The striatal GABA-ergic neurons expressing substance P receptors in the basal ganglia of mice

By using a double immunofluorescence, we have examined the distribution of striatal GABAergic neurons that expressed substance P receptor (SPR) in the basal ganglia of adult C57 mice. The distribution of GABA-immunoreactive neurons completely or partially overlapped with that of SPR-immunoreactive neurons in the striatum (i.e. the caudate-putamen), globus pallidus, ventral pallidum, and nucleus accumbens. Neurons showing both GABA- and SPR-immunoreactivities were, however, predominantly found in the caudate-putamen, and most of them were characterized by their large-sized aspiny neuronal profile. Semi-quantification indicated that only about 13% of the total GABA-immunoreactive neurons (including large and medium-sized) displayed SPR-immunoreactivity, and these double-labeled neurons constituted about 31% of the total SPR-immunoreactive cells in the striatum. Neurons double-labeled with GABA- and SPR-immunoreactivities were hardly detected in other aforementioned regions of the basal ganglia. In addition, double immunofluorescence also showed co-localization of SPR- with glutamic acid decarboxylase-immunoreactivity, but not with parvalbumin-immunoreactivity, in the striatal neurons. Taken together with previous reports, the present study has suggested that a sub-population of striatal GABA-ergic neurons, most possibly GABA-ergic interneurons, may also receive direct physiological modulation by tachykinins through SPR in the basal ganglia of mammals.

Nestin-containing cells express glial fibrillary acidic protein in the proliferative regions of central nervous system of postnatal developing and adult mice

We are interested in the expression patterns of nestin, an embryonic intermediate filament that represent a neural precursor marker, in the mammalian central nervous system. With an immunohistochemical approach, distribution of nestin-containing cells and their colocalization with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) or neuronal nuclear specific protein (NeuN) were studied in adult and postnatal days 2-30 (P2-30) mice. Nestin-immunoreactivity was predominately distributed in certain proliferative regions, such as cerebral cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus, subfornical organ, cerebellar cortex, area postrema, midline raphe glial structures, as well as ependymal and subependymal zones of the brain and spinal cord. The majority of nestin-immunoreactive cells, characterized by astroglial profiles of multiple and radial processes, showed a partial overlapping distribution with that of GFAP-immunoreactive astroglial cells. Double immunofluorescence confirmed that about 77% of these nestin-immunoreactive cells exhibited GFAP-immunoreactivity, indicating that a large percentage of nestin-expressing cells may have committed to astroglial cells. In developing mice, down-regulation of nestin expression was observed between P7 and P14. Although co-expression of nestin and NeuN occurred in cortical neurons of P2-7 mice, nestin-containing cells showing NeuN-immunoreactivity disappeared in CNS in older animals. Our results reveal the distribution pattern of nestin-containing neural precursors in the postnatal CNS and provide evidence on their differentiation fate to neurons and astrocytes, suggesting that nestin-containing glial cells may play an important role in remodeling and repairing in the postnatal and adult central nervous system.

New method to measure minisatellite variant repeat variation in population genetic studies

The classical analysis of minisatellite variant repeat (MVR) variation using modular structures is limited by the lack of knowledge of the mutational process involved in the evolution of most of the minisatellites. In this study a new method to measure MVR variation and to calculate genetic distances using MVR codes is proposed. The method is based on the statistical similarity of MVR patterns and considers the complete variability of the minisatellite, enabling meaningful comparisons of closely related populations. As an example, the method has been applied to analyze variation in MSY1 (DYF155S1) in five sets of data from European and North African populations.

Solvothermal Syntheses and Characterizations of Two Isomorphous One-Dimensional Chain Complexes Constructed by Orotic Acid

Solvothermal reactions of M(OAc)2 (M = Ni, Co) with orotic acid (2,6-dioxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyrimidine-4-carboxylic acid, H3L) in H2O/MeOH (1 : 1) gave rise to two new isomorphous polymeric complexes, [M(HL)(H2O)3]n [M = Ni, (4); Co, (5)], with one-dimensional chain structures. Both complexes crystallize in the orthorhombic space group P212121, with a 7.7438(7), b 7.7610(7), c 14.6528(12) �, Z 4 for (4), and a 7.7005(3), b 7.8725(3), c 14.6997(10) �, Z 4 for (5). X-Ray diffraction analysis shows that the metal ion is coordinated by nitrogen and oxygen atoms of an orotate ligand (HL2–) and water molecules in a distorted octahedral geometry. The hydrogen-bond interactions between chains leads to the formation of three-dimensional network structures.

Purification and functional characterization of a histone H3-lysine 4-specific methyltransferase

Methylation of histone H3 at lysine 9 by SUV39H1 and subsequent recruitment of the heterochromatin protein HP1 has recently been linked to gene silencing. In addition to lysine 9, histone H3 methylation also occurs at lysines 4, 27, and 36. Here, we report the purification, molecular identification, and functional characterization of an H3-lysine 4-specific methyltransferase (H3-K4-HMTase), SET7. We demonstrate that SET7 methylates H3-K4 in vitro and in vivo. In addition, we found that methylation of H3-K4 and H3-K9 inhibit each other. Furthermore, H3-K4 and H3-K9 methylation by SET7 and SUV39H1, respectively, have differential effects on subsequent histone acetylation by p300. Thus, our study provides a molecular explanation to the differential effects of H3-K4 and H3-K9 methylation on transcription.

Inhibitory PAS domain protein is a negative regulator of hypoxia-inducible gene expression

Alteration of gene expression is a crucial component of adaptive responses to hypoxia. These responses are mediated by hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIFs). Here we describe an inhibitory PAS (Per/Arnt/Sim) domain protein, IPAS, which is a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH)/PAS protein structurally related to HIFs. IPAS contains no endogenous transactivation function but demonstrates dominant negative regulation of HIF-mediated control of gene expression. Ectopic expression of IPAS in hepatoma cells selectively impairs induction of genes involved in adaptation to a hypoxic environment, notably the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene, and results in retarded tumour growth and tumour vascular density in vivo. In mice, IPAS was predominantly expressed in Purkinje cells of the cerebellum and in corneal epithelium of the eye. Expression of IPAS in the cornea correlates with low levels of expression of the VEGF gene under hypoxic conditions. Application of an IPAS antisense oligonucleotide to the mouse cornea induced angiogenesis under normal oxygen conditions, and demonstrated hypoxia-dependent induction of VEGF gene expression in hypoxic corneal cells. These results indicate a previously unknown mechanism for negative regulation of angiogenesis and maintenance of an avascular phenotype.

Preparations, structures, and magnetic properties of a series of novel copper(II)-lanthanide(III) coordination polymers via hydrothermal reaction

The hydrothermal reaction of Ln2O3 (Ln = Er, Gd, and Sm), pyridine-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (H2pydc), and Cu(II) reagents (CuO, Cu(OAc)2-2H2O, or CuCl2-2H2O) with a mole ratio of 1:2:4 resulted in the formation of six polymeric Cu(II)-Ln(III) complexes, [(Ln2Cu3(pydc)6(H2O)12)-4H2O]n (Ln = Er (1); Ln = Gd (2)), [(Ln4Cu2(pydc)8(H2O)12)-4H2O]n (Ln = Sm (3); Ln = Gd (4); Ln = Er (5)), and [(Gd2Cu2(pydc)4(H2O)8)-Cu(pydc)2-12H2O]n (6). 1 and 2 are isomorphous and crystallize in triclinic space group Ponebar. Compounds 3-5 are isomorphous and crystallize in monoclinic space group P2(1)/c. Compound 6 crystallizes in triclinic space group Ponebar. Complexes 1 and 2 have one-dimensional zigzag chain structures and compounds 3-5 display three-dimensional wavelike polymeric structures, while 6 has an infinite sandwich-type structure. The different structures of the complexes are induced by the different forms of Cu(II) reagents; the reactions of Cu(OAc)2-2H2O yield high Cu/Ln ratio products 1, 2, and 6, while the reactions of CuO or CuCl2-2H2O/2,2'-bipyridine results in low Cu/Ln ratio compounds 3-5. Temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibilities for 2, 4, and 5 were studied, and the thermal stabilities of complexes 2 and 4 were examined.

The metastasis-associated Mts1(S100A4) protein could act as an angiogenic factor

The involvement of Mts1(S100A4), a small Ca(2+)-binding protein in tumor progression and metastasis had been demonstrated. However, the mechanism by which mts1(S100A4) promoted metastasis had not been identified. Here we demonstrated that Mts1(S100A4) had significant stimulatory effect on the angiogenesis. We detected high incidence of hemangiomas--benign tumors of vascular origin in aged transgenic mice ubiquitously expressing the mts1(S100A4) gene. Furthermore, the serum level of the Mts1(S100A4) protein increased with ageing. Tumors developed in Mts1-transgenic mice revealed an enhanced vascular density. We showed that an oligomeric, but not a dimeric form of the Mts1(S100A4) protein was capable of enhancing the endothelial cell motility in vitro and stimulate the corneal neovascularization in vivo. An oligomeric fraction of the protein was detected in the conditioned media as well as in human serum. The data obtained allowed us to conclude that mts1(S100A4) might induce tumor progression via stimulation of angiogenesis.

Vascular endothelial growth factor-B-deficient mice display an atrial conduction defect

BACKGROUND

Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) and their receptors are essential regulators of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis in both embryos and adults. One of the factors with a still unknown physiological function is VEGF-B, which is expressed in many tissues, including the heart.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Mice carrying a targeted deletion in the VEGF-B gene were developed. In VEGF-B(-/-) animals, no gross abnormalities were observed in organs that normally show high expression of VEGF-B, such as the heart, muscle, and kidney. Analysis of heart function by ECG showed that adult VEGF-B(-/-) mice have an atrial conduction abnormality characterized by a prolonged PQ interval. VEGF- or basic fibroblast growth factor-induced corneal angiogenesis was similar in normal and VEGF-B(-/-) mice.

CONCLUSIONS

VEGF-B seems to be required for normal heart function in adult animals but is not required for proper development of the cardiovascular system either during development or for angiogenesis in adults.

Investigation of DNA binding modes for a symmetrical cyanine dye trication: effect of DNA sequence and structure

The DNA binding behavior of a tricationic cyanine dye (DiSC3+(5)) was studied using the [Poly(dA-dT)]2, [Poly(dI-dC)]2 and Poly(dA) x Poly(dT) duplex sequences and the Poly(dA) x 2Poly(dT) triplex. Optical spectroscopy and viscometry results indicate that the dye binds to the triplex structure by intercalation, to the nonalternating Poly(dA) x Poly(dT) duplex through minor groove binding and to the alternating [Poly(dA-dT)]2 duplex by a combination of two binding modes: intercalation at low concentration and dimerization within the minor groove at higher concentration. Dimerization occurs at lower dye concentrations for the [Poly(dI-dC)]2 sequence, consistent with our previous investigations on an analogous monocationic cyanine dye. [Seifert, J.L., et al. (1999) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 121, 2987-2995] These studies illustrate the diversity of DNA binding modes that are available to a given ligand structure.

Leptin induces vascular permeability and synergistically stimulates angiogenesis with FGF-2 and VEGF

Most endocrine hormones are produced in tissues and organs with permeable microvessels that may provide an excess of hormones to be transported by the blood circulation to the distal target organ. Here, we investigate whether leptin, an endocrine hormone, induces the formation of vascular fenestrations and permeability, and we characterize its angiogenic property in the presence of other angiogenic factors. We provide evidence that leptin-induced new blood vessels are fenestrated. Under physiological conditions, capillary fenestrations are found in the leptin-producing adipose tissue in lean mice. In contrast, no vascular fenestrations were detected in the adipose tissue of leptin-deficient ob/ob mice. Thus, leptin plays a critical role in the maintenance and regulation of vascular fenestrations in the adipose tissue. Leptin induces a rapid vascular permeability response when administrated intradermally. Further, leptin synergistically stimulates angiogenesis with fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the two most potent and commonly expressed angiogenic factors. These findings demonstrate that leptin has another new function-the increase of vascular permeability.

[Structural and functional study of prokaryotic enhancer-like element VV1 from vaccinia virus]

Enhancer VV1 (about 283 bp) is selected as the target to analyze its structure and function systemically. Stepwise deletion experiment is used to identify the functional domain of VV1 element. The results suggest that the 20 bp at 5' terminal and 20 bp at 3' terminal are important to the activity of VV1, for without either of them its activity decreased greatly. Furthermore, the 30-50 bp at 5' terminal is essential to its activity, without which will lead to complete loss of its activity. By random mutagenesis assay it is found that base mutation can regulate the activity of enhancer VV1 positively or negatively. The more the activities of mutants descend, the more mutations take place. For singlebase mutation, the activities change relatively little, and most of the mutations always occur in the 50 bp at the 5' terminal.

[Syntheses, reactions and spectroscopic properties of cluster compounds containing ME4 (M = Mo, W; E = S, Se) units]

The synthetic reactions and spectroscopic studied of molybdenum (tungsten) -copper (silver, iron) -sulphur (selenium) cluster compounds, which can be prepared by the stepwise or unit construction reactions through the successive addition ML (L = Cl, Br, Sr, R2 etc) across six edges or four faces of ME4 (M = Mo, W; E = S, Se) tetrahedra, are described. A series of Mo (W)-Cu-S cluster compounds, (Et4N)2 [MCu2E4 (S2CNR2)2], (Et4N)2 [MCu2E3O (S2CNR2)2], [MCu2E4 (dppe)2] (dppe = bis (diphenylphosphine) ethane), (Et4N)2 [MCu3E4 (S2CNR2)4] (M = Mo, E = Se, R = Et (1a), R2 = C4H8 (1b), R = PhCH2 (lc)), (Et4N)2 [MCu4E4 (S2CNR2)4] (M = Mo, E = Se, R = Me (2)) (Et4N)2 [M2Cu4S8 (S2CNEt2)2], (Et4N)2 [M2Cu4S6O2- (S2CNC4H8)2], [Mo2Cu4S8 (dppm)2], [Mo2Cu4S6O2 (dppm)2], (dppm = bis (diphenylphosphine) -methane), (Et4N)4 (ME4Cu10L12) (M = Mo, E = Se, L = PhCH2S (3)), MoFe3Se4 (mu-R2NCS2)2 (R2NCS2)4 have been prepared and characterized by UV, IR and X-ray diffraction analyses.

[Studies on Legionella-contamination to the air-conditioning cooling towers in big hotels and on its seroprevalence in the related populations in Beijing]

OBJECTIVE

To understand the situation of Legionella-contamination at cooling towers of big hotel and the level of Legionella-infection among related populations in Beijing.

METHODS

Thirty-eight cooling towers of hotels were chosen for detection of Legionella. Four hundred and fourteen staff members from the hotels were selected as exposure group, with another 414 from general population as controls, for the detection of Legionella antibodies.

RESULTS

Sixteen strains of Legionella pneumophila (Lp) were isolated from 21 of the 38 cooling towers, and the predominant strain was Lp serum group 1 (50%, 8/16). The seroprevalence of Lp antibodies for the exposure group was 9.9% (41/414), comparing to 3.5% (14/414) from the control group. The difference was statistically significant (chi(2) = 14.2, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Legionella was discovered in air-conditioning cooling tower of the hotels, which threatened the health to the population exposed to it.

μ-Terephthalato-bis[bis(1,10-phenanthroline)copper(I)] diperchlorate

The title compound, [Cu(2)(C(8)H(4)O(4))(C(12)H(8)N(2))(4)](ClO(4))(2), was prepared from the hydrothermal reaction of CuCl(2), 1,4-dicyanobenzene, 1,10-phenanthroline and water at 443 K. The compound is a dimer in which the cation lies about an inversion center. The terephthalate moiety acts as a bridging ligand and the phenanthrolines as terminal ligands. The unique Cu atom is coordinated by two O and four N atoms in a distorted octahedral geometry, with Cu-O distances of 1.955 (2) and 2.815 (2) A, and Cu-N distances of 2.008 (2) to 2.216 (2) A.

Bis(N,N-diethyl-1,1-diselenocarbamato-Se)selenium, [(Se2CNEt2)2Se]

The polyseleno title compound, bis(N,N-diethylselenocarbamoyl) triselenide, [(Se(2)CNEt(2))(2)Se] or C(10)H(20)N(2)Se(5), is obtained from the disproportion of sodium N,N-diethyl-1,1-diselenocarbamate. An Se atom connects two N,N-diethyl-1,1-diselenocarbamate groups with Se-Se distances in the range 2.4500 (11)-2.8601 (12) A

[Functional and structural study of the prokaryotic enhancer-like element VV16 from vaccinia virus genome]

An enhancer-like element VV16 from Vaccinia virus genome DNA was obtained by using the plasmid with CAT reporter gene. Sequence analysis showed the element of 112 bp is a part of the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, polyA polymerase and DNA polymerase (RPO30 gene). It contains 4 AT-rich regions. Detection of beta-galactosidase activity showed that VV16 in the positive direction can increase the activity 9.0 times and VV16 in the negative direction can increase 4.1 times. The RNA dot blotting confirmed the enhancing activity of the element are on the transcription level. DNA deletion experiment indicated the sequences of 10 bp at the 5' end and 12 bp at the 3' end in the element are important to its function and the sequence from nt76 to nt82 is essential to its activity.

Impaired endochondral ossification and angiogenesis in mice deficient in membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase I

Membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase I (MT1-MMP)-deficient mice were found to have severe defects in skeletal development and angiogenesis. The craniofacial, axial, and appendicular skeletons were severely affected, leading to a short and domed skull, marked deceleration of postnatal growth, and death by 3 wk of age. Shortening of bones is a consequence of decreased chondrocyte proliferation in the proliferative zone of the growth plates. Defective vascular invasion of cartilage leads to enlargement of hypertrophic zones of growth plates and delayed formation of secondary ossification centers in long bones. In an in vivo corneal angiogenesis assay, null mice did not have angiogenic response to implanted FGF-2, suggesting that the defect in angiogenesis is not restricted to cartilage alone. In tissues from null mice, activation of latent matrix metalloproteinase 2 was deficient, suggesting that MT1-MMP is essential for its activation in vivo.

Assembly of silver(I) polymers with helical and lamellar structures

The new versatile multidentate nonchelating ligand 1,2-bis[(2-pyr-imidinyl)-sulfanylmethyl]benzene (bpsb) was designed and prepared for supramolecular syntheses. Self-assembly between silver nitrate and the bpsb ligand resulted in the polymer [Ag4(bpsb)2-(NO3)4]n (1) with a single-stranded helical chain structure. Each bpsb ligand in 1 acts as a tetradentate ligand, in which two sulfur atoms and two nitrogen atoms from different pyrimidine groups coordinate to four Ag atoms in four different directions. The nitrate anions serve as a template for the formation of the helix and are either embedded in the interior of the helix or located in the flank of the helix. Self-assembly between silver perchlorate and the bpsb ligand under the same conditions gave rise to the polymer [Ag2(bpsb)3(ClO4)2]n (2) comprising a two-dimensional lamellar network containing crownlike cavities. The silver atoms in two adjacent layers are arranged staggered in 2. The two-dimensional lamellar network comprising isolated cavities of [Ag6(bpsb)6] is very different from that of usual honeycomb structures.

Interleukin-18 acts as an angiogenesis and tumor suppressor

Interleukin-18 (IL-18), also called interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-inducing factor, has recently been characterized as a potent IFN-gamma-inducing cytokine. We now report that IL-18 is a novel antiangiogenic and antitumor cytokine. In vitro, IL-18 specifically inhibits fibroblast growth factor-2-stimulated proliferation of capillary endothelial cells. In vivo, IL-18 is sufficiently potent to suppress the fibroblast growth factor-induced corneal neovascularization by systemic administration in mice. This cytokine also inhibits embryonic angiogenesis in the chick chorioallantoic membrane assay. Systemic and intralesional administrations of IL-18 produce a significant suppression of the growth of murine T241 fibrosarcoma in syngeneic C57Bl6/J and immunodeficient SCID mice. The antitumor effect appears to be potent because an average of >75% inhibition of primary tumor growth was observed at a dose of 50 microg/kg/day. In cell culture, murine T241 fibrosarcoma cells are insensitive to recombinant IL-18 at concentrations that significantly inhibit endothelial cell proliferation. Immunohistochemical studies of tumor tissues reveal hypovascularization of the IL-18-treated tumors. These results suggest that IL-18 may participate in the regulation of a switch of tumor angiogenesis.-Cao, R., Farnebo, J., Kurimoto, M., Cao, Y. Interleukin-18 acts as an angiogenesis and tumor suppressor.

Effect of Brassinolide on Growth and Shikonin Formation in Cultured Onosma paniculatum Cells

The effect of brassinolide (BR) on cell growth and shikonin and its derivative formation in Onosma paniculatum cell culture was studied. BR addition with IAA and BAP (+BR/+IAA/+BAP) in B(5) medium slightly increased the cell growth at 0.01-0.1 ppb concentration compared with a growth control (-BR/+IAA/+BAP). Only BR addition (+BR/-IAA/-BAP) at 0.001-100 ppb in B(5) medium significantly increased the cell fresh weight compared with a growth control (-BR/-IAA/-BAP). The same concentration of BR tested at 0-1000 ppb increased the cell fresh weight of +IAA/+BAP significantly more than that of -IAA/-BAP. BR at 0.001-0.1 ppb with IAA and BAP added (+BR/+IAA/+BAP) in M(9) medium increased shikonin and its derivative content markedly by 31-87%, compared with its control (-BR/+IAA/+BAP). BR at 0.001-1000 ppb without IAA and BAP added to M(9) medium (+BR/-IAA/-BAP) also increased shikonin and its derivative content compared with its control (-BR/-IAA/-BAP). However, the amount of shikonin and derivative formed of +IAA/+BAP was greater than that of -IAA/-BAP only at the same concentration of BR at 0-1 ppb. These combined results show that BR at 0.01 ppb with IAA and BAP added was the best for cell growth and shikonin formation. Formation of shikonin and its derivative by adding BR at 0.01 ppb with IAA and BAP (+BR/+IAA/+BAP) in M(9) medium was significantly enhanced 4 days after BR addition compared with a production control (-BR/+IAA/+BAP). In contrast, +BR/-IAA/-BAP vs. -BR/-IAA/-BAP was not as effective as +BR/+IAA/+BAP vs. -BR/+IAA/+BAP for the shikonin formation. The time course study for shikonin formation also showed that +BR/+IAA/+BAP and -BP/+IAA/+BAP only slightly increased cell growth in M(9) medium. Similarly, soluble protein content in the cells treated by BR at 0.01 ppb with IAA and BAP (+BR/+IAA/+BAP) exceeded that of the control (-BR/+IAA/+BAP) 4 days after BR addition. And +BR/-IAA/-BAP only slightly increased the soluble protein content over that of -BR/-IAA/-BAP.

[Antihypertensive study of xingnao qingxuan recipe]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effect of decreasing blood pressure of Xingnao Qingxuan Casuples.

METHOD

The blood pressure in normal and anesthetised cats was examined with direct method, the blood pressure in the conscious SHR was obtained by indirect method.

RESULTS

Duodenuos administration(id) of XQC of 2.8 g/kg produced a decrease of blood pressure in normal cats; XQC of 1.4, 2.8 and 5.6 g/kg once a day for 14 days produced a dose-dependent reduction of blood pressure in SHR, 3-4 days after administration the blood pressure returned to the level before but the change was not significant. With gastric administration of XQC of 2.8 and 5.6 g/kg for 3 times, the incubation period of eyeball tremor induced by chloroform by dropping into the ear was prolonged by 14.4% and 13.0%, and the keeping time shortened by about 33.3% and 23.3% respectively. Brain basic arterial spasm induced by KCl or 5-HT in dog was relaxed obviously by XQC in vitro experiment.

CONCLUSION

XQC has the effect of reducing blood pressure resisting dizziness, which is related to the diastole of brain blood vessel.

Suppression of angiogenesis and tumor growth by the inhibitor K1-5 generated by plasmin-mediated proteolysis

Proteolytic enzymes are involved in generation of a number of endogenous angiogenesis inhibitors. Previously, we reported that angiostatin, a potent angiogenesis inhibitor, is a proteolytic fragment containing the first four kringle modules of plasminogen. In this report, we demonstrate that urokinase-activated plasmin can process plasminogen to release an angiogenesis inhibitor, K1-5 (protease-activated kringles 1-5). K1-5 inhibits endothelial-cell proliferation with a half-maximal concentration of approximately 50 pM. This inhibitory effect is endothelial-cell-specific and appears to be at least approximately 50-fold greater than that of angiostatin. A synergistic efficacy of endothelial inhibition was observed when angiostatin and kringle 5 (K5) were coincubated with capillary endothelial cells. The synergistic effect is comparable to that produced by K1-5 alone. Systemic treatment of mice with K1-5 at a low dose significantly blocked the fibroblast growth factor-induced corneal neovascularization, whereas angiostatin had no effect at the same dose. K1-5 also suppressed angiogenesis in chicken embryos. Systemic administration of K1-5 at a low dose at which angiostatin was ineffective significantly suppressed the growth of a murine T241 fibrosarcoma in mice. The antitumor effect correlates with the reduced neovascularization. These findings suggest that the plasmin-mediated proteolysis may be involved in the negative switch of angiogenesis.

g-matrix based on configuration interaction and Stone's perturbation theory

Stone's formula, which has usually been applied to the calculation of the g-matrix, is based on a single-configuration treatment. Here a limited configuration interaction is included to obtain the expressions of the principal g values for an orbitally nondegenerate molecule with spin S = 12. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

The g values of some halomolybdenyl, -vanadyl, and -chromyl complexes

The principal g values of a series of [MOXn]m- (M = VIV, CrV, MoV; X = F-, Cl-, Br-; n = 4, 5; m = 1, 2, 3) complexes are calculated by the INDO-CI-Stone method. The results agree well with the experimental data and reveal that the traditional models have some limitations in calculating g values for some complexes of this type.

Vascular endothelial growth factor C induces angiogenesis in vivo

Vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) recently has been described to be a relatively specific growth factor for the lymphatic vascular system. Here we report that ectopic application of recombinant VEGF-C also has potent angiogenic effects in vivo. VEGF-C is sufficiently potent to stimulate neovascularization from limbal vessels in the mouse cornea. Similar to VEGF, the angiogenic response of corneas induced by VEGF-C is intensive, with a high density of new capillaries. However, the outgrowth of microvessels stimulated by VEGF-C was significantly longer than that induced by VEGF. In the developing embryo, VEGF-C was able to induce branch sprouts from the established blood vessels. VEGF-C also induced an elongated, spindle-like cell shape change and actin reorganization in both VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-2 and VEGFR-3-overexpressing endothelial cells, but not in VEGFR-1-expressing cells. Further, both VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3 could mediate proliferative and chemotactic responses in endothelial cells on VEGF-C stimulation. Thus, VEGF-C may regulate physiological angiogenesis and participate in the development and progression of angiogenic diseases in addition to lymphangiogenesis.

[The effect of detrusor instability secondary to benign prostatic hypertrophy on the density of acetylcholinesterase-containing nerves]

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of detrusor instability secondary to benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) on the density of cholinesterase-containing nerve in detrusor samples.

METHOD

Our present study included 3 groups confirmed by urodynamic evaluation. They were control group (8 cases), obstructive detrusor stability group (7), and obstructive instability group (12). The specimens were obtained from the dome of bladder. The AchE-containing nerves were demonstrated by the method of Karnovsky-Roots staining and AchE silver staining. The density of AchE containing detrusor nerves in specimens was examined with sterologic techniques.

RESULT

The density of AchE-containing nerves in the obstructive detrusor instability group and the stability group was significantly decreased as compared with the control group (P < 0.01). The density of AchE positive nerves were also significantly decreased in the obstructive instability group as compared with the obstructive stability group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Detrusor instability secondary to BPH obstruction is related to the decrease of cholinergic innervation density in the detrusor muscles.

Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) induce oxidant stress in the gingiva: a potential mechanism underlying accelerated periodontal disease associated with diabetes

We hypothesized that one mechanism underlying advanced periodontal disease in diabetes may involve oxidant stress in the gingiva, induced by the effects of Advanced Glycation Endproducts (AGEs), the irreversible products of non-enzymatic glycation and oxidation of proteins and lipids which accumulate in diabetic plasma and tissue. Infusion of AGE albumin, a prototypic ligand, into mice resulted in increased generation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) compared with infusion of non-glycated albumin in the gingiva, as well as in the lung, kidney and brain. Pretreatment of the animals with the antioxidants probucol or N-acetylcysteine (NAC) prevented the generation of TBARS in the gingiva. Affinity-purified antibody to AGEs demonstrated increased immunoreactivity for AGEs in the vasculature and connective tissues of the gingiva in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice compared to non-diabetic controls. Increased immunoreactivity for AGEs was also demonstrated in the gingiva of diabetic humans compared with non-diabetic individuals via immunohistochemistry and ELISA. Consistent with these data, immunohistochemistry for heme oxygenase-1, a marker of enhanced oxidant stress, was increased in the gingival vasculature of diabetic mice and humans compared with non-diabetic controls. These data suggest that AGEs present in diabetic gingiva may be associated with a state of enhanced oxidant stress, a potential mechanism for accelerated tissue injury.

RAGE: a novel cellular receptor for advanced glycation end products

Exposure of proteins to reducing sugars results in nonenzymatic glycation with the ultimate formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). One means through which AGEs modulate cellular functions is through binding to specific cell surface acceptor molecules. The receptor for AGEs (RAGE) is such a receptor and is a newly identified member of the immunoglobulin superfamily expressed on endothelial cells (ECs), mononuclear phagocytes (MPs), and vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in both vivo and in vitro. Binding of AGEs to RAGE results in induction of cellular oxidant stress, as exemplified by the generation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, expression of heme oxygenase type I, and activation of the transcription factor NF-kB, with consequences for a range of cellular functions. AGEs on the surface of diabetic red cells enhance binding to endothelial RAGE and result in enhanced oxidant stress in the vessel wall. By using reagents to selectively block access to RAGE, the role of this receptor in AGE-mediated perturbation of cellular properties can be dissected in detail.

Semiparametric approach to match probability calculations using single locus probes

A semiparametric approach to match probability calculations using single locus probes has been developed and compared graphically with other standard methods by a one-sample simulation. The density functions obtained using this method are closer to the real distributions than those obtained by conventional approaches. Our method does not need to establish an arbitrary match threshold, which has been a source of problems in practical applications of standard methods. Moreover, it can be adjusted to any particular conditions by setting the experimental error and correlation of each laboratory. To assess the practical performance of this method we carried out a comparison experiment using a sample of 229 individuals analysed in duplicate.

Elevated plasma levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in diabetic patients with microalbuminuria: a marker of vascular dysfunction and progressive vascular disease

Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs), which accumulate in diabetic vasculature, result in enhanced expression of endothelial cell-associated vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) as well release of a soluble form of VCAM-1 (sVCAM-1) into culture supernatants. We hypothesized that sVCAM-1 in diabetic plasma might reflect early vascular perturbation in diabetic vasculopathy. Diabetic patients with microalbuminuria, a group with a high incidence of vascular complications, had increased plasma levels of sVCAM-1, approximately 1.5-fold greater than diabetic patients without microalbuminuria; P < 0.05. sVCAM-1 may be an indicator of ongoing cellular dysfunction in diabetes, as well as a dynamic surrogate marker for the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions.