A study and analysis of the deaths due to advanced Schistosoma japonicum infection in the Dongting Lake area of China

This study collected records of 245 cases of death due to advanced schistosomiasis japonica in the eastern Dongting Lake area between 1985 and 1990. The mean survival of the patients was 5.16 years. The patients with ascitic type had a shorter expected life while the life span of splenomegalic type patient markedly improved after splenectomy. The HBsAg positive rate was 43.64%; the rate of those complicated with carcinoma of liver was 19.18%. The latter group had a HBV infection rate as high as 61.70%.

Cloning and expression of the gene from Candida albicans that encodes a high-affinity corticosteroid-binding protein

We have previously demonstrated the presence of a corticosteroid-binding protein (CBP) in Candida albicans and speculated on its homology to the glucocorticoid receptor. To explore this relationship further, we cloned the CBP gene. Our strategy employed sequencing enzymatically derived peptide fragments from purified CBP and using this information to synthesize degenerate oligonucleotide primers for use in the PCR. A 117-bp fragment amplified from C. albicans DNA was then used to screen a genomic library. Hybridizing clones were isolated, and DNA sequencing revealed an open reading frame of 1467 bp which encoded a protein with a molecular weight of 55,545. Southern analysis demonstrated that the gene was present at a unique locus within chromosome R of the Candida genome, while Northern analysis showed that the gene was expressed in C. albicans as a 1.8-kb transcript. CBP was over-expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and it exhibited an apparent dissociation constant (Kd) of 7 nM for [3H]corticosterone and displayed a steroid hormone binding profile comparable to that of the native protein. Searches of the data banks revealed little overall similarity to other cloned genes. However, the amino acid sequence contains a dinucleotide-binding fingerprint. In conclusion, we have cloned the gene encoding the CBP from C. albicans and have shown that the expressed protein has the properties of the native CBP. A comparison of the cloned gene to members of the steroid-thyroid-retinoic acid receptor gene superfamily showed that CBP is unrelated to these hormone receptors.

Phylogenetic distribution and genetic mapping of a (GGC)n microsatellite from rice (Oryza sativa L.)

DNA microsatellites are ubiquitously present in eukaryotic genomes and represent a vast source of highly informative markers. We describe in this article a (GGC)n microsatellite which is widely distributed in eukaryotic genomes. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques and DNA sequencing, we demonstrated for the first time in plant species that a (GGC)n microsatellite locus is moderately polymorphic. Six alleles are present at this locus in rice and length polymorphisms are caused by variation in the number of tandem GGC repeats. By scoring a backcross mapping population, we were able to demonstrate that this locus is stably inherited and does not link to any known RFLP markers on the rice RFLP map. Our results suggest that DNA microsatellites should be useful in plants for construction of genetic linkage maps, extension of the existing genetic linkage maps, linkage analysis of disease and pest resistance genes, and the study of population genetics.

Quantitative estimation of chimerism in mice using microsatellite markers

An embryonic stem cell line was established from SV129 mouse blastocysts and used to generate chimeric mice by injection into OF1 blastocysts; 18 out of the 30 resulting offspring appeared chimeric as judged from their coat color patterns, and 3 of the 13 males proved to be germ-line chimeras as they transmitted the SV129 agouti phenotype to all or part of their offspring. The degree of chimerism of these males was evaluated for different tissues using polymorphic microsatellite markers amplified by the polymerase chain reaction. It was shown that these new markers can be effectively used to quantitatively estimate levels of chimerism. The CKMM (creatine kinase, muscle) microsatellite system was used to distinguish the SV129 from the OF1 genotype. In all performed tests, the correlation between DNA ratio and signal ratio, expressed as a base 10 logarithm, was shown to exceed or equal 0.98 for known DNA ratios (SV129/OF1) ranging from 1/99 to 99/1. Linear calibration methods were used to predict the % SV129 DNA of a test sample based on the obtained signal ratio. The accuracy of the prediction was evaluated by performing repeated measurements. Differences among three repeated estimates ranged from 2 to 17% for a given sample. Microsatellite systems should be very useful to monitor chimerism involving strains that can not be discerned with coat color or biochemical markers. This will be particularly important when ES methodology becomes available in species other than mice.

Microsatellite mapping of the gene causing weaver disease in cattle will allow the study of an associated quantitative trait locus

A genetic disease in cattle, progressive degenerative myeloencephalopathy (weaver disease), is associated with increased milk production. This association could result from population stratification, from a pleiotropic effect of a single gene, or from linkage disequilibrium between the gene causing weaver disease and a quantitative trait locus (QTL) for milk production. To test these hypotheses, we performed an extensive linkage study in a bovine pedigree segregating for the weaver condition and identified a microsatellite locus (TGLA116) closely linked to the weaver gene (zmax, 8.15; theta, 0.03). TGLA116 and, by extension, the weaver locus were assigned to bovine synteny group 13. This microsatellite can be used to identify weaver carriers, to select against this genetic defect, and to study the effect of the corresponding chromosomal region on milk production in Brown Swiss and other breeds of cattle.

Decreased insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) receptor sites on circulating mononuclear cells from cows with persistent lymphocytosis

Plasma IGF-I concentrations and IGF-I receptor binding on mononuclear cells have been studied on bovine leukemia virus (BLV)-negative (CO), BLV-infected aleukemic (AL) cows or cows with persistent lymphocytosis (PL). No significant differences in plasma IGF-I concentrations were demonstrated among the three groups of animals. However, a linear negative correlation existed between the number of circulating mononuclear cells and the number of IGF-I binding sites on these cells from control cows. In addition, mononuclear cells from PL cows had fewer IGF-I binding sites per cell when compared with control cows. These results suggest involvement of IGF-I in etiology of BLV infection and progression and warrant further studies to establish whether IGF-I plays a major physiological role in these conditions.

Lactation, health, and reproduction of dairy cows receiving daily injectable or sustained-release somatotropin

Seventy-four Holstein cows (26 primiparous) were utilized to compare the efficacy and safety of sustained-release versus daily injectable formulations of recombinant bST. Twenty-four control cows were injected biweekly with oil microsphere; 25 cows were injected biweekly with 350 mg of bST microsphere; and 25 cows were injected daily with 10.3 mg of bST. Injections were initiated between wk 4 and 5 of lactation and continued for 280 d. Administration of bST caused a moderate increase in milk and FCM production and improved the efficiency of feed and energy conversions. Most health-related and reproduction-related variables did not differ among treatment groups. However, incidence of teat and udder disorders and feet and leg problems tended to be higher during the 40-wk injection period for the bST-treated cows than for the control cows. Incidence of GnRH therapy and number of days to first service were higher for daily bST-treated cows than for controls. No differences existed between sustained-release and daily bST-treated cows for any parameters monitored.

Intraglomerular pressure and mesangial stretching stimulate extracellular matrix formation in the rat

To define the interplay of glomerular hypertension and hypertrophy with mesangial extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, we examined the effects of glomerular capillary distention and mesangial cell stretching on ECM synthesis. The volume of microdissected rat glomeruli (Vg), perfused ex vivo at increasing flows, was quantified and related to the proximal intraglomerular pressure (PIP). Glomerular compliance, expressed as the slope of the positive linear relationship between PIP and Vg was 7.68 x 10(3) microns 3/mmHg. Total Vg increment (PIP 0-150 mmHg) was 1.162 x 10(6) microns 3 or 61% (n = 13). A 16% increase in Vg was obtained over the PIP range equivalent to the pathophysiological limits of mean transcapillary pressure difference. A similar effect of renal perfusion on Vg was also noted histologically in tissue from kidneys perfused/fixed in vivo. Cultured mesangial cells undergoing cyclic stretching increased their synthesis of protein, total collagen, and key components of ECM (collagen IV, collagen I, laminin, fibronectin). Synthetic rates were stimulated by cell growth and the degree of stretching. These results suggest that capillary expansion and stretching of mesangial cells by glomerular hypertension provokes increased ECM production which is accentuated by cell growth and glomerular hypertrophy. Mesangial expansion and glomerulosclerosis might result from this interplay of mechanical and metabolic forces.

Receptor binding and growth-promoting activity of insulin-like growth factor-I in a bovine mammary epithelial cell line (MAC-T3)

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) has been known to be mitogenic to a variety of cell types, although a growth-regulatory role for IGF-I on bovine mammary epithelial cells has not been fully investigated. In the present study, we examined the receptor binding of IGF-I and its effect on growth in a bovine mammary epithelial cell line (MAC-T3). Specific receptors for IGF-I were detected on cultured bovine mammary epithelial cells. Competitive binding revealed that half-maximal inhibition of 125I-labelled IGF-I binding by IGF-I was approximately 3 micrograms/l. Dissociation rate constant of the IGF-I receptor was 3.10 +/- 0.06 nmol/l (S.E.M.) with a receptor site concentration of 366 +/- 8 fmol/mg protein for the average of three experiments. IGF-I exerted a positive mitogenic effect on MAC-T3 cells according to both direct DNA assay and thymidine incorporation assay. Moreover, the mitogenic effect of IGF-I on MAC-T3 cells was enhanced by the addition of fetal calf serum in the culture media. The present results suggest that the bovine mammary epithelial cell line (MAC-T3) provides a useful model system with which to study the biological actions of insulin-like growth factors on the bovine mammary secretory tissue in vitro.

[Quality of dihuang (Rehmannia spp.)]

In this paper, the contents of catalpol, water-extract and alcohol-extract materials, ash, total reducing sugar and inorganic elements in Dihuang from different habitats have been measured. The result shows that Huai Dihuang, the genuine drug, excels all those from other habitats in quality. The quality of commercial dry Dihuang may be related closely to the production area, storage time, etc.

Developmental and liver-specific expression directed by the serum amyloid P component promoter in transgenic mice

Transgenic mice were produced by microinjection of a human serum amyloid P component (hSAP) gene or a fusion gene (SS) comprising the promoter for hSAP (nucleotides -600 to -14 from the start codon) and the coding region of the hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg). In adult mice, both transgenes were expressed only in the liver, and thus the pattern of expression resembled that of the endogenous mouse SAP gene. Both hSAP mRNA and HBsAg were first detected in liver on the second postnatal day. The level of these products increased rapidly and reached the maximum within the first week. These results suggest that the hSAP gene contains a short, cis-acting, developmental, and liver-specific regulatory sequence at the 5' or the 3' end and that this sequence can target expression of the foreign gene.

Metastatic potential of human renal cell carcinoma: experimental model using subrenal capsule implantation in athymic nude mice

The aim of this study was to determine whether subrenal capsule (SRC) implantation is a suitable model for the study of the metastatic potential of our human renal cell carcinoma (HRCC) lines and to establish new sublines with enhanced metastatic ability. NMRI athymic nude mice 7-11 weeks old received SRC implantation of our HRCC lines RC43 and RC21. These lines were not metastatic when implanted s.c. Mice were killed after 4 or 8 weeks, or when moribund. With the RC43 cell line the success rate for implantation was 69%, with 89% of these showing metastases. The average volume of the implanted tumour fragments was 0.5 mm3 (range 0.28-0.7), the average volume at the primary site at the time of death was 9087 (9-32000) mm3. Metastases were found in lymph nodes, liver, spleen, peritoneum, psoas muscle, pancreas, diaphragm and skin. The average volume of the metastases was 4139 (0.5-9000) mm3. Growing cell lines were established in vivo and in vitro from one splenic, one peritoneal, one diaphragmatic, and one hepatic metastasis. These sublines have faster in vivo and slower in vitro growth rates than the parental lines. With the RC21 cell line the success rate for implantation was 56% and the metastatic rate 78%. The average volume of the implanted tumour was 0.8 mm3 (0.28-1.2), the average volume at the primary site at the time of death was 2685 mm3 (1.4-6534) and the average volume of metastases was 7.1 mm3 (0.5-37.5). Metastases were found in lymph nodes, lung and skin. No establishment was attempted for RC21 because of the small dimensions of these metastases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Isolation and identification of a strain of Pseudomonas SP. producing insoluble glucan hydrolase]

A strain, CIB871, isolated from the natural world can hydrolyze insoluble glucan(IG) produced by S. mutans. This organism has been identified to be a strain of Pseudomonas SP. It grows well at 30 degrees C. The optimum medium for producing insoluble glucan hydrolase (IGase) is composed of 0.3% peptone, 0.03% IG and M1 salt solution (NH4)2 SO4 1mg/ml, MgSO4 50 micrograms/ml, FeCl2 50 micrograms/ml, K2HPO4 0.5mg/ml). The IGase production reached maximum when cultured for 65-70 hours.

Age-related changes in glomerular volume and hydroxyproline content in rat and human

Total 4-hydroxyproline content and volume were measured in the same sample of microdissected glomeruli obtained fro rat and human outer or inner cortex. Glomerular volume was determined by computer-assisted image analysis, and 4-hydroxyproline was measured by a highly sensitive gas-liquid chromatographic method. Results were expressed as weight of basement membrane material by comparison with the amount of 4-hydroxyproline in purified basement membrane/mesangial matrix preparations. Microanalyses were possible in samples containing as few as eight human glomeruli. Rat glomerular size increased sevenfold between 5 wk and 2 yr of age, with volume being consistently 36 to 45% greater in inner than in outer cortex glomeruli. Basement membrane material content per glomerulus markedly increased with age (12-fold); however, when expressed per unit volume, this change was greatly reduced (2-fold). Expressed per volume, inner and outer cortex glomerular content of basement membrane material was always similar, regardless of age. Therefore, a greater glomerular size, in itself, does not accelerate the rate of basement membrane material deposition. Glomerular size distributions (measured by skewness and kurtosis) did not change, indicating that, although glomerular volume increases with age, aging does not appear to cause the emergence of distinct glomerular populations within an age group. Basement membrane material accumulation is probably a generalized change. Human glomeruli increased sevenfold in size from infancy to adulthood and then declined during senescence. Contrary to that in the rat, glomerular basement membrane material content appeared to closely follow size changes, thus, varying little from infancy to senescence if expressed per unit of glomerular volume.

The effect of methylation outside the recognition sequence of restriction endonuclease PvuII on its cleavage efficiency

This study is to extend our earlier observation that Dam and Dcm methylation outside the PvuII recognition sequence inhibited PvuII cleavage in one of the three PvuII sites of pGEM4Z-ras DNA. In this paper, a new recombinant plasmid DNA, pGEM4-SV40ori-anti-ras, was constructed which has only two PvuII sites, I and II. The Dam and Dcm-methylated and unmethylated DNAs were produced in Escherichia coli and linearized by ScaI. The DNA molecules were digested with different amounts of PvuII. The results show that by comparing the DNA fragment number and intensity of the partial and final products in agarose gel, PvuII site I on the methylated DNA molecule was digested four- to eight-fold more slowly than site II. In the unmethylated plasmid DNA, the two PvuII sites were cleaved at about the same rate. The difference was caused only by methylation of Dam and Dcm sites outside the PvuII recognition sequence. A methylated Dam site immediately adjacent to the less efficiently cut PvuII site I may be responsible for the inhibitory effect. We suggest that a new parameter, involving methylation of sites outside the recognition sequence, be considered in kinetic experiments on cleavage.

Differential sensitivity of hormone-responsive and unresponsive human prostate cancer cells (LNCaP) to tumor necrosis factor

Two sublines, the hormone-sensitive LNCaP-FGC and the insensitive LNCaP-r (resistant) carcinoma cell lines, originating from the parental human prostatic carcinoma cell line LNCaP were tested for sensitivity to human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) using the MTT assay. Irrespective of the culture conditions, i.e., whether FGC cell growth was hormone stimulated or hormone deprived, a clear dose-related response was observed between the concentration of TNF (range: 5-5000 U/ml) in the culture medium and the percentage of growth inhibition. In medium containing androgen-depleted serum, in which FGC cells showed reduced proliferative activity, the percentage of inhibition by a concentration of 100 U/ml TNF was substantially higher than that found in hormone-stimulated cells (90% and 60%, respectively). In contrast to the FGC cells, the hormone-insensitive LNCaP-r cells were almost completely resistant to the action of TNF. Growth of the FGC cells was almost completely inhibited, whereas growth of the LNCaP-r cells was retarded with only 20% at dosages up to 5000 U/ml. This substantial difference in TNF responsiveness could not be ascribed to differences in TNF-binding capacity, as both the FGC and LNCaP-r cells were found to contain identical numbers of TNF-receptors (approximately 1000 sites/cell). A possible association between hormone responsiveness and TNF sensitivity is suggested for these LNCaP sublines.

Characterization and genetic mapping of a short, highly repeated, interspersed DNA sequence from rice (Oryza sativa L.)

A short, highly repeated, interspersed DNA sequence from rice was characterized using a combination of techniques and genetically mapped to rice chromosomes by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. A consensus sequence (GGC)n, where n varies from 13-16, for the repeated sequence family was deduced from sequence analysis. Southern blot analysis, restriction mapping of repeat element-containing genomic clones, and DNA sequence analysis indicated that the repeated sequence is interspersed in the rice genome, and is heterogeneous and divergent. About 200,000 copies are present in the rice genome. Single copy sequences flanking the repeat element were used as RFLP markers to map individual repeat elements. Eleven such repeat elements were mapped to seven different chromosomes. The strategy for characterization of highly dispersed repeated DNA and its uses in genetic mapping, DNA fingerprinting, and evolutionary studies are discussed.

Effect on production traits of bovine somatotropin for up to three consecutive lactations

Thirteen (control) cows were injected daily with saline and 22 with bST (12 at 10.3 mg/d and 10 at 20.6 mg/d) through wk 5 to 42 of lactation. Nine of the treated cows had received bST in the previous lactation, and 7 cows received bST in the previous two lactations. All control cows and 6 treated cows had not previously received bST. Treatment with bST caused substantial increases in milk production, feed intake, and efficiency of feed conversion in the current lactation, which is consistent with previous trials. Increases in feed intake were established fully within 9 wk of starting bST administration, somewhat earlier than usually reported. Treatment with bST in one or two previous lactations caused a statistically significant 14% reduction in production and 8% reduction in efficiency of feed conversion during the first 9 wk of bST treatment in the current lactation; reductions observed later in lactation were not statistically significant. Differences for other traits were not statistically significant. In combination with earlier trials, these results suggest that, although bST has beneficial effects on production and efficiency traits, these benefits may be considerably lower in the second and subsequent lactations of bST use. However, carry-over effects on cows not receiving bST in the current lactation were not explored in this trial.

Function of bovine mammary macrophages as antigen-presenting cells

The ability of mammary macrophages treated with Staphylococcus aureus to induce antigen-specific T-cell proliferation was compared to that of the autologous blood monocytes. Induction of T-cell proliferation has been correlated with changes in major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigen expression and interleukin 1 (IL-1) production by mammary macrophages and blood monocytes. The present study showed that both monocytes and mammary macrophages treated with S. aureus induced T-cell proliferation. However, there was a 3-fold decrease (P less than 0.05) in T-cell proliferation in macrophage cultures compared to those of blood monocytes, when these cells were treated with S. aureus. Mammary macrophages, the cells less effective in stimulating T-cell proliferation, expressed lower levels (2-fold) of MHC class II molecules and produced less IL-1 (3-fold) than blood monocytes. These data suggest that S. aureus may affect macrophage-T cell interaction by modulating the expression of MHC class II molecules and the synthesis of IL-1 by macrophages.

Specific insulin-like growth factor-I receptors on circulating bovine mononuclear cells

We have examined the presence and properties of specific receptors for IGF-I on bovine mononuclear cells. Competitive binding studies showed that binding of [125I]IGF-I to mononuclear cells was inhibited by unlabelled peptides with the rank of IGF-I greater than IGF-II greater than insulin. The binding of [125I]IGF-I was a function of the cell concentration. Equilibrium dissociation constant and receptor concentration values for the average of 9 adult cows were 1.13 +/- 0.11 nM and 108.9 +/- 24.1 fMol/10(7) cells, respectively. Moreover, IGF-I stimulated thymidine incorporation into bovine mononuclear cells in the absence of serum and phytohemagglutinin (PHA). The existence of specific and functional IGF-I receptors on circulating bovine mononuclear cells would provide an easily accessible source for studying IGF-I receptor changes in the bovine, both in physiologic and pathologic states.

[Electromyographic studies on myotonic dystrophy]

EMG studies were made on 12 cases of myotonic dystrophy (MyD). The EMG of the distal and proximal muscles of the limbs showed no marked difference (P greater than 0.05). The myotonic potentials, pathologic spontaneous potentials and incomplete interference patterns had more marked differences respectively as the durations of the disease were prolonged.

Examination of chemotactic properties of bovine mammary macrophages

An in vitro model system in which polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) migration under agarose was employed to examine the ability of mammary macrophages to release chemoattractants for PMN. Mammary macrophages were incubated in Hanks' balanced salt solution for up to 12 h in the presence of Staphylococcus aureus. The possibility that the chemotactic activity is mediated through release of interleukin 1 (IL-1) and prostaglandins (PGs) by mammary macrophages was investigated. The data showed that release of chemotactic activity peaked 6 h following addition of S. aureus in the culture medium of mammary macrophages. Very low levels of IL-1 were detected in the same culture medium. Addition of indomethacin, a PGs synthesis inhibitor, was ineffective in altering the chemotactic activity detected in the culture medium of macrophages. These data suggest that it is highly unlikely that the chemotactic activity is mediated through the production of IL-1 and PGs by the mammary macrophages.

Radioimmunoassay for insulin-like growth factor-I in bovine milk

This experiment was designed (1) to study the effectiveness of acid-ethanol extraction and gly-gly HCl incubation to dissociate the IGF-binding protein complex before IGF-I RIA measurements in bovine milk, and (2) to determine the influence of freezing/thawing and defatting of milk samples on IGF-I concentration of milk. Acidification of milk with acid-ethanol (acid-ETOH) liberated more IGF-I from its binding proteins than with gly-gly HCl. Milk samples obtained from three control cows and three rbST-treated cows (41–44 wk postpartum) were treated with acid-ethanol and assayed by a radioimmunoassay. IGF-I concentrations in the milk were 3.30 ± 1.40 for the control cows and 2.77 ± 1.36 ng mL−1 for the rbST-treated cows. Fat removal before or after freezing did not affect milk IGF-I measurements. The milk concentration of IGF-I after freezing/thawing twice was not different from that after freezing/thawing once. The radioimmunoassay resulting from this study should provide a tool for monitoring IGF-I concentrations in milk throughout the entire lactation. Key words: Milk, IGF-I, radioimmunoassay, cows

Plasminogen activator production by bovine milk macrophages and blood monocytes

The type of plasminogen activator (PA) produced by bovine milk macrophages has been determined. Macrophages produce a PA protein with molecular weight of 28,000 and isoelectric point of 8.5, and with enzymatic activity independent of fibrin. These characteristics are identical to those reported for bovine urokinase-PA. Although blood monocytes and milk macrophages produce PA after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide, mammary macrophages are clearly limited in their ability to release PA. At maximal stimulation, 78% of the PA produced by milk macrophages remained cell-associated. In marked contrast, blood monocytes released 76% of the PA produced into the culture medium. Macrophages isolated from mastitic quarters produced higher (2.5 times) amounts of PA, compared with those produced by macrophages isolated from healthy quarters. However, in both cases, macrophages were unable to secrete the protein already produced. The limited PA secretion by milk macrophages might be a residual function of a differentiated macrophage population.

Inhibition of c-mos protein kinase blocks mouse zygotes at the pronuclei stage

The c-mos gene product is required for activation of the maturation-promoting factor (MPF) during oocyte maturation. The c-mos protein also acts as a cytostatic factor which is responsible for meiotic metaphase arrest of vertebrate eggs via stabilization of MPF. Here we show that mouse zygotes contain the c-mos protein. Introduction of a kinase-inhibitory anti-mos antibody into mouse zygotes 12 h after fertilization prevented the first cleavage of zygotes at the pronuclei stage. A second anti-mos antibody, known to allow the mos kinase to function, did not interfere with the formation of two-cell embryos. In addition to its known role in MPF activation in oocyte maturation and meiotic metaphase arrest, our findings indicate that the c-mos protein kinase is also required for completion of pronuclei breakdown following fertilization of mouse eggs.

Effect of bovine skim milk and whey on monocyte function

Previous studies have documented the ability of bovine milk to inhibit lymphocyte proliferation in response to mitogens. It is not known whether inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation is mediated through the action of monocytes. To address this question, we examined the ability of bovine skim milk and whey to affect monocyte function with emphasis on expression of major histocompatibility class II antigens and production of interleukin-1 by monocytes. Data showed that expression of major histocompatibility complex class II molecules and production of interleukin-1 by monocytes were not altered when monocytes were cultured in the presence of bovine skim milk or whey. Thus, it is unlikely that the suppressive effect of milk on lymphocyte proliferation could be mediated through alterations in the expression of major histocompatibility class II molecules or in production of interleukin-1 by monocytes. The role of other monocyte antigens or secretory products, however, should also be evaluated.

Flavin-containing monooxygenase: a major detoxifying enzyme for the pyrrolizidine alkaloid senecionine in guinea pig tissues

Evidence based on optimal pH, thermal stability, and enzyme inhibition data suggests that the NADPH-dependent microsomal N-oxidation of the pyrrolizidine alkaloid senecionine is carried out largely by flavin-containing monooxygenase in guinea pig liver, lung, and kidney. In contrast, the hepatic microsomal conversion of senecionine to the pyrrole metabolite (+/-)-6,7-dihydro-7-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethyl-5H-pyrrolizine (DHP) is catalyzed largely by cytochrome P450. However, the rate of senecionine N-oxide formation (detoxication) far exceeded the rate of DHP formation (activation) in guinea pig liver microsomes over a range of pHs (pH 6.8 to 9.8). In guinea pig lung and kidney microsomes, N-oxide was the major metabolite formed from senecionine with little or no production of DHP. The high rate of detoxication coupled with the low level of activation of senecionine in liver, lung, and kidney may help explain the apparent resistance of the guinea pig to intoxication by senecionine and other pyrrolizidine alkaloids.

Disproportionate alpha- and beta-mRNA sodium pump subunit content in canine vascular smooth muscle

Total RNA isolated from canine saphenous vein smooth muscle cells was examined for Na+ pump alpha- and beta-mRNA content by three increasingly sensitive methods: Northern analysis, RNase protection assay, and polymerase chain reaction. Northern analysis clearly showed the presence of beta-mRNA. An alpha 1 signal was not demonstrable using either Northern analysis with a 1.5-kb cDNA probe or RNase protection. However, an "alpha 1-like" transcript was detected using polymerase chain reaction with two sets of primers constructed to selected areas of the rat alpha 1-cDNA. These data suggest that beta-mRNA in canine blood vessels is in large excess of the alpha 1-mRNA. This discrepancy may be reflected in the relatively low number of Na+ pump sites in this tissue.

The effect of lipopolysaccharide on bovine mammary macrophage function

The effect of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules by bovine mammary macrophages was examined. The ability of LPS-treated mammary macrophages to support antigen-specific T-cell proliferation, as a measure of their antigen presentation ability, was also evaluated. For this purpose, control and LPS-treated macrophages were pulsed with heat-killed Staphylococcus aureus and then cultured with S. aureus-sensitized T-cells. Our data show that LPS had no significant effect on the expression of MHC class II molecules on the surface of mammary macrophages. Furthermore, LPS-induced macrophages were no more active in supporting T-cell proliferation on a per cell basis than unstimulated macrophages. The lack of macrophage response to LPS with respect to expression of MHC class II molecules and the antigen presentation ability is another example of the hyporesponsive nature of macrophages isolated from the bovine mammary gland.

Secretion of interleukin-1 by bovine milk macrophages

The relative sensitivity of bovine blood monocytes and macrophages isolated from milk to lipopolysaccharide, with respect to interleukin 1 (IL-1) production, was evaluated. Addition of lipopolysaccharide (0 to 30 microgram/ml) to the culture medium resulted in increases in secreted and intracellular IL-1 activity for monocytes and milk macrophages, with maximal stimulation achieved at 30 micrograms of lipopolysaccharide/ml of medium. At this concentration of lipopolysaccharide, monocytes released 76% of the total IL-1, whereas milk macrophages released only 26% of the total IL-1 produced within the cell. Secretion of a small quantity of IL-1 was a common property of macrophages isolated from healthy and mastitic quarters. We concluded that limited secretion of IL-1 may render the milk macrophages less efficient in promoting lymphocyte activation.

Comparison of rainbow trout and mammalian cytochrome P450 enzymes: evidence for structural similarity between trout P450 LMC5 and human P450IIIA4

Studies were undertaken to determine the immunochemical relationship between constitutive trout cytochrome P450s and mammalian cytochrome P450IIIA enzymes. Polyclonal antibodies (IgG) generated against trout P450 LMC5 reacted strongly with P450IIIA1 in dexamethasone-induced rat liver microsomes and with P450IIIA4 in human liver microsomes in immunoblots. In contrast, rabbit anti-P450 LMC1 IgG did not recognize these proteins in rat and human liver microsomes. Reciprocal immunoblots using anti-rat P450IIIA1 showed that this antibody does not recognize trout P450 LMC1 or LMC5. However, anti-human P450IIIA4 IgG was found to cross react strongly with P450 LMC1 and LMC5. Progesterone 6 beta-hydroxylase activity of trout liver microsomes, a reaction catalyzed by P450 LMC5, was markedly inhibited by anti-P450IIIA4 and by gestodene, a mechanism-based inactivator of P450IIIA4. These results provide evidence for a close structural similarity between trout P450 LMC5 and human P450IIIA4.

The role of c-mos proto-oncoprotein in mammalian meiotic maturation

The developmentally regulated expression of c-mos oncogene has led to the speculation that this gene may be involved in gametogenesis and early development. To directly test this possibility, we have used an electric field mediated transfer method to introduce an antibody against the c-mos gene product into living immature mouse oocytes. Control oocytes exposed to the electric field without antibody, non-immune IgG, or c-mos antibody pre-absorbed with the mos peptide underwent normal germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) (90%) and formed a polar body by 8 h. Oocytes transferred with antibody against c-mos product underwent GVBD, and chromosome condensation as judged by Hoechst 33258 staining. However, antibody transferred oocytes did not form a polar body. Confocal fluorescence microscopy using antibodies against tubulin demonstrated that 90% of the oocytes that received antibody against c-mos did not assemble a meiotic spindle. In a few instances an abnormal spindle-like structure did form. Electron microscopy confirmed that the nuclear envelope disassembled and revealed many microtubules in a disorganized manner. Western blot analysis showed the presence of p39c-mos in mouse mature oocytes, spermatocytes and granulosa cells. These results suggest a role for c-mos in regulating the assembly and/or function of the spindle during meiotic division in murine.

IGF-I receptors in embryonic skeletal muscle of three strains of chickens selected for differences in growth capacity

IGF-I receptors in embryonic skeletal muscle from three strains of chickens have been characterized. Specific receptors for IGF-I were present in breast and thigh skeletal muscle of 13 d chicken embryos. Dissociation rate constants (Kd) for breast muscle of a slow growing layer strain (Leghorn), an intermediate growth strain (Synthetic Whiterock), and a fast growing broiler strain (Cornish) were 3.24, 3.04, and 2.68 nM, respectively. Kd for the thigh muscle of the slow, intermediate and fast growing strains were 3.30, 2.90 and 3.29 nM, respectively. Kd values were not significantly different between strains or between tissues (p greater than .05). Receptor concentration (Bmax) in breast muscle of slow, intermediate and fast growing strains were 1.22, 1.08 and 0.92 pM/mg protein, respectively. Receptor concentration in thigh muscle of the slow, intermediate and fast growing strains were 0.95, 0.76, and 0.79 pM/mg protein, respectively. Bmax values were significantly different (p less than .05) between breast muscle (1.08 +/- .05 pM/mg protein) and thigh muscle (.84 +/- .05 pM/mg protein). IGF-I receptor number for breast muscle although not statistically significant (p greater than .05), indicated a trend towards differences between the slow growing Leghorn strain and the faster growing Cornish strain. The results suggest that strains of birds with different growth capacity may have different densities of IGF-I receptors in breast skeletal muscle plasma membranes.