Analysis of differentially expressed proteins involved in hand, foot and mouth disease and normal sera.

We implemented 2-D DIGE technology on proteins prepared from serum obtained from children with hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) and controls, to study the differentially expressed proteins in control and HFMD serum samples. Proteins found to be differentially expressed were identified with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight/ time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF MS) analysis. We identified 30 proteins from mild HFMD samples and 39 proteins from severe HFMD samples, compared with the normal controls. 25 proteins among them (14 up-regulated and 11 down-regulated proteins) are found in both HFMD groups. Classification analysis and protein-protein interaction map showed that they associate with multiple functional groups, including transporter activity and atalytic activity. These findings build up a comprehensive profile of the HFMD proteome and provide a useful basis for further analysis of the pathogenic mechanism and the regulatory network of HFMD.

The level of secreted laccase activity in the edible fungi and their growing cycles are closely related.

This article focuses on the relation between laccase-secreting ability and growing cycle in the edible fungi. First, laccase activities of fifteen different edible fungi were detected and determined by plate assay and spectrophotometric method using 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) as the substrate. The results showed the laccase-secreting ability in the edible fungi and their growing cycles are closely related. The edible fungi strains with short growing cycles originate from their high levels of secreted laccase activity. However, those strains require long growing cycles due to the low levels of secreted laccase, even no detectable laccase activity. The research provides the first evidence on the corresponding relation between the level of secreted laccase activity and growth cycles of edible fungi. Our study has significantly increased the understanding of the role of laccase in the growth and development of edible fungi.

Overproduction of three genes leads to camphor resistance and chromosome condensation in Escherichia coli.

We isolated and characterized three genes, crcA, cspE and crcB, which when present in high copy confer camphor resistance on a cell and suppress mutations in the chromosomal partition gene mukB. Both phenotypes require the same genes. Unlike chromosomal camphor resistant mutants, high copy number crcA, cspE and crcB do not result in an increase in the ploidy of the cells. The cspE gene has been previously identified as a cold shock-like protein with homologues in all organisms tested. We also demonstrate that camphor causes the nucleoids to decondense in vivo and when the three genes are present in high copy, the chromosomes do not decondense. Our results implicate camphor and mukB mutations as interfering with chromosome condensation and high copy crcA, cspE and crcB as promoting or protecting chromosome folding.

Chemical synthesis and cloning of the human growth hormone releasing factor gene.

Human growth hormone releasing factor (hGRF) gene has been synthesized and cloned. The sequence of the synthetic hGRF gene, consisting of preferred codons for expression in E. coli, was designed with the aid of computer programs. Six segments with lengths ranging from 39 to 51 nucleotides were synthesized by solid-phase phosphoramidite method. The entire gene of 141 base pairs was constructed by enzymatic ligation of all synthetic segments and then cloned into plasmid pUC-19. The positive colonies were confirmed by the screening of ampicillin resistance, inactive beta-galactosidase, and analyzing by use of restriction enzymes and dot-blot hybridization. The cloned gene was sequenced by M13 dideoxynucleotide chain termination method and proven correct.

Occupational risk and the development of premalignant skin lesions among paraquat manufacturers.

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence rate and possible aetiological factors of premalignant skin lesions observed among paraquat manufacturers. A total of 228 workers in 28 factories were interviewed and independently examined by a dermatologist during site inspection in 1985. Information concerning past working experience, current toxic exposures, other risk factors of hyperpigmented macules and keratosis, and the past and present manufacturing processes of each factory was collected. Sixty nine cases of hyperpigmented macules and 17 of hyperkeratosis were found. Typical macules were irregular in shape, pin head size, hyperpigmented, with or without hyperkeratosis, and usually distributed symmetrically over the forearms, hands, neck, and upper chest, where exposure to sunlight was maximal. Six patients with hyperkeratotic lesions subsequently had biopsies performed and two showed Bowenoid changes. Eighty per cent (28 cases) and 67% (38 cases) of workers developed hyperpigmented macules if they had ever been engaged in bipyridine centrifugation and crystallisation, respectively; there were three workers 3% with such lesions among those who performed packaging or administrative jobs, or both. There was a significant trend (p less than 0.0001) for workers to develop hyperpigmented macules and hyperkeratosis the longer they had been exposed to centrifugation or crystallisation, or both, independent of age and the duration of exposure to sunlight. Evidence is presented to suggest that sunlight is a necessary cofactor and that the aetiological agent was produced during high temperature sodium process of bipyridine synthesis, and possibly bipyridine isomer(s).

[The age composition of the urban population of China: its changes and trends].

PIP: The authors examine projected future trends in Chinese urban population characteristics using data from a 1975 survey of 400,000 individuals from over 60 cities. Changes in the relative sizes of the age groups 0-16 years, 17-55 years, and over 56 years in 1976, 1985, and 1995 are considered by sex, and the implications of these changes for urban planning are examined.^ieng

A new approach for determining the volume of cerebral cellular fluid and demonstration of its communication with C.S.F.

1. A new technique is presented for determining the volume of extracellular space in bowfin (Amia calva) brain during in vitro incubation. It consists of solving simultaneous equations which are applied to determine the volume of extracellular space as well as intracellular marker concentration. This technique allows for a better insight into the redistribution of marker between incubation medium and extracellular space as well as between extracellular and intracellular space.2. Na(+), K(+) and Cl(-) equilibrated within 10-15 min between incubation medium and extracellular space. There was no evidence of a homoeostatic mechanism controlling the concentration of these ions in the extracellular fluid, which appeared to be in equilibrium with cerebrospinal fluid. The extracellular spaces of these ions were identical: Na(+), 23.4; K(+), 23.3 and Cl(-), 23.2%.3. Sorbitol equilibrated with the extracellular fluid within 45 min and indicated an extracellular space of 22.6%, nearly identical with that for electrolytes.4. Vastly different ;spaces' were obtained for [(3)H]methoxy inulin, which equilibrated within 45 min with a 13% space and [(14)C]carboxyl inulin, which showed a 46% space value for only 30 min. The difference may be explained by marker decomposition. The 9% difference between the [(3)H]methoxy inulin and sorbitol spaces may be explained by a ;packing' factor attributable to molecular size.