Responses of the bovine mammary artery to angiotensins

The main objective of our study was to determine whether angiotensins cause vasoconstriction of mammary arterial segments in vitro. Once this action was established, its specificity was determined. Mammary arterial sections were obtained from lactating cattle at slaughter. Vessel sections were placed in a gravity-fed, closed, perfusion apparatus, and flow was measured by a transit-time flow sensor mounted in-line. Treatments were administered by injection into a leurlock port located proximal to the sensor. Angiotensins I, II, and III induced a dose-dependent vasoconstriction of arterial segments at concentrations of 5 x 10(-10) to 5 x 10(-6) M. Angiotensin II receptor antagonists, Saralisin and (Sarl, Thr8)-angiotensin II (5 x 10(-8) M)), inhibited vasoconstriction induced by angiotensins I, II, and III. The angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, Captopril (5 x 10(-8) M), inhibited angiotensin I vasoconstriction, thereby showing that the vasoconstriction by angiotensin I was mediated through its conversion to angiotensin II. These data demonstrated that the mammary artery of lactating cows is responsive to the angiotensin family. Furthermore, mammary arteries contain angiotensin-converting enzyme and specific receptors for angiotensin II. This system may be important in the normal physiological regulation of mammary gland blood flow of lactating cows.

[The metabolism of TMPz in vivo]

The metabolism of tetramethylpyrazine (TMPz) in rats was investigated. Deuterated TMPz and unlabelled TMPz were administered by intragastric perfusion to two rats, respectively. Extracts from urine samples were analyzed within 24h by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). By applying the ion cluster technique, TMPz and its three metabolites were identified.

Radiation-induced nonhomoeologous wheat-Agropyron intermedium chromosomal translocations conferring resistance to leaf rust

The Agropyron intermedium chromosome 7Ai #2 is the source of the leaf rust resistance gene Lr38 which was transferred to wheat by irradiation. The chromosomal constitutions of eight radiation-induced rust-resistant wheat-Agropyron intermedium derivatives were analyzed by C-banding and genomic in-situ hybridization (GISH). Five lines were identified as wheat Ag. intermedium chromosome translocation lines with the translocation chromosomes T2AS·2AL-7Ai#2L, T5AL · 5AS-7Ai # 2L, T1DS · 1DL-7Ai # 2L, T3DL · 3DS-7Ai#2L, and T6DS · 6DL-7Ai#2L. The sizes of the 7Ai#2L segments in mitotic metaphases of these translocations are 2.42 μm, 4.20 μm, 2.55 μm, 2.78 μm, and 4.19 μm, respectively. One line was identified as a wheat-Ag. intermedium chromosome addition line. The added Ag. intermedium chromosome in this line is different from 7Ai # 2. This line has resistance to leaf rust and stem rust. Based on the rust reactions, and the C-banding and GISH results, the remaining two lines do not contain any Ag. intermedium-derived chromatin.

Binding affinities and cooperative interactions with bHLH activators delimit threshold responses to the dorsal gradient morphogen

The dorsal (dl) morphogen gradient initiates the formation of the mesoderm, neuroectoderm, and dorsal ectoderm by setting different limits of regulatory gene expression along the dorsoventral axis of the early Drosophila embryo. In this paper, we show that low affinity dl-binding sites restrict target gene expression to the ventralmost regions (presumptive mesoderm), where there are peak levels of dl, while high affinity sites permit expression in ventrolateral regions (mesoderm and mesectoderm) containing intermediate levels of the morphogen. Activation by low levels of dl in lateral regions (the presumptive neuroectoderm) depends on cooperative DNA binding interactions between dl and bHLH proteins. The snail repressor blocks this interaction and restricts expression to the neuroectoderm. We discuss how enhancers serve as templates to bring weakly interacting regulatory factors into close proximity so that they can function combinatorially to activate and repress transcription.

Protein kinase C: a novel target for inhibiting gastric cancer cell invasion

BACKGROUND

Gastric adenocarcinoma is a common neoplasm worldwide. Patients with completely resected disease often have locoregional recurrence, and adjuvant chemotherapy has failed to reduce the common occurrence of metastases. Protein kinase C (PKC) is thought to be important in tumor cell invasion, but its relationship to gastric cancer cell invasion, and thus metastases, remains unexplored. We recently identified and established invasive and noninvasive human gastric adenocarcinoma cell lines, which can now be used to test agents for inhibition of tumor cell invasion by inhibition of PKC activity.

PURPOSE

The objectives were (a) to test threo-dihydrosphingosine (SPC100221), a specific inhibitor of PKC at its regulatory site, and staurosporine, a potent but nonspecific inhibitor of PKC at its catalytic site, for their effects on gastric cancer cell invasion in vitro and (b) to determine whether the expression of PKC isoforms can distinguish invasive from noninvasive gastric cancer cells.

METHODS

Gastric cancer cell invasion through Matrigel-coated Nuclepore filters in the Boyden chamber assay was analyzed in the presence of graded concentrations of SPC100221 and staurosporine. The invasive SK-GT-1 and SK-GT-5 cell lines and the noninvasive SK-GT-2 and SK-GT-4 cell lines were used. PKC isoform expression was determined by reverse transcription of messenger RNAs to complementary DNA and subsequent amplification by the polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

The effects of staurosporine and SPC100221 on tumor cell invasion were tested at drug concentrations that did not inhibit cell proliferation, as evidenced by [3H]thymidine uptake. Staurosporine and SPC100221 at subtoxic doses inhibited human gastric cancer cell invasion by 50% at 5 x 10(-9) M and 2 x 10(-7) M, respectively. The expression of PKC beta was observed in the invasive but not the noninvasive gastric cancer cells. Both types of cells, however, expressed the PKC alpha and PKC gamma isoforms.

CONCLUSIONS

Gastric cancer cell invasion can be inhibited by PKC inhibitors, and expression of PKC beta may be a marker of invasiveness in gastric cancer.

IMPLICATIONS

PKC appears to represent a new target for inhibition of gastric cancer cell invasion, and SPC100221, in view of its PKC specificity, may provide a model for future drug development in this area. Moreover, PKC beta may have a fundamental role in the development of invasive potential in gastric cancer.

Molecular cytogenetic analysis of Agropyron elongatum chromatin in wheat germplasm specifying resistance to wheat streak mosaic virus

Three lines derived from wheat (6x) x Agropyron elongatum (10x) that are resistant to wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) were analyzed by chromosome pairing, banding, and in situ hybridization. Line CI15321 was identified as a disomic substitution line where wheat chromosome 1D is replaced by Ag. elongatum chromosome 1Ae-1. Line 87-94-1 is a wheat-Ag. elongatum ditelosomic addition 1Ae-1L. Line CI15322 contains an Ag. elongatum chromosome, 1Ae-2, that substitutes for chromosome 1D. The short arm of 1Ae-2 paired with the short arm of 1Ae-1 at metaphase I (MI) in 82% of the pollen mother cells (PMCs). However, the long arms of these two chromosomes did not pair with each other. In CI15322, the long arm of chromosome 4D has an Agropyron chromosome segment which was derived from the distal part of 1Ae-1L. This translocation chromosome is designated as T4DS·4DL-1L. T4DS·4DL-1Ae-1L has a 0.73 μm distal part of the long arm of 4D replaced by a 1.31 μm distal segment from 1Ae-1L. The major WSMV resistance gene(s) in these lines is located on the distal part of 1Ae-1L.

Preliminary observation on human saliva alpha-fetoprotein in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

The saliva samples from 13 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and a control group of 21 random healthy adults were measured for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), using a highly sensitive sandwich enzyme immunoassay specific for human AFP. In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, significantly higher levels of saliva AFP were observed (mean +/- Sx: 3 552.6 +/- 2 829.9 ng/L) when compared with the value of the normal controls (mean +/- Sx18.1 +/- 3.8 ng/L, P < 0.001). There was significant correlation between saliva and serum AFP in both normal controls (rs = 0.526, n = 21, P < 0.005) and patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (rs = 0.931, n = 13, P < 0.001). In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, those with positive serum AFP had positive saliva AFP, while those whose serum AFP was negative showed saliva AFP negative as well. It is likely that saliva AFP is derived from plasma by passive seepage. It is promising that the saliva AFP surveillance may be helpful in detection of AFP positive hepatocellular carcinoma, because of its noninvasiveness, acceptableness by almost every person, simplicity in technique, and the strong correlation between saliva and serum AFP.

[DNA content examination for atypical hyperplasia of adenosis and carcinoma of the breast]

Nuclear DNA content of breast specimens in 80 cases was measured with microspectrophotometer. The results showed that there was no difference in the nuclear DNA content between normal breast and breast adenosis with epithelial hyperplasia grade I. The DNA content increased gradually with the development of atypical hyperplasia, while there was no difference in DNA content between breast adenosis with atypical hyperplasia grade III, malignant transformation of breast adenosis and breast cancer grade I. There was a statistically significant difference among the other groups. It was extremely important to measure nuclear DNA content in patients with atypical hyperplasia of the breast in order to study the precancerous lesion and to supervise clinically the tendency of cancerous.

Highly sensitive sandwich enzyme immunoassay for alpha-fetoprotein in human saliva

To determine alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in human saliva, a highly sensitive sandwich enzyme immunoassay for saliva AFP was developed. AFP standards and saliva samples were added into the wells of a polystyrene plate coated with goat IgG antibody against human AFP. After incubation, the wells were washed and horseradish peroxidase-labelled antibody was added. The enzyme activity specifically bound to the well was assayed using 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine and hydrogen peroxide as substrate. The reaction was stopped by addition of 2 M sulphuric acid and the AFP concentration was determined from the absorbance at 450 nm. The minimum detectable concentration was 8 ng/L. The recovery of AFP mixed with human saliva was 91.1-102.4%. The within-assay and between-assay coefficients of variation were 6.5-8.9% and 7.6-10.8%, respectively. The assay correlated well with a radioimmunoassay for human AFP (r = 0.985, n = 13, P less than 0.001). The mean concentration of AFP in normal human saliva was 14.3 ng/L (SEM = 4.9 ng/L, n = 10) and significantly higher levels of saliva AFP were observed in hepatocellular carcinoma patients with positive serum AFP (mean 1367.8 ng/L, SEM 595.4 ng/L, n = 6; P less than 0.001). Strong correlation was observed between saliva AFP and serum AFP (r = 0.978, P less than 0.01, n = 13).

Individual dorsal morphogen binding sites mediate activation and repression in the Drosophila embryo

The dorsal (dl) morphogen gradient is responsible for initiating the differentiation of the mesoderm, neuroectoderm and dorsal ectoderm in the Drosophila embryo. dl encodes a sequence-specific DNA binding protein that belongs to the Rel family of transcription factors. Previous studies have shown that dl activates the mesoderm determinant twist (twi); here we use a combination of site-directed mutagenesis and P-transformation assays to demonstrate that it also functions as a direct transcriptional repressor of a second target gene, zerknüllt (zen). By exchanging dl binding sites between the promoters we show that activator sites from twi can mediate repression when placed in the context of the zen promoter, and that repressor sites from zen can mediate activation in the context of the twi promoter. This represents the first demonstration that common binding sites for any DNA binding protein can mediate both activation and repression in a developing embryo. Evidence is also presented that the affinities of dl binding sites are important for the efficiency of repression, but are not the sole determinants of the threshold response to the dl gradient.

[Analysis of 526 cases of trigeminal neuralgia treated by radiofrequency thermal coagulation of temperature]

In 526 cases of trigeminal neuralgia,254 cases were male,272 were female.The age from 17-90,average age is 58.8. The shortest course of disease is 2 months,but the longest one is 39 yrs,with a mean course of 6.8 yrs.Pain in right side is more than in left side.Pain was more often involved simultaneously on first and second branch of trigeminal nerve.505 cases (96%)got the complete response after radiofrequency thermal coagulation therapy,13 cases (2.47%) were obviously advanced,while 8 cases (1.52%) were failed.The total effective rate was 98.47%.After follow up of 1-5yrs,in 518 efficacious cases,65 recurred cases (12.54%) were treated again by the same method,pain was then stopped.

[Preparation of sucking tablet of shengmei] off

The Sucking Tablet of Shengmei is made from eight Chinese traditional drugs including Radix Adenophorae, Fructus Mume, etc. The effective rate of the tablet in treating chronic pharyngitis reaches up to 96 percent. The working mechanism related to the fact that the tablet is bacteria-resistant and helps to strengthen the body function. This paper presents the preparation process of the Sucking Tablet along with solutions for some problems encountered in the process and appropriate standards for quality control.

A scanning electron microscopic observation of inner carious dentin after cleansing and of the dentin-resin interface

Inner carious dentin after cleansing and the dentin-resin interface were observed with scanning electron microscopy. Results suggested that, similar to 10% citric acid-3% ferric chloride solution, 10% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid may thoroughly remove the smear layer on the surface of inner carious dentin and make it possible for the dentinal bonding agent to penetrate the cleansed dentin to form an acid-proof layer and dense resin tags. These changes may improve the bond strength as well as tubule aperture seal. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid is not destructive to collagen, and may be of negligible toxicity to the pulp of intact dentin.

[Possible relationship between acute viral myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy]

To explore the possible relationship between acute viral myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), 35 acute diffuse viral myocarditis (ADVM) patients with cardiac enlargement were studied for 6 years on average. The results showed that: (1) In 22 ADVM patients, the dilated hearts had returned to normal on X-ray films. The other 13 cases still had cardiac enlargement complicated with various degrees of cardiac insufficiency (NYHA II/III) and ECG abnormalities. The manifestation of these 13 patients resembled those seen in the early stage of DCM. (2) Serum neutralizing antibody titres of Coxsackie B virus (CBV) in 35 ADVM patients after 6 years observation on average were significantly higher than those cases with cardiac enlargement induced by other causes (P less than 0.01). High neutralizing antibody titres (greater than or equal to 320) to CBV were more common among the patients with ADVM 65.7% vs 25.7% (P less than 0.05). The results indicate that some cases of ADVM might develop into DCM.

The dorsal morphogen gradient regulates the mesoderm determinant twist in early Drosophila embryos

A gradient of the maternal morphogen dorsal (dl) initiates the differentiation of various tissues along the dorsal-ventral axis of early Drosophila embryos. dl is a sequence-specific DNA-binding protein that is related to the mammalian regulatory factor NF-kappa B. Previous studies suggest that dl can function as a transcriptional repressor. To determine how dl functions as an activator we have examined the promoter of the mesoderm determinant gene twist (twi). Genetic studies suggest that peak levels of dl protein in ventral regions of early embryos initiate twi expression. Using a combination of promoter fusion-P-transformation assays, and in vitro DNA-binding assays coupled with site-directed mutagenesis, we establish a direct link between dl-binding sites and twi expression in the early embryo. We also present evidence that the dorsal-ventral limits of twi expression depend on the number and affinity of dl-binding sites present in its promoter. A comparison of twi with a second dl target gene, zen, suggests a correlation between the affinities of dl-binding sites and response to different thresholds of dl morphogen.

Autoregulation of a segmentation gene in Drosophila: combinatorial interaction of the even-skipped homeo box protein with a distal enhancer element

Autoregulation has been implicated in the expression of many patterning genes in Drosophila, but the molecular details of this process are largely unknown. In the case of the segmentation gene even-skipped (eve), autoregulation is important for the specification of sharp stripes of gene expression at the onset of gastrulation. Here, we use a combination of DNA binding and P-transformation assays to characterize the cis- and trans-acting factors responsible for autoregulation. We show that eve autoregulation is mediated, at least in part, by a 100-bp minimal autoregulatory sequence (MAS) located approximately 5 kb upstream from the eve transcription start site. Multimerization of a 200-bp DNA fragment that encompasses the MAS drives optimal autoregulatory activity, comparable to that obtained with the native distal enhancer element located between -5.9 and -5.2 kb. The MAS contains two eve protein-binding sites, as well as binding sites for two nuclear factors present in early embryos. Directed mutagenesis of these binding sites suggests that both the eve protein and nuclear factors are essential for autoregulation. These results provide evidence that the eve protein acts combinatorially with other transcription factors to enhance its own expression.

Dispersion studies of a single-mode triangular-index fiber with a trench by the vector mode analysis

A Runge-Kutta procedure was used for investigating the dispersion characteristics of single-mode triangular-index fibers with a trench in the cladding. Numerical results on the total dispersion, its sensitivities to the core radius, wavelength, index difference variations, and its influence on the fiber's bandwidth-length product are presented. Some interesting features, due to the presence of a trench, are pointed out. One salient feature is the appearance of dispersion flattening over a certain wavelength range near 1.55 microm for b/a = 2 and c/a > 2.7 (a = core radius, b = inner trench radius, c = outer trench radius) where the total dispersion is low, yielding a bandwidth-length product as high as 10(4) GHz . km. The presence of a trench has not been investigated previously.

[Study on change in zinc concentration for diabetic cataractous lenses in rats by means of XIXA]

The SD rats were injected with streptozotocin to induce diabetic cataract. Element Zn as well as K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Pb, Se, etc. in the eye lenses was determined by means of X-ray induced X-fluorescence analysis (XIXA). Compared to values for normal healthy rats, the concentration of Zn and Fe in the cataractous lenses increased, the concentration of K decreased, and that of the others did not change prominently. The change in Zn concentration was probably to meet the needs of the metabolic adjustment in the eye lenses, which would not be the reason for directly inducing diabetic cataract.

Conservation between coding and regulatory elements of Rhizobium meliloti and Rhizobium leguminosarum dct genes

Complementation of Rhizobium leguminosarum dct mutants with a cosmid bank yielded Rhizobium meliloti homologs of the dctA, dctB, and dctD genes. The genes dctB and dctD are thought to form a two-component system which responds to the presence of C4-dicarboxylates to regulate expression of a transport protein encoded by dctA. DNA sequence analysis showed that dct coding and intergenic regions, including putative binding sites for the dctD protein and sigma 54-RNA polymerase, were highly conserved between these two Rhizobium species. Mutation of R. meliloti dctD showed that it was not essential for symbiotic nitrogen fixation but was needed for growth on succinate and the expression of a dctA-lacZ fusion gene in free-living cells. Hybridization of R. meliloti genomic DNA with probes representing the central portion of dctD potentially identified more than 20 similar regulatory genes, all of which are likely to depend upon the alternative sigma factor encoded by rpoN and stimulate transcription in a manner very similar to ntrC activation of glnA in enteric bacteria.

Phonosurgical studies: fat-graft reconstruction of injured canine vocal cords

Damage to the vocal cords can result in scarring and impaired vibration and can manifest clinically as hoarseness and loss of vocal power. If the vibratory characteristics could be restored in these scarred vocal cords, the vocal intensity and efficiency of phonation also should improve. In an effort to enhance the vibration of damaged vocal cords, we implanted a submucosal fat autograft within the injured vocal cord cover layer of dogs 6 weeks after unilateral mucosal excision had been performed. Three months postoperatively these animals were compared to normal dogs and those with mucosal excision but no fat-grafting. Acoustic and biomechanical measures of phonation were collected from an excised larynx preparation. We found that the fat-augmented vocal cords had lower threshold pressures for phonation, greater vocal intensity, and more efficient acoustic output than injured vocal cords without the fat-grafting. These results provide a foundation for further research on reconstructive surgery of damaged vocal cords.