RRR-alpha-tocopheryl succinate induction of prolonged activation of c-jun amino-terminal kinase and c-jun during induction of apoptosis in human MDA-MB-435 breast cancer cells

We have demonstrated that RRR-alpha-tocopheryl succinate (10 microg/mL vitamin E succinate (VES) treatment of estrogen receptor-negative MDA-MB-435 human breast cancer cells induces 9, 19, 51, and 72% apoptotic cells on days 1-4, respectively, after treatment, which involves transforming growth factor-beta signaling. Here, we show that VES-triggered apoptosis of MDA-MB-435 cells induced prolonged elevated expression of c-jun mRNA and protein (neither of which was caused by major increases in stability) and also induced enhanced activator protein-1 (AP-1) binding to the consensus DNA oligomer. Furthermore, VES treatments resulted in increased AP-1 transactivation activity, as measured with an AP-1 promoter/luciferase reporter construct and by the measurement of increased mRNA expression of the AP-1-dependent endogenous gene collagenase. Evidence of VES-induced involvement of the c-jun amino-terminal kinase in these AP-1-dependent events was suggested by data showing prolonged activity of this kinase, as measured by a kinase assay using glutathione S-transferase-c-jun as the substrate. The c-jun-dependent transcriptional activity was verified by cotransfection of a chimeric transcription factor having a galactose 4 DNA-binding domain coupled with the transactivation domain of c-jun plus the reporter plasmid 5X GAL4-luciferase. MDA-MB-435 cells infected with an adenovirus expression vector containing the TAM-67 sequence for dominant/negative-acting mutant c-jun or transiently transfected with c-jun antisense exhibited a 50-77% reduction in VES-mediated apoptosis as compared with control adenovirus-infected or control sense oligomer-transfected cells.

Investigation of the image contrast of tapping-mode atomic force microscopy using protein-modified cantilever tips

In this work we have designed a simple system to investigate empirically the image contrast of tapping-mode atomic force microscopy (TMAFM). We modified the cantilever tips with protein molecules (bovine serum albumin or goat anti-biotin antibody) and used these protein-modified cantilevers to scan poly-L-lysine films and antibody layers deposited on mica in air under ambient conditions. We also investigated the effects of manipulating the setpoint voltage in this system. It was found that extra topographic features with a patchlike appearance were introduced into the TMAFM images of both the poly-L-lysine and antibody films when scanned with the protein-modified tips, even at initial preset setpoints, and were superimposed on the topography of the samples. The surface coverage of the patchlike features in the TMAFM images changes significantly with the setpoint voltage in a reversible and nonlinear manner. These are believed to arise from the surface indentation of the sample or from the structural deformation of the proteins at the tip induced in TMAFM imaging. Interestingly, it was observed in the experiment that no structural alteration or damage was discernible on the sample surface, even after continuous scanning with the protein-modified tips for a long period of time, with varying setpoint voltage. This study provides experimental evidence that cantilever tips modified with protein molecules or, under certain circumstances, even unmodified tips introduce extra topographical features (i.e., artifacts) and enhance the image contrast of TMAFM imaging of soft materials, which is dependent on their mechanical properties.

Atomic force microscopy as a tool for study of human hair

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a newly developed microscopic technique that offers high-resolution power, less intrusive measurement, and requires little sample pretreatment for elucidating structures of biological materials in three dimensions and in their natural environment. In this study, AFM has been used not only as an imaging technique for examining human hair structure at high resolution, but also as a tool for quantitative assessment of the effect of treatment in 10 mM phosphate buffered saline of pHs 3.0, 7.0, and 11.0 and heating on human hair structure. It is observed that the hair cuticle is a sensitive indicator of external influences on hair structure, and that its height can be used as a parameter for quantitative assessment. The experimental results obtained show that the swelling of hair caused by the incubation in the buffer decreases with the increase of the pH values and that, depending on the duration of heating, the hair undergoes structural expansion and shrinkage. This study demonstrates that AFM can be used as a valuable alternative to conventional microscopic techniques for hair research.

[Evaluation of capillary chromatographic columns packed by electrokinetic packing method]

In this paper, a method for electrokinetic packing capillary columns is reported. A higher column effeciency was obtained by performing electrochromatography on electrokinetic packing columns. The highest column efficiency in number of theoretical plate per meter was more than 200000, corresponding to reduced plate height less than 2. The reproducibilities of the same column in different intervals and different columns prepared from the same or different batches were compared. The relative standard deviations of the number of theoretical plate and retention time were less than 10% and 8%, respectively. The results indicated that high column efficiency and good reproducibility can be obtained on these new capillary packed columns.

Rhythm in Chinese thinking: a short question for a long tradition

This paper tries to shed a fresh light on the use of several key terms in traditional Chinese medicine (and philosophy) related to the theory of so-called systematic correspondence. Drawing on some influential works in Chinese science and civilization (e.g., Marcel Granet, Joseph Needham, Nathan Sivin), the paper argues that the idea of rhythm, properly defined, should become an organizing idea in studying the traditions of Chinese thinking and practice in medicine as well as in general. Rhythmicity is not periodicity (though they are inseparable from one another) and the idea of rhythm is more useful (than for example the notion of correspondence) for medical anthropology. The paper is divided into three parts: 1) the idea of rhythm in some key terms of traditional Chinese medicine, 2) the Chinese theory of resonance versus the idea of rhythm, and 3) the relation of resonance, rhythm and ecstatic experiences with respect to medical anthropology. An acquaintance with the arguments of my previous article in these pages will be helpful but not necessary for the present paper.

Defining rhythm: aspects of an anthropology of rhythm

This paper outlines the relevance of the idea of rhythm to cultural anthropology, with specific suggestions for a medical anthropology of rhythm. By reconsidering the fluid nature of the concept of rhythm in ordinary language, the paper defines rhythm functionally in terms of a temporal order that anticipates, suspends and fulfills on the level of the visceral, physical, ecological, institutional as well as the moral. Although the paper identifies most explicitly the link between the bodily and social rhythm, it tries to suggest a cosmic background in the interaction of the social and bodily rhythms. The paper is divided into three parts: 1) the general problem of defining rhythm, 2) the concept of rhythm from its origin, and 3) the concept of rhythm in cultural theory since Durkheim. Further readings in particular reference to medical anthropology are often indicated in the notes.

[The effect of 764-3 on platelet aggregation and the activity of enzymes in arachidonic acid metabolism]

764-3 is a purified compound extracted from Chinese herb Salvia miltiorrhizae. It was found to inhibit human and rabbit platelet aggregation induced by AA or ADP. Using AA as the substrate and pig lung microsome to provide enzymes, low doses of 764-3 (5-100 micrograms/ml) promoted the generation of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in a dose-dependent manner. At a dose of 500 micrograms/ml, both TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha production were inhibited. The results suggest that low dose of 764-3 may be able to bring a balance between TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha.

Morphological study of surgically induced open neural tube defects in chick embryos--postoperative 24 hours

For the experimental study of neural tube defect (NTD), a surgical model has advantages over other models in a few aspects. It causes less functional derangement of cells and the NTDs can be made selectively by surgery. The authors planned to use the surgical model for the experimental study of NTD. As the first step for the studies, the chronological changes of morphology during the early postoperative period were investigated using postincubation 3-day chick embryos. The objectives of this study are (1) the morphological evaluation of the surgical model as a method for studies of open NTD, and (2) the observation of morphological changes for the first 24 hours after surgery which include 'overgrowth' appearance and the continuity between the surface ectoderm and the neuroectoderm. The morphological changes were observed by light microscope and scanning electron microscope. Immediately after surgery, typical open NTDs were observed. Morphologically they were very similar to the appearance of spontaneous (non-surgical) open NTDs. The opened neural tubes were everted progressively and they looked rather flat at 24 hours after surgery. Cellular hyperplasia ('overgrowth' appearance) was noted within 24 hours after surgery and became more prominent during the 24 hours. There was increasing continuity between the surface ectoderm and the neural tissue until 24 hours after surgery when the continuity looked almost complete. In conclusion, surgically induced NTDs are morphologically very similar to spontaneous NTDs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Prophylactic oral nystatin and fungal infections in very-low-birthweight infants

Prevention of systemic fungal infection in the very-low-birthweight infant is important since it is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. To determine if oral nystatin administration could prevent fungal colonization and infection, we evaluated 67 preterm infants with birthweights less than 1250 gm. Thirty-three infants received 1 ml (100,000 units/ml) of nystatin inside the mouth every 8 hours until 1 week after extubation. Oropharyngeal, rectal, blood, and urine cultures were obtained on the 1st day of life and weekly. Endotracheal cultures were obtained three times a week from intubated infants. Four (12%) of the 33 nystatin-treated infants had positive cultures, two (6%) developed systemic infection. The control group consisted of 34 infants, 15 (44%) had positive fungal cultures and 11 (32%) developed systemic infection. Fungi isolated were Candida species and Torulopsis glabrata. Colonized infants were dependent on the respirator (P less than 0.001), had indwelling catheters (P less than 0.01), and received antibiotics (P less than 0.05) for a longer period than infants free from fungi and their mortality was significantly higher (P less than 0.05). We conclude that prophylactic administration of oral nystatin reduces fungal colonization and infection in very-low-birthweight infants.