[Study on the health of cotton mill workers]

A group of 110 workers in a cotton mill was investigated by questionnaire, skin testing, and the measurement of airway responsiveness through forced expiratory volume for one second(FEV1) by spirometry. The workers were examined before starting work, 10 weeks and one year after exposure. Decreases in FEV1 over shifts were small at 10 weeks and one year, and were slightly higher among people with positive skin reactions to cotton dust extracts. Airway responsiveness, defined as the average decrease in FEV1 after 1.25 mg methacholin, was increased at 10 weeks. It remained about the same after one year, except in the workers with positive skin test. Subjective symptoms of chest tightness and cough with phlegm increased progressively at 10 weeks and one year. Nasal irritation remained unchanged and dry cough decreased in one year. The results suggest that the airway inflammation caused by cotton dust increases with the exposure time and that the changes are more notable in workers with reactivity to cotton dust extract.

[Degradation of phytic acid in rapeseed meal by two strains of molds]

By using selective media, two strains of molds which are able to degrade phytic acid were isolated from soil samples. These molds are able to use inositol as the sole carbon and energy sources for growth. In broth cultures, the degradation rates of phytic acid by these molds were 74.4% and 95.0%, respectively. However, in solid-state fermentation which used rapeseed meal as a raw material, the degradation rate was about 40%. Several metal ions tested were able to enhance the degradation rate of phytic acid. Factors such as temperature, pH and moisture content which affect the growth of molds were also explored. These two strains of molds were initially identified as Paecilomyces sp. and Penicillium sp.. They do not produce any detectable amount of aflatoxins.

Study of three hypervariable DNA loci (D1S7; D7S22 and D12S11) in three European populations

To investigate the population genetic characteristics and genetic affinity, DNA profiles of three highly polymorphic VNTR (variable number of tandem repeats) loci (D1S7; D7S22 and D12S11) were studied in 405 individuals from three major European populations (English, Spanish and Basques). Like other studies on VNTRs, a large significant heterozygote deficiency was observed in all three populations. This decrease was ascribed to the limitation, coalescence and non-detectibility of alleles associated with the RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) technique, through which the VNTR loci are genotyped. When the non-detectable alleles were taken into consideration, analyses of fragment sizes at these loci within each sample, as well as their fixed binned analyses, reveal that the assumptions of independence of allelelic occurrences within and between loci are valid for this European data. By comparing genetic variation at three VNTR loci with 17 blood groups, proteins and HLA loci in three well defined European populations, it is shown that the pattern of differentiation at these sets of loci are in general parallel especially for the hypervariable loci HLA and VNTR. Fixed-bin allele frequencies, therefore, are the best descriptions of such a database both for population genetic and forensic calculation studies. The Basques, with regard to VNTR loci, do not show any reduced genetic variability compared to other two European populations (English and Spanish).

Serotonin-sensitive leakage channel in Drosophila central neurons

This article reports the analysis of a novel serotonin (5-HT)-sensitive leak channel. The 5-HT responses were recorded in acutely dissociated Drosophila adult and larval central nervous system (CNS) neurons by the patch-clamp method, in an attempt to establish a model preparation suitable for the genetic study of signal transduction underlying central neurotransmission. Focal perfusion or iontophoresis of 5-HT onto some patched neurons induced either an apparent inward or outward current. This apparent outward current is able to cause a strong hyperpolarization of the neuron. This article focuses on the predominant hyperpolarizing response, which is observed in a significant fraction of larger CNS neurons and in different developmental stages. The hyperpolarizing response is in fact mediated by inhibiting an inward leak current, which has a reversal potential around 0 mV. This 5-HT-sensitive leak current appears to be mediated mainly by one type of newly identified leak channel with a similar reversal potential of 0 mV and a conductance of 24 pS. In addition, it was also demonstrated that neurotransmitter-induced responses in both larval and adult Drosophila CNS neurons can be analyzed in this acutely dissociated preparation.

[A prospective study on respiratory symptoms and functions in new employees exposed to cotton dust]

Sixty new employees in a cotton textile mill were followed up for five years to study their occurrence of byssinosis and its natural history. Results showed that the workers complained more cough, expectoration and other respiratory irritation symptoms at their early exposure to cotton dust, and the frequency of chest tightness in them reached the peak one year after exposure and remained at higher level later. Stratified analysis showed that all the respiratory symptoms did not correlate with their smoking habits, specific body constitution, etc. Forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1) after shift declined with length of exposure and appeared a tendency to exacerbate gradually, especially in workers with a positive skin test of cotton antigen. Smoking had no influence on it. It suggests that exposure to cotton dust and idiosyncracy of the workers play important roles in damage to lung function.

Analysis of allele distribution for six short tandem repeat loci in the French Canadian population of Québec

Short tandem repeat (STR) loci represent a rich source of highly polymorphic markers in the human genome which are useful for the purposes of forensic identification and determination of biological relatedness of individuals. Here, as a part of an ongoing extensive study, we report the analysis of a multilocus genotype survey of 642 to 870 chromosomes in the French Canadian Caucasian population of Québec at six STR loci. The loci HUMCSF1PO, HUMTPOX, HUMTH01, HUMF13A01, HUMFESFPS, and HUMvWA were typed using two multiplex polymerase chain reactions (PCR). Amplified DNA samples were subsequently analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by silver staining. The heterozygote frequencies of the loci range from 0.614 to 0.820 (0.661 to 0.818 expected) and the number of alleles from 7 to 12 per locus. Although statistically significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg expectations of genotype frequencies was noted at some loci by one or more tests, in general, the genotype frequencies are well estimated from the product of allele frequencies at all loci. The most frequent six-locus genotype is expected to occur in the French Canadian population with a frequency of 3.50 by 10(-5) and together, these six loci have an average probability of discrimination of 0.9999985. The study presented here indicates that these six STR loci are informative genetic markers for identity testing purposes in the French Canadian Caucasian population of Québec.

Interactions between loreclezole, chlormethiazole and pentobarbitone at GABA(A) receptors: functional and binding studies

1. Interactions were investigated between loreclezole, chlormethiazole and pentobarbitone as potentiators of depolarization responses mediated by gamma-aminobutyric acid(A) (GABA(A)) receptors on afferent nerve terminals in the rat cuneate nucleus in vitro. These drugs were also compared as modulators of [3H]-flunitrazepam (FNZ) binding to synaptic membranes prepared from rat whole brain homogenate. 2. In rat cuneate nucleus slices, the drugs shifted muscimol log dose response lines to the left in an approximately parallel fashion with the result that 200 microM chlormethiazole potentiated muscimol responses by 0.567 +/- 0.037 log unit (mean +/- s.e.mean, n = 4) while loreclezole gave a maximal potentiation at 10 microM of only 0.121 +/- 0.037 (n=6) log unit and 0.071 +/- 0.039 (n=22) at 50 microM. 3. While 50 microM chlormethiazole and 30 microM pentobarbitone showed no significant interactions between each other when potentiating muscimol responses in combination, 50 microM loreclezole in combination with either chlormethiazole or pentobarbitone attenuated their potentiating effects, possibly by inducing desensitization of GABA(A) receptors. 4. In the [3H]-FNZ binding studies on well-washed membranes, loreclezole enhanced binding to a maximum of 47.3 +/- 2.83% of control (mean +/- s.e.mean, n = 3) at 300 microM. Scatchard analysis revealed no change in Bmax but a decrease in K(D) for [3H]-FNZ from 3.9 +/- 0.29 nM to 2.7 +/- 0.10 nM (mean +/- s.e.mean, n=4) in the presence of 100 microM loreclezole. In contrast, 100 microM chlormethiazole caused no potentiation. A small component of the enhancement by loreclezole could be blocked by 100 microM bicuculline and could also be blocked by 100 microM chlormethiazole. It seems likely that the effects on [3H]-FNZ binding are due predominantly to direct actions of the drugs on the GABA(A) receptor and are separate from the GABA-potentiating effects. 5. The results indicate distinctly different profiles of action for loreclezole, chlormethiazole and pentobarbitone on GABA(A) receptors.

Requirement of Drosophila NF1 for activation of adenylyl cyclase by PACAP38-like neuropeptides

The human neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) tumor suppressor protein functions as a Ras-specific guanosine triphosphatase-activating protein, but the identity of Ras- mediated pathways modulated by NF1 remains unknown. A study of Drosophila NF1 mutants revealed that NF1 is essential for the cellular response to the neuropeptide PACAP38 (pituitary adenylyl cyclase-activating polypeptide) at the neuromuscular junction. The peptide induced a 100-fold enhancement of potassium currents by activating the Ras-Raf and adenylyl cyclase-adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) pathways. This response was eliminated in NF1 mutants. NF1 appears to regulate the rutabaga-encoded adenylyl cyclase rather than the Ras-Raf pathway. Moreover, the NF1 defect was rescued by the exposure of cells to pharmacological treatment that increased concentrations of cAMP.

Rescue of a Drosophila NF1 mutant phenotype by protein kinase A

The neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) tumor suppressor protein is thought to restrict cell proliferation by functioning as a Ras-specific guanosine triphosphatase-activating protein. However, Drosophila homozygous for null mutations of an NF1 homolog showed no obvious signs of perturbed Ras1-mediated signaling. Loss of NF1 resulted in a reduction in size of larvae, pupae, and adults. This size defect was not modified by manipulating Ras1 signaling but was restored by expression of activated adenosine 3', 5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase (PKA). Thus, NF1 and PKA appear to interact in a pathway that controls the overall growth of Drosophila.

A general method for tree-comparison based on subtree similarity and its use in a taxonomic database

A number of metrics for comparing the branching structure of trees have been used as important tools in the quantitative analysis of evolutionary trees. Less attention has been paid to developing a general comparison methodology for different leaf-labeled N-trees such as classification trees and various types of dendrograms. In this paper a method for measuring overall similarity based on subtree similarity is proposed. Association coefficients can be used to measure the similarity between each pair of subtrees in two trees, and an algorithm called the 'webbing matrix method' is outlined in order to calculate the overall similarity in this method. In addition, the use of this method for tree searching and tree comparison in a taxonomic database is introduced.

Cancer incidence among Icelandic pesticide users

BACKGROUND

This study was done to examine the cancer risk among pesticide users in Iceland.

METHODS

We have followed a cohort of 2449 licensed pesticide users, students from a horticultural college, members of a pension fund for market gardeners, horticulturists and vegetable farmers up until the end of 1993 in the Icelandic Cancer Registry of cancer incidence. The observed number of cancers was compared with expected values calculated on the basis of cancer incidence for males and females in Iceland.

RESULTS

The standardized incidence ratio (SIR) for all cancer sites was 0.80. Among females the increased incidence for cancer of lymphatic and haematopoietic tissue was significant (SIR = 5.56, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12-16.23). The incidence of rectal cancer was three times that expected (SIR = 2.94, 95% CI: 1.07-6.40), and this cancer was even more predominant among the licensed pesticides users (SIR = 4.63, 95% CI: 1.49-10.80). All cancers of the rectum were adenocarcinoma, however, one was adenocarcinoma in villous adenoma and one adenocarcinoma in tubulo-villous adenoma.

CONCLUSION

The results provide some support for the suggestion that pesticide exposure may lead to cancer of the lymphatic and haematopoietic tissue in females. We suggest that some of the pesticides to which the licensed pesticide users were exposed may lead to rectal cancer.

Enhanced paracellular barrier function of rat mesothelial cells partially protects against cancer cell penetration

To study pathophysiological roles of mesothelial barrier functions in protection against cancer cell invasion, we isolated mesothelial cells from the rat abdominal cavity and then cultured them with 10(-6)M all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) for 10 days. Mesothelial barrier function assessed by measuring transcellular electrical resistance (TER) and the expression of 7H6 tight junction-associated antigen at the cell border were induced by the treatment (10.01 +/- 0.8 vs 6.05 +/- 0.7 omega cm2, without RA; mean +/- s.e.m., n = 10). Then we quantified the attachment and penetration of rat mammary cancer cells (SST-2 cells) into the mesothelial cell monolayer by prelabelling of the cancer cells with fluorescent dye and by observing optical sections at different heights using a laser confocal scanning microscope. When SST-2 cells were overlaid onto the mesothelial cell monolayer treated with RA, the number of cancer cells found at the basal level of the monolayer was significantly reduced. These results showed that enhanced mesothelial barrier function at least partially prevents the penetration of cancer cells into mesothelial cells and suggested that 7H6 antigen serves as a reliable immunocytochemical marker for monitoring mesothelial barrier function.

Estimation of mutation rates from parentage exclusion data: applications to STR and VNTR loci

Nonpaternity is a common source of bias in estimating mutation rates when they are obtained from family data showing discordance of parental and children's genotypes. With the availability of hypervariable DNA markers, this source of bias can be largely eliminated. However, the proportion of cases where parentage exclusion is caused by presumed mutation(s) of parental alleles must be adjusted to obtain a valid mutation rate estimate. The present work derives the basis of this adjustment factor, called the proportional bias. This proportional bias depends upon the allele frequency distribution at the locus. The maximum and minimum bounds of the proportional bias depend on the number of alleles at the locus. Using data from Caucasian populations at tandem repeat loci commonly used for parentage testing and forensic identification purposes, we show that when mutation rates are estimated at these loci, the proportional bias is generally very close to the maximum possible value for the observed number of alleles (or binned fragment sizes) at each locus. The expected proportional bias decreases with increasing mutation rate at a locus. For the short tandem repeat loci, without bias correction, the direct count method can result in an underestimation of up to 60% of their true value. In contrast, for the minisatellite VNTR loci, even with crude measurements on allele sizes, we show that the absolute proportional bias is generally below the coefficient of variation of the direct estimates.

Artificial neural network to assist psychiatric diagnosis

BACKGROUND

Artificial Neural Network (ANN), as a potential powerful classifier, was explored to assist psychiatric diagnosis of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI).

METHOD

Both Back-Propagation (BP) and Kohonen networks were developed to fit psychiatric diagnosis and programmed (using 60 cases) to classify neurosis, schizophrenia and normal people. The programmed networks were cross-tested using another 222 cases. All subjects were randomly selected from two mental hospitals in Beijing.

RESULTS

Compared to ICD-10 diagnosis by psychiatrists, the overall kappa of BP network was 0.94 and that of Kohonen was 0.88 (both P < 0.01). In classifying patients who were difficult to diagnose, the kappa of BP was 0.69 (P < 0.01). ANN-assisted CIDI was compared with expert system assisted CIDI (kappa = 0.72-0.76); ANN was more powerful than a traditional expert system.

CONCLUSION

ANN might be used to improve psychiatric diagnosis.

[Preparation of galactosyl-cytochrome C and studies on its hepatic targeting property]

This paper reports the preparation of the coupling compound between thiogalactose and cytochrome C(Cyt-C). The binding tests of this compound to asialoglycoprotein receptor have also been carried out in vivo. The results show that the pharmacokinetics of this compound is in accordance with the basic characteristic of receptor induced binding. The highest uptake of liver reaches to 32.9% and at the same time the conjugate remains 78.6% the biological activity of Cyt-C. It is possibly a hepatic targeting drug or a hepatic targeting carrier.

Distribution and evolution of CTG repeats at the myotonin protein kinase gene in human populations

We have analyzed the CTG repeat length and the neighboring Alu insertion/deletion (+/-) polymorphism in DNA samples from 16 ethnically and geographically diverse human populations to understand the evolutionary dynamics of the myotonic dystrophy-associated CTG repeat. Our results show that the CTG repeat length is variable in human populations. Although the (CTG)5 repeat is the most common allele in the majority of populations, this allele is absent among Costa Ricans and New Guinea highlanders. We have detected a (CTG)4 repeat allele, the smallest CTG known allele, in an American Samoan individual. (CTG) > or = 19 alleles are the most frequent in Europeans followed by the populations of Asian origin and are absent or rare in Africans. To understand the evolution of CTG repeats, we have used haplotype data from the CTG repeat and Alu(+/-) locus. Our results are consistent with previous studies, which show that among individuals of Caucasian and Japanese origin, the association of the Alu(+) allele with CTG repeats of 5 and > or = 19 is complete, whereas the Alu(-) allele is associated with (CTG)11-16 repeats. However, these associations are not exclusive in non-Caucasian populations. Most significantly, we have detected the (CTG)5 repeat allele on an Alu(-) background in several populations including Native Africans. As no (CTG)5 repeat allele on an Alu(-) background was observed thus far, it was proposed that the Alu(-) allele arose on a (CTG)11-13 background. Our data now suggest that the most parsimonious evolutionary model is (1) (CTG)5-Alu(+) is the ancestral haplotype; (2) (CTG)5-Alu(-) arose from a (CTG)5-Alu(+) chromosome later in evolution; and (3) expansion of CTG alleles occurred from (CTG)5 alleles on both Alu(+) and Alu(-) backgrounds.

Localization of 7H6 tight junction-associated antigen along the cell border of vascular endothelial cells correlates with paracellular barrier function against ions, large molecules, and cancer cells

To study the regulation of the endothelial barrier, we examined the relationship between the paracellular barrier function and the expression of 7H6 antigen localized at tight junctions of endothelial cells by using transendothelial electrical resistance (TER), fluxes of albumin and dextran, transmigration of rat mammary cancer (SST-2) cells across rat lung endothelial (RLE) cells, and immunocytochemical expression of 7H6 antigen as parameters. RLE cells cultured at a confluent cell density did not express immunohistochemically demonstrable 7H6 antigen and had low paracellular barrier functions. However, treatment of the endothelial cells with 0.5 mM dibutyryl-cAMP or 10(-6) M all-trans-retinoic acid for 4 days induced 7H6 antigen preferentially at the cell border and simultaneously enhanced the barrier function twofold, in terms of TER and fluxes of albumin and dextran. Furthermore, RA-treated RLE cell monolayers with the enhanced barrier function significantly inhibited the transmigration of SST-2 cells. These results together with those of our previous study indicate that 7H6 antigen has a crucial role in the regulation of paracellular barrier function not only in epithelial cells but also in vascular endothelial cells. The present study also suggests that tight junctions of vascular endothelium in vivo function as a barrier between blood and tissues against metastatic cancer cells.

Pharmacological characterisation of multiple components in the enhancement by pregnanolone and propofol of [3H]flunitrazepam binding to GABAA receptors

The enhancement by pregnanolone (5 beta-pregnan-3 alpha-ol-20-one) and propofol (2,6-diisopropylphenol) of [3H]flunitrazepam (FNZ) binding to GABAA receptors in rat whole brain homogenate has been investigated. Two components in the concentration-effect relationship for pregnanolone were distinguished by the sensitivity of one component to antagonism by bicuculline and enhancement by muscimol, and the selective but weak antagonism of the bicuculline-insensitive component by 11-ketoprogesterone (4-pregnen-3,11,20-trione). Unlike pregnanolone, the enhancement by propofol of [3H]FNZ binding appeared to comprise a single component which was insensitive to 11-ketoprogesterone and was only slightly antagonised by bicuculline and slightly enhanced by muscimol. These results provide evidence for distinct GABA-dependent and GABA-independent components of the action of pregnanolone in the enhancement of [3H]FNZ binding, with the GABA-independent component being sensitive to 11-ketoprogesterone. The data also support the suggestion of different binding sites for pregnanolone and propofol.

A comparative study of genetic variation at five VNTR loci in three ethnic groups of Houston, Texas

Following the technique of Southern blot restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) analysis, we generated a database of DNA profiles at five Variable Number of Tandem Repeats loci (D1S7, D2S44, D4S139, D10S28, and D17S79) for 669 individuals of three major ethnic populations (Caucasians, Blacks, and Hispanics) of Houston, Texas. Analysis of fragment sizes at these loci within each sample, as well as their fixed-bin analyses, reveal that the assumptions of independence of allelic occurrences within and between loci are valid for this database. Fixed-bin allele frequency tables, therefore, are the best descriptors of this database for conservative forensic calculations. Finally, we demonstrate that this regional database from Houston, Texas, does not yield any meaningfully different forensic inference than the one obtained from the National database of the respective ethnic groups.

Altered nerve terminal arborization and synaptic transmission in Drosophila mutants of cell adhesion molecule fasciclin I

This work investigates the role of cell adhesion molecules in development of synaptic connections and functions through a genetic approach. Fasciclin I (Fas I) is an insect glycoprotein capable of mediating homophilic cell adhesion. It has been shown that Fas I is expressed in motor nerve axons and terminals that innervate larval body-wall muscles in Drosophila. Immunohistochemical analysis of these motor nerve terminals has revealed that nerve terminal arborization, quantified by the numbers of the nerve terminal branches and varicosities, is enhanced in the null mutant fas ITE. In contrast, the number of branches and varicosities are reduced in larvae that overexpress the Fas I molecule resulting from additional copies of the fas I transgene in P(fas I+) or the chromosome duplication in Dp(fas I) mutants. Although arborization is altered, the overall stereotypical pattern of nerve terminal innervation of the body-wall muscle fibers is preserved in all the Fas I mutants examined. The voltage-clamp analysis of excitatory junctional currents (ejcs) at the neuromuscular junction indicates that the amplitude of ejcs is reduced in fas ITE, but increased in P(fas I+) and Dp(fas I) compared to that in wild-type larvae. Further electrophysiological analysis shows that the quantal content and the evoked frequency-dependent response are affected in these mutants, indicating a defective presynaptic function in addition to the anatomic abnormality. Therefore, the cell adhesion molecule Fas I may not be essential for target recognition and synaptogenesis at the larval neuromuscular junction, but may play a role in fine-turning nerve terminal arborization and possibly in modifying, directly or indirectly, development of presynaptic functions.

Development of the blood-retinal barrier in vitro: formation of tight junctions as revealed by occludin and ZO-1 correlates with the barrier function of chick retinal pigment epithelial cells

To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the blood-retinal barrier (BRB), we examined chick retinal tissues histochemically using antibodies against tight junction proteins such as ZO-1, 7H6 antigen, and occludin. Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells in situ in chickens and late chick embryos expressed all of the tight junctional proteins examined, showing that tight junctions seal the cell borders of chick RPE cells in vivo. On the other hand, RPE cells isolated from late chick embryos and transferred in vitro did not express occludin, ZO-1 and 7H6 antigen. The effects of differentiation-inducing agents, such as retinoic acid, dexamethasone and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) were tested. Only DMSO induced an increase in transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) in a time-dependent manner. Under supplementation with DMSO, immunofluorescently demonstrable occludin and ZO-1 were induced progressively at cell borders in parallel with the increase in TER that occurred with decreases in inulin and dextran permeability. Electron microscopically tight junction-like junctional apparatus were induced in RPE cells. These results indicated that tight junctions of RPE cells play an important role in the formation of the BRB.

Mediation of PACAP-like neuropeptide transmission by coactivation of Ras/Raf and cAMP signal transduction pathways in Drosophila

Much work on the signal transduction mechanisms underlying neurotransmission has been directed towards studying the roles of the cyclic AMP and phosphoinositide pathways. Upon ligand binding, the transmitter receptors interact with heterotrimeric G proteins, allowing G alpha and G beta gamma subunits to disengage. The free G alpha then modulates the activity of adenylyl cyclase and phospholipase C. It has been suggested that the G beta gamma complex which is activated through muscarinic or neuropeptide receptors can stimulate mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) via activation of the small guanine-nucleotide-binding protein Ras. Sequential activation of the intermediates in the Ras/Raf serine-threonine protein kinase/MAPK kinase/MAPK/transcription factor pathway has emerged as a central mechanism for controlling cell proliferation and differentiation in yeast, worms, fruitflies and mammals. Here we show, by analysis of Drosophila mutants, that synaptic current and modulation of K+ current, triggered by a pituitary adenylyl cyclase-activating polypeptide-like neuropeptide, are mediated by coactivation of the Ras/Raf and Rutabaga-adenylyl cyclase pathways. Thus the Ras/Raf pathway also appears to be essential for G-protein-coupled neurotransmission.

A new data model for biological classification

In the domain of biological classification, classifications are performed hierarchically. There are no standard classifications which are unanimously accepted by the community of each domain; many different interacting views of classification exist about the same data, and the discovery of new data results in changes to the existing classification. Even a single individual may change his or her own classification of a particular group. Since multiple classification views interact, they are semantically related. It is difficult to model this kind of dynamically evolving and semantically interacting classification system using traditional data models, which lack the structural flexibility necessary to support dynamic views of hierarchic classifications, and cannot properly capture the history of these complex interactions. We have developed a new data model which is suitable for supporting semantically interacting dynamic views of hierarchic biological classifications. On the basis of our new data model we have developed a prototype database system called HICLAS (HIerarchical CLAssification System); its domain is plant taxonomy. HICLAS is available through the Internet and an X-window interface has been implemented to support queries to classification data.

[Evaluation of accuracy of measuring intraocular pressure by handheld non-contact applanation tonometer]

PURPOSE

To evaluate the accuracy of measuring intraocular pressure by handheld non-contact applanation tonometer.

METHOD

58 patients' (113 eyes) intraocular pressure were measured by Keeler, non-contact tonometer and R 900 Goldmann applanation tonometer and the results of measurement of intraocular pressure by the two kinds of tonometers were compared.

RESULT

The mean intraocular pressure measured by non-contact is 16.31 +/- 5.59 mmHg and 17.49 +/- 6.13 mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.1333 kPa) by Goldmann applanation tonometer, respectively. There was no statistical significance to be found (P > 0.05) between the two methods. By linear correlation and regression analysis, a positive correlation was found between the two methods (r = 0.8942, b = 0.8154).

CONCLUSION

The handheld non-contact tonometer has the same accuracy and reliability of measurement of intraocular pressure comparing with Goldmann applanation tonometer, and it can be used in glaucoma clinic and screening.

[Apolipoprotein (a) phenotypes of patients with myocardial infarction]

We studied apolipoprotein (a) (apo(a)) phenotypes of 69 myocardial infarction survivors and 56 stroke patients, and compared them with those of 190 healthy Chinese. The distribution of apo(a) phenotype frequency in cardio-cerebrovascular disease patients was different from those of controls. The frequency of the phenotypes B, S1 and S2 in patients was remarkably higher than that in controls within the same single-band apo(a) phenotype. Moreover, the Lp(a) serum concentrations in CCVD patients were significantly higher than those in controls within the same single-band apo(a) phenotype.

A novel synaptic transmission mediated by a PACAP-like neuropeptide in Drosophila

Neuropeptide-mediated transmission was analyzed at Drosophila larval body-wall neuromuscular junctions. Focal application of vertebrate pituitary adenylyl cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP38) to the neuromuscular junction region triggered two temporally distinct muscle responses: an immediate depolarization followed by a large enhancement of K+ current. This late enhancement occurred many minutes after the early depolarization. High frequency stimulation of motor nerve fibers evoked a postsynaptic response mimicking that induced by PACAP38. This evoked response was desensitized by preincubation of the preparation with PACAP38. PACAP38-like immunoreactivity was also found in the Drosophila CNS and at almost all larval neuromuscular junctions. Moreover, an immunoreactive band that compares well with PACAP38 in size was identified in Western blot. These results demonstrate that a PACAP-like peptide may function in invertebrates and that a neuropeptide can evoke two distinct postsynaptic responses, each separated by up to 15 min. In addition, this initial electrophysiological study provides a basis for genetic analysis of neuropeptide function in Drosophila.

Characterization of K+ currents and the cAMP-dependent modulation in cultured Drosophila mushroom body neurons identified by lacZ expression

Electrophysiological analysis of cultured neurons provides a potential approach toward understanding the physiological defects that may contribute to abnormal behavior exhibited by mutants of the fruit fly Drosophila. However, its application has been restricted by an inability to identify a particular functional or anatomical subpopulation of neurons from the CNS. To study neurons composing the CNS mushroom body proposed as a center for insect olfactory learning, we utilized a Drosophila enhancer detector line that expresses a lacZ reporter gene in these neurons and identified them in acutely dissociated larval CNS cultures by vital fluorescent staining. The patch-clamp analysis suggests that whole-cell voltage-activated K+ currents can be classified into two types in identified mushroom body neurons. Type 1 current comprises a TEA-sensitive slowly inactivating current and noninactivating component while type 2 current contains a 4-AP-sensitive transient A-current and a noninactivating component. Application of cAMP analogs induced distinct modulation of type 1 and type 2 currents. Our results demonstrate that the expression of the lacZ gene and the subsequent staining do not significantly alter the different types of K+ currents. This initial characterization provides a basis for further analysis of mutations that impair learning and memory resulting from an abnormal cAMP cascade preferentially expressed in the mushroom body.

Photodegradation of TCDD in soil containing organic solvents

Studies were conducted to understand 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) behaviour in the near surface zone in relation to the operating conditions: UV-intensity, temperature and exposure modes. Comparisons have been made between Oriel lamp exposure tests and sunlight exposure tests. Under Oriel lamp exposure, the convective transport of TCDD, which depends on operating temperature, was the limiting factor in the cleanup process. The product differences between Oriel exposure tests and sunlight exposure tests probably result from the difference of UV-intensities.

Sequential changes in intercellular junctions between hepatocytes during the course of acute liver injury and restoration after thioacetamide treatment

Sequential changes of gap junctions (GJs), tight junctions (TJs) and desmosomes (DSs) between hepatocytes during restorative proliferation were studied in rats after a single intraperitoneal administration of 200 mg/kg thioacetamide (TAA). Antibody against connexin 32 was used to demonstrate GJs; simultaneously the changes in TJs and DSs were studied using antibodies against 7H6 protein and desmoplakins. Propidium iodide and bromodeoxyuridine were used to recognize necrotic and proliferative cells. GJs were evenly distributed in early necrotic hepatocytes at 16 h after TAA treatment, then disappeared from necrotic and surrounding cells at 24 h. At 48 h, GJs had disappeared completely from hepatocytes in whole liver lobules, while many hepatocytes were heavily labelled with BrdU. At 72 h, GJs reappeared, firstly in perinecrotic areas. At 96 h after treatment, when the injured areas had disappeared and restorative proliferation ceased, GJs were distributed evenly throughout the lobules. Immunohistochemical observation of GJs in centrilobular, perinecrotic and periportal areas after TAA-induced hepatic necrosis was confirmed by counting the number of connexin-32-positive spots in the respective areas. TJs and DSs disappeared from necrotic cells at 24 h, but then increased between 24 and 48 h in perinecrotic areas, though the increased intensity of these junctions was more evident at 48 h. At 72 h, localization of TJs and DSs returned to normal. These results suggest that during the course of acute hepatic injury, GJs (cell-cell communication) behave differently from other intercellular junctions.

Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II and potassium channel subunit eag similarly affect plasticity in Drosophila

Similar defects in both synaptic transmission and associative learning are produced in Drosophila melanogaster by inhibition of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II and mutations in the potassium channel subunit gene eag. These behavioral and synaptic defects are not simply additive in animals carrying both an eag mutation and a transgene for a protein kinase inhibitor, raising the possibility that the phenotypes share a common pathway. At the molecular level, a portion of the putative cytoplasmic domain of Eag is a substrate of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II. These similarities in behavior and synaptic physiology, the genetic interaction, and the in vitro biochemical interaction of the two molecules suggest that an important component of neural and behavioral plasticity may be mediated by modulation of Eag function by calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II.

Localization of the 7H6 antigen at tight junctions correlates with the paracellular barrier function of MDCK cells

An important function of the tight junction is to act as a selective barrier to ions and small molecules, although no molecule responsible for the barrier function has been identified. Here we report evidence that the localization of the 7H6 tight junction-associated antigen identified in our laboratory at tight junctions correlates with the barrier function of MDCK cells. MDCK cells in a confluent monolayer possessed a polarized morphology, having an apical plasma membrane and a basolateral membrane, which is separated from the former by tight junctions. MDCK cells expressed both ZO-1 and 7H6 antigen at tight junctions, which maintain a tight barrier as determined by resistance to lanthanum permeation and high transepithelial electrical resistance (TER, 1500 ohm-cm2). The 7H6 antigen disappeared as tight junctions became permeable to lanthanum with a decrease in TER (below 100 ohm-cm2) due to treatment with metabolic inhibitors (10 microns antimycin A and 10 mM 2-deoxyglucose) for 30 min, while leaving ZO-1 at the cell border. The 7H6 antigen appeared at tight junctions again as TER recovered to a high level (1500 ohm-cm2) within 3 h after withdrawal of metabolic inhibitors. In addition, we found that 7H6 antigen is a phosphorylated protein and that phosphorylation is closely related to the localization of 7H6 antigen in the area of tight junctions.

[Biodistribution and metabolism of 3H-gastrodigenin and 3H-gastrodin in mice]

The biodistribution and metabolism of 3H-gastrodigenin and 3H-gastrodin after intravenous injection were studied by the detection of their radioactivity in mice tissue; the radioactive elements of mice tissue extracts after intravenous injection of 3H-gastrodin were analyzed with thin-layer chromatography (TLC). The results demonstrated that gastrodin could penetrate through the blood-brain barrier into the brain, and it was rapidly decomposed into the gastrodigenin in brain, liver and blood. Then gastrodigenin preserved in brain and mediated its pharmacological inhibitive effects on the central nervous system. Most of the gastrodigenin and gastrodin were excreted by the kidney. The findings also suggested that gastrodin might exist in the enterohepatic circulation.

Nondetectability of restriction fragments and independence of DNA fragment sizes within and between loci in RFLP typing of DNA

We provide experimental evidence showing that, during the restriction-enzyme digestion of DNA samples, some of the HaeIII-digested DNA fragments are small enough to prevent their reliable sizing on a Southern gel. As a result of such nondetectability of DNA fragments, individuals who show a single-band DNA profile at a VNTR locus may not necessarily be true homozygotes. In a population database, when the presence of such nondetectable alleles is ignored, we show that a pseudodependence of alleles within as well as across loci may occur. Using a known statistical method, under the hypothesis of independence of alleles within loci, we derive an efficient estimate of null allele frequency, which may be subsequently used for testing allelic independence within and across loci. The estimates of null allele frequencies, thus derived, are shown to agree with direct experimental data on the frequencies of HaeIII-null alleles. Incorporation of null alleles into the analysis of the forensic VNTR database suggests that the assumptions of allelic independence within and between loci are appropriate. In contrast, a failure to incorporate the occurrence of null alleles would provide a wrong inference regarding the independence of alleles within and between loci.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide stimulates steroidogenesis and adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate accumulation in cultured rat granulosa cells

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a novel neuropeptide with considerable homology to vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and GH-releasing hormone (GHRH). Because we have shown previously that VIP and GHRH stimulate steroidogenesis in cultured rat granulosa cells independently of FSH, the present studies evaluated whether PACAP also stimulates steroidogenesis and compared its effects to those of VIP and GHRH. Granulosa cells cultured for 2 days with PACAP-27, VIP, or GHRH (10(-9)-10(-6) M) showed dose-dependent increases in the accumulation of progesterone, 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone, and estrogen. The rank order of potency for the three peptides was PACAP >> VIP > GHRH. PACAP also increased cAMP accumulation and was again more potent than VIP. In addition, all three peptides synergistically augmented FSH-stimulated progesterone and 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone accumulation with the same rank order of potency as above; however, only the highest dose of each peptide augmented estrogen accumulation. Further studies examined the effects of various androgens on these responses. PACAP-stimulated progesterone accumulation was minimal in the absence of androstenedione, but increased up to 40-fold in its presence. Other synthetic and naturally occurring androgens produced similar increases with a rank order of potency of R1881 > testosterone = androstenedione > dihydrotestosterone. Analysis of cAMP levels indicated that by 1 h after treatment with PACAP, cAMP levels within the cells increased by 4-fold, and this response was unaltered in the presence of androstenedione; however, by 48 h, cAMP levels had markedly declined, and this response was attenuated by androstenedione. These results demonstrate that PACAP stimulates steroidogenesis and cAMP accumulation in cultured rat granulosa cells, and it is more potent than its two homologs, VIP and GHRH. Because PACAP has been shown to be present within the ovary, these data indicate that this peptide may play a role in modulating ovarian steroidogenic activity.

Evaluation of 13 short tandem repeat loci for use in personal identification applications

Personal identification by using DNA typing methodologies has been an issue in the popular and scientific press for several years. We present a PCR-based DNA-typing method using 13 unlinked short tandem repeat (STR) loci. Validation of the loci and methodology has been performed to meet standards set by the forensic community and the accrediting organization for parentage testing. Extensive statistical analysis has addressed the issues surrounding the presentation of "match" statistics. We have found STR loci to provide a rapid, sensitive, and reliable method of DNA typing for parentage testing, forensic identification, and medical diagnostics. Valid statistical analysis is generally simpler than similar analysis of RFLP-VNTR results and provides powerful statistical evidence of the low frequency of random multilocus genotype matching.

Linkage disequilibria among (CA)n polymorphisms in the human dystrophin gene and their implications in carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies

Four short tandem repeat loci, characterized by length polymorphisms of (CA)n repeats, have been detected within introns 44, 45, 49, and 50 of the human dystrophin gene. The predicted heterozygosities for these loci range from 72 to 93%, and observed allele numbers range from 6 to 19 in 57 normal chromosomes, revealing their high degree of polymorphism. Evidence for significant disequilibria between the loci within introns 49 and 50 is found. These data appear to be consistent with observations of recombination frequencies between these markers and the length of the intron 44 in relation to the entire region. In addition, these four loci are collectively found to be 100% informative in carrier detection/prenatal diagnosis of Becker and Duchenne muscular dystrophies (B/DMD), whereas scoring the (CA)n markers within introns 45 and 49 alone gives a 99.6% success rate.

[125I-alpha-sec-butyl-p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol receptor competitive binding assays in animal body]

Based on the receptor competitive binding assays in the mice and rat body, it has been proved that both diazepam and alpha-sec-butyl-p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol (G-018) can inhibit 125I-G-018 binding with brain benzodiazepine receptor. Inhibiting effects were obvious in the cortex, cerebellum, hippocampus and midbrain. But in the medullao blongata and hypothalamus no inhibiting effect was observed. Experimental results have demonstrated that the inhibiting effect is consistent with distribution of benzodiazepine receptor in the brain. Also, experimental results have shown no difference between in vitro and in vivo. The G-018 binding with benzodiazepine receptor has been clarified under physiologic conditions.

Paternity evaluation in cases lacking a mother and nondetectable alleles

In parentage testing the formulae for computing paternity index and exclusion probability generally ignores the presence of nondetectable alleles at the loci tested. In contrast, it is now known that even when paternity testing is done with hypervariable DNA markers, nondetectable alleles should not be ignored. This work presents simple formulae needed with this consideration, to analyze paternity evaluation from DNA markers in cases where the mother of the disputed child is unavailable for testing. It is shown that even a modest frequency of nondetectable alleles (e.g., 2-5% per locus) may have a substantial impact on the paternity index when the child and/or the alleged father exhibits a single-banded DNA profile at a locus. Use of such formulae can generate a high probability of exclusion and a high paternity index when multiple independently segregating hypervariable DNA markers are used.

Sequential decrease in tight junctions as revealed by 7H6 tight junction-associated protein during rat hepatocarcinogenesis

A sequential decrease in the number of hepatocyte tight junctions during the course of rat hepatocarcinogenesis was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry with a new 7H6 monoclonal antibody generated in our laboratory. Semiquantitative analysis by confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed that the expression of 7H6 antigen was reduced in hyperplastic foci, hyperplastic nodules and hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) to 43%, 28% and 25%, respectively, compared to corresponding normal liver tissues. 7H6 antigen was scarce in HCC with a trabecular pattern, whereas it was expressed intensely at the apical and basolateral membrane of HCC with a glandular pattern. Immunoblot analysis of 7H6 expression in hepatocellular carcinomas showed a decrease roughly coincident with that shown by immunohistochemistry. These results indicated, for the first time, that tight junctions decrease progressively during carcinogenesis, leading to disruption of cellular polarity and cellular adhesiveness.

Vascular architecture of the human optic chiasma and bitemporal hemianopia

The blood supply system of the optic chiasma was studied in 85 fresh human specimens using various histological and anatomical methods. Computer image analysis and ultrastructural examinations of the microvessel in 58 fetal specimens were also conducted. The authors found that the medial portion of the chiasma is a weak point in the microcirculation network. This weak point is apt to be disturbed first and become ischemic, causing disorders of the crossing optic nerve fibers and resulting in characteristic bitemporal visual field defects. SEM studies showed no ultrastructural difference between the capillaries at the medial and lateral portions of the chiasma. It was concluded that: 1) No special artery supplies the median chiasma the weak point of microcirculation at the median chiasma is due to its relatively scanty capillary distribution; 2) "lateral chiasma arteries" could provide a better blood supply to the lateral fibers and thus the nasal quadrantic visual field could be preserved in many late stages of visual field defect in sellar region tumors; 3) cases with pituitary microadenoma which is not sufficiently large to press the chiasma but involves bitemporal visual field defect are due to the tumor receiving "shunt-flow" (stealing blood) from the chiasma through the peri-infundibulum plexus.

Temporal averaging for quantification of lumen dimensions in intravascular ultrasound images

Quantitative analysis of arterial dimensions from high frequency intravascular ultrasound images (30 MHz) may be hampered by strong blood scattering. Replacement of blood by saline is one method to provide a clear view of the arterial lumen; another method is that of temporal averaging of successive ultrasound images. The accuracy of this latter method was tested by comparing the lumen area measurements on the temporal-averaged image, with the data of the same cross-section obtained from the single-frame and saline-filled images. The mean lumen area measured on the temporal-averaged images was similar to that measured on the single-frame images (mean difference: -0.02 +2- 1.16 mm2; p = ns). The mean lumen area of the saline-filled images was 8% larger than the values obtained from the temporal-averaged and single-frame images (mean difference: -1.14 +/- 0.85 mm2, p < 0.05), probably due to the difference in sound velocity between saline and blood. Intraobserver variation in the averaging method were 2.4 times smaller than the measurements of the single-frame images and close to the data obtained by saline injection (variation coefficient: single-frame: 8.8%; temporal-averaged: 3.6%; saline-filled: 2.9%). It is concluded that analysis from temporal-averaged images is more efficient, enabling accurate and reproducible measurement of the luminal dimensions from images containing blood scattering echoes. This technique is suitable to replace the laborious saline injection method and facilitates off-line quantitative analysis.

Statistical power of an exact test of Hardy-Weinberg proportions of genotypic data at a multiallelic locus

A computer algorithm for numerical evaluation of the statistical power of an exact test of Hardy-Weinberg genotypic proportions (HWP), developed here, indicates that the power is dependent on the number of segregating alleles as well as allele frequencies. While low levels of departure from the null hypothesis are difficult to detect from single-locus data, should such deviation be due to population substructuring, multiple loci, at each of which the number of segregating alleles is large (as seen with hypervariable loci), may easily detect even low levels of departure from HWP. Undetected small levels of departure may still provide conservative estimates of genotype frequencies from allele frequency data, following the current practice in forensic genetics.

Modulation of different K+ currents in Drosophila: a hypothetical role for the Eag subunit in multimeric K+ channels

We examined the role of the ether a go-go (eag) gene in modulation of K+ currents and the possibility of its protein product Eag as a subunit in the heteromultimeric assembly of K+ channels by voltage-clamp analysis of larval muscle membrane currents. Previous DNA sequence studies indicate that the eag gene codes for a polypeptide homologous to, but distinct from, the Shaker (Sh) K+ channel subunits (Warmke et al., 1991), and electrophysiological recordings revealed allele-specific effects of eag on four identified K+ currents in Drosophila larval muscles (Zhong and Wu, 1991). Further studies of eag alleles indicated that none of the eag mutations, including alleles producing truncated mRNA messages, eliminate any of the four K+ currents, and that the mutational effects exhibit strong temperature dependence. We found that both W7, an antagonist of Ca2+/calmodulin, and cGMP analogs modulated K+ currents and that their actions were altered or even abolished by eag mutations. These results suggest a role of eag in modulation of K+ currents that may subserve integration of signals at a converging site of the two independent modulatory pathways. The Sh locus is known to encode certain subunits of the IA channel in larval muscle. The existence of multiple eag and Sh alleles enabled an independent test of the idea of Eag as a K+ channel subunit by studying IA in different double-mutant combinations. An array of allele-specific interaction between eag and Sh was observed, which reflects a close association between the Sh and eag subunits within the IA channel. Taken together, our data strengthen the possibility that the eag locus provides a subunit common to different K+ channels. The role of the eag subunit for modulating channels, as opposed to that of Sh subunits required for gating, selectivity, and conductance of the channel, suggest a combinatorial genetic framework for generating diversified K+ channels.

Differential modulation of potassium currents by cAMP and its long-term and short-term effects: dunce and rutabaga mutants of Drosophila

The cAMP concentration in Drosophila is increased by mutations of the dunce (dnc) gene and decreased by mutations of the rutabaga (rut) gene. Such mutants provide a unique means for exploring the role of cAMP in functional and developmental regulation of membrane currents. Four distinct K+ currents have been identified in Drosophila larval muscle fibers, i.e. the voltage-activated transient IA and delayed IK and the Ca(2+)-activated fast ICF and slow ICS. Results from our voltage-clamp studies indicated that both IA and IK were increased in dnc alleles. Normal muscle fibers treated with dibutyryl-cAMP showed a similar increase of IA, but no significant effect on IK. In contrast to the dnc alleles, the rut mutations appeared to enhance ICS greatly while leaving the amplitude of other currents largely unchanged. In addition, the dibutyryl-cAMP-induced increase in IA was not observed in rut fibers. Caffeine and W7, which are known to interfere with several second messenger pathways, also modulated K+ currents in larval muscle fibers. The currents in dnc and rut fibers showed strikingly altered responses to caffeine and W7. The results demonstrate that the various K+ currents in Drosophila muscles are affected by altered cAMP cascades in the mutants. The fact that not all dnc and rut mutant defects can be mimicked or reversed by acute application of cAMP suggests that long-term modulation of K+ currents by cAMP may involve mechanisms distinct from the short-term effect of cAMP.