[Cervical tuberculous lymphadenopathy--a rare complication of myelodysplastic syndrome].

Patients with myelodysplasia are susceptible to infections due to their compromised immunity. If presenting with a cervical lymphadenopathy patients must, in addition to other causes, be evaluated for tuberculosis, especially if they show a concurrent erythema nodosum.

Suppression of hadrons with large transverse momentum in central Au+Au collisions at root square[s(NN)] = 130 GeV.

Transverse momentum spectra for charged hadrons and for neutral pions in the range 1 GeV/c View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The effect of the menstrual cycle on acne.

Acne is a common disease with an underlying hormonal basis; however, there has never been a study to determine the ways in which the different stages of the menstrual cycle affect acne in women. Four hundred female participants, aged 12 to 52 years, were questioned whether their acne got worse before, during, or after their menstrual period and also asked whether it was unrelated to the menstrual period. Their age, severity of acne, ethnicity, and oral contraceptive use were also recorded.

Differential utilization and localization of ErbB receptor tyrosine kinases in skin compared to normal and malignant keratinocytes.

Induction of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) mRNA in mouse skin organ culture was blocked by two pan-ErbB receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibitors but not by genetic ablation of ErbB1, suggesting involvement of multiple ErbB species in skin physiology. Human skin, cultured normal keratinocytes, and A431 skin carcinoma cells expressed ErbB1, ErbB2, and ErbB3, but not ErbB4. Skin and A431 cells expressed more ErbB3 than did keratinocytes.

Measurement of the midrapidity transverse energy distribution from square root of [(s)NN] = 130 GeV Au + Au collisions at RHIC.

The first measurement of energy produced transverse to the beam direction at the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider at Brookhaven National Laboratory is presented. The midrapidity transverse energy density per participating nucleon rises steadily with the number of participants, closely paralleling the rise in charged-particle density, such that / remains relatively constant as a function of centrality. The energy density calculated via Bjorken's prescription for the 2% most central Au+Au collisions at square root[s(NN)] = 130 GeV is at least epsilon(Bj) = 4.

Epstein-Barr virus/human vector provides high-level, long-term expression of alpha1-antitrypsin in mice.

We have constructed plasmid DNA vectors that contain Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) sequences and the human gene (SERPINA1) encoding alpha1-Antitrypsin (AAT). We demonstrate that a plasmid carrying the full SERPINA1 on a 19-kb genomic fragment and the EBV gene EBNA1 and its family of repeats binding sites undergoes efficient extrachromosomal replication in dividing mammalian tissue culture cells. Therefore, use of a whole genomic therapeutic gene to provide both replication and gene expression may be an effective gene therapy vector design, if the target cells are dividing.

3,4-Dichlorophenylhydroxylamine cytotoxicity in renal cortical slices from Fischer 344 rats.

3,4-Dichlorophenylhydroxylamine (3,4-CPHA) is the N-hydroxyl metabolite of 3,4-dichloroaniline. 3,4-Dichloroaniline is a breakdown product of the herbicide Propanil. Previous work has shown that 3,4-dichloroaniline is acutely toxic to the kidney and bladder.

Centrality dependence of charged particle multiplicity in Au-Au collisions at square root of (s)NN = 130 GeV.

We present results for the charged-particle multiplicity distribution at midrapidity in Au-Au collisions at square root of [s(NN)] = 130 GeV measured with the PHENIX detector at RHIC. For the 5% most central collisions we find dN(ch)/d eta(vertical line eta = 0) = 622+/-1(stat)+/-41(syst). The results, analyzed as a function of centrality, show a steady rise of the particle density per participating nucleon with centrality.

Photorefractive keratectomy with customized segmental ablation to correct irregular astigmatism after laser in situ keratomileusis.

Purpose: To correct irregular astigmatism after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) with customized segmental ablation using the Nidek OPD-Scan (ARK-10000) to guide the Nidek EC-5000 excimer laser with the Final Fit software.

Methods: One eye of a patient that had undergone LASIK and one enhancement was treated using photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) with customized segmental ablation. OPD-Scan maps were analyzed before and after surgery.

S100A2 coding sequence polymorphism: characterization and lack of association with psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a strong genetic component. Linkage studies have identified several susceptibility loci for psoriasis including a region on chromosome 1q21 termed the 'epidermal differentiation complex'. At least 20 genes involved in epidermal differentiation and proliferation have been mapped to this region including S100A2, a gene known to be over-expressed in psoriasis lesions.

Hydrothermal syntheses, structures, and properties of [Cu3Cl2CN(pyrazine)] and copper(I) halide pyrazine polymers.

Crystals of copper halide and pseudohalide compounds with pyrazine are synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. The title compound, [Cu3Cl2CNPz] (1) (Pz = pyrazine), is a new copper compound exhibiting an unusual -(Cu3Cl2)- polymeric stair structural motif and three-coordinate cyanide. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/m, with a = 3.

Biochemical characterization of S100A2 in human keratinocytes: subcellular localization, dimerization, and oxidative cross-linking.

S100A2 is a calmodulin-like protein of unknown function, whose transcription is positively regulated in response to ErbB and p53 signaling. Expression of S100A2 is markedly increased in the context of ErbB-driven reactive epidermal hyperplasia, and decreased in the context of hypofunctional p53 mutations in carcinoma cell lines and tumors. This bimodal pattern of regulation suggests an important function for S100A2 in keratinocyte differentiation and carcinogenesis.

Differential regulation of responsiveness to fMLP and C5a upon dendritic cell maturation: correlation with receptor expression.

The trafficking of immature and mature dendritic cells (DCs) to different anatomical sites in vivo is critical for fulfilling their roles in the induction of Ag-specific immune responses. Although this process is complex and regulated by many mediators, the capacity of DCs to migrate is predominantly dependent on the expression of particular chemotactic receptors on the surface of DCs that enable them to move along chemotactic gradients formed by the corresponding chemokines and/or classical chemoattractants. Here we show that immature DCs (iDCs) respond to both fMLP and C5a as determined by chemotaxis and Ca2+ mobilization, whereas mature DCs (mDCs) respond to C5a, but not fMLP.

Differential regulation of EGF-like growth factor genes in human keratinocytes.

ErbB signaling increases protein levels of multiple EGF-like growth factors in epithelial cells. To better understand this process, we examined the effects of EGF receptor stimulation on the transcription and mRNA stability of TGF-alpha, amphiregulin (AR), and heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) in human keratinocytes. EGF stimulation increased transcription of TGF-alpha, AR, and HB-EGF by 3- to 4-fold within 1 to 2 h.

[Initial results of the evaluation study of ultrasound hip screening in Germany].

Aim Of Study: To assess the effectiveness of a universal sonographic screening of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) established in Germany since 1996.

Methods: Currently a national survey is being performed in Germany to identify infants and young children who receive inpatient treatment for DDH. Between May, 1997 and October, 1997 monthly questionnaires were sent to all pediatric orthopaedic surgeons (active surveillance) and they were asked to report all inpatient cases between 10 weeks of age and 5 years with current closed or open reduction and/or osteotomies due to DDH.

Breath ethane as a marker of reactive oxygen species during manipulation of diet and oxygen tension in rats.

Breath ethane, O2 consumption, and CO2 production were analyzed in 24-mo-old female Fischer 344 rats that had been fed continuously ad libitum (AL) or restricted 30% of AL level (DR) diets since 6 wk of age. Rats were placed in a glass chamber that was first flushed with air, then with a gas mixture containing 12% O2. After equilibration, a sample of the outflow was collected in gas sampling bags for subsequent analyses of ethane and CO2.

Retinoid regulation of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor gene expression in human keratinocytes and skin.

Retinoic acid (RA) has profound effects on epidermal homeostasis; however, the molecular mechanisms by which retinoids regulate keratinocyte cell proliferation and differentiation are not well understood. Here we report that mRNA expression of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF), a member of the EGF family of growth factors, is induced by RA in human keratinocytes and skin, and is overexpressed in the context of epidermal hyperplasia in vivo. Treatment of normal adult human keratinocytes with micromolar concentrations of RA significantly induced the expression of HB-EGF.

EGF stimulates transcription of CaN19 (S100A2) in HaCaT keratinocytes.

CaN19 (S100A2), a member of the S100 family of calcium-binding proteins, was originally isolated in a screen for tumor suppressor genes. Recent work from our laboratory suggests that CaN19 is likely to be an effector of the regenerative hyperplasia pathway of epidermal differentiation. As other work from our laboratory in a human skin organ culture model suggests that this response is mediated by activation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor and/or related receptors of the ErbB family, we asked whether CaN19 expression could be increased by organ culture and by EGF treatment of human keratinocytes.

Computer Simulation of Flocculation Processes: The Roles of Chain Conformation and Chain/Colloid Concentration Ratio in the Aggregate Structures.

The flocculation of colloidal particles in the presence of adsorbing polymers is a key process in colloid science, as well as in the chemical and biological regulation of aquatic systems. Polymers can influence important physical properties of colloidal aggregates such as their densities and settling velocities, as well as their chemical properties, affecting the probability that two colloidal particles will stick together when they collide. The presence of polymers usually makes more difficult the application of a coagulation theory to colloidal suspensions and the interpretation of experimental observations.

Production of functional IL-18 by different subtypes of murine and human dendritic cells (DC): DC-derived IL-18 enhances IL-12-dependent Th1 development.

IL-18 is a recently described cytokine that shares biological activities with IL-12 in driving the development of Th1-type T cells. As dendritic cells (DC) are very potent inducers of T cell proliferation and differentiation we wondered whether they utilize IL-18 as a factor driving Th1 development. We demonstrate by Northern blot and reverse transcription-PCR that various subtypes of human and murine DC as well as the DC-line XS contain IL-18 mRNA.

Human psoriatic skin in organ culture: comparison with normal skin exposed to exogenous growth factors and effects of an antibody to the EGF receptor.

Organ cultures were established from psoriatic lesional skin of 24 different individuals and maintained for 8 days under serum-free, growth-factor-free conditions. Nonlesional skin from 14 of the same individuals and normal skin from another 12 individuals were also maintained in organ culture. At the end of the incubation period, the tissues were fixed in formalin and examined histologically.

EGF receptor signaling inhibits keratinocyte apoptosis: evidence for mediation by Bcl-XL.

Signaling through the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been primarily implicated in the growth of epithelial cells including keratinocytes. However, the mechanism by which EGFR stimulation promotes keratinocyte cell growth is poorly understood. Here we report that human keratinocytes undergo apoptosis when incubated with the blocking EGFR monoclonal antibody 225 IgG, or PD153035, a highly specific EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Nutation-Frequency Correlated EPR Spectroscopy: The PEANUT Experiment.

The phase-inverted echo-amplitude detected nutation (PEANUT) experiment for the measurement of transient electron spin nutation frequencies is introduced. In this new pulse sequence, nutation refocused to a rotary echo is detected via the amplitude modulation of a primary electron spin echo. Since detection and excitation of the nutation are fully separated in time, experiments at very high nutation frequencies become feasible.

Heparin-binding ligands mediate autocrine epidermal growth factor receptor activation In skin organ culture.

Exogenous EGF and TGF-alpha accelerate wound healing, but treatment effects are often modest. Using short-term human skin organ culture, we found that autocrine EGF receptor activation could account for this observation. Amphiregulin and heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) transcripts were rapidly and markedly induced, whereas EGF and TGF-alpha mRNAs were undetectable or only slightly increased.

CaN19 expression in benign and malignant hyperplasias of the skin and oral mucosa: evidence for a role in regenerative differentiation.

CaN19, a member of the S100 family of calcium-binding proteins, is known to be "underexpressed" in cultured breast carcinoma-derived cell lines relative to their normal counterparts. By Northern blotting, we confirm these results and find that CaN19 is also markedly "underexpressed" in several carcinoma-derived cell lines of the skin, oral mucosa, and urogenital tract. However, exceptions to the inverse correlation between CaN19 expression and malignancy have been identified, bringing into question the hypothesis that CaN19 functions as a tumor suppressor gene.