[The preparation of highly purified insulin and its clinical use. Insulin Cooperative Study Group]

Antigenicity of insulin preparations is obviously related to their purity. The average contents of proinsulin, glucagon and pancreatic polypeptide in highly purified insulin (HP-I) produced by us are 76.0, 2.11 and 0.11 ppm respectively. These results are superior to those for domestic conventional crystalline insulin and single peak insulin (SP-I). The antibodies to insulin, proinsulin and pancreatic polypeptide in serum were examined in 24 diabetic patients treated with HP-I for more than 6 months. The positive rates for the above three antibodies were 37.5%, 0% and 0% respectively. The results showed that the antigenicity of HP-I was much lower than that of domestic conventional crystalline insulin and almost the same as that of MC-I from Nordisk, Denmark.

[Pigmentary glaucoma and capsular glaucoma--a clinical and histopathological report]

In this paper, 7 cases (13 eyes) of pigmentary glaucoma and 9 cases (12 eyes) of capsular glaucoma were reported. Pigmentary dispersion in pigmentary glaucoma, pseudo-exfoliation material deposition in capsular glaucoma were the classical characteristics in the anterior segment of the eye, but pigmentary scatter was another clinical feature of capsular glaucoma. The histopathological studies of the trabeculectomy specimens by the light and transmission electron microscopy demonstrated that pigment granules or/and pseudo-exfoliation materials played an important role in obstructing the outflow tract of aqueous humor. In addition, we also discuss the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of both types of glaucoma.

Guatemalan human onchocerciasis. I. Systematic analysis of patient populations, nodular antigens, and specific isotypic reactions

The population from five Guatemalan plantations in areas endemic for onchocerciasis was surveyed, and 1032 individuals were recruited to participate in our study. From physical examination, past clinical history (5 to 8 yr), laboratory evidence and sample availability, a group of 778 long term residents with confirmed disease status were selected for detailed examination. We were able to identify 268 long term residents of endemic areas who had never been infected, 44 of these are from hyper- and mesoendemic areas. The 44 uninfected individuals from the hyper- and mesoendemic areas, because of their considerable exposure to this disease, were classified as "putatively immune." Intact nodules containing adult worms of Onchocerca volvulus were homogenized in the presence of protease inhibitors and fractionated into particulate and aqueous isotonic soluble antigens. Systematic analysis of these Ag fractions showed considerable amounts of Ig, presumably associated with Ag in the form of immune complexes. Individual specific antibody reactions from all 778 patients to nodule Ag were examined. Reactions to O. volvulus antigens by antibodies from patients with confirmed parasitic infections were almost exclusively restricted to IgG1 and IgG4 isotypes. Antigenic activity appeared to be primarily associated with low molecular mass (14 to 29 kDa) components. Some competitive blocking of antibody activities of other isotypes by IgG1 was observed, most notable was that of IgG3 and IgA. IgG4 and IgM activities were not significantly blocked.

Guatemalan human onchocerciasis. I. Systematic analysis of patient populations, nodular antigens, and specific isotypic reactions

The population from five Guatemalan plantations in areas endemic for onchocerciasis was surveyed, and 1032 individuals were recruited to participate in our study. From physical examination, past clinical history (5 to 8 yr), laboratory evidence and sample availability, a group of 778 long term residents with confirmed disease status were selected for detailed examination. We were able to identify 268 long term residents of endemic areas who had never been infected, 44 of these are from hyper- and mesoendemic areas. The 44 uninfected individuals from the hyper- and mesoendemic areas, because of their considerable exposure to this disease, were classified as "putatively immune." Intact nodules containing adult worms of Onchocerca volvulus were homogenized in the presence of protease inhibitors and fractionated into particulate and aqueous isotonic soluble antigens. Systematic analysis of these Ag fractions showed considerable amounts of Ig, presumably associated with Ag in the form of immune complexes. Individual specific antibody reactions from all 778 patients to nodule Ag were examined. Reactions to O. volvulus antigens by antibodies from patients with confirmed parasitic infections were almost exclusively restricted to IgG1 and IgG4 isotypes. Antigenic activity appeared to be primarily associated with low molecular mass (14 to 29 kDa) components. Some competitive blocking of antibody activities of other isotypes by IgG1 was observed, most notable was that of IgG3 and IgA. IgG4 and IgM activities were not significantly blocked.

[Comparison of Spatholobus suberectus Dum, Euonymus alatus (Thunb.) Sieb. and Eupolyphaga sinensis Walker on regulation of plasma lipid]

The Spatholobus suberectus (SS) of hexue type, the Euonymus alatus (EA) of huoxue type and the Eupolyphaga sinensis (ES) of poxue type were selected and their influence on plasma lipid in the experimental hyperlipidemia quails was observed. The ES could raise plasma HDL-C/TC ratio and increase LCAT activity. The SS could raise plasma HDL2-C/HDL3-C ratio. The effect of EA on plasma HDL-C/TC, HDL2-C/HDL3-C and LCAT levels was between SS and ES. All the three huoxue huayu Chinese drugs could lower plasma HDL3-C level and slow down the progress of atherosclerosis to a certain degree. The above-mentioned results show that certain orders exist between the action range of huoxue huayu drugs and their effect on regulating plasma lipid.

Optimization of binding capacity and specificity of protein G on various solid matrices for immunoglobulins

Streptococcal protein G is a more versatile and efficient alternative to staphylococcal protein A in purifying immunoglobin G (IgG) isotypes from various animal species. Optimizations are most dramatic with goat IgG, which binds protein G 55 times better than protein A. Using GammaBind G (a recombinant form of protein G (Genex Corp.)), we optimized binding capacity and specificity for IgG. Protein G was covalently coupled to three different matrices (CNBr-Sepharose, Tresyl-Sepharose, and Affigel-10) and compared with protein A-CNBr-Sepharose. Equal volumes of human, mouse, and goat serum samples were equilibrated into Hepes/NaOH buffers with various ionic strengths (i.e., concentrations of NaCl) and pH values and allowed to bind to affinity columns of proteins G and A. Bound ligands were eluted with 8.0 M urea, 0.05-M Tris/HCl, pH 8.00. Bound fractions were assayed for protein concentration and analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide electrophoresis. The optimal conditions for binding IgG to protein G are 1.0 M NaCl and pH 8.0 for human, mouse, and goat.

[The relationship of structure in vivo of low tension glaucoma and myopia]

The structure in vivo and incidence of myopia on thirty patients with low tension glaucoma were studied in this paper. Results showed that the incidence of high myopia of patients with low tension glaucoma was higher than normal. All of the mean values of the thickness of lens, the length of vitreous and axis, and the area of optic disc were larger than normal too. These indicate that patients with low tension glaucoma may often be associated with high myopia, and their structure of eye in vivo differs from normal. These may be related to pathogenesis of disease with low tension glaucoma. The relationship of myopia and structure of optic disc with glaucoma were briefly summarized.

[Computer study of pathologic factors influencing survival in colorectal carcinoma--a multivariant stepwise discriminant analysis]

Five quantitative pathologic parameters and three clinicopathologic parameters in 80 colorectal carcinoma patients with different prognosis were studied with a multivariant stepwise discriminant analysis on computer. The results showed that DNA index (DI), nucleocytoplasmic ratio (NCR), histologic grade and Dukes' stage were significant factors influencing the survival. With these factors, a 4-variable Fisher's discriminant function was established, which could correctly identify 81.25% and 83.75% of the predicted cases (Jacknife Procedure and Reclassification) Sensitivity of the two methods was 87.80%. The results indicate that the multivariant stepwise discriminant analysis on quantitative pathologic parameters combined with clinicopathologic parameters is of value in predicting prognosis of colorectal carcinoma patients.

LHRH and GTP-gamma-S modify calcium current activation in bullfrog sympathetic neurons

LHRH (chicken II luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone) partially reduces calcium currents and slows the activation kinetics of part of the remaining current in frog sympathetic neurons. The effects of LHRH are mimicked by intracellular dialysis with GTP-gamma-S. A strong depolarization can temporarily reverse the effects of LHRH or GTP-gamma-S: activation kinetics return to normal, and the amplitude of the current is increased (facilitation). Facilitation develops rapidly (tau = 4-6 ms at greater than +30 mV) and decays more slowly (t 1/2 = 60 ms at -80 mV). Tail currents in LHRH are smaller and faster than in the control, and these effects are partially reversed by facilitation. These results can be explained by a model in which a fraction of the channels is shifted into a "reluctant" gating mode, where opening requires stronger depolarization. If this mechanism is at the root of presynaptic inhibition, our results predict that inhibition of transmitter release would be overcome during bursts of high frequency activity.

Study of correlation of Se content in human hair and internal organs by INAA

The correlations of essential element Se between human hair and kidney-cortex, liver, and lung from the same subjects were investigated by instrumental neutron activation analysis, using the reaction 76Se (n, gamma) 77mSe, for 24 Chinese autopsies. The concentration of Se is higher in kidney-cortex (2.04-5.36 mg/kg) than in liver (0.73-2.29), lung (0.50-1.85), and hair (0.37-1.43). It is important to know that there are significant relationships of Se concentration between hair and the other three internal organs. The correlation coefficient by linear regression analysis are 0.639, 0.570, and 0.635 for liver, lung, and kidney-cortex, respectively; and the P values are all less than 0.01 for the three tissues.

Retinitis pigmentosa associated with glaucoma--clinical analysis

A clinical analysis of Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) was made in 2,789 eyes of 1,400 patients seen over a 5 year period (1983-1987), 64 eyes of 32 cases (2.3%) of RP associated with glaucoma were investigated. Of these 32 cases, the angle closure glaucoma was much more than the open angle glaucoma (30/2). More than half of the 32 cases were without cupping of disk, 5 cases did not have the glaucomatous damage to disk in spite of persistent elevated intraocular pressure for 0.5-5 yrs under the maximum medical therapy. 31 cases (97%) had subnormal blood pressure compared with the normal blood pressure value in different age groups. Histopathologic changes of the trabecular meshwork (TM) of 14 eyes showed a little bit more pigment cells in the TM than normal subjects, no typical features that would obstruct the outflow channels.

[Pancreatic glucagon receptor radioassay with liver cell plasma membrane in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats]

Pancreatic glucagon receptor radioassay has been developed with rat liver cell plasma membrane prepared with sucrose gradient centrifugation. 125I-glucagon was prepared in this laboratory and the separation of B/F was done by low speed centrifugation with addition of PEG (W/V, 20%) and normal human serum. The specific binding of 125I-glucagon was 25%-35% and nonspecific binding was less than 5%. Reproducibility within and between- assay was 6.83% and 8.40% (CV%), respectively. Binding characteristics of glucagon receptor of normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were determined by using two methods, receptor dilution and conventional competitive binding assay. The results showed that there were no marked differences concerning high and low binding affinities between normal and diabetic rats, but the concentration of binding sites for both high and low affinity receptors was significantly higher for diabetic rats than normal rats. The possible mechanisms for the above results have been discussed.

On-line high-performance liquid chromatography for the determination of cephalosporin C and by-products in complex fermentation broths

A fully automated high-performance liquid chromatographic system was developed for optimization of cephalosporin C production. Using a simple, isocratic, reversed-phase method, cephalosporin C, deacetylcephalosporin C, deacetoxycephalosporin C, penicillin N, methionine and its decomposition product 2-hydroxy-4-methylmercaptobutyric acid were determined. The method worked reliably for 250 h and supplied information on the influence of many parameters of the process.

Protective effect of danshen during myocardial ischemia and reperfusion: an isolated rat heart study

The effect of Danshen (Radix salviae miltiorrhizae) on mechanical activity and coronary flow rate of isolated rat hearts was examined to assess the ability of Danshen to protect the myocardium against the effects of ischemia and reperfusion. After 20 min of control perfusion, in the presence or absence of Danshen, the hearts were made totally ischemic for 30 min and then reperfused for 30 min. Danshen had a negative inotropic effect and caused an increase of coronary flow rate. During post-ischemic reperfusion recovery of left ventricular developed pressure in the Danshen-treated hearts was significantly better and contracture was significantly less than in the untreated hearts. The results indicate that Danshen protects the heart against some of the deleterious effects of ischemia and reperfusion.

Comparison of particulate 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine and 3,3'-diaminobenzidine as chromogenic substrates for immunoblot

In horseradish peroxidase (EC: 1.11.1.7)-dependent immunoblot assays, particulate 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) is shown to be a more efficient immunoblot substrate than the standard substrate 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB), because TMB is easily prepared, stable, and less carcinogenic than is DAB. Assays of antibody in a serially diluted human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) control serum (CDC reference CAT# VS2151) have the same sensitivity limits with both DAB and TMB (1:312,500). Complete, working substrate solutions of H2O2/TMB/enhancer and of H2O2/DAB were stored at room temperatures and at 48 degrees C respectively. Periodic tests showed the TMB substrate system to be functional after four weeks at 48 degrees C and after eight weeks at room temperature, while the DAB system was functional after one week at 48 degrees C and after four weeks at room temperature. The stability, safety, and convenience of the commercially available TMB kits make this substrate ideal for immunoblot tests.