[Cerebral protective effects of some compounds isolated from traditional Chinese herbs]

OBJECTIVE

To study the cerebral protective effects of some compounds isolated from traditional Chinese herbs.

METHOD

Laser microcirculation dynamic analyzer and cultured rat cortical neurons were used.

RESULT

Pueraria lobata flavonoids(LPF), Panax notoginseng saponins(PNS), oxymatrine, anisodamine and berberine could dilate microvessels and increase the cerebral blood flow of anesthetized mice's meninges. LPF, PNS, oxymatrine, and anisodamine also accelerated the flow of blood. Oxymatrine, like anisodamine, increased quantities of erythrocytes in high frequency movements. PNS could protect cultured rat cortical neurons from glutamate neurotoxicity.

CONCLUSION

LPF, PNS, oxymatrine, anisodamine and berberine have certain protective effects on brain, but differ in mechanisms of action.

H-bonding maintains the active site of type 1 copper proteins: site-directed mutagenesis of Asn38 in poplar plastocyanin

Type I Cu proteins maintain a trigonal N2S coordination group (with weak axial ligation) in both oxidation states of the Cu2+/+ ion, thereby reducing the reorganization energy for electron transfer. Requirements for maintaining this coordination group were investigated in poplar plastocyanin (Pcy) by mutation of a conserved element of the type 1 architecture, an asparagine residue (Asn38) adjacent to one of the ligating histidines. The side chain of this asparagine forms an active site clasp via two H-bonds with the residue (Ser85) adjacent to the ligating cysteine (Cys84). In addition, the main chain NH of Asn38 donates an H-bond to the thiolate ligand. We have investigated the importance of these interactions by mutating Asn38 to Gln, Thr, and Leu. The mutant proteins are capable of folding and binding Cu2+, but the blue color fades; the rate of fading increases in the order Gln < Thr < Leu. The color is not restored by ferricyanide, showing that the protein is modified irreversibly, probably by oxidation of Cys84. The more stable mutants N38Q and N38T were characterized spectroscopically. The wild-type properties are slightly perturbed for N38Q, but N38T shows remarkable similarity to another type 1 Cu protein, azurin (Azu) from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The Cu-S(Cys) bond is longer in Azu than in Pcy, and the NH H-bond to the ligating S atom is shorter. Molecular modeling suggests a similar effect for N38T because the threonine residue shifts toward Ser85 in order to avoid a steric clash and to optimize H-bonding. These results demonstrate that H-bonding adjacent to the type 1 site stabilizes an architecture which both modulates the electronic properties of the Cu, and suppresses side reactions of the cysteine ligand.

Detection of hydrazine, methylhydrazine and isoniazid by capillary electrophoresis with a 4-pyridyl hydroquinone self-assembled microdisk platinum electrode

Capillary electrophoresis (CE)/electrochemical detection (EC) for the simultaneous detection of hydrazine, methylhydrazine, and isoniazid has been developed with a 4-pyridyl hydroquinone self-assembled microdisk platinum electrode. Such an electrode has very high catalytic ability for hydrazines and they could be detected even at 0.0 V. The responses for hydrazine, methylhydrazine, and isoniazid are linear over 3 orders of detected concentration and of magnitude of 0.2-400 microM, 0.2-400 microM, 0.5 microM-2 mM, with correlation coefficients of 0.9998, 0.9991, and 0.9982, respectively. And they could be detected to levels of 0.1, 0.1 and 0.2 microM, respectively. This modified electrode was found to be very stable and reproducible when continuously used as detector for capillary electrophoresis for period of at least 4 weeks with no apparent loss of response.

[Evaluation on the establishment and operation on neonatal tetanus surveillance program in Hainan Province]

OBJECTIVE

In order to learn the actual morbidity and influencing factors of neonatal tetanus(NNT) and to provide scientific basis for NNT elimination.

METHODS

A surveillance program was set up in 1997 in Hainan Province and to operate at the same time.

RESULTS

216 NNT cases were investigated in 1997. The number was higher than reported 78 cases. The result from surveillance showed that parturition at home and the old delivering method were the main influencing factors 88.89% of mothers of NNT cases had no TT immunization history. The surveillance data of Sanya City and Qiongzhong County indicated the NNT morbidity in 1997 had declined 61.29%, 82.05% than that in 1996 respectively due to the improvement of TT immunization rate.

CONCLUSION

The study result proved that the most economical and effective measure to eliminate NNT is to increase TT immunization rate of women at child-bearing-age. It was practical integrate the NNT surveillance program into AFP surveillance system and operate along with it.

Self-gelatinizable copolymer immobilized glucose biosensor based on prussian blue modified graphite electrode

A novel poly(vinyl alcohol) grafting 4-vinylpyridine self-gelatinizable copolymer was adapted to immobilize glucose oxidase. The reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was detected at a Prussian Blue (PB) modified graphite electrode. A stable and sensitive glucose amperometric biosensor is described. The copolymer is a good biocompatible polymer in which the glucose oxidase retains high activity. Moreover, the copolymer can adhere firmly to the inorganic PB membrane. The sensor showed an apparent Michaelis-Menten constant of 18 +/- 0.2 mM and a maximum current density of 1.14 microA cm-2 mM-1. The linear range is from 5 microM to 4.5 mM glucose and the detection limit is 0.5 microM glucose. The catalytic efficiency of PB for the reduction of H2O2 is higher than that for the oxidation of H2O2. Glucose concentrations in serum samples from healthy persons and diabetic patients were determined using the sensor. The results compared well with those provided by the hospital using a spectroscopy method.

[Clinical study on traumatic anterior instability of shoulder]

OBJECTIVE

To study the clinical diagnosis, conservative and surgical treatment of traumatic anterior instability of the shoulder.

METHOD

Based on the experience in diagnosis and treatment of 41 patients, we put forward criteria for diagnosis and treatment of traumatic anterior instability of the shoulder.

RESULT

Diagnostic criteria: (1) history of injury to the shoulder; (2) sharp pain in the anterior aspect of the shoulder and weakness and limitation of range of motion of the shoulder; (3) the positive apprehension sign and or anterior drawer test; (4) a Hill-Sachs bony lesion on roentgenogram and abnormal double contrast CT.

TREATMENT

(1) rehabilitation program for the patients having symptoms less than 3 months and without anterior capsular rupture; (2) capsular repair and imbrication procedure for the patients having symptoms more than 3 months, or not satisfied to the rehabilitation treatment, or severe anterior capsular rupture on double contrast CT. The results of the treatment were satisfactory with average 16-month follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The diagnostic criteria and the treatment principles help improve the results of treatment of shoulder injuries, further clinical study is needed for traumatic anterior instability of the shoulder.

Collagen XVIII is a basement membrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan

The present study shows that collagen XVIII is, next to perlecan and agrin, the third basal lamina heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) and the first collagen/proteoglycan with heparan sulfate side chains. By using monoclonal antibodies to an unidentified HSPG in chick, 14 cDNA clones were isolated from a chick yolk sac library. All clones had a common nucleotide sequence that was homologous to the mRNA sequences of mouse and human collagen XVIII. The deduced amino acid sequence of the chick fragment shows an 83% overall homology with the human and mouse collagen XVIII. Similar to the human and mouse homologue, the chick collagen XVIII mRNA has a size of 4.5 kilobase pairs. In Western blots, collagen XVIII appeared as a smear with a molecular mass of 300 kDa. After treatment with heparitinase, the protein was reduced in molecular mass by 120 kDa to a protein core of 180 kDa. Collagen XVIII has typical features of a collagen, such as its existence, under non-denaturing conditions, as a non-covalently linked oligomer, and a sensitivity of the core protein to collagenase digestion. It also has characteristics of an HSPG, such as long heparitinase-sensitive carbohydrate chains and a highly negative net charge. Collagen XVIII is abundant in basal laminae of the retina, epidermis, pia, cardiac and striated muscle, kidney, blood vessels, and lung. In situ hybridization showed that the main expression of collagen XVIII HSPG in the chick embryo is in the kidney and the peripheral nervous system. As a substrate, collagen XVIII moderately promoted the adhesion of Schwann cells but had no such activity on peripheral nervous system neurons and axons.

Amperometric glucose biosensor based on sol-gel organic-inorganic hybrid material

A new type of sol-gel organic-inorganic hybrid material was developed and used for the production of biosensors. This material is composed of silica sol and a grafting copolymer of poly(vinyl alcohol) with 4-vinylpyridine. It prevents the cracking of conventional sol-gel-derived glasses and eliminates the swelling of the hydrogel. The optimum composition of the hybrid material was first examined, and then glucose oxidase was immobilized in this matrix to demonstrate its application. The characteristics of the biosensor were studied by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The biosensor exhibited a series of good properties: high sensitivity (600 nA mmol-1 L-1), short response time (11 s) and remarkable long-term stability in storage (at least 5 months). In addition, the characteristics of the second-generation biosensor with the use of tetrathiafulvalene as a mediator were discussed.

Characterization of the structural and functional changes of hemoglobin in dimethyl sulfoxide by spectroscopic techniques

Circular dichroism (CD), fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and fluorescence spectroscopy were used to explore the effect of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) on the structure and function of hemoglobin (Hb). The native tertiary structure was disrupted completely when the concentration of DMSO reached 50% (v/v), which was determined by loss of the characteristic Soret CD spectrum. Loss of the native tertiary structure could be mainly caused by breaking the hydrogen bonds, between the heme propionate groups and nearby surface amino acid residues, and by disorganizing the hydrophobic interior of this protein. Upon exposure of Hb to 52% DMSO for ca. 12 h in a D2O medium no significant change in 1652 cm-1 band of the FTIR spectrum was produced, which demonstrated that alpha-helical structure predominated. When the concentration of DMSO increased to 57%: (1) the band at 1652 cm-1 disappeared with the appearance of two new bands located at 1661 and 1648 cm-1; (2) another new band at 1623 cm-1 was attributed to the formation of intermolecular beta-sheet or aggregation, which was the direct consequence of breaking of the polypeptide chain by the competition of S&z.dbnd6;O groups in DMSO with C&z.dbnd6;O groups in amide bonds. Further increasing the DMSO concentration to 80%, the intensity at 1623 cm-1 increased, and the bands at 1684, 1661 and 1648 cm-1 shifted to 1688, 1664 and 1644 cm-1, respectively. These changes showed that the native secondary structure of Hb was lost and led to further aggregation and increase of the content of 'free' amide C&z.dbnd6;O groups. In pure DMSO solvent, the major band at 1664 cm-1 indicated that almost all of both the intermolecular beta-sheet and any residual secondary structure were completely disrupted. The red shift of the fluorescence emission maxima showed that the tryptophan residues were exposed to a greater hydrophilic environment as the DMSO content increased. CO-binding experiment suggested that the biological function of Hb was disrupted seriously even if the content of DMSO was 20%.

[Determination of antioxidants BHT,BHA and PG in food with high performance liquid chromatography]

An accurate and rapid method for simultaneous determination of antioxidants butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and propyl gallate (PG) in food by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography was established. The sample was extracted with hexane. Being filtrated and dried by N2, the residues in evaporator was dissolved in a certain amount of water-C2H5OH (1:4, V/V) and filtered with 0.5 micron of filter membrane for HPLC analysis. The chromatographic conditions were Radial-PAK C12 column, methanol-water (92:8, V/V) mobile phase adjusted to pH = 3 with phosphoric acid and UV-280 nm detector. By using external standard method the analytical results showed that the coefficients of variation of PG,BHA and BHT were 0.61, 0.08 and 1.44 respectively, linear correlation coefficients were more than 0.999 and recoveries were 92%-98% (n = 6). The lowest detection limit was 0.5 mg/L.

Investigation of the misalignment sensitivity of a birefringence-compensated two-rod Nd:YAG laser system

A system for the compensation of thermally induced birefringence in laser rods that consists of two identical Nd:YAG laser rods, a telescope to image the principal planes of the rods onto each other and a 90 degrees quartz rotator to change the state of polarization between the rods has been set up, and its sensitivity to transversal and longitudinal misalignment has been investigated experimentally. A theoretical model to describe the increase of depolarization that is due to misalignment has been developed and compared with the experimental results.

Scanning tunnelling microscopy observation of cytochrome-c denaturation induced by bromopyrogal red on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite

The denaturation of cytochrome-c (cyt-c) induced by bromopyrogal red (BPR) was studied by scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) on the electrochemically pretreated highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) surface. STM images reveal that denatured cyt-c molecules exist in variable states including aggregates, globular compact, partially unfolded and combined with BPR molecule. The apparently low image contrast of denatured cyt-c observed in this experiment comparing to that of native cyt-c molecules, and the relative low image contrast of the unfolded part comparing with the compact globular part, are ascribed to the unfavourable tunnelling paths for the conformational variations of denatured cyt-c molecules.

[Determination of chromium, manganese and nickel in six biological agents]

The determination of chromium, manganese and nickel in biological agents has obtained by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The results show that three trace elements of body necessary are the most rich in ant factor injection liquid. The chromium content is slightly lower in the brain cell activator injection liquid, the nickel content is slightly lower in the shift factor injection liquid and the manganese is the lowest in the marrow factor injection liquid. In this paper, we have studied three trace element contents in six biological agents. It provides, useful data for clinical treatment to some trace-element-lacking diseases.

Synthesis and DNA-binding ability of Sp1 protein zinc finger domain and its peptidomimetics

The second zinc finger fragment of Sp1 (Sp1-ZF2), its mutant (Sp1-ZF2/HT. E(20) --> H, R(23) --> T), and two mimic analogues (ZF20 and ZF15) were synthesized by stepwise solid phase technique. The CD spectra and UV-visible spectrum with CoC1(2) indicated that the formation of zinc finger structure was affected not only by the hydrophobic amino acids but also by the change of the distance between Cys and His. Gel-retardat ion electrophoresis assays indicated that the Glu and Arg residues are very important for recognition. A single zinc finger like Sp1-ZF2 is able to bind DNA sequence specifically.

[Measurement and evaluation of radiation dose distribution of gamma-ray altimeter in static test for recovery capsule during simulated landing]

The gamma-ray altimeter, containing a gamma-radioactive source 137Cs with activity of 2.96 x 10(10) Bq, was used to detect the height of the spacecraft recovery capsule during landing. To measure the gamma-dose distribution near to the guidance section, especially at position where the useful load is located in recovery capsule, gamma-dose field at the test-site for one machine test was measured by means of a gamma-dose rate meter FJ-317C and a gamma-dose meter ANRI-01-02. The result showed that the absorbed dose rate at 5 meters from gamma-source on the ground is as low as the radiation protection limit when the altimeter is down to 0.16 m from the ground. The ground reflection effect for gamma-ray decreases as height of the recovery capsule increases. Therefore, the gamma-dose level at useful load in the recovery capsule will meet the requirements of flight safety.

Leukemia-associated retinoic acid receptor alpha fusion partners, PML and PLZF, heterodimerize and colocalize to nuclear bodies

In acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), the typical t(15;17) and the rare t(11;17) translocations express, respectively, the PML/RARalpha and PLZF/RARalpha fusion proteins (where RARalpha is retinoic acid receptor alpha). Herein, we demonstrate that the PLZF and PML proteins interact with each other and colocalize onto nuclear bodies (NBs). Furthermore, induction of PML expression by interferons leads to a recruitment of PLZF onto NBs without increase in the levels of the PLZF protein. PML/RARalpha and PLZF/RARalpha localize to the same microspeckled nuclear domains that appear to be common targets for the two fusion proteins in APL. Although PLZF/RARalpha does not affect the localization of PML, PML/RARalpha delocalizes the endogenous PLZF protein in t(15;17)-positive NB4 cells, pointing to a hierarchy in the nuclear targeting of these proteins. Thus, our results unify the molecular pathogenesis of APL with at least two different RARalpha gene translocations and stress the importance of alterations of PLZF and RARalpha nuclear localizations in this disease.

Mapping the regions of the complement inhibitor CD59 responsible for its species selective activity

CD59 is a widely distributed membrane-bound glycoprotein that inhibits the formation of the cytolytic membrane attack complex (MAC) of complement on host cells. CD59 from different species varies in its capacity to inhibit heterologous complement, and this species selective function of CD59 contributes to the phenomenon of homologous restriction. Here, we demonstrate that human CD59 is not an effective inhibitor of rat complement, although rat CD59 inhibits rat and human complement equally well. By constructing human-rat CD59 chimeric proteins, we have mapped the residues important in conferring human CD59 species selectivity to two regions; 40-47 and 47-66 in the primary structure. Analysis of a model of the molecular surface of human CD59 revealed that residues 40-66 mapped to a region in the three-dimensional structure that surrounds residues previously identified as important for CD59 function.

[The effect of NO-like relaxing factor on vascular reactivity in tourniquet shock rat]

This work was done on rat tourniquet shock (ToS) model. It was found that reactivity of isolated perfused aortic ring to noradrenaline decreased, while cGMP content of the aortic tissue increased. These changes could be potentiated by perfusion with L-arginine (NO-precursor). On the other side, when the aortic ring was perfused with L-NNA (NO-synthesis inhibitor) or methylene blue (soluble cGMPase inhibitor), the changes could be attenuated. The effect of these drugs are independent of the presence of vascular endothelium. The results suggest that non-endothelium-derived NO-like relaxing factor may be one of the factors causing low vascular reactivity of the ToS animals.

[Comparative study of two fusion retinoic acid receptor alpha in acute promyelocytic leukemia]

OBJECTIVE

To make a comparison of biological properties between PML-RARalpha and PLZF-RARalpha fusion proteins.

METHODS

Receptor radioligand binding assay, receptor DNA binding assay and immunofluorescence methods were used.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

PML-RARalpha and PLZF-RARalpha had similar ligand-binding affinities. Both could bind in vitro to retinoic acid response elements (RAREs) forming homodimers and to retinoic acid X receptor. However ,they differed in the relative binding affinities to different RAREs,the behavior of forming complex with RXR and the subcellular localization. More importantly, PML-RARalpha and PLZF-RARalpha could block different regulatory pathways mediated by PML or PLZF, through heterocomplex formation with wild-type PML or PLZF. The differences between PML-RARalpha and PLZF-RARalpha may in part explain the apparent resistance of APL with t(11;17) to differentiating effect of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA).

A porcine model of gastroesophageal reflux

The exact mechanism by which the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) prevents gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) remains controversial. The two main reasons for this controversy are the lack of a good animal model and the only recent technologic advances in this field. To date, no animal models exist that use 24-hour pH studies, manometry, and endoscopy in evaluating GERD. The purpose of this study is to create a good model of GERD that uses this technology and to delineate the true nature of the LES more clearly. Recently, three-dimensional vector volume studies were performed and through detailed, cadaveric, anatomic studies, the vector volume profiles were correlated to distinct groups of muscle fibers at the gastroesophageal junction in humans. In this study, an anatomic analysis of the porcine gastroesophageal junction revealed an arrangement of muscle fibers similar to that in humans. A myectomy of the porcine oblique fibers was performed in nine piglets weighing 10 to 12 kg. The authors were able to demonstrate manometric attenuation of the porcine LES, gastroesophageal reflux by ambulatory 24-hour pH monitoring (P < 0.0025), and the creation of GERD by documenting esophagitis grossly and histologically. In conclusion, this model of GERD works and lends further support to the notion that the LES may be a discrete anatomic entity.

[Analysis of vitamin K1 in Cephalanoplos segetum (Bunge) Kitam by high performance liquid chromatography]

A modified method for the analysis of vitamin K1 in Cephalanoplos segetum (Bunge) Kitam, an edible wild herb, is proposed in this paper. The ground herb sample was extracted with CHCl3, followed by evaporation to dryness with nitrogen. The residue was dissolved with methanol, filtered through 0.5microm micropore membrane and then determined on a Novapak C18, 150mm x 3.9mm i.d., column with methanol/isopropanol (70:30) as mobile phase and UV-248nm as detector. Recovery was more than 95% with CV 1.23%. The method is simple and accurate without saponification, extraction and evaporation procedures as those used previously.

Comparison of total versus partial laparoscopic fundoplication in the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease

BACKGROUND AND METHODS

A comparison of total vs. partial laparoscopic fundoplication was conducted in 89 patients from July 92 to June 96. Parameters examined were operating room (OR) times, conversion rates, and perioperative complications. Patient satisfaction, control of symptoms, and late complications were assessed by follow-up at a mean of 6 and 15.4 months.

RESULTS

There were six conversions to open surgery resulting in 48 laparoscopic total (LTF) and 35 laparoscopic partial (25 anterior and 10 Toupet) fundoplications (LPF). The following results were obtained for each respectively: preop Demeester score 44 vs. 39; OR time 2.9 vs. 2.5 hours; length of stay 3.6 vs. 4.1 days; early morbidity 25% vs. 1%. There were no mortalities. At a mean follow-up of 6 months, new-onset dysphagia was present in 8 (17%) vs. 2 (8%), respectively (NS), and both total and partial fundoplications appeared successful in controlling symptoms (98% vs. 97%). At a mean follow-up of 15.4 months, heartburn was resolved or improved in 76% vs. 87% (NS); regurgitation was improved or resolved in 93% vs. 93%; and patient satisfaction with the procedure was present in 93% vs. 97% (NS). Persistent dysphagia was present in 7.3% vs. 10.3% (NS) of patients. Early satiety was present more often in the partial fundoplication group (56% vs. 83% P = .03).

CONCLUSIONS

Early follow-up suggests equal efficacy in controlling symptoms and in achieving patient satisfaction. A 6-month follow-up suggested a higher incidence of new dysphagia in the total fundoplication group; however, at 15-month follow-up there was no significant difference.

Mapping the active site of CD59

CD59 is a widely distributed membrane-bound inhibitor of the cytolytic membrane attack complex (MAC) of complement. This small (77 amino acid) glycoprotein is a member of the Ly6 superfamily of proteins and is important in protecting host cells from the lytic and proinflammatory activity of the MAC. CD59 functions by binding to C8 and/or C9 in the nascent MAC and interfering with C9 membrane insertion and polymerization. We present data obtained from a combination of molecular modeling and mutagenesis techniques, which together indicate that the active site of CD59 is located in the vicinity of a hydrophobic groove on the face of the molecule opposite to a "hydrophobic strip" suggested earlier. In addition, removal of the single N-linked glycosylation site at Asn18 of CD59 resulted in an enhancement of complement inhibitory activity.

Macrophage surface glycoproteins binding to galectin-3 (Mac-2-antigen)

Galectin-3 (formerly called Mac-2 antigen) is a approximately 30 kDa carbohydrate-binding protein expressed on the surface of inflammatory macrophages and several macrophage cell lines. We have purified from lysates of the murine macrophage cell line WEHI-3 glycoproteins that bind to a galectin-3 affinity column. Several of these receptors are labelled after biotinylation of intact cells showing their location at the cell surface. N-terminal aminoacid sequencing of intact galectin-3-binding glycoproteins isolated from preparative SDS-gels or of chemically derived fragments showed several homologies with known proteins and identification was confirmed by immunoprecipitation with specific antibodies. The glycoproteins were shown to be: the alpha-subunit(CD11b) of the CD11b/CD18 integrin(Mac-1 antigen); the lysosomal membrane glycoproteins LAMPs 1 and 2 which are known in part to be expressed at cell surfaces; the Mac-3 antigen, a mouse macrophage differentiation antigen defined by the M3/84 monoclonal antibody and related immunochemically to LAMP-2; the heavy chain of CD98, a 125 kDa heterodimeric glycoprotein identified by the 4F2/RL388 monoclonal antibodies respectively on human and mouse monocytes/macrophages and on activated T cells. Further studies showed that CD11b/CD18, CD98 and Mac-3 are major surface receptors for galectin-3 on murine peritoneal macrophages elicited by thioglycollate.

[Study of dominant negative effect of the PLZF-RARalpha against the wild-type RARalpha in acute promyelocytic leukemia]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the role of promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger (PLZF) gene on 11q23 and RARalpha gene on 17q21.

METHODS

Eight PLZF/RARalpha expression plasmids with deletions of different PLZF motifs were constructed by using PCR based-method.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

By transient co-transfection, it was confirmed that PLZF/RARalpha had a dominant negative effect against the wild-type RARalpha, the POZ domain of PLZF/RARalpha was responsible for the dominant negative effect and the PLZF/RARalpha may play certain role through a spatial interaction with POZ.

MLL self fusion mediated by Alu repeat homologous recombination and prognosis of AML-M4/M5 subtypes

Fifty-six patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemia M4/M5 subtypes were studied for rearrangements of the mixed lineage leukemia gene, MLL (also called HRX, Htrx-1, or ALL-1). Ten patients (18%) showed rearrangements of the MLL gene, 9 in a major breakpoint cluster region within a centromeric 8.3-kb BamHI fragment, whereas rearrangement in one patient was the result of a direct tandem duplication of exons 2-6 of MLL. Analysis of sequences at the duplication junction revealed that the points of MLL fusion within introns 6 and 1 both lie within Alu elements. This suggests the involvement of Alu repeat mediated homologous recombination in MLL self fusion. For the 10 rearranged samples, cytogenetics analysis revealed a normal karyotype in 3, and 3 had abnormalities other than 11q23. Survival analysis of patients revealed no difference between those with rearrangement of MLL and those showing the germ-line configuration.

Galectin-3 stimulates uptake of extracellular Ca2+ in human Jurkat T-cells

Galectin-3, a mammalian galactoside-binding protein, is not expressed in the Jurkat T-lymphoblastoid cell line. However, Jurkat cells express surface glycoprotein receptors for galectin-3, one of which is shown to be the glycosylated heavy chain of CD98 (4F2 antigen), a T-cell activation marker. Addition of galectin-3 to Jurkat cells triggers a sustained influx of extracellular Ca2+ in a concentration dependent manner. The induced increase in cytosolic [Ca2+]i is blocked by sugar hapten inhibitors of galectin-3. The galectin-3-induced effect is insensitive to voltage-gated Ca2+ channel antagonists such as prenylamine, nifedipine and diltiazem and to pertussis toxin but is inhibited by cholera toxin. The results suggest that galectin-3 released by accessory cells such as macrophages may bind in vivo to T-cell activation antigens and also participate in Ca2+ signalling.

[Immunoglobulin super-gene family and its related genes in detecting MRD in ALL]

OBJECTIVE

To study the rearrangements of the immunoglobulin super-gene family and its related genes, as well as their application in the detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

METHODS

15 ALL cases including 11 B-ALLs and 3 T-ALLs were studied separately by using immunophenotype detection and molecular clonging methods.

RESULTS

Using DNA Southern blot analysis, we found that the rearrangement of IgH gene existed in 11 B-lineage ALL cases. The specific PCR band was visualized through amplification of the CDR3 region and J region of IgH gene. Furthermore, we sequenced the V-D-J junctional region of IgH gene in 3 B-lineage patients and synthesized two probes against the V-D-J junctional region in order to detect MRD. The hybridization results showing the sensitive of the two probes were 10(-4). In addition, we performed comparative study of MRD detection by using both T cell receptor (TCR) gamma gene as gene specific marker and SIL-TAL-1 fusion gene as tumor-specific marker in one T-ALL patient.

CONCLUSION

The rearrangements of IgH gene, as well as TCR gene and tumor fusion gene can be used as specific markers in the detection of MRD in ALL.

Long-term follow-up of minimal residual disease in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients by polymerase chain reaction analysis of multiple clone-specific or malignancy-specific gene markers

Two types of markers, namely the clone-specific markers including T-cell receptor (TCR) gamma, TCR delta, and Ig heavy-chain (IgH) gene rearrangements, and malignancy-specific fusion gene mRNA such as SIL-TAL-1, BCR-ABL, and HRX-partner genes, were investigated by molecular biology techniques in 65 Chinese patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). In combination, these markers were informative among 96% of patients. Minimal residual disease (MRD) was followed up in 23 of these patients with available materials over a period varying from 8 to 54 months with at least one leukemia-specific probe. In most children, MRD was decreased continuously to an ultimately undetectable level within 6 to 12 months after remission induction therapy. One patient exhibited low-level residual leukemic cells for 4 years before the MRD turned negative. Another patient remained in complete remission for 45 months, although a positive signal was detected at 34 months using TCR delta probe, but was negative with a TCR gamma marker which was positive at presentation. In three patients who relapsed, MRD either persisted through the clinical course or became positive and eventually increased 3-11 months before clinical relapse. These data suggested that the combined use of multiple gene markers is a valuable tool for the PCR-based MRD detection, since it can cover most ALL patients. Furthermore, long-term follow-up of MRD is helpful for determining the dosage as well as the period of maintenance chemotherapy and for predicting impending relapse.

Amino-terminal protein-protein interaction motif (POZ-domain) is responsible for activities of the promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger-retinoic acid receptor-alpha fusion protein

Promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger-retinoic acid receptor a (PLZF-RARalpha), a fusion receptor generated as a result of a variant t(11;17) chromosomal translocation that occurs in a small subset of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patients, has been shown to display a dominant-negative effect against the wild-type RARalpha/retinoid X receptor alpha (RXRalpha). We now show that its N-terminal region (called the POZ-domain), which mediates protein-protein interaction as well as specific nuclear localization of the wild-type PLZF and chimeric PLZF-RARalpha proteins, is primarily responsible for this activity. To further investigate the mechanisms of PLZF-RARalpha action, we have also studied its ligand-receptor, protein-protein, and protein-DNA interaction properties and compared them with those of the promyelocytic leukemia gene (PML)-RARalpha, which is expressed in the majority of APLs as a result of t(15;17) translocation. PLZF-RARalpha and PML-RARalpha have essentially the same ligand-binding affinities and can bind in vitro to retinoic acid response elements (RAREs) as homodimers or heterodimers with RXRalpha. PLZF-RARalpha homodimerization and heterodimerization with RXRalpha were primarily mediated by the POZ-domain and RARalpha sequence, respectively. Despite having identical RARalpha sequences, PLZF-RARalpha and PML-RARalpha homodimers recognized with different affinities distinct RAREs. Furthermore, PLZF-RARalpha could heterodimerize in vitro with the wild-type PLZF, suggesting that it may play a role in leukemogenesis by antagonizing actions of not only the retinoid receptors but also the wild-type PLZF and possibly other POZ-domain-containing regulators. These different protein-protein interactions and the target gene specificities of PLZF-RARalpha and PML-RARalpha may underlie, at least in part, the apparent resistance of APL with t(11;17) to differentiation effects of all-trans-retinoic acid.

[A preliminary study of the relation between topoisomerase I and translocation (15;17)]

The chromosomal translocation (15;17) which produced the PML-RAR alpha fusion gene had been found in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cells. It was identified that the RAR alpha gene on chromosome 17 and PML gene on chromosome 15 were involved in this translocation. For study the molecular mechnisms of t(15:17) in APL, we cloned and sequenced the junctional region of the chromosomal reciprocal translocation in one APL patient. Furthermore, we compared 21 junctional sequences which had been reported with the consensus sequence of the DNA-topoisomerase I-binding sites. Thus, we proposed a hypothesis that topoisomerase I may play certain role in t(15;17) illegitimate recombination.

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy and plaques, and visceral amyloidosis in aged macaques

In the present study, we report our extended data on the incidence of two types of cerebral amyloidosis (plaques and plaques associated with angiopathy) and visceral amyloidosis in late adult and aged captive rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). In a total of 81 brains from animals ranging from 16 to 39 years old, beta-amyloid plaques were found in 38, 10 of which were associated with amyloid angiopathy. Brains from eight adults, 16 to 19 years, had no lesions. In aged groups, the rates were 20.8% in the 20- to 25-year group (24), 60.9% in the 26- to 31-year group (41), and 100% in the 33- to 39-year group (8). Twelve monkeys in these aged groups had an involvement of amyloidosis in either the liver, the adrenal, or the pancreatic islets, and 7 of 12 had amyloid plaques (5) and plaques associated with cerebral angiopathy (2). No neurofibrillary tangles were detected in these brain lesions. Amyloid in both plaques and cerebral angiopathy showed immunocytochemical crossreactivity with human amyloid beta (beta/A4) and precursor proteins (APP-A4), but visceral amyloid was negative. Ultrastructurally, amyloid initially appears as loose filaments in the perivascular or Disse space, and they further aggregate to produce dense interlacing bundles. Cerebral amyloid angiopathy associated with plaque appears to be a subclass of senile plaque lesions in aged monkeys as well as in aged humans, and it appears to have no pathogenetic correlation with visceral amyloidosis.

Isolation and purification of functional bovine lung mast cells (BLMCs)

Purified pulmonary mast cells were obtained from bovine lung using a combination of enzymatic digestion of tissue, density gradient centrifugation using Percoll, and centrifugal elutriation. In the initial procedure, lung tissue was enzymatically digested with collagenase, hyaluronidase, protease and elastase in three 30 min incubations at 37 degrees C. Monodispersed cell suspensions contained between 2 and 6% mast cells. Further purification of these mast cells by Percoll gradients and elutriation consistently yielded mast cells of > 90% purity. These cells were morphologically intact, viable and functional, as determined by histamine release evoked by secretagogue challenge. Incubation of BLMCs with Pasteurella haemolytica A1 culture supernate containing leucotoxin (LCT) alone, resulted in increased histamine release compared to controls. LCT also potentiated calcium ionophore (CaI)-induced histamine release from BLMCs.

Retinoic acid regulatory pathways, chromosomal translocations, and acute promyelocytic leukemia

Retinoic acids (RAs) exert a broad range of physiologic actions during embryonic development and adult life. Two families of RA receptors, retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and retinoid X receptor (RXR), have been identified. The therapeutic effect of all-trans-RA (ATRA) in induction of remission for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) has largely been proved, and this has, over the past 10 years, greatly stimulated research on oncogenesis and RA-regulated differentiation pathways. In APL, one of the RAR genes, RARA, is fused to PML in the great majority of patients as a result of the chromosomal translocation t(15; 17). However, a small subset of APL patients have a different fusion gene, PLZF-RARA, resulting from the variant translocation t(11;17). A third translocation, t(5;17), in which the NPM gene is fused to RARA, has been described. Current data suggest that PML-RAR alpha and PLZF-RAR alpha fusion receptors may play an important role in the development of APL and that PML-RAR alpha could be the target of ATRA differentiation therapy. Characterization of the genes regulated by retinoic acid may open up new prospects for an understanding of the mechanisms of ATRA differentiation therapy for APL and may help to extend the concept of cancer-targeting treatment to other types of leukemias or solid tumors.

Reduced and altered DNA-binding and transcriptional properties of the PLZF-retinoic acid receptor-alpha chimera generated in t(11;17)-associated acute promyelocytic leukemia

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) associated with chromosomal rearrangement t(11;17) is a distinct syndrome which, unlike typical t(15;17) APL, fails to respond to all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) therapy. In t(11;17) the PLZF gene, encoding a Krüppel-like zinc finger protein, is fused to the retinoic acid receptor-alpha (RAR alpha) gene, yielding two classes of chimeric proteins. PLZF protein was found in the nucleus in a punctate speckled pattern that differed from the nuclear body expression pattern of the PML protein affected in t(15;17) APL. The reciprocal PLZF-RAR alpha and RAR alpha-PLZF fusion proteins were localized to the nucleus both in the presence and absence of ATRA. PLZF-RAR alpha, in combination with the retinoid X receptor (RXR) bound to a retinoic acid-responsive element (RARE) less efficiently than RAR alpha and formed multimeric DNA-protein complexes. PLZF-RAR alpha stimulated ATRA-dependent transcription of RARE-containing reporter genes with diminished activity compared to wild-type RAR alpha. In addition, PLZF-RAR alpha antagonized the function of coexpressed wild-type RAR alpha, an effect relieved by over-expression of RXR. Leukemogenesis in t(11;17) APL may be related to interference with ATRA-mediated differentiation due to sequestration of RXR by the PLZF-RAR alpha chimera. However, disruption of the function of the myeloid-specific PLZF protein may also play an important role.

[Junctional sequences of T cell receptor V delta 2-D delta 3 or D delta 2-D delta 3 rearrangements in acute lymphoblastic leukemia]

T-cell receptor (TCR) delta chain gene rearrangements were studied by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis in 46 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Sixteen patients were found to have incomplete rearrangements of the TCR delta genes. Among them, 13 patients displayed V delta 2-D delta 3 rearrangement, while 3 had both V delta 2-D delta 3 and D delta 2-D delta 3 rearrangements. To determine the junctional sequence of TCR delta gene, PCR products from the 16 patients were sequenced directly or after M13 cloning. The results showed the junctional sequences of TCR delta gene are highly specific for each allele. This sequence diversity resulted from several factors including deletion of the 3' end of V delta 2 or D delta 2 segment and 5' end of D delta 3 segment, the presence of D delta 1 or D delta 2 sequences, insertion of N nucleotides and the association of P nucleotides with intact V delta 2 and D delta 3 segments. In addition, analysis of N-nucleotide contents revealed that the amount of GC was much larger than that of AT (70%: 30%), indicating the insertion of N nucleotide was not fully random. Our sequence data confirmed that the imcomplete rearrangement of TCR delta gene is an early event in the lymphoid cell ontogenesis, and its N sequences in V-(D)-J junctional region may be used as a specific marker of clonality to detect the minimal residual disease (MRD) in ALL.

[Epidemiological studies on risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes in women neighboring a petrochemical works]

Data of 7695 deliveries during 1985-1992 in four general hospitals neighboring a petrochemical works in Guangzhou were collected. Relationship between air pollution surrounding the plant and adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO) in women living there, including congenital malformation, stillbirth, low birth weight and preterm birth, was analyzed with air monitoring data and exposure assessment indices. Results showed there was difference in incidence rates of APO between lying-in women living in the places with various distance from the plant, and the incidence lowered with the distance prolonging, with a P-value of less than 0.05. Unconditional logistic model was used to control confounding and to estimate relative risks in a study of 325 cases of APO and 390 randomly sampled normal controls. Results indicated the distance between the places where the women living and the plant related to incidence of APO. It suggested air pollution caused by the petrochemical works may be a risk factor for APO in neighbored women.

RT/PCR detection of SIL-TAL-1 fusion mRNA in Chinese T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL)

The TAL-1 gene is located on chromosome 1p32. In about 20% of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias (T-ALL), this gene is disrupted in its 5' portion by a site-specific 100-kg deletion and is fused with the 5' part of the SIL gene, to form SIL-TAL-1 chimeric gene. In this study, we established a "nested" retrotranscriptase/polymerase chain reaction (RT/PCR) technique which allows detection of the SIL-TAL-1 transcriptional expression. A chimeric mRNA was observed in four of 17 T-ALL cases and has been shown to result from the fusion between the exon 1 of SIL and exon 3 of TAL. A sensitivity test showed that this RT/PCR procedure could detect one leukemic cell among 10(6) normal cells. A positive RT/PCR result was obtained in two cases during clinical remission, suggesting the presence of minimal residual disease (MRD). One patient developed clinical relapse 3 months after PCR positivity. Moreover, analysis of the Tald rearrangement by DNA-based PCR in four patients with SIL-TAL-1 fusion revealed the type A (Tald1) rearrangement in all cases. Sequence analysis demonstrated the presence of N region and non-random "P" nucleotide, as well as base deletions at the genomic SIL-TAL-1 joining site. These data indicate that detection of TAL-1 gene abnormality is important for diagnosis and monitoring of MRD in a subset of T-ALL.

V-J junctional sequences of T cell receptor gamma gene in acute lymphocytic leukemia

T cell receptor TCR gamma gene rearrangement in a series of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) patients was studied using PCR technique. 18 V-J junctional sequences (designated by N sequence) of TCR gamma gene were amplified with the V gamma and J gamma primers, using an unsymmetrical PCR and analysed by direct sequencing, demonstrating that in Chinese ALLs, the N sequences of TCR gamma gene are indeed clone-specific. Based on the known N sequences, several oligo-nucleotides were synthesized as probes, which were specific for the leukemic clone, and were used to detect the minimal residual disease (MRD) in 4 ALL cases. The sensitivity of this method was 0.1%-0.01%.

Determinants of the p28 cleavage site recognized by the first papain-like cysteine proteinase of murine coronavirus

The murine coronavirus polymerase gene is 22 kb in length with the potential to encode a polyprotein of approximately 750 kDa. The polyprotein has been proposed to encode three proteinase domains which are responsible for the processing of the polyprotein into mature proteins. The proteolytic activity of the first proteinase domain has been characterized and resembles the papain family of cysteine proteinases. This proteinase domain acts autoproteolytically to cleave the amino terminal portion of the polymerase polyprotein, releasing a 28-kDa protein designated p28. To identify the cleavage site of this papain-like cysteine proteinase, we isolated the peptide adjacent to p28 and determined the amino terminus sequence by Edman degradation reaction. We report that proteolysis occurs between the Gly-247 and Val-248 dipeptide bond. To determine the role of the amino acid residues surrounding the cleavage site, we introduced a total of 42 site-specific mutations at the residues spanning the P5 to P3' positions and assessed the effects of the mutations on the processing of p28 in an in vitro transcription and translation system. The substitutions of Gly-247 at the P1 position or Arg-246 at the P2 position resulted in a dramatic decrease of proteolytic activity, and the mutations of Arg-243 at P5 position also led to considerable reduction in p28 cleavage. In contrast, the substitutions of amino acids Gly-244 (P4), Tyr-245 (P3), Val-248 (P1'), Lys-249 (P2'), and Pro-250 (P3') had little or no effect on the amount of p28 that was released. This work had identified Gly-247-Val-248 as the cleavage site for the release of p28, the amino-terminal protein of the murine coronavirus polymerase polyprotein. Additionally, we conclude that the Gly-247 and Arg-246 are the major determinants for the cleavage site recognition by the first papain-like cysteine proteinase of murine coronavirus.

Gene structure prediction by linguistic methods

The higher-order structure of genes and other features of biological sequences can be described by means of formal grammars. These grammars can then be used by general-purpose parsers to detect and to assemble such structures by means of syntactic pattern recognition. We describe a grammar and parser for eukaryotic protein-encoding genes, which by some measures is as effective as current connectionist and combinatorial algorithms in predicting gene structures for sequence database entries. Parameters of the grammar rules are optimized for several different species, and mixing experiments are performed to determine the degree of species specificity and the relative importance of compositional, signal-based, and syntactic components in gene prediction.

Gamma and delta chain gene rearrangement of T cell receptor in acute lymphoblastic leukemia

The immunophenotype, rearrangements of T cell receptor (TCR) gamma and delta chain genes as well as the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene were studied in 37 cases of morphologically defined acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). According to the expression of differentiation antigens, 8 cases were classified as T-ALL, 26 B lineage ALL, 2 acute undifferentiated leukemia (AUL) and myeloid phenotype. An order of TCR gene rearrangements was observed in T-ALL, with the rearrangement of delta gene preceding that of gamma gene. Both genes were also found frequently rearranged and/or deleted in high proportions of the ALL of B cell lineage. However, the patterns of gene rearrangements were somewhat different between the T and B lineage ALLs. In contrast, the IgH gene rearrangements were observed only in the B lineage ALL. The immunogenotype analysis of ALL proved to be a useful marker of the clonality and provided us with important information on early human lymphoid differentiation. We conclude that the determination of TCR gamma gene V-J junctional sequence can be used as clonal marker for detecting the minimal residual disease during clinical remission.