[Serum glycocalyx markers in patients after cardiac arrest: association with outcomes]

Objective: To assess the levels of serum glycocalyx markers in the first 24 hours after cardiac arrest (CA) and investigate their relationship with 30-day outcomes. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on prospectively collected data from CA patients, who were admitted to the intensive care units of the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University and obtained return of spontaneous circulation for more than 24 hours between September 2021 and October 2022. Serum samples obtained at the 24-hour after CA were utilized to measure the levels of glycocalyx markers, including heparan sulfate (HS), hyaluronic acid (HA), and syndecan-1 (Sdc-1). Patients were allocated into good function (CPC1-2) and poor function (CPC3-5) groups on the basis of cerebral performance category (CPC) at 30 days post-CA. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between serum glycocalyx markers and neurological outcomes. Patients were regrouped in light of 30-d mortality and Cox regression analysis was used to determine the association between serum glycocalyx markers and 30-d mortality. Results: A total of 71 patients were included in the study, including 31 (43.7%) females and 40 (56.3%) males, with an average age of (59.0±17.0) years. The poor function group (n=49) demonstrated significantly elevated levels of HS and HA when compared to the good function group (n=22) [HS: 2 461.0(1 623.0, 5 492.0) μg/L vs 1 492.0 (914.0, 2 550.0) μg/L, P=0.008; HA: 124.0(97.0, 365.0)μg/L vs 337.0(135.0, 1 421.0) μg/L, P=0.033]. Adjusted logistic regression analysis revealed that HS was independently associated with poor neurological outcome [odds ratio (OR)=0.389, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.182-0.828, P=0.014]. In the 30-day mortality analysis, the death group (n=32) exhibited significantly higher levels of HS and HA when compared to the survival group (n=39) [HS: 1 880.0(1 011.0, 3 554.0) μg/L vs 2 500.0(1 726.0, 6 276.0) μg/L, P=0.027; HA: 162.0(99.0, 537.0) μg/L vs 813.0(148.0, 1 531.0) μg/L, P=0.025]. Adjusted Cox regression analysis indicated that elevated levels of HS and HA were independent risk factors (HS: HR=1.697, 95%CI: 1.126-2.557, P=0.011; HA: HR=1.336, 95%CI: 1.047-1.705, P=0.020) for 30-day mortality. Conclusions: High level of serum HS in 24 hours after CA may serve as a potential predictive marker for both neurological function and 30-day mortality. However, high level of serum HA appears to primarily predict 30-day mortality. Sdc-1 does not seem to contribute to outcome prediction.

[Adrenocortical oncocytic tumors: a clinicopathological analysis of 44 cases]

Objective: To study the clinicopathological features of adrenocortical oncocytic tumors (ACOT) and to compare the diagnostic values of Lin-Weiss-Bisceglia (LWB) score and Helsinki score. Methods: Forty-four cases of ACOT diagnosed at Beijing Friendship Hospital, China from March 2008 to July 2019 were histologically analyzed to evaluate their malignant potential (benign versus malignant) according to two scoring criteria. Immunohistochemical studies (EnVision method) were also used. Results: There were 23 males and 21 females with an average age of 46 years. Histologically, the tumor cells were arranged in trabecular, chrysanthemum-shaped, glandular and microcapsule structures, while clear cells were rare or absent. Most of the tumor cells were moderately atypical, and intranuclear inclusion bodies were conspicuous. Immunohistochemical staining showed that tumor cells were positive for Melan A, inhibin, Syn and calretinin. The average proliferation index was 3% in benign ACOT, about 5% in ACOT of malignant potential, and>20% in malignant ACOT. According to the LWB score, 61.4% (27/44) of the tumors were on the left side and had multiple lesions. The percentage of benign ACOT was 59.1% (26/44), malignant potential 6.8% (3/44), malignant 34.1% (15/44), respectively. Among the 15 malignant ACOT, the mitotic figures>5/50 HPF were found in 13 cases, necrosis in 11 cases and capsule invasion in 10 cases. According to the Helsinki score, 65.9% (29/44) of the tumors were benign, and 34.1% (15/44) were malignant. There was no significant difference between the two scoring standards (P>0.05). During the follow-up of 9 to 144 months, 31 patients survived without disease and 13 patients relapsed or had metastasis. Conclusions: ACOT more likely be benign than malignant. The left side is more common. Malignant tumors are prone to recurrence and metastasis. The morphological parameters (high mitotic index, necrosis, and capsular invasion) in the LWB scoring standards combined with immunohistochemical parameters (Ki-67) in the Helsinki score are helpful for the diagnosis of malignant ACOT and are important predictors of poor prognosis.

Flavobacterium riviphilum sp. nov., isolated from a freshwater creek

A novel bacterium, designated strain TAPY6^T, was isolated from a freshwater creek in Taiwan. The strain was Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, motile-by-gliding, rod-shaped and formed translucent yellow colonies. Optimal growth occurred at 20-30 °C, pH 6 and in the absence of NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain TAPY6^T belonged to the genus Flavobacterium and was most closely related to Flavobacterium succinicans LMG 10402^T (97.3 % sequence similarity) and Flavobacterium glycines Gm-149^T (96.3 %). Strain TAPY6^T contained C15 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0 as the predominant fatty acids. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, five uncharacterized aminophospholipids, two uncharacterized phospholipids and one uncharacterized aminolipid. The major polyamine was homospermidine. The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-6. The DNA G+C content of the genomic DNA was 39.8 mol%. Phenotypic characteristics of the novel strain also differed from those of the closest related species of the genus Flavobacterium. On the basis of the genotypic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data, strain TAPY6^T represents a novel species in the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium riviphilum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TAPY6^T (=BCRC 81007^T=LMG 29728^T=KCTC 52444^T).

[The impacts of testosterone on insulin sensitivity and chronic low-grade]

Objectives: Insulin resistance (IR) is a common manifestation in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Both clinical observations and animal studies have demonstrated that IR could be induced by hyperandrogenemia, which is the charac-teristic of PCOS.Nevertheless, the mechanisms of IR in PCOS are still unclear especially at the molecular level.We conduct this study to ellucidate the effects of androgen on insulin sensitivity and chronic low-grade inflammation in adult C57BL/6 female mice. Methods: Eleven adult female C57BL/6 mice aged 8 weeks weredaily injected with testosterone (1.0 mg/100 g body weight)which dissolved in sesame oil (experimental group T) for 16 weeks.Ten control mice were injected with sesame oil only (group Con). The changes of body weight and body fat content were detected.Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests (IGTT) were performed at 0, 2, 3 and 16 weeks treatment, blood from tail vein was taken to detect levels of glucose.Intraperitoneal insulin tolerance tests (ITT) were performed at 16 weeks treatment.Both groups were sacrificed after16 weeks treatment, and phosphorylation of GSK3βand InsR, two molecules of insulin signaling pathway, were detected by Western blot from adipose tissue.The phosphorylation of NF-κBp65, CD16/32, and CD206 were also detected in adipose tissues.ELISA was used totest the serum IL-6 and MCP-1. Results: (1) No obvious significance of body weight as well as body fat content was detected between both experimental groups (P>0.05); (2) 2 weeks treatment with testosterone induced the in-crease of fasting blood glucose and displayed obvious significance compared with group Con (P<0.05); (3) 3 weeks treatment with testosterone induced the increase of area under the curve (AUC) of the blood glucose following IGTT and displayed significance compared with group Con (P<0.05). And more obvious significance was detected at 16 weeks treat-ment (P<0.01); (4) 16 weeks treatment with testosterone induced the increase of AUC of the blood glucose following ITT(P<0.01); (5) the serum IL-6 and MCP-1 in testosterone treat-ment was higher than that in thecontrols (P<0.05). And 16 weeks treatment with testosterone decreased phosphorylation of GSK3β and InsR in C57BL/6 adipose tissues (P<0.05), in-creased phosphorylation of NF-κBp65.Testosteroneenhanced the expression of CD206, and decreased the expression of CD16/32. Conclusions: Treatment with testosterone in adult fe-male mice can induce insulin resistance by blocking insulin signal transduction, without in-fluencing body weight and body fat content.Testosterone could activate the NF-κB to pro-mote the expression of IL-6 and MCP-1. And testosterone facilitated to promote macro-phage to M1-subtype transformation.

Flavobacterium effusum sp. nov., isolated from a freshwater river

A yellowish-orange-coloured bacterial strain, PSI-22^T, was isolated from a freshwater river in Taiwan. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain PSI-22^T belonged to the genus Flavobacterium and showed the highest identity with respect to Flavobacterium dispersum MVW-23^T (98.0 %), Flavobacterium tistrianum GB 56.1^T (97.1 %), Flavobacterium denitrificans ED5^T (97.1 %) and Flavobacterium daemonense THG-DJ7^T (97.0 %) and less than 97 % to other members of the genus. Cells of strain PSI-22^T were Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, motile by gliding and rod-shaped. Optimal growth occurred at 30 °C, pH 6 and in the presence of 0.5 % NaCl. Strain PSI-22^T contained iso-C15 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c) as the predominant fatty acids. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, one uncharacterized aminophospholipid, one uncharacterized aminophosphoglycolipid, two uncharacterized aminolipids, one uncharacterized phospholipid and one uncharacterized lipid. The major polyamine was homospermidine. The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-6 and the DNA G+C content of the genomic DNA was 41.4 mol%. The DNA-DNA hybridization value for strain PSI-22^T with F. dispersum BCRC 80978^T, F. tistrianum KCTC 42679^T, F. denitrificans DSM 15936^T and F. daemonense KACC 17651^T was less than 30 %. On the basis of the phylogenetic inference and phenotypic data, strain PSI-22^T should be classified as a novel species, for which the name Flavobacterium effusum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PSI-22^T (=BCRC 80973^T=LMG 29553^T=KCTC 52233^T).

[Effects and mechanism of testosterone on the production of inflammatory cytokines and glucose uptake in co-culture of RAW264.7 macrophage and 3T3-L1 adipocytes]

Objective: To investigate the effects of testosterone (T) on inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, MCP-1) production, insulin sensitivity of adipocyte and changes of macrophage phenotypes in indirect co-culture of RAW264.7 macrophages and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Methods: 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were induced to mature in Transwell lower chamber, and then co-cultured with RAW264.7 macrophages in the upper chambers for 72 hours. Testosterone 10 μmol/L was added into indirect co-culture for 24 h. ELISA was used to testing IL-6, MCP-1 concentrations in supernatant. Western blot was used to detecting the phosphorylation of NF kappa B, ERK1/2, and theexpression of CD16/32 and CD206. Glucose transport was assessed by[³H]2-deoxy glucose uptake in adipocytes. Results: Testosterone enhanced inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, MCP-1) production in indirect co-culture of 3T3-L1 adipocytes and RAW264.7 macrophages, promoted the activation of ERK1/2 and nuclear factor kappa B p65, and inhibited glucose uptake in adipocytes. Testosterone facilitated the production of pro-inflammatory M₁ macrophages. The above effects of testosterone can be completely reversed by PDTC, and can be partly reversed by PD98059 (70%-90%). Conclusion: NF kappa B and ERK1/2 could be the key proteins for testosterone to promote the production of inflammatory factors, to lead to insulin resistance, and to make macrophages differentiate to pro-inflammatory phenotypes in co-culture of RAW264.7 macrophages and 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Flavobacterium lacunae sp. nov., isolated from a freshwater pond

A novel bacterial strain AHQ-46^T was isolated from a freshwater lake in Taiwan. The strain was Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, motile by gliding, rod-shaped and formed translucent yellow colonies. Optimal growth occurred at 20-25 °C, pH 7.0, and in the absence of NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain AHQ-46^T belonged to the genus Flavobacterium and was most closely related to Flavobacterium verecundum TTM-46^T with a sequence similarity of 95.8 %. Strain AHQ-46^T contained iso-C15 : 1 G, iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c) and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH as the predominant fatty acids. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine and several uncharacterized aminophospholipids and phospholipids. The major polyamine was homospermidine. The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-6. The DNA G+C content of the genomic DNA was 32.1 mol%. Differential phenotypic properties, together with the phylogenetic inference, demonstrate that strain AHQ-46^T should be classified as a representative of a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium lacunae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is AHQ-46^T (=BCRC 80889^T=LMG 28710^T).

Flavobacterium amniphilum sp. nov., isolated from a stream

Strain KYPY10^T, isolated from a water sample taken from the Funglin Stream in Taiwan, was characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Cells of strain KYPY10^T were Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, motile by gliding, rod-shaped surrounded by a thick capsule, and formed light-yellow colonies. Growth occurred at 20-30 °C (optimum, 25 °C), at pH 6-7 (optimum, pH 6) and with 0-0.2 % NaCl (optimum, 0 % w/v). Phylogenetic analyses, based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, showed that strain KYPY10^T belonged to the genus Flavobacterium and was most closely related to Flavobacterium brevivitae TTM-43^T (98.4 % sequence similarity) and Flavobacterium vireti THG-SM1^T (98.0 %). Strain KYPY10^T contained iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G, summed feature 9 (iso-C17 : 1ω9c and/or 10-methyl C16 : 0), iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH and iso-C16 : 0 as the predominant fatty acids. The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-6. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, four uncharacterized aminophospholipids, five uncharacterized phospholipids and one uncharacterized lipid. The major polyamines were homospermidine and putrescine. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain KYPY10^T was 41.0 mol%. The DNA-DNA relatedness of strain KYPY10^T with respect to recognized species of the genus Flavobacterium was less than 70 %. On the basis of the phylogenetic inference and phenotypic data, strain KYPY10^T was recognized as a representative of a novel species within the genus Flavobacterium. The name Flavobacterium amniphilum sp. nov. is proposed, with strain KYPY10^T (=BCRC 81006^T=LMG 29727^T=KCTC 52443^T) as the type strain.

Flavobacterium dispersum sp. nov., isolated from a freshwater spring

A novel bacterial strain MVW-23^T was isolated from a freshwater spring in Taiwan. The strain was Gram-staining-negative, strictly aerobic, motile by gliding, rod-shaped and formed translucent yellow colonies. Optimal growth occurred at 20-30 °C, pH 7.0, and in the presence of 0.5-1 % NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain MVW-23^T belonged to the genus Flavobacterium and showed the highest levels of sequence similarity with respect to Flavobacterium denitrificans ED5^T (97.3 %), Flavobacterium kyungheense THG-107^T (97.2 %) and Flavobacterium defluvii EMB117^T (97.0 %). Strain MVW-23^T contained iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c) and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH as the predominant fatty acids. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, three uncharacterized aminophospholipids and one uncharacterized phospholipid. The major polyamine was homospermidine. The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-6. The DNA G+C content of the genomic DNA was 39.9 mol%. The DNA-DNA hybridization value for strain MVW-23^T with F. denitrificans DSM 15936^T, F. kyungheense LMG 26575^T and F. defluvii DSM 17963^T was less than 35 %. Differential phenotypic properties, together with the phylogenetic inference, demonstrate that strain MVW-23^T should be classified as a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium dispersum sp. nov. is presented. The type strain is MVW-23^T (=BCRC 80978^T=LMG 29558^T=KCTC 52234^T).

The protective effect of curcumin on ischemia-reperfusion-induced liver injury

OBJECTIVE

Reperfusion of the ischemic liver results in the generation of oxidative and nitrosative stresses and reaction product of peroxynitrite, which induce rapid cytotoxicity and liver injury. In this study we demonstrated that curcumin, an antioxidant, attenuated ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced liver injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ischemia was induced by clamping the common hepatic artery and portal vein of rats for 30 minutes. Thereafter, flow was restored and the liver was reperfused for 80 minutes. Blood samples collected prior to ischemia and after reperfusion were analyzed for methyl guanidine (MG), nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and adenosphate triphosphate (ATP). Blood levels of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (sGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (sGPT), and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), which served as indexes of liver injury, were measured.

RESULTS

The protocol resulted in elevation of blood NO (P < .001), TNF-α (P < .001), and MG (P < .001). sGOT, sGPT, and LDH were elevated significantly (P < .001), whereas ATP was significantly diminished (P < .001). Pretreatment with curcumin (25 mg/kg) significantly attenuated the reperfusion liver injury, while the ATP content reversed. In addition, MG, TNF-α, and NO release were attenuated.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicated that curcumin exerted potent anti-inflammatory effects in I/R-induced liver injury due to its antioxidant effects.

Inducible cyclooxygenase expression mediating hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction is attenuated by a cyclooxygenase inhibitor in rats

OBJECTIVE

Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) is a well known phenomenon to temporarily offset a ventilation-perfusion mismatch. Sustained HPV may lead to pulmonary hypertension. In this protocol, we studied the relationships between the HPV response and inducible cyclooxygenase II (COX II) activation after hypoxia-reoxygenation (H-R) challenge in an isolated perfused lung model.

METHODS

An in situ isolated perfused rat lung model underwent inaction of hypoxia by ventilation with 5% CO(2)-95% N(2) for 10 minutes instead of 5% CO(2)-95% air; they were then reoxygenated with 5% CO(2)-95% air. We measured pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) changes before, during, and after H-R challenge. We also estimated changes in blood concentrations of hydroxyl radicals, nitric oxide (NO) and thromboxane B(2) (TxB(2)) before and after H-R as well as mRNA expressions of COX II in lung tissue thereafter. A COX II inhibitor, celecoxib (10 mg/kg), was administered between 2 consecutive challenges.

RESULTS

Hypoxia induced pulmonary vasoconstriction by increasing PAP (4.1 ± 0.8 mm Hg). Consecutive hypoxic challenges did not show tachyphylaxis (P > .05). H-R of lung tissues induced significant increases in blood concentrations of hydroxyl radicals (48.5 ± 7.6 vs 75.8 ± 11.5 mmol/L; P < .01), NO (54.3 ± 12.3 vs 77.7 ± 15.7 pmol; P < .05), and TxB(2) (42.3 ± 6.9 vs 58.7 ± 8.6 pg/mL; P < .05). Lung tissue H-R also significantly increased COX II mRNA expression compared with sham tissues (1 ± 0 vs 4.0 ± 2.8; P < .001). The COX II inhibitor celecoxib significantly attenuated HPV responses (P < .05) and attenuated the elevated blood concentrations of TxB(2) (P < .05), hydroxyl radicals (P < .01), nitric oxide (P < .05), and COX II mRNA expression (P < .05) after H-R challenge.

CONCLUSIONS

Lung tissue H-R induced significant increases blood concentrations of inflammatory mediators and tissue mRNA expression of COX related to elevation of HPV responses. COX II inhibitor celecoxib attenuated the HPV responses by reducing TxB(2) release.

Non-lethal Candida albicans cph1/cph1 efg1/efg1 transcription factor mutant establishing restricted zone of infection in a mouse model of systemic infection

The cph1/cph1 efg1/efg1 Candida albicans mutant cells were non-lethal in a mouse model of systemic infection. We investigated in vivo proliferation and invasion of C. albicans cells in infected mice to elucidate the interaction between the host and the pathogen. Homogenates of kidneys from the mice infected with the wild-type and the mutant C. albicans cells yielded a mean of 2.1 x 10 7 CFU/g and 2.2 x 10 6 CFU/g, respectively. The kidneys from the mice infected with the wild-type cells showed extensive renal cortical necrosis associated with neutrophilic infiltration. There were also wild-type hyphal cells present in abundance. Hence, tubular necrosis leading to renal failure in the mice may be the cause of death. Although the cph1/cph1 efg1/efg1 mutant cells were not lethal, they were capable of establishing restricted zones of infection and colonization near the renal pelvis instead of simply being cleared by the immune system in mice.

Prevalence, incidence, and mortality of PD: a door-to-door survey in Ilan county, Taiwan

BACKGROUND

The reported prevalence and incidence rates of PD were significantly lower in China than those in Western countries. People in China and Taiwan have a similar ethnic background.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence, incidence, and mortality rate of PD in Taiwan.

METHOD

The authors conducted a population-based survey using a two-stage door-to-door approach for patients aged 40 years or older in Ilan, Taiwan. Patients were diagnosed with PD by having at least two of the four cardinal signs of parkinsonism and exclusion of seconddary parkinsonism. To identify new cases of PD after the survey, patients with negative results of parkinsonism in the first stage were matched to the information on clinical diagnosis of PD from the Bureau of National Health Insurance toward the end of December 31, 1997. All cases of PD were linked to the Taiwan mortality registration to ascertain causes of deaths until December 31, 1999.

RESULTS

The participation rate was 88.1% among the 11,411 contacted individuals. Thirty-seven cases of PD were identified. The age-adjusted prevalence rate of PD for all age groups was 130.1 per 100,000 population after being adjusted to the 1970 US census, assuming no cases of PD would be found among those younger than 40 years of age. Of 9972 non-PD subjects in the first screen, 15 new cases of PD were ascertained. The age-adjusted incidence rate was 10.4 per 100,000 population for all age groups. The case fatality rate of PD after a 7-year follow-up was 40.4% (21 deaths in 52 patients with PD). The relative risk of death for PD cases versus non-PD cases was 3.38 (95% CI: 2.05-4.34). The 5-year cumulative survival rate in PD cases (78.85%) was statistically lower than that in non-PD cases (92.84%).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence and incidence rates of PD in Taiwan were much higher than those reported in China, but closer to those in Western countries. These results suggest that environmental factors may be more important than racial factors in the pathogenesis of PD.

Vascular invasion routes and systemic accumulation patterns of tobacco mosaic virus in Nicotiana benthamiana

Plant viruses must enter the host vascular system in order to invade the young growing parts of the plant rapidly. Functional entry sites into the leaf vascular system for rapid systemic infection have not been determined for any plant/virus system. Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) entry into minor, major and transport veins from non-vascular cells of Nicotiana benthamiana in source tissue and its exit from veins in sink tissue was studied using a modified virus expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP). Using a surgical procedure that isolated specific leaf and stem tissues from complicating vascular tissues, we determined that TMV could enter minor, major or transport veins directly from non-vascular cells to produce a systemic infection. TMV first accumulated in abaxial or external phloem-associated cells in major veins and petioles of the inoculated leaf and stems below the inoculated leaf. It also initially accumulated exclusively in internal or adaxial phloem-associated cells in stems above the inoculated leaf and petioles or major veins of sink leaves. This work shows the functional equivalence of vein classes in source leaves for entry of TMV, and the lack of equivalence of vein classes in sink leaves for exit of TMV. Thus, the specialization of major veins for transport rather than loading of photoassimilates in source tissue does not preclude virus entry. During transport, the virus initially accumulates in specific vascular-associated cells, indicating that virus accumulation in this tissue is highly regulated. These findings have important implications for studies on the identification of symplasmic domains and host macromolecule vascular transport.

Microscopic assessment of pronuclear embryos is not definitive

The microscopic classification of embryos, especially unipronuclear embryos, is not very precise. A number of undocumented and unipronuclear embryos were determined to be diploid following karyotyping and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Accelerated and asynchronous pronuclear dismantling at the time of checking for embryo fertilization accounts for this disparity. Diploid embryos were also observed among tripronuclear embryos. However, not all embryos ascertained as diploid by FISH were karyotypically normal following full karyotype analysis. By taking into account the "background" abnormality rate, the rate of diploid embryo wastage was estimated to be about 40% among undocumented embryos and about 58% in total. A high percentage of misclassification infers an unintended loss of otherwise transferable embryos. Such a discrepancy is particularly important to older women who have fewer embryos. If these are a woman's only embryos, preimplantation genetic diagnosis might be applicable in determining those that are diploid and suitable for transfer. This could potentially reduce the number of wasted embryos and cycles. The present study has also shown that mosaicism is common but it is still unclear whether mosaicism is indicative of embryonic abnormality or is a fairly common phenomenon among healthy embryos. Bipronuclear embryos that present with abnormal or delayed cleavage are often chaotic in their chromosomal constitution. Such embryos should not be transferred.

Impact of oral submucous fibrosis on chemotherapy-induced mucositis for head and neck cancer in a geographic area in which betel quid chewing is prevalent

In Southeast Asia and Taiwan, betel quid chewing is prevalent. Patients with head and neck cancer who chewed betel quid habitually seem to experience more severe chemotherapy-induced mucositis in our clinical practice. To validate this issue, patients with untreated head and neck cancer who received cisplatin (cDDP) plus a 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy were included in this analysis. Information on the consumption of betel quid, tobacco, and alcohol were recorded before chemotherapy. Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) was diagnosed clinically according to the fibrotic appearance of the mucosa and trismus. Mucositis was scored according to the World Health Organization criteria, and the mucositis score of the first course of chemotherapy was used for analysis. From December 1993 to April 1996, 120 patients were enrolled in this trial. Neither the betel quid chewing nor the cancer of the oral cavity was to be a significant factor for mucositis. However, clinically diagnosed OSF was found to display a significant correlation with more severe mucositis (p = 0.02). We concluded that in betel quid chewing-prevalent areas, OSF was a risk factor of more severe mucositis in head and neck cancer patients treated by CDDP and 5-FU-based regimens.

Effects of dietary mixtures of amino acids on fetal growth and maternal and fetal amino acid pools in experimental maternal phenylketonuria

BACKGROUND

Branched-chain amino acids have been reported to improve fetal brain development in a rat model in which maternal phenylketonuria (PKU) is induced by the inclusion of an inhibitor of phenylalanine hydroxylase, DL-p-chlorophenylalanine, and L-phenylalanine in the diet.

OBJECTIVE

We studied whether a dietary mixture of several large neutral amino acids (LNAAs) would improve fetal brain growth and normalize the fetal brain amino acid profile in a rat model of maternal PKU induced by DL-alpha-methylphenylalanine (AMPhe).

DESIGN

Long-Evans rats were fed a basal diet or a similar diet containing 0.5% AMPhe + 3.0% L-phenylalanine (AMPhe + Phe diet) from day 11 until day 20 of gestation in experiments to test various mixtures of LNAAs. Maternal weight gains and food intakes to day 20, fetal body and brain weights at day 20, and fetal brain and fetal and maternal plasma amino acid concentrations at day 20 were measured.

RESULTS

Concentrations of phenylalanine and tyrosine in fetal brain and in maternal and fetal plasma were higher and fetal brain weights were lower in rats fed the AMPhe + Phe diet than in rats fed the basal diet. However, fetal brain growth was higher and concentrations of phenylalanine and tyrosine in fetal brain and in maternal and fetal plasma were lower in rats fed the AMPhe + Phe diet plus LNAAs than in rats fed the diet containing AMPhe + Phe alone.

CONCLUSION

LNAA supplementation of the diet improved fetal amino acid profiles and alleviated most, but not all, of the depression in fetal brain growth observed in this model of maternal PKU.

The recycling of L-citrulline to L-arginine in a chicken macrophage cell line

L-Arginine is the only biological substrate of nitric oxide synthase in a reaction yielding NO and L-citrulline as co-products. The resynthesis of L-arginine from L-citrulline has been observed in murine macrophages. However, it is not known whether avian macrophages have a similar capacity for the synthesis of arginine. The present studies were carried out to determine whether L-citrulline can support NO (measured as nitrite) production in the HD11 cell, a chicken macrophage cell line. When added to media lacking L-arginine, L-citrulline supported a low level of nitrite accumulation: about 4 to 11% of the amount of nitrite formed from an equivalent concentration of L-arginine. Aspartic acid was not limiting for NO production from citrulline.

The utilization of dipeptides containing L-arginine by chicken macrophages

L-Arginine is the precursor of NO, a cytotoxic agent of macrophages. Studies were carried out to determine whether dipeptides containing arginine can be utilized by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated avian macrophages for NO production. A chicken macrophage cell line, the HD11 cell, was used in all experiments. Peptidase activities were observed in fetal bovine serum (FBS) and macrophage serum free medium (Mac-SFM). Therefore, the utilization of dipeptides by macrophages was examined using Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium (D-MEM), a chemically defined medium, in short-term culture without FBS. Nitrite accumulation in the culture medium was used as the indicator of NO production. At concentrations of 0.15 mM in the culture media, L-leucinyl-L-arginine was 89% as effective as L-arginine in providing substrate for NO production. L-Argininyl-L-leucine was 38% as effective as L-arginine. The effectiveness increased to 93 and 58%, respectively, when the concentrations of dipeptides and arginine were 1.0 mM. Both values were slightly higher in a second experiment (97 and 70%, respectively). L-Lysine (10 mM) inhibited nitrite formation from all three sources of L-arginine. In studies of initial rates of transport by HD11 cells in Hanks Balanced Salts solution (HBSS), both L-argininyl-L-leucine and L-leucinyl-L-arginine inhibited arginine uptake. As lysine and arginine share a common transporter for cationic amino acids and are known to compete for transport, these studies suggest that the peptides were hydrolyzed extracellularly, yielding arginine that was transported into the cell where it served as a substrate for NO synthesis.

Dose-response relationship between prevalence of cerebrovascular disease and ingested inorganic arsenic

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Circulatory diseases such as ischemic heart disease and peripheral vascular disease induced by long-term arsenic exposure have been well documented in previous studies, but the dose-response relationship between cerebrovascular disease and ingested inorganic arsenic remains to be elucidated. The prevalence of cerebrovascular disease among residents of the Lanyang Basin on the northeast coast of Taiwan was surveyed to examine its association with exposure to arsenic in well water.

METHODS

A total of 8102 men and women from 3901 households were recruited in this study. The status of cerebrovascular disease of study subjects was identified through home-visit personal interviews and ascertained by review of hospital medical records according to the World Health Organization criteria. Information on consumption of well water, sociodemographic characteristics, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption habits, as well as personal and family history of diseases, was also obtained. Arsenic concentration in the well water of each household was determined by hydride generation and atomic absorption spectrometry. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate multivariate-adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for various risk factors of cerebrovascular disease.

RESULTS

A significant dose-response relationship was observed between arsenic concentration in well water and prevalence of cerebrovascular disease after adjustment for age, sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption. The biological gradient was even more prominent for cerebral infarction, showing multivariate-adjusted odds ratios of 1.0, 3.4, 4.5, and 6.9, respectively, for those who consumed well water with an arsenic content of 0, 0.1 to 50.0, 50.1 to 299.9, and > 300 micrograms/L.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term exposure to inorganic arsenic from well water was associated with an increased prevalence of cerebrovascular disease, especially cerebral infarction.

Acute effects of intravenously administered hypertonic saline solution on transruminal rehydration in dairy cows

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of IV administered hypertonic saline solution (HSS) on transruminal rehydration in clinically normal dairy cows.

ANIMALS

10 Holstein cows.

PROCEDURE

Cows in a 2-way randomized cross-over design study were given nothing per os for 36 hours, then were randomly assigned to receive either an oral water load (OWL; 40 ml/kg of body weight) by ruminal gavage or HSS IV (5 ml/kg of body weight) plus OWL; 10 days later, each cow received the other treatment. Outcome measures included serum and urine osmolality, electrolyte (Ca, P, Na, K, and Cl), creatinine, blood glucose, hemoglobin (Hgb), and plasma total protein (PTP) concentrations; serum colloid osmotic pressure (SCOP); urine volume; PCV; and blood gas analytes (pH, P(CO2), P(O2), HCO3-, base excess [BE], and O2 saturation).

RESULTS

IV administered HSS plus OWL caused Hgb, PCV, PTP, SCOP, blood pH, BE, HCO3-, and urine osmolality values to decrease and fractional excretion (FE) of electrolytes, serum osmolality, and urine volume to increase. Blood glucose concentration was different between treatments at 0 and 150 minutes, and FEK, FECl, and FECa were similar by 180 minutes after OWL alone, but absolute excretion of Na and P and FENa and FE(P) remained high after HSS administration. Oral water load caused Hgb, PCV, PTP, serum electrolyte and creatinine, SCOP, and urine osmolality values to remain unchanged or decrease slowly and pH, BE, HCO3-, FECa values to increase slightly by 180 minutes.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

IV administration of HSS plus OWL, unlike OWL alone, increases circulatory volume rapidly, induces slight metabolic acidosis, increases renal perfusion and glomerular filtration rate, and effects changes in serum Ca and P homeostasis that may be useful in treating sick dairy cows.

Weather and stroke in a subtropical area: Ilan, Taiwan

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to clarify the association of weather and stroke occurrence in a subtropical area in Ilan, Taiwan.

METHODS

We studied 517 patients with stroke (date of onset, January 1 to December 31, 1991) in Poh-Ai Hospital and St Mary's Hospital: 316 patients (61.1%) with cerebral infarction, 170 (32.9%) with intracerebral hemorrhage, and 31 (6.0%) with other types of stroke. The daily occurrence of cerebral infarction and intracerebral hemorrhage was analyzed and correlated with three major meteorologic factors: air temperature, air pressure, and relative humidity.

RESULTS

The occurrence of cerebral infarction was rather uniform in all kinds of weather. The occurrence of intracerebral hemorrhage was approximately twice as great on cold days (0.71 case per day) and high-pressure days (0.73) as on warm days (0.31) and low-pressure days (0.39) (P < .005 by chi 2 test). When a linear regression model was used to test whether air temperature or air pressure had more influence on intracerebral hemorrhage, only air temperature showed a significant effect. Regarding intracerebral hemorrhage, the relative risks of cooler and median temperature days versus warmer days were 18.5 and 5.1, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Intracerebral hemorrhage but not cerebral infarction occurs more frequently on cooler days, with a dose-response relationship, in Ilan, Taiwan.

Stroke incidence in Ilan, Taiwan

The purpose of this community hospital-based study of stroke was to assess the incidence rate of cerebral infarct, cerebral hemorrhage, and subarachnoid hemorrhage in a well-defined region of South Ilan. A prospective stroke registry was established at the two regional general hospitals serving about 184,000 inhabitants. From January to December 1991, a total of 258 stroke events were registered. Computed tomography was done in 99% of the stroke cases. The mean age for first-ever stroke in the region was 66.1 +/- 12.2 years. The annual incidence rates per 1,000 population for first-ever cerebral infarct in the respective age groups were 0.75 (45-54 years), 1.59 (55-64 years), 5.24 (65-74 years) and 8.01 (> or = 75 years). The incidence rates per 1,000 population for first-ever cerebral hemorrhage in the respective age groups were 0.52 (45-54 years), 1.19 (55-64 years), 1.05 (65-74 years) and 2.91 (> or = 75 years). The incidence rates per 1,000 population for first-ever subarachnoid hemorrhage in the respective age groups were 0.17 (45-54 years), 0.20 (55-64 years), 0.12 (65-74 years) and 1.21 (> or = 75 years). The age-specific incidence rate for first-ever stroke in the group aged 45 to 54 years observed in this study is higher than that in Western countries. The age-adjusted incidence rate for cerebral hemorrhage is significantly higher than that in Caucasians and is similar to that reported in Japan from 1974 to 1983.

Threonine requirement and threonine imbalance in broiler chickens

Three experiments were conducted to determine the effect of excess dietary protein on threonine requirement of broiler chicks to 14 d of age (Experiments 1 and 2) and to determine the threonine requirement from 16 to 28 d of age (Experiment 3). Two dietary protein levels were used in Experiments 1 and 2:20% CP in a threonine-limiting basal diet containing wheat, peanut meal, and selected amino acids and 25% CP in the same basal diet supplemented with a mixture of amino acids lacking threonine. A threonine-limiting 25% CP diet based on corn, soybean meal, and amino acids was also included in Experiment 2. The threonine requirement of chicks from 16 to 28 d of age was determined using a single CP level (20%) in Experiment 3. Threonine requirements were estimated by broken line regression analysis of weight gain and feed efficiency. Threonine requirements based on weight gain were 7.7 and 6.7 g/kg of diet in Experiments 1 and 2, respectively, for chicks receiving the 20% CP diets. The requirements increased to 8.6 and 8.2 g/kg, respectively, for chicks fed the 25% CP diets based on wheat, peanut meal, and amino acids. The requirement for maximum weight gain of chicks fed 25% CP based on corn, soybean meal, and amino acids was 7.7 g/kg of diet. However, chicks ate more of this diet, and on an intake basis, the requirement of the chicks fed the 25% CP diets based on wheat and peanut meal or corn and soybean meal did not differ. Requirements based on feed efficiency were equal to, or less than, those based on weight gain in Experiments 1 and 2. Body moisture and fat contents were affected by dietary CP level (P < .01), ingredient composition (P < .01), and threonine content (P < .05). Estimates of threonine requirements based on regression analysis of plasma threonine concentrations were higher than those based on weight gain or feed efficiency. The threonine requirements of chicks fed a 20% CP diet from 16 to 28 d of age were 6.3 and 6.9 g/kg of diet based on weight gain and feed efficiency, respectively.

[Unspecified subarachnoid hemorrhage in Taiwan]

We report the epidemiological and clinical features of unspecified subarachnoid hemorrhage by reviewing the literature published in Taiwan. Data from stroke registry from January 1988 to June 1992 showed that 4.9% of 23910 acute strokes were diagnosed as subarachnoid hemorrhage; in about half of them the cause of hemorrhage was not specified due to lack of confirmatory diagnostic examinations or to rapid deterioration of consciousness subsequent to bleeding that made angiography unapplicable during hospitalization. The age distribution, sex ratio, clinical profiles and associated risk factors in this group of patients were similar to those in the group of aneurysmal rupture. Therefore, the majority of patients categorized in the group of unspecified subarachnoid hemorrhage very likely had aneurysmal ruptures. The causes of subarachnoid hemorrhage were more frequently undetermined in hospitals where neuroradiological as well as neurosurgical facilities and staff were not immediately available, and also in patients whose clinical condition was poor on arrival at the hospital or who deteriorated rapidly after the onset. These two facts may partly explain the higher case-fatality rate and poorer prognosis in patients whose causes of subarachnoid hemorrhage were undetermined and effective surgical treatment could not be done.

[Epidemiological study of cerebrovascular disease in the Taiwan area: current status]

We reviewed the reported epidemiological studies on cerebrovascular disease in the Taiwan area and discussed the following advantages and drawbacks of different approaches to data acquisition and analysis of the results. 1) Analysis of the data from vital statistics is readily available, and gives adequate information for secular trends, but the reliability of death certificate and the accuracy of subtypes of cerebrovascular disease must be taken into consideration. 2) A series of patients based on hospital registration can provide detailed data about the clinical manifestation and subtypes of stroke; whereas selection bias among hospitals may distort some clinical profile, and patients who have not visited the hospital are not included. 3) A community survey can obtain representative distribution of diseases in a community, but it takes much manpower and cost. The diagnosis of stroke is not very reliable because of limited usage of computed tomography and insufficient participation by qualified neurologists. 4) A community based hospital study has the advantage of combining a hospital registry and a community survey. It is difficult to conduct this type of study in the current medical environment in Taiwan since the referral system has not been well established. 5) A study of the survivalship of stroke can provide valuable information about the natural course of cerebrovascular disease.

[Secular trends in mortality for cerebrovascular diseases in Taiwan (1959-1989)]

Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) is predominantly a disease of the elderly, and its morbidity effects increase with advancing age. In Taiwan, the increasing proportion of the elderly, as a result of medical progress and improved health care in the past 30 years, is largely responsible for the apparent increase in the number of CVD deaths. From 1963 to 1981, CVD was the leading cause of death. The crude mortality rate (CMR) and age-specific mortality rate (ASMR) of CVD by sex were derived from vital statistical data from 1959 to 1989 in Taiwan. The age-adjusted mortality rate (AAMR) using the standard world population of WHO and the cumulative mortality rate (CUMR) from birth to less than 80 years of age were calculated. Before 1983, the total number of CVD deaths had increased steadily for 30 years. In 1989, the CMR was 76.6/100,000 in men and 67.7/100,000 in women. The highest AAMR was 158.5/100,000 in 1973 for men and 130.2/100,000 in 1972 for women, and the lowest AAMR was 91.3/100,000 in 1989 for men and 81.1/100,000 in 1972 for women. The highest CUMR was 26.3% in 1968 for men and 20.8% in 1972 for women, and the lowest CUMR was 14.5% in 1989 for men and 13.6% in 1989 for women. The AAMR and CUMR for both sexes reached a maximum in 1972 and began to decline thereafter. The declines in AAMR and CUMR were averaging 2%/yr for both sexes after 1972 and were averaging 5%/yr for men and 4%/yr for women after 1983. This declining trend in CVD deaths in Taiwan began later and has been slower than similar trends in Japan and the U.S.

Diagnostic values of IgG-albumin index and agarose gel electrophoresis in neurologic diseases

Sixty cerebrospinal fluids (CSFs) with paired serum samples from a variety of patients with neurologic diseases were studied using rate nephelometry to measure IgG-albumin index, and also agarose gel electrophoresis (EP) with protein blotting technique to characterize discrete IgG bands. The patients included: A) 16 cases of multiple sclerosis (MS); B) 23 cases of inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system (CNS); C) 21 cases of other non-inflammatory neurologic disorders. The average IgG-albumin index was 0.65 +/- 0.25 in Group A, 1.10 +/- 0.78 in B, and 0.50 +/- 0.12 in C. If 0.72 is taken as the upper normal limit, an increased index was found in 31%, 43% and 5% of Groups A, B and C, respectively. Discrete IgG bands were detected in 69%, 9% and 5% of Groups A, B and C, respectively. Gamma globulin bands were not always IgG, and true oligoclonal myeloma proteins were not encountered. It is concluded that both IgG-albumin index measurement and agarose gel EP are useful for diagnostic differentiation in neurologic diseases: the former, for inflammatory diseases of CNS; and the latter, for MS.

[Measurements of IgG and albumin in CSF and serum in various neurological diseases]

Many neurological diseases may cause increase of protein in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), especially IgG. Breakdown of blood brain barrier (BBB) as well as increased de novo central nervous system (CNS) IgG synthesis may result in an elevation of IgG in the CSF. To assume that the increase of CSF IgG was due to local synthesis but not to BBB damage, Link and others suggested using a more refined quotient, i.e. the IgG index. However, for evaluating local IgG synthesis, the following equation was used (modified from Tourtellotte) de novo CNS IgG synthesis II = [(C. IgG-S.IgG/278.7)-(C.Alb-S.Alb/143.1) X (S. IgG/S. Alb) X 0.43] X 5. In this study we collected 62 cases of various neurological diseases and used the nephelometer to measure their IgG and albumin level in both sera and CSF. There were 4 cases of encephalitis, 17 cases of meningitis, 16 cases of multiple sclerosis, 11 cases of other neurological diseases and 14 cases of control group. The mean value of CSF IgG was 4.1 mg/dl in control group, 21.1 in encephalitis, 11.3 in meningitis, 4.7 in multiple sclerosis and 12.9 in other neurological diseases. The mean value of IgG index was 0.52 in control group, 1.43 in encephalitis, 1.07 in meningitis, 0.68 in multiple sclerosis and 1.11 in other neurological diseases. The mean value of modified de novo CNS IgG synthesis was -0.35 mg/day in control group, 48.79 in encephalitis, 25.48 in meningitis, 6.59 in multiple sclerosis and 15.01 in other neurological diseases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bacterial Alginate Produced by a Mutant of Azotobacter vinelandii

The optimum conditions in shaken flasks for production of bacterial alginate by mutant C-14 of Azotobacter vinelandii NCIB 9068 and a comparison of the properties of bacterial and algal alginates were investigated. The largest amount of bacterial alginate was obtained in about 110 h by a culture grown on optimum medium at 34°C and 170-rpm shaking speed. The viscosity of the culture broth was 18,400 cps and the alginate concentration reached 6.22 g/liter. The viscosity of the purified bacterial alginate was as high as 11,200 cps at a low concentration (0.6%). A greater than fivefold concentration of algal alginate was required to reach the same viscosity at a low shear rate. A solution of bacterial alginate was more pseudoplastic than that of algal alginate was. No significant differences were observed in other properties of bacterial and algal alginates such as gel formation with calcium ion, thermostability, and effect of temperature, pH, and sodium chloride on viscosity.