Trace element concentration and arsenic speciation in the well water of a Taiwan area with endemic blackfoot disease

Blackfoot disease is a peripheral vascular disease resulting in gangrene of the lower extremities. Although extensive epidemiological study has implicated high arsenic content in artesian well water in the endemic area, there is more to learn about the etiology of the disease. In this study, effort is paid on multielement determination and arsenic speciation in order to find out whether the trace element concentration pattern in well water in the Blackfoot disease endemic area is different from those of two control areas. Experimental results indicate that the concentrations of Fe, P, Na, and Ba in well water in the Blackfoot disease endemic area are found to be significantly higher than those of the controls, but they are still below the drinking water standard. The total arsenic in well water in the endemic area (671 +/- 149 ppb) is much higher than that of one normal control area of Hsin-Chu (< 0.7 ppb), but is a similar level as that of other control areas of I-Lan (653 +/- 71 ppb) where no Blackfoot disease has ever been found. It was also found that the insoluble arsenic in the endemic area (21.9 ppb) is much higher than that in two control areas (< or = 1.8 ppb), and the concentration ratio between As(III) and As(V) species in the endemic area (2.6) is much lower than that in one of the control areas, where the total arsenic is also high (14.7). The possible connection of Blackfoot disease with trace elements, arsenic species, and possibly other as yet undefined environmental factors in the artesian well water, is discussed.

Myocardial metabolism of 123I-BMIPP in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: assessment by radial long-axis SPET

To elucidate the metabolism of free fatty acid in the myocardium of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), SPET was performed with 123I-15-(p-iodophenyl)-3-R,S-methylpentadecanoic acid (BMIPP), an analogue of free fatty acid, and with 201Tl in nine patients with HCM and eight healthy volunteers who acted as controls. For quantitative analysis of the apical area, a radial long-axis tomogram was reconstructed every 6 degrees after short-axis tomography. The relative regional uptake (RRU, %) in each segment was obtained by normalizing to the maximal value among all segments. The 3-h washout rate was calculated both for BMIPP and for 201Tl. The ratio of the RRU of BMIPP to that of 201Tl was significantly lower in the apical and antero-septal regions compared with other walls (P < 0.01) in the patients with HCM, whereas uptake of both BMIPP and 201Tl in the controls was homogeneous and there was a significant correlation between them. The coefficient of variation (CV) in all segments in the HCM patients was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than that of the controls both BMIPP and 201Tl, indicating inhomogeneous uptake of BMIPP in the HCM patients. The washout rate of BMIPP over 3 h was significantly higher in the patients with HCM (mean +/- S.D. 26.3 +/- 7.3%) than the controls (18.3 +/- 7.5%, P < 0.05). The ratio of segmental washout rate of BMIPP to that of 201Tl in the HCM patients was increased, especially in the septum and apex.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A non-invasive method for evaluating cirrhotic portal hypertension by administration of 99mTc-MIBI per rectum

A study was performed to evaluate radio-isotopic imaging using technetium-99m hexakis 2-methoxyisobutyl isonitrile administered per rectum to assess portal collateral circulation. The heart-liver ratios (H/L; mean +/- standard deviation) in 15 controls, 13 cases of histologically confirmed viral hepatitis and 57 cirrhosis patients were 0.27 +/- 0.11, 0.43 +/- 0.14 and 1.00 +/- 0.28, respectively (P < 0.001). Among the cirrhosis patients those with the Child-Pugh classification A, B and C had H/L of 0.56 +/- 0.14, 1.00 +/- 0.20 and 1.19 +/- 0.26, respectively (P < 0.001). A high value of H/L was associated with a high risk of hepatic encephalopathy (1.25 +/- 0.17, P < 0.01) and oesophageal varices (1.02 +/- 0.20, P < 0.01). There were associations between H/L and serum bilirubin (P < 0.01), albumin (P < 0.05) and prothrombin time (P < 0.05). The results also showed a good correlation between H/L and portal vein pressure measured during operation in 13 patients (P < 0.001, r = 0.87). The regression equation: y = 6.77 + 32.5 H/L, allowed portal vein pressure to be estimated. The prognostic value of the test was supported by the fact that good correlations were observed between the H/L ratio and widely accepted prognostic classification (Child-Pugh). It is suggested that this new method could be a reliable non-invasive way to give an indication of the degree of portasystemic shunting to evaluate the prognosis and to follow up the effects of medications for reducing portal hypertension in patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension.

Retinoic acid represses the gene expression of topoisomerase II in HEP3B cells

All-trans-retinoic acid (RA) affects cell growth and regulates gene expression. We examined the expression of topoisomerase 11 gene in Hep3B cells treated with RA. At low RA concentration which did not significantly affect the growth rate of Hep3B cells, RA inhibited the synthesis of topoisomerase II mRNA as revealed by Northern analysis and nuclear run-on analysis. These results indicated that the repression of topoisomerase II gene expression could be directly induced by RA rather than was a secondary event which occurred after cell growth was inhibited by RA. An unexpected finding is that after up to 72 h continuous exposure to RA, the topoisomerase II protein concentration remained unchanged.

A single Ser-180 mutation desensitizes feedback inhibition of the phenylalanine-sensitive 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate 7-phosphate (DAHP) synthetase in Escherichia coli

The Escherichia coli phenylalanine-sensitive DAHP (3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate 7-phosphate) synthetase (aroG product) is one of the DAHP synthetase isozymes that catalyze the first committed step in the biosynthesis of aromatic amino acids and vitamins. Through target-directed mutagenesis of the cloned aroG on a plasmid vector, followed by screening of phenylalanine-resistant colonies, we isolated a clone (pG908) showing feedback-insensitive mutation of DAHP synthetase. The mutations were identified as a T-->A mutation at nucleotide 22, and a C-->T mutation at nucleotide 539, causing a Leu-8 to Ile-8 mutation and a Ser-180 to Phe-180 substitution, respectively. The resulting enzyme exhibited comparable enzymatic activity to the wild type, but the degree of feedback inhibition had declined from approximately 60% to less than 10% in the presence of 20 mM phenylalanine in the assay medium. Replacement of Ile-8 by Leu, and substitution of Phe-180 with Ser, Asn and Cys, using site-directed mutagenesis, demonstrated that Ser-180 is a critical residue in the feedback inhibition of AroG. The result suggests that the major role played by Ser-180 may not involve a simple charge-size effect in the Phe-binding site of the enzyme molecule, but rather may involve more complicated molecular interactions occurring in the feedback inhibition mechanisms.

[An epidemiological study on malaria infection in plasmapheresis donors]

Epidemiological studies showed incidence of malaria in 8391 plasmapheresis donors of five villages was 4.14%, higher than in those donating whole blood and non--donors. Case--control studies revealed plasmapheresis was a risk factor for malaria infection. Incubation period of plasmapheresis--associated malaria was 16.5 days. Investigation on the blood bank showed there existed cross infection in plasmapheresis. After the close of the blood bank, epidemic of malaria caused by cross infection in plasmapheresis was under control.

Responses of NOD congenic mice to a glutamic acid decarboxylase-derived peptide

Type 1 diabetes in man and the NOD (H-2g7) mouse is frequently associated with an autoimmune response to two isoforms of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), GAD65 and GAD67. GAD-specific autoantibodies produced by B cells and GAD-specific T cells have been observed in both species. In the current study, the response to a GAD65-derived peptide, GAD65 524-543, previously reported to be an epitope recognized by spleen cells obtained from 3-week-old NOD mice, was assessed in NOD MHC and non-MHC congenic strains. Although spontaneous reactivity to GAD65 524-543 was not observed in NOD mice, the peptide was immunogenic in NOD mice as well as in two NOD congenic strains which are both H-2g7, B10.H-2g7 and NOD.B6Il2-Tshb. This was surprising since the B10.H-2g7 strain does not develop diabetes or insulitis and fewer than 3% of NOD.B6Il2-Tshb mice develop diabetes. The response to GAD65 524-543 was shown to be controlled by the MHC since neither the B10 nor the NOD.H-2b strain, both of which are H-2b, responded to the peptide. This study demonstrates that T cell responsiveness to GAD-derived peptides can be elicited in strains of mice that are resistant to the development of spontaneous diabetes, suggesting that peripheral tolerance to GAD is not associated with protection from diabetes.

Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides to c-jun inhibits proliferation of transformed NIH 3T3 cells induced by E5a of HPV-11

E5a of HPV-11 is a transforming oncogene. Previously, we had shown that the E5a gene is required only for the initiation of transformation; c-jun might be involved in the maintenance of transformation. In this study, we exposed E5a transformed NIH 3T3 cells to antisense oligodeoxynucleotides complementary to the 24 nucleotides corresponding to the translation initiation site of the c-jun gene, and examined the effects of this treatment on cell proliferation. Results show that antisense c-jun oligodeoxynucleotides could repress c-jun production and inhibit cell proliferation in E5a transformed cells.

[Effects of furyl-dihydropyridine I on coronary collateral circulation in myocardial infarction of dogs]

Effects of furyl-dihydropyridine I (FDP-1) on collateral circulation were observed in ischemic myocardium of dogs. FDP-1 (200 micrograms.kg-1) of intracoronary injection increased collateral flow, reduced systemic artery resistance, and coronary systolic pressure in infarcted region and the area of infarction decreased from 28.9 +/- 1.3% to 15.3 +/- 1.2% (P < 0.01, n = 6). The results indicated that FDP-1 could improve coronary collateral circulation, increase collateral flow in ischemic region, decrease collateral flow in ischemic region, decrease myocardial oxygen demand, and protect myocardial ischemia.

Electron microscopic observation of bFGF immunoreactivity in the hippocampus

Light and electron microscopic observation showed two types of neuronal immunostaining for basic fibroblast growth factor in the hippocampal CA2 subfield, where the densest immunoreactive neurons were localized in the brain. One neuronal type showed intense nuclear (eu- and heterochromatin) immunostaining but weak cytoplasmic immunostaining (N-type), and the other showed intense cytoplasmic but no or only faint nuclear immunoreactivity (C-type). The N-type also showed weak immunoreactivity in the perinuclear rough endoplasmic reticulum and contained bFGF mRNA as observed by in situ hybridization histochemistry, showed that this type can produces the bFGF protein. The N-type localized exclusively in the CA2 subfield. The C-type showed strong immunoreactivity on the rER, free ribosomes, and Golgi apparatus, although no clear evidence for bFGF production was observed. The multivesicular bodies, a pathway of endocytosis in hippocampal neurons showed apparent immunoreactivity under EM observation of both of types neurons (Parton et al. J. Cell Biol. 119: 123-137, 1992) suggesting a receptor-mediated type of incorporation of the bFGF.

E5a gene of human papillomavirus type 11 is required for initiation but not for maintenance of transformation in NIH 3T3 cells

We have previously shown that the E5a gene of human papilloma virus type 11 (HPV-11/HPV-6c) is a transforming oncogene. In order to dissect the biological consequences of E5a gene expression we utilized the lac operator/repressor system to manipulate E5a gene expression. Cells were cotransfected with the lac repressor gene and the E5a gene that had been inserted downstream of a simian virus 40 (SV40) promoter containing the lac operator sequence. The expression of E5a gene could therefore be repressed by binding of lac repressor to the lac operator sequence in proximity to this SV40 regulatory region. The transfected cells were cultured in the presence of the inducer IPTG and under G418 selection. IPTG derepressed E5a gene expression by binding to the repressor and reducing its affinity for the lac operator sequence. In these studies, we found that E5a-transformed cells still maintained the transformed phenotype as judged by growth density, cell morphology and anchorage-independent growth when E5a gene expression was repressed. We also found that c-jun expression was induced 3 h after E5a expression was induced by IPTG and c-jun expression was not shut down after repression of E5a expression. This is the first demonstration that the E5a gene of HPV-11 initiates transformation of NIH 3T3 cells but is dispensable for maintenance of the transformed phenotype.

[Systematic concept and development model for the production base of Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Madino]

Based on the theories and methods of systematic engineering, the economic, ecological and social benefits of the whole set of regenerating techniques for Gynostemma pentaphyllum are evaluated comprehensively under the consideration of modern agroforestry and stereoscopic agriculture. As a result of the evaluation an optimal model of artificial complex ecosystem circulation for the agricultural-forestry-medicinal materials in the production base of Gynostemma pentaphyllum is selected.

[Agronomic standardization of Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino]

In this paper, the simulation models for 3 main agronomic measures, plants/mu, cuttage date and supplement of nitrogen that affect the yield and economic effect of Genostemma:pentaphyllum, are analyzed by the quadratic orthogonal rotative regression design. As a result of the analysis optimal agronomic combination models are suggested.

[Intercropping techniques for Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino]

By the grey correlational analysis and AHP method, the economic, ecological and social benefits of some combination models for intercropping Gynostemma pentaphyllum are evaluated. As a result of the evaluation optimal combination models and management measures are presented.

Effects of E5a and E7 genes of human papillomavirus type 11 on immortalized human epidermal keratinocytes and NIH 3T3 cells

The E5a gene of HPV-11 expressed in NIH 3T3 cells led to tumorigenesis in nude mice; whereas when expressed in keratinocytes, E5a induced anchorage independent growth, but was nontumorigenic in nude mice. The E7 gene of HPV-11 expressed NIH 3T3 cells led to tumors in nude mice and morphological transformation, but not anchorage independent growth. Keratinocytes expressing the E7 gene induced colony formation in soft agarose, but not tumorigenesis in nude mice. Comparison of transforming activities of HPV-11 E5a and E7 genes of HPV-11 showed that the efficiency of cell transformation by E7 was weaker than that of E5a.

Epitope mapping of human ETS1 monoclonal antibody

The epitope for E44 monoclonal antibody (mAb) was mapped using mutated ETS1 proteins lacking different carboxy-terminal regions and by the employment of synthetic oligopeptides spanning the epitope region. This epitope lies around Arg211 of the human ETS1 protein since substitution of Arg211 by Gln211 in the epitope region results in the loss of recognition of the mouse ETS1 protein by E44 mAb. Substitution of Leu214 by valine214 in the epitope region (as is found in the chicken ETS1 and viral Ets proteins) does not alter the capacity of the E44 mAb to recognize this antigen. Taken together, these results suggest that a specific ionic interaction is able to play a pivotal role in the recognition of the ETS1 protein by the E44 mAb.

Phenotypic characteristics of dengue 2 virus persistently infected in a C6/36 clone of Aedes albopictus cells

A C6/36 cell culture persistently infected by dengue 2 virus was established and retained for over 20 weeks. No CPE was observed at any stage of infection. However, some giant cells up to 2- or 3-fold the diameter of normal cells appeared in the established culture. Extracellular virus titers fluctuated with a periodic tendency while the antigen level remained constant, suggesting some viral particles evolved into noninfectious defective interfering particles. Plaque size tended to change during the passage of cultures. The passage 8 virus mainly produced plaques relatively smaller than those produced by the passage 1 virus. Nevertheless, the plaque sizes produced by the passages 18 virus were somewhat mosaic. A temperature-sensitive mutant was detected in the virus released from passages 8 and 18. In addition, passages 8 and 18 produced the lowest virus titers. When persistently infected viruses were grown in Vero cells at 37 degrees, at passage 1 there was a high titer which decreased 5 days postinoculation, whereas at passages 8 and 18 titers were undetectable until 4 days postinoculation. It seems that dengue 2 virus persistently infected in C6/36 cells could have been genetically altered. This will be tested by nucleic acid analysis of the viruses.

Genital human papillomavirus infections in Taiwan

OBJECTIVES

Identification and typing of HPV infections in genital condyloma and normal cytological cervix.

METHODS

Cervical cells from 289 Pap cases with normal cytological findings were examined for HPV infection by slot blot hybridization. Fifteen condyloma biopsy specimens were studied by Southern blot hybridization.

RESULTS

Thirty-six cases (12.5%) with normal cervical cytology were HPV positive. The predominant HPV type in women with normal cytology is HPV-16. Risk factors for HPV infection in women with normal cytology depend on age and history of pregnancies. Twelve cases (80%) of condyloma contained HPV-6 or -11 sequences. The predominant HPV type in genital condyloma is HPV-11.

CONCLUSIONS

HPV detection in population-based screening programs for cervical neoplasia can be an important tool in identifying women who are at risk of developing dysplasia and cervical cancer.

Characterization and analysis of human papillomaviruses of skin warts

We analysed human papillomavirus (HPV) infections in 61 tissue specimens of skin warts of Taiwanese patients by DNA hybridization. The prevalence of HPV infection was 69% by Southern blot hybridization. The typing of HPVs was performed by dot blot hybridization under highly stringent conditions with each probe separately. The prevalence of HPV-1, 2/3, 4, 5, 8, 11, 16 and 18 in skin warts was 13, 7, 16, 2, 0, 5, 2 and 8%, respectively. Chi-squared analysis revealed that there was a correlation between HPV type and copy number. Most HPV-4-induced warts were verruca vulgaris. HPV-1 DNA was detected in verruca plantaris and verruca vulgaris. No specific histopathological features were found to be indicative of the presence or absence of HPV, or of the various types of HPV infection.

Identification and typing of human papillomavirus in cervical cancers in Taiwan

BACKGROUND

Although human papillomaviruses (HPV) are associated with cervical cancer, it has yet to be determined if specific HPV types have clinical or prognostic significance.

METHODS

Identification and typing of HPV were done by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism.

RESULTS

Of the 43 cases of cervical cancer, 31 (72%) were HPV positive. The results of HPV typing in 40 cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix revealed the presence of HPV-16 in 20 cases (50%), HPV-18 in 2 cases, HPV-11 in 1 case, HPV-33 in 1 case, HPV-52 in 1 case, HPV-58 in 1 case, and unidentified HPV types in 5 cases. Neither HPV-31 nor HPV-42 were present in our study. One case of squamous cell carcinoma had HPV-11 integration. Chi-square analysis revealed significant correlation between HPV genotypes and squamous cell patterns, no significant correlation between HPV genotypes and clinical stages, and cell differentiation of squamous cell carcinoma of cervix.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings may contribute to understanding the role of HPV in cancer and the value of typing as a prognostic indicator.

Antibody penetration of viable human cells. II. Anti-RNP antibodies binding to RNP antigen expressed on cell surface, which may mediate the antibody internalization

As U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (U1 snRNP2) has a crucial role in pre-mRNP splicing, the interaction of anti-RNP antibody with snRNP within viable lymphocytes may profoundly influence cell functions. We have shown that antibody can penetrate viable human lymphocytes, and anti-RNP antibodies enter more cells than other anti-nuclear antibodies or control IgG. In order to study the in vitro interaction of anti-RNP antibodies with viable cells, T lymphocytes were metabolically labelled with 35S-methionine, then incubated with the antibodies and washed. A set of 35S-labelled cell-associated snRNP polypeptides A, B'/B, C and D were found to bind to both monospecific human polyclonal anti-RNP IgG (human anti-RNP IgG) and a mouse monoclonal anti-RNP antibody (2.73), indicating that anti-RNP antibodies interacted with RNP antigen inside or/and on the surface of viable cells. To investigate antibody binding to RNP antigen on the cell surface, the cell surface proteins were either iodinated with 125I or the cells processed for immunoelectron microscopic studies after incubation with MoAb. At least seven 125I-labelled polypeptides on the cell surface were found to be immunoprecipitated by the anti-RNP MoAb which have similar molecular weights to U snRNP polypeptides 70K, A, B, D, E, F, and G. The immunoelectron microscopic studies showed that the gold particles formed clustered patches on the cell membrane. Further studies suggested that RNP antigen bound to the cell surface, and the RNP binding structure was probably a heterodimer receptor. This study provides evidence to suggest that anti-RNP antibody entry into viable cells may be mediated by interaction with RNP antigen expressed on the cell surface.

[The pathological changes of lip biopsies and dental caries on Sjogren's syndrome]

This paper showed that in 110 cases of Sjogren's syndrome(SS),the caries incidence was high and was related to the salivary gland lesions.In comparison with 90 matched no SS group,the incidence of caries in SS was 88.18%,and in no SS group 73.33%(P<0.01).The average of caries in cases with more than ten inflammatory foci were significantly increased than in those less than ten,no significant difference in the average of caries was observed between primary and secondary SS.The amounts of salivary excretion measured were significantly decreased in 30 cases with SS than in no SS group cases,and the more the inflammatory foci,the less the salivary excretion.

Changes in right ventricular geometry and heart rate early after hemi-Fontan procedure

To document and quantitate changes in right ventricular (RV) geometry and heart rate, we prospectively examined 35 consecutive patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome under steady-state conditions (chloral hydrate sedation) before and after a bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis (hemi-Fontan) procedure. Right ventricular end-diastolic volume (RVEDV) was calculated as the product of RV cavity areas in two orthogonal planes divided by RV maximal length in either plane. After the hemi-Fontan procedure, RVEDV decreased by 33% from 33 +/- 13 to 22 +/- 11 mL (mean +/- standard deviation). Indexed RVEDV decreased from 86 +/- 37 to 57 +/- 28 mL/m2. The RV wall thickness at the diaphragm in subcostal frontal view (RVWD) increased by only 11% from 8 +/- 0.2 to 9 +/- 0.2 mm (p = not significant), but RVWD/RVEDV increased by 111% from 0.36 +/- 0.22 to 0.76 +/- 0.69 mm/mL (p = 0.002). The RV anterior wall thickness in subcostal sagittal view (RVWA) increased by only 13% from 7 +/- 0.2 to 8 +/- 0.2 mm (p = not significant), but RVWA/RVEDV increased by 103% from 0.31 +/- 0.20 to 0.63 +/- 0.54 mm/mL (p = 0.002). In 11 of 35 patients (31%), resting heart rate did not change (118 +/- 14 versus 108 +/- 9 beats/min; p = not significant); however, in 24 of 35 patients (69%), heart rate increased significantly (108 +/- 9 versus 127 +/- 10 beats/min; p = 0.05). In conclusion, RV wall thickness is high before the hemi-Fontan procedure and increases slightly in the first postoperative week.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Characterization of a unique enhancer element responsive to cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate and elevated calcium

The VL30 family of defective retrovirus-like elements is abundantly transcribed in response to numerous transforming and proliferative stimuli. We have identified a novel enhancer element in the long terminal repeat of the transcriptionally active VL30 element RVL-3. The RVL-3 enhancer mediates a calcium-dependent induction of gene expression in response to treatment with either epidermal growth factor or the phorbol ester tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol acetate. In this report we present in vivo and in vitro evidence indicating that the RVL-3 enhancer is also responsive to cAMP in the presence of elevated intracellular calcium. Proteins present in nuclear extracts obtained from Rat-1 fibroblasts bind specifically to a 20-basepair sequence within the RVL3 triple repeat. Competition binding studies and mutational analyses indicate that the cAMP responsiveness maps to the same region responsible for mediating the inductive response to epidermal growth factor and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol. The responsive sequence is different from previously described enhancer elements. This novel enhancer mediates transcription by multiple agonists and promotes a greater than additive increase in gene expression when more than one signal transduction pathway is stimulated simultaneously.

[Heavy metals in traditional Chinese medicine: ba-pao-neu-hwang-san]

Heavy metal intoxication of newborn infants fed with "Ba-Pao-Neu-Hwang-San" has been reported every year by many hospitals in Taiwan. About nine years ago, the National Laboratories of Foods and Drugs of the Department of Health, Executive Yuan, received one case report of a five month old female infant who died as a result of long term feeding with "Ba-Pao-Neu-Hwang-San". The drug was found to have contained lead 44,000 ppm. Although this unfortunate incident was propagated by most newspapers, the prescription of this ancient Chinese medicinal preparation is still widely accepted by ordinary people. Herbal medicine doctors prefer complex mineral drugs as did their ancestors thousands of years ago. In the last two years, we have collected 5 samples of "Ba-Pao-Neu-Hwang-San" from different manufacturers and measured the concentration of 16 heavy metals (including Cadmium, Mercury, Arsenic, Lead, Chromium, Manganese, Selenium, Germanium, Nickel, Calcium, Magnesium, Aluminum, Iron, Copper, Zinc, and Vanadium) in these drugs with Inductively-Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry and Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. The result of our survey revealed that the first sample (from Tainan) contained mercury 52,800 ppm, the fourth (from Ping-tung) contained mercury 34,500 ppm, and the fifth (from Sin-chu) contained mercury 65,700 ppm. The mercurial contents of these samples were apparently too high to be a safe drug.

Detection of dengue virus antigens in cultured cells by using protein A-gold-silver staining (pAgs) method

A protein A-gold-silver (pAgs) staining was developed to detect dengue virus antigens in cultured cells. The method can be carried out in either newly-subcultured or monolayered cells. Dengue virus-inoculated C6/36 clone of Aedes albopictus cells and human endothelial cells appeared brown-yellowish color on the peripheral membrane of the infected cells. In many cases, the infected C6/36 cells appeared darker than that of the infected endothelial cells. The positive results from the inoculated C6/36 cells usually appeared as early as 2 days post-inoculation for types 1, 2, and 4 of dengue viruses and 3 days for the dengue 3 virus. The same batch of specimens detected by direct immunofluorescence antibody test (DFA) showed positive 4 days post-inoculation for the types 2, 3, and 4 of dengue viruses and 6 days for the dengue 1 virus. The result also showed that all pAgs-positive specimens were also DFA-positive, but not vice versa. It suggested that pAgs is not only sensitive but also specific for dengue virus detection from inoculated cultured cells.

Comparison of HLA class II genes in Caucasoid, Chinese, and Japanese patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome

To better define the genetic factors that predispose to primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS), we have used polymerase chain reaction in combination with oligonucleotide probe hybridization and DNA sequencing to analyze HLA-DRB1, -DQA1, -DQB1, and -DPB1 alleles in Caucasoid (California), Japanese (Tokyo), and Chinese (Shanghai and Beijing) SS patients. In comparison to local controls in each region, we found: 1) increased frequency of the predicted haplotype HLA-DRB1*0301-DRB3*0101-DQA1*0501-DQB1*0201 in Caucasoid patients (p < 0.001); 2) increased frequency of the predicted haplotype HLA-DRB1*0405-DRB4*0101-DQA1*0301-DQB1*0401 in Japanese patients (p < 0.05); 3) increased frequency of the predicted haplotype DRB1*0803-DQA1*0103-DQB1*0601 in Chinese patients (p < 0.05); and 4) no statistically significant association with DPB1 alleles in any group, although an increased number of Caucasoid and Japanese SS patients possessed DPB1*0301. Comparison of DNA sequences for the three disease-associated haplotypes in these ethnic groups revealed a shared region of predicted amino acids from positions 58 to 69 in the first domain of HLA-DQB1. These results extend previous studies by demonstrating that no single class II allele was associated with 1 degree SS in the different ethnic groups. However, a shared amino acid motif in the DQB1 first domain was present in each disease-associated haplotype.

Comparison of HLA class II genes in Caucasoid, Chinese, and Japanese patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome

To better define the genetic factors that predispose to primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS), we have used polymerase chain reaction in combination with oligonucleotide probe hybridization and DNA sequencing to analyze HLA-DRB1, -DQA1, -DQB1, and -DPB1 alleles in Caucasoid (California), Japanese (Tokyo), and Chinese (Shanghai and Beijing) SS patients. In comparison to local controls in each region, we found: 1) increased frequency of the predicted haplotype HLA-DRB1*0301-DRB3*0101-DQA1*0501-DQB1*0201 in Caucasoid patients (p &lt; 0.001); 2) increased frequency of the predicted haplotype HLA-DRB1*0405-DRB4*0101-DQA1*0301-DQB1*0401 in Japanese patients (p &lt; 0.05); 3) increased frequency of the predicted haplotype DRB1*0803-DQA1*0103-DQB1*0601 in Chinese patients (p &lt; 0.05); and 4) no statistically significant association with DPB1 alleles in any group, although an increased number of Caucasoid and Japanese SS patients possessed DPB1*0301. Comparison of DNA sequences for the three disease-associated haplotypes in these ethnic groups revealed a shared region of predicted amino acids from positions 58 to 69 in the first domain of HLA-DQB1. These results extend previous studies by demonstrating that no single class II allele was associated with 1 degree SS in the different ethnic groups. However, a shared amino acid motif in the DQB1 first domain was present in each disease-associated haplotype.

Construction of site-specific mutants of E5A protein of HPV-11 using the polymerase chain reaction and a single mutant primer

The method of Perrin and Gilliland (1990) was modified to create site-specific mutants. The polymerase chain reaction and a single mutant primer are needed to carry out site-specific mutagenesis. Using this method, removal of the excess primers and nucleotides from the initial amplification is not necessary. This method provides a simpler way to generate site-specific mutants.

[Determination of platelet alpha-granule membrane protein in late pregnancy and oral contraceptive users]

From Oct. 1990 to June 1991, alpha-granule membrane protein (GMP 140) were measured by MoAb radioimmunoassay in normal non-pregnant women (n = 24), normal late pregnancy (n = 26), late pregnancy with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) (n = 27), and oral contraceptive users (n = 23). The results showed that (1) platelet GMP 140 of late pregnant women were significantly higher than that in nonpregnant controls; (2) There was no difference in GMP 140 between late pregnant group and PIH group; (3) Differences were not found among mild, moderate and severe PIH subgroups; (4) Platelet GMP140 was remarkably higher in oral contraceptive users than that in normal controls.

Cloning and expression in Escherichia coli of the gene encoding an extracellular deoxyribonuclease (DNase) from Aeromonas hydrophila

The gene encoding an extracellular DNase from Aeromonas hydrophila CHC-1 has been cloned and sequenced. Following expression of the dns in Escherichia coli, it was revealed that some of the cloned enzyme was present in the cell-free extracellular supernatant fluid, and there was no cell lysis and concurrent release of cytoplasmic or periplasmic proteins. Therefore, results suggest that E. coli cells were capable of secreting the DNase extracellularly, albeit very inefficiently. The dns is transcribed from its own promoter in E. coli, and expressed as a 25-kDa product, as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis of the culture supernatant preparations followed by a DNA-hydrolysis assay. Nucleotide sequence analysis predicted a single open reading frame of 690 bp encoding a 230-amino acid (aa) polypeptide, with a potential 20-aa signal peptide located at the N terminus of the predicted protein. The deduced aa sequence of the entire protein is highly homologous with that of the DNase of Vibrio cholerae.

[Survey of heavy metals in traditional Chinese medicinal preparations]

Traditional Chinese medicinal preparations are still widely used by natives in Taiwan. Some traditional Chinese medicine prepared with ancient formulas have been found to contain some heavy metals. There has been an occasional pediatric case admitted with heavy metal intoxication. In the last two years, we collected 11 ancient formula drug samples from the families of the patients. We detected the heavy metals with an inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry and a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The final result of our report reveals the problem of heavy metals in traditional Chinese medicinal preparations as being very serious.

Restoring antibody activity of a monoclonal anti-RNP antibody by dissociative HPLC. Demonstration of blocking antibody binding sites with antigen released from effete hybridoma cells

In biomedical research, monoclonal anti-nuclear antibodies have a number of advantages over polyclonal antibodies in terms of both specificity and reproducibility. However, there are some potential problems in the preparation of monoclonal antibodies. A well characterized mouse monoclonal anti-ribonucleoprotein antibody (anti-RNP antibody, 2.73) known to function in Western blotting was found to lose this activity when produced in vitro from long term hybridoma cell culture. Whilst it could no longer detect RNP antigen by Western blotting, it could still function effectively in affinity purification of RNP antigen. Further studies suggested that this was due to blocking of antibody binding sites by RNP antigen released from effete hybridoma cells in culture. The activity of the antibody in affinity purification was retained because the antigen was stripped away by repeated elutions with 6 M urea. HPLC gel filtration in the presence of 6 M guanidine was able to restore the antibody activity of the protein A purified monoclonal antibody. This finding has important general consequences for the preparation of monoclonal antibodies against antigens present in hybridoma cell culture media.

[Lupus erythematosus in pregnancy. A prospective study]

The maternal and fetal outcome in 20 patients with lupus erythematosus in pregnancy was studied prospectively. The conditions of the patients were: remission in 4 patients, inactive (controlled by 10 mg prednisone for at least 6 months) 11, active 5 (active disease while pregnancy 3 and first onset and diagnosis during pregnancy 2). There were no maternal death, fetal loss or still birth in full pregnancy course. But the intrauterine malnutrition, low placenta weight and low body weight of newborns were significantly associated with active maternal disease (P < 0.001, P < 0.05). We conclude that (1) family planning pregnancy should be planned in a period while the active disease has been well controlled with a small dose of corticosteroids for at least 6 months. (2) carefully monitoring of the disease activity at intra- and post-partum is essential to lupus patient for a successful birth.

Coronary artery abnormalities and right ventricular histology in hypoplastic left heart syndrome

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether right ventricular preservation is compromised in any anatomic subgroup of hypoplastic left heart syndrome, we assessed the coronary artery anatomy and myocardial histologic features of 151 postmortem specimens with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

BACKGROUND

Although previous studies have shown that coronary artery abnormalities are more prominent in the subgroup of patients who have a patent mitral valve and obstructed aortic valve, it has not been established that these abnormalities compromise right ventricular perfusion.

METHODS

Eighty-nine specimens with a patent mitral valve and aortic atresia, 52 with mitral and aortic atresia and 10 with patent mitral and aortic valves were examined. Histologic sections of the right ventricle, left ventricle and coronary arteries were obtained from 64 study hearts and 5 control hearts.

RESULTS

Gross coronary anomalies included coronary-cameral communications (n = 29), single left coronary artery (n = 2), single right coronary artery (n = 1) and tortuosity (n = 19). Coronary-cameral communications and tortuosity were significantly associated with the subgroup that had mitral hypoplasia and aortic atresia. Coronary artery wall thickness relative to lumen diameter was not different among the subgroups. No areas of coronary artery stenosis or interruption were discovered. Although endocardial fibroelastosis of the left ventricle was strongly associated with the mitral hypoplasia and aortic atresia group, the right ventricular histologic findings were similar in all subgroups and were not differentially affected by older age.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the incidence of coronary abnormalities is greater in patients with mitral hypoplasia and aortic atresia, in this study there was no apparent difference in perfusion of the right ventricle among the anatomic subgroups of hearts with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

[Percutaneous ultrasound-guided thick catheter drainage of retroperitoneal abscess: report of 2 cases]

Retroperitoneal abscess have been a difficult diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in the past. With the advent of precise, noninvasive imaging modalities, they now are defined more easily. Percutaneous guided catheter drainage has changed our traditional therapeutic approach to this disease, in the majority of cases. In general, massive semilytic fatty tissue of retroperitoneal abscess can not pass through the ordinary percutaneous catheter. Herein we report 2 cases of retroperitoneal abscess successfully treated with percutaneous guided thick catheter drainage combined with medical control. Percutaneous guided thick catheter drainage can be performed in most uroradiological facilities. There are many advantages to percutaneous ultrasound-guided thick catheter drainage compared with surgical drainage of retroperitoneal abscess. They include: earlier diagnosis and treatment, avoidance of general anaesthesia, operations which involve risks and complications, shorter and less expensive therapy, easier nursing care, better infection control with the closed drainage system, and greater patient acceptance. Therefore, we believe that a trial of thick catheter percutaneous drainage of retroperitoneal abscess, without a complex septum, should be the initial mode of therapy, and surgical intervention should be undertaken only when percutaneous drainage fails or is contraindicated.

Detection and analysis of human papillomavirus type 1 infection of skin warts from a dermatology clinic in Taiwan by southern hybridization

Thirty cases of skin warts from the Dermatology Clinic at Tri-Service General Hospital were analyzed for the presence of human papillomavirus type 1 sequences by Southern blot hybridization. Thirteen of the 30 cases were HPV-1 positive. The prevalence was 43%. Episomal HPV-1 sequences were detected in 11 of 13 HPV-1 positive cases. There are two cases which probably contained integrated forms, one contained the higher molecular weight bands, and the other with 6 kb viral genome may be the result of rearrangement and deletion. Histological studies from HPV-1 positive specimens also indicated the typical features of HPV infection. Some cases with high copy number had a high frequency of inclusion bodies. Chi-square analysis showed that HPV-1 prevalence is not related to sex and different lesion locations, but the prevalence of HPV-1 in recurrent lesions is higher than that of initial lesions.

[Dynamic investigation of antithrombin III in the plasma of patients with acute myocardial infarction]

Antithrombin III level in the plasma of patients with AMI was determined dynamically by using the methods of chromogenic substrate and rocket electrophoresis. Meanwhile, plasma specimens of 40 normal subjects were examined with the same method. The results showed that the AT III level in AMI patients was much lower than that in normal controls at the first and third day after infarction. The level was also significantly lower than that at the 7th, 14th and 21st day after the onset of the disease. It revealed that there was a hypercoagulative state in patients within the first three days of infarction. The AT III level in patients who died within ten days was much lower than that in the survivor group, P less than 0.01. The authors concluded that a patient may be in a severe condition when their plasma AT III levels decrease apparently and persistently.

Prenatal diagnosis of intracardiac rhabdomyoma: a case report

We report on a case of intracardiac rhabdomyoma diagnosed prenatally from two-dimensional echocardiograms. The tumor was diagnosed by intrauterine echocardiography at the 38th week of gestation. Autopsy proved that the intracardiac tumor was a rhabdomyoma. Tuberous sclerosis spots in the brain tissue were also found.

Base-specific binding of copper(II) to Z-DNA. The 1.3-A single crystal structure of d(m5CGUAm5CG) in the presence of CuCl2

The single crystal structure of d(m5CGUAm5CG) soaked with copper(II) chloride was solved to atomic (1.3 A) resolution to study the base specificity of copper binding to double-stranded DNA. In the present copper(II) chloride-soaked structure, four crystallographically unique copper(II) complexes were observed bound to five of the six purine bases in the hexamer duplex. Covalent copper(II) binding occurred at N-7 of all four guanine bases and at one of the two adenine bases in the DNA duplex. Copper binding was not observed at the position (Ade4) located in an open solvent channel, whereas the second adenine site (Ade10) shared a complex with a guanine residue (Gua12) of a neighboring symmetry-related hexamer. The coordination geometries and distribution of these copper(II) complexes at the guanine bases in the crystal were comparable to the analogous sites in the isomorphous copper(II) chloride-soaked d(CGCGCG) crystal (Kagawa, T., Geierstanger, B. H., Wang, A. H.-J., and Ho, P.S. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 20175-20184). Thus, the decreased copper(II) binding affinity for Ade4 was not an artifact of crystal packing, but is intrinsic to the chemical properties of this purine base in duplex DNA. This suggests that the adenine bases in dilute solutions of Z-DNA and more generally other duplex DNA conformations are not susceptible to copper(II) modification. Thus, preferential copper(II) binding at guanine bases over adenine bases in double-stranded DNA may explain the observed specificity of copper(II)-induced oxidative DNA damage near guanine residues (Yamamoto, K., and Kawanishi, S. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 15435-15440; Sagripanti, J.-L., and Kraemer, K. H. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 1729-1734). The sharing of a single copper(II) complex by Ade10 and Gua12 of an adjacent hexamer suggests that additional and perhaps specific DNA-DNA interactions, as may be found in the densely packed environment of the nuclear matrix in the cell, may render N-7 of adenine bases prone to copper(II) modification.

[Pelvic lipomatosis associated with cystitis glandularis--case report]

Pelvic lipomatosis is a rare benign disease of unknown etiology characterized by the proliferation of infiltrating fatty tissue within the deep bony pelvis. These fatty tissue may enclose the pelvic and retroperitoneal organs and various degrees of luminal compression and obstruction may happen. There is no typical presenting symptoms of pelvic lipomatosis. The major diagnostic methods are radiological examinations. CT scan is the definitive test to confirm the diagnosis. Open biopsy may be necessary when the diagnosis is inconclusive. Various treatment modalities have been tried, but only the diet therapy and complete ablation of fatty tissue ever reported to be successful. Cystitis glandularis, a rare proliferative inflammatory disease of the bladder, is reported to occur concurrently with pelvic lipomatosis in a patient. Herein we report a similar case. A middle-aged male patient was admitted with the chief complaint of painless gross hematuria for two weeks. After admission a series of radiological examinations and endoscopic bladder biopsy were performed. He was proved to be a rare case of pelvic lipomatosis associated with cystitis glandularis.

Antibody penetration of viable human cells. I. Increased penetration of human lymphocytes by anti-RNP IgG

Antibody penetration of viable cells and interaction with intracellular antigens may have major consequences for immunopathological processes in connective tissue diseases. We have reported previously that antibody can penetrate viable human lymphocytes. To assess further the role of antinuclear antibodies in this process, peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBMC) were incubated with FITC-conjugated IgG fractions from sera containing anti-RNP (anti-RNP IgG), Ro(SS-A), La(SS-B) and dsDNA antibodies and control sera for 24 h. Using crystal violet to quench cell surface staining, intracellular fluorescence of viable lymphocytes was quantified on the flow cytometer. It was noted that anti-RNP IgG entered 46.4 +/- 7.2% of lymphocytes which was significantly higher than anti-Ro(SS-A) (29.9 +/- 4.1%, P less than 0.05), La(SS-B) (22.0 +/- 7.5%, P less than 0.01) IgG and control IgG (28.8 +/- 2.1%, P less than 0.05) and not statistically different from anti-dsDNA IgG (32.6 +/- 14.3%). Inhibition experiments showed that the increased number of cells penetrated by anti-RNP IgG was a specific process. Time-course studies showed that anti-RNP IgG entry into cells was different from pooled control IgG. With anti-RNP IgG, positive-staining lymphocytes gradually increased in number from 12 to 24 h incubation, whilst with pooled control IgG, the peak was reached within 5 min. Dual staining experiments suggested that whereas both anti-RNP IgG and pooled control IgG entered B and NK cells, anti-RNP IgG also entered T cells. Using IgG F(ab')2 and Fc fragments from either anti-RNP IgG or pooled control IgG to compete with their FITC-conjugated counterparts indicated that the entry of anti-RNP IgG into-viable cells appeared to involve both F(ab')2 and Fc fragments, and pooled control IgG depended exclusively on the Fc portion of IgG. Further investigation by incubating anti-RNP IgG with 35S-methionine-labelled monocyte-depleted PBMC (MD-PBMC) suggested that anti-RNP IgG might react with the corresponding antigens either on the cell surface or within the cytoplasm.

Drug-induced DNA repair: X-ray structure of a DNA-ditercalinium complex

Ditercalinium is a synthetic anticancer drug that binds to DNA by bis-intercalation and activates DNA repair processes. In prokaryotes, noncovalent DNA-ditercalinium complexes are incorrectly recognized by the uvrABC repair system as covalent lesions on DNA. In eukaryotes, mitochondrial DNA is degraded by excess and futile DNA repair. Using x-ray crystallography, we have determined, to 1.7 A resolution, the three-dimensional structure of a complex of ditercalinium bound to the double-stranded DNA fragment [d(CGCG)]2. The DNA in the complex with ditercalinium is kinked (by 15 degrees) and severely unwound (by 36 degrees) with exceptionally wide major and minor grooves. Recognition of the DNA-ditercalinium complex by uvrABC in prokaryotes, and by mitochondrial DNA repair systems in eukaryotes, might be related to drug-induced distortion of the DNA helix.

[Diagnostic value of 99mTc-PMT delayed hepatobiliary imaging in small hepatocellular carcinoma--an analysis of 62 cases]

99mTc-PMT delayed hepatobiliary imaging was performed preoperatively in 62 patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma. All patients received operation and had pathological proof. All these tumors were smaller than 5 cm in size. Liver scan was done 5 min, 2 and 5 hr after administration of radiopharmaceutics. The sensitivity was 33.3% (2/6), 41.2% (7/17), 60.0% (9/15) and 54.2% (13/24) in tumors with sizes of less than or equal to 2 cm, 2-3 cm, 3-4 cm and 4-5 cm groups, respectively. The positive rates in the first two groups were lower than in the last two groups but much higher than those by conventional imaging. The total positive rate was 50.0%. The difference was not significant in comparison with the group of tumor size greater than 5 cm. The smallest mass detectable was only 1.2 cm in diameter. The uptake of radiopharmaceutic was not related to serum AFP level and hepatic cirrhosis (P greater than 0.05). These results show that 99mTc-PMT delayed hepatobiliary imaging may be useful in the diagnosis, particularly in the pathognomonic diagnosis, of small hepatocellular carcinoma.

[Effect of Salvia miltiorrhiza on the left ventricular diastolic function in coronary artery stenosis]

In 24 open-chest mongrel dogs, coronary artery critical stenosis were produced by a micrometer constriction on left circumflex coronary artery. It was reduction about 87% in lumen area. CBF, -Vce, -dp/dt max were decreased, T was increased (P less than 0.01). 15 minutes after stenosis, the Salvia miltiorrhiza injection was injected into left atrium. CBF, -dp/dt max, -Vce were increased and T was decreased after the injection of Salvia miltiorrhiza. Moreover, the change of CBF was the earliest. The results proved that the Salvia miltiorrhiza could improve the left ventricular diastolic function in coronary artery stenosis.

Chlorobutanol, a preservative of desmopressin, inhibits human platelet aggregation and release in vitro

Therapeutic preparations of desmopressin for parenteral use contain the preservative chlorobutanol (5 mg/ml). We show here that chlorobutanol is a potent inhibitor of platelet aggregation and release. It exhibited a significant inhibitory activity toward several aggregation inducers in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Thromboxane B2 formation, ATP release, and elevation of cytosolic free calcium caused by collagen, ADP, epinephrine, arachidonic acid and thrombin respectively were markedly inhibited by chlorobutanol. Chlorobutanol had no effect on elastase-treated platelets and its antiplatelet effect could be reversed. It is concluded that the antiplatelet effect of chlorobutanol is mainly due to its inhibition on the arachidonic acid pathway but it is unlikely to have a nonspecific toxic effect. This antiplatelet effect of chlorobutanol suggests that desmopressin, when administered for improving hemostasis, should not contain chlorobutanol as a preservative.