[Regulation of atrial natriuretic peptide receptor in cultured aortic vascular smooth muscle cells from stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive and Wistar-Kyoto rats]

The specific binding sites for atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) were present in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive (SHRsp) and Wistar-Kyoto(WKY) rats with a Bmax of 3.65 +/- 0.13 and 1.89 +/- 0.09 pmol/mg pr. and a Kd of 72.0 +/- 10.2 and 42.1 +/- 4.8 x 10(-12) mol/L, respectively. The basal levels of cGMP of the two strains showed no statistical difference. After treatment with ANP (1.67 x 10(-7) mol/L) for 5 min, the cGMP levels of VSMC were increased by 139 folds in SHRsp and 271 folds in WKY rats, i.e., cGMP levels were significantly lower in the former (P less than 0.01). Therefore, the cultured VSMC of SHRsp had higher ANP receptor density but lower affinity and responsiveness to ANP than that of WKY rats. After incubation of VSMC in the medium containing high NaCl (2-folds of normal) at 37 degrees C for 24 h, the number of ANP binding sites decreased to 34.8 +/- 8.2% in SHRsp and to 38.6 +/- 9.4% in WKY rats (P less than 0.01) with a parallel decrease of cGMP, while the affinity of ANP receptor did not change. It is suggested that the lower responsiveness of ANP receptor to ANP in SHRsp might result in a diminution of vasorelaxation to ANP and thus an increase of arterial pressure. In addition, the more down-regulation of ANP receptor by high NaCl in cultured VSMC from SHRsp implicates that it is one of the mechanisms that high dietary intake of NaCl might enhance high blood pressure.

[Effects of microinjection of clonidine into nucleus tractus solitarii on atrial natriuretic factor in rats]

In order to study whether atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) is involved in the depressor effect of clonidine, microinjection of the latter into nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) was carried out in anesthetized stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRsp) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Each strain was randomly divided into three groups by injecting: (1) clonidine (1.0 microgram/0.2 microliter); (2) yohimbine (3.3 micrograms/0.2 microliter) followed by (1); (3) artificial cerebral spinal fluid (ACSF, 0.2 microliter) as control. A decrease of blood pressure and heart rate and a suppression of ANF release elicited by clonidine were significantly greater in SHRsp than in WKY rats. After blockade of alpha 2-receptor with yohimbine, the hypotensive effect of clonidine was blocked completely in WKY rats, but only partially in SHRsp, while the suppression effect on ANF release was eliminated in both strains. In addition, the decrease of plasma catecholamine produced by clonidine could also be blocked after yohimbine. The results suggest that ANF probably does not contribute to the depressor effect of centrally administered clonidine, while in SHRsp the decrease of plasma ANF might be a blood pressure-dependent compensatory response.

[Determination of cholesterol in natural bezoar by gas chromatography]

A gas chromatographic method for the determination of free and total cholesterol in natural bezoar has been established in this report. The method is simple, specific and accurate. The free and total cholesterol contents in three kinds of bezoar are between 0.072% to 0.214% and 0.546% to 0.608% respectively.

Immunohistochemical localization of bone sialoprotein in foetal porcine bone tissues: comparisons with secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP-1, osteopontin) and SPARC (osteonectin)

Bone sialoprotein (BSP) is a prominent component of bone tissues that is expressed by differentiated osteoblastic cells. Affinity-purified antibodies to BSP were prepared and used in combination with biotin-conjugated peroxidase-labeled second antibodies to demonstrate the distribution of this protein in sections of demineralized foetal porcine tibia and calvarial bone. Staining for BSP was observed in the matrix of mineralized bone and also in the mineralized cartilage and associated cells of the epiphysis, but was not observed in the hypertrophic zone nor in any of the soft tissues including the periosteum. In comparison, SPP-1 (osteopontin) and SPARC (osteonectin), which are also major proteins in porcine bone, were observed in the cartilage as well as in the mineralized bone matrix. In addition, SPARC was also present in soft connective tissues. Although SPP-1 distribution was more restricted than SPARC, hypertrophic chondrocytes, periosteal cells and some stromal cells in the bone marrow spaces were stained in addition to osteoblastic cells. The variations in the distribution and cellular expression of BSP, SPARC and SPP-1 in bone and mineralizing cartilage indicate these proteins perform different functions in the formation and remodelling of mineralized connective tissues.

Differential regulation of the 55 and 44 kDa forms of secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP-1, osteopontin) in normal and transformed rat bone cells by osteotropic hormones, growth factors and a tumor promoter

Confluent cultures of rat bone cells synthesize several forms of secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP-1, osteopontin), the major phosphorylated forms of which migrate at 55 and 44 kDa on 15% cross-linked SDS-PAGE gels and correspond to the transformation-associated proteins pp 69 and pp 62. A clonal rat calvarial cell line (RCA 11), which expressed the highest level of SPP-1, produced only the 55 kDa form of the phosphorylated protein, whereas normal rat calvarial cells enriched in osteoblastic cells (RC IV cells) produced mostly the 55 kDa form, with small amounts of the 44 kDa form. In contrast, a 44 kDa form was the major [32PO4]-labelled SPP-1 synthesized by a rat osteocarcoma cell line (ROS 17/2.8 cells) with lesser amounts of the 55 kDa SPP-1. When [35S]methionine was used to measure protein synthesis, only the 55 kDa SPP-1 could be clearly detected in confluent cultures of each cell population, indicating that the 55 kDa SPP-1 is the prominent form of SPP-1 synthesized by each cell population. Following treatment of the normal rat bone cells for 24 h with osteotropic hormones (vit D3, PTH and RA), growth factors (PDGF, EGF, TGF-beta), a tumor promoter (TPA) and a plant lectin (Con A), the 55 kDa [35S]methionine labelled SPP-1 was increased 1.7-8.3-fold. Similar, but generally lower responses were observed in the clonal RCA 11 cell line, whereas the ROS 17/2.8 cells were more refractory, showing only a strong response to vit D3. In general, vit D3 produced the strongest stimulation in all populations with TGF-beta producing a good response in the non-transformed cells and RA in the RC IV cells. In contrast, PTH was inhibitory in both RCA 11 and ROS 17/2.8 cells. In most, but not all, cases the alteration in SPP-1 synthesis reflected similar changes in SPP-1 mRNA and in the intensity of the [32PO4]-labelled 55 kDa SPP-1. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that bone cells produce several forms of SPP-1 which are differentially regulated in normal and transformed cells through both transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms.

[Determination of trace chloride and sulfate in drugs by ion chromatography]

Chloride and sulfate in magnesium trisilicate, activated charcoal, vesnarinone and bendazac were determined by the IC conductimetric detection. Analysis were performed by using a separating column (100 x 6 mm i.d.) packed with anion exchanger and with a stripper column (100 x 6 mm i.d.); 1.4 mmol/L Na2CO3 and 1.4 mmol/L Na2CO3-0.75 mmol/L NaHCO3 were used as eluents respectively. The peak height was linear with concentration from 10(-6) to 10(-3) mol/L for Cl- and from 10(-5) to 10(-3) mol/L for SO4(2-). Results showed no significant difference as compared with those determined by the CHP (1985) and CHP (1990) appendices methods. The IC method is specific, sensitive, simple and rapid.

Biosynthesis of bone proteins by fetal porcine calvariae in vitro. Rapid association of sulfated sialoproteins (secreted phosphoprotein-1 and bone sialoprotein) and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CS-PGIII) with bone mineral

To study the biosynthesis of bone proteins, fragments of fetal porcine calvariae were cultured in the presence of 50 micrograms/ml ascorbate and 10 mM beta-glycerophosphate and individual cultures labeled for either 4 h or 48 h with [35S]-methionine, Na2[35SO4], Na3[32PO4] or [14C]-glycine plus [14C]-proline. The radiolabeled proteins in tissue extracts were obtained by sequential extraction with 4 M GuHCl (G1-extract), 0.5 M EDTA (E-extract), and again with 4 M GuHCl (G2-extract) and analyzed together with the radiolabeled proteins secreted into the medium. SPP-1 (secreted phosphoprotein 1, osteopontin) was the major non-collagenous protein deposited into the bone matrix, with lesser amounts of BSP (bone sialoprotein), osteocalcin and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CS-PG II and CS-PG III). SPP-1 was also the major phosphorylated protein and was recovered, together with several fragmented forms, almost entirely in the demineralizing extracts. Moreover, approximately one-half of the [35SO4] incorporated into E-extract proteins was present in SPP-1, the remainder being incorporated into PGs with smaller amounts associated with BSP. Over 65% of the [35SO4] in the proteoglycans of the demineralizing extracts was recovered in the small CS-PG III with less than 35% in CS-PG II, the bone homologue of DS-PG II (decorin). In contrast, CS-PG II was the predominant small proteoglycan in culture media and in guanidine extracts. Some sulfated BSP was also observed in guanidine extracts and small amounts appeared to bind to collagen. Radiolabeled SPARC (osteonectin), a prominent protein of fetal porcine bone, was not detected in the mineralized bone tissues but was prominent in the culture medium. These results demonstrate that following secretion, the major proteins expressed by osteoblastic cells are initially incorporated into different tissue compartments, with most of the sulfated sialoproteins and CS-PG III associating rapidly with the hydroxyapatite crystals. The initial distribution of these proteins is of importance in the evaluation of their role in bone formation and mineralization.

[Isolation and characteristics of Borrelia burgdorferi from Ixodes persulcatus]

We reported the detailed characteristics of Lyme disease spirochetes (Borrelia burgdorferi), strain H7, isolated from Ixodes persulcatus in Heilongjiang. Cells of strain H7 were 9.8--26.5 microns long and 0.13--0.35 microns wide. There were 1--11 waves with a wavelength of 1.2--3.0 microns and an amplitude of 0.59--1.13 microns. Direction of spires was left. Seven flagella were inserted subterminally at each end of the cell and ends were pointed. 31 degrees C was the optimum cultural temperature in vitro. The major constitutional and antigenic proteins were 21k, 32k and 34k proteins. H7 could react on the patient sera of Xinjiang and Heilongjiang with IFA and western blot. These findings demonstrated that strain H7 belonged to species Borrelia burgdorferi, but was a new "subtype" which differed from the strains isolated from other areas and vectors.

[Changes in atrial natriuretic peptide and vasopressin during the pressor response to central osmotic stimulation]

In order to study the mechanism of pressor response to central osmotic stimulation, rats were administered with hypertonic artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) intracerebroventricularly. Carotid arterial pressure and heart rate were recorded. Ten minutes after administration, blood samples, hypothalamus and hypophysis were taken for the determination of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and vasopressin (AVP) by radioimmunoassay. The results showed that after central administration of hypertonic ACSF, the plasma level of AVP increased significantly with no apparent change in ANP. In hypothalamus and hypophysis, the content of ANP was increased while that of AVP decreased.

[Visual pigment genes for color vision defects]

Applying recombinant DNA techniques, the structures of red pigment gene (RPG) and green pigment gene (GPG) were analyzed for 43 patients with protan or deutan (including 3 females), 4 normal relatives and 3 carriers out of 3 families, as well as 11 normal controls. Abnormality of RPG was detected in all 19 protan and that of GPG was found in 14 out of 24 deutan. In about 80% (32/40) of protan and deutan the changing of exon 5 for RPG or GPG was discovered. In protan the normal RPG was replaced by a 5' red -3' green hybrid gene. Some of the deutan had no GPG, some had 5' green -3' red hybrid gene with or without GPG. Furthermore, the exon 5 of RPG and GPG was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and further analyzed by Rsa I digestion. The results for PCR are identical to that of Southern blot hybridization.

[Visual pigment genes for color vision defects]

Applying recombinant DNA techniques, the structures of red pigment gene (RPG) and green pigment gene (GPG) were analyzed for 43 patients with protan or deutan (including 3 females), 4 normal relatives and 3 carriers out of 3 families, as well as 11 normal controls. Abnormality of RPG was detected in all 19 protan and that of GPG was found in 14 out of 24 deutan. In about 80% (32/40) of protan and deutan the changing of exon 5 for RPG or GPG was discovered. In protan the normal RPG was replaced by a 5' red -3' green hybrid gene. Some of the deutan had no GPG, some had 5' green -3' red hybrid gene with or without GPG. Furthermore, the exon 5 of RPG and GPG was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and further analyzed by Rsa I digestion. The results for PCR are identical to that of Southern blot hybridization.

Genetic and molecular organization of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) variants in wild and cultivated barley

Twenty rDNA spacer-length variants (slvs) have been identified in barley. These slvs form a ladder in which each variant (with one exception) differs from its immediate neighbors by a 115-bp subrepeat. The 20 slvs are organized in two families, one forming an eight-step ladder (slvs 100-107) in the nucleolus organizer region (NOR) of chromosome 7 and the other a 12-step ladder (slvs 108a-118) in the NOR of chromosome 6. The eight shorter slvs (100-107) segregate and serve as markers of eight alleles of Mendelian locus Rrn2 and the 12 longer slvs (108a-118) segregate and serve as markers of 12 alleles of Mendelian locus Rrn1. Most barley plants (90%) are homozygous for two alleles, including one from each the 100-107 and the 108a-118 series. Two types of departures from this typical pattern of molecular and genetic organization were identified, one featuring compound alleles marked by two slvs of Rrn1 or of Rrn2, and the other featuring presence in Rrn1 of alleles normally found in Rrn2, and vice versa. The individual and joint effects on adaptedness of the rDNA alleles are discussed. It was concluded that selection acting on specific genotypes plays a major role in molding the strikingly different allelic and genotypic frequency distributions seen in populations of wild and cultivated barley from different ecogeographical regions.

Worldwide pattern of multilocus structure in barley determined by discrete log-linear multivariate analyses

Data from the electrophoretic assay for seven enzyme loci of 1,032 accessions of cultivated barley, Hordeum vulgare L., from the USDA world barley collection were analyzed for multilocus structure using discrete log-linear multivariate techniques. Three major steps were involved in the analysis: (i) identification and elimination of terms that have inconsequential effects in multilocus association; (ii) construction of a log-linear model that best describes the complete multilocus structure of the genetic system; and (iii) evaluation of each of the association terms included in the model. The results of analyses of two subsets of loci show that the multilocus genetic system of cultivated barley, including loci located on different chromosomes, is organized into hierarchically structured complexes of loci. Multilocus structure differs in various geographical regions of the world. The structure of barleys from Southwest Asia, the putative center of origin for cultivated barley, is intermediate for both subsets of loci. Differences increased progressively across the Eurasian-African landmasses in each direction with increasing distance from Southwest Asia, with the consequence that the barleys from West Europe, East Asia, and Ethiopia are maximally different from those of Southwest Asia and Middle South Asia.

[HPTLC densitometric determination of free bile acids in bezoar]

Cholic acid (CA), chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) and deoxycholic acid (DCA) which are extracted with CH3OH from Bezoar can be separated on HPTLC silica gel plate (made in China) with isooctane-n-butyl acetate-acetic acid (4:2:1), and the three bile acids were determined by TLC densitometry.

[Observation of efficacy of different dialytic therapies in renal transplantation preparation]

Fifty-seven cadaveric renal transplantations in fifty-five cases were analysed of them, thirty cases were prepared by continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD group); twenty-seven transplantations in twenty-five cases were prepared by hemodialysis (HD group). Our data show that there is no significant difference in the survival duration between CAPD group and HD group; that there is also no significant difference in the survival duration between the two groups treated with the same immunosuppressive drugs, and that patients prepared by CAPD have a low risk of peritonitis after transplantation. It is better not to remove the Tenckhoff catheter until the graft function is stable so that it can be used for the transient peritoneal dialysis in the case of the insult of graft function or for the sampling of the peritoneal effusion for diagnosis of suspectable peritonitis after renal transplantation.

Levels of sexual hormones in relation with syndrome-differentiation of TCM in patients of chronic renal failure

Determinations of plasma levels of sexual hormones in 43 male patients of chronic renal failure showed that the content of testosterone (T) decreased markedly, while estradiol (E2) and E2/T ratio were obviously higher than in normal subjects, with no significant correlation between the levels of these sexual hormones and renal function. According to syndrome-differentiation of TCM, 17 of the 43 cases belonged to deficiency of Kidney-yang, and the other 26 cases deficiency of Kidney-yin. In the patients with deficiency of Kidney-yang, the E2 level was not increased, but the T content decreased to make the E2/T ratio apparently elevated; whereas in the patients with deficiency of Kidney-yin, both E2 and E2/T were elevated. The level of E2 in deficiency of Kidney-yin was markedly higher than that in deficiency of Kidney-yang. The results indicated that patients of chronic renal failure of the type of deficiency of Kidney-yang differed in syndrome as well as in levels of the sexual hormones from the type of deficiency of Kidney-yin; however, the sexual hormones were not correlated with the renal functions in the two types of patients.

[Transformation and identification of recombinant plasmid pAT153 containing HCMV gene Hind III F fragment and its clinical application]

Transformation of the recombinant plasmid pAT153 containing human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) gene Hind III F fragment into E.coli strain HB 101 was made by the CaCl2 method with a 24% of transformation efficiency. The bacterial colonies containing the recombinant plasmid were selected in colony hybridization with 32P-labelled HCMV Hind III F fragment. The recombinant plasmid was isolated by the modified alkaline lysis method which is characterized by high quality, great quantity, and time-saving. HCMV Hind III F fragment has no homology to the other herpes virus. The 32P-labelled HCMV Hind III F fragment probe could detect 0.25 pg homological sequences of HCMV DNA. The use of this probe allows the detection of HCMV in clinical specimens with the advantages of quickness, good sensitivity and specificity.

Characterization of fetal porcine bone sialoproteins, secreted phosphoprotein I (SPPI, osteopontin), bone sialoprotein, and a 23-kDa glycoprotein. Demonstration that the 23-kDa glycoprotein is derived from the carboxyl terminus of SPPI

Demineralizing extracts of porcine bone contain two large 66-80-kDa sialoproteins and smaller 20- and 23-kDa glycoproteins with similar chemical properties. Each protein was characterized following extraction from fetal calvariae and purification under dissociative conditions using Sepharose CL-6B, followed by fast protein liquid chromatography fractionation on hydroxyapatite and Mono Q resins. Unlike the large sialoproteins, the 20- and 23-kDa glycoproteins did not contain sialic acid. Nevertheless, affinity-purified antibodies raised against the 23-kDa protein recognized both the 20-kDa protein and a 67-kDa sialoprotein on immunoblots. These antibodies also immunoprecipitated a 60-kDa [35S]methionine-labeled protein produced by cell-free synthesis of calvarial bone mRNA, indicating that the smaller proteins were derived from the 67-kDa protein. The two sialoproteins were shown by primary sequence analysis to be secreted phosphoprotein I (SPPI, osteopontin, bone sialoprotein I) and bone sialoprotein (BSP, bone sialoprotein II). The SPPI was also characterized by its susceptibility to thrombin which produced a 23-kDa fragment, similar to the glycoprotein isolated, and a 30-kDa fragment. Amino-terminal sequence analysis of the 23- and 20-kDa proteins revealed that these proteins were derived from the carboxyl-terminal half of the SPPI molecule, the proteins showing 58% identity with human and rat, and 50% identity with mouse, SPPI sequences. Both the 23- and 20-kDa proteins appeared to be generated by the activity of an endogenous trypsin-like protease that cleaves at Arg-Ser (residues 155-156) and Lys-Ala (residues 182-183) bonds. Radiolabeling studies performed in vitro showed that the 23-kDa fragment was detectable in mineralized tissue within 4 h. The fragment was phosphorylated but, unlike SPPI, was not sulfated. The rapid generation of the 23-kDa glycoprotein and its presence in different bone tissues at different developmental stages indicate that the fragmentation of SPPI is important in bone formation and remodeling.

[Studies of the chemical constituents of Ardisia pusilla A. DC]

Six chemical compounds isolated from the leaves and stems of Ardisia pusilla were identified as gallic acid (I), succinic acid (II), naringenin-6-C-glucoside (III), kaempferol-3-O-beta-D-galactoside (IV) by chemical and spectroscopic analysis. They were isolated from Ardisia plant for the first time.

Sulphation of secreted phosphoprotein I (SPPI, osteopontin) is associated with mineralized tissue formation

Secreted phosphoprotein I (SPPI) is a prominent structural protein in mineralized connective tissues. Rat bone cells in culture produce several forms of SPPI that differ in post-translational modifications such as phosphorylation and sulphation. To determine the significance of protein sulphation in bone formation, the synthesis of SPPI was studied in vitro using rat bone marrow cells (RBMC) which form bone-like tissue when grown in the presence of dexamethasone (Dex) and beta-glycerophosphate (beta-GP). In the presence of 10(-7) M Dex SPPI expression was stimulated 4-5-fold. Radiolabelling multilayered RBMCs for 48 h with [35S]-methionine, Na2[35SO4], or Na3[32PO4] revealed that two major phosphorylated forms of SPPI were secreted into the culture medium: a highly phosphorylated form migrating at 44 kDa on 15% SDS-PAGE and a less phosphorylated 55 kDa form. In the mineralized tissue formed in the presence of Dex and beta-GP, both forms of SPPI, in addition to proteoglycans and a 67 kDa protein, incorporated significant amounts of [35SO4]. Sulphation of SPPI was not observed in the absence of mineral formation, indicating that the sulphation of SPPI is closely associated with mineralization and that it can be used as a sensitive and specific marker for the osteoblastic phenotype.

Forward masking effects on early auditory evoked potentials

In early auditory evoked potentials (EAEPs) evoked by click trains, every click had a masking effect on the responses to the clicks following it and the whole response evoked by the click train was the sum of the masked responses to every click in the train. Special attention was paid to the situation when the inter-stimulus interval (ISI) was less than 10 ms and the responses to the individual clicks might be merged to form a continuous wave. The experiments showed that the more the number of the clicks preceding a given click in the train, the stronger the effect on the response to this click until the number was big enough and the effect became saturated; the shorter the ISI when it was less than 10 ms, the stronger the effect; the higher the intensity of the masker, the stronger the effect.

Multiple forms of SppI (secreted phosphoprotein, osteopontin) synthesized by normal and transformed rat bone cell populations: regulation by TGF-beta

Metabolic labeling has revealed that rat bone cell populations in culture synthesize several forms of the secreted phosphoprotein, SppI. Most cell populations produced two major [32PO4]-labeled forms that behaved anomolously on SDS-PAGE migrating at 60 kDa and 56 kDa on 10% gels and 55 kDa and 44 kDa on 15% gels. Minor forms of intermediate sizes were also resolved. In normal bone cells the 60 kDa form was predominant and was the only form produced by the clonal bone cell line, RCA 11, whereas the 56 kDa a form predominated in the transformed bone cell line, ROS 17/2.8. In all populations [35S]-methionine-labeling revealed SppIs at approximately 60 kDa but no 56 kDa form. Each form of SppI was specifically cleaved by thrombin which generated fragments of approximately 28 kDa. Transforming growth factor beta 1 increased SppI mRNA levels 3 to 6-fold within 24 h in the normal bone cells, but no increase occurred in the ROS 17/2.8 cells. The elevated expression of SppI was reflected in a selective increase in the synthesis of the [32PO4]-and [35S]-methionine-labeled 60 kDa SppIs.

Genetic diversity of six isozyme loci in cultivated barley of Tibet

A random sample of 463 accessions of cultivated barley from the Tibet Hordeum germplasm collection was assayed electorphoretically for genetic diversity at six isozyme loci. Two loci (Acp-1 and Got-1) were found to be monomorphic and extensive variation was detected at the remaining four loci (Est-1, Est-2, Est-3 and Est-4). The allelic composition of Tibetan barley appeared to be distinct as compared to the results of previous studies of barleys from other parts of the world. Partitioning of genetic diversity showed that approximately 96% of the total variation was maintained at the within-subregion level and only about 4% was accounted for by differentiation among the eight subregions. Analysis of multilocus genotypes revealed non-random association of the alleles at the four loci, both in the entire sample and in all the subregions, although the four major multilocus genotypes did not show significant departure from the expectation based on complete random association. The possible causes for the establishment of these multilocus associations were discussed.

[The penetration of cephalosporins across the blood-brain barrier and its clinical significance]

The penetration of Cefuroxime (CXM), Ceftazidime (CTZ), Cefotaxime (CTX), Ceftizoxime (CZX), and Ceftriaxone (CTRX) across the blood-brain barrier was studied in 119 patients with or without meningitis after an intravenous injection of 2 grams. Cephalosporins were undetectable or their concentrations very low in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), when there was no inflammation in the meninges. On the contrary, the mean CSF concentrations of cephalosporins were 2.21-5.36 micrograms/ml and the CSF/serum ratios 3.73-31.80% in acute stage of purulent meningitis. The CSF levels of all the five cephalosporins were much higher than the mean MICs of the common pathogens of bacterial meningitis as well as that of Enterobacteriaceae. It is thus shown that these five new cephalosporins are useful for treatment of meningitis including those caused by gram-negative bacilli.

The detection of an antibody against IgA allotype A2M 2 and a study of the Am genetic marker among the Han Chinese population

The serum of a woman was found by the Ouchterlony double-diffusion and the hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) methods to have immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency. Further investigation using the hemagglutination (HA) test with red cells coated with IgA myeloma proteins of different specificities showed that the serum agglutinated only IgA2-, A2M-1, and A2M 2-coated cells. The patterns of the HAI test with a reference panel confirmed the presence of two specificities. One was anti-IgA2 and the other was a rare antibody against the allotype A2M 2. The anti-A2M 2 was used for population studies. Testing of the Han Chinese population, including family studies, confirms that A2M.1 and A2M.2 have an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance and are controlled by a codominant allele. The distribution of the two Am genetic markers among the Han Chinese population demonstrated A2M.1 with a gene frequency of 0.553 and A2M.2 with a gene frequency of 0.447 (chi 2 = 0.145, 0.80 greater than p greater than 0.70).

[The content of tyrosine in rat luteal cell and the changes caused by hCG, cAMP and progesterone]

The ovaries taken from the immature female rats primed with PMSG-hCG were digested with collagenase-DNAase solution to obtain the luteal cell suspensions. Luteal cells were then incubated with different doses of hCG, cAMP or progesterone for 1.5 hours. The contents of tyrosine in luteal cell suspensions were determined by thin layer chromatogram using dual-wavelength chromatogram scanner. It was found that the content of tyrosine in rat luteal cell suspensions was 1.41 + 0.24 nmol/L/10(6) cells after one hour incubation. hCG, cAMP and progesterone all could significantly increase the content of tyrosine in the suspensions, suggesting the release of "endogenous tyrosine". The increase of tyrosine was not due to increased transformation of phenylalanine, the precursor of tyrosine, and increased protein synthesis, because both phenylalanine and cycloheximide failed to influence such increase.

[Effects of human atrial natriuretic factor-(99-126) on plasma and brain vasopressin in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats]

In order to investigate the interaction between atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension, the effects of intravenous (iv) or intracerebroventricular (icv) injection of human ANF-(99-126) on plasma and brain AVP, as well as mean arterial pressure (MAP), urinary volume (UV) and sodium (UNaV) excretion in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRsp) and age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) were studied. The results showed that ten minutes after iv injection of ANF, MAP decreased by 9.4% and 12.2% (P less than 0.05), UV increased about 9 and 20 folds (P less than 0.01), UNaV increased about 16 and 29 folds (P less than 0.01) in SHRsp and WKY rats, respectively. No such significant changes in these parameters were found in the icv group. Although iv and icv injection of ANF caused significant decrease of plasma AVP in both strains, the decrease was less marked in SHRsp than in WKY rats, while the maximum decreases were 58% (iv) and 31% (icv) in SHRsp, the corresponding values were 80% (iv) and 65% (icv) in WKY. Intravenous and intracerebroventricular injection of ANF also induced significant increase of hypothalamic AVP in both SHRsp and WKY rats, but no significant change could be found in hypophyseal AVP content. The results suggest that decreased sensitivity of AVP inhibition as well as less marked hypotensive, diuretic and natriuretic effects to ANF in SHRsp might play a role in the pathogenesis of their hypertension.

Characterization of multiple forms of small collagenous apatite-binding proteins in bone

A number of small (Mrs 25-28 kDa) collagenous apatite-binding (SCAB) proteins that stain blue with 'Stains-All' have been isolated from fetal porcine bone by sequential extractions with 4M GuHCl (G1), followed by 0.5M EDTA (E), and again with 4M GuHCl (G2). Following purification under dissociative conditions, two types of SCAB proteins both with approximately one-third of their structure being collagenous, were identified in the EDTA extract. One type, which appears to be a novel protein, was revealed in two forms (SCABs 1 and 2, Mrs 25 and 28 kDa) that were recognized by a monoclonal antibody (MBP-322). The second type, SCAB 3, was also present in two forms; one form (SCAB 3a) having a lower affinity for hydroxyapatite than the other (SCAB 3b). These proteins were resistant to CNBr and displayed the chemical and immunochemical properties of the alpha 1 pN-propeptide of type I collagen. A third form of the propeptide (G2-28K) was a prominent component of the second 4M GuHCl extract. The chromatographic properties of serum alpha 1 (I) pN-propeptide were similar to SCAB 3a, indicating that SCAB 3b and G2-28K are post-translationally modified forms of the propeptide produced by bone cells. These propeptides may provide a link between the hydroxyapatite and collagen fibrils, and also have the potential to suppress collagen synthesis during bone resorption.

Chloroplast DNA diversity in populations of wild and cultivated barley

Chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) diversity was found within and among populations (245 accessions total) of wild barley, Hordeum vulgare L. ssp. spontaneum Koch from Israel and Iran. Three polymorphic restriction sites (HindIII, EcoRI, BclI) which define three distinct cpDNA lineages were detected. One lineage is common to populations in the Hule Valley and Kinneret of northern Israel, and in Iran. The second lineage is found predominantly in the Lower Jordan Valley and Negev. The distribution of the third lineage is scattered but widespread throughout Israel. Sixty two accessions of cultivated barleys, H. vulgare L., were found, with two exceptions, to belong to just one cpDNA lineage of wild barley, indicating that the cpDNA of cultivated barley is less variable than its wild ancestor. These results demonstrate the need for assessing intraspecific cpDNA variability prior to choosing single accessions for phylogenetic constructions at the species level and higher.

Detection of ABR thresholds with a statistical synchrony measure

Using the method of Fridman and his colleagues, a statistical test of auditory brainstem responses (ABR) for detecting auditory thresholds is presented. The synchrony measure (SM) which represents the degree of reproducibility for group averages was used to calculate the selected Fourier components of the group averages from phase variance. The sensitivity of the test was demonstrated on 35 normal ABRs with 60 and 45 dB SL stimulus intensity and in the absence of stimulus from the ipsilateral recordings. The SM of all cases of normal ABRs at 60 and 45 dB SL exceeded those in the absence of stimulation. The same procedure was applied to 16 ears with cochlear hearing loss with (4 ears) and without (10 ears) recruitment and 2 ears with relatively normal hearing threshold (less than 30 dB HL). Seven out of 10 ears without recruitment had the SM value at 60 dB SL stimulus intensity significantly lower than those of normal ABRs.

Linkage disequilibrium in natural populations of Trypanosoma cruzi (flagellate), the agent of Chagas' disease

We have studied linkage disequilibrium in natural populations of Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas' disease, by analyzing (i) a set of 524 stocks from the whole geographical range of the parasite, characterized at four gene loci coding for enzymes; (ii) a subsample of 121 stocks characterized at 12 enzyme loci; and (iii) a subset of 386 stocks from six locations in Bolivia, characterized by four enzyme loci. Our results show that the linkage disequilibrium reaches the maximum possible value, given the observed allelic frequencies, for almost all the locus pairs. This result is most consistent with the hypothesis that genetic recombination is absent or very rare in T. cruzi natural populations. Partition of the linkage disequilibrium variance for the six Bolivian populations shows that both inter- and intrapopulation components are substantial and that the relationships among the components are D2IS less than D2ST, and D'2IS less than D'2ST. These inequalities are interpreted as the result of an interplay between genetic drift, rare or absent mating, and clonal selection in generating linkage disequilibrium in T. cruzi populations.

[Experimental chemotherapy of human gastric cancer cell lines in vitro and in nude mice]

Cytotoxic effects of allyl trisulfide (Alt, a synthetic chemical identical with one of the main active principles of garlic), 5 FU, MMC and DDP on SGC 7901 ( a moderately differentiated human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line) and MGC 803 (a poorly differentiated human gastric mucoadenocarcinoma cell line) had been reported before. In this paper, effects of repeated two doses of each drug and the combination of two drugs on these two cell lines were studied using relative clone-survival test. The inhibitory effects of Alt, MMC alone or combined on MGC tumor in nude mice were observed. No drug resistance was found when any one of the four agents at the same concentration were repeated twice separately at 60 hour interval in vitro. The cytotoxic effect of the repeated two doses was approximately equal to that of the single dose at double concentration. The in vitro test of combinations of two drugs showed that Alt plus MMC or 5 FU plus DDP had markedly synergistic effect on MGC cells; 5 FU plus DDP had markedly synergistic effect on SGC cells. The inhibition test on the growth of MGC tumor in nude mice indicated that the inhibition rates of Alt, MMC alone or combined were 58.3%, 86.3% and 84.3%. The systemic toxic effect of MMC alone was severe, whereas Alt alone or MMC plus Alt showed mild toxicity. For this reason, Alt plus MMC is recommended for clinical trials on poorly differentiated gastric cancer. In addition, for the comparison of in vitro test dose and clinical dose of each drug, the principle of clinical adult dose range (CADR) is proposed.