Nephrostomy tract tumor seeding following percutaneous manipulation of a ureteral carcinoma

We report a case of nephrostomy tract tumor seeding following percutaneous nephrostomy tube placement and endoscopic manipulation of ureteral carcinoma. While never previously reported to our knowledge, tumor seeding is a potential risk of percutaneous endoscopic management of upper tract urothelial carcinomas.

Strand invasion by oligonucleotide--nuclease conjugates

Conjugates consisting of staphylococcal nuclease crosslinked to oligonucleotides hybridize to supercoiled duplex DNA by Watson--Crick base-pairing. Here we describe this strand invasion. Affinity cleavage by these conjugates provides a probe for the local topology of the DNA duplex and is most efficient at a target DNA sequence known to form a cruciform. Additional supercoiling of the substrate DNA increases selective cleavage at other sequences. Hybridization of the conjugate to duplex DNA is temperature dependent and is stable over time. Affinity cleavage is not substantially inhibited by a 200-fold excess of the analogous unmodified oligonucleotide, demonstrating that hybridization of the unmodified oligonucleotide must be less favored and that the nuclease is involved in substrate binding. Surprisingly, affinity cleavage is also not effectively inhibited by complementary oligonucleotides unless they contain an extended 5'-sequence capable of separate interactions with the nuclease domain of the conjugate. These results suggest that the oligonucleotide-nuclease conjugate prefers to hybridize to target sequences which will allow interactions with both the oligonucleotide and the nuclease domains. Affinity cleavage by oligonucleotide-nuclease conjugates provides general insights for the design of oligonucleotides and their conjugates for strand invasion and affords a convenient competition assay for their hybridization.

Cytochemical characteristics of cat spinal neurons activated during fictive locomotion

Using standard immunohistochemical and histochemical techniques, we have examined the neurochemical characteristics of a subpopulation of locomotor-related neurons as labeled by the activity-dependent marker c-fos. Results were compared to those obtained from a small sample of intracellularly labeled locomotor-related neurons. In the paralyzed, decerebrate cat, fictive locomotion was evoked by electrical stimulation of the mesencephalic locomotor region. Most c-fos-immunoreactive neurons were distributed in medial lamina VI and VII and in lamina VIII and X. Double labeling of c-fos with various cytochemical markers revealed that about one-third of the c-fos-immunoreactive neurons were choline acetyltransferase immunoreactive, about one-third were glutamate immunoreactive, and about one-third were aspartate immunoreactive. In addition, approximately 15% of the c-fos-labeled neurons contained NADPH-diaphrorase reaction product, while almost 40% appeared to receive close contacts from calcitonin gene-related peptide-immunoreactive fibers and boutons. Choline acetyltransferase- or aspartate immunoreactivity was observed in some intracellularly labeled neurons. These findings have implications regarding the putative neurotransmitters utilized by subpopulations of locomotor-related neurons in the cat spinal cord.

Acute miliary blastomycosis in an AIDS patient

The incidence of blastomycosis in immunocompromised patients with HIV infection is very low when compared to other mycoses. Of the 19 cases of blastomycosis described in HIV-infected patients, only four had a miliary pattern on chest x-ray. A case of acute miliary blastomycosis in an HIV infected patient from Louisville is described.

Characterization of mutated transforming growth factor-beta s which possess unique biological properties

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a potent regulator of cell growth and differentiation. On the basis of the crystal structure of TGF-beta 2, we have designed and synthesized two mutant TGF-beta s, TGF-beta 1 (71 Trp) and TGF-beta 1 (delta 69-73). Although both of these molecules inhibited the growth of Mv1Lu mink lung epithelial cells and LS1034 colorectal cancer cells, which are affected equally by TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2, TGF-beta 1 (delta 69-73) was much less potent than TGF-beta 1 or TGF-beta 1 (71 Trp) at inhibiting the growth of LS513 colorectal cancer cells which are growth-inhibited by TGF-beta 1 but not TGF-beta 2. Both TGF-beta 1 (71 Trp) and TGF-beta 1 (delta 69-73) increased levels of mRNAs for fibronectin and plasminogen activator inhibitor with Mv1Lu cells, whereas only TGF-beta 1 (71 Trp) and not TGF-beta 1 (delta 69-73) up-regulated the mRNA level of carcinoembryonic antigen in LS513 cells. The expression level of carcinoembryonic antigen mRNA in LS1034 cells was not altered by either wild-type or mutant TGF-beta s. Receptor labeling experiments demonstrated that TGF-beta 1 (71 Trp) bound with high affinity to the cell-surface receptors of Mv1Lu, LS1034, and LS513 cells while TGF-beta 1 (delta 69-73) bound effectively to the receptors of Mv1Lu and LS1034 cells but much less to the receptors on LS513 cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Sagnac fiber logic gates and their possible applications: a system perspective

The Sagnac all-optical fiber logic gate functions as a two-input AND gate, a two-input AND gate with one inverting input, or both. The fiber logic gate is pipelined and has a fixed latency. This latency has no effect on feed-forward combinatoric circuits. The latency can be used to time multiplex circuits or to time multiplex gates to emulate a circuit. Possible applications such as a bit-jitter-tolerant communications system, an asynchronous communications system, a bit-interleaved self-routing switching system, an exchange/bypass permutation unit, and a folded universal state machine are discussed.

Experimental comparison of muscle contractility after three methods of reinnervation

A comparative study of three methods of muscle reinnervation in rabbits is presented. Nerve suture, nerve implantation, and a combination of the two methods all achieved functional recovery of microvascular muscle transplants. Contractility was nearly normal in all groups, although nerve implantation alone was less effective than those methods using nerve suture. Reasons for the difference and clinical implications are discussed.

Microneurovascular transfer of the tensor fascia lata musculocutaneous flap for reconstruction of the tongue

The tensor fascia lata musculocutaneous flap has been successfully transferred for coverage of the groin, abdomen, and thigh regions. After free transfer, it has demonstrated both muscle reinnervation and sensibility. The current study presents anatomical dissections and five clinical cases of innervated tensor fascia lata musculocutaneous flap transfer for immediate reconstruction of subtotal glossectomy defects after carcinoma extirpation. Clinical evaluation 10 to 24 months postoperatively with oral pressure measurement, electromyography, cineradiography, and speech analysis demonstrated adequate bulk and both sensory and motor function. Speech and swallowing were superior to those in patients whose defects were repaired by primary closure and pectoralis major musculocutaneous flaps. Tensor fascia lata reconstructions showed superior tongue-palate and tongue-pharynx contact and improved oral functional rehabilitation. We believe the tensor fascia lata musculocutaneous flap is ideal for reconstruction of total or partial glossectomy defects because of its appropriate bulk and reinnervation.

Case report 861: Primary lymphedema of the left lower extremity

We believe MR findings to be quite characteristic of primary lymphedema. We believe that MR has a role in diagnosing lymphedema and its complications.

Aberrant expression of basic fibroblast growth factor in NIH-3T3 cells alters drug resistance and gene amplification potential

We have investigated the genetic stability of NIH-3T3 cells transfected with sequences coding for basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) by determining drug resistance and gene amplification potential. Colony-forming experiments and fluctuation analyses showed that the frequency and rate of resistance to N-(phosphonacetyl)-L-aspartate (PALA) was dramatically elevated in cells transfected with either the normal bFGF coding sequence that lacks a known signal for secretion or a chimeric bFGF sequence that targets the growth factor to the secretory pathway. Basic FGF-transfected cells that grew in the presence of PALA were found to possess an amplification of the CAD gene, which codes for a multifunctional protein involved in pyrimidine biosynthesis and is the site of action for PALA. The observation that these alterations occur in cells transfected with a bFGF sequence, without a conventional signal sequence for secretion, suggests an intracrine as opposed to autocrine mechanism of action. The results describe a new function for this growth factor and suggest a novel role for aberrant expression of bFGF in mechanisms of tumor progression.

Corelease of nitric oxide and prostaglandins mediates flow-dependent dilation of rat gracilis muscle arterioles

We have studied the mechanisms responsible for the mediation of flow (shear stress)-induced dilation of isolated arterioles of rat gracilis muscle. Active diameter of arterioles at a constant perfusion pressure (PP, 80 mmHg) was approximately 92 microns, while their passive diameter (Ca(2+)-free solution) was approximately 165 microns. At a constant PP the stepwise increase in flow of the perfusion solution (PS, 0-60 microliters/min in 10-microliters/min steps) elicited a gradual increase in diameter up to approximately 140 microns. Flow-induced dilations were eliminated by the removal of the endothelium of arterioles (by air). Dilations were significantly reduced by the cyclooxygenase blocker, indomethacin (Indo, 10(-5) M), by the nitric oxide synthase blocker, N omega-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, 10(-4) M), or by the endothelium-derived relaxing factor inhibitor, oxyhemoglobin (Hb, 10(-5) M), as indicated by the significant changes in the slope of the regression lines of the flow-diameter curves. For example, during administration of the inhibitors, dilation to 60 microliters/min perfusate flow was reduced by 41.1, 54.3, and 39.3%, respectively. Combined application of Indo and L-NNA almost completely eliminated flow-induced dilation. Arteriolar dilation maintained calculated wall shear stress close to control values (approximately 30 dyn/cm2 at 60 microliters/min) despite increases in flow, but when the dilation was inhibited by removal of the endothelium or by the combined administration of Indo and L-NNA, wall shear stress was greatly increased as a function of increases in flow of the PS (approximately 125 dyn/cm2).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Short-term daily exercise activity enhances endothelial NO synthesis in skeletal muscle arterioles of rats

We aimed to test the hypothesis that as a consequence of short-term daily bouts of exercise the control of arteriolar smooth muscle by endothelium is altered. Rats ran on a treadmill once a day, 5 days/wk, for 2-4 wk (with gradually increasing intensity, up to 26 min at 22 m/min at a 1% grade by the beginning of the 3rd wk and up to 38 min at 28 m/min at a 2% grade by the beginning of the 4th wk) while a control group remained sedentary (SED). Cannulated and pressurized arterioles of rat gracilis muscle developed spontaneous myogenic tone, which was slightly enhanced in exercised (EX) compared with SED rat arterioles. At 80 mmHg pressure, the passive (Ca(2+)-free solution) and active diameters of SED and EX rat arterioles were 105.4 +/- 3.8 and 55.1 +/- 2.3 microns and 107.1 +/- 3.4 and 50.2 +/- 2.2 microns, respectively. Dose-dependent dilations to sodium nitroprusside (10(-8)-10(-6) M) and constrictions to norepinephrine (10(-8)-10(-6) M) were not affected in EX arterioles, whereas dilations to adenosine (10(-6)-10(-4) M) were significantly reduced. In contrast, dose-dependent dilations to acetylcholine (ACh; 5 x 10(-9)-10(-7) M) and L-arginine [precursor of nitric oxide (NO); 10(-4)-10(-3) M] were significantly enhanced (by 33-78 and 57-75%, respectively) in arterioles of EX compared with those of SED rats. Responses of arterioles to sodium nitrite were not different in SED and EX groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Chemoprevention and therapy of mouse mammary carcinomas with doxorubicin encapsulated in sterically stabilized liposomes

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to determine the ability of doxorubicin, encapsulated in sterically stabilized liposomes (Doxil [Liposome Technology, Inc., Menlo Park, CA]), to inhibit the spontaneous development of mammary carcinomas in mice.

METHODS

Monthly prophylactic intravenous injections of 6 mg/kg doses of Doxil were started when retired breeding C3H/He mice were 26 weeks old. Mice that developed a mammary carcinoma were then given weekly intravenous injections of 6 mg/kg doses to determine whether the tumors were susceptible or resistant to Doxil therapy.

RESULTS

The monthly injections reduced the incidence of first mammary carcinomas in up to 88-week-old retired breeding C3H/He mice from 65 of 66 (98%) in untreated mice to 22 of 47 (47%) in treated mice. The first 15 mice that developed a mammary tumor while on the prophylactic protocol were then placed on a weekly therapeutic protocol. The therapeutic use of Doxil cured 3 of 15 mice and inhibited the growth of 12 tumors. Drug resistance as a result of treatments was not observed. The mean survival of tumor-bearing mice was extended from 24 days in untreated mice to 87 days in treated mice. Toxic side effects were limited to transient weight loss during the weekly Doxil treatments and to epidermal necrosis and dermal fibrosis due to drug extravasation at the sites of intravenous injections.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors concluded that doxorubicin in sterically stabilized liposomes deserves to be explored further in comparative studies with free doxorubicin for the prophylaxis and therapy of mammary cancer.

Liposomes and hyperthermia in mice: increased tumor uptake and therapeutic efficacy of doxorubicin in sterically stabilized liposomes

We have shown that sterically stabilized (Stealth) liposomes (SL), can accumulate in the extracellular space within tumors, and may improve pharmacokinetics and therapeutic efficacy of encapsulated doxorubicin (SL-DOX). When SL-DOX were incubated in vitro at different temperatures with 50% bovine serum, approximately 20% of the encapsulated DOX was released at 42 degrees C within 1 min, compared with less than 1% DOX released at 37 degrees C. In vivo, mice were implanted s.c. with C-26 colon carcinoma in both flanks to produce matched tumors 6-10 mm in diameter. Topical hyperthermia treatment consisting of 42 degrees C minimum tumor temperature for 30 min was applied with a microwave device to the tumor on one side only at 1 h after i.v. injection of SL-DOX or free DOX. Tumor DOX concentration in the group which was given injections of SL-DOX and sacrificed 2 h after drug injection was 1.5-fold higher compared with the nonheated tumor in mice given injections of SL-DOX. At 24 h after injection the thermal enhancement ratio for DOX accumulation in tumor remained at 1.5. In addition, there was a 15-fold higher concentration of DOX in tumor from the group given injections of SL-DOX compared to mice given injections of free doxorubicin. To assess therapeutic efficacy, we treated mice with hyperthermia for 15 min either at 1, or at 24 h or at both time points after injection of SL-DOX. We have found that the life span of the group of mice treated with SL-DOX and two 15-min hyperthermia treatments increased 51% compared with control groups receiving the same dosage of SL-DOX but without hyperthermia, and 59% compared to those receiving two hyperthermia treatments but with free DOX. A single hyperthermia treatment either at 1 or 24 h was less effective in increasing life span compared with two treatments, but all groups treated with SL-DOX and single hyperthermia were still superior to the control groups, showing a 27-38% increase in life span.

Lemierre's syndrome: postanginal sepsis due to anaerobic oropharyngeal infection

Lemierre's syndrome is an uncommon clinical entity. It consists of oropharyngeal infection and anaerobic bacteremia, followed by jugular vein septic thrombophlebitis with embolization to lungs and other areas. Although it occurs less frequently than in the pre-antibiotic era, it is important that the typical presentation be recognized because of its lethal potential. A case of Lemierre's syndrome in Louisville, Kentucky, is described.

Impaired nitric oxide-mediated flow-induced dilation in arterioles of spontaneously hypertensive rats

We tested the hypothesis that impairment of flow-dependent dilator mechanisms of skeletal muscle arterioles is one of the underlying reasons for the increased peripheral resistance in hypertension. Isolated, cannulated arterioles (approximately 55 microns) of gracilis muscle of 12-week-old spontaneously hypertensive (SH) and normotensive Wistar (NW) rats were investigated. At a constant perfusion pressure (80 mm Hg), the active diameters of NW and SH arterioles were 57.7 +/- 1.9 and 51.5 +/- 3.2 microns, whereas their passive diameters (Ca(2+)-free solution) were 113.6 +/- 2.9 and 101.7 +/- 2.9 microns, respectively. Flow-induced dilation was elicited by increases in flow of the perfusion solution from 0 to 25 microL/min in 5-microL/min steps. This response was significantly less in arterioles of SH compared with NW rats. For example, at 25-microL/min flow, the diameter of arterioles of SH rats was approximately 56% less (P < .05) than those of NW rats. Indomethacin, an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis, significantly attenuated the flow-diameter curve in both strains of rats. In contrast, N omega-nitro-L-arginine, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, significantly shifted the flow-diameter curve to the right in NW rats, but it did not affect the flow-diameter curve in SH rats. Thus, the present findings demonstrate that in gracilis muscle arterioles of normotensive rats in response to increases in flow (shear stress), prostaglandins and nitric oxide are co-released, resulting in a dilation. In early hypertension, however, there is a reduced arteriolar dilation to increases in flow that is due to the impairment of the nitric oxide-mediated portion of the flow-dependent arteriolar dilation.

Tissue distribution and therapeutic effect of intravenous free or encapsulated liposomal doxorubicin on human prostate carcinoma xenografts

BACKGROUND

The authors compared the therapeutic effects of doxorubicin in two formulations: free in saline suspension and encapsulated in sterically stabilized liposomes composed of hydrogenated soy phosphatidylcholine/2cholesterol/polyethylene glycol-distearoyl-phosphatidyl-ethanolamine (Doxil, Liposome Technology, Inc., Menlo Park, CA).

METHOD

The drug formulations were injected intravenously to treat human prostate carcinoma PC-3, implanted subcutaneously into nude Swiss mice. Confocal laser scan microscopy and microfluorometry were used to determine tissue distribution and to quantitate drug uptake.

RESULTS

Laser scan microscope and microfluorometer studies showed that the liposome-encapsulated drug entered the liver, the kidneys, and the tumor in greater quantity and remained in the liver and in the tumor longer than the free drug. The liposome formulation produced a 25-fold increase in doxorubicin at the disease site. Doxil was significantly more effective than the free drug in inhibiting growth and in effecting cures and had only minor and temporary systemic toxic effects.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of doxorubicin, encapsulated in sterically stabilized liposomes, against prostate carcinoma. Decreased systemic elimination, increased penetration into the tumor, and long liposome presence with slow drug release into the tumor probably accounted for the enhanced therapeutic effect of doxorubicin in sterically stabilized liposomes.

Prolonged circulation time and enhanced accumulation in malignant exudates of doxorubicin encapsulated in polyethylene-glycol coated liposomes

In preclinical studies, a doxorubicin liposome formulation containing polyethylene-glycol (Doxil) shows a long circulation time in plasma, enhanced accumulation in murine tumors, and a superior therapeutic activity over free (unencapsulated) doxorubicin (DOX). The purpose of this study was to characterize the pharmacokinetics of Doxil in cancer patients in comparison with free DOX and examine its accumulation in malignant effusions. The pharmacokinetics of doxorubicin and/or liposome-associated doxorubicin were analyzed in seven patients after injections of equivalent doses of free DOX and Doxil and in an additional group of nine patients after injection of Doxil only. Two dose levels were examined, 25 and 50 mg/m2. When possible, drug levels were also measured in malignant effusions. The plasma elimination of Doxil followed a biexponential curve with half-lives of 2 and 45 h (median values), most of the dose being cleared from plasma under the longer half-life. Nearly 100% of the drug detected in plasma after Doxil injection was in liposome-encapsulated form. A slow plasma clearance (0.1 liter/h for Doxil versus 45 liters/h for free DOX) and a small volume of distribution (4 liters for Doxil versus 254 liters for free DOX) are characteristic of Doxil. Doxorubicin metabolites were detected in the urine of Doxil-treated patients with a pattern similar to that reported for free DOX, although the overall urinary excretion of drug and metabolites was significantly reduced. Doxil treatment resulted in a 4- to 16-fold enhancement of drug levels in malignant effusions, peaking between 3 to 7 days after injection. Stomatitis related to Doxil occurred in 5 of 15 evaluable patients and appears to be the most significant side effect in heavily pretreated patients. The results of this study are consistent with preclinical findings indicating that the pharmacokinetics of doxorubicin are drastically altered using Doxil and follow a pattern dictated by the liposome carrier. The enhanced drug accumulation in malignant effusions is apparently related to liposome longevity in circulation. Further clinical investigation is needed to establish the relevance of these findings with regard to the ability of liposomes to modify the delivery of doxorubicin to solid tumors and its pattern of antitumor activity.

Antisense transcripts and protein binding motifs within the Wilms tumour (WT1) locus

Transcription of the WT1 locus is restricted, both temporally and spatially, to a subset of epithelial cells in mammalian kidneys and gonads. WT1, one of the two divergent transcripts mapping to this locus encodes a zinc finger protein that is likely a transcriptional regulator. The other transcript, WIT1, encodes a product of unknown function that is subject to alternate splicing in the region immediately 5' of the WT1 gene. Analysis of the 5' end of this locus further revealed the presence of multiple transcriptional start sites for both genes, such that some of the WIT1 transcripts are encoded by the antisense strand of the first exon of WT1. The genomic region surrounding the transcriptional start sites appears to constitute part of a bi-directional promoter based on the ability of a DNA fragment derived from this region to direct expression of a chimeric CAT gene construct in transient transfection assays. Discrete sequences within the region are capable of interaction in vitro with nuclear extracts derived from a variety of rat and mouse tissues. Interestingly, recombinant WT1, representing the product of zinc finger region of the most abundant of the four alternatively spliced transcripts, is also capable of binding to sequences within this region.

Fibroblast growth factor mediated alterations in drug resistance, and evidence of gene amplification

We have investigated the drug resistance and gene amplification potential of NIH3T3 cells transfected with sequences coding for K-FGF, a known oncogene product, or bFGF, a non-oncogene member of the fibroblast growth factor family. Resistance to methotrexate, N-(phosphonacetyl)-L-aspartate and hydroxyurea was observed with K-fgf transfectants, due to amplification of dihydrofolate reductase, CAD or ribonucleotide reductase R2 genes, respectively. In keeping with the increase in gene amplification frequency, cells transfected with the K-fgf gene also exhibited a marked increase in CAD gene amplification rate, as determined by fluctuation analysis in the presence of N-(phosphonacetyl)-L-aspartate. Cells transfected with bFGF encoding cDNA also exhibited a significant elevation in N-(phosphonacetyl)-L-aspartate resistance, and CAD gene amplification. Treatment with suramin, which interferes with the interaction of fibroblast growth factors with their cell surface receptors, did not decrease the drug resistance properties of K-fgf transfected cells. These observations with suramin and the findings with bFGF, which lacks a conventional signal sequence for secretion, suggests that the growth factor-mediated effects on drug resistance and gene amplification occur through an intracellular as opposed to autocrine mode of action. The finding that aberrant growth factor expression regulates gene amplification opens up new possibilities for investigating intracellular mechanisms relevant to this process and also describes new functions for the altered expression of K-FGF and bFGF, which are relevant to mechanisms of malignant progression.

Distribution of vesicular stomatitis virus proteins in the brains of BALB/c mice following intranasal inoculation: an immunohistochemical analysis

Earlier studies have shown that intranasal instillation of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), a negative-sense RNA virus, in mice and rats can result in infection of the brain, hind-limb paralysis and death. Using an antiserum directed against VSV proteins, we sought to determine the potential neuronal and non-neuronal pathways VSV utilize, for central nervous system dissemination in BALB/c mice. Within 12 h following intranasal inoculation of VSV, VSV antigen could be detected in the olfactory nerve layer of the ipsilateral olfactory bulb. Within 3-4 days post-inoculation (p.i.), VSV had disseminated into the glomeruli of the olfactory bulb as well as the anterior olfactory nuclei that were ipsilateral to the VSV instillation. Within the glomeruli, VSV antigen was more prevalent in the granule cells than in the mitral cells. Correspondingly, the lateral olfactory tract, where axons of mitral cells course, remained VSV negative throughout 7 days p.i. By 7 days p.i., viral proteins were detected in several additional regions extending to the brainstem. These included regions involved in theta-rhythm generation during exploration and REM sleep, i.e. the septal nuclei, the supramammillary body, and the hippocampal formation, as well as the amygdaloid complex and brainstem neuromodulatory centers, such as the dorsal raphé and locus coeruleus. Structures abutting the ventricular surfaces, such as the dorsal cochlear nucleus, were also labeled. Tracts immunoreactive to VSV included the dorsal tegmental tract, fascia retroflexus, Probst tract, and mesencephalic tract of the trigeminal motor nerve. Besides the lateral olfactory tract, tracts that remained VSV negative included the anterior commissure, the corpus callosum and the mammillary peduncle. The pattern of VSV immunoreactivity supports the idea that following infection of the olfactory bulb glomeruli, VSV spreads via both ventricular surfaces and retrograde transport within axons of neuromodulatory transmitter systems innervating the olfactory bulb. Conversely, regions exhibiting low levels of VSV antigen are not likely to be involved in VSV dissemination. In particular, the paucity of VSV antigen in some of the terminal fields of neuromodulatory systems indicate that anterograde transport is more selective than retrograde transport. Surprisingly, the principal neurons of the olfactory glomeruli, thalamus, cerebral cortex and the hippocampus, all of which use L-glutamate as the excitatory neurotransmitter, are much less involved in viral dissemination.

A phase I/II trial of twice daily irradiation and concurrent chemotherapy for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

PURPOSE

This study was designed to test the toxicity and efficacy of a regimen of twice daily irradiation and concurrent multiagent chemotherapy for patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

This was a prospective Phase I/II trial. Patients received 125 cGy b.i.d. to 7000 cGy with a 6 hr interfraction interval. Chemotherapy was given during weeks 1 and 6 of irradiation and consisted of a 5 day infusion of 5-fluorouracil at 600 mg/M2/day and 5 daily injections of cisplatin at 12 mg/M2/day. Two additional cycles of chemotherapy were given after the completion of radiotherapy.

RESULTS

Forty-six patients were evaluable: 28 had technically unresectable disease and 18 had resectable tumors. All had Stage III or IV disease: 84% had T3 or T4 primaries while 53% had > or = N2 neck disease. The primary acute toxicity, confluent mucositis, was seen in 74% of patients. Late side effects occurred in four patients. Median follow-up is 36 months (range 25-44 months). Kaplan-Meier estimates of 2-year disease-free survival and overall survival are 65% and 73%, respectively, while 2-year local regional control and distant disease-free survival are 72% and 88%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that resectability and receiving > 2 cycles of chemotherapy significantly influenced local regional control while age < 60 significantly influenced disease-free survival.

CONCLUSION

This form of treatment can be delivered safely. The encouraging results have led to the initiation of a Phase III trial comparing this regimen with b.i.d. radiation alone.

Therapy of human ovarian carcinoma xenografts using doxorubicin encapsulated in sterically stabilized liposomes

BACKGROUND

This study compared the therapeutic effects of doxorubicin hydrochloride in saline and in sterically stabilized, long-circulating liposomes composed of hydrogenated soy phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol/polyethylene glycol-distearoyl-phosphatidyl-ethanolamine (Doxil).

METHODS

The drug formulations were injected intravenously or intraperitoneally to treat the human ovarian carcinoma HEY, which was implanted subcutaneously or intraperitoneally into mature female Swiss nude mice.

RESULTS

The long-circulating liposome formulation was significantly more effective than was the free drug in inhibiting tumor growth and in producing cure. The liposome formulation was significantly less toxic than was the free drug. This is the first demonstration of the therapeutic effectiveness of doxorubicin in sterically stabilized liposomes against human tumor xenografts.

CONCLUSIONS

The encapsulation of doxorubicin in long-circulating liposomes significantly enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of the drug against a human ovarian carcinoma.

[Determination of ceftizoxime in serum by high performance liquid chromatography]

This paper reports the determination of ceftizoxime, a new cephalosporin antibiotic, in serum by RP-HPLC. The technique for serum protein precipitation by adding perchloric acid is adapted for sample preparations. After centrifugation, a 100 microliters portion of aqueous phase is injected into chromatographic column of ultrasphere CN, the mobile phase being a mixture of methanol and 1% acetic acid (15:85). The standard curve is linear within the range of 2.5-120 mg/L in serum. The detection limit of ceftizoxime in serum stands at 0.1 mg/L. The recoveries from serum samples after protein precipitation reach 95.4-96.3%. The within day CVs and interday CVs are 2.7-3.3% and 4.8-7.6%, respectively. This method is rapid, reliable and reproducible. It has been utilized to measure the concentration of ceftizoxime in patient serum for clinical research and pharmacokinetic studies.

Endothelial dysfunction augments myogenic arteriolar constriction in hypertension

To elucidate the underlying reason or reasons for the increased peripheral resistance in hypertension, we investigated the pressure-diameter relation--the myogenic response--of isolated, cannulated arterioles (approximately 50 microns) of cremaster muscle of 12-week-old Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), and normal Wistar (NW) rats. All arterioles constricted in response to step increases in perfusion pressure from 20 to 160 mm Hg. This constriction was, however, significantly enhanced from 60 to 160 mm Hg in arterioles of SHR compared with NW or WKY rats. For example, at 80 and 140 mm Hg, respectively, the normalized diameter (expressed as a percentage of the corresponding passive diameter of arterioles of SHR) was 11.8% and 27.6% (P < .05) less compared with those of WKY rats. Endothelium removal eliminated the enhanced pressure-induced tone in SHR. Similarly, indomethacin (10(-5) mol/L, sufficient to block prostaglandin synthesis) or SQ 29,548 (10(-6) mol/L), a thromboxane A2-prostaglandin H2 receptor blocker that inhibited vasoconstriction to the thromboxane agonist U46619, attenuated the enhanced pressure-diameter curve and reversed the blunted dilation to arachidonic acid in SHR. In contrast, the thromboxane A2 synthesis inhibitor CGS 13,080 (5 x 10(-6) mol/L) did not affect the increased pressure-induced tone or the reduced dilation to arachidonic acid in SHR. Thus, the present findings suggest that in early hypertension pressure-induced arteriolar constriction is increased. This seems to be due to an enhanced production of endothelium-derived constrictor factors, primarily prostaglandin H2.

Characterization of distinct functional domains of transforming growth factor beta

Three distinct isoforms of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) are expressed in mammalian cells. Although many cells respond equivalently to all three isoforms, certain cells respond selectively. Using chimeric proteins in which selected regions of the different isoforms were interchanged, we have identified two distinct functional domains of TGF-beta involved in determining the biological potencies and functions of the molecule. The first domain is important for determining whether TGF-beta can be sequestered by alpha 2-macroglobulin. By replacing aa 45 and 47 of TGF-beta 2 with the corresponding amino acids of TGF-beta 1, sequestration of the TGF-beta molecule by alpha 2-macroglobulin was markedly reduced. The second domain is functionally different from the alpha 2-macroglobulin sequestration site and is important for determining the potency of TGF-beta to inhibit growth of the LS513 human colorectal cancer cell line. Neither the TGF-beta 2/beta 1-(40-47) replacement construct nor a chimera containing aa 1-39 of TGF-beta 2, aa 40-82 of TGF-beta 1, and aa 83-112 of TGF-beta 2 was equivalent to TGF-beta 1 in inhibiting growth of LS513 cells. This fact suggests that additional amino acids outside of the aa 40-82 region are required to specify TGF-beta 1 activity with these cells.

Enantioselectivity of esterases in human brain

Subcellular fractions of three human brain specimens were found to contain esterase activities which hydrolyzed racemic oxazepam 3-acetate (rac-OXA). All three human brain preparations were highly selective toward the S-enantiomer of rac-OXA.

Coordinate expression of Wilms' tumor genes correlates with Wilms' tumor phenotypes

The cloning and molecular characterization of two putative tumor genes, WT1 and WIT1, from the chromosome 11p13 region has provided a means of evaluating their role in the generation of Wilms' tumor heterogeneity. A series of 29 tumors were analyzed for WT1 and WIT1 expression by Northern blot or RNase protection analyses, and results were compared with tumor histopathology. Tumors were scored for the percentage of mesenchymal and epithelial derived tissue components. Homotypic tumors comprised blastema, tubular epithelium, and a fibroblast-like mesenchyme. In addition to these tissue components, the group of tumors designated as heterotypic also contained ectopic cell phenotypes such as muscle and squamous epithelium. The analyses suggest that heterotypic differentiation patterns occur when WT1 and WIT1 expression is low relative to normal fetal kidney. In situ hybridization using antisense RNA probes showed that WT1 and WIT1 were concordantly expressed in normal fetal kidney and in the blastema of tumors. The ratio of WT1:WIT1 expression remained relatively constant in homotypic tumors but deviated significantly in heterotypic tumors. These results suggest that expression patterns of the WT1 and WIT1 genes can be closely correlated to Wilms' tumor histopathology.

Cognitive style as a factor in accounting students' perceptions of career-choice factors

Since prior studies of individuals' perceptions of career-choice factors have not considered the effect of cognitive styles of subjects, this study, using 68 accounting students, investigated the mediating effects of the field dependent-independent cognitive dimension on perceptions of the importance of career-choice factors. The results, in general, show that cognitive style affected individuals' perceptions of career-choice factors, suggesting that future studies of individuals' perceptions should take into account individual cognitive differences.

Loss of heterozygosity mapping in Wilms tumor indicates the involvement of three distinct regions and a limited role for nondisjunction or mitotic recombination

Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) for polymorphic markers is a frequently occurring event in some tumors, reflecting the role of allele loss in the development of these tumors. We have determined LOH in 38 cases of Wilms tumor for the 2 known loci on chromosome arm 11p and for a newly detected locus on chromosome arm 16q. Only 7 of the 38 tumors studied showed reduction to homozygosity of 11p13 markers. In 4 of these tumors, reduced expression of WT1 and WIT1, genes located at 11p13 and implicated in Wilms tumorigenesis, was noted. However, this was also found in 2 of 7 tumors showing LOH exclusively of 11p15 markers and in 15 of the remaining 24 tumors in which there was no LOH for 11p markers. This suggests that events not involving mitotic recombination or chromosome nondisjunction are the most common mechanisms for mutations at the 11p Wilms tumor locus. We also noted that mitotic recombination involving 11p15 loci occurred in addition to reduced expression of the 11p13 locus genes in 2 tumors, suggesting a possible interaction between these 2 loci. In addition, LOH for 16q markers was observed in 6 tumors. In one case this was coincident with reduction of WT1 and WIT1 gene expression, and in 3 other cases it occurred in addition to 11p LOH. This indicates that an additional locus on 16q is likely to be involved in Wilms tumorigenesis.

A randomized comparison of two doses of human lymphoblastoid interferon-alpha in hairy cell leukemia. Wellcome HCL Study Group

One hundred thirty-eight patients with hairy cell leukemia were randomized to receive either a dose of 2.0 megaunits (MU)/m2 or a 10-fold lower dose of 0.2 MU/m2 of a highly purified natural alpha-interferon, administered daily for 28 days followed by a three times a week schedule. Ninety-seven of these patients had previously undergone splenectomy, but otherwise none of the patients had received prior therapy for their leukemia. The two doses were comparable in their effect on improving the neutrophil and platelet count, whereas the higher dose had a greater beneficial effect on the hemoglobin level and a greater antileukemic effect on the marrow. Acute toxicity in the form of a flu-like syndrome, neurologic side effects, neutropenia, and the need for platelet transfusions was observed less frequently in the low-dose group, as was the chronic fatigue syndrome. No neutralizing antibody activity was seen in the sera from 61 patients examined. Because of its beneficial effect on the neutrophil and platelet count and a lower degree of toxicity (ie, a superior therapeutic/toxicity ratio), the low dose is recommended as initial therapy in patients with hairy cell leukemia. This therapy may be followed by dose escalation once clinical improvement is observed.

All-optical, all-fiber circulating shift register with an inverter

An all-optical fiber Sagnac interferometer switch and erbium amplifier have been combined to form an all-optical 254-bit circulating shift register with an inverter. This simple optical loop memory demonstrates the cascadability of Sagnac interferometer switches.

EDRF-mediated shear-induced dilation opposes myogenic vasoconstriction in small rabbit arteries

In small saline-perfused rabbit mesenteric arteries (diam 221 +/- 4 microns, means +/- SE; n = 48) in situ, the interactions of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF)-mediated flow-dependent dilation and myogenic constriction were studied. When pump flow was increased two- to fivefold (2.8 +/- 0.1-fold), input perfusion pressure rose by 133 +/- 17%. Vessel diameter first increased passively by 9 +/- 1% and then decreased to or below control values reflecting the vascular myogenic activity. This was followed by a 16 +/- 3% increase in diameter, which was flow dependent, because nonperfused vessels exposed to the same intravascular pressures did not dilate. When the perfusate viscosity was increased with dextran solutions, both the basal diameters and the flow-induced dilator responses were significantly augmented, indicating that the increase in shear stress was the stimulus. The flow-dependent dilation was abolished by inhibition of EDRF with either hemoglobin (10 microM) or NG-nitro-L-arginine (0.3 mM) and also after preincubation with neuraminidase (0.2 U/ml, 30 min), which removes part of the membrane glycocalyx. Thus, myogenic responses in small mesenteric arteries can be effectively opposed by shear-induced release of EDRF. This might be a major mechanism for maintaining adequate tissue perfusion when pressure and shear stress increase simultaneously (e.g., exercise hyperemia, autoregulation) and otherwise myogenic activity would reduce vascular conductivity.

[Study on ursodeoxycholic acid biotransformation by three strains of clostridia]

Using the improved TLC procedure, we measured the conversion rates of ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA) from chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) by 3 strains of clostridia--C. perfringens HS-10, C. butyricum DL-20 and LQ-29 isolated. The orthogonal test was used to determine the optical conditions of biotransformation for HS-10. It was found that the conversion rate of UDCA by HS-10 was over 80% during 6-48 h in RCM medium containing 0.2 mmol/L CDCA. The UDCA conversion rates were still over 70% when the CDCA concentrations were as high as 0.8-1.0 mmol/L. In addition, the WW-BCP (Waste water from bean curd production) without any supplemental nutrients was preliminarily proved to be a potential inexpensive conversion medium.

[Determination and comparison of beta-glucuronidase activity among strains of B. fragilis and E. coli]

We determined and compared the beta-glucuronidase (beta-G) activity among strains of B. fragilis and E. coli under the optimum condition. Results showed that the mean beta-G activity of strain B. fragilis ATCC25285 was 94.7u. B. fragilis ATCC25285 strain was selected as the model strain to establish the animal model of bilirubin gallstones because its beta-G activity was obviously higher than that of B. fragilis CDC14462 and E. coli 3362 (O157K88) strain.

Frequent identification of HIV-1 DNA in bronchoalveolar lavage cells obtained from individuals with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Tissue macrophages are recognized as a cellular target for infection with the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). To characterize the nature of this cell-retrovirus interaction within the lower respiratory tract we analyzed fluid and cells obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of eight individuals with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who were undergoing diagnostic fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Of these eight individuals, seven had active infection with Pneumocystis carinii; one had suspected cytomegalovirus pneumonitis. At the time of study two were receiving the antiretroviral drug zidovudine (azidothymidine [AZT]). HIV-1 could not be isolated from any of the eight samples of BAL fluid concentrated by ultracentrifugation through 20% sucrose. HIV-1 antigen (p24) was detected in one of eight samples of concentrated BAL fluid but could not be found in eight samples of media conditioned by overnight incubation with adherent BAL cells. Despite the infrequent detection of HIV-1 antigen it was possible to identify HIV-1 genomic sequences by the use of a DNA amplification technique, the polymerase chain reaction, in all eight BAL cell preparations. In BAL cells adherent for up to 5 days in culture this method detected retroviral DNA that hybridized to a complementary pair of primers located in the env and gag gene regions of HIV-1. These studies demonstrate the uniform presence of HIV-1 harboring cells within the airways of the lung in individuals with AIDS and active respiratory infection and may have implications for local organ defense.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Invasive aspergillus rhinosinusitis in patients with acute leukemia

Invasive aspergillus rhinosinusitis is a potentially lethal complication of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in patients with acute leukemia. The majority of cases are caused by Aspergillus flavus. The infection is difficult to diagnose early but should be suspected when a neutropenic patient develops persistent fever without a known source, symptoms of rhinitis or sinusitis, cutaneous findings over the nose or sinuses, symptoms and signs of orbital or cavernous sinus disease, or an ulcerating lesion of the hard palate or gingiva. Careful anterior rhinoscopy followed by computed tomography of the sinus helps establish the diagnosis, which should be confirmed by histologic study and culture of biopsied material. Early treatment with aggressive surgery, high-dose amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine, and possibly white blood cell transfusions may produce a cure if the patient's bone marrow recovers. Newer antifungal agents offer promise for prophylaxis and treatment of this infection.

Tissue, developmental, and tumor-specific expression of divergent transcripts in Wilms tumor

The Wilms tumor locus on chromosome 11p13 has been mapped to a region defined by overlapping, tumor-specific deletions. Complementary DNA clones representing transcripts of 2.5 (WIT-1) and 3.5 kb (WIT-2) mapping to this region were isolated from a kidney complementary DNA library. Expression of WIT-1 and WIT-2 was restricted to kidney and spleen. RNase protection revealed divergent transcription of WIT-1 and WIT-2, originating from a DNA region of less than 600 bp. Both transcripts were present at high concentrations in fetal kidney and at much reduced amounts in 5-year-old and adult kidneys. Eleven of 12 Wilms tumors classified as histopathologically heterogeneous exhibited absent or reduced expression of WIT-2, whereas only 4 of 14 histopathologically homogeneous tumors showed reduced expression. These data demonstrate a molecular basis for the pathogenetic heterogeneity in Wilms tumorigenesis.

Wilms tumor locus on 11p13 defined by multiple CpG island-associated transcripts

Wilms tumor is an embryonal kidney tumor involving complex pathology and genetics. The Wilms tumor locus on chromosome 11p13 is defined by the region of overlap of constitutional and tumor-associated deletions. Chromosome walking and yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) cloning were used to clone and map 850 kilobases of DNA. Nine CpG islands, constituting a "CpG island archipelago," were identified, including three islands that were not apparent by conventional pulsed-field mapping, and thus were at least partially methylated. Three distinct transcriptional units were found closely associated with a CpG island within the boundaries of a homozygous DNA deletion in a Wilms tumor.

In vitro activity of the new semi-synthetic polypeptide cilofungin (LY121019) against Aspergillus and Candida species

The in vitro activity of cilofungin (LY121019), a new semi-synthetic antifungal agent was evaluated. Potent activity was seen against Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis, with almost identical MIC and MFC results, whereas no activity was seen against any isolates of Candida parapsilosis or three Aspergillus spp. However, MICs were dependent on medium and test conditions chosen. It is concluded that cilofungin has good activity against some medically important yeasts in vitro, and that its in vitro activity depends on the method used.

Effects of exercise on blood flow to canine articular tissues

We measured articular blood flow by standard microsphere techniques in normal adult dogs at rest and during treadmill exercise. All animals but one underwent beta-adrenergic blockade as part of another experimental protocol. Expressed in microliter/min/g +/- SEM, baseline flow values to articular tissues were: knee synovium 26 +/- 4, femoral condyle 130 +/- 21, tibial plateau 182 +/- 29, articular fat pad 9 +/- 2, knee ligaments 17 +/- 3, menisci 34 +/- 6, wrist synovium 19 +/- 4, distal radius 65 +/- 13, and lunate bone 59 +/- 13. Blood flow increased with exercise in all soft tissues of both the knee (stifle joint) and the wrist (radiocarpal joint). Geometric mean exercise/rest flow ratios ranged from a low of 1.44 (p less than 0.05) in the menisci of the knee to a high of 7.25 (p less than 0.001) in the synovium of the wrist. In contrast, blood flow did not rise in juxtaarticular bones and fell significantly in femoral condyles (mean flow ration 0.71, p less than 0.005). These findings indicate that articular soft tissues derive increased perfusion from the redistribution of blood flow that accompanies short-term exercise. In contrast, flow to juxtaarticular bone does not increase under these conditions.

[Application of ion chromatography to identification of anaerobic bacteria]

The fatty acids of anaerobic bacteria were detected by ion chromatography (IC). The results showed that 11 kinds of standard fatty acids could be analyzed within 15 min, and just needed 1 injection sample. The fatty acids patterns of 40 strains of anaerobic bacteria detected by IC were essentially the same as that by gas chromatography (GC) reported by VPI. In comparison with GC, IC has further advantages: pretreatment is simpler, both volatile and non-volatile fatty acids can be analyzed at the same time, and formic and lactic acid can be well analyzed.

Definition of the limits of the Wilms tumor locus on human chromosome 11p13

In a previous report, we described a contiguous restriction map of chromosome band 11p13 that localized the Wilms tumor locus to a small group of NotI fragments. In an effort to identify and isolate the 11p13-associated sporadic Wilms tumor locus, we developed a panel of NotI fragment-specific DNA probes. These probes were selected from genomic libraries constructed using the Chinese hamster ovary-human somatic cell hybrid carrying only human 11p. The libraries were prepared from NotI-digested DNA after size selection by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The selected NotI fragments had been previously targeted on the basis of deletion mapping as having a high probability of containing the Wilms tumor locus. We used these newly identified 11p13-specific probes to improve the resolution of the restriction map spanning the Wilms tumor locus. The locus has been defined by a homozygous deletion in a sporadic Wilms tumor. Using these probes, the region of homozygous deletion in this tumor and presumably all or part of the Wilms tumor gene have been confined to two small SfiI fragments spanning less than 350 kb.

Metabolic derangement of glucose, bile acid and amino acids after portasystemic shunts in cirrhotic rats

Carbon tetrachloride was used to induce cirrhosis in 81 Wistar rats. The animals were divided into three groups to receive end-to-side mesocaval shunt (MCS), end-to-side portacaval shunt (PCS) and Sham operation as control, respectively. Dynamic values of blood glucose and hormones for regulating glucose metabolism, SGPT, serum glycine conjugated cholic acid (CCA) and free serum amino acids were determined and compared with those obtained from 10 normal rats. The determinations suggested that the insulin level depended on the severity of hepatocellular damage with hyperglucagonemia after portasystemic shunt, and CCA was markedly elevated in MCS rats after interruption of the enterohepatic circulation. Changes of CCA were also influenced by hyperglucagonemia and poor liver function in PCS rats. Increase in the aromatic amino acids (AAA) level was related to the impaired hepatic function and hyperglucagonemia. However, decrease in the branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) level was not likely in response to the serum insulin level. Therefore, it is concluded that imbalance of serum amino acids has partial relationship with the derangement of glucose metabolic hormones.