Turnover of carnitine palmitoyltransferase mRNA and protein in H4IIE cells. Effect of cyclic AMP and insulin

Regulation of the 68 kDa carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) synthesis by (chlorophenylthio) cyclic AMP (cAMP) and insulin was studied in H4IIE cells in culture. Addition of 0.1 mM- or 1.0 mM-(chlorophenylthio) cAMP induced CPT mRNA and rate of transcription 2-4-fold by 15 min, reaching a plateau at 4-6-fold by 30 min. Addition of 5-15 nM-insulin plus 1.0 mM-cAMP suppressed the increases in transcription rate and mRNA levels occurring with cAMP alone. The t1/2 for CPT mRNA was 70-80 min and was not affected by cAMP. The t1/2 for CPT protein was 70 min, and was increased to 240 min in the presence of cAMP. The rate of CPT synthesis was also increased in the presence of cAMP. The data indicate that CPT synthesis is increased by cAMP via induction of transcription and subsequent increase in the CPT mRNA. Insulin acts to depress transcription and CPT mRNA. In addition, cAMP prolongs the t1/2 of CPT.

[Ilexonin A may be a slow calcium channel blocker]

Ilexonin A is an effective compound isolated from Ilex pubescens Hook. et Arn. It has been used in the clinic to treat cardiovascular diseases such as cerebral embolism and myocardial infarction. Experimental studies have shown that it inhibited thrombosis, platelet adhesion, and platelet aggregation and 5-HT release induced by collagen, ADP or A23187 in vitro and in vivo. The inhibitory effect of platelet aggregation induced by A23187 was reduced by adding CaCl2 (1mM) to the medium. It suggests that the effects of llexonin A on platelet function are possibly related to calcium. The present experiments were designed to investigate the effects of Ilexonin A on thrombin-induced Ca2+ fluxes of platelets, in which quin-2 was used to measure the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration. The results indicated that the free calcium concentrations of resting platelets and the platelets activated by thrombin were 78.65 +/- 7.74 nM and 871.10 +/- 123.63 nM respectively. After adding EGTA (lmM) to the medium, the calcium concentrations reduced to 34.75 +/- 7.77 nM and 50. 86 +/- 7.44 nM. Ilexonin A and verapamil markedly inhibited the thrombin induced Ca2+ influx. The IC50 was 76.8 microM and 67.5 microM respectively. But both had no effect on thrombin-induced Ca2+ release from dense tubular system. It suggests that Ilexonin A acts most likely as a calcium slow channel blocker.

Frequency stabilization of an AlGaAs laser diode by a Fabry-Perot interferometer locked to a laser beam frequency-locked to the D(2) line of a Cs atomic beam

An AlGaAs laser diode (slave laser) has been frequency-locked to a Fabry-Perot interferometer which is locked to a diode laser (master laser) beam frequency-locked to the D(2) line of a Cs atomic beam. Frequency-locking of the Fabry-Perot interferometer to the master laser beam frequency-locked to a resonance line of an atomic beam greatly improves its long-term frequency stability. Therefore, it substantially improves the slave laser diode frequency stability frequency-locked to it. The measured frequency stabilities show that the very high frequency stability of the D(2) line of a Cs atomic beam has been transferred to the slave laser by this frequency-locking system within 1.6 x 10(-11)(10s). This system can be used for building a network of diode lasers with high frequency stability.

Direct formation of planar holograms and noise gratings at 820 nm in bleached silver-halide emulsions

Experimental results are presented on the efficiency of holographic transmission gratings formed in bleached silver halide emulsions (Agfa-Gevaert 8E75HD) with illumination at 820 nm. For comparison, data for planar gratings recorded at 780 and 632.8 nm in emulsions that were similarly processed are also given. Measurement of the spectral optical density indicates that the useful holographic recording range extends to 840 nm. We conclude with a comparison of the efficiency of noise gratings formed in this emulsion at 632.8, 780, and 820 nm and a discussion of the implications of these results.

[Studies on protective monoclonal antibodies to Leishmania donovani]

Kala-azar is increasing in incidence in some endemic areas of China, such as provinces of Sichuan and Gansu. Monoclonal antibodies have been shown to interfere with the cutaneous leishmaniasis infection in the experimental animals. We have now raised McAb against membrane antigen of promastigotes of L. donovani canine isolate (the pathogen of visceral leishmaniasis). In this paper we report 3 McAb which inhibit the growth of promastigotes in vitro culture by incorporation of 3H-thymine deoxyriboside, such as McAb 2B12-A8, 2H6-E3, in the presence of complement, showing strong inhibiting effects with a decrease in incorporation of 3H-TdR, 94-99.3% rate of inhibition, whereas the inhibition rate induced by McAb 1B1-C2 fluctuated in a range of 68-95%, which is identical with the results of macrophage infection inhibition test by the same McAb, 61-87%. The results of ultrastructural localization of L. donovani antigen by protective McAb 2H6-E3 with immunogold technique showed the gold particles, in clumps, widely distributed on the outer side of promastigotes membrane. According to the high density of localized gold particles, it is suggested that this antigen is abundant on the plasma membrane.

Photorefractive energy exchange requiring optical activity and an electric field

Optical-activity-supported energy transfer is explained, and a transfer of 4% is observed in bismuth silicon oxide with same-frequency equal-intensity beams having the same circular polarization. The direction of energy exchange can be controlled by the sign of the electric field or the sense of the circularity. In general, energy exchange occurs by destructive and constructive interference between diffracted and transmitted beams; here, with the induced grating vector along the [110] direction, interference cannot occur unless optical activity and an external electric field are present.

Cloning and physical characterization of linked lysine genes (lys4, lys15) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The plasmid pSC4 which carries a 7.8 kb yeast DNA insert at the BamHI site of the Vector YEp13, complemented simultaneously MO-59-13c lys4, LU75 lys15 and LU32 lys4lys15 (double) mutations of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The 1.9 kb BamHI-XbaI DNA insert of the subclone pSO51 complemented the LU75 lys15 mutation. The 2.8 kb Xhol-XhoI DNA insert of the pSO52 subclone, like pSC4, complemented all three mutations. The 1.9 kb BamHI-XbaI DNA and the 2.8 kb Xhol-XhoI DNA were 100 bp apart in the pSC4 DNA insert and exhibited no homology with each other upon Southern hybridization. The 1.9 kb BamHI-XbaI DNA insert exhibited homology with the pSC4 and pSO51 DNA as well as the genomic DNA of MO-59-13c lys4, LU75 lys15, LU32 lys4lys15, and RC1 (LYS) when digested with appropriate restriction enzymes. The 2.8 kb XhoI-XhoI DNA insert exhibited homology with the pSC4 and pSO52 DNA as well as MO-59-13c lys4, LU75 lys15, LU32 lys4lys15, and RC1 (LYS) genomic DNA, when digested with XhoI enzyme. The 2.8 kb DNA probe also hybridized with ply(A)+ RNA from RC1 and lys4+ transformant but not that from MO-59-13c lys4 mutant.

The anti-inflammatory effects of LY178002 and LY256548

LY178002 (5-[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]methylene-4-thiazolidinon e) and its N-methyl analog, LY256548, inhibit the enzymatic activity of phospholipase A2, 5-lipoxygenase and fatty acid cycloxygenase. They also inhibit leukotriene B4 production from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes stimulated with the calcium ionophore A23187. Since products of the arachidonic acid cascade have been implicated as important mediators in a variety of inflammatory diseases including arthritis, LY178002 and LY256548 were studied in the Freund's Complete Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis (FCA) model in rats. The compounds were administered orally and inhibition of bone damage and paw swelling was assessed of both the injected and uninjected paws. At 50 mg/kg LY178002 inhibited soft tissue swelling in the uninjected paw by 81% while LY256548 exhibited 57% inhibition. Bone damage was also significantly inhibited by both compounds. A dose response was conducted. The minimum effective dose for LY178002 was 10 mg/kg p.o. In the established FCA model LY178002 at 50 mg/kg p.o. inhibited the uninjected paw swelling by 75% while LY256548 did not show this level of activity. These results suggest that LY178002 and LY256548 may be useful in the treatment of arthritis.

[Intraoperative hemodynamics of pyrolytic carbon cambered bileaflet valve replacement in animals]

Pyrolytic carbon cambered bileaflet valve developed by Chengdu University of Technology and Sciences was evaluated for its hemodynamics. The curved surface of the valve leaflet is cylindrical. Under anaesthesia, cardiopulmonary bypass and chemical cardioplegia, a cambered bileaflet valve (i.d. = 16 mm) was replaced at mitral position in each of 12 goats. Before valve replacement, mitral flow rate (MFR) was 74.9 +/- 12.3 ml.sec-1, average valvular pressure drop delta P) 0.56 +/- 0.17 kPa (4.2 +/- 1.3 mmHg) and effective opening area (EOA) of the valve 1.20 +/- 0.18 cm2. After valve replacement, corresponding hemodynamic parameters were 49.3 +/- 12.7 ml.sec-1, 0.46 +/- 0.17 kPa (3.8 +/- 1.3 mmHg) and 0.81 +/- 0.12 cm2 respectively. In our previous report on yak pericardiac heart valve (i.d. = 20 mm) in goats, corresponding hemodynamic parameters after valve replacement were 45.6 +/- 11.8 ml.sec-1, 0.86 +/- 0.32 kpa (6.4 +/- 2.4 mmHg) and 0.65 +/- 0.26 cm2. With comparable mitral flow rate and heart rate (113.6 +/- 19.6 min-1 vs 119.1 +/- 17.1 min-1), the average valvular pressure drop of pyrolytic carbon cambered bileaflet valve is significantly smaller than that of the yak pericardiac valve (P less than 0.001), and the effective opening area is marginally larger than that of the yak pericardiac valve (0.05 less than P less than 0.1). If the same-sized valves of this two kinds are used, the hemodynamic parameter of cambered bileaflet valve would be better than those of yak pericardiac valve. Since the latter valve has been successfully used in patients, the present valve might be applicable in clinical situation.

[Use of tracheostomy and the mechanical ventilator in acute respiratory failure after thoracic surgery]

Of 44 patients with acute respiratory failure after thoracic operations treated by tracheostomy and mechanical ventilation, 31 recovered completely (70.5%), and 32 received mechanical ventilation less than 20 days. Tracheostomy tubes were removed within three weeks in half of the patients. It is suggested that elderly patients with marginal lung function before operation should be supported by respiratory assistance as soon as possible after operation. The methods of clearing the airway and avoiding improper ventilation were recommended. The SC-Ventilator (made in Shanghai) has proved to be efficient for respiratory support.

[Injurious effects on the rhesus monkey eye from dye laser iridotomy]

8 normal rhesus monkeys were performed dye laser iridotomy in one eye and iridectomy surgery in the other. Another 7 normal rhesus monkeys were performed dye laser iridotomy in one eye and ruby laser iridotomy in the other. The protein content and the number of white blood cells in the aqueous humor, the intraocular pressure, and the ultrastructural changes in the pars plicata of the ciliary body and iris were observed after the operation. It was demonstrated that the intercellular space of the endothelium of the blood vessels in the iris might, like the intercellular space of the non-pigment epithelium in the pars plicata of the ciliary body, be the site of the blood-aqueous barrier of the eye. It was also shown that among these three modalities, dye laser iridotomy was the best, which induced the least injury to the blood-aqueous barrier with the shortest time for recovery and the least inflammatory reactions in the anterior segment of the eye.

Ultrafast noncollinear second-harmonic-generation-based 4 x 4 optical switching array

A noncollinear second-harmonic-generation-based 4 x 4 switchable computational array is experimentally demonstrated. Picosecond binary scalar and vector-matrix multiplication results are presented.

Measurement and clinical significance of thyroid microsomal and thyroglobulin antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

Using the thyroid microsomal antigen(TMAg) prepared by affinity chromatography gel filtration method of sufficient purity, we measured the TM antibody (TMAb) level by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 103 normal persons and 183 patients with various thyroid disorders (Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Graves' disease, hypothyroidism, subacute thyroiditis, thyroid cancer, thyroid adenoma and simple goiter). The thyroglobulin antibody (TCAb). T3 and T4 were also measured at the same time. Based on the measurement of TMAb and TGAb of the thyroid diseases and analysis of their incidences and titer, our data strongly support that ELISA using purified TM and TG is a very useful and promising method for diagnosis and distinguishing autoimmune from non-autoimmune thyroid disease, and also can be employed in monitoring the development and studying the pathogenesis of the disease. We found that there is a negative correlation between TMAb titer and T3, T4 values (P less than 0.01) which has not been reported before in the literature. According to the result of the study, we suggest an immunological classification of thyroid diseases.

Soluble interleukin-2 receptors in serum and bile of liver transplant recipients

Soluble interleukin-2 receptors (IL2R) were measured as markers of lymphocyte activation in serum and bile of liver transplant recipients. Serum and biliary levels were significantly higher in patients with acute rejection than in those with other complications (serum p less than 0.0025, bile p less than 0.001) or stable grafts (both p less than 0.0001). Levels rose 24 h before rejection could be detected by conventional liver tests. Biliary levels were more specific and sensitive than serum levels for rejection. Local production of IL2R accounted for the high levels in bile; the bile to serum ratio of IL2R was greater than that of albumin in 16 of 18 patients with acute rejection. Serum levels were high early in the course of chronic rejection but fell as it progressed to end-stage. Measurement of soluble IL2R may have a role in the early diagnosis of acute rejection and in identifying patients with chronic rejection in whom further immunosuppression will provide no benefit.

Fast Fourier transform convolution calculations of x-ray isodose distributions in homogeneous media

Convolution concepts were implemented using the discrete fast Fourier transform (FFT) to model the three-dimensional dose distribution due to x-rays produced by a medical linear accelerator. Convolution kernels were employed that had been calculated by Mackie using the EGS4 Monte Carlo code. The EGS4 code was also used to estimate initially the spectrum by simulating the production, filtering, and flattening of the beam in the collimator of the linear accelerator. The continuous bremsstrahlung spectrum was modeled using five discrete energies. The more subtle field-size effects of collimator scattering on the spectrum were obtained by calculating corrections to the spectral components using a least-squares search technique. Dose distributions were obtained using FFT convolutions of the kernels for each energy with the spectrally weighted fluence distributions for that energy. The dose distributions were compared with isodose distributions measured in a water phantom. The agreement was generally found to be better than 1% on the central axis. The calculation time for a single three-dimensional beam was approximately 20 min using a VAX/750 without an array processor. Methods were explored to reduce the calculation time using similar hardware, and estimates were made of how to reduce the calculation time using a more sophisticated computer system.

[In vitro culture of premature seeds of Dendrobium huoshanense Tang et Cheng]

The premature seeds of D. huoshanense collected in September or October can develop normally in MS or Kundson media with BAI and NAA 0.5 mg/L and form complete plantlets. The premature seeds cultured in dark for 22 days and then in low light intensity give the highest germination percent age(91%). The suitable temperature for the germination of D. huoshanense premature seeds is 25-27 degrees C.

[Tissue culturing and ultrastructural observation of human trabecular cells]

Two trabecular cell lines were established by means of tissue culturing. The growth patterns of the trabecular cell culture were studied under phase-contrast microscope for 5 generations. The morphological features and the ultrastructure of the trabecular cells were investigated by light microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The cultured cells were identified as trabecular cells by their specific characteristics quite different from the possible contaminating cells, e.g. fibrocytes, corneal endothelium, etc., and they may be used in pathogenetical and pharmacological researches of glaucoma.

Hepatic endothelial cells. Targets in liver allograft rejection?

Hepatic endothelial cell damage was evaluated in patients following liver transplantation using 2 serum markers: hyaluronic acid (HA), which measures hepatic endothelial cell function, and factor VIII related antigen (VIIIRAg), an indicator of generalized endothelial damage. HA was elevated in rejection (median 22.3 x control) when compared with stable patients (3.7 x control; P less than 0.00001) and those with posttransplant complications not related to rejection (6.8 x control; P less than 0.0005). The highest levels were seen in patients with chronic rejection (28.7 x control). Levels were also elevated in acute rejection (21.3 x control), and the highest levels in this group were seen in patients who subsequently developed chronic rejection (25.2 x control). Serial studies demonstrated that HA increased 24 hr before serum bilirubin in patients developing acute rejection. VIIIRAg was elevated in all posttransplant patients with no significant difference between rejection and other complications. These results show that hepatic endothelial dysfunction occurs during acute and particularly chronic rejection of liver allografts suggesting that VECs may be an important target of the immune response. Measurement of HA may allow for the early diagnosis of acute rejection and the identification of patients at risk of developing chronic rejection.

Double-blind crossover controlled study on antiepilepsirine

Antiepilepsirine (AES) is one of the derivatives of a Chinese folk prescription. It is a new antiepileptic drug (AED) synthesized in cooperation by Chinese medical and pharmaceutical workers. Pharmacological experiments on animal models prove that its antiepileptic action is marked, but there has been little evaluation of its clinical effects. We used the double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study which is generally acceptable as a proper method for new drug study. This study covered 58 epileptic children treated with classical AEDs and observed 6.5 months. Every patient took AES and placebo for 3 months each by random crossover on the basis of add-on therapy. The blood levels of AES and other antiepileptic drugs were determined regularly. The results show that there are no significant differences in clinical effects between AES and placebo in pediatric epilepsies as a whole, but AES is effective in tonic-clonic seizures (P less than 0.05), the most common type of seizure in the series. There are no significant differences in AED blood levels between the AES effective and ineffective groups. AES has no effect on the blood levels of other AEDs. AES is very safe, children given large doses (10 mg/kg/day) demonstrate no serious side-effects. It is suggested that there is potential improvement in patient psychological and cognitive status. This article also discusses the evaluation of new drugs for clinical effects, subject sampling, the criteria for efficacy evaluation and relationship between animal information and human outcome. The AES chemical structure is different from other well-known AEDs, this is a unique advantage.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Diagnosis and treatment of the spinal type of multiple sclerosis: report of 23 cases]

23 cases of multiple sclerosis of the spinal type are reported, including 11 males and 12 females. Their ages ranged from 11 to 66 years The onset of this type of the disease was usually acute or subacute. Remissions and relapses were observed in 16 cases of them, having 2 to 4 times in a period of 1 month up to 6 years. The clinical feature was mainly the involvement of the spinal cord. It affected the cervical and thoracic spinal cord in 12 cases, the thoracic in 6 cases, and the lumbar in 1 case. The lesions appeared to be diffuse in 4 cases, corticosteroid therapy was used in all these cases with marked improvement in 82.6% of them.

Purification of human transcription factor IIIA and its interaction with a chemically synthesized gene encoding human 5 S rRNA

Transcription factor IIIA (TFIIIA) was purified from cytoplasmic extracts of HeLa cells by developing a simple and efficient procedure employing phosphocellulose under widely differing ionic conditions followed by affinity chromatography on immobilized human 5 S genes. This procedure yielded a fraction containing human TFIIIA activity and a protein of 35 kDa as its major component. Moreover, we succeeded in renaturing the activity of human transcription factor IIIA (hTFIIIA) isolated after preparative sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and in identifying a polypeptide of 35 kDa with the transcription activity. This value differs from that reported for Xenopus TFIIIA. It could be demonstrated by footprinting analyses that hTFIIIA specifically binds to the internal control region of the human 5 S rRNA gene. The limits of protection slightly differ at the 3' border of the internal control region from those imprinted by Xenopus TFIIIA on the same gene. Comparative footprint analyses of hTFIIIA on the human and frog somatic 5 S rRNA gene, measured in titration, competition, and salt-stability experiments, demonstrated a higher affinity of the human factor to the homologous gene. These results, together with the difference in molecular mass of these functionally analogous proteins, reemphasize the importance of homologous systems for the analysis of mechanisms involved in gene regulation.

Comparisons of the structural proteins of avian infectious bronchitis virus as determined by western blot analysis

The antigenic diversity of ten strains of avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) was examined by Western blot analyses using polyclonal antisera specific for the Massachusetts 41 (M41), Gray, Arkansas DPI (Ark DPI), Connecticut (Conn) and Australian T (Aust T) serotypes. Although antigenic variation was found in all three structural viral proteins, the matrix protein appeared to be antigenically the most highly variable. Four distinct antigenic groups, which did not correspond to virulence or pathotype, could be defined according to the variations observed in the matrix protein. Somewhat less variation was seen in the spike polypeptide. The only variation in the nucleocapsid protein was indicated by the lack of a detectable reaction between the Aust T antiserum and the Ark DPI nucleocapsid protein. Antisera made against M41 had the broadest reactivity while antisera against Aust T, the only strain tested which was exotic to the U.S.A., had the greatest specificity.

High-resolution electron microscopic investigation of supported platinum particles reduced at high temperatures

High-resolution electron microscopy has been used to characterize the platinum particles supported on TiO2 or ZnO. After reduction at elevated temperatures, the metallic particles display a regular, faceted shape, and several superstructures, Pt3 Ti(C), Pt3 Ti(H), PtTi, and PtZn, have been found. These results, which may involve strong metal-support interaction, have been confirmed by optical diffraction and image simulation.

Averaged F-wave conduction velocity of peroneal nerve

Averaged F-wave conduction velocities (a-FWCV) of peroneal nerve were measured on 38 healthy volunteers and 22 patients with clinical and electromyographic evidence of unilateral L5 or L5 + S1 radiculopathy. The peroneal nerve was stimulated supramaximally at the fibular head and the compound muscle action potential was recorded from the extensor digitorum brevis muscle. Averaged tracings from 32 consecutive stimuli were obtained. The averaged F-wave latency (Fp) and M-wave latency (Mp) were measured from the stimulating artifact to the peak of the waves. The distance (D) between the stimulating point and the T12 spinous process was measured. The value of a-FWCV was calculated as 2D/(Fp-Mp-1) m/second. In normal subjects, the average value of a-FWCV was 56 +/- 4, and there was no significant difference between males and females, nor between the right and left sides. The differences among the tests administered at different times on the same subject were also statistically insignificant. Of the 22 patients, 17 had subnormal value of a-FWCV if the lower normal limits were defined as mean minus 2.5 SD (i.e., 46 m/second) calculated from the normal control value. However, only one of them had subnormal value of FWCV calculated by the conventional method (without averaging technique). All the patients with two root (L5 + S1) involvement had subnormal a-FWCV. It is concluded that the a-FWCV is a more sensitive measure than the conventional FWCV in the assessment of L5 radiculopathy.

Interference filters as nonlinear decision-making elements for three-spot pattern recognition and associative memories

Simple patterns consisting of three spots (V and Gamma) have been recognized by dividing, shifting, and recombining beams onto bistable ZnS interference filters. This experiment demonstrates AND-gate operation, cascading, and a moderate amount of parallelism, but a laser power of several watts was required and the response times were several milliseconds. An associative memory for fingerprint identification has been constructed using a VanderLugt correlator and an interference filter as a reflective thresholding device.

Tissue tropism and target cells of bluetongue virus in the chicken embryo

In situ cytohybridization was used to determine the tissue tropism and target cells for replication of bluetongue virus (BTV) in the developing chicken embryo. Hybridization with a biotinylated probe specific for segment 3 of BTV serotype 17 detected viral replication in embryos inoculated with U.S. serotypes 2, 10, 11, 13, and 17 or sheep blood containing a BTV field strain. At the final stages of infection, when the embryos were hemorrhagic, viral infection could consistently be detected in the brain, kidney, spinal cord, heart, lung, and liver, with the brain and kidney most severely affected. Other tissues, such as the retina, skin, tongue, and intestinal villi, also supported viral replication in some embryos. Greater concentrations of virus tended to be localized within epithelial cells, such as those lining the kidney tubules and tertiary bronchi of the lungs. Kinetics studies with BTV serotypes 11 and 17 and a field strain indicated that within 24 h after inoculation, viral replication occurred initially in the brain and kidney. By 48 h, viral replication was also detected in the lungs, heart, and spinal cord, with the liver being severely infected by 72 h. Low levels of hybridization could be detected in embryos infected with epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus, which is antigenically related to BTV.

Non-invasive estimation of afferent inputs for postural stability under low levels of alcohol

The maintenance of human equilibrium is a complex process. Several physiological systems provide afferent information for postural stabilization. This study describes a noninvasive methodology to estimate the relative roles of interacting afferent inputs relevant for postural control. A multiaxis force platform in conjunction with specially designed test procedure provided semi-quantitative insight into the roles of vision, proprioceptors and vestibular apparatus in controlling postural sway when it was perturbed by a central nervous system perturbator such as alcohol. Experiments were conducted on 10 male and 10 female subjects. The males did not show statistically significant increases in body sway at these low levels of alcohol. For the females, the present methodology could detect subtle changes in postural sway at low blood alcohol levels ranging between 0.015% and 0.03%. At these low levels of alcohol, the results from females show that when the vision was excluded and the proprioception was modified, the postural sway was most affected. The postural instability experienced in this condition is probably due to inappropriate responses to proprioceptive inputs and lack of vision. Both male and female subjects showed a strong "eyes by standing surface" interaction. The proprioceptor manipulation alone did not affect the postural stability.

An affinity chromatography-gel filtration device for preparing thyroid microsomal antigen

On the basis of conventional differential centrifugation for preparing crude thyroid microsomal antigen (TMAg), we have employed Sepharose 4B gel filtration and affinity chromatography separately to study the elution pattern in terms of absorbance and antigenic activity. The result indicates that thyroglobulin (TG) exists in two forms in crude TMAg, i.e., 'free TG' and 'membrane-bound TG'. TMAg is present in two forms in the eluate: (1) the TM fragment or TMAg polymer, which is produced at a higher rate and has greater antigenic activity, but which is less pure; (2) soluble TMAg, which is produced at a lower rate and has less antigenic activity, but which is more pure. We have developed an affinity chromatography-gel filtration (AC-GF) device which is a combination of affinity chromatography and a Sepharose 4B column. Sephadex G-50 is placed between the rubber stopper and Sepharose 4B in the GF column to ensure intactness of the entire system. With such a device, the AC removes the contaminated TG from TM homogenate, and allows the latter to pass directly from AC to GF for rechromatography. This device extracts the full advantages of both methods and each compensates for any deficiency of the other. Using this one-step procedure, one has the greatest chance of removing TG and obtaining TM fragments of TMAg polymers of higher antigenic activity, as well as separating small amounts of more purified soluble TMAg. Thus, the newly developed method meets the need of large quantities of TMAg for practical application, and at the same time the more purified preparations can be used for analytical purposes.