A panning DLT procedure for three-dimensional videography

The direct linear transformation (DLT) method [Abdel-Aziz and Karara, APS Symposium on Photogrammetry. American Society of Photogrammetry, Falls Church, VA (1971)] is widely used in biomechanics to obtain three-dimensional space coordinates from film and video records. This method has some major shortcomings when used to analyze events which take place over large areas. To overcome these shortcomings, a three-dimensional data collection method based on the DLT method, and making use of panning cameras, was developed. Several small single control volumes were combined to construct a large total control volume. For each single control volume, a regression equation (calibration equation) is developed to express each of the 11 DLT parameters as a function of camera orientation, so that the DLT parameters can then be estimated from arbitrary camera orientations. Once the DLT parameters are known for at least two cameras, and the associated two-dimensional film or video coordinates of the event are obtained, the desired three-dimensional space coordinates can be computed. In a laboratory test, five single control volumes (in a total control volume of 24.40 x 2.44 x 2.44 m3) were used to test the effect of the position of the single control volume on the accuracy of the computed three dimensional space coordinates. Linear and quadratic calibration equations were used to test the effect of the order of the equation on the accuracy of the computed three dimensional space coordinates. For four of the five single control volumes tested, the mean resultant errors associated with the use of the linear calibration equation were significantly larger than those associated with the use of the quadratic calibration equation. The position of the single control volume had no significant effect on the mean resultant errors in computed three dimensional coordinates when the quadratic calibration equation was used. Under the same data collection conditions, the mean resultant errors in the computed three dimensional coordinates associated with the panning and stationary DLT methods were 17 and 22 mm, respectively. The major advantages of the panning DLT method lie in the large image sizes obtained and in the ease with which the data can be collected. The method also has potential for use in a wide variety of contexts. The major shortcoming of the method is the large amount of digitizing necessary to calibrate the total control volume. Adaptations of the method to reduce the amount of digitizing required are being explored.

The lux autoinducer regulates the production of exoenzyme virulence determinants in Erwinia carotovora and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Erwinia carotovora and Pseudomonas aeruginosa secrete exoenzymes that contribute to the pathogenesis of plant and mammalian infections respectively. E.carotovora mutants defective in synthesis of the pectinase, cellulase and protease exoenzymes were isolated and classified into two groups. Group 2 mutants were found to be defective in the production of a small freely diffusible molecule, N-3-(oxohexanoyl)-L-homoserine, lactone (HSL), and were avirulent. Addition of exogenous HSL to these group 2 mutants restores synthesis of the exoenzymes and virulence in planta. Of the exoenzymes of P.aeruginosa the metalloprotease, elastase, is an established virulence determinant. Mutants of P.aeruginosa that are defective in elastase production have been isolated and were again found to fall into two groups. Analogous to the group 2 mutants of E.carotovora, group 2 mutants of P. aeruginosa are defective in the synthesis of HSL and exogenous HSL restores elastase production. HSL has now been linked to the control of bioluminescence in Vibrio fischeri, carbapenem antibiotic production of E.carotovora and the above exoenzyme virulence determinants. This information significantly enhances our understanding of the extent and nature of pheromone mediated gene expression control in prokaryotes.

Treatment of herpes zoster: recombinant alpha-2a-interferon versus acyclovir and vitamin therapy. Clinical Study Group on Interferon

The efficacy of r-interferon alpha 2a (IFM) versus acyclovir (ACV) and vitamin therapy in the treatment of herpes zoster is reported. A total of 305 patients were randomly divided into 3 groups. One million units of IFN were administered i.n. once a day for 6 days in 223 cases, oral ACV 200 mg five times daily for 7 days in 34 cases, and vitamin B12, B1 and B2 therapy at conventional doses for 7-14 days in 48 cases. The results showed that both IFN and ACV could reduce pain in patients with herpes zoster and cut the total duration of symptoms, in comparison with vitamin therapy (P < 0.01). In the IFN group, 45 patients (20.2%) experienced side effects, including mild fever in 35 cases (15.7%) and a slightly depressed leukocyte count or increased serum ALT level (3 cases each). In the ACV group, one complained of discomfort in the gastroenteric tract, and another patient reported lumbodynia.

Changes in the structure and catalytic activities of the bovine pituitary multicatalytic proteinase complex following dialysis

The multicatalytic proteinase complex (proteasome) contains at least four distinct active sites catalyzing the degradation of selected chromogenic substrates (trypsin-like, chymotrypsin-like, and peptidylglutamyl peptide hydrolyzing activities) and proteins such as beta-casein. Oxidized insulin B chain was recently proposed as a model substrate for protein degradation by the multicatalytic proteinase complex (Dick, L. R., Moomaw, C. R., DeMartino, G. N., and Slaughter, C. A. (1991) Biochemistry 30, 2725-2734). We studied the dialysis-induced activation of the hydrolysis of oxidized insulin B chain by this enzyme. Removal of EDTA from purified preparations of bovine pituitary multicatalytic proteinase complex by dialysis against Tris-HCl buffers led to marked changes in the catalytic properties and structure of the enzyme. Dialysis produced a time-dependent activation of oxidized insulin B chain hydrolysis with predominant cleavage at the Glu13-Ala14 bond. A new chromogenic assay was developed for measurement of this activity. Activation was accompanied by a virtually total inactivation of the chymotrypsin-like, trypsin-like, and peptidylglutamyl peptide hydrolyzing activities. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed a loss of the 24-kDa subunit and the appearance of a new band at 21 kDa. Amino-terminal amino acid analysis established that the 21-kDa band was autolytically derived from the 24-kDa subunit. Evidence for partial dissociation and/or aggregation indicated that autolysis destabilizes the complex. By altering the profile of catalytic activities of the multicatalytic proteinase complex, autolysis may serve as a mechanism for regulation of this macromolecule.

Direct evidence for protein kinase C involvement in insulin-stimulated hexose uptake

Insulin has been reported to translocate protein kinase C (PKC) in rat adipocytes, and activation of PKC by phorbol esters is known to increase hexose uptake in these cells (1.2). To test the hypothesis that PKC may participate in insulin-stimulated hexose uptake, adipocytes were partially depleted of protein kinase C by overnight phorbol ester treatment, thereby impairing insulin effects on hexose uptake. Purified PKC was then introduced into these PKC-depleted adipocytes by electropermeabilization, and this fully restored insulin-stimulated hexose uptake. These findings provide direct evidence that PKC is required for insulin-stimulated hexose uptake.

Effects of insulin on diacylglycerol/protein kinase-C signalling and glucose transport in rat skeletal muscles in vivo and in vitro

Insulin treatment in vivo provoked rapid dose-related increases in diacylglycerol content and/or translocation of protein kinase-C (PKC) from cytosol to membranes in rat soleus and gastrocnemius muscles. These effects were apparent with 1) insulin doses that provoked submaximal and maximal increases in glucose utilization, and 2) glucose-stimulated endogenous insulin secretion. Insulin-stimulated PKC translocation was evident when PKC was assayed by 1) histone or protamine phosphorylation after PKC purification by Mono Q column chromatography, and 2) immunoblotting for PKC beta and PKC epsilon. Dose-related effects of insulin on PKC translocation were also observed in the rat soleus in vitro, and this was associated with increased phosphorylation of 40- and 80-kilodalton proteins, which were also phosphorylated by phorbol ester treatment. A role for diacylglycerol-PKC signalling in insulin-stimulated glucose transport was suggested by studies of [3H]2-deoxyglucose ([3H]2-DOG) uptake in the rat soleus in vitro in that 1) PKC translocation and 2-DOG uptake were correlated; and 2) stimulatory effects of insulin and phorbol esters on 2-DOG uptake were apparently nonadditive.

Effect of serum thyrotropin levels on the concentration of messenger RNA for thyroid peroxidase in the rat

The effect of serum TSH on rat thyroid peroxidase mRNA levels was studied in order to investigate the regulation of thyroid peroxidase gene expression in vivo. A nearly full-length rat thyroid peroxidase cDNA clone was isolated from a bacteriophage cDNA library synthesized using poly A+ RNA isolated from the thyroids of propylthiouracil-treated rats. cDNA probes derived from this clone were used to study rat thyroid peroxidase mRNA levels in response to the level of serum TSH. Two major rat thyroid peroxidase mRNA bands were detected on Northern blots of total cellular RNA (at 3.2 kb and at 3.7 kb). Injection of thyroxine, which lowered the levels of serum TSH, also lowered the steady-state levels of both rat thyroid peroxidase mRNAs, whereas treatment with methimazole, which increased serum TSH, increased both rat thyroid peroxidase mRNA levels. In hypophysectomized rats 10 days postoperative, very low levels of thyroid peroxidase mRNA were observed. Injection of bovine TSH (1 IU/day) increased rat thyroid peroxidase mRNA expression, preferentially in the 3.2 kb band. These results clearly demonstrate that TSH regulates rat thyroid peroxidase mRNA levels in vivo.

3,4-dichloroisocoumarin-induced activation of the degradation of beta-casein by the bovine pituitary multicatalytic proteinase complex

The breakdown of beta-casein (caseinolytic activity) by the bovine pituitary multicatalytic proteinase complex (MPC) is initiated by a fourth active site different from the previously described chymotrypsin-like activity (cleavage of Cbz-Gly-Gly-Leu-p-nitroanilide, where Cbz is benzyloxycarbonyl), trypsin-like activity (cleavage of Cbz-D-Ala-Leu-Arg-2-naphthylamide), and peptidylglutamyl peptide bond-hydrolyzing (PGP) activity (cleavage of Cbz-Leu-Leu-Glu-2-naphthylamide) (Yu, B., Pereira, M. E., and Wilk, S. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 17396-17400). 3,4-Dichloroisocoumarin, a serine proteinase inhibitor, stimulated the caseinolytic activity of bovine pituitary or lens MPC, 3-18-fold under conditions under which the other three catalytic activities were inactivated. Addition of hydroxylamine to the modified enzyme did not reverse the effects of the inhibitor. A form of the proteinase exhibiting only 2-4% of control chymotrypsin-like, trypsin-like, and PGP activities degraded beta-casein with no accumulation of intermediate peptides. 3,4-Dichloroisocoumarin, by reacting with the chymotrypsin-like, trypsin-like, and/or PGP-active sites, may promote a conformational change of MPC, rendering the caseinolytic active site accessible to the substrate. Once bound to the active site, beta-casein is rapidly degraded either by the caseinolytic component itself or by a cooperative interaction with catalytic centers that are not affected by the serine proteinase inhibitor. These results imply that the caseinolytic component does not belong to the class of serine proteinases. Other proteins tested were not degraded by the 3,4-dichloroisocoumarin-treated enzyme, suggesting that the conformation of beta-casein may be more adequate for degradation by the caseinolytic component.

Enzymatic changes of the bovine pituitary multicatalytic proteinase complex, induced by magnesium ions

The effect of magnesium ions on the catalytic activities of the bovine pituitary multicatalytic proteinase complex (MPC) was studied. Mg2+ markedly stimulated the breakdown of dephosphorylated beta-casein (caseinolytic activity) and the hydrolysis of Cbz-Leu-Leu-Glu-2-naphthylamide (peptidylglutamyl peptide bond hydrolyzing activity) by a 1700-fold purified preparation of MPC. Cleavage of Cbz-D-Ala-Leu-Arg-2-naphthylamide (trypsin-like activity) was strongly inhibited and cleavage of Cbz-Gly-Gly-Leu-p-nitroanilide (chymotrypsin-like activity) was weakly inhibited. Similar results were produced when enzymatic activities in the absence of Mg2+ were measured at 52 degrees C rather than at 37 degrees C. Trace protein impurities were removed by phenyl-Sepharose chromatography. This additional chromatographic step, while not changing the specific activities of hydrolysis of the three synthetic chromogenic substrates, led to a marked activation of the breakdown of dephosphorylated beta-casein. Mg2+ was not able to further stimulate the caseinolytic activities of either the phenyl-Sepharose-treated preparation or the preparation measured at 52 degrees C. Mg2+ therefore converts a "repressed" form of MPC to an "activated" form, possibly by promoting dissociation of a protein inhibitor, and may serve as a physiological regulator of this enzyme complex.

[Quality of tuberous root of Liriope spicata (Thunb.) Lour. var. prolifera Y.T.Ma and Ophiopogon japonicus (L.F.) Ker-Gawl.--comparison of immune function]

This paper deals with comparative study on the immune function of the tuberous root of Liriope spicata var. prolifera and Ophiopogon japonicus. The results showed that the aqueous extract of both species mentioned above could increase obviously the spleen weight (immunity organ) of mice, enhance the clearance rate of iv charcoal particles in mice and antagonize remarkably the leukopenia caused by cyclophosphamide.

Chemical modification of the bovine pituitary multicatalytic proteinase complex by N-acetylimidazole. Reversible activation of casein hydrolysis

The effect of N-acetylimidazole, a mild acetylating reagent, on the catalytic activities and subunit structure of the bovine pituitary multicatalytic proteinase complex (MPC) was studied. The trypsin-like activity (cleavage of Cbz-D-Ala-Leu-Arg-2-naphthylamide) and the peptidylglutamyl-peptide bond hydrolyzing (PGP) activity (cleavage of Cbz-Leu-Leu-Glu-2-naphthylamide) of MPC were rapidly inactivated by N-acetylimidazole, whereas the chymotrypsin-like activity (cleavage of Cbz-Gly-Gly-Leu-p-nitroanilide) was inactivated slowly. However, the hydrolysis of casein was markedly stimulated. Hydrolysis of casein by the acetylated enzyme generated a stable intermediate (21 kDa) which could be further degraded by native MPC. Treatment of acetylated MPC with hydroxylamine reversed the changes in trypsin-like and caseinolytic activities but did not restore the PGP activity. N-Acetylimidazole did not dissociate MPC but altered its migration on nondissociating gels presumably by acetylation of epsilon-amino groups of lysine residues. Hydroxylamine did not alter the gel electrophoretic appearance of the acetylated enzyme. These results indicate that acetylation of thiol or tyrosyl groups changes the trypsin-like and caseinolytic activities, and that amino group acetylation inhibits the PGP activity. Degradation of casein by MPC appears to be a sequential process with initial cleavage catalyzed by a component distinct from the chymotrypsin-like, trypsin-like, and PGP activities. The latter three components likely participate in the secondary proteolysis of the generated intermediates.

A clinical and laboratory study of ciclopirox olamine (8% Batrafen) in the treatment of onychomycosis

Ciclopirox olamine, a new synthetic substituted pyridone derivative, is an antimycotic agent with activity against a broad spectrum of pathogenic and nonpathogenic fungi. The clinical efficacy and safety of 8% ciclopirox olamine nail liquor were evaluated in 100 cases with finger (or great toe) onychomycosis. After 16 weeks and 24 weeks of treatment for finger and great toe onychomycosis, respectively, the overall therapeutic results were excellent in 36 cases, good in 17, fair in 24, and poor in 23. The period of treatment was extended in 31 cases; among them, 10 cases showed further improvement. As for in vitro inhibitory activity, the MIC of ciclopirox olamine against T. rubrum and C. albicans was 1 to 4 mg/L and 1 to 16 mg/L, respectively. This study indicates that 8% ciclopirox olamine nail liquor, with its satisfactory efficacy and lack of side effects, is a good remedy for onychomycosis.

[Studies on the quality of fructus Cnidii--comparison of antibacterial action]

Comparative studies on antibacterial and antifungal action of the fruits of C. monnieri from four habitats and two other species of Cnidium showed they had inhibitory potency to some bacterial and fungi in vitro. C. monnieri and C. salium were more effective than C. dahuricum in antibacterial activities. C. monnieri had higher antifungal effect than C. salium and C. dahuricum.

Model of recurrent pulmonary aspergillosis in rats

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with cortisone acetate and fed a low-protein diet for 3 weeks. At the end of week 2, animals were infected intratracheally with 10(5) conidia of Aspergillus fumigatus H11-20. Despite discontinuation of steroids and the low-protein diet 1 week after the infection, 94% of controls died of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis within 3 weeks postinfection. When rats were treated with a single dose of 1.6 mg of aerosolized amphotericin B per kg of body weight 48 h prior to the infection, mortality was reduced to 11% within 3 weeks postinfection. Despite apparent good health and rapid weight gain, all survivors showed multiple lesions in histopathological sections of the lungs, and 10(3) to 10(4) CFU of aspergilli was recovered from cultures of their lungs. With discontinuation of immunosuppression, the infection was slowly cleared; however, when cortisone acetate was restarted during week 5, reactivation of progressive invasive pulmonary aspergillosis was observed. On the basis of these results, we conclude that a single low dose of aerosolized amphotericin B prophylaxis is effective in preventing an exogenous aspergillus infection of the lung. Additional therapy is needed to prevent recurrent infection caused by endogenous aspergilli when immunosuppression is resumed.

Effects of naloxone on tissue oxygen supply and somatosensory evoked potentials in cat brain during focal cerebral ischemia

The effects of naloxone on local tissue oxygen partial pressure (pO2) and on the somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) were studied in the brain of cat during focal cerebral ischemia. Ischemia, produced by clamping of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) by a transorbital approach, was performed in two series of cats for 3 h. In one group of cats (n = 5), naloxone 5 mg.kg-1 was injected i.v. 0.5 h after clamping. The pO2 was continuously recorded on different depths (0-5000 microns) of the median gyrus by a polarographic oxygen microelectrode. After MCA clamping, pO2 (depth of 0-1000 microns) decreased markedly and hypoxia occurred in the ischemic area. But in the deeper brain (1001-5000 microns) pO2 did not change significantly. The amplitude of SEP decreased after MCA clamping, while the conduction time of SEP did not significantly decrease. The mean pO2 values in the ischemic area were increased as compared to the control group after naloxone, especially at the depths of 0-1000 microns, and the hypoxia was improved. The amplitude of SEP was increased after naloxone in comparison to the situation of ischemia without naloxone. The conduction time of SEP was not improved significantly. We conclude that naloxone can improve the oxygen supply and the electrical activity of neurons in the ischemic region of the brain.

[The relation between corneal autolysis and the lysosomal enzyme level in aqueous humor and corneal storage medium]

The activity of acid phosphatase, a marker enzyme of lysosomal enzymes, in aqueous humor of wet-chamber stored eyeball and corneal storage medium was determined. The results showed a significant rise in the enzyme activity as the storage time increased, i.e. the degree of autolysis of the cornea progressed.

Distribution of endopeptidase-24.15 in rat brain nuclei using a novel fluorogenic substrate: comparison with endopeptidase-24.11

A novel fluorogenic substrate for the neutral metalloendopeptidase-24.15 (E.C.3.4.24.15; EP-24.15) was synthesized which allowed continuous assay of the enzyme. The substrate, Glutaryl-Phe-Ala-Ala-Phe-4-methoxynaphthylamide (G-FAAF-4MN) is cleaved at the Phe-Ala bond by EP-24.15 (Km = 0.026 mM). The product, AAF-4MN is subsequently hydrolyzed to its constituent amino acids and the potent fluorophore 4MN by aminopeptidase M. This method has allowed the measurement of the specific activity EP-24.15 within microdissected nuclei of rat brain. The enzyme was found to have a relatively broad distribution within brain nuclei, and the activity ranged from 15-80 nmol 4MN/mg prot/h in all areas examined. The activity of EP-24.15 was relatively high in the medial and lateral pre-optic nuclei, where potential substrates include the dynorphin-like peptides and LHRH. The activity of EP-24.15 was compared with that of endopeptidase-24.11 (E.C.3.4.24.11, 'enkephalinase', EP-24.11), another peptide-cleaving metalloenzyme. EP-24.11 appeared to have a much more narrow distribution, with very high specific activity in basal ganglia as well as in the supraoptic and suprachiasmatic nuclei.

Antisense DNA downregulates protein kinase C isozymes (beta and alpha) and insulin-stimulated 2-deoxyglucose uptake in rat adipocytes

Rat adipocytes were treated with antisense dimethoxytrityl pentadecadeoxynucleotides, complementary to mRNA initiation codon regions for alpha and beta isozymes of protein kinase C (PKC). This antisense treatment provoked 50-70% decreases in PKC and insulin-stimulated 2-deoxyglucose uptake, but did not inhibit insulin-stimulated diacylglycerol synthesis. Sense or nonsense oligodeoxynucleotides were without effect on PKC and 2-deoxyglucose uptake. These results suggest that: (i) PKC-alpha and PKC-beta isozymes can be specifically downregulated in rat adipocytes by antisense oligodeoxynucleotides, and (ii) insulin-stimulated glucose transport requires PKC.

[Clinical analysis of 6 cases of pyoderma gangrenosum]

This article reports 6 cases of pyoderma gangrenosum of either acute or chronic clinical type. Etiologically, we found that minor local trauma could induce ulcerative and destructive lesions, with typical pyoderma gangrenosum features following in 4 cases. All the patients responded well to systemic corticosteroids. In comparison with cases reported in other countries, no systemic diseases (including ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease and polyarthritis) were found in our series. Cultures taken from early pustular lesions were sterile. Histopathological examination showed heavy neutrophilic infiltration in the dermis, and no evidence of vasculitis was found in the biopsies. Immunological investigations revealed no specific reactions in our cases.

Expression of growth-related genes during tumor progression in v-raf-transformed rat liver epithelial cells

Clonal cell lines were derived from rat liver epithelial cells following their transformation with either v-raf or v-raf/v-myc. Cells transformed with v-raf alone showed reduced tumor incidence and tumor growth rates when implanted into nude mice, compared to cells also expressing the v-myc oncogene. A series of additional clones isolated from a tumor obtained following inoculation of an athymic nude mouse with the v-raf-transformed rat liver epithelial cells displayed an intermediate range of tumor aggressiveness. These findings indicate that unknown genotypic and/or phenotypic changes occur during tumor formation in vivo, which are required in addition to raf activation for complete expression of the malignant phenotype. This in vitro model of tumor progression was used to examine alterations in the expression of genes related to the growth control of liver epithelial cells, which may be involved in the malignant conversion of the preneoplastic cells. A close association was observed between the increased level of expression of the transforming growth factors alpha and beta 1, the decreased expression of extracellular matrix proteins fibronectin and collagen I, and the tumor aggressiveness (latency/growth rate), suggesting a causal role for these factors in the progression of v-raf-transformed rat liver epithelial cells to the fully malignant phenotype.

Use of immunoblotting to detect Aspergillus fumigatus antigen in sera and urines of rats with experimental invasive aspergillosis

Immunoblotting was used to detect Aspergillus fumigatus antigen in sera and urines of immunosuppressed rats experimentally infected with A. fumigatus. Organisms were administered by both intravenous and intratracheal injections. Intravenously infected rats developed disseminated aspergillosis, but intratracheally infected rats developed pulmonary disease only. Fungal cultures of blood and urine samples from infected rats were negative. In the urines of intravenously infected rats, antigen was detected 24 to 48 h after infection; in the urines of intratracheally infected animals, antigen was detected on days 4 to 5 after infection. Antigen in serum was detected later than antigen in urine was. Following sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting of serum and urine samples, the most strongly reacting antigenic materials were found in the 88-, 40-, 27-, and 20-kilodalton regions. These dominant antigens appeared to be the same as those of control antigens prepared from A. fumigatus grown in vitro. Rabbit antiserum to Aspergillus filtrate antigen was found to be more immunoreactive than antiserum to mycelial or conidial antigen. No mycelium-specific antigens were detected.

Detection of Candida antigenuria in disseminated candidiasis by immunoblotting

Immunoblotting (Western blotting) was used to detect Candida albicans antigens in urine of 10 patients with disseminated candidiasis who had two or more positive blood cultures. Twelve urine samples were examined; and antigenuria was found in five of six patients with C. albicans infections, in one patient with a mixed Candida infection (including C. albicans), and in one of two patients with C. tropicalis infection. All except one specimen was collected from 2 to 12 days after initiation of amphotericin B therapy. Positive samples showed different numbers of bands in Western blots with an antigen that had an apparent molecular weight of 47,000 in common. This antigen was not found in the urine of patients who had more than 5 days of therapy for candidiasis and who were responding to therapy. The results suggest that Western blotting for C. albicans antigens in urine may be a useful method for the diagnosis of disseminated candidiasis and for evaluating antifungal treatment.

Miniaturization of a liquid membrane sensor for the determination of bile acids

The preparation of a compound liquid ion exchanger used for the miniaturization of bile acid sensitive microelectrode is described. The liquid ion exchanger is 2% benzyldimethylhexadecylammonium cholate in decanol/0.1 M hexadecyltributylammonium taurocholate in 5% hexachlorobenzene, 0.5% bromoacetanilide O-dichlorobenzene. The slopes, detection limits, selectivity coefficients, drifts and response time of the various bile acid sensitive microelectrodes are evaluated and compared.

[Preliminary study of atrial natriuretic peptide in patients with cardiac deficiency and its clinical significance]

Immunoreactive atrial natriuretic peptide (irANP) has been measured in 24 patients of various cardiac diseases by radioimmunoassay. According to the TCM, these patients were divided into 4 groups: cardiac energy deficiency mild (A) and severe (B) groups; simple cardiac deficiency (C); and the control (D). The New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification of cardiac function in 5 cases of group A were all degree IV; in 6 cases of group B were 2 of degree IV and 4 of degree III; in 6 cases of group C were 1 of degree III, 3 of degree II and 2 of degree I; and in 6 cases of group D were all degree I. The results of chest X-ray and echocardiogram suggested that the classification of cardiac function was objective. The quantity of irANP in group A-D and NYHA IV-I decreased gradually and was correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction (r = -0.87, P less than 0.01). The average amounts of irANP in the different TCM groups A-D were at the equivalent levels in the groups NYHA IV-I. Meanwhile it was found that the cardiac energy deficiency patients had abnormality in some parameters of hemorrheology, but no correlation with irANP. It suggested that the diagnosis of cardiac deficiency by TCM was correlated with the different degree of NYHA in the sense of biochemical index of irANP. The irANP might be considered as one of the objective signs of the cardiac energy deficiency, which also might represent the severity of the disease.

A new macromolecular antitumor antibiotic, C-1027. III. Antitumor activity

C-1027, a new macromolecular antitumor antibiotic produced by Streptomyces globisporus C-1027, showed extremely potent cytotoxicity toward cultured cancer cells. Compared in terms of IC50 values, antibiotic C-1027 showed much more potent cytotoxicity than doxorubicin, mitomycin C and neocarzinostatin. Spermatogonial assay, a prescreen for anticancer drugs, was highly sensitive for detection of C-1027. At tolerable doses, C-1027 exhibited marked inhibition on a panel of transplantable tumors in mice, which included leukemia L1210, P388, ascites hepatoma H22, sarcoma 180 and melanoma Harding-Passey.

[Experimental study on the antigoiter effect of high casein nutrition]

In this experiment, goiter was successfully induced in rat with MMI, and the antigoiter effect of 25% and 50% casein diet was observed. The results showed that the diet with 50% casein is more effective than that with 25% casein in counteracting MMI and preventing goiter in rat. The antigoiter mechanisms of high protein nutrition might be as follows: Protecting the mechanism of thyroid iodine transportation through the follicular cell, and therefore accelerating thyroid iodine metabolism; Relieving thyroid peroxidase (TPO) from the inhibitive effect of MMI and facilitating thyroid hormone synthesis; Coordinating the function of hypothalamus-pituitary-TSH-thyroid axis and protecting the wholeness of thyroid cell and thus avoiding the occurrence of pathological changes.

Direct N-terminal sequence analysis of rat liver plasma membrane glycoproteins separated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

Nine previously uncharacterized membrane glycoproteins from normal rat liver have been analyzed by amino acid sequencing from two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-D PAGE) after transblotting to Immobilon-P membranes. Three of these components show altered levels of expression in liver tumors. A single electroblotted polyacrylamide gel yielded sufficient quantities of these glycoproteins for amino acid sequencing and the N-terminal structure could be determined for four of them. The remaining five glycoproteins of interest were not sequenceable in this manner, presumably because they had blocked N-termini. Prior to electrophoresis, two enrichment methods were applied to the crude liver membrane preparations: affinity chromatography with concanavalin A to isolate the plasma membrane glycoproteins and then fast protein liquid chromatography on Superose 12 to obtain components having a specific range of molecular weights. These materials were next subjected to 2-D PAGE using pH 4-6 carrier ampholytes in the first dimension and 7.5% sodium dodecyl sulfate gels in the second. The proteins were then electroblotted to Immobilon-P membranes and located by staining with Coomassie Brilliant Blue R-250. Our results demonstrate that N-terminal sequencing (gas-phase) can be achieved on polypeptides obtained from approximately 250 micrograms of total glycoproteins applied to a single 2-D gel.

Immediate hypersensitivity skin reactions to human dander in atopic dermatitis. Partial purification and characterization of human dander allergens

Using high-speed gel filtration chromatography, an aqueous extract of human dander was divided into four fractions (fractions I to IV). Scratch tests with the crude human dander extract and each fraction were performed in 147 patients with atopic dermatitis and 100 control subjects. The crude extract provoked positive reactions in 61.9% (91/147) of patients with atopic dermatitis and 6% (6/100) of control subjects. The most potent allergenic component was present in fraction II, which induced positive reactions in 61.2% (90/147) of patients with atopic dermatitis. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis demonstrated that fraction II contained two proteins with molecular weights of 10,000 and 13,000, respectively.

Differential attitudes of Chinese students toward people with disabilities: a cross-cultural perspective

The purpose of this study was to examine the attitudes of 338 Chinese secondary school students toward three major disability groups (people who are physically disabled, emotionally disturbed, and mentally retarded) using an adaptation of the American Scale of Attitudes toward Disabled Persons (SADP). We found that physically disabled persons were rated higher across the three subscales of the SADP compared to either emotionally disturbed and mentally retarded individuals, who were rated similarly low by the students. The lack of differentiation between the two mental handicapping conditions is at variance with contemporary western findings. The overall negative attitudes toward people with mental disabilities may have significant implications for community rehabilitation programming for this population.

Specificity of the fatty acyl moieties of diacylglycerol for the activation of calcium-activated, phospholipid-dependent protein kinase

The specificity of the fatty acyl moieties of diacylglycerol for the activation of Ca2+-activated, phospholipid-dependent protein kinase was investigated. Diacylglycerol has been previously shown to activate this enzyme by increasing the affinity for Ca2+ and phospholipid, both of which are indispensable for the enzyme activation. Diacylglycerols containing at least one unsaturated fatty acid at either position 1 or 2 are fully active in this capacity, irrespective of the chain length of the other fatty acyl moiety in the range tested, C2 to C18. Diacylglycerols containing two saturated fatty acids such as dipalmitin and distearin are far less effective. Mono- and triacylglycerols and free fatty acids are totally inactive, indicating that the diacylglycerol structure is essential.