[Role of mitochondrial autophagy and the curative effect of rehmannia glutinosa leaves total glycoside capsules on nucleos(t)ide drug-induced renal injury]

Objective: To study the curative effect of rehmannia glutinosa leaves total glycoside capsules and the role of mitochondrial autophagy on nucleos(t)ide drug-induced renal injury. Methods: Adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) was used to construct a hepatitis B virus (HBV) transgenic mouse model for renal injury. Renal function was measured in each group at one and two weeks of modeling. Mitochondrial autophagy indicators were measured at two weeks of modeling in renal tissue. Transmission electron microscopy was used to detect mitochondrial autophagy phenomena in renal tissue. The model was established for two weeks. Mouse with renal injury were treated with rehmannia glutinosa leaves total glycoside capsules or isotonic saline for eight weeks by intragastric administration. Renal function was measured. Renal tissue morphology was observed. Mitochondrial autophagy indicators were detected in renal tissue. The protective effect of different concentrations of verbascoside (the main active ingredient of rehmannia glutinosa capsule) was observed on HK-2 cell damage induced by ADV. HK-2 cells were divided into control, ADV, and ADV plus verbascoside groups. The effects of verbascoside at different times and concentrations were observed on the HK-2 mitochondrial autophagy indicators. Fifty patients with chronic hepatitis B were collected who presented with renal injury after treatment with nucleos(t)ide analogs. The random number method was used to divide 29 cases into a control group that received conventional treatment. The treatment group of 21 cases was treated with rehmannia glutinosa leaves total glycoside capsules on the basis of the control group. Serum creatinine (Scr) and urinary protein were detected at eight weeks.The χ(2) test or t-test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Compared with the control group, two weeks of modeling in the ADV group induced renal function injury in HBV mice. The expression of autophagy indicators was higher in the renal tissue of the ADV group than that of the control group. Transmission electron microscopy had revealed mitochondrial autophagy in the renal tissue of the ADV group. Compared with the control group, the renal function of HBV mice treated with rehmannia glutinosa leaves total glycoside capsules improved for two months, and the expressions of autophagy indicators were down-regulated.Verbascoside promoted proliferation in ADV-damaged HK-2 cells, and the expression of autophagy indicators was down-regulated compared with the ADV alone group. In 50 patients with renal function injury, the urinary protein improvement was significantly superior in the treatment group than that in the control group, with eighteen and three cases being effective and ineffective in the treatment group and 12 and 17 cases being effective and ineffective in the control group, with a statistically significant difference (χ(2) = 9.975 0, P = 0.001 6). Serum creatinine was decreased in the treatment group compared with the control group, with 11 and 10 cases being effective and ineffective in the treatment group and 12 and 17 cases being effective and ineffective in the control group, with no statistically significant difference (χ(2) = 0.593 5, P = 0.441 1). Conclusion: Rehmannia glutinosa leaves total glycoside capsule can improve the nucleos(t)ide drug-induced renal function injury in chronic hepatitis B, possibly playing a role via inhibiting PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitochondrial autophagy.

In Vivo Base Editing of Scn5a Rescues Type 3 Long QT Syndrome in Mice

BACKGROUND

Pathogenic variants in SCN5A can result in long QT syndrome type 3, a life-threatening genetic disease. Adenine base editors can convert targeted A T base pairs to G C base pairs, offering a promising tool to correct pathogenic variants.

METHODS

We generated a long QT syndrome type 3 mouse model by introducing the T1307M pathogenic variant into the Scn5a gene. The adenine base editor was split into 2 smaller parts and delivered into the heart by adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9-ABEmax) to correct the T1307M pathogenic variant.

RESULTS

Both homozygous and heterozygous T1307M mice showed significant QT prolongation. Carbachol administration induced Torsades de Pointes or ventricular tachycardia for homozygous T1307M mice (20%) but not for heterozygous or wild-type mice. A single intraperitoneal injection of AAV9-ABEmax at postnatal day 14 resulted in up to 99.20% Scn5a transcripts corrected in T1307M mice. Scn5a mRNA correction rate >60% eliminated QT prolongation; Scn5a mRNA correction rate <60% alleviated QT prolongation. Partial Scn5a correction resulted in cardiomyocytes heterogeneity, which did not induce severe arrhythmias. We did not detect off-target DNA or RNA editing events in ABEmax-treated mouse hearts.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings show that in vivo AAV9-ABEmax editing can correct the variant Scn5a allele, effectively ameliorating arrhythmia phenotypes. Our results offer a proof of concept for the treatment of hereditary arrhythmias.

[Antitumor effects of AZD2014, a dual mTORC1/2 inhibitor, against human hepatocellular carcinoma xenograft in nude mice]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the antitumor effects of AZD2014 (a dual mTORC1/2 inhibitor) against human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) xenograft in mice.

METHODS

HCCLM3 cells were injected subcutaneously in the right flank of nude mice, and when the tumors were macroscopic, the mice were randomized into 2 groups for daily intraperitoneal injection of AZD2014 (5 mg/kg, n=5) or vehicle (5 mL/kg, n=5) for 24 days. Tumor growth was assessed using calipers every 4 days and the tumor growth curve was drawn. After the final injection, the mice were euthanized and the tumors were dissected for measuring tumor weight and histopathological analysis with HE staining. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expressions of Ki-67, cleaved caspase-3, CD31, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins (Ecadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin) in the tumor tissue.

RESULTS

Daily treatment with AZD2014 significantly suppressed HCC growth as compared with the control group. HE staining showed significantly increased tumor necrosis in AZD2014-treated mice. AZD2014 treatment inhibited tumor cell proliferation, angiogenesis and EMT progression as shown by decreased expressions of Ki-67, CD31, N-cadherin, and vimentin and increased expression of E-cadherin in the tumor tissue, and significantly promoted tumor cell apoptosis as shown by an increased expression of cleaved caspase-3 in AZD2014-treated mice.

CONCLUSIONS

AZD2014 is a highly potent antitumor agent for HCC in nude mice bearing HCC xenografts. AZD2014 can effectively inhibit tumor proliferation, angiogenesis and EMT progression and induce tumor cell necrosis and apoptosis.

Metabolic syndrome cannot mask the changes of faecal microbiota compositions caused by primary hepatocellular carcinoma

Both hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and metabolic syndrome are closely associated with the composition of the gut microbiota (GM). Although it has been proposed that elements of the GM can be used as biomarkers for the early diagnosis of HCC, whether metabolic syndrome results in a misrepresentation of the results of the early diagnosis of HCC using GM remains unclear. We compared the differences in the faecal microbiota of 10 patients with primary HCC, six patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), seven patients with arterial hypertension, six patients with both HCC and T2DM, and 10 patients with both HCC and arterial hypertension, as well as 10 healthy subjects, using high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons. Our results revealed a significant difference in the GM between subjects with and without HCC. The 49 bacterial genera out of the 494 detected genera were significantly different between the groups. These results show that changes in the GM can be used to distinguish between subjects with and without HCC, and can resist interference of T2DM and arterial hypertension with the GM. The results of the present study provide an important basis for the clinical auxiliary diagnosis of HCC by detecting the GM.

Critical values in hematology of 862 institutions in China

INTRODUCTION

A national survey on critical values in hematology of China laboratories was conducted to determine the current practice and assess the quality indicators so as to obtain a quality improvement.

METHODS

Laboratories participating were asked to submit the general information, the practice of critical value reporting, and the status of timeliness of critical value reporting.

RESULTS

A total of 862 laboratories submitted the results. The majority of participants have included white blood cell count, blood platelet count, hemoglobin, prothrombin time, and activated partial thromboplastin time in their critical value lists. Many sources are used for establishing a critical value policy, and some of the laboratories consult with clinicians. The unreported critical value rate, late critical value reporting rate, and clinically unacknowledged rate in China are relatively low, and the median of critical value reporting time is 8-9 minutes.

CONCLUSION

There exists a wide variety for critical value reporting in hematology in China. Laboratories should establish a policy of critical value reporting suited for their own situations and consult with clinicians to set critical value lists. Critical values are generally reported in a timely manner in China, but some measures should be taken to further improve the timeliness of critical value reporting.

Evaluation of Immune Profiles and MicroRNA Expression Profiles in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Long-Term Stable Liver Transplant Recipients and Recipients With Acute Rejection Episodes

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to document the difference of immunophenotypes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) between long-term stable liver transplant recipients and recipients with acute rejection. We also sought to identify whether there is any correlation between microRNA (miRNA) expression profile and the differential immunoprofile in these 2 groups to establish a specific miRNA biomarker to identify potential liver transplant recipients.

METHODS

PBMCs were isolated from 53 stable liver transplant recipients (STA group) and 15 liver transplant recipients with repeated biopsy-proven rejection episodes admitted to our hospital. Immunoprofiles were analyzed by means of flow cytometry. Analysis of miRNA expression in the PBMCs was performed by means of real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

The immune profiling analysis showed increased frequency of peripheral natural killer cells and regulatory T cells in stable liver transplant recipients compared with the acute rejection recipients and healthy volunteers (P < .05). There was no significant difference in the immune cell levels (CD19(+) B cells, CD4(+) T cells, and CD8(+) T cells) in PBMCs among the transplant recipient groups and healthy control subjects. Three miRNAs, miR-18b, miR-340, and miR-106b, were up-regulated in the PBMCs of the STA recipients compared with recipients with acute rejection.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that miR-18b, miR-340, and miR-106b, which regulate the expression of specific immunophenotypes, can be used as potential biomarkers to identify long-term stable liver transplant recipients from recipients with acute rejection.

Trial design innovations: Clinical trials for treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer's Disease

Neuropsychiatric symptoms are common in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative disorders. Recent progress has been made with clinical trials, advancing new therapies for psychosis in Parkinson's disease (PD), agitation in AD, and apathy in AD. Definitions have emerged for agitation and apathy in patients with cognitive impairment, facilitating recruitment of clinical trial populations. Progress in clinical trial design and the agents being assessed promise to advance therapies for disabling symptoms and improve quality of life for patients and caregivers.

Expression of the porcine lipoic acid synthase (LIAS) gene in Escherichia coli

Lipoic acid synthase, which exists primarily in mitochondria, participates in the biosynthesis of intrinsic lipoic acid. The lipoic acid synthase gene in pig is known as LIAS. To further investigate the biological functions of the protein that is encoded by LIAS, we cloned the open read frame of porcine LIAS (GenBank No. JN797612.1) into the expression vector pET-28α(+). The resulting pET-28α(+)-Lias recombinant vector was introduced into the Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) strain. With induction by isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside, the recombinant E. coli strain can express the target protein that has a molecular weight of 41.58 kDa, which was confirmed by Western blotting.

Molecular cloning and expression of the porcine S14R gene in Escherichia coli

We amplified S14R protein gene cDNA of porcine, cloned it into a prokaryotic expression plasmid, and expressed it in Escherichia coli. A pair of primers was designed based on the cDNA sequence of the porcine S14R gene in GenBank. The target gene fragment from porcine liver tissue was amplified by RT-PCR. Confirmed by auto-sequencing, the target gene fragment was subcloned into an expression vector of pET28a. The pET28a-S14R construct was subsequently transformed into E. coli BL21 (DE3). This construct was verified by restriction endonuclease digestion and sequencing. Using isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside induction, a new recombinant protein with the expected relative molecular mass of 24 kDa appeared. The result was identified by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. Porcine S14R includes 549bp (GenBank No. JN793537), with an open reading frame of 549 bp coding 182 amino acids.

Bioinformatics analysis of microRNA and putative target genes in bovine mammary tissue infected with Streptococcus uberis

MicroRNA (miRNA) are small single-stranded noncoding RNA with important roles in regulating innate immunity in nonruminants via transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms. Mastitis causes significant losses in the dairy industry and a wealth of large-scale mRNA expression data from mammary tissue have provided fundamental insights into the tissue adaptations to pathogens. We studied the expression of 14 miRNA (miR-10a, -15b, -16a, -17, -21, -31, -145, -146a, -146b, -155, -181a, -205, -221, and -223) associated with regulation of innate immunity and mammary epithelial cell function in tissue challenged with Streptococcus uberis. Those data, along with microarray expression of 2,102 differentially expressed genes, were used for bioinformatics analysis to uncover putative target genes and the most affected biological pathways and functions. Three miRNA (181a, 16, and 31) were downregulated approximately 3- to 5-fold and miR-223 was upregulated approximately 2.5-fold in infected versus healthy tissue. Among differentially expressed genes due to infection, bioinformatics analysis revealed that the studied miRNA share in the regulation of a large number of metabolic (SCD, CD36, GPAM, and FASN), immune/oxidative stress (TNF, IL6, IL10, SOD2, LYZ, and TLR4), and cellular proliferation/differentiation (FOS and CASP4) target genes. This level of complex regulation was underscored by the coordinate effect revealed by bioinformatics on various cellular pathways within the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database. Most pathways associated with "cellular processes," "organismal systems," and "diseases" were activated by putative target genes of miR-31 and miR-16a, with an overlapping activation of "immune system" and "signal transduction." A pronounced effect and activation of miR-31 target genes was observed within "folding, sorting, and degradation," "cell growth and death," and "cell communication" pathways, whereas a marked inhibition of "lipid metabolism" occurred. Putative targets of miR-181a had a strong effect on FcγR-mediated phagocytosis, toll-like receptor signaling, and antigen processing and presentation, which were activated during intramammary infections. The targets of both miR-31 and miR-223 had an inhibitory effect on "lipid metabolism." Overall, the combined analyses indicated that changes in mammary tissue immune, metabolic, and cell growth-related signaling pathways during infection might have been mediated in part through effects of miRNA on gene transcription. Differential expression of miRNA supports the view from nonruminant cells/tissues that certain miRNA might be essential for the tissue's adaptive response to infection.

Effective properties of a sturgeon-based bioactive compound on stress-induced hippocampal degeneration and on in vitro neurogenesis

The aim of this study is to test the activity of a marine bioactive compound containing high-purity caviar-derived DNA, collagen elastin and protein extracts from sturgeon (LD-1227, Caviarlieri, Laboratoires Dom, Switzerland) to exert neuroprotective properties in an experimental setting while also being potential triggers of neurogenesis in a separate in vitro study. Supplementation with high-DHA mixture of LD-1227 was applied for 30 days to stress model rats. Both supplementations significantly mitigated the histological brain damage when analyzing hippocampal subregions and corticosterone level. However, LD-1227 was most significantly efficient in preventing SOD, Catalase and ascorbic acid decrease in brain tissue. Both supplementations stimulated neurogenesis in vitro and neuron markers in particular but og olygodendrocyte markers and glia increased only in LD-1227-enriched medium. Taken together, these data suggest that LD-1227 is able to significantly protect the brain structure redox system to higher degree than DHA. Moreover, from in vitro study it appears that marine bioactive compound, through it wide array of small unsaturated fatty acids, phospholipids and neurotransmitter precursors, is likely to influence neuronal and glial lineage to act differently from a DHA-rich mixture.

Advantage of carbonate-versus citrate-based alkalinization on bone metabolism in moderately exercising aged male rats fed an acidogenic diet

This study aims to determine the effects of different alkaline supplementations on high protein diet-induced abnormalities affecting bone metabolism in rats which were also undergoing physical exercise of moderate intensity. Sixty elderly Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups of 10 rats each and treated for 16 weeks as follows: baseline control group fed normal food (C); acidic high-protein diet supplemented group (chronic acidosis, CA group), bicarbonate-based alkaline formula (Basenpulver, Named, Italy) supplemented chronic acidosis (BB-CA) and citrate-based alkaline supplement (CB-CA). Throughout the supplementation period, rats were put on a treadmill training mimicking a moderate level of exercise. In the CA group, 24-hour urinary calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) excretion were increased over 30 percent (p<0.05 vs normal diet controls). However serum Ca was not significantly changed. Femural and tibial BMD and BMC was significantly decreased in the CA group (p<0.05) but both alkaline supplementations prevented such phenomenon (p<0.05 vs CA), without significant difference between the two formulations although the BB-CA group showed significantly more preserved trabecular bone volume (p<0.05 vs CB-CA group). An increased level of over 50 percent of urinary Dpd observed in the CA group (p<0.001) was reverted to normal by both supplementations (p<0.001 vs CA group). The same applied to urinary net acid excretion (p<001) with BB-supplementation performing better than CB-supplementation (p<0.05). Moreover, while the latter did not modify Nterminal telopeptide value, BB-supplementation significantly normalized this parameter (p<0.05 vs CA group) which exercise and acidic protein diet had modified (p<0.01 vs control diet). Overall, the present study shows that a bicarbonate-based alkaline formula, when administered to a dose amenable to clinical use, may significantly protect bone structure in exercising aged animals to a greater extent than a quali/quantitavely similar citrate-based formula.

Beneficial nutraceutical modulation of cerebral erythropoietin expression and oxidative stress: an experimental study

The main object of this study is to examine the effect of Klamin®, a nutraceutical containing phenylethylamine, phycocyanins, mycosporine-like aminoacids and aphanizomenon flos aquae-phytochrome on the learning and memory ability, the oxidative status and cerebral erythropoietin and its receptor EPO/EPOR system in prematurely senescent (PS) mice. A total of 28 PS mice, selected according to a prior T-maze test, and 26 non-prematurely senescent mice (NPS) mice were chosen. PS animals were divided into 3 groups and followed for 4 weeks: A) normal chow diet; B) added with Klamin® at 20 mg/kg/day (low dose); C) added with Klamin® at 100mg/kg/day (high dose). A further group of NPS mice given either normal food (group D) or high dose Klamin® (group E) was also considered. The behavioral procedures of spatial learning ability (Morris test) showed that PS mice had significantly longer learning time as compared to their NPS counterpart (p<0.01), but this effect was prevented especially in mice supplemented with high-dose Klamin® (p<0.05) which improved performances in NPS mice (p<0.05). High-dose Klamin® supplementation restored the depleted total thiol concentration in the brain observed in PS mice while normalizing their increased malonildialdehyde level (p<0.05). Moreover, the high-dosage only caused a significant upregulation of EPO/EPOR system both in PS and in NPS animals (p<0.05). Taken together, these data suggest that this specific alga Klamath extract has considerable antioxidant and adaptogenic properties, also through a stimulatory effect of cerebral EPO/EPO system.

Redox balance signalling in occupational stress: modification by nutraceutical intervention

There is increasing evidence that psychosocial stress can be viewed as a system-wide derangement of cellular homeostasis, with heightened oxidative stress and triggered proinflammatory mechanisms. The aim of this study is twofold: a) to replicate findings that psychological stress increases oxidative damage and b) to determine whether a fermented papaya preparation known to exert significant protective antioxidant properties could buffer such increases in nuclear DNA damage while also inducing epigenetic protective mechanisms. Twenty-eight sedentary men and women (age range: 28-52), who reported living a stressful lifestyle but with an overall positive attitude, were recruited for this study. Chronic diseases as well as severe burnout and use of drugs for anxiety constituted exclusion criteria. Subjects were supplemented for 1 month with 9 g/day (4.5 g twice a day) of a certified fermented papaya preparation. All subjects were given a stress and sleep quality questionnaire together with a diet and life style assessment. Blood was collected at 2 and 4 week, erythrocyte and leukocyte were separated to assess redox balance and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) gene expression while bilirubin oxidized metabolites (BOMs) were tested in the urine. Stressed individuals showed a significant abnormality of redox status with increased MDA of erythrocyte and increased level of 8-0HdG in leukocyte and BOMs excretion (p<0.05). Nutraceutical supplementation brought about a normalization of such values already at the 2 week observation (p<0.05) together with a significant upregulation of HO-1 (p<0.01). Taken together, the results of this study confirm that stressful occupational life per se, without any overt psychiatric illness, may be associated to increased oxidative stress. Supplementation with functional food affecting redox regulation may be part of the therapeutic armamentarium to be considered in this clinical setting.

[The application of hansatome microkeratome in LASIK]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the application of Hansatome in excimer laser in situ keratomileusis(LASIK).

METHODS

Two hundred and sixty-six cases(514 eyes) with myopia were treated with the Hansatome microkeratome and the excimer laser. According to the preoperative spherical equivalent refraction, the patients were divided into three groups: < -8.0 D, -8.0 D(-)-15.0 D and > -15.0 D. The advanced rails of Hansatome microkeratome was revolving, then the stalk of corneal cap was over cornea. Postoperatively for six months all patients had been followed up on visual acuity, refractive status and complication.

RESULTS

The uncorrected visual acuity in three groups was 0.5 or better in 303, 144 and 28 of the eyes, 278, 124 and 10 had vision of 1.0 or better six months after operation. The refractive status tended to be stable about four to six months after the operation. The complication of operation included corneal epithelial excoriation, incomplete cap, free cap, interfacial foreign bodies, glare, etc. The learning curve of the technique requested half a year.

CONCLUSION

The Hansatome microkeratome in LASIK is effective for the correction of myopia and it has better safety. The complication of the stalk of corneal capover cornea might be less than which of the inside the nose.

Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Laos: chloroquine treatment outcome and predictive value of molecular markers

A 28-day treatment trial was undertaken, to determine the efficacy of chloroquine in Laos and to assess the predictive value of molecular markers (cg2, pfmdr1, and pfcrt) that were previously linked to chloroquine resistance. In total, 522 febrile patients were screened for falciparum malaria by rapid diagnostic assays. Of 81 patients (15.5% prevalence) who were positive by the assays and microscopy, 48 were eligible to participate in the 28-day trial. Nine patients defaulted. Chloroquine cured 54% (95% confidence interval, 45.8-61.8) of falciparum-infected patients. Of 18 (46%) patients with treatment failure, 13 (72%) experienced high-grade resistance. Polymorphisms in cg2 and the N86Y mutation in PfMDR1 were not predictive of treatment outcome. A mutation in PfCRT (K76T) was perfectly associated with in vivo chloroquine resistance. However, K76T was also present in in vivo-sensitive isolates, which suggests that the presence of this mutation was necessary, but not sufficient, to predict in vivo outcome in this cohort.

Magnetic susceptibility shift selected imaging (MESSI) and localized (1)H(2)O spectroscopy in living plant tissues

Maize root segments permeated with aqueous solutions of the paramagnetic agents GdDTPA(2-) or DyDTPA-BMA display two well-resolved NMR peaks corresponding to the signals from intracellular and extracellular (1)H(2)O, which arise from well-understood bulk magnetic susceptibility effects. This allows each component to be studied separately. Images obtained at each frequency with MESSI editing, and single- and multiple-voxel ('spectroscopic imaging') localized spectra, clearly indicate that the agents permeate into the interstitial spaces, and into the longitudinal (xylem/phloem) channels in the stele (core) of the root, confirming earlier assessments. We believe these are the first images of a multicellular tissue acquired in vivo exclusively from the intracellular water proton resonance. This method can be further exploited to study water transport in similar systems.

Muscle-specific overexpression of FAT/CD36 enhances fatty acid oxidation by contracting muscle, reduces plasma triglycerides and fatty acids, and increases plasma glucose and insulin

Increasing evidence has implicated the membrane protein CD36 (FAT) in binding and transport of long chain fatty acids (FA). To determine the physiological role of CD36, we examined effects of its overexpression in muscle, a tissue that depends on FA for its energy needs and is responsible for clearing a major fraction of circulating FA. Mice with CD36 overexpression in muscle were generated using the promoter of the muscle creatine kinase gene (MCK). Transgenic (MCK-CD36) mice had a slightly lower body weight than control litter mates. This reflected a leaner body mass with less overall adipose tissue, as evidenced by magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Soleus muscles from transgenic animals exhibited a greatly enhanced ability to oxidize fatty acids in response to stimulation/contraction. This increased oxidative ability was not associated with significant alterations in histological appearance of muscle fibers. Transgenic mice had lower blood levels of triglycerides and fatty acids and a reduced triglyceride content of very low density lipoproteins. Blood cholesterol levels were slightly lower, but no significant decrease in the cholesterol content of major lipoprotein fractions was measured. Blood glucose was significantly increased, while insulin levels were similar in the fed state and higher in the fasted state. However, glucose tolerance curves, determined at 20 weeks of age, were similar in control and transgenic mice. In summary, the study documented, in vivo, the role of CD36 to facilitate cellular FA uptake. It also illustrated importance of the uptake process in muscle to overall FA metabolism and glucose utilization.

[Contrast on therapeutic results of intraocular lens implantation in diabetics and non-diabetics]

PURPOSE

To observe the results of intraocular lens implantation in diabetics who suffered from cataract.

METHODS

30 cases (37 eyes) of diabetics with cataract and 174 cases (197 eyes) of non-diabetics with senile cataract were performed with intraocular lens implantation. The postoperative follow-up was from 2 to 18 months.

RESULTS

The statistics of the visual acuity in two groups had no difference. The primary factor that effected visual acuity was original retinopathy. Postoperative complications of diabetics group, such as anterior chamber fibrinous exudate, pigment diffusion, were much serious than those of non-diabetic group. But if strong effective hormones were locally administrated, inflammation was absorbed.

CONCLUSION

The therapeutic results of the diabetics with no or only minor retinopathy were similar with those of non-diabetics.

In vivo MR imaging and spectroscopy using hyperpolarized 129Xe

Hyperpolarized 129Xe has been used to obtain gas phase images of mouse lung in vivo, showing distinct ventilation variation as a function of the breathing cycle. Spectra of 129Xe in the thorax show complex structure in both the gas phase (-4 to 3 ppm) and tissue-dissolved (190-205 ppm) regions. The alveolar gas peak shows correlated intensity and frequency oscillations, both attributable to changes in lung volume during breathing. The two major dissolved peaks near 195-200 ppm are attributed to lung parenchyma and to blood; they reach maximum intensity in 5-10 s and decay with an apparent T1 of 30 s. Another peak at 190 ppm takes 20-30 s to reach maximum; this must represent other well-vascularized tissue (e.g., heart and other muscles) in the thorax. The maximum integrated area of the tissue components reaches 30-80% of the maximum alveolar gas area, indicating that imaging at tissue frequencies can be achieved.

Probing of tertiary interactions in RNA: 2'-hydroxyl-base contacts between the RNase P RNA and pre-tRNA

A general method has been developed to analyze all 2' hydroxyl groups involved in tertiary interactions in RNA in a single experiment. This method involves comparing the activity of populations of circularly permuted RNAs that contain or lack potential hydrogen-bond donors at each position. The 2' hydroxyls of the pre-tRNA substrate identified as potential hydrogen bond donors in intermolecular interactions with the ribozyme from eubacterial RNase P (P RNA) are located in the T stem and T loop, acceptor stem, and 3' CCA regions. To locate the hydrogen-bond acceptors for one of those 2' hydroxyls in the P RNA, a phylogenetically conserved adenosine was mutated to a guanosine. When this mutant P RNA was used, increased cleavage activity of a single circularly permuted substrate within the population was observed. The cleavage efficiency (kcat/Km) of a singly 2'-deoxy-substituted substrate at this position in the T stem was also determined. For the wild-type P RNA, the catalytic efficiency was significantly decreased compared with that of the all-ribo substrate, consistent with the notion that this 2' hydroxyl plays an important role. For the P RNA mutant, no additional effect was found upon 2'-deoxy substitution. We propose that this particular 2' hydroxyl in the pre-tRNA interacts specifically with this adenosine in the P RNA. This method should be useful in examining the role of 2' hydroxyl groups in other RNA-RNA and RNA-protein complexes.

[Clinical application of silica ball implant enclosed by an autologous reversal sclera in patients with enucleation]

PURPOSE

To observe the effects of improved silica ball implantation enclosed by autologous reversal sclera.

METHODS

After the enucleation of eye balls, we reversed, cleared the autologous sclera, enclosed the silica ball and implanted it in the operative eye.

RESULTS

30 cases with enucleation were implanted the prosthetic eyes. The follow-up period was 6 months to 3 years. The prosthetic eyes had the motility of 10 degrees to 25 degrees and the empty socket syndrome was effectively prevented.

CONCLUSION

The sargical method can overcome the defect that prosthetic eyes cannot rotate after being implanted and has got satisfactory cosmetic effects.

Selection of circularly permuted ribozymes from Bacillus subtilis RNAse P by substrate binding

The effect of a single break in the phosphodiester backbone of Bacillus subtilis RNAse P RNA (P RNA) was examined using circular permutation analysis (CPA). This method reveals that many of the phosphodiester bonds in this catalytic RNA can be broken with little or no effect on substrate binding. Phosphate positions that show strong effects are located mostly in regions conserved among all RNAse P RNAs, or they are in regions known to interact directly with the pre-tRNA substrate. Two circularly permuted isomers of P RNA were constructed and analyzed in detail. The KM for both circularly permuted isomers is nearly identical to that of the wild-type P RNA. Since the KM of the P RNA is essentially the same as the binding constant to the substrate, this finding confirms the CPA results. The implications of backbone breakage are discussed with respect to folding and catalysis of the RNAse P RNA.

Vitamin D3 receptor expression in N-ethylnitrosourea-induced mouse pulmonary adenomas

An expanded role for vitamin D (1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3) in mammalian systems has been suggested by recent evidence that its receptor (vitamin D receptor [VDR]) is present not only in classical target organs, but in a variety of normal tissues and organs, tumor tissues, and cancer cell lines. Vitamin D is involved not only in the regulation of calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism, but in the regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, and immune responses. The role vitamin D may play in normal lung growth, development, and maintenance is unknown. Likewise, its part in lung tumorigenesis is unclear. The present study examined VDR binding activity and VDR expression in normal mouse lung and ethylnitrosourea-induced lung adenomas. Binding of 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 was specific and saturable over the concentration range of 0.01 to 0.50 nM, with an affinity (Kd) of 0.93 x 10(-10) M and a total binding capacity (Bmax) of 22 fmol/mg of protein. Scatchard analysis yielded a convex curve, which suggests positive receptor cooperativity. The calculated Hill coefficient equals 1.69, at a receptor concentration of 0.4 nM, consistent with dimerization of the receptor. Western blot analysis showed the presence of 60 kD VDR protein in tumor homogenates, while Northern blot analysis detected the 4.4 kb VDR mRNA in tumor tissue preparations. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization revealed that both adenomatous Clara cells and normal bronchiolar epithelial Clara cells expressed VDR, with the receptor protein present in their nuclei.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)