Isolation and characterization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mRNA transport-defective (mtr) mutants

To understand the mechanisms of mRNA transport in eukaryotes, we have isolated Saccharomyces cerevisiae temperature-sensitive (ts) mutants which accumulate poly(A)+ RNA in the nucleus at the restrictive temperature. A total of 21 recessive mutants were isolated and classified into 16 complementation groups. Backcrossed mRNA transport-defective strains from each complementation group have been analyzed. A strain which is ts for heat shock transcription factor was also analyzed since it also shows nuclear accumulation of poly(A)+ RNA at 37 degrees C. At 37 degrees C the mRNA of each mutant is characterized by atypically long polyA tails. Unlike ts pre-mRNA splicing mutants, these strains do not interrupt splicing of pre-mRNA at 37 degrees C; however four strains accumulate oversized RNA polymerase II transcripts. Some show inhibition of rRNA processing and a further subset of these strains is also characterized by inhibition of tRNA maturation. Several strains accumulate nuclear proteins in the cytoplasm when incubated at semipermissive temperature. Remarkably, many strains exhibit nucleolar fragmentation or enlargement at the restrictive temperature. Most strains show dramatic ultrastructural alterations of the nucleoplasm or nuclear membrane. Distinct mutants accumulate poly(A)+ RNA in characteristic patterns in the nucleus.

The relationship of dietary animal protein and electrolytes to blood pressure: a study on three Chinese populations

The relationship of diet to blood pressure was studied in a total of 705 men and women aged 40-59 from three Chinese population samples having different mean blood pressure and dietary sodium and animal protein intake. Two groups were farmers from Shanxi in northern China, and Guangxi in southern China, and the third were fishermen from Zhejiang, eastern China. Three 24-hour dietary recalls were done for each participant. Serum and overnight urine amino acids were measured in random subsamples. Determination of electrolytes in three 24-hour urine specimens was done in an additional sample of 59 men in each population. Results of multiple or stepwise regression showed: 1) in the pooled group, individual intake of sodium was positively associated with systolic blood pressure; 2) when stratifying by median calcium intake, a positive association of dietary sodium or sodium/potassium was found only in the group with calcium intake lower than the median; 3) daily intake of animal protein, urinary sulphate and certain serum and urine amino acids formed from protein metabolism, were inversely associated with blood pressure.

Increased NGF-like activity in young but not aged rat hippocampus after septal lesions

Sympathetic sprouting in the hippocampus following septal denervation is thought to involve nerve growth factor (NGF). This sprouting response is dramatically reduced in aged rats, but immunological assays reveal no age-related decline in hippocampal NGF levels. In the present study, both a bioassay and an immunoassay were used to examine the effect of a medial septal lesion on hippocampal NGF levels in young adult (2-5 months) and aged (24 months) Fischer 344 rats. No significant differences were detected between normal young and aged rats, in agreement with earlier results. Following medial septal lesions, however, only young rats demonstrated significant increases in hippocampal NGF-like activity. These results support the hypothesis that the age-related deficit in sympathetic sprouting results from an attenuated neurotrophic response to hippocampal denervation.

The biological study of the cultured human lens epithelial cells in vitro

The human lens epithelial cells (HLE) cultured in vitro was established in normal and cataractous lenses. The biological feature, histological characteristics and the ultrastructure of the cultured HLE cells were investigated. The results reveal that the proliferative capacity of the cultured HLE cells is reversely proportional to the donor age; the cultured HLE cells has the limited proliferative capacity in vitro. The relieve of the contact inhibition is the effective trigger of the HLE cell proliferation. This research work is possible to make a basis for the further study of the regeneration of the lens and the roles of the lens epithelial cells in the development of the cataract.

The study on improved cryopreservation technique of the ultrastructure of corneal endothelial cells

The traditional corneal cryopreservation technique was improved. We carried out an experimental study that rabbit corneas were cryopreserved by using polyvinylpyrolidone (PVP) as cryoprotective agent and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) as the control. The endothelia of cryopreserved corneas were evaluated by scanning and transmission electron microscopy and vital staining. The study shows that PVP is an excellent extracellular cryoprotective agent and has the characteristic of low toxicity or not toxicity to corneal endothelia. PVP is able to enhance the cryoprotective action of DMSO when combined with DMSO. The changes of the ultrastructure of endothelial cells are able to reflect the endothelial viability.

Heterosubtypic immunity to influenza type A virus in mice. Effector mechanisms and their longevity

Immunity that cross-reacts between influenza type A viruses of distinct subtypes is called hetero(sub)typic (Het-I). We have studied Het-I by challenging PR8-immune mice with the heterosubtypic virus X31. Het-I did not prevent infection by X31 but, at its height, strongly aided in recovery. The nature of the effector mechanisms involved was investigated by simultaneous challenge with X31 and an immunologically unrelated influenza type B virus and by depleting individual lymphocyte subsets in PR8-immune mice before challenge. The study showed the following: 1) The effector mechanisms were intimately associated with immune recognition events. 2) In the nose, depletion of CD8+ or CD4+ T cells led to partial reduction of Het-I, and simultaneous depletion of both T cell subsets abrogated Het-I almost completely. This T cell-mediated immunity was short lived and had disappeared 4 to 5 mo after induction. 3) In trachea and lung, depletion of CD8+ T cells led to a partial reduction of Het-I, whereas depletion of CD4+ T cells was without significant effect. The CD8-mediated component appeared short lived, whereas the residual immunity (in CD4/8-depleted mice) was long lived and persisted past 7 mos after induction. 4) Depletion of NK cells did not significantly reduce the strength of Het-I in either nose or lung. In conclusion, the study shows that Het-I in this system is mediated by a complex combination of immune mechanisms that differ, in part, between upper and lower respiratory tract.

Heterosubtypic immunity to influenza type A virus in mice. Effector mechanisms and their longevity

Immunity that cross-reacts between influenza type A viruses of distinct subtypes is called hetero(sub)typic (Het-I). We have studied Het-I by challenging PR8-immune mice with the heterosubtypic virus X31. Het-I did not prevent infection by X31 but, at its height, strongly aided in recovery. The nature of the effector mechanisms involved was investigated by simultaneous challenge with X31 and an immunologically unrelated influenza type B virus and by depleting individual lymphocyte subsets in PR8-immune mice before challenge. The study showed the following: 1) The effector mechanisms were intimately associated with immune recognition events. 2) In the nose, depletion of CD8+ or CD4+ T cells led to partial reduction of Het-I, and simultaneous depletion of both T cell subsets abrogated Het-I almost completely. This T cell-mediated immunity was short lived and had disappeared 4 to 5 mo after induction. 3) In trachea and lung, depletion of CD8+ T cells led to a partial reduction of Het-I, whereas depletion of CD4+ T cells was without significant effect. The CD8-mediated component appeared short lived, whereas the residual immunity (in CD4/8-depleted mice) was long lived and persisted past 7 mos after induction. 4) Depletion of NK cells did not significantly reduce the strength of Het-I in either nose or lung. In conclusion, the study shows that Het-I in this system is mediated by a complex combination of immune mechanisms that differ, in part, between upper and lower respiratory tract.

Alpha and beta thalassaemia among Chinese children in Guangxi Province, P.R. China: molecular and haematological characterization

We have studied nearly 100 patients with beta-thalassaemia major and 60 patients with Hb H disease who were attending the Haematology Clinic of Guangxi Medical College. Treatment of the patients was limited and only a few patients with beta-thalassaemia major received blood transfusion(s). As a result, the severe anaemia has led to early death at 3-4 years for beta zero-thalassaemia homozygotes, and 8-12 years for beta(+)-thalassaemia homozygotes. Four beta-thalassaemia alleles are responsible for nearly 90% of all beta-thalassaemia chromosomes. This information has resulted in the initiation of a prenatal testing programme at the local level. The patients with Hb H disease maintained a haemoglobin level of 6-10 g/dl and early death was infrequently observed. The --SEA deletion was the major type of alpha-thalassemia-1, while three smaller deletions (-2.7, -3.7 and -4.2 kb) and two nondeletional alpha-thalassaemia determinants (Hbs Constant Spring and Quong Sze) were the alpha-thalassaemia-2 types.

Polyclonal antiidiotypic antibodies mimicking gp120 of HIV-1

Rabbit antiidiotypic antibodies (Ab2) were produced against anti-HIV-1 antibody 0.5 beta (Ab1), which binds to gp120 of HIV-1 and shows virus-neutralizing activity. The Ab2 bound specifically to the Ab1 and their binding to Ab2 was inhibited by a recombinant fragment of gp120 (PB1) or a peptide (residues 301-324 of gp120), both expressing the Ab1-defined epitope. The Ab2 induced in rats antiantiidiotypic antibodies (Ab3) that were Ab1-like in their binding reactivities to PB1, native gp120 or peptide and shared idiotopes with the Ab1. However, the Ab2 did not induce virus-neutralizing Ab3, probably a reflection of the low avidity of the Ab3 as compared to the Ab1.

Movement of embryonic chick sympathetic neurons on laminin in vitro is preceded by neurite extension

Chick sympathetic neurons (E-9) are capable of moving on a laminin substrate but not on more adhesive substrates in vitro. The effect of laminin is dose-dependent and reduced by the addition of anti-laminin antibodies, whereas soluble laminin does not stimulate movement. The onset of neuronal movement is preceded by, and highly correlated with, the onset of neurite formation. The addition of 1,2 dioctanoyl-sn-glycerol (DAG), a stimulator or protein kinase C that has been shown to inhibit neurite outgrowth, was found to delay both process formation and neuronal movement but did not affect the correlation between these two measures. These results support the conclusion that laminin stimulates primary neuronal movement in vitro and suggest that the mechanism underlying movement involves process formation followed by "towing" of the cell body by the advancing process. The similarities of this in vitro behavior to that observed in vivo suggest that similar mechanisms may underlie neuronal movement in the developing nervous system as suggested by Morest (Z Anat Entwicklungsgesch 130:265-305, 1970) and Liesi (EMBO J 4:1163-1170, 1985; Exp Neurol 117:103-113, 1992).

Monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies that mimic the epitope on gp120 defined by anti-HIV-1 monoclonal antibody 0.5 beta

OBJECTIVE

To develop effective, specific and safe anti-idiotypic antibody (Ab2) vaccines against HIV-1.

DESIGN

Murine monoclonal Ab2 were generated against anti-HIV-1 antibody 0.5 beta (Ab1), which binds to gp120, neutralizes HIV-1 and inhibits virus-induced syncytia formation.

METHODS

Mice were immunized with Ab1, and Ab2 were produced from immunized mice by the hybridoma technique. The Ab2 were characterized in vitro, injected into rabbits, and the anti-anti-idiotypes (Ab3) induced in the rabbits were analyzed for binding and antiviral reactivities by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, p24gag release and syncytia formation assays.

RESULTS

Seven Ab2 bound to the antigen-combining site of Ab1, one of which (UD7) induced Ab3 in rabbits that were Ab1-like in their binding reactivities to PB1 (recombinant gp120 fragment) or peptides of gp120, and shared idiotypes with the Ab1. Crude Ab3-containing sera specifically and effectively neutralized the virus.

CONCLUSION

Monoclonal Ab2 UD7 has potential as a vaccine against HIV-1.

[Relations between opacification of lens protein and pH]

Some of the acidic reagents or medicines (i.e. HCl, GSH & GSSG, Vit. C, Vit. B6) and basic reagents (Tris) were used to regulate the pH of water soluble protein and urea soluble protein solution of human lenses. At a certain pH, the lens protein solution appears opalescence, the pH of opacity solution which is measured by pH meter is around 5.6-6.3. The opalescence of water soluble and urea soluble lens protein solution of human fetal, adult and cataractous lenses were also determined by gradient acidic and basic solution. The result show that the opacity is more obvious in soluble protein solution of cataractous lenses and clear lenses than in that of fetal lenses, and the lens urea soluble protein has a marked opalescence in comparison with the water soluble protein. So we assume that cataractogenesis might be associated with the change of pH within lens.

Multicopy STS1 restores both protein transport and ribosomal RNA stability in a new yeast sec23 mutant allele

A thermosensitive mutant was selected on the basis of its resistance after a heat shock to the lethal effects of lomofungin, a drug that inhibits RNA synthesis. We demonstrate that the single mutation conferring thermosensitivity and lomofungin resistance is heteroallelic to sec23-1. This new allele of sec23 is designated sec23-11. The yeast SEC23 gene has previously been reported to function in protein transport from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the Golgi apparatus. After a 1-min shift to elevated temperature, a sec23-1 mutant becomes defective in vesicle formation from the ER. We show here that upon a shift to high temperature, both sec23 alleles confer defects in ER-to-Golgi transport, and both mutants stop accumulating nascent RNA after 20 to 30 min. Transcription and early maturation of ribosomal RNA, the major RNA species, are normal in a sec23-11 mutant, but the matured ribosomal RNA is then degraded. This ribosomal RNA instability may reflect improper assembly of ribosomal subunits, due to failure to localize essential factors such as ribosomal proteins to the nucleus. In addition to the sec23 mutants, other ER-to-Golgi secretion mutants exhibit a strong RNA biosynthetic defect, and we conclude that continued post-ER protein transport, not just a functional SEC23 gene product (Sec23p), is required for ribosomal RNA stability. We also identified an extragenic multicopy suppressor of the sec23-11 mutant, the essential STS1 gene ("Sec Twenty-three Suppressor 1"). Besides restoring partial temperature resistance to the sec23-11 mutant, overexpression of STS1 also overcomes both the RNA synthesis and the protein transport blocks in this mutant. In contrast, multicopy STS1 exerts only small effects on the sec23-1 mutant. The predicted STS1 gene product (Sts1p) is a low-abundance protein of 36,500 daltons, with no signal peptide and no hydrophobic stretch of sufficient length to span a membrane. Like Sec23p, Sts1p is found in a cytosolic compartment. These features suggest that Sts1p may play a catalytic or regulatory role in conjunction with the more abundant Sec23p.

[Amino acid analysis of retinal S-antigen and interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein]

Retinal S-antigen and interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) were purified by DEAE-Sephacel ionexchange chromatography and Con A Sepharose affinity chromatography. Amino acid analysis of the S-antigen and IRBP was carried out and compared with that presented by others. The possible reason for difference with regard to some amino acids and related problems were analyzed and discussed.

Assignment of the three disulfide bridges of huwentoxin-I, a neurotoxin from the spider selenocosmia huwena

The positions of the disulfide bonds of huwentoxin-I, a neurotoxin from the spider Selenocosmia huwena, have been determined. The existence of three disulfide bonds in the native toxin was demonstrated by mass spectroscopy and the lack of reactivity with a thiol reagent. The assignment procedure involved a combination of tryptic digestion of the native toxin and sequence analysis of both intact and in situ S-carboxymethylated toxin. In situ carboxymethylation is shown to be a useful procedure in sequencing of cysteine- and cystine-containing peptides. Sequence analysis of the intact, cross-linked toxin indicated that no amino acid phenylthiohydantoin (PTH) derivative is seen for the first half-cystine in a cross-linked pair, but that the PTH of dehydroalanine, which can be detected at 313 nm, is seen at the position of the second half-cystine. By sequencing disulfide cross-linked tryptic fragments, the three disulfide linkages in huwentoxin-I could be assigned as Cys2-Cys17, Cys9-Cys22, and Cys16-Cys29.

[The 43KD polypeptide in the proteins of human lens]

The total proteins, water--soluble proteins and the urea--soluble proteins of the lens from fetal, adult and senile cataract were determined by SDS--PAGE. It was found that there was a 43KD polypeptide in the capsular--epithelium of all lens stated above. The band on SDS-PAGE corresponding to 43KD polypeptide was wide in the water--soluble proteins of the cortex and nucleus of the lenses obtained from over 14-year-old individuals. It became blurred in the urea--soluble proteins of cortex and nucleus of lens with aging, whereas it became almost disappeared in the senile cataract lens.

[Malonaldehyde, superoxide dismutase and human cataract]

UV-spectrophotometry and fluorometry were used to study Malonaldehyde (MDA) and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) in normal, cataractous human lenses and red blood cells of the patients with cataract. MDA content of senile and complicated cataractous lenses was significantly higher than that of normal human lenses, while that of complicated cataract was significantly higher than that of senile cataract. SOD activity of senile and complicated cataractous lenses was significantly lower than that of normal human lenses, while there was no marked difference between senile and complicated cataractous lenses. Significant correlation between cataractous lenses and red blood cells was not found in MDA content and SOD activity. There was a negative correlation between SOD and MDA in normal human lenses, but no correlation between SOD and MDA in cataractous lenses. The study shows that lipid peroxidation may be one of the possible mechanisms of cataractogenesis in human, and emphasizes the role of SOD in prevention of photoperoxidative damages to the tissues.

Detection of NGF-like activity in human brain tissue: increased levels in Alzheimer's disease

A two-site ELISA and a bioassay were used to detect NGF-like activity in human brain tissue. Both assays detected mouse NGF and recombinant human NGF with approximately equal sensitivity, whereas the antibodies showed little cross-reactivity with the recombinant human proteins NT-3 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor. NGF-like activity was detected in fresh human cortical samples obtained from epileptic patients, with the highest activity observed in the right hemisphere of men. NGF-like activity was subsequently measured in autopsy samples of frontal and occipital cortex from patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and from individuals with no history or pathological evidence of AD. Based on both the ELISA and the bioassay measurements, NGF-like activity was significantly elevated in both brain regions in AD. These results demonstrate the feasibility of detecting NGF-like activity in both fresh and postmortem human brain tissue and further suggest that AD is characterized by increased, rather than decreased, levels of cortical beta-NGF. The AD-related increase in NGF may be a consequence of degenerative changes in the basal forebrain cholinergic system.

[Study on human gamma-crystallins: IV. Photooxidation of fetal gamma 2-crystallin by ultra-violet irradiation]

Human fetal gamma 2-crystallin solution was irradiated by ultra-violet (UV) (lambda 365 nm) at varying time, and analysed by light scattering, SDS-PAGE with DACM, which could specifically combine to free sulphydryl, as well as tryptophan fluorescence and its quenching with acrylamide. The results showed that light scattering of gamma 2-crystallin solution increased after 24 hour irradiation; SDS-PAGE reveled formation of dimer which did not have free sulphydryl and low molecular weight peptide of gamma 2-crystallin. The tryptophan fluorescence of gamma 2-crystallin decreased, and acrylamide fluorescence quenching effect did not show significant change. It suggested that human fetal gamma 2-crystallin photooxidized by UV could aggreate by disulfide and degrated to low molecular weight peptide, and its tryptophan were also oxidized in some degree.

Potassium iodide and acrylamide fluorescence quenching studies on gamma-crystallins of human lenses in development and aging

gamma 1-, gamma 2- and gamma 3-crystallin (corresponding to gamma s-, gamma C- and gamma D-crystallin respectively) of human fetal, 2 year and 20+ year old lenses are separated by Sephadex gel chromatography. Iodide and acrylamide are used to quench the tryptophane fluorescence of sub-gamma-crystalline fractions and Ksv and fa values are calculated. The results show that iodide has no clear quenching effects on all gamma-crystallins, the quenching effects of acrylamide on the tryptophan fluorescences of gamma 1-, gamma 2- and gamma 3-crystallin from lenses of the same age have little differences, and the quenching rates of tryptophane fluorescences of gamma 1-crystallin decreases and that of gamma 2- and gamma 3-crystallin increase with age. These results indicate that all tryptophan residues in these three gamma-crystallins lie in hydrophobic environments of molecule and their exposure degree is in the order gamma 2 < gamma 3 < gamma 1. The tryptophan exposure of gamma 2 and gamma 3 increase (gamma 2 > gamma 3) and of gamma 1 decrease with age. The age related change of gamma 1 may be related to the changing of structure or containing of new constituents. Although the tryptophan exposure in gamma 3 is higher than that in gamma 2, the change of structure with age in gamma 2 is more prominent than in gamma 3.

Palladium-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization of vinyl and aryl triflates. Associated regioselectivity of the beta-hydride elimination step

The Pd(0)-catalyzed intramolecular olefination of vinyl and aryl triflates has been studied with a view to gaining insight into the question of kinetically preferred reductive elimination when at least two options are available. In either series, a non-activated alkene participant was found to be converted most readily into the non-conjugated cyclization product. This trend is seen despite the more forcing conditions necessary to engage the less reactive aryl triflates in ring closure. On the other hand, when the pendant chain is terminated by an alpha-methyl acrylate unit, the conjugated diene is kinetically preferred. The two reactions appear to be closely balanced energetically since product distributions are not greatly disparate. Nevertheless, their complementarity could be utilized to advantage in the synthesis of polycyclic molecules possessing multiple sterogenic centers.

[Studies on human gamma-crystallins. I. Quantitative changes with age and cataract formation]

Water soluble protein from human lenses at various ages are separated by Sephadex gel chromatography. The results show that there are major three gamma-crystallins (gamma 1, gamma 2, gamma 3) in human lenses. In normal lenses the total contents of the three gamma-crystallins in water soluble fraction of lens proteins keep stable as age increases. However, among the three gamma-crystallins, gamma 1 increase and gamma 2 decrease markedly, and very little change with gamma 3 are found as age increases. In nuclear cataractous lenses, all three gamma-crystallins decrease as compared with the normal lenses of the same age. The variety of synthesis of each gamma-crystallin is mainly responsible for the changes of their quantities. It is postulated that the total low molecular weight crystallin contents in water soluble proteins of the human lens is related to the transparency of lens. The structural characterization of gamma 3-crystallin is responsible for the relative constant as age increases.

Acupuncture at otoacupoint heart for treatment of vascular hypertension

The immediate, short-term and long-term depressor effects, the immediate effects on cardiac functions in grade II and grade III vascular hypertension, and the effects on angiotensin II in grade III vascular hypertension by acupuncture at otoacupoint Heart were studied in 30 cases of vascular hypertensive patients. The immediate depressor effect of acupuncture at otoacupoint Stomach was also recorded for comparison. It was found that acupuncture at otoacupoint Heart produced marked immediate depressor effect, and the short-term effective rate was 100%, the long-term effective rate was 63.3%, as well as evident immediate effects on cardiac functional activities in grade II and grade III hypertension and marked effects on angiotensin II in grade III hypertension. Acupuncture at otoacupoint Stomach produced no depressor effect on vascular hypertension.

Neuronal migration on laminin in vitro

Chick sympathetic (E-9) or telencephalic (E-7) neurons were cultured at low density on poly-DL-ornithine (PORN), poly-L-lysine (POLS), laminin or laminin-covered PORN or POLS and monitored with time-lapse videomicroscopy. Neurons migrated on laminin, or laminin-covered PORN or POLS, but not on PORN or POLS alone. Neuronal migration did not involve interactions with other cells indicating that neurons are capable of independent migration when exposed to a laminin substrate.

rna12+, a gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae involved in pre-rRNA maturation. Characterization of a temperature-sensitive mutant, cloning and sequencing of the gene

RNA12-1 is a dominant temperature-sensitive (Ts) yeast mutant which has previously been reported to exhibit a defect in RNA accumulation at 37 degrees C. We further characterized this mutant through analyses of rRNA transcription rates and maturation. The results show that pre-rRNA is normally synthesized but that subsequent maturation is severely affected by a temperature upshift: the nascent rRNAs are under-methylated and little mature rRNA can be observed at 37 degrees C. Likewise, the accumulation of some mRNAs for ribosomal proteins is also prevented at 37 degrees C. The RNA12-1 mutation is recessive at 32 degrees C, which made it possible to clone the wild-type rna12+ gene by complementation of the Ts phenotype with plasmids from a multicopy yeast genomic library. The predicted gene product is a protein of 96,630 Da with no significant sequence similarity to any known proteins. Gene disruption is not lethal at either the permissive or the restrictive temperature. The gene is located on chromosome XIII, downstream of the ADH2 gene and 10 cM from the ADE4 gene. Furthermore, the mutant allele RNA12-1 was cloned and sequenced. A point mutation found in this allele leads to dominant thermosensitivity at 37 degrees C when the mutant gene is introduced into a wild-type strain. Taken together, these data suggest that the rna12+ gene product plays a dispensable role in early maturation of pre-rRNA but that its mutant gene product can interfere with the normal function of other proteins required for pre-rRNA maturation.

Purification of bovine interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein and its uveitogenicity in Lewis rats

Interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein, IRBP, not only functioning as a shuttle to carry the retinoid between photoreceptor cells and pigment epithelium, but also inducing experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU), was purified by ConA Sepharose affinity chromatography from the fractions containing IRBP obtained in the course of ion-exchange chromatography by which the bovine retinal S-antigen was purified. This much simplified method allows more rapid purification of the two kinds of protein. EAU was successfully induced with injecting 50 micrograms of IRBP emulsified with Freund's complete adjuvant into the right hind footpads of Lewis rats. It was characterized by panophthalmia or endophthalmia with the severest damage in the posterior retina. Lymphocytes, mononuclear and polymorphonuclear cells were found to be the inflammatory cells of infiltration, with lymphocytes being predominant.

The nondeletional types of Hb H disease in Guangxi

Three primers were designed, one specific for alpha 1-globin DNA, a second for alpha 2-globin DNA, and a third that is common for both alpha 1- and alpha 2-globin DNA. These three primers can be applied for selective amplification of the two globin DNA fragments, which is useful for identification of nondeletional types of Hb H disease. Fifty-nine DNA samples of Hb H patients from Guangxi were studied by selective amplification, and 27 cases (45.8%) were confirmed as nondeletional types. Of these, 22 (81.5%) had the Hb Constant Spring (CS) mutation and one had the Hb Quong Sze (QS) mutation; both were identified by hybridization with synthesized oligonucleotide probes. Nondeletional Hb H disease in Guangxi seems to be more severe than the deletional types. The average hemoglobin level of the nondeletional Hb H/CS (--/alpha alpha) is 6.8 g/dl, which is lower than that of the deletional types (7.9 g/dl), while the levels of Hb H and Hb Bart's were much higher in the patients with Hb H/CS than in those with the deletional types.

[Consecutive observation of the plasma MDA, XO and UA levels and erythrocyte SOD in 10 cases of cardiopulmonary bypass]

The plasma malonaldehyde (MDA), xanthine oxidase (XO) and uric acid (UA) levels and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured in 10 cases during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) operation. These examinations were taken at pre-aortic clamping, 15 min after aortic clamping, 30, 60, 120 and 180 min after reperfusion respectively. The results showed that MDA, XO and UA rise but SOD decreases after reperfusion. We believe that a lot of oxygen free radicals (OFR) release during peri-operative period and the XO may be an important pathway of OFR release.

[Longitudinal changes of serum specific antibodies in Lewis rats immunized with IRBP]

The serum antibodies specific to either interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) or retinal S-antigen were longitudinally determined in Lewis rats immunized with 50 x 10(-6)g of IRBP emulsified with complete Freund's adjuvant. To our knowledge, it is the first time to purify IRBP and to address the experiment with IRBP in China. It was shown that the antibody specific to IRBP appeared on the 7th day, followed by a gradual increase, and reached its peak on the 26th day after immunization. No antibody specific to S-antigen was found. The relation between anti-IRBP antibody and experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) which occurred in the increasing phase of the antibody suggests that the humoral immunity may be implicated in the pathogenesis of EAU.

Inhibition of rat lens aldose reductase by quercetagetin and patuletin

In this paper the results of inhibition of the Aldose reductase (AR) activity on Wistar rat lens by Quercetagetin extracted from Tagetes erects Linn and by Patuletin extracted from Tagetes patula Linn are reported. Quercetagetin inhibited AR of the rat lens by 93.9% at 10(-4) M, 76.0% at 10(-5) M and 13.3% at 10(-6) M. Patuletin inhibited AR of the rat lens by 100% at 10(-1) M, 80% at 10(-5) M and 22.7% at 10(-6) M respectively. The results show that these two flavones are lens AR Inhibitors, but further study should be done for the possibility of clinical application.

Hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphatase dehydrogenase and aldose reductase in human fetal lenses

The lens HK, G6PD, AR activity and its relationship with fetal age was determined. There is a positive correlation between the age of fetus and the activity (IU/mg pro.) of HK and G6PD (r = 0.8069, 0.8204, P < 0.01) and a negative correlation between the age of fetus and activity of AR (r = -0.810 1, 0.05 > P > 0.01).

Detection of the Hb Quong Sze mutation in a Chinese family by selective amplification of the alpha 2-globin gene and restriction map analysis with Msp I

The polymerase chain reaction technique combined with restriction map analysis with Msp I and hybridization with synthetic oligonucleotide probes has been used to identify Hb Quong Sze [alpha 125(H8)Leu----Pro] in a Chinese family in Guangxi (Quong Sze), P. R. China. Our data and those described in an earlier publication (1) indicate that the Hb Quong Sze carriers originate from the same province of the People's Republic of China, namely Guangxi.

Hb Westmead: an alpha 2-globin gene mutation detected by polymerase chain reaction and Stu I cleavage

Hb Westmead or alpha 2 122(H5)His----Gln beta 2 is one of the most common hemoglobin variants in Guangxi, a province in Southern China. The alpha 2-globin DNA sequence of a carrier for this variant was selectively amplified by the polymerase chain reaction and analyzed with the restriction enzyme Stu I. We found that this mutant globin was encoded at the alpha 2 locus and that the CAC----CAG mutation at codon 122 created a new Stu I restriction site. It is easy to detect this mutation by these methods.

[The clinical use of sodium hyaluronate eyedrops as a substitute for tears]

The present paper reports on the curative effect of the 0.1% Sodium hyaluronate (Na-HA) eyedrops jointly manufactured by Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital and Guangzhou Institute of Medical & Pharmaceutical Industry. 70 cases were studied. There were kerato-conjunctivitis sicca, lagophthalmos corneal fluorescein diffuse punctate epithelial lesion caused by contact lens, and keratitis punctata superficialis. The results showed effective treatment which occupied 95.7%. In the discussion, the authors point out that Na-HA has the same stagnatisity and elasticity as biotears because of its adhesion to the corneal epithelium. Moreover, it has the water-retaining microsponge action similar to that of mucopolysaccharide. Hence, Na-HA has protective effects on corneal epithelium. Finally, the authors conclude that Na-HA eyedrop is so far the most ideal substitute for tears and superior to other artificial tears.

[Determination of the contents of chlorogenic acid in qingre jiedu injection by three wavelength spectrophotometry]

The content of chlorogenic acid in Qingre Jiedu injection was determined by three wavelength spectrophotometry (315, 325 and 340.6nm), without any preliminary separation. The results showed the advantages of the method in simplicity, rapidity, accuracy, stability and better recovery (100.5%), and so on.