[Pharmacokinetics of pramiracetam in animals]

Pharmacokinetic rules of pramiracetam were studied here. After giving pramiracetam orally to dogs, we drew their blood at various times. The drug concentrations in blood plasma were detected by HPLC. 3p87 program was used to calculate the pharmacokinetic parameters. The time-concentration curve corresponded to one apartment model. T1/2 was about 2.3-3.9 hours in various doses. After pramiracetam was given to rats per os, high concentrations of pramiracetam were detected in the rats' tissues. The kidney had the highest concentration of pramiracetam; the liver had the next highest concentration, and then the intestine, lung, muscle, heart, gonad, spleen and sebum had the high concentration in order. The drug was also detected in the brain. 0.7% of the given dose was excreted in unchanged form in bile in 24 hours. 28.26% and 6.35% were excreted in urine and feces respectively in 72 hours. The plasma protein combining rate detected by the method of balance dialysis was 20.1-22.2%.

Familial aggregation of pulmonary function in a rural Chinese community

We investigated familial aggregation of pulmonary function among asthma index families and randomly selected nuclear families in a rural community in China. Measurements of pulmonary function and related risk factors were obtained from each family member. A generalized estimation equation model was used to explore the independent relation of pulmonary function among family members, with adjustment for sex, age, height, weight, education, smoking, and asthma status. There was a significant parent-child and sib-sib correlation of pulmonary function. The parent-child correlation of pulmonary function was similar for the first and second children. The correlation was greatest between sib-sibs, followed by mother-child, and less pronounced between father-child among asthma families. The rate of reduced pulmonary function in a subsequent sibling was lowest (4.0%) when both of the parents and the first sibling were in the high-pulmonary-function tertile (high-high group) and was highest (18.4%) when both the parents and the first sibling were in the low-pulmonary-function tertile (low-low group). The rates were intermediate if only the parents (7.0%, low-high group) or only the first sibling (11.5%, high-low group) was in the reduced-pulmonary-function tertile. Our data indicate a strong familial aggregation of pulmonary function in both asthma and random families in this population.

[Improvements on radical neck dissection]

OBJECTIVE

To improve the surgery of radical neck dissection for a better curative effect.

METHOD

Some improvements on incision, path to exploration and manipulation of operation were made in 65 patients with head and neck tumors while radical neck dissection were done.

RESULT

The average surgical time was 110 minutes and the average amount of bleeding was 120 ml in the patients when radical neck dissection had been completed. The complications decreased to 1.54%. The surviual rates of 2 and 3 years are 86.2% (56/65) and 81.6 (31/38) respectively.

CONCLUSION

With these improvements on radical neck dissection, the curative effect in the near future is improved.

Therapeutic effect of abstinence capsule on withdrawal symptoms of heroin addicts

435 heroin addicts were treated for 10 days to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of abstinence capsule on heroin withdrawal symptoms and its main adverse actions. Lofexidine was applied in a control group of 48 addicts. The single blind method and some determination methods used internationally were employed to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness and adverse actions of the drugs. The results showed that the abstinence capsule has better therapeutic effectiveness, with less adverse actions, wider safety range, longer time of action and less cost than lofexidine.

Expression of RET proto-oncogene and GDNF deficit in Hirschsprung's disease

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate GDNF (glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor) protein expression and RNA expression level of the RET proto-oncogene in human aganglionic (AG) bowel in Hirschsprung's disease (HD) and to further understand the pathophysiology of HD.

METHODS

To evaluate the possible implication of the RET gene and GDNF for the development of HD, mRNA expression level of the RETgene was examined by using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique and protein expression level of the GDNF using an immunohistochemical technique in the bowel specimens of 15 HD patients.

RESULTS

A significantly less intense signal for RETmRNA was found in the AG bowel compared with the ganglionic bowel. In different age groups of patients, the intensities of RET level had similar results. In the same patients, there was strong GDNF immunoreactivity in the myenteric plexuse in ganglionic bowel. In the myenteron in AG bowel, the number of GDNF immunoreactive neuron cells was reduced significantly compared with normal ganglionic bowel.

CONCLUSIONS

From these preliminary data we conclude that the decreased RET expression in the AG bowel may suggest mal development of neural crest-derived cells in HD. The reduced level of GDNF in AG bowel may suggest a GDNF expression deficit interrupting the faithful signaling via RET, and both are implicated in the pathogenesis of HD.

Identification of a novel intron and 4 polymorphisms in the gene encoding the gamma subunit of the epithelial sodium channel

The amiloride-sensitive epithelial sodium channel is a highly selective sodium channel that constitutes the rate-limiting step of sodium reabsorption in distal nephrons. It consists of at least 3 subunits (alpha, beta, and gamma) of similar structure and plays an important role in sodium and fluid homeostasis. Defects of this channel have been critically implicated in Liddle syndrome (pseudoaldosteronism) and pseudohypo-aldosteronism type 1. A sample of 48 individuals from 23 nuclear families was selected from Anhui, China. We sequenced 12 exons and flanking intronic sequences and discovered a new 207-bp intron located in the previously described exon X of Thomas et al. (1996). In addition, 4 novel single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified; 3 were in exon 3 and 1 was in exon 13. Furthermore, 2 base substitutions in exon 13 were present in all the Chinese subjects compared with the published European SCNN1G DNA sequence.

[Alignment of DNA sequences of ompL1 genes of insert fragment of recombinant plasmid, pDC38 of L. interrogans serovar lai and L. kirschneri]

In a previous study a genomic library of L. interrogans serovar lai was constructed by the present authors. Hybridization analysis (In situ, dot blot, Southern blot) with the DNA fragment containing OmpL1 (alpha-32P labeled) was performed. One of positive clones designated pDC38, was analyzed with 9 restriction enzymes (EcoRI, Bam HI, Hind III, Bgl, XbalI, ScaI, KpnI, PstI, Dra II). DNA hybridization was applied to analyze the homology of the recombinant fragment of ompL1 with the DNA of 18 strains of L. interrogans. The results showed that the homology of fragments of ompL1 were present in pathogenic Leptospira strains, but they were not in the non-pathogenic Leptospira biflexa strain Patoc I, Leptonema illini strain 3055. Therefore, Dr. David A. Haake performed the sequencing of pDC38. The results showed that pDC38 contained two inserts of 2.7 kb and 3.0 kb. The 3.0 insert contained a complete copy of the ompL1 gene. Dr. David A. Haake amplified the ompL1 gene using PCR primers specific for the ends of the gene and cloned the amplicon into pBluescript KS for sequencing. The alignment of complete DNA sequences of ompL1 of L. kirschneri and L. interrogans serovar lai showed the similarity of nucleotide sequences was 90%, variation was 10%. The derived amino acid sequence showed there was a high degree of amino acid sequence homology with ompL1 of L. kirschneri. These findings indicated that ompL1 gene was one of the important outer membrane protein genes in the L. interrogans serovar lai and using the probe pDC38 might provide a good tool for classification and identification of Leptospira.

Interaction between lifetime captopril treatment and NaCI-sensitive hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats and Wistar-Kyoto rats

DESIGN

Previous studies that were based on daytime arterial pressure recordings indicate that lifetime treatment with captopril exacerbates the hypertensive response to a high NaCl diet in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) but has no such effect in normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. The present study used 24-h recording methods to examine the hypothesis that during the normal waking hours of rats (night-time) the hypertensive response to a high NaCl diet is exacerbated in SHR and induced in WKY rats treated with lifetime captopril.

METHODS

SHR and WKY rats were (1) untreated, (2), lifetime captopril treated or (3) lifetime captopril treated but removed from the treatment 2 weeks prior to exposure to a high (8%) NaCl diet

RESULTS

Compared to untreated SHR, in SHR that were continuously treated with captopril, the high NaCl diet caused a more rapid and greater rise in arterial pressure. Discontinuation of the captopril treatment did not significantly diminish this NaCl-sensitivity. In untreated WKY rats, the high NaCl diet did not alter mean arterial pressure, but in the lifetime captopril-treated WKY rats the high NaCl diet induced a rapid rise in arterial pressure. In WKY rats, discontinuation of the lifetime captopril treatment did not diminish this NaCl-induced rise in arterial pressure, even though baseline mean arterial pressure in this group is similar to that in untreated WKY rats.

CONCLUSIONS

Lifetime captopril treatment accelerates the hypertensive response to a high NaCl diet in SHR, and it induces a similar response in WKY rats. In both strains, the lifetime captopril treatment causes a change in the response that is not dependent on concurrent administration of the drug. This finding further suggests that lifetime captopril treatment causes a long-term resetting of cardiovascular response mechanisms.

[The identification of banding chromosomes by computer image analysis]

The analysis system for banding chromosomes (SYSTEM), an image analysis software, was programmed. By the SYSTEM the photos of Chinese G banding chromosomes were analyzed. It showed that the karyotype of the chromosomes of persons was recorded in high speed and efficiency, and that the chromosomes of alike ordinal number from different persons could be compared directly. That would presage, by this kind of the high effective operation, a favorable condition was created for the application of the polymorphism of the chromosomes to the parentage diagnosis.

Linkage analysis of candidate genes and gene-gene interactions in chinese hypertensive sib pairs

Previous studies of hypertension in humans and experimental animal models have identified a number of candidate genes that have since been implicated as possibly contributing to essential hypertension. Among them are the genes encoding angiotensinogen, renin, the beta- and gamma-subunits of the epithelial sodium channel (beta/gamma-ENaC), alpha-adducin, and kallikrein (KLK). To examine the role of possible contribution of these genes in ethnic Chinese, as well as the epistatic interaction among them, we studied a large cohort of hypertensive sib pairs from China. DNA samples from 310 concordant affected sibling pairs with hypertension were tested for linkage with the use of excess allele-sharing algorithms based on genotyping with highly informative GT-repeat microsatellite markers localized in the immediate vicinity of the genes encoding angiotensinogen, renin, beta- and gamma-ENaC, alpha-adducin, and KLK. Affected sib pair analysis conducted according to 3 different methods (Statistical Analysis for Genetic Epidemiology [S.A.G.E. ]/SIBPAL, MAPMAKER/SIBS, and affected pedigree member [APM] methods) revealed no evidence for linkage of any of these genes to primary hypertension in the population studied. Moreover, 2-locus sib pair linkage analyses to test for gene-gene interactions among each possible pair of candidate genes failed to yield any statistically significant results. Our findings provide no support for a significant contribution of the angiotensinogen, renin, beta/gamma-ENaC, alpha-adducin, or KLK genes, alone or in concert, to the pathogenesis of essential hypertension among Chinese. Our results emphasize the possible role of ethnic differences for complex disease genetics, as well as the need for large, well-characterized investigations.

[Immunogenicity and immunoprotection of a leptospiral DNA vaccine]

Leptospirosis is one of the most widespread zoonosis. Immunization of NZW rabbit with plasmid DNA constructs encoding leptospiral endoflagellin can induce specific antibody response in the animal. The vector, VR1012 consists of a pUC18 backbone with the cytomegalovirus (CMV) IE1 enhancer, promoter, and intron A transcription regulatory elements and the BGH polyadenylation sequences driving the expression of leptospiral endoflagellar gene, flaB2. In this study, a pair of oligonucleotide primers were designed to amplify the endoflagellar of L. interrogans serovar lai. An approximately 840 bp fragment was generated with PCR and inserted into expressed plasmid vector, VR1012, after the fragment of VR1012 were digested respectively with EcoRV and Sall. A recombinant plasmid (designated VR1012 + flaB2) was obtained. Plasmid encoding leptospiral endoflagellin was injected into quadriceps of NZW rabbits. This resulted in the generation of specific leptospiral antibody with very high ELISA titer. Immunoprotection was performed in guinea pigs. The group "VR1012 + flaB2" had higher survival rate, compared with the group "VR1012 only" (control) and the group "Normal Saline only" (control). The result suggests that the technique of DNA injection should have an advantage over certain previous vaccine technologies.

An extreme-sib-pair genome scan for genes regulating blood pressure

Hypertension, a risk factor for many cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and renal diseases, affects one in four Americans, at an annual cost of>$30 billion. Although genetic mutations have been identified in rare forms of hypertension, including Liddle syndrome and glucocorticoid-remediable aldosteronism, the abundance of plausible candidate genes and potential environmental risk factors has complicated the genetic dissection of more prevalent essential hypertension. To search systematically for chromosomal regions containing genes that regulate blood pressure, we scanned the entire autosomal genome by using 367 polymorphic markers. Our study population, selected from a blood-pressure screen of >200,000 Chinese adults, comprises rare but highly efficient extreme sib pairs (207 discordant, 258 high concordant, and 99 low concordant) and all but a single parent of these sibs. By virtue of the sampling design, the number of sib pairs, and the availability of genotyped parents, this study represents one of the most powerful of its kind. Although no regions achieved a 5% genomewide significance level, maximum LOD-score values were >2.0 (unadjusted P<.001) for regions containing five markers (D3S2387, D11S2019, D15S657, D16S3396, and D17S1303), in our primary analysis. Other promising regions identified through secondary analyses include loci near D4S3248, D7S2195, D10S1423, D20S470, D20S482, D21S2052, PAH, and AGT.

Blood pressure and the T174M and M235T polymorphisms of the angiotensinogen gene

PURPOSE

The angiotensinogen gene (AGT), which encodes the precursor of the vasoactive hormone angiotensin II, has been reported to be associated with hypertension in Caucasian and Japanese populations. We examined the relationship between two common molecular variants of AGT, T174M and M235T and blood pressure in two cohorts from the Anqing region of China. Cohort I (N = 794) consisted of families ascertained by either hypertensive or hypotensive siblings; and Cohort II (N = 761) represented a collection of randomly selected families.

METHODS

Blood pressure was measured according to standard protocols, and information on age, sex, body mass index, alcohol consumption, and cigarette smoking was collected by trained interviewers using standardized questionnaires. The association of AGT genotypes and blood pressure was examined in multivariate linear regression models, with adjustment for potential intrafamilial correlations. The respective T and M allele frequencies for T174M were 0.93 and 0.07, and 0.80 and 0.20 for M235T among the parents for randomly selected families. All the analyses were conducted after exclusion of individuals currently under antihypertensive medication.

RESULTS

In the pooled analysis of the two cohorts, neither the T174M nor the M235T polymorphism was significantly associated with variations of blood pressure assuming a recessive (T174M: p = 0.73 and 0.61; M235T: p = 0.99 and 0.24; for SBP and DBP), dominant (T174M: p = 0.54 and 0.72; M235T: p = 0.79 and 0.12; for SBP and DBP), or additive (T174M: p = 0.52 and 0.67, M235T: p = 0.91 and 0.11; for SBP and DBP) model. Likewise, no statistically significant association was detected when the two cohorts were analyzed separately. The logistic regression analysis of hypertension also failed to reveal any association with these markers.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, our analyses suggest that the molecular variants of AGT may not be associated with variations of blood pressure in this rural Chinese population.

[Analysis of C5 fractions and carbonyl compounds by capillary gas chromatography]

We used two capillary columns with different characters--SE-54 (30 m x 0.25 mm) and Squalane (92 m x 0.24 mm) to analyse C5 fractions and carbonyl compounds in the mixtures of complex chemical composition. The physical properties of some components are very similar, especially for 1,3-cyclopentadiene and cis-1,3-pentadiene. 1,3-Cyclopentadiene in the feed will directly affect the activity of catalyst. In the past we only used SE-54 column to separate 1,3-cyclopentadiene and cis-1,3-pentadiene, but the results were unsatisfactory. Later we found that squalane column could separate them fairly good, but it could not yet separate dicyclopentadiene from 1,3-cyclopentadiene and carbonyl compounds in C5 fractions very well. In this work SE-54 capillary column and squalane capillary column were used together to analyse C5 fractions, and SE-54 column was used to analyse carbonyl compounds. The results are satisfactory.

[Laboratory and clinical investigation on lower respiratory tract infection by Haemophilus influenzae]

OBJECTIVE

To improve the positive rate of Hi isolation and to study the epidemiology, antibiotic sensitivity and clinical characteristics of the lower respiratory tract infection by Hi.

METHODS

Modified Columbia chocolate agar(ICCA) was compared with blood agar staphy stick (BASS) for the primary isolation of Hi from sputa. The sensitivities of 20 antibiotics to Hi were determined in vitro by KB method and MICs of 12 antibiotics were determined by broth microdilution method. The clinical characteristics of 92 cases with lower respiratory tract infection by Hi were analyzed.

RESULTS

The isolation rate of Hi by ICCA was 20%, which was higher than 13% of BASS(P < 0.01). The third generation cephalosporins and the quinolones were most active against Hi. The resistant rate against Hi of ampicillin was 21%, however, that of the third generation cephalosporins was 45%-49%. 67(73%) of 92 cases were bronchopneumonia.

CONCLUSIONS

The isolation rate of Hi could be improved by ICCA. The clinical characteristic of lower respiratory tract infection by Hi was not specific. There has been a steady increase of antibiotic resistance during these years.

Molecular evidence for heterogeneity of the multiple-drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis population in Scotland (1990 to 1997)

Multiple-drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MDR-MTB) has been well studied in hospitals or health care institutions and in human immunodeficiency virus-infected populations. However, the characteristics of MDR-MTB in the community have not been well investigated. An understanding of its prevalence and circulation within the community will help to estimate the problem and optimize the strategies for control and prevention of its development and transmission. In this study, MDR-MTB isolates from Scotland collected between 1990 and 1997 were characterized, along with non-drug-resistant isolates. The results showed that they were genetically diverse, suggesting they were unrelated to each other and had probably evolved independently. Several new alleles of rpoB, katG, and ahpC were identified: rpoB codon 525 (ACC-->AAC; Thr525Asn); katG codon 128 (CGG-->CAG; Arg128Gln) and codon 291 (GCT-->CCT; Ala291Pro); and the ahpC synonymous substitution at codon 6 (ATT-->ATC). One of the MDR-MTB isolates from an Asian patient had an IS6110 restriction fragment length polymorphism pattern very similar to that of the MDR-MTB W strain and had the same drug resistance-related alleles but did not have any epidemiological connection with the W strains. Additionally, a cluster of M. tuberculosis isolates was identified in our collection of 715 clinical isolates; the isolates in this cluster had genetic backgrounds very similar to those of the W strains, one of which had already developed multiple drug resistances. The diverse population of MDR-MTB in Scotland, along with a low incidence of drug-resistant M. tuberculosis, has implications for the control of the organism and prevention of its spread.

Familial aggregation of blood pressure in a rural Chinese community

This study investigated blood pressure in 1,183 Chinese nuclear families (mother, father, and first two children) via a cross-sectional 1994-1997 survey. The mother's, the father's, and the first sibling's blood pressures were each significantly and independently related to the second sibling's blood pressure after adjustment for sex, age, height, weight, education, smoking, and alcohol consumption. The association was consistent across the four age strata (6-10, 11-14, 15-19, and > or = 20 years). The rate of high systolic blood pressure in the second sibling was lowest (2.3%) when both parents and the first sibling were in the low blood pressure tertile (low-low group) and highest (26.0%) when these family members were in the high blood pressure tertile (high-high group). The rate was intermediate if only the parents (10.7%, high-low group) or the first sibling (8.4%, low-high group) was in the high blood pressure tertile. As compared with the low-low group, the odds ratios for the high-high, high-low, and low-high groups were 14.3 (95% confidence interval 4.3-48.2), 4.3 (95% confidence interval 1.2-15.6), and 3.9 (95% confidence interval 1.1-14.4), respectively. A similar pattern was found for diastolic blood pressure. The data indicate a strong familial aggregation of blood pressure in this population and show that such a familial influence on blood pressure can be detected from early childhood onward.

A genome-wide scan for loci linked to forearm bone mineral density

Osteoporosis is a chronic disorder characterized by low bone mass and fragility fractures. It affects more than 25 million men and women in the United States alone. Although several candidate genes, such as the vitamin-D-receptor gene or the estrogen-receptor gene, have been suggested in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis, the genetic dissection of this disorder remains a daunting task. To search systematically for chromosomal regions containing genes that regulate bone mineral density (BMD), we scanned the entire autosomal genome by using 367 polymorphic markers among 218 individuals (153 sibpairs) from 96 nuclear families collected from three townships of Anqing, China. In these 96 families, DNA samples from both parents were available for 82 (85.4%) families. By using age- and gender-adjusted forearm BMD measurements, a peak on chromosome 2 near D2S2141, D2S1400, and D2S405, a region previously linked to spinal BMD, showed evidence of linkage to both proximal and distal forearm BMD (multipoint LOD=2.15 and 2.14 for proximal and distal forearm BMD, respectively). One region on chromosome 13 (multipoint LOD=1.67) in the proximity of D13S788 and D13S800 showed evidence of linkage to distal forearm BMD only. Possible candidate genes included CALM2 (calmodulin 2) at 2p21.3-p21.1, a putative STK (serine/threonine kinase) at 2p23-24, POMC (pro-opiomelanocortin) at 2p23.3, and COL4A1 and COL4A2 (collagen IV alpha-1 and alpha-2 subunits) at 13q34. Because of the limited sample size, the suggestive evidence of linkage of this study should be considered as tentative and needs to be replicated in other larger populations.

Characterization of IS1547, a new member of the IS900 family in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, and its association with IS6110

Unlike classically defined insertion sequence (IS) elements, which are delimited by their inverted terminal repeats, some IS elements do not have inverted terminal repeats. Among this group of atypical IS elements, IS116, IS900, IS901, and IS1110 have been proposed as members of the IS900 family of elements, not only because they do not have inverted terminal repeats but also because they share other features such as homologous transposases and particular insertion sites. In this study, we report a newly identified IS sequence, IS1547, which was first identified in a clinical isolate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Its structure, insertion site, and putative transposase all conform with the conventions of the IS900 family, suggesting that it is a new member of this family. IS1547 was detected only in isolates of the M. tuberculosis complex, where it had highly polymorphic restriction fragment length polymorphism patterns, suggesting that it may be a useful genetic marker for identifying isolates of the M. tuberculosis complex and for distinguishing different strains of M. tuberculosis. ipl is a preferential locus for IS6110 insertion where there are eight known different insertion sites for IS6110. Surprisingly, the DNA sequence of ipl is now known to be a part of IS1547, meaning that IS1547 is a preferential site for IS6110 insertion.

IS6110-mediated deletions of wild-type chromosomes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The ipl locus is a site for the preferential insertion of IS6110 and has been identified as an insertion sequence, IS1547, in its own right. Various deletions around the ipl locus of clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis were identified, and these deletions ranged in length from several hundred base pairs up to several kilobase pairs. The most obvious feature shared by these deletions was the presence of an IS6110 copy at the deletion sites, which suggested two possible mechanisms for their occurrence, IS6110 transposition and homologous recombination. To clarify the mechanism, an investigation was conducted; the results suggest that although deletion transpositionally mediated by IS6110 was a possibility, homologous recombination was a more likely one. The implications of such chromosomal rearrangements for the evolution of M. tuberculosis, for IS6110-mediated mutagenesis, and for the development of genetic tools are discussed. The deletion of genomic DNA in isolates of M. tuberculosis has previously been noted at only a few sites. This study examined the deletional loss of genetic material at a new site and suggests that such losses may occur elsewhere too and may be more prevalent than was previously thought. Distinct from the study of laboratory-induced mutations, the detailed analysis of clinical isolates, in combination with knowledge of their evolutionary relationships to each other, gives us the opportunity to study mutational diversity in isolates that have survived in the human host and therefore offers a different perspective on the importance of particular genetic markers in pathogenesis.

Angiotensinogen gene polymorphisms M235T/T174M: no excess transmission to hypertensive Chinese

The gene encoding angiotensinogen (AGT) has been widely studied as a candidate gene for hypertension. Most studies to date have relied on case-control analysis to test for an excess of AGT variants among hypertensive cases compared with normotensive controls. However, with this design, nothing guarantees that a positive finding is due to actual allelic association as opposed to an inappropriate control population. To avoid this difficulty in our study of essential hypertension in Anqing, China, we tested AGT variants using the transmission/disequilibrium test, a procedure that bypasses the need for a control sample by testing for excessive transmission of a genetic variant from parents heterozygous for that variant. We analyzed two AGT polymorphisms, M235T and T174M, which have been associated with essential hypertension in whites and Japanese, using data on 335 hypertensive subjects from 315 nuclear families and their parents. Except in the group of subjects younger than 25 years, M235 and T174 were the more frequently transmitted alleles. We found that 194 parents heterozygous for M235T transmitted M235 106 times (P=0.22) and that 102 parents heterozygous for T174M transmitted T174 60 times (P=0.09). Stratifying offspring by gender, M235 and T174 were transmitted 60 of 106 times (P=0.21) and 44 of 75 times (P=0.17), respectively, in men, and 46 of 88 times (P=0.75) and 16 of 27 times (P=0.44), respectively, in women. Our results were also negative in all age groups and for the affected offspring with blood pressure values >/=160/95 mm Hg. Thus, this study provides no evidence that either allele of M235T or T174M contributes to hypertension in this Chinese population.

[The percentage of free prostate specific antigen used in detecting prostate cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the value of the percentage of free prostate specific antigen in detecting prostate cancer.

METHODS

Serum free prostate specific antigen (F-PSA) and total PSA were measured with immunoradiometric assay, and the free/total PSA ratio was calculated. In 117 patients, 31 had prostate carcinoma and 86 BPH.

RESULTS

The free/total PSA ratio was lower in patients with prostate cancer than in those with BPH. If the total serum PSA level was limited with in 4 - 10 ng/ml, the free/total PSA ratio can be used in the differential diagnosis of prostate cancer and BPH except total PSA.

CONCLUSIONS

The free/total PSA ratio can be used in the differential diagnosis of prostate cancer and BPH, especially when serum PSA level is limited with in 4 - 10 ng/ml.

[Studies on immune responses in mice to expressed products from CSP gene of Plasmodium falciparum FCC1/HN isolate]

AIM

To construct the eukaryotic expression system with pcDNA3-PfCSP/HeLa for CSP gene of Plasmodium falciparum, and to observe the immune responses in BALB/c mice induced by the expressed proteins.

METHODS

The recombinant plasmid pcDNA3-PfCSP was transformed into mammalian cell line of human HeLa cells. The expressed protein was isolated and analyzed by SDS-PAGE and used for immunization of BALB/c mice by subcutaneous, intravenous or intraperitoneal administration, respectively. ELISA, Western blotting, T lymphocyte proliferation test, natural killer cell activity and CD4+ and CD8+ T cells detection were used for observation of the level of humoral and cellular immune responses.

RESULTS

Immune sera strongly reacted with the expressed protein. The titer of the antibodies was up to 1:6,400 by ELISA. Western blotting analysis revealed a specific band at 38.3 kDa. The specific proliferative response with immunized BALB/c mice spleen cells was remarkablely higher than that with control ones. The ratio of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and the NK cell activity were significantly higher in the immunization group than that in the control groups.

CONCLUSION

The humoral and cell-mediated immune responses and elevated NKC activity to expressed products with the eukaryotic expression system can specifically be detected in BALB/c mice to generate, indicating that the expressed protein could enhance immune activity in mice.