Mutations in the medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) gene

Medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) catalyzes the first reaction of the beta-oxidation cycle for 4-10-carbon fatty acids. MCAD deficiency is one of the most frequent inborn metabolic disorders in populations of northwestern European origin. In the compilation of data from a worldwide study of 172 unrelated patients each representing an independent pedigree, a total of 8 different mutations have been identified. Among them, a single prevalent mutation, 985A-->G, was found in 90% of 344 variant alleles. 985A-->G causes glutamate substitution for lysine-304 in the mature MCAD subunit, which causes impairment of tetramer assembly and instability of the protein. Three of 7 rarer mutations have been identified in a few unrelated patients, while the remaining 4 have each been found in only a single pedigree. In addition to tabulating the mutations, the acyl-CoA dehydrogenase gene family, the structure of the MCAD gene and the evolution of 985A-->G mutation are briefly discussed.

Tunneling Spectroscopy of M3C60 Superconductors: The Energy Gap, Strong Coupling, and Superconductivity

Tunneling spectroscopy has been used to characterize the magnitude and temperature dependence of the superconducting energy gap (triangle up) for K(3)C(60) and Rb(3)C(60). At low temperature the reduced energy gap, 2triangle upkappaT(c) (where T(c) is the transition temperature) has a value of 5.3 +/- 0.2 and 5.2 +/- 0.3 for K(3)C(60) and Rb(3)C(60), respectively. The magnitude of the reduced gap for these materials is significantly larger than the value of 3.53 predicted by Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer theory. Hence, these results show that the pair-coupling interaction is strong in the M(3)C(60) superconductors. In addition, measurements of triangle up(T) for both K(3)C(60) and Rb(3)C(60) exhibit a similar mean-field temperature dependence. The characterization of triangle up and triangle up(T) for K(3)C(60) and Rb(3)C(60) provides essential constraints for theories evolving to describe superconductivity in the M(3)C(60) materials.

Esophageal diverticulum associated with carcinoma of the esophagus--a report of four cases

During a 25-year period, four patients with esophageal diverticulum associated with carcinoma of the esophagus underwent surgery. The results were satisfactory. The clinical features included a long history of diverticulum and the presence of a carcinoma of the esophagus in close proximity to the former. Inflammation within the diverticulum and in the mucosa around the diverticulum was noted. The closer the diverticulum to the carcinoma, the more severe the inflammation. Therefore, diverticulitis and esophagitis may be important factors leading to the development of carcinoma of the esophagus, and patients with esophageal diverticulum should be followed up regularly and the diverticulum resected as early as possible if inflammation within the diverticulum or peri-diverticular esophagitis is found.

[Drug identification and research on Fritillaria monantha Migo (pengze beimu) produced in Jiangxi Province]

This paper reports the drug identification and investigation on plant of Fritillaria monantha(Pengze Beimu) produced in Jiangxi Province. It has been found that F. monantha is a new distribution of genus Fritillaria in Jiangxi and a new variety of Chinese drug of beimu.

Inactivation of the elastase inhibitory activity of alpha 1 antitrypsin in fresh samples of synovial fluid from patients with rheumatoid arthritis

The proteinase inhibitory ability of alpha 1 antitrypsin was measured in 23 samples of rheumatoid arthritis synovial fluid, eight osteoarthritic synovial fluids and nine normal control serum samples. For each sample a detailed kinetic analysis was performed with porcine pancreatic elastase as the target proteinase. Samples were stored for less than 24 hours at 4 degrees C before analysis, which does not significantly alter the proportion of inactive alpha 1 antitrypsin. In rheumatoid synovial fluid the elastase inhibitory ability was disproportionately depressed relative to the immunochemically determined concentrations of alpha 1 antitrypsin.

Cytogenetic studies on a human rectal carcinoma cell line (HR-8348)

Cytogenetic properties of a human rectal carcinoma cell line (HR-8348) established in China are described. The early (29th passage) and late (93rd passage) passage cells were used for chromosome analysis. HR-8348 was found to have an essentially triploid karyotype. This distribution of chromosome numbers was rather dispersed in early passage, whereas it was concentrated in the 65-70 range in late passage. G-banded karyotype analysis also showed that the numerical distribution of chromosomes was dispersed in early passage and was associated with more abnormal chromosomes. In late passage, the numerical distribution became more stable and the number of abnormal chromosomes was reduced. In 60 metaphases analyzed, 10 marker chromosomes were found. The frequencies of M1, M2 and M3 were 100% in both early and late passage cells. The morphological characteristics of these marker chromosomes and their possible origin and role in the pathogenesis of colorectal carcinoma are discussed.

[Pharmacological study on anti-hepatitis effect of Cotinus coggygria Scop. Syrup]

This paper shows that the Cotinus coggygria syrup has the effect of protecting the liver from chemical damages, reducing tension of the choledochal sphincter, increasing the bile flow and raising the body immunity. The anti-hepatitis effect may be carried out through decreasing transaminase, normalizing functioning of the gallbladder, reducing icterus and enhancing the immunity of the body.

Effects of lactate on pathways of glycogen formation in the perfused rat liver

In order to investigate the roles of lactate as substrate and regulator of hepatic glycogen synthesis, two groups of rat livers were perfused with oxygenated blood for 2 h. The initial perfusate glucose and lactate concentrations of Group I and II were 245 +/- 6.8 and 254 +/- 12.9 mg/dl and 49 +/- 2.6 and 54 +/- 2.2 mg/dl respectively. Labelled glucose was added to the perfusate to assess direct glycogen formation. Either additional glucose (Group I) or lactate (Group II) was added (1 mg/min) to a recirculating liver-perfusion system. Initial lactate uptake and glucose formation was identical in the two groups of studies. For Group I, both glucose and lactate uptake by the liver fell to nearly zero, in spite of increasing glucose concentrations. However, with lactate infusion (Group II), its uptake by the liver was maintained at 0.89 +/- 0.14 mg/min after 120 min. In total, 6.2 +/- 0.7 mg (Group I) or 20.2 +/- 3.9 mg (Group II) of glycogen was formed, 4.0 +/- 0.7 mg or 9.2 +/- 2.0 mg by direct synthesis from glucose and 2.2 +/- 0.3 mg or 11.0 +/- 2.1 mg by gluconeogenic formation, in Groups I and II respectively. With the provision of additional lactate, its uptake by the perfused liver tripled, as did glycogen synthesis. Glucose production doubled when lactate was added instead of glucose. Gluconeogenic formation of glycogen increased by 400%. Surprisingly, direct synthesis from glucose also rose by 130%. These data indicate that continued lactate uptake by the liver with gluconeogenic glycogen formation determines the amount of glycogen formed not only by this route, but also by direct synthesis from glucose.

A novel micromanipulation technique for measuring the bursting strength of single mammalian cells

Information about the bursting strength of animal cells is essential if the mechanisms of cell damage in bioreactors are to be understood, and if cell mechanical properties are ever to be related to cell structure and physiology. We have developed a novel cell compression technique that makes it possible to directly measure the bursting strength of single mammalian cells, and to infer information about cell mechanical properties.

Augmentation of cellular immune function during the early phase of zidovudine treatment of AIDS patients

Twenty-five patients with AIDS in AIDS Clinical Trials Group Protocol 002 were treated with either low or high dosages of zidovudine. This resulted in moderate, transient increases by 10 and 20 weeks in lymphocyte blastogenesis and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production in vitro in response to phytohemagglutinin with and without recombinant interleukin-2. Immune responses to cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus type 1 antigens were augmented less frequently during therapy. Natural killer (NK) cell lysis of uninfected and human immunodeficiency virus-infected cells was also transiently increased by 10 and 20 weeks. IFN-gamma production, the only immune parameter directly associated with increases in numbers of CD4+ T cells, peaked at 10 weeks of treatment. The limited efficacy of zidovudine treatment in AIDS patients is associated with moderate, temporary increases in nonspecific and herpesvirus-specific T lymphocyte responses and NK cell function.

Treatment of small cell lung cancer

During a 28-year period, 110 patients with small cell lung cancer were treated at our hospital. Fifty-nine patients received surgery, and 58 patients (including 7 cases after exploratory thoracotomy) received chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. The 5-year survival rate of the surgically treated group was 17%, while none in the non-surgical group survived for more than 5 years.

[Clinical value of the Chengdu classification of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas]

Two hundred forty-nine cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) were reviewed by using the working classification of NHL (Chengdu, 1985). The results showed that the patients of 249 cases of NHL ranging in age from 5 to 76 years, with the mean age of 42 of the types were separated into three major prognostic groupings as follows: 1. low (41 of 249 cases, small lymphocytic 27 cases, lymphoplasmacytoid 2 cases, follicular cleaved 7 cases, follicular cleaved and noncleaved 5 cases); 2. intermediate (58 of 249 cases, diffuse cleaved 28 cases, diffuse cleaved and noncleaved 27 cases, follicular noncleaved 3 cases); and 3. high grade malignancy (150 of 249 cases, diffuse noncleaved 49 cases, lymphoblastic 41 cases, immunoblastic 13 cases, polymorphic 39 cases, clear cell 2 cases, histiocytic 6 cases). Each group was significantly different from the others (P less than 0.05). The prognosis of patients with angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy like T-cell lymphoma (9 of 249 cases) was not more significant (P greater than 0.05) than that of patients with other polymorphic lymphoma (30 of 249 cases). The results showed this Chengdu classification of NHL is good for practice and usage in clinical evaluation and routine surgical pathology.

Prostaglandin E and E2 alpha secretion by glandular and stromal cells of the pig endometrium in vitro: effects of estradiol-17 beta, progesterone, and day of pregnancy

Prostaglandins (PGs) are believed to play important roles in the establishment of pregnancy. Glandular and stromal cells were isolated from pig endometrium on days 11 through 19 of pregnancy and cultured in the presence of estradiol-17 beta (E2) and progesterone (P4) to determine the effect of day of pregnancy and steroids on the secretion of PGE and PGF2 alpha. Estradiol at concentrations between .01 and 1 microM did not affect PGE and PGF2 alpha secretion into the medium by glandular and stromal cells. Progesterone (.1 microM) suppressed (P less than .001) PGE and PGF2 alpha production from both cell types. Glandular cells secreted more (P less than .01) PGF2 alpha than PGE, whereas stromal cells collected on days 11, 12, 13, and 19 secreted more (P less than .05) PGE than PGF2 alpha. Stromal cells isolated from tissues collected on day 13 of pregnancy produced PGs with higher (P less than .01) PGE:PGF2 alpha ratio than those from tissues harvested on other days of pregnancy. Glandular cells isolated from tissues collected on days 13 and 19 and stromal cells isolated from tissue collected on day 13 of pregnancy secreted more (P less than .05) PGE and PGF2 alpha than cells isolated on other days of pregnancy. We conclude that: 1) P4 has a suppressing effect on PG secretion; 2) endometrial glandular and stromal cells each produce a unique profile of PGs; and 3) endometrial cells harvested on different days of pregnancy secrete different amounts of PGE and PGF2 alpha.

Pig endometrial cells in primary culture: morphology, secretion of prostaglandins and proteins, and effects of pregnancy

Luminal epithelial, glandular epithelial, and stromal cells were isolated from pig endometrium by enzymatic dispersion and sieve filtration. The three cell types, maintained in primary culture, showed distinctly different morphologies when viewed by light and scanning electron microscopy. Immunocytochemical staining indicated that luminal and glandular epithelial cells were positive for both cytokeratin and vimentin. However, stromal cells were positive only for vimentin. Acid phosphatase activity was detected in the culture medium of glandular cells and increased (P less than .05) when progesterone (.1 microM) was included in the culture medium. The secretion of uteroferrin by glandular cells was also indicated by one-dimensional PAGE and Western blot analysis. Stromal cells produced more (P less than .01) prostaglandin E (PGE) than prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha), whereas glandular cells secreted more (P less than .01) PGF2 alpha than PGE. Pregnancy status affected prostaglandin secretion in that stromal cells secreted less (P less than .01) PGE and PGF2 alpha and glandular cells secreted less (P less than .05) PGF2 alpha when they were harvested from pregnant vs cyclic pigs. Furthermore, the PGE:PGF2 alpha ratio in medium from stromal cells was greater (P less than .01) for cells collected from pregnant pigs. This culture system provides an in vitro model for studying the hormonal regulation of the endometrium and potentially may be useful for studying interactions between endometrial cells and embryos in the pig.

[Geographic distribution of Lyme disease in Mudanjiang]

Four forestry plant in Mudanjiang with different geographic characteristics were investigated in 1989. 2178 people were inquired and examined. 74 cases including 54 of ECM, 12 of nervous system disorder and 8 of arthritis were confirmed as Lyme disease. There were some patients at other places of forest areas of Mudanjiang. The prevalence rate of Lyme disease ranged from 1% to 4.5% at four plants with higher rate in mountainous area than in hilly land. It is first report that one strain of Lyme disease spirochetes was isolated from a patient with psychiatric derangement. It proved that Ixodes persulcatus play the leading role in transmission of Lyme disease spirochetes, as the growth curve of Ixodes persul catus is coincident with that of the patient with ECM.

[Experimental research of the effect of polysaccharides in semen Ziziphis Spinosae and Ziziphis Spinosae on enhancing the immune function of mice injured by radiation]

This article surveys the pharmacological effect of the polysaccharides in Semen Ziziphis Spinosae and Ziziphis Spinosae. The result shows that oral administration of this polysaccharide (0.1g/kg/d) can strengthen the immune function of cells nd body fluids and to a certain extent protect mice from radioactive injuries.

Erythrocyte vesiculation in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria

Red blood cells from patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) were found to be liable to vesiculate, as demonstrated by both DMPC liposome- and CaCl2-induced vesiculation and measured in terms of acetylcholinesterase activity and 3H-inositol radioactivity in the supernatant. Membrane proteins released from the cells during vesiculation included several constituents with molecular weights identical to those of some complement regulating factors (e.g. DAF) which play an essential role in complement-mediated hemolysis. Red blood cells from both normal and PNH patients showed decreased deformability after vesiculation. Liability to vesiculate and the consequential loss of certain essential membrane proteins and decreased deformability might be a factor contributing to the mechanism of hemolysis in PNH.

Antioxidant action of certain simple phenolic compounds derived from Chinese herbs

H2O2 and hydroxyl free radical active oxygen generation systems were utilized to define the antioxidant activities of simple phenolic compounds derived from Chinese herbs. Although the antioxidant activities of compounds differed when assessed in the two systems, all compounds tested were found to be effective at preventing red blood cell membrane lipid peroxidation, with the propyl and butyl esters of gallic acid being especially potent. No compound was able to prevent hemoglobin oxidation. All compounds but salicylic acid were found to interact dose-dependently with H2O2 and hydroxyl free radical as determined by a chemiluminescence method.

[Determination of cholic acid in man-made bezoar by derivative spectrometry]

Cholic acid in man-made bezoar can be determined by the suggested first order derivative spectrometric method. The peak amplitude within 310-290 nm is independent of the other components and only varies linearly with cholic acid concentration. The method is simple and accurate with good reproducibility.

[A nonisotopic enzymolysis assay method of phosphatidylinositol kinase]

A nonisotopic enzymolysis assay method of phosphatidylinositol kinase (PIK) has been developed. Phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PIP), phosphorylated from phosphatidylinositol (PI) by PIK was hydrolyzed with phosphainositide-specific phospholipase C. The product, inositol 1, 4-bisphosphate (IP2), was separated from inositol 1-phosphate (IP) with Dowex-1 column chromatography. Then, the IP2 was hydrolyzed by alkaline phosphatase to yield PI, and the PI was determined by colorimetry. The PIK activity was defined as PI nmol/mg protein per min. The recovery was 91%, CV = 6.5%

[Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of choroidal melanoma]

Ten choroidal melanomas studied were with computed tomography (CT, nine cases) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, one case). Both techniques detected all the intraocular tumors with localization and determination of the extent of the lesions. Three of them were found to have extraocular extension. Because both T1 and T2 were relatively shortened in melanoma, on T-weighted MR image, the tumor was seen as an area of moderately high signal and on T weighted image, melanoma appeared as an area of low signal. MRI can provide a histological diagnosis of this tumor.

[Surgical treatment of mediastinal bronchogenic cyst in the adult: a report of 10 cases]

The mediastinal bronchogenic cyst is one of rare congenital foregut anomalies, with low frequency and usually asymptomatic. When secondary infection develops, it rapidly increases in size and may compress the respiratory system, and cause acute respiratory distress, in that condition, emergency surgical intervention will be necessary. After operation which includes a complete cystectomy or a partial resection of the cyst, the prognosis is good. It is difficult to differentiate the bronchogenic cyst from the esophageal cyst on the basis of clinical examination. Correct diagnosis depends on the pathological features.

Observations on the treatment of allergic rhinitis with the method of invigorating vital energy and strengthening the body surface resistance

From clinical practice, the authors concluded that the principal pathogenic factor in allergic rhinitis is deficient resistance of the body surface, and the patient is exposed to invasion of wind-evil. 495 cases of the allergic rhinitis have been treated with the method of invigorating vital energy and strengthening the body surface resistance (Bu Qi Gu Biao); the total effective rate was 84%, and the recurrence rate was 13.2% in a follow-up of 2 years. The changes in plasma cyclic nucleotides of the patients, and the ultrastructure of nasal mucosa of patients and animal models were also observed before and after treatment. The results showed that the TCM therapy tended to normalize the plasma cyclic nucleotide level, to improve the morphology and function of cells and organelles, to restore the function of mucosal cilia, to reduce the infiltration of eosinophils and their degranulation, to reduce tissue edema, and to eliminate the deposit of immune complexes.

[Pharmacological studies on dingchuanning]

Dingchuanning has been found to increase markedly the perfusion of isolated lung of guinea-pig. It may produce a relaxing effect on the smooth muscles of the isolated trachea, bronchus and lung strips of guinea-pigs, as well as a prominent protective effect on the bronchial asthma induced by inhalation of bronchoconstrictors in conscious guinea-pigs. It also has significant expectorant and antianaphylactic effects and helps to inhibit markedly the SRS-A release from lung tissues and to counteract directly the activity of SRS-A.

[Effects of nitrendipine on diastolic left ventricular function and hypertrophy in patients with hypertension]

To assess the effects of antihypertensive therapy on the heart, left ventricular mass and performance indices (determined by M-mode and pulsed Doppler echocardiography) were compared before and after 4-5 months of nitrendipine therapy in 19 primary hypertensive patients (stage I and II). MAP was reduced from 17.1 +/- 1.7 to 14.5 +/- 1.7 kPa (128.5 +/- 12.7 to 109.0 +/- 13.1 mm Hg), P less than 0.001. The heart rate increased from 68 +/- 8 to 70 +/- 8 beats/min (P greater than 0.05). None of the indices for systolic function (SV, SI, CO, CI, EF, FS) changed significantly (P greater than 0.05). But the indices for diastolic function (RFF, RFR, VLef, IRP, EFv, A/E) improved remarkably (P less than 0.001 or 0.05). Furthermore, a positive correlation between the increasing rate of VLef and decreasing rate of MAP (r = 0.58, P less than 0.005) was noticed. Therefore, the decreasing in arterial pressure is considered as a major relative factor in the improvement of diastolic dysfunction. The patients were divided into two groups according to LVMI: group A, 11 patients with LVMI greater than or equal to 125 g/m2; while group B, 8 patients with LVMI less than 125 g/m2. The LV diastolic relaxation index IRP improved to a greater degree in group B (P less than 0.05), although the reduction of MAP was more markable in group A (P less than 0.05). This means that factors other than arterial pressure may influence the LV diastolic relaxation. In group A, the LVMI decreased from 155.1 +/- 29.9 to 144.4 +/- 33.0 g/m2 (a reduction of 7.0 +/- 9.0%). It suggests that LV hypertrophy can be "reversed" following nitrendipine therapy in some of the hypertensive patients.

[Effects of high carbohydrate and high fat diet on plasma apolipoproteins AI, AII, B100, CI, CII, CIII and E in normal and hypertriglyceridemic humans]

Effects of high carbohydrate (CHO) and high fat diet on plasma apolipoproteins (apo) AI, AII, B100, CI, CII, CIII and E were assessed in 10 healthy subjects and 10 patients with endogenous hypertriglyceridemia. High CHO diet consisted of 80% CHO, 5% fat and 15% protein of total calories, and high fat diet consisted of 40% CHO, 45% fat and 15% protein. After 5 days normal diet (60% of total calories from CHO, 25% from from fat and 15% from protein), the subjects studied received sequentially high CHO diet and normal diet for 5 days and high fat diet and normal diet for 5 days. Fasting blood samples were drawn on days 1, 3, and 5 of high CHO and high fat diet period, and 5 days after taking normal diet. Results showed that fasting plasma apo AI slightly decreased (P less than 0.01) on day 3 of the high CHO diet period and slightly increased (P less than 0.01) on day 3 of the high fat diet period, plasma apo AII increased after intake of high CHO diet, but no changes were observed after the subjects were placed on high fat diet. Fasting plasma apo B100 decreased (P less than 0.001) in hypertriglyceridemics on the 3rd day of the high CHO diet, but no differences were noted in normal subjects on the same diet. On the 3rd day of the high fat diet period, apo B100 increased (P less than 0.01) in normal subjects, but no changes were found in hypertriglyceridemics. Apo CII and CIII levels declined during the high CHO diet period but increased in normal subjects after intake of high fat died.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)