Sol-gel-derived carbon ceramic electrode containing 9,10-phenanthrenequinone, and its electrocatalytic activity toward iodate

9,10-Phenanthrenequinone (PQ) supported on graphite powder by adsorption was dispersed in propyltrimethoxysilane-derived gels to yield a conductive composite which was used as electrode material to fabricate a PQ-modified carbon ceramic electrode. In this configuration, PQ acts as a catalyst, graphite powder guarantees conductivity by percolation, the silicate provides a rigid porous backbone, and the propyl groups endow hydrophobicity and thus limit the wetting region of the modified electrode. Square-wave voltammetry was exploited to investigate the pH-dependent electrochemical behavior of the composite electrode and an almost Nernstian response was obtained from pH 0.42 to 6.84. Because the chemically modified electrode can electrocatalyze the reduction of iodate in acidic aqueous solution (pH 2.45), it was used as an amperometric sensor for the determination of iodate in table salt. The advantages of the electrode are that it can be polished in the event of surface fouling, it is simple to prepare, has excellent chemical and mechanical stability, and the reproducibility of surface-renewal is good.

[Ultrastructure of surfactant-like multilamellar bodies in the human nose]

OBJECTIVE

To study the distribution of the surfactant-like multilamellar bodies in the human nose.

METHODS

Fourteen specimens obtained from the inferior turbinate, middle turbinate, uncinate process and maxillary sinus were examined under the electron microscope.

RESULTS

The surfactant-like multilamellar bodies were identified in the epithelium on the lateral wall and maxillary sinus.

CONCLUSION

The existence of surfactant-like multilamellar bodies in the human lateral nasal wall and maxillary sinus were confirmed. It is necessary to have further study for its effect in the nose both physiologically and pharmacologically.

Genetic and non-genetic factors affecting birth-weight and adult Body Mass Index

Birthweight affects neonatal mortality and morbidity and has been used as a marker of foetal undernutrition in studies of prenatal effects on adult characteristics. It is potentially influenced by genetic and environmental influences on the mother, and effects of foetal genotype, which is partially derived from the maternal genotype. Interpretations of variation in birthweight and associated characteristics as being due to prenatal environment ignore other possible modes of materno-foetal transmission. Subjects were adult twins recruited through the Australian Twin Registry, aged 17 to 87 years, and the sample comprised 1820 men and 4048 women. Twins reported their own birthweight as part of a health questionnaire. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated from self-reports of height and weight. Correlations between co-twins' birthweights were high for both monozygotic (r = 0.77) and dizygotic (r = 0.67) pairs, leading to substantial estimates of shared environmental effects (56% of variance) with significant additive genetic (23%) and non-shared environmental (21%) components. Adult BMI was mainly influenced by genetic factors, both additive (36% of variance) and nonadditive (35%). The correlation between birthweight and BMI was positive, in that heavier babies became on average more obese adults. A bivariate model of birthweight and adult BMI showed significant positive genetic (r(g) = 0.16, p = 0.005) and environmental (r(e) = 0.08, p = 0.000011) correlations. Intra-uterine environmental or perinatal influences shared by cotwins exercise a strong influence on birthweight, but the factors which affect both birthweight and adult BMI are partly genetic and partly non-shared environmental.

Effects of alcohol consumption on indices of iron stores and of iron stores on alcohol intake markers

BACKGROUND

Alcohol increases body iron stores. Alcohol and iron may increase oxidative stress and the risk of alcohol-related liver disease. The relationship between low or "safe" levels of alcohol use and indices of body iron stores, and the factors that affect the alcohol-iron relationship, have not been fully characterized. Other aspects of the biological response to alcohol use have been reported to depend on iron status.

METHODS

We have measured serum iron, transferrin, and ferritin as indices of iron stores in 3375 adult twin subjects recruited through the Australian Twin Registry. Information on alcohol use and dependence and smoking was obtained from questionnaires and interviews.

RESULTS

Serum iron and ferritin increased progressively across classes of alcohol intake. The effects of beer consumption were greater than those of wine or spirits. Ferritin concentration was significantly higher in subjects who had ever been alcohol dependent. There was no evidence of interactions between HFE genotype or body mass index and alcohol. Alcohol intake-adjusted carbohydrate-deficient transferrin was increased in women in the lowest quartile of ferritin results, whereas adjusted gamma-glutamyltransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase values were increased in subjects with high ferritin.

CONCLUSIONS

Alcohol intake at low level increases ferritin and, by inference, body iron stores. This may be either beneficial or harmful, depending on circumstances. The response of biological markers of alcohol intake can be affected by body iron stores; this has implications for test sensitivity and specificity and for variation in biological responses to alcohol use.

Distribution of energy in polymers due to incident electrons and protons

The recoil spectrum of nuclei in polymers for incident protons below 10 MeV in energy is calculated by using the Rutherford cross-section with screening corrections. Employing the work of McKinley and Feshbach on the Coulomb scattering of relativistic electrons by nuclei, the recoil spectrum of the nuclei is also calculated for electron energies varying from threshold to 10 MeV. The partitioning of energy between electronic excitation and ionization and nuclear recoil is then studied to search for possible difference in polymer radiation response as a function of radiation energy and type.

Interleukin 10 inhibits the rat VSMC proliferation and collagen secretion stimulated by angiotensin II

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of interleukin 10 (IL-10) on the angiotensin II (AngII) stimulated rat VSMC proliferation and collagen secretion, and furthermore, explore its mechanism.

METHODS

On cultured VSMC of rat, 3H-thymine (3H-TdR) and 3H-proline incorporations were used to evaluate the DNA and collagen synthesis, respectively. Western blot and immunoprecipitation were applied to assay the expression and activity of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), respectively.

RESULTS

IL-10 (10(-8) approximately 10(-10) g/ml) inhibited the increase of 3H-TdR and 3H-proline incorporation as well as FAK activity, which was induced by 10(-7) mol/L AngII (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). IL-10 also obviously downregulated the synthesis and secretion of collagen by AngII stimulated VSMC. But there was no difference in the protein expression of FAK among all the groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

IL-10 antagonizes the VSMC proliferation and collagen synthesis by regulating FAK activity stimulated by AngII.

Recognition of the bouquet of Chinese spirits by artificial neural network analysis

Forty-six samples of Chinese spirits, whose bouquets were determined by sensory evaluations, and 17 compounds characteristic of the flavors determined by gas chromatography/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/GC-MS), were subjected to neural network analysis and their corresponding factor scores developed. To make the bouquet recognition more efficient, an improved artificial back-propagation neural network (BPNN) was applied. In each kind of data, the BPNN was trained repeatedly until the error rate was less than the predetermined threshold error; then the trained network was applied to the test set that was not involved in the training process to establish the validity of the network, and a correct prediction rate of 100% was obtained. The BPNN provided a correlation between the data offered from sensory evaluations and the data of chemical compositions determined by instrumental analysis. The BPNN approach is feasible regardless of whether the crude data or the factor scores are used; however, recognition results were better with the latter than with the former. In a comparison of all the results obtained by BPNN, cluster analysis, and discriminant analysis, the method of artificial neural network analysis appeared to be the optimal technique for recognizing the bouquet of Chinese spirits.

Progressive depletion of peripheral B lymphocytes in 4-1BB (CD137) ligand/I-Ealpha)-transgenic mice

Interaction of 4-1BB (CD137) and its ligand (4-1BBL) is thought to positively regulate cell-mediated and humoral immune responses. We have prepared transgenic mouse strains that express 4-1BBL cDNA under the control of MHC class II I-Ealpha promoter. The 4-1BBL-transgenic mice show progressive splenomegaly and selective depletion of B220(+) B cells accompanied with low levels of circulating IgG and defective humoral responses to Ag challenge. In addition, splenocytes from the transgenic mice fail to provide stimulation for allogeneic T cells in both lymphoproliferative and CTL responses in vitro, whereas their T cells remain functionally normal. Our results reveal unexpected functions of 4-1BBL in the regulation of humoral immune responses and Ag presentation.

Variation in alcohol pharmacokinetics as a risk factor for alcohol dependence

BACKGROUND

The significant association between alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH)-2 genotype and alcohol-dependence risk, demonstrated in both Asian and non-Asian populations, suggests a link between the metabolism of alcohol (ethanol) and individual differences in susceptibility to dependence.

METHODS

We tested this hypothesis by following up on subjects who took part in the Alcohol Challenge Twin Study conducted in 1979-1981 and comparing the blood and breath alcohol results in that study between subjects who subsequently did or did not meet diagnostic criteria for lifetime alcohol dependence in 1992-1993.

RESULTS

Subjects who met DSM-III-R criteria for lifetime alcohol dependence at follow-up had higher blood and breath alcohol values after alcohol challenge than never-dependent subjects. Multivariate analysis showed independent effects of susceptibility to alcohol dependence and smoking status on blood alcohol concentrations, whereas habitual alcohol intake at the time of the initial study had marginally significant effects. The risk of alcohol dependence was 2-fold higher in men and 3-fold higher in women with blood or breath alcohol concentrations in the highest quartile than in the lowest quartile.

CONCLUSIONS

In view of this association and the known genetic influences on both alcohol pharmacokinetics and alcohol dependence, it is probable that part of the heritability of dependence is mediated by genes (other than the known ADH2 and ADH3 polymorphisms) affecting alcohol metabolism.

[Study on anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects of bagmaking tea of sanyaku]

OBJECTIVE

To observe anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects of the Bagmaking Tea of Sanyaku in rats.

METHODS

mouse torsion modle induced by glacial acetic acid, mouse auricle swelling model induced by xylene and rat fever model induced by baker yeast were used.

RESULTS

Bagmaking Tea of Sanyaku could inhibit mouse torsion action, mouse auricle swelling and rat fever.

CONCLUSION

Bagmaking Tea of Sanyaku possessed anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects.

Separation and preconcentration of chromium species by selective absorption on Lemna minor and determination by slurry atomisation electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A novel method for the separation and preconcentration of Cr(III)/Cr(VI) with Lemna minor and determination by slurry atomization electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) was developed. A sample solution was added to a polyethylene beaker containing 10 mg of 160 mesh pre-treated Lemna minor, adjusted to pH 1.0, stirred for 8 min for selective absorption of Cr(III) and then centrifuged. The upper layer of solution was transferred into another polyethylene beaker containing 10 mg of 160 mesh pre-treated Lemna minor, adjusted to pH 5.0, stirred for 12 min for adsorption of the residual Cr(VI) and centrifuged. The two residues in two centrifuge tubes were washed twice with water, 2 ml of agar solution added, stirred for 2 min, then two slurries were prepared and used for the determination of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) by ETAAS. Detection limits (3sigma) of 0.01 microg L(-1) for Cr(III) and 0.03 microg L(-1) for Cr(VI) were obtained. The relative standard deviation was 2.8% for Cr(III) and 3.3% for Cr(VI) at the 1 microg L(-1) level. The method was applied to the determination of Cr(III)/Cr(VI) in water samples. The analytical recoveries of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) added to samples were 97-102 and 96-103%, respectively.

Protein kinase C epsilon suppresses Abeta production and promotes activation of alpha-secretase

Deposition of plaques containing Abeta is considered important in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Phorbol esters that activate protein kinase C (PKC) promote alpha-secretase-mediated processing of the beta amyloid precursor protein (APP), which generally reduces formation of Abeta. To determine which PKC isozymes mediate this process, we studied CHO cells that express human APP751. Phorbol 12-myristate, 13-acetate (PMA)-stimulated APP secretion, which was reduced by a general PKC inhibitor bisindoylmaleimide I, but not by Gö 6976, which inhibits PKCalpha, beta, gamma, and mu. Since PKCdelta and epsilon were the only other PMA-sensitive isozymes present, we studied cells that express selective peptide inhibitors of these isozymes. Expression of the PKCepsilon inhibitor inhibited PMA-induced APPs secretion and suppression of Abeta production. In contrast, the PKCdelta inhibitor had no effect. These results provide evidence that PKCepsilon decreases Abeta production by promoting alpha-secretase mediated cleavage of APP.

Crystal structure of alpha-momorcharin in 80% acetonitrile--water mixture

Crystals of alpha-momorcharin (MMC) were cross-linked and soaked in an 80% acetonitrile--water mixture and X-ray data were collected to 2.2 A resolution. MMC is a ribosome-inactivating protein with a sugar chain on Asn-227. In previous studies, the whole conformation of the sugar chain could not be obtained in the aqueous system. Here the structure of MMC in a low water system is shown to be similar to the native one, but the sugar chain on Asn-227 is defined by the electron density map. Several oxygen atoms of the oligosaccharide formed intramolecular hydrogen bonds to the protein moiety. The conformation of the residues in the active center is similar to that in the aqueous system. Our results show conformational alteration of the tetrasaccharide of MMC in organic media. They indicate that the oligosaccharides are more rigid in organic solvents. X-ray determination in organic media may be used to solve some structures of oligosaccharides linked to glycoproteins.

Pyruvate : NADP+ oxidoreductase from the mitochondrion of Euglena gracilis and from the apicomplexan Cryptosporidium parvum: a biochemical relic linking pyruvate metabolism in mitochondriate and amitochondriate protists

Most eukaryotes perform the oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate in mitochondria using pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH). Eukaryotes that lack mitochondria also lack PDH, using instead the O(2)-sensitive enzyme pyruvate : ferredoxin oxidoreductase (PFO), which is localized either in the cytosol or in hydrogenosomes. The facultatively anaerobic mitochondria of the photosynthetic protist Euglena gracilis constitute a hitherto unique exception in that these mitochondria oxidize pyruvate with the O(2)-sensitive enzyme pyruvate : NADP oxidoreductase (PNO). Cloning and analysis of Euglena PNO revealed that the cDNA encodes a mitochondrial transit peptide followed by an N-terminal PFO domain that is fused to a C-terminal NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) domain. Two independent 5.8-kb full-size cDNAs for Euglena mitochondrial PNO were isolated; the gene was expressed in cultures supplied with 2% CO(2) in air and with 2% CO(2) in N(2). The apicomplexan Cryptosporidium parvum was also shown to encode and express the same PFO-CPR fusion, except that, unlike E. gracilis, no mitochondrial transit peptide for C. parvum PNO was found. Recombination-derived remnants of PNO are conserved in the genomes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe as proteins involved in sulfite reduction. Notably, Trypanosoma brucei was found to encode homologs of both PFO and all four PDH subunits. Gene organization and phylogeny revealed that eukaryotic nuclear genes for mitochondrial, hydrogenosomal, and cytosolic PFO trace to a single eubacterial acquisition. These findings suggest a common ancestry of PFO in amitochondriate protists with Euglena mitochondrial PNO and Cryptosporidium PNO. They are also consistent with the view that eukaryotic PFO domains are biochemical relics inherited from a facultatively anaerobic, eubacterial ancestor of mitochondria and hydrogenosomes.

Molecular cloning, phylogenetic analysis and three-dimensional modeling of Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase ( CnSOD1 ) from three varieties of Cryptococcus neoformans

Cryptococcus neoformans (Cn), causal agent of fungal meningoencephalitis, has three varieties with variable host predilection. To explore mechanisms for these pathogenic differences, we have characterized Cu,Zn SOD gene (CnSOD1). A Saccharomyces cerevisiae sod1Delta mutant was complemented with Cn var. grubii yeast expression library. The complementing clone had an ORF of 462 bp and the deduced 154 aa sequence showed 61% identity with S. cerevisiae SOD1 and 53-65% with other eukaryotic SOD1s. Cn var. grubii CnSOD1 cDNA was used to clone corresponding cDNAs from var. neoformans and var. gattii. ORFs from three varieties revealed 20-29% differences in deduced aa (s) with a significant 6% non-synonymous aa substitution between Cn var. grubii and Cn var. gattii. Cosmid library screening and PCR cloning were used to obtain genomic SOD1, which was split by five introns with identical placements and a typical 5' splice junction sequence, GTNNGY. These introns also showed a large nt variation among the three Cn varieties. Phylogenetic analyses revealed CnSOD1 to be in a group distinct from other eukaryotic SOD1s and with a significant divergence of the var. grubii from var. gattii. The CnSOD1 -deduced protein was modeled based on the crystal structure of S. cerevisiae SOD1, which showed an excellent fit. Most of the non-synonymous aa substitutions occurred on the outside of the molecule and these may contribute to differences in antigenicity among the three varieties. Notably, Cn var. neoformans and var. gattii Cu,Zn SOD had three substitutions of glycine (Gly26, Gly92 and Gly123 for Asn26, Ser92 and Ser123) that may contribute to the observed lower thermostability of this enzyme vis-a-vis Cn var. grubii. This is the first nucleotide and structural comparison of a protein-encoding gene from the three Cn varieties, which may provide a framework for future studies on the role of Cu,Zn SOD in Cn pathogenesis.

RELT, a new member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, is selectively expressed in hematopoietic tissues and activates transcription factor NF-kappaB

The members of tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily have been designated as the "guardians of the immune system" due to their roles in immune cell proliferation, differentiation, activation, and death (apoptosis). This study reports the cloning of a new member of the TNFR superfamily, RELT (Receptor Expressed in Lymphoid Tissues). RELT is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein with a cysteine-rich extracellular domain, possessing significant homology to other members of the TNFR superfamily, especially TNFRSF19, DR3, OX40, and LTbeta receptor. The messenger RNA of RELT is especially abundant in hematologic tissues such as spleen, lymph node, and peripheral blood leukocytes as well as in leukemias and lymphomas. RELT is able to activate the NF-kappaB pathway and selectively binds tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 1. Although the soluble form of RELT fusion protein does not inhibit the one-way mixed lymphocyte reaction, immobilized RELT is capable of costimulating T-cell proliferation in the presence of CD3 signaling. These results define a new member of the TNFR superfamily that may be a potential regulator of immune responses.

[Effect of Zn2+, Cd2+ and their combined on Ca, Fe and Mn uptake by wheat seedlings]

The effect of Zn, Cd and their combination on Ca, Fe and Mn uptake by wheat seedlings was studied with solution culture. The result shows the Zn and Cd contents of wheat increased with increasing concentrations of Zn2+ and Cd2+ in solution, while there was a difference between single and compound treatments. Zn affected Cd uptake by wheat, and Cd inhibited Zn uptake. The uptake of Ca and Mn reduced with the increase of Zn2+ and Cd2+ in solution. The uptake of Fe increased with increasing Zn2+ and Cd2+ concentrations in single treatment, while decreased in compound treatment. The interactive effect of Zn and Cd was also related to the parts of plants.

3D H(aro)-NOESY-CH3NH and C(aro)-NOESY-CH3NH experiments for double labeled proteins

Precision in the determination of the 3D structures of proteins by NMR depends on obtaining an adequate number of NOE restraints. Ambiguity in the assignment of NOE cross peaks between aromatic and other protons is an impediment to high quality structure determination. Two pulse sequences, 3D H(aro)-NOESY-CH3NH and 3D C(aro)-NOESY-CH3NH, based on a modification of a technique for simultaneous detection of 13C-1H (of CH3) and 15N-1H correlations in one measurement, are proposed in the present work. These 3D experiments, which are optimized for resolution in the 13C and 15N dimensions, provide NOE information between aromatic protons and methyl or amide protons. CH2 moieties are filtered out and the CH groups in aromatic rings are selected, allowing their NOE cross peaks to be unambiguously assigned. Unambiguous NOEs connecting aromatic and methyl or amide protons will provide important restraints for protein structure calculations.

Heterologous expression of the single-mutation glucose isomerase (GIG138P) gene in Streptomyces lividans and its genetic instability

A 1.3-kb PstI-BamHI fragment containing the single-mutation glucose isomerase (GIG138P, GI1) gene and its natural promoter was inserted into PstI-BglII linearized Streptomyces vector pIJ702. The ligation mixture was then introduced into Streptomyces lividans TK54 protoplasts; transformants were identified based on their thiostrepton resistance (ThR) and insertional inactivation of the melanin phenotype; and three white colonies, XY-2, 6, and 9, harboring recombinant expression plasmid pYH703, were obtained. Enzyme assay and SDS-PAGE analysis indicated that the GI1 gene was expressed, the intracellular GI1 specific activity was 6 U/mg, and GI1 accounted for 20% of the soluble proteins in S. lividans. Restriction analysis and Southern blot of pYH703 showed the existence of plasmid deletion, presumably owing to the interaction between the mel and GI1 sequences. Continuous liquid cultures of the recombinant strain demonstrated that the GI1 specific activity and GI1 expression in S. lividans decreased, and more obviously under non-selective conditions.

[Analysis of a case of balanced chromosome translocation and phenotypic abnormality by fluorescence in situ hybridization]

OBJECTIVE

To delineate the chromosome structural aberration in a case of chromosome translocation by fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH) technique and precisely identify the breakpoints.

METHODS

The whole chromosome point 5(wcp5) and locus- specific probes derived from yeast artificial chromosomes(YACs) mapping the nearby region of breakpoints were used to delineate the translocation t(5;10) found by high resolution G-banding examination in a case with congenital abnormality.

RESULTS

A balanced translocation was confirmed and the breakpoints were located in the 1.5 Mb area on chromosome 5 and within the approximately 3 Mb interval on chromosome 10.

CONCLUSION

The phenotypic abnormality might result from the disruption of disease-associated gene(s) or microrearrangement(s) on the site of breakpoint(s).