Lectin binding sites on head structures of the spermatid and spermatozoon of the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera,Culicidae)

The presence of intranuclear and acrosomal lectin binding sites in spermatids and spermatozoa of the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus was analysed. Direct and indirect lectin-gold techniques were used on LR White-embedded cells. The nuclear compartment was the structure most intensely labelled. Early spermatid nucleus showed moderate labelling for peanut agglutinin (PNA), Griffonia simplicifolia IB4 (GS-IB4) and Ricinus communis agglutinin (RCA), and light labelling for the other lectins tested. The sperm nucleus was intensely labelled by all lectins. The acrosome, an enzyme-containing structure, was labelled by some lectins. The anterior acrosomal region was labelled by PNA, while the proximal acrosomal region was labelled by PNA and G. simplicifolia II (GS II) lectins, and showed the presence of fucose residues with the use of Ulex europaeus I (UEA-I) lectin. The spermatozoa stored in the spermatheca showed the same pattern of labelling as that observed in spermatozoa localized in testis and seminal vesicles for all lectins tested. Carbohydrate residues in the nuclear compartment may be involved with the process of chromatin condensation. In the acrosomal region these residues may play a role in the process of spermoocyte interaction.     

Minimal growth factor requirements of human fetal kidney in serum- and glucose-free culture.

The addition of insulin plus transferrin to Leibovitz's L-15 medium was previously shown to restore important cellular functions in a serum-free system developed in our laboratory for human fetal kidney explants. The objective of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of this insulin plus transferrin combination with one used in other in vitro systems whereby serum is substituted by a mixture of five hormones (insulin, transferrin, hydrocortisone, triiodothyronine and prostaglandin E1). In fetal kidney it was found that the combination of insulin plus transferrin was as effective as the five-hormone mixture on DNA synthesis after 5 days of culture and was even more effective in younger fetuses (10-13 weeks) compared with older fetuses (16-19 weeks). However, protein synthesis was more sensitive to the five-hormone combination. Selective deletion of individual hormones showed that insulin is the essential factor for the growth of cultured kidney explants. Differentiation of brush border membranes in nephrons, as evaluated by alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl-transferase activities, was not significantly modified by either of the two combinations. The present results indicate that insulin plus transferrin represents the optimizing condition for our culture model. The response to supplements varies according to fetal age and possibly to tissue proliferation states and/or cell type.     

Genetic engineering strategies for environmental applications.

Environmental applications of genetically engineered microorganisms are currently hampered not only by legal regulations restricting their release, but also by the frequent dearth of adequate genetic tools for their construction in the laboratory. Recent approaches to strain development include the use of non-antibiotic markers as selection determinants, the use of transposon-vectors for the permanent acquisition of recombinant genes, and the utilization of expression devices based on promoters from promiscuous plasmids and biodegradative pathway genes.     

Familial and iatrogenic cortisol receptor resistance.

Primary cortisol receptor resistance has been reported in 6 patients and 14 asymptomatic family members. We observed an additional 6 patients (2 males and 4 females). The male patients presented with hypertension. The female patients presented with acne, hirsutism and irregular menstruations. Dexamethasone therapy (1-1.5 mg/day) was of considerable clinical benefit. All 6 patients showed insufficient suppression of cortisol after 1 mg dexamethasone. The diurnal rhythm of ACTH and cortisol was intact, albeit at an elevated level. There was a normal increase of ACTH, cortisol, and GH to insulin-induced hypoglycemia, while cortisol production was (slightly) elevated. Adrenal androgen levels were increased in all patients. Glucocorticoid receptors measured in a whole cell dexamethasone binding assay in mononuclear leukocytes showed a lowered affinity in 1, and lowered numbers of receptors in 4 patients. In 1 patient no abnormalities were found. As a "bioassay" for glucocorticoid action dexamethasone suppressibility of mitogen-stimulated incorporation of [3H]thymidine in mononuclear leukocytes was measured. In this last patient dexamethasone suppressibility of [3H]thymidine incorporation was significantly lowered. Twelve months' treatment with 200 mg RU 486 per day in meningioma patients induced a similar biochemical picture as observed in primary cortisol receptor resistance. Partial cortisol receptor resistance might be less rare than previously thought. In the 6 patients presented at least 3 different forms can be recognized. Therapy with dexamethasone was successful in female patients with acne and hirsutism, as the secondary overproduction of adrenal androgens was effectively controlled. Chronic therapy with RU 486 causes a biochemical picture similar to primary cortisol receptor resistance.     

Properties of a potent LHRH antagonist (Org 30850) in female and male rats.

Org 30850 (Ac-D-pClPhe1,2,D-Bal3,D-Lys6,D-Ala10-LHRH) is a novel LHRH antagonist, which is being developed for the treatment of hormone-dependent disorders. The activities of this compound with respect to its endocrinological properties and side-effects were tested in rats and the results were compared with one of the first LHRH antagonists: Ac-D-pClPhe1,2,D-Trp3,D-Arg6,D-Ala10-LHRH (Org 30276). A single subcutaneous (s.c.) dose of 0.3 micrograms/kg Org 30850 administered to rats in pro-estrus gave inhibition of ovulation in approx. 50% of the rats, whereas Org 30276 was approx. 4 times less potent. The effect of a single s.c. injection of Org 30850 on testosterone levels in young adult male rats was also studied. The administration of 250 micrograms/kg or higher of Org 30850 induced a significant decrease in testosterone levels after 3 h, this effect lasted for at least 48 h. Treatment of female rats for 14 days with a daily dose of 12 micrograms/kg Org 30850 decreased statistically significantly uterine and ovarian weights. At a daily dose of 50 micrograms/kg Org 30850 completely suppressed estrous cycles and significantly decreased estradiol and FSH serum levels. The LH levels were below the detection level in both control and treated animals on the (expected) second day of di-estrus. Treatment of male rats for 14 days (25-200 micrograms/kg) resulted in a dose-dependent reduction of the gonads, accessory sex organs, testosterone levels and gonadotrophins. The decrease in gonadal function in both sexes was reversible since the females proved to be as fertile as the controls 6 weeks after the last treatment and an almost complete recovery of the weight of testes, seminal vesicles and ventral prostate was observed in the males 4 weeks after cessation of treatment. In contrast to Org 30276, Org 30850 exerted very slight irritation at the site of injection and no edematous reactions in the extremities at a daily dose of up to 8 mg/kg in male rats. It is concluded that Org 30850 is a very potent LHRH antagonist without edematous reactions and with a more favourable therapeutic index than Org 30276.     

Resialylation of sialidase-treated sheep and human erythrocytes by Trypanosoma cruzi trans-sialidase: restoration of complement resistance of desialylated sheep erythrocytes.

Trypanosoma cruzi trans-sialidase (TS) is a recently described enzyme which transfers alpha(2-3)-linked sialic acid from host-derived sialylated glycoconjugates to parasite surface molecules [Schenkman et al. (1991) Cell, 65, 1117]. We report here on the ability of TS to transfer sialic acid from donor sialyl-alpha(2-3)lactose to sialidase-treated sheep and human erythrocytes. Up to approximately 50% resialylation of both desialylated red cells could be attained. Resialylation of desialylated sheep erythrocytes restores their resistance to lysis by human complement. This ascribes a possible biological role for T. cruzi TS and demonstrates directly that sialic acid is solely responsible for preventing alternative pathway activation of human complement by sheep erythrocytes.     

Sexual contact in the doctor-patient relationship in The Netherlands.

OBJECTIVE--To obtain data on sexual contact between doctors and their patients. DESIGN--Anonymous questionnaire with 17 items sent to all working gynaecologists (n = 595) and all ear, nose, and throat specialists (n = 380) in the Netherlands. RESULTS--Response rate was 74%; a total 64 doctors gave a reason for not completing the questionnaire. 201 (59%) male gynaecologists and 128 (56%) male ear nose, and throat specialists indicated that sexual feelings are acceptable in the doctor-patient relationship; 286 (85%) and 186 (81%), respectively, had felt sexually attracted to a patient at some time, as had 14 (27%) female gynaecologists. More than half (59%) of the doctors who indicated that sexual feelings are unacceptable in the doctor-patient relationship had experienced these feelings, and 91% of this group had a negative attitude towards these feelings. 4% of respondents in each group had had actual sexual contact with patients. Most gynaecologists were in favour of having more attention paid to sexual problems during training; having their professional society take an official viewpoint; subsequent public support of this viewpoint; and taking on an impartial counsellor for the patients as well as the doctors. CONCLUSION--Sexuality exists in the doctor-patient relationship. Gynaecologists have a higher risk of having sexual contact with their patients than do ear, nose, and throat specialists but compensate for this greater risk by a higher state of recognition and acknowledgement.     

Cost implications of the British Pacing and Electrophysiology Group's recommendations for pacing.

OBJECTIVE--To compare present pacing practice with the recommendations recently published by the British Pacing and Electrophysiology Group and to assess the increase in annual budget required to implement these recommendations in a regional cardiothoracic unit. DESIGN--Retrospective analysis of pacemaker implantation for 1991 with calculation of the costs required to implement the group''s recommendations based on average 1991 costs of the types of pacing generators and electrode leads used. SETTING--Regional cardiothoracic unit for South West Thames Health Authority. PATIENTS--433 consecutive patients receiving permanent pacemaker generators: 76 (18%) with sinus node disease; 270 (62%) with atrioventricular block; 25 (6%) with both sinus node disease and atrioventricular block; 59 (14%) with chronic atrial fibrillation and atrioventricular block; and 3 (1%) with carotid sinus or malignant vasovagal syndromes. RESULTS--Only 102 (24%) patients received pacemaker generators recommended by the British Pacing and Electrophysiology Group; however, 355 (82%) patients were older than 65 years, and 264 (61%) were aged 75 or over. The cost of hardware for pacing was 462,885 pounds. Using generators as recommended would have cost 810,525 pounds for "optimal" systems (an increase of 75%) and 710,750 pounds for "alternative" systems (an increase of 54%). These increases would have been considerably reduced by limiting the use of sophisticated pacing to younger patients (aged under 75). Further savings could be made by using the least expensive pacing models available. CONCLUSIONS--Implementing these recommendations should reduce morbidity related to bradyarrhythmia but will lead to major increases in pacing costs. Age and patients'' expected activity may be used to select simple pacing systems and thus to contain cost. More research is needed to determine which patient groups will benefit most from complex pacing systems.     

Androgen receptor heterogeneity in LNCaP cells is caused by a hormone independent phosphorylation step

Androgen receptor synthesis and modification were studied in the human LNCaP cell line. Immunoblotting showed that the androgen receptor migrated as a closely spaced 110–112 kDa doublet on SDS-PAGE gels. Most of the receptor protein is present in the higher molecular mass form. Labelling experiments with [³⁵S]methionine showed that the androgen receptor is synthesized as a single 110 kDa protein which is rapidly converted to a 112 kDa protein. Upon alkaline phosphatase treatment a gradual elimination of the 112 kDa isoform with a concomitant increase of the 110 kDa isoform was seen, indicating that the observed 110 to 112 kDa upshift reflects androgen receptor phosphorylation. Furthermore, it is shown that both isoforms can bind hormone and undergo a hormone dependent transformation to a tight nuclear binding form, indicating that the 110 to 112 kDa conversion is not an obligatory step for hormone binding or receptor transformation.     

Prognostic factors in human primary breast cancer: comparison of c-myc and HER2/neu amplification.

Amplification of oncogenes in primary tumours may have prognostic and/or therapeutic significance for patients with breast cancer. We have studied HER2/neu and c-myc amplification together with steroid receptors in human primary breast tumours and related the outcome with (relapse-free) survival. A strong inverse correlation was found between HER2/neu amplification and the presence of oestrogen and progesterone receptors. Actuarial 5-years survival showed that breast cancer patients with c-myc amplification in their primary tumours experience a shorter relapse-free survival, especially in node-negative and in receptor-positive tumours, whereas HER2/neu amplification may be of prognostic value for overall survival in receptor-negative tumours. Overall, in our hands, c-myc amplification appeared to be a more potent prognosticator than HER2/neu amplification in human primary breast cancer.