[Possible involvement of atrial natriuretic factor and vasopressin in antihypertensive mechanism of clonidine in humans]

To appreciate the role of some neuropeptides in the antihypertensive mechanism of clonidine, 17 patients with essential hypertension were given po clonidine 150 micrograms tid for 3 d. Plasma atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), vasopressin (Vas), and dynorphin A (Dyn A) were measured by radioimmunoassay. After the treatment, mean blood pressure (MBP), heart rate and 24 h urine norepinephrine, epinephrine were decreased, but no change was found in plasma Dyn A. The magnitudes of increased ANF and decreased Vas were correlated with the decreased MBP (r = -0.57 and 0.53, respectively, P < 0.05). These results suggest that both ANF and Vas are involved in the antihypertensive mechanism of clonidine.

Body surface Laplacian mapping of cardiac excitation in intact pigs

Relating body surface electrocardiographic signals to regional myocardial events has been a major effort in cardiac electrophysiology. Conventional electrocardiographic means do not provide sufficient spatial resolution to resolve distributed cardiac electrical activity. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate and study the validity of a new technique--body surface Laplacian mapping--in a well-controlled experimental setting, and to test the hypothesis that the body surface Laplacian map (BSLM) can resolve normal and abnormal ventricular depolarization patterns and localize the initial site of ventricular depolarization with high spatial resolution. In this study, BSLMs were constructed from direct measurements of the surface Laplacian of the body surface potentials using an array of 64 concentric bipolar Laplacian electrodes. BSLMs were compared to body surface potential maps (BSPMs) during normal and ectopic ventricular activation in intact anesthetized pigs. The BSLM displayed highly localized images of cardiac electrical activity, indicating its ability to resolve myocardial events. The BSLM in pigs identified the pacemaking focus overlying the known location of the epicardial pacing electrode, and imaged the activation sequence associated with exogenous ventricular pacing. In contrast, in all cases the BSPM revealed a diffuse distribution of activity over the chest. The present results suggest that the BSLM provides sufficient spatial resolution to relate body surface recordings to regional myocardial events and is able to detect ventricular depolarization patterns with greater resolution than the conventional BSPM.

Simultaneous determination of mevalonate and 7 alpha-hydroxycholesterol in human plasma by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry as indices of cholesterol and bile acid biosynthesis

A very sensitive and specific method for the simultaneous determination of mevalonate and 7 alpha-hydroxycholesterol in human plasma is described. The assay is based on isotope dilution mass spectrometry: the extracts from plasma were treated with benzylamine followed by dimethylethylsilylimidazole, then the resulting dimethylethylsilyl ether derivatives of mevalonylbenzylamide and 7 alpha-hydroxycholesterol were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using high-resolution selected-ion monitoring. Simple regression analysis revealed significant correlations between the plasma level of mevalonate and the hepatic activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (EC 1.1.1.34) (r = 0.83, P < 0.01) and between the plasma level of free 7 alpha-hydroxycholesterol and the hepatic activity of cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase (EC 1.14.13.7) (r = 0.76, P < 0.05).

Body surface Laplacian ECG mapping

A new noninvasive approach has been developed to resolve spatially distributed cardiac electrical activity by measuring the surface Laplacian of the body surface potential. Computer simulations demonstrate the ability of the Laplacian map compared with the potential map to image spatially distributed dipole sources embedded in a semi-infinite volume conductor. Body surface Laplacian mapping has been implemented in human subjects utilizing dry bipolar Laplacian electrodes and compared with potential maps obtained using the central terminal of each bipolar Laplacian electrode. The body surface Laplacian ECG distribution was found to provide better spatial resolution than the body surface potential distribution. The body surface Laplacian map appears to resolve depolarization and repolarization of different regions of the heart. Further improvements of the body surface Laplacian mapping may permit noninvasive mapping of spatially distributed intracardiac events.

Repression of Escherichia coli purB is by a transcriptional roadblock mechanism

Escherichia coli purB is regulated by a repressor-operator interaction. The purB operator is 242 bp downstream from the transcription start site and overlaps condons 62 to 67 in the protein-coding sequence (B. He, J. M. Smith, and H. Zalkin, J. Bacteriol. 174:130-136, 1992). The mechanism by which the repressor-operator interaction functions to repress transcription was investigated by a combination of promoter replacement experiments and RNA analyses. By using a trp promoter replacement that deleted 5' flanking DNA to position -986, purB expression was increased sevenfold, yet normal two- to threefold regulation was maintained. This indicates that repressor-operator control is independent of the purB promoter and other 5' flanking sequences. Transcriptional regulation was likewise independent of coupled translation. An approximately 260-nucleotide truncated in vivo purB mRNA was identified which was dependent upon repressor-operator interaction. Thus, binding of purine repressor to the purB operator inhibits transcription elongation by a roadblock mechanism. The roadblock was not influenced by a sevenfold increase in promoter strength or by an operator mutation resulting in a 2.5-fold increase in repressor-operator affinity.

Immobilization of aminoacylase from Aspergillus oryzae on synthetic modified polyacrylamides

A series of acrylamide-bisacrylamide copolymers modified by the Mannich Reaction was prepared. The immobilization of aminoacylase from Aspergillus oryzae on the copolymers was studied. All the polymers adsorbed the enzyme and the activity of the immobilized enzyme dependent on the amine used, viz. secondary amine, diamine, or aniline derivative. However, the activity was also influenced by the degree of crosslinking of the polymer. The surface morphology of the dimethylamine-modified polymer, with varying degrees of crosslinking, was analyzed by scanning electron microscope; the polymers having the largest pore diameter possessed the highest enzyme activity. One of the best polymers (DMA-A9B8) was used for immobilization of aminoacylase and its properties were studied. It had high enzymatic activity and good operational stability, i.e., retaining 90% of its original activity after being used for 42 days. The use of these copolymers for the preparation of immobilized enzymes is discussed.

Equivalent dipole estimation of spontaneous EEG alpha activity: two-moving dipole approach

A method of estimating equivalent moving and fixed dipoles from the scalp-recorded EEG alpha waves, with the realistic geometry of the head taken into account, is presented. Twenty-one silver electrodes were used to collect spontaneous EEG alpha waves on the scale. Four models, the single-moving dipole model, the single-fixed dipole model, the two-moving dipole model and the two-fixed dipole model were applied to approximate the EEG alpha field on the scalp. The algorithm, based on a least-squares fit for estimating the moving and the fixed dipoles by using a realistically shaped head model, is described. The numerical accuracy of the algorithm is also evaluated by a computer simulation. It is found that the spontaneous EEG alpha activity observed on the scalp can be represented by two equivalent moving dipoles, simultaneously located separately in the occipital regions of the right and the left hemisphere, at a depth of 4-6 cm beneath the scalp, with a goodness-of-fit of up to 97 per cent for all subjects examined. The excellent fit of the two-moving dipole model to the EEG human alpha activity is also compared with the single-dipole fit.

[Study of the estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor in human cervical carcinoma]

Three hundred and twelve different cervical specimens have been tested for estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) content with dextran-coated charcoal method (DCC). The results showed that the concentrations of ER and PR in normal cervical tissues were higher than those in malignant cervical tissues, and that the percentage of positive scores for ER and PR in cervical squamous epithelial tissues were higher than that in malignant cervical tissues. That the variances of ER and PR in cervical malignant tumors were not parallel suggested that the production or/and the mechanism of receptor action might be impaired. The percentage of positive scores for ER was not correlated with the clinical stages whereas that of PR was inversely proportional to clinical stages. That some patient with cervical cancer had high level of PR and had both ER and PR positive implied the possibility for endocrine therapy. The content and distribution of ER and PR in normal cervical tissues are consistent with the effects of sex hormone.

[Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytochemistry of acute cerebrovascular diseases with clear CSF: observation of nonspecific esterase activity of mononuclear phagocytes]

CSF nonspecific esterase (ANAE) activities of mononuclear phagocytes of 35 patients with intracerebral hematoma (ICH) with clear CSF and 25 with cerebral thrombosis and 17 normals were observed. The ANAE activities of ICH were much higher than those of thrombosis significantly (P less than 0.01). Furthermore, the distributions of ANAE activities of all cases suggested that there were few overlaps between both diseases. The CSF cytochemical detection was obviously superior to routine CSF cytological examination in differentiating strokes with clear CSF. The authors concluded that these results provided a simple inexpensive and relatively accurate method to differentiate hemorrhagic from ischemic cerebrovascular diseases in case of without CT.

Escherichia coli purB gene: cloning, nucleotide sequence, and regulation by purR

Escherichia coli purB encodes adenylosuccinate lyase (ASL), the enzyme that catalyzes step 8 in the pathway for de novo synthesis of IMP and also the final reaction in the two-step sequence from IMP to AMP. Gene purB was cloned and found to encode an ASL protein of 435 amino acids having a calculated molecular weight of 49,225. E. coli ASL is homologous to the corresponding enzymes from Bacillus subtilis and chickens and also to fumarase from B. subtilis. Gene phoP is 232 bp downstream of purB. Gene purB is regulated threefold by the purine pool and purR. Transcriptional regulation of purB involves binding of the purine repressor to the 16-bp conserved pur regulon operator. The purB operator is 224 bp downstream of the transcription start site and overlaps codons 62 to 67 in the protein-coding sequence.

RAM2, an essential gene of yeast, and RAM1 encode the two polypeptide components of the farnesyltransferase that prenylates a-factor and Ras proteins

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, mutations in either of two unlinked genes, RAM1 or RAM2, abolish the farnesyltransferase activity responsible for prenylation of Ras proteins and the a-factor mating pheromone. Here we report that the function of RAM1 and RAM2 genes is required for the membrane localization of Ras proteins and a-factor. The RAM2 gene was sequenced and can encode a 38-kDa protein. We examined the functional interaction of RAM2 and RAM1 by expressing the genes in Escherichia coli. Extracts derived from an E. coli strain that coexpressed RAM1 and RAM2 efficiently farnesylated a-factor peptide and Ras protein substrates. In contrast, extracts derived from E. coli strains that expressed either RAM gene alone were devoid of activity; however, when the latter extracts were mixed, protein farnesyltransferase activity was reconstituted. These results indicate that the yeast farnesyl-protein transferase is comprised of Ram1 and Ram2 polypeptides. Although Ram1 is a component of the enzyme, disruption of the RAM1 gene in yeast was not lethal, indicating that the Ram1-Ram2 farnesyltransferase is not essential for viability. In contrast, disruption of RAM2 was lethal, suggesting that Ram2 has an essential function in addition to its role with Ram1 in protein farnesylation.

Structural homology among mammalian and Saccharomyces cerevisiae isoprenyl-protein transferases

Farnesyl-protein transferase (FTase) purified from rat or bovine brain is an alpha/beta heterodimer, comprised of subunits having relative molecular masses of approximately 47 (alpha) and 45 kDa (beta). In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, two unlinked genes, RAM1/DPR1 (RAM1) and RAM2, are required for FTase activity. To explore the relationship between the mammalian and yeast enzymes, we initiated cloning and immunological analyses. cDNA clones encoding the 329-amino acid COOH-terminal domain of bovine FTase alpha-subunit were isolated. Comparison of the amino acid sequences deduced from the alpha-subunit cDNA and the RAM2 gene revealed 30% identity and 58% similarity, suggesting that the RAM2 gene product encodes a subunit for the yeast FTase analogous to the bovine FTase alpha-subunit. Antisera raised against the RAM1 gene product reacted specifically with the beta-subunit of bovine FTase, suggesting that the RAM1 gene product is analogous to the bovine FTase beta-subunit. Whereas a ram1 mutation specifically inhibits FTase, mutations in the CDC43 and BET2 genes, both of which are homologous to RAM1, specifically inhibit geranylgeranyl-protein transferase (GGTase) type I and GGTase-II, respectively. In contrast, a ram2 mutation impairs both FTase and GGTase-I, but has little effect on GGTase-II. Antisera that specifically recognized the bovine FTase alpha-subunit precipitated both bovine FTase and GGTase-I activity, but not GGTase-II activity. Together, these results indicate that for both yeast and mammalian cells, FTase, GGTase-I, and GGTase-II are comprised of different but homologous beta-subunits and that the alpha-subunits of FTase and GGTase-I share common features not shared by GGTase-II.

[Effect of salt-loading on prostacyclin and thromboxane metabolism in kidney]

For evaluating the role of prostacyclin (PGI2) and thromboxane A2 (TXA2) in the metabolism of salt and water, the metabolic products of PGI2 and TXA2 (6-keto-PGF1 alpha and TXB2 respectively) were measured by radioimmunoassay in salt-loaded rabbits. 36 normal rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups: 1. normal control group; 2. 3h salt-loading group (3 h group); 3. 24 h salt-loading group (24 h group). Both the 3 h and 24 h groups were given 0.9% NaCl solution by subcutaneous injection to the hind legs. The kidneys were dissected into 4 slices: outer cortex, inner cortex, outer medulla and inner medulla. The plasma 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in the 3 h group was increased from the control value of 46.61 +/- 19.04 pg/ml to 111.63 +/- 58.36 pg/ml (P less than 0.01). All of the dissected renal slices also showed significant increase of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha synthesis in both the 3 h and the 24 h groups (P less than 0.001 vs. normal). The urinary sodium concentrations have a good correlation with 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in plasma or in kidney tissues. Plasma TXB2 in normal group was 499.27 +/- 197.86 pg/ml, but no significant change was found in the 3h group. However, in the 24 h group it decreased significantly to 218.76 +/- 114.54 pg/ml (P less than 0.05 vs. normal group). Although the TXB2 increment was significant only in inner medulla, all other dissected renal slices showed some increase of TXB2 synthesis too. It is concluded that salt-loading can cause increase of PGI1 and TXA2 synthesis in normal renal tissues.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Invasion of human lung adenocarcinoma cell line LTEP-a2 into various organs of different species]

The invasiveness of human lung adenocarcinoma cell line LTEP-a2 was investigated in co-culture system of tumor cells and fragments of the heart and liver from the newborn, rabbit and rat. It was found that the tumor cells had different invasive behaviors, for example cell diastrophism, proliferation or invasion speed and adenic formation when invading various species or various organs in the same species. When invading the fragments of newborn heart and liver, strong cell diastrophism potential, cell twist or formation of multiprocess pseudopodia and mitosis could be observed. The result was contrary to the above when the fragments of rat heart and liver were used as the target. When the fragments of rabbit liver were invaded, marked adenization was formed by cancer cells with the invading speed increased. However, the adenic structure was absent as the heart fragments of rabbit were invaded. The results indicate that target organs could change biological behavior of the invading tumor cells to different degrees even their differentiation. It may be related to structure and biochemical property of the target organs.

Genes of the Escherichia coli pur regulon are negatively controlled by a repressor-operator interaction

Fusions of lacZ were constructed to genes in each of the loci involved in de novo synthesis of IMP. The expression of each pur-lacZ fusion was determined in isogenic purR and purR+ strains. These measurements indicated 5- to 17-fold coregulation of genes purF, purHD, purC, purMN, purL, and purEK and thus confirm the existence of a pur regulon. Gene purB, which encodes an enzyme involved in synthesis of IMP and in the AMP branch of the pathway, was not regulated by purR. Each locus of the pur regulon contains a 16-base-pair conserved operator sequence that overlaps with the promoter. The purR product, purine repressor, was shown to bind specifically to each operator. Thus, binding of repressor to each operator of pur regulon genes negatively coregulates expression.

[Morphological observation of destruction and phagocytosis of the target organs by human lung adenocarcinoma cell line in organ culture]

In a co-culture system of human lung adenocarcinoma cells (LTEP-a2) with tissue fragments of human heart and liver, it was found that the target organs were destroyed with cancer cells invading. The destruction shown as cell swelling, atrophy, fatty degeneration and disappearance of the cardiac muscle streak, myocomma and local cell membrane, always occurred at sites immediately in contact with the invading cancer cells. However, cell changes could develop not in direct contact with tumor cells. The farther invasion by the tumor cells, the more serious destruction was seen. It was also observed that the tumor cytoplasmic processes could surround debris derived from the target tissue and the debris could be found inside cancer cells. The rapidly invading cells contained more phagosomes than the slowly invading ones.

Effects of cavities on EEG dipole localization and their relations with surface electrode positions

Effects of cavities in the human head on EEG dipole localization have been investigated by computer simulation. The human head is represented by a homogeneous spherical conductor including an eccentric spherical cavity which approximates effects of actual cavities inside the head. The homogeneous sphere model is used for assessing the effects caused by neglecting the cavity in the volume conductor model in the inverse dipole fitting procedure. Four electrode configurations have been examined to investigate their relation to the EEG inverse dipole solution. After examination of 2520 dipoles in the brain, the effects of cavities in the human head are found to be negligible when the dipole is located in the cortex or in the subcortex. When the dipole is located in the brain stem, the EEG inverse dipole solution is strongly affected by the cavity and is sensitive to the electrode configuration on the scalp. The EEG inverse dipole solution in the deep brain is sensitive to inhomogeneity in the lower part of the head when a single positive or negative potential pole is observed by the electrodes on the scalp, and at the same time is sensitive to the extent of the scalp covered by the electrodes. In conclusion, the electrodes should cover as much of the upper scalp as possible for deep source localization.

[Estrogen and progesterone receptors in human ovary and ovarian tumors]

Ovarian specimens from 159 different patients were analyzed for estrogen and progesterone receptor (ER and PR) content with the Dextran-coated Charcoal method. The results indicated that the contents of ER and PR in malignant ovarian tumors were not correlated with the menstrual cycle of the patient, clinical stage and differentiation of the tumor. Among malignant ovarian tumors, the mean ER and PR concentrations in sex-cord stromal tumors and endometrioid carcinomas were higher than those in other malignant ovarian tumors (P less than 0.05, P less than 0.025). This suggests the possibility of endocrine therapy for these patients with the hope for a better prognosis.

Dipole-tracing of 'awareness' attenuating the cortical components of somatosensory evoked potentials

Using the dipole-tracing method, the source generators of N18, P22 and P40 of the somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) were estimated as the equivalent dipole. After voluntary action of the thumb flexion, no changes were observed in N18 or P40, but the amplitude of P22 was suppressed. The after-effects of intention accompanied by a voluntary action or the subject's awareness that electrical stimulation will be given after the voluntary action were treated as 'awareness'. By subtracting the pure SEP from SEP during 'awareness', it was found that the equivalent dipole of 'awareness' of P22 was located at the same region of pure P22, but the vector was of opposite orientation. 'Awareness' attenuated the perceptive potential of SEP like P22 generated in the cortex.