The biochemical mechanisms of the excitotoxicity of kainic acid. Free radical formation

Kainic acid (KA) is a known potent neuroexcitotoxin, although the biochemical mechanism producing its underlying neurotoxic effect is not quite clear. Histopathological examination of gerbil brains 24 h after systemic injection of KA revealed severe neuronal lesions in different regions of the brain, especially the cerebellar and hippocampal areas. We have detected free radical formation in the brain 1 h after KA administration by using an in vivo spin trapping technique. We have also observed increased lipid peroxidation in the brain after KA-treatment by analyzing thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and conjugated diene formation. Diminished brain specific (Na+, K+)-ATPase activity was also found 2 h after KA injection and persisted to 24 h. It is possible that the free radical reaction is a primary cause of neuronal degeneration after KA administration.

Fractal properties in fetal breathing dynamics

The dynamic pattern of fetal breathing was studied in 17 fetal lambs with chronically implanted electromyographic electrodes in the diaphragm. The instantaneous breathing rate time series appeared similar on different time scales, with clusters of faster breathing rates interspersed with periods of relative quiescience, suggesting self-similarity. Distribution histograms of the interbreath intervals (IBIs) showed log-normal distribution for IBIs less than 1 s and inverse power-law distribution for IBIs greater than 1 s. The ratio of log-normal distribution to power-law distribution varied from approximately 2 at 102 days to approximately 30 by 130 days of gestation. Fast Fourier transform of the breathing rate time series revealed 1/f beta power spectra for all animals, with beta increasing linearly from 0.43 to 0.88 between 102 and 139 days. Studies in the newborn lamb showed further maturation in both the distribution characteristics of the IBIs, as well as in the 1/f power spectra, with beta approaching 1.0 at 2 days after birth. The inverse power-law relationship in the distribution of the IBIs, together with the 1/f beta power spectra, indicate scale invariance and suggest that fractal mechanisms are involved in the regulation of fetal breathing.

Effects of ketanserin on blood pressure variability in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats

Computerized analysis of blood pressure (BP) was used to study for the effects of ketanserin (Ket) on BP and blood pressure variability (BPV). Rats were instrumented chronically and BP was sampled every 4 ms by a computer from 2:00 to 14:00. Then a single dose of Ket (3 mg.kg-1) was given iv. BP and heart period (HP) were recorded for the next 30 min. The results showed that Ket lowered systolic BP (26.7 kPa to 21.1 kPa), diastolic BP (20.5 kPa to 15.8 kPa), and systolic BPV (1.3 kPa to 0.94 kPa). Otherwise, a positive relationship was found between antihypertensive effects of Ket and BPV. These findings may be of importance in antihypertensive treatment.

Pharmacokinetics and relative bioavailability of ofloxacin tablets in 12 healthy volunteers

Single oral dose of tablet A (Daiichi Pharmaceutical Co Ltd, Japan) and B (Jining Pharmaceutical Factory, Shandong, China) of 300 mg ofloxacin (Ofl) were given to 12 Chinese healthy male volunteers in an open, randomized crossover study. Drug concentrations in serum and urine were assayed by HPLC and partial least squares spectrophotometric method, respectively. The serum concentration-time course after medication conformed to a 2-compartment open model with a first order absorption. Pharmacokinetic parameters after tablet B did not differ significantly from the corresponding values after tablet A. The bioavailability of tablet B was comparable to that of tablet A.

Developmental changes in continuity and stability of breathing in the fetal lamb

Developmental changes in the continuity and stability of fetal breathing patterns were studied in 27 fetal lambs with chronically implanted electromyographic electrodes in the diaphragm throughout the third trimester (102-140 days). The results showed that there was a progressive decrease in the incidence of fetal breathing movements throughout the third trimester (P less than 0.001). This reduction in incidence of fetal breathing movements was due, in part, to a 20% decrease in the total number of breathing bursts at approximately 125 days (P = 0.05). The breathing patterns in both immature (less than 120 days) and mature fetal lambs were fragmented by a large number of pauses (interburst interval 6-10 s) and apneas (interburst interval greater than 10 s). Increase in gestational age was associated with a decrease in the number of pauses and apneas but longer apnea durations. The breathing pattern in fetuses less than 120 days old was more continuous than that in those greater than 120 days old, as demonstrated by significantly longer epoch durations (P = 0.013). There was no significant change in the continuity of the breathing pattern after 120 days. However, there was a significant increase in the stability of the instantaneous breathing rates throughout the third trimester. This was indicated by a significant increase in the percent of breathing bursts that occurred in stable clusters (P = 0.046), the number of bursts per cluster (P = 0.013), and cluster duration (P = 0.018). Thus an increase in stability appears to be the major developmental change in breathing control in late gestation.

Effects of single and repeated marijuana smoke exposure on fetal EEG

The effect of single and repeated marijuana smoke exposure on fetal EEG was investigated in the chronic fetal lamb model using power spectral analysis. Maternal inhalation of marijuana smoke (n = 9) resulted in a significant reduction in total power and power distribution in the delta (1-4 Hz) band, and an increase in power distribution in the faster frequencies in the first h after smoke inhalation. These EEG changes were not observed following maternal inhalation of placebo smoke (n = 5), nor in animals with 3-5 prior exposures to marijuana smoke (n = 5). These results suggest that the effects of marijuana smoke exposure on fetal EEG is short-lived and tolerance develops rapidly with repeated exposure.

[Evaluation of a logistic regression model in predicting the prognosis of Graves' disease treated by antithyroid drugs]

One hundred and twelve new cases of Graves' disease were treated by tapazole for 6 months and followed up for another 12 months. The initial dose was 30 mg/d. Clinical and biochemical euthyroidism was achieved within 1 to 3 months, then a maintenance was given until cessation of drugs at 6 months. One hundred and eleven cases completed the study. Remission and relapse were defined at the end of follow-up for 1 year according to the presence or absence of clinical manifestation of hyperthyroidism and the levels of T3 and T4. The results of the 12-month follow-up showed that 46 of 111 cases were in remission, and the remaining 65 cases suffered relapse. A logistic regression model with 4 variables was established, which included thyroid suppression rate and goitre size by palpation at the end of drug treatment, the level of T3 before therapy, and the patients' age. The model had 81.5% sensitivity, 84.8% specificity and 82.9% (92/111) accuracy in predicting the outcome of Graves' disease after withdrawal of drug for 1 year. The results were much better than any other univariate analysis in this study.

Morphine-induced stimulation of fetal breathing: role of mu 1-receptors and central muscarinic pathways

The mechanism of action of low doses of morphine on breathing dynamics in the fetus was studied in 16 fetal lambs with chronically implanted electromyographic electrodes in the diaphragm. Morphine (0.15-2.5 mg/h) caused a significant dose-dependent increase in the number of diaphragmatic bursts per hour, with either an increase or no change in instantaneous breathing rate. There was also a significant dose-related increase in the continuity of the breathing pattern, as indicated by a decrease in the number of apneas per hour, and an increase in epoch duration. Morphine also had a significant effect on the stability of the breathing pattern, with an increase in the percentage of bursts that occurred in stable clusters. All of these effects were completely abolished by concurrent intracerebroventricular administration of either methylnaloxone or methylatropine or by pretreatment with intravenous naloxonazine. These results suggest that stimulation and stabilization of ventilatory activity in the fetal lamb by low doses of morphine are mediated via mu 1-receptors and involve central muscarinic pathways.

The effects of selective mu1 opiate receptor blockade on breathing patterns in the fetal lamb

The effects of naloxone and naloxonazine (an irreversible mu1 antagonist) administration on fetal breathing movement (FBM) patterns under control, physiologic conditions were studied in 10 fetal lambs with chronically implanted electromyogram electrodes in the diaphragm. Neither naloxone (6 mg/h) nor naloxonazine (34 mg) had any effect on the total number of diaphragmatic electromyogram bursts per hour, mean instantaneous breathing rate, or incidence of breathing. However, naloxonazine caused a more fragmented FBM pattern, as indicated by a significant increase in both the number of apneas and pauses per hour, along with decreased epoch duration. In addition, naloxonazine caused a significant reduction in the stability or regularity of the breathing rate. Naloxone had no effects on the dynamic pattern of the FBM. These results suggest that endogenous opiate peptides play a tonic role at the mu1, receptor to maintain both the continuity and stability of the FBM pattern in late gestation.

Suppression of cyclobutane and mean value of 6-4 dipyrimidines formation in triple-stranded H-DNA

We have determined the effect of H-DNA formation on the distributions of two ultraviolet (UV) light induced photoproducts--cyclobutane dipyrimidines and mean value of 6-4 dipyrimidines. A region of DNA containing the sequence (dT-dC)18.(dA-dG)18 was treated under conditions that specifically yield the triple-stranded H-y3 or H-y5 DNA structure and then irradiated with UV. The positions of cyclobutane dipyrimidines and mean value of 6-4 dipyrimidines were determined by T4 endonuclease V cleavage and by hot piperidine cleavage, respectively. Formation of H-DNA structures greatly decreased the photoproduct yield in the (dT-dC)18.(dA-dG)18 region but not elsewhere in the DNA. Suppression of photoproduct formation is greater in half of the repeat, reflecting whether the DNA is in the H-y3 or H-y5 conformation. Within the repeat, the suppression was less in the middle and toward the ends. Models for the suppression of photoproduct formation in H-DNA and the possible utility of our findings are discussed.

The intrauterine probe electrode

An intrauterine probe electrode was inserted into 100 laboring women and 366 bipolar electrode combinations were tested. A noise-cancelling technique was used with the final 28 subjects to remove competing maternal cardiac signals. Twenty-four (86%) had fetal heart rate tracings with sufficient technical quality to allow determination of the baseline fetal heart rate.

[The evaluation of thyroid suppression test in predicting the outcome of Graves' disease treated by short-term antithyroid drugs]

One hundred and fifteen new patients with Graves' hyperthyroidism were received thyroid suppression test after cessation of 6 month course of drug therapy. The results of follow up for another 12 months were that one of them had lost, 48 cases were in remission, and 66 cases had relapsed. The present study shows that thyroid suppression test, including the 4th, 6th and 24th hour suppression rates, is useful in predicting the outcome of drug therapy. The effect of 6th hour suppression rate is better than that of 24th and 4th hours, with 75.8% sensitivity, 75.0% specificity and 75.4% accuracy when 30% of thyroid suppression rate is as out-off point which is decided by ROC curve. It is suggested that 6 hour 30% suppression rate is better than the traditional 24 hour 50% suppression rate in the prediction of outcome of drug therapy.

[Therapeutic effect of inosine in Tourette syndrome and its possible mechanism of action]

We found incidentally 3 years ago that inosine relieved the symptoms in a patient with Tourette syndrome. Since then, 36 patients suffered from Tourette syndrome were exclusively treated with inosine, 50-90 mg/kg daily in divided doses. The vocal and non-vocal tic attacks were counted either by the observation of an examiner or with a video-tape record. The clinical status was scored as the sum of the number of various tic attacks recorded during a period of 60 minutes (video-tape record) or 20 minutes (direct observation). According to the scores obtained from double blind cross-over trial (11 cases) and open trial (25 cases), the tic attacks were well controlled in 75% of patients treated. A follow-up study by the end of one year medication the efficacy of inosine was still impressive in 50% of patients. Since we have observed that inosine potentiated the release of dopamine from rat striatal synaptosomes, mimicked the action of some dopamine antagonists, it is suggested that inosine might behave as a dopamine antagonist and exerts its effect on Tourette syndrome as haloperidol does.

[Observation of the outcome of 112 cases with Graves' disease treated by short-term antithyroid drug therapy for one year]

One hundred and twelve new cases with Graves' disease were treated by tapazole for 6 months and followed-up for another 12 months in a prospective study. One hundred and eleven cases completed the whole course of study, and only one failed to be followed up. The results of the follow-up for 12 mon showed that the remission rate was 41.4% (46/111) and relapse rate was 58.6% (65/111). The present study indicated that the remission or relapse was related with serum levels of T3 before treatment, shrank goiter and disappearance of goiter bruit during the treatment as well as thyroid suppression rate, but not related to sex, age, period of illness before therapy or severity of the disease. It is suggested that a 6-mon antithyroid drug therapy instead of traditional long term therapy may be suitable for those patients who are with a reduced goiter and disappeared goiter bruit during the antithyroid therapy, and suppressible thyroid up-take by T3 and whose serum levels of T3 before treatment are not very high. So the patients may benefit from the short-term therapy. They are not only able to obtain a prolonged remission but also save time and money.

Physical mapping of the Myxococcus xanthus genome by random cloning in yeast artificial chromosomes

Random segments of Myxococcus xanthus DNA were cloned in yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) to construct a physical map of the genome. EcoRI restriction maps of 409 YAC clones with inserts averaging 111 kilobase pairs (kb) were determined. Comparison to the map of a 300-kb region of M. xanthus obtained from clones in Escherichia coli indicates that segments of DNA cloned in YACs are stably maintained in yeast and that their sequences accurately reflect the structure of the Myxococcus genome. The 409 YAC inserts were ordered within 60 map segments (contigs) by aligning their EcoRI restriction maps and by hybridization with 18 gene-specific DNA probes. These 60 map segments may represent the entire Myxococcus genome and could be used to organize its genetic information. This study illustrates the utility of YACs for cloning large segments of DNA and for reliable long-range genomic mapping.

dsg, a gene required for Myxococcus development, is necessary for cell viability

Previous work identified the dsg gene as necessary for cell-cell interaction in Myxococcus xanthus. Point mutations of this gene, such as dsg-439, are viable, but insertions of Tn5 within the dsg gene (dsg::Tn5) are lethal. Partial diploids, dsg::Tn5/dsg+ or dsg::Tn5/dsg-429 or dsg::Tn5/dsg-439, are also viable, showing that the lethal effect of the haploid insertions is due to loss of function. Thus the evidence implies that the dsg gene is essential for viability as well as development, but its essential quality differs between growth and development because dsg-429 and dsg-439 mutants grow normally, but are unable to develop.

dsg, a gene required for cell-cell interaction early in Myxococcus development

dsg mutants of Myxococcus xanthus are conditionally defective in fruiting body development, including sporulation. Unable to develop on their own, these mutants can assemble fruiting bodies with spores if they are mixed with wild-type cells. To elucidate the developmental defect in dsg mutants by close comparison with wild type, such mutants have been backcrossed by transduction, using a closely linked insertion of transposon Tn5 for selection. Backcrossed dsg mutants form aggregates that are larger, less compact, and less symmetrical than dsg+ fruiting bodies. Also, the starvation-induced sporulation in dsg aggregates is delayed and reduced. However, dsg mutants can be induced by glycerol or dimethyl sulfoxide to sporulate at levels approaching those of wild type. dsg mutants may thus have a primary defect early in development which diminishes their capacity to aggregate and which indirectly decreases the number of fruiting body spores. The linked insertion of Tn5 also facilitated cloning the dsg gene. The cloned dsg+ allele was shown to be dominant to both the dsg-429 and dsg-439 alleles, and both mutant alleles were shown to belong to the same genetic complementation group. Subcloning of restriction fragments, deletions, and insertions of transposon Tn5 agree in locating the dsg gene to an 850-base-pair segment of the cloned region.

Neurotensin potentiates the endogenous dopamine release from striatal synaptosomes of rat

The effect of neurotensin (NT) on the release of endogenous dopamine (DA) of rat striatal synaptosomes was studied. In the basic medium with Ca++ (5mM K+ and 1.2 mM Ca++), spontaneous release of DA was determined to be 12.03 +/- 1.12 pmol/mg protein, while in the Ca++-free basic medium containing EGTA (2.0 mM), the amount of DA released was still up to 11.2 +/- 1.06 pmol/mg protein. NT in 10(-4)-10(-6) M range tested potentiated both the spontaneous and K+-induced release of DA in Ca++-free medium. In addition, NT in 10(-4) M, but not in lower concentrations tested, potentiated the spontaneous, Ca++-dependent release of DA. It is suggested that the effect of NT on DA release is mediated by the specific NT receptors at the DA axonal terminals. The possibility, however, that NT has some influence on the carrier-mediated process of the membrane might not be ruled out.

Conceptual clustering in knowledge organization

Knowledge organization is a very important step in building an expert system. The problem is how to organize knowledge into a conceptual structure and thus make it complete, concise, and consistent. In this paper, concepts used in knowledge description are divided into tangible ones and intermediate ones depending on whether or not they appear in the input or the output of the system. Intermediate concepts and their relationships with tangible concepts are subjected to changes. A distance measure for rules and an algorithm for conceptual clustering are described. New intermediate concepts are generated using this algorithm. A few new concepts may replace a large number of old relationships and also generate new rules for the system. An experiment on traditional Chinese medicine shows that the proposed method produces results similar to those generated by experts.

Establishment of dihydrofolate reductase-increased human cell lines and relationship between dihydrofolate reductase levels and gene copy

A series of methotrexate (MTX)-resistant human sublines developed by step increases in selected MTX concentrations have been cloned and examined for dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) content, relative DNA copy number, and sensitivity to MTX. These cloned sublines had increased DHFR levels which were dependent on the presence of MTX in the medium. The increased levels of DHFR in the absence of MTX were stable in all the clones examined for over a year. Antibody immunolocalization on Western blots showed good correlation of the intensity of the immunostained DHFR band with enzyme activities. Relative gene copy number in these sublines was low relative to the DHFR increases and was not dependent on the presence of MTX in the medium. The increase in gene copy number in these sublines did not correlate with either the levels of DHFR or the sensitivity to MTX.