Improving Medication Adherence Among Drug-Using HIV-Infected Formerly Incarcerated Individuals: A Pilot Test of Two Interventions

Incarcerated individuals in the United States are reportedly four times more likely to be infected with HIV than members of the general population, and a substantial proportion have a history of drug use. Postincarceration, many struggle to maintain their antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimen. This pilot study tested the potential performance of two ART adherence interventions, Project ADHerence Education and Risk Evaluation (ADHERE) and Medication Adherence and Care Engagement (MACE) among drug-using HIV-infected formerly incarcerated individuals in New York City. Thirty participants were randomized and completed the ADHERE or MACE intervention. Participants were interviewed and had their blood drawn for viral load testing at baseline and 3 months postintervention. Our findings suggest that drug-using HIV-infected formerly incarcerated individuals can benefit from brief ART adherence interventions. They also suggest that marijuana use may not have a negative impact on ART adherence.

Intraocular pharmacokinetics of intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor-Trap in a rabbit model

PURPOSE

To determine intraocular pharmacokinetic properties of intravitreally injected vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-Trap in a rabbit model.

METHODS

VEGF-Trap was intravitreally injected in 18 rabbit eyes. Eyes were enucleated 1 h and 1, 2, 5, 14, and 30 days after injections and immediately frozen at -80 °C. Concentration of VEGF-Trap in vitreous, aqueous humor, and retina/choroid was determined using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and analyzed to obtain pharmacokinetic properties.

RESULTS

Maximum concentration of VEGF-Trap was achieved at 1 h in all three tissues. A one-compartment model of distribution was selected as the final model for all tissues studied. Estimated half-life of VEGF-Trap in vitreous, aqueous humor, and retinal/choroid was 87.1, 36.8, and 35.0 h, respectively, and estimated mean residence time was 125.7, 53.1, and 50.5 h, respectively. Area under the curve from time 0 to the end point was 10009.8, 3945.1, and 1189.3, respectively. Total exposure of the aqueous humor and retina/choroid to VEGF-Trap was 39.4% and 11.9% of vitreous exposure, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The vitreous half-life of VEGF-Trap is 3.63 days. This is shorter than that of bevacizumab (6.99 days) and longer than that of ranibizumab (2.51 days), as shown in studies using the same experimental settings. The concentration of VEGF-Trap peaked at 1 h after injections in all eye tissues studied.

Circadian disruption in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a multifactorial process induced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors and recent evidence has highlighted that circadian disruption and sleep loss contribute to disease pathogenesis. Emerging work in experimental genetic models has provided insight into the mechanistic basis for clock disruption in disease. Indeed, disruption of the clock system perturbs both neuroendocrine pathways within the hypothalamus important in feeding and energetics, in addition to peripheral tissues involved in glucose and lipid metabolism. This review illustrates the impact of molecular clock disruptions at the level of both brain and behavior and peripheral tissues, with a focus on how such dysregulation in turn impacts lipid and glucose homeostasis, inflammation and cardiovascular function. New insight into circadian biology may ultimately lead to improved therapeutics for metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease in humans.

Risk factors for device-associated infection related to organisational characteristics of intensive care units: findings from the Korean Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System

Device-associated infections (DAIs) have been the major causes of morbidity and mortality of patients in intensive care units (ICUs). This study evaluated the risk factors for DAIs in ICUs. Ninety-six medical or surgical ICUs of 56 hospitals participated in the Korean Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System between July 2007 and June 2008. The occurrence of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), central line-associated bloodstream infection (CABSI), and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) were monitored and DAI rates were calculated. Data associated with ICU characteristics were collected and Poisson regression was used for statistical analysis. Rates of CAUTI, CABSI, and VAP were 3.87 per 1000 urinary catheter days, 2.23 per 1000 central line days, and 1.89 per 1000 mechanical ventilator days, respectively. Rates of CAUTI were higher in ICUs in Seoul (P=0.032) and ICUs of major teaching hospitals (P=0.010). The ICUs of university-affiliated hospitals showed lower CAUTI rates (P=0.013). CABSI rates were higher in Seoul (P=0.001) and in medical ICUs (P=0.026). VAP rates were lower in ICUs of hospitals with more than 900 beds compared with hospitals with 400-699 beds (P=0.026). VAP rates were higher in surgical ICUs (P<0.0001) and increased 1.13-fold with each 100-unit increase in beds per infection control professional (P=0.003). The organisational and institutional characteristics of ICUs may influence DAI rates and there is a need for improvement in the incidence of VAP, CAUTI or CABSI.

Statistical evaluation of the cleft lip nose deformity image

Cleft lip is a congenital deformity condition with separation of the two sides of the lip and causes nose deformity. Evaluation of surgical corrections and assessment of prognosis in nose deformity depend mainly on doctor's subjective judgment. Development of an objective assessment tool in evaluation of the cleft lip nose deformity patients will help in advancement and evaluation of surgical techniques. Therefore, our study aimed on quantitative assessment of a cleft lip nose deformity by comparing following parameters gathered from a photographic image of a cleft lip patient: (1) angle difference between two nostril axes, (2) center of the nostril and distance between two centers, (3) overlapped area of two nostrils and (4) the overlapped area ratio of two nostrils. Assessment results of the nose deformity were statistically analyzed with evaluation results from three highly experienced plastic surgeons. In addition, regression model was developed using correlation relationship and factor analysis of parameters from the results of image analysis.

TGF-beta type II receptor deficiency prevents renal injury via decrease in ERK activity in crescentic glomerulonephritis

The role of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) receptor complex in the pathogenesis of crescentic glomerulonephritis (GN) is not clear. To test the hypothesis that TGF-beta signaling plays a crucial role in the development and progression of crescentic GN by inducing the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and expression of its target genes, anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) GN was induced in TGF-beta type II receptor (TGF-betaIIR) gene heterozygous (TGF-betaIIR(+/-)) C57BL/6J mice and wild-type animals. GN was initiated in preimmunized mice by administration of rabbit anti-mouse GBM serum. TGF-betaIIR deficiency was significantly associated with decreased renal damage at days 14, 21, and 28 after induction of GN: renal function impairment, proteinuria, proportion of crescents, glomerular accumulation of periodic acid-Schiff-positive material, relative cortical interstitial volume, as well as renal cortical phosphorylation of ERK and plasminogen activator inhibitor type I (PAI-1) and alpha2(I) collagen mRNA levels were significantly decreased in TGF-betaIIR(+/-) mice compared with wild-type animals. These results provide the first direct evidence that TGF-betaIIR deficiency protects against renal injury in crescentic GN, possibly by inhibiting the sustained activation of ERK and PAI-1 and alpha2(I) collagen gene expression. Thus, TGF-beta signaling appears to play an important role in the development and progression of crescentic GN by inducing the ERK activity, and PAI-1 and alpha2(I) mRNA expression.

Experimental radioimmunoguided surgery for peritoneal metastases of gastric cancer using anticarcinoembryonic antigen-specific T84.66 F(ab')2

PURPOSE

In gastric cancer, peritoneal dissemination is the most frequent cause of the noncurative resection and recurrence after curative resection. We therefore evaluated the feasibility of radioimmunoguided surgery (RIGS) in the treatment of peritoneal metastases of gastric cancer and the use of anti-CEA-specific T84.66 F(ab')2 as an efficient immune agent.

METHODS

Two human gastric cancer cell lines, MKN45 and RF48, were intraperitoneally xenografted into nude mice, which were later injected with 125I-labeled T84.66 F(ab')2. Peritoneal tumors were localized by RIGS 5 days after antibody injection. The minimum number of cells detected by a gamma probe was assayed by in vitro tumor cell localization.

RESULTS

We observed 37 peritoneal metastases: 8 invisible (long diameter, <1 mm), 6 small (1- < 5 mm), and 23 large (> or =5 mm) tumors. The accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of RIGS in detecting peritoneal metastasis were 82% (69/84), 76% (28/37), and 87% (41/47), respectively. RIGS accuracy did not differ with respect to tumor diameter. Mean labeling indices over minimal and maximal normal counts were 6.1+/-1.2 (mean +/- SEM) and 4.7+/-1, respectively. Mean scores of CEA immunostaining and silver grains in tumors were significantly higher than those in the nontumor-bearing peritoneum (P < 0.001). There was a close correlation among radioactivity, immunostaining and microautoradiography (P < 0.001-0.005). We observed six false-positive and nine false-negatives which may have been due to high blood background and negative radioimmune reactivity, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

125I-labeled T84.66 F(ab')2 efficiently targeted peritoneally disseminated gastric cancer cells, suggesting that RIGS using this immune agent may accurately detect occult peritoneal metastases in patients with gastric cancer.

Efficient targeting of gastric cancer cells using radiolabeled anti-carcinoembryonic antigen-specific T84.66 fragments in experimental radioimmunoguided surgery

BACKGROUND

Radioimmunoguided surgery (RIGS) appears as an efficient tool for accurate tumor detection up to the level of micrometastases by detecting radiolabeled antibody-bound tumor cells during operation. Anti-CEA-specific T84.66 fragments were examined as to whether they efficiently detected gastric cancer cells in experimental RIGS. T84.66, anti-CEA-specific antibody, has widely been used as an immune carrier in the preclinical and clinical trials of radioimmunotherapy and radioimmunoscintiscan.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty-one tumors from two human gastric carcinoma cell lines with profuse (MKN45) and low (RF48) CEA expression were successfully implanted subcutaneously in the backs of 32 nude mice. Tumors were localized after 125I-labeled T84.66 F(ab')2 and Fab' injection.

RESULTS

The radioactivity of F(ab')2-pretreated mice was greater than that of Fab'-pretreated in all organs and tumors (p<0.001-0.035). Localization indices of the tumor in various organs revealed 7.4 to 32.5 in F(ab')2-pretreated and 1 to 7.1 in Fab'-pretreated mice. Silver grains and immune staining were predominantly distributed in tumor cells regardless of fragment types and cell lines. There was no false-negative evaluation of tumor in F(ab')2-pretreated mice. Sensitivity and specificity of tumor localization by RIGS were the highest in the F(ab')2-pretreated mice (95% for MKN45- and 82% for RF46-xenografted mice) and the least in the Fab'-pretreated mice (66% for MKN45- and 67% for RF46-xenografted mice). In all organs, three quarters of the false-positive evaluations occurred from silver grains as radioimmune complex or dissociated nuclides in the circulation that can be eliminated with time.

CONCLUSION

Anti-CEA-specific T84.66 fragments achieved a great affinity and avidity with accurate localization of gastric carcinoma in experimental RIGS.

Expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in human crescentic glomerulonephritis

AIMS

In glomerulonephritis, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) may play important roles in the formation of crescents. These studies are designed to evaluate the expression patterns of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in human crescentic glomerulonephritis and to determine the cellular origin of adhesion molecules in the crescentic lesions.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We examined the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 proteins in renal biopsies with cellular (n=7), fibrocellular (n=9) or fibrous (n=4) crescentic glomerulonephritis, and six controls by immunohistochemistry. mRNA expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 was further evaluated by RNA in-situ hybridization. Cytokeratin or CD68 immunohistochemistry was performed on the same sections, where in-situ hybridization had been carried out. In cellular crescents, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 proteins were over-expressed to a similar extent. Of the three types of crescents, the extent of ICAM-1 immunopositivity was the greatest in the cellular crescents and decreased towards the fibrous crescents (P < 0.05). Yet the extent of VCAM-1 immunoreactivity was not different between the types. Fibrous crescents still contained some epithelial cells and showed only VCAM-1 expression. In the glomeruli with cellular or fibrocellular crescents, the extent of ICAM-1 immunopositivity in the glomerular tufts was significantly larger than that of VCAM-1 (P < 0.05). In an in-situ hybridization study, the mRNA expression patterns of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 paralleled their protein expressions. A double-labelling study showed that the signal for ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 mRNAs was mainly present in cytokeratin-positive and CD68-negative cells in the crescentic lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that glomerular parietal epithelial cells in cellular crescents up-regulate both ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, and that some epithelial cells retained in fibrous crescents persistently over-express VCAM-1, but not ICAM-1. They also suggest that ICAM-1 is involved in early leucocyte recruitment into glomeruli in crescentic glomerulonephritis.

Enhancement of colorectal tumor targeting using a novel biparatopic monoclonal antibody against carcinoembryonic antigen in experimental radioimmunoguided surgery

Biparatopic CEA, carcinoembryonic antigen (MAb) was newly designed and tested as to whether it enhanced the accuracy of tumor detection by reducing non-specific binding in experimental radioimmunoguided surgery. Biparatopic MAb was prepared by using cross-linking of reduced Fab' fragments from PR1A3 and T84.66. Fifty-nine tumors from 2 human colorectal carcinoma cell lines with high (KM-12c) and low (Clone A) carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) expression were successfully implanted subcutaneously on the backs of 42 nude mice. Tumors were localized using 125I-labeled MAbs: IgG, F(ab')(2) and Fab' of PR1A3, and biparatopic MAb of PR1A3 and T84.66. Radioactivity counted on a portable radioisotope detector correlated well with that counted on a gamma counter (p < 0.001). Accumulations of radioactivity in control mice without tumorigenesis were the greatest in PR1A3 IgG-pretreated mice and the least in biparatopic MAb-pretreated mice. Tumors of 2 cell lines did not differ in the distribution of radiolabeled MAbs. Localization indices of the tumor in various organs revealed 1.3 to 4.1 in PR1A3 IgG-pretreated mice, 2.4 to 6.6 in fragment MAbs of PR1A3-pretreated mice and 2 to 4.6 in biparatopic MAb-pretreated mice. Silver grains and immune staining were predominantly distributed in tumor cells of all types of MAb-pretreated mice. Sensitivity and specificity of tumor localization by radioimmunoguided surgery (RIGS) were the highest in the biparatopic MAb-pretreated mice (90.9% and 94.5%, respectively) and the least in the PR1A3 IgG-pretreated mice (50% and 72%). The biparatopic MAb using 2 anti-CEA MAbs against different epitopes achieved a great affinity and avidity with accurate localization of colorectal carcinoma in experimental radioimmunoguided surgery.

mRNA expression of urokinase and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in human crescentic glomerulonephritis

AIMS

Weak staining for urokinase-plasminogen activator (uPA), tissue type plasminogen activator (tPA), or plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) confined to crescents has been described in a few cases of severe crescentic glomerulonephritis. We evaluated the molecular mechanism by which these proteins are increased or induced within crescents.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We examined uPA, tPA and PAI-1 mRNA expression in 12 renal biopsies with crescentic glomerulonephritis, and in six control renal biopsies with no detectable abnormalities by RNA in-situ hybridization. The expressions of uPA, tPA and PAI-1 proteins were also assessed by immunofluorescence. To better determine the cellular origin of uPA and PAI-1 transcripts, CD68 protein was studied by immunohistochemistry on the same sections on which in-situ hybridization had been performed. In controls, there were very low level signals of uPA and PAI-1 mRNAs in a few glomerular epithelial cells (GECs). Specific signals of uPA and PAI-1 mRNAs were detected in the cells forming crescents in all the cases with crescentic glomerulonephritis. However, weak expression of mRNA for tPA was detected in two cases only. Immunostaining for uPA and PAI-1 was positive in some but not all, cases of crescentic glomerulonephritis. A double-labelling study showed that the signal for PAI-1 and uPA mRNAs was mainly in CD68- cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Local accumulation of uPA or PAI-1 in crescents is associated with enhanced mRNA expression of these proteins. The up-regulation of PAI-1 mRNA by GECs, in particular, could play a major role in the formation of persistent fibrin deposits and progression of the lesions in crescents. Whether up-regulation of uPA is an epiphenomenon or plays a pathogenic role in the formation of crescents remains to be clarified.

Advanced glycosylation end products stimulate collagen mRNA synthesis in mesangial cells mediated by protein kinase C and transforming growth factor-beta

Advanced glycosylation end products (AGE) seem to be implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. The present study has examined the effects of AGE on protein kinase C (PKC) activity and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) in relation to collagen gene regulation in cultured human mesangial cells (HMCs). Quiescent HMCs were exposed to serum-free media containing bovine serum albumin (BSA), AGE-modified BSA (AGE-BSA), or glycated BSA in which AGE formation was prevented by the use of aminoguanidine (BSA-AM). AGE-BSA (200 microg/mL) induced a peak membrane-associated PKC activity, particularly PKC-a, at 4 hours. AGE-BSA stimulated alpha1(I) and alpha1(IV) collagen mRNA expression after 24-hour incubation with HMCs, which remained elevated until hour 60. HMCs incubated with AGE-BSA induced a significant inhibition of cell proliferation compared with cells incubated with BSA. AGE-BSA stimulated TGF-beta mRNA and protein expression in HMCs. The TGF-beta secreted by HMCs was shown by CCL-64 mink lung cell assay to be bioactive. In contrast, BSA-AM did not affect either collagen or TGF-beta mRNA or protein expression in HMCs. The stimulatory effects of AGE-BSA on collagen gene regulation in HMCs could be negated by the pretreatment of HMCs with GF 109203X for 30 minutes or with phorbol myristate acetate for 24 hours before AGE-BSA administration. Neutralizing antibody to TGF-beta inhibited increased collagen mRNA expression by HMCs exposed to AGE-BSA. These results suggest that AGE-BSA stimulates collagen mRNA expression by activating PKC and the transcriptional upregulation of TGF-beta1 in HMCs. Thus, PKC and TGF-beta may function as key signaling intermediaries in the AGE-up-regulated collagen gene expression pathway in HMCs.

The winged helix/forkhead transcription factor Foxq1 regulates differentiation of hair in satin mice

Satin (sa) homozygous mice have a silky coat with high sheen arising from structurally abnormal medulla cells and defects in differentiation of the hair shaft. We demonstrate that the winged helix/forkhead transcription factor, Foxq1 (Forkhead box, subclass q, member 1) is mutant in sa mice. An intragenic deletion was identified in the radiation-induced satin mutant of the SB/Le inbred strain; a second allele, identified by an N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) mutagenesis screen, has a missense mutation in the conserved winged helix DNA-binding domain. Homozygous mutants of the two alleles are indistinguishable. We show that Foxq1 is expressed during embryogenesis and exhibits a tissue-restricted expression pattern in adult tissues. The hair defects appear to be restricted to the inner structures of the hair; consequently, Foxq1 has a unique and distinct function involved in differentiation and development of the hair shaft. Despite an otherwise healthy appearance, satin mice have been reported to exhibit suppressed NK-cell function and alloimmune cytotoxic T-cell function. We show instead that the immune defects are attributable to genetic background differences.

Characterization of four isolates of Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus

Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedroviruses (BmNPVs), isolated from a sericultural Korean farm, were purified and characterized by their DNA restriction pattern, virus replication, polyhedra production and gene structures. The EcoR I and Sal I fragments showed similar overall patterns with minor difference but distinguishable patterns in each isolate. There was no significant difference in the virus replication pattern, yield of total polyhedra production and polyhedra morphology, but the yield of released polyhedra by BmNPV-K1 in Bm5 cells was 2 to 5 times higher than that of other isolates. In comparative studies of p10 gene, BmNPV-K1 and K3 had same structure and they encoded a protein consisting of 94 amino acids. Although BmNPV-K2 encoded the same length of amino acids with BmNPV-K1 and K3, it had different structure, and BmNPV-K4 had the p10 gene encoding 70 amino acids.

mRNA expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in acute renal allograft rejection

BACKGROUND

The intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and the vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) show a form of complementary distribution in normal and grafted kidneys. The molecular mechanism by which ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 are increased or induced on vascular cells during acute renal allograft rejection has not been clearly defined.

METHODS

We examined ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 mRNA expression in 17 renal allograft biopsies with (n=12) and without (n=5) features of acute rejection, and four control renal biopsies with no detectable abnormalities by RNA in situ hybridization. The expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 protein was also assessed by immunohistochemical staining of frozen sections.

RESULTS

In controls and nonrejecting graft biopsies, the signals of the ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 transcripts in vascular cells were almost negligible. Specific signals of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 mRNAs were detected on the endothelial cells of small muscular arteries in most cases with acute renal allograft rejection. The messages for ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were also detected on arterial smooth muscle cells in all the five cases with severe type III rejection.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the induced appearance of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 on the vascular cells of acutely rejecting renal transplants was related to actual cellular synthesis and that both adhesion molecules could act together in the rejection process. They also suggest that the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 genes by arterial smooth muscle cells may be an important cause of transmural arteritis in severe acute renal allograft rejection.

High-level expression of canine parvovirus VP2 using Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus vector

For the potential use as recombinant vaccine, canine parvovirus (CPV) major capsid protein VP2 was expressed using Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) vector. CPV VP2 gene was introduced into polyhedrin-based BmNPV transfer vector pBmKSK3, and recombinant virus BmK1-Parvo was prepared. When anti-CPV.VP2 monoclonal antibody was employed in immunofluorescence staining, an intense signal was observed within BmK1-Parvo-infected Bm5 cells but not within uninfected cells or cells infected with a wild-type BmNPV-K1. In hemagglutination assay, the expression level of VP2 were 3.2 x 10(3) HA units/ml from infected Bm5 cells, 2.1x 10(5) HA units/larvae from infected larval fat body, and 1.6x 10(6) HA units/ml from infected larval hemolymph. These results suggested that BmNPV vector system using B. mori larva as host could be applied to efficient mass-production of recombinant vaccines.

mRNA expression of glomerular basement membrane proteins and TGF-beta1 in human membranous nephropathy

Immunogold densities for the 'classical' and 'novel' alpha chains of type IV collagen, laminin, and fibronectin are increased in the spikes in human membranous nephropathy (MN). To investigate the molecular mechanisms which underlie these changes in glomerular basement membrane (GBM) components, alpha1(IV) collagen, alpha4(IV) collagen, S-laminin, fibronectin, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 and TGF-beta2 mRNA expression was examined in 12 renal biopsy specimens with MN and six renal biopsies with no detectable abnormality by RNA in situ hybridization. In controls, there were relatively low signals of alpha1(IV) collagen, alpha4(IV) collagen, S-laminin, and TGF-beta1 mRNAs, but there were no fibronectin or TGF-beta2 transcripts in glomerular cells. In MN, the number of alpha4(IV) collagen, alpha1(IV) collagen, S-laminin or TGF-beta1 mRNA-expressing cells per glomerular cross-section was significantly larger than in controls (p< 0.05), and fibronectin mRNA was occasionally expressed in glomerular visceral epithelial cells (GECs). No message for TGF-beta2 was seen in MN. The number of TGF-beta1 mRNA-expressing cells per glomerular cross-section significantly correlated with that of alpha1(IV) mRNA-expressing cells (p< 0.01). The MN patients with positivie signal for fibronectin mRNA exhibited more severe GBM thickening than those without (p< 0.05). These results indicate that the increased presence of GBM proteins in spikes of MN is associated with enhanced mRNA expression of these proteins. They also suggest that subepithelial deposits in MN stimulate GECs to produce TGF-beta1, which in turn could mediate the expression of GBM protein genes by GECs.

LDL stimulates collagen mRNA synthesis in mesangial cells through induction of PKC and TGF-beta expression

Abnormal lipid accumulation in glomeruli could be implicated in the pathogenesis of glomerulosclerosis. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) stimulates collagen mRNA expression in cultured human mesangial cells (HMC). To explore the possible molecular mechanisms by which LDL promotes collagen gene expression, we examined the effects of LDL on protein kinase C (PKC) activity and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) expression in relation to collagen gene regulation in HMC. LDL (200 microg/ml) induced an acute increase in PKC activity, particularly PKC-alpha and -delta, within 15 min, which decreased to control value at 2 h. LDL stimulated TGF-beta1, and alpha1(I) and alpha1(IV) collagen mRNA expression within 30 min of incubation with HMC, and levels remained elevated until hour 4. LDL induced the secretion of TGF-beta by HMC. This TGF-beta was shown by CCL-64 mink lung cell assay to be, in part, bioactive. The stimulatory effects of LDL on collagen gene regulation in HMC were blocked by the inhibition of PKC using GF-109203X (GFX) or the downregulation of PKC using phorbol myristate acetate. Neutralizing antibody to TGF-beta inhibited the increased collagen mRNA expression by HMC exposed to LDL. The downregulation or inhibition of PKC did not affect the stimulatory effect of LDL on TGF-beta mRNA or protein expression. These results suggest that in HMC, LDL stimulates collagen mRNA expression through the rapid activation of PKC-alpha and -delta and transcriptional upregulation of TGF-beta. Thus PKC and TGF-beta may function as independent key signaling intermediaries in the pathway by which LDL upregulates collagen gene expression in HMC.

Pleiotropic skeletal and ocular phenotypes of the mouse mutation congenital hydrocephalus (ch/Mf1) arise from a winged helix/forkhead transcriptionfactor gene

Congenital hydrocephalus is an etiologically diverse, poorly understood, but relatively common birth defect. Most human cases are sporadic with familial forms showing considerable phenotypic and etiologic heterogeneity. We have studied the autosomal recessive mouse mutation congenital hydrocephalus ( ch ) to identify candidate human hydrocephalus genes and their modifiers. ch mice have a congenital, lethal hydrocephalus in association with multiple developmental defects, notably skeletal defects, in tissues derived from the cephalic neural crest. We utilized positional cloning methods to map ch in the vicinity of D13Mit294 and confirm that the ch phenotype is caused by homozygosity for a nonsense mutation in a gene encoding a winged helix/forkhead transcription factor ( Mf1 ). Based on linked genetic markers, we performed detailed phenotypic characterization of mutant homozygotes and heterozygotes to demonstrate the pleiotropic effects of the mutant gene. Surprisingly, ch heterozygotes have the glaucoma-related distinct phenotype of multiple anterior segment defects resembling Axenfeld-Rieger anomaly. We also localized a second member of this gene family ( Hfh1 ), a candidate for other developmental defects, approximately 470 kb proximal to Mf1.

Infestation rate of head lice in primary school children in Inchon, Korea

The survey of the head louse infestation of primary school children in Inchon city was carried out in May 26-27, 1995. Total number of the children surveyed were 1,530. Four (0.5%) out of 768 boys were infested with nits or adults/nymphs of lice and 72 (9.4%) out of 762 girls were positive with those of lice. The infestation rate of lice for girls was 19 times higher than that of boys.

[Seasonal prevalence and behaviour of Aedes togoi]

Ecological studies of Aedes togoi, the vector of malayan filariasis, were carried out at Tolsando, Yosu and Sokcho area in 1991. The adult population of Aedes togoi was continuously appeared from the first week of April to the end of November showing the highest density in July. The larvae of Aedes togoi were found at rock pools from March to December in Sokcho area and the density was highest in July and August, whereas in the southern coastal area (Yosu), the larvae were found throughout the year and the density was the highest in June. The rate of larvae inhabited below 0.5% salinity was 45.7% in Sokcho and 51.7% in Yosu. The feeding activity of Aedes togoi was nocturnal, with the peak period of 01:00-03:00 hours. Indoor feeding activities were slightly higher than outdoors showing the biting ratio of 1:0.8 (indoor: outdoor). The average number of Aedes togoi attracted to CO2 gas was 8.5 whereas 117 Anopheles sinensis was attracted. The result indicates that CO2 is not an effective attractant for host seeking of Aedes togoi compared to Anopheles sinensis. The most common place was bedroom with 54.5% of total collections and next to stock place (18.2%), floor (9.1%) and kitchen (9.1%).

[Effects of nutrient and salinity in egg and larval development of Aedes togoi]

The study made an observation on periodicity of oviposition, and the effects of nutrient and salinity in egg and larval development of Aedes togoi, and the results are summarized as follows: The 53.9% mosquitoes of one feeding laid eggs once, 26.9% laid twice and 19.2% laid three times. Autogenous rate of Aedes togoi reared in three different nutrient groups in larval sage was 6.9% in 0.8 mg/larva, 22.5% in 1.6 mg/larva and 44.4% in 2.4 mg/larva. The oviposition rate according to different salinity of the oviposition sites (0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0% and 4.0%) was 25.2% in distilled water, 36.2% in 0.5% salinity, 23.5% in 1.0% salinity and 14.6% in 2.0% salinity. Developing period of the aquatic stage of male Aedes togoi in 25 degrees C were shorter (10.73 days) than females (11.85 days). The most effective concentration of salinity for the developing period was 1.0% which took 9.25 days in males and 10.44 days in females. In the developmental status of the follicles according to nutrition in the larval stage, the numbers of follicles of groups fed 0.8 mg, 1.6 mg and 2.4 mg per larva were 180.7, 197.5 and 202 respectively. The result of ovary dissection on the 10th day after emergence, three different nutrition groups were in Christopher's stage IIa mostly; each 71.0%, 61.1% and 39.9% of the total follicles and autogenous females observed.

Clinical diversity and chromosomal localization of X-linked cone dystrophy (COD1)

X-linked progressive cone dystrophy (COD1) causes progressive deterioration of visual acuity, deepening of central scotomas, macular changes, and bull's-eye lesions. The cone electroretinography (ERG) is variably abnormal in affected males, and the rod ERG may also be abnormal. The clinical picture of heterozygous females ranges from asymptomatic to a widespread spectrum of cone-mediated dysfunction. A prior linkage study demonstrated linkage between the COD1 locus and the marker locus DXS84, assigned to Xp21.1, with no recombination. In the present study, we have clinically characterized a large four-generation family with COD1 and have performed a linkage analysis using seven polymorphic markers on the short arm of the X chromosome. No recombination was observed between the disease and the marker loci DXS7 and MAOA, suggesting that the location of COD1 is in the region Xp11.3, distal to DXS84 and proximal to ARAF1.

The COL6A1 and COL6A2 genes exist as a gene cluster and detect highly informative DNA polymorphisms in the telomeric region of human chromosome 21q

The genes that encode the alpha 1 (VI) and alpha 2 (VI) collagen chains, designated COL6A1 and COL6A2, map to human chromosomal band 21q22.3. Using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and somatic cell hybrids, we found that COL6A1 and COL6A2 form a gene cluster on the most distal part of chromosome 21. Furthermore, we detected several DNA polymorphisms (both restriction site and VNTRs) associated with these loci. These polymorphisms make the COL6A1 and COL6A2 genes among the most informative markers on human chromosome 21.

Ecological studies on Culex tritaeniorhynchus as a vector of Japanese encephalitis

In the Republic of Korea, light-trap assessments and collections from cows and pigs after sunset were highly successful in monitoring the seasonal abundance of C. tritaeniorhynchus, the primary vector of Japanese encephalitis. The dates and duration of the population peaks at semirural suburbs of Seoul and Pusan were markedly different from those at a rural rice-growing site. The main breeding sites in these three areas were, respectively, swamps, marshes, and ricefields. The overall adult densities were the lowest at the rice-growing site where agricultural pesticides were extensively used. A short period of man-vector contact occurred at each study site at low densities when the natural population was at its peak. These vector monitoring techniques, coupled with information on antibodies in swine, represent a simple but valuable surveillance system.