Prognostic value of histopathologic parameters in squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx

Seventy-seven patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx were treated by preoperative radiation therapy (4000-5000 rad) followed by surgical resection. The original biopsy specimens were evaluated for degree of keratinization, nuclear pleomorphism, frequency of mitoses, inflammatory response, vascular invasion, and pattern of invasion. Multivariant analysis (Cox regression model) and life table survival function were used to determine the relative contributions of the clinical and histologic parameters to patient outcome. The results were as follows: (1) large tumor size, nodal metastases, and male sex were found to be predictive of a poorer survival (P = 0.004, 0.0167, and 0.0237, respectively); and (2) an analysis of a combination of clinical and histologic parameters demonstrated that the pattern of invasion was the only histologic factor that was predictive of survival (P = 0.0436). Neoplasms invading as large cohesive aggregates indicated a better prognosis than neoplasms invading as thin, irregular cords or individual cells. Restricting the statistical evaluation to only histologic factors (excluding clinical factors) demonstrated that increased frequency of mitoses also correlated with poor survival (P = 0.0218). Further restriction of the analysis to T2 and T3 neoplasms that have similar survival times indicated that both frequency of mitoses and pattern of invasion were of prognostic value in predicting survival (P = 0.0127 and 0.0168, respectively).

Genes for the alpha and beta subunits of phycocyanin

Phycocyanin (PC) is a light-harvesting protein common to blue-green and red algae. We have isolated the genes for the two apoprotein subunits, alpha and beta, of PC from the blue-green alga Agmenellum quadruplicatum PR-6. We synthesized eight sense-strand tetradecameric oligonucleotide probes that could encode a particular pentapeptide in PC alpha from A. quadruplicatum. Only one probe hybridized with total RNA from this organism. This oligonucleotide showed homology to a unique restriction fragment when used to probe Southern blots of A. quadruplicatum DNA. The probe-homologous 3.1-kilobase pair HindIII fragment was cloned. The nucleotide sequence of a 1.7-kilobase pair segment of this clone was determined. Two open reading frames are contained in this region, which correspond in deduced amino acid sequence to PC alpha and PC beta subunits. Both coding sequences are in the same orientation, separated by 105 base pairs, with the PC beta gene 5' to the PC alpha gene. Each gene has a Shine-Dalgarno-type sequence near the initiation codon. Codon frequencies in the two genes may be correlated with the abundance of their products. The deduced amino acid sequences of the gene products show considerable homology with the alpha and beta PC subunits from other species.

The mechanism of action of trichosanthin on eukaryotic ribosomes--RNA N-glycosidase activity of the cytotoxin

Trichosanthin is a ribosome-inactivating protein from root tubers of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. In this paper, the mechanism of action of trichosanthin on eukaryotic ribosomes was studied. A fragment of about 450 nucleotides was released from 28S ribosomal RNA after treatment of rat liver ribosome with trichosanthin and its isolated ribosomal RNAs were treated with aniline. Analysis of nucleotide sequence of 5' terminus of this fragment revealed that the aniline-sensitive site of the phosphodiester bond was between positions A4324 and G4325 in the 28S rRNA. Adenine was recovered by ion-exchange column chromatography from the 50% ethanol soluble fraction of the reaction mixture in which rat liver ribosomes were treated with trichosanthin. Thin-layer chromatographic analysis indicated that 1 mol of adenine was released from 1 mol of ribosomes. When the ribosomes were incubated with trichosanthin in the presence of inorganic [32P]phosphate, little incorporation of radioactivity into 28S rRNA was observed, indicating that the release of adenine was not mediated by phosphorolysis. These results demonstrate that trichosanthin inactivates the ribosomes by cleaving the N-C glycosidic bond of adenylic acid at 4324 of 28S rRNA in a hydrolytic fashion.

[Preliminary study of the relationship between novel coronavirus pneumonia and liver function damage: a multicenter study]

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of cases of novel coronavirus pneumonia and a preliminary study to explore the relationship between different clinical classification and liver damage. Methods: Consecutively confirmed novel coronavirus infection cases admitted to seven designated hospitals during January 23, 2020 to February 8, 2020 were included. Clinical classification (mild, moderate, severe, and critical) was carried out according to the diagnosis and treatment program of novel coronavirus pneumonia (Trial Fifth Edition) issued by the National Health Commission. The research data were analyzed using SPSS19.0 statistical software. Quantitative data were expressed as median (interquartile range), and qualitative data were expressed as frequency and rate. Results: 32 confirmed cases that met the inclusion criteria were included. 28 cases were of mild or moderate type (87.50%), and four cases (12.50%) of severe or critical type. Four cases (12.5%) were combined with one underlying disease (bronchial asthma, coronary heart disease, malignant tumor, chronic kidney disease), and one case (3.13%) was simultaneously combined with high blood pressure and malignant tumor. The results of laboratory examination showed that the alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), albumin (ALB), and total bilirubin (TBil) for entire cohort were 26.98 (16.88 ~ 46.09) U/L and 24.75 (18.71 ~ 31.79) U/L, 39.00 (36.20 ~ 44.20) g/L and 16.40 (11.34 ~ 21.15) μmol/L, respectively. ALT, AST, ALB and TBil of the mild or moderate subgroups were 22.75 (16.31 ~ 37.25) U/L, 23.63 (18.71 ~ 26.50) U/L, 39.70 (36.50 ~ 46.10) g/L, and 15.95 (11.34 ~ 20.83) μmol/L, respectively. ALT, AST, ALB and TBil of the severe or critical subgroups were 60.25 (40.88 ~ 68.90) U/L, 37.00 (20.88 ~ 64.45) U/L, 35.75 (28.68 ~ 42.00) g/L, and 20.50 (11.28 ~ 25.00) μmol/L, respectively. Conclusion: The results of this multicenter retrospective study suggests that novel coronavirus pneumonia combined with liver damage is more likely to be caused by adverse drug reactions and systemic inflammation in severe patients receiving medical treatment. Therefore, liver function monitoring and evaluation should be strengthened during the treatment of such patients.

Coherent population transfer between uncoupled or weakly coupled states in ladder-type superconducting qutrits

Stimulated Raman adiabatic passage offers significant advantages for coherent population transfer between uncoupled or weakly coupled states and has the potential of realizing efficient quantum gate, qubit entanglement and quantum information transfer. Here we report on the realization of the process in the superconducting Xmon and phase qutrits—two ladder-type three-level systems in which the ground state population is coherently transferred to the second excited state via the dark state subspace. We demonstrate that the population transfer efficiency is no less than 96% and 67% for the two devices, which agree well with the numerical simulation of the master equation. Population transfer via stimulated Raman adiabatic passage is significantly more robust against variations of the experimental parameters compared with that via the conventional resonant π pulse method. Our work opens up a new venue for exploring the process for quantum information processing using the superconducting artificial atoms.

Quantum state engineering necessitates transfer between quantum states. Here the authors demonstrate coherent population transfer between un- or weakly-coupled states of solid state systems, superconducting Xmon and phase qutrits, using stimulated Raman adiabatic passage and microwave driving.

Addressing cultural orientations in fear appeals: promoting AIDS-protective behaviors among Mexican immigrant and African American adolescents and American and Taiwanese college students

Fear appeals threatening the individual have been shown to be powerful persuasive devices in the cultures where they have been studied. However, most fear appeal research has been conducted with members of individualist cultures. Individualist cultures place self-needs above group concerns, while collectivist cultures place group needs above self-concerns. Little is known about the effectiveness of fear appeals (or other persuasive strategies) in collectivist cultures. Two studies assessed the effectiveness of AIDS-prevention fear appeals threatening the self versus fear appeals threatening the group (i.e., family) on members of individualist and collectivist cultures. The first study focuses on African American and Mexican immigrant junior high school youth. The second study focuses on U.S. and Taiwanese college undergraduates. The results indicated that fear appeals should address cultural orientation (i.e., individualist versus collectivist orientation) to achieve maximum effectiveness. The results also indicate that one cannot assume cultural orientation based on ethnicity.

Large-scale preparation of two new ribosome-inactivating proteins--cinnamomin and camphorin from the seeds of Cinnamomum camphora

An improved method for large-scale preparation of cinnamomin and camphorin from the seeds of Cinnamomum camphora has been developed. Cinnamomin is a type II ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP), while camphorin is a type I RIP. Cinnamomin was purified by a single step of acid-treated Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography instead of gel filtration. Camphorin was purified by anion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration successively from the eluant not retained by the affinity column. Using this improved method, 620 mg of cinnamomin and 14.2 mg of camphorin were obtained from 500 g of wet seed, while only 10.6 mg of cinnamomin and 4.7 mg of camphorin were obtained by the previous method. Cinnamomin and camphorin purified by this method were homogeneous in SDS-denatured polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. These two RIPs are multifunctional proteins. The assay of the enzymatic activities of cinnamomin and camphorin showed that both of them exhibit RNA N-glycosidase and supercoil-dependent endonuclease activities, while camphorin also exhibits superoxide dismutase activity.

Cleavage of supercoiled double-stranded DNA by several ribosome-inactivating proteins in vitro

Several ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs), such as ricin (including its A-chain), luffin, cinnamomin and camphorin, were found to express enzymatic activity to cleave supercoiled double-stranded DNA. In particular, alpha-sarcin, a RIP with a novel ribonuclease activity, was first proved to have this activity. They convert supercoiled DNA into a nicked circular conformation at low concentrations and further into a linear form at high concentrations: they have no effect on linear DNA. Although intact type II RIPs exhibited no RNA N-glucosidase activity, they were detected to cleave supercoiled DNA. Even if ricin A-chain was treated by boiling, its activity on supercoiled DNA was largely retained.

Simultaneous existence of two types of ribosome-inactivating proteins in the seeds of Cinnamonum camphora--characterization of the enzymatic activities of these cytotoxic proteins

Two types of ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs), camphorin and cinnamomin, have been purified from the seeds of Cinnamomum camphora. Camphorin is a type I RIP with a molecular mass of 23 kDa. Cinnamomin is a type II RIP having three isoforms, its molecular mass is around 61 kDa. The A- and B-chain derived from cinnamomin isoforms have similar mobilities in SDS-polyacrylamide gel. Camphorin and cinnamomin are both glycoproteins. In phylogenesis, it is particularly significant to find the simultaneous existence of type I and type II RIP as well as three isoforms of the latter in the same organ of a higher plant. The molecular mechanism of action of these two RIPs on mammalian ribosomes was demonstrated to be the specific RNA N-glycosidase activity. They modify 28S RNA among the four species of ribosomal RNAs. The cleavage site is the adenosine at position 4324 (rat liver 28S rRNA) embedded in the highly conserved 'R/S domain'. It is the first report that an intact type II RIP (cinnamomin) exhibits RNA N-glycosidase activity. Additionally, camphorin and cinnamomin can cleave supercoiled double-stranded DNA into nicked and linear forms (Ling et al. (1994) FEBS Lett. 345, 143-146).

Measurement of thermal expansion coefficient of human teeth

The coefficient of thermal expansion of specimens from 60 freshly extracted human teeth were measured over the range 10-80 degrees C using a dilatometer. The coefficient increased rapidly above 50 degrees C, but there was no significant variation with tooth age between 10 and 70 years. The average values obtained were 16.96 (SD 3.83) x 10(-6)/degrees C for enamel, 10.59 (SD 2.38) x 10(-6)/degrees C for dentine, 11.90 (SD 4.42) x 10(-6)/degrees C for crowns and 9.44 (SD 0.61) x 10(-6)/degrees C for roots.

Halobacillus dabanensis sp. nov. and Halobacillus aidingensis sp. nov., isolated from salt lakes in Xinjiang, China

Two moderately halophilic spore-forming bacteria were isolated from salt lakes in the Xinjiang region of China. The two strains, designated AD-6T and D-8T, were aerobic, Gram-positive, rod-shaped and motile by means of peritrichous flagella. Strains AD-6T and D-8T grew in the presence of 0·5–20 % and 0·5–25 % (w/v) NaCl in complex medium, respectively. Their cell-wall peptidoglycan was of the l-orn–d-Asp type. The major menaquinone found in both strains was menaquinone-7 (MK-7). The fatty acid profile contained a large amount of branched fatty acids; the main fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The DNA G+C content of strains D-8T and AD-6T was 41·4 and 42·2 mol%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strains D-8T and AD-6T were located in the genus Halobacillus. Levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between the isolated strains and the type strains of Halobacillus species were in the range 96·2–99·5 %. DNA–DNA relatedness values of 17·0–52·2 % were found between the two strains and other Halobacillus species. The DNA–DNA relatedness value between D-8T and AD-6T was 50·6 %. On the basis of phenotypic and chemotaxonomic properties, phylogenetic analysis and genomic distinctiveness, strains D-8T and AD-6T should be placed in the genus Halobacillus as two novel species, for which the names Halobacillus dabanensis sp. nov. (type strain=JCM 12772T=CGMCC 1.3704T) and Halobacillus aidingensis sp. nov. (type strain=JCM 12771T=CGMCC 1.3703T) are proposed, respectively.

A fluorescence-labeling method for sequencing small RNA on polyacrylamide gel

A practical fluorescence-labeling method for sequencing small RNAs by the traditional 'direct read out' on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was established. The 3' terminus of RNA was oxidized into dialdehyde by sodium periodate and then labeled with fluorescein-5-thiosemicarbazide through the condensation reaction between carbazide and aldehyde. The fluorescence-labeled RNA was partially degraded enzymatically and fractionated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The fluorescent bands were visualised by ultraviolet photography. A partial sequence of yeast 5S rRNA was determined. The result indicates that this method can be used in sequencing small RNAs rapidly, conveniently and safely.

Human gastric cancer kinase profile and prognostic significance of MKK4 kinase

Alterations of protein tyrosine kinase are often associated with uncontrolled cell growth and tumor progression. Knowledge of the overall expression pattern of tyrosine kinases should prove beneficial in understanding the signaling pathways involved in gastric cancer oncogenesis and in providing possible biomarkers for gastric cancer progression. To establish a general tyrosine-kinase expression profile, degenerated polymerase chain reaction primers designed from the consensus catalytic kinase motifs were used to amplify protein tyrosine kinase molecules from gastric cancer tissues. We observed more than 50 tyrosine and serine/threonine kinases from matching pairs of gastric cancer tissue and normal mucosa. Based on this new kinase profile information, we selected the MKK4 gene for further immunohistochemical studies. Statistical analysis of MKK4 protein expression and clinicopathological features indicated that MKK4 kinase expression could serve as a significant prognostic factor for relapse-free survival and for overall survival. We demonstrated a simple and sensitive method for establishing protein tyrosine-kinase expression profiles of human gastric cancer tissues as well as for discovering novel and useful clinical biomarkers from such kinase expression profiles.

Characterization of the enzymatic mechanism of gamma-momorcharin, a novel ribosome-inactivating protein with lower molecular weight of 11,500 purified from the seeds of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia)

The enzymatic mechanism of a small ribosome-inactivating protein, gamma-momorcharin, purified from the seeds of Momordica charantia, has been characterized. By SDS-polyacrylamide and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, its molecular weight was measured to be 11,500 daltons which is much lower than other RIPs known to date. It can inhibit the protein synthesis in the rabbit reticulocyte cell-free system with ID50 of 55 nM. When rat liver ribosome was incubated with gamma-momorcharin, a diagnostic RNA fragment appeared on the gel after rRNAs were treated with acid aniline. Sequencing of the RNA fragment indicates that the action site of gamma-momorcharin in 28S ribosomal RNA of rat liver is at a specific adenosine (position 4324), which is in a highly conserved loop of 28S rRNA.

Three new saponins from Tribulus terrestris

Three new steroidal saponins 1-3, together with five known steroidal saponins, L-mannitol and an inorganic salt were isolated from Tribulus terrestris L. (Zygophyllaceae). The structures of the new steroidal saponins were elucidated as hecogenin 3-O-beta-xylopyranosyl(1-->3)-beta-glucopyranosyl(1-->4)-beta-galactopyr anoside (1), hecogenin 3-O-beta-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-glucopyranosyl(1-->4)- beta-galactopyranoside (2) and 3-O-[beta-xylopyranosyl(1-->2)-[beta-xylopyranosyl(1-->3)]-beta- glucopyranosyl(1-->4)-[alpha-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)]-beta-galactopyranos yl]- 26-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-22-methoxy-(3 beta,5 alpha,25R)-furostan-3,26-diol (3). Structure elucidation was accomplished by 1D and 2D NMR spectra (13C-1H COSY, HMQC, HMBC, 1H-1H COSY, TOCSY, and NOESY), mass spectrometry (FABMS, ESIMS) and chemical methods.

Cytotoxicity of two new ribosome-inactivating proteins, cinnamomin and camphorin, to carcinoma cells

Cinnamomin (two-chain) and camphorin (single-chain), two novel ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) purified from the seeds of Cinnamomum camphora, produced inhibitory effects in cultured carcinoma cells. The IC50 of cinnamomin to the human hepatocarcinoma cell-line 7721 and the melanoma cell-line M21 were 18.8 nmol and 11.7 nmol respectively. The IC50 of camphorin to the human hepatocarcinoma cell-line 7721 was 59 nmol, whereas the melanoma cell-line M21 was not susceptible to camphorin. Furthermore, cinnamomin exhibited a remarkable inhibitory effect on the growth of solid melanoma in the skin of the nude mouse. An R-fragment could be isolated from ribosomes of cinnamomin- or camphorin-treated carcinoma cells after incubation with acidic aniline, indicating that the cytotoxicity of these two new RIPs to carcinoma cells might result from modification to the ribosomes.

Diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma

The aim of the present study was to explore the value and characteristics of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the diagnosis of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). By analyzing CEUS information of 130 nodules obtained from 106 patients with PTMC, who had been diagnosed by surgery and pathological analysis, CEUS characteristics of PTMC nodules were concluded. Based on the results, the PTMC nodules were divided into three groups as follows: 32 nodules (24.62%) were found to be enhanced earlier than the surrounding normal thyroid tissue, 95 nodules (73.08%) were enhanced at the same time as the normal thyroid tissue and 3 nodules (2.30%) were enhanced later than the normal thyroid tissue. The results also demonstrated that the peak enhancement intensity of the 130 nodules was lower compared with the irregular intensity of the normal parenchyma in corresponding thyroids, and that PTMC enhancement washed out faster than in normal thyroid parenchyma. In conclusion, the PTMC characteristics that CEUS can detect may improve the diagnostic accuracy and provide valuable information for the treatment of the disease.

Radon awareness and reduction campaigns for African Americans: a theoretically based evaluation

Radon gas is a significant health threat linked to thousands of preventable deaths each year. One population that may be at increased risk from harm from radon exposure is African Americans. However, little is known about what African Americans think or know about radon. A theoretically based evaluation of radon awareness and reduction campaigns was conducted with African Americans. The knowledge and perceptions results indicate that African Americans often hold inaccurate beliefs regarding radon (e.g., confusing it with carbon monoxide gas), perceive it to be a serious threat, and perceive recommended responses to be inadequate in averting harm. The campaign materials evaluation shows that campaign materials often promote perceptions of threat but not perceptions of efficacy regarding recommended responses. Recommendations are given for public health practitioners.

Toxicity of cinnamomin--a new type II ribosome-inactivating protein to bollworm and mosquito

The toxicity of cinnamomin, a new type II ribosome-inactivating protein purified from the seeds of camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora), to bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) and mosquito (Culex pipines pallens) during larval stage was tested. The LC50 of cinnamomin to bollworm larvae fed on diet containing cinnamomin was 1839 ppm and the LC50 to larvae of mosquito was 168 ppm. The gut extract of bollworm larvae could apparently hydrolyze cinnamomin. The inhibition of protein synthesis by cinnamomin was tested in in vitro translation system of bollworm larvae, and its LC50 was determined to be approx. 14 nM. Bollworm larvae ribosome treated with cinnamomin produced a specific RNA fragment (R-fragment) characterized on urea-denatured polyacrylamide gel. Evidence was provided that hidden breaks exist in the largest ribosomal RNA of bollworm larvae.

Cloning and nucleotide sequence analysis of the human beta-microseminoprotein gene

Beta-microseminoprotein (MSP) is a small protein (94 amino acids) synthesized by the epithelial cells of the prostate gland and secreted into the seminal plasma. Restriction endonuclease mapping of human genomic DNA with a human MSP cDNA probe identified a 19 kilobase (Kb) hybridizing band in both EcoRI and BamHI digestions. Subsequently, the 19 Kb EcoRI fragment of human genomic DNA containing the MSP gene was isolated and cloned into an EMBL4 phage vector. Screening of the recombinant phages resulted in the isolation of one clone containing the MSP gene. Restriction endonuclease mapping and sequence analysis of this clone revealed the human MSP gene of approximately 15 Kb in length. The gene contains four exons and three large introns of approximately 6, 1, and 7 Kb.

Fibrous dysplasia of the ethmoid sinus

Fibrous dysplasia of bones comprising the paranasal sinuses is well recognized. Depending on the anatomic areas of the skull involved by this neoplasm, a combined approach for surgical removal may be necessitated. A case of a patient with fibrous dysplasia of the ethmoid sinus, possibly the first reported case of such change in the ethmoid bone itself, is presented. A two-stage, combined otolaryngologicneurosurgical craniofacial resection was the method of treatment.

Role of early afterdepolarization in familial long QTU syndrome and torsade de pointes

Torsade de pointes (TdP) syncopal episodes were almost invariably precipitated by emotional stress or menstruation in a 17-year-old girl. U wave accentuation occurred during sinus rhythm without pauses in periods of heightened sympathetic tone. To examine the role of early afterdepolarization (EAD), monophasic action potentials were recorded during ventricular extrasystoles and TdP occurring spontaneously and induced by ventricular pacing. The effects of lidocaine, verapamil, propranolol, and epinephrine were assessed. Our data show that: (1) EAD plays a significant role in the genesis of familial long QTU syndrome and TdP; (2) rapid ventricular pacing causes postpause-dependent EADs, U waves, and TdP; and (3) EAD is enhanced by epinephrine infusion in the absence of pause, whereas EAD-triggered firing is inhibited by verapamil and propranolol but not by lidocaine.