A new ion chamber with a movable photodiode monitor for absolute intensity measurements of soft X-rays

A new ion-chamber system with a movable monitor detector for the measurement of soft X-ray absolute intensity is introduced. The calibration results are also given.

New wiggler beamlines at BSRF

A new multipole wiggler has been installed in the ring of the Beijing Electron Positron Collider (BEPC), and two new beamlines were extracted from it for experiments, including LIGA, microprobe fluorescence analysis, high-pressure diffraction and soft X-ray research. The beam profile and photon intensity were measured and compared with the calculated values. The main parameters and characteristics of the two beamlines are illustrated. Some experimental results are presented.

Binding of neomycin to the TAR element of HIV-1 RNA induces dissociation of Tat protein by an allosteric mechanism

Neomycin inhibits the binding of Tat-derived peptides to the trans-activating region (TAR) of HIV-1 RNA. Kinetic studies reveal that neomycin acts as a noncompetitive inhibitor that can bind to the Tat-TAR complex and increase the rate constant (koff) for dissociation of the peptide from the RNA. Neomycin effects a conformational change in the structure of TAR that can be detected by circular dichroism spectroscopy. The increase in ellipticity measured at 265 nm upon binding of the aminoglycoside is opposite to the decrease seen when Tat peptides bind to the RNA. Thus, the structural transition induced by neomycin is apparently incompatible with the binding of Tat and underlies the inhibitory action of the antibiotic. The binding site for neomycin on TAR was identified in ribonuclease protection experiments and is located in the stem immediately below the three-nucleotide bulge that serves as the primary identity element for Tat. Apparent protection of residues in the bulge by neomycin may represent additional contacts to the aminoglycoside, but more likely result from changes in the structure of this region when the ligand binds to the RNA. Binding assays using variants of TAR in which inosine residues were substituted for guanosine residues support the results from the ribonuclease protection experiments. Inosine substitutions in the lower stem, but not the upper stem, decrease the binding constant for neomycin by approximately 100-fold. Neither of these variants affected the binding affinity of Tat peptide. In addition, these latter experiments suggest that the aminoglycoside may be located in the minor groove of the stem. This mode of association may be a critical aspect of neomycin's ability to bind to the Tat-TAR complex and could serve as a guide for the design of other drugs that bind to specific RNA targets as noncompetitive inhibitors.

[The mechanism of degradation for the absorbable biomaterials poly(epsilon-caprolactone) in vitro and in vivo]

This study was intended to address the mechanism of the degradation for the bioabsorbable materials poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) in vitro and in vivo by measurement of changes in intrinsic viscosity, number average molecular weight and crystalliniy. The test demonstrated that the degradation in rabbit was quicker than that in vitro. This illustrates that the mechanism of bioerosion in vivo is as important as the nonenzymatic random hydrolytic cleavage of ester linkages. Regardless of the initial Mn of the sample, a linear relationship between ln[eta] and time was observed until the Mn decreased to about 5000. Before this decrease of Mn, the main mechanism of degradation is hydrolytic cleavage of ester groups, with an accompanying enzymatic surface erosion, but after this decrease of Mn, the bioerosion with weight loss plays a role more significant than that the hydrolytic reaction plays in the degradation. The morphological characteristics of PCL materials after and before erosion were also compared by means of Scanning Electron Microscopy.

[Effects of lanthanum and cerium on malignant proliferation and expression of tumor-related gene]

Cultured human gastric cancer cell line PAMC82 was studied in vitro to further verify anti-tumor effect sof rare-earth elements and explore their mechanism of tumor inhibition. Inhibitory effects of elements lanthanum and cerium on cell growth, reverse effects of them on reduction of malignancy and effects of them on level of expression of oncogene and cancer suppressor gene were observed. Lanthanum chloride, cerium chloride and mixed rare-earth chloride at levels of 0.5 to 1.5 mmol/L could inhibit obviously growth of cancer cells and change cell morphology and microtubule structure of PAMC82, similar to that of normal cells, their colony-forming ability lowered in soft agar, and expression of tumor suppressor gene p53, p16 and p21 increased and that of gene nm23 lowered.

Discovery of selective, small-molecule inhibitors of RNA complexes--II. Self-splicing group I intron ribozyme

Self-splicing group I intron RNA was chosen as a potential therapeutic target for small-molecule intervention. High-throughput screening methodologies have been developed to identify small organic molecules that regulate the activities of these catalytic introns. Group introns derived from pathogenic Pneumocystis carinii and phage T4 were used as model systems. Inhibitors identified from a library of approximately equal to 150,000 compounds were shown to regulate biochemical reactions including the two-step intron splicing and an RNA ligation catalyzed by the group I introns. These inhibitors provide a unique opportunity to understand small-molecule recognition of the self-splicing RNA. The methodologies developed for group I introns should be applicable to studies of other RNA systems.

Inhibition of self-splicing group I intron RNA: high-throughput screening assays

High-throughput screening assays have been developed to rapidly identify small molecule inhibitors targeting catalytic group I introns. Biochemical reactions catalyzed by a self-splicing group I intron derived from Pneumocystis carinii or from bacteriophage T4 have been investigated. In vitro biochemical assays amenable to high-throughput screening have been established. Small molecules that inhibit the functions of group I introns have been identified. These inhibitors should be useful in better understanding ribozyme catalysis or in therapeutic intervention of group I intron-containing microorganisms.

[Comparison of human papilloma virus-DNA in condyloma acuminatum, cervical cancer and the female genital tract]

OBJECTIVE

To examine human papilloma virus (HPV) infection rate and types in several lesions of the genital tract and to observe the relation between HPV and host cells for differential handling of cases and for early diagnosis.

METHODS

Tissues from 89 cases of condyloma acuminata, 76 cases of cervical cancer and swabs from 198 cases of normal vaginal were analysed by polymerase chain reaction for HPV infective rate. Main HPV types were compared and Southern blot was used to compare the physical pattern of HPV in condyloma acuminata and cervical cancer.

RESULTS

The positive rates of HPV-DNA in condyloma acuminata and cervical cancer were respectively 98.9% and 94.7%. The primary types of the former were HPV 6, 11 and of the latter mainly 16 and 18. The latent infective rates in normal vagina was 37.4%, among which, HPV 6, 11, 16, 18 consisted of only 21.6%. HPV11-DNA in condyloma acuminata existed mainly in episodic form. Most of HPV16-DNA in cervical cancer integrates into the host cells with variation.

CONCLUSIONS

The different types of HPV are related to particular morphology and characteristics of lesions. The relation of HPV-DNA to host cell and can offer some reference for the determination of the character of the lesion, and it may be award of malignant transformation.

Advances in studies on acupuncture abstinence

Acupuncture abstinence includes mainly abstaining from smoking, drinking and drug using by means of acupuncture therapy. In this paper, the curative effect, the stimulation methods, the therapeutic course, the psychological, demography and other factors on the therapeutic effect, and the progress in acupuncture abstinence are briefly introduced, and its development tendency is prospected. It is found that the therapeutic effects of acupuncture abstinence are not lower than those of other abstinence therapies. It is simple and easy to be performed, with little pain, little injury and little side-effects, inhibiting withdrawal syndrome, thus well accepted by the patients. It could be used if other withdrawal therapies show no apparent therapeutic effects.

Enediyne-mediated cleavage of RNA

RNA cleavage by enediyne anticancer antibiotics was shown to occur with no apparent sequence selectivity, but RNA structure appears to be important in those substrates where cleavage was observed. Neocarzinostatin (NCS) cleaved a wider variety of RNA substrates than either esperamicin (ESP) or calicheamicin (CAL), and dynemicin (DYN) has yet to cleave any RNA substrate tried. NCS, ESP, and CAL were all observed to cleave RNA substrates near the 5'-end, and all three compounds exhibited cleavage in single-stranded loop regions of the RNA substrates. NCS required no thiol for activation and subsequent cleavage, but ESP and CAL required addition of thiol, as expected, for cleavage to occur. An RNA hairpin substrate containing a UCCU sequence, equivalent to the TCCT sequence preferred by CAL in double-stranded DNA substrates, was cleaved by CAL, but no retention of selectivity for the UCCU site was retained by CAL in this RNA substrate. This study confirms an earlier observation that RNA is a substrate for enediyne cleavage, and indicates that nucleic acid cleaving compounds such as the enediynes could be useful probes of RNA three-dimensional structure.

Cyclic AMP mediates the prostaglandin E2-induced potentiation of bradykinin excitation in rat sensory neurons

Prostaglandins enhance the sensitivity of sensory neurons to excitatory chemical agents such as bradykinin. The intracellular transduction cascades mediating this potentiation remain largely unknown. We have examined the role of cyclic AMP in the prostaglandin E2-induced potentiation of sensory neurons. Pretreatment with agents that elevate intracellular cyclic AMP levels enhances the number of action potentials elicited by bradykinin in a manner analogous to that of prostaglandin E2. The prostaglandin E2-induced potentiation of the number of bradykinin-elicited action potentials is blocked by either inhibition of adenylyl cyclase or protein kinase A. Therefore, our results suggest that prostaglandin E2 activates adenylyl cyclase to increase intracellular cyclic AMP, which in turn activates protein kinase A. Presumably activation of protein kinase A leads to increased levels of protein phosphorylation that then contribute to the enhancement of neuronal sensitivity to excitatory chemical agents.

Enhancement by prostaglandin E2 of bradykinin activation of embryonic rat sensory neurones

1. The capacity of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) to enhance the excitatory response elicited by bradykinin in embryonic rat sensory neurones grown in culture was investigated using the whole-cell patch-clamp recording technique. 2. The focal application of bradykinin (BK) produced a small concentration-dependent depolarization that was associated with an inward current and was described by a ligand-binding isotherm having an EC50 of 230 nM. Typically the depolarization was accompanied by action potentials (APs). 3. After pretreatment with 1 microM PGE2 for 10 min, the number of APs elicited by 100 nM BK was increased by about 3-fold. However, PGE2 had no effect on the amplitude of either the BK-elicited depolarization or inward current. The addition of 1 or 10 microM PGE2 had no effect on the resting membrane potential. 4. In all neurones exhibiting PGE2-enhanced excitability, there was a decrease in the amount of injected current necessary to elicit an AP. 5. The enhanced excitability was not due to repeated exposure to BK since neither the amplitude of the BK-evoked depolarization nor the number of APs was altered by the application of BK at 2 min intervals over a period of 30 min. 6. These results are consistent with the notion that PGE2 acts directly on sensory neurones to enhance the response to chemical excitatory agents, like BK, by lowering the AP firing threshold. The PGE2-mediated sensitization does not result from an alteration of the resting potential or modulation of the neuronal response to the chemical agonist.

Analysis of therapeutic effects of acupuncture on abstinence from smoking

1. Similar to other methods for abstinence from smoking, the acupuncture means has the same problems, i.e., recurrence, gradual decrease of therapeutic effects as the time goes on and unstable immediate effects. Therefore, any researches without a follow-up study are of little clinical significance. 2. Gilbey V et al pointed out that, up to now, the abstinence rates of all the methods have fluctuated between 20.0% to 35.0%, and the effective rates are around 45.0%; this is close to the average long-term effects reported in this paper. 3. Quite a number of researchers have pointed out that acupuncture is effective for many smokers who have failed to quit smoking by other methods. Research results have also indicated that the therapeutic effects of acupuncture on abstinence from smoking are similar to that of the nicotine chewing gum method and the behaviour therapy, suggesting that acupuncture is neither superior nor inferior to other methods in stopping smoking, and actually these methods can complement each other. 4. Schwartz pointed out that, the methods used in the past to quit smoking were difficult to be accepted by the majority of smokers, resulting in unsatisfactory therapeutic effects. In general, acupuncture is painless, nontraumatic, without untoward reactions, being able to inhibit the abstinence syndrome, economic, simple, etc. and eventually it is easy to be accepted by smokers. Therefore, if other methods are unsatisfactory, the acupuncture method can be tried.

CO2 Exchange and Growth of the Crassulacean Acid Metabolism Plant Opuntia ficus-indica under Elevated CO2 in Open-Top Chambers

CO2 uptake, water vapor conductance, and biomass production of Opuntia ficus-indica, a Crassulacean acid metabolism species, were studied at CO2 concentrations of 370, 520, and 720 [mu]L L-1 in open-top chambers during a 23-week period. Nine weeks after planting, daily net CO2 uptake for basal cladodes at 520 and 720 [mu]L L-1 of CO2 was 76 and 98% higher, respectively, than at 370 [mu]L L-1. Eight weeks after daughter cladodes emerged, their daily net CO2 uptake was 35 and 49% higher at 520 and 720 [mu]L L-1 of C02, respectively, than at 370 [mu]L L-1. Daily water-use efficiency was 88% higher under elevated CO2 for basal cladodes and 57% higher for daughter cladodes. The daily net CO2 uptake capacity for basal cladodes increased for 4 weeks after planting and then remained fairly constant, whereas for daughter cladodes, it increased with cladode age, became maximal at 8 to 14 weeks, and then declined. The percentage enhancement in daily net CO2 uptake caused by elevated CO2 was greatest initially for basal cladodes and at 8 to 14 weeks for daughter cladodes. The chlorophyll content per unit fresh weight of chlorenchyma for daughter cladodes at 8 weeks was 19 and 62% lower in 520 and 720 [mu]L L-1 of CO2, respectively, compared with 370 [mu]L L-1. Despite the reduced chlorophyll content, plant biomass production during 23 weeks in 520 and 720 [mu]L L-1 of CO2 was 21 and 55% higher, respectively, than at 370 [mu]L L-1. The root dry weight nearly tripled as the C02 concentration was doubled, causing the root/shoot ratio to increase with CO2 concentration. During the 23-week period, elevated CO2 significantly increased CO2 uptake and biomass production of O. ficus-indica.

Present status of research abroad concerning the effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on immunologic functions

Japan is one of the countries that have done extensive research on the effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on the immunologic functions. With China first, Japan ranks second among the countries in this study. Concerning research in this field concerned the level abroad can scarcely reach that in China. Scholars abroad fail to base their research on TCM theory. In addition not only the type of diseases studied, and the indexes observed are far less than those in China, but also the scope of their research is far narrower. However, certain diseases under study (for instance, AIDS) and certain indexes under observation (for instance, analysis of changes in T subsets of lymphocytes with monoclonal antibodies), as well as certain aspects of their investigation are worthy of consideration by scholars in China.

Nucleotide sequence of the gene encoding NADH dehydrogenase from an alkalophile, Bacillus sp. strain YN-1

The gene encoding NADH dehydrogenase from an alkalophile, Bacillus sp., was cloned and sequenced. The cloned DNA fragment contained an open reading frame of 1,557 nucleotides which encodes a polypeptide composed of 519 amino acid residues (Mr 55,830). The predicted amino acid sequence was consistent with the partial amino acid sequences including the N-terminal and C-terminal sequences determined in a previous study. Sequence comparison with other flavoenzymes revealed high homology between the present dehydrogenase and Escherichia coli thioredoxin reductase.

Importance of the method of leaf area measurement to the interpretation of gas exchange of complex shoots

Net CO(2) uptake in full sunlight, total leaf area (TLA), projected leaf area of detached leaves (PLA), and the silhouette area of attached leaves in their natural orientation to the sun at midday on June 1 (SLA) were measured for sun shoots of six conifer species. Among species, TLA/SLA ranged between 5.2 and 10.0 (x bar = 7.3), TLA/PLA ranged between 2.5 and 2.9 (x bar = 2.7) and PLA/SLA ranged between 2.0 and 3.7 (x bar = 2.2). These ratios were reflected in the ratios of net photosynthesis computed on the basis of the three measures of leaf area. The much smaller values for TLA/PLA compared with the values for TLA/SLA indicate that leaf orientation effects, or shading, or both, caused more variation in the interception of solar radiation than did variation in leaf geometry (i.e., cross-section). Silhouette leaf area of lodgepole pine, (Pinus contorta spp. latifolia) and subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) shoots measured at the summer solstice varied almost 2-fold with diurnal changes in solar altitude and azimuth. Sun shoots of both species and shade shoots of lodgepole pine had the greatest SLA during the early morning and late afternoon. The midday decline in SLA was related to the relatively upright orientation of needles of subalpine fir sun shoots and the relatively upright orientation of both sun and shade shoots of lodgepole pine. Shade shoots of subalpine fir reached a maximum in SLA at midday and this was related to the near horizontal orientation both of the shoots and the needles on them.

Photosynthesis, water relations and mortality in Abies lasiocarpa seedlings during natural establishment

Few studies have investigated the ecophysiology of natural seedling establishment in forest trees not associated with anthropogenic disturbance. Photosynthesis and water relations measurements were made on one- through four-year-old seedlings of Abies lasiocarpa Nutt. (subalpine fir) establishing naturally in an understory environment. First (current)-year seedlings generally had only cotyledons, whereas most second-year seedlings had both cotyledons and primary leaves. Mortality was high (> 60%) in first-year seedlings with the greatest mortality (> 90%) measured at the more open, sun-exposed sites within the understory. Seedling mortality was negligible after the first year of growth at shaded microsites and after the second year of growth at sunny microsites. Photosynthetic CO(2) uptake at light saturation was considerably lower in first-year than in fourth-year seedlings (0.6 micromol m(-2) s(-1) versus 1.7 micromol m(-2) s(-1)) and occurred at lower solar irradiance (240 micromol m(-2) s(-1) versus 600 micromol m(-2) s(-1) of photosynthetically active radiation). Differences in photosynthetic capacity were due to differences in both stomatal and non-stomatal limitations to CO(2) uptake. Carbon dioxide assimilation in first- and second-year seedlings was 28 and 29%, respectively, of the mean value measured for fourth-year seedlings. Although first-year seedlings had low transpiration rates, their water use efficiency (photosynthesis/transpiration) was less than half that of fourth-year seedlings and their water potentials were lower than those of all other age classes (0.46 mol CO(2) mmol(-1) H(2)O and -3.0 MPa, respectively). The stomatal limitation to CO(2) uptake was approximately 21% in first- and second-year seedlings, and increased to 39% in fourth-year seedlings. Intercellular CO(2) concentrations were greater in first- and second-year seedlings (255 and 250 microl l(-1), respectively) than in third- and fourth-year seedlings (203 and 186 microl l(-1), respectively). Thus, abrupt increases in water status and photosynthetic capacity after the first or second year of growth appear crucial for survival to maturity. Moreover, differences in temperature and water relations according to microsite may be major factors determining seedling establishment and, thus, the distributional and successional patterns observed for adult trees of Abies lasiocarpa.

Comparative studies on spontaneous and mitomycin-C-induced sister-chromatid exchanges in smokers and non-smokers

Both spontaneous and mitomycin-C-induced sister-chromatid exchanges were analyzed in 6 smokers and 6 non-smokers. The average number of spontaneous SCE in smokers' cells was 8.33 +/- 1.08. The frequency in the non-smoking controls was 4.41 +/- 0.72. This difference is highly significant (P less than 0.001). Smokers also had more SCE at all levels of mitomycin C testes. Analysis of variance showed these differences to be highly significant (P less than 0.001).