A rapid three-dimensional measurement system for facial morphology by laser multi-slits

A laser light-sectioning technique for measuring the three-dimensional shape of the face has been developed. Multi-slit lasers were used to minimize the recording time, and the accumulating technique of multiple images was used to reduce the memory size. The system can scan the entire human face within 6 seconds and develop a three-dimensional image in approximately 4 minutes. The accuracy of this system was found to be within a 0.4% relative error. The method has the advantages of being contact-free, rapid, automatic, and useful for three dimensional clinical assessment.

Effects of chronic alcohol feeding and murine AIDS virus infection on liver antioxidant defense systems in mice

Whether ethanol (ETOH) abuse could contribute to the development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive drug abusers is a critical question for which little experimental information is available. This study was designed to determine if chronic ETOH feeding and murine AIDS virus infection cooperatively affected liver antioxidant defense systems in C57B1/6 female mice. Mice were divided into two groups and fed the Lieber-DeCarli liquid ETOH diet containing ETOH at a concentration to provide 31% of total caloric intake or an isocaloric liquid control (control) diet in which dextrin-maltose replaced ETOH. One week after the initiation of ETOH feeding, half of the mice in each diet group (8 mice) were injected intraperitoneally with murine retrovirus (MAIDS) stock. After 3 and 5 weeks of ETOH feeding, half of the mice in each of the four treatment groups (4 mice) were killed, and livers were excised for biochemical analysis. Liver reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and activities of glutathione peroxidase (GP), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione transferase (GT), catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and serum ETOH concentrations were determined. The results demonstrated that serum ETOH concentrations were significantly elevated in ETOH-MAIDS group when compared with the ETOH group. Moreover, chronic ETOH feeding and MAIDS infection independently depressed liver antioxidant defense capability, and together led to an additive inhibition of GSH and SOD activities. In addition, MAIDS infection inhibited an ETOH-induced increase in catalase and GT activities. These results suggest that alcohol abuse could contribute to the development of AIDS by inhibiting the protective capability of an infected individual against oxidative stress.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Effects of captopril on myocardial ultrastructure in diabetic rats]

Diabetic rat models were established with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The animals were randomly divided into four groups: Group 1, normal control (n = 5); Group 2, diabetic control (n = 4); Group 3, diabetics treated with PZI (n = 5); Group 4, diabetics treated with PZI and captopril (n = 5). Specimens taken from free wall of the left ventricle were observed under electron microscope after 10-week treatment, and the volume density (Vv), numerical density on area (Na), numerical density (Nv) and mean volume (V) of mitochondria were measured with stereological quantitation. The results showed that the myocardial changes in Group 4 were much less severe than those in Group 3 and similar to those in Group 1. There was significant difference in Nv (P < 0.05) but not in Vv, Na and V between Group 4 and Group 1. While the changes of Group 3 were relatively obvious. As comparing Group 3 with Group 1, there were significant differences in all of the four parameters (P < 0.05-0.01). It is implied that the renin-angiotensin system may be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy, since captopril can improve and reverse the cardiomyopathy of diabetic rats.

Effects of moderate dietary restriction and age on blood parameters and metabolic enzymes in Lobund—Wistar rats

The effects of moderate dietary restriction (DR) on certain blood parameters and metabolic enzymes were studied in 80 male Lobund-Wistar rats at 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 months of age. Two groups of rats were fed ad libitum (AL) or restricted (DR) to 12 g per day from weaning. Adult DR rats received 30% less diet per day when compared to adult rats in AL group. Blood glycohemoglobin levels increased significantly with age in AL rats, but not in those of the DR group. Hematocrit showed a significant decrease at 24 and 30 months in both groups. Serum glucose levels in rats were not affected by either diet or age. Five enzymes in the liver cytosolic fractions were determined. Activities of pyruvate kinase (PK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were significantly lower in the DR group than in the AL group at each age. Activities of glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT), glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) were significantly higher in the DR group than in the AL group. The results suggest that moderate DR decreased the glycolytic pathway and appears to stimulate amino acid metabolism and increase gluconeogenesis.

Femoral shaft fractures complicated by fracture-dislocations of the ipsilateral hip

A series of 16 consecutive adults with femoral shaft fractures complicated by fracture-dislocations of the ipsilateral hip joint was prospectively studied. There were 11 posterior dislocations and five central dislocations. The treatment consisted of early closed reduction of the dislocation with the assistance of an external fixator, delayed reamed intramedullary nailing of the femoral fracture, and conservative or surgical treatment of the hip joint according to the indications. The follow-up period was 2-8 years (median, 3.5 years). Although an 18.8% (3 of 16) complication rate was noted, the outcome was satisfactory for all 16 hip joints. When such complicated combined injuries are sustained, the technique described here is the most reasonable treatment.

Use of an oligonucleotide probe to detect Vibrio parahaemolyticus in artificially contaminated oysters

A 26-mer oligonucleotide specific to Vibrio parahaemolyticus was synthesized from a 1,275-bp thermostable direct hemolysin (tdh) gene. This oligonucleotide probe specifically reacted with DNA from 89 of 95 V. parahaemolyticus isolates but not with DNA from other vibrios or other enteric and nonenteric organisms (n = 48). The probe hybridized with Southern blots of 0.5-kb HindIII-restricted chromosomal DNA fragments from all but five V. parahaemolyticus test isolates. The probe could be used to directly identify V. parahaemolyticus in artificially contaminated food without an isolation step.

4-Oxalocrotonate tautomerase, an enzyme composed of 62 amino acid residues per monomer

The xylH gene encoding 4-oxalocrotonate tautomerase (4-OT) has been located on a subclone of the Pseudomonas putida mt-2 TOL plasmid pWW0 and inserted into an Escherichia coli expression vector. Several of the genes of the metafission pathway encoded by pWW0 have been cloned in E. coli, but the overexpression of their gene products has met with limited success. By utilizing the E. coli alkaline phosphatase promoter (phoA) coupled with the proper positioning of a ribosome-binding region, we are able to express functional 4-OT in yields of at least 10 mg of pure enzyme/liter of culture. 4-OT has been previously characterized and shown to be an extremely efficient catalyst (Whitman, C. P., Aird, B. A., Gillespie, W. R., and Stolowich, N. J. (1991) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 113, 3154-3162). Kinetic and physical characterization of the E. coli-expressed protein show that it is identical with that of the 4-OT isolated from P. putida. The functional unit is apparently a pentamer of identical subunits, each consisting of only 62 amino acid residues. This is the smallest enzyme subunit reported to date. The amino acid sequence, determined in part from automated Edman degradation and also deduced from the primary sequence of xylH, did not show homology with any of the sequences in the current data bases nor with any of the sequences of enzymes that catalyze similar reactions. We propose that the active site of 4-OT may be established by an overlap of subunits and comprised of amino acid residues belonging to several, if not all, of the subunits.

[Clinical applications of MRI in ophthalmology]

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the normal eyeball and orbital tissues is introduced, along with the MRI manifestations in 39 patients comprising 6 cases of intraocular and 29 cases of intraorbital disorders, and 4 cases of vascular diseases. The advantages and limitations of MRI in ophthalmology are discussed. It appears that MRI is more sensitive than ultrasonic B-scan or CT.

Effects of the peroxisome proliferators ciprofibrate and perfluorodecanoic acid on hepatic cellular antioxidants and lipid peroxidation in rats

The purpose of this study was to determine if hepatic cellular antioxidants and indices of oxidative damage are altered by administration of the peroxisome proliferators ciprofibrate and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA). Rats were fed 0.01% ciprofibrate in the diet or were injected with PFDA (0.5 or 5.0 mg/kg, i.p.) every 4 weeks for 6, 14, 30, 54, and 78 weeks. Peroxisomal fatty acyl-CoA oxidase and catalase activities were increased by both ciprofibrate and PFDA throughout the study. Neither ciprofibrate nor PFDA increased the levels of malonaldehyde or conjugated dienes, but ciprofibrate decreased these indices at early time points. Ciprofibrate decreased the following cellular antioxidants or antioxidant enzymes: vitamin C, vitamin D, DT-diaphorase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, and glutathione reductase; superoxide dismutase and glutathione were not affected. PFDA decreased DT-diaphorase and increased superoxide dismutase, but did not affect other cellular antioxidants. This study shows that administration of the peroxisome proliferators ciprofibrate and PFDA did not increase indices of lipid peroxidation, but that cellular antioxidant defenses were inhibited for a prolonged period of time by the peroxisome proliferator ciprofibrate.

Preliminary results of concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy with cis-platinum, vincristine, and bleomycin in bulky, advanced cervical carcinoma: A pilot study

Twenty-four patients with bulky (greater than 4 cm), advanced (stages IIB-IVA) carcinoma of the uterine cervix were prospectively treated with a concurrent combination of radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy (CT). RT consisted of 4400 cGy (22 fractions) to the whole pelvis and a 1400-cGy boost to the parametrium. This was followed by two to three intracavitary brachytherapy courses. CT consisted of one to four course (median, three) of cisplatin (50 mg/m2) on Day 1, vincristine (1 mg/m2) on Day 2, and bleomycin (25 mg/m2) on Days 2-4. CT was started on the first day of external radiation and the scheduled course interval was 21 days. Among the 20 evaluable patients who completed at least one course of chemotherapy and a full course of radiation, 13 (65%) achieved complete response and 5 (25%) had partial response. Fatal complication occurred in 1 patient with stationary disease who died of septic shock due to ruptured pyometra. The other patient with primary stage IVA disease had progressive disease with ascites appearance after two courses of CT and later expired. Transient drug fever occurred in 19 (40.4%) of the 47 bleomycin-containing CT cycles. Grade 2 or 3 hematological toxicities occurred in 16 (30.2%) of a total of 53 CT cycles. Treatment delays of 1 to 7 days occurred in 15 (28.3%) CT cycles. Except for the case of septic shock, all of the other toxicities were generally tolerable and reversible. From this preliminary result we concluded that this particular combination of RT and CT in bulky, advanced cervical carcinoma is effective in enhancing local pelvic tumor control and well tolerated if strict selection of accrued patients is applied. Further investigation to assess its impact on long-term survival is in progress.

Effects of age, dietary restriction and germ-free environment on glutathione-related enzymes in Lobund—Wistar rats

The effects of age, dietary restriction and germ-free environment on glutathione peroxidase (GP), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione-S-transerases (GT) were studied in 48 Lobund-Wistar male rats obtained through the Lobund Aging Study. The treatment design was a 2 x 2 x 3 factorial design (environment x food level x age). Four rats were killed at 6, 18 and 30 months for each of the following groups of rats: conventional ad libitum (CV-A), conventional restricted (CV-R), germ-free ad libitum (GF-A) and germ-free restricted (GF-R). The dietary restriction (DR) was 30%. The activities of the three enzymes in the liver cytosolic fraction were determined. The activities of DR and GT were not affected by age, and were significantly lower in the rats raised in the GF environment than in those raised in the CV environment. DR significantly increased GR in the GF environment. The total GP activity was not affected by age but significantly increased by DR and a GF environment, suggesting that these life prolonging conditions provide greater protection against organic hydroperoxides and low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide.

Structure and function of a bacterial mRNA stabilizer: analysis of the 5' untranslated region of ompA mRNA

The 5' untranslated region (UTR) of the Escherichia coli ompA transcript functions in vivo as a growth rate-regulated mRNA stabilizer. The secondary structure of this mRNA segment has been determined by a combination of three methods: phylogenetic analysis, in vitro probing with a structure-specific RNase, and methylation by dimethylsulfate in vivo and in vitro. These studies reveal that despite extensive sequence differences, the 5' UTRs of the ompA transcripts of E. coli, Serratia marcescens, and Enterobacter aerogenes can fold in a remarkably similar fashion. Furthermore, the Serratia and Enterobacter ompA 5' UTRs function as effective mRNA stabilizers in E. coli. Stabilization of mRNA by the Serratia ompA 5' UTR is growth rate dependent. These findings indicate that the features of the ompA 5' UTR responsible for its ability to stabilize mRNA in a growth rate-regulated manner are to be found among the structural similarities shared by these diverse evolutionary variants.

Cloning and expression of functional rabbit muscle creatine kinase in Escherichia coli. Addressing the problem of microheterogeneity

The gene encoding rabbit muscle creatine kinase (CK) has been subcloned into a single plasmid, and the protein expressed in a soluble and functional form in Escherichia coli. The amino terminus, specific activity, and electrophoretic mobility of the E. coli-expressed creatine kinase are all identical with that of creatine kinase purified from rabbit skeletal muscle. Surprisingly, isoelectric focusing shows that the expressed protein displays no less heterogeneity than the tissue-purified material. The identification of the source(s) of this heterogeneity is important for the preparation of highly homogeneous material needed for structural studies and clinical applications. This issue also has implications for studies of the developmental regulation and tissue localization of the various CK genes. Our results allow us to eliminate some of the proposals, such as the presence of multiple alleles, alternative ribosomal initiation sites, and post-translational glycosylation or phosphorylation that have been suggested to explain the presence of the numerous isoforms present in apparently pure preparations of CK.

Phosphocreatine protects ATP from a fructose load in transgenic mouse liver expressing creatine kinase

The effects of an intraperitoneal dose of fructose on hepatic metabolism in transgenic mice expressing creatine kinase in liver were investigated using phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance (31P-NMR). Transgenic mice were fed diets containing varying amounts of creatine (Cr; 0-12%). It has previously been shown that 31P-NMR spectra of transgenic mice have a peak due to phosphocreatine (PCr), the intensity of which was proportional to the amount of Cr in the diet. No PCr peak was detected in control mice or transgenic mice not fed Cr. In the present study NMR spectra were collected before and for a 1-h recovery period after infusion of 0.15 mmol/10 g body wt fructose. In all mice infusion of fructose resulted in a two- to threefold elevation of phosphomonoesters. In control and non-Cr-fed transgenic mice this was accompanied by a 60% reduction of the inorganic phosphate (Pi) and a 50% fall in ATP. In transgenic mice fed Cr, the extent of reduction of Pi was dependent on the level of PCr and was markedly reduced compared with controls. Falls in Pi of 46, 24, and 6% were detected 12.5 min after fructose infusion in low, intermediate, and high PCr-containing livers, respectively. The presence of PCr also protected hepatic ATP levels from a fructose load. Transgenic mice fed on high or intermediate Cr diets showed no significant loss of ATP. However, livers with low levels of PCr lost ATP during a fructose challenge. From the equilibrium established by creatine kinase, free ADP levels were calculated throughout the fructose dose. Fructose caused a 2.5-fold increase in free ADP. This rise in ADP was independent of the total Cr or whether Pi and ATP were reduced by fructose infusion. These results indicate that an increase in ADP is not sufficient to cause depletion of ATP during a fructose challenge.

[Combined methods of dialysis, cooked meat medium enrichment and laboratory animal toxicity for screening Clostridium botulinum spores in honey and infant food]

One hundred and fifty two samples of honey were purchased from apiaries and markets in Taiwan, meanwhile fifty samples of infant food including powders of infant milk, wheat, rice and commercial mixed cereals, as well as juice had been bought from supermarkets in Taipei city from July 1988 through April 1989. The samples were used for detecting the presence of Clostridium botulinum spores. Honey samples were prepared by dialysis to obtain the bacterial spores; however, infant food had been innoculated directly into the cooked meat medium. The suspicious isolated colonies were identified by Vitek automatic microbial identification system. The supernatants of cooked meat medium enrichment were performed for typing botulinum toxins via the laboratory animal toxicity test. The results showed that two samples of honey contained the spores of C. botulinum type B, but none in samples of infant food. The specific response of clinical signs in mice, after being administered the supernatant of suspected cultural broth, were also observed and described in this article.

Butylated hydroxyanisole increases glutathione-S-transferase activity in hepatocyte culture

The effect of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) on the activity of glutathione-S-transferase (GSH-S-T) in hepatocyte culture was determined. Hepatocytes from control rats and rats injected with 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) were isolated and cultured. The cultures were treated with various concentrations of BHA. Treatment of hepatocytes from both control and 3-MC-injected rats with 25 microM BHA for 24 or 48 hours increased GSH-S-T activity significantly. The results suggest that BHA may have a detoxifying effect against 3-MC-induced carcinogenesis, and that hepatocyte culture may be a fast and simple system to identify compounds which may potentially protect against development of cancer through induction of GSH-S-T.

NMR detection of creatine kinase expressed in liver of transgenic mice: determination of free ADP levels

To use the equilibrium established by creatine kinase (CK) to determine hepatic free ADP levels, the transcriptional control elements of the transthyretin gene were used to direct expression of the CK B isozyme to the livers of transgenic mice. Activities of CK ranging from 80-250 mumol per min per g (wet weight) were detected in liver extracts from five founder mice. The CK activity was stably transmitted to subsequent generations. Isozyme gels and immunoblots confirmed that the activity detected in extracts was due to the B isozyme of CK. Immunohistology indicated that the protein was expressed uniformly throughout the liver and was localized primarily to the cytoplasm. 31P NMR spectroscopy was used to detect the metabolic product of the CK reaction, phosphocreatine, demonstrating that the enzyme was active in vivo. The phosphocreatine level fell rapidly during anoxia (t1/2 = 1 min), indicating that the CK reaction was integrated into hepatic energy metabolism. The equilibrium established by CK was used to calculate a hepatic free ADP level of 0.059 +/- 0.004 mumol/g (wet weight). In vivo NMR studies of these mice will be valuable for studying the role of free ADP in regulating liver metabolism.

Vitamin C status of institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly in Central Kentucky

A survey of 139 elderly volunteers between 60 and 90 years of age was conducted to determine their vitamin C status and to investigate possible relationships between the plasma vitamin C level, the participant's age, sex, and institutionalization status. When the participants' vitamin C levels were compared by age groups (60-70, 71-80, 81-90) and sex, no significant differences were found. Higher (P<0.01) mean total and reduced plasma vitamin C levels were found in those subjects living on their own, when compared to nursing home residents. No vitamin C deficiency levels were found in the elderly population studied, although several were considered borderline.

A novel regulatory mechanism for whey acidic protein gene expression

When primary mouse mammary epithelial cells (PMME) are cultured on a basement membrane type matrix, they undergo extensive morphogenesis leading to the formation of 3-dimensional alveoli-like spherical structures surrounding a closed lumen. We show for the first time that cells cultured on basement membrane-type matrix express high levels of whey acidic protein (WAP) mRNA and secrete the protein into the lumen. The expression of WAP appears to be dependent upon the formation of the alveoli-like spheres: prevention of sphere formation by fixation or drying of the matrix abolishes the expression of WAP. Co-culturing PMME on native and fixed basement membrane matrix indicates that the suppression of WAP expression is dominant, thereby revealing the existence of a diffusible inhibitor(s). The inhibitory activity is present in the conditioned medium of PMME cultured on plastic surface and floating collagen gels, substrata that do not form alveoli and do not allow WAP expression. These findings are consistent with the model that the synthesis, or the action, of the WAP inhibitory factor is regulated by the tissue-like multicellular organization of mammary cells. When PMME do not have correct 3-dimensional structures, one (or more) inhibitor is secreted into the medium which suppresses WAP expression by an autocrine or paracrine mechanism. Nuclear run-on experiments suggest that the suppression of WAP expression is posttranscriptional. These results have obvious bearings on the understanding of the mechanisms by which cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interaction regulate tissue specific gene expressions.

[The preliminary experience of MRI diagnoses in multiple sclerosis: a report of 3 cases]

In this report, 3 patients with suspected MS were studied by MRI. All patients were performed with spin-echo (SE) pulse sequence. A pulse repetition time (TR) of 1800 msec. and echo time (TE) of 33, 66, 99, 132 msec. producing a T2-weighted image. The result showed that MS is characterized by numerous long T2 lesions in the paraventricular white matter. Brain stem lesions were seed in all 3 patients. MRI is a very useful diagnostic tool for diagnosis of MS.

Site-directed mutagenesis of bacterial luciferase: analysis of the 'essential' thiol

It has been appreciated for many years that the luciferase from the luminous marine bacterium Vibrio harveyi has a highly reactive cysteinyl residue which is protected from alkylation by binding of flavin. Alkylation of the reactive thiol, which resides in a hydrophobic pocket, leads to inactivation of the enzyme. To determine conclusively whether the reactive thiol is required for the catalytic mechanism, we have constructed a mutant by oligonucleotide directed site-specific mutagenesis in which the reactive cysteinyl residue, which resides at position 106 of the alpha subunit, has been replaced with a seryl residue. The resulting alpha 106Ser luciferase retains full activity in the bioluminescence reaction, although the mutant enzyme has a ca 100-fold increase in the FMNH2 dissociation constant. The alpha 106Ser luciferase is still inactivated by N-ethylmaleimide, albeit at about 1/10 the rate of the wild-type (alpha 106Cys) enzyme, demonstrating the existence of a second, less reactive, cysteinyl residue that was obscured in the wild-type enzyme by the highly reactive cysteinyl residue at position alpha 106. An alpha 106Ala variant luciferase was also active, but the alpha 106Val mutant enzyme was about 50-fold less active than the wild type. All three variants (Ser, Ala and Val) appeared to have somewhat reduced affinities for the aldehyde substrate, the valine mutant being the most affected. It is interesting to note that the alpha 106 mutant luciferases are much less subject to aldehyde substrate inhibition than is the wild-type V. harveyi luciferase, suggesting that the molecular mechanism of aldehyde substrate inhibition involves the Cys at alpha 106.

Induction of glutathione-S-transferase activity by antioxidants in hepatocyte culture

Twelve male Sprague-Dawley rats were used for the study. Six rats were injected with benzo(a)pyrene (BP); the other six rats served as the control. Twenty-four hours after injection, hepatocytes were isolated and cultured. The cultured plates were divided into 5 groups and treated with absolute ethanol (control), butylated hydroxytoluene, vitamin E, ascorbic acid or vitamin Elascorbic acid. After 48 hours, the hepatocytes were harvested for enzyme activation determination. With both control and BP-injected rats, each antioxidant treatment significantly increased glutathione-S-transferase activity. The results suggest that antioxidants may have a detoxifying effect against BP-induced carcinogenesis.

Interaction of vitamin E and ascorbic acid (review)

Ascorbic acid appears to have two opposite roles in animal tissues: to act as an antioxidant or to act as a prooxidant. The effects of ascorbic acid supplementation on the tissue antioxidant status seem to be dependent on the dose of ascorbic acid and the vitamin E status. Adequate doses of ascorbic acid supplementation to vitamin E-deficient subjects or animals help to partially maintain vitamin E levels, probably through sparing the degradative metabolism of vitamin E, and thus increase the antioxidant effectiveness. The sparing effect of ascorbic acid on vitamin E metabolism is also shown in the partial reversal of the manifestation of vitamin E deficiency. On the other hand, when the animals are marginally adequate in vitamin E status, ascorbic acid supplementation in large doses appears to promote lipid peroxidation and significantly decreases the antioxidant potential of animals. An increase of the level of vitamin E supplementation overcomes the prooxidant effect of large doses of ascorbic acid. This observation suggests that vitamin E requirement may be increased with a large dose of ascorbic acid supplementation.