cDNA cloning and characterization of A3i, an alternatively spliced rat A3 adenosine receptor variant

Programmed cell death of antigen specific T cells (apoptosis) may be an important process in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Fas antigen was recognized as an apoptosis-related antigen. To investigate Fas antigen in multiple sclerosis (MS), we measured the expression rate of Fas antigen and activation markers on T cells in peripheral blood (PB) of 19 MS patients, 18 controls and in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of nine MS patients by flow cytometry. The positive rate of Fas antigen in MS patients was higher than that of healthy controls in PB. In patients with MS, the expression rates of Fas antigen and activation markers were higher in CSF than in PB. The above findings suggest that there is acceleration or impairment of apoptosis on activated T cells in MS.     

Differential expression of two prolactin and growth hormone genes during early development of tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) in fresh water and seawater: implications for possible involvement in osmoregulation during early life stages

The possible involvement of prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH) in osmoregulation during early life stages of the tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) was examined by in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry using synthetic oligonucleotide probes and homologous antisera to two tilapia PRLs (PRL188 and PRL177) and GH. Hybridization signals for PRL188 mRNA were detected for the first time in newly hatched larvae (5 days after fertilization), and were significantly greater in larvae in fresh water (FW) than those in seawater (SW) until 10 days after hatching. PRL177 mRNA was detected in the pituitary of embryos 1 day before hatching. Although PRL177 gene expression in the embryo and newly hatched larvae in FW was not significantly different from those in SW, the expression was significantly greater in FW than in SW from Day 2 until Day 10. Hybridization signals for GH mRNA were first detected in newly hatched larvae. No significant differences in GH mRNA expression were observed between larvae in FW and those in SW. A stronger immunoreaction, a significantly larger PRL cell size, and a pituitary area containing PRL cells were observed in larvae hatched and maintained in FW, in those transferred from SW to FW, compared to larvae hatched and maintained in SW, and in those transferred from FW to SW. No significant difference was observed in the activity of GH cells between larvae in FW and those in SW. These results suggest that both PRLs are involved importantly in FW adaptation, whereas GH does not seem to play a critical role in osmoregulation during early stages of tilapia.     

The NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 elicits conditioned place preference in rats

(+)-5-Methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine maleate, (MK-801) a potent noncompetitive antagonist of central NMDA receptors, has been hypothesized to have rewarding properties indicative of abuse potential. To test this hypothesis, the effects of MK-801 on the acquisition of a conditioned place preference and on locomotor activity were assessed and compared with d-amphetamine. Both MK-801 (0.03 and 0.1 mg/kg, SC) and d-amphetamine (1.0 mg/kg, SC) administration resulted in the acquisition of a conditioned place preference. However, while both amphetamine and the higher dose of MK-801 produced a behavioral activation during the training period the lower dose of MK-801 did not. These results suggest that MK-801, at doses that produce behavioral activation and below, is rewarding and therefore may have abuse potential.     

Trisomy 21 in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a Pediatric Oncology Group study (8602)

Of 1,036 children with newly diagnosed non-T, non-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and a demonstrated cytogenetic abnormality treated on the frontline Pediatric Oncology Group (POG) therapeutic trial 8602, there were 33 patients with trisomy 21 as the sole abnormality. Of these 33, 14 had Down syndrome (DS). Although the non-DS (NDS) trisomy 21 cases tended to be older than the DS cases, there were no other significant differences in clinicobiologic features nor in treatment outcomes between the DS and NDS groups, nor between the entire trisomy 21 group and the other chromosome abnormality group. Among NDS patients with +21 and one additional abnormality, +X, +16, -20, and structural abnormalities involving 6q or 12p were common findings. Kaplan-Meier event-free survival (EFS) curves showed a 4-year EFS of 80% (SE, 12%) in NDS trisomy 21 cases, 71% (SE, 22%) in DS cases with trisomy 21 as the sole abnormality, and 69% (SE, 2%) in cases with other chromosome abnormalities. Trisomy 21 as a sole acquired abnormality in NDS patients suggests a good prognosis.     

Role of the fowlpox virus thymidine kinase gene for the growth of FPV recombinants in cell culture

Fowlpox virus (FPV) insertion plasmids were constructed that, upon integration into the viral genome via in-vivo recombination, inactivate the viral thymidine kinase (tk) gene. Using this approach, no wild-type virus-free stocks of recombinant virus could be obtained. In contrast, either integration of foreign genes into the intergenic region of the intact FPV tk gene and the open reading frame located downstream, or the functional substitution of the inactivated FPV tk gene by an intact vaccinia virus tk gene resulted in the predicted stable recombinants that were free of wild-type virus. Our results suggest that in already highly attenuated poxvirus strains an intact tk gene is essential for efficient growth of the virus in cell culture.     

Studies of the use of L-leucyl-L-leucine methyl ester in canine allogeneic marrow transplantation

L-leucyl-L-leucine methyl ester (Leu-Leu-OMe) is a lysosomotropic agent that selectively kills cytotoxic T cells and their precursors, natural killer cells, and monocytes but not helper T cells or other cells of hematopoietic origin. In this study, the effects of treatment of bone marrow and peripheral blood buffy coat with Leu-Leu-OMe on the outcome of allogeneic marrow transplantation were studied in several canine models. Whereas incubation of autologous marrow with Leu-Leu-OMe had no adverse effects on subsequent engraftment, incubation of marrow from dog leukocyte antigen (DLA)-identical littermates resulted in a high rate of graft failure. Previous studies have demonstrated that the addition of peripheral blood buffy coat allows engraftment of unrelated DLA-nonidentical marrow, and in this study we found that incubation of buffy coat with Leu-Leu-OMe did not alter this graft promoting effect. In a final experiment it was demonstrated that incubation of both marrow and peripheral blood buffy coat did not prevent the development of graft-versus-host disease in recipients of marrow from DLA-haploidentical littermates. In considering the eventual application of Leu-Leu-OMe in the clinic, these results are less encouraging than those previously reported using murine models.     

Endoscope-assisted vestibular neurectomy

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: In some instances endoscopes offer better visualization than the microscope and frequently allow less invasive surgery. This study was undertaken to determine whether endoscopy is safe and effective during neurectomy of the vestibular nerve. METHOD: Ten patients with intractable unilateral Meniere's disease underwent a retrosigmoid craniotomy for neurectomy of the vestibular nerve. Endoscopy with a Hopkins telescope was used during each procedure to study posterior fossa anatomic relationships and to assist the neurectomy. Preoperative and postoperative audiometric evaluation was performed in all patients undergoing vestibular neurectomy. Nine of these patients had preoperative electronystagmography, and four patients completed postoperative electronystagmography. The 1995 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery's Committee on Hearing and Equilibrium guidelines for the diagnosis and evaluation of therapy in Meniere's disease were used. RESULTS: Complete neurectomy was achieved in all 10 patients. Endoscopy allowed improved identification of the nervus intermedius and the facial, cochlear, and vestibular nerves and adjacent neurovascular relationships without the need for significant retraction of the cerebellum or brainstem. In addition, endoscopic identification of the cleavage plane between the cochlear and vestibular nerves medial to or within the internal auditory canal (n = 3) was not made with the 0-degree endoscope; however, identification was made with the 30- or 70-degree endoscope in all cases. In all patients with Meniere's disease, elimination of the recurrent episodes of vertigo (n = 10) or otolithic crisis of Tumarkin (n = 1) was achieved. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior fossa endoscopy can be performed safely. Endoscope-assisted neurectomy of the vestibular nerve may offer some advantages over standard microsurgery including increased visualization, more complete neurectomy, minimal cerebellar retraction, and a lowered risk of cerebrospinal fluid leakage.     

Lower extremity manifestations of nutritional deficiencies in gastrointestinal disease

Voluminous information can be written on the nutritional deficiencies that are secondary to gastrointestinal disease. This highly complicated system, with its immunologic pathogenesis, can affect every system of the body. This article describes how these manifestations of gastrointestinal disease affect the lower extremities.     

Inhibition of Mayaro virus replication by prostaglandin A1 and B2 in Vero cells

Fluorescence from 4-methylumbelliferyl-beta-D-glucuronide (MUG) hydrolysis is a common, rapid method for determining Escherichia coli in water and food. False-positive fluorescence occurred when either pink salmon fillets were tested or beta-glucuronidase-positive Staphylococcus species were present in other fish products. Salmon fillet, E. coli, S. xylosus, and S. warneri produced 2, 17, 39, and 43 nmol of 4-methylumbelliferone per ml, respectively, in a one-step detection broth (lauryl salts tryptose broth with MUG) for E. coli after 48 h at 35 degrees C. These false-positive reactions need to be considered when testing fish products, especially those contaminated through human handling.