Widespread aneuploidy revealed by DNA microarray expression profiling

Expression profiling using DNA microarrays holds great promise for a variety of research applications, including the systematic characterization of genes discovered by sequencing projects. To demonstrate the general usefulness of this approach, we recently obtained expression profiles for nearly 300 Saccharomyces cerevisiae deletion mutants. Approximately 8% of the mutants profiled exhibited chromosome-wide expression biases, leading to spurious correlations among profiles. Competitive hybridization of genomic DNA from the mutant strains and their isogenic parental wild-type strains showed they were aneuploid for whole chromosomes or chromosomal segments. Expression profile data published by several other laboratories also suggest the use of aneuploid strains. In five separate cases, the extra chromosome harboured a close homologue of the deleted gene; in two cases, a clear growth advantage for cells acquiring the extra chromosome was demonstrated. Our results have implications for interpreting whole-genome expression data, particularly from cells known to suffer genomic instability, such as malignant or immortalized cells.

Intrinsic electrical properties of individual single-walled carbon nanotubes with small band gaps

Individual single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) exhibiting small band gaps on the order of 10 meV are observed for the first time in electron transport measurements. Transport through the valence or conduction band of a small-gap semiconducting SWNT (SGS-SWNT) can be tuned by a nearby gate voltage. Intrinsic electrical properties of the Ohmically contacted SGS-SWNT are elucidated. An SGS-SWNT exhibits metal- or semiconductorlike characteristics depending on the Fermi level position in the band structure.

Controllable reversibility of an sp(2) to sp(3) transition of a single wall nanotube under the manipulation of an AFM tip: A nanoscale electromechanical switch?

A simulation of the deflection of a single wall nanotube under the manipulation of an atomic force microscope tip revealed the key feature characterizing the deformation at relatively small bending angles to be a reversible transition from sp(2) to sp(3) bonding configurations in the bending region, leading to a 2 orders of magnitude reduction in conductance consistent with our most recent experimental observation. A local analysis elucidating the underlying physics of the findings is also discussed.

Probing the roles of the only universally conserved leucine residue (Leu122) in the oligomerization and chaperone-like activity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis small heat shock protein Hsp16.3

To understand the role of the only universally conserved hydrophobic residue among all the members of the sHsp family, this extremely well conserved Leu122 residue in Hsp16.3 was replaced by valine, alanine, asparigine, or aspartate residues. Only very small amounts of the L122D and L122N mutant Hsp16.3 proteins were expressed in the transformed E. coli; however, both the L122V and L122A were readily expressed. The L122V and L122A mutant proteins had similar oligomeric structures to the wild-type protein at room temperature. Examination of the L122A mutant protein by native pore gradient PAGE and CD spectroscopy, however, revealed a smaller oligomeric size and different secondary structure at 37 degrees C. Both L122V and L122A mutant proteins exhibited significantly lowered chaperone activities. Observations reported here suggest a very important role of this only universally conserved Leu residue in both the formation of specific oligomeric structures and the molecular chaperone activities of Hsp16.3.

[Expression of telomerase activity in human lung cancer.]

BACKGROUND

To investigate the expression of telomerase activity in lung cancer tissue and the correlation with the oncogenesis , progression and metastasis of lung cancer.

METHODS

Telomerase activity in specimens obtained by fiberbrochoscopy from 29 patients with suspected lung cancer was detected by polymerase chain reaction-ELISA.

RESULTS

The telomerase activity was positive in 18 cases of primary lung cancer and the positive rate was 81. 81 %(18/ 22) . Two of other seven specimens were positive for telomerase activity. Twelve lung cancer cases with lymph node metastasis showed positive expression , whereas only 6 of 10 cases without lymph node metastasis showed positive expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Telomerase activity may be useful both as a diagnostic marker to detect the existence of lung cancer and as a potential of high risk for lymph node metastasis.

A complex containing both trypsin inhibitor and dehydroascorbate reductase activities isolated from mitochondria of etiolated mung bean (Vigna radiata L. (Wilczek) cv. Tainan no. 5) seedlings

A complex containing trypsin inhibitor (TI) activity was extracted with 0.1 M TRIS buffer (pH 7.9) from trypsin-treated mitochondria of etiolated mung bean seedlings, and further purified with a Superdex 200 FPLC column. This partially purified complex with an M(r) about 820 kDa exhibited additional dehydroascorbate (DHA) reductase activity with specific activities of 0.21, 1.53 and 1.54 mumol ascorbate formed min-1 mg-1 protein at pH 6.0, 6.5 and 7.0, respectively, when glutathione was added. Much lower DHA reductase activity (0.013 and 0.026 mumol ascorbate formed min-1 mg-1 protein at pH 6.5 and 7.0, respectively) was found when glutathione was omitted. The isolated complex gave positive results when it was tested by TI activity staining after SDS-PAGE, and could be recognized by a polyclonal antibody which was raised against 38 kDa sweet potato Kunitz-type TI, one of the root storage proteins of sweet potato. The possible physiological functions of this complex with both TI and DHA reductase activities were discussed.

Frequency of SCA1, SCA2, SCA3/MJD, SCA6, SCA7, and DRPLA CAG trinucleotide repeat expansion in patients with hereditary spinocerebellar ataxia from Chinese kindreds

OBJECTIVE

To assess the frequency of SCA1 (spinocerebellar ataxia type 1), SCA2, SCA3/MJD (spinocerebellar ataxia type 3/Machado-Joseph disease), SCA6, SCA7, and DRPLA (dentatorubropallidoluysian atrophy) CAG trinucleotide repeat expansions [(CAG)n] among persons diagnosed with hereditary SCA from Chinese families.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1, SCA2, SCA3/MJD, SCA6, SCA7, and DRPLA (CAG)n mutation were detected with the polymerase chain reaction, highly denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and silver staining technique in 167 patients with autosomal dominant SCA from 85 Chinese families and 37 patients with sporadic SCA.

RESULTS

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (CAG)n mutation in 7 patients from 4 kindreds (4.70%) was expanded to 53 to 62 repeats. Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (CAG)n mutation in 12 patients from 5 kindreds (5.88%) was expanded to 42 to 47 repeats. Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3/Machado-Joseph disease (CAG)n mutation in 83 patients from 41 kindreds (48.23%) was expanded to 68 to 83 repeats. Sixty-five patients from 35 kindreds (41.19%) and 37 patients with sporadic SCA did not test positive for SCA1, SCA2, SCA3/MJD, SCA6, SCA7, or DRPLA. There was a predictable inverse relationship between the number of CAG repeats and the age at onset for SCA3/MJD and SCA2. Clinically, dementia and hyporeflexia were more frequent in patients with SCA2, while spasticity, hyperreflexia, and Babinski signs were more frequent in patients with SCA3/ MJD, and those might be helpful in clinical work to primarily distinguish patients with SCA3/MJD and SCA2 from others with different types of SCA.

CONCLUSIONS

The frequency of SCA3/MJD is substantially higher than that of SCA1 and SCA2 in patients with autosomal dominant SCA from Chinese kindreds, who are non-Portuguese. Clinical expressions of the various types of SCAs overlap one another; therefore, for clinical study it is important to make a gene diagnosis and genetic classification for patients with SCA.

[Research in the relationship between Chlamydia and ureaplasma and infertility]

Samples taken from cervix and male urethra of 768 infertilitas patients were studied, and samples taken from 226 normal fertile males and females served as control. The fluorescent monoclonal antibody technique and cell culture method were used for Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) and microbiological culture method was used for Ureaplasma urealyticum (Uu) detection. The positive rates of Ct and Uu infections were 28.64% (220/768) and 36.59% (281/768) in infertilitas group, 5.2% (14/266) and 14.28% (38/266) in control group respectively. There was significant difference between the 2 groups (P < 0.01). The results suggest that infection with Ct or Uu is one of the factors causing infertility.

[Vitrectomy for pseudophakic retinal detachment]

OBJECTIVE

To study the method of vitrectomy for treatment of pseudophakic retinal detachment.

METHODS

32 pseudophakic retinal detachment eyes were treated with vitrectomy, primary vitrectomy in 11 eyes (34.4%), vitrectomy after conventional buckling failure in 21 eyes (65.6%), combined with silicone oil 10 eyes (31.3%), removal of intraocular lens 12 eyes (37.5%). All eyes had passed the 6 months to 5 years of follow-up examination.

RESULTS

Intra-operative new retinal breaks were identified in 7 eyes (21.9%). The retinal total reattachment was in 25 eyes (78.1%); part reattachment was in 4 eyes (12.5%), and their visual acuity was improved than that before the operation. Due to severe proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), failure occurred in 3 eyes.

CONCLUSIONS

The main advantage of vitrectomy is the better intra-operative sight to the peripheral retinal breaks, removal of retinal traction and the low rate of PVR after vitrectomy. Vitrectomy for complicated type of pseudophakic retinal detachment can improve the success rate of the retinal detachment surgery and the visual acuity outcome.

[Adaptation of insect cells(BTI-Tn-5B1-4) to serum-free culture]

The insect cells(BTI-Tn-5B1-4) were adapted, from the medium supplemented with 5% FBS, via 3%, 2%, 1% FBS, to grow in serum-free medium by sequential adaptation for about three months. After adaptation, the cells could successfully grow in the specifically designed serum-free medium with the viability above 90%. In addition, the effect of FBS concentrations and inoculum sizes on the insect cell growth was also investigated.

Signaling and circuitry of multiple MAPK pathways revealed by a matrix of global gene expression profiles

Genome-wide transcript profiling was used to monitor signal transduction during yeast pheromone response. Genetic manipulations allowed analysis of changes in gene expression underlying pheromone signaling, cell cycle control, and polarized morphogenesis. A two-dimensional hierarchical clustered matrix, covering 383 of the most highly regulated genes, was constructed from 46 diverse experimental conditions. Diagnostic subsets of coexpressed genes reflected signaling activity, cross talk, and overlap of multiple mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Analysis of the profiles specified by two different MAPKs-Fus3p and Kss1p-revealed functional overlap of the filamentous growth and mating responses. Global transcript analysis reflects biological responses associated with the activation and perturbation of signal transduction pathways.

On the relative influence of individual harmonics on pitch judgment

Spectral weighting functions were estimated in a pitch-comparison task to assess the relative influence of individual harmonics on listeners' pitch judgment. The stimuli were quasi-harmonic complex tones composed of the first 12 components, with fundamental frequencies ranging from 100 to 800 Hz. On each stimulus presentation the frequency of each harmonic was randomly jittered by a small amount. The perceptual weight for each harmonic was calculated as the correlation coefficient between the binary responses of the listener and the frequency jitters for that harmonic. Although in general the present results conform to previous ones showing the predominant role of several low-ranked harmonics, discrepancies exist in details. Contrary to some previous reports that the dominant harmonics were of fixed harmonic ranks regardless of their frequencies, the current results showed that the dominant harmonics were best described as close to a fixed absolute frequency of 600 Hz.

[Molecular cytogenetics study in a case with unbalanced chromosome translocation]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the chromosome structural aberration in a case of unbalanced chromosome translocation by fluorescence in situ hybridization technique.

METHODS

The 1,18 whole chromosome specific painting probe were used to confirm chromosome abnormality suggested by high resolution G-banding examination.

RESULTS

An unbalanced translocation t(1;18)(q42;q22) was detected in the patient, which caused partial trisomy of 1q42-qter and partial monosomy of 18q22-qter.

CONCLUSION

The identified translocation suggested a potential site for congenital heart disease.

Nanotube molecular wires as chemical sensors

Chemical sensors based on individual single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are demonstrated. Upon exposure to gaseous molecules such as NO(2) or NH(3), the electrical resistance of a semiconducting SWNT is found to dramatically increase or decrease. This serves as the basis for nanotube molecular sensors. The nanotube sensors exhibit a fast response and a substantially higher sensitivity than that of existing solid-state sensors at room temperature. Sensor reversibility is achieved by slow recovery under ambient conditions or by heating to high temperatures. The interactions between molecular species and SWNTs and the mechanisms of molecular sensing with nanotube molecular wires are investigated.

PSM, a mediator of PDGF-BB-, IGF-I-, and insulin-stimulated mitogenesis

PSM/SH2-B has been described as a cellular partner of the FcepsilonRI receptor, insulin receptor (IR), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) receptor (IGF-IR), and nerve growth factor receptor (TrkA). A function has been proposed in neuronal differentiation and development but its role in other signaling pathways is still unclear. To further elucidate the physiologic role of PSM we have identified additional mitogenic receptor tyrosine kinases as putative PSM partners including platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor (PDGFR) beta, hepatocyte growth factor receptor (Met), and fibroblast growth factor receptor. We have mapped Y740 as a site of PDGFR beta that is involved in the association with PSM. We have further investigated the putative role of PSM in mitogenesis with three independent experimental strategies and found that all consistently suggested a role as a positive, stimulatory signaling adapter in normal NIH3T3 and baby hamster kidney fibroblasts. (1) PSM expression from cDNA using an ecdysone-regulated transient expression system stimulated PDGF-BB-, IGF-I-, and insulin- but not EGF-induced DNA synthesis in an ecdysone dose-responsive fashion; (2) Microinjection of the (dominant negative) PSM SH2 domain interfered with PDGF-BB- and insulin-induced DNA synthesis; and (3) A peptide mimetic of the PSM Pro-rich putative SH3 domain-binding region interfered with PDGF-BB-, IGF-I-, and insulin- but not with EGF-induced DNA synthesis in NIH3T3 fibroblasts. This experiment was based on cell-permeable fusion peptides with the Drosophila antennapedia homeodomain which effectively traverse the plasma membrane of cultured cells. These experimental strategies independently suggest that PSM functions as a positive, stimulatory, mitogenic signaling mediator in PDGF-BB, IGF-I, and insulin but not in EGF action. This function appears to involve the PSM SH2 domain as well as the Pro-rich putative SH3 domain binding region. Our findings support the model that PSM participates as an adapter in various mitogenic signaling mechanisms by linking an activated (receptor) phospho-tyrosine to the SH3 domain of an unknown cellular partner.

[Influence of pavulon on facial nerve monitoring during middle ear-mastoid operation]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the influence of pavulon (muscle relaxant) on facial nerve monitoring for patient with middle ear-mastoid operation during general anesthesia.

METHOD

Intraoperative monitoring of the facial nerve (FNM) was done in 45 ears (44 case). For patient with middle ear-mastoid disease, 38 ears underwent inhaled-intravenous anesthesia with muscle relaxant pavulon (group of general anesthesia), 7 ears underwent local anesthesia (group of local anesthesia). Accelography (ACCG) was used in 10 case for testing the correlation between of FNM and the various degree of recovery from ulnar nerve-musculor blockade.

RESULT

FNM could be elicited during different periods of recovery with values of T4/T1 varying from 10%-98%. Pavulon could be used to eliminate muscular vibration from disturbing FNM. Electromyography (EMG) potentials were successfully recorded in 34 ears (89.4%). Anesthesia was uneventful and it may be controled satisfactority.

CONCLUSION

Considering the advantage of pavulon. It can be used for general anesthesia during intraoperative monitoring of the facial nerve for children or adults suffering from local complicated diseases.

Gate-Controlled Superconducting Proximity Effect in Carbon Nanotubes

The superconducting proximity effect in single-walled carbon nanotubes connected to niobium electrodes was controlled with the use of nearby gates that tune the niobium-nanotube transparency. At 4.2 kelvin, when the transparency was tuned to be high, a dip in the low-bias differential resistance was observed, indicating a proximity effect mediated by Andreev reflection. When the transparency was tuned to be low, signatures of Andreev reflection disappeared and only tunneling conduction was observed. Below approximately 4 kelvin, a narrow peak in differential resistance around zero bias appeared superimposed on the Andreev dip, probably as a result of electron-electron interaction competing with the proximity effect.

The polyamine oxidase inhibitor MDL-72,527 selectively induces apoptosis of transformed hematopoietic cells through lysosomotropic effects

Polyamine oxidase functions in the polyamine catabolic pathway, converting N1-acetyl-spermidine and -spermine into putrescine (Put) and spermidine (Spd), respectively, thereby facilitating homeostasis of intracellular polyamine pools. Inhibition of polyamine oxidase in hematopoietic cells by a specific inhibitor, N,N'-bis(2,3-butadienyl)-1,4-butanediamine (MDL-72,527), reduces the levels of Put and Spd and induces the accumulation of N1-acetylated Spd. Although previously thought to be relatively nontoxic, we now report that this inhibitor overrides survival factors to induce cell death of several immortal and malignant murine and human hematopoietic cells, but not of primary myeloid progenitors. Cells treated with MDL-72,527 displayed biochemical changes typical of apoptosis, and cell death was associated with the down-regulation of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-X(L). However, enforced overexpression of Bcl-X(L), or treatment with the universal caspase inhibitor zVAD-fmk, failed to block MDL-72,527-induced apoptosis in these hematopoietic cells. Despite decreases in Put and Spd pools, MDL-72,527-induced apoptosis was not blocked by cotreatment with exogenous Put or Spd, nor was it influenced by overexpression or inhibition of the polyamine biosynthetic enzyme ornithine decarboxylase. Significantly, MDL-72,527-induced apoptosis was associated with the rapid formation of numerous lysosomally derived vacuoles. Malignant leukemia cells were variably sensitive to the lysosomotropic effects of MDL-72,527, yet pretreatment with the ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor L-alpha-difluoromethylornithine sensitized all of these leukemia cells to the deleterious effects of the inhibitor by stimulating its intracellular accumulation. The lysosomotropic nature of select polyamine analogues may, thus, provide a novel chemotherapeutic strategy to selectively induce apoptosis of malignant hematopoietic cells.

[CAG trinucleotide mutation detection in patients with hereditary spinocerebellar ataxia]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the frequency of the SCA1, SCA2,SCA3/MJD, SCA6, SCA7 and DRPLA CAG trinucleotide repeat expansions(CAG)n among individuals diagnosed with hereditary spinocerebellar ataxia(SCA) from Chinese families.

METHODS

The SCA1, SCA2, SCA3/MJD, SCA6, SCA7 and DRPLA(CAG)n mutations were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining technique in 167 patients with autosomal dominant SCA from 85 Chinese families and 37 sporadic SCA patients.

RESULTS

Among 85 families, four families(4.70%) had seven SCA1 patients with the CAG repeat expanded to 53 to 62 repeats, five (5.88%) had twelve SCA2 patients with the CAG repeat expanded to 43 to 47 repeats, and 41 (48.23%) had 83 SCA3/MJD patients with the CAG repeat expanded to 68 to 83 repeats. Analysis of the mutation in these families showed a strong negative correlation between the size of the expanded CAG repeat and the age of disease onset. None of the SCA patients were positive for SCA6, SCA7, or DRPLA. Nor was any of the sporadic SCA patients positive for the CAG repeat expansion in the SCA1, SCA2, SCA3/MJD, SCA6, SCA7, or DRPLA gene.

CONCLUSION

The frequency of SCA3/MJD is substantially higher than that of SCA1 and SCA2 in the autosomal dominant SCA from Chinese families. Chinese SCA3/MJD patients are non-Portuguese. Clinical expressions of the various SCAs overlap one another and hence can make the phenotype-based diagnostic classification inaccurate in many instances. It is important for SCA clinical studies to make an SCA gene diagnosis and genotype analysis.

Elevated levels of soluble TNF receptors in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in extrinsic allergic alveolitis

BACKGROUND

Soluble TNF receptors (sTNFR1 and sTNFR2) are inhibitors of TNF and can block TNF bioactivity. TNF plays an important role in the development of extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EAA).

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether sTNFR1 and sTNFR2 are locally increased in EAA.

METHODS

We measured sTNFR1 and sTNFR2 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum from nine EAA patients and 11 control subjects using an ELISA method.

RESULTS

BALF sTNFR1 and sTNFR2 levels were 0.24+/- 0.04 ng/mL and 0.59+/-0.16 ng/mL in EAA patients, and thus significantly elevated in comparison with the controls (0.13+/-0.02 ng/mL and 0.08+/-0.04 ng/mL, both P<0.05). Serum sTNFR levels were not significantly different between the two groups. Both sTNFR1 and sTNFR2 concentrations in BALF correlated significantly with the lymphocyte percentage of BALF (r = 0.57 and 0.81, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The two alveolar sTNFRs, particularly sTNFR2, may be involved in the pathogenesis of EAA as counter-regulators of TNF.

Grb10, a positive, stimulatory signaling adapter in platelet-derived growth factor BB-, insulin-like growth factor I-, and insulin-mediated mitogenesis

Grb10 has been described as a cellular partner of several receptor tyrosine kinases, including the insulin receptor (IR) and the insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) receptor (IGF-IR). Its cellular role is still unclear and a positive as well as an inhibitory role in mitogenesis depending on the cell context has been implicated. We have tested other mitogenic receptor tyrosine kinases as putative Grb10 partners and have identified the activated forms of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor beta (PDGFRbeta), hepatocyte growth factor receptor (Met), and fibroblast growth factor receptor as candidates. We have mapped Y771 as a PDFGRbeta site that is involved in the association with Grb10 via its SH2 domain. We have further investigated the putative role of Grb10 in mitogenesis with four independent experimental strategies and found that all consistently suggested a role as a positive, stimulatory signaling adaptor in normal fibroblasts. (i) Complete Grb10 expression from cDNA with an ecdysone-regulated transient expression system stimulated PDGF-BB-, IGF-I, and insulin- but not epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced DNA synthesis in an ecdysone dose-responsive fashion. (ii) Microinjection of the (dominant-negative) Grb10 SH2 domain interfered with PDGF-BB- and insulin-induced DNA synthesis. (iii) Alternative experiments were based on cell-permeable fusion peptides with the Drosophila antennapedia homeodomain which effectively traverse the plasma membrane of cultured cells. A cell-permeable Grb10 SH2 domain similarly interfered with PDGF-BB-, IGF-I-, and insulin-induced DNA synthesis. In contrast, a cell-permeable Grb10 Pro-rich putative SH3 domain binding region interfered with IGF-I- and insulin- but not with PDGF-BB- or EGF-induced DNA synthesis. (iv) Transient overexpression of complete Grb10 increased whereas cell-permeable Grb10 SH2 domain fusion peptides substantially decreased the cell proliferation rate (as measured by cell numbers) in normal fibroblasts. These experimental strategies independently suggest that Grb10 functions as a positive, stimulatory, mitogenic signaling adapter in PDGF-BB, IGF-I, and insulin action. This function appears to involve the Grb10 SH2 domain, a novel sequence termed BPS, and the Pro-rich putative SH3 domain binding region in IGF-I- and insulin-mediated mitogenesis. In contrast, PDGF-BB-mediated mitogenesis appears to depend on the SH2 but not on the Pro-rich region and may involve other, unidentified Grb10 domains. Distinct protein domains may help to define specific Grb10 functions in different signaling pathways.

Increased expression of apoptosis signalling receptors by alveolar macrophages in sarcoidosis

The Fas receptor (FasR) and the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) receptor 55/60 kDa (TNFR1) are recognized as apoptosis signalling receptors. They are known to be expressed by lymphocytes in association with immune regulation and immunological disorders. This study aimed to investigate the expression of FasR and TNFR1 by alveolar macrophages (AM) in patients with sarcoidosis. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed in 12 patients with active sarcoidosis and 11 control subjects. BAL cells were characterized by monoclonal antibodies using a peroxidase-antiperoxidase method. Both FasR and TNFR1 were expressed on a higher percentage of AM in sarcoidosis with respect to control subjects (mean +/-sem 40.8+/-3.1% versus 14.9+/-1.7%, p<0.001 and 61.9+/-3.3% versus 23.1+/-4.1%, p<0.001, respectively). There was a close relationship between the expression of FasR and TNFR1 on AM (r = 0.86, p<0.001). The percentages of FasR+ AM and TNFR1+ AM were in direct proportion to the percentage of BAL lymphocytes (r = 0.75 and 0.84), the CD4/CD8 ratio (r = 0.78 and 0.78), and the percentage of the CD14+ AM subset (r = 0.77 and 0.87), p<0.001 for all correlations. This study indicates that alveolar macrophages expressing apoptotic receptors are increased in patients with active sarcoidosis. Further studies are required to determine whether these alveolar macrophages from patients with sarcoidosis undergo apoptosis more readily than those from control subjects.

[Pharmacological comparison between volatile oil and water extract]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the pharmacological differences between volatile oil and water extract in eight aromatic drugs for resolving dampness.

METHOD

Volatile oil and water extract of eight commonly used aromatic drugs for resolving dampness were ig administered to rats respectively, and the effects of volatile oil and water extract on the secretion of gastric juice, volume of gastric mucous blood flow and activity of SOD in gastric mucous membrane were studied.

RESULT

It was shown that the effects of aromatic volatile oil in eight drugs on the indexes mentioned above were generally equal or similar to those of water extract, and it was obvious that the volatile oil in some high oil content drugs such as Amonum cardamomum L(Baidoukou), Alpinia katsumadai Hagata (Caodoukou), Amomum villosum Lour (Saren), and Amomum tsao-ko Crevost et Lem (Caogou) had better effects on the secretion of gastric juice and volume of gastric mucous blood flow that those of water extract.

CONCLUSION

It has been pharmacologically proved that in using aromatic drugs for resolving dampness, the loss of aromatic (volatile) components should be avoided.