Mycoplasma genes: a case for reflective annotation

Although function can be assigned to genome sequence by homology at a macroscopic level, this can be misleading in the absence of data on enzyme activities. Together, such data can reveal whether open reading frames are expressed, identify multienzyme function and point to 'orphan' function. Because of their small size and small genomes, the genome sequences of some Mycoplasma spp. are very amenable to detailed analyses.     

Outcome of pregnancy after radioactive iodine treatment for well differentiated thyroid carcinomas

This study sought to determine the outcome of pregnancy in female patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma who became pregnant after radioactive iodide treatment. A total of 779 female thyroid cancer patients were treated at Chang Gung Medical Center in Linkou between January 1977 and December 1995. The medical records of these patients were reviewed retrospectively. Thirty-seven of these patients had well differentiated thyroid carcinoma receiving 131I treatment and conceived at a mean age of 27.97 +/- 3.49 year-old. A total of 58 pregnancy episodes were recorded during this study period. Among these 37 patients, 3 episodes of artificial abortion, 8 episodes of spontaneous abortion and 2 threatened abortions were observed. These patients delivered a total of 47 babies including 3 premature babies. Seven of these patients conceived within 6 months after the last administration of 131I, including 2 cases within 1 month, 4 cases within 4 months, and 1 patient within 5 months. Of these 7 patients, only one patient who conceived within 6 months after the last administration of 131I (14.3%) had a spontaneous abortion. The present results suggest that previous administration of 131I in female patients with well differentiated thyroid cancer does not result in demonstrable adverse effects in subsequent pregnancies. However, further studies involving long-term follow-up of children delivered by mothers who became pregnant within 6 months after the last administration of 131I is needed to further elucidate the possible chronic effects and sequelae of 131I therapy on subsequent pregnancies.     

Novel glycineB antagonists show neuroprotective activity in vivo

The degeneration or dysfunction of cholinergic neurons within the basal forebrain of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) may be related to the vulnerability of these cells to endogenous glutamate (Beal, 1995; Greenamyre and Young, 1989). The administration of drugs that attenuate the toxic actions of glutamate in the early stages of the disease might significantly delay its rate of progression. Two approaches to neuroprotection from endogenous glutamatergic function were investigated and found to be effective: blockade of voltage-dependent, NMDA-type glutamate receptor channels and antagonism of an NMDA-receptor related glycineB modulatory site.     

Sustained reduction of neointima with c-myc antisense oligonucleotides in saphenous vein grafts

BACKGROUND: Treatment of saphenous veins with c-myc antisense oligomers during preparation for grafting reduces medial cellular proliferation and macrophage infiltration, and preserves medial smooth muscle content at 3 days. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to examine whether c-myc antisense oligomers have an impact on late vein graft remodeling. METHODS: Sixty-two pigs underwent unilateral saphenous vein-carotid artery interposition grafting. Harvested veins were incubated either in saline (control group) or 20-micromol/L or 200-micromol/L concentrations of c-myc antisense oligomers (treated groups) for 30 minutes intraoperatively. Three months after surgery, vein graft histology was assessed. RESULTS: Forty-five of 62 randomized animals survived the experiment; no differences in animal survival or graft patency among the groups were observed (p = NS, chi2). C-myc antisense oligomers significantly decreased neointimal and wall thickness, as well as increased lumenal index, in treated groups (p<0.04, p<0.03, and p<0.001, respectively, analysis of variance). In contrast, there was no difference in medial thickness or perivascular wound healing. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative treatment of saphenous veins with c-myc antisense oligomers decreased neointimal formation at 3 months after grafting. In conjunction with our previous reports, these findings suggest that early inhibition of cellular proliferation and inflammatory infiltration results in a sustained reduction in neointimal formation and favorable graft remodeling.