[Research progress of anti-fibrotic drugs that inhibit epithelial-mesenchymal transition in pulmonary fibrosis]

Pulmonary fibrosis is the end-stage pathological change of lung diseases, which seriously affects the respiratory function of human body. A large number of studies at home and abroad have confirmed that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an important intermediate stage in the development of pulmonary fibrosis. Inhibition of multiple pathways upstream and downstream of EMT, such as the classical Smads pathway and non-Smads pathway of TGF-1 can effectively inhibit the process of EMT and alleviate pulmonary fibrosis. This article will review the main conclusions of the mechanism of action of EMT as a target to improve the pathology of pulmonary fibrosis so far, and provide a theoretical basis and research direction for further research and development of anti-pulmonary fibrosis drugs.

[Formaldehyde and xylene levels and protective effects in the pathology department of a hospital]

Objective: To investigate the status of exposure to xylene and Formaldehyde of medical and technical personnel in Pathology Department of a hospital, and to provide references for prevention of occupational hazards. Methods: From July to October in 2019, 52 medical workers and working places in Pathology Department of a third-class hospital in Jiangxi Province were selected as survey objects, the distribution of occupational hazards, protective measures and personal protective equipment were investigated, and the control wind speed of Formaldehyde, xylene and ventilation facilities were detected and analyzed statistically. Results: It showed that the detection rate of xylene and formaldehyde was 82.1% (23/28) , and the detection rate of xylene C(STEL) in the two sampling posts was 14.3% (2/14) , the local suction device on each side and the control wind speed of the fume hood do not meet the national standards. Conclusion: It is necessary to strengthen the prevention and control of the occupational hazards in the Department of Pathology to prevent the occurrence of occupational diseases.

[Application of risk assessment of dust occupational hazards during subway construction]

Objective: To identify the process nodes and types of dust existing during subway construction, evaluate the occupational health risk assessment, analyze the key control points, and provide technical basis for occupational health management. Methods: From August 2017 to December 2018, the field occupational health survey method was used to investigate the whole construction period of subway, and the occupational health risk assessment method was used to assess the degree of dust hazard, and the consistency of the assessment results of ICMM, UQ and MLSP methods were compared. Results: The dust in the operation site exists in multiple nodes of the construction cycle, and the operators were exposed to a variety of dust at the same time. Concrete workers and other jobs were key control posts. The risk level assessed by ICMM method was relatively higher than that by UQ method and MLSP method, the latter two results were relatively close. Conclusion: The three occupational health risk assessment methods are all suitable for the site risk assessment without occupational monitoring data, and UQ method has better applicability to the construction industry.

A Hemodynamic Mechanism Correlating with the Initiation of MCA Bifurcation Aneurysms

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Previous studies have reported that MCA bifurcation aneurysms usually emerge on inclined bifurcations; however, the reason is unclear. We designed this study to explore hemodynamic mechanisms that correlate with the initiation of MCA bifurcation aneurysms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty-four patients with unilateral MCA bifurcation aneurysms and 54 control patients were enrolled in this study after propensity score matching, and their clinical and CTA data were collected. We extracted the morphologic features of aneurysmal MCA bifurcations to build a simplified MCA bifurcation model and performed a computational fluid dynamics analysis.

RESULTS

The presence of MCA aneurysms correlated with smaller parent-daughter angles of MCA bifurcations (P < .001). Aneurysmal MCA bifurcations usually presented with inclined shapes. The computational fluid dynamics analysis demonstrated that when arterial bifurcations became inclined, the high-pressure regions and low wall shear stress regions shifted from the apexes of the arterial bifurcations to the inclined daughter arteries, while the initial sites of MCA bifurcation aneurysms often overlapped with the shifted high-pressure regions and low wall shear stress regions.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that the initiation of MCA bifurcation aneurysms may correlate with shifts of high-pressure regions and low wall shear stress regions that occur on inclined MCA bifurcations.

[A study of social assistance for patients with occupational diseases]

Since the reform and opening up, a large number of migrant workers to enter into the mining enterprises of the town, due to poor working conditions and lack of awareness of labor protection, a large number of workers at that time were diagnosed with occupational diseases such as pneumoconiosis, the lack of effective treatment and compensation mechanisms, it faces many difficulties of life, health care, employment and marriage, becoming more vulnerable, need access to national and social support and assistance. Currently, the patient's occupation of social assistance there are some flaws, and for the growing demand for professional rescue patients, China is still not established specifically for the social assistance system of the patient career, but also lack of systematic research. The paper combing through social assistance in the form and content of the existing occupation for patients and found deficiencies and problems of the current social assistance vocational patient exists, and proposed a framework for the establishment of vocational social assistance system of the patient, specific measures and means.

Missed opportunities for HPV immunization among young adult women

BACKGROUND

Despite the availability of a safe and efficacious vaccine against human papillomavirus, uptake of the vaccine in the United States is low. Missed clinical opportunities to recommend and to administer human papillomavirus vaccine are considered one of the most important reasons for its low uptake in adolescents; however, little is known about the frequency or characteristics of missed opportunities in the young adult (18-26 years of age) population.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to assess both the rates of and the factors associated with missed opportunities for human papillomavirus immunization among young adult women who attended an urban obstetrics and gynecology clinic.

STUDY DESIGN

In this cross-sectional study, medical records were reviewed for all women 18-26 years of age who were underimmunized (<3 doses) and who sought care from Feb. 1, 2013, to January 31, 2014, at an urban, hospital-based obstetrics and gynecology clinic. A missed opportunity for human papillomavirus immunization was defined as a clinic visit at which the patient was eligible to receive the vaccine and a dose was due but not administered. Multivariable logistic regression was used to test associations between sociodemographic variables and missed opportunities.

RESULTS

There were 1670 vaccine-eligible visits by 1241 underimmunized women, with a mean of 1.3 missed opportunities/person. During the study period, 833 of the vaccine eligible women (67.1%) had at least 1 missed opportunity. Overall, the most common types of visits during which a missed opportunity occurred were postpartum visits (17%) or visits for either sexually transmitted disease screening (21%) or contraception (33%). Of the patients with a missed opportunity, 26.5% had a visit at which an injectable medication or a different vaccine was administered. Women who identified their race as black had higher adjusted odds of having a missed opportunity compared with white women (adjusted odds ratio, 1.61 [95% confidence interval, 1.08-2.41], P < .02). Women who reported a non-English- or non-Spanish-preferred language had lower adjusted odds of having a missed opportunity (adjusted odds ratio, 0.25 [95% confidence interval, 0.07-0.87], P = .03). No other patient characteristics assessed in this study were significantly associated with having a missed opportunity.

CONCLUSION

A majority of young-adult women in this study had missed opportunities for human papillomavirus immunization, and significant racial disparity was observed. The greatest frequency of missed opportunities occurred with visits for either contraception or for sexually transmitted disease screening.

GSTP1 Ile105Val and XRCC1 Arg399Gln gene polymorphisms contribute to the clinical outcome of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) and X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) genetic variations may in-fluence the efficacy of chemotherapy in various cancers. We investi-gated the possible roles of GSTP1 Ile105Val and XRCC1 Arg194Trp, and Arg399Gln gene polymorphisms in the prognosis of advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients with cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Between January 2010 and December 2012, this study consecutively recruited 141 patients with advanced NSCLC from the First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province. Logistic regression analy-sis showed that individuals carrying the GG genotype were associated with a better response to chemotherapy than those with the wide-type genotype, with an adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval, CI) of 4.07 (1.06-25.06). Moreover, we observed that the AA genotype of XRCC1 Arg399Gln was correlated with a greater complete response + partial response to chemotherapy than that with the GG genotype (odds ratio = 2.71, 95%CI = 1.13-10.08). Based on the Cox hazard proportional model, the GG genotype of GSTP1 Ile105Val was found to be associated with a lower risk of death from all causes as compared to that with the AA genotype (hazard ratio = 0.07, 95%CI = 0.01-0.34). In summary, we suggest that GSTP1 Ile105Val and XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphisms could influence the response to chemotherapy and sur-vival of advanced NSCLC.

Anomalous electron collimation in HgTe quantum wells with inverted band structure

We investigate the electron collimation behavior in HgTe quantum wells (QWs) with a magnetic-electric barrier induced by a ferromagnetic metal stripe. We find that electrons can transmit perfectly through the magnetic-electric barrier at some specific incidence angles. These angles can be controlled by the tuning gate voltage, local magnetic field and Fermi energy of incident electrons in QWs with appropriate barrier length. This collimation feature can be used to construct momentum filters in HgTe QWs and has potential application in nanodevices.

The effect of glucagon-like peptide 2 injection on performance, small intestinal morphology, and nutrient transporter expression of stressed broiler chickens

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of injecting glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) on the small intestinal weight, morphology, and nutrient transporter expression in pharmacologically stressed broiler chickens. A total of 144 seven-day-old birds were fed either a basal diet (CTRL) or a basal diet plus 30 mg of corticosterone (CORT)/kg of diet for a total of 14 d. Half of the birds from each group were injected daily with GLP-2 (6.7 nmol/kg of BW) or saline for 14 d. The average final BW, ADG, ADFI, and the ratio of feed intake to weight gain (F:G) was recorded over 21 d for the 4 groups of 36 birds, namely CTRL + saline, CTRL + GLP-2, CORT + saline, and CORT + GLP-2. In addition, the absolute and relative small intestinal weight, villus height (VH), and crypt depth (CD) of the duodenum and jejunum, as well as the abundance of sodium and glucose co-transporter 1 (SGLT-1), vitamin D-dependent calcium-binding protein-28,000 molecular weight (CaBP-D28k), and peptide transporter 1 (PepT-1) mRNA in the duodenum and of liver fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) mRNA in the jejunum. The total DNA, RNA, and protein content in small intestinal mucosa were also determined. The results showed that CORT administration significantly lowered average final BW, ADG, ADFI, absolute small intestinal weight, VH, and CD of duodenum and jejunum (P < 0.05) while increasing the relative small intestinal weight, F:G, relative abundance of SGLT-1, CaBP-D28k, PepT-1, and L-FABP mRNA (P < 0.05). Glucagon-like peptide 2 injection increased the average final BW, ADG, VH, and CD in duodenum and jejunum and relative abundance of SGLT-1, CaBP-28k, PepT1, and PepT1 mRNA of broiler chickens, respectively (P < 0.05), and decreased F:G (P < 0.05). In chickens fed basal diet plus CORT, injecting GLP-2 decreased F:G (P < 0.05); increased VH and CD of duodenum and CD of jejunum; and increased relative abundance of SGLT-1, CaBP-D28k, PepT-1, and L-FABP mRNA, RNA, and total protein content in small intestine compared with the injection of saline (P < 0.05). In birds fed the basal diet, GLP-2 injection decreased F:G (P < 0.05) and increased final BW, ADG, small bowel weight, CD of jejunum, and relative abundance of CaBP-D28k and PepT-1 mRNA compared with injecting saline (P < 0.05). In conclusion, GLP-2 injection reversed the negative effect of stress on the weight and morphology and the absorptive function of small bowel of broiler chickens. Glucagon-like peptide 2 injection also had a positive effect on the growth performance of healthy broiler chickens.

Safety and radiation-enhancing effect of sodium glycididazole in locoregionally advanced laryngeal cancers previously treated with platinum-containing chemotherapy regimens: A preliminary report

PURPOSE

To determine the safety and radiation-enhancing effect of sodium glycididazole in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (stage T3-4,N0-3,M0) with conventional radiotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with locoregional advanced laryngeal cancer (stage T3-4,N0-3,M0) were included: group 1(control, n=30)were not administered of sodium glycididazole; group 2 (test, n=30) received sodium glycididazole at a dose of 700 mg/m(2) intravenous infusion 30 minutes before radiotherapy three times a week. Surrogate end-points of efficacy were tumor and nodal size. Safety parameters were vomiting, nausea, mucositis, laryngeal edema, esophagus and skin reaction, dysphagia, dyspnea, neurological deficit. Patients were evaluated weekly during treatment for 7 weeks and thereafter monthly for 3 months.

RESULTS

In the test, the overall response rate was 88.89% (95%CI, 71.00-97.00%) at 7 weeks and 92.59% (95%CI, 76.00 to 99.00%) at 1 month of follow-up. In the control, the overall response rate was 62.5% (95%CI, 41.00 to 81.00%) at 7 weeks and 58.33% (95%CI, 37.00 to 78.00%) at 1 month of follow-up. The short-term locoregional response rate was better in the test group at 7 weeks (p=0.027) and at 1 month (p=0.005) of follow-up. The test group had significantly more nausea and vomiting in weeks 1 (p=0.047), 2 (p=0.007), and 3 (p=0.01) of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The study indicates sodium glycididazole is an effective radiation-enhancing agent that improves short-term locoregional control and is well tolerated in patients with locoregionally advanced laryngeal cancer.

[Nucelotide sequence of an ECHO virus isolated from a meningiti]

BACKGROUND

To determine the nucleotide sequences of W strain (Zhaoyuan/W/87) isolated from a meningitis patient, and compare them with the sequences of relational enteroviruses.

METHODS

Virion RNA was transcribed into cDNA by reverse transcriptase, cDNA was amplified by PCR, the products of PCR were purified. Then RNA sequence analysis was performed by the dideoxynucleotide chain termination method using synthetic oligodeoxynucleotide primers.

RESULTS

The partial nucleotide sequences of 5 UTR, region 2C and 3D of W strain (Zhaoyuan/W/87) were respectively 244, 275 and 353 nucleotides long. The complete nucleotide sequences of region VP1 were 876 nucleotides long coding 292 amino acids. In comparison with the VP1 sequence of two ECHO29 strains in Genbank through internet, the homogeneity of nucleotide sequence were 82.1% and 81.7%, that of amino sequence were 95.1% and 94.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

W strain Zhaoyuna/W/87) was a mutation strain of ECHO29.

Phylogeny and quaternary history of the European montane/alpine endemic Soldanella (Primulaceae) based on ITS and AFLP variation

Soldanella contains 16 species of herbaceous perennials that are endemic to the central and south European high mountains. The genus is ecogeographically subdivided into forest/montane and alpine species. Evolutionary relationships and large-scale biogeographic patterns were inferred from parsimony analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of nuclear ribosomal DNA, and genetic distance analyses based on amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. The ITS region proved useful for examining subgeneric relationships and testing hypotheses on genus-wide divergence times, whereas the AFLP markers were suitable for studying relationships among closely related taxa and biogeographic patterns of divergence. Neither ITS nor AFLP data supported sectional delimitations, particularly those related to the grouping of S. alpina (sect. Soldanella) with S. pusilla (sect. Tubiflores), which may be the result of hybridization. Additional results and conclusions drawn are (1) Soldanella is derived from an ancestor of Asian origin with a montane ecology; (2) estimates of divergence times suggest a late Quaternary origin of the genus; (3) alpine species of sect. Tubiflores diverged from within a paraphyletic sect. Soldanella of mainly montane species; (4) alpine and montane species of Soldanella experienced different cycles of range expansion and contraction during late Quaternary climatic changes, resulting in differential patterns of geographic distribution; and (5) AFLP divergence among montane species from eastern Europe was lower than between alpine species; we hypothesize that the latter differentiated in allopatric regions of expansion during glacials, while the former experienced secondary contact at lower elevations in more southern refugia.

[Detection of Coxsackie B virus IgM antibody in myocarditis patients by Mac ELISA]

OBJECTIVE

To detect Coxsackie B virus type 1-6 IgM antibodies from 193 clinically diagnosed myocarditis cases.

METHODS

The capture IgM ELISA (Mac ELISA) test was used.

RESULTS

The total positive rate of Coxsackie virus B 1-6 IgM antibody in myocarditis patients was 69.6% (135 cases), among which Cox B3 type was as high as 40% (54 cases) of the total positive patients. The others were 29.6% (40 cases), 18.5% (25 cases), 7.4%(10 cases), 3.0% (4 cases), 1.5% (2 cases) of Cox B2, Cox B4, Cox B1, Cox B5 and Cox B6 respectively. Meanwhile only 20.4% (37 cases) Cox B IgM positive cases could be detected in 181 non-myocarditis patients of same ages. The results showed that the positive rate of Cox B virus IgM antibody in clinically diagnosed myocarditis was significantly higher than that in control group (P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The Cox B viruses may be the main agents causing viral myocarditis in Beijing cases. Mac ELISA is an easy, rapid, specific and sensitive method to detect Cox B virus IgM antibody for early and rapid diagnosis of myocarditis.

Molecular evolution of a type 1 wild-vaccine poliovirus recombinant during widespread circulation in China

Type 1 wild-vaccine recombinant polioviruses were isolated from poliomyelitis patients in China from 1991 to 1993. We compared the sequences of 34 recombinant isolates over the 1,353-nucleotide (nt) genomic interval (nt 2480 to 3832) encoding the major capsid protein, VP1, and the protease, 2A. All recombinants had a 367-nt block of sequence (nt 3271 to 3637) derived from the Sabin 1 oral poliovirus vaccine strain spanning the 3'-terminal sequences of VP1 (115 nt) and the 5' half of 2A (252 nt). The remaining VP1 sequences were closely (up to 99.5%) related to those of a major genotype of wild type 1 poliovirus endemic to China up to 1994. In contrast, the non-vaccine-derived sequences at the 3' half of 2A were more distantly related (<90% nucleotide sequence match) to those of other contemporary wild polioviruses from China. The vaccine-derived sequences of the earliest (April 1991) isolates completely matched those of Sabin 1. Later isolates diverged from the early isolates primarily by accumulation of synonymous base substitutions (at a rate of approximately 3.7 x 10(-2) substitutions per synonymous site per year) over the entire VP1-2A interval. Distinct evolutionary lineages were found in different Chinese provinces. From the combined epidemiologic and evolutionary analyses, we propose that the recombinant virus arose during mixed infection of a single individual in northern China in early 1991 and that its progeny spread by multiple independent chains of transmission into some of the most populous areas of China within a year of the initiating infection.

Status of the eradication of indigenous wild poliomyelitis in the People's Republic of China

A large nationwide outbreak occurred in 1989-1990 in China, in which nearly 10,000 poliomyelitis cases were reported. After two rounds of oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) supplemental activity in nearly every province in the 1992-1993 winter season, no wild poliovirus was detected in 1993 in 22 provinces in the middle of China that contained 86% of the population. During the first national immunization days (NIDs) conducted in December 1993 and January 1994, 83 million children 0-47 months of age were immunized. In 1994, wild poliovirus was identified in only 6 of 2397 children with stool specimens tested. After a second NID in December 1994 and January 1995, no wild poliovirus was detected in 1995 despite a very high level of virus surveillance. In summary, double-round mass supplemental OPV immunizations in children 0-3 years old in two consecutive winters eliminated wild poliovirus from 23% of the world's population (1.2 billion people).

Surveillance for polio eradication in the People's Republic of China

A case-based virus surveillance system for wild poliovirus in China was developed. By 1993, all 30 provincial immunization units and, by 1994, all 29 provincial laboratories were sending computerized data to the national level. In 1993, a county-level, computerized map was operationalized that permitted visual monitoring of the progress of the polio eradication program every month by county. In 1993, wild poliovirus type 1 was detected in 8 provinces. Wild poliovirus mainly caused clusters of polio cases identified by a surveillance system that detected primarily clinical polio in children <5 years old (1 stool sample was collected on approximately 50% of reported cases). By 1995, the surveillance system had reached certification-like levels (80% of acute flaccid paralysis [AFP] patients with 2 stool specimens and AFP case rate of 1/100,000 children <15 years old). No indigenous wild poliovirus was detected in 1995. This general case-based model can be applied to measles and other important diseases, and may then lead to a more rapid decrease in adverse health outcomes.

Genetic basis of the neurovirulence of type 1 polioviruses isolated from vaccine-associated paralytic patients

We examined four type 1 polioviruses isolated from the stools of patients with vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis in China. All of these isolates were shown to be Sabin derived viruses by restriction fragment length polymorphism assay after polymerase chain reaction and by sequencing of the viral genome encoding the viral coat protein, VP1. However, the same analysis of the 3D coding region suggested that two of the four isolates had the sequence of wild type poliovirus in the tested region. Furthermore there were also point mutations in the 5' non-coding region. One was a single base change from U to C at nucleotide position 525, and the other three were from G to A at position 480. All the four strains were more neurovirulent that Sabin type 1 virus in transgenic mice with human poliovirus receptor gene. The data showed that the nucleotide positions of type 1 poliovirus which were identified to be in favor of the high neurovirulence were indeed changed during natural transmission, and suggested that the point mutation alone or a recombination of the vaccine type with wild type genome results in an acquisition of neurovirulence.

Complex behaviours of AB model describing idiotypic network

A simple chemical model of the idiotypic network of immune systems, namely the AB model, has been developed by De Boer et al. The complexity of the system, such as the steady states, periodic oscillations and chaotic motions, has been examined by the authors mentioned above. In the present paper, the periodic motions and chaotic behaviours exhibited by the system are intuitively described. To clarify in which parameter domains concerned the system exhibits periodic oscillations and in which parameter domains the system demonstrates chaotic behaviours the Lyapounov exponent is explored. To characterize the strangeness of the attractors, the fractal dimension problem is worked out.

Distribution of wild type 1 poliovirus genotypes in China

Poliomyelitis remains an important public health problem in China. Most cases and outbreaks are associated with wild type 1 polioviruses. To obtain an overview of type 1 poliovirus transmission in China, partial genomic sequences were compared for 24 case isolates from 12 provinces. Because polioviruses evolve rapidly during infection of humans, the genetic relationships among isolates provide a measure of the extent of epidemiologic linkage among cases. The observed genetic relationships were complex: six different genotypes, apparently derived from five separate endemic origins, were found. One genotype was recombinant, having noncapsid sequences derived from the Sabin type 1 vaccine strain and capsid sequences derived from a genotype indigenous to several northern and eastern provinces. Some isolates from geographically separate provinces were closely related; other isolates were related to wild polioviruses found in neighboring countries. The combination of epidemiologic and virologic analyses may facilitate the development of more effective strategies for poliomyelitis eradication.

Demonstration of the anti-viral activity of garlic extract against human cytomegalovirus in vitro

The in vitro anti-viral activity of garlic extract (GE) on human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) was evaluated by tissue culture, plaque reduction and early antigen assay. A dose dependent inhibitory effect of GE was evident when GE was applied simultaneously with HCMV. But the effect was stronger when the monolayers were pretreated with GE. In addition, the anti-viral effect of GE persisted long in infected cells after its being removed from the culture medium. The strongest anti-viral effect of GE was demonstrated when it was applied continuously. It is therefore recommended that clinical use of GE against HCMV infection should be persistent and the prophylactic use of GE is preferable in immunocompromised patients.

Muscarinic receptors in canine colonic circular smooth muscle. I. Coexistence of M2 and M3 subtypes

The parasympathetic neurotransmitter acetylcholine, acting postsynaptically at the smooth muscle muscarinic receptor, is a principle determinant of colonic motility. In order to elucidate the receptor signal-transduction events responsible for muscarinic receptor-induced contraction of colonic circular smooth muscle, we present here and in the accompanying work studies designed to characterize the muscarinic receptors present in colon and to determine their biochemical coupling. Muscarinic receptor subtypes in canine colonic circular smooth muscle were characterized using radioligand binding techniques. The nonselective muscarinic receptor antagonist radioligand [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate ([3H]QNB) binds rapidly and reversibly to a single class of saturable sites in colon circular smooth muscle membranes, with an affinity (KD) for the antagonist radioligand of 79.8 +/- 12.6 pM and a density of 123.3 +/- 18.7 fmol/mg of protein. Experiments using membranes prepared from isolated cells purified from the circular smooth muscle layer of canine colon (KD = 102.4 +/- 13.5 pM) confirm the smooth muscle origin of the binding and yield a receptor density of 124,340 receptors/cell. The order of potencies of selective muscarinic receptor antagonists in competition with [3H]QNB for binding to colonic receptors is 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methobromide greater than methoctramine greater than AF-DX 116 greater than pirenzepine. Unlike other antagonists tested, pirenzepine competition of [3H]QNB binding is biphasic. The high and low affinities deduced from nonlinear fit of the binding data in colon correlate very well with affinities determined for pirenzepine in mixtures of both submandibular gland (M3) and atrium (M2), indicating the presence of two muscarinic receptor subtypes (82% M2, 18% M3) in colon circular smooth muscle. The muscarinic agonist carbachol binds to both high and low affinity sites in colon, and addition of guanine nucleotide (100 microM GTP gamma S) shifts the agonist competition curve to the right, without eliminating high affinity binding sites. Agonist competition studies with a known ratio of M2 and M3 receptors, obtained by mixing pure M2 and M3 populations, predict the result obtained in colon. cDNA probes specific for each of the muscarinic receptors m1 through m4 were hybridized to colon RNA in a Northern blot analysis. Only m2 and m3 probes hybridized to colon RNA, suggesting the presence of both M2 and M3 receptors. Our data demonstrate that the colon circular smooth muscle contains muscarinic receptors of both the M2 and M3 subtypes, which may be coupled to disparate signal transduction pathways important in the physiological actions of acetylcholine in this tissue.

Muscarinic receptors in canine colonic circular smooth muscle. II. Signal transduction pathways

We have, in the accompanying work, demonstrated the coexistence of M2 and M3 muscarinic receptors in the circular smooth muscle of canine colon. In the present study, the effects of muscarinic receptor stimulation on phosphoinositide turnover and adenylate cyclase activity were examined. In myo-[3H]inositol-labeled circular smooth muscle strips, carbachol caused a concentration-dependent (EC50 = 5 microM) increase in [3H]inositol phosphate production. The more M3 receptor-selective muscarinic antagonist pirenzepine (KB = 53 nM) was approximately 60 times more potent than the more M2-selective agent AF-DX 116 (KB = 3 microM) in blocking carbachol-elicited accumulation of [3H]inositol phosphates. The carbachol-stimulated increase in [3H]inositol phosphate accumulation was not affected by pretreatment of the tissue with pertussis toxin (200 ng/ml, 3 hr). Within the first minute, carbachol (100 microM) caused a rapid and transient increase of [3H]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate production that oscillated continuously in the presence of agonist (120 min). The accumulation of [3H]inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate was also extremely rapid, reaching a peak at 15 sec. The accumulation of [3H]inositol monophosphate was delayed and progressively increased over 30 min. [3H]inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate, although not detectable in the first minute, accumulated to significant levels over 30 min in the presence of agonist. Addition of carbachol in the adenylate cyclase assay caused inhibition of forskolin-stimulated [32P]cAMP production and blocked forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation in the intact tissue. The inhibitory effects of carbachol on adenylate cyclase were blocked by atropine, AF-DX 116, and 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methobromide but were unaffected by the more M3-selective agent pirenzepine (1 microM). Pretreatment of tissues with pertussis toxin completely eliminated M2 receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity, without altering inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate accumulation. We conclude that muscarinic receptor stimulation of inositol trisphosphate production is mediated by the M3 receptor coupled to a pertussis toxin-insensitive GTP-binding protein and results in the rapid formation of inositol tetrakisphosphate, whereas inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity is mediated by the M2 subtype of muscarinic receptor coupled to the pertussis toxin-sensitive GTP-binding protein Gi.

Optimization of an alcian blue dot-blot assay for the detection of glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans

A modification of a method for the detection of proteoglycans on positively charged nylon was adapted for use in a dot-blot assay and improved. Different dot-blot membranes were tested and variations in the Alcian blue staining solution (including pH, critical electrolyte concentration, and ionic strength) were explored. With modifications, we were able to eliminate interferences by other polyanions such as DNA or proteins. We were able to detect glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans down to the 10 ng range. Furthermore, our assay is compatible with high concentration of urea (up to 7 M) used in classic proteoglycans extraction methods and is a useful tool to monitor the isolation of proteoglycans by anion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. It is technically easier, faster, more sensitive, and more specific than previously published methods and can be adaptated as a quantitative assay using a scanning densitometer with a linear range of detection from 10 to 100 ng of glycosaminoglycans.

Characterization of serotonergic receptors mediating contraction of ovine umbilical artery

Responses to serotonergic agonists were studied in isolated umbilical arteries obtained from fetal lambs within 2 weeks of term. The order of potency of the agonists was determined to be 2,5-dimethoxy-4-methyl-amphetamine (DOM) greater than 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) greater than alpha-methyl-5-HT greater than 1-(3-chlorophenyl) piperazine = m-trifluoromethyl-phenylpiperazine greater than 8-hydroxy-dipropylaminotetralin greater than 2-methyl-5-HT greater than 1-(2-methoxyphenyl) piperazine. Variations in the sensitivity and potency of the agonists results primarily from the variation in the affinity for the 5-HT2 receptor and less so in the efficacy, alpha-Methyl-5-HT was a full agonist compared to 5-HT. The others were partial agonists. The mean KA values for 5-HT and DOM were 4.71 +/- 0.62 x 10(-7) and 0.36 +/- 0.04 x 10(-7) M, respectively. Contractions to 5-HT and DOM were antagonized by ketanserin with pA2 values being 9.4 and 9.1, respectively, suggesting that they act on the same receptor and that their responses are mediated by 5-HT2 receptors. Contractile responses to 8-hydroxy-dipropylaminotetralin, 2-methyl-5-HT and the phenylpiperazines [m-trifluoromethyl-phenylpiperazine and 1-(3-chlorophenyl) piperazine] were also blocked by ketanserin (10(-8) M), indicating that contractions produced by these agonists were mediated by 5-HT2 receptors. No antagonism by MDL 72222 (3-tropanyl-3,5-dichlorobenzoate) of responses to 5-HT indicates that 5-HT3 receptors are not present in this tissue.

[Cytochemistry of bile canaliculi in rats with experimental obstructive jaundice]

The enzymic activities of hepatocytes, especially the bile canaliculi, of rats with experimental obstructive jaundice were studied by using electron microscopic cytochemistry. Common hepatic duct was ligated in rats, and liver tissue was taken from these animals 4 days after the operation for comparison with that of normal rats. The main results of this experiment were as follows: (1) Lumens of bile canaliculi were obviously enlarged. The microvilli became shortened and thickened, or even disappeared. The exoplasm was thickened as well. (2) The activity of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase, G-6-Pase, Ca(++)-ATPase and NDPase in the wall of bile canaliculi was obviously reduced. (3) The activity of cytochrome oxidase in hepatocytes was also obviously reduced. The significance of the changes in these enzymic activity is discussed.

[Detection of specific IgM in the CSF for early and rapid diagnosis of herpes simplex virus encephalitis]

A capture-ELISA for detecting IgM in CSF was developed for the purpose of rapid and early diagnosis of herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis. In 37 cases with sporadic HSV encephalitis the CSF IgM was measured. In 13 cases the results were positive, in the others it was negative. 17 cases with other central nervous system disorders were taken as control group in which only one case with Guillain-Barré syndrome showed positive test and all the others were HSV antibody negative except one with IgG positive in CSF who had undergone a brain operation two weeks prior to the test.

Characterization of IM virus, which is frequently isolated from cerebrospinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis and other chronic diseases of the central nervous system

A transmissible agent, the IM virus, antigenically related to the Japanese subacute myelo-optico-neuropathy virus, has been isolated from several human cerebrospinal fluids obtained from American patients with multiple sclerosis and other chronic diseases of the central nervous system. The isolates were propagated in human diploid fibroblast (MRC5) cells, and virus was released into the culture medium in the absence of overt cytolysis. Infection of MRC5 cells resulted in a subtle alteration in the normal growth pattern of the cells. In unstained cultures, the cell changes were so mild that it was necessary to carry out all virus assays under code to eliminate bias. Cells in late passages were more susceptible than vigorously growing cells in early passages. Analysis of the kinetics of replication revealed that newly synthesized progeny virus was first detected about 12 h postinfection, that maximal virus release occurred by 48 h postinfection, and that virus production was persistent throughout an 8-day period. Several inhibitors of DNA synthesis were effective in blocking viral replication, including cytosine arabinoside, iododeoxyuridine, and phosphonoacetic acid. A substantial decrease in infectivity was observed upon treatment of IM virus with ether, suggesting that a lipid-containing structure is essential for infectivity. Ultrafiltration studies approximated the size (diameter) of IM virus to be between 100 and 200 nm.