Culture and adenoviral infection of adult mouse cardiac myocytes: methods for cellular genetic physiology

Rapid development of transgenic and gene-targeted mice and acute genetic manipulation via gene transfer vector systems have provided powerful tools for cardiovascular research. To facilitate the phenotyping of genetically engineered murine models at the cellular and subcellular levels and to implement acute gene transfer techniques in single mouse cardiomyocytes, we have modified and improved current enzymatic methods to isolate a high yield of high-quality adult mouse myocytes (5.3 +/- 0.5 x 10(5) cells/left ventricle, 83.8 +/- 2.5% rod shaped). We have also developed a technique to culture these isolated myocytes while maintaining their morphological integrity for 2-3 days. The high percentage of viable myocytes after 1 day in culture (72.5 +/- 2.3%) permitted both physiological and biochemical characterization. The major functional aspects of these cells, including excitation-contraction coupling and receptor-mediated signaling, remained intact, but the contraction kinetics were significantly slowed. Furthermore, gene delivery via recombinant adenoviral infection was highly efficient and reproducible. In adult beta(1)/beta(2)-adrenergic receptor (AR) double-knockout mouse myocytes, adenovirus-directed expression of either beta(1)- or beta(2)-AR, which occurred in 100% of cells, rescued the functional response to beta-AR agonist stimulation. These techniques will permit novel experimental settings for cellular genetic physiology.

[Determination of inositol by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography]

A new method for determination of inositol by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography was studied. The method used a Shim-Pack CLC-C18 column, acetonitrile-water (10:90, V/V) as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min with detection wavelength at 196 nm. The RSD of the results was 0.8%. It is simple, rapid, accurate, and useful for quantitative determination of inositol product.

Delignification of maize stems by peroxymonosulfuric acid, peroxyformic acid, peracetic acid, and hydrogen peroxide. 1. Physicochemical and structural characterization of the solubilized lignins

Water-treated maize stems were subjected to delignification with peroxymonosulfuric acid at 20 degrees C for 144 h, with peroxyformic acid at 80 degrees C for 6 h, with peracetic acid at 50 degrees C for 6 h, and with 2% hydrogen peroxide at 45 degrees C for 12 h at pH 1.5, 4.4, 9.5, 11.5, 12.0, and 12.6, respectively, which solubilized 47.1, 91.3, 33.3, 16.6, 15.9, 17.4, 86.2, 87.7, and 91. 3% of the original lignin, respectively. Substantial lignins were released during the treatment with peroxyformic acid and hydrogen peroxide at pH > or =11.5, whereas an insignificant effect on delignification was observed by using peroxymonosulfuric acid, peracetic acid, and hydrogen peroxide under acidic, natural, and weakly alkaline media conditions. The structures of the isolated lignin preparations were investigated by chemical analysis, gel permeation chromatography, and UV, FT-IR, and (13)C NMR spectroscopy.

[Studies on quality standards for Pollen Typhae(puhuang)]

OBJECTIVE

To work out quality standards for Pollen Typhae(Puhuang).

METHOD

Isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidoside, typhaneoside, isorhamnetin and beta-sitosterol in Pollen Typhae marketed in ten cities of China were identified by TLC. The contents of isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidoside and typhaneoside were determined by HPLC.

RESULT

The method is sensitive and specific for identifying isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidoside, typhaneoside, isorhamnetin and beta-sitosterol. The linear ranges of isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidoside and typhaneoside were 0.188-0.940 microgram with and average recovery of 97.77%; and 0.164-0.820 microgram with an average recovery of 98.42% respectively.

CONCLUSION

The method can be used both qualitatively and quantitatively as standards for the quality control of Pollen Typhae.

Age of onset evidence for anticipation in familial non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Anticipation, a phenomenon in which an inherited disease is diagnosed at an earlier age in each successive generation of a family, has been demonstrated in certain neurological and haematological disorders. This study was conducted to determine whether anticipation occurs in familial non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Eleven published reports of multigenerational familial NHL were analysed for evidence of anticipation, together with 18 previously unreported families with familial NHL. Differences in disease-free survival between generations were determined. The difference between age at onset for each affected parent-child pair was tested against the null hypothesis that there was no difference in age at onset. These analyses were also performed separately using only parent-child pairs with age of onset > 25 years to avoid ascertainment bias. In addition, the age at onset distribution of the studied cases was compared with that of the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program using data for 1973-98. The median ages at onset in the child and parent generations of all families (48.5 and 71.3 years respectively) and in the selected pairs (52.5 and 71.5 years respectively) were significantly different (P < 0.000002 and P < 0.000001 respectively). The null hypothesis was rejected for all (P < 0.000001) as well as selected pairs (P < 0.000003). A significant difference was observed between the ages of onset of the child generation and the SEER population (P < 0.009), but not between the parent generation and the SEER population. Anticipation occurs in familial NHL, which suggests a genetic basis for it.

Medical significance of cardiovascular function in hibernating mammals

1. The hibernating mammals inherited a stable cardiovascular function as a result of adaptation to extreme external and internal environments during hibernation. 2. The cardiovascular function of a hibernator is characterized by three distinct features: (i) tolerance of hypothermia; (ii) resistance to dysrhythmia; and (iii) endurance of hypoxia. All these have clinical relevance in cardiovascular disorders in humans. 3. We suggest that the hibernating mammal can serve as a useful animal model for research into the cardiovascular system.

Alpha-stat calibration of indo-1 fluorescence and measurement of intracellular free calcium in rat ventricular cells at different temperatures

To explore how to manage pH when calibrating Ca2+ probes at different temperatures, the dissociation constant (Kd) of indo-1 was determined both in pH-stat (pH is fixed despite the temperature) and in alpha-stat (pH changes with temperature as in cells). The results showed that the Kd was much more sensitive to temperature in pH-stat than in alpha-stat, demonstrating that alpha-stat calibration should be preferred when using a Ca2+ probe to measure intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) at different temperatures. Based on the calibration in situ and in alpha-stat, we showed a striking increase of [Ca2+]i from 141+/-8 nM at 30 degrees C to 218+/-22 nM at 10 degrees C in indo-1 loaded rat ventricular cells, which supports that intracellular calcium overload takes place in cardiac myocytes of non-hibernating mammals during hypothermia.

[Synthesis of optically active (R)- and (S)-tai-ding-an(TDA) and their anti-HSV activity evaluation]

Tai-Ding-An (3-phthalimido-2-oxo-n-butyraldehyde bisthiosemicarbazone, TDA) is an antiviral drug first synthesized in this institute. In order to clarify the difference between the two enantiomeric isomers of TDA, (R)- and (S)-TDA were synthesized from (R)- and (S)-alanine, respectively, via the following steps: fusing with phthalic anhydride gave 2-phthalimido alanine(2a or 2b). The resulting acid was reacted with thionyl chloride to offer the corresponding acid chloride(3a or 3b), which was treated with diazomethane to give the diazoketone(4a or 4b). Bromination of the ketone with hydrobromic acid gave the key intermediate 3-phthalimido-2-oxo-1-bromobutanone (5a or 5b). Compound 5a or 5b was oxidized with DMSO to give 6a or 6b, which was directly condensed with thiosemicarbazide to afford the desired (R)- or (S)-TDA. (R)-TDA, (S)-TDA and (RS)-TDA have been tested in cell culture for anti-Herpes simplex virus I (HSV-1) and HSV-2 activities by plaque reducing method. All of them showed inhibitory effects on HSV-1 and HSV-2 replication with IC50 of 0.0296 mmol.L-1, 0.0359 mmol.L-1 and 0.0418 mmol.L-1 for HSV-1 and 0.88 mmol.L-1, 1.04 mmol.L-1 and 1.06 mmol.L-1 for HSV-2. Not much difference was found among these compounds either on IC50 or on therapeutic indexes.

Food intake patterns in urban Beijing Chinese

This study investigated the food consumption patterns of 430 Beijing Chinese adults and assessed the impact on these patterns of the following socio-demographic characteristics: gender, age, educational achievement, and gross household income. Food intake by category, food variety and meal patterns were assessed using a 156-item food frequency questionnaire. It was found that gender and age were the most important factors to influence food consumption patterns. Men consumed more wheat products, red meat and tea, whereas women consumed more vegetables, fruit, nuts, fish, eggs and milk. Women also tended to consume a wider variety of food than did men. Furthermore, it was found that younger and more educated people tended to consume a wider variety of food. Age also had an important influence on the food intake. Younger and generally more educated adults tended to consume foods associated with affluence: meats, soft drinks and beer, while the older population tended to consume more vegetables (women only), milk and tea in their diets. Because education is closely correlated with age in this Beijing Chinese population, it appeared to have little effect on the food intake patterns, after adjusting for age. The older members of this population, who probably have a decreased functional reserve of nutrients, and the less educated, appeared not to be taking advantage of the availability of a wide variety of food, further increasing the risk of nutrient deficiency. On the other hand, the younger and more educated, who tended to consume a wide variety of foods, were more likely to maintain adequate nutritional standards. However, their tendency to consume food associated with affluence, such as meat and beer, may point toward an increased risk of those diseases prevalent in affluent societies, such as obesity, diabeties, cardiovascular disease, certain cancers and osteoporosis. Ongoing nutrition surveillance and appropriate nutrition education will be required increasingly for Beijing Chinese and similar communities.

Dependence of myocardial hypothermia tolerance on sources of activator calcium

To determine the relationship between cardiac hypothermia tolerance and the sources of activator calcium, we selectively modified either the sarcolemmal calcium permeability by nifedipine or the sarcoplasmic reticulum function by caffeine in papillary muscles from both the rat, as a cold sensitive model, and the ground squirrel, Citellus dauricus, a deep hibernator. Both force-interval relationship and cooling performance were investigated. At 25 degrees C, the slope of the force-interval curve of the ground squirrel was nearly double that of the rat. At shorter test intervals 0.5 muM nifedipine moved the curve down with little effect at longer intervals, and the curve slope increased. Caffeine (1 mM) decreased the peak force and eliminated its dependence upon test interval. When the temperature was lowered, rat preparations showed a marked increase of resting tension and aftercontraction between 7 and 12 degrees C and became inexcitable. In contrast, they maintained contractility down to a few degrees above 0 degrees C without aftercontraction and increased resting tension in the ground squirrel. In the rat nifedipine shortened the contractions, prevented the increase of resting tension, and minimized aftercontractions, with little improvement of contractility. Caffeine prolonged the contractions, caused a striking increase of resting tension and aftercontractions, and finally disabled the contractility at about 5-10 degrees C, even in the ground squirrel. We conclude that depressed calcium influx helps to prevent hypothermic calcium overload of the cardiac cells. Good function of the sarcoplasmic reticulum is essential for tolerance of hypothermia by cardiac cells. A suggestion that may improve the hypothermic tolerance of the myocardium from nonhibernators is postulated.

Neuroendocrine differentiation in 32 cases of so-called sclerosing hemangioma of the lung: identified by immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study

Thirty-two cases of so-called sclerosing hemangioma of the lung observed by light microscopy were further studied by electron microscopy and/or immunohistochemistry. Three histologic patterns were seen: hemangioma-like, papillary, and solid. The only significant component representing the nature of the lesion is characteristic round cells within the stroma in all these patterns, whereas the surface cells lining the papillary projections or cystic spaces are normal or are hyperplastic bronchioloalveolar cells with a few neuroendocrine cells. Immunohistochemical findings showed that the "stromal cells" (tumor cells) were positive for neuroendocrine markers, namely, chromogranin A (19 of 22 cases), neuron-specific enolase (24 of 24), synaptophysin (six of 10), adrenocorticotropic hormone (14 of 15), growth hormone (14 of 15), calcitonin (11 of 15), and gastrin (11 of 14). Besides, some tumor cells were positive for epithelial membrane antigen (four of four), carcinoembryonic antigen (one of four), and vimentin (one of one). All tumor cells were negative for polyclonal antikeratin antibody (25 cases), AE1 (one case), and AE3 (one case). However, in contrast to the "stromal cells," the surface cells of the cystic spaces stained positively for keratin (25 of 25 cases), AE1 (one of one), AE3 (one of one), epithelial membrance antigen (four of four), and carcinoembryonic antigen (four of four); only a few of them expressed neruoendocrine markers. Both surface and tumor cells were negative for factor VIII-related antigen (25 cases), CD31 (one case), and alpha1-antitrypsin (25 cases). Ten cases further studied by electron microscopy and six examined by ultrastructural morphometry showed that the surface cells were mainly type 2 pneumocytes containing many lamellar bodies in the cytoplasm. Lying among them, neuroendocrine cells were occasionally seen. The stromal tumor cells had no lamellar body, but dense core granules (neurosecretory granules) and microtubules. In six cases, 92.3% (345 of 374) of tumor cells contained neurosecretory granules, which were pleomorphic and 73 to 1056 nm in diameter (mean, 302 nm). Two to 193 (mean, 12) neurosecretory granules were found in each tumor cell. Both immunohistochemical findings and ultrastructural evidence indicate that so-called sclerosing hemangioma of the lung is a benign lesion composed of neoplastic neuroendocrine cells with areas of sclerosis. A suggested name for this tumor is benign neuroendocrine tumor of the lung. The differentiation between this tumor and papillary adenoma, bronchioloalveolar carcinoma, or carcinoid tumor of the lung is discussed.

Genes coding for mouse activin beta C and beta E are closely linked and exhibit a liver-specific expression pattern in adult tissues

Five activin beta subunits have been isolated to date, and a comparative analysis of amino acid identity has suggested that the activin beta C, beta D and beta E subunits represent a distinct subset. Based on genomic cloning studies, we now report that the mouse activin beta C and beta E genetic loci are closely linked-i.e, the coding sequences are separated by 5.5-kbp. These genes also show similarities in structural organization as well as a unique liver-restricted pattern of expression in adult mice. Our results suggest that tandem duplication of an ancestral gene generated the mouse activin beta C and beta E genetic loci, and they provide further evidence for the postulate that the beta C-beta E subunits form a distinct subset of related activins. To our knowledge, this report is the first to demonstrate close chromosomal linkage between members of the TGF-beta superfamily as well as a liver-restricted expression pattern for a TGF-beta-like gene.

Isolation, sequencing, and mapping of the human homologue of the yeast transcription factor, SPT5

We isolated the human homologue, SUPT5H, of the yeast transcription factor, SPT5. The human homologue is 1088 aa long compared to 1063 aa for the yeast gene. SUPT5H maps to 19q13, near the ryanodine receptor. Like its family member, SUPT6H, and like yeast SPT5, SUPT5H has a very acidic 5' domain. Like its family member, SUPT6H, but unlike yeast SPT5 or SPT6, SUPT5H has seven MAP kinase sites at its 5' end. In addition, SUPT5H lacks the novel 6-amino-acid repeat (consensus is S-T/A-W-G-G-A/Q) at the C-terminus of yeast SPT5. This argues that while there is functional similarity between SPT5 and SUPT5H, the molecules differ in the signals to which they respond.

Molecular cloning of the mouse activin beta E subunit gene

cDNA clones encoding a novel activin beta subunit have been isolated from mouse liver cDNA library. An amino acid homology comparison among members of the TGF-beta superfamily indicates that the open reading frame codes for a new activin/inhibin beta subunit. The predicted mature region of the subunit shows > 60% identity with activin beta C and beta D and > or = 45% identity with activin beta A and beta B, but only 20-40% amino acid sequence identity with other TGF-beta superfamily members. Therefore, the novel subunit has been designated activin beta E. Alignment of the mature growth factor region of the five activin beta subunits revealed that activin beta A and beta B share 63% amino acid identity, while activin beta C, beta D, and beta E share 62% identity. Therefore, activin beta A and beta B are most related to one another, while activin beta C, beta D, and beta E may represent a subset of related sequences.

Antioxidant status in persons with and without senile lens changes

Biochemical evidence on lens culture suggests that antioxidant nutrients can protect lens against peroxidation caused by radiation. A case-control study was carried out on 262 middle aged (45-54) and aged (55-64) subjects. The relationship between biochemical markers of antioxidant status and senile lens changes (including cataract) was examined in 131 subjects with senile lens changes and 131 control subjects with clear lens. Antioxidant status was measured using plasma and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and catalase activity and plasma levels of vitamin E and vitamin A. Subjects were grouped by age and sex. The results were as follows: (1) The subjects with lens changes tended to have lower plasma levels of vitamin E and vitamin A, lower activity of several antioxidant enzymes and higher level of MDA. (2) The subjects with senile lens changes had significantly lower erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase level. (3) In the middle-aged group, subjects with senile lens changes were observed to have lower erythrocyte and plasma glutathione peroxidase level than those without senile lens changes. The results suggest that appropriate amount of antioxidant nutrients might be expected to prevent or retard the process of lens changes.

[Effect of bushen huayu recipe on DNA content of myeloid cells in aplastic anemia patients]

Quantification of myeloid cell-DNA in 30 cases with aplastic anemia (AA) was performed with computer image analysis techniquee pre- and post-treatmentally with Bushen Huayu recipe respectively, and compared with that of a control group of 30 healthy subjects. The results showed the average level of DNA in myeloid cells from AA patients was significantly lower than that of control (P < 0.01) prior to the treatment and it raised to the same level approximately as that of control after the treatment. This change of DNA quantity might result from the improvement of microcirculation or(and) stimulus to hematopoietical cells which accelerated the DNA anabolism in these cells.

Isolation and characterization of the human and mouse homologues (SUPT4H and Supt4h) of the yeast SPT4 gene

To study gene regulation mediated by chromatin in mammals, we isolated the human (SUPT4H) and murine (Supt4h) counterparts of the yeast gene encoding SPT4; the product of this gene presumably interacts with the products of the mammalian homologues (which we have also cloned) of yeast SPT5 and SPT6, thereby modulating chromatin formation and activity. We isolated two different sized human SUPT4H cDNA clones (1464 and 728 nt) and one murine Supt4h (688 nt) cDNA clone; all three encode the same 117-amino-acid protein with conservation of the zinc finger motif found in SPT4. Conservation of this zinc finger motif from yeast to mouse and human implies functional importance. Although the overall sequence homology at the DNA level between the human 728-nt transcript and the murine 688-nt transcript is only 78.4%, the DNA sequence homology is 97.7% within the coding region. At the protein level, the amino acid sequences of the translated murine Supt4h and the human SUPT4H gene products are identical. The likely functional copy of SUPT4H, which has at least two introns, maps to human chromosome 17, with candidate intronless pseudogenes on chromosomes 2, 12, and 20. Buttressing the hypothesis that this is a gene required constitutively, both the human SUPT4H transcripts and the murine Supt4h transcript are expressed widely, although not at equal levels (e.g., such as most histones), in all fetal and adult tissues that we examined.

Image segmentation and bright contrast spot localization of the high resolution atomic image

Some basic quantitative analysis techniques of digitized high resolution atomic image are developed in this paper. We describe how to divide the atomic image into small independent areas with special structure information by the valley mesh segmentation method. The procedure is with regard to the bright contrast spot segmentation of atomic images. We suggest several ways for bright contrast spot localization in images. Calculation routines for peak detection and weighted local position average methods for this purpose are given.

Inhibition of hepatitis B virus in vitro by antisense oligonucleotides

A series of antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides against hepatitis B virus (HBV) were synthesized and evaluated for their antiviral effect in Hep-G2 cells transfected with HBV genome. The inhibitory effect of the tested antisense oligonucleotides was sequence-specific, dose-and time-dependent, and synergistic for certain combinations. In virus-inhibitory concentrations the oligonucleotides were harmless to 2.2.15 cells. The most effective antisense oligonucleotides were found directed against the HBV mRNA transcribed from the cap site of SP II promoter, the portion of polyadenylation signal and the initiation region of gene S, with an inhibition of the HBsAg and HBeAg production by 85-95% and 50- 60%, respectively. To our surprise, antisense oligonucleotides directed against three key sites of HBV X gene blocked the expression of HBsAg, HBeAg and HBxAg. This fact might be related to the trans-activation of HBV X protein. Using radioisotope labelling, we demonstrated that Lipofectin promoted the cellular uptake and antiviral effect of antisense oligomers in 2.2.15 cells. These results suggest a therapeutic potential of antisense oligonucleotides in the treatment of patients chronically infected with HBV.