Ultrastructural localization of blood group antigen A in normal and neoplastic urothelium

The subcellular distribution of the blood group antigen A in the transitional epithelium of the urinary tract and its neoplastic growths was studied using transmission immuno-electronmicroscopy. Sixty-five tissue specimens from 50 blood group A1 patients were processed according to an immunogold procedure which was optimized for preservation of both antigen and ultrastructure. The reactions were stronger in the glycocalyx of the luminal surfaces and at the interdigitating cytoplasmic processes of the cells. In the intracellular compartment the reactions were associated with tubulovesicular membrane-bound structures and with the Golgi complexes. Secretory products, intra- or extra-cellular, were also positive. The greatest variability was noted in the cell surface reactions, which were positive in 88% of normal but only 41% of neoplastic urothelial specimens. An inverse correlation was found between malignant behaviour and cell surface, but not intracellular, reactions. We conclude that, in transitional cell carcinomas, there is a quantitative defect in the processing of substance A which affects predominantly the cell surface component and may involve either the transport-insertion steps, the plasma membrane-associated glycosyltransferases or internalization of blood group antigen A.     

Novel antiepileptic drug levetiracetam decreases dyskinesia elicited by L-dopa and ropinirole in the MPTP-lesioned marmoset.

Long-term dopamine replacement therapy of Parkinson's disease leads to the occurrence of dyskinesias. Altered firing patterns of neurons of the internal globus pallidus, involving a pathological synchronization/desynchronization process, may contribute significantly to the genesis of dyskinesia. Levetiracetam, an antiepileptic drug that counteracts neuronal (hyper)synchronization in animal models of epilepsy, was assessed in the MPTP-lesioned marmoset model of Parkinson's disease, after coadministration with (1) levodopa (L-dopa) or (2) ropinirole/L-dopa combination. Oral administration of levetiracetam (13-60 mg/kg) in combination with either L-dopa (12 mg/kg) alone or L-dopa (8 mg/kg)/ropinirole (1.25 mg/kg) treatments was associated with significantly less dyskinesia, in comparison to L-dopa monotherapy during the first hour after administration. Thus, new nondopaminergic treatment strategies targeting normalization of abnormal firing patterns in basal ganglia structures may prove useful as an adjunct to reduce dyskinesia induced by dopamine replacement therapy without affecting its antiparkinsonian action.     

Genetic typing of human platelet antigen 1 (HPA-1) by oligonucleotide ligation assay in a specific and reliable semi-automated system

Genotyping of platelet alloantigens with the possibility of using any type of cellular material as a source of DNA has become a preferred procedure, particularly in thrombocytopenic patients when platelet counts are too low for phenotyping. Recently human platelet antigen 1 (HPA-1) has been identified as an inherited risk factor for coronary thrombosis. The different detection methods currently used have disadvantages for large-scale DNA diagnosis, including the need for electrophoresis (allele-specific restriction enzyme analysis, amplification with sequence-specific primers) or the potential risk of reduced specificity (allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridization). In this report we describe the adaptation of an automated oligonucleotide ligation assay to genotype HPA-1 in polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified DNA samples. HPA-1a and HPA-1b phenotypes corresponded to the results of the different genotyping assays. The genotypes determined with the ELISA-based PCR-oligonucleotide ligation assay were in 100% concordance with the results obtained by conventional allele-specific restriction enzyme site analysis and PCR amplification with sequence-specific primers. The automated oligonucleotide ligation assay provides a rapid, reliable, nonisotopic method to genotype human platelet antigens that can rapidly be applied to large population screening.     

失血性休克状态下肢体缺血再灌注影响休克发展的研究

目的：研究失血性休克状态下骨骼肌缺血再灌注对休克发展的影响。方法：雌性家兔１２只，随机等分为休克对照组（Ⅰ组）和休克伴双后肢缺血再灌注组（Ⅱ组）。戊巴比妥钠麻醉，气管切开，自主呼吸，并全身肝素化。经左颈外静脉，按１ｍｌ·ｋｇ－１·ｍｉｎ－１的速度放血５分钟，停５分钟，以左颈总动脉ＭＡＰ达４．０±０．２ｋＰａ为休克开始，此时Ⅱ组阻断腹主动脉末端，９０分钟后松开。结果：休克后１２０分钟，血中ＴＸＢ２、ＴＸＢ２／６－ｋｅｔｏ－ＰＧＦ１α、乳酸、酸性磷酸酶及Ｍｇ２＋，Ⅱ组均显著高于Ⅰ组，而休克９０分钟时，各值两组间无显著性差异。结论：失血性休克状态下肢体骨骼肌缺血再灌注可能对休克的发展产生不利影响。     

Breast Cancer Genes

Abstract: The identification of familial breast cancer genes heralds an era of directed breast cancer treatment. Currently, two hereditary breast cancer genes have been identified, BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 . Although accounting for only approximately 5% of all breast cancers, they are being used to identify women with germ-line alterations that are at high risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer. With the identification of such genes comes a need for consideration of the ethical issues associated with testing. These genes are also being examined from a biochemical standpoint encompassing both their biological roles and biochemical pathways in which they reside. Such studies are likely to lead to novel breast cancer therapies.     

E1 Tor霍乱弧菌SM_6和江苏1d菌株

ＳＭ６是我国检测Ｅ１Ｔｏｒ霍乱弧菌是否带有溶源性噬菌体的指示菌株。江苏的６株Ｅ１Ｔｏｒ霍乱弧菌和ＳＭ６都属于噬菌体－生物分型的１ｄ型，而在噬菌体分型中ＳＭ６为１／２型，江苏的６株菌株则为１／２／３型；霍乱毒素（ＣＴ）基因测定也表明两者的不同，ＳＭ６不含ＣＴ基因，江苏的６株都含有ＣＴ基因，显示噬菌体分型可将噬菌体－生物分型的型别进一步划分，ＳＭ６的特性也为霍乱的进一步研究提供了资料。     

语音体温计的设计与应用

本文主要介绍了利用一款新型单片机进行高集成化语音体温计的设计方法，包括设计原理、硬件连接、软件设计流程、主要特点及测试应用的情况。     

Studies on the relationship between transaldolase activity and testosterone synthesis in Leydig cells of pubertalmice

Objective: To study the relationship between transaldolase activity, protein expression and testosterone synthesis in Leydig cells of pubertal mice. Methods: Leydig cells were cultured for 2 hours and 8 hours, to the Stimulation Group, hCG was added and to the Controls, only the vehicle. The testosterone concentration was then determined by enzyme-linked immunoadsordent assay (ELISA) and the transaldolase activity and protein expression by Western blot. Results: (1) Both the testosterone concentration and the transaldolase activity in both Stimulation Groups were significantly higher than those in the corresponding Controls (2 h: p<0.05-0.01; 8 h: P<0.001); (2) The ratios of the A isoform, the B isoform and the total transaldolase protein to β-actin between the Stimulation and Control Groups did not differ signifi-cantly. Conclusion: hCG stimulates the transaldolase activity as well as the testosterone synthesis in the Leydig cells of pubertal mice, indicating a positive relationship between them.     

Evidence for differential effects of 8-OH-DPAT on male and female rats in the Anxiety/Defense Test Battery

The Proxemics/Activity test and the Eat/Drink test, two components of the Anxiety/Defense Test Battery, were developed to measure defensive reactions to situations associated with a natural predator (cat). In the present studies the behavioral effects of 8-OH-DPAT treatment (0.01–1.0 mg/kg, SC) were entirely consistent with anxiety/fear reduction. These effects included an increase in time spent near the cat compartment, and a complimentary decrease in time spent farthest from this compartment, together with an increase in transits and locomote behavior. 8-OH-DPAT (1.0 mg/kg) also increased eat frequencies and durations (highly preferred food) both during and following cat presentation, without influencing drinking. This finding is discussed with reference to previous findings with 8-OH-DPAT in studies assessing both food intake and anxiolysis. Interestingly, 8-OH-DPAT was more potent in a majority of its effects in female subjects, a finding consistent with recent neurochemical data. These findings provide important behavioral evidence for a sexual differentiation in 5-HT function, and support the case for greater emphasis on female subjects in animal models of anxiety.Supported by NIH MH42803 and RCMI Grants RR03061 and RR01825     

白内障形成机制研究

通过对老年性白内障、外伤性白内障、先天性白内障(共14例)及正常晶体(20例)的SOD测定,表明晶体内自由基产生增加,抗氧化能力障碍是白内障形成的重要原因之一。同时,对晶体内自由基的发生及致病机理进行了探讨,提示在白内障形成初期,给予抗氧化制剂在可能阻止或延缓白内障形成。