TGF-β1 polymorphisms and familial aggregation of liver cancer in Guangxi, China

The goal of present study was to investigate the relationship between polymorphisms of TGF-β1 and familial aggregation of liver cancer in Guangxi Zhuang, Han, and Yao populations. We conducted a population-based case-control family study of liver cancer in Guanxi, China. A total of 214 individuals from 37 case families were surveyed for polymorphisms in TGF-β1. We genotyped six functional TGF-β1 polymorphisms: rs1800469, rs2241715, rs2241716, rs11466345, rs8105161, and rs747857. Levels of TGF-β1, hepatitis B surface antigen, and anti-hepatitis C virus in all serum samples were detected using the enzyme-linked immunoassay method, and presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA was determined using polymerase chain reaction amplification. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect information from subjects, including alcohol consumption, smoking, eating, and water drinking habits. The results were compared with those from 214 control individuals. The results showed that the TGF-β1 genotypes rs1800469, rs2241715, rs2241715, and rs8105161 were more frequent in patients than in controls. The risk factors for familial aggregation of liver cancer in Guangxi were determined, from high to low, to be: drinking sugared beverages > alcohol consumption > HBV DNA-positive > rs1800469 TT homozygous genotype > rs2241715 TT homozygous genotype. The results suggested that TGF-β1 rs1800469 TT and rs2241715 TT homozygote genotypes represent the genetic factors underlying familial clustering of liver cancer in Guangxi, and that drinking water use, alcohol consumption, and testing positive for HBV DNA are the main environmental factors contributing to familial aggregation of liver cancer in Guangxi.

[Molecular cloning, structural analysis, and expression of zona pellucida glycoprotein ZP3 gene from Chinese zokor, Myospalax fontanierii]

The zona pellucida 3 (ZP3) plays a crucial role in reproductive immunology. We obtained a full-length cDNA encoding Chinese Zokor zp3, using rapid amplification of cDNA ends-polymerase chain reaction (RACE-PCR). The cDNA contains an open reading frame of 1269 nucleotides encoding a polypeptide of 422 amino acid residues. The amino acid sequence has a high degree of homology with hamster (78%), mouse (76%), and rat (74%). XhoI and SacI sites restricted 1158 bp fragment of zokor ZP3 cDNA, excluding the signal sequence and transmembrane-like domain was cloned under the phage T7 promoterlac operator control in the pET-28a(+) vector. Recombinant pET-zokorZP3 (r-ZP3) was expressed as a poly-histidine fusion protein in E. coli strain BL21 (DE3). Optimum expression of r-ZP3 was observed at 28 degrees C, 1 mM IPTG and 2 h of inducing. The purified protein was tested by Western blot.

Interleukin-27, a novel cytokine induced by ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat hearts, mediates cardioprotective effects via the gp130/STAT3 pathway

Patients with coronary artery disease show high serum levels of interleukin (IL)-27, a novel member of the IL-6 family. However, the function of IL-27 in hearts suffering ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury is unclear. Here, we showed increased expression of mRNA for the IL-27 subunits, EBI3 and p28, in rat hearts after 40 min of coronary ligation and release for 7 days. This increase was associated with a peak in the release of the cardiac enzyme, creatine kinase-MB, on day 2 post-release. Moreover, levels of IL-27 receptor subunit gp130 mRNA, but not those of subunit WSX-1 mRNA, decreased in post-ischemic hearts. These results suggest that increased IL-27 production may compensate for receptor downregulation during myocardial recovery. Lactate dehydrogenase release and crystal violet staining revealed that IL-27 or IL-6 significantly attenuated severe hypoxia (SH, 2 % O2)-induced cell damage in H9c2 cardiomyoblasts and primary rat neonatal cardiomyocytes. Incubating cardiomyocytes with IL-27 or IL-6 resulted in time-dependent activation of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3). Interestingly, IL-27-induced STAT3 activation was attenuated by pre-treatment with a gp130-neutralizing antibody. Blocking gp130 also reduced the cytoprotective effects of IL-27 or IL-6. Moreover, IL-27-mediated protection against SH was blocked by stattic, a small-molecule inhibitor of STAT3. IL-27 markedly improved post-ischemic recovery and reduced tissue damage in isolated perfused hearts when administered 5 min before reperfusion. These results indicate that IL-27 protects the myocardium against IR injury and facilitates the recovery of damaged cardiomyocytes via the gp130/STAT3 pathway.

One-step synthesis of graphene-Au nanoparticle hybrid materials from metal salt-loaded micelles

In this study, we present a facile one-step method to synthesize graphene-Au nanoparticle (NP) hybrid materials by using HAuCl4-loaded poly(styrene)-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PS-P2VP) micelles as solid carbon sources. N-doped graphene with controllable thickness can be grown from PS-P2VP micelles covered by a Ni capping layer by an annealing process; simultaneously, the HAuCl4 in the micelles were reduced into Au NPs under a reductive atmosphere to form Au NPs on graphene. The decoration of Au NPs leads to an obviously enhanced electrical conductivity and a slightly increased work function of graphene due to the electron transfer effect. The graphene-Au NP hybrid materials also exhibit a localized surface plasmon resonance feature of Au NPs. This work provides a novel and accessible route for the one-step synthesis of graphene-Au NP hybrid materials with high quality, which might be useful for future applications in optoelectronic devices.

Effects of alfalfa meal on growth performance and gastrointestinal tract development of growing ducks

A study was conducted to evaluate effects of alfalfa meal on growth performance and gastrointestinal tract development of growing layer ducks to provide evidence for application of alfalfa meal in the duck industry. Two hundred and fifty-six healthy Shaoxing 7-wk old growing layer ducks were selected and randomly allocated to 1 of 4 dietary treatments based on corn and soybean meal and containing 0, 3, 6, and 9% of alfalfa meal for 8 wks. Each treatment consisted of 4 replicates of 16 ducks each. Briefly, birds were raised in separate compartments, and each compartment consisted of three parts: indoor floor house, adjacent open area and a connecting water area. The results showed: i) Growing ducks fed alfalfa meal diet were not significantly different in average daily gain, feed intake and gain-to-feed ratio from those fed no alfalfa diet (p>0.05). ii) Alfalfa meal increased the ratio crop, gizzard to live weight, caecum to live weight, the caecum index of growing ducks (p<0.05). iii) Villus height in duodenum and jejunum of growing ducks increased significantly with the increase of alfalfa meal levels (p<0.05). Crypt depth in duodenum and jejunum of growing ducks decreased significantly with the increase of alfalfa meal levels (p<0.05). This experiment showed that feeding of alfalfa meal to growing layer ducks could improve gastrointestinal tract growth and small intestinal morphology without effect on performance. This experiment provides evidence that alfalfa meal is a very valuable feedstuff for growing layer ducks.

Prediction of axillary lymph node metastases in breast cancer patients based on pathologic information of the primary tumor

BACKGROUND

Axillary lymph nodes (ALN) are the most commonly involved site of disease in breast cancer that has spread outside the primary lesion. Although sentinel node biopsy is a reliable way to manage ALN, there are still no good methods of predicting ALN status before surgery. Since morbidity in breast cancer surgery is predominantly related to ALN dissection, predictive models for lymph node involvement may provide a way to alert the surgeon in subgroups of patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 1325 invasive breast cancer patients were analyzed using tumor biological parameters that included age, tumor size, grade, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, lymphovascular invasion, and HER2, to test their ability to predict ALN involvement. A support vector machine (SVM) was used as a classification model. The SVM is a machine-learning system developed using statistical learning theories to classify data points into 2 classes. Notably, SVM models have been applied in bioinformatics.

RESULTS

The SVM model correctly predicted ALN metastases in 74.7% of patients using tumor biological parameters. The predictive ability of luminal A, luminal B, triple negative, and HER2 subtypes using subgroup analysis showed no difference, and this predictive performance was inferior, with only 60% accuracy.

CONCLUSIONS

With an SVM model based on clinical pathologic parameters obtained in the primary tumor, it is possible to predict ALN status in order to alert the surgeon about breast cancer counseling and in decision-making for ALN management.

Heteroepitaxy of tetragonal BiFeO(3) on hexagonal sapphire(0001)

Highly elongated BiFeO3 is epitaxially grown on hexagonal sapphire(0001) substrate within a rather narrow synthesis window. Both X-ray reciprocal space maps and Raman characterizations reveal that it is of true tetragonal symmetry but not the commonly observed MC type monoclinic structure. The tetragonal BiFeO3 film exhibits an island growth mode, with the island edges oriented parallel to the ⟨10-10⟩ and ⟨12-30⟩ directions of the sapphire substrate. With increasing deposition time, a transition from square island to elongated island and then to a continuous film is observed. The metastable tetragonal phase can remain on the substrate without relaxation to the thermally stable rhombohedral phase up to a critical thickness of 450 nm, providing an exciting opportunity for practicable lead-free ferroelectrics. These results facilitate a better understanding of the phase stability of BiFeO3 polymorphs and enrich the knowledge about the heteroepitaxial growth mechanism of functional oxides on symmetry-mismatched substrates.

Effects of alfalfa meal on the intestinal microbial diversity and immunity of growing ducks

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of alfalfa meal diets on the intestinal microbial diversity and immunity of growing egg-type ducks. A total of 128 healthy 7-week-old female egg-type Shaoxing ducks were selected and randomly assigned into four dietary treatments: 0%, 3%, 6% and 9% alfalfa meal for 8 weeks. Each treatment consisted of four replicates of eight ducks each. Polymerase chain reaction denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) was used to characterize the microbiota. The results showed that the DGGE fingerprints of the V6-V8 fragments of the 16S rRNA from the caeca and faeces of ducks fed 3%, 6% and 9% alfalfa meal had significantly higher microbiota species richness than those fed 0% alfalfa meal (p < 0.05). The Shannon-Weiner index of the microbiota from the caeca and faeces of ducks fed 3%, 6% and 9% alfalfa meal was significantly higher than those fed 0% alfalfa meal (p < 0.05). Molecular analysis of the caecal and faecal DNA extracts showed that the alfalfa meal diet promotes the intestinal microbial diversity, as indicated by their higher species richness and Shannon-Weiner index. However, the groups did not significantly differ in terms of average daily gain, feed intake and gain-to-feed ratio (p > 0.05), and the 3-9% alfalfa meal did not affect the growth performance of the growing egg-type ducks. The proliferation of T and B lymphocytes was significantly greater (p < 0.05) in the groups supplemented with 3%, 6% and 9% of alfalfa meal than the unsupplemented control group, and alfalfa meal promoted the lymphocytes proliferation of the growing egg-type ducks. Dietary alfalfa meal supplementation increases intestinal microbial community diversity and improves of the immune response growing egg-type ducks.

Interleukin-27 and interleukin-12 augment activation of distinct cord blood natural killer cells responses via STAT3 pathways

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Umbilical cord blood is rich in primitive natural killer (NK) cells, which are activated by interleukin (IL)-12. It was previously reported that a novel IL-12 family cytokine, IL-27 comprised of EBI3 and p28, was elevated in maternal serum during normal pregnancy. Thus, we compared the immune regulatory functions of IL-27 and IL-12 on mononuclear cells derived from cord blood and adult peripheral blood.

METHODS

After stimulation with IL-27, IL-12, and IL-27 combined with IL-12, the cytotoxicity against BJAB lymphoma cells by blood mononuclear cells was performed. Then immunofluorescence staining, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to detect the effects of IL-27 and IL-12 in isolated NK cells.

RESULTS

IL-27, IL-12, and IL-27 combined with IL-12 enhanced the cytotoxicity of adult peripheral blood cells and cord blood cells, but the proliferation of distinct subpopulations of cells was not evident. Similar results were also obtained with purified cord blood NK cells. Interestingly, distinct from IL-12, IL-27 could induce aggregation and morphological changes of umbilical cord blood cells. Finally, IL-27 combined with IL-12 could stimulate increased IL-27 receptor (gp130 and WSX-1) transcripts in purified cord blood NK cells. However, the activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in NK cells was only detected in the presence of IL-27, but not IL-12 alone.

CONCLUSION

From previous results, we summarize our current understanding of the augmentation of distinct regulation of NK cells by IL-27 and IL-12.

Hypoglycemic effect of the total flavonoid fraction from folium Eriobotryae

The antidiabetic effect of the total flavonoids fraction from leaves of Eriobotrya japonica (EJF) was evaluated through normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice with graded oral doses of 150, 300, 450 mg/kg for 7 days or 14 days. The result showed that the dose of 300 mg/kg and 450 mg/kg resulted significant hypoglycemic effect on normal mice, the dose of 300 mg/kg induced significant decrease in plasma glucose concentration (PGC), glycosylated serum protein (GSP), total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG), and significant increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and serum insulin level in streptozotocin-diabetic mice. These results suggested that EJF has hypoglycemic potential.

Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of the total triterpene acid fraction from Folium Eriobotryae

For seeking the good natural material to develop new agent to treat diabetes, the total triterpene acid (TTA) fraction extracted from Folium Eriobotryae [leaves of Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.] was evaluated for its hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic potential through normal, alloxan and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice administered with graded oral doses (100, 200, 300 mg/(kg day)) for 7 or 14 days. The results showed that a dose of 300 mg/kg of TTA is the most effective dose to cause significant (p<0.01) hypoglycemic and/or hypolipidemic effects on normal, alloxan and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. This dose also significantly (p<0.01) lowered the glycosylated serum protein (GSP), total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) level in severely diabetic mice. Furthermore, TTA increased the superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) and the serum insulin level of diabetic mice. These evidences indicated that the total triperpene acid fraction from Folium Eriobotryae has a high anti-diabetic potential along with a good hypolipidemic profile.

MCRS2 represses the transactivation activities of Nrf1

Background

Nrf1 [p45 nuclear factor-erythroid 2 (p45 NF-E2)-related factor 1], a member of the CNC-bZIP (CNC basic region leucine zipper) family, is known to be a transcriptional activator by dimerization with distinct partners, such as Maf, FosB, c-Jun, JunD, etc. The transcriptional roles of CNC-bZIP family are demonstrated to be involved in globin gene expression as well as the antioxidant response. For example, CNC-bZIP factors can regulate the expression of detoxification proteins through AREs, such as expression of human gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetases (GCS), glutathione S-transferases (GST), UDP-glucuronosyl transferase (UDP-GT), NADP (H) quinone oxidoreductase (NQOs), etc. To further explore other factor(s) in cells related to the function of Nrf1, we performed a yeast two-hybrid screening assay to identify any Nrf1-interacting proteins. In this study, we isolated a cDNA encoding residues 126–475 of MCRS2 from the HeLa cell cDNA library. Some functions of MCRS1 and its splice variant-MSP58 and MCRS2 have been previously identified, such as transforming, nucleolar sequestration, ribosomal gene regulation, telomerase inhibition activities, etc. Here, we demonstrated MCRS2 can function as a repressor on the Nrf1-mediated transactivation using both in vitro and in vivo systems.

Results

To find other proteins interacting with the CNC bZIP domain of Nrf1, the CNC-bZIP region of Nrf1 was used as a bait in a yeast two-hybrid screening assay. MCRS2, a splicing variant of p78/MCRS1, was isolated as the Nrf1-interacting partner from the screenings. The interaction between Nrf1 and MCRS2 was confirmed in vitro by GST pull-down assays and in vivo by co-immunoprecipitation. Further, the Nrf1-MCRS2 interaction domains were mapped to the residues 354–447 of Nrf1 as well as the residues 314–475 of MCRS2 respectively, by yeast two-hybrid and GST pull-down assays. By immunofluorescence, MCRS2-FLAG was shown to colocalize with HA-Nrf1 in the nucleus and didn't result in the redistribution of Nrf1. This suggested the existence of Nrf1-MCRS2 complex in vivo. To further confirm the biological function, a reporter driven by CNC-bZIP protein binding sites was also shown to be repressed by MCRS2 in a transient transfection assay. An artificial reporter gene activated by LexA-Nrf1 was also specifically repressed by MCRS2.

Conclusion

From the results, we showed MCRS2, a new Nrf1-interacting protein, has a repression effect on Nrf1-mediated transcriptional activation. This was the first ever identified repressor protein related to Nrf1 transactivation.

The effects of contacts and ambipolar electrical transport in nitrogen doped multiwall carbon nanotubes

The electrical transport properties of pristine single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and lower nitrogen content doped multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) (lower than in the experiments of Xiao et al (2005 J. Am. Chem. Soc. 127 8614)) in contact with Au and Pt were studied. Compared with pristine SWCNTs, the Fermi level of the lower nitrogen content doped MWCNTs also moved to the valence band edge with the contact metal's work function increasing. In contrast to Derycke et al' s results (2002 Appl. Phys. Lett. 80 2773), the lower nitrogen content doped MWCNTs exhibited ambipolar behavior, and increasing the doping level led to a reduction of the Schottky barrier height of electrons. Consistent with theoretical calculations, the results support the opinion that the degree of Fermi level pinning is minor for doped carbon nanotubes.

Hypoglycemic effects of a sesquiterpene glycoside isolated from leaves of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.)

Sesquiterpene glycoside, nerolidol-3-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->4)-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)-[alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->6)]-beta-d-glucopyranoside was isolated from dried leaves of loquat [Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl., Rosaceae]. Hypoglycemic effects of this natural product were assessed in normal and alloxan-diabetic mice model. Animals received orally administration of the sesquiterpene glycoside in dose of 25 and 75 mg/kg. The anti-hyperglycemic effect was compared with gliclazide's. The dose of 25 and 75 mg/kg both exerted a significant (p<0.05) hypoglycemic effect in alloxan-diabetic mice throughout the test and a slight effect in normal mice.

Gate voltage dependent characteristics of p-n diodes and bipolar transistors based on multiwall CN(x)/carbon nanotube intramolecular junctions

The electrical transport characteristics of multiwall CN(x)/carbon nanotube intramolecular junctions were studied. The junctions could be used as diodes. We found that the rectification resulted from p-n junctions, not from metal-semiconductor junctions. The gate effect was very weak when the diodes were reverse biased. At forward bias, however, some of the p-n diodes could be n-type transistors. Experimental results supported the opinion that the gate voltage dependent property is derived from the Schottky barrier between the CN(x) part and the electrode. Using p-n diodes, a bipolar transistor with nanoscale components was built, whose behavior was very similar to that of a conventional planar bipolar transistor.

Autoantibody against beta1-adrenergic receptor and left ventricular remodeling changes in response to metoprolol treatment

Autoantibodies specific for the beta(1)-adrenoceptor (beta(1)-AR) have been implicated in the pathology of congestive heart failure (CHF). We hypothesized that the presence of autoantibodies against beta(1)-AR (anti-beta(1)-AR) is associated with left ventricular (LV) remodelling in response to metoprolol. Synthetic beta(1)-AR peptides served as the target antigen in an ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) were used to screen the sera of 106 CHF patients. Patients were separated into positive (+) anti-beta(1)-AR or negative (-) anti-beta(1)-AR groups according to their anti-beta(1)-AR reactivity. Echocardiography (ECG) was performed at baseline and after one year of metoprolol therapy in combination with standard treatment regime for CHF, that is, digoxin, diuretics and an ACEI (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor). The dose of metoprolol was doubled on a biweekly basis up to 50 mg x 2 daily (b.i.d./day) or attainment of maximum tolerated dose. Ninety-six patients completed final data analysis. Fifty-four patients with (+) anti-beta(1)-AR had greater improvements than 42 patients with (-) anti-beta(1)-AR in LVEDD (left ventricular end-diastolic dimension) (P < 0.01, from 69 +/- 0.8 to 58.0 +/- 0.5 mm vs. 69.0 +/- 0.8-63.6 +/- 0.9 mm) and LVESD (left ventricular end-systolic dimension) (P < 0.01, from 57.1 +/- 1.4 to 43.9 +/- 0.8 mm vs. 56.2 +/- 0.9-48.6 +/- 1.0 mm), and LVEF (left ventricular ejection fraction) (P < 0.01, from 35.4 +/- 1.3 to 49.8 +/- 0.6% vs. 34.4 +/- 1.0-44.3 +/- 1.1%) by metoprolol therapy in combination with standard treatment regime for one year. Of the CHF patients with (+) anti-beta(1)-AR, 65.4% responded to target metoprolol dose as compared to 21.4% of CHF patients without anti-beta(1)-AR (P < 0.01). Response to target metoprolol dose occurred more rapidly in (+) anti-beta(1)-AR than (-) anti-beta(1)-AR of CHF patients (67.5 +/- 2.4 vs. 100.8 +/- 3.0 days, P < 0.01). These results demonstrated that CHF patients with (+) anti-beta(1)-AR had greater improvements in LV remodelling and heart function by metoprolol as compared to (-) anti-beta(1)-AR patients. Moreover, patients with (+) anti-beta(1)-AR have better tolerance to metoprolol therapy than patients without anti-beta(1)-AR.

Difference in expression level and localization of DNA polymerase beta among human esophageal cancer focus, adjacent and corresponding normal tissues

The aim of this paper was to study the expression level and localization of DNA polymerase beta (polbeta) and the difference in those among the human esophageal cancer focus, cancer adjacent and corresponding normal esophageal tissues. These three kinds of tissues were collected from surgically resected tissues in 17 patients with esophageal carcinoma in Linzhou, China. Each of a total of 51 tissue pieces was divided into two aliquots: one aliquot for detection of polbeta expression by in situ hybridization and by immunohistochemistry; another for detection of polbeta expression by RNA dot blot and immunoblotting. In the tissue specimens detected by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, the cancer focus tissue had much stronger polbeta expression signals localized in the scattered heteromorphologic cancer cells. The cancer adjacent tissue exhibited slightly stronger polbeta signals mainly localized in the epithelial proliferating cells and the corresponding normal tissue displayed weak polbeta signals basically located in the epithelial basal cells. The difference in expression level of polbeta among the three kinds of tissues detected by RNA dot blot and immunoblotting was similar to the above results. Further, the truncated POLB could be demonstrated in both cancer focus and cancer adjacent tissues, but could not be found in the corresponding normal tissue in immunoblotting. The results suggest that the overexpression of polbeta with truncated form may be a potential biomarker for early diagnosis of human esophageal carcinoma.

Effects of L-malate on physical stamina and activities of enzymes related to the malate-aspartate shuttle in liver of mice

L-malate, a tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) intermediate, plays an important role in transporting NADH from cytosol to mitochondria for energy production and may be involved in the beneficial effects of improving physical stamina. In the present study, we investigated the effects of L-malate on the performance of forced swimming time and blood biochemical parameters related to fatigue - blood urea nitrogen (BUN), glucose (Glc), creatine kinase (CK),total protein (TP) and lactic acid (LA). To investigate the effects of L-malate on the malate-aspartate shuttle and energy metabolism in mice, the activities of enzymes related to the malate-aspartate shuttle were measured. L-malate was orally administered to mice continuously for 30 days using a feeding atraumatic needle. The swimming time was increased by 26.1 % and 28.5 %, respectively, in the 0.210 g/kg and 0.630 g/kg L-malate-treated group compared with the control group. There were no differences in the concentrations of Glc, BUN and TP between the L-malate-treated groups and the control groups. However, the levels of CK were significantly decreased in the L-malate-treated groups. The results predict a potential benefit of L-malate for improving physical stamina and minimizing muscle damage during swimming exercise. The activities of cytosolic and mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase were significantly elevated in the L-malate-treated group compared with the control group. These enzymatic activities may be useful indicators for evaluating changes affecting the malate-aspartate shuttle and energy metabolism in the liver of mice.

Nanodiode based on a multiwall CN(x)/carbon nanotube intramolecular junction

We prepared multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) from the pyrolysis of ferrocene, and CN(x) nanotubes from a mixture of ferrocene and melamine. Under well chosen synthesis conditions, massive multiwall CN(x)/carbon nanotube intramolecular junctions were successfully fabricated. The individual nanotubes were used as conductance channels to obtain their transport characteristic information. Measurement results showed that the current-voltage (I-V) curve of the CN(x)/CNT junction is highly asymmetric, behaving like a diode. Moreover, the devices are very stable in ambient environment. We attribute this nonlinear property of the CN(x)/CNT junctions to their two different atomic and electronic sections.

Health, healthcare utilization and psychiatric disorder in people with intellectual disability in Taiwan

OBJECTIVES

The aims of the present study were to examine health characteristics and healthcare utilization in relation to people with intellectual disability (ID) having psychiatric disorders in Taiwan.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was employed; study subjects were recruited from the National Disability Registration Database. Taiwan, stratified by administrative geographical area for the study. Statistical analysis of 1026 carers for people with ID was made to examine the health status and healthcare utilization of individuals with ID having psychiatric disorders.

RESULTS

Approximately 12.1% of people with ID had psychiatric disorders. These individuals were more likely to be poorer in health condition and consuming more medical services (in the outpatient, inpatient and emergency care areas), than those individuals without psychiatric disorders. These individuals with psychiatric disorders were also taking medicines regularly at a far greater percentage than did those without psychiatric disorders.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the high prevalence of psychiatric disorders among individuals with ID, the healthcare system should take further steps to develop an appropriate health status monitoring system and community-based and easily accessible mental health services for them.

Utilization of inpatient care and its determinants among persons with intellectual disabilities in day care centres in Taiwan

BACKGROUND

In Taiwan, current understanding is limited concerning the manner in which health services are utilized by persons with intellectual disabilities (ID). The objective of this study is to describe the patterns of inpatient care sought by persons with ID, and factors affecting inpatient care utilization.

METHOD

The primary method used in this study was a cross-sectional survey of 1390 persons with ID in day care centres. Data were obtained from responses to a questionnaire, copies of which were mailed to 30 day care centres catering for persons with ID. The questionnaire assessed demographic and health characteristics, disability status, and inpatient care utilization for the 12 months leading up to the survey. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified factors independently associated with inpatient care.

RESULTS

Findings indicated that the average age of the people with ID in the centres was 13.7 years. Fifty per cent of people were afflicted with multiple handicaps, with an average of 26 outpatient visits made per person during the 12 months, and 16% of persons having been hospitalized within the previous year. The average hospital stay was 6 days. Inpatient care was more likely to be used by those individuals with an ID who were younger, had multiple handicaps, required rehabilitation, and had other disabilities and existing illnesses.

CONCLUSIONS

The study concluded that the parameters describing age of persons with ID, as having an existing illness, and requiring rehabilitative care were statistically significant in the logistic regression model of the inpatient care.

Positive electron affinity of fullerenes: Its effect and origin

The universal variation pattern of the total energy of various fullerenes including single-walled carbon nanotubes with respect to their extra charge is revealed by the density-functional-theory calculations. The parabolic energy-charge curve with its lowest energy value corresponding to a negatively charged fullerene indicates that these carbon materials have positive electron affinity and are not in the most stable state. The positive electron affinity seems to originate from the pi-electrons and is found to be related to the aggregation property of fullerenes.

An exploratory study into health care policy for persons with intellectual disabilities in Taiwan

BACKGROUND

Although Taiwan has already had a higher quality of health care compared with other countries, there still is a need to review the quality and effectiveness of services provided. The lack of health care policy for persons with disabilities is a reflection of health care provision in Taiwan. Health care provision problems will limit persons with disabilities in their access to the health care system. The purpose of the present study was to examine the general beliefs about the current health care policies for persons with intellectual disabilities (ID) in Taiwan.

METHODS

Data were obtained from two sources, namely government policies analysis and interviews with representatives for key stakeholders in the field of ID.

RESULTS

The results illustrate that health care service problems for persons with ID include: how to enforce the discovery system and early intervention service, disability evaluation system, National Health Insurance medical payment and medical care resource development are still confining their quality of care. Furthermore, the links between social welfare, education and health care have been lost because the different roles and perspectives of people in these fields are fundamentally at odds with one another. Health care professionals have become less reform-minded as a consequence of the conditions of their work. Consequently, a complete and coordinated health care policy for persons with ID has become unattainable in society. The present paper draws on evidence from research and policies to explore the problems and potential of service development for persons with ID, and to identify review and action points for managing its implementation.

Apoptosis does not play an important role in the resistance of 'immune' Penaeus japonicus against white spot syndrome virus

We previously demonstrated that kuruma shrimp, Penaeus japonicus, exposed to white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) became resistant ('immune' shrimp) to subsequent challenge with the virus. The present study investigated the role of apoptosis in the 'immune' shrimp during a secondary challenge with WSSV. When naive kuruma shrimp were intramuscularly injected with WSSV at a high or low dose, apoptosis was often detected by TUNEL assay in the lymphoid organ (LO), mainly in the early stage of the infection. A significantly higher incidence of apoptosis was observed in the LO of the shrimp injected with the high dose of WSSV (cumulative mortality: 100%) than in the shrimp injected with the low dose (cumulative mortality: 0%). When 'immune' and naive shrimp were injected with an equal dose of WSSV, the incidence of apoptosis was significantly lower in the 'immune' shrimp than in the naive shrimp. This difference is assumed to result from a substantial reduction of the virus by humoral neutralizing factor in the 'immune' shrimp. These results suggest that apoptosis is not a principal protective factor in 'immune' shrimp.

Physical and sexual abuse of women before, during, and after pregnancy

OBJECTIVES

To examine patterns of physical and sexual abuse before, during, and after pregnancy.

METHODS

A community-based interview survey of a representative group of women with children aged 6-18 months was carried out between November 1, 2001, and February 28, 2002, in 32 communities of the Tianjing, Liaoning, Henan, and Shannxi provinces.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of physical and sexual abuse (occurring before, during, and after pregnancy) was 11.7%. The prevalence of physical and sexual abuse before pregnancy was 8.5%, compared with 3.6% during pregnancy and 7.4% during an average postpartum period of 11 months. Abuse before pregnancy was a strong indicator of abuse during pregnancy and after delivery, and abuse during a previous period was a strong indicator of subsequent abuse. Most abuse was recurrent and not severe.

CONCLUSIONS

Routine screening for abuse in the maternity services setting is advocated to decrease the effect of abuse on women and their children.

Atomistics of Ge deposition on Si(100) by atomic layer epitaxy

Chlorine termination of mixed Ge/Si(100) surfaces substantially enhances the contrast between Ge and Si sites in scanning tunneling microscopy observations. This finding enables a detailed investigation of the spatial distribution of Ge atoms deposited on Si(100) by atomic layer epitaxy. The results are corroborated by photoemission measurements aided by an unusually large chemical shift between Cl adsorbed on Si and Ge. Adsorbate-substrate atomic exchange during growth is shown to be important. The resulting interface is thus graded, but characterized by a very short length scale of about one monolayer.

Candidate defense genes from rice, barley, and maize and their association with qualitative and quantitative resistance in rice

Candidate genes involved in both recognition (resistance gene analogs [RGAs]) and general plant defense (putative defense response [DR]) were used as molecular markers to test for association with resistance in rice to blast, bacterial blight (BB), sheath blight, and brown plant-hopper (BPH). The 118 marker loci were either polymerase chain reaction-based RGA markers or restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers that included RGAs or putative DR genes from rice, barley, and maize. The markers were placed on an existing RFLP map generated from a mapping population of 116 doubled haploid (DH) lines derived from a cross between an improved indica rice cultivar, IR64, and a traditional japonica cultivar, Azucena. Most of the RGAs and DR genes detected a single locus with variable copy number and mapped on different chromosomes. Clusters of RGAs were observed, most notably on chromosome 11 where many known blast and BB resistance genes and quantitative trait loci (QTL) for blast, BB, sheath blight, and BPH were located. Major resistance genes and QTL for blast and BB resistance located on different chromosomes were associated with several candidate genes. Six putative QTL for BB were located on chromosomes 2, 3, 5, 7, and 8 and nine QTL for BPH resistance were located to chromosomes 3, 4, 6, 11, and 12. The alleles of QTL for BPH resistance were mostly from IR64 and each explained between 11.3 and 20.6% of the phenotypic variance. The alleles for BB resistance were only from the Azucena parent and each explained at least 8.4% of the variation. Several candidate RGA and DR gene markers were associated with QTL from the pathogens and pest. Several RGAs were mapped to BB QTL. Dihydrofolate reductase thymidylate synthase co-localized with two BPH QTL associated with plant response to feeding and also to blast QTL. Blast QTL also were associated with aldose reductase, oxalate oxidase, JAMyb (a jasmonic acid-induced Myb transcription factor), and peroxidase markers. The frame map provides reference points to select candidate genes for cosegregation analysis using other mapping populations, isogenic lines, and mutants.

A time-course study on the resistance of Penaeus japonicus induced by artificial infection with white spot syndrome virus

The onset and duration of resistance in experimental survivors of Penaeus japonicus produced by an intramuscular injection with white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) were surveyed by re-challenge tests with the virus conducted at weeks 1-4 and months 1-3 post initial exposure (PIE) to the virus. Virus neutralising activity in the survivors' plasma was also examined. Plasma-treated WSSV was separated from the plasma by centrifugation and then injected into naïve shrimp, in parallel with each re-challenge test. Re-challenge tests of the survivors conducted at weeks 1-4 PIE revealed that the resistance commenced at week 3 (relative percent survival, RPS: 39%) and almost fully developed at week 4 (RPS: 58%), because statistically significant differences in survival rates were observed between the test (previously virus exposed) and control groups at weeks 3 and 4. Re-challenge at months 1-3 PIE resulted in RPS values of 67, 54 and 6%, respectively, indicating the resistance persisted until month 2. RPS values in neutralisation tests performed at weeks 1-4 and months 1-3 PIE were -5, 14, 36, 50, 100, 38 and 6%, respectively, which coincided with the RPS values in each re-challenge test conducted in parallel. The present results demonstrated that resistance of P. japonicus against the viral pathogen developed 3 or 4 weeks after an exposure to the virus, and it persisted for another month at 24 degrees C. The resistance was paralleled by a humoral neutralising factor(s) in the plasma of shrimp.

Increased peritoneal membrane permeability is associated with abnormal peritoneal surface layer

OBJECTIVES

We recently showed that the peritoneal surface layer may be an important barrier in modulating peritoneal membrane permeability. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between an increased peritoneal transport rate and the peritoneal surface layer.

METHODS

Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 8) received intraperitoneal injections of 4.25% glucose dialysate daily for 1 week. Forty-eight hours after the last injection, a 4-hour dwell study using 25 mL 4.25% glucose dialysate was performed in each rat. The results were compared with those from control rats that received no intraperitoneal injections (n = 8). The peritoneal fluid and small-solute transport characteristics were evaluated. The peritoneal surface layer was studied using an electron microscope. The phospholipids content of the dialysate was also evaluated.

RESULTS

Peritoneal fluid removal was significantly reduced in the daily injection group (30.6 +/- 1.3 mL) as compared with the control group (38.2 +/- 0.6 mL). The peritoneal fluid absorption rate and small-solute transport rate were also significantly higher in the daily injection group as compared with the control group. The amounts of phospholipids in the dialysate were significantly lower in the daily injection group--especially the quantity of phosphatidylcholine. However, lysophosphatidylcholine increased significantly in the daily injection group. Electron microscopy showed that the peritoneal surface layer was almost completely gone in the daily injection group, but that a dense and thick (average 4 microm) peritoneal surface layer was present on the top of the mesothelial cells in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that daily injection of hypertonic glucose dialysate significantly increased the peritoneal transport rate. The increased peritoneal transport rate was associated with a significant reduction in the peritoneal surface layer and the phospholipids content of the dialysis effluent.

Hepatocyte nuclear factors-1alpha, -1beta, and -3beta expressed in the gonad of tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)

Hepatocyte nuclear factors (HNFs) are upstream regulators of many liver-specific genes and are involved in many cellular functions in the body, but their existence, expression, and function in gonads are still poorly understood. Here we report on the first cloning of partial cDNAs of HNF-1alpha and -1beta and full HNF-3beta cDNA from a tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) liver cDNA library. The deduced amino acid sequence of tilapia HNF-3beta has a 90 to 96% identity with those of other fishes (dwarf gourami, medaka, and zebrafish), 74% with mammals (human, rat, and mouse), and 82% with Xenopus. RT-PCR detected IGF-I and -II and HNF-1alpha, -1beta, and -3beta in both liver and gonads and the identity of the PCR fragments was confirmed by PCR hybridization. Immunoprecipitation and Western blotting also detected all three HNF proteins in both liver and gonads. Expression of HNFs in the gonads of the tilapia suggests that multi-HNFs may form a cascade to regulate gonadal physiology in the bony fish.

Effects of shrimp density on transmission of penaeid acute viremia in Penaeus japonicus by cannibalism and the waterborne route

To investigate the effects of shrimp density on mortalities of Penaeus japonicus in experimental penaeid acute viremia (= white spot syndrome), shrimp injected intramuscularly with penaeid rod-shaped DNA virus (PRDV) were reared at different densities. In Expt 1, challenged (10(-6) dilution of a PRDV preparation) shrimp were reared collectively in a tank or individually in separate chamber units. A significant difference in cumulative mortalities was found between collectively (75.6%) and individually (1.2%) reared groups after 30 d. In Expt 2, effects of density on mortality were clearly shown when challenged (10(-5) dilution) shrimp were reared collectively in tanks at high (260 shrimp m(-2)), middle (135 shrimp m(-2)) and low densities (73 shrimp m(-2)). The cumulative mortalities for 14 d in the high, middle and low density groups were 72, 46 and 18%, respectively. In Expt 3, challenged (10(-5) dilution) shrimp were reared collectively in 3 tanks (Groups A, B and C) at the same high density (260 shrimp m(-2)): Group A, dead shrimp were immediately removed to avoid transmission of the pathogen through cannibalism and the waterborne route; Group B, dead shrimp were removed at scheduled times but were separated from living shrimp by a net partition to avoid cannibalism; and Group C, dead shrimp were removed twice a day at scheduled times. Resulting cumulative mortalities for 20 d in Groups A, B and C were 4, 24 and 64 %, respectively. These results show that the higher mortalities occur in P. japonicus reared at the higher densities in experimental PRDV infection, and this phenomenon is caused mainly by a higher opportunity of horizontal transmission of the virus through cannibalism and the waterborne route.

[Hemodynamics following + Gz stress in dog]

AIM

To investigate the character of hemodynamics following + Gz stress in dog.

METHODS

Nine anesthesia dogs were exposed to 5, 7 and 9 + Gz stress, 90 s at peak G. Each animal was instrumented to measure left ventricular pressure, thoracic aorta pressure, iliac arterial pressure,common carotid artery flow (CCAF) and ECG.

RESULTS

(1) Heart rate, CCAF and blood pressure at any place increased. They were greater than those before + Gz stress (P < 0.05). (2) There were much more arrhythmias following high + Gz stress. Most of arrhythmias were junctional premature beats, ventricular premature beats. 80% arrhythmias occurred within 3 min following + Gz stress. (3) Blood pressure appeared the highest in the second min following + Gz stress.

CONCLUSION

Great hemodynamic disturbance happened following high + Gz stress. There might were reperfusion arrhythmias. Protective measures should been noted following high + Gz stress.

Molecular cloning, developmental expression, and hormonal regulation of zebrafish (Danio rerio) beta crystallin B1, a member of the superfamily of beta crystallin proteins

The cDNA sequence of beta crystallin B1 was determined from zebrafish (Danio rerio) and compared to the corresponding genes of bovine, rat, chicken, human, and Xenopus. Multispecies comparison of superfamily diversity demonstrated beta crystallin B1 homology between zebrafish, bovine, chicken, and rat, but large distances to beta crystallin B2 and B3. Zebrafish cDNA has a size of 943 nucleotides and encodes a polypeptide of 233 amino acids. Zebrafish beta crystallin B1 shares 71.30, 75.86, and 71.00% similarities with bovine, chicken, and rat beta crystallin B1, respectively. Northern blot analysis revealed a single 0.9-kb beta crystallin B1 transcript which was expressed and progressively increased in the first 20 h of zebrafish embryogenesis. Whole-mount in situ hybridization revealed that the beta crystallin B1 transcript was only specifically expressed in the lens region of the eye. A starvation experiment revealed no variation in mRNA levels after 14 and 21 days. An experiment in which hormone was injected showed that the beta crystallin B1 transcript first increased 24 h after the injection of insulin-like growth factor I, insulin-like growth factor II, or growth hormone, then decreased 48 h after injection. The beta crystallin B1 transcript continuously increased after insulin was injected. Taken together, our results identify the early specific expression of beta crystallin B1 within the lens. Despite small differences, these results indicate that both the structure of the beta crystallin B1 protein and its involvement with regulation by growth factors appear to have been remarkably conserved.

Cloning and characterization of zfBLP1, a Bcl-XL homologue from the zebrafish, Danio rerio

The importance of the Bcl-2 family proteins in normal vertebrate embryogenesis is being recognized; however, their regulatory mechanism is poorly understood. We report here the cloning and characterization of a novel zebrafish Bcl-2 family protein, zfBLP1. The zfBLP1 cDNA is 1942 nucleotides long, encoding a polypeptide of 238 amino acids. The primary sequence of zfBLP1 shares 50% identity to human Bcl-XL, and contains all four conserved BH domains of the Bcl-2 family proteins. Primary sequence analysis identified a consensus ER retention signal at the C-terminal end of zfBLP1. Northern blot analysis indicated that there were two major and two minor zfBLP1 mRNA species expressed during embryonic development. Among the two major mRNA species, the short one, approx. 3 kb in size, was expressed throughout embryonic development, while the long one, approx. 7 kb long, was not detectable until the gastrula stage. These results suggest that zfBLP1 is a novel Bcl-2 family protein under complicated regulations, and is likely to play an important role in zebrafish oogenesis and embryogenesis.

Carriage of antibiotic-resistant pneumococci among Asian children: a multinational surveillance by the Asian Network for Surveillance of Resistant Pathogens (ANSORP)

To investigate the nasal carriage of antibiotic-resistant pneumococci by children, anterior nasal swabs were done for 4963 children <5 years old in 11 countries in Asia and the Middle East. In total, 1105 pneumococci isolates (carriage rate, 22.3%) were collected, 35.8% of which were found to be nonsusceptible to penicillin. Prevalence of penicillin nonsusceptibility was highest in Taiwan (91.3%), followed by Korea (85.8%), Sri Lanka (76.5%), and Vietnam (70.4%). Penicillin resistance was related to residence in urban areas, enrollment in day care, and a history of otitis media. The most common serogroups were 6 (21.5%), 23 (16.5%), and 19 (15.7%). The most common clone, as assessed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, was identical to the Spanish 23F clone and to strains of invasive isolates from adult patients. Data in this study documented the high rate of penicillin or multidrug resistance among isolates of pneumococci carried nasally in children in Asia and the Middle East and showed that this is due to the spread of a few predominant clones in the region.

Primary structure and developmental expression of zebrafish sodium channel Na(v)1.6 during neurogenesis

A zebrafish sodium channel cDNA encoding a 1949-amino acid polypeptide, Na(v)1.6, was isolated. Two transcripts were detected in zebrafish adult brain but not in cardiac or skeletal muscle. The RNase protection analysis confirmed the neural specificity of zebrafish Na(v)1.6 24 hours postfertilization (hpf) Na(v)1.6 was expressed in the trigeminal ganglion, anterior and posterior lateral line ganglia, rhombomeres, and Rohon-Beard neurons. This preferential localization suggests that Na(v)1.6 plays an important role in tactile sensitivity. The abundance of zebrafish Na(v) 1.6 mRNA in the central and peripheral nervous systems increased markedly between 48 and 72 hpf, during the maturation of the nervous system.

[Comparison of the detection of QTL for yield traits in different generations of a rice cross using two mapping approaches]

In the F2 and recombinant inbred populations of Zhenshan 97B/Milyang 46, RFLP linkage maps were constructed to detect QTL for yield and its component traits. Results indicated that QTL having substantial additive effects were generally detected in both F2 and recombinant inbred populations. In addition, the trait performances were measured either based on a single plant or on replicated trials in the recombinant inbred population hardly affected the detection of QTL of higher effects.

[Mapping genes for rice CMS-WA fertility restoration]

In a population consisting of 227 test-crosses of Zhenshan 97A x (Zhenshan 97B x Milyang 46) F6, a linkage map of 115 RFLP markers was constructed and employed to detect QTL for rice CMS-WA (wild abortive cytoplasmic male sterility) fertility restoration. One QTL having major effect, qRf-10, and 3 QTL having minor effects, qRf-1, qRf-7 and qRf-11, were detected. The four genes mainly acted additively with each other, but epistasis was also evident. Two minor QTL, qRf-1 and qRf-11, were significantly interacted with the major gene qRf-10. It was also found that interaction effects among minor QTL varied greatly depending on whether qRf-10 was present. Two other QTL, qSF-1 and qSF-7, were detected, which did not display any effects on fertility restoration. Instead, they showed effects for increasing SF when qRf-10 was present.

Cloning and characterization of a novel nuclear Bcl-2 family protein, zfMcl-1a, in zebrafish embryo

The importance of the Bcl-2 family proteins in normal vertebrate embryogenesis is being recognized; however, their regulatory mechanism is poorly understood. To elucidate the embryonic roles of Bcl-2 family proteins, we cloned and characterized the first zebrafish Bcl-2 family protein, zfMcl-1a. Zebrafish Mcl-1a shows the highest homology to rat Mcl-1 and contains several conserved BH domains of the Bcl-2 family proteins. It also contains a nuclear localization signal (NLS). Using EGFP reporter analysis, we verified the nuclear localization of zfMcl-1a. Deletion of the NLS resulted in distribution of the fusion protein in the cytoplasm. Northern blot analysis indicated that zfMcl-1a mRNA is 1.5 kb and was expressed in oocytes and throughout embryonic development. Notably, the expression of zfMcl-1a transcript was significantly downregulated during gastrulation. These results suggest that zfMcl-1a is a novel nuclear Bcl-2 family protein and is likely to play an important role in zebrafish oogenesis and embryogenesis.

Mutational analysis and NMR studies of the death domain of the tumor necrosis factor receptor-1

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-1 (TNFR-1) death domain (DD) is the intracellular functional domain responsible for the receptor signaling activities. To understand the transduction mechanism of TNFR-1 signaling we performed structural and functional analysis of the TNFR-DD. The secondary structure of the TNFR-DD shows that it consists of six anti-parallel alpha-helices. The determination of the topological fold and an extensive mutagenesis analysis revealed that there are two opposite faces that are involved in self-association and interaction with the TRADD death domain. Interestingly, the same critical residues in TNFR-DD are involved in both interactions. There is a good correlation between the binding activities of the mutant proteins and their cytotoxic activities. These results provide important insight into the molecular interactions mediating TNFR-DD self-association and subsequent recruitment of TRADD in the signaling activity of TNFR-1.

Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis Virus RNA Cleavage In Vitro by Hammerhead Ribozymes and Enhancement of Ribozyme Catalysis by Oligonucleotide Facilitators

Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV), an aquatic birnavirus, has a bisegmented double-stranded RNA genome consisting of a 3.2-kb A segment and a 2.9-kb B segment. To determine the function of IPNV's viral proteins and to study the effects of viral RNA cleavage by hammerhead ribozymes, we cloned and sequenced the IPNV E1S strain of the A segment. After sequencing, we continued to study the virus pathogens inhibited by ribozyme cleavage and analyzed the cleavage of the virus RNA in vitro. The templates (VP2, 1220 bp) for in vitro transcription of S569 and S969 (substrates 569 and 969 bp in length) were synthesized by polymerase chain reaction. The DNA templates of hammerhead ribozymes targeted different sites in the partial sense RNA of IPNV. These templates were chemically synthesized RNAs prepared by runoff transcription of amplification products or synthetic DNA templates containing a T7 RNA polymerase promoter, and were used to characterize several properties of the cleavage reaction at 25 degrees C in 12 mM Mg(2+). Under this condition (25 degrees C, 12 mM Mg(2+)), the hammerhead ribozymes formed an estimated fraction of product during the reaction of only 30% in cleaving long RNA substrates in vitro. Short DNA facilitators (12 or 24-mers) that bind adjacent to either the 3' or 5' end of the ribozyme enhanced the rate of cleavage of the long RNA substrates containing 569 and 969 nucleotides, respectively, in trans. The hammerhead ribozymes with 3'-end facilitators reacted more efficiently (i.e., 65%).

Cloning and expression of a cDNA coding for catalase from zebrafish (Danio rerio)

A full-length complementary DNA (cDNA) clone encoding a catalase was amplified by the rapid amplication of cDNA ends-polymerase chain reaction (RACE-PCR) technique from zebrafish (Danio rerio) mRNA. Nucleotide sequence analysis of this cDNA clone revealed that it comprised a complete open reading frame coding for 526 amino acid residues and that it had a molecular mass of 59 654 Da. The deduced amino acid sequence showed high similarity with the sequences of catalase from swine (86.9%), mouse (85.8%), rat (85%), human (83.7%), fruit fly (75.6%), nematode (71.1%), and yeast (58.6%). The amino acid residues for secondary structures are apparently conserved as they are present in other mammal species. Furthermore, the coding region of zebrafish catalase was introduced into an expression vector, pET-20b(+), and transformed into Escherichia coli expression host BL21(DE3)pLysS. A 60-kDa active catalase protein was expressed and detected by Coomassie blue staining as well as activity staining on polyacrylamide gel followed electrophoresis.

[A study on dental and cranioficial structure of normal shanghai adults occlusion-I the craniofacial structure analysis with posterioanterior cephalometric roentgenography]

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the characteristics of normal transverse craniofacial structure in Shanghai area and to establish the database of normal Shanghai adults occlusion for posterioanterior cephalometric roentgenography.METHODS:Posterioanterior-cephalometric of the 92 adults subjects with normalocclusion were measured and analysed by Jiffy orthodontic evaluation 5.0 software package.RESULTS:The database of normal Shanghai adults occlusion for posterioanterior cephalometric roentgenography was established. Transverse measurements were intercorrelated, no statistically significant gender differences were demonstrated in craniofacial width, while the molar overjet of male was larger than that of female.CONCLUSION:The normal transverse cranioficial structure in Shanghai area has its own characteristics. The established database would provide a foundation for the diagnosis and treatment of malocclusion.

[A Study On Dental and Craniofacial Structure Of Normal Shanghai Adults Occlusio-II The Dental Facial Symmetry Analysis with Posterioanterior Cephalometric Roentgenography]

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the dental facial symmetry in normal Shanghai adults occlusion with posterioanterior cephalometric roentgenography. METHODS:Posterioanterior films of the 92 adults subjects with normal occlusion were measured. Five facial midlines commonly used in posterioanterior cephalometric were analyzed according to the middle structure index and side middle structure index. The midline deviations were measured. RESULTS:The middle line through ANS and perpendicular to zygomaticofrontal line has less mean of middle structure index and side middle structure index. There are midline deviations in population with normal occlusion.CONCLUSION:The facial midline mentioned above was suitable for posterioanterior cephalometrics, but the reliability is not absolute. Normal occlusion also has midline deviations. The asymmetry of face was larger than that of dental occlusion.

Photocrosslinking of benzophenone-labeled single cysteine troponin I mutants to other thin filament proteins

The interaction sites of rabbit skeletal troponin I (TnI) with troponin C (TnC), troponin T (TnT), tropomyosin (Tm) and actin were mapped systematically using nine single cysteine residue TnI mutants with mutation sites at positions 6, 48, 64, 89, 104, 121, 133, 155 or 179 (TnI6, TnI48 etc.). Each mutant was labeled with the heterobifunctional photocrosslinker 4-maleimidobenzophenone (BP-Mal), and incorporated into the TnI.TnC binary complex, the TnI.TnC.TnT ternary troponin (Tn) complex, and the Tn.Tm.F-actin synthetic thin filament. Photocrosslinking reactions carried out in the presence and absence of Ca(2+) yielded the following results: (1) BP-TnI6 photocrosslinked primarily to TnC with a small degree of Ca(2+)-dependence in all the complex forms. (2) BP-TnI48, TnI64 and TnI89 photocrosslinked to TnT with no Ca(2+)-dependence. Photocrosslinking to TnC was reduced in the ternary versus the binary complex. BP-TnI89 also photocrosslinked to actin with higher yields in the absence of Ca(2+) than in its presence. (3) BP-TnI104 and TnI133 photocrosslinked to actin with much higher yields in the absence than in the presence of Ca(2+). (4) BP-TnI121 photocrosslinked to TnC with a small degree of Ca(2+)-dependence, and did not photocrosslink to actin. (5) BP-TnI155 and TnI179 photocrosslinked to TnC, TnT and actin, but all with low yields. All the labeled mutants photocrosslinked to TnC with varying degrees of Ca(2+)-dependence, and none to Tm. These results, along with those published allowed us to construct a structural and functional model of TnI in the Tn complex: in the presence of Ca(2+), residues 1-33 of TnI interact with the C-terminal domain hydrophobic cleft of TnC, approximately 48-89 with TnT, approximately 90-113 with TnC's central helix, approximately 114-125 with TnC's N-terminal domain hydrophobic cleft, and approximately 130-150 with TnC's A-helix. In the absence of Ca(2+), residues approximately 114-125 move out of TnC's N-terminal domain hydrophobic cleft and trigger the movements of residues approximately 89-113 and approximately 130-150 away from TnC and towards actin.

Age-related modifications of effects of ketamine and propofol on rat hippocampal acetylcholine release studied by in vivo brain microdialysis

BACKGROUND

We sometimes encounter impairment of learning and memory after general anesthesia in elderly patients. The aim of this study was to examine age-related modifications of the effects of ketamine and propofol on rat hippocampal acetylcholine (ACh) release because hippocampal cholinergic neurons are supposed to be involved in learning and memory.

METHODS

The experiments were performed on male Wistar young rats (2 months old) and old rats (18 months old), using in vivo brain microdialysis technique under freely moving condition. After initial sampling of three collections, test drugs were administered. The ACh release was determined by the HPLC-ECD method.

RESULTS

In old rats, the hippocampal basal ACh release was significantly lower than in young rats. Ketamine (25 and 50 mg kg(-1) i.p.) increased and propofol (25 and 50 mg kg(-1) i.p.) decreased the hippocampal ACh release in both young and old rats. Furthermore, ketamine 50 mg kg(-1) i.p. (anesthetic dose) produced facilitatory effects on the hippocampal ACh release in young rats (193% of the basal release), while in old rats the same dose of ketamine i.p. produced more pronounced facilitatory effects on the hippocampal ACh release (317% of the basal release). On the other hand, propofol 50 mg kg(-1) i.p. (anesthetic dose) produced inhibitory effects on the hippocampal ACh release in young rats (56% of control) and in old rats (77% of control). Although the maximal inhibitory peak effects of propofol 50 mg kg(-1) i.p. did not differ significantly between young rats and old rats, decrease of the hippocampal ACh release in old rats persisted longer than in young rats.

CONCLUSION

Ketamine produced more pronounced facilitatory effects on the hippocampal ACh release in old rats, as compared with young rats. On the other hand, propofol has inhibitory effects on the hippocampal ACh release in young and old rats. The aging process may suppress the ability to recover from the inhibitory anesthetic state induced by propofol.

Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus induces apoptosis due to down-regulation of survival factor MCL-1 protein expression in a fish cell line

Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV), a member of the virus family Birnaviridae, causes an acute, contagious disease in a number of economically important fish species. CHSE-214, a Chinook salmon embryonic cell line, when infected by IPNV showed morphological and biochemical features of apoptosis, including an intense DNA laddering pattern and blebbing of the plasma membrane, followed by formation of apoptotic bodies. The Mcl-1 gene product proved to be a member of the Bcl-2 gene family, and like Bcl-2 had the capacity to promote cell viability. Here, we investigated the pattern of expression of Mcl-1 in CHSE-214 cells infected by IPNV. We found that the Mcl-1 level decreased markedly in cells undergoing apoptosis after IPNV infection. This decrease was rapid during the first 8 h postinfection and preceded cell death. Furthermore, we found that drugs including cycloheximide, genistein and EDTA either prevented the decline in Mcl-1 levels or blocked the intense DNA laddering pattern. Other drugs like serine proteinase inhibitor, 400 microg/ml aprotinin, 400 microg/ml leupeptin and 100 microg/ml tryphostin did not. The virus gene expression pattern was examined by Western blot using antivirion polyclonal antibody and was blocked during treatment with cycloheximide, genistein and EDTA but not by serine proteinase, aprotinin, leupeptin or tryphostin. Together the data showed a striking correlation between virus replication and Mcl-1 expression in CHSE-214 cells, suggesting that the virus gene expression has a possible involvement with Mcl-1 in the regulation of apoptosis in these cells.

Dual challenges of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus and Vibrio carchariae in the grouper, Epinephelus sp

The grouper industry in Taiwan faces serious threats from various disease problems. The present study investigated dual challenges with infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) and Vibrio carchariae in the grouper (Epinephelus sp.). The fish were infected with IPNV for 2 weeks prior to a secondary infection with the bacteria, or vice versa, by either immersion (10(3)-10(4) TCID50 IPNV per ml, 10(6)-10(7) colony forming units (CFU) Vibrio per ml) or by intraperitoneal injection (10(3)-10(4) TCID50 IPNV per g fish or 10(7) CFU Vibrio/g fish) challenges. Mass mortalities occurred in fish infected with IPNV for 2 weeks prior to the infection with the bacteria, or vice versa, in either immersion or intraperitoneal injection challenges. The bacterium could only survive in seawater or brackish water similar to that of cultured groupers.