Changes of brain response induced by simulated weightlessness

The characteristics change of brain response was studied during 15 degrees head-down tilt (HDT) comparing with 45 degrees head-up tilt (HUT). The brain responses evaluated included the EEG power spectra change at rest and during mental arithmetic, and the event-related potentials (ERPs) of somatosensory, selective attention and mental arithmetic activities. The prominent feature of brain response change during HDT revealed that the brain function was inhibited to some extent. Such inhibition included that the significant increment of "40Hz" activity during HUT arithmetic almost disappeared during HDT arithmetic, and that the positive-potential effect induced by HDT presented in all kinds of ERPs measured, but the slow negative wave reflecting mental arithmetic and memory process was elongated. These data suggest that the brain function be affected profoundly by the simulated weightlessness, therefore, the brain function change during space flight should be studied systematically.

Expression and transforming activity of a variant of the heparin-binding fibroblast growth factor receptor (flg) gene resulting from splicing of the alpha exon at an alternate 3'-acceptor site

Splicing at an alternate 3'-acceptor site results in deletion of a CCCAG in the 5'-sequence of the exon coding for the NH2-terminal immunoglobulin-like disulfide loop of the heparin-binding fibroblast growth factor receptor (flg) alpha isoform. The result is an in-frame stop codon 138 base pairs after the first flg consensus translational initiation site. The next more favorable site predicts the same two loop intracellular receptor isoform, gamma, which was predicted from two different human cDNAs that arise by alternate use of two exons at the same site. Although expressed in normal tissue, the gamma mRNA is increased in rat prostate tumors and confers ability of anchorage-dependent cells expressing non-secreted heparin-binding fibroblast growth factors to grow in soft agar.

Penicillin-enhanced chemiluminescence of the luminol-H2O2-Co2+ system

The luminol-H2O2-Co2+ system has been widely used in chemical and biological analysis. We report here an investigation of the observation that penicillins have the ability to prolong and enhance the intensity of chemiluminescence from luminol. The basis of this phenomenon appears, as revealed by difference spectroscopy, to be the formation of a complex between the beta-lactam and the superoxide ion. The latter is the oxidizing species responsible for the oxidation of luminol in alkaline solution and has a mean lifetime, in solution, of milliseconds. The stabilization of the superoxide ion by penicillin complexation extends the effective lifetime of the superoxide ion by a few orders of magnitude and thereby allows for more efficient oxidation of the beta-lactam. Several penicillins were determined by their enhancement of luminol chemiluminescence. A detection limit of 100 ng mL was obtained for penicillin G with a less-than-ideal detection system.

[Distribution and eclosion of Hierdula patellifera Servill's eggs]

A study has been made on the distribution and eclosion of the eggs of Hierdula patellifera as well as on the behavior of their nymphs. The study may serve as a guideline for biological and ecological studies of the insect.

CD69 in resting and activated T lymphocytes. Its association with a GTP binding protein and biochemical requirements for its expression

CD69 is a phosphorylated disulfide-linked homodimer that appears on the surface of human T, B cells and thymocytes in the early steps of activation; its molecular mass is 28 to 34 kDa under reducing conditions. This molecule is able to mediate positive signals to the lymphocytes as the anti-CD69 mAb (MLR3, AIM, Leu 23) in synergism with phorbol esters induce IL-2 production and proliferation of lymphocytes. Here we show that this molecule is associated to a GTP binding protein that is a substrate for Bordetella pertussis toxin. The relevance of CD69 in the activation process is also suggested by the broad range of signals able to modulate CD69 on T cells. In fact, not only the mitogens or the CD3-promoted activation, but also the alternative pathways mediated by CD2 or CD28 are accompanied by CD69 expression; moreover a very rapid and transient appearance of CD69 on the cell surface is observed also in response to a stimulus not specifically involved in T cell activation such as heat shock. Finally we demonstrate that CD69 is present in the cytoplasm of nonactivated T cells; accordingly its surface expression at the onset of activation is independent on a new RNA or protein synthesis.

CD69 in resting and activated T lymphocytes. Its association with a GTP binding protein and biochemical requirements for its expression

CD69 is a phosphorylated disulfide-linked homodimer that appears on the surface of human T, B cells and thymocytes in the early steps of activation; its molecular mass is 28 to 34 kDa under reducing conditions. This molecule is able to mediate positive signals to the lymphocytes as the anti-CD69 mAb (MLR3, AIM, Leu 23) in synergism with phorbol esters induce IL-2 production and proliferation of lymphocytes. Here we show that this molecule is associated to a GTP binding protein that is a substrate for Bordetella pertussis toxin. The relevance of CD69 in the activation process is also suggested by the broad range of signals able to modulate CD69 on T cells. In fact, not only the mitogens or the CD3-promoted activation, but also the alternative pathways mediated by CD2 or CD28 are accompanied by CD69 expression; moreover a very rapid and transient appearance of CD69 on the cell surface is observed also in response to a stimulus not specifically involved in T cell activation such as heat shock. Finally we demonstrate that CD69 is present in the cytoplasm of nonactivated T cells; accordingly its surface expression at the onset of activation is independent on a new RNA or protein synthesis.

[Changes in refraction after cataract extraction and IOL implantation]

The refraction changes were followed up in 61 eyes 1 week to 3 years after extracapsular cataract extraction and posterior chamber IOL implantation. The variation in spherical power during follow-up was not significant, while the changes in astigmatism were very significant at end of the first week, when the mean value of cylinder power was 4.21 D and the axis in 82% of the eyes was with-the-rule. After 3 months, the astigmatism became reduced and relatively stable, when the mean power was 1.90 D and the axis in 65.6% of the eyes against-the-rule. The astigmatism continued to change afterwards, especially in the position of axis.