Influence of rearing system on growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality of Yangzhou geese

An experiment was conducted using a total of 540 one-day-old Yangzhou geese to study the effect of rearing system on growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality of male and female Yangzhou geese. The birds were divided into homogeneous groups according to initial BW and sex. The male and female geese were raised in separate pens under 5 different treatments, with 3 replicate pens of 18 male or 18 female geese per pen for each treatment. This experiment included 2 stages, with geese at 1 to 28 d of age (the first stage) and 29 to 70 d of age (the second stage). The 5 different treatments were 1) system A (geese raised on a wire floor), 2) system B (geese raised on the floor), 3) system C (geese raised on the floor and transferred to to a wire floor), 4) system D (geese raised on a wire floor and transferred to the floor), and 5) system E (geese raised on the floor and transferred to a free range). Results showed that feed conversion rate, BW, and BW gain were significantly affected by rearing system and sex (P < 0.05). For carcass yield, results suggested that eviscerated carcass yield and heart yield were affected by rearing system (P < 0.05) but not by sex (P > 0.05). Differences between sexes, but not rearing systems, were observed for only breast yield, thigh yield, and liver yield (P < 0.05). Rearing system and sex had a remarkable effect (P < 0.05) on subcutaneous fat thickness, abdominal fat yield, and gizzard yield. The nutrient composition (water, protein, and fat), water-holding capacity, shear force, and pH of the pectoralis major muscle were not affected (P > 0.05) by the rearing system, and only water, protein, and pH of the meat were affected by sex (P < 0.05). This study indicates that rearing system A, in which Yangzhou geese were raised on a wire floor, improved growth performance but had little effect on meat quality, implying that the use of rearing system A, using a wire floor, might be feasible and effective for Yangzhou geese.

Biochemical characterization of the small ubiquitin-like modifiers of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Dynamic modification of target proteins by small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) is known to modulate many important cellular processes and is required for cell viability and development in all eukaryotes. However, understanding of SUMO systems in plants, especially in unicellular green algae, remains elusive. In this study, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii CrSUMO96, CrSUMO97 and CrSUMO148 were characterized. We show that the formation of polymeric CrSUMO96 and CrSUMO97 chains can be catalyzed either by the human SAE1/SAE2 and Ubc9 SUMOylation system in vitro or by an Escherichia coli chimeric SUMOylation system in vivo. An exposed C-terminal di-glycine motif of CrSUMO96 or CrSUMO97 is essential for functional SUMOylation. The human SUMO-specific protease, SENP1, demonstrates more processing activity for CrSUMO97 than for CrSUMO96. The CrSUMO148 precursor notably has four repeated di-glycine motifs at the C-terminus. This unique feature is not found in other known SUMO proteins. Interestingly, only 83-residual CrSUMO148(1-83) with the first di-glycine motif can form SAE1/SAE2-SUMO complex and further form polymeric chains with the help of Ubc9. More surprisingly, CrSUMO148 precursor is digested by SENP1, solely at the peptide bond after the first di-glycine motif although there are four theoretically identical processing sites in the primary sequence. This process directly generates 83-residual CrSUMO148(1-83) mature protein, which is exactly the form suitable for activation and conjugation. We also show that SENP1 displays similar isopeptidase activity in the deconjugation of polymeric CrSUMO96, CrSUMO97 or CrSUMO148 chains, revealing that the catalytic mechanisms of processing and deconjugation of CrSUMOs by SENP1 may differ.

Earlier flowering induced by over-expression of CO gene does not accompany increase of artemisinin biosynthesis in Artemisia annua

The early flowering gene CONSTANS (CO) from Arabidopsis thaliana was transferred into Artemisia annua using the Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation system. The plant expression vector pBI CO was constructed by inserting the CO gene into the binary vector pBI121 under the control of CaMV 35S promoter. Analyses of PCR, PCR Southern blot, and Southern blot revealed that the transgenic plants contained the foreign CO gene. The results of RT-PCT and RT-PCR Southern blot suggested that the foreign CO gene had expressed at the transcriptional level. Although the flowering time of the CO transgenic plant was about 2 weeks earlier than that of the non-transgenic plant under short-day conditions, no significant difference in artemisinin content was found between the flowering transgenic plant and the non-flowering non-transgenic plant. These results show that the usually observed increase of artemisinin content before plant flowering under natural conditions is not a direct consequence of flowering itself, perhaps there is even no direct linkage between flowering and artemisinin biosynthesis.

Germline mutational analysis of CDH1 and pathologic features in familial cancer syndrome with diffuse gastric cancer/breast cancer proband in a Chinese family

AIMS

Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer, thyroid medullary carcinoma, breast/ovarian cancer and gastric cancer/breast cancer syndrome are encountered in surgery. Some gastric cancer/breast cancer syndrome may be the result of a CDH1 germline mutation. This is the first report of CDH1 germline mutations gastric cancer/breast cancer syndrome in Chinese patients.

METHODS

Peripheral blood from the proband, as well as, her first and second degree relatives was collected and CDH1 gene exon 1-16 mutations were screened. E-cadherin/beta-catenin proteins expression and histopathologic features were examined on gastric cancer/breast cancer tissues from the proband.

RESULTS

A C-->T nucleotide substitution at exon 13 (mRNA 2200 locus, Accession number NM-004360) was found. This was a transition from GCC-->GCT in DNA sequence (Ala154Ala). Diffuse-type gastric cancer and infiltrating ductal breast carcinoma were present. Both tumours preserved E-cadherin/beta-catenin expression immunohistochemically.

CONCLUSIONS

Familial cancer syndrome with diffuse-type gastric cancer/breast cancer proband in Chinese has a propensity of early onset during lifespan. No truncating or splice-site CDH1 mutations had been identified in this family. A silent nucleotide variation in exon 13 of the CDH1 gene may contribute to some forms of cancer susceptibility.

High incidence of autoantibodies in Taiwanese patients with oral submucous fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Previous study has shown a high incidence of autoantibodies including antinuclear (ANA), antismooth muscle (SMA), antigastric parietal cell (GPCA), antithyroid microsomal (TMA), and antireticulin antibodies in a small group of 26 patients with oral submucous fibrosis (OSF). The reasons why some of the OSF patients have high titers of autoantibodies in serum have not been completely explained and no further study on autoantibodies in OSF patients has been done in a large group of patients.

METHODS

In this study, we determined the serum levels of ANA, SMA, GPCA, and TMA in a large group of 109 male Taiwanese patients with OSF by an indirect immunofluorescence technique (for ANA, SMA, and GPCA), and by a semiquantitative microtiter particle agglutination test (for TMA). The presence of serum autoantibodies in OSF patients was further correlated with patients' oral habits and the severity of OSF measured by maximum mouth opening (MMO) and sites of involvement.

RESULTS

We found that the frequencies of presence of serum ANA (23.9%), SMA (23.9%), and GPCA (14.7%) in OSF patients were significantly higher than those (9.2, 7.3, and 5.5%, respectively) in healthy control subjects (P < 0.01, P < 0.005, and P < 0.05, respectively). Although the frequency of presence of TMA (5.5%) in OSF patients was also greater than that (2.8%) in healthy control subjects, the difference was not significant (P > 0.05). The presence of serum GPCA in OSF patients was significantly associated with daily areca quid (AQ) consumption (P < 0.05). The presence of serum ANA in OSF patients associated with daily AQ consumption was of borderline statistical significance (P = 0.066). However, no significant correlations were demonstrated between the presence of serum autoantibodies in OSF patients and other variables of oral habits, MMO, and sites of involvement.

CONCLUSION

In this study, all the 109 OSF patients had AQ chewing habit and 73.4% of the OSF patients swallowed the 'juice' of AQ during the chewing process. The presence of serum GPCA and ANA in OSF patients was associated with daily consumption of AQs. AQ chewing caused mucosal microtrauma, and ulcerations facilitated the diffusion of genotoxic and cytotoxic AQ ingredients into the oral and gastric tissues. Altered autoantigens released from AQ ingredients-damaged cells may induce autoantibody production. Higher frequencies of specific HLA-DR antigens in OSF patients may also help autoantibody production. Therefore, we conclude that the high incidence of autoantibodies in OSF patients may be due to AQ chewing habit, toxic AQ ingredients, and genetic susceptibility of the OSF patients.

[Molecular cloning and expression of Nattokinase gene in Bacillus subtilis]

In order to characterize biochemically the nattokinase,the nucleotide sequence of the nattokinase gene was amplified from the chromosomal DNA of B.subtilis (natto) by PCR. The expression plasmid pBL NK was constructed and was used to transform Bacillus subtilis containing a chromosomal deletion in its subtilisin gene. The supernatant of the culture was collected after 15 h culture. The target proteins were identified by SDS-PAGE. Nattokinase was purified by a method including ultrafiltration, Sephacryl S-100 gel filtration and S-Sepharose ion-exchange chromatography, and 100 mg of purified nattokinase was obtained from one liter of culture. The purity of the protein and the specific activity were 95% and 12 000 u/mg (compared to tPA), respectively.

Quantitative analysis of immunocompetent cells in oral submucous fibrosis in Taiwan

Previous studies have shown that the local and systemic upregulation of inflammatory and fibrogenic cytokines and downregulation of antifibrotic cytokines are central to the pathogenesis of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF). The immunocompetent cells, especially the macrophages and lymphocytes, are likely the main source of cytokine synthesis. Therefore, this study used an immunohistochemical method to quantify the T lymphocyte, B lymphocyte and macrophage densities in the epithelium and subepithelial connective tissue of 50 specimens of moderately advanced and advanced OSF and 10 specimens of normal oral mucosa (NOM). The mean T lymphocyte, B lymphocyte and macrophage densities in OSF specimens were 555.2+/-417.4, 63.4+/-44.3 and 66.9+/-76.4 cells/mm(2) in the subepithelial connective tissue and 308.1+/-261.1, 1.4+/-3.5 and 6.6+/-11.9 cells/mm(2) in the epithelium, respectively. These findings suggest that T lymphocytes were the major immunocompetent cells in both the subepithelial connective tissue and epithelium of OSF specimens. Macrophages and B lymphocytes are the minor immunocompetent cells in the subepithelial connective tissue and are only occasionally found in the epithelium of OSF specimens. Similar distribution of immunocompetent cells was also found in NOM specimens. However, the mean T lymphocyte, B lymphocyte and macrophage densities in the subepithelial connective tissue (271.2+/-107.0, 13.3+/-18.4 and 17.3+/-19.1 cells/mm(2), respectively) and the mean T lymphocyte density in the epithelium (97.7+/-51.4) of NOM specimens were significantly lower than the corresponding mean cell densities in OSF specimens. Using frozen tissue sections, we further quantified the CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte numbers in eight moderately advanced or advanced OSF specimens. It was found that the CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte densities were 213.3+/-140.7 and 101.5+/-72.8 cells/mm(2) in the subepithelial connective tissue of OSF specimens, respectively. The CD4+ to CD8+ lymphocyte ratio was 2.1:1. Our results showed a significant increase in the number of T lymphocytes and macrophages and a predominance of CD4+ lymphocytes over CD8+ lymphocytes in the subepithelial connective tissue of OSF specimens. We conclude that the cellular immune response may play an important role in the pathogenesis of OSF.

Identifying an interfering factor on chemical oxygen demand (COD) determination in piggery wastewater and eliminating the factor by an indigenous Pseudomonas stutzeri strain

AIMS

This study attempted to demonstrate nitrite interference on chemical oxygen demand (COD) determination in piggery wastewater, and the capability of aerobic denitrification of the SU2 strain which is capable of promoting the efficiency of nitrogen and COD removal from piggery wastewater.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This study was performed in a 17-litre reactor with a 30% packing ratio, with a ratio of immobilized SU2 cells to sludge of 100:1. The ratio of aeration to nonaeration was 4 : 1.5. Removal efficiency of COD was 86.8%. Removal efficiency of BOD and SS was higher than 90%, and removal efficiency of NH4+-N and TKN was almost 100%.

CONCLUSIONS

NO2- -N interference is significant when its concentration in piggery wastewater exceeds 100 mg l-1. COD in piggery wastewater can be indirectly reduced following nitrite reduction by SU2 strain.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Utilizing immobilized SU2 cells in coordination with an SBR system simultaneously reduces nitrite and COD concentrations.

Oral administration of milk from cows immunized with human intestinal bacteria leads to significant improvements of symptoms and signs in patients with oral submucous fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have shown that the local and systemic upregulation of fibrogenic cytokines and downregulation of antifibrotic cytokine are central to the pathogenesis of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF). The milk from cows immunized with human intestinal bacteria (immune milk) contains an anti-inflammatory component that may suppress the inflammatory reaction and modulate cytokine production. Therefore, it was decided to test whether immune milk may have some beneficial effects on controlling the symptoms and signs in OSF patients.

METHODS

In this preliminary study, 26 OSF patients who received immune milk treatment (45 g of immune milk powder twice a day) for 3 months and oral habit intervention were included in the experimental group. Another 20 OSF patients who received only oral habit intervention served as the control group.

RESULTS

We found that the interincisor distance was significantly improved (> or =3 mm of the baseline measurement) in 18 of the 26 (69.2%) OSF patients in the experimental group at exit. However, in the control group none of the OSF patients had an increase in interincisor distance greater than 2 mm. In addition, disappearance or significant improvement of symptoms at exit was observed in 80% (16/20) of the patients with intolerance to spicy foods (P < 0.001) and 72.2% (13/18) of the patients with xerostomia (P < 0.005) in the experimental group, compared with 17.6% (3/17) of the patients with improvement of intolerance to spicy foods and 15.4% (2/13) of the patients with improvement of xerostomia in the control group. Partial regression of concomitant oral leukoplakia or erythroplakia (judged from the size reduction of the lesions) at exit was noted in 71.4% (5/7) of the patients in the experimental group (P < 0.05), compared with none (0/5) of the patients with improvement in the control group.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that oral administration of immune milk leads to significant improvements of symptoms and signs in OSF patients.

Isolation of an aerobic denitrifying bacterial strain NS-2 from the activated sludge of piggery wastewater treatment systems in Taiwan possessing denitrification under 92% oxygen atmosphere

AIMS

To isolate aerobic denitrifying bacteria which will be applied to piggery wastewater treatment facilities for enhanced nitrate and nitrite removal.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Nitrate-supplemented basal medium in airtight, crimp-sealed serum bottles containing an atmosphere of 92% oxygen was inoculated with denitrifiers, strains NS-2 and SM-3, and incubated at 30 degrees C. After 20 h, the concentration of nitrate was decreased rapidly by both NS-2 and SM-3. Nitrite production was almost zero during the whole experimental period for both strains. Nitrogen gas production peaked at the 20 h for both NS-2 (8.20 +/- 1.03 mmol l(-1)) and SM-3 (3.93 +/- 0.16 mmol l(-1)).

CONCLUSIONS

Strain NS-2, which produced the highest N2 concentration in this work, was identified as Pseudomonas stutzeri. This strain is the most capable of aerobic and anaerobic conversion of nitrate to N2 without forming a nitrite intermediate.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Strain NS-2 is highly promising for future application in in situ piggery wastewater treatment.

[The spectroscopic study of the iodine beta-cyclodextrin complexes]

In this paper, the iodine beta-cyclodextrin complexes prepared in different techniques were investigated by Fourier transformation infrared spectrum(FTIR), FT-Raman, Ultra-violet absorption spectrum in qualitative and quantitative analysis. Results showed that the iodine existed in dissociated, bundle and polymerized forms in the complexes. Contras to the method of alcohol craft, the sample prepared in water craft method included a higher capacity of iodine, but it was not stable enough to keep a constant high iodine concentration. This analysis method was simple and convenient, it is useful for quality control of the iodine beta-cyclodextrin complexes raw material medicine.

Some specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR/DQ haplotypes are more important than individual HLA-DR and -DQ phenotypes for the development of mucocutaneous type of Behçet's disease and for disease shift from recurrent aphthous stomatitis to mucocutaneous type of Behçet's disease

The phenotype and haplotype frequencies of human leukocyte antigens (HLA)-DR and -DQ in 32 Chinese patients with the mucocutaneous (MC) type of Behçet's disease (BD) were calculated and compared with those in 310 healthy control Chinese and with those in 80 Chinese patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). We found that the phenotype frequency of HLA-DRw8 [corrected P (Pc)<0.005] and the haplotype frequencies of HLA-DRw8/DQw1 (Pc<0.005), -DRw8/DQw5(w1) (Pc<0.0005), -DRw12(5)/DQw1 (Pc<0.005), -DRw12(5)/DQw6(w1) (Pc< 0.0005), and -DRw52/DQw1 (Pc<0.005) in patients with the MC type of BD were significantly greater than those in healthy control subjects. This finding suggests that individual Chinese with HLA-DRw8 antigen and HLA-DRw8/DQw1, -DRw8/DQw5(w1), -DRw12(5)/DQw1, -DRw12(5)/DQw6(w1) and -DRw52/DQw1 haplotypes are more likely to have the MC type of BD. Furthermore, the relative risks (RRs) of HLA-DRw8/DQw1 (5.6), -DRw8/ DQw5 (w1) (10.0), and -DRw12(5)/DQw6(w1) (14.4) haplotypes in patients with the MC type of BD were equal to or higher than the RR of HLA-DRw8 phenotype (5.6), suggesting that some of the HLA-DR/DQ haplotypes may play more important roles than the individual HLA-DR and -DQ phenotypes for the development of the MC type of BD. The phenotype frequencies of HLA-DR5 (Pc<0.01), -DRw8 (Pc<0.005) and -DQw1 (Pc<0.05) as well as the haplotype frequencies of HLA-DR5/DQw1 (P<0.005) and -DRw8/DQw1 (Pc<0.00005) in patients with the MC type of BD were significantly higher than those in patients with RAS. Moreover, the RRs of HLA-DR5/DQw1 (29.1) and -DRw8/DQw1 (47.4) haplotypes were greater than the RRs of HLA-DR5 (10.4), -DRw8 (23.4) and -DQw1 (4.0) antigens. These results suggest that some specific HLA-DR/DQ haplotypes may be more important than the individual HLA-DR and -DQ phenotypes in the disease shift from RAS to the MC type of BD.

Expression of transforming growth factor-alpha in adenoid cystic carcinoma of the salivary gland

BACKGROUND

Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) is expressed in both normal and malignant epithelial cells. Although the expression of TGF-alpha has been extensively studied in some human epithelial neoplasms, its expression in adenoid cystic carcinomas (ACCs) of the salivary gland has not been reported.

METHODS

This study used an immunohistochemical technique to assess the expression of TGF-alpha in 40 ACC specimens from the salivary glands, seven specimens from labial minor salivary glands adjacent to mucoceles, and five specimens from normal submandibular glands.

RESULTS

In the normal submandibular gland specimens, positive TGF-alpha staining was found in all ductal segments as well as in serous and some mucous acinar cells. In labial minor salivary glands adjacent to mucoceles, positive TGF-alpha staining was found in ductal, serous acinar, serous demilune, and a few mucous acinar cells. Positive TGF-alpha immunostaining was observed in all five salivary gland ACC specimens with a solid histologic pattern, and 31 of the 35 salivary gland ACC specimens with a tubulo-cribriform histologic pattern. Overall, 36 of 40 ACCs of the salivary gland expressed TGF-alpha. Positive TGF-alpha staining was found in the salivary gland ACC specimens with solid, tubular, duct-like, and pseudocystic structures. No significant correlation was found between TGF-alpha expression in ACCs of the salivary gland and age, sex, primary cancer location, TNM status, clinical stage, prognosis, histologic type, perivascular or perineural invasion, focal necrosis of the tumor, or cellular atypia.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that ductal and acinar cells of the normal submandibular gland and of labial minor salivary glands adjacent to mucoceles are the major sites of TGF-alpha synthesis and secretion. Furthermore, TGF-alpha is biosynthesized in salivary gland ACC tumor cells, forming solid, tubular, duct-like, and pseudocystic structures. Our data suggest that TGF-alpha may play an important biologic role as a mitogen in the growth of salivary gland ACC.

Signal-selectivity of parathyroid hormone (PTH)/PTH-related peptide receptor-mediated regulation of differentiation in conditionally immortalized growth-plate chondrocytes

Type-1 PTH/PTH-related peptide receptors (PTH1Rs), which activate both adenylyl cyclase and phospholipase C (PLC), control endochondral bone development by regulating chondrocyte differentiation. To directly analyze PTH1R function in such cells, we isolated conditionally transformed clonal chondrocytic cell lines from tibial growth plates of neonatal mice heterozygous for PTH1R gene ablation. Among 104 cell lines isolated, messenger RNAs for PTH1R, collagen II, and collagen X were detected in 28%, 90%, and 29%, respectively. These cell lines were morphologically diverse. Some appeared large, rounded, and enveloped by abundant extracellular matrix; whereas others were smaller, flattened, and elongated. Two PTH1R-expressing clones showed similar PTH1R binding and cAMP responsiveness to PTH and PTH-related peptide but disparate morphologic features, characteristic of hypertrophic (hC1--5) or nonhypertrophic (nhC2--27) chondrocytes, respectively. hC1--5 cells expressed messenger RNAs for collagen II and X, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and matrix GLA protein, whereas nhC2--27 cells expressed collagen II and Indian hedgehog but not collagen X or ALP. In hC1--5 cells, PTH and cAMP analog, but not phorbol ester, inhibited both ALP and mineralization. PTH1R-null hC1--5 subclones were isolated by in vitro selection and then reconstituted by stable transfection with wild-type PTH1Rs or mutant (DSEL) PTH1Rs defective in PLC activation. ALP and mineralization were inhibited similarly via both forms of the receptor. These results indicate that PLC activation is not required for PTH1R regulation of mineralization or ALP in hypertrophic chondrocytes and are consistent with a major role for cAMP in regulating differentiation of hypertrophic chondrocytes.

Comparison of aerobic denitrification under high oxygen atmosphere by Thiosphaera pantotropha ATCC 35512 and Pseudomonas stutzeri SU2 newly isolated from the activated sludge of a piggery wastewater treatment system

AIMS

This study compares the ability of Thiosphaera pantotropha ATCC 35512 and the newly isolated Pseudomonas stutzeri SU2 to perform aerobic denitrification.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Nitrate-supplemented basal medium in airtight crimp-sealed serum bottles containing an atmosphere of 92% oxygen was inoculated with Ps. stutzeri SU2 or T. pantotropha and incubated at 30 degrees C. During the 92-h incubation period, aerobic denitrification by Ps. stutzeri SU2 (NO3(-) - N removal 99.24%) was more efficient than that by T. pantotropha (NO3(-) - N removal 27.29%).

CONCLUSION

Pseudomonas stutzeri SU2, which was isolated from the activated sludge of a sequencing batch reactor treating piggery wastewater, rapidly reduced the nitrate to nitrogen gas without nitrite accumulation. The nitrate removal rate of SU2 was 0.032 mmol NO3(-) - N g cell-1 h-1 after 44 h incubation.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Pseudomonas stutzeri SU2 can be used in a full-scale sequencing batch system for efficient in situ aerobic nitrate removal from piggery wastewater.

Changes in major components of tea fungus metabolites during prolonged fermentation

Changes in major components and microbes in tea fungus broth (or kombucha; teakwass) prepared from nine different sources during a prolonged fermentation of up to 60 days were investigated. Cell concentrations of both yeasts and acetic acid bacteria in broth were generally higher than those in the cellulosic pellicles. The residual sucrose concentration decreased linearly with time, although the rate fell after the first month. Metabolic fates of glucose and fructose produced as a result of the hydrolysis of sucrose were different. Glucose was not produced in parallel with fructose (0.085 g 100 ml(-1) d(-1)) but was produced with a lower initial rate (0.041 g 100 ml(-1) d(-1)). Both titratable acidity and gluconic acid increased steadily with time for all samples, although gluconic acid was not generated for 6 days until the fermentation had begun. Acetic acid increased slowly to a maximum value of 1.1 g 100 ml(-1) after 30 days; thereafter, it decreased gradually. Gluconic acid contributed to the titratable acidity and thus, the taste of tea fungus broth, during the final stage of fermentation. It is concluded that the desired quality or composition of kombucha can be obtained through the proper control of fermentation time.

Expression of interleukin-2 receptor by activated peripheral blood lymphocytes upregulated by the plasma level of interleukin-2 in patients with recurrent aphthous ulcers

This study used flow cytometry to determine the peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets and a sandwich enzyme immunoassay to measure the plasma levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R) in 34 patients in different stages of recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU) and in 32 age/sex-matched normal control subjects. In the exacerbation stage of RAU, a significant increase in the percentages of CD3+ (p < 0.001), CD4+ (p < 0.001), CD4+ IL-2R+ (p < 0.001), CD8+ IL-2R+ (p < 0.01) and IL-2R+ cells (p < 0.001), in the CD4+/CD8+ (p < 0.01) and CD4+/CD3+ CD8+ ratios (p < 0.01), and in the plasma level of IL-2 (p < 0.001) was found in the patients as compared with the levels in the normal control subjects. However, in the post-exacerbation stage of RAU, there was a significant decrease in the percentage of CD4+ cells (p < 0.05) and in the CD4+/CD8+ (p < 0.01) and CD4+/CD3+ CD8+ ratios (p < 0.001), as well as a significant increase in CD8+ cells (p < 0.001) in the patients, as compared with the levels in the normal control subjects. Because the CD4+, CD4+ IL-2R+ and CD8+ IL-2R+ cell counts and the plasma level of IL-2 increased simultaneously in the patients in the exacerbation stage of RAU, we suggest that the markedly increased plasma level of IL-2 may have been secreted by the increased number of activated CD4+ cells, and that the expression of IL-2R by activated peripheral blood lymphocytes was upregulated by the plasma level of IL-2 in patients with RAU. In addition, the increase and then decrease of the CD4+/CD8+ ratio in the RAU patients and the increased number of CD4+ IL-2R+ and CD8+ IL-2R+ activated T cells in the RAU patients support the role of cell-mediated cytotoxicity in the immunopathogenesis of RAU.

Expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in oral submucous fibrosis, oral epithelial hyperkeratosis and oral epithelial dysplasia in Taiwan

To test whether the oral epithelia of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF), epithelial hyperkeratosis (EH) and epithelial dysplasia (ED) may have increased proliferative activity under the long-term exposure to areca quid ingredients and whether there is an increased expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in oral premalignant lesions with disease progression, we used an immunohistochemical technique with the mouse monoclonal antibody PC10 to investigate PCNA expression in histologic sections of OSF, EH, ED and normal oral mucosa (NOM). Positive PCNA staining was found mainly in basal and parabasal epithelial cells in all specimens of OSF, EH, ED and NOM. The mean PCNA labeling indices (LI) in NOM, OSF, EH and ED were 8.8+/-2.7%, 22.1+/-12.5%, 25.5+/-5. 2% and 44.9+/-15.4%, respectively. Significant differences in the PCNA LI were noted between NOM and OSF (P<0.01), EH (P<0.001) or ED (P<0.001), as well as between ED and OSF (P<0.001) or EH (P<0.01). The gradual increase of PCNA expression with the morphologic transformation of normal epithelial cells into dysplastic epithelial cells suggests that there is increased proliferative activity in oral premalignant lesions with disease progression. However, no significant correlation was found between PCNA LI in OSF epithelium and the clinicohistologic parameters of OSF. In addition, the mean PCNA LI of p53-positive OSF cases (23.7+/-12.0%) was very close to that of p53-negative OSF cases (23.9+/-13.1%), suggesting that there was no association between PCNA and p53 expression in OSF.

A comparison of calcitonin gene-related peptide effects on coronary flow and cardiac conduction system in the guinea pig

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) on coronary flow and various parts of cardiac conduction system (CCS) in the isolated guinea pig heart by recording the cardiac electrogram and His bundle activity simultaneously. The coronary flow (CF) was measured and the right atrium was paced at incremental frequencies periodically. Perfusing heart with CGRP at the concentrations of 3 30 nmol/L increased CF strikingly and dose-dependently. CGRP (30 nmol/L) caused a moderate and significant increase in the spontaneous heart rate, but failed to influence the atrioventricular nodal and His bundle-Purkinje fiber conduction time and the longest atrial pacing cycle length inducing 3 2 Wenckebach and 2 1 AV nodal conduction. The results indicate that CGRP in the guinea pig heart might act mainly on coronary vessels and then the sinus node, but did not affect the conductivity and refractoriness of the AV conduction system.

[Electrophysiological effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide on isolated sinoatrial node of the rabbit]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the electrophysiological effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) on the pacemaker cell of rabbit sinoatrial node (SAN) and to determine whether I(Ca) is involved in the effects. Action potentials (AP) were recorded from the isolated SAN with microelectrode technique. It was found: (1) CGRP (1 nmol/L) had no effect on AP configuration; CGRP (10 nmol/L) increased the maximal diastolic potential, AP amplitude and depolarization velocity of 0 and 4 phases, and decreased sinus cycle length and AP duration. After applying CGRP for 20 min the above effects reached to a maximum. (2) CGRP (100 nmol/L) caused arrhythmia in the SAN. (3) Calcium channel antagonists, CdCl2 and verapamil attenuated the electrophysiological changes in AP of SAN induced by CGRP (20 nmol/L). The results indicate that a calcium-dependent mechanism may underlie the CGRP effects.

Strong association of antiepithelial cell antibodies with HLA-DR3 or DR7 phenotype in patients with recurrent oral ulcers

BACKGROUND

Previous studies showed that antiepithelial cell antibodies (anti-ECA) were present in 71% (15/21) of patients with recurrent oral ulcers (ROU) and that there was a strong association of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DRw9 with ROU in Chinese patients. In this study, we assessed anti-ECA in a larger group of Chinese patients with ROU (n = 88) in order to further investigate the association of anti-ECA with HLA-DR and -DQ antigens.

METHODS

The anti-ECA in the sera of ROU patients were detected by an indirect immunofluorescence technique with rat esophagus as the substrate, and the HLA-DR and -DQ antigens in ROU patients were typed by a standard microcytotoxicity assay using Terasaki's oriental tray.

RESULTS

The rate of anti-ECA positivity was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in ROU patients (68%) than in healthy control subjects (0%). Furthermore, the rate of anti-ECA positivity in patients with major or minor oral ulcers (72%) was significantly higher (29%) than that in patients with herpetiform ulcers (p < 0.05). There was a significant increase in the frequency of DR3 or DR7 antigen expression (p < 0.0001, pc [p corrected] < 0.001, relative risk [RR] = 4.3, etiologic fraction = 0.41) in anti-ECA-positive ROU patients compared with the corresponding frequencies in healthy control subjects. There was also a significant increase in the frequency of DR7 or DRw9 antigen expression (p < 0.005, pc < 0.05, RR = 4.7, etiologic fraction = 0.45) compared to healthy controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Because only DR3 or DR7 antigen occurred more frequently in anti-ECA-positive than in anti-ECA-negative ROU patients (p < 0.0007, pc < 0.05, RR = 19.6, etiologic fraction = 0.51), we concluded that the gene coding for DR3 or DR7 antigen may contribute to the presence of anti-ECA in Chinese patients with ROU.

Association of HLA-te22 antigen with anti-nuclear antibodies in Chinese patients with erosive oral lichen planus

The purpose of this study was to determine the frequencies of the presence of serum anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) and smooth muscle antibodies (SMA) in 76 patients with oral lichen planus (OLP), in 77 patients with other oral mucosal diseases, and in 41 healthy control subjects. HLA phenotypes in some of the patients with OLP and recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU) were determined to show whether there was an association of HLA antigens with the presence of autoantibodies. Indirect immunofluorescence techniques with mouse liver or stomach as the substrate were used to detect the serum ANA or SMA, respectively. The B lymphocytes isolated from peripheral blood were used for HLA typing by means of a standard microcytotoxicity assay. We found that the positive rate of serum ANA in patients with OLP (29%, p < 0.01), especially in patients with erosive OLP (34%, p < 0.001), was significantly higher than that in the normal control subjects (5%). The frequency of serum SMA in patients with OLP (20%, p < 0.01), in patients with RAU (17%, p < 0.01), or in patients with oral squamous cell carcinomas (41%, p < 0.001) was also significantly higher than that in normal control individuals (0%). In the erosive OLP group, the HLA-Te22 antigen occurred more frequently in patients with positive ANA (75%, p < 0.05) than in those with negative ANA (25%). We conclude that there is an association of HLA-Te22 antigen with ANA in Chinese patients with erosive OLP.

Expression of p53 protein in oral submucous fibrosis, oral epithelial hyperkeratosis, and oral epithelial dysplasia

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In our previous study, positive p53 staining was observed in 47 of 81 (58%) cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma associated with areca quid (AQ) chewing and cigarette smoking. This study looked for expression of p53 protein in premalignant oral lesions in patients who chewed AQ or smoked cigarettes, or both.

METHODS

Expression of p53 protein was examined in histologic sections of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF, n = 50), epithelial hyperkeratosis (EH, n = 10), epithelial dysplasia (ED, n = 10), and normal oral mucosa (NOM, n = 10) with antibodies against p53 protein using an immunoperoxidase technique.

RESULTS

Positive p53 staining was observed in 30 (60%) OSF specimens, four (40%) EH specimens, seven (70%) ED specimens, and none of the NOM specimens. Only four (8%) of the OSF specimens and none of the EH specimens had more than 25% p53-positive keratinocytes. However, in four (40%) of the ED specimens, more than 50% of the keratinocytes were p53-positive. The degree of p53 staining increased with the morphologic transformation of normal-appearing epithelial cells into dysplastic epithelial cells. There was no significant correlation between expression of p53 in OSF epithelium and the clinicohistologic parameters of patients with OSF.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate that p53 is often present in precancerous lesions of patients who chew AQ and smoke cigarettes. We suggest that p53 may play a role in dysplastic cell transformation in premalignant oral lesions.

Effects of continuous calcitonin treatment on osteoclasts derived from cocultures of mouse marrow stromal and spleen cells

BACKGROUND

Continuous calcitonin (CT) treatment for bone diseases associated with increased bone resorption may be followed by prolonged depression of osteoclast response to CT. The mechanisms of this "escape" phenomenon remain unclear.

METHODS

We examined the effects of continuous CT treatment on cell formation, calcitonin receptor (CTR) expression, response to CT, and bone resorption of osteoclasts in a coculture of mouse marrow stromal and spleen cells in the presence of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3]. Cells were cocultured and treated with salmon CT (sCT) for 7, 14, or 21 days. The effects of continuous CT treatment on osteoclast formation was determined by quantitation of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive multinucleated cells (MNCs). CTR expression in osteoclasts was determined by binding of [125I]sCT in autoradiography. Bone resorption and CT responsiveness were assessed by examining the formation of resorption pits and by enumerating osteoclast reattachment on dentine slices after sCT rechallenge.

RESULTS

TRAP-positive MNCs appeared in cocultures treated with sCT and were similar in number and morphology to those in control cultures, regardless of the concentration and duration of sCT treatment. A decrease in CTR expression was identified as a loss of silver grains from the TRAP-positive cells in cocultures receiving sCT treatment for 14 or 21 days. Partial recovery of CTR expression in TRAP-positive cells was evident in cocultures treated with sCT for only the first 7 days of coculture. TRAP-positive MNCs in cocultures treated with sCT for 14 or 21 days were resistant to the rechallenge with sCT. They attached to dentine slices and caused numerous resorption pits compared with control cells and cells treated with sCT for the first 7 days of coculture (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that the escape phenomenon that develops after continuous CT treatment may be due, at least in part to: 1) loss of responsiveness to CT in existing osteoclasts; and 2) development of new osteoclasts that are CTR-deficient and, therefore, refractory to CT rechallenge.

Effects of exonuclease activity and nucleotide selectivity of the herpes simplex virus DNA polymerase on the fidelity of DNA replication in vivo

A mutagenesis system was developed for the in vivo study of the fidelity of DNA replication mediated by wild-type herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) strain KOS and its polymerase (Pol) mutant derivatives PAAr5, Y7, and YD12. The pHOS1 shuttle plasmid, which contained the SupF mutagenesis marker gene and the HSV oris sequence, was used for analysis of the mutation frequency and the mutation spectrum. All three Pol mutants induced significant increases in the mutation frequencies of the target gene, despite the fact that PAAr5 was previously shown to have an antimutator phenotype by the thymidine kinase mutagenesis assay (J. D. Hall, D. M. Coen, B. L. Fisher, M. Weisslitz, S. Randall, R. E. Almy, P. Gelep, and P. A. Schaffer, Virology 132:26-37, 1984; C. B. C. Hwang and J.-H. Chen, Gene 152:191-193, 1995). Altered spectra of mutated target genes induced by these three mutants were also observed. The relative frequencies of both deletion and complex mutations found in mutants induced by exonuclease-proficient Pols were significantly higher than those induced by exonuclease-deficient Pols. On the other hand, the exonuclease-deficient Pols induced significant increases in the frequency of base substitutions, which comprised predominantly G. C-to-T. A transversions, as well as mutations at additional hot spots. These results suggest that the HSV-1 DNA Pol can incorporate purine-purine or pyrimidine-pyrimidine mispaired bases which may be preferentially proofread by its intrinsic exonuclease activity. Furthermore, the effects of the sequence context of the target gene and the assay method should also be considered carefully in any analysis of replication fidelity.