2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin Delays Palatal Shelf Elevation and Suppresses Wnt5a and Lymphoid Enhancing-Binding Factor 1 Signaling in Developing Palate

OBJECTIVE

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin contributes to cleft palate, but the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for the deleterious effect on the developing palate are unclear. Because Wnt signaling is associated with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in organ development, we wondered whether the malformation of the palate also results from altered Wnt signaling.

RESULTS

The 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin administration affected cell proliferation of the anteroposterior axis of the palatal shelf and delayed shelf elevation in mice. The activity of Wnt5a and lymphoid enhancing-binding factor 1 was inhibited by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in the developing palate.

CONCLUSIONS

Downregulated Wnt5a and lymphoid enhancing-binding factor 1 are associated with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-induced cleft palate. Moreover, delayed shelf elevation by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin is the crucial mechanism contributing to the high incidence of cleft palate. Our findings may help in elucidating the mechanisms of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-induced cleft palate.

Mutation analysis of PVRL1 in patients with non-syndromic cleft of the lip and/or palate in Guangdong

Non-syndromic cleft of the lip and/or palate (NSCLP) is a very common birth defect; the poliovirus receptor-like 1 gene (PVRL1) has been identified as a genetic risk factor for NSCLP in patients from Norway, the Philippines, and South America. Given the considerable variation in allele frequencies across these geographical regions, this study explored the relationship between NSCLP and mutations of PVRL1 in patients from Guangdong, China. We recruited 171 NSCLP patients and 100 volunteers, and divided our samples into 2 groups: a sequencing group and a mass spectrometry group. In the sequencing group, we screened for mutations in exons 2 and 5 of PVRL1 by polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing in 71 NSCLP patients and 100 volunteers. In the mass spectrometry group, we screened for amino acid mutations in α-spliced transcript codons 112, 131, and 395, and in the β-spliced transcript codon 1082 using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis in 100 NSCLP patients and 100 volunteers. No mutations were detected in either PVRL1 exons 2 or 5 in the 71 NSCLP patients and 100 volunteers, nor did we find mutations of α-spliced transcript codons 112, 131, 395 and the β-spliced transcript codon 1082 in any of the 100 NSCLP patients and 100 volunteers. Thus, mutations in exons 2 and 5 of PVRL1, and T334A, A391T, G1183A in the α-spliced transcript, and G1082T in the β-spliced transcript do not participate in the development of NSCLP in patients from Guangdong.

Case-control and family-based association studies of novel susceptibility locus 8q24 in nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate in a Southern Han Chinese population located in Guangdong Province

Nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) is one of the most common congenital malformations and a susceptibility locus on chromosome 8q24 has been replicated as a genetic risk factor for NSCL/P in patients of European and Asian descent. However, given considerable variations in allele frequencies across geographical regions studied, the aim of this study was to investigate the association of rs987525 located at 8q24 with NSCL/P only among the southern Han Chinese population from Guangdong province. We recruited 216 NSCL/P cases, their parents, and 200 controls to conduct case-control analysis and family-based association studies. Genotyping of rs987525 was carried out by the matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry method. Case-control analysis showed allele and genotype distributions for rs987525 were not significantly associated with the risk of NSCL/P in our study population. Similar results were found when all cases were stratified into cleft lip only and cleft lip with cleft palate. A transmission disequilibrium test showed no statistically significant transmission of A nor C alleles and family-based association test (FBAT) analysis provided no evidence of NSCL/P risk with single markers. These results do not provide evidence for an association between rs987525 at 8q24 and the risk of NSCL/P in the southern Han Chinese population from Guangdong province.

Effects of phenytoin on Satb2 and Hoxa2 gene expressions in mouse embryonic craniofacial tissue

Cleft lip and cleft palate are common congenital craniofacial birth defects in humans. Phenytoin (PHT) is a risk factor of cleft palate formation; however, the molecular mechanisms by which phenytoin exerts its teratogenic effects resulting in cleft palate remain unknown. The Satb2 gene mutation is associated with cleft palate. Satb2-deficient mice exhibit cleft palate deformity and an up-regulation of Hoxa2 in the fronto-nasal region. In this study, phenytoin was administered intraperitoneally to pregnant C57BL/6 mice on the 10th day of gestation. Real-time PCR results showed that the expressions of Satb2 and Hoxa2 in craniofacial tissues of mouse embryos were obviously different at different time points. The Satb2 gene was down-regulated and the Hoxa2 gene was up-regulated in phenytoin-treated mouse embryonic craniofacial tissue. We conclude that phenytoin may regulate the expression of these two genes in C57BL/6 mice and it may also be involved in the formation of cleft palate.

Liver test patterns in patients with acute calculous cholecystitis and/or choledocholithiasis

BACKGROUND

Liver tests are utilized to determine the presence of biliary obstruction.

AIM

To examine our hypothesis that liver tests aid in elucidating whether patients have simple calculous cholecystitis (ACC) or choledocholithiasis (CDL).

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study of patients admitted to two University of Texas Southwestern teaching hospitals with a clinical picture consistent with 'acute gallstone disease', i.e. cholecystitis +/- choledocolithiasis. The presence of ACC and CDL was based on defined clinical criteria.

RESULTS

The cohort consisted of 154 patients meeting specific entry criteria, primarily with right upper quadrant pain; 62 ACC, 79 both ACC and CDL and 13 CDL alone. Approximately 30% of patients with ACC had abnormal alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and/or bilirubin level and approximately 50% had abnormal aminotransferase levels. Among patients with ACC/CDL, 77% had abnormal ALP, 60% had abnormal bilirubin and 90% had abnormal aminotransferase levels. By multivariate analysis, increasing common bile duct size and an abnormal ALP and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were excellent predictors of having ACC with CDL.

CONCLUSIONS

Liver test patterns can aid in elucidating CDL, including in ACC patients. Fundamentally, patients with CDL were more likely to have more abnormal liver tests, whether they had CDL only, or CDL and ACC. A dilated CBD, and abnormal ALP and ALT had modest sensitivity and high specificity for identification of patients with ACC and CDL.

A role for a rat homolog of staufen in the transport of RNA to neuronal dendrites

RNAs are present in dendrites and may be used for local protein synthesis in response to synaptic activity. To begin to understand dendritic RNA targeting, we cloned a rat homolog of staufen, a Drosophila gene that participates in mRNA targeting during development. In hippocampal neurons, rat staufen protein displays a microtubule-dependent somatodendritic distribution pattern that overlaps with dendritic RNAs. To determine whether r-staufen is required for dendritic RNA targeting, we constructed a mutant version containing the RNA binding domains (stau-RBD) but lacking the C-terminal portion potentially involved in dendritic targeting. Stau-RBD expression was restricted to the cell bodies and proximal dendrites. Expression of stau-RBD significantly decreased, while overexpression of wild-type r-staufen increased, the amount of dendritic mRNA. Taken together, these results suggest that the rat staufen protein plays an important role in the delivery of RNA to dendrites.

[Expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin in scar fibroblasts in vitro]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) induced by transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1).

METHODS

Five samples of hypertrophic scars and three samples of normal mature scars were collected as the experimental and control groups respectively. The fibroblasts were isolated from scars, and cultured in 2-dimension or 3-dimension culture system. The immunohistochemical staining method of LSAB were used to investigate the expression of alpha-SMA in fibroblasts in the different concentration of TGF-beta 1.

RESULTS

The expression of alpha-SMA in 3-dimension culture system were markedly lower than those in 2-dimension culture system with respect to the fibroblasts in the experimental group. The expression of alpha-SMA in fibroblasts were different in response to various TGF-beta 1 concentration, it was more effective at the concentration of 5 ng/ml. The expression of alpha-SMA in the fibroblasts from hypertrophic scars seemed to be more sensitive to TGF-beta 1 compared to that of the normal mature scars.

CONCLUSION

There are concentration-dependent in the expression of alpha-SMA induced by TGF-beta 1 in scar fibroblasts in vitro. The biological characteristics of the fibroblasts from hypertrophic scars and normal mature scars and their sensitivity to the inducement of TGF-beta 1 were different. The inducement of TGF-beta 1 may be depressed by extracellular matrix components and that may decrease the expression of alpha-SMA.

Monoclonal antibodies against human ribosomal P proteins penetrate into living cells and cause apoptosis of Jurkat T cells in culture

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to determine the role of autoantibodies to the ribosomal P protein (anti-P Abs) in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) using monoclonal anti-P antibodies (anti-P mAbs).

METHODS

Anti-P mAbs were prepared by a standard hybridoma procedure using recombinant human P1 and P2 proteins as immunogens. We studied the reactivities of these mAbs to P proteins, their binding and penetration capabilities in different cell lines and their apoptotic effects on Jurkat T cells.

RESULTS

In addition to recognizing human P0, P1 and P2 proteins, the anti-P mAb 9B6-4 bound to 20-40% and penetrated 50-90% of astrocytes, Jurkat T cells and lung cancer cells via the P0 surface protein. Treatment with the mAb 9B6-4 also caused increases in the percentages of Jurkat T cells in the sub-G1 phase of the cell cycle (14.8%) and undergoing apoptosis (21.3%).

CONCLUSION

Anti-P autoantibodies may play a role in the pathogenesis of lymphopenia or lymphocyte dysfunction in SLE.

Recombinant expression and characterization of the Candida rugosa lip4 lipase in Pichia pastoris: comparison of glycosylation, activity, and stability

Although Candida rugosa utilizes a nonuniversal serine codon (CUG) for leucine, it is possible to express lipase genes (LIP) in heterologous systems. After replacing the 19 CUG codons in LIP4 with serine codons by site-directed mutagenesis, a recombinant LIP4 was functionally overexpressed in Pichia pastoris in this study. This recombinant glycosylated lipase was secreted into the culture medium with a high purity of 100 mg/liter in a culture broth. Purified recombinant LIP4 had a molecular mass of 60 kDa, showing a range similar to that of lipase in a commercial preparation. Since LIP4 has only a glycosylation site at position Asn-351, this position may also be the major glycosylation site in C. rugosa lipases. Although the thermal stability of recombinant LIP4 significantly increased from 52 to 58 degrees C after glycosylation, there were no significant differences in the catalytic properties of recombinant glycosylated lipase from P. pastoris and the unglycosylated one from Escherichia coil. These two recombinant LIP4s showed higher esterase activities toward long-chain ester (C16 and C18) and exhibited higher lipase activities toward unsaturated and long-chain lipids. In addition, LIP4 does not show interfacial activation as compared with LIP1 toward lipid substrates of tributyrin and triolein. These observations demonstrated that LIP4 shows distinguished catalytic activities with LIP1 in spite of their high sequence homology.

High-level production of recombinant chicken cystatin by Pichia pastoris and its application in mackerel surimi

A high level of the secreted form of recombinant chicken cystatin was expressed in Pichia pastoris X-33 by chromosomal integration of multiple copies of an expression cassette containing chicken cystatin under the control of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase promoter. The inhibition ability of the recombinant for papain-like proteinase was found to correspond to those of natural chicken cystatin. The recombinant cystatin substantially inhibited the proteolysis of myosin and gel softening, which consequently improved the gel properties of mackerel surimi.

Recombinant expression of the Candida rugosa lip4 lipase in Escherichia coli

It is difficult to express recombinant Candida rugosa lipases (CRLs) in heterologous systems, since C. rugosa utilizes a nonuniversal serine codon CUG for leucine. In this study, recombinant LIP4 in which all 19 CUG codons had been converted to a universal serine codon was overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). The recombinant LIP4 was found mainly in the inclusion bodies and showed a low catalytic activity. To increase the amount of soluble form and activity of recombinant LIP4, the DNA was fused to the gene for thioredoxin (TrxFus-LIP4) and then expressed in E. coli strain AD494(DE3). This strategy promotes the formation of disulfide bonds in the cytosol and yields enzymatically active forms of LIP4. The purified recombinant TrxFus-LIP4 and LIP4 expressed in AD494(DE3) had the same catalytic profiles. In addition, recombinant LIP4 had higher esterase activities toward long-chain ester and lower lipase activities toward tributyrin, triolein, and olive oil. This system for the expression of fungal lipase in E. coli strain AD494(DE3) is reliable and may produce enzymatically active forms of recombinant lipase without an in vitro refolding procedure.

[Research and development of the computer aided design for face lifting and image processing system]

A medical image Processing system, in which the three dimensional image technology is applied to make the surgery planned quantitatively and imaged, is introduced in this paper. In the system, a computer image processing technology finds a use for medical face-lifting, which allows the patient to preview the effectiveness of the face-lifting.

Hypertension in elderly persons: its prevalence and associated cardiovascular risk factors in Tainan City, southern Taiwan

BACKGROUND

Hypertension was the eighth leading cause of death in Taiwan in 1996, and the prevalence of hypertension has increased recently. The purpose of the study was to assess the prevalence of hypertension and its associated cardiovascular risk factors in elderly persons in Tainan City, southern Taiwan.

METHODS

The study was a cross-sectional, population-based study. We used the stratified cluster sampling method to enroll subjects aged 65 years and above, 1435 persons in total, into our study. Questionnaire interview, body weight, body height, and blood pressure measurement were completed for 876 participants (response rate of 70.2%) at each subject's home by home visit.

RESULTS

Hypertension was defined according to the criteria of the Fifth Report of the Joint National Committee on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. The crude prevalence of hypertension was 60.4% (men 59.1%, women 61.9%); previously diagnosed hypertension was 31.1% (men 29.4%, women 33.1%); and newly diagnosed hypertension was 29.3% (men 29.7%, women 28.8%). The hypertensive group had a higher body mass index (BMI) than the normotensive group. There were no lifestyle differences such as smoking, drinking, eating a vegetarian diet, reading health information, and undergoing a health examination in the past year between the hypertensive and normotensive groups. However, the hypertensive group had a higher prevalence of regular exercise than did the normal blood pressure group on univariate analysis. Only BMI and family history of hypertension had a significantly positive association with hypertension on multiple logistic regression analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

The crude prevalence of hypertension was 60.4% in elderly persons in Tainan City. Subjects who had family history of hypertension and higher BMI had a higher risk of hypertension, so they should be screened for high blood pressure regularly.

Overexpression of the soluble form of chicken cystatin in Escherichia coli and its purification

A cDNA encoding chicken cystatin was cloned into the pET-23a(+) expression vector and then transformed into Escherichia coli AD494(DE3)pLysS expression host. An active soluble form of cystatin was expressed in the cytoplasm of E. coli induced by isopropyl beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside. The recombinant chicken cystatin was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity by a simple and rapid method involving heat treatment and Sephacryl S-100 gel filtration chromatography. The recombinant cystatin behaved as a thermal-stable protein and exhibited papain-like protease inhibition activity comparable to the natural chicken cystatin.

Monoclonal anti-double-stranded DNA autoantibody stimulates the expression and release of IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and TNF-alpha from normal human mononuclear cells involving in the lupus pathogenesis

In our previous reports, we found polyclonal anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies (anti-dsDNA) purified from patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) exerted inhibitory effect on [3H]thymidine incorporation of human mononuclear cells (MNC). However, the other immunological effects of anti-dsDNA on the functions of MNC have not yet been reported. In this study, two monoclonal antibodies, 12B3 and 9D7, with different anti-dsDNA activity were evaluated for their effects on the expression and release of different cytokines from human MNC. We confirmed absence of endotoxin in the two monoclonal antibody preparations and the used medium as detected by Limulus amoebocyte lysate test. The mRNA expression and release of different cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) were measured. We found the two monoclonal anti-dsDNA not only dose-responsively suppressed the phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-induced thymidine uptake of human MNC but stimulated the mRNA expression of IL-1beta, IL-6 and IL-8 in normal human MNC detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) measurement of cytokines in MNC culture supernatants revealed that anti-dsDNA enhanced IL-1beta, IL-8, TNF-alpha and IL-10 release from resting MNC. These effects of anti-dsDNA antibodies were not affected by polymyxin B, a potent binder and neutralizer of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). These in vitro studies suggest that anti-dsDNA possess a dual effect on normal human MNC: (a) to enhance the release of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-8 and TNF-alpha) from MNC to augment inflammatory reaction; and (b) to polarize the immune reaction towards the T helper 2 (Th2) (increased IL-10 production) pathway. This unique effect of anti-dsDNA may play a role in lupus pathogenesis by augmenting inflammatory reactions and autoantibody production which are commonly found in patients with active SLE.

[Exercise ECG test as a method for non-invasive detection of myocardial ischemia]

OBJECTIVE

To improve the exercise ECG analysis for non-invasively detection of myocardial ischemia.

METHOD

The newly developed measuring system of exercise ECG defines ST segment area and STA/HR slope as the new characteristic parameters, thus can sensitively detect myocardial ischemia. Some methods were proposed to reduce noise and artifacts for effective sampling of exercise ECG.

RESULT

14 exercise ECG records were sampled and analyzed in clinical exercise test. It was found that the new parameters are very effective and sensitive to myocardial ischemia. The results show that the method is reliable and stable.

CONCLUSION

The method improves one of the evaluating indexes of exercise ECG analysis. It is quite promising for clinical application in future.

[Operations for laryngeal carcinoma with reservation of laryngeal function]

OBJECTIVE

To study the long term results and functional recovery of partial laryngectomy in the treatment of glottic and supraglottic types of laryngeal carcinoma.

METHOD

A series of 70 cases operated on between July 1978 and August 1998 were analysed, of whom 60 were glottic, 10 were supraglottic type laryngeal carcinoma. Among them, 22 cases underwent vocal cord resection, 22 vertical hemilaryngectomy, 17 Majer-Piquet's operation, 7 horizontal hemilaryngectomy, 2 Arslan's operation.

RESULT

1, 3, 5-year survival rates were 98.53%, 87.04% and 78.26% respectively. Decannulation rate was 100%. All patients could finally take food by mouth without inspiration, and could speak as soon as decannulated. Complication and recurrence rates were 15.71% and 13.04% separately.

CONCLUSION

Partial laryngectomy is an effective operation on laryngeal carcinoma with reservation of laryngeal function. It not only can totally excise neoplasm and prolong life, but also can better reserve laryngeal function and improve the quality of patient's life.

Cold-induced ependymin expression in zebrafish and carp brain: implications for cold acclimation

Cold acclimation has been suggested to be mediated by alternations in the gene expression pattern in the cold-adapted fish. To investigate the mechanism of cold acclimation in fish brain at the molecular level, relevant subsets of differentially expressed genes of interest were identified and cloned by the PCR-based subtraction suppression hybridization. Characterization of the selected cold-induced cDNA clones revealed one encoding ependymin. This gene was shown to be brain-specific. The expression of ependymin was induced by a temperature shift from 25 degrees C to 6 degrees C in Cyprinus carpio or 12 degrees C in Danio rerio. Activation of ependymin was detected 2 h after cold exposure and peaked at more than 10-fold at 12 h. This peak level remains unchanged until the temperature returns to 25 degrees C. Although the amount of soluble ependymin protein in brain was not changed by cold treatment, its level in the fibrous insoluble polymers increased 2-fold after exposure to low temperature. These findings indicate that the increase in ependymin expression is an early event that may play an important role in the cold acclimation of fish.