Expression of a D1 dopamine receptor dDA1/DmDOP1 in the central nervous system of Drosophila melanogaster

The diverse physiological effects of dopamine are mediated by multiple receptor systems. The dDA1 represents one of the Drosophila dopamine receptors that activate the cAMP cascade. To gain insight into the role of dDA1, we generated a polyclonal antibody against the unique sequence in dDA1 and investigated dDA1 distribution in the central nervous system (CNS) of Drosophila melanogaster. In both larval and adult CNS pronounced dDA1 immunoreactivity was present in the neuropil of the mushroom bodies, a brain structure crucial for learning and memory in insects, and four unpaired neurons in each thoracic segment. In addition, the larval abdominal ganglion contained two dDA1 cells in each segment. This expression pattern appeared to be maintained in the condensed adult abdominal ganglion although the precise number and the intensity of staining were somewhat variable. The adult CNS also exhibited intense dDA1 immunoreactivity in the central complex, a structure controlling higher-order motor function, moderate expression in several neurosecretory cells, and weak staining in two unpaired neurons in the mesothoracic neuromere. The dDA1 expression in these areas was only detected in adult, but not in third instar larval CNS.

Age-related change in serum concentrations of testosterone in middle-aged Korean men

The objective of this study was to determine whether testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels are different between healthy men and men with chronic illness, and to evaluate the age-related changes of testosterone and SHBG in healthy men in Korea. enrollment took place between January 2000 and December 2001 at Pundang CHA General Hospital in Korea. All men who came for male climacteric and geriatric health screening examinations were eligible. Of the 762 men recruited, 136 men had at least one present or previous medical illness and 626 men were healthy. Higher serum concentrations of total testosterone (5.31 +/- 1.88 ng/ml vs. 4.96 +/- 1.43 ng/ml; p < 0.05), free androgen index (16.60 +/- 7.36 vs. 14.57 +/- 5.55; p < 0.01) and calculated bioavailable testosterone (8.88 +/- 3.52 nmol/l vs. 7.91 +/- 2.52 nmol/l; p < 0.01) were demonstrated in the healthy compared with the disease group. Total testosterone declined at a rate of 0.2% per year, SHBG increased by 1.74% per year, calculated bioavailable testosterone declined by 0.8% per year, and free androgen index declined by 1.15% per year in healthy subjects aged between 40 and 70. The above results seem to be consistent with previous Western studies, showing higher concentrations of testosterone in healthy men, that decline with increasing age.

Hepatoprotective and free radical scavenging effects of Nelumbo nucifera

Ethanol extracts from Nelumbo nucifera (ENN) seeds were studied for possible antioxidative and hepatoprotective effects. Antioxidative effects were measured spectrophotometrically by reduction of 2,2'-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. Hepatoprotective effects were tested using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-induced hepatocyte toxicity models. ENN showed potent free radical scavenging effects with a median inhibition concentration of 6.49 microg/ml. Treatment of hepatocytes with ENN inhibited both the production of serum enzymes and cytotoxicity by CCl4. The genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of AFB1 were also inhibited by ENN in dose-dependent manners. These hepatoprotective effects of ENN against CCl4 and AFB1 might result from its potent antioxidative properties.

T-lymphocyte subsets in patients with AJCC stage III gastric cancer during postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. American Joint Committee on Cancer

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Advanced neoplastic diseases alter the immune response in cancer patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes of T-lymphocyte subsets during postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, and the relationship between T-lymphocyte subsets and tumor recurrence in AJCC stage III gastric cancers.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Analysis of T-lymphocyte subsets was performed in 39 patients with stage III gastric adenocarcinoma who had undergone a curative gastric resection and postoperative chemotherapy. CirculatingT-lymphocyte subsets were measured on venous blood by using flow cytometry and monoclonal antibodies on preoperative day 1, and postoperative months 1, 3, and 6.

RESULTS

The 5-year disease-free survival rates of patients with stage 3a and 3b gastric cancer were 57.1% and 33.3%, respectively (p = 0.06). Values of CD3+ and CD4+ T-cells, and CD4+/CD8+ ratios were consistently lower in the recurrence group throughout the observation period. CD4+ T-cell counts were significantly lower in the recurrence group on preoperative day 1, and postoperative months 1 and 6. However, most values of the T-lymphocyte subsets showed no statistically significant difference when comparing the stage 3a and 3b disease patient groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study suggest that immunosuppression associated with CD3+ and CD4+ T-cell depression is a risk factor for postoperative recurrence in patients with stage III gastric cancer.

Effects of neostigmine on the pharmacokinetics of intravenous parathion in rats

It was reported that the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to time infinity (AUC) of parathion was significantly smaller and the time-averaged total body clearance (CL) of parathion was significantly faster after intravenous administration of parathion to rats pretreated with dexamethasone than those in control rats. This was supported by significantly faster intrinsic clearance of parathion to form paraoxon in hepatic microsomal fraction of rats pretreated with dexamethasone. The above data suggested that parathion was metabolized to paraoxon by dexamethasone-inducible hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A in rats. The purpose of this study is to explain the protective effects of neostigmine against paraoxon toxicity by suppressing CYP3A and hence decreasing formation of toxic metabolite, paraoxon by neostigmine. The pharmacokinetic changes of parathion and its active metabolite, paraoxon, were investigated after intravenous administration of parathion, 3 mg/kg, to control Sprague-Dawley rats and the rats pretreated with neostigmine (200 microg/kg, intraperitoneal injection 30 min before parathion administration). After 1-min intravenous infusion of parathion to rats pretreated with neostigmine, the AUC of parathion (65.1 versus 74.3 microg min/ml) was significantly greater and the CL of parathion (45.1 versus 40.4 ml/min/kg) was significantly slower than those in control rats. Based on in vitro hepatic microsomal studies, neostigmine inhibited significantly the erythromycin N-demethylase activity (1.03 versus 0.871 nmol/mg protein/min), mainly mediated by hepatic cytochrome P450 3A in rats. The above data suggested that the formation of paraoxon was inhibited in rats pretreated with neostigmine by inhibiting CYP3A.

Risk factors for epistaxis during nasotracheal intubation

We performed a study to confirm which risk factors are significantly associated with epistaxis during nasotracheal intubation. One hundred patients who underwent nasotracheal intubation were included. Risk factors for epistaxis were analysed using the multiple logistic regression analysis with stepwise variable selection method. Epistaxis was most likely to occur if transit of the tube through the nasal passage was difficult (P=0.0001, odds ratio 625, 95% confidence interval 3.14-14.26). On the other hand, age and gender, obesity, smoking, tube size, repeated attempts of intubation, and intubation performed with the aid of Magillforceps were not significantly related with risk of epistaxis. The presence of nasal anatomical abnormalities also did not correlate significantly with epistaxis. Strategies to ensure smooth transit of the tube through the nasal passageways are essential to reduce the incidence of epistaxis.

Room-temperature ferromagnetism in (Zn1-xMnx)GeP2 semiconductors

We report on the discovery of a room-temperature ferromagnetic semiconductor in chalcopyrite (Zn1-xMnx)GeP2 with Tc = 312 K. We have also observed that, at temperatures below 47 K, samples for x = 0.056 and 0.2 show a transition to the antiferromagnetic (AFM) state, so that ferromagnetism is well defined to be present between 47 and 312 K. The observation that the AFM phase is most stable at low temperatures is consistent with the predictions of full-potential linearized augmented plane wave total energy calculations and has consequences for other chalcopyrite materials.

Effects of luteolin on the inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis in human myeloid leukaemia cells

Luteolin, a flavonoid isolated from the fruit of Vitex rotundifolia, has been examined with regard to the inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis in human myeloid leukaemia HL-60 cells. The concentration required for 50% inhibition of the growth after 96 h was 15 +/- 1.1 microM. The mode of cell death induced by luteolin was found to be apoptosis, as judged by the morphologic alteration of the cells and by the detection of DNA fragmentation using agarose gel electrophoresis. The degree of apoptosis was quantified by a sandwich enzyme immunoassay and flow cytometric analysis. These results suggest that luteolin may be used as potential chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents.

Nurses' assessment of postoperative pain: can it be an alternative to patients' self-reports?

This study was designed to evaluate whether the nurses' assessment of postoperative pain can be an alternative to patients' self-reporting. We examined 187 patients receiving postoperative intravenous patient-controlled analgesia. The nurses assessed the patients' pain with three pain indices (therapeutic efficacy, pain intensity, and facial pain expression) 8 hr after operation. The patients recorded their resting and movement pain using 100-mm visual analog scales immediately following the nurses' assessment. There was an acceptable correlation between overall pain measurement assessed by patients and that assessed by nurses (canonical correlation coefficient=0.72, p=0.0001). The resting pain was more reliably reflected than the movement pain in overall measurement assessed both by nurses and by patients. Among the three pain indices assessed by nurses, the pain intensity most reliably reflected the patients' self-reports. The pain intensity assessed with a simple verbal descriptor scale therefore is believed to be an effective alternative to the patients' self-reports of postoperative pain at rest. However, it mirrored the patients' self-reports during movement less reliably. Therapeutic efficacy and facial pain expression indices were not effective alternatives to patients' self-reporting.

Signet ring cell basal cell carcinoma: a basal cell carcinoma with myoepithelial differentiation

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) can show a variety of routes of differentiation, but myoepithelial differentiation has rarely been described. We describe a case of BCC showing histologic and immunohistochemical features of myoepithelial differentiation. Histologically, the lesion showed well-demarcated tumor nodules composed of two different components. One component was typical of BCC, and the other component was composed of tumor cells containing abundant cytoplasm, eccentric nuclei, and no peripheral palisading, with scattered signet ring-shaped cells. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells in the typical BCC component stained with CKAE1/AE3 and smooth muscle actin (SMA), but not with S-100 protein. They stained weakly with CAM5.2, epithelial membrane antigen, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). The tumor cells in the other component stained strongly with CKAE1/AE3 and SMA, moderately with epithelial membrane antigen and GFAP, and weakly with CAM5.2. In a small area, the tumor cells stained with S-100 protein.

Diarylheptanoids with free radical scavenging and hepatoprotective activity in vitro from Curcuma longa

Assay-guided fractionation of the EtOAc soluble fraction of the rhizomes of Curcuma longa furnished three DPPH free radical scavenging diarylheptanoids, curcumin (1), demethoxycurcumin (2), and bisdemethoxycurcumin (3). Compounds 1-3 showed the DPPH radical scavenging effects with IC(50) values of 2.8, 39.2, 308.7 microM, respectively. L-Ascorbic acid and resveratrol as positive controls exhibited IC(50) values of 22.5 and 25.0 microM, respectively. Compounds 1-3 showed significant hepatoprotective effects on tacrine-induced cytotoxicity in human liver-derived Hep G2 cells. The EC(50) values of 1-3 are 86.9, 70.7, and 50.2 microM, respectively. Silybin (EC(50) = 69.0 microM) and silychristin (EC(50) = 82.7 microM) were used as positive controls.

Bakuchiol: a hepatoprotective compound of Psoralea corylifolia on tacrine-induced cytotoxicity in Hep G2 cells

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the H(2)O extract of the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia furnished one hepatoprotective compound, bakuchiol (1), together with two moderately active compounds, bakuchicin (2) and psoralen (3), on tacrine-induced cytotoxicity in human liver-derived Hep G2 cells. The EC(50) values of compounds 1 - 3 are 1.0, 47.0, 50.0 microg/ml, respectively. Silymarin as a positive control showed the EC(50) value with 5.0 microg/ml.

Benign glandular schwannoma

Glandular schwannoma is a rare variant of schwannoma characterized by the presence of glands in an otherwise typical schwannoma. We report a patient with benign glandular schwannoma occurring on the scalp, a site not previously reported. Histologically, a well-defined, encapsulated oval nodule was observed in the subcutaneous tissue. The nodule was composed of a spindle cell component and glandular structures. The spindle cell component stained positively for S-100 protein. All of the glandular epithelium stained with CAM 5.2 and epithelial membrane antigen but not with S-100 protein. The glandular epithelium was focally positive for carcinoembryonic antigen. The histogenesis of the glandular elements in these tumours is still debated. The variable size of the glandular structures in our case was evidence against an entrapped normal sweat gland origin. The glandular epithelium did not stain with S-100 protein at all, but stained with CAM 5.2, which did not support a direct metaplastic origin of the epithelial elements from the schwannian component. A few scattered CAM 5.2-positive cells and microglandular structures in our case may be the initial differentiating epithelial elements possibly derived from pluripotential neural crest cells.

Morphology and biology of parasite responsible for scuticociliatosis of cultured olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

Based on the arrangement and shape of the buccal structure, scuticociliates isolated from cultured olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus belonged to the family Uronematidae and showed many characteristics of Uronema marinum. There was variation in the morphometry of clinical isolates taken from different organs of infected flounder. However, the isolates did not show any significant difference in morphometry under cultured conditions. The ciliates were easily maintained in in vitro medium to which antibiotic agents had been added and which had been enriched with the raw brain tissue of a healthy olive flounder. The ciliates propagated in a wide range of both temperature (6 to 30 degrees C) and salinity (10 to 35 ppt).

Structurally related nucleotides as selective agonists and antagonists at P2Y1 receptors

The P2Y1 receptor responds to adenine nucleotides and is present in platelets, heart, smooth muscles prostate, ovary, and brain. A selective antagonist may be useful as an antithrombotic agent. We have analyzed the binding site of this G protein-coupled receptor using ligand design, site-directed mutagenesis, and homology modeling based on rhodopsin. We have designed and synthesized a series of deoxyadenosine 3',5'-bisphosphate derivatives that act as antagonists, or, in some cases with small structural changes, as agonists or partial agonists. The 2-position accommodates Cl or thioethers, whereas the N6-position is limited to Me or Et. 2'-Substitution with OH or OMe increases agonist efficacy over 2'-H. Using molecular modeling of the binding site, the oxygen atoms of the ribose moiety were predicted to be non-essential, i.e. no specific H-bonds with the receptor protein appear in the model. We have, therefore, substituted this moiety with carbocylics, smaller and larger rings, conformationally constrained rings, and acyclics, with retention of affinity for the receptor. With simplified pharmacophores we are exploring the steric and electronic requirements of the receptor binding site, and the structural basis of receptor activation.

New tetrahydrofuran-type sesquilignans of Saururus chinensis root

Three new tetrahydrofuran-type sesquilignans, called saucerneol A, saucerneol B and saucerneol C were isolated from the underground parts of Saururus chinensis (Saururaceae), together with known lignans, di-O-methyltetrahydrofuriguaiacin B, machilin D and machilin D 4-methyl ether. Their structures were established from several spectral data.

Rotundifuran, a labdane type diterpene from Vitex rotundifolia, induces apoptosis in human myeloid leukaemia cells

The inhibitory effect of rotundifuran, a labdane type diterpene isolated from the fruit of Vitex rotundifolia, on the proliferation of human myeloid leukaemia HL-60 cells was examined. The concentration required for 50% inhibition of the growth after 96 h was 22.5 microM. The mode of cell death induced by rotundifuran was found to be apoptosis, which was judged by the morphological alteration of the cells and by the detection of DNA fragmentation using agarose gel electrophoresis. The degree of apoptosis was quantified by a sandwich enzyme immunoassay and flow cytometric analysis. These results suggest that rotundifuran may be used as a potential chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agent.

The relationship between microvessel count and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, p53, and K-ras in non-small cell lung cancer

Using immunohistochemical staining, we studied the relationship between the microvessel count (MC) and the expression of K-ras, mutant p53 protein, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in 61 surgically resected non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) (42 squamous cell carcinoma, 14 adenocarcinoma, 2 large cell carcinoma, 2 adenosquamous carcinoma, and 1 mucoepidermoid carcinoma). MC of the tumors with lymph node (LN) metastasis was significantly higher than that of tumors without LN metastasis (66.1+/-23.1 vs. 33.8+/-13.1, p<0.05). VEGF was positive in 54 patients (88.5%). MC was 58.1+/-25.2 (mean+/-S.D.) in a x200 field, and it was significantly higher in VEGF(+) tumors than in VEGF(-) tumors (61.4+/-23.7 vs. 32.9+/-23.8, p<0.05). VEGF expression was higher in K-ras-positive or mutant p53-positive tumors than in negative tumors (p<0.05). MC was significantly higher in K-ras(+) tumors than in K-ras(-) tumors, although it did not differ according to the level of mutant p53 protein expression. Survival did not differ with VEGF, mutant p53, or K-ras expression, or the level of MC. In conclusion, there is a flow of molecular alterations from K-ras and p53, to VEGF expression, leading to angiogenesis and ultimately lymph node metastasis. Correlations between variables in close approximation and the lack of prognostic significance of individual molecular alterations suggest that tumorigenesis and metastasis are multifactorial processes.

Neuroprotective dibenzylbutyrolactone lignans of Torreya nucifera

The methanolic extract of the bark of Torreya nucifera Sieb. et Zucc. (Taxaceae) significantly protected primary cultures of rat cortical cells exposed to the excitotoxic amino acid, L-glutamate. (-)-Arctigenin (1), (-)-traxillagenin (2), arctiin (4), traxillaside (5), and a newly-reported compound 3 (-)-4'-demethyltraxillagenin [(2R,3R)-2-(4''-hydroxy-3''-methoxybenzyl)-3-(4'-hydroxy-3',5'-dimethoxybenzyl)-butyrolactone] were isolated by bioactivity-guided fractionation and further separation using chromatographic techniques. These lignans and their glycosides had significant neuroprotective activities against glutamate-induced toxicity in primary cultures of rat cortical cells at concentrations ranging from 0.01 microM to 10.0 microM.

A lipogenic diet in mice with a disruption of the stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 gene reveals a stringent requirement of endogenous monounsaturated fatty acids for triglyceride synthesis

Stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) catalyzes the de novo biosynthesis of oleate and palmitoleate, which are the major fatty acids found in triglycerides, cholesteryl esters, and phospholipids. A high carbohydrate (lipogenic) diet induces lipogenic gene expression by sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP-1c)-mediated gene transcription, leading to an increase in the synthesis of triglycerides. The lipogenic diet fed to mice with a null mutation in the SCD1 gene (SCD-/-) fails to induce the synthesis of triglycerides in liver, despite the induction of expression of SREBP-1 and its target genes, fatty acid synthase and glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase. The lipogenic diet led to a decrease in the levels of triglyceride, but an increase in the level of cholesteryl esters of saturated fatty acids. Feeding a lipogenic diet supplemented with high levels of oleate to the SCD-/- mice resulted in incorporation of oleate in the liver of SCD-/- mice, but failed to restore triglycerides to the levels in the normal mouse. Triglyceride synthesis, as measured by the incorporation of [(3)H]glycerol, was dramatically reduced in the liver of SCD-/- mouse fed a lipogenic diet compared with the normal mouse. These observations demonstrate that induction of triglyceride synthesis is highly dependent on SCD1 gene expression.

Ecthyma gangrenosum without bacteraemia in a leukaemic patient

Ecthyma gangrenosum is a well recognized cutaneous manifestation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in immunocompromised patients. Most cases of ecthyma gangrenosum have been associated with concomitant septicaemia. However, ecthyma gangrenosum rarely develops due to Ps. aeruginosa in the absence of bacteraemia. We report a rare case of a nonsepticaemic form of ecthyma gangrenosum presenting as a large solitary necrotic ulcer in a patient with acute myelogenous leukaemia. A culture from the lesion revealed the presence of Ps. aeruginosa, but the results of repeated blood cultures were negative. Histological examination revealed numerous tiny eosinophilic bacilli in the dermis and panniculus with Gram's stain.

Effect of an extract of the root of Scutellaria baicalensis and its flavonoids on aflatoxin B1 oxidizing cytochrome P450 enzymes

The inhibition of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) metabolism by a water extract of the root of Scutellaria baicalensis and its flavonoids was examined in liver microsomes. AFB1 is known to be metabolized to aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), aflatoxin Q1 (AFQ1), and AFB1-8,9-epoxide (AFBO). The water extract potently inhibited the production of AFM1 by cytochrome P450 (CYP)1A1/2 and slightly reduced AFBO formation by CYP1A1/2, CYP2B1, CYP2C11 and CYP3A1/2 in TCDD-treated rat liver microsomes. IC50 values for AFM1 and AFBO formation were 6.8 and 122.4 microg/ml, respectively. Wogonin showed the highest inhibitory activity towards AFM1 formation among the flavonoids isolated from the extract. On the other hand, the extract had no effects on the formation of AFBO and AFQ1 in human liver microsomes, and on the activities of CYP2B1, CYP2C11 and CYP3A1/2 which were detected by hydroxylation patterns of testosterone. These results demonstrated that the extract of the root of Scutellaria baicalensis has a specific inhibitory effect on CYP1A1/2 among CYP enzymes involved in AFB1 metabolism by rat and human microsomes.

Lignan and neolignan glycosides from Ulmus davidiana var. japonica

Four lignan xylosides and two neolignan glycosides were isolated from the stem and root barks of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica. Their structures were identified as lyoniside, nudiposide, 5'-methoxyisolariciresinol-9'-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside, isolariciresinol-9'-O-1-D-xylopyranoside, rel-trans-dihydrodehydroconiferyl alcohol 4'-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside and icariside E3 by comparison of their spectral data with those reported in the literatures, respectively.