[Assignment of a novel zinc finger gene ZNF191 to human chromosome 18Q12.1 by human/rodent somatic cell hybrid panel and fluorescent in situ hybridization]

A novel human zinc finger gene, ZNF191, was assigned to chromosome 18 by hybridization of human/rodent hybrid cell panel to a full-length cDNA as a probe. Meanwhile, a human genomic DNA lambda/DASH library was screened using this cDNA probe and several positive clones were obtained. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed by using one of these positive clones, 16-1, as a probe. Thus, the ZNF191 gene was precisely mapped in 18q12. 1. To date, some hereditary diseases and tumors have been found to be associated with this region by analysis of genetic linkage and loss of heterozygosity. Hence, it suggested that the gene ZNF191 can be taken as a candidate gene responsible for those diseases and tumors.

A protein encoded by din1, a dark-inducible and senescence-associated gene of radish, can be imported by isolated chloroplasts and has sequence similarity to sulfide dehydrogenase and other small stress proteins

In an attempt to isolate cDNA clones for dark-inducible chloroplast proteins, we screened a cDNA library which was prepared from radish cotyledons by a two-step method. The source plants were grown under continuous light for 14 d and kept in darkness for 24 h. One of the selected clones, S2D12, corresponded to the din1 gene which we previously reported as a dark-inducible, senescence-associated gene [Azumi and Watanabe (1991) Plant Physiol. 95:577]. A 22 kDa polypeptide was produced from the cDNA in an in vitro expression system in the presence of [35S]methionine. This polypeptide was capable of being imported by isolated chloroplasts, processed to a smaller mature form and localized in the stromal fraction. As the amino acid sequence of the putative mature protein has no homology to any known chloroplast protein, din1 was suggested to be the first gene for a chloroplast protein which is negatively controlled by light. The putative mature protein has similarity to sulfide dehydrogenase from Wolinella succinogenes and other small stress proteins; glpE and pspE from Escherichia coli and hsp67B2 from Drosophila melanogaster.

Metabolic characteristics and enflurane defluorination of cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenases in human hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Xenobiotic metabolism and defluorination capacity of microsomal monooxygenases were investigated in vitro through the surgical specimens of liver resected from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and patients of extrahepatic pathology as control.

METHODS

In microsomes of hepatocellular carcinoma tissues, the activities of cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenase isoenzymes 1A1, 2B1, and 2E1 were evaluated in vitro by reacting with the specific marker substrates benzo(a)pyrene, benzphetamine and aniline, respectively, in the generating incubation system. The distant normal liver tissues and tissues from control patients with extrahepatic lesion were also investigated for comparison. The ability of enflurane defluorination was assessed by Orion combined for detection of free fluoride ion production.

RESULTS

Concentrations of P450 total content, cytochrome b5, and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase showed parallel and marked reduction in tumor tissues when compared with its distant normal regions or normal livers. The monooxygenase functions displayed significant decreases within the tumor tissues as benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylation > or = benzphetamine demethylation > aniline hydroxylation in magnitude. Defluorination of enflurane also markedly decreased in tumor tissues comparing with normal livers.

CONCLUSIONS

These marked reductions in the compositions and in vitro metabolic activities, including defluorination of anesthetics, in the cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenases within the tumor tissues characterize the unique pattern of xenobiotic metabolism in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Microtubule and chromatin dynamics during fertilization and early development in rhesus monkeys, and regulation by intracellular calcium ions

To explore primate fertilization, oocytes and zygotes from fertile rhesus monkeys were imaged throughout fertilization, polyspermy, and artificial activation using confocal microscopy for microtubules and DNA, as well as ratiometric computer-enhanced video microscopy for intracellular calcium. Unfertilized oocytes displayed microtubules only in the radially oriented meiotic spindles. At insemination, a large calcium transient was followed by a series of smaller oscillations, and sperm astral microtubules had assembled from the sperm centrosome by 2.5 h after transient onset. This aster enlarged, and later duplicated, as the pronuclei converged near the cortex. Pronuclear apposition was prevented by microtubule inhibitors. At mitotic prophase, microtubules ensheathed both sets of condensing chromosomes. At metaphase, the spindle was barrel-shaped and eccentrically positioned with two small asters at the pole with the sperm tail. Microtubules emanating from the telophase spindle interacted with the adjacent cortex and displaced the spindle toward the cell center as first cytokinesis ensued. During polyspermy, each sperm nucleated an aster, and the frequency of calcium oscillations increased. Activation resulted initially in disarrayed microtubules that eventually organized into functional mitotic spindles. These kinetic results demonstrate that rhesus monkeys accomplish fertilization in a fashion nearly identical to that of humans and are, therefore, ideal models in which to investigate cytoskeletal events during human reproduction.

Transcriptional regulation of the rat insulin-like growth factor-I gene involves metabolism-dependent binding of nuclear proteins to a downstream region

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) gene transcription is mediated largely via exon 1. In an initial search for regulatory regions, rat hepatocytes were transfected with IGF-I constructs. Since omission of downstream sequences led to reduced expression, we then used in vitro transcription to evaluate potential metabolic regulation via downstream regions. With templates including 219 base pairs of downstream sequence, transcriptional activity was reduced 70-90% with hepatic nuclear extracts from diabetic versus normal rats. However, activity was comparable with templates lacking downstream sequences. The downstream region contained six DNase I footprints, and templates with deletion of either region III or V no longer provided reduced transcriptional activity with nuclear extracts from diabetic rats. Nuclear protein binding to regions III and V appeared to be metabolically regulated, as shown by reduced DNase I protection and activity in gel mobility shift assays with nuclear extracts from diabetic rats. Southwestern blotting probes corresponding to regions III and V recognized a approximately 65-kDa nuclear factor present at reduced levels in diabetic rats. These findings indicate that a downstream region in exon 1 may be important for both IGF-I expression and metabolic regulation. Altered concentration or activity of a transcription factor(s) binding to this region may contribute to reduced IGF-I gene transcription associated with diabetes mellitus.

The paternal inheritance of the centrosome, the cell's microtubule-organizing center, in humans, and the implications for infertility

Successful fertilization in humans, achieved when parental chromosomes intermix at first mitosis, requires centrosome restoration and microtubule-mediated motility. Imaging of inseminated human oocytes reveals that the sperm introduces the centrosome. The centrosome then nucleates the new microtubule assembly to form the sperm aster--a step essential for successful fertilization. Oocytes from some infertile patients failed to complete fertilization because of defects in uniting the sperm and egg nuclei, indicating that failure to properly effect the cytoplasmic motions uniting the nuclei results in human infertility. These discoveries have important implications for infertility diagnosis and managing reproduction.

Recovery from propofol anesthesia: a quantitative electroencephalographic analysis

Four numerical descriptors (median frequency, spectral edge frequency-95%, total power, and delta-ratio) derived from the computer-processed electroencephalogram (Neurometrics Lifescan) were analyzed for their ability to predict imminent arousal from total intravenous anesthesia with propofol. Fifteen patients undergoing minor surgical procedures without intubation were enrolled in the study. Arousal was defined as eye opening in response to verbal stimuli. During emergence from propofol, there were no significant changes among the descriptors except the delta-ratio. Significant change of delta-ratio occurred 210 seconds before patients' arousal and thereafter. An increase of delta-ratio value indicates that patients shifted from anesthetic to arousal state. It is concluded that the degree of delta-ratio change may be used for predicting patients' arousal from propofol anesthesia.

Transcription function of each base pair in the control region of the adenovirus VARNA1 gene

Eighty-seven mutants with single-base substitution in the control region (from -44 to +70) of the adenovirus VARNA1 gene were generated, including nearly every base pair, to examine the role of DNA sequences within this control region for regulating transcription. The effect of these mutations on transcription of the gene was determined in vitro using cytoplasmic S100 extracts from human KB cells. Mutations at -37T, -35A, -29T, -28A, -25C, -18A, -17A, -16A, -13A, -9C, -8C, and -1C in the 5'-flanking region reduced transcription of the gene. Thus two positive regulatory elements, from -44 to -25 and from -18 to +2, interspersed with a putative negative regulatory element were defined. Furthermore, a distinct A-rich purine stretch in the -18 to +2 element was identified. Point mutations in the pyrimidine-rich sequence immediately upstream of the A block promoter element reduced transcription of the gene. Mutations in the GTGG direct repeats of the A block promoter element drastically decreased transcription. Furthermore, mutations that altered the AT-rich sequence immediately downstream of the A block element to become less AT-rich decreased transcription. Mutations of the base pairs at +43C, +45T, and +51A in the inter-block element moderately reduced transcription efficiency of the gene. Mutations at the central four base pairs, GTTC, of the B block palindrome severely affected transcription. These unique sequence motifs and their exact base pairs were proven to be important for regulating transcription of the VARNA1 gene.

Clinical implications and factors related to left atrial spontaneous echo contrast in chronic nonvalvular atrial fibrillation

The mechanisms leading to formation of spontaneous echo contrast (SEC), a smoke-like echo on echocardiography, are still controversial. To further explore the clinical implications and factors related to SEC formation, the correlation among echocardiographic variables, hematologic parameters or platelet aggregability, and the occurrence of SEC was studied in 119 patients with chronic nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. There were 75 men and 44 women with a mean age of 65 +/- 10 years (range 38-88). Left atrial SEC was detected in 39 patients (33%) by transesophageal echocardiography. Patients with history of systemic embolism were more frequently found to have left atrial SEC and left atrial thrombus by univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis showed that left atrial SEC (p < 0.001) was the only independent predictor of history of systemic embolism. Age, sex, left atrial or left ventricular dimension, left ventricular ejection fraction, antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy and the percentage of lone atrial fibrillation were not significantly different between patients with and without left atrial SEC. Among the hematologic parameters, higher hematocrit was found in patients with left atrial SEC, while white blood cell and platelet counts were comparable in both groups. Platelet aggregability with different concentrations of inducers, adenosine diphosphate and collagen, was evaluated by the turbidimetric method in 15 patients with left atrial SEC and in 42 patients without left atrial SEC who were not receiving antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy. No significant difference was found in platelet aggregability using four inducer concentrations between two groups of patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Regulation of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF-binding protein 1 gene transcription by hormones and provision of amino acids in rat hepatocytes

Synthesis of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) is altered in diabetes and malnutrition, but underlying processes are poorly understood. To study molecular mechanisms, we examined regulation of IGF-I and IGFBP-1 gene transcription in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. Transcription of the IGF-I and IGFBP-1 genes was measured as incorporation of [alpha-32P]UTP into preinitiated message in isolated nuclei. IGFBP-1 gene transcription was not sensitive to reduction in amino acid concentration from 5x to 0.5x rat arterial plasma levels. However, IGF-I gene transcription fell 60-70% in response to reduced provision of amino acids. Culture with 10(-9) M insulin lowered IGFBP-1 gene transcription 50% below control levels (10-11 M) but did not affect IGF-I gene transcription; 10(-6) M insulin raised IGF-I gene transcription 2-fold. After an acute reduction in insulin concentration, IGFBP-1 transcription began to rise within 30 min, but IGF-I gene transcription was unchanged over 120 min. Similarly, 3-6 h were required for stimulation of IGF-I gene transcription by insulin, but a 40% decrease in IGFBP-1 gene transcription could be detected within 15 min after adding 10(-6) M insulin, and suppression of IGFBP-1 transcription by insulin was unaffected by the presence of cycloheximide. Effects of insulin on IGFBP-1 gene transcription were not mimicked or antagonized by phorbol ester.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Plasma endothelin level changes during hemorrhagic shock

The purpose of this study was to analyze changes in plasma endothelin-1 levels during hemorrhagic shock. Thirty-two mongrel dogs were divided into four equal groups with group I as the controls and groups II through IV as experimental groups. The dogs in the experimental groups underwent hemorrhagic procedures. The mean blood pressure was kept at the level of 65 mm Hg in group II, 50 mm Hg in group III, and 40 mm Hg in group IV. Blood samples were collected from each dog under the following conditions: (1) after induction of anesthesia, when the animals were hemodynamically stable, before the start of shock; (2) 1 minute after the mean arterial pressure dropped to the level designed for each group (shock 1); (3) 15 minutes after shock 1; (4) 30 minutes after shock 1; (5) 1 hour after shock 1; (6) 2 hours after shock 1; (7) 4 hours after shock 1; and (8) 8 hours after shock 1. Plasma endothelin-1 levels both in arterial and venous blood were analyzed in each dog. The results showed that (1) arterial endothelin-1 concentrations were considerably lower than venous concentrations at the baseline level; (2) after the shock-1 point, plasma endothelin-1 concentrations increased, first markedly and then evenly throughout the oligemic period; (3) elevation of plasma endothelin-1 levels was significantly linearly correlated with the amount of blood loss at the time of 2 hours after shock and thereafter; (4) the arterial/venous ratio of plasma endothelin-1 levels during the oligemic period was higher than that in the control group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Midazolam and Meperidine for colonoscopy]

We studied the sedative, analgesic and amnesic effects of intravenous midazolam and meperidine for colonoscopy, and also compared patient's satisfaction, changes of vital signs, safety and complications with intramuscular meperidine during the colonoscopy. Two hundred and ninety-nine patients undergoing physical check-up were randomized to receive intramuscular meperidine 50 mg and Hyoscine-N-Butylbromide (buscopan) 20 mg (Group IM-MB, n = 57) or intravenous midazolam 0.05 mg/kg, meperidine 1 mg/kg and buscopan 20 mg (Group IV-MMB, n = 242) before colonoscopy. All patients were closely observed and arterial oxygen saturations (SaO2) were monitored with pulse oximeter in Group IV-MMB. The demographic data of both groups were similar. There were significantly more severe pain responses (grimacing, moaning, shouting for pain, abdominal rigidity and body moving during colonoscopy) in Group IM-MB (51%) than in Group IV-MMB (13%) (p < 0.01). In immediate procedure recall after recovery from medications, 39% of Group IM-MB remembered severe pain during colonoscopy and only 3% of Group IV-MMB did (p < 0.01). 92% of Group IV-MMB who felt satisfactory with the medications were significantly higher than 21% in Group IM-MB (p < 0.01). Both groups significantly increased in heart rate after the injection of medications (p < 0.01). Group IM-MB increased 15 +/- 18% and Group IV-MMB 61 +/- 28% with significant difference between groups (p < 0.01). This might be caused by meperidine, buscopan, and relative hypovolemia of patients. There were significant decreases in SaO2 in Group IV-MMB, mean 4.5 +/- 1.7% (p < 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of pH on endothelin-1 secretion of aortic strips

In this study, aortic strips taken from mongrel dogs were used as experimental material. After preparation, the aortic strips were incubated in a designed control medium or an experimental medium (adding thrombin or epinephrine to the control medium). The pH value of each incubation medium mentioned above was adjusted with HCl or NaOH to a level of 8.0, 7.4, 7.0 and 6.6, respectively, in order to investigate the influence of medium acidity on the production of endothelin-1 from endothelial cells using aortic strips. After a designated time duration (one hour, three hours, six hours and 12 hours, respectively), the incubation media were collected for assay of endothelin-1. The results demonstrated that the endothelin-1 level of the incubation medium was elevated when: 1) the incubation time was lengthened; 2) the incubation medium was more acidic; 3) the aortic strips were incubated with a stimulant, such as thrombin and epinephrine; and 4) the endothelial cells on the aortic strips were intact. This indicates that the secretion of endothelin-1 is: 1) time-dependent, 2) pH-dependent, 3) stimulant-dependent and 4) endothelium-dependent.

Plasma endothelin levels and surgically correctable pulmonary hypertension

To know the changes in plasma endothelin of patients with pulmonary hypertension, we studied 32 patients with valvular heart disease. Among them, 22 patients had pulmonary hypertension (group I) and 10 had pulmonary arterial pressures in the normal range (group II). Plasma endothelin-1 concentrations of the patients in group I were significantly greater than those of the patients in group II (p < 0.05). No significant difference in plasma endothelin-3 concentrations existed between the two groups. Cardiac output and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure had a linear correlation with plasma endothelin-1 levels. There was also a significant correlation between plasma endothelin-1 levels and hemodynamic indicators of severity of pulmonary hypertension, such as mean pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance (p < 0.05). All patients in this study underwent surgical procedures for the correction of valvular lesions. All patients in group I showed a decrease in pulmonary arterial pressures, and their plasma endothelin-1 levels decreased from 3.84 +/- 0.20 pg/mL to 1.66 +/- 0.07 pg/mL (p < 0.05), whereas the plasma endothelin-3 levels had only slight variation from 0.64 +/- 0.11 pg/mL to 0.75 +/- 0.06 pg/mL (p > 0.05) between the preoperative and the postoperative stages. The results demonstrated that plasma endothelin-1 rather than endothelin-3 had a role in pulmonary hypertension. Several pieces of evidence pointed out that endothelin-1 functioned as a reactive mediator during vasoconstriction in the case of pulmonary hypertension rather than as a triggering factor of pulmonary hypertension.

[Photodegradation assay method of nifedipine and its application to studies on percutaneous absorption]

A new method of analysis for low concentrations nifedipine was developed according to the principle of a photodegradation analytical method that has been reported by the authors previously, and was used to study percutaneous absorption. The absorbance of sample solution was measured before and after light irradiation at 237 nm for 2 h. In this method, calibration graph was linear in the range of 1-20 micrograms/ml for delta A237. The average recovery for nifedipine was 98.80%. No interference from propylene glycol, azone, m-nifedipine, nitrendipine, verapamil and propranolol was observed. It is shown that azone can promote markedly percutaneous absorption of nifedipine.

The role of endothelin-1 during ischemia-reperfusion injury

In order to investigate the role of endothelin-1 during ischemia-reperfusion injury, 80 adult male Wistar rats were subjected to three hours of ischemia and one hour of reperfusion. Animals were evenly divided into eight groups. The rats in group 1 served as the normal control group, while the rats in group 2 received an intravenous infusion of endothelin-1 in a dosage of 0.5 ng/kg/min, group 3 in a dosage of 5 ng/kg/min, and group 4 in a dosage of 50 ng/kg/min. The rats in group 5 were infused with angiotensin II (10 ng/kg/min). The rats in group 6 received an intravenous infusion of 10,000 units of superoxide dismutase and 10,000 units of catalase. Group 7 rats were infused with endothelin-1 (50 ng/kg/min), superoxide dismutase (10,000 units), and catalase (10,000 units). Group 8 rats received an infusion of angiotensin II (10 ng/kg/min), superoxide dismutase (10,000 units) and catalase (10,000 units). The infusions were given during the reperfusion period. After one hour of reperfusion, the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles of the experimental animals were excised and assayed for ischemia-reperfusion injury by measuring triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) reduction. The results showed that the limb activity of the ischemic extremity was 40.33 +/- 2.75% in group 1, 41.62 +/- 4.08% in group 2, 14.42 +/- 3.14% in group 3, 4.43 +/- 1.05% in group 4, 23.81 +/- 3.51% in group 5, 57.23 +/- 4.52% in group 6, 31.79 42- 3.63% in group 7, and 27.39 +/- 3.95% in group 8. Endothelin-1 reduced the limb activity in a dose-dependent manner.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenovirus VARNA1 gene B block promoter element sequences required for transcription and for interaction with transcription factors

We constructed mutants with a deletion of either half of the 18 base-pair B block palindrome in the VARNA1 gene, mutants with different intra-palindromic spacings, a complete set of mutants with single base substitutions, and mutants with double and triple base substitutions in the palindrome. The transcription efficiencies of these mutants were determined in human KB cell-free cytoplasmic S100 extracts. The relative competing strength of each mutant, as determined by a sequential competition experiment, was used to assess each mutant's ability to sequester factors into formation of a stable preinitiation complex. The ability of each mutant to assemble transcriptionally active preinitiation complexes was also determined by direct transcription of the isolated complexes. Finally, the ability of each mutant to interact with the transcription factor(s) TFIIIC and form a distinct gel-resolved complex was also determined. From the results of the above assays, we concluded that the two seemingly identical halves of the palindrome did not contribute equally to transcription, or to assembly of the functional preinitiation complex, nor to interaction with TFIIIC. The anterior half (B1) of the B block palindrome, which is proximal to the A block promoter element, played a stronger role in transcription and in assembly of the functional preinitiation complex than the posterior half (B2) of the palindrome. Consistent with this observation, the point mutations in four base-pairs, GTTC, from +60 to +63 in the anterior half of the B block palindrome, has the most severe effect on transcription. In contrast, we showed that the central sequence and the posterior half (B2) played a stronger role than the anterior half (B1) of the B block palindrome in the interaction of the promoter with TFIIIC. This was corroborated by the observation that base substitutions in the central four base-pair sequence of the palindrome, TCGA, from +62 to +65, had the most severe effect on interaction with TFIIIC, and that mutations in most of the sequences in the posterior half of the B block palindrome had more drastic effects than mutations in the anterior half of the palindrome in this interaction. Furthermore, the spacing between the two halves of the B block palindrome had a drastic effect on the overall transcription efficiency and the interaction of the promoter with TFIIIC, suggesting that the interaction between the two halves of the B block palindrome is not only essential, but also synergistic for the interaction with TFIIIC as well as the assembly of a transcriptionally active preinitiation complex and efficient transcription.

Effects of fibrin glue on hemostasis

In order to decrease complications following incomplete hemostasis, we tried to make a safe, efficient and highly concentrated fibrin glue by thawing single-donor fresh frozen plasma. Using a unique animal model, in which arterial bleeding was created, fibrin glue and some related hemostatic agents were tested to evaluate their hemostatic effectiveness. The results demonstrated that: 1) the concomitant use of cryoprecipitate-thrombin tissue glue with adjuvant (aprotinin or calcium chloride) had a better hemostatic effect than the use of cryoprecipitate-thrombin tissue glue alone (p < 0.05); 2) impregnation of fibrin glue with a suitable vehicle was advisable to accelerate the coagulation plug formation and to enhance the mechanical strength of the adhesive plug; 3) Gelform, used as a vehicle to hold the fibrin glue, had a more efficient hemostatic effect than gauze, collagen fleece and Surgicel (p < 0.05); 4) systemic heparinization attenuated the effectiveness of the hemostatic agents and aggravated the bleeding problem, but a low hematocrit level did not; 5) fibrin glue had its own limitations, especially under systemic heparinization, on hemostatic effectiveness in a high-pressure system. Understanding the characteristics of fibrin glue, as mentioned above, definitely improved the hemostatic effectiveness of the glue, especially after failure of the usual methods of controlling bleeding.

[Patient-controlled intravenous versus epidural analgesia after major joint replacement]

The analgesic efficacy, side effects, and satisfaction of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with intravenous and epidural morphine for postoperative pain were evaluated in this study. Twenty patients undergoing major joint replacement surgery were randomly allocated to intravenous PCA (IPCA) group or epidural PCA (EPCA) group. All patients had a standardized balanced anesthesia, and an epidural catheter was introduced after the operation in EPCA group. Postoperative pain relief was evaluated with verbal pain scale. The result showed that pain intensity and pain relief were similar in either group without significant difference (p greater than 0.05). Morphine consumption in IPCA group was 1.72 +/- 0.30 mg/h in the postoperative 0 - 12 h and 1.14 +/- 0.44 mg/h in 12 - 24 h. In EPCA group, relatively low doses of morphine were used, i.e., 0.20 +/- 0.07 mg/h in the postoperative 0 - 12 h and 0.17 +/- 0.07 mg/h in 12 - 24 h. Both groups showed an "incomplete" but satisfactory analgesia with relatively low doses of morphine. The "equianalgesic dose ratio" of IPCA to EPCA with morphine was approximately 8.5:1. Sedation was minimal in both groups. No respiratory depression developed in all patients. Nausea and vomiting were the most prominent side effects which might limit the usefulness of PCA. The incidence was 5 out of 10 patients in IPCA group and 4 out of 10 patients in EPCA group, despite under the treatment of droperidol (15 micrograms/kg, iv, prn) for most of the patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Expression of hepatic insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 genes is transcriptionally regulated in streptozotocin-diabetic rats

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF-binding protein-1 (BP-1) are critical cell regulators, with regulation and action in endocrine, paracrine, and autocrine modes. Although IGF-I and BP-1 are thought to be modulated mainly at the level of synthesis, underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. To examine regulation by insulin, we used run-on assays to measure IGF-I and BP-1 gene transcription rates in nuclei isolated from the livers of normal and diabetic rats. Streptozotocin (STZ)-treated rats exhibited 20-25% weight loss, a 2.5- to 3-fold increase in serum glucose, and a 50-60% fall in circulating IGF-I levels (all P less than 0.001). Diabetic animals also had a 45% reduction in hepatic IGF-I mRNA and over 400% increases in BP-1 mRNA (both P less than 0.005); all parameters were restored toward normal after treatment with insulin. Metabolically responsive IGF-I gene transcription was evaluated effectively with a 3.2-kilobase BglII/EcoRI genomic probe located down-stream from all initiation sites in exon 1, while BP-1 gene transcription was studied with a cDNA probe. Animals treated with 144 mg/kg STZ exhibited 50-97% decreases in IGF-I gene transcription (P less than 0.05), while insulin treatment raised IGF-I gene transcription to control levels (P less than 0.02). IGF-I gene transcription appeared to be more sensitive to metabolic status than IGF-I mRNA levels, resulting in a modest correlation between transcription rates and mRNA levels (r = 0.68; P less than 0.001). In contrast, changes in BP-1 mRNA and gene transcription appeared to be exquisitely sensitive to metabolic status.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Determination of m-nifedipine and its pharmacokinetic study in rabbits by high-pressure liquid chromatography]

A high-pressure liquid chromatographic method was developed for determination of m-nifedipine in plasma using a chemical bonded C-18 phase column (YWG-C18 10 microns, made in China) with nitrendipine as internal standard. To increase life of the YWG-C18 column a mixture of methanol and 5 mmol.L-1 phosphate buffer (70:30 vol/vol) was selected as mobile phase with a flow rate of 0.8 ml.min-1. The method was sensitive to m-nifedipine 3 ng.ml-1 plasma and the standard curve was linear from 10 to 1000 ng.ml-1 with correlation coefficient of 0.99. The within-day and day-to-day precisions (CV) of this method were 4.5% and 7.0%, respectively, with recoveries of 95-102% (10-1000 ng.ml-1). There was no interference with nifedipine, amiodarone, propranol, and verapamil. A pharmacokinetic study on m-nifedipine was carried out in 8 rabbits. A better computer fitted to a two-compartment model was observed using 3P87 program. The parameters obtained were as follow: Vc 6.3 L.kg-1, Cl 0.021 L.kg-1.min-1, T1/2 alpha 30 min, T1/2 beta 230 min, AUC 102 micrograms.min.ml-1.

Stable expression of functional human cytomegalovirus immediate-early proteins IE1 and IE2 in HeLa cells

The major immediate-early (IE) genes 1 and 2 of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) encode proteins that regulate the expression of HCMV genes as well as some other viral and cellular genes. In order to study the expression and function of these IE gene products, we established several HeLa cell lines that stably expressed the 68-kD IE1 protein, the 82-kD IE2 protein, or both proteins. The IE proteins expressed in these cell lines were biologically active, as shown by transient chloramphenicol acetyltransferase assays. Transcription from the major IE promoter was augmented in the IE1-expressing cells, while transcription from the HCMV early gene UL84 promoter was activated in the IE2-expressing cells. In addition, we found that the IE2-expressing cells established colonies in soft agarose more efficiently than the parental HeLa and the IE1-expressing cells. Furthermore, expression of both the IE1 and IE2 proteins was increased by treatment of these cell lines with the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. Thus, our cell lines provide a useful system to study the regulation of IE gene expression in human cells as well as to study transaction by HCMV IE proteins on various viral and cellular genes.

Hyperamylasemia following cardiopulmonary bypass

In order to study the occurrence of postbypass hyperamylasemia, 75 patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were studied from March 1989 to January 1990. There were 49 males and 26 females. Among them, 27 had congenital heart disease, 30 had valvular disease, and 18 had coronary artery disease. There were 27 patients with at least one elevated serum amylase sample after operation. Thus, the overall incidence of hyperamylasemia was 36%. As compared with the preoperative data (1.3%), there was a statistically significant difference in the occurrence of hyperamylasemia (p less than 0.05). Three patients had overt clinical pancreatitis postoperatively. There was no positive correlation between the serum amylase level and the occurrence of pancreatitis (p greater than 0.05). Forty-two cases had a significant elevation of the amylase creatinine clearance ratio (ACCR) after CPB. However, there was no significant difference between the groups with pulsatile and nonpulsatile CPB (p greater than 0.05). Three patients (4%) died in our series. The causes of death were heart failure in two and fulminant pancreatitis associated with low cardiac output in one. Although our experience in dealing with pancreatitis improved survival, mortality was still high (33.3%) in our series. Nevertheless, there was no apparent correlation between mortality and postbypass hyperamylasemia (p greater than 0.05). Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors of the occurrence of hyperamylasemia, and the analysis revealed that patients with coronary artery disease were susceptible to postbypass hyperamylasemia. Our studies indicate that the use of total serum amylase or ACCR to monitor for the occurrence of pancreatitis in postbypass patients is inadequate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)