Relation of IL-2, IL-3 and IL-4 with allergic asthma induced by spores of mushroom (Pleurotus sapidus)

The effects of IL-2, IL-3, and IL-4 activities on occurrence of allergic asthma induced by spores of mushroom have been studied by measuring the IL-2, IL-3, and IL-4 activities in culture supernatants of spleen lymphocytes from guinea pigs being stimulated with Con A. The IL-4 activity (14.9 +/- 0.18 u) in the culture supernatant was higher than control group (6.7 +/- 1.5 u). The IL-2 and IL-3 activities were all similar to that of the control group. The IL-4 synthesis was similarly raised as the IL-4 activity. These results indicated that there is a relationship between the occurrence of allergic asthma and the increase of IL-4.

Biochemical markers of bone turnover in women with surgically treated carcinoma of the breast

Biochemical markers of bone turnover were measured in fasting urine and blood samples obtained from 38 postmenopausal women with previous surgical treatment of breast cancer combined with adjuvant chemotherapy, tamoxifen, or placebo. Significantly elevated urinary pyridinoline as nmol mmol-1 creatinine (47.5 and 42.5 in tamoxifen and placebo treated patients compared with 26.3 in normal controls, both P < 0.001) and deoxypyridinoline (11.9 and 10.5 compared with 6.3, P < 0.001 and P = 0.002 respectively) were found with unchanged urinary hydroxyproline, serum alkaline phosphatase and procollagen I carboxyterminal peptide (PICP). These findings suggest enhanced bone resorption resulting from the humoral osteoclast activating effect of the previous breast cancer or underlying carcinoma recurrence. Alternatively the raised pyridinium excretion might indicate an altered crosslinking composition of bone collagen. No specific effect on bone metabolism was found with tamoxifen treatment as all measured parameters were similar in both tamoxifen ex-users and non-users. This confirmed the safety of tamoxifen therapy with respect to bone.

[Prevalence of HBV and HCV infections in plasma donors with recently increased ALT level]

HCV and HBV markers in sera were examined in a group of donors (71 cases) who had a history of elevated ALT, and were compared with another group of blood donors (217 cases) who had no such a history. The results showed that the positive rates in both two groups of donors were 14.08% and 6.45% for anti-HCV, 3/8 and 2/13 for anti-HCV-IgM in anti-HCV positive cases, 2.82% and 0.46% for HBsAg, 32.39% and 25.35% for anti-HBs, 45.07% and 33.18% for anti-HBc, respectively (P < 0.05-0.01). It showed a good correlation between the positive rates of HCV and HBV markers and the times of ALT elevation.

Modulation of the activity of a human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor/interleukin-3 fusion protein (pIXY 321) by the macrocyclic lactone protein kinase C activator bryostatin 1

We have examined the effect of the macrocyclic lactone protein kinase C (PK-C) activator bryostatin 1 on the proliferative capacity and lineage commitment of CD34+ human bone marrow cells exposed to the granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor/interleukin-3 (GM-CSF/IL-3) fusion protein pIXY 321. pIXY 321 administered at a dose of 10 ng/mL was as effective as the combination of plateau concentrations of recombinant (r) IL-3 and rGM-CSF (e.g., 50 ng/mL) in stimulating the growth of day-14 committed myeloid progenitors (colony-forming units granulocyte/macrophage [CFU-GM]). In the large majority of samples tested, coadministration of 0.5 to 100 nM bryostatin 1 with either pIXY 321 or the combination of rIL-3 plus rGM-CSF led to modest but significant increases (e.g., 30 to 75%) in the number of CFU-GM, compared to administration of growth factors alone. The degree of bryostatin 1-induced potentiation, however, was considerably less than that previously observed in the case of cells exposed to either rIL-3 or rGM-CSF, where increases of 100 to 150% were regularly noted. While at least 50% of day-14 CFU-GM stimulated by either pIXY 321 or the combination of rIL-3 plus rGM-CSF were of the pure or mixed eosinophilic variety, coadministration of bryostatin 1 resulted in a dramatic inhibition of eosinophilic colonies and a corresponding increase in pure and mixed neutrophil and macrophage colonies. Although coadministration of recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rG-CSF) or recombinant colony-stimulating factor-1 (rCSF-1) mimicked the capacity of bryostatin 1 to increase the total number of pIXY 321-induced day-14 CFU-GM, these growth factors, unlike bryostatin 1, were not capable of inhibiting eosinophilic colony formation. Furthermore, whereas addition of neutralizing antibodies to G-CSF or CSF-1 blocked the capacity of these growth factors to potentiate colony formation in the presence of pIXY 321, it did not abrogate the effect of bryostatin 1 on progenitor cell growth or lineage commitment. Finally, in contrast to its effects on committed myeloid progenitors, bryostatin 1 did not increase the growth of erythroid (burst-forming units-erythroid [BFU-E]) and multipotent (multipotent colony-forming units [CFU-GEMM]) progenitors stimulated by pIXY 321, but instead inhibited colony formation at higher concentrations (e.g., 10 to 100 nM).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Met-enkephalin-induced vasoconstriction in the microcirculation of rat striated muscle

Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized with pentobarbital (50 mg/kg) and the arterioles of the cremaster muscle were observed using television microscopy. Methionine (Met)-enkephalin was added to give bath concentrations of 10(-11) to 10(-7) M. Met-enkephalin caused a decrease in the diameter of first-order (127 +/- 7 microns), second-order (57 +/- 7 microns), and third-order (18 +/- 2 microns) arterioles, with the third-order arterioles showing the greatest reactivity. The effects of Met-enkephalin were attenuated by the opiate antagonist, naloxone, by the alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonists, phentolamine and prazosin, and by chemical sympathectomy with 6-hydroxydopamine. These results suggest that Met-enkephalin causes vasoconstriction in the striated muscle microcirculation by stimulating norepinephrine release from local nerve terminals.

Decreased arteriolar endothelium-derived relaxing factor production during the development of genetic hypertension

In the present study, basal and stimulated production of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) were examined in young (4-5 week-old) and mature (10-12 week-old) spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and were compared with those of age-matched Wistar Kyoto (WKY) normotensive rats. Nw-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) was used as a probe for basal EDRF production in vivo. We also determined the dose-response effects of acetylcholine (Ach, 10(-9)-10(-5) M), sodium nitroprusside (NP, 10(-9)-10(-5) M), and norepinephrine (NE, 3 x 10(-10)-10(-6) M), on third-order arterioles (3A) in the two age groups. Relaxation of 3A vessels in response to Ach was significantly lower (p < 0.01) in mature SHR than in WKY rats. No significant differences were observed in responses to Ach in young animals or in responses to NP in either age groups. Preincubation with L-NAME (2 x 10(-4) M) shifted the dose-response curves of NE to the left in mature WKY rats (n = 6), but not in mature SHR (n = 6). These data indicate that both basal and stimulated production of EDRF are decreased in small arterioles in the striated muscle microcirculation at an established stage of genetic hypertension. These data suggest that a diminished EDRF response by arterioles may be in part responsible for the elevated microvascular reactivity observed in genetic hypertension.

Defective major histocompatibility complex class I expression on lymphoid cells in autoimmunity

Lymphocytes from patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), a chronic autoimmune disease, have recently been shown to have decreased surface expression of MHC class I antigens. Since IDDM and other autoimmune diseases share a strong genetic association with MHC class II genes, which may in turn be linked to genes that affect MHC class I expression, we studied other autoimmune diseases to determine whether MHC class I expression is abnormal. Fresh PBLs were isolated from patients with IDDM, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Graves' disease, systemic lupus erythematosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren's syndrome. Nondiabetic and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients served as controls. MHC class I expression was measured with a conformationally dependent monoclonal antibody, W6/32. Freshly prepared PBLs from the autoimmune diseases studied and the corresponding fresh EBV-transformed B cell lines had decreased MHC class I expression compared with PBLs from normal volunteers and non-insulin-dependent (nonautoimmune) diabetic patients. Only 3 of more than 180 donors without IDDM or other clinically recognized autoimmune disease had persistently decreased MHC class I expression; one patient was treated with immunosuppressive drugs, and subsequent screening of the other two patients revealed high titers of autoantibodies, revealing clinically occult autoimmunity. Patients with nonautoimmune inflammation (osteomyelitis or tuberculosis) had normal MHC class I expression. Autoimmune diseases are characterized by decreased expression of MHC class I on lymphocytes. MHC class I expression may be necessary for self-tolerance, and abnormalities in such expression may lead to autoimmunity.

Detection of plasma alpha-granule membrane protein GMP-140 using radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies in thrombotic diseases

There is an assumption that platelet activation and endothelium damage play a critical role in the pathogenesis of thrombotic disorders. A radioimmunoassay based on using two monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to different epitopes of alpha-granule membrane protein (GMP-140) was used to determine whether plasma GMP-140 can be detected in patients suffering from acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or cerebral thrombosis and in patients during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). MAb SZ-51 was used as a solid phase, and 125I-labeled MAb S12 was used as a fluid phase. The assay is so sensitive that it can detect as little as 1 ng/ml of purified GMP-140. The intra- and interassay coefficients of variation were 4.2% (n = 5) and 7.1% (n = 8), respectively. The concentration of plasma GMP-140 was found to be 10.0 +/- 4.5 ng/ml (mean +/- SD, n = 20) in normal subjects. Ten patients undergoing CPB demonstrated a transient increase in the concentration of plasma GMP-140, especially at 2 h after CPB, and the plasma GMP-140 level was inversely correlated with the decreased platelet counts during bypass (r = -0.81, p < 0.01). It was found that the concentration of plasma GMP-140 increased significantly after AMI. Plasma GMP-140 reached the peak within 3 days and changed with the process of AMI (n = 16) patients. The concentration of plasma GMP-140 increased significantly in patients with cerebral thrombosis in the acute phase but not after relief.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[A clinicopathological and immunohistochemical study of 49 cases of necrotizing lymphadenitis]

A clinicopathological and immunohistiochemical study of 49 cases of necrotizing lymphadenitis was made. Twenty-four patients were male and twenty-five female with the M:F ratio of 0.96:1. The patients ranged in age from 9 to 62 years with a mean of 26. Forty-nine patients had superficial lymphadenopathy, and twenty-two were accompanied by fever. The results also showed that there was multifoci necrosis present in the involved lymph nodes, particularly in the cortex or/and paracortex, with variable numbers of small lymphocytes, immunoblasts, histocytes and phagocytes, the latter with phagocytized nuclear debris derived from necrotizing T lymphocytes. However, granulocytes and plasmacytes were generally absent, and B lymphocytes rare. The pathogenesis of this disease remains unknown and the pathogen has not been found by Gram, Giemsa, PAS, Ziehl-Neelsen and Warthin-Starry stain. The diagnosis, differential diagnosis and etiology of this disease are discussed. We support the suggestion that this entity be called "Kikuchi-Fujimoto's disease" rather than "Histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis".

Bryostatin 1 modulates the proliferation and lineage commitment of human myeloid progenitor cells exposed to recombinant interleukin-3 and recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor

The activity of protein kinase C (PK-C) has been implicated in the regulation of the growth and differentiation of both normal and neoplastic hematopoietic cells. We have examined the effects of the PK-C-activating agents phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu), mezerein, and bryostatin 1 on the proliferation and lineage commitment of CD34+ human myeloid progenitor cells stimulated by recombinant interleukin-3 (rIL-3) and/or recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rGM-CSF). Although each of the PK-C activators administered alone induced no colony formation, coadministration of these agents with plateau concentrations of each cytokine (eg, 50 ng/mL) increased the number of day 14 granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming units by 100% to 150%. The number of pure and mixed neutrophil and macrophage colonies was substantially enhanced in the presence of PK-C activators, whereas the percentage and, in most cases, the absolute number of eosinophilic colonies was significantly reduced. The inhibition of eosinophilic colony formation was not overcome by the addition of rIL-5. Although addition of bryostatin 1 24 hours before rIL-3 abrogated the increase in total colony formation observed with simultaneous administration of factors, the inhibition of eosinophilic colonies and the increase in neutrophil/macrophage colonies persisted under these conditions. The addition of bryostatin 1 for up to 144 hours after rIL-3 continued to potentiate total colony formation, whereas the inhibition of eosinophilic commitment was lost after 120 hours. Together, these results suggest that pharmacologic interventions at the level of PK-C may regulate both the proliferation as well as the lineage commitment of human hematopoietic progenitors exposed to rGM-CSF and rIL-3.

Overexpression of Mos, Ras, Src, and Fos inhibits mouse mammary epithelial cell differentiation

Mammary epithelial cells terminally differentiate in response to lactogenic hormones. We present evidence that oncoprotein overexpression is incompatible with this hormone-inducible differentiation and results in striking cellular morphological changes. In mammary epithelial cells in culture, lactogenic hormones (glucocorticoid and prolactin) activated a transfected beta-casein promoter and endogenous beta-casein gene expression. This response to lactogenic hormone treatment was paralleled by a decrease in cellular AP-1 DNA-binding activity. Expression of the mos, ras, or src (but not myc) oncogene blocked the activation of the beta-casein promoter induced by the lactogenic hormones and was associated with the maintenance of high levels of AP-1. Mos expression also increased c-fos and c-jun mRNA levels. Overexpression of Fos and Jun from transiently transfected constructs resulted in a functional inhibition of the glucocorticoid receptor in these mouse mammary epithelial cells. This finding clearly suggests that glucocorticoid receptor inhibition arising from oncogene expression will contribute to the block in hormonally induced mammary epithelial cell differentiation. Expression of Src resulted in the loss of the normal organization and morphological phenotype of mammary epithelial cells in the epithelial/fibroblastic line IM-2. Activation of a conditional c-fos/estrogen receptor gene encoding an estrogen-dependent Fos/estrogen receptor fusion protein also morphologically transformed mammary epithelial cells and inhibited initiation of mammary epithelial differentiation-associated expression of the beta-casein and WDNM 1 genes. In response to estrogen treatment, the cells displayed a high level of AP-1 DNA-binding activity. Our results demonstrate that high cellular AP-1 levels contribute to blocking the ability of mammary epithelial cells in culture to respond to lactogenic hormones. This and other studies indicate that the oncogene products Mos, Ras, and Src exert their effects, at least in part, by stimulating cellular Fos and probably cellular Jun activity.

[Preparation of human placenta microvillous membrane and the study of its transferrin receptor]

Human placenta microvillous membrane (PMM) was prepared by differential centrifugation and by sucrose gradient centrifugation, and the transferrin receptor (TfR) was studied using the receptor radioassay with 125I-transferrin as a radioligand. The factors affecting ligand-receptor binding reaction and the characteristics of TfR were also studied. The result showed that there was no significant differences (P > 0.1) in specific binding rates of 125I-transferrin to its receptor between the two membrane preparations, indicating that both of them could be used for TfR analysis, but the method of differential centrifugation was more simple and less time consuming. The study of TfR in sixty cases showed that the TfR binding sites on PMM and Bmax were 3.53 +/- 1.98 x 10(12) sites/mg membrane protein and 6.33 +/- 4.21 x 10(-12) mol/mg membrane protein, respectively. The Kd was 4.95 +/- 3.39 x 10(-9) mol/L, and the highest specific binding was 26% with nonspecific binding less than 3%. The conditions for ligand-receptor binding reaction were optimized when the concentrations of membrane protein and the 125I-transferrin in each test tube were 50 micrograms and 50,000 cpm (specific radioactivity being 2109 kBq/micrograms transferrin) respectively the incubation time was 30 min, and the concentration of polyethylene glycol added for separating B/F was 12% (W/V). transferrin binding to its receptor was characterized by high affinity, high specificity and being saturated.

Biomechanics of the Ilizarov fixator for fracture fixation

Compression, distraction, and torsion stiffness of the Ilizarov external fixator was measured in two fracture models in autopsy specimens of tibia and fibula. A transverse model was tested in six frame constructions with the osteotomy site preloaded in four different positions. An oblique model was tested in four frame constructions also with four preloaded positions. Stiffness was more dependent on bone preload than wire number, wire type, or frame design. High stiffness was achieved by bone preloading, by compressing the rings together, by increasing the number of wires, and by using olive wires. The stiffness can be decreased (dynamization) by separating the rings and by removing wires. This data is helpful for frame design of the Ilizarov fixator.

In vitro reaction of ethylene oxide with DNA and characterization of DNA adducts

Ethylene oxide (EO) is a direct-acting SN2 alkylating agent and a rodent and probable human carcinogen. In vitro reactions of EO with calf thymus DNA in aqueous solution at neutral pH and 37 degrees C for 10 h resulted in the following 2-hydroxyethyl (HE) adducts (nmol/mg DNA): 7-HE-Gua (330), 3-HE-Ade (39), 1-HE-Ade (28), N6-HE-dAdo (6.2), 3-HE-Cyt (3.1), 3-HE-Ura (0.8) and 3-HE-dThd (2.0). Reference (marker) compounds were synthesized from reactions of EO with 2'-deoxyribonucleosides and DNA bases, isolated by paper and high performance liquid chromatography and characterized on the basis of chemical properties and UV, NMR and mass spectra. In agreement with our earlier studies with propylene oxide (PO) (Chem.-Biol. Interact., 67 (1988) 275-294) and glycidol (Cancer Biochem. Biophys., 11 (1990) 59-67), alkylation at N-3 of dCyd by EO under physiological conditions resulted in the rapid hydrolytic deamination of 3-HE-dCyd to 3-HE-dUrd. The hydroxyl group on the alkyl side chain which forms after epoxide alkylation is mechanistically involved in this rapid hydrolytic deamination. These results may provide important insights into the mechanisms of mutagenicity and carcinogenicity exhibited by EO and other SN2 aliphatic epoxides.

Diagnostic exploration of enlarged peripheral nerves in suspected cases of leprosy. An analysis of 55 cases

In 55 cases presenting with enlarged peripheral nerves without any skin lesions, a rice grain-sized biopsy of the nerve lesion was taken for histopathological examination. As a result definitive diagnoses could be established: leprosy was diagnosed in 32 cases. In 23 cases the cause of nerve enlargement was not leprosy: post-traumatic neuritis 9, cysts 5, hypertrophic neuritis 3, nonspecific 4, neurofibroma 1, and amyloidosis 1. In all of these cases there was a deficit of the nerve function and postoperatively there were no complications. The authors, as a result of this experience, believe that surgical exploration and biopsy is a harmless diagnostic tool for establishing a definitive diagnosis of leprosy in cases presenting with enlarged peripheral nerves without any skin lesions. In 23 out of 55 such cases the nerve enlargement was proved to be other causes than leprosy.

DL, Forster Jr. LA, Li F, West CP, Johnson ZB, Patil A, Sun W. Liveweight gain by beef calves grazing cool-season annual grass in the spring and supplemented with grass hays

Supplementing beef calves grazing cool-season annual grass with warm- or cool-season grass hay (0.4% liveweight), differing in cell wall content, depressed weight gain more by heifers than steers. Adding supplemental corn (0.8% liveweight) to hay only improved gain by heifers, though gain was not greater than controls for either gender. Key words: Cattle, beef, supplements, pasture, corn, hay

[A study on origin of the hyperplastic synovial lining cells in rheumatoid arthritis]

The one of striking microscopic feature is synovium hyperplasia in rheumatoid arthritis. The origin of the hyperplastic synovial lining cells in RA remains unsettled. Two marked monoclonal antibodies and two marked antisera are used to run the immunohistochemical study. Our finding revealed that synovial lining cells bear marks for blood monocytes. It is suggested that the increased synovial lining cells population appear to derive from bone marrow. Besides, the results of immunoelectron microscopy showed that synovial lining cells of type A and type C express HLA-DR antigen. HLA positive dendritic cells are distinctly more frequently seen in RA synovium than in that of osteoarthritis.

Apoptotic cell death and tissue remodelling during mouse mammary gland involution

During post-lactational mammary gland involution, the bulk of mammary epithelium dies and is reabsorbed. This massive cell death and tissue restructuring was found to be accompanied by a specific pattern of gene expression. Northern blot analysis showed that weaning resulted in a dramatic drop in ODC, a gene involved in synthesis of a component of milk, and the nearly simultaneous induction of SGP-2, a gene associated with apoptotic cell death. These changes were followed by decreases in expression of milk protein genes to basal levels and expression of genes associated with regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation, p53, c-myc and TGF-beta 1. Subsequently, additional genes implicated in stress response, tissue remodelling, and apoptotic cell death were transiently expressed, expression peaking at about 6 days post-weaning. A non-random degradation of DNA yielding the oligonucleosomal length fragmentation pattern typical of apoptotic cell death (Wyllie, 1980; Wyllie et al., 1980) was detected in association with morphological changes and gene expression. The correlations between: (a) changes in morphology, (b) pattern of gene expression and (c) changes in DNA integrity suggest that complementary programs for cell death and tissue remodelling direct post-lactational mammary gland involution.

[Effects of ginseng volatile oil on cytochemical components of SGC-823 gastric carcinoma in cell culture]

After 24, 48 and 72 hours' treatment of cells of SGC-823 gastric carcinoma in cell cultures with ginseng volatile oil, glycogen, succinate dehydrogenase and DNA in single cells were measured quantitatively with MPV2 microscope photometer. The results show that the inhibition of cancer cell growth by ginseng volatile oil may be due to the action of metabolism of DNA, carbohydrates and energy.

[Hypolipodemic action of zhikeqing]

Zhikeqing is a compound prescription of Chinese herbs. It has been proved shown to possess an obvious effect on lipid and lipoprotein cholesterol contents in the serum of hyperlipidemic mice or rats.