[A multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial on lipids regulating effects of domestic simvastatin]

OBJECTIVE

This clinical trial was designed to assess the lipids regulating effects of domestic simvastatin (DS, produced by Chengdu Huayu Pharmaceutical Co.) in patients with hyperlipidemia.

METHODS

160 hyperlipidemic patients were randomly divided into 3 groups (A, B and C). Groups A and B were subjected to single-blind trial; group C was for open trial. Group A took DS 10 mg q.n., group B Zocor 10 mg q.n. and group C DS 10 mg q.n. respectively for 8 weeks. All the patients were followed up at the 4th week and 8th week. 155 patients finished the trial with 59 cases in group A, 47 cases in group B and 39 cases in group C.

RESULTS

At the 4th week, serum total cholesterol (TC) in group A, B and C decreased by 16.88%, 19.23% and 14.10%; serum triglycerides (TG) decreased by 19.27%, 15.66% and 17.96%; HDL-C increased by 7.69%, 7.46% and 6.69%; and LDL-C decreased by 23.02%, 27.84% and 24.43%, respectively; there was no significant difference among the three groups (P > 0.05). At the 8th week, serum TC in groups A, B and C decreased by 25.03%, 26.53% and 25.22%. TG decreased by 23.85%, 24.74% and 24.75%; HDL-C increased by 9.23%, 8.95% and 8.39%; and LDL-C decreased by 33.72%, 35.50% and 30.99%, respectively; still, no significant difference among the three groups was observed (P > 0.05). The incidence rates of side effects in the three groups were similar. The clinical effects were more significant at the 8th week than at the 4th week for Zocor and DS.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that DS is as effective and safe as Zocor in clinical use for lipids regulating serum.

[Influence of oral administration of realgar on contents of copper, zinc and selenium in rat tissues]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the changes of copper, zinc and selenium levels in rat tissues after long-term oral administration of Realgar.

METHODS

Rats were given Realgar with dosage of 50, 150, 450 mg.kg-1.d-1 for 5 weeks, and the concentrations of copper, zinc and selenium in different rat tissues as well as the contents of metallothionein in rat liver and kidney were determined with atomic absorption and hydride generation-atomic fluorescent technique. The total amount of copper excreted from feces and urine of each rat 5 days before the rat was killed was also measured.

RESULTS

No significant changes of levels of copper, zinc and selenium in rat tissues were found after administration of low and middle dosages of Realgar. But higher dosage (450 mg.kg-1.d-1) of Realgar administration could induce a small but significant decrease of zinc concentration in hearts and a increase of copper contents in spleen and tibia, as well as twice more copper concentration of kidney.

CONCLUSION

Copper deposit in kidney was the most significant change found among the trace elements levels in rat tissues, and this might be one of the mechanisms for kidney toxicity of Realgar.

Capillary and microchip electrophoresis for rapid detection of known mutations by combining allele-specific DNA amplification with heteroduplex analysis

BACKGROUND

Detection of mutations by gel electrophoresis and allele-specific amplification by PCR (AS-PCR) is not easily scaled to accommodate a large number of samples. Alternative electrophoretic formats, such as capillary electrophoresis (CE) and microchip electrophoresis, may provide powerful platforms for simple, fast, automated, and high-throughput mutation detection after allele-specific amplification.

METHODS

DNA samples heterozygous for four mutations (185delAG, 5382insC, 3867G-->T, and 6174delT) in BRCA1 and BRCA2, and homozygous for one mutation (5382insC) in BRCA1 and two mutations (16delAA and 822delG) in PTEN were chosen as the model system to evaluate the capillary and microchip electrophoresis methods. To detect each mutation, three primers, of which one was labeled with the fluorescent dye 6-carboxyfluorescein and one was the allele-specific primer (mutation-specific primer), were used to amplify the DNA fragments in the range of 130-320 bp. AS-PCR was combined with heteroduplex (HD) analysis, where the DNA fragments obtained by AS-PCR were analyzed with the conditions developed for CE-based HD analysis (using a fluorocarbon-coated capillary and hydroxyethylcellulose). The CE conditions were transferred into the microchip electrophoresis format.

RESULTS

Three genotypes, homozygous wild type, homozygous mutant, and heterozygous mutant, could be identified by CE-based AS-PCR-HD analysis after 10-25 min of analysis time. Using the conditions optimized with CE, we translated the AS-PCR-HD analysis mutation detection method to the microchip electrophoresis format. The detection of three heterozygous mutations (insertion, deletion, and substitution) in BRCA1 could be accomplished in 180 s or less.

CONCLUSIONS

It is possible to develop a CE-based method that exploits both AS-PCR and HD analysis for detecting specific mutations. Fast separation and the capacity for automated operation create the potential for developing a powerful electrophoresis-based mutation detection system. Fabrication of multichannel microchip platforms may enable mutation detection with high throughput.

Stability of human follicle-stimulating hormone receptor mRNA in stably transfected cells

In order to assess the impact of mRNA degradation on steady state levels of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) mRNA and on regulation of FSHR gene expression, the stability and half-life of FSHR mRNA were determined in transfected cells expressing recombinant FSHR. Time-dependent changes in FSHR mRNA content were determined by nuclease protection-solution hybridization assay (NPA) or by qualitative reverse transcription-competitive polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in cultured hFSHR-YI cells, cell lines stably transfected with a human FSHR cDNA. FSHR mRNA content remained constant during 8 h control incubations of hFSHR-Y1 cells (NPA, 2.9 +/- 0.3 micrograms/mg RNA; RT-PCR, 2.7 +/- 0.3 micrograms/mg RNA). Actinomycin D (ActD, 5 micrograms/ml) inhibited mRNA synthesis, as assessed by incorporation of [3 H]uridine into total RNA, by 90% within 1 h in hFSHR-Y1 cells. No effect of ActD on cellular morphology or viability was observed. ActD caused a time-dependent decrease in FSHR mRNA content in hFSHR-Y1 cell lines with a lag time of 1 h. There were no significant differences in the rate of FSHR mRNA degradation between the two methods of mRNA quantification. The half-life of hFSHR mRNA was 3.6 +/- 0.2 h by NPA and 3.1 +/- 0.1 h by RT-PCR. The results indicated that degradation of mRNA was an important process in maintenance of steady state expression of the FSHR gene in cells stably expressing recombinant receptor.

Automatic segmentation algorithm for the extraction of lumen region and boundary from endoscopic images

A new segmentation algorithm for lumen region detection and boundary extraction from gastro-intestinal (GI) images is presented. The proposed algorithm consists of two steps. First, a preliminary region of interest (ROI) representing the GI lumen is segmented by an adaptive progressive thresholding (APT) technique. Then, an adaptive filter, the Iris filter, is applied to the ROI to determine the actual region. It has been observed that the combined APT-Iris filter technique can enhance and detect the unclear boundaries in the lumen region of GI images and thus produces a more accurate lumen region, compared with the existing techniques. Experiments are carried out to determine the maximum error on the extracted boundary with respect to an expert-annotated boundary technique. Investigations show that, based on the experimental results obtained from 50 endoscopic images, the maximum error is reduced by up to 72 pixels for a 256 x 256 image representation compared with other existing techniques. In addition, a new boundary extraction algorithm, based on a heuristic search on the neighbourhood pixels, is employed to obtain a connected single pixel width outer boundary using two preferential sequence windows. Experimental results are also presented to justify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.

Deletion of tyrosine hydroxylase gene reveals functional interdependence of adrenocortical and chromaffin cell system in vivo

Catecholamines are produced in the medulla of the adrenal gland and may participate in the intraglandular regulation of its cortex. We analyzed the adrenal structure and function of albino tyrosine hydroxylase-null (TH-null) mice that are deficient in adrenal catecholamine production. Adrenal catecholamines were markedly reduced, and catecholamine histofluorescence was abrogated in 15-day-old TH-null mice. Chromaffin cell structure was strikingly altered at the ultrastructural level with a depletion of chromaffin vesicles and an increase in rough endoplasmic reticulum compared with wild-type mice. Remaining chromaffin vesicles lined up proximally to the cell membrane in preparation for exocytosis providing a "string-of-pearls" appearance. There was a 5-fold increase in the expression of proenkephalin mRNA (502.8 +/- 142% vs. 100 +/- 17.5%, P = 0.016) and a 2-fold increase in the expression of neuropeptide Y (213.4 +/- 41.2% vs. 100 +/- 59.9%, P = 0.014) in the TH-null animals as determined by quantitative TaqMan (Perkin-Elmer) PCR. Accordingly, immunofluorescence for met-enkephalin and neuropeptide tyrosine in these animals was strongly enhanced. The expression of phenylethanolamine N-methyl transferase and chromogranin B mRNA was similar in TH-null and wild-type mice. In TH-null mice, adrenocortical cells were characterized by an increase in liposomes and by tubular mitochondria with reduced internal membranes, suggesting a hypofunctional state of these steroid-producing cells. In accordance with these findings, plasma corticosterone levels were decreased. Plasma ACTH levels were not significantly different in TH-null mice. In conclusion, both the adrenomedullary and adrenocortical systems demonstrate structural and functional changes in catecholamine-deficient TH-null mice, underscoring the great importance of the functional interdependence of these systems in vivo.

A study on producing monoclonal antibody with one diagnostic marker screened electrophoretically from the urine of individuals infected with Schistosoma japonicum

One diagnostic marker (a glycoprotein with 30kDa) from the urine of individuals infected with S. japonicum was screened with electrophoresis, and used as antigen to produce McAbs. Two lines of McAbs, named NP56 and NP54,were obtained. McAb NP56 was of better immunoreactivity and its immunoglobulin isotype was IgG(2b.) McAb NP56 could react with SEA (soluble egg antigen) and AWA (adult worm antigen) and express on miracidia in eggs of S. japonicum. When determined with NP56 as a probe in indirect ELISA, the sensitivity and specificity of positive urine samples (EPG median 69) was 50% and 80% in original urine samples, and 90% and 100% in concentrated urine samples, respectively. The results above indicated that with established means it is feasible to produce McAb with the diagnostic marker screened electrophoretically from the metabolic product of the individuals infected with this pathogen, and that McAb-NP56 is of potential value in the diagnosis of chronic cases and individuals with light infection with S. japonicum.

Effects of Rhizobacteria on Soybean Cyst Nematode, Heterodera glycines

Rhizobacteria were isolated from the rhizoplane and rhizosphere of soybean plants from fields in Arkansas and tested for their effect on numbers of soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines). In initial greenhouse tests in heat-treated silt loam soil, 138 of the 201 bacterial isolates tested had no influence on numbers of cysts and eggs + second-stage juveniles (J2) of H. glycines, 36 reduced (suppressive isolates) and 27 increased (enhancing isolates) numbers of cysts and (or) eggs + J2 when compared to the controls (P </= 0.05). When 20 suppressive and five enhancing isolates were retested in the same soil, the results were highly variable and inconclusive. The 25 isolates were then evaluated in vitro for their effects on eggs and J2 of H. glycines. No clear relationship was detected between the inhibition of egg hatch or immobilization of J2 in vitro and antagonistic activity toward nematodes in vivo. Amendment of the soil with 0.1% (w/w) peptone or casein hydrolysate did not improve the effects of suppressive isolates on numbers of H. glycines. Nineteen of the 25 isolates were identified based on analysis of fatty acid methyl esters, and they are in 11 different genera.

Accumulation of dietary cholesterol in sitosterolemia caused by mutations in adjacent ABC transporters

In healthy individuals, acute changes in cholesterol intake produce modest changes in plasma cholesterol levels. A striking exception occurs in sitosterolemia, an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by increased intestinal absorption and decreased biliary excretion of dietary sterols, hypercholesterolemia, and premature coronary atherosclerosis. We identified seven different mutations in two adjacent, oppositely oriented genes that encode new members of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette (ABC) transporter family (six mutations in ABCG8 and one in ABCG5) in nine patients with sitosterolemia. The two genes are expressed at highest levels in liver and intestine and, in mice, cholesterol feeding up-regulates expressions of both genes. These data suggest that ABCG5 and ABCG8 normally cooperate to limit intestinal absorption and to promote biliary excretion of sterols, and that mutated forms of these transporters predispose to sterol accumulation and atherosclerosis.

Control of soybean cyst nematode by chitinolytic bacteria with chitin substrate

Sixty-four chitinolytic bacterial isolates from soybean fields in Arkansas were tested for suppression of soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines) in a heat-treated silt loam soil amended with 0.6% (w/w) chitin in a greenhouse. Five isolates consistently reduced numbers of H. glycines compared to controls receiving neither chitin nor bacteria, or only chitin. Four of the five isolates interacted with the chitin substrate to enhance its effectiveness in reducing numbers of the nematode. The size of the clear-zone produced by some of the isolates in colloidal chitin medium, an indication of chitinolytic activity in vitro, was not related to suppression of nematode numbers in soil.

Effective capillary electrophoresis-based heteroduplex analysis through optimization of surface coating and polymer networks

The efficacy of capillary electrophoresis for detecting DNA mutations via heteroduplex analysis (HDA) is dependent upon both the effective passivition of the capillary surface and the choice of the correct polymer network for sieving. Using HDA with laser-induced fluorescence detection of fluorescently labeled DNA fragments, an effective coating and optimal polymer matrix were sought. Optimized separation conditions were determined through the methodological evaluation of a number of different silanizing reagents, polymeric coatings, and polymer networks for resolving the PCR-amplified DNA fragments associated with five mutations (185delAG, 1294del40, 4446C > G, 5382insC, 5677insA) in the breast cancer susceptibility gene (BRCA1). For capillary coating, allyldimethylchlorosilane, 4-chlorobutyldimethylchlorosilane, (gamma-methacryloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane, chlorodimethyloctylsilane (OCT), and 7-octenyltrimethoxysilane were evaluated as silanizing reagents in combination with poly(vinylprrolidone) (PVP) and polyacrylamide (PA) as the polymeric coat. The HDA results were compared with those obtained using a commercial (FC) coated capillary. Of these, the OCT-PVP combination was found to be most effective. Using this modified capillary, HDA with polymer networks that included hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), linear polyacrylamide, and PVP showed that a PVP-, PA-, or FC-coated capillary, in combination with HEC as the sieving polymer, could be used effectively to discriminate the mutations in less than 10 min. However, optimal performance was observed with the OCT-PVP-coated capillary and HEC as the polymer network.

The calcium-independent protein kinase C participates in an early process of CD3/CD28-mediated induction of thymocyte apoptosis

Thymocyte negative selection eliminates self-reactive clones and involves both a T-cell receptor (TCR)/CD3-mediated signal and a costimulatory signal, which can be delivered via CD28. Anti-CD3/anti-CD28-triggered apoptosis in isolated CD4+CD8+ thymocytes in vitro provides a basic model for negative selection. Effects of isoform-selective and non-isoform-selective inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC) on this apoptotic process suggest that activation of Ca2+-independent PKC isoforms during the first 2-3 hr of culture is essential for inducing apoptosis, and that Ca2+-dependent PKC isoforms may be influential, but not essential, for apoptosis. To assess the CD3/CD28-mediated activation of PKC in the apoptotic process, we prepared CD4+CD8+ thymocytes (without contamination with cells that had received negative or positive selection signals in vivo) by establishing TCR-transgenic mice with RAG-2-deficient and non-selecting major histocompatibility complex (MHC) backgrounds, in addition to a CD4+CD8+ thymocyte-enriched population from normal mice. Translocation of Ca2+-independent PKC from the cytosolic fraction to the particulate fraction of CD4+CD8+ thymocytes was induced by CD3/CD28-mediated stimulation, but not by CD3- or CD28-mediated stimulation alone, and peaked 2 hr after the start of culture. The kinase activity of the translocated Ca2+-independent PKC was dependent on cofactors in vitro, indicating that novel (n)PKC, but not atypical (a)PKC or a proteolytic PKC fragment, was responsible for the activity. Immunoblotting analysis indicated that the nPKC-theta isoform was the major contributor among nPKC isoforms, and that the classical (c)PKC-alpha isoform was the major contributor among cPKC isoforms. These results suggest that activation of nPKC (especially the theta isoform) in CD4+CD8+ thymocytes is involved in a pathway for negative selection.

[Study on hepatitis C virus infection of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in chronic hepatitis C patients]

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate HCV infection and replication in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of hepatitis patients by the methods of molecular biology, immunology and electron microscopy.

METHODS

HCV RNA and antigens were detected in the PBMCs of 28 patients with chronic hepatitis C by RT-PCR, Immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy, respectively.

RESULTS

The positive rate of HCV RNA and HCV antigens were 77.27% (17/22) and 75.00% (21/28), respectively. Two types of spherical HCV-like particles with diameter of approximately 65 nm and 110 nm were observed in cytoplasmic vesicles by electron microscopy in the PBMCs with high titer of HCV RNA and antigens in 10 patients. The budding and shedding of these particles could also be found in the cytoplasmic vesicles. Immunoelectron microscopy using antibodies against HCV core and NS(3) demonstrated that the particles contained HCV antigens.

CONCLUSION

HCV can infect and replicate in the PBMCs of patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Catecholamines are required for the acquisition of secretory responsiveness by sweat glands

The sympathetic innervation of sweat glands undergoes a developmental change in transmitter phenotype from catecholaminergic to cholinergic. Acetylcholine elicits sweating and is necessary for development and maintenance of secretory responsiveness, the ability of glands to produce sweat after nerve stimulation or agonist administration. To determine whether catecholamines play a role in the development or function of this system, we examined the onset of secretory responsiveness in two transgenic mouse lines, one albino and the other pigmented, that lack tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme in catecholamine synthesis. Although both lines lack TH, their catecholamine levels differ because tyrosinase in pigmented mice serves as an alternative source for catecholamine synthesis (Rios et al., 1999). At postnatal day 21 (P21), 28 glands on average are active in interdigital hind footpads of albino TH wild-type mice. In contrast, fewer than one gland is active in albino TH null mice, which lack catecholamines in gland innervation. Treatment of albino TH null mice with DOPA, a catecholamine precursor, from P11 to P21 increases the number of active glands to 14. Pigmented TH null mice, which have faint catecholamine fluorescence in the developing gland innervation, possess 12 active glands at P21, indicating that catecholamines made via tyrosinase, albeit reduced from wild-type levels, support development of responsiveness. Gland formation and the appearance of cholinergic markers occur normally in albino TH null mice, suggesting that catecholamines act directly on gland cells to trigger their final differentiation and to induce responsiveness. Thus, catecholamines, like acetylcholine, are essential for the development of secretory responsiveness.

Roles of a conserved arginine residue of DsbB in linking protein disulfide-bond-formation pathway to the respiratory chain of Escherichia coli

The active-site cysteines of DsbA, the periplasmic disulfide-bond-forming enzyme of Escherichia coli, are kept oxidized by the cytoplasmic membrane protein DsbB. DsbB, in turn, is oxidized by two kinds of quinones (ubiquinone for aerobic and menaquinone for anaerobic growth) in the electron-transport chain. We describe the isolation of dsbB missense mutations that change a highly conserved arginine residue at position 48 to histidine or cysteine. In these mutants, DsbB functions reasonably well aerobically but poorly anaerobically. Consistent with this conditional phenotype, purified R48H exhibits very low activity with menaquinone and an apparent Michaelis constant (K(m)) for ubiquinone seven times greater than that of the wild-type DsbB, while keeping an apparent K(m) for DsbA similar to that of wild-type enzyme. From these results, we propose that this highly conserved arginine residue of DsbB plays an important role in the catalysis of disulfide bond formation through its role in the interaction of DsbB with quinones.

Rapid detection of deletion, insertion, and substitution mutations via heteroduplex analysis using capillary- and microchip-based electrophoresis

In this report, we explore the potential of capillary and microchip electrophoresis for heteroduplex analysis- (HDA) based mutation detection. Fluorescent dye-labeled primers (6-FAM-tagged) were used to amplify the DNA fragments ranging from 130 to 400 bp. The effects of DNA fragment length, matrix additives, pH, and salt were evaluated for capillary electrophoresis- (CE) and/or microchip electrophoresis-based HDA, using six heterozygous mutations, 185delAG, E1250X (3867GT), R1443G (4446CG), 5382insC, 5677insA in BRCA1, and 6174delT in BRCA2. For this system, the effective fragment size for CE-based HDA was found in the range of 200-300 bp, however, the effective range was 150-260 bp for microchip-based HDA. Sensitivity studies show CE-based HDA could detect a mutated DNA present at only 1%-10% of the total DNA. Discrimination between wild-type and deletion or insertion mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 with CE-based HDA could be achieved in <8 min, while the substitution mutations required 14 min of analysis time. For each mutation region, 15 samples were run to confirm the accuracy and reproducibility of the method. Using the method described, two previously reported mutations, E1038G (3232AG, missense) and 4427 C/T (4427CT, polymorphism), were detected in the tested samples and confirmed by DNA sequencing. Translation of the CE-based methodology to the microchip format allowed the analysis time for each mutation to be decreased to 130 sec. Based on the results obtained with this model system, it is possible that CE-based HDA methodologies can be developed and used effectively in genetic testing. The fast separation time and automated operation afforded with CE instrumentation provide a powerful system for screening mutations that include small deletions, insertions, and point mutations. Translation to the microchip platform, especially to a multichannel microchip system, would allow for screening mutations with high throughput.

Changes in cardiovascular risk factors in different socioeconomic groups: seven year trends in a Chinese urban population

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To analyse trends in socioeconomic differences in cardiovascular disease risk factors among an urban Chinese population using educational attainment as the socioeconomic indicator.

DESIGN

Population surveys with randomly selected independent samples were carried out in 1989 and in 1996. Educational attainment, blood pressure, body mass index, cigarette smoking and lack of leisure time physical activity were determined.

SETTING

Urban areas of the city of Tianjin, China.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 14 275 respondents aged 25-64 years.

MAIN RESULTS

Diastolic blood pressure increased and the proportion of people without leisure time physical activity decreased in both sexes during the study period. The prevalence of smoking and the number of cigarettes smoked daily increased significantly among men. Smoking decreased in the least educated men and increased in those who had studied at least to college level. Body mass index decreased across all educational strata in women, but blood pressure increased in women with at least college level education.

CONCLUSIONS

These data reveal a different picture in trends in the association of education and cardiovascular risk factors from those depicted in developed countries. This highlights the need for an effective intervention programme in the study population.

Evaluation of silica resins for direct and efficient extraction of DNA from complex biological matrices in a miniaturized format

For DNA purification to be functionally integrated into the microchip for high-throughput DNA analysis, a miniaturized purification process must be developed that can be easily adapted to the microchip format. In this study, we evaluate the effectiveness of a variety of silica resins for miniaturized DNA purification and gauge the potential usefulness for on-chip solid-phase extraction. A micro-solid-phase extraction (muSPE) device containing only nanograms of silica resin is shown to be effective for the adsorption and desorption of DNA in the picogram-nanogram mass range. Fluorescence spectroscopy as well as capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection is employed for the analysis of DNA recovered from solid-phase resins, while the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is used to evaluate the amplifiable nature of the eluted DNA. We demonstrate that DNA can be directly recovered from white blood cells with an efficiency of roughly 70%, while greater than 80% of the protein is removed with a 500-nl bed volume muSPE process that takes less than 10 min. With a capacity in the range of 10-30 ng/mg of silica resin, we show that the DNA extracted from white blood cells, cultured cancer cells, and even whole blood on the low microliter scale is suitable for direct PCR amplification. The miniaturized format as well as rapid time frame for DNA extraction is compatible with the fast electrophoresis on microfabricated chips.

ATM mutations in patients with ataxia telangiectasia screened by a hierarchical strategy

ATM has been identified as a gene that is responsible for ataxia telangiectasia (AT), a pleiotropic disorder of autosomal recessive inheritance. While many mutations of this gene in AT patients of various ethnicities have been reported, data on Japanese patients are scarce. In this report, we present the results of a thorough survey of ATM mutations in 14 unrelated AT patients, with an emphasis on Japanese subjects. We used a hierarchical strategy in which we extensively analyzed the entire coding region of the cDNA. In the first stage, point mutations were sought by PCR-SSCP in short patches. In the second and third stages, the products of medium- and long-patch PCR, each covering the entire region, were examined by agarose gel electrophoresis to search for length changes. We found a total of 15 mutations (including 12 new) and 4 polymorphisms. Abnormal splicing of ATM was frequent among Japanese, and no hotspot was obvious, suggesting no strong founder effects in this ethnic group. Eleven patients carried either one homozygous or two compound heterozygous mutations, one patient carried only one detectable heterozygous mutation, and no mutation was found in two patients. Overall, mutations were found in at least 75% of the different ATM alleles examined. Possible reasons for the inability to detect mutations in some patients are discussed.

[Toxic effect of organic extracts of drinking-water on the culture luteal cells of rats]

A separation method of rat luteal cells was established. The results show that the survival rate of the cells is more than 95% during the whole operation. 14-20 days of pregnancy, 10(6) cells/ml and 4 hours of culture are the suitable conditions. The organic extracts of drinking-water produced significant dose-related increases(maximally three-fold) in progesterone concentration in the culture medium. Thus, the effects produced by the organic extracts of drinking-water in vitro may reflect the damage to the luteal cells.

Correlative factors of insulin resistance in essential hypertension

Essential Hypertension (EH) is correlated with a metabolic disturbance characterized by insulin resistance (IR). In this study, there were observed in 47 subjects with EH and 30 subjects with normal blood pressure. Serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), serum levels of growth hormone (GH), the activity of erythrocyte insulin receptors (EIR), and ATP levels in erythrocytes, the insulin sensitivity index (ISI) was used to study the correlative factors of essential hypertension. 1. Among patients with EH, ISI, GH, and low-affinity insulin binding sites of EIRs (RT2) were found to be in significantly lower amounts, IGF-1 levels and the KD2 of the erythrocyte insulin receptors were noted to be significantly higher. Compared with the control group, there was a marked difference between EH group and the control group. However, no statistical difference was observed between the hypertensive group and the group with normal blood pressure as regards erythrocyte ATP levels, high-affinity insulin binding sites of EIRs (RT1), and the KD1 of EIRs. 2. In the hypertensive group, the ISI was negatively correlated with mean arterial blood pressure (MBP), a family history of hypertension, the body mass index (BMI), the waist-hip ratio (WHR) and IGF-1 levels (r=-0.614delta, -0.354**, -0.386**, -0.472**, -0.298*, delta p < 0.001, **p < 0.01, *p < 0.05), were positively correlated with RT2 and GH levels (r=0.301**, 0.275*, **p < 0.01, *p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between ISI and age, sex, smoking history, drinking, RT1, KD1, and ATP levels in erythrocytes. 3. The ISI was used as the dependent variable in multiple linear stepwise regression analysis. MBP (X1), a family history of EH (X2), WHR (X3), GH (X4), IGF-1 (X5), RT2 (X6), and the body mass index (X7) was used as independent variables. X1, X2, X3, X5, X6, and X7 were used in the equations. The results indicate that patients with EH also tend to have IR. We suggest that MBP, a family history of hypertension, BMI, WHR, IGF-1, and RT2 might be independent factors affecting IR in cases of essential hypertension.

A transmembrane guanylyl cyclase (DAF-11) and Hsp90 (DAF-21) regulate a common set of chemosensory behaviors in caenorhabditis elegans

Caenorhabditis elegans daf-11 and daf-21 mutants share defects in specific chemosensory responses mediated by several classes of sensory neurons, indicating that these two genes have closely related functions in an assortment of chemosensory pathways. We report that daf-11 encodes one of a large family of C. elegans transmembrane guanylyl cyclases (TM-GCs). The cyclic GMP analogue 8-bromo-cGMP rescues a sensory defect in both daf-11 and daf-21 mutants, supporting a role for DAF-11 guanylyl cyclase activity in this process and further suggesting that daf-21 acts at a similar step. daf-11::gfp fusions are expressed in five identified pairs of chemosensory neurons in a pattern consistent with most daf-11 mutant phenotypes. We also show that daf-21 encodes the heat-shock protein 90 (Hsp90), a chaperone with numerous specific protein targets. We show that the viable chemosensory-deficient daf-21 mutation is an unusual allele resulting from a single amino acid substitution and that the daf-21 null phenotype is early larval lethality. These results demonstrate that cGMP is a prominent second messenger in C. elegans chemosensory transduction and suggest a previously unknown role for Hsp90 in regulating cGMP levels.