Receptor protein-tyrosine phosphatase gamma is a candidate tumor suppressor gene at human chromosome region 3p21

PTPG, the gene for protein-tyrosine phosphatase gamma (PTP gamma), maps to a region of human chromosome 3, 3p21, that is frequently deleted in renal cell carcinoma and lung carcinoma. One of the functions of protein-tyrosine phosphatases is to reverse the effect of protein-tyrosine kinases, many of which are oncogenes, suggesting that some protein-tyrosine phosphatase genes may act as tumor suppressor genes. A hallmark of tumor suppressor genes is that they are deleted in tumors in which their inactivation contributes to the malignant phenotype. In this study, one PTP gamma allele was lost in 3 of 5 renal carcinoma cell lines and 5 of 10 lung carcinoma tumor samples tested. Importantly, one PTP gamma allele was lost in three lung tumors that had not lost flanking loci. PTP gamma mRNA was expressed in kidney cell lines and lung cell lines but not expressed in several hematopoietic cell lines tested. Thus, the PTP gamma gene has characteristics that suggest it as a candidate tumor suppressor gene at 3p21.

A comparison of serum-free media for the support of in vitro mitogen-induced blastogenic expansion of cytolytic lymphocytes

The high cost and potential dangers of including human AB serum in incubation media used to expand lymphocyte populations in vitro for adoptive immunotherapy have stimulated efforts to develop defined media which can support both the expansion and induction of lymphocytes with tumor cytolytic activity in the absence of serum. Lymphocyte proliferation following exposure to either PHA or the combination of phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) and the calcium ionophore, ionomycin, was evaluated. Although the media tested, X-Vivo 10, HB-104, AIM V, and HL-1, supported the generation of comparable levels of LAK activity after 3-5 days incubation with 10(3) U human recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2)/ml, there were striking differences in the ability of each medium to support mitogenically stimulated lymphocytes in the absence of serum, with cells in AIM V and X-Vivo 10 showing the highest levels of DNA synthesis. In long-term cultures (17 days) of blood MNC stimulated by PDBu and ionomycin, X-Vivo 10 and HB-104 yielded the greatest numbers of cells. The addition of 2% AB serum greatly enhanced the ability of each medium to support cell proliferation to equivalent maximum levels. The results indicate that while all four serum-free media were suitable for lymphocyte culture and support the development of LAK activity, they differ in their capacity to support expansion of lymphocyte populations in response to polyclonal mitogenic activation. This latter characteristic should be considered before choosing a particular serum-free formulation as its constituents may affect mechanistic interpretations regarding signal transduction events.

Polyneuropathy syndromes associated with serum antibodies to sulfatide and myelin-associated glycoprotein

We studied a series of 64 patients with sensory +/- motor peripheral neuropathies by comparing clinical and physiologic features to serum antibody reactivity against compounds containing sulfated carbohydrate moieties. We determined antibody reactivity by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using purified glycolipids and glycoproteins as antigens, and we used high-performance thin-layer chromatography and Western blotting to test the specificity of results. Twelve patients with high titers of IgM antibodies directed against the myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) had sensory-motor polyneuropathies with physiologic evidence of demyelination. IgM antibody reactivity to MAG was associated with an IgM serum M protein in five patients. Eight other patients, most with sensory greater than motor polyneuropathies, had high titers of antibody reactivity to sulfatide but not of IgM to MAG. Two had an associated IgM paraprotein. None of the patients with selective serum antisulfatide activity had predominantly demyelinating features on physiologic testing. We conclude that (1) high ELISA titers of antibodies to MAG may be more common than previously suspected in patients with chronic demyelinating sensory-motor neuropathies, and (2) the presence of high titers of antisulfatide antibodies in serum may provide clues to the pathogenesis of otherwise idiopathic, axonal, predominantly sensory neuropathies.

Treatment of essential hypertension with auriculoacupressure

Auriculoacupressure was used in the treatment of 291 cases of essential hypertension, in comparison with 51 similar cases treated with Fufang Jiangya (composite hypotensive) Tablets. Analysis of results showed that the therapeutic effects in the 2 groups were similar, while the rate of marked efficacy in the acupressure group was higher than that of the medication group, and the level of blood lipids also significantly dropped (P less than 0.01); there was only minor improvement in blood rheology. In addition, acupressure manifested biphasic regulatory effects on sinus arrythmia. The curative effect of acupressure on essential vascular hypertension was good.

[Aging-resistant function of soybean phospholipid paste]

Existing chiefly in biomembrane system, phospholipid is a fundamental component in the tissues of all organisms. The ageing of biomembrane is manifested mainly in the changing of phospholipid composition. Experiments have shown that soybean phospholipid paste is obviously helpful in decreasing blood lipids and retarding the ageing process of tissues, thus making a good natural agent for resisting ageing.

In vitro reactions of isopropyl methanesulfonate with DNA and with 2'-deoxyribonucleosides

Isopropyl methanesulfonate (IPMS), an SN1 alkylating agent, is a direct-acting mutagen in bacteria. We recently reported that s.c. and topical administration of IPMS to mice resulted in the rapid induction of thymic lymphomas. Thymic lymphoma induction was not observed following administration of the SN2 alkylating agents methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) and ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS). We have studied the reactions of IPMS with dAdo, dCyd, dGuo and dThd at pH 6.5 to 7.5 and 37 degrees C for 3 h. IPMS formed the following isopropyl (IP) adducts: 7-IP-Gua (4% yield), O6-IP-Gua (8%), O2-IP-Cyt (1%), O2-IP-dThd (2%), 3-IP-dThd (1%), and O4-IP-dThd (0.4%). Adducts were characterized from UV and mass spectra. IPMS was reacted in vitro with calf thymus DNA (pH 6.5 to 7.5, 37 degrees C, 3 h) and yielded (nmol/mg DNA): 7-IP-Gua (22) O6-IP-dGuo (11), O2-IP-Cyt (9), O2-IP-dThd (2), O4-IP-dThd (2), 3-IP-Ade (0.2) and 3-IP-dThd (0.2). The relatively greater alkylation of exocyclic oxygen atoms in DNA by IPMS compared to values for MMS and EMS reported by others, may play a role in the induction of thymic lymphomas in mice by IPMS and the lack of such activity by MMS and EMS.

Coproporphyrinogen oxidase, protoporphyrinogen oxidase and ferrochelatase activities in iron-overloaded and ethanol-treated rats

The activities of coproporphyrinogen oxidase, protoporphyrinogen oxidase and ferrochelatase in liver homogenates of iron-overloaded and acutely or chronically ethanol-treated rats were assayed by high performance liquid chromatographic methods. Decreased coproporphyrinogen oxidase activity was found in chronically carbonyliron-fed rats while the activities of protoporphyrinogen oxidase and ferrochelatase remained unchanged. Coproporphyrinogen oxidase and protoporphyrinogen oxidase activities in both chronically and acutely ethanol-treated animals were not significantly different from controls. In chronically ethanol-fed rats normal ferrochelatase activity was found.

Effect of IgG for intravenous use on Fc receptor-mediated phagocytosis by human monocytes

Polyspecific IgG given intravenously at high doses (IVIG) is used for immunomodulatory therapy in autoimmune diseases such as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and myasthenia gravis. It is assumed that the clinical effect is brought about in part by a modulation of mononuclear phagocyte function, in particular by an inhibition of Fc receptor (FcR) mediated phagocytosis. In the present study, the effect of IVIG on FcR-mediated phagocytosis by monocytes was analysed in vitro. Since monocytes exposed to minute amounts of surface-bound IgG displayed impaired phagocytosis of IgG-coated erythrocytes (EA), the effect of IVIG was studied with mononuclear cells suspended in teflon bags in medium containing 10% autologous serum and IVIG (2-10 mg/ml). Monocytes pre-exposed to IVIG and then washed, displayed impaired ingestion of EA when compared with control cells cultured in 10% autologous serum only. The decrease in phagocytosis was observed with sheep erythrocytes treated with either rabbit IgG or bovine IgG1 and with anti-D-treated human erythrocytes. This suggests that phagocytosis via both FcR type I (FcRI) and type II (FcRII) was decreased. The impairment of phagocytosis was dependent on the presence of intact IgG and was mediated by IVIG from nulliparous donors and from multigravidae to the same extent, suggesting that alloantibodies contained in IVIG have a minor role in modulating FcR-mediated phagocytosis by monocytes. A flow cytometric analysis using anti-FcRI, FcRII and FcRII monoclonal antibodies showed that IVIG treatment upregulated FcRI expression but did not significantly alter the expression of FcRII and FcRIII.

Effects of the plant flavonoid baohuoside-1 on cancer cells in vitro

The novel plant flavonoid 3,5,7,-trihydroxy-4'-methoxyl-8'-prenylflavone-3-O-alpha-L-rham nopranoxide (designated baohuoside-1) was shown to have cytotoxic and cytostatic effects on 6 cancer cell-lines, by means of microscopy, 51Cr-release and growth inhibition. The IC50 on the cells tested ranged from 2.8 to 7.5 micrograms/ml. At tumouricidal concentrations, inhibition of DNA and RNA synthesis, but not protein synthesis was observed.

Transient picosecond response of the photorefractive effect in InP:Fe

The time lag of the crossed-polarized part of the transmitted probe pulse, which is due to photorefractive energy transfer from the pump pulse, is measured with respect to the original transmitted probe pulse. The average photorefractive response time of the crystal is estimated through theoretical analysis.

Induction of F9 cell differentiation by transient exposure to retinoic acid

The F9 cell is a mouse embryonal teratocarcinoma which can be induced to differentiate into visceral endoderm by treatment with retinoic acid (RA). Treatment with RA in conventional studies was carried out in the constant presence of RA. Here we demonstrate that treatment with RA can be as short as 3 hrs to induce differentiation of F9 cells. Morphology, alpha-fetoprotein gene activity, and temporal patterns of F9 cell differentiation are the same with both short- and long-term treatment with RA.

Serum antibodies to defined carbohydrate antigens during the course of treated leprosy

Sequential monitoring of 724 sera for antibodies to a neoantigen based on phenolic glycolipid-I (PGL-I) and native lipoarabinomannan (LAM) in 90 leprosy patients undergoing therapy in San Francisco was conducted. Untreated lepromatous patients frequently (91%) had significant antibodies to both moieties. Antibodies were less frequently found in tuberculoid patients (74% to neoantigen and 37% to LAM). In the first 3 years of treatment, average serum antibodies to both moieties fell significantly. Antibodies to LAM fell during each of the first 4 years of therapy, but decreasing antibody levels to the PGL-I neoantigen did not appear to fall consistently after the third year of treatment. A wide variation in the rate of fall of serum antibodies was noted. Sequential changes in the amounts of serum antibodies to the neoantigen and LAM in general paralleled one another but were at times discrepant. Both in San Francisco and Malaysia, skin-smear negative, long-term treated, lepromatous leprosy patients frequently harbored significant antibodies to both PGL-I and LAM.

[Identification of an inhibitor in the aqueous extract of Fritillaria polliflora Schrek seeds]

It has been identified that there exists a certain inhibitor in the aqueous extract of Fritillaria pollidiflora seeds against embryonic development and germination of seeds. An improved method is thus proposed to guarantee better treatment of seeds.

A database of isoinertial trunk strength tests against three resistance levels in sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes in normal male subjects

Spatial joint complexes, such as the spine, require multiaxial systems to adequately assess their functional capacity. The B200 Isostation (Isotechnologies, Inc., Carrboro, North Carolina) is a triaxial system that has three hydraulic pumps under control of an IBM-XT. The transducers measure the torque, angular position, and velocity for all axes simultaneously. There is no isoinertial data base available for strength at different resistances in the sagittal, coronal, and transverse planes. A normal data base for dynamic performance against resistances equal to 30%, 50%, and 70% of the maximum isometric strength of trunk muscles in all three planes was established.

Coproporphyrinogen oxidase, protoporphyrinogen oxidase and ferrochelatase activities in human liver biopsies with special reference to alcoholic liver disease

The activities of coproporphyrinogen oxidase, protoporphyrinogen oxidase and ferrochelatase have been assayed in human liver biopsies using recently developed highly sensitive specific enzyme assays. The specific activities (nmol/min/mg protein) in controls were 0.010 +/- 0.003 (mean +/- S.D., n = 11), 0.18 +/- 0.07 (n = 9) and 0.062 +/- 0.022 (n = 8), respectively. The total activities (mumol/min/liver) were determined, using ultrasound to determine liver volumes, and were 2.6 +/- 0.6 (n = 5), 36.6 +/- 13.9 (n = 6) and 14.2 +/- 5.4 (n = 3), respectively. Both specific and total enzyme activities in alcoholics with fatty liver were not significantly different from normal controls. Decreased protoporphyrinogen oxidase activity (0.08 nmol/min/mg protein or 20.2 mumol/min/liver) was found in two patients with variegate porphyria. In a patient with erythrohepatic protoporphyria a reduction of the ferrochelatase activity (0.01 nmol/min/mg protein) was demonstrated.