Cloning and characterization of NE-dlg: a novel human homolog of the Drosophila discs large (dlg) tumor suppressor protein interacts with the APC protein

We have cloned a cDNA for a novel human homolog of the Drosophila discs large (dig) tumor suppressor protein, termed NE-dlg (neuronal and endocrine dig). Northern blot analysis revealed that the gene is highly expressed in neuronal and endocrine tissues. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and radiation hybrid mapping studies localized the NE-dlg gene to chromosome Xq13. We also found that the NE-dlg gene encoded a 100 kDa protein. Immunolocalization studies using an NE-dlg antibody showed that the protein tended to be expressed in non-proliferating cells, such as neurons, cells in Langerhans islets of the pancreas, myocytes of the heart muscles, and the prickle and functional layer cells of the esophageal epithelium. Proliferative cells, including various cultured cancer cell lines and basal cells in the esophageal epithelium, showed little expression of the NE-dlg protein. In addition, yeast two-hybrid screening and in vitro binding assays revealed that the NE-dlg interacted with the carboxyl-terminal region of the APC tumor suppressor protein. These data suggest that NE-dlg negatively regulates cell proliferation through its interaction with the APC protein.     

Numerical Verifications of Solutions for Nonlinear Parabolic Equations in One-Space Dimensional Case

In this paper, we describe a numerical method to verify the solutions with guaranteed error bounds for nonlinear parabolic problems in one dimensional case. It is based on Plum's method for formulating the problem and weak formulation for estimating explicitly the inverse norm of the linearized operator. We introduce some weighted norms on time-dependent Sobolev spaces, which play an important role in the application of our method. We present detailed verification procedures by using this weighted norm and show some numerical examples.     

Corneal shape changes after scleral buckling surgery

PURPOSE: A prospective study was conducted to investigate the corneal shape changes due to scleral buckling surgery. These changes were analyzed based on the type of buckling procedures performed. METHODS: A total of 89 eyes from 88 patients were stratified into four groups based on the type of buckling procedures used, including:group A, local buckling; group B, encircling; group C, encircling with vitrectomy; and group D, encircling with additional segmental buckling. These eyes underwent keratometry and videokeratography examinations before surgery as well as at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: No statistical significance was observed in the amounts of the induced corneal astigmatism and the refractive cylinder among the four groups. After local or segmental buckling (groups A and D), corneal steepening, which corresponded to the buckle, occurred at a high incidence. After encircling (groups B and C), either peripheral corneal flattening with focal central steepening or flattening on one side with coupled steepening on the opposite side was observed. Such corneal changes persisted for up to 6 months in an irregular and asymmetric configuration. CONCLUSIONS: All four types of circumferential scleral buckling surgery were found to produce prolonged irregular and asymmetric corneal shape changes, whereas the patterns of the changes differed depending on the buckling procedures used.     

Co-operation regarding water and other resources will enhance economic development in Egypt,Sudan, Ethiopia and Eritrea

Competition for water will increase in the northern portion of the Nile River basin, with increases in population and with new and continuing efforts to stimulate economic development, improve income levels and achieve food security. Water scarcity and the inefficient allocation of water can limit the pace of economic development in arid regions, particularly when nations are unable to implement agreements that enhance the sum of net benefits generated with water resources. Much of the discussion regarding water in the northern Nile basin involves the volumetric allocation of water among countries. That focus may limit appreciation of the benefits that might be generated by co-operation involving a larger set of activities, such as international trade and transborder investments. The authors present a conceptual framework that describes how co-operation and international agreements may contribute to achieving the development goals of individual countries, while also enhancing regional net benefits. The authors propose several types of transborder investments that might be helpful in achieving those goals.     

Postoperative delayed emptying in pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy using pancreaticogastrostomy: comparison of the reconstruction position

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We frequently use pancreaticogastrostomy after pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PpPD). Although it is a useful and effective technique, it sometimes requires prolonged delayed emptying. We considered the best position for pancreaticogastrostomy in such a way as to reduce this period of delayed emptying. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From 1991 to 1996, 17 patients whose blood sugar was controlled and who were kept on H2 blocker were selected from among 25 patients who underwent PpPD and were reconstructed by pancreaticogastrostomy. We investigated the history of the relationship between reconstruction position and delayed emptying, reconstruction position and minor leakage, minor leakage and delayed emptying, reconstruction position and stomach mobility without leakage. RESULTS: The delayed emptying was shorter for a reconstruction position in the area above the angulus rather than below it. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the area above the angulus is the preferred site for pancreaticogastrostomy after PpPD.     

Internal tandem duplication of the FLT3 gene is preferentially seen in acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome among various hematological malignancies. A study on a large series of patients and cell lines

In this study, we examined a large number of patients to clarify the distribution and frequency of a recently described FLT3 tandem duplication among hematopoietic malignancies, including 112 acute myelocytic leukemia (AML), 55 acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), 37 myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), 20 chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), 30 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), 14 adult T cell leukemia, 15 chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and 38 multiple myeloma (MM). We also evaluated 71 cell lines derived from 11 AML, 31 ALL, two hairy cell leukemia, three acute unclassified leukemia, 10 CML, 12 NHL including six Burkitt's lymphoma, and two MM. Using genomic PCR of exon 11 coding for the juxtamembrane (JM) domain and first amino acids of the 5'-tyrosine kinase (TK) domain, this length mutation was found only in AML (22/112, 20%) and MDS (1/37). According to the FAB subclassification, they were 5/18 (28%) of M1, 4/29 (14%) of M2, 3/17 (18%) of M3, 6/24 (25%) of M4, 4/20 (20%) of M5 and 1/9 of refractory anemia with excess of blast in transformation. In the various cell lines examined, this abnormality was determined in only one derived from AML and never found in other hematological malignancies. The sequence analysis of the abnormal PCR products revealed that 23 of 24 showed internal tandem duplication with or without insertion of nucleotides. In one AML, insertion and deletion without duplication was determined. All 24 lengthened sequences were in-frame. Duplication takes place in the sequence coding for the JM domain and leaves the TK domain intact. In conclusion, we emphasize that the length mutation of FLT3 at JM/TK-I domains were restricted to AML and MDS. Since all these mutations resulted in in-frame, this abnormality might function for the proliferation of leukemic cells.     

Development, Analysis, and Application of a Glass–Alumina-Based Self-Constrained Sintering Low-Temperature Cofired Ceramic

The effects of an inner constraint layer and alumina particles on the microstructure, strength, and shrinkage of the laminated low-temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) green sheet were investigated. Alumina particles of several sizes were used in the inner-constraint layer in order to strengthen the LTCC substrate. Smaller alumina particles in the inner-constraint layer produced a substrate with a high bending strength. Sintering shrinkage in the x – y direction of the LTCC is related to the bending strength of the debinded alumina particle layer used for an inner-constraint layer. A larger pore size in the inner-constraint layer was found to increase the distance of the glass penetration from the glass–alumina layer into the inner-constraint layer. The total thickness of the constraint layer changes the shrinkage in the x – y direction and the bending strength.     

Long-term results of short segmental syngeneic small intestinal transplantation: comparison of jejunal and ileal grafts

A short-segment intestinal graft is favorable to reduce the rate of rejection and the incidence of graft-versus-host disease in recipients of small intestine transplantation. To determine whether a jejunal or an ileal graft is preferable with respect to intestinal morphology and function, syngeneic two-step small intestinal transplantations were performed using male Lewis rats (RT1(1)). They were divided into two groups according to the small intestine donor site (group 1 received 10 cm of jejunum; group 2 received 10 cm of ileum). There was no significant difference in the survival rate or weight gain between the two groups. Nearly all the hematologic findings, serum nutritional parameters, and results of liver function tests were normal for both groups. The only difference was that the serum total bile acid level was significantly higher in group 2. Fifty weeks after transplantation, the graft mucosa showed normal architecture, with adaptive hyperplasia of villi and crypt noted through histological study. The villus height of group 1 was 595 +/- 64 microns (control, 452 +/- 67 microns); that of group 2 was 732 +/- 53 microns (control, 217 +/- 20 microns). The crypt depth of group 1 was 228 +/- 35 microns (control, 165 +/- 24 microns); that of group 2 was 320 +/- 19 microns (control, 102 +/- 19 microns). These compensatory changes were more pronounced in group 2. The authors conclude that, on the basis of long-term functional capacity, there was no significant difference between jejunal and ileal grafts, and that both segments were suitable for transplantation. However, the ileal graft was considered to be better with respect to morphological adaptation.