The microtubule-dependent motor centromere-associated protein E (CENP-E) is an integral component of kinetochore corona fibers that link centromeres to spindle microtubules

Centromere-associated protein E (CENP-E) is a kinesin-related microtubule motor protein that is essential for chromosome congression during mitosis. Using immunoelectron microscopy, CENP-E is shown to be an integral component of the kinetochore corona fibers that tether centromeres to the spindle. Immediately upon nuclear envelope fragmentation, an associated plus end motor trafficks cytoplasmic CENP-E toward chromosomes along astral microtubules that enter the nuclear volume. Before or concurrently with initial lateral attachment of spindle microtubules, CENP-E targets to the outermost region of the developing kinetochores. After stable attachment, throughout chromosome congression, at metaphase, and throughout anaphase A, CENP-E is a constituent of the corona fibers, extending at least 50 nm away from the kinetochore outer plate and intertwining with spindle microtubules. In congressing chromosomes, CENP-E is preferentially associated with (or accessible at) the stretched, leading kinetochore known to provide the primary power for chromosome movement. Taken together, this evidence strongly supports a model in which CENP-E functions in congression to tether kinetochores to the disassembling microtubule plus ends.

[Histopathologic and immunochemical changes in Sjögren's syndrome]

To research into the causes of sjögren's syndrome, we investigated the lacrimal gland tissues of 6 cases of sjogren's syndriome by using electronmicroscopy and immunochemical methods. The results revealed that at the early stage the lacrimal gland cells showed degeneration, irregular arrangement and many intracellular vacuoles. At the middle stage, some lymphocytes infliltrated into the gland tissues. And at the advanced stage, lymphocytes and collagenous fibers were there in substitution of gland cells.

[Effects of radix Salviae miltiorrhizae on hemodynamics of portal hypertension: clinical and experimental study]

By measuring portal pressure of hepatocirrhotic dogs of bile duct ligation directly, and detecting portal system flow in patients with hepatic cirrhosis by ultrasound doppler, we studied the portal hemodynamic effects of Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae (RSM). After intravenous administration of RSM in hepatocirrhotic dogs, the portal venous pressure (PPV), wedge hepatic venous pressure (WHVP), and hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) were significantly decreased (P < 0.05-0.01), but the mean arterial pressure (MAP), and heart rate (HR) unchanged (P > 0.05). After long-term administration of RSM (10-12 weeks), the diameter of portal vein (DPV) and splenic vein (DSV), the flow of portal vein (QPV), and splenic vein (QSV) in patients with hepatic cirrhosis were significantly decreased respectively (P < 0.05-0.001). Hypodynamia, abdominal distension, anorexia and liver function (ALT) were improved partially after administration of RSM in patients with hepatic cirrhosis. Side-effects of RSM were not found. The results demonstrated that RSM is an effective drug of depressing portal pressure with few side-effects.

[Comparative studies on pharmacological and toxic actions of raw fructus Psoraleae and its salt-baked and improved salt-baked products]

The pharmacological and toxic actions of raw Fructus Psoraleae and its salt-baked, and improved salt-baked products were comparatively studied. The leucogenic action of the improved salt-baked product was more effective than that of the original salt-baked one. But no significant difference in antidiarrheal or antiandrogenoid effect was found between the two salt-baked products. The toxicity(LD50 and the injury on kidney) of the improved salt-baked product was lower than that of the salt-baked. one. The results indicate that this improved processing method would contribute to increasing the efficacy and decreasing the toxicity of Fructus Psoraleae.

[Relationship of C-erbB-2 oncogene overexpression to estrogen progesterone receptors in brease cancer and its prognostic significance]

In order to understand the relationship of C-erbB-2 oncogene overexpression to ER and PR in breast cancer and its prognostic significance, we examined overexpression of C-erbB-2 oncogene in 106 breast carcinomas by using immunohistochemical techniques (LSAB). The results showed that the positive rate of C-erbB-2 overexpression was 63.21% (67/106). The overexpression of C-erbB-2 oncogene related negatively with survival. 81.63% of the cases with overexpression of C-erbB-2 oncogene survived < or = 5 years and 34.29% survived > 10 years. There were significant associations of C-erbB-2 overexpression with advance clinical stage, high histological grade, and positive axillary node status in breast cancers. Negative relationship between hormone receptors and C-erbB-2 oncogene. All of these findings suggested that overexpression of C-erbB-2 oncogene might be an important prognostic factor and the detection of C-erbB-2 oncogene might be arranged as a regular pathological examination in the cases of breast cancer.

ME-3407, a new antiulcer agent, inhibits acid secretion by interfering with redistribution of H(+)-K(+)-ATPase

ME-3407 is a newly developed antiulcer drug that markedly promoted the healing of acetic acid-induced chronic ulcers in rats presumably due to potent inhibition of acid secretion. ME-3407 and its metabolites, the sulfoxide of which was preserved, produced dosedependent inhibition of aminopyrine accumulation by rabbit gastric glands stimulated by any agonist, suggesting that the site of their action was downstream from the production of second messengers. Although one of the metabolites, EF-4025, showed some inhibitory effects on functional activities of H(+)-K(+)-ATPase, ME-3407 itself was not a proton pump inhibitor. ME-3407, but not omeprazole, inhibited the stimulation-associated redistribution of H(+)-K(+)-ATPase from microsomes into the apical membranes in addition to delocalizing ezrin, a putative F-actin-membrane linker, from apical plasma membrane. ME-3407 and EF-4025 inhibited myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) and protein kinase A activities. Because another MLCK inhibitor, wortmannin, showed the same properties as ME-3407, i.e., inhibition of aminopyrine accumulation, inhibition of stimulation-associated redistribution of H(+)-K(+)-ATPase, and abnormal distribution of ezrin, we hypothesize that MLCK is one of the potential targets for the drug. We conclude that ME-3407 is a promising drug for treating peptic ulcers, as well as a useful tool for studying mechanisms of parietal cell activation, especially related to the recruitment and recycling of the proton pump.

Antineoplastic agents. II. Four furostanol glycosides from rhizomes of Dioscorea collettii var. hypoglauca

During activity-guided fractionations to screen for antineoplastic agents, further studies by means of preparative HPLC led to the isolation of four known furostanol saponins: protoneodioscin, protodioscin, protoneogracillin, protogracillin, along with their corresponding artifacts: methyl protoneodioscin, methyl protodioscin, methyl protoneogracillin, and methyl protogracillin, from the rhizomes of Dioscorea collettii var. hypoglauca. Among them, protoneodioscin, protodioscin, and protoneogracillin are first reported from the title plant. The structures of the compounds were established on the basis of chemical evidence and spectral analysis (1H-NMR, 13C-IMMR, 1H-1H COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and FAB-MS). These eight compounds all caused morphological abnormality of Pyricularia oryzae mycelia. They also showed cytotoxic activities against the cancer cell line of K562 in vitro as antineoplastic agents.

[Toxic studies on various processed products of Fructus Psoraleae]

Toxic studies on Fructus Psoraleae (FP) and its processed products are carried on. LD50 is 37.7 +/- 0.54 g crude drug/kg in oral administration of raw FP in comparison with 43.25 +/- 6.1/kg in that of Salt-bake one in mice. When 5.0 g/kg is given by oral for 14 days, the wet weight of testicles, preputial galnds, prostate and semianl vesicle is decreased in raw FP and its stir-bake tested groups. The wet weight of preputial glends, prostate, seminal vesicle in Lei Gong's Procession group, or prostate, and seminal vesicle in salt-steam group is also decreased to a certain extent. But no significant change on the weight of those sex organs is found in liquor-bake or salt-bake procession group, The glomerulal cell hyperplasia and cloudy swelling of renal tubules are induced by administration of raw FP in pathological examination.

Association of syntaxin 3 and vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP) with H+/K(+)-ATPase-containing tubulovesicles in gastric parietal cells

H+/K(+)-ATPase is the proton pump in the gastric parietal cell that is responsible for gastric acid secretion. Stimulation of acid secretion is associated with a reorganization of the parietal cells resulting in the incorporation of H+/K(+)-ATPase from a cytoplasmic membrane pool, the tubulovesicle compartment, into the apical canalicular membrane. To better characterize the role of membrane trafficking events in the morphological and physiological changes associated with acid secretion from parietal cells, we have characterized the expression and localization of soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) in these cells. Each of the six different SNARE proteins examined [syntaxins 1 through 4 of 25-kDa synaptosome-associated protein, and vesicle-associated membrane protein] were found to be expressed in parietal cells. Furthermore, two of these SNAREs, vesicle-associated membrane protein and syntaxin 3, were associated with H+/K(+)-ATPase-containing tubulovesicles while the remainder were excluded from this compartment. The expression of syntaxin 1 and synaptosome-associated protein of 25 kDa in parietal cells, two SNAREs previously thought to be restricted to neuroendocrine tissues, suggests that parietal cells may utilize membrane trafficking machinery that is similar to that utilized for regulated exocytosis in neurons. Furthermore, the localization of syntaxin 3, a putative target membrane SNARE, to the tubulovesicle compartment indicates that syntaxin 3 may have an alternative function. These observations support a role for intracellular membrane trafficking events in the regulated recruitment of H+/K(+)-ATPase to the plasma membrane after parietal cell stimulation.

Effects of methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide pulse therapy on renal infiltrating cells in patients with crescentic glomerulonephritis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of pulse methylprednisolone (MP) and monthly intravenous cyclophosphamide (CTX) therapy (MP + CTX) on renal infiltrating cells in patients with rapid progressive glomerular nephritis (RPGN).

METHODS

Twelve patients with RPGN (> 50% crescents) were given MP + CTX therapy and received repeated renal biopsies within 4 to 12 weeks after MP + CTX treatment. Seven were diagnosed as type II RPGN, including one case of IgA nephropathy, 2 cases of idiopathic RPGN and 4 cases of lupus nephritis and five were diagnosed as type III RPGN, including 2 cases of idiopathic RPGN and 3 cases of vasculitis. The changes of infiltrating CD4+, CD8+, CD68+ and proliferating cell nuclear antigen-PCNA+ cell levels were determined by four PAP method in glomeruli and interstitium.

RESULTS

In the patients before MP + CTX therapy, there were higher levels of infiltrating CD4+ and CD8+ cells (306 +/- 118 and 223 +/- 98.4Num/mm2) in renal interstitium, CD68+ cells (17.2 +/- 9.95 Num/G) in glomeruli and (1120 +/- 229 Num/mm2) in interstitium, and PCNA+ cells (7.56 +/- 3.57 Num/G) in glomeruli and (17.6 +/- 6.85 Num/mm2) in interstitium as compared with those in the patients after MP + CTX therapy (CD4+/CD8+ cells were 171 +/- 87.5/121 +/- 38.4 Num/mm2, CD68+ cells were 9.04 +/- 4.33 Num/G and 600 +/- 107 Num/mm2, and PCNA+ cells were 2.04 +/- 1.43 Num/G and 9.40 +/- 4.45 Num/mm2). These changes were associated with improving renal dysfunctions (the levels of serum creatinine and proteinuria decreased gradually from 766 +/- 356 to 284 +/- 192 mumol/L and 2.60 +/- 1.46 to 1.29 +/- 0.85 g/day).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicate that the renal infiltrating cells may play an important role in renal injury in patients with RPGN. The effects of MP + CTX therapy on improving renal dysfunctions may partially contribute to its amelioration of infiltrating cells in renal tissues. The degrees of CD4+, CD68+, and PCNA+ cells in the kidney may be useful indicators of MP + CTX therapy for RPGN.

A taxodiaceous seed cone from the Triassic of Antarctica

A silicified seed cone is described from the lower Middle Triassic of A silicified seed cone is described from the lower Middle Triassic of Antarctica. The cone measures up to 3.4 cm long and 1.4 cm wide, and consists of helically arranged cone scales attached to a eustelic axis. Bract and ovuliferous scale are approximately of equal length and fused at the base. The bract is entire and vascularized by a single trace. The ovuliferous scale contains five distal lobes, each vascularized by a terete strand that divides to form a smaller trace to each of the five inverted ovules. Ovules are small and flattened with the three-parted integument attenuated into oppositely positioned lateral wings. The Triassic specimens are compared with both extant and fossil conifer seed cones and believed to have their closest affinities within the Taxodiaceae.

Functional heterogeneity of parietal cells along the pit-gland axis

The gastric epithelium forms numerous short pits continuous with long tubular glands divisible into isthmus neck, and base regions. Parietal cells are produced in the isthmus and migrate down to the neck and base regions as they mature and age. Stimulation of parietal cells is manifested by translocation of H(+)-K(+)-adenosinetriphosphatase-rich tubulovesicles (TV) from the cytoplasm into the secretory-apical (SA) membrane. In this study we used rabbit isolated gastric glands to examine the physiological responses of parietal cells to graded levels of stimulation. Quantitative morphometry was used to evaluate parietal cell response along the longitudinal axis of the gland. Acid secretion as estimated by [14C]aminopyrine uptake was well correlated with parallel enzymatic and immunoblot assays for the redistribution of H(+)-K(+)-ATPase from TV to SA membranes. These responses also correlated well with morphological transformations of parietal cells within the isthmus and neck regions of the gastric gland; however, parietal cells in the base of the gland showed very little morphological change in response to any of the stimuli used. The poor responsiveness of basal parietal cells is in agreement with observations of intact mucosa and suggests that older parietal cells may serve some function other than acid secretion.

Dynamical Signature of the Mott-Hubbard Transition in Ni(S,Se)2

The transition metal chalcogenide Ni(S,Se)2 is one of the few highly correlated, Mott-Hubbard systems without a strong first-order structural distortion that normally cuts off the critical behavior at the metal-insulator transition. The zero-temperature (T) transition was tuned with pressure, and significant deviations were found near the quantum critical point from the usual T1/2 behavior of the conductivity characteristic of electron-electron interactions in the presence of disorder. The transport data for pressure and temperature below 1 kelvin could be collapsed onto a universal scaling curve.

Antineoplastic agents; I. Three spirostanol glycosides from rhizomes of Dioscorea collettii var. hypoglauca

By activity-guided fractionation, three known steroidal saponins, prosapogenin A of dioscin, dioscin and gracillin, were isolated from the total saponin fraction of Dioscorea coiletti var. hypoglauca as active compounds causing morphological abnormality of Pyricularia oryzae mycelia. The compounds also exhibited cytotoxic activity against the cancer cell line K562 in vitro. The structures of the compounds were elucidated on the basis of chemical evidence and IR, FAB-MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and two-dimensional NMR (2D-NMR) analysis.

[Surgical treatment of primary liver cancer]

The mortality rate of patients with primary liver cancer (PLC) was 20.40 per 100,000 Chinese per year, that takes the second place among all forms of cancer. Surgical resection remains the modality of primary choice in the treatment of PLC. 2051 patients with PLC were treated by liver resection from 1960 to 1993. Of those, 94.1% were hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the incidence of cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis was found in 86.5%. Small PLC (< or = 5 cm in diameter) was found in 25.1% of all cases. In the small PLC group, 176 cases were found the tumor < or = 3 cm in diameter. All 2051 patients received liver resection and 44.0% of them had local radical resection. The overall mortality rate within one month after operation was 1.1%. The overall 5-year survival rate was 36.1%. Improved surgical result was obtained in 515 patients with small PLC (< or = 5 cm in diameter). No operative death occurred in this group and the 5-year survival rate was 79.8%. Moreover, the patients with very small PLC (< or = 3 cm in diameter) prolonged their survival. The 5-year survival rate was 85.3%. Early diagnosis and early resection of PLC are one of the key points for improving the long-term results. Improvements in operative techniques play an important role in reducing post-operative complications, lowering operative mortality and obtaining better operative results. Rehepatectomy for recurrent liver cancer can improve the surgical results. 95 patients underwent rehepatectomy with a 5-year survival rate of 53.2% and 25.0% after the first and second operation respectively. One patient survived 18 years. For unresectable large tumors, two-stage resection can be used. We collected 659 cases of large unresectable tumors from 1974 to 1994. Among them, 73 cases were resected in two-stage operation. The resection rate was 11.1%, and the 5-year survival rate was 61.5%. Postoperative comprehensive treatment is also important for upregulating cellular immunological function, preventing tumor recurrence, and improving surgical results.

A novel stilbene glucoside, oxyresveratrol 3'-O-beta-glucopyranoside, from the root bark of Morus alba

A novel stilbene glucoside was isolated from the root bark of Morus alba L. (Moraceae), along with mulberroside A, cis-mulberroside A, oxyresveratrol. The structure of the novel stilbene glucoside was determined as oxyresveratrol 3'-O-beta-glucopyranoside.

Pharmacological properties of traditional medicines. XXII. Pharmacokinetic study of mulberroside A and its metabolites in rat

To identify the active components in Mori Cortex (Chinese medicine), Mori Cortex extracts were administered orally to rats, and then blood plasma, urine, and bile were analyzed. The results showed only a few remaining metabolites of mulberroside A. Consequently, to clarify the transitional properties of mulberroside A derivatives to tissues and the in vivo abundance ratio of mulberroside A compounds, the pharmacokinetics of mulberroside A derivatives were investigated in this study. When Mori Cortex extracts were administered orally, mulberroside A was only detected in small quantities in the plasma, and its bioavailability was about 1%. This is due to the first pass effect, by which most mulberroside A was converted into oxyresveratrol and transported into the circulating blood, and its absorption ratio was estimated at about 50%. Oxyresveratrol was found to be transported to tissues at high rates. As a result, when analyzing the pharmacological activity of the Mori Cortex in vitro, it is more useful to study oxyresveratrol than mulberroside A.

Localization of Cu/Zn-SOD and Mn-SOD in the rat cochlea

Distributions of the copper/zinc-superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) and the manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) in the rat cochlea were studied by immunohistochemistry with specific polyclonal antibodies to Mn-SOD and Cu/Zn-SOD. Coexpression of Mn-SOD and Cu/Zn-SOD was observed in the cochlear tissues with differing immunoactivity intensities. The presence of Cu/Zn- and Mn-SOD implies the existence of a defense system against free oxygen radical (FOR) injury in cochlear tissues.

New furostanol glycosides, chinenoside IV and V, from Allium chinense

Further studies on water-soluble components in the bulbs of Allium chinense G. Don have led to the isolation of two new furostanol saponins, chinenoside IV (1) and V (2). On the basis of chemical evidence and spectral analyses [1H-, 13C-NMR (DEPT), 1H-1H COSY (COSY45 and p-type), 1H-1H relay-COSY, 1H-13C COSY, HMBC, and FAB-MS], the structure of 1 was established as 26-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-3 beta,26-dihydroxy-23-hydroxymethyl-25(R)- 5 alpha-furost-20(22)-en-6-one 3-O-beta-xylopyranosyl(1-->4)-[alpha- arabinopyranosyl(1-->6)]-beta-glucopyranoside and that of 2 to be 26-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-3 beta, 26-dihydroxy-23-hydroxymethyl-25-(R)-5 alpha-furost-20(22)-en-6-one 3-O-alpha-arabinopyranosyl (1-->6)-beta- glucopyranoside, respectively.

[Relationship between body composition and serum thyroid hormone in children aged 8 to 12 years]

Eighty-one children aged 8 to 12 years were divided into three groups, i.e., obese, normal, and thin ones according to their body fat percentage, and serum thyroid hormone, zinc and copper concentrations were determined for them to study relationship between body composition and serum thyroid hormone, zinc and copper. Results indicated serum level of free 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (FT3) was significantly higher in the obese group than in the other two groups, and that in the normal group was higher than that in the thin one. Analysis showed body fat composition correlated with serum FT3 positively. No correlation between body composition, serum thyroid hormone, and serum zinc and copper in children aged 8 to 12 years was observed in this experiment.

Inhibition of topoisomerase II by ICRF-193 prevents efficient replication of herpes simplex virus type 1

Cellular topoisomerase II is specifically inactivated by the drug ICRF-193. This compound turns topoisomerase II into a closed clamp that is unable to cleave DNA. We have investigated the effects of this inhibitor on the replication of herpes simplex virus type 1. We show that ICRF-193 at low multiplicities of infection dramatically inhibits viral DNA synthesis and the production of infectious virus. The inhibition is less efficient at high multiplicities of infection. In addition, inhibition of viral DNA synthesis was observed only when ICRF-193 was present during the first 4 h of the infectious cycle. The transient replication of plasmids containing a herpes simplex virus type 1 origin of DNA replication, oriS, was affected by ICRF-193 in the same way. In contrast, neither cellular DNA synthesis nor replication of plasmids containing a simian virus 40 origin of DNA replication was inhibited. The observed effect on herpes simplex virus DNA replication was not caused by a decreased transcription of replication genes inasmuch as the levels of UL8, UL9, UL29, and UL30 rmRNAs were unaffected by the drug. These results suggest that topoisomerase II plays a vital role during the replication of herpes simplex virus type 1 DNA. We speculate that topoisomerase II is involved in the decatenation of newly synthesized daughter molecules.

Stimulation of gastric acid secretion by cAMP in a novel alpha-toxin-permeabilized gland model

It is generally believed that histamine-stimulated gastric acid secretion involves a transient elevation of intracellular Ca2+ and the adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase (PKA) cascade through phosphorylation, whose actions ultimately effect the fusion of H(+)-K(+)-adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase)-containing vesicles to the apical plasma membrane of parietal cells. To dissect the signaling events underlying gastric acid secretion, we have developed a permeabilized gastric gland model using Staphylococcus alpha-toxin. The advantage of this model is its ability to retain cytosolic components that are required for the secretory machinery. Here we show that acid secretion in alpha-toxin-permeabilized glands is a cAMP-dependent process, reaching a maximal stimulation at 100 microM cAMP. The cAMP-elicited acid secretion, as monitored by the accumulation of the weak base aminopyrine (AP), required functional mitochondria or exogenously supplied ATP. Maximal stimulation elicited by cAMP for AP uptake by permeabilized glands was 51-85% of intact glands. Moreover, secretory activity was potentiated by 0.1 mM ATP. The recruitment of H(+)-K(+)-ATPase-rich tubulovesicles into the apical plasma membrane was measured using biochemical and morphological assays, thus validating the cell activation processes in response to cAMP. From this permeabilized model, [gamma-32P]ATP was used to directly phosphorylate target proteins. A number of proteins whose phosphorylation-dephosphorylation is specifically modulated by cAMP were found. These studies establish the first permeabilized gland model in which the resting-to-secreting transition can be triggered and show that cAMP-mediated phosphorylation is correlated with secretory activity.