Neurite degeneration elicited by apolipoprotein E peptides

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) has been localized to the neurofibrillary tangles and beta-amyloid-containing plaques found in the cortex of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) (14, 28), suggesting that apoE may play a role in this disorder. Recently, synthetic peptides containing a sequence within apoE (amino acids 141-155) were found to be cytotoxic to T lymphocytes in culture. In the present study, tandem presentation of the apoE sequence E141-155, as well as longer monomeric peptides that include this domain, was found to cause extensive and specific degeneration of neurites from embryonic chick sympathetic ganglia in vitro. These results, together with the observation of strong beta A4/apoE binding in vitro and the disproportionate occurrence of the epsilon 4 allele in both familial and sporadic AD patients, suggest that peptide sequences associated with apoE may contribute directly to neurodegenerative processes.

A parathyroid hormone antagonist stimulates epidermal proliferation and hair growth in mice

The biologic action of parathyroid hormone (PTH)-related peptide (PTHrP) in normal skin was investigated in cultured human keratinocytes and in SKH-1 hairless mice. The results indicate that the PTHrP agonists human PTHrP-(1-34) and PTH(1-34) are potent inhibitors of epidermal cell proliferation. [Nle8,18,Tyr34]bovine PTH-(7-34)-amide, an antagonist of the PTH/PTHrP receptor, blocked the inhibitory effect of PTH-(1-34) in cultured keratinocytes. In the SKH-1 mice, PTH-(7-34) caused a 244% increase of [3H]thymidine incorporation into isolated epidermal DNA and 246% and 180% increases in the number and length of hair shafts, respectively. Thus, PTH and PTHrP may play an important role in the normal physiology of skin, and their agonists and antagonists have potentially wide therapeutic applications in the treatment of hyperproliferative skin disorders and aging skin and could also be effective in stimulating and maintaining hair growth.

[Mapping of full-length murine renin-2 gene]

A 24kb fragment containing full-length renin-2 gene and its flanking sequence was obtained by digesting the pKG-R2D with XhoI. This fragment was cleaved with single enzyme (EcoRI, KpnI and BamHI), and combined enzymes (EcoRI/KpnI, KpnI/BamHI and BamHI/EcoRI), respectively. The digests were electrophoresed on 0.8% agarose plates and transferred onto NC membranes. Radioactive probes of 735bp and 1400bp, templates of which were from half and full-length of renin-1 cDNA, respectively were used for Southern hybridization. On the basis of electrophoresis and hybridization patterns, a restriction map was constructed in this paper.

[Laser suture lysis following trabeculectomy]

Trabeculectomies with tightly sutured scleral flap was performed on 49 eyes of 45 patients with angle closure or open angle glaucomas, the experimental group, of which 41 eyes underwent laser suture lysis subsequently. After a mean period of follow-up 14.7 months (12-36 months), the average intraocular pressure was decreased from pre-operative 5.93 kPa (44.5 mmHg) to post-operative 1.96 kPa (14.7mmHg). The experimental group of patients was compared with the control group, 41 eyes of 39 cases at the same period randomly undergoing trabeculectomy without laser suture lysis. The control rate of intraocular pressure is higher (89.8%:73.2%) and the incidence of ocular complications (such as, shallow anterior chamber, choroid detachment, hyphema, lens opacity) is significantly lower in the former group, showing that trabeculectomy with following laser suture lysis is a safe and effective anti-glaucoma surgery. The advantages, points for attention and experiences of laser suture lysis have been introduced in the paper.

Infection of human endothelial cells by Rickettsia rickettsii causes a significant reduction in the levels of key enzymes involved in protection against oxidative injury

The activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase were significantly decreased in human endothelial cells infected with the obligate intracellular bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii, the causative agent of Rocky Mountain spotted fever. This observation lends additional support to our hypothesis implicating oxidative damage in endothelial cell injury caused by this microorganism.

[An observation on immunization reaction and serological effect of adsorbed purified pertussis vaccine]

An observation on immunization reaction and serological effect of adsorbed purified pertussis vaccine for the first time in China had been carried out in Zhengzhou. Phase I field trial had been conducted in 8 adults and 20 children in whom there was no local reaction and temperature reaction in adults and only mild temperature reaction (37.6 degrees C-38 degrees C) in 4 children. Phase II field trial showed that the adsorbed purified pertussis vaccine manifested trivial reaction, none developed severe temperature reaction (39.1 degrees C), and 8 person-times of moderate temperature reaction (38.1 degrees C-39.1 degrees C) occurred in 100 children after 3 doses. Whereas 2 person-times of severe reaction and 39 person-times of mild reaction occurred in 101 children after receiving the whole cell pertussis vaccine. None showed local severe reaction (5.1 cm) and 1 person-time of mild local reaction appeared at 48 hours after each of 3 doses of adsorbed purified pertussis vaccine (102, 102, 98 children, respectively); Whereas, 3 person-times of severe local reaction and 17 person-times of mild local reaction occurred after each of 3 doses of whole cell pertussis vaccine (97, 100, 97 children, respectively). Satisfactory immunogenicity of the adsorbed purified pertussis vaccine was confirmed. The high serum hemagglutinin titer was achieved in 90 children, the GMT reached 817 (9.16 for preimmunization), and titers reaching 1:320 and over (a level protecting human from being infected) accounted for 84.4 percent. The average levels of anti-LPF and anti-FHA antibodies in 60 and 53 persons attained to 24.17 +/- 3.9421 EU/ml and 38.85 +/- 7.2466 EU/ml, respectively.

Antitumor activity of a new low immunosuppressive derivative of podophyllotoxin (GP-11) and its mechanisms

The spin-labeled derivative of podophyllotoxin, N'-podophyllic acid-N-[3-(2,2,5,5-tetramethyl pyrrolinenyloxy)] semicarbazide (GP-11), was synthesized and tested for its antitumor activity against mouse transplantable tumors, Sarcoma-180, Hepatoma-A, P388 leukemia and Ehrlich ascites carcinoma. At an equitoxic dose, the antitumor activity of GP-11 was similar to that of etoposide (VP-16). However, the immunosuppressive effects of GP-11 were weaker than that of VP-16. In vitro, GP-11 and VP-16 inhibited the proliferation of human lymphoid leukemia Molt 4B cells and suppressed DNA and protein syntheses, but the effect of GP-11 and VP-16 on cell cycle progression was different. The mitotic index was increased by GP-11 and reduced by VP-16. On the basis of flow cytometric bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)/DNA analysis, GP-11 and VP-16 resulted in the accumulation of cells in the S and G2/M phases. G2/M arrest by GP-11 on cell cycle progression was stronger than that of VP-16, while S arrest was weaker than that of VP-16. After the removal of drugs, the arrest by GP-11 and VP-16 still existed and was irreversible. These results may provide insights into the structure-activity relationships and the design of novel derivatives of podophyllotoxin useful in cancer chemotherapy.

[Purification and properties of beta-mannanases from alkalophilic Bacillus N16-5]

Three extracellular alkaline beta-mannanases from an alkalophilic Bacillus N16-5 were purified to electrophoretic homogeneity by (NH4)2SO4 precipitation, DEAE-Sephadex A-25 chromatography, hydroxyapatite chromatography and preparative electrophoresis. Molecular weights and pI values of the beta-mannanases (M-1, M-2 and M-3) were 51000, 38000 and 34700 by SDS-PAGE and 4.3, 2.5 and 2.5 by PAGEIEF, respectively. The optimum pH for enzyme catalysis were 9.0 for M-1 and 10.0 for M-2 and M-3, respectively. All of three enzymes were the most active at 70 degrees C. The activities of three enzymes were strongly inhibited by Ag1+, Hg2+ and Mn2+. Michaelis constants (Km) of the enzyme M-1, M-2 and M-3 for mannase from konjak were 2.9, 1.7 and 12.5 mg/ml, maximum velocities (Vmax) for the saccharide were 27500, 47500 and 15700 mumol.min-1.mg-1, respectively. Konjak was hydrolyzed by the enzyme M-1, and major components in digests were mono-, di-, tri- and tetra-saccharides.

[Effects of 4-(4"-(2",2",6",6"-tetramethyl-1"-pipe-ridinyloxy) amino)-4'-demethylepipodophyllotoxin on nucleic acids, proteins, and DNA strand of L7712 cells in vitro]

The antitumor activity of GP-7, a new spin-labeled epipodophyllotoxin, was studied by liquid scintillation spectrometry. There were many similarities between GP-7 and etoposide. Both GP-7 and etoposide inhibited the incorporation of [3H]TdR, [3H]UR, and [3H]Leu into DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis in leukemia 7712 cells. The inhibition correlated with drug concentration and duration. IC50 of GP-7 and etoposide on DNA synthesis at 24 h were 0.21 and 0.37 micrograms.ml-1, respectively. The inhibition of GP-7 or etoposide on DNA synthesis retained even after the drug were washed out for 3 h. GP-7 and etoposide caused DNA single-strand breaks, with a well concentration-response relationship. These data suggest that the inhibition of DNA synthesis by GP-7 or etoposide is likely due to the damage of DNA template and breaking of single-strand DNA.

Isolation and identification of hepatitis E virus in Xinjiang, China

This paper describes isolation and identification of a virus (termed strain 87A) which has the cytopathic effect and haemagglutination properties of hepatitis E virus (HEV). This virus was isolated by tissue culture from the faeces of a patient with acute non-A, non-B enteric hepatitis in Xinjiang, China. The isolated virus was neutralized by acute phase sera obtained from other patients with acute non-A, non-B enteric hepatitis. The virus particles also could be specifically aggregated with acute phase sera from patients with known HEV hepatitis in China, Burma, India and the U.S.S.R., and with acute and convalescent sera from an HEV-infected chimpanzee. Crystalline arrangements of virus particles in the cytoplasm were observed by electron microscopy in ultrathin sections of infected cells. The sedimentation coefficient of the strain 87A virus particles in sucrose gradients was 176S. Purified virus particles revealed a protein band of about 76K on SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. The evidence indicates that the strain 87A virus is an HEV. Our ability to propagate HEV in cell culture should facilitate research on this hepatotropic virus.

Epidemic non-A, non-B hepatitis in Xinjiang. Clinical and pathologic observations

131 cases of epidemic hepatitis from two villages in Xinjiang, were admitted to the provisional infectious diseases hospital from February to April 1987. In 125 (95%) patients neither anti-HAV IgM nor anti-HBc IgM were positive. 118 (90%) were drinking water from a local stream of the Hotan River. The study was conducted on 125 patients aged from 5 to 90 years, with a mean of 26.4 years. There were slightly more males than females, a ratio of 1.5 to 1. The incubation period was roughly estimated to be 17 to 37 days (mean 24.8 days). All subjects were jaundiced. 12 patients (including 6 pregnant women) had cholestatic symptoms. Except one woman who died of postpartum bleeding, all patients ran a benign course without fulminant hepatic failure. Pathologic changes of liver biopsies from 35 cases included lobular damage and inflammation, ballooned hepatocytes with clear cytoplasm and delineated cell membrane which were named "clear cell". There were cholestasis of different degrees in the acute icteric stage and fatty changes in the convalescent stage. It was seen under the electron microscope that the livers of 8 cases had neither tubular structure nor sponge-like inclusions, but had nuclear changes including curled edge of nuclear membrane and nuclear heterochromatin condensed in masses. Liver biopsies were repeated in 7 cases followed up for 6-13 months, and hepatohistology was normal in 5. Of the other two cases there was one of each.

[Antitumor activity of 4-(4''-(2'',2'',6'',6''-tetramethyl-1''-piperidinyoxy)amino)-4'- demethyl epipodophyllotoxin in vitro]

The antitumor activity of a new podophyllotoxin spin-labeled derivative, 4-(4''-(2'',2'',6'',6''-tetramethyl-1''-+piperidinyoxy)amino)-4'- demethylepipodophyllotoxin (GP-7) First synthesized by us, was studied in vitro. It was found that the proliferation of SGC-7901 cells was markedly inhibited by GP-7 depending the concentration and exposure time. At concentration of 0.04-100 mg/L, the inhibition rates were 15.5-92.6% ID50 was 0.42 mg/L. After exposure to GP-7 greater than 0.5 mg/L for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h, the inhibition rates of cells were 25.1, 49.0, 71.4 and 84.9% respectively. The dose-response curve of GP-7 on SGC-7901 cell was similar to that of etoposide (VP-16). The colony formation of SGC-7901 cell was also inhibited by GP-7 in a concentration dependent fashion with ID50 1.63 mg/L. At concentrations of 0.1-0.5 mg/L, the inhibitory effects were stronger than that of VP-16. GP-7 decreased the mitotic index (MI) of SGC-7901 cell and had no effect on microtubule assembly and disassembly in vitro, which suggested that GP-7 did not act on M phase.

Anticancer drugs. II. Synthesis and biological evaluation of spin labeled derivatives of podophyllotoxin

The spin labeled derivatives of podophyllotoxin, 4-[4''-(2'',2'',6'',6''-tetramethyl-l''-piperidinyloxy)amino] -4'-demethylepipodophyllotoxin(GP-7,3) and N-podophyllic acid-N''-[4-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-l-piperidinyloxy)] thiosemicarbazide(GP-4,5) were synthesized and tested for their anticancer activity against the mouse solid tumors S180 and HepA in vivo, and the mouse lymphocytic leukemia L1210 and human stomach carcinoma SGC-7901 cells in vitro. At equitoxic concentrations, the anticancer activity of GP-7(3) was found to be similar to that of the clinically used VP-16(2). The toxicity of GP-7(3) (LD50231.2 mg/Kg) is 3.3 times lower than that of VP-16 (LD50 69.5 mg/Kg). GP-7(3) exhibits low subchronic toxicity. The total chemical yield of GP-7 (26%) is 4 times higher than that of VP-16 (6%) (based on podophyllotoxin). Therefore, GP-7(3) seems to be a promising new entry into the podophyllotoxin class of anticancer drugs.

A macro-view of China's elderly population: an analysis of the sampling survey in 1987 on China's population above 60 years of age

"This treatise analyzes the characteristics of [China's] elderly population and examines some of the most important factors that affect population, economic development and the reform of the social security system." Data are from a 1987 survey of China's elderly population.