Selective depletion of activated T cells by recombinant immunotoxin containing anti-CTLA-4 single-chain fragment of variable antibody and N-terminal fragment of perforin

We constructed a novel immunotoxin, hS83P34, by fusing the fragment containing the N-terminal 34 amino acids of human perforin to the C-terminal of humanized anti-CTLA-4 single chain fragment of variable antibody. In vitro cytotoxicity assays demonstrated that CTLA-4-positive activated human T cells and 6T-CEM were sensitive to hS83P34, while CTLA-4-negative resting T cells and endothelial cell ECV-304 were resistant to hS83P34. The IC50s of hS83P34 for activated T cells and 6T-CEM were about 0.2 micromol/L and 1.0 micromol/L, there was no obvious cytotoxicity of ECV-304 as detected at 8 micromol/L of hS83P34. In tumor graft rejection models, after treatment with 1.2 mg/kg immunotoxin every day for 12 days, the transplanted tumor cells were rescued by immunotoxin. The tumor weights of grafts of the rejection control group, nonrejection control group, and test group were 0.006 +/- 0.014 g, 0.261 +/- 0.048 g, and 0.135 +/- 0.056 g, respectively. In the early 3 days posttransplantation, there were a lot of CD4- and CD8-positive T cells infiltrating into the tumor grafts of the rejection control group, while only a few T cells were detected in the tumor grafts of the test group. According to these results, we concluded that immunotoxin hS83P34 selectively depleted activated T cells in vitro as well as in vivo in an acute rejection model.

Significance of C4d deposition in the diagnosis of rejection after liver transplantation

C4d immunohistochemical staining of liver allograft biopsies was performed to assess its relationship to other pathological changes in the liver. C4d deposition was detected in 69.2% of liver graft biopsies from patients under going rejection, 33.3% of liver graft biopsies from patients with hepatitis B relapse after transplantation, and 28.6% of liver biopsies from patients with hepatitis B. When rejection occurred C4d deposition was located in the vascular walls of portal areas and hepatic sinusoidal walls. Examination of biopsies from patients with hepatitis B relapse after transplantation or hepatitis B infection showed C4d deposition only in the vascular walls of the portal area. C4d deposition in both vascular walls of portal area and hepatic sinusoidal walls was detected in only one of 12 ischemia-reperfusion damage cases. Repeated biopsy of the same patient 1 month later revealed acute cellular rejection. No C4d deposition was found in biopsies from a patient with bile duct occlusion after liver transplantation. C4d might serve as a sensitive marker for the diagnosis of liver rejection.

Stem cells, vascular smooth muscle cells and atherosclerosis

Stem cells have the ability to differentiate into a variety of cells to replace dead cells or to repair tissue. Recently, accumulating evidence indicates that mechanical forces, cytokines and other factors can influence stem cell differentiation into vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). In developmental process, SMCs originate from several sources, which show a great heterogenicity in different vessel walls. In adult vessels, SMCs display a less proliferative nature, but are altered in response to risk factors for atherosclerosis. Traditional view on SMC origins in atherosclerotic lesions is challenged by the recent findings that stem cells and smooth muscle progenitors contribute to the development of atherosclerotic lesions. Vascular progenitor cells circulating in human blood and the presence of adventitia in animals are recent discoveries, but the source of these cells is still unknown. The present review gives an update on the progress of stem cell and SMC research in atherosclerosis, and discusses possible mechanisms of stem/progenitor cell differentiation that contribute to the disease process.

Multitude of core-localized shear Alfvén waves in a high-temperature fusion plasma

Evidence is presented for a multitude of discrete frequency Alfvén waves in the core of magnetically confined high-temperature fusion plasmas. Multiple diagnostic instruments confirm wave excitation over a wide spatial range from the device size at the longest wavelengths down to the thermal ion Larmor radius. At the shortest scales, the poloidal wavelengths are comparable to the scale length of electrostatic drift wave turbulence. Theoretical analysis confirms a dominant interaction of the modes with particles in the thermal ion distribution traveling well below the Alfvén velocity.

Ammonia recovery from anaerobically digested cattle manure by steam stripping

Ammonia recovery from anaerobically digested cattle manure effluents through steam stripping was studied at a stripping tower temperature of 98-99 degrees C and a steam-water ratio approximately 56-72 g/L. The digested manure effluents were first treated by microfiltration and then the permeate was used as feed in steam stripping. The stripping performance was evaluated under different feed pH values, ammonia concentrations and temperatures. The increase of the initial feed pH does not significantly improve ammonia stripping efficiency due to the fact that the stripped effluent pH is increased during steam stripping. This suggests that steam stripping of anaerobically digested manure effluents for ammonia recovery may not need pre-raised pH. In contrast, the pH value of the synthetic ammonia wastewater containing NH4Cl dramatically decreases after steam stripping. Increasing the feed temperature slightly improves ammonia stripping efficiency, but reduces the concentration of the recovered ammonia in the condensate due to an increased condensate volume at a higher feed temperature. Therefore, the feed temperature should be controlled at an optimum point that can compromise the condensate ammonia concentration and the ammonia stripping efficiency. Experimental results indicate that recovery of ammonia from anaerobically digested cattle manure effluents as NH4OH is technically feasible.

Feeding practice among younger Tibetan children living at high altitudes

OBJECTIVE

Few published data are available on the feeding practice of younger children in Tibet. Our study investigated feeding pattern of younger Tibetan children.

DESIGN AND SUBJECTS

The study was a cross-sectional survey conducted in Tibet. A sample of 1655 children younger than 36 months old and their mothers was obtained by stratified multistage cluster random sampling method. Mothers were interviewed to collect information on feeding practice by a designed family questionnaire including initial time and duration of breastfeeding and time, frequency and types of complementary foods introduced.

RESULTS

Most of the children was ever or being breastfed at the time of interview. The median duration of breastfeeding was 26 months. The prevalence of almost exclusive breastfeeding for 4 months was 20.1%. Mothers' age and education, child's residence, and introduction of egg, fresh milk and milk powder were strongly associated with the duration of breastfeeding. The partial feeding was a main pattern in the first 6 months of life. Zanban and porridge were offered at about 1 month after birth. By 6th month, less than 25% of children were fed protein foods such as egg and meats and only near 20% of children were fed fresh vegetables. Bean products, fish and chicken were seldom offered to children.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that although they were breastfed for long time, complementary feeding practice of Tibetan children was disadvantaged, especially of rural children. Improvement of monotonous complementary foods and timely introduction should be stressed in local programmatic nutritional interventions.

Latent membrane protein 1 encoded by Epstein-Barr virus modulates directly and synchronously cyclin D1 and p16 by newly forming a c-Jun/Jun B heterodimer in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line

Recently we confirmed that latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) encoded by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) accelerates a newly forming active c-Jun/Jun B heterodimer, a transcription factor, but little is known about the target gene regulated by it. In this paper, results indicated that a c-Jun/Jun B heterodimer induced by LMP1 upregulated cyclin D1 promoters activity and expression, on the contrary, downregulated p16, and maladjustment of cyclin D1 and p16 expression accelerated progression of cell cycle. Firstly, we found a c-Jun/Jun B heterodimer regulated synchronously and directly cyclin D1 and p16 in the Tet-on-LMP1-HNE2 cell line, in which LMP1 expression is regulated by Tet-on system. This paper investigated in depth function of the newly forming active c-Jun/Jun B heterodimer, and built new connection between environmental pathogenic factor, signal transduction and cell cycle.

Apoptotic regulators in prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN): value in prostate cancer detection and prevention

Early diagnosis of prostate cancer holds tremendous promise for the effective therapy and impact on survival of prostate cancer patients. High-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) is generally accepted as a lesion indicative of a late pathological event in the premalignant changes leading to full development of prostate cancer. This review seeks to identify specific molecular events that may be linked directly to the molecular transition from benign prostate epithelial cells to prostate carcinoma. HGPIN is pathologically detected in a limited group of men undergoing prostate cancer screening for an elevated serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) or abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE). Loss of apoptotic control provides a molecular basis for the contribution of specific defective steps in the pathway towards development and progression of prostate cancer. Comparative dissection of the apoptosis status and expression profile of key apoptotic regulators among foci of highly proliferative benign prostatic epithelium, PIN and prostate adenocarcinoma from adjacent areas of the same gland revealed a novel insight into the dysfunctional apoptosis events contributing to prostate carcinogenesis. The sequential and notable loss of the three critical signaling components of the apoptotic action of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), in the prostate, that is, the transmembrane receptor II (TbetaRII), the key cell cycle inhibitor p27(Kip1), as well as the protagonist downstream effector of the TGF-beta signaling mechanism, Smad4, points to their potential value to 'faithfully' characterize HGPIN, as a premalignant prostate lesion. Recent evidence on the molecular changes in apoptosis regulators contributing to HGPIN and their role as molecular markers of disease onset, as well as candidates for therapeutic targeting/chemoprevention of prostate cancer in its early stages will be discussed.

Vascular endothelial growth factor gene therapy with intramuscular injections of plasmid DNA enhances the survival of random pattern flaps in a rat model

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of the naked plasmid DNA encoding vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on the survival of random flaps on rats. Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats whose random flaps were elevated on the back were randomised into three groups of 10 animals each. In the experimental group, the naked plasmid DNA encoding VEGF was injected directly into the panniculus carnosus of the flap. In the two control groups, either control plasmid DNA or physiologic saline was injected. After 7 days, the flaps were evaluated with the following devices: RT-PCR for the expression of VEGF gene, immunohistochemistry for the expression of VEGF protein, histology for vascular density, single photon emission computerised tomography for RBC in the flap, and image analysis for flap survival area. Notably increased expressions of VEGF mRNA and VEGF protein were found in the treatment group. Vascular density was markedly more increased in the treatment group than those in the two control groups (P < 0.01). Compared with the two control groups, the flap treated with VEGF plasmid DNA showed a more significantly enhanced tissue viability: 87 +/- 5 versus 47 +/- 6% for the control plasmid DNA group and 46 +/- 5% for the saline group (P < 0.01). Our results indicated that the VEGF gene therapy was able to enhance the survival of random pattern flaps by inducing angiogenesis.

Canine haematopoietic chimerism analyses by semiquantitative fluorescence detection of variable number of tandem repeat polymorphism

Canine models are successfully applied to the study of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Monitoring of haematopoietic donor/recipient chimerism is of major significance in detecting and quantifying engraftment or graft rejection of the donor-derived haematopoietic cells after transplantation. Radioactive analyses of polymorphic microsatellite markers are commonly used for chimerism analyses. We describe an improved, non-isotopic method that is based on the analysis of microsatellite markers in donor and recipient cells using capillary electrophoresis and fluorescence detection. Artificial mixtures of donor and recipient DNA that were generated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells from dog leukocyte antigen-identical siblings were used to analyse the sensitivity of the assay. DNA from dogs that had received HSCT were also analysed in order to demonstrate the feasibility of the method in vivo. For chimerism analyses, six different microsatellite loci were systematically amplified using fluorescent PCR primer. The fluorescent polymerase chain reaction products were separated by capillary electrophoresis using POP4 on a 310 ABI Prism Genetic Analyzer. After electrophoresis, fluorescence signals were automatically sized and quantified using GeneScan software. The method described provides an accurate assessment of haematopoietic chimerism in the canine model with significantly reduced hands-on time compared to conventional gel electrophoresis.

The novel molecule porcine OSR1 up-regulated expression on porcine endothelial cell by human peripheral blood mononuclear cell activation

INTRODUCTION

Clinical xenotransplantation is being considered to overcome the shortage of human organ donors. In our previous studies, using human-anti-porcine xenogeneic mixed mononuclear cell-endothelial cell cultures with the suppression subtractive hybridization method, we obtained a subtracted cDNA library that included about 300 clones corresponding to up-regulated genes. One porcine sequence showed 81% identity with the human oxidative-stress responsive 1 (OSR1) molecule. The objective of this study was to confirm the gene up-regulation and obtain the full-length sequences.

METHODS

The full-length gene was cloned through the technique of rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The other methods included bioinformatics analysis and RT-PCR.

RESULTS

RT-PCR confirmed that the gene was up-regulated upon the interactions of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and porcine endothelial cells. By SMART RACE technique, we obtained the full-length cDNA of porcine OSR1. The gene is 4333 bp. The open-read frame of 1590 bp encodes 529 amino acid residues. GenBank accession number is AY271356. The gene shows 92.8% nucleotide identity and 95.5% amino acid identity with human OSR1.

CONCLUSION

We obtained the full-length cDNA of porcine OSR1. It was up-regulated on porcine endothelial cells following activation by human PBMCs. We succeeded in constructing a pcDNA-pOSR1 recombinant eukaryotic cell expression vector, the function of which is the subject as our ongoing work.

Suppression of large edge-localized modes in high-confinement DIII-D plasmas with a stochastic magnetic boundary

A stochastic magnetic boundary, produced by an applied edge resonant magnetic perturbation, is used to suppress most large edge-localized modes (ELMs) in high confinement (H-mode) plasmas. The resulting H mode displays rapid, small oscillations with a bursty character modulated by a coherent 130 Hz envelope. The H mode transport barrier and core confinement are unaffected by the stochastic boundary, despite a threefold drop in the toroidal rotation. These results demonstrate that stochastic boundaries are compatible with H modes and may be attractive for ELM control in next-step fusion tokamaks.

Poor nutritional status of younger Tibetan children living at high altitudes

BACKGROUND

The growth, development and nutrition of children in Tibet with high-altitude and unique traditional culture have recently gained attention. However, few researches are available on the nutritional status of younger children of Tibet.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to evaluate the nutritional status of children below 36 months old in Tibet by means of anthropometry.

DESIGN

The cross-sectional survey was conducted between August and September in 1999 and a sample of 1655 children below 36 months old was obtained using a stratified multistage cluster random sampling method from a total of seven districts of Tibet. Height, weight and hemoglobin concentration were measured and at the same time related sociodemographic and environmental information were collected. NCHS/CDC/WHO reference data were used to evaluate the nutritional status of the entire study children population and estimate the prevalence of stunting, underweight and wasting.

RESULTS

Compared with the reference of NCHS/CDC/WHO, the distributions of HAZ and WAZ shifted to the left significantly and the means of HAZ and WAZ were -1.53 and -1.05, respectively, which were significantly lower than the reference value. The distribution of WHZ, however, was close to that of the reference. The reduction of Z-scores for height and weight occurred very early in life and was greatest in the second year after birth. The prevalence of malnutrition of children was 39.0% for stunting, 23.7% for underweight and 5.6% for wasting, respectively. Rural children had prevalence of stunting of 41.4% and underweight of 24.7%, as compared with prevalence of stunting of 25.3% and underweight of 18.1% for urban children. Stunting and underweight were associated with altitudes. The mean of hemoglobin (Hb) of children was 120.4 g/l and rural children had a significantly lower Hb concentration (119.9 g/l) than urban children (123.3 g/l). The prevalence of anemia seemed higher when using different altitude corrections for Hb to estimate the prevalence, but the consequences were uneven.

CONCLUSIONS

For Tibetan young children, the nutritional status of the entire population is poor and the prevalence of malnutrition is higher, especially for stunting. Malnutrition is related to high altitudes. Although the Hb concentration is higher induced by high altitude, there must be quite a lot of anemic children at high altitudes. The relationship between altitude and Hb for children on the Tibetan plateau requires further study in order to determine correctly the magnitude of anemia of children.

Determination of CD30 expression on peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets in patients with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome by FCM

To determine the CD30 expression on peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets in patients with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and its clinical implications, double immunofluorescence technique and flow cytometry were used. There was no significant difference among the severe group, mild-moderate group and normal control group in the CD4+CD30- T lymphocyte subset. While the CD4+CD30+ T cells of HFRS patients were increased and the difference between severe group and mild-moderate group or normal control group were very significant (P < 0.01) and the difference between the mild-moderate group and normal control group was also significant (P < 0.05). The CD8+CD30- T cells were increased while the CD8+CD30+ T cells decreased obviously in HFRS patients, and the differences among three groups in both subsets were very significant (P < 0.01). The results showed that the humoral immunity and cellular immunity are overactive in HFRS patients during acute phase. The loss of balance between T lymphocyte subsets may play an important role in the pathophysiology of HFRS and is closely correlated with the severity of the HFRS.

Isolation and characterization of rice mutants compromised in Xa21-mediated resistance to X. oryzae pv. oryzae

The rice gene, Xa21, confers resistance to diverse races of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) and encodes a receptor-like kinase with leucine-rich repeats in the extra-cellular domain. To identify genes essential for the function of the Xa21 gene, 4,500 IRBB21 ( Xa21 isogenic line in IR24 background) mutants, induced by diepoxybutane and fast neutrons, were screened against Philippine race six (PR6) Xoo for a change from resistance to susceptibility. From two greenhouse screens, 23 mutants were identified that had changed from resistant to fully (6) or partially (17) susceptible to PR6. All fully susceptible mutants carried rearrangements at the Xa21 locus as detected by PCR and Southern hybridization. For the partially susceptible mutants, no changes were detected at the Xa21 locus based on Southern and PCR analyses. However, two of these mutants were confirmed via genetic analysis to have mutations at the Xa21 locus. Partially susceptible mutants exhibited variation in level of susceptibility to different Xoo strains, suggesting that they may carry different mutations required for the Xa21-mediated resistance. The mutants identified in this study provide useful materials for dissecting the Xa21-mediated resistance pathway in rice.

Efficient gene transfer into human monocyte-derived macrophages using defective lentiviral vectors

Gene therapy is a promising approach for the treatment of neurological disorders. However, current approaches to gene transfer in the central nervous system (CNS) are limited by the lack of effective, but non-invasive methods to deliver transgenes across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). In an effort to begin to explore the use of migratory monocytes as vehicles for delivery of therapeutic and antiviral genes into the CNS, we have utilized three HIV-based transfer vectors encoding cis-acting elements but lacking either structural genes (gag/pol and env), most accessory genes (vif, vpr and nef) and/or rev. These defective lentiviral vectors (DLV) encode the green fluorescent protein (GFP), display potent antiviral activity in CD4+ lymphocytes and can be mobilized by wild-type HIV-1 DLV were generated by transient transfection of 293T cells. Vector titers ranged from 4.2-6.6 x 10(6) infectious units (IU)/ml prior to concentration (by ultracentrifugation) and were equal to or higher than 1 x 10(9) IU/ml after concentration. Primary human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) were exposed to DLV resulting in efficiencies of transduction ranging from 14 to 26%. GFP expression in transduced MDM remained stable for more than 8 weeks without apparent cytopathic effect. Given the previously reported antiviral activities of these DLV and their lack of cytopathic effects on primary MDM, it may be possible to use these vectors to inhibit HIV-1 replication within the CNS.

Study on IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10 in liver and bone marrow of mice infected with Schistosomiasis Japonica

To compare Th2 cytokines levels in livers and bone marrow of mice infected with Schistosomiasis Japonica and understand their implication, ABC immunohistochemical staining technique and multimedia pathologic pictures analysis were used to detect the IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10 derived from livers and bone marrow of infected mice. Results showed that in the livers of infected mice, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10 were obviously increased over time. The level of IL-4 was increased most among the 3 indicators. In bone marrow of infected mice, however, even though IL-4 was slowly increased over time, it was lower than that of livers in 10th and 12th week. The level of IL-5 was higher than that of livers during 12th weeks. Before 10th weeks IL-10 was elevated. After 12th week IL-10 was decreased and obviously lower than that of livers. It is concluded that in mice infected with Schistosomiasis Japonica, the immune response occurred mainly in the liver. Therefore, in bone marrow, IL-5 showed obvious auto-secretion. It might be related to its biological ability to induce B cell division and eosinophil differentiation.

Relationship between the clinical features and the viral antigen in the extremity blood of the patients with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome

The direct immunogold silver staining (D-IGSS) method was used to detect the viral antigen in the extremity blood of 67 cases of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. The positive rate of viral antigen was the highest during the fever, hypotension and oligouria phrase; and the rate dropped gradually during the polyuria and convalescent phase. It is suggested that clinical staging was positively related with the percentage of the viral antigen positive cells (P < 0.001). It is concluded that the positive rate was related to the extent of the injuries by direct viral attack and immune reaction. The D-IGSS was proved to be fast, simple, economical, with high sensitivity and specificity.

[Dynamic changes in IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10 in liver and bone marrow of mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum]

AIM

To observe the changes in Th2 cytokines in the liver and bone marrow of mice infected with schistosomiasis japonica.

METHODS

ABC immunohistochemical staining technique and multimedia pathological picture analysis were used. Meanwhile, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10 derived from livers and bone marrows of infected mice were observed at wk 8, 10 and 12 after infection.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

In the livers of infected mice, the levels of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10 increased obviously with a prolongation of the infection duration, IL-4 being the highest. However, in the bone marrow of infected mice, IL-4 level increased slowly with the duration of the infection, being lower than those in the liver at wk 10 and 12 after infection. The level of IL-5 was higher than that in the liver within 12 wk. At wk 10 after infection IL-10 tended to increase, but decreased thereafter and was obviously lower than that in the liver. In mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum, the immune response occurred mainly in the liver. IL-5 in the bone marrow showed auto-secretion.

[Changes in chloroquine resistance of Plasmodium falciparum in Hainan province]

AIM

To observe the variation in resistance of Plasmodium falciparum after the cessation of chloroquine medication.

METHODS

WHO standard in vitro microtest and in vivo test were used.

RESULTS

In vitro test showed that the rate of chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum dropped from 97.9% in 1981 to 26.7% in 1997 (P < 0.001). The mean concentration of chloroquine for complete inhibition of schizont formation declined from 10.46 +/- 7.14 pmol/ul blood in 1981 to 1.63 +/- 1.47 pmol/microliter blood in 1997(P < 0.001). In vivo test showed that the rate of chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum decreased from 84.2% in 1981 to 18.4% in 1997(P < 0.001). The proportion of R III cases to the total resistant cases dropped from 53.1% in 1981 to 14.3% in 1997.

CONCLUSION

A tendency of progressive decline of resistance of the parasite was revealed after the cessation of chloroquine medication.

[Evaluation of topotecan combined with cisplatin in the treatment of small cell lung cancer]

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the effects and toxicities of topotecan combined with cisplatin in the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

METHODS

Twenty-six patients with SCLC diagnosed by pathologic or cytologic examination were treated with topotecan 1.25 mg/(m²*d) on days 1-5 and cisplatin 25 mg/(m²*d) on days 1-3. The chemotherapy was repeated every 21 days as a cycle.

RESULTS

Out of 26 evaluable patients, 3 achieved complete response and 11 achieved partial response with an overall response rate of 53.8%. The response rates were 75.0% and 35.7% in 12 previously untreated patients and 14 patients with prior chemotherapy, respectively. In addition, one of eight refractory patients and two of five patients with brain metastasis got partial responses. The median survival period was 27 weeks and one-year survival rate was 38.5%. Myelosuppression was the major dose-limiting toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Topotecan combined with cisplatin is effective for SCLC and it toxicity is tolerable.

Fine genetic mapping and physical delimitation of the lesion mimic gene Spl11 to a 160-kb DNA segment of the rice genome

The rice lesion mimic mutant spl11 was previously found to confer broad-spectrum disease resistance to both Magnaporthe grisea and Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. To better understand the molecular basis underlying cell death and disease resistance in rice, a map-based cloning strategy has been employed to isolate Spl11. Five Spl11-linked RAPD markers were developed and four of them were mapped to rice chromosome 12. A high-resolution genetic map was developed using a segregating population consisting of 1138 lesion mimic individuals. Recombination suppression was observed in the vicinity of Spl11. Three molecular markers tightly linked to Spl11 were identified and used to screen a BAC library. A contig spanning the Spl11 locus was constructed and physical mapping delimited Spl11 to a 160-kb DNA segment within a single BAC clone. These results provide the essential information for the final isolation of this important gene in the rice defense pathway.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel Dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR family) member 1 genea from human fetal brain

Short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDR) constitute a large protein family of NAD(P)(H)-dependent oxidoreductase. They are defined by distinct, common sequence motifs and show a wide range of substrate specialisms. By large-scale sequencing analysis of a human fetal brain cDNA library, we isolated a novel human SDR-type dehydrogenase/reductase gene named Dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR family) member 1 (DHRS1). The DHRS1 cDNA is 1411 base pair in length, encoding a 314-amino-acid polypeptide which has a SDR motif. Northern blot reveals two bands, of about 0.9 and 1.4 kb in size. These two forms are expressed in many tissues. The DHRS1 gene is localized on chromosome 14q21.3. It has 9 exons and spans 9.2 kb of the genomic DNA.

[Measurement of cyclosporine A in whole blood by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)]

Whole blood was extracted by ether under base using cyclosporine D as internal standard. The extraction was evaporated and reconstituted. The interferences were further removed by hexane. The reconstitution was injected into a C18 reversed-phase column at 70 degrees C, which was eluted with a mobile phase of acetonitrite/methanol/water(60/10/30, v/v) at flow rate 1.6 ml.min-1 and monitored at 210 nm. Three levels of BIO-RAD cyclosporine A(whole blood) calibrator were measured, all the results were within expected range. The detection limit was 25 ng.ml-1. The linearity was at least within 50-1,000 ng.ml-1. Analytical recoveries were 99.6%-108.8%. The within-run cv and between-run CV were 7.2% and 9.3%, respectively.

Molecular cloning, structure and expression of a novel nuclear RNA-binding cyclophilin-like gene (PPIL4) from human fetal brain

The cyclophilins are members of a highly conserved, ubiquitous family, and play an important role in protein folding, immunosuppression by cyclosporin A (CsA), and infection of HIV-1 virions. Here we report that a novel member of the cyclophilin family, PPIL4, was cloned and identified during the large-scale sequencing analysis from a human fetal brain cDNA library. The PPIL4 gene encodes a protein which shares 96% amino acid identity with a protein encoded by a putative gene recently cloned from several different early stages of mouse embryo, and its homologues are found in several other organisms. According to bioinformatics analysis, the PPIL4 gene was found to be located in chromosome 6q24-->q25. Besides the PPIase motif, PPIL4 also has an RNA recognition motif (RRM), a pair of bipartite nuclear targeting sequences, and a lysine rich domain. RT-PCR analysis indicated that PPIL4 gene expression is abundant in kidney but has a ubiquitously low expression pattern in other human adult tissues.

Two broad-spectrum blast resistance genes, Pi9( t) and Pi2( t), are physically linked on rice chromosome 6

To understand the molecular basis of broad-spectrum resistance to rice blast, fine-scale mapping of the two blast resistance (R) genes, Pi9( t) and Pi2( t), was conducted. These two genes were introgressed from different resistance donors, previously reported to confer resistance to many blast isolates in the Philippines, and were mapped to an approximately 10-cM interval on chromosome 6. To further test their resistance spectrum, 43 blast isolates collected from 13 countries were used to inoculate the Pi2( t) and Pi9( t) plants. Pi9( t)-bearing lines were highly resistant to all isolates tested, and lines carrying Pi2( t) were resistant to 36 isolates, confirming the broad-spectrum resistance of these two genes to diverse blast isolates. Three RAPD markers tightly linked to Pi9( t) were identified using the bulk segregant analysis technique. Twelve positive bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones were identified and a BAC contig covering about 100 kb was constructed when the Pi9( t) BAC library was screened with one of the markers. A high-resolution map of Pi9( t) was constructed using BAC ends. The Pi2( t) gene was tightly linked to all of the Pi9( t) markers in 450 F(2) plants. These data suggest that Pi9( t) and Pi2( t) are either allelic or tightly linked in an approximately 100-kb region. The mapping results for Pi9( t) and Pi2( t) provide essential information for the positional cloning of these two important blast resistance genes in rice.

Cloning, expression and characterization of a novel human REPS1 gene

Ral is a member of the small GTPase-binding protein (G protein) family, and plays an important role in the Ras-RalGDS signal transduction pathway. A series of recent findings reveal several important downstream target proteins of Ral, such as RalBP1, Reps1, and others. Here we report another binding partner for RalBP1, which we have isolated from the human fetal brain library. The human REPS1 protein shares 83% amino acid identity with the mouse Reps1 protein. Northern blot analysis shows that the REPS1 is expressed in a variety of tissues, with the strongest expression in the heart and testis.

Cloning and characterization of a novel human TEKTIN1 gene

Tektins comprise a family of filament-forming proteins that are known to be coassembled with tubulins to form ciliary and flagellar microtubules. A new member of the tektin gene family was cloned from the human fetal brain cDNA library. We hence named it the human TEKTIN1 gene. TEKTIN1 cDNA consists of 1375 bp and has a putative open reading frame encoding 418 amino acids. The predicted protein is 48.3 kDa in size, and its amino acid sequence is 82% identical to that of the mouse, rat, and dog. One conserved peptide RPNVELCRD was observed at position number 323-331 of the amino acid sequence, which is a prominent feature of tektins and is likely to represent a functionally important protein domain. TEKTIN1 gene was mapped to the human chromosome 17 by BLAST search, and at least eight exons were found. Northern blot analysis indicated that TEKTIN1 was predominantly expressed in testis. By in-situ hybridization analysis, TEKTIN1 mRNA was localized to spermatocytes and round spermatids in the seminiferous tubules of the mouse testis, indicating that it may play a role in spermatogenesis.

Effect of Deposition Conditions and Postdeposition Heat Treatment on the Optical Properties of CdIn(2)O(4) Thin Films

Using a Lorentz-Drude model, we determine optical constants in the range from 300 to 1000 nm for CdIn(2)O(4) thin films deposited by rf reactive sputtering from the measurement of transmission and reflection. We discuss the effect of deposition conditions including substrate temperature and oxygen concentration in a reactive atmosphere and postdeposition heat treatment on optical constants, absorption properties, and the bandgap of thin films. It can be found that changes in optical constants and bandgap are in good agreement with those of the carrier concentration. Therefore an optical constant could be related to the film's inherent properties, such as the energy gap and carrier concentration, and might be regarded as a useful probe for monitoring in situ the film process. A study of Urbach tails reveals that the effect of substrate temperature on the characteristic photon energy is negligible.

[Development of biogenic VOC emissions inventory with high temporal and spatial resolution]

A new method was developed to estimate biogenic VOC emissions with high temporal and spatial resolution by use of Mesoscale Meteorology Modeling System Version5 (MM5). In this method, the isoprene and monoterpene standard emission factors for some types of tree in China were given and the standard VOC emission factors and seasonally average densities of leaf biomass for all types of vegetation were determined. A biogenic VOC emissions inventory in South China was established which could meet the requirement of regional air quality modeling. Total biogenic VOC emissions in a typical summer day were estimated to be 1.12 x 10(4) metric tons in an area of 729 km x 729 km of South China. The results showed the temporal and spatial distributions of biogenic VOC emission rates in this area. The results also showed that the geographical distribution of biogenic VOC emission rates depended on vegetation types and their distributions and the diurnal variation mainly depended on the solar radiation and temperature. The uncertainties of estimating biogenic VOC emissions were also discussed.

Acceleration of lung disease in children with cystic fibrosis after Pseudomonas aeruginosa acquisition

As part of the ongoing Wisconsin Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Neonatal Screening Project, we had the unique opportunity to study the longitudinal relationship between Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) acquisition and infection and developing lung disease in children with CF. The primary objective was to determine whether acquisition of Pa was associated with a measurable change in the progression of lung disease. Two outcome measures were used to study 56 patients who were diagnosed through newborn screening: 1) Wisconsin additive chest radiograph score (WCXR), based on the average of scores from a pulmonologist and a radiologist, and 2) the highest forced expired volume in 1 sec (FEV(1))/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio. We used two measures of Pa acquisition: 1) time of first positive protocol-determined oropharyngeal (with cough) culture, and 2) the magnitude of antibody titer detected by ELISA assays, using as antigen a crude cell lysate, purified exotoxin A, or an elastase toxoid prepared from three Pa strains. Other predictor variables included age, pancreatic status, height-for age, and weight-for-age-percentiles. The best regression model for predicting changes in the WCXR included time to first positive culture and antibody titer for Pa elastase. Prior to Pa acquisition, WCXR worsened by 0.45 points/year (P > 0.25); after Pa acquisition, the rate of worsening increased significantly (P < 0.001) to 1.40 points/year. Each antibody titer level (log base 2) increased the score by 0.48 points (P < 0.001). The best regression model for predicting change in the FEV(1)/FVC included only time to first positive culture. Prior to Pa acquisition, the FEV(1)/FVC ratio declined by 1.29%/year; after Pa infection, the rate of decrease significantly accelerated to 1.81%/year (P = 0.001). Our data show that Pa acquisition is associated with declining pulmonary status in children with CF, and that this effect is probably gradual rather than precipitous. Because these patients were diagnosed and treated aggressively, our estimates of the effects of Pa acquisition may be conservative. We also conclude that the WCXR appears to be more sensitive than FEV(1)/FVC in detecting early changes in lung disease associated with CF.

The chick transcriptional repressor Nkx3.2 acts downstream of Shh to promote BMP-dependent axial chondrogenesis

Previously, we demonstrated that Shh acts early in the development of the axial skeleton, to induce a prochondrogenic response to later BMP signaling. Here, we demonstrate that somitic expression of the transcription factor Nkx3.2 is initiated by Shh and sustained by BMP signals. Misexpression of Nkx3.2 in somitic tissue confers a prochondrogenic response to BMP signals. The transcriptional repressor activity of Nkx3.2 is essential for this factor to promote chondrogenesis. Conversely, a "reverse function" mutant of Nkx3.2 that has been converted into a transcriptional activator inhibits axial chondrogenesis in vivo. We conclude that Nkx3.2 is a critical mediator of the actions of Shh during axial cartilage formation, acting to inhibit expression of factors that interfere with the prochondrogenic effects of BMPs.

Human herpesvirus 8 envelope glycoprotein K8.1A interaction with the target cells involves heparan sulfate

Human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) or Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus K8.1 gene encodes for two immunogenic glycoproteins, gpK8.1A and gpK8.1B, originating from spliced messages. The 228-amino-acid (aa) gpK8.1A is the predominant form associated with the virion envelope, consisting of a 167-aa region identical to gpK8.1B and a 61-aa unique region (L. Zhu, V. Puri, and B. Chandran, Virology 262:237-249, 1999). HHV-8 has a broad in vivo and in vitro cellular tropism, and our studies showed that this may be in part due to HHV-8's interaction with the ubiquitous host cell surface molecule, heparan sulfate (HS). Since HHV-8 K8.1 gene is positionally colinear to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) gene encoding the gp350/gp220 protein involved in EBV binding to the target cells, gpK8.1A's ability to interact with the target cells was examined. The gpK8.1A without the transmembrane and carboxyl domains (DeltaTMgpK8.1A) was expressed in a baculovirus system and purified. Radiolabeled purified DeltaTMgpK8.1A protein bound to the target cells, which was blocked by unlabeled DeltaTMgpK8.1A. Unlabeled DeltaTMgpK8.1A blocked the binding of [(3)H]thymidine-labeled purified HHV-8 to the target cells. Binding of radiolabeled DeltaTMgpK8.1A to the target cells was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by soluble heparin, a glycosaminoglycan (GAG) closely related to HS, but not by other GAGs such as chondroitin sulfate A and C, N-acetyl heparin and de-N-sulfated heparin. Cell surface absorbed DeltaTMgpK8.1A was displaced by soluble heparin. Radiolabeled DeltaTMgpK8.1A also bound to HS expressing Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells, and binding to mutant CHO cell lines deficient in HS was significantly reduced. The DeltaTMgpK8.1A specifically bound to heparin-agarose beads, which was inhibited by HS and heparin, but not by other GAGs. Virion envelope-associated gpK8.1A was specifically precipitated by heparin-agarose beads. These findings suggest that gpK8.1A interaction with target cells involves cell surface HS-like moieties, and HHV-8 interaction with HS could be in part mediated by virion envelope-associated gpK8.1A.

[Cardiac troponin I: a marker for detecting non-ischemic cardiac injury]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate if cardiac troponin I (cTnI) could be used to monitor non-ischemic cardiac damage.

METHODS

Two categories of patients without clinical evidence of acute myocardial infarction but suspected to have cardiac damage were included: acute heart failure (n = 37, heart function classified as class IV); and post burn injury (n = 30, TBSA 4% approximately 98%). Serum samples from these patients were analyzed for cTnI by chemiluminescent immunoassay.

RESULTS

Elevated plasma cTnI was found in 89% of patients with acute heart failure (P < 0.001). Clinical conditions of the patients improved with declining of cTnI, while heart function deteriorated with the increasing of cTnI. Elevated plasma cTnI was also found between the 5(th) day to 14(th) day of post burn in 90% of burn patients. Mean cTnI level was significantly higher in patients with TBSA > 30% (P < 0.001) and in those patients with obvious burn wound exudation (P < 0.002). cTnI peaked when obvious burn wound exudation or eschar spontaneous separation. cTnI decreased after surgical excision. Two patients with persistent high cTnI developed tachycardia.

CONCLUSION

cTnI is a sensitive marker for non-ischemic cardiac damage. Monitoring of cTnI is useful in differentiating the two categories of patients.

Spatial orientation in construction divers - are there associations with diving experience?

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this work was to investigate whether or not navigation abilities are impaired in construction divers and if putative deficits can be related to MRT-verified brain lesions and/or to diving experience.

METHODS

Nineteen construction divers and 19 controls matched for age, intelligence, and socioeconomic background were studied by use of a "locomotor search through" task which resembled working conditions at ground. The task incorporated a spatial working memory and a spatial reference memory component. Moreover, navigation parameters (i.e., rotational turns, distances traveled, speed of navigation) were derived from the participant's locomotor behavior, which was recorded automatically. Groups were compared by navigation performance, standard neuropsychological tests, and the number of brain lesions obtained by MRT-scans.

RESULTS

Divers were widely comparable with respect to neuropsychological test scores, exploration behavior and speed of navigation during testing. Performance deficits in divers were seen in the three test trials with respect to the number of reference memory errors and navigation behavior. Only in controls were age and the number of MRI-verified lesions related to neuropsychological test performance and to maze variables, but in divers the number of lesions seemed to be related to hyperbaric exposure.

CONCLUSION

Despite possible positive selection effects in long-term construction divers, these results may have implications for health care of middle-aged divers who are exposed to critical depths of more than 60 meter sea water (msw).

[The relationship of clinicopathology and immunophenotypes in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of the spleen]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between clinicopathologic features and immunophenotypes in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) of the spleen.

METHODS

Clinicopathologic analysis and follow up; immunohistologic staining by SP method and EBER in situ hybridization.

RESULTS

(1) Splenomegaly was found in all 19 cases of spleen NHL, 10 of the 19 (52.6%) cases had masses or a mass in their enlarged spleen; (2) 14 of the 19 (73.7%) cases were of B-cell type (including 5 cases of follicular type and 9 cases of diffuse type), in which 8 cases were centroblastic, 3 of centroblast/centrocyte and 4 cases of small lymphocyte types; all 10 cases of primary splenic lymphomas (PSL) were B-cell type; (3) 5 of the 19 cases (26.3%) had peripheral T-cell origin, including 4 cases of large cell type and 1 case of small cell type; of the 3 TIA-1 positive cases, 2 were also positive for EBER 1/2 (one CD 8+ and another CD56+), the remaining case was CD8-, CD56-, EBER1/2-; all 5 cases were secondary NHL of the spleen; (4) Follow up data were obtained for 14/19 cases (73.7%). 8 of 9 surviving cases were primary NHL. The range of survival period varied from 8 to 10 years. All 5 deceased cases had secondary NHL and their survival period was 2 to 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Some relationship exists between the clinicopathology and origin of the tumor cells in splenic NHL, the prognosis of primary NHL is better than that of the secondary NHL and the diagnosis of primary NHL should be made with discretion.

[Controlling effect of parasitoids on population of vegetable leaf miner Liriomyza sativae Blanchard]

The controlling effect of parasitoids on vegetable leaf miner, Liriomyza sativae Blanchard, was evaluated by using acting factor life tables and exclusion inex of population control(EPIC). The results showed that Chrysocharis pentheus, Neuchrysocharis formosa, Chrysonotomyia okazakii, Hemiptarsenus varicornis, Chrysocharis sp., Opius dimidiatus and Opius dissitus played an important role in controlling the population of vegetable leaf miner. The EIPCs of parasitoids were 1.23, 2.73, 5.98, 5.92 and 5.71, respectively for the five generations of L. sativae on kidney bean planted in spring, from the 1st to the 5th generation and, for the 2nd generation in particular, they were 2.73, 2.87, 2.24 and 1.89, respectively on kidney bean, cowpea, luffa and cucumber, indicating that if the parasitoids were excluded, the population of the next generation of L. sativae would increase by times accordingly. The EIPC of parasitoids for the 3rd instar larvae was usually the largest among different instar larvae and pupae, and the EIPCs for the 3rd to 5th generation of L. sativae on spring kidney bean were higher than those for the 1st and the 2nd. The EIPCs of parasitoids for L. sativae on kidney bean and cowpea were larger than those on luffa and cucumber.

[A study of hepatitis B virus(HBV) anti-genome and its inhibitory effect on HBV replication]

OBJECTIVE

To study the combination of triplex forming oligodeoxynucleotides (TFO) with hepatitis B virus gene and its effect on replication of HBV.

METHODS

An oligodeoxynucleotide (TFO20) which can form triplex with SP1 sites in HBV core promoter was synthesized and was linked with biotin. Both the liposome-TFO20 and naked TFO20 were transfected to HepG2.2.15 cells, which was detected by SABC assay and showed signals that TFO20 was combined with HBV DNA. ELISA, reverse transcript (RT)-PCR and fluorescence quantitative PCR were used to investigate the change of HBV DNA, 3.5 kb/3.4 kb RNA, 2.4 kb/2.1 kb RNA, HBsAg and HBeAg in HepG2.2.15 cells before and after treatment with TFO20.

RESULTS

The ratio of liposome-TFO20 and naked TFO20 transfected to HepG2.2.15 cells were 80% and 40%, respectively. TFO20 signals mainly distributed in the nucleus and cytoplasm. After treatment with TFO20, the level of HBV DNA was reduced from 10(7.01) to 10(4.94), while 3.5 kb/3.4 kb RNA, 2.4 kb/2.1 kb RNA, HBsAg and HBeAg were also reduced by 70.2%, 31.6%, 37.0%, 78.2% respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

TFO20 can be transfected into cells by packing with liposome and can be combined with HBV DNA. TFO20 can effectively inhibit replication of HBV.

[Alteration and clinical significance of plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor in chronic heart failure]

The plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) were measured by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay in 109 patients who were grouped as "non-heart failure" (n = 36), "heart failure" (n = 36) and "cachexia" (n = 37). The results showed that there was no obvious difference in caloric intake among the three groups. Mean plasma levels of TNF were increased in patients with heart failure (0.51 +/- 0.2 ng.ml-1, P < 0.05) and even higher in patients with cachexia (6.19 +/- 2.76 ng.ml-1, P < 0.01) than in patients with non-heart failure (0.085 +/- 0.025 ng.ml-1). In the group with enhanced plasma levels of TNF (TNF > 100 pg.ml-1), the incidence of cachexia (61.0%) was obviously greater than that in the group with normal levels of TNF (17.6%). These findings indicate that plasma levels of TNF are elevated in patients with heart failure; high levels of TNF may play an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiac cachexia.

The rat liver Na(+)/bile acid cotransporter. Importance of the cytoplasmic tail to function and plasma membrane targeting

To understand the potential functions of the cytoplasmic tail of Na(+)/taurocholate cotransporter (Ntcp) and to determine the basolateral sorting mechanisms for this transporter, green fluorescent protein-fused wild type and mutant rat Ntcps were constructed and the transport properties and cellular localization were assessed in transfected COS 7 and Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Truncation of the 56-amino acid cytoplasmic tail demonstrates that the cytoplasmic tail of rat Ntcp is involved membrane delivery of this protein in nonpolarized and polarized cells and removal of the tail does not affect the bile acid transport function of Ntcp. Using site-directed mutagenesis, two tyrosine residues, Tyr-321 and Tyr-307, in the cytoplasmic tail of Ntcp have been identified as important for the basolateral sorting of rat Ntcp in transfected MDCK cells. Tyr-321 appears to be the major basolateral-sorting determinant, and Tyr-307 acts as a supporting determinant to ensure delivery of the transporter to the basolateral surface, especially at high levels of protein expression. When the two Tyr-based basolateral sorting motifs have been removed, the N-linked carbohydrate groups direct the tyrosine to alanine mutants to the apical surface of transfected MDCK cells. The major basolateral sorting determinant Tyr-321 is within a novel beta-turn unfavorable tetrapeptide Y(321)KAA, which has not been found in any naturally occurring basolateral sorting motifs. Two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy of a 24-mer peptide corresponding to the sequence from Tyr-307 to Thr-330 on the cytoplasmic tail of Ntcp confirms that both the Tyr-321 and Tyr-307 regions do not adopt any turn structure. Since the major motif YKAA contains a beta-turn unfavorable structure, the Ntcp basolateral sorting may not be related to the clathrin-adaptor complex pathway, as is the case for many basolateral proteins.

[Carcinoma of kidney collecting duct: an analysis of 10 cases]

OBJECTIVE

To study the clinicopathologic characteristics of renal collecting duct carcinoma (CDC).

METHODS

A retrospective study was done in 10 cases of CDC.

RESULTS

Among 466 cases of renal cell carcinoma admitted in our Institute between January 1989 and June 30, 1999, 10(2.1%) cases of CDC were identified. Seven presented with gross hematuria and 3 with abdominal pain. Radical nephrectomy was done in 9 patients, enucleation of tumor in one. The primary tumor was located predominantly in the renal medulla. Histologic examination showed prominent tubular or tubulopapillary structures. Sarcomatoid carcinoma, cystadenocarcinoma, nests and cords of tumor cells in desmoplastic stroma were identified in some cases. High molecular weight cytokeratin 34 beta E12 was positive in 8 cases and peanut agglutinin in 7 cases. According to Fuhrman's nuclear grade, one was in G2, 4 were in G3 and 5 in G4. Six patients died of metastases within 3 to 23 months (mean 13.3 months), one died of heart disease with tumor free after 19 months, two survived with tumor free for 14 months and 39 months, respectively, one lost from follow-up.

CONCLUSION

CDC is a distinctive renal cell carcinoma with prominent clinical appearance and progressive clinical course.