Physical and sexual abuse of women before, during, and after pregnancy

OBJECTIVES

To examine patterns of physical and sexual abuse before, during, and after pregnancy.

METHODS

A community-based interview survey of a representative group of women with children aged 6-18 months was carried out between November 1, 2001, and February 28, 2002, in 32 communities of the Tianjing, Liaoning, Henan, and Shannxi provinces.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of physical and sexual abuse (occurring before, during, and after pregnancy) was 11.7%. The prevalence of physical and sexual abuse before pregnancy was 8.5%, compared with 3.6% during pregnancy and 7.4% during an average postpartum period of 11 months. Abuse before pregnancy was a strong indicator of abuse during pregnancy and after delivery, and abuse during a previous period was a strong indicator of subsequent abuse. Most abuse was recurrent and not severe.

CONCLUSIONS

Routine screening for abuse in the maternity services setting is advocated to decrease the effect of abuse on women and their children.

Atomistics of Ge deposition on Si(100) by atomic layer epitaxy

Chlorine termination of mixed Ge/Si(100) surfaces substantially enhances the contrast between Ge and Si sites in scanning tunneling microscopy observations. This finding enables a detailed investigation of the spatial distribution of Ge atoms deposited on Si(100) by atomic layer epitaxy. The results are corroborated by photoemission measurements aided by an unusually large chemical shift between Cl adsorbed on Si and Ge. Adsorbate-substrate atomic exchange during growth is shown to be important. The resulting interface is thus graded, but characterized by a very short length scale of about one monolayer.

Candidate defense genes from rice, barley, and maize and their association with qualitative and quantitative resistance in rice

Candidate genes involved in both recognition (resistance gene analogs [RGAs]) and general plant defense (putative defense response [DR]) were used as molecular markers to test for association with resistance in rice to blast, bacterial blight (BB), sheath blight, and brown plant-hopper (BPH). The 118 marker loci were either polymerase chain reaction-based RGA markers or restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers that included RGAs or putative DR genes from rice, barley, and maize. The markers were placed on an existing RFLP map generated from a mapping population of 116 doubled haploid (DH) lines derived from a cross between an improved indica rice cultivar, IR64, and a traditional japonica cultivar, Azucena. Most of the RGAs and DR genes detected a single locus with variable copy number and mapped on different chromosomes. Clusters of RGAs were observed, most notably on chromosome 11 where many known blast and BB resistance genes and quantitative trait loci (QTL) for blast, BB, sheath blight, and BPH were located. Major resistance genes and QTL for blast and BB resistance located on different chromosomes were associated with several candidate genes. Six putative QTL for BB were located on chromosomes 2, 3, 5, 7, and 8 and nine QTL for BPH resistance were located to chromosomes 3, 4, 6, 11, and 12. The alleles of QTL for BPH resistance were mostly from IR64 and each explained between 11.3 and 20.6% of the phenotypic variance. The alleles for BB resistance were only from the Azucena parent and each explained at least 8.4% of the variation. Several candidate RGA and DR gene markers were associated with QTL from the pathogens and pest. Several RGAs were mapped to BB QTL. Dihydrofolate reductase thymidylate synthase co-localized with two BPH QTL associated with plant response to feeding and also to blast QTL. Blast QTL also were associated with aldose reductase, oxalate oxidase, JAMyb (a jasmonic acid-induced Myb transcription factor), and peroxidase markers. The frame map provides reference points to select candidate genes for cosegregation analysis using other mapping populations, isogenic lines, and mutants.

A time-course study on the resistance of Penaeus japonicus induced by artificial infection with white spot syndrome virus

The onset and duration of resistance in experimental survivors of Penaeus japonicus produced by an intramuscular injection with white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) were surveyed by re-challenge tests with the virus conducted at weeks 1-4 and months 1-3 post initial exposure (PIE) to the virus. Virus neutralising activity in the survivors' plasma was also examined. Plasma-treated WSSV was separated from the plasma by centrifugation and then injected into naïve shrimp, in parallel with each re-challenge test. Re-challenge tests of the survivors conducted at weeks 1-4 PIE revealed that the resistance commenced at week 3 (relative percent survival, RPS: 39%) and almost fully developed at week 4 (RPS: 58%), because statistically significant differences in survival rates were observed between the test (previously virus exposed) and control groups at weeks 3 and 4. Re-challenge at months 1-3 PIE resulted in RPS values of 67, 54 and 6%, respectively, indicating the resistance persisted until month 2. RPS values in neutralisation tests performed at weeks 1-4 and months 1-3 PIE were -5, 14, 36, 50, 100, 38 and 6%, respectively, which coincided with the RPS values in each re-challenge test conducted in parallel. The present results demonstrated that resistance of P. japonicus against the viral pathogen developed 3 or 4 weeks after an exposure to the virus, and it persisted for another month at 24 degrees C. The resistance was paralleled by a humoral neutralising factor(s) in the plasma of shrimp.

Increased peritoneal membrane permeability is associated with abnormal peritoneal surface layer

OBJECTIVES

We recently showed that the peritoneal surface layer may be an important barrier in modulating peritoneal membrane permeability. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between an increased peritoneal transport rate and the peritoneal surface layer.

METHODS

Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 8) received intraperitoneal injections of 4.25% glucose dialysate daily for 1 week. Forty-eight hours after the last injection, a 4-hour dwell study using 25 mL 4.25% glucose dialysate was performed in each rat. The results were compared with those from control rats that received no intraperitoneal injections (n = 8). The peritoneal fluid and small-solute transport characteristics were evaluated. The peritoneal surface layer was studied using an electron microscope. The phospholipids content of the dialysate was also evaluated.

RESULTS

Peritoneal fluid removal was significantly reduced in the daily injection group (30.6 +/- 1.3 mL) as compared with the control group (38.2 +/- 0.6 mL). The peritoneal fluid absorption rate and small-solute transport rate were also significantly higher in the daily injection group as compared with the control group. The amounts of phospholipids in the dialysate were significantly lower in the daily injection group--especially the quantity of phosphatidylcholine. However, lysophosphatidylcholine increased significantly in the daily injection group. Electron microscopy showed that the peritoneal surface layer was almost completely gone in the daily injection group, but that a dense and thick (average 4 microm) peritoneal surface layer was present on the top of the mesothelial cells in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that daily injection of hypertonic glucose dialysate significantly increased the peritoneal transport rate. The increased peritoneal transport rate was associated with a significant reduction in the peritoneal surface layer and the phospholipids content of the dialysis effluent.

Hepatocyte nuclear factors-1alpha, -1beta, and -3beta expressed in the gonad of tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)

Hepatocyte nuclear factors (HNFs) are upstream regulators of many liver-specific genes and are involved in many cellular functions in the body, but their existence, expression, and function in gonads are still poorly understood. Here we report on the first cloning of partial cDNAs of HNF-1alpha and -1beta and full HNF-3beta cDNA from a tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) liver cDNA library. The deduced amino acid sequence of tilapia HNF-3beta has a 90 to 96% identity with those of other fishes (dwarf gourami, medaka, and zebrafish), 74% with mammals (human, rat, and mouse), and 82% with Xenopus. RT-PCR detected IGF-I and -II and HNF-1alpha, -1beta, and -3beta in both liver and gonads and the identity of the PCR fragments was confirmed by PCR hybridization. Immunoprecipitation and Western blotting also detected all three HNF proteins in both liver and gonads. Expression of HNFs in the gonads of the tilapia suggests that multi-HNFs may form a cascade to regulate gonadal physiology in the bony fish.

Effects of shrimp density on transmission of penaeid acute viremia in Penaeus japonicus by cannibalism and the waterborne route

To investigate the effects of shrimp density on mortalities of Penaeus japonicus in experimental penaeid acute viremia (= white spot syndrome), shrimp injected intramuscularly with penaeid rod-shaped DNA virus (PRDV) were reared at different densities. In Expt 1, challenged (10(-6) dilution of a PRDV preparation) shrimp were reared collectively in a tank or individually in separate chamber units. A significant difference in cumulative mortalities was found between collectively (75.6%) and individually (1.2%) reared groups after 30 d. In Expt 2, effects of density on mortality were clearly shown when challenged (10(-5) dilution) shrimp were reared collectively in tanks at high (260 shrimp m(-2)), middle (135 shrimp m(-2)) and low densities (73 shrimp m(-2)). The cumulative mortalities for 14 d in the high, middle and low density groups were 72, 46 and 18%, respectively. In Expt 3, challenged (10(-5) dilution) shrimp were reared collectively in 3 tanks (Groups A, B and C) at the same high density (260 shrimp m(-2)): Group A, dead shrimp were immediately removed to avoid transmission of the pathogen through cannibalism and the waterborne route; Group B, dead shrimp were removed at scheduled times but were separated from living shrimp by a net partition to avoid cannibalism; and Group C, dead shrimp were removed twice a day at scheduled times. Resulting cumulative mortalities for 20 d in Groups A, B and C were 4, 24 and 64 %, respectively. These results show that the higher mortalities occur in P. japonicus reared at the higher densities in experimental PRDV infection, and this phenomenon is caused mainly by a higher opportunity of horizontal transmission of the virus through cannibalism and the waterborne route.

[Hemodynamics following + Gz stress in dog]

AIM

To investigate the character of hemodynamics following + Gz stress in dog.

METHODS

Nine anesthesia dogs were exposed to 5, 7 and 9 + Gz stress, 90 s at peak G. Each animal was instrumented to measure left ventricular pressure, thoracic aorta pressure, iliac arterial pressure,common carotid artery flow (CCAF) and ECG.

RESULTS

(1) Heart rate, CCAF and blood pressure at any place increased. They were greater than those before + Gz stress (P < 0.05). (2) There were much more arrhythmias following high + Gz stress. Most of arrhythmias were junctional premature beats, ventricular premature beats. 80% arrhythmias occurred within 3 min following + Gz stress. (3) Blood pressure appeared the highest in the second min following + Gz stress.

CONCLUSION

Great hemodynamic disturbance happened following high + Gz stress. There might were reperfusion arrhythmias. Protective measures should been noted following high + Gz stress.

Molecular cloning, developmental expression, and hormonal regulation of zebrafish (Danio rerio) beta crystallin B1, a member of the superfamily of beta crystallin proteins

The cDNA sequence of beta crystallin B1 was determined from zebrafish (Danio rerio) and compared to the corresponding genes of bovine, rat, chicken, human, and Xenopus. Multispecies comparison of superfamily diversity demonstrated beta crystallin B1 homology between zebrafish, bovine, chicken, and rat, but large distances to beta crystallin B2 and B3. Zebrafish cDNA has a size of 943 nucleotides and encodes a polypeptide of 233 amino acids. Zebrafish beta crystallin B1 shares 71.30, 75.86, and 71.00% similarities with bovine, chicken, and rat beta crystallin B1, respectively. Northern blot analysis revealed a single 0.9-kb beta crystallin B1 transcript which was expressed and progressively increased in the first 20 h of zebrafish embryogenesis. Whole-mount in situ hybridization revealed that the beta crystallin B1 transcript was only specifically expressed in the lens region of the eye. A starvation experiment revealed no variation in mRNA levels after 14 and 21 days. An experiment in which hormone was injected showed that the beta crystallin B1 transcript first increased 24 h after the injection of insulin-like growth factor I, insulin-like growth factor II, or growth hormone, then decreased 48 h after injection. The beta crystallin B1 transcript continuously increased after insulin was injected. Taken together, our results identify the early specific expression of beta crystallin B1 within the lens. Despite small differences, these results indicate that both the structure of the beta crystallin B1 protein and its involvement with regulation by growth factors appear to have been remarkably conserved.

Cloning and characterization of zfBLP1, a Bcl-XL homologue from the zebrafish, Danio rerio

The importance of the Bcl-2 family proteins in normal vertebrate embryogenesis is being recognized; however, their regulatory mechanism is poorly understood. We report here the cloning and characterization of a novel zebrafish Bcl-2 family protein, zfBLP1. The zfBLP1 cDNA is 1942 nucleotides long, encoding a polypeptide of 238 amino acids. The primary sequence of zfBLP1 shares 50% identity to human Bcl-XL, and contains all four conserved BH domains of the Bcl-2 family proteins. Primary sequence analysis identified a consensus ER retention signal at the C-terminal end of zfBLP1. Northern blot analysis indicated that there were two major and two minor zfBLP1 mRNA species expressed during embryonic development. Among the two major mRNA species, the short one, approx. 3 kb in size, was expressed throughout embryonic development, while the long one, approx. 7 kb long, was not detectable until the gastrula stage. These results suggest that zfBLP1 is a novel Bcl-2 family protein under complicated regulations, and is likely to play an important role in zebrafish oogenesis and embryogenesis.

Carriage of antibiotic-resistant pneumococci among Asian children: a multinational surveillance by the Asian Network for Surveillance of Resistant Pathogens (ANSORP)

To investigate the nasal carriage of antibiotic-resistant pneumococci by children, anterior nasal swabs were done for 4963 children <5 years old in 11 countries in Asia and the Middle East. In total, 1105 pneumococci isolates (carriage rate, 22.3%) were collected, 35.8% of which were found to be nonsusceptible to penicillin. Prevalence of penicillin nonsusceptibility was highest in Taiwan (91.3%), followed by Korea (85.8%), Sri Lanka (76.5%), and Vietnam (70.4%). Penicillin resistance was related to residence in urban areas, enrollment in day care, and a history of otitis media. The most common serogroups were 6 (21.5%), 23 (16.5%), and 19 (15.7%). The most common clone, as assessed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, was identical to the Spanish 23F clone and to strains of invasive isolates from adult patients. Data in this study documented the high rate of penicillin or multidrug resistance among isolates of pneumococci carried nasally in children in Asia and the Middle East and showed that this is due to the spread of a few predominant clones in the region.

Primary structure and developmental expression of zebrafish sodium channel Na(v)1.6 during neurogenesis

A zebrafish sodium channel cDNA encoding a 1949-amino acid polypeptide, Na(v)1.6, was isolated. Two transcripts were detected in zebrafish adult brain but not in cardiac or skeletal muscle. The RNase protection analysis confirmed the neural specificity of zebrafish Na(v)1.6 24 hours postfertilization (hpf) Na(v)1.6 was expressed in the trigeminal ganglion, anterior and posterior lateral line ganglia, rhombomeres, and Rohon-Beard neurons. This preferential localization suggests that Na(v)1.6 plays an important role in tactile sensitivity. The abundance of zebrafish Na(v) 1.6 mRNA in the central and peripheral nervous systems increased markedly between 48 and 72 hpf, during the maturation of the nervous system.

[Comparison of the detection of QTL for yield traits in different generations of a rice cross using two mapping approaches]

In the F2 and recombinant inbred populations of Zhenshan 97B/Milyang 46, RFLP linkage maps were constructed to detect QTL for yield and its component traits. Results indicated that QTL having substantial additive effects were generally detected in both F2 and recombinant inbred populations. In addition, the trait performances were measured either based on a single plant or on replicated trials in the recombinant inbred population hardly affected the detection of QTL of higher effects.

[Mapping genes for rice CMS-WA fertility restoration]

In a population consisting of 227 test-crosses of Zhenshan 97A x (Zhenshan 97B x Milyang 46) F6, a linkage map of 115 RFLP markers was constructed and employed to detect QTL for rice CMS-WA (wild abortive cytoplasmic male sterility) fertility restoration. One QTL having major effect, qRf-10, and 3 QTL having minor effects, qRf-1, qRf-7 and qRf-11, were detected. The four genes mainly acted additively with each other, but epistasis was also evident. Two minor QTL, qRf-1 and qRf-11, were significantly interacted with the major gene qRf-10. It was also found that interaction effects among minor QTL varied greatly depending on whether qRf-10 was present. Two other QTL, qSF-1 and qSF-7, were detected, which did not display any effects on fertility restoration. Instead, they showed effects for increasing SF when qRf-10 was present.

Cloning and characterization of a novel nuclear Bcl-2 family protein, zfMcl-1a, in zebrafish embryo

The importance of the Bcl-2 family proteins in normal vertebrate embryogenesis is being recognized; however, their regulatory mechanism is poorly understood. To elucidate the embryonic roles of Bcl-2 family proteins, we cloned and characterized the first zebrafish Bcl-2 family protein, zfMcl-1a. Zebrafish Mcl-1a shows the highest homology to rat Mcl-1 and contains several conserved BH domains of the Bcl-2 family proteins. It also contains a nuclear localization signal (NLS). Using EGFP reporter analysis, we verified the nuclear localization of zfMcl-1a. Deletion of the NLS resulted in distribution of the fusion protein in the cytoplasm. Northern blot analysis indicated that zfMcl-1a mRNA is 1.5 kb and was expressed in oocytes and throughout embryonic development. Notably, the expression of zfMcl-1a transcript was significantly downregulated during gastrulation. These results suggest that zfMcl-1a is a novel nuclear Bcl-2 family protein and is likely to play an important role in zebrafish oogenesis and embryogenesis.

Mutational analysis and NMR studies of the death domain of the tumor necrosis factor receptor-1

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-1 (TNFR-1) death domain (DD) is the intracellular functional domain responsible for the receptor signaling activities. To understand the transduction mechanism of TNFR-1 signaling we performed structural and functional analysis of the TNFR-DD. The secondary structure of the TNFR-DD shows that it consists of six anti-parallel alpha-helices. The determination of the topological fold and an extensive mutagenesis analysis revealed that there are two opposite faces that are involved in self-association and interaction with the TRADD death domain. Interestingly, the same critical residues in TNFR-DD are involved in both interactions. There is a good correlation between the binding activities of the mutant proteins and their cytotoxic activities. These results provide important insight into the molecular interactions mediating TNFR-DD self-association and subsequent recruitment of TRADD in the signaling activity of TNFR-1.

Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis Virus RNA Cleavage In Vitro by Hammerhead Ribozymes and Enhancement of Ribozyme Catalysis by Oligonucleotide Facilitators

Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV), an aquatic birnavirus, has a bisegmented double-stranded RNA genome consisting of a 3.2-kb A segment and a 2.9-kb B segment. To determine the function of IPNV's viral proteins and to study the effects of viral RNA cleavage by hammerhead ribozymes, we cloned and sequenced the IPNV E1S strain of the A segment. After sequencing, we continued to study the virus pathogens inhibited by ribozyme cleavage and analyzed the cleavage of the virus RNA in vitro. The templates (VP2, 1220 bp) for in vitro transcription of S569 and S969 (substrates 569 and 969 bp in length) were synthesized by polymerase chain reaction. The DNA templates of hammerhead ribozymes targeted different sites in the partial sense RNA of IPNV. These templates were chemically synthesized RNAs prepared by runoff transcription of amplification products or synthetic DNA templates containing a T7 RNA polymerase promoter, and were used to characterize several properties of the cleavage reaction at 25 degrees C in 12 mM Mg(2+). Under this condition (25 degrees C, 12 mM Mg(2+)), the hammerhead ribozymes formed an estimated fraction of product during the reaction of only 30% in cleaving long RNA substrates in vitro. Short DNA facilitators (12 or 24-mers) that bind adjacent to either the 3' or 5' end of the ribozyme enhanced the rate of cleavage of the long RNA substrates containing 569 and 969 nucleotides, respectively, in trans. The hammerhead ribozymes with 3'-end facilitators reacted more efficiently (i.e., 65%).

Cloning and expression of a cDNA coding for catalase from zebrafish (Danio rerio)

A full-length complementary DNA (cDNA) clone encoding a catalase was amplified by the rapid amplication of cDNA ends-polymerase chain reaction (RACE-PCR) technique from zebrafish (Danio rerio) mRNA. Nucleotide sequence analysis of this cDNA clone revealed that it comprised a complete open reading frame coding for 526 amino acid residues and that it had a molecular mass of 59 654 Da. The deduced amino acid sequence showed high similarity with the sequences of catalase from swine (86.9%), mouse (85.8%), rat (85%), human (83.7%), fruit fly (75.6%), nematode (71.1%), and yeast (58.6%). The amino acid residues for secondary structures are apparently conserved as they are present in other mammal species. Furthermore, the coding region of zebrafish catalase was introduced into an expression vector, pET-20b(+), and transformed into Escherichia coli expression host BL21(DE3)pLysS. A 60-kDa active catalase protein was expressed and detected by Coomassie blue staining as well as activity staining on polyacrylamide gel followed electrophoresis.

[A study on dental and cranioficial structure of normal shanghai adults occlusion-I the craniofacial structure analysis with posterioanterior cephalometric roentgenography]

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the characteristics of normal transverse craniofacial structure in Shanghai area and to establish the database of normal Shanghai adults occlusion for posterioanterior cephalometric roentgenography.METHODS:Posterioanterior-cephalometric of the 92 adults subjects with normalocclusion were measured and analysed by Jiffy orthodontic evaluation 5.0 software package.RESULTS:The database of normal Shanghai adults occlusion for posterioanterior cephalometric roentgenography was established. Transverse measurements were intercorrelated, no statistically significant gender differences were demonstrated in craniofacial width, while the molar overjet of male was larger than that of female.CONCLUSION:The normal transverse cranioficial structure in Shanghai area has its own characteristics. The established database would provide a foundation for the diagnosis and treatment of malocclusion.

[A Study On Dental and Craniofacial Structure Of Normal Shanghai Adults Occlusio-II The Dental Facial Symmetry Analysis with Posterioanterior Cephalometric Roentgenography]

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the dental facial symmetry in normal Shanghai adults occlusion with posterioanterior cephalometric roentgenography. METHODS:Posterioanterior films of the 92 adults subjects with normal occlusion were measured. Five facial midlines commonly used in posterioanterior cephalometric were analyzed according to the middle structure index and side middle structure index. The midline deviations were measured. RESULTS:The middle line through ANS and perpendicular to zygomaticofrontal line has less mean of middle structure index and side middle structure index. There are midline deviations in population with normal occlusion.CONCLUSION:The facial midline mentioned above was suitable for posterioanterior cephalometrics, but the reliability is not absolute. Normal occlusion also has midline deviations. The asymmetry of face was larger than that of dental occlusion.

Photocrosslinking of benzophenone-labeled single cysteine troponin I mutants to other thin filament proteins

The interaction sites of rabbit skeletal troponin I (TnI) with troponin C (TnC), troponin T (TnT), tropomyosin (Tm) and actin were mapped systematically using nine single cysteine residue TnI mutants with mutation sites at positions 6, 48, 64, 89, 104, 121, 133, 155 or 179 (TnI6, TnI48 etc.). Each mutant was labeled with the heterobifunctional photocrosslinker 4-maleimidobenzophenone (BP-Mal), and incorporated into the TnI.TnC binary complex, the TnI.TnC.TnT ternary troponin (Tn) complex, and the Tn.Tm.F-actin synthetic thin filament. Photocrosslinking reactions carried out in the presence and absence of Ca(2+) yielded the following results: (1) BP-TnI6 photocrosslinked primarily to TnC with a small degree of Ca(2+)-dependence in all the complex forms. (2) BP-TnI48, TnI64 and TnI89 photocrosslinked to TnT with no Ca(2+)-dependence. Photocrosslinking to TnC was reduced in the ternary versus the binary complex. BP-TnI89 also photocrosslinked to actin with higher yields in the absence of Ca(2+) than in its presence. (3) BP-TnI104 and TnI133 photocrosslinked to actin with much higher yields in the absence than in the presence of Ca(2+). (4) BP-TnI121 photocrosslinked to TnC with a small degree of Ca(2+)-dependence, and did not photocrosslink to actin. (5) BP-TnI155 and TnI179 photocrosslinked to TnC, TnT and actin, but all with low yields. All the labeled mutants photocrosslinked to TnC with varying degrees of Ca(2+)-dependence, and none to Tm. These results, along with those published allowed us to construct a structural and functional model of TnI in the Tn complex: in the presence of Ca(2+), residues 1-33 of TnI interact with the C-terminal domain hydrophobic cleft of TnC, approximately 48-89 with TnT, approximately 90-113 with TnC's central helix, approximately 114-125 with TnC's N-terminal domain hydrophobic cleft, and approximately 130-150 with TnC's A-helix. In the absence of Ca(2+), residues approximately 114-125 move out of TnC's N-terminal domain hydrophobic cleft and trigger the movements of residues approximately 89-113 and approximately 130-150 away from TnC and towards actin.

Age-related modifications of effects of ketamine and propofol on rat hippocampal acetylcholine release studied by in vivo brain microdialysis

BACKGROUND

We sometimes encounter impairment of learning and memory after general anesthesia in elderly patients. The aim of this study was to examine age-related modifications of the effects of ketamine and propofol on rat hippocampal acetylcholine (ACh) release because hippocampal cholinergic neurons are supposed to be involved in learning and memory.

METHODS

The experiments were performed on male Wistar young rats (2 months old) and old rats (18 months old), using in vivo brain microdialysis technique under freely moving condition. After initial sampling of three collections, test drugs were administered. The ACh release was determined by the HPLC-ECD method.

RESULTS

In old rats, the hippocampal basal ACh release was significantly lower than in young rats. Ketamine (25 and 50 mg kg(-1) i.p.) increased and propofol (25 and 50 mg kg(-1) i.p.) decreased the hippocampal ACh release in both young and old rats. Furthermore, ketamine 50 mg kg(-1) i.p. (anesthetic dose) produced facilitatory effects on the hippocampal ACh release in young rats (193% of the basal release), while in old rats the same dose of ketamine i.p. produced more pronounced facilitatory effects on the hippocampal ACh release (317% of the basal release). On the other hand, propofol 50 mg kg(-1) i.p. (anesthetic dose) produced inhibitory effects on the hippocampal ACh release in young rats (56% of control) and in old rats (77% of control). Although the maximal inhibitory peak effects of propofol 50 mg kg(-1) i.p. did not differ significantly between young rats and old rats, decrease of the hippocampal ACh release in old rats persisted longer than in young rats.

CONCLUSION

Ketamine produced more pronounced facilitatory effects on the hippocampal ACh release in old rats, as compared with young rats. On the other hand, propofol has inhibitory effects on the hippocampal ACh release in young and old rats. The aging process may suppress the ability to recover from the inhibitory anesthetic state induced by propofol.

Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus induces apoptosis due to down-regulation of survival factor MCL-1 protein expression in a fish cell line

Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV), a member of the virus family Birnaviridae, causes an acute, contagious disease in a number of economically important fish species. CHSE-214, a Chinook salmon embryonic cell line, when infected by IPNV showed morphological and biochemical features of apoptosis, including an intense DNA laddering pattern and blebbing of the plasma membrane, followed by formation of apoptotic bodies. The Mcl-1 gene product proved to be a member of the Bcl-2 gene family, and like Bcl-2 had the capacity to promote cell viability. Here, we investigated the pattern of expression of Mcl-1 in CHSE-214 cells infected by IPNV. We found that the Mcl-1 level decreased markedly in cells undergoing apoptosis after IPNV infection. This decrease was rapid during the first 8 h postinfection and preceded cell death. Furthermore, we found that drugs including cycloheximide, genistein and EDTA either prevented the decline in Mcl-1 levels or blocked the intense DNA laddering pattern. Other drugs like serine proteinase inhibitor, 400 microg/ml aprotinin, 400 microg/ml leupeptin and 100 microg/ml tryphostin did not. The virus gene expression pattern was examined by Western blot using antivirion polyclonal antibody and was blocked during treatment with cycloheximide, genistein and EDTA but not by serine proteinase, aprotinin, leupeptin or tryphostin. Together the data showed a striking correlation between virus replication and Mcl-1 expression in CHSE-214 cells, suggesting that the virus gene expression has a possible involvement with Mcl-1 in the regulation of apoptosis in these cells.

Dual challenges of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus and Vibrio carchariae in the grouper, Epinephelus sp

The grouper industry in Taiwan faces serious threats from various disease problems. The present study investigated dual challenges with infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) and Vibrio carchariae in the grouper (Epinephelus sp.). The fish were infected with IPNV for 2 weeks prior to a secondary infection with the bacteria, or vice versa, by either immersion (10(3)-10(4) TCID50 IPNV per ml, 10(6)-10(7) colony forming units (CFU) Vibrio per ml) or by intraperitoneal injection (10(3)-10(4) TCID50 IPNV per g fish or 10(7) CFU Vibrio/g fish) challenges. Mass mortalities occurred in fish infected with IPNV for 2 weeks prior to the infection with the bacteria, or vice versa, in either immersion or intraperitoneal injection challenges. The bacterium could only survive in seawater or brackish water similar to that of cultured groupers.