Prevalence and influencing factors of depressive and anxiety symptoms among hospital-based healthcare workers during the surge period of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Chinese mainland: a multicenter cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

From November 2022 to February 2023, the Chinese mainland experienced a surge in COVID-19 infection and hospitalization, and the hospital-based healthcare workers (HCWs) might suffer serious psychological crisis during this period. This study aims to assess the depressive and anxiety symptoms among HCWs during the surge of COVID-19 pandemic and to provide possible reference on protecting mental health of HCWs in future infectious disease outbreaks.

METHODS

A multicenter cross-sectional study was carried out among hospital-based HCWs in the Chinese mainland from 5 January to 9 February 2023. The PHQ-9 (nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire) and GAD-7 (seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire) were used to measure depressive and anxiety symptoms. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was performed to identify influencing factors.

RESULTS

A total of 6522 hospital-based HCWs in the Chinse mainland were included in this survey. The prevalence of depressive symptoms among the HCWs was 70.75%, and anxiety symptoms was 47.87%. The HCWs who perceived higher risk of COVID-19 infection and those who had higher work intensity were more likely to experience depressive and anxiety symptoms. Additionally, higher levels of mindfulness, resilience and perceived social support were negatively associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that a high proportion of HCWs in the Chinese mainland suffered from mental health disturbances during the surge of the COVID-19 pandemic. Resilience, mindfulness and perceived social support are important protective factors of HCWs' mental health. Tailored interventions, such as mindfulness practice, should be implemented to alleviate psychological symptoms of HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic or other similar events in the future.

[Human papillomavirus vaccination for men who have sex with men in China: demand and suggestions]

MSM are a high-risk population for HPV infection and related diseases. MSM can be effectively protected by quadrivalent and nine-valent HPV vaccines. This paper outlines the significance of providing HPV vaccination to MSM, summarizes the basis of HPV vaccination in MSM, and puts forward the following recommendations. First, China should expedite the development and approval of the HPV vaccine for male use. Second, HIV-positive MSM should vaccinate against HPV as soon as possible. Third, prioritize HPV vaccination for MSM individuals aged 26 or less. Fourth, for MSM aged over 26, catch-up vaccination or opportunistic vaccination should be provided when HPV vaccine resources are sufficient. Implementing this vaccination strategy can provide protection for the MSM and control the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

A meta-analysis evaluating the relationship between IL-18 gene promoter polymorphisms and an individual's susceptibility to HCV infection

BACKGROUND

Several observational studies have investigated interleukin-18 (IL-18) gene polymorphisms with regard to susceptibility to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, but the results have been inconsistent.

AIM

To evaluate the relationships between functional polymorphisms in the IL-18 gene and an individual's susceptibility to HCV infection, a meta-analysis was performed. Methods: A literature search was conducted using the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and China BioMedicine databases to investigate the correlation between IL-18 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to HCV infection. Crude odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

RESULTS

The polymorphisms IL-18-607 C>A and -137 G>C were correlated with susceptibility to HCV infection in Asian populations. However, there was no evidence indicating a correlation between either of these polymorphisms and susceptibility to HCV infection in Caucasian populations.

CONCLUSIONS

Our current meta-analysis suggests that the -607 C>A and -137 G>C polymorphisms in the IL-18 gene promoter play important roles in determining the response to HCV in Asian populations. More studies with larger sample sizes are needed to evaluate the associations between IL-18 genetic polymorphisms and HCV infection risk.

Development and use of EST-SSR markers for assessing genetic diversity in the brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens Stål)

To assess genetic diversity in populations of the brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens Stål) (Homoptera: Delphacidae), we have developed and applied microsatellite, or simple sequence repeat (SSR), markers from expressed sequence tags (ESTs). We found that the brown planthopper clusters of ESTs were rich in SSRs with unique frequencies and distributions of SSR motifs. Three hundred and fifty-one EST-SSR markers were developed and yielded clear bands from samples of four brown planthopper populations. High cross-species transferability of these markers was detected in the closely related planthopper N. muiri. The newly developed EST-SSR markers provided sufficient resolution to distinguish within and among biotypes. Analyses based on SSR data revealed host resistance-based genetic differentiation among different brown planthopper populations; the genetic diversity of populations feeding on susceptible rice varieties was lower than that of populations feeding on resistant rice varieties. This is the first large-scale development of brown planthopper SSR markers, which will be useful for future molecular genetics and genomics studies of this serious agricultural pest.

RNAi-mediated inhibition of the desmosomal cadherin (desmoglein 3) impairs epithelial cell proliferation

OBJECTIVES

  Desmoglein 3 (Dsg3) is a desmosomal adhesion protein expressed in basal and immediate suprabasal layers of skin. Importance of Dsg3 in cell-cell adhesion and maintenance of tissue integrity is illustrated by findings of keratinocyte dissociation in the autoimmune disease, pemphigus vulgaris, where autoantibodies target Dsg3 on keratinocyte surfaces and cause Dsg3 depletion from desmosomes. However, recognition of possible participation of involvement of Dsg3 in cell proliferation remains controversial. Currently, available evidence suggests that Dsg3 may have both anti- and pro-proliferative roles in keratinocytes. The aim of this study was to use RNA interference (RNAi) strategy to investigate effects of silencing Dsg3 in cell-cell adhesion and cell proliferation in two cell lines, HaCaT and MDCK.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

  Cells were transfected with siRNA, and knockdown of Dsg3 was assessed by western blotting, fluorescence-activated cell sorting and confocal microscopy. Cell-cell adhesion was analysed using the hanging drop/fragmentation assay, and cell proliferation by colony forming efficiency, BrdU incorporation, cell counts and organotypic culture.

RESULTS

  Silencing Dsg3 caused defects in cell-cell adhesion and concomitant reduction in cell proliferation in both HaCaT and MDCK cells.

CONCLUSION

  These findings suggest that Dsg3 depletion by RNAi reduces cell proliferation, which is likely to be secondary to a defect in cell-cell adhesion, an essential function required for cell differentiation and morphogenesis.

Isolation of Guinea pig inner hair cells using manual microsurgical dissection

Cochlear inner hair cells (IHCs) and outer hair cells (OHCs) show distinctive morphological features that are usually sufficient to distinguish these two species in vitro. However, OHCs may sometimes resemble IHCs when they are mechanically distorted or begin swelling at their basal end. As a result, accurately discriminating the cells based on morphology was thought to be problematic. An objective method that allows us to clearly and unambiguously distinguish these two cell types is therefore of continued interest. We describe a protocol in which solitary IHCs were harvested from guinea pig cochlea using a manual microsurgical dissection.

[Clinic significance of nm23, collage IV and PCNA expression in non-small cell lung cancer]

BACKGROUND

To study the significance of nm23, collagen IV and PCNA expressions in non-small cell lung cancer.

METHODS

Expressions of the nm23, collagen IV and PCNA in 84 cases of non-small cell lung cancer were examined with SP immunohistochemical technique. Of the 84 cases, there were squamous cell carcinoma 42, adenocarcinoma 42, stage I 27, stage II 24, stage III 24, and stage IV 9. Statistical analysis was performed with Chi-Square test.

RESULTS

Expressions of the nm23, collagen IV and PCNA in 84 cases of non-small cell lung cancer were 60. 7% ( 51/ 84) , 75. 0% ( 63/ 84) and 53. 6% ( 45/ 84) respectively. There was negative correlation between the lymph node metastasis and the expressions of nm23 and collagen IV in squamous cell carcinoma, and the expressions of collagen IV and PCNA were associated with tumor differentiation. No correlation was found between TNM stage and expressions of nm23, collagen IV and PCNA.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that nm23, collagen IV and PCNA participate the modulation of metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer and that they may be used to evaluate the potential of metastasis.

Clinical features of diffuse axonal injury

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the mechanism of diffuse axonal injury (DAI) and study the relationship between DAI and brain concussion, brain contusion, and primary brain stem injury.

METHODS

The clinical data and iconographic characteristics of 56 patients with DAI were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Traffic accidents were the main cause of DAI. Among t he 56 cases, 34 were injured for at least twice, and 71.43% of the patients were complicated with contusion.

CONCLUSIONS

It is considered that DAI is a common pattern of primary brain injury, which is often underestimated. And DAI includes cerebral concussion and primary brain injury, and is often complicated by cerebral cortex contusion. Therefore, it is very simple and practical to divide primary brain injuries into local and diffuse injuries.

Pharmaceutical significance of the cyclic imide form of recombinant human glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor

PURPOSE

The purpose of this paper is to determine the significance of cyclic imide formation of an aspartic acid residue during storage on the pharmaceutical quality of a recombinant human glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (rhGDNF) formulation.

METHODS

A combination of chromatography, peptide mapping, mass spectroscopy, and protein sequencing was used to purify and characterize the degradation product. Circular dichroism, 1,8-ANS and heparin binding, melting temperature determination, bioassays, and preclinical pharmacokinetic and toxicology testing were performed to examine its equivalence to native rhGDNF.

RESULTS

The rhGDNF with cyclic imide at aspartic acid residue 96 showed identical activity, structure, pharmacokinetic profile, and toxicity profile to the native rhGDNF.

CONCLUSIONS

Formation of cyclic imide at aspartic acid residue 96 does not affect the pharmaceutical quality of the rhGDNF formulation.

Functional abrogation of p53 is required for T-Ag induced proliferation in cardiomyocytes

Targeted expression of the SV40 large T-antigen oncoprotein (T-Ag) induces cardiomyocyte proliferation in the atria and ventricles of transgenic mice. Previous studies have identified the p53 tumor suppressor, p107 (a homologue of the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor), and p193 (a novel BH3 only proapoptosis protein) as prominent TAg binding proteins in cardiomyocyte cell lines derived from these transgenic mice. To further explore the significance of these protein-protein interactions in the regulation of cardiomyocyte proliferation, a transgene comprising the human atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) promoter and sequences encoding a mutant T-Ag lacking the p53 binding domain was generated. Repeated micro-injection of this DNA gave rise to genetically mosaic animals with minimal transgene content, suggesting that widespread cardiac expression of mutant T-Ag was deleterious. This notion was supported by the observation that the transgene was selectively lost from the cardiac myocytes (but not the cardiac fibroblasts) in the mosaic animals. Crosses between the mosaic mice and animals expressing a cardiac restricted dominant negative p53 resulted in transgene transmission with ensuing overt cardiac tumorigenesis. Transfection of the mutant T-Ag in embryonic stem (ES) cell-derived cardiomyocytes resulted in wide-spread cell death with characteristics typical of apoptosis. Co-transfection with a dominant negative p53 transgene rescued mutant TAg-induced cell death in the ES-derived cardiomyocyte cultures, resulting in a marked proliferative response similar to that seen in vivo with the rescued transgenic mouse study. These results indicate that T-Ag expression in the absence of p53 functional abrogation results in cardiomyocyte death.

The effect of vitamin A on contraction of the ductus arteriosus in fetal rat

Endogenous retinoic acid may play a role in inducing smooth muscle differentiation in the fetal ductus arteriosus. Maternal administration of retinoic acid may accelerate the process. This study was designed to investigate the effect of vitamin A on developmental changes in the contractile system of the ductus. Vitamin A was injected into pregnant rats and the ductus was isolated from the fetus at 19, 20, or 21 d of gestation. The fetus at 19 d of gestation served as a model of the preterm fetus. The force of contraction and [Ca]i were measured. Membrane depolarization caused by high KCl induced ductal contraction in all age groups studied. In the 19-d fetus, O2 did not cause significant contraction or changes in [Ca]i in the control group, but it did induce a significant contraction and increases in [Ca]i in the vitamin A-treated group. In the 20- and 21-d fetuses, 5% O2-induced contraction in the vitamin A-treated group was significantly greater than in the control group. In the 19-d fetus, noradrenaline-induced contraction and increases in [Ca]i, indicators of the size of the intracellular Ca pool, were observed and they were similar in the control group and in the vitamin A-treated group. These data suggest that 1) in the preterm fetus, the contractile system, including membrane depolarization, [Ca]i increase, and its activation of contractile proteins, is already functioning, but the O2-sensing mechanism is underdeveloped, 2) vitamin A accelerates the development of the O2-sensing mechanism of the ductus arteriosus.

[Clinical use of acellular allogenic dermis or acellular porcine dermis with split-thickness autologous skin graft in 119 cases]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effect of acellular allogenic dermis or acellular porcine dermis together with split-thickness autologous skin graft on coverage of deep burn wound and the wound of scar excision.

METHODS

Acellular allogenic dermis or acellular porcine dermis produced by our unit, with split-thickness autologous skin graft, were used in repairing various wounds in 119 cases. The take rate of various wounds was compared, and the take rate of wounds in which autologous skin from different sites was used to cover either acellular allogenic dermis or acellular porcine dermis was also compared. Histological examination and follow-up were made in some cases.

RESULTS

After tangential excision, eschar excision and scar excision, the wounds were covered with either allogenic acellular dermis or porcine acellular dermis and autologous split-thickness skin. The take rate was found to be (93.4 +/- 3.4)%, (92.1 +/- 4.6)%, (94.5 +/- 3.5)%, respectively. There was no a significant difference in take rate (P > 0.05). No significant difference in take rate between the transplantation of allogenic acellular dermis with autologous split-thickness skin and transplantation of porcine acellular dermis with autologous split-thickness skin was found (P > 0.05). When autologous split-thickness skin harvested from the trunk or extremities was used, the take rate was (93.1 +/- 4.8)%, (89.0 +/- 6.2)%, respectively, whereas the take rate was only about 70% - 80% when skin harvested from the scalp was used. The take rate was only about 40% when acellular allogenic dermis and autologous micro-skin graft were used to cover the wound. Histological examination 19 months after the transplantation revealed normal structure. Collagenous fibers were orderly arranged. There was no apparent hyperplasia of collagenous fibers. Hair follicles, sweat glands and other skin appendages were not found in the healed area. Grossly, no obvious pigmentation was seen, the surface was smooth with slight wound contraction, and the consistency was flexible.

CONCLUSION

Acellular allogenic split-thickness dermis or acellular porcine split-thickness dermis with autologous split-thickness dermis for coverage of deep burn wound and the wound of scar excision is an ideal material.

Enhanced cardiomyocyte DNA synthesis during myocardial hypertrophy in mice expressing a modified TSC2 transgene

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by the appearance of benign tumors in multiple organs, including the heart. Disease progression is accompanied by homozygous mutation at 1 of 2 loci (designated TSC1 or TSC2), leading to the suggestion that these genes function as tumor suppressors. In this study, we generated a series of TSC2 cDNAs in which one or more structural motifs were deleted, with the hope that expression of the modified gene product would override the growth-inhibitory activity of the endogenous TSC2 gene product. Several of the modified cDNAs enhanced growth rate, increased endocytosis, and promoted aberrant protein trafficking when expressed in NIH-3T3 cells, thereby mimicking phenotypes typical of TSC2-deficient cells. Surprisingly, targeted expression of the most potent TSC2 cDNA to the heart did not perturb cardiac development. However, the level of cardiomyocyte DNA synthesis in adult transgenic mice was elevated >35-fold during isoproterenol-induced hypertrophy compared with their nontransgenic siblings. These results suggest that alteration of TSC2 gene activity in combination with beta-adrenergic stimulation can reactivate the cell cycle in a limited number of terminally differentiated adult cardiomyocytes.

Atrial but not ventricular fibrosis in mice expressing a mutant transforming growth factor-beta(1) transgene in the heart

Increased transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta(1) activity has been observed during pathologic cardiac remodeling in a variety of animal models. In an effort to establish a causal role of TGF-beta(1) in this process, transgenic mice with elevated levels of active myocardial TGF-beta(1) were generated. The cardiac-restricted alpha-myosin heavy chain promoter was used to target expression of a mutant TGF-beta(1) cDNA harboring a cysteine-to-serine substitution at amino acid residue 33. This alteration blocks covalent tethering of the TGF-beta(1) latent complex to the extracellular matrix, thereby rendering a large proportion (>60%) of the transgene-encoded TGF-beta(1) constitutively active. Although similar levels of active TGF-beta(1) were present in the transgenic atria and ventricles, overt fibrosis was observed only in the atria. Surprisingly, increased active TGF-beta(1) levels inhibited ventricular fibroblast DNA synthesis in uninjured hearts and delayed wound healing after myocardial injury. These data suggest that increased TGF-beta(1) activity by itself is insufficient to promote ventricular fibrosis in the adult mouse ventricle.

Heritable lympho-epithelial thymoma resulting from a transgene insertional mutation

Thymoma is the most common tumor of the anterior-superior mediastinum. We have identified a line of transgenic mice which spontaneously and heritably develop thymomas at a very high penetrance. The available data suggest that thymoma formation in these mice results as a consequence of transgene insertional mutagenesis. Immune histologic analyses indicate that the thymomas are of epithelial cell origin. Survival studies indicate that tumor progression is more aggressive in females as compared to males (73.9 vs 41.7% mortality at 20 weeks of age, respectively). Fluorescent in situ hybridizations have localized the transgene integration site to the F2-G region of mouse chromosome 2. Translocation encompassing the syntenic region in humans has been implicated in lympho-epithelial thymoma. These animals may constitute a useful resource for the identification of gene(s) which participate in thymoma progression, as well as a model system for screening anti-thymoma therapeutic agents.

Selective inhibition of spinal cord neurite outgrowth and cell survival by the Eph family ligand ephrin-A5

The Eph family tyrosine kinase receptors and their ligands, the ephrins, have been shown to play critical roles in cell migration, tissue morphogenesis, and axonal guidance in many different systems. However, their function in the spinal cord has not been examined carefully. We showed in this study that several Eph receptors, including EphA3, Eph A4, and Eph A5, are expressed in the ventral spinal cord in partially overlapping patterns, with EphA5 exhibiting the most widespread transcription in the entire ventral spinal cord during early development. Complementary to the receptor expression, a ligand of these receptors, ephrin-A5, is transcribed in the dorsal half of the spinal cord. Consistent with the spatial location of receptor expression, the ligand selectively inhibits neurite outgrowth and induces cell death of the ventral, but not the dorsal, spinal cord neurons. These observations suggest that interactions between the Eph family receptors and ligands exerts negative influences on ventral spinal cord neurons and thus may play important roles in regulating morphogenesis and axon guidance in the spinal cord.

[The coat color mutation in silver foxes (Vulpes vulpes): morphology of guard hairs]

The structure of guard hairs was analyzed in the mottling mutants of silver foxes. The mottling mutation occurred in the population of silver foxes which has been subjected to domestication. Hairs from the mottling areas were shown to have the following distinctions from silvery-black hairs: the lack of clear grana-shaft separation, a lesser thickness and length, another shape and pattern of guard-hair scales, another thickness ratio between cortical and medullar layers, a lesser number of melanocytes in hair bulbs, and a lesser number of dendritic processes in melanocytes. Putative mechanisms underlying the phenotypic effect of the mutant gene that controls mottling are suggested.

[Detection of telomerase activity in gastric cancer and adjacent tissues]

OBJECTIVE

To study the telomerase activity in chinese gastric cancer and their adjacent tissues and to explore the possibility of telomerase as a tumor biological marker.

METHODS

Telomerase activity was analyzed in 42 primary gastric cancers and their adjacent tissues and 1 benign gastric lesion by a PCR-based telomerase repeat amplification protocol assay.

RESULTS

The result showed 88.1% (37/42) gastric cancerous specimens displayed telomerase activity. However, only 2 of 42 tissue samples adjacent to the gastric cancer showed telomerase activity. However our results indicated that 1 benign gastric lesion sample expressed telomerase activity.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicated that the detection of telomerase activity might be a useful method in the diagnosis of gastric cancer.

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor differentially stimulates ret mutants associated with the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 syndromes and Hirschsprung's disease

Ret is a receptor tyrosine kinase involved in several neoplastic and developmental diseases affecting the thyroid gland and tissues of neuroectodermal origin. Different ret mutations are associated with different disease phenotypes. Gain-of-function of ret is caused by gene rearrangements in thyroid papillary carcinomas and by point mutations in multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type 2A syndrome (MEN2A), in familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (FMTC), and in the more severe MEN2B syndrome. Conversely, Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) is associated with loss of function of ret. Recently, it has been shown that glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), by binding to the accessory molecule GDNFR-alpha, acts as a functional ligand of Ret and stimulates its tyrosine kinase and biological activity. To ascertain whether the biological effects of ret mutations are modulated by GDNF, we have investigated the responsiveness to GDNF of ret mutants in cell lines coexpressing GDNFR-alpha and MEN2A-, MEN2B-, FMTC-, or HSCR-associated ret mutants. Here, we show that triggering of GDNF affected only ret/MEN2B, i.e. it stimulated ret/MEN2B mitogenic and kinase activities, as well as its ability to phosphorylate Shc, a bona fide Ret substrate. In contrast, ret mutants associated with MEN2A or FMTC (carrying Cys634 or Cys620 mutations) were unresponsive to GDNF. HSCR mutations, by affecting either the extracellular or the intracellular Ret domain, impaired responsiveness to GDNF. These data suggest that the phenotype of human diseases caused by ret mutations can be differentially influenced by GDNF.

Expression of GDNF family receptor components during development: implications in the mechanisms of interaction

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and a related factor, neurturin, promote survival of diverse groups of neurons. Both GDNF and neurturin signal via a two-component receptor complex that consists of a ligand-binding GDNF family receptor (GFRalpha-1 or GFRalpha-2) and the receptor protein tyrosine kinase Ret. Recently, a third receptor related to GFRalpha-1 and GFRalpha-2 has also been isolated and designated GFRalpha-3. Although much is known about the interaction among GDNF family factors, Ret, and the alpha-receptors in vitro, it remains unclear about their interactions in vivo. We show here by in situ hybridization that Ret and the alpha-receptors may be colocalized in the same tissues or expressed separately in projecting and target tissues, respectively, indicating that two distinct modes of interaction between Ret and the alpha-receptors exist in vivo. First, Ret may interact with the alpha-receptors expressed in the same cells (termed interaction "in cis") in many tissues and cell populations that respond to GDNF and/or neurturin, such as the substantia nigra, dorsal root ganglia, spinal cord motoneurons, kidney, and intestine. Second, Ret may interact with the alpha-receptors localized in the target neurons (termed interaction "in trans"). In addition, we present evidence in vitro that GFRalpha-1 mediates Ret activation by GDNF in trans. These observations suggest that there are multiple mechanisms regulating the interaction between Ret and the alpha-receptors that mediates the effects of GDNF family trophic factors on the survival and differentiation of cells and on neuron-target interactions in the nervous system.

Signalling of the Ret receptor tyrosine kinase through the c-Jun NH2-terminal protein kinases (JNKS): evidence for a divergence of the ERKs and JNKs pathways induced by Ret

The RET proto-oncogene encodes a functional receptor tyrosine kinase (Ret) for the Glial cell line Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF). RET is involved in several neoplastic and non-neoplastic human diseases. Oncogenic activation of RET is detected in human papillary thyroid tumours and in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 syndromes. Inactivating mutations of RET have been associated to the congenital megacolon, i.e. Hirschprung's disease. In order to identify pathways that are relevant for Ret signalling to the nucleus, we have investigated its ability to induce the c-Jun NH2-terminal protein kinases (JNK). Here we show that triggering the endogenous Ret, expressed in PC12 cells, induces JNK activity; moreover, Ret is able to activate JNK either when transiently transfected in COS-1 cells or when stably expressed in NIH3T3 fibroblasts or in PC Cl 3 epithelial thyroid cells. JNK activation is dependent on the Ret kinase function, as a kinase-deficient RET mutant, associated with Hirschsprung's disease, fails to activate JNK. The pathway leading to the activation of JNK by RET is clearly divergent from that leading to the activation of ERK: substitution of the tyrosine 1062 of Ret, the Shc binding site, for phenylalanine abrogates ERK but not JNK activation. Experiments conducted with dominant negative mutants or with negative regulators demonstrate that JNK activation by Ret is mediated by Rho/Rac related small GTPases and, particularly, by Cdc42.

Mutational analysis of the GDNF/RET-GDNFR alpha signaling complex in a kindred with vesicoureteral reflux

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) mediates signaling across the cell membrane by interaction with the RET-GDNFR alpha receptor complex. We identified a family in which one member had medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and four members had vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). Knowledge that mutations in the RET proto-oncogene cause MTC and studies documenting genitourinary abnormalities in RET or GDNF knockout mice led us to examine the GDNF/RET-GDNFR alpha signaling complex in this family. RET and GDNF were excluded as the causative VUR gene by haplotype and sequence analysis. The GDNFR alpha gene was mapped to chromosome 10q25-26 by radiation hybrid techniques and was eliminated as the causative gene by haplotype analysis and sequencing of cDNA from an obligate carrier. Sequencing identified a 15-nucleotide deletion in GDNFR alpha mRNA, which was found to code for a single exon; analysis of several cell types revealed an identical mRNA form, indicating that this variant is a product of alternative RNA processing. We conclude that GDNFR alpha maps to 10q25-26 and that its RNA transcript is alternatively processed. Mutation abnormalities in the GDNF/RET-GDNFR alpha signaling system do not cause VUR in this family.

Human GFRA1: cloning, mapping, genomic structure, and evaluation as a candidate gene for Hirschsprung disease susceptibility

Congenital aganglionic megacolon, commonly known as Hirschsprung disease (HSCR), is the most frequent cause of congenital bowel obstruction. Germline mutations in the RET receptor tyrosine kinase have been shown to cause HSCR. Knockout mice for RET and for its ligand, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), exhibit both complete intestinal aganglionosis and renal defects. Recently, GDNF and GFRA1 (GDNF family receptor, also known as GDNFR-alpha), its GPI-linked coreceptor, were demonstrated to be components of a functional ligand for RET. Moreover, GDNF has been implicated in rare cases of HSCR. We have mapped GFRA1 to human chromosome 10q25, isolated human and mouse genomic clones, determined the gene's intron-exon boundaries, isolated a highly polymorphic microsatellite marker adjacent to exon 7, and scanned for GFRA1 mutations in a large panel of HSCR patients. No evidence of linkage was detected in HSCR kindreds, and no sequence variants were found to be in significant excess in patients. These data suggest that GFRA1'S role in enteric neurogenesis in humans remains to be elucidated and that RET signaling in the gut may take place via alternate pathways, such as the recently described GDNF-related molecule neurturin and its GFRA1-like coreceptor, GFRA2.

[Rapid determination of essential fatty acids of edible oils by conversion to their hydroxamic acids]

A simple and rapid HPLC method for the determination of essential fatty acids of edible oils was established. Oil samples were converted to their hydroxamic acids in a single step and analyzed without prior separation and purification. The chromatographic conditions were: Shim-pack CLC ODS, 5 microns, 150 mm x 6.0 mm i.d. column, 40 degrees C; MeOH: 0.02 mol/L NaH2PO4(pH 3.0) (81:19, V/V) as eluent and UV-213 nm detector. The linear range was 0.05-0.6 g/L, recovery was 96.93% and RSD was 1.80%(n = 4). The relative standard deviations for intra-day and inter-day assays were 1.24% and 1.62% respectively (n = 6). For 18:3, 18:2, 18:1, the difference between the derivatization yields from triglycerides and their methyl esters was almost one fold. That was confirmed by our recovery and determination results. The calibration curves for the oil samples should not be obtained from the derivatization of their methyl ester standards.

GFRalpha-2 and GFRalpha-3 are two new receptors for ligands of the GDNF family

The receptor for glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) consists of GFRalpha-1 and Ret. Neurturin is a GDNF-related neurotrophin whose receptor is presently unknown. Here we report that neurturin can bind to either GFRalpha-1 or GFRalpha-2, a novel receptor related to GFRalpha-1. Both GFRalpha-1 and GFRalpha-2 mediate neurturin-induced Ret phosphorylation. GDNF can also bind to either GFRalpha-1 or GFRalpha-2, and activate Ret in the presence of either binding receptor. Although both ligands interact with both receptors, cells expressing GFRalpha-1 bind GDNF more efficiently than neurturin, while cells expressing GFRalpha-2 bind neurturin preferentially. Cross-linking and Ret activation data also suggest that while there is cross-talk, GFRalpha-1 is the primary receptor for GDNF and GFRalpha-2 exhibits a preference for neurturin. We have also cloned a cDNA that apparently codes for a third member of the GFRalpha receptor family. This putative receptor, designated GFRalpha-3, is closely related in amino acid sequence and is nearly identical in the spacing of its cysteine residues to both GFRalpha-1 and GFRalpha-2. Analysis of the tissue distribution of GFRalpha-1, GFRalpha-2, GFRalpha-3, and Ret by Northern blot reveals overlapping but distinct patterns of expression. Consistent with a role in GDNF function, the GFRalphas and Ret are expressed in many of the same tissues, suggesting that GFRalphas mediate the action of GDNF family ligands in vivo.

Cyclin D1 overexpression promotes cardiomyocyte DNA synthesis and multinucleation in transgenic mice

D-type cyclin/cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) complexes regulate transit through the restriction point of the cell cycle, and thus are required for the initiation of DNA synthesis. Transgenic mice which overexpress cyclin D1 in the heart were produced to determine if D-type cyclin deregulation would alter myocardial development. Cyclin D1 overexpression resulted in a concomitant increase in CDK4 levels in the adult myocardium, as well as modest increases in proliferating cell nuclear antigen and CDK2 levels. Flow cytometric and morphologic analyses of dispersed cell preparations indicated that the adult transgenic cardiomyocytes had abnormal patterns of multinucleation. Histochemical analyses confirmed a marked increase in number of cardiomyocyte nuclei in sections prepared from the transgenic mice as compared with those from control animals. Tritiated thymidine incorporation analyses revealed sustained cardiomyocyte DNA synthesis in adult transgenic hearts.

Relationship between some humoral factors and left ventricular hypertrophy in essential hypertension

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the relationship between certain humoral factors and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in essential hypertension.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

62 essential hypertension (EH) patients (32 men, 30 women; mean age, 55 years) and 20 normotensive healthy subjects (10 men, 10 women: mean age, 52 years) were studied. EH patients were divided into LVH group and non-LVH group by echocardiography. After an overnight fast, blood samples were taken for the determination of parathyroid hormone (PTH), angiotensin II (ATII) and aldosterone (ALD) by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference in PTH. AT II and ALD between the EH group and control group. Furthermore, in LVH group PTH, ATII and ALD elevated significantly as compared with non-LVH group. In addition, we found that LVMI (left ventricular mass index) correlated with ATII (r = 0.342, P < 0.01) and ALD (r = 0.356, P < 0.01). There was a more significant correlation between LVMI and PTH (r = 0.422, P < 0.0025).

CONCLUSIONS

Some humoral factors are important determinants of LV mass. Besides the reninangiotensin-aldosterone system, PTH might play an important role in cardiac hypertrophy.

GDNF-induced activation of the ret protein tyrosine kinase is mediated by GDNFR-alpha, a novel receptor for GDNF

We report the expression cloning and characterization of GDNFR-alpha, a novel glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked cell surface receptor for glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). GDNFR-alpha binds GDNF specifically and mediates activation of the Ret protein-tyrosine kinase (PTK). Treatment of Neuro-2a cells expressing GDNFR-alpha with GDNF rapidly stimulates Ret autophosphorylation. Ret is also activated by treatment with a combination of GDNF and soluble GDNFR-alpha in cells lacking GDNFR-alpha, and this effect is blocked by a soluble Ret-Fc fusion protein. Ret activation by GDNF was also observed in cultured embryonic rat spinal cord motor neurons, a cell type that responds to GDNF in vivo. A model for the stepwise formation of a GDNF signal-transducing complex including GDNF, GDNFR-alpha, and the Ret PTK is proposed.

[Prognosis of hypopharyngeal and esophageal cancers treated with different surgical procedures]

Thirty-nine cases of hypopharyngeal and 21 cases of cervical esophageal carcinomas were resected and different organs and tissues were used for reconstruction. Among them, the stomach was used as substitute for the esophagus in 33 cases the colon in 20, the myocutaneous flap in 4 and the gastric tube in 3. Three-year and 5-year survival rates were 61.2% and 37.9% respectively. Of the post-operative deaths within 5 years, 40.5% was due to local recurrence and 35.1% due to metastasis to cervical lymphnode. In patients who had negative lymphnode findings before operation, positive results were obtained in 42.1% of the cervical lymphnodes and in 27.2% of the tracheoesophageal groove and superior mediastinal lymphnodes resected. Reoperation was performed in 5 cases with local recurrence and 8 cases with cervical lymphnode metastasis and the resectabilities were 40.1% and 37.9% respectively. The authors consider that among these operative procedures, the colonic interposition with pharyngocolonic anastomosis had the following advantages: (1) excellent physiological function; (2) higher successful rate; (3) lower local recurrence incidence; and (4) good living quality.

Determination of tetramine in postmortem specimens by GC-NPD

A method for the determination of tetramine in postmortem specimens is reported. Tetramine is an organosulfur rodenticide. Parathion, an organophosphorous insecticide, was adopted as the internal standard. Both were extracted from biological materials by benzene and purified by an aluminum oxide column. The extract was analyzed by a gas chromatograph equipped with a nitrogen-phosphorous detector. The extraction efficiency was greater than 90%, and the limit of detection was 0.05 microgram/g for the liver. The standard curve was linear in the range 0.5-50 micrograms/g for the liver, and the correlation coefficient was equal to 0.9993.