Cognitive brain potential alterations in boys exposed to opiates: in utero and lifestyle comparisons

Several studies have observed that intrauterine exposure to opiates results in emotional and cognitive complications for the child, but genetic and postnatal social-environmental factors may also affect the CNS development of these children. To assess the relative contribution of the in utero and social-environmental (lifestyle) effects of opiate exposure, event-related potentials (ERPs) and performance were studied in three groups of 7- to 12-year-old boys: (1) the in utero/lifestyle group (IU/LS) contained 16 boys who were exposed to opiates (in utero and lived with opiate-abusing mothers, (2) the lifestyle group (LS) included 14 boys who lived with opiate-abusing mothers, and (3) the control group (CON) composed of 13 boys. The cognitive ERP components and task performance were recorded in the Auditory Rare Event Monitoring (AREM) task and the Sternberg Memory task (Sternberg, 1975). On the AREM and Sternberg Memory tasks, P200 component was significantly decreased for the IU/LS and LS groups. On the Sternberg Memory task, percent correct was also significantly impaired in IU/LS and LS groups. The ERP alterations in the boys living with opiate-abusing mothers with and without intrauterine opiate exposure were similar. A dysfunctional social environment may contribute to the cognitive deficits seen in the sons of opiate-abusing mothers.

Mutagenesis of cardiac troponin I. Role of the unique NH2-terminal peptide in myofilament activation

Phosphorylation of Ser residues in the NH2-terminal extension unique to cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is known to occur through protein kinase A and to alter myofilament Ca2+ activation (Robertson, S. P., Johnson, J. D., Holroyde, M. J., Kranias, E. G., Potter, J. D., and Solaro, R. J. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 260-263). Yet, how the NH2-terminal extension may itself affect thin filament Ca2+ signaling is unknown. To approach this question we have used molecular cloning, mutagenesis, and bacterial synthesis of a full-length cTnI and a truncated mutant (cTnI/NH2) missing the 32 amino acids. Using reconstituted preparations we could show no differences between cTnI and cTnI/NH2 either in inhibition of actomyosin ATPase activity, in Ca(2+)-reversible inhibitory activity, or in the relation between pCa and Ca2+ binding to the regulatory site of cTnC at either pH 7.0 or 6.5. There were also no significant differences at either pH in the pCa-MgATPase activity relation of myofibrils into which the various species of TnI has been exchanged. Our results indicate: 1) that phosphorylation most likely induces a new state of TnI activity rather than altering an intrinsic effect of the NH2-terminal peptide on Ca2+ activation; and 2) that domains outside the NH2-terminal extension are important with regard to differences in effects of acidic pH on Ca2+ activation on cardiac and skeletal myofilaments.

Regression of cardiac hypertrophy and myosin isoenzyme patterns by losartan and captopril in renovascular hypertensive rats

To test the effect of losartan and captopril on cardiac hypertrophy and myosin isoenzyme, two-kidney, one-clip (2K 1C) renovascular hypertensive rats (RHR) were used. Eight weeks after the onset of hypertension, losartan 5 mg.kg-1.d-1 and captopril 50 mg.kg-1.d-1 were administered p.o. to 2 groups of RHR, respectively for 8 wk. The results showed that captopril significantly decreased the cardiac mass (607 +/- 169 mg vs 1029 +/- 132 mg) and total protein content (120 +/- 38 mg vs 198 +/- 31 mg), concomitant with significant decrease of arterial blood pressure (BP) (15.4 +/- 5.2 kPa vs 28.5 +/- 4.9 kPa). Losartan also induced a significant decrease in cardiac mass (671 +/- 116 mg vs 1029 +/- 132 mg) and protein content (142 +/- 29 mg vs 198 +/- 31 mg), as well as significantly lowered the BP (15.2 +/- 2.1 kPa vs 28.5 +/- 4.9 kPa). It is important to be note that both drugs normalized the shift of myosin isoenzyme in RHR. These results indicated that both drugs, having potent antihypertensive effects, can effectively reverse the cardiac hypertrophy and abnormal distribution of myosin isoenzyme patterns.

Production of tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-6 and prostaglandin E2 by LPS-stimulated rat bone marrow macrophages after thermal injury: effect of indomethacin

The effect of thermal injury on the in vitro production of TNF, IL-6, and PGE2 by bone marrow-derived, LPS-stimulated rat macrophages was studied. Thermal injury caused a general hyperactivity in the production of the mediators by the cells. Indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor of PGE2 synthesis, inhibited the production of IL-6 and PGE2 but had no effect on the production of TNF. These results suggest that the observed low concentration of PGE2 produced by the cells was insufficient to cause inhibition of TNF synthesis; thus, the effect of indomethacin would be undetectable. The results also suggest that indomethacin may act directly in inhibiting the production of IL-6 by the macrophages. The hyperactive effect of thermal injury on the production of inflammatory mediators by newly differentiated bone marrow derived macrophages can be important in the overall systemic response to the insult.

Differential secretion of catecholamines in response to peptidergic and cholinergic transmitters in rat adrenals

1. Rat adrenal medulla is stimulated by cholinergic and peptidergic transmitters released from splanchnic nerves. The peptidergic transmitter has been identified as vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and its contribution in comparison to that of acetylcholine (ACh) is more prominent at low neuronal activity. The purpose of this study is to determine if ACh and VIP cause differential secretion of adrenaline and noradrenaline and whether the differential secretion also occurs when splanchnic nerves are stimulated at different frequencies. 2. Perfusion of the left adrenal gland with Krebs solution for several hours did not change adrenaline and noradrenaline contents (15.2 micrograms and 3.5 micrograms, respectively) and their ratio (4.4) from those of the unperfused right adrenal medulla (15.2 micrograms, 3.3 micrograms and 4.8, respectively). 3. Perfusion with ACh (10 microM for 4 min) resulted in the secretion of 109 ng of catecholamines and the ratio of adrenaline to noradrenaline was 3.8. Although the secretion increased with increased concentrations of ACh (30 and 100 microM), the ratios remained between 3 and 4. 4. Perfusion with VIP (10 microM for 4 min) resulted in the secretion of 27 ng of catecholamines and the ratio of adrenaline to noradrenaline was 9.7. A higher concentration of VIP (20 microM for 4 min) resulted in the secretion of greater amounts of catecholamines (102 ng) without significantly altering the ratio of adrenaline to noradrenaline (10.9). 5. Perfusion with as low as 0.01 microM pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) increased the secretion of catecholamines to 31 ng and the secretion increased in a dose-dependent manner up to 0.3 microM.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Exocytosis from a single rat chromaffin cell by cholinergic and peptidergic neurotransmitters

Secretion of catecholamines from chromaffin cells is mediated by cholinergic and peptidergic neurotransmitters. The cholinergic transmitter acetylcholine activates both nicotinic and muscarinic receptors to trigger catecholamine secretion in rat adrenal medulla. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) has been identified as the peptidergic transmitter in rat adrenal medulla and may also be the non-cholinergic transmitter in bovine adrenal. Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP), a VIP-like secretin peptide, is also found in the adrenal, and is a potent secretagogue. Thus, PACAP may be another peptidergic transmitter at the adrenal synapse. A most intriguing property of rat chromaffin cells is that stimulation of nicotinic, muscarinic, VIP or PACAP receptors are each able to produce robust catecholamine secretion on their own. This raises the question of whether a single chromaffin cell can respond to each of the above agonists or whether the secretion is due to subpopulations of chromaffin cells. This issue was addressed by using electrochemical techniques to monitor exocytosis from individual chromaffin cells in culture. We demonstrate that acetylcholine, nicotine, muscarine, VIP and PACAP are each able to evoke catecholamine secretion from a single chromaffin cell. Some cells only responded to acetylcholine. Furthermore, each agonist produced a distinct pattern of exocytosis. Muscarine-evoked secretion exhibited a latency of 0.5-2 s, but exocytosis persisted up to 30 s following 500 ms stimulation. Nicotine produced an immediate response which usually ended within 10 s. The secretory pattern following acetylcholine appeared to be the sum of the nicotinic and muscarinic patterns, showing both rapid onset and longer duration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antitumor agents. 148. Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 4 beta-amino derivatives of etoposide with better pharmacological profiles

A series of novel 4 beta-amino derivatives of etoposide (1), which can form water-soluble salts and demonstrate excellent activity against mdr- and topo II-resistant cell lines, have been synthesized. Compared with etoposide, compounds 5-6, 8, and 10-16 show comparable or greater inhibition of human DNA topo II. In a cellular protein-DNA complex formation assay, compounds 5-6, 8, 10-14, and 16 are more potent than 1. A dose-response study of 8 shows that it is 20 times more active in formation of protein-linked DNA breaks than etoposide. Furthermore, both 8 and its free base 7 were found to be highly active toward etoposide-resistant KB cell lines. All compounds were also evaluated in vitro against a total of 56 human tumor cell lines derived from seven cancer types. Comparison of the log10 GI50 mean graph midpoints of 5-19 (-4.89 to -7.30) with that of 1 (-4.08) shows these new analogs to be 6-1659-fold more active than 1.

Genome size and organization in the ixodid tick Amblyomma americanum (L.)

We used DNA reassociation kinetics to determine genome size and organization in the ixodid tick Amblyomma americanum. We calculated the genome size of A. americanum to be approximately 1.08 pg or 1.04 x 10(9) base pairs and to consist of 35.8% unique DNA, 4.2% foldback sequences, 17.9% highly repetitive sequences, and 42.1% moderately repetitive sequences. Comparison of the reassociation kinetics of long and short fragments revealed repetitive sequences to be distributed in a pattern of long period interspersion, a feature that, to date, has been associated with arthropod genomes that lack a high percentage of repetitive DNA.

[Immunoelectron microscopic studies on the process of tumor cytolysis mediated by lymphokine activated NK cells]

The second fraction (F2) cells isolated from PBL by discontinuous Percoll density gradient centrifugation were used as the enriched natural killer (NK) cells. After being incubated with rIL2, the activated F2 cells (F2 LAK) acquired the cytolytic ability upon NK resistant tumor cell lines. In F2 LAK, about 45% of the cells were CD16+, therefore F2 LAK were used as the enriched CD16+LAK cells (or lymphokine activated NK cells). The cytolysis process of lung adenocarcinoma LTEPa-2 or K562 tumor cells mediated by CD16+LAK cells were investigated with colloidal gold labelled Ab via scanning and transmission immunoelectron microscopy. The results showed that the CD16+LAK cells extended their protrusions deep into the target cells. Crypts of various diameter and depth were observed on the surface of the target cells with membrane injury at the bottom of the crypts. It was found that the cytoplasmic granules and vacuoles of CD16+LAK cells were concentrated in the area close to the E-T conjugated side, and sometimes the granules were found within the LAK protrusions. The attacked target cells died by apoptosis and necrosis. This study provided direct evidence that lymphokine activated NK cells are effectors of LAK cells.

Antitumor agents. 144. New gamma-lactone ring-modified arylamino etoposide analogs as inhibitors of human DNA topoisomerase II

The trans-fused gamma-lactone ring of etoposide is readily epimerized to its cis epimer, which is biologically inactive, or is metabolized to the inactive ring-opened hydroxy acids. Modification of this gamma-lactone ring of 4 beta-(arylamino)-4'-O-demethyl-4-desoxypodophyllotoxin resulted in several compounds (15-16, 21-22, and 24) that should block this epimerization and the resulting biological deactivation. In a topoisomerase II inhibition assay, compounds 21, 22, and 24 showed comparable activity to etoposide. In a protein-linked DNA complex formation assay, compounds 21 and 22 were more active than etoposide.

ATP-stimulated electrolyte and mucin secretion in the human intestinal goblet cell line HT29-Cl.16E

The response of confluent monolayers of HT29-Cl.16E cells to stimulation by extracellular ATP and ATP analogues was investigated in terms of mucin and electrolyte secretion. Mucin secretion was measured as release of glucosamine-labeled macromolecules trapped at the stacking/running gel interface of polyacrylamide gels and electrolyte secretion as short-circuit current (Isc). Luminal ATP stimulated a transient increase in the release of mucins and of Isc corresponding to a secretory Cl- current. Both secretions peaked at 3 to 5 min after addition of ATP. Maximal ATP-stimulated mucin secretion over 15 min was up to 18-fold above control with an apparent ED50 of approximately 40 microM. Maximal peak Isc after stimulation with ATP was approximately 35 microA/cm2 with an apparent ED50 of about 0.4 mM. ATP-dependent Isc was at least in part due to Cl- secretion since removal of Cl- from the medium reduced the peak Isc by 40% and the Isc integrated over 40 min by 80%. The secretory responses were not associated with cell damage as assessed by failure of ethidium bromide to enter into the cells, absence of release of lactate dehydrogenase, maintenance of monolayer conductance, viability, and responses to repeated applications of ATP. The order of efficacy of nucleotide agonists was similar for both processes with ATP > ADP > AMP > or = adenosine. Luminal ATP was much more effective than basolateral addition of this compound. These results suggest involvement of a luminal P2-type receptor which can initiate signaling pathways for granule fusion and mucin release as well as for activation of Cl- channels. P2-receptor-stimulated mucin and Isc release was strongly inhibited by a 30 min preincubation with the classical K+ channel blockers quinine (1 mM), quinidine (1 mM), and Ba2+ (3 mM). Experiments with amphotericin B to measure separately the conductance changes of either luminal or basolateral plasma membrane revealed that quinidine did not directly block the ATP-induced basolateral K+ or the luminal anion channels. The quinidine inhibition after preincubation is therefore most easily explained by interference with granule fusion and location of anion channels in granule membranes. Luminal P2 receptors may play a role in intestinal defense mechanisms with both fluid and mucin secretion aiding in the removal of noxious agents from the mucosal surface.

Effects of cocaine on P3B in cocaine abusers

Little is known about the effects of cocaine on cognitive tasks. Event-related potentials (ERP) were recorded in 7 cocaine abusers during the performance of the auditory oddball task before and after the intravenous injections of saline and cocaine (60-80 mg). The P3B and slow wave components of the ERP were significantly larger 60-210 min after the cocaine than after the placebo injection. The results suggest that cocaine abusers have difficulty in maintaining optimal stimulus processing during extended testing. Cocaine blocks this decrement in stimulus processing.

[A retrospective analysis of continuous cervical epidural block]

This article reviews 763 patients who underwent continuous cervical epidural block (CCEB) in our hospital during the past ten years. We analyzed the factors causing complications of CCEB and the respiratory and hemodynamic inhibition caused by different concentrations of local anesthetics. From the study, it is concluded that CCEB has obvious advantages, such as mild respiratory and hemodynamic inhibition, satisfactory analgesia, no air pollution and low cost. On the other hand, CCEB requires highly skilled manipulation during epidural puncture and catheterization, careful intraoperative management and appropriate local anesthetics. The question of how to eliminate the intraoperative traction reaction needs further study.

Inhibition of hepatocyte gap junctional communication by 25-hydroxycholesterol may be mediated through free radicals

25-Hydroxycholesterol, an autoxidation product of cholesterol, has been shown to inhibit gap junctional communication between rat hepatocytes. In this study, we investigated whether free radicals are responsible for the effect of 25-hydroxycholesterol on hepatocytes. Addition of superoxide dismutase, hydroxyl radical scavenger mannitol, or the antioxidants diphenylphenylenediamine and alpha-tocopherol markedly decreased the inhibitory effect of 25-hydroxycholesterol. However, addition of catalase or the catalase inhibitor aminotriazole did not influence the inhibition of gap junctional communication by 25-hydroxycholesterol. Data from this study suggest that free radicals other than hydrogen peroxide are involved in the mechanism of 25-hydroxycholesterol-induced inhibition of gap junctional communication.

Treatment of strain of the infrapatellar fat pad by manipulation--observation of therapeutic effect in 117 cases

The present group comprises 117 cases of strain of the infrapatellar fat pad. The treatment effected a 100% cure in the mild and moderate types of the cases. In the severe cases suffering from such accompanying conditions as traumatic arthritis, the rate of effectiveness reached 100%, with all symptoms and signs becoming markedly alleviated. The treatment is considered a method of the first choice in handling strain of the infrapatellar fat pad, and also a good method for treating traumatic arthritis of the knee and malacia of the patella.

Osteopontin: a protein with diverse functions

In this review most of the various known, suspected, or postulated functions of osteopontin, a secreted highly acidic phosphoprotein, are discussed in terms of what we currently know about the protein. These include 1) binding of OPN both to cells via a GRGDS cell adhesion sequence that recognizes the alpha v beta 3 integrin and to extracellular matrix components via poorly characterized motifs, 2) regulation of the formation and remodeling of mineralized tissue, 3) recruiting and stimulating macrophages and lymphocytes as part of a nonspecific response to microbial infections, 4) multiple interactions with Ca2+ that likely influence OPN protein conformation and may be important in Ca(2+)-mediated or Ca(2+)-dependent processes, 5) inhibiting the growth of calcium oxalate crystals by disruption of the growing crystal lattice, 6) effects on gene expression, Ca2+ regulation, and nitric oxide production, and 7) involvement in cell migration. OPN production is frequently augmented when cell signaling pathways are activated by any of a variety of stimuli, for example in cancer cells.

Salmonella typhimurium neuraminidase acts with inversion of configuration

When the time course of the hydrolysis of identical solutions of p-nitrophenyl N-acetyl-alpha-D-neuraminide by Salmonella typhimurium neuraminidase is monitored by u.v. and by its optical rotation, the rotation change is synchronous with, or even marginally in advance of, the absorbance change. In experiments under the same conditions with influenza-virus neuraminidase, known to react with retention of configuration [Chong, Pegg, Taylor and von Itzstein (1992) Eur. J. Biochem. 207, 335-343], the rotation change is much slower than the absorbance change. The inverting, presumably single-displacement, mode of action of the S. typhimurium enzyme follows from these observations, and the position (92.5% beta) of the slowly established mutarotational equilibrium of N-acetylneuraminic acid [Friebolin, Kunzelmann, Supp, Brossmer, Keilich and Ziegler (1981) Tetrahedron Lett. 22, 1383-1386].

Production of cytokines and PGE2 and cytotoxicity of stimulated bone marrow macrophages after thermal injury and cytotoxicity of stimulated U-937 macrophages

Bone marrow-derived macrophages from normal and burned rats were cultured for one and four days in the presence of LPS, PHA, or opsonized zymosan as activators, and the supernatants were assayed for the inflammatory mediators TNF, IL-6, and PGE2 and the cells assayed for cytotoxicity. The macrophages responded differently to the various stimuli regarding cytotoxicity and the production of mediators, perhaps implicating the complement receptor CR1 in TNF production and the LPS receptor CD14 or the PHA lectin receptor in IL-6 and PGE2 production and for cytotoxicity. The response of the cells also depended on culture time and postburn time; in addition, macrophages from burned and unburned animals responded differently, depending on postburn day and the type of stimulus. TNF production was generally higher for one-day compared to four-day cultures (i.e., TNF was disappearing in the cultures), but IL-6 and PGE2 production was greater in four-day cultures. The results of this study suggest that thermal injury can contribute to the development of inflammatory and cytotoxic macrophages from bone marrow progenitor cells.

A kinetic-isotope-effect study of catalysis by Vibrio cholerae neuraminidase

Michaelis-Menten parameters for hydrolysis of seven aryl N-acetyl alpha-D-neuraminides by Vibrio cholerae neuraminidase at pH 5.0 correlate well with the leaving-group pKa (delta pK 3.0; beta 1g (V/K) = -0.73, r = -0.93; beta 1g (V) = -0.25; r = -0.95). The beta-deuterium kinetic-isotope effect, beta D2(V), for the p-nitrophenyl glycoside is the same at the optimum pH of 5.0 (1.059 +/- 0.010) as at pH 8.0 (1.053 +/- 0.010), suggesting that isotope effects are fully expressed with this substrate at the optimum pH. For this substrate at pH 5.0, leaving group 18O effects are 18(V) = 1.040 +/- 0.016 and 18(V/K) = 1.046 +/- 0.015, and individual secondary deuterium effects are beta proRD(V) = 1.037 +/- 0.014, beta proSD(V) = 1.018 +/- 0.015, beta proRD(V/K) = 1.030 +/- 0.017, beta proSD(V/K) = 1.030 +/- 0.017. All isotope effects, and the beta 1g(V/K) value are in accord with the first chemical step being both the first irreversible and the rate-determining step in enzyme turnover, with a transition state in which there is little proton donation to the leaving group, the C-O bond is largely cleaved, there is significant nucleophilic participation, and the sugar ring is in a conformation derived from the ground-state 2C5 chair. The apparent conflict between the beta 1g (V) value of -0.25 with all the kinetic-isotope-effect data can be resolved by the postulation of an interaction between the pi system of the aglycone ring and an anionic or nucleophilic group on the enzyme.

[Effect of yin and qi tonifying herbs on hyperthyroid model of yin-deficient rats]

The article reports the effect of Yin and Qi tonifying herbs (Radix Rehmanniae, Radix Ophiopogonis and Pseudostellaria Heterophylla) on hyperthyroid model of Yin-deficient rats. The model rats were made Yin-deficient by injecting thyroxine. Observation showed that after injection, indexes such as anus temperature, oxygen consumption, weight, diet, activity, general conditions, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) in serum were markedly changed. It is thus suggested that the Yin and Qi tonifying mixture of the above three herbs can regulate and correct Yin-deficiency in hyperthyroid model of Yin-deficient rats.

Oxysterols inhibit gap junctional communication between rat hepatocytes in primary culture

Several oxysterols were examined for their effect on gap junctional communication between rat hepatocytes in primary culture. 25-Hydroxycholesterol, 22(S)-hydroxycholesterol and 7 beta-hydroxycholesterol, in decreasing order of potency, markedly inhibited gap junctional communication. In contrast, 7-ketocholesterol showed no inhibitory effect. The inhibition of gap junctional communication by oxysterols was not a consequence of changes in cell viability, as measured by lactate dehydrogenase leakage and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction activity. The addition of exogenous cholesterol to the culture medium did not abolish the effect of 25-hydroxycholesterol, suggesting that the capacity of oxysterols to inhibit gap junctional communication is independent of their inhibitory effect on cholesterol synthesis. We suppose that inhibition of gap junctional communication may be an early sign of oxysterols-induced toxicity on hepatocytes.

The nutrition transition in China: a cross-sectional analysis

Diets and activity patterns are changing rapidly in low-income countries, and problems of undernutrition and overnutrition commonly exist side by side. China has conquered problems of food scarcity at the national level and has undergone a remarkable transition in the structure of its diet in the last decade. In this paper, we use data from the 1989 China Health and Nutrition Survey and national data from the State Statistical Bureau to explore China's recent history with respect to nutrition and to identify patterns of under- and overnutrition. In particular, we see that higher income levels, particularly in urban areas, are associated with consumption of a diet higher in fat and with problems of obesity. At the same time, undernutrition is a problem in important segments of Chinese society. There is a need for the Chinese government to consider ways to address these problems of deficit and excess jointly.

BIBW 22, a dipyridamole analogue, acts as a bifunctional modulator on tumor cells by influencing both P-glycoprotein and nucleoside transport

BIBW 22, a phenylpteridine analogue of dipyridamole (DPM), enhanced vincristine cytotoxicity approximately 10 times more than DPM in a multidrug-resistant (MDR) KB V20C cell line. Using rhodamine 123 accumulation in KB V20C cells as an indicator of MDR phenotype, BIBW 22 was shown to be about 100 times more potent than DPM in inhibiting the MDR-associated efflux of rhodamine 123. Photolabeling of P-glycoprotein in KB V20C plasma membranes with 0.2 microM [3H]azidopine was strongly inhibited by 1 microM BIBW 22, indicating that this compound reverses the MDR phenotype by interfering with MDR-associated P-glycoprotein. In addition, BIBW 22 at 1 microM could also enhance the cytotoxicity of 5-fluorouracil in KB cells about 20-fold. Its potency in inhibiting nucleoside transport is 7-fold more potent than that of DPM. These results suggest that BIBW 22 is a potent bifunctional modulator which influences both P-glycoprotein and nucleoside transport in tumor cells. Potential use of this compound as a modulator of combination chemotherapy involving antimetabolites and drugs affected by MDR should be explored.

[The precursors and effectors of human lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells]

Natural killer cells were enriched in the second fraction (F2) of discontinuous Percoll density gradients from human PBL after centrifugation, whereas T lymphocytes were enriched in F4. The cytotoxicity against K562 by F2 LAK (F2 cells activated by rIL2) was higher than that of F2 cells. F2 LAK also acquired the ability to lyse NK-resistant tumor cell lines and noncultured lung cancer cells (6 out of 9 cases). All these activities of F2 LAK cells were significantly higher than those of F4 LAK cells. Besides, F2 LAK exhibited higher level of lysis against noncultured lung cancer cells than did LAK derived from PBL. Enzyme-labeled immunocytochemistry staining showed that the number of CD16+ and CD8+ cells in F2 was much more than that in F4. So the higher lytic ability of F2 LAK might come from two kinds of precursors: CD16+ typical NK cells and MHC unrestricted CD8+, NK-like' cytotoxic T lymphocytes. The number of CD4+ cells in F4 was much more than that in F2. They shouldn't be the precursors of LAK cells, otherwise the lytic ability of F4 LAK should be higher than that of F2 LAK. After being cultured with rIL2 for 3 days, F2 cells exhibited proliferative response. But the percentage of CD16+ and CD8+ cells in F2 LAK did not change much, and remained much higher than that in F4 LAK. So the effector cells of short-term cultured LAK might be the activated CD16+ NK cells and CD8+, NK-like' cytotoxic T lymphocytes as well.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antitumor agents. 126. Novel 4 beta-substituted anilino derivatives of 3',4'-O,O-didemethylpodophyllotoxin as potent inhibitors of human DNA topoisomerase II

A series of derivatives of 3',4'-O,O-didemethylpodophyllotoxin have been synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitor activity against neoplastic cell growth (KB) and against human DNA topoisomerase II as well as for their activity in causing cellular protein-linked DNA breakage. The results show that the compounds possessing a 4 beta-anilino moiety either unsubstituted or substituted at the para (F, COOCH3, COCH3, CN, CH2CN, NO2) or meta (OH) positions or with an ethylenedioxy moiety showed the same or greater activity than etoposide in causing cellular protein-linked DNA breakage and in inhibiting DNA topoisomerase II. However, compared to the corresponding 4'-O-demethyl analogues, the 3',4'-O,O-didemethyl compounds have a similar potency in inhibition of DNA topoisomerase II but are less active in causing cellular protein-linked DNA breakage. Complete correlation between the three biological activities--cytotoxicity, inhibition of DNA topoisomerase II, and induction of protein-linked DNA breakage--was also not observed. This supports the possibility that the biological determinants of action among these compounds may be different.

Evaluation of closure integrity after multiple penetrations

The purpose of this investigation was to simulate in-use testing of closures to determine how many doses could be reasonably withdrawn from a multiple dose vial of a product without compromising the integrity of the closure. Four types of studies were done: 1) a simulated in-use test, 2) a coring test development study, 3) effect of sterilization on coring, and 4) exploratory studies of closure leakage after multiple penetrations. A modified drill press was used for the studies. West 1888 and West 1535 closures were evaluated by the simulated in-use test using a 26G Needle. The results indicated that few particles were generated after 20 penetrations of both closures. There was a marked increase in particles after 30 penetrations. When sterilized closures were tested, it was found that West 1888 generated no particles after 10 insertions with 21G and 18G needles, but there was an increase in the number of particles after 20 insertions. With West 1535, particles were generated after only 10 insertions. Interestingly, autoclaved closures released fewer particles than closures that were not autoclaved. Leakage was observed only from West 850 closures and only under relatively high pressure differential conditions.

The activation of bone marrow macrophages 24 hours after thermal injury

We determined the effect of thermal injury on the in vitro production of the immunoactive substances tumor necrosis factor, interleukin 1, prostaglandin E2, and complement component C3 by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated guinea pig bone marrow macrophages and on the cytotoxicity of these cells. Macrophages from burned animals produced different amounts of these mediators compared with unburned animals at certain culture times, suggesting that thermal injury could program the bone marrow cells to respond differently from normal cells to in vitro stimulation with lipopolysaccharide. Also, the macrophages from burned animals displayed greater cytotoxicity towards L929 target cells. These results suggest that there is a complex interaction among cellular secretory products, especially after thermal injury, that may be important in host defense.

Genetic Consequences of Blocking Polar Body I with Cytochalasin B in Fertilized Eggs of the Pacific Oyster, Crassostrea gigas: I. Ploidy of Resultant Embryos

The effect of blocking polar body I (PB1) with cytochalasin B (CB) on the ploidy of embryos was studied in the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas. To block the release of PB1, fertilized eggs were treated with CB (1.0 μg/ml) for 15 min beginning at 5 min post-fertilization at 25°C. The CB treatment and its control were repeated in three crosses. Ploidy of 8-h-old embryos was determined with karyological analysis. In control groups, the majority of the cells (89.3%) had a diploid number of 20 chromosomes, although spontaneous haploids (0.7%), triploids (1.3%) and aneuploids (8.7%) were also encountered. In CB-treated groups, only 4.5% of the cells remained as diploid, and the majority were either triploid (15.6%), tetraploid (19.4%) or aneuploid (57.6%). Despite variation among the three crosses, contingency Chi-square analysis showed that the occurrence of triploids, tetraploids and aneuploids had a significant (P = 0.0001) dependence on the CB treatment. The majority of the aneuploids fell into two groups containing either 23-25 or 35-37 chromosomes. The production of triploids, tetraploids and aneuploids in specific distributions suggests that blocking PB1 complicates subsequent chromosome segregation.

Genetic Consequences of Blocking Polar Body I with Cytochalasin B in Fertilized Eggs of the Pacific Oyster, Crassostrea gigas: II. Segregation of Chromosomes

The effect of blocking polar body I (PB1) with cytochalasin B (CB) on subsequent chromosome segregation was studied in fertilized eggs of the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas. To block the release of PB1, fertilized eggs were treated with CB (1.0 μg/ml) for 15 min beginning at 5 min post-fertilization at 25{deg}C. Chromosome segregation in both control and CB-treated eggs was analyzed with an acetic orcein stain. In untreated eggs, ten maternal tetrad chromosomes went through meiosis I and II, and released two polar bodies, reaching a haploid number of 10 chromatids. In CB-treated eggs, meiosis I proceeded normally and produced two groups of dyads, ten in each group. However, blocking PB1 dramatically changed chromosome segregation in meiosis II. In the majority of the treated eggs (68%), the two groups of dyads from meiosis I entered meiosis II through a "tripolar segregation", although two other types of segregation, namely "united bipolar" (7%) and "separated bipolar" (12%) were also observed. After anaphase II, chromatids at the peripheral pole were released as polar body II (PB2). The release of two sets of chromatids as PB2 through either a united bipolar or a separated bipolar segregation resulted in the formation of meiosis I triploids (14%). The release of one set of chromatids as PB2 from an unmixed tripolar or a separated bipolar segregation formed meiosis I tetraploids (20%). Aneuploids (56%) were produced, primarily when the two groups of dyads from meiosis I united or overlapped before entering the tripolar segregation.

The value of hysteroscopy in the diagnosis of infertility and habitual abortion

Ninety cases of infertility and habitual abortion were analyzed by hysteroscopy between April 1983 and July 1990 in PUMC hospital. Abnormal changes of the uterine cavity were seen in 74.4%. The result of hysterosalpingography corresponded with that of hysteroscopy in 62.5%, and the result of B-ultrasound corresponded to that of hysteroscopy in 52.5%. The diagnosis of adhesion and polyps of the uterine cavity was made accurately by hysteroscopy, and both could be operated under hysteroscopy. After operative removal of the adhesion, an IUD should be put into the uterine cavity for 3 months. In 60 cases operations were performed during or after hysteroscopy. Of the 45 patients followed, 19 achieved pregnancy. Five patients achieved pregnancy after operative removal of the adhesion. It is concluded that hysteroscopy is more important than B-ultrasound and hysterosalpingography in the examination and treatment of infertility.

Stigmatic grazing-incidence flat-field grating spectrograph

A stigmatic grazing-incidence flat-field grating spectrograph was developed. The spectrograph consisted of a variable line-spacing concave grating and a grazing-incidence collecting optics composed of a cylindrical mirror and a spherical mirror. Using this spectrograph, we have obtained soft x-ray spectra of line-focused laser plasmas with good spatial resolution along the normal of the target surface over the entire wavelength range covered by the spectrograph.

Retinoma and phthisis bulbi of retinoblastoma. 1. Clinical and genetic analysis

Retinoma and phthisis bulbi of retinoblastoma are rare entities found in retinoblastoma patients and their relatives. Eleven cases of phthisis bulbi of retinoblastoma and 9 cases of retinoma were identified from 1966 to 1991 in our center. The clinic data show that retinoma and phthisis bulbi are closely related to the retinoblastoma gene. Enucleation should be carried out as soon as possible without hesitation for the phthisis of eyes with retinoblastoma. Genetic counseling and frequent observation should be paid attention to retinoma patients and their offspring. The mechanism of retinoma developed is discussed. We propose that the diversity of second mutation might be the cause of retinoma.

[Feed-back regulation of presynaptic D2 receptors blockaded by l-stepholidine and l-tetrahydropalmatine]

The activity of tyrosine hydroxylase by accumulation of L-dopa content in the striatum under decarboxylase inhibitor (benserazide, 400 mg.kg-1) was measured by HPLC-ECD to ascertain whether l-SPD possesses an agonistic or antagonistic effect on D2 receptor subtype. The accumulated L-dopa content was increased with 1,4-butyrolactone (BL, 750 mg.kg-1) to 1.8 +/- s 0.6 micrograms.g-1 in rat striatum. After the rats were ip l-SPD 5 mg.kg-1 or l-tetrahydropalmatine (l-THP) 10-20 mg.kg-1, the increment of L-dopa level was much more than that in the BL group (P < 0.01) in a dose related manner. On the contrary, apomorphine (ip 5 mg.kg-1) abolished the accumulation of L-dopa induced by BL. Furthermore, l-SPD and l-THP not only reversed the negative feed-back regulation by apomorphine on the accumulated level of L-dopa, but also increased this level over the accumulation by BL. These results showed that l-SPD and l-THP do possess the antagonistic effect on presynaptic DA receptor (D2) without agonistic effect.

Modern surgical treatment of congenital subluxated lenses

Traditional surgical management of subluxated lenses is usually associated with a high incidence of operative and postoperative complication and a poor visual outcome. We treated a series of 14 patients (26 eyes) whose visual acuity could not be improved with optical correction (phakic or aphakic) with modern microsurgery and automated suction-cutting devices. Preoperative visual acuity ranged from 0.05 to 0.3. Improvement in post-operative visual acuity was documented in all operated eyes, ranging from 0.4 to 1.0 during a follow-up period ranging from 6 to 59 months (medium 43 months). The only complication was a small accidental cut in the pupillary border in three eyes. Other complication did not occur.

Regulated temporal and spatial expression of the calcium-binding proteins calcyclin and OPN (osteopontin) in mouse tissues during pregnancy

In situ hybridization and northern/slot blot analyses were used to quantify the expression of calcyclin (2A9, 5B10), osteopontin (opn, secreted phosphoprotein, 2ar) and calmodulin mRNAs in mouse tissues that support pregnancy. High-to-moderate levels of the mRNAs of all three genes were detected at discrete locations in the uterus, decidua and placenta as a function of gestation time. Calmodulin expression was constant in these tissues; calcyclin mRNA was high during early pregnancy and declined after day 8-9 of gestation; and opn mRNA was undetectable before day 7, with maximal levels on days 9-12 in each of these tissues. Calcyclin, but not opn, expression was also observed in the chorioamnion after day 12. Calcyclin was expressed throughout the decidua on day 8 but became restricted to the primary (antimesometrial) decidual zone and decidua lateralis on day 9, and the decidua capsularis after day 9. By contrast, opn mRNA was localized on day 9 to the mesometrial triangle, which contains a large population of granulated metrial gland cells, and to the decidua basalis. These two genes may serve as markers for the two types of decidual tissue. We suggest that one function of OPN, which may be an indicator of cells in the decidua that have a bone marrow genealogy, is to mediate the flux of calcium from the maternal circulation to the developing embryo.

Effects of l-stepholidine on tyrosine hydroxylase activity in rat corpus striatum

l-Stepholidine (SPD) 2.5 and haloperidol (Hal) 1.0 mg.kg-1 ip increased rat striatal L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) accumulation induced by NSD 1015 (50 mg.kg-1, ip), a decarboxylase inhibitor. SPD (2.5 mg.kg-1, ip) did not alter but apomorphine (2.0 mg.kg-1, ip) decreased the dopamine (DA) content elevated by gamma-butyrolactone (GBL, 750 mg.kg-1, ip) in the rat striatum. Ip injection of either SPD 5.0 or Hal 2.5 mg.kg-1 after NSD 1015 50 mg.kg-1 or NSD 1015 plus GBL 750 mg.kg-1 also augmented tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity in the rat striatum. These results suggest that SPD produces an antagonistic effect on presynaptic DA receptors.

[Cytological observation on culture of embryo in vitro of Tripterygium hypoglaucum (level.) Hutch]

This paper for the first time reports the embryo culture in vitro of Tripterygium hypoglaucum. Callus, adventitious roots and adventitious protuberances were induced from the cultured embryos in vitro. Multi-buds at the excised embryo tip were also observed at the same time. Cytohistological examination showed (1) callus was histologically easy to be induced to form adventitious roots; (2) callus on the cotyledons was originated from the epidemical and subepidemical cells of the cotyledons, and the adventitious roots were originated from the disperse meristematic tissue or vascular tissue in the callus obtained from cultured excised embryos.

[Studies on second-degree atrioventricular block during atrial fibrillation]

The degree of AV block after cardioversion in 80 episodes of atrial fibrillation in 61 patients who suffered from atrial fibrillation associated with second-degree AV block was observed. Only in 34 of the 80 episodes the electrocardiogram showed first-degree AV block. The remaining 46 had normal AV conduction. No second-degree block was found. It demonstrates that second-degree AV block during atrial fibrillation is not identical with that in sinus rhythm.