A canine minidystrophin is functional and therapeutic in mdx mice

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common and lethal genetic muscle disorder lacking a curative treatment. We wish to use the dystrophin-deficient golden retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) dog, a canine model of DMD, to investigate adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector-mediated minidystrophin gene therapy. The dog model is useful in evaluating vector dose requirement and immunological consequences owing to its large size and outbred nature. In this study, we have cloned and constructed a canine minidystrophin gene vector. Owing to limited availability of the GRMD dogs, here we first examined the functions and therapeutic effects of the canine minidystrophin in the mdx mouse model. We observed efficient minigene expression without cellular immune responses in mdx mice after AAV1-cMinidys vector intramuscular injection. We also observed restoration of the missing dystrophin-associated protein complex (DPC) onto the sarcolemma, including sarcoglycans and dystrobrevin, and a partial restoration of alpha-syntrophin and neural nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). In addition, minidystrophin treatment ameliorated dystrophic pathology, such as fibrosis and myofiber central nucleation (CN). CN remained minimal (<2%) after AAV injection in the neonatal mdx mice and was reduced from more than 75% to about 25% after AAV injection in adult mdx mice. Finally, in vivo cell membrane leakage test with Evans blue dye showed that the canine minidystrophin could effectively protect the myofiber plasma membrane integrity. Our results, thus, demonstrated the functionality and therapeutic potential of the canine minidystrophin and paved its way for further testing in the GRMD dog model.

Influence of oxidized low density lipoprotein on the proliferation of human artery smooth muscle cells in vitro

The effects of oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) on the proliferation of cultured human vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMC) were investigated in vitro. By using NaBr density gradient centrifugation, LDL was isolated and purified from human plasma. Ox-LDL was produced from LDL by being incubated with CuSO(4). ox-LDL was then added to the culture medium at different concentrations (35, 60, 85, 110, 135 and 160 microg/mL) for 7 days. The influence of ox-LDL on vSMC proliferation was observed in growth curve, mitosis index, and in situ determination of apoptosis. The data were analyzed with SPSS 10.0 software. The results showed that the ox-LDL produced in vitro had a good purity and optimal oxidative degree, which was similar to the intrinsic ox-LDL in atherosclerotic plaque. ox-LDL at a concentration of 35 microg/mL demonstrated the strongest proliferation inducement, and at a concentration of 135 microg/mL, ox-LDL could inhibit the growth of vSMC. ox-LDL at concentrations of 35 and 50 microg/mL presented powerful mitotic trigger, and with the increase of ox-LDL concentration, the mitotic index of vSMC was decreased gradually. ox-LDL at higher concentrations promoted more apoptotic vSMCs. ox-LDL at lower concentrations triggered proliferation of vSMCs, and at higher concentrations induced apoptosis in vSMCs. ox-LDL played a promotional role in the pathogenesis and development of atherosclerosis by affecting vSMC proliferation and apoptosis.

Development of a recombinant fowlpox virus vector-based vaccine of H5N1 subtype avian influenza

The genetic stability of the recombinant fowlpox virus (named rFPV-HA-NA) was confirmed by serial passage on chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cells. The immune efficacy, safety, the minimum immunising dose, the time of immunity induced and the immune duration of the vector-based vaccine was evaluated in specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chickens. The recombinant virus vaccine containing 100 plaque form units (PFU) could induce complete protection against challenge with H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV). The immune efficacy, protecting chickens from clinical signs and death after challenge, was obtained one week after the immunisation with this vaccine. Protective immunity could last for 40 weeks post-immunisation. So the recombinant fowlpox vaccine is a safe and highly effective gene engineering vaccine candidate, and will be used to prevent H5 subtype avian influenza in the future.

Diagnosis and surgical treatment of ruptured aneurysm in sinus of Valsalva

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the methods used to diagnose and surgically treat ruptured aneurysm in sinus of Valsalva (RASV).

METHODS

Thirty-seven hospitalized patients with ruptured aneurysms in the sinus of Valsalva from September 1981 to April 2001, including 21 cases (56.7%) of RASV associated with ventricular septal defects (VSD) and 11 (29.7%) with aortic valvular prolapse were given surgical interventions. Under hypothermia and extracorporeal circulation, we successfully performed the surgical correction of RASV for all 37 patients VSD repair in 21 patients, aortic valvuloplasty in 6 and aortic valvular replacement in 2.

RESULTS

There was no hospital deaths among these patients, although residual shunting occurred in two patients and acute renal failure was found one. Follow-up study of one month to 20 years in the patients undergoing repair of RASV revealed that the mostly individuals treated with operation obtained satisfactory cardiac function.

CONCLUSION

Correct diagnosis of ruptured aneurysm in sinus of Valsalva should be confirmed immediately and surgical correction should be carried out as soon as possible.

[Production of vitamin C precursor--2-keto-L-gulonic acid from D-sorbitol by mixed culture of microorganisms]

Gluconobacter oxydans SCB329 only produce a little amount of 2-Keto-L-gulonic acid(2-KLG) from D-Sorbitol when growing alone; while Gluconobacter sp. SCB110 can transform D-Sorbitol to L-Sorbose and can not produce 2-KLG. 2-Keto-L-gulonic acid, the precursor of L-Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) synthesis, was prepared directly with a high efficiency from D-Sorbitol by mixed culture of microorganism, which comprised Gluconobacter sp. SCB110 and Gluconobacter oxydans SCB329. The fermentation product from the mixed culture broth in the D-Sorbotol-containing medium was identified as 2-Keto-L-gulonic acid by HPLC, elementary analysis and infra-red adsorption spectrum.

[Pharmacognostical studies on the rhizome and root of Alpinia nigra]

Morphological and histological characters of the rhizome and root of Alpinia nigra (Gaertn.) Burtt, used as the origin of a traditional Chinese medicine, were described and illustrated with line drawing. These studies provide referential information for the identification and quality control.

Apolipoprotein B secretion and atherosclerosis are decreased in mice with phospholipid-transfer protein deficiency

Increased secretion and levels of ApoB-containing lipoproteins (BLp) commonly occur in familial hyperlipidemia, obesity and diabetes. The plasma phospholipid-transfer protein (PLTP) is known to mediate transfer of phospholipids between BLp and HDL during their intravascular metabolism. To address a possible role of PLTP in dyslipidemia and atherogenesis, we bred mice deficient in the gene encoding PLTP (PLTP-deficient mice) using different hyperlipidemic mouse strains. In ApoB-transgenic and ApoE-deficient backgrounds, PLTP deficiency resulted in reduced production and levels of BLp and markedly decreased atherosclerosis. BLp secretion was diminished in hepatocytes from ApoB-transgenic PLTP-deficient mice, a defect that was corrected when PLTP was reintroduced in adenovirus. The studies reveal a major, unexpected role of PLTP in regulating the secretion of BLp and identify PLTP as a therapeutic target.

[Pharmacognostical studies on the root and rhizome of Globba racemosa]

Morphological and histological characters of the root and rhizome of Globba racemosa Smith were described and illustrated with line drawing. These studies provided referential information for the identification and quality control.

[Pharmacognostical studies on the rhizome, root and leaf of Alpinia jianganfeng T.L. Wu]

Morphological and histological characters of the rhizome, root and leaf of Alpinia jianganfeng T.L. Wu used as the origin of a traditional Chinese medicine, were described and illustrated with line drawing. These studies provide referential information for the identification and quality control.

Search for the decay KL --> pi(0)e+e-

We report on a search for the decay KL-->pi(0)e+e- carried out by the KTeV/E799 experiment at Fermilab. This decay is expected to have a significant CP violating contribution and the measurement of its branching ratio could support the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa mechanism for CP violation or could point to new physics. Two events were observed in the 1997 data with an expected background of 1.06+/-0.41 events, and we set an upper limit B(KL-->pi(0)e+e-)<5.1 x 10(-10) at the 90% confidence level.

Alterations of prostate biomarker expression and testosterone utilization in human LNCaP prostatic carcinoma cells by garlic-derived S-allylmercaptocysteine

BACKGROUND

This study determined the effects of S-allylmercaptocysteine (SAMC), a phytoconstituent from garlic, on the expression of androgen-responsive biomarkers, prostate specific antigen (PSA), and prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), in human prostatic carcinoma cells (LNCaP).

METHODS

Secretion of PSA was determined as well as the activity of PSMA measured as a function of its ability to hydrolyze poly-gamma-glutamated folate and N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG). Folate hydrolase capacity was also determined in SAMC-treated cells grown in charcoal stripped fetal calf serum (CS-FCS). In addition, testosterone disappearance was measured from culture media of SAMC-treated LNCaP and PC-3 cells as well as from cell free lysates.

RESULTS

PSA secretions were significantly decreased compared to control values at 1 day (8.4 +/- 2.6 vs. 18.9 +/- 1.7, P < 0.01), 4 days (18.9 +/- 5.3 vs. 73.8 +/- 4. 4, P < 0.001), and 6 days (35.6 +/- 2.1 vs. 96.5 +/- 17.9 ng/10(5) cells, P < 0.01; mean +/- SD). By contrast, PSMA activity measured as either folate hydrolase or NAAG dipeptidase (NAALADase) activity increased in cells treated with SAMC. PSMA-folate hydrolase activity in SAMC-treated cells grown in CS-FCS increased beyond that observed in cells grown in CS-FCS alone. Pre-exposure of LNCaP cells to SAMC resulted in enhanced rate of testosterone disappearance from culture media at 6 hr (P < 0.01) and at 48 hr (P < 0.001) compared to media from cells not previously exposed to SAMC. Results similar to these were also observed in androgen-independent PC-3 cells treated with SAMC. In lysates of SAMC-treated LNCaP cells, the rate of testosterone catabolism was twice that from phosphate buffered saline (PBS)-treated cells. SAMC-treated LNCaP cells grown in media supplemented with testosterone temporarily exhibited enhanced growth over a 2 day period but cell numbers declined later to levels similar to those of SAMC treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

These results show that SAMC exhibits differential effects on recognized biomarkers for LNCaP cells similar to those produced by androgen deprivation and strongly suggests that this effect may be mediated, in part, by diminishing the trophic effects of testosterone, likely by converting it to metabolites less reactive toward androgen receptors.

[Analysis of the constituents of essential oil from radix Polygoni multiflori preparata]

The chemical constituents of oil from Radix Polygoni Multiflori Preparata were analyzed by GC-MS-DS.27 constituents were identified.

[The morphological variation in species of Anemarrhena asphodeloides]

In this paper, morphological studies modified the description in some literatures. The features of Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge growing in different districts vary. Carefully observation under Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) showed that surface characters of leaves at the same developing stage, which were collected from cultivated plants formerly growing in different districts, vary greatly but regularly. It was found that the morphology of pollen grains were similar.

[Cloning and expression of a resistant Culex gene in Escherichia coli]

Recombinant plasmid pRLB1 was constructed from detoxifying gene B1 of pesticide resistant Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus and from plasmid pRL439 contained the strong promoter PpsbA. The positive clone was identified by digestion and Southern analysis. Expression of recombinant plasmid containing esterase gene was detected. An engineered bacterium possessing high enzyme activity was obtained and immobilized. It can effectively degrade the specific substrate alpha-naphthyl acetate (alpha-NA) and beta-naphthyl of esterase enzyme. Assays showed that pesticide acetofenate (7504 an organic choride pesticide) was degraded by the immobilized cells within one hour.

[Determination of organic acids of tetraploid Isatis indigotica with high performance capillary electrophoresis]

The content of organic acids, being antiendotoxic activities in vitro, of tetraploid Isatis indigotica Fort. were determined with high performance capillary electrophoresis. The results showed that the contents of organic acids of tetraploid Isatis indigotica Fort. were obviously higher than that of diploid parent. Tetraploid Isatis indigotica Fort. was a new lines with better quality, which had notably value of exploiting and utilizing.

[Determination of sarsasapogenin in Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge by GC]

OBJECTIVE

To determine sarsasapogenin in Anemarrhena asphodeloides.

METHOD

Chloromethane extract (1 microliter) with cholesterol as internal standard was analyzed on HP-1 column, operated at 270 degrees C with N2 as carrier gas and FID.

RESULT

The method was linear within the range of 0.245-2.94 micrograms.microliter-1, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9996. The average recovery was 95.52% +/- 1.77%,

CONCLUSION

The method is reproducible, rapid and sensitive.

[Determination on chemical constituents of Curcuma L. produced in China]

OBJECTIVE

To provide some valuable information for the research on species systematization and quality standardization of Curcuma drugs.

METHODS

Colorimetry, TLC-colorimetry and water vapour distillation were used to determine the contents of curcuminoids, curcumin and essential oils of 34 samples of Curcuma produced in China.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

The contents of curcuminoids and curcumin are different upto an extent of over 100 times among the varieties of Curcuma, and those of essential oils to an extent of 6 times. But there is little difference in the samples of the same species from different producing areas. There is also an obvious correlativity between the contents of curcuminoids and essential oils in the varieties of curcuma.

[Research on cause of distinction in antiendotoxic activation of radix isatidis from different cultivated populations]

OBJECTIVE

To research into the cause of distinction in antiendotoxic activation of Radix Isatidis from different cultivated populations.

METHOD

19 samples of Radix Isatidis were gathered. 12 portions of seeds were cultivated in the same field in Shanghai, and the selected and artificially bred autotetraploid seeds were planted in 5 different locations. All the samples were compared through antiendotoxic experiment.

RESULTS

There are some marked distinction among the 19 samples from different populations. The distinction of the 12 samples cultivated in the same field didn't disappear. The activation of autotetraploid from 5 different locations didn't vary on the whole.

CONCLUSION

Germplasm is the main factor to cause activation distinctions of Radix Isatidis, while environment is less important.

A study of early pregnancy factor activity in the sera of women with trophoblastic tumor

PROBLEM

To detect whether or not the early pregnancy factor (EPF)-like activity, or chaperonin 10, could be in the sera of patients with trophoblastic tumor in order to find another more efficient means to diagnose this kind of tumor.

METHOD OF STUDY

The rosette inhibition assay was used to detect EPF-like activity in 216 sera, collected from patients with gestational trophoblastic tumor, including 47 sera of patients with choriocarcinoma, 68 sera of patients bearing invasive mole, and 101 sera of patients with vesicular mole.

RESULTS

The accuracy of diagnosing malignant trophoblastic tumor by detecting EPF-like activity is 91.3% (105/115), with a false positive rate of 14.58% and a false negative rate of 4.8% by this method. Furthermore, the rosette inhibition titer (RIT) values have significant difference (P < 0.001) between the sera in patients with malignant trophoblastic tumor before treatment and those after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that diagnosis of malignant trophoblastic tumor could be made with an accuracy of 91.3% by detecting EPF-like activity and that EPF-like activity could be used as an indicator to distinguish benign from malignant trophoblastic tumor.

[Study on the activity of platelets protein kinase C in patients with pregnancy induced hypertension]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between the activity of protein kinase C (PKC) in plateletes and patients with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH).

METHOD

Activities of PKC in membrance of platelets, which came from 18 PIH patients(PIH group), 20 normal pregnant women (normal pregnant group) and 20 healthy women (control group), were measured by substrate protein phosphoylation method.

RESULTS

Activities of PKC in the membrane and cytosolic of platelets from normal pregnancie are lower than those from control group significantly (P < 0.01). Activities of PKC in the membrane and cytosolic of platelets from PIH group are higher than those from normal pregnancie (P < 0.05). Activity of PKC in membrane of platelets from mild and moderate PIH group is higher than that from normal pregnancie (P < 0.01). However, there is no difference between the activities of PKC in cytosolic of platelets from the two groups (P > 0.05). Activities of PKC in membrane and cytosolic of platelets from severe PIH were higher than those from normal pregnancie significantly (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). We also found that the activity of PKC in cytosolic of platelets from severe PIH group was significantly higher than that from mild and PIH cases, though there was no significantly difference in the activity of PKC in membrane of platelets between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Activity of PKC in platelets relates to the occurrence and development of PIH syndrome.

Characterization of the acetylcholinesterase gene from insecticide-resistant houseflies (Musca domestica)

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is the target site for the organophosphates and carbamates in insects. Widespread use of these two classes of insecticides has led to the selection of resistance. Target modification was regarded as a molecular mechanism in some resistance species. The altered AChEs with reduced sensitivity to inhibition are related to this resistance. AChE genes from two insecticide-resistant housefly (Musca domestica) strains D3 and Kash were isolated and sequenced using RT-PCR and streptavidin-linked magnetic bead techniques. The cDNAs have a 2082-bp open reading frame from which the complete amino acid sequence of AChE has been deduced. Some differences in nucleotide sequence and four-point mutations of amino acid were found compared to a susceptible strain, i.e., the Cooper strain. Three substitutions are likely to confer insecticide insensitivity, which seems that D3 and Kash belong to CH2 pattern of resistance.

Effects of garlic thioallyl derivatives on growth, glutathione concentration, and polyamine formation of human prostate carcinoma cells in culture

This study investigated whether naturally occurring garlic derivatives and synthetic S-cysteinyl compounds that resemble garlic constituents have antiproliferative effects on human prostate carcinoma (LNCaP) cells. Studies also examined whether S-allylmercaptocysteine and S-allylcysteine affect two important molecular targets, namely reduced glutathione and polyamines. Results showed that S-allylmercaptocysteine (50 mg/L) diminished LNCaP cell growth whereas the antiproliferative effect of S-allylcysteine was not as pronounced. Studies using synthetic S-cysteinyl analogues revealed that growth inhibition was most effective with compounds containing a disulfide or an active diallyl moiety. Marginal to no inhibitory effect was observed with monosulfinic analogues. Both S-allylmercaptocysteine and S-allylcysteine caused an increase in LNCaP cell reduced glutathione concentrations. Putrescine and spermine concentrations decreased and spermidine increased 3 d after S-allylmercaptocysteine treatment. At 5 d after S-allylmercaptocysteine treatment, polyamine concentrations were similar to those of saline-treated controls. Diminished cell growth and altered polyamine concentrations suggest that S-allylmercaptocysteine may impede the polyamine synthesizing enzyme, ornithine decarboxylase, either by enhancing the formation of reduced glutathione, a known inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase, or by reacting directly with ornithine decarboxylase at its nucleophilic thiol moiety. Because S-allylcysteine also increases reduced glutathione formation but does not significantly inhibit growth, the latter mechanism may be more likely for this compound. These data provide further evidence that nonessential nutrients derived from garlic may modulate tumor growth. Further research is required on effects of garlic derivatives in vivo before information from the present studies can be used to assist in the development of effective nutritional strategies for preventing progression of prostate cancer.

[Effect of processing on chemical composition and medical activity of rhizoma Anemarrhenae]

A comparative study was conducted on the chemical composition and medical activity of different kinds of processed drug of Rhizoma Anemarrhenae. It was found that the content of effective components of zhimu was affected obviously by processing: the rhizome should not be barked when used as drug. It was also observed that different kind of processed drug should be used in line with different particular circumstance.

[Herbological investigation on the traditional Chinese medicine zhimu]

In this paper, herbological investigation was carried out into a large of historical harbal books about Zhimu, Rizoma Anemarrhenae, especially about its orgin, method of preparation. The description in "A Record of Chinese Medica" was partly revise.

[Studies on cell-mediated immunotoxicity of dimethylformamide]

Pathological examination of the immune organs, pedal pad swelling experiments, alpha-acetate naphthalol esterase stain for peripheral blood lymphocyte, spleen cell interleukin-2 (IL-2) release, in vitro concanavalin-A (Con-A)-induced lymphocyte proliferation test were carried out to study the effects of dimethylformamide (DMF) on the animal immune organs and its cellular immunotoxicity. Results showed DMF could lower the relative weight of spleen and thymus and decrease significantly reaction value of pedal pad swelling mediated by sheep red blood cell in mice. Exposure to DMF through subcutaneous injection and gastric instillation could cause the decrease of peripheral ANAE-positive lymphocyte in different species of animals. Exposure to DMF at doses of 1/10 and 1/160 LD50 could significantly cause decrease of IL-2 release. Tests in vitro showed DMF with doses of 10-150 mmol/L could inhibit significantly lymphocyte proliferation induced by Con-A. It suggests DMF has effects on cellular immunotoxicity in mice.

[Antitumor effect in vitro and immuno-response in vivo of fructus Mume]

The antitumor action of extracts from Fructus Mume and the main triterpenoid component ursolic acid on HIMeg and HL-60 cells in vitro was tested. The immuno-response in rats was also studied. The result showed that Fructus Mume had inhibiting effect on proliferation of HIMeg and HL-60 cells.

Relationship of glutathione and glutathione-S-transferase to cisplatin sensitivity in human head and neck squamous carcinoma cell lines

Factors controlling glutathione metabolism may govern sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents such as cisplatin. Using a battery of cell lines derived from previously untreated head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, we examined cisplatin resistance relative to (a) glutathione-S-transferase (GST)-pi gene amplification and expression, (b) basal and inducible GST-total and GST-pi enzymatic activity, and (c) cellular levels of reduced glutathione (GSH). Using Southern blot analysis and northern blot hybridization, no relationship between GST-pi gene amplification, mRNA expression and drug resistance could be identified. Despite the capacity of cisplatin to induce GST enzyme activity, the response was variable and unrelated to cisplatin responsiveness. However, an inverse relationship between GSH levels and cisplatin sensitivity was identified. To further clarify these effects, cells were treated with S-allyl cysteine (SAC), a thioallyl derivative isolated from garlic (Allium sativum), which altered cellular GSH in a biphasic manner. Pretreatment with SAC to lower cellular GSH levels followed by exposure to cisplatin significantly enhanced the cytotoxic effects of cisplatin, while SAC alone had no effect on cell growth.

Locality-based control algorithms for reconfigurable optical interconnection networks

Hybrid optoelectronic computing structures are required for providing the information processing capabilities for the next generation of computing and communications systems. Reconfigurable optoelectronic interconnection networks are networks constructed of optical waveguides in which messages are switched or routed by means of optoelectronic devices. For these networks, the dichotomy between the bandwidth of the optical channels that carry messages and the performance of the electronic controllers and decoders that determine the routing and destination of those messages is a significant bottleneck. We introduce a class of routing algorithms for reconfigurable networks that is designed to bridge this gap in optical versus electronic performance. The algorithms are based on a new control paradigm that exploits the locality in multiprocessor communication streams to reduce the control latency inherent in reconfigurable interconnection structures. In addition, we show that this problem maps directly to the problem of page replacement in a virtual-memory hierarchy. Thus our solution is well suited to networks for multiprocessor applications.