[Application of cluster analysis of the study of commodity bulbus Lilii (I)]

Cluster analysis has been applied to the classification of various commodities of Bulbus Lilii in order to sort out the main one. The stomatic index of the commodity has been determined.

P210 BCR-ABL is complexed to P160 BCR and ph-P53 proteins in K562 cells

The BCR gene (Groffen et al., 1984) plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of human leukemias that involve the Philadelphia chromosome (Ph1) (Rowley, 1973; Nowell & Hungerford, 1960). Cells containing the Ph1 contain a chimeric gene formed from the fusion of BCR (Collins et al., 1987; Lifshitz et al. 1988) and ABL genes that results from the reciprocal translocation of segments of chromosomes 9 and 22 (Shtivelman et al., 1985). The product of this chimera is a 210 kDa protein, termed P210 BCR-ABL, that possesses an activated tyrosine kinase activity (Konopka et al., 1984; Kloetzer et al., 1985). Studies using long-term marrow culture systems and retrovirus-mediated gene transfer have documented that P210 BCR-ABL can stimulate the growth of immature hematopoietic precursor cell types (McLaughlin et al., 1987; Young & Witte, 1984). We have previously reported that P210 BCR-ABL exists in cytoplasmic complexes in association with a 53 kDa protein termed ph-P53 (Maxwell et al., 1987; Li et al. 1988). Similarly, BCR proteins have been found in cytoplasmic complexes containing ph-P53 in cells lacking the Ph1 (Li et al., 1989). These BCR protein complexes possess an associated ser/thr protein kinase activity. In this same study, we found that P210-containing complexes phosphorylate BCR proteins on tyrosine residues in vitro (Li et al., 1989). We now present results which demonstrate that P210 BCR-ABL is tightly associated with P160 BCR and ph-P53 proteins in cytoplasmic complexes from cells containing the Ph1.

[Effect of qigong on sympathetico-adrenomedullary function in patients with liver yang exuberance hypertension]

By using the differential diagnosis of traditional Chinese medicine to determine the types of hypertension, using the diagnosis of western medicine (WM) to determine the phases of hypertension, 61 inpatients of Liver Yang exuberance type hypertension were randomly divided into Qigong group and WM group. The patients in the Qigong group were treated with both Qigong and antihypertensive drugs at low dosage, but those in the WM group were treated with the drugs alone. Several laboratory tests concerning sympathetico-adrenomedullary functions were conducted twice respectively at 1st and 9th week after hospitalization of the patients. The results indicated that the Qigong group after treatment of 9 weeks had more cases with normal sympathetico-adrenomedullary functions than it had before the treatment, and that their urinary CA, E, NE decreased, MHPG-SO4 increased, plasma cAMP and cGMP got down, but cAMP/cGMP ratio got up. It suggested that Qigong could modulate the sympathetico-adrenomedullary functions of patients with Liver Yang exuberance type hypertension.

[Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects and toxicity of houjianxi]

It is effective for acute and chronic laryngopharyngitis clinically. Houjianxi can raise the pain thresholds during hot-plate test in mice, tail flick test in rats, and writhing test in mice with single dose ig 0.125 to 2.0 g/kg. Houjianxi can also inhibit the swelling of hind paw induced by sc 1% carrageenin 0.1 ml in rats as well as the increased vascular permeability induced by ip 0.7% HAC in mice. Toxic side effects were not observed for Houjianxi ig 48 g/kg x 3 within a day in mice and 1.8 g/kg daily for 90 d in rats.

[Study on the fluorimetric determination of aluminum with H2QS and CTMAB in water]

A study on the fluorimetric reaction of Al-H2QS-CTMAB and conditions of the determination of aluminium in water by model 930 fluorimeter is reported. A good linear relationship between the strength of fluorescence and aluminum concentrations, ranging from 0 to 1.5 micrograms/10ml, is observed. Interferences from other constituents in water can be eliminated by the masking effect of 1, 10-phenanthroline and hydroxylamine hydrochloride and by using standard addition method. The coefficient of variation and recovery vary from 2.9% to 8.9% and from 87% to 105%, respectively. The detection limit is 3 x 10(-2) micrograms/ml. This method is rapid, sensitive, accurate and suitable for the determination of contents of aluminum in drinking and natural waters.

Oviductal epithelium of the baboon: hormonal control and the immuno-gold localization of oviduct-specific glycoproteins

Oviducts were obtained from a series of cycling and ovariectomized steroid-treated baboons. The lining epithelium of the ampulla and isthmus was analyzed by light and electron microscopy. Both morphological and cytomorphometric analyses revealed that the morphological and functional state of the oviductal epithelium in the baboon is controlled by the ovarian steroids. Additionally, a clear cephalocaudal steroid-responsive gradient was observed when the data from the ampulla and isthmus of the same animal were compared. Within the ampulla, estradiol induced hypertrophy, hyperplasia, ciliogenesis, and secretory activity, whereas adding progesterone to the treatment regimen (+/- estradiol) resulted in atrophy, deciliation, apoptosis, and loss of the secretory activity. These cyclic processes were less evident in the isthmus. We also used an indirect electron microscopic immunogold technique and a previously characterized polyclonal antibody to determine the localization of oviduct-specific glycoproteins. These glycoproteins were present in every secretory granule observed, regardless of oviduct region, electron density, or size of the secretory granule. In summary, our data show that 1) estradiol induces and maintains the mature epithelium of the baboon oviduct, 2) steroid withdrawal or the administration of progesterone causes regression of the epithelium, and 3) the previously identified estradiol-dependent oviduct-specific glycoproteins are synthesized within and released from the secretory epithelial cells.

[Study on hybrid materials compounded with porous hydroxyapatite and culture cells. 1. Attachment and the invasion of cultured cells to porous hydroxyapatite]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of hybrid material compounded with periodontal ligament cells on human teeth and porous hydroxyapatite. As the first step, we tried to produce hybrid materials compounded with periodontal ligament cells and porous hydroxyapatite, and to observe the attachment and invasion of periodontal ligament cells porous hydroxyapatite. Human periodontal ligament cells which had been scraped off the root with a disposable blade were cultured at 37 degrees C in alpha-MEM plus 10% fetal calf serum. The culture cells were attached to the porous hydroxyapatite in vitro. After 3 and 14 days of incubation, the specimens were fixed in gluteraldehyde and examined using SEM. Other specimens were embedded in paraffin and successive specimens were prepared for to remodelling of the attachment and invasion. Many cells attached to the P-HAP granules, and some cells invaded the P-HAP granules. The results suggest that when these hybrid materials are implanted in bone defects, the cells remain in the defect for a certain period, and exhibit the functions and characteristics of itself.

Inhibitory effect of progesterone on cell death of mouse uterine epithelium

The protective effect of progesterone against cell death of mouse uterine epithelium was evaluated by examining the retention of 5'-[125I]iodo-2'-deoxyuridine [( 125I]IdUrd) incorporated into the whole uterus and the apoptotic index (percentage of apoptotic cells in total cells), which is a good index of physiological cell death. Castrated adult female mice were given a daily injection of oestradiol-17 beta for 3 days, and then an injection of [125I]IdUrd. They were then divided into 4 groups, which received a daily injection of vehicle only, oestradiol-17 beta (E), progesterone (P), or both oestradiol-17 beta and progesterone (EP), and were killed at intervals during these treatments for determination of 125I radioactivity retained in the whole uterus. On treatment with vehicle only, the 125I radioactivity retained in the uterus decreased rapidly, but treatment with E, P or EP reduced the loss of 125I radioactivity significantly. Progesterone did not antagonize the effect of oestradiol-17 beta on the 125I radioactivity retained in the uterus. The apoptotic index of uterine cells was examined by a similar experimental protocol, but without injection of [125I]IdUrd. In the group treated with vehicle only, the apoptotic indices of both luminal and glandular epithelia increased markedly, but the injection of E, P or EP suppressed these increases significantly. Progesterone did not antagonize the effect of oestradiol-17 beta on the apoptotic index. The apoptotic index of stroma was not affected by the injection of E, P or EP. On the other hand, progesterone completely inhibited the increase in the mitotic index of uterine epithelia induced by oestradiol-17 beta. These results show that progesterone alone or in combination with oestrogen reduced cell death in mouse uterine epithelium and that the effects of oestrogen and progesterone on uterine cell death were independent of their actions on cell division.

Roles of prepubertal androgen, estrogen or androgen plus prolactin on androgen-induced proliferative response of seminal vesicles in adult mice

Male mice castrated on day 0 after birth were pretreated daily with testosterone propionate (TP, 4 micrograms/g body weight), 17 beta-estradiol (E2, 0.2 micrograms/g body weight) or vehicle for 21 days starting from day 20. In another experiment, male mice were castrated on day 25; two pituitaries from 60-day-old females were immediately grafted under the capsule of the left kidney in one group. The castrated mice with or without grafts were pretreated daily with TP (4 or 20 micrograms/g body weight) for 36 days starting from day 25, and the left kidney was removed on day 60. Daily TP injections (4 micrograms/g body weight) were started again at 30 days after the end of pretreatments to examine androgen-induced proliferation, and incorporation of 5-[125I]iodo-2'-deoxyuridine into the whole seminal vesicles was used as an index of proliferation. In the neonatally castrated mice, both TP and E2 pretreatments given during the prepubertal period significantly increased seminal vesicle weight even long after the end of the pretreatments. However, androgen-induced proliferative response found in the neonatally castrated adult mice (poor response; long duration with a low peak) was changed to that found in mice castrated at adulthood (good response; short duration with a high peak) by the TP pretreatment only but not at all by the E2 pretreatment. In the mice castrated on day 25, a pharmacological dose of TP or TP plus hyperprolactin could not enhance or change the adult castration type of androgen-induced proliferation induced by physiological prepubertal androgens, although both treatments significantly enhanced the prepubertal growth of the seminal vesicles.

Immunological characterization and immunocytochemical localization of a progesterone-dependent cat endometrial secretory protein

The major objective of this study was to make a polyclonal antibody to a previously described group of progesterone (P)-dependent low molecular weight secretory proteins of the cat uterus. Proteins present in uterine flushings obtained from a P-treated cat were partially purified using Sephadex G-75, separated on two-dimensional polyacrylamide gels, and transferred to nitrocellulose membranes. The region containing the polypeptides were cut out, solubilized in dimethyl sulfoxide, mixed with Freund's adjuvant, and injected at 2-wk intervals into a male rabbit. The antiserum used in this study was obtained 8 wk after the initial injection and crossreacted with antigens on Western blots of uterine flushings and uterine culture medium obtained from ovariectomized estradiol (E2)-primed cats treated with P, and from pregnant preimplantation animals. Polypeptides in three molecular weight regions crossreacted with the antisera (Mr approximately equal to 28,000, pI 5.5 6.0; Mr approximately equal to 36,000, pI 6.0 6.5; Mr approximately equal to 41,000, pI 5.5 6.0), and each region consisted of several isoelectric variants. The Mr approximately equal to 28,000 proteins were the dominant form observed in culture media, and the Mr approximately equal to 36,000 proteins were the major form present in uterine flushings. The antigens were not detected in uterine flushings or culture medium obtained from ovariectomized, E2-treated, and estrous animals. The antigens were also absent in serum and other reproductive and nonreproductive tract tissues. Immunocytochemical analysis demonstrated that antigen staining was limited to the epithelial cells of the deeper uterine glands of the P-dominated animal. Immunoperoxidase staining was diffuse throughout the cytoplasm of these epithelial cells. Thus, the epithelial cells of the uterine glands in the P-dominated cat synthesize and secrete a complex group of P-dependent, uterine-specific proteins that may have potential functional significance during early blastocyst development and implantation.

Effect of androgen pretreatments at adulthood on androgen-induced proliferative response of seminal vesicles in neonatally castrated mice

Male mice were castrated on days 0 and 60 after birth. The majority of the neonatally castrated mice were pretreated with androgen; the mice were given daily injections of testosterone propionate (TP; 4 or 8 micrograms/g body wt) for 20 or 30 days starting from day 60. Daily injections of TP (4 micrograms/g body wt) to examine androgen-induced proliferation were started from day 30 or 60 after the end of TP pretreatments or from day 60 after castration; on various days after starting TP injections, the weight and the incorporation of 5-[125I]iodo-2'-deoxyuridine into the whole seminal vesicles were determined as indices for proliferation. The seminal vesicles of neonatally castrated adult mice were characterized by long duration of androgen-induced proliferation (greater than 20 days) with a low peak (neonatal castration type), whereas the seminal vesicles of adult castrated mice were characterized by short duration of proliferation (10 days) with a high peak (adult castration type). In neonatally castrated adult mice, the neonatal castration type of androgen-induced proliferation was changed largely to the adult castration type when pretreatment with 8 micrograms/g body wt of TP had been given for 30 days. However, this effect gradually disappeared when the mice had been pretreated with decreasing amounts of TP for a shorter period. The present findings suggest that the defect in the androgen-induced proliferative response of mouse seminal vesicles induced by the absence of neonatal and prepubertal testicular androgens can be compensated by androgens given in adulthood, if enough androgen is given for a sufficiently long time.

Increase in epithelial cell growth by hyperprolactinemia induces delay of castration-induced involution of mouse seminal vesicle

Male (C57BL/6 x DBA)F1 hybrid mice were castrated on day 60 after birth; two pituitaries from 60-day-old female mice were immediately grafted under the capsule of the left kidney in half of the castrated mice to induce hyperprolactinemia. The seminal vesicles in the absence of androgen treatment were examined 15, 22, 30 and 60 days after castration with or without grafting. Significant increases in the weight (1.3-1.4-fold), DNA content (1.2-1.3-fold) and labeling index of epithelial cells (4-10-fold) of the seminal vesicles were found in mice with pituitary grafts compared to mice without grafts on days 15-30 after castration but not on day 60 after castration. Such stimulatory effects of hyperprolactinemia on mouse seminal vesicle cells were also observed on day 15 after castration plus adrenalectomy. Cell loss from the seminal vesicles was found to be similar in castrated mice with and without the grafts. The present findings demonstrate that hyperprolactinemia induces an increase in DNA synthesis of epithelial cells in the seminal vesicles until 30 days after castration and results in a significant delay of castration-induced involution of the weight and DNA content of the seminal vesicles for 1 month. However, the delay with increased epithelial cell growth by hyperprolactinemia disappeared 60 days after castration.

Cephalometric and cineradiographic study of deviant resonance in hearing-impaired speakers

To study physiological basis for deviant resonance in hearing-impaired speakers, cephalometric roentgenography and cineradiography were applied to analyze oral/pharyngeal relationships during vowels produced in isolation and within a sentence context. The films, synchronized with sound recording, were traced and measured for 10 normal hearing and 4 hearing-impaired women with deviant resonance. Vocal tract conformations and dimensions were defined by measures of the lips, tongue, mandible, velum, hyoid bone, epiglottis, and laryngeal sinus. Means, standard deviations, and analyses of variance were applied to facilitate descriptions and comparisons between the groups. The hearing-impaired speakers had near normal lip openings for /i/ and /u/ but more open positions for /a/. The tongue tended to retract for the front vowel and front for the back vowel /u/. For high vowels, most of the hearing-impaired speakers had an elevated hyoid, an unusually large vertical dimension between hyoid and laryngeal sinus, and a retracted tongue root, which was associated with a marked retraction or deflection of the epiglottis toward the pharyngeal wall. The cine analysis of the normal hearing speakers showed rather well defined and consistent shifts in tongue position for the front vowels produced in the sentence context. The hearing-impaired speakers with deviant resonance showed greater variation among speakers in tongue body position and a significant retrusion of the dorsum of the tongue at a site significantly lower than observed in hearing speakers. The consistent tongue root retraction during static as well as dynamic speech production is interpreted as support for Boone's hypothesized cause of pharyngeal resonance in speech of the hearing impaired.

Quantitative immunofluorescence assay for cyclobutyldithymidine dimers in individual mammalian cells

An indirect immunofluorescence procedure was developed for the measurement of cyclobutyl dithymidine dimers in DNA of individual Syrian hamster embryo cells using a specific monoclonal antibody. A fluorescein-labeled secondary antibody and a fluorochrome which binds to DNA were used to measure the photoproduct and total DNA in the same nucleus. Fluorescence intensity was quantitated with a computer-assisted microfluorometric system which was calibrated with a uranyl oxide impregnated glass slide. Similar dose-response curves, i.e. normalized fluorescence intensity plotted as a function of dose of germicidal irradiation, were obtained with two different cell types. Normalized fluorescence intensity per nucleus was related to thymidine dimer content with a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using DNA isolated from cells given doses of germicidal irradiation identical to those used in the immunofluorescence assay. Thymidine dimer levels produced by 10 J/m2 of germicidal irradiation (approximately 8 x 10(5)/nucleus) and which allow for 15-30% cell survival can readily be detected. The specific monoclonal antibody was labeled with tritium and used in the immunofluorescence assay to relate the number of antibodies bound to the number of thymidine dimers per cell. The data revealed that approximately 45% of the thymidine dimers in cells exposed to 100 J/m2 of germicidal irradiation and essentially all the T mean value of T in cells receiving 20 J/m2, were being detected in the indirect immunofluorescence assay. This technique can provide a sensitive means for measuring various types of DNA damage in individual cells given that the appropriate probes are available. It can be especially useful for monitoring occupationally or environmentally exposed populations where usually only small samples of cells or tissues are available.

[Immunohistochemical detection of prostate carcinoma]

Both prostate specific acid phosphatase (PAP) and prostate specific anti-body (PSA) were used as the specific markers for detecting prostate cancer and its metastasis, and this was considered as the most efficient technique for detecting metastatic lesions associated with an occult carcinoma in the prostate. Altogether 44 cases were studied, including 23 cases of prostatic carcinoma, 3 cases of metastatic tumors and 18 cases of benign hypertrophy of prostate (including 4 cases with local carcinoma). Analysis of 27 cases revealed that PSA seemed more sensitive than PAP, as 17 cases of prostatic carcinoma showed positive reaction with PSA, while among them, only 3 showed negative reaction with PAP. Most of the well differentiated glandular type prostatic carcinoma showed strong positive reaction. However, the poorly differentiated solid carcinoma only showed mild positive reaction. All of the controls as well as bladder and kidney cancers showed negative reaction with either PAP or PSA.

Androgen dependency of a tumor produced by a cell line derived from androgen-responsive Shionogi carcinoma 115

An androgen-dependent tumor (SCC8 tumor) was obtained by inoculating an androgen-responsive cell line derived from the androgen-responsive Shionogi carcinoma 115 (SC115) into mice and then treating the mice with testosterone propionate (TP) at a pharmacological dose (400 micrograms/day). The SCC8 tumor differed in histological appearance from the SC115 tumor and its growth was less stimulated by androgen than that of the SC115 tumor. However, its growth was completely androgen dependent; SCC8 tumors did not develop in castrated mice and regressed when TP treatment was discontinued. The decreased sensitivity of the SCC8 tumor seemed to be attributable in part to its rapid metabolism of testosterone to metabolites with lower androgenic actions. The effects of TP at doses of 0, 100, 200, and 400 micrograms/day on cell division and cell death in SCC8 tumors of medium size were examined by measurements of the mitotic index and the retention of 5-[125I]iodo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporated into the whole tumor. TP increased the mitotic index dose dependently and at all doses reduced the decrease in the retention of 5-[125I]iodo-2'-deoxyuridine. These results suggest that steroids may not only stimulate cell division but also reduce cell death in steroid-dependent tumors.

Stable variant of LM fibroblast defective in fluid-phase but competent in receptor-mediated endocytosis

The F-40 cell line, a stable variant of LM fibroblasts selected for its resistance to polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced fusion (Roos and Davidson: Somatic Cell and Molecular Genetics 6:381-391, 1980), has a decreased capacity to internalize fluid-phase markers and nonspecifically surface-bound macromolecules. It is not defective in exocytosis since, after a short sucrose pulse, it releases the same fraction of ingested sucrose into the medium as does the parental line. F40 cells have a normal capacity to carry out receptor-mediated endocytosis, as tested with 125I-alpha-2 macroglobulin (alpha-2 MG) and 125I-transferrin (Tf), and to recycle Tf receptor to the cell surface. These data demonstrate that receptor-mediated and non-receptor mediated endocytosis are distinct processes that can be altered independently. Of the many membrane fusions occurring in the course of endocytosis, the only one that appears associated with the defect in cell fusion characteristic of F40 cells is the formation of primary endocytotic vesicles engaged in non-receptor-mediated internalizations.