which the C12O-encoding genetic locus was found to be located within a 1.4-kbp DNA fragment. A complete nucleotide sequencing analysis of the 1.4-kbp DNA fragment revealed a 0.84-kbp open reading frame, which showed a strong overall amino acid similarity to the known high-G+C Gram-positive (but significantly less to the Gram-negative) bacterial mesophilic C12Os. The heterologous expression of the cloned 1.4-kbp DNA fragment in Escherichia coli demonstrated that this C12O possessed a thermophilic activity within a broad temperature range (up to 65 degrees C) and showed a higher activity against 3-methylcatechol than catechol or 4-methylcatechol, but no activity against protocatechuate.

Immunohistochemical expression of Smads 1-6 in the 15-day gestation mouse embryo: signaling by BMPs and TGF-betas

The eight mammalian Smad proteins mediate cellular signaling from members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), and activin families. Smads 1, 5, and 8 transmit signals from BMPs, while Smads 2 and 3 transmit signals from TGF-betas and activin. Smad 4 is a common mediator of both pathways, while Smads 6 and 7 inhibit signaling. Signal transduction involves translocation of Smad complexes to the nucleus and subsequent gene activation. Little is known about the expression of endogenous Smad proteins during development. We identified commercially available Smad antibodies that specifically recognize a unique Smad protein and are suitable for immunohistochemistry. Here we compare the localization of Smads 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 in tissues of the 15-day gestation mouse embryo. Immunoreactive Smad proteins are seen in many tissues with differences in the localization being dependent upon the cell type. All tissues express Smad 4 and at least one each of the BMP-specific and TGF-beta-specific Smads, while expression of Smad 6 is more restricted. Differences are observed in the nuclear versus cytoplasmic localization among the Smads in different cell types or tissues, suggesting selective activation of Smads during this stage of development.

Aminopeptidases A, B, and N and dipeptidase D are the four cysteinylglycinases of Escherichia coli K-12

Aminopeptidases A, B, and N and dipeptidase D, with broad substrate specificity, are the four cysteinylglycinases of Escherichia coli K-12, and there is no peptidase specific for the cleavage of cysteinylglycine.

Potential role of caspase-3 and -9 in arsenic trioxide-mediated apoptosis in PCI-1 head and neck cancer cells

Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) has been shown to inhibit the proliferation of hematologic malignant cells. Previously, we reported that As2O3 had an antitumoral effect in head and neck cancer. Here, we investigated the induction of apoptosis and its mechanism in PCI-1 head and neck squamous carcinoma cells, after treatment with As2O3. Treatment with 2 microM of As2O3 caused apoptosis in PCI-1 cells following 3 days of exposure, which was detected by the annexin V-PI and DAPI staining methods. The cell death population was markedly increased, being 88% larger than the As2O3-untreated control cells. To address the mechanism of apoptosis, a Western blot assay was performed, showing that Bax was up-regulated without a change in Bcl-2. Activation of caspase-9 during As2O3-induced apoptosis was substantiated by monitoring the proteolysis of the caspase-9, which was associated with an increase of Apaf-1 and cytochrome c protein. PCI-1 cells rapidly changed the mitochondria membrane potential (DeltaPsim) after addition of As2O3. Furthermore, activation of caspase-3 was demonstrated by monitoring the proteolysis of the caspase-3 and by measuring caspase-3 activity with a fluorogenic substrate, which was associated with the cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. To examine the in vivo effect of As2O3, C3H mouse inoculated with syngenic SCC7 cells was treated by intratumoral injection of As2O3 (300 microg) every day, demonstrating that tumor mass was dramatically reduced on day 4, and revealed induction of apoptosis by TUNEL assay. These results suggest that apoptosis of PCI-1 cells by As2O3 is induced by activation of caspase-3 via cytochrome c, caspase-9 and Apaf-1 complex.

Epidural naloxone reduces intestinal hypomotility but not analgesia of epidural morphine

PURPOSE

Epidural morphine is associated with decreased bowel motility and increased transit time. Low doses of intravenous naloxone reduce morphine-induced pruritus without reversing analgesia, but the effect of epidural naloxone on bowel motility has not been studied. Therefore we evaluated bowel motility and analgesia when naloxone was co-administered with morphine into the epidural space.

METHODS

Forty-three patients having combined thoracic epidural and general anesthesia for subtotal gastrectomy were randomly assigned to one of two study groups. All received a bolus dose of 3 mg epidural morphine at the beginning of surgery, followed by a continuous epidural infusion containing 3 mg morphine in 100 ml bupivacaine 0.125% with either no naloxone (control group, n = 18) or a calculated dose of 0.208 microg x kg(-1) x hr(-1) of naloxone (experimental group, n = 25) for 48 hr. We measured the time to the first postoperative passage of flatus and feces to evaluate the restoration of bowel function, and visual analog scales (VAS) for pain during rest and movement. Scores were assessed at 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 36 and 48 hr postoperatively.

RESULTS

The experimental group had a shorter time to the first postoperative passage of flatus (5 1.9 +/- 1 6.6 hr vs 87.0 +/- 19.5 hr, P < 0.001 ) and feces (95.3 +/- 25.0 hr vs 132.9 +/- 29.4 hr, P < 0.001). No differences were found in either resting or active VAS between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Epidural naloxone reduces epidural morphine-induced intestinal hypomotility without reversing its analgesic effects.

cDNA cloning and antibacterial activities of cecropin D-like peptides from Agrius convolvuli

We have characterized full-length cDNAs encoding two isoforms of agriusin, cecropin D-like antibacterial peptide, present in the hemolymph of the immunized Agrius convolvuli larvae. The cloned cDNAs of agriusins 1 and 2 contain 331 and 329 bp, respectively. The nucleotide sequencing of cDNAs showed that they encode 62 amino acids, whose mature portion was deduced to consist of 38 amino acid residues with over 94% sequence identity. In the sequence homology search, mature agriusin 1 showed over 86 and 71% amino acid sequence homology with bactericidin 4 from Manduca sexta and cecropin D from Hyalophora cecropia, respectively. Since it was demonstrated from the deduced amino acid sequences that the C-terminal residues of agriusins are followed by a Gly residue, two types of synthetic agriusin 1 (syn-agriusin 1 amide and acid) were prepared to verify if natural agriusin 1 is C-terminally amidated. From acid-urea PAGE and reversed phase HPLC profiles to compare two synthetic peptides, we could confirm that the C-terminal amino acid residue of natural agriusin 1, like several cecropins so far identified, is amidated. Finally, our antibacterial assay performed with two syn-agriusins 1 revealed that there is little difference between antibacterial activities of both peptides against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Prevention of lung cancer. The new millennium

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide and in the United States surpassing breast, prostate, and colon cancer. Treatment of this disease over the past 2 decades has advanced incrementally as survival rates have improved only slightly. Alternate approaches to this deadly disease include an emphasis on prevention such as smoking cessation. Chemoprevention has introduced a new arena of treatment options for early intervention in lung carcinogenesis. The use of molecularly targeted therapeutic and biologic agents constitutes novel strategies for lung cancer prevention in the new millennium.

Characterization of geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) chloroplast EF-Tu cDNA

A geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) chloroplast translational elongation factor EF-Tu (tufA) cDNA was isolated. The geranium tufA cDNA is 1,584 bp long with 20 bp of 5' untranslated region (UTR) and 139 bp of 3' UTR. It encodes 474 amino acids including a putative chloroplast transit peptide of 65 amino acids. The deduced polypeptides of the geranium tufA cDNA contains four GTP binding sequences in its N-terminal region and two chloroplast EF-Tu signature regions in the C-terminal region. The predicted molecular weight of the mature geranium chloroplast EF-Tu protein was about 45,000 and its amino acid sequence identity with the chloroplast EF-Tu proteins of tobacco, pea, Arabidopsis, rice, and soybean ranges from 85% to 91%. The geranium tufA appears to exist as a single copy gene like Arabidopsis and rice, whereas other known dicot plants have more than one copy in their nuclear genomes.

Early development of the secretory cavity of peltate glands in Humulus lupulus L. (Cannabaceae)

Early development of the secretory cavity of chemically fixed peltate glands in Humulus lupulus L. showed secretions with different densities, light, gray and dark, in the cytoplasm of disc cells and in the periplasmic space adjacent to the developing secretory cavity. Secretions were detected in the disc cell wall and subsequently in the developing secretory cavity under the subcuticular wall of the sheath. Light and gray secretions in the cavity possessed a membrane-like surface feature. Secretions were in contact with the irregular inner surface of the cuticle. Secretions contributed to the thickening of the cuticle, whereas the membrane-like surface feature contributed to a network of Cannabis striae distributed throughout the cuticle. This study supports an early development and organization of the secretory cavity in H. lupulus, parallel to those in Cannabis, and may represent common features for lipophilic glands in angiosperms.

Ontogeny of natural killer cells and T cells by analysis of BCR-ABL rearrangement from patients with chronic myelogenous leukaemia

Chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) is a haematological malignant disorder characterized by the Philadelphia chromosome (Ph) and BCR-ABL gene rearrangement. This abnormal fusion gene can be considered to serve as a marker for the transformed cell clone in CML and is found in all cells arising from the same malignant precursor cell. It has been detected in CML cells of the myeloid, monocytic, erythroid and B-lymphocytic lineages. However, it is still arguable as to whether T lymphocytes or natural killer (NK) cells carry this marker. Answering this question would clarify the ontogenic relationship between NK cells and T cells. We examined 12 CML patients and studied the expression of BCR-ABL rearrangement by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in both NK cells and T cells sorted by flow cytometry. The purity of T cells was 95.6-99.8% and that of NK cells was 95.3-99.3% after sorting. Neither NK cells nor T cells showed any positive BCR-ABL signal with the exception of one patient who recovered from a lymphoid blastic crisis. We speculate that T cells and NK cells originate from BCR-ABL-negative stem cells.

Performance analysis of phase-code multiplexed holographic memory

For analysis of effective phase-code multiplexing in a holographic memory system four types of phase code are generated and used as a reference beam. In computer simulations the size of the address beam is fixed at 32 x 32 pixels, and 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25% phase-error rates in a pixel are purposely added to the real phase values for consideration of the nonlinear phase-modulation characteristics of a practical spatial light modulator. Cross talk and signal-to-noise ratios (SNR's) are comparatively analyzed for these phase codes by calculation of the autocorrelation and the cross correlation. The pseudorandom code (PSR) has the lowest cross-correlation mean value of 0.067 among the four types of phase code, which means that the SNR of the PSR is higher than with other phase codes. Also, the standard deviation of the PSR, indicating the degree of recalled data degradation, has the lowest value, at 0.0113.

Arsenic trioxide-mediated growth inhibition in MC/CAR myeloma cells via cell cycle arrest in association with induction of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, p21, and apoptosis

We investigated the in vitro effect of As2O3 on proliferation, cell cycle regulation, and apoptosis in human myeloma cell lines. As2O3 significantly inhibited the proliferation of all of eight myeloma cell lines examined in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 of approximately 1-2 microM. DNA flow cytometric analysis indicated that As2O3 (2 microM) induced a G1 and/or a G2-M phase arrest in these cell lines. To address the mechanism of the antiproliferative effect of As2O3, we examined the effect of As2O3 on cell cycle-related proteins in MC/CAR cells in which both G1 and G2-M phases were arrested. Western blot analysis demonstrated that treatment with As2O3 (2 microM) for 72 h did not change the steady-state levels of CDK2, CDK4, cyclin D1, cyclin E, and cyclin B1 but decreased the levels of CDK6, cdc2, and cyclin A. The mRNA and protein levels of CDKI, p21 were increased by treatment with As2O3, but those of p27 were not. In addition, As2O3 markedly enhanced the binding of p21 with CDK6, cdc2, cyclin E, and cyclin A compared with untreated control cells. Furthermore, the activity of CDK6-associated kinase was reduced in association with hypophosphorylation of Rb protein. The activity of cdc2-associated kinase was decreased, which was accompanied by the up-regulation of cdc2 phosphorylation (cdc2-Tyr15 phosphorylation) resulting from reduction of cdc25B and cdc25C phosphatases. As2O3 also induced apoptosis in MC/CAR cells as evidenced by flow cytometric detection of sub-G1 DNA content and annexin V binding assay. This apoptotic process was associated with down-regulation of Bcl-2, loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential (delta psi(m)), and an increase of caspase-3 activity. These results suggest that As2O3 inhibits the proliferation of myeloma cells, especially MC/CAR cells, via cell cycle arrest in association with induction of p21 and apoptosis.

Induction of apoptosis by vitamin D3 analogue EB1089 in NCI-H929 myeloma cells via activation of caspase 3 and p38 MAP kinase

EB1089, a novel 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 analogue, has been known to have potent antiproliferative properties in a variety of malignant cells both in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, we analysed the effect of EB1089 on NCI-H929 human myeloma cells. EB1089 inhibited cell growth of NCI-H929 and efficiently induced the G1 phase arrest of the cell cycle in a dose-dependent manner. We could also detect apoptosis in NCI-H929 cells exposed to EB1089 (1 x 10-7 M for 72 h) using the sub-G1 group of the cell cycle by FACS and annexin V binding assays. Induction of apoptosis by EB1089 was associated with down-regulation of the Bcl-2 protein without change of the Bax protein. Regarding caspase activity, which plays a crucial role in apoptosis, EB1089-treated NCI-H929 cells revealed an increased activity of caspase 3 protease accompanied by degradation of the PARP protein in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In addition, EB1089 caused the down-regulation of p44 extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) activity and up-regulation of the p38 kinase activity during apoptosis of NCI-H929 cells. These results suggest that EB1089 inhibits growth of NCI-H929 cells via G1 cell cycle arrest as well as apoptosis by activating p38 kinase and suppressing ERK activity.

Saccharothrix violacea sp. nov., isolated from a gold mine cave, and Saccharothrix albidocapillata comb. nov

The generic position of two isolates from soils inside a gold mine cave in Kongju, Korea, was determined by 16S rDNA sequencing and chemotaxonomic characteristics. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that both of the isolates formed a clade with Lentzea albidocapillata and members of the genus Saccharothrix of the family Pseudonocardiaceae. The chemical composition of the isolates and of Lentzea albidocapillata was consistent with that of the genus Saccharothrix, which is characterized by a type III cell wall (the meso-isomer of diaminopimelic acid, and galactose and rhamnose as characteristic whole-cell sugars), MK-9(H4) as the major menaquinone, and a phospholipid type PII pattern (phosphatidylethanolamine as a diagnostic phospholipid). The combination of morphological features, chemotaxonomic characters and phylogenetic data supported the proposal that Lentzea albidocapillata, the only and type strain of the genus Lentzea, should be transferred to the genus Saccharothrix. On the basis of physiological properties, cellular fatty acid composition and DNA-DNA hybridization data, two new species within the genus Saccharothrix are proposed: Saccharothrix violacea sp. nov., type strain LM 036T (= IMSNU 50388T), and Saccharothrix albidocapillata comb. nov., type strain DSM 44073T (=IMSNU 21253T).