[Relationship between hot spot mutation in hepatitis B virus basic core promotor and HBeAg status]

OBJECTIVE

This paper was to study the influence of hot spot mutation in hepatitis B virus (HBV) basic core promotor (BCP) (nt1762 and nt1764) on HBeAg status of asymptomatic HBV carriers.

METHODS

Mismatched PCR was used to amplify the fragment of HBVBCP and the fragments were analysed by restrict enzyme assay. Ninety cases of HBV infection were tested for hot spot mutations in HBVBCP.

RESULTS

Twenty-six (43.3%) of 60 asymptomatic HBV carriers with HBeAg negative were found to have hot spot mutations in HBVBCP, among which 20 cases were accompanied by the mutation of nt 1896 in HBV Pre-C region. Hot-spot mutation in HBVBCP, however, occurred only in 3(10%) of 30 asymptomatic HBV carriers with HBeAg positive. For further investigation the HBVBCP hot spot mutations in asymptomatic HBV carriers without mutation of HBV Pre-C region were studied. Six(31.6%) of 19 asymptomatic HBV carriers with HBeAg negative were found to have hot spot mutation in HBVBCP. Two(7.1%) of 28 asymptomatic HBV carriers with HBeAg positive had hot spot mutations in HBVBCP, and there was a statistically significant difference between two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Hot spot mutations in HBVBCP is common in the HBV carriers with HBeAg negative and usually accompanies with nt1896 mutation of HBV Pre-C region. It is possible that Hot spot mutation in HBVBCP is a new reason of HBeAg negative HBV infection.

p125 focal adhesion kinase promotes malignant astrocytoma cell proliferation in vivo

p125 focal adhesion kinase (p125FAK) is a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase that is activated upon engagement of integrin cell adhesion receptors, and initiates several signaling events that modulate cell function in vitro. To determine the biologic role of p125FAK in malignant astrocytic tumor cells, U-251MG human malignant astrocytoma cells were stably transfected with p125FAK cDNA using the TET-ON system, and stable clones isolated that exhibited an estimated 5- or 20-fold increase in p125FAK expression on administration of 0.1 or 2.0 microg/ml doxycycline, respectively. In vitro studies demonstrated that induction of p125FAK resulted in a 2- to 3-fold increase in cell migration, increased p130CAS phosphorylation, localization of exogenous p125FAK to focal adhesions, and a 2-fold increase in soft agar growth. To determine the role of p125FAK in vivo, clones were injected stereotactically into the brains of scid mice. A 4.5-fold estimated increase in p125FAK expression was induced by administration of doxycycline in the drinking water. Analysis of xenograft brains demonstrated that, upon induction of p125FAK, there was a 1.6- to 2.8-fold increase in tumor cell number, and an increase in mAb PCNA-labeling of tumor cells in the absence of a change in the apoptotic index. Compared to normal brain, the expression of p125FAK was elevated in malignant astrocytic tumor biopsies from patient samples. These data demonstrate for the first time that p125FAK promotes tumor cell proliferation in vivo, and that the underlying mechanism is not associated with a reduction in apoptosis.

[Measurement of T and DHT contents in normal and diseased human prostate tissues]

OBJECTIVE

To measure T and DHT contents in normal and diseased human prostate tissues.

METHODS

Serum and prostatic T and DHT levels were measured in patients with normal, benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer.

RESULTS

A decline was observed in serum T level, but no change in DHT concentration with aging. There were no significant differences in both blood T and DHT levels between the patients with BPH or PCA and normal controls. Serum T level remained constant. There were excessive accumulation of DHT in BPH, and cancerous prostate tissues were responsible for the pathogenesis of BPH and PCA. Finasteride treatment did not produce a reduction in prostatic DHT content.

CONCLUSION

More than one form of 5a-reductases is responsible for the high level of DHT in the gland.

[Transurethral electrovaporization-ablation of superficial bladder carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To observe short-term curative effect of transurethral electrovaporization-ablation of superficial bladder carcinoma.

METHODS

82 cases of superficial bladder carcinoma were treated using transurethral electrovaporization-ablation.

RESULTS

The mean operative time was 36 min. One patient was complicated with extraperitoneal bladder perforation. No patients experienced TUR syndrome and severe hemorrhage. During the follow up for 2-18 months, 3 patients had recurrence respectively at 7, 8 and 10 months after the operation.

CONCLUSIONS

Cut-electrode had vaporization and ablation with smooth surface of the wound and speed. The advantage includes safety, few complication, evident efficacy, and short hospitalization.

Identification and molecular characterization of the Choristoneura fumiferana multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus genomic region encoding the regulatory genes pkip, p47, lef-12, and gta

Choristoneura fumiferana multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (CfMNPV) is a baculovirus pathogenic to spruce budworm, the most damaging insect pest in Canadian forestry. CfMNPV is less virulent to its host insect and its replication cycle is slower than the baculovirus type species Autographa californica multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) but the basis of these characteristics is not known. We have now identified, localized, and determined the sequence of the region of CfMNPV carrying potentially important regulatory genes including p47, lef-12, gta, and pkip. DNA database searches revealed that this region of CfMNPV is most closely related to the homologous OpMNPV genes. Transcription analysis demonstrated that CfMNPV P47 is encoded by a 1.6-kb transcript, LEF-12 is encoded by a 2.6-kb transcript, and GTA is encoded by a 2.1-kb transcript. Transcripts for these genes were detectable at 6 h postinfection but all of them showed a burst in expression levels between 12 and 24 h postinfection corresponding to the time of initiation of CfMNPV DNA replication. A polyclonal antibody, raised against CfMNPV P47, detected a nuclear 43-kDa polypeptide from 12 to 72 h postinfection, demonstrating that the CfMNPV p47 gene product is first expressed at a time corresponding to the burst of transcriptional activity between the early and the late phases. Both AcMNPV and CfMNPV P47 translocate to the nucleus of infected cells.

Synthesis and antitumor cytotoxicity evaluation of pyrido[4,3,2-de]quinolines and isoquinolino[6,5,4,3-cde]quinolines

A series of novel pyrido[4,3,2-de]quinoline and isoquinolino[6,5,4,3-cde] quinoline compounds was synthesized and evaluated for cytotoxicity in the National Cancer Institute developmental therapeutics program. The tricyclic compound 7 was synthesized by the cyclization of 3,4-diamino-1,2dimethoxybenzene with diethyl 1,3-acetonedicarboxylate. Oxidation of monochloropyrido[4,3,2-de]quinoline 8 selectively produced 2,3-diketopyrido[4,3,2-de]quinoline 9 as deep violet crystals. Compound 9, when treated with acetone or acetophenone, affords the tetracyclic isoquinolino[6,5,4,3-cde]quinolines 13 and 14, respectively. 2,3-Diketopyrido[4,3,2-de]quinolines 9 and 10 exhibit higher cytotoxic potency than isoquinolino[6,5,4,3-cdelquinolines 13, 14, 15 and 16. Compound 9 selectively affects the cell growth against leukemia CCRF-CEM and HL-60 cell lines, the non-small cell lung cancer HOP-92 cell line, and breast cancer MDA-MB231/ ATCC and MDA-MB- 435 cell lines with GI(50) values of <2.0 microM. Modification of compound 9 with an ester group at the N-1 position afforded compound 10, which exhibits a wide spectrum of anticancer activities with a mean graph midpoint value of 1.8 microM against the 60 cancer cell lines.

Extracellular FGF-1 inhibits cytoskeletal organization and promotes fibroblast motility

Previous efforts from this laboratory have established that acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-1), either added exogenously or secreted as a biologically active protein, induces a transformed phenotype in primary murine fibroblasts. Experimental studies described here demonstrate that constitutive exposure to extracellular FGF-I results in reduced cell attachment to multiple ligands, inhibition of cytoskeletal organization, and reduced collagen contraction, despite no detectable change in integrin cell surface expression. In addition, FGF-1-transduced fibroblasts demonstrated a > 10-fold increase in migration, an observation correlated with increased tyrosine phosphorylation of p125FAK and p130CAS. Collectively, these results suggest that FGF-1-induced fibroblast transformation includes the involvement of specific FGF receptor-mediated signal transduction cascades targeted to cytoskeletal and focal adhesion structures.

Characterization and regulation of E2F activity during Caco-2 cell differentiation

The specific mechanisms controlling intestinal cell differentiation remain largely undefined. The retinoblastoma (Rb) proteins (pRb, p130, and p107) appear crucial to the terminal differentiation process of certain cells through their association and repression of E2F transcription factors. We have examined the expression of pRb-related proteins p130 and p107 as well as the regulation of E2F during spontaneous differentiation of the Caco-2 intestinal cell line. Nuclear protein levels of p130 and p107 were increased with Caco-2 differentiation. Induction of a slower-migrating E2F complex was noted in postconfluent (i.e., differentiated) Caco-2 cells; p130 protein was the predominant component of this E2F complex with a minor contribution from cyclin-dependent kinase-2. A small component of p107 binding was identified by deoxycholate release gel shift assays. In contrast, no pRb binding to E2F was noted in Caco-2 cells. In addition to increased association with p130, E2F-4 phosphorylation was markedly decreased in differentiated Caco-2 cells, whereas E2F protein levels remained unchanged. Taken together, our findings suggest that the regulation of E2F function may be an important contributing factor in the cell cycle block and spontaneous differentiation of Caco-2 cells. This regulation of E2F occurs most likely through its increased association with p130 as well as decreased phosphorylation.

Downregulation of mitogen-activated protein kinases in human colon cancers

BACKGROUND

Activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) appears to play an important role in both proliferation and transformation of various cells; the role of MAPK activation in colorectal cancers has not been clearly defined. The purpose of our study was to determine whether MAPK activity and protein levels were increased in colorectal cancers.

METHODS

Colorectal cancers and adjacent normal mucosa from 21 patients were extracted for protein. Expression levels and activity of the MAPKs (ERK1/2, JNK1, p38 and ERK3) were assessed by immunoblot analysis and in vitro kinase assays, respectively. In addition, changes in myelin basic protein (MBP) kinase activity and autophosphorylation were determined by in-gel kinase assays.

RESULTS

The activities of ERK1/2, JNK1 and p38 were downregulated in the majority of cancers; ERK3 kinase activity was increased in 10 of 21 cancers. The presence of proteins displaying increased MBP phosphorylation and autophosphorylation was identified specifically in the cancers by in-gel kinase assays.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrate that the constitutive activation of ERK1/2, JNK1 and p38 is not a feature of colorectal cancers. Moreover, our in-gel kinase results suggest that protein kinases, other than the MAPKs assessed, may play a more crucial role in colon carcinogenesis.

[Detection of telomerase activity in prostate needle-biopsy samples]

OBJECTIVE

To detect telomerase activity inprostate needle-biopsy samples and its role in diagnosis and prognosis of prostate cancer.

METHODS

20 tissue samples of prostate cancer tissues and 16 samples of adjacent tissues were obtained by needle-biopsy guided by transrectal B ultrasonography. 16 samples of benign prostatic hyperplasia tissues were obtained by prostatectomy and were confirmed pathologically. Telomerase activity was revealed by modified PCR-based telomeric repeat amplication protocol (TRAP)-silver staining assay.

RESULTS

Telomerase activity was revealed in 18 cases of prostate cancer. In tissues adjacent to prostate cancer, telomerase activity was found in 7 of 11 cases of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), and in 2 of 5 cases of BPH. None of tissue samples from patients with BPH showed telomerase activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Telomerase activity in prostate needle-biopsy samples might be an useful marker for detecting prostate cancer and biological malignancy.

[Purity analysis of cephalosporins with capillary zone electrophoresis]

A capillary zone electrophoresis method is proposed for the purity determination of nine cephalosporin drugs. A background electrolyte comprising of either 20 mmol/L pH 9.20 borate buffer or 20 mmol/L pH 6.86 phosphate buffer was used for most drugs studied except for cefaloridine which formed neutral molecules at these pH values. For it 50 mmol/L pH 2.05 phosphate buffer was used instead. Internal normalization method was employed for quantitation. The method is simple, rapid and versatile. Analysis was completed within 8 min. The merits and limitations of the method were also discussed.

Mouse suppressor of fused is a negative regulator of sonic hedgehog signaling and alters the subcellular distribution of Gli1

The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway has critical functions during embryogenesis of both invertebrate and vertebrate species [1]; defects in this pathway in humans can cause developmental disorders as well as neoplasia [2]. Although the Gli1, Gli2, and Gli3 zinc finger proteins are known to be effectors of Hh signaling in vertebrates, the mechanisms regulating activity of these transcription factors remain poorly understood [3] [4]. In Drosophila, activity of the Gli homolog Cubitus interruptus (Ci) is likely to be modulated by its interaction with a cytoplasmic complex containing several other proteins [5] [6], including Costal2, Fused (Fu), and Suppressor of fused (Su(fu)), the last of which has been shown to interact directly with Ci [7]. We have cloned mouse Suppressor of fused (mSu(fu)) and detected its 4.5 kb transcript throughout embryogenesis and in several adult tissues. In cultured cells, mSu(fu) overexpression inhibited transcriptional activation mediated by Sonic hedgehog (Shh), Gli1 and Gli2. Co-immunoprecipitation of epitope-tagged proteins indicated that mSu(fu) interacts with Gli1, Gli2, and Gli3, and that the inhibitory effects of mSu(fu) on Gli1's transcriptional activity were mediated through interactions with both amino- and carboxy-terminal regions of Gli1. Gli1 was localized primarily to the nucleus of both HeLa cells and the Shh-responsive cell line MNS-70; co-expression with mSu(fu) resulted in a striking increase in cytoplasmic Gli1 immunostaining. Our findings indicate that mSu(fu) can function as a negative regulator of Shh signaling and suggest that this effect is mediated by interaction with Gli transcription factors.

[Nonpalpable testicular masses incidentally discovered by ultrasound]

OBJECTIVE

To determine the diagnosis and management of impalpable testicular masses detected sonographically.

METHODS

We analyzed retrospectively the sonographic findings and pathologic results of such cases and reviewed related literature.

RESULTS

In over 600 patients receiving scrotal ultrasound, 14 aged on average 42.4 years (14 to 71 years) had 16 impalpable testicular masses, with a diameter of 5 to 30 mm (mean 12.1 mm). All masses were predominantly hypoechoic except for one appeared hyperechoic and calcified. Pathological examination showed 2 seminomas, 2 lymphomas, 2 testicular tuberculoses and cysts respectively. The other six were embryonal cell carcinoma, metastatic adenocarcinoma, testicular fibrosis, partial infarction, testis abscess, and hematoma. Malignant lesions accounted for 42.86% (6/14). In 13 of 14 patients, the affected testis was resected, while in 1 the testis spared for frozen sectioning revealed a benign cystic lesion.

CONCLUSIONS

Ultrasound findings can not differentiate malignant from benign in the impalpable lesions, and clinical history should be considered. All patients with indefinite diagnosis should undergo inguinal exploration and the testis can be spared if intraoperative frozen section diagnosis is negative. Ultrasound follow-up should be used only if there is a strong evidence of infection or trauma.

Enterocyte-like differentiation of the Caco-2 intestinal cell line is associated with increases in AP-1 protein binding

The nuclear factor AP-1, a large family of transcription factors composed of the Jun and Fos protein families, plays a role in the differentiation of various cells; the role of the AP-1 factors in intestinal differentiation is not known. Members of the AP-1 family can be activated by the Ras pathway and, in addition, Ras appears to be important for gut differentiation. The purpose of this study was to determine whether AP-1 activity is altered in the Caco-2 cell line, which spontaneously differentiates to a small bowel phenotype after confluency, and the Caco-2-ras cell line, which exhibits differentiated properties regardless of culture conditions. AP-1 binding activity, consisting of c-Jun, JunD, c-Fos and Fra-2 proteins, was increased in Caco-2 cells at 3 days postconfluency, a time point associated with G1 block and cessation of proliferation. Steady state levels of JunD were increased at day 3 postconfluency as determined by Western blot. Furthermore, AP-1 binding was increased in preconfluent Caco-2-ras cells compared with parental Caco-2 cells, suggesting that AP-1 induction may be mediated by the Ras pathway. The early induction of AP-1 binding activity suggests a role for these proteins in the differentiation of the Caco-2 intestinal cell line.

Pyrroloquinoline and pyridoacridine alkaloids from marine sources

Marine organisms are a rich source for natural products. Pyrrolo[4,3, 2-de]quinolines and pyrido[4,3,2-mn]acridines are of major interest as metabolites in sponges and ascidians. Many of these compounds have generated interest both as challenging problems for structure elucidation and synthesis as well as for their cytotoxicities. The isolation, structure proof, biological activities, chemical properties and synthesis have attracted the attention of chemists, biologists and pharmacists. The principal structural feature of these alkaloids is the core of a planar iminoquinone moiety which can intercalate into DNA and cleave the DNA double helix or inhibit the action of topoisomerase II. Of the makaluvamines, makaluvamine F and A are the most cytotoxic to the HCT 116 cell line. The enhanced toxicity of the makaluvamines towards xrs-6 cells shows that all of the makaluvamines, except makaluvamine B, act like m-AMSA and etoposide in inhibiting topo iso merases via cleavable complex formation, or via the direct induction of DNA double-strand breaks. They are also amongst the most potent inhibitors of topoisomerase II. Both makaluvamine A and C can decrease tumor size in a solid human tumor model. Discorhabdin A and C in contrast are of high cytotoxicity, but they exhibit no inhibition of topoisomerase II. As representatives of the derivatives of pyrido[4,3,2-mn]acridine, cystodytins, kuanoniamines and diplamine are the most potent to inhibit HCT replication. Eilatin, as a 1,10-phenanthroline derivative, can form complexes with metal ions. It has been shown that these metal complexes can bind to DNA by intercalation. The new members of the pyrrolo[4,3,2-de]quinolines and pyrido[4,3, 2-mn]acridines, such as veiutamine, discorhabdin G, tsitsikammamines, epinartins, arnoamines as well as sagitol are reviewed. Some successful syntheses of pyrrolo[4,3,2-de]quinoline ring system and pyrido[4,3,2-mn]acridine ring system are also reviewed in this article.

Genetic algorithm-based wavelength selection for the near-infrared determination of glucose in biological matrixes: initialization strategies and effects of spectral resolution

An improved genetic algorithm (GA)-based wavelength selection procedure is developed to optimize both the near-infrared wavelengths used and the number of latent variables employed in building partial least-squares (PLS) calibration models. This GA-based wavelength selection algorithm is applied to the determination of glucose in two different biological matrixes. With random selection of a small number of initial wavelengths, a dramatic reduction in the number of wavelengths required for building the PLS calibration models is observed. The fitness function used to guide the GA, the method of recombination used, and the effect of spectral resolution on the wavelength selection are also studied. In the resolution study, the original data with a point spacing of 2 cm-1 are deresolved to 4-, 8-, and 16-cm-1 point spacings by truncating the collected interferograms before applying the Fourier processing step. The use of lower resolution spectra is found to reduce further the number of final wavelengths selected by the GA, and the performance of the optimal calibration models obtained with the original spectra is maintained with the lower resolution spectra of both 4- and 8-cm-1 point spacing. Degradation in performance is observed with the spectra computed with a point spacing of 16 cm-1, however.

Essential function of Gli2 and Gli3 in the formation of lung, trachea and oesophagus

Foregut malformations (oesophageal atresia, tracheo-oesophageal fistula, lung anomalies and congenital stenosis of the oesophagus and trachea) are relatively common anomalies occurring in 1 in 2,000-5,000 live births, although their aetiology is poorly understood. The secreted glycoprotein Sonic hedgehog (Shh) has been suggested to act as an endodermal signal that controls hindgut patterning and lung growth. In mice, three zinc-finger transcription factors, Gli1, Gli2 and Gli3, have been implicated in the transduction of Shh signal. We report here that mutant mice lacking Gli2 function exhibit foregut defects, including stenosis of the oesophagus and trachea, as well as hypoplasia and lobulation defects of the lung. A reduction of 50% in the gene dosage of Gli3 in a Gli2-/- background resulted in oesophageal atresia with tracheo-oesophageal fistula and a severe lung phenotype. Mutant mice lacking both Gli2 and Gli3 function did not form oesophagus, trachea and lung. These results indicate that Gli2 and Gli3 possess specific and overlapping functions in Shh signalling during foregut development, and suggest that mutations in GLI genes may be involved in human foregut malformations.

Diminished Sonic hedgehog signaling and lack of floor plate differentiation in Gli2 mutant mice

Floor plate cells at the midline of the neural tube are specified by high-level activity of Sonic hedgehog (Shh) secreted by notochord, whereas motor neurons are thought to be specified by a lower level activity of Shh secreted in turn by floor plate cells. In Drosophila, the Gli zinc finger protein Cubitus interruptus functions as a transcription factor activating Hedgehog-responsive genes. We report that the expression of known Shh-responsive genes such as Ptc and Gli1 is downregulated in mutant mice lacking Gli2 function. Gli2 mutants fail to develop a floor plate yet still develop motor neurons, which occupy the ventral midline of the neural tube. Our results imply that Gli2 is required to mediate high level but not low level Shh activity and show that the development of motor neurons can occur in the absence of floor plate induction.

Glutathione depletion associated with the HIV-1 TAT protein mediates the extracellular appearance of acidic fibroblast growth factor

Primary murine embryonic fibroblasts transfected with HIV-1 TAT demonstrated decreased levels of high energy phosphates (ATP, GTP, UTP/CTP), adenine nucleotides (ATP, ADP, AMP), and both NAD+/NADH redox pairs, resulting in a substantial loss of redox poise. A greater than 50% decrease in intracellular reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration was accompanied by the extracellular appearance of acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-1). Addition of either N-acetyl-L-cysteine or glutathione ester (GSE), but not L-2-oxothiazolidine 4-carboxylate, partially restored intracellular GSH levels and resulted in loss of extracellular FGF-1. Treatment of FGF-1-transduced cells with buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) resulted in a time- and dose-dependent decrease in total cellular GSH concentration that was accompanied by the extracellular appearance of FGF-1. Inclusion of GSE during BSO treatment eliminated the extracellular appearance of FGF-1. BSO treatment of cells transfected with a mutant form of FGF-1, in which all three cysteine residues were replaced with serines, also decreased total cellular GSH concentration but failed to induce the extracellular appearance of FGF-1. Collectively, these results suggest that HIV-1 TAT induces a condition of oxidative stress, which mediates cellular secretion of FGF-1, an observation relevant to the pathophysiologic development and progression of AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma.

The clinical characteristics of possession disorder among 20 Chinese patients in the Hebei province of China

OBJECTIVE

This paper describes the clinical characteristics of 20 hospitalized psychiatric patients in the Hebei province of China who believed they were possessed.

METHODS

A structured interview focused on clinical characteristics associated with possession phenomena was developed and administered to 20 patients at eight hospitals in the province. All patients had been given the Chinese diagnosis of yi-ping (hysteria) by Chinese physicians before being recruited for the study.

RESULTS

The subjects' mean age was 37 years. Most were women from rural areas with little education. Major events reported to precede possession included interpersonal conflicts, subjectively meaningful circumstances, illness, and death of an individual or dreaming of a deceased individual. Possessing agents were thought to be spirits of deceased individuals, deities, animals, and devils. Twenty percent of subjects reported multiple possessions. The initial experience of possession typically came on acutely and often became a chronic relapsing illness. Almost all subjects manifested the two symptoms of loss of control over their actions and acting differently. They frequently showed loss of awareness of surroundings, loss of personal identity, inability to distinguish reality from fantasy, change in tone of voice, and loss of perceived sensitivity to pain.

CONCLUSIONS

Preliminary findings indicate that the disorder is a syndrome with distinct clinical characteristics that adheres most closely to the DSM-IV diagnosis of dissociative trance disorder under the category of dissociative disorder not otherwise specified.

Sex hormones and renal nitric oxide synthases

The present study was undertaken to determine whether sex hormones influence nitric oxide synthase levels in the kidney. Five groups of rats were studied: males, castrated males, females, oophorectomized females, and oophorectomized females receiving estradiol replacement therapy. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) levels in the kidney were measured by Western blotting. eNOS levels were significantly greater in the renal medulla of female rats compared with male rats (3545 +/- 473 versus 2418 +/- 205 densitometry units (DU), P < 0.05). Oophorectomy reduced renal medullary eNOS levels to that of intact male rats (2566 +/- 304 DU, P = NS). Estrogen replacement therapy significantly increased medullary eNOS levels in oophorectomized animals (3249 +/- 377 versus 2302 +/- 213 DU, P < 0.05). Renal inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) levels were measured after induction with lipopolysaccharide. iNOS levels were significantly greater in the renal medulla of female rats compared with male rats (677 +/- 253 versus 252 +/- 12 DU, P < 0.05). Oophorectomy reduced renal medullary iNOS levels to that of intact male rats (295 +/- 57 DU, P = NS). In contrast, estrogen replacement therapy significantly increased medullary iNOS levels in oophorectomized animals (682 +/- 356 versus 160 +/- 92 DU, P < 0.05). Steady-state levels of mRNA for iNOS were found to be higher in the inner medulla of female rats compared with male rats (1519 +/- 211 versus 899 +/- 105 DU, P < 0.05). In contrast to these findings, sex hormones failed to influence nitric oxide production or iNOS levels in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated mesangial cells in culture. These results suggest that gender may influence renal medullary synthesis of nitric oxide.

[Expression of P21, p53 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen in human bladder cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To study the expression of cancer gene product and anti-cancer gene product in the same bladder cancer.

METHODS

Immunohistochemical staining was used to determine the expression of P21, p53 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in 5 normal bladder tissues and 58 bladder cancers.

RESULTS

No P21, p53 and PCNA were expressed in the 5 normal bladder tissue samples. The positive incidence of P21, p53 and PCAN expression in the bladder cancers were 62.1%, 55.2% and 58.6% respectively. p53 and PCNA were located in cell nuclei and P21 located on the cell membrane in bladder cancer. The expression of P21, p53 and PCNA correlated to the stage, clinical grade and patient survival rates of this tumor.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that P21, p53 and PCNA immunolabelling may be used to determine the prognosis of bladder cancer patients.

[Cloning and permanent expression in eukaryotic cells of rhTpo]

OBJECTIVE

To obtain recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTpo).

METHODS

rhTpo gene was cloned from fetal liver mRNA by means of RT-PCR and subcloned into permanent expressing plasmid RC/CMV in order to form a recombinant permanent expressing plasmid RC/CMV/Tpo.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

After being transferred into CHO cells, the eukaryotic permanent expression of rhTpo, which can enhance murine megakaryocyte colony growth in vitro, was obtained.

Immunolocalization of acidic fibroblast growth factor and receptors in the tubulointerstitial compartment of chronically rejected human renal allografts

Tubular damage and loss associated with interstitial inflammation and fibrosis may be the most important determinants in chronic renal allograft rejection. To elucidate potential pathophysiologic mechanisms associated with tubulointerstitial lesions, we examined the expression of a fibrogenic cytokine, acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-1) and its high-affinity receptors, in both relevant renal transplant controls (n=5) and tissue from patients (n=19) who underwent nephrectomy after graft loss, secondary to chronic rejection. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical analyses demonstrated minimal expression of FGF-1 mRNA and protein in the tubulointerstitial compartment of the normal human kidney. In contrast, tubulointerstitial lesions in kidney allografts experiencing chronic rejection demonstrated the exaggerated appearance of both FGF-1 protein and mRNA in resident inflammatory and tubular epithelial cells. Patterns of staining were consistent throughout tubular compartments and did not appear to be localized to any particular region. The tubulointerstitium in kidneys with findings of chronic rejection also exhibited increased immunodetection of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in the tubular epithelium, inflammatory cell infiltrate, and neovascular structures. The enhanced appearance of FGF-1 and readily detectable fibroblast growth factor receptors suggests that this polypeptide mitogen may serve as an important mediator of growth and repair responses, associated with development of angiogenesis and tubulointerstitial lesions during chronic rejection of human renal allografts.