Tandem chromosome fusions in karyotypic evolution of Muntiacus: evidence from M. feae and M. gongshanensis

The muntjacs (Muntiacus, Cervidae) are famous for their rapid and radical karyotypic diversification via repeated tandem chromosome fusions, constituting a paradigm for the studies of karyotypic evolution. Of the five muntjac species with defined karyotypes, three species (i.e. Muntiacus reevesi, 2n = 46; M. m. vaginalis, 2n = 6/7; and M. crinifrons, 2n = 8/9) have so far been investigated by a combined approach of comparative chromosome banding, chromosome painting and BAC mapping. The results demonstrated that extensive centromere–telomere fusions and a few centric fusions are the chromosomal mechanisms underlying the karyotypic evolution of muntjacs. Here we have applied the same approach to two additional muntjac species with less well-characterized karyotypes, M. feae (2n = 14♂) and M. gongshanensis (2n = 8♀). High-resolution G-banded karyotypes for M. feae and M. gongshanensis are provided. The integrated analysis of hybridization results led to the establishment of a high-resolution comparative map between M. reevesi, M. feae, and M. gongshanensis, proving that all tandem fusions underpinning the karyotypic evolution of these two muntjac species are also centromere–telomere fusions. Furthermore, the results have improved our understanding of the karyotypic relationships of extant muntjac species and provided compelling cytogenetic evidence that supports the view that M. crinifrons, M. feae, and M. gongshanensis should each be treated as a distinct species.     

Applications of a rat multiple tissue gene expression data set

With the sequencing and assembly of the rat genome comes the difficult task of assigning functions to genes. Tissue localization of gene expression gives some information about the potential role of a gene in physiology. Various examples of the utility of multiple tissue gene expression data sets are illustrated here. First, we highlight their use in finding genes that might play an important role in a particular tissue on the basis of exclusive expression in that tissue or coexpression with a gene or genes with known function. Second, we show how this data might be used to explain known phenotypic differences between strains. Third, we show how expression patterns of genes in a genomic interval might identify candidate genes in quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping studies. Lastly, we show how multiple tissue and species data can help researchers prioritize follow up studies to microarray experiments. All of these applications of multiple tissue gene expression data sets will play a role in functionally annotating the rat genome.     

Effects of air pollution on cup a 3 allergen in Cupressus arizonica pollen grains.

BACKGROUND: Cupressaceae is a family of plants resistant to airborne contamination, and its pollen is the main cause of winter allergic respiratory diseases, especially in North America, Japan, and Mediterranean countries. Recently, a major allergen from Cupressus arizonica pollen grains, Cup a 3, was cloned and expressed. OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of air pollution on the expression of Cup a 3, a thaumatinlike protein, in C. arizonica pollen grains using a combination of transmission electron microscopy and immunocytochemical techniques. METHODS: Observations were made in mature and hydrated C. arizonica pollen grains from various regions in Spain with different degrees of air pollution. Specimens were fixed using freezing protocols, and ultrathin sections were incubated with anti-rCup a 3 rabbit polyclonal antibodies. RESULTS: Labeling of Cup a 3 was detected in mature and hydrated C. arizonica pollen grains. It was more intense in pollen from polluted air regions, and abundant gold particles were observed as they were released through the pollen grain walls. Furthermore, gold particles remained abundant in the pollen cytoplasm. The labeling was noticeably lower in pollen grains from unpolluted air regions. CONCLUSIONS: Cup a 3 is present in the cytoplasm and walls of cypress pollen grains during the air dispersion and hydration stages. The abundance of Cup a 3 in pollen grains under polluted air conditions indicates that these cypresses intensify their activity as a defense from environmental pollution, thus strengthening their allergenicity.     

中间丝波形蛋白抗原提纯,抗体制备和初步应用

Vimentin was isolated and purified from pig lens with DEAE 52 and CM32 chromatography, which was identified by the following procedures: SDS-PAGE, analysis of amino acid composition, negative staining for electron microscopy and Western Blot. Antiserum of vimentin was prepared and its specificity was detected in normal and tumor tissues by immunohistochemical technique. Distribution of vimentin in 3T3 and L-929 cells was studied with immunofluorescence technique. The result showed that vimentin appeared as networks in the cytoplasm, and the antibody thus prepared might be used for basic research work and pathologic diagnosis.     

Assessment of HBV persistent infection in an adult population in Taiwan

In order to study the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the adult population of Taiwan, we screened for the presence of HBV DNA in 205 blood samples from adult (20-59-year-old) volunteers. According to the serological markers of HBV, samples were divided into three groups: group I (173 subjects) was negative for both HBsAg and HBeAg; group II (14 subjects) was positive for both HBsAg and HBeAg; and group III consisted of 18 subjects who were HBsAg-positive but HBeAg-negative. Plasma HBV DNA was not detected in group I, but it was found in 85.7% and 11.8% of samples in group II and group III, respectively. A free-form HBV DNA was found in 14.3% of the leukocyte samples in group II. Furthermore, an integrated form of HBV DNA was detected in the leukocytes of two cases of group I who remained healthy based on clinical data. HBV DNA was also detected in the spermatozoa and liver cells of one of the cases.     

Tumours of histiocytes and accessory dendritic cells: an immunohistochemical approach to classification from the International Lymphoma Study Group based on 61 cases

Neoplasms of histiocytes and dendritic cells are rare, and their phenotypic and biological definition is incomplete. Seeking to identify antigens detectable in paraffin-embedded sections that might allow a more complete, rational immunophenotypic classification of histiocytic/dendritic cell neoplasms, the International Lymphoma Study Group (ILSG) stained 61 tumours of suspected histiocytic/dendritic cell type with a panel of 15 antibodies including those reactive with histiocytes (CD68, lysozyme (LYS)), Langerhans cells (CD1a), follicular dendritic cells (FDC: CD21, CD35) and S100 protein. This analysis revealed that 57 cases (93%) fit into four major immunophenotypic groups (one histiocytic and three dendritic cell types) utilizing six markers: CD68, LYS, CD1a, S100, CD21, and CD35. The four (7%) unclassified cases were further classifiable into the above four groups using additional morphological and ultrastructural features. The four groups then included: (i) histiocytic sarcoma (n=18) with the following phenotype: CD68 (100%), LYS (94%), CD1a (0%), S100 (33%), CD21/35 (0%). The median age was 46 years. Presentation was predominantly extranodal (72%) with high mortality (58% dead of disease (DOD)). Three had systemic involvement consistent with 'malignant histiocytosis'; (ii) Langerhans cell tumour (LCT) (n=26) which expressed: CD68 (96%), LYS (42%), CD1a (100%), S100 (100%), CD21/35 (0%). There were two morphological variants: cytologically typical (n=17) designated LCT; and cytologically malignant (n=9) designated Langerhans cell sarcoma (LCS). The LCS were often not easily recognized morphologically as LC-derived, but were diagnosed based on CD1a staining. LCT and LCS differed in median age (33 versus 41 years), male:female ratio (3.7:1 versus 1:2), and death rate (31% versus 50% DOD). Four LCT patients had systemic involvement typical of Letterer-Siwe disease; (iii) follicular dendritic cell tumour/sarcoma (FDCT) (n=13) which expressed: CD68 (54%), LYS (8%), CD1a (0%), S100 (16%), FDC markers CD21/35 (100%), EMA (40%). These patients were adults (median age 65 years) with predominantly localized nodal disease (75%) and low mortality (9% DOD); (iv) interdigitating dendritic cell tumour/sarcoma (IDCT) (n=4) which expressed: CD68 (50%), LYS (25%), CD1a (0%), S100 (100%), CD21/35 (0%). The patients were adults (median 71 years) with localized nodal disease (75%) without mortality (0% DOD). In conclusion, definitive immunophenotypic classification of histiocytic and accessory cell neoplasms into four categories was possible in 93% of the cases using six antigens detected in paraffin-embedded sections. Exceptional cases (7%) were resolvable when added morphological and ultrastructural features were considered. We propose a classification combining immunophenotype and morphology with five categories, including Langerhans cell sarcoma. This simplified scheme is practical for everyday diagnostic use and should provide a framework for additional investigation of these unusual neoplasms.     

Distribution of galanin immunoreactivity in the central nervous system and the responses of galanin-containing neuronal pathways to injury

Radioimmunoassay and immunocytochemistry were used to study the distribution of galanin, a novel 29 amino acid porcine intestinal peptide, in the central nervous system of the rat and pig. The pattern of distribution was similar in the two species, with the highest concentrations of galanin-like immunoreactivity found in the neurohypophysis, hypothalamus and sacral spinal cord. Immunocytochemical studies of these regions localized galanin-like immunoreactivity to cell bodies in the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei of the hypothalamus, to fibres in the pars nervosa and to numerous cell bodies and fibres in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. On both gel and high pressure liquid chromatography, galanin-like immunoreactivity in rat and pig nervous tissue eluted as a single peak in a position similar to purified procine intestinal galanin standard. Surgical and pharmacological manipulations in the rat suggest the presence of galanin in afferent fibres. An increase of galanin-like immunoreactivity was observed in the sacral spinal cord of the rat following thoracic spinal cord transection. Thus galanin-like immunoreactivity in the brain is mainly localized in the hypothalamopituitary region. The decrease of galanin-like immunoreactivity in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, following dorsal rhizotomy and pre-treatment of rats with capsaicin, indicates that many of the fibres, which are of small diameter, may well be derived from spinal sensory neurones.     

Preparation and evaluation of a soluble derivative of the antiallergic compound trans-2, 3b, 4, 5, 7, 8b, 9, 10-octahydronaphtho [1, 2-c:5, 6-c'] dipyrazole (LC-6)

In the present report we describe the preparation of LC-6.2HCl, a soluble derivative of the synthetic bispyrazole LC-6. Because the latter was practically insoluble in aqueous and organic media, experiments which indicated that it had antiallergic activity were confined to in vivo studies following its oral administration. The availability of soluble LC-6.2HCl made it possible to administer the drug i.v. or i.p. Through these routes it exhibited greater antiallergic activity than by the oral route, as judged by lower ID50's and by the achievement of 100% PCA inhibition. The latter result had not previously been attained orally with the base. Furthermore, when injected i.v. or i.p. LC-6.2HCl showed prolonged inhibitory activity, a valuable attribute of the parent compound. The in vivo activity of the soluble salt, which we describe, further establishes the potential therapeutic value of the drug.     

三氧化二锑诱导急性早幼粒细胞白血病细胞凋亡的研究

目的 研究锑剂三氧化二锑（Sb2O3)对早幼粒细胞白血病细胞株NB4凋亡的诱导作用，以寻求早幼粒细胞白血病治疗的新方法。方法 采用细胞生长曲线，形态学及硝基四氮唑蓝（NBT）还原试验，判定NB4细胞的生长，分化及功能。采用细胞周期分析和DNA电泳研究细胞凋亡。结果 Sb2O3能诱导早幼粒白血病细胞凋亡，且具有时间，剂量依赖性。结论 Sb2O3能有效地诱导早幼粒白血病细胞凋亡，提示锑剂诱导细胞半亡的疗法，有望成为临床治疗早幼粒细胞白血病的新方法。     

Residues involved in the antigenic sites of transmissible gastroenteritis coronavirus S glycoprotein.

The S glycoprotein of transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) has been shown to contain four major antigenic sites (A, B, C, and D). Site A is the main inducer of neutralizing antibodies and has been previously subdivided into the three subsites Aa, Ab, and Ac. The residues that contribute to these sites were localized by sequence analysis of 21 mutants that escaped neutralization or binding by TGEV-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), and by epitope scanning (PEPSCAN). Site A contains the residues 538, 591, and 543, which are essential in the formation of subsites Aa, Ab, and Ac, respectively. In addition, mar mutant 1B.H6 with residue 586 changed had partially altered both subsite Aa and Ab, indicating that these subsites overlap in residue 586; i.e. this residue also is part of site A. The peptide 537-MKSGYGQPIA-547 represents, at least partially, subsite Ac which is highly conserved among coronaviruses. This site is relevant for diagnosis and could be of interest for protection. Other residues contribute to site B (residues 97 and 144), site C (residues 50 and 51), and site D (residue 385). The location of site D is in agreement with PEPSCAN results. Site C can be represented by the peptide 48-P-P/S-N-S-D/E-52 but is not exposed on the surface of native virus. Its accessibility can be modulated by treatment at pH greater than 11 (at 4 degrees) and temperatures greater than 45 degrees. Sites A and B are fully dependent on glycosylation for proper folding, while sites C and D are fully or partially independent of glycosylation, respectively. Once the S glycoprotein has been assembled into the virion, the carbohydrate moiety is not essential for the antigenic sites.