Live attenuated SIV vaccines are not effective in a postexposure vaccination model

We examined the immunohistochemical expression of proliferating-cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and p53 proteins in dysplasia and intramucosal carcinoma of the esophagus. Immunohistochemistry was performed with monoclonal antibodies directed against PCNA and p53. We used surgically resected specimens from 29 patients who had a total of 55 lesions of severe dysplasia (n = 16), intraepithelial carcinoma (n = 21), and mucosal carcinoma (n = 18). The mean PCNA index with immunoreactivity for p53 was 48.9 +/- 6.5 in areas of severe dysplasia (n = 7), 58.2 +/- 7.3 in areas of intraepithelial carcinoma (n = 10), and 71.4 +/- 9.3 in the invasive areas of mucosal carcinoma (n = 10). The mean PCNA index without immunoreactivity for p53 was 41.2 +/- 5.5 in areas of severe dysplasia (n = 9), 48.0 +/- 7.4 in areas of intraepithelial carcinoma (n = 11), and 63.7 +/- 9.1 in invasive areas of mucosal carcinoma (n = 8). The PCNA indices of the areas of severe dysplasia with immunoreactivity for p53 were significantly lower than those of intraepithelial carcinoma and mucosal carcinoma with immunoreactivity for p53. Similarly, the PCNA indices of severe dysplasia without immunoreactivity for p53 were significantly lower than those of intraepithelial carcinoma and mucosal carcinoma without immunoreactivity for p53. These results thus suggest that severe dysplasia has a lower proliferative potential than carcinoma and may therefore represent a precancerous lesion.     

Human lymphocyte cDNA ordered library analyzed by 2D gel electrophoresis. 1. Pooling strategy and matching of gel patterns

beta-Citryl-L-glutamate-hydrolysing enzyme (beta-CGHE) was purified from rat testis particulate fraction 13,000-fold, at a yield of 7%. The enzyme was purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation, hydroxyapatite, chelating Sepharose, beta-CG-Sepharose affinity chromatography and Sephacryl S-300 gel filtration. The purified enzyme usually migrated as two periodic acid Schiff's-stained bands on native polyacrylamide gel-electrophoresis (PAGE) with molecular weights of 350 and 420 kDa. Both bands hydrolyzed beta-citryl-L-glutamate (beta-CG) to citrate and glutamate. The 420 kDa band was changed by digestion with N-glycosidase F, into a 350 kDa band on native PAGE. The purified enzyme was composed of 90, 100, 115 and 130 kDa subunits on SDS-PAGE under non-reduced conditions. The purified enzyme was pharmacologically similar to the beta-CGHE activity partially purified from rat testis. This enzyme required manganese ions for full activity and it was strongly inhibited by nucleotides such as ATP or GTP and phosphate ions. beta-CGHE was also potently inhibited by an excitatory amino acid agonist, L-quisqualate, but not by another agonists, N-methyl-D-aspartate and kinate. It had high substrate specificity for beta-CG. The antibodies against the purified enzyme reacted mainly to the 115 kDa band on the SDS-PAGE and precipitated the enzyme activity from the crude and purified enzyme solution.     

Radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) are biologically engineered proteins designed to bind to antigens emanating from tumor cells. Selected radioactive isotopes are fused with MoAbs to allow radioimmunodetection of external imaging of metastatic deposits in patients with colon cancer. For the past 10 years, radiolabeled MoAbs have improved tumor localization techniques and influenced the clinical management of surgical patients. Intraoperatively, surgeons use appropriately shielded, handheld, gamma detection probes to locate radiolabeled MoAbs and corresponding colon cancers (ie, residual, recurrent tumors). Using gamma detection probes intraoperatively, surgeons can localize nonpalpable occult tumors and disease not suspected from external antibody scans or other traditional diagnostic methods. This success confirms the need for complete tumor resections, thorough scanning of entire tumor beds, and ex vivo scanning of surgical specimens to assess for potential nodal metastases.     

Structural and optical properties of Co-doped ZnS nanoparticles synthesized by a capping agent

Cobalt-doped Zinc sulfide (ZnS) nanoparticles were prepared by a simple chemical method using alkyl hydroxyl ethyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (YH) as capping agent. The structural and optical properties of prepared cobalt-doped ZnS nanoparticles have been characterized. X-ray diffraction patterns and transmission electron microscope images reveal pure cubic ZnS phase with size of about 5–2 nm for all cobalt-doped ZnS nanoparticles. The lattice constant of the samples decreases slightly by the introduction of Co²⁺ The absorption edge of the ZnS:Co²⁺ nanoparticles is blue-shifted as compared with that of bulk ZnS, indicating the quantum confinement effect. The photoluminescence emission band exhibits a blue shift for Co-doped ZnS nanoparticles as compared to the ZnS nanoparticles.     

Capabilities for Dielectric-Constant Gas Thermometry in a Special Large-Volume Liquid-Bath Thermostat

Dielectric-constant gas thermometry is being further developed at PTB to measure thermodynamic temperature and the Boltzmann constant at the triple point of water. For this purpose, a huge liquid-bath thermostat with a liquid volume of about 800 L has been built to provide a suitable thermal environment in the central working volume (diameter 0.5 m, height 0.65 m), in which the vacuum chamber containing the measuring system is placed. Measurements of the temperature field in the working volume have been performed with and without the chamber using a mesh of 12 platinum resistance thermometers at appropriate positions. The results verify that the temperature inhomogeneity in the bath is well below 1 mK as necessary. The uncertainty of the temperature measurement inside the measuring system must be of the order of 0.1 mK. Its thermal conditions have been, therefore, investigated in detail, too. Special emphasis was given to the thermalization after temperature changes.     

Pattern of cell death during optic cup formation in the tree shrew Tupaia belangeri

Literature has much to offer the psychotherapist. This paper has discussed some lessons for the psychotherapist contained in Franz Kafka's short story, The Metamorphosis. The therapist, like the therapist-reader of this story, can empathize with Gregor's monstrous change but still must hold him personally accountable. At the same time, the therapist-reader becomes increasingly impressed with the malignant nature of the Samsa household, and its role in generating Gregor's capacity for self-deception. The story also instructs about the paradox of catastrophe: Gregor is treated no less respectfully after his metamorphosis than he was before it. The therapist is thereby reminded of the centrality of feelings in human affairs. The constriction of Gregor's space does not cut him off from human feeling; rather, Gregor's inability to access, know, and take responsibility for his own feelings, especially his destructive ones, results in his constrictedness and detachment. In thinking about the story as dream, or in imagining a patient's account of a reality situation as if it were a dream, unseen mental process and content become more apparent. The disgusting, loathsome arrangements that people make with each other can evoke, be it in the therapist-reader or the therapist, reactions of aversion or hate. Such arrangements become more understandable when the importance, sometimes the necessity, of human attachment is appreciated. And finally, Kafka's The Metamorphosis alerts us to a sometimes but powerful preference and countertransference pitfall: we don't want to be bugged.     

Psychopathological and behavioral correlates of dopaminergic sensitivity in alcohol-dependent patients

OBJECTIVES: To explore 2 facets of dopamine receptor sensitivity in alcoholics: (1) whether reduced sensitivity of central dopamine receptors is correlated with anxiety, depression, or novelty seeking and (2) whether this reduction is associated with poor treatment outcome. METHOD: Sixty-four alcohol-dependent patients were assessed according to their clinical outcome, sensitivity of central dopamine receptors (apomorphine-induced growth hormone secretion), mood states, and personality traits before and after detoxification. RESULTS: Patients with poor treatment outcome displayed a blunted growth hormone response before, but not after, detoxification. Growth hormone response was not significantly correlated with novelty seeking. Relapsing patients tended to be less depressed than patients who remained abstinent during observation. CONCLUSION: This study did not support the hypothesis that reduced sensitivity of dopamine receptors is associated with anxiety, depressed mood, or high novelty seeking in alcoholism.