Cytochrome P450 metabolites of arachidonic acid: rapid incorporation and hydration of 14,15-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid in arterial smooth muscle cells

Arachidonic acid is converted to epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) by cytochrome P450 monooxygenases. EETs produce arterial vasodilatation, and recent evidence suggests that they are endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factors. In porcine coronary arteries contracted with a thromboxane mimetic agent, we find that relaxation is rapidly initiated by exposure to 14,15-EET. The relaxation slowly increases in magnitude, resulting in a response which is sustained for more than 10 min. Cultured porcine aortic smooth muscle cells rapidly take up [3H]14,15-EET. After 3 min, radioactivity is present in neutral lipids, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylinositol. The cells also convert 14,15-EET to 14,15-dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acid (14,15-DHET), and some DHET is detected in the medium after only 1 min of incubation. Like 14,15-EET, 14,15-DHET produces relaxation of the contracted coronary artery rings. These findings suggest that the incorporation into phospholipids and conversion to 14,15-DHET can occur at a rate that is fast enough to modulate the vasorelaxation produced by 14,15-EET.

Cloning and sequence analysis ofAlcaligenes faecalis nifHDK gene cluster

Total DNA ofAlcaligenes faeculis was probed with both the nifH and nifHD sequences fromK. pneumoniae.One positive band of about 4. 6 kb was discovered. This nifH homologous fragment was cloned into the vector pBluescript SK(+) to construct the recombinant plasmid pBZ1. The inserted fragment in pBZl was analyzed by physical mapping and was further subcloned for sequencing. It was found that thisA. faecalis nifHDK homology possessed a typical Sigma(54)-dependent promoter region with upstream activator sequence (UAS) and A-T rich region. The nifH and nifD ORFs were 888 and 1 476 bp long respectively. The GC contents of these two genes were about 61.6% and 60.0%. The intergenic regions of nifH-nifD and nifn-nifK were 101 and 105 bp respectively. There were separate SD sequences upstream of all the three genes. The deduced amino acid sequences of the nifH gene product (the Feprotein) and the nifD gene product (the Mo-Fe-protein) were also highly homologous to other nitrogen-fixing bacteria, especially in those conserved motif. TheA. faeculis sequence has the highest similarity to that ofA. uinelandii.

7-spirobenzocyclohexyl derivatives of naltrexone, oxymorphone, and hydromorphone as selective opioid receptor ligands

On the basis of previous structure-activity studies of the highly potent and selective delta-opioid receptor antagonist naltrindole (1) and the spiroindanyl analogues 2 and 3, we have synthesized epimeric pairs of spirobenzocyclohexyl derivatives of naltrexone, oxymorphone, and hydromorphone (4-9). Pharmacologic evaluation in smooth muscle assays has revealed that the oxymorphone derivatives (6, 7) are delta-selective agonists and possess receptor binding profiles that are consistent with their agonist activity. It is proposed that the spirobenzocyclohexyl group of 6 and 7 orients its benzene moiety orthogonally with respect to the C ring of the opiate in a manner similar to that of the spiroindanyl analogue 3. It is suggested that this orthogonal orientation serves as an "address" to facilitate activation of delta receptors. The finding that the hydromorphone analogues (8, 9) were full mu agonists and exhibited only partial delta agonist activity suggests that the 14-hydroxyl group also contributes to the delta agonist activity. The naltrexone derivatives (4, 5) were mu-selective antagonists and exhibited relatively weak delta antagonist activity. However, the binding data indicated a very high-affinity delta-selective binding profile that was not consistent with the pharmacology. This study illustrates the differential contributions of the delta "address" to agonist and antagonist activity and supports the idea of different recognition sites for interaction of agonist and antagonist ligands with delta-opioid receptors.

Bronchial tuberculosis. Cytologic diagnosis of fiberoptic bronchoscopic brushings

OBJECTIVE

To determine the cytomorphologic features of bronchial tuberculosis on fiberoptic bronchoscopic brushings and its diagnostic value.

STUDY DESIGN

Seven hundred forty-six bronchoscopic examinations were retrospectively studied. The patients' macroscopic findings made by fiberoptic bronchoscopic examination, as well as brush cytologic and biopsy findings, were reviewed.

RESULTS

Of 746 bronchoscopic brushing specimens, 23 were diagnosed as endobronchial tuberculosis by cytomorphology; that accounted for about 3.1% of cases. The same or a similar diagnosis was made for both specimen types in 16 of the specimen pairs. Acid-fast stain showed that only one brushing was positive (4.3%); all the biopsy specimens were negative. Epithelioid cell granulomas and/or caseous necrosis were found in 23 cases of brush smears, while tuberculous granulomas accounted for 16 bronchial biopsies. Seven were nonspecific chronic bronchitis or normal bronchial mucosa.

CONCLUSION

The cytomorphologic alterations of tuberculosis are suitable for diagnosing bronchial tuberculosis on fiberoptic bronchoscopic brushings. Its sensitivity for defining bronchial tuberculosis is not lower than that of bronchial histologic biopsies or bacteriologic examination.

Synthetic-peptide-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for screening human serum or plasma for antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and type 2

A synthetic-peptide-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (EIA) capable of screening for antibodies to both human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and HIV-2 has been developed for use in blood banks and diagnostic laboratories. Microtiter wells are coated with two synthetic peptides, one corresponding to the highly conserved envelope region of HIV-1 and another corresponding to the conserved envelope region of HIV-2. Overall, sensitivity was 100% in 303 individuals diagnosed with AIDS and 96 individuals diagnosed with AIDS-related complex, 14.8% in a study of 500 high-risk group members, 99.9% in 600 EIA repeatedly reactive (RR)-HIV-1 Western blot (WB)-positive repository specimens, and 100% for 222 geographically diverse HIV-1 specimens and 216 confirmed HIV-2-positive specimens evaluated. The specificity was determined to be 99.72% for a total of 13,004 serum and plasma samples from random volunteer donors evaluated across five blood banks. Forty donors who were found to be EIA RR-WB indeterminate but nonreactive on the United Biomedical, Inc., test (UBI HIV 1/2 EIA) were prospectively followed as an additional measure of specificity. None of the 40 low-risk cases evolved into a positive WB pattern at follow-up. The sensitivity and specificity of this new assay are comparable to those of other Food and Drug Administration-licensed HIV-1 and HIV-1-HIV-2 assays that are currently available in the United States. The UBI HIV 1/2 EIA affords laboratories another choice in the detection of antibodies for HIV-1 and HIV-2 with a test based on an alternative antigen format.

Potentiation of endothelium-dependent relaxation by epoxyeicosatrienoic acids

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are potent endothelium-derived vasodilators formed from cytochrome P-450 metabolism of arachidonic acid. EETs and their diol products (DHETs) are also avidly taken up by endothelial cells and incorporated into phospholipids that participate in signal transduction. To investigate the possible functional significance of EET and DHET incorporation into cell lipids, we examined the capacity of EETs and DHETs to relax porcine coronary arterial rings and determined responses to bradykinin (which potently activates endothelial phospholipases) before and after incubating the rings with these eicosanoids. 14,15-EET and 11,12-EET (5 mumol/L) produced 75 +/- 9% and 52 +/- 4% relaxation, respectively, of U46619-contracted rings, whereas 8,9-EET and 5,6-EET did not produce significant relaxation. The corresponding DHET regioisomers produced comparable relaxation responses. Preincubation with 14,15-EET, 11,12-EET, 14,15-DHET, and 11,12-DHET augmented the magnitude and duration of bradykinin-induced relaxation, whereas endothelium-independent relaxations to aprikalim and sodium nitroprusside were not potentiated. Pretreatment with 2 mumol/L triacsin C (an inhibitor of acyl coenzyme A synthases) inhibited [3H]14,15-EET incorporation into endothelial phospholipids and blocked 11,12-EET- and 14,15-DHET-induced potentiation of relaxation to bradykinin. Exposure of [3H]14,15-EET-labeled endothelial cells to the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 (2 mumol/L) resulted in a 4-fold increased release of EET and DHET into the medium. We conclude that incorporation of EETs and DHETs into cell lipids results in potentiation of bradykinin-induced relaxation in porcine coronary arteries, providing the first evidence that incorporated EETs and DHETs are capable of modulating vascular function.

Effects of RU486 on estrogen, progesterone, oxytocin, and their receptors in the rat uterus during late gestation

Oxytocin (OT) and its receptor (OTR) are synthesized in the endometrium and myometrium of the pregnant rat during late gestation. Both are regulated by estrogen and progesterone (P4), and tissue concentrations of both increase markedly before parturition. The P4 antagonist RU486 will induce parturition in the rat. The purpose of the present studies was to investigate changes in OT and OTR messenger RNA (mRNA) and peptide synthesis within the pregnant rat uterus during RU486-induced parturition. Pregnant rats were given a single injection of RU486 (2.5 mg/rat in oil) on day 15 of pregnancy (normal delivery occurs on day 22). Control animals received injections of oil only. Groups of animals (n = 5 in each group) were euthanized at 0, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h after injection and during labor (immediately after delivery of the first pup). Maternal serum estradiol (E2), P4 and uterine OT, and PGE2 concentrations were measured by RIA. Prostaglandin F2alpha and estrogen receptor levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). OTR and P4 receptor (PR) were measured using radioligand-binding assays. OT, OTR, and estrogen receptor mRNAs were measured with ribonuclease protection assays. The average time to delivery, after RU486 injection, was 27.0 +/- 1.2 h. Serum E2 and P4 levels were increased slightly, but significantly, at 24 h after RU486. In controls, OT mRNA increased significantly, and this increase was blocked in the RU486 treatment group. OTR mRNA levels increased within 6 h of RU486 and remained elevated until delivery. OTR peptide was increased by 12 h. PGE2 and PGF2alpha were increased 3-fold and 16-fold, respectively, but not until after the increase in OTR had occurred. We conclude that the mechanism of action of RU486 is to inhibit the P4 suppression of OTR synthesis, allowing increased expression of OTR, which may directly stimulate myometrial contractions or act indirectly through increased synthesis of PGs.

Lysophosphatidylcholine stimulates activator protein 1 and the c-Jun N-terminal kinase activity

Lysophosphatidylcholine (lyso-PC), a natural lipid generated through the action of phospholipase A2 on membrane phosphatidylcholine, has been implicated in atherogenesis and the inflammatory process. In vitro studies have established a role for lyso-PC in modulation of gene expression and other cellular responses including differentiation and proliferation. There is also evidence that lyso-PC may act as an intracellular second messenger transducing signals elicited from membrane-associated receptors. The mechanisms behind the diverse activities of lyso-PC are poorly understood. We report, in this study, that treatment of cultured cells with exogenous lyso-PC, at nontoxic concentrations, potently induced activator protein-1 (AP-1) DNA binding and transcriptional activity independent of well known AP-1 activators, protein kinase C or mitogen-activated protein kinases ERK1 and ERK2. Lyso-PC also activated the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK/SAPK), a recently characterized member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase family, known to activate AP-1. The stimulated JNK and AP-1 activities probably mediate or contribute to some bioactive effects of lyso-PC.

Cross-cultural consensus in personality judgments

Building on recent research demonstrating consensus and accuracy in interpersonal perception based on minimal information, the present studies examined American and Chinese participants' within- and cross-cultural judgments. In Study 1, the authors used the zero-acquaintance paradigm in the People's Republic of China and found consensus on all personality dimensions. In Study 2, Chinese and American participants judged each other on the basis of photographs, and consensus was found among Americans' judgments of Chinese and Chinese participants' judgments of Americans. Further, by correlating target effects based on within-culture zero-acquaintance judgments and cross-cultural photographic judgments, the authors found agreement in the judgments of individuals by members of their own culture and the other culture for both Chinese and Americans.

Evolution of risk behaviors over 2 years among a cohort of urban African American adolescents

OBJECTIVE

To examine the evolution of risk behaviors over 2 years among a community-based cohort of low-income African American preadolescents and young adolescents enrolled in a randomized trial of an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome risk reduction intervention.

DESIGN

Longitudinal, community-based cohort.

SETTING

Nine recreation centers serving 3 public housing developments.

SUBJECTS

Three hundred eighty-three African American youths aged 9 through 15 years at baseline.

INTERVENTIONS

Frequency distributions, chi 2 analyses, and regression analyses regarding 10 risk behaviors were conducted. To assess whether a specific risk behavior or its protective (nonrisk) behavioral analogue, composing a risk-nonrisk behavioral complex (eg, was sexually active and was sexually abstinent or used drugs and refrained from drugs), was stable over time, kappa values were determined for the 10 risk-nonrisk behavioral complexes.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Instrument assessing risk/ behaviors administered at baseline and every 6 months aurally and visually via talking computer.

RESULTS

The prevalence of sexual intercourse, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and drug use increased notably over time. Drug use increased from a 6-month cumulative prevalence of 7% at baseline to 27% at the 24-month follow-up (P < .001). Cumulatively over the 2-year study interval, 81% of youths had engaged in fighting, 58% had engaged in sexual intercourse, and from 33% to 40% had engaged in truancy, knife or bat carrying or both, alcohol consumption, drug use, and cigarette smoking. All of the risk-nonrisk behavioral complexes except weapon carrying were stable during the semiannual assessment intervals. Fighting (kappa = 0.22, P < .01), sexual intercourse (kappa = 0.33, P < .001), alcohol consumption (kappa = 0.21, P < .001), and unprotected sexual intercourse (kappa = 0.34, P < .05) were stable for 2 years. Six risk-nonrisk behavioral complexes were stable for the 2-year interval among youths aged 13 through 15 years at baseline, while only 2 risk-nonrisk behavioral complexes were stable among younger youths. The intervention seemed to affect the stability of 4 risk behaviors: truancy, drug use, unprotected sexual intercourse, and, possibly, fighting. For unprotected sexual intercourse, this intervention effect seemed to be due to stabilization of nonparticipation in risky behavior. Intervention youths were less likely to adopt a risk behavior (ie, engage in it for > or = 2 risk assessment periods) than control youths, but they were not less likely to experiment with a risk behavior.

CONCLUSIONS

There is evidence that although the prevalence of risk behaviors does change with age, most risk-nonrisk behavioral complexes seem to be relatively stable over time and stability may increase with time. Risk reduction interventions seem to decrease risk adoption, stabilize nonrisk behaviors, and possibly destabilize risk behavior.

Oltipraz chemoprevention trial in Qidong, People's Republic of China: study design and clinical outcomes

In 1995, 234 adults from Qidong, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China, where hepatocellular carcinoma is the leading cause of cancer deaths and exposure to dietary aflatoxins is widespread, were enrolled and followed in a Phase II chemoprevention trial. The goals of the study were to define a dose and schedule of oltipraz for reducing levels of validated aflatoxin biomarkers and to characterize dose-limiting toxicities. Healthy eligible individuals, including those infected with hepatitis B virus, were randomized to receive either 125 mg of oltipraz daily, 500 mg of oltipraz weekly, or placebo. Blood and urine specimens were collected to monitor toxicities and evaluate biomarkers over the 8-week intervention period and subsequent 8-week follow-up period. Unique trial aspects included a synchronous follow-up schedule, daily observed administration of all medications, timely international data transference, and use of biomarkers as outcomes. One hundred thirty-two participants took their medications without interruptions, approximately 77% contributed all nine urine samples, and 78% contributed all seven blood samples. Fifty-one participants (21.8%) reported clinical adverse events. An extremity syndrome, developing soon after the start of treatment, was the only event that occurred more frequently (P = 0.002) among the active groups (18.4 and 14.1% of the daily 125 and weekly 500 mg arms, respectively) compared with placebo (2.5%). The oltipraz arms did not differ in symptom type or severity, and there were no indications of exacerbated drug intolerance among the few participants infected with hepatitis B virus. The good compliance with an intense follow-up schedule shows that chemoprevention trials with biomarker end points may be conducted in such populations.

[Indirect UV detection of short chain carboxylic acids in oil field water by high performance capillary zone electrophoresis]

Short chain carboxylic acids are the major aqueous organic species in oil field water. It is considered that they play an important role in the geochemical evolution of second porosity in oil reservoir. In this paper, short chain carboxylic acid anions were analyzed by HP(3D)CE high performance capillary electrophoresis system (Hewlett-Packard, Germany) with a buffer system of dinitrobenzoic acid-hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB). The influence of buffer pH and the concentrations of electrolyte, surfactant and methanol on the seperation of short chain carboxylic acids have been studied. The results showed that the best separation of short chain carboxylic acids could be done with the buffer of 10mmol/L dinitrobenzoic acid, 0.5mmol/L CTAB and 5% methanol at pH=9. Separations were performed in a 50cm x 50microm i.d. fused silica capillary (effective length 48.5cm) at 25 degrees C. A negative potential of 30kV was used for each experiment. Sample was introduced into the capillary by pressure at 50kPa for 10s. Indirect UV detection was operated at 254nm and reference wavelength at 380nm for all experiments. Negative peak was changed into positive one by exchanging between detection wavelength and reference wavelength. Capillary was rinsed for 10min with 0.1mol/L sodium hydroxide and buffer solution before each run. Oil field water was injected directly after filtered through 0.45microm membrane. The result was satisfactory.

Cross-cultural consensus in personality judgments

Building on recent research demonstrating consensus and accuracy in interpersonal perception based on minimal information, the present studies examined American and Chinese participants' within- and cross-cultural judgments. In Study 1, the authors used the zero-acquaintance paradigm in the People's Republic of China and found consensus on all personality dimensions. In Study 2, Chinese and American participants judged each other on the basis of photographs, and consensus was found among Americans' judgments of Chinese and Chinese participants' judgments of Americans. Further, by correlating target effects based on within-culture zero-acquaintance judgments and cross-cultural photographic judgments, the authors found agreement in the judgments of individuals by members of their own culture and the other culture for both Chinese and Americans.

[Clinical significance of galactose oxidase-Schiff reaction in the detection of carcinoma and precancerous lesions of large intestine]

OBJECTIVE

To study the clinical value of galactose oxidase-Schiff (GO-S) reaction to test carcinoma and precancerous lesions of large intestine.

METHODS

127 patients who had symptoms and signs of digestive tract diseases and 10 normal controls were studied, with their samples of rectum mucus smears stained. The histological sections of 73 cases of carcinoma and precancerous lesions of large intestine were stained with GO-S reaction.

RESULTS

The positive rates of GO-S reaction in carcinoma and precancerous lesions of large intestine were over 80%. The specificity and sensitivity of GO-S reaction to detect carcinoma and precancerous lesions of large intestine were 98% and 86%, respectively. The positive predictive value was 90%.

CONCLUSION

GO-S reaction, being satisfactory and sensitive marker of carcinoma and precancerous lesions of large intestine, can be used for screening and general survey of these lesions.

Differential responses of Aplysia siphon motor neurons and interneurons to tail and mantle stimuli: implications for behavioral response specificity

1. Tail shock and mantle shock elicit different forms of siphon responses in Aplysia (flaring and backward bending vs. constriction and forward bending, respectively). Moreover, training with these two unconditioned stimuli (USs) in US-alone or classical conditioning paradigms differentially modifies the direction of the response to a siphon tap subsequently presented. As a first step toward addressing neural mechanisms underlying this response specificity, we systematically mapped the central siphon withdrawal circuit to determine which motor neurons and interneurons are differentially engaged by, and potentially modified by, tail and mantle USs. We utilized semi-intact preparations consisting of the intact mantle organs (including the gill and siphon), the tail, and the abdominal and circumesophageal ganglia. USs were delivered either cutaneously through silver wires implanted in the tail and mantle or via suction electrodes to the tail and branchial nerves. 2. We found that one class of central siphon motor neurons, the LFSB cells, was preferentially activated by tail USs, whereas other siphon motor neurons, the LBs cells and RDs cells, were preferentially activated by mantle USs. These motor neurons thus appear to be the final common path for the differential siphon movements to these USs. In addition, because activation of these cells can elicit neuromuscular facilitation and thereby enhance siphon movements, this differential activation may contribute to behavioral response specificity by imposing a specific response bias. 3. L29 interneurons, which both mediate and modulate the siphon withdrawal response, responded preferentially and exhibited synaptic facilitation selectively in response to tail shock USs. In contrast, L34 and the interneuron II network did not show differential activation. Facilitation at L29-LFSB connections following training with tail shock may contribute to tail-directed siphon responses to siphon tap and may thus be an additional mechanism contributing to behavioral response specificity. Possibly, facilitation at other L29 connections could also enhance its modulatory capabilities. 4. The generation of specific response topographies thus appears to involve the coordinate regulation of diverse neuronal elements and multiple mechanisms, which may contribute to different aspects of learning.

Dithionite-supported hydroxylation of palmitic acid by cytochrome P450BM-3

The ability of dithionite, an inexpensive reducing agent routinely used to produce the ferrous-carbonyl form of P450, to support P450BM-3-catalyzed hydroxylation of palmitate was studied. The hydroxylation products in the presence of dithionite were 15, 14, and 13-hydroxyhexadecanoate, with relative distributions similar to those observed with NADPH. The hydroxylation reaction was carried out in two separate steps, anaerobic reduction and subsequent oxidation of P450BM-3 by oxygen bubbling. The reduction step was much slower than the oxidation step, thus limiting the overall rate of hydroxylation. Upon addition of dithionite, the reductase domain of P450BM-3 seemed to be reduced before significant reduction of the heme domain occurred. The discovery of new reducing agents for P450-catalyzed reaction raises the possibility of replacing NADPH in specialty chemical hydroxylation catalyzed by P450s, especially catalytically self-sufficient P450s, such as P450BM-3 or recombinant fusion proteins of P450 covalently linked to a reductase.

Polarization-independent all-fiber isolator based on asymmetric fiber tapers

Nonreciprocal intensity transmission in optical fibers can be realized by use of an asymmetric fiber taper. A few-mode fiber taper-based nonreciprocal component is designed, and its nonreciprocal transmission characteristics are demonstrated. This structure can be employed to build polarization-independent all-fiber isolators or fiber-optic sensors.

The rate and pattern of alcohol consumption among Chinese adolescents

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence and pattern of alcohol consumption and its relation to participation in other social activities and problem behaviors among adolescents residing in the People's Republic of China.

METHODS

Data were collected from a sample of 1,040 students in 6th, 8th, and 10th grades from five public schools in Beijing, China by using a self-administered questionnaire. Chi-square statistics and two-way ANOVA were used to assess the gender and grade difference in lifetime alcohol use of various alcoholic beverages. The age-adjusted and grade-adjusted odds ratio was used to assess the association between alcohol use and selected social activities and problem behaviors.

RESULTS

Approximately 70% of the study sample reported prior alcohol consumption. The rate of drinking among males was significantly higher than among females (78% vs. 61%, p < .00001), and the rates among both genders increased with advancing grade (54%, 72%, and 84%, respectively, p < .001). Beer was the most commonly consumed alcoholic beverage. The results also suggested a progression from beer to wine and/or liquor. Drinking behavior was positively associated with participation in unstructured social activities and other problem behaviors.

CONCLUSIONS

Alcohol use was prevalent among adolescents residing in China. The findings underscore the need for and importance of intervention efforts targeting alcohol consumption among early adolescents in China.

Functional implications of a newly characterized pathway of 11,12-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid metabolism in arterial smooth muscle

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are potent vasodilators derived from cytochrome P-450 metabolism of arachidonic acid. The rapid conversion of EETs to their corresponding dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (DHETs) has been proposed as a process whereby EETs are rendered biologically inactive. However, the vascular metabolism of EETs and the vasoactivities of EET metabolites have not been extensively studied. Accordingly, 11,12-EET metabolism was characterized in porcine aortic smooth muscle cells. The cells converted [3H]11,12-EET to 11,12-DHET and to a newly identified metabolite, 7,8-dihydroxy-hexadecadienoic acid (DHHD). 11,12-DHET accumulation in the medium reached a maximum in 2 to 4 hours and then declined, whereas 7,8-DHHD accumulation increased continuously and exceeded the amount of 11,12-DHET by 8 hours. [3H]11,12-EET conversion to radiolabeled 7,8-DHHD was reduced in the presence of unlabeled 11,12-DHET, indicating that 11,12-DHET is an intermediate in the conversion of 11,12-EET to 7,8-DHHD. This is consistent with a pathway whereby 11,12-EET is converted by an epoxide hydrolase to 11,12-DHET, which then undergoes two beta-oxidations to form 7,8-DHHD. In porcine coronary artery rings contracted with a thromboxane mimetic, 11,12-DHET produced relaxation similar in magnitude to that produced by 11,12-EET (77% versus 64% relaxation at 5 mumol/L, respectively). 7,8-DHHD also produced vasorelaxation. Thus, the vasoactivity of 11,12-EET is not eliminated by conversion to 11,12-DHET and 7,8-DHHD. These results suggest that 11,12-DHET and its metabolite, 7,8-DHHD, may contribute to the regulation of vascular tone in the porcine coronary artery and possibly other vascular tissues.

Interferometric model for phase analysis in fiber couplers

An interferometric model is proposed to estimate the phase differences in lossless, strongly coupled biconical fiber couplers. This approximate method is simpler than the traditional s-parameter network theory-based analysis technique and minimizes the number of unknowns. The phase difference between the transmitted and coupled light fields is directly related to the field interaction and can be estimated by employing the energy conservation and mode orthogonality principles. The maximum coupling coefficient and dependence of phase difference on coupling conditions can be analyzed for multiport single-mode fiber couplers.

Relationships among sex steroids, oxytocin, and their receptors in the rat uterus during late gestation and at parturition

Sex steroids and oxytocin (OT) produced within intrauterine tissues have been implicated in the regulation of parturition. The purpose of these studies was 1) to determine the relationships among estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4), OT, and their receptors in uterine tissues during late gestation and parturition in the rat; 2) to observe the effects of the estrogen antagonist tamoxifen (TAM) on these factors; and 3) to evaluate the rat as a potential model for events at human parturition. Concentrations of E2, P4, PGE2, and OT were measured by RIA. E2 receptor (ER) was measured by enzyme immunoassay, and P4 receptor (PR) and OT receptor (OTR) were measured by binding assays. OT messenger RNA (mRNA) was measured by ribonuclease protection assay. Groups (n = 5) of pregnant rats (normal gestation = 22 days) were treated with TAM (200 mg/day) or vehicle and killed on gestation day 19, 21, 21.5, or 22 or after delivery of the first pup. Serum E2 increased throughout late gestation accompanied by an increase in uterine OT mRNA and ER. Serum P4 declined after day 19, and uterine PR did not change significantly. Uterine PGE2 increased progressively, reaching peak levels the evening before delivery. Uterine OTR did not increase until the morning of delivery, and uterine OT peptide concentrations increased only during parturition. Parturition was significantly delayed by 24 h in the TAM-treated group. TAM inhibited the increase in serum E2, uterine ER, and OT mRNA and peptide, but had no effect on serum P4 or uterine PR levels. With TAM, the responses of uterine OTR and PGE2 were significantly delayed, but still underwent a significant increase before the delayed parturition. These results support the hypothesis that E2 stimulates the synthesis of ER, OT, and OTR within the rat uterus and is essential for normal parturition. P4 withdrawal may be more important to the increases in OTR and PGE2, but these are delayed in the absence of estrogen. These data also suggest that the rat may be a relevant model for human parturition.

Functional characterization of a recombinant sodium-dependent nucleoside transporter with selectivity for pyrimidine nucleosides (cNT1rat) by transient expression in cultured mammalian cells

We have demonstrated that monkey kidney (COS-1) cells have a single type of nucleoside transport process, which, because it was equilibrative, sodium-independent and could be inhibited by nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBMPR), was identified as the 'equilibrative sensitive' or 'es' transporter. Using NBMPR or dilazep to inhibit the endogenous nucleoside transport activity, we have transiently expressed a cDNA that encodes an inhibitor-insensitive, concentrative nucleoside transporter protein (cNT1rat) of rat intestine in COS-1 cells. The production of recombinant cNT1rat was examined by immunoblotting using an epitope-tagged construct and by analysis of inward fluxes of 3H-labelled nucleosides. Recombinant cNT1rat was sodium-dependent and selective for pyrimidine nucleosides, with approximately Km values of 21 microM, 12.5 microM and 15 microM for uridine, thymidine and adenosine, respectively. Although adenosine exhibited high affinity for the recombinant transporter, its Vmax value was low. A variety of anti-viral and anti-cancer nucleoside drugs inhibited cNT1rat-mediated uptake of uridine by transfected COS-1 cells although to different extents (Floxidine > Idoxuridine > Zidovudine > Zalcitabine > Cytarabine > Gemcitabine), suggesting that the concentrative pyrimidine-selective nucleoside transporters, of which cNT1rat is a representative, may play a role in cellular uptake of these drugs. The cNT1rat/COS-1 expression system is a useful tool for analysis of cNT1rat-mediated transport processes.

Arachidonic acid diols produced by cytochrome P-450 monooxygenases are incorporated into phospholipids of vascular endothelial cells

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are synthesized by cytochrome P-450 monooxygenases and released into the blood. When taken up by vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells, the EETs are primarily esterified to phospholipids or converted to dihydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (DHETs) and released. In the present studies, radiolabeled 8,9-, 11,12-, and 14,15-DHETs released into the medium from vascular smooth muscle cells were isolated and incubated for 4-16 h with cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells. The uptake ranged from 2 to 50% for the three regioisomers. Hydrolysis of the endothelial lipids and gas chromatographic-mass spectral analyses of the products indicated that all three DHET regioisomers were incorporated intact into phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol. Similar incubations with EETs confirmed that small amounts of DHETs were also esterified to endothelial phospholipids. These studies indicate that DHETs are incorporated into phospholipids either at the time of EET conversion to DHET or upon release and re-uptake of DHETs. Beside demonstrating for the first time that fatty acid diols are incorporated intact into endothelial lipids, these studies raise the possibility that both EETs and DHETs remain long enough in the vascular wall to produce chronic vasoactive effects.

The formation of constants of mercury(II)--glutathione complexes

The formation constants of the 1:1 and 1:2 complexes of Hg(II) with glutathione and their protonated species have been determined by using a competitive potentiometric titration with the competing ligand diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA). The formation constants of the 1:1 complex and its protonated species have not been reported previously. The formation constant of the 1:2 complex of Hg(II) and glutathione is substantially smaller than the accepted values that has been reported in the literature. These results have important implications in the models that have been employed to explain the mobilization and distribution of Hg(II) in biological systems.

Cigarette smoking among Chinese adolescents and its association with demographic characteristics, social activities, and problem behaviors

The rate and pattern of cigarette smoking were assessed using data collected in 1991 from 1,040 6th, 8th, and 10th grade youth in Beijing, People's Republic of China. One-fifth of the youth reported having ever smoked cigarettes. The rate of smoking appears to increase with advancing age and is associated with poorer academic performance and participation in unstructured activities and other problem behaviors. In contrast to data from European and United States youth, smoking is significantly more prevalent among males (29%) than among females (11%, p < .0001). The data underscore the need for smoking-prevention programs targeting Chinese early adolescents.

Fiber-optic distributed sensing by a two-loop Sagnac interferometer

A two-loop Sagnac interferometer is proposed for fiber-optic distributed sensing. The location of a disturbance can be determined from the two output phase signals of the two Sagnac loops, and the amplitude of the disturbance can be obtained by integration of the phase signal. A prototype distributed impact sensing system has been tested based on the two-loop Sagnac interferometer.

Comparison of rac- and meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acids for chelation of mercury and cadmium using chemical speciation models

The formation constants of various mercury and cadmium chelates of the stereoisomers of 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) have been determined from potentiometric titrations in the presence of the competing ligand EDTA. The mercury chelates formed at pH 7.4 are the monomeric HgL of the DMSA diastereoisomers and HHgL2 of rac-DMSA. Mercury is completely complexes at pH greater than 3.0 in solutions containing more than 1 equiv of either rac- or meso-DMSA. At high concentrations (10 microM and above) mercury tends to bind to a greater extent to rac- than to meso-DMSA. At pH 7.4, the predominant cadmium meso-DMSA chelate species in solution is CdL, and HCdL is present at a much smaller concentration. With rac-DMSA, however, the predominant cadmium chelate species is HCdL at a low concentration of the ligand, and at a high concentration of the ligand the species CdL2 predominates. Cadmium is completely chelated at pH 7.4 in solutions containing more than 1 equiv of either rac- or meso-DMSA. At pH around 5.5, which corresponds to the pH of the kidney, however, a significant amount of free cadmium is present in solutions containing 1 equiv or less of either DMSA stereoisomer. From the results of an analysis of speciation models, probable kidney damage, that may result from free cadmium ion release in the kidney during chelation therapy, is inferred when meso-DMSA is used for mobilizing cadmium. In contrast, the release of free cadmium ion is negligible in the pH range in the kidney when rac-DMSA is used. On the basis of the speciation models, rac-DMSA is found to be far superior to meso-DMSA in the treatment of acute cadmium poisoning.

Similarity of risk and protective behaviors among African-American pre- and early adolescent members of naturally occurring friendship groups

To determine whether self-reported risk and protective behaviors, expectations, and attitudes are more similar among African-American early adolescents within a community-based friendship group than across groups, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 382 African-American youth 9 through 15 years of age forming 76 community-based groups of 3 through 10 same-gender friends. Each member of the friendship group reported his/her own past involvement in nine risk behaviors (sexual intercourse, substance abuse, drug-trafficking, and other delinquent activities) and two protective behaviors (high academic performance and regular church attendance) and their expectations and feelings regarding several of these behaviors. Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated overall and by gender and age. Members were generally more similar within friendship groups than across groups with regard to several risk behaviors and expectations including sexual intercourse and drug-trafficking. Particularly striking was the similarity among members of "junior" friendship groups (e.g., median age of youth < 11 years) of both risk and protective behaviors and expectations. The finding of enhanced similarity of risk behaviors and expectations among members within groups suggests that intervention delivery through community-based friendship groups may be a useful approach for risk prevention efforts targeting pre-adolescent African-American youth living in low-income settings.

Polarization-independent all-fiber wavelength-division multiplexer based on a Sagnac interferometer

An all-fiber wavelength-division multiplexer (WDM) based on the nonreciprocity of the birefringence to the polarization states is proposed. The transfer function of a Sagnac interferometer is wavelength dependent if the loop birefringence of the interferometer consists of both circular and linear parts. Theoretical analysis shows that the output characteristics of this WDM are similar to those of a fiber taper-based device. Both the bandwidth and the peak wavelength of the new WDM can be tuned by changing the loop birefringence. Experimental prototypes exhibit a channel isolation greater than 25 dB with peak passband insertion loss of less than 1 dB.

An improved method for determination of acid dissociation constants of peptides

PURPOSE

The method described here enables the proton dissociation constants of several amino acid residues of a peptide to be determined simultaneously in aqueous solution without prior knowledge of the exact concentration of the peptide.

METHODS

The method used here employs a non-linear fitting program, the BEST program, or a linear least-squares method in combination with the BEST program. These methods are discussed in detail with an emphasis on the quality of the potentiometric titration data that are obtained. Two representative peptides, one with two proton dissociation constants (Ka1, Ka2) and the other with four proton dissociation constants (Ka1-Ka4) were used to illustrate the advantages and the limitations of these two complementary methods.

RESULTS

The pKa values of TVL, a schizophrenia-related tripeptide, were found to be 3.62 (+/- 0.02) and 7.17 (+/- 0.05); the pKa values of ELTLQE, a hexapeptide, were found to be 2.32, 3.77, 4.58 and 7.74.

CONCLUSIONS

The methods reported here are generally applicable to a variety of peptides. The possibility of integrating these procedures into a preparative chromatographic system for the "on-line" assessment of the pKa values of peptides during the purification stage is an attractive and novel feature of this method.

Generation and reactions of the disulphide radical anion derived from metallothionein: a pulse radiolytic study

OH-radicals were generated by pulse radiolysis of aqueous solutions of rabbit (Zn,Cd)-metallothionein (MT). They react with MT mainly by forming a thiyl radical with a rate constant of 1.7 x 10(12) dm3 mol-1 s-1. The thiyl radical reacts rapidly but reversibly with a thiolate function to form RSSR.-: RS + RS- reversible RSSR.-. The kinetics of the formation and decay of this radical anion have been studied pulse radiolytically by monitoring the evolution of the optical absorption of RSSR.- at 450 nm. This process is mostly intermolecular, i.e. bimolecular in MT. In the absence of O2, RSSR.- decays bimolecularly: RSSR.(-)+RS.-->RSSR + RS-. In the presence of O2, RS. may be scavenged by O2 and thus the yield of RSSR.- decreases: RS.+O2 reversible RSOO.. Under these conditions RSSR.- decays by first-order kinetics: RSSR.(-)+O2-->RSSR + O2.-. The rate constants of these reactions have been determined at room temperature: k4 = 1.8 x 10(9) dm3 mol-1 s-1, k5 = 7 x 10(4) s-1, k10 = 9.2 x 10(8) dm3 mol-1 s-1, and k18 about 3 x 10(7) dm3 mol-1 s-1. From the dependence of the maximal absorbance at 450 nm on the thiolate concentration in the absence of oxygen, epsilon (RSSR.-) = 9 x 10(3) dm3 mol-1 cm-1 and the stability constant (K4/5) of 2.3 x 10(4) dm3 ml-1 was determined. K4/5 is in good agreement with that determined kinetically, k4/k5 = 2.6 x 10(4) dm3 mol-1. The stability constant K15/16 of the thiylperoxyl radical, RSOO., was determined to be 5.5 x 10(3) dm3 mol-1.

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acid metabolism in arterial smooth muscle cells

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are eicosanoids synthesized from arachidonic acid by the cytochrome P450 eposygenase pathway. The present studies demonstrate that 8,9-, 11,12-, and 14,15-EET are rapidly taken up by porcine aortic smooth muscle cells. About half of the uptake is incorporated into phospholipids, and saponification indicates that most of this remains in the form of EET. The EETs also are converted to the corresponding dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (DHETs) and during prolonged incubations, additional metabolites that do not retain the EET carboxyl group are formed. Most of these products are released into the medium. However, some DHET and metabolites less polar than EET are incorporated into the phospholipids, and a small amount of unesterified EET is also present in the cells. The incorporation of 14,15-EET and its conversion to DHET did not approach saturation until the concentration exceeded 10-20 microM, indicating that vascular smooth muscle has a large capacity to utilize this EET. These findings suggest that certain vasoactive effects of EETs may be due to their incorporation by smooth muscle cells. Furthermore, through conversion to DHET and other oxidized metabolites, smooth muscle apparently has the capacity to inactivate EETs that are either formed in or penetrate into the vascular wall.

Stereoisomeric selectivity of 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acids in chelation therapy for lead poisoning

The formation constants of lead chelates of the stereoisomers of 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) were determined from potentiometric titrations in the presence of the competing ligand, EDTA. The lead chelates formed at pH 7.4 with the stereoisomers of DMSA are the monomeric complexes PbL and HPbL. Formation of PbL and HPbL at pH 7.4 is independent of total concentrations of lead and DMSA present, and so is the concentration ratio of PbL:HPbL. Lead is completely chelated at pH 7.4 when the total concentration of ligand is equal to or greater than the total concentration of lead present. Lead tends to bind to a greater extent with rac- than with meso-DMSA, and the relative extent increases with an increase in the concentration ratio of ligand to lead and finally reaches a constant value of 45. The binding sites in the chelates, PbL, of the stereoisomers of DMSA are the two thiolate groups and one carboxylate group. rac-DMSA also forms a dimeric complex Pb2L2 in which both carboxylate groups of the ligands participate in binding with lead ions. The formation constants of the lead chelates of rac-DMSA were invariably found to be larger than those of the corresponding of meso-DMSA chelates, because in all the lead chelates of the stereoisomers of DMSA formed in solution, rac-DMSA existed in staggered anti conformations, whereas meso-DMSA preferred a staggered gauche conformation with respect to carboxylate groups in the ligands. The potential of using ZnL2 of rac-DMSA as a therapeutical lead chelator was assessed by considering its lead-mobilizing ability and its ability to deplete endogenous zinc; on this basis it is predicted that ZnL2 of rac-DMSA is a better chelator than meso-DMSA for the treatment of lead poisoning.

[Chemical constituents in the leaves of Mangifera persiciformis C.Y. Wu et Y.L. Ming]

Eleven crystalline constituents have been isolated from the leaves of Mangifera persiciformis, of which five were identified as taraxerol, friedelin, beta-sitosterol, mangiferin and quercetin by comparing their physicochemical and spectroscopic data. They were isolated from this plant for the first time.

[Clinical characteristics of hepatic tuberculosis]

The clinical characteristics of hepatic tuberculosis in 52 cases diagnosed pathologically were analyzed. Fever, abdominal pain and hepatomegaly were the major clinical manifestations; they were present in 96.2%, 42.3% and 88.5% of the patients respectively. The fever had no consistent pattern and the abdominal pain was usually localized to the right hypochondrium and not related to overwork. Hypergrammaglobulinaemia, elevated alkaline phosphatase level and increased ESR were noted in most of the patients (76.9%, 75.0%, 76.5% respectively). 62.5% of the 52 patients was diagnosed by percutaneous liver biopsy. Since there is no consistent clinical pattern in patients with hepatic tuberculosis, the diagnosis should be considered in patients with unexplained fever associated especially with hepatomegaly or hepatosplenomegaly, elevated alkaline phosphatase level, hypergrammaglobulinaemia and increased ESR, Liver biopsy is the most valuable method to confirm the diagnosis of hepatic tuberculosis.

Conformations of zinc chelates of meso- and rac-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid in aqueous solution

rac-2,3-Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) was found to be superior to meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinc acid in mobilizing in vivo heavy metals such as Cd, Hg, and Pb. The disadvantage of using rac-DMSA alone as a clinical antidote for heavy metal poisoning is that it causes a greater loss of endogenous zinc than its meso isomer. The difference between the two diastereoisomers of DMSA in the excretion of endogenous zinc has been rationalized on the basis of the differences in the conformations of their zinc complexes. The zinc complexes of rac-DMSA in aqueous solution are more stable than the corresponding complexes of its meso isomer because the rac-DMSA ligands always adopt staggered anti conformations, in which the electrostatic repulsion between two bulky carboxylate groups is minimized; in contrast, unlike in the crystal lattice, meso-DMSA ligands always adopt staggered gauche conformations in their zinc complexes. The conformations of various monomeric and dimeric zinc complexes with rac- and meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid in aqueous solution were determined by IR spectroscopy and proton NMR spectroscopy as a function of zinc:ligand ratio, by proton NMR spectroscopy as a function of pD, and by variable-temperature 13C NMR spectroscopy. rac-DMSA in ZnL2(6-) coordinates with zinc ion via two thiolate groups and one carboxylate group, whereas in Zn2L2(4-) each ligand complexes two zinc ions by using one carboxylate group and one thiolate group in the beta-position to bind to the same zinc ion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A comparative study of meso- and rac-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acids and their zinc complexes in aqueous solution

The conformations of meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (meso-DMSA) in aqueous solution have been postulated from proton NMR titrations. The complexes formed with zinc(II) and the ligands rac-DMSA and meso-DMSA have been postulated from potentiometric titrations of solutions containing varying ratios of zinc:ligand. The complex formation behavior of rac-DMSA with zinc(II) is dramatically different from that of meso-DMSA. These differences are reflected in the complex formation constants of the zinc(II) species and their distributions in solution as a function of zinc:ligand ratios and as a function of pH. On the basis of these results we have predicted that rac-DMSA is more effective than meso-DMSA in mobilizing lead in vivo and that the 1:2 zinc complex of rac-DMSA can be used effectively for the treatment of heavy metal poisoning because endogenous zinc will not be depleted by this chelation treatment.

The region encompassing the procyclic acidic repetitive protein (PARP) gene promoter plays a role in plasmid DNA replication in Trypanosoma brucei

We have previously reported the construction and characterization of an autonomously replicating plasmid in Trypanosoma brucei. In this plasmid the procyclic acidic repetitive protein (PARP) gene promoter drives the transcription of a selectable marker. Deletion of this promoter incapacitates the plasmid, suggesting its utilization as a promoter-trap. Three independent libraries were created by inserting variously digested T.brucei genomic DNA into this promoterless construct. Transfection of these libraries into procyclic T.brucei and the subsequent isolation of episomes led only to the reisolation of the PARP promoter. Additionally, a ribosomal RNA promoter failed to keep the construct as an episome, although it can sustain mRNA transcription in T.brucei and was shown to be an efficient promoter in this construct. Finally, by using a transient replication assay involving the methylation-sensitive restriction endonuclease DpnI to distinguish between input and replicated DNA, we showed that the PARP promoter-bearing construct could replicate autonomously in procyclic T.brucei, but the corresponding construct with the rRNA promoter could not. The close association between elements that sustain transcription and DNA replication in T.brucei mirrors results observed in several higher eukaryotes and their viruses and suggests an ancient origin of this feature.

Purity control of different bee venom melittin preparations by capillary zone electrophoresis

A rapid capillary zone electrophoresis method was developed for the determination of melittin during its purification from bee venom by column chromatography. Low-pH buffer was selected to decrease the adsorption of the analytes on capillary wall. The average relative standard deviations of the migration time of melittin and of the peak area were 1.2 and 2.3%, respectively.

Preformulation studies with melanotan-II: a potential skin cancer chemopreventive peptide

Melanotan-II (1) is a cyclic heptapeptide analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) which tans the skin and is currently being evaluated for the prevention of sunlight-induced skin cancers. The dissociation constants of 1 were determined using potentiometric titration and ultraviolet spectrophotometry. The pKa1 (histidine) and pKa2 (arginine) were estimated to be 6.54 and 11.72, respectively. The apparent partition coefficient (PC) was measured at three pH values using both n-octanol and isooctane as the nonpolar phase. The PC(octanol) and delta log PC at pH 7.35 were 2.82 and 1.05, respectively. These data, together with the observance of a bioavailability of 4.6% in the rat, indicate that 1 may be a suitable candidate for oral delivery. The data presented here are useful in developing an appropriate dosage form for 1.

Radiolysis of metallothionein in deaerated and oxygen-saturated solutions

Gamma radiolysis of metallothionein (MT) in phosphate-buffered solutions at pH 8.0 leads to the formation of intra- and intermolecular disulfide bridges as well as the release of chelated metal ions. When MT solutions deaerated with N2 or saturated with N2O were irradiated, G values for RS- loss as determined by Ellman's reagent were 4.2 and 7.0, respectively, whereas those for dimerization were only 0.32 and 0.67. A short chain reaction existed in the decrease in RS- when radiolysis was performed in O2-saturated solutions. The rate constants for reactions of MTs with OH radical and H2O2 were measured to be about 10(12) and 100 M-1 s-1, respectively. A mechanism for the radiolysis of MT-1 is proposed.

High-efficiency gene transfer and high-level expression of wild-type p53 in human lung cancer cells mediated by recombinant adenovirus

A replication-defective and helper-independent recombinant p53 adenovirus was generated. The virus, Ad5CMV-p53, carries an expression cassette that contains human cytomegalovirus E1 promoter, human wild-type p53 cDNA, and SV40 early polyadenylation signal. Four human non-small-cell lung cancer cell lines representing differences in p53 configuration were used to evaluate the Ad5CMV-p53 virus. In the H358 cell line, which has a homozygous deletion of p53, the p53 gene was transferred with 97% to 100% efficiency, as detected by immunohistochemical analysis, when the cells were infected with Ad5CMV-p53 at a multiplicity of infection of 30 to 50 plaque-forming units/cell. Western blots showed that the p53 protein was expressed at a high level. The protein expression peaked at day 3 after infection and lasted for at least 15 days. Growth of the Ad5CMV-p53 virus-infected H358 cells was inhibited 79%, whereas that of noninfected cells or the cells infected with the control virus was not inhibited. Growth of cell line H322, which has a point mutation in p53, was inhibited 72% by Ad5CMV-p53, while that of cell line H460 containing wild-type p53 was less affected (28% inhibition). Tests in nude mice demonstrated that tumorigenicity of the Ad5CMV-p53-treated H358 cells was greatly inhibited. In a mouse model of orthotopic human lung cancer, the tumorigenic H226Br cells, with a point mutation in p53, were inoculated intratracheally 3 days before the virus treatment. Intratracheal instillation of Ad5CMV-p53 prevented tumor formation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Synthesis, structure, and properties of rac-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid, a potentially useful chelating agent for toxic metals

rac-2,3-Dimercaptosuccinic acid (rac-DMSA) may be a more effective antidote for the treatment of heavy metal poisoning than meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (meso-DMSA), which is used at present. A comparative study of these two chelating agents has been undertaken in order to investigate this possibility. The structures of rac-DMSA and the precursor in its synthesis, rac-2,3-bis(acetylthio)succinic acid, have been determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis and compared with the structures of the corresponding meso compounds. The concentration distributions of the various ionic and molecular species of rac-DMSA that are present in aqueous solutions in the pH range 1.8-12.8 have been calculated from the four acid dissociation constants that have been determined potentiometrically at an ionic strength of 0.10. The conformations of these species in aqueous solutions have been determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy as a function of pH. The rac-DMSA exists in the crystal lattice as a double-stranded structure in which each molecule is in a gauche configuration. The meso-DMSA, however, exists in a single strand in which each molecule has adopted an anti configuration and the individual molecules are joined together at each end by hydrogen bonds. These differences in the conformations of rac- and meso-DMSA may account for the significant difference in the solubilities of the two compounds in aqueous solutions. In acidic solutions at elevated temperatures of about 95 degrees C, rac-DMSA is slowly but irreversibly converted to meso-DMSA. This conversion does not occur at ambient temperatures.

Generation and identification of recombinant adenovirus by liposome-mediated transfection and PCR analysis

A simplified method for generating recombinant adenovirus was developed by using liposome-mediated co-transfection and by directly observing for the cytopathic effect caused by recombinant adenovirus in transfected 293 cells. This approach avoided difficulties associated with calcium-phosphate precipitation and agarose overlays for plaque assays. The ease of generating recombinant adenovirus was considerably improved. Analysis by PCR of DNA samples from the supernatant of the cell cultures with the cytopathic effect was also developed, which made identification of any newly generated recombinant virus rapid and specific.

Molecular approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer

We have used autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) as a setting to develop the genetic therapy of cancer in hematopoietic neoplasms based on the use of the bone marrow as a conduit through which to introduce regulatory molecules into the patient. This has involved three developmental phases: 1) learning how to develop genetic modification techniques; 2) learning how to develop in vivo selection techniques for the genetically modified cells; and 3) developing molecular vectors for modification of hematopoietic cells for therapy of cancer. These programs will be summarized in terms of their progress at the conference.

A family of erythrocyte binding proteins of malaria parasites

Malaria erythrocyte binding proteins use the Duffy blood group antigen (Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium knowlesi) and sialic acid (Plasmodium falciparum) on the erythrocyte surface as receptors. We had previously cloned the one P. vivax gene, the one P. falciparum gene, and part of one of the three P. knowlesi genes encoding these erythrocyte binding proteins and described the homology between the P. knowlesi and P. vivax genes. We have completed the cloning and sequencing of the three P. knowlesi genes and identified introns in the P. vivax and P. falciparum genes that correct the previously published deduced amino acid sequences. All have similar structures, with one or two exons encoding the signal sequence and the erythrocyte binding domain, an exon encoding the transmembrane domain, and two exons encoding the cytoplasmic domain with the exception of the P. knowlesi beta gene. The regions of amino acid sequence homology among all the genes are the 5' and 3' cysteine-rich regions of the erythrocyte binding domain. On the basis of gene structure and amino acid homology, we propose that the Duffy binding proteins and the sialic acid binding protein are members of a gene family. The level of conservation (approximately 70%) of the deduced amino acid sequences in the 5' cysteine-rich region between the P. vivax protein and the three P. knowlesi proteins is as great as between the three P. knowlesi proteins themselves; the P. knowlesi beta protein just 3' to this cysteine-rich region is homologous to the P. vivax protein but not to the other P. knowlesi proteins. Conservation of amino acid sequences among these organisms, separated in evolution, may indicate the regions where the adhesin function resides.