Suppression of endogenous bcl-2 expression by antisense treatment exacerbates ischemic neuronal death

Previous studies have shown that overexpression of bcl-2 in transgenic mice or by viral vectors protects the brain against cerebral ischemia. However, it is not known whether bcl-2, which is endogenously expressed in response to ischemia, exerts a protective effect. To address this question, the authors blocked the endogenous expression of bcl-2 after ischemia using antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN). Antisense, sense, scrambled ODN, or vehicles were infused in the lateral ventricle of the rat for 24 hours after 30 minutes of temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion. Twenty-four hours later the brains were removed and bcl-2 protein expression was assayed by Western blot. Antisense ODN, but not sense or scrambled ODN treatment, significantly inhibited bcl-2 protein expression after ischemia. Bcl-2 protein expression was also studied 24 hours after 60 minutes of temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion in vehicle and antisense ODN-treated rats. After 60 minutes of ischemia and vehicle treatment, bcl-2 was expressed in many neurons in the ventral cortical mantle and the medial striatum. After antisense ODN treatment there were few neurons in this region expressing bcl-2, instead most neurons TUNEL labeled. Treatment with the antisense ODN, but not sense ODN, increased infarction volume as determined by cresyl violet staining 72 hours after ischemia compared with vehicle controls. These results suggested that endogenously expressed bcl-2 promoted survival in ischemic neurons and was not simply an epiphenomenon in neurons already destined to live or die.

[Mesothelioma in rats following-intrapleural-injection of crocidolite]

In order to investigate the potential of pleural mesothelioma induced by crocidolite, author collected samples from four county areas (Dayao, Yaoan, Muding and Yanyuan) in China. A suspension of 1 ml containing 20 mg crocidolite fiber was injected into the right pleural cavity of each rat in various test groups and UICC crocidolite group, totally 40 mg. The negative control was given saline. The results showed that the incidence of mesothelioma was 56.0%-68.8% (in which the rate of induction in Yanyuan group was the highest), and the survival time of the first case of mesothelioma was 273-347 days in the test groups, the Yanyuan group had shorter latency, and the mean survival days of the rats with mesothelioma for four groups were 560, 490, 593 and 498 days respectively; the shortest mean survival time was that for Yanyuan group. The major histological type of mesothelioma induced by crocidolite was the fibrous type. The degree of differentiation in all mesotheliomas was mainly intermediate and low. The results suggested that when rats were intrapleurally inoculated with samples of crocidolite and saline, an appreciable proportion of animals developed mesothelioma except those of the saline group. Compared with other groups, the Yanyuan group had stronger potential of crocidolite-induced mesothelioma.

Predictors of an acute antidepressant response to fluoxetine and sertraline

Sertraline and fluoxetine have different pharmacologic and pharmacokinetic profiles which may be of clinical relevance in the determination of response in different subtypes of depression. A randomized, double-blind, 6-week study comparing sertraline (50-100 mg/day) with fluoxetine (20-40 mg/day) in 286 outpatients with major depression, who had demonstrated comparable efficacy and tolerability for the two drugs, was analysed by subgroups of patients at baseline with melancholia, severe depression, single depressive episode, multiple depressive episodes, high anxiety, low anxiety, psychomotor retardation and psychomotor agitation. Multiple logistic regression with regressors including treatment-by-subgroup variables revealed that, within certain subgroups, the efficacy might differ substantially from that of the whole treatment group. However, the only treatment-by-subgroup interaction term that was significant was anxiety (P < 0.05). There was no evidence of interaction in single or recurrent episode subgroups, and these were not included in subsequent analyses. Subsequent two-sample statistical comparison tests of response (i.e. Hamilton Depression Scale reduction > or = 50%) rates at study endpoint between treatment groups demonstrated that patients with melancholic depression and those with symptoms of psychomotor agitation yielded a significantly greater proportion of responders with sertraline compared to fluoxetine (P < 0.05). Response rates in sertraline- and fluoxetine-treated patients, respectively, were: overall study 59%, 51%; melancholia 59%, 44%; severe depression 59%, 41%; low anxiety 71%, 55%; high anxiety 47%, 48%; psychomotor retardation, 48%, 46%; and psychomotor agitation 62%, 39%. Multiple logistic regression adjusting for possible confounding factors, that included a treatment by anxiety interaction term, also led to similar findings. In particular, the analysis showed that significant differences existed in favour of sertraline in patients with low anxiety in the melancholia and severe depression subgroups (P < 0.05), indicating that these characteristics predicted a superior response to 6 weeks of treatment with sertraline relative to fluoxetine. Sertraline also demonstrated advantages over fluoxetine on parameters such as sleep and weight disturbance in severely depressed patients, and sleep disturbance, weight, cognitive disturbance and retardation in melancholic patients.

[A study of HGV infection in liver tissue of hepatocellular carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence of hepatitis G virus (HGV) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

HGV NS5 antigen was detected in paraffin-embedded HCC tissues from 53 autopsy patients by using immunohistochemical method with antiHGV NS5 monoclonal antibody.

RESULTS

Among the 53 subsjects, 20(37.7%) had been detected of HGV antigen (HGAg) in HCC tissues. When serological markers were used, the HGAg detection rate was 2/8(25%) in non-B and non-C, 16/41(39%) in HBV and 2/2 in HCV infection groups, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The infection of HGV is often seen in patients with HCC. HGV infection does not appear to account for an important independent risk factor for development of HCC.

[Cloning and sequencing of cDNA from G protein gene of subgroup B respiratory syncytial virus strain isolated in China]

The nucleotide sequence of the G protein gene of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) CC169 strain isolated from China that has been identified as subgroup B with monoclonal antibodies, was determined from cDNA that had been amplified by RT-PCR and cloned into pTZ18R plasmid vector. The homology of nucleotide was 94% as compared with G protein cDNA of a RSV prototype strain (CH18537). Deduced amino acid identity of G protein was 89.4%. The amino acid changes were only in the extracellular part of the protein where there were two extensive divergent domains with a highly conserved region in between; whereas the cytoplasmic and transmembrane domains were conserved. This study demonstrates the sequence diversity of the G protein of subgroup B RSV between a Chinese isolate and the prototype strain CH18537.

Post-column derivatization for fluorescence and chemiluminescence detection in capillary electrophoresis

Instrumental developments and applications of post-column derivatization for fluorescence and chemiluminescence detection in capillary electrophoresis (CE) are reviewed. Various systems to merge the reagent solution with the separation medium have been developed, including coaxial capillary reactors, gap reactors and free solution or end-column systems. For all reactor types the geometry of the system, as well as the method to propel the reaction mixture (by pressure or by voltage) appeared to be critical to preserve the separation efficiency. Plate numbers of over 100,000 could be realised with different reactors. The strict requirements on the rate of post-column derivatization reactions to be applied in CE limit the number of different reagents that have been used. For fluorescence detection, with laser or lamps as the excitation source, so far mainly o-phthalaldehyde and its naphthalene analogue have been used as reagent. Derivatization systems that are based on complexation reactions also showed good promise for application in CE. Detection limits could be obtained that were comparable to those obtained after pre-column derivatization. Various reagents for chemiluminescence detection (e.g. the luminol and peroxyoxalate systems) have been studied. The often complicated chemistry involved made application of these reagents in CE even more difficult. Results obtained so far, in terms of sensitivity, have not been up to expectation, with detection limits usually in the order of micromol l(-1).

A critical evaluation of the planning target volume for 3-D conformal radiotherapy of prostate cancer

PURPOSE

To determine an adequate planning target volume (PTV) margin for three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D CRT) of prostate cancer, the uncertainties in the internal positions of the prostate and seminal vesicles (SV) and in the treatment setups were measured.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Weekly computed tomography (CT) scans of the pelvis (n=51) and daily electronic portal images (n=1630) were reviewed for eight patients who received seven-field 3D CRT for prostate cancer. The CT scans were registered in three dimensions to the original planning CT scan using commercially available software to measure the center-of volume (COV) motion of the prostate and SV. The daily portal images were registered to the corresponding simulation films to measure the setup displacements. The standard deviation (SD) of the internal organ motions was added to the SD of the setups in quadrature to determine the total uncertainty. Positive directions were left, anterior, and superior. Rotations necessary to register the CT scans and portal images were minimal and not further analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean motion for the COV of the prostate+/-the SD was 0+/-0.9 mm in the left-right (LR), 0.5+/-2.6 mm in the anterior-posterior (AP), and 1.5+/-3.9 mm in the superior-inferior (SI) directions. The mean motion for the COV of the SV+/-the SD was 0.3+/-1.7 mm in the LR, 0.7+/-3.8 mm in the AP, and 0.9+/-3.5 mm in the SI directions. For all patients the mean isocenter displacement+/-the SD was 0+/-3.1 mm in the LR, 1.4+/-3.0 mm in the AP, and -0.4+/-2.1 mm in the SI directions. The total uncertainty for the prostate was 3.2 mm, 4.0 mm, and 4.4 mm in the LR, AP, and SI directions, respectively. For the SV, the total uncertainty was 3.5, 4.8, and 4.1 mm in the LR, AP, and SI directions, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

PTV margins of 10 to 16 mm are required to encompass all (99%) possible positions of the prostate or SV during 3D CRT. PTV margins of 7 to 11 mm will encompass the measured uncertainties with a 95% probability. PTV margins of 5 mm may not adequately cover the intended volume.

Postcolumn derivatization of peptides with fluorescamine in capillary electrophoresis

Fluorescamine is used as a postcolumn derivatization reagent for fluorescence detection detection of peptides after separation by capillary electrophoresis. The problems resulting from the use of an organic solvent have been solved by introducing LiC1O4 and 5% water into the postcolumn derivatization reagent. The reaction rate and detection sensitivity of amino acids and small peptides observed with fluorescamine and OPA were compared. Fluorescamine gives much higher sensitivity than o-phthaldialdehyde (OPA) for small peptides, with detection limits for the selected peptides and amino acids below 0.1 mumol 1-1. Under optimized experimental conditions, the method has a good reproducibility and separation efficiency for peptides. The method was applied for the analysis of the protein tryptic digests. Only submicromolar concentrations of proteins were required.

[Determination of clozapine and its N-demethylated metabolite in serum by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with selected ion monitoring]

This article reports a highly sensitive method specific for determination of clozapine(CLP) and its N-demethylated metabolite (DCLP) in serum by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with selected ion monitoring. A 0.5 mL serum was alkalized with 0.5 mL 1.0 mol/L sodium hydroxide and was extracted with 5 mL ether, then the organic phase was transferred to another tube containing 1 mL 0.1 mol/L hydrochloric acid. After being shaken and centrifuged, the organic phase was discarded, and 10 microL 100 micrograms/L diazepam (DAP) was added to the water phase as internal standard, then 0.5 mL 1.0 mol/L sodium hydroxide and 5 mL ether were added. The extract was evaporated to dryness and then was acylated with 50 microL trifluoroacetic anhydride under 50 degrees C for 45 min. The excess of the reagent was evaporated and the residue was disolved in 20 microL acetone. Take 2 microL for gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Chromatographic conditions were: column DB-1 (30 m x 0.25 mm x 0.25 microns), injector 260 degrees C, interface 250 degrees C, column oven with temperature program: [equation: see text] Helium carrier gas flow rate was 1.8 mL/min. The mass spectrometer was adjustd to record the ion m/z352 for CLP and DCLP, and m/z 256 for DAP in quantitation. The minimum detection limits were 0.1 microgram/L for CLP and 0.2 microgram/L for DCLP. The standard curves of CLP and DCLP were linear between 1-128 micrograms/L (rCLP = 0.998, rDCLP = 0.999). Recoveries of two substances were better than 83%, and the RSD values were less than 10%. This method has been successfully used in clinical pharmacokinetic study of CLP before and after CYP1A2 inhibitor used. The results indicate that the metabolism of clozapine is strongly affected by CYP1A2 activity.

[Expression of p53, c-erbB1, c-myc and p16 gene proteins in human glioma]

OBJECTIVE

To realize the significance of c-erbB1 and c-myc protooncogenes, p53 and p16 tumor suppressor genes in the development and pathologic diagnosis of human glioma.

METHODS

The expression of p53, c-erbB1, c-myc and p16 gene proteins was detected immunohistochemically in 65 cases of glioma. The relationship between these results and the pathological grades was determined.

RESULTS

The overexpression of mutant p53, c-erbB1 and c-myc was in accordance with the increasing grade of glioma malignancy, showing significant difference (P < 0.05) between the benign group and highly malignant group in p53 and c-erbB1, while the deletion of p16 protein was more frequent in the highly malignant group than in any other group. These 4 genes showed co-expression in some of the gliomas.

CONCLUSIONS

The 4 genes, especially p53 and c-erbB1, play an important role in the development of glioma; the detection of these gene proteins has a positive significance on malignancy determination for glioma.

Determination of catecholamines and related compounds by capillary electrophoresis with postcolumn terbium complexation and sensitized luminescence detection

A method has been developed for the determination of catecholamines and related compounds (DA, E, NE, DOPA, DOPAC, DOPAG) in urine samples. The compounds of interest were separated by capillary electrophoresis with a borate buffer as background electrolyte. Detection was based on the sensitized luminescence of terbium ions. Using a homemade postcolumn reactor, a basic solution containing a stoichiometric mixture of terbium(III) chloride and EDTA was added postcolumn to the separation buffer. The ternary catechol-EDTA-terbium complexes formed in the reaction mixture showed a strong luminescence with excitation and emission maxima at 300 and 545 nm, respectively. By optimization of the experimental conditions, zone broadening could be restrained and plate numbers up to 130,000 appeared to be possible. Detection limits found were in the order of 10(-7) mol L-1. The catecholic compounds could be determined in urine samples after a standard cleanup and preconcentration procedure.

[Preliminary research on Bifidobacterium cuniculi in stomach and intestines of rabbits]

The distribution of Bifidobacterium in stomach and intestines of ten healthy rabbits were studied by microecological methods. The results showed that Bifidobacterium exist in stomach, small intestine and large intestine, the amount hightest in large intestine, second in jejunum and no finnd in duodenum. Being isolated, purified and biologically identified, the bacteria was identified as Bifidobacterium cuniculi, whose other biological characteristics also was studied.

[Testicular torsion: report of 12 patients]

12 cases of testicular torsion were stadieded. It is helpful to get diagnosis for early testicular torsion using radionuclide testicular imaging, B-ultrasound and color Doppler flow imaging. A peculiar type of testicular torsion was unilateral defect of radionuclide distribution. The causes, diagnoses and treatments of testicular torsion were discussed in detail.

[A 5-year before-and-after comparison of lung function in asbestos workers]

A 5-year before-and-after comparison of lung function was carried out in 119 male asbestos workers. Of them 50 were healthy workers (0), 25 were patients with suspectable asbestosis (0+), 36 with Stage I asbestosis (Ias) and 8 with Stage II asbestosis (II as). The findings measured for before and after 5 years revealed that FVC, FEV and DLco declined in the four groups over the whole period of observation. The decrease in FVC and DLco was most marked and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Comparison among four groups showed that all indices of lung function in Group II as reduced significantly after 5 years (P < 0.01), indicating a rapid decrease of lung function in Group II as. It is suggested that FVC and DLco are the most sensitive indices in detecting very early abnormalities of lung function in asbestos workers.

[Chemical constituents of Euphorbia hylonoma Hand. -Mazz]

Three compounds have been isolated from the root of Euphorbia hylonoma and identified as 3,3',4-tri-O- methylellagic acid, beta-sitosterol and sucrose by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. The compound 3,3'4-tri-O-methylellagic acid is discovered in Euphorbia for the first time.

[Clinical study on Helicobacter pylori infected chronic gastritis treated with supplementing qi and promoting blood circulation drugs]

The syndrome of Qi Deficiency and Blood Stasis of chronic gastritis infected by Helicobacter Pylori (HP) was treated with the principle of supplementing Qi and promoting blood circulation. The clinical symptoms, inhibiting and killing of HP and pathohistological study have been observed. It was proved that the treatment could improve the clinical symptoms, reduce the infiltration of inflammatory cells and ameliorate the hyperemia and edema of gastric mucosa. Its inhibition and killing of HP was similar to the gentamycin sulfate (P > 0.05). Toxic and side effects have not been observed by taking this remedy.

[Thoracic gastric and large area necrotic perforation of the neck gastric wall after surgery of esophageal and cardial cancer: analysis of 9 cases]

Nine cases of gastric perforation after operation for esophageal were reported. Eight cases were esophageal cancer. One case was cardial cancer. Five of the nine cases were anastomosed in intrathorax, and four in neck. Intrathoracic gastric perforation occurred in six cases. Five of them were operated on again. Gastric perforation in neck occurred in three cases. The nine cases were all cured. This article analysed the reasons of the gastric perforation and emphasised that early diagnosis, early operation or drainage in neck were the key steps in treatment.

[Significance of perioperative elevation of blood viscosity in patients with esophageal or cardiac carcinoma]

The blood viscosity of 21 patients with esophageal or cardiac carcinoma during preoperative period was measured and compared with that of 25 healthy persons. The results indicate that the blood viscosity in patients is higher than that in the control group (P < 0.001) immediately and one day after operation. Elevation of blood viscosity is not only related to myocardial infarction, but also may be one of the causes for the poor therapeutic effect in patients with carcinomas. It is suggested that proper measures should be taken to control the elevating blood viscosity in patients, especially the elderly ones during the perioperative period. Colloid fluid which is believed to increase blood viscosity should be avoided within the first two days after operation to prevent cardiac complications.

Numerical inverse method of determining film parameters of uniaxial anisotropic film with an ellipsometer

A numerical inversion method of ellipsometry has been developed for determining optical constants and the thickness of uniaxial anisotropic film, of which the optical axis is perpendicular to the film surface. The method of changing film thickness has been proposed to obtain multiple independent ellipsometric equations that can separate the calculation of optical constants and the thickness of the film and reduce the three-parameter problem to a two-parameter problem. A flow chart of the numerical inverse program is given, and an example that applies to Langmuir-Blodgett films is also illustrated.