[Effect of radix angelicae sinensis decoction for supplementing blood on inhibiting the increase of endothelial cell monolayer permeability induced by hypoosmotic solution]

OBJECTIVE

To study effect of radix Angelicae sinensis decoction for supplementing blood (RASDSB) on inhibiting the increase of endothelial cell monolayer permeability induced by hypoosmotic solution.

METHODS

The endothelial cells isolated from newborn bovine aorta were cultured on polycarbonate microporous filter membrane to develop compact endothelial monolayer. Fluid filtration coefficient (Kf), filtration volume (Jv) and osmotic reflective coefficient (sigma) to protein of the endothelial monolayer were measured treated by hypoosmotic solution (changing concentration of serum in M199 solution from 20% to 2%) for 120 min or by hypoosmotic solution containing 10(-4) g x ml(-1) RASDSB for 120 min after perfused Hanks balanced salt solution containing 5 g x L(-1) albumin.

RESULTS

Kf and Jv of the endothelial monolayer treated by hypoosmotic solution increased and sigma of that decreased. RASDSB could inhibit above-mentioned change. Morphological analysis demonstrated that RASDSB could inhibit widening of intercellular distance and enlargement of cellular area in the endothelial monolayer induced by hypoosmolality.

CONCLUSION

Hypoosmotic solution could increase endothelial cell monolayer permeability and RASDSB could inhibit the increase.

[High level expression and purification of Cysticercosis cellulose annexin32 in Escherichia coli]

In previous work, the cDNA encoding Cysticercus cellulose annexin32 has been cloned. With PCR method, two different restriction Sites were added to each end of the cDNA respectively. Then, the cDNA was inserted into prokaryotic expression vector pJLA-503. After inducing, most foreign protein was expressed in soluble form, which was up to 35% of the total protein of the bacteria. Subsequently, the recombinant Annexin32 was purified with (NH4)2SO4 stepwise precipitation, DEAE-Sepharose FF and Sephacryl S-200 HR chromatography. The final pure protein can been shown as a single band in SDS-PAGE, and the biological activity was verified by Western blot and anticoagulation activity assay.

Resensitization of blood pressure response to mu-opioid peptide agonists after acute desensitization

IV administration of mu-opioid peptide agonists (DAMGO, DALDA, and [Dmt(1)]DALDA) results in a transient, naloxone-sensitive, increase in blood pressure in awake sheep. Despite significant differences in pharmacokinetics, these blood pressure responses all last < 15 min. The lack of correlation between half-life and duration of action suggested rapid desensitization. When a second dose of the same agonist was repeated 30 min later, the response was completely abolished. An increase in blood pressure and rapid desensitization was also observed with the kappa-opioid agonist (U50488H), whereas delta-agonists (DPDPE and DELT) had no effect on blood pressure. The response to DAMGO was abolished after prior exposure to DAMGO or DALDA, but there was no evidence of cross-desensitization between mu and delta, or mu and kappa, opioid agonists. Full resensitization of the blood pressure response occurred by 4 h for DAMGO (t(1/2) = 15 min) and by 48 h for [Dmt(1)]DALDA (t(1/2) = 1.8 h). These data support our hypothesis that the transient nature of the blood pressure response to mu-opioid agonists is caused by rapid desensitization and suggest that the rate of resensitization is dependent on the pharmacokinetics of the agonist.

The Arabidopsis immutans mutation affects plastid differentiation and the morphogenesis of white and green sectors in variegated plants

The immutans (im) variegation mutant of Arabidopsis has green and white leaf sectors due to the action of a nuclear recessive gene, IMMUTANS (IM). This gene encodes the IM protein, which is a chloroplast homolog of the mitochondrial alternative oxidase. Because the white sectors of im accumulate the noncolored carotenoid, phytoene, IM likely serves as a redox component in phytoene desaturation. In this paper, we show that IM has a global impact on plant growth and development and is required for the differentiation of multiple plastid types, including chloroplasts, amyloplasts, and etioplasts. IM promoter activity and IM mRNAs are also expressed ubiquitously in Arabidopsis. IM transcript levels correlate with carotenoid accumulation in some, but not all, tissues. This suggests that IM function is not limited to carotenogenesis. Leaf anatomy is radically altered in the green and white sectors of im: Mesophyll cell sizes are dramatically enlarged in the green sectors and palisade cells fail to expand in the white sectors. The green im sectors also have significantly higher than normal rates of O(2) evolution and elevated chlorophyll a/b ratios, typical of those found in "sun" leaves. We conclude that the changes in structure and photosynthetic function of the green leaf sectors are part of an adaptive mechanism that attempts to compensate for a lack of photosynthesis in the white leaf sectors, while maximizing the ability of the plant to avoid photodamage.

Imaging and visualization of 3-D cardiac electric activity

Noninvasive imaging of cardiac electric activity is of importance for better understanding the underlying mechanisms and for aiding clinical diagnosis and intervention of cardiac abnormalities. We propose to image the three-dimensional (3-D) cardiac bioelectric source distribution from body-surface electrocardiograms. Cardiac electrical sources were modeled by a current dipole distribution throughout the entire myocardium, and estimated by using the Laplacian weighted minimum norm (LWMN) algorithm from body-surface potentials. The estimated inverse solution of the current distribution was further improved by using a recursive weighting strategy for localized sources, such as origins of cardiac arrhythmias. Computer simulations were conducted to test the feasibility of the proposed approach by using a 3-D ventricle model embedded in a realistically shaped torso model. The boundary element method was used to solve the forward problem from assumed cardiac sources to the body-surface potentials. Two testing dipoles were placed in the left and right ventricles, simulating the early activation associated with ventricular arrhythmias. The LWMN inverse solution showed an equivalent source distribution over the entity of both ventricles, with spread areas of activity overlying the positions of the testing dipoles. The sharpened inverse image provides well-localized focal sources near the testing dipole positions. In summary, the present computer simulation suggests that the proposed 3-D cardiac current source imaging and localization approach appears to be a promising candidate for localizing and imaging sites of origins of cardiac activation.

[Analysis of association between gene polymorphisms of microsomal epoxide hydrolase (EPHX1) and infant birthweight]

We investigated association between genetic polymorphisms of EPHX1 in mother and infant birthweight. Data of 342 female workers were collected in textile mill. A total of 342 mothers were genotyped for the His139Arg polymorphism of EPHX1 by a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. Using multiple linear regression models, we estimated the adjusted association between polymorphisms of EPHX1 and birthweight, with adjusted for potential confounders. We found that polymorphisms of EPHX1 were closely associated with reduced birthweight (beta +/- SE = -149 g +/- 56, P = 0.0083) after adjustment for major cofounders. In subgroup of passive smoking analysis, the polymorphisms of EPHX1 were highly associted with birthweight for those with passive smoking (beta +/- SE = -234 g +/- 88, P = 0.0088); The significant association of EPHX1 polymorphisms with reduced birthweight were showed for those with working stress (beta +/- SE = -157 g +/- 59, P = 0.0079). Our data provide polymorphisms of EPHX1 in mothers were significant association with birthweight of their infant, and showed gene-environmental interaction in relation to birthweight.

Molecular cloning and characterization of the mouse and human TUSP gene, a novel member of the tubby superfamily

We report here the cloning and characterization of a novel gene belonging to the tubby superfamily proteins (TUSP) in mouse and human. The mouse Tusp cDNA is 9120 bp in length and encodes a deduced protein of 1547 amino acids, while the human TUSP gene is 11,127 bp and encodes a deduced protein of 1544 amino acids. The human and mouse genes are 87% identical for their nucleotide sequences and 85% identical for their amino acid sequences. The protein sequences of these genes are 40-48% identical to other tubby family proteins at the C-terminal conserved 'tubby domain'. In addition, the TUSP proteins contain a tubby signature motif (FXGRVTQ), two bipartite nuclear localization signals (NLSs) at the C-terminal, two proline-rich regions, one WD40 repeat region and one suppressor of cytokines signaling domain. Transfection assay with green fluorescent protein-tagged TUSP expression constructs showed that the complete TUSP protein and the N-terminal portion of TUSP are localized in the cytoplasm but the C-terminal portion with the two NLSs produced distinct dots or spots localized in the cytoplasm. Northern blotting analysis showed that the major transcript with the complete coding sequence is expressed mainly in the brain, skeletal muscle, testis and kidney. Radiation hybrid mapping localized the mouse gene to chromosome 17q13 and the human TUSP gene to chromosome 6q25-q26 near the type 1 diabetes gene IDDM5. However, association analysis in diabetic families with a polymorphic microsatellite marker did not show any evidence for association between TUSP and type 1 diabetes. The precise biological function of the tubby superfamily genes is still unknown; the highly conserved tubby domain in different species, however, suggests that these proteins must have fundamental biological functions in a wide range of multi-cellular organisms.

A study of equivalent source techniques for high-resolution EEG imaging

High-resolution EEG imaging has been an important topic in recent EEG research, and much work has been done on the two equivalent source imaging techniques: the equivalent distributed dipole-layer source imaging technique (EST) and the equivalent multipole source imaging technique (SAT). In this paper we first develop a forward density formula for a spherical equivalent distributed dipole layer of an arbitrary dipole in a three-concentric-sphere head model. It is clarified using the derived forward formula that the equivalent dipole-layer source and equivalent multipole source are interrelated in theory. Finally, simulation comparisons are conducted, the results of which suggest that EST has a higher spatial resolution than SAT when both of them are implemented by a truncated singular value decomposition algorithm. This is due to the different singularities of the inversion equations involved in the two techniques. An empirical VEP data study also shows that EST is better than SAT in providing higher spatial resolution EEG imaging.

Age-specific demographic profiles of longevity mutants in Caenorhabditis elegans show segmental effects

Demographic profiles of several single-gene longevity mutants of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans reveal segmental (age-specific) effects on mortality. The mortality profiles of wild-type worms were examined across multiple replicate cultures containing 100,000 or more nematodes and found to be quite replicable, although clear environmental effects are routinely found. The combined profile of wild type was compared with those of three long-lived mutants to determine how age-specific mortality is altered by mutations in age-1, clk-1, or spe-26. In all four genotypes, death rates fit a two-stage Gompertz model better than a one-stage Gompertz; that is, mortality levels off at later ages. The largest genetic effect on mortality was that of an age-1 mutation, which lowered mortality more than fivefold at most later ages. In contrast, a spe-26 mutant had a tenfold lower mortality until approximately 2 weeks of age but ultimately achieved a higher mortality, whereas clk-1 mutants show slightly higher mortality than wild type during the fertile period, early in life, but ultimately level off at lower mortality. Each mutant thus has a distinctive profile of age-specific mortalities that could suggest the time of action of each gene.

Physiological transport forces govern drug distribution for stent-based delivery

BACKGROUND

The first compounds considered for stent-based delivery, such as heparin, were chosen on the basis of promising tissue culture and animal experiments, and yet they have failed to stop restenosis clinically. More recent compounds, such as paclitaxel, are of a different sort, being hydrophobic in nature, and their effects after local release seem far more profound. This dichotomy raises the question of whether drugs that have an effect when released from a stent do so because of differences in biology or differences in physicochemical properties and targeting.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We applied continuum pharmacokinetics to examine the effects of transport forces and device geometry on the distribution of stent-delivered hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs. We found that stent-based delivery invariably leads to large concentration gradients, with drug concentrations ranging from nil to several times the mean tissue concentration over a few micrometers. Concentration variations were a function of the Peclet number (Pe), the ratio of convective to diffusive forces. Although hydrophobic drugs exhibited greater variability than hydrophilic drugs, they achieved higher mean concentrations and remained closer to the intima. Inhomogeneous strut placement influenced hydrophilic drugs more negatively than hydrophobic drugs, dramatically affecting local concentrations without changing mean concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS

Because local concentrations and gradients are inextricably linked to biological effect, our results provide a potential explanation for the variable success of stent-based delivery. We conclude that mere proximity of delivery devices to tissues does not ensure adequate targeting, because physiological transport forces cause local concentrations to deviate significantly from mean concentrations.

[A multicenter clinical study on clinical effects of meglumine cyclic adenylate in treating patients with chronic pulmonary heart disease]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the clinical effects of meglumine cyclic adenylate (MCA) in treating patients with chronic pulmonary heart disease.

METHODS

785 patients with chronic pulmonary heart disease were divided into two groups: MCA group and control group. Both groups of patients were treated with the same ordinary methods, but MCA was given in the MCA group. The period of treatment was 5-7 days. The degree of improvement in clinical symptoms, signs, ECG, pulmonary ventilation function and arterial blood gas analysis of the two groups before and after treatment were compared.

RESULTS

The rates of improvement in clinical symptoms and signs were 92.2% and 73.6% in MCA group and control group respectively. VC increased (426 +/- 123) ml and (313 +/- 145) ml respectively as compared with the values before the treatment. FEV(1) increased (134 +/- 54) ml and (95 +/- 55) ml, PEF increased (0.78 +/- 0.32) L/s and (0.47 +/- 0.32) L/s and PaO(2) increased (23.4 +/- 9.5) mm Hg and (17.3 +/- 10.4) mm Hg respectively. The rates of ECG improvement were 63.7% and 41.2% respectively. There was significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01 and 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Significant therapeutic effects were obtained in treating patients of chronic pulmonary heart disease with respiratory and cardiac failure by using ordinary treatment measures combined with MCA injection.

Acute and long-term outcomes of stenting in coronary vessel > 3.0 mm, 3.0-2.5 mm, and < 2.5 mm

We compared the acute and long-term outcomes of stentings in coronary vessels > 3.0 mm, 3.0-2.5 mm, and < 2.5 mm. A total of 1,152 patients underwent coronary stenting was divided into three groups based on the reference vessel size. Group A consisted of 598 patients (667 lesions) with a reference vessel diameter > 3.0 mm, group B 485 patients (544 lesions) with a reference vessel diameter of 3.0-2.5 mm, and group C 114 patients (119 lesions) with a reference vessel diameter < 2.5 mm. The procedural success, stent thrombosis, and in-hospital cardiac event rate were similar in the three groups. At 6-month angiographic follow-up, the lesion restenotic rate was significantly higher in the small-vessel group (14%, 22%, and 26% in groups A, B, and C, respectively; P = 0.011). These differences appeared to result from a lesser acute gain and a lesser net gain in small-vessel group; the late luminal loss was similar in the three groups. During a follow-up duration of 28 +/- 3 months, group C patients had a significantly lower rate of event-free survival than the group A and B patients (71% vs. 85% and 82%; P = 0.002). Stepwise regression analysis demonstrated that complex lesion (P = 0.032) and long lesion (P = 0.046) are independent predictors of restenosis in very-small-vessel (< 2.5 mm) stenting. In conclusion, the acute results of stenting in small coronary arteries appear safe and feasible with a high procedural success rate and a low incidence of stent thrombosis. Stenting in patients with a small coronary artery appears to have a similar in-hospital cardiac event rate, but a higher angiographic restenosis rate and a lower event-free survival rate, compared to stenting in patients with a larger coronary artery. The predictors of restenosis in very-small-vessel stenting are complex lesions and long lesions. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2001;53:314-322.

In vivo pharmacokinetics of selective mu-opioid peptide agonists

Recent evidence suggests that highly selective mu-opioid agonists may provide good analgesia with less development of tolerance and dependence. H-Tyr-D-Arg-Phe-Lys-NH2 (DALDA) and H-Dmt-D-Arg-Phe-Lys-NH2 ([Dmt1]DALDA) were found to display high binding affinity and much greater selectivity for the mu-opioid receptor (K(i)delta/K(i)mu) > 10,000) compared with H-Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-MePhe-Gly-ol (DAMGO). In addition, [Dmt1]DALDA was 3000-fold more potent than morphine when administered intrathecally. A potential problem with peptide analogs as therapeutic agents is their susceptibility to enzymatic degradation in vivo and short elimination half-lives. In this study, we compared the stability of DAMGO, DALDA, and [Dmt1]DALDA after systemic administration in sheep. Peptide concentrations were measured using high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. When incubated in sheep blood at 37 degrees C, DAMGO, DALDA, and [Dmt1]DALDA were stable over 2 h. When given intravenously to sheep, the apparent volume of distribution was 50 to 80 ml/kg for all three peptides, suggesting that distribution was limited to blood volume. Plasma clearance of DAMGO (223 ml/kg/h) was 10-fold faster than DALDA and [Dmt1]DALDA (24 ml/kg/h), and their elimination half-lives were 0.24, 1.5, and 1.8 h, respectively. The half-lives of DALDA and [Dmt1]DALDA are even longer than morphine or meperidine in sheep. These favorable pharmacokinetic properties of DALDA and [Dmt1]DALDA, together with their mu-selectivity, potency, and long duration of action, make them ideal candidates as opioid analgesics.

Tetracyclines inhibit activated B cell function

Tetracyclines have recently been shown to exert a number of pleiotropic anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities, independent of their antibiotic properties. These include the ability to inhibit metalloproteinases (MP), a class of enzymes involved in crucial cellular functions such as the shedding of soluble mediators and their receptors from the cell surface, as well as interaction with, and remodeling of, the extracellular matrix. Here we report that doxycycline at therapeutic concentrations (1--5 microg/ml) significantly suppresses Ig secretion and class switching by in vitro activated murine B cells. Suppression of Ig secretion correlates with a decrease in levels of mRNA for the terminal B cell differentiation-associated genes Blimp-1 and mad-4, as well as to a reduction in expression of the plasma cell markers Syndecan-1 and J chain. Inhibition of class switching occurs at the recombination stage and is also induced by other MP inhibitors, including tetracycline analogs lacking antibiotic activity and the chemically unrelated hydroxamate KB8301. These novel, direct effects of MP inhibitors on B lymphocytes suggest an intrinsic role for MP in B cell activation and likely explain some of the observed in vivo immunomodulatory properties of tetracyclines. Moreover, these findings have significant implications for tetracycline therapy in Ig-mediated autoimmune or allergic diseases and raise questions about the use of doxycycline-inducible transgenic systems for the study of B cell function.

Molecular epidemiology of preterm delivery: methodology and challenges

Preterm delivery (PTD) appears to be a complex trait determined by both genetic and environmental factors. Few studies have examined genetic influence on PTD. The overall goal of our study is to examine major candidate genes of PTD and to test gene-environment interactions. Our study includes 500 preterm trios, including 500 preterm babies and their parents and 500 maternal age-matched term controls. We will perform the transmission/disequilibrium test (TDT) on candidate genes thought to be important in each of the four biological pathways of PTD: (1) decidual chorioamionotic inflammation: interleukin 1 (IL-1), IL-6, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF); (2) maternal and fetal stress: corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH); (3) uteroplacental vascular lesions: methylenetereahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR); and (4) susceptibility to environmental toxins: GSTM1, GSTT1, CYP1A1, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, NAT2, NQO1, ALDH2, and EPHX. We will also perform standard case-control analyses on the 500 preterm cases and 500 term controls to examine gene-environment interactions. The major environmental, nutritional and social factors as well as clinical variables known or suspected to be associated with PTD will be used to test for gene-environment interactions. This study integrates epidemiological and clinical data as well as genetic markers along major pathogenic pathways of PTD. The findings from this study should improve our understanding of genetic influences on PTD and gene-environment interactions.

Association of asthma with beta(2)-adrenergic receptor gene polymorphism and cigarette smoking

Recent studies have suggested that two polymorphisms of the beta(2)-adrenergic receptor (beta(2)AR) gene at codons 16 (arginine to glycine) and 27 (glutamine to glutamate) affect an individual's airway responsiveness, or response to acute or chronic beta(2)-agonist therapy but are not risk factors for asthma. We hypothesize that there is an interaction effect on asthma between the beta(2)AR gene polymorphisms and cigarette smoking. A case-control study was conducted in 128 asthma cases and 136 control individuals identified from 10,014 studied subjects in rural Anqing, China. Allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to genotype beta(2)AR gene polymorphisms. Multiple logistic regression was used to adjust for potential confounding factors. We found a marginally significant interaction between cigarette smoking and beta(2)AR-16 genotype after adjusting for important confounding factors (p = 0.06). Specifically, we found that compared with never-smoking Gly-16 homozygotes, those ever-smokers who are Arg-16 homozygotes had a significantly increased risk of asthma (odds ratio [OR] = 7.81; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.07 to 29.5). This association showed a clear dose-response relationship with the number of cigarettes smoked. However, there was no significant association of asthma with polymorphisms of the beta(2)AR at position 27 (OR = 1.38; 95% CI: 0.69 to 2.73). Our study suggests a gene-environment interaction between the Arg-16 genotype and ever cigarette smoking with respect to the susceptibility of an individual to asthma.

Rabbit EPO gene and cDNA: expression of rabbit EPO after intramuscular injection of pDNA

Erythropoietin (EPO) cDNA was cloned from kidney total RNA of a NZW rabbit. The cDNA comprises a 588-bp open reading frame encoding a 195 amino acid protein with distinguishable regions of high of homology to other mammalian EPOs. Intramuscular injection of mice with a rabbit EPO expression plasmid resulted in a significant hematocrit increase. A rabbit genomic DNA fragment was also cloned using the rabbit EPO cDNA. This 4312-bp genomic DNA fragment contains sequences homologous to the mouse EPO promoter and hypoxia-responsive enhancer. In addition, the genomic DNA also presents a high degree of conservation to other regions involved in hypoxia response. Sequence divergence in the 3' UTR may indicate differences in regulation of mRNA stability or response to low oxygen tension.

Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor signaling influences topography of islet cells in mice

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) amplifies glucose-induced insulin release in vivo and in vitro. Activation of GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) signaling leads to differentiation of exocrine cells towards a beta-cell phenotype in vitro and stimulation of islet cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo, suggesting a potential role for GLP-1 in the modulation of islet growth and differentiation. To determine whether basal levels of GLP-1R signaling are essential for islet development, we examined islet cell composition and topography in GLP-1R-/- mice. Total beta-cell volume and number are not altered, but the topography of beta cells is markedly different in GLP-1R-/- mice compared with GLP-1R+/+ controls. The distribution of beta cells is shifted from large to small and medium-sized islets in the absence of GLP-1R signaling (large islets: 50 +/- 3% in GLP-1R+/+ vs 28 +/- 4% in GLP- 1R-/-, P < 0.01 and medium islets: 32 +/- 2% in GLP- 1R+/+ vs 48 +/- 3% in GLP-1R-/-, P < 0.001). Furthermore, GLP-1R-/- islets exhibit abnormalities in cell topography, with two to threefold more centrally located alpha cells detected in GLP-1R-/- islets. These alterations in alpha- and beta-cell topography indicate that basal levels of GLP-1 signaling in the normal rodent are involved in the normal cellular organization of the endocrine pancreas.

Gα16Couples Chemoattractant Receptors to NF-κB Activation

The guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein alpha-subunit, Galpha(16), is primarily expressed in hemopoietic cells, and interacts with a large number of seven-membrane span receptors including chemoattractant receptors. We investigated the biological functions resulting from Galpha(16) coupling of chemoattractant receptors in a transfected cell model system. HeLa cells expressing a kappaB-driven luciferase reporter, Galpha(16), and the formyl peptide receptor responded to fMLP with a approximately 7- to 10-fold increase in luciferase activity. This response was accompanied by phosphorylation of IkappaBalpha and elevation of nuclear kappaB-DNA binding activity, indicating activation of NF-kappaB. In contrast to Galpha(16), expression of Galpha(q), Galpha(13), and Galpha(i2) resulted in a marginal increase in kappaB luciferase activity. A GTPase-deficient, constitutively active Galpha(16) mutant (Q212L) could replace agonist stimulation for activation of NF-kappaB. Furthermore, expression of Galpha(16) (Q212L) markedly enhanced TNF-alpha-induced kappaB reporter activity. The Galpha(16)-mediated NF-kappaB activation was paralleled by an increase in phospholipase C-beta activity, and was blocked by pharmacological inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC) and by buffering of intracellular Ca(2+). The involvement of a conventional PKC isoform was confirmed by the finding that expression of PKCalpha enhanced the effect of Galpha(16), and a dominant negative PKCalpha partially blocked Galpha(16)-mediated NF-kappaB activation. In addition to formyl peptide receptor, Galpha(16) also enhanced NF-kappaB activation by the C5a and C3a receptors, and by CXC chemokine receptor 2 and CCR8. These results suggest a potential role of Galpha(16) in transcriptional regulation downstream of chemoattractant receptors.

[Evaluation of dynamic enhanced fast multiplanar spoiling gradient recalled(FMPSPGR) in the diagnosis of small hepatocellular carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the features of small hepotocellular carcinoma (SHCC) by spin echo (SE) sequence and dynamic enhanced FMPSPGR, and to compare the sensitivity for detecting and the accuracy for characterization, further to discuss the value of FMPSPGR in the diagnosis of SHCC.

METHODS

SE T(1)WI, T(2)WI and FMPSPGR dynamic imaging of the liver were performed for 58 patients with SHCC. The sensitivity for detecting and accuracy for characterization were statistically compared.

RESULTS

Seventy-two lesions were found in 58 patients. In the detection of SHCC, the order of the sensitivity was dynamic enhanced FMPSPGR>SE T(2)WI>no-enhanced FMPSPGR>SE T(1)WI. Dynamic enhanced FMPSPGR was significantly higher than any of the others. There was significant difference between no-enhanced FMPSPGR and SE T(2)WI, but not significant difference between T(2)WI and no-enhanced FMPSPGR. In the characterization of SHCC, the accuracy of pre- and post-contrast FMPSPGR was significantly higher than that of SE (T(1)WI+T(2)WI) with remarkable statistical difference.

CONCLUSIONS

FMPSPGR dynamic imaging is superior to SE in the detection and characterization of SHCC. The sensitivity for detecting and the accuracy for characterization will be improved when both FMPSPGR and SE are used.

Further characterization of apolipoprotein B genetic variations in Taiwanese

Apolipoprotein B (apoB, protein; APOB, gene) is the main protein component of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and plays an important role in blood lipid metabolism. Previously, we have reported four APOB coding regions, 5' signal peptide, and 3' repeat sequence polymorphisms in our population. In this report, we further characterize other APOB genetic variations. The results illustrate that the mutation frequencies for Arg3500Gln (1/846 alleles), Arg4019Trp (2/786 alleles), -265 C/T promoter region (0/264 alleles), and intron 2 A/G (0/450 alleles) are very low. Our population showed a frequency of 68.9% for the B4311 Ser allele. The B4311 Asn allele was associated with a higher apoB level than the Ser group (p < 0.05) in normal controls. In the normal controls, a higher B4311 Asn/Asn genotype frequency was found in the group with total cholesterol (TC) > 200 mg/dL and apoB concentration > 85 mg/dL than in the group with a TC < 200 mg/dL and apoB < 85 mg/dL (p = 0.03 for TC comparison).