New research opportunities in superconductivity IV

This report surveys the considerable progress made over the last five years—such as the marketing of superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs), cellular wireless filter systems, and high current leads—and assesses needs and opportunities in the areas of fundamental science, materials development, thin film and device applications, and wire and bulk applications. It examines the challenges facing high-temperature superconductivity: from the need to understand the mechanism of high-temperature superconductivity and the unusual “normal” state to the need for new instrumentation for material characterization. Advances in thin film and bulk materials are reviewed, and obstacles impeding the commercialization of HTS materials are examined. A report on the workshop on research needs and opportunities in superconductivity, held in Monterey, California, February 10–12, 1997.     

Characterization of a human papillomavirus type 16 variant-dependent neutralizing epitope

We have determined that three type-specific and conformationally dependent monoclonal antibodies, H16.E70, H16.U4, and H16.V5, neutralize pseudotype human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) virions in vitro. H16.U4 and H16.V5 neutralized pseudotype virions derived from the German HPV16 variant 114K and the Zairian variant Z-1194 with equal efficiency. In contrast, neutralization of Z-1194 pseudotype virions by H16.E70 was two orders of magnitude weaker than neutralization of 114K pseudotype virions. This difference correlated with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay reactivity of H16.E70 to L1 virus-like particles of the two variants. A substitution at residue 282 of L1 was responsible for this differential reactivity, suggesting that this residue constitutes part of the H16.E70 epitope.     

Cyclic guanosine monophosphate responses to atrial natriuretic factor, brain natriuretic peptide, but not C-type natriuretic peptide, and the characterization of their receptors in rat medullary thick ascending limb

The effects of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) on renal medullary thick ascending limb (mTAL) have not been fully understood. The aim of this study is to examine the second-messenger responses of rat mTAL to ANF, BNP, and CNP. Characterizations of the ANF, BNP, and CNP receptors in mTAL were also performed by radioligand studies. Results showed that ANF and BNP were both capable of eliciting cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) responses in mTAL. Conversely, no cGMP response was observed upon stimulation by CNP in mTAL. The presence of ANF receptors was demonstrated by radioligand studies. One receptor site was found, and the Kd and maximum binding capacity were 4.0 +/- 0.45 nmol/L and 277.8 +/- 47.7 fmol/mg protein, respectively. BNP receptors were also found in mTAL, and ANF and BNP were sharing the same receptor. On the contrary, no CNP receptor could be shown by radioligand studies. These results suggest that guanylyl cyclase-coupled receptors (atrial natriuretic peptide receptor-A [ANPR-A]) specific for ANF and BNP are present in rat mTAL, while those for CNP (ANPR-B) are absent. ANF and BNP but not CNP act on mTAL to control water excretion.     

The light chain of CD98 is identified as E16/TA1 protein

The 80/40-kDa CD98 protein complex was purified using an anti-CD98 heavy chain monoclonal antibody coupled to Sepharose beads. Eluted proteins were subjected to preparative SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and protein corresponding to the 40-kDa CD98 light chain was excised. Following proteolysis with trypsin, a peptide fragment was sequenced by mass spectrometry. The nine residues obtained were identical to established C-terminal sequences of the human E16 and rat TA1 proteins, suggesting that TA1/E16 protein is the CD98 light chain. Consistent with this, anti-TA1/E16 antibodies specifically immunoblotted the approximately 35-40-kDa light chain present upon immunoprecipitation of the human CD98 complex. Furthermore, anti-CD98 heavy chain antibody specifically co-immunoprecipitated hemagglutinin-tagged light chain from cells transfected with hemagglutinin-tagged E16 cDNA. In conclusion, the CD98 light chain is identical to the TA1/E16 protein, based on partial amino acid sequence identity, antibody cross-reactivity, genetic reconstitution evidence, similar molecular size, and comparable cell distribution.     

TGF-beta: a balancing act

Regulation of developmental processes as well as host defense and repair mechanisms requires the maintenance of a delicate balance of positive and negative regulatory signals. TGF-beta, a molecule known for its many diverse activities, can promote or inhibit cell growth and function. Disruption of the balance between these opposing activities can contribute to aberrant development, malignancy, or pathogenic immune and inflammatory responses. TGF-beta transgenic mouse studies highlight the essential function(s) of TGF-beta and its receptors and provide insight to potential therapeutic approaches to manipulate TGF-beta expression.     

Relationships of PPARgamma and PPARgamma2 mRNA levels to obesity, diabetes and hyperinsulinaemia in rhesus monkeys

OBJECTIVE: To examine the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) together with CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPalpha), lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and glucose transporter (GLUT4) mRNA in adipose tissue of rhesus monkeys in relation to obesity. DESIGN: Cloning of the PPARgamma1 and gamma2 cDNAs and analysis of PPARgamma, C/EBPalpha, LPL and GLUT4 mRNA levels in the adipose tissue of lean and obese monkeys. SUBJECTS: 28 rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) with a wide range of body weights (9.2-22.6 kg) and with or without type 2 diabetes. MEASUREMENTS: Sequence of PPARgamma1 and gamma2. Tissue distribution of PPARgamma1 and gamma2. The mRNA levels of PPARgamma, C/EBPalpha, LPL and GLUT4 in adipose tissue. The ratio of PPARgamma2 mRNA to total PPARgamma mRNA. RESULTS: The monkey PPARgamma2 protein showed 99% identity with the human protein. PPARgamma1 mRNA was shown to be expressed in various tissues and most abundantly in adipose tissue. PPARgamma2 existed mainly in adipose tissue. A significant correlation between the ratio of PPARgamma2 mRNA to total PPARgamma mRNA and obesity was observed, whereas total PPARgamma mRNA levels showed no significant relationships to obesity. There was also a significant relationship between the ratio of PPARgamma2 mRNA to total PPARgamma mRNA and fasting plasma insulin concentration. The mRNA levels of C/EBPalpha, LPL and GLUT4 were highly correlated to that of total PPARgamma mRNA. They were also significantly correlated to the mRNA levels of PPARgamma1 and PPARgamma2. CONCLUSIONS: The ratio of PPARgamma2 mRNA to total PPARgamma mRNA is related to obesity in the rhesus monkey and mRNA expression of PPARgamma1, PPARgamma2, C/EBPalpha, LPL and GLUT4 appear to be coordinated in vivo.     

Reexamination of tympanic membrane temperature as a core temperature

Controversies surrounding tympanic temperature (Tty) itself and techniques for measuring it have dampened the potential usefulness of Tty in determining core temperature (operationally defined here as the body temperature taken at a deep body site). The present study was designed to address the following questions. 1) Can a tympanic membrane probe be made that is safer and more reliable than its predecessors? 2) Why is the effect of facial cooling and heating on Tty so inconsistent in reports from different laboratories? 3) Is Tty still useful as a measure of core temperature? Data from this study, obtained with a modified thermocouple probe, suggest that the widely reported facial skin cooling effect on Tty is most probably due to thermal contamination from the surrounding ear canal wall and/or suboptimal contact of the probe sensor with the tympanic membrane because 1) Tty that fell during facial cooling was increased to the precooling level by the repositioning of the probe sensor; 2) Tty determined by using a probe with a larger sensor area (the sensor soldered to a steel wire ring)tended to fall in response to facial cooling, whereas Tty determined with a thermally insulated probe ring did not; and 3) Tty obtained under careful positioning of the insulated probe was relatively insensitive to facial cooling or heating. Because Tty was practically identical to esophageal temperature (Tes) in the steady state, i.e., 36.83 +/- 0.20 (SD) degrees C for Tty and 36.87 +/- 0.16 degrees C for Tes at room temperature (n = 11), and because facial cooling had little effect on both Tty and Tes (36.86 +/- 0.17 degrees C for Tty and 36.86 +/- 0.26 degrees C for Tes during facial or scalp skin cooling), we support the postulate that Tty is a good measure of core temperature. The temperature transient in response to foot warming was detected 5 min (n = 2) faster with Tty than with Tes. Thus, with further improvements in the design of the probe. Tty can become a standard for determination of core body temperature.     

HIV-1 seroconversion in a prospective study of female sex workers in northern Thailand: continued high incidence among brothel-based women

OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence of HIV-1 infection, temporal trends in incidence, and risk factors for seroconversion in a cohort of female commercial sex workers (CSW) in upper northern Thailand, the region of Thailand with the highest rates of HIV-1 infection. METHODS: CSW were enrolled from 1991 through 1994 and evaluated prospectively with interviews, physical examination, testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STD), and serologic testing for HIV-1 infection. RESULTS: The incidence of HIV-1 seroconversion in the first year of follow-up was 20.3 per 100 person-years among 126 brothel-based CSW and 0.7 per 100 person-years among 159 other CSW who worked in other venues such as bars or massage parlors. Incidence remained elevated among brothel-based CSW who were enrolled later in the study compared with those who enrolled earlier. Through 1996, 30 women seroconverted. In a multivariable proportional hazards model, seroconversion was significantly associated (P < 0.05) with brothel-based sex work (adjusted risk ratio, 7.3) and Chlamydia trachomatis cervical infection (adjusted risk ratio, 3.3). CONCLUSION: Despite national HIV control efforts and declining rates of infection among young men in Thailand, brothel-based CSW may continue to be at high risk for HIV-1 infection. Additional efforts are needed to provide alternative economic choices for young women, to ensure universal condom use during commercial sex, and to develop new prevention technologies.     

Specific attachment and migration of human astrocytoma cells on human but not murine laminin

Attachment sites and biological functions of laminin isolated from murine EHS sarcoma have been well studied. Recently several variants of laminin including human placental laminin have been shown to be distinct from EHS-laminin. This study was undertaken to determine attachment, proliferation, and migration phenomena of human astrocytoma cell lines to human and murine sarcoma EHS-laminin. Using short-term attachment assays human placental laminin was shown to be the better substrate for cell adhesion. EHS-laminin mediated approximately 30-50% of the effect observed on human laminin. The astrocytoma cells expressed beta 1, beta 3, and beta 4 subunit mRNA as determined by RT-PCR. Anti-beta 1 antibodies blocked adhesion to EHS-laminin, but antibodies against beta 1, beta 4, and alpha v subunits were all ineffective in blocking adhesion to human laminin. A migration assay showed that astrocytoma cells on human laminin dispersed from a central seeding area, while cells on EHS-laminin remained where they were seeded. The pattern of dispersion could not be accounted for by changes in growth rates of astrocytoma cells on the different proteins, since both cell lines grew equally well on the two laminins. We conclude that unique epitopes on human laminin are recognized by novel receptors on human astrocytoma cells which confer a migratory phenotype to the cells.