[Non-primary solid malignancies of breast in needle core biopsy: a clinicopathological analysis of 23 cases]

Objective: To investigate the accurate diagnosis and differential diagnosis of non-primary solid malignant tumors in breast needle core biopsy. Methods: Twenty-three cases of breast, axilla or neck lymph nodes pathologically diagnosed as non-primary solid malignant tumors were collected at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China from January 2013 to March 2023. The differential diagnoses and diagnostic features were analyzed, based on combining clinical data, histology, and expression characteristics of biomarkers. Results: All patients were female, with age ranging from 29 to 75 years (average 56 years). The average time from the diagnosis of primary tumor to the current diagnosis was 21 months (0 to 204 months).The primary sites included the ovary (9 cases), the lung (5 cases), the gastrointestinal tract (4 cases), the pancreas, intrahepatic bile duct, thyroid gland, nasal cavity and forearm skin (1 case each). No carcinoma in situ was found in any of the cases. The morphological differences were significant among the tumors, but similar to the primary tumors. The tumors of neuroendocrine and female reproductive tract had great morphological and immunophenotypic overlaps with breast cancer. Metastatic lung cancer cells showed obvious atypia and tumor giant cells. The morphology and immunophenotype of metastatic serous carcinoma of female reproductive system might resemble invasive micropapillary carcinoma of the breast. Metastatic adenocarcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract often had features of mucous secretion. Metastatic neuroendocrine tumors were bland in appearance and morphologically similar to solid papillary carcinoma of breast, but negative for ER. TRPS1 was mostly negative (18/23) and variably positive in ovarian (4/9) and intrahepatic bile duct (1/1) tumors. Conclusions: The diagnosis of breast needle core biopsy specimen should be combined with clinical history, imaging study, and careful examination of histological features, such as presence of in situ component, morphological similarity between the primary and metastatic tumors, and using appropriate markers to differentiate the primary from metastatic tumors.

[TRPS1 expression in salivary gland-type breast carcinoma and its clinical application]

Objective: To investigate the expression of TRPS1 in salivary gland-type breast carcinoma and its clinical application. Methods: A total of 30 cases of salivary gland-type breast carcinoma diagnosed from May 2015 to November 2022 at the Department of Pathology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were collected. The expression of TRPS1 was detected by immunohistochemistry and compared with that of GATA3. TRPS1 and GATA3 expression in 24 cases of primary salivary gland carcinoma. Results: There were 10 cases of breast secretory carcinoma, aged 21-61 years (median 53.5 years), with the size ranging from 0.9-2.2 cm (median 1.6 cm), 2 of which were accompanied by axillary nodal macrometastasis. All patients were alive after 2-55 months of follow-up (median 29.5 months, mean 29.7 months). There were 20 cases of breast adenoid cystic carcinoma, aged 36-77 years (median 53.5 years), with the size ranging from 1.2-5.5 cm (median 2.5 cm), 3 of which were accompanied by axillary nodal macrometastasis. All patients were alive after 3-92 months of follow-up (median 22.5 months, mean 31.7 months), and 1 patient had lung metastasis 15 months after surgery. The medium/high expression ratio of TRPS1 in breast secretory carcinoma was 10/10, which was higher than that of GATA3 (7/10). TRPS1 was also positive in the 2 cases with lymph node metastases. The medium/high expression rate of TRPS1 in breast adenoid cystic carcinoma was 20/20, which was significantly higher than that of GATA3 (2/20). TRPS1 was highly expressed in both classic and solid subtypes, while GATA3 was only expressed in a few cases of the classic subtype. TRPS1 was also positive in 3 cases with lymph node metastases and 1 case of the pulmonary metastases. The expression level of TRPS1 was the same in 1 case before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In addition, TRPS1 was positive in parotid secretory carcinoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma. The medium/high expression rate of TRPS1 in parotid secretory carcinoma (6/6) was higher than that of GATA3 (2/6), and the medium/high expression rate of TRPS1 in parotid adenoid cystic carcinoma (17/18) was higher than that of GATA3 (2/18). Conclusions: The expression of TRPS1 is highly sensitive to salivary gland-type breast carcinoma, especially in GATA3-negative solid subtype of adenoid cystic carcinoma, which plays an important role in clinical practice.

[Comparative analysis of metagenomic and 16S rDNA sequencing in gut microbiota of healthy elderly]

Objective: To explore the differences in subsequent analysis between metagenomic and 16Sr DNA sequencing in compositionally characterizing gut microbiota of healthy elderly. Methods: By using a panel study design, five monthly repeated measurements were performed among 76 healthy older people in Jinan City, Shandong Province. Their fecal samples were collected, and genomic DNA was extracted and analyzed through metagenomic and 16Sr DNA sequencing to compare the composition and diversity of gut microbiota. The correlation between species abundance and α diversity was analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis, and the correlation between species abundance and β diversity was determined by Procrustes analysis. Results: The age of 76 participants was (65.07±2.75), and the body mass index was (25.03±2.40) kg/m². There were 38 males and 38 females. A total of 345 fecal samples were obtained from five monthly repeated measurements. Compared with 16S rDNA sequencing, metagenomic sequencing showed more annotated species at each level. The difference in the number of two sequencing species increased with the decrease of the level. Although there were significant differences in species richness between the two sequencing methods. Their species richness was highly correlated at both phylum (r=0.88, P<0.001) and genus (r=0.77, P<0.001) levels. Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were the common dominant species. Gut microbiota diversity analysis further showed that there was a significantly positive correlation between α diversity (r=0.70, P<0.001) and β diversities (M²=0.84, P<0.05) in the two groups. Conclusion: The annotation efficiency of metagenomic sequencing is much higher than that of 16S rDNA sequencing. The two sequencing methods are consistent in phylum abundance as well as α diversity.

Infection control measures for public transportation derived from the flow dynamics of obstructed cough jet

During the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO and CDC suggest people stay 1 m and 1.8 m away from others, respectively. Keeping social distance can avoid close contact and mitigate infection spread. Many researchers suspect that suggested distances are not enough because aerosols can spread up to 7-8 m away. Despite the debate on social distance, these social distances rely on unobstructed respiratory activities such as coughing and sneezing. Differently, in this work, we focused on the most common but less studied aerosol spread from an obstructed cough. The flow dynamics of a cough jet blocked by the backrest and gasper jet in a cabin environment was characterized by the particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique. It was proved that the backrest and the gasper jet can prevent the front passenger from droplet spray in public transportation where maintaining social distance was difficult. A model was developed to describe the cough jet trajectory due to the gasper jet, which matched well with PIV results. It was found that buoyancy and inside droplets almost do not affect the short-range cough jet trajectory. Infection control measures were suggested for public transportation, including using backrest/gasper jet, installing localized exhaust, and surface cleaning of the backrest.

Synergistic effects ofα-Fe2O3nanoparticles and Fe-doping on gas-sensing performance of NiO nanowires and interface mechanism

High surface area nickel oxide nanowires (NiO NWs), Fe-doped NiO NWs andα-Fe₂O₃/Fe-doped NiO NWs were synthesized with nanocasting pathway, and then the morphology, microstructure and components of all samples were characterized with XRD, TEM, EDS, UV-vis spectra and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms. Owing to the uniform mesoporous template, all samples with the same diameter exhibit the similar mesoporous-structures. The loadedα-Fe₂O₃nanoparticles should exist in mesoporous channels between Fe-doped NiO NWs to form heterogeneous contact at the interface of n-typeα-Fe₂O₃nanoparticles and p-type NiO NWs. The gas-sensing results indicate that Fe-dopant andα-Fe₂O₃-loading both improve the gas-sensing performance of NiO NWs sensors.α-Fe₂O₃/Fe-doped NiO NWs sensors presented the highest response to 100 ppm ethanol gas (55.264) compared with Fe-doped NiO NWs (24.617) and NiO NWs sensors (3.189). The donor Fe-dopant increases the ground state resistance and the absorbed oxygen content in air.α-Fe₂O₃nanoparticles in electron depletion region result in the increasing resistance in ethanol gas and decreasing resistance in air. In this way,α-Fe₂O₃/Fe-doped NiO NWs sensor presents the excellent gas-sensing performance due to the formation of heterogeneous contact at the interface.

First Evidence of Local E×B Drift in the Divertor Influencing the Structure and Stability of Confined Plasma near the Edge of Fusion Devices

The structure of the edge plasma in a magnetic confinement system has a strong impact on the overall plasma performance. We uncover for the first time a magnetic-field-direction dependent density shelf, i.e., local flattening of the density radial profile near the magnetic separatrix, in high confinement plasmas with low edge collisionality in the DIII-D tokamak. The density shelf is correlated with a doubly peaked density profile near the divertor target plate, which tends to occur for operation with the ion B×∇B drift direction away from the X-point, as currently employed for DIII-D advanced tokamak scenarios. This double-peaked divertor plasma profile is connected via the E×B drifts, arising from a strong radial electric field induced by the radial electron temperature gradient near the divertor target. The drifts lead to the reversal of the poloidal flow above the divertor target, resulting in the formation of the density shelf. The edge density shelf can be further enhanced at higher heating power, preventing large, periodic bursts of the plasma, i.e., edge-localized modes, in the edge region, consistent with ideal magnetohydrodynamics calculations.

[Establishing reference intervals of thyroid hormone based on a laboratory information system]

Objective: To establish reference intervals (RIs) of thyroid hormone based on data from healthy subjects in laboratory information system (LIS) by indirect methods. Methods: Data were selected from the physical examination center in LIS of the First Hospital of Jilin University from May 2014 to December 2018. The normal distribution of the original data was checked by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Skewed data were transformed into normal distribution using BOX-COX techniques, and outliers were identified by the Turkey method. The continuous percentile curve was established by coefficient of skewness-median-coefficient of variation(LMS) methods. Cut-off value of age was determined by decision trees, and the differences between groups were verified by Z-tests. P(2.5) and P(97.5) in the RIs were analyzed by non-parametric methods. Results: A total of 45 742 subjects were included in the study. There were no differences in the RI for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) among age groups or between men and women (Z<Z*), and the RI was 0.60-4.41mIU/L (20-79 years old). However, the levels of free triiodothyronine(FT(3)) decreased with age in males and females under 35-year-old. The RIs for FT(3) were 4.47-6.44pmol/L (20-44 years old), 4.19-6.21pmol/L (45-64 years old) and 3.90-5.85pmol/L (65-79 years old) in males, and 4.04-6.13pmol/L (20-34 years old) and 3.87-5.76pmol/L (35-79 years old) in females, respectively. The levels of free thyroxine(FT(4)) in men were higher than those in women from 20 to 49 years old, and no gender and age differences could be viewed in subjects after 50 years old (Z<Z*). The RIs for FT(4) were 13.69-21.76pmol/L (male, 20-49 years old), 12.99-20.83pmol/L (female, 20-49 years old) and 12.98-21.21pmol/L (50~79 years old). Conclusion: Establishment of RIs of thyroid hormone based on the data from LIS is simple and reliable, which is suitable for clinical laboratory application.

[Ramsey-Hunt syndrome with initial syndrome of hoarseness: a case report]

Summary Ramsey-Hunt syndrome is caused by the varicella zoster virus, which mainly affects the facial nerve. The typical clinical features of Ramsey-Hunt syndrome are peripheral facial paralysis and ear herpes. In this case, initial symptoms were hoarseness and coughing, afterwards typical symptom occurred 5 days later which were earache, late-onset herpes, and facial paralysis. Ramsey-Hunt syndrome are difficult to diagnose because of its seemingly unrelated initial symptoms.

Effects of source on bioavailability of selenium, antioxidant status, and performance in lactating dairy cows during oxidative stress-inducing conditions

In the current study, we used heat stress (HS) as an oxidative stress model to examine the effects of hydroxy-selenomethionine (HMSeBA), an organic selenium source, on selenium's bioavailability, antioxidant status, and performance when fed to dairy cows. Eight mid-lactation Holstein dairy cows (141 ± 27 d in milk, 35.3 ± 2.8 kg of milk/d, parity 2 or 3) were individually housed in environmental chambers and randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: inorganic Se supplementation (sodium selenite; SS; 0.3 mg of Se/kg of dry matter; n = 4) or HMSeBA supplementation (0.3 mg of Se/kg of dry matter; n = 4). The trial was divided into 3 continuous periods: a covariate period (9 d), a thermal neutral (TN) period (28 d), and a HS period (9 d). During the covariate and TN periods, all cows were housed in TN conditions (20°C, 55% humidity). During HS, all cows were exposed to cyclical HS conditions (32-36°C, 40% humidity). All cows were fed SS during the covariate period, and dietary treatments were implemented during the TN and HS periods. During HS, cows fed HMSeBA had increased Se concentrations in serum and milk, and total Se milk-to-serum concentration ratio compared with SS controls. Superoxide dismutase activity did not differ between Se sources, but we noted a treatment by day interaction in glutathione peroxidase activity as HS progressively reduced it in SS controls, whereas it was maintained in HMSeBA cows. Supplementation with HMSeBA increased total antioxidant capacity and decreased malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and nitric oxide serum concentrations compared with SS-fed controls. We found no treatment effects on rectal temperature, respiratory rate, or dry matter intake. Supplementing HMSeBA tended to increase milk yield and decrease milk fat percentage. No other milk composition parameters differed between treatments. We observed no treatment effects detected on blood biochemistry, except for a lower alanine aminotransferase activity in HMSeBA-fed cows. These results demonstrate that HMSeBA supplementation decreases some parameters of HS-induced oxidative stress.

Design of Langmuir probe diagnostic system for the upgraded lower tungsten divertor in EAST tokamak

In order to achieve long-pulse H-mode plasma scenario over 400 s with high heating power in the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) device, the lower graphite divertor will be upgraded into a tungsten (W) divertor with active water cooling, which consists of the W/Cu monoblock units and the W flat-tile units as the divertor plasma facing components. As a fundamental diagnostic tool, the divertor Langmuir probe (Div-LP) diagnostic system will be upgraded accordingly. This paper presents the design of two kinds of new Div-LP systems, which are planned to be utilized on the W/Cu monoblock units and the W flat-tile units for the upgraded lower tungsten divertor, respectively, including their structures and preliminary poloidal and toroidal layouts. The Div-LP diagnostic system can measure the plasma parameters with the schemes of triple-probe, double-probe, and single-probe, to obtain the spatial and temporal distribution of plasma behavior on the divertor targets, which is useful for the discharge control and operation in EAST. In addition, the thermal analysis of the two kinds of probe assemblies is also carried out by using the three-dimensional finite element code ANSYS, which is aimed to get the optimal designs to withstand the long-pulse and high-power operation in EAST future experiments.

Survey on Physical Fitness and Cardiovascular Function of the City Elderly in Different Regular Physical Activities in China

OBJECTIVE

To explore the relationship between sports law project selection and physical health, cardiovascular function of the city elderly.

DESIGN AND SETTING

To investigate the state of regular physical activity, physical health, and cardiovascular function.

PARTICIPANTS

1,555 city elderly people aged 60-69 years in 10 cities of Shaanxi Province.

MEASUREMENTS

Clinical and anthropometrics measurements included height, weight, waistline, blood pressure, heart rate, strength, balance, flexibility.

RESULTS

The sports participation rate for the samples was 51.38%, which was with fitness walking (61.08%), Tai Chi (12.52%), fitness run (11.51%), dance(8.89%)as the main items; There were statistically significant difference in WHtR (F = 2.63), heart rate (F = 3.43), balance (F = 4.51), flexibility (F = 3.57), strength (F = 24.69) (all P < 0.05) for the two groups of elderly; Compared with the non-regular physical activity groups, these groups of fitness walking, Tai Chi and fitness running were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The systolic blood pressure (t = 4.18), diastolic blood pressure (t = 2.02), heart rate (t= -2.13), balance (t= 2.88) of fitness walking group were improved markedly. The balance (t = 4.42, P = .000) of Tai Chi group was significant. The strength (t = 2.48, P = .013) of fitness running group was significant.

CONCLUSION

The project of regular physical activity can effectively improve the physical health level and heart vascular function of the elderly people. WHtR was suitable for evaluating physical fitness of elderly people in regular sports. Fitness walking, Tai Chi, fitness running can effectively improve the obese elderly obesity levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Fitness walking program can improve heart rate and blood pressure levels, and it also can be recommended as an exercise for improving the level of cardiovascular function, with the flexibility exercise being added. Tai Chi helped the elderly to improve their balance level and prevent falls. Fitness running helped to improve the elderly power and slow down the process of muscle degradation. The choice of Regular sports activities for the elderly was single, not according to their own physical or chronic disease of the targeted exercise.

Retarding field analyzer for the EAST plasma boundary

A novel bi-directional Retarding Field Analyzer (RFA) probe has been installed on a fast reciprocating drive system on the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) to measure the ion temperature and fast electron fluxes. A Langmuir probe assembly was added on the top of the RFA head to control the RFA position relative to the last closed flux surface and to have a possibility to measure the electron density and temperature as well. Except the ion temperature, the fast electron fluxes from both ion and electron drift sides have been measured during lower hybrid current drive. The RFA probe has been also used to measure the fast electrons associated with edge localized modes (ELMs), indicating their substantial presence in the scrape-off-layer plasma of EAST.

Measurement of the deuterium Balmer series line emission on EAST

Volume recombination plays an important role towards plasma detachment for magnetically confined fusion devices. High quantum number states of the Balmer series of deuterium are used to study recombination. On EAST (Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak), two visible spectroscopic measurements are applied for the upper/lower divertor with 13 channels, respectively. Both systems are coupled with Princeton Instruments ProEM EMCCD 1024B camera: one is equipped on an Acton SP2750 spectrometer, which has a high spectral resolution ∼0.0049 nm with 2400 gr/mm grating to measure the D_α(H_α) spectral line and with 1200 gr/mm grating to measure deuterium molecular Fulcher band emissions and another is equipped on IsoPlane SCT320 using 600 gr/mm to measure high-n Balmer series emission lines, allowing us to study volume recombination on EAST and to obtain the related line averaged plasma parameters (T_e, n_e) during EAST detached phases. This paper will present the details of the measurements and the characteristics of deuterium Balmer series line emissions during density ramp-up L-mode USN plasma on EAST.

Upgrade of Langmuir probe diagnostic in ITER-like tungsten mono-block divertor on experimental advanced superconducting tokamak

In order to withstand rapid increase in particle and power impact onto the divertor and demonstrate the feasibility of the ITER design under long pulse operation, the upper divertor of the EAST tokamak has been upgraded to actively water-cooled, ITER-like tungsten mono-block structure since the 2014 campaign, which is the first attempt for ITER on the tokamak devices. Therefore, a new divertor Langmuir probe diagnostic system (DivLP) was designed and successfully upgraded on the tungsten divertor to obtain the plasma parameters in the divertor region such as electron temperature, electron density, particle and heat fluxes. More specifically, two identical triple probe arrays have been installed at two ports of different toroidal positions (112.5-deg separated toroidally), which can provide fundamental data to study the toroidal asymmetry of divertor power deposition and related 3-dimension (3D) physics, as induced by resonant magnetic perturbations, lower hybrid wave, and so on. The shape of graphite tip and fixed structure of the probe are designed according to the structure of the upper tungsten divertor. The ceramic support, small graphite tip, and proper connector installed make it possible to be successfully installed in the very narrow interval between the cassette body and tungsten mono-block, i.e., 13.5 mm. It was demonstrated during the 2014 and 2015 commissioning campaigns that the newly upgraded divertor Langmuir probe diagnostic system is successful. Representative experimental data are given and discussed for the DivLP measurements, then proving its availability and reliability.

Effectiveness of rubber seed oil and flaxseed oil to enhance the α-linolenic acid content in milk from dairy cows

This experiment was conducted to investigate effect of rubber seed oil compared with flaxseed oil when fed alone or in combination on milk yield, milk composition, and α-linolenic acid (ALA) concentration in milk of dairy cows. Forty-eight mid-lactation Holstein dairy cows were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments according to a completely randomized design. Cows were fed a basal diet (control; CON) or a basal diet supplemented with 4% rubber seed oil (RO), 4% flaxseed oil (FO), or 2% rubber seed oil plus 2% flaxseed oil (RFO) on a dry matter basis for 9 wk. Feed intake, milk protein percentage, and milk fat levels did not differ between the treatments. Cows fed the RO, FO, or RFO treatments had a higher milk yield than the CON group (up to 10.5% more), whereas milk fat percentages decreased. Compared with the CON, milk concentration of ALA was substantially higher in cows receiving RO or RFO, and was doubled in cows receiving FO. The ALA yield (g/d) increased by 31.0, 70.3, and 33.4% in milk from cows fed RO, FO, or RFO, respectively, compared with the CON. Both C18:1 trans-11 (vaccenic acid) and C18:2 cis-9,trans-11 (conjugated linoleic acid; CLA) levels were higher in cows fed added flaxseed or rubber seed oil. The CLA yield (g/d) increased by 336, 492, and 484% in cows fed RO, FO, or RFO, respectively, compared with the CON. The increase in vaccenic acid, ALA, and CLA was greater in cows fed RFO than in cows fed RO alone. Compared with the CON, the milk fat from cows fed any of the dietary supplements had a higher concentration of unsaturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids; conversely, the saturated fatty acids levels in milk fat were 30.5% lower. Insulin and growth hormones were not affected by dietary treatments; however, we noted an increase in both cholesterol and nonesterified fatty acids levels in the RO, FO, or RFO treatments. These results indicate that rubber seed oil and flaxseed oil will increase milk production and the concentration of functional fatty acids (ALA, vaccenic acid, and CLA) in milk fat while decreasing the content of saturated fatty acids.

Co-expression network analysis prioritizes signaling pathways regulating liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in rats

The liver has extraordinary powers of regeneration following partial hepatectomy (PH). Changes in gene expression levels play a key role in cell proliferation and differentiation during liver regeneration (LR). To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying LR, this study was designed to assess the time-dependent changes in rat hepatic gene expression. We obtained a gene expression profile of rat LR with high temporal resolution. We then constructed gene co-expression networks of regenerating liver tissue and identified 13 LR-specific modules from 1772 differentially expressed genes, and prioritized signaling pathways that regulated LR after PH. The results indicated that adipocytokine signaling, histone acetylation, and IL-6-related pathways play an important role in LR. Co-expression network analysis provides novel insight into understanding the molecular mechanisms behind LR.

Role of death receptors in the regulation of hepatocyte proliferation and apoptosis during rat liver regeneration

The balance between hepatocyte proliferation and apoptosis is critical for liver homeostasis during liver regeneration. We created a rat liver regeneration model by partial hepatectomy (PH) to investigate the overall mechanism that regulates the proliferation and apoptosis of hepatocytes. The Rat Genome 230 2.0 Array was used to investigate changes in the expression levels of genes associated with the known proliferation or apoptosis signaling pathways. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis 9.0 was used to determine interactions among these signaling pathways. The results revealed that the expression levels of multiple key genes in three death receptor (DR) pathways, Fas/FasL, TNFR/TNFα, and DR6, were significantly altered in hepatocytes after PH. The expression level of the gene encoding DR6 increased by over 100-fold, whereas the levels of the genes encoding Fas, FasL, and TNFα were increased by 2-4-fold 12 h after PH. Fas/FasL, TNFR/TNFα, and DR6 are known to participate in numerous cellular events including cell proliferation and apoptosis. Our results suggest that the DR6 pathway plays a major role in the regulation of hepatocyte apoptosis, whereas Fas/FasL and TNFR/TNFα pathways may have roles in coordinating signaling activities between proliferation and apoptosis.

Separation, purification, and identification of flagellin, and preparation of its antisera

The aim of this study was to separate, purify, and identify Salmonella paratyphi A flagellin, and to prepare its antisera. Primary flagellin was isolated from S. paratyphi A using the acid lysis method. The flagellin was purified with weak anion exchange chromatography and the protein was identified with sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), Western blot, and negative staining with phosphotungstic acid with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The production of the obtained flagellin was then quantified. New Zealand white rabbits were then immunized with the isolated flagellin, the presence of serum anti-flagellin antibodies was assessed with the immunoblot test, and its potency was determined with the double immunodiffusion test. The results of SDS-PAGE showed that the molecular weight (m.w.) of the purified flagellin was 52 x 10(3). The immunoblot test also showed a band at 52 x 10(3) m.w. The SEM results showed that the flagellin was filamentous. These three results showed that the protein was homogeneous. The protein quantification analysis found that 4.8 ± 0.5 mg flagellin could be extracted per 1 g wet weight bacteria. The titer of the anti-flagellin antiserum was 1:64. Through this method, we obtained high productions of flagellin, which could be easily purified, identified, and prepared into high titer antiserum.

A novel methane sensor based on porous SnO2 nanorods: room temperature to high temperature detection

We report for the first time a novel room temperature methane (CH(4)) sensor fabricated using porous tin oxide (SnO(2)) nanorods as the sensing material. The porous SnO(2) nanorods were synthesized by using multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as templates. Current versus time curves were obtained demonstrating the room temperature sensing capabilities of the sensor system when exposed to 0.25% CH(4) in air. The sensor also exhibited a wide temperature range for different concentrations of CH(4) (25-500 °C), making it useful in harsh environments as well.

Smart sensor systems for human health breath monitoring applications

Breath analysis techniques offer a potential revolution in health care diagnostics, especially if these techniques can be brought into standard use in the clinic and at home. The advent of microsensors combined with smart sensor system technology enables a new generation of sensor systems with significantly enhanced capabilities and minimal size, weight and power consumption. This paper discusses the microsensor/smart sensor system approach and provides a summary of efforts to migrate this technology into human health breath monitoring applications. First, the basic capability of this approach to measure exhaled breath associated with exercise physiology is demonstrated. Building from this foundation, the development of a system for a portable asthma home health care system is described. A solid-state nitric oxide (NO) sensor for asthma monitoring has been identified, and efforts are underway to miniaturize this NO sensor technology and integrate it into a smart sensor system. It is concluded that base platform microsensor technology combined with smart sensor systems can address the needs of a range of breath monitoring applications and enable new capabilities for healthcare.

Relativistic single-cycled short-wavelength laser pulse compressed from a chirped pulse induced by laser-foil interaction

By particle-in-cell simulation and analysis, we propose a plasma approach to generate a relativistic chirped pulse based on a laser-foil interaction. When two counterpropagating circularly polarized pulses interact with an overdense foil, the driving pulse (with a larger laser field amplitude) will accelerate the whole foil to form a double-layer structure, and the scattered pulse (with a smaller laser field amplitude) is reflected by this flying layer. Because of the Doppler effect and the varying velocity of the layer, the reflected pulse is up-shifted for frequency and chirped; thus, it could be compressed to a nearly single-cycled relativistic laser pulse with a short wavelength. Simulations show that a nearly single-cycled subfemtosecond relativistic pulse can be generated with a wavelength of 0.2 μm after dispersion compensation.

[Updated treatments for neonatal phimosis and redundant prepuce]

Phimosis and redundant prepuce, as common problems in andrology, are found in the majority of male neonates. Early treatment of neonatal phimosis and redundant prepuce has the advantages of better cost--effectiveness and higher safety, and contributes much to the prevention of childhood urinary tract infection and adult sexually transmitted diseases, as well as to the improvement of genital hygiene. Neonatal circumcision is commonly performed in some countries, but remains at a low rate in China. This article updates surgical and non-surgical treatments of neonatal phimosis and redundant prepuce, introduces the benefits of neonatal circumcision, and appeals for more attention to the management of neonatal phimosis and redundant prepuce.

[Qianlie Jiedu capsule combined with rufloxacin for chronic prostatitis: a randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial]

OBJECTIVE

Few double-blind controlled trials have been reported on Chinese patent medicines for the treatment of chronic prostatitis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of Qianlie Jiedu Capsule for chronic prostatitis (CP) by the randomized double-blind controlled method.

METHODS

Eighty CP patients were equally randomized into an experimental and a control group, the former treated with Qianlie Jiedu Capsule + Rufloxacin, and the latter given placebo + Rufloxacin, both for 4 weeks. All the patients were evaluated by NIH-CPSI and EPS examination before and after the medication.

RESULTS

After 4-week treatment, the total score of NIH-CPSI and the scores of pain, voiding symptoms and quality of life were significantly decreased in both groups compared with the baseline (P < 0.05), so did the leukocyte count in EPS (P < 0.05). And the experimental group showed significant drops in the above scores as compared with the control (P < 0.05), except in the leukocyte count in EPS (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Qianlie Jiedu Capsule combined with Rufloxacin is highly effective for CP by relieving pain and voiding symptoms,decreasing the leukocyte count in EPS and improving the life quality of the patients.

Generating quasi-single-cycle relativistic laser pulses by laser-foil interaction

A scheme for producing nearly single-cycle relativistic laser pulses is proposed. When a laser pulse interacts with an overdense thin foil, because of self-consistent nonlinear modulation, the latter will be more transparent to the more intense part of the laser, so that a transmitted pulse can be much shorter than the incident pulse. Using two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation and analytical modeling, it is found that a transmitted pulse of duration 4 fs and peak intensity 3 x 10{20} W/cm{2} can be generated from a circularly polarized laser pulse. The intensity of the resulting pulse is only limited by that of the incident pulse, since this scheme involves only laser-plasma interaction.

[Male circumcision is an effective "surgical vaccine" for HIV prevention and reproductive health]

Recent randomized controlled clinical trials in Africa have demonstrated that adult male circumcision (MC) efficiently decreases the rate of HIV, HPV and HSV-2 infections. Many studies have clearly shown that MC is a simple, safe, and cost-effective method for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and urinary tract infection, and for improving genital hygiene. While a 30% MC prevalence exists worldwide, only 5% or less of the Chinese males have undergone circumcision. In this review, we report recent trends in international MC and HIV prevention efforts, as well as the potential benefits and importance of promoting MC in China. We appeal to medical and public health authorities to pay close attention to the international experience in MC and HIV prevention.

[Promoting male circumcision in China for preventing HIV infection and improving reproductive health]

The incidence of heterosexually transmitted HIV infection is rapidly increasing in China, which reached 44.7% among the HIV-positive patients in 2007. With a view to the reduction of HIV transmission and improvement of reproductive health in the Chinese population, this paper introduces the latest evidence obtained from the international epidemiological studies and randomized controlled clinical trials on the preventive effect of male circumcision (MC) on HIV transmission, and elucidates the cellular and molecular mechanisms of HIV transmission through the foreskin. Four studies published during 1997-2007 demonstrated that the mean prevalences of redundant prepuce and phimosis in 15,109 Chinese males aged 3-23 years in 4 areas of China were 43.90 and 11.55% , respectively, while the rate of MC was only 2.66%. As MC is a simple, inexpensive and highly effective technique in HIV prevention, we appeal to the policy-makers in China to conduct a practical program for promoting MC and enhancing male productive health in combination with other approaches to the prevention of HIV infection. MC for neonates, children, adolescents and adults should be included in the health insurance program, and free and timely MC should be performed for the male adults with the high risk of HIV infection and the normal ones whose wives are HIV-positive. Further investigations should be carried out on the epidemiology of redundant prepuce and phimosis, the acceptance and socio-cultural context of MC and the development of simpler and safer methods for MC.

Alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase: a multi-institutional study of a new prostate cancer marker

AIM

To test whether alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR) is a sensitive and specific marker of prostate cancer.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The expression levels of AMACR mRNA were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. A total of 807 prostatic specimens were further examined by immunohistochemistry specific for AMACR. Quantitative immunostaining analyses were carried out by using the ChromaVision Automated Cellular Imaging System and the Ariol SL-50 Imaging System, respectively. AMACR mRNA levels measured in prostatic adenocarcinoma were 55 times higher than those in benign prostate tissue. Of 454 cases of prostatic adenocarcinoma, 441 were positive for AMACR, while 254 of 277 cases of benign prostate were negative for AMACR. The sensitivity and specificity of AMACR immunodetection of prostatic adenocarcinomas were 97% and 92%, respectively. Both positive and negative predictive values were 95%. By automatic imaging analyses, the AMACR immunostaining intensity and percentage in prostatic adenocarcinomas were also significantly higher than those in benign prostatic tissue (105.9 versus 16.1 for intensity, 45.7% versus 0.02% and 35.03% versus 4.64% for percentage, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

We have demonstrated the promising features of AMACR as a biomarker for prostate cancer in this large series and the potential to develop automated quantitative diagnostic tests.

Fate of atrazine and alachlor in redox-treated ferruginous smectite

The oxidation state of structural iron (Fe) in clay minerals exerts a large influence on clay surface chemistry and may affect the adsorption and degradation of pesticides in the environment. This effect, however, has been little investigated. In the present study, herbicides atrazine and alachlor were reacted with ferruginous smectite (sample SWa-1) in its oxidized, reduced (either chemically or bacterially), and reduced-reoxidized states. In some experiments the herbicide was labeled with 14C. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was also used to detect alachlor degradation products. Compared to oxidized clays, reduction by both chemical and microbial treatments decreased the concentration of both herbicides in the surrounding solution. Reoxidized clay exhibited behavior similar to the oxidized clay. Hydrolysis-dechlorination of atrazine occurred in the presence of chemically reduced SWa-1, and GC-MS analysis of alachlor revealed at least 14 degradation products after treatment with reduced clay and only two with the oxidized clay. Interaction of atrazine and alachlor with the clay may be through a H bond with the waters of hydration surrounding interlayer cations, the extent of which should increase with increasing acidity; but under reduced conditions, the validity of this model is unclear. Reduction of structural Fe may affect pH-dependent phenomena in two ways: The increased surface charge density increases the number of hydrated interlayer cations, thereby enhancing surface acidity, and increased electron density at basal surface oxygens increases their Brønsted basicity. Atrazine could, therefore, adsorb and/or degrade through either acid or alkaline hydrolysis pathways. Increased reduction potential of the reduced clay surfaces may also promote degradation.

[Construction of genetic map in sorghum and fine mapping of the germination stimulant production gene response to Striga asiatica]

Sorghum is the fifth important crop in the world. It is also the major food resource in African countries. Striga asiatica is a parasitism weed on sorghum and some other important crops. In this report, two sorghum lines with the difference in response to Striga asiatica, SRN39 (lower Germination Stimulant-GermStim production) and Shanguihong (high GermStim production), were selected as the parents for the construction of a recombinant inbred (RI) population. Ninety-four RI lines were collected for the molecular analysis and GermStim production evaluation. A genetic map was constructed with 251 molecular markers that distributed on 10 different linkage groups. The map covers sorghum genome of 1,779 cm with an average map distance of 7.1 cm between linked markers. It is one of the complete sorghum molecular map in the world. Co-segregation analysis indicated that the germination stimulant gene (GermStim) was located on linkage group J, which was at a distance of 13 cm from the closed marker. Further RAPD analysis between two parents and two DNA pools different in the amount of germination stimulant production, several polymorphic DNA fragments were identified and cloned. Mapping results showed two of them flanked with the GermStim gene at a distance of 1.6 cm and 2.1 cm respectively.

The development of highly efficient onium-type peptide coupling reagents based upon rational molecular design

Novel and highly efficient immonium-, pyridinium- and thiazolium-type peptide coupling reagents, such as BOMI, BDMP, BPMP, BEP, FEP, BEPH, FEPH and BEMT, were developed by rational modifying of the molecular structures of commonly used uronium-type reagents. The high efficiency of these onium salts has been evaluated and proven by model reaction tests and the successful synthesis of various oligopeptides and biologically active peptides, both in solution and in the solid-phase, for example Leu-enkephalin, the pentapeptide moiety of Dolastatin 15 and the immunosuppressive undecapeptide cyclosporin O. Based upon these results, the relationship between the molecular structure and the capability of onium-type peptide coupling reagents was studied. A preliminary guideline for the molecular design of onium-type coupling reagents was developed.

[QTL mapping of the root traits in rice seedling]

Drought resistance is one of the most important traits in rice abiotic study. The report here analyzed several major root traits affecting drought resistance expression with the double haploid population (DH) from ZYQ8 (indica)/JX17 (japonica) containing 127 lines. After 10 days solution culturing, three rice root traits, Maximum Root Length (MRL), Dry Root Weight (DRW) and Root/Shoot Ratio of Dry Weight (RSR), were revealed existing significant difference among the DH lines. Using the constructed molecular linkage map from this segregating population, the QTL mapping was conducted among these three root parameters. MRL, DRW, and RSR were found being controlled by 2/1/2 QTLs respectively in JX17, 2/0/1 QTLs respectively in ZYQ8. Phenotype variance could be explained by 16.4% and 17.0% for MRL, 16.4% for DRW, 10.4% and 19.9% for RSR in JX17, 19.6% and 13.0% for MRL, 13.2% for RSR in ZYQ8. All these QTLs identified were distributed on rice chromosome 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 and 10. Comparing with the other mapping results, one QTL for each trait (L169-CT106A for MRL, G45-G1314A for DRW, G62-G144 for RSR) was identical with the results reported previously.

Total synthesis of cyclosporin O both in solution and in the solid phase using novel thiazolium-, immonium-, and pyridinium-type coupling reagents: BEMT, BDMP, and BEP

Cyclosporin O (1), an extensively N-methylated immunosuppressive cyclic undecapeptide isolated from Tolypocladium inflatum Gams, was synthesized in 20-23% overall yield via 4 + 7 segment condensation and cyclization by the combined utilization of novel thiazolium- and immonium-type peptide coupling reagents 2-bromo-3-ethyl-4-methyl thiazolium tetrafluoroborate (BEMT) and 5-(1H-benzotriazol-1-yloxy)-3,4-dihydro-1-methyl 2H-pyrrolium hexachloroantimonate (BDMP) as well as compound 2-bromo-1-ethyl pyridinium tetrafluoroborate (BEP). BEMT and BEP, which have been proven to be very efficient for the coupling of peptide segments containing N-alkylated amino acid residues with respect to the fast reaction speed, low racemization, and high yields, were used to construct hindered amide bonds in CsO with the addition of HOAt, whereas the most efficient HOBt-derived immonium type reagent, BDMP, was used to perform the coupling of coded amino acids in CsO. Thus, the highly hindered protected 8-11 tetrapeptide 25 was successfully synthesized using BEMT in 65% yield, and the 1-7 heptapeptide 21 was obtained in 52-55% yield by the rationally combined utilization of BDMP, BEMT, and BEP. The synthesis of the linear undecapeptide 27 of CsO in the solid phase using BEMT and BEP was accomplished for the further evaluation of the effectiveness of these reagents.

(1H-benzotriazol-1-yloxy)-N,N-dimethylmethaniminium hexachloroantimonate (BOMI), a novel coupling reagent for solution and solid-phase peptide synthesis

A HOBt-based immonium-type compound,(1H-benzotriazol-1-yloxy)-N,N-dimethyl methaniminium hexachloroantimonate (BOMI), was synthesized and successfully applied to the synthesis of various oligopeptides with good yields. The estimation of racemization and the influence of several reaction parameters such as solvents, bases and temperature were studied by HPLC using a model reaction. It was found that the reactivity of BOMI was much higher than that of HOBt-based phosphonium- and uronium-type coupling reagents. Moreover, its racemization was lower than that of other HOBt-derived coupling reagents. The effectiveness of BOMI was also demonstrated by the synthesis of Leu-enkephalin both in solution and in the solid-phase.

Cytotoxicity of 2-chlorodeoxadenosine (cladribine, 2-cdA) in combination with other chemotherapy drugs against two lymphoma cell lines

Cladribine is a purine analog with impressive activity in patients with low-grade lymphoproliferative disorders. We studied the combination of cladribine with other antineoplastic drugs against two human-derived B-cell lymphoma cell lines in vitro. Cladribine was combined with cisplatin, daunorubicin, chlorambucil, paclitaxel or etoposide. Under the experimental conditions studied, only the combination of cladribine and cisplatin showed significantly increased cytotoxicity compared to the effect of either drug alone.

A pharmacodynamic study of morphine and its glucuronide metabolites after single morphine dosing in cancer patients with pain

Eleven morphine naïve patients with cancer-related pain were given a single dose of either intravenous morphine (n = 5) or oral morphine (n = 6). Blood sampling was performed over a 24-hr period and serial pain assessments were made using a categorical scale. Plasma samples were analyzed for morphine, morphine-6-glucuronide (M-6-G), morphine-3-glucuronide (M-3-G), and normorphine using high-performance liquid chromatography. In neither the intravenous nor oral group was there a correlation between analgesia duration and the half-lives of morphine and M-6-G. There was no correlation between the time to peak analgesia and time to peak concentration for morphine or M-6-G. There was no significant difference in absolute concentrations of M-6-G or M-3-6 nor in the ratio of M-3-G to M-6-G at peak analgesia versus relapse.

Polymorphism, distribution, and segregation of AFLP markers in a doubled haploid rice population

We exploited the newly developed amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique to study the polymorphism, distribution and inheritance of AFLP markers with a doubled haploid rice population derived from 'IR64'/'Azucena'. Using only 20 pairs of primer combinations, we detected 945 AFLP bands of which 208 were polymorphic. All 208 AFLP markers were mapped and distributed over all 12 chromosomes. When these were compared with RFLP markers already mapped in the population, we found the AFLP markers to be highly polymorphic in rice and to follow Mendelian segregation. As linkage map of rice can be generated rapidly with AFLP markers they will be very useful for marker-assisted backcrossing.

Automatic preparation of radiopharmacokinetic data for in vivo estimation of receptor biochemistry

We present a fully automated region of interest (ROI) and motion correction program for the generation of heart and liver time-activity data resulting from a hepatic functional imaging study using [99mTc-]galactosyl-neoglycoalbumin (99mTc-NGA).

METHODS

The program automatically draws heart and liver ROI and corrects for lateral movement of the subject. Eighty-four 99mTc-NGA studies, consisting of 32 healthy subjects and 52 patients with liver disease, were processed and submitted to an automated kinetic analysis that estimates the subject's asialoglycoprotein receptor concentration [R]o.

RESULTS

When compared to time-activity data generated by operator-drawn ROIs without motion correction, the average reduced Chi-square of the kinetic analysis decreased significantly (p < 0.001) from 2.20 to 1.37 and the number of studies that satisfied quality control increased from 74 to 81 studies. Receiver operating characteristic of [R]o resulted in greater detectability (0.984 +/- 0.012 compared with 0.965 +/- 0.020) when automatic ROI generation was employed. Using the test criteria of 0.65 microM, the sensitivity of [R]o increased from 0.88 to 0.92 and the specificity increased from 0.96 to 0.97.

CONCLUSION

Automated definition of liver and heart ROIs with motion correction, that reduces observational noise, increased the success rate of the radiopharmacokinetic analysis from 88% to 96%.

Expansion or elimination of B cells in vivo: dual roles for CD40- and Fas (CD95)-ligands modulated by the B cell antigen receptor

Signals from CD4+ T cells induce two opposite fates in B cells: clonal proliferation of B cells that bind specifically to foreign antigens and clonal deletion of equivalent B cells that bind self-antigens. This B cell fate decision is determined by the concerted action of two surface proteins on activated T cells, CD40-and Fas-ligands (CD40L and FasL), whose effects are switched by signals from the B cell antigen receptor (BCR). Foreign antigens that stimulate the BCR acutely cause CD40L and FasL to promote clonal proliferation. CD40L and FasL trigger deletion, however, when the BCRs become desensitized by chronic stimulation with self-antigens or when BCRs have not bound an antigen. The need for both Fas and CD40L to correctly regulate self-reactive B cell fate may explain the severe autoantibody disorders in Fas- or CD40L-deficient children.

Disruption of CD40-CD40 ligand interactions results in an enhanced susceptibility to Leishmania amazonensis infection

To study the role of CD40 ligand (CD40L) in the host immune responses against intracellular pathogens, we infected CD40L knockout (CD40L-/-) mice with Leishmania amazonensis. Although wild-type mice were susceptible to infection and developed progressive ulcerative lesions, tissue parasite burdens in CD40L-/- mice were significantly higher. This heightened susceptibility to infection was associated with an impaired T cell and macrophage activation and altered inflammatory response, as reflected by low levels of IFN gamma, lymphotoxin-tumor necrosis factor (LT-TNF), and nitric oxide (NO) production. Furthermore, CD40L-/- mice failed to generate a protective immune response after immunization. These results indicate an essential role of cognate CD40-CD40L interactions in the generation of cellular immune responses against an intracellular parasite.

Distribution and diversity of Na-K-Cl cotransport proteins: a study with monoclonal antibodies

The Na-K-Cl cotransporter (NKCC) is present in most animal cells where it functions in cell volume homeostasis and epithelial salt transport. We developed six monoclonal antibodies (designated T4, T8, T9, T10, T12, and T14) against a fusion protein fragment encompassing the carboxy-terminal 310 amino acids of the human colonic NKCC. These T antibodies selectively recognized putative NKCC proteins in a diverse variety of animal tissues. Western blot analysis of membranes isolated from 23 types of cells identified single bands of immunoreactive protein ranging in mass from 146 to 205 kDa. The amount of immunoreactive protein detected in these cells correlated with loop diuretic binding site density. Proteins identified previously as Na-K-Cl cotransporters by loop diuretic photoaffinity labeling were mutually recognized by multiple T antibodies. Most of the T antibodies effectively immunoprecipitated the denatured form of the NKCC protein. Immunocytochemical studies on the rabbit parotid gland demonstrated that NKCC is restricted to the basolateral margin of the acinar cells and absent from the ducts, in accord with the central role of Na-K-Cl cotransport in chloride secretion. In the rabbit kidney, NKCC was localized to the apical membrane of thick ascending limb cells, consistent with its role in chloride reabsorption.

An essential role for gp39, the ligand for CD40, in thymic selection

The interactions between CD40 on B cells and its ligand gp39 on activated T helper cells are known to be essential for the development of thymus-dependent humoral immunity. However, CD40 is also functionally expressed on thymic epithelial cells and dendritic cells, suggesting that gp39-CD40 interactions may also play a role in thymic education, the process by which self-reactive cells are deleted from the T cell repertoire. Six systems of negative selection were studied for their reliance on gp39-CD40 interactions to mediate negative selection. In all cases, when the antigen/superantigen was endogenously expressed (in contrast to exogenously administered), negative selection was blocked by loss of gp39 function. Specifically, blockade of gp39-CD40 interactions prevented the deletion of thymocytes expressing V beta 3, V beta 11, and V beta 12, specificities normally deleted in BALB/c mice because of the endogenous expression of minor lymphocyte-stimulating determinants. Independent verification of a role of gp39 in negative selection was provided by studies in gp39-deficient mice where alterations in T cell receptor (TCR) V beta expression were also observed. Studies were also performed in the AND TCR transgenic (Tg) mice, which bear the V alpha 11, V beta 3 TCR and recognize both pigeon cytochrome c (PCC)/IEk and H-2As. Neonatal administration of anti-gp39 to AND TCR Tg mice that endogenously express H-2As or endogenously produce PCC prevented the deletion of TCR Tg T cells. In contrast, deletion mediated by high-dose PCC peptide antigen (administered exogenously) in AND TCR mice was unaltered by administration of anti-gp39. In addition, deletion by Staphylococcus enterotoxin B in conventional mice was also unaffected by anti-gp39 administration. gp39 expression was induced on thymocytes by mitogens or by antigen on TCR Tg thymocytes. Immunohistochemical analysis of B7-2 expression in the thymus indicated that, in the absence of gp39, B7-2 expression was substantially reduced. Taken together, these data suggest that gp39 may influence negative selection through the regulation of costimulatory molecule expression. Moreover, the data support the hypothesis that, for negative selection to some endogenously produced antigens, negative selection may be dependent on TCR engagement and costimulation.

Primary structure, functional expression, and chromosomal localization of the bumetanide-sensitive Na-K-Cl cotransporter in human colon

By moving chloride into epithelial cells, the Na-K-Cl cotransporter aids transcellular movement of chloride across both secretory and absorptive epithelia. Using cDNA probes from the recently identified elasmobranch secretory Na-K-Cl cotransporter (sNKCC1) (Xu, J. C., Lytle, C. Zhu, T. T., Payne, J. A., Benz, E., and Forbush, B., III (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 91, 2201-2205), we have identified the human homologue. By screening cDNA libraries of a human colonic carcinoma line, T84 cell, we identified a sequence of 4115 bases from overlapping clones. The deduced protein is 1212 amino acids in length, and analysis of the primary structure indicates 12 transmembrane segments. The primary structure is 74% identical to sNKCC1, 91% identical to a mouse Na-K-Cl cotransporter (mNKCC1), 58% identical to rabbit and rat renal Na-K-Cl cotransporters (NKCC2), and 43% identical to the thiazide-sensitive Na-Cl cotransporters from flounder urinary bladder and rat kidney. Similar to sNKCC1 and mNKCC1, the 5'-end of the human colonic cotransporter is rich in G + C content. Interestingly, a triple repeat (GCG)7 occurs within the 5'-coding region and contributes to a large alanine repeat (Ala15). Two sites for N-linked glycosylation are predicted on an extracellular loop between putative transmembrane segments 7 and 8. A single potential site for phosphorylation by protein kinase A is present in the predicted cytoplasmic C-terminal domain. Northern blot analysis revealed a 7.4-7.5-kilobase transcript in T84 cells and shark rectal gland and a approximately 7.2-kilobase transcript in mammalian colon, kidney, lung, and stomach. Metaphase spreads from lymphocytes were probed with biotin-labeled cDNA and avidin fluorescein (the cotransporter gene was localized to human chromosome 5 at position 5q23.3). Human embryonic kidney cells stably transfected with the full-length cDNA expressed a approximately 170-kDa protein recognized by anti-cotransporter antibodies. Following treatment with N-glycosidase F, the molecular mass of the expressed protein was similar to that predicted for the core protein from the cDNA sequence (132-kDa) and identical to that of deglycosylated T84 cotransporter (approximately 135-kDa). The stably transfected cells exhibited a approximately 15-fold greater bumetanide-sensitive 86Rb influx than control cells, and this flux required external sodium and chloride. Flux kinetics were consistent with an electroneutral cotransport of 1Na:1K:2Cl. Preincubation in chloride-free media was necessary to activate fully the expressed cotransporter, suggesting a [Cl]-dependent regulatory mechanism.

In the absence of a CD40 signal, B cells are tolerogenic

When B cells are deprived of signaling through CD40, they exhibit the ability to induce T cell tolerance. The in vivo administration of anti-gp39 and allogeneic B cells diminished the ability of mice to mount an allogeneic response. Tolerance induction was specific for the haplotype expressed on the allogeneic B cells. Selective allospecific unresponsiveness was induced in the CD8 and CD4 compartments by the administration of anti-gp39 and class II-deficient B cells or class I-deficient B cells, respectively. As predicted by studies with anti-gp39 treatment, diminished allospecific responsiveness was induced by the administration of B cells to mice genetically deficient in gp39. Taken together, these data are consistent with the premise that deprivation of CD40 signaling engenders B cells with enhanced tolerogenicity. These studies provide insights into the tolerogenic capacity of resting B cells and outlines a practical approach to exploit this function.

[Effect of pentoxifylline on respiratory distress syndrome in dogs]

We examined effects of early post-treatment with pentoxifylline (PTX) on fat tissue extract (FTE) induced respiratory distress syndrome in dogs. The results indicate that the arterial oxygen tension in the animals received PTX dropped more slowly, the total leukocytes and albumin in BALF were obviously reduced, the increased production of IL-1 and TNF by alveolar macrophages was partly inhibited, other parameters such as W/D ratio were also markedly decreased when compared to the animals received FTE only. PTX decreases neutrophil accumulation and prevents the increase in pulmonary vascular permeability, and attenuates edema formation in FTE-induced lung injury. The mechanism may relate with the effect of PTX inhibiting inflammatory leukocytes and protecting the pulmonary vascular endothelial cells.

[Effects of pentoxifylline on leukocyte in the lungs of dog with fat tissue extract-induced respiratory distress syndrome]

We studied the effects of pentoxifylline (PTX) on the polymorphonuclears (PMN) and alveolar macrophages (AM) in the lung of dog with fat tissue extract induced respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Results showed that PTX decreased PMN accumulation and infiltration in the lung; the total leukocytes in BALF dropped from 2.92 x 10(8) in the experimental group to 1.21 x 10(8) in the PTX-treated group (P < 0.001); the percentage of PMN also reduced from 35.4% to 14.3% (P < 0.01); the production of IL-1 and TNF by AM in the PTX-treated group was markedly inhibited as compared with the experimental group (P < 0.001, P < 0.05). We conclude that PTX has an inhibitory effect on PMN and AM in the lung of dog with RDS, and PTX may have potential therapeutic effect on ARDS.

Molecular cloning and functional expression of the bumetanide-sensitive Na-K-Cl cotransporter

By mediating the coupled movement of Na, K, and Cl ions across the plasma membrane of most animal cells, the bumetanide-sensitive Na-K-Cl cotransporter (NKCC) plays a vital role in the regulation of ionic balance and cell volume. The transporter is a central element in the process of vectorial salt transport in secretory and absorptive epithelia. A cDNA encoding a Na-K-Cl cotransport protein was isolated from a shark rectal gland library by screening with monoclonal antibodies to the native shark cotransporter. The 1191-residue protein predicted from the cDNA sequence has 12 putative transmembrane domains flanked by large cytoplasmic N and C termini. Regulatory phosphoacceptor residues in isolated peptides are identified as Thr-189 and Thr-1114 in the predicted sequence. Northern blot analysis identified a 7.4-kb mRNA in rectal gland and most other shark tissues; a 5.2-kb mRNA was restricted to shark kidney. Homology with an uncharacterized gene from Caenorhabditis elegans and with the thiazide-sensitive Na-Cl cotransporter of flounder urinary bladder was found over most of the coding region; shorter stretches of homology were found with a C. elegans cDNA and with an uncharacterized gene of cyanobacterium. Human HEK-293 cells have been stably transfected with the shark cDNA and shown to express Na-K-Cl cotransport activity with the bumetanide sensitivity of the shark protein. The expressed transporter is functionally quiescent in the host cells and can be activated by depleting the cells of chloride.