[Effect of electroacupuncture on cholecystokinin gene expression in rat hippocampus during penicillin-induced epileptic seizure]

Northern Blot and hybrization in situ techniques were used to investigate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the changes of cholecystokinin (CCK) mRAN levels of the hippocampus in rat penicillin-induced epilepsy model. Epilepsy can significantly increase CCK mRNA levels in dentate gyrus and CA3 areas of hippocampus in diencephalic sections after penicillin-induced seizure, whereas EA not only can attenuate the seizure behaviors and EEG changes, but also can decrease the increase of CCK mRNA contents induced by the seizure. However, in the subiculum, dentate gyrus and CA3 areas of mesencephalic sections of rat hippocampus, EA can further increase the enhancement of CCK mRNA concentration induced by penicillin-induced seizure. The results suggest that EA inhibitory effects on the seizure's behaviors and epileptiform activities may be related to the alteration of CCK gene expression in the different area of hippocampus.

[Studies on hydrolysis of anti-HRV IgY and its oral passive immunity effect to human rotavirus]

In this paper, hens of fine breed were immunized with human rotavirus (HRV), and the anti-HRV IgY was isolated and purified from their eggs collected daily. In addition, the resistance of anti-HRV IgY to hydrolysis of gastric juice and proteases in human digestive tract, the safety of IgY and the effectiveness of IgY in clinical use were observed as well. The results showed that anti-HRV IgY has a fairly good resistance to gastroinstestinal proteases. The safety of using anti-HRV IgY was affirmed by oral administration to mice of a solution of IgY. In clinical test the IgY has been proved to be anti-HRV and, therefore, effective against infections of infant diarrhea induced by HRV.

Induction of rabbit cyclooxygenase 2 in the anterior uvea following glaucoma filtration surgery

PURPOSE

This study was undertaken to evaluate for the presence of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) gene expression in the anterior uvea of rabbits following glaucoma filtration surgery.

METHODS

One of the following surgical procedures were performed on the right eye of New Zealand white albino rabbits: (1) paracentesis (2.5 mm limbal incision); (2) iridectomy through a 2.5 mm limbal incision; (3) lamellar scleral flap formation or (4) full glaucoma filtration surgery. The animals were sacrificed within 3 hours of post-surgery, and the anterior uveal tissues were isolated. Polymerase chain reaction-based techniques were employed to assay for the presence of COX2 transcript.

RESULTS

A partial coding sequence of the previously unreported rabbit COX2 gene was obtained. COX2 mRNA was detected in the operated eyes of animals that underwent either full filtration surgery or iridectomy through a limbal incision.

CONCLUSIONS

In normal rabbit anterior uveal tissue, there appears to be minimal expression of COX2 message. After experimental glaucoma filtration surgery, there is rapid induction of COX2 message.

Identification of a novel missense mutation in Wilson's disease gene

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the allelic heterogeneity of the ATP7B gene in Chinese patients with Wilson's disease (WD).

METHODS

Exons of the ATP7B gene from 141 WD patients' DNA were amplified with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) 887-890. Mutations were then screened by single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis and further identified by sequencing.

RESULTS

The molecular structure of exon 7 of the ATP7B gene from 141 WD patients was analyzed. The same band shift in electrophoretic pattern of 4 cerebral type patients was identified with SSCP and subsequently sequenced. The results showed missense mutation at the second base of the codon as Ser 662 Cys, which is caused by a C to G transversion.

CONCLUSIONS

Mutations of the ATP7B gene were investigated for the first time in China and a novel missense mutation was identified in four cases.

Inhibition of growth of human leukemia cell lines by retrovirally expressed wild-type p16INK4A

Loss of the p16INK4A gene by homozygous deletions or point mutations is attributed to the development of many types of cancers including leukemia. T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias (T-ALLs) and B-cell ALLs show a remarkable rate of 75 and 20% homozygous deletion of this gene, respectively. Restoration of p16 expression in p16-deficient solid tumor cell lines results in a dramatic reduction of growth and maligant phenotype. To test the hypothesis that p16INK4A suppresses the growth of p16-deficient leukemias, we utilized a retroviral system to restore wild-type (wt) or mutant p16 protein expression. We tested the efficacy of our system by expressing the wt or mutant p16 genes in the osteosarcoma cell line, U20S, which lacks p16 and retains functional retinoblastoma protein (pRb). The wt p16 protein formed complexes with both cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) 4 and 6 and inhibited U20S growth by 30-fold. The p16 mutants E120K and R144C formed complexes with CDK4 and CDK6 in cells and inhibited cell growth as effectively as wt p16 (20-fold) while the mutant proteins that did not complex with detectable levels of CDK4 or CDK6 only inhibited growth 0.25- and five-fold (G101W and D141, respectively) or not at all (H83Y and DA4). The COOH-terminal 'tail' of the wt p16 protein (amino acid residues 141-156), missing in mutant D141, enhanced the growth suppressive capability of p16. The amino acid substitutions in mutants G101W and H83Y not only disrupted CDK4 and CDK6 binding, but decreased the protein half-lives by two- and three-fold, respectively, compared to wt p16. The wt, but not mutant p16 genes, effectively inhibited the growth of T cell acute lymphoblastic (CEM) and myeloid leukemia (NB-4 and K562) cell lines that lacked the p16 gene, but retained functional pRb. Growth of the T-ALL cell line, HSB-2, which lacked both p16 and pRb, was not inhibited, indicating the growth suppression involved the pRb pathway. These results define regions critical for the function of p16 and demonstrate that restoration of wt p16 expression in p16-deficient leukemias significantly reverted their transformed phenotype and inhibited their growth.

Cancer incidence in the Hmong of Central California, United States, 1987-94

The Hmong are an ethnic minority in China, some of whom migrated to the mountainous areas of North Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand in the 19th and 20th centuries. Because of their support for the United States during the Vietnam war, many Laotian Hmong fled to Thailand and eventually were re-settled in the US after the end of that conflict. Approximately 100,000 Hmong currently live in the US, of whom about half reside in the Central Valley of California. The purpose of this study was to measure cancer incidence in this unique new immigrant population. Using the resources of the Cancer Registry of Central California (CRCC), a population-based cancer registry, cancer incidence in the Hmong was evaluated by calculating age-adjusted incidence rates as well as by calculating proportional incidence ratios. Compared with all races combined, elevated rates of cancer in the Hmong were observed for the following sites: nasopharynx, stomach, liver, pancreas, leukemia, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Cervical cancer incidence overall was elevated, but more noteworthy, invasive cervix cancer rates were much higher than expected. Lower cancer rates were found for breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer. Hmong also experienced advanced stage and grade of disease at diagnosis for many cancer sites in addition to cervical cancer, which may be explained by cultural factors, including avoidance of Western medical care and low rates of participation in screening programs. This population should be followed closely and monitored for patterns of cancer incidence in the future since it provides a natural laboratory for studies of cancer etiology as this population gradually becomes acculturated to the Western lifestyle.

Symmetry of bone mineral density at the proximal femur with emphasis on the effect of side dominance

The symmetry and effect of side dominance on the bone mineral density (BMD) of proximal femur was evaluated in 266 normal Chinese women with a dual photon absorptiometer (DPA, Norland 2600). The BMDs of the femoral neck, trochanter, and Ward's triangle at the proximal femur in the dominant leg (BMDd) were compared with those of the nondominant side (BMDn). The linear regression of BMDd and BMDn of the corresponding regions at the proximal femur showed a good correlation (r = 0.893-0.941, SEE = 0.052-0.062 g/cm2). The paired difference of proximal femoral BMD was -0.002 +/- 0.062 g/cm2 for the femoral neck, 0.003 +/- 0.054 g/cm2 for the trochanter, and 0.008 +/- 0.062 g/cm2 for the Ward's triangle. The ratio of asymmetry for femoral neck BMD was mean +/- SD = -0.4 +/- 7.8%, for trochanter 0.6 +/- 8.1%, and for the Ward's triangle 1.3 +/- 9.7%. Both paired difference and ratio of asymmetry between BMDd and BMDn were approximately normally distributed, with a mean +/- 2 SD ranging from -0.126 to 0.122 g/cm2 for paired difference and -16.0% to 15.2% for the ratio of asymmetry in the femoral neck. These data revealed that dominance had little effect on the proximal femur BMDs. However, the wide range of paired difference and ratio of asymmetry of the proximal femur BMD in the normal individuals should be considered in the interpretation of the proximal femoral BMD.

Clinical curative effects of dimercaptosuccinic acid on hepatolenticular degeneration and the impact of DMSA on biliary trace elements

OBJECTIVE

To observe the biliary copper content of nonhepatolenticular degeneration (HLD) controls and changes in the trace elements in the bile, cerebrospinal fluid, blood and urine of hepatolenticular degeneration patients before and after dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) treatment in order to further explore the etiological mechanism of HLD and prove the therapeutic effect of DMSA on HLD patients.

METHODS

A consecutive series of 20 patients with HLD were given DMSA orally for 4 weeks. Adult dosage was 1.5 g/day and child dosage 1.0 g/day. Their bile, cerebrospinal fluid, blood and urine samples were obtained before and after treatment with DMSA through duodenal drainage and lumbar puncture. Biliary samples of 22 non-HLD controls were taken by drainage tube after surgical operation. Hitachi-208 atom absorption spectrophotometer was used to assay the content of copper, zinc and iron of each sample.

RESULTS

DMSA could effectively improve the symptoms such as dysphasia, salivation, dysphagia and darkening of the skin; limb trembling and myotonia came second; but it showed no obvious effect on dysstasia, limb contracture and deformity, and hepatosplenomegaly. It was effective for the patients who were younger and had no obvious hepatic damage. No serious side effects were seen through the course of treatment. Laboratory study showed that biliary copper content of HLD patients was evidently lower than that of non-HLD controls (P < 0.01); DMSA could evidently improve biliary copper excretion besides clearly increase urinary copper excretion (P < 0.01) and had nothing to do with biliary zinc excretion (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Biliary copper excretion disturbance participates directly in the pathophysiology of copper retention of HLD patients. DMSA is a favorable cupruretic drug for patients with HLD.

Hemodynamic effects of scatter factor in conscious rats

Scatter factor (SF), also known as hepatocyte growth factor, is a potent mitogen that has been suggested to exhibit greater efficacy than vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in rabbits with hindlimb ischemia. Our study examined the effects of SF on cardiovascular hemodynamics and compared the responses to VEGF. Hemodynamic parameters were monitored before and after administration of SF or VEGF in conscious, instrumented rats. Intravenous injection of SF produced a dose-related reduction in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and increase in heart rate (HR). These responses were significantly attenuated by pretreatment with N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, suggesting the depressor effect of SF may be mediated by NO. SF (250 micrograms/kg) reduced stroke volume and cardiac output, but did not affect the maximal first derivation of left ventricular pressure (dP/dt), suggesting that the reduction in cardiac output is caused by decreased stroke volume that probably results from a reduction in venous return. Compared with SF, VEGF produced greater hypotensive and tachycardic responses and greater reductions in stroke volume and cardiac output, indicating that SF has fewer side effects on hemodynamics. Although both growth factors might reduce venous return, SF decreased hematocrit presumably through venodilation, whereas VEGF increased hematocrit as a result of vascular hyperpermeability.

[Experimental study on erythrocyte of obstructive jaundice patient: its changes of membrane protein and mechanical properties]

The component of the erythrocyte membrane protein under three states obstruction, after surgical relief of obstruction, and normal) were analyzed qualitatively by using SDS-PAGE and the method of thin scanning. The result revealed that the membrane protein band 4.2 was absent under the state of obstruction and it recovered after surgical relief of obstruction. Then the mechanical properties of the above three cases of erythrocytes were tested by the micropipette aspiration system and the data were analyzed by Voigt model. The result showed that the elastic modulus and the coefficient of viscosity of the erythrocytes under the state of obstruction were greater than those of the normal; thus the deformability decreased, but "overcorrection" appeared after surgical relief of obstruction. The possible relations between the mechanical properties and the change of membrane protein were discussed.

C/EBP-epsilon: chromosomal mapping and mutational analysis of the gene in leukemia and preleukemia

We and others have cloned a novel human gene CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein epsilon (C/EBP-epsilon) encoding a member of the C/EBP gene family. It is exclusively expressed in myeloid and T-lymphoid cells and appears to have an important role in inducing expression of several myeloid-specific genes. We used a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based technique to examine DNA from 93 hamster/human radiation hybrid clones in order chromosomally to map C/EBP-epsilon to 14q11.2 (between D14S264 and D14S275) which is telomeric to the T-cell receptor alpha and delta genes and centromeric to several other myeloid gene products including Cathepsin G (CTSG) and Chymase-1 (CMA1). To determine whether C/EBP-epsilon behaves as an altered tumor-suppressor gene, samples from patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) evolving to AML were studied for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) using microsatellite sequences that we identified within 0.2 kb of the amino-terminus of the human C/EBP-epsilon gene. Allelic loss of the C/EBP-epsilon gene was detected in four out of 20 (20%) evolving MDS cases and in none of the 17 AML and 17 T-cell leukemia cases. Mutational analysis of the gene was performed using PCR-SSCP on 37 AML and 40 MDS cases including those with LOH at the gene. No abnormalities were found suggesting that the altered gene in this region is not C/EBP-epsilon. Also, C/EBP-epsilon was examined by Southern blot analysis on DNA samples from 20 AML patients and 10 AML cell lines. No rearrangements or amplifications of the gene were detected. Taken together, we have mapped C/EBP-epsilon to 14q11.2, a region containing other myeloid and T-lymphoid specific genes. Furthermore, no structural alterations were detected in the C/EBP-epsilon gene.

Long-wavelength infrared (~10-15 mm) electroluminescence from Sb-based interband cascade devices

Electroluminescence in the long-wavelength infrared (10-15 mm) spectrum region was observed from Sb-based type-II interband cascade quantum well structures. The device structure was grown by molecular beam epitaxy on a GaSb substrate and comprises 10 repeated periods of active regions separated by digitally graded multilayer injection regions. The devices have been operated at 300 K and 77 K, with an output optical power up to 50 nW. The emission wavelength, the longest observed in any compound semiconductor material at room temperature, results from tailoring the heterostructure, demonstrating a unique capability of this Sb-family type-II material system.

Destruction of a cyropreserved meniscal allograft: a case for acute rejection

A cryopreserved nontissue-antigen-matched medial meniscus was transplanted arthroscopically into the knee of a 33-year-old cyclist. The patient had previously had an open medial menisectomy 19 years earlier and had significant symptoms. Ten weeks postoperatively, the patient underwent a second-look arthroscopy for a persistent effusion. Intraoperative cultures were obtained and all ultimately tested negative. The graft was found to be frayed throughout its length and significantly decreased in size. Its central portion had become detached from the peripheral repair while both the anterior and posterior bone blocks remained intact. Dense, inflammatory, hypertrophic synovium enveloped the entire joint. Histologically, the graft was found to be necrotic and acellular centrally, whereas the periphery was infiltrated with inflammatory leukocytes and giant cells. This histologic appearance is classical for an acute or subacute type rejection of allograft tissue.

Intraosseous epidermoid cyst in distal phalanx of finger: a case report

Bone tumor in distal phalanx of finger is rare. Differential diagnosis includes glomus tumor with bone erosion, enchondroma, osteomyelitis, aneurysmal bone cyst and metastasis. We herein present a case with intraosseous epidermoid cyst in distal phalanx which has rarely been reported.

Mechanism of the morphological changes induced by staurosporine in rat osteoblasts

Protein kinase C (PKC) plays an important role in the differentiation of cells, however, little is known about its relationship to bone metabolism. We have previously demonstrated that staurosporine concentration dependently transformed the cultured rat osteoblasts into stellate cells. In this study, we further investigated the possible mechanisms and significance of the morphological changes of osteoblasts induced by staurosporine. The morphological changes induced by staurosporine were inhibited by microtubule depolymerizers or elevated intracellular calcium, however, actin depolymerizers enhanced the effects of staurosporine. Fluorescence labeling showed that staurosporine caused the dissolution of the actin microfilaments, but left the microtubules and vimentin filaments intact. PKC activators partially antagonized the morphological changes induced by staurosporine. Inhibition of protein kinase A or calmodulin-dependent kinase is less effective in the induction of stellate cell formation. These results suggest that the morphological changes of osteoblasts induced by staurosporine may be partly due to PKC inhibition, but other mechanisms may also be involved.

[Evidence for a major role of genetic factors in the etiology of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinomas]

Several investigations revealed that lymphocytes from patients with head and neck cancers showed a high sensitivity to mutagens. However, whether lymphocytes from healthy blood relatives of the patients were sensitive to mutagen or not had not been reported. This study was aimed to investigate the unknown problem. Mutagen sensitivity was investigated in 116 laryngeal and 38 hypopharyngeal cancer patients, 107 healthy controls, and 30 blood relatives of laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer patients. Chromosome damage was measured by enumerating mutagen-induced chromatid breaks, the average number of chromatid breaks per cell (b/c value) was used as marker which reflects variable host susceptibility to the action of environmental carcinogens. The b/c values were 0.61 +/- 0.27, 0.66 +/- 0.31, 0.28 +/- 0.12, and 0.45 +/- 0.26 for patients with laryngeal cancer, hypopharyngeal cancer, healthy controls, and blood relatives respectively. A significant difference of b/c value was found between patients and controls (P < 0.01), but not between patients and their blood relatives (P > 0.05). Our findings suggest that genetic predisposition plays an important role in the eitiology of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers. Both patients with laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancers and their blood relatives should be considered as in high cancer risk.

[Identification of a novel missense mutation in Wilson disease gene]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the allelic heterogeneity of ATP 7 B gene in Chinese patients.

METHODS

Exons of ATP7B gene from patient's DNA were amplified with PCR technique. Mutations were screened by single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis and further confirmed by sequencing.

RESULTS

The molecular structure of exon 7 of the ATP7B gene from 141 WD patients was preliminarily analyzed. A similar band shift of 4 encephalopathy type patients was identified with SSCP and sequencing. There was a missense mutation, Ser 662 Cys, which was caused by a C to G transversion at the second base of the codon.

CONCLUSIONS

The mutations of Chinese ATP7B gene were investigated for the first time in China and a novel missense mutation was identified.

Histology of rat small bowel transplants: cyclosporine A ameliorates features of rejection including apoptosis and ganglion cell reduction

The histology of rat small bowel transplants (SBT) was examined in orthotopic isografts and allografts with and without immunosuppression. Lewis to Lewis isografts were examined 7 days after transplant, and LBNF1 to Lewis allografts were examined 2, 4, 7, and 10 days after transplant; one group received cyclosporine A (CyA), and their allografts were examined 7 days after transplant. Compared with similar intestinal segments from unoperated animals, allografts at 4, 7, and 10 days after surgery showed progressive inflammation, cryptitis, villous atrophy, and transmural necrosis. In contrast, SBT in animals given CyA did not significantly differ from normal in any histological parameter. The number of apoptotic structures per 100 crypts in SBT at day 4 (58.25 +/- 32.98) and day 7 (31.86 +/- 27.63) after transplant were significantly increased compared with unoperated bowel (5.23 +/- 13.41) (P < .05); the number in CyA-treated allografts (11.57 +/- 29.56) did not differ significantly from normal. The number of intermyenteric ganglion cells was significantly reduced (P< .05) in allografts 7 and 10 days after transplant (mean and [range] = 31 [18 to 38] and 25 [23 to 27], respectively) but the number in allografts from CyA-treated animals (47 [24 to 72]) did not differ from unoperated bowels (52 [30 to 88]). We conclude that CyA treatment significantly reduces the histological abnormalities associated with transplant rejection including adverse effects on epithelial and ganglion cells; therefore, the absorptive capacity and motility characteristics of the CyA-treated SBT should be preserved compared with untreated allograft controls.

Structure optimization of a leukotriene D4 antagonist by combinatorial chemistry in solution

Structure optimization of the leukotriene D4 antagonist Ro24-5913 was attempted by combinatorial chemistry. Three segments in its N-succinyl-3-(2-thiazolylethenyl)anilide skeleton, designated as A, B, and C coincided with the thiazolyl, aniline, and N-acyl moieties, respectively, and were selected for variations in a synthesis involving the sequences A + B-->AB and AB + C-->ABC to furnish the library (10A 7B 10C) containing 700 compounds. Lead candidates were identified by the LTD4-induced muscle-contraction assay. Assays of the C-partition 10(10A 7B C) of the set led to a subset of C elements associated with significant bioactivities, ic = {C1, C2, C3}, from which the preferred element C1 was selected. Incorporating this selection into the synthesis of the first reduced set gave the partition 7(10A B C1) whose assay revealed the set iB = {B1, B6} and hence the preferred B element B1. The second reduced set, 10(A B1 C1) incorporating the selected C1 and B1 moieties, revealed iA = {A1, A3, A4, A6, A7, A8, A9} In the resulting combinatiorial product iA x iB x iC, comprising 42 elements, A1 B1 C1 appears on top of the list. Thus, 4-[[3-[2-[4-(2,2-dimethyl ethyl)cyclobutyl-2-thiazolyl]ethenyl] phenyl]amino]-2,2-diethyl-4-oxobutanoic acid (Ro24-5913) was confirmed as the structure with the highest bioactivity. Analogues obtained by replacement of the cyclobutyl group in Ro24-5913 with 4-fluorophenyl and t-butyl were the runners-up. Of these, the former exhibited bioactivity comparable to that of Ro24-5913.

Treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic cor pulmonale with fei xin ling syrup

30 cases of chronic cor pulmonale with acute exacerbation were treated with Fei Xin Ling Syrup compared with 30 similar cases treated with Western modern drugs as controls. The Chinese herbal drug modality was found to be superior to the administration of modern drugs in the control group in overall therapeutic effects, with regard to the symptoms of coughing, tachypnea, phlegm production, edema, and the prevention of heart and respiratory failure. Rheological studies in part of the patients also indicated that the Chinese herbal prescription improved the blood circulation.

Characterization of a second human cyclin A that is highly expressed in testis and in several leukemic cell lines

In this study, we isolated and characterized a human cyclin A-like gene that we named cyclin A1. Cyclin A1 has 48% identity with human cyclin A and is more related to the recently cloned murine cyclin A1 (84% identity). The human cyclin A1 is specifically expressed in testis and brain among all of the normal tissues that we studied by Northern blot analysis; in addition, it is expressed in several myeloid leukemia cell lines, including ML-1, U937, NB4, KG-1, and THP1. A sensitive reverse transcription-PCR-Southern blot method also detected low-level expression of this gene in many other hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cell lines. The expression of cyclin A1 mRNA is differentiation- and cell cycle-regulated in the ML-1 cells. We raised polyclonal antibodies against a glutathione S-transferase-cyclin A1 fusion protein produced in Escherichia coli. In immunoblot analyses, the antibodies recognized the Mr 65,000 cyclin A1 protein in ML-1 cells. The anti-cyclin A1 also immunoprecipitated the Mr 65,000 cyclin A1, along with the Mr 33,000 cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 2 and other proteins at Mr 39,000, 42,000, 45,000, 95,000, and 110,000. In an in vitro kinase assay, the CDK2-cyclin A1 complex precipitated by anti-cyclin A1 showed kinase activities against histone H1. In a yeast two-hybrid assay, cyclin A1 can bind to CDK2 but not to CDC2, CDK4, and CDK5. We mapped the human cyclin A1 gene to chromosome 13q12.3-q13, approximately 1000 kb from the sequence-tagged site marker WI-3374.

OVAREX MAb-B43.13:IFN-gamma could improve the ovarian tumor cell sensitivity to CA125-specific allogenic cytotoxic T cells

Various immunological parameters were studied in 100 ovarian cancer patients injected with the OVAREX therapeutic vaccine (the functional component of which is anti-CA125 MAb-B43.13) to explain the serendipitous observation of prolonged survival after such treatment. In addition to CA125-specific humoral and cellular responses, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) was also found to be induced in those patients receiving the vaccine. In vitro studies indicated that the expression of MHC I, MHC II, and ICAM I in ovarian tumor cells were upregulated in response to IFN-gamma. Such tumor cells were also found to be more sensitive to CA125-specific cytotoxic T cells compared to cells that were not incubated with IFN-gamma.

Redistribution of platelet membrane glycoprotein IV and release of intracellular alpha-granule thrombospondin in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia

The redistribution of platelet membrane glycoprotein IV (GPIV) and the release of intracellular alpha-granule thrombospondin (TSP) were examined and the inhibition of beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG) and platelet factor 4 (PF4) in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) was observed and quantitation of beta-TG and PF4 in sera was conducted. GPIV in inactive platelet from CML was 36080 +/- 17010 molecules/platelet as compared with 13190 +/- 4810 from the controls (P < 0.01). No abnormality was found in the distribution of platelet membrane GPIb and GPIIb/IIIa (P > 0.05). The GPIV redistribution on active platelet membrane induced thrombin (IU/ml) from CML and healthy donors was 44320 +/- 32310 and 22800 +/- 12700 molecules/platelet respectively (P < 0.01). The difference in the release of intracellular alpha-granule TSP between CML and the control group was not found (P > 0.05). There was no direct correlation between GPIV expression and TSP binding after platelet activation. The high levels of beta-TG and PF4 in sera inhibited release of intracellular alpha-granule TSP in vitro. These results indicate that the abnormality of platelet membrane GPIV is a common marker in CML, therefore the specific increase of platelet GPIV in patients with CML may be a useful tool for the diagnosis and monitoring of the platelet dysfunction. The release of internal TSP pools is hindered by either beta-TG or PF4 in sera.

DNA based biosensors

Compared to advances in enzyme sensors, immunosensors, and microbial biosensors, relatively little work exists on DNA based biosensors. Here we review the DNA based biosensors that rely on nucleic acid hybridization. Major types DNA biosensors--electrochemical, optical, acoustic, and piezoelectric--are introduced and compared. The specificity and response characteristics of DNA biosensors are discussed. Overall, a promising future is foreseen for the DNA based sensor technology.

Structural analysis and characterization of tissue and hormonal responsive expression of the avian bone sialoprotein (BSP) gene

Bone sialoprotein (BSP) is an extracellular matrix protein that has a highly restricted expression to mineralized skeletal tissues. The chicken bone sialoprotein-encoding gene (bsp) was isolated and shown to contain two less exons than similar mammalian genes, with the absence of an untranslated 5' exon and the fusion of the first two exons that encode the signal peptide and amino terminal end of the mature BSP peptide. Primer extension analysis showed one strong transcriptional start point (tsp) in mRNA prepared from embryonic bone. Comparison of the avian bsp promoter sequence to those of other genes expressed in vertebrate skeletal tissues, identified the presence of homeobox protein binding sequence motifs for engrailed (en-1) and Msx 2 (Hox 8.1), and two collagen type II gene silencer elements. Two TATA sequences one at -21 bp and the second at -172 bp to the tsp were identified. For the first TATA element no CCAAT sequence was observed at an appropriate cis position however two Sp1 sequences (GGGCGG) were identified at -66 and -85 bp. A CCAAT element was seen in an appropriate cis position in relationship to the second upstream TATA, but transient expression analysis in embryonic chicken calvaria osteoblasts using two separate promoter/reporter constructs (+24 to -1244 bp or -121 to -1244 bp), confirmed that only the proximal TATA and Sp1 elements were functional. The +24 to -1244 bp promoter sequence demonstrated 33.6, 13.2, and 3.2 fold activity above base line respectively, within cells prepared from embryonic chicken calvaria bone, cephalic sterna, a cartilage that undergoes mineralization and caudal sterna, a cartilage that does not mineralize during embryogenesis. Only base line activity was observed within cells prepared from embryonic dermal fibroblasts a non-skeletal tissue, which does not express BSP. These same cells demonstrated comparable steady state mRNA levels, corroborating that this segment of promoter DNA had tissue specific activity. A series of nested deletions from the 5' end of the -1244 construct demonstrated that a portion of the tissue specific regulation was controlled by the presence of a silencer element(s) between -1244 and -620 bp since deletion of this segment of DNA resulted in a 6 fold increase in the promoter activity in dermal skin fibroblasts. The -1244-(+)24 nt promoter construct was shown to be stimulated by dexamethasome approximately 1.5 fold over control, inhibited by 1,25(OH)2D3 approximately 60% of control and was strongly stimulated approximately 5.0 fold by parathyroid hormone (PTH) in embryonic calvaria osteoblasts. These data define the proximal promoter of the avian bsp gene and identify several potential regulatory elements that have been observed in the promoters of other genes expressed in skeletal tissues. These elements imparted both tissue and hormone specific promoter activity to bsp expression within skeletal cells.

Prostaglandin F2 alpha induces cardiac myocyte hypertrophy in vitro and cardiac growth in vivo

Several prostaglandins [prostaglandin (PG) A2, -B2, -D2, -E2, -F2 alpha, and -I2 and carbaprostacyclin] and the thromboxane analogue U-46619 were analyzed for the ability to induce hypertrophy of rat neonatal cardiac ventricular myocytes. Myocyte hypertrophy was induced specifically by PGF2 alpha. Myocytes exposed to this prostanoid in culture increased in size and protein content. The contractile fibrils within the cells became organized into parallel arrays, and the cells tended to cluster and beat spontaneously. PGF2 alpha also induced the expression of c-fos, atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), and alpha-skeletal actin in these cells. The effects of PGF2 alpha were compared with several known cardiac myocyte hypertrophy factors (phenylephrine, endothelin-1, leukemia inhibitory factor, cardiotrophin-1, and angiotensin II). PGF2 alpha was found to be intermediate in potency among the factors but induced a level of ANF production that was approximately 10-fold higher than any of the other effectors. Responsiveness to PGF2 alpha was not limited to neonatal cardiocytes. Ventricular myocytes isolated from adult rats also responded specifically to PGF2 alpha with a morphological change similar to that observed with phenylephrine and by producing ANF. In rats, chronic administration of fluprostenol, a potent agonist analogue of PGF2 alpha, resulted in a dose-dependent increase in heart weight- and ventricular weight-to-body weight ratios. The amount of PGF2 alpha extractable from the hearts of rats with cardiac hypertrophy induced by myocardial infarction was also found to be greater than that in sham-operated control rats. These results indicate that PGF2 alpha may play an important role in inducing cardiac hypertrophy.

[Analysis of cinnamic acid in storax and its original plant by HPLC]

The contents of free and hydrolytic cinnamic acid in storax and its original plant (Liquidambar orientalis) were determined by high performance liquid chromatography, and the chromatographic behaviors were studied. In styrax gummi, the contents of free and hydrolytic cinnamic acid were 7.03% and 25.26% respectively; and in its original plant, they were 0.3% evenly.

In vivo effects of cardiotrophin-1

Cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) is a recently discovered cytokine that was isolated based on its ability to induce cardiac myocyte hypertrophy in vitro. In this study, the effects of chronic administration of CT-1 to mice (0.5 or 2 microg by intraperitoneal injection, twice a day for 14 days) were determined. A dose-dependent increase in both the heart weight and ventricular weight to body ratios was observed in the treated groups. The body weights of the animals were unaffected. These results indicate that CT-1 can induce cardiac hypertrophy in vivo. CT-1 was not specific for the heart, however. It stimulated the growth of the liver, kidney, and spleen, and caused atrophy of the thymus. CT-1 administration also increased the platelet counts by 70%, with no change in mean platelet volume. Red blood cell counts were increased in the treated animals, and there was a concomitant increase in haemoglobin concentration. Thus, CT-1 has a broad spectrum of biological activities in vivo. This observation is consistent with previous in-vitro findings showing that the mRNA for CT-1 is expressed in several tissues, and that CT-1 can function through binding to the leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) receptor and signalling through the gp130 pathway.

Signal transduction pathways mediating parathyroid hormone stimulation of bone sialoprotein gene expression in osteoblasts

Bone sialoprotein is a major noncollagenous protein of bone. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) was shown to cause a 2-4-fold increase in the steady-state levels of bone sialoprotein mRNAs within primary cultures of embryonic osteoblasts. The induction could be mimicked by both forskolin and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and was not inhibited by cycloheximide. Transient expression of a approximately 1200-base pair avian 5' bsp promoter/reporter construct demonstrated similar inductions as mRNA levels. Co-transfection of an expression plasmid encoding heat-stable inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, a peptide inhibitor of PKA, decreased both the basal and PTH-induced bsp transcription, while co-expression of the catalytic subunit of PKA-induced bsp expression 3-fold. Protein kinase C activation, on the other hand, did not appear to work through its activation of c-fos, since co-transfection of an expression clone for c-fos had no effect. Interestingly, heat-stable inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase also inhibited the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate induction, suggesting that the protein kinase C acts through some form of interaction with the cAMP/PKA pathway. A half-cAMP response element site in the bsp promoter was identified as the cis-acting element that mediated the PTH response by the transient transfections with reporter constructs containing nested deletions of the promoter or a heterologous promoter containing the cAMP response element. In conclusion, these data indicate that PTH stimulation of bsp gene expression is specific to osteoblasts and mediated by changing cellular cAMP/PKA levels. They further suggest that although protein kinase C is capable of stimulating the gene by itself, it plays a minimal role in mediating the PTH induction of bone sialoprotein.

[Effects of iodine and thyroid hormone deficiency during brain development on activities of cholinergic neurone-related enzymes in central nervous system of rats]

To study the effects of iodine and thyroid hormone deficiency during brain development on activities of enzymes of central acetyl choline metabolism, activities of choline acetylcholinetransferase (CHAT) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in hippocampus and cerebral cortex, basal forebrain and cerebellum in 20-day-old rats were determined. Results showed that CHAT and AChE activities in hippocampus, cerebral cortex and basal forebrain in iodine deficiency and hypothyroid rats were significantly lower than those in controls. A ratio of membranebound AChE to soluble AChE, activities of inextractable AChE, and percentage of its activities in the four sections of the brain in the trial rats were significantly lower, and activities of soluble AChE and its percentage of activities were significantly higher than those in controls. It suggests iodine and thyroid hormone deficiency could affect maturation of CHAT and disturb transformation and maturation of various molecular types of AChE and delay distinctly the development of cholinergic neurone during the critical period of brain development in rats.

Accessing genetic information with high-density DNA arrays

Rapid access to genetic information is central to the revolution taking place in molecular genetics. The simultaneous analysis of the entire human mitochondrial genome is described here. DNA arrays containing up to 135,000 probes complementary to the 16.6-kilobase human mitochondrial genome were generated by light-directed chemical synthesis. A two-color labeling scheme was developed that allows simultaneous comparison of a polymorphic target to a reference DNA or RNA. Complete hybridization patterns were revealed in a matter of minutes. Sequence polymorphisms were detected with single-base resolution and unprecedented efficiency. The methods described are generic and can be used to address a variety of questions in molecular genetics including gene expression, genetic linkage, and genetic variability.

Prevalence of vertebral fractures in chinese men and women in urban Taiwanese communities

Reports on the prevalence (or incidence) rates of vertebral fracture have been available, but they are limited concerning non-white populations and men of all races. This study used the radiomorphometric method to survey the prevalence rate of vertebral fracture for ethnic Chinese women 40 years and older and Chinese men 65 and older who were randomly selected from four major cities in Taiwan. Three sets of reference values of the height ratios were used for middle-aged women, elderly women, and elderly men. The results showed that in Chinese women, the prevalence rate of vertebral fracture was low before age 50 and showed a steady increase thereafter. In men, the increase was small until age 80. The overall adjusted prevalence rate of vertebral fracture for women older than 65 was 20% and that for men, 12.5% (95% confidence interval 18-22% and 11-14%, respectively.) If only severe deformity was counted [height ratio lower than normal mean minus 4 standard deviations (SD), or Grade II deformity], the adjusted prevalence rate was 15.5% for elderly women and 9.5% for elderly men (95% confidence interval 14-17%, and 8-11%, respectively.) The overall adjusted prevalence rate for women aged 40 and over was 6.8% (95% confidence interval 5.7-8%), or 4.5% (95% confidence interval 3.6-5. 5%) for Grade II lesions. Moreover, for subjects with fracture, elderly women tended to have more fractured vertebrae per person and more Grade II fractures than elderly men. Thus, Chinese women residing in cities of Taiwan had a relatively high prevalence rate of vertebral fracture, a finding compatible with that for United States or European white women, or for Japanese women residing in America. Elderly Chinese men also have a high prevalence rate of vertebral fracture. The age-specific female-to-male ratio of prevalence rate was about 1.5 to 2.3 between age 65 and 80, and close to unity after age 80.

[The coronary artery structure and early atherosclerotic lesions of 80 young adults cases in the Ningbo fishing region]

In order to study the coronary artery structure in relation to early atherosclerotic lesions of young adults residing in a fishing region, coronary arteries from 80 autopsies of people aged 15 to 39 years who died from accidents were collected and studied by pathohistological, immunohistochemical and morphometric methods. The results showed an 18.67% prevalence of Sudanophilic lesions in the right, coronary artery, the thickness of the intima of the left anterior descending branch increased with increasing age in males, but no significant difference was observed in females, the density of the coronary artery cell nuclei decreased with increasing age. The prevalence of fatty streaks and stenosis of left anterior descending branch was 25.0% and 5.0% respectively, and that of the left circumflex branch was 7.5% and 3.9% respectively. The amount of chondroinn sulfate proteoglycan in the left anterior descending branch was 23.3 +/- 8.8% in intima and 12.0 +/- 4.0% in the media. The above findings suggest that the custom of eating large amounts of sea food may have a beneficial effect on lipid deposit, smooth muscle cell proliferation, thickness of intima and percentage of proteoglycan. Thus it is one of the important factors for the low incidence of coronary heart disease in this fishing region.

Novel analog of atrial natriuretic peptide selective for receptor-A produces increased diuresis and natriuresis in rats

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) binds to natriuretic peptide receptor-A (NPR-A), a membrane guanylyl cyclase, and to natriuretic peptide receptor-C (NPR-C), which plays a role in peptide clearance. Rat ANP (rANP) mutants that bind rat NPR-A selectively over rat NPR-C were isolated from randomized libraries of rANP-display phage by differential panning. One variant was identified with reduced NPR-C binding; rANP (G16R, A17E, Q18A) [rANP(REA18)]. Synthetic rANP(REA18) was equipotent with rANP in stimulating cGMP production from cloned rat NPR-A (ED50 = 1.8 nM) and was reduced in NPR-C binding by approximately 200-fold. When infused into conscious rats at 0.325 microg/min for 30 min rANP elicited an identical decrease in blood pressure compared with 0.25 microg/min of rANP(REA18), however the natriuretic (P < 0.05) and diuretic (P = 0.07) responses to rANP(REA18) were greater. These data are consistent with a role for NPR-C as a local decoy receptor attenuating NPR-A effects in the kidney, where these receptors are coexpressed. Improved NPR-A specificity could provide more effective natriuretic peptides for treatment of acute renal failure or heart failure.

Alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor prolongs small intestinal graft preservation and survival

Organ preservation solutions currently used for cold storage of human donor organs are less effective in preserving small intestinal grafts than other organ grafts. The maximal safe period of cold preservation for human small intestinal graft is only about 6 hours. The pathology of preserved and reperfused small intestinal grafts is characterized by mucosal autolysis and sloughing. The authors speculated that the preservation/reperfusion injury results from a proteinase/proteinase-inhibitor imbalance in the graft that favors tissue degradation. This study evaluates whether the addition of an alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha-1-PI) to the preservation solution can improve graft survival after small bowel transplantation. Forty small intestinal grafts (20 cm long) were harvested from Lewis rats. The grafts were divided randomly into three groups and were preserved in one of the following solutions: normal saline (NS) (n = 10), alpha-1-PI (25 mg/mL; n = 20), or proteinase-free bovine serum albumin (BSA) (25 mg/mL; n = 10). After 12-hour cold storage in the respective solutions, the grafts were transplanted orthotopically into syngeneic recipients. Full-thickness graft biopsies were performed before and 1 hour after revascularization. The effectiveness of preservation was judged by graft histopathology and recipient survival. Histological studies showed that there was less mucosal autolysis and sloughing of the grafts in the alpha-1-Pl group than in the other two groups. All recipients in the NS and BSA groups died of graft failure within 7 days (NS: median, 4 days; range, 2 to 5 days; BSA: median, 6 days; range, 4 to 7). However, 60% (12 of 20) of the recipients in the alpha-1-PI group survived more than 90 days (median, > 90 days; range, 4 to > 90 days; P < .005 v NS or BSA groups, log-rank method). These data suggest that the inclusion of alpha-1-PI in the preservation solution may enhance graft integrity and improve the surgical outcome after small bowel transplantation.

Extensive polymorphisms observed in HIV-1 clade B protease gene using high-density oligonucleotide arrays

Naturally occurring mutations in HIV-1-infected patients have important implications for therapy and the outcome of clinical studies. However, little is known about the prevalence of mutations that confer resistance to HIV-1 protease inhibitors in isolates derived from patients naive for such inhibitors. In the first clinical application of high-density oligonucleotide array sequencing, the sequences of 167 viral isolates from 102 patients have been determined. The DNA sequence of USA HIV-1 clade B proteases was found to be extremely variable and 47.5% of the 99 amino acid positions varied. This level of amino acid diversity is greater than that previously known for all worldwide HIV-1 clades combined (40%). Many of the amino acid changes that are known to contribute to drug resistance occurred as natural polymorphisms in isolates from patients who had never received protease inhibitors.

Effects of vascular endothelial growth factor on hemodynamics and cardiac performance

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a major regulator of angiogenesis, has therapeutic benefit in animal models of coronary or limb ischemia. However, the hemodynamic effects of VEGF have not been investigated. We examined the effects of VEGF on hemodynamics and cardiac performance. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), cardiac output, stroke volume, left ventricular (LV) dP/dt, and hematocrit were measured before and after intravenous injection of VEGF in conscious, instrumented rats. VEGF caused a dose-dependent reduction in MAP and an associated increase in HR. VEGF (250 micrograms/kg) significantly decreased cardiac output and stroke volume without affecting the inotropic state of the left ventricle, as determined by dP/dt. VEGF significantly increased hematocrit. Furthermore, VEGF did not affect contractility or HR in the isolated rat heart in vitro. The data suggest that the VEGF-induced decrease in cardiac output is due to reduced stroke volume, which may be caused by a decrease in venous return rather than a direct effect on myocardial contractility. In addition, pretreatment with N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl-ester (L-NAME), a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, significantly attenuated the depressor and tachycardic responses to VEGF, suggesting that VEGF-induced hypotension may be mediated by NO.

[Pathology of endothelium, extracellular matrix and smooth muscle in gastric coronary vein of cirrhotic patients]

Immunohistochemical stain was used to observe the pathology of endothelium, extracellular matrix (ECM), vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) in gastric coronary vein of 30 cirrhotic patients and 10 controls. There was widespread destruction to endothelium, intravenous thrombosis, aggregation of pericyte, smooth muscle hyperplasia, and increased FN, LN, collagen IV and smooth muscle actin in the wall of the coronary vein in cirrhotic patients. The thickness of the wall and its smooth muscle were 3.07 +/- 1.03 mm and 2.31 +/- 0.76 mm respectively in cirrhotic patients, and 1.65 +/- 0.49 mm and 0.88 +/- 0.20 mm in non-cirrhotic patients (P < 0.01). Based on these observations a new concept of portal hypertensive vasculopathy was put forward.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha: posttranscriptional stabilization of WAF1 mRNA in p53-deficient human leukemic cells

The p53 protein directly regulates the expression of the WAF1 (wild-type p53-activated fragment 1) protein which is a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CDK1). DNA damaging agents such as ionizing or UV radiation, and some chemical agents induce WAF1 in wild-type p53 containing cells, thereby halting cell cycle progression. WAF1 expression is also induced through a p53-independent pathway. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) is a cytotoxic/cytostatic compound for some human cancer cells. We examined a series of myeloid leukemic cell lines that expressed either no p53 (HL-60, K562) or mutant inactive p53 (KG-1, KCL22,THP-1, U937). The KG-1, HL-60, K562, and KCL22 myeloid leukemic cells increased their levels of WAF1 mRNA in the presence of TNF alpha. We focused on KG-1 cells to determine how TNF alpha modulated WAF1 expression. WAF1 mRNA increased in a dose-dependent manner in the cells after exposure to increasing concentrations of TNF alpha, and this increase occurred in the absence of new protein synthesis. An increase of WAF1 protein and a concominant decrease of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 activity also was found in KG-1 cells. Flow cytometry using 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine showed an increase in the proportion of TNF alpha- treated KG-1 cells in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle. TNF alpha enhanced the rate of WAF1 transcription only 1.4 fold in TNF alpha-treated KG-1 cells as compared to untreated cells. Notably, however, the half-life (t 1/2) of WAF1 mRNA in TNF alpha-treated cells was 2.5 hours as compared to 0.5 hours in untreated cells. These results indicate that TNF alpha increases WAF1 levels at least in part via a postttranscriptional stabilization of the mRNA; and TNF alpha may mediate its cytostatic effects through WAF1 in some cell types.

Portal hypertensive vascular lesions

The aim of present study is to assess the pathological changes of gastric coronary vein in cirrhotic patients (n = 30) by immunohistochemical and morphological observation. The damage to endothelium, hypertrophy and hyperplasia of smooth muscle and increament of ECM were found in gastric coronary vein of cirrhotic patients. The vessel wall hardened and thickened with decrease of elasticity. The results showed that the portal hypertension could accompany with portal hypertensive vascular lesions.

[Methylene blue staining in fiberoptic bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of bronchial tumors]

47 patients were stained by using methylene blue in fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Of these, 35 had central lung cancer, and 12 bronchitis. 40 patients with central lung cancer were detected by general fibreoptic endoscopy. The results demonstrated that normal bronchial mucosa was not stained, 97.14% central malignant bronchial tumors stained, and 8.33% bronchitis stained. X2test showed the marked difference. Positive diagnosis was 97.06% in biopsy specimens stained, it was higher than 77.05% in the general investigated (P < 0.05). Using methylene blue in fiberoptic bronchoscopy would help diagnose central lung cancer, determine tumors limits, permit accurate biopsy. The stain was not related to the pathological classification, differentiation of cancer cells, and classification of clinical pathology (P > 0.05).

Relationship between chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan and coronary atherosclerosis in the youth

OBJECTIVE

To study the relationship between chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG) and coronary atherosclerosis in youth.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Immunohistochemistry of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan and SM-alpha-actin was performed on 39 human coronary arteries, including normal vessels and vessels with fatty streaks, intermediate lesions and plaques. Some of the lesional vessels were taken for beta-lipoprotein immunohistochemical study. CSPG contents were quantitated by image analyzer and the coronary arteries from one heart were processed for immunoelectron microscopy.

RESULTS

The range of CSPG distribution was extensive and CSPG area density was increased significantly in the intima with atherosclerotic lesions. The increase of CSPG was parallel to the numbers of smooth muscle cell (SMC) with positive SM-alpha-actin reaction and was likely related to the phenotype transformation of SMC. Similar distribution of beta-lipoprotein and CSPG were found within the lesional regions.

CONCLUSIONS

The increase of CSPG in atherosclerotic lesion may be an important factor resulting in the deposition of lipids in the vascular wall so as to promote the formation and development of atherosclerosis.