Comparison of bromodeoxyuridine labeling indices of smears and sections from mouse NR-S1 tumor

Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling indices (LIs) of smears and sections from mouse NR-S1 tumor were labeled in vivo or in vitro and compared to confirm the reliability of smears labeled in vitro. In vivo labeling was carried out by administering 40 mg/kg 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine while in vitro labeling was performed by incubating the tumor specimens in RPMI 1640 culture medium containing 200 microM 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine under 3 atmospheres. BrdU LIs of sections labeled in vitro (9.49 +/- 0.16) showed lower values than those labeled in vivo (14.95 +/- 0.36). BrdU LIs of smears labeled in vitro (9.87 +/- 0.23) also showed lower values than those labeled in vivo (14.83 +/- 0.49). However, the BrdU LIs of smears were similar to those of sections labeled in vivo and in vitro. In vitro BrdU immunochemistry in smears seems useful for evaluating the biological properties of tumor tissues.

[Effects of heat, noise, and their combination on plasma atrial natriuretic peptides, cardiodilatin, endogenous digitalis like substance, angiotensin II and endothelin in rats]

Plasma contents of atrial natriuretic peptides (ANP), cardiodilatin (CDD), endogenous digitalis like substance (EDLS), angiotensin II (A II) and endothelin (ET) were determined in rats following exposure to high temperature, noise and a combination of the two. It was found that plasma content of ANP after heat exposure decreased significantly, CDD and A II content after heat or noise exposure increased obviously, ET content decreased significantly after exposure to combined factors. ANP and CDD have the same physiological function and changes. ANP, CDD and A II observed in the present study were considered to be compensatory responses. It is harmful if exposure to high temperature or noise lasts for a long time.

[Relationship between blood glucose, insulin and hypertension in 60 obese children]

OBJECTIVE

To study the relationship between blood glucose, insulin and hypertension in children.

METHODS

Fasting serum glucose (GS), insulin (IS) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were determined in 60 obese children and 60 normal controls, and oral glucose tolerance test was performed for half of them.

RESULTS

It showed that there were no significant differences in fasting GS, HDL and GS after glucose load between the two groups, and fasting IS, IS after glucose load, an area and a ratio of IS to GS under the insulin curve all were higher in the obese group than those in the control one. There were 43 obese children (71.7%) with hypertension.

CONCLUSION

There existed hyper-insulinemia and insulin resistance in obese children and there also was close relationship between obesity and hypertension in them.

Association of petrochemical exposure with spontaneous abortion

OBJECTIVES

To assess the association between petrochemical exposure and spontaneous abortion, a retrospective epidemiological study in a large petrochemical complex in Beijing, China was conducted.

METHODS

Plant employment records identified 3105 women who were married, were 20-44 years of age, and had never smoked. Of those, 3070 women (98.8%) reported at least one pregnancy. From this group, 2853 (93%) of the women participated in the study. According to their plant employment record, about 57% of these women workers reported occupational exposure to petrochemicals during the first trimester of their pregnancy. Trained interviewers administered a standardised questionnaire to this group of women and their husbands, collecting information on reproductive history, pregnancy outcomes, employment history, occupational exposure, smoking habits, alcohol consumption, indoor air pollution, and demographic variables. The results from the womens' first pregnancies were analysed.

RESULTS

There was a significantly increased risk of spontaneous abortion for women working in all of the production plants with frequent exposure to petrochemicals (8.8%; range of 5.8%-9.8%) compared with those working in nonchemical plants (2.2%; range of 0.0%-7.1%). Also, when a comparison was made between exposed and non-exposed groups within each plant, exposure to petrochemicals was consistently associated with an increased risk of spontaneous abortion. The overall odds ratio (OR) was 2.7 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.8 to 3.9) after adjusting for potential confounders. When the analysis was performed with the exposure information obtained from the women' interview responses for (self reported) exposures, the estimated OR for spontaneous abortions was 2.9 (95% CI 2.0 to 4.0). The analysis was repeated by excluding those 452 women who provided inconsistent reports between recalled exposure and work history, and a comparable risk of spontaneous abortion (OR 2.9; 95% CI 2.0 to 4.4) was found. In analyses for exposure to specific chemicals, an increased risk of spontaneous abortion was found with exposure to most chemicals, and the results for benzene (OR 2.5; 95% CI 1.7 to 3.7), gasoline (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.1 to 2.9), and hydrogen sulphide (OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.2 to 4.4) were significant.

CONCLUSION

An increased risk of spontaneous abortion was found associated with the exposure to petrochemicals, including benzene, gasoline, and hydrogen sulphide.

Isolated limb reperfusion with tumor necrosis factor and melphalan in patients with extremity melanoma after failure of isolated limb perfusion with chemotherapeutics

BACKGROUND

This retrospective study evaluated the benefit of using tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and melphalan administered via an isolated limb perfusion (ILP) in a series of patients with metastatic melanoma who failed initial ILP with chemotherapeutics.

METHODS

Seventeen patients with extremity melanoma who underwent prior ILP with conventional chemotherapeutics (10 with melphalan; 4 with platinum; 2 with platinum, dacarbazine, thiotepa, actinomycin D, and nitrogen mustard; and 1 with thiotepa, actinomycin D, and nitrogen mustard) and had local recurrences were treated with a 90-minute isolated hyperthermic limb reperfusion with melphalan (10 mg/L limb volume) plus TNF (2-6 mg). Five prior ILPs were adjuvant and 12 were therapeutic.

RESULTS

Reperfusion was associated with an overall 94% response rate and a 65% complete response (CR) rate. Of the patients who failed an initial ILP with melphalan alone the overall response rate was 90% after the reperfusion with TNF and melphalan. In patients who failed an initial ILP with agents other than melphalan the CR rate was 100% after ILP with TNF and melphalan. TNF/melphalan isolated limb reperfusion was found to be more effective in terms of CR after initial ILP regimens that did not utilize melphalan (100% CR after nonmelphalan ILP vs. 50% CR after melphalan ILP [P = 0.04]). Regional toxicity was comprised of mild skin blistering and peeling in 47% of patients. One patient developed Grade 3 (based on National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria) skin necrosis, and one developed Grade 5 muscle and nerve toxicity, requiring an amputation.

CONCLUSIONS

Isolated limb reperfusion with TNF and melphalan can be performed safely with response rates similar to those of other trials of single perfusions. Repeat ILP using TNF and melphalan in patients with melanoma who have failed prior ILP with chemotherapeutics is justified. The utility of TNF (vs. melphalan alone) will be defined in ongoing Phase III trials.

[Determination of mangiferin in qingqiliangying injection by reversed-phase HPLC]

A reversed-phase HPLC method has been established for the determination of mangiferin in Qingqiliangying Injection. The mangiferin was separated on a Nova-pak C18 column (150 mm x 3.9 mm) and detected at 258 nm, using methanol-tetrahydrofuran-0.85% H3PO4 aqueous solution (500:80:15) as the mobile phase. The average recovery of mangiferin was 100.9%. The method is simple, rapid, and well reproducible, and thus very reliable for the quality control of Qingqiliangying Injection.

[Fabrication and use of two kinds of overdenture attachments]

The authors introduced the fabrication of stud attachment and bar attachment used to increase the stability and retention of overdenture. During two years' periods, the results of the clinical practice indicated: the retention of overdenture was increased and patients' masticator function was improved when attachments were used, and then the fabrications of two kinds of attachments were simple and value of attachments is cheap. The technique was popularized and used easily.

[Isolation and structure elucidation of three dihydrophenanthrenes from Ephemerantha lonchophylla]

In this paper, three dihydrophenanthrenes are isolated from the Stems and pseudobulbs of Ephemerantha lonchophylla (Orchidaceae). They are identified as Iusianthridin (1), ephemeranthol-B (2) and erianthridin (3) by spectral data.

Expression of N-acetyl-D-galactosamine associated epitope in synovium: a potential marker of glycoprotein production

OBJECTIVE

To investigate synovial glycoprotein production in situ, a novel monoclonal antibody (Mab), A13D8, was used to evaluate the expression of an epitope containing N-acetyl-D-galactosamine (GalNAc) in normal and pathological synovium.

METHODS

Immunohistological and cytochemical analysis of synovial tissue samples was undertaken with single and double staining techniques using the A13D8 Mab, anti-CD68, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), the hyaluronan associated enzyme uridine diphosphoglucose dehydrogenase (UDPGD), and the anti-Golgi Mab SSN/HR-1992. The specificity of the A13D8 Mab was established through blocking studies using carbohydrate residues, including GalNAc and N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc).

RESULTS

A13D8 is expressed intensely in the cytoplasm of normal type B lining cells, which coexpress VCAM-1 and UDPGD, and is not expressed by CD68+ type A lining cells. In the lining layer of RA synovium, there is a negative correlation between A13D8 expression and the level of lymphocytic infiltration in the sublining areas (r = -0.43, p < 0.001). The endothelium of a subset of venules, typically in lymphocyte-rich aggregates, also stains intensely for A13D8. Pretreatment of the Mab with GalNAc completely eliminates the tissue staining, as well as the 110 kDa band seen on immunoblot, whereas pretreatment of A13D8 with GlcNAc and lactose has no effect. Double staining of HEp-2 cells with A13D8 and the anti-Golgi Mab SSN/HR-1992 reveals co-localization of the A13D8 epitope to the Golgi apparatus.

CONCLUSION

Type B synovial lining cells and selected synovial endothelium express GalNAc containing epitope identified by Mab A13D8. Marked reduction in the expression of this epitope in the lining layer of inflamed RA synovium suggests that the synovial production of GalNAc containing glycoproteins, such as mucins, may be altered in this disorder.

Bcr phosphorylated on tyrosine 177 binds Grb2

We and others have shown that the Bcr-Abl oncoprotein binds activators of the Ras pathway such as Grb2 and Shc. Grb2 binding is mediated through a phosphorylated tyrosine residue (Y177) located within a consensus Grb2 binding site encoded by the first exon of the BCR gene. Our results indicate that P160 BCR is tyrosine phosphorylated at the same site by Bcr-Abl in kinase assays (Puil et al., 1994). We performed experiments to determine whether Bcr, which was tyrosine phosphorylated within cells by activated c-Abl, could also bind Grb2, and whether phosphotyrosine 177 was the major binding site. Complexes between Bcr and Abl were detected in a hemopoietic cell line lacking Bcr-Abl and in COS1 cells coexpressing both Bcr and Abl proteins. P160 BCR was tyrosine phosphorylated in COS1 cells coexpressing Abl and Bcr proteins. Similarly, various deletion mutants of Bcr including BCRN553, BCRN413 and BCRN221 were tyrosine phosphorylated by activated c-Abl whereas BCRN159 was not. Wild-type Bcr and Bcr Y177F were examined under these conditions for their ability to co-precipitate with Grb2. The results showed that while wild-type tyrosine phosphorylated Bcr efficiently bound Grb2, tyrosine phosphorylated Bcr Y177F had greatly reduced Grb2-binding ability. Studies with GST-SH2 (Grb2) revealed that tyrosine phosphorylated Bcr was able to bind to GST SH2 (Grb2) but tyrosine phosphorylated Bcr Y177F was deficient in binding. These results indicate that the Bcr protein when phosphorylated at tyrosine 177 binds Grb2, thereby implicating Bcr as a potantial activator of the Ras pathway.

[Effect of heat, noise and their combination on plasma and myocardial angiotensin II in rats]

Effects of heat (40 degrees C, relative humidity 82%), noise (115dB) and the combination of heat and noise on angiotensin (A II) content in plasma and myocardia was observed in rats. The results showed: (1) plasma A II in control group, heat group, noise group and combined group were 358.72 +/- 35.78, 624.08 +/- 36.32, 783.27 +/- 34.32 and 619.65 +/- 37.72 pg/ml respectively. The A II content in heat group, noise group and combined group are significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.01). The increase in noise group was significant as compared with those in the heat group and combined group (P<0.05). (2) The myocardia A II in control group, heat group, noise group and combined group were 594.78 +/- 82.46, 935.10 +/- 15l.51, 326.22 +/- 28.45, and 438.37 +/- 58.63 pg/mg W.W respectively. The myocardial A II content in heat group was significantly higher (P<0.01), but that in noise group than the control was significantly lower(P<0.O5).

Multiple cytokines and acute inflammation raise mouse leptin levels: potential role in inflammatory anorexia

Several inflammatory cytokines, most notably tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and IL-1, induce anorexia and loss of lean body mass, common manifestations of acute and chronic inflammatory conditions. In C57BL/6 female mice, the administration of TNF, IL-1, and, to a lesser extent, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), produced a prompt and dose-dependent increase in serum leptin levels and leptin mRNA expression in fat. IL-10, IL-4, ciliary neurotrophic factor, and IL-2, cytokines not known to induce anorexia or decrease food intake, had no effect on leptin gene expression or serum leptin levels. After administration of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS), leptin gene expression and leptin levels were increased. These findings suggest that leptin levels may be one mechanism by which anorexia is induced during acute inflammatory conditions.

Enhanced polymer one-step staining for proliferating cell nuclear antigen in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue

A rapid enhanced polymer one-step staining for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (EPOS-PCNA) in formalin fixed, paraffin embedded sections of tongue squamous cell carcinoma is described. EPOS-PCNA was compared with PCNA immunohistochemistry using the avidin-biotin complex (ABC) method, with or without autoclave pretreatment. Significant correlation of PCNA labeling index (percentage of labeled cells/total cells counted) was observed between EPOS-PCNA and the immunohistochemical protocol using autoclave pretreatment. We consider this method a reliable, timesaving technique that would be useful in quantitative histopathology and in performing double immunostaining.

[Eyebrow reconstruction by a scalp island flap based on the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery]

The author studied the course and measured the length of the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery in 30 normal subjects. 19 eyebrows were reconstructed in 11 burned patients using the scalp island flap based on the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery. The results were satisfactory. The reconstructed eyebrows looked natural with wooly hair of the frontal hairline. This method can be used not only in male patients but also in female or pediatric patients.

[Effects of SL-probiotic preparation on the body weight and phagocytosis of white mice]

Effects of SL-probiotic preparation on the body weight and the phagocytic functions in white mice were studied. Bioassay of its toxicity showed SL-P was non-toxic. Body weight of the treated mice increased significantly as compared with that of controls 10 days after treatment with SL-probiotic preparation. Phagocytic activity, acid phosphatase activity, lysozyme activity of the peritoneal macrophages of the tested mice were enhanced significantly as compared with those of normal controls. The same results were obtained with respect to serum lysozyme activity. These observations showed that SL-probiotic preparation could activate macrophage function in mice and hence enhancement of non-specific immunity.

Genetic characteristics of two genes for resistance to soybean mosaic virus in PI486355 soybean

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] PI486355 is resistant to all the identified strains of soybean mosaic virus (SMV) and possesses two independently inherited resistance genes. To characterize the two genes, PI486355 was crossed with the susceptible cultivars 'Lee 68' and 'Essex' and with cultivars 'Ogden' and 'Marshall', which are resistant to SMV-G1 but systemically necrotic to SMV-G7. The F2 populations and F2∶3 progenies from these crosses were inoculated with SMV-G7 in the greenhouse. The two resistance genes were separated in two F3∶4 lines, 'LR1' and 'LR2', derived from Essex x PI486355. F1 individuals from the crosses of LR1 and LR2 with Lee 68, Ogden, and 'York' were tested with SMV-G7 in the greenhouse; the F2 populations were tested with SMV-G1 and G7. The results revealed that expression of the gene in LR1 is gene-dosage dependent, with the homozygotes conferring resistance but the heterozygotes showing systemic necrosis to SMV-G7. This gene was shown to be an allele of the Rsv1 locus and was designated as Rsv1-s. It is the only allele identified so far at the Rsv1 locus which confers resistance to SMV-G7. Rsv1-s also confers resistance to SMV-G1 through G4, but results in systemic necrosis with SMV-G5 and G6. The gene in LR2 confers resistance to strains SMV-G1 through G7 and exhibits complete dominance. It appears to be epistatic to genes at the Rsv1 locus, inhibiting the expression of the systemic necrosis conditioned by the Rsv1 alleles. SMV-G7 induced a pin-point necrotic reaction on the inoculated primary leaves in LR1 but not in LR2. The unique genetic features of the two resistance genes from PI486355 will facilitate their proper use and identification in breeding and contribute to a better understanding of the interaction of SMV strains with soybean resistance genes.

[Shape memory angioembolus for varicocele]

Seven target veins (in 5 dogs) were embolized with nitinol conical rugby embolus (NT-CRE). The pathological examination showed firm impact between NT-CRE and intravenous membrane without misembolization from retrograde flow. Compact collagenous fibrous tissue was seen in and out NT-CRE on spaces. On the basis of animal experiment, 10 patients with varicocele were treated with NT-CRE. After the operation, the varicocele and symptoms disappeared and venae spermatica collapsed. The follow-up for 1.5-2.3 years showed no recurrence in the 10 patients. We consider that the therapeutic method is simple and effective for varicocele.

Molecular characterization and identification of Saprolegnia by restriction analysis of genes coding for ribosomal RNA

Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) in two regions of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) repeat unit were examined in 33 strains representing 18 species of Saprolegnia. The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used to separately amplify the 18S rDNA and the region spanning the two internal transcribed spacers (ITS) and the 5.8S ribosomal RNA gene. Amplified products were subjected to a battery of restriction endonucleases to generate various fingerprints. The internal transcribed spacer region exhibited more variability than the 18S rDNA and yielded distinctive profiles for most of the species examined. Most of the species showing 100% similarity for the 18S rDNA could be distinguished by 5.8S + ITS restriction polymorphisms except for S. hypogyna, S. delica, S. lapponica, and S. mixta. The rDNA data indicate that S. lapponica and S. lapponica and S. mixta are conspecific with S. ferax, whereas there is no support for the proposed synonymies of S. diclina with S. delica and of S. mixta with S. monoica. Results from cluster analysis of the two data sets were very consistent and tree topologies were the same, regardless of the clustering method used. A further examination of multiple strains in the S. diclina-S. parasitica complex showed that restriction profiles are conserved across different strains of S. parasitica originating from the U.K. and Japan. HhaI and BsaI restriction polymorphisms were observed in isolates from the U.S. and India. The endonuclease BstUI was diagnostic for S. parasitica, generating identical fingerprints for all stains regardless of host and geographic origin. Except for the atypical strain ATCC 36144, restriction patterns were also largely conserved in S. diclina. Correlation of the rDNA data with morphological and ultrastructural features showed that S. diclina and S. parasitica are not conspecific. Restriction polymorphisms in PCR-amplified rDNA provide a molecular basis for the classification of Saprolegnia and will be useful for the identification of strains that fail to produce antheridia and oogonia.

An experimental study of intravascular stent in abdominal aorta of atherosclerotic miniature pigs

To study the effects of nitinol alloy stent in the treatment of atherosclerotic arterial stenosis, eight miniature pigs were subject to abdominal aortic balloon denudation and high-fatty food. Then 8 nitinol alloy stents were implanted into each abdominal aortas of pigs. The pigs were equally divided into two groups. One group was given captopril (3 mg/kg/d). All animals were sacrified for pathological examination 6 to 10 months after stent implantation. The degree of arterial intima proliferation in the areas of stent implantation not significantly different from that of areas of balloon denudation alone; the atherosclerotic lesions were found at the arterial surface of stent implantation sites. The intima layer was rich in smooth muscle cells, with atherosclerotic plaque formed around the stent wire. On the other hand, significant decrease in arterial intima proliferation was found in group II with no atherosclerotic plaque. The arterial stenosis resulting from atherosclerotic lesion could not be prevented by implantation of intravascular stent, and on the contrary, the mechanical stress of stent wire might worsen the atherosclerosis. Captopril might impede the development of atherosclerotic stenosis after stent implantation.

Asymptotic confidence bands for generalized nonlinear regression models

Asymptotic confidence bands for generalized nonlinear regression models are developed. These are based on a combination of the S method of Scheffe, together with the delta method which is used to approximate the mean function by a linear combination of the parameters. The approach can be used in any situation where large sample theory can be applied to yield asymptotically normal estimates of the parameters, together with a consistent estimate of the large sample covariance matrix. Alternative formulations for various special cases allow the use of restricted range bands. A number of examples are given, including a pharmacokinetic model, a logit model with a background response rate, and a parametric survival model.

[Repair of large cranial defect using allogeneic cranial bone and bone morphogenetic protein]

We have successfully treated 4 patients with large cranial defects using a composite of allogeneic cranial bone, BMP (bone morphogenetic protein), pedicled periosteum and skin flap. The size of the cranial defects ranged from 9 cm x 7 cm to 13 cm x 11.5 cm. One to two years' follow-up showed that the wounds in all patients healed primarily with good appearance. The allogeneic bone graft was absorbed and substituted by new bone formation.

[Comparative effects of calcium channel blockers and L-arginine on chronic intermittent hypoxic pulmonary hypertension in rats]

Experiments were carried on rats to study the preventive effects of calcium channel blockers Nitrendipine, Nifedipine and L-Arginine (L- Arginine is the physiological precursor of nitric oxide in endothelium-dependent relaxation) on chronic intermittent hypoxia induced pulmonary hypertension, on the right ventricular hypertrophy and pulmonary vascular pathologic changes. The results showed (1) Nitrendipine, Nifedipine and L-arginine played significant role in preventing chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension and the right ventricular hypertrophy. (2) There was no significant difference between Nitrendipine, Nifedipine and L- arginine in preventing hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (P > 0.05). (3) Nitrendipine was better than Nifedipine in reducing the hypoxic pulmonary hypertension.

7 beta-hydroperoxycholest-5-en-3 beta-ol, a component of human atherosclerotic lesions, is the primary cytotoxin of oxidized human low density lipoprotein

Modification of low density lipoprotein (LDL) by free radical oxidation renders this molecular complex cytotoxic. Oxidized lipoproteins exist in vivo in atherosclerotic lesions and in the plasma of diabetic animals, suggesting that lipoprotein-induced tissue damage may occur in certain diseases. We undertook purification and identification of the major cytotoxin in oxidized LDL. The lipid extract from oxidized LDL was subjected to multiple HPLC separations, and the fractions were assayed for cytotoxicity. Mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance identified the purified toxin as 7 beta-hydroperoxycholest-5-en-3 beta-ol (7 beta-OOH-Chol). This molecule accounted for approximately 90% of the cytotoxicity of the lipids of oxidized LDL. We also found 7 beta-OOH-Chol in human atherosclerotic lesions from endarterectomy specimens obtained immediately after excision. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the oxidized LDL present in lesions has the capacity to induce cell and tissue injury, leading to progression of the disease and the generation of the necrotic core of the lesion.