Expression of a catalytically inactive H118Y mutant of nm23-H2 suppresses the metastatic potential of line IV Cl 1 human melanoma cells

Nm23-H1 and nm23-H2 are putative metastasis suppressor genes that encode nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK) A and B. NDPKs form oligomers distributed between soluble and particulate fractions of cells and therefore may exert their effects as either soluble or bound proteins. To determine whether metastasis-related functions of NDPKs are mediated by their catalytic activity in membrane bound or soluble complexes, we have stably transfected highly metastatic human melanoma Line IV Cl 1 cells with wild-type and catalytically inactive (H118Y) nm23-H1 and nm23-H2 genes and assayed their metastatic potential in nude mice. Transfection with wild-type nm23-H1 and nm23-H2 genes and catalytically inactive nm23-H1 did not significantly (all p > 0.10) alter the metastatic potential of Line IV Cl 1 cells while transfection with catalytically inactive nm23-H2 significantly (p < 0.01) reduced their metastatic potential. The lack of effect of transfection with wild-type and catalytically inactive nm23-H1 suggests that neither soluble nor membrane bound NDPK A affect the metastatic potential of Line IV Cl 1 cells. The metastasis suppressive effect of catalytically inactive NDPK B overexpression suggests that competition with bound complexes containing catalytically active NDPK B inhibits metastasis of Line IV Cl 1 cells. These results imply that bound NDPK B promotes metastasis and suggest that inhibition of its function or of its binding to critical sites may be a useful approach to limit the development of metastases in human melanoma.     

Alcohol abuse in Russian delinquent adolescents

INTRODUCTION: Adolescent delinquency and alcohol abuse have become a growing concern in Russia. Psychopathology, a dysfunctional family and specific personality factors have all been linked to addictive and antisocial behavior. Since delinquent youth represent a specific risk group, where alcohol misuse tends to be more pronounced than in the general population, the objectives of this study were: 1) to compare differences in personality and parenting factors, and in psychopathology in juvenile delinquents with and without alcohol abuse; and 2) to evaluate the associations between alcohol abuse, personality and parenting factors, after controlling for comorbid psychopathology. METHODS: Psychopathology, including alcohol abuse, was assessed by means of a psychiatric interview in 229 Russian incarcerated male juvenile delinquents. In addition, alcohol use, personality, and parenting factors were assessed by self-reports. RESULTS: Alcohol-abusing delinquents (n=138) scored significantly higher on novelty seeking and maternal emotional warmth and reported higher levels of psychopathology, as compared to nonalcohol-abusing delinquents (n=91). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that personality and parenting factors were significantly related to alcohol abuse, even after controlling for comorbid psychopathology. CONCLUSION: Alcohol-abusing delinquents are at risk for a wide spectrum of psychiatric disorders. Alcohol abuse is associated with personality and parenting factors independently of comorbid psychopathology. Early interventions with high-risk youths may help to reduce their psychiatric problems and alcohol abuse.     

Renal function after cystectomy and intestinal plastic surgery in cancer of the urinary bladder

We studied renal function after intestinal plastic reconstruction of the urinary bladder with an ilial graft in 52 patients with urinary bladder cancer (UBC). We created artificial urinary bladder in 39 patients and urinary reservoir in 13 ones. The control group consisted of 40 patients who had undergone Brikker's operation (n=13) or ureterocutaneostomy (n=27). Most information about renal function was obtained with dynamic nephroscintigraphy and color duplex scanning of renal vessels. As shown by 5-year postoperative follow-up, late postoperative condition of the kidneys is determined by the method of urine derivation. Ilial plastic reconstruction of the urinary bladder has a minimal negative effect on renal function while quality of life improves. Ureterocutaneostomy deteriorates renal function, the same in Brikker's operation but in a lesser degree. Thus, ilial plastic repair of the urinary bladder is a method of choice in the treatment of patients with invasive cancer of the urinary bladder.     

Surgical treatment of the tracheal scarry stenoses

Surgical policy for scarry tracheal stenosis is analyzed. In the years 1998-2003 in the clinic there were 32 circular resections of the trachea. More than 5 cm of the tracheal segment was ablated in 15 of the cases. The initially performed endoscopic treatment including bougieurage and trachea endoprosthesis was carried out in 19 patients. The immediate and long-term results were satisfactory in all cases that allowed the authors to recommend the one-step circular resection of the trachea as a method of choice for the treatment of lengthy scarry stenoses of the trachea.     

Quality of life in psychosomatic diseases

To study life quality (LQ) in psychosomatic diseases, 104 patients (58 females and 46 males) with these diseases were examined. Among them there were 35 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), 28 with arterial hypertension (AH), 21 with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), 20 with duodenal peptic ulcer (PU). A matched group comprised 26 patients with acute pneumonia (AP). Low LQ was determined according to all 3 components: somatic, mental, and social. The lowest LQ was noted in patients with CHD, AH, and DM, indicating severity of these diseases accompanying marked changes in all spheres of life. PU was characterized by higher values that showed a fair LQ and that were due to a more favorable course of the disease. Patients with AP had a high LQ, which suggests that this acute disease does not lower LQ or accompany pronounced changes in human life. By and large, paychosomatic patients' LQ depended on age, severity, stage, and duration of a disease, disability.     

Comparison of the ultrastructure of small dense forms of chlamydiae and Coxiella burnetii

In the course of passaging of Coxiella burnetii (C.b.) in Alveonasus lahorensis ticks, the haemocytes contained cell forms with electrondense cytoplasm, intracytoplasmic lamellar membranes, and a peculiar limiting membrane--25 to 30 nm thick "envelope complex". Similar small forms occurred when C.b. had been cultured in the yolk sack of chick embryos. The dense forms of C.b. were similar to those of Rickettsiella cells. Dense forms (elementary bodies) surrounded by an "envelope complex" were found also in some chlamydiae cultured in yolk sacs of chick embryos.