Development of the endolymphatic sac and duct in the Japanese red-bellied newt, Cynops pyrrhogaster

The development and maturation of the endolymphatic sac (ES) and duct (ED) were studied in the newt Cynops pyrrhogaster. The ES first appears as an oval capsule at the dorsal-medial tip of the otic vesicle at stage 39, about 11 days after oviposition. The ES consists of polymorphous epithelial cells with a minimum of cytoplasm. The intercellular space (IS) between the epithelial cells is narrow and has a smooth surface. At stage 44, the size of the ES increases as many vacuoles in the IS become filled. At stage 46, 18 days after oviposition, the ES elongates markedly and a slit-like lumen is found in the ES. The epithelium contains a few cell organelles which are scattered in the cytoplasm. The vacuoles in the IS are fused, which expands the IS. Two days later (stage 48), floccular material (endolymph) is present in the expanded lumen. The IS dilates and has a wide and irregular appearance. At stage 50, approximately 26 days after oviposition, the ES extends and expands significantly and crystals (otoconia) can now be seen in the widened lumen of the ES. The cytoplasm of the cuboidal epithelial cells contains an abundance of vesicles surrounded by ribosomes and Golgi complexes. Intercellular digitations are formed in the expanded IS. At stage 54, the ES forms a large bellow-like pouch. Numerous otoconia accumulate in the lumen. Free floating cells and cell debris can be seen in the lumen at this stage. The epithelial cells contain numerous cytoplasmic organelles which are evenly distributed in the cytoplasm. Granules are found in the apical and lateral cytoplasm. The IS is loose and displays a labyrinthine appearance. The primitive ED first appears as a connection between the ES and the saccule but no lumen is present inside at stage 39. At stage 46, a narrow lumen is formed in the ED, which corresponds to the formation of the ES lumen. At stage 50, as the ED extends, floccular material is seen in the lumen. At stage 54, the ED bears numerous microvilli on its luminal surface. Otoconia and endolymph are present in the ED. Tight junctions between the epithelial cells are formed at stage 46. A fully developed intercellular junctional complex is produced at stage 54. Based on the development of the ES and ED, the maturation of function of the ES and ED are discussed.

[Peroxidase in Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. at primary stage of sprouting]

Changes of the peroxidase in Glycyrrhiza uralensis were detected by electrophoresis and spectrophotometric analysis at the primary stage of sprouting. The result shows that during the process of seed sprouting and radicle elongating, the activities of peroxidase keep increasing, some new bands being detected and some original bands enhancing. The changes take place slowly within 24 h, but become faster after 24 h.

In vitro evaluation of sealing pits and fissures with newer glass-ionomer cements developed for the ART technique

Four conventional glass-ionomer cements specifically developed for use with the atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) technique were compared with a resin-based sealant for marginal and surface dye penetration, material voids, and completeness of enamel fissure penetration. Thirty sound permanent mandibular molar teeth were randomly divided into five groups. After delayed placement of the glass-ionomer cement sealants using standardized finger pressure, and conventional placement of the resin-based sealant using a dental probe, the teeth were first thermocycled then the crowns immersed in methylene blue dye before being sectioned. There were no statistically significant differences found between any of the five materials, apart from less marginal dye leakage being present for the resin-based sealant than for one of the glass-ionomer cements. The cements, however, showed better fissure penetration than did the sealant. Despite the delayed placement and higher viscosity, all of the glass-ionomer cements showed satisfactory penetration of the enamel fissures and minimal marginal and surface dye penetration, and material voids, when placed using firm finger pressure. The cements could prove to be useful in the dental treatment of apprehensive children.

Ultrastructure of the endolymphatic sac in the larva of the japanese red-bellied newt Cynops pyrrhogaster

The ultrastructure of the endolymphatic sac (ES) of the late stage larva of the Japanese red-bellied newt, Cynops pyrrhogaster (stage 57), was examined by light and transmission electron microscopy. The two endolymphatic sacs are located at the dorsal-medial side of the otic vesicle on the dorsal-lateral side of the midbrain in the cranial cavity. The wall of the sac is composed of a layer of cubical epithelial cells with loose, interposed intercellular spaces. The sac contains a large luminal cavity, in which endolymph and numerous otoconia are present. The epithelial cells of different portions of the sac have a similar structure. These cells contain an abundance of cytoplasmic organelles, including ribosomes, Golgi complexes, and numerous vesicles. Two types of vesicles are found in the epithelial cells: the "floccular" vesicle and the "granular" vesicle. The floccular vesicles are located in the supra- and lateral-nuclear cytoplasm and contain floccular material. The granular vesicles have a fine granular substance and are usually situated apposed to the apical cell membrane. The granular vesicles are suggested to be secreted into the lumen, while the floccular vesicles are thought to be absorbed from the lumen and conveyed to the intercellular spaces by the epithelial cells. The apical surfaces of the epithelial cells bear numerous microvilli. Apparently floating cells, which bear long microvilli on the free surfaces, are observed in the lumen of the ES. Based on the fine structure, the function of the endolymphatic sac of the newt Cynops pyrrhogaster is discussed.

Noxious somatic stimulation-induced expression of Fos-like immunoreactivity in catecholaminergic neurons with habenular nucleus projection in the medullary visceral zone of rat

In order to study the expression of Fos protein in catecholaminergic neurons in the medullary visceral zone (MVZ), which project to the habenular nucleus (HB), a triple-labeling method combining wheat germ agglutinin-conjugated horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) retrograde tracing with anti-Fos and anti-tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemical staining was used in the rat. WGA-HRP was stereotaxically injected into unilateral HB. Forty-eight hours later, 50 microl of 8% formalin was injected into the foot pad of the right front paw. Two hours after formalin injection, animals were anesthetized and perfused transaortically. Coronal sections (40 micron) were cut from the cervical segment of spinal cord, the medulla oblongata and WGA-HRP injected area with a cryostat. First, sections of the injected area and the medulla oblongata were histochemically processed to demonstrate the presence of retrogradely transported WGA-HRP using the chromogen tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). Then sections of the spinal cord and the medulla oblongata were immunostained with anti-Fos and anti-TH antibodies using the ABC method. Under the light microscope, seven types of variously labeled neurons could be identified in MVZ, namely Fos and TH-immunoreactive (Fos- or TH-IL) neurons, WGA-HRP labeled ones, Fos/HRP, Fos/TH and HRP/TH double-labeled and Fos/HRP/TH triple-labeled cells. The results suggest that some catecholaminergic neurons in MVZ could send projections to HB and this pathway may be involved to relay nociceptive information from spinal cord to brainstem and on to the forebrain.

[Preliminary analysis and isolation of genomic total DNA in Fritillaria thunbergii Miq]

Genomic total DNA of leaf, fresh scale and dry scale in Fritillaria thumbergii were isolated by two different methods and analysed by agarose gel electrophoresis. The results show that the DNA contents are different under these two isolating methods. Two bands besides the band of genomic total DNA have been found by electrophoresis, these two bands deserve further study.

Priming in the brain, an immunologically privileged organ, elicits anti-tumor immunity

A crucial question in the study of tumor neuro-immunology concerns the capacity of the central nervous system to initiate and execute an immune response. In a 100% fatal rat malignant glioma model, genetically modified tumors secreting INF-gamma intracerebrally generate an immune response resulting in a substantial increase in survival time, tumor rejection and specific systemic immunity. Tumors modified to secrete IL-2 alone do not change the biologic behavior of transfected gliomas. INF-gamma induces elevated expression of major-histocompatibility-complex-class-I and -class-II molecules in microglia throughout the brain and invokes enhanced tumor infiltration by CD4, CD8 and NK cells. These findings demonstrate successful immunization against a central-nervous-system tumor by direct priming in the brain with a live growth-competent tumor vaccine.

Protein phosphatase inhibitors calyculin A and fostriecin protect rabbit cardiomyocytes in late ischemia

Calcium-tolerant rabbit cardiomyocytes were isolated using retrograde aortic perfusion with a nominally calcium-free, collagenase buffer. In vitro ischemic preconditioning was induced by a 10-min episode of ischemic pelleting, followed by a 15-min post-incubation and a prolonged period of ischemic pelleting. Injury was assessed by determination of cell contracture and trypan blue permeability following hypotonic swelling and correlated with metabolic assays of lactate and adenine nucleotides. The protein phosphatase PP1/2A inhibitor calyculin A and PP2A-selective fostriecin protected isolated rabbit cardiomyocytes from lethal injury after a 10-min pre-incubation and when added late into ischemic pellets after a delay of 75 min. At the time of late drug addition, cells were severely ATP-depleted and in rigor contracture. Protection with Calyculin A from 1 nM to 1 microM was dose-related. Cells pre-incubated with 10 nM to 10 microM fostriecin 10 min prior to ischemic pelleting were protected with an EC50 approximating 71 nM, implying protection at a PP2A-selective dose. The selective protein kinase C inhibitor, calphostin C, blocked ischemic preconditioning protection but not protection from 1 microM calyculin A. Protection of severely ischemic cardiomyocytes following protein phosphatase inhibition appears not to require PKC activity or ATP conservation. Pre-incubation of cells with calyculin A induced high levels of phosphorylation in p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), as compared to the ischemia-induced phosphorylation observed in the untreated group only at 30 min of ischemia, providing evidence of protein phosphatase activity in cardiomyocytes. Pharmacological protection in late ischemia has been demonstrated, but the mechanism of protection is undetermined.

Interleukin-6 protects liver against warm ischemia/reperfusion injury and promotes hepatocyte proliferation in the rodent

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is an acute reactant cytokine with anti-inflammatory properties, which has been found to prevent injury in a model of acute hepatitis in mice through downregulation of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha); to correlate inversely with markers of hepatocellular injury in patients with liver ischemia; and to initiate liver regeneration in mice. In this study, we investigated the role of IL-6 in rodent models of hepatic warm ischemia/reperfusion (WI/Rp) injury. IL-6-deficient mice (-/-) were subjected to hepatic WI and compared with C57BL/6 mice, as well as IL-6 -/- mice pretreated with recombinant IL-6 (rIL-6). The effects of rIL-6 following various periods of ischemia were further studied in models of hepatic ischemia in rats. IL-6 -/- mice had increased reperfusion injury as assessed by transaminase levels and a tissue necrosis scoring system when compared with controls, an effect prevented by pretreatment with rIL-6. Similarly, rats pretreated with rIL-6 had reduced reperfusion injury and better survival than controls in each respective WI group. Tissue TNF-alpha expression measured by Northern blot analysis and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, a marker of inflammation, were significantly reduced in animals pretreated with rIL-6. Administration of antibodies to TNF-alpha reproduced the beneficial effect of rIL-6. Hepatocyte proliferation, as assessed by a scoring method for mitotic index and proliferating nuclear cell antigen staining, was markedly increased in rIL-6-treated rats when compared with controls. In conclusion, this study suggests that IL-6 could play an important role in limiting hepatic warm ischemia/reperfusion (WI/Rp) injury, probably through its anti-inflammatory properties, modulation of TNF-alpha, and/or promotion of liver regeneration. rIL-6 might become an important cytokine in clinical situations associated with WI/Rp injury.

[Analysis of 9 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis complicated with legionnaires disease]

OBJECTIVE

To study the characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis complicated with legionnaires disease (LD) to avoid misdiagnosis and incorrect treatment.

METHOD

Nine cases of pulmonary tuberculosis complicated with LD were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULT

The clinical and chest X-ray manifestations varied, and no characteristics were found in these cases. Because cross antibodies existed between Legionella pneumophila and other causal bacteria, it was found difficult to differentiate LD, pulmonary tuberculosis and other causal bacteria infection. Efficacy of erythromycin combined with rifampicin, and decrease of serum titres of Legionella pneumophila four times after treatment were found helpful for definite diagnosis of LD.

CONCLUSION

Only paying much attention to LD, and detecting the serum antibody as early as possible can provide evidence for diagnosing of the disease.

[Effect of environment on the teleutospore viability of Ustilago coicis]

The teleutospores of Ustilago coicis can retain their germinating power under indoor dry conditions for about five years. They can survive the winter in the fields in Beijing. Increase of soil humidity could reduce the number of teleutospores in soil. Rotation is an efficient method to control the head smut of Jobs-tears and the rotation cycle is two years minimum.

Orthovoltage radiation therapy treatment planning using Monte Carlo simulation: treatment of neuroendocrine carcinoma of the maxillary sinus

Dose distributions that result from treating a patient with orthovoltage beams are best determined with a treatment planning system that uses the Monte Carlo method, and such systems are not readily available. In the present work, the Monte Carlo method was used to develop a computer code for determining absorbed dose distributions in orthovoltage radiation therapy. The code was used in planning treatment of a patient with a neuroendocrine carcinoma of the maxillary sinus. Two lateral high-energy photon beams supplemented by an anterior orthovoltage photon beam were utilized in the treatment plan. For the clinical case and radiation beams considered, a reasonably uniform dose distribution (+/- 10%) is achieved within the target volume, while the dose to the lens of each eye is 4-8% of the prescribed dose. Therefore, an orthovoltage photon beam, when properly filtered and optimally combined with megavoltage beams, can be effective in the treatment of cancers below the skin, providing that accurate treatment planning is carried out to establish with accuracy and precision the doses to critical structures.

[Peroxidase and soluble protein in the leaves of Aloe vera L. var. chinensis (Haw.)Berger]

The peroxidase activity and soluble protein content in the leaves of Aloe vera var. chinensis were assayed by spectrophotometric method. The results show that the peroxidase activity in the upper most and lower parts of leaves is comparatively high. Soluble protein content decreases from top to bottom leaves. The results of electrophoresis of soluble protein show that the patterns of upper leaves have more and darker bands than those of lower leaves.

Use of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to resolve mRNA and its protein product in one gel

We demonstrate that it is possible to simultaneously resolve both an mRNA and its protein product by electrophoresis in a single SDS-polyacrylamide gel by using double labeling with [32P]H3PO4 and [35S]methionine, and an elongated 5% stacking gel atop the 10% resolving gel. The mRNA is resolved in the 5% gel; the protein, as expected, resolves in the 10% gel. Using a T7 expression system, we show that putative mRNA bands in the 5% gel are: 1) labeled only with 32P and not with 35S; 2) inducible with isopropylthiogalactopyranoside (needed to induce a T7 RNA polymerase gene under control of a lac promoter); 3) synthesized in the presence of rifampicin (T7 RNA polymerase is not inhibited by rifampicin); 4) degraded by base or RNase treatment; and 5) are largely resistant to DNase treatment. The mRNA bands were also evident in samples not treated with rifampicin. We used this technique to confirm previously published results that inhibition of expression by consecutive low-usage AGG arginine codons inserted near the 5' end of a test message in Escherichia coli is at the level of translation.

Comparison of in vitro preconditioning responses of isolated pig and rabbit cardiomyocytes: effects of a protein phosphatase inhibitor, fostriecin

Calcium tolerant pig and rabbit cardiomyocytes were isolated using retrograde aortic perfusion of nominally calcium-free collagenase. Preconditioning protocols used 1 or 3x10-min episodes of ischemic pelleting or pre-incubation with 100 micro M adenosine, followed by a 15-min post-incubation and 180-240-min ischemic pelleting. Control cells were incubated and washed in parallel with the experimental groups. Injury was assessed by determination of cell morphology, trypan blue permeability following osmotic swelling, lactate and HPLC analysis of adenine nucleotides. Preconditioned pig cardiomyocytes had a reduced rate of ischemic contracture, but protection occurred without conservation of ATP. Preconditioned rabbit cardiomyocytes were protected without significant changes in rates of ischemic contracture or ATP depletion. Incubation of ischemic cells with the protein phosphatase inhibitor, fostriecin, at PP2A-selective concentrations (0.1-10 micro M), mimicked preconditioning in both rabbit and pig cardiomyocytes. In rabbits, the KATP channel blocker, 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD), did not block preconditioning or fostriecin protection. In the pig, 5-HD blocked both preconditioning and fostriecin protection, with return of the rates of ischemic contracture to control. However, 5-HD was an effective blocker of protection only in early ischemia. Fostriecin mimicked preconditioning in the rabbit and the early responses of the preconditioned pig. Preconditioning appears associated with protein phosphorylation in both the rabbit and the pig, but major pathways leading to protection may differ in the two species.

Antiangiogenic agents protect liver sinusoidal lining cells from cold preservation injury in rat liver transplantation

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Low temperature preservation causes unique liver injuries to the sinusoidal lining cells characterized by endothelial cell detachment and rounding and Kupffer cell activation. These changes are similar to those observed during the early stages of angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate if cold preservation injury is caused by the activation of angiogenic mechanisms.

METHODS

Livers were obtained from rats pretreated with three well-known antiangiogenic agents (minocycline, interferon alfa-2b, and fumagillin) and were stored for various durations in cold preservation solutions. The effects of the drugs were evaluated by morphometric assessment of endothelial cell injury in H&E, trypan blue, and immunostained (TIE2/Tek) biopsy specimens. Graft functions and survival were evaluated in isolated perfused rat liver and arterialized orthotopic liver transplantation models.

RESULTS

Sinusoidal lining cell integrity and viability were significantly improved in animals pretreated with the drugs. Reperfusion injury and survival were also better in pretreated animals. Interferon alfa was the most potent agent, reducing injury even in livers preserved in the current most commonly used solution (University of Wisconsin solution).

CONCLUSIONS

Cold preservation injury of liver may be the results of angiogenic mechanisms. This novel observation provides a rationale for improved liver preservation using antiangiogenic agents.

[Evaluation of brain evoked potentials in the detection of subclinical hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhotics]

Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP), visual evoked potentials (VEP) and short latency somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) were examined in 30 nonalcoholic liver cirrhotics without clinically detectable hepatic encephalopathy and 30 healthy controls. In the cirrhotics, all peak latencies of the three kinds of evoked potentials, the interpeak latencies (IPLs) I-V, III-V of BAEP and the IPLs N13-N20, N13-P25 of SSEP were significantly prolonged compared with the controls, respectively. The amplitudes of P100, N125 of VEP were significantly lowered in the cirrhotics than those of the controls. Abnormal BAEP test and abnormal SSEP test results were found in both 60% of the cirrhotics, while VEP tests showed abnormalities in only 36.7%. In total, abnormal evoked potential test of one or more kinds were found in 90% of the cirrhotics. It is concluded that in cirrhotic patients, before the appearance of clinically encephalopathy, there were already brain evoked potential abnormalities or brain function changes. Our results argue in favor of the three kinds of evoked potential as the combined investigation for the sensitive and objective diagnosis of subclinical hepatic encephalopathy in patients with nonalcoholic cirrhosis.

[Peroxidase assay over the course of dormancy relieving with low temperature in Fritillaria thunbergii Miq. by electrophoresis]

In order to study the physiological basis of dormancy relieving with low temperature in Fritillaria thunbergii, isoperoxidase changes of bud, adaxial epiderm and inner tissues in scale were assayed by means of electrophoresis over the course of dormancy relieving. All the patterns in bud and different parts of scale change at different stages, and the peroxidase activity in bud and adaxial epiderm is higher than that in the inner tissue of scale. These results indicate both bud and scale join in the dormancy relieving.

Calpain is a mediator of preservation-reperfusion injury in rat liver transplantation

Proteases as well as alterations in intracellular calcium have important roles in hepatic preservation-reperfusion injury, and increased calpain activity recently has been demonstrated in liver allografts. Experiments were designed to evaluate (i) hepatic cytosolic calpain activity during different periods of cold ischemia (CI), rewarming, or reperfusion, and (ii) effects of inhibition of calpain on liver graft function using the isolated perfused rat liver and arterialized orthotopic liver transplantation models. Calpain activity was assayed using the fluorogenic substrate Suc-Leu-Leu-Val-Tyr-7-amino-4-methyl coumarin (AMC) and expressed as mean +/- SD pmol AMC released/min per mg of cytosolic protein. Calpain activity rose significantly after 24 hr of CI in University of Wisconsin solution and further increased with longer preservation. Activity also increased within 30 min of rewarming, peaking at 120 min. Increased durations of CI preceding rewarming resulted in significantly higher activity (P < 0.01). Calpain activity increased rapidly upon reperfusion and was significantly enhanced by previous CI (P < 0.01). Calpain inhibition with Cbz-Val-Phe methyl ester significantly decreased aspartate aminotransferase released in the isolated perfused rat liver perfusate (P < 0.05). Duration of survival after orthotopic liver transplantation using livers cold-preserved for 40 hr was also significantly increased (P < 0.05) with calpain inhibitor. In conclusion, calpain proteases are activated during each phase of transplantation and are likely to play an important role in the mechanisms of preservation-reperfusion injury.

[Diastase and reducing sugar in Fritillaria thunbergii Miq. during the process of dormancy relieving with low temperature]

The changes of diastase's activity and reducing sugar's content in Fritillaria thunbergii were studied during the process of relieving dormancy with low temperature. The results showed that the metabolism in bud and scale was changed, the diastase's activity and reducing sugar's content of the adaxial epiderm were higher than those of the inner store tissue in the scale, but were approximate to those of the bud.