Astragaloside IV and polysaccharide production by hairy roots of Astragalus membranaceus in bioreactors

Hairy roots of Astragalus membranaceus were grown in bioreactors up to 30 l for 20 d. Cultures from a 30 l airlift bioreactor gave 11.5 g l dry wt with 1.4 mg g(-1) astragaloside IV, similar to cultures from 250 ml and 1 l flasks, but greater than yields from a 10 l bioreactor (dry wt 9.4 g l(-1), astragaloside IV 0.9 mg g(-1)). Polysaccharide yields were similar amongst the different bioreactors (range 25-32 mg g(-1)). The active constituent content of the cells approached that of plant extracts, indicating that large scale hairy root cultures of A. membranaceus has the potential to provide an alternative to plant crops without compromising yield or pharmacological potential.

Frequency and quantity of the parvovirus B19 genome in endomyocardial biopsies from patients with suspected myocarditis or idiopathic left ventricular dysfunction

Parvovirus B19 (PB19) has been identified as a possible cause of myocarditis and heart failure in both children and adult patients. This study used real time PCR analysis, to determine the frequency and to quantify PB19 viral genomes in endomyocardial tissue samples from 80 adult patients with clinically suspected myocarditis or idiopathic left ventricular dysfunction and from 36 controls. Histological (Dallas classification) and immunohistological analyses were performed to detect myocardial inflammation in the endomyocardial biopsies.PB19 genomic DNA was found in nine of 80 patients (11.2%), 4 out of 31 (12.9%) patients with inflammatory infiltrates detected via immunohistological methods and 5 out of 49 (10.2%) patients with left ventricular dysfunction without myocardial inflammation. The copy numbers for PB19 DNA ranged between 30 and 3900 per microg of cellular DNA. Four patients with clinically suspected myocarditis had copy numbers for PB19 DNA of 70, 740, 3400 and 3900, respectively, per microg of cellular DNA in the endomyocardial biopsy. Five patients with idiopathic left ventricular dysfunction had copy numbers for PB19 DNA of 30, 38, 52, 58 and 90, respectively, per microg of cellular DNA in the endomyocardial biopsy. The amplicon of one of the nine positive PCR fragment was sequenced and was found to be fully identical in the highly conserved sequence of published Parvovirus B19 VP1/VP2 genes (NCBI gene bank). In all patients, acute myocarditis was excluded according to the Dallas classification. All biopsies of 36 controls with no history of myocarditis or recent viral infection were negative for myocardial inflammation and parvovirus B19 genomes. In summary, Parvovirus B19 DNA is present within the myocardium of patients with suspected myocarditis and idiopathic left ventricular dysfunction and can be detected and quantified in endomyocardial specimens via real time PCR.

Dietary CLA affects lipid metabolism in broiler chicks

A total of 120 three-wk-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to three diets containing 0, 2, or 3% CLA and fed for 5 wk. Fat content and FA composition of liver, plasma, and feces were analyzed. Key enzymes involved in FA synthesis and catabolism in liver, TG, cholesterol, and FFA content of plasma were also determined. Dietary CLA increased TG, total cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol levels in plasma. The increased plasma TG level could be caused by increased FA synthesis in the liver after CLA feeding, because the activity of FA synthase in the liver increased after dietary CLA treatment. Dietary CLA changed the FA composition of feces but had no effect on fat content. Compared to the amounts of linoleic and linolenic acids present in the control diet, the amounts excreted into the feces of CLA-treated birds were significantly higher. Liver weights of broilers significantly increased after CLA feeding, but there was no difference in liver fat content among the different CLA treatments. CLA treatment did not influence total FFA content in plasma; however, there was a significant difference in the composition of FFA. Dietary CLA reduced the content of linoleic and arachidonic acids in both plasma and liver.

Effect of dietary sorghum cultivars on the storage stability of broiler breast and thigh meat

A total of 450 1-d-old male broiler chicks were fed a corn-soy-flax meal-based diet (control), two cultivars of sorghum--Ruby Red (low tannin content) and Valpo Red (high tannin content)--were used at 10% level. Birds were slaughtered at the end of 42-d feeding trial. Boneless, skinless breast and thigh muscles were separated and ground to make patties. Half of the breast and thigh meat patties were individually packaged in zipper bags, and 2-TBA-reactive substances (TBARS) and colors of the patties were determined after 0 and 7 d of storage at 4 C. The other half was cooked and vacuum-packaged. The vacuum-packaged patties were used to determine time-dependent volatile production and oxidative change during 12-h holding time before analyses. Thigh meat from broilers fed the Valpo Red cultivar produced lower TBARS than that from control at Day 0. The amounts of aldehydes and sulfur compounds of cooked breast meats were lower from chickens fed the Valpo Red cultivar than those fed the control or Ruby Red cultivar. Dietary Valpo Red cultivar improved the oxidative stability of breast meat 8 and 12 h after cooking. Dietary sorghum slightly improved the color a* stability of raw thigh meat patties. This result indicated that feeding sorghum to broilers could improve some measures of the storage stability of broiler meat, but sorghum with high tannin content was more effective than that with low tannin content.

Quality characteristics of irradiated ready-to-eat breast rolls from turkeys fed conjugated linoleic acid

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of irradiation on the quality of ready-to-eat (RTE) breast rolls from turkeys fed conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). The oxidative stability of RTE turkey rolls was improved by the dietary CLA treatment. Irradiation increased the production of acetaldehyde, 3-methyl-butanal, 2-methyl-butanal, and total volatiles in turkey rolls but had little effect on other aldehydes. Irradiation also produced new volatiles, including sulfur compounds, not detected in nonirradiated turkey breast rolls. We detected significantly higher amounts of alkanes with nine or higher carbons in irradiated samples than in nonirradiated samples. Irradiation increased the redness of RTE turkey breast rolls, but the degree of redness and the amount of total volatiles decreased with storage. CLA treatment lowered the redness (a*) and increased the lightness (L*) of RTE turkey breast rolls during the entire storage period. Sensory evaluation revealed that irradiation produced off-flavor, but CLA and irradiation did not influence the texture and juiciness of RTE turkey breast rolls. Consumers did not like the off-flavor but preferred the color induced by irradiation to nonirradiated RTE turkey breast rolls.

Effect of antioxidants on the quality of irradiated sausages prepared with turkey thigh meat

The effects of antioxidants on the flavor and color of electron-beam-irradiated turkey sausages were studied. Sausages were prepared from turkey thigh meat, NaCl (2.0%), phosphate (0.5%), water (10%), and one of five antioxidant treatments (none, vitamin E, sesamol, rosemary extract, or gallic acid at 0.02%). Sausages were stuffed and cooked in an 85 C smokehouse to an internal temperature of 74 C, then chilled and sliced to 1.5-cm thickness, and vacuum-packaged. Packaged sausages were randomly divided into three groups and irradiated at 0, 1.5 or 3.0 kGy, using an electron beam. Volatiles, color, 2-TBA-reactive substances values, and sensory characteristics were analyzed. The antioxidant effect of sesamol was the highest, followed by vitamin E and gallic acid; rosemary extract had the weakest antioxidant effect. Irradiation induced red color in sausages, but addition of gallic acid, rosemary extract, or sesamol reduced it. Gallic acid was very effective in lowering the redness of irradiated and nonirradiated sausages. The redness (a*) values of sausages with added gallic acid that were irradiated at 0, 1.5, and 3.0 kGy were 1.49,2.03, and 2.29, respectively, whereas those of control sausages under the same irradiation conditions were 2.58, 2.81, and 3.25, respectively. The reduction of redness in irradiated sausages by antioxidants was not related to CO, because antioxidants had no effect on CO production by irradiation. The amount of total volatiles was decreased significantly by antioxidants, but antioxidants had minimal effect on the off-flavor of turkey sausages induced by irradiation.

Production of cloned goats from enucleated oocytes injected with cumulus cell nuclei or fused with cumulus cells

This study was designed to produce cloned goats from cumulus cells. Cloning donor nuclei were from cumulus cells either freshly isolated or cultured in vitro. Enucleated oocytes were either injected with cumulus cell nuclei without piezo-driven manipulator (injection method) or fused with cumulus cells (fusion method). The survival rate of cloned embryos, obtained by injection, was higher than that derived from fusion (62.7 and 45.9%, respectively). Two cloned goats were derived by fusion with in vitro cultured cumulus cells without starvation, but died shortly after natural birth, from respiratory difficulties. Their birth weights (2.23 kg and 2.03 kg) were within the normal range (2.0-2.7 kg) and postmortem analysis revealed no morphological abnormalities. The third cloned goat, derived by injection of nuclei from freshly isolated cumulus cells, weighed 3.3 kg at birth, and was 37% overweight compared with the average weight of the same species. This goat is healthy and well as this paper is being prepared. Nested PCR-RFLP analysis confirmed that all the cloned goats were derived from the donor cells.

Effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acid on the growth rate of live birds and on the abdominal fat content and quality of broiler meat

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the influence of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on the growth, body composition, abdominal fat accumulation, and meat quality in broilers. In Experiment 1, 50 broilers that were 3 wk old (total of 200 birds) were assigned to one of the four diets containing 0, 0.25, 0.5, or 1% CLA and were fed for 3 wk. In Experiment 2, 40 broilers that were 3 wk old (total of 120 birds) were assigned to one of the three diets containing 0, 2, or 3% CLA and fed for 5 wk. At the end of the 3-wk feeding trial, the average body weight of broilers for Experiment 1 was about 2.20 kg per bird for all treatments. For Experiment 2, after 5-wk feeding trial, the average body weights of birds were 4.04, 3.99, and 3.93 kg for the control, 2% CLA, and 3% CLA groups, respectively, with a non significant reduction in body weight as the levels of dietary CLA increased. There was no difference in abdominal fat weight, the total body fat, and protein content in broilers among the CLA treatments for Experiment 1. However, when the dietary CLA was increased to 2 or 3%, the total body fat content was reduced. The whole body fat content decreased from 14.2% in the control to 11.9 and 12.2% for 2 and 3% CLA, respectively. Dietary CLA at 2 and 3% levels influenced meat quality. After cooking, the breast meat from 2 or 3% dietary CLA treatment was harder and drier, and the color was a little darker than that of the control. These changes could be caused by the decreased unsaturated fatty acid content in meat after CLA feeding, which increased the melting point of the fat.

Off-odor volatiles and pink color development in precooked, irradiated turkey breast during frozen storage

The effect of irradiation on color, lipid oxidation, and volatile production of precooked, irradiated turkey breast during frozen storage was studied. Turkey breast muscles were precooked, aerobically or vacuum-packaged, irradiated at 0, 2.5, or 5.0 kGy using a linear accelerator (electron beam), and then frozen-stored at -40 C. Lipid oxidation, volatiles, color values, gas production, and oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) of meat were determined during 3-mo storage periods. Ionizing radiation produced characteristic off-odor volatiles (dimethyldisulfide and methylthioethane) and lipid oxidation products in precooked, frozen turkey breast. The production of volatiles was accelerated by the confounding effect of high irradiation dose, aerobic packaging, and increased storage time. Volatile production and color changes in irradiated, precooked turkey breast were induced by different mechanisms. Irradiation increased pink color in precooked, vacuum-packaged turkey breast, and the pink color was stable during frozen storage. Decreased ORP and increased CO in irradiated meat indicated that denatured CO-heme pigments could be responsible for the pink color in precooked, irradiated turkey breast. Vacuum packaging was better than aerobic packaging in preventing lipid oxidation and oxidation-dependent volatile production, but pink color in precooked, irradiated turkey breast during frozen storage was maintained.

Volatiles, color, and lipid oxidation of broiler breast fillets irradiated before and after cooking

Chicken breast fillets were equally divided into three groups. One group was vacuum packaged, cooked in a water bath (cooked-in-bag) at 82 C for 25 min, and then irradiated at 0 or 3 kGy with a linear accelerator (V-C-I). The other two groups were irradiated at 0 or 3.0 kGy in vacuum packaging (V-I-C) or aerobic packaging (A-I-C). After 3 d of storage at 4 C, the irradiated meats were cooked in a water bath (cooked-in-bag) at 82 C for 25 min. After being cooked, meats were repackaged under vacuum and stored at 4 C. Breast fillets were analyzed at 0 and 21 d after cooking and analyzed for lipid oxidation, color, and volatiles. Irradiation accelerated lipid oxidation of breast fillets. Three days of storage of raw meat in aerobic conditions after irradiation had only minor influences on lipid oxidation after cooking. However, irradiation had a significant effect on the volatile production in meat. Dimethyl disulfide, related to irradiation odor, was significantly higher in irradiated fillets than in nonirradiated fillets for V-C-I and V-I-C, whereas it was only slightly higher for A-I-C. Other volatiles, such as 3-methyl butanal and 2-methyl butanal, were also produced in significant amounts after irradiation, especially in V-C-I and V-I-C. These results showed that irradiating cooked meat induced slightly more changes in volatiles than irradiating raw meat and then cooking. The amount of dimethyl disulfide between irradiated and nonirradiated samples for A-I-C was not different, because the dimethyl disulfide produced by irradiation disappeared during the 3 d in aerobic storage before cooking. Color a* value of irradiated fillets was higher than that of nonirradiated fillets. Irradiation also induced color L* and b* value changes. After 3 d of aerobic storage after irradiation of raw meat, the influence of irradiation on color after cooking was reduced. No significant lipid oxidation occurred during storage as shown by the low values for TBA-reactive substances.

Aspirin and salicylate bind to immunoglobulin heavy chain binding protein (BiP) and inhibit its ATPase activity in human fibroblasts

Salicylic acid (SA), an endogenous signaling molecule of plants, possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-neoplastic actions in human. Its derivative, aspirin, is the most commonly used anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug. Aspirin and sodium salicylate (salicylates) have been reported to have multiple pharmacological actions. However, it is unclear whether they bind to a cellular protein. Here, we report for the first time the purification from human fibroblasts of a approximately 78 kDa salicylate binding protein with sequence identity to immunoglobulin heavy chain binding protein (BiP). The Kd values of SA binding to crude extract and to recombinant BiP were 45.2 and 54.6 microM, respectively. BiP is a chaperone protein containing a polypeptide binding site recognizing specific heptapeptide sequence and an ATP binding site. A heptapeptide with the specific sequence displaced SA binding in a concentration-dependent manner whereas a control heptapeptide did not. Salicylates inhibited ATPase activity stimulated by this specific heptapeptide but did not block ATP binding or induce BiP expression. These results indicate that salicylates bind specifically to the polypeptide binding site of BiP in human cells that may interfere with folding and transport of proteins important in inflammation.

Caries experience and oral health behavior in Chinese children with cleft lip and/or palate

PURPOSE

The aims of this study were to investigate whether there were different caries levels in 3- to 6-year-old Chinese children who had a cleft lip compared to those with a cleft lip/palate. The goal also was to evaluate parental attitudes toward the feeding habits and oral health care for their children.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out through a dental examination of a sample of children and a questionnaire to their parents. A sample of 104 3- to 6-year-old children (66 boys and 38 girls) with cleft lip, cleft palate or both were selected from those receiving pre-surgical treatment. Each child was examined and a short questionnaire was given to parents of the children. The form included questions about infant feeding practices, frequency consumption of specific drinks and, children's toothbrushing frequency.

RESULTS

One hundred and four children were examined. Seventy-five percent had some caries experience and rampant caries was present in 26%. Children with cleft palate had a higher prevalence of rampant caries (30%) compared to those with cleft lip (12%). A multivariate analysis yielded feeding practices and mother's education as the variables significantly associated with caries and rampant caries.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study show that: 1. Children with a cleft lip/palate have higher levels of dental caries compared to those with a cleft lip alone; 2. The two most important factors for dental caries were: a. whether the child had been bottle-fed and; b. the educational attainment level of the mother.

[A research on the quantification of retinal blood vessels in cases of arteriovenous crossing pressure syndrome caused by hypertension]

The method for quantification of retinal blood vessels in cases of arteriovenous crossing pressure syndrome caused by hypertension was studied. The matched filtering pre-processing of image enhancement for local retinal blood vessels and closing of mathematical morphology for image smoothing, and the method of scale-up lineation for contour determination of retinal blood vessels and optimal seeking algorithm with reversible quantification were used to measure the pathological deformation of vessel, thus providing a computer method for auxiliary diagnosis of relative diseases.

The discovery of anthranilic acid-based MMP inhibitors. Part 2: SAR of the 5-position and P1(1) groups

A novel series of anthranilic acid-based inhibitors of MMP-1, MMP-9, MMP-13, and TACE was prepared and evaluated. Selective inhibitors of MMP-9, MMP-13, and TACE were identified, including the potent, orally active MMP-13 inhibitor 4p.

Novel boxlike dinuclear or chain polymeric silver(I) complexes with polypyridyl bridging ligands: syntheses, crystal structures, and spectroscopic and electrochemical properties

The syntheses, characterization, crystal structures, and photophysical and electrochemical properties of two dinuclear and two polymeric Ag(I) complexes with three polypyridyl ligands, 2,3-di-2-pyridylquinoxaline (L(1)), 2,3-di-2-pyridyl-5,8-dimethoxyquinoxaline (L(2)), and 2,3,7,8-tetrakis(2-pyridyl)pyrazino[2,3-g] quinoxaline (L(3)), are described. The structures of the two boxlike dinuclear complexes with L(1) and L(2) and two chemically the same but differently crystallized one-dimensional zigzag chain coordination polymers also consisting of boxlike dinuclear subunits have been elucidated by X-ray analysis. [AgL(1)(CH(3)CN)](2)-(BF(4))(2).2CHCl(3) (1): monoclinic, C2/c; a = 28.631(2), b = 12.2259(11), c = 14.3058(12) A; beta = 99.180(2) degrees; Z = 4. [AgL(2)(CH(3)CN)(2)](2)(ClO(4))(2) (2): triclinic, P1; a = 12.3398(2), b = 13.750(2), c = 14.326(7) A; alpha = 83.494(3), beta = 74.631(3), gamma = 76.422(3) degrees; Z = 4. [[Ag(2)L(3)(NO(3))(2)].CH(3)CN](infinity) (3a): monoclinic, P2(1)/c; a = 9.5836(8), b = 13.4691(12), c = 14.0423(12) A; beta = 107.753(2) degrees; Z = 4. [Ag(2)L(3)()(NO(3))(2)](infinity) (3b): monoclinic, P2(1)/c; a = 8.4689(6), b = 16.0447(12), c = 11.7307(8) A; beta = 102.051(1) degrees; Z = 2. The structures of the dinuclear complexes 1 and 2 are similar to each other, with the two intramolecular Ag(I) centers of each complex being spanned by two ligands thus forming a unique boxlike cyclic dimer. In 1, each Ag(I) center is four-coordinated by three nitrogen atoms of two L(1) ligands and a CH(3)CN nitrogen donor, taking a distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry. The coordination environment of Ag(I) in 2 is similar to that in 1, except the formation of an additional weak coordination bond with the oxygen atom of the methoxy group of L(2). The structures of 3a,b are very similar to each other, except for the stacking patterns in the crystal lattices, and the cyclic boxlike dinuclear unit, which is similar to the structure of 1, constitutes the fundamental building block to form the one-dimensional zigzag chain structures due to the "end-on" nature of L(3). 1-3 exhibit metal-perturbed intraligand transitions in solution in 360-390 nm regions. Cyclic voltammetric studies of these complexes show the presence of reduction peak at approximately -0.5 V vs Fc(+/0). In the solid state at 77 K, they exhibit broad emission that may be assignable to originate from the metal-perturbed intraligand transitions.

Bis[mu-2-[(1,5-diaza-1-cyclooctyl)-methyl]phenolato-N,N',O:O]bis-[chlorozinc(II)]diacetone solvate: design of a square-pyramidal ZnN2O2Cl complex

The title complex, [Zn(2)(C(13)H(19)N(2)O)(2)Cl(2)].2C(3)H(6)O, resides on a crystallographic inversion center. The two Zn(II) centers bridged by the phenoxo groups are in pentacoordinated distorted square-pyramidal coordination environments with an intramolecular Zn...Zn distance of 3.175 (3) A. The mesocyclic ligand takes a boat-chair conformation and an H atom from the 1,5-diazacyclooctane ring effectively blocks the axial coordination site opposite the Cl ligand to form the ZnN(2)O(2)Cl geometry. The crystal structure is stabilized by a N-H...O hydrogen bond between the amino group and an acetone molecule.

On-line incorporation of cloud point extraction to flow injection analysis

The on-line incorporation of cloud point extraction (CPE) to flow injection analysis (FIA) is demonstrated for the first time. The technical difficulties of inducing the cloud point phenomenon, separating the surfactant-rich phase from the aqueous phase, and detecting trace amounts of analyte(s) in the presence of the highly scattering surfactant medium in an on-line FIA system were resolved by the following: (1) mixing the sample solution containing the analyte(s) and CPE surfactant with an appropriate salting-out agent, (2) using a collection column to entrap the analyte-containing surfactant aggregates, and (3) employing the peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence reaction for the sensitive and selective determination of the analyte(s) in the presence of surfactant micelles. The figures of merit for the determination of coproporphyrin in pretreated urine samples were as follows: precision, 1.1-2.2% (RSD); limit of detection, 2.0 microg/L; and the calibration curve was linear from 46 to 2319 (micro/L (r = 0.9996).

Experiences from a school-based oral health promotion programme in Wuhan City, PR China

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effect of a six-year oral health promotion programme for school children of Wuhan City, PR China.

METHODS

The programme group (P-group) comprised 233 children who had just entered grade 1 (1989). The programme provided an oral health promotion programme, and 215 12-year-old children from three schools participated as a control group (C-group). After the 6-year period of the programme (1995), all of the children had a clinical examination according to the criteria of the WHO and responded to a structured questionnaire on dental health behaviour.

RESULTS

The results showed that attitudes to dental care, regular tooth brushing habits, use of fluoridated toothpaste, gingival health and dental visits, frequencies of consuming sugary drinks/foods were improved in the p-group when compared with the C-group.

CONCLUSION

The school-based oral health promotion programme should be expanded.

Oral health status of heroin users in a rehabilitation centre in Hubei province, China

OBJECTIVE

To report on the oral health of heroin users and to determine risk factors for oral health status.

DESIGN

All heroin users at one rehabilitation camp received an interview using a pre-tested questionnaire from one of three trained interviewers and a dental examination using World Health Organization recommended procedures from one of three calibrated dentists.

SETTING

Interviews and examinations were carried out at Hubei Province camp.

PARTICIPANTS

All 520 resident heroin users at the camp participated in the study.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Oral hygiene expressed using the Debris Index; caries status by DMFT; periodontal status by percentage with bleeding, pocketing and calculus; mucosal status using standard World Health Organization criteria.

RESULTS

One hundred (19%) of the heroin users were caries free; their mean DMFT was 4.2. The majority (92%) of the DMFT was decay and only a small proportion (8%) was treatment related. The proportion of heroin users with bleeding, calculus, shallow pocketing and deep pocketing was 42%, 95%, 42% and 8% respectively. The mean Debris Index score was 3.2. Mucosal lesions were present in 31 subjects (6%). Using multivariate analysis, duration of heroin use and education were risk factors for DMFT, route of drug administration was a risk factor for calculus and gender was a risk factor for deep pocketing.

CONCLUSIONS

There are indications of poorer periodontal health as well as higher caries experience in this group when compared to provincial dental epidemiological data. Mucosal lesions were not widely prevalent. Both social factors and characteristics of drug use were related to oral health in this group.

[Fast SEP measurement applied to intraoperative spinal cord monitoring]

Spinal cord monitoring techniques based on measuring somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) are presented. The principles and the experimental system for spinal cord monitoring are described in detail in the paper. The fast SEP measurement algorithm using pseudo-random sequence technique is also given. Experimental results show that our techniques can greatly improve the monitoring as compared to the traditional method, and further research in this connection is worth doing.

Evaluation of the combination of nelarabine and fludarabine in leukemias: clinical response, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics in leukemia cells

PURPOSE

A pilot protocol was designed to evaluate the efficacy of fludarabine with nelarabine (the prodrug of arabinosylguanine [ara-G]) in patients with hematologic malignancies. The cellular pharmacokinetics was investigated to seek a relationship between response and accumulation of ara-G triphosphate (ara-GTP) in circulating leukemia cells and to evaluate biochemical modulation of cellular ara-GTP metabolism by fludarabine triphosphate.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Nine of the 13 total patients had indolent leukemias, including six whose disease failed prior fludarabine therapy. Two patients had T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia, one had chronic myelogenous leukemia, and one had mycosis fungoides. Nelarabine (1.2 g/m(2)) was infused on days 1, 3, and 5. On days 3 and 5, fludarabine (30 mg/m(2)) was administered 4 hours before the nelarabine infusion. Plasma and cellular pharmacokinetic measurements were conducted during the first 5 days.

RESULTS

Seven patients had a partial or complete response, six of whom had indolent leukemias. The disease in four responders had failed prior fludarabine therapy. The median peak intracellular concentrations of ara-GTP were significantly different (P =.001) in responders (890 micromol/L, n = 6) and nonresponders (30 micromol/L, n = 6). Also, there was a direct relationship between the peak fludarabine triphosphate and ara-GTP in each patient (r = 0.85). The cellular elimination of ara-GTP was slow (median, 35 hours; range, 18 to > 48 hours). The ratio of ara-GTP to its normal counterpart, deoxyguanosine triphosphate, was higher in each patient (median, 42; range, 14 to 1,092) than that of fludarabine triphosphate to its normal counterpart, deoxyadenosine triphosphate (median, 2.2; range, 0.2 to 27).

CONCLUSION

Fludarabine plus nelarabine is an effective, well-tolerated regimen against leukemias. Clinical responses suggest the need for further exploration of nelarabine against fludarabine-refractory diseases. Determination of ara-GTP levels in the target tumor population may provide a prognostic test for the activity of nelarabine.

Volatile profiles and lipid oxidation of irradiated cooked chicken meat from laying hens fed diets containing conjugated linoleic acid

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on lipid oxidation, volatile profiles, and sensory characteristics of irradiated cooked chicken meat. Forty-eight 27-wk-old White Leghorn hens were fed a diet containing 0, 1.25, 2.5, or 5.0% CLA. After 12 wk of feeding trial, hens were slaughtered, and boneless, skinless breast and thigh muscles were separated. Meats of three birds from a dietary treatment were pooled and ground together through a 9-mm and a 3-mm plate, and patties were prepared. Patties were individually packaged and cooked in a water bath at 85 C for 15 min. After cooling to room temperature, patties were repackaged in oxygen-permeable or oxygen-impermeable bags, irradiated at 0 or 3 kiloGray (kGy) with an electron beam irradiator, and analyzed for lipid oxidation, volatile profiles, and sensory characteristics at 0 and 5 d of storage at 4 C. Cooked meat patties from hens fed CLA diets had lower TBA-reactive substances values and produced less hexanal and pentanal than the control. The irradiated and nonirradiated cooked chicken meat with aerobic packaging developed severe lipid oxidation during the 5-d storage at 4 C. Irradiation accelerated lipid oxidation in aerobic-packaged cooked chicken meat, but its effect was not as significant as that of the packaging. No odor differences were found among the cooked chicken meats from the different dietary CLA treatments. The increased storage stability of cooked meat from hens fed CLA diets was caused by the increased saturated fatty acids and CLA content in meat lipids. Tissue CLA was stable from oxidative changes and had minimal effect on volatile production in irradiated and nonirradiated cooked chicken meat during storage.

Caries patterns and their relationship to infant feeding and socio-economic status in 2-4-year-old Chinese children

AIMS

To describe the prevalence, severity and patterns of caries in 2-4-year-old children and to evaluate the association between caries experience of the children and their feeding patterns and socio-economic background in terms of mothers' education and family income.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

SETTING

Suburban area of Hanchuan in Hubei province, China.

PARTICIPANTS

A sample of 426 children (250 boys and 176 girls).

METHODS

Dental-examinations were undertaken in kindergartens using World Health Organization diagnostic criteria for dental caries. Mothers completed a short questionnaire.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Prevalence of caries; rampant caries; caries in incisors; caries in incisors and/or canines and molars; mean number of decayed, missing and filled teeth/surfaces (dmft/s).

RESULTS

36% of the children had caries, 7% had rampant caries. The more extensive pattern of caries involving primary molars as well as incisors and/or canines was seen in 12% of children. Children who had been wholly bottle-fed had five times the risk of having rampant caries compared to children who were breast-fed.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicated that infant feeding practice might be a key risk factor for the development of caries at an early age in this country as elsewhere.

Effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid and linoleic:linolenic acid ratio on polyunsaturated fatty acid status in laying hens

A study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and the ratio of linoleic:linolenic acid on long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid status. Thirty-two 31-wk-old White Leghorn hens were randomly assigned to four diets containing 8.2% soy oil, 4.1% soy oil + 2.5% CLA (4.1% CLA source), 4.1% flax oil + 2.5% CLA, or 4.1% soy oil + 4.1% flax oil. Hens were fed the diets for 3 wk before eggs and tissues were collected for the study. Lipids were extracted from egg yolk and tissues, classes of egg yolk lipids were separated, and fatty acid concentrations of total lipids, triglyceride, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylcholine were analyzed by gas chromatography. The concentrations of monounsaturated fatty acids and non-CLA polyunsaturated fatty acids were reduced after CLA feeding. The amount of arachidonic acid was decreased after CLA feeding in linoleic acid- and linolenic acid-rich diets, but amounts of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid were increased in the linolenic-rich diet, indicating that the synthesis or deposition of long-chain n-3 fatty acids was accelerated after CLA feeding. The increased docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid contents in lipid may be compensation for the decreased arachidonic acid content. Dietary supplementation of linoleic acid increased n-6 fatty acid levels in lipids, whereas linolenic acid increased n-3 fatty acid levels. Results also suggest that CLA might not be elongated to synthesize long-chain fatty acids in significant amounts. The effect of CLA in reducing the level of n-6 fatty acids and promoting the level of n-3 fatty acids could be related to the biological effects of CLA.

Bis(1,5-diazacyclooctane-N,N')nickel(II) dibromide

The crystal structure of the title complex, [Ni(C(6)H(14)N(2))(2)]Br(2), consists of discrete [Ni(C(6)H(14)N(2))(2)](2+) cations and bromide counter-anions. The Ni(II) ion is at the center of symmetry and is four-coordinated by four nitrogen donors of the mesocyclic ligand 1,5-diazacyclooctane (DACO) [Ni-N 1.935 (2)-1.937 (2) A]. The coordination geometry of Ni(II) can be considered as square planar and both DACO ligands take the boat-chair conformation. The bromide anions are hydrogen bonded with the nitrogen donors of the ligands to form a macrocycle-like ring system.

Oral health services in PR China as evaluated by dentists and patients

OBJECTIVE

To describe the function of oral health services and the delivery of oral health care in PR China.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional surveys. Self-administered questionnaires gathered information on professional practices and attitudes of Chinese dentists. Patients were examined clinically for caries and services rendered. Patients were interviewed about oral health status, reason of dental visits and consumption of services, perceived need for care and self-care practices.

SETTING

Wuhan City of the Hubei Province of China.

SUBJECTS

Random samples of dentists (n = 250) working with child and adult patients in 1998 in Wuhan City. Each dentist had a representative sample of 20 patients attending consecutively for care enrolled in the study.

RESULTS

On average, the dentists saw 12 patients per day, with most time devoted to restorative treatment and extraction. The majority of dentists held the opinion that in China little attention is given to preventive care. Forty per cent of the patients were new to the dentists and more than half attended care because of pain or acute symptoms. The reported mean number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth varied from 2.6 for 12-year-old patients to 10.7 for patients aged 65-74. Daily toothbrushing was practised by more than 90% of the patients in all age groups, however, the tradition of regular dental visits was weak. Most patients (51-75 per cent) attended for care due to acute problems or pain.

CONCLUSION

The study indicated the need for reorientation of the Chinese oral health services towards prevention.

Varying coordination modes and magnetic properties of copper(II) complexes with diazamesocyclic ligands by altering additional donor pendants on 1,5-diazacyclooctane

A series of new diazamesocyclic ligands based on a diazamesocycle, 1,5-diazacyclooctane (DACO), functionalized by additional donor groups--1,5-bis(N-1-methylimidazol-2-ylmethyl)-1,5- diazacyclooctane (L1), 1-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-1,5-diazacyclooctane (HL2), 1,5-bis(2-hydroxybenzyl)-1,5-diazacyclooctane (H2L3), and 1-(N-1-methylimidazol-2-ylmethyl)-1,5-diazacyclooctane (L4)--and their Cu(II) complexes have been synthesized and characterized. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of the four Cu(II) complexes revealed that L1 forms a five-coordinate mononuclear complex, HL2 a N3- mu-bridged binuclear complex, H2L3 an oxygen mu-bridged trinuclear complex, and L4 a one-dimensional zigzag coordination polymeric complex with Cu(II). [CuL1ClO4](ClO4) (I): a = 12.194(2) A, b = 13.351(3) A, c = 14.473(3) A, beta = 107.10(3) degrees, Z = 4. [CuL2(N3)]2 (II): a = 8.1864(6) A, b = 18.141(2) A, c = 9.3307(7) A, beta = 103.662(6) degrees, Z = 2. [Cu3(L3)2Cl2] (III): a = 10.7296(13) A, b = 13.7707(17) A, c = 13.5523(17) A, beta = 106.350(3) degrees, Z = 2. ([CuL4Cl]2ClO4) infinity (IV): a = 7.279(1) A, b = 23.695(5) A, c = 19.308(4) A, beta = 100.28(3) degrees, Z = 8. All four complexes crystallize in the monoclinic crystal system with the P2(1)/c space group, and each Cu(II) center coordinated with DACO is pentacoordinated with a distorted square-pyramidal or trigonal-bipyrimidal coordination environment. In complex IV, the binuclear cation unit [CuL4Cl]2(2+) constitutes the fundamental building block of an infinite alternating zigzag chain structure, and the binuclear unit contains two types of geometries around the Cu(II) centers: the Cu(1) center is a distorted square-pyramidal environment, while the Cu(2) is a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal coordination environment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first Cu(II) complex of a diazamesocyclic ligand with an infinite polymeric structure. The magnetic properties of complexes II, III, and IV have been investigated by variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements in the solid state. The obtained parameters are 2J = 2.06 cm-1 (II), -345.56 cm-1 (III), and -2.60 cm-1 (IV), which differ greatly from ferromagnetic to weak and strong antiferromagnetic coupling. These results unequivocally indicate that the nature of the pendant arms is a key factor governing the structure and properties of the complexes; therefore, the coordination modes and properties of the metal complexes of a diazamesocycle can be controlled by altering the pendant donors on it. Magneto-structural correlation has been precisely analyzed, and the solution properties of these complexes have also been described.

High-performance liquid chromatography method for the determination and quantitation of arabinosylguanine triphosphate and fludarabine triphosphate in human cells

A gradient anion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatographic assay was developed for the simultaneous determination and quantitation of the cytotoxic triphosphates of arabinosylguanine (ara-GTP) and fludarabine (F-ara-ATP). The method was validated with respect to selectivity, recovery, linearity, precision, and accuracy using authentic standards. To test this assay in a more complex biological matrix, perchloric acid extracts of circulating human leukemia cells spiked with known concentrations of ara-GTP and F-ara-ATP were examined. Finally, to assess the clinical utility of our method, perchloric acid extracts of circulating human leukemia cells isolated from patients treated with fludarabine and nelarabine were analyzed. The range of quantitation was 0.0125-10 nmol for the ara- and native NTPs in cellular extracts. This assay should be helpful in establishing the mechanistic rationales for drug scheduling and combinations of nelarabine and fludarabine, and for correlating the therapeutic efficacy and levels of the cytotoxic triphosphates in target cells.

[Transgenic mice model of human hepatitis B virus x gene]

OBJECTIVE

To set up a human hepatitis B virus x (HBx) gene transgenic model.

METHODS

The model was set up by microinjection, the integration and expression of the founders were identified by molecular hybridization.

RESULTS

A 1,800 bp DNA fragment containing the human HBx promoter and genomic DNA was microinjected into the male pronucleus of the fertilized eggs of mice. Three hundred and thirty-eight eggs survived from microinjection were transplanted into the oviduct of 16 pseudopregnant female, 12 pseudopregnant mice got pregnant and gave birth to 74 pups. Genomic DNA were extracted from the tails of the pups, Southern blot hybridization was used for determination of the integration of human HBx gene. The 1,800 bp microinjected fragment was used as the probe, 17 mice (founders) were identified of the integration of human HBx gene. Total RNA were extracted from the livers of the founders, all 17 founders were identified of the expression of human HBx gene by using Northern blot hybridization.

CONCLUSIONS

These results may provide animal models for studying on the correlation between chronic HBV infection and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.

EGF stimulates gastrin promoter through activation of Sp1 kinase activity

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor activation stimulates gastrin gene expression through a GC-rich element called gastrin EGF response element (gERE). This element is bound by Sp1 family members and is a target of the ras-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) signal transduction cascade. This raised the possibility that Sp1 may be phosphorylated by kinases of this signaling pathway. Erk is capable of phosphorylating other mitogen-inducible transcription factors, e.g., Elk and Sap, suggesting that Erk may also mediate EGF-dependent phosphorylation of Sp1. This possibility was tested by studying Sp1-dependent kinase activity in extracts prepared from EGF-activated AGS cells by use of solid-phase kinase assays and immunoprecipitation of metabolically labeled Sp1. The results revealed that Sp1 kinase activity (like gastrin promoter activation) is inhibited by PD-98059 and, therefore, is dependent on mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (Mek 1). However, EGF-dependent activation of endogenous Erk did not account for most of the Sp1 kinase activity, since Erk and additional Sp1 kinase activity analyzed in a solid-phase kinase assay eluted from an ion-exchange column in different fractions. Phosphoamino acid analysis of in vivo radiolabeled Sp1 demonstrated that the kinase phosphorylates Sp1 on Ser and Thr in response to EGF. Therefore, most EGF-stimulated Sp1 kinase activity is Mek 1 dependent and distinct from Erk.

Effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acid on the composition of egg yolk lipids

Forty-eight 27-wk-old White Leghorn hens were assigned randomly to four diets containing 0, 1.25, 2.5, or 5.0% conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Hens were fed the CLA diets for 2 wk before eggs were collected for the study. Classes of egg yolk lipids were separated, and fatty acid concentrations in total lipid, triglyceride (TG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and phosphatidylcholine (PC) were analyzed to determine the incorporation of dietary CLA isomers into different classes of egg yolk lipids. The amounts of CLA incorporated into lipid, PC, PE, and TG of egg yolk were proportional to the levels of CLA in the diet. However, more CLA was incorporated in TG than in PC and PE. The incorporation rates of different CLA isomers into different classes of lipids also were significantly different: cis-9, trans-11 and cis-10, trans-12 CLA were deposited more in TG, but cis-11, trans-13 CLA deposition in TG was significantly less. There were large differences in the concentrations of cis-8, trans-10 CLA in PC and PE. The inclusion of CLA into the diet influenced the metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The contents of 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic, 9,12-octadecadienoic, and 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acids were decreased as dietary CLA increased. Three isomers of hexadecadienoic acid were found in egg yolk lipids from hens fed 5% dietary CLA. The detection of hexadecadienoic acid isomers in lipid indicates that the utilization of CLA as an energy source after the first round of beta-oxidation may be less favorable than that of 9,12-octadecadienoic acid.

ZBP-99 defines a conserved family of transcription factors and regulates ornithine decarboxylase gene expression

Among transcription factors that regulate ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) gene expression are those that interact with GC-rich promoters, including Sp1 and ZBP-89. Sp1 functions as a transactivator and ZBP-89 as a transrepressor of both the ODC and gastrin promoters. This study reports the cloning and characterization of a second member of the ZBP family that also binds GC boxes. ZBP-99 contains four Krüppel-type zinc fingers that collectively share 91% amino acid sequence similarity and 79% sequence identity with those found in ZBP-89. In addition, there are highly conserved amino acid sequences in the carboxy-terminal segments of the two genes. In spite of their structural similarities, the two proteins are encoded at distinct loci, ZBP-89 on chromosome 3q21 and ZBP-99 on 1q32.1. The predicted open reading frame of ZBP-99 cDNA encodes a 99-kDa protein. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that ZBP-99 protein specifically binds to the GC-rich promoter elements of gastrin and ODC genes. Northern blot analysis showed that a major ZBP-99 transcript of 5.6 kb is expressed ubiquitously at low levels, with elevated expression levels in placenta and in adult kidney, liver, and lymphocytes. Cotransfection of AGS gastric adenocarcinoma and HT-29 colon adenocarcinoma cells with a ZBP-99 expression construct and with an ODC reporter construct show that ZBP-99 repressed basal expression in the two cell lines by 80 and 60%, respectively. Collectively, the data suggest that ZBP-99 binds GC-rich promoters and may complement the activities mediated by ZBP-89.

Comparative analysis of HPLC profile of cytosolic thymidine kinase activity between hepatoma and regenerating liver in rat with reference to phosphorylation

Thymidine kinase (TK) activity in rat hepatoma JB1 and AH136B was mainly due to cytosolic TK and was much higher than that in rat regenerating liver. Two forms of cytosolic TK, designated as TK-I and TK-II, were revealed in addition to mitochondrial TK in anion-exchange high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) of the enzyme extract from hepatoma JB1. During incubation of the enzyme extract at 20 degrees C in the presence of phosphatase inhibitor NaF, TK-II activity remained while TK-I activity almost disappeared. Thus, TK-II appeared to be more stable than TK-I. In Western blot analysis, TK-II was much more phosphorylated and exhibiting higher specific activity than TK-I. Meanwhile, regenerating liver derived from the rat 24 h after partial hepatectomy showed only TK-I activity, which completely disappeared after incubation at 20 degrees C even in the presence of NaF. Consequently, the presence of TK-II might account for the higher TK activity in hepatomas than in regenerating liver.

A new monoclonal anti-idiotypic catalytic antibody with a CPA-like activity

IIF9D8, a new monoclonal anti-idiotypic catalytic antibody with a CPA esterase-like activity was elicited by ID11D7, the monoclonal competitive inhibitory antibody to CPA. The hydrolysis of hippuryl-DL-phenyllactic acid by McAb IIF9D8 follows the Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The Km value and kcat are 0.036 M and 0.598 min(-1), respectively, and the rate acceleration (kcat/kuncat) is 30500. Compared with the previous McAb 32C3 induced by polyclonal antibodies to CPA, McAb IIF9D8 shows higher catalytic efficiency The catalytic antibodies with the catalytic properties similar to natural enzymes could be obtained by this approach.

[Serum levels of levonorgestrel during long-term use of Norplant]

OBJECTIVE

(1) Assessment of longest effective contraceptive duration of Norplant (containing levonorgestrel, LNG) by serum levonorgestrel levels. (2) To observe the possible relationships between the serum LNG levels of long-term use (5 years) and body weight.

METHODS

To determine serum LNG levels in 230 women among 1,356 cases at various intervals between 1 and 11 years after implantation using RIA kits provided by WHO.

RESULTS

The average serum levels of LNG in users of Norplant at the 1st, 3rd, 5th years were 1,273.5, 924.0 and 739.6 pmol/L respectively. From the 5th to 7th years average serum LNG levels showed almost a linear decline, and from the 7th through 10th year it did not show much changes. The average serum LNG level was (511.1 +/- 209) pmol/L. A significant negative correlation was found between serum LNG levels and body weight at the 5th years.

CONCLUSION

One set of Norplant implants may provide effective contraception for 8-10 years in women with body weights less than 60 kg.

Immunolabeling of the major cell surface protein antigen of Streptococcus sobrinus with monoclonal antibody

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine the accessibility of monoclonal antibody (McAb), specific for the major cell surface protein antigen (PAg) of Streptococcus sobrinus, to the surface of its native epitopes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An indirect immunogold labeling technique was used to detect the reaction of McAb with S. sobrinus 6715. The reactions of polyclonal antibodies (PcAbs) against S. sobrinus 6715 or PAg with S. sobrinus 6715, S. mutans Ingbritt C and S. rattus BHT were studied as controls.

RESULTS

The results indicated that PAg was localized on the outer cell surface of S. sobrinus, and McAb was reactive with only a few epitopes of the cell surface, whereas PcAbs were found to be reactive with more epitopes.

CONCLUSIONS

McAb was specific for the PAg, but there was cross-reaction with S. mutans. Also there seemed to be an association between the fuzzy coat on the surface of S. sobrinus and PAg.