Haloperidol induces apoptosis via the sigma2 receptor system and Bcl-XS

Toxicity of the typical antipsychotic haloperidol (HAL) comprises an apoptotic component that we link to pro-apoptotic Bcl-XS in PC12 preneuronal and N2a neuroblastoma cells. The mitochondrial translocation of Bcl-XS and its interaction with the pore-forming voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) correlates with the redistribution of cytochrome c and the cleavage of Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Haloperidol-induced apoptosis is mediated by the sigma2 (sigma2) receptor system and does not involve the expected antagonism of the dopamine D(2) receptor, nor is it influenced by Vitamin E- or p53/Bax-mediated events. Pathological relevance is demonstrated by the cytotoxic synergism between HAL and the Alzheimer disease-related peptide beta-amyloid(1-40), which correlates with Bcl-XS expression and its interaction with VDAC, and with cytosolic cytochrome c translocation. These data provide for a unique apoptotic mechanism that could underscore the clinical risks associated with HAL, particularly following chronic regimens or in the elderly.

La paragonimose pleuropulmonaire

Paragonimiasis is a food borne zoonosis due to a trematode belonging to the genus Paragonimus. Although present throughout the world, about 90% of the cases occur in Asia where around 20 million people are infected. The parasitic cycle is complex with two different intermediate hosts. Man is infected by ingesting the raw or undercooked flesh of the second host - a freshwater crab or prawn - or possibly of a paratenic mammal host (wild boar), which contains the infective larval stage metacercariae that reaches the lung which is the main target organ. Epidemiological, pathological, and clinical aspects are reviewed. The main symptoms are protracted cough, and recurrent "benign" hemoptysis. Abnormal pleuro-pulmonary imaging features are constant, but protean and non-specific, leading to frequent confusion with tuberculosis. Diagnosis is easily achieved by ova search in the sputum or pleural fluid, or by serology. Evolution is usually considered benign, although not well known. Finally, praziquantel is the effective first choice treatment. Some paradoxical aspects of this disease are underlined such as: underdiagnosis despite a very simple diagnostic procedure, or opposite tendencies according to location, either extinction or re-emergence.

Validation of peptide mapping with electrospray mass spectrometry for recombinant proteins of biopharmaceutical interest and its applications as an identity test and a characterization tool

In this paper, the steps required to validate a liquid chromatography peptide mapping method with mass spectrometric detection (LC-MS) for use as an identity test and characterization tool are presented. All aspects of peptide mapping are evaluated and optimized, including protein sample preparation (protein reduction, alkylation and enzymatic digestion), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation of the resulting peptides, and the use of a mass spectrometric detection. In addition, the validation of a single quadruple MS detector is described and the implementation of on-line electrospray ionization MS (ESI-MS) as an adjunct detector to support the investigation of peak differences is presented. Applications of peptide mapping with tandem MS using an electrospray ion-trap instrument throughout the biopharmaceutical product development cycle are discussed, including assessing protein product heterogeneity derived from post-translational modifications (e.g. multiple N- or C-termini, deamidation, oxidation and glycosylation) and protein degradation.

Membrane bioreactors for water reclamation

Singapore has been using dual membrane technology (MF/UF RO) to produce high-grade water (NEWater) from secondary treated sewage. Membrane bioreactor (MBR) has very high potential and will lead to the further improvement of the productivity and quality of high-grade water. This study was focused on the technical feasibility of MBR system for water reclamation in Singapore, making a comparison between various membrane systems available and to get operational experience in terms of membrane cleaning and other issues. Three MBR plants were built at Bedok Water Reclamation Plant with a design flow of 300 m3/day each. They were commissioned in March 2003. Three different types of submerged membranes were tested. They are Membrane A, plate sheet membrane with pore size of 0.4 microm; Membrane B, hollow fibre membrane with pore size of 0.4 microm; and Membrane C, hollow fibre membrane with pore size of 0.035 microm. The permeate quality of all the three MBR Systems were found equivalent to or better than that of the conventional tertiary treatment by ultrafiltration. MBR permeate TOC was about 2 mg/l lower than UF permeate TOC. GC-MS, GC-ECD and HPLC scan results show that trace organic contaminants in MBR permeate and UF permeate were in the same range. MBR power consumption can be less than 1 kwh/m3. Gel layer or dynamic membrane generated on the submerged membrane surface played an important role for the lower MBR permeate TOC than the supernatant TOC in the membrane tank. Intensive chemical cleaning can temporarily remove this layer. During normal operation conditions, the formation of dynamic membrane may need one day to obtain the steady low TOC levels in MBR permeate.

Balanced ultrafiltration, modified ultrafiltration, and balanced ultrafiltration with modified ultrafiltration in pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass

This study evaluates the effect of balanced ultrafiltration, modified ultrafiltration, and balanced ultrafiltration with modified ultrafiltration on inflammatory mediators in children's open-heart surgery. Eighty children with congenital heart disease were randomly divided into four groups: control group (C group); balanced ultrafiltration group (BUF group); modified ultrafiltration group (MUF group); and balanced ultrafiltration with modified ultrafiltration group (B+M group). Clinical data of these groups were similar. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-8(IL-8), and E-selectin were measured at the beginning of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), 30 min later, at the cessation of CPB, at the cessation of MUF (MUF group and B+M group), and 2 hours postoperatively. During CPB, the concentrations of TNF, IL-8, and E-selectin increased significantly in C and MUF groups and did not change significantly in BUF and B+M groups. In the period of MUF, TNF and IL-8 increased; whereas, E-selectin did not change. The study shows that ultrafiltration can filter out the inflammatory mediators, but only BUF can decrease the concentrations of them. Moreover, MUF only can concentrate blood. Combining both techniques has both effects, but the effect of BUF was offset by MUF.

Effect of epidermal growth factor on preimplantation development and its receptor expression in porcine embryos

The present study aimed to determine the influence of exogenous epidermal growth factor (EGF) on in vitro preimplantation porcine embryo development and its mRNA expression for EGF receptor (EGFR). Oocytes were aspirated from abattoir ovaries, selected and cultured in defined, protein-free media for 44 hr before in vitro fertilization (IVF). Thirty-six hours after IVF, two-cell stage embryos were selected and treated or cultured until embryo treatment. In experiment 1, compact morulae were selected on day 4 after IVF and randomly allocated into 5 groups: NCSU 23 with PVA as group 1; NCSU 23 with PVA and 0.1 ng/ml, 1.0 ng/ml, 10.0 ng/ml EGF as group 2, 3, 4, respectively; NSCU 23 with 0.4% BSA as group 5. In experiment 2, treatment groups were the same as in experiment 1 except that 0.1% crystallized BSA was added to both washing media and all treatment groups instead of PVA. In experiments 3 and 4, two-cell stage embryos were treated and cultured in the same experimental design as experiments 1 and 2, respectively. RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of EGF receptor in compact morulae and blastocysts. The PCR products were subjected to direct DNA sequencing. There was no significant improvement in the development rate of embryos from compact morulae to blastocysts in the presence of various EGF concentrations (0.1, 1.0, 10.0 ng/ml) versus without EGF addition. They were all significantly lower than those embryos cultured in the continuous presence of 0.4% BSA. However, when a reduced concentration (0.1%) of crystallized BSA was added to all the treatment groups, a significantly lower rate of embryo development was observed in control media (NCSU23 with 0.1% crystallized BSA) compared with those developed in culture media with 0.4% BSA. With the addition of EGF at 10 ng/ml (with 0.1% BSA), embryo development rates were significantly improved over the control group (P < 0.05) and were as good as those rates in 0.4% BSA culture group. When embryos were selected and treated from the 2-cell stage, they did not develop to blastocyst stages after five more days' culture without any protein (BSA) or growth factor addition. When 0.1% BSA was included in the media, blastocyst formation rates were significantly improved by EGF addition at the concentration of both 1.0 or 10 ng/ml (P < 0.05) as compared to 0.0 or 0.1 ng/ml. EGFR mRNA was detected in both compact morulae and blastocyst stages of porcine embryos and confirmed by direct DNA sequencing. Our results indicate that IVM-IVF porcine embryo developmental rates could be improved by the addition of EGF in the culture media with the presence of a reduced amount of defined BSA (>97% albumin). However, EGF alone was not able to elicit any stimulatory effects on embryo development in the absence of protein supplementation. Further studies are needed to investigate the potential synergistic factors in embryo culture media to eventually define the porcine embryo culture media.

Characterization of glycans in a lactoferrin isoform, lactoferrin-a

The presence of glycan at Asn-281 in bovine lactoferrin-a, which has a higher molecular weight than regular lactoferrin-b, was found in our previous study. The present work was performed to clarify the structures of the glycans linked to the five N-glycosylation sites in lactoferrin-a and to compare them with those of glycans linked to lactoferrin-b. In lactoferrin-a, the glycans linked to Asn-233 and Asn-545 were of the high-mannose type, whereas those present at Asn-368 and Asn-476 were complex-type ones. These glycans possessed heterogeneous structures. A comparative study of the glycans on bovine lactoferrin-a and bovine lactoferrin-b by HPLC showed that the structures of the glycans linked to Asn-368, Asn-476, and Asn-545 were very similar, the exception being the glycan linked to Asn-233. In addition, analysis of the structure of the glycan bound to Asn-281 present only in lactoferrin-a showed it possessed the heterogeneous structure of a complex-type glycan in which the structures Man3GlcNAc2, Man3GlcNAc4, Man3GlcNAc4Fuc are suggested to be present based on HPLC retention times only.

Generation of two-color femtosecond pulses by self-synchronizing Ti:sapphire and Cr:forsterite lasers

We report a novel technique for the synchronization of two different femtosecond solid-state lasers by crossing of both laser pulses in a Kerr medium. Stable dual-wavelength femtosecond pulses at central wavelengths of 820 and 1250 nm have been obtained. The tolerance of cavity-length mismatch is ~0.6mum , where the pulse widths of the Ti:sapphire and the Cr:forsterite lasers are 18 and 40 fs, respectively, at average powers of 600 and 110 mW. The typical timing jitter derived from the cross correlation is less than 3 fs.

Characterization of a backbone cleavage product of BMS-196854 (Oncostatin M), a recombinant anti-inflammatory cytokine

PURPOSE

BMS-196843 (Oncostatin M) is a therapeutic recombinant protein in development. Scale-up process changes led to unexpected instability of the bulk drug substance solution during storage. A product with an apparent higher MW than the parent protein was observed by the size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). This study was aimed to fully characterize the product and to identify a solution to stabilize the protein.

METHODS

SEC, SDS-PAGE, tryptic mapping, and N-terminal sequencing were performed to characterize the unknown product. The effect of pH, temperature, bulk concentration, and immobilized trypsin inhibitor on the degradation rate was studied to elucidate the mechanism and to identify stabilization strategies.

RESULTS

Despite the apparent high MW indicated initially by SEC, the unknown was characterized to be a degradation product resulted from a backbone cleavage between residues Arg145-Gly146. The resulting fragments from the backbone cleavage were, however, still linked through an intramolecular disulfide bond. Thus, the final product had a more open structure with an increased hydrodynamic radius compared to the parent protein, which explains the initial SEC results. The site-specific backbone cleavage was suspected to be catalyzed by trypsin-like protease impurities in the bulk solution. The bulk drug substance solution was subsequently treated with immobilized soybean trypsin inhibitor, and the degradation rate was significantly reduced. Furthermore, increasing the solution pH from 5 to 8 led to an increase in the degradation rate, which was consistent with the expected pH dependency of trypsin activity. In addition, the effect of bulk concentration also supported the involvement of protease impurities rather than a spontaneous peptide bond hydrolysis reaction.

CONCLUSION

Trace trypsin-like protease impurities led to an unusual site-specific backbone cleavage of BMS-196854. The proteolytic degradation can be minimized by treating the bulk solution with immobilized soybean trypsin inhibitor and/or controlling the solution pH and storage temperature.

Signaling pathway for nitric oxide generation with simulated ischemia in flow-adapted endothelial cells

Ischemia in the intact ventilated lung (oxygenated ischemia) leads to endothelial generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO). This study investigated the signaling pathway for NO generation with oxygenated ischemia in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAEC) that were flow adapted in vitro. BPAECs were cultured in an artificial capillary system and subjected to abrupt cessation of flow (ischemia) under conditions where cellular oxygenation was maintained. Immunoblotting and dichlorofluorescein/triazolofluorescein fluorescence were used to assess extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation and ROS/NO generation, respectively. ERK1/2 phosphorylation significantly increased during ischemia, whereas total ERK1/2 did not change. ERK1/2 phosphorylation was suppressed by an inhibitor of tyrosine phosphorylation (genestein), cholesterol-binding reagents (filipin or cyclodextrin), or inhibitors of ROS (diphenyleneiodonium, N-acetylcysteine, or catalase), suggesting a role for both membrane cholesterol and ROS in ERK1/2 activation. Ischemia resulted in a 1.8-fold increase in NO generation that was suppressed by inhibitors of ERK1/2 activation (PD-98059 or U-0126). A calmodulin inhibitor (calmidizolium) or removal of Ca2+ from the medium also blocked NO generation, indicating that endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) is the activated isoform. These results indicate ischemia induces NO generation (possibly through a membrane cholesterol-sensitive flow sensor), the ERK1/2 cascade mediates signaling from the sensor to eNOS, and ROS are required for ERK activation.

Composition, characteristic and activity of rare earth element-bound polysaccharide from tea

The compositions and structural characteristics of rare earth elements-bound polysaccharides from tea (REE-TPS) were studied with the methods of Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), Gas Chromatography (GC) and Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. The results show that polysaccharide from tea (TPS) was a sort of glycoprotein and coordinated with Rare Earth Elements (REE) closely. The sugar fraction was composed of Rha, Ara, Xyl, Fuc, Glc, and Gal. There existed almost all natural amino acids with Glx, Asx, and Hyp as the major parts in the protein fraction. The REEs in REE-TPS were mainly composed of La, Ce, and Nd, especially, more than 75% of them was La. The coordination atom of the first coordination shell of La in REE-TPS was oxygen, the coordination number of which was 6, and the average distance between the atoms was 2.52 A. The second shell was formed from sulfur atoms, the coordination number and the average distance were 3 and 2.91 A, respectively. The bio-experiments show that REE-TPS could decrease the content of blood glucose in mice significantly.

Branched nanowire based guanine rich oligonucleotides

Self-assembly and aggregation of guanine rich sequences can provide useful insights into DNA nanotechnology and telomeric structure and function. In this paper, we designed a guanine rich sequence d(GGCGTTTTGCGG). We found that it can form stable structure in appropriate condition and it exhibits an anomalous CD spectra. This structures can be imaged in ambient environment with a Nanoscope III AFM (Digital Instruments). We found it forms branch structure and long multistrand DNA nanowire after incubation at 37 degrees C for 6-12 hours in 25 mM TE (pH=8.0) + 5 mM Mg2+ + 50 mM K+. The ability to self-assemble into branches and long wires not only clearly demonstrate its potential as scaffold structures for nanotechnology, but also give aids to understand telomeric structure further. We have proposed a model to explain how these structures formed.

Convection compensated electrophoretic NMR

A novel method of convection compensated ENMR (CC-ENMR) has been developed to detect electrophoretic motion of ionic species in the presence of bulk solution convection. This was accomplished using a gradient moment nulling technique to remove spectral artifacts from heat-induced convection and using the polarity switch of the applied electric field to retain spin phase modulations due to electrophoretic flow. Experiments were carried out with a mixture of 100 mM L-aspartic acid and 100 mM 4,9-dioxa-1,12-dodecanediamine to demonstrate this new method of ENMR. CC-ENMR enhances our previously developed capillary array ENMR (CA-ENMR) in solving the convection problem. The combined CA- and CC-ENMR approach strengthens the potential of multidimensional ENMR in simultaneous structural determination of coexisting proteins and protein conformations in biological buffer solutions of high ionic strength. Structural mapping of interacting proteins during biochemical reactions becomes possible in the future using ENMR techniques, which may have a profound impact on the understanding of biological events, including protein folding, genetic control, and signal transduction in general.

Design and evaluation of a two-layer floating tablet for gastric retention using cisapride as a model drug

A new kind of two-layer floating tablet for gastric retention (TFTGR) with cisapride as a model drug was developed. The in vitro drug release was determined, and the resultant buoyancy and the time-buoyancy curve were plotted. Because of the sodium bicarbonate added to the floating layer, when immersed in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) the tablet expands and rises to the surface, where the drug is gradually released. The in vitro drug release of this kind of two-layer dosage was controlled by the amount of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) in the drug-loading layer. Generally, the more HPMC, the slower the drug releases. Because cisapride has greater solubility in SGF than simulated intestinal fluid (SIF), its in vitro drug dissolution in SGF is faster than in SIF. One of the distinguishing characteristics of this kind of tablet is the separate regulation of buoyancy and drug release. The idea developed in this experiment can be used as a general modelfor the design of other tablets for gastric retention.

Comparison between visual and passive acoustic detection of finless porpoises in the Yangtze River, China

Recently, sonar signals and other sounds produced by cetaceans have been used for acoustic detection of individuals and groups in the wild. However, the detection probability ascertained by concomitant visual survey has not been demonstrated extensively. The finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides) have narrow band and high-frequency sonar signals, which are distinctive from background noises. Underwater sound monitoring with hydrophones (B&K8103) placed along the sides of a research vessel, concurrent with visual observations was conducted in the Yangtze River from Wuhan to Poyang Lake in 1998 in China. The peak to peak detection threshold was set at 133 dB re 1 ,EPa. With this threshold level, porpoises could be detected reliably within 300 m of the hydrophone. In a total of 774-km cruise, 588 finless porpoises were sighted by visual observation and 44 ,864 ultrasonic pulses were recorded by the acoustical observation system. The acoustic monitoring system could detect the presence of the finless porpoises 82% of the time. A false alarm in the system occurred with a frequency of 0.9%. The high-frequency acoustical observation is suggested as an effective method for field surveys of small cetaceans, which produce high-frequency sonar signals.

Determination of double decker sandwich structured La-substituted chlorophyll a by EXAFS

As a representative natural porphyrin derivative, it is interesting to know the chemical form of lanthanide in chlorophyll a. We select the natural fern dicranopteris dichotoma, the most lanthanide-concentrated plant known, to isolate the chlorophyll a for our study. It is found by EXAFS that lanthanum substitutes in the magnesium position in chlorophyll and coordinates with the porphyrin ring. The lanthanum is seen to have a similar coordination structure to a sandwich-type lanthanide complex, with the La surrounded by eight nitrogen atoms from two porphyrin rings with average La-N bond length of 2.65 A.

Hepatocellular carcinoma and aflatoxin exposure in Zhuqing Village, Fusui County, People's Republic of China

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common cause of cancer morbidity and mortality in Asia and Africa. Epidemiological studies have found that dietary exposure to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and chronic infection with hepatitis B virus are two major risk factors for HCC. We have collated the incidence and mortality data of malignant tumors from 1973 to 1999 in Zhuqing Village, Fusui County, an area with very high HCC rates, and found that this cancer accounted for 64% of the total cancer incidence. Dietary intake of AFB1 was monitored for 1 week in a study group consisting of 15 males and 14 females from different households in this village. Four of 29 participants (13.8%) and 3 of 15 (20%) male participants were hepatitis B virus surface antigen positive. AFB1 was detectable in 76.7% (23 of 30) of ground corn samples (range, 0.4-128.1 ppb), 66.7% (20 of 30) of cooking peanut oil samples (range, 0.1-52.5 ppb), and 23.3% (7 of 30) of rice samples (range, 0.3-2.0 ppb) collected from each household. Mean levels of serum AFB1-albumin adducts in this group were 1.24 +/- 0.31 pmol/mg of albumin at the beginning of the study and 1.21 +/- 0.19 pmol/mg of albumin at the end of the period. Urinary AFB1 metabolites were detectable in 88.9% (24 of 27) samples (range, 0.9-3569.7 ng/24-h urine). These data provide the exposure and disease risk information for establishing intervention studies to diminish the impact of aflatoxin exposure in this high-risk population.

Newly discovered functions for some myotropic neuropeptides in locusts

The field of neuropeptide research in insects during the past twenty years can be characterized by the enormous number of peptides that have been identified. In the locusts, Locusta migratoria and Schistocerca gregaria only, structural information is now available for more than 60 peptides. Quite a number of these peptides were isolated on the basis of their effect on visceral muscle contraction in vitro. A very limited number of reports describe the 'in vivo' function of a myotropic neuropeptide. Moreover, for most of the brain neuropeptides, we ignore whether they have a hormonal function. In this paper, we describe the recently discovered in vivo effects of some of the myotropic peptides, identified in locusts in the past decade. Schistocerca-neuropeptide F accelerates egg development; locustasulfakinin inhibits food intake and [His(7)]-corazonin induces body color pigmentation.

Rare earth elements in naturally grown fern Dicranopteris linearis in relation to their variation in soils in south-Jiangxi region (southern China)

Ferns (Dicranopteris linearis) and soils, sampled from four rare earth mining areas and one non-mining area locating in South-Jiangxi region, were chosen for analysis of 15 rare earth elements (REEs) by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The fern samples were divided into 4 parts: root, stem, petiole, and lamina. The soils of the same sites were also sampled, and 4 soil layers were observed at the profile: A (0-20 cm depth), B (20-150 cm depth), C (150-400 cm depth), and D (rock). The distribution patterns and transportation characteristics of REEs of different soil layers and of different parts of D. linearis were studied. The results showed that in the soil layers, the sigma REE (the sum of the concentrations of 15 REEs) of A layer, as well as B layer were lower than that of C layer, but Ce was relatively concentrated in A layer. The sigma REE of different parts of D. linearis were lamina, root > stem > petiole. The REE distribution patterns of D. linearis root were similar to the total REE distribution patterns of the A layer of their host soils, especially to the soluble REE distribution patterns of the A layer of their host soils. The REEs were fractionated in their transportation in D. linearis. The abundances of heavy rare earth elements (HREEs, Gd to Lu and Y) in the stem, petiole, lamina are lower than those in the root.

Regulation of hrp genes and type III protein secretion in Erwinia amylovora by HrpX/HrpY, a novel two-component system, and HrpS

Two novel regulatory components, hrpX and hrpY, of the hrp system of Erwinia amylovora were identified. The hrpXY operon is expressed in rich media, but its transcription is increased threefold by low pH, nutrient, and temperature levels--conditions that mimic the plant apoplast. hrpXY is autoregulated and directs the expression of hrpL; hrpL, in turn, activates transcription of other loci in the hrp gene cluster (Z.-M. Wei and S. V. Beer, J. Bacteriol. 177:6201-6210, 1995). The deduced amino -acid sequences of hrpX and hrpY are similar to bacterial two-component regulators including VsrA/VsrD of Pseudomonas (Ralstonia) solanacearum, DegS/DegU of Bacillus subtilis, and UhpB/UhpA and NarX/NarP, NarL of Escherichia coli. The N-terminal signal-input domain of HrpX contains PAS domain repeats. hrpS, located downstream of hrpXY, encodes a protein with homology to WtsA (HrpS) of Erwinia (Pantoea) stewartii, HrpR and HrpS of Pseudomonas syringae, and other delta54-dependent, enhancer-binding proteins. Transcription of hrpS also is induced under conditions that mimic the plant apoplast. However, hrpS is not autoregulated, and its expression is not affected by hrpXY. When hrpS or hrpL were provided on multicopy plasmids, both hrpX and hrpY mutants recovered the ability to elicit the hypersensitive reaction in tobacco. This confirms that hrpS and hrpL are not epistatic to hrpXY. A model of the regulatory cascades leading to the induction of the E. amylovora type III system is proposed.

Separation of lactoferrin-a and -b from bovine colostrum

Bovine lactoferrin was separated into lactoferrin-a and lactoferrin-b from bovine colostrum. Lactoferrin-a was eluted at 0.38 M NaCl and lactoferrin-b was eluted at 0.43 M NaCl by carboxymethyl cation-exchange chromatography at pH 7.7, 0.05 M phosphate buffer. The molecular weights were estimated at 84,000 for lactoferrin-a and 80,000 for lactoferrin-b. Lactoferrin-a contents were 258.0 mg/L and lactoferrin-b contents were 524.3 mg/L of colostrum for cow 19. From colostrum to normal milk, total lactoferrin was from 17.1 to 129.4 mg/L during the normal lactational period; however, lactoferrin did not separate clearly into lactoferrin-a and lactoferrin-b. The lactoferrin-a measured from six cows was 258.0, 114.0, 112.8, 64.0, 59.7, and 22.4 mg/ L and the lactoferrin-b 524.3, 331.8, 184.7, 170.7, 129.3, and 44.0 mg/L, respectively. The average was 105.2 mg (31.3%) for lactoferrin-a and 230.8 mg (68.7%) for lactoferrin-b.

Sulfakinins reduce food intake in the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria

In vertebrates, the peptides cholecystokinin (CCK), neuropeptide Y, galanin, and bombesin are known to be involved in the control of food intake. We report here that insect sulfakinins, peptides which display substantial sequence similarities with the vertebrate gastrin/CCK peptide family, significantly inhibit food uptake in fifth instar nymphs of the locust, Schistocerca gregaria. Upon injection of Lom-sulfakinin, a neuropeptide present in the corpus cardiacum of locusts, food intake was significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner within a fixed 20 min time period. The induced effect ranged from 13% inhibition (10 pmol of injected peptide) to over 50% inhibition at 1 nmol. Other naturally occurring sulfakinins from different insect species also elicited this satiety effect. Analogous to the satiety effect of CCK in vertebrates, the sulfate group is required for activity. No effect on the palptip resistance was found after injection with sulfakinin. Therefore it seems unlikly that sulfakinins reduce food intake by decreasing the sensitivity of the taste receptors.

[A study on the preservation of rat kidney with HX-III solution]

This study was conducted to compare the effects of HX-III solution and UW solution on rat kidney transplantation. Inbred Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200-280 g, were used in allotransplantation. The donors and recipients were of the same sex. The rats were randomly divided into control (UW solution) and experimental (HX-III solution) groups, and each group included 48- and 72-hour preservation subgroups. There were ten rats in each subgroup. Kidneys were flushed with UW solution or HX-III solution and stored at 4 degrees C for 48 or 72 hours. Then, kidney allotransplantations were performed. The results showed that the rates of survival were 100% and 90% in UW group for 48- and 72-hour cold storage, but those in HX-III were 100% and 60%, respectively. With 48-hour preservation, the maximum serum creatinine levels in UW group were similar to those in HX-III group (P > 0.05). With 72-hour preservation, the maximum serum creatinine levels in UW group were lower than those in HX-III group (P < 0.05). On the 14th day posttransplantation, the histological findings on Kidneys in the two groups for 48-hour cold storage were almost the same, but the grafted kidneys in HX-III group were damaged more seriously than those in UW group for 72 hour cold storage. On the 28th day posttransplantation, the histological findings on the grafted kidneys were basically normal in all groups. The authors concluded that HX-III solution could preserve rat kidney for 48 hours effectively.

[Effect of antisense oligonucleotides on the TXA2 production of macrophages stimulated by endotoxin]

OBJECTIVE

To select efficient fragments which can inhibit gene expression of thromboxane synthase and production of thromboxane A2.

METHODS

Rat peritoneal macrophages were incubated with oligonucleotides (ODNs) and endotoxin (which was composed of lipopolysaccharide) for 24 hours. The TXB2 content was determined by RIA. Thromboxane synthase (TXS) mRNA expression was measured with RNA dot hybridization.

RESULTS

The concentration of TXB2 in ODN I group was (69.7 +/- 10.9) pg/microgram cell protein, lower than those in control group (100.6 +/- 28.6) pg/microgram cell protein (P < 0.05, n = 4), TXS mRNA expression level in ODN I group was decreased as compared to those in control group. Neither in ODN II nor in ODN III group were there any changes on TXB2 contents and TXS mRNA levels.

CONCLUSIONS

ODN I can inhibit the production of TXA2 and the gene expression of thromboxane synthase from macrophages stimulated by endotoxin.

Intratumoral injection with [(188)Re]rhenium sulfide suspension for treatment of transplanted human liver carcinoma in nude mice

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies in China. Direct intratumoral injection of nonremovable radioactive material has been widely studied because it could deliver high doses of radiation to target sites and minimize radiation leakage to non-target organs or tissues. Thirty nude mice bearing SMMC 7721 human liver carcinoma were used for the biodistribution study after intratumoral injection of [(188)Re]rhenium sulfide suspension or sodium [(188)Re]perrhenate solution. Another 30 tumor-bearing mice were divided into six groups, four groups of which were treated with a 0.1 ml [(188)Re]rhenium sulfide suspension at doses of 3.7, 7.4, 18.5, 29.6 MBq by a single intratumoral injection. For control studies, to study the tumor inhibiting ratio, the remaining two groups were injected with nonradioactive rhenium sulfide suspension and Hanks' balanced salt solution, respectively. The injections were repeated 6 days later. The retention percentages of radioactivity (%ID) in tumors injected with [(188)Re]rhenium sulfide suspension were 90.96+/-6.63%, 86.09+/-22.58% and 87.62+/-13.97% at 1, 24 and 48 h, respectively. Tumor inhibition ratios are as high as 89% when the outer space of tumor (0.5-0.6 cm from center) received about 507.6 Gy doses. Intratumoral injection of [(188)Re]rhenium sulfide suspension results in high tumor retention indicating this approach has strong potential for the treatment of hepatic carcinoma.

Pycnogenol inhibits tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced nuclear factor kappa B activation and adhesion molecule expression in human vascular endothelial cells

The transcriptional regulatory protein nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) participates in the control of gene expression of many modulators of inflammatory and immune responses, including vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). The heightened expression of these adhesion molecules has been reported to play a critical role in atherosclerosis, inflammation, ischemic vascular disorders, diabetes, and cancer metastasis. In the present study, we investigated the effect of pycnogenol, an antioxidant phytochemical, on the activation of NF-kappa B and the induction of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Gel-shift analysis of HUVEC demonstrated that pretreatment with pycnogenol exhibited a concentration-dependent suppression of TNF-alpha-induced activation of NF-kappa B. Induction of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 surface expression by TNF-alpha was dose-dependently reduced by pycnogenol. TNF-alpha significantly increased the release of superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide from HUVECs. Pycnogenol dose-dependently inhibited their release. The ability of pycnogenol to inhibit NF-kappa B activation and VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression suggests that this phytochemical may play an important role in halting or preventing the atherogenic process.

Presence of a glycan at a potential N-glycosylation site, Asn-281, of bovine lactoferrin

This work was performed to clarify the differences in glycan moieties between multiple molecular mass forms of bovine lactoferrins (bovine lactoferrins-a and -b). After digestion of both bovine lactoferrins with cyanogen bromide and V8 protease, glycopeptides were successively purified by concavalin A affinity chromatography and HPLC on an octadecylsilyl column. Four glycopeptides glycosylated at Asn-233, -368, -476, and -545 were obtained from both hydrolysates of bovine lactoferrins-a and -b. On the other hand, a glycopeptide glycosylated at Asn-281 was only detected in hydrolysate of bovine lactoferrin-a, indicating that bovine lactoferrin-a possessed five N-glycosylated sites. The glycan linked to Asn-281 of bovine lactoferrin-a was found to consist of fucose, galactose, and N-acetylgalactosamine in addition to mannose and N-acetylglucosamine. HPLC analysis of this glycan on a normal phase column showed that peaks of several glycans were detected. These glycans changed to one major glycan consisting of only mannose and N-acetylglucosamine on exoglycosidase digestion. From these results, this glycan seemed to be of the complex type and possess heterogeneous structure.

[Association of microtubule promoting and binding activity of tau with its phosphorylation sites]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the association between the abnormal phosphorylation sites found in Alzheimer disease (AD) tau and the inhibition of its biological activity.

METHODS

Ultracentrifugation, chromatography, manual Edman degradation and autosequence techniques were used to prepare and phosphorylate human recombinant tau, isolate and purify 32P tau peptides and determine phosphorylation sites.

RESULTS

(1) Phosphorylation of tau by casein kinase-1 (CK-1), cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and glycogen synthetase kinase-3 (GSK-3) differentially inhibited its biological activity, and the inhibition of this activity of tau by GSK-3 was significantly increased if tau was prephosphorylated by CK-1 or PKA. The most potent inhibition was seen by a combined phosphorylation of tau with PKA and GSK-3. (2) The treatment of tau by PKA and GSK-3 combination induced phosphorylation of tau at Ser-195, Ser-198, Ser-199, Ser-202, Thr-205, Thr-231, Ser-235, Ser-262, Ser-356, Ser-404, whereas only Thr-181, Ser-184, Ser-262, Ser-356 and Ser-400 were phosphorylated by GSK-3 alone under the same conditions. Among the above-mentioned phosphorylation sites, Ser-198, Ser-199, Ser-202, Thr-205, Thr-231, Ser-235, Ser-262, Ser-400 and Ser-404 were seen in Alzheimer tau. The phosphorylation of Ser-262 only slightly inhibited its biological activity, and Ser-198, Ser-199, Ser-202, Thr-231, Ser-235, Ser-400 and Ser-404 also presented in fetal tau which was highly active, suggesting that Thr-205 was the unique site which both caused the potent inhibition of biological activity and specifically presented in AD abnormally phosphorylated tau.

CONCLUSIONS

Phosphorylation of Thr-205 might play a key role in tau pathology in AD.

Regulation of the biosynthesis of N-acetylglucosaminylpyrophosphoryldolichol, feedback and product inhibition

The assembly of the core oligosaccharide region of asparagine-linked glycoproteins proceeds by means of the dolichol pathway. The first step of this pathway, the reaction of dolichol phosphate with UDP-GlcNAc to form N-acetylglucosaminylpyrophosphoryldolichol (GlcNAc-P-P-dolichol), is under investigation as a possible site of metabolic regulation. This report describes feedback inhibition of this reaction by the second intermediate of the pathway, N-acetylglucosaminyl-N-acetylglucosaminylpyrophosphoryldolichol (GlcNAc-GlcNAc-P-P-dolichol), and product inhibition by GlcNAc-P-P-dolichol itself. These influences were revealed when the reactions were carried out in the presence of showdomycin, a nucleoside antibiotic, present at concentrations that block the de novo formation of GlcNAc-GlcNAc-P-P-dolichol but not that of GlcNAc-P-P-dolichol. The apparent K(i) values for GlcNAc-P-P-dolichol and GlcNAc-GlcNAc-P-P-dolichol under basal conditions were 4.4 and 2.8 microM, respectively. Inhibition was also observed under conditions where mannosyl-P-dolichol (Man-P-dol) stimulated the biosynthesis of GlcNAc-P-P-dolichol; the apparent K(i) values for GlcNAc-P-P-dolichol and GlcNAc-GlcNAc-P-P-dolichol were 2.2 and 11 microM, respectively. Kinetic analysis of the types of inhibition indicated competitive inhibition by GlcNAc-P-P-dolichol toward the substrate UDP-GlcNAc and non-competitive inhibition toward dolichol phosphate. Inhibition by GlcNAc-GlcNAc-P-P-dolichol was uncompetitive toward UDP-GlcNAc and competitive toward dolichol phosphate. A model is presented for the kinetic mechanism of the synthesis of GlcNAc-P-P-dolichol. GlcNAc-P-P-dolichol also exerts a stimulatory effect on the biosynthesis of Man-P-dol, i.e. a reciprocal relationship to that previously observed between these two intermediates of the dolichol pathway. This network of inhibitory and stimulatory influences may be aspects of metabolic control of the pathway and thus of glycoprotein biosynthesis in general.

Ginkgo biloba inhibits hydrogen peroxide-induced activation of nuclear factor kappa B in vascular endothelial cells

The present study determined the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) on the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) and the level of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAEC). H2O2 showed a concentration-dependent activation of NF-kappaB. GBE demonstrated a concentration-dependent suppression of NF-kappaB activated by H2O2. GBE directly scavenged H2O2 in a cell-free system; it also decreased H2O2 levels in PAEC. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of GBE on H2O2-induced NF-kappaB activation may be caused by its scavenging and suppression of H2O2. Our experiments demonstrate that GBE can inhibit NF-kappaB activation induced by H2O2 and may thus be effective for the prevention or treatment of atherosclerosis and other disorders related to NF-kappaB activation.

Simulated ischemia in flow-adapted endothelial cells leads to generation of reactive oxygen species and cell signaling

We have previously shown that increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation occurs with ischemia in the oxygenated lung and have hypothesized that mechanotransduction is the initiating event. In the present study, we developed an in vitro model of oxygenated ischemia by interrupting medium flow to flow-adapted bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells in an artificial capillary system. Cellular oxygenation during the "ischemic" period was maintained by perfusing medium over the abluminal surface of porous capillaries. Cells were assessed for ROS generation, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) binding activities, and DNA synthesis using dichlorofluorescein fluorescence by flow cytometry and spectrofluorometry, electrophoretic mobility shift assay of nuclear extracts with NF-kappaB-specific or AP-1-specific (32)P-labeled oligonucleotides, and (3)H-thymidine incorporation into DNA. Cells that were flow adapted for 2 to 7 days with 1 to 2 dyne/cm(2) shear stress exhibited a 1.6- to 1.9-fold increase in ROS generation during 1 hour of simulated ischemia compared with continuously perfused cells. This effect was abolished by diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI), indicating a role for a flavoprotein such as NADPH oxidase. The increase in ROS generation with ischemia was similar for cells from low and high passages. With ischemia, flow-adapted cells exhibited increases of 1.7-fold in nuclear NF-kappaB and 1.5-fold in nuclear AP-1; these changes were abolished by pretreatment with N-acetylcysteine or DPI. Ischemia for 24 hours resulted in a 1.8-fold increase of (3)H-thymidine incorporation into DNA and a significant increase of cells entering the cell cycle, as indicated by flow cytometry with propidium iodide. We conclude that flow-adapted endothelial cells generate ROS with ischemia that results in activation of NF-kappaB and AP-1 and an increase of DNA synthesis. This effect is not mediated by hypoxia, implicating a role for mechanotransduction in ischemia-mediated cell signaling.

[Forecasting octane numbers of gasoline by NIR spectroscopy and the manufacture of octane number analyzer]

The predictive model of octane numbers, of gasoline was developed by using MLR and PLS method of chemometrics. It is applicable to forecast the MON, RON and PON of gasoline of catalytic cracking, catalytic reforming, alkylating as well as blended products. A near infrared optical multichannel analyzer (NIR-OMA) and a software package of octane number were developed. Combining both mentioned above a NIR-OM octane number analyzer was developed. With this NIR-OMONA one can obtain the MON, RON and PON (antiknock index) data in less than 1/2 minute with an accuracy of 0.6 ON unit and a precision of 0.1 ON unit by using 3-15 mL gasoline sample.

Vitamin E regulates mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide generation

The mitochondrial electron transport system consumes more than 85% of all oxygen used by the cells, and up to 5% of the oxygen consumed by mitochondria is converted to superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and other reactive oxygen species (ROS) under normal physiologic conditions. Disruption of mitochondrial ultrastructure is one of the earliest pathologic events during vitamin E depletion. The present studies were undertaken to test whether a direct link exists between vitamin E and the production of hydrogen peroxide in the mitochondria. In the first experiment, mice were fed a vitamin E-deficient or-sufficient diet for 15 weeks, after which the mitochondria from liver and skeletal muscle were isolated to determine the rates of hydrogen peroxide production. Deprivation of vitamin E resulted in an approximately 5-fold increase of mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide production in skeletal muscle and a 1-fold increase in liver when compared with the vitamin E-supplemented group. To determine whether vitamin E can dose-dependently influence the production of hydrogen peroxide, four groups of male and female rats were fed diets containing 0, 20, 200, or 2000 lU/kg vitamin E for 90 d. Results showed that dietary vitamin E dose-dependently attenuated hydrogen peroxide production in mitochondria isolated from liver and skeletal muscle of male and female rats. Female rats, however, were more profoundly affected by dietary vitamin E than male rats in the suppression of mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide production in both organs studied. These results showed that vitamin E can directly regulate hydrogen peroxide production in mitochondria and suggest that the overproduction of mitochondrial ROS is the first event leading to the tissue damage observed in vitamin E-deficiency syndromes. Data further suggested that by regulating mitochondrial production of ROS, vitamin E modulates the expression and activation of signal transduction pathways and other redox-sensitive biologic modifiers, and thereby delays or prevents degenerative tissue changes.

[Analysis of products of thymine irradiated by heavy ion beam with capillary gas chromatography]

In this study some chromatographic methods with capillary column, such as GC, GC-MS, GC-FTIR, were used to analyze the products of thymine irradiated by 18O8+ ion beam in N2O saturated aqueous solution. Because of the complexity and small amounts of the products after irradiation by heavy ion beams, it is very difficult to separate them, while with the methods of capillary gas chromatography this problem can be overcome. From the results of GC-MS analysis we can determine the molecular weight of the product, and from the results of GC-FTIR analysis we can get structure information of the product. By this way the products such as 5,6-dihydrothymine, 5-hydroxyl-5-methylhydantoin, 5-hydroxyl-6-hydrothymine, 5-hydro-6-hydroxylthymine, 5-hydroxymethyluracil, trans-thymine glycol, cis-thymine glycol and dimers were determined. Though these products are the same as those from thymine irradiated by gamma ray in N2O saturated aqueous solution, the mechanism of heavy ion beam interact ion with thymine aqueous solution is different from that of gamma ray. The main products from thymine irradiated by 18O8+ ion beam in N2O saturated aqueous solution are formed by hydroxyl additions between 5-6 band of thymine, while those by gamma ray are dimers of thymine.

Spatially regulated SpEts4 transcription factor activity along the sea urchin embryo animal-vegetal axis

Because the transcription of the SpHE gene is regulated cell-autonomously and asymmetrically along the maternally determined animal-vegetal axis of the very early sea urchin embryo, its regulators provide an excellent entry point for investigating the mechanism(s) that establishes this initial polarity. Previous studies support a model in which spatial regulation of SpHE transcription relies on multiple nonvegetal positive transcription factor activities (Wei, Z., Angerer, L. M. and Angerer, R. C. (1997) Dev. Biol. 187, 71–78) and a yeast one-hybrid screen has identified one, SpEts4, which binds with high specificity to a cis element in the SpHE regulatory region and confers positive activation of SpHE promoter transgenes (Wei, Z., Angerer, R. C. and Angerer, L. M. (1999) Mol. Cell. Biol. 19, 1271–1278). Here we demonstrate that SpEts4 can bind to the regulatory region of the endogenous SpHE gene because a dominant repressor, created by fusing SpEts4 DNA binding and Drosophila engrailed repression domains, suppresses its transcription. The pattern of expression of the SpEts4 gene is consistent with a role in regulating SpHE transcription in the nonvegetal region of the embryo during late cleavage/early blastula stages. Although maternal transcripts are uniformly distributed in the egg and early cleaving embryo, they rapidly turn over and are replaced by zygotic transcripts that accumulate in a pattern congruent with SpHE transcription. In addition, in vivo functional tests show that the SpEts4 cis element confers nonvegetal transcription of a beta-galactosidase reporter gene containing the SpHE basal promoter, and provide strong evidence that the activity of this transcription factor is an integral component of the nonvegetal transcriptional regulatory apparatus, which is proximal to, or part of, the mechanism that establishes the animal-vegetal axis of the sea urchin embryo.

[Analysis of the relationship between the facial skin temperature and blood flow]

The relationship between the blood flow of temperal or facial artery and facial skin temperature was studied in 30 patients with facial nerve paralysis. The facial skin temperature was recorded by infrared thermography, and the blood flow was measured by ultrasonic Doppler flowetry. The results showed, in the same facial region, the greater the volume of blood flow was, the higher the skin temperature stood. After acupuncture on the facial points, the facial blood flow increased and the facial skin temperature rose. The ratios between the increase in facial skin temperature and the in increase in blood flow were 0.9538-1.2835(degrees:ml/second) in four facial regions. These indicate the presence of certain quantitative relationship between the facial blood flow and the skin temperature.

Identification of a new sea urchin ets protein, SpEts4, by yeast one-hybrid screening with the hatching enzyme promoter

We report the use of a yeast one-hybrid system to isolate a transcriptional regulator of the sea urchin embryo hatching enzyme gene, SpHE. This gene is asymmetrically expressed along the animal-vegetal axis of sea urchin embryos under the cell-autonomous control of maternal regulatory activities and therefore provides an excellent entry point for understanding the mechanism that establishes animal-vegetal developmental polarity. To search for transcriptional regulators, we used a fragment of the SpHE promoter containing several individual elements instead of the conventional bait that contains a multimerized cis element. This screen yielded a number of positive clones that encode a new member of the Ets family, named SpEts4. This protein contains transcriptional activation activity, since expression of reporter genes in yeast does not depend on the presence of the yeast GAL4 activation domain. Sequences in the N-terminal region of SpEts4 mediate the activation activity, as shown by deletion or domain-swapping experiments. The newly identified DNA binding protein binds with a high degree of specificity to a SpHE promoter Ets element and forms a complex with a mobility identical to that obtained with 9-h sea urchin embryo nuclear extracts. SpEts4 positively regulates SpHE transcription, since mutation of the SpEts4 site in SpHE promoter transgenes reduces promoter activity in vivo while SpEts4 mRNA coinjection increases its output. As expected for a positive SpHE transcriptional regulator, the timing of SpEts4 gene expression precedes the transient expression of SpHE in the very early sea urchin blastula.

Functional analysis of conserved cysteines in heparan sulfate N-deacetylase-N-sulfotransferases

N-Deacetylase-N-sulfotransferases (NDANST) catalyze the two initial modifications of the polysaccharide precursor in the biosynthesis of heparin and heparan sulfate. These modifications are the gating steps in establishing growth factor protein-binding domains of these glycosaminoglycans. We have undertaken a structure-activity analysis of the 841-amino acid Golgi-luminal portion of the rat liver NDANST to localize the two enzymatic functions. Each activity can be assayed in vitro independently of the other when provided with the appropriate substrate, and N-ethylmaleimide treatment selectively inactivates the deacetylase activity. In this study, dithiothreitol treatment of the rat liver NDANST was shown to inactivate the sulfotransferase function, while stimulating deacetylase activity 2-3-fold over the native protein. Site-directed mutagenesis of the eight cysteine (Cys) residues in the rat liver NDANST that are conserved in the mouse mastocytoma protein produced three important findings regarding the localization of each enzymatic function: 1) derivatization of Cys486 with N-ethylmaleimide resulted in total inactivation of the deacetylase activity based on steric hindrance of the active site (this residue was shown not to be involved in enzymatic catalysis), 2) substitution of either Cys159 or Cys486 with alanine resulted in enhanced activity of the deacetylase to the level obtained by dithiothreitol treatment, and 3) alanine substitution of Cys818 or Cys828 completely inactivated the sulfotransferase activity, while substitution of Cys586 or Cys601 resulted in a 90% loss in activity. These findings suggest that the two enzymatic domains within the NDANST localize to different portions of the protein, with two disulfide pairs toward the COOH-terminal half of the protein necessary for the sulfotransferase activity, and Cys residues within the NH2-terminal half influencing or located near the active site of the deacetylase functionality.

[Statistical analysis of complications of the frontalis aponeurosis flap for correction of complete blepharoptosis]

OBJECTIVE

The cause of and prophylactic measures for the complications of the frontalis aponeurosis flap suspension for correction of blepharoptosis were investigated to improve the operative results.

METHODS

Five hundred and thirteen patients who were found to have complications after frontalis aponeurosis flap suspension for blepharoptosis were studied by follow-up examinations.

RESULTS

Fourteen kinds of postoperative complications were found and cured.

CONCLUSION

Most of the postoperative complications following blepharoptosis correction can be prevented and well treated. The frontalis aponeurosis flap technique is reliable for correction of complete blepharoptosis.

Fructus corni attenuates oxidative stress in macrophages and endothelial cells

The antioxidant effect of a Chinese medicinal herb, Fructus corni extract (FCE), was investigated using models of oxidative stress in macrophages and vascular endothelial cells. Murine macrophages (J774) were incubated with FCE at 37 degrees C and 5% CO2 for 1 hr. Oxidative burst was triggered by zymosan and measured with a fluorescent probe. FCE exhibited a concentration- dependent suppression of oxidative burst. Confluent monolayers of bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAEC) were preincubated with FCE for 20 hrs, washed, and then exposed to an organic oxidant t-butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP) for 2 hrs. Cell viability was assessed by methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT) assay, and cell injury by the release of intracellular lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Lipid peroxidation products of PAEC were determined by measuring thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). Exposure of PAEC to tBHP resulted in decreased cell viability, increased LDH release, and elevated TBARS. Preincubation of PAEC with FCE significantly reversed these changes. Our results demonstrated that FCE can protect vascular endothelial cells from oxidant injury. The data thus suggest that Fructus corni may be useful for the prevention and/or treatment of disorders associated with oxidative damage.

[Determination of total Ca in the lung tissue of rats by FAAS]

Determination of total Ca in the Lung Tissue of Rats by FAAS was described, with a mixed microemulsion consisting of sodium dodecyl sulfate, N-dodecyl, N-dimethyl benzol ammonium bromide and nonyl phenol polyethyeneoxy ether. Comparing the result of the microemulsion FAAS with that of solution FAAS showed that the former was better than the latter in sensitivity, precision, selectivity and linearity of the calibration curve, with a detection limit of 1.92 microg x cm(-3), relative standard deviation of 1.92% (n = 10) and linear regressive coefficient of 0.9998 of the calibration curve over 0-20 microg x cm(-3) calcium. The method was applied to determine calcium amount in the lung tissue of rats, and the results were in accordance with those odtained by the conventional solution FAAS, in which a sample was reduced to ashes at a high temperature.

[Factors affecting the clinical pregnancy rate in an in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer program]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the various factors in an in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) program which may affect the clinical pregnacy rate.

METHODS

A retrospective study was done on 559 IVF-ET cycles from 1992-Nov. 1995. The indication for treatment was bilateral tubal blockage. The chi 2 analysis of single factor variants with SPSS-PC + V3.0 was used for statistics.

RESULTS

The overall clinical pregnancy rate in 559 cycles was 21.6%. The cause of tubal blockage due to tuberculoses consisted of 28.4%, and 34.9% of secondary sterility had the history of artificial abortion. The changes of environment, the different causes of tubal blockage, the history of previous intrauterine pregnancy did not affect the clinical pregnancy rate. When the number of embryos transferred increased to 5, the clinical pregnancy rate was highest 32.5%. The cumulative embryo score or embryo quality was related significantly with clinical pregnancy rate.

CONCLUSIONS

The number and quality of embryos transferred are important factors affecting the clinical pregnancy rate. However, measures to prevent high-order multiple pregnancy and studies on the survival potential of embryos besides their morphology should be emphasized.

[Study on the mitoxantrone carboxymethyl starch microspheres for hepatic artery chemoembolization]

In this paper, the technology for the preparation of plain carboxymethyl starch microsphere (CMS-MS) was optimized by the uniform design method with CMS-Na as carrier material and p-phthaloyl chloride as acrosslinker. The carboxymethyl starch microsphere loaded mitoxantrone (DHAQ-CMS-MS) was prepared by absorption method. Then, its morphology, size and size distribution, characteristics of drug loading, drug release in vitro, preparation for clinical application and its stability were studied. The pharmacokinetics of DHAQ-CMS-MS in rabbit was also studied. The results showed that the average diameter of the DHAQ-CMS-MS was 75.71 microns, drug loading was 13.21%, expansion ratio in water was 71.94%. The release of DHAQ in vitro from the microspheres was found to fit the model of single exponential function. The suspension prepared in this paper is not only convenient for clinical use, but also favorable for the improvement of the drug stability. The pharmacokinetic parameters obtained from the hepatic atery chemoembolization showed that the DHAQ-CMS-MS group, when compared with the solution group, exhibited a higher blood drug concentration in hepatic vein, its MRT was 1.96 times that of the solution group. As for the result of the peripheral vein, the MRT of the DHAQ-CMS-MS group was 1.95 times that of the solution group. This means that the drug when loaded in microsphere will be concentrated in its targeted site for a longer period, which is favorable for the treatment of hepatic cancer.