Twelve polymorphic microsatellites in Oriental river prawn, Macrobrachium nipponense

Oriental river prawn, Macrobrachium nipponense, is a commercially important freshwater prawn species in China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam. Due to overfishing for food, the wild stocks M. nipponense are endangered. Twenty microsatellite loci were isolated from the M. nipponense. Twelve of these loci were polymorphic (seven to 16 alleles per locus), with expected heterozygosity ranging from 0.68 to 0.86 (n = 48). These polymorphic loci provide a valuable tool for assessing genetic diversity of wild and cultured populations.

Comparative genomic hybridization: comparison between esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and gastric cardia adenocarcinoma from a high-incidence area for both cancers in Henan, northern China

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) remains the leading cause of cancer related deaths in Linzhou (formerly Linxian), the highest incidence area for esophageal cancer (EC) in Henan, northern China. In China, gastric cardia adenocarcinoma (GCA) shares very similar geographic distribution with SCC, suggesting the possibility of similar risk factors involved in SCC and GCA carcinogenesis in these areas. However, the underlying genetic alterations for esophageal and gastric cardia carcinogenesis, especially for the molecular difference between SCC and GCA, are largely unknown. The present study was thus undertaken to determine the difference in chromosomal aberrations in SCC (n = 37) and GCA (n = 31) using the comparative genomic hybridization method (CGH). All the patients were from Linzhou, Henan, a high-risk geographic region for both SCC and GCA. CGH results showed that chromosomal aberrations with different degrees were identified both in SCC and GCA. In SCC, chromosomal profile of DNA copy number was characterized by most frequently detected gains at 8q (29/37, 78%), 3q (24/37, 65%) and 5p (19/37, 51%); and frequently detected losses at 3p (21/37, 57%), 8p and 9q (14/37, 38%). In GCA, the frequently detected gains were identified at 20q (13/31, 42%), 6q (12/31, 39%) and 8q (11/31, 35%); the DNA copy number losses in GCA occurred frequently at 17p (17/31, 55%), 19p (15/31, 48%) and 1p (14/31, 45%). Statistically, there were evident differences between SCC and GCA in DNA copy number gains at 8q, 3q, 5p and 20q (P < 0.05) and in losses at 3p, 8p, 5q, 17p and 18q (P < 0.05). Gains at 8q were frequently observed in both SCC and GCA. Gains at 3q and 8p were frequently observed in TNM stage III of both SCC and GCA. The present CGH results provide candidate regions that may contain specific related genes involved in SCC and GCA in the Linzhou population. Gains at 8q, 3q and 5p and losses at 3p, 8p and 9q were specifically implicated in SCC; gains at 20q, 6q and 8q and losses at 17p, 19p and 1p were specifically implicated in GCA; gains at 8q were implicated in both SCC and GCA.

Tyrosine kinase receptor immunoreactivity in trigeminal mesencephalic and motor neurons following transection of masseteric nerve of the rat

Neurotrophins are known to promote survival after neural injury. To determine the relative importance of tyrosine kinase receptors on the survival of axotomized trigeminal nuclear neurons, we examined the temporal expression profile of tyrosine kinase A, tyrosine kinase B and tyrosine kinase C receptors in the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus and the motor trigeminal nucleus following transection of the masseteric nerve in rats. Axotomized neurons in these nuclei were retrogradely identified with FluoroGold. We found increase in tyrosine kinase A-immunoreactive mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus neurons in the second week after axotomy but no change in the number of tyrosine kinase A-immunoreactive motor trigeminal nucleus neurons. There was no change in the number of tyrosine kinase B-immunoreactive mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus neurons but the significant increase of tyrosine kinase B-immunoreactive motor trigeminal nucleus neurons throughout the period of observation (3 weeks) peaked at approximately 1 week after axotomy. There was no alteration in the number of tyrosine kinase C-immunoreactive mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus neurons but significant increase in tyrosine kinase C-immunoreactive motor trigeminal nucleus neurons observable by 4 days post-axotomy was followed by decline to levels lower than the control in 2 weeks. Temporal changes in the expression of individual tyrosine kinase receptors in mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus and motor trigeminal nucleus neurons following transection of the masseteric nerve suggest differential contribution of tyrosine kinase-specific neurotrophins to the survival of these neurons after axotomy.

Effects of the silanized mica surface on protein crystallization

A freshly cleaved mica surface silanized by 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane is flat over a large area, displays a controlled degree of hydrophobicity and contains positive charges. In this paper, mica sheets silanized by this method have been used as crystallization surfaces for lysozyme, trichosanthin and three other proteins of unknown structure. Crystallization experiments have been carried out by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion technique and the results indicate that the silanized mica surface can ameliorate the protein crystallization process considerably compared with a silanized glass cover slip control. For lysozyme on the silanized mica surface, the induction time required for crystal growth decreases markedly. For trichosanthin, the crystal size is obviously larger and the number of crystals grown is much lower. For the three proteins of unknown structure, the diffraction ability of the crystals is improved considerably.

[The preparation of fructose-modified chitosan microcarrier and culture of primary rat hepatocyte]

Crosslinked chitosan microcarries were prepared by the reaction of glutaraldehyde with fructose-modified chitosan. Various factors that influence the preparation were studied and the reaction conditions were optimized. Morphology of rat hepatocyte cultured on chitosan microcarriers was observed using phase contrast microscopy and scanning electron microscope, the metabolic activity was measured. Rat hepatocytes cultured on chitosan microcarrier retained the spherical shape as they have in vivo and had high metabolic activity. Fructose can enhance the metabolic activity of hepatocytes and fructose-modified chitosan microcarrier is a promising scaffold for hepatocytes attachment, which can be used in bioartificial liver support system.

[Cloning and functional analysis of glnB from Azospirillum brasilense Yu62]

The glnB gene of A. brasilense Yu62 was determined in a 3.7 kb EcoRI + PstI fragment. The glnA is located downstream of glnB and an ORF for hypothetical protein is on upstream of glnB. The deduced amino acid sequence of PII encoded by glnB is 71%, 77%, 79% and 69% identical to that of K. pneumoniae, Bradyrhizobium japonicum, Rhizobium leguninosarum and E. coli, respectively. A Km-casette was inserted into BglII site of glnB coding region and GlnB- mutant was obtained by homologous recombination. The GlnB- mutant has lost the nitrogenase activity, i.e.: Nif-. For the functional confirmation of glnB gene, a complementary test was carried out and it was shown that C-glnB(glnB::Km/glnB) can restore the nitrogenase activity. When the recombinant plasmid pVK-II which containined the coding region of glnB was introduced into A. brasilense Yu62 and A. brasilense Yu62 DraT-, respectively, the Yu62-II (containing pVK-II) and draT-II(containing pVK-II) showed higher nitrogenase activity than wild type. These results confirmed that glnB plays an important role in the regulation of nitrogen in A. brasilense.

Inhibition of the Bloom's and Werner's syndrome helicases by G-quadruplex interacting ligands

G-Quadruplex DNAs are folded, non-Watson-Crick structures that can form within guanine-rich DNA sequences such as telomeric repeats. Previous studies have identified a series of trisubstituted acridine derivatives that are potent and selective ligands for G-quadruplex DNA. These ligands have been shown previously to inhibit the activity of telomerase, the specialized reverse transcriptase that regulates telomere length. The RecQ family of DNA helicases, which includes the Bloom's (BLM) and Werner's (WRN) syndrome gene products, are apparently unique among cellular helicases in their ability to efficiently disrupt G-quadruplex DNA. This property may be relevant to telomere maintenance, since it is known that the sole budding yeast RecQ helicase, Sgs1p, is required for a telomerase-independent telomere lengthening pathway reminiscent of the "ALT" pathway in human cells. Here, we show that trisubstituted acridine ligands are potent inhibitors of the helicase activity of the BLM and WRN proteins on both G-quadruplex and B-form DNA substrates. Inhibition of helicase activity is associated with both a reduction in the level of binding of the helicase to G-quadruplex DNA and a reduction in the degree to which the G-quadruplex DNA can support DNA-dependent ATPase activity. We discuss these results in the context of the possible utility of trisubstituted acridines as antitumor agents for the disruption of both telomerase-dependent and telomerase-independent telomere maintenance.

[A control study of personality characteristics and variation of plasma peptide in pilots with neurosis]

Objective. To study the relationship between personality type and variation of plasma peptides in pilots with neurosis. Method. A case-control study was used. 124 male pilots were evaluated with Eysenck's personality checklist, and then level of certain plasma peptides, such as vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), beta-endorphin (beta-EP) and angiotensin-II (A-II) were determined. Result. There were significant difference in personality characteristics and personality types between pilots with neuroses and the control. The contents of VIP and beta-EP in plasma showed visible difference between disease group and control. Content of beta-EP in those with inner-unstable type personality was lowest among all the various types. Conclusion. Personality characteristics were different between pilots with neurosis and controls. Levels of VIP and beta-EP in disease group were lower than those in the control. Different personality types had different levels of beta-EP in pilots with neurosis.

[A comparative study on sterols of ethanol extract and water extract from Hericium erinaceus]

OBJECTIVE

To study the pharmaceutic chemical basis of the different medicinal effects, and to compare and analyze the sterols in Hericium erinaceus mycelia and its ethanol extract, water extract derived from solid fermented mycelia.

METHOD

The components of Hericium erinaceus mycelia and two kinds of extract were compared with some biochemical methods such as GC, RP-HPLC, etc. Sterol composition in Hericium erinaceus mycelia was determined by using GC-mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

The content of crude polysaccharide, water-soluble protein and fatty acid of ethanol extract showed no obvious advantage over its water extract. However, there was significant difference between two kinds of extract in the content of sterols. And ergostane derivatives, beta-sitosterol and C28 sterol with four bonds were detected as the major sterols in Hericium erinaceus mycelia, among which ergosterol was the principal sterol.

CONCLUSION

Sterols in Hericium erinaceus exist mainly in ethanol extract. And three sterols are found for the first time from Hericium erinaceus, which are ergostane derivatives, beta-sitosterol and C28 sterol with four bonds.

Increased serum VEGF in 13 children with Wilms' tumour falls after surgery but rising levels predict poor prognosis

Vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF, a potent endothelial cell mitogen in vitro) may be important in tumour development and its spread in vivo. In this preliminary study, we tested the hypotheses that (i) raised serum levels in Wilms' tumour fall after surgery, and (ii) rising levels predict adverse outcome. Serum VEGF was measured (ELISA) in 13 children about to undergo surgery, and serially on the following day, a week later, and finally 3-6 months after surgery. A simple follow-up at 6 months was also performed. The control group was 60 healthy adults. Before surgery, the median (inter-quartile range) VEGF in the children was 20 ng/ml (10.4-70.5) and was 1 ng/ml (0.5-4.0) in the adults. This difference is statistically highly significant (P=0.0001). After surgery, levels in the children fell significantly to 1.3 ng/ml (0.5-7.95) the following day and to 1.9 ng/ml (0.5-5.0) the following week (P<0.001, ANOVA). Six months after surgery, three of the children had died. A level of >10 ng/ml measured 3 months after surgery correctly identified all three deaths: levels were 1.3 ng/ml (0.5-1.9) in the survivors and were 20.0 ng/ml (15-104) in those who died. These data indicate a rapid reduction in raised VEGF following surgery for Wilms' tumour, but that rising levels predict poor prognosis.

Immunocytochemical localization of GABA(B) receptors in mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus neurons in the rat

We examined immunoreactivities for gamma-aminobutyric acidB-receptor (GABA(B)R) subtypes, GABA(B)R1 and GABA(B)R2, in the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus neurons (MTN neurons) of the rat. Immunoreactivity for GABA(B)R1 was prominent in cell bodies of MTN, whereas that for GABA(B)R2 was very weak, if existed. For electron microscopy, the immunogold-silver method for GABA(B)R1 was combined with the immunoperoxidase method for glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD: the synthetic enzyme of GABA). Immunogold-silver particles indicating GABA(B)R1 immunoreactivity were distributed widely in the cytoplasm of the cell bodies postsynaptic to GAD-immunoreactive axon terminals, but were rarely associated with synaptic membrane specialization or extrasynaptic sites of plasma membrane. It has been indicated that GABA(B)R1 may not be transported to plasma membrane when no GABA(B)R2 exists. Thus, it was presumed that GABA(B)R1 in the cell body of the rat MTN neurons might not be involved in the synaptic transmission.

Protein kinase C gamma-like immunoreactivity in the substantia gelatinosa of the medullary dorsal horn of the rat

We examined protein kinase C gamma-immunoreactivity (PKCgamma-IR) in the substantia gelatinosa (SG) of the rat medullary dorsal horn (MDH). The density of PKCgamma-IR in the MDH was most intense in the SG. The number of neurons with PKCgamma-IR were also much larger in the SG than in the other layers of the MDH. Double-immunohistochemical studies indicated light and electron microscopically that substance P-containing fibers and I-B4 (isolectin from Bandeiraea simplicifolia)-labeled fibers made synapses on SG neurons with PKCgamma-IR, indicating that SG neurons with PKCgamma might receive nociceptive primary afferent fibers. The results support the notion that PKCgamma in the MDH may contribute to the regulation of the nociception.

Protein kinase C gamma-like immunoreactivity of trigeminothalamic neurons in the medullary dorsal horn of the rat

We examined protein kinase C gamma-like immunoreactivity (PKCgamma-LI) of trigeminothalamic neurons in the rat medullary dorsal horn (MDH) after injecting a retrograde tracer, Fluoro-Gold (FG), into the thalamus. Over 90% of FG-labeled neurons in the marginal layer (lamina I) and a few FG-labeled neurons in the superficial part of the magnocellular layer (lamina III) showed PKCgamma-LI. No PKCgamma-neurons in the substantia gelatinosa (lamina II) were labeled with FG. PKCgamma-mediated regulation of trigeminothalamic neurons may contribute to the changes in MDH activity during persistent pain.

Colocalization of neuronal nitric oxide synthase and neurokinin-1 receptor in striatal interneurons in the rat

It has been established that nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-containing aspiny neurons constitute one class of interneurons in the striatum, and that substance P (SP)-containing projection neurons give off many axon collaterals within the striatum. In the present study, we investigated a morphological substrate of possible influences of SP-containing projection neurons upon NOS-containing interneuron in the rat striatum; colocalization of immunoreactivities for NOS and NK-1 type tachykinin receptor (NK1R: SP receptor) was examined by a double-immunofluorescence histochemistry. The vast majority (94.6%) of NOS-positive neurons showed NK1R immunoreactivity, whereas only smaller cells of NK1R-positive neurons (61.2% of NK1R-positive neurons) displayed NOS immunoreactivity. The results indicated that the NOS-containing interneurons were under direct control of SP-containing projection neurons in the striatum.

Role of the Bloom's syndrome helicase in maintenance of genome stability

The RecQ family of DNA helicases has members in all organisms analysed. In humans, defects in three family members are associated with disease conditions: BLM is defective in Bloom's syndrome, WRN in Werner's syndrome and RTS in Rothmund-Thomson syndrome. In each case, cells from affected individuals show inherent genomic instability. The focus of our work is the Bloom's syndrome gene and its product, BLM. Here, we review the latest information concerning the roles of BLM in the maintenance of genome integrity.

Identification of an MCM4 homologue expressed specifically in the sexual stage of Plasmodium falciparum

Mini-chromosome maintenance (MCM) proteins play an essential role in DNA replication initiation. We have isolated a novel gene encoding an MCM-like protein from the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum using the vectorette technique. The gene has no introns and comprises an open reading frame encoding 1005 amino acid residues with a predicted Mr of 115 kDa. The encoded protein, termed PfMCM4, contains all conserved sequences in the MCM family and displays the highest homology to the Cdc54 (MCM4) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. However, PfMCM4 possesses five unique amino acid inserts with sizes ranging from seven to 75 residues. Southern blotting of genomic DNA digests and chromosomal separations showed that the Pfmcm4 gene is present as a single copy per haploid genome and is located on chromosome 13. A 4000-nucleotide transcript of this gene is expressed specifically in the sexual erythrocytic stage, indicating that PfMCM4 may be involved in gametogenesis in which DNA is quickly replicated.

[Pattern recognition of stereoscopic features of the leaves epidermis of medicinal Curcuma plants in China by image analysis]

OBJECTIVE

To provide new ways for classifying and identifying medicinal curcuma plants.

METHOD

Based on classical taxonomy, the microscopic features of the epidermis of Curcuma plants in China were scored quantitatively by stereology and image analysis.

RESULT

It showed that there were a lot of differences in density, size and shape of the epidermic cells among the medicinal Curcuma plants in China; that the average perimeter of the upper epidermic cells, average sectional area of the lower epidermis, stoma density and trichoma distribution of the upper and lower epidermis, etc. could be considered to be the main evidences for the microscopic identification of leaves of Curcuma. The 21 materials which belong to 11 species of Curcuma in China were systematized into 6 species, 1 species complex, 2 cultivated varieties.

CONCLUSION

It can be concluded that stereology, and image analysis are advanced and feasible in pharmacognosy and taxonomy especially in the authentication of the relative and easily confused species.

Is population bone mineral density variation linked to the marker D11S987 on chromosome 11q12-13?

Our purpose is to test linkage of human chromosome 11q12-13 to BMD variation. Chromosome 11q12-13 has been linked to three BMD-related phenotypes that are inherited as Mendelian traits in human pedigrees: an autosomal dominant high bone mass trait, autosomal recessive osteoporosis pseudoglioma, and autosomal recessive osteopetrosis. A sibling pair study with 374 sibships showed significant linkage of D11S987 to normal BMD variation, with a maximum logarithm of odds score of 3.5. However, a subsequent linkage study with a total of 595 sibling pairs demonstrated reduced significance for linkage of D11S987 to bone mineral density variation, with a logarithm of odds score less than 2.2. We genotyped five markers in a genomic region of approximately 27 cM centering on D11S987 and measured bone mineral density and other traits (weight, etc.) for 635 individuals from 53 human pedigrees. Each of these pedigrees was ascertained through a proband with bone mineral density Z-scores less than -1.28 at the hip or spine. Adjusting for age, sex, and weight as covariates, we performed two-point and multipoint linkage analyses using the variance component linkage analysis method implemented in Sequential Oligogenic Linkage Analysis Routines. We found little evidence of linkage of these five markers to bone mineral density at the spine, hip, wrist and total body bone mineral content. The maximum logarithm of odds score at these five markers was 0.25, and the maximum logarithm of odds score at D11S987 was 0.15. Therefore, although we cannot exclude the linkage of D11S987 region to bone mineral density variation, there is no evidence for linkage of the marker D11S987 on human chromosome 11q12-13 to bone mineral density variation in our study population.

Toward high-throughput genotyping: dynamic and automatic software for manipulating large-scale genotype data using fluorescently labeled dinucleotide markers

To efficiently manipulate large amounts of genotype data generated with fluorescently labeled dinucleotide markers, we developed a Microsoft database management system, named. offers several advantages. First, it accommodates the dynamic nature of the accumulations of genotype data during the genotyping process; some data need to be confirmed or replaced by repeat lab procedures. By using, the raw genotype data can be imported easily and continuously and incorporated into the database during the genotyping process that may continue over an extended period of time in large projects. Second, almost all of the procedures are automatic, including autocomparison of the raw data read by different technicians from the same gel, autoadjustment among the allele fragment-size data from cross-runs or cross-platforms, autobinning of alleles, and autocompilation of genotype data for suitable programs to perform inheritance check in pedigrees. Third, provides functions to track electrophoresis gel files to locate gel or sample sources for any resultant genotype data, which is extremely helpful for double-checking consistency of raw and final data and for directing repeat experiments. In addition, the user-friendly graphic interface of renders processing of large amounts of data much less labor-intensive. Furthermore, has built-in mechanisms to detect some genotyping errors and to assess the quality of genotype data that then are summarized in the statistic reports automatically generated by. The can easily handle >500,000 genotype data entries, a number more than sufficient for typical whole-genome linkage studies. The modules and programs we developed for the can be extended to other database platforms, such as Microsoft SQL server, if the capability to handle still greater quantities of genotype data simultaneously is desired.

Primary structure and sexual stage-specific expression of a LAMMER protein kinase of Plasmodium falciparum

We have isolated a LAMMER-like gene from Plasmodium falciparum by vectorette technique. The gene consists of 3316 bp encoding a protein 881 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of approximately 106.7 kDa. The encoded protein, termed PfLAMMER, is composed of two distinct domains. The N-terminal domain is not related to any previously described protein kinases and has several interesting features including multiple consensus phosphorylation sites for a range of protein kinases, a number of RS/SR dipeptides, a large proportion of charged amino acids, two putative nuclear localisation signals and 14 copies of a tetramer DKYD repeats. The C-terminal domain is characteristic of a kinase in the LAMMER family with the highest homology to the Arabidopsis thaliana AFC3 kinase. Genomic restriction analysis showed that PfLAMMER is encoded by a single copy gene in the parasite genome. A single transcript of approximately 3800 nucleotides is expressed specifically in the sexual stage, indicating that PfLAMMER may be important in regulating the processes of sexual differentiation of the parasite.

Monoclonal antibody against Mycoplasma fermentans-specific aminoglycoglycerolipid

Previously, we reported that Mycoplasma fermentans has specific antigens (phosphocholine-containing glycoglycerolipids: GGPL-I and GGPL-III) and discussed the possibility of their pathogenic role. In this paper, we report the characterization of a monoclonal antibody (MF-III-1) specific to GGPL-III (phosphocholine-containing aminoglycoglycerolipid) using methods of electron microscopy, immunofluorescence cell surface staining, laser scanning microscopy, immunoelectron microscopy, and thin-layer chromatography immunostaining. The MF-III-1 antibody specifically recognized M. fermentans attached to the surface of HTLV-I-infected human helper T-cells, and it did not cross-react with other lipids nor with human T-cell antigens. Since MF-III-1 distinguishes GGPL-III from GGPL-I, the binding site may include a serinol (2-amino-1,3-propanediol) residue of GGPL-III. MF-III-1 is useful for the in vitro study of M. fermentans, and may also be useful as a tool for the study of the involvement of M. fermentans in human diseases.

[The effects of Vitreoscilla hemoglobin expression on growth and antibiotic production in Streptomyces cinnamonensis]

Streptomyces cinnamonensis A-10 is a monensin \ producing strain. pHZ1252 is an E. coli-Streptomyces shuttle vector for expressing VHb, in which vhb structural gene is controlled by thiostrepton-inducible promoter PtipA. pHZ1252 was unstable in S. cinnamonensis, occurring deletion recombination. The deletion DNA fragment of pHZ1252 included not only part of E. coli plasmid but also vhb gene. However, plasmid pHZ1252 isolated from S. avermitilis transformants, which lost part of E. coli plasmid but still contained vhb gene and PtipA was stable in S. cinnamonensis and expressed VHb with biological activity after thiostrepton induction. Shake flask fermentation experiments showed that the presence of VHb in S. cinnamonensis efficiently enhanced cell growth and improved antibiotic production under aeration-poor conditions.