Retinoic acid: identification of specific receptors through which it may mediate transcriptional regulation of fibronectin gene in bovine lens epithelial cells.

To elucidate in detail the regulatory mechanisms by which the fibronectin mRNA and protein are altered by all-trans retinoic acid (RA) in bovine lens epithelial (LE) cells, we have investigated the transcription mechanism and the occurrence of nuclear receptors for RA in the nuclei of cultured LE cells. The rate of transcription of fibronectin (FN) mRNA increased by 130% in response to RA. The RA receptors in nuclear extracts prepared from LE cells show specific all-trans [3H]-RA binding sites.

Metabolic responses during initial days of altitude acclimatization in the eastern Himalayas.

The study was carried out on 16 men (aged 20-30 years) to evaluate daily metabolic responses during the early phase of altitude acclimatization at moderate altitudes between 3100 and 4200 m in the Eastern Himalayas. Resting (R) and submaximal exercise (E) oxygen consumption (IVO2) at 100 W at sea level (SL) were 3.25 (SEM 0.

Morphological characterization of the squamocolumnar junction of the esophagus in patients with and without Barrett's epithelium.

Barrett's esophagus is a metaplastic condition in which the normal stratified squamous epithelium of the distal esophagus is replaced by columnar epithelium. Our group has previously characterized a unique surface cell (the "distinctive cell") at the junction of squamous and Barrett's epithelium. This cell is notable for the simultaneous presence on its surface of both squamous and columnar cell features.

Treatment of postoperative lymphoceles with percutaneous drainage and alcohol sclerotherapy.

Purpose: To assess the efficacy and safety of percutaneous catheter drainage combined with alcohol sclerosis in the treatment of postoperative lymphoceles.

Patients And Methods: Thirteen patients with 14 postoperative symptomatic lymphoceles were treated. Drainage catheters were inserted under ultrasound (n = 13) or computed tomographic (n = 1) guidance.

Respiratory changes during initial days of acclimatization to increasing altitudes.

Method: The daily changes in respiratory function were monitored in 16 healthy male road inductees at sea level (SL) and at high altitudes (HA) of 3110 m, 3445 m, and 4177 m. Identical studies were also carried out on acclimatized low landers (ALL) staying at 3110 m and at 4177 m for 2 years.

Results: Ventilation, tidal volume, and respiratory rate showed significant increases on arrival at HA and remained high during the entire period of observation (p < 0.

Free and total thyroid hormones in humans at extreme altitude.

Alterations in circulatory levels of total T4 (TT4), total T3 (TT3), free T4 (FT4), free T3 (FT3), thyrotropin (TSH) and T3 uptake (T3U) were studied in male and female sea-level residents (SLR) at sea level, in Armed forces personnel staying at high altitude (3750 m) for prolonged duration (acclimatized low-landers, ALL) and in high-altitude natives (HAN). Identical studies were also performed on male ALL who trekked to an extreme altitude of 5080 m and stayed at an altitude of more than 6300 m for about 6 months. The total as well as free thyroid hormones were found to be significantly higher in ALL and HAN as compared to SLR values.

Scanning electron microscopy of the human esophagus: application to Barrett's esophagus, a precancerous lesion.

In Barrett's esophagus, metaplastic columnar epithelium replaces the normal squamous epithelium. The importance of this lesion lies in the increased incidence of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus occurring in patients with Barrett's esophagus. We characterized the surface epithelial cells of Barrett's esophagus using quantitative scanning electron microscopy.

Thyroid function during a prolonged stay in Antarctica.

Adaptation of the thyroid gland to the Antarctic environment was studied in nine healthy euthyroid tropical men of the Sixth Indian Antarctic Expedition during 1 year of their residence at polar latitudes. Circulatory concentrations of thyroid hormones, total T4 (TT4), total T3 (TT3), free T4 (FT4), free T3 (FT3), reverse T3 (rT3), thyroxine binding globulin (TBG), T3 uptake and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were estimated in New Delhi and during the first week of each month of the stay in Antarctica. At the end of the Austral summer in March, the TT3 concentrations were found to be significantly lower (P < 0.

Differential effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha on the expression of fibronectin and collagen genes in cultured bovine endothelial cells.

The effects of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) on the expression of fibronectin and types (IV), (III), and (I) procollagen genes in cultured bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells were examined in this study. Findings indicate that TNF-alpha increases steady-state levels of alpha l (IV) and alpha l (III) procollagen mRNAs while it decreases levels of fibronectin and alpha 2 (1) procollagen mRNA and leaves cytoskeletal actin mRNA levels unchanged. Both dose and exposure time moderated these effects.

Expression of type I and type III procollagen by lens epithelial cells.

Purpose: To identify the types of procollagen that are synthesized by cultured bovine lens epithelial cells and to determine what types of post-translational modifications are involved in procollagen biosynthesis and what patterns of procollagen gene expression occur in these cells.

Methods: The epithelial nature of the cultured cells was confirmed with transmission electron and phase contrast microscopy. To label collagen, primary or secondary monolayer cultures were pulsed with [3H] proline for various periods of time.

Endotoxin alters the expression of extracellular matrix proteins by cultured endothelial cells.

In order to understand changes that occur in the extracellular matrix during acute lung injury, we have observed the effects of endotoxin on cultured bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells. Following treatment with endotoxin, endothelial cell monolayers altered their production of [3H] proline-labeled procollagen (types III and V), fibronectin, and a 43 kDa protein, Secreted Protein Acidic and Rich in Cysteines (SPARC). Following their secretion into the culture medium, these proteins were immunoprecipitated with specific antibodies for characterization and quantification.

The genes for the highly homologous Ca(2+)-binding proteins oncomodulin and parvalbumin are not linked in the human genome.

The chromosomal loci of the human parvalbumin and oncomodulin single-copy genes that encode structurally and evolutionarily closely related Ca(2+)-binding proteins were determined by somatic cell hybrid analysis. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA from 25 human-hamster somatic cell hybrids showed that the human gene for oncomodulin resides on chromosome 7. Analysis of human-mouse hybrids selectively retaining human chromosome 7 or a portion of it allowed specific assignment of the gene locus to the p11-p13 region of chromosome 7 known to be mutated or deleted in patients with the Greig cephalopolysyndactyly syndrome.

Neem oil--a fertility controlling agent in rhesus monkey.

Neem oil, an oil extracted from the seeds of Azadirachta indica has been found to act as a good spermicidal agent. Pre and post coital application of the oil intravaginally prevented pregnancy in rhesus monkey.

Antifertility activity of volatile fraction of neem oil.

NIM-76, the odorous and volatile fraction of neem oil, was investigated for its antifertility activity in vivo in rats, rabbits and rhesus monkeys. The drug is effective when applied before coitus but not so when applied during post-coital stages. It, therefore, appears to act mainly by its spermicidal effect.

Biosynthesis of small proteoglycan II (decorin) by chondrocytes and evidence for a procore protein.

We have studied the biosynthesis of cartilage dermatan sulfate proteoglycan II (DS-PGII) (decorin) using in vitro translation of mRNA to determine the size of the primary gene product and by radiolabeling the protein in the presence of tunicamycin to inhibit the addition of Asn-linked oligosaccharides. Pulse-chase experiments were performed to examine post-translational processing and secretion. Inhibitors of oligosaccharide processing were used to determine whether DS-PGII molecules containing partially processed oligosaccharides could become proteoglycans and be secreted.

Thyroid function in sojourners and acclimatised low landers at high altitude in man.

The circulatory levels of T4, T3, rT3, TSH as well as TSH response to TRH, thyroid hormone binding proteins and T3 concentration of erythrocytes were studied in (i) healthy euthyroid sea level residents (SLR) at sea level, (ii) during three weeks of stay of SLR at an altitude of 3500 m (sojourners, SJ), (iii) SLR staying at high altitude (HA) for 3 months to 10 years (acclimatised low landers. ALL), (iv) high altitude natives (HAN) and (v) euthyroid men during intermittent exposure to simulated altitude of 3500 m in a hypobaric chamber maintained at an ambient temperature of 22 degrees C to 24 degrees C. Hypoxic stress either simulated or natural, produced marked elevation in plasma T4 and T3 within 4 h and the increased levels were maintained during the entire period of exposure.

Glucoregulatory hormones in man at high altitude.

Concentrations of glucose, lactic acid, free fatty acid (FFA), insulin, cortisol and growth hormone (GH) in the blood were monitored in 15 euglycaemic men (sojourners, SJ) at sea level (SL) and while at altitudes of 3500 m and 5080 m, in acclimatised low landers (ALL) and in high altitude natives (HAN). In SJ, blood glucose and insulin concentrations showed a significant increase on the 3rd and 7th day after arrival at high altitude (HA), thereafter returning to sea level values and remaining the same during the entire period of their stay at 3500 m. Subsequently, on arrival at higher altitude (5080 m) the glucose concentrations again showed an increase over the preceding values and returned to SL values on day 41 while at 5080 m.

Circadian rhythmicity of growth hormone at high altitude in man.

Circulatory levels of growth hormone (GH) were estimated at 0600 h, 1200 h, 1800 h and 2400 h in each of 10 subjects of sea level residents (SLR) in New Delhi (226 m) and in high altitude natives (HAN) settled at an altitude of 3650 m. Both in SLR and HAN the GH secretion showed an identical pattern, the values were lowest at 0600 h and highest at 2400 h. Nevertheless, in HAN the GH levels at different timings of the day were found to be significantly higher than in SLR.

Contraceptive efficacy of Depot Provera jet-injected into the cervix.

Depot-medroxy progesterone acetate (DMPA) was jet deposited into the uterus/cervix of rats, rabbits and rhesus monkeys with the help of a modified jet injection apparatus. Since the drug was delivered under pressure, it was distributed deep into the muscular layers around the place of deposition. After one deposition the drug acted as an effective contraceptive for a period of three months.

Thyroid function during intermittent exposure to hypobaric hypoxia.

Circulatory levels of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) and their kinetics were studied in rabbits exposed to intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (5200 m, 395 mm Hg, PO2 83 mm Hg) 6 h daily for 5 weeks in a decompression chamber maintained at room temperature of 22 degrees-24 degrees C. Kinetics of T3 and T4 were studied on days 21 and 28 of hypoxic exposure. The T3 and T4 values were found to be significantly lower on day 8 of exposure to hypoxia compared to the pre-exposure values.

Polyamines in plant physiology.

The diamine putrescine, the triamine spermidine, and the tetramine spermine are ubiquitous in plant cells, while other polyamines are of more limited occurrence. Their chemistry and pathways of biosynthesis and metabolism are well characterized. They occur in the free form as cations, but are often conjugated to small molecules like phenolic acids and also to various macromolecules.