Cathepsin B and D expression in squamous cell carcinoma

To elucidate involvement ol protcinascs in malignancy of keratinocytes. expression ol catbepsin B, a cysteine proteinase. and catbepsin D. an aspartic proteinase. was ascertained in lormalin-lixed paraffin-embedded specimens of nortnal skin, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Bowen's disease, seborrboeic keratosis and basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Presence of procalbepsin B and an intermediate form of catbepsin D was coiilirmed by Westerti blolling and enzytne activity analysis. Cathepsin B stained more Intensely In SCC tumour cells tban in normal epidermis: staining patterns were diffuse, grantilar or botb. Diflusc and granular patterns (procatbcpsin B and mature enzyme, respectively) appeared in inner and outer parts of tumour islands, respectively. Five of 20 cases of Bowen's disease sbowed diffuse enhanced catbepsin B expression: 20 cases of seborrhoeic keratosis or BCC did not. Cathepsin D stained intensely in tumour cells of half the SCC cases. The staining manner and distribution of cathepsins B and D was similar in the cytoplasm of cancer cells. No enhanced staining of cathepsin I) was seen in any cases of Bowen's disease, seborrhoeic keratosis. or BCC. Coexistence and localization of active mature forms of cathepsins B and D suggests that cooperation between tbe two enzymes may play an important part in invasion of SCC.     

Genetic and clinical correlates of season of birth of schizophrenics

Abstract The genetic and clinical characteristics of 55 patients with schizophrenia and 138 control patients (with major psychiatric disorders), were studied in relation to the season of birth. The morbid risk (MR) of schizophrenia was significantly higher among relatives of the schizophrenic probands born in Spring than among those of the psychiatric controls born in the same season. The MR of schizophrenia was also significantly higher among relatives of schizophrenic probands born in Winter or Spring (6.9%) than in those of schizophrenic probands born in Summer or Autumn (0%). Among the schizophrenic cases, Winter births were marginally related to the paranoid subtype, whereas other clinical variables showed no clear relationship with the season of birth.     

44株人A组轮状病毒武汉流行株的培养鉴定及其意义

目的对A组轮状病毒武汉流行毒株进行培养增殖并确定其基因型和血清型。材料经RT-PCR确定基因型和ELISA确定VP6亚组血清型后初步判定的57株不常见型、混合型及未确定型别的A组轮状病毒流行毒株。方法MA104细胞分离培养病毒;聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳确定电泳型;逆转录巢式聚合酶链反应确定G、P、VP6和NSP4基因型;ELISA确定VP6亚组血清型。结果分离率77.2%(44/57)。分离了一株具备双重亚组血清型特征的人轮状病毒R479。分离后基因混合型、非常见基因型别或非常见G、P组合、不能确定的基因型别及VP6亚组血清混合型的样本数量与分离前相比显著减少。结论轮状病毒流行毒株的分离培养有助于提高其基因分型的敏感性,减少基因分型和血清分型的非特异性反应。     

Serum levels of soluble Fas/APO-1 (CD95) and its molecular structure in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and other autoimmune diseases

There are two major forms of the Fas molecule, membranous Fas and soluble Fas (sFas). To clarify the clinical significance of sFas in autoimmune diseases, we designed a sandwich ELISA to determine serum concentrations of sFas and its molecular structure, and we then analysed the correlation between levels of sFas and laboratory findings in patients with SLE and other autoimmune diseases. The levels of serum sFas were significantly higher in SLE patients than in subjects with other autoimmune diseases and in healthy donors, and the frequency of a positive serum sFas was much greater in SLE patients with high SLE disease activity index scores than in those with low scores. In addition, sFas-positive SLE patients showed a significant difference in various laboratory parameters from sFas-negative SLE patients. Serial measurements of serum sFas levels in SLE patients with active disease revealed that the elevated level of sFas dramatically decreased with improvement in clinical and laboratory findings, following corticosteroid therapy. We propose that the serum level of sFas can serve as an appropriate marker for evaluating SLE disease activity. Serum sFas is heterogeneous with respect to molecular structure, thus several mechanisms are involved in the generation of sFas.     

LONG TERM SURVIVAL CASE OF SMALL (OAT) CELL CARCINOMA OF THE RECTUM

A long term survival case of small (oat) cell carinoma of the rectum in a 39-year-old female is presented. She complained of anal pain and occasional anal bleeding. The tumor was located at the anterior wall in the lower rectum. Biopsy specimens revealed a carcinoid tumor. She underwent trans-anal local resection for the first time in December, 1980. Macroscopic findings of the resected specimen showed a small nodule, 0.4 by 0.4 by 0.5 cm, with yellowish cut-surface. Microscopically, the tumor deeply invaded the submucosal layer. The appearances were indistinguishable from pulmonary small (oat) cell carcinoma. Since lymphatic permeations were moderately recognized in the tumor, she underwent radical operation (Miles' operation) with lymphadenectomy. Microscopic findings of the resected rectum revealed an intramural metastatic lesion with marked lymphatic permeations in the submucosal layer 2 cm distant from the primary lesion. Up to date, there is no evidence of local recurrence or liver metastasis. Small (oat) cell carcinoma of the rectum easily metastasizes lymphogenously through the lymph system from an early stage of the development. Wide surgical resection will be needed to give a long term survival even if the tumor is extremely small.