Sweet's syndrome during therapy with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in a patient with aplastic anaemia.

A patient with aplastic anaemia developed Sweet's syndrome (a febrile neutrophilic dermatosis) during granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) therapy. Three repeated episodes of appearance and disappearance of erythematous nodules after administration and withdrawal of G-CSF confirmed that G-CSF induced Sweet's syndrome in the patient. Sweet's syndrome has been reported in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome and acute leukemia, but not in patients with aplastic anaemia.

Use of the rabbit ear artery to serially assess foreign protein secretion after site-specific arterial gene transfer in vivo. Evidence that anatomic identification of successful gene transfer may underestimate the potential magnitude of transgene expression.

Background: The development of molecular strategies for the treatment of restenosis has been hindered by low efficiencies of in vivo arterial transfection. Expression of intracellular marker proteins is generally evident in < 1% of vascular smooth muscle cells after in vivo arterial transfection. Efforts to improve the efficiency of in vivo gene transfer have been further impeded by the use of transgenes encoding for intracellular marker proteins, necessitating tissue removal and limiting survey for expression to one point in time.

Effect of the dopamine D2 antagonist sulpiride on event-related potentials and its relation to the law of initial value.

Effects of the dopamine antagonist sulpiride on event-related potentials (ERPs) were investigated during an auditory odd ball task in 18 healthy volunteers. Sulpiride (150 or 300 mg) or an inactive placebo was administered according to a completely randomized double-blind cross-over design. ERPs were recorded 1 h after medication was given.

Deviate P200 and P300 in non-patient college students with high scores on the schizophrenia scale of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI).

Event-related potentials (ERPs) were examined in 16 college students who had high scores on the Schizophrenia Scale of the MMPI (HSS) but were without a hereditary disposition for major psychiatric disorders. 32 sex- and age-matched college students were used as controls. Subjects whose T scores were higher than 70 were designated the HSS subjects.

Increased expression of human 63-kD heat shock protein gene in Kawasaki disease determined by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

To investigate the possible role of heat shock protein (HSP) in the pathogenesis of Kawasaki disease (KD), we determined the expression of 63-kD HSP (P1 protein) gene in the leukocytes from the peripheral blood of 20 patients with KD, 20 patients with various other febrile diseases, and 10 healthy children using the quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction technique. Although a low but constitutive expression of HSP was observed in the control patients and healthy children, the expression of HSP63 mRNA was significantly higher during the acute phase of KD. Because mycobacterial HSP65, a cognate of human HSP63, is a common immunogen in bacterial species, and because the major immunopathologic feature of KD is reportedly an abnormally activated immune system, it suggests that an increased level of HSP63 gene transcription may be associated with the pathogenesis of KD.

Increased gene expression after liposome-mediated arterial gene transfer associated with intimal smooth muscle cell proliferation. In vitro and in vivo findings in a rabbit model of vascular injury.

Arterial gene transfer represents a novel strategy that is potentially applicable to a variety of cardiovascular disorders. Attempts to perform arterial gene transfer using nonviral vectors have been compromised by a low transfection efficiency. We investigated the hypothesis that cellular proliferation induced by arterial injury could augment gene expression after liposome-mediated gene transfer.

Therapeutic angiogenesis. A single intraarterial bolus of vascular endothelial growth factor augments revascularization in a rabbit ischemic hind limb model.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a heparin-binding, endothelial cell-specific mitogen. Previous studies have suggested that VEGF is a regulator of naturally occurring physiologic and pathologic angiogenesis. In this study we investigated the hypothesis that the angiogenic potential of VEGF is sufficient to constitute a therapeutic effect.

Liposome-mediated gene transfer into human vascular smooth muscle cells.

Background: Complexing recombinant DNA with cationic liposomes is a convenient means of introducing foreign genes into cells (lipofection) and could potentially form the basis for genetically modifying diseased blood vessels in patients. The mechanism of lipofection is incompletely understood, but it is recognized that the degree of successful gene transfer is highly dependent on cell type. To date, there has been no reported experience with lipofection of human vascular smooth muscle cells.

Arterial gene transfer using pure DNA applied directly to a hydrogel-coated angioplasty balloon.

Direct arterial gene transfer has been previously achieved using double-balloon catheters and perforated balloons, in most cases facilitated by the use of cationic liposomes or viral vectors. These gene delivery systems, however, have been compromised by issues relating to efficacy and/or safety, and furthermore require that angioplasty be performed independent of gene transfer. We investigated the possibility that arterial gene transfer might be performed during balloon angioplasty by delivery of naked genetic material from a thin coat of hydrogel polymer applied to a standard angioplasty balloon.

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty for chronic dialysis patients.

Accelerated forms of atherosclerosis continue to be responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality among patients on chronic hemodialysis, and coronary artery disease is responsible for approximately 20-30% of the deaths of such patients. The suitability of such patients for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), however, remains unknown. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of PTCA in a group of chronic dialysis patients.

Osteoblast-specific factor 2: cloning of a putative bone adhesion protein with homology with the insect protein fasciclin I.

A cDNA library prepared from the mouse osteoblastic cell line MC3T3-E1 was screened for the presence of specifically expressed genes by employing a combined subtraction hybridization/differential screening approach. A cDNA was identified and sequenced which encodes a protein designated osteoblast-specific factor 2 (OSF-2) comprising 811 amino acids. OSF-2 has a typical signal sequence, followed by a cysteine-rich domain, a fourfold repeated domain and a C-terminal domain.

The prognostic value of immunohistochemical staining for proliferating cell nuclear antigen in synovial sarcoma.

Background: The biologic behavior of synovial sarcoma remains a matter of controversy. Some investigators considered proliferative activity to be an important prognostic factor in this tumor.

Methods: Fifty-six patients with synovial sarcoma were immunohistochemically studied with PC10, a monoclonal antibody to proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA).

[A case of Sjögren's syndrome at the age of 91 with a lymphoepithelial lesion].

A 91 year old woman with Sjögren's syndrome who developed a lymphoepithelial lesion and showed an active state of the disease is described. Since June, 1990, the patient had been complaining of dry eyes and mouth and a left submandibular tumor (1.0 x 1.

Mouse germline transcript of TCR alpha joining region and temporal expression in ontogeny.

The genetic element 'T early alpha' (TEA) in humans is located immediately 5' to the most upstream joining segment (phi J alpha) of the TCR alpha chain locus. The TEA transcript is present early in thymocyte ontogeny and the TEA-associated deletion of the TCR delta locus (delta Rec/phi J alpha rearrangement) precedes V alpha/J alpha rearrangement. We detected a 1.

A Highly Denaturant-durable Alginate Lyase from a Marine Bacterium: Purification and Properties.

Poly(α-L-guluronate)lyase, which depolymerizes polyguluronate of alginate, was purified from the culture medium of a marine bacterium isolated from the intestine contents of a red sea bream, Pagrus major. The enzyme was homogeneous as judged by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence and absence of SDS and the molecular weight of 42,000 and 40,000 on SDS gel electrophoresis and on a Sephacryl S200HR column chromatography, respectively. The activity of the enzyme was higher at around pH 8.

Survival in synovial sarcoma. A multivariate study of prognostic factors with special emphasis on the comparison between early death and long-term survival.

A retrospective study of 56 patients with synovial sarcoma was done to search for possible prognostic factors affecting survival. In a univariate analysis, age (> or = 20 years), site (proximal), large tumor size (> or = 5 cm), mitotic rate of more than 15 per 10 per high-power fields (hpf), high nuclear grade, tumor necrosis of more than 50%, the presence of rhabdoid cells, a small number of mast cells (< 20/10 hpf), and a high stage according to the criteria of the American Joint Committee (AJC) staging of soft tissue sarcoma, significantly decreased survival (log-rank test; p < 0.05).

Prognostic significance of histologic parameters of soft tissue sarcomas.

Background And Methods: A univariate and multivariate analysis for the correlation between histomorphologic factors and prognosis was made using data from 1116 patients with soft tissue sarcoma, including 1005 cases available with complete histologic and follow-up data.

Results: The overall 5-year survival rate was 43.6%.

Genomic organization of the mouse OSF-1 gene.

The mouse OSF-1 protein (also known as pleiotrophin, HB-GAM, HBGF-8, or HBNF) gene was isolated from a mouse genomic library and sequenced. OSF-1 is a 15-kD secreted protein specifically expressed in bone and brain, and is believed to play a role in brain development and osteogenesis. The mouse OSF-1 gene consists of at least 5 exons and 4 introns and spans > 32 kb.

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery: direct assessment of anomalous and collateral coronary flow by pulsed Doppler echocardiography.

We directly assessed the anomalous and collateral coronary flow profiles of a 58 year-old-man with Bland-White-Garland syndrome using pulsed Doppler echocardiography. Doppler recordings in this patient document the utility of pulsed Doppler echocardiography in the assessment of a cardiac shunt associated with a congenital coronary anomaly in an adult.

Novel TCR gene rearrangements and expression in radiation-induced thymic lymphomas.

Using the intrathymic (i.t.) injection assay with a B10.

Percutaneous arterial gene transfer in a rabbit model. Efficiency in normal and balloon-dilated atherosclerotic arteries.

The possibility of using an exclusively percutaneous strategy to deliver foreign DNA to normal and balloon-dilated atherosclerotic arteries was studied by analysis of transfection efficiency in a rabbit model. A total of 22 external iliac arteries from 22 rabbits (10 normal and 12 atherosclerotic) were transfected with a solution of luciferase expression vector plasmid and liposome, using a dual balloon-catheter system. Analysis of the transfected segments revealed luciferase activity in 10 of the 22 arteries (4/10 normal vs 6/12 balloon-injured atherosclerotic, P = NS); no activity could be detected in the contralateral limb arterial segments used as controls.

Hepatitis B virus, cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma: a case-control study in Fukuoka, Japan.

The roles of the hepatitis B virus (HBV), cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption in the etiology of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were examined in a case-control study involving 204 patients with HCC and 410 control subjects in Fukuoka prefecture, where HCC risk is among the highest in Japan. Information on smoking and drinking habits was obtained by a detailed interview survey, and the results were analyzed in conjunction with serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) status after adjustment for sex, age and other possible confounding factors. Individuals positive for serum HBsAg showed a relative risk (RR) for HCC of 13.

Various factors associated with the manifestation of influenza-like illness.

A survey enrolling 814 schoolchildren was conducted immediately after a peak epidemic in the 1988-1989 influenza season and then a case-control study for influenza-like illness (ILI) was carried out using information concerning illness onset and usual lifestyle. Based on the analysis of the correlations among symptoms and actions taken due to symptoms, cases were defined as those with fever greater than or equal to 38 degrees C and subsequent absenteeism and medical consultation during peak epidemic; within this, mild-ILI (MILI) was defined as fever greater than or equal to 38 degrees C and less than 39 degrees C, and severe-ILI (SILI) as fever greater than or equal to 39 degrees C. Controls were defined as those with no symptoms (NS) during that period.

Individual and environmental characteristics related to influenza-like illness among children: a school-based case-control study.

To investigate individual and environmental characteristics associated with the manifestation of influenza-like illness (ILI), a survey enrolling 509 schoolchildren was conducted after an epidemic peak in the 1988/89 season, and then a case-control study was designed according to the information concerning illness onset and usual life-style. Case series were defined as those with fever greater than or equal to 38 degrees C due to acute respiratory illness, subsequent absenteeism and medical consultation during the epidemic peak; mild-ILI (MILI; fever greater than or equal to 38 degrees C and less than 39 degrees C) and severe-ILI (SILI; fever greater than or equal to 39 degrees C). Control series were defined as those with no symptoms (NS) during the same period.

Hydroxyl radical generation by red tide algae.

The unicellular marine phytoplankton Chattonella marina is known to have toxic effects against various living marine organisms, especially fishes. However, details of the mechanism of the toxicity of this plankton remain obscure. Here we demonstrate the generation of superoxide and hydroxyl radicals from a red tide unicellular organism, C.