Sequences in the proximal 5′ flanking region of the rat neuron-specific enolase (NSE) gene are sufficient for cell type-specific reporter gene expression

We investigated the regulation of the rat neuron-specific enolase gene using a transient transfection approach. Recent transgenic mouse studies have shown that a 1.8-kb segment of the ratNSE gene 5′ flanking region, including the first (noncoding) exon but not the first intron, is able to drive expression of a reporter gene in parallel with endogenousNSE. These data suggest thatcis-acting elements responsible for the spatial and temporal pattern ofNSE gene expression are located within the proximal 1.8 kb of the 5′ flanking sequence. To further investigate this region, we joined the 1.8-kb regulatory cassette to thecat reporter gene and generated a number of constructs in which the flanking sequence was progressively deleted from the 5′ end. These constructs were tested by transient transfection into neuronal and nonneuronal cells, followed by an assay for CAT activity. We found that as little as 255 bp of 5′ flanking sequence was able to confer cell type-specificity on the reporter gene. Further truncation to 120 bp of 5′ sequence resulted in a sharp downregulation of reporter activity in PC12 cells but a significant rise in both Neuro-2A neuroblastoma cells and nonneuronal Ltk- cells, indicating thatcis-acting elements controlling the regulation ofNSE in Ltk-, Neuro-2A, and PC12 cells may lie within the 135 bp region covered by this deletion. This region contains an AP-2 site and an element similar in sequence and position to a motif identified in the proximal promoter region of the neuron-specific peripherin gene. Reduction to 95 bp of 5′ sequence resulted in a slight downregulation of CAT activity in all cell lines tested, and further truncation to 65 bp of 5′ sequence caused a universal reduction to background levels of CAT activity, concomitant with the disruption of the basalNSE promoter. Our results show that the 5′ flanking region of theNSE gene is capable of conferring cell type-specificity on a heterologous gene in transfected cells and that elements responsible for this are located within the proximal 255 bp.     

Treatment of scleromyxoedema with hydroxychloroquine

Background: Scleromyxoedema is a rare disease of unknown aetiology that is characterized by deposition of mucin and sclerotic induration of the skin; it is associated with paraproteinaemia. Patients suffer from progressive disability due to immobilization and cosmetic disfigurement. Treatment of scleromyxoedema is a therapeutic challenge. The antimalarial hydroxychloroquine has a rapid and reliable effect in reticular erythematous mucinosis. Patients and methods: Four consecutive patients (two women, two men; median age: 50 years) with scleromyxoedema, three of them with IgG λ paraprotein, were treated with hydroxychloroquine. Treatment was initiated with 600 mg p. o. for 10 days, followed by 400 mg for at least 4 weeks, and 200 mg thereafter. Results: Complete remission of skin manifestations was achieved in one patient, whereas three patients achieved a partial remission of 61+, 5 and 25 months' duration. Notably, three patients felt increased mobility and reduced firmness of skin during the first week of treatment, which was reflected in a rapid reduction in dermal thickness. In one patient, dysphagia was reverted as evidenced by normalization of oesophageal clearance. Paraproteinaemia was not influenced at all. Side effects included one case of electroretinogram abnormalities after 19 months of therapy and one case of leucopenia after 3 months. Conclusion: Hydroxychloroquine is an effective form of therapy for scleromyxoedema, leading to rapid and prolonged alleviation of symptoms.     

Stimulation of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase synthesis by cyclic AMP in bacterial cell systems

The effect of cyclic 3,5-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) on production of the enzyme chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) by whole bacterial cells was studied in strainsEscherichia coli CSH-2/R222 and WZ-78/R222 (cya₈₅₅). CAT synthesis in strainE. coli WZ-78/R222 was shown to have an intensity only half as great as that of strainE. coli CSH-2/R222. The production of CAT by strainE. coli CSH-2/R222 was increased only very slightly by cAMP, but its effect on the production of this enzyme in strain WZ-78/R222 was appreciable.Research Laboratory of Experimental Immunobiology, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, N. N. Zhukov-Verezhnikov.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 80, No. 10, pp. 65–66, October, 1975.     

氯霉素乙酰转移酶检测(CAT assay)

本文介绍一种快速方便的外源基因在哺乳动物细胞中瞬间表达检测系统,即氯霉索乙酰转移酶检测系统。该项检测技术不仅对基因的调控顺序(Cis-acting elements)如启动子、增强子等检测提供了有效的工具,而且为真核基因在哺乳动物细胞表达体系中,质粒的构建及筛选提供了行之有效的手段。并介绍了该技术的全过程及其操作要点。     

Prothèse de genou à charnière "AXEL"

Résumé L'AXEL est une prothèse à charnière qui présente deux caractéristiques essentielles. Elle autorise une rotation limitée qui supprime les contraintes rotatoires au niveau des tiges et améliore la stabilité rotulienne. Elle assure, du fait de l'appui permanent des condyles sur les plateaux polyéthylène, une bonne dispersion des contraintes qui limite l'usure des axes. Une série homogène de 142 prothèses de genou AXEL a servi de base à cette étude. Les indications sont celles de toute prothèse à charnière : les grandes déviations, les instabilités majeures, les raideurs serrées et les changements de prothèse. Les résultats sont analysés sur les 108 malades survivants, tous revus, totalisant 129 interventions avec un recul moyen de trois ans. On ne note dans cette série aucun accident per opératoire lié au scellement. Parmi les complications post opératoires, il faut retenir deux sepsis tardifs, une détérioration importante de l'axe, un descellement aseptique et quatre problèmes d'instabilité rotulienne. Toutes ces complications ont fait l'objet d'une réintervention, avec un sepsis residuel et deux rotules qui restent instables. La récupération fonctionnelle est toujours rapide et de bonne qualité quel que soit l'état pré-opératoire. La simplicité technique, l'absence d'accidents per opératoires ont conduit à proposer cet implant à des malades de plus de 80 ans qui représentent dans cette série 24 % des indications. Il apparaît en effet qu'à cet âge, en l'absence de risque particulier lié au type d'implant, la qualité et la rapidité de la récupération fonctionnelle priment largement sur l'importance du sacrifice osseux.     

La prothèse à pivot "GSB"

Résumé L'étude porte sur une série de 50 prothèses totales de genou GSB implantées entre 1981 et 1988 au Centre de Traumatologie et d'Orthopédie de Strasbourg. Cette prothèse entre dans la catégorie des prothèses à charnières cimentées, mais son pivot semi rigide diminue efficacement les contraintes exercées sur le ciment. Les résultats sont conformes à ceux retrouvés dans la littérature concernant les prothèses à charnière. L'accent a été mis plus particulièrement sur les complications spécifiques à ce type d'arthroplastie : infections, fractures, complications rotuliennes. Cependant le caractère semi rigide de la GSB a permis la disparition presque totale des descellements qui compliquaient d'ordinaire les prothèses à charnière. La prothèse GSB nous semble donc supérieure aux autres modèles de prothèse à charnière.     

300. Chirurgische Anatomie des oesophagogastralen Übergangs

Zusammenfassung Zur Blutstillung an Leber und Milz wurde ein neuartiger Infrarot-Saphircoagulator (ISK) entwickelt. Mittels des ISK wird Licht (Wellenlänge: 0,4–3 m, Leistung: 120 W, Lichtquelle: Halogenlampe) als Energiequelle zur Coagulation verwendet. Das Licht wird über einen Saphirkristall in das Gewebe geleitet. Bei der Applikation wird der Kristall auf das Gewebe gedrückt. Der Kristall besitzt einen Antihafteffekt und ist thermisch hoch belastbar. Zur Blutstillung an Flächen oder in Rissen ist der Kristall Zylinder- oder keilförmig ausgebildet. Versuche an blutenden Leber-und Milzrupturen beim Hund zeigen eine 60% kürzere Einwirkungszeit bis zur Blutstillung und 25%. geringere Nekrosetiefe nach Anwendung des ISK im Vergleich zur herkömmlichen Diathermie. Bei der klinischen Anwendung am Menschen konnte in einem Fall nur mit dem ISK eine Leberblutung gestillt werden.     

Pharmacokinetics of intravenous chloramphenicol sodium succinate in adult patients with normal renal and hepatic function

The pharmacokinetics of chloramphenicol (CAP) and total chloramphenicol succinate (CAPS) were studied in eight hospitalized adult patients with normal renal and hepatic function receiving intravenous chloramphenicol sodium succinate therapy. The steady-state peak concentrations of CAP (8.4–26.0 g/ml) occurred at an average of 18.0 min (range 5.4–40.2) after cessation of the chloramphenicol sodium succinate infusion. Unhydrolyzed CAPS prodrug, representing 26.0±7.0% of the dose, was recovered unchanged in the urine indicating that the bioavailability of CAP from a dose of intravenous chloramphenicol succinate is not complete. A pharmacokinetic model was developed for simultaneous fitting of CAP and CAPS plasma concentration data. Pharmacokinetic parameters determined by simultaneous fitting were: V, 0.81±0.18 liters/kg; t_1/2, 3.20 ±1.02 hr; CL_B, 3.21±1.27 ml/min/kg for chloramphenicol; and V, 0.38±0.13 liters/kg; t_1/2, 0.57±0.12hr; CL_B, 7.72±1.87 ml/min/kg for total chloramphenicol succinate.Supported in part by Faculty Research Council Grant VF648 from the University of North Carolina.