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Starting from chlorodimethyl(phenyl)silane (3), acetyldimethyl(phenyl)silane (l) was prepared by a two-step synthesis in a total yield of 90% [PhMe\(_2\)SiCl (3)-> PhMe\(_2\)SiCCOMe)=CH\(_2\) (4)-> PhMe\(_2\)SiC(O)Me (1)]. The prochiral acetylsilane 1 was transfonned enantioselectively into (R)-(1-hydroxyethyl)dimethyl(phenyl)silane [(R)-2] using plant cell Suspension cultures of Symphytum officinale L. or Ruta graveolens L. Under preparative conditions (300-mg scale, not optimized), (R)-2 was isolated in 15% (Symphytum) and 9% yield (Ruta), respectively. The enantiomeric purities of the products were 81% ee (Syrnphytum) and 60% ee (Ruta), respectively.
Wilms' tumor is a childhood nephroblastoma that is postulated to arise through the inactivation of a tumor suppressor gene by a two-hit mechanism. A candidate II p 13 Wilms' tumor gene, WTI, has been cloned and shown to encode a zinc finger protein. Patients with the WAGR syndrome (Wilms' tumor, aniridia, genitourinary abnormalities, and mental retardation) have a high risk of developing Wilms' tumor and they carry constitutional deletions of one chromosome II allele encompassing the WTI gene. Analysis of the remaining WTI allele in a Wilms' tumor from a WAGR patient revealed the deletion of a single nucleotide in exon 7. This mutation likely played a key role in tumor formation, as it prevents translation of the DNA-binding zinc finger domain that is essential for the function of the WTI polypeptide as a transcriptional regulator.
Pericentric intrachromosomal insertion responsible for recurrence of del(11)(p13p14) in a family
(1993)
The combined use of qualitative and quantitative analysis of I I p I 3 polymorphic markers tagether with chromosomal in situ suppression hybridization (CISS) with biotin labeled probes mapping to I I p allowed us to characterize a complex rearrangement segregating in a family. We detected a pericentric intrachromosomal insertion responsible (or recurrence of del( I I )(p 13p 14) in the family: an insertion of band I I p 13-p 14 carrying the genes for predisposition to Wilms' tumor, WT I, and for aniridia, AN2, into the long arm of chromosome I I in II q 13-q 1<4. Asymptomatic balanced carriers were observed over three generations. Classical cytogenetics had failed to detect this anomaly in the balanced carriers, who were first considered to be somatic mosaics for del( II )(p 13). Two of these women gave birth to children carrying a deleted chromosome II. most likely resulting from the loss of the I I p 13 band inserted in I I q. Although in both cases the deletion encompassed exactly the same maternally inherited markers, there was a wide Variation in clinical expression. One child, with the karyotype 46,XY,del(ll)(pllpl4), presented the full-blown WAGR syndrome with anlridia, mental retardation, Wilms' tumor, and pseudohermaphroditism, but also had proteinuria and glomerular sclerosis reminiscent of Drash syndrome. In contrast, the other one, a girl with the karyotype 46,XX,del( I I )(p I 3), only had aniridia. Although a specific set of mutational sites has been observed in Drash patients, these findings suggest that the loss of one copy of the WTI gene can result in similar genital and kidney abnormalities.
Some chromosomes in transformed rat cells and somatic cell hybrids fail to display the presence of kinetochore proteins as detected by antikinetochore antibodies. Suchchromosomes (K- Chromosomes) may constitute a novel mechanism for the genesis of aneuploidy. Wehave analyzed primary~ immortalized and malignant marnmalian cells for the presence of kinetochore proteins and micronuclei. Our resuJts suggest a correlation of the K- chromosome and micronucleus frequency with the variability in chromosome number. Upon in situ hybridization with the minor satellite and alpha satellite sequences some Kchromosomes showed a signal. This indicates that the observed lack of kinetocbores is not necessarily due to a lack of centromeric DNA. We conclude that dislocated K- chromosomes may become incorporated into micronuclei which are prone to loss. Such events would be associated with the generation of aneuploidy.
ln two experiments, male rats were observed in pairs under different environmental stimulations in an open field. ln Experiment 1, white noise of 85 dB(A) reduced social activities and increased defecation compared to 75 dB(A) and 65 dß(A). ln Experiment 2, the illumination of the open field was varied in addition to a variation of the noise intensity. Again, 85 dB(A) as compared to 50 dB(A) reduced social activities and increased defecation, but also led to changes in non-social behaviours such as sniffing, grooming, and rearing. ln contrast, 400 lx did not differ substantially in its effects from 40 lx in any of the observed behavioural categories. Altogether, the behaviour pattern under 85 dß(A) white noise cannot satisfactorily be explained only by increased anxiety or fear. Alternative explanations are discussed.
The expression of measles virus (MV) in six different permanent human glioma cell lines (D-54, U-251, U-138, U-105, U-373, and D-32) was analyzed. Although all celllines were permissive for productive replication of all MV strains tested, U-251, D-54, and D-32 cells spontaneously revealed restrictions of MV transcription similar to those observed for primary rat astroglial cells and brain tissue. In vitro differentiation of D-54 and U-251 cells by substances affecting tbe intracellular cyclic AMP Ievel caused a significant reduction of tbe expression of tbe viral proteins after 18, 72, and 144 b of infection. This pronounced restriction was not paralleled to a comparable Ievel by an inhibition of tbe syntbesis and biological activity in vitro of virus·specific mRNAs as sbown by quantitative Northem (RNA) blot analyses and in vitro translation. The block in viral protein syntbesis could not be attributed to tbe induction of type I interferon by any of tbe substances tested. Our findings indicate tbat down-regulation of MV gene expression in human brain cells can occur by a cell type-rlependent regulation of tbe viral mRNA transcription and a differentiation-dependent regulation of translation, botb of wbicb may be crucial for the establisbment of persistent MV infections in tbe centrat nervous system.
Quantification of the peripheral nerve myelin glycoprotein PO and antibodies to PO is difficult due to insolubility of PO in physiological solutions. We have overcome this problern by using the water-soluble recombinant form of the extracellular domain of PO (PO-ED) and describe newly developed assays which allow detection and quantitation of PO and antibodies to PO, in serum and cerebraspinal fluid (CSF). These sensitive and specific assays based on the ELISA technique were used to study humoral immune responses to PO during experimental autoimmune ("allergic") neuritis (EAN). In order to establish these tests, monoclonal antiborlies to different epitopes of rodent and human PO-ED were produced. A two-antibody sandwich-ELISA allowing quantitation of PO Oower detection Iimit of 0.5 ngjml or 30 fmoljml) and an antibody-capture ELISA (lower detection Iimit 1 ng specific antibody jml) to detect antiborlies to PO in serum and CSF were developed. EAN was induced in rats by active immunization with bovine myelin or the neuritogenic protein P2 or by adoptive transfer using P2 specific CD4 positive T cells. Serum and CSF were assayed for the presence of PO-ED and antibodies to PO-ED or P2. Antibodies to PO-ED were detected during active myelin-induced EAN, but not during P2-induced or adaptive transfer EAN. The anti-PO-ED antibodies in the CSF showed a correJation with disease activity. In contrast, in the same model antibodies to P2 persisted long after the disease ceased. No soluble PO-Iike fragments could be found in serum or CSF during any of the three types of EAN. We conclude that PO may be a B-eeil epitope in EAN. These findings warrant a screen for antibodies to PO-ED in human immune neuropathies.
The effect of measles virus (MV) infection on mRNA expression and protein synthesis of cytokines in human malignant glioma celllines (0-54 and U-251) was investigated. Primary MV infections led in both celllines to the induction of interleukin-1 fJ (ll-1 (3), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interferon-(3 (IFN-fJ), and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a). ln contrast, persistently infected astrocytoma lines continually produced IL-6 (two out of 12 lines high Ievels) and IFN-ß, whereas only 1 out of 121ines synthesized TNF-a and none IL-1ß. The pathways for induction of IL-1fJ and TNF-a expression were not suppressed by the persistent MV infection, since IL-1ß and TNF-a could be induced by external stimuli Jike diacylglycerol analog plus calcium ionophore. lnterestingly, persistently infected astrocytoma cells synthesized considerably higher Ievels of ll-1ß and TNF-a than uninfected cells afteradditional external induction. These results suggest that in the centrat nervous system (CNS) of SSPE patients a percentage of persistently infected astrocytes may continually synthesize IL-6 and IFN-ß, and in the presence of additional external stimuli, as possibly provided by activated lymphocytes, might ovarexpress the inflammatory cytokines IL-1 ß and TNF-a. This may be of pathogenetic significance in CNS diseases associated with persistent MV infections.
Tbe benzodiazepines are a class of d.rugs that are widely used in the treatment of various psychiatric disorders. One member of um ~' oxazepam, is also a common metabolite of sevmd other benzod.iazepines. Since the evidence for the genetic toxicity and carcinogenic properties of these compounds is incol:lsb1ent, we investigated the oxazepam-induced fonnation of micronuclei in Syrian Hamster embryo fibroblast (SHE) cells, human amniotic fluid fibroblast-like (AFFL) cells and LS178Y mouse cells. A dose-dependent increase in micronucleus fractions was found in all tbree ceU llnes. The time course of micronucleus induction in L5178Y cells showed a maximum at 5 h after treatment, suggesting that the micronuclei were fonned in the first mitosis after treatment. Kinetochore staining (CREST -antiserum) revealed the presence of kinetochores in -SO% of the micronuclei in aU tbree ceU types. ThJs resu1t was further confinned by in situ bybridization in LS178Y cells and indicates tbe presence of wbole Chromosomes or centric fragments as weU as acentric fragments in the oxazepam-induced micronuclei. The LS178Y cells did not show a mutagenic response to oxazepam at any of the doses or expression times used.
5-Azacytidine was originally developed to treat human myelogenous leukemia. However, interest in this compound has expanded because of reports of its ability to affect cell differentiation and to alter eukaryotic gene expression. In an ongoing attempt to understand the biochemical effects of this compound, we examined the effects of 5-azacytidine on mitosis and on micronucleus formation in mammalian cells. In L5178Y mouse cells, 5-azacytidine induced micronuclei at concentrations at which we and others have already reported its mutagenicity at the tk locus. Using CREST staining and C-banding studies, we showed that the induced micronuclei contained mostly chromosomal fragments although some may have contained whole chromosomes. By incorporating BrdU into the DNA of SHE cells, we determined that micronuclei were induced only when the compound was added while the cells were in S phase. Microscopically visible effects due to 5-azacytidine treatment were not observed until anaphase of the mitosis following treatment or thereafter. 5-Azacytidine did not induce micronuclei via interference with formation of the metaphase chromosome arrangement in mitosis, a common mechanism leading to aneuploidy. SupravitalUV microscopy revealed that chromatid bridges were observed in anaphase and, in some cases, were sustained into interphase. In the first mitosis after 5-azacytidine treatment we observed that many cells were unable to perform anaphase separation. All of these observations indicate that 5-azacytidine is predominantly a clastogen through its incorporation into DNA.
1.2-Dioxetanes, very reactive and high energy molecules. are involved as labile intermediates in dioxygenase- activated aerobic metabolism and in physiological processes. Various toxico1ogica1 tests reveal that dioxetanes are indeed genotoxic. In supercoiled DNA of bacteriophage PM2 they induce endonucleasesensitive sites, most of them are FPG protein-sensitive base modifications (8-hydroxyguanine, fonnamidopyrimidines). Pyrimidinedimersand sites ofbase loss (AP sites) which were probed by UV endonuclease and exonuclease 111 are minor lesions in this system. While the alky1-substituted dioxetanes do not show any significant mutagenic activity in different Salmonella typhimurium strains, heteroarene dioxetanes such as benzofuran and furocoumarin dioxetanes are strongly mutagenic in S. typhimurium strain TA I 00. DNA adducts formed with an intermediary alkyJating agent appear to be responsible for the mutagenic activity of benzofuran dioxetane. We assume that the benzofuran epoxides, generated in situ from benzofuran dioxetanes by deoxygenation are the ultimate mutagens of the latter. since benzofuran epoxides are highly mutagenic in the S. typhimurium strain TAIOO and they form DNA adducts. as detected by the 212Ppostlabelling technique. Our results imply that the type of D NA darnage promoted by dioxetanes is dependent on the structural feature of dioxetanes. Furthermore, the direct photochemical DNA darnage by energy transfer. i.e., pyrimidine dimers, plays a minor role in the genotoxicity of dioxetanes. Instead, photooxidation dominates in isolated DNA. while radical darnage and alkylation prevail in the cellular system.
lnteractions of p-opioid receptors with the benzodiazepine system were studied by examining the modulatory effects of flumazenil (a benzodiazepine antagonist) and alprazolam (a benzodiazepine agonist) on the respiratory effects ofthe opioid peptide dermorphin. Dermorphin, 1-30 nmol administered i.c.v., to conscious, unrestrained rats decreased ventilation rate (VR) and minute volume (MV) dose-dependently. The ventilatory depression was antagonized by naloxone and by the benzodiazepine antagonist flumazenil. The benzodiazepine alprazolam potentiateri the respiratory inhibition of a small (I nmol) dose of dermorphin but antagonized that of a higher dos:~ (3 nmol). The results suggest that the benzodiazepine/GABA receptor complex modulates respiratory depression induced by centrat p-receptor Stimulation in the rat.
Tyr-o-Arg\(^2\)-Phe-sarcosine\(^4\) (TAPS), a mu-selective tetrapeptide analog of dermorphin, induced sustained antinociception and stimulated ventilatory minute volume (MV) at the doses of 3 to 100 pmol i.c.v. The doses of 30 and 100 pmol i.c.v. induced catalepsy. The effect of TAPS on MV was in negative correlation with the dose and the maximal response was achieved by the lowest (3 pmol) dose (+63 ± 23%, P < .05). Morphine, an agonist at both mu\(_1\) and mu\(_2\) sites, at a dose of 150 nmol i.c.v. (equianalgetic to 100 pmol of TAPS decreased the MV by 30%, due to a decrease in ventilatory tidal volume. The antinociceptive effect of TAPS was antagonized by naloxone and the mu, receptor antagonist, naloxonazine. Naloxonazine also attenuated the catalepsy produced by 1 00 pmol of TAPS i.c. v. and the respiratory Stimulation produced by 3 pmol of TAPS i.c.v. Pretreatment with 30 pmol of TAPS antagonized the respiratory depression induced by the mu opioid agonist dermorphin (changes in MV after dermorphin alone at 1 or 3 nmol were -22 ± 1 0% and -60 ± 9% and, after pretreatment with TAPS, +44 ± 11 % and -18 ± 5%, respectively). After combined pretreatment with naloxonazine and TAPS, 1 nmol of dermorphin had no significant effect on ventilation. In contrast, pretreatment with a low respiratory stimulant dose (10 pmol i.c.v.) of dermorphin did not modify the effect of 1 nmol of dermorphin. ln conclusion, the antinociceptive, cataleptic and respiratory stimulant effects of TAPS appear to be a related to its agonist action at the mu, opioid receptors. TAPS did not induce respiratory depression (a mu\(_2\) opioid effect) but antagonized the respiratory depressant effect of another mu agonist. Thus, in vivo TAPS appears to act as a mu\(_2\) receptor antagonist.
The effect of 6-chloro-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-3-methyi-1-H-3-benzazepine (SKF 86466), a selectlve nonimldazoline alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonlst, on hippocampal re1ease of norepinephrine and dopamlne in conscious rats was lnvestigated by /n vlvo mlcrodialysis and high-pressure liquid chromatography. Additionally, extracellular concentrations of hippocampal dopamine (DA) and norepinephrtne (NE), durtng Infusion of selective monoamine uptake Inhibitors, were determined in freely moving rats. The basal concentration of NE in the dialysate was 4.9 ± 0.3 pg/20 pl. lntravenous admlnistratlon of 5 or 10 mgJkg of SKF 86466 was associated wlth a transierlt inc:rease (30 min) of 2-fold (12 ± 1 pg/20 ,d; p < .05) and 8-fold (39 ± 3 pg/20 pl; p < .05), respectlvely, in dlalysate NE, whereas a 1-mgfkg dose had no effect. DA was not detected in basal dlalysates, but after the adminlstratlon of 5 or 10 mgJkg of SKF 86466, 3.9 ± 0.4 and 6.4 ± 0.6 pg/20 pl, respectlvely, was present in the dialysates. The rnaxlmum increase in dialysate DA was reached 60 to 90 min after SKF 86466. The DA was not derived from plasma because plasma NE was elevated after the 5 mgJkg dose of SKF 86466 whereas no plasma DA was detected. ln order to determlne whether DA was present in noradrenergic nerve termlnals, the dopamine ß-hydroxylase Inhibitor SKF 1 02698 was administered (50 mgJkg i.p.). The Inhibitor decreased dialysate NE but DA was stin not detected in the dialysate. When SKF 86466 (5 mgJkg t.v.) was adminlstered 4 hr after SKF 102698, DA appeared in the dialysate but there was no lncrease in dialysate NE. Administration through the dialysis probe of the DA uptake Inhibitor, GBR-12909 (0.1 and 1 pM), dose-dependently lnaeased DA Ieveis to 5.7 ± 1.2 and 9.6 ± 2.8 pg/20 pl, respectively. GBR-12909 had no effect on hippocampal NE. Desipramine (5 and 10 pM) lncreased dose-dependently dialysate NE and lncreased DA concentrations to detectable Ieveis (2.7 ± 0.5 and 3.5 ± 0.7 pg/20 ,d, respectively). These results suggest that the a/pha-2 adrenoceptors modulate both NE and DA release in the rat hlppocampus and that DA detected in the hlppocampal dialysate might be released from dopaminergic neurons.
Humanfoamy virus (HFV) is a retrovirus encoding structural genes and, like human immunodeficiency virus and human T ceU leukemia virus I, several anciUary reading frames collectively termed the belgenes. We have previously shown that HFV transgenic mice develop an encephalopathy with neuronal loss in hippocampus and cerebral cortex. We have now raised and characterized rabbit antisera to various recombinant portions of gag, pot, env, and bel-I, the viraltransactivator. Immunoreactivity for gag and bel-I was observed in nuclei and processes of hippocampal and cortical neurons before the onset of morphological lesions and correlated with the appearance of HFV mRNA. Astrocyte-derived multinucleated giant ceUs containing HFV proteins were present in the brain oftransgenic mice coexpressingfuU- length HFV genes but not in mice expressing truncated gag and env, suggesting that these genes contain afusogenic domain. Expression of fuU-length structural genes decreased the life expectancy oftransgenic mice, implying an a4Juvant rolefor these proteins in HFV-induced brain damage. (Am] Pathol 1993, 142:1061-1072)
Background and Purpose: We earlier reported that risk factors for stroke prepare brain stem tissue for a modified Shwartzman reaction, incIuding the development of ischemia and hemorrhage and the production of tumor necrosis factor-a, after a provocative dose of lipopolysaccharide. In the present study, we sought to determine whether blood and central nervous system cells of rats with the stroke risk factor of advanced age produce more proinflammatory and prothrombotic media tors than do those of young rats of the same strain. Methods: Levels of tumor necrosis factor-a and platelet activating factor in the cerebrospinal fluid and tumor necrosis factor-a in the serum of 2-year-old and 16-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were monitored before and after challenge with lipopolysaccharide. Results: No consistent tumor necrosis factor-a activity was found in the cerebrospinal fluid or blood of control animals. Intravenous administration of lipopolysaccharide (1.8 mg/kg) increased serum tumor necrosis factor-a levels but had no effect on tumor necrosis factor-a in the cerebrospinal fluid. Serum tumor necrosis factor-a increased much more in aged rats than in young rats. When lipopolysaccharide was injected intracerebroventricularly, tumor necrosis factor-a activity in cerebrospinal fluid increased significantly more in old rats than in young rats. Baseline levels of platelet activating factor in cerebrospinal fluid were significantly higher in old rats than in young rats, and the levels increased to a greater degree in aged rats on stimulation. Conclusions: Rats with the stroke risk factor of advanced age respond to lipopolysaccharide with a more exuberant production of tumor necrosis factor-a and platelet activating factor than young rats of the same strain. These findings are consistent with our working hypothesis that perivascular cells are capable of exaggerated signaling of endothelium through cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-a in animals with stroke risk factors. The effect of such signaling might be to prepare the endothelium of the local vascular segment for thrombosis or hemorrhage in accord with the local Shwartzman reaction paradigm.
Background and Pur pose: Interleukin-1ß is a proinftammatory cytokine produced by blood-borne and resident brain inftammatory cells. The present study was conducted to determine if interleukin-1ß mRNA was produced in the brain of rats subjected to permanent focal ischemia. Methods: Rat interleukin-1ß cDNA, synthesized from stimulated rat peritoneal macrophage RNA by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction and c10ned in plasmid Bluescript KS+, was used to evaluate the expression of interleukin-1ß mRNA in cerebral cortex from spontaneously hypertensive rats and normotensive rats subjected to permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion. Interleukin-1ß mRNA was quantified by Northern blot analysis and compared with rat macrophage RNA standard. To correct for gel loading, blots were also analyzed with cyclophilin cDNA, which encodes an abundant, conserved protein that was unchanged by the experimental conditions. Results: Interleukin-1ß mRNA produced in the ischemic zone was significantly increased from 6 hours to 120 hours, with a maximum of211±24% ofinterleukin-1ß reference standard, ie, 0.2 ng stimulated rat macrophage RNA, mRNA compared with the level in nonischemic cortices (4±2%) at 12 hours after ischemia (P<.OI; n=6). Interleukin-1ß mRNA at 12 hours after ischemia was markedly elevated in hypertensive rats over levels found in two normotensive rat strains. Neurological deficits were also apparent only in the hypertensive rats. Conclusions: Brain interleukin-1ß mRNA is elevated acutely after permanent focal ischemia and especially in hypertensive rats. These data suggest that this potent proinflammatory and procoagulant cytokine might have a role in brain damage following ischemia.
Fulgurites (= natural glasses formed by lightning strikes to the ground) are indicators of thunderstorms (e.g. Julien 1901). The distribution pattern of fulgurites in the study area (Grand Erg de Bilma and Erg de Tenere between 11.5°E and 16.5° and 18.5°N) shows decreasing fulgurite concentration from south to north. The fulgurite sites are concentrated in the area of fossil dune complexes, where they occur topographically above palaeolimnic deposits in mid-slope position of interdune depressions.
Seven monoclonal antibodies were raised against the immunoglobulin-like extracellular domain of PO (POED), the major protein of peripheral nervous system myelin. Mice were immunized with purified recombinant rat PO-ED. After fusion, 7 clones (POI-P07) recognizing either recombinant, rat, mouse, or human PO-ED were selected by ELlS A and were characterized by Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and a competition assay. Antibodies belonged to the IgG or IgM class, and P04-P07, reacted with PO in fresh-frozen and paraffin-embedded sections of human or rat peripheral nerve, but not with myelin proteins of the central nervous system of either species. Epitope specificity of the antibodies was determined by a competition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a direct ELlS A using short synthetic peptides spanning the entire extracellular domain of PO. These assays showed that POl and P02 exhibiting the same reaction pattern in Western blot and immunohistochemistry reacted with different distant epitopes of PO. Furthermore, the monoclonal antibodies P05 and P06 recognized 2 different epitopes in close proximity within the neuritogenic extracellular sequence of PO. This panel of monoclonal antibodies, each binding to a different epitope of the extracellular domain of PO, will be useful for in vitro and in vivo studies designed to explore the role of PO during myelination and in demyelinating diseases of the peripheral nervous system.
A novel technique for independent and simultaneous labeling of two antigens expressed on individual cells (referred to as mixed labeling) is presented. The staining procedure combined three-step (streptavidin-biotin) immunogold-silver staining with three-step immunoenzymatic labeling. To ensure both high specificity and high sensitivity, particular emphasis was placed on designing a protocol that avoids immunological crossreactivity between the antibody reagents and overlapping of the final color products. Two examples for usage of this mixed labeling technique are described: lymphocyte subpopulations were identified in inflammatory lesions of human skin and infected host cells were characterized in the skin of mice infected with the obligatory intracellular parasite Leishmania major, a cause of human cutaneous leishmaniasis.
In this paper, we present results on the first MBE growth of HgSe. The influence of the GaAs substrate temperature as well as the Hg and Se fluxes on the growth and the electrical properties has been investigated. It has been found that the growth rate is very low at substrate temperatures above 120°C. At 120°C and at lower temperatures, the growth rate is appreciably higher. The sticking coefficient of Se seems to depend inversely on the Hg/Se flux ratio. Epitaxial growth could be maintained at 70°C with Hg/Se flux ratios between lOO and ISO, and at 160°C between 280 and 450. The electron mobilities of these HgSe epilayers at room temperature decrease from a maximum value of 8.2 x 10^3 cm2 /V' s with increasing electron concentration. The concentration was found to be between 6xlO^17 and 1.6x10^19 cm- 3 at room temperature. Rocking curves from X-ray diffraction measurements of the better epilayers have a full width at half maximum of 5S0 arc sec.
The molecular beam epitaxially growth of (001) Hg\(_{1-x}\) Cd\(_z\) Te-HgTe superlattices has been systematically investigated. The well width as well as the period were determined directly by X-ray diffraction. This was accomphshed for the well width by exploiting the high reflectivity from HgTe and the low reflectivity from CdTe for the (002) Bragg reflection. Knowing the well and barrier thicknesses we have been able to set an upper limit on the aver~ge composition of the barriers, Xl, by annealing the superlattice and then measuring the composition of the. resultmg alloy. Xb was shown to decrease exponentially with decreasing barrier width. Xb is appreciably smaller m. narrow barriers due to the increased significance of interdiffusion in the Hg\(_{1-x}\)Cd\(_x\) Te/HgTe interface in narrow barriers. The experimentally determined optical absorption coefficient for these superlattices is compared WIth theoretical calculations. The absorption coefficient was determined from transmission and reflection spectra at 300, 77 and 5 K. Using the thickness and composition of the barriers and wells, and an interface width due to interdiffusion, the complex refractive index is calculated and compared with the experimental absorption coefficient. The envelope function method based on an 8 x 8 second order k . p band model was used to calculate the superlattice states. These results when inserted into Kubo's formula, yield the dynamic conductivity for interband transitions. The experimental and theoretical values for the absorption coefficient using no adjustable parameters are in good agreement for most of the investigated superlattices. Furthermore the agreement for the higher energetic interband transitions is much worse if values for the barrier composition, which are appreciably different than the experimentally determined values, are used. The infrared photoluminescence was investigated at temperatures from 4.2 to 300 K. Pronounced photoluminescence was observed for all superlattices in this temperature range.
Since systematic hematological studies on blood and bone marrow changes after treatment with 15-Deoxyspergualin (DOS) are lacking, a quantitative assessment was performed fourteen or twenty eight days after intraperitoneal application of DOS to rats. Further observations done 7 and 14 days after discontinuation of DOS administration allowed analysis of banc marrow regeneration. DOS induced lymphocytopenia, granUlocytopenia and anemia with a decrease of bone marrow cellularity due to suppression of cell maturation. The effect was dose-dependent and bone marrow as well as blood changes were observed in animals treated with doses from 0.5 to 10.0 mg/kg DOS. Within 14 days after termination of the treatment, rapid recovery with normalization of all hematological parameters was observed. In the light of our data, these hematological side effects may not be a major disadvantage, if DOS is used in doses below 2.5 mg/kg, and for a course of therapy which is limited to 7 to 14 days.
Murine epidermal Langerhans cells (LC) have been demonstrated to stimulate a vigorous T cell response to Leishmania major, a cause of human cutaneous leishmaniasis. It was therefore of interest to analyze whether LC can take up viable parasites. Epidermal cells were obtained from mouse ear skin for incubation with L. major and subsequent detection of intracellular parasites by cytochemistry. Freshly isolated LC, but not cultured LC, phagocytosed L. major and the uptake was inhibited by antibodies to the complement receptor type 3. Electron microscopic studies revealed the presence of viable amastigotes within Le. Moreover, with double-Iabeling techniques, L. major-containing LC could also be detected in infected skin. The results demonstrate that LC can internalize L. major. Since the number of organisms per infected LC remained consistently low, the prime task of LC may not be the promotion of parasite spreading but the presentation of L. major antigen to T cells and, thus, the regulation of the cellular immunity during cutaneous leishmaniasis.
We have investigated theoretically the importance of the O(\(^3\)P)+CH(a\(^4\sum^-\)) and the O(\(^3\)P)+CH(X\(^2\Pi\)) channels in the collinear chemi-ionization reaction O+CH->HCO\(^+\) +e\(^-\). We have found that both channels may lead to chemi-ionization via favorable Franck-Condon overlaps with the states ofthe ionic species.
Reliable prediction of the isotropic hyperfine coupling constant A\(_{iso}\) is still a difficult task for ab initio calculations. Strang dependence on the method employed for its ca1culation has been found. Within a CI ansatz A\(_{iso}\) is considerably affected by the excitation classes taken into account within the CI calculation. In the present work the influence of various excitation classes on A\(_{iso}\) is examined. Calculations including all single, double, triple and a large part of the quadruple excitations are performed and the individual effects of the excitation classes are studied. It is found that the surprisingly good agreement found for S-CI treatments is due to large error cancellations. The importance of higher than double excitations arises from their indirect influence on the single excitations.
When human neutrophils become desensitized to formyl peptide chemoattractants, the receptors (FPR) for these peptides are converted to a high affinity, GTP-insensitive form that is associated with the Triton X-1 00- insoluble membrane skeleton from surface membrane domains. These domains are actin and fodrin-rich, but G protein-depfeted suggesting that FPR shuttling between G protein-enriched and depleted domains may control signal transduction. Todetermine the molecular basis for FPR interaction with the membrane skeleton, neutrophil subcellular fractions were screened for molecules that could bind photoaffinity-radioiodinated FPR solubilized in Triton X-1 00. These receptors showed a propensity to bind to a 41- to43-kDa proteinband on nitrocelluloseoverlays of SOS-PAGE-separated cytosol and plasma membrane fractions of neutrophils. This binding, as weil as FPR binding to purified neutrophil actin, was inhibited 50% by 0.6 \(\mu\)M free neutrophil cytosolic actin. Addition of greater than 1 \(\mu\)M G-actin to crude or lectin-purified Triton X-1 00 extracts of FPR from neutrophil membranes increased the sedimentationrate of a significant fraction of FPR two to three fold as measured by velocity sedimentation in Triton X-1 00-containing linear sucrose density gradients. Addition of anti-actin antibodies to FPR extracts caused a concentration-dependent immunoprecipitation of at least 65% of the FPR. More than 40% of the immunoprecipitated FPR was specifically retained on protein A affinity matrices. Membrane actin was stabilized to alkaline washing when membranes were photoaffinity labeled. Conversely, when purified neutrophil cytosolic actinwas added to membranes or their digitonin extracts, after prior depletion of actin by an alkaline membrane wash, photoaffinity labeling of FPR was increased two- to fourfold with an EC\(_{50}\) of approximately 0.1 \(\mu\)M actin. We conclude that FPR from human neutrophils may interact with actin in membranes to form Triton X-1 00-stable physical complexes. These complexes can accept additional G-actin monomers to form higher order molecular complexes. Formation of FPR-actin complexes in the neutrophil may play a role in the regulation of chemoattractantinduced activation or actin polymerization.
The question addressed was whether Stimulation of cell proliferation could be responsible for tumor induction in the torestornach by styrene 7,8-oxide (SO). Male F344 rats were treated for 4 weeks with 0, 137,275, and 550 mglkg SO by p.o. gavage 3 times/week. Positive controls received 0, 0.5, I, and 2% butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) in the diet for 4 weeks. Twenty-four h before termination of the experlment, the rats were implanted s.c. with an osmotic minipump deliverlog S-bromo-2'-deoxyuri· dine (BrdU). Cell proliferation in the forestomach was assessed by immunohistochemistry for BrdU incorporated into DNA. Cell number/mm section length and fraction of replicating cells (labeling Index) were determined in 3 domains of the forestomach, the saccus caecus, the midregion, and the prefundic region. With the exception of the prefundic reglon of the low-dose SO group, a significant increase of the labeling index was found in all regions both with SO and BHA. Rats treated with BHA showed, in addition, a dose-dependent increase in number and size of hyperplastic lesions. This was most pronounced in the prefundic region where carcinomas were reported to be localized. In this region, the number of dividing cells/mm section length was increased up to 17-fold. With SO, only marginal morphological changes were occasionally observed, despite the fact that the respective long-term treatment bad been reported to result in a higher carcinoma incidence than treatment with BHA. It ls concluded that the rate of replicating cells alone, numerically expressed by the labeling Index, is an lnsufficient tool for interpretlog the role of cell division in carcinogenesis. It is postulated that SO and BHA induce forestomach tumors via different mechanisms. While hyperplasia in the prefundic region most likely dominates the carcinogenicity of BHA, a mechanism combining marginal genotoxicity with strong promotion by increased cell proliferation appears to be involved in the tumorigenic action of SO.
'lbe mouse skin tumor model was used to investigate whether the Ievel of DNA 8dducts and/or the rate of cell division in the epidermis are indicators of the risk of cancer formation for an individual in an outbred animal popul8tion. A high risk was considered to be reftected by 8 short latency period for the 8ppearance of 8 papilloma. Fernale NMRI mice were treated twice weekly with 2.5 nmol 7 ,12-dimethylbenz[a]antbracene (DMBA) and 3 nmoi12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13- 8cetate (TPA) and the appearance of papillomas was registered. The first papilloma 8ppeared after 7.5 weeks. After 17 weeks, when 12 of 14 mice bad 8t least one papilloma, an osmotic minipump deliverlog 5-bromo-2'deoxyuridine (BrdU) was implanted into eacb mouse for 24 h. The mice were killed after 24 h ~d the epidermis was analyzed for D:MBA-nucleotide 8dducts by 32p.postlabeling, for the cell number per unit skin length, and for the labeling index for DNA synthesls. Unexpectedly, D:MBA-nucleotide 8dduct Ievels were highest in those anima1s wbich showed the Iongest latency periods. Adduct Ievels were negatively correlated with the 18beling index, indicating that dilution of adducts by cell division was a predominant factor in determining average adduct concentrations. Individual tumor-latency time was not corTelated with either cell ntunber or labeling index. This could be due to the fact that the measurements only provided 8veraged data and gave no infonnation on the specific situation in clones of premalignant cells. Under the conditions of tbis assay, therefore, neither DNA adduct Ievels nor information on the average kinetics of cell division bad a predidive value for the individual amcer risk withln a group of outbred animals receiving the same treatment
2-Acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) was administered at Ievels of 0, 300 and 600 ppm in the diet for 28 days to female transgenic micc bearing the lacl genein a Iambda vector (Big Blue® mice). The Iambda vector was excised from liver DNA and packaged in vitro into bacteriophage particles which were allowed to infect E. coli bacteria, forming plaques on agar plates. Approximately 10\(^5\) plaques wcre screened per animal for the appearance of a bluc colour, indicative of mutations in the lac/ gcnc which had resulted in an inactive gene product. Background mutation rate was 2.7 x 10\(^{-5}\) (pooled results of two animals, 8 mutant plaques/289 530 plaques). At 300 ppm in the diet, the rate of 3.5 X 10\(^{-5}\)(8/236 300) was not significantly increased over background. At 600 ppm in the dict, the rate increased approximately 3 fold to 7.7 x 10\(^{-5}\) (17 /221240). In comparison to the usual single or 5-day carcinogen exposure regimes, the 4-week exposure protocol allowed the use of much lower dose Ievels 00-1000 fold lower). Overt toxicity could thus be avoided. The daily doses used were somewhat higher than those required in 2-year carcinogenicity studies with 2·AAF.
In leishmaniasis, macrophages are known to play a central role as modulators of the specific immune activity. In this article, Heidrun Moll presents evidence for the critical involvement of another component of the skin immune system, the epidermal Langerhans cell. She proposes that Langerhans cells take up parasites in the skin and transport them to the draining lymph node for presentation to T cells and initiation of the specific immune response.
Interleukin 4 (IL-4) exerts a decisive role in the coord.ination of proteelive immune responses against parasites, particularly helminths. A disregulation of ll.r4 function is possibly involved in the genesis of allergic disease states. The search for important amino acid residues in human ll.r4 by mutational analysis of charged invariant amino acid positions identified two distinct functional sites in the 4-helix-bundle protein. Site 1 was marked by amino acid substitutions of the glutamic acid at position 9 in helix A and arginine at position 88 in helix C. Exchanges at both positions led to IL-4 variants deficient in binding to the extracellular domain of the ll.r4 receptor (IL-4ReJ. In parallel, up to 1000-fold increased concentrations of this type of variant were required to induce T -cell proliferation and B-eeil CD23 expression. Site 2 was marked by amino acid exchanges in helix D at positions 121, 124 and 125 (arginine, tyrosine and serine respectively in the wild-type).ß.A variants affected at site 2 exhibited partial agonist activity during T -cell proliferation; however, they still bound with high affinity to IL-4Rex. [The generation of an IL-4 antagonist by replacing tyrosine 124 with aspartic acid has been described before by Kruse et al. (1992) (EMBO }., 11, 3237-3244)]. These findings indicate that IL-4 functions by bind.ing IL-4Rex via site 1 which is constituted by residues on helices A and C. They further suggest that the association of a second, still undetined receptor protein with site 2 in helix D activates the receptor system and generates a transmembrane signal.
The muscarinic receptor mediating vasodilation of resistance vessels in the rat isolated, constant-pressure perfused kidney (preconstriction by w- 7 M cirazoline) was characterized by subtype-preferring agonists and se]ective antagonists. The agonists produced vasodi1ation with the fol1owing rank order of potency: arecaidine propargy] ester (APE) > 5-methylfurtrethonium = methacholine = oxotremorine > (S)-aceclidine > arecaidine 2-butyne-1,4-diyl bisester > 4-Cl-McN-A-343 = (R)-nipecotic acid ethyl ester = N-ethyl-guvacine propargyl ester- (R)-aceclidine = (S)-nipecotic acid ethyl ester > McN-A-343. Agonist-induced vasodilation disappeared after destruction of the endothelium with detergent. Highly significant correlations of agonist potencies for vasodilation were found between rat kidney and guinea-pig ileum submucosal arterioles as weH as agonist potencies at smooth muscle muscarinic M\(_3\) receptors of the guinea-pig ileum. The rank order of antagonist potencies (4-diphenylacetoxy-Nmethylpiperidine methiodide (4-DAMP) > (R)-hexahydro-difenidol - hexahydro-sila-difenidol > pirenzepine - p-fluorohexahydro- sila-difenidol- himbacine- AF-DX 384- AQ-RA 741 > (S)-hexahydro-difenidol) to attenuate vasodilation to APE in rat kidney, correlated significantly with affinities at M\(_3\) receptors in submucosal arterioles and in smooth muscle of the guinea-pig ileum, but differed from those at M\(_1\) and M\(_2\) receptors in rabbit vas deferens. The agonist and antagonist potencies suggest that vasodilation elicited by muscarinic stimuli in endothelium-intact rat renal vasculature is mediated by functional muscarinic M\(_3\) receptors.