Supersensitivity to serotonin- and histamine-induced arterial contraction following ovariectomy

The modulating role of estrogens and ovariectomy on coronary artery and thoracic aortic rings was examined in female rabbits. Three treatment groups were studied: (1) control, (2) ovariectomy, and (3) ovariectomy + 17beta-estradiol acetate (40 microg/kg per day, i.m. for 7 days). Coronary artery reactivity was studied in the isolated retrogradely perfused heart. Aortic reactivity was studied using endothelium intact and denuded aortic rings. Concentration-response curves were performed to serotonin (5-HT) and histamine. A 21-fold, a 4.7-fold, and a 5.2-fold increase in sensitivity to 5-HT-induced contraction were observed in the ovariectomy group compared to the control group for coronary artery, intact aortic, and denuded aortic preparations, respectively (P < 0.05 for each comparison). Similarly, 34-fold, 4.9-fold, and 5.0-fold increases in sensitivity to histamine-induced contraction were observed in the ovariectomy group compared to control group for coronary artery, intact aortic, and denuded aortic preparations, respectively (P < 0.05 for each comparison). 17beta-Estradiol administration reversed the supersensitivity to serotonin- and histamine-induced vascular contraction observed following ovariectomy. No differences in EC50 or maximal contraction were noted between control and ovariectomy + estrogen groups. Baseline nitric oxide release and maximal 5-HT- and histamine-induced nitric oxide release from the perfused heart were decreased (P < 0.05) in ovariectomy rabbits compared to control and ovariectomy + estrogen treatment groups. The data demonstrate that (1) reduced autacoid-induced nitrous oxide release following ovariectomy and (2) direct effects upon the vascular smooth muscle contractility, which are probably mediated by altered receptor sensitivity by ovariectomy and estrogen replacement therapy. The information obtained from this study provides additional information regarding possible beneficial actions of estrogen replacement therapy in post-menopausal women.

[Protease inhibitory activities of nasal secretion on house dust mite allergen]

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the interaction of protease inhibitors and house dust mite allergen in vitro.

METHODS

Nasal secretion was collected by suction from patients with house dust mite nasal allergy, diluted immediately with PBS pH 7.0, mixed with vortex for 10 minutes, and then centrifuged at 2,000 g for 10 minutes. The supernatant was kept at -80 degrees C for use. Synthetic low molecular weight fluorogenic peptide substrates were applied to evaluate protease activities. Crude mite extract and other proteases were used, each of them was preincubated in the presence or absence of nasal fluid or other protease inhibitors at 37 degrees C for 30 minutes. The intensity of fluorescence of aminomethylcoumarin released from the cleaved substrate was measured.

RESULTS

Nasal fluid exhibited mild trypsin-like and other protease activities. It inhibited the activities of trypsin and trypsin-like serine proteases and papain-like cysteine proteases in crude mite extract in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONS

Nasal fluid possibly plays a role in inhibiting penetration of allergen into the nasal mucosa by producing protease inhibitor-protease complex in the nasal mucus layer of patients with mite allergy.

Effects of limb perturbation on surface recorded nerve action potentials

The field action potentials are a convolution of source strength and the propagating-point source responses (PPSRs). Surface-recorded peripheral nerve potentials are strongly influenced by the volume-conductor properties of the limb. In this paper the PPSRs are solved based on finite-element formulation, which allows solutions to forward volume-conductor problems involving curved nerves in arbitrarily shaped, inhomogeneous, anisotropic limbs. Effects of limb perturbation on surface-recorded nerve action potentials are simulated based on circular and elliptic cylinders with a uniform cross-section consisting of multiple inhomogeneous and anisotropic regions (fat, muscles, and bone layers). The simulations show that a simple homogeneous model is adequate only for a very superficial nerve that lies completely in the subcutaneous fat layer. Deeper nerves that lie on or within the muscle require a multiple-layer model that takes both the muscle and the fat into account. The cross section only needs to be modeled accurately between the recording site and the nerve location. A circular limb model is adequate for clinical recordings. However, an accurate knowledge of the nerve path is essential for accurate modeling of the action potentials, in both needle and surface recordings.

[Significance of bcl-2 gene breaking and bcl-2 protein expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma]

In order to study the relationship between bcl-2 gene and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The two hot breakpoints of bcl-2 gene and bcl-2 protein expression were examined by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry technique in 41 nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC) tissues. bcl-2 gene breakpoint were found in 4 cases of NPC(positive rate 9.8%). 34 cases of NPC expressed bcl-2 protein, the positive incidence was 82.9%. No statistically significant differences was found in histological grades. All benign lesions were negative for bcl-2 gene breaking and bcl-2 protein expression. There was no corresponding relation between bcl-2 protein expression and bcl-2 gene breaking. The results implicated that bcl-2 gene breaking may not play an important role in the pathogenesis of NPC. It also suggested that overexpression of bcl-2 protein may involved in carcinogenesis of nasopharyngeal epithelium.

Correlation between DNA methylation and pathological changes in human hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIMS

This study was undertaken to obtain information at the molecular level on the possible mechanism of human hepatocarcinogenesis and also to provide a clue for further study.

METHODOLOGY

We examined the methylation patterns of c-myc and c-N-ras oncogenes, which are most closely related to HCC, by using the Southern blot technique and HpaII/MspI restriction enzymes. In addition, we measured the level of global DNA methylation in cancerous and paracancerous tissues of HCC by incubating DNA with 3H-S-adenosylmethionine (3H-SAM) in the presence of methylase. The measured global level of DNA methylation was compared with pathological changes of the liver. The methylation patterns of oncogenes as well as the levels of global DNA methylation were compared with pathological changes.

RESULTS

The results showed that the hypomethylation rates of c-myc and c-N-ras oncogenes were 30% and 61% respectively in human hepatocellular carcinoma, coinciding with a decreased level of global DNA methylation. DNA hypomethylation was highly significant in cases with a tendency of tumor infiltration or metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

It is concluded that abnormal DNA methylation plays an important role in the process of hepatocellular carcinogenesis. DNA methylation level is closely correlated with the biological characteristic of liver cancer, the lower the level of DNA methylation, the stronger the infiltration and metastatic capacity.

Cathepsin B on invasion and metastasis of gastric carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression of cathepsin B (CB) in human gastric carcinoma tissue.

METHODS

The expression of CB in human gastric tissue was studied by using monospecific polyclonal rabbit antibody raised against human liver CB for immunohistochemistry, and full length cDNA of CB for in situ hybridization and dot blot.

RESULTS

CB overexpression in gastric carcinoma was found when compared with non-neoplastic gastric tissue at both mRNA and protein levels. Diffuse cytoplasmic CB staining of mRNA and protein were identified in malignant cells of 53.3% and 69.1% of gastric adenocarcinoma respectively. The increased staining of CB in malignant cells was associated with the depth of the invasiveness and growth pattern as well as metastasis of lymph nodes, but not with the histological classification. It was also found that there were the expression of CB in stromal cells of the tumor and the expression localized mainly in the endothelial cells of the microvessels which correlated with angiogenesis.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that the expression of CB in gastric carcinoma is related to tumor progression, and leads to development of the invasive phenotype.

Prolonged vs transient roles for early cell cycle signaling components

Both p21ras and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-k) are critical elements in signaling pathways mediating insulin/IGF-I induced cell cycle progression. For example, microinjection of antibodies, peptides, or recombinant proteins which block the interaction of the SH2 domains of the PI 3-k p85alpha subunit with tyrosine phosphorylated intracellular targets blocks insulin mediated DNA synthesis. We report here that this inhibitory phenotype is observed whether the injections are made into quiescent cells (the standard approach), or at any time point during G1 phase subsequent to stimulation. This observation is not true, however, for the major substrate of the insulin/IGF-I receptor (IRS-1) despite the well known interaction of p85 with IRS-1. Antibodies to IRS-1 are inhibitory only when injected during the first 15 min of G1 phase, as are antibodies to another major IRS-1 binding protein, the tyrosine phosphatase SHP2. We also have microinjected reagents which target proteins involved in the formation of rasGTP and which mediate some of the downstream effects of ras activation. Reagents which target the formation of rasGTP (Shc and dominant negative ras protein) inhibit DNA synthesis only at points early in G1, as do reagents which target components of the MAP kinase pathway. Injection of antibodies to p21ras itself, or a recombinant Raf-1 protein domain which binds to the effector region of ras in a GTP-dependent manner, results in the inhibition of cell cycle progression throughout G1 phase. The results point to a continuous requirement for both PI 3-k and ras activity until cellular commitment to DNA synthesis, although some of the molecules which are both upstream and downstream of these activities are only required transiently. Our results are also consistent with a Raf-1 independent ras activity late in G1, as well as IRS-1 independent effects of PI 3-kinase.

[Multiple primary cancers in patients with hypopharyngeal and laryngeal carcinomas]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate into the incidence of the multiple primary cancers in patients with hypopharyngeal and laryngeal carcinomas retrospectively.

METHODS

Records of 309 patients with squamous cell carcinomas of hypopharynx and larynx during a 16 year period between 1980 and 1995 were reviewed.

RESULTS

A total of 101(32.7%) second primary cancers were found in 79(25.6%) patients. Among them, 76(75.3%) second primary cancers were found in the aerodigestive tract. Patients with hypopharyngeal cancer showed higher incidence of second esophageal (23/55, 41.8%) and gastric (12/55, 21.9%) carcinomas than those with laryngeal cancers, while glottic cancer patients (7/112, 6.3%) showed higher tendency to develop lung cancer than the hypopharyngeal cancer patients. Higher incidence was also observed for second primary cancers of mesopharyngeal, esophageal and gastric cancers in primary supraglottic cancer than in glottic cancer patients. Seventeen of 23(73.9%) patients with hypopharyngeal cancers had second primary esophageal cancers and 6 of 12 (50%) had second gastric cancers. Endoscopy with Lugol dye staining can detect clinically asymptomatic early esophageal and gastric cancers.

CONCLUSION

Lugol dye endoscopy is indispensable and should be applied for routine screening of synchronous or metachronous carcinoma of aerodigestive tract once the hypopharyngeal and laryngeal cancers were diagnosed.

An elbow joint movement control model with visual feedback

A motor program generator control model is proposed to simulate neuromuscular control. Three muscles (Biceps, Triceps, Brachialis) driving elbow joint flexion in a plane are simulated by integrating their nonlinear dynamic property and spinal neural circuitry. The motor descending commands are described by a visual feedback signal from the joint and an excitation signal for the motor neuron pool. The visual feedback signal mimics the gamma command whereas the excitation signal mimics another descending co-activation command. The gamma command is expressed as the output of a PID controller with the visual feedback error signal as the input. The gamma command and the motoneuron pool background activity are the inputs to the motoneuron pool model coupled with the Renshaw cell recurrent inhibitions. The output of the motoneuron pool model mimics the alpha command feeding directly to the muscle dynamics. A movement is produced by reducing the error signal between goal position and actual position and altering excitation signal properly. The simulation results show that a burst pattern of excitation signal and a PID controller can accurately trace the terminal goal and generate a smooth movement with a bell shaped velocity profile. The muscle activation signals have the characteristic similar to the smoothed EMG. Changing different parameters of the PID can cause the same effects as the stimulus pulse intensity or duration modulation.

Muscle fatigue monitoring using wavelet decomposition of surface EMG

Monitoring the local muscle fatigue in maximum voluntary isometric contraction is successful using median frequency and mean power frequency of the surface EMG. However, it has very limited success in maximum voluntary dynamic contraction. We showed that the relaxation electromechanical delay was a reliable fatigue indicator during the maximum voluntary isokinetic concentric contraction. In this paper, we use wavelet decomposition to generate fatigue indicators including contraction delay (WCD), relaxation delay (WRD), and the power ratio related to high frequency and low frequency regions (HF/LF) of the power spectrum of surface electromyogram (SEMG). Eight subjects were asked to perform right knee isokinetic contractions at two angular velocities (120 and 240 degrees/sec). Total work (TW), knee angle, and four channels of quadriceps SEMGs were sampled simultaneously. The results indicate that the initial slopes of WCD and WRD increase and are correlated with TW significantly, the initial slope of HF/LF declines and is correlated with TW significantly, and the WRD is more stable than the WCD. It concludes that wavelet decomposition enhances the features of surface EMG, and that power ratio (HF/LF) and contraction and relaxation delays obtained with the EMG wavelet decomposition can be used to monitor the muscle fatigue during the maximum voluntary isokinetic concentric contraction.

The relationship between objective life status and subjective life satisfaction with quality of life

A locally developed quality of life inventory was used to examine the relationship between objective life status and subjective satisfaction with quality of life in 8,550 participants from Hunan, China. The inventory included 112 items in 4 dimensions-physical health, psychological health, social functional status, and living conditions. Objective life status was the principal factor affecting subjective satisfaction, but discrepancies were found in some participants, especially when objective status was at the extremes of the distribution. Young, urban, or more educated participants with higher scores on objective status often had lower subjective satisfaction scores in spite of comparatively high objective status scores. Participants who ranked lower on objective status (old, rural, or less educated people) sometimes ranked higher in subjective satisfaction. Scores for subjective satisfaction always showed a normal distribution, whatever the objective satisfaction of the population. Divergence between individual objective status and subjective satisfaction was associated with hierarchy of life needs and the reference standards used for the comparison.

Preventive effect of artemether on schistosome infection

OBJECTIVE

To study the preventive effect of artemether (Art) in protecting the people from schistosome infection during flood fighting in schistosomiasis endemic area of Poyang Lake, Jiangxi Province.

METHODS

From mid July to mid August in 1996, the water level in Poyang Lake rose due to torrential rains and 2 embankments, Zhedi and Jiangtongdi, which appeared in dangerous situation and were selected as the pilot spots. After those who went to fight against flood arrived at the pilots their sera were collected within 48 hours and were examined with indirect hemagglutination test (IHA), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and McAb-ELISA. Individuals with negative outcome in the 3 tests were then selected as the study subjects and were allocated randomly to the Art or the control group. The first dose of Art given to the individuals contacted with the infested water within 11-15 days was 6 mg/kg. If the individual continually contacted the infested water, the same dose of Art was given once every 15 days. After the individuals withdrew from the pilot, one more dose of Art was administered 7-15 days later. Placebo (starch) was given to individuals in the control group at the same period as in artemether group. Stool examinations were made in both groups 40-50 days after the last medication for evaluation of the preventive effect of artemether. Double blind method was used in the administration of both artemether and placebo.

RESULTS

In Zhedi pilot, the individuals fought against flood for about 1 month. In Art group, 99 individuals receiving 3 doses of the drug completed the stool examination with egg-positive rate of 4% and no acute schistosomiasis was seen. In the control group, among 110 people who completed the observation, 44 were egg-positive with an infection rate of 40%, and 29 were identified as having acute schistosomiasis. In Jiangtondi, the studied individuals contacted the infested water for only about 4 hours. But in the control group 4 out of 102 individuals were egg-positive, while none of the 103 individuals in Art group receiving 2 doses of the drug showed schistosome infection. No apparent side effect was seen in the people treated with artemether.

CONCLUSION

After oral Art was given to the people fighting against flood in schistosomiasis endemic area of Poyang Lake, it was shown that the oral Art has a promising effect on controlling acute schistosomiasis and reducing the infection rate.

[Effects of erythropoietin or nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor on hyperdynamic circulatory state in cirrhotic rats]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effects of erythropoietin or nitric oxide synthesis (NOS) inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) on hyperdynamic circulatory state in rats with cirrhosis.

METHODS

Cirrhotic rat model was made. Cirrhotic rats were treated with NOS inhibitor L-NAME (0.5 mg.kg-1.d-1) by gavage or with erythropoietin (100 U/kg) injected subcutaneously for two weeks. The hemodynamic parameters in cirrhotic rats treated with L-NAME or with erythropoietin were determined by using 57Co-labled microsphere technique. Serum nitric oxide (NO) levels were also measured by using a fluorometric assay.

RESULTS

Hyperdynamic circulatory state was observed in all rats with cirrhosis. Serum NO levels in cirrhotic rats were significantly higher than that in normal controls. Hyperdynamic circulation status in cirrhotic rats treated with erythropoietin or with L-NAME was markedly attenuated. As compared with untreated-cirrhotic rats, serum NO concentration in erythropoietin-treated and L-NAME-treated cirrhotic rats were significantly lower.

CONCLUSION

L-NAME treatment could reverse the hyperdynamic circulatory state in cirrhotic rats which might be ameliorated by inactivation of overproduced NO by increasing hemoglobin with erythropoietin.

Effect of artemether on hexokinase, glucose phosphate isomerase and phosphofructokinase of Schistosoma japonicum harbored in mice

AIM

To study the effect of artemether (Art) on hexokinase (HK), glucose phosphate isomerase (GPI) and phosphofructokinase (PFK) of Schistosoma japonicum.

METHODS

Mice infected with schistosome cercariae for 4-5 wk were treated ig with Art 100 or 300 mg.kg-1 and killed 24 h or 48 h after medication for collection of schistosomes. The activities of HK, GPI and PFK of the worms were determined by measuring the formation of NADPH or consumption of NADH.

RESULTS

Worms from the infected mice treated ig with Art at a single dose of 300 mg.kg-1 the inhibition rates of HK activity of female and male worms were 33.7% and 13.7%, respectively 24 h after administration. Similar results were seen in GPI activity, but 48 h after medication, the inhibition rate of GPI increased to 46.2% (female) and 32.9% (male), respectively. Worms from mice treated with Art 100 or 300 mg.kg-1, the inhibitory effect on PFK in female worms was found much higher than that of male worms the inhibition rates of PFK were 64.9%-71.0% in female worms and 16.3%-54.2% in male worms, respectively at 24 h and 48 h after treatment.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that in the glycolytic pathway of schistosome PFK might be one of the targets attacked by Art.

Left to right extracardial shunt to control hemorrhage of ascending aorta and left ventricle: a report of 3 cases

Presented in this paper are 3 cases of hemorrhage of ascending aorta and left ventricle after open heart surgery treated by extracardial bypass in our hospital from Oct. 1994 to Dec. 1995. Remained aneurysmal wall enclosing conduit graft was used as a sac bypassed to right atrium to form a extracardial left-to-right shunt in order to control bleeding and the results turned out to be satisfactory. The bypass and hemodynamically ignorable shunt can close spontaneously without complications with recovery of coagulation system. The technique may find wide application in clinical practice.

FGFR1 is fused with a novel zinc-finger gene, ZNF198, in the t(8;13) leukaemia/lymphoma syndrome

Various histological subtypes of leukaemia and lymphoma are associated with diagnostic chromosome translocations, and substantial strides have been made in determining the specific oncogenes targetted by those translocations. We report the cloning of a novel fusion oncogene associated with a unique leukaemia/lymphoma syndrome. Patients afflicted with this syndrome present with lymphoblastic lymphoma and a myeloproliferative disorder, often accompanied by pronounced peripheral eosinophilia and/or prominent eosinophilic infiltrates in the affected bone marrow, which generally progress to full-blown acute myelogenous leukaemia within a year of diagnosis. A specific chromosome translocation, t(8;13)(p11;q11-12), is found in both lymphoma and myeloid leukaemia cells from these patients, supporting bi-lineage differentiation from a transformed stem cell. We find that the 8p11 translocation breakpoints, in each of four patients, interrupt intron 8 of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 gene (FGFR1). These translocations are associated with aberrant transcripts in which four predicted zinc-finger domains, contributed by a novel and widely expressed chromosome-13 gene (ZNF198), are fused to the FGFR1 tyrosine-kinase domain. Transient expression studies show that the ZNF198-FGFR1 fusion transcript directs the synthesis of an approximately 87-kD polypeptide, localizing predominantly to the cytoplasm. Our studies demonstrate an FGFR1 oncogenic role and suggest a tumorigenic mechanism in which ZNF198-FGFR1 activation results from ZNF198 zinc-finger-mediated homodimerization.

Protective immunity in mice elicited by living infective third-stage hookworm larvae (Shanghai strain of Ancylostoma caninum)

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the mechanisms of protective immunity in mice elicited by living hookworm (Ancylostoma caninum third-stage infective larvae (L3).

METHODS

The number of migrating infective larvae recovered from the lungs was used as an endpoint for vaccine immunity. The timing of maximal L3 lung entry was determined by counting the number of lung larvae at several time points after infection with 500 or 1000 L3. Mice were immunized either orally or subcutaneously with 500 L3, followed by two boosts of L3 once every two weeks. The immunized mice were challenged orally with 500 L3 one week after the final boost. To evaluate the protective immunity, the number of L3 recovered from the lungs of the immunized mice during the time of maximal larval entry was compared with that of controls. Host immunity was also evaluated by comparing circulating anti-L3 antibodies between immunized and controlled mice, using both enzyme immunoassays and immunoblotting techniques, and by lung histopathology.

RESULTS

The peak time of larval entry into the lungs occurred 48 hours after infection. Mice immunized either orally or subcutaneously with L3 exhibited a marked reduction (90.2% and 86.2% respectively) in the number of recovered lung larvae in comparison to controls (P < 0.01). The protection might be associated with circulating anti-L3 antibodies, including antibodies directed against 132-200 kDa L3 antigens, as well as three major antigens ranging from 28 to 51 kDa. Larvae migrating through the lungs of vaccinated mice showed cuticular damages accompanied with host-inflammatory cell invasion.

CONCLUSIONS

Immunization with living L3 protects mice against lung invasion after challenged with hookworm infection. Vaccine immunity is associated with circulating antibodies against L3 antigens and lung inflammatory responses. The mouse model is potentially useful for developing a hookworm vaccine.

Characterization of three loci controlling resistance of Arabidopsis thaliana accession Ms-0 to two powdery mildew diseases

Arabidopsis thaliana accession La-er was susceptible, and accession Ms-0 was resistant, to powdery mildew diseases caused by Erysiphe cruciferarum UEA1 and E. cichoracearum UCSC1. The resistance reaction phenotype of A. thaliana Ms-0 to both pathogens was characterized, and the resistance loci were genetically mapped. Growth of E. cruciferarum UEA1 on Ms-0 leaves was arrested after formation of the first appressorium: the underlying host epidermal cell collapsed, and occasionally there was necrosis of one or two host mesophyll cells. Growth of E. cichoracearum UCSC1 on Ms-0 leaves was arrested after emergence of several germ tubes from the conidium, and there was necrosis of host mesophyll cells at the sites of infection. Examination of F2 progeny of a cross La-er x Ms-0 indicated that two independently-segregating dominant loci were required for resistance to E. cruciferarum UEA1. One locus, named RPW6, was genetically mapped to chromosome 5, in a 5.6 cM interval flanked by pCITf16 and PI. The other locus, named RPW7, mapped to chromosome 3 in a 8.5 cM interval flanked by CDC2A and AFC1. Independent effects of RPW6 and RPW7 on E. cruciferarum UEA1 could be detected by quantitative measurements of growth of mycelium and production of conidia. Resistance to E. cichoracearum UCSC1 mapped to a single locus, named RPW8, at a location on chromosome 3 which we could not distinguish from RPW7. Evidently, RPW7 and RPW8 define either a complex resistance locus, or a common resistance gene with dual specificity.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of 15-deoxyspergualin in a canine renal allograft model of local immunosuppression

Local immunosuppression is based on the rationale that one can simultaneously prevent rejection and reduce systemic side effects by administering appropriately chosen immunosuppressive agents directly into the allograft. We utilized a mongrel canine renal transplant model with a programmable, implantable pump/catheter system to estimate the first-pass extraction of 15-deoxyspergualin (DSG) during renal artery infusion and to compare the efficacy and toxicity of continuous intraarterial (ia) versus intravenous (iv) DSG delivery. Six autotransplanted dogs were given DSG by both iv bolus (1 mg/kg) and ia infusion (1.0 mg/kg/d). DSG was administered to allograft recipients by continuous ia infusion at 0.5 (n = 11) and 0.75 (n = 8) mg/kg/day and by continuous iv infusion at 0.5 (n = 12) and 0.75 (n = 6) mg/kg/day. Mean +/- SD elimination half-life was 0.6 +/- 0.1 hr, and the transplanted kidney removed as much as 55-88% (mean 66%) of locally infused DSG. When compared with untreated controls [mean survival time (MST) = 8 days], low-dose (0. 5 mg/kg/day) DSG produced a significant antirejection effect when given ia (MST = 12 days; P = 0.04) but not iv (MST = 9 days; P = 0. 09), with equivalent overall mean drug levels during normal renal function. However, two of the four longest-surviving animals in the ia group died from severe systemic toxicity, manifested by anorexia, diarrhea, leukopenia, and sepsis. High-dose (0.75 mg/kg/day) DSG significantly prolonged survival via both local (MST = 12 days; P = 0.04) and systemic (MST = 11 days; P = 0.02) routes, but half of the iv-treated dogs died from, and four of the longer-surviving ia-treated animals manifested signs of, systemic toxicity, with significantly higher mean drug levels in the iv group. DSG significantly suppressed vascular rejection at both doses when administered locally and systemically, dose-dependently affected the severity of tubulointerstitial rejection and graft edema, and was not nephrotoxic. Our autotransplant pharmacokinetic data overestimated the allografted kidney's ability to extract DSG during local infusion of slightly lower, but immunosuppressive, doses, so that death from systemic toxicity was not prevented and a direct survival benefit of ia vs iv therapy was not realized. Local DSG administration might be combined with other immunosuppressants to therapeutic advantage.

[Effect of eosinophil major basic protein on histamine release from nasal epithelial mast cells]

Eosinophils and nasal epithelial mast cells (NEMCs) are closely related in nasal allergy. The activity of the eosinophil cationic protein, major basic protein (MBP) on histamine release from human NEMCs has not been documented. We examined the effects of MBP on histamine release from NEMCs. Nasal scrapings (containing NEMCs) from 59 patients with house dust mite nasal allergy were incubated with MBP or alkylated MBP. Specimens were also pre-incubated with MBP followed by incubation with house dust mite allergen (HDM) or preincubated with HDM followed by incubation with MBP or HDM. Histamine released in incubated media and remained in incubated mast cells was quantified by radio-immunoassay. MBP at the concentration of 10(-5) mol/L induced mild but statistically significant histamine release from the NEMCs. Preincubation with MBP at the concentration of 1.57 x 10(-5) mol/L produced slight inhibition of subsequent HDM-induced histamine release but preincubation with HDM showed no effect on the subsequent MBP-induced or HDM-induced histamine release from NEMCs. These results suggest that accumulated and activated eosinophils may release MBP resulting in clinical symptoms by interaction with NEMCs and inhibit of histamine release from NEMCs by subsequent interaction with allergen.

Structural organization and characterization of the promoter region of the rat gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor gene

The gene encoding the rat gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor was isolated, and its structural organization and promoter region were characterized. The gene was found to consist of three exons that encode the receptor protein, and spanned about 20 kb. Of two genomic clones analyzed, one contained the 5'-untranslated region and the first exon, and the other contained the second and third exons. The sizes of the first, second, and third exons are 625, 217, and 1476 nt, respectively. The first intron is at least 12 kb in length and is located between nucleotides 522 and 523 of the cDNA reading frame, in the middle of the fourth transmembrane domain. The second intron is about 2.5 kb and is also located in the reading frame between nucleotides 739 and 740, separating the fifth and sixth transmembrane domains. Genomic blots in combination with cloning and sequencing suggested that a single GnRH receptor gene is present in the rat genome. Primer extension indicated that the transcription start site is located 103 nt upstream of the translational start codon. A putative TATA box is positioned 23 nt in front of the transcription initiation site. The 1.8 kb 5' flanking sequence contains an SF-1 site, an AP-1 site, CCAAT sequences, a Pit-1 binding site, and a potential CRE-like sequence. To evaluate promoter activity, the 1.8 kb and two 5' deleted fragments of 1.2 and 0.6 kb were fused to the luciferase reporter gene and transiently expressed in immortalized pituitary gonadotrophs (alphaT3-1 cells) and hypothalamic neurons (GT1-7 cells), and in nonpituitary (COS-7) cells. Luciferase gene expression was significantly increased by all three fragments in pituitary and hypothalamic cells, but not in COS-7 cells. The promoter activity of the 1.2 kb fragment was higher than that of the other fragments. Forskolin and cAMP analogs increased luciferase gene expression in both alphaT3-1 and GT1-7 cells, but activation of protein kinase C by phorbol myristate acetate had no effect. These studies indicate that positive and negative regulatory elements are present within the 1.8 kb 5' flanking sequence of the GnRH receptor. Knowledge of the genomic organization and analysis of the promoter region of the rat GnRH receptor gene will facilitate the elucidation of its transcriptional control in pituitary gonadotrophs and hypothalamic neurons.

Study on antifertility effect of a novel LHRH antagonist in male rats

The potential of a novel LHRH antagonist, TX54, to inhibit reproductive function in male rats was evaluated. After subcutaneous injection at a dosage of 200 micrograms/rat, once a week for 2 weeks, all the drug-treated male rats maintained mating behavior. But, only one out of seven female rats mated to treated males was pregnant with two fetuses. At the end of medication, sperm count and motility of caudal epididymal spermatozoa of the treated rats were reduced significantly (TX54 vs. control: 11.3 +/- 3.2 x 10(8)/mg epididymal plasma, 66.4 +/- 13.4% vs 18.4 +/- 2.4 x 10(8)/mg epididymal plasma, 83.0 +/- 2.7%). Suppression of serum testosterone by TX54 was not observed 48 h after drug injection and at the end of experiment. Morphological examination revealed that at the IX stage of seminiferous epithelium cycle, spermiation was impaired in TX54-treated rats. Less elongated spermatids were found in the lumen of seminiferous tubules of the treated rats. The size of Leydig cells decreased; psychosis and apoptosis features occurred.

Immunoreactive growth hormone in human peripheral T lymphocytes: encoding sequence of cDNA identical to that of the pituitary human growth hormone

OBJECTIVE

To detect the cDNA sequence of immunoreactive growth hormone (irGH) in human lymphocytes and to compare it with that of human growth hormone (hGH) in the pituitary.

METHODS

The mRNA of irGH in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was detected by Northern blot analysis. The cDNA of irGH was obtained by reverse-transcriptase and polymerase chain reaction amplification and obtained by screening from a cDNA library of human T lymphocytes. The sequence of irGH cDNA was determined and compared with that of the pituitary hGH.

RESULTS

Very low level of irGH mRNA was detected in human PBMCs by Northern blot analysis. The cDNA sequence of the entire open reading frame of human irGH was 651 bp, which is identical to that of pituitary hGH.

CONCLUSIONS

The same hGH molecule can be produced by human pituitary somatotrophic cells and human peripheral lymphocytes.

HMGI(Y) activation by chromosome 6p21 rearrangements in multilineage mesenchymal cells from pulmonary hamartoma

The chromosome band 6p21 high-mobility group gene, HMGI(Y), encodes DNA-binding proteins with both chromatin structural and gene regulatory roles. Although HMGI(Y) expression is associated with neoplastic transformation, no oncogenic HMGI(Y) mutations have been identified. We report pulmonary chondroid hamartoma chromosome 6p21 aberrations targeting HMGI(Y). Several pulmonary chondroid hamartomas had chromosome rearrangements mapping within 100 kb of HMGI(Y), and one pulmonary chondroid hamartoma contained an intragenic fusion juxtaposing HMGI(Y) A.T book DNA-binding domains with a laminin alpha 4 chain epidermal-growth-factor-like/ zinc-finger-like motif. These findings demonstrate an oncogenic role for HMGI(Y) and for laminin chain transcriptional regulatory motifs.

[Evaluation of effectiveness of comprehensive control for diarrhea diseases in rural areas of east Fujian and analysis of its cost-benefit]

An intervention trial with comprehensive prevention and control for diarrhea diseases was carried out in the rural areas of East Fujian, China during 1991 to 1993, focusing on improvement of drinking water, health education, and supervision and direction to villagers to improve their environmental and family health. Results showed the intervention could reduce the incidence of diarrhea diseases by 55.1 percent in average. Economic benefit analysis of the effectiveness of the intervention showed ratios of cost to benefit were 1:5.6, 1:4.9 and 1:6.5 in 1991, 1992 and 1993, respectively, and net benefit amounted to 13,674,000 Chinese yuan. It suggests that effectiveness of this comprehensive control was significant and cost-effective.

[Clarithromycin combined short-term triple therapies for eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection]

In order to explore the optimal regimens for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori (Hp), eighty-eight patients with duodenal ulcer (DU) or non-ulcer dyspepsia and Hp infection, defined by culture and histology, received the one-week triple therapy with clarithromycin (Cla), furazolidone (Fur) plus lansoprazole (Lan) or colloidal bismuth subcitrate (CBS). Twenty-eight patients entered the phase one preliminary study, randomized to receive the treatment of Cla 500 mg b.i.d and Fur 200 mg b.i.d plus either CBS 240 mg b.i.d (group I A) or Lan 30 mg b.i.d (group I B). Sixty patients entered the phase two main study, receiving the treatment of Cla 250 mg b.i.d and Fur 100 mg b.i.d plus either CBS 240 mg b.i.d (group II A) or Lan 30 mg q.d (group II B). Five patients (2 in group I A, 2 in group I B, 1 in group II A) were withdrawn because of the side effects of the treatment, and two (in group II A) dropped out. The eradication rates of Hp in group I A, I B, II A, II B were 100.0% (12/12), 91.7% (11/12), 92.6% (25/27) and 90.0% (27/30) respectively. There was no significant difference in the eradication rates of Hp between the treatment groups (P > 0.05). The primary resistant rate of Hp isolates to Cla was 7.5% (4/53) and no patient infected with the strain resistant to Cla succeeded in the eradication of Hp. The healing rates of DU were 94.4% (17/18) in group II A and 100.0% (18/18) in group II B (P > 0.05). The main side effects were nausea, vomiting and taste disturbance. Eighteen of the 28 (64.2%) patients in the phase one study had side effects with a rate significantly higher than that of 5.1% (3/58) in the phase two study (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

(1) Both of the regimens used in the phase two study with low-dose, one week triple therapy are highly effective in the eradication of Hp infection and healing of DU, and are well tolerated. (2) The primary resistance of Hp strains to Cla is the principal factor of treatment failure in these two regimens.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization evaluation of chromosome deletion patterns in prostate cancer

Various nonrandom chromosomal aberrations have been identified in prostate carcinoma. These aberrations include deletions of several chromosome regions, particularly the chromosome 8 short arm. Large-scale numerical aberrations, reflected in aberrant DNA ploidy, are also found in a minority of cases. However, it is unclear whether prostate carcinomas contain aberrations of certain chromosome regions that are deleted frequently in other common types of cancer. In this study, we performed dual-color fluorescence in situ hybridization on intact nuclei from touch preparations of 16 prostate cancers. Chromosome copy number was determined using pericentromeric probes, whereas potential chromosome arm deletions were evaluated using yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) and P1 probes. Two YAC probes targeted chromosome 8 short arm regions known to be deleted frequently in prostate cancer. Other YACs and P1s were for chromosome regions, including 1p22, 3p14, 6q21, 9p21, and 22q12, that are deletion targets in a variety of cancers although not extensively studied in prostate cancer. Hybridization efficiencies and signal intensities were excellent for both repeat sequence (alpha-satellite) and single, copy (YAC and P1) fluorescence in situ hybridization probes. Of 16 prostate cancers, 11 had clonal aberrations of 1 or more of the 13 chromosome regions evaluated, and 10 cases (62.5%) had 8p deletions, including 4 cases with 8p deletion in virtually all cells and aneuploidy in only a subset of those deleted cells. Deletions at 3p14, 6q21, and 22q12 were identified in 2, 1, and 1 case, respectively, and each of those cases had a similarly sized cell population with 8p deletion. These studies confirm 8p deletion in the majority of prostate carcinomas. 8p deletions appear to be early events in prostate tumorigenesis, often antedating aneuploidy. Fluorescence in situ hybridization strategies incorporating pericentromeric and single-copy regional chromosome probes offer a powerful and efficient means for determining frequency and progression of oncogenetic events in prostate cancer.

Selectivity in tyrosyl iodination sites in human thyroglobulin

Previous studies indicate that when low iodine thyroglobulin (Tg) is iodinated enzymatically with thyroid peroxidase (TPO), the tyrosyl residues that are used for the formation of thyroid hormone (hormonogenic sites) are selected for early iodination. The aim of the present study was to assess the relative importance of the substrate (Tg) and the enzyme (TPO) in the selection of the early tyrosyl sites that undergo iodination. For this purpose, low iodine human Tg (2.0 atoms I per 660,000 dimer) was iodinated chemically with (125)I-(3) and enzymatically with TPO + 125I- to a matched low level of iodination (approximately 8 added I atoms per molecule). After reduction and alkylation, the two Tg preparations were digested with trypsin, and the tryptic digests were separated by reverse-phase HPLC into 10 125I-containing pools. Each pool was further fractionated by HPLC to provide purified 125I-peptides suitable for sequence analysis. From the sequence information and the known amino acid sequence of Tg, it was possible to define the location of the iodinated tyrosyl residues. Surprisingly, almost identical results were obtained with chemically and enzymatically iodinated Tg. Not only were the 125I-peptide maps very similar, but all of the recovered 125I in the purified peptides from both samples was located in only three different tyrosyl sites, 5, 2553, and 2520. Tyr 5 and Tyr 2553 are well-established sites of thyroxine formation, while Tyr 2520 has previously been proposed by us to be a donor site. Our observation that the same hormonogenic tyrosyl sites are iodinated by chemical as well as enzymatic iodination indicates that preferential iodination of hormonogenic sites is dependent primarily on the native structure of Tg. TPO plays a minor role, if any, in the selection of early tyrosyl iodination sites in Tg. Consistent with this conclusion was our finding that chemical iodination, as well as enzymatic iodination, led to formation of uniformly iodinated Tg, as determined by isopycnic centrifugation in rubidium chloride. However, we observed a slightly higher diiodotyrosine (DIT) content and a correspondingly lower monoiodotyrosine content in enzymatically iodinated Tg, compared to matched chemically iodinated Tg. This was not observed with two other proteins, bovine serum albumin and trypsinogen, or with free tyrosine, as substrates for iodination. The same preferential formation of DIT in Tg was, however, observed when lactoperoxidase was substituted for TPO. Preferential formation of DIT, therefore, appears to involve interaction between Tg and the peroxidase.

Alterations of level of total genomic DNA methylation and pattern of c-myc, c-Ha-ras oncogene methylation in human gastric carcinogenesis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the status of DNA methylation in gastric carcinogenesis.

METHODS

We analysed methylation pattern of c-myc, c-Ha-ras oncogenes by southern blot hybridization. DNA from cancerous, paracancerous and non-cancerous area of surgically resected samples in 21 cases of advanced gastric cancer were digested with MspI/HpaII and hybridized with the two genomic 32P labelled probes. In addition, the level of total genomic DNA methylation was measured by incubating DNA with 3H-S-Adenosylmethionine (3H-SAM) in the presence of a methylase which methylates all the cytosine residues that are in the double CpG (cytosine-guanine).

RESULTS

The results indicated that both c-myc and c-Ha-ras oncogene fragments containing CCGG sequence were hypomethylated in DNA samples from cancerous (10/21 and 5/10) and paracancerous (13/21 and 4/10) areas. Moreover, the level of total genomic DNA methylation in cancerous tissue was significantly lower than that in non-cancerous and paracancerous mucosa tissues (P < 0.05). The results from two methods are incompletely alike.

CONCLUSION

These results supported a strong correlation between DNA hypomethylation and gastric carcinogenesis, particularly methylated pattern of c-myc and c-Ha-ras oncogenes fragments containing CCGG sequence was abnormal in gastric mucosa tissue from gastric cancerous and paracancerous areas.

Construction and expression of single-chain Fv antibody against human bladder carcinoma

We designed two sets of oligonucleotide primers to amplify the immunoglobulin heavy- and light-chain variable-region genes from genomic DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The genomic DNA was extracted from hybridoma BDI-1 cells, which secreted a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against human bladder carcinoma. The primers contained special restriction sites that allowed the variable-region genes to be easily cloned for sequencing and expression. The recombinants were sequenced by Sanger's method. It was proved that the full lengths of the VH and VK genes were 366 and 324 bp, respectively. Compared with other published sequences, the VH gene was a member of mouse heavy-chain VH subgroup II and originated from the rearrangement of VH, Dsp2.2 and JH4. The VK gene was VK subgroup IV and from VK and JK4. The VH and VK genes was inserted expression vector pWAI80. By inducement, the ScFv antibodies were expressed and secreted from Escherichia coli. Binding activities against the bladder carcinoma cells were detected. We suggest that ScFv antibody recognized the antigen specifically.

Field studies on the preventive effect of oral artemether against schistosomal infection

OBJECTIVE

To study the preventive effect of oral artemether (Art) against schistosomal infection in the field.

METHODS

In Minglang District of Yiyang City, Hunan Province, there is an islet with embankment type endemic area in the southern Dongting Lake region. From August to October 1994 the residents who frequently contacted the infested water were selected for study and allocated to the Art group and the control group. About one month before the preventive Art administration, all the residents understudied were examined by stool hatching technique, and then treated orally with praziquantel at a single dose of 40 mg/kg in stool egg-negative residents and 50 mg/kg in stool egg-positive ones. In the Art group, the first dose of 6 mg/kg was given at the end of August, followed by 3 repeated doses every 15 days. Placebo (starch) was given to the control group at the same time as in the Art group. The preventive efficacy was evaluated by stool examination 25-32 days after the last medication.

RESULTS

In the Art group, 20 out of 365 studied residents became stool positive with an infection rate of 5.5%, while in the control group, 51 out of 376 studied residents were stool positive with an infection rate of 13.6%. The egg count per gram of feces (EPG) determined by the Kato-Katz method was 122 +/- 79 in the Art group and 681 +/- 909 in the control group. Meanwhile, two cases of acute schistosomiasis were found in the control group, but none was observed in the Art group. No apparent adverse side effect was seen during the treatment with Art.

CONCLUSION

Oral Art exhibited apparent preventive effect on the residents who contacted the infested water in schistosomiasis endemic area.

Glucose-induced phosphorylation of the insulin receptor. Functional effects and characterization of phosphorylation sites

Elevated glucose concentrations have been reported to inhibit insulin receptor kinase activity. We studied the effects of high glucose on insulin action in Rat1 fibroblasts transfected with wild-type human insulin receptor (HIRcB) and a truncated receptor lacking the COOH-terminal 43 amino acids (delta CT). In both cell lines, 25 mM glucose impaired receptor and insulin receptor substrate-1 phosphorylation by 34%, but IGF-1 receptor phosphorylation was unaffected. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity and bromodeoxyuridine uptake were decreased by 85 and 35%, respectively. This was reversed by coincubation with a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor or microinjection of a PKC inhibitor peptide. Phosphopeptide mapping revealed that high glucose or PMA led to serine/threonine phosphorylation of similar peptides. Inhibition of the microtubule-associated protein (MAP) kinase cascade by the MAP kinase kinase inhibitor PD98059 did not reverse the impaired phosphorylation. We conclude that high glucose inhibits insulin action by inducing serine phosphorylation through a PKC-mediated mechanism at the level of the receptor at sites proximal to the COOH-terminal 43 amino acids. This effect is independent of activation of the MAP kinase cascade. Proportionately, the impairment of insulin receptor substrate-1 tyrosine phosphorylation is greater than that of the insulin receptor resulting in attenuated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activation and mitogenic signaling.

[ACNU and methyl-CCNU in combination chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer: a randomized comparative study. Shanghai ACNU Collaborative Study Group]

The study was conducted to compare the efficacy between a combined chemotherapy of ACNU (Nimustine hydrochloride, brand name Nidran), a new nitrosourea agent, and a combined chemotherapy of methyl-CCNU for advanced gastric cancer. One hundred and three cases of advanced gastric cancer were randomly allocated into Group A (Me-CCNU, 5-Fu and ADM) and Group B (ACNU, 5-Fu and ADM). The results showed that in Group A there was no CR or PR, while in Group B, although no CR, there were 8 PR (8/64 cases), denoting the response rate of 0% in Group A and 17.4% in Group B. The median survival period in Group A was 108 days and in Group B 112 days. Both groups well tolerated the treatment and there were no serious adverse effects. Quality of life (QOL) was better in Group B than in Group A. It is concluded that ACNU combination is superior to Me-CCNU combination for advanced gastric cancer.

[Serodiagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infections by detection of immunoglobulin G antibodies with an immunoblot technique]

Serological testing has recently been proposed as an aid in diagnosis of H. pylori infections. In this study, an immunoblot method has been evaluated to diagnose H. pylori infection serologically by comparing 104 serum specimens from patients with a positive Gram stain and/or culture result and a positive urease test on biopsy material, as well as 30 serum specimens from patients with negative urease test, and negative microscopy and culture results. Thirteen bands could be identified by immunoblotting and were found significantly more frequent in patients with H. pylori infections than in patients without such infections. A semiquantitative grading system was introduced with score 1 for each reactive band and score 1/2 for a weakly reactive band. If score 2 was the cut-off value for IgG antibody, then the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the immunoblot test were 100.0%, 90.0%, 97.2% and 100.0% respectively. There was no marked cross reaction with both Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli.

[Amplification, cloning and sequence analysis of the variable region genes of monoclonal antibody against human bladder carcinoma]

We have designed two sets of oligonucleotide primers to amplify the immunoglobulin heavy- and light-chain variable region genes from genomic DNA by the polymerase chain reaction, PCR. The genomic DNA was extracted from hybridoma BDI-1 cell, which secrets a monoclonal antibody against human bladder carcinoma. The primers contain special restriction sites that allow the variable region genes to be easy to cloning for sequencing and expression. The PCR products were ligated to plasmid PUC19. The recombinants were sequenced with Sanger's method. It was proved that a full-length VH and V kappa genes was 366 and 324 base pairs respectively. Comparaing with other published sequences, the VH gene was a member of mouse heavy-chain VH subgroup II and originated from rearrangement of VH, Dsp2.2 and JH4; the V kappa gene was V kappa subgroup IV and from V kappa and J kappa 4. It was suggested that obtained VH and V kappa genes were potentially functional genes of the monoclonal antibody against human bladder carcinoma.

Novel fluorescence in situ hybridization approaches in solid tumors. Characterization of frozen specimens, touch preparations, and cytological preparations

Fluorescence in situ hybridization has emerged as an extremely important tool for detection and characterization of nonrandom chromosome aberrations in cancer. Fluorescence in situ hybridization assays have been very reliable in cytogenetic tumor preparations, but have been more unpredictable in archival, paraffin-embedded specimens. We describe novel approaches for detection of chromosome aberrations in frozen tumor specimens, touch preparations, and cytological preparations. These approaches are both simple and reproducible, with minimal case-to-case variation in hybridization efficiency or hybridization signal quality. We demonstrate potential applications of these novel approaches by evaluating: 1) significance of normal karyotypes in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors; 2) p15/p16 copy number in prostate cancer; and 3) clonal chromosome 3p deletion in cytological preparations of pleural fluid from patients with mesothelioma.

Effect of antihydatid drugs on carbohydrate metabolism of metacestode of echinococcus granulosus

A biochemical some enzymes of glycolysis and a partial reversed tricarboxylic acid cycle together with hydrolytic enzymes in the cyst wall of Echinococcus granulosus was carried out. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), pyruvate kinase (PK), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), and adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) showed their high level of activity, suggesting that the proliferation of E. granulosus cyst wall is an energy-dependent process and the major pathways for glucose metabolism is glycolysis. Treatment of E. granulosus-infected mice with mebendazole and albendazole resulted in marked inhibition of PK, PEPCK and ATPase of E. granulosus cyst wall, whereas praziquantel had no effect, indicating that PK, PEPCK, and ATPase might be chemotherapeutic targets and the differences in the inhibitory effects might account for the efficacy of the three antihydatid drugs.

Codeletion of p15 and p16 genes in primary non-small cell lung carcinoma

Chromosome band 9p21 is deleted frequently in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), and the p15 and p16 cyclin-dependent kinase-4 inhibitor genes map within this deletion region. Recent studies demonstrated deletion of p15 and p16 in NSCLC metastases and cell lines, suggesting a role for these genes in NSCLC progression. We now report p15 and p16 copy number, as determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization with a P1 contig, in 18 primary NSCLCs. Codeletion of p15 and p16 was found in 15 of 18 NSCLCs, and 1 of the 3 tumors with normal p15 and p16 copy number had a nonsense mutation in exon 2 of p16. We conclude that p15 and p16 are deleted and/or mutated in most primary NSCLCs. Two observations, however, support the involvement of at least one additional tumor suppressor gene on chromosome 9. These observations are: (a) the large size (> 100 kb) of most NSCLC p15/p16 deletions; and (b) the absence of exon 2 mutations in most retained NSCLC p15 and p16 alleles.

Characterization of hormonogenic sites in an N-terminal, cyanogen bromide fragment of human thyroglobulin

We have confirmed the observation of Marriq et al. (FEBS Lett. 207, 302-306, 1986) that substantial thyroxine formation occurs on enzymatic iodination of a 171-residue, N-terminal cyanogen bromide (CNBr) fragment of human goiter thyroglobulin. Marriq et al. concluded from their studies that Tyr130 is the donor for the preferential hormonogenic acceptor site Tyr5. However, in the present study we observed that thyroxine formation in the CNBr fragment occurred not at Tyr5, but rather at Tyr130. Moreover, we did not confirm the report of Marriq et al. that formation of thyroxine in the iodinated CNBr fragment involves cleavage of the Val129-Tyr130 bond. Our finding of thyroid hormone at Tyr130 was unexpected, as Tyr5 is known to be the major site of hormone formation in thyroglobulin isolated from the thyroids of humans and other mammals. In the CNBr fragment, however, Tyr5 appeared to act as a donor rather than an acceptor. Thus, while we have confirmed the finding that the N-terminal CNBr fragment of human goiter thyroglobulin is by itself capable of efficient thyroxine formation when enzymatically iodinated in vitro, we observed that the role of specific tyrosines in the hormone-forming process was different from that in intact thyroglobulin. We question, therefore, whether the CNBr fragment is a valid model for defining the role and location of hormonogenic sites in intact thyroglobulin.

Action potentials of curved nerves in finite limbs

Previous simulations of volume-conducted nerve-fiber action-potentials have modeled the limb as semi-infinite or circularly cylindrical, and the fibers as straight lines parallel to the limb surface. The geometry of actual nerves and limbs, however, can be considerably more complicated. This paper presents a general method for computing the potentials of fibers with arbitrary paths in arbitrary finite limbs. It involves computing the propagating point-source response (PPSR), which is the potential arising from a single point source (dipole or tripole) travelling along the fiber. The PPSR can be applied to fibers of different conduction velocities by simple dilation or compression. The method is illustrated for oblique and spiralling nerve fibers. Potentials from oblique fibers are shown to be different for orthodromic and antidromic propagation. Such results show that the straight-line models are not always adequate for nerves with anatomical amounts of curvature.

Diagnosis and surgical treatment of bronchogenic cysts

Between 1974 and 1993, 22 patients with bronchogenic cysts were operated on in our hospital; there were 14 men and 8 women, ranging in age from 11 to 62 years. The cyst locations were mediastinal in 13 (59.1%) and intrapulmonary in 9 (40.9%). There were symptoms (chest pain and recurrent bronchiolitis) in 20 patients (91%). The preoperative complications included infection in the lung and in the cyst and dysphagia due to esophageal compression. Chest pain was the main symptom in mediastinal cyst and recurrent infection of lung in intrapulmonary cyst. Plain chest radiograms showed that a round shadow, occasional air-fluid levels, and peripheral calcification may be found in cysts. An operation is the best treatment for cysts. All cysts were completely excised. No postoperative complications, late complications, or recurrence developed in our patients.