In vitro sensitivity of Plasmodium falciparum to eight antimalarials in China-Myanmar and China-Lao PDR border areas

In 1991-1995 by using the Rieckmann in vitro micro-method, susceptibilities of Plasmodium falciparum to eight antimalarials in the China-Lao PDR and China-Myanmar border areas were tested. The resistant rates of P. falciparum to chloroquinine were 95.0%-100%; IC50 114-240nmol/l. P. falciparum resistant rates to amodiaquine resistance accounted for 83.5%-100%, IC50 52-72nmol/l. All cases were sensitive to quinine, IC50 470-608nmol/l. P. falciparum isolates from the Lao PDR frontier were highly sensitive to artesunate, dihydroartemisinin, and arteether. Resistant rates from other areas were 0-11%. P. falciparum from China-Myanmar and Lao PDR border areas were also sensitive to mefloquine, IC50 68-88nmol/l. A longitudinal survey of the sensitivity of P. falciparum in vivo on the China-Lao PDR border showed that the average defervescent time of falciparum malaria was treated by pyronaridine increased from 32.7 +/- 16.0 hours during 1984-85 to 56.2 +/- 27.4 hours in 1995; the recrudescence rate rose up from 15.2% to 37.5%. The results monitored in vitro showed that all cases assessed in 1988 for response to pyronaridine were sensitive, but 36.4% of cases had emerging resistance, IC50 increased from 13nmol/l to 40 nmol/l. The above results suggested that P. falciparum in these areas has expressed resistance to chloroquine and amodiaquine. However, the parasites are still sensitive to artemisinin, pyronaridine, mefloquine, quinine, but with a declining sensitivities.

[Study on cellular immunity in children with respiratory syncytial virus associated acute lower respiratory infection]

For exploring cellular immunity disturbances in children with acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) the level of interleukin-2 (IL-2) soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL- 2R), the expression rate of interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) on T cells and percentage of T lymphocyte subsets were determined in peripheral blood of 25 acute cases. The results showed that compared acute stage of RSV associated ALRI with recovery stage and control group, the level of peripheral blood IL-2 and expression rates of IL-2R decreased but the level of sIL-2R increased. The level of IL-2 had positive correlation with IL-2R and percentage of CD4+ cells, but had negative correlation with sIL-2R and percentage of CD8+ cells. The plasma sIL-2R level had negative correlation with expression rate of IL-2R, but had a positive correlation with clinical severity. These results suggested that human body had a functional disturbance in cellular immunity when infected with RSV.

Assessment of benzodiazepine receptors using iodine-123-labeled iomazenil single-photon emission computed tomography in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease. A comparison with PET study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

[123I]Iomazenil (IMZ) is a tracer used for single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) that has the characteristics of selectively binding to central benzodiazepine receptors (BZR) in the neuron membrane. To determine whether IMZ SPECT provides new information on assessing neuronal damage after ischemic insult to the brain, we compared IMZ SPECT images with the cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2), and cerebral metabolic rate of glucose (CMRGlc) studied by position emission tomography in the chronic stage of ischemic stroke.

METHODS

Five patients (male; mean age, 63.2 +/- 6.0 years) with ischemic cerebrovascular disease and 6 age- and sex-matched normal control subjects were studied. IMZ images obtained 180 minutes after injection were analyzed for BZR binding, and these images were compared with the CBF, CMRO2, and CMRGlc obtained by position emission tomography in the same perfusion areas both visually and quantitatively.

RESULTS

In the visual analysis of data obtained from 4 patients with subcortical infarction, decreased IMZ accumulation was observed locally in the overlying normal-appearing cortices of the affected hemisphere, where extensive hypoperfusion and hypometabolism were seen on the images of CBF, CMRO2, and CMRGlc. The regional relative IMZ uptake (regional to cerebellar ratio) for all 5 patients was significantly correlated with the corresponding regional CMRO2 values (r = .45, P < .05). However, no significant correlation was found of the IMZ uptake with either the regional CBF or the regional CMRGlc.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of IMZ SPECT provides new information on the neuronal alteration induced by chronic ischemic cerebrovascular disease.

Reduced expression of retinoblastoma gene product (pRB) and high expression of p53 are associated with poor prognosis in ovarian cancer

Paraffin sections (n = 168, 27 benign, 16 low malignant potential [LMP] and 125 malignant tumours) from epithelial ovarian tumours were evaluated immunohistochemically for expression of retinoblastoma gene product (pRB) and p53 protein, and the relationship among pRB, p53 and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2 (CDKN2) gene product p16INK4A (p16) was analysed, following our previous study of p16. Forty-one percent of the benign, 50% of the LMP and most (71%) of the malignant tumours showed high pRB expression. High expression of pRB (>50% pRB-positive cells) significantly correlated with non-mucinous histological subtypes. Reduced pRB expression, substage and residual disease were significant predictors for poor prognosis in stage I patients. All the benign and most of the LMP (81%) tumours were in either the p53-negative or low p53-positive category, but nearly half of the malignant tumours had high p53 expression. High p53 accumulation was found in non-mucinous, high grade and late stage tumours. For well-differentiated carcinomas, high p53 expression was a predictor of poor prognosis. However, even though high p53 expression was not associated with histological subtype, stage or the presence of residual disease, high p53 expression was not an independent predictor when all clinical parameters were combined. For all ovarian cancers, a close correlation was found between high p53 and high p16 expression. The relationship between the expression of pRB and p16 depended on tumour stage. In stage I tumours, high pRB was associated with low p16 reactivity. On the other hand, most advanced tumours showed both high pRB and high p16 reactivity.

CTLA4-Ig and anti-CD40 ligand prevent renal allograft rejection in primates

Selective inhibition of T cell costimulation using the B7-specific fusion protein CTLA4-Ig has been shown to induce long-term allograft survival in rodents. Antibodies preventing the interaction between CD40 and its T cell-based ligand CD154 (CD40L) have been shown in rodents to act synergistically with CTLA4-Ig. It has thus been hypothesized that these agents might be capable of inducing long-term acceptance of allografted tissues in primates. To test this hypothesis in a relevant preclinical model, CTLA4-Ig and the CD40L-specific monoclonal antibody 5C8 were tested in rhesus monkeys. Both agents effectively inhibited rhesus mixed lymphocyte reactions, but the combination was 100 times more effective than either drug alone. Renal allografts were transplanted into nephectomized rhesus monkeys shown to be disparate at major histocompatibility complex class I and class II loci. Control animals rejected in 5-8 days. Brief induction doses of CTLA4-Ig or 5C8 alone significantly prolonged rejection-free survival (20-98 days). Two of four animals treated with both agents experienced extended (>150 days) rejection-free allograft survival. Two animals treated with 5C8 alone and one animal treated with both 5C8 and CTLA4-Ig experienced late, biopsy-proven rejection, but a repeat course of their induction regimen successfully restored normal graft function. Neither drug affected peripheral T cell or B cell counts. There were no clinically evident side effects or rejections during treatment. We conclude that CTLA4-Ig and 5C8 can both prevent and reverse acute allograft rejection, significantly prolonging the survival of major histocompatibility complex-mismatched renal allografts in primates without the need for chronic immunosuppression.

[Effects of n-butanol extract from Cortex Ilicis rotundae on blood pressure and heart rate in rate]

It was studied that effects of n-butanol extract from Cortex Ilicis Rotundae on blood pressure and heart rate in differedt state. Results showed that the drug elicited a sgnificant depressor effect on both normal pressure and artery pressure to rise for common carotid artery blocked in rats. Of the two latter decline of percent of blood presure and active time and slowing heart rate were more significan than the former. It was same depressor effect that injected the drug into duodenum but not act to hypotensive rats. These results suggested that the drug induce significantly depressor effect and slow heart rat with the exception of hypotension.

Effect of nicardipine on cerebral blood flow in hypertensive patients with internal carotid artery occlusion: a PET study

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to elucidate the effect of intravenous administration of nicardipine on the cerebral blood flow of hypertensive patients with internal carotid artery occlusion (ICAO).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Six patients with ICAO and 10 normal individuals were examined by positron emission tomography. The cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV), cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen, oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) and CBF/CBV ratio were evaluated for each vascular territory and each hemisphere, and the interhemispheric asymmetry index of each parameter was also calculated. Nicardipine was administered intravenously to each patient, and the changes in CBF (DeltaCBF%) and in blood pressure (DeltaBP) were examined.

RESULTS

After the administration of nicardipine, the CBF was significantly increased in the patient hemisphere and was unchanged in the occluded hemisphere. Stepwise regression analysis disclosed that the DeltaBP and asymmetry index of OEF were significantly correlated with the DeltaCBF% in the occluded hemisphere.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that CBF is unchanged or increased in ICAO patients after nicardipine administration, but that excessive reduction of blood pressure may lead to CBF decrease in the patients with marked hemodynamic imbalance between the occluded and patent hemispheres. These results suggest that it is advisable not to reduce blood pressure excessively in these patients in the treatment of perioperative or acute hypertension with calcium antagonist.

Processing of the gap junction protein connexin50 in the ocular lens is accomplished by calpain

Gap junction channel forming connexins share a common membrane topology which has four transmembrane spanning segments with the amino- and carboxy termini both located on the cytoplasmic side. Both, mutation and truncation of the carboxyl tail of some connexins have been shown previously to have profound effects on channel function. Truncation of the carboxyl tail of connexin50 (Cx50) and connexin46 (Cx46) occurs naturally during the maturation of fiber cells in the mammalian lens. This system therefore offers the unique opportunity to study not only the cleavage process but also the functional role played by the cleaved domain, in a physiologically relevant context. As a first step, we now report on the cleavage of the 70 kDa ovine isoform of Cx50. The calcium-activated neutral protease calpain (EC 3.4.22.17) was identified as the enzyme which removed a 32 kDa carboxyl portion from the Cx50 molecule in mature lens fiber cells. The amino-terminal 38 kDa portion remained embedded in the plasma membrane and was isolated and visualized as channel structures. The amino-terminal sequence of the cleaved 32 kDa portion matched an interior portion of the published amino acid sequence of the ovine Cx50 isoform. Thus, two closely spaced calpain cleavage sites were identified in the Cx50 molecule which were located carboxy-terminal from the predicted exit of the fourth transmembrane spanning segment by 62 or 72 amino acid residues, respectively. These data provide the basic information required for the future construction of Cx50 mutants to explore the functional consequences of this cleavage.

Lipid-induced depression of methane production and digestibility in the artificial rumen system (RUSITEC)

An artificial rumen (RUSITEC) equipped with eight fermenters was used to examine the effects of canola oil (CA), cod liver oil (CD) and coconut oil (CO) on methane production, dietary digestibility and rumen microbial populations. The experiment, repeated three times, involved two diets (100% grass hay or a 90%:10% wheat:hay mixture) either untreated (controls) or sprayed with CA, CD or CO (10%, wt/wt) in a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement. Dry matter disappearance and CH4 production were greater (P < 0.05) from untreated concentrate diet than from untreated hay. There were significant interactions (P < 0.05) between diet and lipid type for DM digestion and several of the fermentation parameters. Coconut oil decreased (P < 0.05) DM and neutral detergent fibre disappearance of hay but did not affect digestion of concentrate. All oils, especially CO, depressed (P < 0.05) CH4 production (mmol g−1 digestible DM) and methanogenic populations regardless of diet. Methanogens on CO-treated diets numbered less than 1% of those on CA- and CD-treated diets. Total viable, amylolytic, and cellulolytic bacterial numbers were also substantially reduced (P < 0.05) by CO, but not by CA or CD for both diets. Bacterial colonization and digestion of CO-treated hay was markedly less extensive than that observed on untreated, CA- or CD-treated hay. The molar proportion of propionate produced was increased (P < 0.05) by CA and CD, for the hay diet, but not for the concentrate diet. Coconut oil decreased (P < 0.05) the molar proportion of propionate produced on the hay diet and increased (P < 0.05) it on the concentrate diet. Of the three oils, CO was most inhibitory to CH4 production and depressed fibre digestion. The CA and CD also decreased CH4 production, but did not affect feed digestion in either diet. Consequently, the amount of metabolizable energy of feeds may be increased when diets are supplemented with these oils. Key words: Lipids, methane, digestibility, artificial rumen, bacteria, VFA

Serine protease inhibition and mitochondrial dysfunction associated with cisplatin resistance in human tumor cell lines: targets for therapy

Indicators of mitochondrial function were studied in two different cell culture models of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum-II (CDDP) resistance: the intrinsically resistant human ovarian cancer cell line CI-80-13S, and resistant clones (HeLa-S1a and HeLa-S1b) generated by stable expression of the serine protease inhibitor-plasminogen activator inhibitor type-2 (PAI-2), in the human cervical cancer cell line HeLa. In both models, CDDP resistance was associated with sensitivity to killing by adriamycin, etoposide, auranofin, bis[1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane]gold(I) chloride ([Au(DPPE)2]Cl), CdCl2 and the mitochondrial inhibitors rhodamine-123 (Rh123), dequalinium chloride (DeCH), tetraphenylphosphonium (TPP), and ethidium bromide (EtBr) and with lower constitutive levels of ATP. Unlike the HeLa clones, CI-80-13S cells were additionally sensitive to chloramphenicol, 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+), rotenone, thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTFA), and antimycin A, and showed poor reduction of 1-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), suggesting a deficiency in NADH dehydrogenase and/or succinate dehydrogenase activities. Total platinum uptake and DNA-bound platinum were slightly lower in CI-80-13S than in sensitive cells. The HeLa-S1a and HeLa-S1b clones, on the other hand, showed poor reduction of triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC), indicative of low cytochrome c oxidase activity. Total platinum uptake by HeLa-Sla was similar to HeLa, but DNA-bound platinum was much lower than for the parent cell line. The mitochondria of CI-80-13S and HeLa-S1a showed altered morphology and were fewer in number than those of JAM and HeLa. In both models, CDDP resistance was associated with less platinum accumulation and with mitochondrial and membrane defects, brought about one case with expression of a protease inhibitor which is implicated in tumor progression. Such markers may identify tumors suitable for treatment with gold phosphine complexes or other mitochondrial inhibitors.

Characterization of human and pig kidney long-chain-acyl-CoA dehydrogenases and their role in beta-oxidation

Long-chain-acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (LCADH) has been produced by recombinant techniques from the human cDNA and purified after expression in Escherichia coli. Pig kidney LCADH was purified using an optimized method which also produces apparently pure short-chain-acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (SCADH) and medium-chain-acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCADH) in good yields. LCADH from both sources has a maximal turnover rate (Vmax of 650-700 min(-1) at pH 7.6) with the best substrates, which is approximately fivefold higher than reported previously. The human enzyme has an approximately fivefold higher Km compared with the pig kidney enzyme with substrates of chain length from C10 to C18 and a significantly different dependence of Vmax on the chain length. Pig kidney LCADH has a similar Vmax/Km with C10 to C14 substrates as MCADH does with C6 to C10 substrates. Recombinant human LCADH, however, is significantly less efficient (approximately fourfold with C12) than purified pig kidney enzyme. We conclude that human LCADH is either quantitatively less important in beta-oxidation than in the pig, or that post-translational modifications, not present in the recombinant human enzyme, are required to optimize human LCADH activity. Our results demonstrate that LCADH is as important as the other acyl-CoA dehydrogenases in fatty acid oxidation at physiological, mitochondrial pH with optimal substrates of chain length C10-C14. The extent of the LCADH-flavin cofactor reduction observed with most substrates and the rate of the subsequent reoxidation with oxygen are markedly different from those found with human medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase. Both LCADH are inactivated by the substrate analogue 2-octynoyl-CoA, possibly via covalent modification of Glu261, the active-site residue involved in deprotonation of the substrate (alpha)C-H.

Effect of diaspirin crosslinked hemoglobin on systemic and regional blood circulation in pregnant rats

Diaspirin crosslinked hemoglobin (DCLHb: Baxter Healthcare Corp., Round Lake, IL, USA) is a biochemically stable hemoglobin based solution with excellent oxygen carrying capacity. Studies have been conducted in male rats to determine the effect of DCLHb on systemic and regional blood circulation. However, the cardiovascular effect of DCLHb has not been studied in female rats. In the present study the effect of DCLHb (400 mg/kg, i.v.) was observed on systemic hemodynamic parameters and regional blood circulation in non-pregnant rats, and in 9-day pregnant and 18-day pregnant rats. DCLHb increased mean arterial pressure (MAP) and total peripheral resistance (TPR) and increased blood flow to the heart, gastrointestinal tract (GIT), mesentery & pancreas, and skin in all groups of rats. The basal blood flow to the ovaries was higher in 18-day pregnant rats when compared to non-pregnant and 9-day pregnant rats. DCLHb further increased blood flow to the ovaries of 18-day pregnant rats. It is concluded that DCLHb increases blood flow to the heart, GIT and skin as a result of redistribution of blood from the musculoskeletal system. Blood flow in female reproductive organs is not altered by DCLHb in non-pregnant rats and during mid-term pregnancy. However, in advanced stages of pregnancy DCLHb increases blood flow to the ovaries.

[The immunogenicity of tooth allografts in mice]

The mice used in this study were of the in-bred strains C57BL/6 and Balb/c which differ at the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). The immunogenicity of tooth allografts was studied in vitro by means of detecting the response of Antibody-Complement Mediated Cytotoxity (ACMC) and Cell Mediated Cytotoxity (CMC) of the host. We found that there was significant difference for both ACMC and CMC activity between the allogenic and isogenic tooth transplantation (P < 0.01). The results indicate that tooth allografts are immunogens and do evoke the immune response of recipients.

[Reproduction and cultivation of Neocheiropteris palmatopedata]

Neocheiropteris palmatopedata is a rare medicinal plant which only distributes in the boundary among Guizhou, Yannan and Sichuan. The paper reports cultivation methods with using rhizome and spores of N. palmatopetata as reproduction materials.

Atrophy of the corpus callosum, cognitive impairment, and cortical hypometabolism in progressive supranuclear palsy

Recent studies disclosed neurofibrillary degeneration in layer 3 of the association cortex in patients with progressive supranuclear palsy. This lesion may be associated with corpus callosum atrophy and may impair the function of cortical regions indispensable for complex cognitive activity. To investigate whether corpus callosum atrophy is associated with cognitive impairment and cerebral cortical hypometabolism, we studied 10 patients with progressive supranuclear palsy using magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography with fluorodeoxyglucose as a tracer. Compared with 23 age-matched control subjects, the patients had significantly decreased callosal area-skull area ratios, with anterior predominance of the degree of atrophy. The corpus callosum atrophy was accompanied by a decreased mean cortical glucose metabolic rate, predominantly in the frontal region of the cortex, and poor performance on the picture arrangement subtest of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale and the verbal fluency task. We conclude that corpus callosum atrophy with anterior predominance is present in progressive supranuclear palsy, and that this atrophy is associated with cognitive impairment and cerebral cortical hypometabolism, especially in the frontal cortical region. Corpus callosum atrophy may reflect the pathological changes in the cerebral cortex, accentuated in the frontal region, that contribute to the development of frontal lobe dysfunction in this disease.

The rotavirus enterotoxin NSP4 mobilizes intracellular calcium in human intestinal cells by stimulating phospholipase C-mediated inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate production

Rotavirus infection is the leading cause of severe diarrhea in infants and young children worldwide. The rotavirus nonstructural protein NSP4 acts as a viral enterotoxin to induce diarrhea and causes Ca2+-dependent transepithelial Cl- secretion in young mice. The cellular basis of this phenomenon was investigated in an in vitro cell line model for the human intestine. Intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was monitored in fura-2-loaded HT-29 cells using microscope-based fluorescence imaging. NSP4 (1 nM to 5 microM) induced both Ca2+ release from intracellular stores and plasmalemma Ca2+ influx. During NSP4-induced [Ca2+]i mobilization, [Na+]i homeostasis was not disrupted, demonstrating that NSP4 selectively regulated extracellular Ca2+ entry into these cells. The ED50 of the NSP4 effect on peak [Ca2+]i mobilization was 4.6 +/- 0.8 nM. Pretreatment of cells with either 2.3 x 10(-3) units/ml trypsin or 4.4 x 10(-2) units/ml chymotrypsin for 1-10 min abolished the NSP4-induced [Ca2+]i mobilization. Superfusing cells with U-73122, an inhibitor of phospholipase C, ablated the NSP4 response. NSP4 induced a rapid onset and transient stimulation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) production in an IP3-specific radioreceptor assay. Taken together, these results suggest that NSP4 mobilizes [Ca2+]i in human intestinal cells through receptor-mediated phospholipase C activation and IP3 production.

Human papillomavirus infection and risk determinants for squamous intraepithelial lesion and cervical cancer in Japan

A case control design was used to investigate human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence and risk factors associated with development of cervical squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) and cervical cancer (CC) in Japan. One hundred and twenty-three women with histologically confirmed SIL or CC were compared to a control group of 778 cytologically normal women. With the use of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method for detection of low-risk (types 6 and 11) and high-risk (types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 52 and 58) HPVs, a high prevalence of HPV infection was observed in smokers among the controls. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that high-risk HPV infection was the most significant risk determinant for LSIL (OR=9.4, 95% CI=4.5-19), HSIL (OR=77, 95% CI=28-217) and CC (OR=97, 95% CI=35-269). It also showed that unmarried women, women married for 5 to 19 years and smokers represented high risk groups for SIL, while smokers and women with a history of many pregnancies/parities had increased risk for CC. Smoking was the only HPV infection-independent factor for CC, suggesting that smoking may have a carcinogenic effect on the cervix. Since neither history of other cancer nor family cancer history was associated with SIL or CC, genetic factors appear to play little role in cervical carcinogenesis. The risk for cervical neoplasia due to HPV infection increased after marriage in Japan, suggesting a role for husbands as carriers of HPV transmission. Protection from high-risk HPV infection may be of greatest importance for prevention of cervical cancer.

[Application of serum bile acid chromatography to the diagnoses of liver diseases]

In order to explore the specificity of serum bile acid (SBA) chromatograph in the diagnoses of different kinds of hepatosis, we investigated by means of gas chromatography the changes of serum bile acids in workers who exposed to hexogen or chloroethylene and in patients who suffered from hepatosis such as acute jaundice hepatitis, chronic active hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. The results revealed different disturbances of SBA occurring in the liver injuries induced by the two kinds of hepatotoxicant. Serum lithocholic acid (LCA), deoxycholic acid (DCA) and chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) in workers exposed to hexogen and wre significantly different from those of the control group respectively (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.05); on the other hand, only serum LCA and DCA went up in workers exposed to chloroethylene (P < 0.0005, P < 0.001). The main changes both concentrated on the secondary bile acids. In acute jaundice hepatitis, chronic active hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver cancer, serum LCA, DCA, CDCA and cholic acids (CA) all went up in different degrees compared with the control group respectively (P < 0.005, P < 0.025, P < 0.005, P < 0.005). But no difference was noted among the 4 kinds of bile acids (P > 0.5), except that between CA and CDCA. These provided the evidence of the diagnosis and identification of clinical hepato-biliary diseases and occupational liver injures.

Effects of hormone replacement therapy on serum amyloid P component in postmenopausal women

The pentraxin serum amyloid P component (SAP) is a 9.5Sz1-glycoprotein and it has recently been found to be deposited in atherosclerotic lesions or neurofibrillary tangles, which are related to the aging process and Alzheimer's disease. The level of SAP was measured by micro single radial-immunodiffusion. Sample sera were obtained from 420 healthy humans, from newborn to 86 years old. The changes in SAP during the menstrual cycle were investigated in 6 women that were 20-21 years. Fifty of the postmenopausal women, suffering from climacteric symptoms, were administered either conjugated estrogen (E), or dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). The SAP levels increased with age, being 1.12 +/- 0.82 mg/dl (means +/- S.D.) in neonates, and 6.15 +/- 0.92 mg/dl in persons over 80 years. The SAP level in the females between 15 and 49 years (3.32 +/- 0.95 mg/dl) was significantly (P < 0.001) lower than that in the males in the same age group (5.19 +/- 1.25 mg/dl). The SAP level in the follicular phase was significantly (P < 0.01) lower than that in menstrual phase (menstrual: 4.36 +/- 0.90 mg/dl versus follicular: 2.61 +/- 0.99 mg/dl). In the post-menopausal women that were administered E (1.25 mg/day), the SAP decreased significantly (P < 0.001) from the prelevel of 5.64 +/- 1.40 mg/dl to 4.26 +/- 0.98 mg/dl on the 14th day. In the postmenopausal women that were administered DHEA (60 mg/day), the SAP increased rapidly from the prelevel of 4.97 +/- 0.76 mg/dl to 6.17 +/- 1.20 mg/dl on the 21st day. SAP seems to be a marker that can monitor the effect of hormone replacement therapy.

Increased expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2 (CDKN2A) gene product P16INK4A in ovarian cancer is associated with progression and unfavourable prognosis

Paraffin sections from 190 epithelial ovarian tumours, including 159 malignant and 31 benign epithelial tumours, were analysed immunohistochemically for expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2 (CDKN2A) gene product p16INK4A (p16). Most benign tumours showed no p16 expression in the tumour cells, whereas only 11% of malignant cancers were p16 negative. A high proportion of p16-positive tumour cells was associated with advanced stage and grade, and with poor prognosis in cancer patients. For FIGO stage I tumours, a high proportion of p16-positive tumour cells was associated with poorer survival, suggesting that accumulation of p16 is an early event of ovarian tumorigenesis. In contrast to tumour cells, high expression of p16 in the surrounding stromal cells was not associated with the stage and grade, but was associated with longer survival. When all parameters were combined in a multivariate analysis, high p16 expression in stromal cells was not an independent predictor for survival, indicating that low p16 expression in stromal cells is associated with other markers of tumour progression. High expression of p16 in the stromal cells of tumours from long-term survivors suggests that tumour growth is limited to some extent by factors associated with p16 expression in the matrix.

[The study and primary application of multimedia teaching and learning system for diseases of temporomandibular joint]

A multimedia computer-assistant teaching and learning system for diseases of temporomandibular joint was reported in this paper. It was designed and implemented in Windows (Chinese) on PC 486. It was emphasized that interactive teaching and learning was an available, funny method and student was the focus of teaching and learning in this system. A satisfied result was obtained by utilizing of this multimedia teaching and learning system for primary application.

In vitro inhibition of proliferation of HL-60 cells by tetrandrine and coriolus versicolor peptide derived from Chinese medicinal herbs

Coriolus versicolor polysaccharide peptide (CVP) and the bis-benzylisoquinoline alkaloids, tetrandrine (TET) and berbamine (BER), the active ingredients isolated from Chinese medicinal herbs known to possess antitumor activities, concentration-dependently inhibited the proliferation of human leukemic HL-60 cells. CVP did not affect the growth of normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL), whereas TET elicited concentration-dependent cytotoxic effects. Morphological observation and DNA analysis revealed that CVP elicited no effect on the morphological features of HL-60 cells and did not cause DNA fragmentation, but TET and BER caused cell shrinkage with the formation of apoptotic bodies, and showed clear evidence of DNA fragmentation. These findings indicate that TET and BER, but not CVP, inhibited the proliferation of HL-60 cells via induction of apoptosis.

HLA-DRB1 alleles genotyping in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Chinese

OBJECTIVE

To explore the role of HLA-DRB1 genes in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the correlations between HLA-DR alleles and clinical manifestations of patients with RA.

METHODS

86 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 106 race matched controls were studied in whom HLA-DR typing was performed by the method of DNA amplification with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP). The subtypes of HLA-DR4 were determined by the method of hybridization of PCR products with sequence-specific oligonucleotides (PCR-SSO). The absence or presence of HLA-DR4 and its subtypes was correlated with the clinical and serological characteristics of the patients.

RESULTS

Compared with controls, an increased gene frequency of HLA-DR4 (48.8% vs 17.9%, P < 0.001) and a decreased frequency of HLA-DR7 (16.3% vs 27.4%, P = 0.06) were found. The DRB1* 0405 account for 61.9% of DR4+RA patients and 21.1% of DR4+ controls (P < 0.01). There was no difference between the DR4+ and DR4- patients with respect to age, sex, duration of disease, rheumatoid factor (RF), extra-articular manifestations including secondary Sjogren's syndrome. According to the wrist X-ray stage, the patients of DR4+ were more severe than that of DR4- (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

HLA-DR4 and DR4 subtype of DRB1*0405 are related to the development of RA in Chinese. HLA-DR4 can be a useful prognostic marker in the patients with RA.

Widespread loss of gelsolin in breast cancers of humans, mice, and rats

Down-regulation of gelsolin, an actin-binding protein, is frequently found in several types of transformed cells and tumors. The present study demonstrates that gelsolin protein and RNA were absent or markedly reduced in human breast cancer cell lines relative to "normal" mortal human mammary epithelial cells and benign, immortalized cell lines. Moreover, actin filaments were usually attenuated coincident with the reduction in gelsolin. Gelsolin was also missing or greatly decreased in 70% of 30 human sporadic, invasive breast carcinomas examined by immunocytochemistry and in 100% of virally induced mouse and chemically induced rat mammary carcinomas evaluated by Northern analysis. Southern analysis revealed no major mutations in the gelsolin gene of human breast cancer cells. Our results show that partial or total loss of gelsolin expression is common to the majority of breast cancers of diverse etiologies in three animal species and point to gelsolin as a candidate suppressor of breast cancer.

Atrophy of the corpus callosum associated with cognitive impairment and widespread cortical hypometabolism in carotid artery occlusive disease

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether atrophy of the corpus callosum is associated with cognitive impairment and widespread cerebral cortical hypometabolism in carotid artery occlusive disease.

PATIENTS

Twelve patients with unilateral internal carotid artery occlusive disease (1 with severe stenosis and 11 with occlusion) and no cortical infarction in the chronic stage (mean +/- SD age, 64 +/- 5 years).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Midsagittal corpus callosum area-skull area ratio (on T1-weighted magnetic resonance images), the sum of the scaled scores of the 6 subtests on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (Digit Span, Arithmetic, Picture Arrangement, Object Assembly, Block Design, and Digit Symbol), and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (measured with position emission tomography by using the oxygen 15 steady-state technique).

RESULTS

The degree of cognitive impairment varied but was strongly correlated with the severity of callosal atrophy (r = 0.92, P < .001). Patients with callosal atrophy and cognitive decline also showed decreased oxygen consumption in the bilateral cerebral cortices. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that the severity of white matter lesions, especially in the centrum semiovale, and that of cortical atrophy in the hemisphere with arterial disease were 2 important factors for callosal atrophy.

CONCLUSIONS

Callosal atrophy is associated with cognitive impairment and widespread cerebral cortical hypometabolism in carotid artery occlusive disease without cortical infarction. Callosal atrophy might reflect the severity of the disconnection between cortical regions, and this may be an important factor in the development of cognitive impairment with widespread cortical hypometabolism in carotid artery occlusive disease without large cortical lesions.

p53 mutations in transitional cell carcinomas of the urinary bladder in rats treated with N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)-nitrosamine

Involvement of p53 gene alterations has been demonstrated in a variety of human neoplasias including urinary bladder carcinomas. N-Butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN)-induced urinary bladder carcinogenesis models in rodents have been widely used to study carcinogenic processes in this organ. In the present study, transitional cell carcinomas induced in the urinary bladders of male F344 rats treated with 0.05% BBN for 16 or 32 weeks and then sacrificed at experimental week 32 were analyzed for mutational changes in the p53 and H-ras genes by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis and subsequent DNA sequencing. The total p53 mutation incidences were 3/10 (30%) and 8/12 (66.7%) in rats treated with BBN for 16 weeks followed by 16 weeks' non-treatment, or in rats treated with BBN for 32 weeks, respectively, while the H-ras mutation incidences were 0/10 (0%), and 1/12 (8.3%), respectively. The present results indicate that mutations in the p53 gene might be involved in the process of urinary bladder carcinogenesis by BBN as part of a multistep pathway. However, considering the decreasing tendency in lesions with p53 mutations after stopping BBN administration, a p53 mutation alone would not appear to be sufficient to give a marked selective advantage to mutant cells. No evidence of H-ras mutation involvement was gained even for the late course of rat urinary bladder carcinogenesis.

[Immunohistochemical study of lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes in gastric cancer: light and electron microscopic observations]

In order to study the metabolic features of gastric cancer, the relationship between intestinal metaplasia or dysplasia and gastric cancer, and the relationship between LDH isoenzymes and biological behavior of gastric cancer, the content and distribution of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzymes in 60 cases of gastric cancer were observed with immunohistochemical and immunoelectron microscopic techniques. The results showed that the content of LDH5 in gastric cancer cells was higher than that in any cells of normal gastric epithelium except parietal cells (P < 0.001). LDH-H (LDH1-LDH4) in cancer cells was lower than in parietal cells, but was not significantly different from that in chief cells and surface epithelium. Under electron microscope, LDH5 in cancer cells was mainly distributed in the matrix of cytoplasm, while LDH-H was scarce. LDH5 in the epithelium of intestinal metaplasia (IM) or dysplasia was higher than in pyloric glandular epithelium (P < 0.05), but was not significantly different from that in cancer cells (P > 0.2). LDH-H in the epithelium of IM or dysplasia was higher than that in pyloric glandular epithelium and gastric cancer cells (P < 0.05). The results suggest that increased LDH in gastric cancer cells is resulted mainly from increased LDH5, which makes the gastric cancer cells produce more lactate, with decrease in local pH. Invasion and spread of cancer cells could be indirectly promoted through an elevated activity of acid hydrolases. IM and dysplasia may be considered as borderline lesions from normal gastric mucosa to gastric cancer.

[Changes of chemical constituents of radix Sophorae flavescentis in complex formulas of traditional Chinese medicine]

Experiments have been made on the changes of chemical constituents in complex formulas of traditional Chinese medicine. The results show that in the complex formula containing Radix Sophorae Flavescentis, as affected by various conditions of processing such as water, temperature and coexisting reductive substances, the content of oxymatrine tends to decrease gradually to disappear while that of matrine increase gradually.

[Expression of cytokines in labial gland of Sjögren's syndrome]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the role of cytokines in the process of inflammation and destruction of minor salivary gland in Sjögren's Syndrome. (SS) METHODS: Using in situ non-isotope double hybridization method, we detected the mRNA of the following cytokines: TNF alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6, PDGF alpha and PDGF beta in 24 labial gland biopsied sections.

RESULTS

No cytokine could be detected in the normal labial glands sections. The positivity of all cytokine expression was higher in the pSS and sSS patients than that in the control. The intensity of TNF alpha expression was 3-4 fold increase in pSS compared with sSS. The different cytokines were expressed with the different grade of lymphocytic focus. The site of different cytokines was also expressed differently. The coexpression of mRNA of TNF alpha and IL-1 beta or TNF alpha and IL-6 was only seen in the inflammatory mononuclear cells but not others. The expression of TNF alpha in aciniar cells could occur earlier than the infiltration of lymphocytes in the interstitial region. It was found that the IL-6 positive group had higher positivity of serum ANA compared with the IL-6 negative group according to Ridit statistical analysis (P < 0.05). The serum anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibody had an increase tendency in the IL-6 positive group.

CONCLUSION

We hypothesize that the development of SS may be secondary to some trigger agents, which activated the aciniar cells in exocrine gland of predisposed individuals. The activated acini cells secreted TNF alpha, then TNF alpha induced other cytokine expression, followed by the lymphocytes infiltration, which led to autoimmne reaction and the destruction of the exocrine gland.

Gene therapy for malignant gliomas using replication incompetent retroviral and adenoviral vectors encoding the cytochrome P450 2B1 gene together with cyclophosphamide

Cyclophosphamide is an inactive prodrug which is converted by hepatic cytochrome P450 2B1 to cytotoxic metabolites which produce interstrand DNA cross-linking in a cell cycle-independent fashion. The limited ability of these metabolites to cross the blood-brain barrier contributes to the poor activity of cyclophosphamide against brain tumors. In this study we demonstrate that replication deficient retroviral and adenoviral vector-mediated gene transfer of cytochrome P450 2B1 into 9L glioma cells significantly increases the sensitivity of these tumor cells to cyclophosphamide in vitro, and prolongs the survival of animals bearing intracerebral 9L tumors treated with cyclophosphamide in vivo. Attempts to improve the effectiveness of retrovirally mediated transduction of the P450 2B1 gene by increasing the concentration of cyclophosphamide delivered to the tumors using intracarotid and intratumoral injections did not prolong animal survival, although survival was increased when a second treatment with P450-expressing retroviral vectors and cyclophosphamide was administered. These results suggest that in situ transduction of tumor cells with the P450 2B1 gene using retroviral and adenoviral vectors increases their sensitivity to cyclophosphamide and may have a potential role in the therapy of malignant gliomas.

Antitumor effects of a refined polysaccharide peptide fraction isolated from Coriolus versicolor: in vitro and in vivo studies

RPSP, a refined polysaccharide peptide fraction isolated by fast performance liquid chromatography (FPLC) from the crude powder of total peptide-bound polysaccharides of cultivated Coriolus versicolor Cov-1 dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation of a human hepatoma cell line (HEPG2). The effective dose causing 50% inhibition following 3-day exposure to RPSP was 243 +/- 36 micrograms/ml for HEPG2. However, little or no inhibitory effects were detected in normal human foetal hepatocytes. On the other hand, in the pretreatment group, in which RPSP was administered i.p. for two weeks before sarcoma 180 inoculation in nude mice, the incidence of tumor growth was less (2 out of 5 mice) than that of the control group (all 5 mice). The tumor size of the control group was about 3-5 times bigger than that of the pretreatment group. In tumor-bearing nude mice, 5 days after sarcoma 180 inoculation, i.v. administration of RPSP significantly suppressed the growth of tumor mass. The inhibition rate was 93.6% on day 13. Furthermore, administration of RPSP did not cause any pathological lesions in vital organs of rabbits such as heart, liver, spleen, lung and kidney. In conclusion, these results indicate that RPSP acts by directly suppressing tumor cell growth in vitro and the prevention of in vivo growth of tumor mass is probably mediated also via its immunomodulating effects.

Viral vector transduction of the human deoxycytidine kinase cDNA sensitizes glioma cells to the cytotoxic effects of cytosine arabinoside in vitro and in vivo

Cytosine arabinoside (ara-C) is a cytidine analog that incorporates into replicating DNA and induces lethal DNA strand breaks. Although ara-C is a potent antitumor agent for hematologic malignancies, it has only minimal activity against most solid tumors. The rate-limiting step in intracellular ara-C activation is phosphorylation of the prodrug by deoxycytidine kinase (dCK). The present results demonstrate that both retroviral and adenoviral vector-mediated transduction of the dCK cDNA results in marked sensitization of glioma cells lines to the cytotoxic effects of ara-C in vitro. We also demonstrate that ara-C treatment of established intradermal and intracerebral gliomas transduced with dCK results in significant antitumor effects in vivo. These data suggest that viral vector transduction of the dCK gene followed by treatment with ara-C represents a new chemosensitization strategy for cancer gene therapy.

In vivo replication-deficient adenovirus vector-mediated transduction of the cytosine deaminase gene sensitizes glioma cells to 5-fluorocytosine

Viral vector-mediated transfer of chemosensitization genes represents a promising new approach to the treatment of cancer. Previous reports have demonstrated that transfection of the bacterial cytosine deaminase (cd) gene into mammalian cells can sensitize them to the otherwise nontoxic nucleoside, 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC). We now report that a replication-deficient adenovirus vector that transduces the cd gene (Ad.CMV-cd) highly sensitizes 9L gliosarcoma cells to 5-FC, and that gene transduction is associated with a potent bystander effect that is not dependent on direct cell-to-cell contact. Stereotactic injection of Ad.CMV-cd into established rat gliomas, followed by systemic administration of 5-FC in vivo, results in prolongation of survival.

[Preliminary diagnostic criteria for primary Sjogren's syndrome in China]

Primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) is a common autoimmune connective tissue disease in China yet without a universally accepted diagnostic criteria. In this study a new criteria was proposed and compared with other six sets of criteria. Fifty-five items in 112 pSS and 185 controls were evaluated. Results show the criteria we proposed contained one major and nine minor items. For the purpose of identifying patients in clinical studies, a major with at least three of the nine minor items or at least five of the minor items should be presented. The major item is anti-SSA/SSB(+) and the minors are, (1) dry eyes or dry mouth (> 3 months, persistently), (2) swollen salivary glands (recurrently or persistently), (3) rampant dental caries, (4) Schirmer test (< 5 mm in 5 min.) or corneal staining(+), (5) unstimulated salivary flow (< 0.03 ml/min) or abornal parotid sialography, (6) minor salivary gland biopsy (> or = 1 focus), (7) renal tubular acidosis, (8) hypergammaglobuminemia (gamma globulin > or = 30%) or hypergammaglobuminemic purpura, (9) RF > 1 : 20 or ANA > 1 : 20. Other connective tissure diseases, pre-existing lymphoma, AIDS, sarcoidosis, graft vs host disease must be excluded. The criteria we proposed had a high specificity of 98.2% and sensitivity of 94.1%.

[CuZn-SOD determination of sera in patients with rheumatic diseases]

Superoxide anion (O2.-) plays an important part in reactive oxygen species (ROS). In order to explore its effect on the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases, authors had determined CuZn-SOD contents of sera in 132 subjects involving the patients of rheumatic diseases (SLE, RA, etc), non-rheumatic diseases and normal controls by using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed the followings: CuZn-SOD contents of 27 normal subjects: 98.80 +/- 20.74 ng/ml (x +/- s); that of 27 non-rheumatic diseases cases: 72.24 +/- 16.60 ng/ml (x +/- s); of 22 SLE cases: 56.56 +/- 19.27 ng/ml (x +/- s); of 27 RA cases: 61.56 +/- 20.53 ng/ml (x +/- s); of 29 other rheumatic diseases cases: 68.97 +/- 17.79 ng/ml (x +/- s). Statistical test was made: both CuZn-SOD contents of rheumatic disease and non-rheumatic disease were lower than that of normal subjects with more significant difference (P < 0.001); compared with that of non-rheumatic diseases patients, SLE cases had significant difference (P < 0.01); RA cases had significant difference (P < 0.05); other cases of rheumatic diseases had no statistical differrence (P > 0.05). Above results suggest that superoxide anion is a non-specific inflammatory mediator which contributes to disorders with inflammatory damages (rheumatic or non-rheumatic diseases), where CuZn-SOD content tested was obviously lower than normal subjects; among the rheumatic disease patients, CuZn-SOD contents of the sera of SLE patients were the lowest because of its more autoimmune antibody, more severe inflammatory and immunological reaction. This work laid the theoretical and experimental foundation for the clinical application of exogenous CuZn-SOD in the treatment of rheumatic diseases. Combined use of CuZn-SOD scavengers may get better result because of the complexibility of ROS inflammatory mechanism.

[Ribozyme targeted the point-mutation of activated oncogene inhibits its expression in vivo]

We demonstrated previously that the hammerhead ribozyme designed by us against the activated oncogene T24-ras cleaved the target mRNA specifically and efficiently in vitro. To study its properties in vivo, we cloned the DNA fragment encoding the ribozyme into the eukaryotic expression vector pSMG and transfected it into the T24-ras gene transformed NIH3T3 cell lines. The intracellular cleavage of T24-ras mRNA was evaluated on either the cytological level or the molecular level. The malignant cells expressing ribozyme were partially reversed in morphology as evidenced by slower growth speed, partial recovery of contact-inhibition, reduced frequency of colony forming in soft agar and close-to-normal behaviour in agglutination teat. The primer extension experiment verified that the ribozyme had efficiently cleaved the transcripts of T24-ras gene at the target site in vivo.

[Expression of p53 in human esophageal carcinoma and pre-malignant lesions in the esophagus]

The levels of p53 protein were detected by immunocytochemistry in 197 endoscopic biopsy specimens of esophagus. Nuclear p53 protein was present in 2.9% of normal mucosa, 6.7% of inflammatory mucosa, 38.8% of mild dysplasia, 52.0% of moderate or severe dysplasia, 61.1% of carcinomas in situ, 62.5% of invasive carcinomas. Moreover, we examined 14 cases of esophageal carcinoma with extensive dysplasia near the carcinoma and found high levels of p53 protein in both dysplasias and carcinomas in 8 cases. In one case, carcinoma presented high level of p53 protein while the adjacent dysplasia did not. In another case, the result was just the opposite. Negativity for p53 immunostaining was found in 4 cases. These data indicated that p53 protein accumulation occurred before tumor invasion in the multistage esophageal carcinogenesis. The timing and the frequency of p53 protein accumulation made p53 gene an attractive marker for the early diagnosis an the evaluation of chemopreventive agents.

Breast cancer selective gene expression and therapy mediated by recombinant adenoviruses containing the DF3/MUC1 promoter

The high molecular weight mucin-like glycoprotein, DF3 (MUC1), is overexpressed in the majority of human breast cancers. Here we demonstrate that replication defective recombinant adenoviral vectors, containing the DF3 promoter (bp -725 to +31), can be used to express beta-galactosidase (Ad.DF3-betagal) and the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-tk) gene (Ad.Df3-tk) in DF3 positive breast carcinoma cell lines. In vivo experiments using breast tumor implants in nude mice injected with Ad.DF3-betagal demonstrated that expression of the beta-galactosidase gene is limited to DF3-positive breast cancer xenografts. Moreover, in an intraperitoneal breast cancer metastases model, we show that i.p. injection of Ad.DF3-tk followed by GCV treatment results in inhibition of tumor growth. These results demonstrate that utilization of the DF3 promoter in an adenoviral vector can confer selective expression of heterologous genes in breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

Ins(1,4,5)P3 activates Drosophila cation channel Trpl in recombinant baculovirus-infected Sf9 insect cells

The trp-like (trpl) gene product (Trpl) is thought to form a nonselective cation channel important for signal transduction in Drosophila photoreceptor cells. This channel may be the insect homologue of mammalian channels involved in Ca2+ signal transduction. To determine the mechanism of receptor-mediated activation of Trpl, whole cell membrane currents were examined in Sf9 insect cells after infection with recombinant baculovirus. Stimulation by bradykinin increased whole cell Trpl currents three- to fivefold. Similar activation of Trpl was observed by inclusion of D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] in the pipette solution during whole cell recordings. These currents were 1) not seen in noninfected cells or in cells expressing only the B2 receptor, 2) mimicked by D-myo-inositol 2,4,5-trisphosphate, and 3-deoxy-3-fluoro-D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, 3) not seen with D-myo-inositol 1,4-bisphosphate or D-myo-inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate, and 4) blocked by heparin, but not by de-N-sulfated heparin. In contrast, Trpl currents were unaffected by thapsigargin. These results demonstrate that the Trpl cation channel is activated by Ins(1,4,5)P3 in a heparin-sensitive fashion. Regulation of channel activity by Ins(1,4,5)P3 may occur by a number of mechanisms, including direct binding of Ins(1,4,5)P3 to the Trpl channel or direct physical interaction between the Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor/Ca(2+)-release channel of the endoplasmic reticulum and the Trpl protein.

Ultrastructural cytochemistry of human gastric cancer: electron microscopic observations of five organellae marker enzymes

The distribution of ALPase, ACPase, G6Pase TPPase and CCOase of gastric cancer and normal gastric epithelium were studied ultrastructurally. The results showed that normal gastric epithelium had no ALPase reaction. The reactions of ACPase, G6Pase, TPPase and CCOase were found in the corresponding organellae which were consistent with their functions. In tubular adenocarcinoma cells, their reactions were more apparent in the corresponding organellae. Some cells of tubular adenocarcinomas showed ALPase reaction. The mucinous adenocarcinoma cells had higher ACPase and TPPase reactions. In poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma cells, the five marker enzymes showed negative or faint reactions. The biological significance and mechanisms of distribution of the five marker enzymes were discussed.

[Effect of sex steroids on serum amyloid P-component (female protein) in rats]

Serum amyloid P-component (SAP) has been designated as a female protein in hamsters. But such a distinction is not made for rats. In order to investigate the effects of sex-steroids on the SAP level in rats, SAP was purified from Wistar rats by affinity chromatography of phosphorylcholine, followed by gel filtration. Anti-SAP was raised through the immunization of rabbits with the rat SAP and Freund's adjuvant. Sample sera were obtained from 180 young and old rats, after which rats were injected with estradiol (E2), testosterone (T) or dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Sera were serially obtained from the tail vessels until the 8th day after injection. The SAP level was assayed by micro single radial immunodiffusion. As the rats aged, the SAP levels increased from 2.9 mg/dl at 11 weeks to 10.7mg/dl at 58 weeks. In 37-week-old rats, the SAP levels in females (6.3 +/- 1.8 mg/dl) were significantly (p < 0.001) higher than those in males (3.9 +/- 1.0 mg/dl). The SAP levels did not change after T administration, but were increased rapidly by E2 administration, especially in young male rats (increased from 2.6 +/- 0.2 mg/dl to 4.9 +/- 0.7 mg/dl). The SAP levels were decreased significantly (p < 0.05) by DHEA injection. Serum E2 levels in young (11 wk) male rats were very low before E2 injection, and rose steeply on the 2nd day. From these findings, the different SAP levels in mature female and male rats are attributed to E2.

[Interspecific protoplast fusion between Bacillus thuringensis Bt-3701 and Bacillus megaterium Bm-107]

The results of the interspecific protoplast fusion between B. thuringensis sub. kurstaki Bt-3701 which has pesticide ability, and B. megaterium var. phosphaticum Bm-107 which has decomposing phosphate activity, were reported. High frequency of protoplast formation and regeneration was obtained with 4h activated Bm-107 treated by 100 micrograms/ml lysozyme, and with 2h activated Bt-3701 treated by 3% glycin and mild temperature. Using 40% PEG and 5% nascent Ca2+ to treat the parential protoplast mixture for 3 min at 37 degrees C, 4 stable fusants were obtained. Biological tests show that they have both pesticide ability and decomposing phosphate activity, but which are weaker than that of parential strains.

Changes in lens connexin expression lead to increased gap junctional voltage dependence and conductance

The differentiation of mouse lens epithelial cells into fiber cells is a useful model for studying the changes of the electrical properties of gap junction (cell-to-cell) channels that are induced by an alteration in connexin expression patterns. In this model, cuboidal lens epithelial cells differentiate into elongated fiber cells, and the expression of connexin43 (Cx43) in the epithelial cells is replaced with the production of high levels of Cx50 and Cx46 in the fiber cells. We now report a new procedure to isolate mouse lens fiber cell pairs suitable for double whole cell patch-clamp analysis. Analysis was also performed for fiberlike cell pairs differentiated from epithelial cells in culture. Voltage dependence and unitary conductance of fiber cell gap junction channels were determined and compared with the corresponding values previously measured for the channels joining lens epithelial cells and for lens connexin channels formed in Xenopus oocyte pairs. Our results support a differentiation-induced shift toward stronger gap junctional voltage dependence and larger unitary conductances in the fiber cells. Our data further reflect a balanced functional contribution of Cx50 and Cx46 in the fiber cell-to-cell channels rather than a predominance of a single connexin.

Ocular lens gap junctions: protein expression, assembly, and structure-function analysis

Recent advances in understanding lens fiber gap junction formation are reviewed. These include studies of junctional protein expression in the embryonic lens, and of age related changes affecting gap junction structure and composition in the adult lens. An in vitro assembly system based on detergent solubilized pore complexes and endogenous lipids has been developed to provide information on the molecular interactions involved in gap junction formation and to provide material for structure analysis. Important information on the electrical properties of lens gap junction channels is obtained using electrophysiological techniques including planar lipid bilayer analysis and patch clamping.