Association of 2'-5' oligoribonucleotides

Oligoribonucleotides with 2'-5' linkages have been synthesized on solid support. UV melting and CD experiments indicate complementary strands associate to give complexes with melting temperatures 30 to 40 degrees C lower than for duplexes formed by 3'-5' oligoribonucleotides with the same sequence. UV melting and imino proton NMR spectra and NOEs for (2'-5') CGGCGCCG are consistent with formation of an antiparallel duplex. The results suggest greater duplex stability was one factor favoring 3'-5' over 2'-5' linkages in evolution.

Characterization of AluI repeats of zebrafish (Brachydanio rerio)

Two families of repetitive DNA sequences were isolated from the zebrafish genome and characterized. Eight different sequences were sequenced and classified by two standards, their (G + C) composition and their lengths. For convenience, the sequences were first divided into two types. Type I was (A + T)-rich, was repeated approximately 500,000 times, and constituted approximately 5% of the zebrafish genome. Type II was (G + C)-rich, was reiterated approximately 90,000 times, and comprised approximately 0.5% of the genome. Agarose gel electrophoresis of zebrafish DNA cleaved with AluI revealed three distinguishable bands of repetitive fragments: large (approximately 180 bp, designated RFAL), medium (approximately 140 bp, RFAM), and small (approximately 90 bp, RFAS). The RFAL fragments contained both type I and type II sequences. Limited digestion of genomic DNA indicated that RFAL and RFAM were tandemly arranged in the genome, whereas RFAS showed a mixed pattern of both tandem and interspersed repeated arrangements. Although inclusion of a repetitive sequence in a transgenic construct did not appreciably accelerate homologous integration of transgenes into the zebrafish genome, the AluI sequences could facilitate transgene mapping following chromosomal integration.

[Study of quantitative diagnosis of cerebral arteriosclerosis]

On the basis of clinical diagnostic criterion of cerebral arteriosclerosis, we selected, 72 patients with cerebral arteriosclerosis, 72 patients with suspected cerebral arteriosclerosis and 70 healthy individuals and screened 42 variables obtained from clinical and accessory examination with a stepwise discriminant analysis and a stepwise regression analysis. Finally we performed a logistic discriminant analysis of 15 selected variables in order to establish diagnostic discriminant formulas, Ya and Yc. It was found that a diagnostic coincidence rate for rediscriminant analysis of 212 individuals with the formulas was 100%. Very high sensitivity (96.7%), specificity (100%), positive predicted value (100%), negative predicted value (83.3%) and accuracy (97.1%) were noted in a prospective double-blind test on 34 subjects. The authors suggest that the discriminant formulas Ya and Yc established for diagnosis of cerebral arteriosclerosis be widely applicated.

Electroacupuncture enhances activity of adrenal nucleolar organizer regions in ovariectomized rats

Nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) may reflect the activity of cell differentiation and transcription of nucleolar rDNA; the present paper studied nucleolar organizer regions of the adrenal cortex to explore the regulatory effect of electroacupuncture (EA). Animals were divided into four groups, the ovariectomized electroacupuncture group (OV+EA group, n = 7), the ovariectomized group (OV group, n = 4), the EA group (n = 3) and the control group (CT group, n = 4). Number of AgNORs of 100 cells from zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex in each case of the four groups was counted at random and the mean+/-SE (number/cell) in each group was calculated as follows: OV+EA group, 2.71 +/- 0.26, OV group, 1.26 +/- 0.15, EA group, 1.21 +/- 0.04 and CT group, 1.48 +/- 0.03. The mean of AgNORs in OV+EA group differed highly significantly from the other three groups (p less than 0.01) as tested with ANOVA and LSD method. No significant difference was found among the other three groups. Gross specimen examination showed that adrenals in the OV+EA group were significantly heavier than those in the other three groups (p less than 0.01). Vaginal smears showed that a response like estrogen-induced one with exfoliative cells appeared in the OV+EA group. EA had no significant effect on normal rats. The results suggest that EA may promote the synthesis and secretion of adrenal steriod hormones, the androgen of which will then be transformed into estrogen in other tissues, thus compensating the deficiency of estrogen induced by ovariectomy.

Alterations of spinal dorsal horn substance P following electroacupuncture analgesia--a study of the formalin test with immunohistochemistry and densitometry

Substance P (SP), released from thin afferent terminals, is believed to be a neurotransmitter for pain transmission in the spinal dorsal horn. It has been demonstrated that in addition to analgesia, morphine increases the accumulation of SP possibly due to the inhibition of its release. The present work investigated the level of spinal SP like immunoreactivity (SPLI) following electroacupuncture analgesia in rats using immunohistochemistry and image analysis. Experiment results revealed that formalin injected into the hind paw elicited marked pain response and accumulation of SP in the spinal dorsal horn. Electroacupuncture of Tsu-San-Li could depress the pain response, however increasing further the SP accumulation. It is thus suggested that pain stimulation itself may activate the endogenous opioid mechanism to inhibit SP release and acupuncture is able to enhance the process. This may be one mechanism of acupuncture analgesia.

EXPRESSION OF C-fos PROTEIN IN SEROTONERGIC NEURONS OF RAT BRAINSTEM FOLLOWING ELECTRO-ACUPUNCTURE

The c-fos proto-oncogene encodes a nuclear phosphoprotein, Fos which has been proposed to be a "third messenger" coupling short term extracellular signals to long term alteration in cell function. Using double labeling immunocytochemistry, the present work demonstrated the co-localization of Fos protein and serotonin in the nucleus raphe dorsalis, nucleus raphe centralis superior and rostral ventromedial medulla. The results pose an interesting problem, the possible relation of Fos protein to the biosynthesis of serotonin, awaiting further investigation.

[Allotransplantation of meniscus in dog's knee. An experimental study]

This experimental study was to show the difference and outcome of allotransplantation and autotransplantation of meniscus in dogs. In the experimental group (9 dogs), the lateral meniscus was removed and replaced by one preserved for 2 weeks in tissue culture. In the control group (9 dogs), the lateral meniscus was excised but was sutured back to the place immediately. The specimens in each group were taken at 3, 6, 12, and 24 weeks after operation, and were examined microangiographically and histologically under light microscope and electron microscope. The results in both groups showed that the meniscus united to the capsule, chondrocytes in the menisci were intact and the collagen fiber orientation was regular. The articular cartilage of the uncovered area of the tibial plateaus showed normal appearance, and vascular neogenesis in the meniscal periphery was found 12 weeks after operation. These observations suggest that allogenic meniscus maintains its original histologic pattern and functional behavior after its transplantation. It makes possible to protect the knee joint from osteoarthritis.

Sickle and thalassemic erythroid progenitor cells are different from normal

Blood erythroid progenitors (BFU-E) from patients with sickle and thalassemic syndromes were compared with those from normal individuals. The day of maximal colony formation in methyl cellulose was slightly later in the cultures from the patients with hemoglobinopathies than in the normal cultures. The number of colonies/100,000 mononuclear cells was similar in all cultures on day 13, but was higher in the hemoglobinopathy cultures on the day of maximal growth. The number of BFU-E/mL of blood was significantly higher than normal at all times in both sickle cell anemia and thalassemia. The proportional synthesis of gamma globin was twice normal in all sickle cultures, and 4 times normal in those from beta+-thalassemia. Hemin and interleukin-3 increased the numbers of erythroid colonies in all cultures, but did not consistently alter the globin synthesis patterns. Each progenitor population has a unique pattern in terms of time course, number of BFU-E, and level of gamma globin synthesis. These features indicate distinct types of BFU-E, or differences in accessory cells, or both, which distinguish blood-borne erythropoiesis in normals and those with hemoglobinopathies.

Nearest-neighbor parameters for G.U mismatches: [formula; see text] is destabilizing in the contexts [formula; see text] and [formula; see text] but stabilizing in [formula; see text]

Thermodynamic parameters derived from optical melting studies are reported for duplex formation by a series of oligoribonucleotides containing G.U mismatches. The results are used to determine nearest-neighbor parameters for helix propagation by G.U mismatches. Surprisingly, the [formula; see text] nearest-neighbor free energy increment in unfavorable in the contexts [formula; see text], and [formula; see text] but favorable in the context [formula; see text]. This is a non-nearest-neighbor effect. In contrast, the [formula; see text] free energy increment is favorable and independent of context. Circular dichroism and imino proton NMR spectra of several sequences do not reveal an obvious structural basis for this dichotomy. For example, all the G.U mismatches have two slowly exchanging imino protons. The imino resonances for the G.U mismatches in GGAGUUCC, GUCGUGAC, and CCUGUAGG, however, broaden at lower temperature than the imino resonances for the interior Watson-Crick base pairs. In contrast, the imino resonances for the G.U mismatches in GGAUGUCC remain sharp at high temperature. The improved parameters for G.U mismatches should improve predictions of RNA structure from sequence.

[Synthesis of hexamethyl propylamine oxime and comparative study of its diastereoisomers]

This is a report on the synthesis of hexamethyl-propylene-amine oxime (HM-PAO), a new agent for regional cerebral blood flow (gamma CBF) imaging, the separation of its diastereoisomers (dl- and meso-HM-PAO), and a comparative study of three forms of Tc- 99m labelled HM-PAO (dl-, meso- and mixture-) in chromatography, mice biodistribution and rabbit imaging. The results showed that the Rf value of Tc-99m-dl-HM-PAO (0.8-1.0) on silica G thin layer chromatography with MEK as solvent was different from that of Tc-99m-meso-HM-PAO (0.6-0.8), and that the retention of dl- isomer in the brain was higher and more static than those of meso-and mixture HM-PAO but identical with Ceretec, a dl-HM-PAO kit manufactured by Amersham Inc., England. The primary clinical applications for gamma CBF SPECT imaging demonstrated a satisfactory result.

Localization and in vitro actions of atrial natriuretic peptide in the cat carotid body

Previous studies of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) have indicated that its release from the heart and from discrete areas of the central nervous system evokes coordinated physiological and behavioral adjustments that mitigate the adverse hypertensive effects of volume overload and/or acute increases in sodium intake. Because the reflex activity initiated by arterial chemoreceptors of the carotid body directly contributes to the integrated regulation of systemic blood pressure, we have investigated the possibility that ANP has a significant role in the chemosensory process as well. Our immunocytochemical studies show that ANP-like immunoreactivity is present in the preneural chemosensitive type I cells in the cat carotid body. Furthermore we found that the biologically active ANP fragment atriopeptin III is a potent inhibitor of carotid sinus nerve activity evoked by hypoxia. Our findings suggest that circulating and/or endogenous ANP may modulate carotid body function as part of a coordinated response to changes in systemic volume and solute balance.

Modulation of endothelial cells fibrinolytic activity by platelets

Interaction between endothelial cells (EC) and platelets in culture was shown to regulate the fibrinolytic system of the aortic EC. Untreated porcine EC from aorta exhibited almost no net fibrinolytic activity and zymographic assay have shown a single fibrin lysis band of 105 kDa corresponding to a tPA-PAI complex. Incubation of aortic EC with intact platelets stimulated a cell-associated fibrinolytic activity of the urokinase type as evidenced by a plasminogen-dependent fibrin independent amidolytic activity, and the appearance of a new 48 kDa lysis band on zymography. However, in the culture medium of platelet-treated aortic EC, a new lysis band of 92 kDa appeared with no associated amidolytic activity suggesting that the 48 kDa plasminogen activator secreted by the aortic EC after treatment with platelets is complexed to the inhibitor PAI1. This modulation of fibrinolytic activity depends on the EC origin since it is not observed with pulmonary artery EC, and represents a new concept in fibrinolysis regulation by cell-cell interaction.

[The epidemiological study of esophageal cancer at Yangcheng County in Shanxi]

This paper indicated that counties with higher incidence of esophageal cancer in Shanxi were found to centre round Yangcheng, Jincheng, Qinshui etc. by means of an analysis of the gathered areas on mortality of esophageal cancer in every county or city in Shanxi. These form a higher incidence area of noticeable and centric distribution together with other counties in Henan and Hebei. In all towns in Yangcheng, however, there is no gathered areas. Since 1974, the observed tendency of esophageal cancer in Yangcheng has shown that the mortality ranges from 120-150/100,000, without change in male and in female. However, among the population, the mortality in male is always higher than in female. And it increases with age in people over 30 years. Hereditary epidemiological data at Yanli Town in the county has demonstrated that there is significant difference between the distribution of incidence and mortality of esophageal cancer and the probability of binomial distribution, showing obvious familiar gathering of esophageal cancer.

[An observation of the anticancer activity of mitoxantrone hydrochloride injection]

Experimental results of anticancer activity of DHAQ.HCl are reported in this paper. It was discovered that DHAQ.HCl, mitoxantrone hydrochloride, had an obvious anticancer effect on the experimental tumor strains:Ehrlich ascites cancer, Sarcoma-180, Leukemia P388, etc., and that it was more effective to Leukemia P388 than to other strains. The anticancer activity of DHAQ.HCl was better than DHAQ (P less than 0.05). No side effect was observed on the local sites (s.c.) of tumor planted or drug injected. And also a good anticancer effect was observed on the sites of tumor planted by local injection. It is suggested that this observation can provide some information on the choice of routes of administration of this drug clinically.

High frequency of plasminogen activator secretion by malignant human lymphoid cell lines of T-cell type origin

Diffuse defibrination is rarely observed in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Clinical and immunologic data suggest that it is more likely to occur in T cell derived ALL. The current investigation involved the secretion of plasminogen activators (PA) of tissue type (t-PA) or urokinase type (U-PA) by testing supernatants of 21 permanent human leukemic cell lines originating from various hematopoietic lineages and one induced lymphoblastoid cell line. (LCL) The amount of PA in each supernatant was determined by biologic and immunoenzymologic assays. The correspondence with the expected molecular weight (MW) according to the PA type was checked by zymography. PA secretion of U-PA type was observed in the three myeloid cell lines. Except for the normal LCL, no B-lymphoid lineage related cell lines of various levels of differentiation displayed PA secretion, whereas PA activity was observed in the supernatant of six of nine malignant T-cell lines. The T-leukemic cell lines CCRF CEM, KE 37, HUT 78, and HUT 102 released U-PA-like activity. Peer released t-PA-like activity and CCRF-HSB2 supernatant showed both types of PA activity. These findings are discussed in view of the natural history of these diseases and the stage of differentiation of the cell lines.

Establishment and characterization of a new human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line

A human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (FOCUS--Friendship of China and United States) was derived from a patient with primary hepatocellular carcinoma. This cell line has been in continuous culture over an 18-mo period. The morphological and ultrastructural features of FOCUS are consistent with its neoplastic hepatocellular origin. FOCUS cells contain aspartate aminotransferase and glucose-6-phosphatase activity. In addition, alpha 1-antitrypsin, fibrinogen, alpha fetoprotein, and carcinoembryonic antigens were detectable in the cytoplasm of the cultured cells by immunochemical staining techniques. The karyotype of the FOCUS cell is human in origin and its contains human DNA sequences as detected by molecular hybridization analysis. The FOCUS cells do not show evidence of density-dependent inhibition of growth under confluent conditions. Repeated growth curves over an 18-mo period were identical, revealing a doubling time of 42 to 48 h. The malignant potential of FOCUS cells was further demonstrated by their ability to lead to gross tumor formation after subcutaneous injection into nude mice. From one of the solid tumors grown in nude mice, recultured cell lines have been established and found to have properties identical to the original FOCUS cell line. This FOCUS cell line represents an additional model for further investigation of tumor specific antigens and the relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatocellular carcinoma. Preliminary molecular characterization has indicated the existence of integrated HBV sequences within the FOCUS genome.

Study of lung flukes from Philippines: --a preliminary report

In this paper taxonomic study on paragonimus including their metacercariae obtained from the crabs collected from Sorsogon, Luzon, Philippines and adult worms and ova obtained through animal feeding, with light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy revealed that there may exist two or more species of lung flukes in Philippines. The occurrence of Semisulcospira libertina in addition to Antemelania dactylus (Lea) as an additional snail host is mentioned for the first time. The chromosome Karyotyping of the adult worms revealed that they belong to the diploid pattern. Electronic scanning showed that the cuticular spines of the Paragonimus from Sorsogon look like "pineapple ears" both in distribution and in appearance, a new finding that has not been recorded before. In the lungs of a white rat killed 290 days after infection, two adult worms were obtained within the solitary cyst. These 2 adult worms measured 4.5 x 2.5 mm and 4.5 x 3.0 mm respectively. Their unusually small size and somewhat round shape suggest that they may be of a different species from those hitherto reported in the Philippines. Clearcut evidence is presented for the first time, demonstrating the occurrence of the phenomenon of cross fertilization (allogamy) of lung flukes.

The role of the human caudate nucleus in acupuncture analgesia

The role of the caudate nucleus in acupuncture analgesia was studied in 17 patients receiving caudate stimulation through chronic implanted electrodes to relieve intractable pain caused by late malignancy. Electrical stimulation of the head of the caudate nucleus provided relief from intractable pain in all 17 patients. The pain and pain tolerance threshold were elevated, the alteration in skin galvanic activity, respiratory movement and fingertip plethysmography elicited by a given painful stimulus were depressed. The analgesia required a period of induction and persisted for some time after cessation of stimulation; it showed no obvious segmental topography. These characteristics are similar to those observed in acupuncture analgesia. The effect of caudate stimulation was similar to that of electric needling in depressing the late component of the somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) recorded over the scalp and from the centrum medianum of the thalamus. Evoked potentials could be recorded from the caudate nucleus when an acupuncture point was electrically stimulated. The evoked potential record was a complex wave of positive and negative components, the peak latencies of main components being 100-180 msec for positive wave and 148-332 msec for negative wave components. The present study supports the supposition that the caudate nucleus may play a role in acupuncture analgesia. The possibility that the effect of caudate stimulation is brought on by inhibiting the activity of the medial thalamus is discussed.