[Serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels in uveitis]

PURPOSE

To investigate the relationship between serum SIL-2R levels and uveitis.

METHODS

SIL-2R levels were measured in sera of 64 patients with active uveitis by ELISA assay, 61 healthy subjects as control.

RESULTS

Serum SIL-2R levels in the patients with active uveitis were significantly higher than that in the controls, but there were no significant difference among anterior uveitis, intermediate uveitis, Behcet disease and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome. After therapy the serum SIL-2R levels were obviously decreased.

CONCLUSION

SIL-2R Levels in serum correlate with activity of uveitis.

Reconstruction of the penis after severe injury

Since 1986, five cases of one-stage reconstruction of the injured penis using microsurgical techniques have been successfully carried out. A piece of ilium based upon the deep circumflex iliac vessels is used to form the penis prop and a skin flap of the forearm is transferred to form the urethra and foreskin to encircle the prop. Then the vessels and nerves of the skin flap of the forearm are anastomosed with the vessels and nerves of the thigh. Postoperative follow-up showed the constructed penis to be satisfactory in contour, allow free flow of urine, provide cutaneous sensory recovery and satisfactory sexual function in four married patients. Radiography showed the bony structure of the penis prop to be normal. This method has advantages over the one-stage procedure in terms of contour, urinary flow, satisfactory sexual function and long-term benefits. Most of all it has solved the problem of poor blood supply into the reconstructed penis prop.

Generation and application of twin beams from an optical parametric oscillator including an alpha-cut KTP crystal

Measurement slight amounts of absorption of light with accuracy beyond the standard quantum limit has been experimentally demonstrated. The quantum-correlated twin beams used in the measurement were generated from a nondegenerate optical parametric oscillator including an alpha-cut KTiOPO(4) crystal pumped by an intracavity frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser. The noise in the intensity difference between the twin beams was reduced by 88% below the standard quantum limit (SQL). The signal-to-noise ratio was improved by 7 dB with respect to the SQL of the total light employed in the experiment and by 4 dB with respect to that of the signal light.

Combining different line crosses for mapping quantitative trait loci using the identical by descent-based variance component method

Mapping quantitative trait loci (QTLs) is usually conducted with a single line cross. The power of such QTL mapping depends highly on the two parental lines. If the two lines are fixed for the same allele at a putative QTL, the QTL is undetectable. On the other hand, if a QTL is segregating in the line cross and is detected, the estimated variance of the QTL cannot be extrapolated beyond the statistical inference space of the two parental lines. To reduce the likelihood of missing a QTL and to increase the statistical inference space of the estimated QTL variance, we present a consensus QTL mapping strategy. We adopt the identical by descent (IBD)-based variance component method originally applied to human linkage analysis by combining multiple line crosses as independent families. We explore the properties of consensus QTL mapping and demonstrate the method with F2, backcross (BC), and full-sib (FS) families. In addition, we examine the effects of the QTL heritability, marker informativeness, QTL position, the number of families, and family size. We show that F2 families notably outperform BC and FS families in detecting a QTL. There is a substantial reduction in the standard deviation of the estimated QTL position and the separation of the QTL and polygenic variance. Finally, we show that the power to detect a QTL is greater when using a small number of large families than a large number of small families.

Systemic corticosteroids decrease the effectiveness of talc pleurodesis

Corticosteroids can inhibit the inflammatory process and the formation of fibrosis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the concurrent use of steroids at the time of talc-slurry pleurodesis would influence the development of the pleurodesis. One group of rabbits received an intrapleural injection of talc (400 mg/kg) and an intramuscular injection of triamcinolone (0.8 mg/kg) 1 d before talc instillation and weekly thereafter, whereas a control group received only talc. Ten rabbits in each group were killed at 6 h and at 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, and 28 d after instillation. The mean volume of pleural fluid was significantly lower in the group receiving corticosteroids at 6 h through 4 d after talc slurry than in the other groups. The degree of pleural adhesion was significantly smaller in the group receiving corticosteroids from Day 2 through Day 28. At Day 28, all 10 rabbits that received talc only had a pleurodesis score of 3 or 4, whereas only four of the 10 rabbits that also received steroids had a pleurodesis score of 3 or 4. This study shows that the use of corticosteroids at the time of talc-slurry pleurodesis markedly decreases the inflammatory reaction to the talc, and essentially prevents a pleurodesis from developing.

Efficiency of multistage marker-assisted selection in the improvement of multiple quantitative traits

The application of marker-assisted selection (MAS) to breeding programmes depends on its relative cost and the expected economic return compared to conventional phenotypic selection. The relative efficiency of MAS can be increased through a two-stage selection scheme or through marker-based, multiple-trait improvement. However, the effectiveness of these alternatives has not been quantified. In this study, we evaluate the efficiency of MAS relative to conventional phenotypic selection and marker-only selection in multistage selection for the improvement of multiple traits. We further incorporate the costs of obtaining measurements on phenotypic characters and marker loci into the objective function to evaluate the efficiency of MAS with respect to the gain per unit cost. Deterministic analyses indicate that excluding costs, multiple-trait MAS can be used to increase the aggregate breeding values in quantitative characters and is expected to be more effective than conventional selection or single-trait MAS. Two-stage MAS has a slightly reduced gain because of culling in the first stage. If the objective function is to maximize the gain per unit cost, multiple-trait MAS is inferior to phenotypic selection in most of the selection schemes investigated when the cost ratio (r) of obtaining measurements on phenotypic characters to scoring marker loci is less than unity (r < or = 1.0) and the heritability (h2) is greater than 0.3. The efficiency of MAS increases as r increases and h2 decreases. For MAS to be more effective, it is necessary to decrease further the cost associated with molecular marker assays.

Comparisons of pleurodesis induced by talc with or without thymol iodide in rabbits

STUDY OBJECTIVE

At the present time, talc administered either as a slurry or an aerosol is a popular agent for producing pleurodesis. Some investigators use iodized talc while others use plain talc. The purpose of the present study was to determine if iodized talc slurry produced a better pleurodesis in animals than did plain talc.

DESIGN

New Zealand white male rabbits were randomly assigned to receive talc slurry, 200 mg/kg, with or without the addition of 50 mg iodide intrapleurally. Approximately 10 rabbits in each group were killed 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, and 28 days after the injection. The amount and character of pleural fluid, the degree of pleural adhesions, and the microscopic changes were compared in the two different groups.

RESULTS

The pleural fluid findings, the gross adhesion score for the pleura, and the microscopic changes in the visceral pleura were essentially identical for the rabbits that received iodized talc and those that received plain talc. The injection of both plain talc and iodized talc produced a normoglycemic exudative pleural effusion that had, for the most part, disappeared by the fourth day postinjection. The amount of pleural fluid at 48 h was 3.3+/-0.6 mL in the plain talc and 2.2+/-0.5 mL in the iodized talc group. At 28 days, the mean degree of gross pleurodesis in the talc group was 2.6+/-0.2 compared with 2.3+/-0.2 in the iodized group, while the mean degree of microscopic fibrosis was 1.4+/-0.3 in the plain talc group compared with 2.0+/-0.3 in the iodized talc group.

CONCLUSION

From this study, we conclude that the addition of 50 mg of iodide does not improve the results with talc slurry pleurodesis in rabbits.

N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonists limit aminoglycoside antibiotic-induced hearing loss

The use of aminoglycoside antibiotics is limited by ototoxicity that can produce permanent hearing loss. We report that concurrent administration of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists markedly attenuates both the hearing loss and destruction of cochlear hair cells in guinea pigs treated with aminoglycoside antibiotics. These findings indicate that aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss is mediated, in part, through an excitotoxic process. The high correlation (Spearman correlation coefficient: 0.928; P < 0.01) obtained between the relative cochleotoxicities of a series of aminoglycosides in humans and the potencies of these compounds to produce a polyamine-like enhancement of [3H]dizocilpine binding to NMDA receptors is consistent with this hypothesis, and provides a simple in vitro assay that can predict this aspect of aminoglycoside-induced ototoxicity.

Note: isolation, characterization and epidemiology of Yersinia enterocolitica from humans and animals

During an 11-year period (1983 to 1994), 51 strains of Yersinia enterocolitica were isolated from humans and animals. Specimens were collected from a total of 3601 sources consisting of 956 patients with enteritis, 300 patients with urinary tract infection, 1564 healthy humans, 510 swine, 38 guinea-pigs, 118 rats and 115 rabbits. Five strains of Y. enterocolitica, bio/serogroups 2/O:9 and 4/O:3, virulence positive, were recovered from patients. Forty-two variants of Y. enterocolitica belonging to pathogenic serogroup O:3, Voges-Proskauer-negative biogroup 3 were recovered from swine, rats and rabbits. The rate of isolation of Y. enterocolitica from diarrhoeal swine was apparently greater than those from healthy swine. The incidence of human infections due to Y. enterocolitica was very low and bioserogroups of isolates were different from the strains which were isolated from animals. There was no evidence to suggest that swine were the source of Y. enterocolitica in humans.

Measurements of membrane diffusing capacity and pulmonary capillary blood volume in normal subjects and patients with mild emphysema

OBJECTIVE

To establish predicted values of membrane diffusing capacity (Dm) and pulmonary capacity blood volume (Vc), to compare the predicted values from our equations with those for Caucasians, to determine whether there are changes initially in Dm or Vc in patients with mild emphysema.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco), Dm and Vc were determined in 86 normal subjects and 16 patients using the single-breath diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLcosB) with two different alveolar concentrations of oxygen.

RESULTS

The predicted equations are as follows. For males, DLco (ml/min/mm Hg) = 0.37H-0.19A-27.8; Dm (ml/min/mm Hg) = 0.65H-0.24A-53.7; Vc(ml) = 0.88H-78.9. For females, DLco = 0.28H-22.7; Dm = 0.59H-53.6; Vc = 66.6-0.36A. DLco and Vc are lower in Chinese than Caucasians while Dm is similar in Chinese and Caucasians. Eleven of 16 patients had a low DLco (< 80% predicted value), 12 had a low Dm and 5 had a low Vc. Eight of 12 patients with a low Dm also had a low DLco, but in 4 the DLco was normal. Nine of 12 with low Dm had a normal Vc.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides prediction equations of Dm and Vc. Chinese have a low DLco because their Vc is lower than Caucasians. The DLco and Dm are abnormal in a comparable percentage of patients. In patients with mild emphysema, the Dm becomes abnormal before the Vc.

[Determination of loganin in the fruit of Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc]

A high performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the determination of loganin in the fruit of Cornus of ficinalis. The method is rapid, accurate and sensitive.

Laser-diode-pumped cw Nd:MgO:LiNbO(3) self-frequency-doubling laser around room temperature

A laser-diode-pumped cw self-frequency-doubling laser has been achieved in Nd:MgO:LiNbO3 crystal around room temperature. The second-harmonic output at λ = 547 nm to 8 mW was obtained with a miniature resonator in which only a crystal was included, without any extra intracavity component.

Seedling-selection effects on morphological traits of mature plants in red clover

Knowledge of the correlation between juvenileand mature-plant traits is critical in determining the opportunities for early stage selection. The effects of early stage selection on mature-plant performance have rarely been quantified. This study was conducted to identify seedling traints in red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) that correlate to mature-plant traits and to evaluate the effect of seedling selection on forage yields and other mature-plant traits. The results showed that relationships between most seedlingand mature-plant traits were weak (r ranged from 0.170 to 0.239). Nevertheless, selecting the top 10% seedlings for petiole length, days from emergence to full expansion of the 4th leaf (D4LE), or leaves per seedling, produced a mature-plant population with higher individual plant dry weight (IPDW1) and higher annual yield in 1993 (Y93). Selection for leaves per seedling increased IPDW1 by 23.2%. Selection for petiole length and the smallest D4LE increased Y93 by 15.7% and 13.8%, respectively. Furthermore, substantial expected genetic gains were obtained for IPDW1 and Y93 when selecting for some seedling traits. We conclude that plants and families with low potential yield can be eliminated at the seedling stage in red clover. This will allow breeders to increase the number of superior plants to be field tested or to conduct a more rigorous evaluation of the selected plants. Among the five selection schemes tested for direct selection of mature-plant traits, mass selection produced the largest genetic gain.

VH3-21 B cells escape from a state of tolerance in rheumatoid arthritis and secrete rheumatoid factor

BACKGROUND

Rheumatoid factor (RF) is a characteristic but not pathognomic feature in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It is unknown whether the repertoire of immunoglobulin genes utilized by RF+ B cells of RA patients is unique and whether RF+ B cells in normal individuals are silenced or deleted.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clonal B cell populations were established from the peripheral blood of normal donors (127 B cell clones), RA patients (113 RF- and 60 RF+ B cell clones) and patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (82 RF- and 47 RF+ B cell clones) by coculturing with anti-CD3-stimulated T helper cell clones. The cross-reactivity pattern of antibodies secreted by the B cell clones was determined by ELISA on a panel of antigens. The molecular structure of the IgM heavy chains was characterized by VH family-specific RT-PCR and sequencing. VH elements which correlated with RF specificity were identified. The responsiveness of B cells expressing these VH elements to T helper cell signals was compared in normal individuals and RA patients.

RESULTS

The majority of RF+ B cells were monospecific when specificity was tested on five antigens. RF+ B cells expressed a significantly different repertoire of VH gene segments than RF- B cells. In particular, the VH3 gene segment V3-21 was not detected in B cell clones from normals but was the most frequent VH element in RF+ B cell clones from RA patients. Most of the V3-21 sequences were in germline configuration. The correlation between RF specificity and V3-21 gene segment usage was maintained in patients with Sjögren's syndrome. V3-21 transcripts were present in peripheral blood B cells from normal individuals. VH3-21+ B cells from RA patients but not from normal donors were responsive to preactivated T helper cells. Stimulation with a bacterial superantigen could overcome the nonresponsiveness of V3-21+ B cells in normal donors and induce the secretion of RF.

CONCLUSIONS

RF production is correlated with the usage of the V3-21 gene segment in two distinct RF+ diseases. In patients with these diseases, V3-21+ B cells secrete antibodies with RF activity in response to activated T helper cells. V3-21+ B cells remain in a state of nonresponsiveness in normal individuals that can be broken by superantigen stimulation. The germline configuration of VH3-21+ RF+ immunoglobulins in RA patients suggests that the loss of tolerance is not an antigen-driven process.

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in China

Thirty strains of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis were isolated from rabbits (17 strains), wild rats (9 strains) and house rats (4 strains) in China between 1990 and 1993. The biochemical properties of these isolates were identical with those of Y. pseudotuberculosis and no special characteristics were found in these strains. Serologically, serogroups 4b and 5b were identical to isolates found in Japan, and a new serogroup 1c and unclassified strains have also been detected. The existence of virulence-associated properties were different among strains. The pYV plasmid was detected from 6 strains of 30 isolates. This report documents the presence of Y. pseudotuberculosis in China, providing important epidemiological information.

Metabolism and actions of 2-chloro-9-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-beta-D- arabinofuranosyl)-adenine in human lymphoblastoid cells

2-Chloro-9-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)adenine (Cl-F-ara-A) is a new deoxyadenosine analogue that is resistant to phosphorolytic cleavage and deamination. Studies with a variety of cell lines demonstrated that Cl-F-ara-A is a potent cytotoxic agent; in cell-free systems, its triphosphate (Cl-F-ara-ATP) inhibited DNA polymerase alpha and ribonucleotide reductase. To further characterize its mechanism of cytotoxicity, the present study investigated the cellular metabolism of Cl-F-ara-A and the actions of its nucleotide metabolites in human T-lymphoblast leukemia CCRF-CEM cells. The mono-, di-, and triphosphates of Cl-F-ara-A accumulated in cells, with the monophosphate as its major metabolite. After washing cells into drug-free medium, the elimination of each Cl-F-ara-A nucleotide was nonlinear with a prolonged terminal phase. Incubation of CCRF-CEM cells with Cl-F-ara-A resulted in the incorporation of Cl-F-ara-AMP into DNA; a much lesser amount was associated with RNA, suggesting that Cl-F-ara-A is a more DNA-directed compound. The site of Cl-F-ara-AMP in DNA was related to the ratio of the cellular concentrations of the analogue triphosphate and the natural substrate dATP. At low Cl-F-ara-ATP:dATP values, incorporation was mainly in phosphodiester linkages at internal sites, whereas at higher Cl-F-ara-ATP:dATP values, Cl-F-ara-AMP was principally detected at terminal sites. Clonogenicity assays showed a strong inverse correlation between cell survival and Cl-F-ara-AMP incorporation into DNA. These results suggest that the incorporation of Cl-F-ara-A monophosphate into DNA is critical for the cytotoxicity of Cl-F-ara-A.

A correlation method for detecting and estimating linkage between a marker locus and a quantitative trait locus using inbred lines

The advent of molecular genetic markers has stimulated interest in detecting linkage between a marker locus and a quantitative trait locus (QTL) because the marker locus, even without direct effect on the quantitative trait, could be useful in increasing the response to selection. A correlation method for detecting and estimating linkage between a marker locus and a QTL is described using selfing and sib-mating populations. Computer simulations were performed to estimate the power of the method, the sample size (N) needed to detect linkage, and the recombination value (r). The power of this method was a function of the expected recombination value E(r), the standardized difference (d) between the QTL genotypic means, and N. The power was highest at complete linkage, decreased with an increase in E(r), and then increased at E(r)=0.5. A larger d and N led to a higher power. The sample size needed to detect linkage was dependent upon E(r) and d. The sample size had a minimum value at E(r)=0, increased with an increase in E(r) and a decrease in d. In general, the r was overestimated. With an increase in d, the r was closer to its expectation. Detection of linkage by the proposed method under incomplete linkage was more efficient than estimation of recombination values. The correlation method and the method of comparison of marker-genotype means have a similar power when there is linkage, but the former has a slightly higher power than the latter when there is no linkage.

Selective activation of VH3A10+ rheumatoid factor producing B cells by staphylococcal enterotoxin D

Staphylococcal enterotoxin D (SED) is a T cell superantigen which selectively targets alpha beta TCRs bearing particular V beta elements. A second function of SED relates to the preferential activation of a B cell subset characterized by a high frequency of rheumatoid factor (RF) producing B cells. To define the molecular basis of the SED-induced B cell repertoire shift, we have analyzed Ig heavy chain genes in B cell clones expanded after SED stimulation and compared them with B cell clones established in the presence of anti-CD3 stimulated helper cells. Gene segments of the VH3 family were most frequently utilized under both stimulation conditions (42% anti-CD3; 47% SED). Sequence analysis of VH3 gene segments demonstrated that the repertoire of VH3 elements in B cell clones from SED driven and anti-CD3 driven cultures were distinct (P = 0.01). RF activity was closely associated with the expression of selected VH3 elements. B cell clones stimulated with SED preferentially expressed VH3A10, whereas VH26 was the gene segment dominantly used in B cell clones expanded with anti-CD3 stimulated helper cells. The usage of JH and DH elements was indistinguishable in SED and anti-CD3 driven B cell clones, suggesting that SED targets VH3+ B cells through a VH-specific mechanism. Comparison of the closely related sequences of the SED responsive VH3A10 and the SED non-responsive VH26 element suggested a role of a sequence polymorphism in the CDR2 reminiscent of B cell reactivity to conventional antigens. In contrast to conventional antigens, SED can induce differentiation of a high frequency of naive B cells. Thus, this staphylococcal enterotoxin combines selective activation of T cells with selective activation of B cells and might be able to direct T cell help to RF producing B cells.

[Determination of loganin in Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc. by TLC scanner]

The content of loganin extracted from Cornus of ficinalis was determined directly on a CS-930 TLC scanner. The method is simple and sensitive, and can serve as an index for checking the quality of C. of ficinalis.

Cloning and characterization of the cDNA encoding a novel human pre-B-cell colony-enhancing factor

A novel gene coding for the pre-B-cell colony-enhancing factor (PBEF) has been isolated from a human peripheral blood lymphocyte cDNA library. The expression of this gene is induced by pokeweed mitogen and superinduced by cycloheximide. It is also induced in the T-lymphoblastoid cell line HUT 78 after phorbol ester (phorbol myristate acetate) treatment. The predominant mRNA for PBEF is approximately 2.4 kb long and codes for a 52-kDa secreted protein. The 3' untranslated region of the mRNA has multiple TATT motifs, usually found in cytokine and oncogene messages. The PBEF gene is mainly transcribed in human bone marrow, liver tissue, and muscle. We have expressed PBEF in COS 7 and PA317 cells and have tested the biological activities of the conditioned medium as well as the antibody-purified protein in different in vitro assays. PBEF itself had no activity but synergized the pre-B-cell colony formation activity of stem cell factor and interleukin 7. In the presence of PBEF, the number of pre-B-cell colonies was increased by at least 70% above the amount stimulated by stem cell factor plus interleukin 7. No effect of PBEF was found with cells of myeloid or erythroid lineages. These data define PBEF as a novel cytokine which acts on early B-lineage precursor cells.

[A model of orthotopic transplantation of human hepatoma established in nude mice tumor inhibition studies]

We established a model of orthotopic transplantation of human hepato-carcinoma. The tissues from human hepatoma LTNM4 were surgically implanted into the livers of 32 BALB/c nu/nu nude mice. These led to the development of tum or masses in the livers of 31 nude mice; the rate of success was about 96.8% (31/32). Furthermore, this model was applied to the studies on the tumor inhibitory action of DHAQ-PBCA-NS, a hepatic targeting preparation for anticarcinoma. Satisfactory effect was attained. The result has proved the applicability of this animal model to researches on hepatic targeting preparations against carcinoma.

[Amino acid analysis of retinal S-antigen and interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein]

Retinal S-antigen and interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) were purified by DEAE-Sephacel ionexchange chromatography and Con A Sepharose affinity chromatography. Amino acid analysis of the S-antigen and IRBP was carried out and compared with that presented by others. The possible reason for difference with regard to some amino acids and related problems were analyzed and discussed.

Restrictions in the repertoire of allospecific T cells. Contribution of the alpha-helical sequence polymorphism of HLA-DR molecules

We have studied the molecular diversity of the allogeneic TCR repertoire specific for the HLA-DR4 variant, DRB1*0404, by analyzing the V beta gene segment usage of CD4+ T cell clones from nine different donors and comparing the V beta repertoire in allospecific and unselected T cell populations. To investigate the forces shaping the repertoire of the alloreactive T cell response we compared the diversity of TCR specificities utilized in very similar and in disparate responder/stimulator combinations. Six of the responders shared the HLA-DRB1*0401 allele, which differs from the HLA-DRB1*0404 allele by only two amino acid substitutions at positions 71 and 86 of the HLA-DR beta 1 chain; three responders expressed HLA-DRB1 alleles with extensive polymorphisms compared with the stimulator HLA-DRB1 allele. In all nine responders, TCR specificities recruited to recognize HLA-DRB1*0404 were strongly biased toward the dominant usage of one to three V beta elements. Despite some degree of heterogeneity between different responders, the overall pattern was very similar with a hierarchy of TCR V beta elements expressed by HLA-DRB1*0404 specific T cells. A core group of V beta elements (V beta 6, 5, 2, 13.2, 18, and 7) was preferentially used, whereas other V beta elements including V beta 3, 4, and 8 were infrequently used or not used at all. Sequencing of the VDJ beta region from selected T cell clones showed no junctional bias associated with the preferential V beta gene segment usage. Surprisingly, the T cell diversity in focused and in complex alloreactive responses were equally biased. The finding that HLA-DR4+ and DR4- donors exhibited a similar bias supports the interpretation that the alpha-helical HLA-DR structure of the stimulator cell has a dominant contribution in shaping the alloreactive repertoire.

Restrictions in the repertoire of allospecific T cells. Contribution of the alpha-helical sequence polymorphism of HLA-DR molecules

We have studied the molecular diversity of the allogeneic TCR repertoire specific for the HLA-DR4 variant, DRB1*0404, by analyzing the V beta gene segment usage of CD4+ T cell clones from nine different donors and comparing the V beta repertoire in allospecific and unselected T cell populations. To investigate the forces shaping the repertoire of the alloreactive T cell response we compared the diversity of TCR specificities utilized in very similar and in disparate responder/stimulator combinations. Six of the responders shared the HLA-DRB1*0401 allele, which differs from the HLA-DRB1*0404 allele by only two amino acid substitutions at positions 71 and 86 of the HLA-DR beta 1 chain; three responders expressed HLA-DRB1 alleles with extensive polymorphisms compared with the stimulator HLA-DRB1 allele. In all nine responders, TCR specificities recruited to recognize HLA-DRB1*0404 were strongly biased toward the dominant usage of one to three V beta elements. Despite some degree of heterogeneity between different responders, the overall pattern was very similar with a hierarchy of TCR V beta elements expressed by HLA-DRB1*0404 specific T cells. A core group of V beta elements (V beta 6, 5, 2, 13.2, 18, and 7) was preferentially used, whereas other V beta elements including V beta 3, 4, and 8 were infrequently used or not used at all. Sequencing of the VDJ beta region from selected T cell clones showed no junctional bias associated with the preferential V beta gene segment usage. Surprisingly, the T cell diversity in focused and in complex alloreactive responses were equally biased. The finding that HLA-DR4+ and DR4- donors exhibited a similar bias supports the interpretation that the alpha-helical HLA-DR structure of the stimulator cell has a dominant contribution in shaping the alloreactive repertoire.

[Effect of superoxide dismutase on experimental allergic uveitis]

In this study, experimental allergic uveitis (EAU) in guinea pigs was induced by an injection of bovine serum albumin (BSA) into the vitreous after having pre-immunized them intradermally with BSA plus incomplete Freund adjuvant, and the effect of superoxide dismutase (SOD) on EAU was observed. The result showed that, histopathologically, the phlogistic cell infiltration and exudation within the anterior ocular part of the SOD- treated animals reduced notably. It is suggested that SOD which can scavenge the free radical superoxide anion may alleviate the cellular reaction in the pathological process of uveitis.

Beam profile flattener for Gaussian beams

We describe a novel technique to make a Gaussian laser beam profile spatially flat. We exploit the angular dependence of the transmission of an étalon to tailor the spatial profile to the desired form. A simple analysis shows why our method works so well and how an étalon could be tuned to give the optimum results at all wavelengths. This technique has enormous advantages over other methods.

Clinical value of lung scintigraphy with Tc-99m gluconate in distinguishing benign from malignant lung diseases

One hundred patients were studied with three-phase lung scintigraphy with Tc-99m gluconate. The results showed that there were statistically significant differences between benign and malignant lung lesions in the intensity of accumulation, the blood supply index ratio, and the radioactive uptake ratio. However, no difference was observed between the benign lung lesions and the healthy lungs. Analysis of false negatives and false positives revealed that false negatives had something to do with the cell types of the malignancies, in addition to the relatively small size of the lesions; the false positives were mostly caused by acute inflammation, for which obstructive pneumonitis might be responsible in part. It is concluded that Tc-99m gluconate is tumor-avid and can be used as an agent for positive imaging of lung cancer, because quantitative parameters, blood supply index ratio, and radioactive uptake ratio are more objective in distinguishing malignant lung lesions from benign ones, and are of relatively higher sensitivity and specificity. Thus, lung scintigraphy with Tc-99m gluconate provides an efficient supplementary measure for differentiating between malignant and benign lung lesions.

Homozygosity for the HLA-DRB1 allele selects for extraarticular manifestations in rheumatoid arthritis

Seropositive rheumatoid arthritis is genetically linked to a group of HLA-DRB1 alleles sharing a sequence motif within the third hypervariable region. Controversy exists over the role of the distinct allelic variants in affecting not only the risk to develop disease, but also in modifying the expression of the disease. We have stratified 81 patients according to their patterns of disease manifestations and identified the HLA-DRB1 alleles by polymerase chain reaction amplification and subsequent oligonucleotide hybridization. To identify precisely the allelic combinations at the HLA-DRB1 locus, homozygosity was confirmed by locus-specific cDNA amplification and subsequent sequencing. Our study demonstrated a high correlation of allelic combinations of disease-associated HLA-DRB1 alleles with the clinical manifestations. Characteristic genotypes were identified for patients who had progressed toward nodular disease and patients who had developed major organ involvement. Rheumatoid nodules were highly associated with a heterozygosity for two disease associated HLA-DRB1 alleles. Homozygosity for the HLA-DRB1*0401 allele was a characteristic finding for RA patients with major organ involvement. Our data suggest a role of the disease-associated sequence motif in determining severity of the disease. The finding of a codominant function of HLA-DRB1 alleles suggests that the biological function of HLA-DR molecules in thymic selection might be important in the pathogenesis of RA.

Purification of bovine interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein and its uveitogenicity in Lewis rats

Interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein, IRBP, not only functioning as a shuttle to carry the retinoid between photoreceptor cells and pigment epithelium, but also inducing experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU), was purified by ConA Sepharose affinity chromatography from the fractions containing IRBP obtained in the course of ion-exchange chromatography by which the bovine retinal S-antigen was purified. This much simplified method allows more rapid purification of the two kinds of protein. EAU was successfully induced with injecting 50 micrograms of IRBP emulsified with Freund's complete adjuvant into the right hind footpads of Lewis rats. It was characterized by panophthalmia or endophthalmia with the severest damage in the posterior retina. Lymphocytes, mononuclear and polymorphonuclear cells were found to be the inflammatory cells of infiltration, with lymphocytes being predominant.

[Pharmacological studies on the Chinese drug radix Angelicae dahuricae]

Several species of the Chinese drug Angelica dahurica from different habitats have been studied in terms of anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic actions and acute toxicity. The medical value of these species is reported in this paper as a guideline for their clinic application.

[Longitudinal changes of serum specific antibodies in Lewis rats immunized with IRBP]

The serum antibodies specific to either interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) or retinal S-antigen were longitudinally determined in Lewis rats immunized with 50 x 10(-6)g of IRBP emulsified with complete Freund's adjuvant. To our knowledge, it is the first time to purify IRBP and to address the experiment with IRBP in China. It was shown that the antibody specific to IRBP appeared on the 7th day, followed by a gradual increase, and reached its peak on the 26th day after immunization. No antibody specific to S-antigen was found. The relation between anti-IRBP antibody and experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) which occurred in the increasing phase of the antibody suggests that the humoral immunity may be implicated in the pathogenesis of EAU.

HLA antigens and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada's disease

Thirty patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada's disease were typed for HLA-A and HLA-B antigenic determinants by a microlymphocytotoxicity technique. HLA-B22 antigen showed an increased frequency of 43.3% in the patient group (relative risk = 8.69; exact P < 0.0001; corrected P < 0.0025) compared with normal control group (frequency = 7.69%). This association suggests that immunogenetic factor may play an important role in the pathogenesis of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada's disease.

[Determination of coumarins in radix Angelicae Dahuricae before and after processing]

This paper reports the contents of coumarins in Radix Angelicae Dahuricae before and after processing. By CS-930 TLC scanner, the total contents have been determined to be 0.190%, 0.571%, 0.178% and 0.421% respectively.

[Serum antibodies to bovine retinal S antigen in the patients with uveitis and healthy subjects]

The antibodies to bovine S-Ag in sera were determined by ELISA in 43 patients with acute or chronic, anterior or panuveitis and in 32 healthy persons as controls. The results showed that the antibodies titers to bovine S-Ag in the patients with panuveitis were not different from those in the controls (P greater than 0.05). However the antibody titers to bovine S-Ag in the patients with anterior uveitis were significantly lower than those in the controls (0.01 less than P less than 0.05). It is suggested that there are naturally occurring antibodies to S-Ag in health persons. The relationship between antibodies to S-Ag and uveitis is discussed. It is indicated that natural antibodies to S-Ag may play a protective role in the healthy subjects.

[Effects of danggui shaoyao powder on blood rheological indexes and prostaglandin F2 alpha in dysmenorrhea patients]

The results showed that several blood rheological indexes of dysmenorrhea patients were abnormal, the contents of plasma prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) and menstrual blood PGF2 alpha of the patients were significantly higher than those of the normal women. The abnormal indexes were recovered to normal range after the patients had been treated with Danggui Shaoyao Powder for 3 months. Danggui Shaoyao Powder had better actions of improving the abnormal indexes than Tianqi Dysmenorrhea Capsule did.

[plants of Coptis from Tibet and Yunnan]

In this paper the relationship of Tibetan Huanglian and Yunnan Huanglian with Coptis teeta has been studied. The distribution and taxonomic features of Tibetan Huanglian are just the same as Coptis teeta, but quite different from Yunnan Huanglian. The results reveal that Tibetan Huanglian and Yunnan Huanglian are different in botanical origin.

Frequency stabilization of an AlGaAs laser diode by a Fabry-Perot interferometer locked to a laser beam frequency-locked to the D(2) line of a Cs atomic beam

An AlGaAs laser diode (slave laser) has been frequency-locked to a Fabry-Perot interferometer which is locked to a diode laser (master laser) beam frequency-locked to the D(2) line of a Cs atomic beam. Frequency-locking of the Fabry-Perot interferometer to the master laser beam frequency-locked to a resonance line of an atomic beam greatly improves its long-term frequency stability. Therefore, it substantially improves the slave laser diode frequency stability frequency-locked to it. The measured frequency stabilities show that the very high frequency stability of the D(2) line of a Cs atomic beam has been transferred to the slave laser by this frequency-locking system within 1.6 x 10(-11)(10s). This system can be used for building a network of diode lasers with high frequency stability.