Accumulation of FoxP3-expressing CD4+CD25+ T cells with distinct chemokine receptors in synovial fluid of patients with active rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

To explore the presence and characteristics of FoxP3-expressing CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in synovial fluid (SF) of patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

The frequency and chemokine receptors expression profile of FoxP3-expressing CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in SF and peripheral blood (PB) from RA patients and PB from healthy controls were investigated by flow cytometry using three- or four-colour intracellular staining.

RESULTS

The frequency of CD4+CD25+ FoxP3+ T cells was increased significantly in SF compared with paired PB from RA patients and PB from healthy controls (p<0.05). However, the frequency in PB from RA patients was significantly lower than in PB from healthy controls (p<0.05). Notably, CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ T cells in SF expressed increased levels of inflammation-related trafficking chemokine receptors, such as CCR4, CCR5, and CXCR4.

CONCLUSION

There is an accumulation of FoxP3-expressing regulatory T cells in RA SF, and such recruitment may be dependent on the distinct chemokine receptors expressed on regulatory T cells.

COX-2 mRNA expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and effect by NSAID

To investigate cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA expression in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and the effect of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) on it, in order to explore the mechanism of COX-2 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) carcinogenesis and the ability of NSAID to prevent or treat ESCC. Frozen specimens of human ESCC and adjacent normal esophageal squamous epithelium pairs (n = 22) were examined for COX-2 mRNA expression by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). After incubation with aspirin (a non-selective COX inhibitor) or Nimesulide (a selective COX-2 inhibitor), the proliferation status of two human esophageal squamous cancer cell lines, EC-9706 and EC-109, was quantified by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The expression of COX-2 mRNA in these cells was detected by RT-PCR. COX-2 mRNA was expressed in 12 of 22 (54.5%) ESCC tissue samples, but it was undetectable in all the specimens of adjacent normal esophageal squamous epithelium COX-2 mRNA expression. Both aspirin (5-20 mmol/L) and Nimesulide (0.1-0.8 mmol/L) inhibited EC-9706 cell line proliferation and suppressed its COX-2 mRNA expression dose-dependently. However, only aspirin (5-20 mmol/L) could inhibit proliferation in the EC-109 cell line and suppress COX-2 mRNA expression. Nimesulide (0.1-0.8 mmol/L) could neither inhibit EC-109 cell growth nor suppress COX-2 mRNA expression. COX-2 mRNA expression is a frequent phenomenon in human ESCC tissue samples and plays an important role in the carcinogenesis of ESCC. NSAID may be useful in the chemoprevention and therapy of human ESCC and its effects are likely to be mediated by modulating COX-2 activity.

Multiple human papillomavirus types replicate in 3A trophoblasts

Human papillomavirus (HPV) are more prevalent in spontaneous abortions than elect abortions and preferentially infect the trophoblasts. Related to this, HPV type 16 has been shown to productively replicate in 3A trophoblasts in tissue culture. Extending these earlier studies, the described study addresses the issue whether other genital HPV types (11, 18, and 31) can replicate in trophoblasts. In determining this, HPV-11, 18, or 31 genomic DNAs were lipofected into 3A trophoblasts in culture, thus finding all three HPV types could de novo DNA replicate in 3A trophoblasts (Southern blot) and sequentially express their early and late genes as RNA (RT-PCR) and as protein (immunohistochemistry for L1). HPV-transfected 3A lysates from all three HPV types were also shown to contain HPV infectious units by infection of normal skin raft cultures and by neutralization by specific antibody. Furthermore, microarray analysis revealed the gene expression profile of normal keratinocytes (NK) was closer to 3A trophoblasts than to normal fibroblasts. Moreover, the critical HPV transcription factors AP-1 and Sp1 were found to be more highly expressed in 3A cells than NK. These findings suggest trophoblasts, like squamous epithelium, are broadly permissive for HPV, and some similarities in the gene expression repertoire of these two cell types are consistent with this. Finally, these data support our previous results that demonstrate the relationship between HPV infection of the trophoblast and spontaneous abortions.

Identification of a diagnostic antibody-binding region on the immunogenic protein EpC1 from Echinococcus granulosus and its application in population screening for cystic echinococcosis

An Echinococcus granulosus cDNA sequence coding for EpC1, a proven serodiagnostic marker for cystic echinococcosis (CE, hydatid disease), has high amino acid sequence identity to a paralogue from Taenia solium, the cause of neurocysticercosis (NCC). To determine diagnostic antibody-binding regions on EpC1 recognized specifically by CE sera, 10 truncated regions (P1-10) of the immunogenic protein were expressed in Escherichia coli and subjected to immunoblotting. One peptide, designated peptide 5 [P5, fused with glutathione-S-transferase (GST)] was positively recognized by sera from mice experimentally infected with oncospheres of E. granulosus and sera from surgically confirmed CE patients. Sera from NCC patients did not react with any of the peptides used. There are four amino acid substitutions in P5 compared with the T. solium sequence and these may form part of the epitope inducing CE-specific antibody. Ninety-seven per cent (58 of 60) of sera from confirmed CE patients recognized P5-GST, which was higher than the parent EpC1 fused with GST which reacted with 92% (55 of 60) of the sera. A population screening survey showed that 424 human sera collected from communities in Xinjiang, an area in China endemic for CE, exhibited 4.5% and 3.3% positivity in immunoblotting analysis to EpC1 and P5, respectively; 19.8% of these sera reacted positively against hydatid cyst fluid (HCF) antigen B. Low numbers of surgical CE cases have been reported from this population, suggesting that HCF-based serology lacks specificity and that EpC1 or its contained P5 peptide may prove more accurate for seroepidemiological surveys of CE.

Dominant limb motor impersistence associated with callosal disconnection

Motor impersistence occurs more frequently after right than left hemispheric lesions. Following a callosal lesion, motor impersistence may thus occur more frequently in the right (dominant) than left limb. After an infarction involving the right medial frontal lobe and corpus callosum, a 66-year-old right-handed man demonstrated right limb motor impersistence on bedside evaluation, which was substantiated experimentally. Results demonstrated hemispatial effects with greater impersistence in the neglected (right) space.

HBV genes induce cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response upon adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector delivery into dendritic cells

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has been an increasing problem throughout the world and remains difficult to treat. But immunotherapeutic approaches offer new, effective treatments. Three recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) type 2 vectors, carrying one of the HBV S, C or X gene, were used to load (transduce) professional antigen-presenting dendritic cells (DC) for the purpose of stimulating cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in vitro. It was found that all three recombinant AAV/HBV antigen virus loaded DC at approximately 90% transduction efficiency. Most importantly, all three AAV-loaded DC stimulated rapid, antigen-specific and major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted CTL. In vitro, these CTL killed (30-50%) synthetic antigen-positive autologous targets as well as HepG2 liver cell targets. In comparing the three antigens, it was found that AAV/HBV-C-derived CTL consistently had the highest killing efficiency. CTL derived from AAV/HBV-C-loaded DC also showed significantly higher killing of targets than that from bacterially generated C-protein-loaded DC. Further studies showed that AAV/HBV-C-derived CTL had higher interferon (IFN)-gamma. These data suggest that AAV/HBV antigen gene-loading of DC may be useful for immunotherapeutic protocols against HBV infection and that the HBV C antigen may be the most useful for this purpose.

Haemostatic drug therapies for acute primary intracerebral haemorrhage

BACKGROUND

Because primary intracerebral haemorrhage (PICH) volume influences its outcome and a third of PICHs enlarge by a third within 24 hours of onset, early haemostatic drug therapy might improve outcome.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the clinical effectiveness and safety of haemostatic drug therapies for acute PICH in a randomised controlled trial (RCT) design.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (last searched May 2006), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library Issue 2, 2006), MEDLINE (1966 to August 2005) and EMBASE (1980 to August 2005). In an effort to identify further published, ongoing and unpublished studies we scanned bibliographies of relevant articles, searched international registers of clinical trials and research, and contacted authors and pharmaceutical companies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We sought RCTs of any haemostatic drug therapy for acute PICH, compared against placebo or open control, with relevant clinical outcome measures.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently applied the inclusion criteria, reviewed the relevant studies, and extracted data from them.

MAIN RESULTS

We found four phase II RCTs, involving adults aged 18 years or over, within four hours of PICH: 116 received placebo and 373 participants received haemostatic drugs (two received epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA) and 371 received recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa)). Haemostatic drugs appeared to reduce the risk of death or dependence on the modified Rankin Scale (grades 4 to 6) within 90 days of PICH (risk reduction 0.79 (95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.67 to 0.93)), but not when assessed by the extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (risk reduction 0.90 (95%CI 0.81 to 1.01)). There was a statistically significant excess of arterial thromboembolism at 160 mcg/kg rFVIIa.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Current evidence for the use of haemostatic drugs in the treatment of acute PICH cannot provide clear guidelines for clinical practice. Adults with acute PICH may benefit from haemostatic therapy with rFVIIa, but the evidence on major clinical outcomes is neither robust nor precise. Large phase III RCTs of rFVIIa - and other less costly drugs - are necessary.

Spontaneous breaking of time-reversal symmetry in the pseudogap state of a high-Tc superconductor

A change in 'symmetry' is often observed when matter undergoes a phase transition-the symmetry is said to be spontaneously broken. The transition made by underdoped high-transition-temperature (high-Tc) superconductors is unusual, in that it is not a mean-field transition as seen in other superconductors. Rather, there is a region in the phase diagram above the superconducting transition temperature Tc (where phase coherence and superconductivity begin) but below a characteristic temperature T* where a 'pseudogap' appears in the spectrum of electronic excitations. It is therefore important to establish if T* is just a cross-over temperature arising from fluctuations in the order parameter that will establish superconductivity at Tc (refs 3, 4), or if it marks a phase transition where symmetry is spontaneously broken. Here we report that, for a material in the pseudogap state, left-circularly polarized photons give a different photocurrent from right-circularly polarized photons. This shows that time-reversal symmetry is spontaneously broken below T*, which therefore corresponds to a phase transition.

Display of complete life cycle of human papillomavirus type 16 in cultured placental trophoblasts

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is threefold more prevalent in spontaneous abortion specimens compared to elective abortions preferentially targeting the placental trophoblasts in these specimens. Here by using infectious ceplar and Southern blot analysis, we demonstrate that the transfected HPV-16 genome de novo replicates in 3A trophoblasts in culture. Peak DNA replication occurred 9-24 days posttransfection, showing classic DNA forms I, II, and III and an 8-kb monomer band upon DpnI/BamHI digestion. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of mRNA expression revealed that E6 and E2 were significantly expressed by day 9, coinciding with HPV-16 DNA replication. However, significant L1 expression was delayed until day 18. L1 protein expression on day 18, but not day 9, was also confirmed by Western blot analysis. The production of HPV-16 virions was demonstrated by three techniques: the appearance of HPV-16 infectious units coinciding with L1 expression, the neutralization of these infectious units with known neutralizing anti-HPV-16 antibodies, and the appearance of spliced E1-E4 and E6-E7 transcripts (RT-PCR) in normal keratinocyte rafts infected with these trophoblast-produced HPV-16 infectious units. These data suggest that HPV-16 is carrying out its complete life cycle in trophoblasts. Previously, HPVs were known to productively replicate only in differentiating keratinocytes of skin. These findings expand HPV biology, support the hypothesis of a possible link between HPV and some spontaneous abortions, and present a new technology for studying HPV.

Further studies on an intermediate host murine model showing that a primary Echinococcus granulosus infection is protective against subsequent oncospheral challenge

We describe the use of a murine model to evaluate resistance against subsequent challenge following a primary infection with oncospheres of Echinococcus granulosus. Mice (Kunming strain) were infected with hatched oncospheres of Echinococcus granulosus; 21 days later a second challenge was given by a different route of infection. A primary infection by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection stimulated 100 and 90.5% protection in terms of reduced cyst numbers against a secondary infection given subcutaneously (s.c.) or intravenously (i.v.), respectively. A primary infection given s.c. followed by i.p. or i.v. challenge resulted in 84.0 and 100% protection, respectively. Intravenous infection followed by i.p. or s.c. challenge resulted in 98.5 and 69.4% protection, respectively. With the i.v. route of infection, almost all resultant cysts were present in the lungs. The data show that a primary infection with oncospheres can induce total or a high degree of protection against a subsequent challenge and confirms that natural (concomitant) immunity can be stimulated in the intermediate host as the result of a primary infection. This may explain the decline in hydatid infection in sheep older than 2 years in hyper-endemic areas such as those found in Xingjiang, China. These older sheep may have been earlier infected and have subsequently self-cured, with the primary infection stimulating an immune response that protects the intermediate host animals from further infection.

RRR-alpha-tocopheryl succinate induces MDA-MB-435 and MCF-7 human breast cancer cells to undergo differentiation

RRR-alpha-Tocopheryl succinate (vitamin E succinate, VES) is a potent antitumor agent, inducing DNA synthesis arrest, differentiation, and apoptosis. Because little is known about VES-induced differentiation, studies reported here characterize VES effects on the differentiation status of human breast cancer cell lines and investigate possible molecular mechanisms involved. VES-induced differentiation of human MCF-7 and MDA-MB-435 breast cancer cells was characterized by morphological changes, induction of lipid droplets, induction of beta-casein mRNA expression, and down-regulation of Her2/neu protein. In contrast, VES treatment of normal human mammary epithelial cells, MCF-10A cells, and T-47D cells did not induce differentiation. Studies addressing mechanisms showed that neither antibody neutralization of the transforming growth factor-beta signaling pathway nor expression of a dominant-negative mutant of c-Jun N-terminal kinase blocked the ability of VES to induce differentiation; however, treatment of cells with PD 98059, a chemical inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK1/2), blocked the ability of VES to induce differentiation.

[Clinical efficacy of lamivudine in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B]

OBJECTIVE

To study the clinical efficacy and safety of lamivudine in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B.

METHODS

72 patients with hepatitis B were randomly assigned into lamivudine (n = 54) and placebo groups (n = 18) for 12 weeks. Then, all the patients received lamivudine 100 mg daily until week 104. Clinical symptoms, liver function tests, serum HBV DNA and YMDD mutation were evaluated.

RESULTS

HBV DNA response rate of lamivudine group was higher than that of placebo group after 12 weeks treatment (61% vs 6%, P < 0.01). ALT sustained normalization rate of lamivudine group was higher than that of placebo group (65% vs 11%, P < 0.05). At week 52 and week 104, HBV DNA response rate was 78% and 36% respectively, whereas the normalization rate of ALT was 39% and 33% respectively. Proportion of HBeAg/anti-HBe seroconversion was both 6.1% at week 52 and 104. Overall YMDD mutation rate was 13.7% at week 52 and 39.7% at week 104. The incidence of adverse effects was similar for lamivudine and placebo group at week 12. There was no severe drug-related adverse events during 104 weeks treatment.

CONCLUSION

Lamivudine 100 mg daily could suppress HBV replication rapidly and be well tolerated. However, in some cases, YMDD mutation may lead to HBV DNA breakthrough.

Commensurate water monolayer at the RuO2(110)/water interface

We demonstrate the presence of two types of commensurate, registered water monolayers with different densities at the RuO2(110)/bulk-water (0.1 M NaOH solution) interface with off-specular, oxygen crystal truncation rods. At anodic potentials (close to oxygen evolution), the extraneous water layer and the surface hydroxide layer form a bilayer with O-H-O bond distances similar to that of ice X. At cathodic potentials, the water molecules converted from the bridging OH molecules form a low-density water layer.

[Herbal compound 861 inhibits NF-kappa B binding activity of hepatic stellate cells in vitro]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of Cpd 861 on nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) binding activity of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) in vitro.

METHODS

The study was carried out on the culture of hepatic stellate cell line, 5mg/ml of Cpd 861 was added and incubated for 48 hours. NF-kappa B binding activity was evaluated by electrophoretic mobility shift assays. IL-6 and sICAM-1 levels in the cultured supernatant were detected by ELISA. Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry and TUNEL.

RESULTS

Cpd 861 suppressed the binding activity of NF-kappa B in HSCs compared with the control group. Moreover, IL-6 and sICAM-1 levels in the cultured supernatant were decreased (P<0.05) and apoptosis rate of HSCs was increased after Cpd 861 incubation (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The inhibitory effect on NF-kappa B binding activity might be part of the cellular mechanism of Cpd 861 to treat liver fibrosis.

Triple-staining to identify apoptosis of hepatic cells in situ

To identify apoptosis of nonparenchymal cells in fibrotic livers, we established a triple staining method which combined immunohistochemistry for cell markers and Masson staining for collagen as well as terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). Five microm formalin fixed, paraffin-embedded liver sections were prepared for staining. Firstly, TUNEL staining was carried out to detect apoptosis of liver cells. Then, the sections were subjected to immunohistochemistry for alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha -SMA) or KP-1 to identify hepatic stellate cells or Kupffer cells. Finally, Masson staining was performed to show the relationship between apoptosis and collagens. In addition, we optimized different conditions of fixation, digestion and color development which may affect the results.

Annexin-I inhibits PMA-induced c-fos SRE activation by suppressing cytosolic phospholipase A2 signal

Annexin-I (ANX-I) is a 37-kDa protein with a calcium-dependent phospholipid-binding property. Previously we have observed the inhibition of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) by ANX-I in the studies using purified recombinant ANX-I, and proposed a specific interaction model for the mechanism of cPLA2 inhibition by ANX-I [Kim et al. (1994) FEBS Lett. 343, 251-255]. Here we have studied the role of ANX-I in the cPLA2 signaling pathway by transient transfection assay. The stimulation of Rat2 fibroblast cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) induced the c-fos serum response element (SRE). The SRE stimulation by PMA was dramatically reduced by (1) pretreatment with a cPLA2-specific inhibitor, arachidonyltrifluoromethyl ketone, or (2) co-transfection with antisense cPLA2 oligonucleotide, indicating that the SRE activation was through cPLA2 activation. Co-transfection with an ANX-I expression vector also reduced the SRE stimulation by PMA, suggesting the inhibition of cPLA2 by ANX-I. The active domain of ANX-I was mapped using various deletion mutants. ANX-I(1-113) and ANX-I(34-346) were fully active, whereas ANX-I(114-346) abolished the activity. Therefore the activity was in the amino acid 34 to 113 region, which corresponds to the conserved domain I of ANX-I.

Increased 8-hydroxyguanine formation and endonuclease activity for its repair in ischemic-reperfused hearts of rats

A type of oxidative DNA damage, 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OH-Gua) formation, and the activity for its subsequent repair, 8-OH-Gua endonuclease activity, were examined in an ischemia-reperfusion model of isolated rat hearts. The level of 8-OH-Gua in myocardial DNA was measured by a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) equipped with an electrochemical detector, and the 8-OH-Gua endonuclease activity was analysed by the endonuclease nicking assay using a synthetic double-stranded oligonucleotide containing an 8-OH-Gua residue as a substrate. The Langendorff-perfused rat hearts were subjected to 30 or 60 min of global ischemia, followed by reperfusion with an oxygenated or a nitrogenated Krebs-Henseleit solution. The 8-OH-Gua content in the DNA of the ischemic hearts reperfused with an oxygenated solution was three to four times higher than that of the control hearts. The levels of 8-OH-Gua did not increase either in the ischemic hearts reperfused with a nitrogenated solution or in the ischemic-reperfused hearts treated with SOD, mannitol or allopurinol. When the myocardial extract was incubated with the 8-OH-Gua-containing oligonucleotide substrate, a specific cleavage at the site of an 8-OH-Gua residue was detected. The endonuclease activity responsible for this cleavage increased two-fold in the ischemic-reperfused hearts, compared to the control. This study demonstrates that the formation of 8-OH-Gua in DNA as well as the level of its repair process, 8-OH-Gua endonuclease activity, increase in the ischemic-reperfused rat hearts in response to oxidative stress due to higher levels of oxygen free radicals.

Study on DNA polymorphism at D1S8 locus in Hebei Han population

OBJECTIVE

To study the polymorphism at D1S8 locus and to provide basic information for the construction of DNA fingerprint database and the application in forensic medicine.

METHODS

Minisatellite variant repeat-polymerase chain reaction (MVR-PCR) and polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis followed by silver staining were used to detect the variant repeat sequences at D1S8 locus of 240 unrelated individuals in Hebei Han population, and digital codes were obtained.

RESULTS

Each individual obtained about 30 digital codes, in which none of two unrelated individuals had the same code. The probability of identity of 30 digital codes was 3.55x10(-11). The percentages of three repeat units, a-type, t-type and o-type were 54.77%, 42.54% and 2.69% respectively. The heterozygosity (H) was 0.9837. The excluding probability of paternity(EPP) and polymorphism information content(PIC) were 0.9669 and 0.9833 respectively.

CONCLUSION

Because of its high polymorphic nature, D1S8 locus is a valuable marker for forensic identification and paternity testing.

[Proliferation and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells and effects of compound 861 on liver fibrosis]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the proliferation and apoptosis of the hepatic stellate cell (HSC) in vitro and in vivo and the effects of Chinese herb, compound 861.

METHODS

The in vitro study was carried out on the culture of hepatic stellate cell line. Various concentrations of compound 861 were added and incubated. Cell proliferation was detected with MTT colorimetric assay. Cell apoptosis was detected by electron microscopy, flow cytometry and TUNEL. The subjects of in vivo study were patients with chronic hepatitis B.

RESULTS

Compound 861 could significantly inhibit HSC proliferation and increase the apoptosis rate of HSC dose-dependently and time-dependently compared with the control group. After compound 861 incubation for 48h, the apoptosis rate of HSC was 25.9% compared with 9.2% in control group (P<0.05). The clinical study elucidated that the HSC was activated and proliferated in patients with chronic hepatitis B. After compound 861 treatment for 6 months, the number of activated HSC decreased and the apoptosis of HSC could be seen in the liver biopsy.

CONCLUSION

Apoptosis of activated HSC exists in vitro and in vivo, stimulating its apoptosis may play an important role in the treatment of liver fibrosis.

Angle calculations for a `4S+2D' six-circle diffractometer

Angle calculations are derived for the operation of a `4S+2D' six-circle X-ray or neutron diffractometer. The six degrees of freedom [four sample-orienting (`4S') and two detector-orienting (`2D')] of the diffractometer are used to control the scattering vector and a reference vector in the laboratory frame of reference. Several modes of operation unavailable in other types of diffractometer are presented.

Relationships between clinical symptom severity scales and nerve conduction measures in carpal tunnel syndrome

This study examined the severity of symptoms in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in relation to nerve conduction measures of the median nerve. Clinical symptom severity and nerve conduction studies were evaluated for 64 hands with CTS in 45 patients. We found the following: (1) significant relationships identified among the clinical scales resulted in a dichotomous symptom classification scheme into primary and secondary symptoms, with the former being more specific for those symptoms usually seen in association with nerve injury; (2) there were significant relationships between symptom severity and nerve conduction abnormality; (3) the primary symptom scale correlated more strongly with the electrodiagnostic measures of nerve injury than did the secondary symptom scale. Based on these findings, we believe that these clinical scales have biological significance and reflect median nerve injury. This would support their potential utility for evaluating the outcome of CTS treatment and developing a model for exposure-severity relationship.

RRR-alpha-tocopheryl succinate induction of prolonged activation of c-jun amino-terminal kinase and c-jun during induction of apoptosis in human MDA-MB-435 breast cancer cells

We have demonstrated that RRR-alpha-tocopheryl succinate (10 microg/mL vitamin E succinate (VES) treatment of estrogen receptor-negative MDA-MB-435 human breast cancer cells induces 9, 19, 51, and 72% apoptotic cells on days 1-4, respectively, after treatment, which involves transforming growth factor-beta signaling. Here, we show that VES-triggered apoptosis of MDA-MB-435 cells induced prolonged elevated expression of c-jun mRNA and protein (neither of which was caused by major increases in stability) and also induced enhanced activator protein-1 (AP-1) binding to the consensus DNA oligomer. Furthermore, VES treatments resulted in increased AP-1 transactivation activity, as measured with an AP-1 promoter/luciferase reporter construct and by the measurement of increased mRNA expression of the AP-1-dependent endogenous gene collagenase. Evidence of VES-induced involvement of the c-jun amino-terminal kinase in these AP-1-dependent events was suggested by data showing prolonged activity of this kinase, as measured by a kinase assay using glutathione S-transferase-c-jun as the substrate. The c-jun-dependent transcriptional activity was verified by cotransfection of a chimeric transcription factor having a galactose 4 DNA-binding domain coupled with the transactivation domain of c-jun plus the reporter plasmid 5X GAL4-luciferase. MDA-MB-435 cells infected with an adenovirus expression vector containing the TAM-67 sequence for dominant/negative-acting mutant c-jun or transiently transfected with c-jun antisense exhibited a 50-77% reduction in VES-mediated apoptosis as compared with control adenovirus-infected or control sense oligomer-transfected cells.

Investigation of the image contrast of tapping-mode atomic force microscopy using protein-modified cantilever tips

In this work we have designed a simple system to investigate empirically the image contrast of tapping-mode atomic force microscopy (TMAFM). We modified the cantilever tips with protein molecules (bovine serum albumin or goat anti-biotin antibody) and used these protein-modified cantilevers to scan poly-L-lysine films and antibody layers deposited on mica in air under ambient conditions. We also investigated the effects of manipulating the setpoint voltage in this system. It was found that extra topographic features with a patchlike appearance were introduced into the TMAFM images of both the poly-L-lysine and antibody films when scanned with the protein-modified tips, even at initial preset setpoints, and were superimposed on the topography of the samples. The surface coverage of the patchlike features in the TMAFM images changes significantly with the setpoint voltage in a reversible and nonlinear manner. These are believed to arise from the surface indentation of the sample or from the structural deformation of the proteins at the tip induced in TMAFM imaging. Interestingly, it was observed in the experiment that no structural alteration or damage was discernible on the sample surface, even after continuous scanning with the protein-modified tips for a long period of time, with varying setpoint voltage. This study provides experimental evidence that cantilever tips modified with protein molecules or, under certain circumstances, even unmodified tips introduce extra topographical features (i.e., artifacts) and enhance the image contrast of TMAFM imaging of soft materials, which is dependent on their mechanical properties.

Atomic force microscopy as a tool for study of human hair

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a newly developed microscopic technique that offers high-resolution power, less intrusive measurement, and requires little sample pretreatment for elucidating structures of biological materials in three dimensions and in their natural environment. In this study, AFM has been used not only as an imaging technique for examining human hair structure at high resolution, but also as a tool for quantitative assessment of the effect of treatment in 10 mM phosphate buffered saline of pHs 3.0, 7.0, and 11.0 and heating on human hair structure. It is observed that the hair cuticle is a sensitive indicator of external influences on hair structure, and that its height can be used as a parameter for quantitative assessment. The experimental results obtained show that the swelling of hair caused by the incubation in the buffer decreases with the increase of the pH values and that, depending on the duration of heating, the hair undergoes structural expansion and shrinkage. This study demonstrates that AFM can be used as a valuable alternative to conventional microscopic techniques for hair research.

[Evaluation of capillary chromatographic columns packed by electrokinetic packing method]

In this paper, a method for electrokinetic packing capillary columns is reported. A higher column effeciency was obtained by performing electrochromatography on electrokinetic packing columns. The highest column efficiency in number of theoretical plate per meter was more than 200000, corresponding to reduced plate height less than 2. The reproducibilities of the same column in different intervals and different columns prepared from the same or different batches were compared. The relative standard deviations of the number of theoretical plate and retention time were less than 10% and 8%, respectively. The results indicated that high column efficiency and good reproducibility can be obtained on these new capillary packed columns.

Rhythm in Chinese thinking: a short question for a long tradition

This paper tries to shed a fresh light on the use of several key terms in traditional Chinese medicine (and philosophy) related to the theory of so-called systematic correspondence. Drawing on some influential works in Chinese science and civilization (e.g., Marcel Granet, Joseph Needham, Nathan Sivin), the paper argues that the idea of rhythm, properly defined, should become an organizing idea in studying the traditions of Chinese thinking and practice in medicine as well as in general. Rhythmicity is not periodicity (though they are inseparable from one another) and the idea of rhythm is more useful (than for example the notion of correspondence) for medical anthropology. The paper is divided into three parts: 1) the idea of rhythm in some key terms of traditional Chinese medicine, 2) the Chinese theory of resonance versus the idea of rhythm, and 3) the relation of resonance, rhythm and ecstatic experiences with respect to medical anthropology. An acquaintance with the arguments of my previous article in these pages will be helpful but not necessary for the present paper.

Defining rhythm: aspects of an anthropology of rhythm

This paper outlines the relevance of the idea of rhythm to cultural anthropology, with specific suggestions for a medical anthropology of rhythm. By reconsidering the fluid nature of the concept of rhythm in ordinary language, the paper defines rhythm functionally in terms of a temporal order that anticipates, suspends and fulfills on the level of the visceral, physical, ecological, institutional as well as the moral. Although the paper identifies most explicitly the link between the bodily and social rhythm, it tries to suggest a cosmic background in the interaction of the social and bodily rhythms. The paper is divided into three parts: 1) the general problem of defining rhythm, 2) the concept of rhythm from its origin, and 3) the concept of rhythm in cultural theory since Durkheim. Further readings in particular reference to medical anthropology are often indicated in the notes.

[The effect of 764-3 on platelet aggregation and the activity of enzymes in arachidonic acid metabolism]

764-3 is a purified compound extracted from Chinese herb Salvia miltiorrhizae. It was found to inhibit human and rabbit platelet aggregation induced by AA or ADP. Using AA as the substrate and pig lung microsome to provide enzymes, low doses of 764-3 (5-100 micrograms/ml) promoted the generation of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in a dose-dependent manner. At a dose of 500 micrograms/ml, both TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha production were inhibited. The results suggest that low dose of 764-3 may be able to bring a balance between TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha.

Morphological study of surgically induced open neural tube defects in chick embryos--postoperative 24 hours

For the experimental study of neural tube defect (NTD), a surgical model has advantages over other models in a few aspects. It causes less functional derangement of cells and the NTDs can be made selectively by surgery. The authors planned to use the surgical model for the experimental study of NTD. As the first step for the studies, the chronological changes of morphology during the early postoperative period were investigated using postincubation 3-day chick embryos. The objectives of this study are (1) the morphological evaluation of the surgical model as a method for studies of open NTD, and (2) the observation of morphological changes for the first 24 hours after surgery which include 'overgrowth' appearance and the continuity between the surface ectoderm and the neuroectoderm. The morphological changes were observed by light microscope and scanning electron microscope. Immediately after surgery, typical open NTDs were observed. Morphologically they were very similar to the appearance of spontaneous (non-surgical) open NTDs. The opened neural tubes were everted progressively and they looked rather flat at 24 hours after surgery. Cellular hyperplasia ('overgrowth' appearance) was noted within 24 hours after surgery and became more prominent during the 24 hours. There was increasing continuity between the surface ectoderm and the neural tissue until 24 hours after surgery when the continuity looked almost complete. In conclusion, surgically induced NTDs are morphologically very similar to spontaneous NTDs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)