Electronic and electrochemical properties of Li-doped carbon nanotube-zeolite complex

The electronic and electrochemical properties of Li-doped carbon nanotube-zeolite complex are studied by first-principles calculations. There are four possible sites for Li to be doped and the reactions are all exothermic. The corresponding energy band structures follow a rigid band picture and there are charge transfers from Li to the nanotube and/or zeolite. The Li capacity of the complex can be reached to 386 mAh g(-1) with only a slight increase in the cell volume, and the complex may be of good cyclic stability during the charge and discharge process. Moreover, a higher voltage of about 4 V can be obtained if the complex is used in an Li-ion battery.

Direct observation of TiO6 octahedron forming titanate nanotube by advanced transmission electron microscopy

The nanostructure of titanate nanotubes known as a one-dimensional catalytic/electric subject is combinatorially characterized using x-ray diffraction (XRD), micro-Raman, photoluminescence (PL) and advanced electron microscopy. The micro-Raman and PL spectra prove the successful synthesis of TiO6 octahedron units in macroscopic scale. Cryo-high-angle annular dark-field (HAADF)-STEM and aberration-corrected (AC) TEM visualize in real-space the TiO6 octahedron unit formed as a TiO2-based tubular structure prepared by the alkaline hydrothermal methods. The chirality and scrolling-up mechanism of the TiO6 octahedron nanosheets in relation to an asymmetrical chemical environment and mechanical tensions are discussed.

Dark adaptation recovery of human rod bipolar cell response kinetics estimated from scotopic b-wave measurements

We recorded ganzfeld scotopic ERGs to examine the responses of human rod bipolar cells in vivo, during dark adaptation recovery following bleaching exposures, as well as during adaptation to steady background lights. In order to be able to record responses at relatively early times in recovery, we utilized a 'criterion response amplitude' protocol in which the test flash strength was adjusted to elicit responses of nearly constant amplitude. In order to provide accurate and unbiased measures of response kinetics, we utilized a curve-fitting procedure to fit a smooth function to the measured responses in the vicinity of the peak, thereby extracting both the time-to-peak and the amplitude of the responses. Following bleaching exposures, the responses exhibited both desensitization and accelerated kinetics. During early post-bleach recovery, the flash sensitivity and time-to-peak varied according to a power-law expression (with an exponent of 6), as found in the presence of steady background light. This light-like phenomenon, however, appeared to be set against the backdrop of a second, more slowly recovering 'pure' desensitization, most clearly evident at late post-bleach times. The post-bleach 'equivalent background intensity' derived from measurements of flash sensitivity faded initially with an S2 slope of approximately 0.24 decades min(-1), and later as a gentle S3 tail. When calculated from kinetics, the results displayed only the S2 slope. While the recovery of rod bipolar cell response kinetics can be described accurately by a declining level of opsin in the rods, the sensitivity of these cells is reduced further than expected by this mechanism alone.

Clinical features of patients with multiple sclerosis from a survey in Shanghai, China

Objective

To describe clinical features of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in Shanghai, China.

Methods

Prevalent patients with MS were identified and investigated by a network of physicians in 11 districts of Shanghai during the period from 1 September 2004 to 31 August 2005. Admission registries of each hospital in the study area were checked systematically for patients with a diagnosis of MS, neuromyelitis optica or other demyelinating disorders. All patients with collected information were evaluated by four senior neurologists according to the McDonald criteria.

Results

There were 249 (146 female and 103 male) patients with a confirmed MS diagnosis, at a female-to-male ratio of 1.4. The mean age at onset of MS was 37.4 years for the 249 patients with MS and, on the prevalence day, 42.7 years. The most frequent location of clinical MS lesions in the central nervous system was the spinal cord (61%), followed by the cerebrum (55%) and optic nerves (41%). Nearly all (96%) of the patients with MS had been examined by magnetic resonance imaging, and 226 (94%) patients of those examined were suggestive of MS. No family history of MS was found in any of the patients. Most (86%) of the patients had no or mild disability on the prevalence day (31 December 2004). Almost all (96%) patients with MS had been treated with corticosteroids.

Conclusion

Clinical features of patients with MS are described based on the information from the largest case series reported among Chinese. Comparisons and discussions are made with findings from the other populations.

Engineering an improved cell cycle-regulatable herpes simplex virus type 1 amplicon vector with enhanced transgene expression in proliferating cells yet attenuated activities in resting cells

We previously generated a herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)-based amplicon vector (denoted pC8-36) in which gene expression from the minimal cyclin A promoter is repressed by preventing the binding of a trans-activating protein, Gal4-NF-YA, to it through selective interaction with the transcriptional repressor protein CDF-1. Because CDF-1 is absent in actively dividing cells, transgene expression conferred by the pC8-36 vector is therefore cell cycle dependent. As gene therapy evolves to become a promising therapeutic modality for many human diseases, there is an increasing need to further improve the kinetics of gene regulation. In the present study, we examined whether the availability of more binding sites for CDF-1 repressor proteins could enhance transgene expression. Using an overlap extension polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, the CDE and CHR elements within the minimum cyclin A promoter were multimerized to contain two, three, and six copies of the designated CDE/CHR sequence. Interestingly, our results demonstrated that six-copy CDE/CHR sequence motifs (pC8-6CC-Luc) conferred an approximately 20-fold increase in the ratio of cell cycle regulation compared with the previous reported construct. Further, the overall transcriptional activities mediated by pC8-6CC-Luc were stronger compared with the native human survivin promoter, which consists of three copies of the CDE element and one copy of the CHR element. pC8-6CC-Luc contained, in essence, only the synthetic six-copy CDE/CHR sequence motif (about 262 bp). In comparison with other native endogenous promoters, which usually contain many other transcription binding sites, pC8-6CC-Luc amplicon vectors should confer better regulated and consistent transgene expression and may be considered a gene delivery vector of choice to target actively proliferating tumor cells.

A population-based survey of multiple sclerosis in Shanghai, China

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a large population-based survey on multiple sclerosis (MS) prevalence in Shanghai, China.

METHODS

We established a network of physicians, mainly neurologists, for identifying prevalent patients with MS and systematically checked inpatient registers at each hospital in the study area for patients with a diagnosis of MS, neuromyelitis optica, or other demyelinating disorders. MS diagnosis in patients was validated by senior neurologists according to the McDonald criteria.

RESULTS

In total, 123 patients with a validated MS diagnosis from the study population, 8.86 million inhabitants with permanent residence in Shanghai, were alive on the prevalence day. The crude MS prevalence rate was 1.39 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (95% CI: 1.16 to 1.66 cases) in the study population in Shanghai. There were 79 female and 44 male patients with MS, a female-to-male ratio of 1.8. Nearly all (96%) of the patients with validated MS had been examined by MRI.

CONCLUSION

Multiple sclerosis prevalence in Shanghai is in line with that reported for other Asian populations.

Phanerozoic evolution of the Inner Mongolia–Daxinganling orogenic belt in North China: constraints from geochronology of ophiolites and associated formations

The Inner Mongolia–Daxinganling Orogenic Belt (IMDOB), located between the North China and South Mongolia Blocks, consists of several ENE–WSW- to NE–SW-trending zones including dismembered ophiolite blocks, metamorphic rocks and granitoids. Although numerous studies have been carried out on this belt, its tectonic evolution has been a subject of controversy, chiefly because of the lack of reliable geochronological data. Based on a synthesis of newly published geochronological data and our unpublished data for the IMDOB, we define two oceanic basins: Ondor Sum and Hegenshan. The former, probably the main one, was initiated during the Ordovician (>467 Ma) period, whereas the latter, representing a back-arc basin, opened on a pre-Permian basement at, or earlier than, Early Permian times (c. 295 Ma). These two oceanic basins were separated by a magmatic arc (Sunid–Baolidao), and were probably closed simultaneously when the final orogenesis of the IMDOB occurred during the Triassic period (240–220 Ma). Importantly, the Triassic timing of the final orogenesis of the IMDOB due north of the North China Craton is essentially coeval with that of the Qinling–Dabie–Su–Lu orogenic belt on the southern margin of the North China Craton. It is inferred that this two-sided subduction–collision scenario in the Triassic may have contributed to the Mesozoic lithospheric thinning event of the North China Craton, although the details are unclear.

Haploinsufficiency of the mSds3 chromatin regulator promotes chromosomal instability and cancer only upon complete neutralization of p53

The mSin3 corepressor complex has been linked to diverse cancer signaling pathways through its capacity to regulate target gene expression via chromatin modification. mSds3, a cell essential gene, is a key component of the mSin3 complex serving to maintain its inherent histone deacetylase activity. mSds3 also serves an essential role in the establishment of pericentric heterochromatin, and genetic ablation of mSds3 results in chromosome missegregation. In contrast, mSin3A nullizygous cells show normal chromosome dynamics and cytogenetic profiles. The integral role of mSds3 in controlling chromosome segregation and mSin3-regulated transcriptional networks prompted efforts to determine the neoplastic impact of loss of one copy of mSds3 or mSin3A. In particular, we assessed whether loss of one copy of mSds3, alone or in combination with p53 mutation, results in aneuploidy and promotes a cancer-prone condition in the mouse. We observe that, in a p53 null background, loss of one mSds3 allele results in accelerated tumor onset and increased tumor burden. Notably, these mSds3(+/-) p53(-/-) tumors exhibit a more complex cytogenetic profile characterized by marked aneuploidy and centromeric associations. The presence of even one copy of p53 is sufficient to suppress the accelerated tumorigenesis in mSds3(+/-) mice, consistent with a key role for p53 in monitoring mitotic fidelity. These observations with Sds3 mutant mice contrast with mSin3A(+/-) p53(-/-) mice, which do not show an accelerated or increased tumor incidence relative to mSin3A(+/+)p53(-/-) controls, correlating with the absence of aneuploidy detected upon mSin3A genetic inactivation. This genetic study establishes that the capacity of mSds3 to cooperate with p53 deficiency in cancer predisposition relates to its specific role in chromosome segregation, rather than its central role in maintaining a functional mSin3A complex.

A general theory of non-equilibrium dynamics of lipid-protein fluid membranes

We present a general and systematic theory of non-equilibrium dynamics of multi-component fluid membranes, in general, and membranes containing transmembrane proteins, in particular. Developed based on a minimal number of principles of statistical physics and designed to be a meso/macroscopic-scale effective description, the theory is formulated in terms of a set of equations of hydrodynamics and linear constitutive relations. As a particular emphasis of the theory, the equations and the constitutive relations address both the thermodynamic and the hydrodynamic consequences of the unconventional material characteristics of lipid-protein membranes and contain proposals as well as predictions which have not yet been made in already existing work on membrane hydrodynamics and which may have experimental relevance. The framework structure of the theory makes possible its applications to a range of non-equilibrium phenomena in a range of membrane systems, as discussions in the paper of a few limit cases demonstrate.

Dynamics of shape fluctuations of quasi-spherical vesicles revisited

In this paper, the dynamics of spontaneous shape fluctuations of a single, giant quasi-spherical vesicle formed from a single lipid species is revisited theoretically. A coherent physical theory for the dynamics is developed based on a number of fundamental principles and considerations, and a systematic formulation of the theory is also established. From the systematic theoretical formulation, an analytical description of the dynamics of shape fluctuations of quasi-spherical vesicles is derived. In particular, in developing the theory we have made a new interpretation of some of the phenomenological constants in a canonical continuum description of fluid lipid-bilayer membranes and shown the consequences of this new interpretation in terms of the characteristics of the dynamics of vesicle shape fluctuations. Moreover, we have used the systematic formulation of our theory as a framework against which we have discussed the previously existing theories and their discrepancies. Finally, we have made a systematic prediction about the system-dependent characteristics of the relaxation dynamics of shape fluctuations of quasi-spherical vesicles with a view of experimental studies of the phenomenon and also discussed, based on our theory, a recently published experimental work on the topic.

Upregulation of small GTPase RhoA in the basilar artery from diabetic (mellitus) rats

The goal of this study was to determine whether RhoA, a small GTPase, might be involved in the development of cerebral pathogenesis in diabetes. Male SD rats (n = 120) were divided into six groups: diabetic for 2, 4, 8 weeks, and an age-matched control group. Diabetes was induced by intravenous injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg). RhoA mRNA expression in basilar artery was measured by competitive RT-PCR. RhoA mRNA level was significantly increased in 4 weeks (184.1 +/- 28.5%, n = 7) and 8 weeks (218.7 +/- 24.5%, n = 7) after STZ injection compared to the age matched control basilar arteries (P < 0.05). Western blot was used to measure the membrane binding RhoA level to represent the activity of RhoA. We found that RhoA activity was strikingly increased in the diabetic basilar artery (n = 10 in each groups) compared to control basilar artery after STZ injection. Our data demonstrated that there was an upregulation of RhoA in the basilar artery of STZ induced diabetic rats, suggesting that RhoA might be involved in the cerebral vascular pathogenesis during diabetes mellitus.

Effect of pH and soybean cultivars on the quantitative analyses of soybean rhizobia populations

Quantitative analyses of fast- and slow-growing soybean rhizobia populations in soils of four different provinces of China (Hubei, Shan Dong, Henan, and Xinjiang) have been carried out using the most probable number technique (MPN). All soils contained fast- (FSR) and slow-growing (SSR) soybean rhizobia. Asiatic and American soybean cultivars grown at acid, neutral and alkaline pH were used as trapping hosts for FSR and SSR strains. The estimated total indigenous soybean-rhizobia populations of the Xinjiang and Shan Dong soil samples greatly varied with the different soybean cultivars used. The soybean cultivar and the pH at which plants were grown also showed clear effects on the FSR/SSR rations isolated from nodules. Results of competition experiments between FSR and SSR strains supported the importance of the soybean cultivar and the pH on the outcome of competition for nodulation between FSR and SSR strains. In general, nodule occupancy by FSRs significantly increased at alkaline pH. Bacterial isolates from soybean cultivar Jing Dou 19 inoculated with Xinjiang soil nodulate cultivars Heinong 33 and Williams very poorly. Plasmid and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) profiles and PCR-RAPD analyses showed that cultivar Jing Dou 19 had trapped a diversity of FSR strains. Most of the isolates from soybean cultivar Heinong 33 inoculated with Xinjiang soil were able to nodulate Heinong 33 and Williams showed very similar, or identical, plasmid, LPS and PCR-RAPD profiles. All the strains isolated from Xinjiang province, regardless of the soybean cultivar used for trapping, showed similar nodulation factor (LCO) profiles as judged by thin layer chromatographic analyses. These results indicate that the existence of soybean rhizobia sub-populations showing marked cultivar specificity, can affect the estimation of total soybean rhizobia populations indigenous to the soil, and can also affect the diversity of soybean rhizobial strains isolated from soybean nodules.

Age-related RhoA expression in blood vessels of rats

Aging is a major risk factor for the development of vascular diseases that lead to stroke and heart failure. Several cellular factors such as cell adhesion, motility, contractile response, and cytokinesis are involved in the aging process. RhoA, a member of the Rho family, plays a primary role in the regulation of these cellular factors. This study aims to investigate whether RhoA is involved in these age-related responses to vascular change. We found that in older rats (19 months ole), RhoA mRNA increased 1.9-fold in the aortic arteries and 2.4-fold in the basilar arteries compared to the younger rats (2 months old). Membrane binding, but not cytosol RhoA, levels were found to significantly increase in the aortic and basilar arteries with age, which suggests that RhoA activity increases in older rats. Staining of RhoA increased markedly with age in both the medial and endothelial layers of the collected aortic and basilar arteries. These results show that RhoA expression and activity in the aortic and basilar arteries increased as a function of age, thereby suggesting that RhoA might be altered in the vascular response change of aged rats.

[Incompatibility among indigenous plasmids of Sinorhizobium fredii strains and its application for plasmid curing]

The indigenous plasmids of S. frediii HN01 and WWG18 were labeled with Tn5-MobsacB. Those plasmids were cured on TY medium containing 10% sucrose to identify its function. The pSymHN01b of HN01 was transferred into WWG18SR and C361SR. The results of plasmid detection, curing and pot plant experiment revealed that the incompatibility was existed between pSym-HN01b and symbiotic plasmid of WWG18SR or the third plasmid of C361SR. But it was compatible with the nonsymbiotic plasmid of WWG18SR and symbiotic plasmid of C361SR. Using plasmid incompatibility, The symbiotic plasmid of WWG18SR and one nonsymbiotic plasmid of C361SR were eliminated successfully.

Sucrose export defective1 encodes a novel protein implicated in chloroplast-to-nucleus signaling

The Sucrose export defective1 (Sxd1) gene of maize was cloned and shown to encode a novel protein conserved between plants and cyanobacteria. The structure of the Sxd1 locus was determined in wild-type plants and two independent sxd1 alleles. Expression analysis demonstrated that the gene was transcribed in all green tissues, with highest levels in maturing leaf blades. In situ hybridization studies revealed high levels of Sxd1 mRNA in bundle sheath cells, with lower levels within the mesophyll. The SXD1 protein was localized to chloroplasts, in both bundle sheath and mesophyll cells. Levels of sucrose, glucose, and fructose were compared between wild-type and sxd1 plants. Mutant plants were fully capable of producing sucrose and accumulated all three sugars at concentrations above those measured in wild-type plants. Despite these increased sugar concentrations, photosynthetic gene expression was not significantly downregulated in affected areas of sxd1 leaf blades. These results are consistent with photosynthate being trapped within anthocyanin-accumulating regions of sxd1 leaves due to plasmodesmal occlusion at the bundle sheath-vascular parenchyma boundary of the minor veins. A model for SXD1 function is proposed in which the protein is involved in a chloroplast-to-nucleus signaling pathway necessary for proper late-stage differentiation of maize bundle sheath cells, including the developmentally regulated modification of plasmodesmata.

[Observation of plasma levels of beta-endorphin in patients with trigeminal neuralgia]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the relationship between plasma levels of beta-endorphin and trigeminal neuralgia.

METHODS

During the attacks of trigeminal neuralgia, beta-endorphin levels of plasma from external jugular, cubital fossa vein blood ipsilateral to the pain and contralateral external jugular vein blood were assessed by sensitive radioimmunoassay in 12 cases, after operations the venous blood from the ipsilateral external jugular vein was sampled again, the external jugular vein blood of 12 normal volunteers was collected as control.

RESULTS

The plasma levels of beta-endorphin in patients with trigeminal neuralgia were significantly lower than that in normal volunteers (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The lowered plasma beta-endorphin levels may be an important factor for the development of pain in patients with trigeminal neuralgia, which may result in pain and neurogenic inflammation that can not be controlled in central nervous system and peripheral nerve terminals.

[Analysis on the sex ratios at birth for deliveries in hospitals in China from 1987 to 1992]

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the sex ratios at birth (SRB) for livebirths in hospitals in China.

METHODS

Data were collected by the birth defects monitoring network. The livebirths with gestation of 28 weeks or over delivered in hospitals of 30 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions all over the country from 1987 to 1992 were analyzed and used for calculating the SRB.

RESULTS

The high male bias in SRB was observed in the data from most areas, and there was an upward trend of SRB, especially in rural areas. The SRB for livebirths in the hospitals of urban areas was normal from 1987 to 1989, and rose to 108.9 in 1992. The SRB for rural areas was high and was 109.9 in 1987, and rose to 111.8 in 1992. The SRB for livebirths given by the mothers under 20 years of age and coming from lower educational background was higher than that for others. The SRB for higher parities was even higher.

CONCLUSION

The SRB in China is high; this is possibly related to sex-preference. Under-reporting of female neonates and "missing females" are not the main causes of the rising SRB.

Altered expression of P(2) receptor mRNAs in the basilar artery in a rat double hemorrhage model

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Extracellular ATP might induce cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage through P(2) receptor. To investigate the roles of P(2) receptor subtypes in vasospasm, we examined the changes in mRNA expression of P(2) receptor subtypes in basilar arteries from double cisternal blood injection rat models.

METHODS

One hundred male Sprague-Dawley rats, each weighing 350 to 400 g, were divided into 2 groups of 50. In the first group (n=50), the autologous arterial blood (0.2 to 0.3 mL) was injected into the cisterna magna on days 0 and 2. The rats were killed on day 3, 5, or 7 (n=10 in each group). In the sham group (n=10), the rats were injected with saline (0.3 mL) instead of blood. Ten rats were killed without blood or saline injection and served as control. The basilar arteries from rats in each group were used for reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction. In another group of 50 rats, the same experiment was conducted, and the basilar arteries were collected for transmission electron microscopic study.

RESULTS

In the subarachnoid hemorrhage groups, transmission electron microscopy showed the reduction in vessel perimeter on days 5 and 7 to be approximately 30% to 40%. The P(2X1) mRNA level was significantly decreased on day 3 and recovered on days 5 and 7. The P(2Y1) mRNA level was transiently increased on day 5, and the P(2Y2) mRNA level was elevated from day 5 to day 7 (P:<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The differential expression of the P(2) receptors indicates that P(2X1) subtype might not play an important role in vasospasm. The upregulation of P(2Y1) and P(2Y2) receptors might enable ATP to produce contraction at low levels of concentration.

[Nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate in Chinese population: analysis of 3766 cases]

A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the variation trend in the incidence and epidemiological characteristics of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate in Chinese population. From 1988 to 1992, data were collected from more than 500 hospital-based units involved in a monitoring program and were analyzed by the National Center for Birth Defects Monitoring. The monitored subjects were the hospitalized births from 28 weeks gestation to a period within 7 days after delivery, which included 3246 408 perinatals and 3766 cases. The total incidence of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate was 11.6/10,000; the total incidence of celft lip alone was 3.8/10,000 and that of cleft lip with cleft palate was 7.8/10,000; no significant variation was noted in the annual incidence from 1988 to 1992. The incidence in males was 13.3/10,000, and 9.5/10,000 in females; there was a significant difference (P < 0.01). Of all the 3766 cases, cleft lip with cleft palate accounted for 67%, unilateral cleft lip 28% and unilateral cleft lip with cleft palate 43%. Left cleft lip and left cleft lip with cleft palate constituted 21% and 29% respectively. The sex-ratio was 1.6:1 for nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate. It could be concluded that the incidence of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate showed no variation trend in China. Although no difference was found between urban and rural areas, the susceptibility to the defect was higher in males than in females. Cleft lip with cleft palate was more common than other types. There was a predominance of unilateral defects, of which most were on the left side.

[Analysis on 2158 neural tube defects diagnosed prenatally by ultrasound examination]

A retrospective survey was made to study the prenatal diagnosis on neural tube defects(NTD) by ultrasound examination from 1990 to 1993 in China. A total of 2158 livebirths and stillbirths affected by NTD with 28 weeks or more of gestation were investigated in 233 hospitals of 28 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions all over the country. The results showed that 61.8% of the NTD were diagnosed prenatally, and 56.5% of the NTD were diagnosed by ultrasound examination. The ratios of anencephaly, myelocele and meningocele diagnosed prenatally by ultrasound examination were 66.7%, 62.5% and 52.5% respectively. Thoracic(46.4%) and lumbar (43.4%) spina bifida were diagnosed more frequently than cervical(35.5%) and sacral(31.7%) spina bifida. The ratios of prenatal diagnosis on NTD by ultrasound examination in provincial, municipal, county, and factory hospital units were 55.7%, 59.4%, 49.0% and 57.2% respectively. The ratios of prenatal diagnosis of NTD by ultrasound examination from 1990 to 1993 were 53.5%, 55.8%, 60.7% and 54.7% respectively. There was an increase in the prenatal diagnosis of NTD by ultrasound examination from 1990 to 1993. The ratios of prenatal diagnosis of NTD in county hospitals by ultrasound examination were relatively low. Anencephaly, myelocele and meningocele were more frequently diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound examination.

[Survey of the patients with oblique facial clefts in China]

OBJECTIVE

A descriptive study was conducted to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of oblique facial clefts in China.

METHODS

From 1987 to 1992, data were collected from more than 500 hospital-based units involved in a monitoring program and were analyzed by the National Center for Birth Defects Monitoring. The monitored subjects were the hospitalized births from 28 weeks gestation to a period within 7 days after delivery.

RESULTS

There were 71 cases of oblique facial clefts in 4,489,692 births with an incidence of 0.16/10(4) in China. The incidence of oblique facial clefts in the rural and urban areas were 0.19/10(4) and 0.14/10(4) respectively, 0.18/10(4) in males and 0.12/10(4) in females. No significant differences were found. The unilateral oblique facial clefts were counted for 80%, and bilateral cases 20%. The incidence of unilateral oblique facial clefts in males is higher than that in females. The perinatal mortality was as high as 51%. There are 76% cases with associated abnormalities, most of which involved the maxillofacial region. The most common associated abnormality is cleft lip with cleft palate.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of oblique facial clefts in China is the same as those in other countries. There is an unilateral predominance in this defect, especially in males. The perinatal mortality of this defect is high.

Three-dimensional confinement in the conduction band structure of InP

Strong quantum confinement in InP is observed to significantly reduce the separation between the direct and indirect conduction band states. The effects of three-dimensional confinement are investigated by tailoring the initial separation between conduction band states using quantum dots (QDs) of different sizes and hydrostatic pressure. Analyses of the QD emission spectra show that the X(1c) states are lowest in energy at pressures of approximately 6 GPa, much lower than in the bulk. The transition to the X(1c) states can be explained by either a sequence of gamma-L and L-X crossings, or by the crossover between strongly coupled gamma and X states.

Plasma and vessel wall lipoprotein lipase have different roles in atherosclerosis

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is a key enzyme in lipoprotein metabolism, and has been hypothesized to exert either pro- or anti-atherogenic effects, depending on its localization. Decreased plasma LPL activity is associated with the high triglyceride (TG);-low HDL phenotype that is often observed in patients with premature vascular disease. In contrast, in the vessel wall, decreased LPL may be associated with less lipoprotein retention due to many potential mechanisms and, therefore, decreased foam cell formation. To directly assess this hypothesis, we have distinguished between the effects of variations in plasma and/or vessel wall LPL on atherosclerosis susceptibility in apoE-deficient mice. Reduced LPL in both plasma and vessel wall (LPL(+/-)E(-/-)) was associated with increased TG and increased total cholesterol (TC) compared with LPL(+/+)E(-/-) sibs. However despite their dyslipidemia, LPL(+/-)E(-/-) mice had significantly reduced lesion areas compared to the LPL(+/+)E(-/-) mice. Thus, decreased vessel wall LPL was associated with decreased lesion formation even in the presence of reduced plasma LPL activity. In contrast, transgenic mice with increased plasma LPL but with no increase in LPL expression in macrophages, and thus the vessel wall, had decreased TG and TC and significantly decreased lesion areas compared with LPL(+/+)E(-/-) mice. This demonstrates that increased plasma LPL activity alone, in the absence of an increase in vessel wall LPL, is associated with reduced susceptibility to atherosclerosis. Taken together, these results provide in vivo evidence that the contribution of LPL to atherogenesis is significantly influenced by the balance between vessel wall protein (pro-atherogenic) and plasma activity (anti-atherogenic).

Phenotypic correction of feline lipoprotein lipase deficiency by adenoviral gene transfer

Previous studies have revealed that adenovirus-mediated ectopic liver expression of human LPL (huLPL) can efficiently mediate plasma triacylglycerol (TG) catabolism in mice despite its native expression in adipose and muscle tissue. We aimed to explore the feasibility of liver-directed gene transfer and enzyme replacement for human LPL deficiency in a larger, naturally occurring feline animal model of complete LPL deficiency that is remarkably similar in phenotype to the human disorder. A cohort of LPL-deficient (LPL -/-) cats was given an intravenous injection of 8 x 10(9) PFU/kg of a CMV promoter/enhancer-driven, E1/E3-deleted adenoviral (Ad) vector containing a 1.36-kb huLPL cDNA (Ad-LPL) or reporter alkaline phosphatase gene (Ad-AP). After Ad-LPL administration, active, heparin-releasable huLPL was readily detected along with a 10-fold reduction in plasma TGs, disappearance of plasma TG-rich lipoproteins up to day 14, and enhanced clearance of an excess intravenous fat load on day 9. However, antibody against the huLPL protein was detected on day 14 in cats receiving Ad-LPL and adenovirus-specific neutralizing antibody was present 7 days after gene transfer in both cat cohorts. Tissue-specific expression of the huLPL transgene relative to controls was confirmed by RT-PCR. While huLPL expression was evident in the liver, other tissues including spleen and lung expressed huLPL message, in direct correlation with histological evidence of increased Oil red O (ORO)-positive neutral lipid influx. In contrast, intravenous LPL enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) led to rapid disappearance of 9000 mU/kg of active bovine LPL enzyme from the circulation, with t1/2 occurring at <10 min in two LPL-/- cats. Heparin injection 1 hr later released <10% of the original bovine LPL, further indicating its rapid systemic clearance, inactivation, or degradation as well as its ineffectiveness as a viable therapeutic alternative for complete LPL deficiency. Although LPL gene transfer and expression via this first-generation Ad vector was limited by the immune response against both the human LPL protein and adenovirus our results clearly provide a key advance supporting further development of LPL gene therapy as a viable therapeutic option for clinical LPL deficiency.

Activation of nuclear factor kappa B and cytokine imbalance in experimental alcoholic liver disease in the rat

Inflammatory stimuli and lipid peroxidation activate nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) and upregulate proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. The present study evaluated the relationship between pathological liver injury, endotoxemia, lipid peroxidation, and NF-kappaB activation and imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Rats (5 per group) were fed ethanol and a diet containing saturated fat, palm oil, corn oil, or fish oil by intragastric infusion. Dextrose isocalorically replaced ethanol in control rats. Pathological analysis was performed and measurements of endotoxin were taken, lipid peroxidation, NF-kappaB, and messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNFalpha], interleukin-1 beta [IL-1beta], interferon-gamma, [IFN-gamma], and IL-12), C-C chemokines (regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted [RANTES], monocyte chemotactic protein [MCP]-1, macrophage inflammatory protein [MIP]-1alpha), C-X-C chemokines (cytokine induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC), MIP-2, IP-10, and epithelial neutrophil activating protein [ENA]-78), and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, IL-4, and IL-13). Activation of NF-kappaB and increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines C-C and C-X-C chemokines was seen in the rats exhibiting necroinflammatory injury (fish oil-ethanol [FE] and corn oil-ethanol[CE]). These groups also had the highest levels of endotoxin and lipid peroxidation. Levels of IL-10 and IL-4 mRNA were lower in the group exhibiting inflammatory liver injury. Thus, activation of NF-kappaB occurs in the presence of proinflammatory stimuli and results in increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. The Kupffer cell is probably the major cell type showing activation of NF-kappaB although the contribution of endothelial cells and hepatocytes cannot be excluded. Downregulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines may additionally exacerbate liver injury.

Activation of nuclear factor kappa B and cytokine imbalance in experimental alcoholic liver disease in the rat

Inflammatory stimuli and lipid peroxidation activate nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) and upregulate proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. The present study evaluated the relationship between pathological liver injury, endotoxemia, lipid peroxidation, and NF-kappaB activation and imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Rats (5 per group) were fed ethanol and a diet containing saturated fat, palm oil, corn oil, or fish oil by intragastric infusion. Dextrose isocalorically replaced ethanol in control rats. Pathological analysis was performed and measurements of endotoxin were taken, lipid peroxidation, NF-kappaB, and messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNFalpha], interleukin-1 beta [IL-1beta], interferon-gamma, [IFN-gamma], and IL-12), C-C chemokines (regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted [RANTES], monocyte chemotactic protein [MCP]-1, macrophage inflammatory protein [MIP]-1alpha), C-X-C chemokines (cytokine induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC), MIP-2, IP-10, and epithelial neutrophil activating protein [ENA]-78), and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, IL-4, and IL-13). Activation of NF-kappaB and increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines C-C and C-X-C chemokines was seen in the rats exhibiting necroinflammatory injury (fish oil-ethanol [FE] and corn oil-ethanol[CE]). These groups also had the highest levels of endotoxin and lipid peroxidation. Levels of IL-10 and IL-4 mRNA were lower in the group exhibiting inflammatory liver injury. Thus, activation of NF-kappaB occurs in the presence of proinflammatory stimuli and results in increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. The Kupffer cell is probably the major cell type showing activation of NF-kappaB although the contribution of endothelial cells and hepatocytes cannot be excluded. Downregulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines may additionally exacerbate liver injury.

Off-lattice model for the phase behavior of lipid-cholesterol bilayers

Lipid bilayers exhibit a phase behavior that involves two distinct, but coupled, order-disorder processes, one in terms of lipid-chain crystalline packing (translational degrees of freedom) and the other in terms of lipid-chain conformational ordering (internal degrees of freedom). Experiments and previous approximate theories have suggested that cholesterol incorporated into lipid bilayers has different microscopic effects on lipid-chain packing and conformations and that cholesterol thereby leads to decoupling of the two ordering processes, manifested by a special equilibrium phase, "liquid-ordered phase," where bilayers are liquid (with translational disorder) but lipid chains are conformationally ordered. We present in this paper a microscopic model that describes this decoupling phenomena and which yields a phase diagram consistent with experimental observations. The model is an off-lattice model based on a two-dimensional random triangulation algorithm and represents lipid and cholesterol molecules by hard-core particles with internal (spin-type) degrees of freedom that have nearest-neighbor interactions. The phase equilibria described by the model, specifically in terms of phase diagrams and structure factors characterizing different phases, are calculated by using several Monte Carlo simulation techniques, including histogram and thermodynamic reweighting techniques, finite-size scaling as well as non-Boltzmann sampling techniques (in order to overcome severe hysteresis effects associated with strongly first-order phase transitions). The results provide a consistent interpretation of the various phases of phospholipid-cholesterol binary mixtures based on the microscopic dual action of cholesterol on the lipid-chain degrees of freedom. In particular, a distinct small-scale structure of the liquid-ordered phase has been identified and characterized. The generic nature of the model proposed holds a promise for a unifying description for a whole series of different lipid-sterol mixtures.

[Nested polymerase chain reaction in detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA in bioptic tissue from patients with endobronchial tuberculosis]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the nested polymerase chain reaction (NPCR) technique in diagnosing endobronchial tuberculosis.

METHODS

NPCR method was used to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA in bioptic tissue from 67 patients with endobronchial tuberculosis, and the results were compared with pathologic examination, brushing smear, sputum smear and culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis after bronchoscopy. The controls were 43 patients with lung cancer.

RESULTS

The positive rates of detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis were 13%, 19%, 22%, 15% and 76% respectively by pathologic examination, brushing smear, sputum smear, culture after bronchoscopy and NPCR methods. Significant differences were found between NPCR and the other 4 methods (all Ps < 0.01). No positive result for Mycobacterium tuberculosis was found in 43 controls by NPCR.

CONCLUSIONS

NPCR is a useful method for diagnosing patients with endobronchial tuberculosis, especially for those with normal demonstration in X-ray chest film, negative sputum and nonspecific pathologic changes in endobronchial biopsy.

NO(2) photometer Based on Solid-State Light Sources

A sensitive NO(2) analyzer, that uses a commercial LED emitting near 450 nm, has been developed. The prototype can measure NO(2) concentrations as low as 1 part in 10(9) as defined by the Environmental Protection Agency. The response time of the system is 1 min. In addition, a demonstration of the use of external-cavity frequency-doubled diode laser radiation to accomplish similar measurements is reported. However, because of low nonlinear optical conversion efficiencies, comparable detection limits were not possible. Nonetheless, frequency-doubled diode-laser wavelengths have the potential to reach farther into the UV than LED technology, allowing the detection and measurement of numerous other gaseous species of interest.

Enhanced lipolysis in normal mice expressing liver-derived human lipoprotein lipase after adenoviral gene transfer

The authors previously demonstrated that the gene for human lipoprotein lipase (hLPL), an enzyme crucial to the breakdown of triglyceride (TG)-rich dietary fats, corrects the hypertriglyceridemia in lipoprotein lipase (LPL)-deficient knockout mice after adenoviral (Ad)-mediated LPL gene transfer. They have now extended their observations to primary cultured mouse hepatocytes and intact animals of normal LPL genotype, and confirm effective overexpression of hLPL from the liver and a sustained TG-lowering effect in plasma over 60 days. A typical first-generation Ad-vector containing the hLPL cDNA (Ad-LPL) resulted in efficient gene transfer into isolated mouse hepatocytes and significant de novo synthesis of active hLPL protein. In this experiment, 5 x 10(9) viral particles (5 x 10(7) pfu) of either Ad-LPL or an Ad-LacZ control vector were injected into CD1 mice of normal LPL genotype. Hepatic expression of hLPL was confirmed at Day 7 postinjection by in situ hybridization and direct measurement of LPL in the liver. This correlated with a total LPL activity (human + mouse) in postheparin plasma (PHP) of 1020.5 standard deviation [SD] 93.6 mU/mL, versus 479.5 SD 129.7 mU/mL (p < 0.001) in Ad-LacZ controls at Day 7. Respective hLPL activity comprised 49% of the total. Significantly raised levels of hLPL protein mass persisted until Day 60. Corresponding plasma TGs decreased to 39% of Ad-LacZ controls at Day 7, and, despite absent hLPL activity from Day 28 on, serum TGs remained significantly lower in Ad-LPL mice up to Day 42. Fast phase liquid chromatography analysis showed a dramatic depletion in TG-rich lipoproteins, mainly very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and chylomicron fractions. Therefore, Ad-mediated overexpression of hepatic LPL was found to significantly decrease plasma TG levels unrelated to primary LPL deficiency.

[Study of the liver changes by B-ultrasound and histopathology in severe pregnancy induced hypertension]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the liver changes in severe pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) on B-ultrasound and pathological examination and to detect a possible connection with fatty liver of pregnancy.

METHODS

From Jan 1992 to Nov 1997, 90 pregnant women in the third trimester were enrolled for study. They were divided into 3 groups: the pregnant women with liver diseases; mild and moderate PIH; and severe PIH (30 cases each). Ultrasonography of the liver was performed on each patient after admission. 15 percutaneous liver biopsies were performed under the guidance of real-time ultrasound scans on 15 severe PIH patients with or without liver dysfunction. Tissues were stained with specific lipid staining (Sudan) and with hematoxylin-eosin. All specimens were analyzed by light microscopy.

RESULTS

Fatty liver was observed by B-ultrasound in 2 and 12 cases of the pregnancy with liver diseases group and the severe PIH group, respectively. 14 of the 15 liver biopsy specimens showed fatty infiltration of varying degrees. however, only 8 of the 14 cases were detected fatty liver by B-ultrasound.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that liver involvement in severe PIH is a pathological change. Severe PIH and acute fatty liver in pregnancy could have related pathogenesis components of the same.

Clinical study on reservation of part of stomach for patients with cardiac cancer of the gastric stump

OBJECTIVE

To explore the clinical significance of the resection of the cardia and fundus for patients suffering from cardiac cancer of the gastric stump.

METHODS

Twenty-five patients suffering from cardiac cancer with a mean period of 13 years and 3 months after subtotal gastrectomy were included in this study. Their average age was 59.1 years. Among them, 19 patients got exploratory thoracotomy.

RESULTS

Of the 19 patients, 1 was inoperable, 1 underwent resection of the gastric stump and esophagojejunostomy because of his huge tumor, 17 underwent resection of the cardia and fundus of the gastric stump and accepted gastroesophagostomy (9 were subjected to tunnel gastroesophagostomy and 8 to end-to-end esophagogastrostomy). The largest tumor was 5 cm x 4 cm in size. Except for a death resulting from intestinal obstruction following operation, the others attained a good recovery. The longest period of survival was 4.5 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Resection of the cardia and fundus and gastroesophagostomy can be carried out for patients suffering from cardiac cancer of the gastric stump. The method is in line with the principle of the conservation surgery.

The comparative trial of TCu 380A IUD and progesterone-releasing vaginal ring used by lactating women

The objective of this paper was to compare the efficacy, acceptability, safety, and bleeding pattern of TCu 380A intrauterine device (IUD) and progesterone-releasing vaginal ring used by breastfeeding women. The study population included 97 breastfeeding women using IUD and 100 women using vaginal ring. Of the IUD users, no insertion failure, perforation, or accidental pregnancy occurred in 12 months. There was one IUD expulsion. There were no discontinuations of IUD due to medical reasons other than expulsion. The total discontinuation rate was 2.3%. In the ring group, no accidental pregnancy occurred. The major reasons for discontinuation were ring use-related problems and vaginal problems. The total discontinuation rate was 65.4% within 1 year. The frequency of any one complaint among the ring users was higher than that among the IUD users. There were no differences in the proportion of women having no sexual activity and in the weight of their babies between the two groups. Compared with the IUD users, the median number of bleeding/spotting (B/S) episodes and B/S days of the vaginal ring users were fewer; consequently, the mean length of B/S-free interval was longer in all four reference periods; the mean length of B/S episode and segment were the same; the occurrence of amenorrhea was more frequent; in contrast, the proportions of normal bleeding patterns were fewer. The frequencies of prolonged bleeding, frequent bleeding, and infrequent bleeding patterns did not differ between the two groups. The percentage of irregular bleeding was fewer only in the first two reference periods. It is concluded that the TCu 380A IUD and progesterone-releasing vaginal ring used by breastfeeding women are safe and effective. The higher discontinuation rate of the ring users was mainly because of use-related problems. Breastfeeding women with TCu 380A IUD had better tolerance and acceptability. The TCu 380A IUD does not, but the progesterone-releasing vaginal ring does, suppress the recovery of ovarian function. However, once return of menstruation occurred, there were no differences in bleeding patterns between the two contraceptive methods.

Dietary saturated fatty acids down-regulate cyclooxygenase-2 and tumor necrosis factor alfa and reverse fibrosis in alcohol-induced liver disease in the rat

We investigated the potential of dietary saturated fatty acids to decrease endotoxemia and suppress expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (Cox-2) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in established alcohol-induced liver injury. Six groups (five rats/group) of male Wistar rats were studied. Rats in group 1 were fed a fish oil-ethanol diet for 6 weeks. Rats in groups 2, 3, and 4 were fed fish oil and ethanol for 6 weeks. Ethanol administration was stopped at this time, and the rats were switched to isocaloric diets containing dextrose with fish oil (group 2), palm oil (group 3), or medium-chain triglycerides (group 4) as the source of fat for an additional 2 weeks. Rats in groups 5 and 6 were fed fish oil-ethanol and fish oil-dextrose, respectively, for 8 weeks. Liver samples were analyzed for histopathology, lipid peroxidation, and levels of messenger RNA (mRNA) for Cox-2 and TNF-alpha. Concentrations of endotoxin were determined in plasma. The most severe inflammation and fibrosis were detected in groups 1 and 5, as were the highest levels of endotoxin, lipid peroxidation, and mRNA for Cox-2 and TNF-alpha. After ethanol was discontinued, there was minimal histological improvement in group 2 but near normalization of the histology, including regression of fibrosis, in groups 3 and 4. Histological improvement was associated with decreased levels of endotoxin, lipid peroxidation, and reduced expression of Cox-2 and TNF-alpha. The data indicate that a diet enriched in saturated fatty acids (groups 3 and 4) effectively reverses alcohol-induced liver injury, including fibrosis. The therapeutic effects of saturated fatty acids may be explained, at least in part, by reduced endotoxemia and lipid peroxidation, which in turn result in decreased levels of TNF-alpha and Cox-2.

Ethnic variation and in vivo effects of the -93t-->g promoter variant in the lipoprotein lipase gene

Recently, a (t-->g) transition at nucleotide -93 in the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene promoter has been observed in Caucasians. Here, we have compared the frequency of the -93g carriers in three distinct populations (Caucasians, South African Blacks, and Chinese). The carrier frequency in the Caucasian population was 1.7% (4/232), which was in contrast to the South African Black population, which had a frequency for this allele of 76.4% (123/161) of the individuals tested. This transition was not observed in the Chinese population under study. Near complete linkage disequilibrium between the -93g and the previously described D9N mutation was observed in the Caucasian population but not in South African Blacks. To further assess the ancestral origins of these DNA changes, DNA haplotyping using a CA repeat 5' to these substitutions was performed. The -93t allele was associated with only a few specific dinucleotide repeat sizes. In contrast, the -93g allele occurred on chromosomes with many different repeat lengths. The broad distribution of repeats on -93g carrying chromosomes, their high frequency in the South African Black population, and the conservation of the -93g allele among different species may suggest that the -93g allele is the ancestral allele on which a transition to t and the D9N mutations arose. The very high frequency of the -93g allele distinct from the N9 allele in a cohort of Black South Africans allowed us to specifically assess the phenotypic effects of the -93g allele on lipids. Individuals homozygous for the g allele at -93 showed mildly decreased triglycerides compared with individuals homozygous for the t allele (1.14 +/- 0.66 mmol/L versus 0.82 +/- 0.3; P = .04). Thus, the -93g allele in this cohort is associated with low plasma triglyceride levels.

Correction of hypertriglyceridemia and impaired fat tolerance in lipoprotein lipase-deficient mice by adenovirus-mediated expression of human lipoprotein lipase

Humans homozygous or heterozygous for mutations in the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene demonstrate significant disturbances in plasma lipoproteins, including raised triglyceride (TG) and reduced HDL cholesterol levels. In this study we explored the feasibility of adenovirus-mediated gene replacement therapy for LPL deficiency. A total of 5 x 10(9) plaque-forming units (pfu) of an E1/E3-deleted adenovirus expressing either human LPL (Ad-LPL) or the bacterial beta-galactosidase gene (Ad-LacZ) as a control were administered to mice heterozygous for targeted disruption in the LPL gene (n = 57). Peak expression of total postheparin plasma LPL activity was observed at day 7 in Ad-LPL mice versus Ad-LacZ controls (834 +/- 133 vs 313 +/- 89 mU/mL, P < .01), and correlated with human-specific LPL activity (522 +/- 219 mU/mL) and mass (9214 +/- 782 ng/mL), a change that was significant to 14 and 42 days, respectively. At day 7, plasma TGs were significantly reduced relative to Ad-LacZ mice (0.17 +/- 0.07 vs 1.90 +/- 0.89 mmol/L, P < .01) but returned to endogenous levels by day 42. Ectopic liver expression of human LPL was confirmed by in situ hybridization analysis and from raised LPL activity and mass in liver homogenates. Analysis of plasma lipoprotein composition revealed a marked decrease in VLDL-derived TGs. Severely impaired oral and intravenous fat-load tolerance in LPL-deficient mice was subsequently corrected after Ad-LPL administration and closely paralleled that observed in wild-type mice. These findings suggest that liver-targeted adenovirus-mediated LPL gene transfer offers an effective means for transient correction of altered lipoprotein metabolism and impaired fat tolerance due to LPL deficiency.

Relationship between lipoprotein lipase and high density lipoprotein cholesterol in mice: modulation by cholesteryl ester transfer protein and dietary status

Plasma lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity correlates with high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels in humans. However, in several mouse models created either through transgenesis or targeted inactivation of LPL, no significant changes in HDL cholesterol values have been evident. One possible explanation for this species difference could be the absence of plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity in mice. To explore this possibility and further investigate interactions between LPL and CETP modulating HDL cholesterol levels in vivo, we examined the relationship between LPL activity and HDL levels in mice expressing the simian CETP transgene, compared with littermates not carrying the CETP gene. On a chow diet, increasing LPL activity was associated with a trend towards increased HDL levels (51 +/- 29 vs. 31 +/- 4 mg/dL highest vs. lowest tertiles of LPL activity, P = 0.07) in mice expressing CETP, while no such effects were seen in the absence of CETP (65 +/- 12 vs. 61 +/- 15 mg/ dL). Furthermore, in the presence of CETP, a significant positive correlation between LPL activity and HDL cholesterol was evident (r = 0.15, P = 0.006), while in the absence of CETP no such correlation was detected (r = 0.15, P = 0.36), highlighting the interactions between LPL and CETP in vivo. When mice were challenged with a high fat, high carbohydrate diet, strong correlations between LPL activity and HDL cholesterol were seen in both the presence (r = 0.45, P = 0.03) and absence (r = 0.73, P < 0.001) of CETP. Therefore, under altered metabolic contexts, such as those induced by dietary challenge, the relation between LPL activity and HDL cholesterol may also become evident. Here we have shown that both genetic and environmental factors may modulate the association between LPL activity and HDL cholesterol, and provide explanations for the absence of any changes in HDL values in mice either transgenic or with targeted disruption of the LPL gene.

[Epidemiological studies on 321 children with congenital diaphragmatic hernia in China]

Perinatal babies delivered in hospitals with gestation of 28 weeks to seven days after birth were monitored by National Birth Defects Monitoring Network from September 1986 to December 1993 to study the prevalence of congenital diaphragmatic hernia in China and the risk factors contributing to their prognosis. Results showed that 321 cases of congenital diaphragmatic hernia in 4,777,220 perinatal babies were detected with an incidence of 0.7 per ten thousand, a case-fatality ratio of 84.1 percent and, fetal death and stillbirth accounting for 28.1 percent of the total perinatal deaths. There was significant difference in birth weight between perinatal deaths and survival perinatal. And, 54.4 percent of the cases complicated with other congenital deformities and severe deformities in heart, lung and central nervous system accounted for the most proportion of them, which were the most important factors contributing to death. A case-fatality ratio of cases with single malformation was 74.7 percent and that of those with multiple malformation 92 percent, with a statistically significant difference. The cases diagnosed antenatally accounted for 11.3 percent of the total, and multiple malformation accounted for a large proportion of them. It indicated that proportion of antenatal diagnosis for congenital diaphragmatic hernia deformity was lower, and their perinatal case-fatality ratio was higher and their prognosis worse.

[Subperiosteal implantation of block coral on the rabbit cavarial bone]

The aim of this study was to evaluate osteoconductive effect of coral implanted on surface of the cortical bone. The 2 mm thick block corals were implanted on the surface of one side of rabbits cavarial bone, the another side were used as blank control. The specimen was examined by light microscopy, histometry and scanning electron microscopy at 2, 4, 8, 12 weeks after operation respectively. The results show that the new bone growth into the pore of the coral at 2 weeks after implantation. The coral was progressively absorbed and replaced by new bone. Up to 12 weeks, most of the coral was absorbed and newly formed bone had been remodeled. The reconstructed height of new bone in coral group was significantly higher than that of blank control and lower than the thickness of block coral. The study demonstrated good osteoconductive property of coral implanted on surface of cortical bone.

Cholesterol supplementation prevents necrosis and inflammation but enhances fibrosis in alcoholic liver disease in the rat

Based on studies that show a role for the low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-receptor in arachidonic acid delivery and eicosanoid synthesis in macrophages, the present study investigated the effect of cholesterol supplementation on pathological changes and thromboxane (TX) synthesis in alcoholic liver injury. Male Wistar rats were intragastrically fed ethanol with either corn oil or fish oil for 1 month. Control rats received isocaloric amounts of dextrose instead of ethanol. An additional group of rats fed either ethanol or dextrose with fish oil or corn oil were supplemented with 1% cholesterol. At the time of killing, all rats had the following evaluated: liver histopathology, lipid peroxidation, liver and plasma thromboxane levels, plasma endotoxin and messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of LDL-receptor, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), cyclooxygenase (Cox)-1 and -2, and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta). Rats fed ethanol with either fish oil or corn oil developed fatty liver, necrosis, inflammation, and central vein collagen deposition. Cholesterol supplementation enhanced the degree of fibrosis but prevented necrosis and inflammation. These alterations in pathological changes by cholesterol were accompanied by absent TNF-alpha and Cox-2 mRNAs, decreased thromboxane levels, decreased lipid peroxidation, and increased TGF-beta mRNA. Cholesterol enrichment of the diet thus decreases proinflammatory components, but enhances fibrosis in ethanol-fed rats.

[Brain dialysis--a new technique for determining the release of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides]

Brain dialysis, also called microdialysis, is a new technique based on the push-pull cannula. It can be used for continuously perfusing and collecting perfusate of certain brain areas in freely moving animals. Coupled with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and radioimmunoassay (RIA), brain dialysis is allowed to determine the extracellular changes of many neurotransmitters in the brain, such as acetylcholine, noradrenaline, dopamine, 5-HT and their metabolites, free amino acids, small peptides, phosphoethanolamine, vitamins, various ions and so on.

[Experimental study of coral implantation in repair of skull bone defect in rabbit: histomorphometry of bone]

In order to evaluate coral as a bone graft substitute in repair of bone defect, particulates of coral were implanted into skull bone defect of rabbit, 1.5 cm in diameter. Hydroxyapatite and blank were taken as controls. The rabbits were sacrificed at the second, fourth, eighth and twelveth weeks after the operation. The specimens were taken and performed histological examination and histomorphometry observation. Results were as follows: at the second week many multinucleus giant cells infiltrated. As time elapsed, the coral were progressively degenerated and new bone was formed to fill the defect. Up to the twelveth week, the coral degenerated completely and new bone formed in the center of the defect. Percentage of new bone was in defect was 36.9%. Compared with the controls, there were significant differences (P < 0.01). It was suggested that coral had good osteoconductility. Howevel, coral underwent rapid degeneration, it might result in inconplete repair of bone defect.

Enhanced cyclooxygenase-2 gene expression in alcoholic liver disease in the rat

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Inflammatory stimuli and lipid peroxidation up-regulate cyclooxygenase (COX)-2. This study evaluated the relationship between inflammatory mediators, COX expression, and pathological changes in experimental alcoholic liver disease.

METHODS

Rats (5 per group) were fed ethanol and a diet containing saturated fat, corn oil, or fish oil by intragastric infusion. Dextrose isocalorically replaced ethanol in controls. In the first set of experiments, whole livers were analyzed. In the second set of experiments, Kupffer cells, endothelial cells, and hepatocytes were isolated from rats in each group. Pathological analyses and measurements of lipid peroxidation, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, COX-1 and COX-2 messenger RNA (mRNA), endotoxin, and liver and plasma thromboxane were performed.

RESULTS

Increased expression of COX-2 mRNA was detected in the livers of rats showing necroinflammatory changes. The Kupffer cell was the cell primarily responsible for the increase in COX-2 mRNA level. Increased expression of COX-2 was associated with increased levels of endotoxin, TNF-alpha mRNA, lipid peroxidation, and synthesis of thromboxane. COX-1 mRNA was decreased in Kupffer cells in rats with the most severe liver injury.

CONCLUSIONS

Up-regulation of COX-2 in alcoholic liver injury occurred in the presence of proinflammatory stimuli and resulted in increased synthesis of inflammatory and vasoactive eicosanoids. Down-regulation of COX-1 may result in decreased synthesis of cytoprotective eicosanoids and additionally exacerbate liver injury.

Mechanisms of positive inotropic action of flosequinan, hydralazine, and milrinone on mammalian myocardium

Flosequinan is an arterial and venous dilator that also has a positive inotropic effect at relatively higher doses. The purpose of this study was to determine the mechanism of this positive inotropic effect in ferret papillary muscles loaded with the Ca2+ indicator, aequorin. Over the range of doses from 10(-6) to 10(-3) M, flosequinan produced a 61 +/- 9% increase in peak tension that was accompanied by a corresponding increase in [Ca2+]i. This positive inotropic effect was not selectively blocked by addition to the perfusate of procaine 0.6 microM, tetrodotoxin 10(-6) M or by verapamil, 5 x 10(-8) M. In contrast, the positive inotropic effect of flosequinan, but not milrinone or hydralazine, was potentiated by prior addition of ouabain 3 nM to enhance intracellular Ca2+ via reduction of the Na+/Ca2+ exchange. Moreover, antagonists of Na+/Ca2+ exchange, including cadmium 10 microM, amiloride 600 microM and choline substitution for 1/3 Na+ in the perfusate, blocked the response to flosequinan but not hydralazine or milrinone. These results indicate that flosequinan produces a positive inotropic effect by reduction of Na+/Ca2+ exchange in mammalian myocardium. Moreover, flosequinan has the potential to interact synergistically with other positive inotropic agents such as digoxin that affect Na+/Ca2+ exchange by direct or indirect actions.

Acute and chronic cocaine exposure can produce myocardial ischemia and infarction in Yucatan swine

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the acute and chronic administration of cocaine could induce myocardial infarction. Twenty-five minipigs were studied before and 4 months after balloon angioplasty of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and balloon denudation of the left circumflex artery (LCx). Minipigs received cocaine in the initial and in the 4-month study (0.1, 0.5, and 3 mg/kg i.v.). Minipigs were randomized to group I (high-cholesterol diet + daily cocaine; 500 mg i.m.; n = 8), group II (high-cholesterol diet + no i.v. cocaine; n = 5), group III (chow diet + daily cocaine; 500 mg i.m.; n = 6), group IV (chow diet + no i.v. or i.m. cocaine; n = 6). In vivo, coronary flow significantly decreased and vascular resistance significantly increased after the administration of cocaine. Histamine significantly decreased the luminal diameters (LAD and LCx) in groups I, II and III. There were a total of five acute and 16 chronic infarctions among the three groups that received either short- or long-term cocaine; however, no infarct occurred in group IV. The combination of daily cocaine abuse with a cholesterol-rich diet enhanced coronary vasoreactivity in vivo and in vitro. We conclude that long-term or sporadic cocaine abuse can induce myocardial infarction.

Efficient adenovirus-mediated ectopic gene expression of human lipoprotein lipase in human hepatic (HepG2) cells

Gene therapy to deliver and express a corrective lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene may improve the lipid profile and reduce the morbidity and potential atherogenic risk from hypertriglyceridemia and dyslipoproteinemia in patients with complete or partial LPL deficiency. We have used an E1-/E3- adenoviral vector, with an RSV-driven human LPL cDNA expression cassette (Ad-RSV-LPL), to achieve high ectopic LPL gene expression in the human hepatoma cell line HepG2, an accepted hepatocellular model of lipoprotein metabolism. Ad-RSV-LPL transduction of HepG2 cells with a multiplicity of infection (moi) between 12.5 and 100 yielded dose-dependent increments in LPL mass and activity. Peak levels of LPL protein of 2,032.1 +/- 274.5 ng/10(5) cells per ml (mol 100) correlated with increased activity of 92.7 +/- 22.6 mU/10(5) cells per ml relative to negligible LPL levels in Ad-RSV-LacZ (beta-galactosidase) controls. Exogenous LPL expression over a 5-day period peaked at day 3. Susceptibility to inhibition by 1 M NaCl and an anti-LPL monoclonal antibody confirmed that lipase activity was indeed derived from human LPL. Hydrolysis, by LPL-overexpressing HepG2 cells, of TG carried in very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) showed that greater than 50% of the triglycerides (TG) disappeared after 4 hr of incubation. These results were compatible with FPLC evidence of a marked reduction in VLDL-TG. These results provide strong in vitro evidence that adenoviral-mediated ectopic expression of the human LPL gene could render hepatic cells capable of VLDL catabolism and thus support the possibility for in vivo adenoviral vector-mediated liver-targeted LPL gene therapy.