Selenium and mercury concentrations in brood-stock walleye collected from three sites on Lake Oahe

A decline in the walleye Stizostedion vitreum sport fishery in lower Lake Oahe, South Dakota, was documented in the early 1980s and has been attributed to poor natural reproduction and/or recruitment. Contaminants were suspected of causing low natural reproduction/recruitment in lower Lake Oahe as well as low hatchability of eggs produced from broodstock walleyes taken from lower Lake Oahe. Concentrations of dissolved selenium in the Cheyenne River, which enters lower Lake Oahe, have increased considerably over the last 15 years. To determine whether selenium concentrations contributed to the reproduction problems in the lower Lake Oahe walleye population, adult walleye were collected during spawning operations in April 1994, 1995, and 1996 to obtain tissue samples. Muscle, liver, reproductive tissue, and unfertilized eggs were analyzed with a modified fluorometric method for determining selenium concentrations in plants. These tissues were also analyzed for mercury content using cold-vapor atomic absorption. No statistical differences (p < 0.05) in selenium or mercury concentrations among sites could be determined that would explain differential walleye egg hatchability. Correlation analysis determined significant inverse associations existed between the gonadal somatic index of male walleye and gonadal tissue selenium concentrations (r = -0.41, p = 0.0012). Both walleye sexes exhibited significant inverse associations between the hepatic somatic index (HSI) and liver selenium concentrations (males r = -0.33, p = 0.0095; and females r = -0.38, p = 0.0034). Positive relationships existed for female walleye selenium concentrations in the liver and the ovaries (r = 0.37, p = 0.003) and the liver and muscle tissue (r = 0.28, p = 0.027). Mercury concentrations in walleye ovaries were positively correlated with HSI (r = 0.30, p = 0.0012), length (r = 0.36, p = 0.0046), relative weight (r = 0.36, p = 0.0054), and muscle concentrations (r = 0.49, p = 0.0001). Mercury concentrations in male walleye muscle were correlated with age (r = 0.57, p = 0.0001), length (r = 0.79, p = 0.0001), and mercury concentrations in the testes (r = 0.43, p = 0.0006).

Statistical test to assess rank-order imaging studies

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

Rank-order experiments often provide a reasonable method of determining whether a large-scale receiver operating characteristic study can be justified. The authors' purpose was to formalize a proposed method for analyzing rank-order imaging experiments and provide methods that can be used in determining sample sizes for both cases and raters.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Simulations were conducted to determine the adequacy of the normal approximation of a statistic used to test the null hypothesis of random ordering. For a multireader experiment, formulas are presented and guidelines are provided to enable investigators to determine the number of required readers (raters) and cases for a specific study.

RESULTS

When there are at least five ordered images per case, 10 cases are sufficient to test a random rank order. When there are only three or four images for a case, 20 cases are required. The authors constructed tables of statistical power for selected numbers of ordered images, numbers of cases, and degrees of trend, and they also provide an approximation for use in situations that are not tabled.

CONCLUSION

The statistical methods for analyzing rank-order experiments and estimating sample sizes for study planning are relatively simple to implement. The derived formulas for sample size estimation, when applied to typical imaging experiments, indicate that modest numbers of cases and readers are required for rank-order studies.

The scid recombination-inducible cell line: a model to study DNA-PK-independent V(D)J recombination

To investigate the molecular mechanisms of the variable (diversity) joining (V(D)J) recombination process at an endogenous gene locus, recombination-inducible cell lines were made from both bcl-2-bearing severe combined immune deficiency (scid) homozygous and scid heterozyous (s/ + ) mice by transforming pre-B cells with the temperature-sensitive Abelson murine leukemia virus (ts-Ab-MLV). These transformants can be induced to undergo immunoglobulin light-chain gene rearrangements by incubating them at the non-permissive temperature. In the case of transformed scid cells, a significant amount of hairpin coding ends are accumulated during recombination induction, but few coding joints are generated. After being shifted to the permissive temperature. however, these cells are capable of opening hairpin ends and forming coding joints. Thus, ts-Ab-MLV transformed scid cells can be readily manipulated for both recombination cleavage and end resolution. However, unlike the rapid coding joint formation in s/ + cells that have the catalytic subunit of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PKcs), the process for resolving coding ends in scid cells is slow and error prone, and also appears to be correlated with a reduction in the RAG1/2 expression. Apparently, this process is mediated by a DNA-PK-independent pathway. The fact that the activity of this pathway can be manipulated in vitro makes it possible to delineate the mechanisms in end opening, processing and joining. Therefore, these ts-Ab-MLV transformed scid cell lines offer a model to study the molecular nature as well as the regulation of the DNA-PK-independent pathway in coding end resolution.

A macrophage receptor for apolipoprotein B48: cloning, expression, and atherosclerosis

We have cloned a human macrophage receptor that binds to apolipoprotein (apo)B48 of dietary triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoproteins. TG-rich lipoprotein uptake by the apoB48R rapidly converts macrophages and apoB48R-transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells in vitro into lipid-filled foam cells, as seen in atherosclerotic lesions. The apoB48R cDNA (3,744 bp) encodes a protein with no known homologs. Its approximately 3.8-kb mRNA is expressed primarily by reticuloendothelial cells: monocytes, macrophages, and endothelial cells. Immunohistochemistry shows the apoB48R is in human atherosclerotic lesion foam cells. Normally, the apoB48R may provide essential lipids to reticuloendothelial cells. If overwhelmed, foam cell formation, endothelial dysfunction, and atherothrombogenesis may ensue, a mechanism for cardiovascular disease risk of elevated TG.

Comparative molecular field analysis of colchicine inhibition and tubulin polymerization for combretastatins binding to the colchicine binding site on beta-tubulin

A molecular modeling study using Comparative Molecular Field Analysis (CoMFA) was undertaken to develop a predictive model for combretastatin binding to the colchicine binding site of tubulin. Furthermore, we examined the potential contribution of lipophilicity (log P) and molecular dipole moment and were unable to correlate these properties to the observed biological data. In this study we first confirmed that tubulin polymerization inhibition (IC50) correlated (R2 = 0.92) with [3H]colchicine displacement. Although these data correlated quite well, we developed two independent models for each set of data to quantify structural features that may contribute to each biological property independently. To develop our predictive model we first examined a series of molecular alignments for the training set and ultimately found that overlaying the respective trimethoxyphenyl rings (A ring) of the analogues generated the best correlated model. The CoMFA yielded a cross-validated R2 = 0.41 (optimum number of components equal to 5) for the tubulin polymerization model and an R2 = 0.38 (optimum number of components equal to 5) for [3H]colchicine inhibition. Final non-cross-validation generated models for tubulin polymerization (R2 of 0.93) and colchicine inhibition (R2 of 0.91). These models were validated by predicting both biological properties for compounds not used in the training set. These models accurately predicted the IC50 for tubulin polymerization with an R2 of 0.88 (n = 6) and those of [3H]colchicine displacement with an R2 of 0.80 (n = 7). This study represents the first predictive model for the colchicine binding site over a wide range of combretastatin analogues.

Metabolism of recombination coding ends in scid cells

V(D)J recombination cleavage generates two types of dsDNA breaks: blunt signal ends and covalently sealed hairpin coding ends. Although signal ends can be directly ligated to form signal joints, hairpin coding ends need to be opened and subsequently processed before being joined. However, the underlying mechanism of coding end resolution remains undefined. The current study attempts to delineate this process by analyzing various structures of coding ends made in situ from recombination-inducible pre-B cell lines of both normal and scid mice. These cell lines were derived by transformation of B cell precursors with the temperature-sensitive Abelson murine leukemia virus. Our kinetic analysis revealed that under conditions permissive to scid transformants, hairpin coding ends could be nicked to generate 3' overhangs and then processed into blunt ends. The final joining of these blunt ends followed the same kinetics as signal joint formation. The course of this process is in sharp contrast to coding end resolution in scid heterozygous transformants that express the catalytic subunit of DNA-dependent protein kinase, in which hairpin end opening, processing, and joining proceeded very rapidly and appeared to be closely linked. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the opening of hairpin ends in scid cells could be manipulated by different culture conditions, which ultimately influenced not only the level and integrity of the newly formed coding joints, but also the extent of microhomology at the coding junctions. These results are discussed in the context of scid leaky recombination.

Endoscopic colorectal cancer screening: a cost-saving analysis

BACKGROUND

Comprehensive analyses have shown that screening for cancer usually induces net costs. In this study, the possible costs and savings of endoscopic colorectal cancer screening are explored to investigate whether the induced savings may compensate for the costs of screening.

METHODS

A simulation model for evaluation of colorectal cancer screening, MISCAN-COLON, is used to predict costs and savings for the U.S. population, assuming that screening is performed during a period of 30 years. Plausible baseline parameter values of epidemiology, natural history, screening test characteristics, and unit costs are based on available data and expert opinion. Important parameters are varied to extreme but plausible values.

RESULTS

Given the expert opinion-based assumptions, a program based on every 5-year sigmoidoscopy screenings could result in a net savings of direct health care costs due to prevention of cancer treatment costs that compensate for the costs of screening, diagnostic follow-up, and surveillance. This result persists when costs and health effects are discounted at 3%. The "break-even" point, the time required before savings exceed costs, is 35 years for a screening program that terminates after 30 years and 44 years for a screening program that continues on indefinitely. However, net savings increase or turn into net costs when alternative assumptions about natural history of colorectal cancer, costs of screening, surveillance, and diagnostics are considered.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the present, limited knowledge of the disease process of colorectal cancer, test characteristics, and costs, it may well be that the induced savings by endoscopic colorectal cancer screening completely compensate for the costs.

Obtaining long-term disease specific costs of care: application to Medicare enrollees diagnosed with colorectal cancer

OBJECTIVES

This study develops estimates of long-term, cancer-related treatment cost using a modeling approach and data from the SEER-Medicare linked database. The method is demonstrated for colorectal cancer.

METHODS

Data on Medicare payments were obtained for colorectal cancer patients for the years 1990 to 1994 from the SEER-Medicare linked database. Claims payment data for control subjects were obtained for Medicare enrollees without cancer residing in the same areas as patients. Estimates of long-term cost (< or = 25 years following the date of diagnosis) were obtained by combining treatment/phase-specific cost estimates with estimates of long-term survival from SEER. Treatment phases were defined as initial care, terminal care, and continuing care. Cancer-related estimates for each phase were obtained by subtracting costs for control subjects from the observed costs for cancer patients, matching on age group, gender, and registry area. Estimates of long-term cost < or = 11 years obtained by this method were compared with 11-year estimates obtained by application of the Kaplan-Meier sample average (KMSA) method.

RESULTS

The mean initial-phase cancer-related cost was approximately $18,000 but was higher among patients with more advanced cancer. The mean continuing-phase cancer-related cost was $1,500 per year and declined with increasing age, but was higher on an annual basis among persons with later stages of cancer and shorter survival time. The mean terminal-phase cancer-related cost was $15,000 and declined with both age at death and more advanced stage at diagnosis. After the phase-specific estimates were combined, the average long-term cancer-related cost was $33,700 ($31,300 at 3% discount rate) for colon cancer compared with $36,500 ($33,800 at 3% discount rate) for cancer of the rectum. This represented about half of the total long-term cost for Medicare enrollees diagnosed with this disease. Long-term cost was highest for Stage III cancer and lowest for in situ cancer. Eleven-year cancer-related costs estimated by the KMSA method were similar to estimates using the phase-based approach.

CONCLUSIONS

This paper demonstrates that valid estimates of cancer-related long-term cost can be obtained from administrative claims data linked to incidence cancer registry data.

Survival and treatment for colorectal cancer Medicare patients in two group/staff health maintenance organizations and the fee-for-service setting

The current study compares treatment use and long-term survival in colorectal cancer patients between Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in two large prepaid group/staff health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and the fee-for-service (FFS) setting. The study is based on 15,352 colorectal cancer cases diagnosed between 1985 and 1992 and followed through 1995. Survival differences between the HMO and FFS cases were assessed using Cox regression. Treatment differences were evaluated using logistic regression. HMO cases had a lower overall mortality than did FFS cases but not a significantly lower colorectal cancer-specific mortality. Use of surgical resection was similar between HMO and FFS cases. However, rectal cancer cases in the HMOs were more likely to receive postsurgical radiation therapy than FFS cases. Superior overall survival in the HMOs may be the result of increased colorectal cancer screening, greater use of adjuvant therapies, and selection of healthier individuals.

Comparative molecular field analysis of hydantoin binding to the neuronal voltage-dependent sodium channel

Comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA), a 3-D QSAR technique, is widely used to correlate biological activity with observed differences in steric and electrostatic fields. In this study, CoMFA was employed to generate a model, based upon 14 structurally diverse 5-phenylhydantoin analogues, to delineate structural and electrostatic features important for enhanced sodium channel binding. Correlation by partial least squares (PLS) analysis of in vitro sodium channel binding activity (expressed as log IC50) and the CoMFA descriptor column generated a final non-cross-validated model with R2 = 0.988 for the training set. The final CoMFA model explained the data better than a simpler correlation with log P (R2 = 0.801) for the same training set. The CoMFA steric and electrostatic maps described two general features that result in enhanced binding to the sodium channel. These include a preferred 5-phenyl ring orientation and a favorable steric effect resulting from the C5-alkyl chain. This model was then utilized to accurately predict literature sodium channel activities for hydantoins 14-20, which were not included in the training set. Finally the hydantoin CoMFA model was used to design the structurally novel alpha-hydroxy-alpha-phenylamide 21. Synthesis and subsequent sodium channel evaluation of compound 21 (predicted IC50 = 9 microM, actual IC50 = 9 microM), a good binder to the sodium channel, established that the intact hydantion ring is not necessary for efficient binding to this site. Thus alpha-hydroxy-alpha-phenylamides may represent a new class of ligands that bind with increased potency to the sodium channel.

Antipeptide antibodies reveal interrelationships of MBP 200 and MBP 235: unique apoB-specific receptors for triglyceride-rich lipoproteins on human monocyte-macrophages

Two human monocyte-macrophage (HMM) membrane binding proteins, (MBP) 200 and 235, are receptor candidates that bind to the apolipoprotein (apo)B-48 domain in triglyceride-rich lipoproteins for uptake independent of apoE. Microsequence analysis of the purified reduced MBP 200R characterized tryptic peptides of MBP 200R. A synthetic peptide mimicking a unique, unambiguous 10-residue sequence (AEGLMVTGGR) induced antipeptide antibodies that specifically recognized MBP 200, 235 and 200R, in 1- and 2-dimensional analyses, indicating 1) the ligand binding protein was sequenced and 2) MBP 200 and 235 yielded MBP 200R upon reduction. These antibodies identified the MBPs in human blood-borne, THP-1, U937 MMs, and endothelial cells (EC) but not in human fibroblasts or Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis located the MBPs on the MM surface as necessary for receptor function. The 10-residue, unambiguous MBP 200-derived sequence is unique, with no matches in extant protein databases. Antipeptide antibodies bind to the MBPs in reticuloendothelial cells that have this receptor activity, but not to proteins in cells that lack this receptor activity. These studies provide the first direct protein sequence and immunochemical data that a new, unique apoB receptor for triglyceride-rich lipoproteins exists in human monocytes, macrophages, and endothelial cells.

Formation of coding joints in V(D)J recombination-inducible severe combined immune deficient pre-B cell lines

Characterization of the severe combined immune deficient (scid) defect in the recombination process has provided many insights into the underlying mechanisms of variable (diversity) joining recombination. By using recombination-inducible scid pre-B cell lines transformed with the temperature-sensitive Abelson-murine leukemia virus, we show that large quantities of recombination intermediates can be generated, and their resolution can be followed during further cell culture. In this study, we demonstrate that the ability of these scid pre-B cell lines to resolve coding ends depends on the cell culture temperature. At the nonpermissive temperature of 39 degreesC, scid pre-B cell lines fail to form coding joints and contain mostly unresolved hairpin-coding ends. Once the cell culture is returned to the permissive temperature of 33 degreesC, these same cells make a significant amount of coding joints concomitant with the disappearance of hairpin-coding ends. Thus, the scid cells are capable of resolving coding ends under certain culture conditions. However, the majority of the recovered coding joints contains extensive deletions, indicating that the temperature-dependent resolution of coding ends is still scid-like. Our results suggest that the inability of scid cells to promptly nick hairpin-coding ends may lead to aberrant joining in these cells.

Managed care, consolidation among health care providers, and health care: evidence from mammography

We discuss the effects of managed care on the structure of the health care delivery system, focusing on managed-care-induced consolidation among health care providers. We empirically investigate the relationship between HMO market share and mammography providers. We find evidence of consolidation: increases in HMO activity are associated with reductions in the number of mammography providers and with increases in the number of services produced by remaining providers. We also find that increases in HMO market share are associated with reductions in costs for mammography and with increases in waiting times for appointments, but not with worse health outcomes.

Apolipoprotein B-48 or its apolipoprotein B-100 equivalent mediates the binding of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins to their unique human monocyte-macrophage receptor

Studies in animals and humans have demonstrated uptake of plasma chylomicrons (triglyceride-rich lipoprotein [TGRLP] of Sf>400) by accessible macrophages in vivo. One potential mechanism is via a unique receptor pathway we previously identified in human blood and THP-1 monocytes and macrophages for the lipoprotein lipase (LpL)- and apolipoprotein (apo) E-independent, high-affinity, specific binding of plasma chylomicrons and hypertriglyceridemic VLDL (HTG-VLDL) to cell-surface membrane-binding proteins (MBP 200, 235; apparent Mr 200, 235 kD on SDS-PAGE) that leads to lipid accumulation in vitro. Competitive binding studies reported here demonstrate that anti-apoB antibodies specifically block the high-affinity binding of TGRLP to this receptor on THP-1 cells and on ligand blots. LpL, which binds to an N-terminal domain of apoB, also inhibits TGRLP binding both to this site on THP-1s and to MBP 200, 235 by binding to apoB. Chylomicrons of Sf>1100 that contain apoB-48, but not apoB-100, bind specifically to MBP 200, 235, and this binding is blocked by anti-apoB IgG. In contrast, lactoferrin and heparin do not inhibit TGRLP binding. We conclude that the receptor-binding domain is within apoB-48 (or an equivalent in apoB-100) near the LpL-binding domain, but not a heparin-binding domain. Uptake of TGRLP by this mechanism could provide essential nutrients or, in HTG, cause excess lipid accumulation and foam cell formation.

Factors associated with women's adherence to mammography screening guidelines

OBJECTIVE

To examine individual and environmental factors associated with adherence to mammography screening guidelines.

DATA SOURCES

A unique data set that combines a national probability sample (1992 National Health Interview Survey); a national probability sample of mammography facility characteristics (1992 National Survey of Mammography Facilities); county-level data on 1990 HMO market share; and county-level data on the supply of primary care providers (1991 Area Resource File).

STUDY DESIGN

The design was cross-sectional. DATA EXTRACTION/ANALYSIS: Data sets were linked to create an individual-level sample of women ages 50-74 (weighted n = 2,026). We used multipart, sequential logistic regression models to examine the predictors of having ever had mammography, having had recent mammography, and adherence to guidelines. We categorized women as adherent if they reported a lifetime number of exams appropriate for their age (based on screening every two years) and they reported having had an exam in the past two years.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Only 27 percent of women had the age-appropriate number of screening exams (range 16 percent-37 percent), while 59 percent of women had been screened within two years. Women were significantly more likely to adhere to screening guidelines if they reported participating with their doctor in the decision to be screened; were younger; had smaller families, higher education and income, and a recent Pap smear; reported breast problems; and lived in an area with a higher percentage of mammography facilities with reminder systems, no shortage of primary care providers, higher HMO market share, and higher screening charges.

CONCLUSIONS

A small percentage of women adhere to screening guidelines, suggesting that adherence needs to become a focus of clinical, programmatic, and policy efforts.

Concise parathyroidectomy: the impact of preoperative SPECT 99mTc sestamibi scanning and intraoperative quick parathormone assay

BACKGROUND

Results of initial operation for sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism are generally excellent, yet today there is pressure to improve outcome and resource utilization.

METHODS

We designed a prospective longitudinal cohort study comparing two approaches to concise parathyroidectomy. Strategy A was defined as the palpation method for selective unilateral exploration. Strategy B was defined as the routine use of both preoperative 99mTc sestamibi single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging and intraoperative quick parathormone assay. With either strategy the study period was 19 months and patients explored unilaterally were candidates for same-day discharge. We compared surgical outcome for 128 consecutive consenting patients each with 6 months or more of follow-up (mean 12 +/- 7.6 months).

RESULTS

Demographic, biochemical and pathologic findings did not differ between groups. SPECT imaging precisely localized hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue. Compared with Strategy A (n = 61), the 67 patients treated by use of Strategy B experienced a higher rate of unilateral exploration (41.0% versus 62.7%, p < 0.00001) and a shorter length of stay (1.07 versus 1.90 days, p < 0.00001) and tended to have shorter operative times, fewer operative failures, and less morbidity. Total perioperative costs did not differ between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Routine use of intraoperative quick parathormone measurement and preoperative 99mTc sestamibi SPECT is as safe, effective, and cost-effective as conventional approaches to parathyroidectomy. Use of this strategy is associated with significant reductions in extent of surgery and length of hospital stay.