The Kringle V-protease domain is a fibrinogen binding region within Apo(a)

Lp(a) binds directly to fibrin and competes for the interaction of plasminogen with this substrate. This competition may play a role in the proatherothrombogenic consequences of high Lp(a) levels. Previous studies by us and others showed that apo(a) Kringle IV-10 competes for the interaction of Lp(a) with plasmin-treated fibrinogen. However, kringle IV-10 cannot account for the entire high affinity interaction of Lp(a) with fibrinogen. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that the apo(a) kringle V protease-like domain (KV-PD) could interact with plasmin-treated fibrinogen. We cloned the apo(a) KV-PD region from a human liver cDNA library. Fusion apo(a) KV-PD was expressed in COS 7 cells and purified from the conditioned media. Western blotting of the apo(a) KV-PD protein revealed two bands migrating with apparent molecular weights of 45K and 48K. When fusion apo(a) KV-PD was treated with O-glycosidase and neuraminidase, the higher molecular weight band disappeared suggesting that the apo(a) KV-PD was O-glycosylated. Apo(a) KV-PD bound to plasmin-treated fibrinogen in a dose-dependent fashion. An EC50 of 3.9+/-0.2 microM was determined for this interaction. Treatment of the apo(a) KV-PD with O-glycosidase did not significantly affect its ability to bind to plasmin-treated fibrinogen. In addition, apo(a) KV-PD competed for the binding of 125I-Lp(a) to plasmin-treated fibrinogen. An IC50 of 7.90+/-0.95 microM was obtained. Our data suggest that the KV-PD of apo(a) shares binding sites on plasmin-treated fibrinogen with Lp(a) and also may participate in the interaction of the Lp(a) particle with plasmin-treated fibrinogen.

Bedtime H2 blockers improve nocturnal gastric acid control in GERD patients on proton pump inhibitors

AIM

Proton pump inhibitors taken twice daily before meals (proton pump inhibitor b.d. AC) effectively controls daytime gastric pH; however, nocturnal gastric acid breakthrough (NAB) occurs in more than 75% of patients. Adding an H2-blocker at bedtime decreases NAB in normal subjects. The efficacy of this regimen has not been evaluated in GERD patients. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of proton pump inhibitor b.d., both with and without bedtime H2-blocker on intragastric pH and the occurrence of NAB in GERD patients.

METHODS

Prolonged ambulatory pH studies in GERD patients were reviewed. Group A: 60 patients (mean age 53 years, male 30) taking either omeprazole 20 mg or lansoprazole 30 mg b.d. Group B: 45 patients (mean age 49 years, male 23) on proton pump inhibitor b.d. (omeprazole 20 mg or lansoprazole 30 mg) plus an H2-blocker at bedtime (ranitidine 300 mg, famotidine 40 mg or nizatidine 300 mg). Eleven patients were evaluated during treatment with both regimens (group C). The percentage time of nocturnal and daytime intragastric pH > 4 and per cent of patients with gastric NAB were analysed. In the patients with NAB, its duration and associated oesophageal acid exposure also were analysed.

RESULTS

Median percentage time intragastric pH > 4 overnight was 51% in group A, compared to 96% in group B (P < 0.0001). Median percentage daytime pH > 4 was 73% in group A and 79.8% in group B (P=0.14). Median percentage time intragastric pH >p 4 overnight increased from 54.6% without H2RA to 96.5% after adding bedtime H2RA (P=0.0013) in group C patients. NAB occurred in 82% patients in group A and 40% in group B (P < 0.0001). The mean duration of oesophageal acid exposure during NAB was significantly shorter in group B (18 +/- 6 min) than in group A (42 +/- 9 min, P=0.04).

SUMMARY

Adding a bedtime H2-blocker to the treatment enhanced nocturnal gastric pH control and decreased NAB compared to the proton pump inhibitor b.d. regimen. A bedtime H2-blocker also decreased oesophageal acid exposure during NAB.

CONCLUSION

Adding a bedtime H2-blocker to a proton pump inhibitor b.d. regimen should be considered in patients who require continued nocturnal gastric acid control whilst taking proton pump inhibitor b.d.

An association between genetic polymorphisms in the ileal sodium-dependent bile acid transporter gene and the risk of colorectal adenomas

Epidemiological and experimental studies have implicated bile acids (particularly secondary bile acids) as important factors in the development of colorectal cancer. The ileal sodium-dependent bile acid transporter (ISBT) is a crucial player in the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids. Genetic defects in ISBT may result in malabsorption of bile acids and a loss of bile acids into the large intestine, with a resultant increase in the cytotoxic secondary bile acids in the colon. In a case-control study, we investigated the association between two sequence variations in SLC10A2, the gene encoding ISBT, and colorectal adenomas, a precursor lesion of colorectal cancer. The frequency of the missense mutation in codon 171 of exon 3 (a nucleotide transversion from G to T resulting in an alanine to serine substitution) was not significantly different between cases and controls. However, we found a 2-fold higher risk of colorectal adenomas associated with a C-->T nucleotide transition in codon 169 of exon 3 (odds ratio = 2.06; 95% confidence interval: 1.10-3.83). Logistic regression analysis using A171S/169 C-->T haplotypes as the allelic markers showed that among AA wild-type homozygotes for A171S mutation, this C-->T nucleotide transition in codon 169 was associated with a 2.42 times increased risk (odds ratio = 2.42; 95% confidence interval: 1.26-4.63). This initial observation of an association between a polymorphism in the SLC10A2 gene and the risk of colorectal adenomatous polyps would, if confirmed by other studies, support the role of bile acids in the carcinogenesis of colorectal cancer.

Disruption of cytoskeletal integrity impairs Gi-mediated signaling due to displacement of Gi proteins

beta1 integrins play a crucial role as cytoskeletal anchorage proteins. In this study, the coupling of the cytoskeleton and intracellular signaling pathways was investigated in beta1 integrin deficient (-/-) embryonic stem cells. Muscarinic inhibition of the L-type Ca2+ current (ICa) and activation of the acetylcholine-activated K+ current (IK,ACh) was found to be absent in beta1 integrin-/- cardiomyocytes. Conversely, beta adrenoceptor-mediated modulation of ICa was unaffected by the absence of beta1 integrins. This defect in muscarinic signaling was due to defective G protein coupling. This was supported by deconvolution microscopy, which demonstrated that Gi exhibited an atypical subcellular distribution in the beta1 integrin-/- cardiomyocytes. A critical role of the cytoskeleton was further demonstrated using cytochalasin D, which displaced Gi and impaired muscarinic signaling. We conclude that cytoskeletal integrity is required for correct localization and function of Gi-associated signaling microdomains.

BAPTA blocks DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation downstream of caspase-3 and DFF activation in HT-induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells

DFF ((DNA Fragmentation Factor) is a heterodimer composed of 40 kDa (DFF40, CAD) and 45 kDa (DFF45, ICAD) subunits. During apoptosis, activated caspase-3 cleaves DFF45 and activates DFF40, a DNase that targets nucleosomal linker region and cleaves chromatin DNA into nucleosomal fragments. We have previously reported that HT induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells, and intracellular Ca(2+) chelator BAPTA blocked apoptosis-associated DNA fragmentation induced by HT. We report here that HT also induced activation of caspase-3 and cleavage of DFF45. BAPTA prevented neither the caspase-3 activation nor the cleavage of DFF45. Mitochondrial membrane potential was disrupted in BAPTA-AM treated cells. However, BAPTA did prevent DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation in HT-treated cells. These data suggest a novel role for intracellular calcium in regulating apoptotic nuclease that causes DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation.

Control of intragastric pH with omeprazole 20 mg, omeprazole 40 mg and lansoprazole 30 mg

BACKGROUND

Single daily doses of proton pump inhibitors, omeprazole and lansoprazole provide effective acid suppression and equal healing and symptom relief in patients with GERD. Despite this, controversy exists as to the efficacy of available proton pump inhibitors in the control of gastric acidity.

AIM

To assess the efficacy of omeprazole 20 mg vs. lansoprazole 30 mg and omeprazole 40 mg vs. lansoprazole 30 mg in intragastric pH control.

METHODS

Study I: 12 Helicobacter pylori-negative volunteers (mean age 33 years) were treated with omeprazole 20 mg and lansoprazole 30 mg in random order before breakfast for 7 days. Study II: 24 subjects (mean age 36 years) were similarly treated with omeprazole 40 mg and lansoprazole 30 mg for 7 days after a baseline pH study. One week washout was allowed between studies. Subjects had the same meal on each study day. On day seven, a 24-h intragastric pH study was performed. The percentage time for which gastric pH > 4 was analysed (Gastrosoft, Synectics Medical Inc.) and expressed as mean +/- s.d.

RESULTS

(1) Omeprazole 20 mg and lansoprazole 30 mg showed no significant difference in the percentage time for which gastric pH > 4 in the daytime and night-time periods. (2) The percentage time for which pH > 4 with omeprazole 40 mg was significantly greater than lansoprazole 30 mg in both daytime (61 +/- 19% vs. 48 +/- 14%, P < 0.001), and night-time periods (34 +/- 21% vs. 26 +/- 14%, P < 0.05). (3) A large inter-subject variation existed in both studies. (4) In 10 subjects who participated in both studies, omeprazole 40 mg showed a significantly higher percentage time for which pH > 4 in the daytime (69 +/- 18% vs. 51 +/- 15%, P=0.015) than omeprazole 20 mg.

CONCLUSION

These pH data support the therapeutic equivalency of FDA approved doses of omeprazole and lansoprazole.

Induction of cortical swallowing activity by transcranial magnetic stimulation in the anaesthetized cat

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over human fronto-central areas of scalp can activate short latency responses in the muscles of the face, pharynx and oesophagus. However, the physiological relationship between this early activity and the swallowing activity programmed by the brainstem central pattern generator (CPG) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between TMS-induced early muscle and late swallowing activities in the feline model. Twelve adult cats were studied under light anaesthesia. Mylohyoid and oesophageal EMG, together with pharyngeal, upper oesophageal sphincter (UOS) and upper oesophageal manometry, were recorded to single-pulse TMS of cat cortex. TMS at low stimulation intensities evoked consistent short latency EMG responses in the mylohyoid and oesophageal muscles (6.1 +/- 1.2 ms and 12.7 +/- 0.7 ms, respectively), and early contractile activity in the UOS (latency 31.8 +/- 3.6 ms). By contrast, TMS at high intensities induced swallowing activity as indicated by mylohyoid EMG, and UOS relaxation (latencies 1.1 +/- 0.4 s and 0.8 +/- 0.1 s, respectively). Both the early muscle and late swallowing activities were intensity-dependent, increasing stimulus strength producing a reduction in latency and greater number of swallows. The characteristics of the early response suggest an oligosynaptic projection from cortex to swallowing muscles. The induction of swallows at high intensities suggests a requisite for greater recruitment of cortical motoneurones, or associated swallowing regions.

[The induction of high-level expression of a novel VL-30 like gene during the chemical-inducing erythroid differentiation of murine erythroleukemia cells (MEL)]

OBJECTIVE

To study the gene expression during the chemical inducing erythroid differentiation of murine erythroleukemia cells (MEL).

METHODS

Differential display assay was used to analyze the gene expression before and after the induction differentiation of MEL cells by DMSO and hemin; and then, the flanking sequences of one of the cDNA fragment was amplified by modified rapid amplification of cDNA end (RACE) method, Northern blot analysis was adopted to characterize the expression of this gene.

RESULT

The expression of a new transcript similar to VL-30 retrotransposon family increased significantly during the chemical inducing erythroid differentiation in MEL cells. The cloned cDNA is 1883bp, and it is highly homologous to the internal region of murine BVL-1 (1,955-4,000 nt). At least three transcripts in MEL cells were detected by Northern hybridization and all of them increased after the induction.

CONCLUSION

A new VL-30-like gene is identified for the first time in MEL cells during chemical inducing erythroid differentiation.

Central nervous system nitric oxide induces oropharyngeal swallowing and esophageal peristalsis in the cat

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The functional role of brainstem nitric oxide (NO) in swallowing and esophageal peristalsis remains unknown. We examined the effects of blockade of central nervous system (CNS) NO synthase (NOS) on swallowing and on primary and secondary peristalsis.

METHODS

(1) The effect of intravenous (IV) NOS inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) on swallowing and swallowing-induced peristalsis was examined. (2) An NOS inhibitor (N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine [L-NMMA]) was administered into the fourth ventricle intracerebroventricularly (ICV), and its effects on swallowing and primary and secondary peristalsis were examined.

RESULTS

(1) IV L-NNA significantly reduced the number of oropharyngeal swallows and the induction of primary peristalsis in the smooth muscle portion of the esophageal body; the change was not significant within the striated muscle portion. (2) L-NMMA given ICV significantly reduced the number of oropharyngeal swallows and the incidence of primary peristalsis in both smooth and striated muscle, but the reduction in amplitude was significant only for the smooth muscle contraction. There was a significant reduction in both the amplitude and incidence of secondary peristalsis, only in the smooth muscle portion.

CONCLUSIONS

CNS NO is an important neurotransmitter in the induction of oropharyngeal swallowing and esophageal peristalsis. The neural substrates mediating striated and smooth muscle peristalsis may be both anatomically and neurochemically distinct.

[Erythroid differentiation denucleation factor: a family of erythroid regulators for mammalian erythroid terminal differentiation/tumor suppression and the cloning of their related genes]

The role of regulation of erythroid differentiation denucleation factor(EDDF) on mammalian erythroid differentiation and myeloma cell malignancy as well as cloning of their stage related genes were serially studied. Through a series of cybrid and hybridization experiments between mammalian erythroid cells and erythroleukemia or non-erythroid myeloma cells, we have demonstrated a novel family of erythroid regulators(EDDFs) in the mammalian differentiating erythroblasts which with an active peak occurred concomitantly with marked decreases in DNA, RNA and the nuclear anchoring vimentin-IF, but increased in hemoglobin synthesis in cytoplasm prior to the denucleation process during terminal differentiation. The results of cell fusion experiments verified that the supplement of regulators(EDDFs) was critical to the recovery of the originally lost features of terminal differentiation and the reversion of malignant phenotype of tumor cells. Here we showed that the erythroid regulator family EDDFs were essential regulators for the sequential expression of stage related genes of erythroid terminal differentiation, and for the redifferentiation of tumor cells to express the originally inactive globe genes, repressed the oncogenes, and vimentin-IF system, thus initiated nuclear condensation and denucleation. The EDDF gene family consisted of MEDDF, HEDDF-1, HEDRF-1, HEDRF-2 and HCNBP-1 were cloned. All were novel cDNA sequences that have been searched and registered in GenBank. They expressed varying in a stage specific manner, and acted on corresponding genes of terminal differentiation.

[A beam of dawn light of study on gossypol as a safe, effective, and reversible male antifertility contraceptive--evaluation of the studies by using low dose gossypol combined with steroid hormone for male contraception]

The present paper is an evaluation of the studies of two articles published in this issue of the journal which adopted a new regimen of low dose gossypol(12 mg.kg-1.d-1) combined with steroid hormones (methyltestosterone 20 mg.kg-1.d-1 and ethinyl estradiol 100 micrograms.kg-1.d-1) for 6 weeks as initial dose, and a similar low dose gossypol alone for 12 weeks as maintenance dose. Results showed that the dosage regimen could damage the epididymal sperms and onset of antifertility within 6 weeks in male rats, and prevent the incidence of the side effect of irreversible azoospermia. There was no adverse effect in viscera tissues, and the infertility could be reversible in about 6 weeks following withdrawal of gossypol. Male volunteers taking low dose gossypol (15 mg/d) could induce antifertility within 12 weeks, then followed by a maintenance dose of gossypol(10 mg/d) for 44 weeks. All of them remained infertile, and without developing hypokalemia and irreversible azoospermia. The fertility and the inducing abnormal histone-to-protamine replacement reaction as well as alteration of nuclear basic proteins could be recovered 10 weeks after withdrawal of drug treatment. These results provide a new approach for using the new regimen in clinical trial and a new prospect of gossypol as a potential male contraceptive.

[Activity of serum paraoxonase and its polymorphism in healthy Chinese of Shanghai]

OBJECTIVE

To study activity of serum paraoxonase and its polymorphic distribution in healthy people of Shanghai and to set a reference value for it.

METHODS

Serum activities of paraoxonase, salt-stimulated paraoxonase and arylesterase were measured in 198 subjects (105 males and 93 female, aged 21 - 61 years) in Shanghai. Three phenotypes of serum paraoxonase could be distinguished based on the ratio of salt-stimulated paraoxonase activity and paraoxonase activity and the ratio of salt-stimulated paraoxonase activity and arylesterase. Its gene frequency was calculated according to Hardy-Weinberg equation.

RESULTS

Activity of serum paraoxonase was 97.6 - 472.1 unit. There was no difference in serum paraoxonase activity between male and female, nor among different ages. It was found that 27 persons in low, 71 in medium and 100 in high activity. Gene frequency of low activity (PON * A) and high activity (PON * B) was 0.369 and 0.631, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Distribution of serum paraoxonase in healthy people of Shanghai was different from that in Caucasians.

Effect of an o-raffinose cross-linked haemoglobin product on oesophageal and lower oesophageal sphincter motor function

The present experiments evaluate the effects on oesophageal motility of an o-raffinose cross-linked haemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (HBOC) purified from outdated donated human blood cells (HemolinkTM), with attention to dose-response (0.6-2.4 g kg-1), oxygenation status and low molecular weight components (4.4-36.4% 64 kDa or less). In ketamine-anaesthetized cats, lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) function and oesophageal peristalsis were monitored 0.5 h before, during and up to 3.5 h after HBOC infusion, and in some cats at 24 h. (1) All products significantly inhibited LES relaxation and increased peristaltic velocity in the distal smooth muscle oesophagus, without consistently altering resting LES pressure. (2) Effects on peristaltic velocity reached a maximum at the smallest dose, whereas the effects on LES relaxation had a maximum effect at 1.2 g kg-1. (3) Effects were not significantly altered by the haemoglobin oxygenation status or presence of low molecular weight components. (4) Repetitive oesophageal contractions occurred. In the cat, an o-raffinose cross-linked human haemoglobin product produces changes in oesophageal body and LES function, which are independent of the HBOC oxygenation status and composition of the low molecular weight components tested. Changes may persist for at least 24 h. These motility changes are likely due to scavenging of nitric oxide by the haemoglobin.

Linkage analysis and loss of heterozygosity for chromosome arm 1p in familial breast cancer

We conducted linkage analysis of 64 multiple-case families with early-onset bilateral breast cancer using DNA markers on chromosome band 1p36. Evidence against tight linkage was obtained using a dominant model for transmission (summary LOD scores at recombination fraction theta = 0.000001 were -4.71 for D1S160 and -2.70 for D1S170). Similar results were obtained after excluding 20 families that were potentially attributable to BRCA1 or BRCA2. We also investigated loss of heterozygosity for a panel of markers on chromosome arm 1p using breast tumors from affected family members. The most common regions of allele loss were 1p36 (32% for D1S160, 35% for D1S243) and 1p32 (51% for MYCL). The frequency and location of 1p allele loss did not differ substantially from previous studies of sporadic breast cancer. We conclude that 1p36 probably does not contain a locus of susceptibility for a large proportion of breast cancer families, but a variety of loci on 1p may contribute to progression of familial and sporadic disease. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 25:354-361, 1999.

Depletion of blood-borne macrophages does not reduce demyelination in mice infected with a neurotropic coronavirus

Mice infected with the neurotropic coronavirus mouse hepatitis virus strain JHM (MHV-JHM) develop a chronic demyelinating disease with symptoms of hindlimb paralysis. Histological examination of the brains and spinal cords of these animals reveals the presence of large numbers of activated macrophages/microglia. In two other experimental models of demyelination, experimental allergic encephalomyelitis and Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus-induced demyelination, depletion of hematogenous macrophages abrogates the demyelinating process. In both of these diseases, early events in the demyelinating process are inhibited by macrophage depletion. From these studies, it was not possible to determine whether infiltrating macrophages were required for late steps in the process, such as myelin removal. In this study, we show that when macrophages are depleted with either unmodified or mannosylated liposomes encapsulating dichloromethylene diphosphate, the amount of demyelination detected in MHV-infected mice is not affected. At a time when these cells were completely depleted from the liver, approximately equivalent numbers of macrophages were present in the spinal cords of control and drug-treated animals. These results suggest that blood-borne macrophages are not required for MHV-induced demyelination and also suggest that other cells, such as perivascular macrophages or microglia, perform the function of these cells in the presence of drug.

Shock melting of the canyon diablo impactor: constraints from nickel-59 contents and numerical modeling

Two main types of material survive from the Canyon Diablo impactor, which produced Meteor Crater in Arizona: iron meteorites, which did not melt during the impact; and spheroids, which did. Ultrasensitive measurements using accelerator mass spectrometry show that the meteorites contain about seven times as much nickel-59 as the spheroids. Lower average nickel-59 contents in the spheroids indicate that they typically came from 0.5 to 1 meter deeper in the impactor than did the meteorites. Numerical modeling for an impact velocity of 20 kilometers per second shows that a shell 1.5 to 2 meters thick, corresponding to 16 percent of the projectile volume, remained solid on the rear surface; that most of the projectile melted; and that little, if any, vaporized.

Cortical activation during human volitional swallowing: an event-related fMRI study

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) provides a safe, noninvasive method for studying task-related cortical neuronal activity. Because the cerebral cortex is strongly implicated in the control of human swallowing, we sought to identify its functional neuroanatomy using fMRI. In 10 healthy volunteers, a swallow event-related paradigm was performed by injecting 5 ml water bolus into the oral cavity every 30 s. Whole brain functional magnetic susceptibility -weighted spiral imaging data were simultaneously acquired over 600 s on a 1.5-T magnetic resonance scanner, utilizing the blood oxygenation level-dependent technique, and correlation maps were generated using both >99% percentile rank and spatial extent thresholding. We observed areas of increased signal change consistently in caudal sensorimotor cortex, anterior insula, premotor cortex, frontal operculum, anterior cingulate and prefrontal cortex, anterolateral and posterior parietal cortex, and precuneus and superiomedial temporal cortex. Less consistent activations were also seen in posterior cingulate cortex and putamen and caudate nuclei. Activations were bilateral, but almost every region, particularly the premotor, insular, and frontal opercular cortices, displayed lateralization to one or the other hemisphere. Swallow-related cortical activity is multidimensional, recruiting brain areas implicated in processing motor, sensory, and attention/affective aspects of the task.

Intravenous administration of ONYX-015, a selectively replicating adenovirus, induces antitumoral efficacy

Replication-incompetent viral vectors are being developed for the gene therapy of cancer. Although some of these may eventually be proven to have significant localized antitumoral activity, none to date have been shown to infect and cause regression of established tumors following i.v. administration. Because cancer is a systemic disease in almost all fatal cases, the lack of i.v. efficacy is a major limitation to treatment with replication-incompetent viral vectors. ONYX-015 (d11520) is an attenuated adenovirus that replicates in and causes selective lysis of cancer cells. We carried out i.v. efficacy and distribution studies in nude mice with s.c. and intraparenchymal tumor xenografts. ONYX-015 infected and replicated efficiently within tumors following i.v. administration. Viral titers in livers were relatively high 3 h after administration but decreased rapidly, becoming undetectable after 24 h. Effective antitumor doses were not associated with hepatic toxicity. Viral replication within tumors was associated with regressions in several tumor models. Selectively replicating viruses like ONYX-015 hold promise as agents to treat metastatic cancer.

[Effects of occupational exposure to formamidines on cardiovascular functions]

OBJECTIVE

To understand the possible effects of occupational exposure to formamidines on human cardiovascular function, this study was carried out.

METHODS

Sixteen farmers spraying chlordimeform, 14 packers packaging chlordimeform and 23 packers packaging mono-formamidine were followed-up pre- and post-exposure. Their urinary excretion of formamidine or its metabolite, as well as air concentrations of formamidine at their work places and their skin contamination with it were measured to estimate the exposure level. Furthermore, 24-hour urinary level of vanillinmandelic acid (VMA) was analyzed among mono-formamidine packers.

RESULTS

Their whole body skin contaminated with 3.240 and 2.142 g/cm(2) of chlordimeform in the sprayers and packers, respectively. Their hand skin contaminated with mono-formamidine at 6.59 g/cm(2) in the packers. It indicated that the major route of exposure to formamidine was skin contamination. Urinary levels of formamidines or their metabolites increased significantly after exposure, reaching 6.194 and 3.378 micromol/L for the sprayers and packers exposed to chlordimeform, respectively, and 2.760 - 3.427 micromol/L for mono-formamidine in the packers. Their heart rates slowed down, P-R and Q-T intervals prolonged and blood pressure reduced after exposure, as compared with those before exposure. Consistency of the results in several studies demonstrated that formamidines could induce changes in the indices for cardiovascular functions under the relatively low exposure levels at present. Decrease of urinary VMA from 0.068 micromol/L pre-exposure to 0.040 - 0.055 micromol/L post-exposure suggested that catecholamine could play a role in these effects.

CONCLUSION

Formamidines has certain effects on human cardiovascular function. It is suggested that attention be paid to the changes in cardiovascular functions of those exposed in their health surveillance.

Engineering human interferon alpha1c/86D with phage display technology

Human interferon-alpha1c/86D (IFNalpha1c/86D) was functionally displayed on the surface of the filamentous bacteriophage using a phagemid vector system (pCANTAB5E). The key amino acid residues involved in the receptor binding were further defined with phage displayed 6-mer peptide library and two neutralizing antibodies against linear epitopes on the IFN-alpha1b, indicating that residues 30, 33, 34, (AB-loop) and residues 124, 126, 127 (D helix, DE-loop) were more critical than the adjacent residues for recognition of receptor. In addition, a cassette mutagenesis library was generated by fully randomizing the sequence of the four positions 29, 31, 32 and 35 in AB-loop, and used to select phage-IFN variants with WISH-based panning method. Three phage-IFN variants were isolated to possess more antiviral activity in the range of 4-16-fold than parental phage-IFN after IPTG-induced soluble expression. The results suggest that phage displayed phage-IFN alpha1c/86D variants with increased specific activity might be obtained after purification procedures.

[Subtractive cDNA cloning and analysis of murine erythroid terminal differentiation related factor]

OBJECTIVE

Cloning and identification of cDNA related to erythroid terminal differentiation factor (MEDRF).

METHODS

cDNA related to erythroid terminal differentiation from the Friend virus anemia (FVA) infected splenic erythroblasts of BALB/c mice were performed by using subtractive hybridization combined with PCR technique. The splenic proerythroblasts isolated were cultured in the presence of erythropoietin for 36 hrs. Subtractive cDNA clones of differentially expressed in the 36 hrs erythroblasts (sub cDNA-36) but absent in the uncultured proerythroblasts were observed. The sub cDNA-36 was then used for construction of subtractive cDNA library using the Bluescript-SK(+) phage vector system, and differentially screened by 32P-labelled PCR generated probes. The positive clones were analyzed by nucleotide sequencing.

RESULTS

The results indicated that a 472 bp cDNA fragment which contained a 309 bp reading frame from 51 to 359 coding 102 amino acids was identified and it has been accepted by GenBank as a new cDNA sequence that without comparable homology of existing sequences (accession number: AA114369). Northern blot analysis demonstrated that it was differentially expressed in the 36 hrs cultured intermediate-late stages of erythroblasts.

CONCLUSIONS

The newly found cDNA, which expresses specifically in intermediate-late stages of erythroblasts, not in stages of proerythroblasts, may be a new gene related to murine erythroid terminal differentiation.

Water pollution and human health in China

China's extraordinary economic growth, industrialization, and urbanization, coupled with inadequate investment in basic water supply and treatment infrastructure, have resulted in widespread water pollution. In China today approximately 700 million people--over half the population--consume drinking water contaminated with levels of animal and human excreta that exceed maximum permissible levels by as much as 86% in rural areas and 28% in urban areas. By the year 2000, the volume of wastewater produced could double from 1990 levels to almost 78 billion tons. These are alarming trends with potentially serious consequences for human health. This paper reviews and analyzes recent Chinese reports on public health and water resources to shed light on what recent trends imply for China's environmental risk transition. This paper has two major conclusions. First, the critical deficits in basic water supply and sewage treatment infrastructure have increased the risk of exposure to infectious and parasitic disease and to a growing volume of industrial chemicals, heavy metals, and algal toxins. Second, the lack of coordination between environmental and public health objectives, a complex and fragmented system to manage water resources, and the general treatment of water as a common property resource mean that the water quality and quantity problems observed as well as the health threats identified are likely to become more acute.

Comparison of the effects of Apo(a) kringle IV-10 and plasminogen kringles on the interactions of lipoprotein(a) with regulatory molecules

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is associated with atherosclerosis and with disease processes involving thrombosis. Lp(a) contains apoprotein (a) [apo(a)], which has a sequence highly homologous to plasminogen. Hence, Lp(a) binds directly to extracellular matrix, cellular plasminogen receptors and fibrin(ogen) and competes for the binding of plasminogen to these regulatory surfaces. These interactions may contribute to the proatherothrombogenic consequences of high Lp(a) levels. These interactions are mediated by lysine binding sites (LBS). Therefore, we examined the role of apo(a) kringle IV-10 [the only apo(a) kringle demonstrated to exhibit lysine binding activity in the intact lipoprotein] in the interaction of Lp(a) with these regulatory molecules. We have compared directly apo(a) KIV-10 with plasminogen K4 to examine whether these highly structurally homologous kringle modules are also functionally homologous. Futhermore, because the plasminogen K5-protease domain (K5-PD) binds directly to fibrin, we have also examined the ability of this plasminogen fragment to inhibit the interaction of Lp(a) with these regulatory molecules and with extracellular matrix. Apo(a) KIV-10 competed effectively for the binding of 125I-Lp(a) to these surfaces but was less effective than either intact Lp(a), plasminogen K4 or plasminogen. Plasminogen KS-PD was a better competitor than apo(a) KIV-10 for 125I-Lp(a) binding to the representative extracellular matrix, Matrigel, and to plasmin-treated fibrinogen. In contrast, plasminogen K5-PD did not compete for the interaction of Lp(a) with cells, although it effectively competed for plasminogen binding. These results suggest that Lp(a) recognizes sites in all of the regulatory molecules that are also recognized by apo(a) KIV-10 and that Lp(a) recognizes sites in extracellular matrix and in plasmin-modified fibrinogen that also are recognized by plasminogen K5-PD. Thus, the interaction of Lp(a) with cells is clearly distinct from that with extracellular matrix and with plasmin-treated fibrinogen and the recognition sites within Lp(a) and plasminogen for these regulatory molecules are not identical.