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To explore whether plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) could regulate glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) progression via microRNA-1301-3p (miR-1301-3p) and transmembrane BAX inhibitor motif containing 6 (TMBIM6) axis.Expression patterns of PVT1 and RMBIM6 in GBM patients were analyzed using GEPIA, an online gene expression analysis tool. Levels of PVT1 in GBM cells and normal cells were analyzed with quantitative real-time PCR method. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), transwell invasion assay, and flow cytometry assay were applied to detect cell viability and apoptosis. Connections of PVT1 or TMBIM6 with miR-1301-3p were validated with bioinformatic tool and luciferase activity reporter assay.PVT1 was significantly expressed in GBM tissues and cells. PVT1 promotes GBM cell proliferation and invasion but inhibits apoptosis in vitro. TMBIM6 was significantly expressed in GBM tissues. The knockdown of TMBIM6 reversed the stimulation effects of PVT1 on GBM cell malignancy behaviors with miR-1301-3p as a bridge.Collectively, we showed PVT1 elevated TMBIM6 expression mediated by miR-1301-3p and thus to promote GBM progression.

Micron-sized colloidal spheres that are dispersed in an isotropic-nematic biphasic host suspension of charged rods (fd-virus particles) are shown to spontaneously form dimers, which exhibit a synchronized oscillatory motion. Dimer formation is not observed in the monophase of isotropic and nematic suspensions. The synchronized oscillations of dimers are connected to the inhomogeneous state of the host suspension of charged rods (fd viruses) where nematic domains are in coexistence with isotropic regions. The synchronization of oscillations occurs in bulk states, in the absence of an external field. With a low field strength of an applied electric field, the synchronization is rather reduced, but it recovers again when the field is turned off. In this Rapid Communication, we report this observation as an example of the strange attractor, occurring in the mixture of PS (polystyrene) dimers in an isotropic-nematic coexistence biphasic fd-virus network. Furthermore, we highlight that the synchronization of PS-dimer oscillations is the result of a global bifurcation diagram, driven by a delicate balance between the short-attractive ``twisted'' interaction of PS dimers and long-ranged electrostatic repulsive interactions of charged fd rods. The interest is then in the local enhancement of ``twist-nematic'' elasticity in reorientation of the dimer oscillations. An analysis of image-time correlations is provided with the data movies and Fourier transforms of averaged orientations for the synchronized oscillations of dimers in the biphasic $I\ensuremath{-}N$ coexistence concentration of charged fd-virus suspensions.

Synchrotron-based X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) has been used to investigate the adsorption and reaction of styrene oxide on Ag(1 1 1). When adsorption is carried out at 250 K or above, ring opening of styrene oxide forms a stable surface oxametallacycle intermediate which eventually reacts at 485 K to regenerate styrene oxide. High resolution XPS is capable of distinguishing the oxametallacycle from molecularly adsorbed and condensed styrene oxide on the basis of different C1s peak separations. The observed separations are well accounted for by the results of DFT calculations.

Synchrotron-based temperature programmed X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (TPXPS) has been used to investigate the surface chloridation of Ag(1 1 1) to monolayer coverages. At 100 K both atomic and molecular chlorine species are present on the surface; adsorption at 300 K or annealing the adlayer at 100 K to this temperature generates adsorbed Cl atoms. As the surface is heated from 300 to 600 K, chlorine atoms diffuse below the surface, as demonstrated by attenuation of the Cl2p signals in TPXPS experiments. Quantitative analysis of the extent of attenuation is consistent with chlorine diffusion below the topmost silver layer. For coverages in the monolayer and sub-monolayer regime, chlorine diffusion to and from the bulk appears not to be significant, in contrast to previous results obtained at higher chlorine loadings. Chlorine is removed from the surface at 650–780 K by desorption as AgCl. These results demonstrate that chlorine diffusion beneath the surface does occur at coverages and temperatures relevant to olefin epoxidation processes carried out on silver catalysts with chlorine promoters. The surface sensitivity advantages of synchrotron-based XPS experiments were critical to observing Cl diffusion to the sub-surface at low coverages.

Synchrotron-based temperature-programmed X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (TPXPS) in combination with temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) has been used to track C-Cl scission in the reaction of 1-chloro2-methyl-2-propanol (Cl-tert-BuOH) on oxygen-containing Ag(110) surfaces. The results show that the oxygen pre-coverage strongly influences the cleavage of the C-Cl bond. At low coverages, C-Cl scission of chlorot-butoxide intermediates begins at 200 K and isobutylene oxide (IBO) appears with a peak temperature of 235 K; at higher coverages, the onset of C-Cl scission is shifted upward by 50 K and the IBO peak by 80 K. Quantitative models for the surface reaction kinetics were developed from the experimental data. These show that the reaction of adsorbed intermediates does not occur by an SN2 process that releases IBO directly into the gas phase. Instead, C-Cl scission deposits organic intermediates or products on the surface, and the appearance of IBO in the gas-phase lags the appearance of atomic chlorine on the surface. For the lower temperature channel, the rate of IBO evolution in TPD is influenced by the kinetics of both C-Cl scission and molecular IBO desorption. At higher temperatures, surface diffusion processes to open surface sites limit the rate of IBO production. Comparison with results for chlorine diffusion into silver suggests that this is the relevant diffusion process.

The Auger parameter analysis in a conjunction with Au M3-edge XANES has been used to obtain the electronic configurations for Al2Au and Au2Al alloys. The net electron transfer from Al to Au (0.13 e− for Al2Au) has been estimated using the modified final state Auger parameter shifts in combination with the Thomas and Weightman model. The magnitude and direction of charge transfer appear to be in agreement with the differences in electronegativity values of the elements. Further, the opposite sign of the Auger parameter shift for Au and Al indicates that the Au core holes in the alloys are in a better screening environment than the core holes in pure Au while Al in the alloy environment is less screened. Au M3-edge XANES has been used to probe the unoccupied densities of Au 5d states. The appearance of the white-line features in Al2Au and Au2Al indicates the loss of 5d electrons at the Au site due to the charge redistribution caused by intra- [Au(5d)→Au(6s, 6p)] and extra-atomic [Au(5d)→Al(3s, 3p)] orbital hybridization. Al2Au exhibits an increased transfer of charge away from the gold compared to Au2Al due to the greater availability of empty states in the Al valence band. In general, the net charge transfer from Al to Au was substantially compensated by the 5d electron depletion, which is responsible for the shifts of core-level and valence band to higher binding energy. Changes in observed plasmon loss structures could be related to the strength of Au–Al bonding resulting from the localization of valence electrons. This further gives a clear picture of the charge rearrangement between Au and Al during alloying.

The oxidation behavior of Al2Au and Au2Al alloys during a 3-month laboratory air exposure has been investigated using SIMS, XPS and XANES. The oxide growth on both alloys and Al metal were found to be remarkably similar in the whole exposure range. XPS studies showed a rapid initial growth of oxide over the first 10 days. The oxidation of the aluminum component caused phase transitions at the near-surface to alloys which were more Au-rich. SIMS depth profiling showed that the oxide thickness was considerably greater than that estimated by XPS using a simple overlayer model. Both alloy structures were shown to be epitaxically grown homologues to the base aluminum grain structures; by contrast, oxide structures showed no preferred growth on particular alloy grains. Oxidation of the Au2Al results in a major depletion in the aluminum in the immediately below the oxide. Al L2,3-edge XANES was used to probe the nature of the oxide formed on the alloys as compared to that on pure Al. The chemical characteristics of the oxide was found to be affected by the presence of the gold. This difference in oxide structure is detected at the interface and not through the oxide generally.

The accumulation of adventitious carbon on Al and Au–Al alloy surfaces has been studied using XPS across a wide range of water vapour and air exposures. Carbon growth undergoes several discrete changes with the increase of exposure dose. X-ray irradiation effects on carbon growth were also investigated. Under x-ray irradiation Au–Al surfaces show a faster carbon growth than pure Al and Au metal surfaces. A fivefold increase of carbon contamination rate on an Au-rich Au–Al alloy (Au/Al = 5.0) surface has been observed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The Maximum Entropy Method (MEM) has been used to deconvolute the valence-band XPS spectra of thin film Au–Al alloys. The enhanced resolution allows fine changes in the electronic structures of the thin film alloys to be distinguished with the aid of the Au4f core-level spectra. This particular alloy series allows one to examine the 5d electronic interaction between gold atoms as aluminum is gradually added to the matrix. Aluminum is shown to have a much stronger quenching effect on such interactions than has been found previously for copper.

The oxidation of thin-film Au- Al alloy, as well as pure Al, has been studied using XPS across a wide range of water vapour and air exposures (0.1 L to 1 × 1014 L). The alloys and the pure Al all undergo a similar set of oxide growth kinetics. In addition to the three stages of early growth kinetics identified for Al in previous studies, a fourth stage is identified at air exposure doses of >109 L. During this stage, the average composition of the film changes from Al2O3 to Al2O3·H2O. The Al 2p lineshapes for the oxides grown on pure Al and Au-Al alloy are different; the origins of this appear to result, in part, from a change in the Fermi level as the oxide thickens. The Al L2,3 X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) furthermore provides a complementary probe of the different oxide structures on alloy and Al metal. Thus, their chemical characteristics are affected also by the presence of the gold. This difference in oxide structure is detected at the interface and not through the oxide generally. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

X-ray photoelectron spectra are typically broadened by the inclusion of contributions from the exciting X radiation, as well as the spectrometer itself. A procedure for removal of much of this broadening using a version of the maximum entropy method is described. This method uses a nonlinear functional (the spectral “entropy” or information content) to stabilize the noise amplification problem inherent to deconvolution of real data. A less ambiguous solution is therefore obtained compared to previous approaches which use linear estimates. This algorithm avoids the subjective nature of many previous deconvolution methods by assuming that the informational uncertainty is always maximized within the constraint of the data provided. This large scale, nonlinear optimization problem can be solved on a fast personal computer using a sequential quadratic programming algorithm. For spectra with adequately high signal/noise, the linewidths produced approach the limiting core hole lifetime values. The method is appl...

The maximum entropy method (MEM) has been applied to the deconvolution of X-ray photoelectron spectra. Spectral broadening, resulting from extrinsic contributions by the X-ray excitation source and the energy analyser, is removed using a Fourier transform procedure which employs a new approach to the estimate of the spectral noise function. The MEM deconvolution algorithm avoids the subjective nature of many previous deconvolution methods by assuming that the informational uncertainty is always maximised within the constraint of the data provided. This large scale, non-linear optimisation problem can be solved on a fast PC using a sequential quadratic programming (SQP) algorithm. For spectra with adequately high signal/noise, the linewidths produced approach the limiting core hole lifetime values. Two applications of this method are described. In the first, MEM treatment of Cr(2p) spectra of a number of thin film Cr(III) oxides are studied for any changes in multiplet structure. The improved resolution allows such changes to be distinguished from changes due to the presence of other minor compounds. In the second project, the identities of gold–aluminum alloy surface films could be clearly distinguished, making use of the relatively small Au(4f) chemical shifts for such alloys.

The surface oxidation behavior at room temperature of two thin films of the alloys Al2Au and Au2Al was investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Relatively large chemical shifts of both Au4f and Al2p photoelectron lines with the alloy composition assist the identification of additional alloy phases. The spectral resolution has been improved by the use of the Maximum Entropy Method which removes the external contributions to the photoelectron linewidth. In the case of Au2Al, as much as 80% of the surface phase is transformed into two new alloy phases. This is equivalent to a transformed layer thickness of 10 nm. For the Al2Au, oxidation also results in a partial phase transition to a gold-enriched alloy, but the transition region extends only to an estimated depth of 2 nm.

Transsphenoidal approach has been widely applied in surgical treatment of pituitary adenoma. Based on the traditional microscopic surgery, endoscopic technique has been developed as a promising alternative in recent years. Our group have been applying endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for almost 10 years. Hereby we report our experience in this new surgical technique. From December 2006 to February 2016, 426 surgeries were performed, and 378 patients (non-functional: 192, PRL-secreting: 56, GH-secreting: 88, ACTH-secreting: 24, TSH-secreting: 3, multiple-hormone-secreting: 15) were surgically treated. Among the 378 patients, 42 were treated twice and 3 patients were treated three times following diagnosis of recurrence. The tumor’s subtypes in recurrent cases were identical to those in previous surgery(s). In all the surgeries, a unilateral and purely endonasal approach was applied with a 30° rigid endoscope. The mucosa between the sphenoid sinus’ opening and the base of septum nasi osseum was incised and pushed laterally and downward. Then the anterior wall of sphenoid sinus and the sellar floor were opened with a high-speed burr. In the cases with conchal type sphenoid sinus, X-ray imaging was used. After opening the sellar floor dura and exposing the tumor, the tumor was removed in a backward to lateral to consequence. Finally, hemostatic gauze, gelatin sponge, artificial dura, and in some cases mucosa from the anterior wall of sphenoid sinus, were used for sellar floor reconstruction. According to MRI follow-ups 3 months after the surgery, total resection was achieved in 328 surgeries (77.0%), subtotal resection in 86 surgeries (20.2%), and partial resection in 12 surgeries (2.8%). Cases with subtotal or partial resections were subsequently treated with radiotherapy or craniotomy. 184 (91.5%) of 201 cases with visual field deficit obtained visual remission after the surgery. Hormonal remission was achieved in 50 cases with PRL-secreting tumor (80.0%), 89 cases with GH-secreting tumor (88.1%), 19 cases with ACTH secreting tumor (70.4%), and 3 cases (100%) with TSH-secreting tumor. The most prevalent complications include diabetes insipidus (33.6%), CSF leackage (22.6%), meningitis (4.9%), and hypopituitarism (4.7%). In conclusion, the efficacy and safety of endoscopic transsphenoidal approach observed in our practice is comparable to those of the same technique in literature, and this technique is superior to traditional microscopic approach reported in most references.

The effect of interaction between carbon black and polymer on electrical behavior was studied using the ESR method. The polymer matrices used were HDPE, LDPE, and ethylene/vinyl acetate (EVA). Two kinds of carbon blacks (CB), high structure CSF-III and low structure FEF, were used as a conductive filler. Compared to that of the HDPE/FEF compound, the positive temperature coefficient (PTC) intensity is lower and electrical reproducibility is worse for the HDPE/CSF-III compound; however, it can be improved significantly by radiation cross-linking. On the other hand, the cross-linking has no practical effect on the PTC intensity of the LDPE/CSF-III compound while it can be achieved by mixing the compound for a longer time. The great PTC intensity was obtained in the HDPE/EVA/CSF-III compound, and it is greater than that of HDPE/CSF-III or EVA/CSF-III. We explain these results using the concept of interaction between the filler and matrix. The absorption of the polymer on the carbon black surface may be physical or chemical; the latter is caused by the free-radical reaction between the polymer and carbon black, and it can occur during the radiation or preparation process of the compound. These “bound polymers” are essentially important for materials to have a great PTC intensity and good reproducibility. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Aim To determine changes in small nerve fibres in gastric mucosa in patients with Type 2 diabetes by morphological observation. Methods In twenty-five non-diabetic and 21 Type 2 diabetic participants, gastric mucosal biopsy under endoscopy was performed. Innervation in gastric mucosa was detected using immunohistochemical staining. Anti-protein gene product (PGP) 9.5 positive nerves underwent morphological observation and quantitative analysis. Results Small nerve fibres in gastric mucosa were shortened in the diabetic subjects. The ratio of gastric mucosal protrusions maintaining nerve fibres between gastric pits to total observed protrusions was lower in patients with Type 2 diabetes compared with the non-diabetic subjects (ratio of innervated protrusion/total protrusion: 0.49 ± 0.12 vs. 0.89 ± 0.06, P

Vitamin D3 up-regulated protein 1 (VDUP1) is a tumor suppressor of which expression is reduced in a variety of cancer cells, and enforced expression inhibits the tumor cell proliferation. It inhibits the activity of thioredoxin, thus contributing cellular ROS generation. Since ROS is a critical factor for angiogenesis, we investigated the role of VDUP1 in angiogenesis and endothelial proliferation. The expression of VDUP1 was upregulated by overexpression of an oncogene, Ras. Enforced expression of VDUP1 increases ROS production and proliferation of Ras-overexpressing endothelial cells. Overexpression of VDUP1 increases the resistance to the anchorage-dependent cell death and tube formation of the Ras-overexpressing endothelial cell. In addition, the removal of ROS by ROS scavenger attenuates the effect of VDUP1 on tube formation. These results suggest that VDUP1 is involved in Ras-mediated angiogenesis via ROS generation in endothelial cells.

The influence of ghrelin on feeding behaviour during infancy is unknown. To determine whether ghrelin influences milk intake in rat pups, newborn rats received a single i.p. injection of either rat ghrelin (100 microg/kg) or rabbit anti-ghrelin immunoglobulin G (100 microg/kg) every 5 days from postpartum day 5 to day 30 (P5-P30). Milk intake was then assessed by body weight gain following a 2-h suckling period. Ghrelin significantly increased weight gain relative to vehicle-injected controls in P20, P25 and P30 pups, but not in younger animals. Similarly, after 8 h of milk restriction, anti-ghrelin injections significantly decreased weight gain in P25 and P30, but not in younger pups. Interestingly, however, ghrelin did increase independent feeding in P10 and P15 pups using a paradigm in which pups consumed milk from a milk-soaked paper towel. We therefore conclude that ghrelin stimulates milk intake at an early postnatal stage, primarily by affecting adult-type feeding behaviour.

We have isolated cDNA and genomic DNA encoding mouse PDNP2 (PD-Iα). The mouse Pdnp2 cDNA contains a 2,589-nucleotide open reading frame encoding a polypeptide of 863 amino acids. The 5′ region of the mouse Pdnp2 gene contains Sp1, Max1, HNF-3B, and AP1 putative transcription factor binding sites, without typical TATA or CAAT boxes. Fluorescence in situ hybridization showed that Pdnp2 is located at Chromosome 15D2, as expected based on mouse-human conserved regions.

The in vitro metabolic kinetics of letrozole were investigated by incubating letrozole (10-500 microM) in female or male rat liver microsomes to assess the effect of gender and to predict the in vivo biotransformation characteristics of letrozole in rats. The effects of tamoxifen (TAM) on the metabolic kinetics of letrozole were also examined by incubating letrozole in female rat liver microsomes in the presence or absence of TAM. The effects of chronic pretreatment of female rats with TAM (0.5, 1.0, 5.0 mg/kg/day, i.p. for 7 consecutive days) on liver microsomal protein content and metabolic activity were also examined. The formation rate of the carbinol metabolite of letrozole, CGP44 645, was significantly higher (p0.05) in male rat liver microsomes in comparison to female. The V(max)/K(m) ratio for letrozole metabolism in female rat liver microsomes did not change significantly (p0.05) in the presence of TAM. After chronic pretreatment of female rats with TAM (up to a dose of 1.0mg/kg/day), the hepatic microsomal protein content was significantly increased but the formation rate of CGP44 645, when normalized for protein content, did not change significantly. These results suggest that there is a marked gender difference in letrozole metabolism in rats. It also appears that acute treatment of female rat liver microsomes with TAM produces negligible inhibitory effect on the CYP mediated metabolic clearance of letrozole. However, chronic pretreatment of female rats with TAM appear to induce CYPs, but does not significantly impact the metabolic activities of the enzymes associated with the formation of the carbinol metabolite of letrozole.

Summary. The 2.2.15 cells-derived from HepG2 cells transfected with a plasmid containing hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA secrete surface antigen (HBsAg) particles, nucleocapsids and virions (Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1987; 84: 1005–1009). The latter elicit acute hepatitis in chimpanzees (Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1987; 84: 4641–4644). We studied the presence of intracellular and extracellular HBV covalently closed circular (ccc) DNA in this culture system by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), kinetically analysed HBsAg and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) released in the culture media by quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and quantitated by real-time PCR but HBV DNA from intracellular and extracellular HBV-DNA. HBV cccDNA was found both intracellularly and extracellularly. A significant correlation was seen between the extracellular HBV DNA levels and virus antigens (r = 0.833; P = 0.01 and r = 0.939; P

We determined the clinical usefulness of a new contact lens electrode with built-in, white light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for full-field electroretinograms (ERGs). Three, high-brightness white LEDs were incorporated into a contact lens electrode and served as the source for the stimulus and the background. The stimulus intensity, stimulus duration and background illumination were regulated by a small LED control device. Maximum stimulus and background intensities were 3.9 and 3.6 log cd/m2, respectively. We successfully recorded intensity-response series for scotopic and photopic ERGs. We also recorded a duration-series for photopic ERGs, and ERGs that were comparable to the ISCEV standardized ERGs. The compactness and ease of using this system suggest that it will be clinically useful under different conditions.

The removal of the internal limiting membrane (ILM) for traction maculopathy has recently been advocated. However, it is generally believed that the ILM plays an important role in retinal function, because it is the basal lamina of the Müller cells that are involved in the generation of the electroretinogram (ERG) b-wave. To date, there has been no objective assessment of retinal function on removing the ILM. In this study, the changes of each component of the focal macular electroretinograms (FMERGs) were investigated in eyes before and after the ILM was removed in the macular area during surgery for idiopathic macular holes (IMHs).FMERGs were elicited by a 15 degrees stimulus centered on the fovea and monitored by an infrared fundus camera. FMERGs were recorded from 49 eyes of 48 patients with IMHs before and 6 weeks after anatomically successful macular hole surgery. Whether an eye had or did not have the ILM removed was randomly determined. The ILM was removed in 30 eyes (ILM-off group) and was not removed in 19 eyes (ILM-on group). Six months after surgery, the same examination was performed in 27 eyes of the ILM-off group and in 15 eyes of the ILM-on group. The amplitudes and implicit times of the a- and b-waves and the mean amplitudes and implicit times of the first three oscillatory potentials (OP1 to OP3) were compared before and after surgery within and between the groups.Visual acuity increased significantly after surgery in both groups. In the ILM-on group, the amplitude of the a- and b-waves and the OPs increased significantly 6 months after surgery (P: = 0.0093, P: = 0.0019, P: = 0.0024, respectively, paired t-test). In the ILM-off group, the a-wave amplitude and mean OP amplitudes were significantly larger 6 months after surgery (P: = 0.0077, P: = 0.0030, respectively, paired t-test). The b-wave amplitude, however, did not change significantly. The percentage increase in the b-wave amplitude 6 months after surgery was significantly higher in the ILM-on group (44.0%) than in the ILM-off group (15.0%; P: = 0.037, t-test).The removal of the ILM had no adverse effect on visual acuity. However, the selective delay of recovery of the FMERG b-wave 6 months after surgery suggests an alteration of retinal physiology in the macular region.

We have isolated a cDNA clone of the rabbit alpha(1b)-adrenoceptor which has an open reading frame of 1557 nucleotides encoding a protein of 518 amino acids. The sequence shows higher identity to those of hamster, human, and rat alpha(1b)-adrenoceptors than to those of rabbit alpha(1a)- and alpha(1d)-adrenoceptors. The pharmacological binding properties of this clone expressed in Cos-7 cells showed a characteristic profile as alpha(1b)-adrenoceptor; high affinity for prazosin (pK(i)=10.3), relatively high affinity for tamsulosin (9.5) and low affinity for (-)-(R)-1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-5-[2-[[2-[2-(2,2, 2-trifluoroethoxy)phenoxy]ethyl]amino]propyl]indoline-7-carboxamid e (KMD3213) (8.5), 2-(2,6-dimethoxy-phenoxyethyl)-aminomethyl-1, 4-benzodioxane hydrochloride (WB4101) (8.7), and 8-[2-[4-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-L-piperazinyl]-8-azaspiro[4,5]decane-7, 9-dione dihydrochloride (BMY7378) (7.3). We have compared the levels of mRNA expression of three alpha(1)-adrenoceptor subtypes in rabbit tissues using the competitive reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction (RT/PCR) assay. In most rabbit tissues except heart, alpha(1a)-adrenoceptor mRNA was expressed 10 folds more than the other two subtypes. However, binding experiments with [3H]prazosin and [3H]KMD3213 in rabbit tissues revealed a poor relationship between binding density and mRNA level. Especially, alpha(1b) binding sites were exclusively predominant in spleen, whereas the alpha(1b) subtype was minor at the mRNA level. These results indicate a high identity of structural and pharmacological profiles of three distinct alpha(1)-adrenoceptor subtypes between rabbit and other species, but there are species differences in their distribution.

We have isolated cDNA and genomic DNA encoding mouse PDNP2 (PD-Ialpha). The mouse Pdnp2 cDNA contains a 2,589-nucleotide open reading frame encoding a polypeptide of 863 amino acids. The 5' region of the mouse Pdnp2 gene contains Sp1, Max1, HNF-3B, and AP1 putative transcription factor binding sites, without typical TATA or CAAT boxes. Fluorescence in situ hybridization showed that Pdnp2 is located at Chromosome 15D2, as expected based on mouse-human conserved regions.

Occult macular dystrophy (OMD) is an unusual macular dystrophy presenting with an essentially normal fundus and fluorescein angiography but with progressive central visual loss. The authors studied the function of local retinal areas in the posterior pole of patients with OMD using multifocal electroretinograms (ERGs).Multifocal ERGs were recorded using the Visual Evoked Response Imaging System with 61 hexagonal elements within a visual field of 30 degrees radius from 8 OMD patients and 20 age-matched, normal subjects. The amplitudes and implicit times of the patients and normal control subjects were compared at the various retinal eccentricities. RESULTs. The amplitudes of the multifocal ERGs in the OMD patients were markedly reduced in the central 7 degrees of the fovea. The difference of the ERG amplitudes between OMD and normal subjects became smaller toward the peripheral retina. Most OMD patients had slight but significantly delayed implicit times across the whole testing field, and the differences between the OMD and the normal subjects did not change with retinal eccentricity.Our results for multifocal ERG amplitudes support the idea that OMD patients have localized retinal dysfunction distal to the ganglion cells in the central retina. The delayed implicit times across the whole test field suggest that the retinal dysfunction has a broader boundary than expected by ERG amplitudes and psychophysical perimetric results.

To determine using the multifocal ERG technique whether there are any regional differences in the increase in the amplitude of cone electroretinograms (ERGs) during light adaptation.Multifocal ERGs were recorded with the Visual Evoked Response Imaging System from five normal subjects. Thirty-seven hexagonal stimulus elements and a recording time of 60 seconds were used. After 20 minutes of dark adaptation, multifocal ERGs were repeatedly recorded every 2 minutes over a period of 16 minutes. The amplitudes of the multifocal ERGs at different eccentricities were compared during the 16 minutes of light adaptation.During the 16 minutes of light adaptation, the summed responses of the multifocal ERGs increased in amplitude an average of 36% and 47% for the negative and positive components, respectively. The magnitude of increase was minimal in the central retina at 22% and was significantly larger in the peripheral retina at 58%. The implicit time was slightly increased (4%) with light adaptation, but there were no regional differences.The results demonstrated that there are topographic variations in the amplitude increase of cone ERGs during light adaptation. This topographic variation indicates that the mechanism for the increase must be based on known regional differences in the retina.

A method for scalp closure to prevent alopecia along a suture line is described. Only the galea is sutured. By tacking a sufficient width of the galea on both sides with an absorbable suture material, the sutured wound forms a ridge. The outer layer is then closed with skin staples to keep the blood circulation undisturbed. This procedure contrasts with the traditional method in which the galea is sutured with the overlying subcutaneous tissue and consequently the hair follicles are strangled. By adopting the method of suturing the galea, development of alopecia along a suture line has been effectively prevented and scarring has become less conspicuous.

The patterns of ganglioside profiles were studied in 10 human glioma and one melanoma cell lines. Ganglio-series gangliosides, GM3 (NeuAc alpha2-3Gal beta1-4Glc beta1-Cer) and GM2 (GalNAc beta 1-4 (NeuAc alpha2-3)Gal beta1-4Glc beta 1-1Cer), and a neolacto-series ganglioside, sialylparagloboside (SPG) (NeuAc alpha 2-3Gal beta1-4GlcNAc beta1-3Gal beta1-4Glc beta1-1Cer), were the predominant constituents. The activities of the two key enzymes, GM3 synthetase and lactotriaosyl ceramide (Lc3Cer) synthetase, alone did not account for the ganglioside profile. Metabolic labeling with the use of [3H]glucosamine-HCl showed more pronounced difference in the synthetic rate of each ganglioside type, in which GM2 was the most strongly labeled in 7 out of the 10 glioma cell lines. On quantifying the chemical content of GM3 and GM2, the GM3/GM2 molar ratio of above 2.0 was arbitrarily classified into GM3 dominant type (KG-1C and Mewo); the ratio below 0.5 was designated as GM2 dominant type (H4, U138MG, U373MG, T98G and A172); and the ratio between 0.5 and 2.0 was regarded as GM3 and GM2-co-dominant type (U87MG, Hs683, SW1088 and U118MG). Subsequently, the capabilities of the antibody binding to these gangliosides were examined in native forms in the cell membrane and in chemically-isolated forms. The intensity of reaction against chemically isolated GM3 and GM2 gangliosides was dependent on the quantity, and GM2 was more reactive than GM3; however, the reactivities on the cell surface did not correlate with the chemical content indicating other factors to influence their immunoreactivities.

The effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R) injury and protein kinase C (PKC) activity were studied on a model of A/R injury of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes to investigate the possibility of its using as a substrate for pharmacological preconditioning. The data indicated that bFGF improved the viability of cardiomyocytes, lowered the deplection of ATP and leakage of intracellular lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in a concentration-dependent manner. PKC inhibitor, H7, completely abolished the protective effects. It was also found that bFGF directely activated PKC in cardiomyocytes in a time course similar to that in hypoxic preconditioning. The data suggested that the protective effect of bFGF on cardiomyocyte A/R injury might be mediated by PKC.

The methanolic extract Oenanthe stoloni fera iv, pretreatment can significantly prevent the arrhythmias induced by myocardial ischemia and reduce the myocardial infarct size in rats. It can also markedly prevent myocardial ischemia and reperfusion-induced arrhythmias. In addition, the methanolic extract of Oenanthe stoloni fera (100 mg/kg i.v.) helps significantly to decrease the MDA content and preserve the SOD activity in plasma.

Bone marrow samples of 70 transplant recipients with CML were studied by Southern blot analysis and RT-PCR using a two-step procedure with nested primers. Twenty-two patients were studied once and 48 were assessed on multiple occasions. All patients remained in a hematological remission during the study. The time of follow-up after the transplant ranged from 2 to 144 months with a median of 42 months. Thirty-nine patients (56%) were negative by RT-PCR and Southern blot studies at the time of their last evaluation. The proportion of RT-PCR negative patients increased with the duration of follow-up after the transplant; 36% of patients were RT-PCR negative after 1 year compared with 60% after 2 years and 78% afteror = 5 years. Patients maintained on immunosuppression had a higher probability of remaining RT-PCR positive. Age, sex, time from diagnosis to BMT, as well as acute and chronic GVHD did not influence the RT-PCR status. The majority of patients studied on multiple occasions demonstrated a stable RT-PCR and Southern blot pattern. Some showed uni- or multi-directional transitions. However, none of the patients studied progressed to a hematological relapse. RT-PCR studies on colonies grown from RT-PCR positive. Southern blot negative patients confirmed that some of the clonogenic progenitors are able to produce BCR/ABL transcripts.

The activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GSSG-R), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and free radicals were measured, and the morphological changes were observed in the lens of control rats, selenium-deficient (SeD) and/or vitamin E deficient (VED) rats. The activities of GSH-Px in the lens of SeD rats decreased significantly. The GSH-Px activities of lens were positively related to erythrocytes selenium level. There was a free radical at g = 2.0015 in the rat lens of all groups, but the content of free radicals in the lens of SeD group was significantly higher than that of the control group. The free radical content of lens was negatively related to erythrocytes selenium level, as well as the GSH-Px activities in the lens. In vitro, ultraviolet radiation caused the generation of another kind of free radical (g = 2.0097) in the lens of all groups, but the amount of the free radical in the lens of the SeD group was also significantly higher than that of the control group. The activities of SOD and GSSG-R in VED rat lens were significantly decreased. The amount of MDA in the lens of SeD and/or VED rats were significantly increased. The results showed that the decrease of antioxidative capability in the lenses of SeD and/or VED rats accelerated the lipid peroxidation and generation of free radicals. Although only early morphological changes in SeD and/or VED rat lens were observed, it is considered that selenium and vitamin E deficiency may be involved in the occurrence of cataract.

To study antioxidative effects of vitamin E and selenium, two experiments were conducted. Experiment I: To study effects of vitamin E and/or selenium deficiency on malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in tissues and on oxidation of erythrocyte of rat fed with natural deficient diet. Experiment II: To study effects of vitamin E and/or selenium deficiency on MDA levels and free radicals levels in tissues, and on fluidity of erythrocyte membrane of rat fed with semisynthetic diet. It was found that MDA levels in tissues of vitamin E deficient groups were higher than that of selenium deficient groups in both experiments. In contrast to MDA level, free radicals levels detected by ESR in tissues of vitamin E deficient groups were lower than that of selenium deficient groups. Results of oxidation of erythrocyte with oxidants in vitro showed that vitamin E protected against hemolysis of erythrocyte induced by ascorbic acid, whilst selenium protected against oxidation of haemoglobin by superoxide anion. Effects of vitamin E and selenium deficiency on fluidity of erythrocyte membrane estimated by ESR and expressed as rotational correlation time (rc) were also different: vitamin E deficiency increased rc, when fluidity was estimated by labelling with 5-doxy stearic acid or 16-doxy stearic acid. Selenium deficiency increased rc, when fluidity was estimated by labelling with 3-maleimido proxy and 3-(3-maleimidopropyl-carbamyl) proxy. It means that vitamin E deficiency caused decrease of fluidity of erythrocyte membrane due to damage to lipid of membrane and selenium deficiency caused decrease of fluidity of erythrocyte membrane due to damage to -SH group in membrane protein. These results demonstrated that antioxidant action of vitamin E and selenium are different: (1) vitamin E acts on the biomembrane, and selenium acts in the form of Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in cytoplasm; (2) vitamin E prevents lipid peroxidation more effectively than selenium, whereas selenium prevents free radicals production more effectively than vitamin E; (3) vitamin E protects lipid of membrane and selenium protects -SH group in membrane protein against oxidation.

Eleven compounds were isolated from the methanolic extraction of the radix of Ledebouriella seseloides. They were identified as beta-sitosterol, bergapten, hamaudol, daucosterine sec-O-glucosylhamaudol, 5-O-methylvisamminol, cimifugin, sucrose, 4-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-5-O-methyl-visamminol, prim-O-glucosylcimifugin and mannitol by physico-chemical constants and spectroscopic analysis.

A CD10 monoclonal antibody 55 (McAb55) was intended for purging residual common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen (CALLA) positive leukemic cells from autotransplants of common acute lymphoblastic leukemia (C-ALL) patients. It was found that after two rounds of McAb55 and complement treatment, 4-5 logs of CALLA+ cells were removed from bone marrow detected by clonogenic assay. The standardization of separation, purgation and preservation of bone marrow for C-ALL patients' autotransplants was then set as follows: Following the carboxymethyl starch sedimentation and Ficoll-Hypaque gradient separation, the isolated mononuclear cells (MNCs) were treated with McAb55 and complement twice and kept in room temperature for 48-72 hours prior to infusion. This procedure resulted in the removal of more than 99% of CALLA+ cells, recovery of 10-30% MNCs, and leaving the hematopoiesis stem cells intact. After the intensive cytoreductive therapy, 4 patients with C-ALL received the purged autotransplants giving timely recovery of the hematopoietic function. The patients were all remaining in remission status for more than 40-250 days so far.