Photoaffinity labeling of the ATP transporter of rat liver microsomes

A photoreactive azido derivative of ATP, 3 (2')-O-(p-azidobenzoyl)-ATP (AB-ATP), was synthesized by the reaction of ATP with N-hydroxysuccinimidyl-4-azidobenzoate (NHS-AB) to photolabel the ATP transporter of rat liver microsomes. AB-ATP specifically inhibited the transport of ATP into microsomes, which indicates that AB-ATP has a high affinity for the ATP transporter, so it can be utilized as a photoaffinity probe for the identification of the ATP transporter in rat liver microsomes. An SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis of microsomes photolabeled with [gamma-32P]AB-ATP indicates the presence of four major protein bands with apparent molecular sizes of 97, 56, 53, and 47 kDa. Among these labeled proteins, the 56 kDa protein was completely protected from the photoaffinity labeling by 30 microM ATP but not by the same amount of GTP, which is consistent with the specific labeling of the ATP binding site of the ATP transporter. The specific labeling of the only 56 kDa protein among them was sensitive to the anion transport inhibitor, 4,4'-diisothiocyano-2,2'-disulfonic acid stilbene (DIDS) but not sensitive to the mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier inhibitor, atractyloside (ATR). Moreover, the 56 kDa protein was uniquely photolabeled with [gamma-32P]AB-ATP in the highly purified rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) vesicles. These results strongly suggested that the 56 kDa protein represents the ATP transporter of rat liver endoplasmic reticulum (ER).

Esophageal aspergillosis after bone marrow transplant

The prolonged immune suppression associated with bone marrow transplants predisposes to fungal infections including Aspergillus. Disseminated aspergillosis occurs in up to 60% of patients with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis; sites of involvement include the brain, gastrointestinal tract, kidney, liver, thyroid, heart, and spleen. There is only one report of isolated esophageal aspergillosis. A recent acute myelogenous leukemia patient had isolated esophageal aspergillosis after bone marrow transplantation which was successfully treated with amphotericin B.

The factors related to recurrence after transcatheter arterial embolization for the treatment of hemoptysis

OBJECTIVES

Massive hemoptysis is a major clinical problem associated with high morbidity and mortality. Transcatheter arterial embolization is widely used for the treatment of massive hemoptysis, but it was reported that the recurrence rate after embolization is 12-54% in the previous studies. We evaluated the therapeutic effect of transcatheter arterial embolization for the treatment of massive hemoptysis and the factors related to recurrence.

METHODS

We reviewed 51 patients (M:F = 36:15) of transcatheter arterial embolization for the treatment of massive hemoptysis from Jan 1988 to Dec 1994, retrospectively.

RESULTS

After arterial embolization, immediate successful control (< 1 wk) of massive hempotysis was achieved in 48 of 51 patients (94.1%) and recurrence of hemoptysis was observed in 17 of 51 patients (33.3%) during the follow-up period. The patients with non-bronchial artery hemoptysis and multiple artery bleeding had increased tendency of recurrence (77.7%). On the previous history of hemoptysis, the patients with massive hemoptysis (> 400 ml/24hr) or frequent history of hemoptysis had increased tendency of recurrence (87.5%, 72.7%).

CONCLUSION

Transcatheter arterial embolization is a useful and safe procedure for immediate control in massive hemoptysis. However, the patients with this procedure had a potentiality for recurrence. We suggest that close follow-up and caution will be needed in the patients with multiple artery bleeding or with large amounts of hemoptysis or with previous episodes more than 3 times.

Pre-emptive ganciclovir treatment can play a role in restoration of hematopoiesis after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

We performed pre-emptive ganciclovir therapy on two allogeneic bone marrow transplant (BMT) recipients with myelosuppression associated with cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigenemia after successful engraftment. During the hypoplastic phase, the nucleated cells in the bone marrow and peripheral blood were revealed to be of donor origin by DNA fingerprinting. These two patients had CMV antigen in their peripheral leukocytes. Following the pre-emptive ganciclovir treatment, both of them showed gradual recovery of granulocytes and platelets. They are still alive with stable bone marrow function. From these results, we suppose that infection or reactivation of CMV can suppress bone marrow function after bone marrow transplantation, and the pre-emptive ganciclovir therapy based on the CMV antigenemia may be beneficial if bone marrow function deteriorates after engraftment.

Arthroscopic one-piece excision technique for the treatment of symptomatic lateral discoid meniscus

We introduce a new arthroscopic technique for the partial excision of the symptomatic lateral discoid meniscus in one piece. Our experience indicates that this technique has several advantages compared with the conventional surgical techniques of partial meniscectomy. The operating time is short (less than 20 minutes), it is less aggressive, there is less damage to the cartilage, and less formation of foreign bodies.

Radiographic comparison of osseous healing after maxillary sinusotomy performed with and without a periosteal pedicle

OBJECTIVE

To assess the postoperative fate of bone trapdoors in patients with a trapdoor in the facial wall of the maxillary sinus that was replaced after removal of sinus disease.

STUDY DESIGN

Twenty patients were studied. In 10 patients (group A) the trapdoor was made as a free bone graft; in the other 10 patients (group B), an osteoperiosteal trapdoor was made. The postoperative fate of bone trapdoors was studied by means of computed tomography.

RESULTS

In group A there was poor bony consolidation at the trapdoors' junction with the surrounding bone and a significantly reduced density of the osteotomized bone. In two of the group A patients there was a partial loss of the trapdoor. In group B, however, bony consolidation took place in that all the trapdoors were completely connected again to the surrounding bone and there was no reduction of the bone density.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that a trapdoor with a periosteal pedicle appears to be more reliable than one without a periosteal pedicle.

In-vitro effects of cefodizime on leucocyte functions and colony formation from granulocyte-monocyte progenitors

Infections in immunocompromised patients are often difficult to treat, even with currently available antimicrobial agents. An understanding of the effects of antibiotic therapy on the host's immune response is therefore important when deciding on the clinical management of such patients. Antimicrobial agents which lack immunodepressive effects and/or potentiate the immune response are the goal of current research into the treatment of infections in immunocompromised patients. The effects of cefodizime (1-250 micrograms/mL) in vitro on some functional activities of leucocytes and on colony formation by granulocyte monocyte progenitors were studied to investigate the effects of the antibiotic on the host's immune response. A marked enhancement in the lymphocyte transformation reaction was observed in cells exposed to cefodizime. This effect was dose-dependent. Cefodizime had no significant effect on antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity or on natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity. The chemotactic activity of neutrophils was not influenced by the presence of cefodizime (P > 0.05). The phagocytic activity of neutrophils was significantly increased by cefodizime (P > 0.01). Cefodizime significantly stimulated, in a dose-dependent manner, colony formation by granulocyte-monocyte progenitors (P < 0.01). Results suggest that cefodizime has certain stimulatory effects on immunocompetent cells such as enhancing the transformation reaction of lymphocytes, neutrophil phagocytosis and colony formation by granulocyte-monocyte progenitors. Further studies are required to clarify the mechanisms responsible for these effects.

Immunogenicity of Vi capsular polysaccharide vaccine evaluated for three years in Korea

The immunogenicity of a single dose of Salmonella typhi(S.typhi) Vi capsular polysaccharide(CPS) vaccine was evaluated before, and at 1, 3, 12, and 36 months after vaccination. Eighty-five adults(20-28 years of age) and sixty-four children(8-16 years of age) received a single dose of 25 micrograms Vi CPS vaccine intramuscularly, and antibody titers to Vi CPS were measured by passive hemagglutination. Of 149 vaccinees, 138(92.6%) showed seroconversion at 1 month after vaccination, and then 138 out of 141(97.9%) did at 3 months. Of 137 vaccinees, 116(84.7%) maintained a persistent rise in Vi antibody titer 12 months after vaccination, and 55 out of 100(55.0%) had a 4-fold or greater rise at 36 months. No significant adverse reactions were observed. Booster injection may be needed 3-5 years after vaccination.

Two human cases of Thelazia callipaeda infection in Korea

Thelazia callipaeda were observed from a 7-month old baby who lived in Uijongbu in 1989 and from a 42-year old man who lived in Anyang in 1994. These are the 23rd and 24th records of human thelaziasis in Korea as the literature are concerned.

Stability testing of a two miniplate fixation technique for mandibular angle fractures. An in vitro study

In the case of mandibular angle fractures, a two miniplate fixation technique in which one plate is applied ventral to the oblique line and a second plate at the inferior border of the buccal cortex was used to stabilize the fracture. In this paper, the stability of the two miniplate fixation technique was tested in a three-dimensional in vitro model. The results of this study showed that in cases of angle fractures this fixation technique provides stable fixation under functional loading.

Five cases of cytomegalovirus infection detected by in situ hybridization and antigenemia assay

We report five cases of cytomegalovirus infection in immunocompromised patients which were detected by either cytomegalovirus antigenemia assay or in situ hybridization. Four cases had leukemia and the other had chronic renal failure. All the three BMT recipients suffered from GvHD. Interestingly, there was an unique case of CMV disease without a history of BMT, which reminded us that CMV could attack immunocompromised patients who had not undergone transplantation, too. Four out of five cases died. We think that cytomegalovirus infection or disease should not be regarded as a minor problem in post-transplantation infection in Korea.

Testosterone regulation of proto-oncogene c-myc expression in primary Sertoli cell cultures from prepubertal rats

The expression of c-myc has been associated with cell proliferation through changes of nuclear function. To evaluate the possibility that the proto-oncogene c-myc plays a role in testosterone-dependent gene regulation, the effects of testosterone on the expression of c-myc have been investigated in primary Sertoli cell cultures. Testosterone increased c-myc mRNA levels, with maximal stimulation reached in 16 hours. The induction of c-myc mRNA was dependent on the concentration of testosterone. Testosterone-induced c-myc mRNA levels were also increased in cells after addition of cycloheximide but reduced by actinomycin-D pretreatment. Even in the absence of hormone in culture medium, c-myc mRNA was clearly detectable in Sertoli cells from 8-day-old rats but hardly detectable in cells from 14 and 28 days of age. Testosterone stimulated c-myc mRNA expression in the Sertoli cells from only 8-/and 14-day-old rats. These results suggest that testosterone induces c-myc mRNA levels in the primary Sertoli cells from prepubertal rats, and then transient expression of c-myc may be responsible for some of the regulatory roles of testosterone-dependent genes in the Sertoli cells. The biological significance of testosterone-dependent c-myc induction is not known.

Comparison of magnetic resonance imaging before and after nonsurgical treatment of closed lock

Ten temporomandibular joints with the closed lock in 10 patients who were successfully treated clinically nonsurgically with the occlusal splint, were studied with magnetic resonance imaging. In all patients, the pretreatment images of temporomandibular joints showed anteriorly dislocated disks that failed to recapture together with various changes in disk morphology. Three to four months after the treatment, all patients could open their mouths more than 47 mm at the incisor position and were asymptomatic. But the follow-up magnetic resonance images showed that the disks were still anteriorly displaced and deformed and their relationships with the condyles were unchanged. The reestablishment of mouth opening appeared to occur not by recapturing of the disks but by improvement in condylar mobility and the adaptation of the posterior attachment.

A case of bullous transient acantholytic dermatosis

We report a case of a bullous variant of transient acantholytic dermatosis in a 59-year-old female. Each bullous lesion lasted several weeks and healed without scarring. The lesions were migratory and recurrent without a cleared period. Histopathologic examination revealed an intraepidermal vesicle low in the epidermis. The lesions cleared after 2 months of isotretinoin therapy.

Vulnerability of the human airway epithelium to hyperoxia. Constitutive expression of the catalase gene in human bronchial epithelial cells despite oxidant stress

Although catalase is a major intracellular antioxidant, the expression of the human catalase gene appears to be limited in the airway epithelium, making these cells vulnerable to oxidant stress. The basis for this limited gene expression was examined by evaluation of the expression of the endogenous gene in human bronchial epithelial cells in response to hyperoxia. Hyperoxia failed to upregulate endogenous catalase gene expression, in contrast to a marked increase in expression of the heat shock protein gene. Sequence analysis of 1.7 kb of the 5'-flanking region of the human catalase gene showed features of a "house-keeping" gene (no TATA box, high GC content, multiple CCAAT boxes, and transcription start sites). Transfection of human bronchial epithelial cells with fusion genes composed of various lengths of the catalase 5'-flanking region and luciferase as a reporter gene showed low level constitutive promoter activity that did not change after exposure to hyperoxia. Importantly, using a replication-deficient recombinant adenoviral vector containing the human catalase cDNA, levels of catalase were significantly increased in human airway epithelial cells and this was associated with increased survival of the cells when exposed to hyperoxia. These observations provide a basis for understanding the sensitivity of the human airway epithelium to oxidant stress and a strategy for protecting the epithelium from such injury.

Protection of human endothelial cells from oxidant injury by adenovirus-mediated transfer of the human catalase cDNA

In a variety of disorders, endothelial cells are exposed to high levels of oxidants, generated within the cells and/or consequent to local inflammation. In the context of the sensitivity of endothelial cells to oxidant stress, particularly related to H2O2, we have designed a replication deficient recombinant adenovirus containing the human catalase cDNA (AdCL) to transfer the catalase cDNA to the endothelial cells, in order to augment intracellular anti-H2O2 protection. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells that were not infected or infected with control adenovirus maintained low levels of catalase mRNA. Endothelial cells infected with AdCL expressed AdCL-driven exogenous catalase mRNA, as early as 24 hr and at least for 7 days. Catalase protein levels were increased significantly over controls in cells infected with AdCL, as were catalase activity levels, with catalase activity correlated closely with levels of catalase protein. Importantly, when the endothelial cells were exposed to 500 microM H2O2, all the AdCL infected endothelial cells survived, compared to only 37% of the control cells. Thus, a recombinant adenovirus containing the human catalase cDNA is able to infect human endothelial cells in vitro and express high levels of functional intracellular catalase, protecting the cells against H2O2-mediated oxidant stress. These observations support the feasibility of the transfer of catalase cDNA to human endothelium to protect against oxidant injury.

Evidence for the multistep nature of in vitro human epithelial cell carcinogenesis

In keeping with the multistep development of human cancer in vivo, a stepwise approach to neoplastic transformation in vitro presents a reasonable strategy. We have recently developed an in vitro multistep model suitable for the study of human epithelial cell carcinogenesis. Upon infection with the adenovirus 12-simian virus 40 hybrid virus, primary human epidermal keratinocytes acquired an indefinite life span in culture but did not undergo malignant conversion. Subsequent addition of Kirsten murine sarcoma virus and human ras oncogene or chemical carcinogens (N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine or 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide) to these cells induced morphological alterations and the acquisition of neoplastic properties. Subsequently it was found that this line could be transformed neoplastically by a variety of retrovirus-containing H-ras, bas, fes, fms, erbB, and src oncogenes. In addition, we found that the immortalized human epidermal keratinocyte (RHEK-1) line can be transformed neoplastically by exposure to ionizing radiation. Thus, this in vitro system may be useful in studying the interaction of a variety of carcinogenic agents and human epithelial cells. These findings demonstrate the malignant transformation of human primary epithelial cells in culture by the combined action of viruses, oncogenes, chemical carcinogens, or X-ray irradiation and support a multistep process for neoplastic conversion.

Technetium-99m red blood cell blood-pool imaging in functional asplenia due to leukemic infiltration

Tc-99m labeled RBC blood-pool and Tc-99m sulfur colloid imaging were performed in a patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in blast crisis. Functional asplenia was demonstrated on the sulfur colloid study despite intact organ perfusion as demonstrated by blood-pool imaging. Tc-99m RBC blood-pool imaging appears to be an ideal noninvasive technique to document intact spleen perfusion in functional asplenia.

Hemivertebral "disappearance" on bone scan

Two cases are described in which there was absence of uptake in hemivertebra on a Tc-99m methylene diphosphonate bone scan. In one of these patients, the bone image had been normal 56 days previously. Radiographs of the vertebrae were normal in both cases. Data are presented suggesting that the findings can most probably be explained in terms of compromise of blood supply to the hemivertebra; each half of a vertebra usually has a separate arterial contribution.

Quantitative measurement of body motion using Schottky barrier silicon photodiode

A new motion detection system has been developed using a laser beam and a Schottky barrier silicon photodiode. The system broadens the scope of gravitational center stabilography by facilitating the quantitative assessment of tremors of body appendages such as the hands and even the head. The system also eliminates cumbersome platforms and wire attachments previously used in gravitational center stabilography. The subject is asked to aim the beam at the photodiode. A quantitative off-center variation parameter, ARDS (Average Radial Distance Squared multiplied by time), was utilized in units of cm2 sec. A preliminary evaluation of the system shows that it is suitable for rapidly screening large numbers of subjects for localised neuromuscular control.