Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) transformation using phosphinothricin selection results in a high frequency of single-copy transgene integration

Genetic transformation of creeping bentgrass mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens has been achieved. Embryogenic callus initiated from seeds (cv. Penn-A-4) was infected with an A. tumefaciens strain (LBA4404) harboring a super-binary vector that contained an herbicide-resistant bar gene driven either by the CaMV 35S promoter or a rice ubiquitin promoter. Plants were regenerated from 219 independent transformation events. The overall stable transformation efficiency ranged from 18% to 45%. Southern blot and genetic analysis confirmed transgene integration in the creeping bentgrass genome and normal transmission and stable expression of the transgene in the T1 generation. All independent transformation events carried one to three copies of the transgene, and a majority (60-65%) contained only a single copy of the foreign gene with no apparent rearrangements. We report here the successful use of Agrobacterium for the large-scale production of transgenic creeping bentgrass plants with a high frequency of a single-copy transgene insertion that exhibit stable inheritance patterns.

Mitral annular calcification: a marker of severe coronary artery disease in patients under 65 years old

BACKGROUND

Mitral annular calcification has been associated with various systemic and cardiac diseases, with a higher prevalence in women and patients over 70. A possible association between mitral annular calcification and coronary artery disease has recently been suggested.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of severe coronary artery disease in younger patients with mitral annular calcification.

METHODS

Consecutive patients aged <or= 65 years with and without mitral annular calcification as detected by echocardiography were identified from a prospective clinical database. Only patients with a coronary angiogram done within one year of their qualifying echocardiogram were analysed. Severe coronary artery disease was defined as >or= 70% stenosis of at least one major epicardial coronary artery.

PATIENTS

17 735 patients were screened. Of these, 6207 (35%) had mitral annular calcification and 885 (5%) were also <or= 65 years old; coronary angiography was done in 100 of the latter (64 men; 36 women), mainly for anginal symptoms or a positive stress test. A control group (n = 121; 88 men, 33 women) was identified from 2840 consecutive patients screened. There was no significant difference between the groups in patient characteristics, indication for angiography, or atherosclerotic risk factors.

RESULTS

Angiography showed a higher prevalence of severe coronary artery disease in patients with mitral annular calcification than in those without (88% v 68%, p = 0.0004), and a higher prevalence of left main coronary artery disease (14% v 4%, p = 0.009) and triple vessel disease (54% v 33%, p = 0.002). The positive predictive value of mitral annular calcification for finding severe coronary artery disease was 92%.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients aged <or= 65 years, mitral annular calcification is associated with an increased prevalence of severe obstructive coronary artery disease. It may serve as a useful echocardiographic marker for the presence of obstructive coronary artery disease, especially when associated with anginal symptoms.

The Hopscotch Jak kinase requires the Raf pathway to promote blood cell activation and differentiation in Drosophila

Cytokines regulate the development and differentiated functions of hematopoietic cells by activating multiple signaling pathways, including the Jak-Stat pathway, the PI3-kinase pathway, and the Ras/Raf pathway. While the Jak-Stat interaction has been extensively studied, the relationship between this pathway and other cytokine-induced signaling pathways is not fully understood. In Drosophila melanogaster, mutations that result in hyperactivity of the Jak kinase Hopscotch (Hop) cause an activation of the larval blood cell encapsulation response, including blood cell aggregation and differentiation of plasmatocytes into apparent lamellocytes. Here, we demonstrate that Hop requires the activity of the Raf pathway to promote the activation response of larval plasmatocytes, and provide evidence to suggest that the Hop and D-Raf proteins physically interact. We also show that basal level activity of the Raf pathway is required for the accumulation of circulating blood cells.

[Sequential BiPAP following invasive mechanical ventilation in COPD patients with hypercapnic respiratory failure]

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the feasibility and the efficacy of extubation and sequential bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with exacerbated hypercapnic respiratory failure.

METHODS

All patients were randomly divided into a control group and an experimental group. In addition to conventional therapy, the experimental group was treated with bilevel positive airway pressure via facial mask immediately, the control group was treated with conventional therapy alone.

RESULTS

There were no difference in clinical characteristics and gas exchange at entry. pH value, PaCO2 and PaCO2 were significantly improved in experimental group following the first 45 minutes ventilation (P < 0.05), but no additional improvement was observed when ventilation was extended to 12 hours (P > 0.05). Reintubation rate was higher in the control group compared with the experimental group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

BiPAP can be well tolerated, and can improve ventilation function markedly. It can also facifiated the extubation, and reduced the reintubation rate in regular mechanical ventilation.

The JAK/STAT pathway and Drosophila development

The JAK/STAT signal transduction pathway plays a critical role in mammalian cells, particularly in hematopoiesis and immune responses. Several components of this pathway have been identified and characterized in Drosophila. Mutational analyses of these components have revealed a number of interesting developmental roles, and provide a mechanism to identify other interacting molecules and pathways. Hence, the JAK/STAT pathway in Drosophila serves as an attractive model for in vivo functional analyses of JAK/STAT signaling.

[Purification of conjugated bilirubin from human urine]

OBJECTIVES

To develop a simple, practical method with fine yield and purity for separating conjugated bilirubin(Bc) from a sustainable and facile material in order that it could serve as a calibrator for total and direct bilirubin determination.

METHODS

Isolating Bc from urine of patients with obstructive jaundice by CHCl3: CH3CH2OH(1:1, V/V) followed by CNBr activated Sepharose 4B-HAS affinity chromatography, we analyzed the products by the use of Doumas J-G diazo method and HPLC, respectively.

RESULTS

Determined by J-G diazo method, the crude product extracted by CHCl3: CH3CH2OH(1:1, V/V) yields 90.2 +/- 5.4%(n = 3) of urine Bc, the ratio of Bc to total dry weight being 67.9 +/- 6.4%(n = 3). The final product purified by affinity chromatography with the ratio of separation of 1.5, 1.737 and analyzed by HPLC has the yield of 46.9% and purity of 94.7%(BDG of 76.2%, BMG of 18.5%).

CONCLUSION

The above data demonstrate that urine conjugated bilirubin can be successfully purified by CHCl3: CH3CH2OH extraction followed by Sephrose-HSA affinity chromatography with sufficient purity and output.

Aortic root dilatation in patients with emphysema

BACKGROUND

Abdominal aortic aneurysms have been recognized to occur more frequently in patients with emphysema. However, the prevalence of aortic root dilatation in patients with emphysema and its relationship to risk factors for aortic enlargement have not been previously described.

METHODS

We studied 47 patients, past smokers (aged 67 +/- 6 years, 18 women) with severe emphysema diagnosed by a pulmonary function test and an ultrafast computed tomographic scan. Two-dimensional echocardiography was used to measure the aortic root at the aortic annulus, sinus of Valsalva, sinotubular junction and proximal part of the ascending aorta. Measured mean values were compared with published normal values and age- and sex-matched patients without emphysema. The relationship between aortic root size and cardiac risk factors (hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes) was also examined.

RESULTS

In patients with emphysema the mean aortic root dimensions were significantly larger than normal values at each measured site (P <.0001) and those of patients without emphysema (P <.05 to.0001). A substantial percentage of patients with emphysema had larger sinus of Valsalva (43%) and proximal ascending aorta (59%) than the upper limit of normal. In the multivariable regression model, emphysema was a significant determinant of aortic root size at all measured sites and hypertension was associated with additional dilatation at the sinus of Valsalva, sinotubular junction, and proximal ascending aorta.

CONCLUSIONS

(1) In patients with emphysema the aortic root dimension is significantly larger than in patients without emphysema. (2) Systemic hypertension is associated with additional enlargement of the proximal ascending aorta, the sinus of Valsalva, and the sinotubular junction.

Association of mitral annulus calcification, aortic valve sclerosis and aortic root calcification with abnormal myocardial perfusion single photon emission tomography in subjects age < or =65 years old

OBJECTIVES

We examined the hypothesis that mitral annulus calcification (MAC), aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) and aortic root calcification (ARC) are associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) in subjects age < or =65 years.

BACKGROUND

Mitral annulus calcification, AVS and ARC frequently coexist and are associated with coronary risk factors and CAD in the elderly.

METHODS

We studied 338 subjects age < or =65 years who underwent evaluation of chest pain with myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and a two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiogram for other indications. The association of MAC, AVS and ARC with abnormal SPECT was evaluated by using chi-square analyses and logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

Compared with no or one calcium deposit and no or one coronary risk factor other than diabetes, multiple (> or =2) calcium (or sclerosis) deposits with diabetes or multiple (> or =2) coronary risk factors were significantly associated with abnormal SPECT in women age < or =55 years old (odds ratio [OR], 20.00), in women age >55 years old (OR, 10.00) and in men age < or =55 years old (OR, 5.55). Multivariate analyses identified multiple calcium deposits as a significant predictor for an abnormal SPECT in women (p < 0.001), younger subjects age < or =55 years (p < 0.05) and the total group of subjects (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

When coronary risk factors are also taken into consideration, the presence of multiple calcium deposits in the mitral annulus, aortic valve or aortic root appears to be a marker of CAD in men < or =55 years old and women.

[Ultrasonic multiple measurement estimation of fetal weight in parturient]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the ultrasonic measurements of parturient fetal cerebellar diameter (CD), liver length(LL), kidney length (KL) and femur thigh soft tissue thickness(FSTT) for the estimation of fetal weight.

METHODS

Ultrasonic measurements of the parturient fetal cerebellar diameter, liver length, kidney length and femur thigh soft tissue thickness were made in 115 cases. The data on these parameters were analyzed with statistical methods, and a multiple linear regressional equation for predicting the fetal body weight was derived. The calculated value of fetal body weight and the estimated parameters of the fetal body were compared with the actually measured values immediately after birth. The error of estimation was analyzed.

RESULTS

CD, LL, KL and FSTT were significantly correlated with neonatal birth weight, the coefficient of multiple correlation R = 0.9425 (P < 0.001); among the 115 cases, 101 had absolute error less than +/- 200 g, with an agreement rate of 88%. The sensitivity and accuracy for detection of normal fetus were 98.13% and 94.78% respectively. The multiple linear regression equation derived was BW = -1009.914 + 356.1303FSTT + 354.0682KL + 236.8484 LL + 179.7384 CD.

CONCLUSION

The equation is a simple, accurate and valuable equation for the estimation of fetal weight and can be used in clinical practice.

Direct extraction of specific pharmacophoric flavonoids from gingko leaves using a molecularly imprinted polymer for quercetin

A new straightforward approach to extract active components from Chinese traditional herb was reported by using a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) as the sorbent material. The MIP was prepared using quercetin, a typical active compound of the flavonoid family in gingko leaves as the template. Acrylamide was used as the functional monomer and two polar solvent tetrahydrofuran was used as the porogen. Afterwards, the polymer was evaluated by chromatographic analysis. It exhibited high selectivity for quercetin and good affinity to its structural analogues. Specific binding amount of quercetin on the MIP in the solvent methanol was 12 microg/g polymer by the cartridge test. The MIP cartridge could directly trap a specific class of compounds including quercetin and kaempferol from the hydrolyzate of gingko leaves. The result demonstrated the possibility of direct extraction of certain pharmacophoric constituents from herb by MIP technology. The compounds extracted were confirmed by time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Stereoselective synthesis, in vitro, and initial in vivo evaluation of 1-methylpiperidin-4-yl alpha-hydroxy-alpha-(1-iodo-1-propen-3-yl)-alpha-phenylacetate (IPIP): a novel radioiodinated molecular probe with high affinity for the muscarinic receptor

1-Methylpiperidin-4-yl alpha-hydroxy-alpha-(1-iodo-1-propen-3-yl)-alpha-phenylacetate (IPIP, Fig. 1) was investigated as a potential radioiodinated molecular probe targeted to the muscarinic receptor complex. The IPIP stereoisomers were synthesized via a chiral intermediate in >95% enantiomeric excess. The R-isomers demonstrated a M(1) to M(2) subtype selectivity of approximately 3 to 1 and the S-isomers demonstrated non-subtype selective binding in vitro. IPIP was radiolabeled with iodide-125 with an average radiochemical yield of 74.4% (+/-14.8, n = 5), specific activities >800 mCi/micromol, and radiochemical purities >97%. In vivo the Z-isomers demonstrated high uniform cerebral uptake suggesting non-subtype selective binding. In contrast, E-R-IPIP, after allowing a low uptake in M(2) rich areas to clear, demonstrated a retention of activity in M(1) and M(4) rich cerebral regions. In addition, the cerebral uptake of E-R-IPIP and Z-S-IPIP were inhibited by 70-90% via pretreatment with R-QNB, an established muscarinic antagonist. An ex vivo metabolism study demonstrated Z-S-IPIP was stable at the receptor site with an absence of radiolabeled metabolites.

Identification and determination of oligomeric stilbenes in the roots of Caragana species by capillary electrophoresis

A method based on capillary electrophoresis with electrochemical detection (CE-ED) was employed for the determination of one alkaloid (hypaphorine) and the four oligomeric stilbenes, pallidol, kobophenol A, miyabenol C and (+)-alpha-viniferin in the roots of Caragana species. The five analytes could be well separated within 12 min in a 40 cm length capillary at a separation voltage of 12 kV in a 100 mmol/L borate buffer (pH 10.0). The response was linear over about 3 orders of magnitude for all investigated analytes with detection limits (S/N = 3) ranging from 0.0385 to 0.111 mg/L. The five constituents presented in Caragana sinica can also be detected in the roots of other Caragana species, but their contents were quite different. It is demonstrated that CE-ED is a useful technique for the investigation of some electroactive constituents in plants.

Efficiency, efficacy, and adverse effects of adenovirus vs. liposome-mediated gene therapy in cardiac allografts

Virus- and nonvirus-mediated immunosuppressive cytokine gene therapy prolongs cardiac allograft survival in various nonfunctional heart transplant animal models, but its cardiac adverse effects have not been addressed. Recently, we developed a functional heterotopic heart transplant model in rabbits. For the first time, we were able to systematically compare the efficiency, efficacy, and adverse effects of optimized adenovirus- and liposome-mediated ex vivo interleukin (IL)-10 gene transfer in functional donor hearts. The efficiency of liposome-mediated gene transfer was greatly improved in physiologically functioning donor hearts and was only three- to fourfold lower than adenovirus-mediated gene transfer. The efficacy of liposome-mediated IL-10 gene transfer was much higher than that mediated by adenovirus. Significant negative inotropic and arrhythmogenic adverse effects on transplanted hearts were observed due to viral cytotoxicity and immunogenesis, which greatly abated the therapeutic efficacy of this first generation adenovirus-mediated gene therapy.

Resonance Rayleigh scattering study of the interaction of heparin with some basic diphenyl naphthylmethane dyes

In a near-neutral medium, a combination of heparin with some basic diphenyl naphthylmethane dyes such as victoria blue 4R (VB4R), victoria blue B (VBB), or night blue (NB) can result in a significant enhancement of resonance. Rayleigh scattering (RRS) and their maximum scattering wavelengths lambdamax appear at 523, 534, and 540 nm for VB4R, VBB, and NB, respectively. The characteristics of RRS spectra of the heparin-dye complexes, the influencing factors, and the optimum conditions of these reactions have been investigated. The RRS intensity is directly proportional to the concentration of heparin in the range of approximately 0 to 0.4 microg/mL for all systems. The methods exhibit high sensitivities, and the detection limits for heparin are 3.35 ng/mL for the VB4R system, 6.62 ng/ mL for the VBB system, and 6.29 ng/mL for the NB system. Because the VB4R system is the most sensitive, it was taken as an example to study the selectivity of the method. A new method for the determination of trace amounts of heparin based on RRS technique has been developed. Moreover, the enhancement reasons of RRS and the relationship between RRS spectral characteristics of the heparin-dye complex and its absorption spectra have been primarily discussed.

[Purification and characterization of 2-carbonyl reductase from marine bacteria Bacillus sp]

ANADPH-dependent 2-Oxoaldehyde reductase was isolated and purified from a marine bacteria Bacillus sp. The purification procedure involved ammonium sulfate fractionation and Q Sepharose FF, Hydroxyapatite, Sephadex G-100 column chromatographies. The specific activity of the purified enzyme was increased by 141.1 folds over crude extract and the recovery yield was 11.4%. 2-Oxoaldehyde compounds were found to be speciall good substrates. The optimum pH of the enzyme activity was 6.2-6.6. The Km coefficient for 3-deoxyglucosone was 2.5 mmol/L. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 33 kD The enzyme activity is stable below 30 degrees C and pH 5.0-8.0. EDTA, beta-mercaptoethanol and dithiothreitol enhanced the enzyme activity. On the other hand, the enzyme activity was partially lost by idoacetic acid or N-ethylmaleimide.

[Effects of mixed cord blood serum on long-term culture of bone marrow hematopoietic cells]

AIM

To demonstrate the role of cord blood serum on dte long-term culture of bone marrow and provide the experimental foundation for its clinical use, the response of the bone marrow mononuclear cells to the mixed cord blood serum was investigated on the basis of Dexter culture system.

METHODS

In ten samples of human bone marrow, 1 x 10(6) bone marrow mononuclear cells were planted onto the stromal cells layer and cultured for five weeks, Cobblestone area forming cells (CAFC), long-term colony-initiation cells (LTC-IC), and the nuclear cells count in the supernatant was observed.

RESULTS

CAFC, LTC-IC were 37.1 +/- 12.4/(ml. well), 40.9 +/- 10.6/(ml. well) respectively in control group. The accounts were increased in the group of 10% MCBS, although it was less than that in mixed cytokines group. When combined with cytokines, 10% MCBS enhanced the growth of CAFC and LTC-IC obviously compared with that when cytokines were used alone. 20% MCBS failed to substitute the role of mixed cytokines plus fatal calf serum on the expansion of CAFC, LTC-IC and NCC.

CONCLUSION

MCBS have the activity of stimulation for hematopoietic stem cells, which is analogous to SCF, IL-3, etc. Its nature and concentration remain to be investigated extensively.

Cross-linking of EphB6 resulting in signal transduction and apoptosis in Jurkat cells

Eph kinases are the largest family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK), and their ligands are cell surface molecules. The known functions of Eph kinases are mainly pattern formation in the CNS. Although several Eph kinases are expressed at high levels in hemopoietic cells and in the thymus, we have no knowledge of the functions of any Eph kinase in the immune system. In this study, we have demonstrated that an Eph kinase, EphB6, was expressed at high levels in Jurkat leukemic T cells. Co-cross-linking of EphB6 and CD3 led to an altered profile of lymphokine secretion along with proliferation inhibition of Jurkat cells. The cells subsequently underwent Fas-mediated apoptosis. Although EphB6 has no intrinsic kinase activity, its cross-linking triggered general protein tyrosine phosphorylation in Jurkat cells. EphB6 was found to associate with a number of molecules in the signaling pathways, notably Cbl. EphB6 cross-linking resulted in Cbl dephosphorylation and dissociation from Src homology 2 domain-containing tyrosine phosphatase-1 (SHP-1). Our results show that EphB6 has important functions in T cells, and it can transduce signals into the cells via proteins it associates with.

[Clinical observation on sensorineural hearing loss secondary to secretory otitis media]

OBJECTIVE

To study whether secretory otitis media causes sensorineural deafness or not, especially in stubborn cases.

METHODS

The 0.5 kHz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, 4 kHz BC stimuli were administered to 164 patients with secretory otitis media, and their BC loss calculated. As a control, BC threshold was also recorded in the contralateral ear of 66 unilaterally deaf patients.

RESULTS

BC threshold was raised in 94 out of 164 patients (57.3%). There was no statistically significant difference between bilaterally and unilaterally deaf groups. All patients had similar BC hearing loss in the same frequency, but had different BC hearing loss in different frequencies and the most serious loss was in 4 kHz.

CONCLUSION

The rate of sensorineural deafness caused by secretory otitis media is higher than expected. Frequency and intensity of hearing loss between unilaterally and bilaterally deaf patients with secretory otitis media were no different. All ears had different hearing loss in different frequencies, but the most serious hearing loss was in high frequency and it had the tendency to spread to the speech frequency.

A proteasome inhibitor effectively prevents mouse heart allograft rejection

BACKGROUND

We have previously demonstrated in vitro that proteasome inhibitors could suppress proliferation and induce apoptosis of activated T cells. This finding suggests that such inhibitors could be used as a novel category of immunosuppressants in blocking allograft rejection.

METHODS

The proteasome inhibitor dipeptide boronic acid (DPBA) was tested in vitro for its inhibitory effect on mouse T-cell proliferation and lymphokine secretion. DPBA was also used in vivo to treat mouse heterotopic heart allograft rejection. Possible side effects of this compound were examined according to blood chemistry of mice treated with DPBA.

RESULTS

DPBA suppressed the T-cell proliferation and potently inhibited interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, and IFN-gamma produced by anti-CD3-activated T cells. Given i.p. starting 1 day after transplantation at 0.66 mg/kg per day for 16 days, or at 1 mg/kg per day for 4 days followed by 0.5 mg/kg per day for 12 days, DPBA could prolong heart allograft survival to 35.5 days (mean survival time, MST) and to 36.2 days, respectively. The control group had MST of 7.3 days. When administrated 72 hr post operation at 1 mg/kg per day for 4 days, DPBA could prolong the graft survival to 19.8 days. During the course of these effective dosages, DPBA had no apparent toxicity in the liver, kidney, pancreas, or heart, according to analysis of blood chemistry.

CONCLUSIONS

The proteasome inhibitor could repress allograft rejection in mice without apparent side-effects at the effective dosages. This finding has opened a new dimension in development of novel immunosuppressants for organ transplantation.

[Resources of medicinal plants from genus Dioscorea in Guizhou province]

OBJECTIVE

To gain a clear idea on the species and distribution of medicinal plants from Dioscorea in Guizhou province.

METHOD

By consulting related specimens and date and carrying out identification study.

RESULT

There are 17 species (including varieties) of medicinal plants from Dioscorea in Guizhou province. The distribution, growing environment and medicinal effect of these species have been clarified, and an identification index has been established.

CONCLUSION

A scientific basis can be provided by this study for exploiting the medicinal plants from Dioscorea resources in Guizhou province.