Nitrogen requirement for maintenance in Yangzhou goslings

1. Experiments were conducted to determine the nitrogen (N) requirement for maintenance (N(m)) in Yangzhou goslings. 2. At 56 d old, 18 birds were divided into three equal groups and fed on diets with equal metabolisable energy (ME) and different contents of crude protein (CP; low, medium and high) in an N balance test. N(m) was estimated from the relationship between N output (N(E)) and N intake (N(I)). Following the above N balance test, 16 goslings at the same age were used in a N balance test with an N-free diet. The birds were divided into 4 equal groups and offered an N-free diet at intakes of 90, 70, 50 and 0 g per d, respectively. 3. The estimated N(m) was 240 mg/kg BW(0.75) per d in the N balance test. The result from the N-free diet trial gave a value of 244 mg/kg BW(0.75) per d, confirming the result of the N balance test. The lower intake of N-free diet resulted in more N(E), suggesting that protein catabolism may occur in the body of birds to meet N(m) when dietary N(I) was very low. 4. It was concluded that the N(m) of Yangzhou goslings was about 240 mg/kg BW(0.75).

Measurement of psi2S radiative decays

Using 14 x 10(6) psi(2S) events accumulated at the BESII detector, we report first measurements of branching fractions or upper limits for psi(2S) decays into gammapp, gamma2(pi+pi-), gammaKS0K+pi-+c.c., gammaK+K-pi+pi-, gammaK*0K-pi++c.c., gammaK*0K*0, gammapi+pi-pp, gamma2(K+K-), gamma3(pi+pi-), and gamma2(pi+pi-)K+K- with the invariant mass of hadrons below 2.9 GeV/c2. We also report branching fractions of psi(2S) decays into 2(pi+pi-)pi0, omegapi+pi-, omegaf2(1270), b1+/-pi-/+, and pi02(pi+pi-)K+K-.

Temporal and spatial expression of osteoprotegerin and receptor activator of nuclear factor -kappaB ligand during mandibular distraction in rats

PURPOSE

The expression profiles of osteoprotegerin and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) were investigated in the distraction region to reveal bone remodelling characters during mandibular distraction osteogenesis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Osteotomies were performed and external distractors were used on the mandibles of 42 adult male SD rats. After a 5-day latency period, the distractors were activated at a rate of 0.4mm/day for 6 days, followed by a 4-week consolidation period. Radiographs were taken, and specimens were harvested at the end of the latency period, when distraction was completed, and at the end of 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks of the consolidation period. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining was used to detect activated osteoclasts. Temporospatial expression of osteoprotegerin and RANKL was investigated by using immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Semi-quantitative analysis was used to characterize osteoprotegerin (OPG). RANKL and RANKL/OPG ratio.

RESULTS

In all time points, osteoprotegerin and RANKL were co-localized in bone marrow lining cells, osteoblasts and newly embedded osteocytes. Osteoprotegerin mRNA expression increased to a peak when distraction was completed and maintained this level until the end of week 2 of the consolidation period. RANKL mRNA expression increased steadily until the end of week 1 of the consolidation period and maintained a peak level until the end of week 3, with a slight decrease at the end of week 2. The RANKL/OPG ratio increased continuously and reached its highest level at the end of weeks 3 and 4 of the consolidation period. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining positive osteoclasts were mainly detected at weeks 2, 3 and 4 of the consolidation period in bone marrow cavities and bone surfaces.

CONCLUSIONS

The temporospatial expression patterns of osteoprotegerin and RANKL suggest that the osteoblast lineage cell network orchestrates bone remodelling during distraction osteogenesis and most activated bone resorption takes place during weeks 3 and 4 of the consolidation phase.

Measurements of the continuum R(uds) and R values in e(+)e(-) annihilation in the energy region between 3.650 and 3.872 GeV

We report measurements of the continuum R(uds) near the center-of-mass energy of 3.70 GeV, the R[uds(c)+psi(3770)](s) and the R(had)(s) values in e(+)e(-) annihilation at 68 energy points in the energy region between 3.650 and 3.872 GeV with the BES-II detector at the BEPC Collider. We obtain the R(uds) for the continuum light hadron (containing u, d, and s quarks) production near the DD threshold to be R(uds)=2.141+/-0.025+/-0.085.

Search for invisible decays of eta and eta' in J/psi --> phi eta and phi eta'

Using a data sample of 58 x 10(6) J/psi decays collected with the Beijing Spectrometer II detector at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider, searches for invisible decays of eta and eta' in J/psi to phi eta and phi eta' are performed. The phi signals, which are reconstructed in K+K- final states, are used to tag the eta and eta' decays. No signals are found for the invisible decays of either eta or eta', and upper limits at the 90% confidence level are determined to be 1.65 x 10(-3) for the ratio B(eta-->invisible)/B(eta --> gamma gamma) and 6.69 x 10(-2) for B(eta' --> invisible)/B(eta' --> gammagamma). These are the first searches for eta and eta' decays into invisible final states.

Observation of a broad 1-- resonant structure around 1.5 GeV/c2 in the K+K- mass spectrum in J/psi-->K+K-pi0

A broad peak is observed at low K+K- invariant mass in J/psi-->K+K-pi(0) decays found in a sample of 5.8x10(7) J/psi events collected with the BESII detector. The statistical significance of the broad resonance is much larger than 5sigma. A partial wave analysis shows that the J;{PC} of this structure is 1--. Its pole position is determined to be [1576(-55)(+49)(stat)-91+98(syst)] MeV/c(2)-i/2[818(-23)(+22)(stat)-133+64(syst)] MeV/c(2). These parameters are not compatible with any known meson resonances.

Measurements of the branching fractions for psi(3770)-->D(0)D[over ](0), D+D-, DD[over ], and the resonance parameters of psi(3770) and psi(2S)

We measure the branching fractions for psi(3770)-->D(0)D[over ](0), D+D-, DD[over ], and non-DD[over ] to be (46.7+/-4.7+/-2.3)%, (36.9+/-3.7+/-2.8)%, (83.6+/-7.3+/-4.2)%, and (16.4+/-7.3+/-4.2)%, respectively. The resonance parameters of psi(3770) and psi(2S) are measured to be M_(psi(3770))=3772.2+/-0.7+/-0.3 MeV, Gamma_(psi(3770))(tot)=26.9+/-2.4+/-0.3 MeV, and Gamma_(psi(3770))(ee)=251+/-26+/-11 eV; M_(psi(2S))=3685.5+/-0.0+/-0.3 MeV, Gamma_(psi(2S))(tot)=331+/-58+/-2 keV, and Gamma_(psi(2S))(ee)=2.330+/-0.036+/-0.110 keV. We also measure the light hadron R value to be R(uds)=2.262+/-0.054+/-0.109 in the energy region from 3.660 to 3.872 GeV.

[Codon usage of Chinese hamster ovary cells.]

BACKGROUND

To investigate the optimal codons of dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr) minus Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO dhfr-).

METHODS

A cDNA library of CHO dhfr- containing high abundence mRNA was constructed and protein-coding sequences were obtained after identification and analysis. Codon frequence of CHO dhf- was compared with that of Chinese hamster in CUTG database. Then codon usage variation among cDNA was investigated using correspondence analysis (COA).

RESULTS

Fifty qualified cDNAs from CHO dhfr- were selected, which encodes proteins of high abundence. Comparing with the codon frequence of Chinese hamster, the highest frequence of synonymous codons for amino acids in CHO dhfr- cells were the same as Chinese hamster except that of Arg and Pro. This method of COA identifies the first main factor which can account for the largest fractions (14.7%) of variation among cDNAs. Twenty-two synonymous codons were identified as the optimal codons of CHO cell.

CONCLUSION

CHO dhfr- cell has its own optimal codons, it is suggested that codon bias is one of reasons for functional diversity of different mammal cells and it is an effective stratagy to modification of the codon usage of the foreign gene according to the optimal codons of CHO dhfr- to increase the production of foreign gene.

Observation of two new N* peaks in J/psi-->ppi-n and ppi+n decays

The decay J/psi-->NNpi provides an effective isospin 1/2 filter for the piN system due to isospin conservation. Using 58x10(6) J/psi decays collected with the Beijing Electromagnetic Spectrometer at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider, more than 100 thousand J/psi-->ppi-n+c.c. events are obtained. Besides the two well-known N* peaks at around 1500 MeV/c2 and 1670 MeV/c2, there are two new, clear N* peaks in the ppi invariant mass spectrum around 1360 MeV/c2 and 2030 MeV/c2 with statistical significance of 11sigma and 13sigma, respectively. We identify these as the first direct observation of the N*(1440) peak and a long-sought missing N* peak above 2 GeV/c2 in the piN invariant mass spectrum.

Expression and preliminary characterization of recombinant human tissue kallikrein in egg white of laying hens

Human tissue kallikrein (hK1) plays an important role in regulation of blood pressure, electrolyte and glucose transport, and renal function. To evaluate the feasibility of expression of recombinant human tissue kallikrein (rhK1) in the egg whites of laying hens, human tissue kallikrein gene (hKLK1) cDNA was subcloned into the chicken oviduct-specific expression vector (pOV3), and the resultant recombinant vector pOV3K was injected into laying hens via wing vein after mixing with polyethyleneimine. Following injection twice with the recombinant vector, the enzymatic activity at a maximal level of 59 U/mL was detected in the egg whites, which lasted for more than 7 d. The expression level of rhK1 in the egg whites in the 3-mg group was relatively higher than that in the 2-mg group, but the significant differences were identified on d 7 and 8 (P < 0.05). Ten days after the primary injection, the hens were reinjected with the same dose of the vector, and even higher enzymatic activity was detected in their egg whites. Two different breeds of hen were tested with no difference in expression level found (P > 0.05). Western blot analysis of the egg whites from vector-injected hens showed the rhK1 was recognized by a polyclonal antibody specific for hK1 with molecular weights of 37 and 43 kDa, which probably corresponded to the mature and preenzyme, respectively. Biochemical studies showed that the recombinant enzyme had a similar thermostability, optimal pH, hypotensive effect, and sensitivity to different ions to the natural enzymes in human and porcine tissues. These data indicate that the chicken oviduct-specific transient expression system can produce relatively high level and authentic recombinant enzyme with a potential for further development for therapeutic use.

Which has the least immunity depression during postoperative analgesia—morphine, tramadol, or tramadol with lornoxicam?

BACKGROUND

Analgesics are commonly used to provide pain relief after surgery. These drugs produce some extended depression of immunity. A prospective randomized controlled trial was designed to observe expressions of T-lymphocyte subsets (CD3(+), CD3(+)CD4(+) and CD3(+)CD8(+)), natural-killer cells (CD3(-)CD16(+)CD56(+)), and activated T-lymphocytes (CD3(+)CD25(+)) of patients undergoing gastric cancer surgeries and receiving patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA).

METHODS

Forty-five patients undergoing elective gastric cancer surgeries under general anesthesia were randomly allocated into 3 groups. Group I received PCIA using morphine after surgery, group II using tramadol, and group III using tramadol with lornoxicam. The analgesic efficacy was evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS) and Bruggrmann comfort scale (BCS). Expressions of CD3(+), CD3(+)CD4(+), CD3(+)CD8(+), CD3(-)CD16(+)CD56(+), and CD3(+)CD25(+) were measured as percentages of total lymphocytes by flow cytometer at 5 time points.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in analgesic efficacy and the baselines of CD3(+), CD3(+)CD4(+), CD3(+)CD8(+), CD3(-)CD16(+)CD56(+), and CD3(+)CD25(+) in all groups. Compared with the baseline, CD3(+)CD8(+) had no changes in all groups at any time point. Ninety minutes after incision, CD3(+), CD3(+)CD4(+), CD3(-)CD16(+)CD56(+), and CD3(+)CD25(+) were lower in all groups (P<0.05). 24 h after surgery, CD3(+), CD3(+)CD4(+), CD3(-)CD16(+)CD56(+), and CD3(+)CD25(+) were lower in group I and group II (P<0.05); meanwhile CD3(+), CD3(+)CD4(+), and CD3(+)CD25(+) returned to the baseline but CD3(-)CD16(+)CD56(+) was still low (P<0.05) in group III. 48 h after surgery, CD3(+), CD3(+)CD4(+), CD3(-)CD16(+)CD56(+), and CD3(+)CD25(+) returned to the baseline in group II and group III, but not in group I (P<0.05). 72 h after surgery, CD3(+), CD3(+)CD4(+), CD3(+)CD4(+)/CD3(+)CD8(+) returned to the baseline, but CD3(+)CD25(+) and CD3(-)CD16(+)CD56(+) were still low in group I (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

PCIA using lornoxicam with tramadol has the same good analgesic efficacy and less immunity depression than PCIA using morphine or tramadol.

Observation of a near-threshold enhancement in the omega(phi) mass spectrum from the doubly OZI-suppressed decay J/psi-->gamma(omega)phi

An enhancement near threshold is observed in the omega(phi) invariant mass spectrum from the doubly Okubo-Zweig-Iizuka-suppressed decays of J/psi-->gamma(omega)phi, based on a sample of 5.8 x 10(7) J/psi events collected with the BESII detector. A partial wave analysis shows that this enhancement favors JP=0+, and its mass and width are M=1812(+19)(-26)(stat)+/-18(syst) MeV/c2 and Gamma=105+/-20(stat)+/-28(syst) MeV/c2. The product branching fraction is determined to be B(J/psi-->gammaX)B(X-->omega(phi))=[2.61+/-0.27(stat)+/-0.65(syst)]x10(-4).

Observation of a resonance in Chi(1835) in J/psi --> gammapi+ pi- eta-

The decay channel J/psi --> gamma(pi)(+)pi(-)eta is analyzed using a sample of 5.8 x 10(7) J/psi events collected with the BESII detector. A resonance, the Chi(1835), is observed in the pi(+)pi(-)eta invariant-mass spectrum with a statistical significance of 7.7 sigma. A fit with a Breit-Wigner function yields a mass M = 1833.7 +/- 6.1(stat) +/- 2.7(syst) MeV/c(2), a width Tau = 67.7 +/- 20.3(stat) +/- 7.7(syst) MeV/c(2), and a product branching fraction B(J/psi --> gammaChi) . B(Chi --> pi(+)pi(-)eta) = [2.2 +/- 0.4(stat) +/- 0.4(syst)] x 10(-4). The mass and width of the Chi(1835) are not compatible with any known meson resonance. Its properties are consistent with expectations for the state that produces the strong pp mass threshold enhancement observed in the J/psi --> gammapp process at BESII.

Single-crystal CdSe nanowires prepared via vapor-phase growth assisted with silicon

Hexagonal cadmium selenide (CdSe) nanowires, with diameter around 20 nm, were synthesized using a simple vapor-phase growth. Silicon (Si) powder acts as a source material assisting the synthesis, which is very important to the formation of the CdSe nanowires. We also suggest that self-catalysis at the Cd-terminated (0001) surface, together with the assistance action of Si, leads to the formation of wire-like structures to be formed. Meanwhile, the assistance of Si is responsible for the fineness and uniformity of the CdSe nanowires. The possible growth mechanism of the CdSe nanowires is proposed, and the optical property of the as-grown CdSe nanowires is characterized.

Local anesthesia for functional endoscopic sinus surgery employing small volumes of epinephrine-containing solutions of lidocaine produces profound hypotension

BACKGROUND

Local anesthetic containing epinephrine is commonly used in many operations for the main purpose of hemostasis. A randomized, controlled, prospective clinical trial was designed to find out hemodynamic changes after local infiltration of different concentrations and/or different dosages of epinephrine during functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) under general anesthesia.

METHODS

One hundred and eight adult patients undergoing elective FESS under general anesthesia were randomly allocated into four groups. Group I received 2% lidocaine 2 ml with epinephrine (5 microg/ml); group II received 1% lidocaine 4 ml with epinephrine (2.5 microg/ml); group III received 1% lidocaine 4 ml with epinephrine (5 microg/ml); and group IV received 1% lidocaine 4 ml for local infiltration. Heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were monitored continuously in the radial artery and recorded in 6 min: before infiltration (baseline), 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 5, and 6 min after local infiltration. The lowest blood pressure (BP) in this period was also recorded.

RESULTS

Significant hemodynamic changes, particularly a decrease in BP (P < 0.001) with a slight increase in HR (P < 0.001) at approximately 1.5 min and an increase in SBP at approximately 3 min (P < 0.01) after local infiltration, were observed in group I, group II and group III compared with the baseline, but not in group IV. No significant hemodynamic differences were observed between group I, group II and group III at the same time points (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Local infiltration of low-dose epinephrine causes temporary significant hemodynamic changes particularly a marked decrease in BP during FESS under general anesthesia.

Adjusting Lung Cancer Risks for Temporal and Spatial Variations in Radon Concentration in Dwellings in Gansu Province, China

Our recent study in Gansu Province, China reported an increasing risk of lung cancer with increasing residential radon concentration that was consistent with previous pooled analyses and with meta-analyses of other residential studies (Wang et al., Am. J. Epidemiol. 155, 554-564, 2002). Dosimetry used current radon measurements (1-year track-etch detectors) in homes to characterize concentrations for the previous 30 years, resulting in uncertainties in exposure and possibly reduced estimates of disease risk. We conducted a 3-year substudy in 55 houses to model the temporal and spatial variability in radon levels and to adjust estimates of radon risk. Temporal variation represented the single largest source of uncertainty, suggesting the usefulness of multi-year measurements to assess this variation; however, substantial residual variation remained unexplained. The uncertainty adjustment increased estimates of the excess odds ratio by 50-100%, suggesting that residential radon studies using similar dosimetry may also underestimate radon effects. These results have important implications for risk assessment.

Marked Hypotension Induced by Adrenaline Contained in Local Anesthetic

OBJECTIVES

Local anesthetics containing adrenaline, which often cause cardiovascular side effects, are routinely used in functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) for the main purpose of hemostasis. The controversies concerning hemodynamic effects of adrenaline in local infiltration are widely discussed, but there is no definite conclusion. A prospective, randomized, double-blinded study was carried out to discover the hemodynamic effects after local infiltration of 1:200,000 adrenaline contained in 2% lidocaine under general anesthesia.

STUDY DESIGN

Seventy-six adult patients undergoing FESS during general anesthesia were allocated randomly into three groups. Group I patients (n = 26) received 2% lidocaine 2 mL with adrenaline (1:200,000), group II patients (n = 25) received saline 2 mL with adrenaline (1:200,000), and group III patients (control group, n = 25) received saline 2 mL without adrenaline for local infiltration. Electrocardiogram (ECG) and heart rate (HR) were monitored simultaneously; systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) were directly measured in radial artery continuously after local infiltration.

METHODS

SBP, DBP, MAP, and HR were recorded at 10 time points: before infiltration (baseline), 0.5 minutes, 1 minute, 1.5 minutes, 2 minutes, 2.5 minutes, 3 minutes, 3.5 minutes, 4 minute, and 5 minutes after infiltration.

RESULTS

Significant hemodynamic changes, particularly hypotension (P < .01), after local infiltration were observed in group I and group II compared with the baseline, but not in group III. However, there were no significant hemodynamic changes between group I and group II at the same time points (P > .05). The significant hemodynamic changes lasted no longer than 4 minutes.

CONCLUSIONS

Lidocaine (2%) or saline with adrenaline (1:200,000) does cause temporary hypotension and other hemodynamic changes during general anesthesia, which last no longer than 4 minutes. The causative mechanism is caused by the effect of adrenaline. This is a preliminary study.

Observation of a threshold enhancement in the plambda invariant-mass spectrum

An enhancement near the m(p)+M(Lambda) mass threshold is observed in the combined pLambda and pLambda invariant-mass spectrum from J/psi-->pK(-)Lambda;+c.c. decays. It can be fit with an S-wave Breit-Wigner resonance with a mass m=2075+/-12(stat)+/-5(syst) MeV and a width of Gamma=90+/-35(stat)+/-9(syst) MeV; it can also be fit with a P-wave Breit-Wigner resonance. Evidence for a similar enhancement is also observed in psi(')-->pK(-)Lambda;+c.c. decays. The analysis is based on samples of 5.8x10(7)J/psi and 1.4x10(7)psi(') decays accumulated in the BES II detector at the Beijing Electron-Positron Collider.

Observation of the decay psi(2S)-->K0SK0L

The decay psi(2S)-->K(0)(S)K(0)(L) is observed using psi(2S) data collected with the Beijing Spectrometer at the Beijing Electron-Positron Collider; the branching fraction is determined to be B(psi(2S)-->K(0)(S)K(0)(L))=(5.24+/-0.47+/-0.48)x10(-5). Compared with J/psi-->K(0)(S)K(0)(L), the psi(2S) branching fraction is enhanced relative to the prediction of the perturbative QCD "12%" rule. The result, together with the branching fractions of psi(2S) decays to other pseudoscalar meson pairs (pi(+)pi(-) and K+K-), is used to investigate the relative phase between the three-gluon and the one-photon annihilation amplitudes of psi(2S) decays.

[Culture of osteoblasts by serial explant culture and comparison of their characteristics]

OBJECTIVE

To Investigate a simple, economical and efficient method of primary osteoblast culture and compare their characteristics.

METHODS

Primary osteoblasts of 1 st-4 th series explant culture from calvarial bones of neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats, were collected and osteoblasts shape, mitosis, proliferation, ALP activity and immunohistological expression of osteocalcin and BMP-2 observed.

RESULTS

No difference was found in cell shape, spread, confluence, ALP activity as well as immunohistological stain of osteocalcin and BMP-2 of the osteoblasts, which had been harvested from the 1 st-4 th series explant cultures of Sprague-Dawley rats.

CONCLUSION

Series explant culture can harvest the same kind of osteoblasts as the explant culture, and more osteoblasts can be obtained at a single time. It saves money and time and is easy to manipulate.

In Situ Dynamics of Phosphorus in the Rhizosphere Solution of Five Species

Root activity can modify the chemistry of the rhizosphere and alter phosphorus (P) availability and uptake. However, until recently, relatively little was known about the dynamics of soil solution P at the root surface because of our inability to measure in situ changes in solution P at the plant root. A mini-rhizotron experiment with corn (Zea mays L. cv. Stine 2250), soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv. Pioneer 3563), cottonwood (Populus deltoids L.), smooth brome (Bromus inermis Leyss.), and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) was conducted to measure the spatial and temporal dynamics of P in the rhizosphere solution of a fine silty, P-rich calcareous soil (solid-phase total P concentration = 62 mg kg(-1), pH = 7.68) from western Iowa. Micro-suction cups were used to collect samples of soil solution from defined segments of the rhizosphere, and capillary electrophoresis (CE) was used to determine the P concentration of the soil solution. At the end of 10 d, a decreasing P concentration gradient in soil solution toward the root was observed in corn, cottonwood, and smooth brome. No clear rhizosphere effect was observed for soybean and switchgrass. Statistical analysis indicated significantly lower solution P concentrations in the rhizospheres of corn (p = 0.05), cottonwood (p = 0.01), and smooth brome (p = 0.01) compared with bulk soil solution. Results indicate that P depletion from rhizosphere soil solution depends on plant species. Under the conditions of this study, corn, cottonwood, and smooth brome were more effective in depleting solution P than soybean and switchgrass.

Zinc transporter 3 and zinc ions in the rodent superior cervical ganglion neurons

Previous studies have revealed that zinc-enriched (ZEN) terminals are present in all parts of the CNS though with great differences in intensity. The densest populations of both ZEN terminals and ZEN somata are found in telencephalic structures, but also structures like the spinal cord demonstrate impressive ZEN systems spreading terminals several segments around the respective ZEN somata. The present study evaluates whether sympathetic neurons in the superior cervical ganglia (SCG) are ZEN neurons, i.e. contain vesicles that have zinc transporter 3 (ZnT3) proteins in their membranes and contain zinc ions. ZnT3 immunoreactivity (IR) was found in the somata and processes in the postganglionic neurons of mouse SCG. Only a small fraction of neurons (less than 5%), expressed varying degrees of ZnT3. Colchicine treatment, however, increased the number of ZnT3-positive neurons three-fold, suggesting an accumulation of ZnT3 protein in the somata. A small proportion of the postganglionic axons revealed dotted accumulations of ZnT3 IR along their courses. Double labeling showed that all ZnT3-positive neurons and axons were also tyrosine hydroxylase-positive with strong immunofluorescence, while no colocalization was found between ZnT3 and the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) or neuropeptide Y IR. VAChT-positive preganglionic neurons were found to terminate on ZnT3 neuronal somata. 6-Methoxy 8-para toluene sulfonamide quinoline fluorescence and zinc selenium autometallography (ZnSe(AMG)) revealed that a subgroup of SCG cells contained free or loosely bound zinc ions. It is therefore concluded that ZnT3 and zinc ions are present in a subpopulation of TH-positive, NPY-negative neurons in the rodent SCG, supporting the notion that vesicular zinc ions may play a special role in the peripheral sympathetic adrenergic system.

[Study on pulmonary delivery of peptide drugs in rats: effects of absorption enhancers on cellular membrane fluidity]

AIM

To study the relationship between cellular membrane fluidity and relative bioavailability (Fr) of protein and peptide drugs combined with absorption enhancers after pulmonary administration in rats.

METHODS

A series of model drug salmon calcitonin (sCT) solutions with 6 absorption enhancers (Brij78, sodium cholate, sodium caprylate, 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin, lecithin and chitosan) were prepared and then delivered to rats by pulmonary route. Serum drug concentration was determined by radioimmunoassay method. Using the techniques of electron spin resonance and fluorescence polarography, the effects of enhancers on pulmonary cellular membrane fluidity were investigated.

RESULTS

Fr values of sCT solution with some absorption enhancers (Brij78, sodium cholate, sodium caprylate, lecithin and chitosan) were significantly higher than those without enhancers. Brij78, lecithin and sodium caprylate, not only increased membrane lipid fluidity but also loosed the constitution of membrane protein. The effect of sodium cholate on membrane protein was low. Lipid fluidity was reduced and protein constitution was changed markedly, after pulmonary cellular membrane was treated by 0.5% chitosan solution. This result showed that the absorption enhancing of chitosan mainly came from its effects on membrane protein. Corresponded with lower Fr after pulmonary administration, 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (0.5% and 3%) had not significant effects on both lipid fluidity and protein constitution.

CONCLUSION

The effects of enhancers on pulmonary absorption of peptide drugs in vivo might be investigated on the grounds of determination of cellular membrane fluidity in vitro.

Progesterone Induces the Proliferation of Urothelial Cells in an Epidermal Growth Factor Dependent Manner

PURPOSE

We have previously reported that estrogen induced proliferation of urothelial cells is modulated by nerve growth factor (NGF). In this study we investigated whether progesterone induces urothelial cell proliferation and whether this effect is modulated by NGF or by epidermal growth factor (EGF).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Experiments were performed using human urothelial cells immortalized by human papillomavirus E6. Cell proliferation was determined using the alamarBlue (Trek Diagnostic, Westlake, New York) assay. Human papillomavirus were seeded in 48-well plates. They were incubated with 5% alamarBlue and different concentrations of progesterone, EGF or NGF in the presence or absence of neutralizing EGF or NGF antibody, K252a (an inhibitor of trkA, the high affinity receptor for NGF), Ru-486 (an antagonist of progesterone and glucocorticoid receptor) or ZK 137 316 (a specific antagonist of progesterone receptor). Immunoblotting was performed using specific antibodies for progesterone receptor, glucocorticoid receptor or EGF receptor. EGF content in conditioned medium was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

In the presence of 10 nM to 1 microM progesterone urothelial cell proliferation was significantly increased 8.6% to 51.1%. This effect was abolished by ZK137 316 or by Ru-486. Hydrocortisone also induced urothelial cell proliferation. This effect was blocked by Ru-486 but not by ZK137 316. In addition, progesterone stimulated urothelial cell proliferation was inhibited by neutralizing EGF antibody but not by NGF antiserum or K252a. We also found that EGF synthesis and release by urothelial cells was increased by exogenous progesterone. This effect of progesterone was inhibited by ZK 137 316.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that progesterone has the capacity to induce urothelial cell proliferation through its cognate receptor and this effect is mediated by EGF but not by NGF.