[Microanatomy and functional MRI study of arcuate fasciculus and superior longitudinal fasciculus]

Objectives: To explore the microanatomy and functional MRI(fMRI) of arcuate fasciculus(AF) and superior longitudinal fasciculus(SLF),and to analyze their functions. Methods: Ten normal adult cadaveric head specimens (20 cerebral hemispheres) were fixed with 10% methanal at the Translational Research Institute for Neurological Disorders of the Wannan Medical Collegefrom February to December 2022.The Klingler fiber dissection technique was utilized to perform white matter fiber dissection,with a magnification ranging from 6 to 40.The study focused on the microanatomical structures of the AF and SLF,aiming to explore their relationships with deep brain fibers.Furthermore, six healthy adult volunteers who underwent fMRI of the brain were included.The collected diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data were processed and integrated with the microanatomical findings for a comprehensive analysis. Results: After removing the gray matter of the cerebral cortex,the superficial U fibers were exposed.The long association fibers that beneath the U fibers were the AF and SLF,which were the main long association fibers in the superficial layers of the brain.The AF could be divided into dorsal and ventral parts,while the SLF could be divided into Ⅰ,Ⅱ,and Ⅲ.SLF Ⅰ lied within the upper bank of the cingulate sulcus,travels medial to the callosal sulcus.The SLF Ⅱ,Ⅲ,and the AF were located on the lateral surface of the brain.By removing the gray matter of the insular cortex and the extreme capsule,exposing the external capsule and claustrum.Subsequently,the AF and SLF Ⅱ,Ⅲ were dissected,revealing the corona radiata and sagittal stratum,along with other deep brain fibers.During the dissection,it was observed that there was a close connection between the AF,SLF Ⅱ,and the deep brain fibers.Furthermore,in the regions above the lateral fissure of the cerebral hemisphere,there was no direct connection of long association fibers between the gray matter cortex and the deep U fibers in the coronal plane.These findings were further supported by DTI studies. Conclusions: The AF and SLF are the major long association fibers that located in the superficial layers of the brain,and closely connect to the gray matter cortex and U fibers,even closely relate with deep brain fibers.In the regions above the lateral fissure of the hemisphere,only the AF and SLF Ⅱ and Ⅲ serve as superficial long association fibers in the anterior-posterior direction.These fibers are likely involved in the transmission of brain functional information between the top and bottom gray matter cortex in the coronal plane above the lateral fissure.

Realizing optical bistability and tristability in plasmonic coated nanoparticles with radial-anisotropy and Kerr-nonlinearity

We theoretically study the optical bistability and tristability in plasmonic coated nanospheres containing the nonlinear plasmonic shell and the dielectric core with radial anisotropy. Based on self-consistent mean-field approximation, we establish the relationship between the local field in the shell and the applied incident field, taking into account the Lorentz local field. One or two optical bistabilities and even optical tristability can be observed. Especially, there are two critical geometric parameters between which two optical bistabilities exist. Physically, two optical bistablities result from the excitations of two surface plasmonic resonant modes in the inner and outer interfaces of coated nanospheres, which are well reflected from the spectral representation with two poles. Moreover, the involvement of the radial anisotropy is quite essential to realize the optical tristability. Further discussion on the field-induced tuning of the reflectance reveals the macroscopic properties of this nonlinear optical structure, which provides a potential candidate for designing multi-stable optical devices at the nanoscale.

Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester Effects: In Silico Study of its Osteoimmunological Mechanisms

Background:

Biological system complexity impedes the drug target identification by biological experiments. Thus drugs, rather than acting on target site only, can interact with the entire biological system. Study of this phenomenon, known as network pharmacology, provides grounds for biological target identification of new drugs or acts as a foundation for the discovery of new targets of present drugs. No publication is available on the interaction network of CAPE.

Aim:

This study was aimed at the investigation of the candidate targets and possible interactions of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) involved in its osteoimmunological effects.

Methods:

This study encompasses the investigation of candidate targets and possible interactions of CAPE by analyzing through PASS Prediction and constructing a biological network of CAPE.

Results:

In response to input (CAPE), PASS Prediction generated a network of 1723 targets. While selecting the probability to be active (Pa) value greater than 0.7 brought forth only 27 targets for CAPE. Most of these targets predicted the therapeutic role of CAPE as an osteoimmunological agent. Apart from this, this network pharmacology also identified 10 potential anti-cancer targets for CAPE, out of which 7 targets have been used efficiently in developing potent osteoimmunological drugs.

Conclusion:

This study provides scientific prediction of the mechanisms involved in osteoimmunological effects of CAPE, presenting its promising use in the development of a natural therapeutic agent for the pharmaceutical industry. CAPE targets identified by web-based online databases and network pharmacology need additional in silico assessment such as docking and MD simulation studies and experimental verification to authenticate these results.

Effects of BSF on Podocyte Apoptosis via Regulating the ROS-Mediated PI3K/AKT Pathway in DN

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The ROS-mediated PI3K/AKT pathway plays a key role in podocyte apoptosis and DN progression. Our previous study demonstrated that Baoshenfang (BSF) can decrease proteinuria and attenuate podocyte injury. However, the effects of BSF on podocyte apoptosis induced by the ROS-mediated PI3K/AKT pathway remain unclear. Herein, in vivo and in vitro studies have been performed. In our in vivo study, BSF significantly decreased 24-h urinary protein, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen levels in DN mice. Meanwhile, BSF significantly inhibited oxidative stress and podocyte apoptosis in our in vivo and in vitro studies. Moreover, BSF significantly decreased the inhibition of the PI3K/AKT pathway induced by HG in DN. More importantly, the effects of BSF on podocyte apoptosis were reversed by PI3K siRNA transfection. In conclusion, BSF can decrease proteinuria and podocyte apoptosis in DN, in part through regulating the ROS-mediated PI3K/AKT pathway.

[Treatment of patients with different degree of acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by inhalation of white smoke]

Objective: To summarize the treatment experience of patients with different degree of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by inhalation of white smoke from burning smoke bomb. Methods: A batch of 13 patients with different degree of ARDS caused by inhalation of white smoke from burning smoke bomb, including 2 patients complicated by pulmonary fibrosis at the late stage, were admitted to our unit in February 2016. Patients were divided into mild (9 cases), moderate (2 cases), and serious (2 cases) degree according to the ARDS Berlin diagnostic criteria. Patients with mild and moderate ARDS were conventionally treated with glucocorticoid. Patients with severe ARDS were sequentially treated with glucocorticoid and pirfenidone, and ventilator-assisted breathing, etc. were applied. The vital signs, arterial oxygenation index, changes of lung imaging, pulmonary ventilation function, general condition, and the other important organs/systems function were timely monitored according to the condition of patients. The above indexes were also monitored during the follow-up time of 10-15 months post injury. Data were processed with SPSS 18.0 statistical software. Results: (1) The symptoms of respiratory system of patients with mild and moderate ARDS almost disappeared after 3 days' treatment. Their arterial oxygenation index was decreased from post injury day 1 to 4, which almost recovered on post injury day 7 and completely recovered one month post injury. The symptoms of respiratory system of patients with severe ARDS almost disappeared at tranquillization condition 1-3 month (s) post injury. Their arterial oxygenation index was decreased from post injury day 3 to 21, which gradually recovered 1-3 month (s) post injury and was normal 15 months post injury. (2) Within 24 hours post injury, there was no obvious abnormality or only a little texture enlargement of lung in image of chest CT or X-rays of patients with mild and moderate ARDS. One patient with moderate ARDS had diffuse patchy and ground-glass like increased density shadow (pulmonary exudation for short) at post injury hour 96. Chest iconography of all patients with mild and moderate ARDS showed no abnormalities 10 months post injury. Both lungs of each of the two patients with severe ARDS showed obvious pulmonary exudation at post injury hours 45 and 75, respectively. One patient with severe ARDS showed no abnormality in chest image 10 months post injury, but there was still a small mesh-like increased density shadow in double lobes with slight adhesion of pleura in the other patient with severe ARDS 15 months post injury. (3) All patients showed severe restrictive hypoventilation when admitted to hospital. Pulmonary ventilation function of patients with mild and moderate ARDS recovered to normal one month post injury, and they could do exercises like running, etc. Pulmonary ventilation function of one patient with severe ARDS recovered to normal 6 months post injury, and the patient could do exercises like running, etc. The other patient with severe ARDS showed mild restrictive hypoventilation 15 months post injury and could do exercises like rapid walking, etc. (4) The condition of all mild and one moderate ARDS patients was better on post injury day 3, and they were transferred to the local hospital for subsequent treatment and left hospital on post injury day 21. One patient with moderate ARDS healed and left hospital on post injury day 29. Patients with severe ARDS healed and left hospital on post injury day 81. During the follow-up time of 10-15 months post injury, the other important organs/systems of all patients showed no abnormality, and there was no adverse reaction of glucocorticoid like osteoporosis, femoral head necrosis, or metabolic disorder. Two patients with severe ARDS did not have any adverse reaction of pirfenidone like liver function damage, photosensitivity, anorexia, or lethargy. Conclusions: Early enough and uninterrupted application of glucocorticoid can significantly reduce the ARDS of patients caused by inhalation of white smoke from burning smoke bomb. Sequential application of glucocorticoid and pirfenidone can effectively treat pulmonary fibrosis at the late stage.

Hybrid Ag@TiO2 core-shell nanostructures with highly enhanced photocatalytic performance

A new synthetic approach has been developed to prepare silver@titanium dioxide (Ag@TiO2) core-shell nanostructures with controllable size, shape, crystal phase and function at ambient conditions (e.g. in water, ≤100 ° C). This approach shows a few unique features, including short reaction time (a few minutes) for forming core-shell nanostructures, no requirement of high temperature calcinations for generating TiO2 (e.g. at ~100 ° C in our case), tunable TiO2 shell thickness, high yield and good reproducibility. The experimental results show that the Ag@TiO2 core-shell nanostructures exhibit excellent photocatalytic activity compared to the commercial TiO2 (P25) and Ag-doped TiO2 nanocomposite in the degradation of organic dye molecules (e.g. methyl orange) with ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. This could be attributed to the large surface area of TiO2 nanoparticles for maximum harvesting of UV light, mixed anatase and rutile crystalline phases in the TiO2 shell and the effective charge separation between Ag and TiO2 that can reduce the possible recombination of electron-hole (e(-)-h(+)) pairs within TiO2 generated under UV radiation. To further understand the charge separation situation within Ag-TiO2 composites, theoretical simulation (e.g. density functional theory, DFT) was employed in this study. The DFT simulation results indicate that for the Ag@TiO2 core-shell nanostructures, photo-generated electrons transfer readily from the external TiO2 layer to the internal Ag layer with heavy accumulation compared to those doping Ag on TiO2 surfaces, which may reduce the recombination of e(-)-h(+) pairs and thus enhance the photocatalytic efficiency. The findings may open a new strategy to synthesize TiO2-based photocatalysts with highly enhanced efficiency for environmental remediation applications.

Role of Temperature in the Growth of Silver Nanoparticles Through a Synergetic Reduction Approach

This study presents the role of reaction temperature in the formation and growth of silver nanoparticles through a synergetic reduction approach using two or three reducing agents simultaneously. By this approach, the shape-/size-controlled silver nanoparticles (plates and spheres) can be generated under mild conditions. It was found that the reaction temperature could play a key role in particle growth and shape/size control, especially for silver nanoplates. These nanoplates could exhibit an intensive surface plasmon resonance in the wavelength range of 700-1,400 nm in the UV-vis spectrum depending upon their shapes and sizes, which make them useful for optical applications, such as optical probes, ionic sensing, and biochemical sensors. A detailed analysis conducted in this study clearly shows that the reaction temperature can greatly influence reaction rate, and hence the particle characteristics. The findings would be useful for optimization of experimental parameters for shape-controlled synthesis of other metallic nanoparticles (e.g., Au, Cu, Pt, and Pd) with desirable functional properties.

Role of citric acid in the formation of silver nanoplates through a synergistic reduction approach

This study discusses the function of citrate ions in the synthesis of silver nanoplates through a synergetic reduction approach in ambient conditions. It was found that the citrate ions can play multiple roles in the synthesis process, including a reducing agent, a stabilizer, and a complex agent, and they show some unique features under the reported conditions. The reducing ability of these citrate ions was shown to be weaker than that of sodium borohydride and/or L-ascorbic acid used in the same system. The stability in the shape/size control of silver particles is weaker than that of other surfactants tested in the present system, such as bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT) and thiols. Citrate ions could form a silver complex with silver ions as [Ag(2)(+)...citrate] or [Ag(3)(C(6)H(5)O(7))(n+1)](3n-), as confirmed by electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry and the kinetic analysis that the molar ratio of citric acid or sodium citrate to silver ions can greatly influence the reaction rate and, hence, the particle growth of silver nanoparticles. Such a complexing effect is further confirmed by the use of chelating ions (e.g., [Fe(CN)(6)](4-)) to form Ag(n)[Fe(CN)(6)](n-4), which can largely influence the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. These results show some formation results of generating silver nanoplates involving citrate ions, which are useful in the shape-controlled synthesis of other metallic nanoparticles with desirable functionalities.

Silver nanoplates: a highly sensitive material toward inorganic anions

This paper demonstrates a simple sensing method to detect inorganic anions by silver nanoplates (edge length of approximately 70 nm and thickness of approximately 2 nm) in aqueous solution. By this method, the solution system containing silver nanoplates shows a high sensitivity on the order of 1 x 10(-6) M in detecting halides, phosphate, and thiocyanate ions in water at room temperature. The sensitivity could be identified by the shift in the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band in UV-vis spectrum. The selectivity of such a sensing system toward various anions was also studied, and it was found that this sensing system could distinguish individual anions (e.g., Cl-, Br-, I-, H2PO4-, and SCN-) from other anions (e.g., F-, SO42-, CH3COO-, NO3-, and ClO4-) and inorganic cations (e.g., Zn2+, Cd2+, and Cu2+) under the given conditions. The sensing mechanism was also analyzed. It was proposed that the particle surface electron charging, which is mainly determined by the interaction tendency between silver atoms and various inorganic anions in water, is responsible for the shift in the SPR observed. The need for further studies was finally discussed, particularly for systems composed of mixed anions.

Optical Properties of Gold Nanorods: DDA Simulations Supported by Experiments

Simulations of the absorption efficiency using the discrete dipole approximation (DDA) method and taking into account the real shape of gold nanorods are reported. A dominant surface plasma band corresponding to the longitudinal resonance is observed. Its maximum position lambda(max) shifts to the red as the aspect ratio increases. The transversal dipolar and multipolar mode wavelength positions are also discussed. These data are in good agreement with previous theoretical work based on classical electrostatic predictions and assuming that gold nanorods behave as ellipsoidal particles. From the experimental point of view, good agreement with the published data for gold nanorods is obtained.

Safe upper limit of intermittent hepatic inflow occlusion for liver resection in cirrhotic rats

AIM: To evaluate the effects of varying ischemic durations on cirrhotic liver and to determine the safe upper limit of repeated intermittent hepatic inflow occlusion.

METHODS: Hepatic ischemia in cirrhotic rats was induced by clamping the common pedicle of left and median lobes after non-ischemic lobes resection. The cirrhotic rats were divided into six groups according to the duration and form of vascular clamping: sham occlusion (SO), intermittent occlusion for 10 (IO-10), 15 (IO-15), 20 (IO-20) and 30 (IO-30) minutes with 5 minutes of reflow and continuous occlusion for 60 minutes (CO-60). All animals received a total duration of 60 minutes of hepatic inflow occlusion. Liver viability was investigated in relation of hepatic adenylate energy charge (EC). Triphenyltetrazollum chloride (TTC) reduction activities were assayed to qualitatively evaluate the degree of irreversible hepatocellular injury. The biochemical and morphological changes were also assessed and a 7-day mortality was observed.

RESULTS: At 60 min after reperfusion following a total of 60 min of hepatic inflow occlusion, EC values in IO-10 (0.749 ± 0.012) and IO-15 (0.699 ± 0.002) groups were rapidly restored to that in SO group (0.748 ± 0.016), TTC reduction activities remained in high levels (0.144 ± 0.002 mg/mg protein, 0.139 ± 0.003 mg/mg protein and 0.121 ± 0.003 mg/mg protein in SO, IO-10 and IO-15 groups, respectively). But in IO-20 and IO-30 groups, EC levels were partly restored (0.457 ± 0.023 and 0.534 ± 0.027) accompanying with a significantly decreased TTC reduction activities (0.070 ± 0.005 mg/mg protein and 0.061 ± 0.003 mg/mg protein). No recovery in EC values (0.228 ± 0.004) and a progressive decrease in TTC reduction activities (0.033 ± 0.002 mg/mg protein) were shown in CO-60 group. Although not significantly different, the activities of the serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) on the third postoperative day (POD₃) and P OD₇ and of the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) on POD₃ in CO-60 group remained higher than that in intermittent occlusion groups. Moreover, a 60% animal mortality rate and more severe morphological alterations were also shown in CO-60 group.

CONCLUSION: Hepatic inflow occlusion during 60 min for liver resection in cirrhotic rats resulted in less hepatocellular injury when occlusion was intermittent rather than continuous. Each period of 15 minutes was the safe upper limit of repeated intermittent vascular occlusion that the cirrhotic liver could tolerate without undergoing irreversible hepatocellular injury.

[A study on breeding of "Ganzaoxian 47" from dry seeds of rice carried by recoverable satellite]

OBJECTIVE

To observe and investigate the variation and heredity of the offspring of dry seeds of rice carried by satellite, hence to select early maturing mutants, and to cultivate directly "Ganzaoxian 47" new varieties for production application. Isozymes analyses and studies of the new varieties and its original CK varieties were made.

METHOD

Dry seeds of rice restorer line were carried to the space on board a recoverable satellite for 7 d in 1992. After recovery the seeds were planted in the field to study the agricultural characters, yield, disease resistance, rice quality and peroxidase isozymes change.

RESULT

Its agricultural characters, yield, disease resistance, rice quality and peroxidase isozymes all showed distinct changes, and new varieties were cultivate directively for production application.

CONCLUSION

It could be considered that certain variations of the rice seeds induced by the space conditions were heritable to the offspring's, and directive cultivation of new varieties is possible for production application. It could be used as a new method for mutagenic seed breeding.

Apolipoprotein B secretion and atherosclerosis are decreased in mice with phospholipid-transfer protein deficiency

Increased secretion and levels of ApoB-containing lipoproteins (BLp) commonly occur in familial hyperlipidemia, obesity and diabetes. The plasma phospholipid-transfer protein (PLTP) is known to mediate transfer of phospholipids between BLp and HDL during their intravascular metabolism. To address a possible role of PLTP in dyslipidemia and atherogenesis, we bred mice deficient in the gene encoding PLTP (PLTP-deficient mice) using different hyperlipidemic mouse strains. In ApoB-transgenic and ApoE-deficient backgrounds, PLTP deficiency resulted in reduced production and levels of BLp and markedly decreased atherosclerosis. BLp secretion was diminished in hepatocytes from ApoB-transgenic PLTP-deficient mice, a defect that was corrected when PLTP was reintroduced in adenovirus. The studies reveal a major, unexpected role of PLTP in regulating the secretion of BLp and identify PLTP as a therapeutic target.

[Study on induced mutation of sorghum seeds on recoverable satellites]

OBJECTIVE

To observe and investigate the variation and heredity of the offspring of dry seeds of sorghum carried by satellite hence to select excellent mutants and to cultivate directivity new varieties for production application.

METHOD

Dry seeds of Tanghui 28, a sorghum restorer line, were carried to the space on board a recoverable satellite for 15 d. After recovery the seeds were planted in the field to study the growth dynamics and change of agricultural characters.

RESULT

Variations of characters such as dwarfing of stalk, significant increase grain weight per spike etc were observed in SP1 generation. Wide separation occurred in SP2 generation. Regardless that only non-significant separation of disease resistance and a very little variation of glum color were observed, the other characters varied significantly, and a super large panicle type varied line was obtained. Its spike length was 4 cm longer, and grain weight per spike was 58.5 g more than the control.

CONCLUSION

It may be considered that the variation of sorghum seeds induced by the space conditions was heritable to the offsprings. Therefore, exposure to the space environment could be used as a method for mutagenic seeds breeding.

[Molecular analysis of space mutant line of kidney bean]

Objective. To identify the occurrence of gene mutant in mutant lines in the offspring of Kidney bean seeds under space flight condition. Method. Kidney bean seeds were carried onboard a recoverable satellite for 15 days in space and were planted on the ground after recovery. Five mutant lines showing variation in the form of leaf blade and their parents were analyzed with RAPD technique. Result. 50 random 10-mer primers were used in this study, among which 20 primers generated 180 polymorphic DNA bands, their size ranged from 200 bp to 2000 bp. 3 primers amplified obviously different bands in the DNA of mutant lines in comparison with that of the control. Conclusion. This is the first molecular analysis of the mutant lines of Kidney bean generated by space mutagenesis at DNA level. The result of RAPD analysis indicated that distinct variations were demonstrated in the DNA of mutant lines as compared with that of the original control.

Plasma sphingomyelin level as a risk factor for coronary artery disease

Only a fraction of the clinical complications of atherosclerosis are explained by known risk factors. Animal studies have shown that plasma sphingomyelin (SM) levels are closely related to the development of atherosclerosis. SM carried into the arterial wall on atherogenic lipoproteins may be locally hydrolyzed by sphingomyelinase, promoting lipoprotein aggregation and macrophage foam cell formation. A novel, high-throughput, enzymatic method to measure plasma SM levels has been developed. Plasma SM levels were related to the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in a biethnic angiographic case-control study (279 cases and 277 controls). Plasma SM levels were higher in CAD patients than in control subjects (60+/-29 versus 49+/-21 mg/dL, respectively; P:<0. 0001). Moreover, the ratio of SM to SM+phosphatidylcholine (PC) was also significantly higher in cases than in controls (0.33+/-0.13 versus 0.29+/-0.10, respectively; P:<0.0001). Similar relationships were observed in African Americans and whites. Plasma SM levels showed a significant correlation with remnant cholesterol levels (r=0.51, P:<0.0001). By use of multivariate logistic regression analysis, plasma SM levels and the SM/(SM+PC) ratio were found to have independent predictive value for CAD after adjusting for other risk factors, including remnants. The odds ratio (OR) for CAD was significantly higher for the third and fourth quartiles of plasma SM levels (OR 2.81 [95% CI 1.66 to 4.80] and OR 2.33 [95% CI 1.38 to 3. 92], respectively) as well as the SM/(SM+PC) ratio (OR 1.95 [95% CI 1.10 to 3.45] and OR 2.33 [95% CI 1.34 to 4.05], respectively). The findings indicate that human plasma SM levels are positively and independently related to CAD. Plasma SM levels could be a marker for atherogenic remnant lipoprotein accumulation and may predict lipoprotein susceptibility to arterial wall sphingomyelinase.

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein and phospholipid transfer protein have nonoverlapping functions in vivo

Plasma phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) are homologous molecules that mediate neutral lipid and phospholipid exchange between plasma lipoproteins. Biochemical experiments suggest that only CETP can transfer neutral lipids but that there could be overlap in the ability of PLTP and CETP to transfer or exchange phospholipids. Recently developed PLTP gene knock-out (PLTP0) mice have complete deficiency of plasma phospholipid transfer activity and markedly reduced high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. To see whether CETP can compensate for PLTP deficiency in vivo, we bred the CETP transgene (CETPTg) into the PLTP0 background. Using an in vivo assay to measure the transfer of [(3)H]PC from VLDL into HDL or an in vitro assay that determined [(3)H]PC transfer from vesicles into HDL, we could detect no phospholipid transfer activity in either PLTP0 or CETPTg/PLTP0 mice. On a chow diet, HDL-PL, HDL-CE, and HDL-apolipoprotein AI in CETPTg/PLTP0 mice were significantly lower than in PLTP0 mice (45 +/- 7 versus 79 +/- 9 mg/dl; 9 +/- 2 versus 16 +/- 5 mg/dl; and 51 +/- 6 versus 100 +/- 9, arbitrary units, respectively). Similar results were obtained on a high fat, high cholesterol diet. These results indicate 1) that there is no redundancy in function of PLTP and CETP in vivo and 2) that the combination of the CETP transgene with PLTP deficiency results in an additive lowering of HDL levels, suggesting that the phenotype of a human PLTP deficiency state would include reduced HDL levels.

Receptors and lipid transfer proteins in HDL metabolism

It is believed that HDL exerts its anti-atherogenic effects through the process of delivering cholesterol from peripheral tissues back to the liver for removal from the body (i.e., reverse cholesterol transport). The metabolic life cycle of HDL lipid and apolipoproteins during reverse cholesterol transport involves both its modification in plasma by lipid transfer proteins and the clearance from plasma of HDL lipid and protein mediated by hepatic cell surface proteins. We review recent work from our laboratory that focuses on specific metabolic steps in reverse cholesterol transport and the results of altering these steps on plasma HDL levels and atherosclerosis. Recently, SR-BI was shown to be an authentic HDL receptor mediating the selective uptake of HDL lipids into cells without degradation of HDL proteins. We discuss the evidence for additional receptor activity mediating HDL protein catabolism in the liver from studies in obese (ob/ob) mice, which have markedly increased HDL due to a defect in hepatic catabolism of apoA-I and apoA-II. In addition, we review recent findings that phospholipid transfer protein deficiency in mice results in markedly reduced HDL levels. Lastly, we highlight our findings that overexpression of SR-BI in LDL receptor-deficient mice results in decreased atherosclerosis.

Receptors and lipid transfer proteins in HDL metabolism

It is believed that HDL exerts its anti-atherogenic effects through the process of delivering cholesterol from peripheral tissues back to the liver for removal from the body (i.e., reverse cholesterol transport). The metabolic life cycle of HDL lipid and apolipoproteins during reverse cholesterol transport involves both its modification in plasma by lipid transfer proteins and the clearance from plasma of HDL lipid and protein mediated by hepatic cell surface proteins. We review recent work from our laboratory that focuses on specific metabolic steps in reverse cholesterol transport and the results of altering these steps on plasma HDL levels and atherosclerosis. Recently, SR-BI was shown to be an authentic HDL receptor mediating the selective uptake of HDL lipids into cells without degradation of HDL proteins. We discuss the evidence for additional receptor activity mediating HDL protein catabolism in the liver from studies in obese (ob/ob) mice, which have markedly increased HDL due to a defect in hepatic catabolism of apoA-I and apoA-II. In addition, we review recent findings that phospholipid transfer protein deficiency in mice results in markedly reduced HDL levels. Lastly, we highlight our findings that overexpression of SR-BI in LDL receptor-deficient mice results in decreased atherosclerosis.

[Development and prospect of plant mutation breeding induced by aviation and spaceflight in China]

Since 1987, about fifty species, three hundred varieties of crops have been sent in recoverable satellites or high altitude balloon (HAB). The selected lines include a high-yield, disease-resist, and hybrid-vigorous rice line, a recovered line of Japonica rice restoring sterility of Indica rice, a new green pepper strain which grows fruits over 500 g, a disease-resist, high-quality tomato line, a big-pod rape line, a big-fruit white lotus line and a big-bulb lily. The special conditions in the outer space can induce a variety of mutations in the plants and their progeny, which provides a new way for the plant breeding.

[Studies on hereditary variations of millet seed after high altitude balloon flight]

OBJECTIVE

To select high yield, high protein and fatty acid millet.

METHOD

Air-dried seeds of millet were carried by high altitude balloon (HAB) for 8 h. Botany characteristics of these seeds were analyzed and studied after recovery.

RESULT

Germinating potential rose 21.1%, germinating percentage reduced 5.2% as compared with the control; plant height was 6.8 cm lower than that of the control in SP1; while flag-leaf area and spike weight were 25% and 15.9% higher than those of the control respectively. Large-spike strains were stable in SP3 pregeny. In SP3(-2), the contents of seed protein and fatty acid were more than those of control; in SP3(-5), the average spike length was 5.8 cm, and the content of Fe element in seed was 61.5 mg/kg more than these of control; in SP4 superspike strains, spike character, chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rate were significantly higher than the control during growing phase and growing anaphase, photosynthetic rate in flag-leaf was over 27.9% higher than those in the control.

CONCLUSION

New strains with high protein and fatty acid and high yield could be selected by HAB. The characteristics of these variations in the new strain is hereditable.

[Chromosome aberration of pollen mother cell of broccoli (Brassica oleralea var. Italica) induced by space flight]

OBJECTIVE

To study the cytogenetic effect of space flight on broccoli seeds and the mechanism of mutations of the plant.

METHOD

Dry seeds of broccoli were sent to the space on board a recoverable satellite for 8 days. After recovery the seeds were planted in the field. Chromosome behaviour of pollen mother cell (PMC) samples were observed following the method of ZHU Cheng, 1982. Pollen samples were stained and embeded in lacto-phenol fuchsin for fertility determination.

RESULT

Unequal chromosome numbers of broccoli's PMC were found in the diakinesis stage, such as reducing n = 6, 7 or increasing n = 11 (earth-control number is n = 9); inversion or translocation of chromosomes occurred, and lagging chromosome were found in the anaphase and telophase of PMC meiosis growing rate and growing potential of the seeds were observed after recovery.

CONCLUSION

Leaves cexaceous decrease and aberrations in the chromosome of PMC are found in broccoli after space flight.

Remodeling of HDL by CETP in vivo and by CETP and hepatic lipase in vitro results in enhanced uptake of HDL CE by cells expressing scavenger receptor B-I

The transport of HDL cholesteryl esters (CE) from plasma to the liver involves a direct uptake pathway, mediated by hepatic scavenger receptor B-I (SR-BI), and an indirect pathway, involving the exchange of HDL CE for triglycerides (TG) of TG-rich lipoproteins by cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP). We carried out HDL CE turnover studies in mice expressing human CETP and/or human lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) transgenes on a background of human apoA-I expression. The fractional clearance of HDL CE by the liver was delayed by LCAT transgene, while the CETP transgene increased it. However, there was no incremental transfer of HDL CE radioactivity to the TG-rich lipoprotein fraction in mice expressing CETP, suggesting increased direct removal of HDL CE in the liver. To evaluate the possibility that this might be mediated by SR-BI, HDL isolated from plasma of the different groups of transgenic mice was incubated with SR-BI transfected or control CHO cells. HDL isolated from mice expressing CETP showed a 2- to 4-fold increase in SR-BI-mediated HDL CE uptake, compared to HDL from mice lacking CETP. The addition of pure CETP to HDL in cell culture did not lead to increased selective uptake of HDL CE by cells. However, when human HDL was enriched with TG by incubation with TG-rich lipoproteins in the presence of CETP, then treated with hepatic lipase, there was a significant enhancement of HDL CE uptake. Thus, the remodeling of human HDL by CETP, involving CE;-TG interchange, followed by the action of hepatic lipase (HL), leads to the enhanced uptake of HDL CE by cellular SR-BI. These observations suggest that in animals such as humans in which both the selective uptake and CETP pathways are active, the two pathways could operate in a synergistic fashion to enhance reverse cholesterol transport.

ApoA-II maintains HDL levels in part by inhibition of hepatic lipase. Studies In apoA-II and hepatic lipase double knockout mice

High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels are inversely related to the risk of developing coronary heart disease. Apolipoprotein (apo) A-II is the second most abundant HDL apolipoprotein and apoA-II knockout mice show a 70% reduction in HDL cholesterol levels. There is also evidence, using human apoA-II transgenic mice, that apoA-II can prevent hepatic lipase-mediated HDL triglyceride hydrolysis and reduction in HDL size. These observations suggest the hypothesis that apoA-II maintains HDL levels, at least in part, by inhibiting hepatic lipase. To evaluate this, apoA-II knockout mice were crossbred with hepatic lipase knockout mice. Compared to apoA-II-deficient mice, in double knockout mice there were increased HDL cholesterol levels (57% in males and 60% in females), increased HDL size, and decreased HDL cholesteryl ester fractional catabolic rate. In vitro incubation studies of plasma from apoA-II knockout mice, which contains largely apoA-I HDL particles, showed active lipolysis of HDL triglyceride, whereas similar studies of plasma from apoA-I knockout mice, which contains largely apoA-II particles, did not. In summary, these results strongly suggest that apoA-II is a physiological inhibitor of hepatic lipase and that this is at least part of the mechanism whereby apoA-II maintains HDL cholesterol levels.

Probucol enhances selective uptake of HDL-associated cholesteryl esters in vitro by a scavenger receptor B-I-dependent mechanism

Recently, the class B, type I scavenger receptor (SR-BI) has been shown to mediate the selective uptake of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesteryl esters (CEs), ie, lipid uptake independent of HDL holoparticle uptake. In vivo, this selective uptake delivers CEs to the liver for excretion and to steroidogenic tissues for hormone synthesis. Probucol, a hydrophobic antioxidant drug, lowers plasma cholesterol in humans and rodents and may inhibit progression of atherosclerosis and postangioplasty restenosis. In this study, the effect of probucol on HDL selective CE uptake was investigated in mice and in cells expressing SR-BI. Probucol feeding lowered plasma HDL cholesterol and markedly increased selective CE uptake from HDL in the liver and adrenal glands. However, probucol did not alter SR-BI protein levels in membranes from these organs. When incubated with control Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, HDL isolated from probucol-treated mice (P-HDL) and HDL from control mice (C-HDL) showed similar low selective uptake of CEs. However, when incubated with SR-BI-transfected CHO cells, P-HDL showed a 2-fold increase in selective uptake compared with C-HDL. In an adrenal cell line (Y1-BS1), which expresses SR-BI in an adrenocorticotropic hormone-inducible manner, P-HDL showed significantly greater selective CE uptake than did C-HDL, and the differential response was amplified by adrenocorticotropic hormone treatment. In contrast to P-HDL, incorporation of this compound into HDL in vitro did not result in stimulation of selective CE uptake by SR-BI-transfected CHO cells, even though a significant mass of probucol could be detected in the HDL preparation. The specific interaction of P-HDL with SR-BI in cell culture could be observed after only 24 hours of probucol feeding, when there were minimal changes in HDL size and composition. Thus, probucol or one of its metabolites increases selective CE uptake in vivo by modifying HDL in a way that causes enhanced interaction with SR-BI. The increased interaction of P-HDL with SR-BI in the liver and arterial wall may be partly responsible for the effects of probucol on atherosclerosis and restenosis.

Targeted mutation of plasma phospholipid transfer protein gene markedly reduces high-density lipoprotein levels

It has been proposed that the plasma phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) facilitates the transfer of phospholipids and cholesterol from triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRL) into high-density lipoproteins (HDL). To evaluate the in vivo role of PLTP in lipoprotein metabolism, we used homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells and produced mice with no PLTP gene expression. Analysis of plasma of F2 homozygous PLTP-/- mice showed complete loss of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, sphingomyelin, and partial loss of free cholesterol transfer activities. Moreover, the in vivo transfer of [3H]phosphatidylcholine ether from very-low-density proteins (VLDL) to HDL was abolished in PLTP-/- mice. On a chow diet, PLTP-/- mice showed marked decreases in HDL phospholipid (60%), cholesterol (65%), and apo AI (85%), but no significant change in non-HDL lipid or apo B levels, compared with wild-type littermates. On a high-fat diet, HDL levels were similarly decreased, but there was also an increase in VLDL and LDL phospholipids (210%), free cholesterol (60%), and cholesteryl ester (40%) without change in apo B levels, suggesting accumulation of surface components of TRL. Vesicular lipoproteins were shown by negative-stain electron microscopy of the free cholesterol- and phospholipid-enriched IDL/LDL fraction. Thus, PLTP is the major factor facilitating transfer of VLDL phospholipid into HDL. Reduced plasma PLTP activity causes markedly decreased HDL lipid and apoprotein, demonstrating the importance of transfer of surface components of TRL in the maintenance of HDL levels. Vesicular lipoproteins accumulating in PLTP-/- mice on a high-fat diet could influence the development of atherosclerosis.

Preoperative transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinomas: retrospective analysis of 120 cases

To clarify whether preoperative transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TAE) improves the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after surgery, 120 patients who had undergone hepatectomy for HCC from 1988 to 1994 and satisfied the criteria of stages II and III were enrolled in this study. Forty-four patients underwent preoperative TAE (group A) and 76 patients did not (group B). No significant differences in the outcomes were observed between these two groups. To rectify the comparison, patients with tumors 2 to 8 cm were assigned to groups A1 (n = 24) and B1 (n = 57), and those with tumors > 8 cm were assigned to groups A2 (n = 20) and B2 (n = 19), respectively. Although no significant differences in survival between groups A1 and B1 were found, group A2 presented superior 1-, 2-, and 3-year tumor-free survival rates of 80%, 55%, and 32% and 1-, 3-, and 5-year cumulative survival rates of 90%, 53%, and 42%. These figures are in comparison with the tumor-free survival rates of 50%, 22%, and 11% (p = 0.06), and the cumulative survival rates of 72%, 33%, and 11% (p = 0.01) during the same periods for group B2, respectively. The Cox regression model revealed that for patients with tumors > 8 cm, the relative risk of preoperative TAE for overall survival was 0.38 (p = 0.017), indicating that preoperative TAE might benefit patients with tumors > 8 cm but not those with tumors 2 to 8 cm.

Increased high density lipoprotein (HDL), defective hepatic catabolism of ApoA-I and ApoA-II, and decreased ApoA-I mRNA in ob/ob mice. Possible role of leptin in stimulation of HDL turnover

Abnormalities of plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels commonly reflect altered metabolism of the major HDL apolipoproteins, apoA-I and apoA-II, but the regulation of apolipoprotein metabolism is poorly understood. Two mouse models of obesity, ob/ob and db/db, have markedly increased plasma HDL cholesterol levels. The purpose of this study was to evaluate mechanisms responsible for increased HDL in ob/ob mice and to assess potential reversibility by leptin administration. ob/ob mice were found to have increased HDL cholesterol (2-fold), apoA-I (1.3-fold), and apoA-II (4-fold). ApoA-I mRNA was markedly decreased (to 25% of wild-type) and apoA-II mRNA was unchanged, suggesting a defect in HDL catabolism. HDL apoprotein turnover studies using nondegradable radiolabels confirmed a decrease in catabolism of apoA-I and apoA-II and a 4-fold decrease in hepatic uptake in ob/ob mice compared with wild-type, but similar renal uptake. Low dose leptin treatment markedly lowered HDL cholesterol and apoA-II levels in both ob/ob mice and in lean wild-type mice, and it restored apoA-I mRNA to normal levels in ob/ob mice. These changes occurred without significant alteration in body weight. Moreover, ob/ob neuropeptide Y-/- mice, despite marked attenuation of diabetes and obesity phenotypes, showed no change in HDL cholesterol levels relative to ob/ob mice. Thus, increased HDL levels in ob/ob mice reflect a marked hepatic catabolic defect for apoA-I and apoA-II. In the case of apoA-I, this is offset by decreased apoA-I mRNA, resulting in apoA-II-rich HDL particles. The studies reveal a specific HDL particle catabolic pathway that is down-regulated in ob/ob mice and suggest that HDL apolipoprotein turnover may be regulated by obesity and/or leptin signaling.

Expression of plasma phospholipid transfer protein mRNA in normal and emphysematous lungs and regulation by hypoxia

The lung is the major site expressing plasma phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) mRNA in humans and mice, suggesting that this protein might have an important role in maintaining normal function of this organ. In the lung of human collagenase transgenic mice, an emphysematous animal model, PLTP mRNA was 3-fold higher than in control mice. However, the mRNA in other tissues was not changed. To further assess the expression and function of PLTP, we measured PLTP mRNA level in lung tissue of two emphysematous patients and found that the mRNA was 4-fold higher than in control subjects. In situ hybridization on mouse lung suggested positive staining in alveolar type II epithelial cells. In addition, immortalized rat alveolar pre-type II epithelial cells and freshly isolated mature rat alveolar type II epithelial cells both highly expressed PLTP mRNA, and the former cells actively secreted PLTP activity into the medium. To examine the possible mechanisms leading to high levels of PLTP expression in vivo, we exposed the pre-type II cells to hypoxia and demonstrated induction of PLTP mRNA and a coordinate increase in secreted PLTP activity. Thus, the PLTP gene is highly expressed in alveolar type II epithelial cells and is induced during hypoxia and in emphysema. These observations suggest that a hypoxic stimulus occurring in emphysema may be a novel mechanism that contributes to enhanced expression of PLTP.

L-arginine prevents xanthoma development and inhibits atherosclerosis in LDL receptor knockout mice

BACKGROUND

The potential antiatherosclerotic actions of NO were investigated in four groups of mice (n = 10 per group) lacking functional LDL receptor genes, an animal model of familial hypercholesterolemia. Group 1 was fed a regular chow diet. Groups 2 through 4 were fed a 1.25% high-cholesterol diet. In addition, group 3 received supplemental L-arginine and group 4 received L-arginine and N omega-nitro-L-arginine (L-NA), an inhibitor of NO synthase (NOS).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Animals were killed at 6 months; aortas were stained with oil red O for planimetry and with antibodies against constitutive and inducible NOSs. Plasma cholesterol was markedly increased in the animals receiving the high-cholesterol diet. Xanthomas appeared in all mice fed the high-cholesterol diet alone but not in those receiving L-arginine. Aortic atherosclerosis was present in all mice on the high-cholesterol diet. The mean atherosclerotic lesion area was reduced significantly (P < .01) in the cholesterol-fed mice given L-arginine compared with those receiving the high-cholesterol diet alone. The mean atherosclerotic lesion area was significantly larger (P < .01) in cholesterol-fed mice receiving L-arginine + L-NA than in those on the high-cholesterol diet alone. Within the atherosclerotic plaques, endothelial cells immunoreacted for endothelial cell NOS; macrophages, foam cells, and smooth muscle cells immunostained strongly for inducible NOS and nitrotyrosine residues.

CONCLUSIONS

The data indicate that L-arginine prevents xanthoma formation and reduces atherosclerosis in LDL receptor knockout mice fed a high-cholesterol diet. The abrogation of the beneficial effects of L-arginine by L-NA suggests that the antiatherosclerotic actions of L-arginine are mediated by NOS. The data suggest that L-arginine may be beneficial in familial hypercholesterolemia.

Structure-function relationships of human cholesteryl ester transfer protein: analysis using monoclonal antibodies

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), a 476 amino acid glycoprotein, mediates cholesteryl ester (CE), triglyceride, and phospholipid transfer among plasma lipoproteins. A monoclonal antibody (mAb), TP2, specific for an epitope within the last 26 amino acids of CETP has been shown to block all CETP-mediated lipid transfer, apparently by limiting access to lipid-binding sites in the carboxy terminal of CETP. A new panel of 16 anti-human CETP mAbs has now been used to further probe the structure-function relationships of CETP. Of the new mAbs, 9 partially inhibit CETP-mediated CE transfer (24-43%) from HDL to LDL. The corresponding epitopes were mapped within the CETP primary structure by the reactivity of the mAbs with CETP variants having deletions or amino acid substitutions. Of the 9 new, neutralizing mAbs, 6 are specific for epitopes situated between residues 410-450 and two others for epitopes between residues 184-260 and 332-366, respectively. The epitope of one neutralizing mAbs could not be mapped. Therefore, binding of mAbs to epitopes situated in four non-overlapping regions within CETP primary structure that are separated by as many as 280 residues can neutralize CETP-mediated CE transfer. Epitopes of mAbs that do not influence CE transfer activity map to the regions 184-260, 261-331, and 367-409, respectively. When pairs of mAbs were tested for their abilities to mutually compete for binding to immobilized CETP, competition was observed for mAbs specific for epitopes that are distant in CETP primary structure. The cross-competition patterns demonstrate that the carboxy terminal 60% of CETP adopts a compact structure. Together with previous mutagenesis studies, the data suggests that a carboxy terminal neutral lipid binding domain may be in close proximity to a lipoprotein binding region within native CETP.

Profound induction of hepatic cholesteryl ester transfer protein transgene expression in apolipoprotein E and low density lipoprotein receptor gene knockout mice. A novel mechanism signals changes in plasma cholesterol levels

The plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) mediates the transfer of cholesteryl esters from HDL to other lipoproteins and is a key regulated component of reverse cholesterol transport. Dietary hypercholesterolemia results in increased hepatic CETP gene transcription and higher plasma CETP levels. To investigate the mechanisms by which the liver senses hypercholesterolemia, mice containing a natural flanking region CETP transgene (NFR-CETP transgene) were bred with apo E or LDL receptor gene knockout mice (E0 or LDLr0 mice). Compared to NFR-CETP transgenic (Tg) mice with intact apo E genes, in NFR-CETP Tg/E0 mice there was an eightfold induction of plasma CETP levels and a parallel increase in hepatic CETP mRNA levels. Other sterol-responsive genes (LDL receptor and hydroxymethyl glutaryl CoA reductase) also showed evidence of altered regulation with decreased abundance of their mRNAs in the E0 background. A similar induction of plasma CETP and hepatic CETP mRNA levels resulted from breeding the NFR-CETP transgene into the LDL receptor gene knockout background. When placed on a high cholesterol diet, there was a further increase in CETP levels in both E0 and LDLr0 backgrounds. In CETP Tg, CETP Tg/E0, and CETP Tg/LDLr0 mice on different diets, plasma CETP and CETP mRNA levels were highly correlated with plasma cholesterol levels. The results indicate that hepatic CETP gene expression is driven by a mechanism which senses changes in plasma cholesterol levels independent of apo E and LDL receptors. Hepatic sterol-sensitive genes have mechanisms to sense hypercholesterolemia that do not require classical receptor-mediated lipoprotein uptake.

Regulation of murine plasma phospholipid transfer protein activity and mRNA levels by lipopolysaccharide and high cholesterol diet

Plasma phospholipid transfer protein mediates the net movement of phospholipids between lipoproteins and between lipid bilayers and high density lipoprotein. In this study, the mouse phospholipid transfer protein cDNA was cloned by reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions based on the cDNA sequence of human phospholipid transfer protein. The predicted amino acid sequence of mouse phospholipid transfer protein shows the protein to be 476 amino acids long and to have a sequence identity of 83% with that of human phospholipid transfer protein. Mouse plasma phospholipid transfer protein activity is 1.5-2 times that of human plasma phospholipid transfer protein activity. As in humans, mouse peripheral tissues displayed a higher abundance of phospholipid transfer protein mRNA than observed in central organs. The order of phospholipid transfer protein mRNA expression was as follows: lung > adipose tissue, placenta, testis > brain > muscle, heart, liver. We examined the regulation of phospholipid transfer protein expression by dietary cholesterol and by bacterial lipopolysaccharide. A high fat, high cholesterol diet caused a significant increase (35%) in plasma phospholipid transfer protein activity and a significant increase (18%) in high density lipoprotein phospholipids. This increased activity was accompanied by approximately 100% increase in phospholipid transfer protein mRNA in lung. After lipopolysaccharide injection, plasma phospholipid transfer protein activity was decreased by approximately 66%. This decrease in activity was associated with a similar decrease in phospholipid transfer protein mRNA in lung, adipose tissue, and liver. The decrease in plasma phospholipid transfer protein activity was also associated with a significant increase (17%) in high density lipoprotein phospholipid concentration. The opposite changes in phospholipids levels with lipopolysaccharide treatment and dietary cholesterol despite similarly increased high density lipoprotein phospholipids levels indicate that high density lipoprotein phospholipids levels are likely determined both by phospholipid transfer protein levels and by gradients of phospholipids concentration between high density lipoprotein and other phospholipids sources.

Point mutagenesis of positively charged amino acids of cholesteryl ester transfer protein: conserved residues within the lipid transfer/lipopolysaccharide binding protein gene family essential for function

The cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) binds to plasma lipoproteins and transfers neutral lipids between them. Previous studies showed that lipoprotein binding involves ionic interactions between CETP and lipoproteins, with increased binding of CETP to lipoproteins carrying increased negative charge. In order to understand the molecular determinants of lipoprotein binding in CETP, site-directed mutagenesis was carried out on positively charged amino acids within and outside regions of conserved sequence in the putative family of lipid transfer/lipopolysaccharide (LPS) binding proteins (LT/LBP). Within the conserved regions, two mutant proteins, K233A and R259D, were well secreted by the transfected cells but showed markedly reduced cholesteryl ester transfer activity. Separating the bound from free CETP by gel filtration after incubation with HDL, HDL binding by K233A was found to be impaired, suggesting that the binding deficiency of the mutant may be responsible for decreased transfer activity. Kinetic analysis showed a marked increase in the apparent Km but no change in Vmax, consistent with a lipoprotein binding defect. Thus, within CETP, K233 and R259 play an essential role in cholesteryl ester transfer activity probably by mediating binding of CETP to lipoproteins. Sequence alignment of CETP, phospholipid transfer protein, LPS binding protein, and bactericidal permeability-inducing protein showed that K223 and R259 were strictly conserved as positively charged amino acids, suggesting a common function within the LT/LBP gene family.

Decreased cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) mRNA and protein and increased high density lipoprotein following lipopolysaccharide administration in human CETP transgenic mice

The plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) mediates the exchange of HDL cholesteryl esters (CE) and VLDL triglycerides leading to catabolism of HDL. There is some evidence that HDL ameliorates the toxicity of LPS, and LPS is known to influence several enzymes affecting HDL metabolism. Therefore, the effects of LPS on CETP and plasma lipoproteins were examined in human CETP transgenic mice. Administration of LPS to mice expressing a CETP transgene linked to its natural flanking sequences (NFR-CETP Tg) resulted in a rapid marked decrease in hepatic CETP mRNA and plasma CETP concentration. Corticosteroid injection produced a similar decrease in hepatic CETP mRNA and adrenalectomy abolished this response to LPS. LPS caused disproportionate reductions in plasma CETP activity compared to mass, and was found to be a potent inhibitor of CETP activity when added directly to plasma. LPS was injected into mice expressing (A) a human apoA-I transgene, (B) apoA-I and NFR-CETP transgenes, or (C) apoA-I and LPS-inducible metallothionein promoter-driven CETP transgenes, producing (A) minimal changes in HDL cholesterol, (B) decreased plasma CETP and increased HDL cholesterol, and (C) increased plasma CETP and decreased HDL cholesterol. Thus, LPS administration produces a profound decrease in hepatic CETP mRNA, primarily as a result of adrenal corticosteroid release. The decrease in plasma CETP activity after LPS administration may reflect both this effect as well as a direct interaction between CETP and LPS. The decrease of CETP in response to LPS has major effects on HDL levels, and may represent an adaptive response to preserve or increase HDL and thereby modify the response to LPS.

Genetic cholesteryl ester transfer protein deficiency caused by two prevalent mutations as a major determinant of increased levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol

Genetic determinants of HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in the general population are poorly understood. We previously described plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) deficiency due to an intron 14 G(+1)-to-A mutation(Int14 A) in several families with very high HDL-C levels in Japan. Subjects with HDL-C > or = 100 mg/dl (n = 130) were screened by PCR single strand conformational polymorphism analysis of the CETP gene. Two other mutations were identified by DNA sequencing or primer-mediated restriction map modification of PCR products: a novel intron 14 splice donor site mutation caused by a T insertion at position +3 from the exon14/intron14 boundary (Int14 T) and a missense mutation (Asp442 to Gly) within exon 15 (D442G). The Int14 T mutation was only found in one family. However, the D442G and Int14 A mutations were highly prevalent in subjects with HDL-C > or = 60 mg/dl, with combined allele frequencies of 9%, 12%, 21% and 43% for HDL-C 60-79, 80-99, 100-119, and > or = 120 mg/dl, respectively. Furthermore, prevalences of the D442G and Int14 A mutations were extremely high in a general sample of Japanese men (n = 236), with heterozygote frequencies of 7% and 2%, respectively. These two mutations accounted for about 10% of the total variance of HDL-C in this population. The phenotype in a genetic compound heterozygote (Int14 T and Int14 A) was similar to that of Int14 A homozygotes (no detectable CETP and markedly increased HDL-C), indicating that the Int14 T produces a null allele. In four D442G homozygotes, mean HDL-C levels (86 +/- 26 mg/dl) were lower than in Int14 A homozygotes (158 +/- 35 mg/dl), reflecting residual CETP activity in plasma. In 47 D442G heterozygotes, mean HDL-C levels were 91 +/- 23 mg/dl, similar to the level in D442G homozygotes, and significantly greater than mean HDL-C levels in Int14 A heterozygotes (69 +/- 15 mg/dl). Thus, the D442G mutation acts differently to the null mutations with weaker effects on HDL in the homozygous state and stronger effects in the heterozygotes, suggesting dominant expression of a partially defective allele. CETP deficiency, reflecting two prevalent mutations (D442G and Int14 A), is the first example of a genetic deficiency state which is sufficiently common to explain a significant fraction of the variation in HDL-C in the general population.

Down-regulation of mRNA for the low density lipoprotein receptor in transgenic mice containing the gene for human cholesteryl ester transfer protein. Mechanism to explain accumulation of lipoprotein B particles

To evaluate the effects of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) on apoB-containing lipoproteins, we analyzed plasma lipoproteins from three different lines of human CETP transgenic mice, with plasma CETP concentration ranging from low (1.5 microgram/ml) to high levels (8.5 micrograms/ml). With increasing CETP concentration, very low density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesteryl ester (CE) and apoB were progressively increased, and high density lipoprotein CE was decreased. To investigate the mechanism of accumulation of lipoproteins containing apoB (lipoprotein B), the abundance of hepatic LDL receptor mRNA was determined. LDL receptor mRNA was reduced as a result of CETP expression, with maximum repression to about 48% of the level of non-transgenic mice. Among the different lines of CETP transgenic mice there was an inverse relationship between plasma CETP concentration and hepatic LDL receptor mRNA abundance (r = -0.94, p < 0.01). CETP expression also led to increased cholesterol and cholesteryl ester content in liver and to decreased abundance of mRNAs encoding 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase and 7-alpha-hydroxylase. Thus, CETP expression results in increased cholesteryl ester concentration in very low density lipoprotein and LDL, probably reflecting both CE transfer from high density lipoprotein and accumulation of lipoprotein B particles. The accumulation of lipoprotein B particles results from CETP-mediated down-regulation of liver LDL receptors, possibly due to enhanced return of cholesterol to the liver.

A missense mutation in the cholesteryl ester transfer protein gene with possible dominant effects on plasma high density lipoproteins

Plasma HDL are a negative risk factor for atherosclerosis. Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP; 476 amino acids) transfers cholesteryl ester from HDL to other lipoproteins. Subjects with homozygous CETP deficiency caused by a gene splicing defect have markedly elevated HDL; however, heterozygotes have only mild increases in HDL. We describe two probands with a CETP missense mutation (442 D:G). Although heterozygous, they have threefold increases in HDL concentration and markedly decreased plasma CETP mass and activity, suggesting that the mutation has dominant effects on CETP and HDL in vivo. Cellular expression of mutant cDNA results in secretion of only 30% of wild type CETP activity. Moreover, coexpression of wild type and mutant cDNAs leads to inhibition of wild type secretion and activity. The dominant effects of the CETP missense mutation during cellular expression probably explains why the probands have markedly increased HDL in the heterozygous state, and suggests that the active molecular species of CETP may be multimeric.

Electrophysiological analysis of the nasal chemical senses in garter snakes

Electroolfactogram and electrovomeronasogram recordings were made from garter snakes stimulated with vapor of amyl acetate, butanol and of earthworm wash. The olfactory epithelium was more sensitive than the vomeronasal epithelium to all three stimuli. Volatiles from prey washes were capable of stimulating the olfactory epithelium when delivered as airstreams. The vomeronasal epithelium was sensitive only to the air delivery of vapor of amyl acetate. Single unit recordings from the mitral cell layer of the accessory olfactory bulb of garter snakes were made in response to liquid delivery of a variety of chemical stimuli including classical odorants, amino acids and proteins derived from prey. All three classes of stimuli altered unit firing in the accessory olfactory bulb. Amyl acetate, earthworm wash, goldfish wash and non-volatile amino acids delivered as liquid stimuli to the vomeronasal epithelium produced responses in the accessory olfactory bulb that were more distinct and reliable than the electrovomeronasogram responses to airborne odorants recorded at the periphery. Both excitatory and inhibitory responses were observed in the accessory olfactory bulb of garter snakes. The direction of the response to a given stimulus differed for different neurons. Responses were frequently biphasic and could last longer than 50 seconds. Individual neurons responded to different classes of stimuli suggesting that they are broadly tuned.

Chemical and immunological analysis of prey-derived vomeronasal stimulants

We have isolated seven proteins from earthworm preparations that are chemoattractive to garter snakes. Three of these proteins have been purified to homogeneity: two from aqueous earthworm wash (EWW) and one from electric shock-induced earthworm secretion (ESS). One of the two highly purified proteins from EWW has a relative molecular mass of 20 kDa and contains free sulfhydryl groups that appear to play a functional role in its chemoattractivity. The other purified protein from EWW has a molecular mass of 3 kDa (low molecular weight protein, LMW). The highly purified chemoattractive protein (ES20) from ESS is a glycoprotein having a minimum molecular mass of 15.4 kDa calculated from its amino acid and carbohydrate contents. It consists of a single polypeptide chain. The sequence of terminal 15 amino acid residues from its amino (NH2-) terminal has been determined. It binds specifically to the membranes of vomeronasal sensory epithelium in a saturable and reversible fashion with a Kd value of about 0.3 microM and Bmax value of 0.4 nmol/mg of protein. This protein causes an increase in firing rate of individual neurons in the accessory olfactory bulb of garter snakes, the projection site for vomeronasal neurons. All the isolated chemoattractive proteins from both earthworm preparations can be divided immunologically into three groups: (i) those closely related to the ES20 snake-attractive protein, (ii) those closely related to the LMW snake-attractive protein, and (iii) those unrelated to either ES20 or the LMW protein.

The CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein trans-activates the human cholesteryl ester transfer protein gene promoter

The plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), primarily synthesized in the liver of several species, is expressed at very low levels in a number of transformed human liver cell lines. The human CETP gene promoter contains a sequence that closely resembles the binding site for the transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP). This site is capable of binding C/EBP, as shown by electrophoretic mobility shift and DNase I footprint analyses. Transient expression of the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene under the control of the human CETP gene promotor gave low activities in the human hepatoma cell line, HepG2. However, in the presence of C/EBP, CAT activity was markedly elevated indicating that CETP gene promoter activity was enhanced. In primary cultures of isolated hepatocytes, CETP mRNA was lost rapidly and in parallel with the C/EBP mRNA. C/EBP may play an important role in the proper maintenance of CETP gene promoter activity, and its low levels in proliferating or cultured cells may account for the low level of the CETP gene expression in immortalized human liver cell lines or cultured hepatocytes.

[Histopathological and immunopathological studies on experimental pulmonary candidiasis]

Experimental pulmonary candidiasis was produced by intratracheal inoculation of candida albicans in mice. The pathological changes could be divided into two stages, dominated by polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration and granuloma formation respectively. Preincubation of C. albicans with mouse anti-C. albicans antibody showed no obvious effect on pathological changes of the lungs as compared with the changes in the control mice, indicating that specific antibody did not play a crucial role in the defence mechanism of the lungs against C. albicans infection in normal mice. In the mice injected with antineoplastic drugs and hormones, abundant pseudohyphae were found in the lungs. Tissue necrosis and hemorrhage were obvious.

Dietary cholesterol increases transcription of the human cholesteryl ester transfer protein gene in transgenic mice. Dependence on natural flanking sequences

To investigate the regulation of expression of the human cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) gene, transgenic mice were prepared using a CETP minigene linked to the natural flanking sequences of the human CETP gene. By using a transgene containing 3.2 kb of upstream and 2.0 kb of downstream flanking sequence, five different lines of transgenic mice were generated. The abundance of CETP mRNA in various tissues was determined on standard laboratory diet or high fat, high cholesterol diets. In three lines of transgenic mice the tissues expressing the human CETP mRNA were similar to those in humans (liver, spleen, small intestine, kidney, and adipose tissue); in two lines expression was more restricted. There was a marked (4-10-fold) induction of liver CETP mRNA in response to a high fat, high cholesterol diet. The increase in hepatic CETP mRNA was accompanied by a fivefold increase in transcription rate of the CETP transgene, and a 2.5-fold increase in plasma CETP mass and activity. In contrast, CETP transgenic mice, in which the CETP minigene was linked to a metallothionein promoter rather than to its own flanking sequences, showed no change in liver CETP mRNA in response to a high cholesterol diet. Thus (a) the CETP minigene or natural flanking sequences contain elements directing authentic tissue-specific expression; (b) a high cholesterol diet induces CETP transgene transcription, causing increased hepatic CETP mRNA and plasma CETP; (c) this cholesterol response requires DNA sequences contained in the natural flanking regions of the human CETP gene.

[Oxygen-lactated Ringer's solution for surgical patients]

The effects of intravenous infusion of the lactated Ringer's solution inflated with oxygen (Oxygen-LR) and lactated Ringer's solution (LR) on oxygenation of blood were studied in 23 patients undergoing abdominal surgery under epidural anesthesia. LR 1000 ml was infused with inflated oxygen at 1L/min in 30 minutes in the oxygen-LR group (n = 12). The partial pressure of oxygen-LR was increased to 600.45 +/- 78.78 from 129.4 +/- 9.69 mmHg. LR 1000 ml was infused in 30 minutes in the control group (n = 11). There was no significant difference in PaO2, PaCO2, SatO2, A-aDO2 during and 30 minutes after infusion between the oxygen-LR and control groups. We believe that oxygen-LR is of no clinical value because of its low ability is of no carrying oxygen.

Reduced high density lipoprotein cholesterol in human cholesteryl ester transfer protein transgenic mice

The human cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) facilitates the exchange of neutral lipids among lipoproteins. In order to evaluate the effects of increased plasma CETP on lipoprotein levels, a human CETP minigene was placed under the control of the mouse metallothionein-I promoter and used to develop transgenic mice. Integration of the human CETP transgene into the mouse genome resulted in the production of active plasma CETP. Zinc induction of CETP transgene expression caused depression of serum cholesterol due to a significant reduction of high density lipoprotein cholesterol. There was no change in total cholesterol content in very low and low density lipoproteins. However, there was a decrease in the free cholesterol/cholesteryl ester ratio in plasma and in all lipoprotein fractions of transgenic mouse plasma, suggesting stimulation of plasma cholesterol esterification. The results suggest that high levels of plasma CETP activity may be a cause of reduced high density lipoproteins in humans.

Mammalian adipose tissue and muscle are major sources of lipid transfer protein mRNA

The plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) catalyzes the transfer of cholesteryl esters from high density lipoproteins (HDL) to triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and plays a major role in the catabolism of HDL. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is the rate-limiting enzyme for hydrolysis of circulating triglyceride and is involved in HDL formation. We show that tissues containing LPL are major sources of CETP mRNA in several mammalian species, including some with low cholesteryl ester transfer activity in plasma. In hamsters, adipose tissue and heart were found to be the richest sources of both CETP and LPL mRNA; in situ hybridization studies showed that the same cell types (i.e. adipocytes or myocytes) contained CETP and LPL mRNA in these tissues. Isolated adipocytes synthesized active CETP. Dietary studies revealed a complex pattern of response of CETP mRNA levels in different tissues, which showed partial similarity to the changes in LPL mRNA abundance. However, high cholesterol diets resulted in increased CETP mRNA abundance in adipose tissue, heart, and skeletal muscle, without equivalent changes in LPL mRNA. Plasma HDL cholesteryl ester levels showed strong inverse correlations with CETP mRNA abundance in adipose tissue. The results suggest a conserved function of CETP in adipose tissue and heart, such as a co-ordinate action with LPL to enhance HDL turnover. Although there is considerable overlap in the tissue- and cell-specific pattern of CETP and LPL gene expression, dietary studies revealed only limited parallelism in response at the mRNA level. The increase in CETP mRNA in peripheral tissues in response to increased dietary cholesterol suggests that local induction of CETP synthesis may help to recycle cholesterol deposited in these tissues during lipolysis of dietary lipoproteins.

Purification and characterization of a chemoattractant from electric shock-induced earthworm secretion, its receptor binding, and signal transduction through the vomeronasal system of garter snakes

Following shocks with low voltage electric current, earthworms, Lumbricus terrestris, secrete a yellow mucus that has alarm properties for conspecifics and chemoattractive properties for garter snakes, Thamnophis sirtalis. A proteinaceous chemoattractant for garter snakes has been isolated and purified to homogeneity from such secretions by means of permeation chromatography and semipreparative nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified protein is highly attractive to garter snakes; it loses its activity after proteolytic digestion. It is a glycoprotein consisting of a single polypeptide chain with an NH2-terminal alanine. This chemoattractant has a minimum molecular mass of 15.4 kDa calculated from its amino acid and carbohydrate contents and an apparent molecular mass of about 20 kDa as estimated from sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. It has a pI of about 4.0, and it binds wheat germ agglutinin but not concanavalin A. This chemoattractant shows a protein to carbohydrate ratio of 2.0 +/- 0.08 (n = 5) and a ratio of total sugar to amino sugar of 1.9 +/- 0.08 (n = 3). The sequence of its NH2-terminal 15 amino acid residues has been determined. Studies were also conducted on the chemosignal transduction through the vomeronasal sensory system of the garter snake. Dot blot analysis showed that the purified chemoattractant bound to snake vomeronasal sensory epithelial membrane fractions. It did not bind to membrane extracts of the nonsensory epithelium of the vomeronasal mushroom body. The chemoattractant also bound specifically to vomeronasal sensory epithelial membrane in a reversible and saturable fashion with Kd and Bmax values of about 0.3 microM and 0.4 nmol/mg of protein, respectively. In electrophysiological studies, the chemoattractant applied to the vomeronasal epithelium caused an increase in firing rate of individual neurons in the accessory olfactory bulb of garter snakes, the projection site for vomeronasal neurons. The present results are the first clear biochemical and electrophysiological evidence for a vomeronasal epithelium response to a purified nonvolatile odorant, and this makes the garter snake vomeronasal system ideal for studying the mechanisms of chemosignal transduction.