Recording of second-harmonic index gratings in photorefractive (K(0.5) Na(0.5))(0.2) (Sr(0.75) Ba(0.25))(0.9) Nb(2)O(6) crystals

We propose and demonstrate a novel method for recording second-harmonic volume index gratings in photorefractive crystals. The fundamental component of the index grating is eliminated by means of a pi -phase shifted double-exposure process that uses the Mach-Zehnder interferometric technique. Experimental results for (K(0.5) Na(0.5)) (0.2)(Sr> (0.75)Ba (0.25))(0.9)Nb (2)O(6) crystals are presented and discussed.

[A biomechanical study on human lataral capsular-ligament complex of temporomandibular joint]

Tensile mechanical experiments were made on 31 lateral capsular-ligament complex spencimens from 8 fresh temporomandibular joints of human cadavers aged 8-15 years. The tests included stress relaxation at different strain rates and tension test at constant strain rate. Some biomechanical material properties of the tissue were determined. The result showed that the complex had lower tensile strength and tensile stiffness, and the stress relaxatioin was the most important mechanism of spreading stress and absorbing shock. The stress relaxation function and the constitutive equation of stress and strain were obtained with Fung's Quasi-Linear Viscoelastic Theory fitting the experimental results.

[Observations on rat's muscle at various postmortem intervals by scanning electron microscopy]

The aim of this study was to observe the morphological changes of muscle in the process of rigor mortis. The quadriceps of 40 rats at various postmortem intervals were observed under the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the light microscope by phosphtungstic acid-haematoxylin staining. The results showed that the striations of muscle were blurred within 4 hours, but they became apparent from 6 hours to 24 hours after death. The authors suggest that this phenomenon be associated with the increased resistance of muscle against the postmortal changes. The observations by scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy have revealed that the muscles do contract in the process of rigor mortis because the distance between two Z lines shortens and the I band narrows, compared with those in anaesthetised animals. The basic biochemical process for the formation of rigor mortis is the same as that of muscle contraction except that the former happens postmortem and the latter antemortem.

Deletion of proline-rich domain in polyomavirus T antigens results in virus partially defective in transformation and tumorigenesis

Polyomavirus productively infects mouse cells, transforms rat fibroblasts in culture, and induces a broad spectrum of tumors when inoculated into newborn mice. The expression of large, middle, and small T antigen are necessary for virus growth and oncogenic transformation. We have generated a small deletion in a region common to both large and middle T antigen that encodes three consecutive prolines. In this report we characterize this mutant virus in terms of its ability to replicate in mouse cells, transform rat fibroblasts, and induce tumors in the mouse. We find that the virus immortalizes primary cells and that viral DNA replication is not impaired, indicating that these functions of large T antigen are not altered. However, the ability of the virus to transform rat fibroblasts is defective. The mutant virus makes fewer foci and the foci are weaker in appearance. The mutant middle T still associates with PI 3-kinase and shc, suggesting that the overall structure of the protein has not been disrupted. When inoculated into newborn C3H mice, the mutant virus induces fewer overall tumors with a longer latency than wild-type virus. These results indicate that this proline-rich domain in middle T antigen is important for oncogenesis in a wide variety of tissues and cell types.

[Study on the chemical components of Rabdosia excisa]

Four kinds of components were extracted and separated from the stems and leaves of Rabdosia excisa. They had been identified as Kamebakaurin, Ursolic acid, Daucosterol and Liquiritin respectively by physical and chemical methods, as well as spectrum data. It was first time that Liquiritin was obtained from the Robdosia family, and its 13C-NMR data of Liquiritin had not been reported before.

Isolation and structure elucidation of alkaloids from the bulb of Fritillaria wabuensis

Eight alkaloids were isolated from the bulb of Fritillaria wabuensis S. Y. Tang et S. C. Yueh (Liliaceae), which is efficacious against cough. Five of them are known and identified as imperialine ( 1), peimisine ( 2), ebeinone ( 3), isoverticine ( 4), and imperialine beta- N-oxide ( 5), respectively. Alkaloid 5 is however, controversial. All the signals for both (1)H- and (13)C-NMR spectra of 5 were assigned unambigously by 2D NMR experiments, and (13)C-NMR assignments previously described in the literature were revised. An X-ray structure of alkaloid 5 is presented.

Apoptosis of photoreceptor cells in ornithine-induced retinopathy

BACKGROUND

The intravitreal injection of ornithine produces selective damage to the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and results in a loss of RPE, choriocapillaris and photoreceptor cells. To elucidate the mechanism of secondary retinal atrophy, we investigated the presence of apoptotic cells in a rat model of ornithine-induced retinopathy.

METHODS

At 6 and 12 h and 1, 2, 4, 7, 14 and 28 days after an intravitreal injection of L-ornithine hydrochloride in rat eyes, we removed the eyes and subjected them to histopathological examination. We detected apoptotic cells by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate digoxigenin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, which stains the 3'-OH ends of fragmented DNA. We used electron microscopy to detect the apoptotic cells morphologically.

RESULTS

RPE cells were selectively damaged immediately after ornithine administration. TUNEL-positive photoreceptor cells appeared exclusively in the photoreceptor cell layer 12 h after ornithine administration. The number of TUNEL-positive cells increased throughout the 2 days following the injection, then decreased markedly. TUNEL-positive cells remained until 28 days, when the photoreceptor cells had disappeared. The ganglion cell layer, inner nuclear layer and damaged RPE cells were negative for TUNEL staining during all stages. The electron microscopic study also revealed the pyknotic nuclei of apoptotic photoreceptor cells.

CONCLUSION

An intravitreal injection of ornithine caused primary damage to the RPE, and subsequently some of the photoreceptor cells revealed apoptosis by TUNEL assay. These findings suggest the dysfunction of the RPE causes photoreceptor cell death according to the intrinsic program of an apoptotic mechanism.

[Relationship between dental severe attrition and the temporomandibular glenoid morphology]

This study used the indices of the temporomandibular glenoid and posterior slope of the eminence by tomography to determine the effect of severe dental attrition on temporomandibular glenoid morphology. The results showed: the temporomandibular glenoid indexes in the group with dental severe attrition and in the control group were respectively 91.49 +/- 8.20 and 92.54 +/- 8.38 (P > 0.05), and the indices of posterior slope of the eminence were 49.79 +/- 5.84 and 50.38 +/- 4.58 (P > 0.05), the difference was not statistical. It was concluded that severe dental attrition would not certainly cause abnormal temporomandibular glenoid.

Time-course expression of vascular endothelial growth factor as related to the development of the retinochoroidal vasculature in rats

Growth factors involved in angiogenesis are critical to both the normal and pathological vascular development in the retina and choroid. In the present experiment, the relationship between the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and the retinochoroidal vasculogenesis in Sprague-Dawley rats was investigated using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. It was found that VEGF was produced mainly by astrocytes and Muller cells in the neural retina, and this was correlated temporally and spatially with the retinal vasculogenesis. In addition, it was observed that, although the VEGF expression in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) decreased with increasing age, it persisted from the embryonic stage to adulthood. These findings indicate that the VEGF expression in RPE may play a role in the development of the choroidal vessels as well as in the maintenance of the normal structure and permeability of the choriocapillaris in adults.

Immunolocalization of transforming growth factor beta during wound repair in rat retina after laser photocoagulation

BACKGROUND

Scatter photocoagulation induces regression of retinal neovascularization, but the mechanism of its therapeutic effect is incompletely understood. To elucidate the mechanism of therapeutic effect of photocoagulation is the main focus of our research. We have already demonstrated basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) immunolocalization during retinal wound repair following laser photocoagulation. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) reportedly inhibits endothelial cell growth and bFGF-induced cell proliferation in vitro. In the present study, we evaluated the immunohistochemical localization of TGF-beta 1 and -beta 2 during wound repair in the rat retina following laser photocoagulation.

METHODS

Krypton laser photocoagulation was performed on the eyes of pigmented rats. The eyes were then enucleated on day 1, 3, 7, 14, 28 or 56 following the photocoagulation and enrolled into the analysis of immunohistochemical localization of TGF-beta 1 and -beta 2.

RESULTS

Immunoreactivity for TGF-beta 1 and -beta 2 was present in the ganglion cell layer and photoreceptor outer segments of the normal adult rat retina. The cytoplasm of RPE cells at the photocoagulated lesion showed intense TGF-beta 1 and -beta 2 immunoreactivity on day 3 after laser photocoagulation. Macrophages that migrated into the lesion lacked positive staining for TGF-beta 1 and -beta 2. TGF-beta immunoreactivity in RPE cells continued to be upregulated for more than 1 month compared with that in normal RPE cells. Controls did not exhibit any positive staining.

CONCLUSION

An elevated expression of TGF-beta immunoreactivity for a longer period of time than bFGF was observed in RPE cells at the photocoagulated lesion in vivo. In the late phase of retinal wound repair, TGF-beta may inhibit cell proliferation induced by mitogens, introduce an end stage of cellular events, and induce extracellular matrix induction.

[Analysis and prevention of road traffic fatalities in Sichuan Province]

This is an epidemiological survey of the fatalities from road traffic accidents in Sichuan. All fatal accidents that occurred in Sichuan from January 1994 to December 1994 were analysed. The mortalities per million kilometers of vehicle travel, per 100,000 registered motor vehicles and per 100,000 resident population were 4.35, 42.41 and 3.92 respectively. These figures were compared with international death rates and those reported by other countries. The results showed that Sichuan had higher mortalities per million kilometers of vehicle travel and per 100,000 registered vehicles but lower mortality per 100,000 resident population, compared with some industrialized and rich develeping countries. The majority of the victims were males aged 21 to 40. Road traffic fatalities constituted the leading cause of all accident deaths. The cost of road accidents in Sichuan was estimated to be sixty million Yuan. Further strategies and methods to minimize the rate of such accidents have been suggested.

Transformation and tumorigenic properties of a mutant polyomavirus containing a middle T antigen defective in Shc binding

Polyomavirus middle T antigen is phosphorylated on several tyrosine residues which act as binding sites for cellular proteins, including phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, Shc, and phospholipase C-gamma. In this report we describe the transforming properties and tumor-inducing ability of a polyomavirus that contains a single-site mutation in middle T antigen which changes a tyrosine residue at amino acid position 250 to serine. This mutation disrupts the association of middle T with the transforming protein Shc. The mutant virus is weakly transforming, inducing foci which are smaller and of different morphology than those of the wild type. Although the virus induced tumors in close to 100% of inoculated mice, the spectrum of tumors and their morphology were altered compared to those of wild-type virus. The mutant virus induced a reduced frequency of kidney and thymic tumors. Both the mammary gland and the thymic tumors that were induced were histologically distinct from those induced by wild-type polyomavirus. These results demonstrate that the signal transduction pathway that is deregulated by the middle T-Shc association is important for full transformation of cells in culture and for tumor induction in some target tissues in the mouse-polyomavirus system.

Vascular endothelial growth factor expression in choroidal neovascularization in rats

BACKGROUND

The pathogenesis of choroidal neovascularization is largely unknown. We investigated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in rats.

METHODS

Intense krypton laser photocoagulation was applied to the posterior poles of the eyes of pigmented rats to induce CNV, which was confirmed by fluorescein angiography and histopathology. The eyeballs were enucleated 1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 days after laser photocoagulation. Cryostat sections were prepared for immunofluorescence staining using anti-VEGF and macrophage marker (ED1) antibodies. The posterior segments of eyeballs pooled from photocoagulated and control rats were submitted for immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting by the anti-VEGF antibody, and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplification of VEGF mRNA.

RESULTS

Very weak immunoreactivity for anti-VEGF antibody was found in the ganglion cell layer, inner nuclear layer, and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in the normal retina. In the development of CNV, strong positive staining for anti-VEGF antibody was found in photocoagulated areas in the subretinal space and choroid. Double immunofluorescence staining showed that many cells in lasered lesions were positive both for anti-VEGF and macrophage marker ED1 antibody staining in the early stage of this model. Immunoblots showed a positive band for the VEGF molecule in treated but not control animals. RT-PCR results demonstrated upregulation of VEGF transcripts in the CNV model compared with normal animals.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings showed the upregulation of VEGF expression in experimentally induced CNV, where it may be involved in promoting choroidal angiogenesis. Macrophages may be one of the main sources of VEGF in the early stage of the disease.

[A newly developed equipment for cleaning of sample tube used in nuclear magnetic resonance experiment]

Cleaning sample tubes used in nuclear magnetic resonance experiment is a time consuming work. We developed a new type of equipment based on fluidics for cleaning those sample tubes and successfully solved the problem. For several years of application, the developed equipment proved to be time saving and very effective. It is simple in design and easy to make up, and it can wash whatever glassware that is narrow in diameter and long in length.

Immunolocalization of basic fibroblast growth factor during wound repair in rat retina after laser photocoagulation

BACKGROUND

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) stimulates the mitogenesis of various cells and plays a key role in wound repair. We studied the immunohistochemical localization of bFGF during wound repair in the rat retina after laser photocoagulation.

METHODS

Krypton laser photocoagulation was performed on the eyes of pigmented rats. The eyes were enucleated on days 1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 after the photocoagulation, and the immunohistochemical localization of bFGF was assessed. Two different monoclonal antibodies and one polyclonal antibody against bFGF as first antibodies were used.

RESULTS

Marked immunoreactivity for bFGF was found in the ganglion cell layer, and weak immunoreactivity for bFGF was found in the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells of the normal adult rat retina. On day 3 after laser photocoagulation, the nuclei and cytoplasm of proliferating RPE cells at the center of the photocoagulated lesion showed intense bFGF immunoreactivity. The nuclei of RPE cells around the lesion showed intense bFGF immunoreactivity. Macrophages that migrated into the lesion showed positive staining for bFGF. These immunoreactivity decreased with time. Controls (0.05 M Tris-HCl buffer, normal serum, or these same antibodies preabsorbed with bFGF) did not show positive staining.

CONCLUSION

The finding of an elevated expression of bFGF immunoreactivity in the photocoagulated lesion suggests that bFGF may play a role in wound repair in the rat retina after laser photocoagulation.

Expression of basic fibroblast growth factor mRNA in developing choroidal neovascularization

PURPOSE

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is an angiogenic peptide that may be important in the pathogenesis of choroidal neovascularization. We attempted to determine the transcription of the bFGF gene during the development of experimentally induced choroidal neovascularization.

METHODS

Rat bFGF cDNA was inserted in the pBluescript to prepare antisense and sense riboprobes. Multiple krypton laser burns were applied to the posterior poles of the eyes of pigmented rats according to a protocol described for producing subretinal neovascularization in these animals. At intervals of up to 4 weeks after photocoagulation, the eyes were removed and cut into thin sections. The sections were subjected to histopathological analysis, cell proliferation study, or in situ hybridization with digoxigenin (DIG)-labeled single-strand riboprobes synthesized from rat bFGF cDNA.

RESULTS

In normal adult rat retinas, bFGF mRNA expression was mainly observed in the ganglion cell layer and the inner nuclear layer. After laser photocoagulation, proliferation of RPE cells, fibroblast-like cells and cells in the choroid in the lesions were observed. Expression of bFGF mRNA was observed in the lesions 3 days to 2 weeks after laser treatment. Signals of bFGF mRNA were detected in the proliferating RPE-like cells, choroidal vascular endothelial cells and fibroblast-like cells, all of which are essential for neovascularization. However, bFGF mRNA expression was no longer detectable in these cells 4 weeks after photocoagulation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that bFGF is normally transcribed in ganglion cells and the inner nuclear cell layer. During the neovascularization that followed laser photocoagulation, bFGF mRNA expression was detected within the laser lesions. It is thus probable that bFGF acts as a mediator in the neovascularization process.

Contradirectional two-wave mixing with partially coherent waves in photorefractive crystals

We investigate contradirectional two-wave mixing with partially coherent waves in photorefractive crystals in the nondepleted pump regime. Equations governing the propagation of the self-coherence function and the mutual-coherence function of the signal wave and the pump wave are derived and simulated numerically. Numerical solutions of these equations are in excellent agreement with the experimental measurements.

[Effects of saponins from stems and leaves of Panax quinquefolium L. on the contraction of rabbit aortic strips]

It has been found out that the saponins from stems and leaves of Panax quinquefolium (PQS) can non-competitively antagonize the dose-response curves of norepinephrine (NE), potassium chloride and calcium chloride on the isolated aortic strips of rabbits, and obviously inhibit intracellular and extracellular Ca2(+)-dependent contraction of the aortic strips induced by NE. These effects of PQS are similar to verapamil.

[Subcellular location of blood group substances ABH using transmission electron microscopical immunocytochemistry technique]

The subcellular location of blood group substances ABH was studied by using transmission electron microscopical immunocytochemistry. The cells were the epithelial cells of both mucous membranes and glands of normal human stomach, duodenum and transverse colon. Both cellular ultrastructure and antigens should be well preserved in transmission electron microscopical immunocytochemistry. In this paper, various fixatives, embedding media and immunostaining methods were investigated and compared. The results indicate that the solution containing 2% paraformaldehyde and 0.2% glutaraldehyde (2PG) is the best fixative and Epon 812 medium is the best embedding medium for preserving ABH antigens and protecting cellular ultrastructure. Post-embedding immunogold staining technique is superior to pre-embedding immunoperoxidase staining.

[Isolation and structure flucidation of alkaloids from the bulb of Fritillaria Wabuensis S.Y. Tang et S.C. Yueh]

Eight alkaloids were isolated from the bulb of Fritillaria Wabuensis S.Y. Tang et S.C. Yueh the best "Chuan Bei" cultivated in Sichuan province, which is efficacious against cough. Five of them are known, identified as imperialine (I), peimisine (II), ebeinone (III), isoverticine (IV), and imperialine-beta-N-oxide (V). All the signals for both 1H and 12C-NMR spectra of base (V) were assigned by 2D NMR experiments, and an X-ray structural data of alkaloid (V) was obtained for the first time.

Statistical analysis of cross-talk noise and storage capacity in volume holographic memory: image plane holograms

We investigate the cross-talk noise in optical storage based on angle-multiplexed image plane volume holograms. Simple expressions for the signal-to-noise ratio and the storage density are obtained. The cross-talk noise is found to limit the size of the pixels and the number of recorded holograms. The cross-talk-limited storage density of image plane holographic storage is found to be close to that of Fourier plane holographic storage.