Morphometric analysis of the immunohistochemical expression of Clara cell 10-kDa protein and surfactant apoproteins A and B in the developing bronchi and bronchioles of human fetuses and neonates

Morphometric analyses of the immunohistochemical expression of the Clara cell secretory 10-kDa protein (CC10) and surfactant apoproteins A and B (SP-A and -B) were carried out on the developing bronchi and bronchioles of human fetuses and neonates. We analysed the ratio of the number of CC10-positive cells per subepithelial length of the bronchial or bronchiolar basement membrane and found that both the bronchial and the bronchiolar population of CC10-positive cells was significantly higher than that of either SP-A or SP-B. In addition, CC10 was found to be distributed mainly in the bronchiole. CC10-positive cells began to be recognized in the late pseudoglandular phase (15 weeks of gestation) and thereafter gradually increased in the canalicular and terminal sac phases, which correspond to the active development period of the acini or peripheral airways. The earliest expression of SP-A was also noted at 15 weeks of gestation, but its positive epithelial cells were present mainly in the larger bronchi. Double immunohistochemical staining for CC10 and SP-A revealed that the CC10-positive cells lining both the bronchi and bronchioles were different from the SP-A-positive cells. This finding suggests that CC10-positive cells are functionally and developmentally heterogeneous in both fetal and neonatal lungs in humans.

[Effect of the pH value of acid-salt pretreating solution system on dentin-bonding strength]

OBJECTIVE

In order to investigate the mechanism of dentin bond promoted by acid-salt pretreating solution system (APSS).

METHODS

The tensile bonding strength (TBS) of 4-META/MMA-TBB resin to the dentin, which was treated by acid and retreated by APSS with different pH value, was tested.

RESULTS

The TBS of dentin rose gradually from 10.41 MPa to 15.73 MPa with the decreasing of the pH value of APSS. The metallic salt solution containing acid or not, apparently affected the TBS of dentin.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that the form of metallic ion in APSS correlated with the TBS of dentin.

[Dynamic distribution in vivo of TIL from human tongue cancer after local injection in animal model]

On the basis of established nude mice transplanted tumor model of human tongue squamous cell carcinoma, peritumor injection was performed with 3H-TdR labeled TIL from human tongue cancer after 4 weeks culture. The dynamic distribution of 3H-TIL in vivo was learned through detecting the radioactivity of the target tissues. The results demonstrated that 3H-TIL was found in the whole body. There were about 2.1-30 times more in tumor tissues than in normal tissues and 3H-TILs even collected in the tumor tissues distal to the injective sites. The nearer to the injective sites the tumor tissues, the more 3H-TIL collected. It showed that local injection of TIL could be expected to exert a better antitumor effect.

[The experimental study of Pseudomonas contamination in soft drinks]

Bymeans of this study, we have found out about the situation of Pseudomons contamination in the soft drinks which are manufactured and sold at the area of Nanchang City. In the course of this study, we examined total 416 specimens, in which we found that 69 specimens were positive reaction. The positive rate made up 16.59% of the total specimens. From these 69 positive specimens we separate isolated andidentified the following Pseudomonas 111 strains including 16 different species: P. aeruginosa, 9; P. fluorescens biovars; 11; P. putida biovars, 14; P. syringae pathovars, 5; P. mendocina, 5; P. alcaligenes, 23; P. pseudoalcaligenes, 10; P. cepacia, 17; P. solanacearum, 1; P. testosteroni, 1; P. delafieldii, 3; P. facilis, 6; P. flava 1; P. psenudoflava, 2; P. palleronii, 1; and a new species of Pseudomonas--P. halosensibilis. The achievement of this study will provide scientific basis for working out the standards of food safety control and inspection, raising the level of food hygieneinspection, and directing the drinks menufacturers and selling units to strengthen the food safety control and inspection.

[Antitumor effect of TIL combined with radiotherapy on mouse uterocervical cancer U14]

After yielding culturing mouse TIL from U14 with Rosenberg's technique, the authors observed the antitumor effect of TIL combined with radiotherapy on established mouse transplanted tumor of uterocervical cancer U14. The results demonstrated TIL treatment or radiotherapy could inhibit the tumors growth. Combination showed a stronger inhibition and the E/O value was 1.1. It implied that an additive effect was gotten when combining TIL with radiotherapy.

Successful tracheal autotransplantation with two-stage approach using the greater omentum

BACKGROUND

Although many studies on reconstruction of extensive circumferential tracheal defects with a segmental trachea have been done, up to date, no reliable and satisfactory tracheal transplantation procedure has been developed. We conducted this experiment to investigate feasibility and efficacy of a staged tracheal transplantation approach for tracheal reconstruction.

METHODS

Twelve dogs were divided equally into groups I and II. A segment of cervical tracheas (six rings) was harvested as an autograft and implanted heterotopically into the greater omentum. Two weeks later, the autografts with their omental pedicles were transplanted orthotopically to the cervical (group I) or the thoracic portion of the trachea (group II). Bronchoscopic examination were performed monthly during a 5-month follow-up period. After sacrificing the dogs, we had the grafts examined macroscopically and microscopically.

RESULTS

The dogs of both groups survived well until the end of the follow-up. No abnormal findings were observed through bronchoscopy. The grafts had normal appearance, without shrinkage, granulation, or necrosis by postmortem gross examination. Histologic examination showed the structures of the grafts were intact.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that the two-stage tracheal transplantation approach using the greater omentum is feasible, and can facilitate the survival of a tracheal graft as well.

The myosin-I-binding protein Acan125 binds the SH3 domain and belongs to the superfamily of leucine-rich repeat proteins

The SH3 domains of src and other nonreceptor tyrosine kinases have been shown to associate with the motif PXXP, where P and X stand for proline and an unspecified amino acid, but a motif that binds to the SH3 domain of myosin has thus far not been characterized. We previously showed that the SH3 domain of Acanthamoeba myosin-IC interacts with the protein Acan125. We now report that the Acan125 protein sequence contains two tandem consensus PXXP motifs near the C terminus. To test for binding, we expressed a polypeptide, AD3p, which includes 344 residues of native C-terminal sequence and a mutant polypeptide, AD3delta977-994p, which lacks the sequence RPKPVPPPRGAKPAPPPR containing both PXXP motifs. The SH3 domain of Acanthamoeba myosin-IC bound AD3p and not AD3delta977-994p, showing that the PXXP motifs are required for SH3 binding. The sequence of Acan125 is related overall to a protein of unknown function coded by Caenorhabditis elegans gene K07G5.1. The K07G5.1 gene product contains a proline-rich segment similar to the SH3 binding motif found in Acan125. The aligned sequences show considerable conservation of leucines and other hydrophobic residues, including the spacing of these residues, which matches a motif for leucine-rich repeats (LRRs). LRR domains have been demonstrated to be sites for ligand binding. Having an LRR domain and an SH3-binding domain, Acan125 and the C. elegans homologue define a novel family of bifunctional binding proteins.

[Cloning of the NS1 gene of dengue-2 virus and determination of its partial nucleotide sequence]

In this study, RT-PCR product of the NS1 gene of dengue-2 virus isolated in China was inserted into the DNA of T-vector plasmid. DNAs of the positive clones, which were identified by using the blue/white spot and PCR, were digested with enzymes, indicating that the inserted fragments were the same sizes as those of the amplified NS1 genes. The result of the nucleotide sequence determined by dideoxy chain-termination method indicated that 5'-terminal nucleotide sequence of the amplified NS1 fragment was not changed.

[Maxillofacial injury: clinical analysis of 284 cases]

Maxillofacial injury is common in war or in the routine life. Always accompanying trauma of other sites of the body, it has its own characters and leads to serious outcome. This article made a clinical analysis of 284 cases of maxillofacial injury from following aspects: onset of wounded, characters and chief complications of maxillofacial soft and hard tissues injury and foreign bodies left in place. The authors also discussed their experiences at emergency management.

Investigations of peptide hydration using NMR and molecular dynamics simulations: A study of effects of water on the conformation and dynamics of antamanide

The influence of water binding on the conformational dynamics of the cyclic decapeptide antamanide dissolved in the model lipophilic environment chloroform is investigated by NMR relaxation measurements. The water-peptide complex has a lifetime of 35 μs at 250 K, which is longer than typical lifetimes of water-peptide complexes reported in aqueous solution. In addition, there is a rapid intracomplex mobility that probably involves librational motions of the bound water or water molecules hopping between different binding sites. Water binding restricts the flexibility of antamanide. The experimental findings are compared with GROMOS molecular dynamics simulations of antamanide with up to eight bound water molecules. Within the simulation time of 600 ps, no water molecule leaves the complex. Additionally, the simulations show a reduced flexibility for the complex in comparison with uncomplexed antamanide. Thus, there is a qualitative agreement between the experimental NMR results and the computer simulations.

Studies on prophylactic effect of artesunate on schistosomiasis japonica

OBJECTIVE

To examine the prophylactic effect of artesunate on schistosomiasis japonica by killing schistosomula.

METHODS

Mice, rabbits and dogs after infection with cercariae of schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum) were treated with artesunate on the 7th day at a dose of 300 mg/kg, 20-40 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg respectively once a week for 4-6 weeks. A double-blind test was used. A total of 864 persons in highly endemic areas for schistosomiasis were administered either artesunate at a dose of 6 mg/kg once a week for 8 weeks or identical placebo with the same dose-schedule during transmission season for S. japonicum. Four weeks after the last dosing, fecal examinations for S. japonicum eggs and miracidia were carried out to evaluate the prophylactic effect.

RESULTS

Worm reduction rates in mice, rabbits and dogs were 77.50-90.66%, 99.53% and 97.10% respectively. All of the 467 residents in 2 trials were free from eggs or miracidia upon stool examinations whereas in the control groups with placebo, 15 out of 218 (6.9%) and 26 out of 179 (14.5%) were stool eggs and/or miracidia positive in the first and second trial, respectively. Side effects were mild. No significant changes in routine blood and urine tests, electrocardiogram, hepatic and renal functions were observed after artesunate administration.

CONCLUSIONS

Animal experiments and field trials have demonstrated good efficacy of artesunate on killing schistosomula with little side effects. Thus, the drug is suggested to be used on the population in endemic areas for prevention of schistosomiasis.

[Water soluble contents of Chinese drug beimu, the bulbs of Fritillaria plants]

Based on platelet aggregation induced by platelet activating factor (PAF), the active fraction with inhibiting effect was screened from four species of Chinese drung Beimu, the bulbs of Fritillaria przewalskii, F. ussurienis, F. anhuiensis and F. thunbergii. According to the experimental results, the active water soluble fraction of F. ussuriensis was further studied. Two nucleosides, thymidine and adenosine were isolated. Platelet aggregation assay shows that adenosine is the chief aggregation inhibitor with 1% = 42 at 5 microns. It is suggested that nucleosides may be the other type of active constituent besides alkaloids in the Fritillaria plants.

Molecular cloning and characterization of the human xanthine dehydrogenase gene (XDH)

Xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH, EC 1.1.1.204) is a rate-limiting enzyme in the oxidative metabolism of purines and is thought to play a key role in a variety of pathophysiologic processes including ischemiasolidusreperfusion injury, viral pneumonia, and renal failure. We herein report the isolation and characterization of the human XDH gene. The gene is composed of 36 exons and 35 introns and spans at least 60 kb. The exon sizes range from 53 to 279 bp, and the intron sizes range from 0.2 to over 8 kb. Using primer extension and RNase protection analyses, two transcriptional initiation sites were identified 59 and 82 nucleotides upstream of the ATG start codon. One Goldberg-Hogness box (ATTTAT)-like sequence was found 24 bp upstream from the second transcriptional initiation site, and two inverted CCAAT sequences were found 19 and 42 bp upstream from the second transcriptional initiation sites. A relative GC-enriched region was found between -55 and -121. Approximately 2 kb of the 5'-flanking region was sequenced, and a variety of putative regulatory elements were identified including CsolidusEBP binding sites, IL-6 and NF-kappaB sites, and potential TNF-RE, IFN-gamma-RE, and IL-1-RE sites.

Seven members of the (1→3)-β-glucanase gene family in barley (Hordeum vulgare) are clustered on the long arm of chromosome 3 (3HL)

Members of the (1→3)-β-glucan glucanohydrolase (EC 3.2.1.39) gene family have been mapped on the barley genome using three doubled haploid populations and seven wheat-barley addition lines. Specific probes or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers were generated for the seven barley (1→3)-β-glucanase genes for which cDNA or genomic clones are currently available. The seven genes are all located on the long arm of chromosome 3 (3HL), and genes encoding isoenzymes GI, GII, GIII, GIV, GV and GVII (ABG2) are clustered in a region less than 20 cM in length. The region is flanked by the RFLP marker MWG2099 on the proximal side and the Barley Yellow Mosaic Virus (BYMV) resistance gene ym4 at the distal end. The gene encoding isoenzyme GVI lies approximately 50 cM outside this cluster, towards the centromere. With the exception of the gene encoding isoenzyme GIV, all of the (1→3)-β-glucanase genes are represented by single copies on the barley genome. The probe for the isoenzyme GIV gene hybridized with four DNA bands during Southern blot analysis, only one of which could be incorporated into the consensus linkage map.

Characterization of a lactate oxidase from a strain of gram negative bacterium from soil

A lactate oxidase was purified about 36-fold from a newly screened strain KY6 of gram negative bacterium from soil to yield a homogeneous protein. The native enzyme had a molecular mass of 204 kDa measured by Sephadex G-200 and that of subunit on the SDS-PAGE was found to be 45 kDa. The enzyme was optimally active at pH 7.7 and showed stability at pH range of 5.7 to 9.5 for 24 h at 4 degrees C. The optimum temperature was 70 degrees C and the enzyme activity was stable for 10 min up to 45 degrees C. The half-life of the enzyme activity was about 10 min at 55 degrees C. The best substrate of the enzyme was D-lactate and Km value for D-lactate was 0.14 mM. The Km value for DL-lactate was 0.20 mM. Substrate inhibition of the enzyme was observed at higher concentrations than 20 mM of DL-lactate and 10 mM of D-lactate.

Stress-induced hemodynamic and hemostatic changes in patients with systemic hypertension: effect of verapamil

Stress-induced hemodynamic and hemostatic responses may acutely trigger atherosclerotic plaque disruption and thrombosis leading to myocardial infarction. This study was designed to evaluate the responses to three stressors and to determine if once-daily sustained release verapamil (Verelan) modified these responses. We studied 13 patients with mild to moderate hypertension in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial. After 4 weeks of therapy, patients were evaluated following assumption of the upright posture, mental stress, and cold pressor test. During placebo, the stressors produced an increase in systolic pressure (144 +/- 2 to 167 +/- 3 mmHg, p < 0.001), heart rate (70 +/- 2 to 77 +/- 2 beats/ min, p < 0.001), and platelet aggregability to adenosine diphosphate (threshold concentration fell from 2.8 +/- 0.4 to 1.9 +/- 0.1 microM, p = 0.05) and epinephrine (3.4 +/- 0.9 to 1.6 +/- 0.6 microM, p < 0.001). Verapamil lowered systolic pressure at baseline (144 +/- 2 to 134 +/- 2 mmHg, p < 0.001), and after stress (167 +/- 3 to 154 +/- 3 mmHg, p < 0.001), but did not alter the absolute increase with stress. During verapamil, platelet reactivity did not increase with stress, and the post-stress response to epinephrine was reduced (higher threshold concentration) compared with placebo (3.9 +/- 1.3 vs. 1.5 +/- 0.3 microM, p = 0.05). Verapamil also reduced the response to collagen (increased lag time) at baseline and after stress (111 +/- 9 vs. 91 +/- 3 s, p < 0.01). We conclude that verapamil blunted potentially harmful stress-induced hemodynamic and hemostatic changes. Further studies are required to determine whether these effects translate into a lower incidence of acute cardiovascular events.

Modelling for waste water treatment by Rhodopseudomonas palustris Y6 immobilized on fibre in a columnar bioreactor

A kinetic model of continuous treatment of waste water by Rhodopseudomonas palustris Y6 immobilized on soft fibre in a columnar bioreaction system was established. Good agreement was found between the model prediction and the experimental data from continuous operation [initial chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration = 29.700 g/l] of the system. The optimum operational conditions for the maximum COD reduction capacity were investigated from the model prediction and the experimental data. The waste water treatment process may significantly increase the waste reduction capacity because a large amount of active biomass for COD reduction is immobilized in the system, resulting in operation stability. The results presented here provide a useful basis for further scaling up and efficient operation of waste water treatment processes.

Improvement of tracheal autograft survival with transplantation into the greater omentum

BACKGROUND

Reconstruction of tracheal defects with tracheal grafts is not practicable clinically because the problem of tracheal graft revascularization has not been solved successfully. We conducted experiments to investigate efficacy of implanting tracheal graft into the greater omentum for revascularization and possibility of adopting staged transplantation procedure for repair of tracheal defect.

METHODS

Twenty-four mongrel dogs were randomly and equally divided into groups I and II. Six-ring cervical tracheal segments were harvested as autografts. The grafts were wrapped with the omentum and placed into the peritoneal cavity in group I, and reimplanted with omentopexy in group II. Four grafts were examined macroscopically, microscopically, and 35S-autoradiographically on postoperative days 3, 7, and 14, respectively.

RESULTS

Epithelium loss was evident in the mucosas of the grafts except the 4 from group I. Percentages of viable chondrocytes assessed with 35S-autoradiography were significantly higher in tracheal grafts from group I than group II. All tracheal grafts with their own omental pedicles could be brought to any portions of the trachea.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that prior implantation of tracheal graft in the omentum is beneficial for preservation of its structure, and reconstruction of a tracheal defect with a tracheal graft implanted first into the omentum is feasible.

[Synthesis of substituted benzeneseleninic acid and its antineoplastic activity]

In view of the negative relationship between selenium and cancer, we designed and synthesized eleven substituted benzeneselenic acids (IVa-k) The antineoplastic activity of the title compounds was evaluated via the tests of inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, HL-60 and K562 in vitro, and Ehrlich carcinoma in mice. The result showed that the compounds IVa and IVb had distinct antineoplastic activity. The life span increase rate of IVb on mice bearing Ehrlich carcinoma was 20.30% (20mg/kg), which was higher than the increase rate of sodium selenite (10.65%, 0.5mg/kg).

Identification of Acan125 as a myosin-I-binding protein present with myosin-I on cellular organelles of Acanthamoeba

We have discovered the first protein to bind to a non-filamentous myosin, aside from actin. This protein, Acan125, is a 125-kDa protein from Acanthamoeba that associates with the SH3 domain of Acanthamoeba myosin-IC and not the SH3 domain of human fodrin. Antibodies raised against Acan125 recognize a single protein of 125 kDa from a whole cell lysate of Acanthamoeba; antibodies to myosin-I (M1.7 and M1.8) do not recognize Acan125 on the same blot. Double labeling of Acanthamoeba show Acan125 and myosin-I to be present on the same intracellular organelle, most likely amoebastomes. Immunoprecipitation with either anti-myosin-I or anti-Acan125 antibodies coprecipitates both Acan125 and myosin-I from a lysate of Acanthamoeba, demonstrating that Acan125 interacts with native myosin-I.

Study of aging of silicone rubber biomaterials with NMR

Multinuclear nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy (29Si, 13C, 1H) is used to characterize the aging process of silicone rubber-based biomaterials in a rat model. 1H NMR relaxation measurements (spin-lattice, T1, and spin-spin, T2, relaxation times) were performed to better understand the molecular dynamics of polysiloxane chains in implants. After 1 year of implantation in animals, changes in the 1H T2 relaxation times and the NMR spectra were observed in polydimethylsiloxane, Silastic sheets and chin implants, while these measurements remain unchanged in finger joints. Very small amounts of fat were detected in all types of silicone rubber implants at the end of the implantation period. This work shows that free silicone migrates from the implants to adjacent tissues and distant sites, such as spleen or liver, and is chemically modified.

cDNA sequence and gene locus of the human retinal phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase-C beta 4 (PLCB4)

Defects in the Drosophila norpA (no receptor potential A) gene encoding a phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PLC) block invertebrate phototransduction and lead to retinal degeneration. The mammalian homolog, PLCB4, is expressed in rat brain, bovine cerebellum, and the bovine retina in several splice variants. To determine a possible role of PLCB4 gene defects in human disease, we isolated several overlapping cDNA clones from a human retina library. The composite cDNA sequence predicts a human PLC beta 4 polypeptide of 1022 amino acid residues (MW 117,000). This PLC beta 4 variant lacks a 165-amino-acid N-terminal domain characteristic for the rat brain isoforms, but has a distinct putative exon 1 unique for human and bovine retina isoforms. A PLC beta 4 monospecific antibody detected a major (130 kDa) and a minor (160 kDa) isoform in retina homogenates. Somatic cell hybrids and deletion panels were used to localize the PCLB4 gene to the short arm of chromosome 20. The gene was further sublocalized to 20p12 by fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Modulation of skeletal muscle sodium channels by human myotonin protein kinase

In myotonic muscular dystrophy, abnormal muscle Na currents underlie myotonic discharges. Since the myotonic muscular dystrophy gene encodes a product, human myotonin protein kinase, with structural similarity to protein kinases, we tested the idea that human myotonin protein kinase modulates skeletal muscle Na channels. Coexpression of human myotonin protein kinase with rat skeletal muscle Na channels in Xenopus oocytes reduced the amplitude of Na currents and accelerated current decay. The effect required the presence of a potential phosphorylation site in the inactivation mechanism of the channel. The mutation responsible for human disease, trinucleotide repeats in the 3' untranslated region, did not prevent the effect. The consequence of an abnormal amount of the kinase would be altered muscle cell excitability, consistent with the clinical finding of myotonia in myotonic dystrophy.

Association between increased estrogen status and increased fibrinolytic potential in the Framingham Offspring Study

BACKGROUND

Although extensive evidence indicates that estrogen is responsible for the markedly decreased cardiovascular risk of premenopausal women, the mechanism through which estrogen might exert its protective effect has not been adequately explained. Since thrombosis is now recognized to play an important role in the onset of cardiovascular disease, we investigated the relation between estrogen status and fibrinolytic potential, a determinant of thrombotic risk.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We determined levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) antigen and tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) antigen in 1431 subjects from the Framingham Offspring Study. Fibrinolytic potential was compared between subjects with high estrogen status (premenopausal women and postmenopausal women receiving hormone replacement therapy) and low estrogen status (men and postmenopausal women not receiving hormone replacement therapy). In all comparisons, subjects with high estrogen status had greater fibrinolytic potential (lower PAI-1 levels) than subjects with low estrogen status. First, postmenopausal women receiving estrogen replacement therapy had lower levels of PAI-1 than those not receiving therapy (13.0 +/- 0.5 versus 19.5 +/- 1.0 ng/mL, P < .001). Second, premenopausal women had lower levels of PAI-1 than men of a similar age (14.8 +/- 0.6 versus 20.3 +/- 0.8 ng/mL, P < .001); this sex difference diminished when postmenopausal women not receiving hormone replacement therapy were compared with men of a similar age (19.6 +/- 0.7 versus 21.1 +/- 0.7 ng/mL, P = .089). Third, premenopausal women had markedly lower levels of PAI-1 antigen than postmenopausal women not receiving estrogen therapy (14.8 +/- 0.6 versus 19.5 +/- 1.0 ng/mL, P < .001). The between-group differences observed for TPA antigen were similar to those for PAI-1 antigen.

CONCLUSIONS

Each of these comparisons indicates that the cardioprotective effect of estrogen may be mediated, in part, by an increase in fibrinolytic potential. These findings might provide at least a partial explanation for the protection against cardiovascular disease experienced by premenopausal women, and the loss of that protection following menopause.

Assignment of human xanthine dehydrogenase gene to chromosome 2p22

Xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH, EC 1.1.1.204) oxidizes a variety of purines, pterins, and other heterogenic nitrogen compounds, serving as a rate-limiting enzyme in nucleic acid degradation. The genetic defect of XDH results in hereditary xanthinuria and other disorders in purine metabolism. Based on the cloning and sequencing results of human XDH cDNA in our laboratory, we studied the localization and sublocalization of the XDH gene. A Version 3.0 human-hamster somatic cell hybrid PCRable DNA panel and specific PCR primers derived from human XDH cDNA for amplification were used to assign the XDH gene to human chromosome 2. The fidelity of the PCR product was confirmed by nucleotide sequencing the PCR product. The assignment of the XDH gene to chromosome 2 at band p22 was established by fluorescence in situ hybridization on human metaphase chromosomes using a clone from a pWE 15 cosmid library containing the XDH gene. The results should be useful for further studies of the molecular basis for hereditary xanthinuria and other genetic disorders related to abnormal XDH activity.

Red sensitivity of dichromated cellulose triacetate as a holographic recording material

The red sensitivity of dichromated cellulose triacetate holographic recording material without any dye sensitization is reported. We suggest that the sensitivity is due to the absorption at 590 nm of the intermediate Cr(V) formed in the reducing process of chromium from Cr(VI) to Cr(III). In the experiment, the real-time transmission gratings are recorded with 632.8-nm irradiation from a He-Ne laser.

Heterologous expression of cDNAs encoding barley (Hordeum vulgare) (1-->3)-beta-glucanase isoenzyme GV

Two cDNAs have been isolated from libraries generated from poly(A)+RNA of young barley roots and leaves, using a cDNA encoding barley (1-->3)-beta-glucanase isoenzyme GII as a probe. Nucleotide sequence analyses and ribonuclease protection assays show that the two cDNAs differ only in the length of their 3'-untranslated regions; the corresponding mRNAs are likely to originate from a single gene by tissue-specific processing at separate polyadenylation sites. When the coding region of the cDNA is expressed in E. coli, the resultant protein catalyses the hydrolysis of (1-->3)-beta-glucan with an action pattern characteristic of a (1-->3)-beta-glucan endohydrolase (EC 3.2.1.39). The enzyme has been designated isoenzyme GV of the barley (1-->3)-beta-glucanase family).

Na-independent Cl(-)-HCO3- exchange mediates recovery of pHi from alkalosis in guinea pig ventricular myocytes

The pH-sensitive fluorescent indicator, carboxy-seminaphthorhodafluor 1 (SNARF 1) was used to assess the contribution of forward Na-independent Cl(-)-HCO3- exchange (1 external Cl- exchanged for 1 internal HCO3-) to intracellular pH (pHi) recovery from alkalosis in adult ventricular myocytes (guinea pig). Intracellular alkalosis was elicited by external application of the weak base, trimethylamine. In the absence of CO2-HCO3- (N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid-buffered solution) the initial rate of pHi recovery from alkalosis (pHi = 7.25-7.75) was slow and independent of pHi, yielding an apparent net HCO3- efflux of 0.36 +/- 0.11 mM/min. In CO2-HCO3(-)-buffered solution, the initial rate of pHi recovery and net HCO3- efflux were much faster and markedly increased by raising pHi. At pHi approximately 7.25, net HCO3- efflux was approximately 2 mM/min and rose to 9 mM/min at pHi approximately 7.6. 4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (0.4 mM) decreased net HCO3- efflux by 78.1 +/- 8.9% in CO2-HCO3(-)-buffered solution. Reduction in extracellular Cl- concentration from 135 to 20 mM markedly slowed the rate of pHi recovery from alkalosis and reduced net HCO3- efflux. pHi recovery from alkalosis was unaffected by removal of external sodium or exposure to 1 mM amiloride. These results indicate that forward Na-independent Cl(-)-HCO3- exchange mediates pHi recovery from alkalosis in guinea pig ventricular myocytes.

[Immunohistochemical study on fibrin in brain traumas]

The fibrin formation in brain traumas was studied by immunohistochemical method. Eleven cases of brain trauma were examined. The fibrin was demonstrated not only in the areas of brain contusion and the neuronal cytoplasm of hypothalamus, thalamus, brainstem, and cerebellum, but also on the membrane of endothelial cells and red blood cells within some capillaries. The fibrin was also found around capillaries and the areas far from the brain trauma. It was suggested that injuries to the brain occurred not only in the local areas of the brain subjected to the violence, but also in the areas far from the local injury. It meant that the brain injuries were not local, but diffuse. The fibrin observed in the neuronal cytoplasm, and on the membrane of endothelial cells and red blood cells within some capillaries was a sign of ante mortem brain traumas. The combined HE staining and immunohistochemical staining of the fibrin is useful in the demonstration of simple brainstem traumas.

[Synthesis of terephthalic acid derivatives and their activity on human promyelocytic leukaemia cells HL-60]

There were 13 derivatives of terephthalic acid were synthesized, in which 9 compounds were not found in literature. The 9 compounds were evaluated for their differentiation-inducing activities on human promyelocytic leukaemia cells HL-60. Compounds N1 and N4 possessed potential activity. Their percentage of differentiating effect was 55% (5 x 10(-6) mol/L), but it was less than that of retinoic acid (79%, 10(-7) mol/L).

Molecular cloning, tissue expression of human xanthine dehydrogenase

Xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH, EC 1.1.1.204) is a molybdenum iron-sulphur flavin hydroxylase which oxidizes a variety of purines, pterins and other heterogenic nitrogen compounds, serving as a rate-limiting enzyme in nucleic acid degradation. In this work, we have isolated and sequenced cDNA clones of human liver XDH. The obtained cDNA covers 4577 bases of human liver XDH mRNA with a 63 bp 5'-end untranslated region and a 515 bp 3'-end untranslated region. A termination codon TGA and a polyadenylation signal AATAAA were identified. An open reading frame encodes 1333 amino acid residues. The assignment of the N-terminal was confirmed by directly sequencing that region of purified human milk XDH. Northern blot analysis shows that the human XDH gene is widely expressed in human tissues.

[Synthesis of p-substituted benzoylaminobenzoic acid (methyl esters) and its differentiation induction in activities of human promyelocytic leukemia cells HL-60]

Sixteen p-substituted benzoylaminobenzoic acids and their methyl esters were synthesized, of which nine were not found in literature. All of the topic compounds were evaluated for their differentiation induction in activities of human promyelotic leukemia cells HL-60. Compounds III1, III2, III4, and III5 possessed potential activities. The differentiation rate, of III4 and III5 was 70% respectively. But it was less than that of retinoic acid (97%).

Generation of reovirus core-like particles in cells infected with hybrid vaccinia viruses that express genome segments L1, L2, L3, and S2

When mouse L fibroblasts are infected with various combinations of recombinant vaccinia viruses possessing thymidine kinase (TK) genes with inserted reovirus genes that encode core components, particles are formed that closely resemble reovirus cores. In cells infected with vaccinia viruses that express reovirus proteins lambda 1 and sigma 2, particles are formed that are very similar to reovirus core shells; if, in addition, the cells are also infected with vaccinia virus that expresses protein lambda 2, particles are formed that also possess the characteristic icosahedrally located projections/spikes that are present on reovirus cores. If, in either case, the cells are also infected with vaccinia virus that expresses the reovirus RNA polymerase, protein lambda 3, the resultant particles are morphologically identical with those formed in its absence, but also contain protein lambda 3.

urbs1, a gene regulating siderophore biosynthesis in Ustilago maydis, encodes a protein similar to the erythroid transcription factor GATA-1

Ustilago maydis secretes ferrichrome-type siderophores, ferric-ion-binding compounds, in response to iron starvation. TA2701, a non-enterobactin-producing, non-ferrichrome-utilizing mutant of Salmonella typhimurium LT-2, was employed as a biological indicator in a novel screening method to isolate three N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine-induced U. maydis mutants defective in the regulation of ferrichrome-type siderophore biosynthesis. These mutants displayed a constitutive phenotype; they produced siderophores in the presence of iron concentrations that would typically repress siderophore synthesis in wild-type strains. A 4.8-kb fragment of U. maydis genomic DNA capable of restoring normal regulation of siderophore biosynthesis in the constitutive mutants was identified. This segment of DNA contains an intronless open reading frame that specifies a protein of 950 amino acids containing two finger motifs similar to those found in the erythroid transcription factor GATA-1. Disruption of this open reading frame in a wild-type strain gave rise to cells that produced siderophores constitutively. Genetic studies indicated that the disruption mutation was allelic to the chemically induced mutations, confirming that the structural gene for a regulator rather than a suppressor gene had been cloned. Northern (RNA) analysis of the gene revealed a 4.2-kb transcript that is expressed constitutively at low levels in wild-type cells. The data support the hypothesis that this gene, which we designate urbs1 (Ustilago regulator of biosynthesis of siderophores), acts directly or indirectly to repress biosynthesis of siderophores in U. maydis.

Conformational backbone dynamics of the cyclic decapeptide antamanide. Application of a new multiconformational search algorithm based on NMR data

A general procedure for the analysis of biomolecular structures by NMR in the presence of rapid conformational dynamics has been applied to the study of the cyclic decapeptide antamanide. Two-dimensional experiments, relaxation measurements in the rotating frame, and homo- and heteronuclear coupling constant determinations have been used to characterize the dynamic properties of the molecule, in combination with a novel search algorithm for investigating multiconformational equilibria. Direct evidence for the presence of a conformational exchange process with an activation energy of approximately 20 kJ mol-1 and an exchange lifetime of approximately 25 microseconds at 320 K has been obtained from rotating frame relaxation measurements. This evidence is combined with the information derived from the multiconformational search algorithm MEDUSA to propose sets of structures that coexist in a dynamic exchange equilibrium.

Increased lipoprotein (a) as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases

We quantified serum lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] in 1266 healthy persons and established the reference value of Lp(a) in groups of age and sex. The Lp(a) in myocardial infarction (MI) survivors, stroke and primary hypertension patients were determined in comparison with that of age-matched normal controls. Moreover, cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, apo Al and apo B were measured. The Lp(a) concentrations were not correlated with other lipids in normal controls and patients. Our results suggest that increased Lp(a) is an independent risk factor for MI and stroke patients. The total detective rate of abnormal lipids in MI and stroke patients was as high as 50% and 53.8% (Lp(a) excluded) as well as 65.7% and 64.9% (Lp(a) included) respectively.

Post-transcriptional control of cell type-specific gene expression in bundle sheath and mesophyll chloroplasts of Amaranthus hypochondriacus

Plants that utilize the highly efficient C4 photosynthetic pathway possess two types of specialized leaf cells, the mesophyll and bundle sheath. In mature leaves of amaranth, a dicotyledonous C4 plant, ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (Rubisco) is localized specifically to the chloroplasts of bundle sheath cells, and is not present in the chloroplasts of mesophyll cells. The cell type-specific expression of the chloroplast-encoded Rubisco large subunit (rbcL) gene, and other representative chloroplastic genes, was investigated by using separated bundle sheath and mesophyll chloroplasts prepared from mature amaranth leaves. One-dimensional SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed several differences in the polypeptide compositions of the two chloroplast types. Western analysis demonstrated that, as in the intact leaves, the Rubisco LSU polypeptide was present only in chloroplast preparations from bundle sheath cells. Pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase (PPdK), a nuclear-encoded chloroplastic enzyme, was found only in the mesophyll chloroplast preparations. rbcL mRNA was present only in the bundle sheath chloroplast preparations, whereas transcripts for the chloroplast-encoded psbA, psaA-B, and rpl2 genes were present in both chloroplast types. Although the rbcL message accumulated only in bundle sheath chloroplasts, run-on transcription analysis indicated that the rbcL gene was transcribed in both bundle sheath and mesophyll chloroplast preparations. Therefore, differential rbcL gene expression in the isolated C4 chloroplasts is regulated, at least in part, at the post-transcriptional level. Possibly this control is mediated by differential processing or stabilization of the rbcL transcript.

[Determination of glycyrrhizin in glycyrrhiza and it's preparations by ion-pair HPLC]

Glycyrrhizin is the main component of glycyrrhiza. In this article an Ion-pair high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method is described for the determination of glycyrrhizin in two kinds of glycyrrhiza from different origins and twelve kinds of Chinese traditional patent medicine containing glycyrrhiza. A reversed phase system was used, including an ODS column with water and methanol (36:64) as the mobile phase which contained 5mmol/L tetra-n-butyl ammonium hydroxide and was adjusted to pH 6.0 by phosphoric acid. The column temperature was 35 degrees C; the detection was performed at 254 nm. Under this condition glycyrrhizin could be separated from other components. The limit of detection was 13ng, and the average recovery was 99.85%. During the experiments, we studied the concentration of counter-ion, the mixing ratio of methanol to water, the pH of the mobile phase and column temperature and their effect on the capacity factor of compound and resolution. We also studied the method of pre-treatment for the samples. The determination method is simple and accurate.

Evolution and differential expression of the (1-->3)-beta-glucan endohydrolase-encoding gene family in barley, Hordeum vulgare

The (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan glucanohydrolases [(1-->3)-GGH; EC 3.2.1.39] of barley (Hordeum vulgare L., cv Clipper) are encoded by a small gene family. Amino acid sequences deduced from cDNA and genomic clones for six members of the family exhibit overall positional identities ranging from 44% to 78%. Specific DNA and oligodeoxyribonucleotide (oligo) probes have been used to demonstrate that the (1-->3)-GGH-encoding genes are differentially transcribed in young roots, young leaves and the aleurone of germinated grain. The high degree of sequence homology, coupled with characteristic patterns of codon usage and insertion of a single intron at a highly conserved position in the signal peptide region, indicate that the genes have shared a common evolutionary history. Similar structural features in genes encoding barley (1-->3,1-->4)-beta-glucan 4-glucanohydrolases [(1-->3,1-->4)-GGH; EC 3.2.1.73] further indicate that the (1-->3)-GGHs and (1-->3,1-->4)-GGHs are derived from a single 'super' gene family, in which genes encoding enzymes with related yet quite distinct substrate specificities have evolved, with an associated specialization of function. The (1-->3,1-->4)-GGHs mediate in plant cell wall metabolism through their ability to hydrolyse the (1-->3,1-->4)-beta-glucans that are the major constituents in barley walls, while the (1-->3)-GGHs, which are unable to degrade the plant (1-->3,1-->4)-beta-glucans, can hydrolyse the (1-->3)- and (1-->3,1-->6)-beta-glucans of fungal cell walls.