Regression of experimental Burkitt's lymphoma induced by Epstein-Barr virus-immortalized human B cells

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-immortalized human B cells survive only transiently when injected subcutaneously into athymic mice, whereas Burkitt's lymphoma cells give rise to progressively growing subcutaneous tumors. In this study, we tested whether these Burkitt's tumors could be induced to regress via a bystander effect induced by EBV-immortalized B cells. Simultaneous inoculation of EBV-immortalized B cells and Burkitt's lymphoma cells in the same subcutaneous site resulted in tumors that regressed with necrosis and scarring. Similarly, simultaneous inoculation of EBV-immortalized B cells and Burkitt's lymphoma cells in separate subcutaneous sites resulted in regression of a proportion of the Burkitt's tumors. Furthermore, most of the established human Burkitt's tumors regressed with necrosis and scarring after intratumor inoculations with EBV-immortalized B cells. The EBV-immortalized B cells continued to exert this antitumor effect even when killed with irradiation. The experimental approach to Burkitt's lymphoma treatment described here exploits the ability of athymic mice to reject EBV-immortalized B cells to target an effective antitumor response to malignant cells normally incapable of eliciting it.     

关于全基因组相关分析的研究--你首先想要什么：好消息,坏消息,或者好消息？

很久以来都认为遗传成分参与2型糖尿病（T2DM）的发病，但是有关遗传学上的发现一直进展缓慢，这是由于遗传成分的复杂性。有关糖尿病相关的各种表型的研究的大量资料提示，所谓的“T2DM”可能是许多疾病的统称，由于它们具有通常相互重叠的多种基本发病机制。因此，对曾抱有期望的T2DM的遗传学基础的寻求已经证明是很艰难的。     

Mortality in the beta blocker heart attack trial: circumstances surrounding death

In the Beta Blocker Heart Attack Trial, a double blind, randomized, controlled study, patients taking propranolol (180 or 240 mg/day) initiated 5-21 days post myocardial infarction had 26% fewer deaths than those taking placebo over a 25 month (mean) followup. Detailed analysis of the circumstances surrounding the BHAT deaths failed to reveal any striking difference between propranolol and placebo in the type of clinical event preceding death, the incidence and type of acute and prodromal signs and symptoms, the location of death, the activity preceding death or the percentage of deaths that were sudden or instantaneous, suggesting that propranolol may exert an "across the board" effect and improve survival by a combination of mechanisms. An unexpected finding was that the protective effect of propranolol appeared to occur during the hours of 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.     

Biologic activities of nonenzymatic thrombin: elucidation of a macrophage interactive domain

Our studies to date have clearly demonstrated the existence of a unique cell interactive exosite region in thrombin, which mediates specific biologic effects on cells of monocytic-macrophage lineage. These findings are of potential physiologic significance, since even proteolytically degraded forms of thrombin (beta- and gamma-thrombin) or fragments of thrombin arising due to breakdown of thrombin-thrombomodulin complexes are potentially biologically active and are not subject to inhibition by inhibitors such as antithrombin III. Such degraded thrombin forms and proteolytic fragments are likely to be present at sites of inflammation and wound repair where they may be important modulators of macrophage-monocyte responsiveness. Importantly, as emphasized in this communication, the chemotactic and growth-promoting properties of this site, although overlapping, are clearly dissociable. It is apparent that the chemotactic effects require the presence of most, if not all, of the 338-400 sequence, whereas the mitogenic effects are mediated exclusively through the so-called loop B insertion sequence that is a unique feature of thrombin. Although there are ample precedents for differing functional domains within discrete proteins and the presence of hormonelike regions in proteins (such as fibronectin and immunoglobulin G) has been documented, it is fascinating to speculate how functionally unique regions such as this can arise. Data from Craik and associates suggest that unique amino acid sequences in proteins originate from gene insertions at intron-exon junctions and are characteristically surface expressed. These insertion sequences give rise to unique structural and functional features that characterize the particular protein, and also serve to differentiate it from other related members within its family.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The serial measurement of mood in two brothers, renal transplant recipient and donor

The object of this study was to demonstrate the importance of serial rather than single mood mearement in patients with fluctuating moods. We serially measured anxiety, sadness, and euphoria in two brothers, renal transplant recipient and donor, for 5 months postoperatively, using the Zung State Depression Scale, the Spielberger State Anxiety Scale, and a composite scale measuring euphoria. The results were plotted in an affect chart. The affect chart of the transplant recipient who had a postoperative mixed mood disorder, showed a widely fluctuating pattern. The affect chart of his brother, who had an affectively quiet postoperative course, showed a more stable pattern. Single mood measures in complex and fluctuating affective states give an incomplete picture, which may account for some confusion in the literature. Serial mood measurement more accurately describes complex affective states. This methodology may be useful in consultation-liaison research where the affective pattern itself is being used as an outcome measure.     

Acute effects of single and repeated electroconvulsive therapy on plasma catecholamines and blood pressure in major depressive disorder

The role of activation of adrenergic neurons by electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in its antidepressant action was studied by examining acute sympathetic nervous system (SNS) responses to ECT during a course of treatment in patients with melancholia. ECT had an acute dose-dependent effect on plasma norepinephrine (NE) level and blood pressure. The postictal increase in plasma NE and blood pressure was independent of electrical seizure duration. Acute levels of NE and epinephrine after ECT correlated positively with ECT dosage. No cumulative effect of repeated ECT was found on the SNS responses. ECT does activate the SNS in a dose-dependent fashion. However, alternative strategies seem necessary for studying the action of ECT on noradrenergic neurons to identify effects that are cumulative, correspond more closely to the time course of its antidepressant action, and correlate with clinical outcome.