Anticlastogenic effects of black tea (World blend) and its two active polyphenols theaflavins and thearubigins in vivo in Swiss albino mice.

This study investigated the inhibition of cyclophosphamide (CP) and dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) induced genetic damage by black tea (World blend) and its two active polyphenols theaflavins (TF) and thearubigins (TR) in Swiss albino mice as measured by chromosome aberrations (CA) and sister chromatid exchanges (SCE). Three different concentrations (5, 10 and 20%) of tea and a single dose of TF and TR were tested for their anticlastogenic effects against DMBA (50 mg/kg body weight) and CP (20 mg/kg for CA and 10 mg/kg for SCE). A significant decrease in CA was observed in all the three concentrations of tea extract plus DMBA treated groups when compared with the respective DMBA treated group alone.

GroEL/GroES-mediated folding of a protein too large to be encapsulated.

The chaperonin GroEL binds nonnative proteins too large to fit inside the productive GroEL-GroES cis cavity, but whether and how it assists their folding has remained unanswered. We have examined yeast mitochondrial aconitase, an 82 kDa monomeric Fe(4)S(4) cluster-containing enzyme, observed to aggregate in chaperonin-deficient mitochondria. We observed that aconitase folding both in vivo and in vitro requires both GroEL and GroES, and proceeds via multiple rounds of binding and release.

A noninvasive reporter system to image adenoviral-mediated gene transfer to ovarian cancer xenografts.

Objective: Gene therapy trials for ovarian cancer would benefit from a noninvasive imaging modality to detect the location and extent of gene transfer. The human type 2 somatostatin receptor gene (hSSTr2) was evaluated as a reporter gene for imaging adenoviral (Ad) gene transfer to ovarian cancer.

Methods: A replication-incompetent Ad vector encoding hSSTr2 (Ad-hSSTr2) was used to infect SKOV3.

An adenovirus with enhanced infectivity mediates molecular chemotherapy of ovarian cancer cells and allows imaging of gene expression.

The adenovirus (Ad) is a useful vector for cancer gene therapy due to its unparalleled gene transfer efficiency to dividing and quiescent cells. Primary cancer cells, however, often have highly variable or low levels of the requisite coxsackie-adenovirus receptor (CAR). Also, assessment of gene transfer and vector persistence has been logistically difficult in human clinical trials.

Light-based imaging of green fluorescent protein-positive ovarian cancer xenografts during therapy.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to develop a sensitive, noninvasive imaging method for monitoring ovarian xenografts during therapeutic intervention.

Methods: Human ovarian tumor cells (SKOV3.ip1) were infected with a replication-deficient adenoviral (Ad) vector encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP).

Detection and measurement of in vitro gene transfer by gamma camera imaging.

The purpose of this work was to develop a high capacity method to image gene transfer to cancer cells growing as monolayers in cell culture plates. A sensitive and high capacity nuclear-imaging method for detection of gene transfer in vitro will allow rapid validation of vectors in different cell lines under various conditions. Human cancer cell lines (A-427 non-small cell lung, SKOV3.

Simultaneous evaluation of dual gene transfer to adherent cells by gamma-ray imaging.

A gamma camera imaging method was developed to detect dual gene transfer to adherent cells growing as monolayers in cell culture plates. Human cancer cells were infected with replication-incompetent adenoviral vectors encoding the human type 2 somatostatin receptor (Ad-hSSTr2) and/or herpes virus thymidine kinase (Ad-TK). The hSSTr2 and TK reporter proteins were detected by imaging internally bound (99m)Tc-P2045 peptide (Diatide, Inc.

Antiinflammatory and antioxidant property of saponins of tea [Camellia sinensis (L) O. Kuntze] root extract.

Two groups of saponins, TS-1 and TS-2, isolated from tea root extract (TRE) were tested for antiinflammatory and in vitro antioxidant activity. Both TS-1 and TS-2 inhibited carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats. The antioxidant activity of these compounds was evaluated using the xanthine-xanthine oxidase system.

Equilibrium and kinetic studies on folding of the authentic and recombinant forms of human alpha-lactalbumin by circular dichroism spectroscopy.

The equilibrium and kinetics of the unfolding and refolding of authentic and recombinant human alpha-lactalbumin, the latter of which had an extra methionine residue at the N-terminus, were studied by circular dichroism spectroscopy, and the results were compared with the results for bovine and goat alpha-lactalbumins obtained in our previous studies. As observed in the bovine and goat proteins, the presence of the extra methionine residue in the recombinant protein remarkably destabilized the native state, and the destabilization was entirely ascribed to an increase in the rate of unfolding. The thermodynamic stability of the native state against the unfolded state was lower, and the thermodynamic stability of the molten globule state against the unfolded state was higher for the human protein than for the other alpha-lactalbumins previously studied.

Imaging Tc-99m-labeled FGF-1 targeting in rats.

Recombinant human acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-1) was radiolabeled with (99m)Tc by the HYNIC method. The (99m)Tc-FGF-1 retained its representative molecular mass, heparin affinity, cellular binding to both low (Kd = 9.5 nM) and high (Kd = 125 pM) affinity sites, and mitogenic activity.

Role of hla class-I antigens in delusional disorder.

The investigation was conducted to find out whether there is any association between delusional disorder and HLA antigens. The sample comprised 50 patients with delusional disorder and 282 control samples collected from normal controls. Statistical analysis revealed that the frequency of A3 antigen of the locus A are significantly higher.

Triterpenoid saponins from the roots of tea plant (Camellia sinensis var. assamica).

Three olean-12-ene type triterpenoid saponins, named TR-saponins A, B and C, were isolated as methyl esters from tea roots (Camellia sinesis var. assamica) after treatment with diazomethane. Their structures were established as the methyl esters of 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl (1-->3)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl-21, 22-di-O-angeloyl-R1-barrigenol-23-oic acid, 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl (1-->3)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl-21-O-angeloyl-22-O-2-me thylbutanoyl-R1- barrigenol-23-oic acid and 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl (1-->3)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl-16 alpha-O-acetyl-21-O-angeloyl-22-O-2-methylbutanoyl-R1-bar rigenol-23-oic acid, by extensive 1D and 2D-NMR as well as FABMS and HR-MS analyses.

Noninvasive monitoring of gene transfer using a reporter receptor imaged with a high-affinity peptide radiolabeled with 99mTc or 188Re.

Unlabelled: Gene therapy protocols require better modalities to monitor the location and level of transferred gene expression. One potential in vivo mechanism to assess gene expression would be to image the binding of a radiolabeled peptide to a reporter receptor that is expressed in targeted tissues. This concept was tested in a tumor model using a replication-incompetent adenoviral vector encoding the human type 2 somatostatin receptor (Ad5-CMVhSSTr2).

Acute mesenteric ischemia and malpractice claims.

Background: Acute mesenteric ischemia can be a difficult diagnosis to make, but delay contributes directly to infarction, and this may provide a setting for malpractice claims.

Methods: We reviewed 180 consecutive malpractice claims submitted by attorneys for medical expert (ME) review during the 12 years ending in late 1998. Seven cases involved acute mesenteric ischemia.

Prokinetic effect of black tea on gastrointestinal motility.

The gastrokinetic effects of hot water extract of black tea [Camellia sinensis, (L) O. Kuntze (Theaceae)] on gastrointestinal motility were studied both in vivo and in vitro. The extract significantly accelerated the gastrointestinal transit (GIT) in vivo in mice.

Necrotizing fasciitis and malpractice claims.

Background: Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is an aggressive bacterial infection of the superficial fascia and subcutaneous tissues that is increasing in incidence. The high toll exacted by this illness provides a setting for malpractice claims.

Method: We reviewed 180 consecutive malpractice claims submitted by attorneys for medical expert review between 1987 and late 1997.

Specific targeting of activated endothelium in rat adjuvant arthritis with a 99mTc-radiolabeled E-selectin-binding peptide.

Objective: To determine the potential of an E-selectin-binding peptide (ESbp) to specifically bind activated endothelium in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) animal models.

Methods: ESbp (KYDGDITWDQLWDLMK; 2,027 daltons) was labeled with biotin and 99mTc. The affinity of ESbp derivatives for E-selectin was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

59Fe is retained from an elemental 59Fe powder supplement without effects on 65Zinc, 47Calcium and 67Copper in young pigs.

In vivo counting with the use of a germanium detector evaluated the retention of an elemental 59Fe powder supplement while measuring potential interactions with zinc, calcium and copper. Effects of dietary iron and zinc on in vivo retentions of 59Fe, 65Zn, 67Cu and 47Ca were studied in young pigs. In Experiment 1, 4-d-old piglets fed a cereal-based diet were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups (2 x 2 factorial arrangement, n = 5 per group).

Effect of the extra n-terminal methionine residue on the stability and folding of recombinant alpha-lactalbumin expressed in Escherichia coli.

The structure, stability, and unfolding-refolding kinetics of Escherichia coli-expressed recombinant goat alpha-lactalbumin were studied by circular dichroism spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and stopped-flow measurements, and the results were compared with those of the authentic protein prepared from goat milk. The electric properties of the two proteins were also studied by gel electrophoresis and ion-exchange chromatography. Although the overall structures of the authentic and recombinant proteins are the same, the extra methionine residue at the N terminus of the recombinant protein remarkably affects the native-state stability and the electric properties.

Pulmonary embolism and malpractice claims.

Background: Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) with pulmonary embolization (PE) often occurs as an unexpected event with fatal consequences. This provides a setting for malpractice claims.

Methods: We reviewed 160 consecutive malpractice claims submitted by attorneys for medical expert review during the 11-year period ending in 1997.