Evaluation of normal fetal pulmonary veins from the early second trimester by enhanced-flow (e-flow) echocardiography.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the feasibility of using enhanced-flow (e-flow) imaging technology to identify fetal pulmonary veins and establish gestational age-specific reference values at 12-40 weeks' gestation. METHODS: The pulmonary venous internal diameter, peak systolic and diastolic flow velocities and visualization rate were analyzed in 332 normal fetuses at 12-40 weeks of gestation. Two-dimensional gray-scale (2D) ultrasound, color Doppler and e-flow imaging were used to detect the pulmonary veins in the four-chamber view by taking the lung as the penetration window. RESULTS: The pulmonary veins could be visualized as early as 12 weeks' gestational age by e-flow imaging. The right and left pulmonary venous internal diameters and peak systolic and diastolic flow velocities increased with increasing gestational age. Between 12 and 40 gestational weeks, the internal diameter and both the systolic and diastolic flow velocities of the fetal right pulmonary vein were significantly larger than were those of the left vein (P < 0.05). Of 118 fetuses at 12-22 gestational weeks, the visualization rate of the four pulmonary veins (left superior and inferior, right superior and inferior) was 5.9% (7/118) by 2D ultrasound, 41.5% (49/118) by color Doppler and 61.9% (73/118) by e-flow imaging. The visualization rate by e-flow imaging was significantly higher than that using the other two techniques (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: e-flow imaging is apparently a feasible and promising technology with which to identify the fetal pulmonary veins in the early stages of the second trimester.

Alpha 1-antitrypsin is degraded and non-functional in chronic wounds but intact and functional in acute wounds: the inhibitor protects fibronectin from degradation by chronic wound fluid enzymes.

Fluid obtained from chronic and acute wounds were examined for the presence of fibronectin, alpha 1-antitrypsin, and proteinases capable of degrading both proteins. Immunoblot analysis of fluids from ten chronic wounds revealed that fibronectin and alpha 1-antitrypsin were degraded in nine of ten samples. In contrast, both fibronectin and alpha 1-antitrypsin were intact in acute wound fluids. The degradation of the inhibitor and fibronectin occurred in the same wound fluids, and these two events correlated perfectly. Chronic or acute wound fluid proteins were coupled to benzamidine Sepharose 6B beads and incubated with fibronectin or alpha 1-antitrypsin. Chronic wound fluid proteins degraded fibronectin in the presence of ethylenediaminetetraacetate, leupeptin, cystatin, and pepstatin but not in the presence of phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride. Acute wound fluids and normal human serum did not contain enzymes capable of degrading fibronectin. These data suggest that serine proteinases are responsible for fibronectin degradation in chronic wound fluids. Chronic wound fluids that contained degraded alpha 1-antitrypsin also contain proteinases capable of degrading alpha 1-antitrypsin from human serum. Acute wound fluids and normal human serum did not contain enzymes capable of degrading alpha 1-antitrypsin. The inhibitor from acute wound fluids bound to one of its targets, trypsin. In contrast, the fragment(s) of alpha 1-antitrypsin from chronic wound fluids did not bind trypsin. Chronic wounds associated with degraded fibronectin and the inhibitor contained ten- to forty-fold more elastase activity than acute wounds. The degradation of fibronectin by chronic wound fluid enzymes was inhibited by alpha 1-antitrypsin in a dose-dependent manner. Collectively, these results demonstrate that there are enzymes in chronic wounds that perturb the function of alpha 1-antitrypsin and allow fibronectin degradation by uninhibited serine proteinases.

Mechanism of quercetin-induced suppression and delay of heat shock gene expression and thermotolerance development in HT-29 cells.

Previous studies have shown that a combination of low pH and quercetin (QCT) treatment following heat shock markedly suppresses and delays the expression of heat shock protein genes, particularly the HSP70 gene (Lee et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 186:1121-1128, 1992). The possible mechanism for alteration of gene expression by treatment with QCT at low pH was investigated in human colon carcinoma cells. Cells were heated at 45 degrees C for 15 min and then incubated at 37 degrees C for various times (0-12 h) with QCT (0.05-0.2 mM) at pH 7.4 or 6.5. Gel mobility-shift analysis of whole cell extracts from heated cells showed the formation of the heat shock transcription factor (HSF)-heat shock element (HSE) complex. Dissociation of HSF from the HSE of the human HSP70 promotor occurred within 4 h under both pH conditions. The kinetics of recovery were not affected by treatment with 0.1% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). However, the dissociation of HSF-HSE complex was markedly delayed during treatment with a combination of low pH and QCT. In addition, in vitro transcription assays showed a suppression of initiation and elongation of HSP70 mRNA. These results may explain why the combination of low pH and QCT treatment suppresses and delays the HSP70 gene expression as well as thermotolerance development.

Regulation of HSP70 and HSP28 gene expression: absence of compensatory interactions.

We have previously reported the lack of HSP28 gene expression during acute and chronic thermotolerance development in L929 cells (J Cell Physiol 152: 118-125, 1992; Cancer Res 52: 5787, 1992). In contrast to HSP28, an extremely high level of inducible HSP70 synthesis was observed. These results led us to investigate the possibility of compensatory interactions between HSP70 and HSP28. To test the hypothesis, L929 cells were transfected with the human HSP28 gene contained in plasmid pCMV27. Data from Western blot and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of [3H] leucine and [32P] orthophosphate-labeled proteins showed the synthesis and phosphorylation of HSP28 in transfected cells after heating at 45 degrees C for 10 min. However, the expression of constitutive and inducible HSP70 genes, along with the synthesis of their proteins, was not decreased after heat shock. These results suggest an independent regulation of HSP28 and HSP70 gene expression.

Homoharringtonine induces heat protection and facilitates dissociation of heat shock transcription factor and heat shock element complex.

We investigated the effects of combined treatment with homoharringtonine (HHT) and hyperthermia on cytotoxicity and transcriptional regulation of heat shock genes in human colon carcinoma (HT-29) cells. The drug (100 ng/ml) which inhibited protein synthesis by 93% protected cells from killing at 43 degrees C. For example, treatment with HHT 2 hr before and during heating produced a 9-fold increase in survival from 3.7 x 10(-2) to 3.2 x 10(-1) after 10 hr at 43 degrees C. Little or no protection was observed if the drug was added only during heating. Interestingly, adding the drug (100 ng/ml) 2 hr before and during heat facilitated the dissociation of heat shock transcription factor-heat shock element (HSF-HSE) complex during continuous heating at 43 degrees C. These findings related to the literature suggest that the free pool of HSC70 is increased by inhibiting protein synthesis. An increase in the level of free HSC70 may more effectively protect or repair thermolabile targets and consequently affect regulation of heat shock response.

[Study on distribution of the Pseadomonas cocovenenans subsp farinofermentans Meng ZH&Wang DS et al in the natural environment of Hebei Province].

In this paper, the distribution of the Pseudomonas Cocovenenans Subsp Farinofermentans Meng ZH&Wang DS et al in the natural environment of Hebei Province is reported. Several food poisoning cases caused by the bacterium have taken place, but it is still unusual in the natural environment such as soid and food. Fresh tremella and mushroom are heavily polluted by the bacteria. New knowledge is gained in the differential diagnosis between the poisoning caused by poisonous mushroom and this bacteria. Control measures are suggested for the prevention and cure of the food poisoning caused by this bacteria.

Absence of HSP28 synthesis and phosphorylation during the development of chronic thermotolerance in murine L929 cells.

We investigated the correlation between chronic thermotolerance development and phosphorylation, synthesis, or expression of the HSP28 family in murine L929 cells. Chronic thermotolerance developed during heating at 41.5 degrees C as indicated by a biphasic survival curve. However, heat-induced phosphorylation of HSP28 was not detected. Furthermore, we failed to detect HSP28 synthesis during chronic heating by using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The lack of HSP28 synthesis was also confirmed in acute thermotolerance. Similar results were observed in NIH 3T3 cells. Although Southern blots clearly demonstrated the presence of the HSP28 gene in genomic DNA, Northern blots failed to demonstrate its expression. Unlike HSP28, the expression of constitutive and inducible HSP70 genes, along with the synthesis of their proteins, were stimulated during chronic heating at 41.5 degrees C in L929 cells. These results suggest that HSP28 synthesis and its phosphorylation are not required to develop both chronic and acute thermotolerance in L929 cells.

Effect of pH on quercetin-induced suppression of heat shock gene expression and thermotolerance development in HT-29 cells.

When cells were heated for 15 min at 45 degrees C, they became thermotolerant to a second heat exposure at 45 degrees C. Thermotolerance developed rapidly, reached its maximum 6 hr after heat shock, and then gradually decayed. The development of thermotolerance was partially suppressed by treatment with various concentrations of quercetin (0.05-0.2 mM) at pH 7.4 after the initial heat treatment. In contrast, the drug markedly inhibited thermotolerance development at pH 6.5. Furthermore, a combination of low pH and quercetin treatment distinctively altered the expression of HSP70 gene compared with that of HSP28 or HSP90 gene. These results demonstrate a good correlation between the amount of HSP70 gene expression and development of thermotolerance.

Development of acute thermotolerance in L929 cells: lack of HSP28 synthesis and phosphorylation.

We investigated the correlation between the development of acute thermotolerance and the phosphorylation, synthesis, and expression of the HSP28 family in murine L929 cells. Following heating at 43 degrees C for 30 min, thermotolerance developed rapidly in exponential-phase cells and reached its maximum 4-9 h after heat shock. Maximal thermal resistance was maintained for 24 h and then gradually decayed. However, heat-induced phosphorylation of HSP28 was not detected. Furthermore, HSP28 synthesis during incubation at 37 degrees C for 12 h following heat shock was not detected by [3H]-leucine labeling followed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In addition, Northern blots failed to demonstrate expression of the HSP28 gene. Unlike HSP28, the expression of constitutive and inducible HSP70 genes, along with the synthesis of their proteins, was observed during incubation at 37 degrees C after heat shock. These results demonstrate that HSP28 synthesis and its phosphorylation are not required to develop acute thermotolerance in L929 cells.

Heat-resistant variants of the Chinese hamster ovary cell: alteration of cellular structure and expression of vimentin.

Three heat-resistant mutant cell lines (78-1, 78-2, 78-3) were previously selected from Chinese hamster ovary cells. In this study, we investigated whether the differences in intrinsic thermal sensitivity result from alteration of stress protein levels or cellular structural changes. Although there was no significant difference in the levels of stress proteins, i.e., constitutive HSP70 in wild type and three heat-resistant mutant strains, there were marked differences in the amounts of vimentin among the cell lines. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and Western blot showed a 2.3-2.9-fold increase in the level of vimentin in the mutant cells under normal growth conditions. Northern blot also revealed higher amounts of vimentin mRNA in the mutant cells. Electron microscopy and immunofluorescence suggest that increased amounts of the vimentin-containing intermediate filaments are correlated with the heat-resistant phenotypes.

Expression, synthesis, and phosphorylation of HSP28 family during development and decay of thermotolerance in CHO plateau-phase cells.

We investigated a correlation between development of thermotolerance and expression, synthesis, or phosphorylation of HSP28 family in CHO plateau phase cells. After heating at 45.5 degrees C for 10 min, thermotolerance developed rapidly and reached its maximum 12-18 hr after heat shock. This acquired thermal resistance was maintained for 72 hr and then gradually decayed. In parallel, the levels of three 28 kDa heat shock proteins, HSP28a along with its two phosphorylated isoforms (HSP28b,c), increased and reached their maximum 24-48 hr after heat shock. The levels of these polypeptides, except HSP28c, remained elevated for 72 hr and then decreased. The level of HSP28 mRNA increased rapidly and reached its maximum 12 hr after heat shock. However, unlike thermotolerance and the levels of HSP28 family proteins, the level of HSP28 mRNA decreased rapidly within 72 hr. These results demonstrate a correlation between the amount of intracellular HSP28 family proteins and development and decay of thermotolerance.

Inhibition of protein synthesis and heat protection: histidinol-resistant mutant cell lines.

The mechanism of histidinol (HST)-induced heat protection was investigated to test the hypothesis that the cessation of protein synthesis itself is one of the events involved in heat protection. For this study, we isolated three HST-resistant mutant strains. HST (5 mM), which inhibited protein synthesis by 88% in the wild type, caused only 0, 9, and 25% inhibition in three mutants, respectively. The drug, which afforded heat protection, (i.e., a 125-fold increase in survival from 4 x 10(-3) to 5 x 10(-1) after 2 hr at 43 degrees C in wild type), did not protect mutant cells from heat killing. In contrast, cycloheximide (10 micrograms/ml) which inhibited protein synthesis by 95% in both wild type and mutant cell types, protected both cell types from heat killing. Therefore, these results suggest that the cessation of protein synthesis, per se, preventing synthesis of nascent polypeptides, is a major event leading to heat protection.

Effect of tunicamycin on glycosylation of a 50 kDa protein and thermotolerance development.

We investigated whether or not a 50 kDa glycoprotein might play an important role in protein synthesis-independent thermotolerance development in CHO cells. When cells were heated for 10 min at 45.5 degrees C, they became thermotolerant to a heat treatment at 45.5 degrees C administered 12 hr later. The thermotolerance ratio at 10(-3) isosurvival was 4.4. The cellular heat shock response leads to enhanced glycosylation of a 50 kDa protein. The glycosylation of proteins including a 50 kDa glycoprotein was inhibited by treatment with various concentrations of tunicamycin (0.2-2 micrograms/ml). The development of thermotolerance was not affected by treatment with tunicamycin after the initial heat treatment, although 2 micrograms/ml tunicamycin inhibited glycosylation by 95%. However, inhibiting protein synthesis with cycloheximide (10 micrograms/ml) after the initial heat treatment partially inhibited the development of thermotolerance. Nevertheless, there was no further reduction of thermotolerance development by treatment with a combination of 2 micrograms/ml tunicamycin and 10 micrograms/ml cycloheximide. These data suggest that development of thermotolerance, especially protein synthesis-independent thermotolerance, is not correlated with increased glycosylation of the 50 kDa protein.

Differences in thermotolerance induced by heat or sodium arsenite: correlation between redistribution of a 26-kDa protein and development of protein synthesis-independent thermotolerance in CHO cells.

In previous studies, we have demonstrated the differences in thermotolerance induced by heat and sodium arsenite (Lee et al., Radiat. Res. 121, 295-303, 1990). In this study, we investigated whether a 26-kDa protein might play an important role in evincing these differences. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells treated for either 1 h with 100 microM sodium arsenite (ARS) or 10 min at 45.5 degrees C became thermotolerant to a test heat treatment at 43 degrees C administered 6 or 12 h later, respectively. After the test heating at 43 degrees C for 1.5 h, the level of 26-kDa protein in the nucleus was decreased by 92% in nonthermotolerant cells, 78% in ARS-induced thermotolerant cells, and 3% in heat-induced thermotolerant cells. Inhibiting protein synthesis with cycloheximide (CHM, 10 micrograms/ml) after ARS treatment eliminated thermotolerance to 43 degrees C and delayed restoration of the 26-kDa protein in the nucleus. In contrast, CHM neither prevented the development of thermotolerance nor inhibited the restoration of the 26-kDa protein in heat-induced thermotolerant cells. However, when cells were exposed to cold (4 degrees C), immediately after initial heating, restoration of the 26-kDa protein and development of thermotolerance did not occur. These results demonstrate a good correlation between the restoration and/or the presence of this 26-kDa protein and the development of protein synthesis-independent thermotolerance.

Correlation between redistribution of a 26 kDa protein and development of chronic thermotolerance in various mammalian cell lines.

Previous studies suggested that a 26 kDa protein might play an important role in protein synthesis-independent thermotolerance development in CHO cells. To determine if this phenomenon was universal, four mammalian cell lines, viz., CHO, HA-1, murine Swiss 3T3, and human HeLa, were studied. Cells were heated at 42 degrees C, and the level of 26 kDa protein in the nucleus was measured, together with clonogenic survival and protein synthesis. The results demonstrated that 1) the 26-kDa protein was present in the four different cell lines, and 2) the level of the 26 kDa protein in their nuclei was decreased by 30-70% after heating at 42 degrees C for 1 hr. However, restoration of this protein occurred along with development of chronic thermotolerance. The protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide (10 micrograms/ml) neither inhibited the development of chronic thermotolerance nor affected the restoration of the 26 kDa protein in the nucleus. In fact, this drug protected cells from hyperthermic killing and heat-induced reduction of 26 kDa protein in the nucleus. Heat sensitizers, quercetin (0.1 mM), 3,3'-dipentyloxacarbocyanine iodide (DiOC5[3]: 5 micrograms/ml), and stepdown heating (45 degrees C-10 min----42 degrees C), potentiated hyperthermic killing and inhibited or delayed the restoration of the 26 kDa protein to the nucleus. These results support a correlated, perhaps causal relationship between the restoration of the 26 kDa protein and chronic thermotolerance development in four different mammalian cell lines.