Loss of heterozygosity and mutation analysis of the p16 (9p21) and p53 (17p13) genes in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

We analyzed allelic loss at the p53 gene (17p13) and at chromosome region 9p21 in 35 primary head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at p53 and 9p21 was found in 50 and 75% of informative cases, respectively. LOH at the p53 gene did not increase significantly with tumor stage, but was more frequent in moderately and poorly differentiated tumors than in well-differentiated tumors. LOH plus mutation or homozygous deletion of p53 was limited to advanced stage and poorly differentiated tumors. Allelic loss at 9p21 is frequent in early stage head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and is not significantly associated with LOH at p53. The second exon of the p16/MTS1/CDKN2 gene was found to be homozygously deleted in 1 of 19 cases showing LOH at 9p21, but direct sequencing did not show mutations in the remaining 18 cases. This suggests that p16 plays a limited role in the development of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.     

Cefpiramide (Tamicin) in the treatment of purulent complications of abdominal surgery

Fifty patients with purulent infection of the abdominal cavity were treated with cefpiramide (Lek, Slovania). The analysis of the results showed that the clinical effect was favourable in 92 percent of the patients. The bacteriological efficacy amounted to 65.2 percent. The index of the isolates susceptibility was high (72 percent at the average). The concentration of cefpiramide in the bile from the bile common duct was low (23 micrograms/ml) as a result of its partial or complete obstruction. The adverse reaction (diarrhea) was stated in 1 patient.     

Initial experience of using GRAFTAC absorbable staples to attach split skin grafts

The GRAFTAC skin stapler with absorbable tacs has been used to attach split-skin grafts in 28 patients, under a variety of clinical situations, and the outcomes studied. This knowledge has been reviewed in the light of our existing experience with the more familiar metal staple. Details of the patients and their conditions are presented, with two illustrative case histories, including one where both Graftac and metal staples were used. The relative costs were analysed and an attempt made to compare the cost-effectiveness of tacs and staples. A rationale for use of the more expensive GRAFTAC stapler is presented.     

Delayed and prolonged vascular leakage in inflammation: the effects of dehydromonocrotaline on blood vessels in the rat cremaster

Local application of dehydromonocrotaline to the rat cremaster produces a delayed prolonged increase in vascular permeability with a time course similar to that of the pulmonary oedema seen after intravenous injection of the same substance. Study of the injured area by the carbon labelling technique and by electron microscopy shows that the increased permeability involves both capillaries and venules of all sizes within the region exposed to dehydromonocrotaline. The vascular leakage appears to be due to a direct effect on the endothelium of small blood vessels. Carbon deposition in labelled capillaries and venules is predominantly intramural and indicative of increased vascular permeability. Accumulation of carbon within the lumen of capillaries is uncommon, and accounts for only a small fraction of total capillary labelling. The findings indicate that capillaries are a major source of inflammatory exudate in this type of injury and suggest that the importance of leakage from capillaries has been underestimated in other types of delayed prolonged increase in vascular permeability.     

Identification of an atypical lipoprotein-binding protein from human aortic smooth muscle as T-cadherin

Tetramicra brevifilum, a microsporidian parasite of Scophthalmus maximus, was found in Lophius budegassa for the first time. This parasite was detected in 5 of 199 hosts captured in the coastal waters of Barcelona (Northwest Mediterranean), which enlarges the geographic distribution of this microsporidian. Affected fish did not show any external sign of disease, and cysts of T. brevifilum were found associated with the body musculature but were easily differentiated from those of Spraguea lophii, another microsporidian present in this host. A case of simultaneous infection by both T. brevifilum and S. lophii was found.     

Boundaries of structure-functional units (domains) of eukaryotic chromosomes

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has been shown to be a preferentially selective neurotrophic factor for dopamine (DA) neurons. In the present study, we have examined the distribution of GDNF mRNA expression in several major DA-containing cell body and terminal areas and the regulation of GDNF mRNA expression upon various pharmacological treatments. Results indicated that there is a relatively higher GDNF mRNA level in neurons of the nigrostriatal and mesolimbic dopaminergic pathways. Upon chronic 1-methyl-4-phenyl1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) treatment (30 mg/ kg, i.p., for 7 days), DA level was decreased, whereas GDNF mRNA expression was increased in the striatum, suggesting that more GDNF is synthesized and expressed to cope with the neurotoxin insult. Furthermore, among several DA neuron protective and/or therapeutic agents examined, both intrastriatal injections of (-)-deprenyl (1.25 microg and 2.5 microg) and melatonin (30 microg, 60 microg, and 120 microg) significantly enhanced GDNF mRNA expression in the striatum, whereas the same concentrations of (-)-deprenyl did not affect monoamine oxidase B (MAOB) activity, although it increased glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and/or superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. Similarly, the same concentrations of melatonin did not alter SOD or GPx activities, except that the highest dose of melatonin (120 microg) increased lipid peroxidation in the striatum. Conversely, GM1 ganglioside injection (45 microg) lacked of an effect on GDNF mRNA expression. Together, these results suggest that both (-)-deprenyl and melatonin up-regulate GDNF gene expression at threshold doses lower than that needed for altering MAOB activity and/or the antioxidant enzyme systems, respectively. These results provide new information on the neuroprotective and therapeutic mechanisms of (-)-deprenyl and melatonin on DA neurons.