[Adjustable interatrial communication in management of severe congenital heart disease]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the use of adjustable interatrial communication in patient with severe congenital heart disease undergoing open heart surgery.

METHODS

From February 1998 to June 1999, 13 patients with severe and complex congenital heart disease underwent open heart surgery. Seven patients underwent total cavopulmonary connection, five patients repair of Ebstein's anomaly, and one patient right atrial-pulmonary connection. Adjustable interatrial communication was made in all patients. Four patients had the communication closed at the time of operation, 4 patients had the communication opened at the time of operation, and 5 patients had the communication adjusted and closed postoperatively.

RESULTS

All patients had a smooth postoperative process. There were no postoperative death and no severe postoperative complications.

CONCLUSION

Adjustable interatrial communication for the patients undergoing modified Fontan procedure or correction of Ebstein's anomaly may be advantageous.

[The effect of fluoride-arsenic exposure on the lipid peroxidation and antioxidation of the offspring of rats]

OBJECTIVE

To provide information on the effects of the offspring of rats exposed to fluoride-arsenic.

METHODS

The levels of lipid peroxidation and the abilities of antioxidation were determined in the blood of the rats and their offsprings under two generations-one nest reproductive test.

RESULTS

The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the blood decreased with the increase of exposure dose. For example, the activity of SOD, was 14.56, 13.74, 11.89 and 11.21 micromol x min(-1) x mg Hb(-1) in different dose groups of F(2), respectively. In contrast, the concentration of lipid peroxides (LPO) increased. Eight weeks after exposure, the activities of SOD and GSH-Px increased, the activity of SOD was 13.97, 13.55, 13.47 and 12.76 micromol x min(-1) x mg Hb(-1), respectively, and the concentration of LPO returned to normal level.

CONCLUSION

Fluoride-arsenic exposure can cause oxidative damage of the rat's offspring.

[Clinical observation on effect of changmaishu in treating patients of coronary heart disease complicated with hyperviscosity]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Changmaishu (CMS) in treating coronary heart disease (CHD).

METHODS

Eighty patients with CHD complicated with hyperviscosity were treated with CMS for a period of 30 days as the CMS group, and the 40 patients treated with Salvia injection and Di'ao Xinxuekang were taken as the control group. The therapeutic efficacy and effect of treatment on plasma lipid peroxide (LPO) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, blood lipids, hemorrheologic indexes were observed.

RESULTS

The CMS group was better in clinical total effective rate, ECG improvement and concomitant symptoms relieved than those in the control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Markedly improvement of laboratory findings occurred in both groups (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), but the changes of some parameters, such as LPO, SOD, total cholesterol, low-shear blood viscosity in the CMS group were more significant than those in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

CMS could reduce the blood hyperviscosity, increase antioxidative energy and improve symptoms of CHD effectively.

Acute effects of light on body temperature and activity in Syrian hamsters: influence of circadian phase

Light exposure at night causes an acute increase in human body temperature, which normally falls during the night. This change is largely attributable to the suppression by light of the nocturnal rise in melatonin levels. Little is known, however, about the effects of light on body temperature in nocturnally active mammals in which the nightly peak in melatonin secretion coincides with the circadian phase of elevated, rather than decreased, body temperature. We investigated the effects of a 1-h exposure to light on body temperature and activity of Syrian hamsters, Mesocricetus auratus, at two phases during the night and at two phases during the projected day. Brain or abdominal temperature was recorded continuously using implanted radio transmitters while locomotor activity was monitored simultaneously using a passive infrared movement detector. Responses to light exposure were strongly circadian phase dependent; light during the night caused elevations in both brain and core body temperature, whereas light during the projected day did not. Temperature increases at night could not be attributed solely to activity increases at the onset of light pulses, indicating a contribution from nonbehavioral mechanisms of thermogenesis. These results provide the first evidence for circadian modulation of acute temperature responses to light in a nocturnal mammal.

[Apoptosis of endothelial cells in alteration of microvascular permeability in lung during sepsis]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the apoptosis of endothelial cells in the alteration of microvascular permeability in lung during sepsis.

METHODS

Twenty-four male NIH mice were subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) or sham operation (SO). The microvascular endothelial cells of the lungs were harvested at 3 hours and 12 hours after operation. The apoptosis of endothelial cells (VIII factor related antigen positive cells) in the lungs was determined by 2-color flow cytometry (FITC-labeled VIII factor related antigen and PI) and Apop Tag) in situ apoptosis detection kit in situ. The apoptosis related gene (bcl-2) was detected by RT-PCR. The microvascular permeability in lung tissue was also examined.

RESULTS

The apoptosis of microvascular endothelial cells was increased significantly at 12 hours after CLP (5.03 +/- 0.92 vs. 3.48 +/- 1.21, P < 0.05). The increased apoptosis was paralleled with the decrease in bcl-2 gene expression. The microvascular permeability in lung tissue was slightly increased at 3 hours after CLP, but significantly increased at 12 hours after CLP (0.106 +/- 0.008 vs 0.047 +/- 0.003, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Apoptosis in microvascular endothelial cells seems to be an important reason for the alteration of microvascular permeability.

[Pathogenic microbes of biliary infection and their resistance to antibiotics]

OBJECTIVE

To understand the change of the main pathogenic microbes of biliary infection and their resistance rates to 12 antibiotics so as to instruct rational application of antibiotics clinically.

METHODS

All isolates were identified by analytic products incorporation (API) bioMerieux. The susceptibility of antibiotics to 470 pathogenic microbes was tested by minimal inhibition concentration (MIC).

RESULTS

There were 470 pathogenic microbes with positive biliary culture. The percentage of Escherichia coli, intestinal cocci and Klebsiella pneumoniae was 129 (27.4%), 82 (17.4%) and 76 (16.2%), respectively. In the resistance rates of the gram negative bacilli to 12 antibiotics, the lowest was 4.0% for imipenem followed by. 14.1% Ceftazidime and 16.9% amikacin. In the resistant rates of the gram positive cocci to 12 antibiotics, and had the lowest rate was 6.0% for vancomycin and 16.4% for imipenem.

CONCLUSIONS

The main pathogenic microbes of biliary infection were Escherichia coli, intestinal cocci and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Imipenem is the first used for biliary infection in dealing with multiresistant intestinal cocci.

The cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor celecoxib induces apoptosis by blocking Akt activation in human prostate cancer cells independently of Bcl-2

This study investigates the apoptotic activity of the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor celecoxib in prostate carcinoma cells. COX-2 is constitutively expressed in androgen-responsive LNCaP and androgen-nonresponsive PC-3 cells. Exposure of these cells to celecoxib induces characteristic features of apoptosis, including morphological changes, DNA laddering, and caspase-3 activation, whereas piroxicam, a COX-1-specific inhibitor, displays no appreciable effect on either cancer cell line even after prolonged exposure. Moreover, the potency of celecoxib in apoptosis induction is significantly higher than that of other COX-2 inhibitors examined despite the observation that these inhibitors exhibit similar IC(50) in COX-2 inhibition. It is noteworthy that normal human prostate epithelial cells, expressing a marginally detectable level of COX-2, are insensitive to the induction of apoptosis by celecoxib. These data suggest a correlation between COX-2 expression and sensitivity to the apoptotic effect of the COX-2 inhibitor. In an effort to delineate the underlying mechanism, we examined the effect of celecoxib on the expression of Bcl-2 as well as the activation of the key anti-apoptotic kinase Akt. In contrast to an earlier report that attributed the apoptotic activity of NS398 in LNCaP cells to Bcl-2 down-regulation, we provide evidence that the induction of apoptosis by celecoxib in LNCaP and PC-3 cells is independent of Bcl-2. First, treatment with celecoxib does not alter the cellular Bcl-2 level in both cell lines. Second, enforced Bcl-2 expression in PC-3 cells does not confer protection against the induction of apoptosis by celecoxib. Our data show that celecoxib treatment blocks the phosphorylation of Akt. This correlation is supported by studies showing that overexpression of constitutively active Akt protects PC-3 cells from celecoxib-induced apoptosis. Nevertheless, how celecoxib down-regulates Akt is not clear because the drug does not adversely affect phosphoinositide 3-kinase activity in vivo and okadaic acid, a protein phosphatase 2A inhibitor, cannot rescue the inhibition. In summary, our data demonstrate that inhibition of Akt activation may play a crucial role in the induction of apoptosis by celecoxib.

[Cause and management of dislocated nuclear fragments during phacoemulsification]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the cause and management of posteriorly dislocated lens nucleus in the vitreous cavity during phacoemulsification.

METHODS

The authors performed a retrospective study of 18 patients with dislocation of nuclear fragment into vitreous cavity during phacoemulsification at Tong Ren Hospital from August 1994 to January 1999.

RESULTS

4 cases with dislocated nuclei floated in the anterior vitreous were removed by a lens loop from limbal extensive incision. 2 cases with their dislocated nuclei less than 1/4 of the normal size were under follow-up for 3 - 4 years, and no complications were observed. The final outcome in 1 case with a dislocated nucleus half of its normal size was ocular atrophy as a result of phacoanaphylactic endophthalmitis. 11 cases underwent pars plana vitrectomy. In the operation the nuclei were floated anteriorly by injection of perfluoro-1, 3-dimethylcyclohexane, then they were removed by a lens loop through the limbus and in 2 cases they were fragmented by ultrasound. The main post-operative complication was corneal edema. The final visual acuities generally were improved in varying degrees in 1 month to 4 years of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

During phacoemulsification, the dislocation of a nucleus is liable to first occur in the peripheral sculpting stage, and secondly in central sculpting stage. A radial tear extending posteriorly from a discontinuous anterior capsulorrhexis is the major risk factor predisposing to posterior dislocation of the nucleus or nuclear fragment. During phacoemulsification, vitrectomy should be performed as soon as possible for a nucleus dislocated into middle or posterior vitreous cavity, and it is a safe and effective method for management of dislocated nucleus.

[The ultrastructure of human and mouse cataractous lens epithelial cell apoptosis]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the relation between human senile cataract, mouse congenital cataract and lens epithelial cell apoptosis.

METHODS

Transmission electron microscope was used to observe the apoptotic morphology of the lens epithelial cells in 4 cases with senile cataract and in 2 mice with congenital cataract. The comparisons were made between the cataractous and normal transparent lens epithelial cells in human being and mice.

RESULTS

The apoptotic cells were found in senile cataract and mouse congenital cataract lens epithelial cells, while in all control lens epithelial cells they were few.

CONCLUSION

Lens epithelial cells apoptosis is related to senile cataract and mouse congenital cataract formation.

[Study on the DNA gyrA gene mutation with resistance to fluoroquinolones in Staphylococcus aureus isolated from patients]

This study was aimed at the mechanism of resistance to fluoroquinolones in Staphylococcus aureus isolated from patients in Chengdu. The relationship between the point mutations in the gyrA genes and the resistance of 63 strains (57 fluoroquinone-resistant strains and 6 wild types) isolated clinically in Chengdu were investigated by a combination of restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The results revealed that there are 67.27%-92.5% of the fluoroquinolone-resistant strains against norfloxacin, fleroxacin, tosufloxacin, cipofloxacin, ofloxacin and sparfloxacin had a Hinf I site mutation in the gyrA genes, and most of such strains with such mutation in the gyrA genes showed high-level resistance. These indicate that Hinf site mutation in gyrA genes is the mainly cause of the resistance of fluoroquinolone-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus in Chengdu region.

[The treatment of stricture of larynx and trachea with Ni-Ti shape memory alloy stand]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the use of Ni-Ti shape memory alloy stand in the treatment of stricture of larynx and trachea.

METHODS

The clinical materials of 14 patients were analyzed. All patients had stricture of larynx and trachea and accepted the treatment with Ni-Ti shape memory alloy stand.

RESULTS

All patients breathed freely after the operation, and the trachea fistula was closed at the time of operation. The follow-up survey for these patients lasted for 2 to 12 months. None of the patients had signs of the stricture of the respiratory tract. The short-term effective rate was 100%.

CONCLUSION

Ni-Ti shape memory alloy stand can expand the stricture of larynx and trachea quickly and thus improve the breath effectively. It can be used as a routine method in the treatment of stricture of larynx and trachea.

Childhood-onset primary open angle glaucoma in a Canadian kindred: clinical and molecular genetic features

OBJECTIVE

To describe the clinical features and identify the molecular etiology of childhood-onset primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) in a Canadian kindred.

METHODS

Members of a Canadian Caucasian family with POAG were examined and DNA obtained. Single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis was performed using reported primers from exon 3 of the myocilin gene. A single-stranded conformation polymorphism was characterized by polymerase chain reaction-based sequencing.

RESULTS

Two affected half-sibs had onset of severe glaucoma at age 3 and 9. Their mother had lost vision in one eye from glaucoma by age 17. All three affected subjects had undergone bilateral glaucoma filtering surgery. Both fathers were unaffected. A single-stranded conformation polymorphism was identified in the mother and the two affected daughters and was absent in one father. A single base change from C-->T at nucleotide position 1109 was identified in the affected members of the family by direct sequencing. This mutation, which causes a nonconservative amino acid change (Pro370Leu), was not found on 192 normal chromosomes from Caucasian individuals.

CONCLUSION

We report a Canadian family with childhood-onset, severe POAG due to a mutation in the myocilin gene.

Integrated optical biosensor for detection of multivalent proteins

We have developed a simple, highly sensitive and specific optical waveguide sensor for the detection of multivalent proteins. The optical biosensor is based on optically tagged glycolipid receptors embedded within a fluid phospholipid bilayer membrane formed upon the surface of a planar optical waveguide. Binding of multivalent cholera toxin triggers a fluorescence resonance energy transfer that results in a two-color optical change that is monitored by measurement of emitted luminescence above the waveguide surface. The sensor approach is highly sensitive and specific and requires no additional reagents and washing steps. Demonstration of protein-receptor recognition by use of planar optical waveguides provides a path forward for the development of fieldable miniaturized biosensor arrays.

Generation of anti-hirudin antibodies in heparin-induced thrombocytopenic patients treated with r-hirudin

BACKGROUND

Hirudin is a small protein with strong thrombin inhibition that may be antigenic. The generation and disappearance of anti-hirudin antibodies were investigated in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia who were treated with recombinant hirudin (r-hirudin) for >/=5 days.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The IgA, IgE, IgG, and IgM isotypes of anti-hirudin antibodies were determined by ELISA before and after the start of r-hirudin therapy. A total of 56% of patients (13 of 23) developed >/=1 antibody isotype during therapy. No IgE antibodies were generated. IgA, IgG, and IgM antibodies were detected in 30% (7 of 23), 52% (12 of 23), and 17% (4 of 23) of patients, respectively. Four patients generated only IgG, 2 patients developed either IgM or IgG and IgM, 5 patients IgG and IgA, and 2 patients IgG, IgM, and IgA antibodies. IgM antibodies disappeared within 8 days of the cessation of r-hirudin. IgA and IgG antibodies disappeared within 1 year in all but 1 patient. Binding of purified IgG to r-hirudin in IgG antibody-positive patients (n=7) was demonstrated by competitive ELISA for r-hirudin. Of the 7 IgG antibody samples, 1 each neutralized or enhanced the anticoagulant activity of r-hirudin.

CONCLUSIONS

R-hirudin may be antigenic in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. More comprehensive investigations will be required to determine the biological relevance of this and to establish the antibody-generation pattern in other diseases.

Inhibition of bacterial cell wall-induced leukocyte recruitment and hepatic granuloma formation by TGF-beta gene transfer

Intraperitoneal injection of streptococcal cell walls (SCW) into Lewis rats results in dissemination of SCW to the liver, spleen, bone marrow, and peripheral joints. The uptake of SCW by Kupffer cells in the liver initiates a chain of events largely mediated by T lymphocytes and macrophages. Local synthesis and secretion of cytokines and growth factors in response to the persistent SCW lead to the evolution and maintenance of a chronic T cell-dependent granulomatous response and result in granuloma formation and irreversible hepatic fibrosis. In an attempt to impede the development of the chronic granulomatous lesions in the liver, we injected a plasmid DNA encoding TGF-beta 1 i.m. to the SCW animals to determine the effect of TGF-beta 1 gene transfer on the course of liver inflammation and fibrosis. A single injection of plasmid DNA encoding TGF-beta 1 resulted in virtual abolition of the development of the SCW-induced hepatic granuloma formation and matrix expansion. TGF-beta 1 DNA not only reduced key proinflammatory cytokines including TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, IFN-gamma, and IL-18, but also inhibited both CXC and CC chemokine production, thereby blocking inflammatory cell recruitment and accumulation in the liver. Moreover, TGF-beta 1 gene delivery inhibited its own expression in the liver tissue, which is otherwise up-regulated in SCW-injected animals. Our study suggests that TGF-beta 1 gene transfer suppresses hepatic granuloma formation by blocking the recruitment of inflammatory cells to the liver, and thus may provide a new approach to the control of hepatic granulomatous and fibrotic diseases.

[The treatment to esophagus stricture with Ni-Ti shape memory alloy stand(with the report of 19 clinical cases)]

OBJECTIVE

To discuss the use of Ni-Ti shape memory alloy stand in treating the stricture of esophagus.

METHOD

After finding the stricture part of esophagus under X-ray, the metal guide string was put through the esophagoscope. Dilatation of esophagus was performed firstly. Then the inserting instrument, which has the Ni-Ti shape memory alloy stand inside, was put through the stricture part along the metal guide string and the stand which can return to its original shape automatically was released. Barium meal examination of esophagus was performed after the operation to determine the site of the stand and to realize the smooth degree of esophagus.

RESULT

All 19 patients got a successful operation at one time. They swallowed freely after the operation. The effective rate was 100%.

CONCLUSION

Ni-Ti shape memory alloy stand can dilate the stricture of esophagus quickly, improve swallowing function obviously. The operation can be easily performed. The therapeutic effectiveness is reliable, and there is no serious complication. This can be used as a routine method in treating the stricture of esophagus.

[Prevalence of blindness among adults aged 50 years or above in Shunyi county of Beijing]

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the prevalence of blindness among older adults aged >or= 50 years in Shunyi county of Beijing, China.

METHODS

Cluster sampling was used in randomly selecting individuals aged >or= 50 years in 28 villages in Shunyi county in fall, 1996. The survey was preceded by a pilot study where operational methods were refined and quality assurance evaluation was carried out.

RESULTS

5,555 individuals were enumerated. The response rate was 91.5%. In this population, the prevalence of blindness was 1.7% defined as pinhole visual acuity < 0.05 in both eyes; or 2.8% were blind, defined as presenting visual acuity < 6/60 in both eyes. Blindness was associated with older age and female gender. The principal cause of blindness in eyes was cataract.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of blindness was decreased 35.8% after ten year active eye-care program in the survey area. However, cataract blindness continues as a significant problem among elderly, especially females, in this population sample of rural area.

Studies of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose donut-shaped tablets

Simple uncoated compressed tablets with a central hole (donut shape) or multihole tablets were prepared. Theophylline and diltiazem hydrochloride were used as model drugs to investigate in vitro drug release from donut-shaped tablets. The effects of hole size, the number of holes, drug solubility, and stirring rate on release kinetics were investigated. As for the donut-shaped tablets, the duration of zero-order drug release could be up to 80-90%. When the hole size was increased, the release rate increased, and the duration of linear drug release was longer. The durations of linear drug release of two-hole and three-hole tablets were longer than that of the single-hole tablets. As the drug solubility increased, the duration of linear drug release was shortened. However, three stirring rates (50 rpm, 100 rpm, 150 rpm) had little effect on the drug release.

[Neurilemmoma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses (report of 12 cases)]

OBJECTIVE

To further understand the neurilemmoma of nose.

METHOD

12 cases of neurilemmomas of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses were treated successfully by operation, 2 cases of malignant change lesions were treated by extensive resection and radiation.

RESULT

11 in 12 cases were followed up. 9 cases were cured and no any serious complications, 2 cases of malignant tumor were died.

CONCLUSION

Early stage diagnosis is important. CT scan should be made as essential examination, complete surgical resection is the choice of treatment for primary lesions; malignant change lesions should be treated by combined operation with radiation.

[Study on the induction of xenogeneic tolerance of rat to mouse bone marrow transplantation]

OBJECTIVE

To establish an effective protocol for potential clinical usage in inducing donor-specific tolerance across xenogeneic barriers.

METHODS

C57BL/6 (B6) mice were conditioned with 5 Gy sublethal total body irradiation (TBI), followed by infusion of 4 x 10(7) Lewis rat bone marrow cells on day 0, then were intraperitonially administered 150 mg/kg cyclophosphamide (CP) on day 2. Recipients were characterized for engraftment with xenogeneic bone marrow cells by using fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS) to determine the percentage of rat origin cells in the peripheral blood lymphocytes(PBL), splenic and thymic lymphoid cells on day 30, 60 and 90. Mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) and delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) assay were performed on day 30 to examine the tolerance status.

RESULTS

Rat lymphoid chimeras were reliable present in the tolerant B6 mice for more than 3 months. B6 recipients were specifically tolerant to host xenoantigens in MLR and DTH assays, but were still immunocompetent to MHC-disparate third party BALB/c mouse or DA rat stimulator cells.

CONCLUSION

A durable rat to mouse xenogeneic bone marrow transplantation tolerance was achieved in this modal.

Changes of superoxide dismutase, glutathione perioxidase and lipid peroxides in the brain of mice preconditioned by hypoxia

We have developed an animal model of hypoxic preconditioning and assumed that oxygen radicals and their endogenous scavenging enzymes may play an important role in the preconditioning. To test this hypothesis, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and the content of lipid peroxides (LPO) were measured during the preconditioning. Compared with unpreconditioned control animals, in animals exposed to hypoxia only once, the activities of SOD and GSH-Px in whole brain were found to be significantly decreased while the LPO content in the hippocampus significantly increased. However, those in animals exposed to 4 runs of hypoxia tended to return to control levels and were lower than those in animals exposed to 1 and 2 runs of hypoxia. Our results indicate that the oxygen radicals and their specific scavenging enzymes seem to be involved in the development of tolerance to hypoxia.

Immunologic response to recombinant hirudin in HIT type II patients during long-term treatment

We prospectively investigated 27 patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) type II who were subsequently treated with r-hirudin. Patients with venous or arterial thromboembolism were treated with activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)-controlled intravenous r-hirudin (n = 19; mean 19.3 d) followed by subcutaneous r-hirudin (n = 6; mean 22.5 d) and oral anticoagulation. Patients without thromboembolism were treated with subcutaneous r-hirudin (n = 8; mean 25.9 d). Four patients were readmitted to subcutaneous r-hirudin for a mean duration of 32 d. The incidence of r-hirudin antibodies was 84% for intravenously treated patients and 50% in subcutaneously treated patients. The patients (n = 27) showed a 74% overall incidence of r-hirudin antibodies, mainly of the IgG-subclass, without seroconversion before day 6 and after day 32 of r-hirudin treatment or during r-hirudin treatment. None of the patients showed onset or recurrence of venous or arterial thromboembolism, systemic allergic reactions or IgE-antibody development. During intravenous and subcutaneous administration of r-hirudin the aPTT and the ecarin clotting time was increased in the antibody-positive patients compared to antibody-negative patients. Therefore we assume that r-hirudin antibodies may reduce r-hirudin metabolism.

Direct, ultrasensitive, and selective optical detection of protein toxins using multivalent interactions

Three highly sensitive, selective, and reagent-free optical signal transduction methods for detection of polyvalent proteins have been developed by directly coupling distance-dependent fluorescence self-quenching and/or resonant-energy transfer to the protein-receptor binding events. The ganglioside GM1, as the recognition unit for cholera toxin (CT), was covalently labeled with fluorophores and then incorporated into a biomimetic membrane surface. The presence of CT with five binding sites for GM1 causes dramatic change for the fluorescence of the labeled GM1. (1) In the scheme using fluorescence self-quenching as a signal-transduction mechanism, the fluorescence intensity drops significantly as a result of aggregation of the fluorophore-labeled GM1 on a biomimetic surface. (2) By labeling GM1 with a fluorescence energy transfer pair, aggregation of the labeled GM1 results in a decrease in donor fluorescence and an increase in acceptor fluorescence, providing a unique signature for selective protein-receptor binding. (3) In the third scheme, using the biomimetic surface as part of signal transduction and combining both fluorescence self-quenching and energy-transfer mechanisms to enhance the signal transduction, a signal amplification was achieved. The detection systems can reliably detect less than 0.05 nM CT with fast response (less than 5 min). This approach can easily be adapted to any biosensor scheme that relies on multiple receptors or co-receptors. The methods can also be applied to investigate the kinetics and thermodynamics of the multivalent interactions.

Advanced glycation in D-galactose induced mouse aging model

It was first reported in China that injection of a low dose of D-galactose into mice could induce changes which resembled accelerated aging. The aging model shows neurological impairment, decreased activity of anti-oxidant enzymes, and poor immune responses. However, the underlining mechanism remains largely unknown. D-galactose is a reducing sugar that can form advanced glycation endproducts (AGE) in vivo. To investigate the role of AGE in this aging model, a group of 5-month-old C57 mice were injected daily with D-galactose, D-galactose modified AGE-lysine (AGE-lysine), L-glucose, L-lysine, or control buffer for 8 weeks. Two additional groups were treated with the AGE formation inhibitor, aminoguanidine. The results show that D-galactose, L-glucose, and AGE-lysine treated mice had a significant increase in serum AGE levels, memory latency time and error rate, and skin hydroxyproline content. Similar to aged controls, these mice also had a significant decrease in motor activity, lymphocyte mitogenesis, interleukin-2 (IL-2) production, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity. The aminoguanidine treated D-galactose-injected mice, however, showed no significant changes in these parameters in comparison with young controls. These data indicate that D-galactose and L-glucose form AGEs in vivo and that elevated AGEs may accelerate the aging process. The fact that both D-galactose and AGE treated mice resemble aged mice suggests that advanced glycation, at least partially, accounts for the mechanism of this aging model.