Detection and analysis of human papillomavirus 16 and 18 homologous DNA sequences in oral lesions

The prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 and 18 was investigated in oral lesions of the population of northeast China including squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), candida leukoplakias, lichen planuses and papillomas, by southern blot hybridization with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Amplified HPV16 and 18 E6 DNA was analyzed by cycle sequence. HPV DNA was detected in 14 of 45 SCCs (31.1%). HPV18 E6 DNA and HPV16 E6. DNA were detected in 24.4% and 20.0% of SCCs. respectively. Dual infection of both HPV 16 and HPV 18 was detected in 6 of 45 SCCs (13.3%), but not in other oral lesions. HPV 18 E6 DNA was also detected in 2 of 3 oral candida leukoplakias, but in none of the 5 papillomas. Our study indicated that HPV 18 infection might be more frequent than HPV 16 infection in oral SCCs in northeast Chinese, dual infection of high risk HPV types was restricted in oral SCCs, and that HPV infection might be involved in the pathogenesis of oral candida leukoplakia.

[Analysis of short-term effects of short-course intermittent chemotherapies of the World Bank Loaned Project]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the characteristic features of sputum conversion during short-course intermittent chemotherapies and the measures of keeping high cure rates.

METHODS

1,350 smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis cases in the ten research pilot counties of Liaoning province from 1992 to 1993 were selected to receive short-course intermittent chemotherapies under full-course supervision. The project was supported by the World Bank. The sputum specimens of the cases were regularly examined. The effects of the chemotherapies and the measures of keeping high cure rate were evaluated according to the situation of sputum conversion.

RESULTS

The cure rates of initial and relapse smear positive cases were 92.5% and 74.6% respectively. It is also found that the therapeutic effects were affected by the situation of sputum conversion at the end of intensive phase. The cure rate of the cases who failed in initial treatment and continued retreatment was only 54%, which was obviously lower than that of the other retreatment cases.

CONCLUSION

Strengthening the treatment and management at the intensive phase can increase the cure rate. It is recommended that more rational regimens should be studied and provided to those who fail in initial treatment to improve the therapeutic effects.

Association of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) with Sjögren's syndrome: differential EBV expression between epithelial cells and lymphocytes in salivary glands

The association of Epstein Barr virus (EBV) with Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is still in dispute. This study is aimed to investigate the existence of EBV genomes and their products in salivary glands of SS. Salivary gland samples were surgically obtained from Chinese patients. EBV DNA was detected in three of seven cases by dot blot hybridization and in four of seven cases by in situ hybridization. The EBV-encoded small RNA-1 (EBER1) was detected in two of seven cases by in situ hybridization. The immunohistochemical staining of EBV proteins showed that the EBV latent membrane protein-1 was detected in four of seven cases and that BZLF1, BALF2, and gp350/220 proteins associating with virus production were not expressed. In eight controls, no positive signal was observed by these methods. DNA in situ hybridization identified ERV on both epithelial cells and lymphocytes. On the other hand, EBER1-positive signals were exclusively localized on lymphocytes. These results indicate that two forms of EBV infection may exist in salivary glands of SS. One is EBER1-positive latency in lymphocytes, the other is EBER1-negative latency in epithelial cells. Frequent EBV detection in salivary glands of SS suggests that EBV plays a role in the genesis of SS.

Reduction of soliton interactions by sliding-frequency second-order Butterworth filters

The reduction of the soliton interaction by use of optical sliding-frequency second-order Butterworth filters is studied numerically. It is found that the second-order Butterworth filters can reduce the soliton interaction more effectively than Fabry-Perot filters or third-order Butterworth filters because the secondorder Butterworth filter induces larger frequency chirping on the soliton, compressing it as it propagates in the fiber after the filter.

Flow velocity of single lymphatic capillaries in human skin

The purpose of this study was to investigate the previously unknown flow velocity in single lymphatic capillaries of humans in the supine position. Fifteen healthy subjects (10 women and 5 men; mean age 35.8 +/- 13.1 yr) were studied. Ten microliters of fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (150,000 mol wt) were injected into the subepidermal layer of the foot dorsum. The filling of the microlymphatics from the resulting depot was visualized by fluorescence video microscopy and stored on videotape. Flow velocity in the microlymphatics was determined on the video screen by direct measurement of the advancement of dyed lymph during a given time. The following median velocities were obtained: 0.51 mm/s (0.27 and 0.61 mm/s for lower and upper quartiles, respectively) for velocity during initial network filling and 9.7 microns/s (6.9 and 14.2 microns/s for lower and upper quartiles, respectively) for resting velocity at the end of the filling period. Mean lymphatic capillary diameter was 54.8 +/- 8.2 microns, and mean network extension was 8.3 +/- 3.2 mm. The high filling velocities are probably due to increased interstitial pressure and volume caused by dye microinjection, whereas the values measured during the end of network filling seem to approach resting flow velocities.

[Retrograde insertion of a spherical headed silicon tube through nasolacrimal duct]

PURPOSE

Chronic dacryocystitis or obstruction of nasolacrimal duct is one of the common and refractory eye diseases. The present operations have large destruction to lacrimal passage and unsatisfactory effects. The purpose of this research is to explore a simple and easy surgical method that makes small injuries and good curative effects.

METHODS

Prob a self-made lumbar puncture needle (No. 7) through the lacrimal drainage system, inject fluid and put a thread into the inferior meatus. Guided by the thread, a special robe is retrogradely pulled through the nasolacrimal duct to dilate the meatus to about 3 mm. Then a silicon tube with a spherical head was inserted in the same may.

RESULTS

37 cases with chronic dacryocystitis or obstruction of nasolacrimal duct were treated by the method and followed up from 6 to 17 months. The result showed that the naso meatus was unobstructed postoperatively. The curative rate was 83.7%, which is better than that of other surgical methods.

CONCLUSION

This operation is simple and painless for patients; has good curative effects and no severe complications: seldomly injures the normal lacrimal drainage system; can be done repeatedly or replaced by dacryocystorhinostomy if the procedure fails and will become the primarily elected method th treat the patients with chronic dacryocystitis and obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct.

A fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis with centromere-specific DNA probes of chromosomes 3 and 17 in pleomorphic adenomas and adenoid cystic carcinomas

Aberrations of chromosomes 3 and 17 were studied by FISH using centromere-specific DNA probes in 11 salivary adenoid cystic carcinomas (ACC) and 8 salivary pleomorphic adenomas (PA), with 3 lymph nodes as controls. Two hybridized signals were detected in 92.8 +/- 2.7% of controls, 73.2 +/- 7.0% of PA and 66.8 +/- 7.9% of ACC cells for chromosome 3, and in 90.4 +/- 2.3% of controls, 59.5 +/- 25.0% of PA and 44.8 +/- 20.2% of ACC for chromosome 17. More than 3 hybridized signals, which indicate polysomy, were observed in 3.1% of controls, 15.5% of PA and 22.9% of ACC cells for chromosome 3, and in 1.2% of controls, 10.3% of PA and 23.1% of ACC cells for chromosome 17. A single hybridized signal was much more frequent for chromosome 17 than for chromosome 3. These findings suggest that polysomy of both chromosomes occurs during the development of salivary gland tumors, and its frequency is increased in adenoid cystic carcinoma as compared to pleomorphic adenoma. In addition, monosomy of chromosome 17 could possibly be significant in salivary gland tumors.

Reduction of soliton interactions by zigzag-sliding-frequency guiding filters

Reductions of the soliton interactions and jitter by the upsliding-frequency filter, the downsliding-frequency filter, and the zigzag-sliding-frequency filter are numerically studied. It is shown that the most effective filter for reducing the soliton interactions is the zigzag-sliding-frequency filter.

The estimation of proliferative activity by pcna and AgNORs in leukoplakia and squamous-cell carcinoma of the oral cavity

The proliferating activity of leukoplakia and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was estimated using proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunostaining and silver-binding argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR) staining. Twenty-eight leukoplakias and 15 SCCs of the oral cavity were used in this study. The mean+/-S.D. of PCNA LI and AgNOR counts were 7.7+/-6.0% and 2.43+/-0.68/nucleus in leukoplakias, and 22.3+/-11.6% and 4.77+/-1.49/nucleus in SCCs. Both of PCNA LI and AgNOR counts were significantly higher in SCCs than in leukoplakias. There was a significant linear correlation between PCNA LI and AgNOR counts (p=0.0022) in leukoplakias, but not in SCCs. In the series of leukoplakias, PCNA LI apparently increased in leukoplakias with dysplasia and malignant transformed cases. Our data suggest that PCNA LI and AgNOR counts are useful markers of proliferating activity, and PCNA LI might be a prognostic factor of leukoplakias.

[Inhibition of hepatitis B viral gene expression and replication in vitro by targeted antisense oligonucleotides]

We chose the 2.2. 15 cells as an in vitro cell culture assay system, and identified the surface antigen subtype of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in the cells, by using the amplification of polymerase chain reaction and directed sequencing of amplified products. According to the result of the sequencing, a 16-mer phosphorothioate analogue of the antisense oligonucleotide (PS-ASON) directed against the HBV U5-unique region was synthesized and then linked with two liver-targeting ligands. The galactosylated human serum albumin coupled poly-L-lysine and the galactosylated poly-L-lysine. The effect of different modifications of ASONs on the expression of HBV gene was compared by using the 2.2. 15 cells. In the same experimental conditions, the inhibitary effects of surface antigen (HBsAg) and antigen (HBeAg) by PS-ASON were 70% and 58% respectively, and those of HBsAg and HBeAg by ligand-PS-ASONs were 90%-96% and 78%-82%. In the same time, the amount of HBV NDA in culture supernatant and cells was depressed significantly. Thus, the ligands targeted ASON to the hepatocytes were more effective inhibitors of HBV gene expression. ASONs were effective and specific inhibitors of HBV replication and expression, caused the dose-dependent inhibition of viral proteins and had no effect on cellular alpha-fetoprotein synthesis and no cytotoxicity.

The significance of PCNA and p53 protein in some oral tumors

The expression of PCNA and p53 protein was evaluated in a total of 75 cases of benign and malignant lesions of the oral cavity, comprising 50 squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), 14 leukoplakias, and 11 pleomorphic adenomas. The DNA histogram of 20 SCCs was measured by flow cytometry. p53-positive cells were frequently seen in SCCs, but were rare in leukoplakias and pleomorphic adenomas. The PCNA labeling index (LI) was higher in SCCs than in other benign lesions. The expression rate of p53 protein was markedly elevated in SCCs obtained from smoking patients, when compared to nonsmoking patients. DNA ploidy did not show a close relationship with PCNA and p53 expression. The mean value of PCNA LI for 22 cases carrying positive p53 protein was 52.3%, which was higher than that of p53 protein negative cases (35.7%). The Kaplan-Meier survival curve of the patients who were negative for p53 was significantly more favorable than for patients who were positive for p53 (P < 0.01, Cox-Mantel test). These results suggest that PCNA and p53 LI are markers for the malignant potential of the oral mucosa, and are a useful indicator suggesting a poor prognosis.

Reproductive isolation between Drosophila lini and its siblings

Courtship behavior and reproductive isolation between nine strains of Drosophila lini and its siblings from Taiwan (TWN), Dinghushan (DHS) and Nankunshan (NKS) in China, and Pyinoolwin (MMY) and Yangon (RGN) in Myanmar were investigated. No premating and postmating isolation between the Taiwan and mainland China strains were found. Crosses between mainland China (DHS and NKS) or the TWN strain and the MMY or RGN strain produced fertile F1 hybrid females and sterile F1 hybrid males. Crosses between MMY strains and RGN strains which showed strong premating isolation produced either no F1 hybrids, or fertile F1 hybrid females and sterile males in some cases. These results suggest the existence of at least three genetically distinct sibling species of D. lini.

Cytoplasmic expression of p53 protein and its morphological features in salivary gland lesions

An immunohistochemical study of p53 protein was carried out on 45 salivary gland lesions using a monoclonal antibody, Bp53-12, raised to the intracellular domain of the p53 protein. p53 protein expression was found in 34.4% of 32 salivary gland carcinomas. Nuclear p53 expression was detected in tumor cells but not in non-neoplastic cells, except in one salivary duct carcinoma. The perinuclear cytoplasm of luminal duct cells was specifically positive for the antibody used here. Cytoplasmic p53 expression was observed mostly in non-neoplastic cells. There was a tendency for the cytoplasmic staining of p53 protein to be observed in the normal cells adjacent to p53-positive carcinomas, but none of the normal cells were positive in the tissues surrounding p53-negative carcinomas. Cytoplasmic expression of p53 protein in salivary gland tissues seems to be correlated with tumorigenesis.

Effect of carrier depletion on optical phase conjugation in a semiconductor laser amplifier

The temporal effect of optical phase conjugation in a semiconductor laser amplifier is studied numerically. The conjugate pulse has distortion and frequency chirping owing to the carrier depletion induced by the signal pulse. Both the pulse-shape distortion and frequency chirping are enhanced as the signal power and the injection current increase. We can reduce these two effects by increasing the pump power to reduce the carrier-density depletion induced by the signal pulse.

Simultaneous assessment of muscle and skin blood fluxes with the laser-Doppler technique

The laser-Doppler technique was used to assess local muscle and skin blood fluxes at the lower limb in 20 healthy volunteers. After puncturing the anterior tibial muscle with a steel cannula, a single-fibre probe with a diameter of 0.5 mm was inserted into the muscle. Simultaneously, the skin blood flux was measured at calf and foot. The muscle blood flux at rest was 3.5 to 4 times higher than the skin blood flux at calf or foot. The spatial variability of the muscle blood flux at three different sites of measurement was considerable and tended to be higher than in the skin of the calf. After an arterial occlusion lasting 3 min, peak flux was reached in the muscle after 18.7 +/- 9.8 s, in the skin of the calf after 16.8 +/- 9.3 s, and in the skin of the foot after 22.9 +/- 14.6 s (NS). The relative flux increase during reactive hyperaemia was significantly lower in the muscle (2.7 +/- 1.3) than in the skin of the calf (3.9 +/- 1.9; p<0.05) or the foot (5.1 +/- 3.5; p<0.005). The reproducibility of reactive hyperaemia response in muscle was excellent with unchanged probe position, but exhibited a marked variability on different days. The laser-Doppler technique provides the possibility for simultaneous measurement of flow dynamics in muscle and skin with a high temporal resolution. Methodological problems include differences in probe geometry of the single-fibre compared to standard probes and differences in optical properties of the tissues. Direct comparison of flux values may, therefore, be subject to criticism, but not the comparative analysis of relative flux changes. The influence of tissue trauma on muscle blood flux has to be considered for the analysis of flux data.

Microcapsules through polymer complexation. Part 3: Encapsulation and culture of human Burkitt lymphoma cells in vitro

Methacrylic acid (MAA) based polyelectrolytes were complexed with protonated or quaternized dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) containing polyelectrolytes to form microcapsules in vitro. Anchorage independent human Burkitt lymphoma (Raji) cells were successfully cultured in the presence of dissolved MAA containing polymer. Capsule morphology was investigated by light microscopy and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Capsules based on quaternized DMAEMA containing polymer were found to be more stable than capsules containing protonated DMAEMA functionality. Raji cells were successfully encapsulated in both systems and divided to confluence; thereafter sufficient pressure was exerted to burst open the capsules. Cells released from these capsules appeared to suffer no discernible trauma and were successfully isolated and subcultured to confluence.

Effects of subcutaneous insulin-like growth factor-I infusion on skin microcirculation

When healthy volunteers were treated with human insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), mild generalized edema often developed. In the present study, the effect of IGF-I on cutaneous capillary permeability and microvascular skin blood flow was investigated using fluorescence videomicroscopy and laser Doppler fluxmetry. Transcapillary diffusion of intravenously injected sodium fluorescein (NaF) was quantitated by videodensitometry in terms of fluorescent light intensities (FLIs) 5, 10, 20, 30, 60, 120, 180 and 300 s after the first appearance of the dye. Laser Doppler fluxmetry was performed at rest (LDFrest) and during postocclusive reactive hyperemia (LDFpeak). Eight healthy subjects (3 women, 5 men; mean age 28 years, range 24-30 years) were investigated. The sensing site was the skin on the right dorsal wrist. Measurements were performed after 4 days of subcutaneous infusion of 0.9% saline (control) and of IGF-I. Mean values for the FLI were significantly higher after IGF-I than after saline infusion (p < 0.05), when the FLIs were expressed in arbitrary units. As percentages of their individual maxima, the differences were significant (p = 0.05) after 60 s (23.6 +/- 6.6% with NaCl and 31.9 +/- 7.6% with IGF-I). LDFrest and LDFpeak tended to be higher after IGF-I treatment without achieving statistical significance (p = 0.176). The mean appearance time of the dye after injection was significantly shorter (p = 0.016) in the IGF-I group than in the control group (32.0 +/- 8.4 s with IGF-I, 42.4 +/- 8.3 s with NaCl).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Recovery of the soliton self-frequency shift by optical phase conjugation

The recovery of the self-frequency shift effect on a soliton by optical phase conjugation is investigated. It is proved that, without third-order dispersion and fiber loss, the soliton self-frequency shift can be completely recovered. The recoveries for a fundamental soliton and a second-order soliton in the presence of third-order dispersion and of fiber loss, which is compensated by the distributed erbium-doped fiber amplifiers, are numerically studied.

Effect of cross-phase modulation on optical phase conjugation in dispersion-shifted fiber

The temporal effect of optical phase conjugation in dispersion-shifted fiber is studied numerically. Frequency chirping is induced in the conjugate pulse by the signal pulse and the pump wave through cross-phase modulation, which increases with the signal power and may distort the pulse shape when the conjugate pulse propagates in the standard fiber. It is also shown that, when the signal power is low, the optical phase conjugation is nearly ideal.