Evaluating the potential of barley and wheat microsatellite markers for genetic analysis of Elymus trachycaulus complex species

The potential of barley and wheat microsatellite markers for genetic analysis of Elymus trachycaulus complex species was evaluated. A set of 25 barley and 3 wheat microsatellite markers were tested for their ability to cross-amplify DNA from four accessions of E. trachycaulus and two accessions Pseudoroegneria spicata. Thirteen barley (52%) and two (68%) wheat primer pairs successfully amplified consistent products from both E. trachycaulus and P. spicata species. Four of the 15 successful primer pairs produced visible polymorphisms among the accessions tested. A higher successful rate of cross-species amplification of barley and wheat microsatellite markers in E. trachycaulus and P. spicata was found in this study. These primer pairs are now available for use as markers in genetic analysis of E. trachycaulus complex species. Our results suggest that publicly available wheat and barley microsatellite markers are a valuable resource for the genetic characterization of wild Triticeae species.

Inheritance of plant regeneration from maize (Zea mays L.) shoot meristem cultures derived from germinated seeds and the identification of associated RAPD and SSR markers

The inheritance of shoot regeneration through shoot-tip meristem culture derived from maize seedling was evaluated, and the markers (RAPD and SSR) associated with this regeneration character were identified both in a group of North American maize inbreds and a crossing population. A discrete distribution of percent regeneration and no. of shoots per explant was observed in the inbred group and the F(2) population. The results suggested that this regenerable trait was controlled by several major genes. Five RAPD markers were identified to be relevant to percent regeneration in maize shoot-tip culture system. One RAPD marker and three SSR markers were associated with no. of shoot per explant and its relevant traits. Of them marker BC603-1600 explained 18% of the variation for no. of shoot per explant and 16% of the variation for callus size. The BC603-1600 was sequenced and assigned in linkage group 7 based on a NCBI blast search. The information provided here should benefit to determine the genetic mechanisms involved in the maize regeneration response related to shoot meristem culture pathway and benefit to select high regenerable germplasm by using marker assisted selection.

Central and peripheral immunoreactivity of melanin-concentrating hormone in hypothalamic obese and lactating rats

Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is believed to be an important orexigenic peptide mainly localized in the lateral hypothalamic area. Its involvement in the hyperphagia induced by hypothalamic lesions and lactation remains unclear. In this study, we investigated MCH immunoreactivity in the hypothalamus using immunohistochemistry and MCH concentration in the peripheral circulation using an enzyme immunoassay in rats with a lesion in the ventromedial hypothalamus or the paraventricular nucleus, and in lactating rats. Bilateral lesions of the ventromedial or paraventricular nuclei were performed using an electrolytic method. Quantification of immunoreactivity by image analysis revealed that the number and mean staining intensity of MCH-immunoreactive neurones in the lateral hypothalamic area and the zona incerta were significantly decreased by both types of lesions compared to sham controls, whereas circulating MCH concentration was not significantly different on day 7 postlesion. By contrast, in lactating rats on days 11-12 postpartum, the expression of MCH in the lateral hypothalamic area and the zona incerta was significantly increased compared to nonlactating controls. Circulating MCH concentration was not changed in lactating rats. These results suggest that hyperphagia induced by lactation, but not hypothalamic lesion, might be induced by excessive expression of MCH in the lateral hypothalamic area and the zona incerta.

Optimising the performance of a lab-scale tidal flow reed bed system treating agricultural wastewater

A gravel-based tidal flow reed bed system was operated with three different strategies in order to investigate its optimal performance for the treatment of a high strength agricultural wastewater. According to the three strategies, individual reed beds were saturated and unsaturated with the wastewater for different periods while reasonably stable hydraulic and organic loadings were maintained. Experimental results demonstrated that the system produced the highest pollutant removal efficiencies with a relatively short saturated period and long unsaturated period, highlighting the importance of oxygen transfer into reed bed matrices during the treatment. Significant removals of some major organic and inorganic pollutants were achieved under all three operational conditions. Nitrification was not the major route of ammoniacal-nitrogen removal when the system was under high organic loading. Due to the filtration of suspended solids and the accumulation of biomass, gradual clogging of the reed bed matrices took place, which caused concerns over the long-term efficiency of the tidal flow system.

Novel truncated isoform of SK3 potassium channel is a potent dominant-negative regulator of SK currents: implications in schizophrenia

The small-conductance calcium-activated K(+) channel SK3 (SKCa3/KCNN3) regulates electrical excitability and neurotransmitter release in monoaminergic neurons, and has been implicated in schizophrenia, ataxia and anorexia nervosa. We have identified a novel SK3 transcript, SK3-1B that utilizes an alternative first exon (exon 1B), but is otherwise identical to SK3. SK3-1B, mRNA is widely distributed in human tissues and is present at 20-60% of SK3 in the brain. The SK3-1B protein lacks the N-terminus and first transmembrane segment, and begins eight residues upstream of the second transmembrane segment. When expressed alone, SK3-1B did not produce functional channels, but selectively suppressed endogenous SK3 currents in the pheochromocytoma cell line, PC12, in a dominant-negative fashion. This dominant inhibitory effect extended to other members of the SK subfamily, but not to voltage-gated K(+) channels, and appears to be due to intracellular trapping of endogenous SK channels. The effect of SK3-1B expression is very similar to that produced by expression of the rare SK3 truncation allele, SK3-Delta, found in a patient with schizophrenia. Regulation of SK3 and SK3-1B levels may provide a potent mechanism to titrate neuronal firing rates and neurotransmitter release in monoaminergic neurons, and alterations in the relative abundance of these proteins could contribute to abnormal neuronal excitability, and to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.

RAPD polymorphisms in spring wheat cultivars and lines with different level of Fusarium resistance

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers have been used to characterize the genetic diversity among 35 spring wheat cultivars and lines with different levels of Fusarium resistance. The objectives of this study were to determine RAPD-based genetic similarity between accessions and to derive associations between Fusarium head blight (FHB) and RAPD markers. Two bulked DNA from either highly resistant lines or susceptible lines were used to screen polymorphic primers. Out of 160 screened primers, 17 primers generated reproducible and polymorphic fragments. Genetic similarity calculated from the RAPD data ranged from 0.64 to 0.98. A dendrogram was prepared on the basis of a similarity matrix using the UPGMA algorithm, which corresponded well with the results of principal component analysis and separated the 35 genotypes into two groups. Association analysis between RAPD markers and the FHB index detected three RAPD markers, H19(1000), F2(500) and B1(2400), significantly associated with FHB-resistant genotypes. These results suggest that a collection of unrelated genotypes can be used to identify markers linked to an agronomically important quantitative trait like FHB. These markers will be useful for marker-assistant breeding and can be used as candidate markers for further gene mapping and cloning.

Orexin-A immunoreactivity and prepro-orexin mRNA expression in hyperphagic rats induced by hypothalamic lesions and lactation

Orexins are endogenous neuropeptides that potently facilitate appetite and food consumption. In the present study, we examined orexin immunoreactivity and prepro-orexin mRNA expression in the lateral hypothalamus by immunohistochemistry and competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methods in different models of hyperphagia in rats. Hyperphagia was induced by lesions of either the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMHL) or the paraventricular nucleus (PVNL), and we also compared lactating rats to nonlactating controls. Both VMHL and PVNL increased food intake and body weight compared to shams. On day 7 post lesion, serum leptin and insulin concentrations exhibited 3.2- and 2.8-fold increases in VMHL rats, and nonsignificant 1.8- and 1.8-fold increases in PVNL rats; there were significant decreases (48% and 33%) in lactating rats on day 12 postpartum compared to controls, respectively. Serum glucose concentrations were not significantly changed compared to controls in these rats. Quantification by image analysis suggests that VMHL significantly decreased the number and mean staining intensity of orexin-A immunoreactive neurones compared to those in the sham-lesioned group; while PVNL did not change orexin-A immunoreactivity. Competitive RT-PCR analysis showed that VMHL significantly decreased the prepro-orexin mRNA expression compared to those in the sham-lesioned group, and PVNL did not change it. Lactating rats on days 11-12 of lactation had significantly greater number and mean staining intensity of orexin-A immunoreactive neurones, prepro-orexin mRNA expression food intake and body weight than nonlactating postpartum rats. Thus, changes in orexin-A immunoreactivity and prepro-orexin mRNA expression were not consistent between the hyperphagia models. These results suggest that the hyperphagia from VMHL or PVNL and lactating rats differ in their involvement of orexin-A, and the change in circulating leptin and insulin concentrations may be involved in the change of orexin-A immunoreactivity in these rats.

Mechanical strength of microcapsules made of different wall materials

The mechanical strength of microcapsules made of three different wall materials, including melamine-formaldehyde resin, urea-formaldehyde resin and gelatin-gum arabic coacervate, were measured by a micromanipulation technique. Single microcapsules were compressed to large deformations or rupture and the force being imposed on them were measured simultaneously. Melamine-formaldehyde and urea-formaldehyde microcapsules showed clear bursting under compression, and their bursting force, deformation at bursting and deformation at a pesudo yield point were determined. Gelatin microcapsules did not show clear bursting under compression, and their mechanical strength was characterized by the force required to cause their deformation to 50%. The mechanical strengths of these three types of microcapsules are compared in this paper.

Biorheological characteristics of skin after expansion

This study investigated the changes in biorheological characteristics of skin after expansion. Expanders were implanted into the back of eight adult dogs, and after an eight-week expansion the expanded and the non-expanded control skins were transferred to an adjacent site. The expanded specimens and their controls were obtained at 3, 6, 12 and 24 weeks after transfer, and their biorheological characteristics and histological changes were studied. The characteristics of the stress-relaxation, the stress-strain relationship and tensile strength of the expanded and control specimens were measured. The tests demonstrated that during the initial stage after transfer, the biorheological properties of experimental specimens differed significantly from those of their controls. However, the differences between expanded and control specimens began to lessen gradually with increasing recovery time. When the recovery time reached 24 weeks or longer, the experimental skin exhibited the same mechanical properties as the control skin. Histological examination of expanded specimens showed thickened epidermis and thinned dermis. But there were no significant histological differences between expanded skins and their controls after 24 weeks.

Human leptin locus (LEP) alleles and BMI in Samoans

OBJECTIVES

Because of their location in known candidate gene regions for obesity the associations between six microsatellite markers (D2S2170, D2S144, D2S1268, D2S1788, D2S1348 and a tetranucleotide repeat in the 3' UTR of the LEP locus) and body mass index (BMI) were studied in adult Samoans.

DESIGN

The study was designed to detect differences in the proportion of alleles at the six microsatellite markers between two groups of adult Samoans at the extremes of the longitudinal BMI distribution.

SUBJECTS AND MEASUREMENTS

The 181 unrelated Samoan participants were 25-55 y of age, reported that all four grandparents were Samoan, resided in American Samoa (AS) or Samoa (S) and were without diagnosed hypertension or type 2 diabetes. Initial statistical analysis was based on chi(2) tests of independence between marker allele frequencies and BMI status at each marker. The association of individual alleles with BMI status was tested by aggregating a marker's allelic data into a two-by-two contingency table and applying a two-tailed version of Fisher's exact test, with a Bonferroni correction to account for the multiple testing implicit in the procedure.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in allele frequencies at any of the markers between AS and S, as expected from our prior population genetic analyses. Only the LEP gene 3'-tetranucelotide repeat was associated (P<0.006) with BMI status. The distribution of the marker alleles at the LEP locus was significantly associated with the BMI groups (P<0.01), due to the low frequency of allele 226 in the high BMI group. The same pattern of association was found in sub-group analyses with low BMI individuals from AS and high BMI individuals from S.

CONCLUSION

These findings indicate that the leptin 3'-tetranucleotide repeat is associated with high BMI in adult Samoans, with allele 226 having a low frequency in the high BMI group.

Pore sizes in hydrated dextran microspheres

The average pore size of hydrated dextran microspheres is derived from rheological and protein release data. The microspheres were prepared by cross-linking an aqueous solution of methacrylated dextran emulsified in a continuous poly(ethylene glycol) phase. The rheological data were obtained using a novel micromanipulation technique, which enables the compression of a single microsphere. The so obtained pseudoelasticity moduli of the microspheres were derived from these compression data and corresponded well with the elasticity moduli of macroscopic hydrogels of the same composition, as determined with dynamic mechanical analysis. The modulus increased with decreasing water contents of the microspheres and with increasing degrees of methacrylate substitution of the dextran used. Furthermore, the average pore sizes calculated from the pseudoelasticity moduli were in good agreement with the pore sizes derived from protein release data. In conclusion, this study shows that micromanipulation provides insight into the average pore sizes of dextran microspheres, which is an important characteristic that will modulate the release of encapsulated proteins.

Genomic organization and promoter analysis of human KCNN3 gene

KCNN3 is a member of the gene family, KCNN1-4, encoding the small and intermediate conductance calcium-activated potassium channels. Long CAG-repeat alleles of this gene have been found to be over-represented in patients with schizophrenia in a number of population-based association studies, and this gene maps to human chromosome 1q21, a region recently implicated in schizophrenia by linkage. To set the stage for a further functional evaluation of KCNN3, we defined the nature of the genomic locus in the size, structure, and sequence of its introns and exons and the function of potential upstream regulatory regions. We isolated P1-derived artificial chromosome (PAC) clones from a genomic library and identified an overlapping available bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clone. Cosmids subcloned from the PAC and BAC clones were then sequenced and merged with the sequence in the public database. The KCNN3 gene spans over 163.1 kb and is composed of eight exons and seven introns. All of the exon-intron junctions conform closely to consensus splice sites. The proximal 2.5 kb of the 5'-flanking sequence was obtained and analyzed for potential transcription factor binding sites. In the proximal 2.5 kb upstream region, potential sites for the Ikaros factor (IK2), homeodomain factor Nkx-2.5/Csx (NKX25), nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT), upstream stimulating factor (USF), c-AMP responsive element binding protein (CREB), POU factor Brn2 (BRN-2), myeloid zinc finger protein (MZF1), vitellogenin binding protein (VBP), HNF3 forkhead homologue 2 (HFH2), and transcription initiation were identified, as well as several potential AP-1 and AP-4 sites. Finally, a 2261-bp fragment of this upstream region was cloned into a promoterless pGL3-luciferase vector, where it produced orientation-dependent expression of the reporter gene in transiently transfected PC12 cells, cells which natively express functional KCNN3 channels, suggesting that this cloned fragment includes competent promoter elements of this gene.

Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2 ) and IGF-binding protein 1 (IGFBP1) gene variants are associated with overfeeding-induced metabolic changes

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), IGF2, IGF binding protein 1 (IGFBP1) and IGFBP3 gene variants on the metabolic changes observed in response to a 100-day overfeeding protocol conducted with 12 pairs of monozygotic twins.

METHODS

Genotyping was done by PCR-RFLP and DNA sequencer methods. Body fat measurements included hydrodensitometry and abdominal fat from computed tomography. Plasma glucose and insulin during fasting and in response to an OGTT were assayed. Plasma lipids were measured enzymatically.

RESULTS

In response to caloric surplus, fasting plasma insulin (p < 0.05) and OGTT insulin (p = 0.004) but not glucose area, increased more among the subjects with IGF2 Apa I GG (n = 12) than those with AA + AG (n = 12). The changes were independent of changes in total fatness. The subjects with IGFBP1 Bgl II AA (n = 8) showed greater increases in abdominal visceral fat (p < 0.01), OGTT insulin area (p = 0.05) and total cholesterol (p < 0.03) with overfeeding than the subjects with AG + GG (n = 16). IGFBP3 Nde I and the IGF1 (CT)n markers were not associated with responsiveness to overfeeding.

CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION

Insulin sensitivity decreased in the subjects with IGF2 Apa I GG and the subjects with IGFBP1 Bgl II AA showed an accumulation of abdominal visceral fat and the early symptoms of the metabolic syndrome after long-term caloric surplus. Genetic variation at the IGF2 and IGFBP1 loci could be among the factors responsible for the inter-individual differences observed in the response to long-term alterations in energy balance and should be further investigated in larger cohorts.

[A preliminary study on infection of rabbits by human cytomegalovirus AD169 strain]

BACKGROUND

To study the susceptibility of rabbit to human cytomeglavirus (HCMV) in vivo and in vitro.

METHODS

Rabbit embryo lung (REL) cell monolayer were inoculated with HCMV AD169 strain. The cytopathic effect (CPE) was observed by microscope. HCMV antigen was detected by immunohistochemical method and viral particles were shown by electron microscopy. Human embryo lung (HEL) was taken control. Thirty New Zealand rabbits were divided into three groups randomly, two were virus groups (group1, group2) and one was inactivated virus group (group3). 50 days later, the rabbits tissue lesions were observed by pathological techniques, HCMV DNA was analyzed by in situ hybridization.

RESULTS

The CPE appeared 16 h post inoculation in REL cells as well as in HEL cells, at the same time, the HCMV antigen also was detected by immunhistochemistry and a large number of viral particles were manifested in the nucleus and cytoplasm of REL cells by electron microscope 36 h after virus inoculation. The extensive pathological damages in tissues of HCMV infected rabbits were observed and the viral DNA was also demonstrated in many tissues of HCMV infected rabbits.

CONCLUSIONS

HCMV can infect REL cells and fulfil its replication cycle in vitro. HCMV AD169 strain can infect rabbits through intravenous injection and different infection models can be established by controlling the dosage of inoculated virus.

Transduction of cellular sequence by a human immunodeficiency virus type 1-derived vector

During studies examining the rate of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) mutation in a single cycle of replication, the 5' long terminal repeat of one progeny provirus was found to contain an insertion of 147 bp including an entire tRNA sequence as well as an additional 66 bp insertion of nonviral origin. Database searches revealed that 65 of 66 bp aligned with the human CpG island sequence found on chromosomes 6, 14, and 17. Therefore it seems probable that it is of human cellular sequence origin and was transduced by HIV-1. This is the first demonstration that HIV-1 can capture a cellular sequence. The site of integration of the parental provirus was mapped to chromosome 1p32.1. Sequence with homology to the transduced CpG island was not found on chromosome 1, suggesting that the transduced cellular sequence was not linked to the site of viral integration.

CD8(+)-T-cell depletion ameliorates circulatory shock in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice

The Plasmodium berghei-infected mouse model is a well-recognized model for human cerebral malaria. Mice infected with P. berghei exhibit (i) metabolic acidosis (pH < 7.3) associated with elevated plasma lactate concentrations, (ii) significant (P < 0.05) vascular leakage in their lungs, hearts, kidneys, and brains, (ii) significantly (P < 0.05) higher cell and serum glutamate concentrations, and (iv) significantly (P < 0.05) lower mean arterial blood pressures. Because these complications are similar to those of septic shock, the simplest interpretation of these findings is that the mice develop shock brought on by the P. berghei infection. To determine whether the immune system and specifically CD8(+) T cells mediate the key features of shock during P. berghei malaria, we depleted CD8(+) T cells by monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment and assessed the complications of malarial shock. P. berghei-infected mice depleted of CD8(+) T cells by mAb treatment had significantly reduced vascular leakage in their hearts, brains, lungs, and kidneys compared with infected controls treated with rat immunoglobulin G. CD8-depleted mice were significantly (P < 0.05) protected from lactic acidosis, glutamate buildup, and diminished HCO(3)(-) levels. Although the blood pressure decreased in anti-CD8 mAb-treated mice infected with P. berghei, the cardiac output, as assessed by echocardiography, was similar to that of uninfected control mice. Collectively, our results indicate that (i) pathogenesis similar to septic shock occurs during experimental P. berghei malaria, (ii) respiratory distress with lactic acidosis occurs during P. berghei malaria, and (iii) most components of circulatory shock are ameliorated by depletion of CD8(+) T cells.

[Relationship between TT virus infection and hepatocellular carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the relationship between TT virus (TTV) infection and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

TTV was examined in sera of 112 patients with HCC and 95 patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) without HCC. 30 patients without liver disease were examined as control. TTV DNA was detected by the second generation of TTV PCR primers (NG059, NG061 and NG063) after extraction of DNA from 50 microliters serum. The relationship between TTV infection and clinical features of each group patients was analyzed.

RESULTS

TTV DNA was detected in 17.86% (20/112) of HCC patients, and this prevalence in HCC patients was not significantly higher than that of TTV DNA in CLD patients (15.78%, 15/95). There were no significant differences in age, gender, tumor factors (size, TNM classification and markers) and other hepatitis virus markers between TTV-positive and TTV-negative in HCC and CLD patients, except history of blood transfusion [(80.00% vs 35.87% (P < 0.05) in HCC patients and 73.33% vs 27.50% (P < 0.05) in CLD patients)] and ALT [(93 +/- 27) IU/L vs (68 +/- 31) IU/L (P < 0.05) in HCC patients]. It seemed that TTV did not do any harm to the liver function of patients who infected with HBV or HCV, except for elevating ALT level in such a kind of HCC patients.

CONCLUSION

Although TTV could do harm to the liver function of HCC patients, it does not contribute to the development of HCC from CLD.

Genetic variation at the uncoupling protein 1, 2 and 3 loci and the response to long-term overfeeding

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of uncoupling protein (UCP) 1, UCP2 and UCP3 gene variants on body composition and metabolic changes in response to chronic overfeeding and the recovery after the period of overfeeding.

SUBJECTS AND DESIGN

Twenty-four normal weight men (21+/-2 y), who constituted 12 pairs of identical twins, ate a 4.2 MJ/day energy surplus, 6 days a week, during a period of 100 days. The subjects were asked to return to the laboratory for testing at 4 months and for a final examination 5 y after completion of the overfeeding protocol.

METHODS

Resting metabolic rate (RMR) measurements were performed before and after overfeeding. A 4.2 MJ test meal was consumed, after which calorimetric measurements were continued for 240 min. Total body fat was assessed by hydrodensitometry and total subcutaneous fat by the sum of eight skinfolds. Polymorphisms were typed by PCR and PCR-RFLP-techniques. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations after a thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) injection were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA).

RESULTS

The changes in body weight and adiposity were not different between UCP1 Bcl I, UCP2 alanine to valine (A55V), UCP2 insertion/deletion (I/D) or UCP3 Rsa I genotypes. However, the recovery from overfeeding was worse among G-allele carriers of the UCP1 Bcl I, I allele non-carriers of the UCP2 I/D, AV heterozygote subjects of the UCP2 A55V and CC subjects of the UCP3 Rsa I polymorphisms. RMR was lower both before (P=0.01) and after (P=0.001) overfeeding in subjects with the CC genotype of the UCP3 Rsa I polymorphism. Moreover, after overfeeding, the UCP2 A55V heterozygote and UCP3 Rsa I CC homozygote subjects had significantly higher respiratory quotient (RQ) values at rest (P<0.01) and during the meal test (P from<0.01 to<0.05). Also mean plasma TSH concentrations 20, 30 and 45 min after the TRH injection increased more with overfeeding among UCP2 A55V (P<0.005) and UCP3 Rsa I CC (P=0.017) subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that UCP polymorphisms may play a role in the recovery from the overfeeding by regulating substrate oxidation in response to long-term caloric surplus. The association of the UCP2 A55V and UCP3 Rsa I CC genotypes with a greater increase in the TSH response to TRH load could reflect a compensatory mechanism counteracting the effects of overfeeding. A longer period of exposure to chronic positive energy balance conditions may be necessary before sequence variation in UCP2 and UCP3 makes an impact on thyroid metabolism to influence body mass and composition changes.

[Clinical characteristics of primary biliary cirrhosis with Sjögren's syndrome of 20 cases]

OBJECTIVE

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic non-suppurative destructive cholangitis of unknown etiology. It has been reported that patients with PBC suffer from xerostomia and keratoconjunctivitis at high prevalence and PBC has been shown to be associated with Sjögren's syndrome. This study investigated the relationship between PBC and Sjögren's syndrome.

METHOD

20 cases diagnosed as PBC consented to the evaluation for Sjögren's syndrome which included clinical and serological features, Schirmer's test, measurement of parotid flow rate and labial minor salivary gland biopsy.

RESULTS

The main manifestations of PBC are jaundice, pruritus, hepatosplenomegaly. M2 subtype of antimitochondrial antibody is of great specificity for PBC. Many PBC patients are suffering from xerostomia and keratoconjunctivitis sicca but do not have typical serological and pathological presentations of primary Sjögren's syndrome. Corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents have disappointing effects in the treatment. Ursodeoxycholic acid is effective to certain extent.

CONCLUSION

It was indicated that Sjögren's syndrome associated with PBC appears to be a secondary form differing from primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Rapid activation of ERK1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinase by corticosterone in PC12 cells

Although the nongenomic effects of glucocorticoids have been well acknowledged, its precise intracellular signal transduction pathway remains to be elucidated. The present study using Western immunoblot and protein kinase activity assay, for the first time, showed that corticosterone (B) can induce a rapid activation of Erk1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in PC12 cells. The dose-response curve was bell shaped, with the maximal activation at 10(-9) M in 15 min. The results from immunofluorescence staining also revealed that the activated Erk1/2 MAPK was translocated from cytoplasm to nucleus of PC12 cells in 15 min. Activation of Erk1/2 MAPK by B was apparently not mediated by the classical cytosolic steroid receptors, for B-BSA can induce the phosphorylation of Erk1/2 MAPK, but the antagonist (RU38486) cannot block the phosphorylation of Erk1/2 MAPK induced by B. Phosphorylation of Erk1/2 MAPK induced by B was not affected by a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (genistein), suggesting that the pathway did not involve the tyrosine kinase activity. On the other hand, protein kinase C activator (PMA) can activate and protein kinase C inhibitor (Gö6976) can block the activation of Erk1/2 MAPK induced by B. Taken together, these data clearly demonstrated that B might act via putative membrane receptor and rapidly activate Erk1/2 MAPK through protein kinase C alpha in PC12 cells.

Oxidative interactions of synthetic lung epithelial lining fluid with metal-containing particulate matter

Epidemiology studies show association of morbidity and mortality with exposure to ambient air particulate matter (PM). Metals present in PM may catalyze oxidation of important lipids and proteins present in the lining of the respiratory tract. The present study investigated the PM-induced oxidation of human bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid (BALF) and synthetic lung epithelial lining fluid (sELF) through the measurement of oxygen incorporation and antioxidant depletion assays. Residual oil fly ash (ROFA), an emission source PM that contains approximately 10% by weight of soluble transition metals, was added (0-200 microg/ml) to BALF or sELF and exposed to 20% (18)O(2) (24 degrees C, 4 h). Oxygen incorporation was quantified as excess (18)O in the dried samples after incubation. BALF and diluted sELF yielded similar results. Oxygen incorporation was increased by ROFA addition and was enhanced by ascorbic acid (AA) and mixtures of AA and glutathione (GSH). AA depletion, but not depletion of GSH or uric acid, occurred in parallel with oxygen incorporation. AA became inhibitory to oxygen incorporation when it was present in high enough concentrations that it was not depleted by ROFA. Physiological and higher concentrations of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase had no effect on oxygen incorporation. Both protein and lipid were found to be targets for oxygen incorporation; however, lipid appeared to be necessary for protein oxygen incorporation to occur. Based on these findings, we predict that ROFA would initiate significant oxidation of lung lining fluids after in vivo exposure and that AA, GSH, and lipid concentrations of these fluids are important determinants of this oxidation.

Nucleotide release and associated conformational changes regulate function in the COOH-terminal Src kinase, Csk

The COOH-terminal Src kinase (Csk) regulates a broad array of cellular processes via the specific phosphorylation and downregulation of Src family protein kinases. While Csk has been a topic for steady-state kinetic studies, the individual steps associated with substrate phosphorylation have not been investigated. To understand active-site phenomena, pre-steady-state and transient-state kinetic methods were applied to develop a catalytic pathway for substrate processing. Rapid quench flow techniques show that the phosphorylation of a substrate peptide, generated from a random library, occurs in two kinetic phases: a rapid, exponential "burst" phase followed by a slow, linear phase. The amplitude of the burst phase increases as a function of enzyme concentration, indicating that the biphasic kinetics are not the result of product inhibition. Analysis of the burst rate as a function of substrate concentration indicates that the phosphoryl transfer step is fast (k3 > or = 140 s(-1) and highly favorable (k3/k-3 > or = 6). The apparent dissociation rate constant for ADP (0.6 s(-1), measured using stopped-flow kinetic methods and a fluorescent trapping agent, mant-ATP, is close to kcat. Since the substrate dissociation constant is high, the release of phosphopeptide is not likely to limit turnover. These findings indicate that Csk rapidly delivers the gamma-phosphate of ATP to the substrate and rapidly releases the phosphoproduct. Overall rate limitation in the steady state is then attributed to the slow, net dissociation of ADP. Viscosometric studies suggest that this final event in the catalytic cycle is coupled with slow conformational changes.

Mechanical properties of melamine-formaldehyde microcapsules

The mechanical properties of melamine-formaldehyde (M-F) microcapsules were studied using a micromanipulation technique. Single microcapsules with diameters of 1-12 microm were compressed and held between two parallel planes, compressed and released, and compressed to burst at different speeds, whilst the force being imposed on the microcapsules and their deformation were measured simultaneously. This force increased as single microcapsules were compressed and then relaxed slightly as they were held. When the microcapsules were repeatedly compressed and released, a pseudo yield point was found for each microcapsule. Before the microcapsules were compressed to this point, the deformed microcapsules recovered to their original shape once the force was removed. However, when the deformation was beyond the 'yield point' there was profound hysteresis and the microcapsules showed plastic behaviour. As the microcapsules were compressed to burst at different speeds, ranging from 0.5-6.0 microm/s, it was found that their mean bursting forces did not change significantly. The deformations at the pseudo yield point and at bursting were also independent of the compression speed. On average, these melamine-formaldehyde microcapsules reached their 'yield point' at a deformation of about 19 +/- 1%, and burst at a deformation of 70 +/- 1%.