Highly-efficient gene transfer with retroviral vectors into human T lymphocytes on fibronectin

Genetically modified lymphocytes have been successfully used for correction of ADA deficiency in children and in controlling graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Low transduction efficiencies are, however, limiting for gene therapeutic strategies based on lymphocytes. In this study we compared protocols for highly efficient gene transfer into human T cells using retroviral vector-containing supernatant. We showed that infection of both human primary T cells and CD4+ Jurkat cells is most efficient on the matrix component fibronectin. Transduction was carried out with a retroviral vector encoding both the human intracytoplasmatically truncated low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor (deltaLNGFR) as a gene transfer marker and the Herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase for negative selection. Based on LNGFR expression genetically modified cells were enriched to near purity by magnetic cell sorting (MACS). Enriched cells could be shown to be highly sensitive to ganciclovir.     

Comparative genomic hybridization: a comparison with molecular and cytogenetic analysis

A comparative analysis of the differentiation pattern, the proliferative behaviour, and the level of apoptosis between human benign and malignant neoplasms of smooth-muscle (SM) tissue is lacking. The clinical, histopathological, immunochemical, and immunocytochemical features of leiomyomas (LM) and leiomyosarcomas (LMS) were investigated by a panel of monoclonal antibodies specific for some differentiation markers of SM tissue (SM myosin and alpha-actin, desmin, and SM22) and for markers of non-muscle tissue (vimentin and non-muscle myosin). Proliferating normal and neoplastic cells were identified by proliferating-cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)/Ki67 immunostainings and the apoptotic cells were revealed by means of the terminal-deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling technique. Gel electrophoresis and Western blotting, performed with anti-(SM1/SM2 myosin isoform) antibody, indicated quantitative differences between LMS and LM, which mirrored higher positive to negative nuclear ratios for PCNA, Ki67 and apoptosis in malignant as opposed to benign neoplasms. With LM, however, a similar SM1 to SM2 ratio could be associated with different proliferation levels. Uterine, gastric and intestinal LMS displayed specific patterns of SM1/SM2 and/or non-muscle myosin expression that were not paralleled by different levels of proliferation/apoptosis. While the level of PCNA/Ki67 correlated with the level of apoptosis in normal SM tissues and LM, that of LMS did not. In vivo at the cellular level, LM and uterine LMS displayed a near-uniform SM tissue differentiation, whereas the other LMS displayed a lesser or a heterogeneous immunoreactivity. In vitro, cultured LMS cells showed a limited and peculiar expression of SM myosin. In conclusion, there is no reciprocal relationship between degree of differentiation and the level of proliferation, as exemplified by the finding that the less differentiated intestinal LMS displays the lowest proliferative behaviour and that the relatively more differentiated gastric LMS/metastasis is more proliferative.     

Estimating costs of programme services and products using information provided in standard financial statements

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether spectral analysis of unprocessed radiofrequency (RF) signal offers advantages over standard videodensitometric analysis in identifying the morphology of coronary atherosclerotic plaques. METHODS: 97 regions of interest (ROI) were imaged at 30 MHz from postmortem, pressure perfused (80 mm Hg) coronary arteries in saline baths. RF data were digitised at 250 MHz. Two different sizes of ROI were identified from scan converted images, and relative amplitudes of different frequency components were analysed from raw data. Normalised spectra was used to calculate spectral slope (dB/MHz), y-axis intercept (dB), mean power (dB), and maximum power (dB) over a given bandwidth (17-42 MHz). RF images were constructed and compared with comparative histology derived from microscopy and radiological techniques in three dimensions. RESULTS: Mean power was similar from dense fibrotic tissue and heavy calcium, but spectral slope was steeper in heavy calcium (-0.45 (0.1)) than in dense fibrotic tissue (-0.31 (0.1)), and maximum power was higher for heavy calcium (-7.7 (2.0)) than for dense fibrotic tissue (-10.2 (3.9)). Maximum power was significantly higher in heavy calcium (-7.7 (2.0) dB) and dense fibrotic tissue (-10.2 (3.9) dB) than in microcalcification (-13.9 (3.8) dB). Y-axis intercept was higher in microcalcification (-5.8 (1.1) dB) than in moderately fibrotic tissue (-11.9 (2.0) dB). Moderate and dense fibrotic tissue were discriminated with mean power: moderate -20.2 (1.1) dB, dense -14.7 (3.7) dB; and y-axis intercept: moderate -11.9 (2.0) dB, dense -5.5 (5.4) dB. Different densities of fibrosis, loose, moderate, and dense, were discriminated with both y-axis intercept, spectral slope, and mean power. Lipid could be differentiated from other types of plaque tissue on the basis of spectral slope, lipid -0.17 (0.08). Also y-axis intercept from lipid (-17.6 (3.9)) differed significantly from moderately fibrotic tissue, dense fibrotic tissue, microcalcification, and heavy calcium. No significant differences in any of the measured parameters were seen between the results obtained from small and large ROIs. CONCLUSION: Frequency based spectral analysis of unprocessed ultrasound signal may lead to accurate identification of atherosclerotic plaque morphology.     

Rapid activation of protein C by factor Xa and thrombin in the presence of polyanionic compounds

A recent study indicated that negatively charged substances such as heparin and dextran sulfate accelerate thrombin activation of coagulation factor XI by a template mechanism. Because the serine proteinase of the natural anticoagulant pathway, activated protein C, can bind heparin, it was reasonable to think that these compounds may also bind protein C (PC) and accelerate its activation by thrombin or other heparin binding plasma serine proteinases by a similar mechanism. To test this, PC activation by thrombin and factor Xa (fXa) was studied in the presence of these polysaccharides. With thrombin in the absence of thrombomodulin (TM), these polysaccharides markedly reduced the Km for PC and Gla-domainless PC (GDPC) activation in the presence of Ca2+. With TM containing chondroitin sulfate, heparin did not influence PC activation by thrombin, but with TM lacking chondroitin sulfate, the characteristic high-affinity PC interaction at low Ca2+ (approximately 50 to 100 micromol/L) was largely eliminated by heparin. In EDTA, heparin enhanced thrombin activation of GDPC by reducing the Km, but it inhibited PC activation by increasing the Km. PC activation in EDTA was insensitive to the presence of heparin if the exosite 2 mutant, R93,97,101A thrombin, was used for activation. These results suggest that, when the Gla-domain of PC is not fully stabilized by Ca2+, it interacts with the anion binding exosite 2 of thrombin and that heparin binding to this site prevents this interaction. Additional studies indicated that, in the presence of phospholipid vesicles, heparin and dextran sulfate dramatically accelerate PC activation by fXa by also reducing the Km. Interestingly, on phospholipids containing 40% phosphatidylethanolamine, the activation rate of near physiological PC concentrations ( approximately 80 nmol/L) by fXa in the presence of dextran sulfate was nearly comparable to that observed by the thrombin-TM complex. The biochemical and potential therapeutical ramifications of these findings are discussed.     

High rates of discitis following surgery for prolapsed intervertebral discs at a hospital in Pakistan

OBJECTIVES: To confirm the presence of an outbreak of postoperative infections following laminectomy and to determine the infection rate after interventions were instituted. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. Medical records were reviewed, personnel interviewed, and premises examined. SETTING: Surgical unit of hospital A in Pakistan. SUBJECTS: Patients who had surgical laminectomy between January 1993 and July 1994. INTERVENTION: Instructive program for nursing and medical staff in December 1993. RESULTS: From January to December 1993, 6 (15%) of 41 laminectomy patients developed postoperative discitis. The risk of discitis varied significantly by surgeon (P = .016); patients who had one particular surgeon, surgeon A, were nine times more likely to develop postoperative infections than patients who did not have surgeon A. Patients were not consistently cleaned or shaved before coming to the operating room, and personnel moved back and forth between the operation theater and other parts of the hospital without changing their gowns or slippers. After the instructional intervention, between January and July 1994, 2 (6%) of 31 laminectomy patients developed postoperative discitis, a rate not significantly lower than in the preceding 12 months (P = .45). Overall, from January 1993 through July 1994, female patients were more likely to develop discitis than males (31% vs 7%; relative risk, 4.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-15.6; P < .032). CONCLUSION: Endemic conditions require that laminectomy at hospital A be limited to those situations where the benefits of the surgery exceed the considerable risk of postoperative discitis.     

Evidence for a Turner syndrome locus or loci at Xp11.2-p22.1

Turner syndrome is the complex human phenotype associated with complete or partial monosomy X. Principle features of Turner syndrome include short stature, ovarian failure, and a variety of other anatomic and physiological abnormalities, such as webbed neck, lymphedema, cardiovascular and renal anomalies, hypertension, and autoimmune thyroid disease. We studied 28 apparently nonmosaic subjects with partial deletions of Xp, in order to map loci responsible for various components of the Turner syndrome phenotype. Subjects were carefully evaluated for the presence or absence of Turner syndrome features, and their deletions were mapped by FISH with a panel of Xp markers. Using a statistical method to examine genotype/phenotype correlations, we mapped one or more Turner syndrome traits to a critical region in Xp11.2-p22.1. These traits included short stature, ovarian failure, high-arched palate, and autoimmune thyroid disease. The results are useful for genetic counseling of individuals with partial monosomy X. Study of additional subjects should refine the localization of Turner syndrome loci and provide a rational basis for exploration of candidate genes.     

Technical report: Initial experiences with an experimental solid-state universal digital X-ray image detector

This paper presents a brief technical evaluation and first review of clinical experiences with an experimental direct digital X-ray image detector designed to support both dynamic and snap-shot imaging. Derivatives of this type of image detector can potentially fulfil the majority of the fluoroscopic and radiographic imaging requirements of clinical radiology departments, and initial results suggest that imaging systems using the new technology will provide a high quality dose-efficient solution to the search for a universal digital X-ray image detector.     

Synergy between simulation and experiment in describing the energy landscape of protein folding

Experimental data from protein engineering studies and NMR spectroscopy have been used by theoreticians to develop algorithms for helix propensity and to benchmark computer simulations of folding pathways and energy landscapes. Molecular dynamic simulations of the unfolding of chymotrypsin inhibitor 2 (CI2) have provided detailed structural models of the transition state ensemble for unfolding/folding of the protein. We now have used the simulated transition state structures to design faster folding mutants of CI2. The models pinpoint a number of unfavorable local interactions at the carboxyl terminus of the single alpha-helix and in the protease-binding loop region of CI2. By removing these interactions or replacing them with stabilizing ones, we have increased the rate of folding of the protein up to 40-fold (tau = 0.4 ms). This correspondence, and other examples of agreement between experiment and theory in general, Phi-values and molecular dynamics simulations, in particular, suggest that significant progress has been made toward describing complete folding pathways at atomic resolution by combining experiment and simulation.     

Properties of fatty-acid esters of starch

This work examines the properties of starch esters for their possible application as environmentally degradable thermoplastics. The rheological, thermal, and mechanical properties of a series of fatty-acid esters of high-amylose starch (as well as the effects of adding plasticizer on some selected properties) were evaluated. The ester group acts like an internal plasticizer, with an increase in the size of the fatty-acid chain, resulting in greater internal plasticization. This is reflected in the rheological and thermal measurements as well as in the mechanical properties. Overall, larger ester groups and the addition of external plasticizer make these starch-based materials more processable and more ductile. However, comparing their properties and cost to commodity thermoplastics leads us to believe that their commercial applications are likely to be limited, at least in the near future. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.