Co-production of lactic acid and chitin using a pelletized filamentous fungus Rhizopus oryzae cultured on cull potatoes and glucose

AIMS

This paper developed a novel process for lactic acid and chitin co-production of the pelletized Rhzious oryzae NRRL 395 fermentation using underutilized cull potatoes and glucose as nutrient source.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Whole potato hydrolysate medium was first used to produce the highest pelletized biomass yield accompanying the highest chitin content in biomass. An enhanced lactic acid production then followed up using batch, repeated batch and fed batch culture with glucose as carbon source and mixture of ammonia and sodium hydroxide as neutralizer. The lactic acid productivity peaked at 2.8 and 3 g l(-1 )h(-1) in repeated batch culture and batch culture, respectively. The fed batch culture had the highest lactate concentration of 140 g l(-1).

CONCLUSIONS

Separation of the biomass cultivation and the lactic acid production is able to not only improve lactic acid production, but also enhance the chitin content. Cull potato hydrolysate used as a nutrient source for biomass cultivation can significantly increase both biomass yield and chitin content.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The three-step process using pelletized R. oryzae fermentation innovatively integrates utilization of agricultural residues into the process of co-producing lactic acid and chitin, so as to improve the efficiency, revenues and cost of fungal lactic acid production.

Polar metabolite of cholesterol induces rat cognitive dysfunctions

24-hydroxycholesterol, a major polar metabolite of brain cholesterol, has neurotoxic effects. However, little is known about the effects of this polar metabolite on the CNS. In the present study, the effects of 24-hydroxycholesterol on behavior changes were investigated. Rats were divided into three groups: (i) a control group; (ii) a sham group: 0.5 ml PBS was infused into the cerebral ventricle; (iii) a model group: 0.5 ml 24-hydroxycholesterol (10 microM) was infused into the cerebral ventricle. 24-hydroxycholesterol can obviously impair rats' acquisition and probe trial in the Morris Water Maze task. Compared with rats in the sham group, rats in the model group had longer escape latency time and traveled more distance, and performed worse in the probe trial task manifested by spending less time in the annulus and training quadrant, which probably was attributed to the neuronal degeneration in hippocampal CA1 area induced by 24-hydroxycholesterol as examined by histological assay and apoptotic assay. Our results revealed that the polar metabolites, such as 24-hydroxycholesterol, exert neurotoxic effects and exacerbate the neuron injury with their abnormal accumulation. These findings suggest that measures taken promptly to eliminate or inhibit the accumulation of polar metabolites should be a potential strategy to prevent neurological dysfunctions and promote the recovery of functional deficits after neurotoxic insult.

Chromosomal aberrations and gene expression profiles in non-small cell lung cancer

Alterations in genomic content and changes in gene expression levels are central characteristics of tumors and pivotal to the tumorigenic process. We analyzed 23 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumors by array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH). Aberrant regions identified included well-characterized chromosomal aberrations such as amplifications of 3q and 8q and deletions of 3p21.31. Less frequently identified aberrations such as amplifications of 7q22.3-31.31 and 12p11.23-13.2, and previously unidentified aberrations such as deletion of 11q12.3-13.3 were also detected. To enhance our ability to identify key acting genes residing in these regions, we combined array CGH results with gene expression profiling performed on the same tumor samples. We identified a set of genes with concordant changes in DNA copy number and expression levels, i.e. overexpressed genes located in amplified regions and underexpressed genes located in deleted regions. This set included members of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway, genes involved in DNA replication, and matrix metalloproteases (MMPs). Functional enrichment analysis of the genes both overexpressed and amplified revealed a significant enrichment for DNA replication and repair, and extracellular matrix component gene ontology annotations. We verified the changes in expressions of MCM2, MCM6, RUVBL1, MMP1, MMP12 by real-time quantitative PCR. Our results provide a high resolution map of copy number changes in non-small cell lung cancer. The joint analysis of array CGH and gene expression analysis highlights genes with concordant changes in expression and copy number that may be critical to lung cancer development and progression.

Discovery and preliminary structure-activity relationship studies of novel benzotriazine based compounds as Src inhibitors

We report the discovery and preliminary SAR studies of a series of structurally novel benzotriazine core based small molecules as inhibitors of Src kinase. To the best of our knowledge, benzotriazine template based compounds have not been reported as kinase inhibitors. The 3-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)ethoxy)phenyl analogue (43) was identified as one of the most potent inhibitors of Src kinase.

Studies into Using Manure in a Biorefinery Concept

Animal manure is an underutilized biomass resource containing a large amount of organic carbon that is often wasted with the existing manure disposal practices. A research project funded by the US Department of Energy explored the feasibility of using manure via the sugar platform in a biorefinery, converting the carbon from fiber to biochemicals. The results showed that (1) fiber was the major component of manure dry material making up approx 50%, 40%, and 36% of the dry dairy, swine, and poultry manure material, respectively; within dairy manure, more than 56% of the dry matter was in particles larger than 1.680 mm; (2) in addition to being a carbon source, manure could provide a variety of nutrient for fungi T. reesei and A. phoenicis to produce cellulase; (3) the hemicellulose component in the manure fiber could be readily converted to sugar through acid hydrolysis; while concentrated acid decrystallization treatment was most effective in manure cellulose hydrolysis; (4) purification and separation was necessary for further chemical conversion of the manure hydrolysate to polyols through hydrogenation; and (5) the manure utilization strategy studied in this work is currently not profitable.

PET investigation of post-traumatic cerebral blood volume and blood flow

Hemodynamic changes following traumatic brain injury (TBI) may reflect cellular damage leading to secondary injury. The purpose of this study was to investigate the regional hemodynamic parameters acutely after TBI among regions in and around contusions. Sixteen patients (11 male, 5 female) showing evidence of contusion on CT and 18 normal volunteers (12 male, 6 female) underwent positron emission tomography (PET) with O-15 CO and O-15 H2O to estimate cerebral blood volume (CBV) and cerebral blood flow (CBF), respectively. A flow to volume ratio (FVR = CBF/CBV) was also calculated as an index of vasodilatation. The hemodynamic parameters were compared among contusion, pericontusion, and remote areas. Globally, hemodynamic parameters did not differ between patients and normal volunteers, and did not correlate with intracranial pressure (ICP). Regionally, contusional and pericontusional areas showed significantly lower CBF and FVR compared with normal volunteers, while CBV did not differ significantly. The correlation between CBF and CBV was significant (r = 0.37, p < 0.01). Remote areas did not show a significant difference in any of the PET parameters. In conclusion, regional brain edema is likely to occur in contusion and pericontusion areas, while some of the contusional tissue may show vascular engorgement.

[The development and application of computer-aided bone histomorphometry system]

The aim of this study is to develop a Computer-aided Bone Histomorphometry System. The method is based on the Micro-graphical Digital System composed of microscope, digital camera, computer and related programs. The methodology was developed to measure the basic data on each image of visual field of hard bone tissue with computer-assistance. Following this, the parameters of bone volume, bone structure and bone metabolism were calculated based on the standardization of bone histomorphometry. Such method has been used in the experimental and clinical studies of osteoporosis to predict the fracture risk and evaluate the drug effect.

Nucleotide sequence analysis of a transforming gene isolated from nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE2: an aberrant human immunoglobulin kappa light chain which lacks variable region

A transforming gene, designated Tx, was isolated from a human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell line CNE2 by transfection and molecular cloning techniques. The Tx gene was analyzed using computer-based bioinformatics and compared with the known sequences in EMBL and GenBank databases. We found that Tx contains human immunoglobulin kappa light chain constant region, five intact joining regions J1-J5, five recombination signal sequences and an N-segment besides classic regulatory sequences such as TATA boxes, CAAT boxes, poly A signals, etc. Interestingly, Tx also contains several binding sites for nuclear transcription factors such as NF-kappaB, NF-IL6, TFIID, etc. In conclusion, there are only several base pairs mutations or deletions compared with normal Ig K JC gDNA fragment. In all, Tx is an aberrant human immunoglobulin kappa light chain that contains the constant region, five joining regions, which lacks the variable regions.

Catalytic, asymmetric synthesis of siphonarienal

This paper describes the synthesis of the marine natural product, siphonarienal. The key step of this synthesis is an aldol reaction that constructs most of the skeleton and sets all three stereocenters of the target in one step from commercially available starting materials. Deoxygenation and chain homologation steps complete the synthesis.

Effect of fetal spinal cord graft with different methods on axonal pathology after spinal cord contusion

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of fetal spinal cord (FSC) graft with different methods on axonal pathology and neurological function recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI).

METHODS

Forty Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups. In Group A, the spinal cord was injured and hemisected. In Group B, fetal spinal cord (FSC) was transferred into the injured site. In Group C, after having done as Group B, the upper and lower spinal nerve roots were anastomosed. And in Group D, after having done as Group B, the pedicled omentum was transferred into the hemisection cavity. At 6 weeks after operation, light and electronic microscopes were used to examine the axonal pathology. The neurological function was assessed with inclined plane tests in the open field. The number of axons was quantitated by a computer image analysis system.

RESULTS

A greater loss of axons was observed in Group A than that of other groups at 6 weeks. The sequence of the reduced rate of the axons was as following, Group A>Group B>Group C>Group D (P<0.05). The remaining axons were paralleled with the significant improvement in neurological function recovery of the rats.

CONCLUSIONS

It indicates that FSC and pedicled omentum grafts after SCI can protect the axons and promote the neurological function recovery of the rats.

The essential role of MEKK3 in TNF-induced NF-kappaB activation

Activation of IkappaB kinase (IKK) is the key step in stimulation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB, which regulates many genes in the inflammatory response pathway. The molecular mechanism that underlies IKK activation in response to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is still unknown. Using mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 3 (MEKK3)-deficient fibroblast cells, we found that MEKK3 plays a critical role in TNF-induced NF-kappaB activation. We have shown that MEKK3 is required for IKK activation and functions downstream of receptor-interacting protein (RIP) and TNF receptor- associated factor 2. We have also shown that MEKK3 interacts with RIP and directly phosphorylates IKK. The kinase activity of MEKK3 is pivotal to its function and, therefore, MEKK3 links RIP and IKK in TNF-induced NF-kappaB activation.

LMP1 activates NF-kappa B via degradation of I kappa B alpha in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the mechanisms by which Epstein-Barr virus-encoded latent membrane protein 1 activates NF-kappa B in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells.

METHODS

A tetracycline-regulated LMP1-expressing nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line, Tet-on-LMP1-HNE2, was used as the cell model. The kinetics of the expression of proteins, including LMP1, I kappa B alpha and I kappa B beta, was analyzed by Western blotting. The subcellular localization of NF-kappa B (p65) was detected by indirect immunofluorescence assay. The NF-kappa B transactivity was studied by transient transfection and reporter gene assay.

RESULTS

I kappa B alpha was phosphorylated and degraded after the inducible expression of LMP1, although the total protein levels remained stable. The steady-state level of total I kappa B beta protein may have resulted from the initiation of an autoregulation loop after the activation of NF-kappa B. No change in the I kappa B beta level was detected. NF-kappa B (p65) was translocated from the cytoplasm to the nucleus following degradation of I kappa B alpha. After the introduction of the dominant-negative mutant of I kappa B alpha (Del 71) into Tet-on-LMP1-HNE2 cells, both nuclear translocation and transactivation of NF-kappa B induced by LMP1 was significantly inhibited.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicated that in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells, LMP1 activated NF-kappa B via phosphorylation and degradation of I kappa B alpha, but not I kappa B beta. The dominant-negative mutant of I kappa B alpha (Del 71) could completely inhibit both the nuclear translocation and transactivation of NF-kappa B induced by LMP1.

[Construction of Cryptococcus neoformans cap70 transformation system]

OBJECTIVE

To construct a transformation system of Cryptococcus neoformans capsule-deficient strain cap70.

METHODS

(1)Obtained ura5 mutants by screening the Cryptococcus neoformans cap70 using 5-fluoroorotic acid counter selection method, analyzed the obtaining strain by Southern blot and PCR; (2)Through the plasmid pCXJ18 and pCXJU which contained ura5 gene from Cryptococcus neoformans and ura3 from Kluyveromyces fragilils. as a selective marker, the ura5 strains were transformed by electrotransformation and chemical transformation.

RESULTS

Obtained ura5 mutants, they were detected as lack of ura function. The chemical transformation method was first be used in Cryptococcus neoformans transformation.

CONCLUSION

A transformation system of Cryptococcus neoformans cap70 has been established, which provides not only the basis for gene cloning from the species for studying gene function and gene expression.

Direct evidence for the size and conformational variability of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex revealed by three-dimensional electron microscopy. The "breathing" core and its functional relationship to protein dynamics

Structural studies by three-dimensional electron microscopy of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae truncated dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase (tE(2)) component of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex reveal an extraordinary example of protein dynamics. The tE(2) forms a 60-subunit core with the morphology of a pentagonal dodecahedron and consists of 20 cone-shaped trimers interconnected by 30 bridges. Frozen-hydrated and stained molecules of tE(2) in the same field vary in size approximately 20%. Analyses of the data show that the size distribution is bell-shaped, and there is an approximately 40-A difference in the diameter of the smallest and largest structures that corresponds to approximately 14 A of variation in the length of the bridge between interconnected trimers. Companion studies of mature E(2) show that the complex of the intact subunit exhibits a similar size variation. The x-ray structure of Bacillus stearothermophilus tE(2) shows that there is an approximately 10-A gap between adjacent trimers and that the trimers are interconnected by the potentially flexible C-terminal ends of two adjacent subunits. We propose that this springlike feature is involved in a thermally driven expansion and contraction of the core and, since it appears to be a common feature in the phylogeny of pyruvate dehydrogenase complexes, protein dynamics is an integral component of the function of these multienzyme complexes.

Two-year results from the asthma self-management program: long-term impact on health care services, costs, functional status, and productivity

Participants in a variety of health plans, clinics and employer groups were invited to participate in the Asthma Self-Management Program (ASMP), an education program designed to improve self-management skills and daily functioning in individuals with asthma. The ASMP is an 8-week classroom program that provides information on the respiratory system, trigger avoidance, use of monitoring techniques and asthma medications. After program completion, graduates were contacted at scheduled intervals to reinforce performance of behaviors that are important to asthma self-management and to collect outcomes data. This paper reports the results of 2 years of follow-up with these individuals.

[Construction of attenuated Salmonella typhimurium vaccine strain expressing Helicobacter pylori catalase and observation on its protective immunity]

OBJECTIVE

To investigated the effect of attenuated Salmonella typhimurium vaccine strain expressing Helicobacter pylori (Hp) catalase (KatA) on protection against Hp infection.

METHODS

Recombinant plasmid expressing KatA was constructed. Expression of KatA was induced with IPTG, and analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. The recombinant plasmid were introduced into attenuated Salmonella typhimurium SL3261 strain to construct live oral vaccine strain. C57BL/6 mice was orally immunized with this vaccine strain and then given orogastric challenge with live Hp Sydney strain. The stomach samples were submitted to a rapid urease test and quantitative culture.

RESULTS

The SDS-PAGE showed a dominant additional protein with molecular weight of 79kDa which could specially react with antibody against GST and accounted for 19% of total bacteria proteins. Animal experiment indicated that this vaccine strain could protect mice against Hp infection.

CONCLUSION

Attenuated Salmonella typhimurium vaccine strain expressing KatA could induce effective immune response in protection against Hp infection,which may play an important role in preventing and treating Hp infection and related diseases.

One-pot, catalytic, asymmetric synthesis of polypropionates

[reaction: see text] The opening of methylketene dimer, followed by aldol reactions of the resulting enolate, provides a convenient access to syn,syn-dipropionate aldol adducts of a variety of aldehydes. These aldol adducts are useful precursors in the synthesis of complex polypropionates.

Increased expression of Hsp70 and co-localization with nuclear protein in cells infected with the Hantaan virus

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of Hantaan virus infection on the expression of stress genes.

METHODS

Techniques of virus infection, Western blot, immunohistochemistry, dual-immunofluorecsence staining, laser scanning confocal microscopy, RNA dot blot and in situ hybridization were used.

RESULTS

Expression of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) was observed in cells infected with HTV as well as the translocation of Hsp70 from cytoplasm to nucleoli following virus infection. The variable distribution of Hsp70 was related to the various time after infection. Double-label indirect immunofluorescence of nuclear protein (NP) and Hsp70 in infected cells demonstrated co-localization of these proteins in the cytoplasm.

CONCLUSION

Overexpression of Hsp70 can be induced directly by Hantaan virus, which may be associated with virus protein assembly. The Hantaan virus proteins co-localize with, and possibly form a physical complex with cellular Hsp70 in infected cells.

[EBV latent membrane protein 1 induces p53 expression via NF-kappa B in nasopharyngeal carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To ascertain if EBV-encoded latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) induces p53 expression via NF-kappa B signaling.

METHODS

A nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line, Tet-on-LMP1 HNE2, transfected with LMP1, the expression of which was regulated by tetracycline, was used in this study. Functional activity of NF-kappa B was determined by luciferase reporter assay and expression of p53 and bcl-2 was detected by Western blot.

RESULTS

LMP1 induced p53 expression via NF-kappa B signaling pathway. Induction of p53 expression could be blocked by phosphorothiate analogs of antisense oligonucleotides to NF-kappa B p65 and LMP1, but not by NF-kappa B p50. However, it seemed that LMP1 had no influence on bcl-2 expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

CONCLUSION

Induction expression of p53 by EBV-encoded LMP1 implies that p53 may act as a mediator in apoptosis triggered by LMP1, which brings about a complex balance in nasopharyngeal carcinogenesis.

Epidemiological study of pathogenic fungi in China: 1986 and 1996

OBJECTIVE

An annual decade epidemiological survey of pathogenic fungi of inpatients or outpatients includes more than 25 provinces in China has been done in 1986 and 1996.

METHODS

In 1986, there were a total of 9096 strains of pathogenic fungi collected from more than 41 units of 25 provinces in China. 10 years late, 18,085 strains of pathogenic fungi from 41 units of 25 provinces were collected from January 1st to December 31st in 1996.

RESULTS

The results showed that during this decade the prominent pathogenic fungus was Trichophyton rubrum, but its ratio gradually decreased. On the contrary, Candida albicans gradually increased in its ratio from 5th in 1986 to 2nd in 1996.

CONCLUSION

The pathogenic fungi in China have changed greatly in the past decade from 1986 to 1996.

Apolipoprotein B: from editosome to proteasome

Apolipoprotein (apo) B, the protein component of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), has been under intense investigation for the last three decades. During the first decade after its initial description, most reports dealt with the physical-chemical characterization of apoB in its natural environment (i.e., intact LDL particles). A few studies dealing with attempts to elucidate the primary structure of apoB were published at this time (Deutsch et al., 1978; Bradley et al., 1980). However, most of these, in retrospect, represented heroic efforts that were doomed to failure because of the huge size and insoluble nature of apoB, once it is separated from its lipid environment. Indeed, during the 1970s, there was no universal agreement on the true molecular weight of the protein, which was not established until sometime into the second decade of apoB research (Yang et al., 1986b). The next 10 years were punctuated by breakthroughs on three different fronts in our understanding of apoB. The first exciting discovery was that apoB exists in two forms, apoB-100 and apoB-48 (Kane et al., 1980; Elovson et al., 1981). The next breakthrough was the elucidation of the primary structure of apoB-100 by a combination of cDNA cloning (Chen et al., 1986; Knott et al., 1986; Yang et al., 1986a) and direct peptide sequencing (Yang et al., 1986a, 1989). This decade of renaissance in apoB research was concluded by the elucidation of the structure of apoB-48. More important in terms of basic cellular molecular biology was the discovery of RNA editing, when apoB-48 was found to be the translation product of an edited apoB mRNA (Chen et al., 1987; Powell et al., 1987). RNA editing had just been described for a kinetoplastid protozoa the year before (Benne et al., 1986). ApoB mRNA editing was the first instance of RNA editing described in a higher eukaryote (Chan and Seeburg, 1995; Grosjean and Benne. 1998). The last decade, which brings us to the present, has been marked by studies that benefited from the breakthroughs of the 1980s. which enabled many different laboratories to examine various aspects of apoB structure, function, and expression. The function of apoB in vivo was analyzed in different animal models (e.g., transgenic animals that overexpress apoB) (Linton et al., 1993; Callow and Rubin, 1995; Veniant et al., 1997) and in knockout animals that have no functional apoB (Farese et al., 1995,1996; Huang et al., 1995,1996). Furthermore, the structure-function relationship of apoB has been investigated in mice that express site-specific apoB mutants (Callow and Rubin, 1995; Veniant et al., 1997: Borén et al., 1998). A breakthrough in a related area led to the identification and cloning of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) (Wetterau and Zilversmitt, 1984: Wetterau et al., 1992; Sharp et al., 1993) and the demonstration that MTP is essential for apoB production (Gordon et al., 1994; Leiper et al., 1994). The absence of MTP was found to lead to the complete degradation of apoB, which harks back to an observation in 1987 that, even in the presence of MTP, a substantial proportion of newly synthesized apoB-100 undergoes intracellular degradation before secretion (Borchardt and Davis, 1987). Indeed, the intracellular degradation of apoB-100 is the major determinant of its production rate from the liver, since the transcription of apoB appears to be constitutive and not subject to much regulation (Pullinger et al., 1989). It was in 1996, almost a decade after the first description of apoB's destruction inside the cell, that the proteasome-ubiquitin pathway was found to be the major mechanism for the intracellular degradation of apoB-100 (Yeung et al., 1996). Another important development within the last decade was the cloning of APOBEC-1, the catalytic subunit of the apoB mRNA editing complex (editosome) (Teng et al., 1993). This chapter will review some of the major landmarks in apoB research in the last 10 to 15 years, concentrating mainl

Tunicamycin induces ubiquitination and degradation of apolipoprotein B in HepG2 cells

Apolipoprotein (apo) B-100 is an essential component of atherogenic plasma lipoproteins. Previous studies have demonstrated that the production of apoB-100 is regulated largely by intracellular degradation at both the co-translational and post-translational levels and that proteasome-mediated and non-proteasome-mediated pathways are involved in this process. ApoB-100 is a glycoprotein. The present study was undertaken to address the question of whether the inhibition of N-linked glycosylation with tunicamycin would interfere with apoB-100 production. We demonstrated that the treatment of HepG2 cells with tunicamycin decreased the net production of apoB-100 by enhancing co-translational degradation of the protein. This effect of tunicamycin was partly prevented by lactacystin, a specific proteasome inhibitor. Because lactacystin only partly reversed the effects of tunicamycin on apoB biogenesis, tunicamycin seemed also to induce apoB co-translational degradation in HepG2 cells by one or more non-proteasomal pathways. Furthermore, tunicamycin increased apoB ubiquitination approx. 4-fold. The proportion of the newly synthesized apoB-100 that was secreted and incorporated into the nascent lipoprotein particles was unaffected by tunicamycin. Thus the tunicamycin-mediated inhibition of N-linked glycosylation interferes with the production of apoB-100 that is mediated by both proteasomal and non-proteasomal pathways.

Effects of age and gender on the pharmacodynamics of omapatrilat in healthy volunteers

Omapatrilat is the most clinically advanced member of a new class of cardiovascular drugs, vasopeptidase inhibitors. Omapatrilat is a single molecule that simultaneously inhibits neutral endopeptidase and angiotensin-converting enzyme, thus preserving vasodilator peptides and inhibiting production of the vasoconstrictor angiotensin II. In healthy male volunteers, omapatrilat decreased blood pressure while being generally well tolerated, with no serious adverse events. This study was undertaken to determine the effect of age and gender on the pharmacodynamics of omapatrilat. Healthy male or female volunteers between the ages of 18 and 80 were given a single oral dose of omapatrilat 40 mg. Neither age nor gender affected the vasopeptidase inhibition by omapatrilat. There were no differences between subject groups in the effect of omapatrilat on supine systolic, diastolic, or mean arterial blood pressure. Based on this study of healthy subjects, it can be concluded that it is not necessary to adjust the initial dose of omapatrilat for the treatment of hypertension based solely on age or gender.

[Matching of brain sections based on fourier descriptors]

We developed an algorithm based on Fourier Descriptors(FD) to match brain sections and specially aimed to pool electro-physiological data from individual animals and composite the results on a single brain. To test this algorithm, curvilinear features were first extracted from each section image of the midbrain of the rat resulting in three closed boundaries. A set of boundaries of 38 consecutive sections was then taken as standard templates for matching with any other brain sections processed in a similar way. Each section was represented by Fourier descriptors of these boundaries. Matching was done by minimizing the similarity function between an experimental brain section and the set of standard templates. This algorithm has been successfully used for the study of functional organization of AM-sound sensitive auditory neurons in the midbrain.

Hhex and scl function in parallel to regulate early endothelial and blood differentiation in zebrafish

During embryogenesis, endothelial and blood precursors are hypothesized to arise from a common progenitor, the hemangioblast. Several genes that affect the differentiation of, or are expressed early in, both the endothelial and blood lineages may in fact function at the level of the hemangioblast. For example, the zebrafish cloche mutation disrupts the differentiation of both endothelial and blood cells. The transcription factor gene scl is expressed in both endothelial and blood lineages from an early stage and can regulate their differentiation. Here we report that in zebrafish the homeobox gene hhex (previously called hex) is also expressed in endothelial and blood lineages from an early stage. We find that hhex expression in these lineages is significantly reduced in cloche mutant embryos, indicating that hhex functions downstream of cloche to regulate endothelial and blood differentiation. Ectopic expression of hhex through injection of a DNA construct leads to the premature and ectopic expression of early endothelial and blood differentiation genes such as fli1, flk1 and gata1, indicating that Hhex can positively regulate endothelial and blood differentiation. However, analysis of a hhex deficiency allele shows that hhex is not essential for early endothelial and blood differentiation, suggesting that another gene, perhaps scl, compensates for the absence of Hhex function. Furthermore, we find that hhex and scl can induce each other's expression, suggesting that these two genes cross-regulate each other during early endothelial and blood differentiation. Together, these data provide the initial framework of a pathway that can be used to further integrate the molecular events regulating hemangioblast differentiation.

Universal GFP reporter for the study of vascular development

We report the generation and characterization of transgenic mouse and zebrafish expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) specifically in vascular endothelial cells in a relatively uniform fashion. These reporter lines exhibit fluorescent vessels in developing embryos and throughout adulthood, allowing visualization of the general vascular patterns with single cell resolution. Furthermore, we show the ability to purify endothelial cells from whole embryos and adult organs by a single step fluorescence activated cell sorting. We expect that these transgenic reporters will be useful tools for imaging vascular morphogenesis, global gene expression profile analysis of endothelial cells, and high throughput screening for vascular mutations.

Addition of sugars influences color of oil-in-water emulsions

The influence of glucose, fructose, lactose, and glycerol on the color and appearance of surfactant-stabilized oil-in-water emulsions containing a red dye was investigated. A stabilized (Tween-20) oil-in-water emulsion was diluted into sugar solutions to give a range of oil droplet and sugar concentrations. Tristimulus coordinates (L, a, b) and reflectance spectra were measured using a spectrophotometer. With increasing sugar concentration, reflectance spectra shifted to lower reflectance values. Tristimulus coordinates were reduced by approximately 50% for emulsions containing high concentrations of sugar. Adding fructose to emulsions reduced L, a, b values more significantly than adding glucose, lactose, or glycerol. Tristimulus coordinates remained constant when the temperature was raised from 20 to 80 degrees C. The experimental results were explained in terms of the change of relative refractive index at the water-oil interface. The results have important implications for the food industry as they offer a new means to control and optimize the color of food emulsions.

Disposition and safety of omapatrilat in subjects with renal impairment

BACKGROUND

Omapatrilat, a vasopeptidase inhibitor, preserves natriuretic peptides and inhibits the renin angiotensin aldosterone system by simultaneously inhibiting neutral endopeptidase and angiotensin-converting enzyme.

METHODS

Oral omapatrilat, 10 mg/d, was administered for 8 to 9 days to three groups of eight subjects with varying degrees of renal function (CLCR values, normal > or = 80; mild to moderate impairment < 80 to > or = 30; severe impairment < 30 mL/min/1.73 mL2) and to six subjects undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. Omapatrilat and its metabolites (phenylmercaptopropionic acid, S-methylomapatrilat, S-methylphenylmercaptopropionic acid, and cyclic S-oxide-omapatrilat) were quantified in plasma by a validated liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry method. The model, Cmax or AUC(0-T) = intercept + slope x CLCR, was tested for a possible linear correlation between Cmax (peak plasma concentrations) or AUC(0-T) (area under plasma concentration versus time curve) and CLCR.

RESULTS

For omapatrilat and its inactive metabolites, phenylmercaptopropionic acid, S-methylomapatrilat, and S-methylphenylmercaptopropionic acid, the median times to peak plasma concentrations (tmax) were 1.5 to 2, 2 to 3, 2.5 to 3.5, and 7 to 10 hours, respectively, and were independent of renal function. After Cmax attainment, plasma concentrations declined rapidly to about 10% of Cmax values. Cyclic S-oxide-omapatrilat, a potentially active metabolite, was undetectable at all sampling time points. Hemodialysis did not decrease circulating levels of omapatrilat. There was minimal accumulation of omapatrilat and phenylmercaptopropionic acid and moderate accumulation of the S-methylated metabolites. For omapatrilat and S-methylphenylmercaptopropionic acid, neither Cmax nor AUC(0-T) was CLCR dependent. However, AUC(0-T) for phenylmercaptopropionic acid and both the Cmax and AUC(0-T) for S-methylomapatrilat were CLCR dependent.

CONCLUSIONS

The pharmacokinetics of omapatrilat, the only clinically relevant active compound studied, was independent of CLCR. For patients with reduced renal function, adjusting initial omapatrilat dose is not suggested. Hemodialysis did not significantly contribute to the clearance of omapatrilat. The long-term pharmacodynamic response to omapatrilat will dictate dose-adjustment needs.

Hyperbaric oxygenation induced tolerance against focal cerebral ischemia in mice is strain dependent

SV129 or C57BL/6 mice were exposed to hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO, 5 days, 1 h every day, 100% O(2) at 3 atm absolute). One day after the 5th HBO session focal cerebral ischemia was induced. In SV129 mice, HBO induced tolerance against permanent focal cerebral ischemia (n=42, mean infarct volume reduction 27%, P=0.001), but not against transient (30 or 60 min) focal cerebral ischemia. In the C57BL/6 strain of mice, HBO did not induce tolerance against focal cerebral ischemia, even when the duration of ischemia or the HBO protocol were modified. For the first time we demonstrate that HBO can induce tolerance to focal cerebral ischemia, but this effect is strain dependent.

Case report. Granuloma caused by Cryptococcus neoformans

A case of cerebral cryptococcal granuloma is reported. The diagnosis was based on histological examination and rDNA-PCR identification. Complete cure was achieved with fluconazole.

[Observation of anterior chamber angle after phacoemulsification and extra capsule cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation]

OBJECTIVE

To observe and compare the difference of anterior chamber angle after Phacoemulsification and Intraocular Lens Implantation (Phaco & IOL) through a tunnel incision and Extra Capsule Cataract Extraction and Intraocular Lens Implantation (ECCE & IOL).

METHODS

The changes of internal incision, the peripheral iris and the fixation of lens intracapsular of 36 eyes were individually observed after the operation.

RESULTS

Desemet's membrane detachments occurred in three eyes (8.35%) in the group of Phaco & IOL and four eyes (11.1%) in the group of ECCE & IOL. The difference was not significant. (P > 0.05) Peripheral anterior synechiae occured in three eyes (8.35%) of Phaco & IOL group and in 17 eyes (47.27%) of ECCE & IOL group. The difference was significant (P < 0.05). Intracapsular lens account for 31 eyes (86.1%) of Phaco & IOL group and ten eyes (22.5%) in ECCE & IOL group. The difference was statistically significant. (P < 0.05)

CONCLUSION

Phaco & IOL can decrease the incidence of peripheral iris anterior synechiae and increase the chance of intracapsular placement of IOL.

[Study on dopamine metabolite in cerebrospinal fluid of schizophrenics and epilepsics]

The concentration of dopamine (DA) metabolite-homovanillic acid (HVA) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 40 patients with schizophrenia 27 with epilepsy and 15 controls without disorders of CNS was reported. The results showed that there were no significant differences in mean levels of HVA among the three groups. It is suggested that both schizophrenia and epilepsy are not abnormal in total level of DA metabolism.

N-p-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl galactosamine imidate as a glycosyl donor for the efficient synthesis of mucin core-2 analogue

An efficient synthesis of the mucin core-2 analogue 1a was accomplished using N-p-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl(PNZ)-protected trichloroacetimidate 4 as a novel glycosyl donor.

Multi-valvular endocarditis

OBJECTIVE

Seventy-seven cases of native valve infective endocarditis as determined by the Duke criteria, were reviewed to determine the incidence and clinical features of multi-valvular endocarditis.

METHODS

Fourteen of 77 patients (18%) had multi-valvular endocarditis most commonly involving the mitral and aortic valves. Staphylococcus aureus (43%) and viridans streptococci (36%) were the most common organisms causing multi-valvular endocarditis.

RESULTS

Definite or probable vegetations were found in 50% of the patients by two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiograph and/or transesophageal echocardiograph, and possible vegetations were detected in 21%. The overall mortality in our series was 21%; 29% underwent valve replacement and 50% were treated medically. The major complications of multi-valvular endocarditis were congestive heart failure (64%), acute renal failure (50%), embolic events (21%), and splenic abscess/infarcts (21%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggests complications of multi-valvular endocarditis, compared with uni-valvular endocarditis are similar except for heart failure. Heart failure is statistically more common in multi-valvular endocarditis (P < or = 0.002).

Update on psoriasis therapy: a perspective from the USA

Because physicians from different nations frequently acquire the use of a new medication at different times, the international exchange of experiences with the new medication is valuable in maximizing its efficacy worldwide. In recent years, many new therapeutic agents have been approved for treating psoriasis in the United States. These include the topical agent calcipotriol and the systemic agents acitretin and cyclosporine. In addition to new agents, a new therapeutic paradigm, sequential therapy, has been introduced recently. It is the hope of the authors that by sharing this paradigm and experiences with these agents in the United States, dermatologists in Japan may gain further insight into optimizing the use of these agents in the treatment of psoriasis.

Does Chinese ethnicity affect the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors?

Information from clinical and pharmacokinetic studies of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) has come from subjects who are mostly male and Caucasian, but the use of ACEIs extends to populations worldwide. Significant differences between Chinese in general and male Caucasians have been demonstrated in the pharmacokinetics/dynamics of other drug classes that could have implications for the use of ACEIs in the Chinese population. These include: significant Chinese/Caucasian genetic variation in the renin-angiotensin system based on an insertion/deletion (O/D) polymorphism of the ACE gene; the genetic determination of plasma ACE activity in the Chinese population; and genetic factors involving the disease substrate which may also influence the response to treatment. Oral and IV pharmacokinetic data from various studies of Chinese and Caucasian subjects are available for cilazapril, fosinopril, and perindopril, and pharmacodynamic data are available for eight different ACEIs. Based on these data, there are few differences among the pharmacokinetics of ACEIs between Chinese and Caucasians. Most ACEIs showed good blood pressure lowering efficacy in Chinese (benazepril, enalapril, fosinopril and spirapril), with perhaps less blood pressure lowering with cilazapril or a relatively shorter-term effect with cilazapril or perindopril compared to Caucasions. Chinese experience more cough from ACEIs (captopril and enalapril) than Caucasians. Data suggest that fosinopril may not induce cough in as many subjects as other ACEIs, and this seems to be true of Chinese as well. The mechanism, currently unknown, could involve fosinopril's dual elimination pathway (hepatic and renal). Pharmacokinetic data also support the use of fosinopril in congestive heart failure where elimination pathways may be impaired. In conclusion, ethnic differences between Chinese and Caucasians with respect to ACE and AGT gene polymorphism, which might be expected to differentially affect the action of ACEIs in these two ethnic groups, do not, in fact, have such an effect. Rather, differences among the ACEIs appear to be more important. Journal of Human Hypertension (2000) 14, 163-170.

Apolipoprotein B, a paradigm for proteins regulated by intracellular degradation, does not undergo intracellular degradation in CaCo2 cells

Studies in different liver-derived cells in culture indicate that apolipoprotein (apo) B-100 production is regulated largely by intracellular degradation and the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway is a major mechanism for the degradation. The proteasomal degradation of apoB-100 was postulated to be an intrinsic property of the protein that occurs even in the presence of optimal amounts of lipids supplied to the cell. We examined apoB-100 and apoB-48 biogenesis in CaCo2, a human colon carcinoma cell line. To our surprise, apoB-100 and apoB-48 were quantitatively secreted by CaCo2 cells; essentially none of the newly synthesized apoB was degraded before secretion in a 2-h period whether the cells were cultured on filter or on plastic. Furthermore, although ubiquitin immunoreactivity was readily detected in the intracellular apoB isolated from HepG2 cells, little or no ubiquitin was detectable in the intracellular apoB from CaCo2 cells. The amounts of free ubiquitin and total and non-apoB ubiquitinated proteins were comparable in HepG2 and CaCo2 cells, indicating that CaCo2 cells have the necessary machinery for tagging ubiquitin chains onto cellular proteins for proteasomal degradation. Incubation in lipoprotein-deficient serum did not induce apoB degradation, but the addition of a microsomal triglyceride transfer protein inhibitor led to apoB degradation in CaCo2 cells. Finally, similar proportions of apoB polypeptide in isolated microsomes from CaCo2 and HepG2 cells were accessible to exogenously added trypsin, indicating that the mere exposure of apoB nascent chains to the cytosolic compartment is insufficient to cause the proteasomal degradation. Therefore, the intracellular degradation of apoB is not an intrinsic property of the protein, and the phenomenon is neither universal nor inevitable. The unconditional use of apoB as a paradigm for intracellular protein degradation is not warranted.

Antifungal therapy for treatment of cryptococcal meningitis

OBJECTIVE

To compare the curative effects of three different antifungal regimens in the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis.

METHODS

Twenty-two patients were divided into 3 groups: Group I was given intravenous amphotericin B alone or combination with flucytosine therapy. Group II received intravenous fluconazole alone or combination with flucytosine. The treatment of Group III was divided into two steps, where the patients received intrathecal amphotericin B plus intravenous amphotericin B with or without intravenous fluconazole until the mycological culture of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) turned negative, followed by oral fluconazole or itraconazole as maintenance therapy until direct microscopic examination of CSF showed negative once a week for three consecutive weeks.

RESULTS

Of the twenty-two patients, 17 (77.3%) were cured, 2 (9.1%) improved, 3 (13.6%) died, and one (4.5%) relapsed. Of the 8 patients in Group I, 5 were cured, 2 improved, one died and one relapsed; Of the 4 patients in Group II, 2 were cured, and 2 died; All the 10 patients in Group III were cured without any recurrence.

CONCLUSION

The two-step therapeutic regimen may be suited to the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis.

Respiratory chain inhibition induces tolerance to focal cerebral ischemia

The authors show that the inhibitor of the succinate dehydrogenase, 3-nitroproprionic acid (3-NPA), which in high doses and with chronic administration is a neurotoxin, can induce profound tolerance to focal cerebral ischemia in the rat when administered in a single dose (20 mg/kg) 3 days before ischemia. Infarcts were approximately 70% and 35% smaller in the 3-NPA preconditioned groups of permanent and transient focal cerebral ischemia, respectively. This regimen of 3-NPA preconditioning neither induced necrosis, apoptosis, or any other histologically detectable damage to the brain, nor did it affect behavior of the animals. 3-NPA led to an immediate (1-hour) and long-lasting (3-day) decrease in succinate dehydrogenase activity (30% reduction) throughout the brain, whereas only a short metabolic impairment occurred (ATP decrease of 35% within 30 minutes, recovery within 2 hours). The authors found that 3-NPA induces a burst of reactive oxygen species and the free radical scavenger dimethylthiourea, when administered shortly before the 3-NPA stimulus, completely blocked preconditioning. Inhibition of protein synthesis with cycloheximide given at the time of 3-NPA administration completely inhibited preconditioning. The authors were unsuccessful in showing upregulation of mRNA for the manganese superoxide dismutase, and did not detect increased activities of the copper-zinc and manganese superoxide dismutases, prototypical oxygen free radicals scavenging enzymes, after 3-NPA preconditioning. The authors conclude that it is possible to pharmacologically precondition the brain against focal cerebral ischemia, a strategy that may in principal have clinical relevance. The data show the relevance of protein synthesis for tolerance, and suggests that oxygen free radicals may be critical signals in preconditioning.

Effect of integrin on procollagen synthesis by fibroblasts from scleroderma

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of integrin on fibroblasts from scleroderma in the production of procollagen.

METHODS

Phosphorothioate modified antisense oligonucleotides were used to interfere with the expression of integrin alpha 5 or beta 1 subunit on fibroblasts from 10 cases of scleroderma, and then the changes of procollagen mRNA due to the decline in level of integrin were observed by using RT-PCR.

RESULTS

Expression of integrin alpha 5 or beta 1 subunit was specifically inhibited by their corresponding antisense oligonucleotides. Fibroblasts with decreased expression of alpha 5 or beta 1 subunit produced lower level of procollagen alpha 1 (I), alpha 1 (III) mRNA in comparison to the control.

CONCLUSION

Overproduction of procollagen may be inhibited at the level of transcription by lowering the expression of integrin alpha 5 or beta 1 subunit on fibroblasts in scleroderma.

Endotoxin suppresses mouse hepatic low-density lipoprotein-receptor expression via a pathway independent of the toll-like receptor 4

Endotoxin provokes an inflammatory state in the infected host. C3H/HeJ mice are tolerant to endotoxin because of an Lps gene mutation. Recent studies have identified that this gene encodes the Toll-like receptor 4. Endotoxin also induces hyperlipidemia and suppresses hepatic low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-receptor expression. In the current study, we investigated whether a defective Lps gene would impair the hepatic LDL-receptor response to endotoxin in C3H/HeJ mice. Eighteen hours after an intraperitoneal injection of endotoxin, the hepatic LDL-receptor expression and the plasma lipoprotein pattern were analyzed. Endotoxin increased plasma triglyceride and apoE in very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) and intermediate-density lipoproteins, and decreased apoAI in high-density lipoproteins (HDL) in the endotoxin-sensitive mice (C3H/HeN), but not in the endotoxin-resistant mice (C3H/HeJ). These data indicate that a defective Lps gene impairs the endotoxin signaling to alter these lipoproteins. However, the hepatic LDL-receptor response to endotoxin in the endotoxin-resistant mice was similar to that in the endotoxin-sensitive mice. Thus, at a dose of 5 microg/mouse, endotoxin reduced hepatic LDL-receptor expression by 35% in C3H/HeN mice and by 52% in C3H/HeJ mice. At a dose of 50 microg/mouse, endotoxin reduced hepatic LDL-receptor expression by 61% in C3H/HeN mice and by 63% in C3H/HeJ mice. It is concluded that endotoxin suppresses hepatic LDL-receptor expression in vivo via a pathway independent of the Toll-like receptor 4.

[Detection of stable expression of human interlukin-2 gene in transfected keratinocytes]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the stable expression and secretion of human interlukin-2 gene in transfected keratinocytes.

METHODS

Keratinocytes were transfected with lipofectamine and selected by G418. Then the samples were analyzed with the techniques of DNA dot blot, RNA dot blot, hybridization in situ, immunohistochemistry, Western blot and MTT.

RESULTS

The positive signals were observed in transfected keratinocytes by DNA dot blot, RNA dot blot, hybridization in situ and immunohistochemistry. With Western blot analysis, a specific band exhibiting a molecular weight of 15,000 was detected in transfected keratinocytes, which was in acordance with that of IL-2. The expression of IL-2 can maintain for up to 1 month. The amounts of IL-2 in the supernatants of two and four passages transfected keratinocytes were 27.7 U/ml and 15.0 U/ml, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Keratinocytes have the potential for stable gene expression and secretion of active transgene products. Thus, it is possible to use keratinocytes as a target cell for gene transfection, gene expression and even gene therapy.

Association of oestrogen receptor gene polymorphisms with outcome of ovarian stimulation in patients undergoing IVF

Oestrogen plays an important role in follicular formation and oocyte maturation via its receptor (ER). Many studies have shown association of the ER gene polymorphisms with a variety of pathological conditions. In this study we have examined the relationship of a common PvuII and a rare BstUI polymorphism in the ER gene to the mean numbers of follicles and oocytes, their mean ratios, mean number of embryos, mean oestrogen concentrations, mean size of the follicles and pregnancy rates. Analyses were carried out in 200 local Chinese patients undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer in three consecutive cycles. The mean follicular number, oocyte number, embryo number, follicular size and pregnancy rate were significantly smaller in patients homozygous for PvuII polymorphism (P < 0.001). These results indicate that PvuII polymorphism may be associated with ovarian follicular development and subsequently with the pregnancy rate. This study supports the view that genetic variability in the ER gene may have a role in the quality of the ovarian follicles in stimulation, which may affect implantation. However BstUI polymorphism was not found in either the IVF or control groups, suggesting that it has no role in the local Chinese population.

Use of capillary electrophoresis with UV detection as a screening method to determine histamine in fish samples

Histamine levels in fish, extracted with methanol, were determined by capillary electrophoresis (CE) using phosphate buffer pH 2.5 and U.V. detection at 210 nm. Histamine was well separated from the other co-extracted components under the given CE condition without any cleanup of the methanol extract. The average recovery of spiked histamine in various types of fish samples was 96%. Using the same methanol extracts from various fish samples, we then compared histamine concentration obtained by CE and fluorometric methods.