Trafficking of phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate from the trans-Golgi network to the lumen of the central vacuole in plant cells

Very limited information is available on the role of phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PI[3]P) in vesicle trafficking in plant cells. To investigate the role of PI(3)P during the vesicle trafficking in plant cells, we exploited the PI(3)P-specific binding property of the endosome binding domain (EBD) (amino acids 1257 to 1411) of human early endosome antigen 1, which is involved in endosome fusion. When expressed transiently in Arabidopsis protoplasts, a green fluorescent protein (GFP):EBD fusion protein exhibited PI(3)P-dependent localization to various compartments--such as the trans-Golgi network, the prevacuolar compartment, the tonoplasts, and the vesicles in the vacuolar lumen--that varied with time. The internalized GFP:EBD eventually disappeared from the lumen. Deletion experiments revealed that the PI(3)P-dependent localization required the Rab5 binding motif in addition to the zinc finger motif. Overexpression of GFP:EBD inhibited vacuolar trafficking of sporamin but not trafficking of H(+)-ATPase to the plasma membrane. On the basis of these results, we propose that the trafficking of GFP:EBD reflects that of PI(3)P and that PI(3)P synthesized at the trans-Golgi network is transported to the vacuole through the prevacuolar compartment for degradation in plant cells.

Adenovirus expressing p27(Kip1) induces growth arrest of lung cancer cell lines and suppresses the growth of established lung cancer xenografts

p27(Kip1) (p27) is a member of the universal cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CDKI) family and a putative tumor suppressor gene. In several tumors including lung cancer, decreased expression of p27 is associated with poor prognosis. These observations suggest a potential role for p27 as a new gene therapy target. In this study, we constructed adenovirus expressing human p27 (ad-p27) and investigated its antitumor effects on human lung cancer cell lines. Upon transduction of several human lung cancer cells with ad-p27, a high level of p27 expression, with a decrease in cdk2 and an increase in cyclin E were observed. These changes resulted in G1/S arrest. Transduction of human lung cancer cell lines with ad-p27 showed in vitro growth inhibition and a marked suppression of colony formation upon soft agar clonogenic assay. Direct intratumoral injection of ad-p27 induced the growth suppression of established lung tumors in nude mice. From these observations, gene therapy using ad-p27 seems to offer a potential basis for the development of new cancer gene therapy modality and a useful tool to investigate the mechanisms of cell cycle control.

Differential effects of adenovirus-p16 on bladder cancer cell lines can be overcome by the addition of butyrate

High frequency of p16 alteration and high local recurrence rate of bladder cancer make this cancer an ideal target for p16 gene therapy. However, a low transduction rate of p16 via adenoviral vector causes an inconsistent result. In this study, we have tested adenovirus-p16 in several bladder cancer cell lines and investigated a way of improving the low transduction rate. Adenovirus-p16 showed a strong antitumor effect on bladder cancer cell lines (253J and T24) with strong Coxackie-adenoviral receptor (CAR) expression but little antitumor effect on bladder cancer cell lines (J82 and HT1376) with little CAR expression. In this study, we suggest a simple way of overcoming the differential effects of the adenovirus. The addition of butyrate to media was found to increase the transduction rate of adenovirus remarkably and increase the antitumor effect of adenovirus-p16 in bladder cancer cell lines with little CAR expression. Butyrate effects were related with increased CAR expression on the cell surface as well as increased transgene expression from adenoviral vector. From these observations, application of adenovirus-p16 gene therapy with butyrate can overcome the obstacle of low gene transfer and enhance the antitumor effect of adenovirus-p16 in bladder cancer.

Effect of acetylsalicylic acid on endogenous I kappa B kinase activity in lung epithelial cells

The anti-inflammatory effect of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) has been thought to be secondary to the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis. Because doses of ASA necessary to treat chronic inflammatory diseases are much higher than those needed to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis, a prostaglandin-independent pathway has been emerging as the new anti-inflammatory mechanism of ASA. Here, we examined the effect of ASA on the interleukin (IL)-1 beta- and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-induced proinflammatory cytokine expression and evaluated whether this effect is closely linked to the nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B/I kappa B-alpha pathway. A high dose of ASA blocked IL-1 beta- and TNF-alpha-induced TNF-alpha and IL-8 expression, respectively. ASA inhibited TNF-alpha-induced activation of NF-kappa B by preventing phosphorylation and subsequent degradation of I kappa B-alpha in a prostanoid-independent manner. TNF-alpha-induced activation of I kappa B kinase was also suppressed by ASA pretreatment. These observations suggest that the anti-inflammatory effect of ASA in lung epithelial cells may be due to suppression of I kappa B kinase activity, which thereby inhibits subsequent phosphorylation and degradation of I kappa B-alpha, activation of NF-kappa B, and proinflammatory cytokine expression in lung epithelial cells.

Growth inhibitory effect on glioma cells of adenovirus-mediated p16/INK4a gene transfer in vitro and in vivo

The tumour suppressor gene p16/INK4a encodes a specific inhibitor of the cyclin D-dependent kinases CDK4 and CDK6. p16/INK4a prevents the association of CDK4 with cyclin D1, and subsequently inhibits phosphorylation of retinoblastoma tumour suppressor protein (pRb), thus preventing exit from the G1 phase. In human cancers, the estimated frequency of genetic alteration involving the p16/INK4a locus is believed to be second only to alteration of p53. A high frequency (greater than 50%) of homozygous p16/INK4a gene deletion has been demonstrated in glioblastoma tissues and p16/INK4a is altered in 80% of glioma cell lines. Therefore, restoration of p16/INK4a would suppress cell proliferation and induce cell growth arrest. We showed here that restoration of p16/INK4a expression in p16 negative U87MG, U251MG and partially deleted U373MG by Ad-CMV-p16/INK4a induced growth suppression in vitro and in vivo. Expression of p16 transferred by Ad-CMV-p16/INK4a in glioma cells was highly efficient and maintained for more than seven days. In addition, we found that the endogenous status of p16 and Rb might affect the expression of exogenous p16/INK4a gene and inhibitory effect of cell proliferation. Even though, there were several factors affecting the efficiency of Ad-CMV-p16/INK4 gene transfer, our results suggest that Ad-CMV-p16 gene therapy strategy is potentially useful and warrants further clinical investigation for the treatment of gliomas.

Change in activity of the sympathetic nervous system in diet-induced obese rats

We investigated the change in activity of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) in high-sucrose diet (HSD)-induced obese rats compared with controls. Power spectral analyses of R-R interval variability were performed to obtain the low frequency (LF, 0.04-0.699 Hz) and high frequency (HF, 0.7-3.0 Hz) powers. The percents of fat mass to body weight (%F/BW) and fat to muscle ratios (F/M) were significantly increased in HSD-fed rats. Plasma glucose, leptin, and triglyceride concentrations in rats fed with HSD were significantly increased. LF in normalized units (LFn), which represents both sympathetic and parasympathetic activities, was significantly increased whereas HF in normalized unit (HFn), which represents parasympathetic activity, was significantly decreased in HSD-fed rats. LF/HF, which represents sympathetic activity, was significantly increased in HSD-fed rats and was correlated with leptin (r=0.549, p<0.023), %F/BW (r=0.513, p<0.035), F/M (r=0.536, p<0.038), and triglyceride (r=0.497, p<0.042). When adjusted for leptin concentrations, however, LF/HF of HSD-fed rats was significantly decreased. In conclusion, HSD-induced obese rats showed increased LF/HF, which was significantly decreased by adjustment for leptin concentrations. We suggest that stimulating effect of leptin on SNS is reduced, which might play a role in induction of obesity by HSD.

Formation of fibrillar multimers of oat beta-glucosidase isoenzymes is mediated by the As-Glu1 monomer

Oat beta-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.21) exists in two isomeric forms of homomultimer (type I) and heteromultimer (type II), which are comprised of two 60 kDa monomers of As-Glu1 and As-Glu2. The cDNA of As-Glu2 was cloned in this study, whereas As-Glu1 was previously cloned as As-P60. The As-Glu2 cDNA encodes a plastid-directing transit peptide of 57 amino acid residues and a mature protein of 521 amino acid residues. The amino acid sequence of As-Glu2 is highly homologous to that of As-Glu1, except for their C-terminal portions. When the two cDNAs of the mature proteins were expressed as T7.Tag-fused proteins in Escherichia coli, they produced soluble and enzymatically active T7.Tag-As-Glu1 and T7.Tag-As-Glu2 proteins. The T7.Tag-As-Glu1 was assembled into a donut-shaped hexamer ring which was in turn stacked in integer numbers to form long fibrillar homomultimers of different lengths with a molecular mass of up to several million daltons. On the other hand, the T7.Tag-As-Glu2 primarily formed a dimer rather than a multimer. When both cDNAs of As-Glu1 and As-Glu2 were co-expressed as T7.Tag-fused mature proteins, they were also assembled into a hexamer ring comprised of the two monomers in a 1:1 stoichiometry. The heteromeric hexamer was stacked in smaller numbers to form the heteromultimer of T7. Tag-As-Glu1 and -As-Glu2. The results indicate that the As-Glu1 monomer plays a crucial role in the formation of both the As-Glu1 homomultimer and the As-Glu1 and As-Glu2 heteromultimer. We describe here a unique structure for the oat beta-glucosidase fibrillar multimer that is formed by stacking the hexamer rings composed of As-Glu1 and/or As-Glu2.

Growth inhibitory effect on glioma cells of adenovirus-mediated p16/INK4a gene transfer in vitro and in vivo

The tumour suppressor gene p16/INK4a encodes a specific inhibitor of the cyclin D-dependent kinases CDK4 and CDK6. p16/INK4a prevents the association of CDK4 with cyclin D1, and subsequently inhibits phosphorylation of retinoblastoma tumour suppressor protein (pRb), thus preventing exit from the G1 phase. In human cancers, the estimated frequency of genetic alteration involving the p16/INK4a locus is believed to be second only to alteration of p53. A high frequency (greater than 50%) of homozygous p16/INK4a gene deletion has been demonstrated in glioblastoma tissues and p16/INK4a is altered in 80% of glioma cell lines. Therefore, restoration of p16/INK4a would suppress cell proliferation and induce cell growth arrest. We showed here that restoration of p16/INK4a expression in p16 negative U87MG, U251MG and partially deleted U373MG by Ad-CMV-p16/INK4a induced growth suppression in vitro and in vivo. Expression of p16 transferred by Ad-CMV-p16/INK4a in glioma cells was highly efficient and maintained for more than seven days. In addition, we found that the endogenous status of p16 and Rb might affect the expression of exogenous p16/INK4a gene and inhibitory effect of cell proliferation. Even though, there were several factors affecting the efficiency of Ad-CMV-p16/INK4 gene transfer, our results suggest that Ad-CMV-p16 gene therapy strategy is potentially useful and warrants further clinical investigation for the treatment of gliomas.

Secondary correction of unsatisfactory blepharoplasty: removing multilaminated septal structures and grafting of preaponeurotic fat

Oriental blepharoplasty, commonly known as a "double eyelid operation," is the most frequently practiced cosmetic procedure in Orientals, who have probably become more fold conscious because of social westernization and an influx of Caucasians into their society. Anatomically, the upper eyelids of an Oriental are considerably different from those of a white person, and nearly half of Orientals have single eyelids. When performing blepharoplasty, an appropriate design and operative technique must be carefully selected, taking into consideration the anatomical characteristics of Koreans to obtain an aesthetically pleasing result. However, the incidence of complications is high. Patients who are faced with unsatisfactory results are often perplexed by the fact that such a commonly performed procedure could have a very high rate of dissatisfaction and that an improvement is not easy. An unfavorable result need not imply a postoperative complication, but only that the result is not acceptable to the patient, whose goal may not be based on good aesthetic principles. The most common sources of dissatisfaction are postoperative asymmetry and high placement of the lid fold. From 1991 to 1998, secondary blepharoplasty was performed on 72 patients by slitting transversely, removing the multilaminated septal structures exposed to the previous operative scar, spreading the preaponeurotic fat that extruded, and removing the septal structures into a space where the scar was eliminated to prevent secondary adhesion. The average age of the patients was 26.5 years, and the average follow-up period was 2 years. No remarkable complication was encountered after operation with this method, and the desired aesthetic improvements were achieved in the majority of the patients.

Overexpression of p53 and rare genetic mutation in mesenchymal chondrosarcoma

Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma is extremely rare and accounts for less than 2% of all chondrosarcomas. The pathogenesis and the molecular genetic events which contribute to the development of mesenchymal chondrosarcoma are not well elucidated, due in part to the lack of sufficient tumor tissue available. To characterize the involvement of the p53 gene abnormality in this disease, we analyzed expression and sequence alteration of p53 by immunohistochemical analysis of the protein expression and quantitative DNA/PCR and PCR-SSCP assays of the gene in 33 paraffin-embedded tissue specimens. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that 19 (61.3%) of 31 had nuclear overexpression of p53 while 7 (22.6%) showed cytoplasmic expression. The remaining 5 (16.1%) were negative for p53 staining. The nuclear positivity of p53 was observed within a range of 22-64% (mean 37.3%) of tumor cells and showed a positive staining in mesenchymal components as well as chondroid components. Quantitative DNA/PCR analysis revealed that 6 (18.2%) of the 33 specimens carried significantly reduced or undetectably low levels of p53 indicating the genomic deletion of the gene in these tumors. In contrast, however, DNA/PCR-SSCP analysis failed to detect any types of mutations resulting in amino acid substitution within exons 5-9 regions of the gene. Taken together, our data suggests that genetic alteration of p53 is a relatively rare event in mesenchymal chondrosarcomas but substantial fraction of this type of tumors carries abnormal overexpression of p53, which might result from as yet unidentified epigenetic mechanism(s).

Helical CT appearance of glomus tumor of the stomach

Glomus tumor occurs only rarely in the stomach. This benign intramural mass is located most frequently in the distal half of the stomach. We experienced two cases of glomus tumor of the stomach which were examined with helical CT and were confirmed pathologically. Both tumors were well-marginated solitary lesions, located in the gastric antrum. On the early-phase helical CT, an intact overlying mucosa was demonstrated in both cases, and both tumors showed a dense homogeneous contrast enhancement, which persisted to the delayed phase.

Thoracoscopic plication of diaphragmatic eventration using endostaplers

Unilateral diaphragmatic eventration and paralysis require plication in cases of progressive dyspnea on exertion and recurrent respiratory infection. The patient, a 40-year-old woman, who had complained of worsening dyspnea on exertion and elevation of the left diaphragm on chest radiographs for 4 years, underwent plication by thoracoscopy with knifeless endostaplers. Improvements in pulmonary functions and dyspnea on exertion have been maintained for 14 months.

Autoimmune hepatitis in a patient with myasthenia gravis and thymoma--a report on the first case in Korea

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease that results from an antibody-mediated reaction and occurs with thymoma in 15% of patients. It is very rarely associated with autoimmune hepatitis. Four cases of myasthenia gravis with autoimmune hepatitis have been reported in the world. We recently experienced a case of 30-year-old man with myasthenia gravis associated with thymoma and autoimmune hepatitis. This condition is the first case that has not been reported previously in Korea. We report this rare condition along with a brief review of the literature.

NF-kappaB activation is related to the resistance of lung cancer cells to TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis

In diverse cell types, NF-kappaB transcription factors have been shown to have a role in regulating the apoptotic program, either as essential for the induction of apoptosis or, perhaps more commonly, as blockers of apoptosis. We investigated the role of NF-kappaB activation in the TNF-alpha-mediated apoptosis in lung cancer cells. TNF-alpha-resistant NCI-H157 cells became sensitized to TNF-alpha by prior treatment with cycloheximide, suggesting the presence of newly synthesized antiapoptotic protein(s). We next evaluated whether the transcription of antiapoptotic protein(s) depends on the activation of NF-kappaB. NF-kappaB activation was blocked by either adenovirus-mediated overexpression of IkappaBalpha superrepressor or pretreatment with proteasome inhibitor, MG132. Both methods of blocking NF-kappaB activation enhanced TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis in NCI-H157 cells. These results suggest that NF-kappaB activation confers resistance to TNF-alpha-mediated apoptosis in lung cancer cells.

In vitro infection of Cryptosporidium parvum to four different cell lines

To determine a suitable condition for in vitro infection model of Cryptosporidium parvum, four different cell lines, AGS, MDCK, HCT-8 and Caco-2, were used as host cell lines which were cultured at various concentrations of added supplements. These supplement include fetal bovine serum (FBS), sodium choleate, ascorbic acid, folic acid, calcium pantothenate, para-aminobenzoic acid and pyruvate and their effects on the cell lines which were infected with C. parvum were evaluated. The results of this study showed that the AGS cell line was most susceptible to C. parvum whereas the Caco-2 cells appeared to be least susceptible to C. parvum. In regards to the serum condition, 10% FBS was suitable for the growth of AGS and HCT-8 cells, and 1% FBS was good for the growth of the MDCK cells when they were inoculated with C. parvum. Vitamins had a positive effect on the AGS cells, and pyruvate also showed positive effects on all of the cell lines except for Caco-2. Modified medium for each cell line was prepared by adding appropriate amounts of each supplement which resulted in the highest parasite infection number. Modified media increased the number of parasites infected on AGS cells to 2.3-fold higher when compared to the control media. In this study, we found that the AGS cell line was a suitable host model for evaluating C. parvum in vitro study and the media contents for the optimal infection conditions were suggested.

Islet cell hyperplasia of the pancreas presenting as hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia in an adult

A 72-year-old man who had suffered several episodes of syncope was diagnosed as having hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia. Although imaging studies and percutaneous transhepatic portal venous sampling did not reveal the existence of any tumors in the pancreas, distal pancreatectomy was performed because the possibility of a small pancreatic endocrine tumor could not be completely rejected. External examination of the surgically removed pancreas did not reveal any tumors. Microscopically, the pancreas exhibited diffuse islet cell hyperplasia without nesidioblastosis. The patient remains euglycemic and has tolerated 24-hour fasting without any medication for a period of 10 months after the operation.

Molecular characterization of a dimeric intracellular maltogenic amylase of Bacillus subtilis SUH4-2

An additional amylase besides the typical alpha-amylase was detected in the cytoplasm of Bacillus subtilis SUH4-2, an isolate from Korean soil. The corresponding gene encoded a maltogenic amylase, which hydrolyzed cyclodextrin or starch to maltose and glucose; pullulan to panose; acarbose to glucose and acarviosine-glucose. Maltogenic amylase of B. subtilis SUH4-2 transferred sugar molecules to form various branched oligosaccharides upon the hydrolysis of substrates. The enzyme existed in a monomer-dimer equilibrium with a molar ratio of 3:2 in 50 mM KH(2)PO(4)-NaOH buffer (pH 7.0). The maltogenic amylase is most likely to be associated with carbohydrate metabolism in the cytoplasm, since the nucleotide sequence of the gene was highly homologous to the yvdF gene of B. subtilis 168, which is located in a gene cluster involved in maltose/maltodextrin utilization.

Anti-inflammatory effect of heat shock protein induction is related to stabilization of I kappa B alpha through preventing I kappa B kinase activation in respiratory epithelial cells

Heat shock protein (HSP) induction confers protection against diverse forms of cellular and tissue injury. However, the mechanism by which HSP exerts cytoprotective effects is unclear. Because HSP induction inhibits genetic expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, the transcription of which is dependent on NF-kappa B activation, we explored the relationship between the anti-inflammatory effect of HSP induction and the NF-kappa B/I kappa B alpha pathway. Both HS and sodium arsenite treatment increased HSP70 expression time dependently at mRNA and protein levels. Prior induction of HSP suppressed cytokine-induced IL-8 and TNF-alpha expression at both mRNA and protein levels. Although HSP induction did not affect total cellular expression of NF-kappa B, TNF-alpha-induced increase in NF-kappa B-DNA binding activity and nuclear translocation of the p65 subunit of NF-kappa B were inhibited by prior HSP induction, suggesting that activation of NF-kappa B was blocked. Cytokine-induced I kappa B alpha phosphorylation and its degradation were blocked in HSP-induced cells. Immune complex kinase assays demonstrated that TNF-alpha induced increase in I kappa B kinase activity was suppressed by prior HSP induction. These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory effect of HSP induction in respiratory epithelial cells is related to stabilization of I kappa B alpha, possibly through the prevention of I kappa B kinase activation, which thereby inhibits activation of NF-kappa B.

General pharmacology of the new antiviral agent SK 1899

The general pharmacological properties of 2-amino-9-(3-acetoxymethyl-4-isopropoxycarbonyloxybut-1-yl)purine (CAS 247081-81-8, SK 1899), a new potential antiviral agent, were investigated in mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, and dogs. The oral administration of 50, 150, and 500 mg/kg of SK 1899 had no effects on the central nervous system except that it slightly increased the spontaneous locomotor activity in mice at a dose of 500 mg/kg. SK 1899 did not disturb either the spontaneous motility or contractor-induced contraction of the isolated organs such as guinea pig ileum, rat uterus, guinea pig vas deferens, and guinea pig trachea at concentrations up to 10(-4) mol/l. It slightly increased the contractile force in the isolated guinea pig atrium at a concentration of 10(-4) mol/l. Following intravenous infusion of 5, 15, and 50 mg/kg of SK 1899 to anesthetized dogs, it did not change the mean arterial pressure, heart rate, left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), and respiratory rate, while it slightly increased the left ventricular positive dP/dtmax (LV + dP/dtmax) at a dose of 50 mg/kg. SK 1899 did not induce any significant changes in the intestinal charcoal meal transit in mice, basal gastric juice secretion in rats, and renal function in rats. It did not affect the blood coagulation system and phenolsulfonphthalein secretion in rats. These findings suggest that SK 1899 has a very low potential to induce any adverse pharmacological effects at the doses showing antiviral activity.

Relative sparing of calretinin containing neurons in the substantia nigra of 6-OHDA treated rat parkinsonian model

A certain calcium binding protein (CaBP) has been known to exert a neuroprotective effect in various neurodegenerative diseases. Using the 6-OHDA induced rat Parkinsonian model, we examined if calretinin (CR), one of CaBP family, could play the similar role in the Parkinson's disease because CR is profusely localized in dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNPC) of the rat. Employing immunohistochemical analyses, we found that the survival rate of CR neurons was significantly higher than that of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) neurons in the SNPC of the Parkinsonian rat. Furthermore double-labeled fluorescent microscopy revealed that almost all surviving TH neurons were also positive to CR. Our data suggest that CR-positive neurons are less vulnerable to 6-OHDA and CR in the dopaminergic neurons may have a protective function for survival of these neurons in the experimentally induced Parkinsonian rat.

Genetic susceptibility to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Koreans: combined analysis of polymorphic genotypes for microsomal epoxide hydrolase and glutathione S-transferase M1 and T1

BACKGROUND

Although smoking is the major causal factor in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), only 10-20% of chronic heavy cigarette smokers develop symptomatic COPD which suggests the presence of genetic susceptibility. This genetic susceptibility to COPD might depend on variations in enzyme activities that detoxify cigarette smoke products such as microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEPHX) and glutathione-S transferase (GST). As there is increasing evidence that several genes influence the development of COPD, multiple gene polymorphisms should be investigated to find out the genetic susceptibility to COPD.

METHODS

The genotypes of 83 patients with COPD and 76 healthy smoking control subjects were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) for the mEPHX gene, and multiplex PCR for GST M1 and GST T1 genes. The frequencies of polymorphic genotypes of mEPHX, GST M1, and GST T1 genes were compared both individually and in combination in patients with COPD and healthy smokers.

RESULTS

No differences were observed in the frequency of polymorphic genotypes in exons 3 and 4 of mEPHX, GST M1, and GST T1 genes between patients with COPD and healthy smokers. The frequencies of any combination of these genotypes also showed no differences between the COPD group and the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Genetic polymorphisms in mEPHX, GST M1, and GST T1 genes are not associated with the development of COPD in Koreans.

A study of the correlation between organic matrices and nanocomposite materials in oyster shell formation

Calcium carbonate minerals are an integral part of many organisms. These biogenic minerals are all of original size, shape and high strength, and they are quite different from those found in their abiotic precipitates. It has been accepted that the formation, morphological development and crystallography of the biocomposites are controlled by the intrinsic molecular recognition of macromolecules. In this study, with the analyses of X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy of the texture of biogenic minerals in oyster shells, we noted that the intracrystalline proteins deliberately reduce the coherence lengths of biogenic crystals compared to synthetic ones, leading to more isotropy. In order to understand the exact nature of the controlled nucleation and growth, we investigated the changes in protein conformation in vivo from the mineral-specific layers using Fourier self-deconvolution and Gaussian curve-fitting techniques. And via in vitro assays, we studied the relation of such changes to biomineral phase and morphology. We showed that the shell proteins in vivo are in the higher structural ordered state, and beta-antiparallel structure was predominant in each shell layer. Also, as the shell undergoes a change of calcium carbonate polymorphs from aragonite to calcite, significant alterations of the protein conformation with the denaturing of alpha-helix and beta-structure in the aragonitic layer is induced. These results provide a relationship between the effects of conformational changes on the nanostructure of biocomposites and the necessity of new synthetic strategies.

Antisense oligodeoxynucleotide of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in human cervical carcinoma cell lines

Tumor cells characteristically exhibit an increased rate of glycolysis. A higher level of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) mRNA was found in human uterine cervical cancers. This study was designed using GAPDH antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) phosphorothioate (PS) to evaluate how alterations of GAPDH expression in human cervical carcinoma could influence growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis. Northern blot analyses revealed that the levels of GAPDH gene expression were strongly elevated in three cervical carcinoma cell lines (HeLa, CUMC-3, and CUMC-6) compared with normal cervical tissue. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed that expression of the GAPDH gene was inhibited by 10 microM of GAPDH antisense ODN in all three cell lines. Western blot analysis showed that the levels of GAPDH protein were decreased or absent after GAPDH antisense ODN treatment for 12 days in cultured cervical carcinoma cell lines. Cervical carcinoma cell lines exposed to GAPDH antisense ODN showed reduced cellular proliferation, which was accompanied by reduced colony-forming efficiency. This effect of GAPDH antisense ODN on cultured carcinoma cells was associated with the apoptotic process, including increased DNA fragmentation. These results suggest that future gene therapy using antisense ODN directed against cervical cancer-specific GAPDH mRNA might be another therapeutic tool against human uterine cervical carcinomas.

Bronchoscopic findings of endobronchial vascular lesions in patients with haemoptysis

Cases of endobronchial vascular lesions observed with bronchoscope are presented. These lesions tend to be diagnosed erroneously as true endobronchial tumours so that biopsies are tried frequently. Consequently, a catastrophic accident of massive bleeding can complicate the condition if endobronchial vascular lesions are injured during bronchoscopic biopsy or brushing. We present three types of endobronchial vascular lesion: tubular bulging type, mass-like type and haemangioma type. Because bronchoscopic findings of submucosal tubular structure and visible pulsation are highly suggestive of endobronchial vascular lesion, there must be extreme caution to prevent fatal bleeding.

Effects of BCG, lymphotoxin and bee venom on insulitis and development of IDDM in non-obese diabetic mice

To investigate whether BCG, lymphtoxin (LT) or bee venom (BV) can prevent insulitis and development of diabetes in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, we measured the degree of insulitis and incidence of diabetes in 24 ICR and 96 female NOD mice. NOD mice were randomly assigned to control, BCG-, LT-, and BV-treated groups. The BCG was given once at 6 weeks of age, and LT was given in 3 weekly doses from the age of 4 to 10 weeks. The BV was injected in 2 weekly doses from the age of 4 to 10 weeks. Diabetes started in control group at 18 weeks of age, in BCG group at 24 weeks of age, and in LT- or BV-treated group at 23 weeks of age. Cumulative incidences of diabetes at 25 weeks of age in control, BCG-, LT-, and BV-treated NOD mice are 58, 17, 25, and 21%, respectively. Incidence and severity of insulitis were reduced by BCG, LT and BV treatment. In conclusion, these results suggest that BCG, LT or BV treatment in NOD mice at early age inhibit insulitis, onset and cumulative incidence of diabetes.

Homotypic and heterotypic antibody responses to a 56-kilodalton protein of Orientia tsutsugamushi

We analyzed homotypic and heterotypic antibody responses to a type-specific antigen (Tsa), a 56-kDa protein of Orientia tsutsugamushi, by using sera from mice immunized with strains Gilliam, Karp, Kato, and Boryong. We generated a series of deletion constructs of the tsa gene and expressed them as MalE fusion proteins. Variable domain I (VD I) showed strong responses to homotypic antibodies. Antigenic domain II (AD II) from Boryong and Karp showed cross-reactivities to each other. VD III showed no responses to any of the antibodies. Sera from Kato-immunized mice showed only homotypic responses to AD III. On the other hand, sera of the mice immunized with Gilliam, Karp, or Boryong showed homotypic as well as heterotypic responses to this region. VD IV showed the strongest heterotypic antibody responses among the fragments tested. These data suggest that VD I is important in homotypic antibody responses and that AD II, AD III, and VD IV are important in heterotypic antibody responses of the mice to Tsa.

Mutational alteration of the p16CDKN2a tumor suppressor gene is infrequent in Ewing's sarcoma

Mutational alteration of the p16CDKN2a tumor suppressor gene has been frequently observed in a variety of human cell lines and tumor tissues. To assess whether alterations of the p16CDKN2a gene play an important role in the pathogenesis of Ewing's sarcoma, we examined the allelic deletion and point mutation of the gene in 27 primary tumors. In quantitative DNA/PCR analysis for three individual exons of the gene, none of the 27 specimens showed detectable reduction in the amplification levels compared to those of normal lymphocytes. To explore the presence of any subtle sequence changes within the protein coding region, we performed a comprehensive screening of sequence alteration in the three exons using DNA/PCR-SSCP analysis. However, no abnormal shift of SSCP bands indicative of sequence change was identified. In addition, no elevation of p16CDKN2a mRNA expression was observed in the RD-ES cell line following 5'-Aza-cytidine treatment, indicating that the promoter of the gene is not abnormally methylated in this cell line. Immunohistochemical study of the same tissue specimens for p16CDKN2a and pRB also revealed grade 2+ or 3+ nuclear staining of both proteins in most of the specimens we examined. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that the mutational inactivation of the p16CDKN2a gene might be a rare event, and thus not play a critical role in the pathogenesis of Ewing's sarcoma.

Secondary cardiac tumor in children

We describe our clinical experience of eight cases of secondary cardiac tumor. The pathology of the tumors were lymphoma (three), Wilms' tumor (two), malignant teratoma (one), neuroblastoma (one), and pleuropulmonary blastoma (one). Metastatic sites were the right atrium in Wilms' tumor and neuroblastoma, the left atrium in pleuropulmonary blastoma and malignant teratoma, and multiple sites in lymphoma. Primary masses in the mediastinum extended directly to the heart (three lymphoma, malignant teratoma, pleuropulmonary blastoma). Wilms' tumor and neuroblastoma showed cardiac metastases through the inferior vena cava. Many cases revealed vague abnormal cardiovascular findings (symptoms in six; physical signs in five). In five cases surgery was performed to relieve the possible obstruction to flow and to identify the pathology (lymphoma in three, Wilms' tumor in one, and malignant teratoma in one). Chemotherapy prior to operation resulted in the disappearance of the intracardiac masses in each case of Wilms' tumor and pleuropulmonary blastoma. All three patients with lymphoma died immediately after operation. Four died of multiple metastases or Pneumocystis pneumonia several months after operation. This study indicates that suspicion of a secondary cardiac tumor is crucial to early diagnosis. Because of the poor postoperative outcome, surgery for secondary cardiac tumors should be done cautiously only in cases with definite hemodynamic decompensation.

Primary alveolar soft part sarcoma of bone

AIMS

Alveolar soft part sarcoma is a distinct, rare soft tissue tumour occurring primarily within the skeletal muscles or musculofascial planes in young adults. Primary involvement of bone is extremely rare. We report on six patients with alveolar soft part sarcoma occurring primarily in bone.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Thorough clinical and radiographic examinations were done to rule out any other primary site. The patients were four women and two men aged 17-35 years (mean, 24.5 years). The primary site of the tumour was the femur in three patients, the ilium in one and the fibula in two. In one of the patients with fibular involvement, the tibia was also involved by direct extension. Of the long bone lesions, three were centred in the metaphysis and one in the diaphysis. Radiographically, all of the lesions demonstrated an osteolytic pattern of bone destruction with ill-defined margins and a wide zone of transition between the lesion and adjacent normal bone. Microscopically, all tumours showed the typical histological pattern of alveolar soft part sarcoma. Diastase-resistant, periodic acid-Schiff-positive crystalline structures were identified within the cytoplasm and confirmed ultrastructurally. Immunohistochemically, a keratin stain was negative in all cases; there was positive staining for MyoD1 in the cytoplasm but not the nuclei. Distant metastasis developed in four patients; one died.

CONCLUSION

Alveolar soft part sarcoma arising in bone is extraordinarily rare but should be considered in the differential diagnosis of metastatic hypernephroma in a young patient.

Surgical removal of visceral fat decreases plasma free fatty acid and increases insulin sensitivity on liver and peripheral tissue in monosodium glutamate (MSG)-obese rats

In order to evaluate the role of visceral and subcutaneous fat tissue in insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism, we measured the fasting levels of plasma free fatty acid (FFA) and insulin, glucose disappearance rate (Rd), and hepatic glucose production rate (HGP) after surgical removal of visceral (VF) or subcutaneous (SF) fat tissue in monosodium glutamate-obese (MSG-Ob) rats. Monosodium glutamate obesity was induced in rats by neonatal injection of MSG. Surgery to remove fat was done at 15 weeks of age. The experiments were done four weeks after the surgery. MSG-Ob rats showed increased levels of FFA, insulin, and HGP and decreased Rd compared to normal rats. In the VF group, the FFA level and HGP were decreased to normal values, Rd was partially normalized, but the level of insulin did not change significantly compared to MSG-Ob. In the SF group, FFA and Rd were partially normalized, but HGP was not suppressed significantly compared to MSG-Ob. These results suggest that visceral fat affects the insulin sensitivity of liver and FFA concentration more than subcutaneous fat; however, no significant difference was shown on whole body insulin sensitivity and fasting insulin concentration.

A case with intrahepatic double cancer: hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma associated with multiple von Meyenburg complexes

Combined hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CC) is sometimes found in resected livers, however, cases with double cancer of HCC and CC are very rare. As well, the rarity of CC arising in von Meyenburg complexes (VMCs) is appreciated. We report the case of a 74-year-old man found to have intrahepatic double cancer composed of well-differentiated HCC and CC which exhibited a histologic progression from VMCs to adenomatous lesions and CC. To our knowledge, this is the first case report published in the literature of a double HCC and CC associated with multiple VMCs. The pathogenesis and previous associated reports of these lesions are discussed.

Neurilemmoma of the mandible

Intraosseous neurilemmoma is rare, representing less than 1% of benign primary bone tumors. The site most commonly involved is the mandible. We report on a neurilemmoma of the mandible in a 30-year-old woman. A panoramic radiograph of the mandible showed a well-defined unilocular osteolytic lesion with a thin uniform sclerotic margin located in the body of the mandible. The CT scan confirmed a well-defined osteolytic lesion with thinning of the cortex of the body of the left side of the mandible. Histologically, the lesion was a moderately cellular neoplasm with distinct palisading and numerous Verocay bodies. Ultrastructurally, the cytoplasmic membranes were distinct and coated by amorphous bands of basal lamina. Complete excision was achieved by removing the tumor from the inferior alveolar nerve.

Synthesis and evaluation of 2-amino-9-(3-acyloxymethyl-4-alkoxycarbonyloxybut-1-yl)purines and 2-amino-9-(3-alkoxycarbonyloxymethyl-4-alkoxycarbonyloxybut-1- yl)purines as potential prodrugs of penciclovir

A series of 2-amino-9-(3-acyloxymethyl-4-alkoxycarbonyloxybut-1-yl)purin es (1-8) and 2-amino-9-(3-alkoxycarbonyl-oxymethyl-4-alkoxycarbonyloxybut -1-yl)purines (9-12) were synthesized as potential prodrugs of penciclovir. Treatment of 6-deoxypenciclovir with trimethyl orthoacetate or triethyl orthopropionate (1.2 equiv) in DMF in the presence of p-TsOH.H2O (0.1 equiv) followed by quenching with excess H2O gave the corresponding mono-O-acetyl or mono-O-propionyl compound, 17 or 18, in excellent yields of 95 and 92%, respectively. Reactions of 17 or 18 with an appropriate alkyl (Me, Et, n-Pr, and i-Pr) 4-nitrophenyl carbonate (1.2 equiv) in pyridine in the presence of a catalytic amount of DMAP (0.1 equiv) at 80 degrees C afforded the monoacyl, monocarbonate derivatives of 6-deoxypenciclovir, 1-8, in 86 94% yields. Similar reactions of 6-deoxypenciclovir with 2.1 equiv of alkyl 4-nitrophenyl carbonate produced the dicarbonate derivatives 9 12 in 81-83% yields. Of the prodrugs tested in rats, 2-amino-9-(3-acetoxymethyl-4-isopropoxycarbonyloxybut-1-yl)purine (4) achieved the highest mean urinary recovery of penciclovir (36%), followed in order by compounds 2 (35%), 6 (35%), 7 (34%), 10 (34%), 8 (32%), 3 (32%), and famciclovir (31%). The mean urinary recovery of penciclovir and concentrations of penciclovir in the blood from 4 in mice were also slightly higher than those from famciclovir. The in vivo antiviral efficacy of 4 in HSV-1-infected normal BALB/c mice was higher than those of famciclovir and valaciclovir in terms of mortality (100, 80, and 40%) and mean survival time ( > 21, 13+/-5.0 (SEM), and 13+/-1.6 days). Compound 4 demonstrated an effective anti-hepadnaviral response with intrahepatic viral load being reduced by 90%, the viral supercoiled DNA levels reduced by 70% and Pre-S expression inhibited by 30% against duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) in vivo, and did not cause any significant hepatotoxicity after 4 weeks of treatment.

Adenosquamous carcinoma of the prostate

An unusual adenosquamous carcinoma originating in the prostate of a 73-year-old man is described. The histological finding showed a well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma admixed in an adenocarcinomatous area. A transitional area of 2 carcinomatous elements was also noted. Seven months prior to the development of this lesion, a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma had been established by transurethral resection of the prostate and the patient had been treated with bilateral orchiectomy. This is the first case of adenosquamous carcinoma of the prostate reported in Korea. The pathogenesis and previous reports of this lesion will be discussed.

Pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis in Korea

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare disease occurring in women of reproductive age and leading to progressive respiratory failure in spite of treatment. In Korea the first case was reported in 1984 and by 1997 a total of 23 cases had been reported. The clinical findings of these Korean cases are reviewed.

METHODS

The details of 10 cases of LAM on file at Seoul National University Hospital were reviewed together with those of 13 cases previously reported from other Korean institutes. Two, including the only one to be reported in a man, were excluded after reviewing the clinical, radiological, and pathological findings, leaving a total of 21 cases in the present study.

RESULTS

All 21 patients were women and in all cases the disease was proven pathologically. The mean (SD) age at onset of symptoms was 32 (8.6) years. The most common symptoms were dyspnoea and pneumothorax which were seen in 19 (90%) and 13 (76%) patients, respectively. Pulmonary function tests showed decreased transfer factor (TLCO) (100%) and airflow limitation (67%). All the cases had characteristic cysts on high resolution computed tomographic (HRCT) scanning. The overall severity score based on HRCT scans correlated with the percentage predicted TLCO/VA (p = 0.03) and FEV1/FVC (p = 0.02). The patients were all treated with medroxyprogesterone and/or tamoxifen. Follow up was possible in 10 cases. Two of these patients appeared to stabilise with no appreciable change clinically or in lung function on medroxyprogesterone and/or tamoxifen, but the remaining patients all deteriorated with two dying of respiratory insufficiency and one of infection following lung transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS

As in other countries, in Korea LAM occurs exclusively in women and progresses despite hormonal treatment.

Septic arthritis versus transient synovitis at MR imaging: preliminary assessment with signal intensity alterations in bone marrow

PURPOSE

To find any differential magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings between septic arthritis and transient synovitis in pediatric patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The MR imaging findings in nine pediatric patients with septic arthritis and 14 with transient synovitis were retrospectively studied. The diagnoses were made by means of joint aspiration with bacteriologic study, arthrotomy, and clinical evaluation. MR imaging findings were analyzed with emphasis on the grade of joint effusion and alterations in signal intensity in the soft tissue and bone marrow of the affected hip joint.

RESULTS

Signal intensity alterations in bone marrow (i.e., low signal intensity on fat-suppressed gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted spin-echo images and high signal intensity on fat-suppressed T2-weighted fast spin-echo images) were seen in eight of nine patients with septic arthritis. These signal intensity alterations consisted of mild juxtaarticular changes in six patients without osteomyelitis and extensive changes in the femoral head and neck in two patients with coexistent osteomyelitis. Signal intensity alterations in bone marrow were not seen in the 14 patients with transient synovitis.

CONCLUSION

Signal intensity alterations in the bone marrow of the affected hip joint are useful in the differentiation of septic arthritis from transient synovitis.

The clinical characteristics of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis: experience at Seoul National University Hospital, and review of the literature

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is such an extremely rare disease in Korea, that only a few cases have been reported. Meanwhile five cases were experienced at Seoul National University Hospital over ten years since 1987. We summarized the clinical characteristics and courses of them. Seven cases reported in the literature were included to add data about clinical characteristics and courses although only a few case reports mentioned patient's course. Middle aged male patients were mainly affected. No association with particular environmental or occupational exposure was identified. Dyspnea on exertion was the main symptom. Bilateral crackles were consistent, and bilateral parahilar hazy infiltrations on plain chest radiograph and ground glass opacity on high-resolution CT were characteristic. Superimposed infection was not identified in any patient at the time of diagnosis. Decreased diffusing capacity and hypoxia were present in almost every case. Whole lung lavage proved to be an effective therapeutic measure. The response to treatment was good. Long-term course of the disease, e.g. recurrence rate, is not yet known.

Pulmonary actinomycosis in Korea

Pulmonary actinomycosis is a chronic pulmonary infection caused by Actinomyces, a Gram-positive, microaerophilic bacterium. Pulmonary involvement, other than cervicofacially or abdominopelvically, is uncommon and often leads to a misdiagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis or lung cancer. In order to investigate the clinical, radiological, diagnostic and therapeutic characteristics of pulmonary actinomycosis, we reviewed a total of 25 cases reported in Korea. Thirteen were diagnosed at our hospital between 1985 and 1997 and 12 were reported in Korean publications. The condition occurred most frequently in middle-aged males, the most common symptom being haemoptysis, followed by cough and sputum. The main radiological features were peripherally located mass or nodule and consolidation, with central low attenuation. Complications such as empyema, sinus fistula or mediastinitis did not occur. Diagnosis was confirmed by percutaneous needle aspiration (n = 8), bronchoscopic biopsy (n = 3) or thoracotomy (n = 13). Eleven of 25 cases were treated medically and in nine others, surgical resection was followed by treatment with antibiotics. In conclusion, when a middle-aged male patient presents with haemoptysis and cough, together with radiologic findings of a peripheral mass or nodule with/without central low attenuation, pulmonary actinomycosis should be suspected.

The coexistence of calcitonin gene-related peptide and substance P in pericellular arborization and satellite cell of goat trigeminal and nodose ganglia

Pericellular arborization is reported to be the self-regulating structure in sensory ganglia. Although the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) or substance P (SP) immunoreactive pericellular arborization appeared in the sensory ganglia, there was no available information that CGRP and SP colocalize in this structure. As the attempts to resolve the question described above, the present study was undertaken to identify the coexistence of CGRP and SP in pericellular arborizations of the goat nodose and trigeminal ganglia by double immunohistochemistry. As the results show, CGRP immunoreactivity was present in every pericellular arborization containing SP immunoreactivity in trigeminal ganglia, however, pericellular network containing CGRP or SP immunoreactivity was not present in nodose ganglia. Unexpectedly, a few small satellite elements were observed to contain intense CGRP and SP immunoreactivity at the periphery of CGRP and SP immunoreactive neurones in nodose ganglia. Therefore, these results suggest that CGRP and SP coexist in pericellular arborizations, and that satellite cell as well as pericellular arborization may be involved in intraganglionic regulation of goat sensory ganglia.

Are substance P neurons of the paraventricular nucleus related to the osmotic regulation in the Mongolian gerbil?

In recent years, the gerbil has been used as an experimental animal for study osmotic regulation, because of its inherent high degree of water re-uptake in kidney. Many evidences to explain this characteristic accumulated on the kidney level, it do not, however, manifest what concerns on hypothalmo-hypophyseal level. In this study, we have focused on the difference between the colchicine treated gerbil and rat in distributions of substance P (SP), which is known to have antidiuretic property. Unlike rat, in which a few SP+ neuron is present, SP+ neurons were abundantly observed in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the gerbil. Furthermore SP+ cells in PVN were manifested in dehydrated gerbils, in spite of non-colchicine treatment. Therefore, we suggest that the abundant SP+ neurons in PVN may be a clue to address the neuroendocrinal mechanism concerning the high degree of osmotic regulation in this animal.

Synthesis and evaluation of amino acid esters of 6-deoxypenciclovir as potential prodrugs of penciclovir

The amino acid ester derivatives of 6-deoxypenciclovir, 11-20, were synthesized as potential prodrugs of penciclovir, and were evaluated for their oral penciclovir bioavailability in mice and rats. Esterification of 6-deoxypenciclovir with N-carbobenzyl-oxyglycine, -L-alanine, -L-valine, -L-leucine, or -L-isoleucine (3.75equiv.) using conventional coupling method (DCC/DMAP) afforded the mono-O-ester derivatives 1-5 in 47-55% yields as a mixture of two diastereomers along with the di-O-ester derivatives 6-10 in 20-29% yields. Reductive cleavage of carbobenzyloxy (Cbz) group (10% Pd/C, 1 atmosphere of H2, room temperature in methanol) followed by subsequent treatment of the resulting free amine with methanolic HCI solution provided the mono-O-ester derivatives 11-15 as di-HCl salt in 51-98% yields and the di-O-ester derivatives 16-20 as tri-HCl salt in 65 98% yields. Of the prodrugs tested in mice and rats, 6-deoxypenciclovir O-L-valinate (13), O-L-isoleucinate (15), and O,O-di-glycinate (16) showed significantly higher urinary recovery of penciclovir compared with that of penciclovir, but those are somewhat lower than that of famciclovir.

Atypical pulmonary artery sling with diffuse-type pulmonary arteriovenous fistula

The case of a cyanotic infant with a rare combination of atypical pulmonary artery sling, imperforate anus, absence of the left kidney, interruption of the inferior vena cava, left side hemihypertrophy and diffuse-type pulmonary arteriovenous fistula is described. The clinical features were confusing, because of compounding abnormalities involving the respiratory tract and pulmonary circulation. The diagnostic approach to the etiology of cyanosis is discussed and the embryonic origin of pulmonary artery sling is reviewed.

Association of HLA class I antigens with diffuse panbronchiolitis in Korean patients

Diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease of unknown etiology. Observations of significantly increased frequency of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B54 in Japanese patients and occurrence of familial cases suggest possible genetic predisposition to the disease susceptibility. To evaluate the possible association of HLA with the disease in Koreans, we have analyzed 30 patients for HLA class I (A, B, C) and class II (DR) antigens by the serologic and DNA typing methods, respectively. The most significant change in the patients compared to the control subjects was increased frequency of HLA-A11 (53.3% versus 17.5%, corrected p [pc] = 1.2 x 10(-)4, odds ratio [OR] = 5.4). In addition, B55 showed significant positive association (16.7% versus 3.5%, pc = 0.05, OR = 5.5), and B62 and Cw4 showed rather weak association with the disease. Certain A11-associated haplotypes showed much stronger positive association with the disease, compared to A11 antigen itself. Observations of a strong association of HLA-A11 in Koreans and B54 in Japanese with DPB suggest that the candidate gene(s) responsible for the disease susceptibility is located within the HLA class I region, most probably between HLA-A and HLA-B loci.

The effects of transferring tumor suppressor gene p16INK4A to p16INK4A-deleted cancer cells

OBJECTIVES

p16 is known to be an important tumor suppressor gene and is also called MTS1 (multiple tumor suppressive gene 1). Especially in the case of non-small cell lung cancer, it was not expressed in more than 70% of cell lines examined. To determine changes in cell-cycle related proteins and the tumorigenic effect, we, therefore, transfected p16INK4A gene into lung cancer cell lines.

METHODS

We transfected p16INK4A gene into lung cancer cell lines which do not express p16 protein. We evaluated the effect by clonogenic assay and observed the changes of cell-cycle related proteins.

RESULTS

The newly-expressed p16 formed a complex with cdk4, and phosphorylated pRB was decreased, although cyclin D1 and pRB:cyclin D1 complex were unchanged. Clonogenic assay after selection with G418 showed that, in the cell lines transfected with p16, tumorigenicity was significantly less than in the control.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that the p16INK4A gene can be a candidate for gene therapy in cases of NSCLC in which p16INK4A gene is inactivated.

Expression of osteopontin and osteonectin in breast cancer

Osteopontin (OP) and osteonectin (ON) are bone matrix proteins produced by mammary and other cancers. These proteins may play a role in tumor invasion and metastasis through integrin-mediated signal transduction. We evaluated expressions of OP and ON in 253 resected infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the breast, using immunohistochemical staining and follow-up data. OP and ON were detected 87.4% and 54.2% of 253 cases, respectively. The OP and ON positive staining were localized in the cytoplasm of carcinoma cells. OP and ON did not correlate with various clinicopathological parameters, such as age, lymph node involvement, tumor size, histologic grade, expression of p53 and estrogen receptor (ER). In the multivariate model, lymph node involvement and histologic grade were statistically significant prognostic factors. Assessed by a log rank test, the 5-year-survival rates of OP and ON positive groups and their negative groups were not statistically different. In conclusion, OP and ON immunopositivity of infiltrating ductal carcinomas of the breast provide no additional prognostic information in this study.

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in a child with Kawasaki disease

A successful attempt at percutaneous transluminanl coronary angioplasty (PTCA) to relieve stenosis of the mid-portion of the left anterior descending artery was achieved in a 6-year 9-month old boy who had multiple coronary aneurysms and stenosis due to Kawasaki disease. Despite the progression of coronary stenosis he had been well except for the perfusion defect of the anterior wall of myocardium on 99mTc-MIBI SPECT with dipyridamole infusion until PTCA was carried out after 4-year 4-months of the onset of illness. The area of stenosis was 70% before PTCA and 20% after PTCA. No restenosis at the site of PTCA was observed on follow-up angiography at 26 months after PTCA. This successful attempt may indicate that this procedure should be considered early in subclinical stenosis to prevent ischemic cardiac damage.

Infection rate of Leptospira interrogans in the field rodent, Apodemus agrarius, in Korea

Leptospirosis has significantly decreased in Korea since 1988, following the leptospiral vaccination programme initiated in 1988. Whether this wholly explains the decreased incidence is uncertain. As an initial step to answer this question, infection rates of Leptospira interrogans in field rodents, Apodemis agrarius, were examined and compared with previous data. Two hundred and twenty-two A. agrarius were captured during October-December 1996. Spirochaetes were isolated from 22 (9.9%) and leptospiral DNA was detected in an additional 6 rodents (12.6%). Subsequent microscopic agglutination tests (MAT) classified all these isolates as L. interrogans serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae serovar lai. The above data did not significantly differ from previous surveys in 1984-7. There was no significant change of L. interrogans infection in field rodents following the introduction of the vaccination programme in Korea. Further studies are needed to determine the role of human vaccination in reducing incidence.