[Characteristics of PD-L1 expression in tumor cells and tumor microenvironment of DLBCL with MYD88 L265P mutation]

Objective: To study the effect of MYD88 L265P mutation on the expression of PD-L1 in tumor cells and tumor microenvironment in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and to provide theoretical basis for immunotherapy for patients. Methods: Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) was used to detect the frequency of MYD88 L265P mutation in 72 cases of DLBCL diagnosed by pathologists in Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from August 2008 to May 2010. Expression of PD-L1 in tumor cells and tumor microenvironment in all samples was evaluated using PD-L1 (22C3) and PD-L1 (SP142) with Ventana automatic immunohistochemical (IHC) platform. The relationship between MYD88 L265P mutation and the expression of PD-L1 in DLBCL tumor cells and tumor microenvironment was assessed. Results: Of the 72 cases of DLBCL, MYD88 L265P mutation was detected in 15 (20.8%) cases. Nine cases with JAK2 amplification were excluded, and the remaining 63 cases of DLBCL were divided into MYD88 L265P mutant group (n=14) and MYD88 L265P wild-type group (n=49). IHC results showed that among the 14 cases of MYD88 L265P mutant groups, PD-L1 (22C3) was positive in 7 cases (7/14) of tumor cells and PD-L1 (SP142) was positive in 4 cases (4/14) of tumor microenvironment. Among the 49 cases of MYD88 L265P wild-type group, 9 cases (18.4%) were positive for PD-L1 (22C3) in tumor cells, and 38 cases (77.6%) were positive for PD-L1(SP142) in tumor microenvironment. In addition, among the 16 cases with PD-L1(22C3) expression in tumor cells, only 2 of the 7 cases with MYD88 L265P mutation were positive for PD-L1 (SP142) in tumor microenvironment. All 9 cases with wild-type MYD88 L265P were positive for PD-L1 (SP142) in tumor microenvironment. Statistical analysis showed that the expression level of PD-L1 (22C3) in tumor cells in the MYD88 L265P mutant group was significantly higher than that in the MYD88 L265P wild-type group (P=0.017). The expression level of PD-L1 (SP142) in tumor microenvironment in the MYD88 L265P mutant group was significantly lower than that in the MYD88 L265P wild-type group (P=0.001). Conclusions: MYD88 L265P mutation may play an important role in the regulation of PD-L1 expression in DLBCL tumor cells and tumor microenvironment. Further studies will provide a theoretical basis for immunotherapy of DLBCL patients with MYD88 L265P mutation.

P266 Infective endocarditis: exploring geographical trends and comparing risk models in a multi-ethnic asian population

Background

Host factors and complications have been associated with higher mortality in infective endocarditis (IE). We explored factors impacting mortality in our local multiracial Singapore population and validated the simplified risk score to predict 6-month mortality in IE developed by the International Collaboration on Endocarditis [ICE].

Methods

Using a retrospective registry of definite IE determined by the Duke’s criteria, we studied 116 IE cases diagnosed between January 2010 and December 2014. Baseline demographic, clinical and 6 month mortality data were collected. Logistic and Cox regression was used to study factors affecting 6 month mortality. A cut-off of p < 0.10 was used to determine factors to be put into the multivariable model.

Results

6 month mortality in the cohort was 26.7% [31/116]. Surgery during index hospitalization was performed in 20.7% [24/116] of the cohort. Significant factors affecting mortality include: [Host] diabetes mellitus, intravenous drug abuser, [IE characteristics] left sided valve regurgitation, nosocomial IE, [IE complications] persistent bacteremia, stroke and embolic phenomena. Surgery was significantly associated with lower risk of mortality.

The receiver operating curve(ROC) of the ICE simplified risk score is 0.84. Using the principle of parsimony, we compared our reduced model, removing variables (possible to state what are the variables removed to compare and contrast the 2 models) with p-value > 0.10, the ROC of our reduced model is 0.85 and difference between performance of both models were non-significant at p = 0.893. The goodness-of-fit of both models were demonstrated by non significant Hosmer-Lemeshow test. K-fold cross validation was also performed for internal validation of our reduced model.

Conclusions

6 month mortality after IE is 26.7% and is predicted by host factors, IE characteristics and complications. Surgery during the index hospitalization is associated with lower mortality. Our reduced IE model performed comparatively to the ICE risk score.

[Status quo and characteristic analysis among MSM-users of the "Internet Plus-based AIDS Comprehensive Prevention Service System" in Guangzhou]

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of the "Interner Plus-based AIDS Comprehensive Prevention Service System" among MSM who frequently using the Internet in Guangzhou. Methods: An online survey was conducted among MSM who were recruited through gay-website portals between August and September, 2018 in Guangzhou, to collect information regarding the use of and attitudes on the "Interner Plus-based AIDS Comprehensive Prevention Service System" . Logistic regression was used to explore the association between the use of Internet intervention tools and related behavioral characteristics. Information on the awareness of AIDS, HIV testing, and condomless anal sex behavior were compared between the core or non-core services users. Results: A total of 777 Internet-based MSM were recruited as participants including 638 men (82.1%) as core service users. MSM were satisfied in using the the "Interner Plus-based AIDS Comprehensive Prevention Service System" while more than 80.0% of the users felt that the tools were helpful in: increasing the HIV awareness, promoting test uptake, and reducing those related risk behavior. Comparing with those who did not use the tools, the users showed higher rates in practising condomless anal intercourse (1.50-1.86 times), commercial sex with men (11.60-21.21 times), and unprotected vaginal intercourse (13.62-20.67 times), in the last 6 months. Proportions of core service users appeared as: [96.6% vs. 74.8%, aOR (95%CI): 8.80 (4.85-15.97)] on HIV testing, [56.4% vs. 22.3%, aOR (95%CI): 4.54 (2.94-7.02)] on regular HIV testing and [86.2% vs. 80.6%, aOR (95%CI): 1.75 (1.06-2.89)] on awareness of HIV knowledge respectively, which were all significantly higher than the non-core service users. Conclusions: The frequent Internet using MSM in Guangzhou claimed to have had high acceptance and satisfaction on the local Internet HIV intervention service tools. The "Internet Plus-based AIDS Comprehensive Prevention Service System" had effectively reached the high-risk subgroups of MSM, increasing the awareness on related risk and promoting testing on HIV.

[The clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of 386 patients with hypopharyngeal cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical characteristics, surgical treatment outcomes and prognostic factors of hypopharyngeal carcinoma.

METHODS

A retrospective review of the Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University patients' database between January 2003 and June 2013 was conducted and a total of 386 patients were enrolled in the study. Patients' clinical and oncological information was collected and survival rates were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves. Prognostic factors were evaluated with multivariate Cox model survival analysis.

RESULTS

Among the 386 patients 95.9% were males and 4.1% were females, with an average age of (58.4±9.4) years. The primary tumor sites were pyriform sinus (76.7%), posterior hypopharyngeal wall (17.3%) and postcricoid region (6.0%). There were 31(8.0%), 83(21.5%), 175(45.3%) and 97(25.1%) patients with stage T1 to T4, respectively, 99(25.6%), 74(19.2%), 181(46.9%) and 32(8.3%) patients with stage N0 to N3, respectively , and 3 patients with distant metastasis to lung on initial diagnosis. Second primary cancers were found in 28 cases (7.3%). The 5-year overall survival (OS), disease specific survival (DSS) and disease free survival (DFS) were 45.8%, 48.1% and 46.0% respectively according to Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Multivariate Cox regression model showed significant association between 5-year overall survival rate and T stage (P<0.001), N stage (P=0.003) and second primary tumors (P=0.017). Advanced T stage and lymphovascular invasion were associated with a higher rate of recurrence (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma has a dismal prognosis, with high rates of submucosal infiltration, cervical lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis. Treatment choices should be made according to TNM stage and overall health conditions in order to achieve ideal oncologic and functional results. Surgery with postoperative chemoradiation therapy is the main treatment for advanced-stage hypopharyngeal cancer.

[Effects of bisphenol A on the expression of N-cadherin, Vimentin and FSHR in rat Sertoli cells]

Objective: To explore the effects of BPA on the expression of N-cadherin, Vimentin and FSHR in rat Sertoli cells. Methods: Primary Sertoli cells collected from prepuberty rats (18-21 d) were cultured for 48 h, and then they were treated with 0, 30, 50, 70 μmol/L BPA respectively for 24 h. The methods of MTT, real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting were utilized to measure the cell ability of Sertoli cells, the mRNA and protein expression levels of N-cadherin, Vimentin and FSHR respectively. Results: Compared with control, the cell abilities of Sertoli cells in 50 μmol/L BPA group and 70 μmol/L BPA group increased significantly (P<0.05) . The cell abilities of Sertoli cells decreased with the increases of exposure doses of BPA. Compared with control, the expression of N-cadherin mRNA only increased in 30 μmol/L BPA group (P<0.05) , the expression of Vimentin mRNA decreased significantly in all doses group of BPA (P<0.05) , the expression of FSHR mRNA increased in all doses group of BPA (P<0.05) . Compared with the control, the protein levels of N-cadherin increased significantly in 50 μmol/L BPA group (P<0.05) , the protein levels of Vimentin decreased significantly in all doses group of BPA (P<0.05) , the protein levels of FSHR decreased significantly in 50 μmol/L BPA group and 70 μmol/L BPA group (P<0.05) . Conclusion: The mechanism of testicular toxicity from BPA might be the alterations of N-cadherin, Vimentin and FSHR by disturbing normal spermatogenesis.

Expression of high-mobility group box protein 1 in diabetic foot atherogenesis

The role of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) has been demonstrated in stroke and coronary artery disease but not in peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD). The pathogenesis of HMGB1 in acute and chronic vascular injury is also not well understood. We hypothesized that HMGB1 induces inflammatory markers in diabetic PAOD patients. We studied 36 diabetic patients, including 29 patients with PAOD, who had undergone amputation for diabetic foot and 7 nondiabetic patients who had undergone amputation after traumatic injury. Expression of HMGB1 and inflammatory markers were quantified using immunohistochemical staining. Mitochondrial DNA copy number was quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Compared with that in the traumatic amputation group, HMGB1 expression in vessels was significantly higher in the diabetes and diabetic PAOD groups. In all subjects, arterial stenosis grade was positively correlated with the expression levels of HMGB1, 8-hydroxyguanosine, malondialdehyde, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, and inflammatory markers CD3, and CD68 in both the intima and the media of vessels. Furthermore, HMGB1 expression level was positively correlated with 8-hydroxyguanosine, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, nuclear factor-kB, CD3, and CD68 expression. Within the PAOD subgroup, subjects with HMGB1 expression had higher expression of the autophagy marker LC3A/B and higher mitochondrial DNA copy number. HMGB1 may be an inflammatory mediator with roles in oxidative damage and proinflammatory and inflammatory processes in diabetic atherogenesis. Moreover, it may have dual effects by compensating for increased mitochondrial DNA copy number and increased autophagy marker expression.

The PGI-KLF4 pathway regulates self-renewal of glioma stem cells residing in the mesenchymal niches in human gliomas

Gliomas display cellular hierarchies with self-renewing tumorigenic glioma stem cells (GSCs) at the apex. The GSC niches function as a regulator of GSC maintenance, however, the exact components of GSC niches that mediate this process are still far from fully defined. Here, we showed that glioma cells with aberrant mesenchymal phenotypes constitute a mesenchymal niche for GSCs. Using patient-derived specimens, we demonstrated that the paracrine PGI signaling, initiated by mesenchymal glioma cells, induces the self-renewal and tumorigenic potentials of GSCs through induction of KLF4. Treatment of intracranial orthotopic xenografts with shPGI or shKLF4 leads to less lethal potency. Our data therefore suggest that blockade of the PGI-KLF4 pathway may provide a therapeutic strategy against GSC niches.

Surveillance of avian influenza A(H7N9) virus infection in humans and detection of the first imported human case in Taiwan, 3 April to 10 May 2013

On 3 April 2013, suspected and confirmed cases of influenza A(H7N9) virus infection became notifiable in the primary care sector in Taiwan, and detection of the virus became part of the surveillance of severe community-acquired pneumonia. On 24 April, the first imported case, reported through both surveillance systems, was confirmed in a man returning from China by sequencing from endotracheal aspirates after two negative throat swabs. Three of 139 contacts were ill and tested influenza A(H7N9)-negative.

Surveillance of avian influenza A(H7N9) virus infection in humans and detection of the first imported human case in Taiwan, 3 April to 10 May 2013

On 3 April 2013, suspected and confirmed cases of influenza A(H7N9) virus infection became notifiable in the primary care sector in Taiwan, and detection of the virus became part of the surveillance of severe community-acquired pneumonia. On 24 April, the first imported case, reported through both surveillance systems, was confirmed in a man returning from China by sequencing from endotracheal aspirates after two negative throat swabs. Three of 139 contacts were ill and tested influenza A(H7N9)-negative.

Mass psychogenic illness in nationwide in-school vaccination for pandemic influenza A(H1N1) 2009, Taiwan, November 2009–January 2010

From 16 November 2009 to 22 January 2010, Taiwan investigated 23 clusters of mass psychogenic illness after vaccination (MPIV) in the nationwide in-school vaccination programme against the 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1). The median age of the 350 ill students (68% female) was 13 years. Intense media coverage of these events has driven public concerns about the safety of the pandemic influenza vaccine. In the future, countries should incorporate surveillance and communication strategies for MPIV in their pandemic preparedness plans.

Triggering and enhancing chaos with a prescribed target Lyapunov exponent using optimized perturbations of minimum power

The objective of the present work is to propose a method for nonfeedback anticontrol of chaos with perturbations of minimum power for a preset control goal. The noted Lorenz system is employed as the test model for chaotification with the target state specified by a prescribed positive value of the largest Lyapunov exponent (LLE), lambda[over ]>0 . Periodic and quasiperiodic perturbations are used as control signals, and the signals parameters are optimized using a genetic algorithm under restriction of minimum power. Performance of the optimized signals in triggering chaos at an ordered state, fixed point or periodic, as well as further enhancing chaoticity at a chaotic state is explored. The present numerical experiments reveal the following interesting physics about chaotification. In general, the power for chaotification increases with the preset value of lambda and quasiperiodic signals can achieve the control goal with a lower power than periodic ones. Given the same increment of LLE from that of the uncontrolled state (lambda1,0) , i.e., Deltalambda=lambda-lambda1,0, the further enhancement of chaoticity in a chaotic state needs a higher control power than the triggering of chaos from an ordered state. The minimum power required for chaotification of an ordered state increases relatively slowly for lower lambda[over ] but increases drastically as the preset target LLE reaches a certain critical value. Most strikingly, the numerical experiments demonstrate that this critical value of lambda corresponds to LLE of the nearest chaotic state in the neighborhood of the uncontrolled state. Robustness of applying the present method in the presence of external noise is also demonstrated.

Controlling chaos with weak periodic signals optimized by a genetic algorithm

In the present study we develop a relatively novel and effective chaos control approach with a multimode periodic disturbance applied as a control signal and perform an in-depth analysis on this nonfeedback chaos control strategy. Different from previous chaos control schemes, the present method is of two characteristic features: (1) the parameters of the controlling signal are optimized by a genetic algorithm (GA) with the largest Lyapunov exponent used as an index of the stability, and (2) the optimization is justified by a fitness function defined with the target Lyapunov exponent and the controlling power. This novel method is then tested on the noted Rössler and Lorenz systems with and without the presence of noise. The results disclosed that, compared to the existing chaos control methods, the present GA-based control needs only significantly reduced signal power and a shorter transient stage to achieve the preset control goal. The switching control ability and the robustness of the proposed method for cases with sudden change in a system parameter and/or with the presence of noise environment are also demonstrated.

Usefulness of technetium-99m tetrofosmin liver imaging to detect hepatocellular carcinoma and related to expression of P-glycoprotein or multidrug resistance associated protein-a preliminary report

Technetium-99m Tetrofsomin (Tc-TF) has been shown to be useful in identifying several types of tumors, such as breast, lung, and thyroid cancers. There was no report in the literature for Tc-TF uptake in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of Tc-TF liver imaging to detect HCC and investigate the relationship between Tc-TF liver imaging findings and P-glycoprotein (Pgp) and multidrug resistance associated protein (MRP) expression. Before any therapy, 22 patients with HCC were enrolled in this study. Tc-TF liver images were performed l0 minutes after intravenous injection of 20mCi Tc-TF. All patients had liver biopsy or surgery within l week after Tc-TF liver imaging. Immunohistochemical study of the biopsy or resected HCC specimens was performed using anti-human Pgp and MRP antibodies. Twenty of the 22 (90.9%) patients showed negative Tc-TF liver imaging results without significant Tc-TF uptake in HCC, whereas only the remaining 2 (9.1%) patients showed positive Tc-TF liver imaging results with significant Tc-TF uptake in HCC. Positive Pgp expression was observed in 13 of 20 patients with negative Tc-TF liver imaging results, whereas positive MRP expression was observed in 6 of the remaining 7 patients with negative both Tc-TF liver imaging results and Pgp expression. However, negative Pgp expression but positive MRP expression was observed in all of the remaining 2 patients with positive Tc-TF liver imaging results. The correlation between Tc-TF liver imaging findings and Pgp expression was significant and better than between Tc-TF liver imaging findings and MRP expression. Pgp or MRP expression in HCC may induce no significant Tc-TF uptake in HCC resulting in negative Tc-TF liver imaging findings. Therefore, Tc-TF liver imaging is potential to be a non-invasive method to predict Pgp or MRP expression in HCC. However, further studies with a larger series of patients and longer follow-up time are necessary to confirm our findings.

Size and P-glycoprotein expression limit 99mTc-tetrofosmin uptake in parathyroid adenomas

The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate (99m)Tc-tetrofosmin (Tc-TF) uptake in large parathyroid adenomas and to compare the results with their expression of multidrug resistance (MDR)-mediated, 170 kDa, P-glycoprotein (Pgp). Twenty patients with large parathyroid adenomas (larger than 1.5 g), who had undergone early and delayed (10 min and 2 h) Tc-TF parathyroid imaging before operation, were enrolled in this retrospective study. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed on multiple, non-consecutive sections of the 20 parathyroid adenomas and 40 normal control specimens (20 normal parathyroid glands and 16 normal thyroid specimens) to detect Pgp expression. Tc-TF parathyroid imaging accurately localized 17 large parathyroid adenomas, but not the remaining three. The 17 parathyroid adenomas with significant Tc-TF uptake in delayed (2 h) parathyroid images revealed negative Pgp expression, but the three adenomas without significant Tc-TF uptake, as well as 20 normal parathyroid glands and 20 normal thyroid specimens, revealed positive Pgp expression. Therefore, not only the size, but also the expression of Pgp, limited the sensitivity of Tc-TF parathyroid imaging to localize parathyroid adenomas before operation.

The stage-dependent inhibitory effect of porcine follicular cells on the development of preantral follicles

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of follicular cells on the in vitro development of porcine preantral follicles. In Experiment 1, one preantral follicle alone (Trt 1) was cocultured with a follicle of the same size with oocytes (Trt 2) or without oocytes (Trt 3). Preantral follicles cultured alone in vitro for 12 days had greater follicle diameters (1017 +/- 96 microm versus 706 +/- 69 or 793 +/- 72 microm, P < 0.05), growth rates (201 +/- 0.3 versus 103 +/- 0.2 or 128 +/- 0.2, P < 0.05) and oocyte survival rates (73% versus 48, or 25%, P < 0.05) than other groups. The inhibitory effects of follicle cells on the growth of preantral follicles and oocyte survival rates were not enhanced by the addition of oocytectomized preantral follicles (Experiment 2). Follicles were cocultured with different sources of follicular cells in other experiments. Coculture with cumulus cells enhanced oocyte survival compared to the control (without coculture) and mural follicular cell groups (Experiment 3). The growth and survival rates of oocytes collected from the group of follicles cocultured with cumulus cells from large antral follicles (>3 mm) were greater (P < 0.05) than those from small antral follicles (<3 mm), or than the control group (without cumulus cells, experiment 4). No significant differences in the follicular diameters (674 +/- 30 microm versus 638 +/- 33 and 655 +/- 28 microm) and growth rate (105% versus 94 and 105%) were observed among the preantral follicles of the different treatments (P > 0.05). Taken together, coculture with the cells from large antral follicles (>3 mm) exerted a significant positive effect on oocyte survival. The growth and oocyte survival of preantral follicle cocultured with the same size of follicles (with or without oocyte) were inhibited. Growth and survival rates of preantral follicles and oocytes are improved by coculturing them with the cumulus cells derived from larger antral follicles.

Involvement of brain glutamate release in pyrogenic fever

Whether the glutamate release in the organum vasculosum laminae terminalis (OVLT) is attributable to genesis of a pyrogenic fever is unclear. The lack of information led us to evaluate the changes in glutamate concentrations of OVLT during the fever induced by staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) in unanesthetized rabbits. Both the OVLT concentrations of glutamate and the colonic temperatures were simultaneously monitored during systemic injection of SEA, MK801 (an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor channel blocker), ketamine (an NMDA receptor channel blocker), or normal saline. The extracellular dialysates in the brain were collected using a microdialysis probe previously placed in the OVLT region. The concentrations of glutamate in the microdialysates were measured by a high-pressure liquid chromatography in combination with a fluorescence detector. Systemic administration of SEA (30 ng x kg(-1) I.V.) increased both the concentrations of glutamate in the OVLT and the colonic temperatures. Glutamate appeared to rise slightly earlier than body temperature. Pretreatment or posttreatment with MK801 or ketamine significantly attenuated the SEA-induced augmenting glutamate release in the OVLT and fever in rabbits. The suppression of glutamate release appeared to start slightly earlier than temperature decline. In addition, the SEA-induced fever could be mimicked by direct injection of glutamate or SEA into the OVLT area. The fever induced by intra-OVLT injection of SEA or glutamate was significantly attenuated by pretreatment with an intra-OVLT dose of MK801 (5 microg) or ketamine (10 microg). The results suggest that glutamatergic pathways in the OVLT region are in pyrogenic fever genesis.

Hepatocyte nuclear factors-1alpha, -1beta, and -3beta expressed in the gonad of tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)

Hepatocyte nuclear factors (HNFs) are upstream regulators of many liver-specific genes and are involved in many cellular functions in the body, but their existence, expression, and function in gonads are still poorly understood. Here we report on the first cloning of partial cDNAs of HNF-1alpha and -1beta and full HNF-3beta cDNA from a tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) liver cDNA library. The deduced amino acid sequence of tilapia HNF-3beta has a 90 to 96% identity with those of other fishes (dwarf gourami, medaka, and zebrafish), 74% with mammals (human, rat, and mouse), and 82% with Xenopus. RT-PCR detected IGF-I and -II and HNF-1alpha, -1beta, and -3beta in both liver and gonads and the identity of the PCR fragments was confirmed by PCR hybridization. Immunoprecipitation and Western blotting also detected all three HNF proteins in both liver and gonads. Expression of HNFs in the gonads of the tilapia suggests that multi-HNFs may form a cascade to regulate gonadal physiology in the bony fish.

Staphylococcal enterotoxin A acts through nitric oxide synthase mechanisms in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells to stimulate synthesis of pyrogenic cytokines

The pyrogenic response to supernatant fluids obtained from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) stimulated with staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) was characteristic of a response to an endogenous pyrogen in that it was brief and monophasic and was destroyed by heating supernatant fluids at 70 degrees C for 30 min. The febrile responses were in parallel with the levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), IL-2, and IL-6 in supernatant fluids obtained from PBMC treated with SEA. Both the pyrogenicity and the levels of IL-1, TNF, IFN-gamma, IL-2, and IL-6 in supernatant fluids started to rise at 6 to 18 h and reached their peak levels at 24 to 96 h after SEA incubation. Both the fever and the increased levels of IL-1, TNF, IFN-gamma, IL-2, and IL-6 in supernatant fluids obtained from the SEA-stimulated PBMC were decreased by incubating SEA-PBMC with anisomycin (a protein synthesis inhibitor), aminoguanidine (an inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase [NOS]), or dexamethasone (an inhibitor of NOS). The febrile response to supernatant fluids obtained from the SEA-stimulated PBMC was attenuated by adding either anti-IL-1beta, anti-TNF-alpha, or anti-IFN-gamma monoclonal antibody (MAb) to supernatant fluids. The antipyretic effects exerted by anti-IL-1beta MAb were greater than those exerted by anti-TNF-alpha or anti-IFN-gamma MAb. The data suggest that SEA acts through the NOS mechanisms in PBMC to stimulate synthesis of pyrogenic cytokines (in particular, the IL-1beta).

Conditional-cumulant-of-exposure method in logistic missing covariate regression

We consider estimation in logistic regression where some covariate variables may be missing at random. Satten and Kupper (1993, Journal of the American Statistical Association 88, 200-208) proposed estimating odds ratio parameters using methods based on the probability of exposure. By approximating a partial likelihood, we extend their idea and propose a method that estimates the cumulant-generating function of the missing covariate given observed covariates and surrogates in the controls. Our proposed method first estimates some lower order cumulants of the conditional distribution of the unobserved data and then solves a resulting estimating equation for the logistic regression parameter. A simple version of the proposed method is to replace a missing covariate by the summation of its conditional mean and conditional variance given observed data in the controls. We note that one important property of the proposed method is that, when the validation is only on controls, a class of inverse selection probability weighted semiparametric estimators cannot be applied because selection probabilities on cases are zeroes. The proposed estimator performs well unless the relative risk parameters are large, even though it is technically inconsistent. Small-sample simulations are conducted. We illustrate the method by an example of real data analysis.

Microbial decolorization of azo dyes by Proteus mirabilis

A bacterium identified as Proteus mirabilis was isolated from acclimated sludge from a dyeing wastewater treatment plant. This strain rapidly decolorized a deep red azo dye solution (RED RBN). Features of the decolorizing process related to biodegradation and biosorption were also studied. Although P. mirabilis displayed good growth in shake culture, color removal was best in anoxic static cultures. For color removal, the optimal pH and temperature were 6.5-7.5 and 30-35 degrees C, respectively. The organism exhibited a remarkable color removal capability, even at a high concentration of azo dye. More than 95% of azo dye was reduced within 20 h at a dye concentration of 1.0 g L-1. Decolorization appears to proceed primarily by enzymatic reduction associated with a minor portion, 13-17%, of biosorption to inactivated microbial cells.

A trial study of leukocyte labeling with stabilized Tc-99m D,L-HMPAO by methylene blue and sodium phosphate buffer

We attempted to label leukocytes with stabilized Tc-99m D,L-HMPAO by methylene blue and sodium phosphate buffer (S-HMPAO).

METHODS

The results were compared with unstabilized Tc-99m D,L-HMPAO (U-HMPAO). U-HMPAO was obtained by reconstituting a commercial vial of D,L-HMPAO. Stabilization of the kit was performed by the addition of methylene blue. The leukocytes were labeled using a modified published method. The test samples of S-HMPAO and U-HMPAO were prepared immediately, and stood for 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 6 h, respectively, at room temperature before analysis.

RESULTS

In comparison with U-HMPAO: (1) the radiochemical purity of S-HMPAO was higher; (2) the labeling efficiencies of S-HMPAO labeled leukocytes were higher and consistent; (3) the viability of S-HMPAO labeled leukocytes was as high as the viability of U-HMPAO labeled leukocytes at any time; and (4) the percentages of disintegrated from S-HMPAO labeled leukocytes in plasma were lower.

CONCLUSION

S-HMPAO is more stable than U-HMPAO and can provide higher leukocyte labeling efficiency. S-HMPAO, therefore, has the potential to replace U-HMPAO as a leukocyte-labeling agent.

Stabilization of Tc-99m D,L-HMPAO preparations as a leucocyte labelling agent

An attempt was made to use stabilized Tc-99m D,L-HMPAO (S-HMPAO) to label leucocytes. The radiochemical purity of Tc-99m D,L-HMPAO, labelling efficiency of leucocytes, cell viability of labelled leucocytes, and stability of S-HMPAO labelled leucocytes were calculated. In comparison with commercial Tc-99m D,L-HMPAO (C-HMPAO) without stabilization, immediately, at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 6 h after HMPAO preparation, the radiochemical purity of S-HMPAO and the labelling efficiencies of S-HMPAO labelled leucocytes were higher. S-HMPAO is more stable than C-HMPAO and can provide higher leucocyte labelling efficiency. S-HMPAO, therefore, has the potential to replace C-HMPAO as a leucocyte-labelling agent.

Regional influences of the fallopian tubes on the rate of boar sperm capacitation in surgically inseminated gilts

Aliquots of ejaculated boar semen containing known numbers of spermatozoa were deposited into the caudal isthmus or rostral ampulla of the Fallopian tubes of gilts at, or immediately after, ovulation to assess regional influences on the rate of capacitation. Eggs were recovered during a second intervention 4, 5, 6 or 7 h after surgical insemination and were examined by phase-contrast microscopy. Results were obtained from ten animals in each of the 4-, 5- and 6-h groups and from eight animals in the 7-h group. With two exceptions, fertilized eggs were not recovered until 6 h after insemination into the isthmus, the proportion (45.6%) being significantly greater than the corresponding figure (1.4%) for ampullary insemination (P < 0.001). Similarly, the proportion of fertilized eggs recovered 7 h after insemination into the isthmus (58.7%) was significantly greater than after ampullary insemination (21.9%; P < 0.01). Numbers of spermatozoa associated with the zona pellucida remained low in all these instances, with mean figures per egg ranging from 0.3 to 3.8. Insemination into the isthmus gave a 1-2 h advantage in fertilization compared with insemination into the ampulla. Although relative rates of sperm cell progression to the site of fertilization may have contributed to this, there is strong evidence that rates of capacitation differ significantly in the respective portions of the Fallopian tube. Therefore, attention was focused on: (1) the viscous glycoprotein secretion in the caudal isthmus acting to remove seminal plasma from the sperm surface; and (2) the phase of sperm head binding to the isthmus epithelium. Gradients in local endocrine modulation by the adjacent ovary offer one explanation for the functional specialization of different regions of the Fallopian tubes.

Mechanisms and sites of pyrogenic action exerted by staphylococcal enterotoxin A in rabbits

The febrile responses induced by i.v. administrations of staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) was mimicked by direct injection of SEA into the organum vasculosum laminae terminalis (OVLT) in unanesthetized rabbits. Compared with the febrile responses induced by i.v. injection of SEA, the OVLT route of injection required a much lower dose of SEA to produce a similar fever. Furthermore, the fever induced by intra-OVLT or i.v. injection of SEA was significantly attenuated by pretreatment with intra-OVLT injection of anisomycin (a protein synthesis inhibitor), indomethacin or diclofenac (inhibitors of cyclo-oxygenase (COX)), and aminoguanidine or dexamethasone (inhibitors of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)). These results suggest that COX or iNOS pathway in the OVLT mediate the SEA-induced fever in rabbits.

Staphylococcal enterotoxin A-induced fever is associated with increased circulating levels of cytokines in rabbits

Rabbits were injected intravenously with 10 to 100 ng of staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) per kg, and colonic temperatures were monitored. The febrile responses were compared with circulating levels of interferon (IFN), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-2, and IL-6 just before the injection of SEA. Both colonic temperatures and circulating levels of IFN, TNF, and IL-2 started to rise at 1 to 2 h and reached their peak levels at 3 to 5 h after SEA injection. Both the fever and the increased circulating levels of IFN, TNF, and IL-2 produced by SEA were decreased by pretreatment with indomethacin (a cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor) (15 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), anisomycin (a protein synthesis inhibitor) (15 mg/kg, subcutaneously), or dexamethasone (an effective anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agent) (4 mg/kg, intravenously) in rabbits. Rabbits were injected intravenously with 30 ng of SEA per kg on four consecutive days, and colonic temperatures were monitored. Compared to rabbits that received the single injection of SEA, rabbits that received four consecutive injections of SEA showed a lesser increase in circulating levels of IFN, TNF, and IL-2 as well as colonic temperatures in response to an intravenous dose of SEA (30 ng/kg). The data suggest that the prevention of the febrile response elicited by SEA by indomethacin, anisomycin, or dexamethasone is due to prevention by these compounds of the increase in the circulating levels of IFN, TNF, and IL-2. The pyrogenic hyporesponsiveness to repeated injection of SEA is associated with decreased production of these circulating cytokines.

The inducible lactose operator-repressor system is functional in the whole animal

Mouse liver cell lines that bear a stably integrated lactose operon repressor (lacI) gene and a Ha-ras gene linked to a lactose operator-containing SV40 early promoter were generated. When grown in medium containing more than 0.1 mM isopropyl beta-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG), the Ha-ras gene was induced up to 20-fold. Maximum induction of Ha-ras gene expression occurred after 12 h of exposure. The tumorigenicity of these cell lines in syngeneic mice was enhanced when the mice were maintained on drinking water containing 12.5 mM IPTG. Ha-ras gene expression in tumors was strongly induced in the presence of IPTG in vivo. Induction of Ha-ras gene expression in mice was consistently observed after 48 hr of exposure to drinking water containing IPTG. This system provides an approach for studying the function of oncogene in vivo as well as other genes of interest.

99Tcm-phenylene imine phenol as a potential leukocyte labelling agent

The aim of this study was to evaluate 99Tcm-labelled phenylene imine phenol (99Tcm-Ph(IP)2) as a leukocyte label. The 99Tcm complex exhibits a neutral lipophilic character. The radiochemical purity of the 99Tcm-Ph(IP)2 was high both soon after labelling (94.5 +/- 1.2%, n = 7) and at 24 h (89.7 +/- 1.0%, n = 7). In a comparative study, the labelling efficiency of 99Tcm-Ph(IP)2 and 99Tcm-hexamethylpropylene amine oxime (99Tcm-HMPAO) labelled leukocytes was 47.1 +/- 3.5% (n = 7) and 58.5 +/- 7.0% (n = 7) respectively. The viability of labelled leukocytes was greater than 90% for both 99Tcm complexes. The elution ratios of labelled leukocytes with 99Tcm-Ph(IP)2 at 1, 4 and 24 h were 10.1 +/- 3.5%, 17.2 +/- 2.7% and 23.0 +/- 2.4% (n = 7) respectively, while those with 99Tcm-HMPAO were 10.8 +/- 1.2%, 18.3 +/- 2.0% and 37.0 +/- 3.7% (n = 7) respectively. In conclusion, 99Tcm-Ph(IP)2, with good stability and significant leukocyte labelling efficiency, is a potential leukocyte label.

Expression pattern of nuclear p53 is unique in COS-1 cells

As p53 is transcriptionally inactive in COS-1 cells, we felt it would be interesting to study the relative time course of expression of nuclear p53 and the onset of S phase. Our results indicated that the expression of nuclear p53 lagged behind the onset of S phase in COS-1 cells. In addition, rapid nuclear expression of p53, probably resulting from nuclear translocation, occurred immediately after the addition of serum into COS1 cells. No such phenomena were found in B104-1 and BHK cells.

Suppression of natural killer cell activity in mouse spleen lymphocytes by several dopamine receptor antagonists

The effects of dopaminergic receptor inhibitors such as thiothixine (D1/D2), fluphenazine (D1/D2), trifluoperazine (D1/D2), pimozide (D2), flupenthixol (D1/D2), (+/-)-SKF 83566 (D1), and spiperone (D2) on splenic natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxic activities were assessed in vitro using mouse spleen lymphocytes or enriched NK cells. Both the activities of the splenic NK cell cytotoxicity and the effector-target cell conjugation were suppressed by thiothixine, fluphenazine, and trifluoperazine at concentrations from 2.64 to 14.78 microM. In addition, the augmentation of the cytolytic activity of NK cells induced by interferon-alpha or interleukin-2 was antagonized by pretreatment with these neuroleptic compounds. However, neither the splenic NK cell cytotoxicity nor the effector-target cell conjugation were affected by treatment with other neuroleptic compounds such as pimozide, flupenthixol, (+/-)-SKF 83566, and spiperone. Thus, it appears that neuroleptic compounds such as thiothixine, fluphenazine, and trifluoperazine may act through the mechanisms other than a dopaminergic pathway to affect the NK cell-target cell interaction.

A comparative study of 99Tcm-HMPAO and 99Tcm-ECD as a leukocyte labelling agent

An attempt was made to use 99Tcm-ethyl cysteinate dimer (99Tcm-ECD) (Neurolite, Du Pont Merck, N. Billerica, MA) to label leukocytes. The radiochemical purity of 99Tcm-ECD, labelling efficiency of leukocytes, cell viability of labelled leukocytes and stability of 99Tcm-ECD-labelled leukocytes were calculated. Compared with the commercial cell-labelling agent, 99Tcm-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (99Tcm-HMPAO): (1) the radiochemical purity of 99Tcm-ECD was higher than that of 99Tcm-HMPAO and at immediately, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 24 h after 99Tcm labelling; (2) the labelling efficiency of 99Tcm-ECD-labelled leukocytes was lower than that of 99Tcm-HMPAO; (3) the viability of the labelled white blood cells (WBC) was high for both agents; and (4) the stability of 99Tcm-ECD-labelled leukocytes was worse than that of 99Tcm-HMPAO at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 24 h. It is concluded that although 99Tcm-ECD is more stable than 99Tcm-HMPAO, because of the lower labelling efficiency and power stability of 99Tcm-ECD-labelled leukocytes, 99Tcm-ECD is not a good choice as a leukocyte-labelling agent to replace commercial 99Tcm-HMPAO.

Effect of olean-9(11), 12-diene-3 beta, 30-diol 3 beta, o-hemisuccinate Na salt, a glycyrrhetinic acid derivative, on peroxidation in CCl4 induced mouse acute hepatitis

Anti-hepatitis effect of the olean-9(11),12-diene-3 b, 30-diol 3 b, o-hemisuccinate Na Salt (III b), a glycyrrhetinic acid derivative, was studied in CCl4 induced mouse. The mouse was administered i.p. with 0.1 mole/kg or 0.2 mole/kg of III b, then followed by 31.4 microliters/kg of CCl4. III b was shown to promote the activity of the glucose-6-phosphatase, lower the content of malondialdehyde, and prevent the activity from the soluble enzyme(i.e. GPT, GOT, LDH) from flowing out in the serum enzyme and liver homogenate. III b had the similar anti-peroxidation effect as vitamin E and can maintain the liver function.

[Female laryngocarcinoma--clinical analysis of 267 cases]

Two hundred and sixty seven cases of female laryngeal carcinoma, treated in our hospital in the past 33 years, were analysed. The number of patients developed laryngeal cancer after menopause was 10 times as high as that developed before menopause. This suggests that a relating preponderance of male sex hormonal influence after menopause might be a contributing factor responsible for the high prevalence of laryngeal cancer in women. Another etiological factor was cigarette smoking. The pathological types and pattern of metastasis to cervical lymph nodes in the female laryngeal carcinoma were similar to those observed in male patients but superglottic cancer was more common than the glottic type. However, no significant difference in prognosis was observed between superglottic and glottic cancers. Provided indications are strictly adhered to, partial laryngectomy can give therapeutic results similar or even superior to total laryngectomy.