This paper reported the suitable medium of L S-1 stain in detail,which could yield natural blue pigment.Single-factor exper imental design shows that the best carbon source was 2% glucose and nitrogen was 0 1% KNO 3.Orthogonal experimental design shows that the most suitable fermen tation medium was consisted of 4% glucose,0 1% KNO 3,0 075% salt and 10?g/m L FeSO 4.The best cultivation temperature was 30℃ and pH7 4.The dissolved oxyg en on the process of fermentation,as well as the variety of pH and the utilized condition of carbon and nitrogen were measured and analyzed.The separation of th is blue pigment by HPLC shows that this material contains actinorhordin and at l east other four ingredients.

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic features of primary thymic extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT).

METHODSThe clinical and pathologic findings were evaluated in 3 cases of biopsy confirmed thymic MALT lymphoma. The clincopathologic features, treatment and prognosis were discussed and literatures reviewed.

RESULTSOne male and two female patients presented with asymptomatic mediastinal masses with a history of Sjögren syndrome. They were aged 36, 35 and 41 years respectively, and only one patient had B symptoms. Grossly, all three tumors were encapsulated and had multiple variable-sized cysts on cut-surface. Histopathologically, the normal thymic lobular architecture was effaced by abnormal dense lymphoid infiltration. Prominent lymphoepithelial lesions were formed by centrocyte-like cells infiltrating and expanding Hassall's corpuscles and epithelial cyst lining. All cases showed apparent plasmacytic differentiation. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for CD20, CD79a, bcl-2 and negative for CD3, CD5, cyclin D1, CD43, CD10, bcl-6, and CD23. The plasma cells showed kappa light chain restriction. Immunoglobulin heavy chain rearrangement in three cases was confirmed by PCR. All patients were at early stage and received routine chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy after surgical removal. All patients achieved complete remission with 24, 18 and 3 months follow-up, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSPrimary thymic MALT lymphoma may be a rare distinctive lymphoma. It can be diagnosed by HE and immunohistochemical study and should be differentiated from reactive lymphoid proliferation, other types of lymphoma and mediastinal thymoma.

Adult ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived ; therapeutic use ; Antigens, CD20 ; metabolism ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Cyclophosphamide ; therapeutic use ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Doxorubicin ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gene Rearrangement, B-Lymphocyte, Heavy Chain ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains ; genetics ; Keratin-19 ; metabolism ; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Prednisone ; therapeutic use ; Pseudolymphoma ; pathology ; Thymus Hyperplasia ; pathology ; Thymus Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Vincristine ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of 50 Hz power-frequency magnetic fields on signal transduction pathway of P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (P38 MAPK), and explore the cellular signal transduction mechanism of the biological effects induced by power-frequency magnetic fields.

METHODSChinese hamster lung (CHL) cell line was exposed to power-frequency magnetic fields with two intensities(0.1 and 0.4 mT) for different exposure durations. The cytoplasmic protein was extracted. The phosphorylated(activated) and non-phosphorylated P38 MAPK and MKK3/MKK6 were measured by Western blotting analysis with their specific corresponding antibodies.

RESULTSPower-frequency magnetic fields at 0.4 mT for 10 min could transitorily induce the activation of P38 MAPK and after 15 min the phosphorylation of P38 MAPK restored to control level, while 0.1 mT power-frequency magnetic fields could not induce the activation of P38 MAPK within 24 h. However, both 0.1 mT and 0.4 mT power-frequency magnetic fields could not phosphorylate(activate) the MKK3/MKK6, which is a general upstream kinase of P38 MAPK.

CONCLUSIONPower-frequency magnetic fields could transitorily activate the P38 MAPK, but not MKK3/MKK6. The activation mechanism of P38 MAPK needs to be further identified.

Animals ; Cell Line ; Cricetinae ; Cricetulus ; Enzyme Activation ; radiation effects ; Lung ; enzymology ; radiation effects ; MAP Kinase Kinase 3 ; metabolism ; MAP Kinase Kinase 6 ; metabolism ; Magnetics ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; radiation effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the possible interference effect of electromagnetic noise exposure on phosphorylation of stress-activated protein kinase(SAPK) induced by 50 Hz magnetic field(MF).

METHODSChinese hamster lung(CHL) cells were exposed to sham exposure(C), 0.4 mT 50 Hz sinusoidal MF, 0.4 mT electromagnetic noise and the combined noise MF with 50 Hz MF for 3 min and 15 min respectively. After exposure, the cells were lysed, and the proteins were extracted. The SAPK and phosphorylated SAPK (activated form of SAPK) were measured indirectly by Western blot with corresponding antibodies. The percentage of phosphorylated SAPK was calculated and analyzed.

RESULTSExposure of cells to 50 Hz MF for 3 min and 15 min enhanced the SAPK phosphorylation. The percentage of phosphorylated SAPK were 49.3% and 57.0% respectively, and were significantly different from those of control(P < 0.05, n = 4). However, single noise MF exposure with the same intensity did not enhance the SAPK phosphorylation, the percentage of phosphorylated SAPK were 37.7% and 31.8% (P > 0.05). When cells were exposed to the combined noise MF with 50 Hz MF for 3 min, the SAPK phosphorylation was significantly inhibited (24.4%, P < 0.05); for 15 min, the SAPK phosphorylation was also decreased (39.0%), but there was no significant difference from control and 50 Hz MF exposure(P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONNoise MF with certain intensity could inhibit the biological effect induced by 50 Hz MF.

Animals ; Cell Line ; Cricetinae ; Cricetulus ; Electromagnetic Fields ; adverse effects ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Noise ; adverse effects ; Phosphorylation

OBJECTIVETo study the possible induction effect of exposure to 50 Hz magnetic field (MF) on clustering of cell membrane surface receptors for epidermal growth factor (EGF) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), the starting site of signals of biological effects, and its possible intervention effect.

METHODSLung fibroblasts of Chinese hamster (CHL) were exposed to EGF, TNF, 0.4 mT 50 Hz MF, 0.4 mT noise MF, and 0.4 mT 50 Hz MF combined with 0.4 mT noise MF. Respectively, for different durations, following the treatment, EGF and TNF receptors on the cell membrane were marked by corresponding antibodies with immunohistochemical method, then observed under a confocal microscope.

RESULTSClustering of cell membrane receptors could be induced 5 min after treatment with EGF and TNF, as well as with 50 Hz MF at 0.4 mT, which reached the peak in 15 min. While noise MF with the same intensity did not induce clustering of cell membrane receptors. Superposition of noise MF with the same intensity could inhibit clustering of cell membrane receptors induced by 50 Hz MF.

CONCLUSIONClustering of EGF and TNF receptors on the cell membrane could be induced by 50 Hz MF, suggesting that membrane receptors would be one of the sites where MF signals coupled, and noise MF with the same intensity could inhibit these effects.

Animals ; Cell Line ; Cricetinae ; Electromagnetic Fields ; adverse effects ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Noise ; adverse effects ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; metabolism ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVESTo analyze the relationship between oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL), angiogenesis and stabilization of atherosclerotic plaques in human coronary arteries; and to investigate the role of oxLDL in creating vulnerable sites in atherosclerotic plaques.

METHODSSamples of coronary arteries were obtained at autopsies of 42 patients with acute coronary syndrome. Eighty randomly selected blocks were studied by immunohistochemistry using antibodies against oxLDL and endothelial cells (factor VIII). Computer-aided planimeter was used for quantitative analysis.

RESULTSIn unstable plaques, percentage of immunoreactive areas for oxLDL was significantly higher than that in stable plaques. Most of the oxLDL were located in shoulder region of these plaques, as compared to the fibrous cap and basal regions. The details of distribution of oxLDL were as follows: shoulder region (20.43 +/- 3.12 for unstable plaques and 17.65 +/- 4.22 for stable plaques), fibrous cap (4.77 +/- 2.03 for unstable plaque and 2.80 +/- 0.22 for stable plaques) and basal region (5.65 +/- 1.65 for unstable plaques and 3.22 +/- 1.02 for unstable plaques). OxLDL was also a main component in the lipid core. In the shoulder region, there was a significant positive correlation between neovascularization and oxLDL (r = 0.8247, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONSThe amount of oxLDL is significantly higher in unstable atherosclerotic plaques, especially over the shoulder region. OxLDL in coronary atherosclerotic plaques is thus an important factor in determining stabilization of the plaques. OxLDL may induce influx of inflammatory cells which subsequently leads to decreased plaque stabilization.

Angina, Unstable ; metabolism ; pathology ; Coronary Artery Disease ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; metabolism ; Myocardial Infarction ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo compare the angiogenesis in unstable and stable plaques and to investigate the potential role of neovessels in creating vulnerable sites for atherosclerotic plaques.

METHODSSpecimens of coronary arteries were obtained from 52 autopsy cases with acute coronary syndromes. Plaque morphology was studied by use of stained slides. 922 tissue blocks of late-stage lesions were classified into two groups: (1) unstable plaque (n = 153), the plaque was characterized by a large extracellular lipid core (more than 40% of the plaque area); (2) stable plaque (n = 769), lipid core less than 40% of the plaque area. Forty blocks were selected randomly from each group and serial sections were stained immunohistochemically with a polyclonal antibody against F VIII RAg. Computer-aided planimeter was used for quantitative analysis.

RESULTSIn unstable plaques, the occurrence of neovessels was more frequent and the neovessel density (number/mm(2)) was significantly increased as compared to that of stable plaques (frequency: 80.4% vs 66.6%, P < 0.01; shoulder: 22.16 +/- 19.96 vs 10.04 +/- 11.52, base: 21.68 +/- 20.44 vs 9.68 +/- 11.52, fibrous cap: 3.80 +/- 5.32 vs 1.48 +/- 2.28, P < 0.05). Most neovessels were located in the shoulder region and at the base of plaques.

CONCLUSIONSThese findings suggest that neovessels in coronary atherosclerotic plaques are closely associated with the decreased stabilization of the plaques.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Coronary Artery Disease ; pathology ; Coronary Vessels ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship among a 50 Hz magnetic field (MF)-induced epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) clustering,lipid rafts and acid sphingomyelinase (ASM), and to explore its possible mechanism.

METHODSHuman amnion FL cells were exposed to 50 Hz, 0.4 mT MF for 15 min. EGF treatment was used as positive control. Nystatin was employed to study lipid rafts since it could disrupt lipid rafts structure.The EGF receptors, ASM and lipid rafts were labeled with polyclonal anti-EGFR antibody, anti-ASM antibody and FITC-Cholera toxin B, respectively. The images were observed by laser confocal scanning microscope.

RESULTBoth EGF treatment and 50 Hz MF exposure could induce EGFR clustering; however, nystatin pretreatment disrupted this effect. MF exposure turned ASM (labeled with Cy3) from a diffused state in the sham exposure group to a concentrated state on the cell membrane, which co-localized with lipid rafts (labeled with FITC).

CONCLUSIONThe results suggest that the EGFR clustering induced by 50 Hz MF depends on intact lipid rafts on cellular membrane, and the ASM might participate in the process of EGFR clustering.

Cell Membrane ; radiation effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Humans ; Membrane Microdomains ; radiation effects ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Signal Transduction ; physiology ; radiation effects ; Sphingomyelin Phosphodiesterase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of 50 Hz power-frequency magnetic fields on signal transduction pathway of stress-activated protein kinase(SAPK), and explore the cellular signal transduction mechanism of the biological effects induced by power-frequency magnetic fields.

METHODSChinese hamster lung(CHL) cell line was exposed to power-frequency magnetic fields with two intensities for different exposure durations. The cytoplasmic protein was extracted and the phosphorylated portion of SAPK and SEK1/MKK4 was measured with Western blotting analysis. The SAPK enzymatic activity was measured by the solid-phase kinase assay in cells exposed to power-frequency magnetic fields for 15 min.

RESULTSBoth 0.4 mT and 0.8 mT power-frequency magnetic fields could enhance the phosphorylation of SAPK in a time-relative course manner, and reached the maximum extent at 15 min, with an increase of 20% and 17% respectively. The solid-phase kinase assay showed that the enzymatic activities of SAPK were also increased, which were 2.9 +/- 0.4 and 2.1 +/- 0.9 times of control respectively. However, the duration of SAPK phosphorylation induced by 0.8 mT was longer than that of 0.4 mT, while the duration and extent of SAPK dephosphorylation was remarkably shorter than that of 0.4 mT. The power-frequency magnetic fields under equal conditions could not phosphorylate(activate) the SEK1/MKK4.

CONCLUSIONPower-frequency magnetic fields could activate the SAPK, but not SEK1/MKK4. It is suggested that power-frequency magnetic fields may activate SAPK signal transduction pathway through a kinase other than SEK1/MKK4. The activation mechanism of SAPK of power-frequency magnetic fields needs to be identified in more detail.

Animals ; Cell Line ; Cricetinae ; Cricetulus ; Enzyme Activation ; radiation effects ; Lung ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; MAP Kinase Kinase 4 ; metabolism ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; physiology ; radiation effects ; Magnetics ; Phosphorylation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the possible effect of exposure to GSM 1,800 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF) on epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor and its possible interference by noise magnetic fields (MF).

METHODSChinese hamster lung fibroblasts (CHL) were exposed to 1,800 MHz RF EMF (modulated by 217 Hz or 50 Hz, or unmodulated), 2 microT noise MF, and RF EMF combined with 2 microT noise MF for 15 min, respectively. The specific absorption rates (SARs) of RF EMF were 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 W/kg. Commercial EGF (1 ng/ml) treatment was used as positive control. EGF receptors on the cell membrane were observed under a laser scanning confocal microscope after indirect immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTSEGF receptor clustering was induced after exposure to GSM 1,800 MHz RF EMF modulated by 217 Hz or 50 Hz MF at SARs of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 W/kg for 15 min as induced by 1 ng/ml EGF, but not at SAR of 0.1 W/kg. And no EGF receptor clustering was found in cells after exposure to unmodulated RF EMF or 2 microT noise MF. In addition, superposition of 2 microT noise MF could inhibit the EGF receptor clustering induced by GSM 1,800 MHz RF EMF.

CONCLUSIONEGF receptor clustering in CHL cells can be induced by GSM 1,800 MHz RF EMF at the lowest SAR of 0.5 W/kg and inhibited by noise MF. The modulation of wave may play an important role in the inducement of receptor clustering after RF exposure.

Animals ; Cell Line ; Cell Membrane ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Cricetinae ; Cricetulus ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Fibroblasts ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Lung ; cytology ; Radio Waves ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; metabolism