Characterization of human cyclooxygenase 2 gene promoter localization of a TGF-beta response element

We characterized 2.3 kb of 5'-flanking region of the human cyclooxygenase 2 gene and analyzed its promoter activity. We localized three positive and two negative cis-acting regulatory regions and a TGF-beta response region. Basal promoter activity was located between -77 and +99 bp. Maximal promoter activity was observed from -1838 to +99 bp. A TGF-beta response region was found between -454 and -288 bp. This region included an NF-I site. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that TGF-beta caused a marked change in the pattern and intensity of this NF-I like protein complex.

Superior real-time holographic storage properties in doped potassium sodium strontium barium niobate crystal

We demonstrate superior holographic storage performance in a cobalt doped potassium sodium strontium barium niobate (Co:KNSBN) crystal that possesses a fast response time of 1.4 ms, a large photorefractive sensitivity of 13 x 10(-3) cm(3) J(-1) under a total writing intensity of 1 W/cm(2) , and high spatial resolution of 45 line pairs/mm. Reconstructed images with high fidelity have been obtained in real-time holographic storage. The dynamic properties of the index grating, the dependence of response time on writing intensity, and the dark decay of diffraction signal with increased writing intensity indicate that two species and shallow traps exist in Co:KNSBN crystal.

[Effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on proliferation of human peritoneal mesothelial cells]

In order to study the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on proliferation of human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HMC) and repair repair of damaged human peritoneum, the mesothelial cells from human omentum were seperated and cultured in vitro. The authors assessed the expression of EGF-R on the surface of HMC with ABC immune histochemical method and tested the proliferation extent of HMC treated with EGF at different time and dosage levels with 3H-thymidine incorporation method. The results showed that EGF-R existed on the surface of HMC and EGF could stimulate the proliferation of HMC. The proliferation of HMC growing in the media containing 20 micrograms/L EGF was more significant than that growing in RPMI-1640 alone. The greatest proliferation index (PI = 8.16) of HMC appeared in the media containing 50 micrograms/L EGF. The proliferation of HMC stimulated by EGF was time- and dose-dependent. These studies indicate that the proliferation of HMC stimulated by EGF may play a very important role in the structral and functional recovery of the injured peritoneum.

[Chemical constituents of Stellera chamaejasme L]

Twelve compounds were isolated from the roots of Stellera chamaejasma. Five of them were elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical methods as 3', 14-dimethyl-4', 11-dimethoxy-5, 7-dihydroxybenzoflavanone (10), daphnetin (1), umbelliferone (2), daucosterol (5) and beta-sitosterol (3). Compound 10 is new. Compounds 1, 2, 5, 10 were isolated for the first time from S. chamaejasme.

[Tuberculosis in chronic renal failure patients with or without renal replacement therapy]

Tuberculosis developed in 40 out of 978 chronic renal failure (CRF) patients with or without renal replacement therapy during a five-year period. The incidence was 4.1% and was 10 times higher than that in the general population. The onset of symptoms was within 1 year after dialysis or kidney transplantation in 68% of the patients. 82.5% of them had predominantly extrapulmonary tuberculosis and most of these were lymph node infection. The diagnosis of tuberculosis in these patients was difficult; tuberculin sensitivity was present only in 6.4% of the patients and examination of sputum and other fluid for mycobacteria was usually unrewarding. Detecting serum anti-PPD-IgG level might be a valuable supplementary diagnostic method, because 85% of patients with active tuberculosis showed positive results. Measuring serous exudate and urine anti-PPD-IgG level by ELISA or M. Tuberculosis DNA by PCR might be helpful in the diagnosis of tuberculous serositis and urinary tract mycobacterial infection.

[Effects of high concentration glucose on cell growth and matrix biosynthesis in human peritoneal mesothelial cells]

During CAPD, the peritoneal mesothelial monolayer is directly bathed in dialysate containing 1.50%-4.25% glucose. In this study, we separated and cultured mesothelial cells from human omentulum (HMC) to test the effects of glucose on cell growth and matrix biosynthesis. [3H] thymidine incorporation was significantly inhibited in cells grown in > or = 1.00% glucose, compared with cells grown in 0.10% glucose and RPMI-1640 alone. HMC incubated in RPMI-1640 medium released trace fibronectin (FN) as measured by specific enzyme immunoassay, and FN level in supernatants was significantly increased when HMC grew in the media containing glucose more than 0.50%. Glucose induced inhibition of cell proliferation and increase of FN were time-and dose-dependent. Mannitol also achieved the same results, but its inhibitive effect on HMC proliferation is far less than that of isoosmolar glucose. These studies provide evidence for a multitude of direct effects of high concentration ambient glucose level on HMC growth and matrix biosynthesis, and raise the possibility that long-term exposure of HMC to high concentration glucose may induce disturbance in cell repair and metabolism, thus contributing to the formation of sclcerosing peritonitis in CAPD.

[Early diagnosis of tuberculosis after kidney transplantation by determining serum anti-PPD-IgG]

Tuberculosis is a common complication after kidney transplantation and is not easy to diagnose in the early stage. Determination of serum anti-PPD-IgG level in our laboratory indicated that it was positive in patients with active tuberculosis. The mean time (20.5 days) required to diagnose with this method was obviously shorter than that (66.8 days) required with bacteriology, pathology or imaging. There was no obvious rise in the serum level of anti-PPD-IgG in fever caused by other infections and rejection and the serum anti-PPD-IgG level in patients with tuberculosis controlled returned to normal. It is shown that determination of serum specific antibody is a better index for early diagnosis of tuberculosis complicating kidney transplantation.

[Pharmacological functions of Chinese ant oral syrup]

Experiments show that Chinese Ant Oral Syrup has functions as calmatives, fatigue-resisting agents and androgen. Also it can cause thymic atrophy in small mice, increase their oxygen-deficient endurance under normal pressures, inhibit leucocyte-decrease induced by cyclophosphamidum. The syrup is slightly toxic.