A recombinant vaccinia virus expressing hepatitis B virus middle surface protein Restricted expression of HBV antigens in human diploid cells

Summary Several vaccinia virus recombinants inducing the synthesis of the middle surface (M) protein of hepatitis B virus (HBV) were constructed. One of them, denoted vl37, was examined in some detail. The virus replicated nearly to the same extent in various cell lines, viz. human embryo diploid fibroblast LEP and MRC-5 cells, rabbit embryo fibroblast REF cells, TK^– rat RAT-2 cells, and green monkey CV-1 cells. However, the production of M protein was found considerably lower in the human LEP and MRC-5 than in the other cells examined. In addition, the kinetics of M formation were different in these two cell systems, LEP cells lagging significantly behind CV-1 cells. The low-level production of M protein in LEP cells was not increased by repeated vl37 passages in LEP cells, nor by a passage in a laboratory worker accidentally infected with the vl37 virus, nor by shortening the leader sequence preceding the translation initiation codon. The greater part of the M antigen was found to be cell associated, more so in the cells of human than monkey origin. From the major HBV S antigen (HBsAg) isolated from the plasma of chronically infected subjects, the antigen released by cell destruction differed by binding to polymerized human albumin. This property was utilized in ELISA to detect anti-preS2 antibody. Rabbits inoculated intradermally with the vl37 virus developed antibodies reactive in this assay as well as with a synthetic peptide corresponding in the amino acids 14–34 of the NH₂terminus of the HBsAg preS2 region.     

Downregulation of plasma membrane expression/cytoplasmic accumulation of beta-catenin predicts shortened survival in non-small cell lung cancer. A clinicopathologic study of 100 cases

The E-cadherin-catenin complex proteins function in cell-cell adhesion and have been reported to be dysregulated in various human malignancies. Beta catenin is a cytoplasmic protein that associates with tyrosine kinase receptors and modulates cytoskeletal dynamics. It also plays a role in the Wnt signaling pathway. During neoplastic transformation, the phosphorylation of beta-catenin causes a loss of intercellular adhesions resulting in increased tumor cell motility and invasiveness. Tissue sections from 100 cases of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were immunostained with a monoclonal beta-catenin antibody. There were 47 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) and 53 adenocarcinomas (AC) in the study group. Plasma membrane/cytoplasmic beta-catenin immunoreactivity was scored for intensity and distribution and correlated with tumor stage, grade and survival. Plasma membrane/cytoplasmic immunoreactivity for beta-catenin protein was observed in 71 (71%) of 100 NSCLC. 44 (94%) of 47 SCC and 27 (51%) of 53 AC expressed beta catenin. On univariate analysis, loss of beta catenin expression correlated with high tumor stage (p = 0.025), large tumor size (p = 0.02) and decreased patient survival (p = 0.04). The loss of beta catenin expression associated with high grade NSCLC reached near significance (p = 0.07). On multivariate analysis, the loss of beta catenin expression independently predicted shortened overall patient survival in NSCLC (p = 0.05). Beta catenin expression loss is associated with advanced tumor stage and is an independent predictor of shortened patient survival in NSCLC.     

Partial purification and characterization of anhydrotetracycline oxygenase of Streptomyces aureofaciens

Anhydrotetracycline oxygenase was purified both by affinity chromatography and by hydrophobic interaction chromatography. Molecular weight of anhydrotetracycline oxygenase was determined to be 115,000 by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration. Using preparative isoelectric focusing the isoelectric point of the enzyme was estimated to be 5.3. The enzyme showed a sensitivity to thiol-specific inhibitors. During the hydrophobic interaction purification step, the activity dropped considerably. Reactivation occurred when a heat treated crude extract was added to the reaction mixture.     

Developmental aspects of nevus spilus: review of the literature apropos of 7 cases

The nevus on nevus is a dischromic lesion with a double component made of a pigmented, pale-brown coloured spot, most often congenital punctuated by macular or discretely papular darker elements, with a usually later setting-up and conventionally characterized by an absence of evolutivity. A series of seven cases is reported of whom three present a very peculiar evolution: A 37 years old man is taking a medical advice for a nevus on a congenital nevus on the right buttock on which appeared later on a blue-coloured, lightly sensitive nodule which clinically calls to mind the diagnosis of a blue nevus: the surgical exeresis is refused by the patient. A little girl, born in 1972, has since her birth a nevus on nevus of her right fore-arm; in 1975 and 1976 appeared successively on this lesion three nodules evocative of Spitz melanoma (fig. 4), which are surgically removed; histologic examination confirms the clinical diagnosis (fig. 5). A woman, aged 38, presents a big nevus on congenital zosteriform nevus of the right lower limb; since 1982, one of the dark elements situated on the lower third of the leg is progressively spreading and becoming polychromic (fig. 6); the clinical suspicious of superficial spreading malignant melanoma is confirmed by the histologic examination. In the literature, the terminology aiming to call this kind of nevic pale brown spot recovered by darker macules is not quite clear, as it was already emphasized by Stewart in 1978 (27). Indeed, numerous different denomination are found in it: "nevus spilus", nevus on nevus", "spotty nevus" "speckled lentiginous nevus", "speckled nevus "spilus".(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Stereoselective differences of central nervous system-depressive action of a homologous series of 3-alkyl-thalidomide analysis

The racemates and the enantiomers of the 3-alkyl-thalidomide analogues 2a-c were synthesized via the lactams 1a-c. The absolute configuration of 1a-c and 2a-c was elucidated, their enantiomeric purity established. From racem. 2a 1,3-dimethylthalidomide (3) was synthesized. By means of the hexobarbital sleeping time prolongating effect in rats it was shown that racem. 2a and 3 were less CNS-depressant active than thalidomide; 3 caused a more prolonged sleeping time than 2a. Both enantiomers of 2a (i.p. 200 mg/kg) exceeded in their sleeping time prolongation action racem. 2a (same dose), whereby the (S)-enantiomer was to a factor of 1.8 more effective than the (R). With both enantiomers of 2a time and dose dependency of the effect were investigated. The enantiomers of 2b + c and 1a-c had also a prolongating effect on the hexobarbital sleeping time. Independently of the alkyl group the (S)-enantiomers were always more active than the respective (R)-enantiomers. (S)-1b (200 mg/kg) caused a long lasting loss of the righting reflexes as "own effect". Stereoselective differences between the enantiomers of 2a and 2b were observed only when a dose of 200 mg/kg was applied, whereas the higher activity of the (S)-enantiomers of 2c, 1b + c was obtained already with a lower dosage range.     

Acute effects of using a mobile phone on CNS functions

Twenty volunteers participated in two experiments exploring the acute effects of using the mobile phone Motorola GSM 8700 on the functions of the CNS. When speaking (5 minutes reading a text from daily newspapers) the electromagnetic fields from the mobile apparatus did not affect the visual evoked potentials. Also a 6-min exposure did not reveal any effect of electromagnetic fields on the results in two tests (memory and attention) performed while speaking into the mobile. On the other hand the phone call itself strongly influenced the performance in a secondary task applying a test of switching attention which is a good model for driving a car. The response and decision speed were significantly worse. This is a proof that even a slight psychological stress involved in calling while driving can be a great risk.     

Birth weight of neonates as an indicator of morbidity and mortality in adult age and factors which influence it

In 28 neonates born by spontaneous delivery to healthy mothers with a normal course of gestation venous umbilical blood was examined to assess the immunoreactive insulin concentration. Moreover, the birth weight of the neonates was recorded, the weight increment of the mother during pregnancy and the body mass index at the end of gestation. By means of a questionnaire and the computer programme Progana the dietary intake of the mothers at the end of pregnancy was assessed and compared with recommended allowances. The assembled data were evaluated statistically by assessment of the correlation coefficient. The investigation revealed that the birth weight of the neonates in the group does not correlate with the immunoreactive insulin concentration in umbilical venous blood. Although the dietary intake of the mothers at the end of pregnancy is not ideal (fat and cholesterol intake predominates over carbohydrate and protein intake), it does not correlate with the birth weight of the neonates nor with the immunoreactive insulin concentration in umbilical venous blood. From these results the conclusion is drawn that neonates with a low birth weight do not have a higher plasma insulin concentration after delivery and that the mother's diet at the end of pregnancy does not influence the birth weight and insulin level in neonates.     

Analer Schließmuskelersatz mittels dynamischer Gracilisplastik – Ergebnisse der Anwendung an 50 Patienten

During the period from 1992 to 1998, 50 patients underwent anal sphincter restoration by dynamic graciloplasty for primary (n = 26) or secondary (n = 6) total anorectal reconstruction (TAR) following abdominoperineal rectal resection (APR) or acquired (n = 9) or congenital (n = 9) fecal incontinence, respectively. Forty-seven patients were operated on by a single-stage procedure using a modified technique for the muscle wrap ("split sling"). Muscle fiber transformation by controlled stimulation was achieved at the beginning of the learning curve within 8 weeks and in the meantime within 4 weeks. Rectal injury (n = 10) turned out to be the most serious postoperative complication and was observed mainly in patients following TAR (n = 8). As the most prominent functional problem constipation in patients following TAR hampered the postoperative functional result; however, this was overcome by regular enemas. An improvement in the continence status was observed in 80% of the patients treated for fecal incontinence, and following APR 66% of the patients had acceptable results without a permanent colostomy.