Expression of glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-PO) in the rat ventral prostate--effect of castration and administration of testosterone.

Immunolocalization of glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-PO), apoptosis and bcl-2 protein in the rat ventral prostate was investigated in the presence or absence of androgen. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four experimental groups. Group 1 consisted of intact controls.

[The relationship between the production of interleukin-6 and the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in renal cell carcinoma].

The relationship between the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) determined by immunohistochemical staining using the PC10 clone, and the preoperative serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) value determined by ELISA was examined. The secretion of IL-6 in RCC was also examined immunohistochemically using an anti-IL-6 antibody. The PCNA labeling rate was significantly higher in grade 3 tumors than in grade 1 tumors (p < 0.

Cloning and expression of a human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 protein with reverse transcriptase activity.

Unlike most other characterized retroviruses, there is little published information on the biochemical properties of human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT). Specifically, no reports of a cloned functional RT enzyme have been published. Since the RT enzyme is an essential component of the virus, our objective was to clone, express, and purify a functional RT enzyme from HTLV-1.

Efficient expression and rapid purification of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 protease.

Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is an oncovirus that is clinically associated with adult T-cell leukemia. We report here the construction of a pET19-based expression clone containing HTLV-1 protease fused to a decahistidine-containing leader peptide. The recombinant protein is efficiently expressed in Escherichia coli, and the fusion protein can be easily purified by affinity chromatography.

Trends in fatal firearm-related injuries, United States, 1962-1993.

Objective: Our objective was to review historical trends in U.S. fatal firearm-related injuries for the years 1962-1993.

Fatty acid compositions of colostrum, cord blood, maternal blood and major infant formulas in Japan.

Lipid profiles in colostrum, cord blood, maternal blood and major infant formulas in Japan were analyzed. In the first part of the study, colostrum obtained from 36 normal delivery women and six kinds of infant formulas provided by three major milk companies were analyzed for their fatty acid composition using capillary gas-lipid chromatography. Although enriched with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the percent composition of DHA in the six infant formulas (0.

Developmental changes in mucous cells of the early postnatal rat parotid gland: an ultrastructural and histochemical study.

Previous studies on the development of the parotid gland in various mammals have demonstrated that terminal clusters and acini contain mucous cells during the early postnatal period. However, little information has been available concerning the exact fate of the secretory granules in the mucous cells, specifically as to whether or not the mucous cells differentiate into serous cells. The present study aimed to determine the time of appearance of the mucous cells in the rat parotid gland as well as the morphological and histochemical changes of their granules.

Damage attributable to extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy and deposition of calcium oxalate crystals on ureteral stents.

Ureteral stents have been widely used during and after SWL depending on the size of the stones and the condition of the urinary tracts. The use of stents can help to reduce complications and contributes to stone passage. However, some reports note complications that were attributed to indwelling ureteral stents.

Estimating intruder-related firearm retrievals in U.S. households, 1994.

To estimate the frequency of firearm retrieval because of a known or presumed intruder, the authors analyzed data from a 1994 national random digit dialing telephone survey (n = 5,238 interviews). Three mutually exclusive definitions of firearm retrieval were constructed: (1) retrieved a firearm because there might be an intruder, (2) retrieved a firearm and saw an intruder, and (3) retrieved a firearm, saw an intruder, and believed the intruder was frightened away by the gun. Of 1,678 (34%) households with firearms, 105 (6%) retrieved a firearm in the previous 12 months because of an intruder.

Combined use of detachable coil against persistent mechanical hemolysis after transcatheter occlusion using Rashkind umbrella device in adult patient with patent ductus arteriosus.

Mechanical hemolysis after transcatheter occlusion of the patent ductus arteriosus using the Rashkind umbrella device has been postulated as a rare, but serious complication, even necessitating surgical repair. A rare, case of an adult patient with massive hemolytic anemia, successfully controlled by the combined use of several detachable coil devices is reported. The use of coil devices might be considered as a therapeutic option in such cases.

Taxonomic position of clinical isolates of Candida famata.

We examined five clinical isolates formerly classified as Candida famata to clarify their taxonomic position by DNA-DNA reassociation studies and several phenotypic features. Four of the five isolates, M 5101, M 5102, M 5111 and M 5112, produced ascospores after being grown for 1 week on YM agar at 20 degrees C. By the API 20C system, three of the five isolates were identified as C.

Dimethyl sulfoxide and related polar compounds enhance infection of human T cells with HIV-1 in vitro.

We observed the enhancing effect of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) on infection of human T cells with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Similar enhancing effects were also found in related polar chemicals such as dimethylformamide, hexamethylenebisacetamide, sodium butyrate and retinoic acid. In acute infection of the human MT-4 T cell line, DMSO at a concentration of 1% reduced the amounts of HIV-1 required to establish similar infection by one log.

Immunolocalization of glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-PO) in the rat ventral prostate: effects of castration and administration of testosterone.

Immunolocalization of glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-PO) in the rat ventral prostate was studied in the presence and absence of androgen. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four experimental groups. Group 1 consisted of intact controls.

Inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infectivity by a new amine bellenamine.

Bellenamine, (R)-3,6-diamino-N-(aminomethyl)hexanamide (molecular weight 174), produced by Streptomyces nashvillensis, which has been reported to have weak antibacterial activity and to slightly enhance the immune response, showed potent activity against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Its mode of action was investigated. Bellenamine inhibited de novo infection of human T cells with HIV-1, at a 50% effective concentration (EC50) of 0.

Amount of pollen has an effect on the systemic and local levels of soluble ICAM-1 in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis.

We investigated whether the amount of antigen has an effect on the systemic and local levels of soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) in patients with pollinosis, and assessed its biologic significance. The levels of subjective symptoms and sICAM-1 in sera and nasal epithelial lining fluids (ELF) from 14 subjects with pollinosis (allergic group) and eight healthy subjects (control group) were measured from pre- to postseason in 1993 (total pollen count: 10,854/cm2) and 1994 (total pollen count: 415/cm2), and the results were compared with each other among the four groups. The levels of subjective symptoms and sICAM-1 in ELF from the allergic group significantly increased during the season in both 1993 and 1994.

Immunization outreach at Income Support Centers, New York City, 1992-1993.

An increase in measles occurred in New York City (NYC) during 1989-1990, affecting primarily unvaccinated preschool-aged children. Many of these children were also enrolled in Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) programs. To determine the immunization status of children receiving AFDC, immunization records were reviewed at three NYC income support centers.

Serological characterization of Trichosporon cutaneum and related species.

Recent molecular biological, chemical, physiological and morphological studies indicate that Tri-chosporon cutaneum and related species should be reclassified. In this study, antigenic characteristics of the species were determined. The results of adsorption experiments revealed that there were at least three serological types: I, II and III.

Production of agglutinating monoclonal antibody against antigen 8 specific for Cryptococcus neoformans serotype D.

A hybridoma (clone CRND-8) that produced agglutinating monoclonal antibody (MAb) against Cryptococcus neoformans serotype D was established by using a soluble capsular polysaccharide-keyhole limpet hemocyanin conjugate for immunization. The isotype was immunoglobulin M(kappa). Specificity was determined by cell slide agglutination and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Bufotenine reconsidered as a diagnostic indicator of psychiatric disorders.

We have analyzed products of the serotonin-degradative pathway, in which both N-methylserotonin and bufotenine are formed in urine specimens of products with psychiatric disorders by three-dimensional HPLC with electrochemical detection. Bufotenine was detected in urine from all autistic patients with mental retardation and epilepsy (n = 18) and many autistic patients (32/47) with mental retardation. Bufotenine was detected in the urine of 15 of 18 patients with depression.

Production and purification of N-terminal half-transferrin in Pichia pastoris.

Human serum transferrin, the major iron transport protein in humans, is a monomeric glycoprotein that is composed of two homologous domains; the N-terminal domain is formed by amino acids 1-331 and the C-terminal domain is formed by amino acids 338-679. Each domain is capable of binding one iron atom concomittantly with a carbonate anion; however, the two homologous iron binding sites are not chemically equivalent. The cDNA sequence coding for the N-terminal domain has been cloned and overexpressed in the methylotrophic yeast, Pichia pastoris.

Use of multiple reporting sources for perinatal hepatitis B surveillance and follow-up.

The New York State Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program was implemented in New York State (excluding New York City) as a surveillance and control program in 1988. This report describes and evaluates the program and provides data from 1991 regarding hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive mothers and their infants' subsequent hepatitis B vaccination. The program was created using multiple existing surveillance and data collection systems.