Isolation of a maltase structural gene from Saccharomyces carlsbergensis.

The maltase structural gene MAL6 of the yeast Saccharomyces carlsbergensis has been cloned by transformation of a maltose nonfermenting recipient strain with autonomously replicating chimeric recombinant plasmids. One recombinant plasmid, pMAL26, was shown by positive hybridization translation, as well as by Southern and Northern blot experiments, to carry the MAL6 structural gene.     

Revisiting the use of Iprodione and Trichoderma in the integrated management of onion white rot

The biocontrol properties of Trichoderma species are well documented, but their effectiveness in antagonism of the problematic Sclerotium cepivorum, the causal agent of white rot in Allium species, appears limited with reports of significant control only relating to deliberately-mutated strains of Trichoderma. Our previous studies have indicated the possibility of using selected naturally-occurring strains of the antagonist in the suppression of other diseases; now in vitro and controlled environment in vivo studies have indicated that a degree of control of Onion White Rot is possible, and that the selected antagonist strains can be used in integrated treatments with Iprodione to good effect. The possible value of such treatments is considered in light of other approaches to the suppression of this continuing problem.     

Phase I trial of interleukin-2 and high-dose arginine butyrate in metastatic colorectal cancer

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and sodium butyrate allow rats to be cured of peritoneal carcinomatosis from colon cancer. We performed a phase I trial of IL-2 and high-dose arginine butyrate (ArgB) in patients with advanced metastatic colorectal cancer. Patients and methods: From April to July 1997, six patients were included in the trail; they had a median age of 52 years, four had a performance status of 0, two had a performance status of 1 with normal biological functions. All patients had received at least two prior lines of chemotherapy. A fixed dose of 18 MIU/m² IL-2,was administered by subcutaneous injection and ArgB was delivered via continuous intravenous infusion on days 1–6 with escalating doses starting at 2 g kg⁻¹ day⁻¹. Results: The planned dose escalation was not possible because of toxicities. A daily ArgB dose of 2 g/kg was delivered for nine cycles. Level 2 (4 g/kg) could not be delivered in three of the six patients because of liver toxicity. The dose-limiting toxicities were fatigue and liver function disturbances. The maximum tolerated dose for ArgB was 3 g kg⁻¹ day⁻¹, in combination with IL-2 at 12 MIU m² day⁻¹. No clinical response was seen. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed large intra- and interindividual variations. Conclusion: This schedule with a high dose of ArgB proved to be highly toxic with liver insufficiency. We will be running another trial with lower doses of ArgB calculated from the schedule used in the experimental model, starting at a dose of 20 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ for ArgB and 200 000 UI kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ IL-2, every 8 h. Received: 13 May 1999 / Accepted: 28 October 1999     

A web server to locate periodicities in a sequence

Summary : FT is a tool written in C++, which implements the Fourier analysis method to locate periodicities in aminoacid or DNA sequences. It is provided for free public use on a WWW server with a Java interface. Availability : The server address is http://o2.db. uoa.gr/FT Contact : shamodr@atlas.uoa.gr      

A novel bioluminescence orthotopic mouse model for advanced lung cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States despite recent advances in our understanding of this challenging disease. An animal model for high-throughput screening of therapeutic agents for advanced lung cancer could help promote the development of more successful treatment interventions. To develop our orthotopic lung cancer model, luciferase-expressing A549 cancer cells were injected into the mediastinum of athymic nude mice. To determine whether the model would allow easy monitoring of response to therapeutic interventions, tumors were treated with 30 mg/kg Paclitaxel or were irradiated with 5 fractions of 2 Gy, and tumor burden was monitored using bioluminescence imaging. Evidence of radiation-induced lung injury was assessed using immunohistochemical staining for phospho-Smad2/3 and cleaved caspase-3. We found that tumor implantation recapitulated advanced human lung cancer as evidenced by tumor establishment and proliferation within the mediastinum. The tumor responded to Paclitaxel or radiation as shown by decreased tumor bioluminescence and improved overall survival. Immunohistochemistry revealed increased phospho-Smad2/3 and cleaved caspase-3 in irradiated lungs, consistent with radiation-induced lung injury. This orthotopic lung cancer model may help provide a method to assess therapeutic interventions in a preclinical setting that recapitulates locally advanced lung cancer.