Schedule-dependent sphinganine potentiation of retinoic acid-induced differentiation, cell growth inhibition, and nucleophosmin translocation in a human leukemia cell line (HL-60)

Induction of differentiation, inhibition of cell growth, and localization of nucleophosmin in HL-60 cells under the treatment of retinoic acid (RA) were studied. Bright nucleolar fluorescence was observed in control promyelocytic growing cells. The addition of RA in the culture system resulted in time- and dose-dependent induction of differentiation, cell growth inhibition, and nucleophosmin translocation from nucleoli to nucleoplasm. Unlike the control cells, many fewer nucleophosmin-associated preribosomal ribonucleoprotein particles (pre-rRNPs) could be obtained from nucleoli of RA-treated cells. Addition of sphinganine, an inhibitor of protein kinase C, facilitated the RA-induced differentiation, nucleophosmin translocation, and cell growth inhibition. Cells treated with sphinganine were more responsive to RA. Differentiation, translocation of nucleophosmin, and inhibition of cell growth occurred with lesser doses of RA or in shorter incubation times in the presence of sphinganine. Significant numbers of HL-60 cells could be rescued from the effects of RA upon the removal of RA after 2-h drug exposure. Pretreatment but not posttreatment of HL-60 cells with sphinganine, however, modulated the reversibility of the effects induced by short-exposure RA treatment. These results indicated that RA therapy can be improved by the pretreatment or the concurrent use of a modulator of protein kinase C activity. Nucleophosmin translocation as observed by immunofluorescence may be a simple and rapid method for assessing inhibition of cellular growth in response to differentiation inducers such as RA in cancer chemotherapy.

Detection of human papillomavirus DNA sequences in cervical lesions by in situ hybridization using biotinylated DNA probes

Ninety-six biopsy specimens were collected for studying the association of specific sequences of HPV DNA with genital warts, precancerous lesions and invasive cervical cancer. Using DNA probes labeled with biotin, 17 of the 22 (77.27%) specimens showing condyloma and 1 of the 14 (7.14%) specimens displaying subclinical papillomavirus infection (SPI) of cervix were found to be positive for HPV 6/11; 4 of 23 (17.39%) specimens of squamous epithelial cervical cancer and 2 of the 23 (8.70%) specimens of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) were positive for HPV 16/18. All the 14 specimens of cervicitis were negative for both probes. The HPV 6/11 positive hybridization products were present mainly in the superficial and intermediate epithelium of condyloma and SPI. In invasive cancer, HPV 16/18 were shown more often in cancer cells of infiltrative nests and were focally distributed.

Comparison on bioequivalence of four phenytoin preparations in patients with multiple-dose treatment

In previous pharmacokinetic studies on phenytoin, the authors found that a hybrid parameter, Vd/F, was much higher in Chinese subjects. It could be due to a lower bioavailability (F) of the tested phenytoin preparations and/or a higher volume of distribution (Vd) in Chinese. Therefore, the relative bioavailability of four phenytoin oral preparations, i.e. Dilantin (Taiwan), Dilantin (USA), Aleviatin (Taiwan), and Aleviatin (Japan), were compared in patients who regularly took Dilantin (Taiwan) with their phenytoin plasma level at steady state. Twenty-four-hour area under curve was measured by an HPLC method after substituting the daily dose with each 300-mg dose of the test preparation. The plasma level resulted from Dilantin (USA) was found significantly higher than that from Dilantin (Taiwan). Similarly, Aleviatin (Japan) gave a significantly higher plasma level than Aleviatin (Taiwan). The study in part explained the unexpected high Vd/F of phenytoin in previous studies.

Studies on the prenatal chromosomal analysis and the changes of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein following chorionic villus sampling

Transcervical chorionic villus sampling (CVS) was performed in 174 patients between 7 & 12 menstrual weeks of pregnancy opting for prenatal diagnosis. Advanced maternal age was the most common indication for CVS (39.7%). The sampling success rate was 95.4% (166/174), representing 88.9% at 7 to 8 weeks, 98.9% at 9 to 10 weeks & 92.7% at 11 to 12 weeks gestation. In 139 of 174 patients (80%), successful sampling was accomplished in one or two catheter passages only. Four spontaneous fetal losses (2.3%) occurred. The cytogenetic analysis routinely used was the direct overnight & long-term culture methods which revealed 4 abnormalities (2.4%). To date, 90 of the women have been delivered & all infants are doing well and the remaining 65 pregnancies are continuing uneventually. Maternal serum alphafetoprotein (MSAFP) concentration was determined in 72 patients immediately before & after CVS. A significant increase of 20% or more, comparable to pre CVS levels, was noted immediately after sampling in 56 of 72 patients (77.8%). The increase in MSAFP concentration correlated with the amount of villi sampled (r = 0.498, p less than 0.001) & with the number of sampling attempts (p less than 0.05). Estimated CVS related fetomaternal hemorrhage (FMH) ranged from 0.005 to 0.1552 ml and in 5 of 72 patients (6.90%) 0.06 ml or more of FMH was noted. Two of the 5 patients had FMH of 0.1 ml or more.

Nucleolar protein B23 translocation after deferoxamine treatment in a human leukemia cell line

Localization of nucleolar protein B23 in HL-60 cells under the treatment by iron chelator deferoxamine (DSF) was studied using indirect immunofluorescence. Bright nucleolar fluorescence was observed in exponentially growing control cells. The addition of DSF in the culture system resulted in time- and dose-dependent induction of protein B23 translocation from nucleoli to nucleoplasm, inhibition of cell growth, DNA and RNA synthesis. The addition of FeCl3 at culture initiation completely reversed the effects of DSF. Furthermore, significant numbers of HL-60 cells could be rescued from the effects of DSF when iron was added back as late as 24 hr after exposure to DSF. Cells resumed their abilities to grow and to synthesize DNA and RNA upon the iron rescue. Protein B23, accordingly, relocated from nucleoplasm to nucleoli. These results indicate the importance of iron for proliferation of leukemic cells and localization of protein B23 in nucleoli. Preribosomal ribonucleoprotein particles (pre-rRNPs) were extracted from isolated nucleoli of HL-60 cells and fractionated on sucrose density gradients. Protein B23 was found to be co-localized with the pre-rRNPs as determined by ELISA assays. No such B23-associated pre-rRNPs or other pre-rRNP fractions were obtained from nucleoli of DSF-treated cells. These results suggest that one of the effects of the anti-proliferative action of DSF is the inhibition of rRNA synthesis in nucleoli. Due to the lack of new synthesis of rRNA in nucleoli, protein B23 loses its binding target and translocates into the nucleoplasm. B23 translocation, as observed by immunofluorescence, may be a simple and rapid method for assessing inhibition of cell growth in response to anti-proliferative drugs such as deferoxamine in cancer chemotherapy.

Immunolocalization of phosphoprotein B23 in proliferating and non-proliferating HeLa cells

Localization of protein B23 in HeLa cells under different growth conditions was studied using indirect immunofluorescence. Bright nucleolar fluorescence was observed in exponentially growing cells. After 3 to 4 days, the initial cell inocula entered a phase of stationary growth as defined by no increments in cell number. The nucleolar fluorescence was then diminished and a general nuclear immunofluorescence was observed. This change in localization of fluorescence indicated that protein B23 had migrated out of the nucleoli during the suboptimal growth conditions. Relocation of protein B23 in nucleoli was observed in cells of stationary growth after treatment with adriamycin or daunomycin at their subtoxic concentrations (10(-10) M). Adriamycin and daunomycin, at their toxic concentrations (greater than 5.0 x 10(-7) M), on the other hand, inhibited cell growth and induced B23 translocation from nucleoli to nucleoplasm in growing cells. These results indicate that both adriamycin and daunomycin exhibit biphasic effects on the proliferation of cells by either stimulation or inhibition depending on the drug concentrations and the growth conditions. B23 translocation, as observed by immunofluorescence may be a simple and rapid method for assessing inhibition-stimulation growth response to anti-tumor therapy.

Photoradiation therapy of animal tumors and nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Both animal tumors and human nasopharyngeal carcinoma were submitted to a photoradiation therapy (PRT) trial in order to determine the efficacy and side effects of PRT, as well as to elucidate its mechanism of cytotoxicity. In animal tumors, the inhibition rate was 70%, and of 20 patients, eight achieved complete remission, and ten, significant remission, with an overall response rate of 90%. The blood picture and the values of serum IgG, IgM, IgA, and C3 all remained stable post-PRT. Only three patients developed mild generalized skin photosensitive reactions, and these did not affect subsequent treatment. There was no immunosuppressive effect as evidenced by a tritium-labeled thymidine-incorporated lymphocytoblast transformation assay performed both before and after PRT. Ultrastructural studies at different time intervals after PRT highly suggested that the mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum were among the first organelles to be damaged.

Effects of Eperisone on Renshaw cells of cats

Actions of Eperisone (4'-ethyl-2-methyl-3-piperidinopropiophenone; EMPP) on Renshaw cells were investigated on spinal cats. The characteristic high-frequency discharges of Renshaw cells within 20 ms following antidromic ventral root stimulation were depressed while the later responses which follow the earlier responses for 80 ms were enhanced following administration of EMPP. These effects suggest that EMPP has differential effects on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors of the Renshaw cells.

[Exploration on baking conditions for Atractylodes macrocephala Kloidz in qiweibaizhusan bags]

This paper is concerned with a comprehensive study on the conditions required for baking pieces and grains of Atractylodes macrocephala Kloidz. through the determination of the relative content of atractylone and moisture content in the rhizome. Optimum roasting temperature and time before pulverizing have been determined, thus providing reliable basis for devising the suitable technological process.

[Study on decocting conditions for Pueraria lobata Ohui in qiweibaizhu bage]

Taking the puerarin content---the chief constituent of Pueraria lobata---as the index in the mixed decoction of Pueraria lobata etc, we have adopted the method of orthogon al experiment to explore the best decocting conditions for Pueraria lobata. The results show that a better way to decoct Pueraria lobata is to cut the root into slices of 0.4-0.7 cm, and water 12-15 times the weight of the root and decoct for 30 minutes. It makes no big difference whether the root is soaked or not.

The effect of genetic counseling on performance of prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis

Currently the number of pregnant women who have indications for, but do not receive, prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis is increasing. The purpose of this study was to review the prenatal cytogenetic services and to analyze the effect of genetic counseling on performance of the prenatal cytogenetic test. From January 1987 to July 1988, there were 2,796 deliveries at Severance Hospital, Yonsei Medical Center, of which 126 patients had indications for prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis. Chromosomal abnormalities were found in 5 patients (1, monosomy X; 1, trisomy 18; and 3, trisomy 21). Four patients were found in the group who had indications for prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis while only one was found in the group who did not (p less than 0.01). The most common indication for prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis was advanced maternal age (59%). The prenatal test rate was highest in patients whose indications were a previous child with chromosomal abnormality (100%) and parental translocation carrier (100%). Most (89%) of the patients were tested by amniocentesis between the 16th and 20th week of gestation. The two most common reasons for patients not receiving a prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis were late registration (41%) and absence of genetic counseling (34%).

Ultrasound characteristics of focused axisymmetrically curved surface transducers

A high-speed method for exactly calculating the time-dependent pressure of the radiated acoustic field from pulse-excited axisymmetrically curved surface or lens transducers using the Rayleigh surface integral is presented. The time-dependent pressure of a medical lens transducer with its outer surface shaped like a revolving arc is calculated as an example. Convolution-algorithm procedures are used to study the acoustic radiation field for various forms of exciting pulses. In the calculations, an integral representation of the impulse response function is reduced to a one-dimensional integration. With the help of the triangle criterion for identification and the principle of one-dimensional constriction, the calculation can be scanned over the segmented ranges of integration to carry out the numerical analysis. Ultrasound characteristics of the transducers are calculated, and their relationship to the structure of the transducers is examined.

A case of recurrent infantile polycystic kidney associated with hydrops fetalis

Nonimmune hydrops fetalis is becoming a predominant form of fetal hydrops due to the declining incidence of immune hydrops fetalis triggered by Rh isoimmunization. Infantile polycystic kidney appeared to be related to hydrops fetalis whether it is causal or merely coincidental and may represent another entry to differential diagnoses. Infantile polycystic kidney was diagnosed by an elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) value coupled with an ultrasonographic abnormality scanned as a multicystic mass with ascites in the fetal abdomen antenatally. This study presents a case of infantile polycystic kidney that resulted in a stillborn baby with hydrops fetalis and extensive placental calcification; it was the first case in Korea in which nonimmune hydrops fetalis was associated with infantile polycystic kidney in consecutive siblings by autosomal recessive inheritance in one family. In addition, this paper comprehensively reviews the incidence, etiology, prenatal diagnosis and proper management of nonimmune hydrops fetalis.

Effect of altered albumin concentrations on elimination of unbound prazosin in vivo in the rat and in the isolated perfused rat liver

Albumin is known to affect the intrinsic clearance of many compounds in the isolated perfused rat liver, but little is known of its effect in vivo. The influence of decreased albumin concentrations on clearance of unbound prazosin and intrinsic clearance of prazosin was therefore studied in vivo in rats that had undergone plasmapheresis. An approximate 30% reduction in the plasma albumin concentration was achieved in animals not given plasma expanders and an approximate 50% reduction was achieved in animals given Ficol 70 as a plasma expander. No differences were seen in the intrinsic clearances or in the clearances of unbound prazosin between control animals and plasmapheretic animals. The reason for this lack of effect is apparent from parallel studies in isolated perfused rat livers. An increase in the clearance of unbound prazosin of 27% was seen when the albumin concentration was increased from 0 to 30 microM, and of 49% when the concentration of albumin was increased to 90 microM, with no further increase at higher albumin concentration. These results, therefore, suggest that changes in the albumin plasma concentrations normally encountered clinically may have little effect on the intrinsic elimination of drugs.

Use of pedicled omentum in oesophagogastric anastomosis: analysis of 100 cases

According to reports from our country, leakage occurs in about 5% of oesophagogastric anastomoses despite the numerous improvements in operative techniques, including methods of anastomosis in recent years. From October 1979 to May 1984, 128 cases of oesophageal or gastric cardiac cancer were operated on, and pedicled omentum was used to reinforce the oesophagogastric anastomosis in 100 cases, without any postoperative anastomotic leakage.

A human monoclonal macroglobulin with specificity for alpha(2----8)-linked poly-N-acetyl neuraminic acid, the capsular polysaccharide of group B meningococci and Escherichia coli K1, which crossreacts with polynucleotides and with denatured DNA

We have described an IgM antibody from a patient with macroglobulinemia specifically reacting with poly-alpha(2----8)N-acetyl neuraminic acid (NeuNAc) the capsular polysaccharide of two important human pathogens, group B meningococcus and E. coli K1. This antibody has a narrowly defined specificity in its interactions with polysaccharides, being unable to bind poly-alpha(2----9)NeuNAc or alternating poly-alpha(2----8)alpha(2----9)NeuNAc. However, it shows interesting crossreactivity with seemingly unrelated polynucleotides and denatured DNA, supporting the hypothesis that charged groups with a given spacing may determine the specificity of antigen-antibody interactions on otherwise dissimilar molecular structures. Despite the crossreactivity with denatured DNA and polynucleotides, the antibody does not appear to have adverse effects in the patient. The antibody protects newborn rats against E. coli K1 infection, as well as the standard horse antiserum H46, and one would expect it to prove useful in humans as an adjunct to antibiotic therapy in infections with group B meningococcus and E. coli K1. We have attempted to clone the antibody-producing cells from peripheral blood, and have shown that the relevant cells are present and can be cultured.

Monoclonal antibodies for carcinoembryonic antigen and related antigens as a model system: a systematic approach for the determination of epitope specificities of monoclonal antibodies

A systematic approach for the determination of epitope specificities of monoclonal antibodies to a complex antigen system is described. After initial screening to identify antigen-binding monoclonal antibodies, one or more of the clones are isolated by limiting dilution cloning, grown in ascites, and the resulting antibodies secreted into the ascitic fluid are affinity purified on Sepharose-bound protein A, radiolabeled, and cross-compared with antibodies from other clones by a solid-phase competitive immunoassay. In this work, BALB/c mice were immunized with either purified carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) or the CEA-producing cell line HC 84S. Spleen cells were fused with the mouse myeloma cell line Sp2/0-Ag14. The supernatants from 25 hybrids showed a significant binding of 125I-CEA (greater than or equal to 15%). Nine hybrids were cloned, resulting in 33 different clones. The antibodies produced by the different cloned hybrids and the remaining uncloned hybrids recognized a total of five different epitopes on CEA. All of the epitopes reside on the protein moiety of the molecule as determined by antibody binding to deglycosylated CEA. The monoclonal antibodies with five different epitope specificities were reacted with tissue sections of normal and cancerous tissues and with peripheral blood smears. Each of the five monoclonal antibodies reacted with tissue sections from colonic, gastric, lung, and mammary carcinomas, as well as from a benign colonic polyp and a resection margin from a colonic carcinoma. Four monoclonals reacted with normal liver tissue. Granulocytes in peripheral blood smears bound three antibodies strongly and one antibody weakly, and one antibody was not bound. One monoclonal antibody that reacted with normal liver tissue was not bound by granulocytes. The ability of these five monoclonal antibodies to differentially detect three different CEA-related antigens in normal and malignant tissues may have clinical utility.

Monoclonal antibodies for carcinoembryonic antigen and related antigens as a model system: a systematic approach for the determination of epitope specificities of monoclonal antibodies

A systematic approach for the determination of epitope specificities of monoclonal antibodies to a complex antigen system is described. After initial screening to identify antigen-binding monoclonal antibodies, one or more of the clones are isolated by limiting dilution cloning, grown in ascites, and the resulting antibodies secreted into the ascitic fluid are affinity purified on Sepharose-bound protein A, radiolabeled, and cross-compared with antibodies from other clones by a solid-phase competitive immunoassay. In this work, BALB/c mice were immunized with either purified carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) or the CEA-producing cell line HC 84S. Spleen cells were fused with the mouse myeloma cell line Sp2/0-Ag14. The supernatants from 25 hybrids showed a significant binding of 125I-CEA (greater than or equal to 15%). Nine hybrids were cloned, resulting in 33 different clones. The antibodies produced by the different cloned hybrids and the remaining uncloned hybrids recognized a total of five different epitopes on CEA. All of the epitopes reside on the protein moiety of the molecule as determined by antibody binding to deglycosylated CEA. The monoclonal antibodies with five different epitope specificities were reacted with tissue sections of normal and cancerous tissues and with peripheral blood smears. Each of the five monoclonal antibodies reacted with tissue sections from colonic, gastric, lung, and mammary carcinomas, as well as from a benign colonic polyp and a resection margin from a colonic carcinoma. Four monoclonals reacted with normal liver tissue. Granulocytes in peripheral blood smears bound three antibodies strongly and one antibody weakly, and one antibody was not bound. One monoclonal antibody that reacted with normal liver tissue was not bound by granulocytes. The ability of these five monoclonal antibodies to differentially detect three different CEA-related antigens in normal and malignant tissues may have clinical utility.

Protein A binding assay for the identification of HLA antigens on peripheral blood lymphocytes by monoclonal antibodies: application to HLA B27

Splenocytes from mice immunized with purified, papain-solubilized HLA B27 antigen and/or human lymphocytes bearing the B27 specificity were fused with myeloma cell lines NSI or Sp2. The screening strategy employed a protein A binding assay in which various target cells were used. First, the hybrid cell supernatants were screened against B lymphocyte cell lines of known HLA specificities and the Daudi cell line, which does not express HLA-A, B, or C antigens. Second, a panel of PBLs were used as target cells. It was necessary to refine the protein A binding assay by preabsorbing the radiolabeled protein A with PBLs and by precoating the test wells with ovalbumin. Clones selected by these criteria were further tested by indirect immunoprecipitation and by inhibition of binding or microcytotoxicty to target call lines with purified HLA antigens or beta 2m. Forty-four clones were selected which showed varying degrees of specificity for allo- and nonallo-specific determinants and one clone was selected which was specific for beta 2m. Clone 27M1 which was previously shown to be specific or HLA-B27 as judged by conventional microcytotoxicity testing (Grumet et al., Lancet No. 8239, II:174, 1981) was compared with other clones using the above parameters for evaluation. Antibody from clone 27M1 showed preferential binding to B27 positive cell lines and PBLs, lesser binding to B7 positive target cells, and no binding to B40 positive target cells. Purified B27 antigen (papain) from two sources including the B27 target cell line, was able to inhibit the binding of antibodies from 27M1 to target cells. The extension of the protein A binding assay to PBLs has made it possible to more accurately quantitate the binding or inhibition of binding of antibodies to panels of PBLs.

A simple contour matching algorithm

Two similarity measures between strings are proposed. This correspondence also describes an experiment performed to illustrate the inadequacy of a commonly used measure.

Reversion of Kirsten sarcoma virus transformed human cells: elimination of the sarcoma virus nucleotide sequences

The virus-specific nucleotide sequences in the RNA and DNA of a Kirsten mouse sarcoma virus (Ki-MSV)-transformed non-producer human osteosarcoma cell clone and two subclones of these cells that reverted to a normal phenotype have been analysed by hybridization of sarcoma virus-specific complementary DNA (cDNA) to cellular RNA or DNA. Whereas the transformed clone had acquired de novo Ki-MSV sequences in the RNA and DNA of the cells, both the revertant cell lines seemed to have lost most or all of this information from the cellular nucleic acids. The DNA from the revertant cells lacked the sequences represented either in the Ki-MSV-specific cDNA or in the total cDNA of the leukaemia-sarcoma virus complex. Thus, the reversion of the virus-transformed human cells to normal morphology is associated with the loss of most or all of the proviral sequences from the cellular DNA.

Adenosine triphosphate sulfurylase from penicillium chrysogenum. Steady state kinetics of the forward and reverse reactions

The kinetic mechanism of ATP sulfurylase was established from initial velocity, product inhibition, and dead-end inhibition studies. In the forward direction, the reaction is steady state ordered, with MgATP=A, sulfate=B, MgPP1=P, and APS=Q.KmA=0.38 mM, Kia=0.71 mM, KmB=0.50 mM. Nitrate and chlorate are competive with sulfate and uncompetitive with MgATP. KiNO3-=0.25 mM; KiC1O3-= 0.15 mM. AMP and various MgATP analogs are competitive with MgATP and mixed-type inhibitors with respect to SO42-. The Ki for AMP is 0.55 mM. The reaction is rapid equilibrium ordered in the reverse direction with Kiq=0.3 to 1.0 muM and Kmp=0.65 muM. Adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate (APS) exhibits competitive substrate inhibition (KIQ=0.3 mM). The ratio Vmaxf/Vmaxr is 0.018. In the forward direction the ratio VmaxMoO42-/VmaxSO42- is 20. The Keq at pH 8.0 and 30 degrees calculated from the Haldane equation is 6 X 10(-9) to 3.3 X 10(-8) (depending on the Kiq value chosen). The experimental Keq is about 2.5 X 10(-9). The fact that Vmax/Vmaxr is about 1 million times greater than Keq is consistent with the assumed physiological role of the enzyme (APS synthesis). The mechanistic basis of the ordered binding sequence was probed by multiple inhibition analysis. Dead-end inhibitors competitive with MgATP (such as free ATP, Mg alpha,beta-methylene ATP, CrATP, and CaATP) do not induce substrate inhibition by sulfate or alter the inhibition patterns displayed by nitrate. This result suggests (but does not prove) that catalytic action on MgATP must precede the formation of the sulfate binding site.

Klossiella Muris Parasitism in Laboratory Mice

Parasitic infection with Klossiella muris was encountered in two strains of laboratory mice. Various developmental stages of the organism were observed in the glomerular endothelium and tubular epithelium.