Search for human T-lymphotropic virus type I carriers among northeastern Chinese

Human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) is thought to be the causative agent of adult T-cell leukemia/ lymphoma (ATL). This virus infection is endemic in southwestern Japan, parts of Africa and the Caribbean Islands. We examined sera of 1645 subjects of Liaoning province, northeastern China to detect HTLV-I carriers in an effort to reveal the migratory route taken by the early Japanese (Jomon people). As a result, all sera were found to be negative as tested by particle-agglutination (PA), immunofluorescence (IF), enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent (ELISA) and Western blotting methods. This suggests that the Jomon people, who are thought to have brought HTLV-I to the Japan archipelago tens of thousands of years ago, did not come from northeast China.

Frequencies and types of exchange aberrations induced by X-rays and neutrons in Chinese hamster splenocytes detected by FISH using chromosome-specific DNA libraries

PURPOSE

To estimate the frequencies of radiation- (low and high LET) induced chromosome aberrations in Chinese hamster splenocytes by two-colour fluorescence in situ hybridization using DNA painting probes specific for chromosomes 2, 3, 8, X and Y and to determine (1) the ratio of radiation-induced translocations and dicentrics; (2) the spectrum of exchange aberrations induced by X-rays and neutrons; and (3) the relative involvement of the different chromosomes in the formation of aberrations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Isolated splenocytes from the Chinese hamster were irradiated in vitro with different doses of 200 kV X-rays (0.75, 1.5, 3.0 Gy) and 1 MeV fast neutrons (0.25, 0.5, 1.0 Gy). Conventional analysis of chromosome aberrations was carried out in Giemsa-stained preparations. Chromosome aberrations involving chromosomes 2, 3, 8, X and Y were analysed in first division metaphases using two-colour FISH.

RESULTS

The results indicate that when all types of translocations are taken into account both X-rays and neutrons induce more translocations than dicentrics, the ratio between the two types of exchanges being 1.4 and 1.8 respectively. The ratio of 'apparently simple' reciprocal translocations and reciprocal complete dicentrics was close to 1 for both types of radiation. The RBE of neutrons for induction of exchanges was found to be between 5 and 8. Neutron irradiation was more efficient at inducing insertions. Among the chromosomes studied, an increased involvement was observed for chromosome 8 in dicentrics and translocations than that expected on the basis of its chromosome length. The high content of interstitial telomeric sequences in chromosome 8 may be responsible for the observed sensitivity of this chromosome.

CONCLUSIONS

The results obtained in this study indicate that: (1) more translocations are found than dicentrics; (2) heterogeneity exists among Chinese hamster chromosomes for involvement in radiation-induced exchanges; (3) the spectrum and distribution of exchange aberrations are different between X-rays and neutrons; and (4) the relative frequencies of insertions could be used as a 'fingerprint' for exposure to high LET radiation.

[Determination of food oral-colon transit time with breath hydrogen test]

OBJECTIVE

To establish a method to determine food oral-colon transit time (OCTT).

METHODS

OCTT was determined for five groups of food rich in carbohydrate in 13 healthy adults with breath hydrogen test (BHT) using lactulose as control.

RESULTS

OCTT was 90.0 +/- 50.6 min, 237 +/- 64.9 min, 341.3 +/- 77.9 min and 352.5 +/- 59.5 min, respectively for lactulose syrup, sweet potato, steamed bun and corn flour, and OCTT could not identified for rice and rice with ground meat due to hydrogen production only in few study subjects or no rising in hydrogen value. OCTT inversely correlated with peak hydrogen value (r = -0.6625) and correlated with the time of peak hydrogen value and food absorption rate (r = 0.7668 and 0.8790).

CONCLUSION

BHT is a simple, reliable, non-invasive and feasible method to determine food OCTT.

Demonstration of a tandem pair of complement protein modules in GABA(B) receptor 1a

We have subcloned and expressed the N-terminal portion of the recently sequenced metabotropic GABA receptor, GABA(B)R1a. This region of the receptor contains a complement protein-like amino acid sequence. The purified 140-residue recombinant protein fragment was soluble and stable. Mass spectrometry indicated formation of four disulfide bonds, as expected if two complement protein modules (CPs, also known as SCRs, Sushi domains) are formed. The circular dichroism spectrum was unusual and characteristic of CPs. Differential scanning calorimetry demonstrated a melting point (64 degrees C), and total enthalpy commensurate with two fully folded domains. We thus conclude that the 1a subtype of the GABA(B) receptor, but not the 1b subtype, contains a pair of CPs and we present a three-dimensional model of this region.

[Angiotension I converting enzyme gene polymorphism in Chinese patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship of an insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the angiotension-converting enzyme (ACE) gene to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).

METHOD

Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples and amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR primers were flanking the polymorphic region in intron 16 of the ACE gene.

RESULT

The distribution of the DD, ID, and II ACE genotypes was 16%, 52%, and 32% in the control subjects and 0%, 56%, and 44% in OSAS patients, respectively. The estimated frequencies of the insertion allele and the deletion allele were 58%, 42% in the control subjects and 72%, 28% in OSAS patients, respectively. The differences were statistically significant(P < 0.05). The OSAS patients with I/I genotype had significantly longer apnea time (P < 0.05), lower minimum SaO2(P < 0.05) and more severe AHI (P < 0.05) than did the OSAS patients with I/D genotype.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that the II genotype and I allele might be a risk factor for OSAS in Chinese.

Quality assurance of central axis dose data for photon beams by means of a functional representation of the tissue phantom ratio

A recently proposed four-parameter functional representation for the tissue phantom ratio (TPR) in the domain of electronic equilibrium was tested for accuracy and applied to quality assurance of central axis dose data. The four parameters are energy dependent and are found for each beam by a minmax search. For photon energies of 4 MV and greater, the functional representation was accurate to within 1% of measured data for all depths and field sizes exceeding 10 cm. The representation was also found to be robust. With only nine measurements of the TPR (at the extremes and middle of the electronic equilibrium domain) used to determine the four parameters, the representation reproduced the TPR value of any depth and field size to within 1% of measured data for photon energies of 6 MV or greater. The representation was insensitive to random measurement errors of a magnitude comparable to that expected in clinical practice. Other findings indicated that the representation degrades gracefully as the domain is extended into regions not in electronic equilibrium. When used with a QA program, the functional representation of TPR provides a means of detecting and correcting errors of measurement and data transcription of central axis dose data.

Rat alpha3/beta4 subtype of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor stably expressed in a transfected cell line: pharmacology of ligand binding and function

We stably transfected human kidney embryonic 293 cells with the rat neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) alpha3 and beta4 subunit genes. This new cell line, KXalpha3 beta4R2, expresses a high level of the alpha3/beta4 receptor subtype, which binds (+/-)- [3H]epibatidine with a Kd value of 304+/-16 pM and a Bmax value of 8942 +/- 115 fmol/mg protein. Comparison of nicotinic drugs in competing for alpha3/beta4 receptor binding sites in this cell line and the binding sites in rat forebrain (predominantly alpha4/beta2 receptors) revealed marked differences in their Ki values, but similar rank orders of potency for agonists were observed, with the exception of anatoxin-A. The affinity of the competitive antagonist dihydro-beta-erythroidine is >7000 times higher at alpha4/beta2 receptors in rat forebrain than at the alpha3/beta4 receptors in these cells. The alpha3/beta4 nAChRs expressed in this cell line are functional, and in response to nicotinic agonists, 86Rb+ efflux was increased to levels 8-10 times the basal levels. Acetylcholine, (-)-nicotine, cytisine, carbachol, and (+/-)-epibatidine all stimulated 86Rb+ efflux, which was blocked by mecamylamine. The EC50 values for acetylcholine and (-)-nicotine to stimulate 86Rb+ effluxes were 114 +/- 24 and 28 +/- 4 microM, respectively. The rank order of potency of nicotinic antagonists in blocking the function of this alpha3/beta4 receptor was mecamylamine > d-tubocurarine > dihydro-beta-erythroidine > hexamethonium. Mecamylamine, d-tubocurarine, and hexamethonium blocked the function by a noncompetitive mechanism, whereas dihydro-beta-erythroidine blocked the function competitively. The KXalpha3 beta4R2 cell line should prove to be a very useful model for studying this subtype of nAChRs.

[Auto CPAP Set system for diagnosis and therapy of sleep breathing disorders]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the Auto CPAP Set system with standard polysomnography (PSG) in diagnosis and therapy of sleep breathing disorders.

METHOD

Two studies were completed. The Auto CPAP Set system was compared with a simultaneously obtained PSG in eleven patients with sleep breathing disorders. Twenty-three additional patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) were treated by Auto CPAP Set. Student's t test was employed to evaluate statistical significance.

RESULT

No differences were found between these two systems in AHI, SaO2 and the longest apnea duration (P > 0.05), and the Auto CPAP Set system had a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity 100% for diagnosis of OSAS. AHI decreased and SaO2 increased significantly in OSAS patients after treatment.

CONCLUSION

The Auto CPAP Set system provides an accurate and simple method for diagnosis and therapy of sleep breathing disorders, and the time required for analysis of test results was shorter as compared with PSG.

[Detection of minimal residual disease in acute lymphoblastic leukemia using PCR-molecule hybridization of RNA transcripts]

OBJECTIVE

To detect acute lymphoblastic leukemia's(ALL's) minimal residual disease(MRD) rapidly and effectively.

METHODS

In this assay, the gamma T-cell receptor gene rearrangements serve as marker genes. The gene rearrangements are amplified from the diagnostic specimens using a consensus V segment primer and a consensus J segment primer to which the promoter T7 RNA polymerase has been appended. The PCR product from this amplification is transcribed into a radiolabeled RNA probe. The opposite DNA strand is transcribed into test RNA from the PCR product of different staged specimens. The test RNA is hybridized with the probe, and later the digestion with RNase A, Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography are in progress.

RESULTS

According to the mechanism, the perfectly matched RNA duplex can prevent the digestion of RNase A, and the presence of the leukemia cells in the test specimen can be determined. Logarithmical dilution experiments with DNA of a cell line from ALL have shown that this assay's sensitivity is at the 10(-5) level. Minimal residual disease was successfully detected in a case of ALL during its complete remission stage. But if the probe and test RNA are not from the same individual, the results of this kind of cross hybridization are negative.

CONCLUSION

The above results suggest that this assay can become an effective measure in the detection of ALL-MRD clinically.

Antigenic characterization of HIV-1 gp41 binding proteins

The envelope protein HIV-1 gp41 has been shown to exert various effects on human T-cells, B-cells and monocytes like inhibition of cell proliferation, modulation of MHC expression and cytokine production. In contrast to gpl20, where several receptor molecules have been identified, the receptor for gp41 is still unknown. Using a sepharose column, coupled with recombinant soluble gp41, (rsgp41; Env amino acids 539-684), five gp41-binding proteins of 37, 45, 50, 62 and 100 kDa had been isolated from lysates of the B-cell line Raji. Two mouse antiserums were generated against the proteins P45 and P62 and were tested against the binding specificity of both antiserums. In Western blot analysis the antiserums recognized two protein bands of 45 and 62 kDa in complete Raji cell lysates, as well as the purified proteins P45 and P62, respectively, but did not show any cross-reaction, indicating that the two proteins do not share any immunological epitopes. Besides, the polyclonal antiserums did not recognize the other gp41-binding proteins P37, P50 and P100. Using the P62 antiserum proteins of the same size as in Raji cell lysates were stained in the lysates of the monocytic cell line U937 and the T-cell line H9, demonstrating distribution of P62 in different blood cells. P45 seems not to be identical to HLA-C which had been shown to bind to gp41. These results indicate, that P45 and P62 are two separate gp41-binding proteins without homology to each other or to the other gp41-binding proteins.

A study on visual evoked potential to show the relationship between the eyes and the twelve regular channels

The visual electrophysiologic method was used to investigate the relationship between the eyes and the 12 regular channels. The values of the latent period and the amplitude of P100 wave were calculated and compared statistically. The results show that: 1) The eyes and the 12 regular channels are closely related, no matter whether the channels are classically associated with the eyes or not, while the control (non-channel)/ point has no such relationship; 2) the degrees of relationship between the eyes and the 12 regular channels vary significantly; and 3) acupuncture at the 12 regular channels induces different effects on the visual evoked potential that the Urinary Bladder Channel presents a facilitation effect whereas all the other channels chiefly show an inhibitory effect.

Temperature threshold and preservation of signaling for mitochondrial membrane proteins during ischemia in rabbit heart

Temperature modulates both myocardial energy requirements and production. We have previously demonstrated that myocardial protection induced by hypothermic adaptation preserves expression of genes regulating heat shock protein and the nuclear-encoded mitochondrial proteins, the adenine nucleotide translocator isoform 1 (ANT1), and the beta subunit of F1-ATPase (beta F1-ATPase). This preservation is associated with a reduction in ATP depletion similar to that noted in cardioplegic arrested hearts preserved at a critical temperature (30 degrees C) or below. We tested the hypothesis that expression of these genes may also be subject to this temperature threshold phenomenon. Isolated perfused rabbit hearts were subjected to ischemic cardioplegic arrest at 4, 30, or 34 degrees C for 120 min. Cardiac function indices and steady-state mRNA levels for ANT1, beta F1-ATPase, and HSP70-1 were measured prior to ischemia (B) and after 45 min of reperfusion. Cardiac function was significantly depressed in the 34 degrees C group. Ischemia at 34 degrees C reduced steady-state mRNA levels for ANT1 and beta F1-ATPase from B, but these levels were similarly preserved at 4 and 30 degrees C. HSP70-1 levels were mildly elevated (fourfold) above B to similar levels at all three temperatures. These results indicate that mRNA expression for ANT1 and beta F1-ATPase is specifically preserved in a pattern consistent with the temperature threshold phenomenon. HSP70-1 expression is not influenced by ischemic temperature. Preservation of gene expression for these mitochondrial proteins implies that signaling for mitochondrial biogenesis or resynthesis is maintained after ischemic insult.

An expression for backscatter factors for orthovoltage x-rays

Backscatter factors for orthovoltage x-ray beams are fitted with the expression BSF = 1 + ms/(s + n), where s is field size and m and n are adjustable parameters. The accuracy is better than 0.5%. Good results were also obtained for Cs-137 gamma rays at depth 0.12 cm and Co-60 gamma rays at depth 0.5 cm using the same expression, which failed, however, for peak scatter factors at high x-ray energies.

[Study on the relative absorption of food carbohydrate in healthy adults]

The absorption of food carbohydrate was determined with breath hydrogen test (BHT) in healthy adults. When the absorption of lactulose was assumed as 0, the absorption of food carbohydrates were as follows: 100% for rice with ground lean pork; 98% for rice; 85% for bread; 58% for corn and 30% for red potato. The absorption of food carbohydrate was positively related to the oral-colon transit time (OCTT, r = 0.8790) and the peak hydrogen time (PHT, r = 0.6745), and was negatively related to the peak hydrogen value (PHV, r = -0.6468) and to the hydrogen producing percentage (H2 > 1.8 mg/m3, r = -0.8679). The breath hydrogen test can be used in estimating the absorption of food carbohydrate in human body because this method is safe, non-invasive, reproducible and accurate.

[Sequencing analysis of human K-ras oncogene exon 1 in Chinese people]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the mutation of human K-ras oncogene in the blood of patients with lung cancer.

METHODS

PCR and sequencing methods were used to analyse the exon 1. Twelve patients'blood samples and 31 normals' blood samples were detected.

RESULTS

In all 43 samples, the K-ras codon 11 was CCT (proline), and the opposite strand sequenced was AGG. It was different from the standard GCT(Alanine) sequenced by foreign authors.

CONCLUSION

The 11th codon of the human K-ras oncogene in Chinese is CCT (Proline). As the K-ras codon 12 is a hot spot, this finding may be of importance to clinical genetic diagnosis.

[Chemical constituents of Taraxacum sinicum Kitag]

Five compounds were separated from Taraxacum sinicum by means of solvent extraction and rechromatography on silical gel. Their structures were established as caffeic acid, ferulic acid, chlorogenic acid, luteolin and diosmetin by spectral analysis and chemical evidence. All the compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time. Chlorogenic acid and diosmetin have not been discovered from Taraxacum genus previously.

Activities of isoniazid alone and in combination with other drugs against Mycobacterium avium infection in beige mice

Monotherapy with isoniazid or amikacin or clarithromycin or combinations of two of these drugs showed nil to modest therapeutic activity in beige mice infected with Mycobacterium avium. However, the combination of all three, isoniazid-amikacin-clarithromycin, markedly reduced CFUs in both spleens and lungs after 91 days of infection.

[Clinical study of pulmonary encephalopathy with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the clinical effectiveness of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine (TCM-WM) on pulmonary encephalopathy.

METHODS

Eight three patients of pulmonary encephalopathy were allocated randomly into the TCM-WM group and the control group. The therapeutic method for the control group including continuous low flow oxygen intake with mechanical ventilation available when necessary, antiasthmatics and expectorants improve ventilation, sufficient and combined intravenous infusion of antibiotics, and prescription of diuretics for dehydration under the therapeutic principle of mild, small dosage, combined and intermittent in use. For the TCM-WM group, besides above-mentioned medication, Chinese medicine of clear up the Heat and toxin, tranquilizing, restore consciousness and induce resuscitation, bactericiding and expelling their toxin. The anti-pulmonary-encephalopathy injection was given as soon as possible.

RESULTS

The total effective rate of the TCM-WM group reached 83.0% and was higher than that of the control group (63.9%) significantly (P < 0.05). Time for restoring consciousness in the former was also shorter than that of the latter significantly (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

This study provided both method and experience for the treatment of pulmonary encephalopathy with TCM-WM.

Hypothermia preserves function and signaling for mitochondrial biogenesis during subsequent ischemia

Hypothermia is known to protect myocardium during ischemia, but its role in induction of a protective stress response before ischemia has not been evaluated. As cold incites stress responses in other tissues, including heat shock protein induction and signaling mitochondrial biogenesis, we postulated that hypothermia in perfused hearts would produce similar phenomena while reducing injury during subsequent ischemia. Studies were performed in isolated perfused rabbit hearts (n = 77): a control group (C) and a hypothermic group (H) subjected to decreasing infusate temperature from 37 to 31 degrees C over 20 min. Subsequent ischemia during cardioplegic arrest at 34 degrees C for 120 min was followed by reperfusion. At 15 min of reperfusion, recovery of left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), maximum first derivative of left ventricular pressure (LV dP/dtmax), LV -dP/dtmax, and the product of heart rate and LVDP was significantly increased in H (P < 0.01) compared with C hearts. Ischemic contracture started later in H (97.5 +/- 3.6 min) than in C (67.3 +/- 3.3 min) hearts. Myocardial ATP preservation and repletion during ischemia and reperfusion were higher in H than in C hearts. mRNA levels of the nuclear-encoded mitochondrial proteins adenine nucleotide translocase isoform 1 (ANT1) and beta-F1-adenosine-triphosphatase (beta-F1-ATPase) normalized to 28S RNA decreased in C hearts but were preserved in H hearts after reperfusion. Inducible heat shock protein (HSP70-1) mRNA was elevated nearly 4-fold after ischemia in C hearts and 12-fold in H hearts. These data indicate that hypothermia preserves myocardial function and ATP stores during subsequent ischemia and reperfusion. Signaling for mitochondrial biogenesis indexed by ANT1 and beta-F1-ATPase mRNA levels is also preserved during a marked increase in HSP70-1 mRNA.

Temperature threshold and modulation of energy metabolism in the cardioplegic arrested rabbit heart

Hypothermia protects ischemic tissues by reducing ATP utilization and accumulation of harmful metabolites. However, it also reduces ATP production, which might cause deterioration in the energy supply/demand ratio. Modulation of energy supply/demand according to temperature has not been previously studied in detail. In this study, isolated, perfused rabbit hearts (n = 60) were used to determine the effects of various temperatures on myocardial energy metabolism and function during cardioplegic arrest. Ischemia was induced by crystalloid cardioplegic solution at 4, 18, 30, and 34 degrees C for 120 min, respectively. At each temperature, the hearts were divided into a glucose-treated group which contained 22 mM glucose in cardioplegic solution as the only substrate and a control group which contained 22 mM mannitol to keep same osmolarity. Following 15 min reperfusion, recovery of left ventricular developed pressure (DP), +/- dP/dtmax, and the product of heart rate and DP were significantly higher in 30, 18, and 4 degrees C groups than those in 34 degrees C control group. The functional recovery was also significantly higher in the 34 degrees C glucose-treated group than that in the 34 degrees C control group, but there was no difference between those groups at 30 degrees C and the temperature below 30 degrees C. Myocardial ATP concentration was significantly lower in 34 degrees C control group than those in other groups. There is a close relationship between myocardial ATP concentration and functional recovery (R2 = 0.90). The accumulations of lactate and CO2 were significantly higher at 34 degrees C in glucose-treated group than those in the control group. However, there was no significant difference between these two groups at 30 degrees C and the temperature below 30 degrees C. These results indicate that under these study conditions: (1) a marked decrease in energy supply/demand occurs above 30 degrees C, implying that a temperature threshold exists; and (2) this can be ameliorated by provision of glucose as substrate in cardioplegia solution.

Immunohistochemical demonstration of the plasminogen activator system in human gingival tissues and gingival fibroblasts

The relative distribution of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA), tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-2 (PAI-2) was studied in cultured human gingival fibroblasts, healthy gingival tissues and inflamed gingival tissues by immunohistochemistry. In cultured gingival fibroblasts t-PA, u-PA and PAI-1 were expressed in cytoplasm; u-PA and PAI-1 were more intensely stained than t-PA; PAI-2 was not detectable in gingival fibroblasts. Following interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) stimulation, the intensity of intracellular staining for t-PA was increased and a number of cells staining strongly for PAI-2 were seen; no difference in the intensity of immunostaining level was noted for the expression of u-PA and PAI-1 between IL-1 beta stimulated cells and unstimulated cells. In healthy gingival tissues, u-PA and PAI-1 displayed a wide distribution throughout all the connective tissue and epithelium; t-PA localized mainly in the connective tissue while PAI-2 showed little association with the connective tissue but did faintly stain in the epithelial layer. In inflamed gingival tissues, staining for t-PA was significantly increased in the extracellular matrix of the connective tissue, whereas staining for u-PA, PAI-1 and PAI-2 was found to be slightly increased, but no significant difference was noted for staining when compared with the healthy gingival tissues. A granular distribution of t-PA, u-PA, PAI-1 and PAI-2 was noted around areas of inflammatory cell infiltration. These immunohistochemical findings indicate that the plasminogen activator system produced by fibroblasts may be influenced by the presence of the inflammatory mediator IL-1 beta. In addition, the significant increase of t-PA in inflamed connective tissue and the wide expression of these components around inflamed cells may contribute to connective tissue degradation and may relate to the migration and localization of monocytes/macrophages in inflamed tissue.

En bloc transplation of kidney and whole pancreas with a segment of duodenum in rats

For meeting the clinic needs in simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation (SPK), we successfully establish a syngeneic SPK transplatation model in Lewis rats. The results indicate that this model is feasible with a 82.6% successful rate of operation and a 69.6% survival rate in the first postoperative week. In long-term survived rats, the blood supplies are well established, function of the grafts (pancreas and kidney) maintains normal. This model is suitable for theoretical research in SPK transplantation for its reasonable physiology with pancreatic juice drained into intestine and reduced postoperative complications in urinary tract and carbohydrate metabolism.

Serum apolipoprotein levels of psoriatic patients with normal serum lipid levels

OBJECTIVE

Recent studies indicated that incidence of occlusive cardiovascular diseases increased in psoriasis. Changes of serum lipid metabolism may be the cause. Apolipoproteins play a central role in lipoprotein metabolism in serum. The measurement of serum apo levels may reveal the characteristics of lipoprotein metabolism in serum in patients with psoriasis and may help to find an answer to the cause of the high incidence of occlusive cardiovascular diseases in psoriasis.

METHOD

The apo levels of 31 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 31 sex- and age-matched healthy individuals with normal serum lipid levels were measured by radial immunodiffusion assay.

RESULTS

The apo C III (t = 2.44, P < 0.05) and apo E (t = 2.12, P < 0.05) of psoriatic group elevated significantly. The apo C III (t = 2.77, P < 0.01) of patients less than 40-year-old and apoE (t = 2.91, P < 0.01) of male patients elevated significantly.

CONCLUSION

Abnormal metabolism of lipoprotein in serum exist in psoriasis, especially in male patients and/or patients less than 40 years old.

Interaction of yeast repressor-activator protein Ume6p with glycogen synthase kinase 3 homolog Rim11p

Meiosis and expression of early meiotic genes in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae depend upon Rim11p, Ume6p, and Ime1p. Rim11p (also called Mds1p and ScGSK3) is a protein kinase related to glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3); Ume6p is an architectural transcription factor; and Imelp is a Ume6p-binding protein that provides a transcriptional activation domain. Rim11p is required for Ime1p-Ume6p interaction, and prior studies have shown that Rim11p binds to and phosphorylates Ime1p. We show here that Rim11p binds to and phosphorylates Ume6p, as well. Amino acid substitutions in Ume6p that alter a consensus GSK3 site reduce or abolish Rim11p-Ume6p interaction and Rim11p-dependent phosphorylation, and they cause defects in interaction between Ume6p and Ime1p and in meiotic gene expression. Therefore, interaction between Rim11p and Ume6p, resulting in phosphorylation of Ume6p, is required for Ime1p-Ume6p complex formation. Rim11p, like metazoan GSK3beta, phosphorylates both interacting subunits of a target protein complex.