MafA has strong cell transforming ability but is a weak transactivator

The maf oncogene of the avian oncogenic retrovirus AS42 encodes a nuclear bZip protein, v-Maf, that recognizes sequences related to the AP-1 target site. The corresponding cellular protein, c-Maf belongs to a family of related bZip proteins together with MafA and MafB. In this paper, we compare the transactivation and cell transforming abilities of MafA and MafB along with two forms of the c-Maf protein. These proteins induce cellular transformation when expressed in chicken embryo fibroblasts. In reporter assays, MafA is a much less effective transactivator than the other Maf proteins, but unexpectedly shows the strongest activity in cell transformation. Chimeras of MafA and MafB correlate the strong cell transforming ability of MafA with its DNA-binding domain. The DNA-binding domain of MafA is also correlated with weak transactivation. Additional mutagenesis experiments show that transactivation and transformation by MafA are also controlled by phosphorylation of two conserved serine residues in the transactivation domain. Finally, we constructed MafA-estrogen receptor fusion molecules that show tightly hormone-dependent cell transforming ability. These regulatable constructs permit a kinetic characterization of target gene responses and facilitate discrimination between direct and indirect targets.     

Influenza live attenuated vaccine

Inactivated influenza vaccine has been widely used; however, its effectiveness is not always perfect. To create a much better vaccine, live vaccines have been extensively investigated. Among several candidate live vaccines, cold-adapted(Ca) vaccine is the only promising candidate. According to clinical studies recently conducted in the U.S., Ca vaccine was proven to be highly effective against laboratory confirmed influenza, both in adults and children. Furthermore, Ca vaccines for the H5N1 pandemic strains were generated and their attenuation and efficacy were confirmed in experimental animals.     

Cooperative study of intraarterial preventive chemotherapy after resection of hepatic metastasis from colorectal cancer

This is a compilation of the results of preventive intraarterial infusion following resection of hepatic metastasis from colorectal cancer at four surgical centers. The cases studied included two groups: A) 76 patients who underwent normal liver resection only, and B) 78 patients who underwent resection with adjuvant chemotherapy. Methods included: 1) WHF, 50 cases; 2) other methods using 5-FU, 18 cases; and 3) intraarterial infusions other than 5-FU, 10 (2 cases, outcome unknown). Survival rates for groups A and B for 1 and 5 years were 71.2, 18.9% and 91.5, 56.2%, respectively, with the rates for the intraarterial infusion group showing far better results. The 1- and 5-year survival rates in terms of infusion methods were: 1) 90.7% and 64.6%; 2) 94.4% and 39.3%; and 3) 90% and 60%, respectively, showing no remarkable differences between methods. Total doses of 5-FU were (a) less than 5 g, 7 patients (b) 5-15 g, 16 patients (c) 15-30 g, 22 patients (d) greater than 30 g, 23 patients. A comparison of 1- and 5-year survival rates shows (a) 85.7% and 17.1%; (b) 66.5% and 44.3%; (c) 100% and 62.7%; (d) 100% and 66.5%, respectively, with doses (c) and (d) showing markedly better results than the (a) dosage. From this we conclude that the group undergoing intraarterial hepatic infusion had a markedly improved prognosis compared to the group not undergoing any type of adjuvant therapy. Also, groups receiving a dosage of 15 g or greater of 5-FU showed prolonged survival rates.     

Peripheral 5-FU blood concentration after high-dose injection into the hepatic artery: potential preventive effect on extrahepatic metastatic foci]

To clarify the effect of high-dose 5-FU injection into the hepatic artery (1,000 mg/m2 weekly) on liver metastases of colorectal cancer, the peripheral venous 5-FU concentration was measured in two groups of patients, one which had undergone hepatectomy and the other which had not. The area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) was calculated and the preventive effect of 5-FU on extrahepatic lesions was examined. The peripheral venous 5-FU concentration and AUC were higher in patients who received the drug via the hepatic artery after hepatectomy, and 5-FU was effective for the prevention of extrahepatic lesions as well as against recurrence in the residual liver.     

Zur Klinischen Bedeutung des Fehlenden Fusssohlenreflexes („Stumme Sohle“)

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

The development of a mini-array for estimating the disease state of gastric adenocarcinoma by array CGH

Background  

The treatment strategy usually depends on the disease state in the individual patient. However, it is difficult to estimate the disease state before treatment in many patients. The purpose of this study was to develop a BAC (bacterial artificial chromosome) mini-array allowing for the estimation of node metastasis, liver metastasis, peritoneal dissemination and the depth of tumor invasion in gastric cancers.     

Bone mineral density in mandibles of ovariectomized rabbits

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between loss of ovarian function and bone mineral density changes in the mandibles of ovariectomized rabbits using peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Twenty-four adult female Japanese white rabbits were used in this experiment. The mandibular incisors were initially extracted to create implant bone. Twelve animals were bilaterally ovariectomized and the other twelve sham-ovariectomized 12 weeks after tooth extraction. All rabbits were sacrificed at 4 and 12 weeks after ovariectomy and sham-ovariectomy, with 6 rabbits in each of the four resultant groups. The edentulous parts of distal mandibular bodies were measured by peripheral quantitative computed tomography. There were significant decreases in total bone mineral density and trabecular bone mineral density in the mandibles of rabbits at 12 weeks post-ovariectomy. The results demonstrate the mineralized bone loss in the mandibles of ovariectomized rabbits.     

Reflexstörungen bei Erschütterungen des Zentralnervensystems

Ohne Zusammenfassung