A combinatorial synthesis of tyrphostins via the "directed sorting" method

Using solid-phase organic synthesis, we have prepared a 432-member (18 x 8 x 3) sample library based on the AG 490 "tyrphostin" template. By utilizing 432 reactors each equipped with a unique radiofrequency memory ID tag, the 432 products could be obtained as discrete entities (i.e., not as mixtures) via 18 + 8 + 3, or 29 reactions. Reading each ID tag after each reaction step permitted the "directed sorting" of reactors into appropriate reaction vessels containing multiple reactors. After synthesis, all products were cleaved from the solid-phase support and lyophilized to afford powders. Characterization of 5% of the library members by NMR and mass spectrometry provided verification of structure. In addition, TLC analysis of every library member provided evidence that most (or all) are composed of a single major organic compound. Some 88% of these samples were obtained in amounts of between 5 and 19 mg. Using this reaction sequence and the "directed sorting" approach, the synthesis of much larger AG 490-based libraries can be envisioned.

Three-dimensional analysis of subwavelength diffractive optical elements with the finite-difference time-domain method

We present a three-dimensional (3D) analysis of subwavelength diffractive optical elements (DOE's), using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. To this end we develop and apply efficient 3D FDTD methods that exploit DOE properties, such as symmetry. An axisymmetric method is validated experimentally and is used to validate the more general 3D method. Analyses of subwavelength gratings and lenses, both with and without rotational symmetry, are presented in addition to a 2 x 2 subwavelength focusing array generator.

[Study on blood coagulant/fibrinolytic activity at plasma and monocytic levels in coronary heart disease patients with Blood-Stasis Syndrome of traditional Chinese medicine]

OBJECTIVE

To explore and compare the changes of coagulant/fibrinolytic activity in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients with Blood Stasis Syndrome of TCM and evaluate the roles of these changes.

METHODS

Eighty patients of CHD were divided into two groups by Syndrome Differentiation of TCM, the Blood-Stasis (BS) group (30 cases) and the non-Blood-Stasis (NBS) group (50 cases, including 27 cases of Phlegm-Dampness Syndrome and 23 cases of Qi-Stagnation Syndrome); and 20 healthy persons were enrolled as normal control group. Tissue type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and its inhibitor (PAI-1) in plasma and in human peripheral blood monocyte cell (PBMC), as well as the procoagulant activity (PCA) in PBMC were measured by chromogenic substrate method.

RESULTS

The plasma PAI-1 activity and PCA of PBMC in the BS group were significantly higher than those in the NBS group and the normal control group (P < 0.01). PAI-1 activity of PBMC in the two groups of CHD patients was higher than those in the normal control group significantly (P < 0.01), but no significant difference was found between the BS group and the NBS group (P > 0.05). The difference of plasma t-PA activity between the two groups of CHD was insignificant. The PBMC t-PA activity in the BS group was lower than that in the NBS and normal control groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

In the CHD patients with BS, the PBMC PCA was increased and the fibrinolytic activity at both plasma and monocyte levels lowered significantly, these changes in coagulant/fibrinolytic activity may be the important pathologic factors in forming BS which suggests that CHD patients with BS were in the prothrombotic state.

[Expression and deletion analysis of EcoR II endonuclease and methylase gene]

OBJECTIVE

To clone complete EcoR II restriction endonuclease gene (ecoR II R) and methyl-transferase (ecoR II M) gene into one vector and to analyzing the expression of the whole system.

METHODS

Unidirective deletion subclones constructed with Exo III, ecoR II R/M genes were preliminarily located in the cloned fragments according to the enzyme activities of each subclone, exact deletion sites were determined by sequencing, and transcriptional start sites were mapped by S1 mapping.

RESULTS

The DNA fragment which was cloned into pBluescript SK+ contained the complete ecoR II R gene and ecoR II M gene, there are two transcriptional start sites in ecoR II R gene, 132 bp to 458 bp from 3' and of ecoR II R gene are indispensable to enzyme activities and deletion of 202 bp from 3' end of ecoR II M gene made it lose the capability to resist specific cut of EcoR II R enzyme, deletion of coding region and flanking sequence of one gene did not affect the expression of the other gene, the recombinant only containing ecoR II R gene appeared to be lethal to dcm + host.

CONCLUSIONS

ecoR II M gene closely linking to ecoR II R gene was very important for the existence of the R-M system in process of evolution, but the key to control EcoR II R enzyme acted later than EcoR II M enzyme did not exist in transcriptional level.

Electromagnetic analysis of axially symmetric diffractive lenses with the method of moments

We present the electromagnetic analysis of axially symmetric diffractive lenses. Analysis is performed by numerically solving the electric and magnetic field integral equations using the method of moments, and it exploits axial symmetry to reduce computational cost. Formulations for the analysis of loss less dielectric and perfectly conducting lenses are presented. The analysis of binary and eight-level lenses are performed to illustrate the utility of the technique.

alpha(1,3)fucosyltransferases expressed by the gain-of-function Chinese hamster ovary glycosylation mutants LEC12, LEC29, and LEC30

Gain-of-function glycosylation mutants provide access to glycosylation pathways, glycosylation genes, and mechanisms that regulate expression of a glycotype. Previous studies have shown that the gain-of-function Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) mutants LEC12, LEC29, and LEC30 express an N-ethylmaleimide-resistant alpha(1, 3)fucosyltransferase (alpha(1,3)Fuc-T) activity that is not detected in CHO cells and that generates the Lewis(X) but not the sialyl-Lewis(X) determinant. The three mutants differ, however, in lectin resistance properties, expression of fucosylated antigens, and in vitro alpha(1,3)Fuc-T activities. In this paper we show that each mutant expresses Fuc-TIX, but only LEC30 cells express Fuc-TIV. Using genomic PCR and reverse-transcriptase (RT)-PCR strategies, we isolated coding portions of the CHO Fut4 and Fut9 genes. Each gene is present in a single copy in the CHO and mutant genomes. The Fut4 gene is expressed only in LEC30 cells, while all three mutants express the Fut9 gene. Interestingly, the fucosylation phenotypes of LEC12 and LEC29 cells do not correlate with the relative abundance of their Fut9 gene transcripts (LEC29 >> LEC12). Compared to LEC29 cells, LEC12 cells have an approximately 40-fold higher in vitro alpha(1,3)Fuc-T activity and bind the VIM-2 monoclonal antibody, whereas LEC29 cells do not bind VIM-2. Mixing experiments did not detect Fuc-TIX inhibitory activity in LEC29 cell extracts, and CHO cells expressing a transfected Fut9 gene behaved like LEC12 cells. Therefore, it seems that LEC29 cells may not translate their more abundant Fut9 gene transcripts efficiently or may not synthesize appropriate acceptors for internal alpha(1,3)fucosylation. Alternatively, LEC12 cells may possess, in addition to Fuc-TIX, a novel alpha(1,3)Fuc-T activity.

The effect of zhu yu hua tan tang on intracranial pressure in case of acute cerebral hemorrhage

The therapeutic effect of Zhu Yu Hua Tan Tang ([symbol: see text] Decoction for removing blood stasis and resolving phlegm) plus general and modern treatment on acute cerebral hemorrhage in 44 cases, and the pressure-lowering effect of Zhu Yu Hua Tan Tang and mannitol in 20 cases of acute cerebral hemorrhage in the basilar region, and in rabbits with experimental encephaledema induced by injection of olive oil into the common carotid artery were observed in this study. The results showed that Zhu Yu Hua Tan Tang plus general treatment can better improved the conscious state of the patients than western medicine, and it can make the intracranial pressure drop clinically by 40.44%. The intracranial pressure-lowering effect of Zhu Yu Hua Tan Tang, though slow, is smooth and long-lasting without any rebound phenomenon, as compared to those of mannitol. Similar results were found in animal experiments, but the intracranial pressure-lowering amplitude of Zhu Yu Hua Tan Tang was stronger than that of mannitol. The difference between the clinical and experimental results needs to be further studied.

[Studies on chemical constituents of fat oil of Polygala tenuifolia]

OBJECTIVE

To study the chemical constituents of fat oil from root of Polygala tenuifolia Willd.

METHOD

The components were separated and identified by gas chromatograpy-mass spectrometry and elucidated on the standard mass spectral data and the percentages were determined by gas chromatographic area normalization method.

RESULT

Eighteen constituents were separated and sixteen of them were identified.

CONCLUSION

The major components of the fat oil were established first time as oleic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid, eicosenoic acid and stearic acid, which make up 87.0%, 7.31%, 3.27%, 1.07%, 0.91% of fat oil respectively.

[AM signals' digital demodulation and its application in physiological signals' remote transmission]

Taking advantage of the characteristics of digital systems, a new digital method is given in this article to overcome the difficulties in demodulating AM signals using digital methods. Physiological signals can't be transmitted through telephone networks because they are full of ultra-low frequency components. However, if they are modulated (such as AM), they can be transmitted to the receiving end through telephone networks. Then phaselocked loops can be employed to trace the frequency of the signals' carriers so that we can demodulate and transmit them in the end.

[Seeking behavior of patients with mental disorders and interfering factors]

OBJECTIVE

To approach different help-seeking behavior and its effects on patients with mental illness.

METHODS

We investigated the patients first seeking help in psychiatry department, by applying the scale of help-seeking behavior of mental illness.

RESULTS

There were significant differences among different mental disorders. 50% patients with mania, 66% with schizophrenia, and about 90% with depression or neurosis first went to general hospital when their illness began. About 80% patients considered their symptoms as normal, temperament, and mood problems. The course of one-third patients was one year, and most patients were treated with traditional herbs, west drugs and tests. Nearly 10% patients with depression, neurosis and schizophrenia spent more then 10 000 yuan before seeking the doctor in psychiatry.

CONCLUSION

Now then it is still a main problem for patients with mental disorders in seeking behavior. We suggest that the propaganda of the knowledge of mental health should be paid more attention, especially for the people in community and doctors in general hospital.

Noncollinear-pumped KTP optical parametric oscillator

A theoretical analysis and an experimental study are presented on the phase-matching condition of noncollinearly pumped optical parametric oscillators (OPO's) based on a noncritical phase-matching potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) OPO. It is shown that noncollinearly pumped, double-pass, singly resonant optical parametric oscillators maintain the advantage of round-trip parametric gain in a collinear pump, since in this case the two generated signal waves are coherent, which results in high conversion efficiency and low pump threshold. With this KTP OPO we achieved 31% energy conversion efficiency from a 1064-nm pump wave to 1572-nm eye-safe output. In addition, because the incident pump beam is not perpendicular to the OPO cavity mirrors and consequently no reflected beam flows back into the pump source, we can avoid employing optical isolators.

Vector-based plane-wave spectrum method for the propagation of cylindrical electromagnetic fields

We present a vector-based plane-wave spectrum (VPWS) method for efficient propagation of cylindrical electromagnetic fields. In comparison with electromagnetic propagation integrals, the VPWS method significantly reduces time of propagation. Numerical results that illustrate the utility of this method are presented.

Chromosomal localization of the loci responsible for dystrophic cardiac calcinosis in DBA/2 mice

Dystrophic cardiac calcinosis (DCC) occurs in certain inbred strains of mice, including DBA/2 and C3H/He, and is generally found as an incidental lesion in adult animals at necropsy. Preliminary genetic studies into the cause of DCC have been performed in DBA/2 mice and suggest that DCC is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait involving three or four unlinked genes. To investigate the genetics of DCC further, we produced myocardial cell death by freeze-thaw injury to induce DCC. Experiments were conducted with three F1 hybrids made using three inbred strains of mice (DBA/2J and C3H/HeJ, DCC-susceptible strains; C57BL/6J, DCC-resistant strain) to compare the genetic factors in the development of DCC. We found that DBA/2 and C3H/He mice share the same gene pattern(s) that is responsible for DCC. We determined by backcross linkage analysis in DBA/2 and C57BL/6 mice that at least one recessive locus is responsible for DCC. A haplotype analysis of the backcross data demonstrated that the recessive locus, designated dyscalc1, is located on Chromosome 7, 20.5 cM distal to the centromere. The likely candidate genes for dyscalc1 are discussed. Further understanding of the structure and function of these mutant genes will be beneficial in explaining the molecular pathogenesis of DCC.

[Histomorphometry of silicon nitride composite endosteal implant in dogs]

OBJECTIVE

To study the dynamic changes of bone interface with silicon nitride (Si3N4) composite implants.

METHODS

4 Beagle dogs were experimental animals, Si3N4-HA and pure Si3N4 implant were experimental group, and Ti and Ti-HA were used as comparisons. They were implanted into dogs' femurs by stages. Histomorphometry was used to analyse and compare bone growth metabolism of bone interface with implant as well as evaluation of biocompatibility from quantitative and dynamic aspects.

RESULTS

Parameters expressing mineralization and speed of deposition at the Si3N4-HA bone interface were higher than comparisions' at the first month. After 6 months, pure Si3N4's bone histomorphometic parameters had no notable difference with others.

CONCLUSION

New implant material is useful to the clinic. The histomorphometry is of much value for the study of interface bone metabolism from quantitative and dynamic point of view.

[Clinical significance of changes of interleukin 6 level in pregnancy induced hypertension]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the clinical significance of changes of interleukin-6 (IL-6) level in patients with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH).

METHODS

IL-6 level in urine and blood were measured by sandwich enzyme labeled immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 82 patients with PIH and 30 normal pregnant women.

RESULTS

Blood IL-6 level in severe PIH patients was significantly higher than that in mild PIH patients and normal pregnant women. IL-6 level of urine in PIH patients were significantly higher than that in normal pregnant women and was associated with the severity of disease. There was a positive correlation between urinary IL-6 level and severity of renal damage in PIH.

CONCLUSION

Determination of IL-6 level is useful to understand the severity of PIH and its renal damage.

Field stitching algorithm for the analysis of electrically large diffractive optical elements

A rigorous electromagnetic algorithm is presented for the analysis of electrically large diffractive optical elements (DOE's), i.e., those that contain small features and have large apertures compared with the wavelength of illumination. The technique uses a finite-sized analysis window within which a rigorous electromagnetic technique is used to solve the local boundary-value problem. To this end the boundary-element and finite-difference time-domain methods are used. The analysis window is translated over the entire surface of the DOE and stitches together the complete solution. We validate the techniques by comparing the stitched boundary fields with those of a complete analysis, in both magnitude and phase, for a binary lens. To illustrate the utility of our method we analyzed an eight-level diffractive lens with a 10, 000-wavelength diameter sampled at 0.05 wavelength that required 8 Mbytes of memory on a desktop personal computer.

Role of tyrosine phosphorylation in thrombin-induced endothelial cell contraction and barrier function

Thrombin-induced endothelial cell (EC) barrier dysfunction is highly dependent upon phosphorylation of serine and threonine residues present on myosin light chains (MLC) catalyzed by a novel EC myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) isoform. In this study, we examined the participation of tyrosine protein phosphorylation in EC contraction, gap formation and barrier dysfunction. We first determined that thrombin significantly increases protein tyrosine kinase activity and protein tyrosine phosphorylation in bovine pulmonary artery EC. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors, genistein and 2,5 DHC, reduced EC tyrosine kinase activities, however, only genistein significantly attenuated thrombin-mediated increases in albumin clearance and reductions in transendothelial electrical resistance. Similarly, genistein but not 2,5 DHC, decreased basal and thrombin-induced Ca2+ increases and MLC phosphorylation in the absence of alterations in Type 1 or 2A serine/threonine phosphatase activities. Immunoprecipitation of the EC MLCK isoform revealed a 214 kD immunoreactive phosphotyrosine protein and genistein pretreatment significantly reduced MLCK activity in MLCK immunoprecipitates. Although thrombin induced the translocation of p60src from the cytosol to the EC cytoskeleton, a detectable increase in the level of MLCK tyrosine phosphorylation was not noted after thrombin challenge. Taken together, our data suggest that genistein-sensitive tyrosine kinase activities are involved in thrombin-mediated EC MLCK activation, MLC phosphorylation, and barrier dysfunction.

A study of the relationship between caries activity and the status of dental caries: application of the Dentocult LB method

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the relationship between caries activity and the status of caries of primary teeth and the relationship between the quantity of Lactobacillus in the oral cavity and the status of dental caries.

METHODS

The status of caries of primary teeth in 164 children ages 3 to 5 was examined. Caries incidence, mean DFT, and Caries Severity Index (CSI) were calculated. Based on the quantity of Lactobacilli in the saliva of preschool children detected with the Dentocult LB method of caries activity, four grades were classified: Grade 0 = 10(3) CFU/mL, Grade I = 10(4) CFU/mL, Grade II = 10(5) CFU/mL, and Grade III = 10(6) CFU/mL.

RESULTS

The results showed that 34.15% of the children had caries status beyond Grade I. There were significant differences of caries status, DFT, and CSI among different grades, all of which increased with grades. There was a high correlation between grades and caries incidence, DFT, and CSI in the 164 preschool children.

CONCLUSION

As a Caries Activity Test (CAT), detection of Lactobacilli may reveal the status of dental caries and provide valuable information for the prevention and treatment of dental caries.

Phospholipase D activation in endothelial cells is redox sensitive

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are implicated in the pathophysiology of a number of vascular disorders, including atherosclerosis. Recent studies indicate that ROS modulate signal transduction in mammalian cells. Previously, we have shown that ROS (hydrogen peroxide, fatty acid hydroperoxide, diperoxovanadate, and 4-hydroxynonenal) enhance protein tyrosine phosphorylation and activate phospholipase D (PLD) in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAECs). In the present study, our aim was to investigate the role of exogenous thiol agents on ROS-induced PLD activation in conjunction with the role of cellular thiols--glutathione (GSH) and protein thiols--on PLD activation and protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Pretreatment of BPAECs with N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) or 2-mercaptopropionylglycine (MPG) blocked ROS-induced changes in intracellular GSH and PLD activation. Also, pretreatment with NAC attenuated diperoxovanadate-induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Pretreatment of BPAECs with diamide or L-buthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine (BSO), agents that lower intracellular GSH and thiols, enhanced PLD activity. Furthermore, NAC blocked diamide- or BSO-mediated changes in GSH levels, PLD activity, and protein tyrosine phosphorylation. NAC also attenuated diamide-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins between 69 and 118 KDa. These results support the hypothesis that modulation of thiol-redox status (cellular nonprotein and protein thiols) may contribute to the regulation of ROS-induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation and PLD activation in vascular endothelium.

[Primary experience in inframammary crease reconstruction]

OBJECTIVE

To improve the result of augmentation mammaplasty.

METHODS

The authors selected 15 patients whose primary breast volume was less than 70 ml. During augmentation mammaplasty on these patients, the inframammary creases were reconstructed by lifting and fixation under the pectorales major. The paper elaborated on the principle, design and method of the operation.

RESULTS

Postoperative follow-up for 6 to 12 months showed good results.

CONCLUSION

This method is simple, of rational design and leaving no scar on the skin.

The relationship between caries activity and the status of dental caries--application of the Dentocult SM method

OBJECTIVE

To study the relationship between caries activity and the status of dental caries in preschool children using a caries activity test (CAT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The status of primary tooth caries in 229 children ages 3 to 5 was examined. Caries incidence, DFT, and caries severity index (CSI) were calculated. Based on the quantity of Streptococcus mutans in the oral cavity detected with Dentocult SM, a caries activity test, four grades of caries activity were classified: Grade 0 (< 10(4) colony-forming units/mL), Grade I (10(4)-10(5) CFU/mL), Grade II (10(5)-10(6) CFU/mL), and Grade III (> 10(6) CFU/mL).

RESULTS

The results showed that 79.48% children had Grade I or higher caries severity. Significant differences of caries activity were found among different grades, which were highly correlated with caries incidence, DFT, and CSI (r = 0.22216, 0.31212, and 0.32276, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

As a CAT, Dentocult SM is a reliable method for measuring the status of dental caries in preschool children. It is also a valuable tool in the prevention and treatment of dental caries.

[Malignant mixed mesodermal tumors of the ovary: a clinical analysis of 12 cases]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the clinical characteristics, treatment and prognostic factors of patients with malignant mixed mesodermal tumors of the ovary (MMMTO).

METHODS

Clinical data of 12 patients with MMMTO between 1983-1997 were reviewed retrospectively. The median age of the patients was 50.7 years. According to FIGO staging system (1985), there were 4 cases in stage II, 6 in stage III and 1 in stage IV. Staging was unclear in the remaining case. Heterologous and homologous elements were present in the primary ovarian tumors in 4 and 8 of the 12 patients, respectively. All patients received cytoreductive surgery. Eleven of them received postoperative chemotherapy and 3 of these eleven patients received additional radiotherapy of pelvic field.

RESULTS

The median survival of this group of 12 patients was 24 months. The 2- and 5-year survival rate was 33.3% (4/12) and 8.33% (1/12), respectively. The 2-year survival rate of stage II and III was 50% and 33.3% respectively. One patent in stage IV died within 1 year. Four of the 8 patients with homologous histology survived over 2 years while all the 4 cases with heterologous histology died within 2 years. Five of the 11 patients (45.5%) received combination therapy died within 1 year while 1 patient treated with surgery alone died within 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The prognosis of MMMTO is rather poor. Surgery combined with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy seems to be a better choice of approach. The histological tpyes of tumor and stage of the disease are related to prognosis.

Regulation of endothelial cell myosin light chain phosphorylation and permeability by vanadate

The involvement of tyrosine protein phosphorylation in the regulation of endothelial cell (EC) contraction and barrier function is poorly understood. We have previously shown that myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation catalyzed by a novel 214 kDa EC myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) isoform is a key event in EC contraction and barrier dysfunction [Garcia et al. (1995): J Cell Physiol 163:510-522; Garcia et al. (1997): Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 16:487-491]. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that tyrosine phosphatases participate in the regulation of EC contraction and barrier function via modulation of MLCK activity. The tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, sodium orthovanadate (vanadate), significantly decreased electrical resistance across bovine EC monolayers and increased albumin permeability consistent with EC barrier impairment. Vanadate significantly increased EC MLC phosphorylation in a time-dependent manner (maximal increase observed at 10 min) and augmented both the MLC phosphorylation and permeability responses produced by thrombin, an agonist which rapidly increases tyrosine kinase activities. The vanadate-mediated increase in MLC phosphorylation was not associated with alterations in either phosphorylase A Ser/Thr phosphatase activities or in cytosolic [Ca2+] but was strongly associated with significant increases in EC MLCK phosphotyrosine content. These data suggest that tyrosine phosphatase activities may participate in EC contractile and barrier responses via the regulation of the tyrosine phosphorylation status of EC MLCK.