A common fold for peptide synthetases cleaving ATP to ADP: glutathione synthetase and D-alanine:d-alanine ligase of Escherichia coli

Examination of x-ray crystallographic structures shows the tertiary structure of D-alanine:D-alanine ligase (EC 6.3.2.4). a bacterial cell wall synthesizing enzyme, is similar to that of glutathione synthetase (EC 6.32.3) despite low sequence homology. Both Escherichia coli enzymes, which convert ATP to ADP during ligation to produce peptide products, are made of three domains, each folded around a 4-to 6-stranded beta-sheet core. Sandwiched between the beta-sheets of the C-terminal and central domains of each enzyme is a nonclassical ATP-binding site that contains a common set of spatially equivalent amino acids. In each enzyme, two loops are proposed to exhibit a required flexibility that allows entry of ATP and substrates, provides protection of the acylphosphate intermediate and tetrahedral adduct from hydrolysis during catalysis, and then permits release of products.

Comparison of personality traits of only and sibling school children in Beijing

The number of only children in China has increased rapidly since the late 1970s, when the Chinese government advocated the "one-child-per-family" policy. This increase has caused much public concern about the healthy growth of the young generation. In this study the behavioral traits of Chinese, urban, only children were investigated. The participants were 444 children with siblings and 473 only children from Grades 1, 3, and 5 in Beijing primary schools. An inventory consisting of 27 items covering three behavioral traits was developed. The children were rated on the inventory by the principal teacher of the class. Factor analysis revealed three main factors: achievement motivation, interpersonal skills, and attitude toward manual labor. The only children exceeded the sibling children on achievement motivation. No differences were found between only children and sibling children on interpersonal skills and attitude toward manual labor. Gender differences were evident; girls consistently received higher ratings on achievement motivation and interpersonal skills. The possible underlying reasons for these differences are discussed.

Vancomycin resistance: structure of D-alanine:D-alanine ligase at 2.3 A resolution

The molecular structure of the D-alanine:D-alanine ligase of the ddlB gene of Escherichia coli, co-crystallized with an S,R-methylphosphinate and adenosine triphosphate, was determined by x-ray diffraction to a resolution of 2.3 angstroms. A catalytic mechanism for the ligation of two D-alanine substrates is proposed in which a helix dipole and a hydrogen-bonded triad of tyrosine, serine, and glutamic acid assist binding and deprotonation steps. From sequence comparison, it is proposed that a different triad exists in a recently discovered D-alanine:D-lactate ligase (VanA) present in vancomycin-resistant enterococci. A molecular mechanism for the altered specificity of VanA is suggested.

Clinical assessment of biplanar transesophageal echocardiography--a report of 125 cases

One hundred and twenty-five patients with cardiovascular disease were examined by biplanar transesophageal echocardiography (BTEE), including 67 with rheumatic heart disease (7 monitored during operation), 22 with aortic diseases, 20 with congenital heart diseases, and 16 with other kinds of heart disease. The results showed that BTEE was not influenced by corpulent and pulmonary emphysema and was better than transthoracic echocardiography at imaging the interatrial septum, left atrium and left atrial appendage, thoracic aorta, and mitral artificial valve and at intraoperative monitoring. BTEE was also better than single-plane transesophageal echocardiography, because BTEE could be used to observe the heart and thoracic aorta in transverse and longitudinal planes, thus enlarging the transmission "window" as well as allowing the entire lesion to be imaged. This study suggests that BTEE will have good prospects in clinical application.

An upstream region of the enoyl-coenzyme A hydratase/3-hydroxyacyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase gene directs luciferase expression in liver in response to peroxisome proliferators in transgenic mice

Peroxisome proliferators, which are structurally diverse nonmutagenic agents, induce hepatocarcinogenesis in rats and mice. Exposure to these xenobiotics leads to a rapid and coordinated transcriptional activation of the genes for the peroxisomal beta-oxidation enzyme system pathway in the liver. We have previously identified a peroxisome proliferator-responsive element in the 5'-flanking region of the rat peroxisomal hydratase/dehydrogenase (PBE) gene, the second enzyme in the beta-oxidation pathway. The peroxisome proliferator-responsive element in the PBE gene was shown to direct the induction of a luciferase reporter gene in vitro. We have now used this 3.2-kilobase 5'-flanking region of the PBE gene fused to the coding region of luciferase to generate transgenic mice. Three independent lines of transgenic mice expressed luciferase in response to ciprofibrate, a peroxisome proliferator. The induction of luciferase is specific to the liver; this agrees with the tissue-specific induction of PBE. Two other hypolipidemic drugs, nafenopin and Wy-14,643, were also capable of inducing luciferase activity in the liver. This study suggests that the PBE upstream element can be used to direct and modulate the expression of cloned genes by changing the levels of peroxisome proliferators. Also, the PBE-luciferase transgenic mouse should be an excellent model system for screening xenobiotics for potential peroxisome proliferator property.

Color image generation of a three-dimensional object with rainbow holography and a one-wavelength laser

Based on conventional one-step true-color rainbow holography, a new true-color rainbow holography of a three-dimensional diffused object is presented. By means of conjugate reconstruction with a onewavelength laser of a master hologram recorded with three laser wavelengths, the hologram can be transferred to a single type of recording material with a single exposure to achieve true-color holographic display. Therefore a photoresist master can be produced for embossing copy.

[Taxonomy of 1043 strain producing actinospectacin]

Streptomyces strain 1043 was isolated from a soil sample collected in Hangzhou. The strain may produce two antibiotics--Actinospectacin and Streptovaricin. Its aerial mycelia are apricot orange to carnelian red on most media. An outstanding characteristic of 1043 strain is the development of pigment granules in both vegetative and aerial mycelia. Its culture and physiological characteristicus were found to resemble those of Streptomyces spectabilis. Streptomyces strain 1043 was named Streptomyces spectabilis 1043.

Association between orosomucoid (ORM) types and psoriasis

Orosomucoid (ORM) types were studied by isoelectric focusing and immunoblotting in 175 psoriatic patients and 2,217 blood donor controls from the county of Västerbotten in northern Sweden. There was a significant difference between patients and controls with respect to the distribution of ORM types (p = 4 x 10(-4)). The ORM1 1 type showed an increased frequency among the psoriatic patients (p = 1 x 10(-4) with a relative risk of 1.82 (95% CI:1.34-2.48).

Population studies in northern Sweden. XIX. The orosomucoid polymorphism

Genetic polymorphism of orosomucoid (ORM1) was studied by isoelectric focusing in 3,817 conscripts and blood donors from the countries of Norrbotten and Västerbotten in northern Sweden. The individuals were distributed according to place of birth into 23 subpopulations. There was a significant heterogeneity between the 23 subpopulations with respect to the allele frequencies (p = 1 x 10(-8)). The ORM1*2 allele varied between 27 and 46%, and a clineal variation was observed with decreasing ORM1*2 allele frequencies in the northern direction. Significant correlations were found between the frequencies of the ORM1 alleles and previously studied Finnish and Saamish marker genes. The geographical variation of ORM1 alleles was in close agreement with the pattern expected from the known mixture of Finns, Saamis, and Swedes in northern Sweden and further underlines the impact of ethnic heterogeneity on the genetic differentiation of the north Swedish population.

Antifibrillatory and electrophysiologic actions of moricizine alone and in combination with lidocaine: a prospective, randomized trial

OBJECTIVE

The Cardiac Arrhythmia Suppression Trial II showed that moricizine acutely increases the occurrence of sudden cardiac death. Thus the objective of this investigation was to evaluate the antifibrillatory properties of moricizine (a new antiarrhythmic agent) alone and in combination with lidocaine (an established antifibrillatory agent).

DESIGN

Prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

SETTING

Laboratory at a large, university-affiliated medical center.

SUBJECTS

Eighteen domestic farm swine with a mean weight of 39 +/- 5 kg.

INTERVENTIONS

After pentobarbital anesthesia, the animals were instrumented. A bipolar pacing catheter was placed in the right ventricular apex and a pig-tail catheter was placed in the aortic arch for induction of ventricular fibrillation and aortic blood pressure monitoring. Subsequently, the pigs were randomized to moricizine or control (0.9% saline) groups. Each group underwent three treatment phases: baseline, drug (moricizine 2 mg/kg loading dose, 1.5 mg/kg/hr infusion, or saline bolus and infusion), and drug combined with lidocaine (5 mg/kg loading dose, 4 mg/kg/hr infusion). Ventricular fibrillation threshold was determined every 5 to 10 mins over a 1-hr period during each treatment phase.

RESULTS

Ventricular fibrillation threshold values in the animals randomized to control were 16.8 +/- 7.6, 18.1 +/- 8.9, and 23.9 +/- 10.4 mA at baseline during saline infusion, and when saline was combined with lidocaine, respectively. The values during the saline-lidocaine combination treatment phase were significantly greater than the values at baseline and during saline treatment alone (p < .001). Ventricular fibrillation threshold values in the animals randomized to receive moricizine were 15.5 +/- 4.4, 18.1 +/- 5.1, and 21.1 +/- 8.4 mA at baseline, during moricizine infusion, and when moricizine was combined with lidocaine. The values during the lidocaine-moricizine combination treatment phase were significantly greater than values at baseline (p = .005), but not during moricizine treatment alone (p = .16). The increase in ventricular fibrillation threshold from baseline to moricizine (17%) was similar to the increase from baseline to saline (7%), p = .37. The increase in ventricular fibrillation threshold when lidocaine was added to moricizine (13%) was less than the increase with lidocaine alone (32%), p = .05.

CONCLUSION

In this experimental model, moricizine, at the dose studied, lacked antifibrillatory properties. Moreover, moricizine did not contribute to the antifibrillatory effects of lidocaine.

Orosomucoid polymorphism in Finns, Swedes and Swedish Saamis

Genetic polymorphism of orosomucoid (ORM) was studied by isoelectric focusing and immunoblotting in Finns, Swedes and Swedish Saamis. The ORM2 locus was found to be monomorphic in all three ethnic groups. In the Swedish sample the frequency of the ORM1*2 allele (0.414) was within the range found in other European populations, whereas Finns (0.282) and Saamis (0.210) showed significantly lower ORM1*2 frequencies. The extremely low ORM1*2 frequency in the Saamis further underlines the genetic uniqueness of this population. The ORM1*2 frequency in Saamis resembles those in Asiatic Mongoloid populations, but this is unlikely to reflect an Asiatic influence, since the accumulated knowledge on genetic markers in the Saamis show no unequivocal evidence for an Asiatic influence in this population.

Stability of famotidine in an extemporaneously prepared oral liquid

The stability of famotidine in an extemporaneously prepared oral liquid stored at 4 and 24 degrees C for 30 days was studied. Famotidine liquid was prepared by pulverizing and suspending 12 40-mg tablets in distilled water. This mixture was diluted with cherry syrup to a total volume of 60 mL, resulting in a famotidine concentration of 8 mg/mL. The liquid was divided into two 30-mL amber glass bottles and stored at 4 degrees C and at room temperature (24 degrees C). Samples from each of the two bottles were assayed for famotidine content by high-performance liquid chromatography. Each sample was assayed in duplicate at time 0 and on days 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30. The concentration of famotidine remained above 90% of original concentration for 20 days at 4 degrees C and for 15 days at room temperature. After 30 days, famotidine concentration was reduced by 15% and 24% at 4 degrees C and room temperature respectively. Famotidine liquid 8 mg/mL compounded extemporaneously from tablets was stable for 20 days at 4 degrees C and for 15 days at 24 degrees C.

The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interaction between propafenone and lidocaine

Although propafenone is a known substrate and inhibitor of the cytochrome P450 4-hydroxylation pathway of debrisoquin (CYP2D6 isozyme), its effects on other hepatic mixed- function oxidative isozymes have not been extensively evaluated. We studied the influence of propafenone on the disposition of continuously infused lidocaine in 12 healthy male volunteers. Placebo or propafenone (225 mg every 8 hours) was orally administered for 4 days before and during lidocaine administration (2 mg/kg/hr for 22 hours). In the 11 (92%) subjects phenotyped as extensive metabolizers, propafenone significantly increased the lidocaine area under the plasma concentration time curve (81.7 +/- 16.2 versus 76.3 +/- 15.6 micrograms.hr/ml; p < or = 0.05) and reduced systemic lidocaine clearance (9.53 +/- 1.77 versus 10.27 +/- 2.24 ml/min/kg; p < or = 0.05), but did not significantly affect volume of distribution at steady state (2.48 +/- 0.33 versus 2.64 +/- 0.45 L/kg; p = 0.10) or mean residence time (4.37 +/- 0.92 versus 4.47 +/- 0.87 hours; difference not significant) compared with placebo, respectively. Adverse central nervous system effects were significantly worse in severity and duration during the propafenone phase (p < or = 0.05). Propafenone minimally inhibits the metabolism of lidocaine. This suggests that the ability of propafenone to inhibit metabolic pathways exclusive of the CYP2D6 isozyme may be limited. In addition, potentiation of disturbing central nervous system adverse effects may occur during combination therapy of propafenone and lidocaine.

Defibrillation energy requirements during moricizine and moricizine-lidocaine therapy

Defibrillation energy requirements may be altered by antiarrhythmic agents. We investigated the effects of moricizine on the defibrillation threshold (DFT) in 18 pentobarbital-anesthetized pigs. The animals were randomized, in a blinded fashion, to moricizine or control (0.9% saline) treatment groups. Each group underwent three treatment phases: baseline, drug infusion (moricizine or saline), and drug infusion combined with lidocaine. Moricizine (2 mg/kg loading dose, 1.5 mg/kg/h infusion) and lidocaine (5 mg/kg loading dose, 4 mg/kg/h infusion) were dosed to achieve therapeutic concentrations. After 5 s of induced ventricular fibrillation, defibrillation was performed using a cardiac defibrillator interfaced with two epicardial electrode patches. DFTs were determined at baseline, during the drug phase, and during the combination of lidocaine with moricizine or saline. DFT values in the animals randomized to the control group were 15.2 +/- 4.2, 14.0 +/- 3.3, and 17.8 +/- 8.7 J at baseline, saline infusion, and saline combined with lidocaine, respectively. No significant differences were observed among the treatment phases. DFT values in the animals randomized to moricizine group were 12.1 +/- 2.8, 13.8 +/- 5.2, and 22.9 +/- 7.1 J at baseline, moricizine infusion, and moricizine combined with lidocaine, respectively. The DFT values during the lidocaine-moricizine combination treatment phase were significantly greater than baseline and moricizine alone (p < 0.002). The mean change in the DFT from baseline to moricizine (14% increase) was significantly different than the mean change in the DFT from baseline to saline (8% decrease) (p = 0.03). Lidocaine added to moricizine increased the DFT by 84%, which was significantly different from the 27% increase in the DFT when lidocaine was added to saline (p = 0.02). We conclude that moricizine minimally increases the DFT, but the combination of moricizine with lidocaine results in a synergistic rise in the DFT that may have detrimental clinical implications.

Design issues and development of monolithic silicon/lead lanthanum zirconate titanate integration technologies for smart spatial light modulators

System, device, and material issues for the design and realization of smart spatial light modulators are discussed. Silicon and lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT) are two promising materials that meet the system requirements. Two different technologies for the integration of Si and PLZT are described. Results show that large-scale smart spatial light modulators can be realized with Si/PLZT technologies.

Fatty acid biosynthesis redirected to medium chains in transgenic oilseed plants

Medium-chain fatty acids (FAs), found in storage lipids of certain plants, are an important renewable resource. Seeds of undomesticated California bay accumulate laurate (12:0), and a 12:0-acyl-carrier protein thioesterase (BTE) has been purified from this tissue. Sequencing of BTE enabled the cloning of a complementary DNA coding for a plastid-targeted preprotein. Expression of the complementary DNA in the seeds of Arabidopsis thaliana resulted in BTE activity, and medium chains accumulated at the expense of long-chain (greater than or equal to 16) FAs. Laurate became the most abundant FA species and was deposited in the storage triacylglycerols. These results demonstrate a mechanism for medium-chain FA synthesis in plants.

Reaction of cyanide with cytochrome ba3 from Thermus thermophilus: spectroscopic characterization of the Fe(II)a3-CN.Cu(II)B-CN complex suggests four 14N atoms are coordinated to CuB

Cytochrome ba3 from Thermus thermophilus reacts slowly with excess HCN at pH 7.4 to create a form of the enzyme in which CuA, cytochrome b, and CuB remain oxidized, while cytochrome a3 is reduced by one electron, presumably with the formation of cyanogen. We have examined this form of the enzyme by UV-visible, resonance Raman, EPR, and electron nuclear double resonance spectroscopies in conjunction with permutations of 13C- and 15N-labeled cyanide. The results support a model in which one CN- binds through the carbon atom to ferrous a3, supporting a low-spin (S = 0) configuration on the Fe; bridging by this cyanide to the CuB is weak or absent. Four 14N atoms, presumably donated by histidine residues of the protein, provide a strong equatorial ligand field about CuB; a second CN- is coordinated through the carbon atom to CuB in an axial position.

[Compatibility of Chinese drugs radix Aconiti carmichaeli with rhizoma Pinelliae]

To find out whether the Chinese drug Radix Aconiti Carmichaeli is compatible with another Chinese drug Rhizoma Pinelliae in preparation, the two medicinal herbs were made into different forms of decoctions. Experiments with these decoctions were carried out to observe the action on isolated hearts of toads and the ECG and acute toxicity on mice. The results showed that in terms of toxicity there was no marked increase in the mixed decoction as compared with the other two decoctions prepared from Radix Aconiti Carmichaeli and Rhizoma Pinelliae separately.

14,15N, 13C, 57Fe, and 1,2H Q-band ENDOR study of Fe-S proteins with clusters that have endogenous sulfur ligands

The benefits of performing ENDOR experiments at higher microwave frequency are demonstrated in a Q-band (35 GHz) ENDOR investigation of a number of proteins with [nFe-mS] clusters, n = 2, 3, 4. Each protein displays several resonances in the frequency range of 0-20 MHz. In all instances, features are seen near v approximately 13 and 8 MHz that can be assigned, respectively, to "distant ENDOR" from 13C in natural-abundance (1.1%) and from 14N (the delta m1 = +/- 2 transitions); the nuclei involved in this phenomenon are remote from and have negligible hyperfine couplings to the cluster. In addition, a number of proteins show local 13C ENDOR signals with resolved hyperfine interactions; these are assigned to the beta carbons of cysteines bound to the cluster [A(13C) approximately 1.0 MHz]. Five proteins show resolved, local delta m1 = +/- 2 ENDOR signals from 14N with an isotropic hyperfine coupling, 0.4 less than or equal to A(14N) less than or equal to 1.0, similar to those seen in ESEEM studies; these most likely are associated with N-H...S hydrogen bonds to the cluster. Anabaena ferredoxin further shows a signal corresponding to A(14N) approximately 4 MHz. Quadrupole coupling constants are derived for both local and distant 14N signals. The interpretation of the data is supported by studies on 15N- and 13C-enriched ferredoxin (Fd) from Anabaena 7120, where the 15N signals can be clearly correlated with the corresponding 14N signals and where the 13C signals are strongly enhanced. Thus, the observation of 14N delta m1 = +/- 2 signals at Q-band provides a new technique for examining weak interactions with a cluster.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Drug identification and research on Fritillaria monantha Migo (pengze beimu) produced in Jiangxi Province]

This paper reports the drug identification and investigation on plant of Fritillaria monantha(Pengze Beimu) produced in Jiangxi Province. It has been found that F. monantha is a new distribution of genus Fritillaria in Jiangxi and a new variety of Chinese drug of beimu.

Developmental induction, purification, and further characterization of 12:0-ACP thioesterase from immature cotyledons of Umbellularia californica

The fatty acyl content of developing cotyledons of Umbellularia californica (California Bay) changes from a long-chain composition to a predominance of 10:0 and 12:0 in just 4-5 days at the beginning of an approximately 100-day period of medium-chain deposition. This striking change occurs at the earliest appearance of 12:0-acyl-carrier protein (ACP) thioesterase activity. The coincidence of these rapid events is consistent with the hypothesis that the enzyme plays a major role in medium-chain biosynthesis. The 12:0-ACP thioesterase has been substantially purified; enzyme activity consistently comigrates in chromatographic and electrophoretic systems with a protein or pair of proteins having an apparent molecular weight of approximately 34 kDa. A native molecular weight of approximately 42 kDa has been estimated by gel filtration chromatography, suggesting that the enzyme is a monomer. Affinity chromatography on immobilized ACP is a critical step in the purification procedure, and resolves the 12:0-ACP and 18:1-ACP thioesterases sufficiently to confirm that the medium-chain enzyme has negligible action on 18:1-ACP.

Deposition and characterization of thin ferroelectric lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT) films on sapphire for spatial light modulators applications

Ferroelectric lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT) films are deposited on R-plane sapphire using RF triode magnetron sputtering. Perovskite PLZT films with the desired composition (9/65/35) are obtained using compensated deposition techniques around 500 degrees C and postdeposition annealing at 650 degrees C. The deposited films exhibit good optical and electrooptical properties. The room temperature dielectric constant of the films was 1800 at 10 kHz. The refractive index of the films was in the range of 2.2-2.5. The films showed a quadratic electrooptic effect with R=0.6 x10(-16) m(2)/V(2). The development of PLZT on silicon-on-sapphire smart spatial light modulators using these films is also explored.

Methotrexate-induced resistance to dactinomycin in choriocarcinoma

NaUCC-2, a choriocarcinoma cell line, was derived from a patient who had a very poor clinical response to combination chemotherapy. Methotrexate (MTX) might have inhibited the antitumor effect of dactinomycin. To investigate this point, in vitro studies were performed to determine the sensitivity and uptake of MTX and dactinomycin (administered individually and in combination) to NaUCC-2 and three other choriocarcinoma cell lines. Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) concentrations were studied as well. Although NaUCC-2 showed sensitivity to MTX and dactinomycin, which were comparable to the other cell lines when they were given separately, NaUCC-2 was unique in that the combination of MTX and dactinomycin was less lethal than dactinomycin given by itself. The uptake of MTX in NaUCC-2 was significantly higher than that in the other cell lines, and MTX also induced an increase in dactinomycin uptake in NaUCC-2. There was no significant difference in DHFR activity. Although additional studies are necessary to determine the mechanism responsible for this effect, these findings suggest that a mechanism other than drug uptake or DHFR activity must play a role in the drug resistance for choriocarcinoma. These findings also suggest that the most commonly used combination chemotherapy for choriocarcinoma, dactinomycin and MTX, may not always be the best method.

An electron nuclear double resonance investigation of redox-induced electronic structural change at CuA2+ in cytochrome c oxidase

We measured an electronic change at cysteine ligand(s) of the CuA2+ center brought on by reduction of other metal centers within cytochrome c oxidase, notably cytochrome a. This change specifically manifested itself as a modification in magnetic hyperfine coupling to the beta-protons of the beta-carbons adjacent to the cysteine sulfur in the CuA2+ coordination sphere. The electron nuclear double resonance ENDOR signals of these beta-protons had previously been assigned through study of selectively deuterated yeast oxidase. In the present study the ENDOR signals of the CuA2+ center were compared from the following forms of oxidase: resting (a3+.CuA2+.a3+3.CuB2+); mixed valence, 2-electron-reduced CO-ligated oxidase (a3+.CuA2+.a2+3CO.CuB+), and a more completely reduced mixed-valence CO-ligated oxidase. In agreement with previous studies on 3-electron-reduced oxidase, the latter more completely reduced oxidase showed cytochrome a preferentially reduced with respect to CuA, implying that the majority of paramagnetic CuA2+ centers had reduced cytochrome a partners. The ENDOR-resolved splitting of the beta-proton hyperfine features substantially decreased in going from the first two more oxidized forms to the more fully reduced latter form. Thus, the electronic structure of the CuA2+ center specifically monitored by hyperfine couplings to cysteine protons changed in response to a reductive event elsewhere in the protein. This structural change may correlate with the anticooperative redox interaction recently reported between cytochrome a and CuA.

Radioimmunoassay of the serum free beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin in trophoblastic disease

We developed a RIA specific for the free beta hCG employing anti-beta hCG monoclonal antibody 1D12. This RIA was highly sensitive to free beta hCG; the minimum detectable concentration was 0.4 ng/ml. alpha hCG, LH, beta LH, and FSH had little effect in the assay; the cross-reactivity of hCG was about 4%. Using this RIA, we measured serum free beta hCG concentrations in 38 normal pregnant women and 72 untreated patients with 3 types of trophoblastic disease: hydatidiform mole (n = 15), invasive mole (n = 29), and choriocarcinoma (n = 28). All of these samples were simultaneously assayed for hCG by RIA. In normal pregnant women, serum hCG changed as pregnancy progressed, but serum free beta hCG was not detected at any time. In contrast, serum free beta hCG was measurable in the majority of patients with trophoblastic disease. Strong correlations were found between the concentration of free beta hCG and that of hCG in each type of trophoblastic diseases. The mean free beta hCG to hCG ratio was lowest for hydatidiform mole and highest for choriocarcinoma, and the difference between the ratios in these 2 groups was statistically significant. Serial measurements in 7 patients with trophoblastic disease failed to reveal remarkable changes in the free beta hCG to hCG ratio throughout their clinical course. We conclude that the production of free beta hCG increases with the immaturity of the trophoblastic cell, and the degree of differentiation of trophoblastic cells may be reflected by the free beta hCG to hCG ratio.

[The study of drug sensitivity on newly established three choriocarcinoma cell lines]

After serial transplantation in nude mice, we had established three new human choriocarcinoma cell lines (NaUCC-1,2 and 3). These three cell lines and BeWo were examined for sensitivity to Act-D, MTX and the combined agents (Act-D + MTX) 3H-Act-D uptake and 3H-MTX uptake, and were compared for each treatment. NaUCC-1 showed low sensitivity to MTX (p less than 0.05), but showed high sensitivity to Act-D (p less than 0.05). BeWo showed low sensitivity to Act-D (p less than 0.05). In examining sensitivity to the combined agents (Act-D+ MTX), the sensitivity of NaUCC-2 to Act-D was decreased (p less than 0.05) by MTX added at the same time. In the 3H-Act-D uptake experiment, NaUCC-1 did uptake a relatively larger amount of 3H-Act-D (p less than 0.01) and BeWo a smaller amount of it (p less than 0.05). In the 3H-MTX uptake experiment, NaUCC-1 did uptake a relatively smaller amount of 3H-MTX (p less than 0.05), but NaUCC-2 uptook a larger amount of it (p less than 0.005). NaUCC-1 established from the patient in whom tumor cells were resistant to treatment, had a low response to MTX. NaUCC-2 was established from the patient in whom it was found that MTX inhibits the Act-D effect on tumor cells. In the study of combined agents in NaUCC-2, the growth inhibition effect of Act-D was suppressed by the MTX added.