Estimating HIV incidence using dates of both HIV and AIDS diagnoses

Knowledge of HIV incidence is important to formulate sensible strategies aimed at controlling the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Back-projection is one of the methods for reconstructing the HIV incidence curve from AIDS incidence data. However, because of the low risk of developing AIDS during the first few years after infection, precise estimates of HIV incidence for the recent past are unlikely if we use AIDS incidence data only. As a result there have been recent attempts to use, not only the date of AIDS diagnosis, but also to use the date of their first positive HIV test. The objective of this paper is to incorporate into back-projection the additional information provided by those individuals who have tested HIV positive but have not yet developed AIDS. This adds information on a very large number of other individuals, and provides the hope that the precision of back-projection is improved considerably. The date of a positive HIV test or an AIDS diagnosis of an individual, whichever comes first, is used in a generalized convolution equation for the purpose of back-projection. The method is illustrated by an application to Australian HIV and AIDS data. Study results show that dramatic improvement in precision is gained for estimates of HIV incidence in recent years when both HIV and AIDS diagnosis dates are used on all individuals.

Identification of Phe313 of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor as a site critical for the binding of nonpeptide GnRH antagonists

The dog GnRH receptor was cloned to facilitate the identification and characterization of selective nonpeptide GnRH antagonists. The dog receptor is 92% identical to the human GnRH receptor. Despite such high conservation, the quinolone-based nonpeptide GnRH antagonists were clearly differentiated by each receptor species. By contrast, peptide antagonist binding and functional activity were not differentiated by the two receptors. The basis of the differences was investigated by preparing chimeric receptors followed by site-directed mutagenesis. Remarkably, a single substitution of Phe313 to Leu313 in the dog receptor explained the major differences in binding affinities and functional activities. The single amino acid replacement of Phe313 of the human receptor with Leu313 resulted in a 160-fold decrease of binding affinity of the nonpeptide antagonist compound 1. Conversely, the replacement of Leu313 of the dog receptor with Phe313 resulted in a 360-fold increase of affinity for this compound. These results show that Phe313 of the GnRH receptor is critical for the binding of this structural class of GnRH antagonists and that the dog receptor can be "humanized" by substituting Leu for Phe. This study provides the first identification of a critical residue in the binding pocket occupied by nonpeptide GnRH antagonists and reinforces cautious extrapolation of ligand activity across highly conserved receptors.

[Study on the absorption of environmental contaminants in low-level exposure by pharmacokinetic analysis]

A dynamic generating toxic gas system and a nose-only exposure system were used for the pharmacokinetic study of inhaled environmental contaminants for benzene, toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, chlorobenzene, styrene, isopropyl benzene, tetrachloroethylene, nonane and methylcyclohexane in male guinea pig. The change of these substances in blood with time was determined simultaneously by solid phase micro-extraction(SPME) gas chromatography (GC). The results showed that the fraction of absorption of benzene at low (121 micrograms/m3) exposure was 4.8 times higher than that at high(12.1 mg/m3) exposure. The pharmacokinetics of these substances were evaluated by using linear compartment models. The data showed that more styrene was absorbed than tetrachloroethylene at low-exposure. The metabolic elimination of these compounds at various exposure concentrations was extrapolated by using estimated pharmacokinetic parameters. Moreover, not only should the differences in absorption quantities be considered in evaluation of potential risk assessment, the metabolic elimination rates should also be considered although the exposure concentrations in gas for all chemicals were equal. The data presented in this paper was fundamental data used for risk assessment.

Up-regulation of base excision repair activity for 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine in the mouse brain after forebrain ischemia-reperfusion

The repair enzyme 8-oxoguanine glycosylase/ apyrimidinic/apurinic lyase (OGG) removes 8-hydroxy-2'deoxyguanosine (oh8dG) in human cells. Our goal was to examine oh8dG-removing activity in the cell nuclei of male C57BL/6 mouse brains treated with either forebrain ischemia-reperfusion (FblR) or sham operations. We found that the OGG activity in nuclear extracts, under the condition in which other nucleases did not destroy the oligodeoxynucleotide duplex, excised oh8dG with the greatest efficiency on the oligodeoxynucleotide duplex containing oh8dG/dC and with less efficiency on the heteroduplex containing oh8dG/dT, oh8dG/dG, or oh8dG/dA. This specificity was the same as for the recombinant type 1 OGG (OGG1) of humans. We observed that the OGG1 peptide and its activity in the mouse brain were significantly increased after 90 min of ischemia and 20-30 min of reperfusion. The increase in the protein level and in the activity of brain OGG1 correlated positively with the elevation of FblR-induced DNA lesions in an indicator gene (the c-fos gene) of the brain. The data suggest a possibility that the OGG1 protein may excise oh8dG in the mouse brain and that the activity of OGG1 may have a functional role in reducing oxidative gene damage in the brain after FblR.

Streptococcus didelphis sp. nov., a streptococcus with marked catalase activity isolated from opossums (Didelphis virginiana) with suppurative dermatitis and liver fibrosis

beta-Haemolytic, catalase-positive, Gram-positive cocci that formed chains in broth media but did not react with Lancefield group antisera were isolated from skin lesions, spleen, liver and lungs of nine opossums, including eight from a research colony and one from a wildlife rehabilitation organization. The isolates had vigorous catalase activity that was retained on initial passage on non-blood-containing media, but this activity was lost in subsequent passages. The use of standard phenotypic tests did not lead to satisfactory identification of these organisms beyond the genus level, even if the aberrant catalase reaction was not considered. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of the isolates was most similar (96%) to Streptococcus dysgalactiae, but distinct from that species as 16S rRNA gene similarity of different strains of S. dysgalactiae was > 99%. Characterization of biochemical reactions and cell-wall fatty acid profiles also revealed significant differences between the opossum isolates and all other known Streptococcus spp., thus it is proposed as a new species with the name Streptococcus didelphis, sp. nov. The type strain is ATCC 700828T.

Two diastereomeric saponins with cytotoxic activity from Albizia julibrissin

Two diastereomeric saponins, julibrosides J1 (1) and J9 (2), both of which show cytotoxic activity, were obtained from the stem bark of Albizia julibrissin Durazz. On the basis of chemical and spectral evidence [L.B. Ma et al., Carbohydr. Res., 281 (1996) 35-46], the structure of 1 was revised as 3-O-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->6) -beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-21-O-[(6S)-2-trans-2-hydroxymethyl-6-methyl-6-O- [4-O-((6R)-2-trans-2,6-dimethyl-6-O-(beta-D-quinovopyranosyl)-2,7- octadienoyl)-beta-D-quinovopyranosyl]-2,7-octadienoyl] acacic acid-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-[alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl-(1-->4 )]-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester. The diastereoisomer 2 of 1 was identified as 3-O-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->6) -beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-21-O-[(6S)-2-trans-2-hydroxymethyl-6-methyl-6-O- [4-O-((6S)-2-trans-2,6-dimethyl-6-O-(beta-D-quinovopyranosyl)-2,7- octadienoyl)-beta-D-quinovopyranosyl]-2,7-octadienoyl] acacic acid-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-[alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl-(1-->4 )]-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester. Saponin 2 is a new saponin named julibroside J9. Both julibrosides J1 and J9 show good inhibitory action against the KB cancer cell line in vitro.

[Determination of volatile organic compounds in blood by headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography]

The headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) is a novel extraction technique and has been developed rapidly. It is a fast, simple, solventless and sensitive method for sampling, separating, extracting, injecting and analyzing volatile organic compounds. This paper presents the research work in detecting volatile organic compounds(including ten compounds) in blood. The extraction fiber is made by fused-silica fiber with 100 microns polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The extraction time of the method was 10 min. The thermal desorption time was 1 min. It was found that the optimized location of the extraction fiber in the injector of GC was to put the whole needle in the injector. The precision of the method was determined to be less 5% relative standard deviation (RSD). The linear range of the detection was rather wide. The lowest detectin limits (LODs) were all < or = 5 ng/ml.

Rescue of fatal neonatal hemorrhage in factor V deficient mice by low level transgene expression

Factor V (FV) is a critical component of the coagulation cascade. FV-deficient patients suffer moderate to severe bleeding, though residual FV activity is detectable in nearly all cases. In contrast, FV-deficient mice die either during mid-embryogenesis, or of massive perinatal hemorrhage. In order to examine the requirements for FV in murine embryogenesis and hemostasis, we generated transgenic mouse lines expressing a Fv minigene under control of either the tissue-specific albumin (Malb) or rat platelet factor 4 (Rpf4) promoter. A total of 12 Malb and 3 Rpf4 lines were analyzed. Though expression in the target tissue was detectable in most lines by RT-PCR, only low levels of transgene expression were achieved (<3% of endogenous Fv in all lines). Despite a low level of Fv transgene expression, rescue of the lethal Fv-/- phenotype was observed with one of the Malb transgenic (Tg+) lines. However, rescue appeared to be incomplete with continued loss of >1/2 of expected Tg+,Fv-/- mice in early embryogenesis. Rescued Tg+,Fv-/- mice have undetectable FV (<0.1%) in both plasma and platelet compartments, but survive the perinatal period and mature to adulthood without spontaneous hemorrhage. We conclude that FV present at <0.1% is sufficient to support postnatal survival. Failure of the Malb transgene to rescue the midembryonic block suggests that FV expression is required during mammalian development at higher levels or with a different tissue-specific or temporal pattern. Taken together, these data may explain the observation of residual FV activity in most human FV-deficient patients due to early embryonic lethality in those absolutely deficient, and suggest that minimal levels of FV expression, below the level of detection, also may be sufficient to support survival in humans.

Inhibitory effect of antisense epidermal growth factor receptor RNA on the proliferation of rat C6 glioma cells in vitro and in vivo

OBJECT

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of antisense epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) RNA on the growth of rat glioma cells in vitro and in vivo and to determine the feasibility of targeting the EGFR gene for gene therapy in gliomas.

METHODS

Antisense EGFR complementary (c)DNA was transfected into C6 glioma cells by using lipofectamine. In vitro studies, Southern and Northern blot analyses, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemical staining were designed to examine the integration and expression of antisense EGFR constructs. The 3'(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and the average number of argyrophilic nuclear organizer regions (Ag-NORs) were used to evaluate cell proliferation, whereas the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling (TUNEL) method and microscopy were used to observe cell apoptosis. As part of the in vivo studies, parental C6 cells and C6 cells transfected with EGFR antisense cDNA were implanted stereotactically into the right caudate nucleus of Wistar rats (C6-injected animals and transfected C6-injected animals). Rats with well-established cerebral C6 glioma foci were treated intratumorally with either antisense EGFR cDNA or empty-vector DNA by using lipofectamine (treated-C6 and control treated group). The general behavior and survival of the rats, findings on magnetic resonance images of their brains, histopathological changes, proliferation activity, and apoptosis of the cerebral gliomas in each group of rats were examined. Exogenous antisense EGFR cDNA was integrated into the genome of C6 cells and expressed. In clones with a high expression of the antisense construct, there was a dramatic decrease in endogenous EGFR messenger RNA and protein levels, reduced proliferation activity, and induction of apoptosis in vitro. The mean survival time of rats injected with C6 cells was 17.3 days. The mean survival time of rats injected with C6 cells followed by treatment with empty vector in lipofectamine was 15.4 days. Survival time was significantly prolonged in 100% of the rats injected with antisense-transfected C6 cells and in two thirds of the rats injected with C6 cells followed by antisense EGFR cDNA. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed distinct cerebral tumor foci in C6-injected rats and in control rats of the treated group, but none were found in the rats injected with transfected C6 cells. Furthermore, tumor foci disappeared completely in C6-injected rats treated with antisense EGFR cDNA. The cerebral gliomas of the rats treated by injection of antisense EGFR RNA were characterized by reduced proliferation activity and the induction of apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study indicate that EGFR plays an important role in the genesis of malignant gliomas. It may, therefore, be an effective target of antisense gene therapy in patients with gliomas.

Bone marrow cell trafficking following intravenous administration

To address trafficking of transplanted marrow cells immediately after intravenous infusion, we examined the early fate of infused non-adherent, low-density donor bone marrow cells in a syngeneic mouse model. The presence of infused donor cells, marked with indium-111 oxine (111In), with the fluorescent dye PKH26, or by a detectable transgene marker, was evaluated at 3-48 h in a variety of tissues, including peripheral blood. All three cell-marking methods indicated a rapid (< 4 h) influx of cells into the bone marrow, liver, spleen, muscle and other tissues. Moreover, these tissues remained positive for the 48 h observation period. Interestingly, analysis of PKH26-positive cells in non-myeloablated animals demonstrated that approximately 17% of infused donor marrow cells localized to the marrow space within 15 h, whereas a smaller proportion of donor cells (approximately 1-2%) localized to the marrow in recipients preconditioned by irradiation. In an effort to enrich for cells that specifically home to the bone marrow, PKH26-labelled donor marrow cells were recovered from the first host and infused into a secondary recipient. Although this was a phenotypically undefined population of cells, no increase was observed in the relative fraction of PKH26-labelled cells returning or 'homing' to the marrow of the second recipient. Taken together, these data suggest both that marrow engraftment may be mediated by non-specific 'seeding' rather than a specific homing signal, and that efficient targeting of transplanted cells to the marrow is a complex multifaceted process.

Oxidative damage to the c-fos gene and reduction of its transcription after focal cerebral ischemia

We investigated oxidative damage to the c-fos gene and to its transcription in the brain of Long-Evans rats using a transient focal cerebral ischemia and reperfusion (FCIR) model. We observed a significant (p < 0.001) increase in the immunoreactivity to 8-hydroxy-2'-guanine (oh8G) and its deoxy form (oh8dG) in the ischemic cortex at 0-30 min of reperfusion in all 27 animals treated with 15-90 min of ischemia. Treatment with a neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) inhibitor, 3-bromo-7-nitroindazole (60 mg/kg, i.p.), abolished the majority but not all of the oh8G/oh8dG immunoreactivity. Treatment with RNase A reduced the oh8G immunoreactivity, suggesting that RNA may be targeted. This observation was further supported by decreased levels of mRNA transcripts of the c-fos and actin genes in the ischemic core within 30 min of reperfusion using in situ hybridization. The reduction in mRNA transcription occurred at a time when nuclear gene damage, detected as sensitive sites to Escherichia coli Fpg protein in the transcribed strand of the c-fos gene, was increased 13-fold (p < 0.01). Our results suggest that inhibiting nNOS partially attenuates FCIR-induced oxidative damage and that nNOS or other mechanisms induce nuclear gene damage that interferes with gene transcription in the brain.

Seroprevalence of markers for hepatitis B, C and G in male and female prisoners--NSW, 1996

OBJECTIVES

1. Establish the prevalence of markers for hepatitis B (HBV), C (HCV) and G (HGV) in a sample of male and female inmates. 2. Examine exposure to multiple viruses. 3. Compare risk factors for HGV infection with known risk factors for HBV and HCV.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional random sample stratified by sex, age and Aboriginality. Inmates were screened for three hepatitis markers. Participants were 789 inmates (657 male, 132 female) in 27 correctional centres in New South Wales, 1996.

RESULTS

Overall detection of each of the three screening markers was 35% for HBV, 39% for HCV and 10% for HGV. Exposure rates were higher in female prisoners than males. Increased rates of anti-HBc were observed in Aboriginal inmates compared with non-Aboriginals (54% cf. 27%); anti-HCV and HGV-RNA were comparable between the two groups (36% cf. 41% and 9% cf. 10%). Markers were significantly higher in female injecting drug users (IDU), particularly HCV (90% cf. 66%). Thirty-five per cent of inmates were unaware of their HCV status. For HBV, 72% did not self-report past or present exposure despite serological evidence to the contrary. The multivariate analysis identified Aboriginality, long-term injecting and injecting while in prison as risk factors for HBV. HCV risk factors were female sex, non-Aboriginality, institutionalisation and IDU-associated behaviours. For HGV, female sex and previous imprisonment were significant risk factors but IDU was not.

CONCLUSIONS

Blood-borne hepatitis viruses are common in prison inmates, particularly females (HBV, HCV and HGV), Aboriginals (HBV) and IDU (HBV and HCV). Infection can be related to a number of risk factors, which appear similar for HBV and HCV, but distinct from HGV.

Sympathetic outflow to muscle in humans during short periods of microgravity produced by parabolic flight

We have investigated the changes in muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) from the tibial nerve during brief periods of microgravity (microG) for approximately 20 s produced by parabolic flight. MSNA was recorded microneurographically from 13 quietly seated human subjects with their knee joints extended in a jet aircraft simultaneously with the electrocardiogram, the blood pressure wave (measured with a Finapres), the respiration curve, and the thoracic fluid volume (measured by impedance plethysmography). During quiet and seated parabolic flight, MSNA was activated in hypergravity and was suppressed in microG phasically. At the entry to hypergravity at 2 G just before microG, the thoracic fluid volume was reduced by 3.2 +/- 3%, and the arterial blood pressure was lowered transiently and then gradually elevated from 89.5 +/- 1.7 to 100.2 +/- 1.7 mmHg, which caused the enhancement of MSNA by 91.4 +/- 14.2%. At the entry to microG, the thoracic fluid volume was increased by 3.4%, which lowered the mean blood pressure to 77.9 +/- 2.3 mmHg and suppressed the MSNA by 17.2%. However, this suppression lasted only approximately 10 s, followed by an enhancement of MSNA that continued for several seconds. We conclude that MSNA is suppressed and then enhanced during microG produced by parabolic flight. These changes in MSNA are in response not only to intrathoracic fluid volume changes but also to arterial blood pressure changes, both of which are caused by body fluid shifts induced by parabolic flight, and these changes are quite phasic and transient.

An analysis of factors influencing electrocardiogram stress test for detecting coronary heart disease

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate factors influencing electrocardiogram (ECG) stress test.

METHODS

The treadmill stress test and coronary angiogram (CAG) records were reviewed retrospectively in 435 consecutive patients with chest pain between 1991 and 1997. There were 44 cases with normal CAG but positive exercise stress test results (false-positive, Group A), and 33 cases with both negative CAG and negative exercise test (true-negative, Group B). The baseline ECG, echocardiogram, abnormal systolic blood pressure response and history of diabetes mellitus and hypertension in the two groups were compared.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to age, gender, and antianginal medication. More patients in Group A had hypertension (52.3% vs 27.3%, P < 0.05) and diabetes mellitus (15.9% vs 0%, P < 0.05). Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy in baseline ECG and by echocardiogram was more often present in Group A (25.0% vs 3.0%, P < 0.05; 36.4% vs 12.1%, P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to maximal heart rate, maximal systolic blood pressure (BP), metabolic equivalents, postexercise systolic BP, termination for exercise test, baseline ECG with bundle branch block and ST depression.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that LV hypertrophy and a history of hypertension or diabetes mellitus are the main factors influencing ECG stress test for detecting coronary heart disease.

Gynostemma pentaphyllum: identification of major sapogenins and differentiation from Panax species

Four main dammarane-type aglycones of gypenosides, extracted from the aerial parts of Gynostemma pentaphyllum were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. By detecting these aglycones as well as the aglycones of ginsenosides, a difference in sapogenin composition between Gynostemma pentaphyllum and Panax species was observed, which can be used in the differentiation of these plant drugs.

[Passive personal sampler for exposure to low concentration of volatile organic compounds]

A passive personal sampler has been developed for monitoring volatile organic compounds(VOCs) in ambient air and nonoccupational exposure. The sampler collecting target VOCs is based upon the mechanism of molecular diffusion and absorption onto a single layer of active carbon fibre (ACF) absorbent. After exposure, the ACF is transferred from the sampler into stainless steel tubes for thermal desorption. The desorbed target VOCs is analyzed by capillary GC. Under the condition of facing velocity of 10-260 cm/s, relative humidity of 30%-80%, and temperature of 10-30 C, the sampling rate for benzene, toluene, tetrachloroethylene, p-xylene and styrene is 25.74, 25.16, 25.85, 8.16 and 6.47 ml/min respectively. The analysis on the new passive sampler demonstrated that its relative overall uncertainty for target VOCs was in the range of +/- 25% compared with the active ACF tube sampling method.

Sympathetic response to horizontally linear acceleration in humans

There is considerable evidence that stimulation of the vestibular system has effects on the activities of sympathetic preganglionic neurons in animals and of postganglionic nerves in animals and humans. In previous studies, we showed that the muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) from the human tibial nerve is enhanced after caloric vestibular stimulation (Cui et al. 1997), whereas the skin sympathetic nerve activity is suppressed during the nystagmus evoked by the caloric vestibular stimulation (Cui et al. 1999). These results suggest that the stimulation of the horizontal semicircular canal has effects on sympathetic outflows to muscle and skin in humans. However, much less is known about the MSNA response to dynamic stimulation of otolith organs in humans. To clarify this issue, we used a linear accelerator to stimulate the vestibular organs, especially otolith organs, and observed the MSNA and hemodynamic responses during movement.

Muscle sympathetic nerve response to vestibular stimulation by sinusoidal linear acceleration in humans

To clarify the effects of natural otolith stimulation on muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) in humans, eight male volunteers were seated in a linear accelerator (sled) during the recording of MSNA from the tibial nerve with microneurography, and also the recording of electrocardiogram, blood pressure measured with a Finapres device and thoracic impedance during movement. Sinusoidal linear acceleration with peak values of +/-0.10, 0.15 and 0.20 Gx were applied to the sitting subjects in the anteroposterior direction. Both the total activity and the burst rate of MSNA decreased during the sinusoidal linear acceleration, whereas the average heart rate, thoracic impedance and mean arterial pressure did not change significantly. These results suggest that moderate sinusoidal linear acceleration in the anteroposterior direction may suppress MSNA in humans.

Nonparametric estimation of a delay distribution based on left-censored and right-truncated data

This paper proposes a nonparametric method for estimating a delay distribution based on left-censored and right-truncated data. A variance-covariance estimator is provided. The method is applied to the Australian AIDS data in which some data are left censored and some data are not left censored. This situation arises with AIDS case-reporting data in Australia because reporting delays were recorded only from November 1990 rather than from the beginning of the epidemic there. It is shown that inclusion of the left-censored data, as opposed to analyzing only the uncensored data, improves the precision of the estimate.

Dietary L-arginine attenuates expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in the aortae of hypercholesterolemic rats

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether the antiatherogenic effect of L-arginine is due to an inhibition of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression in the aortae of hypercholesterolemic rats.

METHODS

Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomized into three groups: Group NC with normal diet (NC, n = 8), Group CC with 4% cholesterol and 1% cholic acid diet (CC, n = 8), Group AC with 4% cholesterol and 1% cholic acid diet supplemented with 3% L-arginine HCl in the drinking water (AC, n = 8). Eight weeks later, the blood samples were collected for biochemical studies, and the aortae were harvested for RT-PCR and immunohistochemical studies.

RESULTS

The results showed that dietary L-arginine supplementation reduced expression of VCAM-1 in protein level and mRNA level.

CONCLUSION

Inhibitory effect of dietary supplementation of L-arginine on VCAM-1 expression may be one of the mechanisms of its antiatherosclerosis.

Brain segmentation and the generation of cortical surfaces

This paper describes methods for white matter segmentation in brain images and the generation of cortical surfaces from the segmentations. We have developed a system that allows a user to start with a brain volume, obtained by modalities such as MRI or cryosection, and constructs a complete digital representation of the cortical surface. The methodology consists of three basic components: local parametric modeling and Bayesian segmentation; surface generation and local quadratic coordinate fitting; and surface editing. Segmentations are computed by parametrically fitting known density functions to the histogram of the image using the expectation maximization algorithm [DLR77]. The parametric fits are obtained locally rather than globally over the whole volume to overcome local variations in gray levels. To represent the boundary of the gray and white matter we use triangulated meshes generated using isosurface generation algorithms [GH95]. A complete system of local parametric quadratic charts [JWM+95] is superimposed on the triangulated graph to facilitate smoothing and geodesic curve tracking. Algorithms for surface editing include extraction of the largest closed surface. Results for several macaque brains are presented comparing automated and hand surface generation.

Murine natural killer T(NKT) cells [correction of natural killer cells] contribute to the granulomatous reaction caused by mycobacterial cell walls

Mice injected with deproteinized cell walls prepared from the strain H37rv of Mycobacterium tuberculosis develop a granuloma-like lesion in which NKT cells are predominant. NKT cells play a primary role in the granulomatous response, because the latter does not occur in Jalpha281(-/-) mice, which miss NKT cells. The glycolipidic fraction of the cell walls is responsible for the recruitment of NKT cells; the recruiting activity is associated with fractions containing phosphatidylinositolmannosides. These results define a powerful experimental set up for studying the in vivo induction of NKT cell responses to microbial components.

Estimating AIDS incidence and jack-knife variance from a continuous delay distribution and incomplete data

Usual methods for estimating AIDS incidences are based on the inflation of a discrete reporting delay distribution, which often results in very imprecise estimates of the incidence in the most recent past. In this paper, we propose an alternative approach to estimate the AIDS incidence by inflating a continuous reporting delay distribution for each reported case. Covariate effects on reporting delays are evaluated by a proportional hazards model for the reverse time hazard function. A jack-knife variance for the estimated AIDS incidence is given. Study results showed that precision of estimates is improved by using the continuous time model as compared with those estimates given by its discrete counterpart. This feature is useful in assessing current trends in AIDS incidence.

Responses of sympathetic outflow to skin during caloric stimulation in humans

We previously showed that caloric vestibular stimulation elicits increases in sympathetic outflow to muscle (MSNA) in humans. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of this stimulation on sympathetic outflow to skin (SSNA). The SSNA in the tibial and peroneal nerves and nystagmus was recorded in nine subjects when the external meatus was irrigated with 50 ml of cold (10 degrees C) or warm (44 degrees C) water. During nystagmus, the SSNA in tibial and peroneal nerves decreased to 50 +/- 4% (with baseline value set as 100%) and 61 +/- 4%, respectively. The degree of SSNA suppression in both nerves was proportional to the maximum slow-phase velocity of nystagmus. After nystagmus, the SSNA increased to 166 +/- 7 and 168 +/- 6%, respectively, and the degree of motion sickness symptoms was correlated with this SSNA increase. These results suggest that the SSNA response differs from the MSNA response during caloric vestibular stimulation and that the SSNA response elicited in the initial period of caloric vestibular stimulation is different from that observed during the period of motion sickness symptoms.

Chromosomal clues to the development of prostate tumors

BACKGROUND

Cytogenetic, molecular cytogenetic, and molecular studies of prostate cancer have revealed an enormous amount of data regarding chromosomal loci that are aberrant in prostate tumors.

METHODS

These data have been compared and condensed in this review to determine which chromosomes and chromosome sites have been most frequently reported.

RESULTS

Loss of the Y chromosome, gain of 7, 8, and X, and interstitial deletions on 6q, 7q, 8p, 10q, 13q, 16q, 17q, and 18q are the most prevalent.

CONCLUSIONS

A potential model for genetic control of tumor progression is presented, as are data regarding the evaluation of a new series of tumors.

In vitro susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori to trifluoromethyl ketones

Heteroaromatic trifluoromethyl ketones (TFMK's) showed strong inhibitory activity against Helicobacter pylori. The MIC50 observed for 2-trifluoroacetonylbenzoxazole (1) is 20-fold more active than metronidazole and is only twice as high as that of clarithromycin. The inhibitory mode of TFMK's on Hp growth was not related to inhibition of urease.

The second BRCT domain of BRCA1 proteins interacts with p53 and stimulates transcription from the p21WAF1/CIP1 promoter

Inherited mutations in the breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility gene BRCA1 are associated with high risk for developing breast and ovarian cancers. Several studies link BRCA1 to transcriptional regulation, DNA repair, apoptosis and growth/tumor suppression. BRCA1 associates with p53 and stimulates transcription in both p53 dependent and p53-independent manners. BRCA1 splice variants BRCA1a (p110) and BRCA1b (p100) associates with CBP/p300 co-activators. Here we show that BRCA1a and BRCA1b proteins stimulate p53-dependent transcription from the p21WAF1/CIP1 promoter. In addition, the C-terminal second BRCA1 (BRCT) domain is sufficient for p53 mediated transactivation of the p21 promoter. Previous studies emphasized the importance of the BRCT domain, which shows homology with p53 binding protein (53BP1), in transcriptional activation, growth inhibition and tumor suppression. Our findings demonstrate an additional function for this domain in protein-protein interaction and co-activation of p53. We also found that BRCA1a and BRCA1b proteins interact with p53 in vitro and in vivo. The p53 interaction domain of BRCA1a/1b maps, in vitro, to the second BRCT domain (aa 1760-1863). The BRCT domain binds to the central domain of p53 which is required for sequence specific DNA binding. These results demonstrate for the first time the presence of a second p53 interaction domain in BRCA1 proteins and suggests that BRCA1a and BRCA1b proteins, like BRCA1, function as p53 co-activators. This BRCT domain also binds in vitro to CBP. These results suggest that one of the mechanisms by which BRCA1 proteins function is through recruitment of CBP/p300 associated HAT/FAT activity for acetylation of p53 to specific promoters resulting in transcriptional activation.

Attenuation of regional differentiation of sympathetic nerve activity during sleep in humans

The purpose of the present study was to clarify how the regional differentiation of sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) is modified during natural sleep in humans. In humans, muscle and skin sympathetic nerve activities (MSNA, SSNA) have been reported to discharge independently according to a regional differentiation of SNA during wakefulness. However, in natural sleep, MSNA and SSNA have been documented to synchronize during sleep stage 2 (Rechtschaffen and Kales). In the present study, we measured MSNA and SSNA simultaneously using a double recording technique of microneurography in eight healthy volunteers during natural sleep, and analyzed how MSNA and SSNA can be synchronized. We found that the synchronicity of MSNA and SSNA was accelerated in correlation with the deepening of the non-rapid eye movement (nonREM) sleep stages. We also documented that the burst properties of MSNA different from those of SSNA in wakefulness become similar to those of SSNA in the sleep stage, and MSNA synchronizes with SSNA. The synchronicity of MSNA and SSNA is presumably caused by a reduced effect of central inhibitory baroreflex pathways on MSNA during nonREM sleep. The present findings suggest that the regional differentiation of sympathetic nerve activity is attenuated with the deepening of nonREM sleep stages.

[Loss of heterozygosity and microsatellite instability in the region including BRCA1 of breast cancer in Chinese]

OBJECTIVE

To shed light on the relationship between BRCA1 gene and breast cancer in Chinese Han women.

METHODS

Four microsatellites DNA (D17S855, D17S579, D17S1327 and THRA1) within the BRCA1 gene were used as polymorphic markers. A study of loss of heterozygosity(LOH) and microsatellite instability(MSI) at the above- mentioned 4 microsatellites of 50 breast cancer patients was conducted by using PCR -PAUGE-DNA silver staining (polymerase chain reaction-polyacrylamide urea gel electrophoresis) method.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine or 58% of the informative cases showed LOH; 35.71%, 15. 38%, 18.18%, and 26.19% of the informative cases showed positive LOH at the D17S855, D17S579, D17S1327 and THRA1 loci respectively. The rate of MSI was 46%, and the rates of MSI at the four loci were 16%, 18%, 18% and 12% respectively. Further study on the associations between the phenomena of LOH and MSI and different clinical stages revealed that MSI was an early event in mammary tumorigenesis while LOH occurred at a later stage.

CONCLUSION

All of these suggest that breast cancer in Chinese be somehow linked to BRCA1.

Phosphorylcholine-coated metallic stents in rabbit iliac and porcine coronary arteries

The arterial wall reaction to phosphorylcholine-coated metal stents was examined in rabbits and pigs. Compared to non-coated stents, no significant difference was found by angiography and histology. We conclude that although phosphorylcholine-coating does not provoke arterial neointima formation or decrease luminal diameter compared to stainless steel stents, the coating does not seem to reduce restenosis.

The effect of bu shen sheng xue fang on beta-thalassemia at gene level

Isoelectrofocusing electrophoresis, PCR-SSCP analysis with DNA direct sequencing and RT-PCR were used to analyze the constituents of hemoglobin, determine the pattern of globin gene mutation, and detect its mRNA transcription extent. The results indicated that Bu Shen Sheng Xue Fang (BSSXF) significantly increased the contents of hemoglobin (Hb) and fetal hemoglobin (HbF), and the chain ratio in patients with beta-thalassemia. The drug is markedly effective in heterozygous, but not effective in homozygous or genetic compound patients. It was suggested that the beta-globin gene defects were compensated by elevating the gamma/beta + gamma ratio, promoting the transcription and expression of gamma-globin gene in synthesizing HbF.

Changes in muscle sympathetic nerve activity and effect of breathing maneuvers during microgravity induced by parabolic flight in humans

This study aimed to clarify how muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) in humans, which plays an important role in blood pressure control against gravity, is altered under microgravity (microG) conditions, and how the MSNA change is modified by breathing maneuvers. Ten subjects seated themselves in a jet aircraft with their knees extended. MSNA was recorded microneurographically from the left tibial nerve with simultaneous monitoring of ECG, blood pressure, respiration, and intrathoracic blood volume estimated by the impedance method during parabolic flight in a jet aircraft. In half of the parabolas, their respiration was controlled at 0.25 Hz by a metronome.

RESULTS

MSNA was enhanced under hypergravity just before microG entry, and immediately suppressed by microG induced by parabolic flight. The suppression was more marked with controlled than with uncontrolled respiration (51.6 +/- 7.2 vs 82.8 +/- 2.5%, mean +/- SE, 1G=100%). MSNA changes during microG correlated significantly to changes in blood pressure and intrathoracic blood volume. The blood pressure fall 10 to 15 sec after microG entry was less prominent with controlled than with uncontrolled respiration. We conclude that changes in arterial blood pressure and intrathoracic blood volume modulate MSNA during microG induced by parabolic flight, depending largely on breathing maneuvers.

Epidemiological, clinical and serological studies on trichinellosis in Henan Province, China

The epidemiological, clinical and serological studies on human trichinellosis in Henan Province were carried out from January 1992 to December 1996. The results showed that 467 patients attending our department came from 12 administrative areas and cities of the Province and they acquired the infection mainly by eating undercooked dumplings, tasting the raw pork filling for dumplings, ingesting scalded pork or mutton. There was the high incidence season of trichinellosis during the winter. Most of the patients were workers, officers and merchants aged 20-49 years, and the incidence was higher in males than in females. The main clinical manifestations of trichinellosis were fever, general myalgia, muscle tiredness and eosinophilia. Most of the patients had not any gastrointestinal symptoms and rash. Eyelid edema was only seen in the early courses of the disease. Eosinophil count increased with time, reached to the peak 3 weeks and decreased markedly 6 weeks after the onset of the disease. Eosinophil levels elevated obviously 1 week after therapy, began to drop rapidly 2 weeks after therapy, and decreased to a near normal levels 4 weeks after therapy. Anti-Trichinella antibodies were detected by IFAT using the frozen sections of the purified T. spiralis larvae as antigen. The specific antibodies were observed in only 70.2% of patients one week after onset of disease, and increased to 91, 94.3, and 100%; 2, 3, and 4 weeks, respectively after the onset. The antibody positive rate was evidently increased to 100% 1 week after therapy with abendazole, then decreased to 25% 4 months after therapy.

MR imaging in rat glioma model and gene therapy using EGFR antisence RNA

OBJECTIVE

To study the value of 1.5T MRI in long-term follow-up of rat C6 glioma model and the efficacy of EGFR antisence RNA therapy in vivo.

METHODS

Forty-three male Wistar rats, weighing 150 to 200 g, were used for this study. They were divided into four groups: group I (7 normal rats); group II (16 rats inoculated C6 cells in the right caudate nucleus); group III (12 rats with the C6 gliomas treated with EGFR antisence RNA by in site injection); and group IV (8 rats inoculated C6 cells transfected with EGFR antisence RNA in the right caudate nucleus). Group I was examined by plain and enhanced MR scanning. Group II-IV were followed up by plain and enhanced MR scanning and were sacrificed in variable time points for pathological examination.

RESULTS

Cerebral hemispheres of normal rat were shown clearly on the MR image. The tumor could be seen about 1 week after inoculation. According to the findings on the follow-up MR scan, we could observe growth of the tumor or its regression after treatment. The tumor growth was significantly inhibited in group III and group IV as compared to those in group II.

CONCLUSION

The growth of the rat C6 glioma model and its change after treatment could be shown clearly in 1.5T MR imaging; EGFR antisence RNA significantly inhibited the growth of glioma in vivo.

Chromosome 7 abnormalities in prostate cancer detected by dual-color fluorescence in situ hybridization

Aneusomy of chromosome 7 and loss at 7q (especially 7q31.1) have been reported in prostate cancer. To further investigate abnormalities of 7q and the relationship with whole chromosome 7 changes, we have conducted a dual-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis on isolated nuclei from 28 primary prostate cancers. A pericentromeric probe for chromosome 7, five newly isolated sequence-specific bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) probes from 7q31.1, and one BAC for the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene at 7p12 were used in dual color hybridizations. Pericentromeric probes for chromosomes X and 4 were also used as controls. Sixteen (57.1%) of the 28 tumors showed clonal aberrations. Nine of them were trisomy 7 and four were hypertetrasomy for chromosome 7. Deletions at 7q31.1 were found in two of the high grade tumors. With the exception of these two cases, all other cases showed concordant results using all probes. These findings confirm previous studies that aneusomy of 7 is associated with prostate cancer progression, and there may be a tumor suppressor gene (TSG) at 7q31.1 which is associated with tumor progression. In addition, our study indicates: (1) the deletion pattern of individual nuclei infers that deletions at 7q31.1 precede reduplications of chromosome 7; and (2) the amplification of EGFR was not detected at the DNA level, suggesting that activation of this oncogene may play a minor role in prostate cancer.

Hypoglycemic effect of water-soluble polysaccharide from Auricularia auricula-judae Quel. on genetically diabetic KK-Ay mice

The hypoglycemic effect of water-soluble polysaccharide(FA) from fruiting bodies of Auricularia auricula-judae Quel. was investigated on genetically diabetic mice (KK-Ay) from 10 to 14 weeks of age. Male mice were divided into 3 groups, the control group and FA-fed group having free access to the control diet or FA diet (30 g of FA/kg of diet). The food-restricted group had restricted access to the control diet at the level of the diet consumed by the FA-fed group. Compared with the control group, FA supplementation had a significant effect in lowering plasma glucose, insulin, urinary glucose, and food intake. FA administration also increased the tolerance to intraperitoneal glucose loading and the hepatic glycogen content. In the food-restricted group, the reduced food intake slightly lowered the plasma and urinary glucose levels, but did not improve hyperinsulinemia and glucose tolerance. This study shows that FA had a hypoglycemic effect on KK-Ay mice, and the reduced food consumption was not a major factor which contributed to the hypoglycemic action of FA.

Sympathetic nerve response to muscle during anteroposterior acceleration in humans

This study aimed to elucidate the effects of linear acceleration on muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) in humans. Eight healthy young male volunteers were seated in a linear accelerator (sled) during the recording of their electrocardiogram, blood pressure with the Finapres, thoracic impedance and respiration curve. MSNA was recorded from the tibial nerve by microneurography. At a fixed distance of sled movements in an anteroposterior direction, eight modes of stimulation with peak accelerations at 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20 G (gravity) in sinusoidal or step mode were applied to each subject. Each movement was repeated for 5 cycles. Both the total activity and the burst rate of MSNA decreased during acceleration, and the level of the decrease was proportional to the level of the acceleration, whereas the average heart rate, thoracic impedance and mean arterial pressure did not change significantly. These results suggests that moderate linear acceleration may suppress MSNA in humans.

[Time resolved photoluminescence of PPV derivatives/C60 combination system]

We report the integrated and picosecond time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) measurement from two kinds of combination films: Poly(2-methoxy-5-(4-butenyloxy)phenylene vinylene) (MB-PPV)/C60 and Poly (2-methoxy-5-(4'-bromo-butoxy) phenylene vinylene) (MBB-PPV)/C60. Comparing with the pure MBB-PPV film, PL weakening and quenching of MBB-PPV were observed in the multilayer and mixed MBB-PPV/C60 films respectively. From TRPL spectra, the change of PL decay lifetime could be clearly seen, those could be attributed to the excitation transfer (ET) process between the excited MBB-PPV molecule and C60 molecule. Further measurements indicate that there is no noticeable dependence of the ET process on the temperature in the combination films.

An outbreak of paragonimiosis in Zhengzhou city, China

An outbreak of paragonimiosis occurred in the city of Zhengzhou, Central China, in May 1995. Of seven exposed urban inhabitants, four were seropositive for Paragonimus and had clinical symptoms consistent with acute paragonimiosis. All of four cases treated were cured with praziquantel. The P. skrjabini adult worm was obtained from the rats experimentally infected with the crabs collected in the mountainous area where the urban inhabitants had got the infection. The outbreak was attributed to the intake of raw freshwater crabs while on tourist trips in a mountainous area.

The structure and function of murine factor V and its inactivation by protein C

Factor V (FV) is a central regulator of hemostasis, serving both as a critical cofactor for the prothrombinase activity of factor Xa and the target for proteolytic inactivation by the anticoagulant, activated protein C (APC). To examine the evolutionary conservation of FV procoagulant activity and functional inactivation by APC, we cloned and sequenced the coding region of murine FV cDNA and generated recombinant wild-type and mutant murine FV proteins. The murine FV cDNA encodes a 2,183-amino acid protein. Sequence comparison shows that the A1-A3 and C1-C2 domains of FV are highly conserved, demonstrating greater than 84% sequence identity between murine and human, and 60% overall amino acid identity among human, bovine, and murine FV sequences. In contrast, only 35% identity among all three species is observed for the poorly conserved B domain. The arginines at all thrombin cleavage sites and the R305 and R504 APC cleavage sites (corresponding to amino acid residues R306 and R506 in human FV) are invariant in all three species. Point mutants were generated to substitute glutamine at R305, R504, or both (R305/R504). Wild-type and all three mutant FV recombinant proteins show equivalent FV procoagulant activity. Single mutations at R305 or R504 result in partial resistance of FV to APC inactivation, whereas recombinant murine FV carrying both mutations (R305Q/R504Q) is nearly completely APC resistant. Thus, the structure and function of FV and its interaction with APC are highly conserved across mammalian species.

Changing pattern of delays in reporting AIDS diagnoses in Australia

To accurately monitor and predict the progress of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, it is important to adjust reported AIDS counts for reporting delays. This requires estimation of the reporting delay distribution. This paper aims to use a statistical model to identify the main factors influencing reporting delays in Australia and to adjust reported incidence data for these delays among cases of AIDS diagnosed from 1993 and reported before 30 June 1997. Reporting delays were found to vary significantly across states/territories. The influence of calendar time of diagnosis was also significant, with an overall trend toward longer delays over time. AIDS cases diagnosed in the fourth quarter of a year were reported significantly more quickly than those diagnosed in the first or third quarters. No significant differences were found due to sex, age and HIV exposure category, except people with haemophilia, in whom AIDS cases appeared to be reported more slowly. After adjusting for under-reporting and reporting delay, we found that the AIDS incidence in Australia was declining from about 1000 cases per year in 1994 to about 760 cases per year in 1996.

Natural killer-like nonspecific tumor cell lysis mediated by specific ligand-activated Valpha14 NKT cells

We have recently identified alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer) as a specific ligand for an invariant Valpha14/Vbeta8.2 T cell receptor exclusively expressed on the majority of Valpha14 NKT cells, a novel subset of lymphocytes. Here, we report that alpha-GalCer selectively activates Valpha14 NKT cells resulting in prevention of tumor metastasis. The effector mechanisms of the ligand-activated Valpha14 NKT cells seem to be mediated by natural killer (NK)-like nonspecific cytotoxicity. Indeed, the cytotoxic index obtained by alpha-GalCer-activated Valpha14 NKT cells was reduced by the addition of cold target tumor cells or by treatment with concanamycin A, which inhibits activation and secretion of perforin, but not by mAbs against molecules involved in the NKT cell recognition and conventional cytotoxicity, such as CD1d, Vbeta8, NK1. 1, Ly49C, Fas, or Fas ligand. These results suggest that the ligand-activated Valpha14 NKT cells kill tumor cells directly through a CD1d/Valpha14 T cell receptor-independent, NK-like mechanism.

[Development of emission models for volatile organic compounds from indoor materials]

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from indoor materials was a major cause of indoor air pollution. The characteristics of VOCs emission was an important part of research programs on indoor air quality. The technology of test chambers with exactly controllable conditions has been successfully used in studies of VOCs emissions. The technology could be used to model the chamber VOCs concentration level vs time profile C(t), which could in turn be used to estimate the sample emission rate vs time profile R(t). The emission models of VOCs from indoor materials were presented in this review. The principal of emission process, parameters and the applications of emission models were introduced. The application of diffusion model, dilution model and vapor pressure (VP) model were limited due to the existence of sink effect. Sink model is the most promising model at present.

The role of ras gene mutation in gastric cancer and precancerous lesions

Abnormality of ras gene family was studied in a total of 206 cases of gastric cancer and precancerous lesions by PCR-RFLP, PCR-SSCP and DNA sequencing. The results showed that mutation rate of H-ras 12 codon in metaplasia, atypical hyperplasia, early-stage cancer and advanced cancer was 16.7%, 31.2%, 50.0%, and 32.2%, respectively. In the groups of superficial gastritis and normal controls, no mutation were detected in codon 12 of ras. Mutations of H-ras 61 codon and N-ras 12 codon in various groups were the same as those in normal control. K-ras 12 codon mutation was detected in only 2 cases of gastric cancer by using PCR-SSCP, but it was not detected by DNA sequencing, which may be polymorphism. All H-ras 12 codon mutations were G-->T mutation. There were significant difference between the groups of metaplasia, dysplasia, gastric carcinoma and normal control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.01, respectively). It was concluded that H-ras 12 codon mutation was an early event and may play an important role in gastric carcinogenesis. Although K-ras, N-ras mutation rates are high in colon cancer and leukemia, it seems to bear no relationship with gastric cancer.

[LH-CG receptor protein expression in epithelial ovarian cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the relationship between (LH-CG) receptor expression and prognosis in epithelial ovarian cancer.

METHODS

The relative quantity of LH-CG receptor protein of epithelial ovarian cancer tissuse was detected with semiquantitative western immunobloting in 40 cases. The LH-CG receptor protein was located with immunohistochemistry. The LH-CG receptor was termed high expression if its concentration was more than and/or equal to the median, and low expression if its concentration was less than the median. 36 of the 40 cases were followed up at various intervals, the longest follow up period was 56 months. There were 16 cases with high LH-CG expression and 20 cases with low LH-CG receptor expression in which 9 cases died.

RESULTS

The positive rate of LH-CG receptor protein expression was 72.5% (29/40). The level of LH-CG receptor protein expression in patients with stages I and II was higher than that in patients with stages III and IV, but it is not significant (P > 0.05). The LH-CG receptor concentration in the well-differentiated cancer group was twice as much as that in the poorly-differentiated cancer group. The difference between the well-differentiated group and the poorly-differentiated group was significant (P < 0.05). The 1-year and 3-year survival rates were 83.94% and 67.15% respectively in the high LH-CG receptor expression group. Both of the 1-year and 3-year survival rates were 33. 34% in the low LH-CG receptor expression group. The survival rates of the high expression group was significantly higher than those of the low expression group (P < 0.05). LH-CG receptor expression did not correlate with age, lymph node metastases, the size of residual tumor and CA125.

CONCLUSION

The prognosis of patients with high LH-CG receptor expression is better than that of those with low expression.

Sympathetic nerve response to microgravity induced by parabolic flight

The aim of this study was to clarify how muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) in humans, which plays an important role in blood pressure control against gravity, is altered under microgravity conditions. Subjects were seated in a jet aircraft with their legs extended. MSNA was recorded microneurographically from the tibial nerve of the sitting subjects with simultaneous monitoring of electrocardiogram, blood pressure, respiration, and intrathoracic blood volume during parabolic flights. In the Air Force training area, the aircraft made parabolas up to 10 times. At the entry to microgravity, intrathoracic blood volume increased, systemic blood pressure was elevated, and MSNA was suppressed. However, this MSNA suppression lasted only 10-15 sec, and then followed by an enhancement to the end of the parabolas. We conclude that MSNA is suppressed at the onset of microgravity during parabolic flight in response to loading of the cardiopulmonary volume receptor due to a cephalad body fluid shift. However, this MSNA suppression is transient during such dynamic gravitational changes as those induced by parabolic flight, probably modulated by arterial baroreceptors.

[A novel immune system]

We found a novel lymphoid cell lineage, V alpha 14 NKT cell, which is characterized by 1) the expression of both NK1.1 (NK receptor) and an invariant TCR encoded by V alpha 14 and J alpha 281 gene segments; 2) the expression of unusual phenotypes, such as NK1.1+, B220+, Mac-1+, HSA+, CD44+, CD45Rlow and MEL-14low; and 3) the extrathymic development: V alpha 14 NKT cells appear at d9.5 of gestation before thymus development. Moreover, the deletion of the invariant V alpha 14 TCR gene expression caused the lack of NKT cells in vivo, while transgene of the invariant V alpha 14 V beta 8 TCR in the RAG-deficient background resulted in the generation of only V alpha 14 NKT cells without other lymphoid cells. These results indicate the essential requirement of invariant V alpha 14 TCR for the development of NKT cells. Recent studies clearly show that V alpha 14 NKT cells, but not NK cells or T cells are the primary target of IL-12 in the IL-12-mediated tumor rejection.