Beneficial effect of oocyte activation prior to and during nuclear transfer in cattle using in vitro matured oocytes 24 h of age

This research was designed to study in vitro development of bovine nuclear transferred embryos using enucleated young in vitro matured oocytes 24 h of age as recipient cytoplasts activated prior to nuclear transfer. The oocytes were enucleated and then activated with electric pulse at 24 h of age followed by incubation with cycloheximide for 6-7 h before nuclear transfer and membrane fusion with a blastomere of the 16-32 cell stage. This new protocol effectively improved cleavage (68 vs 17%, p < 0.05) and morula/blastocyst development of reconstructed embryos (29 vs 6%, p < 0.05), compared to similar nuclear transfer procedure without prior activation of recipient oocytes. Corresponding rates of cleavage and morula/blastocyst development for oocytes activated similarly without nuclear transfer were 49 and 19%. Factors affecting nuclear transfer were also compared. Two electric pulses for fusion increased rates of fusion (76 vs 60%, p < 0.05) and subsequent development of cloned embryos (32 vs 11%, p < 0.05). Cytochalasin B treatment following nuclear transfer manipulation seemed not to be beneficial in improving development of cloned embryos (p > 0.05). Both co-culture systems with buffalo rat liver (BRL) cells and cumulus cells promoted development of cloned embryos compared to the controls (28, 21 vs 0%, p < 0.05). The BRL cell system seemed to be better for manipulated embryos by reducing embryolysis.

Cytokine production by primary bone marrow megakaryocytes

Primary human bone marrow megakaryocytes were studied for their ability to express and release cytokines potentially relevant to their proliferation and/or differentiation. The purity of the bone marrow megakaryocytes was assessed by morphologic and immunocytochemical criteria. Unstimulated marrow megakaryocytes constitutively expressed genes for interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), IL-6, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Northern blot analysis. At the protein level, megakaryocytes secreted significant amounts of IL-1 beta (53.6 +/- 3.6 pg/mL), IL-6 (57.6 +/- 15.6 pg/mL), and GM-CSF (24 +/- 4 pg/mL) but not TNF-alpha. Exposure of human marrow megakaryocytes to IL-1 beta increased the levels of IL-6 (87.3 +/- 2.3 pg/mL) detected in the culture supernatants. Transforming growth factor-beta was also able to stimulate IL-6, IL-1 beta, and GM-CSF secretion, but was less potent than stimulation with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA). The secreted cytokines acted additively to maintain and increase the number of colony-forming unit-megakaryocytes colonies (approximately 35%). These studies demonstrate the production of multiple cytokines by isolated human bone marrow megakaryocytes constitutively or stimulated in vitro. The capacity of human megakaryocytes to synthesize several cytokines known to modulate hematopoietic cells supports the concept that there may be an autocrine mechanism operative in the regulation of megakaryocytopoiesis.

The beta-aspartyl phosphate intermediate in a Leishmania donovani promastigote plasma membrane P-type ATPase

The phosphorylated intermediate of a plasma membrane P-type ATPase in Leishmania donovani has been further characterized. The formation of the phosphorylated intermediate is sensitive to several ATPase inhibitors including vanadate, dicyclohexyl carbodiimide (DCCD), N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC). These inhibitors affect purified immunoprecipitated protein as well as total plasma membrane fractions. Oligomycin, an inhibitor of mitochondrial ATPases, and ouabain, an inhibitor of Na+/K(+)-ATPases, had no effect on the formation of the phosphorylated intermediate. The ATPase phosphoprotein was acid stable and dephosphorylated at alkaline pH, indicating the presence of the acyl phosphate chemical linkage. Analysis of the phosphorylated amino acid by reduction with sodium boro[3H]hydride identified the residue as aspartate, confirming the formation of a beta-aspartyl phosphate intermediate. These data indicate the presence of a 105 kDa P-type ATPase on L. donovani plasma membrane that is mechanistically similar to to other P-type enzymes of higher eukaryotes.

Human kit ligand (stem cell factor) modulates platelet activation in vitro

The human stem cell factor (SCF), also termed c-Kit ligand (KL), is a hematopoietic growth factor produced by mesenchymal cells that induces proliferation of bone marrow progenitor cells, megakaryocytes, and mast cells via interaction with c-Kit, its cognate receptor. Expression of the c-kit gene was identified in human platelets by the polymerase chain reaction technique. The presence of the c-Kit receptor was demonstrated by the specific binding of 125I-KL/SCF to ADP-stimulated platelets. The identity of the c-Kit protein was confirmed by immunoreactivity with an anti-c-Kit-specific antibody and by its characterization as a phosphotyrosine-containing protein. Under constitutive conditions, c-Kit was found to be tyrosine-phosphorylated and was associated with a 85-kDa phosphoprotein that could be a fragment of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. These data indicate the presence of a new platelet surface molecule that could function in platelet activation. We demonstrate that the secondary wave of platelet aggregation and serotonin secretion induced by epinephrine and ADP, but not by the thromboxane analog U46619, was augmented by KL/SCF. The effect of KL/SCF on epinephrine/ADP-induced platelet activation appeared to be mediated in part through the thromboxane pathway. These data suggest that KL/SCF could modulate hemostasis via interaction with platelets, particularly in conditions where mesenchymal cells are exposed to circulating blood elements, such as in wound healing or atherosclerosis.

Comparison of standard locked-ward treatment versus open-ward rehabilitation treatment for chronic schizophrenic patients. A one-year controlled trial in Canton

A priority for psychiatric rehabilitation workers in China is to develop less-restrictive methods for managing the estimated 2500 chronically institutionalised patients who are symptomatically stable and have adequate psychosocial functioning but have no family members who are able or willing to take them home. We transferred 45 chronic schizophrenic male in-patients to an open-door rehabilitation ward where they were given as much freedom as possible and encouraged to take part in occupational, social, and recreational activities. The Nurses Observation Scale for Inpatient Evaluation (NOSIE) was used to compare the psychosocial functioning of the 43 patients who completed the year-long trial with that of 43 similar patients who received standard in-patient treatment on a locked ward. Over the year, the experimental group showed a significant improvement in overall functioning, whereas the control group showed no improvement. These findings suggest that open-door rehabilitation wards situated within the hospital can mobilise latent psychosocial functioning and may be a good method for re-introducing chronic schizophrenic patients in China back into the community.

Involvement of Ca2+ in the formation of high molecular weight DNA fragments in thymocyte apoptosis

Internucleosomal DNA fragmentation (DNA laddering) and formation of apoptotic bodies have long been considered characteristic features of apoptosis. However, recent work has shown that formation of high molecular weight DNA fragments precedes internucleosomal cleavage and may involve mechanisms that differ from those responsible for DNA laddering. Here, we show that glucocorticoid treatment of human thymocytes stimulated the formation of high molecular weight DNA fragments by Ca(2+)- and endonuclease-mediated mechanisms. Either the removal of Ca2+ from the medium or pretreatment of the cells with the intracellular Ca2+ chelator, BAPTA-AM, prevented the formation of large DNA fragments. Further, treatment of the thymocytes with the microsomal Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor, thapsigargin, which caused a sustained increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration, was in itself sufficient to activate high molecular weight DNA fragmentation. Our results show that Ca(2+)-dependent mechanisms promote the multistep chromatin cleavage in human thymocyte apoptosis.

Intracellular Ca2+ signals activate apoptosis in thymocytes: studies using the Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin

The endoplasmic reticular Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor, thapsigargin, was used to study the role of an increase in cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) as a signal for the activation of thymocyte apoptosis. Treatment of rat thymocytes with thapsigargin resulted in an early sustained increase in [Ca2+]i followed by extensive DNA fragmentation. Agarose gel electrophoresis revealed that the pattern of DNA fragments was typical of endonuclease-mediated internucleosomal cleavage. In addition, confocal microscopy studies showed the formation of apoptotic nuclei in thapsigargin-treated thymocytes. The concentrations of thapsigargin required to induce DNA fragmentation and [Ca2+]i increase in thymocytes were identical and so were the kinetics of thapsigargin-induced DNA fragmentation and formation of apoptotic nuclei. The lowest concentration of thapsigargin needed to activate apoptosis was 1 nM. Thapsigargin-induced [Ca2+]i increase and thymocyte apoptosis were inhibited in cells incubated in nominally Ca(2+)-free medium or pretreated with the intracellular Ca2+ chelator, bis-(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid/acetoxymethyl ester. Removal of extracellular free Ca2+ with 5 mM EGTA at different time points after thapsigargin addition revealed a time dependency of about 2 h for the sustained increase in [Ca2+]i to trigger apoptosis in thymocytes. Thus, we conclude that the signal provided by the thapsigargin-induced [Ca2+]i increase is sufficient to activate thymocyte apoptosis.

Three-dimensional structure-activity analysis of a series of porphyrin derivatives with anti-HIV-1 activity targeted to the V3 loop of the gp120 envelope glycoprotein of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1

Using comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA), a 3D-QSAR model was developed for 21 porphyrin derivatives which have anti-HIV-1 activity and bind to the V3 loop of the envelope glycoprotein gp120 of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1. A significant PLS cross-validated r2cv (0.590) was obtained, indicating that the model could be used as a predictive tool for further design of porphyrin analogs. The model revealed at least three important sites for favorable electrostatic interactions and indicated favorable and unfavorable steric interaction sites. It was found that the occurrence of at least three positively charged and several hydrophobic amino acid residues is highly conserved at fixed positions of gp120 V3 loop sequences. This may support the validity of the proposed model and the hypothesis that porphyrins containing anionic and hydrophobic groups may interact with some of the highly conserved positively charged and hydrophobic sites, respectively, of the V3 loop. These interactions may induce conformational changes in the gp120 envelope glycoprotein leading to inhibition of virus entry into cells and of syncytium formation (cell-to-cell fusion) and thus to inhibition of virus replication.

Plasma membrane K+/H(+)-ATPase from Leishmania donovani

Leishmania donovani has an active K+/H+ exchange system on the surface membrane. Modulation of external K+ concentration resulted in a corresponding change in internal pH (pHi) suggesting a link between proton and potassium transport. Although a Na+/H+ antiporter is present on the plasma membrane, its sensitivity to amiloride suggests that it operates independent of K+/H+ exchange. Reduction of cellular ATP with NaN3 and KCN inhibits K+/H+ exchange showing thereby that the process is energy dependent. The K+/H+ exchange is sensitive to inhibitors of the gastric K+/H(+)-ATPase. It is concluded that the H(+)-ATPase previously reported on the plasma membrane of L. donovani is in fact a K+/H(+)-ATPase.

Development of a new laser-Doppler microvelocimetering and its application in patients with coronary artery stenosis

A new Laser-Doppler microvelocimetering (LDMV) was developed to study blood flow in individual vessels in patients with coronary artery stenosis. The LDMV measures steady blood flow velocity, diameter of vessels and pulsation flow. In addition, the effects of China's traditional herbs--Salvia Mitiorrhyza and other drugs--on the blood flow in the patients were investigated. LDMV constitutes a new quantitative procedure and is a promising tool for rapid monitoring of tissue perfusion in cardiovascular disease and estimating the action of drugs on microcirculation.

[Lymphokine-activated killer cell induced from cord blood]

In this article, the studies on the method of inducing lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells from cord blood lymphocytes, the killing ability of LAK cells to tumor subculture cells K562 and Raji, the comparison of the killing activity to tumor subculture cells among LAK cells from cord blood lymphocytes, adult's Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and gynecologic cancer patient's PBL was presented. The changes of the OKT antigens on the surface of cord blood LAK cells tested with monoclonal antibodies was described. The morphologic changes resulted from the killing activity of LAK cells to target cells were observed by microscopy and electron-microscopy after a definite time co-incubation of the LAK cells and Raji cells. The results showed that: (1) LAK cells could be induced from cord blood and the induced LAK cells could remarkably kill the tumor subculture cell lines including nature killer (NK)-sensitive K562 cells as well as NK-insensitive Raji cells; (2) The activity of cord blood LAK cells is higher than that of the LAK cells from gynecologic cancer patient's PBL, But no significant difference with that of the LAK cells from normal adult's PBL; (3) T+3, T+8, the OKT antigens of cord blood LAK cells are just the same as human LAK cells from other sources; (4) After a definite time co-incubation, the cord blood LAK cells and Raji cells could form atypical rosette-circles under light microscopy. In the field of transmission electron-microscopy, the cord blood LAK cells had a certain active mobility. Raji cells, when incubated with the cord LAK cells for 4 hours, would become apoptosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Separate metabolic pathways leading to DNA fragmentation and apoptotic chromatin condensation

Apoptosis is the predominant form of cell death observed in a variety of physiological and pathological conditions such as cancer involution, insect metamorphosis, the development of the immune and nervous systems, and embryogenesis. The typical nuclear changes taking place in apoptotic cells include extensive condensation of chromatin and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation into units of 200 base pairs. However, the mechanisms responsible for both chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation have yet to be elucidated. In this study, micrococcal nuclease and the divalent cations, Ca2+ and Mg2+, were applied to isolated nuclei in an attempt to reconstitute in vitro the digestion of genomic DNA associated with apoptosis. Micrococcal nuclease was found to induce a typical pattern of DNA fragmentation, but did not give rise to chromatin condensation, whereas Ca2+/Mg2+ induced both chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation in isolated mouse liver nuclei. When the endonuclease inhibitor ZnCl2 was used, the DNA fragmentation induced by Ca2+/Mg2+ in nuclei could be completely inhibited, but chromatin condensation still occurred. For comparison, intact liver cells were treated with valinomycin, a potassium ionophore, which gave rise to an atypical cell death, with chromatin condensation appearing without DNA fragmentation. Our results suggest that endonuclease activation in apoptosis is neither necessary nor sufficient to induce chromatin condensation, and that DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation may be triggered through separate pathways during apoptosis.

Identification and characterization of a novel tyrosine kinase from megakaryocytes

Protein-tyrosine kinases play pivotal roles in cell signal transduction. We have isolated a cDNA clone encoding a novel human intracytoplasmic tyrosine kinase, termed matk (megakaryocyte-associated tyrosine kinase). Expression of matk mRNA was predominantly found in cells of megakaryocytic lineage. The matk cDNA clone encodes a polypeptide of 527 amino acids and has closest sequence similarity to the csk tyrosine kinase. Sequence comparisons also indicate that matk contains src homology region 2 and 3 domains but lacks the NH2-terminal myristylation signal, the negative regulatory tyrosine (Tyr-527), and the autophosphorylation site (Tyr-416) corresponding to those found in src. Antibodies raised against the NH2 terminus of matk immunoprecipitated a 60-kDa protein from the CMK human megakaryocyte cell line. Expression of matk mRNA was up-regulated in megakaryocytic cells induced to differentiate by the phorbol ester. Based on its restriction in expression and its modulation during in vitro differentiation, it is likely that matk participates in signal transduction during megakaryocytopoiesis.

[Immunohistochemical study of the olfactory mucosa and vomeronasal organ in rat, guinea pig and human fetus]

Immunohistochemical examination for neuron-specific enolase (NSE), S-100 protein and cytokeratin (CK) was performed in the olfactory mucosa and Jacobson's vomeronasal organ of rat, guinea pig and human fetus. The results indicated that: 1) The combined immunohistostaining used in this study made it possible to examine the normal morphology and pathology of the olfactory mucosa; 2) The NSE immunoreactivity was recognized in the Jacobson's vomeronasal organ of the adult rats and guinea pigs. The vomeronasal organ of human fetuses below 5 months showed positive immunoreactivity for NSE, but the NSE immunoreactivity of the vomeronasal organ in fetuses above 7 months was not confirmed. So we conclude that human vomeronasal organ is possibly a regressive organ. It is unlikely to have any olfactory function as it does in rodent animals.

Analysis of polarity of bovine and rabbit embryos by scanning electron microscopy

Cellular polarization during preimplantation development of the embryo is believed to be a crucial event in the transition of a zygote to a blastocyst stage embryo with morphologically and functionally differentiated cell types. While extensive studies have been done on polarity development in mouse embryos, little information is available in other species, particularly in cattle. The objective of this study was to examine the initiation of polarity by microvilli distribution on blastomeres of cattle and rabbit embryos using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Bovine embryos were obtained by in vitro fertilization of in vitro-matured follicular oocytes. Rabbit embryos of various stages were collected from superovulated rabbits. Intact embryos and isolated blastomeres were examined in both species. Blastomeres from 1- to 8-cell embryos in both cattle and rabbits showed no polarity. The onset of transitional polarization of microvillous distribution occurred in some blastomeres of cattle embryos at the 9- to 15-cell stage; but typical, distinct polarity was not manifested until after the 16-cell stage with approximately 40% polar cells per embryo. In the rabbit blastomere polarity occurred one cell cycle later, with 46% polar cells per embryo after the 32-cell stage. The difference in cell numbers at the time polarity is evident is probably related to the different cell stages for embryo compaction and blastocyst formation in the two species.

Additive effect of erythropoietin and heme on murine hematopoietic recovery after azidothymidine treatment

The ability of combination treatment with erythropoietin (Epo) and heme to rescue hematopoietic activity in mice from the suppressive effect of azidothymidine (AZT) was determined. Exposure of mice to AZT for 5 weeks produced marked anemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, and weight loss, whereas mice that received Epo and heme for 3 subsequent weeks showed significant alleviation of AZT cytotoxicity. Treatment with Epo (10 U for 5 times/week) stimulated hematopoietic recovery in the AZT-treated animals and reduced the severe anemia and thrombocytopenia by 3 weeks. Administration of a lower Epo dose (1 U Epo) resulted in only a modest retardation of AZT-induced anemia, although, when combined with heme, there was a great improvement in recovery of erythropoiesis. The combination of heme with Epo (10 U) produced the optimum response, resulting in almost normal recovery of bone marrow cellularity as well as recovery of burst-forming units-erythroid (BFU-E) and splenic hematopoietic progenitor content (colony-forming unit-spleen [CFU-S]) by the end of 3 weeks of post-AZT treatment. Treatment with heme alone markedly enhanced the recovery of BFU-E and CFU-S, as well as body weight post-AZT; however, this recovery was not to the extent seen in combination with Epo (10 U). Long-term bone marrow cultures (LTBMCs) established from mice exposed to AZT for 8 weeks showed a marked reduction in cellularity and this was completely alleviated when mice received heme and Epo (10 U) for 3 weeks after 5 weeks of AZT administration. The additive effect of heme and Epo was seen in BFU-E production, as well as in CFU-S production, in LTBMCs. Thus, heme exerts a significant protective effect on hematopoietic progenitors in vivo and may be of potential clinical use in combination with Epo to promote effective erythropoiesis in the setting of AZT therapy.

Percutaneous transseptal balloon valvuloplasty for dilating mitral valve stenosis (report of 200 cases)

Two hundred cases with mitral valve stenosis were treated by percutaneous single balloon (Inoue balloon) valvuloplasty at our institute from May 1988 to July 1992. The subjects included 137 females and 63 males with a mean age of 36.5 +/- 8.8 years (15-58 years). Hemodynamic and left ventriculographic findings were evaluated immediately before and after the procedure, and the results showed that the mean left atrial pressure was reduced from 25.08 +/- 9.13 mmHg to 10.64 +/- 4.10 mmHg (P < 0.001), the pressure gradient across the mitral valve was reduced from 25.49 +/- 10.22 mmHg to 6.71 +/- 4.87 mmHg (P < 0.001), and systolic pulmonary pressure was reduced from 52.78 +/- 21.42 mmHg to 38.56 +/- 16.47 mmHg (P < 0.001). At the same time, cardiac output and mitral orifice area were increased from 3.84 +/- 0.11 L/min to 4.66 +/- 0.28 L/min (P < 0.001) and from 1.08 +/- 0.28 cm2 to 2.20 +/- 0.47 cm2 (P < 0.001) respectively. Follow-up of 6-48 months (median 24 months) in 50 nonselective patients showed a symptomatic improvement rate of 100%. Percutaneous transseptal balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV) proved to be a highly effective and safe nonsurgical method that can yield very good results in relieving symptomatic rheumatic mitral stenosis, with minimal morbidity and no mortality in this group. PBMV works by splitting the adhered mitral commissures toward the mitral annulus.

Improbability of harmful autoimmune responses resulting from immunization with HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins

Autoimmunity mediated by cross-reactive antibodies, elicited by HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins gp120/gp160, has been postulated to contribute to the pathogenesis of AIDS. Partial amino acid sequence homology between gp120/gp160 and several human host proteins, including MHC antigens and immunoglobulins, has been perceived as the basis for immunological cross-reactivity. Binding of antibodies from sera of HIV-1-infected individuals to selected host proteins and/or to synthetic peptides derived from them and the inhibitory activity of such sera in assays measuring the functional activity of T cells provided apparent support for the autoimmunity hypothesis, which is also relevant to the issue of safety of anti-HIV-1 vaccines. Considering the possibility that the detected autoantibodies may arise for reasons other than antibody responses to gp120/gp160, the immunological cross-reactivity between gp120/gp160 and the relevant host proteins was investigated using hyperimmune rabbit anti-gp120/gp160 and monoclonal antibodies. As determined from dilution end-point comparisons for polyclonal anti-gp120, the cross-reactivity of anti-gp120 with CD4 was undetectable (< 10(-5)%). The cross-reactivity of anti-gp120/gp160 with HLA-I and HLA-II antigens was also undetectable (< 4 x 10(-4)%) and that with other human proteins reported to have partial sequence homology with gp120/gp41 was < or = 0.013%. Anti-gp120/gp160 did not have detectable inhibitory effects in functional assays measuring proliferative T cell responses. Therefore, immunization with gp120/gp160 is unlikely to elicit harmful autoimmune responses.

Synergistic effect of heme and IL-1 on hematopoietic stromal regeneration after radiation

Results from this study show that a combination of heme and interleukin-1 (IL-1) treatment resulted in the most improved recovery of hematopoietic-stromal regeneration after sublethal irradiation. Less pronounced effects were obtained when heme or IL-1 were given singly. Sublethal irradiation of mice produced an initial (as early as day 1) intense depression of the hematopoietic system as evidenced by leukopenia. In vivo treatment of animals with heme in combination with IL-1, accelerated hematopoietic and stromal regeneration as determined by hematopoietic spleen colony forming unit assay (CFU-S), erythroid (BFU-E), myeloid (CFU-GM) clonal cultures, long-term bone marrow cultures (LTBMC), and the ability to regenerate hematopoiesis by ectopic (renal) stromal hemopoietic transplantation. Sixteen days after irradiation, leukocyte levels in heme and IL-1 treatment groups were higher than non-treated animals and were near normal values by 27 days. One day after irradiation, the capacity of stromal progenitors to form new bone and hematopoietic cells (ectopic foci) was severely impaired, but recovered after 2-4 weeks. This recovery process was accelerated in heme and IL-1-treated animals. BFU-E, CFU-GM, and CFU-S capacity was also severely impaired in all animals 1-27 days after irradiation. CFU-S was only 0.15% of control by day 1 and 5% of control by day 16. Treatment with heme or IL-1 improved recovery by as much as 70% after 27 days of irradiation. A similar but enhanced recovery was seen for BFU-E and CFU-GM, with erythroid recovery the best. Total cellularity, adherent cell layer (ACL) formation, and clonogenic capacity by LTBMCs (10 weeks) derived from irradiated animals was severely reduced, whereas the hematopoietic capacity by LTBMCs derived from heme- and IL-1-treated animals had recovery values similar to non-irradiated controls. These results suggest therapeutic use of heme and IL-1 after chemotherapy or bone marrow depression may be beneficial.

Inhibition of HIV-1 infection by a fusion domain binding peptide from the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein GP41

A synthetic peptide, corresponding to the sequence (637-666) of the HIV-1 glycoprotein gp41, inhibited the replication of an array of HIV-1 strains. The peptide (637-666) selectively binds to the fusion domain at the N-terminus of gp41, suggesting that inhibition of HIV-1 infection is caused by blocking fusion of HIV-1 with cells or of infected cells with uninfected cells. Since this peptide has antiviral activity against both homologous and heterologous HIV-1 isolates and has no detectable cytotoxicity, it offers a novel approach to chemotherapy and prophylaxis of AIDS.

Characterization of adhesive interactions between human endothelial cells and megakaryocytes

Cell-cell adhesion is essential for many immunological functions and is believed to be important in the regulation of hematopoiesis. Adhesive interactions between human endothelial cells and megakaryocytes were characterized in vitro using the CMK megakaryocytic cell line as well as marrow megakaryocytes. Although there was no adhesion between unactivated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and megakaryocytes, treatment of HUVEC with inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor alpha, INF-gamma, or the phorbol ester phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) resulted in a time- and dose-dependent increase in adhesion. Stimulation of marrow megakaryocytes or CMK cells with the cytokines IL-1 beta, GM-CSF, IL-6, IL-3, or PMA augmented their adhesion to endothelium. Monoclonal antibodies against the LFA-1 subunit of the leukocyte adherence complex CD18 inhibited the binding of marrow megakaryocytes or CMK cells to HUVEC. Adhesion blocking experiments also demonstrated that the VLA-4/VCAM-1 pathway was important for megakaryocyte attachment to HUVEC. Adhesion promoted maturation of megakaryocytic cells as measured by increased expression of glycoproteins GpIb and GpIIb/IIIa and by increased DNA content. These observations suggest that alterations in megakaryocyte adhesion may occur during inflammatory conditions, mediated by certain cytokines, resulting in augmented megakaryocyte maturation.

Nuclear transfer in cattle: effect of nuclear donor cells, cytoplast age, co-culture, and embryo transfer

There are many factors affecting the efficiency of nuclear transfer technology. Some are evaluated here using our novel approach by enucleating oocytes at 20-22 hr after in vitro maturation (IVM), culturing the enucleated oocytes (cytoplasts) for 8-10 hr or 18-20 hr to gain activation competence and then conducting nuclear transfer. In the first experiment, we demonstrated that cumulus cell (CC) monolayer can support some cloned embryos to develop into morulae or blastocysts. Co-culture with CC and bovine oviduct epithelial cell (BOEC) monolayers resulted in no differences (P > 0.05) in supporting the development of cloned embryos (Experiment 2). When in vitro matured oocytes were enucleated at 22 hr after IVM followed by nuclear transfer 18-20 hr later, cleavage and morula or blastocyst development of the cloned embryos were similar to those resulting from the enucleated oocytes which had been matured in vivo (Experiment 3). Frozen embryos as nuclear donor cells worked equally well as fresh embryos for cloning in embryo development which was superior to IVF embryos (Experiment 4). However, fresh embryos resulted in a higher proportion (P < 0.05) of blastomere recovery than did frozen of IVF embryos. Finally, embryo transfer of cloned embryos from our procedure produced a viable calf, demonstrating the commercial value of this novel approach of the technology.

The hematopoietic stromal microenvironment promotes retrovirus-mediated gene transfer into hematopoietic stem cells

In this study we report on the establishment of novel conditions which permit efficient retrovirus-mediated gene transfer of human adenosine deaminase (ADA) into murine hematopoietic progenitors. Using Southern blot analysis and an ADA probe, we demonstrated that prestimulation of bone marrow cells over an in vitro culture of adherent stromal cell layers (ACLs) for two days provides favorable conditions for gene transfer in the absence of exogenous growth factors. In bone marrow transplant recipients reconstituted with retrovirally-marked cells, ADA was detected in spleen, thymus and bone marrow cells of the recipients eight months after transplantation. These observations were also seen in transplants of embryonal hematopoietic stem cells. By using different incubation protocols, it was found that the developmental fate of hematopoietic stem cells varied with the presence of exogenous growth factors or an ACL in the prestimulation phase. Polyclonal hematopoiesis with multiple clones appearing simultaneously was revealed in mice reconstituted with growth factor-stimulated cells four months after transplantation. This was detected by multiple integration patterns of ADA integration into the genomes of individual colony forming units-spleen (CFU-S) in transplantation recipient mice. In contrast, two to five months after transplantation, polyclonal hematopoiesis was not observed in mice reconstituted with cells infected in the absence of growth factors. It appears that utilization of the bone marrow microenvironment through the use of an ACL results in a narrower spectrum of integration patterns, suggesting that a type of oligoclonal or monoclonal hematopoiesis is occurring. These studies demonstrate that an ACL provides novel conditions for successful gene transfer and stable integration of the vector into the genome. Use of an ACL may be advantageous for successful hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy.

Etiological investigation of acute post-transfusion non-A, non-B hepatitis in China

The etiology of acute post-transfusion hepatitis (PTH) non-A, non-B (NANB) in China was investigated with the combination of advanced techniques, including a second generation of enzyme immunoassay for detection of the antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV), a reverse transcription and nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-nPCR) for HCV RNA, and a PCR for hepatitis B virus DNA. Of the 57 patients who were diagnosed as acute PTH-NANB, 46 (80.7%) were positive for anti-HCV and 41 (71.9%) had HCV RNA. Combining together, 53 (93.0%) were seropositive for anti-HCV and/or HCV RNA. Surprisingly, 18 of these with HCV markers were also positive for HBV DNA, although they were negative for HBsAg, suggesting that a portion of the patients with acute PTH NANB were coinfected by both HCV and HBV. In addition, 4 (7%) of the patients with acute PTH-NANB had no detectable HCV and HBV markers with the use of the above-mentioned techniques. These results indicate that etiologic agents(s) other than HCV and HBV may also cause acute PTH-NANB or that the current techniques may still not be sensitive enough to detect trace levels of HCV and HBV markers.

Long-term bone marrow stromal and hemopoietic toxicity to AZT: protective role of heme and IL-1

We studied the immediate and long-term effects of azidothymidine (AZT) and heme on murine hemopoietic and stromal progenitor cells in vivo and in vitro. Treatment of mice for 37 days with AZT produced anemia and leukopenia, whereas combined treatment with heme abrogated some of the toxic effects which were apparent even 2 weeks after cessation of treatment. Quantitation of spleen (CFU-S), erythroid (BFU-E) and myeloid (CFU-GM) colony formation from AZT-exposed animals revealed reductions in these progenitors, and this was partially reversed after heme treatment, especially when mice were allowed a 2-week recovery period. Long-term bone marrow cultures (LTBMC) of cells from treated groups revealed difficulty in establishing an adherent cell layer (ACL) by the first week in culture. Total cellularity, CFU-S, BFU-E and CFU-GM clonogenic potential of cultures remained depressed throughout 10 weeks of culture, whereas heme treatment overcame these depressions when AZT-exposed mice were allowed to recover for 14 days prior to culture of their cells in LTBMC. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) treatment to the same recovery group of AZT-exposed mice also resulted in an improvement of CFU-GM growth in LTBMC that was not seen in the nonrecovered group. Transplantation of cells from treated mice under the renal capsule of recipient mice revealed that AZT depressed the regeneration of osteogenic and hemopoietic cell growth within ectopic foci. These effects were reversed with heme treatment in vivo. In other experiments, heme was found to inhibit human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase and to potentiate the activity of AZT triphosphate against HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. In summary, these results demonstrate that AZT inhibits the growth and development of a variety of hemopoietic, stromal and adherent cells in vivo and in vitro. Treatment of animals with heme produced recovery to near normal levels and suggests possible therapeutic potential.

Bovine oocyte development following different oocyte maturation and sperm capacitation procedures

Various procedures have been reported for successful in vitro maturation and in vitro fertilization (IVM/IVF) of bovine follicular oocytes. Direct comparisons of these different recommended procedures have been rare. In this research, involving a total of 5,128 oocytes, a series of experiments were conducted to compare oocyte maturation, fertilization, and development in vitro with 2 maturation systems (with or without added hormones) and 3 types of sperm treatment procedures. Oocytes were collected from ovarian antral follicles (2-7 mm in diameter) within 3 hr after slaughter of cows or heifers. Those with intact or at least 4 layers of cumulus cells were selected for IVM/IVF. Oocytes were incubated for 22 hr in either Medium 199 with 7.5% fetal calf serum (M199 + FCS) alone or M199 + FCS with added hormones (M199 + FCS + H; oFSH 0.5 micrograms/ml, oLH 5.0 micrograms/ml, and E2 1.0 micrograms/ml) at 39 degrees C in 5% CO2 and 95% air. For IVF, frozen-thawed sperm were treated with either 0.1 microM calcium ionophore A23187 (A23187) for 1 min, or 10 or 100 micrograms/ml heparin (H10 or H100) for 15 min.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Visual processing in pigeon nucleus rotundus: luminance, color, motion, and looming subdivisions

The responses of single cells to luminance, color and computer-generated spots, bars, kinematograms, and motion-in-depth stimuli were studied in the nucleus rotundus of pigeons. Systematic electrode penetrations revealed that there are several functionally distinct subdivisions within rotundus where six classes of visual-selective cells cluster. Cells in the dorsal-posterior zone of the nucleus respond selectively to motion in depth (i.e. an expanding or contracting figure in the visual field). Most cells recorded from the dorsal-anterior region responded selectively to the color of the stimulus. The firing rate of the cells in the anterior-central zone, however, is dramatically modulated by changing the level of illumination over the whole visual field. Cells in the ventral subdivision strongly respond to moving occlusion edges and very small moving objects, with either excitatory or inhibitory responses. These results indicate that visual information processing of color, ambient illumination, and motion in depth are segregated into different subdivisions at the level of nucleus rotundus in the avian brain.

A comparison between in vitro fertilization and microinjection of immobilized spermatozoa from bulls producing spermatozoa with defects

The objectives of this study were to compare the fertilization rate of bovine in vitro matured oocytes by in vitro fertilization (IVF) and by microinjection of a single spermatozoon (MI) and to relate these rates with fertility reported for these bulls in artificial breeding. Bull A (Holstein) had a nonreturn rate of 75%. Semen from this bull is routinely used in our standard IVF procedure. Bull B (Ayrshire), used regularly in artificial breeding and related to bull D, had a nonreturn rate of 69.2%. Bull C (Brown Swiss), with a chromosomal translocation and trisomy, achieved a nonreturn rate of 42%. Bull D (Ayrshire) produced nonmotile spermatozoa (SPZ) and had an abnormality described as "tail stump defect." No pregnancies sired by bull D have been reported. Oocytes were either fertilized in vitro by capacitated SPZ or by microinjection of a single immobilized SPZ into the ooplasm. SPZ were treated with 0.1 microM A23187 and used for IVF. For microinjection SPZ were cocultured for 5 h with bovine oviduct epithelial cells (BOEC) and then immobilized by freezing and thawing twice without cryoprotectant. A single batch of killed SPZ (stored at -25 degrees C) was used for all microinjections. All oocytes were cultured in Medium 199 for 22 h at 39 degrees C and subsequently fixed, stained, and examined for evidence of fertilization (i.e., female and male pronucleus formation, SPZ decondensation). Fertilization rates following IVF with semen from bulls A, B, C, and D were 80%, 54%, 1%, and 2%, and following microinjection were 39%, 22%, 21%, and 34%, respectively.

Mosaic ring chromosome 13 analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization: report of a case

A five-year-old boy with psychomotor retardation, microcephaly, bilateral cataracts, hearing impairment and hypospadia with microphallus was found to have multiple cell lines from peripheral blood: 46,XY/46,XY, -13,+r(13)/46, Xy, -13, +dic r(13) in the ratio of 35%/61%/4% by trypsin-Giemsa, and C-bandings. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with biotin-labeled alpha-satellite probe (D21Z1/D13Z1) and fluorescence staining (FITC), we confirmed that the ring originated from chromosome 13. To elucidate changes in the chromosome ends in the ring originated from chromosome 13. To elucidate changes in the chromosome ends in the ring formation, we used human telomere-specific probes for FISH study; it showed an absence of telomeres on the ring chromosome, although Ag-NOR staining was positive. These findings yielded different breaking points on the ends of both the short and long arms of chromosome 13 from those reported in the literature.

Nuclear totipotency of cultured rabbit morulae to support full-term development following nuclear transfer

The rabbit was used as a model for nuclear transfer. A critical step in nuclear transfer is oocyte activation, which was evaluated in this research. Optimal field strength of an electric stimulus for activation was examined. A significantly higher activation rate in all criteria tested was achieved when oocytes were activated electrically with a field strength of 2.4 kV/cm versus 1.2 or 1.8 kV/cm. Also, electrical stimulation with combined alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) was superior to DC stimulation alone for activation. In another study involving 586 oocytes, exposure of oocytes to cytochalasin B for 1 h followed by activation with electrical stimulation significantly improved development of the oocytes to blastocyst stage compared to oocytes without cytochalasin B pre-exposure (38% vs 26%, p less than 0.05). Cytochalasin B exposure alone (control), however, had no effect on activation. Exposing oocytes to activation medium without electrical stimulation also activated some oocytes. In the nuclear transfer experiment, blastomeres from 8-cell embryos cultured for 20-24 h to the 32-64-cell stage were used as nuclear donor cells. Of 491 oocytes used, 459 (93%) survived the enucleation and fusion procedure, 370 (81%) fused, and 284 (77%) developed into 2-4-cell embryos. A total of 243 of these 2-4-cell embryos were transferred to 15 pseudopregnant recipients and produced 8 young (3%). Although the efficiency is low, this study demonstrated that rabbit morulae cultured for 20-24 h to the 32-64-cell stage as nuclear donors for transfer remain totipotent.

[Colony hybridization with digoxigenin labelled DNA probe]

A simple, rapid method for colony hybridization has been developed. The DNA probes were labelled by digoxigenin. Hybridization signal was detected by enzyme-linked immunoassay reaction. The results showed that this method is sensitive and reproducible, and it can be used for colony hybridization instead of isotopic methods.

Fertilization of bovine oocytes after microsurgical injection of spermatozoa

The objective of this study was to compare the fertilization rate of bovine oocytes matured in vitro (22, 25 or 28 hours) and in vivo (30 to 35 hours after standing estrus) following the microinjection of a single spermatozoon. A single motile spermatozoon was injected into the perivitelline space (Experiments 1 to 9), and a single immotile spermatozoon was injected into the ooplasm (Experiments 10 to 15). A single ejaculate of frozen-thawed semen was used throughout. The spermatozoa were injected either without treatment or after treatment with heparin (100 microg/ml), or Ca ionophore A23187 (0.1 microM), or co-cultured for 5 hours with bovine oviduct epithelial cells (BOEC), or they were co-cultured for 5 hours with BOEC and immobilized by freezing and thawing twice without cryoprotectant, or they remained untreated. Oocytes were placed in a droplet of hyperosmotic solution of 0.1 M sucrose in PBS to enlarge the perivitelline space (Experiments 1 to 9) or in PBS (Experiments 10 to 15). Small amounts of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) without spermatozoa were injected as a control for parthenogenetic activation. After injection, oocytes were incubated in Medium 199 for 22 hours at 39 degrees C, and they were stained with 1% aceto-orcein and examined for evidence of fertilization or parthenogenetic activation. Low rates (9 to 11%) of fertilization resulted from injection into the perivitelline space of oocytes matured for 22 hours in vitro irrespective of spermatozoa treatment. Fertilization rates were higher in oocytes matured in vivo after injection into either perivitelline space (66%) or ooplasm (74%) than in oocytes matured in vitro (9 to 44% fertilization). Surprisingly, in oocytes matured in vivo, there was no difference in the proportions fertilized by spermatozoa injection into ooplasm and parthenogenetically activated by injection of medium alone (74 and 66%, respectively).

Correlation between the prevalence of serum HBV DNA and immunoserologic HBV markers in the subjects with or without hepatitis

The prevalence of serum HBV DNA, detected by polymerase chain reaction, and that of immunoserologic HBV markers (HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HBc), determined by immunoassays, were compared among three groups of subjects: (A) chronic active hepatitis B patients, (B) chronic asymptomatic HBV carriers, and (C) normal individuals. Except five of the normal individuals, all of the subjects are positive for anti-HBc while some of them were also positive for other immunoserologic HBV markers, such as anti-HBs, HBsAg, and HBeAg. Serum HBV DNA were detected in 81% in group A, 52% in group B, and 20% in group C. In both group A and B, serum HBV DNA were detected in all the subjects with anti-HBc+/HBsAg+/HBeAg+. However, the percentage of seropositive HBV DNA in the subjects with anti-HBc+/HBsAg+ in Group A was much higher than that in Group B. Interestingly, the percent of serum HBV DNA+ in the individuals with anti-HBc+ only was markedly higher than that in the subjects with anti-HBc+/anti-HBs+ in both Group A and C, suggesting that anti-HBs may play a role in the inhibition of HBV replication and clearance of HBV virion from blood. Above serological profiles will provide important information concerning the significance of serum HBV DNA detection in judgement of HBV replication in the individuals with or without HBV infection. Cautions should be taken to clarify those so called normal individuals who have no symptoms of hepatitis B, no HBsAg in the sera and normal transaminase, but have HBV replication in their bodies.

Synthetic peptides and anti-peptide antibodies as probes to study interdomain interactions involved in virus assembly: the envelope of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1)

Synthetic peptides and anti-peptide antibodies have been widely used as probes to map B- and T-cell epitopes on proteins. Such probes also have the potential to delineate contact sites involved generally in protein-protein interactions or in association of domains within a protein. We applied peptide/anti-peptide probes to define: (1) regions on the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoproteins gp120 and gp41 involved in the association between these two glycoproteins; and (2) sites on gp120/gp41, essential for the association of HIV-1 with the CD4 cell receptor. Results of this examination suggested the following: (1) two segments on gp120, encompassing residues (102-126) and (425-452), contribute to the binding site for CD4 and are expected to be juxtaposed in the folded gp120 chain; (2) portions of immunodominant gp120 and gp41 epitopes, encompassing residues (303-338) and (579-611), respectively, appeared to be involved in the gp120-gp41 association, as suggested by direct binding studies and by the limited accessibility of these epitopes on HIV-1 virions: other portions of gp120 also appeared to contribute to the association between these two glycoproteins; (3) there is a partial overlap between gp41 and CD4 binding sites on gp120; (4) the fusion domain and a segment (637-666) of gp41 are not accessible to antibodies after oligomerization of gp41; and 5) the gp120-gp41 association was blocked by aurintricarboxylic acid, suggesting the possibility of developing antiviral compounds interfering with HIV-1 assembly.

Hematopoietic effects of benzene inhalation assessed by murine long-term bone marrow culture

The strong and long-lasting hematotoxic effect after benzene exposure in vivo (300 ppm, 6 hours/day, 5 days/week for 2 weeks) was assessed in mice with bone marrow cells grown in long-term bone marrow culture (LTBMC). Bone marrow cultures initiated 1 day after the last benzene exposure did not produce adequate numbers of hematopoietic cells over 3 weeks and, in most cases, no erythroid or myeloid clonogenic cells could be recovered. The adherent cell layer of these cultures had a lower capacity for supporting in vitro hematopoiesis after the second seeding with normal bone marrow cells compared with control cultures. Two weeks after the last benzene exposure, body weight, hematocrit, bone marrow cellularity, and committed hematopoietic progenitor content (BFU-E and CFU-GM) were regenerated to normal or subnormal values, whereas hematopoiesis in LTBMC was very poor. Over 8 weeks, little or no significant committed progenitor production was observed. Treatment of mice exposed to benzene with hemin (three doses of 3 micrograms/gm body wt, iv, over 2-week for a total dose 9 micrograms/gm) partially overcame the toxic effect of benzene on the hematopoietic system as measured by the LTBMC method. Cultures from mice treated with hemin had modest recovery of BFU-E and CFU-GM clonogenic potential after 5 to 6 weeks in LTBMC. In contrast, little or no recovery was obtained for the adherent cell layer clonogenic capacity, even after hemin treatment. These results clearly indicate a strong, long-lasting toxic effect on the bone marrow stroma and a limited recovery of hematopoietic potential by clonogenic cells of the nonadherent population after in vivo hemin treatment.