Changes in IL-6, IL-8, C-reactive protein and pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor after transcatheter arterial chemo-embolization therapy for hepato-cellular carcinoma.

In an attempt to investigate the interaction between the changes of cytokines and acute phase reactants after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization therapy (TACE), the levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 8 (IL-8), C-reactive protein (CRP) and pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor (PSTI) in the blood of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were measured. Before the therapy, serum IL-6 and plasma IL-8 levels were detectable in 77.8% and 28.5%, respectively, of patients with HCC. Levels of serum IL-6 and plasma IL-8 increased after TACE and reached a peak on day 3 in all patients (18/18) and in 87.5% of patients (12/14), respectively. Both blood levels of IL-6 and IL-8 reached a peak earlier than those of CRP and PSTI did after the therapy. When the maximal values of IL-6 were compared with those of CRP and PSTI, there were significant positive correlations (r = 0.63, P < 0.01 and r = 0.81, P < 0.01, respectively). Similarly, comparisons of the maximal values of IL-8 with those of CRP and PSTI gave a significant correlation (r = 0.68, P < 0.01 and r = 0.67, P < 0.05, respectively). However, no significant correlation was found between the elevation of IL-6 and IL-8.     

Enzymatic removal of zeins from the surface of maize starch granules

Alcohol-extractable, hydrophobic zein proteins contaminate starch granule surfaces and can be removed by enzymatic digestion with thermolysin. The goal of this research was to find practical alternatives to thermolysin that might be used during the corn wet-milling process. All of the commercial thermostable alkaline proteases studied (SP 709, Neutrase, and Spezyme FAN) removed the zein proteins from various types of cornstarch, as demonstrated by the lack of protein bands below 30 kDa under the reducing conditions of SDS-PAGE gel. Each enzyme removed the zein proteins as effectively as thermolysin removed them. However, the removal of the zein protein did not reduce the quantity of free fatty acids associated with the starch. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2000) 24, 71–74. Received 27 May 1999/ Accepted in revised form 01 October 1999     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellites in Pacific white shrimp Penaeus (Litopenaeus) vannamei

Five polymorphic microsatellite loci were characterized for Penaeus (Litopenaeus) vannamei. Loci were isolated using a partial Sau3A1 genomic library by the sequencing of randomly selected clones and by a biotinylated (CT)₁₀ and (GT)₁₀ probes screening procedure. The last strategy resulted in the most useful data. About 40% of the clones showed a previously reported satellite/microsatellite (PVS1), reducing the chance of finding new microsatellite regions. Whereas two of the microsatellite loci with more than 10 alleles will be useful for mating analysis in a breeding program, the others might prove useful for population genetic studies.     

Role of Ca(2+) fluctuations in L6 myotubes in the regulation of the hexokinase II gene.

Expression of the hexokinase (HK) II gene in skeletal muscle is upregulated by electrically stimulated muscle contraction and moderate-intensity exercise. However, the molecular mechanism by which this occurs is unknown. Alterations in intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis accompany contraction and regulate gene expression in contracting skeletal muscle. Therefore, as a first step in understanding the exercise-induced increase in HK II, the ability of Ca(2+) to increase HK II mRNA was investigated in cultured skeletal muscle cells, namely L6 myotubes. Exposure of cells to the ionophore A-23187 resulted in an approximately threefold increase in HK II mRNA. Treatment of cells with the extracellular Ca(2+) chelator EGTA did not alter HK II mRNA, nor was it able to prevent the A-23187-induced increase. Treatment of cells with the intracellular Ca(2+) chelator 1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid tetra(acetoxymethyl) ester (BAPTA-AM) also resulted in an approximately threefold increase in HK II mRNA in the absence of ionophore, which was similar to the increase in HK II mRNA induced by the combination of BAPTA-AM and A-23187. In summary, a rise in intracellular Ca(2+) is not necessary for the A-23187-induced increase in HK II mRNA, and increases in HK II mRNA occur in response to treatments that decrease intracellular Ca(2+) stores. Depletion of intracellular Ca(2+) stores may be one mechanism by which muscle contraction increases HK II mRNA.     

Darwinian gradualism and its limits: The development of Darwin's views on the rate and pattern of evolutionary change

Conclusion The major tenets of the recent hypothesis of punctuated equilibrium are explicit in Darwin's writing. His notes from 1837–1838 contain references to stasis and rapid change. In the first edition of the Origin (1859), Darwin described the importance of isolation of local varieties in the process of speciation. His views on the tempo of speciation were influenced by Hugh Falconer and also, perhaps, by Edward Suess (1831–1914). It is paradoxical that, although both topics were recorded in his unpublished notes of 1837–1838, the second was not explicitly and fully discussed until the fourth edition of the Origin (1866). While no wholly satisfactory explanation of this paradox suggests itself, it seems probable that Falconer's work on the persistence of fossil species of elephant helped Darwin to see the wider significance of the tempo of evolution for his general theory.     

Ear wax and otitis media in children.

A study was designed to find the prevalence of ear wax in children aged 3 to 10 years and to test the belief that large amounts of wax are unlikely to be seen when otitis media is present. Roughly a quarter of the children had appreciable amounts of wax, and there was a gradual decline in prevalence with age. The amount of ear wax appeared to decrease when otitis media was present. The results did not support removing wax when assessing children''s ears in general practice.     

Prolonged delirium without anticholinergic signs following amitriptyline overdose.

In a case of acute intoxication with a tricyclic antidepressant (amitriptyline) delirium was prolonged without there being prominent peripheral anticholinergic or electrocardiographic signs. Administration of physostigmine, repeated when necessary, reversed the delirium.