[Establishment and validation of a risk predictive model of preoperative drug-induced limitation of pupil dilation in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with concomitant cataract]

Objective: To establish and validate a risk predictive model of preoperative drug-induced limitation of pupil dilation (PD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with concomitant cataract. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed, in which 376 T2DM patients with concomitant cataract who received cataract operation in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from October 2022 to March 2023 were randomly selected as the study subjects. Of the 376 patients, 268 who were admitted to the hospital from October to December 2022 served as the modeling group, and were divided into PD limited group (n=187) and PD unlimited group (n=81) based on whether they had drug-induced limitation of PD. Logistic regression was used to establish a risk predictive model, R software was used to draw the nomogram, Hosmer-Lemeshow test was utilized to judge the model's goodness of fit, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was adopted to validate the predicting efficacy of the model. Another 108 T2DM patients who received cataract operation in the same hospital from January to March 2023 served as the validation group, and Hosmer-Lemeshow test and ROC curve were used for the external validation of the model. Results: In the modeling group (n=268), there were 124 males and 144 females, with the mean age of (66.6±6.8) years, while in the validation group (n=108), there were 51 males and 57 females, with the mean age of (64.9±9.1) years. The incidence of preoperative drug-induced limitation of PD was 69.8% (187/268) in T2DM patients with concomitant cataract. T2DM disease course (OR=1.134, 95%CI: 1.074-1.198, P<0.001), body mass index (BMI) (OR=0.863, 95%CI: 0.767-0.972, P=0.015), glycohemoglobin (HbA1c) level (OR=1.397, 95%CI: 1.055-1.849, P=0.019) and baseline pupil dimeter (OR=0.089, 95%CI: 0.045-0.179, P<0.001) were the risk factors of drug-induced limitation of PD. Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed χ2=6.231 and P=0.621, the area under curve (AUC) of ROC curve was 0.897 (95%CI: 0.857-0.937, P<0.001), and when the Youden index was the maximum (0.655), the model's sensitivity and specificity was 0.877 and 0.778, respectively. The external validation results demonstrated that the AUC of ROC curve was 0.928 (95%CI: 0.875-0.981, P<0.001), the maximum Youden index was 0.761, the sensitivity was 0.932, the specificity was 0.829, and the overall accuracy was 89.8%. Conclusion: The risk predictive model established in the current study can provide reference for the clinical assessment of the risk of preoperative drug-induced limitation of PD in T2DM patients with concomitant cataract.

[Definition of severe pulmonary tuberculosis: a scoping review]

Objective: To clarify the definition of severe pulmonary tuberculosis and its inclusion criteria by summarizing and analyzing the studies of severe pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Methods: A systematic search of Medline (via PubMed), Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Web of Science, Epistemonikos, Embase, CNKI, WanFang database, and CBM database was conducted to collect studies published between 2017 and 2022 on patients with severe pulmonary TB. Searches were performed using a combination of subject terms and free words. The search terms included: tuberculosis, severe, serious, intensive care, critical care, respiratory failure, mechanical ventilation, hospitalization, respiratory distress syndrome, multiple organ failure, pulmonary heart disease, and pneumothorax. The definitions and inclusion criteria for severe pulmonary TB in the included studies were extracted. Results: A total of 19 981 studies were identified and 100 studies were finally included, involving 8 309 patients with severe pulmonary TB. A total of 8 (8.00%) studies explicitly mentioned the definition of severe pulmonary TB, and 53 (53.00%) studies clearly defined the inclusion criteria for patients with severe pulmonary TB. A total of 5 definitions and 30 inclusion criteria were extracted. A total of 132 dichotomous variables and 113 continuous variables were included in the outcome indicators related to patients with severe pulmonary TB of concern in the studies. Conclusions: The definition and diagnostic criteria for severe TB are unclear, and there is an urgent need to develop a clear definition and diagnostic criteria to guide clinical practice.

Achieving High-Strength and Toughness in a Mg-Gd-Y Alloy Using Multidirectional Impact Forging

High strength and toughness are achieved in the Mg-4.96Gd-2.44Y-0.43Zr alloy by multidirectional impact forging (MDIF). The forged sample has a fine-grained microstructure with an average grain size of ~5.7 µm and a weak non-basal texture, and it was characterized by an optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and electron back-scattering diffraction (EBSD). Tensile results exhibit the tensile yield strength (TYS) and static toughness (ST) of as-homogenized alloy dramatically increased after forging and aging, i.e., the TYS increased from 135−5+4 MPa to 337−2+2 MPa, and the ST enhanced from 22.0−0.5+0.3 MJ/m³ to 50.4−5.4+5.3 MJ/m³. Specifically, the forged Mg-Gd-Y-Zr alloy owns higher TYS than that of commercial rolled WE54 (Mg-5.25Y-3.5Nd-0.5Zr) and WE43 (Mg-4.0Y-3.0Nd-0.5Zr) alloys.

[Application of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in evaluating the efficacy of radiotherapy and chemotherapy for esophageal cancer]

This study was a prospective single arm trial conducted in Zhejiang Jinhua Guangfu hospital from February 2018 to June 2020. A total of 39 patients (32 males and 7 females) with esophageal cancer, aged from 44 to 82 (69±9) years were enrolled. Diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging(MR-DWI) was implemented to evaluate the changes of apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC) value before and after chemoradiotherapy. The results showed that the ADC value after chemoradiotherapy was higher than that before treatment[(2.03±0.42)×10⁻³ mm ²/s vs (1.60±0.28)×10⁻³ mm²/s], and there was a positive correlation between the increase of ADC value and the prognosis of patients.

Wound healing outcomes in a diabetic foot ulcer outpatient clinic at an acute care hospital: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

Patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) have an increased risk of lower extremity amputation. A retrospective chart review of patients with DFUs attending the Foot Treatment and Assessment chiropodist-led outpatient clinic at an inner-city academic hospital was conducted to determine wound healing outcomes and characteristics contributing to outcomes.

METHOD

We reviewed the complete clinical history of 279 patients with 332 DFUs spanning over a five-year period.

RESULTS

The mean age of patients was 61.5±12.5 years and most patients (83.5%) had one DFU. The majority of wounds (82.5%) were in the forefoot. Overall, 267/332 (80.5%) wounds healed. A greater proportion of wounds healed in the forefoot (82.5%) and midfoot (87.1%) than hindfoot (51.9%; p<0.001). Using a logistic regression model, palpable pedal pulse and use of a total contact cast were associated with better wound healing.

CONCLUSION

Our findings are the first to demonstrate the benefits of chiropodists leading an acute care outpatient clinic in the management of DFUs in Canada and delivers wound healing outcomes equivalent to or exceeding those previously published.

ULK1-regulated autophagy: A mechanism in cellular protection for ALDH2 against hyperglycemia

Mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2), an important enzyme in the elimination of toxic aldehydes, is involved in cardioprotection against diabetes mellitus. This study was designed to examine the mechanism behind ALDH2-offered protection against high glucose exposure with a focus on autophagy. H9C2 cells were cultured with normal or high glucose medium in the presence or absence of the ALDH2 agonist Alda-1. GFP-LC3 puncta and immunofluorescence were employed to assess autophagosome formation. Western blotting was applied to evaluate autophagy protein markers Atg5, LC3, p62, ULK1 phosphorylation and ALDH2. JC-1 staining was used to monitor mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial injury. CCK-8 and TUNEL assays were employed for apoptosis and cell viability. Our results indicated that high glucose promoted cell death and decreased cell viability. Levels of autophagy protein marker Atg5, and LC3B were decreased and level of p62 was elevated in hyperglycemic condition, the effects of which were reversed by ALHD2. High glucose lowered mitochondrial membrane potential, the effect of which was accentuated by ULK1 knock-down. All these high glucose-induced responses were negated by Alda-1 along with upregulated autophagy. The autophagy inhibitor 3-MA and lysosomal inhibitor bafilomycin A1 cancelled off whereas autophagy inducer rapamycin mimicked the Alda-1-offered protection against high glucose. High glucose suppressed phosphorylation of ULK1, the effect of which was mitigated by Alda-1. Knock-down of ULK1 using siRNA negated Alda-1-induced upregulation of autophagosome accumulation and LC3 expression. High glucose-dampened autophagy was also confirmed using GFP-LC3 puncta, and immunofluorescence. Taken together, these data suggested that ULK1 played a crucial role in ALDH2-offered protective effect against high glucose exposure-induced cardiomyocyte injury through regulation of autophagy.

Size effect on atomic structure in low-dimensional Cu-Zr amorphous systems

The size effect on atomic structure of a Cu₆₄Zr₃₆ amorphous system, including zero-dimensional small-size amorphous particles (SSAPs) and two-dimensional small-size amorphous films (SSAFs) together with bulk sample was investigated by molecular dynamics simulations. We revealed that sample size strongly affects local atomic structure in both Cu₆₄Zr₃₆ SSAPs and SSAFs, which are composed of core and shell (surface) components. Compared with core component, the shell component of SSAPs has lower average coordination number and average bond length, higher degree of ordering, and lower packing density due to the segregation of Cu atoms on the shell of Cu₆₄Zr₃₆ SSAPs. These atomic structure differences in SSAPs with various sizes result in different glass transition temperatures, in which the glass transition temperature for the shell component is found to be 577 K, which is much lower than 910 K for the core component. We further extended the size effect on the structure and glasses transition temperature to Cu₆₄Zr₃₆ SSAFs, and revealed that the T_g decreases when SSAFs becomes thinner due to the following factors: different dynamic motion (mean square displacement), different density of core and surface and Cu segregation on the surface of SSAFs. The obtained results here are different from the results for the size effect on atomic structure of nanometer-sized crystalline metallic alloys.

Structure-Function Relationships of Temporomandibular Retrodiscal Tissue

It is estimated that 2% to 4% of the US population will seek treatment for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) symptoms, typically occurring with anterior disc displacement. The temporomandibular retrodiscal tissue (RDT) has been postulated to restrict pathologic disc displacement. To elucidate RDT function, understanding regional RDT biomechanics and ultrastructure is required. No prior biomechanical analysis has determined regional variations in RDT properties or associated biomechanical outcomes with regional variations in collagen and elastin organization. The purpose of this study was to determine direction- and region-dependent tensile biomechanical characteristics and regional fibrillar arrangement of porcine RDT. Incremental stress relaxation experiments were performed on 20 porcine RDT specimens, with strain increments from 5% to 50%, a ramp-strain rate of 2% per second, and relaxation periods of 2.5 min. Tensile characteristics were determined between temporal and condylar regions and anteroposterior and mediolateral directions. RDT preparations were imaged using second-harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy for both collagen and elastin. Young's modulus showed significant differences by region ( P < 0.001) and strain ( P < 0.001). Young's modulus was <1 MPa from 5% to 20% strain, before increasing from 20% to 50% strain to a maximum of 2.9 MPa. Young's modulus trended higher in the temporal region and mediolateral direction. Instantaneous and relaxed moduli showed no significant difference by region or direction. Collagen arrangement was most organized near the disc boundary, with disorganization increasing posteriorly. Elastin was present at the disc boundary and RDT mid-body. Porcine RDT demonstrated region- and strain-dependent variations in tensile moduli, associated with regional differences in collagen and elastin. The small tensile moduli suggest that the RDT is not resistive to pathologic disc displacement. Further biomechanical analysis of the RDT is required to fully define RDT functional roles. Understanding regional variations in tissue stiffness and ultrastructure for TMJ components is critical to understanding joint function and for the long-term goal of improving TMJ disorder treatment strategies.

[Application of Gene Xpert Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA and resistance to rifampicin assay in the rapid detection of tuberculosis in children]

OBJECTIVE

To detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and rifampin resistance of the clinical specimens in children by Xpert MTB DNA and resistance to rifampicin(MTB/RIF) detection system, and evaluate the application value of this method in children with tuberculosis.

METHOD

Data of 109 children cases of clinically suspected tuberculosis were collected (including 46 gastric lavage aspirate, 19 sputum, 10 fine needle aspiration biopsy, 4 pus, 14 cerebrospinal fluid, 11 Serous membrance fluid, 1 marrow, 3 stool, 1 urine specimens)between April 2014 and March 2015. All specimens were detected by smear fluorescence staining microscopy, MGIT 960 BACTEC liquid culture, Xpert MTB/RIF assay and T-SPOT.TB test respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of Xpert MTB/RIF assay were analyzed in those clinical specimens.

RESULT

The sensitivity and specificity of the Xpert MTB/RIF assay for MTB detection in childhood tuberculosis clinical specimen were 28.6% and 87.5%. The sensitivity of 65 pulmonary tuberculosis(46 gastric lavage aspirate, 19 sputum) which included gastric lavage aspirates and sputum was 33.3% and 57.1%, the specificity of the two was 100.0%. In 44 extrapulmonary tuberculosis, the sensitivity of the pus and the puncture fluid was higher and approached 100.0%. The detection rate of the cerebrospinal fluid and serous cavity effusion was very low. The sensitivity was 100.0% in smear-positive and culture-positive samples and only 30.8% to 50.0% in smear-negative and culture-positive samples. The sensitivity and specificity of Xpert MTB/RIF assay to detect rifampin resistance were 100.0%. In clinical samples, the sensitivity of Xpert MTB/RIF assay was higher than that of smear fluorescence staining microscopy, but the difference was not statistically significant (χ(2)=0, P>0.05). The result was equivalent to that of MGIT 960 BACTEC liquid culture (28.6% vs. 27.3%, χ(2)=2.50, P>0.05), and far below that of T-SPOT.TB(28.6% vs 59.7%, χ(2)=13.92, P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Xpert MTB/RIF assay did not show obvious advantage in childhood tuberculosis, especially in serous cavity effusion and cerebrospinal fluid, but the advantages of detecting tuberculosis rapidly and resistance to rifampin can provide help for the clinical diagnosis and treatment in childrenhood tuberculosis.

Frequency-dependent learning achieved using semiconducting polymer/electrolyte composite cells

Frequency-dependent learning has been achieved using semiconducting polymer/electrolyte composite cells. The cells composed of polymer/electrolyte double layers realized the conventional spike-rate-dependent plasticity (SRDP) learning model. These cells responded to depression upon low-frequency stimulation and to potentiation upon high-frequency stimulation and presented long-term memory. The transition threshold θm from depression to potentiation varied depending on the previous stimulations. A nanostructure resembling a bio-synapse in its transport passages was demonstrated and a random channel model was proposed to describe the ionic kinetics at the polymer/electrolyte interface during and after stimulations with various frequencies, accounting for the observed SRDP.

The Osteogenesis Effect and Underlying Mechanisms of Local Delivery of gAPN in Extraction Sockets of Beagle Dogs

A plastic and biodegradable bone substitute consists of poly (L-lactic-co-glycolic) acid and 30 wt % β-tricalcium phosphate has been previously fabricated, but its osteogenic capability required further improvement. We investigated the use of globular adiponectin (gAPN) as an anabolic agent for tissue-engineered bone using this scaffold. A qualitative analysis of the bone regeneration process was carried out using μCT and histological analysis 12 weeks after implantation. CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) superimposition was used to characterise the effect of the different treatments on bone formation. In this study, we also explored adiponectin's (APN) influence on primary cultured human jaw bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells gene expressions involved in the osteogenesis. We found OPEN ACCESS Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2015, 16 24947 that composite scaffolds loaded with gAPN or bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) exhibited significantly increased bone formation and mineralisation following 12 weeks in the extraction sockets of beagle dogs, as well as enhanced expression of osteogenic markers. In vitro investigation revealed that APN also promoted osteoblast differentiation of primary cultured human jaw bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (h-JBMMSCs), accompanied by increased activity of alkaline phosphatase, greater mineralisation, and production of the osteoblast-differentiated genes osteocalcin, bone sialoprotein and collagen type I, which was reversed by APPL1 siRNA. Therefore, the composite scaffold loaded with APN exhibited superior activity for guided bone regeneration compared with blank control or Bio-Oss® (a commercially available product). The composite scaffold with APN has significant potential for clinical applications in bone tissue engineering.

DNA repair gene XRCC3 variants are associated with susceptibility to glioma in a Chinese population

The susceptibility to glioma is not well understood. It has been suggested that the X-ray cross complementing group 3 (XRCC3) gene influences the capacity to repair DNA damage, leading to increased glioma susceptibility. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between XRCC3 mutations and glioma risk. Genotypes were assessed in 389 Chinese glioma patients and 358 healthy controls. XRCC3 Thr241Met (rs861539) and 2 additional polymorphisms, rs3212112 (c.774+19T>G) and rs1799796 (c.562-14A>G), were directly sequenced. The frequency of the rs861539 T allele was significantly lower in the glioma group than in healthy controls [11.1 vs 17.7%, odds ratio = 0.62 (0.48-0.80), P < 0.001]; the frequencies of the CT or CT+TT genotypes differed between groups (18.5 vs 31%, 20.3 vs 33.2%, respectively). The frequency of the rs3212112 G allele was significantly higher in the glioma group than in healthy controls [15.8 vs 5.3%, odds ratio = 2.94 (2.07-4.17), P < 0.001]. The frequencies of the GT or TG+GG genotypes differed between groups (25.4 vs 7.8%, 28.5 vs 9.2%, respectively). This study demonstrates that the rs861539 and rs3212112 polymorphisms in the XRCC3 gene may influence the risk of glioma development in Chinese populations.

[Validation of the American College of Rheumatology classification criteria for primary Sjogren's syndrome in Chinese patients]

OBJECTIVE

To validate the American College of Rheumatology Classification (ACR) Criteria (2012) for the diagnosis of primary Sjogren's syndrome in Chinese patients.

METHODS

All patients involved in this study came from the Department of Oral Medicine Peking University Stomatology Hospital. They were devided into two groups of pSS and non-pSS according to the diagnoses made by two experts. Both groups of the patients had completed medical records kept in the hospital.

RESULTS

A total of 239 pSS patients (160 with labial salivary gland biopsy, and 79 without biopsy) and 52 age-matched non-pSS patients [(55.17±14.295),and (55.90±13.38) years old, P>0.05] (9 with biopsy, and 43 without biopsy) were involved in this study. The sensitivity and specificity of ACR criteria in diagnosing pSS were 90.37 % and 88.46 % respectively. The positive and negative likelihood ratios were 7.83 and 0.109, respectively. The sensitivities of ACR criteria in diagnosing pSS patients with and without labial biopsy were 88.75% and 93.67 %, respectively, with specificities of 88.89% and 88.37%, respectively. The most sensitive item adopted in ACR criteria was the ocular staining score with a sensitivity of 85.77%, and the most specific item was the labial salivary gland biopsy, with a specificity of 88.89%.

CONCLUSION

The sensitivity and specificity of ACR criteria in diagnosing Chinese pSS patients were relatively high, and may serve as the diagnosis criteria in research and clinical practice. However, the ACR criteria need to be validated and further revised in the future .

Partial least squares based gene expression analysis in estrogen receptor positive and negative breast tumors

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is categorized into two broad groups: estrogen receptor positive (ER+) and ER negative (ER-) groups. Previous study proposed that under trastuzumab-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy, tumor initiating cell (TIC) featured ER- tumors response better than ER+ tumors. Exploration of the molecular difference of these two groups may help developing new therapeutic strategies, especially for ER- patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

With gene expression profile from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, we performed partial least squares (PLS) based analysis, which is more sensitive than common variance/regression analysis.

RESULTS

We acquired 512 differentially expressed genes. Four pathways were found to be enriched with differentially expressed genes, involving immune system, metabolism and genetic information processing process. Network analysis identified five hub genes with degrees higher than 10, including APP, ESR1, SMAD3, HDAC2, and PRKAA1.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide new understanding for the molecular difference between TIC featured ER- and ER+ breast tumors with the hope offer supports for therapeutic studies.

Cold stress accentuates pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy and contractile dysfunction: role of TRPV1/AMPK-mediated autophagy

Severe cold exposure and pressure overload are both known to prompt oxidative stress and pathological alterations in the heart although the interplay between the two remains elusive. Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) is a nonselective cation channel activated in response to a variety of exogenous and endogenous physical and chemical stimuli including heat and capsaicin. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of cold exposure on pressure overload-induced cardiac pathological changes and the mechanism involved. Adult male C57 mice were subjected to abdominal aortic constriction (AAC) prior to exposure to cold temperature (4 °C) for 4 weeks. Cardiac geometry and function, levels of TRPV1, mitochondrial, and autophagy-associated proteins including AMPK, mTOR, LC3B, and P62 were evaluated. Sustained cold stress triggered cardiac hypertrophy, compromised depressed myocardial contractile capacity including lessened fractional shortening, peak shortening, and maximal velocity of shortening/relengthening, enhanced ROS production, and mitochondrial injury, the effects of which were negated by the TRPV1 antagonist SB366791. Western blot analysis revealed upregulated TRPV1 level and AMPK phosphorylation, enhanced ratio of LC3II/LC3I, and downregulated P62 following cold exposure. Cold exposure significantly augmented AAC-induced changes in TRPV1, phosphorylation of AMPK, LC3 isoform switch, and p62, the effects of which were negated by SB366791. In summary, these data suggest that cold exposure accentuates pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy and contractile defect possibly through a TRPV1 and autophagy-dependent mechanism.

First Report of Fusarium oxysporum Causing Soft Fruit Rot Disease of Gray Jujube (Zizyphus jujuba) in China

Gray Jujube, Zizyphus jujuba Mill., is a fruit crop unique to China that produces small fruit of high nutritional value with potential health benefits (2). In mid-September 2011, a fruit rot affecting approximately 10% of gray jujube fruit was observed in Xinzheng Date Garden, Henan Province, China. The diseased fruits exhibited small, oval, pale reddish brown lesions that expanded into clear concentric rings. Over time, the superficial lesions developed into soft rot affecting the whole fruit that produced a pungent odor. A putative Fusarium sp. was isolated by a single spore isolations from conidiophores produced on the decaying fruit. The isolated colonies first appeared on potato dextrose agar (PDA) as white to light yellow, then turned light pink. Falciform macroconidia were produced on PDA and were straight to slightly curved, usually 3-septate, short or medium long, 15.0 to 28 × 2.5 to 4.0 μm, with a curved apical cell and foot shaped to pointed basal cell. Microconidia were produced in false heads on Synthetic Nutrient-poor Agar (SNA), and were oval, 0-septate, 5.0 to 9.5 × 1.5 to 2.8 μm. Phialides were cylindrical and ranged from 7.0 to 20.0 × 0.7 to 1.4 μm. Chlamydospores were produced singularly and in pairs (1). Pathogenicity of the putative Fusarium sp. was evaluated by surface-sterilizing fresh gray jujubes on a healthy tree field and inoculating by placing a mycelial plug of the Fusarium sp. culture in contact with the fruit. An equal number of fresh gray jujube fruits were placed in contact with non-colonized PDA plugs to serve as a control. Each jujube fruit was wounded three times to create three holes close together using a steel needle (0.5 mm diameter), before inoculation with an agar plug. All the branches with inoculated fruits were enclosed in a clear plastic bag to maintain humidity and prevent cross contamination. After 3 days, inoculated jujubes exhibited the similar symptoms to those originally observed on the naturally infected fruits. Colonies resembling the Fusarium sp. isolated from the original lesions were obtained from each of the symptomatic fruits. Fruit inoculated with un-colonized PDA plugs remained asymptomatic and no fungus was isolated from these fruit. Koch's postulates were repeated three times with the same results. Based on the morphological characteristics, the Fusarium sp. was identified as F. oxysporum (1). The identity of the isolate was confirmed to be F. oxysporum by DNA sequencing of the elongation factor 1-alpha (EF-1a) gene (GenBank Accession No. KC796007), which was 99% homologous to those of other F. oxysporum isolates (JF430187 and JF430188). To our knowledge, this is the first report of F. oxysporum causing soft rot in fresh gray jujubes in Henan. This disease affects the yield and quality of fresh gray jujubes and potentially may threaten the jujube industry. References: (1) J. F. Leslie and B. A. Summerell. The Fusarium Laboratory Manual, 2006. (2) J. Sheng et al. Acta Hortic. 620:203, 2003.

[Preliminary study of the relationship between tumor like Sjögren's syndrome and malignant lymphoma]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical and laboratory characteristics of tumor like Sjögren's syndrome (TLSS) patients and non-tumor like Sjögren's syndrome (NTLSS) and the incidence of lymphoma in patients of Sjögren's syndrome (SS).

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was carried out in 199 primary SS (including TLSS) patients who were recruited in Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology from 1998 to 2010. Clinical and laboratory information were collected. The patients were divided into two groups: TLSS (n = 25) and NTLSS (n = 174). Clinical and laboratory characteristics were compared between these two groups by a statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Of the 25 TLSS patients, 23 had enlargements of parotid glands and 2 had enlargements of submandibular glands. There were significant differences of salivary scintigraphy appearance (P = 0.018), hypergammaglobulinemia (P = 0.014), rheumatoid factor positive rate (P = 0.001), formation of the ectopic germinal centers (P = 0.014), double positive rate of anti-SSA antibody and anti-SSB antibody (P < 0.001) between the TLSS and NTLSS patients. Among the 25 TLSS patients, 3 developed lymphomas, accounting for 1.5% (3/199) of the total 199 patients and 12% (3/25) of the TLSS patients. Lymphoma subtypes included one diffused large B-cell lymphoma and two mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. There was no lymphoma detected in NTLSS patients.

CONCLUSIONS

There are clinical and laboratory differences between TLSS and NTLSS patients, with a more tendency to develop lymphomas in TLSS patients.

Diabetes insipidus as the first symptom caused by lung cancer metastasis to the pituitary glands: clinical presentations, diagnosis, and management

BACKGROUND

Central diabetes insipidus (CDI), secondary to pituitary metastatic lesions, is uncommon; however, lung and breast cancer are the commonest malignancies to have metastases to the pituitary. Early management of systemic chemotherapy and pituitary irradiation might improve the prognosis of patients.

AIMS

To investigate the clinical features, diagnosis, and management of CDI caused by lung cancer metastasis to the pituitary glands.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 10 patients who had CDI as their first symptom before their lung cancers were diagnosed. Their clinical presentations, anterior pituitary gland function, sellar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), management, and prognosis were described.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

This retrospective cross-sectional clinical study was conducted in a medical college hospital.

RESULTS

The patient's mean age was 58.6±7.8 years. Diabetes insipidus was the main complaint when they were referred to our hospital. MRI revealed specific dumbbell-shaped masses in the sella turcica in five patients. In seven patients whose hormones were measured, the levels of hormones from adenohypophysis were abnormally low in six patients. The main treatments included surgery, systemic chemotherapy, and sellar irradiation. Although nine patients had poor prognoses, one patient has survived for more than 3 years, suggesting benefit from early diagnosis and treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

New-onset CDI might be the only symptom presented by the patients with pituitary metastasis (PM) from lung cancer. Dumbbell-shaped sellar masses in MRI are prone to the diagnosis of PM. A thorough examination for primary cancer should be carried out in these aged and elderly patients.

Therapeutic Potential of Human Umbilical Cord–Derived Stem Cells in Ischemic Diseases

Recent advances suggest human umbilical cord is a new source for stem cells. Our laboratory has established a method to readily isolate and expand stem cells from human umbilical cord tissues. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic potential of human umbilical cord-derived stem (UCDS) cells in ischemic diseases. The UCDS cells were characterized by flow cytometry and differentiation into osteogenic and adipogenic cells. Unilateral hind limb ischemia was surgically induced by femoral artery ligation in nude mice. The animals were intramuscularly injected with 10(6) UCDS cells or control phosphate-buffered saline. Blood perfusion of ischemic limbs was detected by laser Doppler perfusion imaging. Transplantation of UCDS cells to the ischemic limbs of nude mice significantly improved the blood flow to the affected limbs. Thus, transplantation of UCDS cells may potentially be a promising treatment for human ischemic diseases.

Schwannoma of the gastrointestinal tract: a clinicopathological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study of 33 cases

AIMS

Thirty-three cases of gastrointestinal schwannomas were analysed to elucidate their peculiar clinicopathological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural features.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The patients were 16 men and 17 women, whose ages ranged from 27 to 81 years (median 52.6 years). Tumour size ranged from 10 to 120 mm in diameter. Follow-up in 23 cases from 6 months to 13 years showed no recurrences or metastases. Microscopically, all tumours were composed of spindle cells with focal epithelioid cells in four cases. In all cases except one, there were peripheral cuff-like lymphoid aggregates. Immunohistochemically, tumours were strongly positive for S100 protein and vimentin, the tumours were variably positive for nestin (78.8%, 26/33) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (63.6%, 21/33), three tumours had CD34+ cells, but all were negative for CD117, alpha-smooth muscle actin and desmin. Ultrastructurally, the tumours were composed of elongated spindle shaped cells with prominent parallel membranous structures.

CONCLUSIONS

Gastrointestinal schwannomas have characteristic histological features, especially the presence of a lymphoid cuff, that are different from their soft tissue and central nervous system counterparts. Gastrointestinal tract schwannomas behave in a benign fashion.

[Down regulatory effects of platelet factor four (PF4) on total adherence and respiratory burst of human neutrophil]

OBJECTIVE

The effect of platelet factor four (PF4) on human neutrophil function was studied.

METHODS

Crystal violet dye staining, immunofluorescence labeling, PKC kit assay, NBT and HVA fluoro-spectrophotometry were applied to study the effect of PF4 on total adherence, integrin CD11b level, PKC level and respiratory burst level of resting human neutrophils and FMLP/or PMA-stimulated human neutrophils.

RESULTS

It was found that PF4 slightly increased the total adherence of resting human neutrophils. There was no change on integrin CD11b level and respiratory burst level of resting human neutrophils after interaction with PF4. However, PF4 significantly down-regulated the total adherence, integrin CD11b level and respiratory burst level of human neutrophils stimulated by FMLP/or PMA. In addition, PF4 did not influence PKC level on resting and activated human neutrophil.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that PF4 plays a down regulation of the function of human neutrophils. Differing from other members of classical CXC-chemokine family, the signaling of PF4 is not through PLC-PKC signal pathway.

Cross-resistance and combined cytotoxic effects of paclitaxel and cisplatin in bladder cancer cells

PURPOSE

We studied the cross-resistance and combined cytotoxic effects of cisplatin and paclitaxel in bladder cancer cells in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The cytotoxicity of the 2 agents alone or in combination were studied in the bladder cancer cell line NTUB1 and the 2 sublines NTUB1/P, which is cisplatin resistant, and NTUB1/T, which is paclitaxel resistant, using the microculture tetrazolium assay. Schedule dependence of the 2-drug combination was assayed using 3 treatment schedules, including 1 concurrent and 2 sequential exposures.

RESULTS

The mean cisplatin concentration plus or minus standard error of the means inhibiting 50% of the growth of NTUB1, NTUB1/P and NTUB1/T was 1.9 +/- 0.19, 19.3 +/- 2.33 and 2.1 +/- 0.15 microM., respectively, and the mean paclitaxel concentration inhibiting 50% of the growth of the 3 cell lines was 30 +/- 3.9, 1,033 +/- 120 and 110 +/- 15 nM., respectively. NTUB1/P had strong cross-resistance to paclitaxel. In contrast, NTUB1/T was as sensitive as NTUB1 to cisplatin. On median effect analysis the combined effects of the 2 agents given concurrently were sub-additive in the low fraction affected range of 0.1 to 0.3 and additive in the median to high fraction affected range of 0.4 to 1.0 in the 3 cell lines. Combined cytotoxicity was more synergistic when paclitaxel was given 24 hours earlier than cisplatin. The effects were less synergistic when cisplatin was given before paclitaxel. This phenomenon was noted in sensitive and resistant cells.

CONCLUSIONS

In our bladder cancer cell model cisplatin resistant cells have strong cross-resistance to paclitaxel, whereas paclitaxel resistant cells are sensitive to cisplatin. The combined effects may be optimized by sequential use of the 2 agents, preferably paclitaxel given 24 hours before cisplatin. Our results have clinical implications for the treatment of bladder cancer.

Mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium of N-3-methylbutyl-N-1-methyl-acetonyl-nitrosamine and N-methyl-N-benzylnitrosamine, N-nitrosation products isolated from corn-bread contaminated with commonly occurring moulds in linshien county, a high incidence area for oesophageal cancer in Northern China

Two synthetic N-nitrosamines (N-3-methylbutyl-N-1-methyl acetonylnitrosamine and N-methyl-N-benzylnitrosamine), previously isolated from corn-bread which had been inoculated with moulds occurring in Linshien county, Northern China and subsequent nitrosation by sodium nitrite, were tested in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA1535 and TA100 in the presence of a liver postmitochondrial supernatant from Aroclor-treated rats. A concentration-dependent increase in the number of mutant colonies in both bacterial strains was observed when N-3-methylbutyl-N-1-methylacetonyl-nitrosamine was assayed in liquid suspension and N-methyl-N-benzylnitrosamine in plate incorporation assays. Our finding that mutagenic N-nitrosamines are present in foodstuffs that may be consumed in Linshien county are discussed in relation to the possible etiological role of these compounds in cancer of the oesophagus in that area.

Placement matching: challenges and technical progress

Although it is highly desirable, standardized placement matching for substance use disorders poses challenges due to variability in settings, services, and syndromes; multidimensionality of clinical problems; multiplicity of outcome constructs; and temporal phenomena in the course of recovery. Despite these obstacles, progress is being made in developing patient placement criteria that are comprehensive with adequate reliability, feasibility, and resolution. With these methodological advances, it has been possible to initiate controlled research with placement criteria. The first such studies provide early evidence supporting such criteria and indicate areas for refinement.

Characterization of chemoresistance mechanisms in a series of cisplatin-resistant transitional carcinoma cell lines

We explored the mechanisms of cisplatin resistance in a series of bladder transitional carcinoma cells that are either sensitive or progressively resistant to cisplatin. Resistant lines were raised by chronic exposure of the parental cells to progressively increased concentrations of cisplatin. The cisplatin IC50s of the sensitive and the three resistant cells were 4.3, 25.0, 40.4, and 52.2 microM, respectively. The expressions of glutathione S-transferase pi (GST-pi) and multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) were enhanced in a dose-response manner as cells acquired progressive cisplatin resistance. Expression of mdr-1 transcript was detected in the three resistant lines but not in the sensitive line. Glutathione contents were increased in resistant cells, yet the trend of increase did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.061). In conclusion, transitional carcinoma cells may gain cisplatin resistance through multiple pathways including up-regulation of GST-pi, MRP and possibly mdr-1. Glutathione contents may play a less significant role in cisplatin chemoresistance.

Mitochondrial DNA deletion of the human detrusor after partial bladder outlet obstruction-correlation with urodynamic analysis

OBJECTIVES

To investigate mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations in human detrusor after partial bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) and correlate the findings with the results of urodynamic studies.

METHODS

Sixty-two male patients with and without BOO were recruited and assessed by the International Prostate Symptom Score, a quality-of-life assessment index, and sonography. The severity of partial BOO was determined by pressure-flow study with an International Continence Society (ICS) nomogram. Random detrusor biopsies obtained cystoscopically were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques to detect possible mtDNA deletions. Primer-shift PCR and DNA sequencing were then performed to characterize specific mtDNA deletions. A semiquantitative PCR method was used to determine the proportion of the deleted mtDNA in detrusor. Finally, the mtDNA deletion and the urodynamic results were compared statistically.

RESULTS

A 4977-bp mtDNA deletion was identified in the human detrusor. Its incidence and proportion were found to increase after partial BOO (P = 0.005 and 0.012, respectively). The incidence of the mtDNA deletion was 4.2% (1 of 24) in the unobstructed group, 27.8% (5 of 18) in the equivocal group, and 40% (8 of 20) in the obstructed group. The mean proportion of the 4977-bp deleted mtDNA was 23.7 and 12.7 times higher in the obstructed and equivocal groups, respectively, compared with that of the unobstructed group.

CONCLUSIONS

We found mtDNA with the 4977-bp deletion in human detrusor and an increase of this deletion after partial BOO. This molecular change might account for the previous observations of mitochondrial functional impairment and voiding dysfunction after partial BOO.

Morphological and morphometric analysis of human detrusor mitochondria with urodynamic correlation after partial bladder outlet obstruction

PURPOSE

We correlated ultrastructural changes in mitochondria in the human detrusor with the severity of partial bladder outlet obstruction on urodynamics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We recruited into the study 52 men with and without bladder outlet obstruction symptoms. The severity of partial bladder outlet obstruction was determined by pressure flow study. Random detrusor biopsy specimens obtained by cystoscopy were fixed immediately and processed for transmission electron microscopic observation. Random areas were photographed for further morphological and morphometric analysis using mitochondrial damage score and stereological principles.

RESULTS

Mitochondrial damage score and mean mitochondrial volume strongly correlated with the urodynamic severity of partial bladder outlet obstruction, while mitochondrial volume density, surface density of the mitochondrial outer membrane and number of mitochondria per unit of cytoplasm area did not significantly correlate with severity.

CONCLUSIONS

Detrusor mitochondrial swelling and structural destruction increased with the severity of partial bladder outlet obstruction. These changes may be associated with impaired mitochondrial function and oxidative metabolism after partial bladder outlet obstruction. Detrusor mitochondrial damage may explain voiding dysfunction after partial bladder outlet obstruction develops.

Mifepristone regulation of leukemia inhibitory factor and uterine receptivity in rabbits

The effects of mifepristone on production of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and uterine receptivity in rabbits was studied. In ovariectomized rabbits, LIF protein was at an undetectable level in control (score = 0), and upregulated by progesterone alone (score = 4). Estrogen had no additive effect, and may even have had a slightly negative effect when the rabbits were treated with both estrogen and progesterone (score = 3). Meanwhile, mifepristone obviously inhibited the stimulation of progesterone on the production of LIF in rabbit uterus (score = 1). The results also showed that LIF protein has a beneficial effect on uterine receptivity and mifepristone prevents this effect. The transfer of embryos to LIF-treated recipients significantly increased pregnancy (70%) and implantation rate (31%) as compared with control (pregnant rate = 50% and implantation rate = 17%). The transfer of embryos to LIF and mifepristone-treated recipients significantly decreased pregnancy (30%) and implantation rate (9%). The results of this study suggest that mifepristone prevented the effects of progesterone on LIF production and the beneficial effect of LIF on uterine receptivity.

Megestrol acetate antagonizes cisplatin cytotoxicity

Megestrol acetate (MGA) is being widely used for the improvement of appetite and performance status in patients receiving chemotherapy, especially cisplatin-containing therapy. However, little is known about whether MGA has an effect on cisplatin cytotoxicity. We have investigated this using two transitional carcinoma cell lines, i.e. the cisplatin-sensitive parental line NTUB1 and the resistant daughter line NTUB1/P. Combined effects of MGA and cisplatin were assayed with a microculture chemosensitivity method. We explored the level changes of several cisplatin detoxification mechanisms, including metallothionein (MT), glutathione S-transferase-pi (GST-pi) and glutathione (GSH) levels in cells treated with or without MGA. After treatment with 10 microns MGA for 24 h, the cisplatin IC50s of NTUB1 and NTUB1/P increased 1.4- (p = 0.03) and 1.6- (p = 0.02) fold, respectively. By median effect analysis, the combinations of MGA and cisplatin in the two cells appeared to produce an antagonistic interaction. By Northern analysis, MT transcript levels in both cells were significantly upregulated after treatment with MGA, as compared to those without treatment. Exposure to MGA in either sensitive or resistant cells did not alter GST-pi levels as shown by immunoblotting analysis. Cellular GSH content was increased only in NTUB1/P (p = 0.0036) but remained unchanged in NTUB1 cells (p = 0.29) after MGA exposure. In conclusion, MGA may antagonize cisplatin cytotoxicity by upregulating cellular MT and GSH levels. Use of MGA in cisplatin-containing chemotherapy may impair tumor response by antagonizing cisplatin antitumor activity.

Economic reforms and the acute inpatient care of patients with schizophrenia: the Chinese experience

OBJECTIVE

This study compared insured and uninsured schizophrenic inpatients in China and examined changes in the acute inpatient care of schizophrenic patients during China's economic reform era.

METHOD

Detailed chart reviews of 50 randomly selected inpatients discharged from a hospital in central China each year from 1984 through 1993 identified 321 patients with schizophrenia. Demographic, insurance, treatment, and cost data of these patients were collected from the charts.

RESULTS

With logistic regression models to control for confounding variables, the analyses showed that the 129 insured patients were significantly more likely than the 192 uninsured patients to be urban residents, to be older, to have had 7 or more years of schooling, and to have had more psychiatric hospitalizations; moreover, their index admissions were longer and were more likely to include use of traditional Chinese medications. The estimated 19% of schizophrenic individuals in the community with health insurance receive inpatient treatment 2.8 times more frequently than the 81% without insurance. Compared to admissions in 1984-1988, admissions in 1989-1993 were significantly shorter and involved longer periods of polypharmacy with multiple antipsychotic medications but included lower mean chlorpromazine-equivalent doses of medication. The relative cost of inpatient care for an acute episode of schizophrenia increased 3.5-fold over the 10-year period, from 11% of mean annual household income in 1984 to 37% in 1993.

CONCLUSIONS

Changes in the incentive system for care providers and rapid increases in the cost of care during the economic reform era have resulted in increasingly restricted availability of services for the many schizophrenic patients without health insurance.

Non-small cell lung cancer with testicular metastasis: a case report

A 51-year-old man was diagnosed to have non-small cell lung cancer, right middle lobe, with multiple bony metastasis. Systemic chemotherapy with the regimens of cisplatin plus etoposide was administered. A 2 x 2.5 cm firm nodule in the right testis was incidentally found two weeks after the first course of chemotherapy. Transinguinal right radical orchiectomy was performed. Pathologic examination revealed a picture similar to his lung cancer. Secondary carcinoma of the testis is extremely rare. The relevant literature about its incidence, clinical manifestations, sources of primary tumor and routes of metastasis are reviewed.

p53 mutations in esophageal tumors from high-incidence areas of China

Carcinomas of the upper digestive tract (squamous-cell carcinoma of the esophagus, adenocarcinoma of the cardia) from 24 patients residing in Linxian (China) and near-by high-incidence areas were analyzed for mutations in exons 5-8 of the p53 tumor-suppressor gene. Mutations were identified by polymerase chain reaction amplification and direct sequencing in 50% of the specimens. Eleven tumors harbored a single base-pair substitution leading to either an amino-acid substitution (8 tumors) or a chain-termination signal (3 tumors), and one tumor revealed a 15-bp deletion in exon 7 with a silent base substitution adjacent to the deletion site. Mutations occurred in all 4 exons examined, with a preponderance in exon 5. Of the 6 mutations identified among the 14 adenocarcinomas examined, 3 were G to T transversions, a mutation that has thus far been absent from reported mutations in Barrett's esophageal adenocarcinomas and dysplasias from patients residing in Europe and North America.

Volatile N-nitrosamines and their precursors in Chinese salted fish--a possible etological factor for NPC in china

Epidemiological studies show that the consumption of Chinese salted fish is a causative factor for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in southern China. In the present study, N-nitrosamines and their precursors were analyzed in 145 samples of cooked, salted fish collected from various areas in China. The results show that N-dimethylnitrosamine (NDMA), N-diethylnitrosamine (NDEA), N-nitrosopyrrolidine (NPYR) and N-nitrosopiperidine (NPIP) were present in the salted fish. Total volatile N-nitrosamines (TVN) in the salted fish were 0.028 to 4.54 mg/kg. The samples from areas with higher NPC risk showed a higher average level of TVN than those from areas of lower NPC risk. Positive correlations were found between the levels of NDMA, NDEA and TVN and mortality from NPC. Although neither the nitrates nor the nitrites in the salted fish were present at significantly high levels, in vitro data regarding nitrosation of salted fish showed that the N-nitrosamine content had increased substantially. The results support the conclusion that the high NPC risk in southern Chinese may be attributed to consumption of salted fish containing high levels of N-nitrosamines.

Altered expression of the cyclin D1 and retinoblastoma genes in human esophageal cancer

We have examined DNA from four human esophageal carcinoma cell lines and 50 primary esophageal carcinomas obtained from China, Italy, and France for amplification of the cyclin D1 gene. We also examined 36 of these 50 carcinomas for expression of the cyclin D1 and retinoblastoma (RB) proteins by immunohistochemistry. We found a 3- to 10-fold amplification of the cyclin D1 gene in 16 of the 50 (32%) tumors and in two of the four cell lines. Cyclin D1 protein was overexpressed in 12 of 13 tumors and the two cell lines that showed gene amplification when compared to normal controls. Studies on RB protein expression indicated that 6 of the 36 (17%) tumor samples examined and one cell line did not show detectable expression of this protein. The tumors and cell lines that had cyclin D1 gene amplification and overexpression exhibited normal levels of expression of RB protein. By contrast, the tumors and cell line that did not appear to express the RB protein did not show amplification of the cyclin D1 gene and expressed only low levels of the cyclin D1 protein (P = 0.03). These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of RB on cell cycle progression can be abrogated during tumor development either by loss of expression of the RB gene or by increased expression of the cyclin D1 gene.

Inhibitory effect of interferon and tumor necrosis factor on human luteal function in vitro

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether immunological mechanisms may be involved in human luteal function.

DESIGN

The effects of the cytokines, interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) on steroidogenesis by human luteal cells were examined in vitro. The dispersed human luteal cells, obtained from a total of 17 women at laparotomy, were cultured separately in the presence or absence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and IFNs/TNF-alpha with the medium being replaced at 48 hours. The medium was collected at 48 and 96 hours for steroid assays.

RESULTS

The IFN-alpha had no significant effect on the production of estradiol or progesterone (P), whereas a dose-related inhibition of basal, as well as hCG-stimulated P formation, was observed after the addition of IFN-gamma (10 to 1,000 U/mL). Progesterone production was inhibited to about 45% of the control at 48 hours and even lower at 96 hours (n = 6, P < 0.001). The combination of IFN-gamma and low doses of TNF-alpha induced a further significant inhibition, whereas there was no effect of TNF-alpha alone. This inhibitory effect of IFN-gamma could be completely neutralized with a monoclonal antibody to IFN-gamma. Incubation with the antibody alone increased the production of P from luteal cells in culture, suggesting a local tonic inhibitory action of endogenous IFN-gamma.

CONCLUSION

Interferon-gamma and TNF-alpha, whose function classically is known as antiviral, also may play a role in human luteal regression by inhibiting luteal P production.

Amplification and expression of the human cyclin D gene in esophageal cancer

Amplification of the hst-1 and int-2 genes on chromosome 11q13 has previously been found in over 20% of human primary esophageal cancers. However, these two genes do not appear to be transcribed in appreciable amounts. Recently, the human cyclin D gene (also referred to as prad1) has been mapped to the 11q13 locus. Here, we report coamplification of the cyclin D and hst-1 genes in 5 of 20 (25%) human squamous esophageal tumors. We also detected significant levels of cyclin D transcription in two esophageal carcinoma cell lines, even though they did not express detectable amounts of hst-1 transcription. These findings provide the first evidence for the amplification of a cyclin gene in human esophageal cancer and suggest that an increase in cyclin D gene dosage could be an important factor in the pathogenesis of esophageal cancer. Additionally, because the 11q13 locus is found to be amplified in many types of human tumors, cyclin gene amplification could also play an important role in the development of other forms of human cancer.

Control of inhibin production by dispersed human luteal cells in vitro

The production of inhibin in vitro by dispersed cells from early to mid (Days 16-19) and late stage (Day 23) human corpus luteum (CL) was examined, and the effects of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), oestradiol and testosterone on inhibin production were determined. Corpora lutea from five subjects in the early to mid luteal stage and three subjects in late luteal stage were dispersed with enzymes and the luteal cells cultured in medium supplemented with 5% calf serum and either FSH (1, 10 or 100 ng mL-1), oestradiol-17 beta (2.5, 5 or 10 micrograms mL-1) or testosterone (0.25, 1 or 5 micrograms mL-1) with or without hCG (1 I.U. mL-1). Cells were cultured for 1 to 3 days without changes of medium, and the concentrations of progesterone, oestradiol and immunoreactive inhibin in the medium were measured by radioimmunoassay. Cells from both types of CL produced inhibin in vitro under basal conditions, but only cells from early to mid CLs responded to hCG with a significant increase in inhibin production. Both progesterone and oestradiol production were stimulated by hCG in both groups of CL. Inhibin concentrations in the cell cultures declined with time in culture, particularly in the late CL group, whereas the concentration of steroids increased. Neither FSH, oestradiol nor testosterone significantly changed inhibin production in either CL group. It was concluded that inhibin production by human luteal cells in vitro is influenced by the age of the CL, and is dependent on LH (hCG) but not on FSH or sex steroids.

Rapid detection of ras oncogenes in human tumors: applications to colon, esophageal, and gastric cancer

We have developed a rapid, nonradioactive large scale method for the detection of ras oncogenes in human tumors. DNA is amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and then digested with specific restriction enzymes to detect either endogenous or primer-mediated Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (RFLPs). We report here that three of 15 colon tumors tested contain K-ras codon 12 aspartic acid mutations and one, along with the HCT 116 colon carcinoma cell line, contains a K-ras codon 13 aspartic acid mutation. On the other hand, we did not detect H- or K-ras codon 12 mutations or the K-ras codon 13 aspartic acid mutation in 25 esophageal and 27 gastric cardia tumors isolated from patients in Lin-xing County, China. By incorporating nucleotide substitutions in PCR primers, this method can be applied towards the rapid, non-radioactive screening of virtually any genetic disease caused by known point mutations.

A study of sex identification of trace, dried bloodstains using a Y-chromosome-specific deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) probe

A new method is discussed which examines trace, dried bloodstains by gel in situ hybridization using a Y-chromosome-specific deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) probe to determine the sex of the bloodstain for forensic medicine application. The complete DNA is transferred directly by electrophoresis onto the gel intact, bypassing the possibilities of impurities contaminating the sample and of DNA degradation. The method has proven accurate for small (2.5-mm-diameter) samples aged up to eight years and is quick, simple, and easily read.