Sequencing and expression analysis of the serine protease gene cluster located in chromosome 19q13 region

The human kallikrein gene cluster, located in the chromosome band 19q13, contains several tissue-specific serine protease genes including the prostate-specific KLK2, KLK3 and prostase genes. To further characterize the gene cluster, we have mapped, sequenced, and analyzed the genomic sequence from the region. The results of EST database searches and GENSCAN gene prediction analysis reveal 13 serine protease genes and several pseudogenes in the region. Expression analysis by RT-PCR indicates that most of these protease genes are expressed only in a subset of the 35 different normal tissues that have been examined. Several protease genes expressed in skin show higher expression levels in psoriatic lesion samples than in non-lesional skin samples from the same patient. This suggests that the imbalance of a complex protease cascade in skin may contribute to the pathology of disease. The proteases, excluding the kallikrein genes, share approximately 40% of their sequences suggesting that the serine protease gene cluster on chromosome 19q13 arose from ancient gene duplications.

The relationship of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene to essential hypertension and drug treatment in Chongqing

OBJECTIVE

To measure and discuss the association of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion(I/D) polymorphism with essential hypertension and drug treatment in Chongqing.

METHODS

Polymerase chain reaction(PCR) method was used to amplify the sixteenth intron of the ACE gene for the analysis of 114 healthy controls and 75 patients with essential hypertension. At the same time, 49 patients with essential hypertension were randomly divided into two groups for a placebo-controlled crossover comparison of ACEI versus CCB.

RESULTS

The frequency of homozygous alleles DD and the frequency of deletion alleles were significantly higher in the essential hypertension group than in the healthy controls(P>0.005). The blood pressure decreased more in the DD genotype subjects when treated with the ACEI but decreased less when treated with the CCB (15.91 vs 12.43, P<0.1). The blood pressure decreased more in the II genotype subjects when treated with the CCB but decreased less when treated with the ACEI (16.55 vs 9.6, P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that a deletion (DD) polymorphism of the ACE gene is associated with essential hypertension in Chongqing. Detection of the ACE genotype in clinics is helpful to the selection of antihypertensive drugs.

A novel quantitative EEG injury measure of global cerebral ischemia

OBJECTIVE

To develop a novel quantitative EEG (qEEG) based analysis method, cepstral distance (CD) and compare it to spectral distance (SD) in detecting EEG changes related to global ischemia in rats.

METHODS

Adult Wistar rats were subjected to asphyxic-cardiac arrest for sham, 1, 3, 5 and 7 min (n=5 per group). The EEG signal was processed and fitted into an autoregressive (AR) model. A pre-injury baseline EEG was compared to selected data segments during asphyxia and recovery. The dissimilarities in the EEG segments were measured using CD and SD. A segment measured was considered abnormal when it exceeded 30% of baseline and its duration was used as the index of injury. A comprehensive Neurodeficit Score (NDS) at 24 h was used to assess outcome and was correlated with CD and SD measures.

RESULTS

A higher correlation was found with CD and asphyxia time (r=0.81, P<0.001) compared to SD and asphyxia time (r=0.69, P<0.001). Correlation with cardiac arrest time (MAP<10 mmHg) showed that CD was superior (r=0.71, P<0.001) to SD (r=0.52, P=0.002). CD obtained during global ischemia and 90 min into recovery correlated significantly with NDS at 24 h after injury (Spearman coefficient=-0.83, P<0.005), and was more robust than the traditional SD (Spearman coefficient=-0.63, P<0.005).

CONCLUSION

The novel qEEG-based injury index from CD was superior to SD in quantifying early cerebral dysfunction after cardiac arrest and in providing neurological prognosis at 24 h after global ischemia in adult rats. Studying early qEEG changes after asphyxic-cardiac arrest may provide new insights into the injury and recovery process, and present opportunities for therapy.

[Determination of the composition distribution of polymer blend films by using microscopic FTIR]

In this paper, PS/PC blend film (about 120 microns thick) and PS/PMMA (about 90 microns thick) blend film were prepared by evaporation the solvent very slowly from polymer blend solution. Different FTIR methods were used to determine the composition distribution along the vertical direction of the films. PS/PC film was firstly sectioned by ultramicrotomy, then the vertical section was measured to determine the composition of every 16 microns width unit from the surface-side to the bottom-side by Microscopic transmission-FTIR. The results showed that the concentration of PS was significantly greater in the vicinity of the surface of the film than that in the bulk, i.e., the component of PS enriched to the surface. Focusing the reflecting infrared light on different layer of the film, we can detect the composition of the different depth region in the PS/PMMA blend film. As the result, PMMA aggregated to the bottom of the film. It was considered that this effect was related to the different affinity and wetting prosperities of the blend component to the substrate or air.

[Current application development of IR microscopy and mapping]

Basing on the development of FTIR microscope technique and infrared imaging technique, the newest FTIR microscope--AIM-8800 was made by Shimadzu Co. High level of automatic technique and accessories (diamond cell and MMS-77 micromanipulator) of AIM-8800 is briefly introduced. Infrared imaging technique (Mapping) of AIM-8800, which is very important for obtaining multidimensional infrared map, is discussed with regard to the different formats of plots. Two typical examples are introduced.

Refinement of the locus for autosomal dominant hereditary gingival fibromatosis (GINGF) to a 3.8-cM region on 2p21

Hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF, MIM 135300; approved gene symbol GINGF) is an oral disease characterized by enlargement of gingiva. Recently, a locus for autosomal dominant HGF has been mapped to an 11-cM region on chromosome 2p21. In the current investigation, we genotyped four Chinese HGF families using polymorphic microsatellite markers on 2p21. The HOMOG test provided evidence for genetic homogeneity, with evidence for linkage in four families (heterogeneity versus homogeneity test HOMOG, chi(2) = 0. 00). A cumulative maximum two-point lod score of 5.04 was produced with marker D2S390 at a recombination frequency of &theta; = 0 in the four linked families. Haplotype analysis localized the hereditary gingival fibromatosis locus within the region defined by D2S352 and D2S2163. This region overlaps by 3.8 cM with the previously reported HGF region. Single-strand conformation polymorphism and sequence analysis of the coding region of cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) excluded it as a likely candidate gene.

Multi-unit recordings reveal context-dependent modulation of synchrony in odor-specific neural ensembles

We used neural ensemble recording to examine odor-evoked ensemble patterns in the moth antennal (olfactory) lobe. Different odors are thought to evoke unique spatiotemporal patterns of glomerular activity, but little is known about the population dynamics underlying formation of these patterns. Using a silicon multielectrode array, we observed dynamic network interactions within and between glomeruli. Whereas brief odor pulses repeatedly triggered activity in the same coding ensemble, the temporal pattern of synchronous activity superimposed on the ensemble was neither oscillatory nor odor specific. Rather, synchrony strongly depended on contextual variables such as odor intensity and intermittency. Also, because of emergent inhibitory circuit interactions, odor blends evoked temporal ensemble patterns that could not be predicted from the responses to the individual odorants. Thus even at this early stage of information processing, the timing of odor-evoked neural representations is modulated by key stimulus factors unrelated to the molecular identity of the odor.

Off-resonance effects of the radiofrequency pulses used in spectral editing with double-quantum coherence transfer

Spectral editing using gradient selected double-quantum (DQ) coherence transfer is often used for the selective observation of metabolites in vivo. In attempting to optimize the detection sensitivity of a conventional DQ spectral editing sequence, the effects of using radiofrequency (RF) pulses that are not at the resonance frequency of the observed peaks were investigated both theoretically and experimentally. The results show that spectral editing using pulses at the frequency of the observed resonance does not necessarily give the optimal detection sensitivity. At 7 T, the detection sensitivity of lactate observed using a DQ editing method can be increased by up to 30% by setting the RF pulses off resonance at the proper frequency. The results also suggest that slice selective RF pulses used in DQ spectral editing combined with PRESS localization may have slice profiles different from those when the same pulses are used for standard PRESS spatial localization.

Synthesis of phytyl- and chroman-derivatized photoaffinity labels based on alpha-tocopherol

Photoaffinity analogues of alpha-tocopherol have been prepared by substituting photosensitive functional groups at either the terminus of an alkyl chain of varying length mimicking the phytyl tail or on C-3 of the chroman portion of tocopherol. The alkyl chain-modified compounds 2a-d contain a hexyl to nonyl alkyl chain extending from C-2 of the chroman, terminating in a tetrafluoroazidobenzyloxy group. These compounds were prepared starting from the commercially available Trolox acid 4, followed by esterification, protection, and reduction to the silyl-protected Trolox aldehyde 7, which was coupled using Wittig chemistry to different omega-hydroxyphosphonium bromides. Reduction of the alkene product, coupling with p-azidotetrafluorobenzyl bromide, and deprotection of the phenolic silyl group gave compounds 2a-d in excellent yields. Chroman-functionalized photoaffinity labels were synthesized starting from the protected tocopherol chromene 16b which was a key intermediate for preparation of a 3-hydroxy derivative, either by reduction of epoxides produced directly with Jacobsen's catalysts or by treatment with NBS in wet DME to give two stereoisomeric bromohydrins which were cyclized and reduced to give the phenol-protected C-3 alcohols 19a,b. These alcohols were then converted to diazoacetate esters, and the protecting group was removed to give 3-diazoacetoxy alpha-tocopherols 3a,b.

Induction of potent antitumor response by vaccination with tumor lysate-pulsed macrophages engineered to secrete macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interferon-gamma

Adoptive transfer of activated macrophages, being both effector cells and antigen-presenting cells, represents a promising approach to immunotherapy of cancer. In order to get activated macrophages with increased antitumor potential, in the present study, murine peritoneal macrophages were transduced with human macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and murine interferon-gamma (IFNgamma) by recombinant adenovirus infection. The results demonstrate that M-CSF and IFNgamma gene-modified macrophages exhibited higher expression of MHC-II, B7.1 and ICAM-1, increased antigen-presenting activity and cytotoxicity. It was also shown that they secreted more tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-1 and nitric oxide. In vivo experiments showed that in previously initiated murine pulmonary metastatic melanoma, tumor lysate-pulsed, M-CSF and IFNgamma gene-modified macrophages elicited more potent antitumor effects than tumor lysate pulsed M-CSF or IFNgamma gene-modified macrophages. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity, IFNgamma and tumor-necrosis factor production of the splenocytes increased significantly in mice after intravenous injection of the gene-modified macrophages. M-CSF and IFNgamma gene-modified macrophages may act as activated effector and antigen-presenting cells, thus eliciting a more potent antitumor response.

Simultaneous spectral editing for gamma-aminobutyric acid and taurine using double quantum coherence transfer

Conventional double quantum (DQ) editing techniques recover resonances of one metabolite at a time and are thus inefficient for monitoring metabolic changes involving several metabolites. A DQ coherence transfer double editing sequence using a dual-band DQ coherence read pulse is described here. The sequence permits simultaneous spectral editing for two metabolites with similar J coupling constants in a single scan. Simultaneous editing for taurine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is demonstrated using solution phantoms and rat brain tissue. Selectivity of the double editing sequence for the target metabolites is as good as that achieved using conventional DQ editing which selects each metabolite individually. With experimental parameters of the double editing sequence chosen to optimize GABA editing, the sensitivity for GABA detection is the same as that with GABA editing only, while the sensitivity for taurine detection is decreased slightly compared to that with taurine editing only.

[Study on GMA-DNA adducts in vivo]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether glycidly mechacrylate (GMA-DNA) adducts can be produced in various organs of rat in vivo.

METHODS

Rats divided into 5 groups were orally administrated with mutagen, GMA 31.25, 62.5, 125, 250 mg/kg respectively for 14 days. DNA adducts produced in liver, kidney, white blood cells and testis had been analyzed by nuclease P1 mediated 32P-postlabelling method.

RESULTS

Several GMA-DNA adducts were formed in various organs (in white blood cells, 4 types, liver and kidney, 3 types and testis 1 type). The amount of GMA-DNA adducts increased with GMA dosage within 0-125 mg/kg dosages, degree of the overall level of GMA-DNA adducts in various organs were kidney > liver > white blood cells > testis. N3-methacrylate-2-hdroxypropyl-deoxycytidine monophosphate was found in kidney, liver and white blood cells.

CONCLUSIONS

GMA with electrophilic group could react with negatively charged centers on DNA and form GMA-DNA adducts.

[Effect of cerous nitrate on the activity of ATPase in tissues]

The effect of cerous nitrate on the activity of some ion-dependent ATPase such as Ca(2+)-ATPase, K+, Na(+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase was studied in vivo. The results showed that Ca(2+)-ATPase, K+, Na(+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase activity was increased in rat liver, kidney and heart after recurrent intraperitoneal administration of low dose of cerous nitrate(1 mg/kg), but no changes happened for these enzymes activity after high cerous nitrate administration(50 mg/kg). The mechanism of the phenomena was discussed.

A localized double-quantum filter for in vivo detection of taurine

Noninvasive detection of taurine, an important amino acid involved in numerous physiological processes, by in vivo (1)H magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy is complicated by severe overlap of the taurine resonances with those of a number of other metabolites. Unambiguous differentiation of the taurine resonances requires spectral editing. In this study, the development of a localized spectral editing technique based on double-quantum filtering optimized for in vivo detection of taurine is described. The sequence recovers the taurine signal while substantially eliminating overlapping resonances and provides excellent three-dimensional spatial localization. The performance of the sequence is demonstrated both in phantoms and in rat brain in vivo. Magn Reson Med 42:454-460, 1999.

A localized double-quantum filter for in vivo detection of taurine

Noninvasive detection of taurine, an important amino acid involved in numerous physiological processes, by in vivo (1)H magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy is complicated by severe overlap of the taurine resonances with those of a number of other metabolites. Unambiguous differentiation of the taurine resonances requires spectral editing. In this study, the development of a localized spectral editing technique based on double-quantum filtering optimized for in vivo detection of taurine is described. The sequence recovers the taurine signal while substantially eliminating overlapping resonances and provides excellent three-dimensional spatial localization. The performance of the sequence is demonstrated both in phantoms and in rat brain in vivo. Magn Reson Med 42:454-460, 1999.

The type II activin receptors are essential for egg cylinder growth, gastrulation, and rostral head development in mice

The type II activin receptors, ActRIIA and ActRIIB, have been shown to play critical roles in axial patterning and organ development in mice. To investigate whether their function is required for mesoderm formation and gastrulation as implicated in Xenopus studies, we generated mice carrying both receptor mutations by interbreeding the ActRIIA and ActRIIB knockout mutants. We found that embryos homozygous for both receptor mutations were growth arrested at the egg cylinder stage and did not form mesoderm. Further analyses revealed that ActRIIA(-/-)ActRIIB(+/-) and about 15% of the ActRIIA(-/-) embryos failed to form an elongated primitive streak, resulting in severe disruption of mesoderm formation in the embryo proper. Interestingly, we observed similar gastrulation defects in ActRIIA(-/-)nodal(+/-) double mutants, which, if they developed beyond the gastrulation stage, displayed rostral head defects and cyclopia. These results provide genetic evidence that type II activin receptors are required for egg cylinder growth, primitive streak formation, and rostral head development in mice.

Multiple-voxel double-quantum lactate-edited spectroscopy using two-dimensional longitudinal Hadamard encoding

A conventional gradient-selected double-quantum lactate editing sequence was combined with fourth order two-dimensional longitudinal Hadamard encoding and slice-selective refocusing to acquire lactate-edited spectra in a 3 x 3 matrix of voxels. The performance of the sequence was verified in phantoms at 9.4 T and in focally ischemic rat brain at 7.0 T. Efficient suppression of water, lipid, and the singlet resonances of creatine, choline, and N-acetylaspartate was achieved, giving multi-voxel localized lactate-edited spectra with good signal-to-noise ratio.

The type I serine/threonine kinase receptor ActRIA (ALK2) is required for gastrulation of the mouse embryo

ActRIA (or ALK2), one of the type I receptors of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily, can bind both activin and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) in conjunction with the activin and BMP type II receptors, respectively. In mice, ActRIA is expressed primarily in the extraembryonic visceral endoderm before gastrulation and later in both embryonic and extraembryonic cells during gastrulation. To elucidate its function in mouse development, we disrupted the transmembrane domain of ActRIA by gene targeting. We showed that embryos homozygous for the mutation were arrested at the early gastrulation stage, displaying abnormal visceral endoderm morphology and severe disruption of mesoderm formation. To determine in which germ layer ActRIA functions during gastrulation, we performed reciprocal chimera analyses. (1) Homozygous mutant ES cells injected into wild-type blastocysts were able to contribute to all three definitive germ layers in chimeric embryos. However, a high contribution of mutant ES cells in chimeras disrupted normal development at the early somite stage. (2) Consistent with ActRIA expression in the extraembryonic cells, wild-type ES cells failed to rescue the gastrulation defect in chimeras in which the extraembryonic ectoderm and visceral endoderm were derived from homozygous mutant blastocysts. Furthermore, expression of HNF4, a key visceral endoderm-specific transcription regulatory factor, was significantly reduced in the mutant embryos. Together, our results indicate that ActRIA in extraembryonic cells plays a major role in early gastrulation, whereas ActRIA function is also required in embryonic tissues during later development in mice.

[Studies on tailed metalloporphyrin coordination compounds. IX. Synthesis of tailed porphyrin with covalently linked phenylalanine and its fluorescence property]

A new tailed porphyrin with covalently linked phenylalanine 2 and its zinc complex 3 were synthesized. Intramolecular energy transfer (from singlet excited phenylalanine to porphyrin) was observed in compound 2 and 3. The influence of coordination chemistry factor on the fluorescence of porphyrin was also discussed.

[Study on the hepatic toxicity of cerous nitrate in rats]

Rats were injected with a single dose of cerous nitrate Ce (NO3)3 (150 mg/kg) intra-peritoneally and killed at 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours later. The results showed that the concentrations of protein and malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver increased, but the concentration of glutathione (GSH) and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione sulfatransferase (GSH-ST) decreased after Ce3+ administration. The results suggest that lipid peroxidation in liver may be an early consequence of Ce3+ exposure and the decrease of GSH might be considered as the cause of lipid peroxidation.

A strategy to optimize the signal-to-noise ratio in one-coil arterial spin tagging perfusion imaging

The signal-to-noise ratio of the perfusion image (SNR(perfu)) in a spin-tagging experiment is shown to depend on both the degree of spin labeling (alpha) and the signal-to-noise ratio of the proton density images (SNRimage) used to calculate the perfusion image. When a single radiofrequency (RF) coil is used for both spin tagging and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, magnetization transfer (MT) effects decrease SNRimage, and therefore SNRperfu, by an amount that depends on the strength B1 and offset deltaomega (determined by the gradient strength G(I) applied during spin tagging) of the labeling RF pulse. It is shown that by optimizing B1 and G(I), it is possible to reduce MT effects and thus increase SNRimage, while leaving alpha unchanged. As a result, SNRperfu, will be improved. An equation for calculating perfusion under general conditions of such reduced MT effects is derived and shown to give perfusion rates that are independent of the strength and offset of the labeling RF irradiation.

Central processing of pulsed pheromone signals by antennal lobe neurons in the male moth Agrotis segetum

Male moths use female-produced pheromones as orientation cues during the mate-finding process. In addition to the needs of evaluating the quality and quantity of the pheromone signal, the male moth also needs to resolve the filamentous structure of the pheromone plume to proceed toward the releasing point successfully. To understand how a discontinuous olfactory signal is processed at the central level, we used intracellular recording methods to characterize the response patterns of antennal lobe (AL) neurons to pulsatile stimulation with the full female-produced pheromone blend and its single components in male turnip moths, Agrotis segetum. Air puffs delivered at frequencies of 1, 3, 5, 7, or 10 Hz were used to carry the stimulus. Two types of AL neurons were characterized according to their capabilities to resolve stimulus pulses. The most common type could resolve at least 1-Hz pulses, thus termed fast neurons; another type could not resolve any pulses, thus termed slow neurons. When fast neurons were excited by stimuli, they always displayed biphasic response patterns, a depolarization phase followed by a hyperpolarization phase. This pattern could be evoked by stimulation with both the single pheromone components and the blend. The pulse-resolving capability of the fast neurons correlated significantly with the size of the hyperpolarization phase. When the amplitude was higher and the fall time of the hyperpolarization faster, the neuron could follow more pulses per second. Moreover, interactions between different pheromone components eliciting different response patterns did not improve the pulse-resolving capability of fast neurons.

Simultaneous lactate editing and observation of other metabolites using a stimulated-echo-enhanced double-quantum filter

Conventional double-quantum editing techniques recover only one metabolite at a time, and are thus inefficient for monitoring metabolic changes involving several metabolites. In this paper, a stimulated-echo-enhanced selective double-quantum coherence transfer (STE-SelDQC) sequence is described, which allows simultaneous observation of lactate and other metabolites in a single scan while leaving fat and water signals suppressed. A frequency selective double-quantum filter designed for lactate editing suppresses fat and water resonances and a stimulated-echo window of adjustable frequency and bandwidth is incorporated into the double-quantum filter for simultaneous observation of other metabolites. The performance of the sequence is demonstrated in phantoms and rat brain tissue.

Effect of temperature on the kinetics of lactate production and clearance in a rat model of forebrain ischemia

To investigate the effect of brain temperature on metabolic perturbations during and following forebrain ischemia, localized 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to measure the kinetics of lactate production and clearance in a rat model of 12- or 20-min forebrain ischemia (two-vessel occlusion with hypotension) at a brain temperature of either 34.5 +/- 0.5 degrees C or 37.5 +/- 0.5 degrees C. During ischemia, lactate production was modeled with apparent first order kinetics. Hypothermia did not affect the rate or the extent of lactate production during ischemia. Upon reperfusion, a delay in the decrease of the cerebral lactate level was found in the normothermia groups. Such a delay was absent in hypothermia groups, which may reflect faster resumption of cerebral oxidative metabolism upon reperfusion in the hypothermic animals. The rate constant for lactate clearance postischemia was larger for normothermic animals and for the 20-min ischemia groups, perhaps because of increased blood-brain barrier permeability following more severe ischemia.

Rat amnion type IV collagen composition and metabolism: implications for membrane breakdown

We report here that rat amnion type IV collagens are composed primarily of alpha1(IV) and alpha2(IV) chains. Amnion basement membrane collagens were more sensitive to degradation by collagenases than were adult rat kidney basement membrane collagens, which are enriched in alpha3(IV), alpha4(IV), and alpha6(IV) chains. Amnion type IV collagen content per unit of protein was markedly reduced by Day 21 of pregnancy, the day of delivery. Increased amnion levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9, gelatinases that degrade type IV collagen, were found by Day 21, suggesting that collagen breakdown was responsible, in part, for the decline in amnion type IV collagen. Infection of organ cultures of Day 18 rat amnions with a recombinant adenovirus expressing MMP-9 (AdMMP-9) caused release of collagen fragments detected as hydroxyproline in the culture fluid, amnion cell detachment, and apoptosis. The AdMMP-9-induced apoptosis was prevented by the MMP inhibitor batimastat. These findings suggest that MMPs are implicated in anoikis and apoptotic death of amnion cells, and may be part of a complex program of fetal membrane remodeling that occurs before delivery.

Induction of matrix metalloproteinases and collagenolysis in chick embryonic membranes before hatching

The membranes surrounding the chick embryo undergo striking morphological changes before hatching, which include structural degradation of the allantoic membrane. The fibrillar collagen content of the membranes declined by embryonic day (ED) 20 (the day of hatching). By ED 19, a 55-kDa matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity appeared in the extraembryonic fluid, and by ED 20 there was substantial 55-kDa MMP activity in embryonic membrane extracts. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was employed to clone a partial cDNA representing the chicken homologue of MMP-13, a 55- to 57-kDa enzyme. MMP-13 mRNA dramatically increased in abundance in embryonic membranes by ED 19, reaching a peak on ED 20. Introduction of the MMP inhibitor batimastat into the extraembryonic fluid prevented the structural changes in the embryonic membranes before hatching. We conclude that, like mammalian fetal membranes, chick embryonic membranes undergo terminal remodeling before hatching, in part as a result of increased MMP activity. The chicken egg system represents a novel in vivo model for exploring biochemical events leading to embryonic membrane remodeling prior to birth and to test inhibitors of MMPs for their ability to prevent collagenolysis and fetal membrane rupture.

Synthesis of photoaffinity label analogues of alpha-tocopherol

Photoaffinity analogues of alpha-tocopherol have been synthesized that incorporate the photosensitive 4-azido-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzyloxy group at the terminus of unbranched analogues of the naturally occurring phytyl side chain. An intermediate from these syntheses has also been used to generate a supported ligand for bioaffinity chromatography of alpha-tocopherol binding proteins.

Temporal profile of magnetic resonance imaging changes following forebrain ischemia in the gerbil

Quantitative T2 magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was used to examine gerbil brains 1, 3, 10, and 30 days after 5 min forebrain ischemia. T2 was increased in the dorsal-lateral striatum 1 and 3 days post-ischemia, and in the hippocampus 3 days post-ischemia. T2 was normal 10 days post-ischemia, and decreased in the hippocampus and dorsal-lateral striatum 30 days post-ischemia. Neuronal counts in the dorsal-lateral striatum and CA1 hippocampal region were uniformly decreased 30 days post-ischemia. The increase in T2 shortly after ischemia is attributed to brain edema localized to regions where neuronal injury developed. The late decrease in T2 may be due to decreased water in gliotic tissue, or to ferritin-positive microglia, following forebrain ischemia. Tissue atrophy at later times gave enlarged ventricles on MR images.

One-stage open cancellous bone grafting of infected fracture and nonunion

Nineteen patients with either infected fractures or nonunions were managed by a one-stage protocol consisting of thorough debridement of the septic focus, followed by stabilization with an external fixator or a cast and fresh autogenous cancellous bone grafting; the wound was then left open. Nineteen fractures were healed and free of infection at an average of 3.5 years follow-up. Some considerations, including debridement, stabilization, bone grafting, and wound coverage, are discussed.

A functional link between N-linked glycosylation and apoptosis in Chinese hamster ovary cells

Seven different Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell mutants, isolated in different ways and having biochemical defects that were expressed at 34 degrees C, were found to be temperature sensitive for growth at 40.5 degrees C. Six of the mutants had five different lesions in N-linked glycosylation; two mutants were in the same complementation group. The temperature-sensitive phenotype in three mutants appeared by cell fusion studies to be linked to the glycosylation phenotype. In some of the glycosylation mutants [B4-2-1 (Lec15.1), Lec9, Lec1, and Lec24], but not in all of them (MI5-4 and MI8-5), incubation at 40.5 degrees C induced apoptosis, as determined by appearance of DNA fragmentation. Tunicamycin (TM) also induced apoptosis in both parental and Lec9 cells. There was a direct correlation between inhibition of glycosylation by TM treatment and induction of apoptosis. Induction of apoptosis by TM was inhibited by cycloheximide. These studies suggest that specific alterations in N-linked glycosylation in CHO cells are endogenous inducers of apoptosis.

Normal amniotic fluid index by gestational week in a Chinese population. Central-South China Fetal Growth Study Group

OBJECTIVE

To construct an ultrasonography-based gestation-specific amniotic fluid index (AFI) curve in a Chinese population.

METHODS

Routine obstetric ultrasonography examinations were performed in 5496 normal pregnancies (more than 95% first births) in five obstetric ultrasound laboratories in Central-South China from January 1, 1992, to December 31, 1993. A gestation-specific AFI curve was constructed and compared with previous studies.

RESULTS

The gestational ages of the patients included in this study ranged from 16 to 40 weeks. The gestation-specific AFI showed patterns similar to those observed previously, with the median being 72 mm at 16 weeks, increasing to 119 mm at 26 weeks, and then gradually declining to a median of 91 mm at 40 weeks. However, the absolute value of AFI in this Chinese population was consistently and substantially lower than values reported in previous studies in populations with mixed parities.

CONCLUSION

Different standards of AFI are needed for different populations.

Thiol agents separate nitric oxide formation from vasodilation induced by glyceryl trinitrate

The role of nitric oxide (NO) and thiol-containing compounds in glyceryl trinitrate (GTN)-induced vasodilation was investigated using the thiol-alkylating agent N-ethylmaleimide (NEM). Bovine pulmonary artery (BPA) rings were submaximally contracted with K+ and exposed to increasing concentrations of GTN after a 30-min incubation with 50 microM NEM. NEM decreased maximal relaxation (10 microM GTN) by 20%, compared with controls. Treatment with 5 mM L-cysteine for 30 min before incubation with 50 microM NEM (protection protocol) prevented this decrease in GTN-induced relaxation, but 5 mM D-cysteine did not. Treatment of BPA rings with 5 mM L-cysteine after NEM treatment (reversal protocol) did not reverse the effect of NEM to decrease relaxation inducible by GTN. NO production from 30 microM GTN (chemiluminescence-headspace gas method) in the presence of BPA strips was 46.7 +/- 19.4 pmol NO/g tissue after 10 min of incubation and 76.4 +/- 10.4 pmol NO/g tissue after 20 min. After a 30-min incubation with 50 microM NEM, NO was not detected at either time point. NO production from GTN by BPA strips, with either the protection or reversal protocol, was elevated approximately 2-fold at both time points, compared with controls. No increase in NO production from GTN was observed at either time point for tissues treated with 5 mM D-cysteine using the same protocols. These results are consistent with the concept that thiol compounds play a role in the mechanism of GTN-induced vasodilation, but they indicate that the mechanism of action of GTN and other organic nitrates is more complex than their acting as immediate prodrugs of NO.

Role of intrathymic rat class II+ cells in maintaining deletional tolerance in xenogeneic rat-->mouse bone marrow chimeras

BACKGROUND

Mixed xenogeneic bone marrow chimerism and tolerance can be induced in mice conditioned with a nonmyeloablative regimen followed by injection of T cell-depleted rat bone marrow cells. We hypothesized that, despite a gradual decline in rat hematopoiesis observed in these chimeras, as long as rat class II+ antigen-presenting cells remain in their thymi, tolerance will persist as a result of deletion of donor-reactive thymocytes.

METHODS

The level of chimerism and of mouse Vbeta5 and Vbeta11 T-cell deletion was followed over time. These results were correlated with the presence of rat class II+ cells in the thymus by immunohistochemistry and the presence of tolerance in long-term chimeras by in vivo and in vitro assays.

RESULTS

(1) Proliferation and cytotoxicity assays, as well as skin graft survival, demonstrated the presence of specific tolerance to host and to donor rat, with normal reactivity to third-party rat and mouse stimulators, even as late as 85 weeks after bone marrow transplantation. (2) The absence of mature Vbeta5+ and Vbeta11+ host T cells in the thymus and periphery was always associated with the presence of rat class II+ cells in the thymus, and incomplete deletion of T cells expressing these Vbeta families was observed in thymi in which rat class II+ cells were not detectable.

CONCLUSIONS

Donor-specific T-cell tolerance is maintained during the period when donor-type reconstitution declines, and is most likely mediated by intrathymic clonal deletion of T cells that recognize antigens expressed on class II+ rat cells.

[Antitumor effect of M-CSF and/or IFN-gamma gene cotransfected-macrophages by intratumoral injection]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the in vivo antitumor effects of M-CSF and/or IFN-gamma gene transfected-macrophages and their related immunological mechanisms.

METHODS

Survival time and antitumor effects in vivo of tumor-bearing mice treated with gene-transfected macrophages were observed. NK cell and CTL activity was detected with 4 hr 51Cr release assay, cytotoxicity of macrophages was detected with indirect MTT methods, activity of IL-2, TNF, IFN-gamma were detected by routine methods.

RESULTS

25% of the tumor-bearing mice after treatment with IFN-gamma gene-transfected, M-CSF and IFN-gamma gene co-transfected macrophages survived more than 3 month. The CTL and macrophage activity of the tumor-bearing mice was enhanced. Levels of TNF, IL-2, IFN-gamma in the supernatants of splenocytes induced in vitro were also increased. Histologic analyses of the tumor tissue after treatment with M-CSF and/or IFN-gamma gene-transfected macrophages showed a large amount of lymphocyte infiltration.

CONCLUSION

IFN-gamma and M-CSF gene co-transfection into macrophages are proved to enhance their antitumor potential efficiently through direct augmentation of their tumoricidal cytotoxicity and induction of host antitumor immunity.

Ultrasonographic examination of intrauterine growth for multiple fetal dimensions in a Chinese population. Central-South China Fetal Growth Study Group

OBJECTIVE

We sought to construct an ultrasonography-based growth curve in a Chinese population.

STUDY DESIGN

Routine ultrasonographic examination was performed in 5496 normal pregnancies (>95% first births) in five obstetric ultrasonography laboratories in Central-South China from January 1, 1992, to December 31, 1993.

RESULTS

All the fetal growth measures increased with gestational age, whereas the ratios either decreased or remained constant across gestation. Biparietal diameter and cerebral hemispheric width were higher at early gestational ages, whereas femur length, thoracic circumference, and abdominal circumference were lower at later gestational ages in our study than in previous studies. The ratio of lateral ventricular width/cerebral hemispheric width was lower at an early gestational age but higher in later gestational ages in our study.

CONCLUSIONS

A different standard of ultrasonography-based fetal growth is needed for different populations. The ultrasonography-based growth curve constructed in this large Chinese population provides an additional tool for the evaluation of fetal growth and development.

[Investigation on the luminescence properties of Er ions in Er-doped sol-gel silica glasses]

Er-doped sol-gel silica glasses which have room temperature photoluminescence at 1.54 microm and doped concentration of 10(20)/cm(3) have been prepared. The examination results Indicated: (1) PL spectrum has largest intensity at the 0.5W% doped concentration; (2) the intensity of PL decreased 74%, when the temperature raised form 4K to 300K; (3) The Er ion and O ions formed complexes with coordinated numbers of 8 or 9.

[Analysis of essential oil from rhizoma Zingiberis by GC-MS]

Sixty-six chemical components of the essential oil from Rhizoma Zingiberis were identified. The contents of these components were determined by GC-MS. The major components were camphene, beta-phellandrene and 1,8-cineole.

The type I activin receptor ActRIB is required for egg cylinder organization and gastrulation in the mouse

ActRIB is a type I transmembrane serine/threonine kinase receptor that has been shown to form heteromeric complexes with the type II activin receptors to mediate activin signal. To investigate the function of ActRIB in mammalian development, we generated ActRIB-deficient ES cell lines and mice by gene targeting. Analysis of the ActRIB-/- embryos showed that the epiblast and the extraembryonic ectoderm were disorganized, resulting in disruption and developmental arrest of the egg cylinder before gastrulation. To assess the function of ActRIB in mesoderm formation and gastrulation, chimera analysis was conducted. We found that ActRIB-/- ES cells injected into wild-type blastocysts were able to contribute to the mesoderm in chimeric embryos, suggesting that ActRIB is not required for mesoderm formation. Primitive streak formation, however, was impaired in chimeras when ActRIB-/- cells contributed highly to the epiblast. Further, chimeras generated by injection of wild-type ES cells into ActRIB-/- blastocysts formed relatively normal extraembryonic tissues, but the embryo proper developed poorly probably resulting from severe gastrulation defect. These results provide genetic evidence that ActRIB functions in both epiblast and extraembryonic cells to mediate signals that are required for egg cylinder organization and gastrulation.

[Study on the relationship between deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) pools and cell transformation]

Deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) pools were measured in normal BALB/c3T3 cells, transformation-treated cells and transformed cells with reverse-phase HPLC. The fluctuation of dNTP pools was similar after cells were treated with alkylating mutagens glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). The gap between (dGTP + dATP) pools and (dTTP + dCTP) pools was greatly intensified. The measurements also indicated that the dNTP pools in transformed cells were quite different from those in normal cells. The results suggest that dNTP pools may play an important role in cell transformation.

Disruption of alpha3 connexin gene leads to proteolysis and cataractogenesis in mice

Gap junction channels formed by alpha3 (Cx46) and alpha8 (Cx50) connexin provide pathways for communication between the fiber cells in the normal transparent lens. To determine the specific role of alpha3 connexin in vivo, the alpha3 connexin gene was disrupted in mice. Although the absence of alpha3 connexin had no obvious influence on the early stages of lens formation and the differentiation of lens fibers, mice homozygous for the disrupted alpha3 gene developed nuclear cataracts that were associated with the proteolysis of crystallins. This study establishes the importance of gap junctions in maintaining normal lens transparency by providing a cell-cell signaling pathway or structural component for the proper organization of lens membrane and cytoplasmic proteins.

Species differences in the expression of major histocompatibility complex class II antigens on coronary artery endothelium: implications for cell-mediated xenoreactivity

BACKGROUND

There is controversy in the literature as to whether swine coronary endothelium expresses major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens constitutively.

METHODS

Because this issue has implications for cell-mediated human anti-swine xenogeneic responses, we stained tissue sections from human, pig, rat, and mouse hearts with the anti-class II monoclonal antibody ISCR3, which has a similar specificity and titer when binding to human, porcine, and rodent class II molecules.

RESULTS

Immunoperoxidase staining of human and porcine hearts with ISCR3 resulted in a dense reaction on the coronary endothelium of epicardial arteries, intramuscular arterioles, and capillaries. In contrast, the coronary endothelium of rat and mouse hearts did not stain with ISCR3. When freshly harvested porcine aortic endothelial cells were placed in culture, class II MHC antigen expression was lost within three to four passages.

CONCLUSIONS

Thus, using a single antibody with cross-species reactivities, we demonstrate that swine coronary endothelium, unlike rodent coronary arteries, expresses similar basal amounts of class II MHC antigens to human coronary vessels. The constitutive expression of class II MHC antigens on swine coronary artery endothelium may contribute to host T cell-mediated xenogeneic responses in clinical pig-to-human cardiac xenotransplantation and thus become a target for therapeutic intervention.

Using two preferred retinal loci for different lighting conditions in patients with central scotomas

PURPOSE

Using a scanning laser ophthalmoscope, it was found that some patients with relative central scotomas reliably used two different preferred retinal loci (PRLs) at different stimulus illuminances. This article describes adaptations in a patient's PRL for fixation when dimming the stimulus increased the relative scotoma size.

METHODS

Twenty-eight patients with macular diseases had their dense and relative macular scotoma borders mapped with the scanning laser ophthalmoscope. The high-illuminance PRL (PRLhi) and low-illuminance PRL (PRLlo) were operationally defined as the PRLs that patients used to fixate a high or low illuminance stimulus, respectively. The PRLs' abilities to do visual tasks and their characteristics at the corresponding illuminances were assessed.

RESULTS

The PRL consistently shifted between the PRLhi and the PRLlo as the stimulus illuminance was changed. Brightness permitting, the visual system prefers to use the PRLhi with generally better performance in visual function such as fixation stability. There were no significant differences between the PRLhi and the PRLlo in pursuit and saccadic abilities, when assessed by subjective ratings. The illuminances that induced shifting ranged from 106 to 3437 trolands. The PRLhi was always located within an area of relative scotoma, usually at the fovea or just outside a dense scotoma. The PRLlo was located in relatively healthy retinal area, and usually below or to the left of the PRLhi in the visual field.

CONCLUSIONS

In the visual system, two well-defined PRLs can develop when visual function is adapting to maculopathy, with the use of each depending on the brightness of objects used in visual tasks. Rehabilitation and treatment strategies should consider the existence of multiple PRLs.

[Effects of total flavones of fructus Hippophae (TFH) on cardiac function and hemodynamics of anesthetized open-chest dogs with acute heart failure]

This study was carried out employing the model of dog with acute heart failure induced by phenobarbital natricum. It was shown that i.v. TFH 4.8 and 9.7 mg/kg could significantly increase CO, CI, + LVdP/dtmax and LVSP; shorten R-dP/dtmax in 9.7 mg/kg; raise - LVdP/dtmax, reduce LVEDP and T value; decrease MVO2I and TPVR; MAP and HR were not changed significantly. The results suggest that i.v. TFH can strengthen cardiac pump function and myocardial contractility in canine with heart failure; significantly improve myocardial diastolic function and hemodynamic performance; markedly decrease myocardia-used oxygen index and total peripheral vessel resistance, thus proving that TFH is good for heart failure.

Investigation of attitudes towards organ transplantation in young people in China

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the attitudes toward organ transplantation, organ donation and recipients in young people in Beijing, Shanghai, and Wuhan.

METHODS

A questionnaire was designed for 3012 young people aged 20-45 years (999 in Beijing, 990 in Shanghai, and 1023 in Wuhan). The data of questionnaire were processed with SPSS software.

RESULTS

Over 90% of the respondents knew that human organs can be transplanted; over 85% considered that organ transplantation is a welfare undertaking; more than 85% thought that when someone's organ is in critical condition, it is necessary to perform organ transplantation; over 70% expressed willingness to receive organ transplantation if it is needed or possible. In the mode of organ donation, 70% emphasized that organ donation should be dependent on volunteers and the donor should be rewarded in a certain form. Organ recipients in sequence are relatives, specialized medical institutions, friends, members of volunteer organizations, and others. The factors affecting the attitudes towards organ transplantation are analyzed.

CONCLUSION

There is a better attitude toward organ transplantation among young people in cities. The conventional attitudes and feudal habits are one of the major obstacles to the course of organ donation in China.

[Investigation of understanding and willingness of organ transplantation in young people in Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan]

OBJECTIVE

To understand the knowledge of young people in cities in China about organ transplantation and their willingness to donate organs, methods of donation, and the willingness of donators.

METHODS

A questionnaire was designed in investigating 3,012 young people (999 questionnaires in Beijing, 990 in Shanghai, 1,023 in Wuhan) aged 20-45 years in the three cities. The data were processed by SPSS software.

RESULTS

Over 90% of the people investigated knew that human organs can be transplanted 85% considered organ transplantation is a warefare undertaking. 85% thought organ transplantation is necessary when someone's organ is severely-impaired. If possible, 70% were willing to receive organ transplantation. With regard to forms of donation, over 70% emphasized the individual willingness combined with reimbursement. The Preferred recipient in sequence were relatives, special institutions, friends, volunteers, and others. The various factors. affecting understanding of organ transplantation were analysed.

CONCLUSION

In cities of China, young people have a better understanding of organ transplantation, but conventional attitudes and feudal habits are the major obstacle to the development of organ transplantation in China.

A program of cell death and extracellular matrix degradation is activated in the amnion before the onset of labor

Fetal membranes usually rupture during the process of labor. Premature fetal membrane rupture occurs not infrequently and is associated with significant fetal and maternal morbidity. The mechanisms of normal and pathologic fetal membrane rupture are not well understood. We have examined structural and biochemical changes in the rat amnion as labor approaches in order to characterize this process in normal pregnancy. Here we report that before the onset of active labor the amnion epithelial cells undergo apoptotic cell death which encompasses degradation of 28S ribosomal subunit RNA and associated P proteins and fragmentation of nuclear DNA. Concurrent with these cellular changes, the amnion type I collagen matrix is degraded with the accumulation of three-quarter length type I collagen fragments in extraembryonic fluid, characteristic of the cleavage of fibrillar collagen by interstitial collagenase. Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses confirmed that interstitial collagenase protein appears in association with the loss of amnion type I collagen. We conclude that amnion epithelial cells undergo a process of programmed cell death associated with orchestrated extracellular matrix degradation which begins before the onset of active labor. Thus, fetal membrane rupture is likely to be the result of biochemical changes as well as physical forces.

Complete phenotypic characterization of apobec-1 knockout mice with a wild-type genetic background and a human apolipoprotein B transgenic background, and restoration of apolipoprotein B mRNA editing by somatic gene transfer of Apobec-1

We have produced gene knockout mice by targeted disruption of the apobec-1 gene. As recently reported by Hirano et al. (Hirano, K.-I., Young, S. G., Farese, R. V., Jr., Ng, J., Sande, E., Warburton, C., Powell-Braxton, L. M., and Davidson, N. O. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 9887-9890), these animals do not edit apolipoprotein (apo) B mRNA or produce apoB-48. In this study we have performed a detailed analysis of the lipoprotein phenotypic effects of apobec-1 gene disruption that were not examined in the previous study. We first analyzed the plasma lipoproteins in knockout animals with a wild-type genetic background. Although there was no difference in plasma cholesterol between apobec-1(-/-), +/-, or +/+ mice, there was a marked (176%) increase in plasma apoB-100, from 1.8 +/- 1.2 mg/dl in apobec-1(+/+) mice to 2.7 +/- 0.6 mg/dl in apobec-1(+/-) and 5.0 +/- 1.4 mg/dl in apobec-1(-/-) mice. Plasma apoE was similar in these animals. By fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) analysis, there was a significant decrease in plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in apobec-1(-/-) mice. We further fractionated the plasma lipoproteins into d < 1.006, 1.006-1.02, 1.02-1.05, 1.05-1.08, 1.08-1.10, and 1.10-1.21 g/ml classes, and found a marked (30-40%) reduction in the cholesterol and protein content in the (d 1.08-1.10 and 1.10-1.21) HDL fractions, corroborating the FPLC data. SDS-gel analysis revealed an absence of apoB-48, an increase in apoB-100 in the very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) fractions, and a small decrease in apoA-I in the HDL fractions in the apobec-1(-/-) samples. We next raised the basal plasma apoB levels in the apobec-1(-/-) animals by cross-breeding them with human apoB transgenic (TgB) mice. The plasma apoB-100 was 3-fold higher in apobec-1(-/-)/TgB+/- mice (26.6 +/- 18.3 mg/dl) than in apobec-1(+/+)/TgB+/- mice (9.8 +/- 3.9 mg/dl, p < 0.05). The apobec-1(-/-)/TgB+/- mice had a plasma cholesterol levels of 170 +/- 28 mg/dl and triglyceride levels of 106 +/- 31 mg/dl, which are 80% and 58% higher, respectively, than the corresponding values of 94 +/- 21 mg/dl and 67 +/- 11 mg/dl in apobec+/+/TgB+/- mice. By FPLC, the apobec-1(-/-)/TgB+/- animals developed markedly elevated plasma LDL cholesterol (518.5 +/- 329.5 microg/ml) that is 373% that of apobec1(+/+)/TgB+/- mice (139.0 +/- 87.0 microg/ml) (p < 0.05). The elevated plasma triglyceride was accounted for mainly by a 97% increase in VLDL triglyceride in the apobec1(-/-)/TgB+/- mice. We conclude that apobec-1(-/-) animals have a distinctive lipoprotein phenotype characterized by significant hyperapoB-100 and HDL deficiency in mice with a wild-type genetic background. Furthermore, the abolition of apoB mRNA editing elevates plasma total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in apobec-1(-/-) animals with a TgB background. Finally, to exclude the possibility that absence of apoB mRNA editing was a secondary effect of chronic Apobec-1 deficiency, we treated apobec-1(-/-) mice with a replication-defective mouse Apobec-1 adenoviral vector and found that we could acutely restore apoB mRNA editing in the liver. These experiments indicate that Apobec-1 is an essential component of the apoB mRNA editing machinery and absence of editing in the knockout animals is a direct consequence of the absence of functional Apobec-1.