The nitrogenase proteins of Rhizobium meliloti: purification and properties of the MoFe and Fe components

The alfalfa-Rhizobium meliloti symbiosis contributes a major portion of biologically fixed nitrogen to temperate zone forage crop production. Highly-purified molybdenum-iron (MoFe) and iron (Fe) nitrogenase components were obtained for the first time from extracts of R. meliloti bacteroids. Intact bacteroid cells were isolated anaerobically from 100 g quantities of alfalfa nodules following storage in liquid nitrogen. Centrifuged bacteroid extracts showed a marked reduction in specific activity when assayed at protein concentrations less than 1 mg/ml. Both nitrogenase proteins were resolved and purified to homogeneity as determined spectroscopically and by SDS-PAGE. The purified MoFe protein differed in several respects from previously characterized nitrogenase proteins. Saturation of the acetylene-reducing and proton-reducing activities of the R. meliloti MoFe protein required higher relative concentrations of Fe protein than nitrogenase proteins purified from free living diazotrophs. Electron allocation to dinitrogen reduction was sustained at component ratios similar to those present in bacteroid extracts, suggesting that while the observed saturation effects were not detrimental to physiological function in the symbiotic system, overall activity could be enhanced by higher levels of iron protein. Analyses of the MoFe protein gave 22 Fe, 22 labile sulfide and 1.7 Mo atoms per molecular unit of 215 kDa. Dithionite-reduced MoFe protein contained a spin 3/2 iron centre but had a lower visible absorbance at 360 nm than the equivalent Azotobacter chroococcum component. Amino-acid composition indicated a notably lesser tryptophan content, and cysteine content greater than that of the equivalent tetrameric protein of free living diazotrophs. Ratios of acidic and basic residues were similar to other MoFe proteins. Calculation of hydrophobicity and discriminant parameters gave values midway between those expected for soluble cytoplasmic proteins and peripheral membrane associated proteins. ADP was tightly bound by the dithionite-free MoFe protein containing reduced iron-molybdenum cofactor. The R. meliloti iron protein was found to be a 64 kDa homodimer containing a single 4Fe-4S metal centre.

Blood pressure and heart rate response to vasoactive agents in conscious diabetic rats

Blood pressure and heart rate responses to different vasoactive agents were observed in conscious streptozotocin-diabetic rats. An indwelling femoral artery catheter was used for direct measurement of arterial pressure and heart rate. The femoral vein was cannulated for drug administration. In a resting state diabetic rats showed lower heart rates and lower systolic blood pressure. The vasodepressor response to both acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside was decreased, while the heart rate increase induced by the baroreceptor reflex was not altered. Both the increase in blood pressure and the reflex bradycardia to norepinephrine were decreased in the diabetic group. When the change in heart rate was plotted against blood pressure in response to norepinephrine, there was no difference in the two groups of animals. The vasodepressor response to isoproterenol, hydralazine, and verapamil in diabetic rats was unchanged. The results demonstrate a decreased vascular responsiveness in diabetic rats to norepinephrine, acetylcholine, and nitroprusside. The diabetes-induced vascular system changes require further study to understand the mechanisms involved.

Tetracycline administration increases protein (presumably procollagen) synthesis and secretion in periodontal ligament fibroblasts of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Streptozotocin-induced, insulin-deficient diabetic adult rats were daily administrated either minocycline or a chemically-modified non-antimicrobial tetracycline (CMT) by oral gavage for a 3-week time period; untreated diabetic and non-diabetic rats served as controls. On day 21, all rats received an intravenous injection of 3H-proline followed by perfusion fixation with an aldehyde mixture at 20 minutes and 4 hours after isotope injection. The upper and lower mandibles of these rats were dissected and processed for quantitative electron microscopic autoradiography to study 3H-proline utilization by fibroblasts in the periodontal ligament (PDL) of molars. In the non-diabetic controls, at 20 min after 3H-proline injection, radioprecursor was incorporated by the Golgi-RER system of PDL fibroblasts. At the 4-h time period, most of the label was present over the collagen fibers around these cells. In contrast, PDL fibroblasts in the untreated diabetic rats showed marked abnormalities ultrastructurally and minimal uptake (20 min) and secretion (4 h) of labeled proline. At both time periods, in both minocycline- and CMT-treated diabetic rats, fibroblasts were structurally more normal and the radioprecursor was localized in the fibroblasts and the PDL matrix in a pattern similar to that seen in the control rats. These results suggest that the diabetes-induced structural abnormalities and suppression of synthesis and secretion of protein (presumably collagen and its precursor) by PDL fibroblasts can be restored to near-normal by administration of a tetracycline and that this effect is mediated by a non-antimicrobial property of this family of antibiotics.

Effect of seating force on film thickness of new adhesive luting agents

This study examined the effect of seating force on the film thickness of new adhesive luting agents. The method was in compliance with American National Standards/American Dental Association Specification No. 8 for zinc phosphate cement. The materials tested were zinc phosphate cement, glass ionomer cement, polycarboxylate cement, and a resinous cement with a dentinal bonding agent. All materials were manipulated exactly as described in the manufacturer's instructions, and an electronic gauge with an accuracy of 0.5 micron was used. Each class of material was measured 10 times at six different seating forces. Analysis of variance and multiple comparisons testing disclosed that the seating force and class of material strongly influenced the film thicknesses of luting agents. A mathematical model describing the response of zinc phosphate cement within the range tested was reported.

The effect of adhesive luting agent-dentinal surface interactions on film thickness

This study investigated the effect of luting agent-dentinal surface interactions on the film thicknesses of new adhesive luting agents. The method was in compliance with American National Standards Institution/American Dental Association (ADA) Specification No. 8 for zinc phosphate cement. In the control groups the luting agents were placed between two glass plates, as described in ADA Specification No. 8, but in the test groups the luting agents were positioned between a glass and a dentinal plate. The materials selected were zinc phosphate cement, glass ionomer cement, polycarboxylate cement, and a resinous cement with a dentinal bonding agent. A two-way analysis of variance was performed, and t tests were computed to compare glass with the dentinal plate within each material. Zinc phosphate and glass ionomer cements exhibited a significant decrease in film thickness when measured in contact with dentin, as compared with contact with the glass plate. However, polycarboxylate cement and the resinous cement with its dentin bonding agent showed a slight nonsignificant increase when contacting dentin, as compared with the glass plate. An explanation was offered and suggestions were made regarding future research.

Genetic engineering of a Lymantria dispar nuclear polyhedrosis virus for expression of foreign genes

A bacterial lacZ gene was inserted into an isolate of the Lymantria dispar nuclear polyhedrosis virus (LdMNPV). The transfer vector was constructed by site-directed mutagenesis of the translation start site of the LdMNPV polyhedrin gene, within the BglII E fragment of the viral genome. A multiple cloning sequence was inserted at this start site and used for the insertion of the lacZ gene into the transfer plasmid. Liposome transfection was used to cotransfect L. dispar tissue culture cells with viral DNA and the transfer plasmid. Recombinant LdMNPV isolates were purified by isolation of plaques producing beta-galactosidase but not polyhedra. Restriction enzyme fragment profiles were used to determine the site of the lacZ gene insertion, and DNA sequencing of the 5' and 3' ends of the lacZ gene insert and the adjoining polyhedrin promoter and coding regions was performed to identify its precise location. Expression of the lacZ gene was examined by studying virus-induced protein using [35S]methionine pulse-labelling, SDS-PAGE fractionation and autoradiography. Expression of beta-galactosidase was examined in tissue culture cells using colorimetric assays. The maximum rate of beta-galactosidase production was approximately 50 international units (IU)/10(6) tissue culture cells/day between 3 and 4 days post-infection (p.i), and the peak total expression was 158 IU/10(6) cells 5 days p.i. beta-Galactosidase activity was first detected 48 h p.i. in haemolymph samples from fourth instar L. dispar larvae injected with 10(6) p.f.u. of virus. The peak beta-galactosidase activity in larval haemolymph samples was 1931 IU/ml of haemolymph at 11 days p.i., just prior to death.

Nonconditional logistic regression analysis of risk factors in rheumatic heart disease

The prognostic risk factors in 4323 patients with rheumatic heart disease, admitted from 1970 to 1990, were analysed. The overall mortality was 31.75% in this group of patients. Single factor analysis indicated that cardiac functional classification, time of death, month of death, cardiothoracic ratio, valvular lesions, cardiogenic shock, digitalis-induced arrhythmias, intercurrent pneumonia, pleurorrhea, and hypotension were related to the overall mortality and cardiac death. Multiple factor logistic analysis indicated that for the overall mortality, the independent prognostic factors included presence of cardiac functional classification, cardiothoracic ratio and cardiogenic shock; for cardiac death, the independent factors included cardiac functional classification, cardiothoracic ratio, cardiogenic shock, digitalis-induced arrhythmias and valvular lesions. The data analysis showed that these five factors were contributory to rheumatic heart disease with synergism.

Film thickness of new adhesive luting agents

This study determined and compared the film thicknesses of new adhesive luting agents. The method was in compliance with American National Standards Institution/American Dental Association (ADA) Specification No. 8 for zinc phosphate cement. Each of the 20 materials tested was manipulated exactly as described in the manufacturers' instructions. An electronic gauge with an accuracy of 0.5 micron was recalibrated after each recording, and each luting agent was measured 10 times. The mean film thickness and standard deviation were calculated for each luting agent; an analysis of variance and a multiple comparison test were also performed. Nine materials satisfied the ADA type I specification for film thicknesses less than 25 microns, and these included a hydroxyapatite cement, glass ionomer cements, zinc phosphate cements, and polycarboxylate cements. Five other materials met the ADA type II specification for film thicknesses of less than 40 microns, and these included a glass ionomer cement, a resinous cement, a zinc phosphate cement, and glass ionomer-resinous hybrids. Six resinous cements recorded film thicknesses greater than 40 microns, and suggestions were made regarding future development and research.

Detection of human cytomegalovirus antigen and DNA in lymph nodes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy with dysproteinemia

The cause of angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy with dysproteinemia (AILD) remains unknown. It is characterized by acute onset, severe constitutional symptoms, cervical or generalized lymphadenopathy, lymphopenia, and polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia, all of which are highly suggestive of a viral origin. Using immunohistochemical methods, employing murine monoclonal antibody as the primary antibody, we detected human cytomegalovirus antigen in the lymph nodes of eight of 11 patients with AILD. Cytomegalovirus DNA was also detected in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells by DNA dot hybridization in all five of the patients with AILD who were tested using this technique. None of the lymph nodes from the 11 patients stained positive for the rubella virus antigen. Based on the above evidence and the similarity of the immunologic abnormalities found in both AILD and cytomegalovirus infection, the possible role of cytomegalovirus as one of the causative agents for AILD is proposed.

HPLC determination of a chemically modified nonantimicrobial tetracycline: biological implications

Chemically modified tetracycline (4-de-dimethylamino tetracycline), like commercially available tetracyclines, is known to inhibit experimentally induced pathologic collagen breakdown. A method for measurement of chemically modified tetracycline in small volumes (50 microliters) of rat serum was developed using reversed-phase HPLC; this was necessary because this tetracycline analog lacks antimicrobial activity and, therefore, cannot be measured with standard bioassays. This method uses the same solution for extraction and elution thus providing a simple and rapid assay for both drugs. Using this technique, the concentration of chemically modified tetracycline and tetracycline were determined in rat serum at different times after oral administration. The serum concentration of chemically modified tetracycline was much higher than that for tetracycline, and its serum half-life was greater. The IC50 of chemically modified tetracycline and tetracycline, as inhibitors of collagenase from rat polymorphonuclear leukocytes, was determined and found to be 4.1 x 10(-8) M (0.02 micrograms/ml) and 2.4 x 10(-4) M (120 micrograms/ml), respectively. Based on the serum levels of these drugs after oral administration, and their IC50 values, chemically modified tetracycline is potentially a far more potent inhibitor of excess collagenase activity than tetracycline, during pathologic conditions, and may have the added advantage of not producing some of the typical complications of long-term antibiotic therapy.

[A systematic study on comprehensive utilization of fibers of radix Ophiopogonis]

The components, toxicology, bioactivity and application of fibers of Radix Ophiopogonis (RO) were studied. The components of its fibers and roots are similar. In a clinical study with 100 aged patients, the aging syndromes were markedly improved. No side-effect was found.

Observation of the beat between two independent light sources by a method of time-delayed laser-induced double gratings

A novel method of time-delayed laser-induced double gratings has been proposed to study the beat between two independent light sources. Our experimental results indicate that we can obtain good interference patterns even when the coherence time of the laser source is only a few picoseconds. This new technique can be used to measure the frequency difference between two laser fields.

[A study on the development of vertebral column in reference to the gestational ages of fetuses]

The anteroposterior radiographs and ultrasound measurements of vertebral columns ranging from 12 to 33 weeks' gestation were studied. Two kinds of regressive equations were developed: one for estimating the length of cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions of vertebral column in accordance to gestational ages, and the other for estimating the gestational ages on the basis of the length of cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions of vertebral column. The normal values with confidence interval in accordance to the length of lumbar vertebral column for estimating the gestational ages were obtained. Also presented were the adjusted values of intercept between the data of ultrasound measurement and X-ray measurement. The ossification centers of neural arch appeared first in the upper cervical vertebrae, then they extended towards the lower vertebrae. Ossification centers for the vertebral centra appeared first in the lower thoracic/upper lumbar region and then extended to the lower and upper centra, respectively. Combining the length of lumbar vertebral column with the appearance time of the ossification centers of cervical vertebral centra, sacral vertebral centra and sacral neural arch, the authors set a standard for assessing the developmental condition of 12-23 weeks' fetuses.

Force-interval relationship and its response to ryanodine in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Post-quiescent potentiation (PQP), an enhanced contraction following a long pause that occurs as a result of increased Ca2+ release from intracellular stores, and post-stimulation potentiation (PSP), an enhanced contraction following a rapid series of contractions that is believed to be related to increased Ca2+ influx, were measured in streptozotocin-treated Wistar, spontaneously hypertensive (SHR), and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) diabetic heart tissues. Decreased PQP values were found in Wistar and SHR diabetic papillary muscles (PM) in comparison with the same strain controls, which suggests a diminished degree of releasable Ca2+ from sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in these tissues. Decreased PSP was found in SHR diabetic PM, which may be related primarily to a depressed sarcolemmal (SL) Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange in this tissue. PSP was not decreased in diabetic Wistar or WKY cardiac preparations, indicating that Ca2+ entry via channels must be involved in the PSP mechanism. Ryanodine depressed PQP in Wistar and SHR PM, and SHR left atria in both control and diabetic tissues. It abolished PQP and SHR diabetic tissues but had no effect on WKY control and diabetic tissues. The data suggest that the ryanodine effect differs in the various strains of rat. These differences may be due to differences in the SR sensitivity to ryanodine among the strains. Diabetic SR with impaired Ca2+ uptake may contribute to these phenomena. Ryanodine depressed PSP of Wistar and SHR diabetic PM but had no effects on tissues from controls. The influence of ryanodine on diabetic SL Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange requires further investigation.

Altered inotropic responses in diabetic cardiomyopathy and hypertensive-diabetic cardiomyopathy

To understand the mechanisms of diabetic cardiomyopathy and the consequences of combined hypertension and diabetes, cardiac tissue responses to various inotropic agents were measured in experimental diabetes. Streptozotocin was injected into Wistar rats, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKYs). Six weeks after the injection diabetic rats showed a subsensitivity to beta adrenergic stimulation in ventricular tissue and a supersensitivity and hyper-responsiveness to Ca++ and alpha adrenergic stimulation (except in WKYs) in ventricular tissues and left atria. A supersensitivity to BAY K 8644 in SHR left atria and a hyper-responsiveness to verapamil in ventricular strips were also noted. These alterations may be due to a change in receptor number or to postreceptor alterations. Diabetic SHRs exhibited greater changes in several of the drug responses (responses to isoproterenol, phenylephrine and BAK 8644) were more hyperlipidemic and had a high mortality as compared with Wistar rats and WKY diabetics. These findings confirm that the combination of hypertension and diabetes results in greater cardiac pathology than is seen with either disease alone.

[An investigation on the resources of medicinal fungi in Sichuan]

This paper reports the classification, distributional traits, new distribution, specific species of medicinal fungi, as well as the status of anticancer medications and edible and medicinal fungi in Sichuan. Rational suggestions have been made with regard to the cultivation, development and utilization of those important species with proven curative effect.

Rapid diagnosis of Campylobacter pylori infection by urea test paper

Antral biopsy specimens from 106 patients were examined by culture, Gram stain and silver stain for Campylobacter pylori. Biopsies were also examined by a urea test paper test (UTPT). Of 106 patients studied C. pylori was detected in 68 (64.2%) by Gram stain, silver stain and culture. The UTPT was positive in 63 (59.4%) specimens. Five had false negative results using the UTPT with no false positive subjects. Thus, UTPT has a sensitivity of 92.6% (63/68) and a specificity of 100%. Of the 63 specimens that were UTPT positive, 45 were positive within 1 min, 58 were positive within 5 min. The remainder became positive between 5 and 15 min. There was a negative correlation between the time required for positive UTPT and the number of C. pylori per pit as seen on silver stained sections (P less than 0.05). UTPT is a rapid and sensitive method for detecting C. pylori in gastric mucosa. This enables early therapy, if indicated, before discharge from hospital. Moreover, the urea test paper method is cheap and easily stored.