Local field enhancement effects for nanostructuring of surfaces

We report on a method that allows the nanostructuring of surfaces with intense laser pulses. For this purpose isolated polystyrene spheres with diameters in the order of the laser wavelength were deposited on a silicon or glass surface. Illumination with short and ultrashort laser pulses produced holes underneath these particles. Calculations of the field near the particles make clear that geometrical optics, that is, focusing by a spherical lens, as well as near-field effects, contribute to the size and shape of these holes. This technique can be utilized for the parallel structuring of large surface areas with a single laser shot.

[Chances in surgical treatment of bronchial carcinoma under palliative conditions]

Palliative surgery aims at symptomatic relief in patients in whom curative therapy seems not feasible. When diagnostic imaging techniques describe advanced stage IIIa, IIIb or IV malignancy, despite of palliative intention curative resection may still be possible. Objective of the present study was to investigate lung cancer patients undergoing surgery with palliative intent and to compare their prognosis with patients whose tumor resection had been complete (R0) or incomplete (R1/R2).

PATIENTS AND METHOD

Patients were assigned to one of the three groups on the basis of the following criteria: palliative intention with subsequent complete resection (group I, n = 11); curative intention with subsequent incomplete resection (group II, n = 38), palliative intention with incomplete resection (group III, n = 23). Additionally 3 patients were operated on by explorative thoracotomy. A total number of 75 patients was therefore investigated. Median follow-up period was 34.5 months. Survival rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

The following procedures involving resection of pulmonary tissue were performed: pneumonectomy (n = 10), extended pneumonectomy (n = 32), lobectomy (n = 5), extended lobectomy (n = 11), sleeve lobectomy (n = 7), bilobectomy (n = 3), extended bilobectomy (n = 4). The 30 days hospital mortality rate was 13%. Median survival times were 25.5 months in group I, 12.8 months in group II and 7.7 months in group III (statistical significance: group I vs. group II/III, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Results of the present study show that patients with bronchial carcinoma in advanced tumor stages III and IV may still benefit from pulmonary resection, particularly when reduction of their somatic complaints is considered. In 11 patients, R0 resection was feasible leading to a statistically significant prolongation of their survival rates.

Working Memory in Schizophrenia as Revealed by Event-Related Potentials

Abstract: In this study, we compared working memory (WM) functions for simple actions of healthy subjects and schizophrenic patients by means of behavioral and ERP measures. Healthy subjects showed a large frontal N2 amplitude in the hard WM task with updating demands of temporal sequence, but not in the easy WM and the control task. Schizophrenic patients had large frontal N2 amplitudes in all tasks without difference indicating that the patients had to activate the frontal cortex in tasks in which healthy subjects use automatized routines which do not involve the frontal cortex. Strong negative symptoms in schizophrenic patients were associated with small N2 amplitudes thus supporting the hypothesis of joint causes of cognitive and psychopathological features.

Synthesis of 1-aldofosfamide-perhydrothiazines

Aldofosfamide-perhydrothiazine derivatives are a new class of prodrugs which spontaneously, with half-life times of 2 to > 12 h hydrolyse to the corresponding aldophosphamide in aquous solution. Synthesis of 1-aldofosfamide-perhydrothiazine (N,N'-(2-chloroethyl)-phosphorodiamide-2-(2'-[4'-carboxy-1',3'- perhydrothiazinyl])-ethylester) and a derivative, in which one 2-chlorethyl group of the alkylating function is substituted by a mesyl-ethyl-group (N-(2-Chloroethyl)-N'-(methanesulphonylethyl)- phosphorodiamide-2-(2'-[4'-carboxy-1',3'-perhydro-thiazinyl] )-ethylester), is described.

Structure-based design of potent CDK1 inhibitors derived from olomoucine

Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1), an enzyme participating in the regulation of the cell cycle, constitutes a possible target in the search for new antitumor agents. Starting from the purine derivative olomoucine and following a structure-based approach, potent inhibitors of this enzyme were rapidly identified. The molecular modeling aspects of this work are described.

[The biologically equivalent dose (BED): how solid is the calculation of this factor? A consideration of margins of error of biologically equivalent dose]

To predict the effect on tumours in radiotherapy, especially relating to irreversible effects, but also to realize the retrospective assessment the so called L-Q-model is relied on at present. Internal specific organ parameters, such as alpha, beta, gamma, Tp, Tk, and rho, as well as external parameters, so as D, d, n, V, and Vref, were used for determination of the biologically equivalent dose BED. While the external parameters are determinable with small deviations, the internal parameters depend on biological varieties and dispersions: in some cases the lowest value is assumed to be delta = +/- 25%. This margin of error goes on to the biologically equivalent dose by means of the principle of superposition of errors. In some selected cases (lung, kidney, skin, rectum) these margins of error were calculated exemplarily. The input errors especially of the internal parameters cause a mean error delta on the biologically equivalent dose and a dispersion of the single fraction dose d dependent on the organ taking into consideration, of approximately 8-30%. Hence it follows only a very critical and cautious application of those L-Q-algorithms in expert proceedings, and in radiotherapy more experienced based decisions are recommended, instead of acting only upon simple two-dimensional mechanistic ideas.

Proteasome inhibitor induced gene expression profiles reveal overexpression of transcriptional regulators ATF3, GADD153 and MAD1

The ubiquitin/proteasome pathway has been implicated in a wide variety of cellular processes and the number of substrates degraded by the proteasome is impressive. Most prominently, the stability of a large number of transcription factors is regulated by ubiquitination. To elucidate pathways regulated by the proteasome, gene expression profiles were generated, comparing changes of mRNA expression of 7900 genes from the UniGene collection upon exposure of cells to the proteasome inhibitors Lactacystin, Lactacystin-beta-lactone or MG132 by means of microarray based cDNA hybridization. The three profiles were very similar, but differed significantly from a gene expression profile generated with the histone deacetylase inhibitor Trapoxin A, indicating that the observed alterations were indeed due to proteasome inhibition. Two of the most prominently induced genes encoded the growth arrest and DNA damage inducible protein Gadd153 and the activating transcription factor ATF3, both transcription factors of the CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) family. A third gene encoded for the transcriptional repressor and c-Myc antagonist Mad1. Our results suggest that proteasome inhibition leads to upregulation of specific members of transcription factor families controlling cellular stress response and proliferation. Oncogene (2000).

Soluble guanylate cyclase and cGMP-dependent protein kinase I expression in the human corpus cavernosum

Nitric oxide (NO) as a mediator in smooth muscle cells causes rapid and robust increases in cGMP levels. The cGMP-dependent protein kinase I has emerged as an important signal transduction mediator for smooth muscle relaxation. The purpose of this study was to examine the existence and distribution of two key enzymes of the NO/cGMP pathway, the cGMP-dependent kinase I (cGK I) and the soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) in human cavernosal tissue. The expression of the enzymes were examined in corpus cavernosum specimens of 23 patients. Eleven potent patients suffered from penile deviations and were treated via Nesbit's surgical method. Nine long-term impotent patients underwent implantation of flexible hydraulic prothesis. Three potent patients underwent trans-sexual operations. Expression of the sGC and cGK I were examined immunohistochemically using specific antibodies. In all specimens of cavernosal tissue a distinct immunoreactivity was observed in different parts and structures. We found a high expression of sGC and cGK I in smooth muscle cells of vessels and in the fibromuscular stroma. The endothelium of the cavernosal sinus, of the cavernosal arteries, and the cavernosal nerve fibers showed an immunoreactivity against sGC. The distribution analysis of cGK I revealed a predominately vesicular localization in smooth muscle cells. The examination of the endothelium showed no clear immunoreactivity against cGK I. There was no distinct difference in immunoreactivity and cellular distribution between potent and impotent patients.

Large Kerr effect in bulk Se-based chalcogenide glasses

High-speed optical communication requires ultrafast all-optical processing and switching capabilities. The Kerr nonlinearity, an ultrafast optical nonlinearity, is often used as the basic switching mechanism. A practical, small device that can be switched with ~1-pJ energies requires a large Kerr effect with minimal losses (both linear and nonlinear). We have investigated theoretically and experimentally a number of Se-based chalcogenide glasses. We have found a number of compounds with a Kerr nonlinearity hundreds of times larger than silica, making them excellent candidates for ultrafast all-optical devices.

Activation of progelatinase B by membranes of human polymorphonuclear granulocytes

Isolated human granulocyte plasma membranes contain progelatinase B. The binding of progelatinase B to the membrane, however, is relatively weak, and a considerable part of progelatinase B can be removed by simply washing the membrane with buffer. This detachment does not depend on the ionic strength of the buffer, indicating that electrostatic forces do not play an important role in the binding of progelatinase B to the membrane. A complete removal of progelatinase B is achieved by chromatography of neutrophil membranes on gelatin-agarose. The plasma membrane of human granulocytes activates added progelatinase B. This activation is inhibited by soybean trypsin inhibitor and is thus performed by membrane bound serine proteinases. In contrast to other reports that claimed an important role of elastase in activating progelatinase B, we found that this activation is mostly inhibited by chymostatin and not by elastatinal and is thus primarily due to cathepsin G. Proteinase 3 was shown to activate progelatinase B as efficient as neutrophil elastase, i. e. much weaker than cathepsin G. Binding of cathepsin G and elastase to the neutrophil membrane does not change their ability to activate progelatinase B. However, cathepsin G, the most potent activator of the three neutrophil serine proteinases, is only a weak activator, when compared to stromelysin-1. This, as well as only a weak binding of progelatinase B, make it doubtful that activation of membrane-bound progelatinase B by membrane-bound serine proteinases is of significant physiological importance.

Octreotide (somatostatin analog) treatment reduces endothelial cell dysfunction in patients with diabetes mellitus

Octreotide is a long-acting somatostatin analog that has been shown to have various effects in diabetes. This study was performed to evaluate whether octreotide affects the vascular complications of diabetes mellitus. Albuminuria and serum thrombomodulin were used as markers of vascular and renal dysfunction. We studied the effect of octreotide in 27 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). They received 200 microg octreotide per day over a period of 6 months. As a marker of endothelial cell damage, we measured the serum thrombomodulin level. We also measured urinary albumin excretion, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and other parameters. IGF-1 decreased from 123 ng/mL before treatment to 114 ng/mL after 6 months of octreotide treatment (P = .009), while no significant change was observed in the unblinded control group (from 103 ng/mL to 102 ng/mL after 6 months of treatment). Urinary albumin excretion in patients with macroalbuminuria declined from 1,124 mg/L before octreotide treatment to 556 mg/L after 6 months of treatment (P < .05), whereas no change was observed in the control group. There was also a reduction of the plasma thrombomodulin level from 61.8 ng/mL to 46.1 ng/mL (P < .07) after 6 months of treatment. Furthermore, HbA1c decreased from 8.75% +/- 1.27% to 8.12% +/- 1.23% (P < .07) after octreotide treatment.

The involvement of protein kinase C isoenzymes alpha, epsilon and zeta in the sensitivity to antitumor treatment and apoptosis induction

In order to obtain additional information on the involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) isoenzymes in the resistance of cells to anticancer drugs and in the induction of apoptosis, we employed antisense oligonucleotides to PKC alpha and PKC zeta, CGP 53506, a new inhibitor of PKC alpha, and cells overexpressing PKC alpha, PKC epsilon and PKC zeta. We found that in HeLa cells which express PKC alpha and zeta, down-modulation of either PKC alpha or PKC zeta with antisense oligonucleotides induced apoptosis. The PKC alpha selective inhibitor CGP 53506 reduced the proliferation rate of PKC alpha overexpressing NIH3T3 cells more than that of wild-type cells and induced apoptosis, indicating that such a PKC alpha inhibitor may be useful in the treatment of tumors overexpressing PKC alpha such as glioblastomas. NIH3T3 cells overexpressing PKC alpha were more resistant, whereas NIH3T3 cells overexpressing PKC epsilon or PKC zeta were more sensitive to treatment with cis-platin, adriamycin or gamma-irradiation compared to parental NIH3T3 wild-type cells. The observed resistance and sensitization corresponded to the extent of apoptosis induced by these treatments. Alterations in the expression of p53, bcl-2 and bax in the PKC isoenzyme overexpressing cells indicate that these proteins may be involved in the different sensitivities of these cells.

Inflammation enhances cardiovascular risk and mortality in hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND

Atherosclerosis, a major problem in patients on chronic hemodialysis, has been characterized as an inflammatory disease. C-reactive protein (CRP), the prototypical acute phase protein in humans, is a predictor of cardiovascular mortality in the general population. We hypothesize that several of the classic, as well as nontraditional, cardiovascular risk factors may respond to acute phase reactions. An activated acute phase response may influence or predict cardiovascular risk.

METHODS

In 280 stable hemodialysis patients, serum lipids, apolipoproteins (apo) A-I and B, lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], fibrinogen, and serum albumin (Salb) were determined in relation to CRP and serum amyloid A (SAA), two sensitive markers of an acute phase response. Mortality was monitored prospectively over a two year period.

RESULTS

Serum CRP and SAA were found to be elevated (more than 8 and more than 10 mg/liter, respectively) in 46% and 47% of the patients in the absence of clinically apparent infection. Patients with elevated CRP or SAA had significantly higher serum levels of Lp(a), higher plasma fibrinogen, and lower serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apo A-I, and Salb than patients with normal CRP or SAA. The rise in Lp(a) concentration was restricted to patients exhibiting high molecular weight apo(a) isoforms. During follow-up, 72 patients (25.7%) had died, mostly due to cardiovascular events (58%). Overall mortality and cardiovascular mortality were significantly higher in patients with elevated CRP (31% vs. 16%, P < 0.0001, and 23% vs. 5%, P < 0.0001, respectively) or SAA (29% vs. 19%, P = 0.004, and 20 vs. 10%, P = 0.008, respectively) and were also higher in patients with Salb of lower than 40 g/liter (44% vs. 14%, P < 0.0001, and 34% vs. 6%, P < 0.0001, respectively). Univariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that age, diabetes, pre-existing cardiovascular disease, body mass index, CRP, SAA, Salb, fibrinogen, apo A-I, and Lp(a) were significantly associated with the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. During multivariate regression analysis, SAA, fibrinogen, apo A-I, and Lp(a) lost their predictive values, but age and CRP remained powerful independent predictors of both overall death and cardiovascular death.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that a considerable number of hemodialysis patients exhibit an activated acute phase response, which is closely related to high levels of atherogenic vascular risk factors and cardiovascular death. The mechanisms of activated acute phase reaction in patients on chronic hemodialysis remain to be identified. A successful treatment of the inflammatory condition may improve long-term survival in these patients.

2,6,9-trisubstituted purines: optimization towards highly potent and selective CDK1 inhibitors

Novel 2,6,9-substituted purine derivatives represent a class of potent and selective inhibitors of CDK1/cyclinB. The synthesis, SAR and biological profile of selected compounds are described.

CGP 57148, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, inhibits the growth of cells expressing BCR-ABL, TEL-ABL, and TEL-PDGFR fusion proteins

CGP 57148 is a compound of the 2-phenylaminopyrimidine class that selectively inhibits the tyrosine kinase activity of the ABL and the platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) protein tyrosine kinases. We previously showed that CGP 57148 selectively kills p210BCR-ABL-expressing cells. To extend these observations, we evaluated the ability of CGP 57148 to inhibit other activated ABL tyrosine kinases, including p185BCR-ABL and TEL-ABL. In cell-based assays of ABL tyrosine phosphorylation, inhibition of ABL kinase activity was observed at concentrations similar to that reported for p210BCR-ABL. Consistent with the in vitro profile of this compound, the growth of cells expressing activated ABL protein tyrosine kinases was inhibited in the absence of exogenous growth factor. Growth inhibition was also observed with a p185BCR-ABL-positive acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) cell line generated from a Philadelphia chromosome-positive ALL patient. As CGP 57148 inhibits the PDGFR kinase, we also showed that cells expressing an activated PDGFR tyrosine kinase, TEL-PDGFR, are sensitive to this compound. Thus, this compound may be useful for the treatment of a variety of BCR-ABL-positive leukemias and for treatment of the subset of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia patients with a TEL-PDGFR fusion protein.

Inflammation, dyslipidemia and vascular risk factors in hemodialysis patients

Cardiovascular complications account for more than 50% of death in hemodialysis patients. Strong and independent predictors of mortality or cardiovascular complications are low levels of serum albumin, high plasma C-reactive protein and lipoprotein(a), plasma proteins that are described to function as negative or positive acute phase reactants. Further prominent and known risk factors that contribute to the increased incidence of atherosclerosis in hemodialysis patients are disorders in lipoprotein metabolism and elevated plasma fibrinogen concentrations. The latter has also been described to increase following acute or chronic inflammation. The main metabolic abnormality of the lipoprotein profile is a delayed catabolism of triglyceride-rich apoB-containing lipoproteins caused by a decreased activity of lipolytic enzymes. Inhibition of lipoprotein lipase activity by cytokines or parathyroid hormone impedes conversion of very-low-density lipoprotein to low-density lipoprotein, resulting in remnant accumulation and hypertriglyceridemia. Another acute phase condition, namely, acute myocardial infarction, results in a similar pattern of dyslipidemia and coagulation disorder. In summary, the acute phase response deeply influences serum lipids and lipoproteins as well as other atherogenic acute phase proteins in hemodialysis patients. Appreciation of acute phase lipoprotein changes is essential for accurate diagnosis of dyslipidemias, proper design of future clinical studies, and correct interpretation of published data.

Automated cycle sequencing with Taquenase: protocols for internal labeling, dye primer and "doublex" simultaneous sequencing

This paper describes automated cycle sequencing protocols for internal labeling, dye primer and "doublex" simultaneous sequencing using Taquenase, a new genetically modified DNA polymerase with increased thermostability. Sequencing performance both with labeled and unlabeled primer yields uniform unambiguous signals up to the resolution limit of the sequencing gels. Primer walking with internal labeling was successfully performed on Pl-derived artificial chromosome (PAC) constructs with 130-kb inserts. Taquenase, a commercially available modified thermostable sequencing enzyme (delta 280, F667Y Taq DNA polymerase), incorporates a variety of fluorescent dNTPs carrying fluorescein isothiocyanate, TexasRed or Cy5 labels during the cycle-sequencing process with higher efficiency than other thermostable DNA polymerases. Comparison to other modified Taq DNA polymerases suggests that the particular N-terminal deletion of Taquenase rather than the presence of the F667Y mutation is responsible for the efficient incorporation and extension of labeled dNTPs. Taquenase makes feasible highly accurate "doublex" simultaneous cylce sequencing on both strands of template DNA with two internal labels or two dye-labeled primers in combination with the EMBL-2-dye DNA sequencing system, ARAKIS, or with two commercial DNA sequencers. It allows up to 2000 bases at > 99% accuracy to be determined in a single reaction.

[Cardiovascular risk factors in diabetic nephropathy]

BACKGROUND

Diabetic nephropathy is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality. This may be contributed to by changes in plasma lipids, fibrinogen and hemorheology. Cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction, which is related to an increased incidence of arrhythmic death, may also play a role.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Therefore, we investigated in 58 IDDM-patients with none (n = 28), incipient (albuminuria 30 to 300 mg/day, n = 11) and overt clinical nephropathy (albuminuria > 300 mg/day, n = 19) plasma concentrations of lipoproteins and fibrinogen, plasma viscosity, erythrocyte aggregation and erythrocyte rigidity. Assessments of neuropathy included tibial nerve motor conduction velocity, perception of vibration, beat-to-beat variation during rest and during forced respiration, heart-rate response to Valsalva maneuver and heart-rate response to standing (30:15).

RESULTS

Patients with clinical overt nephropathy had, compared to those without nephropathy, significantly higher concentrations of LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and fibrinogen, significantly lower concentrations of HDL-cholesterol and significantly higher plasma viscosity, erythrocyte aggregability and erythrocyte rigidity. Regarding the assessments of neuropathy we found in patients with nephropathy, compared to those without nephropathy, significantly reduced tibial nerve motor conduction velocity, reduced perception of vibration thresholds and reduced heart rate variability during rest, during forced respiration, in response to Valsalva maneuver and in response to standing. In diabetic patients with microalbuminuria erythrocyte aggregability and erythrocyte rigidity were significantly higher and heart rate variability during rest was significantly lower than in patients without nephropathy.

CONCLUSION

In clinical overt nephropathy there is an aggregation of different cardiovascular risk factors, namely, disturbances in lipoprotein concentrations, increased fibrinogen concentration and disturbances in hemorheology. Furthermore marked deterioration in peripheral and autonomic cardial nerve function in these patients is evident accounting for a part of the greatly increased cardiovascular mortality of these patients.

Hemorheology, plasma protein composition and von Willebrand factor in type I diabetic nephropathy

Patients with IDDM, especially those with albuminuria are at high risk for macrovascular and microvascular complications. Besides the major classic risk factors altered hemorheology may also play a role. Plasma viscosity, erythrocyte aggregation and erythrocyte deformability are the major determinants of blood flow in the microcirculation. Therefore, these hemorheological parameters and plasma protein composition were evaluated in 58 IDDM-patients with none (N0), incipient (N1: albuminuria 30-300 mg/day) and overt clinical nephropathy (N2: albuminuria > 300 mg/day). As an estimate of endothelial injury plasma levels of von Willebrand Factor (vWF) were investigated. Patients with incipient and clinical nephropathy exhibited increasing blood levels of fibrinogen (N0 = 2.47 +/- 0.09, N1 = 2.71 +/- 0.15, N2 = 3.49 +/- 0.24 g/l, p < 0.001), alpha 2-macroglobulin (N0 = 257 +/- 11, N1 = 251 +/- 21, N2 = 382 +/- 43 mg/100 ml, p < 0.01) and haptoglobin (N0 = 174 +/- 16, N1 = 216 +/- 39, N2 = 278 +/- 36 mg/100 ml, p < 0.05), whereas serum albumin concentration decreased (N0 = 5.1 +/- 0.1, N1 = 4.7 +/- 0.1, N2 = 4.1 +/- 0.2 g/100 ml, p < 0.001). In the same patients erythrocyte aggregation (N0 = 10.0 +/- 0.4, N1 = 12.1 +/- 0.5, N2 = 12.9 +/- 0.6, p < 0.001), plasma viscosity (N0 = 1.34 +/- 0.01, N1 = 1.38 +/- 0.02, N2 = 1.40 +/- 0.02 mPas, p < 0.05) and erythrocyte rigidity (N0 = 0.05 +/- 0.01, N1 = 0.15 +/- 0.05, N2 = 0.09 +/- 0.02, p < 0.05) were increased, predominantly in those with overt clinical nephropathy. Erythrocyte aggregation was positively correlated with plasma concentrations of fibrinogen (r = 0.65, p < 0.001) and alpha 2-macroglobulin (r = 0.35, p < 0.05), but negatively with plasma albumin concentration (r = -0.49, p < 0.001). Plasma viscosity was positively correlated with plasma concentrations of fibrinogen (r = 0.46, p < 0.001) and haptoglobin (r = 0.46, p < 0.001). Von Willebrand Factor levels were higher in patients with overt clinical nephropathy (N0 = 126 +/- 8, N1 = 136 +/- 12, N2 = 163 +/- 14%, p < 0.09, PN0-N2 < 0.05). A significant correlation between vWF and the rheological determinants could not be detected. These data demonstrate that blood rheology is profoundly altered in patients with IDDM and nephropathy. Elevated levels of vWF may indicate endothelial damage, and changes in plasma viscosity as well as erythrocyte aggregability seem to be the result of altered plasma protein composition due to proteinuria. These abnormalities in hemorheology may be an aggravating factor promoting microvascular and macrovascular damage in patients with type I diabetes mellitus and nephropathy.

Endotoxin-induced acute renal failure in the rat: effects of urodilatin and diltiazem on renal function

Acute renal failure (ARF) due to endotoxins is a common problem in clinical medicine. Endotoxins are released from the outer membrane of the gram-negative bacterial envelope and are composed of lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Although systemic hypotension often is present, LPS-induced ARF is characterized by marked intrarenal vasoconstriction. Both calcium channel blockers and natriuretic peptides are able to antagonize vasoconstricting signals and have been reported to exert beneficial effects in toxic and ischemic ARF: We investigated the effects of diltiazem (Dil, 300 micrograms/kg) or urodilatin (Uro, 40 micrograms/kg) or a combination of both (same doses) on renal function in early LPS-induced ARF: One hour after induction of ARF by i.v. injection of LPS glomerular filtration rate (GFR, clearance of fluorescence-marked inulin) was distinctly reduced to about 54% of basal values. In the following infusion period (60 min) a significant increase of GFR was observed with diltiazem (1.54 +/- 0.11 ml/min), urodilatin (1.60 +/- 0.10 ml/min) and the combination of both drugs (1.66 +/- 0.04 ml/min) compared to controls (1.17 +/- 0.08 ml/min). Combined administration did not cause additive effects. Also 60 and 120 minutes after stopping of drug infusion elevated GFR could be maintained in all experimental groups. Due to their vasorelaxing activity both Uro and Dil induced a decrease of mean arterial blood pressure in comparison with controls and revealed remarkable diuretic and natriuretic activity. In conclusion our results underline that marked intrarenal vasoconstriction in LPS-induced ARF can be antagonized by the well known relaxing potency of Uro and Dil towards vascular smooth muscle and mesangial cells. Both Uro and Dil were capable of improving suppressed renal function in the early phase of LPS-induced ARF in the rat as long as severe systemic hypotension is absent.

Phenylamino-pyrimidine (PAP) derivatives: a new class of potent and selective inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC)

Phenylamino-pyrimidines represent a novel class of inhibitors of the protein kinase C with a high degree of selectivity versus other serine/threonine and tyrosine kinases. Steady state kinetic analysis of N-(3-[1-imidazolyl]-phenyl-4-(3-pyridyl)-2-pyrimidinamine (5), which showed potent inhibitory activity, revealed competitive kinetics relative to ATP. The adjacent H-bond acceptor of the pyrimidine moiety next to an H-bond donor of the phenylamine was found to be crucial for inhibitory activity. N-(3-Nitro-phenyl)-4-(3-pyridyl)-2-pyrimidinamine (7) preferentially inhibited PKC-alpha (IC50 = 0.79 microM) and not the other subtypes tested. The inhibition constants of PKC-alpha and the antiproliferative effect on T24 human bladder carcinoma cells showed a qualitative correlation, although with some exceptions.

Effects of a selective inhibitor of the Abl tyrosine kinase on the growth of Bcr-Abl positive cells

The bcr-abl oncogene, present in 95% of patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), has been implicated as the cause of this disease. A compound, designed to inhibit the Abl protein tyrosine kinase, was evaluated for its effects on cells containing the Bcr-Abl fusion protein. Cellular proliferation and tumor formation by Bcr-Abl-expressing cells were specifically inhibited by this compound. In colony-forming assays of peripheral blood or bone marrow from patients with CML, there was a 92-98% decrease in the number of bcr-abl colonies formed but no inhibition of normal colony formation. This compound may be useful in the treatment of bcr-abl-positive leukemias.

Sequencing and analysis of 51 kb on the right arm of chromosome XV from Saccharomyces cerevisiae reveals 30 open reading frames

We have sequenced a region of 51 kb of the right arm from chromosome XV of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The sequence contains 30 open reading frames (ORFs) of more than 100 amino acid residues. Thirteen new genes have been identified. Thirteen ORFs correspond to known yeast genes. One delta element and one tRNA gene were identified. Upstream of the RPO31 gene, encoding the largest subunit of RNA polymerase III, lies a Abf1p binding site. The nucleotide sequence data reported in this paper are available in the EMBL, GenBank and DDBJ nucleotide sequence databases under the Accession Number X90518.

"Doublex" fluorescent DNA sequencing: two independent sequences obtained simultaneously in one reaction with internal labeling and unlabeled primers

The novel "doublex" DNA sequencing technique that makes it possible to obtain simultaneously two independent sequences from one sequencing reaction with the use of unlabeled primers and internal labeling is described. The different sequencing products are labeled in parallel with fluorescein-15-dATP and Texas red-5-dCTP present in the same tube. The characteristics of T7 DNA polymerase are exploited to ensure that only either of the labeled dNTPs is incorporated into the corresponding sequencing products. Specificity of labeling is ensured by the selection of primers. One of the unlabeled primers is chosen to be followed by an "A," the other by a "C" to be incorporated immediately downstream from the primer binding site. The doublex sequencing technique is applicable to the simultaneous sequencing of either the same DNA template/strand or a mixture of different templates. Combinations of unlabeled and labeled primers in the same sequencing reaction are also possible. The two sequences can be determined in parallel and on-line in the same lanes of a gel with a novel automated DNA sequencer, which was previously described for use with labeled primers.

Inhibition of the Abl protein-tyrosine kinase in vitro and in vivo by a 2-phenylaminopyrimidine derivative

Oncogenic activation of Abl proteins due to structural modifications can occur as a result of viral transduction or chromosomal translocation. The tyrosine protein kinase activity of oncogenic Abl proteins is known to be essential for their transforming activity. Therefore, we have attempted to identify selective inhibitors of the Abl tyrosine protein kinase. Herein we describe an inhibitor (CGP 57148) of the Abl and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor protein-tyrosine kinases from the 2-phenylaminopyrimidine class, which is highly active in vitro and in vivo. Submicromolar concentrations of the compound inhibited both v-Abl and PDGF receptor autophosphorylation and PDGF-induced c-fos mRNA expression selectively in intact cells. In contrast, ligand-induced growth factor receptor autophosphorylation in response to epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin-like growth factor-I, and insulin showed no or weak inhibition by high concentrations of CGP 57148. c-fos mRNA expression induced by EGF, fibroblast growth factor, or phorbol ester was also insensitive to inhibition by CGP 57148. In antiproliferative assays, the compound was more than 30-100-fold more potent in inhibiting growth of v-abl-transformed PB-3c cells and v-sis-transformed BALB/c 3T3 cells relative to inhibition of EGF-dependent BALB/MK cells, interleukin-3-dependent FDC-P1 cells, and the T24 bladder carcinoma line. Furthermore, anchorage-independent growth of v-abl- and v-sis-transformed BALB/c 3T3 cells was inhibited potently by CGP 57148. When tested in vivo, CGP 57148 showed antitumor activity at tolerated doses against tumorigenic v-abl- and v-sis-transformed BALB/c 3T3 cells. In contrast, CGP 57148 had no antitumor activity when tested using src-transformed BALB/c 3T3 cells. These findings suggest that CGP 57148 may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of diseases that involve abnormal cellular proliferation induced by Abl protein-tyrosine kinase deregulation or PDGF receptor activation.

Schizophrenia, schizotypal and delusional disorders (F2). Results from the ICD-10 field trial of the Diagnostic Criteria for Research in German-speaking countries

The results of the ICD-10 field trial of the Diagnostic Criteria for Research in German-speaking countries concerning section F2, "Schizophrenia, schizotypal and delusional disorders', are presented. From a total of 39 cases (written case reports and video tapes) 5 met the criteria for schizophrenia (F20) with 201 ratings. The majority of clinicians rated the ease of diagnosis, confidence of diagnosis, and goodness of fit positive. The reliability of the 2-character diagnoses was excellent (F2; kappa = 0.88), as was the case for the category schizophrenia (F20; kappa = 0.89) and was higher than in the comparable study concerning the Clinical Diagnostic Guidelines.

Clinical course of hypophosphatemic rickets in 23 adults

Twenty-three adult patients (19 females, 4 males) with x-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (HPR) underwent a retrospective evaluation of the clinical course and a clinical examination by a nephrologist, orthopedic surgeon and dentist. Blood and urine analysis, bone density measurements with QCT and DEXA, ultrasonic examination of the kidneys were performed and the patients were asked to fill in a standardized questionnaire on pain and psychosocial rehabilitation. Mean final height was 152.4 cm +/- 8.5 SD in females and 157.3 cm +/- 8.9 SD in males. Decreased joint mobility was seen in all patients, deviations of the normal leg axis in 18/23 patients in spite of 69 correcting osteotomies in the past. Dental (n = 14) and psychosocial problems were associated with inability to work (n = 8). There was a trend that patients with a very low Tp/GFR had a more severe course of the disease. Early therapy with vitamin D metabolites and phosphate had a beneficial effect on growth, bone density and deformations. Eight patients had nephrocalcinosis due to vitamin D and phosphate therapy and had normal kidney function. Four patients had urinary tract abnormalities. We conclude that patients with HPR should receive continuous interdisciplinary care given by nephrologists, orthopedic surgeons, physiotherapists and dentists not only during childhood but also as adults.

Purification, characterization and specificity of chondroitin lyases and glycuronidase from Flavobacterium heparinum

The chondroitin lyases from Flavobacterium heparinum (Cytophaga heparinia) have been widely used in depolymerization of glycosaminoglycan and proteoglycan chondroitin sulphates. Oligosaccharide products derived from chondroitin sulphate can be further degraded by glycuronidases and sulphatases obtained from the same organism. There has been no reported purification of these enzymes to homogeneity nor is there any information on their physical and kinetic characteristics. The absence of pure enzymes has resulted in a lack of understanding of the optimal conditions for their catalytic activity and their substrate specificity. This has limited the use of these enzymes as reagents for preparation of oligosaccharides for structure and activity studies. Reproducible schemes to purify a chondroitin AC lyase, a glycuronidase and chondroitin B lyase from Flavobacterium heparinum to apparent homogeneity are described. Chondroitin AC lyase (chondroitinase AC, EC 4.2.2.5), glycuronidase [chondro-(1-->3)-glycuronidase, no EC number] and chondroitin B lyase (chondroitinase B, no EC number) have M(r) values (assessed by SDS/PAGE) of 74,000, 41,800 and 55,200 respectively, and isoelectric points (determined by isoelectric focusing) of 8.85, 9.28 and 9.05 respectively. Chondroitin lyase AC and B contain pyroglutamic acid at their N-termini precluding their analysis by Edman degradation. Deblocking with pyroglutamate aminopeptidase facilitated the determination of their N-terminal sequences. The kinetic properties of these enzymes have been determined as well as the optimum conditions for their catalytic activity. The specificity of the glycouronidase, determined using 17 different disaccharide substrates, shows that it only acts on unsulphated or 6-O-sulphated 1-->3 linkages. The chondroitin lyases are both endolytic enzymes, and oligosaccharide mapping shows their expected specificity towards the chondroitin and dermatan sulphate polymers.

Generation and activity of the ternary gelatinase B/TIMP-1/LMW-stromelysin-1 complex

Incubation of progelatinase B, isolated from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes, with TIMP-1 leads to the formation of the progelatinase B/TIMP-1 complex. This complex behaves like a Janus in a similar manner as we previously described for the progelatinase A/TIMP-2 complex. It shows the properties of TIMP-1 and is a better inhibitor for gelatinase A than for gelatinase B. Treatment with trypsin leads to activation of the binary complex. The activity, however, amounts only to slightly more than 10% of the activity of free gelatinase B, not complexed with TIMP-1. When the progelatinase B/TIMP-1 complex inhibits an active matrix metalloproteinase, a ternary complex is generated that after activation displays a distinct higher proteolytic activity than the active binary complex. The active binary complex cannot be transformed into the active ternary complex.

Efficient low redundancy large-scale DNA sequencing at EMBL

An efficient low redundancy DNA sequencing strategy should allow high accuracy determination of the consensus sequence on both strands of a DNA fragment from a minimal number of sequencing reactions with minimal overlap. At EMBL we developed a directed strategy for cosmid-scale sequencing based on primer walking, whereas most other sequencing projects of this scale rely on the random 'shotgun' strategy. In our strategy, highly accurate raw data are obtained from automated double-stranded Sanger dideoxy sequencing with inexpensive walking primers (8 to 10 $ per primer), T7 DNA polymerase and internal labelling by fluorescein-15- dATP on A.L.F. DNA sequencers (Pharmacia Biotech). The use of 60-cm long glass plates enables reading length of up to 1000 bases. Comparing various random and directed sequencing strategies in the course of the European Community yeast genome sequencing project on cosmids from chromosomes IX, XI and XV, primer walking was found to be the strategy resulting in the lowest possible redundancy of 2.6 to 2.8. Future development of the sequencing strategy is based on the new EMBL 2-dye sequencing device for simultaneous sequencing on both strands, and implementation of an initial limited random sequencing phase to reduce the number of walking primers required by a factor of 3, while still maintaining a low redundancy of approx. 3.

New reactive coenzyme analogues for affinity labeling of NAD+ and NADP+ dependent dehydrogenases

Reactive coenzyme analogues omega-(3-diazoniumpyridinium)alkyl adenosine diphosphate were prepared by reaction of omega-(3-aminopyridinium)alkyl adenosine diphosphate with nitrous acid. In these compounds the nicotinamide ribose is substituted by hydrocarbon chains of varied lengths (n-ethyl to n-pentyl). The diazonium compounds are very unstable and decompose rapidly at room temperature. They show a better stability to 0 degree C. Lactate and alcohol dehydrogenase do not react with any of the analogues. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase reacts rapidly with the diazoniumpentyl compound. Decreasing the length of the alkyl chain significantly decreases the inactivation velocity. 3 alpha, 20 beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase reacts at 0 degree C with the ethyl homologue and slowly with the propyl compound. The butyl- and pentyl analogues do not inactivate at 0 degree C. Tests with 14C-labeled 2-(3-diazoniumpyridinium)ethyl adenosine diphosphate show that complete loss of enzyme activity results after incorporation of 2 moles of inactivator into 1 mole of tetrameric enzyme. 4-(3-Acetylpyridinium)butyl 2'-phospho-adenosine diphosphate, a structural analogue of NADP+, was prepared by condensation of adenosine-2,3-cyclophospho-5'-phosphomorpholidate with (3-acetylpyridinium)butyl phosphate, followed by hydrolysis of the cyclic phosphoric acid with 2':3'-cyclonucleotide-3'-phosphodiesterase. Because of the redox potential (-315 mV) and the distance between the pyridinium and phosphate groups, this analogue is a hydrogen acceptor and its reduced form a hydrogen donor in tests with alcohol dehydrogenase from Thermoanaerobium brockii. The reduced form of the coenzyme analogue also is a hydrogen donor with glutathione reductase. With other NADP+-dependent dehydrogenases the compound has been shown to be a competitive inhibitor against the natural coenzyme. The acetyl group reacts with bromine to form the bromoacetyl group. This reactive bromoacetyl analogue is a specific active-site directed irreversible inhibitor of isocitrate dehydrogenase.

Structure and role of the terminal repeats of Epstein-Barr virus in processing and packaging of virion DNA

The linear virion Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA is terminated at both ends by a variable number of direct, tandemly arranged terminal repeats (TRs) which are approximately 500 bp in size The number of TRs at each terminus can vary. After infection of host cells, the EBV DNA circularizes via the TRs by an unknown mechanism, and replication of the viral DNA during the lytic phase of the EBV life cycle leads to large DNA concatemers which need to be cleaved into virion DNA units, eventually. This cleavage event occurs at an unknown locus within the TRs of EBV, which are the cis-acting elements essential for cleavage of the concatemers and encapsidation of the virion DNA. To investigate the mechanism of DNA processing during genome circularization and cleavage of concatemeric DNA, the genomic termini of EBV were cloned, sequenced, and analyzed by direct labeling of the virion DNA. Both termini ended with identical 11-bp elements; the right end has acquired an additional 9-bp stretch that seemed to originate from the leftmost unique sequences. The left terminus is blunt, whereas the right terminus appears to have a 3' single-base extension. In a transient packaging assay, a single terminal repeat was found to be sufficient for encapsidation of plasmid DNA, and mutagenesis of the TR element defined a region of 159 bp, including the 11-bp element, which is essential for packaging. These results indicate that the genomic termini of EBV are not generated by a simple cut of a hypothetical terminase. The mechanism for cleavage of concatemers seems to involve recombination events.

Primer design for automated DNA sequencing utilizing T7 DNA polymerase and internal labeling with fluorescein-15-dATP

We have identified additional criteria for the walking primer design that improve the success rate of automated fluorescent DNA sequencing using the internal labeling technique and T7 DNA polymerase. These criteria resulted from the evaluation of over 220 sequences generated with walking primers and fluorescein-15-dATP as internal label in the course of the European Community (EC) yeast genome sequencing project. In this project primers were designed using standard commercial software. Intensities of sequencing signals varied over a broad range from very strong to very weak, depending on the primers used. This led us to evaluate primer performance relative to (i) the template sequence immediately downstream of the primer binding site and (ii) the primer sequence itself. Our experiments show that the position of the first labeled dATP to be incorporated downstream of the primer into the growing strand is substantial for the signal intensity of the sequence. The closer to the primer that the first 'A' is incorporated, the stronger the peak intensities are. An additional feature of sequencing with native T7 DNA polymerase is its ability to remove a 3'-terminal 'A' of the primer by the 3'-->5' exonuclease activity and to exchange the nucleotide with a labeled dATP by the polymerase activity.

Selective inhibition of the platelet-derived growth factor signal transduction pathway by a protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitor of the 2-phenylaminopyrimidine class

The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor is a member of the transmembrane growth factor receptor protein family with intrinsic protein-tyrosine kinase activity. We describe a potent protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (CGP 53716) that shows selectivity for the PDGF receptor in vitro and in the cell. The compound shows selectivity for inhibition of PDGF-mediated events such as PDGF receptor autophosphorylation, cellular tyrosine phosphorylation, and c-fos mRNA induction in response to PDGF stimulation of intact cells. In contrast, ligand-induced autophosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, insulin receptor, and the insulin-like growth factor I receptor, as well as c-fos mRNA expression induced by EGF, fibroblast growth factor, and phorbol ester, was insensitive to inhibition by CGP 53716. In antiproliferative assays, the compound was approximately 30-fold more potent in inhibiting PDGF-mediated growth of v-sis-transformed BALB/c 3T3 cells relative to inhibition of EGF-dependent BALB/Mk cells, interleukin-3-dependent FDC-P1 cells, and the T24 bladder carcinoma line. When tested in vivo using highly tumorigenic v-sis- and human c-sis-transformed BALB/c 3T3 cells, CGP 53716 showed antitumor activity at well-tolerated doses. In contrast, CGP 53716 did not show antitumor activity against xenografts of the A431 tumor, which overexpresses the EGF receptor. These findings suggest that CGP 53716 may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of diseases involving abnormal cellular proliferation induced by PDGF receptor activation.

Heparan sulfate primed on beta-D-xylosides restores binding of basic fibroblast growth factor

Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG) are obligatory for receptor binding and mitogenic activity of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Mutant Chinese hamster ovary cells (pgsA-745) deficient in xylosyltransferase are unable to initiate glycosaminoglycan synthesis and hence can not bind bFGF to low- and high-affinity cell surface receptors. Exposure of pgsA-745 cells to beta-D-xylopyranosides containing hydrophobic aglycones resulted in restoration of bFGF binding in a manner similar to that induced by soluble heparin or by heparan sulfate (HS) normally associated with cell surfaces. Restoration of bF-GF binding correlated with the ability of the beta-D-xylosides to prime the synthesis of heparan sulfate. Thus, both heparan sulfate synthesis and bFGF receptor binding were induced by low concentrations (10-30 microM) of estradiol-beta-D-xyloside and naphthyl-beta-D-xyloside, but not by cis/trans-decahydro-2-naphthyl-beta-D-xyloside, which at low concentration primes mainly chondroitin sulfate. The obligatory involvement of xyloside-primed heparan sulfate in restoration of bFGF-receptor binding was also demonstrated by its sensitivity to heparinase treatment and by the lack of restoration activity in CHO cell mutants that lack enzymatic activities required to form the repeating disaccharide unit characteristic of heparan sulfate. Xyloside-primed heparan sulfate binds to the cell surface. Restoration of bFGF receptor binding was induced by both soluble and cell bound xyloside-primed heparan sulfate and was abolished in cells that were exposed to 0.5-1.0 M NaCl prior to the bFGF binding reaction. These results indicate that heparan sulfate chains produced on xyloside primers behave like heparan sulfate chains attached to cellular core proteins in terms of affinity for bFGF and ability to function as low-affinity sites in a dual receptor mechanism characteristic of bFGF and other heparin-binding growth promoting factors.

[The use of contrast media for quality assurance in radiotherapy planning]

PURPOSE

The target volume definition in radiation therapy was evidently improved by CT and MRI. Basis of treatment planning, however, remains the therapy simulator. Important instruments for adequate fluoroscopic treatment planning are contrast media that recently have been applied less out of legal and professional reasons. Aim of this work is to evaluate the possible benefit of contrast media applications.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In 1303 simulations between 1.1.1993 and 30.9.1993 105 times intravenous contrast media were applied, supplied by oral or endolymphatic contrast agents. It was studied if the previously intended plan had to be altered due to contrast media application.

RESULTS

In 17 out of 105 cases (16.2%) the target volume or the preplanned technique had to be altered after contrast media application. Main reason was the existence of anatomical variations especially in kidney and small bowel detected by use of contrast agents. So standard indications for contrast media applications were defined.

CONCLUSIONS

Contrast media are an important tool in treatment planning that should be orientated on diagnostical standards. Applications of contrast agents facilitate the detection of anatomical variations and the selection of the appropriate technique in order to shield sensitive tissues. The therapeutical and legal benefit outweigh potential hazards due to intolerances or professional obstacles.

Nucleotide sequence and analysis of the centromeric region of yeast chromosome IX

We have determined the nucleotide sequence of a cosmid (pIX338) containing the centromere region of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) chromosome IX. The complete nucleotide sequence of 33.8 kb was obtained by using an efficient directed sequencing strategy in combination with automated DNA sequencing on the A.L.F. DNA sequencer. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of 17 open reading frames (ORFs), four of them previously known yeast genes (sly12, pan1, sts1 and prl1), a tRNA gene and the centromere motif. Exhaustive database searches detected sequence homologues of known function for as many as 14 of the 17 ORFs. These include a mammalian tyrosine kinase substrate; the Escherichia coli cell cycle protein MinD; the human inositol polyphosphate-5-phosphatase (gene OCRL) involved in Lowe's syndrome, a developmental disorder; and helicases, for which the new yeast member defines a distinct DEAD/H-box subfamily. A surprisingly large fraction of the ORFs (at least six out of 17) in the centromeric region are apparently involved in RNA or DNA binding.

Effects of urodilatin and diltiazem on renal function in ischemic acute renal failure in the rat

In humans as well as in experimental models the hallmark of ischemic acute renal failure (ARF) is a profound diminution in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal blood flow. Both calcium antagonists and a-ANP have been reported to exert beneficial effects in ischemic ARF. No data, however, exist about combined administration of the natriuretic peptide urodilatin and calcium channel blockers. We therefore investigated the effects of urodilatin (URO, 40 micrograms/kg/h, i.v.) and diltiazem (DIL, 300 micrograms/kg/h, i.v.) in the rat given immediately after clamping of both renal arteries for 40 min. Compared to controls (0.07 +/- 0.01) depressed GFR (ml/min/100 g) was clearly elevated with URO (0.16 +/- 0.03), DIL (0.13 +/- 0.03) and URO + DIL (0.14 +/- 0.02) after the ischemic lesion. After cessation of drug delivery the beneficial effects were blunted in the URO group, in contrast to the DIL and URO + DIL group, where GFR was significantly elevated compared to controls even 3 h after starting reperfusion. Besides that also urine flow, sodium excretion and blood pressure were examined. In conclusion both URO and DIL exert beneficial effects in ischemic ARF in the rat while infused. In contrast to URO DIL showed prolonged beneficial effects even after cessation of drug delivery. An additional effect of both drugs could not be observed.