[Chemical constituents of Rhodiola kirilowii (Reg.) Reg]

Three compounds were isolated from the water-soluble part of alcohol extracts of rhizomes of Rhodiola kirilowii. Two of them were identified as salidroside and tyrosol, respectively by chemical and spectral analysis. beta-sitosterol was obtained from the petroleum extracts of the plant.

[Quantitative direct gas-liquid chromatography for rapid diagnosis of anaerobic infections]

Quantitative direct gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) was performed on 74 specimens of surgical infections and relevant findings were compared with cultural results. In the present study, significant amounts of multiple volatile fatty acids (VFA) and/or succinate were found as markers of anaerobic infections. At least one of the VFA (propionic, isobutyric, butyric, isovaleric or valeric acid) greater than or equal to 0.1 mumol/ml and/or succinate greater than or equal to 0.3 mumol/ml was strong evidence for anaerobic infections. More than 3.5 mumol/ml of butyric acid was interpreted as indication of the presence of Fusobacterium spp. Succinate greater than or equal to 0.3 mumol/ml was associated with the presence of Bacteroides fragilis.

[Composition of essential oil from inflorescences of Rhaponticum uniflorum (L.) DC]

The essential oil was extracted from the inflorescences of Rhaponticum uniflorum which are used as a Mongolian drug. 30 compounds in the oil were identified by GC-MS and their percentages were determined by GC.

Proopiomelanocortin gene promoter elements required for constitutive and glucocorticoid-repressed transcription

The POMC gene is expressed predominantly in the anterior pituitary. The high level of POMC transcription in this tissue is modulated by peptide hormones and repressed by glucocorticoids. In this present study we have investigated promoter elements required for the high basal transcription and glucocorticoid repression using transient transfection and in vitro transcription assays. We first determined that the region between -77 to -51 of the promoter, which has previously been shown to harbor a glucocorticoid receptor-binding site, is required for high basal expression both in vivo and in vitro. This promoter domain is also required for glucocorticoid repression of transcription in vivo. Two site-directed mutants within this area both decreased basal transcription, but were fully repressed by glucocorticoids, implying that the -77 to -51 region is a complex regulatory region harboring separable basal and glucocorticoid-repressible elements. Electrophoretic mobility shift and exonuclease III footprinting analysis revealed the existence of two factors that bind in this region. We also examined the effect of broad promoter deletions on basal expression and glucocorticoid repression. These experiments revealed that the region between -480 and -320 is also required for glucocorticoid repression. Taken together, the data suggest a model in which high basal transcription is generated by direct interaction of factors binding between -480 to -320 and -77 to -51. Glucocorticoid repression could occur by direct receptor disruption of these interactions.

Experimental and theoretical studies on monitored signals from semiconductor diodes undergoing antireflection coatings

Rate equations have been used to analyze the variations of the outputs from the facets of the diodes being coated during the antireflection-coating process. Good agreement between the experimental recordings and theoretical predictions has been achieved. As a result, an auxiliary criterion for on-time assessment of the antireflection coating has been established.

Automated severity classification of AIDS hospitalizations

To validate an automated AIDS severity-of-illness prognostic algorithm, 2,113 discharge summaries of HIV-infected patients were merged with the Problem-Oriented Medical Synopsis (POMS) and an HIV risk registry. The combination of a medically derived classification and staging algorithm with multivariate statistical techniques was used for automated severity-of-illness disease staging and prognostic assignment. The model correctly predicted the outcomes of 82% of all cases (death, survivorship) at discharge, and 66% of deaths.

Retinal [125I]iodomelatonin binding sites in the tree shrew (Tupaiidae)

The characteristics of melatonin-binding sites labelled by [125I]iodomelatonin in membrane preparations from the tree shrew retina were determined. Specific binding of [125I]iodomelatonin to the membrane preparations of tree shrew retina was rapid, stable, saturable, and reversible. Among the indoles tested only 6-chloromelatonin, melatonin and N-acetylserotonin had significant affinities to the [125I]iodomelatonin binding site. Scatchard analysis of the membrane preparations revealed a dissociation constant (Kd) of 51.0 +/- 16 pM and a total number of binding sites (Bmax) of 1.97 +/- 0.6 fmol/mg protein.

Binding characteristics and regional distribution of [125I]iodomelatonin binding sites in the brain of the human fetus

The binding and pharmacological characteristics of [125I]iodomelatonin binding sites in human fetal brain membrane preparations were determined. Membrane preparations of the whole brain revealed a equilibrium binding constant (Kd) of 17.5 pmol/l with a total number of binding sites (Bmax) at 0.8 fmol/mg protein. Among the various brain regions studied, [125I]iodomelatonin binding was highest in the hypothalamus, and lowest in the mid-brain, pons-medulla, and cerebral cortex. The Kd of the hypothalamus was calculated to be 26.1 pmol/l and the Bmax 5.4 fmol/mg protein. Only 6-chloromelatonin, melatonin and N-acetylserotonin had significant inhibition in the binding. Our results suggest that melatonin receptors are present in the human brain and that melatonin may exert a central action.

[A study of textile noise influence on maternal function and embryo-growth]

Ninety hundred seventy-eight female textile workers exposed to noise (greater than or equal to 85 dB (A)) were recruited as the subjects of observation group, and 402 nonexposed female workers were chosen as the controls (less than 75 dB (A)). According to noise level, the observation group was subdivided into three groups: group 1, 100-104 dB (A), 416 workers; group 2, 95-99 dB, (A), 310 workers; group 3, 85-94 dB (A), 252 workers. Non-conditional logistic regression model was used to exclude the effect of mixed factors, such as age and working life. The result showed that noise-exposure could have some adverse effect on reproductive function of women and embryo growth. The workers exposed to noise had significantly increased incidence rates for irregular menstrual cycle, dysmenorrhea, lumbago, hypertension in pregnancy, threatened abortion, spontaneous abortion, premature labour, dystocia and low birth weight of newborns. When the noise intensity heightened, the sorts of abnormal function of reproduction increased and the risk of incidence raised too. These demonstrated a dose-response relationship between the noise intensity and incidence rate. The noise-working life had significant effects on the incidence of hypertension in pregnancy and prematurity. Although the age had some influence, it was not statistically significant. In terms of the maternal function and embryo growth, the factors in order of risk are: noise intensity greater than working life greater than age.

[Correlation between neonatal Apgar scores and the results of maternal and umbilical cord blood gas analysis]

The correlation between the Apgar scores of 162 neonatal 1 minute after birth and the result of maternal arterial and umbilical cord blood gas analysis was studied. The results were as follows: (1) With decreasing neonatal Apgar score, the value of the pH, PO2, HCO3, TCO2 and actual base excess (ABE) of the maternal arterial and umbilical cord blood also decreased markedly, while the PCO2, except that of the maternal arterial blood, increased obviously, and mixed acid base imbalance and hypoxemia also significantly increased (P less than 0.01). (2) Of the neonates with umbilical arterial blood pH less than or equal to 7.2, the proportion of neonates with Apgar score less than or equal to 3 amounted to 100%; that with on Apgar score of 4-7, was 77.7%; And that with on Apgar score of 8-10, was 56.31%. The difference was highly significant statistically (P less than 0.01).

[Quantitative analysis of calcium bilirubin in calculus bovis by infrared spectrometry]

This paper reports the method of quantitative analysis of calcium bilirubin in calculus bovis by infrared spectrometry. This method is simple and quick, requiring no separation and only small amount of sample, not destroying the sample and having few interferences.

Identification of aecA mutations in Bacillus subtilis as nucleotide substitutions in the untranslated leader region of the aspartokinase II operon

Recent genetic mapping of the aspartokinase II (lysC) operon of Bacillus subtilis [M. Petricek. L. Rutberg & L. Hederstedt (1989) FEMS Microbiology Letters 61, 85-88; N.Y. Chen. J. J. Zhang & H. Paulus (1989) Journal of General Microbiology 135, 2931-2940] has shown its chromosomal location to be close to the aecA locus, the mutation of which leads to highly increased levels of aspartokinase II. In order to examine the relationship between lysC and aecA, we have cloned the control regions of the lysC operon from several independent aecA mutants and determined their nucleotide sequences. The nucleotide sequences of the aecA mutants differed from the wild-type sequence by the substitution of one or two nucleotides at two widely separated sites in the transcribed leader region of the lysC operon. To confirm that the observed nucleotide changes are indeed responsible for the AecA phenotype and not simply the reflection of sequence polymorphisms in different B. subtilis strains, we introduced the same nucleotide substitutions as those observed in the aecA strains into the leader region of the wild-type lysC operon by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis. The expression of the mutagenized genes was analysed after transcriptional or translational fusion to lacZ in a single-copy integration vector. The levels of beta-galactosidase were greatly elevated by the nucleotide substitutions, with similar increases observed in transcriptional and translational fusions. The high level of expression of beta-galactosidase in the lysC'-lac'Z strains with nucleotide substitutions corresponding to the aecA mutations was resistant to repression by L-lysine but was completely abolished by the inactivation of the lysC promoter.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[125I]iodomelatonin binding sites in spleens of birds and mammals

The specific binding of [125I]iodomelatonin to duck spleen membrane preparations was studied in detail. These binding sites were stable, saturable, reversible and of high affinity. Scatchard analysis of the binding revealed a equilibrium binding constant (Kd) of 73.1 +/- 5.4 pM and a total number of binding sites (Bmax) of 3.64 +/- 1.38 fmol/mg protein. Studies on the relative binding capacities of [125I]iodomelatonin to the spleen in different species showed the following order: duck greater than chicken greater than guinea pig greater than pigeon greater than mouse. No binding site was detected in the rat spleen. The presence of [125I]iodomelatonin binding sites in the spleen of birds and mammals suggested a direct action of pineal melatonin on the immune system.

Regulation of testicular P-450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage and P-450 C17-20 lyase/C17 hydroxylase enzymes in the neonatal and adult rat

Adult Leydig cells respond to LH or hCG with an initial stimulation of testosterone secretion followed by LH receptor down-regulation and blockade of androgen biosynthesis. In contrast, fetal Leydig cells respond with increased LH receptor number and enhanced steroidogenesis. In this study, the molecular mechanisms of high-dose hCG treatment on steroidogenesis in adult and neonatal testes (containing predominantly the fetal generation of Leydig cells) were examined using two recombinant DNA clones specific for enzymes of the rat steroidogenic pathway (P-450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme, P-450scc and P-450 17 alpha-hydroxylase/C17-20 lyase, P-450c17). We treated adult (60 days of age) and neonatal (2 days of age) rats with a single high dose of hCG (600 IU/kg), sc. The high dose of hCG caused neonatal testicular P450scc and P450c17 mRNA levels to increase, and stimulated adult testicular P450scc mRNA levels, but caused a decrease in adult P450c17 mRNA levels. These studies suggest that high doses of hCG regulate testosterone production differently in adult and fetal Leydig cells at a pretranslational level of the P450c17 enzyme, while mRNA for P450scc is stimulated in both the adult and fetal Leydig cell.

Regulation of glycan processing by Golgi enzymes from red kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) seedlings

The effect of a protein matrix on the processing of glycoprotein glycans by Golgi enzymes from plant seedlings has been determined with an artificial glycoprotein system, comparing the processing rates of glycan-(biotinyl)Asn (or glycan-(biotinamidohexanoyl)Asn) substrates either free or bound to avidin. An analysis of the pooled glycoproteins from the seedlings suggested that the most common glycan structure is a complex one (GlcNAc-Man3GlycNAc2-protein), and consistent with this processing end-product, mannosidases I and II and GlcNAc transferases I and II were all found to be present in the seedling Golgi membrane preparations. The effect of the avidin matrix either in a proximal (biotinyl substrates) or distal (N-(biotinamido)hexonoyl substrates) association with the appropriate glycan substrate for these four enzymes was assessed from the direct comparison of the apparent first-order rate constants for the free and avidin-bound substrate-product conversions. All four plant enzymes were inhibited by the association of the glycan substrates with avidin, but the inhibition was much less pronounced than that observed with the corresponding enzymes from rat liver and hen oviduct. The rate effect shows a progression from 3- to 10-fold rate decreases in the proximal complexes and 2- to 3-fold in the distal complexes in going from the first (mannosidase I) to the fourth (GlcNAc transferase II) enzyme; with the mammalian and avian enzymes the largest effects were for the first ones and much larger absolute rate effects were observed. The results suggest that the nature of the processing enzymes in terms of this response to the avidin glycan substrates may differ in different organisms.

Expression of chimeric human transferrin genes in vitro

Transferrin (TF), a major plasma protein, binds and transports ferric iron. Evidence exists for unique roles for TF in brain in oligodendrocyte differentiation, myelination and neuronal development. In this study, 5' flanking regions of the TF gene important in regulating gene expression were identified by transfected cell studies and a comparison of 5' flanking sequences of the human TF and TF receptor genes. Human glioma cell lines HTB-16 and HTB-17 were shown to synthesize TF identical in size and immunological reaction to TF synthesized by liver. The expression of a series of human chimeric TF genes in glioma cells was compared with hepatoma and HeLa cells. A difference in transient expression was observed in hepatoma and glioma cells transfected with TF chimeric genes containing 3.9 kb of the 5' region; hepatoma cells demonstrated significantly more expression than did glioma cells, suggesting that a DNA region present in the 3.9-kb construct is important either in liver-specific expression or in repression of brain expression, or in both. Smaller constructs containing less than or equal to 0.622 kb of the 5' regulatory region of the TF gene failed to demonstrate cell-specific expression; they were expressed in HeLa cells, a line that does not synthesize TF. High levels of expression of 0.15-kb TF constructs were also observed in hepatoma and glioma cell lines, but not in transgenic mice. Possible explanations of differences observed in expression of shorter TF constructs in vitro and in vivo are discussed.

Interactions between N-methyl-D-aspartate and CGS 19755 administered intramuscularly and intracerebroventricularly in pigeons

Behavioral effects of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and the competitive NMDA antagonist cis-4-phosphonomethyl-2-piperidine-carboxylic acid (CGS 19755) were studied in pigeons. NMDA decreased responding under a fixed-ratio schedule of food presentation and was 8000 times more potent administered intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) as compared to intramuscularly (i.m.). CGS 19755 was 870 times more potent in producing catalepsy when administered i.c.v.; however, the duration of catalepsy was similar by the two routes of administration. Administered i.m. CGS 19755 decreased response rates only at doses that also produced catalepsy; administered i.c.v. some doses of CGS 19755 decreased responding without producing other behavioral effects. Rate-decreasing effects of i.m. NMDA were attenuated by i.m. CGS 19755; however, when CGS 19755 was administered i.c.v., there was little or no antagonism of NMDA. Rate-decreasing effects of i.c.v. NMDA were not attenuated by i.m. or i.c.v. CGS 19755 up to doses that produced catalepsy or eliminated responding. The large difference in potency between i.m. and i.c.v. administration for NMDA and for CGS 19755, as well as the slower onset of catalepsy when CGS 19755 was administered i.m., suggests these compounds do not readily cross the blood-brain barrier when administered parenterally. The inability of CGS 19755 to attenuate the rate-decreasing effects of NMDA when CGS 19755 or NMDA was administered i.c.v. suggests NMDA might decrease responding by different mechanisms when administered i.m. or i.c.v. in pigeons. Together these results indicate antagonism of NMDA in this study, and perhaps in other studies, when both NMDA and CGS 19755 were administered parenterally, might result from a peripherally mediated interaction. Moreover, this agonist-antagonist interaction is not a simple, competitive antagonism.

[Inhibition of growth and metastases of lung carcinoma in C57BL/6 mice by Corynebacterium parvum and its antitumor mechanism]

Cocrynebacterium parvum (CP) was injected around the tumor and tumor cells were inoculated subcutaneously with activated peritoneal macrophages. The effects on the growth and metastases of Lewis lung carcinoma in C57BL/6 mice were observed. Experimental results indicated that CP had significant inhibitory effect on the tumor growth and lung metastases. The cytotoxic effects of activated peritoneal macrophages in mice on target tumor cells (L5178Y) in vitro were studied with the technique of 3H-TdR assay. The proliferation of tumor cells was markedly inhibited by the activated peritoneal macrophages of CP. Experiments showed that the antitumor mechanism of CP was the mediation via activated cytotoxic macrophages. These results indicated that CP is an effective immunostimulant. These findings will provide a scientific basis for the clinical treatment of the primary and metastatic lung carcinoma.

CT-guided transcutaneous fine-needle aspiration biopsy. A report of 350 cases

CT-guided transcutaneous fine-needle aspiration biopsies were done in 350 patients. They involved the abdomen in 226 patients (liver 75, pancreatic and abdominal masses 51, kidney 96, adrenal gland 3, spleen 1), thorax 90, musculoskeletal system 32, and brain 2. The accuracy varied with different locations. The accuracy of liver biopsy was 94%, kidney 95.8%, pancreatic and abdominal masses 88.2%, thorax 90%, and musculoskeletal system 96.5%. The occurrence rate of complications was 2.3%. Pneumothorax occurred in 7 patients having thorax biopsy, and gastric perforation in one patient after abdominal biopsy. The proper selection of fine needles, the method and technique, the influential elements of the accuracy, and the application of CT-guided aspiration biopsy were detailed in this paper.