Familial aggregation of bronchodilator response: a community-based study

We investigated familial aggregation of bronchodilator response (BDR) among 4,946 subjects selected from 1,161 index families with asthma in a rural community in China. Each family unit consisted of both parents and their first and subsequent offspring, aged 8-20. Raw BDR measurements, defined as the percentage change in FEV(1) after 180 microg of albuterol, were adjusted to account for sex, age, height, weight, education, smoking, asthma, wheeze, and allergy status. Using these adjusted BDR values, we found significant correlation for father-first offspring pairs, mother-first offspring pairs, mother-subsequent offspring pairs, and first offspring-subsequent offspring pairs. The overall magnitude of the correlation coefficient (0.088-0.165) suggests a modest degree of familial clustering. The largest odds ratio was seen for subsequent offspring who had mothers and first offspring with adjusted BDR values above the median: 3.10 (95% CI: 1.85-5.20) in these index families with asthma. Thus, our data support a significant familial aggregation of BDR in this Chinese population, which points to a role of genetic factors in BDR.

[Clinical understanding and therapeutic analysis of multiloop edgewise archwire correction of Angle Class II malocclusion]

OBJECTIVE

To use multiloop edgewise archwire (MEAW) to correct class II malocclusion and to analyse its therapeutic effects and principles.

METHODS

10 class II division 1 and 3 class II division 2 cases were treated with MEAW technique.

RESULTS

Gratifying results have been achieved in all cases in a relatively short period of time.

CONCLUSIONS

With full understanding of correcting principle of the archwire for class II malocclusion and active cooperation of the patient, the MEAW technique produces twice the result with half the effort.

Application of an algorithm for the diagnosis of asthma in Chinese families: limitations and alternatives for the phenotypic assessment of asthma in family-based genetic studies

Phenotype assessment is a crucial issue in gene mapping studies of asthma. Recently, Panhuysen and coworkers proposed an algorithm to define the asthma phenotype in gene mapping family-based studies. We classified members of 2,756 Chinese families ascertained on the basis of the presence of two or more siblings and no more than one parent with asthma using a slightly modified version of the aforementioned algorithm. Among 4,097 Chinese parents, 404 (9.9%) were classified as having "definite asthma," 284 (6.9%) as "probable asthma," 1,193 (29.1%) as "unclassifiable obstructive airway disease, " 626 (15.3%) as "COPD," and 1,590 (38.8%) as "unaffected" (no obstructive airway disease). Among 6,424 Chinese offspring, 1,065 (16.6%) were classified as having "definite asthma," 820 (12.8%) as "probable asthma," 1,996 (31.1%) as "unclassifiable obstructive airway disease," 228 (3.5%) as "COPD," and 2,315 (36%) as "unaffected." The use of the algorithm proposed by Panhuysen and coworkers in a Chinese population with a high prevalence of smoking would result in the exclusion of subjects with asthma who smoke or who have severe airflow obstruction from linkage analysis, as well as in an inability to explore any potential interactions between genetic factors and cigarette smoking in the pathogenesis of asthma. In the absence of a "gold standard," definitions of asthma that incorporate a combination of respiratory symptoms, increased airway responsiveness or bronchodilator response, and a physician's diagnosis of asthma are reasonable. The choice of a particular diagnostic algorithm for family-based genetic studies of asthma should be made according to factors such as the prevalence of smoking in the study population. Genetic studies of intermediate phenotypes related to asthma, which are objectively defined and may be influenced by a smaller number of genes, continue to be of great importance.

Identification of the subcellular localization of daunorubicin in multidrug-resistant K562 cell line

We examined the subcellular distribution of daunorubicin (DNR) in resistant K562 cell line which overexpress the P-glycoprotein by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Three fluorescent probes - Rhodamine123, neutral red, NBD-ceramide, which stain the mitochondria, lysosomes, Golgi apparatus respectively, were used to identify the nature of the subcellular compartment sequestering daunorubicin. In sensitive k562 cell line, nuclear and cytoplasmic DNR fluorescence was intense and diffuse. In contrast, resistant K562 cell line showed a different DNR distribution. A bright fluorescence signal was located in the perinuclear region and peripheral plasma, the nucleus and other cytoplasmic region appear as empty, as suggested by the distribution of fluorescent probe Rhodamine123 specifically for mitochondria. Verapamil, an effective resistance modulator in P-glycoprotein MDR cells, restored the DNR distribution closer to that in the parent cells. Golgic inhibitor brefeldin A and lysosomotropic agent chloroquine had little effect on drug sequestration. Our studies demonstrate that daunorubicin may be sequestered in mitochondrial compartment in the resistant cells and P-glycoprotein plays an important role on mediating DNR transport.

Developing written discourse knowledge in whole language and code emphasis classrooms

BACKGROUND

Although there have been a plethora of studies comparing the effects of whole language vs. code emphasis instruction on children's literacy development, few have examined what children actually learn about features of written discourse in the two instructional settings.

AIM

The purpose of this study was to compare the development of written discourse knowledge among young children in whole language and code emphasis classrooms.

SAMPLES

Participants were 64 first grade children, 29 boys and 35 girls, in four intact classrooms from a mid-western school district of the United States. About half of them (N = 34) received whole language instruction and the other half (N = 30) code emphasis instruction.

METHODS

Each child was individually asked to compose a book-like story about a personally relevant experience for others to read at the beginning and end of the school year. The texts were analysed linguistically and statistically in terms of three fundamental features of written discourse--autonomy, conventionality, and specialised grammar.

RESULTS

The children developed more knowledge about the autonomy and conventionality features of written discourse, but their understanding of its specialised grammar remained inchoate. Further, the whole language and code emphasis groups did not demonstrate statistically significant differences in their working knowledge of written discourse.

CONCLUSIONS

The nature of instructional programme (whole language vs. code emphasis) appears to have little impact on children's developing understanding of written discourse.

Ferromagnetism stabilized by lattice distortion at the surface of the p-wave superconductor Sr(2)RuO(4)

Ferromagnetic (FM) spin fluctuations are believed to mediate the spin-triplet pairing for the p-wave superconductivity in Sr(2)RuO(4). Our experiments show that, at the surface, a bulk soft-phonon mode freezes into a static lattice distortion associated with an in-plane rotation of the RuO(6) octahedron. First-principle calculations confirm this structure and predict a FM ground state at the surface. This coupling between structure and magnetism in the environment of broken symmetry at the surface allows a reconsideration of the coupling mechanism in the bulk.

[Determination of trace amounts of copper by flow injection vapor generation AAS]

A method for the determination of copper by FI-VGAAS (flow injection vapor generation atomic absorption spectrometry) was developed. The sample solution containing trace amounts of o-phenanthroline and 0.1 mol.L-1 HNO3 was carried out by carrier of 0.1 mol.L-1 HNO3 and merged with sodium tetrahydroborate solution to produce the vapor species of copper, which got separation in gas-liquid separator and was detected in a quartz tube atomizer at 1000 degrees C. A detection limit of 1.8 micrograms.L-1 (3 sigma) of copper was obtained with a sampling frequency of 144/h using a sample volume of 500 microL. The precision RSD was 2.6% (n = 11) at the 100 micrograms.L-1 copper. The method was applied to the analysis of human hair and rice standard reference samples, the results were in good agreement with certified values.

[Sequential injection vapor generation atomic absorption spectrometric determination of mercury and arsenic]

A sequential injection vapor generation atomic absorption spectrometric (SI-VGAAS) method for the determination of mercury and arsenic was developed, characterized by reagent merging using a double-syringe pump and a multi-position selector valve. A sample throughput of 120 h-1 was achieved with 500 microL sample with a precision of 2.2% for mercury at 8.0 micrograms.L-1 (n = 11) and 1.4% for arsenic at 6.0 micrograms.L-1 (n = 11) levels and a detection limit of 0.15 microgram.L-1 for mercury and 0.07 microgram.L-1 for arsenic. The method was applied to the analysis of geochemical standard reference material GSS-5, and good agreement with the certified values were obtained.

Color-coded projection grating method for shape measurement with a single exposure

A fast and efficient technique for profilometric measurement with a color-coded grating is proposed. Eight colors are used to code the grating, and each color represents only one logical state. There are 64 stripes in one period of the color grating, which is large enough for normal measurement. Compared with the previous techniques, it has the advantages of simple hardware without moving mechanical parts, single exposure for obtaining three-dimensional information, little influence from noise and from nonlinearity of the CCD camera on the measurement accuracy, and higher anti-color-blurring capability. The suggested technique is suitable for on-line inspection and dynamic measurement of moving objects.

[Measurement of T and DHT contents in normal and diseased human prostate tissues]

OBJECTIVE

To measure T and DHT contents in normal and diseased human prostate tissues.

METHODS

Serum and prostatic T and DHT levels were measured in patients with normal, benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer.

RESULTS

A decline was observed in serum T level, but no change in DHT concentration with aging. There were no significant differences in both blood T and DHT levels between the patients with BPH or PCA and normal controls. Serum T level remained constant. There were excessive accumulation of DHT in BPH, and cancerous prostate tissues were responsible for the pathogenesis of BPH and PCA. Finasteride treatment did not produce a reduction in prostatic DHT content.

CONCLUSION

More than one form of 5a-reductases is responsible for the high level of DHT in the gland.

[Effects of PML and PML-RAR alpha antisense oligonucleotides on promyelocytic leukemia cell line NB4]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the different effects of anti-PML (promyelocytic leukemia) and anti-PML/RAR alpha (promyelocytic leukemia/retionic acid receptor alpha) antisense oligonucleotides on cell growth, expression of PML-RAR alpha mRNA and PML-RAR alpha/PML protein location of NB4 cell line.

METHODS

RT-PCR was used for PML-RAR alpha mRNA expression, trypan blue exclusion for cell count, methylcellulose assay for leukemic colony forming unit, immuno-fluorescence for PML-RAR alpha/PML protein localization.

RESULTS

Both anti-PML start codon region antisense (STAS) and anti-PML-RAR alpha fusion region antisense (FUAS) could inhibit cell growth and formation AML-CFU. Cells became partially differentiated on day 5, being more marked in FUAS-treated cells than in STAS-treated ones. Down regulated PML-RAR alpha mRNA expression occurred at 24 h was in STAS and FUAS-treated cells and maintained for up to 72 h. Immuno-fluorescence analysis with anti-PML monoclonal antibody showed a remarkable decrease to almost complete disappearance of microgranules. The residual granules became enlarged to become discrete dots (< 10 per cell), similar to normal POD structure in some STAS-treated cells at 24 h. AT 72 h, nearly all the granules disappeared. Similar changes were observed in FUAS-treated cells.

CONCLUSION

Both PML and PML-RAR alpha antisense oligonucleotides can specifically block the expression of PML-RAR alpha at mRNA and protein levels. PML protein is implicated in the regulation of cell differentiation.

Circadian rhythm of plasma sodium is disrupted in spontaneously hypertensive rats fed a high-NaCl diet

High-NaCl diets elevate arterial pressure in NaCl-sensitive individuals, and increases in plasma sodium may trigger this effect. The present study tests the hypotheses that 1) plasma sodium displays a circadian rhythm in rats, 2) the plasma sodium rhythm is disturbed in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), and 3) excess dietary NaCl elevates plasma sodium concentration in SHR. The results demonstrate that plasma sodium has a circadian rhythm that is inversely related to the circadian rhythm of arterial pressure. Although the plasma sodium rhythms of SHR and control rats are nearly identical, the plasma sodium concentrations are significantly higher in SHR throughout the 24-h cycle. Maintenance on a high-NaCl diet increases plasma sodium concentration similarly in both SHR and control rats, but it blunts the plasma sodium rhythm only in SHR. These results demonstrate that in rats, plasma sodium has a circadian rhythm and that high-NaCl diets increase plasma sodium concentration.

[Altered subcellular distribution of daunorubicin in the non-P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug-resistant cell line HL-60/ADR]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate DNR subcellular distribution in the non-P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug-resistant cell line HL-60/ADR and its relation to multidrug resistance.

METHODS

DNR subcellular disposition was studied by confocal scanning laser microscopy, fluorescent methods, MTT and RT-PCR. The effects of verapamil, brefeldin A, chloroquine were also examined.

RESULTS

In the drug-sensitive cell line HL-60 DNR fluorescence distributed evenly in the nucleus and cytoplasm, while in the resistant cell line DNR distributed in a punctate pattern in the cytoplasm and was reduced in the nucleus. Verapamil, brefeldin A, but not chloroquine could recover the intracellular distribution of DNR from punctate to even in the resistant cell line.

CONCLUSION

Altered subcellular disposition of DNR in resistant cell line was involved in the mechanism of multidrug resistance.

[Transurethral electrovaporization-ablation of superficial bladder carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To observe short-term curative effect of transurethral electrovaporization-ablation of superficial bladder carcinoma.

METHODS

82 cases of superficial bladder carcinoma were treated using transurethral electrovaporization-ablation.

RESULTS

The mean operative time was 36 min. One patient was complicated with extraperitoneal bladder perforation. No patients experienced TUR syndrome and severe hemorrhage. During the follow up for 2-18 months, 3 patients had recurrence respectively at 7, 8 and 10 months after the operation.

CONCLUSIONS

Cut-electrode had vaporization and ablation with smooth surface of the wound and speed. The advantage includes safety, few complication, evident efficacy, and short hospitalization.

A method of "unilateral operation" for early repair of unilateral complete cleft palate. Preliminary report

OBJECTIVE

This article describes a method of "unilateral operation" and the preliminary results of a group of patients with unilateral complete cleft palate undergoing the operation at early age.

DESIGN

The "unilateral operation" consists of four relaxation maneuvers. After all of the four maneuvers have been performed on the deformed side of an unilateral complete cleft palate, the deformed side can be moved posteriorly and medially to contact with the normal side. Then the cleft can be closed without tension.

RESULTS

From 1995 to 1998, 19 cases of unilateral complete cleft palate were repaired with this method at 5-12 months of age. Postoperatively, there were no deaths nor dehiscences. Under the care and guidance of an experienced speech pathologist, 15 of 17 of these children have normal vocal quality at 1-2 years of age.

CONCLUSIONS

The "unilateral operation" is a rational, adequate, and safe method for early repair of unilateral complete cleft palate. It's design addresses four principles. First, operating only on the deformed side of a unilateral complete cleft palate leaves the normal side unperturbed. Second, complete relaxation of the deformed side is achieved before closing the cleft. Third, in comparison with conventional procedures, which operate on both sides of the palate, this method has the advantage of less surgical trauma, less blood loss, and shorter time of operation. Fourth, all of these advantages are beneficial to early cleft palate repair, which is an important factor in achieving good speech.

Phase diagram of tetragonal manganites

The phase diagram of La1-xSrxMnO3, as a function of hole doping x and tetragonal distortion c/a, which consists of ferromagnetic (FM), A-, C-, and G-type antiferromagnetic (AF) states, is obtained by the first-principles band structure calculations. Effects of tetragonal distortion on the magnetic ordering are discussed in terms of orbital ordering and anisotropy in the hopping integrals. The general sequence of the magnetic ground states, FM --> A-AF --> C-AF --> G-AF with increasing of x, is also explained based on the instability of FM states with respect to the spin-wave excitations.

[Developments in microfluidic spectrometry]

A review is presented on the development of spectrometric detection in microfluidic chemical analysis systems. A brief introduction of microfluidic analysis and future perspectives of the technique are also discussed.

Nicotine dependence and its familial aggregation in Chinese

BACKGROUND

Nicotine dependence is a significant public health problem. This study attempted to characterize the prevalence and familial aggregation of nicotine dependence in China.

METHODS

In 1998, we initiated a community-based cross-sectional study among residents of the Yuexi County in Anqing, China. A total of 991 current smokers from 488 randomly selected nuclear families were recruited and surveyed by use of the standardized Fagerstrom Test of Nicotine Dependence (FTND) questionnaire and the Revised Tolerance Questionnaire (RTQ). All study subjects were offspring in their respective nuclear families, and 478 male-male pairs (aged 41.7 +/- 12.1 years) were finally used for data analyses, because the number of female current smokers (n = 5) was too small.

RESULTS

The correlation coefficient of the FTND and the RTQ scores was as high as 0.84 (P < 0.0001). Nicotine dependence, defined as an FTND score > or =8 or an RTQ score > or =28, had a prevalence of 12.7% and 11.1%, respectively. The respective sibling recurrent risk was 1.7 and 2.4, according to the FTND or the RTQ criteria. The adjusted odds ratios and 95% CI of nicotine dependence of second siblings in families in which the first sibling was nicotine dependent were 2.13 (95% CI: 1.02-4.43) and 3.50 (95% CI: 1.65-7.36) respectively, according to the FTND and RTQ criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of nicotine dependence in male current smokers in China was comparable to that reported in previous US and European studies. Our findings suggest that genetic influences may play an important role in vulnerability to nicotine addiction.

The direction of microsatellite mutations is dependent upon allele length

Microsatellites, comprising tandemly repeated short nucleotide sequences, are ubiquitous in eukaryotic genomes. Mutations within microsatellites are frequent, altering their overall length by insertion or deletion of a small number of repeat units, with a rate as high as 10(-3) in humans. Despite their high mutability, stable allele frequency distributions are typically observed for microsatellites in humans as well as other primates, although the mechanism maintaining these stable distributions remains unclear. Previous studies have suggested that microsatellite mutations occur more frequently in longer alleles and favour expansion. Generalizing these results has been hindered because the sample sizes were small, only a small subset of alleles for any marker was studied and the direction of mutation (expansion or contraction) was not rigorously determined. Here we examine 236 mutations at 122 tetranucleotide repeat markers and find that the rate of contraction mutations increases exponentially with allele size, whereas the rate of expansion mutations is constant across the entire allele distribution. The overall rate of expansion mutations does not differ from that of contractions. Our findings offer an explanation for the stationary allele distribution of microsatellites.

[Study on the DNA gyrA gene mutation with resistance to fluoroquinolones in Staphylococcus aureus isolated from patients]

This study was aimed at the mechanism of resistance to fluoroquinolones in Staphylococcus aureus isolated from patients in Chengdu. The relationship between the point mutations in the gyrA genes and the resistance of 63 strains (57 fluoroquinone-resistant strains and 6 wild types) isolated clinically in Chengdu were investigated by a combination of restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The results revealed that there are 67.27%-92.5% of the fluoroquinolone-resistant strains against norfloxacin, fleroxacin, tosufloxacin, cipofloxacin, ofloxacin and sparfloxacin had a Hinf I site mutation in the gyrA genes, and most of such strains with such mutation in the gyrA genes showed high-level resistance. These indicate that Hinf site mutation in gyrA genes is the mainly cause of the resistance of fluoroquinolone-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus in Chengdu region.

[Mutation of hepatitis B virus DNA pre-C region in patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma in Guangxi]

OBJECTIVE

To study the association between mutation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) pre-C gene and HBV infection in patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) but negative hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) in Guangxi Province, China.

METHODS

Nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) was used for amplification of HBV DNA Pre C region in sera collected from 16 patients with PHC in Guangxi, and then their HBV DNA nPCR products were sequenced by Sanger method.

RESULTS

Sera in fourteen of 16 patients showed positive HBV DNA, with a positive proportion of 87.5% (14/16). One (C23) of them was positive for HBeAg; one (C24) was negative HBeAg, but with normal sequence in his Pre C region; two (C7, C14) were co-infected with HBV wild and mutant strains; and the remainder eight cases (C3, C4, C5, C8, C10, C11, C12, C13) were infected with mutant virus strains, but stop codon at codon 28 was only found in C4, C5 and C12. One case (C8) was co-infected with both HBV stop codon mutant and non-stop codon strains.

CONCLUSION

It is uncommon for patients with PHC in Guangxi infected with HBV mutant strain with classical mutation at nt 1 896, which suggests that maybe there exist other types of mutation other than that in pre-C region causing HBV infection without HBeAg.

Protection against leptospirosis by immunization with plasmid DNA encoding 33 kDa endoflagellin of L. interrogans serovar lai

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate how the efficacy of DNA inocutation affects the ability to raise protective immunity against Leptospira.

METHODS

A pair of oligonucleotide primers were designed to amplify the endoflagellar gene of L. interrogans sensu stricto serovar lai. An approximately 840bp fragment was generated with PCR and inserted into VR1012, a plasmid DNA expression vector, after the fragment and VR1012 were digested respectively with EcoRV and Sal I. A recombinant plasmid designated as VR1012+flaB2 was obtained. The vector, VR1012 consits of a pUC18 backbone with the cytomegalovirus (CMV) IE1 enhancer, promoter, and intron A, transcription regulatory elements and the BGH polyadenylation sequences driving the expressing of leptospiral endoflagellar gene of L. interrogans sensu stricto serovar lui. Plasmid encoding leptospiral endoflagellin gene was injected into quadriceps of NZW rabbits.

RESULTS

This resulted in the generation of specific leptospiral antibody with high ELISA titer (1:32768) in the rabbits. Immuno/protection was performed in guinea pigs without adjuvant. The group "VR1012 + flaB2" showed higher survival rate (90%, 9/10 animals), compared with the group "VR1012 lack flaB2" and the group "normal saline".

CONCLUSION

The technique of DNA vaccine has potential advantages over certain other vaccine preparation technologies. However whether DNA vaccine will be useful for vaccine development remains to be tested.

[Pharmacokinetics of pramiracetam in animals]

Pharmacokinetic rules of pramiracetam were studied here. After giving pramiracetam orally to dogs, we drew their blood at various times. The drug concentrations in blood plasma were detected by HPLC. 3p87 program was used to calculate the pharmacokinetic parameters. The time-concentration curve corresponded to one apartment model. T1/2 was about 2.3-3.9 hours in various doses. After pramiracetam was given to rats per os, high concentrations of pramiracetam were detected in the rats' tissues. The kidney had the highest concentration of pramiracetam; the liver had the next highest concentration, and then the intestine, lung, muscle, heart, gonad, spleen and sebum had the high concentration in order. The drug was also detected in the brain. 0.7% of the given dose was excreted in unchanged form in bile in 24 hours. 28.26% and 6.35% were excreted in urine and feces respectively in 72 hours. The plasma protein combining rate detected by the method of balance dialysis was 20.1-22.2%.

Familial aggregation of pulmonary function in a rural Chinese community

We investigated familial aggregation of pulmonary function among asthma index families and randomly selected nuclear families in a rural community in China. Measurements of pulmonary function and related risk factors were obtained from each family member. A generalized estimation equation model was used to explore the independent relation of pulmonary function among family members, with adjustment for sex, age, height, weight, education, smoking, and asthma status. There was a significant parent-child and sib-sib correlation of pulmonary function. The parent-child correlation of pulmonary function was similar for the first and second children. The correlation was greatest between sib-sibs, followed by mother-child, and less pronounced between father-child among asthma families. The rate of reduced pulmonary function in a subsequent sibling was lowest (4.0%) when both of the parents and the first sibling were in the high-pulmonary-function tertile (high-high group) and was highest (18.4%) when both the parents and the first sibling were in the low-pulmonary-function tertile (low-low group). The rates were intermediate if only the parents (7.0%, low-high group) or only the first sibling (11.5%, high-low group) was in the reduced-pulmonary-function tertile. Our data indicate a strong familial aggregation of pulmonary function in both asthma and random families in this population.

[Improvements on radical neck dissection]

OBJECTIVE

To improve the surgery of radical neck dissection for a better curative effect.

METHOD

Some improvements on incision, path to exploration and manipulation of operation were made in 65 patients with head and neck tumors while radical neck dissection were done.

RESULT

The average surgical time was 110 minutes and the average amount of bleeding was 120 ml in the patients when radical neck dissection had been completed. The complications decreased to 1.54%. The surviual rates of 2 and 3 years are 86.2% (56/65) and 81.6 (31/38) respectively.

CONCLUSION

With these improvements on radical neck dissection, the curative effect in the near future is improved.

Therapeutic effect of abstinence capsule on withdrawal symptoms of heroin addicts

435 heroin addicts were treated for 10 days to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of abstinence capsule on heroin withdrawal symptoms and its main adverse actions. Lofexidine was applied in a control group of 48 addicts. The single blind method and some determination methods used internationally were employed to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness and adverse actions of the drugs. The results showed that the abstinence capsule has better therapeutic effectiveness, with less adverse actions, wider safety range, longer time of action and less cost than lofexidine.

Expression of RET proto-oncogene and GDNF deficit in Hirschsprung's disease

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate GDNF (glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor) protein expression and RNA expression level of the RET proto-oncogene in human aganglionic (AG) bowel in Hirschsprung's disease (HD) and to further understand the pathophysiology of HD.

METHODS

To evaluate the possible implication of the RET gene and GDNF for the development of HD, mRNA expression level of the RETgene was examined by using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique and protein expression level of the GDNF using an immunohistochemical technique in the bowel specimens of 15 HD patients.

RESULTS

A significantly less intense signal for RETmRNA was found in the AG bowel compared with the ganglionic bowel. In different age groups of patients, the intensities of RET level had similar results. In the same patients, there was strong GDNF immunoreactivity in the myenteric plexuse in ganglionic bowel. In the myenteron in AG bowel, the number of GDNF immunoreactive neuron cells was reduced significantly compared with normal ganglionic bowel.

CONCLUSIONS

From these preliminary data we conclude that the decreased RET expression in the AG bowel may suggest mal development of neural crest-derived cells in HD. The reduced level of GDNF in AG bowel may suggest a GDNF expression deficit interrupting the faithful signaling via RET, and both are implicated in the pathogenesis of HD.

Identification of a novel intron and 4 polymorphisms in the gene encoding the gamma subunit of the epithelial sodium channel

The amiloride-sensitive epithelial sodium channel is a highly selective sodium channel that constitutes the rate-limiting step of sodium reabsorption in distal nephrons. It consists of at least 3 subunits (alpha, beta, and gamma) of similar structure and plays an important role in sodium and fluid homeostasis. Defects of this channel have been critically implicated in Liddle syndrome (pseudoaldosteronism) and pseudohypo-aldosteronism type 1. A sample of 48 individuals from 23 nuclear families was selected from Anhui, China. We sequenced 12 exons and flanking intronic sequences and discovered a new 207-bp intron located in the previously described exon X of Thomas et al. (1996). In addition, 4 novel single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified; 3 were in exon 3 and 1 was in exon 13. Furthermore, 2 base substitutions in exon 13 were present in all the Chinese subjects compared with the published European SCNN1G DNA sequence.

[Alignment of DNA sequences of ompL1 genes of insert fragment of recombinant plasmid, pDC38 of L. interrogans serovar lai and L. kirschneri]

In a previous study a genomic library of L. interrogans serovar lai was constructed by the present authors. Hybridization analysis (In situ, dot blot, Southern blot) with the DNA fragment containing OmpL1 (alpha-32P labeled) was performed. One of positive clones designated pDC38, was analyzed with 9 restriction enzymes (EcoRI, Bam HI, Hind III, Bgl, XbalI, ScaI, KpnI, PstI, Dra II). DNA hybridization was applied to analyze the homology of the recombinant fragment of ompL1 with the DNA of 18 strains of L. interrogans. The results showed that the homology of fragments of ompL1 were present in pathogenic Leptospira strains, but they were not in the non-pathogenic Leptospira biflexa strain Patoc I, Leptonema illini strain 3055. Therefore, Dr. David A. Haake performed the sequencing of pDC38. The results showed that pDC38 contained two inserts of 2.7 kb and 3.0 kb. The 3.0 insert contained a complete copy of the ompL1 gene. Dr. David A. Haake amplified the ompL1 gene using PCR primers specific for the ends of the gene and cloned the amplicon into pBluescript KS for sequencing. The alignment of complete DNA sequences of ompL1 of L. kirschneri and L. interrogans serovar lai showed the similarity of nucleotide sequences was 90%, variation was 10%. The derived amino acid sequence showed there was a high degree of amino acid sequence homology with ompL1 of L. kirschneri. These findings indicated that ompL1 gene was one of the important outer membrane protein genes in the L. interrogans serovar lai and using the probe pDC38 might provide a good tool for classification and identification of Leptospira.

Interaction between lifetime captopril treatment and NaCI-sensitive hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats and Wistar-Kyoto rats

DESIGN

Previous studies that were based on daytime arterial pressure recordings indicate that lifetime treatment with captopril exacerbates the hypertensive response to a high NaCl diet in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) but has no such effect in normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. The present study used 24-h recording methods to examine the hypothesis that during the normal waking hours of rats (night-time) the hypertensive response to a high NaCl diet is exacerbated in SHR and induced in WKY rats treated with lifetime captopril.

METHODS

SHR and WKY rats were (1) untreated, (2), lifetime captopril treated or (3) lifetime captopril treated but removed from the treatment 2 weeks prior to exposure to a high (8%) NaCl diet

RESULTS

Compared to untreated SHR, in SHR that were continuously treated with captopril, the high NaCl diet caused a more rapid and greater rise in arterial pressure. Discontinuation of the captopril treatment did not significantly diminish this NaCl-sensitivity. In untreated WKY rats, the high NaCl diet did not alter mean arterial pressure, but in the lifetime captopril-treated WKY rats the high NaCl diet induced a rapid rise in arterial pressure. In WKY rats, discontinuation of the lifetime captopril treatment did not diminish this NaCl-induced rise in arterial pressure, even though baseline mean arterial pressure in this group is similar to that in untreated WKY rats.

CONCLUSIONS

Lifetime captopril treatment accelerates the hypertensive response to a high NaCl diet in SHR, and it induces a similar response in WKY rats. In both strains, the lifetime captopril treatment causes a change in the response that is not dependent on concurrent administration of the drug. This finding further suggests that lifetime captopril treatment causes a long-term resetting of cardiovascular response mechanisms.

[The identification of banding chromosomes by computer image analysis]

The analysis system for banding chromosomes (SYSTEM), an image analysis software, was programmed. By the SYSTEM the photos of Chinese G banding chromosomes were analyzed. It showed that the karyotype of the chromosomes of persons was recorded in high speed and efficiency, and that the chromosomes of alike ordinal number from different persons could be compared directly. That would presage, by this kind of the high effective operation, a favorable condition was created for the application of the polymorphism of the chromosomes to the parentage diagnosis.

Linkage analysis of candidate genes and gene-gene interactions in chinese hypertensive sib pairs

Previous studies of hypertension in humans and experimental animal models have identified a number of candidate genes that have since been implicated as possibly contributing to essential hypertension. Among them are the genes encoding angiotensinogen, renin, the beta- and gamma-subunits of the epithelial sodium channel (beta/gamma-ENaC), alpha-adducin, and kallikrein (KLK). To examine the role of possible contribution of these genes in ethnic Chinese, as well as the epistatic interaction among them, we studied a large cohort of hypertensive sib pairs from China. DNA samples from 310 concordant affected sibling pairs with hypertension were tested for linkage with the use of excess allele-sharing algorithms based on genotyping with highly informative GT-repeat microsatellite markers localized in the immediate vicinity of the genes encoding angiotensinogen, renin, beta- and gamma-ENaC, alpha-adducin, and KLK. Affected sib pair analysis conducted according to 3 different methods (Statistical Analysis for Genetic Epidemiology [S.A.G.E. ]/SIBPAL, MAPMAKER/SIBS, and affected pedigree member [APM] methods) revealed no evidence for linkage of any of these genes to primary hypertension in the population studied. Moreover, 2-locus sib pair linkage analyses to test for gene-gene interactions among each possible pair of candidate genes failed to yield any statistically significant results. Our findings provide no support for a significant contribution of the angiotensinogen, renin, beta/gamma-ENaC, alpha-adducin, or KLK genes, alone or in concert, to the pathogenesis of essential hypertension among Chinese. Our results emphasize the possible role of ethnic differences for complex disease genetics, as well as the need for large, well-characterized investigations.

[Immunogenicity and immunoprotection of a leptospiral DNA vaccine]

Leptospirosis is one of the most widespread zoonosis. Immunization of NZW rabbit with plasmid DNA constructs encoding leptospiral endoflagellin can induce specific antibody response in the animal. The vector, VR1012 consists of a pUC18 backbone with the cytomegalovirus (CMV) IE1 enhancer, promoter, and intron A transcription regulatory elements and the BGH polyadenylation sequences driving the expression of leptospiral endoflagellar gene, flaB2. In this study, a pair of oligonucleotide primers were designed to amplify the endoflagellar of L. interrogans serovar lai. An approximately 840 bp fragment was generated with PCR and inserted into expressed plasmid vector, VR1012, after the fragment of VR1012 were digested respectively with EcoRV and Sall. A recombinant plasmid (designated VR1012 + flaB2) was obtained. Plasmid encoding leptospiral endoflagellin was injected into quadriceps of NZW rabbits. This resulted in the generation of specific leptospiral antibody with very high ELISA titer. Immunoprotection was performed in guinea pigs. The group "VR1012 + flaB2" had higher survival rate, compared with the group "VR1012 only" (control) and the group "Normal Saline only" (control). The result suggests that the technique of DNA injection should have an advantage over certain previous vaccine technologies.

An extreme-sib-pair genome scan for genes regulating blood pressure

Hypertension, a risk factor for many cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and renal diseases, affects one in four Americans, at an annual cost of>$30 billion. Although genetic mutations have been identified in rare forms of hypertension, including Liddle syndrome and glucocorticoid-remediable aldosteronism, the abundance of plausible candidate genes and potential environmental risk factors has complicated the genetic dissection of more prevalent essential hypertension. To search systematically for chromosomal regions containing genes that regulate blood pressure, we scanned the entire autosomal genome by using 367 polymorphic markers. Our study population, selected from a blood-pressure screen of >200,000 Chinese adults, comprises rare but highly efficient extreme sib pairs (207 discordant, 258 high concordant, and 99 low concordant) and all but a single parent of these sibs. By virtue of the sampling design, the number of sib pairs, and the availability of genotyped parents, this study represents one of the most powerful of its kind. Although no regions achieved a 5% genomewide significance level, maximum LOD-score values were >2.0 (unadjusted P<.001) for regions containing five markers (D3S2387, D11S2019, D15S657, D16S3396, and D17S1303), in our primary analysis. Other promising regions identified through secondary analyses include loci near D4S3248, D7S2195, D10S1423, D20S470, D20S482, D21S2052, PAH, and AGT.

Blood pressure and the T174M and M235T polymorphisms of the angiotensinogen gene

PURPOSE

The angiotensinogen gene (AGT), which encodes the precursor of the vasoactive hormone angiotensin II, has been reported to be associated with hypertension in Caucasian and Japanese populations. We examined the relationship between two common molecular variants of AGT, T174M and M235T and blood pressure in two cohorts from the Anqing region of China. Cohort I (N = 794) consisted of families ascertained by either hypertensive or hypotensive siblings; and Cohort II (N = 761) represented a collection of randomly selected families.

METHODS

Blood pressure was measured according to standard protocols, and information on age, sex, body mass index, alcohol consumption, and cigarette smoking was collected by trained interviewers using standardized questionnaires. The association of AGT genotypes and blood pressure was examined in multivariate linear regression models, with adjustment for potential intrafamilial correlations. The respective T and M allele frequencies for T174M were 0.93 and 0.07, and 0.80 and 0.20 for M235T among the parents for randomly selected families. All the analyses were conducted after exclusion of individuals currently under antihypertensive medication.

RESULTS

In the pooled analysis of the two cohorts, neither the T174M nor the M235T polymorphism was significantly associated with variations of blood pressure assuming a recessive (T174M: p = 0.73 and 0.61; M235T: p = 0.99 and 0.24; for SBP and DBP), dominant (T174M: p = 0.54 and 0.72; M235T: p = 0.79 and 0.12; for SBP and DBP), or additive (T174M: p = 0.52 and 0.67, M235T: p = 0.91 and 0.11; for SBP and DBP) model. Likewise, no statistically significant association was detected when the two cohorts were analyzed separately. The logistic regression analysis of hypertension also failed to reveal any association with these markers.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, our analyses suggest that the molecular variants of AGT may not be associated with variations of blood pressure in this rural Chinese population.

[Analysis of C5 fractions and carbonyl compounds by capillary gas chromatography]

We used two capillary columns with different characters--SE-54 (30 m x 0.25 mm) and Squalane (92 m x 0.24 mm) to analyse C5 fractions and carbonyl compounds in the mixtures of complex chemical composition. The physical properties of some components are very similar, especially for 1,3-cyclopentadiene and cis-1,3-pentadiene. 1,3-Cyclopentadiene in the feed will directly affect the activity of catalyst. In the past we only used SE-54 column to separate 1,3-cyclopentadiene and cis-1,3-pentadiene, but the results were unsatisfactory. Later we found that squalane column could separate them fairly good, but it could not yet separate dicyclopentadiene from 1,3-cyclopentadiene and carbonyl compounds in C5 fractions very well. In this work SE-54 capillary column and squalane capillary column were used together to analyse C5 fractions, and SE-54 column was used to analyse carbonyl compounds. The results are satisfactory.

[Laboratory and clinical investigation on lower respiratory tract infection by Haemophilus influenzae]

OBJECTIVE

To improve the positive rate of Hi isolation and to study the epidemiology, antibiotic sensitivity and clinical characteristics of the lower respiratory tract infection by Hi.

METHODS

Modified Columbia chocolate agar(ICCA) was compared with blood agar staphy stick (BASS) for the primary isolation of Hi from sputa. The sensitivities of 20 antibiotics to Hi were determined in vitro by KB method and MICs of 12 antibiotics were determined by broth microdilution method. The clinical characteristics of 92 cases with lower respiratory tract infection by Hi were analyzed.

RESULTS

The isolation rate of Hi by ICCA was 20%, which was higher than 13% of BASS(P < 0.01). The third generation cephalosporins and the quinolones were most active against Hi. The resistant rate against Hi of ampicillin was 21%, however, that of the third generation cephalosporins was 45%-49%. 67(73%) of 92 cases were bronchopneumonia.

CONCLUSIONS

The isolation rate of Hi could be improved by ICCA. The clinical characteristic of lower respiratory tract infection by Hi was not specific. There has been a steady increase of antibiotic resistance during these years.

Molecular evidence for heterogeneity of the multiple-drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis population in Scotland (1990 to 1997)

Multiple-drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MDR-MTB) has been well studied in hospitals or health care institutions and in human immunodeficiency virus-infected populations. However, the characteristics of MDR-MTB in the community have not been well investigated. An understanding of its prevalence and circulation within the community will help to estimate the problem and optimize the strategies for control and prevention of its development and transmission. In this study, MDR-MTB isolates from Scotland collected between 1990 and 1997 were characterized, along with non-drug-resistant isolates. The results showed that they were genetically diverse, suggesting they were unrelated to each other and had probably evolved independently. Several new alleles of rpoB, katG, and ahpC were identified: rpoB codon 525 (ACC-->AAC; Thr525Asn); katG codon 128 (CGG-->CAG; Arg128Gln) and codon 291 (GCT-->CCT; Ala291Pro); and the ahpC synonymous substitution at codon 6 (ATT-->ATC). One of the MDR-MTB isolates from an Asian patient had an IS6110 restriction fragment length polymorphism pattern very similar to that of the MDR-MTB W strain and had the same drug resistance-related alleles but did not have any epidemiological connection with the W strains. Additionally, a cluster of M. tuberculosis isolates was identified in our collection of 715 clinical isolates; the isolates in this cluster had genetic backgrounds very similar to those of the W strains, one of which had already developed multiple drug resistances. The diverse population of MDR-MTB in Scotland, along with a low incidence of drug-resistant M. tuberculosis, has implications for the control of the organism and prevention of its spread.

Familial aggregation of blood pressure in a rural Chinese community

This study investigated blood pressure in 1,183 Chinese nuclear families (mother, father, and first two children) via a cross-sectional 1994-1997 survey. The mother's, the father's, and the first sibling's blood pressures were each significantly and independently related to the second sibling's blood pressure after adjustment for sex, age, height, weight, education, smoking, and alcohol consumption. The association was consistent across the four age strata (6-10, 11-14, 15-19, and > or = 20 years). The rate of high systolic blood pressure in the second sibling was lowest (2.3%) when both parents and the first sibling were in the low blood pressure tertile (low-low group) and highest (26.0%) when these family members were in the high blood pressure tertile (high-high group). The rate was intermediate if only the parents (10.7%, high-low group) or the first sibling (8.4%, low-high group) was in the high blood pressure tertile. As compared with the low-low group, the odds ratios for the high-high, high-low, and low-high groups were 14.3 (95% confidence interval 4.3-48.2), 4.3 (95% confidence interval 1.2-15.6), and 3.9 (95% confidence interval 1.1-14.4), respectively. A similar pattern was found for diastolic blood pressure. The data indicate a strong familial aggregation of blood pressure in this population and show that such a familial influence on blood pressure can be detected from early childhood onward.

A genome-wide scan for loci linked to forearm bone mineral density

Osteoporosis is a chronic disorder characterized by low bone mass and fragility fractures. It affects more than 25 million men and women in the United States alone. Although several candidate genes, such as the vitamin-D-receptor gene or the estrogen-receptor gene, have been suggested in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis, the genetic dissection of this disorder remains a daunting task. To search systematically for chromosomal regions containing genes that regulate bone mineral density (BMD), we scanned the entire autosomal genome by using 367 polymorphic markers among 218 individuals (153 sibpairs) from 96 nuclear families collected from three townships of Anqing, China. In these 96 families, DNA samples from both parents were available for 82 (85.4%) families. By using age- and gender-adjusted forearm BMD measurements, a peak on chromosome 2 near D2S2141, D2S1400, and D2S405, a region previously linked to spinal BMD, showed evidence of linkage to both proximal and distal forearm BMD (multipoint LOD=2.15 and 2.14 for proximal and distal forearm BMD, respectively). One region on chromosome 13 (multipoint LOD=1.67) in the proximity of D13S788 and D13S800 showed evidence of linkage to distal forearm BMD only. Possible candidate genes included CALM2 (calmodulin 2) at 2p21.3-p21.1, a putative STK (serine/threonine kinase) at 2p23-24, POMC (pro-opiomelanocortin) at 2p23.3, and COL4A1 and COL4A2 (collagen IV alpha-1 and alpha-2 subunits) at 13q34. Because of the limited sample size, the suggestive evidence of linkage of this study should be considered as tentative and needs to be replicated in other larger populations.

Characterization of IS1547, a new member of the IS900 family in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, and its association with IS6110

Unlike classically defined insertion sequence (IS) elements, which are delimited by their inverted terminal repeats, some IS elements do not have inverted terminal repeats. Among this group of atypical IS elements, IS116, IS900, IS901, and IS1110 have been proposed as members of the IS900 family of elements, not only because they do not have inverted terminal repeats but also because they share other features such as homologous transposases and particular insertion sites. In this study, we report a newly identified IS sequence, IS1547, which was first identified in a clinical isolate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Its structure, insertion site, and putative transposase all conform with the conventions of the IS900 family, suggesting that it is a new member of this family. IS1547 was detected only in isolates of the M. tuberculosis complex, where it had highly polymorphic restriction fragment length polymorphism patterns, suggesting that it may be a useful genetic marker for identifying isolates of the M. tuberculosis complex and for distinguishing different strains of M. tuberculosis. ipl is a preferential locus for IS6110 insertion where there are eight known different insertion sites for IS6110. Surprisingly, the DNA sequence of ipl is now known to be a part of IS1547, meaning that IS1547 is a preferential site for IS6110 insertion.

IS6110-mediated deletions of wild-type chromosomes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The ipl locus is a site for the preferential insertion of IS6110 and has been identified as an insertion sequence, IS1547, in its own right. Various deletions around the ipl locus of clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis were identified, and these deletions ranged in length from several hundred base pairs up to several kilobase pairs. The most obvious feature shared by these deletions was the presence of an IS6110 copy at the deletion sites, which suggested two possible mechanisms for their occurrence, IS6110 transposition and homologous recombination. To clarify the mechanism, an investigation was conducted; the results suggest that although deletion transpositionally mediated by IS6110 was a possibility, homologous recombination was a more likely one. The implications of such chromosomal rearrangements for the evolution of M. tuberculosis, for IS6110-mediated mutagenesis, and for the development of genetic tools are discussed. The deletion of genomic DNA in isolates of M. tuberculosis has previously been noted at only a few sites. This study examined the deletional loss of genetic material at a new site and suggests that such losses may occur elsewhere too and may be more prevalent than was previously thought. Distinct from the study of laboratory-induced mutations, the detailed analysis of clinical isolates, in combination with knowledge of their evolutionary relationships to each other, gives us the opportunity to study mutational diversity in isolates that have survived in the human host and therefore offers a different perspective on the importance of particular genetic markers in pathogenesis.

Angiotensinogen gene polymorphisms M235T/T174M: no excess transmission to hypertensive Chinese

The gene encoding angiotensinogen (AGT) has been widely studied as a candidate gene for hypertension. Most studies to date have relied on case-control analysis to test for an excess of AGT variants among hypertensive cases compared with normotensive controls. However, with this design, nothing guarantees that a positive finding is due to actual allelic association as opposed to an inappropriate control population. To avoid this difficulty in our study of essential hypertension in Anqing, China, we tested AGT variants using the transmission/disequilibrium test, a procedure that bypasses the need for a control sample by testing for excessive transmission of a genetic variant from parents heterozygous for that variant. We analyzed two AGT polymorphisms, M235T and T174M, which have been associated with essential hypertension in whites and Japanese, using data on 335 hypertensive subjects from 315 nuclear families and their parents. Except in the group of subjects younger than 25 years, M235 and T174 were the more frequently transmitted alleles. We found that 194 parents heterozygous for M235T transmitted M235 106 times (P=0.22) and that 102 parents heterozygous for T174M transmitted T174 60 times (P=0.09). Stratifying offspring by gender, M235 and T174 were transmitted 60 of 106 times (P=0.21) and 44 of 75 times (P=0.17), respectively, in men, and 46 of 88 times (P=0.75) and 16 of 27 times (P=0.44), respectively, in women. Our results were also negative in all age groups and for the affected offspring with blood pressure values >/=160/95 mm Hg. Thus, this study provides no evidence that either allele of M235T or T174M contributes to hypertension in this Chinese population.

[The percentage of free prostate specific antigen used in detecting prostate cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the value of the percentage of free prostate specific antigen in detecting prostate cancer.

METHODS

Serum free prostate specific antigen (F-PSA) and total PSA were measured with immunoradiometric assay, and the free/total PSA ratio was calculated. In 117 patients, 31 had prostate carcinoma and 86 BPH.

RESULTS

The free/total PSA ratio was lower in patients with prostate cancer than in those with BPH. If the total serum PSA level was limited with in 4 - 10 ng/ml, the free/total PSA ratio can be used in the differential diagnosis of prostate cancer and BPH except total PSA.

CONCLUSIONS

The free/total PSA ratio can be used in the differential diagnosis of prostate cancer and BPH, especially when serum PSA level is limited with in 4 - 10 ng/ml.

[Studies on immune responses in mice to expressed products from CSP gene of Plasmodium falciparum FCC1/HN isolate]

AIM

To construct the eukaryotic expression system with pcDNA3-PfCSP/HeLa for CSP gene of Plasmodium falciparum, and to observe the immune responses in BALB/c mice induced by the expressed proteins.

METHODS

The recombinant plasmid pcDNA3-PfCSP was transformed into mammalian cell line of human HeLa cells. The expressed protein was isolated and analyzed by SDS-PAGE and used for immunization of BALB/c mice by subcutaneous, intravenous or intraperitoneal administration, respectively. ELISA, Western blotting, T lymphocyte proliferation test, natural killer cell activity and CD4+ and CD8+ T cells detection were used for observation of the level of humoral and cellular immune responses.

RESULTS

Immune sera strongly reacted with the expressed protein. The titer of the antibodies was up to 1:6,400 by ELISA. Western blotting analysis revealed a specific band at 38.3 kDa. The specific proliferative response with immunized BALB/c mice spleen cells was remarkablely higher than that with control ones. The ratio of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and the NK cell activity were significantly higher in the immunization group than that in the control groups.

CONCLUSION

The humoral and cell-mediated immune responses and elevated NKC activity to expressed products with the eukaryotic expression system can specifically be detected in BALB/c mice to generate, indicating that the expressed protein could enhance immune activity in mice.