CTLA-4 (=CD152), a T cell activation antigen, has been known to be homologous to CD28 in its molecular and genomic structure. Both of these two molecules are sharing their counterreceptors, B7 (CDSO) and B7-2 (CD86) and are known to play a crucial role in T cell activation. In previous our study it was reported that there are 2 forms of CTLA-4 antigen in activated human T cells, 30 kD membrane-bound form and 34 kD cytosolic-sequestered form and the former was less than 5 % of total of this antigen induced. Aims of this study are to confirm previous finding by using flow cytometry and to characterize the cytoplasmic form of human CTLA-4 by using ultrafiltration and immunoprecipitation techniques. In PHA stimulated peripheral blood lymphocyte surface expression of CTLA-4 was less than 2.1% of any of CD4+, CD8+ and CD56+ subsets. And the 34 kD form of CTLA-4 was detected in CDS+ subset only. This discrepancy confirms that 34 kD antigen is the cytoplasmic form of human CTLA-4. In ultrafiltration and subsequent Western blot analysis study this 34 kD antigen was detected in >100 kD fraction only. And in non-reducing condition this antigen formed high molecular weght complex (MW > 350 kD). In immunoprecipitation study using anti-peptide A antibody it was found that this high molecular weight complex consists of the 34 kD cytoplasmic form of CTLA-4 and previously unknown 54 kD antigen and 46 kD antigen at 1:1:8-10 ratio. And none of these 3 molecules were identified in membrane fraction of activated human T cell. The result of this study implies that CTLA-4 molecule induced upon T cell activation mainly sequestered in cytoplasrn and another signal is necessary to target this antigen on the activated T cell surface.
Antigens, CD27 ; Blotting, Western ; CTLA-4 Antigen ; Cytoplasm* ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans* ; Immunoprecipitation ; Lymphocytes ; Membranes ; Molecular Weight ; T-Lymphocytes ; Ultrafiltration

One of the primary functions for which bones have evolved is to act as a structural support. To achieve this, bones remodel throughout life so that their structure remains optimal for the prevailing mechanical environment. Bone remodeling consists of an initial phase of osteoclastic bone resorption followed by a bone formation period. Prostaglandins are potent regulators of bone formation and bone resorption that can have both stimulatory and inhibitory effects. Elevation of intracellular cAMP is an important intracellular signaling mechanism involved in the regulation of the expression of many proteins. In this study we examine whether PGE or DBcAMP affects osteoblastic activation or osteoclastic differentiation in mouse bone marrow cells and osteosarcoma ROS 17/2.8 cells. The effect of PGE and DBcAMP on the cell proliferation was measured by the incorporation of [3H]- thymidine into DNA. As a result, PGE2 (0.5-1 ug/ml) and DBcAMP (0.1-0.5 mM) inhibited the [3H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA in a dose dependent manner. The effect of PGE2 and DBcAMP on the induction of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was investigated in ROS 17/2.8 cells cultured in medium containing 0.4% fetal bovine serum. PGE and DBcAMP stimulated ALP activity in the cells in a dose- dependent manner. PGE2 also increased the intracellular cAMP content in a dose- dependent fashion with a maximal effect at 0.5 ug/ml. ROS 17/2.8 cells release nitric oxide upon stimulation of PGE2 or DBcAMP with interferon-r. PGE2 and DBcAMP increase the phosphorylation level of CREB (cAMP response element binding protein) without any change on the amount of CREB protein. Also, PGE (10-6 M) and DBcAMP (10-4 M) significantly increase the generation of osteoclasts in mouse bone marrow cell culture system. In conclusion, the results of this study suggested that cAMP appears to be an important regulatory molecule in the processes of bone formation and resorption.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; Bone Remodeling ; Bone Resorption ; Bucladesine* ; Cell Proliferation ; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein ; Dinoprostone* ; DNA ; Metabolism* ; Mice ; Nitric Oxide ; Osteoblasts ; Osteoclasts ; Osteogenesis ; Osteosarcoma ; Phosphorylation ; Prostaglandins ; Prostaglandins E ; Response Elements ; Thymidine

No abstract available.
Humans ; Twins, Monozygotic*

Microsurgery offers a more effective approach to the brachial plexus lesions than any treatments previously available. The authors have performed operation to the injured plexus by microsurgical techniques since 1980. We selected 15 patients whom we could follow more than one year and had results as follow. 1. The causes of injuries were traffic accident(7 cases), gun-shot injury(4 cases), stab wound(3cases), and belt injury (1 case). 2. Two patients had preganglionic lesion and 13 patients had postganglionic lesions, among which seven cases were supraclavicular and six cases were infraclavicular. Most frequently injured site was in upper two roots and upper trunk (7 cases). 3. All of them were treated by surgical intervention, 12 cases by interfascicular nerve graft using autogenous sural nerve, one case by intercostal neurotization, one case by neurolysis, and one case by exploration only. 4. Elbow flexor and deltoideus were involved easily by injury than other muscles, but they had best prognosis to the microsurgical treatment. 5. The recovery of wrist and finger function was poor but they were frequently preserved from injury.
Brachial Plexus ; Elbow ; Fingers ; Humans ; Microsurgery ; Muscles ; Nerve Transfer ; Prognosis ; Sural Nerve ; Transplants ; Wrist

No abstract available.
Animals ; Gram-Negative Bacteria* ; Interleukin-2* ; Mice*

Femoral head and neck fractures during the course of avascular necrosis are rare with only few reports in the English literature. Moreover, there are very few reports on an analysis of the patterns of these fractures. Four cases of femoral head fracture caused by minor trauma, which were quite different from the crescent fractures during the course of avascular necrosis were analyzed in regard to the underlying disease, causes, sites, types, directions, pattern of fractures and the injury mechanism of the fractures. The results are reported with special regard to the pattern of the stress fracture of the femoral head and neck during the course of avascular necrosis.
Fractures, Stress ; Head* ; Neck* ; Necrosis*

No abstract available.
Osteosarcoma* ; Retinoblastoma*

BACKGROUND: The efficacy and safety of propacetamol, an injectable prodrug of acetaminophen, in combination with morphine administered by patient controlled analgesia(PCA) were studied in 40 patients after gynecological surgery requiring lower abdominal incision. METHODS: Using a double-blind, randomized, parallel-group design, the effects of four (every 6 hr) intravenous injections of 2 g propacetamol(=1 g acetaminophen) were compared with four injections of placebo in the recovery room immediately after surgery. Efficacy was assessed over 24hr by automated recording on the PCA device of the cumulative dose of morphine and the number of boluses requested. It was assessed on pain scores rated on a ten-point verbal scale, at 30 minutes, 1hr, 2hr, 4hr and then every 4hr until the 24hr after administration. Any side effects were recorded throughout the duration of the study, and the ability to tolerate the drug was assessed by recording of hemodynamic changes, patient satisfaction, the frequency of side effects and sedation scores at the predetermined time interval as above. RESULTS: The 24-hr morphine consumption was significantly decreased in the propacetamol group. Analysis of the hourly morphine doses showed a significant decrease from the fourth hour. Although there was no significant difference in pain scores between the two groups, 80% of patients in the morphine group versus 85% of the propacetamol group found it "good" or "extremely good". The incidence of nausea was less in the propacetamol group. The incidence of other side effects were statistically insignificant. CONCLUSION: Propacetamol has demonstrated a morphine sparing effects(=37%) in gynecological postoperative pain, thus confirming that it is a useful and safe injectable non-NSAID, nonopioid analgesic in postoperative period.
Acetaminophen ; Analgesia ; Analgesia, Patient-Controlled* ; Female ; Gynecologic Surgical Procedures* ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Incidence ; Injections, Intravenous ; Morphine ; Nausea ; Pain, Postoperative ; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis ; Patient Satisfaction ; Postoperative Period ; Recovery Room

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Pregnancy*