Structural and functional analysis of a MADS box containing genomic DNA sequence cloned from rice

A putative MADS box gene (RgMADS1) was cloned by screening a rice genomic library with a heterogeneous MADS box probe derived from Antirrhinum majus squamosa gene. Sequencing and Southern analysis showed that RgMADS1 contains a highly conserved MADS box sequence, - whereas the rice genome contains numbers of MADS box genes. A chimera gene of RgMADS1 under the control of CaMV 35S promoter was constructed and used to transform Arabidopsis. Some transformants exhibited abnormal phenotypes in their flowers, which were reflected in the floral structure, number and setting position. Therefore, RgMADS1 is likely a member of rice MADS box gene family and may be involved in the floral establishment and function control in the rice developmental process.

Production of emotional facial expressions in European American, Japanese, and Chinese infants

European American, Japanese, and Chinese 11-month-olds participated in emotion-inducing laboratory procedures. Facial responses were scored with BabyFACS, an anatomically based coding system. Overall, Chinese infants were less expressive than European American and Japanese infants. On measures of smiling and crying, Chinese infants scored lower than European American infants, whereas Japanese infants were similar to the European American infants or fell between the two other groups. Results suggest that differences in expressivity between European American and Chinese infants are more robust than those between European American and Japanese infants and that Chinese and Japanese infants can differ significantly. Cross-cultural differences were also found for some specific brow, cheek, and midface facial actions (e.g., brows lowered). These are discussed in terms of current controversies about infant affective facial expressions.

[Timosaponins E1 and E2]

By means of silica gel chromatography and HPLC, two compounds were isolated from Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bge.. On the basis of chemical and spectral (MS, 1H, 13CNMR, IR) analyses, their structures were elucidated as (25S)-26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-22-hydroxy-5 beta-furost-3 beta, 15 alpha, 26-triol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-D-galactopyranoside (1), and (25S)-26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-22-methoxy-5 beta-furost-3 beta, 15 alpha, 26-triol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-D-galactopyranoside (2). They are named as timosaponin E1 (1) and timosaponin E2 (2) respectively. The structure of anemarrhenasaponin-I (A) is briefly discussed. Timosaponins are the main active constituents of Anemarrhena asphodeloides, most of them were shown to can inhibit platelet aggregation.

[Development and applications of high performance membrane chromatography]

Development and applications of high performance membrane chromatography (HPMC) are introduced. Base membranes, membrane geometries and separations of biomolecules using high performance affinity membrane chromatography (HPAMC), high performance ion-exchange membrane chromatography (HPIEMC) and high performance hydrophobic interaction membrane chromatography (HPHIMC) are reviewed. Enantiomeric separation using HPMC are prospected. Seventy-six references are cited.

Production of emotional facial expressions in European American, Japanese, and Chinese infants

European American, Japanese, and Chinese 11-month-olds participated in emotion-inducing laboratory procedures. Facial responses were scored with BabyFACS, an anatomically based coding system. Overall, Chinese infants were less expressive than European American and Japanese infants. On measures of smiling and crying, Chinese infants scored lower than European American infants, whereas Japanese infants were similar to the European American infants or fell between the two other groups. Results suggest that differences in expressivity between European American and Chinese infants are more robust than those between European American and Japanese infants and that Chinese and Japanese infants can differ significantly. Cross-cultural differences were also found for some specific brow, cheek, and midface facial actions (e.g., brows lowered). These are discussed in terms of current controversies about infant affective facial expressions.

[Effect of rodents on reforestation in the moumtain regions near Beijing]

From 1993 until 1995, the influence of rodents on reforestation in the mountain regions near Beijing was studied in order to estimate the pressure of rodents on the seed supply, search for effective ways to decrease the loss of seeds due to consumption by rodents, and increase seed germinating power. It was shown that acorns, apricot pits and nuts are almost entirely carried away from the soil surface by rodents, thus suggesting that rodents have a great impact on the seed supply. When the seeds were sowed at a depth of about 5 cm, many of them were not eaten by rodents; 39% of acrons and 18% of apricot pits germinated on the following year. We propose that deep sowing of seeds may effectively decrease the loss of seeds through consumption by rodents.

[Treatment of arteriovenous malformation by linear accelerator radiosurgery]

OBJECTIVE

To summarize the effectiveness of radiosurgery for cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs).

METHOD

We treated with linear accelerator radiosurgery 17 patients harboring AVMs in the brain. 15 AVMs were located supratentorially and others infratentorially. All the patients were treated with single fraction. The doses at AVM margin were 15 to 30 Gy.

RESULT

AVMs disappeared in 13 of the 17 patients, reduced in 3 and unchanged in only 1 at 2 year follow up. Vasogenic edema observed in 2 patients, their neurologic deficits were all improved with steroid.

CONCLUSION

Linear accelerator radiosurgery is effective in dealing with cerebral AVMs. It provides with a new means of treatment for AVMs which can't be effectively treated with microsurgery and embolization.

[Immunogenicity and efficacy trials of live attenuated hepatitis A vaccines]

OBJECTIVE

To study two live vaccines, H2 and LA-1 strains, both attenuated in growth on human diploid cell culture at lower temperature (32 degrees C).

METHODS

Randomized, controlled trials were performed among half million children. 135,340 children were divided into vaccine or control groups by individual and 360,012 by cluster. Those susceptibles with negative anti-HAV were bled at 2-6 months after the vaccination and blood test for anti-HAV.

RESULTS

37 hepatitis A cases were found in the control group. The protective efficacy of the two vaccines was 100%, and the 95% lower confidence limit (one sided) of combined efficacy of the two vaccines was 92.1%, that was comparable with the two inactivated vaccines produced by SmithKline beecham or Merck Sharp Dhome.

CONCLUSION

The vaccines are safe, and the seroconversion to H2 strain (10(7.0) TCID50) and LA-1 strain (10(6.75) TCID50) is 94.87% and 83.16% respectively.

[Expression and mutation of p53 and H-ras genes in the carcinogenesis and development of gastric adenocarcinoma induced by MNNG in rats]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of p53 and H-ras genes in the carcinogenesis of and development of gastric cancer induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) in Wistar rats.

METHODS

The expression of p53 and H-ras genes in normal mucosa, precancerous lesions and induced-cancers were studied immunohistochemically. DNA isolated from the precancerous lesion and tumors were analysed by PCR-SSCP for exon 5-8 of p53 gene and exon 1 and 2 of H-ras gene.

RESULTS

p53 protein were detected in 50% (20/40) of the gastric cancers studied, but not in the precancerous lesion, while p21 ras protein seen in 23% (9/40) of the gastric cancers and 44% (23/52) of the precancerous lesions. p53 gene mutations were detected in 45% (18/40) of the cancers and none in the precancerous lesions by PCR-SSCP. H-ras gene mutation was not found in either the cancers or the precancerous lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

The activation of ras gene is an early event and may be involved in the carcinogenesis of gastric cancer induced by MNNG. Inactivation of p53 gene may influence the development of the cancer.

Age- and sex-related differences in zinc and lead levels in human hair

The hair of 1518 healthy subjects between newborn and 70 yr old living in Linfen city and the surrounding rural area in Shanxi province, North China, was analyzed by means of a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer method in order to determine the concentrations of zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb). The collected samples were subdivided on the basis of age, sex, and place of residence (urban and rural). In female hair, the contents of Zn were higher than in male, but the hair Pb concentrations of males were slightly higher than those of females. Age seems to have a different influence on the two elements. The maximum amount of hair Zn was found generally in newborns. From the baby group (<1 yr) to the puberty group (15-19 yr), Zn levels in hair increased with age, and then Zn levels decreased with age from the puberty group to elderly group (61-70 yr). The hair Pb levels were the lowest in newborns, increased with age from newborn to infant (1-2 yr), and then decreased with age from infant to the elderly. It was shown that the hair Pb and Zn levels were inversely related in various age groups, suggesting that there is possibly antagonism between Pb and Zn in the human body. The results also showed the hair Pb levels of subjects living in the urban area, except for newborns, were higher than those of subjects residing in the rural area. However, no difference between the hair Zn contents of the populations residing in urban and rural areas.

Synthetic strategies for the preparation of precursor polymers and of microcapsules suitable for cellular entrapment by polyelectrolyte complexation of those polymers

The production of microcapsules suitable for the entrapment of mammalian cell by means of polyelectrolyte complexation has, of a necessity, led to the development of novel strategies for the preparation of relatively bioinert polymers which complex efficiently under unique conditions to produce a mechanically resilient membrane with efficient transport properties. In this communication we relate a brief overview of capsule-membrane forming systems for the immunoisolation (or potential immunoisolation) of mammalian cells, which are based upon the complexation of polyelectrolyte (PE) polymers; with emphasis on precursor synthesis and relationships between precursor polymer structure and capsule membrane stability.

[The progress of morphological research on the parabrachial nucleus]

In this paper, the progress of morphological research on the PBN, the cytoarchitecture of the PBN, and the fiber connections between the PBN and the spinal, the brainstem, the forebrain and the other nucleus were summarized. Its function in the relationship between the meridian and the internal organ was also assumed.

[Dynamic study of anti-NS5 and ALT in post-transfusion hepatitis C]

In order to study the character and dynamic changes of HCV NS5 antigen in post-transfusion hepatitis C, EIA was established with fusion protein, and different groups of population were investigated. The results showed the positive rate of whole blood donor, normal people, chronic hepatitis C patients and post transfusion hepatitis C patients is 0.0%, 1.66%, 50.7% and 70.5%, respectively. Serial blood samples of 25 cases of acute or chronic post-transfusion hepatitis C were detected, and the results indicated that the antibody of NS5 appeared relatively late, and the serum conversion time was 182.9 +/- 168.5 days. The anti-NS5 positive rate in 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after HCV infection was 28%, 40%, 52%, 68% and 76%, respectively. The positive rate of anti-NS5 in sera with HCV RNA was 61.9%. Analysis on the appearance of antibody to the different antibody region of the gene, ALT and HCV RNA showed the dynamic changes of anti-NS5 were corresponding to the serum ALT in some cases, indicating antibody of NS5 appear later and may reflect the disease activity to some extent. The dynamic changes of anti-NS5 are of four kinds: transient positive, intermittent positive, persistent positive and persistent negative in during the two years period.

Chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei in lymphocytes of workers at a phosphate fertilizer factory

The frequencies of chromosomal aberrations (CA) and micronuclei (MN) in peripheral blood lymphocytes of 40 workers at a phosphate fertilizer factory in North China, were studied. HF and SiF4 are the main air pollutants and small amounts of dust containing fluoride, NH3 and SO2 were also present in the factory. It was shown that the chemicals caused an increase in both CA and MN. The mean frequencies per 100 metaphase of major CA type (chromosome rings, translocations, and dicentrics) of the workers and the non-exposed controls were 0.91 and 0.24 (p < 0.01), respectively. The average percentages of lymphocytes with MN of the workers and the controls were 1.55 +/- 0.71 and 0.62 +/- 0.54 (p < 0.01), respectively. Both CA frequency and MN frequency of the workers increased with length of the chemical exposure period up to 10 years.

Effect of a chemical modification on the hydrated adenosine intermediate produced by adenosine deaminase and a model reaction for a potential mechanism of action of 5-aminoimidazole ribonucleotide carboxylase

Using the hydrated adenosine intermediate (6R)-6-amino-1, 6-dihydro-6-hydroxy-9-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)purine (2) produced by adenosine deaminase (ADA, EC 3.5.4.4) as a starting point, the active site probe and inhibitor platform 5-(formylamino)imidazole riboside (FAIRs, 4) was designed by removal of the-C6(OH)(NH2)-molecular fragment of 2 generated by the early events of the enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis. FAIRs was synthesized directly from the sodium salt of 5-amino-1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)imidazole-4-carboxylic acid (CAIR) along a reaction sequence involving a tandem N-formylation/decarboxylation that may have a mechanistic connection to the Escherichia coli purE-catalyzed constitutional isomerization of N5-CAIR to CAIR. The physical and spectral properties of FAIRs were elucidated, its X-ray crystal and NMR solution structures were determined, and its interaction with ADA was investigated. Crystalline FAIRs exists solely as the Z-formamide rotamer and exhibits many of the same intramolecular hydrogen bonding events known to contribute to the association of Ado to ADA. In water and various organic solvents, however, FAIRs exists as NMR-distinct, slowly interconverting Z and E rotamers. This truncated enzymatic tetrahedral intermediate analog was determined to be a competitive inhibitor of ADA with an apparent Ki binding constant of 40 microM, a value quite close to that (33 microM) of the natural substrate's K(m). The actual species selected for binding by ADA, though, is likely the minor hydroxyimino prototropic form of Z-FAIRs possessing a far lower true Ki value. As the structural features of FAIRs appear well-suited to support its use as a template for constructing active site probes of both ADA and AIR carboxylases, a variety of carbohydrate-protected versions of FAIRs suitable for facile aglycon elaborations were synthesized. The N3-alkylation, N3-borane complexation, and C4-iodination of some of these were investigated in order to assess physicochemical properties that may assist in the elucidation of mechanisms for the AIR carboxylases. The survey of these properties taken together with a reasonable mechanism for the model CAIRs-->FAIRs synthetic transformation is interpreted to support a mechanism for the purE-catalyzed N5-CAIR-->CAIR biosynthetic one that involves a carboxylative sp3-rehybridization of the imidazole C4 atom rather than one possessing a dipole-stabilized C4 sp2 carbanionic intermediate.

[Molecular analysis of spontaneous and arsenite-induced mutations at the gpt locus in Chinese hamster ovary cells]

In this study, we examined the mutagenicity of sodium arsenite at the xathine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase locus (gpt) in a pSV2 gpt-transformed CHO cell line AS52. The chemical induced a dose-dependent increase of mutant frequency at the locus. Nested PCR analysis revealed that the majority of arsenite-induced AS52 mutants had totally deleted the gpt gene. For the spontaneous, 50 mumol/L arsenite--and 100 mumol/L arsenite--induced mutants in AS52 cells, the percentages of total deletion of the gpt gene were 36.00%, 54.72% and 66.67% respectively. The PCR products of gpt gene from nine 100 mumo/L sodium bisulfite-induced mutants were analyzed with direct DNA sequence technology. The frameshift mutation was identified in two mutants (2/9). No genomic alteration could be found in the structural gene examined in the other 7 mutants, where their molecular alterations probably located in the promoter region.

Electrophysiological evidence that spinomesencephalic neurons in the cat may be excited via spinocervical tract collaterals

Extracellular microelectrode recordings were made from spinomesencephalic tract (SMT) neurons in the lumbosacral spinal cord of cats anaesthetized with chloralose and paralysed with gallamine triethiodide. The SMT cells were antidromically fired from the posterolateral parts of the superior colliculus and the intercollicular region, were located in laminae IV to VIII, and had response properties and axonal conduction velocities similar to those described previously. The effects of stimulating the dorsolateral funiculus of the cervical cord at C3 and rostral C1, below and above the termination of spinocervical tract (SCT) axons in the lateral cervical nucleus, were examined on 33 SMT cells. The strength of stimulation was adjusted so that at C3 it was above threshold for antidromic activation of SCT cells and at C1 was below threshold for activation of the same cells. Seven (21%) SMT neurons were excited from C3 but not from C1. The remaining 26 (79%) were excited from both C3 and rostral C1 and 23 (70% of these) were excited significantly more from C3. That is, 91% of the total sample were either excited only from C3 or more strongly from C3 than from rostral C1. We discuss the possible neuronal systems involved and conclude that the greater excitatory effects from C3 are most likely due to antidromic activation of the SCT. The shortest latency effects from C3 indicate a monosynaptic linkage between SCT cells with the fastest axons and the SMT. The longer latency actions may be due to monosynaptic connexions from SCT cells with slower conducting axons, to di- or polysynaptic actions from SCT cells with fast axons, or a combination of both. SMT cells are another population of spinal neurons, in addition to postsynaptic dorsal column, spinothalamic and dorsal horn spinocerebellar neurons, which receive excitation via SCT collaterals.

[The effect of phenytoin in healing of fracture of rabbits]

It was reported that the systemic use of phenytoin could promote healing of fracture. In order to observe the effect of local application of phenytoin in the healing of fracture, the experiment was performed. Seventy-two rabbits were divided into three groups. Fractures were created on both radius of all rabbits. Group 1, intraperitoneal injection of phenytoin with a dosage of 50 mg/kg per day; Group 2, local use of phenytoin with a dosage of 40 mg/kg was injected in the fracture site every seventy-two hours, and Group 3, injection mormal saline of in the control group. Eight rabbits in each group were sacrificed in the 9th, 16th and 30th days after operation respectively. By X-ray excuiualtion, the healing of fracture was observed. Dry and wet weights of the callus were determined. After HE and Mallory's stain, the samples were examined under microscope. Results showed that both local and systemic use of phenytoin promoted healing of fracture. The effects of phenytoin in the two groups were the same and had no significant difference.

Effect of structural modification of enol-carboxamide-type nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs on COX-2/COX-1 selectivity

Meloxicam (5), an NSAID in the enol-carboxamide class, was developed on the basis of its antiinflammatory activity and relative safety in animal models. In subsequent screening in microsomal assays using human COX-1 and COX-2, we discovered that it possessed a selectivity profile for COX-2 superior to piroxicam and other marketed NSAIDs. We therefore embarked on a study of enol-carboxamide type compounds to determine if COX-2 selectivity and potency could be dramatically improved by structural modification. Substitution at the 6- and 7-positions of the 4-oxo-1,2-benzothiazine-3-carboxamide, alteration of the N-methyl substituent, and amide modification were all examined. In addition we explored several related systems including the isomeric 3-oxo-1,2-benzothiazine-4-carboxamides, thienothiazines, indolothizines, benzothienothiazines, naphthothiazines, and 1,3- and 1,4-dioxoisoquinolines. While a few examples were found with greater potency in the COX-2 assay, no compound tested had a better COX-2/COX-1 selectivity profile than that of 5.

[A prospective study on transfusion-related hepatitis C virus infection]

64 cases of blood recipients were followed-up for 6 months to study infection of hepatitis C virus. The infection rate of hepatitis C virus was 18.75% in total, including 8 cases of post-transfusion hepatitis C (PT-HC), 1 case of subclinical PT-HC, and 3 cases of anti-HCV sero conversion only. The time of initial ALT abnormality and anti-HCV sero conversion were 28 to 91 (51.9 +/- 20.9) days and 23 to 76 (42.4 +/- 15.9) days after blood transfusion respectively. There were 2 cases with cytomeglovirus infection and another 5 cases with unknown infectious agent were found in this study.

Head group analogs of arachidonylethanolamide, the endogenous cannabinoid ligand

Several analogs of an endogenous cannabimimetic, arachidonylethanolamide (anandamide), were synthesized to study the structural requirements of the ethanolamide head group. CB1 receptor affinities of the analogs were evaluated by a standard receptor binding assay using tritiated CP-55,940 as the radioligand and compared to anandamide which was shown to have a Ki of 78 nM. Replacement of the amide carbonyl oxygen by a sulfur atom had a detrimental effect on the CB1 affinity. The thio analogs of both anandamide and (R)-methanandamide showed very weak affinity for CB1. The secondary nature of the amidic nitrogen was also shown to be important for affinity, indicating a possible hydrogen-bonding interaction between the amide NH and the receptor. Introduction of a phenolic moiety in the head group resulted in the loss of receptor affinity except when a methylene spacer was introduced between the amidic nitrogen and the phenol. A select group of analogs were also tested for their affinity for the CB2 receptor using a mouse spleen preparation and were found to possess low affinities for the CB2 sites. Notably, anandamide and (R)-methanandamide demonstrated high selectivity for the CB1 receptor. Overall, the data presented here show that structural requirements of the head group of anandamide are rather stringent.

Effect of a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug on synovial fluid in osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE

The use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) therapy in osteoarthritis (OA) is controversial because of suggestions that pure analgesics can be as effective as NSAID for pain relief. In addition, there is incomplete information whether antiinflammatory effects have any longterm benefit in OA. NSAID have been known to affect synovial fluid (SF) prostaglandins in rheumatoid arthritis. We describe the first examination of the effect of an NSAID, etodolac, on SF prostaglandins, cytokines, and cells in OA.

METHODS

Joint fluids were studied before and 2 weeks after initiation of therapy with etodolac 400 mg tid. Leukocyte counts, prostaglandin, interleukin 6, and tumor necrosis factor were measured.

RESULTS

Pretreatment features of SF did not predict clinical response. We found no change in the relatively low leukocyte counts. However, SF prostaglandin levels and interleukin 6 levels were significantly decreased and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels were increased after therapy with NSAID.

CONCLUSION

This NSAID had potentially important local effects that could be either beneficial or deleterious. Further studies on effects of this and other NSAID on a broader variety of SF and synovial cytokines may help predict longterm effects of NSAID on progression of OA.

Polymerase chain reaction-based deletion analysis of spontaneous and arsenite-enhanced gpt mutants in CHO-AS52 cells

In this study, we have examined the mutagenicity of sodium arsenite at the xanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase locus (ypt) in a pSV2 gpt-transformed CHO cell line, AS52. Our results provide very weak evidence for arsenite as a gene mutagen because the chemical at high doses and at high cytotoxicity enhances barely a doubling of mutant frequency (MF) and a doubling of the gpt gene deletion frequency compared to controls. We suggest that the increase in MF in arsenite-treated cells results from arsenic, as comutagen, enhancing the induction effect of any unknown endogenous or exogenous factors on the spontaneous mutagenesis of AS52 cells. Nested PCR analysis mutants has a total deletion of the gpt gene. For the spontaneous, 50 microM arsenite- and 100 microM arsenite-enhanced spontaneous mutants in AS52 cells, the percentages of total deletion of the gpt gene are 36.00%, 54.72% and 66.67%, respectively. We suggest that a high proportion of the gene deletion in arsenite-enhanced mutants may be due to the high cytotoxicity of the chemical.