A chimeric EGFR/neu receptor in functional analysis of the neu oncoprotein.

As the factor binding to the neu protein has been unknown, it has not been possible to confirm experimentally the proposed growth-factor receptor like functions of the neu protein. To approach this problem we constructed a recombinant receptor which enabled ligand regulation of the neu tyrosine kinase. The hybrid receptor consisted of the extracellular ligand binding, transmembrane and protein kinase C-substrate domains joined to the intracellular tyrosine kinase and carboxyl-terminal domains of the neu protein. Several properties of NIH3T3 cells carrying this construct were tested. We obtained the first experimental evidence that the neu proto-oncogene has mitogenic and transforming activities only in the presence of a ligand stimulating its tyrosine kinase activity. Various cellular and molecular biological parameters indicated that the chimeric receptor behaved very similarly to the EGFR. Also, this chimeric receptor has allowed us to compare the constitutive oncogenic and the ligand-activated non-oncogenic activities of the neu tyrosine kinase. In the future we plan to focus on characterization of possible differences between EGFR and neu signalling in more differentiated cellular backgrounds.     

Fractionated treatment of CaD2 tumors in mice sensitized with aluminium phthlocyanine tetrasulfonate.

CaD2 mammary carcinomas transplanted into the feet of mice were treated with tetrasulfonated phthalocyanine (AlPcS4) and laser light at 680 nm. A light dose of 135 J/cm2 was either given as continuous radiation (15 min) or fractionated with 15 s exposure, 15 s darkness, 15 s exposure and so on for 30 min. The CaD2 tumors were found to respond better to a fractionated exposure than to the same energy given in one exposure. The reason for this is assumed to be a relocalization of the dye upon illumination, seen as a rapid decrease in fluorescence. When the laser light was turned off, the fluorescence returned to almost the initial value.     

Treatment options in multiple chemical sensitivity.

The essential features of treatment for chemical sensitivity are: 1) Encouraging the provision of clean air, food, water, and surroundings. 2) Identifying substances to which the patient is sensitive, with subsequent a) enhanced avoidance, or b) specific immunotherapy to reduce the patient's reactivity to those substances. 3) Assessing and enhancing the patient's nutritional status to maximize the body's ability to detoxify and to minimize the free-radical production and oxidative stress of xenobiotics. 4) Addressing concurrent problems such as infections, immunosuppression, and other medical conditions in an appropriate fashion. 5) Evaluating the patient's psychologic status and addressing any social and emotional problems in a compassionate manner. The author believes that multiple chemical sensitivity is a real condition with documented physiologic abnormalities. It is not a functional or psychologic illness or a belief system of the patient. Second, this condition is diagnosable and treatable by various means. These treatment options not only make common sense but usually result in significant improvement for these unfortunate patients, who deserve the very best efforts of their health care providers.     

Formation of mitochondrial phospholipid adducts by nephrotoxic cysteine conjugate metabolites.

Nephrotoxic cysteine conjugates derived from a variety of halogenated alkenes are enzymatically activated via the beta-lyase pathway to yield reactive sulfur-containing metabolites which bind covalently to cellular macromolecules. Mitochondria contain beta-lyase enzymes and are primary targets for binding and toxicity. Previously, mitochondrial protein and/or DNA have been considered as molecular targets for cysteine conjugate metabolite binding. We now report that metabolites of nephrotoxic cysteine conjugates form covalent adducts with rat kidney mitochondrial phospholipids. Rat kidney mitochondria were incubated with the 35S-labeled conjugates S-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl)-L-cysteine (TFEC), S-(2-chloro-1,1,2-trifluoroethyl)-L-cysteine (CTFC), S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)-L-cysteine, and S-(1,2,3,4,4-pentachlorobutadienyl)-L-cysteine. Quantitation of metabolite binding to whole mitochondria and to mitochondrial protein and lipid fractions revealed that as much as 42% of the 35S-label associated with the mitochondria was found in the lipid fraction. Total lipids were also extracted from 35S-treated mitochondria and separated by thin-layer chromatography. 35S-Containing metabolites were found in the lipid fractions from mitochondria treated with each of the conjugates. Lipids from both [35S]CTFC- and [35S]-TFEC-treated mitochondria contained major 35S-labeled lipid adducts which had similar mobility by thin-layer chromatography. Fatty acid analysis, 19F and 31P NMR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometric analyses confirmed that the major TFEC and CTFC adducts are thioamides of phosphatidylethanolamine.     

Two-color analysis of lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with nephrotic syndrome due to membranous nephropathy.

Two-color flow cytometry was carried out to determine the correlation between cell-mediated immunity and the levels of proteinuria in 30 patients with membranous nephropathy. Lymphocyte subpopulations were measured by two-color flow cytometry using various monoclonal antibodies of the Leu series. Clinically, the patients were divided into four stages as follows: 1. untreated nephrotic stage, 2. prednisolone (PSL) treated nephrotic stage, 3. persistent proteinuric stage (incomplete remission, ICR) and 4. complete remission (CR). Two-color flow cytometry showed a significant decrease in Leu 2a+15+ (suppressor T) cells and relative increase in Leu 3a+8+ (suppressor inducer T) cells in the untreated nephrotic stage. The mean Leu 3a+8-/Leu 2a+15+ (helper/suppressor) cell ratio was normalized in the persistent proteinuric stage or complete remission after treatment with PSL. Patients with membranous nephropathy showed a significant elevation of Leu 2a+DR+ cells after treatment with PSL. The abnormalities of suppressor T cells and suppressor inducer T cells in the peripheral blood appear to reflect the levels of proteinuria in patients with membranous nephropathy. It was concluded that PSL might stimulate Leu 2a positive cells and then increase the number of Leu 2a+15+ cells in the peripheral blood of patients with membranous nephropathy.     

Premalignant lesions and nonsquamous malignancy of the penis and carcinoma of the scrotum.

Premalignant lesions of the penis include cutaneous horn, balanitis xerotica obliterans, and leukoplakia. The true incidence of progression of each of these to squamous-cell carcinoma is unknown. Bowenoid papulosis, erythroplasia of Queyrat, and Bowen's disease are histologically identical to in situ carcinoma. Although the first is consistently benign, the latter two regularly evolve into invasive cancer. Malignant scrotal lesions include squamous-cell carcinoma, liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, basal-cell carcinoma, extramammary Paget's disease, erythroplasia of Queyrat, malignant melanoma, and metastases. Hemangioma can be confused with carcinoma.     

Mild traumatic brain injury in an insured population: subjective complaints and return to employment

The great majority of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is of mild severity, with Glasgow Coma Scores (GCS) of 13-15, post-traumatic amnesia of less than 48 hours and brief, if any, hospitalization. All mild TBI admissions to hospital were provided with education in the form of a brief interview and a brochure on minor head trauma from the National Head Injury Foundation. Seventy-seven insured individuals with mild TBI were contacted by phone between 1 and 3 months post-injury to determine the frequency and severity of post-traumatic symptoms and the rate of return to work (RTW). Twenty-six per cent of those contacted had subjective complaints; 88% had returned to work or school; 16% of those returning did so with some symptoms. Only 45% of symptomatic individuals sought medical consultation for their condition when offered. Education about post-traumatic symptoms from the onset may provide sufficient reassurance to most individuals that future use of medical services is seen as unnecessary. Rate of RTW is relatively higher than reported in previous studies of mild TBI.     

Occupational exposure to hazardous substances and risk of cancer in the area of the mouth cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx. A case-control study

A case-control study of squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract conducted in Heidelberg and Giessen (FRG) provided information on occupational factors in 200 patients and 800 controls (adjusted to sex, age and area of living; 4:1 matched design). The number of subjects exposed to wood dusts, organic chemicals, coal products or to cement was significantly elevated in the tumour group. An increased risk for head and neck cancer was observed after exposition to wood dust (RR = 2,2), organic compounds (RR = 2,4), coal products (RR = 2,7) and especially to cement (RR = 4,4). The cancer risk due to cement exposition showed a positive correlation to the duration of exposition and remained significantly elevated after adjustment for alcohol and tobacco consumption.     

The construct validity of the Multidimensional Aptitude Battery: a word of caution

Results of an hierarchical factor analysis with university students (N = 101) do not support the construct validity of the Multidimensional Aptitude Battery (MAB). Although the MAB Full Scale IQ seems to be a valid measure of general mental ability, the construct validity of the Verbal and Performance scale IQs is not supported. Therefore, the Verbal and Performance IQs should be interpreted with caution, if at all. In addition, re-analysis of previous investigations of the MAB underscores the importance of ascertaining the reading level of subjects prior to the administration of the MAB. Marginal reading proficiency, especially on a timed paper-and-pencil test such as the MAB, will confound results.