Reduced growth factor requirements and accelerated cell-cycle kinetics in adult human melanocytes transformed with SV40 large T antigen

Melanomas develop with high frequency in transgenic mice in which oncogenic sequences of the SV40 DNA tumor virus have been specifically targeted to melanocytes. To investigate the role of SV40 in melanomagenesis, cultured human melanocytes were transformed with a retroviral shuttle vector encoding the SV40 large T antigen and examined for changes in cell-cycle kinetics and growth-factor dependence. Colonies expressing the viral oncogene were morphologically indistinguishable from their non-T-antigen-transformed counterparts. Also like normal melanocytes, the infected cells remained anchorage dependent and non-tumorigenic in nude mice. However, T-antigen-positive cultures exhibited significantly accelerated population doubling times, increased saturation densities with highly confluent monolayers and a three- to fourfold extended life span. Most interestingly, cell-cycle analysis revealed a measurable shift from quiescent to cycling cells in T-antigen-expressing cultures and an acquired ability to progress more rapidly through G1. Moreover, T-antigen-positive melanocytes proliferated in the absence of PMA and required markedly reduced levels of exogenous bFGF. These studies indicate that the viral oncogen of simian virus 40 provides melanocytes with distinct growth advantages that may render these cells unusually susceptible to additional environmental challenges necessary for full expression of the malignant phenotype.     

Heat destruction of Salmonella in poultry feed: effect of time, temperature, and moisture

Presentation of our experience in three cases of urocolpos (acquired pudendal lip fusion), a series numerically equivalent to the total number of cases published until now. All patients in our series were older women and presented complete fusion of the small pudendal lips, with only a small pointed puncture in the lower part of the vulva. The main clinical signs and symptoms in our series were: urinary infection in 100%, false incontinence in 66% due to output of urine retained in the vagina, a symptom that has not been described earlier, and acute urine retention in 33%. All patients were successfully treated by means of surgical loosening of the fusioned lips and application of topical estrogens. An analysis is made of clinical and pathoanatomical features which differentiate this entity from the sclerotic and atrophic lichen. Finally, an etiopathogenic hypothesis is raised to explain the fusion acquired by the small pudendal lips in the urocolpos.     

Carbonitriding of Clay: Relation between the Weight Loss and Crystalline Phases during Reaction

β'-Sialons are phases of the Si-Al-O-N system. The carbonitriding of clays and kaolins is a preparation method. The reaction mechanism of clay carbonitriding is verified by means of the relation among crystalline phases formed and the weight loss produced in the samples during the reaction. Two clays were previously mixed with carbon black and pressed into pellets, flowing through N₂ atmosphere, at five temperatures within the range 1335–1427°C. The phases formed (XRD)—mullite, SiC, β'A-sialon, and oxynitrides—were related to the weight loss measured in the pellet independently of reaction temperature and time. The β'A-sialon and the nitrogenous phases were formed from SiC and mullite. A z value decrease for β'A-sialon was observed during reaction progression.     

Chronic exposure of cultured bovine endothelial cells to oxidized LDL abolishes prostacyclin release

We investigated the effect of chronic exposure (3 days) with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and oxidized (Ox)-LDL on the unstimulated and stimulated formation of prostacyclin (6-keto-prostaglandin [PG]F1 alpha) and total inositol phosphates (IPs) by cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells. Neither basal nor bradykinin-stimulated (1 to 10 nmol/L) formation of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha was affected by LDL, except at the highest concentration of bradykinin tested (100 nmol/L). In the presence of the antioxidants N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC, 10 mumol/L) or vitamin E (100 mumol/L), basal and bradykinin-stimulated formation of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha was potentiated by 20 micrograms protein/mL of LDL. Ox-LDL decreased unstimulated formation of the eicosanoid from 3.1 +/- 0.2 pg/micrograms protein in control cells to 1.6 +/- 0.1 and 0.5 +/- 0.1 pg/microgram protein after 3-day incubation with 5 and 20 micrograms protein/mL of Ox-LDL, respectively (P < .05). As in the basal state, Ox-LDL decreased bradykinin-induced 6-keto-PGF1 alpha formation. NAC or vitamin E did not influence Ox-LDL-induced endothelial cell changes in eicosanoid production. IPs formation by endothelial cells increased to a similar extent in the presence of 20 micrograms protein/mL of either LDL or Ox-LDL. However, no change was apparent in the bradykinin (10 mumol/L)-induced increase in total IPs formation after incubation with the lipoproteins. The data indicate that chronic exposure to Ox-LDL abolishes the production of prostacyclin by cultured endothelial cells. The oxidatively modified lipoprotein seems to more specifically affect the prostacyclin pathway.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

New lipid lowering drugs and new effects of old drugs

Old lipid acting drugs (fibrates, resins and niacin) continue to demonstrate morbidity and mortality benefits with variable efficacy and safety. Controlled trials have provided efficacy and safety data that support the use of statins as the first choice in the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis. Knowledge of old and new mechanisms of action, optimal doses, pharmacokinetic behavior and drug interactions improve the safety and effectiveness of these hypolipidemic agents.     

Prostate cancer clinical trials of the Southwest Oncology Group

The changing clinical dynamics of prostate cancer have resulted in a broadening of the research focus of the Genitourinary (GU) Cancer Committee of the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG). Beginning with an emphasis on hormone-refractory disease in its early years, SWOG prostate cancer trials now cover the entire spectrum of the disease: localized, locally advanced, metastatic and hormone-refractory disease. As the world's largest GU cancer research group, the GU committee of SWOG has pioneered studies in combined androgen therapy for metastatic disease, quality-of-life (QOL) assessments for patients with localized and advanced disease, adjuvant therapy models, and prostate cancer chemoprevention. The committee has also formed the GU Global Group, whose purpose is to convene the chairs of the GU committees of all the major national and international oncology cooperative groups. Meeting semiannually, this group discusses activities within their respective organizations, plans collaborative strategies and protocols, and establishes global strategy in prostate cancer clinical research. The future directions of national and international prostate cancer trials will build on this broad foundation of well-conceived, logically sequenced studies.     

Cosleeping (bedsharing) among infants and toddlers

This study was designed to investigate the effect of retaining coronal tooth substance on the performance of post-retained core materials, and to compare the fracture resistance of the system with an intact tooth prepared to similar dimensions. Ten teeth restored with post-retained silver amalgam, and 10 teeth restored with silver-glass cermet, all with a retained single wall of coronal tooth substance, were compared with 10 unrestored teeth prepared to similar dimensions when subjected to a shearing load. The results showed no statistically significant difference between the unrestored teeth and those restored with a silver-glass cermet. Whilst the teeth restored with silver amalgam had a significantly higher fracture resistance (P > 0.01) there was greater tendency to root fracture.