Unoccupied electronic structure of Na/Ni(111).
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to D Tang.
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The fatty acid 12(S)-HETE may be a new second messenger capable of activating PKC. In tumor cells 12(S)-HETE stimulates cytoskeleton-dependent cellular responses such as adhesion and spreading. Analysis of 12(S)-HETE effects on B16a melanoma cell cytoskeleton revealed reversible rearrangement of microtubules, microfilaments, the actin-binding proteins, vinculin, myosin heavy (MHC) and light chains (MLC), as well as bundling of vimentin intermediate filaments. The alterations in microfilaments and intermediate filaments occurred very rapidly, i.e., 5 min after exposure of tumor cells to 12(S)-HETE. The 12(S)-HETE-induced cytoskeletal alterations were accompanied by centrifugal organelle-translocation. Interestingly, MLC exhibited clear association with the cytoplasmic organelles. Biochemical analysis of the 12(S)-HETE effect indicated a PKC-mediated reversible hyperphosphorylation of MLC, vimentin, and a 130 kD cytoskeletal-associated protein. Optimal effects were obtained after 5 min treatment with 12(S)-HETE at 0.1 microM concentration. 12(S)-HETE pretreatment induced tumor cell spreading on a fibronectin matrix which required the intactness of all three major cytoskeletal components. The spreading process was dependent upon the activity of PKC. Our data suggest that 12(S)-HETE is a physiological stimulant of PKC. Further, it induces rearrangement of the cytoskeleton of tumor cells in interphase resulting in the stimulation of cytoskeleton-dependent cell activity such as spreading.
Chronic inhalation exposure to environmental carcinogens such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), cigarette smoke, 4-aminobiphenyl (4-ABP), ethylene oxide, and styrene is associated with elevations in biomarkers such as DNA adducts, protein adducts, sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs), chromosomal aberrations, gene mutation, and/or oncogene activation. These biomarkers indicate an increased cancer risk for the exposed population, although quantitative estimates cannot be made with certainty. There is convincing epidemiological evidence that the antioxidant and free radical-scavenging vitamins C and E and beta-carotene (beta-C) protect against cancer of the lung and other epithelial tissues, with somewhat weaker evidence for retinol. Experimental studies demonstrate that these micronutrients are capable of blocking or reducing tumor formation caused by diverse carcinogens. A variety of mechanisms appear to be involved, including suppression of carcinogen activation, enhancement of carcinogen detoxification, induction of cellular differentiation, inhibition of mutagenesis, enhancement of immunologic function, and/or reduction of the formation of carcinogen-DNA adducts, SCEs, micronuclei, and other markers of genotoxic damage. Therefore, we have recently investigated the possible modifying effect of serum vitamins C and E, beta-C, and retinol on a number of such biomarkers in a case-control study of lung cancer, and in a cross-sectional study of heavy smokers. Preliminary results indicate an inhibitory effect of certain vitamins on DNA adduct formation. A significant number of human intervention trials are ongoing involving these vitamins. It appears that biomarkers can provide useful intermediate endpoints for assessment of both the mechanisms and the efficacy of chemopreventive agents.
A fluorimetric technique previously described for other tissues has been applied to determine levels of glutathione and its synthetic rates in ocular tissues of Hartley guinea-pigs. Monochlorobimane forms a stable, fluorescent adduct with glutathione in a reaction catalyzed by glutathione-S-transferase. The fluorescent signal recorded over time is directly proportional to the synthetic rate of glutathione. Lens, cornea and retina were homogenized and cytosolic fractions dialyzed overnight to deplete endogeneous glutathione. Glutathione synthetic rates were determined from a mixture of glutathione precursors and co-factors, viz. cysteine+dithiothreitol, glutamate+glycine, ATP and Mg++ in the presence of monochlorobimane. The mixture was supplemented with glutathione-S-transferase to catalyze the formation of the fluorescent adduct. Glutathione synthetic rates were determined in the absence and presence of buthionine sulfoximine, an inhibitor of gamma-glutamyl cysteine synthetase. The difference in fluorescence change over time in the presence and absence of buthionine sulfoximine was used to estimate glutathione synthesis. Basal levels of glutathione in pre-dialyzed cytosolic fractions of the lens, cornea, and retina were 21.8 +/- 2.2, 36.5 +/- 4.1 and 38.6 +/- 2.8 nmol mg-1 protein, respectively. The maximal glutathione synthetic rates in these tissues were 0.52 +/- 0.04, 2.25 +/- 0.67 and 3.35 +/- 0.65 nmol min-1 mg-1 protein, respectively. When gamma-glutamyl cysteine is used as a precursor instead of cysteine, the glutathione synthetase activities from lenses and retinas were 0.19 +/- 0.08 and 1.54 +/- 0.76 nmol-1 min mg-1 protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Reovirus binds to multiple sialoglycoproteins on the host cell surface. In an attempt to probe additional specific determinants that dictate host cell susceptibility to reovirus infection, we found that two mouse cell lines (NR6 and B82) previously shown to express no endogenous epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors were relatively resistant to reovirus infection, whereas the same cell lines transfected with the gene encoding the EGF receptor manifested significantly higher susceptibility as determined by induction of cytopathic effects, viral protein synthesis, and plaque titration. This enhancement of infection efficiency requires a functional EGF receptor since it was not observed in cells expressing a mutated (kinase-inactive) EGF receptor. The observed difference in infection efficiency is not due to differences in virus binding or internalization. These studies suggest that the reovirus infection process is closely coupled to the EGF receptor-mediated cell signal transduction pathway.
The demonstration that alpha-sialic acid is the minimal determinant recognized by human reovirus is compatible with the finding that this virus binds to multiple sialoglycoproteins on the host cell surface. However, the identities of these proteins have remained unknown. By applying detergent-solubilized plasma membranes from the human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cell line to immobilized reovirions, we have identified the 150- to 170-kDa epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor as one of the cell surface proteins recognized by reovirus. Direct interaction between the N-terminal extracellular domain of the EGF receptor and reovirus was confirmed by the demonstration that of a number of proteins secreted by A431 cells, the 105-kDa N-terminal cell surface domain of the EGF receptor was the major protein recognized by the virus. However, as expected, reovirus and EGF did not compete for the same binding site on the EGF receptor of intact A431 cells.
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Four Chinese hemophiliacs with HIV infection have been followed up in Zhejiang Province since 1985. A plan for optimal care of HIV seropositive patients was proposed, including surveillance and care; clinical follow-up and preventive education of asymptomatic HIV seropositive patients; keeping the disease confidential so as not to stir up unnecessary social unease; propaganda and health education about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS); treatment with traditional Chinese medicines; and regular surveillance of family members and medical personnel. This plan is regarded as feasible and effective for the prevention and control of AIDS in China.
Previously, we have identified an alpha IIb beta 3-like integrin in tumor cells by using antibodies against platelet alpha IIb beta 3. However, alpha IIb beta 3 was considered to be expressed strictly in megakaryocyte lineage cells. In order to resolve this controversy, the alpha IIb beta 3-like integrin in murine B16 amelanotic melanoma (B16a) cells was characterized at DNA, RNA, and protein levels. The presence of alpha 5, alpha v, alpha IIb, beta 1, and beta 3 genes in B16a cells was confirmed by Southern analysis. mRNAs for all these integrins except alpha v were detectable by Northern blotting. The alpha IIb beta 3 protein was identified by Western blotting using subunit-specific antibodies and by immunoprecipitation using complex-specific antibody. The alpha IIb beta 3 integrin was localized intracellularly by immunocytochemistry. Finally, alpha IIb and beta 3 mRNAs were amplified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and the identity of alpha IIb was verified by sequencing. Partial DNA and deduced amino acid sequence analysis showed that B16a alpha IIb shares approximately 80% homology with the human alpha IIb and approximately 90% homology with the rat alpha IIb, whereas B16a alpha IIb shares only approximately 26% homology with the human alpha v. These experiments indicate that the alpha IIb beta 3-like protein in B16a cells is the authentic alpha IIb beta 3 and demonstrate, for the first time, that integrin alpha IIb beta 3 is not confined to megakaryocyte lineage cells.
Blood samples from 36 germ cell tumor patients receiving chemotherapy with either cisplatin or carboplatin in combination with other drugs [etoposide or vinblastine, cyclophosphamide, dactinomycin, and bleomycin (VAB-6)] were analyzed for the presence of 7 different biological markers. The biomarkers included platinum-protein adducts, platinum-DNA adducts, sister chromatid exchange (SCE), micronuclei (MN), and somatic gene mutation at the hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT) locus and the glycophorin A (GPA) loci (NO and NN). Patients were asked to donate 9 serial blood samples: a pretreatment sample followed by another drawn 12-24 h after each of four cycles of treatment and a final sample provided 3-6 months after the last cycle. Most individuals gave 7-8 samples; 7 individuals donated all 9. Because of limited amounts of cells in some cases, it was not possible to carry out all 7 assays on every sample. Pt-protein adducts, Pt-DNA adducts, and SCE showed a direct and consistent effect of treatment and were very highly correlated. A significant correlation was also seen between both Pt-protein and Pt-DNA adducts and HPRT mutation. All of the posttreatment samples were significantly elevated compared to the baseline sample. These markers also remained elevated 3-6 months after the end of treatment. By contrast, MN, HPRT mutation, and GPA mutation (both NO and NN variants) showed varying patterns of dose response, probably reflective of the differing biology of these markers scored in lymphocytes (MN and HPRT) and erythrocytes (GPA). MN were significantly elevated in the posttreatment samples drawn at cycles 2 and 3. Although induction of HPRT mutation was only of marginal significance, results here are for the mutant frequency determination assay only. In progress is the potentially more informative analysis of the type of mutations by Southern blot and the sequencing of mutations to look for characteristic mutational spectra. The GPA assay showed a significant increase over baseline in samples drawn after cycles 3 and 4 (NO variants) and after cycles 2, 3, and 4 (NN variants). The level of GPA mutation (both NO and NN variants) was clearly elevated even 3-6 months after the last cycle of chemotherapy. Correlations were seen between HPRT and MN as well as between GPA NO and GPA NN variants. Analysis of biomarkers by treatment group does not reveal a consistent pattern or trend across all cycles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
On the basis of structural homology and similar biological activity, gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) has been considered the mammalian equivalent of amphibian bombesin. In this paper we now show this to be incorrect. Chromatography of frog (Bombina orientalis) gut extracts demonstrated two peaks of bombesin-like immunoreactivity (BLI), one similar in size to GRP and one similar in size to amphibian bombesin. These peaks were purified by high pressure liquid chromatography then subjected to mass spectrometric analyses to determine molecular weights and amino acid sequence. Based on the amino acid sequence of the lower molecular weight BLI species, a mixed oligonucleotide probe was prepared and used to screen a B. orientalis stomach cDNA library. Sequence analysis showed that all hybridizing clones encoded a 155-amino acid protein homologous to the mammalian GRP precursor. The mass spectra of the high and low molecular weight peaks of frog gut BLI were consistent with their origin from the processing of the frog GRP (fGRP) precursor into GRP-29 and GRP-10, just like the processing of the rat GRP precursor. Sequence homology showed that the fGRP precursor is more homology showed that the fGRP precursor is more closely related to the mammalian GRP precursors than to either the frog bombesin or frog ranatensin precursors. Northern blot analysis showed that fGRP is encoded by a mRNA of 980 bases, clearly different from the 750-base mRNA which encodes frog bombesin. Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization showed fGRP mRNA in frog brain and stomach and bombesin mRNA in frog skin, brain, and stomach. That frogs have independent genes for both GRP and bombesin raises the possibility that mammals have an as yet uncharacterized gene encoding a true mammalian bombesin.
The DNA sequence of an open reading frame (ORF) corresponding to the murine adenovirus type 1 (Mav1) proteinase gene was determined. 1162 base pairs were sequenced from the downstream end of the SmaI-D Mav1 genomic fragment. The sequence defines the 204 amino acid proteinase, which apparently does not possess the usual L3 polyadenylation signal, but instead the sequence AAATAA. This gene is followed by a 147 amino acid C-terminal portion of the DNA-binding protein, encoded by the complementary strand.
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We have examined the effect of 1-palmitoyl-2-(10-pyrenyl)decanoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphatidylcholine (Pyr-PC) concentration on the ratio of excimer fluorescence to monomer fluorescence (E/M) in L-alpha-dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) multilamellar vesicles at 30 degrees C, with special attention focussed on the smoothness of the curve. We observed a series of dips, in addition to kinks, in the plot of E/M versus the mole fraction of Pyr-PC (XPyrPC). The observation of dips is a new finding, perhaps unique for Pyr-PC in DMPC since only kinks were observed for Pyr-PC in L-alpha-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and in egg yolk phosphatidylcholine (egg-PC) (Somerharju et al., 1985. Biochemistry. 24: 2773-2781). The dips/kinks observed here are distributed according to a well defined pattern reflecting a lateral order in the membrane, and distributed symmetrically with respect to 50 mol% Pyr-PC. Some of the dips appear at specific concentrations (YPyrPC) according to the hexagonal super-lattice model proposed by Virtanen et al. (1988. J. Mol. Electr. 4: 233-236). However, the observations of dips at XPyrPC > 66.7 mol% and the kink at 33.3 mol% cannot be interpreted by the model of Virtanen et al. (1988). These surprising results can be understood by virtue of an extended hexagonal super-lattice model, in which we have proposed that if the pyrene-containing acyl chains are regularly distributed as a hexagonal super-lattice in the DMPC matrix at a specific concentration YPyrPC, then the acyl chains of DMPC can form a regularly distributed hexagonal super-lattice in the membrane at a critical concentration (1-YPyrPC). The excellent agreement between the calculated and the observed dip/kink positions, except for the dip at 74 mol% and the kink at 40 mol%, provides most compelling evidence that lipids are regularly distributed into hexagonal super-lattices in Pyr-PC/DMPC mixtures at specific concentrations. The physical nature of the dips not only gives us a better understanding of lipid lateral organization in membranes but also will lead to new theoretical considerations and experimental designs for exploring the relationship between lipid regular distribution and membrane functions.
Prevention of environmentally related cancer will be enhanced by the availability of sensitive early warning systems and by improvements in quantitative assessment of human risks. Accordingly, we have carried out a series of molecular epidemiologic studies aimed at validating a panel of biologic markers, including carcinogen-DNA and -protein adducts, sister chromatid exchange, micronucleus formation, DNA strand breaks, and DNA repair capacity. Results from three such studies illustrate the usefulness of these biomarkers in elucidating low-dose-response relationships, correlations between biomarkers, and the range of variation in biomarkers between individuals exposed to similar concentrations of carcinogens. Low-level workplace or ambient exposures to styrene, ethylene oxide, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were associated with significant increases in both molecular dose of carcinogens (adducts) and various markers of preclinical effects. Correlations between biomarkers varied by exposure. For example, in the styrene study, sister chromatid exchange frequency was not correlated with any of the markers, in contrast to the studies of ethylene oxide and PAH. Significant molecular effects were observed not only in occupationally exposed people but also in residents of an area in Poland characterized by high levels of air pollution. For example, the mean PAH-DNA level in exposed residents (winter sample) was 30.4 adducts per 10(8) nucleotides. This level was significantly higher than that of adducts seen in summer samples from the same area (4.2/10(8), or in winter samples from residents of a rural area (11.01/10(8). Significant seasonal variation in PAH-DNA adduct formation in this group was consistent with recorded fluctuations in air pollution levels. Striking interindividual variation was observed in all three exposed populations.
We report a case of hemophilic blood cyst in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment are discussed, and neither inflammatory changes nor pathological cells were seen in the numerous histological sections obtained surgically.
When fibrous dysplasia affects the femoral neck, normal bone is replaced by fibro-osseous dysplastic bone that is both mechanically weakened and biomechanically abnormal. Surgical management is recommended for persistent pain, progressive deformity, or impending fracture. Surgical options include curettage and cancellous bone grafting, osteotomy and nail-plate fixation, intramedullary rodding, and cortical bone grafting. We present the case of a patient with a painful, dysplastic lesion of the femoral neck who underwent cortical bone grafting using dual fibular strut grafts. To ensure long-term graft incorporation, the fibular cortical grafts bridged the lesion in the femoral neck and were securely anchored to the normal bone of the lateral femoral cortex and a head of the femur. No supplemental internal fixation was required. The biological basis for success of the fibular strut grafting procedure is that creeping substitution of the cortical graft necrotic bone does not replace the interstitial lamellae, which persist to lend structural support. Fibular strut grafting is an excellent procedure for fibrous dysplasia of the femoral neck.