Calcium antagonistic effects of carbamazepine as a mechanism of action in neuropsychiatric disorders: studies in calcium dependent model epilepsies

Carbamazepine (CBZ) is used in neurology for the treatment of epilepsies and trigeminal neuralgia and in psychiatry for the prophylactic treatment of affective and schizoaffective psychoses. Since a common mechanism of epilepsies and affective psychoses might be increased intracellular calcium ion levels, CBZ action was analyzed in penicillin, caffeine and low Mg2+ induced model epilepsies which have been shown to be suppressed specifically by organic calcium antagonists. In CA3 and CA1 areas of hippocampal slice preparations of guinea pigs CBZ reduced paroxysmal depolarizations and extracellular field potentials (EFP) in a typical time and concentration dependent manner as it is known from calcium antagonists. Furthermore, subthreshold concentrations of the organic calcium antagonist verapamil intensified the action of CBZ. NMDA induced increases of the discharge rate of EFP were, however, unaffected by CBZ.

[Vitrectomy combined with intravitreal injection of drugs for the management of advanced suppurative endophthalmitis]

Sixty cases (60 eyes) of advanced suppurative endophthalmitis treated by a combination of vitrectomy and intravitreal injection of drugs (antibiotics or/and corticosteroids) were investigated perspectively. Of the 60 cases, 43 were infected after trauma, 12 were infected after surgical procedures, while the others were of unknown causes. During the follow-up period of 1/2-5 years, 57 cases (95%) retained functioning eyes, the postoperative visual acuity of 34 eyes (57%) being 0.05 or better and the postoperative visual acuity of 17 eyes (28%) 0.4 to 1.0. The advantages of the therapeutic regimen are analyzed. We believe that it is the most effective therapy for suppurative endophthalmitis. The timing of the operation and the factors influencing the results are discussed. This report also presents our clinical experiences in the management of advanced suppurative endophthalmitis.

Somatostatin concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissue of patients with refractory epilepsy

The somatostatin concentrations of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and brain tissue in 16 refractory epileptic patients were measured simultaneously by a radioimmunoassay (RIA) method. An increased level of somatostatin was found in the epileptic foci of cerebral cortex, determined by the cortical EEG. There were significant differences among the epileptic foci (75.58 +/- 6.58 pg/mg wet wt, +/- SEM), nonfocal tissues (37.04 +/- 6.55 pg/mg), and normal tissues of control patients (47.69 +/- 10.12 pg/mg), p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively. The somatostatin concentrations of CSF in 11 epileptic patients were determined before (257.78 +/- 19.11 pg/mL) and after (178.36 +/- 8.78 pg/mL) the removal of epileptic focal area, and a dramatic decrease of the CSF somatostatin concentration after operation was detected (p < 0.01). We also found that the somatostatin level of cerebral scar induced by head injury in cases of posttraumatic epilepsy was highest (106.39 +/- 12.41 pg/mg). The results suggested that the surgical removal of the epileptic focal area in refractory epileptic patients may reduce the increased central somatostatin level, which could play an important part in the pathophysiological process of refractory epilepsy.

[Isolation of Neisseria from human dental plaque and study of characteristics of acid degradation]

The Neisseria was isolated and identified from human dental plaque.The incidence of Neisseria was 100%.The N.Sicca was the predominant group.The results of sugar metabolism of Neisseria indicated that they were not only able to produce acid while sugar was offered sufficiently,but also degrade lactate evenacetate to supply energy after sugar was consumed.

Recombinant interleukin-6 protects mice against experimental bacterial infection

Because of reports of high levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in patients during infection, we studied the role of IL-6 in experimental infection. Mice infected with the facultative intracellular pathogen Listeria monocytogenes displayed high levels of IL-6 in their sera and tissues, particularly the spleen, 1 to 3 days after infection. At this time, the IL-6 titers correlated with bacterial numbers in individual mice and in groups of mice given graded doses of Listeria organisms. However, the presence of IL-6 in serum declined after 4 days, even when a large initial dose of bacteria meant that bacterial numbers were still increasing at this time. Recombinant mouse IL-6 injected intraperitoneally before infection protected mice in a dose-dependent manner. It was effective when given 4 h before infection but not when administration was delayed for 24 h postinfection. It is therefore believed that IL-6 plays a role in early priming of the immune response to infection. Its exact function in this model is being investigated.

Low molecular mass heat-shock proteins of a light-resistant photoautotrophic cell culture

Two low molecular mass heat-shock proteins (HSPs) of photoautotrophic cell culture (Chenopodium rubrum) have been cloned, sequenced and compared to published sequences. One of these HSPs (23.3 kDa) is posttranslationally transported into chloroplasts and shares homology with the other heat-shock proteins in the last third C-terminal region of the protein, but has a relatively unique sequence in the other two thirds. The correspondent small cytosolic protein of 18.3 kDa is related to all known small HSPs but has a unique DNA-binding domain that has not been described so far in the group of small cytosolic HSPs, it might represent a HSP which is translocated into the nucleus.

Biosynthetic regulation of proteoglycans by aldohexoses and ATP

Biosynthetic regulation of renal glomerular heparan sulfate-proteoglycans by various aldohexoses (mannose, glucose, and galactose) was investigated. Isolated kidneys were perfused for 5 hr with medium containing [35S]sulfate, to label sulfated proteoglycans, or [35S]methionine, to label total glomerular proteins. All the hexoses, above 10 mM concentration, caused a significant decrease in the de novo synthesis of [35S]sulfate-labeled proteoglycans. The relative effectiveness of the hexoses was as follows: mannose much greater than glucose greater than galactose. The proteoglycans were of relatively lower molecular weights and exhibited reduced charge-density characteristics. Autoradiographic studies revealed a 2- to 3-fold decrease of grain density over the glomerular basement membrane and mesangial compartments, and immunoprecipitable heparan sulfate-proteoglycans were similarly decreased 2- to 3-fold. There was no significant decrease in the total [35S]methionine-labeled glomerular proteins or immunoprecipitable type IV collagen and laminin. Cellular ATP levels were dramatically reduced in all groups, and the maximal depletion was caused by mannose. Addition of ATP (0.1-1.0 mM) to the perfusion medium resulted in the normalization of the de novo synthesis and of the biochemical characteristics of heparan sulfate-proteoglycans. The relevance of decreased de novo synthesis of proteoglycans due to the depletion of ATP in hyperglycemic states is discussed in terms of increased glomerular permeability to plasma proteins, as seen in diabetes mellitus.

[Changes in glomerular polyanions and ultrastructure induced by protamine in rats]

Perfusion of rat kidneys with polycation protamine, resulted in pathologic alterations of glomeruli very similar to those observed in minimal change nephrotic syndrome in human. In the experimental model, colloidal iron stained kidney tissue sections were analyzed quantitatively by image analyzer and stereology in combination with the observation of other glomerular ultrastructure. The mean thickness of foot processes and the foot processes making up the volume fraction of glomerular capillary were determined. The studies showed that there was a significant decrease in glomerular polyanions of kidneys perfused with protamine as compared with that of the control group (P < 0.01). The glomerular alterations included swelling and fusion of foot processes and narrowing or loss of filtration slits. Electron-dense particles formed by binding of protamine to polyanions were seen primarily in the lamina rara externa of glomerular basement membrane and also along the lamina rara interna and on the foot process surface, which showed the distribution feature of glomerular filter. These results suggest that the ultrastructure alterations of glomeruli may result from the neutralization of polyanions by perfusion with protamine.

Abscisic acid accumulation in leaves of two contrasting hybrid poplar clones affected by nitrogen fertilization plus cyclic flooding and soil drying

Cuttings of hybrid Populus clones Tristis and Eugenei growing in pots in a greenhouse were treated with nitrogen fertilizer at two rates and subjected to repeated soil flooding or drying. Periodically, gas exchange measurements and radioimmunoassays, to determine abscisic acid (ABA) concentrations, were made on recently mature leaves.In both clones, photosynthesis and stomatal conductance were depressed five days after flooding, but leaf ABA concentrations remained relatively constant. In contrast, an initial, 9-day period of soil drying resulted in substantial ABA accumulation in leaves, which closely correlated with declines in photosynthesis and conductance. A second soil drying cycle of up to 9 days was less effective in modifying gas exchange and leaf ABA concentrations. High-N supply stimulated leaf ABA production as the soil dried. On the resumption of watering, gas exchange in Tristis recovered fully and rapidly and leaf ABA concentrations quickly returned to control values, whereas gas exchange in Eugenei recovered slowly and leaf ABA concentrations remained high for longer.Gas exchange in Eugenei was unaffected by soil drying until leaf ABA concentrations exceeded 100 ng g(dw) (-1), whereas Tristis showed a reduction in stomatal conductance and photosynthesis at leaf ABA concentrations of only 10 ng g(dw) (-1). A rise in internal CO(2) concentrations was associated with increased leaf ABA concentrations in Tristis, but not in Eugenei. Clonal differences in the relationship between gas exchange and leaf ABA concentration suggest contrasting physiological strategies for survival under prolonged drying conditions.

cDNA cloning of a novel human ubiquitin carrier protein. An antigenic domain specifically recognized by endemic pemphigus foliaceus autoantibodies is encoded in a secondary reading frame of this human epidermal transcript

Autoantibodies from a patient suffering from endemic pemphigus foliaceus (EPF), a blistering skin disease, were used to screen a lambda gt11 human keratinocyte cDNA library. One immunoreactive cDNA clone (lambda EPF5) containing a 900-base pair insert was isolated and subjected to further analysis. Eight of 25 EPF sera were shown to react with the EPF5 fusion protein on immunoblots. The EPF5 cDNA insert hybridized with a 1.2-kilobase epidermal RNA transcript on a Northern blot. Sequence analysis revealed that lambda EPF5 contained the complete coding sequence for a 24-kDa polypeptide exhibiting significant sequence homology with a family of enzymes known as ubiquitin carrier proteins, or E2s, which are an essential component of the ubiquitin-protein conjugation system. The homology was particularly high in the core region containing the active site cysteine. The keratinocyte ubiquitin carrier protein expressed in bacteria, and isolated either intact or as a glutathione S-transferase fusion protein, exhibited the ability to form a thiol ester linkage with ubiquitin in a ubiquitin activating enzyme (E1)-dependent manner, a characteristic property of ubiquitin carrier proteins. The E2 enzyme encoded by clone EPF5 is the first member of this protein family to be cloned from an epidermal source. Interestingly, the EPF autoantibody-reactive epitope and the ubiquitin carrier protein were shown to be encoded in two different translational reading frames. The relevance of the cloned EPF epitope in the pathogenesis of this autoimmune disorder remains to be determined.

Selection of promoters for gene transfer into fish

A variety of gene constructs containing carp beta-actin regulatory sequences were tested for their ability to drive transient expression of the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene in 3 fish cell lines: carp epithelial cells (EPC), rainbow trout hepatoma cells (RTH149), and rainbow trout fibroblasts (RTG2). The constructs showed a wide variation in their levels of expression, and there were significant differences in the effects of transcriptional elements in the 3 cell lines. Sequences that enhanced expression in EPC cells were inhibitory in RTH149 and RTG2 cells. All cell lines exhibited the presence of nuclear trans-acting factors that could bind to implicated transcriptional control elements. On the basis of the cell culture results, selected constructs were examined for activity in early carp development. Constructs active in embryos and fry were further tested and found to express transgenes in adult fish.

Interneuronal interaction between members of quadrature phase and anti-phase pairs in the cat's visual cortex

Interactions between adjacent simple cells recorded simultaneously from the same microelectrode placement were studied by correlational analysis. The receptive fields of pairs of such cells exhibit either 90 degrees (quadrature phase) or 180 degrees (anti-phase) phase relationships. We now show that the majority of quadrature phase pair members do not receive common input from the immediately precedent stage along the visual pathway, nor do these cells interact with each other. The anti-phase pairs show relatively strong mutual inhibition. These results suggest that each of the physically adjacent phase-related simple cells receives excitatory input from a distinct group of pre-cortical cells, and that mutual inhibitions between members of anti-phase pairs are used to construct the inhibitory subzones of these cells. We propose a model which incorporates these new results and provides a parsimonious explanation for the construction of both quadrature phase and anti-phase pairs.

A study on optimum load for physical work

Five healthy men were chosen as experimental subjects and were divided into groups at random. The subjects walked with a load in a shoulder-waist-back manner on the treadmill at the speed of 5, 7 and 9 km h-1. The parameters measured were as follows: oxygen expenditure, energy consumption, heart rate and self appraisal. Based on the experimental results and analysis of multiple regression, the authors suggested that physical loading should not exceed 25 kg (i.e. roughly equal to 39% of average body weight of male Chinese), when the walking speed was at 5 km h-1. The suitable loading at physical work would be 20 kg (i.e. equal to 31% of the average body weight of male Chinese).

Mortality among workers in a thorium-processing plant--a second follow-up

A second follow-up of mortality was carried out for workers employed in a thorium-processing plant between 1915 and 1973. The study group comprised 3796 workers (3119 men and 677 women). Of the whole group, 926 (761 men and 165 women) were deceased and 2620 (2161 men and 459 women) were still alive, while 250 (6.6%) were lost to follow-up. For the male workers, the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for all causes of death was 1.12 with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of 1.05-1.21. The SMR for the male workers was also significantly increased for all cancers (SMR 1.23, 95% CI 1.04-1.43) and lung cancer (SMR 1.36, 95% CI 1.02-1.78). For the female workers, the SMR was 0.74 (95% CI 0.63-0.86) for all causes and 0.53 (95% CI 0.35-0.78) for all cancers. The results of a Poisson regression analysis showed that there was no significant effect of the selected factors on lung cancer mortality.

T cell recognition of self-human histocompatibility leukocyte antigens (HLA)-DR peptides in context of syngeneic HLA-DR molecules

It has been suggested that self major histocompatibility complex (MHC) peptides bound to self MHC molecules may be involved in the intrathymic induction of self tolerance. We studied the antigenicity of synthetic peptides derived from the first domain of DR beta 1*0101 chain in a DR beta 1*0101 responder. We found that a peptide corresponding to residues 21-42 of the beta chain could elicit the proliferation of autoreactive T cells. A T cell line (TCL-SUN) and 7 of 9 T cell clones (TCC) derived from TCL-SUN specifically recognized peptide 21-42 in the presence of APCs carrying the DR beta 1*0101 allele. DR beta 1*0101 positive APCs stimulated the TCCs in the absence of peptide, although the magnitude of the response was much lower than in cultures with peptide. This suggests that self DR1 molecules are continuously processed into peptides that are presented by the DR1 molecules on the surface of the cells. The data indicate that some T cells whose TCR binds to self MHC peptides presented by self MHC molecules are not deleted, although their ligand is continuously present. TCCs specific for peptide 21-42 presented in the context of DR1 were also stimulated by cells heterozygous for DR beta 1*0301 and 1601, indicating that some DR peptide-specific autoreactive T cells participate in alloreactivity.

[Chemical analysis of lipopolysac-charides derived from oral anacerobes]

Lipopolysaccharides were isolated from six oral anaerobes(Va.Bg.Bf.Fn.Aa.Co.)by the hot phenol-water procedure and purified by PCP method.The six species can be all extracted their LPS with different yields (from 0.70 to 2.83% of cell dried weight).Comparable of LPS with the enterobacteriaceae(Sm.),they were the constructed with hexosamine,fatty acids and phosphorus etc.On the other hand,they showed much distinct differences from the enterobacterial LPS structure as follow:(1) 2-keto-3-deoxy-D-mannooctonate(KDO) was not detected by routine procedure.(2)The amount of heptose is reltively lower.(3) Methylated and branched fatty acids were detected.These chemical characteristics may relate to biological activities and pathogenic potential of LPS and bacteria themselves.

Involvement of intrathalamic GABAB neurotransmission in the control of absence seizures in the rat

The role of intrathalamic GABAB neurotransmission in the control of absence seizures was investigated. In rats with genetic absence epilepsy, bilateral injections of R-baclofen (50, 100 and 200 ng/side), a selective GABAB receptor agonist, into the specific relay nuclei and the reticular nuclei of the thalamus increased spontaneous spike and wave discharges in a dose-dependent fashion, whereas injections of a GABAB antagonist CGP 35,348 (1, 2.5 and 5 micrograms/side) into the same sites decreased these seizures dose-dependently. The effect of R-baclofen (200 ng/side) on spike and wave discharges could be blocked by a subsequent injection of CGP 35,348 (1 microgram/side) at the same site. Injections of R-baclofen (200 ng) or CGP 35,348 (5 micrograms) into the midline thalamus had no effect on these seizures. In non-epileptic rats, bilateral injections of R-baclofen (1 microgram/side) into the specific relay nuclei induced synchronized rhythmic oscillations on the cortical electroencephalogram. The results suggest that GABAB receptors in the ventrolateral thalamus and in the reticular nuclei are involved in an oscillatory activity which underlies the rhythmic spike and wave discharges recorded during spontaneous generalized non-convulsive seizures.

A longitudinal study of lung function in jute processing workers

A 5-y follow-up study of pulmonary function was conducted in 1982 and in 1987 for 50 current and retired jute-processing workers who had been employed for more than 10 y in a jute mill in China. Control subjects, who had no history of dust or gas exposure, were selected from a paper-packing plant in the same city. Forced expiratory maneuvers were conducted in the same manner in both 1982 and 1987. The jute workers' pulmonary functions, i.e., forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1.0), and forced expiratory flow (FEF25-75%), were more compromised than were pulmonary functions in the controls for the same 5-y period; however, only the increased incidence of abnormal FEV1.0s in jute workers was statistically significant. Male jute workers had significantly higher annual decrements of FVC, FEV1.0, and FEF25-75% than did control workers. Regression analysis indicated that in 1987, predicted values of FEV1.0 and FEF25-75% for the jute workers were related to years of employment. Our results suggest that long-term exposure to jute dust could produce chronic loss of lung function.

Spontaneous transformation of rat ovarian surface epithelial cells: association with cytogenetic changes and implications of repeated ovulation in the etiology of ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND

Ovarian surface epithelial cells undergo several rounds of division to repair the wound created by follicular rupture at the time of ovulation. This cyclical requirement for cell division, when not interrupted by the long anovulatory rest periods that occur during pregnancy and lactation, may contribute to the development of ovarian cancer.

PURPOSE AND METHODS

To test this hypothesis, we isolated rat ovarian surface epithelial cells from 10 adult female Fisher rats, initiated two mixed-population and seven clonal cell lines, and repeatedly subcultured these cells in vitro for more than 20 passages. We then tested them for the acquisition of the following four features associated with transformation: 1) the loss of contact inhibition, 2) the capacity for substrate-independent growth, 3) the ability to form tumors when injected subcutaneously and/or intraperitoneally into athymic mice, and 4) cytogenetic abnormalities.

RESULTS

Loss of contact inhibition was observed in all nine late-passage cell lines. Six of the nine late-passage, but none of the early-passage, cell lines tested exhibited a capacity for substrate-independent growth that was augmented in a dose-dependent manner by epidermal growth factor. Two late-passage cell lines (clone 2 and mixed-population 2) generated tumors in athymic BALB/c mice within 3 weeks following subcutaneous injection of 5 x 10(6) cells, whereas similar numbers of early-passage cells from the same cell lines failed to generate palpable tumors. Late-passage clone 7 cells were tumorigenic when 5 x 10(7) cells were injected intraperitoneally. Two of the cell lines analyzed exhibited alterations involving losses of part or all of one member of the chromosome 5 pair. Clone 2 possessed an interstitial deletion, del(5)(q21.3q24), consistent with the loss of an uncloned putative tumor suppressor gene at 5q22q23 previously reported to reside near the loci for the interferon alpha, interferon beta, and c-jun genes. Early-passage clone 7 cells exhibited chromosome 5 monosomy, while late-passage cells contained one normal chromosome 5 and a derivative (5q12q). Southern analysis of the three cell lines revealed no consistent loss of loci for the interferon and c-jun genes, although early-passage clone 7 cells had one half the gene copy number for the interferon beta and c-jun genes and both early- and late-passage clone 7 cells lacked DNA sequences hybridizing with the probe for interferon alpha.

CONCLUSION

This pattern of passage-dependent spontaneous transformation of rat ovarian surface epithelial cells in vitro supports the hypothesis that repetitious ovulation contributes to the etiology of human ovarian cancer.

Adverse effects of alkali and acid on the anticoagulant potency of heparin, evaluated with methyl 2-deoxy-2-sulfamino-alpha-D-glucopyranoside 3-sulfate as a model compound

A variety of chemical modifications can induce a reduction in the anticoagulant activity of heparin. Among such modifications are the removal in alkaline solution of the 2-O-sulfonate group of alpha-L-idopyranosyluronic acid 2-sulfate residues (1) and, in a weakly acidic medium, of the N-sulfonate group of residues of 2-deoxy-2-sulfamino-alpha-D-glucopyranose 6-sulfate (2). This study examined the possibility that the losses in anticoagulant potency are related to a concomitant removal of the 3-O-sulfonate group of residues of 2-deoxy-2-sulfamino-alpha-D-glucopyranose 3,6-disulfate (6) in the AT-III binding site. It entailed a synthesis of methyl 2-deoxy-2-sulfamino-alpha-D-glucopyranoside 3-sulfate (7), as a model compound that was subjected to both the strongly alkaline and weakly acidic conditions appropriate for the modification of residues 1 and 2, respectively. The 3-sulfate group of 7 was found to be highly stable in both environments. This indicated that the adverse effects that these conditions have on the anticoagulant properties of heparin are not specifically associated with the 3-sulfate substituent of residues of 6 in the polymer.

Smoking and lung cancer in China: combined analysis of eight case-control studies

Smoking is well established as a principal risk factor for lung cancer. The risk of lung cancer is about ten times higher in smokers in Western countries. In China, a number of epidemiological studies have investigated the association between lung cancer and smoking and in the present paper, a combined analysis of eight such case-control studies is described. The summary odds ratio (OR), calculated by the Mantel-Haenszel method, and attributable risk (AR) of lung cancer associated with smoking were calculated from the combined data which were obtained from a literature review. The eight case-control studies were conducted in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenyang, Nanjing, Harbin, Zhengzhou, Taiyuan, and Nanchang, yielding a total of 4081 lung cancer cases and 4338 controls. The summary OR of lung cancer associated with smoking was 2.17 (95% CI (confidence interval): 1.98-2.39). The OR were 3.09 (95% CI: 2.61-3.66) for males and 2.30 (95% CI: 1.96-2.69) for females. The AR were 38.2% for both sexes, 56.7% for males and 25.5% for females. Risks of 1.00, 1.03, 2.04, and 3.33 showed a dose-response relationship between lung cancer and number of cigarettes smoked per day. There were also significant dose-response relationships of lung cancer with duration of smoking (OR = 1.00, 1.02, 2.66), and age at start of smoking (OR = 1.00, 3.30, 2.36, 1.18). The OR and AR of lung cancer associated with smoking in China were much lower than those reported in Western countries and the possible reasons for this are discussed.

[Cytomegalovirus-DNA in serum and renal tissue of patients with IgA nephropathy]

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) has been suspected to be involved in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy (IgAN). In this study, IgAN both with and without recurrent gross hematuria (GH), cases of MsPGN, MN were included, 10 cases in each group. Sera were obtained and analyzed for the presence of CMV-DNA with polymerase chain reaction. Renal biopsies of the 20 cases of IgAN were also analyzed for the presence of CMV-DNA with in situ hybridization. The positive rates of serum CMV-DNA were 7/10 in IgAN (GH), 2/10 in IgAN (non-GH), 1/10 in MsPGN and 1/10 in MN. It was much higher in IgAN (GH) than in the other groups. There was only 1 case which showed CMV-DNA in renal tissue in IgAN (GH) and IgAN (non-GH) respectively. The high frequency of CMV-DNA present in the serum but not in the renal tissue of IgAN implicated that there was a close association but not etiological relationship between them.

MHC class II binding of peptides derived from HLA-DR 1

The aim of these studies was to determine whether auto- and alloreactivity can arise from T cell recognition of MHC-peptides in context of syngeneic MHC. Four synthetic peptides derived from the first domain of the HLA-DR beta 1 * 0101 chain were used in limiting dilution analysis to prime T cells from HLA-DR1- and HLA-DR1+ responders. The frequency of T cells responding to these four peptides was similar in individuals with or without HLA-DR1. In both cases, the peptide corresponding to the nonpolymorphic sequence 43-62, was less immunogenic than peptides corresponding to the three hypervariable regions 1-20, 21-42, and 66-90, eliciting a lower number of reactive T cells. Experiments using a T cell line with specific reactivity to peptide 21-42 showed, however, that this response can be efficiently blocked by adding to the culture a nonpolymorphic sequence peptide. This suggests that alloreactivity can be blocked by use of monomorphic (self) peptides. The binding of both "monomorphic" and "polymorphic" synthetic DR1 peptides to affinity purified HLA-DR 1 and DR 11 molecules was measured using radiolabeled peptides and high performance size exclusion chromatography. The data showed that the polymorphic as well as monomorphic synthetic DR1 peptides bound to both DR1 and DR11 molecules. Competitive inhibition studies indicated that the monomorphic 43-62 peptide can block the binding of the polymorphic peptides, consistent with the results obtained in T cell cultures. Taken together these data suggest that anti-MHC autoreactive T cells are present in the periphery and that both auto and alloreactivity can be elicited by MHC peptides binding to MHC class II molecules.

[Effect of TRH on anti-restraint stress in rats]

Strong stress in response to restraint was observed in rats. In these rats, plasma ACTH increased significantly (P less than 0.001) while T3 and T4 decreased (P less than 0.05). After the rats were injected intraperitoneally with TRH, the plasma ACTH increase was obviously attenuated (P less than 0.001), while T3 INS and GLU increased (P less than 0.05) as compared with control rats. The results indicate that peripheral TRH participates in ACTH regulation during restraint stress.

MHC class II binding of peptides derived from HLA-DR 1

The aim of these studies was to determine whether auto- and alloreactivity can arise from T cell recognition of MHC-peptides in context of syngeneic MHC. Four synthetic peptides derived from the first domain of the HLA-DR beta 1 * 0101 chain were used in limiting dilution analysis to prime T cells from HLA-DR1- and HLA-DR1+ responders. The frequency of T cells responding to these four peptides was similar in individuals with or without HLA-DR1. In both cases, the peptide corresponding to the nonpolymorphic sequence 43-62, was less immunogenic than peptides corresponding to the three hypervariable regions 1-20, 21-42, and 66-90, eliciting a lower number of reactive T cells. Experiments using a T cell line with specific reactivity to peptide 21-42 showed, however, that this response can be efficiently blocked by adding to the culture a nonpolymorphic sequence peptide. This suggests that alloreactivity can be blocked by use of monomorphic (self) peptides. The binding of both "monomorphic" and "polymorphic" synthetic DR1 peptides to affinity purified HLA-DR 1 and DR 11 molecules was measured using radiolabeled peptides and high performance size exclusion chromatography. The data showed that the polymorphic as well as monomorphic synthetic DR1 peptides bound to both DR1 and DR11 molecules. Competitive inhibition studies indicated that the monomorphic 43-62 peptide can block the binding of the polymorphic peptides, consistent with the results obtained in T cell cultures. Taken together these data suggest that anti-MHC autoreactive T cells are present in the periphery and that both auto and alloreactivity can be elicited by MHC peptides binding to MHC class II molecules.

Use of computerized interactive morphometry in the diagnosis of mammary adenoma and adenocarcinoma in dogs

We attempted to define quantitative objective criteria for diagnosis of mammary adenoma and adenocarcinoma in dogs. To that end, correlation between diagnosis made by conventional histologic examination and morphometric descriptors, obtained by computerized histologic analysis, was assessed in biopsy specimens of mammary tissue from 63 dogs. We used 2 interactive computer procedures: one assessed mean nuclear perimeter, mean nuclear area, and circularity factor; and the other evaluated nuclear stratification and cell crowding. A data base was generated with 11 specimens from normal mammary tissue, 17 specimens from mammary adenoma, 18 specimens from low-grade mammary adenocarcinoma, and 15 specimens from mammary adenocarcinoma. The mean values of nuclear perimeter, nuclear area, nuclei per millimeter of basement membrane, and minimal distances from cells to basement membrane gradually increased from normal to high-grade malignancy. Distributions of nuclear areas and of minimal distances from cells to basement membrane were shifted in specimens from malignant tumors. Multivariate analysis confirmed the homogeneity of the diagnostic groups.

Prophylactic and therapeutic effects of acupuncture on simple obesity complicated by cardiovascular diseases

In order to understand the prophylactic-therapeutic effects of acupuncture and moxibustion in simple obesity complicated by cardiovascular diseases, we have observed in 102 cases the changes of pathogenetic and hazardous factors and the regulating function of vegetative nerves on cardiovascular activities. The results showed that the therapeutic effect of acupuncture and moxibustion was good with a total effective rate of 88.24%. At the same time, acupuncture and moxibustion were found to have a benign conversion effect on the loin hip ratio (the pathogenetic factor), the arteriosclerotic index (the hazardous factor), and the vegetative nerve function of regulating the heart and blood vessels (the equilibrium indices of the vegetative nervous system). All this suggests that acupuncture is a treatment of choice for obesity and an important method of preventing and treating complicating cardiovascular diseases.

Carbon monoxide does not inhibit glyceryl trinitrate biotransformation by or relaxation of aorta

Carbon monoxide (CO) was employed to assess the role of ferrous hemoproteins in the vasodilation and biotransformation of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) in rabbit aortic strips. These tissues were contracted submaximally with phenylephrine, exposed to CO for 5 min, and then incubated with 0.5 microM [1,3(14) C]GTN in the presence of CO for 2 min or 30 s. The [14C]GTN-induced relaxation of the strips was recorded, and [14C]GTN biotransformation to [14C]glyceryl dinitrate metabolites by the tissues was determined by thin-layer chromatographic-liquid scintillation spectrometric analysis. CO treatment inhibited neither GTN-induced relaxation nor GTN biotransformation to glycerol dinitrate metabolites. These results indicate that ferrous hemoproteins are probably not involved in the biotransformation of GTN that is associated with relaxation of the rabbit aortic strips.

T cell recognition of allopeptides in context of syngeneic MHC

We have analyzed the ability of T cells to recognize peptides corresponding in sequence to an allogeneic HLA-DR molecule, in context of syngeneic MHC. PBMC from a responder with the HLA-DR beta 1*1101/DR beta 1*1201 genotype were stimulated in vitro with a mixture of four synthetic peptides derived from the first domain of the DR beta 1*0101 chain (amino acid residue 1-20, 21-42, 43-62, and 66-90). An alloreactive T cell line, TCL-LS, which proliferates only in response to peptide 21-42 presented by HLA-DR beta 1*1101, was obtained. The blastogenic response of the line was inhibited by anti-HLA-DR and CD4 antibodies but was not affected by antibodies to HLA-DQ, HLA-DP, HLA-ABC, and CD8. In the presence of irradiated, autologous APC, TCL-LS displayed specific proliferative responses to stimulating cells obtained from individuals carrying the DR beta 1*0101 allele. In the absence of autologous APC, TCL-LS recognized HLA-DR1 on allogeneic cells only when expressed together with HLA-DR beta 1*1101, the restrictive element. This indicates that TCL-LS recognizes processed HLA-DR1 molecule presented as nominal Ag. Study of TCR-V beta gene repertoire expressed by TCL-LS showed that only two V beta genes were used (V beta 13.2 and V beta 12). Two T cell clones (TCC) derived from this line, TCC-A5 and B4, exhibited a similar pattern of reactivity and expressed V beta 13.2. These results indicate that T cells recognizing peptides, which are derived from the breakdown of allogeneic MHC class II proteins and are presented by self-HLA-DR molecules, participate in allorecognition.

T cell recognition of allopeptides in context of syngeneic MHC

We have analyzed the ability of T cells to recognize peptides corresponding in sequence to an allogeneic HLA-DR molecule, in context of syngeneic MHC. PBMC from a responder with the HLA-DR beta 1*1101/DR beta 1*1201 genotype were stimulated in vitro with a mixture of four synthetic peptides derived from the first domain of the DR beta 1*0101 chain (amino acid residue 1-20, 21-42, 43-62, and 66-90). An alloreactive T cell line, TCL-LS, which proliferates only in response to peptide 21-42 presented by HLA-DR beta 1*1101, was obtained. The blastogenic response of the line was inhibited by anti-HLA-DR and CD4 antibodies but was not affected by antibodies to HLA-DQ, HLA-DP, HLA-ABC, and CD8. In the presence of irradiated, autologous APC, TCL-LS displayed specific proliferative responses to stimulating cells obtained from individuals carrying the DR beta 1*0101 allele. In the absence of autologous APC, TCL-LS recognized HLA-DR1 on allogeneic cells only when expressed together with HLA-DR beta 1*1101, the restrictive element. This indicates that TCL-LS recognizes processed HLA-DR1 molecule presented as nominal Ag. Study of TCR-V beta gene repertoire expressed by TCL-LS showed that only two V beta genes were used (V beta 13.2 and V beta 12). Two T cell clones (TCC) derived from this line, TCC-A5 and B4, exhibited a similar pattern of reactivity and expressed V beta 13.2. These results indicate that T cells recognizing peptides, which are derived from the breakdown of allogeneic MHC class II proteins and are presented by self-HLA-DR molecules, participate in allorecognition.

[A systematic study on comprehensive utilization of fibers of radix Ophiopogonis]

The components, toxicology, bioactivity and application of fibers of Radix Ophiopogonis (RO) were studied. The components of its fibers and roots are similar. In a clinical study with 100 aged patients, the aging syndromes were markedly improved. No side-effect was found.

Long-stay older patients in acute hospitals: are they bed blockers?

This analysis of the use of acute hospitals by older people identifies the extent of long stays by elderly patients and the eventual outcomes of these stays in terms of separations to residential care or the community. The effect of casemix on length of stay and differences associated with location of hospital are also discussed. Less than 0.5% of all acute hospital inpatients are older people who could be considered nursing home type patients. These patients use some 9% of all acute bed days and, in most cases, these beds would otherwise be unoccupied. It is unlikely therefore that they are 'blocking' beds that could be used to relieve waiting lists.