Reaction equilibrium of penicillin G with amberlite LA-2 in a nonpolar organic solvent

Studies have been made of the reactive extraction of penicillin G by Amberlite LA-2, a secondary amine, dissolved in kerosene. On the basis of the previous works about extraction equilibria of monocarboxylic acids by some secondary amines in low polar organic solvents, four equilibrium models were suggested to describe the reaction equilibrium of penicillin G in the liquid-liquid extraction system. The calculated results from the models were compared with the experimental data of 96 runs, and only two equilibrium models seemed to be probable. Ultimately, the most reasonable extraction equilibrium model was chosen through spectroscopic studies on organic solutions obtained by five specific extraction equilibrium experiments.

Effects of risperidone on information processing and attention in first-episode schizophrenia

Risperidone appears to have a beneficial effect in several areas of cognitive function in schizophrenic patients. In previous studies, however, the clinical characteristics of the subjects differed between studies, and were heterogeneous even in single study. Most of the subjects were previously exposed to different kinds of neuroleptics and some of them were treatment-resistant. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of risperidone on attention and information processing in a homogeneous subgroup of schizophrenic patients, i.e. drug-naïve first-episode inpatients. In the patient group (n=17), cognitive tests and clinical assessments were performed before and after 8 weeks of risperidone treatment. The same cognitive tests were administered to the control group (n=24). The delay between test and retest was 8 weeks. Before treatment, the patient group performed significantly worse than control group on the tests measuring continuous attention, vigilance, and the speed of information processing. After treatment (the average dose of risperidone was 7.3mg/day), in spite of significant improvement of the clinical symptoms, the patients did not show any significant improvement or worsening in most of the items of these tests. The control group did not show any practice effect. These results suggest that first-episode schizophrenic patients have deficits in sustained attention and vigilance to visual stimuli, as well as the speed of information processing to visual and auditory stimuli, and these deficits are unrelated to clinical symptoms and remain stable during the early phase of treatment. This study did not receive pharmaceutical company financial support.

D609-sensitive tyrosine phosphorylation is involved in Fas-mediated phospholipase D activation

Both Fas and PMA can activate phospholipase D via activation of protein kinase Cbeta in A20 cells. Phospholipase D activity was increased 4 fold in the presence of Fas and 2.5 fold in the presence of PMA. The possible involvement of tyrosine phosphorylation in Fas-induced activation of phospholipase D was investigated. In five minute after Fas cross-linking, there was a prominent increase in tyrosine phosphorylated proteins, and it was completely inhibited by D609, a specific inhibitor of phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC). A tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein, can partially inhibit Fas-induced phospholipase D activation. There were no effects of genistein on Fas-induced activation of PC-PLC and protein kinase C. These results strongly indicate that tyrosine phosphorylation may in part account for the increase in phospholipase D activity by Fas cross-linking and D609 can block not only PC-PLC activity but also tyrosine phosphorylation involved in Fas-induced phospholipase D activation.

Cecal rupture by Anoplocephala perfoliata infection in a thoroughbred horse in Seoul Race Park, South Korea

A 7-year-old Thoroughbred horse was admitted to the Equine Hospital, Korea Racing Association with signs of colic. Based on the size of impactions, the clinical signs, the results of abdominal paracentesis and medical treatment, the prognosis was poor. The horse died 3 hours later following hopeless discharge. At necropsy, the caecum and large colon were fully filled with fecal contents and there was a rupture (10 cm in dia) in the latero- ventral caecum. The mucosa of the ileo-caecal and caeco- colic valves appeared to the hyperemic, edematous and ulcerous. There were many tapeworms in the affected mucosa. Histopathologically, lesions included hyperaemia, a deep necrotic inflammatory lesion and ulcers in the mucosa and submucosa of ileo-caecal and caeco-colic valves. One hundred thirty four faecal samples were obtained from 16 stables and submitted to parasitic examination. A total of 4 genera of eggs were recovered: Stongylus spp (82.1%), Anoplocephala perfoliata (10.5%), Bovicola equi (0.7%) and Parascaris equorum (1.5%). The major findings in this study are the presence of A perfoliata and its suspected association with the colic which led into an eventual caecal rupture. This study indicates the needs for an epidemiological survey of colic that is associated with Anoplocephala.

Low-density lipoprotein-antioxidant constituents of Saururus chinensis

A new diarylbutane lignan, saururin A (1), and a known 8-O-4'-type neolignan, machilin D (2), were isolated from a total methanol extract of the underground parts of Saururus chinensis. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated by spectroscopic data analysis. Compounds 1, 2, and virolin (3) (the methyl ether of 2) exhibited significant low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-antioxidant activity in the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) assay with IC(50) values of 8.5, 2.9, and 4.3 microM, respectively.

Expression of mucosal cyto-chemokine mRNAs in patients with Helicobacter pylori infection

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori-induced destruction of the gastroduodenal mucosal barrier is initiated with mucosal infiltration of inflammatory cells. Cytokines and chemokines have been suggested to play important roles in the migration and activation of these inflammatory cells into the mucosa. The present study aimed to investigate expression rates of cyto-chemokine mRNAs using gastric mucosal biopsy specimens.

METHODS

In 98 patients infected with Helicobacter pylori, mucosal mRNA expression rates of cytokines (IL-1 beta, IL-6, and IL-10), C-C chemokines (macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha), and macrophage inflammatory protein 1 beta (MIP-1 beta), monocyte chemotactic and activating factor (MCAF), regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and presumably secreted (RANTES)) and C-X-C chemokines (IL-8 and growth regulated a (GRO-alpha)) were examined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTS

The expression rates of mRNA for IL-8, GRO-alpha, MIP-1 alpha and RANTES were significantly more increased in H. pylori-positive patients than in H. pylori-negative patients. However, the expressions of IL-1 beta, IL-6 and IL-10 mRNA were statistically not different between two groups. After eradication of H. pylori, expressions of mRNA for three cytokines (IL-1 beta, IL-6 and IL-10), four C-C chemokines (MIP-1 alpha, MIP-1 beta, MCAF and RANTES) and two C-X-C chemokines (IL-8 and GRO-alpha) were significantly decreased.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that C-X-C chemokines and some C-C chemokines play important roles in H. pylori-associated peptic ulcer diseases.

Biomechanical evaluation of diagonal fixation in pedicle screw instrumentation

STUDY DESIGN

Flexibility tests and finite element analyses were performed for the biomechanical evaluation of diagonal transfixation in pedicle screw instrumentation.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the biomechanical advantages of diagonal transfixation compared with conventional horizontal transfixation.

SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND DATA

A few pedicle screw instrumentation systems allow the use of cross-links in the diagonal direction. Such a diagonal transfixation is anticipated to improve the surgical construct stability, but its biomechanical qualities have not been completely evaluated.

METHODS

Flexibility tests were performed on 10 calf lumbar spines (L2-L5). Specimens were subjected to pure moments up to 8.2 Nm in flexion, extension, lateral bending, and extension while the resulting movements of L3 and L4 were measured by a three-dimensional motion analysis system. The tested cases included (1) intact, (2) pedicle screw fixation without transfixation after total removal of the L3-L4 disc, (3) pedicle screw fixation with diagonal transfixation, and (4) pedicle screw fixation with horizontal transfixation. Three-dimensional finite element models of the tested surgical constructs were also developed by use of three-dimensional beam elements to investigate the effect of diagonal transfixation and horizontal transfixation on the construct stability and the corresponding stress changes in the screws.

RESULTS

When compared with no transfixation, horizontal transfixation significantly improved the lateral bending and axial rotation stability by 15.7% and 13.9%, respectively, but there was no improvement of stability in flexion and extension. By contrast, diagonal transfixation significantly improved the flexion and extension stability by 12% and 10.7%, respectively, but not the lateral bending and axial rotation stability in comparison with no transfixation. Comparison between horizontal transfixation and diagonal transfixation showed that the stabilizing effect of diagonal transfixation was greater in flexion and extension (13% and 11%, P < 0.01) than that of horizontal transfixation but smaller in lateral bending (11%, P < 0.05) and axial rotation (6.6%, P > 0.1). Finite element model predictions of the motion changes were similar to the changes observed in flexibility tests. In horizontal transfixation, the load changes, compared with no transfixion, were a 0.02% increase in flexion-extension, a 27.5% increase in lateral bending, and a 58% decrease in axial rotation, and the magnitudes of the moments applied on both the right and left pedicle screws were identical. However, when diagonal transfixation was achieved by connecting the left superior screw and the right inferior screw, the loads in the left screw were increased by 11.5% in flexion-extension, 43.6% in lateral bending, and 7.9% in axial rotation, whereas the loads in the right screw were decreased by 10.9% in flexion-extension, increased by 0.06% in lateral bending, and decreased by 18.1% in axial rotation.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study showed that diagonal transfixation provides more rigid fixation in flexion and extension but less in lateral bending and axial rotation in comparison with horizontal transfixation. Furthermore, greater stresses in the pedicle screws were predicted in the diagonal transfixation model. These limitations of diagonal transfixation should be considered carefully for clinical application.

Imaging of occupational lung disease

Occupational lung disease comprises a wide variety of disorders caused by the inhalation or ingestion of dust particles or noxious chemicals. These disorders include pneumoconiosis, asbestos-related pleural and parenchymal disease, chemical pneumonitis, occupational infection, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and organic dust toxic syndrome. Most of these disorders produce diffuse lung disease. Although many of the disorders can be detected at chest radiography, high-resolution computed tomography (CT) has been shown to be superior to chest radiography in depicting parenchymal, airway, and pleural abnormalities. Some occupational lung diseases have characteristic radiologic features suggesting the correct diagnosis, whereas in others, a combination of clinical features, related occupational history, radiologic findings, and literature supporting an association between the exposure and the disease process is required for diagnosis. With advances in chest radiology, including high-resolution CT, radiologists play a key role in the clinical evaluation of occupational lung diseases and should continue their involvement in the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases.

Synthesis of a tetrahomodioxacalix[4]arene tetraamide and the crystal structure of its lead ion complex

The 1,4-alternate tetrahomodioxacalix[4]arene tetraamide 4 with four p-phenyl groups on its upper rim was synthesized. In two-phase metal picrate extraction, 4 exhibited Pb2+ selectivity with formation of a 1:1 complex in chloroform. In the solid-state structure of the 4*Pb(Pic)2 complex, Pb2+ is bound by the carbonyl oxygens of two adjacent amide groups and an aryl-alkyl ether oxygen atom of one of these amide-containing substituents. The crystal structure and 1H NMR spectrum of the 4*Pb2+ complex reveals pi-metal ion complexation of one aromatic ring in the ligand with Pb2+.

[2,13-Bis(acetamido)-5,16-dimethyl-2,6,13,17-tetraazatricyclo[16.4.0.07,12]docosane]copper(II) dichloride octahydrate

The title compound, [Cu(C(24)H(46)N(6)O(2))]Cl(2).8H(2)O, contains a centrosymmetric cation, with the anions and water molecules on general sites. The coordination geometry around the Cu(II) ion is an axially elongated octahedron, with Cu-N distances of 2.0448 (17) and 2.0847 (17) A, and a Cu-O1 distance of 2.3138 (16) A.

Seroepidemiological study of Helicobacter pylori infection in asymptomatic people in South Korea

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori infection occurs throughout the world and causes gastroduodenal diseases in all age groups. The prevalence of H. pylori infection varies between countries and races. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of H. pylori infection in asymptomatic healthy people in South Korea.

METHODS

From March 1998 to October 1998, 5732 asymptomatic subjects who responded to the self-assessment questionnaires from 54 hospitals in South Korea were enrolled in this study. The serum levels of antibodies for H. pylori immunoglobulinG were measured by using an ELISA test.

RESULTS

The overall seroprevalence of H. pylori infection was 46.6% and there was no statistical difference between males (47.2%) and females (45.9%). In adults, a significant difference was observed between genders. According to the geographic areas, the high prevalent provinces were Kangwon (53.4%), Cheju (52.9%) and Cholla province (50.6%); Seoul (41.9%) was the lowest prevalent area. The seroprevalence increased with age and was highest when patients were aged in their 40s (78.5%). The characteristic feature of our study was that the infection rate was steeply increased in three age groups (10-12 year olds, 16-19 year olds and those aged in their 20s). In Seoul, there was no difference in the prevalence rate among the districts studied.

CONCLUSIONS

This nation-wide seroprevalence of H. pylori infection in South Korea was 46.6%, which showed the transition from a developing country to a developed country. More studies on the epidemiological factors and the route of transmission of H. pylori infection should be warranted.

Histamine release induced by dendroaspis natriuretic peptide from rat mast cells

Dendroaspis natriuretic peptide (DNP), recently isolated from the venom of the green Mamba snake Dendroaspis angusticeps, is a 38 amino acid peptide containing a 17 amino acid disulfide ring structure similar to that of the natriuretic peptide family. The natriuretic peptide family is known to induce histamine release from human and rat mast cells, but there are no published data concerning the effects of DNP on histamine release from mast cells. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether DNP induces the histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells (RMPCs) and to determine the mechanism of DNP-induced histamine release from RPMCs. After treatment of RPMC with DNP, mast cell degranulation was observed, and calcium uptake and histamine release were measured. DNP released the histamine, induced the mast cell degranulation, and increased the calcium uptake of RPMCs, in a dose-dependent manner. The results indicate that DNP can increase Ca-uptake and induce histamine release.

Urinary calculi on computed radiography: comparison of observer performance with hard-copy versus soft-copy images on different viewer systems

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to compare observer performance for detecting urinary calculi using abdominal computed radiography with hard-copy versus soft-copy images and with a high-resolution video monitor versus a liquid-crystal-display (LCD) monitor.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We compared observer performance for detecting urinary calculi using three sets of radiographs-hard-copy images, soft-copy images displayed on a LCD monitor (1280 x 1024 bits), and soft-copy images displayed on a high-resolution video monitor using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis with a continuous rating scale. Computed radiography was archived with a 2140 x 1760 pixel resolution and a 10-bit depth. The selected data set included 62 images: 27 images showing proven urinary calculi smaller than 6 mm and three in number, and 35 images containing no proven abnormalities. Eleven radiologists (three genitourinary radiologists and eight general radiologists) participated in the study. Interpretations of three sets of randomly distributed radiographs were performed individually in three separate sessions at 1-week intervals.

RESULTS

No statistically significant differences were found in the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for detecting urinary calculi or in the interpreting times between soft-copy and hard-copy images; the mean areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of hard-copy images, soft-copy images displayed on an LCD monitor, and soft-copy images displayed on a high-resolution video monitor were 0.579, 0.610, and 0.732, respectively. However, soft-copy images showed relatively improved diagnostic accuracy among less experienced radiologists (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

For detecting urinary calculi, soft-copy images offered a diagnostic accuracy similar to or slightly more accurate than that of hard-copy images obtained in a laser-printed film-based environment. The diagnostic performance with soft-copy images viewed on an LCD monitor was comparable to that of soft-copy images viewed on a high-resolution video monitor.

Altered expression of the fragile histidine triad gene in primary gastric adenocarcinomas

Genomic alterations and abnormal expression of the fragile histidine triad (FHIT) gene in gastric carcinomas were examined to determine whether the FHIT gene is actually a frequent target for alteration during gastric carcinogenesis. To correlate DNA and RNA lesions of the FHIT gene with the effect on FHIT protein expression, we have investigated the FHIT gene for loss of heterozygosity (LOH), aberrant transcripts, point mutations, and protein expression in 35 gastric adenocarcinomas. Allelic loss at D3S1300 was detected in 7 of 33 (21%) informative cases. Aberrant transcripts, with deletions and/or insertions, were observed in 20 of 35 (57.1%) cases and resulted from alternative splicing through exon skipping and/or insertion of the FHIT intron 5 sequence or activation of the cryptic splice site. Point mutations were not found in the FHIT coding region but detected in noncoding exon 2, 3, 4, or 5 of eight aberrant transcripts. Significant reduction of FHIT protein expression was observed in 22 of 35 (62.9%) cases. Aberrant FHIT transcription was shown to be associated with loss of FHIT protein expression. However, aberrant FHIT transcripts themselves were not associated with any clinicopathological parameters, such as age, sex, tumor site, or clinical stage. Moreover, there was no association between the presence of LOH at D3S1300 and the expression of aberrant FHIT transcripts. Nevertheless, high frequency of aberrant FHIT transcripts, significant rate of LOH at D3S1300, and altered expression of the FHIT protein indicate that alterations of the FHIT gene can play an important role in gastric carcinogenesis.

Fumigant toxicity of volatile natural products from Korean spices and medicinal plants towards the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L)

The fumigant toxicity of various volatile constituents of essential oils extracted from sixteen Korean spices and medicinal plants towards the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae L (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), was determined. The most potent toxicity was found in the essential oil from Mentha arvensis L. var piperascens (LC50 = 45.5 microliters litre-1 air). GC-MS analysis of essential oil from M arvensis showed it to be rich in menthol (63.2%), menthone (13.1%) and limonene (1.5%), followed in abundance by beta-pinene (0.7%), alpha-pinene (0.6%) and linalool (0.2%). Treatment of S oryzae with each of these terpenes showed menthone to be most active (LC50 = 12.7 microliters litre-1 air) followed by linalool (LC50 = 39.2 microliters litre-1 air) and alpha-pinene (LC50 = 54.9 microliters litre-1 air). Studies on inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity of S oryzae showed menthone to have a nine-fold lower inhibitory effect than menthol, despite menthone being 8.1-fold more toxic than menthol to the rice weevil. Different modes of toxicity of these monoterpenes towards S oryzae are discussed.

Preparation of collagen modified hyaluronan microparticles as antibiotics carrier

Hyaluronan (HA), a natural glycoaminoglycan featuring an extracellular matrix, has been suggested as an effective biocompatible material. In this study, the effectiveness of HA microparticles as a carrier system for antibiotics was evaluated, and their physicochemical characteristics were determined. Microparticles were fabricated by the gelation of sulfadiazine (SD) loaded HA solution with calcium chloride through either a granulation (GR-microparticles) or encapsulation (EN-microparticles) process, and atelocollagen was incorporated into the microparticles as an additive in order to improve their physical properties. The characteristics of the microparticles were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and swelling test. In vitro release experiments were performed for 7 days and the released amount of SD was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Microscopic observations revealed that the collagen incorporated HA particles had a more compact surface than the HA particles. DSC analysis determined a loss of SD crystallinity in the particles. Calcium chloride retarded the swelling of particles, whereas the loaded drug contents did not affect this property. Both GR-and EN-microparticles sustained SD release with initial bursting effect. SD release from EN-microparticles was faster than from GR-microparticles. In addition, the release rate was dependent on the SD content in the microparticles. These results suggest that collagen modified HA microparticles have a potential as a release rate controlling material for crystalline drugs such as SD.

Short-term phytohaemagglutinin-activated mononuclear cells induce endothelial progenitor cells from cord blood CD34+ cells

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) were recently demonstrated to exist in human cord blood. Phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), a potent mitogen for mononuclear cells was used to induce EPCs from unsorted cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMCs). Adherent cells in clusters appeared approximately 24 h after CBMCs were cultured in plain Roswell Park Memorial Institute media containing 10% fetal bovine serum (culture media) and PHA. Adherent cells were further propagated for 1 week in plain culture media. Flow cytometry and Di-I staining analyses showed that CD45-, CD34+, Flk-1+, CD31+ or VE-cadherin+ EPCs were induced and that they were mainly from the CD34+ cell compartment. When enriched CD34+ cells alone were stimulated with culture supernatant of the PHA-activated CBMCs, they neither proliferated readily nor induced EPCs. Because EPCs first appeared within the clustering cells that expressed high levels of fibronectin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), our data suggest that both cell-cell/cell-matrix interaction and the local VEGF action are important in the induction of EPCs. Thus, we demonstrate for the first time that EPCs are induced from human cord blood stem cell populations that interact with neighbouring PHA-activated CBMCs. This finding may have a significant implication in inflammatory cell-mediated vasculogenesis and angiogenesis in vivo.

Inactivation of Escherichia coli O1 57:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Lactobacillus leichmannii by combinations of ozone and pulsed electric field

Pulsed electric field (PEF) and ozone technologies are nonthermal processing methods with potential applications in the food industry. This research was performed to explore the potential synergy between ozone and PEF treatments against selected foodborne bacteria. Cells of Lactobacillus leichmannii ATCC 4797, Escherichia coli O157:H7 ATCC 35150, and Listeria monocytogenes Scott A were suspended in 0.1% NaCl and treated with ozone, PEF, and ozone plus PEE Cells were treated with 0.25 to 1.00 microg of ozone per ml of cell suspension, PEF at 10 to 30 kV/cm, and selected combinations of ozone and PEF. Synergy between ozone and PEF varied with the treatment level and the bacterium treated. L. leichmannii treated with PEF (20 kV/cm) after exposure to 0.75 and 1.00 microg/ml of ozone was inactivated by 7.1 and 7.2 log10 CFU/ml, respectively; however, ozone at 0.75 and 1.00 microg/ml and PEF at 20 kV/cm inactivated 2.2, 3.6, and 1.3 log10 CFU/ml, respectively. Similarly, ozone at 0.5 and 0.75 microg/ml inactivated 0.5 and 1.8 log10 CFU/ml of E. coli, PEF at 15 kV/cm inactivated 1.8 log10 CFU/ml, and ozone at 0.5 and 0.75 microg/ml followed by PEF (15 kV/cm) inactivated 2.9 and 3.6 log10 CFU/ml, respectively. Populations of L. monocytogenes decreased 0.1, 0.5, 3.0, 3.9, and 0.8 log10 CFU/ml when treated with 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0 microg/ml of ozone and PEF (15 kV/cm), respectively; however, when the bacterium was treated with 15 kV/cm, after exposure to 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 microg/ml of ozone, 1.7, 2.0, and 3.9 log10 CFU/ml were killed, respectively. In conclusion, exposure of L. leichmannii, E. coli, and L. monocytogenes to ozone followed by the PEF treatment showed a synergistic bactericidal effect. This synergy was most apparent with mild doses of ozone against L. leichmannii.

Alternative embryo transfer on day 3 or day 5 for reducing the risk of multiple gestations

PURPOSE

This study was carried out to reduce the possibility of high-order multiple gestations and the failure of embryo transfer by determining their replacement date based on the number and quality of 2-day embryos.

METHODS

All zygotes were cocultured with cumulus cells in 10 microliters of YS medium containing 10% human follicular fluid (hFF) for 48 or 96 hr. In period I, all embryos were transferred on day 3 (1032 cycles). In period II, the embryos were transferred on either day 3 or day 5 by determining their replacement date based on the number and quality of 2-day embryos: there were 2701 patients in whom embryos were replaced on day 3 (in the case that the number of zygotes was less than eight and the number of good-quality embryos was less than three) and 1952 patients less than 40 years old in whom embryos were replaced on day 5 (in the case that the number of zygotes was eight or more and/or the number of good-quality embryos was three or more). On the other hand, patients who were 40 years old or more were alloted to day 3 transfer cycles, regardless of the number and quality of the 2-day embryos, due to the possibility of their not producing blastocyst-stage embryos in vitro.

RESULTS

The number of embryos transferred in period II was 2.9 +/- 0.6, while that in period I was 3.7 +/- 0.5. The multiple pregnancy rate was significantly decreased in period II (30.7%) compared to that (49.6%) in period I, while the pregnancy and implantation rates in period II (36.1 and 16.4%, respectively) were not lower than those (34.9 and 16.1%, respectively) in period I. The rate of triplet or more gestations was significantly minimized in period II (2.3%) compared to that in period I (26.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

We propose that determination of the date on which embryos should be transferred based on the number and quality of embryos on day 2 may help to maintain an acceptable pregnancy rate, while minimizing embryo transfer failure and high-order multiple gestations.

Correlation of hematopoietic progenitor cell count determined by the SE-automated hematology analyzer with CD34(+) cell count by flow cytometry in leukapheresis products

The yield of stem cell collection after mobilization is crucial for autologous peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) transplantation. Quantitative determinations of CD34(+) cells using flow cytometry or stem cell culture have been used, but these methods require much time, technical experience, and expensive reagents. The automated hematology analyzer (Sysmex SE-9000trade mark, TOA, Japan) equipped with the Immature Information (IMI) channel for immature myeloid cells can detect IMI(+) cells within 90 sec. Detection is made possible by the combination of a special reagent system and direct current/radiofrequency biosensors. We studied the relation of IMI(+) cells and variable cell counts with CD34(+) cell yield in autologous stem cell harvest. In a series of 32 patients (median age, 44 years; M:F = 11:21), 184 leukaphereses were performed after mobilization regimens with chemotherapy and G-CSF or G-CSF alone. Full blood cell counts were enumerated on peripheral blood (PB) samples taken prior to each leukapheresis. Mononuclear cell (MNC) and IMI(+) cell counts by automated hematology analyzer and flow cytometry based CD34(+) cell yield were measured on the harvested product. The relationship among PB white blood cells (WBC), PB monocytes, IMI(+) cells, MNC, and CD34(+) cell yield in a single leukapheresis was estimated by Pearson correlation analysis. PB WBC count showed no correlation with CD34(+) cell yield in a single leukapheresis (r = 0.02, P = 0.81). PB monocyte count showed a weak correlation (r = 0.21, P = 0.01) and MNC in harvest also showed a weak correlation (r = 0.36, P = 0.0001) with CD34(+) cell yield. In contrast, CD34(+) cell yield correlated well with IMI(+) cell count (r = 0.68, P = 0.0001), and data could be fitted by a linear regression equation, y = 0.330 + 0.974x. IMI(+) cell assay by the automated hematology analyzer correlated well with the CD34(+) cell yield in a mobilized autologous stem cell harvest. The IMI(+) cell count might be used as a simple and efficient indicator of blood stem cell mobilization and collection.

Characterization of uterine epidermal growth factor during early pregnancy in pigs

Genomic research has identified a quantitative trait locus for uterine capacity, a component trait contributing to litter size, on porcine chromosome 8. The epidermal growth factor (EGF) gene, on porcine chromosome 8, may influence uterine capacity because of its growth-promoting activities. Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and iterative screening of a porcine reproductive tissue cDNA library, 4932 bp cDNA sequence coding for porcine EGF precursor was obtained. The predicted protein sequence of the EGF precursor contained 1214 amino acids, similar to human EGF precursor (1207 amino acids, 81% identity). Curiously, the sequence of the mature peptide was less homologous between species than other regions of EGF precursor. The presence of conserved regions outside the mature peptide may suggest that these regions are functionally important. Expression of EGF mRNA in the endometrium of White crossbred gilts (n = 3 to 5 each) was determined by Northern blotting using 20 microg of total RNA from endometrium of D 10, 13, and 15 cyclic, and D 10, 13, 15, 20, 30, and 40 of pregnant gilts. A 3342 bp probe from EGF precursor was used. The bands corresponding to EGF mRNA were quantified by densitometry and results were analyzed by ANOVA. EGF mRNA expression decreased significantly from D 13 to 15 of the cycle and pregnancy (P = 0.04), and from D 30 to 40 of pregnancy (P = 0.01). These findings show that EGF mRNA expression is temporally regulated during the cycle and early pregnancy, and this pattern of gene expression may be important during early conceptus development.

Changes in profiles of circulating insulin-like growth factor components during hormone replacement therapy according to the responsiveness to therapy in postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVES

Objectives of this study were (1) to evaluate the changes in the profiles of circulating insulin-like growth factor and of insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins during hormone replacement therapy and their relation with responsiveness to hormone replacement therapy and (2) to investigate the relationship between the changes in these insulin-like growth factor components and the annual changes in bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.

STUDY DESIGN

Insulin-like growth factor and insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins were measured by immunoradiometric assay and Western ligand blotting in sera from 39 postmenopausal women treated with sequential hormone replacement therapy for 1 year. Bone mineral density at the lumbar spine and the proximal portion of the femur was determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.

RESULTS

No significant change in the serum levels of insulin-like growth factor II and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein was noted during hormone replacement therapy in either the responders to therapy or the nonresponders (women with >3% bone loss per year), but serum levels of insulin-like growth factor I and proportions of insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins 1, 2, and 4 decreased during hormone replacement therapy only in the former group. Changes in insulin-like growth factor components during hormone replacement therapy did not correlate with annual bone mineral density changes.

CONCLUSION

Profiles of circulating insulin-like growth factor I and insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins might be involved in responsiveness to hormone replacement therapy, but changes in these components during hormone replacement therapy do not predict annual changes in bone mineral density.

The transcriptional regulator Yin Yang 1 activates the myelin PLP gene

Inauguration of the myelin program in developing oligodendrocytes requires the activation of those genes that encode the myelin proteins and the enzymes responsible for the synthesis and degradation of myelin lipids. An activator of the most abundantly expressed myelin protein, proteolipid protein (PLP), has been identified in a yeast one-hybrid system. The ubiquitously expressed zinc finger protein Yin Yang 1 (YY1) recognizes the myelin PLP promoter in vitro and in vivo. When overexpressed in an oligodendrocyte cell line, YY1 enhances transcription of the PLP promoter. A truncated version of YY1 that includes only the four zinc finger domains has little effect. The binding site for YY1 in the PLP promoter (site 3) fits the YY1 consensus site and DNA-protein complexes containing site 3 can be supershifted with an antibody directed against YY1 protein. Moreover, oligonucleotides with a mutated version of the PLP promoter site 3 are unable to bind to nuclear proteins or to compete for binding in a gel shift system. Finally, mutation of this site greatly reduces the activity of a 1-kb PLP promoter region in transfected glial cells. Our results suggest that PLP is a target gene for the transcriptional regulator YY1. This versatile transcription factor and nuclear matrix protein may boost transcription of the PLP gene to meet the demands of actively myelinating oligodendrocytes.

Association of vitamin D receptor and estrogen receptor gene polymorphisms with bone mass in postmenopausal Korean women

OBJECTIVE

To examine the relationship between vitamin D receptor (VDR) and estrogen receptor (ER) gene polymorphism and bone mineral density (BMD).

DESIGN

Polymorphisms at the VDR FokI and ER PvuII and XbaI gene sites, serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, urinary N-telopeptide of type I collagen, and BMD at the lumbar spine and proximal femur were analyzed in 229 postmenopausal Korean women.

RESULTS

The distribution of ER PvuII and XbaI and VDR FokI restriction fragment length polymorphisms was as follows: pp 39.3%, Pp 46.3%, PP 14.4%, xx 34.1%, Xx 61.1%, XX 4.8%. ff 17.0%, Ff 43.7%, and FF 39.3%, respectively (upper-case letters signify the absence, and lower-case letters signify the presence of the restriction site). After adjusting for potential confounding factors such as age, body mass index, and menopause duration, ER PvuII was independently associated with BMD at the lumbar spine and XbaI polymorphism BMD at the femoral neck. The lumbar spine BMD in the pp genotype was 7.5% lower than in the PP genotype, and the femoral neck BMD was 4.8% lower in the Xx genotype than in the xx genotype. By itself, the VDR FokI polymorphism was not related to BMD, but by combining the FokI genotype (FF) with ER genotypes, such as ppxx and the PpXx, the difference in the BMD at the Ward's triangle became significant. There were no significant differences in the levels of biochemical markers between the genotypes of three polymorphisms.

CONCLUSION

ER polymorphisms, singly and in relation to VDR FokI polymorphism, influence bone mass in Korean women.

Interferon alpha /beta promotes cell survival by activating nuclear factor kappa B through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and Akt

Interferons (IFNs) play critical roles in host defense by modulating gene expression via activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) factors. IFN-alpha/beta also activates another transcription factor, nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB), which protects cells against apoptotic stimuli. NF-kappaB activation requires the IFN-dependent association of STAT3 with the IFNAR1 chain of the IFN receptor. IFN-dependent NF-kappaB activation involves the sequential activation of a serine kinase cascade involving phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K) and Akt. Whereas constitutively active PI-3K and Akt induce NF-kappaB activation, Ly294002 (a PI-3K inhibitor), dominant-negative PI-3K, and kinase-dead Akt block IFN-dependent NF-kappaB activation. Moreover, dominant-negative PI-3K blocks IFN-promoted degradation of kappaBox alpha. Ly294002, a dominant-negative PI-3K construct, and kinase-dead Akt block IFN-promoted cell survival, enhancing apoptotic cell death. Therefore, STAT3, PI-3K, and Akt are components of an IFN signaling pathway that promotes cell survival through NF-kappaB activation.