In vivo effects of synthetic cannabinoids JWH-018 and JWH-073 and phytocannabinoid Δ9-THC in mice: inhalation versus intraperitoneal injection

Human users of synthetic cannabinoids (SCBs) JWH-018 and JWH-073 typically smoke these drugs, but preclinical studies usually rely on injection for drug delivery. We used the cannabinoid tetrad and drug discrimination to compare in vivo effects of inhaled drugs with injected doses of these two SCBs, as well as with the phytocannabinoid Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ(9)-THC). Mice inhaled various doses of Δ(9)-THC, JWH-018 or JWH-073, or were injected intraperitoneally (IP) with these same compounds. Rectal temperature, tail flick latency in response to radiant heat, horizontal bar catalepsy, and suppression of locomotor activity were assessed in each animal. In separate studies, mice were trained to discriminate Δ(9)-THC (IP) from saline, and tests were performed with inhaled or injected doses of the SCBs. Both SCBs elicited Δ(9)-THC-like effects across both routes of administration, and effects following inhalation were attenuated by pretreatment with the CB1 antagonist/inverse agonist rimonabant. No cataleptic effects were observed following inhalation, but all compounds induced catalepsy following injection. Injected JWH-018 and JWH-073 fully substituted for Δ(9)-THC, but substitution was partial (JWH-073) or required relatively higher doses (JWH-018) when drugs were inhaled. These studies demonstrate that the SCBs JWH-018 and JWH-073 elicit dose-dependent, CB1 receptor-mediated Δ(9)-THC-like effects in mice when delivered via inhalation or via injection. Across these routes of administration, differences in cataleptic effects and, perhaps, discriminative stimulus effects, may implicate the involvement of active metabolites of these compounds.

Repeated administration of phytocannabinoid Δ(9)-THC or synthetic cannabinoids JWH-018 and JWH-073 induces tolerance to hypothermia but not locomotor suppression in mice, and reduces CB1 receptor expression and function in a brain region-specific manner

These studies probed the relationship between intrinsic efficacy and tolerance/cross-tolerance between ∆(9)-THC and synthetic cannabinoid drugs of abuse (SCBs) by examining in vivo effects and cellular changes concomitant with their repeated administration in mice. Dose-effect relationships for hypothermic effects were determined in order to confirm that SCBs JWH-018 and JWH-073 are higher efficacy agonists than ∆(9)-THC in mice. Separate groups of mice were treated with saline, sub-maximal hypothermic doses of JWH-018 or JWH-073 (3.0mg/kg or 10.0mg/kg, respectively) or a maximally hypothermic dose of 30.0mg/kg ∆(9)-THC once per day for 5 consecutive days while core temperature and locomotor activity were monitored via biotelemetry. Repeated administration of all drugs resulted in tolerance to hypothermic effects, but not locomotor effects, and this tolerance was still evident 14 days after the last drug administration. Further studies treated mice with 30.0mg/kg ∆(9)-THC once per day for 4 days, then tested with SCBs on day 5. Mice with a ∆(9)-THC history were cross-tolerant to both SCBs, and this cross-tolerance also persisted 14 days after testing. Select brain regions from chronically treated mice were examined for changes in CB1 receptor expression and function. Expression and function of hypothalamic CB1Rs were reduced in mice receiving chronic drugs, but cortical CB1R expression and function were not altered. Collectively, these data demonstrate that repeated ∆(9)-THC, JWH-018 and JWH-073 can induce long-lasting tolerance to some in vivo effects, which is likely mediated by region-specific downregulation and desensitization of CB1Rs.

Selective adsorption of heterophile polyglycerophosphate antigen from antigen extracts of Streptococcus mutans and other gram-positive bacteria

Hot saline extracts of Streptococcus mutans have been shown to contain antigenic substances which occasionally react nonspecifically with some antisera against whole cells of various serological groups and types of streptococci. Chromatography of the extract of S. mutans strain MT703 (serotype e) on a diethylaminoethyl-Sephadex A-25 column gave two principal antigens. One antigen was eluted without adsorption to the resin and was identified as the serotype-specific polysaccharide. The other antigen, which contained a large quantity of phosphorus, was absorbed to and released from the resin by gradient elution. It was reactive against the antisera specific for polyglycerophosphate (PGP) from group A Streptococcus pyogenes and/or S. mutans strain Ingbritt (type c). The PGP antigen was further purified by gel filtration with Sephadex G-75. Two peaks, PGP-1, and PGP-2, were obtained. Each possessed the same antigenic specificity to anti-PGP serum as shown by immunodiffusion. Chemical analyses revealed that the molar ratio of phosphorus to glycerol in both was about 1:1, although the protein content between the two was significantly different. PGP antigen was found to be widely distributed in hot saline extracts from various gram-positive bacteria, with a few exceptions. However, all gram-negative bacteria examined were free of PGP. The PGP in the hot saline extracts of various gram-positive bacteria possessed an essentially identical antigenic specificity. The addition of diethylaminoethyl-Sephadex A-25 resin to hot saline extracts successfully removed the cross-reacting PGP antigen. After adsorption of the extract from S. mutans, the supernatant contained only type-specific polysaccharide antigen, except type b, in which both type b-specific polysaccharide and PGP antigens were absorbed with the resin. This simple procedure should be useful for the removal of the PGP-type teichoic acid from antigen extracts of bacteria that contain uncharged polysaccharides.

Binding of glucosyltransferase and glucan synthesis by Streptococcus mutans and other bacteria

Lyophilized and heat-treated cells from the seven serotypes of Streptococcus mutans were examined for their ability to bind added insoluble-product glucosyl-transferase (GTase) and to synthesize cell-associated glucan from [(14)C]sucrose. Lyophilized cells of serotypes a and g did not synthesize any more additional glucan than did the controls after exposure to GTase. These cells, however, synthesized four- to eightfold-greater quantities of glucan than did the cells of the remaining serotypes. Lyophilized cells of serotypes b, c, d, e, and f synthesized two- to threefold-greater quantities of glucan after exposure to GTase than did the controls without added enzyme. Lyophilized cells of serotypes a and g synthesized 6- to 10-fold-greater quantities of glucan than did heat-treated cells of the same strain after binding of GTase. Lyophilized cells of the remaining serotypes synthesized only 1.6- to 3.3-fold-greater quantities of glucan than did the heat-treated cells. These results demonstrate that heat treatment to inactivate cell-associated GTase does not create additional GTase binding sites in S. mutans and that serotypes a and g are considerably more active in cell-associated glucan synthesis than cells of the other five serotypes. Ten species of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria from five genera which do not produce in vitro plaque synthesized 10- to 100-fold-less glucan than did the S. mutans strains after exposure to GTase. Of these species, S. sanguis, Actinomyces viscosus, and A. naeslundii synthesized the largest quantities of glucan. Three mutant strains of S. mutans which possess a reduced ability for in vitro adherence but do agglutinate with glucan or dextran synthesized only one-third as much glucan after binding of GTase as the control. These results are discussed in relation to in vitro and in vivo plaque development and the agglutination of S. mutans. The results support earlier findings which indicate that the presence of bacterial species other than S. mutans in smooth-surface dental plaque is due in part to contact of the cells with glucan in the developing plaque and not to the binding of cell-free GTase and the in situ synthesis of glucan. The results obtained with these representative strains of the seven serotypes of S. mutans may not apply to the same extent to other strains within the serotypes.

Cloning and characterization of the 5'-flanking region of the human growth hormone secretagogue receptor gene

Recently, the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R) cDNA has been isolated from the pituitary and hypothalamus. To evaluate the regulation of human (h) GHS-R gene expression, we cloned the hGHS-R gene containing the 5'-flanking region of 0.6-2.9 kilobase pairs. Analysis of the hGHS-R transcripts with 5'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends suggested that the putative transcription initiation site was approximately -453 base pairs upstream of the translation initiation site (+1). There is no typical TATA, CAAT, or GC box but an initiator-like sequence and putative binding sites for several transcription factors around the putative transcription start site. The 5'-flanking region inserted into a luciferase reporter vector had promoter activity in GH3 cells but had activity indistinguishable from background in HeLa or EP1 cells. The hGHS-R promoter activity in GH3 cells increased by deletion of nucleotides from -1224 to -734, whereas it was decreased by further deletion from -734 to -608. Knowledge of the promoter region of the hGHS-R gene will facilitate elucidation of its transcriptional control.

Properties of Streptococcus mutans grown in a synthetic medium: binding of glucosyltransferase and in vitro adherence, and binding of dextran/glucan and glycoprotein and agglutination

The influence of culture media on various properties of Streptococcus mutans was investigated. Strains of S. mutans (serotypes c, d, f, and g) were grown in a complex medium (Todd-Hewitt broth [THB]) or a synthetic medium (SYN). The SYN cells, in contrast to THB cells, did not bind extracellular glucosyltransferase and did not produce in vitro adherence. Both types of cells possessed constitutive levels of glucosyltransferase. B13 cells grown in SYN plus invertase-treated glucose possessed the same level of constitutive enzyme as THB cells. In contrast to THB cells, the SYN cells of seven serotype strains did not agglutinate upon the addition of high-molecular-weight dextran/glucan. Significant quantities of lower-molecular-weight (2 x 10(4) or 7 x 10(4)) dextran and B13 glucan were bound by SYN cells. SYN cells agglutinated weakly in anti-glucan serum (titers, 0 to 16), whereas THB cells possessed titers of 32 to 256. Evidence for the existence of a second binding site in agglutination which does not possess a glucan-like polymer has been obtained. B13 cells grown in invertase-treated THB agglutinated to the same degree as normal THB cells. The nature of this site is unknown. SYN cells possess the type-specific polysaccharide antigen. B13 cells did not bind from THB a glycoprotein which reacts with antisera to the A, B, or T blood group antigens or which allows agglutination upon the addition of dextran. The results demonstrate that S. mutans grown in a chemically defined medium possesse markedly different biochemical and biological activities than cells grown in a complex organic medium.

Serotype-dependent inhibition of glucan synthesis and cell adherence of Streptococcus mutans by antibody against glucosyltransferase of serotype e S. mutans

A crude glucosyltransferase (GTase) preparation was obtained from the culture supernatant of Streptococcus mutans strain MT703 (serotype e) by 50% ammonium sulphate precipitation. Antiserum specific against the GTase was prepared by immunizing rabbits intramuscularly with the GTase in Freund incomplete adjuvant, followed by GTase without adjuvant intravenously. Gamma globulin fractions of the antiserum and normal serum were partially purified by 1/3 saturated ammonium sulphate precipitation. The antibody strongly inhibited the GTase activity (greater than 90%) of type c, e and f S. mutans, whereas the GTase of type a, d and g was not affected by the antibody. The GTase from type b S. mutans was slightly inhibited. The adherence of viable cells of type c, e, and f S. mutans to a glass surface due to synthesis of glucan by the cell-associated GTase was also significantly inhibited by the antibody to the enzyme. These results suggest that type c, e, and f and types a, d, and g S. mutans can be separated into two major groups in terms of the immunological relationship of GTase.

Congenital protein C deficiency and myocardial infarction:concomitant factor VII hyperactivity may play a role in the onset of arterial thrombosis

A 29-year-old man with congenital protein C deficiency and acute myocardial infarction is reported. Four hours after the onset of chest pain, he was treated intravenously with tissue-type plasminogen activator. Subsequent coronary angiography revealed only slight stenosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery without any atherosclerosis. The propositus, his brother, and his mother, showed low levels of both protein C activity and antigen, while plasma thrombomodulin levels were normal. His grandfather had died from acute myocardial infarction at 38 years of age. We investigated several other risk factors for arterial thrombosis, including factor VII, fibrinogen, heparin cofactor II, lipoprotein (a), and anticardiolipin antibodies. No other haemostatic abnormalities apart from factor VII hyperactivity were detected in this family. To study the effects of protein C and factor VII on procoagulant activity, prothrombin time was measured after the addition of activated protein C and factor VII to protein C-deficient plasma. The prothrombin time ratio decreased along with an increase in the factor VII level. It also decreased with a decrease in the activated protein C level. These findings indicated that the procoagulant activity of factor VII was enhanced by low protein C levels, suggesting that concomitant factor VII hyperactivity may cause acute myocardial infarction in patients with protein C deficiency.

Dextran/glucan binding by Streptococcus mutans: the role of molecular size and binding site in agglutination

1) S. mutans strains of serotypes a, d and g were strongly agglutinated with soluble glucans and dextran T2000. Homologous glucan did not in all cases produce agglutination. 2) The quantity of low molecular weight dextrans bound (T20 and T70) does not correspond to the agglutination induced by glucan or T2000. 3) The agglutination and binding of high molecular weight glucan by B13 cells was sensitive to heat, trypsin, dextranase, EDTA, SDS and urea, whereas no inhibition of binding of T20 and T70 was seen. 4) Pretreatment of B13 cells with anti-d, or anti-glucan sera, or Con A, RCA I, or RCA II completely inhibited agglutination by T2000 and caused a significant reduction of the binding of glucan. No reduction in the binding of T20 and T70 occurred. 5) An agglutination-negative mutant was agglutinated by sucrose but not by T2000 or high molecular weight glucan. It bound normal levels of T20 and T70. 6) The results indicate that B13 cells possess multiple glucan binding sites and that the site responsible for agglutination consists of both polysaccharide and protein. 7) Inhibition studies on agglutination and adherence using B13 cells indicate that the two processes involve different mechanisms.

[Comparison of heart failure and COVID-19 in chest CT features and clinical characteristics]

Objective: To identify the characteristics including clinical features and pulmonary computed tomography (CT) features of heart failure and COVID-19. Methods: This study was a retrospective study. A total of 7 patients with heart failure and 12 patients with COVID-19 in the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University between December 1, 2019 and February 15, 2020 were enrolled. The baseline clinical and imaging features of the two groups were statistically analyzed. Results: There was no significant difference in age and sex between the two groups(both P>0.05), but the incidence of epidemiological contact history, fever or respiratory symptoms in the COVID-19 group was significantly higher than that in the heart failure group (12/12 vs. 0, P<0.001; 12/12 vs. 4/7, P=0.013). While the proportion of cardiovascular diseases and impaired cardiac function was significantly less than that of the heart failure group(2/12 vs.7/7, P<0.001；0 vs.7/7, P<0.001). For imaging features, both groups had ground-glass opacity and thickening of interlobular septum, but the ratio of central and gradient distribution was higher in patients with heart failure than that in patients with COVID-19 (4/7 vs. 1/12, P=0.04). In heart failure group, the ratio of the expansion of pulmonary veins was also higher (3/7 vs. 0，P=0.013), and the lung lesions can be significantly improved after effective anti-heart failure treatment. Besides, there were more cases with rounded morphology in COVID-19 group（9/12 vs. 2/7, P=0.048）. Conclusions: More patients with COVID-19 have epidemiological history and fever or respiratory symptoms. There are significant differences in chest CT features, such as enlargement of pulmonary veins, lesions distribution and morphology between heart failure and COVID-19.

The effects of emotional salience on thought disorder in patients with bipolar affective disorder

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to explore the effects of emotionally salient material on thought disorder in patients with bipolar affective disorder.

METHOD

Seventy-one participants (20 manic, 15 depressed, 16 currently well patients and 20 non-psychiatric-controls) were interviewed in two conditions: an emotionally salient interview and a non-salient interview. Speech samples were rated using the Scale for the Assessment of Thought, Language and Communication.

RESULTS

Manic patients presented with significantly more thought disorder than any other group in both conditions and exhibited the greatest reaction to emotionally salient material.

CONCLUSION

The effects of emotional salience on thought, language and communication are not unique to schizophrenic patients. The speech of manic patients is more affectively responsive than the speech of remitted, bipolar depressed and normal participants. The implications of these findings are discussed.

The effect of maimendongtang on airway clearance and secretion

We investigated the effect of Maimendongtang on airway clearance and secretion in anaesthetized quails. The oral application of 1 g/kg of Maimendongtang significantly increased tracheal mucociliary transport velocity (MCTV), whereas 100 or 300 mg/kg of Maimendongtang failed to do so. Moreover, 300 mg/kg or 1 g/kg of Maimendongtang markedly attenuated human neutrophil elastase (HNE) or DNA-induced decrease in MCTV although 100 mg/kg of Maimendongtang had little effect. Furthermore, we found that Maimendongtang significantly restored HNE-induced increases in DNA, fucose and protein contents of airway surface fluid (ASF), whereas only Maimendongtang itself significantly decreased the protein content. These results indicate that Maimendongtang increases MCTV and the increase may be, at least in part, ascribed to the amelioration of ASF in the trachea.

GaAs/AlGaAs optical synaptic interconnection device for neural networks

A GaAs/AlGaAs optical synaptic interconnection device for neural networks is reported for the first time to our knowledge. This device consists of a light-emitting-diode array, an interconnection matrix, and a photodiode array, which are integrated into a hybrid-layered structure on a GaAs substrate. The device structure and characteristics are reported in detail. The fabricated device can simulate a 32-neuron system. Experimental results of the Hopfield associative memory with three stored vectors are also described.

Effect of human neutrophil elastase on tracheal mucociliary transport in anesthetized quails

We investigated the effect of human neutrophil elastase (HNE) on tracheal mucociliary transport in anesthetized quails. Topical application of HNE (30-300 microg/kg) to tracheal mucosa dose-dependently decreased mucociliary transport velocity (MCTV). The HNE (300 microg/kg)-induced decrease in MCTV was blocked by ONO-5046 x Na (sodium N-[2-[4-(2,2-dimethylpropionyloxy)phenyl-sulfonylamino]benzo yl]aminoacetate tetrahydrate) (3-30 mg/kg, i.m.), a specific neutrophil elastase inhibitor. Furthermore, we found that HNE increased DNA, fucose and protein contents of tracheal lavages, and the increases were also reverted by ONO-5046 Na. These results indicated that HNE decreased tracheal mucociliary transport, and the decrease may be, at least in part, ascribed to the deterioration of tracheal secretions.

Ophiopogon root (Radix Ophiopogonis) prevents ultra-structural damage by SO2 in an epithelial injury model for studies of mucociliary transport

We studied the action of the herb, Ophiopogon root (OR) in a epithelial injury model, hypothesizing that it may have beneficial effects on mucociliary transport following injury to the palate induced by sodium metabisulphite (MB) which releases SO(2) on contact with water. OR (extract from 1g of root/ml)-incubated palates and non-incubated palates were compared to assess the effect of MB on mucociliary clearance on the bull frog palate. MB 10(-1) M, acutely increased mucociliary clearance time (MCT) by 254.5 +/- 57.3% in untreated and 243.3 +/- 98.5% in OR-incubated palates, (over all significance assessed by one-way ANOVA, F = 12.82, p < 0.001, df = 8,54 for MB and F = 10.56, p < 0.001, df = 8,54 for OR). MCT returned to normal during recovery in OR-treated palates following MB. In untreated palates, MCT did not return to control values during a similar recovery period. ANOVA comparing MCTs in the recovery period in untreated vs OR-treated palates was significantly different (F = 2.92, p < 0.03, df = 5,36). SEM images of epithelial tissue, analyzed by morphometry, showed a 25 +/- 12% loss of ciliated cells in untreated palates and little or no damage to cilia in OR-treated palates. Intact groups of ciliated cells were found in SEM micrographs of mucus from MB-treated palates. We conclude that the loss of cilia or ciliated cells prevented full recovery of MCT after MB in untreated palates. In OR-incubated palates, mucociliary transport was completely restored within 20 min after topical application of MB, possibly through a protective action on the extra-cellular matrix.

A flow-injection mass spectrometry fingerprinting scaffold for feature selection and quantitation of Cordyceps and Ganoderma extracts in beverage: a predictive artificial neural network modelling strategy

Flow-injection mass spectrometry (FI/MS) represents a powerful analytical tool for the quality assessment of herbal formula in dietary supplements. In this study, we described a scaffold (proof-of-concept) adapted from spectroscopy to quantify Cordyceps sinensis and Ganoderma lucidum in a popular Cordyceps sinensis /Ganoderma lucidum -enriched health beverage by utilizing flow-injection/mass spectrometry/artificial neural network (FI/MS/ANN) model fingerprinting method with feature selection capability. Equal proportion of 0.1% formic acid and methanol (v/v) were used to convert extracts of Cordyceps sinensis and Ganoderma lucidum into their respective ions under positive MS polarity condition. No chromatographic separation was performed. The principal m/z values of Cordyceps sinensis and Ganoderma lucidum were identified as: 104.2, 116.2, 120.2, 175.2, 236.3, 248.3, 266.3, 366.6 and 498.6; 439.7, 469.7, 511.7, 551.6, 623.6, 637.7 and 653.6, respectively. ANN models representing Cordyceps sinensis and Ganoderma lucidum were individually trained and validated using three independent sets of matrix-free and matrix-matched calibration curves at concentration levels of 2, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 400 μg mL^-1. Five repeat analyses provided a total of 180 spectra for herbal extracts of Cordyceps sinensis and Ganoderma lucidum. Root-mean-square-deviation (RMSE) were highly satisfactory at <4% for both training and validation models. Correlation coefficient (r²) values of between 0.9994 and 0.9997 were reported. Matrix blanks comprised of complex mixture of Lingzhi fermentation solution and collagen. Recovery assessment was performed over two days using six sets of matrix blank (n = 6) spiked at three concentration levels of approximately 83, 166 and 333 mg kg^-1. Extraction using acetonitrile provided good overall recovery range of 92-118%. A quantitation limit of 0.2 mg L^-1 was reported for both Cordyceps sinensis and Ganoderma lucidum. Intra-day and inter-day RMSE values of 7% or better were achieved. Application of the scaffold in a high-throughput routine environment would imply a significant reduction in effort and time, since the option of having a model driven analytical solution is now available.

Optical learning neurochip with internal analog memory

An optical neurochip with learning capability and a memory function is reported for the first time, to our knowledge. The neurochip is a three-dimensional optoelectronic integrated circuit consisting of a light-emitting diode array and a variable-sensitivity photodetector array. The principle of operation and the fundamental characteristics of the neurochip are described in detail. The synaptic weights, which, are acquired through learning, are stored in the variable-sensitivity photodetector as the detection sensitivity with analog values. Both the positive and the negative synaptic weights are memorized with one variable-sensitivity photodetector element by changing the polarity of the electric signal applied to the photodetector. A storage time of ~20 min. was obtained. With a fabricated optical neurochip that had 32 neurons and 32 x 32 synapses, experiments of on-chip learning for pattern classification were performed successfully.

Effect of leukotriene D4 on tracheal mucociliary transport velocity in quails

We investigated the effect of leukotriene D4 (LTD4) on tracheal mucociliary transport in quails. Topical application of LTD4 (0.2-2 ng) to tracheal mucosa dose-dependently increased mucociliary transport velocity (MCTV) in 5 or 10 min after application. Forty minutes after application of 2 ng of LTD4, MCTV was decreased to about 84% of that in the control group. Both the transient increase and the subsequent decrease induced by 2 ng of LTD4 were blocked by ONO-1078 (Pranlukast: 4-oxo-8-[4-(4-phenylbutoxy)-benzoylamino]-2-(tetrazol-5-yl)- 4H- 1-benzopyran) (0.03-3 mg/kg, i.m.), a specific leukotriene antagonist. These results suggest that LTD4 possesses a biphasic effect on tracheal mucociliary transport through leukotriene receptors.

Variable-sensitivity photodetector that uses a metal-semiconductor-metal structure for optical neural networks

A novel type of photodetector called a variable-sensitivity photodetector has been developed for optical implementation of neural networks. It utilizes a metal-semiconductor-metal structure whose quantum efficiency can be modulated by an applied bias voltage. A linear dependence of the sensitivity on the bias voltage was obtained with the bipolar current flow. This device operated as a multiplier of the incident light intensity and the bias voltage. It is shown that this device is suitable for achieving dynamic synaptic interconnections. A 4 x 4 array device was fabricated and demonstrated.

Induced liver allograft immunological tolerance in rats by intramuscular injection of recombinant adeno-associated virus-human cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 immunoglobulin (rAAV-hCTLA4Ig)

Induction of liver allograft immunological tolerance was performed in rats by intramuscular injection of recombinant adeno-associated virus-human cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 immunoglobulin (rAAV-hCTLA4Ig). Dark Agouti and Lewis rats were liver allograft donors and recipients, respectively, in four groups: (A) syngeneic control, (B) blank control, (C) rAAV-enhanced green fluorescent protein negative control, (D) rAAV-hCTLA4Ig. Gene transfers occurred 6 weeks before transplantation. Group D had a significantly longer liver graft survival time (> 100 days) than groups B (11.9 +/- 1.3 days) and C (11.6 +/- 1.1 days). Groups B and C showed severe rejection responses and large amounts of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-lymphocyte infiltration, while only a mild response and few T-lymphocytes were observed in group D. There were no significant differences in interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma levels in liver grafts between groups D and C, but there were significant decreases in granzyme B and lymphotoxin beta levels in group D compared with group C. It is concluded that immunological tolerance to liver allograft could be achieved by gene transfer of rAAV-hCTLA4Ig through intramuscular injection.

Involvement of Snf7p and Rim101p in the transcriptional regulation of TIR1 and other anaerobically upregulated genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Despite the scientific and applied interest in the anaerobic metabolism of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, not all genes whose transcription is upregulated under anaerobic conditions have yet been linked to known transcription factors. Experiments with a reporter construct in which the promoter of the anaerobically upregulated TIR1 gene was fused to lacZ revealed a loss of anaerobic upregulation in an snf7Delta mutant. Anaerobic upregulation was restored by expression of a truncated allele of RIM101 that encodes for a constitutively active Rim101p. Analysis of lacZ expression in several deletion mutants confirmed that the effect of Snf7p on anaerobic upregulation of TIR1 involved Rim101p. Further studies with deletion mutants in NRG1, NRG2 and SMP1, which were previously shown to be regulated by Rim101p, could not totally elucidate the TIR1 regulation, suggesting the involvement of a more complex regulation network. However, the aerobic repression mechanism of TIR1 involved the general repressor Ssn6p-Tup1p. Transcriptome analysis in anaerobic chemostat cultures revealed that 26 additional genes exhibited an Snf7p/Rim101p-dependent anaerobic upregulation, among which, besides TIR1, are four other anaerobic genes SML1, MUC1, AAC3 and YBR300C. These results provide new evidence on the implication of the Rim101p cascade in the transcriptional regulation of anaerobic metabolism in S. cerevisiae.

Laser Doppler velocimeter with a novel optical fiber probe

A practical laser Doppler velocimeter with optical fibers in the whole system was developed. The novel optical probe designed for this LDV is constructed of a graded-index rod lens attached to the end of an optical fiber. Since the laser beam from the probe is well collimated, the velocity accuracy and sensitivity are significantly improved. Mechanical vibration measurements were also carried out with this LDV; vibration amplitude down to 1.0 microm p-p can be measured at a frequency of 120 Hz with high accuracy.