Presence of amino acids and insulin in a chemically defined medium improves development of 8-cell rat embryos in vitro and subsequent implantation in vivo

This study examined the effects of some components in a chemically defined medium on rat 8-cell embryo development in vitro. The basal medium was a modified culture medium for in vitro fertilization of rat oocytes, containing inorganic salts and energy substrates. After 36 h in culture, 28.8% of the 8-cell embryos developed into blastocysts in the basal medium. This percentage was increased by supplementing the basal medium with free amino acids, but not a premix of insulin/transferrin/selenium (ITS). However, ITS synergized the beneficial effect of amino acids. The beneficial effect of free amino acids could not be duplicated by bovine serum albumin. The synergistic action of ITS was primarily due to insulin. The removal of glucose and/or phosphate from the culture medium had no effect on embryo development in vitro. After transfer to unilaterally pregnant rats, 23.1% of the blastocysts formed in the basal medium developed to Day 18 fetuses, compared to 64.3% for those formed in the medium containing amino acids. These data indicate that the presence of amino acids in the culture medium is beneficial for embryo development in vitro and for implantation and fetal development following transfer to pregnant recipients.

Interactions of 7-[3-(4-[2,3-dimethylphenyl]piperazinyl)-propoxy]-2(1H)-quinolinone binding in rat striatum: effects of lesions

7-[3-(4-[2,3-Dimethylphenyl]piperazinyl)propoxy]-2(1H)-quinolinone (OPC-4392), a presynaptic dopamine autoreceptor agonist and postsynaptic D-2 receptor antagonist (Yasuda et al., Life Sci. 42: 1941-1954, 1988), was studied for its binding characteristics at 3H-SCH 23390-labeled dopamine D-1 receptors and 3H-spiperone-labeled dopamine D-2 receptors in rat striatum. The binding affinity of OPC-4392 for 3H-spiperone-labeled D-2 receptors was 500 times higher than for 3H-SCH 23390-labeled D-1 receptors. 6-Hydroxydopamine lesions of striatum and high-frequency current lesions of medial forebrain bundle did not affect the competition of OPC-4392 for 3H-spiperone binding. Kainic acid lesions of striatum significantly changed the one-site model fit to a two-site model fit of the competition curve of OPC-4392 for 3H-spiperone binding, suggesting that OPC-4392 competed with 3H-spiperone binding differently for postsynaptic dopamine D-2 receptors and for presynaptic dopamine autoreceptors.

[Quantitative assay method for total saponins in Panax quinquefolium Api]

This article adopts macro-reticular resins to separate and get rid of water soluble impurities such as carbohydrate in Panax quinquefolium so as to determine its total saponin content by spectrophotometry. This method also yields good results in determining the total saponins in P. ginseng ora solution. For the control or appraise of the quality of preparations containing P. quinquefolium or P. ginseng oral solutions this method has practice value.

An electron microscopic study on substance P-like immunoreactive nerve fibers in the pars distalis of the adenohypophysis in the dog

The pars distalis of the adenohypophysis has recently been proved to be innervated by substance P-like immunoreactive nerve fibers in the monkey and the dog. The present study investigated immuno-electron microscopically the morphology of these nerve fibers and their relationship to anterior pituitary gland cells in the dog. The nerve fibers were unmyelinated and varicose. Direct contacts between them and every cell type of the gland could be ascertained, including folliculostellate cells. Typical synapses were identified on somatotropes and corticotropes. Most of them were of asymmetrical type with round to oval small clear vesicles and scattered large dense-cored vesicles. Occasional symmetrical type synapses were also seen. The results imply that substance P-like immunoreactive nerve fibers have an effector role in the pars distalis of the dog.

Gene imprinting and major histocompatibility complex class I antigen expression in the rat placenta

Ultrastructural immunocytochemical studies of the expression of major histocompatibility complex class I antigens in the placentas of inbred rats were performed using placentas derived from natural matings and from embryo transfers into females made pseudopregnant by mechanical stimulation. The studies utilized the WF (u) and DA (a) strains and monoclonal antibodies to all of the class I antigens involved. All four mating combinations of the two strains showed that only paternal antigens were expressed in the placenta and that they were limited to the basal trophoblast. This conclusion was confirmed using embryo transfer experiments. In allogeneic natural matings, the allele-specific class I transplantation antigens were not expressed on the membrane of the basal trophoblast but they were expressed in embryo transfers involving embryos of the same genotype. In both types of pregnancies, the pregnancy-associated (Pa) antigen was present on the membrane of the basal trophoblast. The antibody response to DA X DA and to WF X DA embryos transferred into pseudopregnant WF females was against the allele-specific RT1.Aa antigen and the Pa antigen, whereas the antibody response to the heterozygous embryo in the natural WF (female) X DA (male) mating was against the Pa antigen only. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the suppression of the expression of the allele-specific major histocompatibility complex class I antigens occurs shortly after fertilization and that it requires the uterine environment of a natural mating.

Fibronectin in patients with chronic renal failure undergoing dialysis

Fibronectin (FN) levels were determined in 64 cases with chronic renal failure (CRF), some of whom were undergoing dialysis. FN levels were 14.9 +/- 7.6 mg/dl in CRF (n = 20), 13.4 +/- 4.3 mg/dl in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) (n = 20) and 16.7 +/- 7.2 mg/dl in patients on hemodialysis (HD) (n = 24). All the levels were significantly lower than in normal subjects (23.1 +/- 4.6 mg/dl). Serum FN was compared with some nutritional indices. Positive correlations were found between serum FN and nitrogen balance (BN), serum prealbumin (PreA) and transferrin (Tf) in all the patients. With serum albumin (Alb), however, this correlation was only found in patients undergoing dialysis. Negative correlations were found between serum FN and the ratio of serum urea to serum creatinine (Surea/Scr) in CAPD and HD patients. In 10 CAPD patients, the low serum FN levels went up after increased protein intake. This indicates that it was the result of malnutrition due to decreased protein intake. Serum FN level reflects a negative BN earlier and better than serum PreA, Tf and Alb. It is a sensitive, reliable and simple index for judging the nutritional protein status and the effect of nutritional treatment in patients with CRF undergoing dialysis.

[Relation of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic characteristics of pilose antler and its traditional quality grade]

The relationship between FTIR characteristics of Pilose Antler and its traditional quality grade was studied and a rule governing its quality value "Z" was found. We have thus advanced a new objective target for preparing Pilose Antler tablets and powder.

Theory and measurement of ocular chromatic aberration

We have determined the transverse chromatic aberration of the human eye by measuring the apparent offset of a two-color vernier viewed foveally through a displaced, pinhole aperture. For the same subjects, we also determined the longitudinal chromatic aberration for foveal viewing by the method of best focus. In both cases, the results were closely predicted by a simple, reduced-eye optical-model for which transverse and longitudinal chromatic aberration are directly proportional, with the constant of proportionally being the amount of displacement of the pinhole from the visual axis. Further measurements revealed that the natural pupil was closely centered on the visual axis for two subjects and slightly displaced in the temporal direction for three other subjects. One implication of these results is that, although the eye has substantial chromatic aberration, the pupil is positioned so as to minimize the transverse component of the aberration for central vision, thereby optimizing foveal image quality for polychromatic objects.

Amplification and expression of the c-erb B-2/neu proto-oncogene in human bladder cancer

The c-erb B-2/neu gene encodes a cell-surface glycoprotein with extensive homology to, but distinct from, the epidermal growth-factor receptor. In this study, we compared the c-erb B-2/neu gene amplification and expression of tissue specimens obtained from the bladders of normal controls and patients with high-grade transitional cell bladder carcinoma. Southern blot analysis of DNAs from 24 patients and 5 controls showed 2 cases of c-erb B-2/neu gene amplification in patients and none in controls. Western blot analysis demonstrated that c-erb B-2/neu was expressed in 67.6% (23/34) of patient specimens but in none of the controls (0/5). This finding agreed with the result of immunohistochemical staining, which showed that tissue from 74.3% (26/35) of the patients and none of the controls (0/7) showed positive immunofluorescence staining. This is the first report suggesting that c-erb B-2/neu gene amplification may be associated with human bladder carcinogenesis.

Differential amplification of the TGF-alpha gene in human gliomas

The gene amplification and expression of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) in human gliomas was determined by Southern blot analysis and a receptor binding study. Amplification of the EGF-R gene was demonstrated in 3 of 11 tumors examined. All were glioblastomas, whereas the TGF-alpha gene was amplified in 7 of 11 tumors, and 6 of the 7 were recurrent glioblastomas and anaplastic astrocytomas. A competitive binding study with iodinated EGF showed a TGF-alpha-like activity ranging from 1.6-31.5 ng of EGF/microgram protein. These results suggest a differential expression of EGF-R and TGF-alpha genes among untreated and recurrent malignant gliomas.

Influence of development and aging on nicotinic receptor subtypes in rodent brain

The influence of development and aging on nicotinic receptor subtypes in rodent brain was investigated. 3H-nicotine and 3H-acetylcholine (3H-ACh) were used as receptor ligands. Specific binding sites for 3H-nicotine and 3H-ACh were detected in mouse brain during the late prenatal period. A drop in the number of 3H-nicotine and 3H-ACh binding sites was measured shortly after birth. The 3H-nicotine and 3H-ACh binding sites showed different time courses during prenatal development. Competition experiments using unlabelled (-)nicotine and 3H-nicotine revealed one population of high affinity nicotinic binding sites in the cortex of 1-day and 5-day-old mice whereas both a set of high and low affinity binding sites were found in adult mice. The proportion of cortical high and low affinity nicotinic binding sites did not change with aging although the absolute amount of high affinity nicotinic binding sites decreased. The 3H-nicotine binding showed different temperature dependence in rat brain of different ages. The results illustrate dynamic changes in nicotinic receptor properties during life span of rodents.

Distribution of juxtaglomerular cells and synthesis and release of renin granules in patients with renal artery stenosis

100 pieces of renal tissue from 4 patients with renal artery stenosis were studied histologically. Juxtaglomerular cells were found not only in the region close to the glomerulus but also in the proximal 2/3 of the afferent arteriole of the glomerulus, but not in the interlobular arterioles. In the cytoplasm of juxtaglomerular cells, three kinds of granules were found: crystalline granules (immature), the round or ovoid granules (mature), and the lobulated granules (fusion). Renin was synthesized in the rough endoplasmic reticulum and packaged in the Golgi complex. Electron microscopic findings suggested that the secretory microvesicles were produced on the surface of Golgi complex. They fused to form primary crystalline granules, which were enlarged by renin supplied by transportation vesicles and finally formed typical crystalline granules. The mature renin granules (round or ovoid) moved toward the periphery of the cytoplasma. Their limiting membranes on the side toward the basement membrane disintegrated and formed microvesicular bodies passing through the periplasm, and the basement membrane and were discharged into the interstitial matrix.

Relationship between clinical manifestations and coronary angiographic morphology in patients with coronary artery disease

To study the relationship between clinical manifestations and coronary anatomy and morphology, coronary angiography was performed in 20 patients with chronic stable angina (Group I), in 18 patients with unstable angina (Group II), and in 20 patients with previous myocardial infarction (Group III). Although the site and extent of coronary artery disease were similar among the three groups, coronary morphology differed considerably, with a concentric lesion occurring in 70% of Group I patients and an eccentric lesion in 62% and 63% of Group II and Group III patients, respectively. The study suggests that coronary lesion morphology may form an anatomic basis in determining clinical manifestations for patients with coronary artery disease. An eccentric coronary stenosis may be useful in identifying high-risk patients.

Ultrastructural findings in oral hyperpigmentation of HIV-infected patients

Oral hyperpigmentation has been observed in six HIV-infected patients, in two of whom systemic medication (ketokonazole, clofazimine) was supposed to be etiologically involved. Histologically, pigment was found in epithelial basal cells and particularly in subepithelial connective tissue. Ultrastructurally, the presence of premature melanosomes in subepithelial keratinocytes was of interest. Stimulation of melanocytes during HIV infection may occur in association with immunopathologic changes in the oral mucosa.

Impairment of baroreceptor reflex control of heart rate but not sympathetic efferent discharge by central neuroadministration of ethanol

We investigated the acute hemodynamic effects of ethanol microinjection into brain areas known to influence cardiovascular function and reflexes. In chloralose-anesthetized rats, ethanol had no effect on baseline mean arterial pressure, heart rate, or sympathetic efferent discharge when microinjected into the nucleus tractus solitarius, the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, the rostral ventrolateral medulla, or the posterior hypothalamus. On the other hand, ethanol microinjection into the anterior hypothalamus caused a site-dependent pressor effect and an increase in sympathetic efferent discharge. Baroreceptor heart rate response but not sympathetic efferent discharge response was impaired by ethanol microinjection into the nucleus tractus solitarius, the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, and the rostral ventrolateral medulla, suggesting that ethanol involves one or more of these areas in its inhibitory effect on baroreceptor heart rate response and that ethanol has a selective action on baroreceptor reflex control of heart rate. The findings that 1) the effect was dose dependent and 2) injection of ethanol outside of, or an equal volume of cerebrospinal fluid into, the nucleus tractus solitarius had no effect on the response strongly suggest that the observed effect on baroreceptor heart rate response was ethanol mediated. Ethanol microinjection into the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus impaired the heart rate response, thus raising the possibility that leakage of ethanol to that area from the nucleus tractus solitarius might have contributed to its effect. These findings show that ethanol has a pressor and sympathoexcitatory site of action within the anterior hypothalamus and that it selectively impairs baroreceptor heart rate response via a central site of action; the mechanisms by which ethanol produces these effects remain to be elucidated.

DNA probe technique for diagnosis of human cytomegalovirus infection

A rapid diagnostic assay for human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has been developed for detecting HCMV DNA in urine samples with 32P-labelled cloned fragment, Eco RI fragment B, of DNA from HCMV strain Towne. 3.2 pg of homologous fragment from HCMV DNA could be detected by the labelled probe, and it did not hybridize DNA from other herpes viruses or human cells in dot hybridization assay. The assay correctly identified all (100%) of 7 coded urine specimen cultures positive for HCMV and 9 (90%) of 10 urine sample cultures negative for HCMV. So the hybridization assay was correct and as sensitive as the currently available tissue culture technique. The infection levels of different populations, such as organ transplantation recipients, patients with infantile hepatitis syndrome, normal infants, fetuses, have been investigated by the hybridization assay in the present study.