[Gene screening and phenotype analysis in a pedigree with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy from Yunnan Province]

Objective: To identify the disease-causing mutations in a pedigree with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) from Yunnan province, and analyze the relationship between the genotype and the phenotype. Methods: The blood samples and the clinical data of the HCM family members were collected.The coding exons and their flanking intronic regions of 28 previously reported genes related to HCM were screened in the proband by high-throughput sequencing. The mutations in proband were confirmed and detected in all family members as well as in 159 healthy controls by Sanger sequencing.The relationship between the genotype and the phenotype was analyzed in this pedigree. Results: Two missense mutations of Arg1045His and Ala26Val in β myosin heavy chain gene(MYH7) were identified. Genetic screening showed that the mother and brother of the proband carried Arg1045His mutation.Both mutations were absent in other family members and in 159 healthy controls.Disease onset age was less than 50 years old in this pedigree, chest pain, exertional dyspnea and syncope were the major symptoms, and all accompanied by severe left ventricular hypertrophy and left ventricular outflow tract stenosis.The grandma of the proband suffered sudden cardiac death. The proband had the worst symptoms and the earliest disease onset in this pedigree. Conclusions: We find a pedigree with familial HCM from Yunnan province carrying MYH7 Arg1045His and Ala26Val mutations. The study suggests that Arg1045His mutation in MYH7 gene caused HCM is malignant with early onset, severe ventricular hypertrophy and poor prognosis. Arg1045His and Ala26Val double-mutant might have dosage effects and aggravate the clinical phenotype of the patient.

Molecular variation of Sporisorium scitamineum in Mainland China revealed by internal transcribed spacers

Sugarcane smut caused by the fungus Sporisorium scitamineum is a worldwide disease and also one of the most prevalent diseases in sugarcane production in mainland China. To study molecular variation in S. scitamineum, 23 S. scitamineum isolates from the 6 primary sugar-cane production areas in mainland, China (Guangxi, Yunnan, Guangdong, Hainan, Fujian, and Jiangxi Provinces), were assessed using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) methods. The results of ITS sequence analysis showed that the organisms can be defined at the genus level, including Ustilago and Sporisorium, and can also differentiate between closely related species. This method was not suitable for phylogenetic relationship analysis of different S. scitamineum isolates and could not provide support regarding their race ascription at the molecular level. The results of the present study will be useful for studies examining the molecular diversity of S. scitamineum and for establishing a genetic foundation for their pathogenicity differentiation and new race detection. In addition, our results can provide useful information for the pathogen selection principle in sugarcane smut resistance breeding and variety distribution.

Overexpression of galectin-3 enhances migration of colon cancer cells related to activation of the K-Ras-Raf-Erk1/2 pathway

BACKGROUND

Galectin-3 has been independently correlated with malignant behavior in human colon cancer. The involvement of galectin-3 in the invasiveness of colon cancer cells remains to be determined. We investigated whether galectin-3 was involved in the colon cancer cell migration mediated by certain kinase pathways.

METHODS

We studied 2 colon cancer cell lines (DLD-1 and Caco2) and clinical samples. Immunostaining and Western blotting were used to analyze the expression of galectin-3 in vitro and in the clinical samples. Short hairpin RNA and overexpression of galectin-3 were used to study loss- and gain-of-function in a wound-healing assay and a Transwell migration assay, and Western blotting was used to study the Ras-Raf signaling pathway.

RESULTS

Galectin-3 was expressed at lower levels in DLD-1 than in Caco2 cells. The lower galectin-3 level in DLD-1 cells was associated with decreased cell migration, in comparison with that of Caco2 cells. Overexpression of galectin-3 increased the migration rate of DLD-1, while knockdown of galectin-3 decreased the migration. Overexpression of galectin-3 was correlated with increased lamellipodia formation and distal lung localization in a mouse model. The galectin-3 enhancement of DLD-1 cell migration was mediated by K-Ras, Raf and Erk1/2 pathway activation, but not the H-Ras, p38, or JNK activation.

CONCLUSIONS

Galectin-3 plays an important role in regulating colon cancer cell migration and potential distal localization. The galectin-3 enhancement of cell migration is mediated through the K-Ras-Raf-Erk1/2 pathway. Specific targeting of the K-Ras-Raf-Erk1/2 pathway may be useful for treating colon cancers associated with increased galectin-3 expression.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor induces autophagy via reactive oxygen species generation

Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved catabolic process that maintains cellular homeostasis under stress conditions such as starvation and pathogen infection. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a multifunctional cytokine that plays important roles in inflammation and tumorigenesis. Cytokines such as IL-1β and TNF-α that are induced by MIF have been shown to be involved in the induction of autophagy. However, the actual role of MIF in autophagy remains unclear. Here, we have demonstrated that incubation of human hepatoma cell line HuH-7 cells with recombinant MIF (rMIF) induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and autophagy formation, including LC3-II expression, LC3 punctae formation, autophagic flux, and mitochondria membrane potential loss. The autophagy induced by rMIF was inhibited in the presence of MIF inhibitor, ISO-1 as well as ROS scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC). In addition, serum starvation-induced MIF release and autophagy of HuH-7 cells were partly blocked in the presence of NAC. Moreover, diminished MIF expression by shRNA transfection or inhibition of MIF by ISO-1 decreased serum starvation-induced autophagy of HuH-7 cells. Taken together, these data suggest that cell autophagy was induced by MIF under stress conditions such as inflammation and starvation through ROS generation.

Identification of the NLS and NES motifs of VP2 from chicken anemia virus and the interaction of VP2 with mini-chromosome maintenance protein 3

Background

VP2 of chicken anemia virus (CAV) is a dual-specificity phosphatase required for virus infection, assembly and replication. The functions of the nuclear localization signal (NLS) and nuclear export signal (NES) of VP2 in the cell, however, are poorly understood. Our study identified the presence of a NLS in VP2 and showed that the protein interacted significantly with mini-chromosome maintenance protein 3 (MCM3) in the cell.

Results

An arginine-lysine rich NLS could be predicted by software and spanned from amino acids 133 to 138 of VP2. The critical amino acids residues between positions 136 and 138, and either residue 133 or 134 are important for nuclear import in mammalian cells based on systematic mutagenesis. A NES is also predicted in VP2; however the results suggest that no functional NES is present and that this protein is CRM1 independent. It was also shown that VP2 is a chromatin binding protein and, notably, using a co-immunoprecipitation assay, it was found that VP2 association with MCM3 and that this interaction does not require DSP activity.

Conclusions

VP2 contains a NLS that span from amino acids 133 to 138. VP2 is a CRM1 independent protein during nuclear export and associates with MCM3 in cells.

Radiation-induced increase in cell migration and metastatic potential of cervical cancer cells operates via the K-Ras pathway

Radiotherapy is a well established treatment for cervical cancer, the second most common cancer in women worldwide. However, metastasis often circumvents the efficacy of radiotherapy. This study was conducted to elucidate the molecular mechanism of radioresistance-associated metastatic potential of cervical cancer cells. We established three radioresistant cervical cancer cell lines by exposure of cells to a sublethal dose of radiation and screened for lines that exhibited an increased migration phenotype for at least 6 months before undertaking mechanistic studies. Radiation-associated metastatic potential was evaluated using a wound-healing assay, time-lapse recording, and cell locomotion into the lungs of BALB/c nude mice. The radioresistant C33A and CaSki cell lines, but not the radioresistant HeLa cell line, exhibited significantly increased cell migration and wound healing than did wild-type cells. Furthermore, K-Ras played a prometastatic role via the activation of c-Raf/p38, whereas interference of those mediators via either RNA interference-mediated knockdown or the use of chemical inhibitors substantially reversed the radioresistance-associated increase in cell migration. Clinical examination further showed the relative up-regulation of the K-Ras/c-Raf/p38 pathway in locally recurring tumors and distant metastases compared with in the primary cervical tumor. These findings demonstrate that a sublethal dose of radiation can enhance the metastatic potential of human cervical cancer cells via K-Ras/c-Raf/p38 signaling, highlighting the potential development of specific inhibitors for reducing metastatic potential during radiotherapy.

Enhanced fluorescence from CdTe quantum dots self-assembled on the surface of silver nanoparticles

This paper presents an investigation on the fluorescent properties of semiconductor CdTe quantum dots (QDs) self-assembled on the surface of PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone)-capped silver nanoparticles (NPs) by the ligand field effect. A significant 2.5-fold enhancement in the integrated fluorescence intensities, red shift of fluorescence peak, and obvious decrease of lifetime were observed in the CdTe QDs assembled on the Ag NPs in comparison with the pure CdTe QDs. The fluorescence enhancement factor and red shift were found to depend on the Ag NP concentration. The fluorescence enhancement was attributed to a highly localized electromagnetic field on the Ag NPs generated by the surface plasma and the change in the surface trap state of the CdTe QDs originating from plasma oscillations in the Ag NPs. It is first proposed that the surface passivation of CdTe QDs is also an important factor for metal-enhanced fluorescence. The surface defects of CdTe QDs can be modified by the Cd-O coordination interaction between the CdTe QDs and PVP molecules, which will cause the trap state density and luminescence lifetime to decrease. The surface passivation of CdTe QDs can also improve fluorescence quantum yield and lead to the red shift of the fluorescence peak. Compared with previous reports, the occurrence of the self-assembly of CdTe QDs on the surface of PVP-capped Ag NPs is fairly simple and easy. From a practical point of view, the combination of CdTe QDs with Ag NPs may lead to the fluorescence enhancement, which could be utilized in a variety of chemical and biological detection applications.

Transition from orbital liquid to Jahn-Teller insulator in orthorhombic perovskites RTiO3

Following the same strategy used for RVO3, thermal conductivity measurements have been made on a series of single-crystal perovskites RTiO3 (R=La,Nd,...,Yb). Results reveal explicitly a transition from an orbital liquid to an orbitally ordered phase at a magnetic transition temperature, which is common for both the antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic phases in the phase diagram of RTiO3. This spin/orbital transition is consistent with the mode softening at T_{N} in antiferromagnetic LaTiO3 and is supported by an anomalous critical behavior at T_{c} in ferromagnetic YTiO3.

Orbital fluctuations and orbital flipping in RVO3 perovskites

The effect of the average R-site ionic radius IR and variance on the orbital and magnetic order in R3+-doped YVO3 was studied in Y1-xLaxVO3 and Y1-x(La0.2337Lu0.7663)xVO3 with fixed IR. The orbital flipping temperature T{CG} increases nonlinearly with increasing R-site variance, indicating that the V-O-V bond angle is not the primary driving force stabilizing the C-type orbitally ordered phase. The suppressed thermal conductivity in the G-type orbitally ordered phase signals some remaining orbital randomness that is enhanced by t{2} and et hybridization in {3}T{1g} site symmetry.

Polymorphonuclear leukocyte transverse migration induces rapid alterations in endothelial focal contacts

Transmigrated polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) usually undergo subendothelial transverse migration before penetrating into inner tissue layers. Whether or how endothelial cells (ECs) respond to the PMN migrating underneath them is unknown. A tissue flow chamber was used to establish a fMLP gradient and to observe PMN transverse migration along with its associated endothelial responses in culture (on a collagen gel) or in vascular tissues. Our results indicated that transversely migrating PMNs were in direct contact with the basal side of ECs. Contrasting to focal adhesion kinase (FAK) or proteins with phosphorylated tyrosine, paxillin disappeared rapidly (<1 min) from endothelial focal contacts after encountering the leukocyte's leading edge and soon rejoined them after the PMN had left. In addition, FAK moved away or became dephosphorylated when PMNs remained at the same subendothelial location for longer than 10 min, leaving actin filaments apparently unaltered. Unlike PMN transendothelial migration, PMN transverse migration did not induce any detectable endothelial calcium signaling. Taken together, our findings indicated that PMN transverse migration interrupted endothelial-matrix interactions and induced rapid alterations in endothelial focal contact composition.

Upconversion luminescence of CdTe nanocrystals by use of near-infrared femtosecond laser excitation

We study the steady-state and time-resolved luminescent properties of CdTe nanocrystals by one- and two-photon excitation with a femtosecond laser. We observe that 1208 nm excitation causes a shift of the emission peak of about 20 nm to the infrared compared with 400 nm laser excitation. It is found that upconversion luminescence is composed of a photoinduced trapping and a band edge excitonic state and produces the observation of biexponential decay kinetics. We conclude that the redshift of the emission peak is caused by the relative change in luminescence intensity between excitonic and trapping states.

Endothelial calcium signaling in rabbit arteries and its local alterations in early-stage atherosclerosis

This study is to examine whether endothelial calcium signaling is different between atherosclerosis-prone thoracic aortas (TA) and atherosclerosis-resistant carotid arteries (CA) in normal rabbits and how it changes in early-stage atherosclerosis. Local endothelial calcium signaling was examined in arterial segments obtained from rabbits fed with normal or high-cholesterol diet for 1-4 weeks. Contrasting to normal CA, normal TA showed lower endothelial calcium signaling with more concentrated NF-kappaB in the endothelial nuclei. In the same hypercholesterolemic animal, fatty streak formation was much more prominent in TA than in CA. TA endothelial calcium signaling became augmented in the second week of hypercholesterolemia, being most pronounced in smooth regions adjacent to miniature fatty streaks. It was sporadically elevated even in regions away from any detectable TA fatty streak. When the entire TA was covered with fatty streaks in the fourth week of hypercholesteremia, endothelial calcium signaling returned to the original level. In comparison, CA endothelial calcium signaling was reduced around scattered fatty streaks. Reduced calcium signaling happened where CA fatty streaks were 150 microm long (covering 15-30 cells); and it extended to areas adjacent to larger fatty streaks. Moreover, NF-kappaB remained in the cytosol of endothelial cells covering CA fatty streaks. Our results indicate that inter-vascular differences in endothelial calcium signaling may provide partial explanation in their differential susceptibility in atherosclerosis.

Specific heat of single-crystal PrMnO3

The specific heat of single-crystal PrMnO₃ was investigated from 2 to 200 K under different magnetic fields up to 8 T. A Schottky-like anomaly observed at low temperature was gradually shifted to higher temperatures by magnetic fields. The first four singlets of the Pr^3+ 3H₄ ground multiplet in PrMnO₃ are given for the first time by fitting the specific heat of Pr³⁺ ions below 40 K under zero field. By analysing the field dependence of the first singlet of Pr³⁺ ions, the Pr-Mn exchange field is found to be negligible, which is consistent with the magnetic anisotropy of Pr³⁺ ions revealed in the magnetic measurement. At T_N, the cooperative antiferromagnetic ordering of Mn³⁺ spins shows up as λ-shaped anomaly, which is lowered and broadened in magnetic fields. The magnetic entropy near T_N is estimated by subtracting the contributions to specific heat from Pr³⁺ ions and lattice vibrations. It was found that the fraction of entropy above T_N in the total entropy increases with the fields due to the enhancement of spin fluctuations by magnetic field.

Differential movements of VE-cadherin and PECAM-1 during transmigration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes through human umbilical vein endothelium

Most existing evidence regarding junction protein movements during transendothelial migration of leukocytes comes from taking postfixation snap shots of the transendothelial migration process that happens on a cultured endothelial monolayer. In this study, we used junction protein-specific antibodies that did not interfere with the transendothelial migration to examine the real-time movements of vascular endothelial-cadherin (VE-cadherin) and platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) during transmigration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) either through a cultured endothelial monolayer or through the endothelium of dissected human umbilical vein tissue. In either experimental model system, both junction proteins showed relative movements, not transient disappearance, at the PMN transmigration sites. VE-cadherin moved away to different ends of the transmigration site, whereas PECAM-1 opened to surround the periphery of a transmigrating PMN. Junction proteins usually moved back to their original positions when the PMN transmigration process was completed in less than 2 minutes. The relative positions of some junction proteins might rearrange to form a new interendothelial contour after PMNs had transmigrated through multicellular corners. Although transmigrated PMNs maintained good mobility, they only moved laterally underneath the vascular endothelium instead of deeply into the vascular tissue. In conclusion, our results obtained from using either cultured cells or vascular tissues showed that VE-cadherin-containing adherent junctions were relocated aside, not opened or disrupted, whereas PECAM-1-containing junctions were opened during PMN transendothelial migration.

Preoperational diagnosis of a uterine lipoleiomyoma using ultrasound and computed tomography images: a case report

A uterine lipoleiomyoma is a variant of uterine myomas, however, it is rarely found in patients and the diagnosis of uterine lipoleiomyoma has always been in retrospect. Uterine lipoleiomyomas are often diagnosed preoperatively as uterine myomas or ovarian mature teratomas. The key to distinguishing the tumors from lipoleiomyomas is to ascertain the primary site of development--uterus or adnexa. When a large uterine tumor is found in a postmenopausal woman, the possibility of malignancy should be considered. Now, however, advanced modern imaging systems can provide more precise diagnoses than before. The following case illustrates how a uterine lipoleiomyoma was highly suggestive preoperatively based on typical characteristics on ultrasound and computed tomography (CT). A homogeneous hyper-echoic mass confined to the uterus on ultrasound initiated the suspiction of the tumor. In addition, the uterine mass showed lower density than water on CT which further established the possibility of a fatty tumor of the uterus. The final pathological examination results confirmed the diagnosis of lipoleiomyoma.

Successful treatment of a persistent mole with myometrial invasion by direct injection of methotrexate

For patients with persistent or invasive gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD), systemic injection of chemotherapy is the treatment of choice if fertility is to be preserved. To prevent serious adverse effects after systemic use and possibly achieve better effects, direct local injection of chemotherapy into the tumor site, especially when in the myometrium, seems a reasonable alternative. A patient with a persistent molar pregnancy with myometrial invasion is presented. A plateau of beta-hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) level around 550 mIU/mL was noticed for three weeks though systemic methotrexate (MTX) injection and repeat suction curettage had been performed. During the same period, a well-defined invasive complex with multiple vesicles in the myometrium was documented using transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS). Sonar-guided injection to the tumor using 50 mg MTX was performed uneventfully. An obvious shrinkage of the mass and declining beta-hCG level were demonstrated after the procedure. The patient restored her menses after the operation and a fertility evaluation including serial beta-hCG levels and hysterosalpingography showed them to be within the reference ranges. The successful outcome of this case encouraged us to treat localized invasive GTD using direct injection of MTX with the guidance of TVUS. Since no identical cases were found in our review of the English literature, more cases and similar regimens are needed to establish the safety and efficacy of this procedure.

Endothelial [Ca(2+)](i) signaling during transmigration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Vascular endothelium plays an important role in regulating the transendothelial migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). In this study, the intracellular calcium ion ([Ca(2+)](i)) signaling of endothelial cells (ECs) during PMN transmigration was examined at the single-cell level. Human umbilical vein ECs were cultured on a thin layer of collagen gel. The ECs were labeled with fura-2, immersed in formyl-Met-Leu-Phe, and subsequently perfused with fresh buffer to establish a gradient of chemoattractant across the EC monolayer. The entire process of PMN rolling on, adhering to, and transmigrating across the EC monolayer was recorded under both phase-contrast and fluorescence optics. The data showed the following: (1) At high concentration (approximately 3 x 10(6)/mL), both PMN suspension and its supernatant stimulated frequent EC [Ca(2+)](i) elevations across the monolayer; (2) when used at lower concentration (approximately 5 x 10(5)/mL) to avoid the interference of soluble factors, PMN transmigration, but not rolling or adhesion, was accompanied by EC [Ca(2+)](i) elevation; (3) the latter EC [Ca(2+)](i) elevation occurred simultaneously in ECs adjacent to the transmigration site, but not in those that were not in direct contact with the transmigrating PMNs; (4) this EC [Ca(2+)](i) elevation was an initial and required event for PMN transmigration; and (5) PMNs pretreated with 5,5'-dimethyl-1, 2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N, N, N', N'-tetraacetic acid transmigrated with the accompanying EC [Ca(2+)](i) elevation, but they became elongated in the collagen gel. In conclusion, PMNs induce adjacent EC [Ca(2+)](i) signaling, which apparently mediates the "gating" step for their subsequent transmigration. (Blood. 2000;96:3816-3822)

Antibacterial activity of a chitooligosaccharide mixture prepared by cellulase digestion of shrimp chitosan and its application to milk preservation

The antibacterial activity of a chitooligosaccharide mixture prepared by digestion of shrimp chitosan with cellulase at 50 degrees C for 14 h was evaluated. Sugars with 1 to 8 degrees of polymer (DP) were found in this chitooligosaccharide mixture, and the weight percentage of sugars with DP > or = 6 was 44.3%. Minimal lethal concentrations of this mixture against Aeromonas hydrophila, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella Typhimurium, Shigella dysenteriae, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio cholerae, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus in nutrient broth were 5 to 29 ppm, which were much lower than those of the chitosan reactant (50 to 1,000 ppm). The antibacterial activity of this mixture in the sterilized milk against E. coli O157, L. monocytogenes, Salmonella Typhimurium, and S. aureus was much stronger at 4 degrees C than at 37 degrees C. When raw milk was supplemented with either 0.24% or 0.48% (wt/vol) of this oligosaccharide mixture and stored at 4 degrees C for 12 days, its mesophilic and psychrotrophic counts were reduced by at least 3 log cycles, and there was very little change in pH. In addition, this mixture retarded the growth of Salmonella species and caused quicker reduction of Staphylococcus species in raw milk. Accordingly, the shelf life of raw milk at 4 degrees C was extended by at least 4 days.

Disk-type multiplex holography

A theory for making a disk-type multiplex hologram is derived. This theory relates the final image point, as seen by the observer, to a point on the original three-dimensional object through a set of equations. From these equations the distortion of the image and the wavelength as seen by each individual eye can be evaluated. Computer simulation shows the characteristics of this hologram. Some experimental results also confirm these characteristics. By reversing the process and specifying a desired image, we generated a set of distorted two-dimensional originals. The hologram fabricated with these distorted images can generate nearly distortion-free images.

Antibacterial activity of shrimp chitosan against Escherichia coli

The effects of cell age, reaction temperature, pH value, and salts on the inhibitory activity of shrimp chitosan (98% deacetylated) against Escherichia coli were investigated. The age of a bacterial culture affected its susceptibility to chitosan, with cells in the late exponential phase being most sensitive to chitosan. Higher temperature (25 and 37 degrees C) and acidic pH increased the bactericidal effects of chitosan. Sodium ions (100 mM Na+) might complex with chitosan and accordingly reduce chitosan's activity against E. coli. Divalent cations at concentrations of 10 and 25 mM reduced the antibacterial activity of chitosan, in the order of Ba2+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+. Chitosan also caused leakage of glucose and lactate dehydrogenase from E. coli cells. These data support the hypothesis that the mechanism of chitosan antibacterial action involves a cross-linkage between the polycations of chitosan and the anions on the bacterial surface that changes the membrane permeability.

Unusual presentation of heterotopic pregnancy: a case report

The incidence of heterotopic pregnancy has been rising in recent years with the increased use of assisted reproductive techniques (ART). This report describes an unusual clinical presentation in a 24-year-old woman who had a combination of intrauterine triplets and a single intrafallopian pregnancy. Two fetuses located on the same side as the ectopic pregnancy demised after rupture of an ectopic pregnancy at seven weeks of gestation. After performing emergency exploratory laparotomy to manage the ruptured ectopic pregnancy, one intrauterine pregnancy continued smoothly, resulting in the delivery of a 3,550 g normal baby at 38 weeks of gestation. The possible cause of fetal demise may have been the ruptured ectopic pregnancy of the left tube, which compromised the blood supply to the same side of the gestational sacs, but the sac implanted on the right side was compensated by prominent collateral circulation, although that remains a hypothesis. To our knowledge, this is a novel report of such an occurrence.

Changes in extracellular serotonin in rat hypothalamus affect thermoregulatory function

Experiments were carried out to determine the effects of altering the serotonin (5-HT) levels in the hypothalamus on thermoregulatory function in unanesthetized restrained rats. Local perfusion of the hypothalamus with dialysis solution containing 5-hydroxytryptophan (a 5-HT precursor), fluoxetine (a 5-HT reuptake inhibitor), or high potassium significantly increased both colonic temperature (Tco) and the extracellular concentrations of 5-HT in the hypothalamus. Reciprocally, both extracellular concentration of 5-HT in the hypothalamus and Tco were decreased with a dialysis solution containing tetrodotoxin (which blocks the voltage-dependent sodium channel), zero calcium concentration, or systemic administration of 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT,5-HT1A agonist). Intrahypothalamic administration of 8-OH-DPAT and (2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (a 5-HT2 agonist) produced hypothermic and hyperthermic effects, respectively. The results indicate that elevating the 5-HT levels in the hypothalamus activates postsynaptic 5-HT2 receptors and results in hyperthermic effects, whereas stimulation of presynaptic 5-HT1A receptors in the hypothalamus reduces the endogenous 5-HT release and results in hypothermic effects.

Palliative medicine and the hospice movement in Taiwan

Taiwan is an island country, with a small area and a dense population. Cancer has been the leading cause of death for over 15 years, and the number of cancer deaths is increasing year by year. The hospice movement started in 1983, and the first hospice was set up in 1990. There are more than ten hospices at present. Three foundations and one other organization have joined in with the hospice movement. The capacity of the hospice service cannot meet the needs for care. Education together with training is becoming necessary. Research is highlighted with an indigenous model. The curriculum for palliative medicine has recently been confirmed for education in the future. The Government has been a great help in the development of palliative care, and more service needs are identified. The situation with the hospice movement in Taiwan is positive and promising.

Binding and growth-stimulation of cervical cancer cell lines by prolactin

Two cervical cancer cell lines CC7-T and Si-Ha were employed to observe the relationship between cervical cancer and prolactin. By immunocytochemical and indirect immunofluorescent assays using two prolactin monoclonal antibodies PRL-149 and PRL-151, both cell lines with added prolactin (10 ng/mL) were noted to be positive for PRL-151, but negative for PRL-149. The control cell lines from ovarian cancer and the myeloma lines were both stained negative. By using MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay, it was noted that CC7-T and Si-Ha grew better in the presence of various added concentrations of prolactin, ranging from 0.1 to 1,000 ng/mL, suggesting that prolactin may enhance the growth of cervical cancer. The degree of stimulation appears to depend on cell differentiation. However, prolactin levels in the cultured supernatant were undetectable by the enzyme immunoassay (EIA) method. We postulate that prolactin can bind and stimulate the growth of some cervical cancer cell lines, probably through the prolactin receptor rather than by autocrine regulation.

Pre- and postsynaptic effects of pancuronium at the neuromuscular junction of the mouse

The dose-effectiveness of pancuronium as it relates to membrane potentials, action potentials, electrical membrane constants, miniature endplate potentials, endplate potentials, and quantal release was studied in murine phrenic nerve-diaphragm preparations in vitro. Emphasis was placed on comparison of presynaptic with postsynaptic effects of pancuronium under similar experimental conditions. At low concentrations of pancuronium (5 X 10(-8) g/ml or less), no presynaptic effect was found. At high concentration (5 X 10(-7) g/ml), pancuronium depressed quantal release to 26 per cent of control in cut-fiber preparations and 40 per cent of control in high-magnesium preparations. Postsynaptic effects as measured by the amplitude of miniature endplate potentials and relative depolarization induced by 20 microns carbachol, revealed depression to 16 and 22 per cent of control, respectively, at a pancuronium concentration of 5 X 10(-7) g/ml. Pancuronium had no effect on directly elicited action potentials and electrical membrane constants. The authors conclude that presynaptic as well as postsynaptic effects of pancuronium in paralytic doses are essential in contributing to the total efficacy of neuromuscular depression.

Population density and the rate of mental illness

An examination of age specific rates of psychiatric admissions within Brooklyn, New York, indicated that population density may function as an intervening variable in the production of mental illness. Measures of household and family contact were found to be significantly correlated to four rates of hospital utilization. These same measures carried unique components that were also significantly related to service use. Other measures of density such as people per acre and structures per acre were found to be unrelated to the rates of psychiatric utilization. The results of this study suggest that if density does produce mental illness its likely mechanism of action will be routed through household contact.