Determination of aromatase cytochrome P450 messenger ribonucleic acid in human breast tissue by competitive polymerase chain reaction amplification

Local production of estrogen in breast tissue may influence the growth of breast cancers. Peripheral conversion of C19 steroids to estrogens is catalyzed by the aromatase enzyme complex which is comprised of a specific form of cytochrome P450, aromatase cytochrome P450 (P450AROM) and the flavoprotein, NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase. To evaluate P450AROM mRNA levels in breast tissue, a specific competitive polymerase chain reaction amplification procedure was devised. In this method, a rat P450AROM complementary RNA is coamplified as an internal standard in order to compare amplification reactions. The amplification products are recognized by hybridization with 32P-labeled oligonucleotides specific for each species. Densitometry is used to quantitate autoradiographs. Initial studies using RNA from whole breast tissue obtained from reduction mammoplasty revealed linearity of the relationship between the densitometer signal from the human amplification product and total RNA concentration. Breast tissue was then separated into a floating adipocyte fraction and a pelleted fraction containing the other cellular elements by collagenase digestion and centrifugation. Comparison of specific content of aromatase amplification product per unit weight of RNA extracted from adipocytes and pelleted cells revealed considerably higher levels in the RNA from the nonadipocyte fraction. Immunocytochemical characterization of this fraction revealed the presence of several cell types including macrophages, ductal epithelial cells, and endothelial cells, but primary cells of stromal origin.

Relative expression of aromatase cytochrome P450 in human fetal tissues as determined by competitive polymerase chain reaction amplification

The aromatase enzyme complex is responsible for the conversion of C19 steroids to estrogens. Aromatase activities ranging from moderate to very low have been measured in human fetal tissues. The inability to demonstrate aromatase cytochrome P450 (P450AROM) messenger RNA (mRNA) in several fetal tissues by northern blotting has been attributed to low levels of specific message. In order to identify and compare P450AROM mRNA levels in fetal tissues, we developed a specific competitive polymerase chain reaction amplification technique. This reaction uses coamplification of a rat P450AROM complementary RNA to normalize differences in amplification efficiencies. Using this technique, P450AROM mRNA was identified in all fetal tissues studied including; liver, lung, brain, skin, intestine, kidney, spleen, and heart. Fetal liver contained far more P450AROM mRNA per total RNA than any other tissues studied. Fetal brain and intestine also tended to have slightly higher levels than other tissues.

Evolution of ecological differences in the Old World leaf warblers

Sympatric species that belong to the same ecological guild usually differ in their behaviour and morphology, and these differences are often interpreted as adaptations to having to make use of different resources. Evidence supporting this interpretation comes from association between ecology and morphology among species, in which an a priori functional relationship is reasonable. But one problem with such comparisons is that members of a guild may be closely related, so the more closely related species can share a greater similarity in their morphology and ecology simply as a result of the lingering legacy of a common ancestor. In principle, the importance of historical legacy can be evaluated from phylogenetic relationships and times since divergence for all species, but this is rarely possible because these data are not available. Here we use a phylogeny for eight sympatric species of warbler in the genus Phylloscopus, based on their mitochondrial DNA sequences, to remove the effects of historical legacy. Without these effects, we find strong support for adaptive interpretations of among-species variation in habitat selection, prey-size choice and feeding method. Ecological variation along any of these three niche axes is associated with predictable morphological variation. We also find evidence for historical legacy in that more closely related species are often more similar behaviourally and morphologically. This paradoxical result can be reconciled because the most closely related species tend to differ along only one niche axis, habitat choice. In contrast, the evolution of prey-size choice and feeding method occurred rapidly and early in the diversification of this group. Once a new ecological zone was occupied, subsequent morphological change along these niche axes was limited, accounting for the similarity of closely related species.

Stroke in the young. Part II

Evaluation of the young stroke patient often requires an interdisciplinary approach because of the complexity of the problems encountered. We discuss some of the less common causes of stroke and present an approach to the patient.

Stroke in the young. (Part I)

We have discussed some of the more common etiologic categories found in young patients with stroke. Though many of the causes are rare, in the aggregate they account for many of the conditions leading to stroke. In Part II of this series (July 1991), we will explore some of the less common causes of stroke in the young and outline an approach to the patient.

Effect of smokeless tobacco on the development of the CD-1 mouse fetus

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of an aqueous extract of smokeless tobacco (ST) on the development of the CD-1 mouse fetus. Three ST dosages were administered three times daily by gastric intubation during gestational days 1-17: 1 X ST equivalent to a dose of 4 mg nicotine/kg body weight, 3 X ST equivalent to 12 mg nicotine, and 5 X ST equivalent to 20 mg nicotine/kg body weight. Maternal plasma nicotine levels were determined 30 minutes after the second daily intubation at five different times during the gestational period. At these ST dosages, the weight gain of ST-treated dams was not significantly affected in comparison to treated controls, though the difference was significant (P less than .05) in comparison to untreated controls. The mean maternal plasma nicotine level for the low dosage (1 X) group was 99.0 ng/ml, which reasonably approximates human consumption levels. The 3 X ST and 5 X ST dosages produced higher nicotine plasma values, 398 ng/ml and 623 ng/ml, respectively, were considerably more toxic to the dams, and resulted in 18% and 31% maternal deaths. Fetal weights were reduced by 7.4% (P less than .001) in the highest ST dosage group (5 X), whereas at the 1 X and 3 X dosages fetal weight differences were not significantly different from treated controls. Resorptions increased in a dose-related manner (P less than .05), ranging from 4.7% in the 1 X, to 6.4% in the 3 X and 8.9% in the 5 X dosage compared to 3.2% in treated controls. External malformations were few and minor in extent. Internal malformations increased in a linear, dose-related manner (P less than .05). Placental weights were unaffected by ST. The results of skeletal examinations were inconclusive. Precocious ossification was seen in 60% and 70% of the parameters measured in the 1 X and 3 X dosage groups, respectively, in comparison to controls. In the 5 X ST group ossification levels were less than in controls for 30% of the parameters measured. Under these experimental conditions the lowest ST dosage (1 X) produced a negligible effect on the CD-1 mouse fetus and the dam. The highest ST dose (5 X) demonstrated embryotoxicity, growth retardation, few malformations, and maternal toxicity. The intermediate dose (3 X) showed a range of effects between the highest and lowest doses to both the fetus and the dam.

Low-dose methotrexate in systemic onset juvenile chronic arthritis

Twelve children with severe systemic juvenile chronic arthritis, all requiring high dose corticosteroids, have been admitted to a pilot study to evaluate the effect of low-dose methotrexate (mean dose: 8.5 mg/M2) on disease activity over a 6 month period. Definite improvement occurred in 4 children, allowing reduction of the steroid dose in 2 cases. Two children showed an acute flare of disease activity during the treatment period and in three, steroids had to be increased. Overall, side effects were rare with a rise in transaminases only occurring once. MTX blood levels taken on 14 occasions in 8 children documented absorption in all cases with a mean level of 3.45 x 10(-7) mol/l on a mean dose of 9 mg/M2. Low-dose MTX appears to be a safe drug in the short term treatment of severe systemic JCA with beneficial effect in about a third of patients. Long-term controlled trials will be needed to evaluate its role in the treatment of systemic disease as well as side effects.

Genetic correlations and maternal effect coefficients obtained from offspring-parent regression

Additive genetic variances and covariances of quantitative characters are necessary to predict the evolutionary response of the mean phenotype vector in a population to natural or artificial selection. Standard formulas for estimating these parameters, from the resemblance between relatives in one or two characters at a time, are biased by natural selection on the parents and by maternal effects. We show how these biases can be removed using a multivariate analysis of offspring-parent regressions. A dynamic model of maternal effects demonstrates that, in addition to the phenotypic variance-covariance matrix of the characters, sufficient parameters for predicting the response of the mean phenotype vector to weak selection are the additive genetic variance-covariance matrix and a set of causal coefficients for maternal effects. These can be simultaneously estimated from offspring-parent regressions alone, in some cases just from the daughter-mother regressions, if all of the important selected and maternal characters have been measured and included in the analysis.

PET imaging of cortical S2 serotonin receptors after stroke: lateralized changes and relationship to depression

Patients with right-hemisphere strokes (N = 9) more than 1 year after injury had greater cortical binding of (3-N-[11C]methyl)spiperone than a similar group of patients with left-hemisphere strokes (N = 8) or normal control subjects (N = 17). The higher S2 serotonin receptor binding occurred in uninjured regions of the right parietal and temporal cortex. The ratio of binding in the ipsilateral to contralateral cortex showed a significant negative correlation with severity of depression scores in the left temporal cortex. These findings suggest that the biochemical response of the brain may be different depending on which hemisphere is injured and that some depressions may be a consequence of the failure to upregulate serotonin receptors after stroke.

Obstetrical concerns of epidermolysis bullosa

Epidermolysis bullosa is a group of autosomally inherited diseases involving skin breakdown of varying degrees and severity. Prenatal diagnosis and evaluation of these diseases is reviewed although pregnancy is not generally adversely affected by these diseases. Labor and delivery practices must be altered for the management of these patients. The obstetrical team must pay careful attention to adhesive dressings and anesthetic devices. Minor trauma may lead to severe lesions.

Directional selection and the evolution of breeding date in birds

In many bird species, those pairs that breed earlier in the season have higher reproductive success than those that breed later. Since breeding date is known to be heritable, it is unclear why it does not evolve to an earlier time. Under assumptions outlined by Fisher, a model is developed that shows how breeding date may have considerable additive genetic variance, appear to be under directional selection, and yet not evolve. These results provide a general explanation for a persistent correlation of fitness with a variety of traits in natural populations.

'Cialit' as a tissue preservative: a microbiological assessment

We describe bacterial contamination of a 'Cialit'-preserved cartilage bank which continued after a variety of changes to the harvesting and preservation protocols during a 3-year prospective study. Our results emphasize the importance of adequate tissue bank microbiological screening. Alternative methods of tissue preservation should be considered.

Bone density in generalized osteoarthritis

The densities of trabecular and cortical bone in the radius were measured by computed tomography in 40 women with generalized osteoarthrosis (osteoarthritis, GOA), and the results were compared to normal values obtained from prediction equations. When age, weight and height were considered, no significant differences were observed between patients with GOA and normal controls. But when age only was considered, trabecular bone density in the distal radius was found to be 7% higher than predicted (p less than 0.05). Increased trabecular bone density is unlikely to be an etiopathogenetic factor in GOA although this cannot be completely excluded from our study.

Mutagenicity studies of selected antihistamines, their metabolites and products of nitrosation

Methapyrilene, four structurally related antihistamines, three metabolites of methapyrilene and two products of the reaction of methapyrilene with nitrite were all tested for mutagenicity to Salmonella typhimurium. The two products of the methapyrilene-nitrite reaction have also been identified as metabolites of methapyrilene. None was mutagenic alone, either with or without rat liver S-9 activation. After reaction with sodium nitrite in acetic acid solution (nitrosation), the products of five of the ten compounds were mutagenic. These compounds were methaphenilene, 2-thiophenemethanol, 2-thiophenecarboxylic acid, N-(2-pyridyl)-N'N'-dimethylethylenediamine and N-(2-thenylmethyl)-2-aminopyridine.

Infarcts of the inferior division of the right middle cerebral artery: mirror image of Wernicke's aphasia

We searched the Stroke Data Bank and personal files to find patients with CT-documented infarcts in the territory of the inferior division of the right middle cerebral artery. The most common findings among the 10 patients were left hemianopia, left visual neglect, and constructional apraxia (4 of 5 tested). Five patients had an agitated confusional state that was characterized by hyperactivity, restlessness, and easy distractibility. Motor and sensory abnormalities were not severe or persistent. The most common cause was cardiogenic embolism.

Differentiation of Streptococcus sanguis and S. mitior by whole-cell rhamnose content and possession of arginine dihydrolase

Whole-cell rhamnose concentrations were measured in 48 strains of streptococci resembling Streptococcus sanguis and S. mitior. Physiological characteristics were tested by the API-20/Strep system, and it was found that "typical" S. sanguis (arginine positive, aesculin positive) contained significant amounts of rhamnose, while "typical" S. mitior (arginine negative, aesculin negative) contained very low or undetectable amounts of rhamnose. Both groups contained dextran-positive and dextran-negative strains. Organisms that were more difficult to speciate (those giving positive results in the arginine or the aesculin test, but not in both) could also be divided into a rhamnose-positive and a rhamnose-negative group; with one exception, all of the rhamnose-positive strains gave a positive result with arginine in the API-20/Strep test. There were several discrepancies between the results of conventional tests for arginine and aesculin hydrolysis and those of the corresponding API test. The results of conventional tests for arginine hydrolysis did not correlate closely with rhamnose content, and conventional tests for aesculin hydrolysis were less sensitive than API tests. With the API-20/Strep system, S. sanguis can almost always be distinguished from S. mitior by its ability to hydrolyse arginine.

Non-human primate (baboon) anti-carcinoembryonic antigen antibody infusion in patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma. A phase I study

A total of 14 patients with advanced visceral carcinoma which produced carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were treated in a Phase I study with IV infusion of affinity purified baboon anti-CEA antibody (dosage range from 0.1 to 2 mg/kg body weight). In all 14 patients, the antibody infusion caused a decrease (26% to 97%) in the plasma level of CEA. The degree of decrease depended upon the patients initial CEA level and the amount of antibody given. In 12 of the 14 patients "free" circulating antibody was observed. The plasma half-life of the antibody ranged from 0.7 to 21 h and the duration of detectable free antibody ranged from 3 to 216 h postinfusion. No toxicity was observed for the dosage range of antibody tested. In 9 of the 14 patients a low titer anti-baboon antibody response occurred between 14 and 28 days postinfusion. No clinical regression of carcinoma was documented. In 7 of the 14 patients disease remained stable during the 28-day study period. By the end of the 28-day study period plasma CEA levels had returned to at least the preinfusion level in 11 of the 14 patients.

Indoprofen in juvenile chronic arthritis

Indoprofen at 10-12 mg/kg body weight was compared with aloxiprin at 80 mg/kg body weight in children suffering from juvenile chronic arthritis. Indoprofen was significantly superior to aloxiprin in reducing soft tissue swelling and joint limitation and was effective in relieving pain and morning slowness and improving grip strength. The drug was well tolerated and is a satisfactory agent for the treatment of chronic arthritis in children.

Lateral epicondylitis presenting as jailer's elbow

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Organic personality disturbance: a case of apparent atypical cyclic affective disorder

The authors present the case report of a 19-year-old woman that contains several important points in the diagnosis and management of organic personality disturbance associated with temporal lobe epilepsy. The behavioral changes may antedate the onset of the clinical seizure. The diagnosis of complex partial seizures is a clinical diagnosis in which surface EEGs may repeatedly not demonstrate focal activity. Carbamazepine can have important psychotropic effects, in addition to its well-established anticonvulsant effects, and it may be particularly indicated if a lithium-resistant bipolar affective disorder is a differential diagnostic possibility.