3H]spiroperidol binding on lymphocytes: changes in two different groups of schizophrenic patients and effect of neuroleptic treatment

[3H]spiroperidol binding to lymphocytes was measured in untreated paranoid or disorganized and treated paranoid schizophrenic patients. An increase in the Bmax was detected in untreated paranoid patients but a decrease was found in the disorganized patients. No difference was detected in the KD value. Neuroleptic treatment produced a decrease in the Bmax without affecting the KD value. Such results did not comply with the down regulation but might be explained by a change in membrane viscosity as [3H]spiroperidol binding sites on lymphocytes were coupled to phospholipid methylation.     

Segregation of mouse hemopoietic progenitor cells using the monoclonal antibody,YBM/42

A rat monoclonal antibody, YBM/42, directed against mouse leukocyte common antigen, was used for the analysis and separation of hemopoietic progenitor cells from mouse bone marrow and fetal liver. Cells were fractionated on a FACS-II cell sorter and the resulting subpopulations examined for their morphology and ability to form colonies in agar (for day 7 colonies) and methylcellulose (for day 2 erythroid clones). The antibody bound to all leukocytes, including blast cells and day 7 hemopoietic progenitor cells (day 7 colony forming cells, CFC), but not to erythrocytes or nucleated erythroid cells. This antibody can be used to advantage to enrich for early progenitor cells from mouse fetal liver, in which the majority of cells (70%) are nucleated erythroid cells. In day 12 fetal liver, approximately 10% of all cells bind this antibody strongly and, of these approximately 70% are blast cells. Contained within this positive population are 95% of all day 7 CFC. In the most enriched fraction about 20% of the cells formed day 7 colonies. This represents a 25-fold enrichment over unsorted fetal liver. The negative fractions contain 94% of all cells forming erythroid clones (≥8 cells) on day 2 of culture (day 2 CFU-E). In the most enriched fraction, 20% of the cells are day 2 CFU-E. Day 7 CFC can therefore be well separated from day 2 CFU-E, with good recovery of both cell types, by use of a single label. Day 7 colony forming cells were classified as granulocyte (G-CFC), macrophage (M-CFC), mixed granulocyte/macrophage (GM-CFC), pure erythroid (E), or mixed erythroid (E_mix). A high enrichment for multipotential cells is achieved and constitues 3–5% of cells in the most enriched fraction. Most types of day 7 CFC could not be separated with YMB/42, but GM-CFC and M-CFC exhibit a broader distribution than the other CFC with regard to fluorescence intensity. This implicit heterogeneity in GM-CFC and M-CFC is further substantiated by the finding that myeloid progenitors in the different FACS fractions also share a differential reactivity to different sources of growth factors.     

Computer analysis of double labeling: ultrastructural distribution of vasoactive intestinal peptide and transferrin in human colon cancer cells

Transferrin (Tf) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) were labeled with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and 125I, respectively. To determine whether two simultaneously incubated ligands are conveyed by the same population of endosomal vesicles in human colon carcinoma cells (HT-29), we used an analysis system derived from the cross-fire method for quantitation of autoradiographic data. This system permitted the collection of data and the statistical calculations required by the double labeling of the cells. HRP-labeled Tf organelles were chosen as reference structures of the endosomal apparatus and taken as the conventional source of the radiolabeling. Our data established from the co-localization hypothesis strongly suggest that after a 30-sec (T 1/2) and a 10-min (T10) internalization at 37 degrees C, VIP and Tf share in major part the same endocytic pathway and even the recycling route to the cell surface. At T10, most of the radiolabeling was located inside the tubulovesicular network, and we also detected slight radiolabeling inside the vesicles recycling Tf. The number of double-labeled endosomes involved in ligand traffic were advantageously observed with our computer-assisted analysis system.     

Th1 and Th2 clones differ in their response to a tolerogenic signal.

Th1 and Th2 clones specific for human gamma globulin (HGG) were compared and shown to differ in terms of the effects of tolerance induction on Ag-induced proliferation and helper activity. In developing a method to induce tolerance, splenic APC that had been pulsed with HGG and then fixed with 0.15% paraformaldehyde (HGG-FAPC) were used as a means to present Ag to the Th clones in the absence of costimulatory signals. Both Th1 and Th2 clones recognized HGG-FAPC as evidenced by their ability to proliferate to HGG-FAPC. Unlike Th2, Th1 proliferated to HGG-FAPC only in the presence of T cell-depleted allogeneic spleen cells as a source of accessory cell signals. The inability of Th1 cells to proliferate in the absence of costimulatory signals was due to Ag-specific inactivation: Th1 clones preincubated with HGG-FAPC were unable to proliferate when recultured with HGG and irradiated APC. In contrast to Th1 clones, Th2 clones showed no decrease in their Ag-induced proliferative capacity after exposure to any concentration of HGG-FAPC. However, when examined by using a second assay system, that of providing help for anti-HGG antibody production by primed B cells, Th2 preincubated with HGG-FAPC were markedly inhibited (up to 90%) in their ability to provide help. Preincubation with HGG-FAPC also inhibited the helper activity of the one Th1 clone that was found to induce a significant secondary antibody response. Taken together, the results suggest that exposure of Th1 to tolerogen in the form of HGG-pulsed fixed APC inactivates Th1 proliferative capacity, and possibly Th1 helper activity as well. Exposure of Th2 cells to a tolerogen suppresses the mechanism by which the Th2 cells provide Ag-induced B cell help, but does not inhibit the mechanism by which they proliferate to HGG. Furthermore, the results define a model that incorporates Ag processing as well as Ag presentation in the induction of tolerance in vitro.     

The effect of diabetes mellitus on aortic prostanoid synthesis and serum cholesterol levels in the rat fed a high cholesterol diet

The effect of diabetes mellitus on serum cholesterol and aortic microsomal prostanoid synthesis was studied in cholesterol fed male Lewis rats. Normal, diabetic and diabetic rats treated with pancreatic islets were divided into three diet subgroups, control diet, control +2% cholesterol for 8 weeks and control +2% cholesterol diet for 16 weeks. Serum glucose levels were elevated three-fold in the diabetic group compared to normal. Treatment with islets restored serum glucose to normal levels in diabetic rats. The 2% cholesterol diet did not significantly alter serum glucose levels in any of the groups. Body weights in the diabetic group were significantly lower than normal or diabetic rats treated with islets. Feeding 2% cholesterol for 16 weeks significantly increased weight in normal and islet treated diabetic rats but not in the diabetic group. Aortic microsomal prostanoid synthesis was similar in all experimental groups with 6-keto-PGF1 alpha (PGI2 metabolite) being the major product synthesized in all groups. Aortic microsomal prostanoid levels were not altered by the 2% cholesterol diet. Serum cholesterol levels increased 14-fold in the diabetic group which returned to the normal level in the diabetic animals treated with islets. These data show that diabetes does not alter aortic microsomal prostanoid levels in the rat. However, diabetes significantly increased serum cholesterol levels which were reversed by islet transplantation.     

Quaternary uplifted coral reef terraces on Alor Island,East Indonesia

A flight of six major coral reef terraces, up to 700 m in altitude, occurs along the eastern and northern sides of Kabola Peninsula, Alor Island, Indonesia. Some radiometric dates have been obtained from unrecrystallized coral samples collected in growth position by three different methods (¹⁴C, ²³⁰Th/²³⁴U, ESR). This enabled the identification of the terraces corresponding to the Holocene and to oxygen-isotope stages 5c, 5e and 7. According to the present elevation of the dated terraces, a 1.0–1.2 mm/y mean rate of uplift can be discerned. Extrapolation of this trend to the whole sequence of terraces reveals a good correlation between the development of major terraces and interglacial or interstadial stages corresponding to astronomically calibrated oxygen isotope records, up to stage 13. The relatively rapid uplift rate in this region minimized the possibility of polycyclic sea-level stands at the same levels and contributed to the good preservation of some morphological reef features. Two superimposed marine notches are visible near the present shoreline, with retreat points at about 5.0 m and 8.6 m respectively above the present MLWST level. They can be interpreted as corresponding to a glacial interstadial (the upper notch) and to the Holocene sea-level peak (the lower one). As Holocene emergence has been less than what could be expected from a 1 mm/y rate of uplift, a major coseismic vertical displacement may occur in the future.This work is a contribution to the IGCP Project 367 Late Quaternary coastal records of rapid change and to the activities of the INQUA Commissions Neotectonics and Shorelines, the task group Paleoseismicity of the Late Holocene of the Inter-Union Commission on the Lithosphere, and the UNESCO-IUGS cooperative programme Earth Processes in Global Change (CLIP Pilot Project)     

Partial sequence analysis of 130 randomly selected maize cDNA clones.

As part of a project to identify novel maize (Zea mays L. cv B73) genes functionally, we have partially sequenced 130 randomly selected clones from a maize leaf cDNA library. Data base comparisons revealed seven previously sequenced maize cDNAs and 18 cDNAs with sequence similarity to related maize genes or to genes from other organisms. One hundred five cDNAs show little or no similarity to previously sequenced genes. Our results also establish the suitability of this library for large-scale sequencing in terms of its large insert size, proper insert orientation, and low duplication rate.     

Chromosomes of the Antarctic amphipod Waldeckia obesa Chevreux

Mitotic and meiotic chromosomes of the Antarctic lysianassoid amphipod Waldeckia obesa are described. The modal chromosome number is n = 25 and 2n = 50. The potential applications of cytogenetical studies in this group are discussed.     

New Isopropyl Chromone and Flavanone Glucoside Compounds from the Leaves of Syzygium cerasiforme (Blume) Merr. & L.M.Perry and Their Inhibition of Nitric Oxide Production

A new isopropyl chromone ( 1 ) and a new flavanone glucoside ( 2 ) together with eleven known compounds ( 3–13 ) were isolated from the leaves of Syzygium cerasiforme (Blume) Merr. & L.M.Perry. Their structures were elucidated as 5,7-dihydroxy-2-isopropyl-6,8-dimethyl-4H-chromen-4-one ( 1 ), 5,7-dihydroxyflavanone 7-O-β-D-(6′′-O-galloylglucopyranoside) ( 2 ), strobopinin ( 3 ), demethoxymatteucinol ( 4 ), pinocembrin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside ( 5 ), (2S)-hydroxynaringenin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside ( 6 ), afzelin ( 7 ), quercetin ( 8 ), kaplanin ( 9 ), endoperoxide G3 ( 10 ), grasshopper ( 11 ), vomifoliol ( 12 ), litseagermacrane ( 13 ) by the analysis of HR-ESI-MS, NMR, and CD spectral data. Compounds 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 and 10 inhibited NO production on LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells with IC₅₀ values of 12.28±1.15, 8.52±1.62, 7.68±0.87, 9.67±0.57, and 6.69±0.34 μM, respectively, while the IC₅₀ values of the other compounds ranging from 33.38±0.78 to 86.51±2.98 μM, compared to that of the positive control, N^G-monomethyl-L-arginine acetate (L-NMMA) with an IC₅₀ value of 32.50±1.00 μM.     

Isolation of Two Plasticizers,Bis(2-ethylhexyl) Terephthalate and Bis(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate,from Capparis spinosa L. Leaves

Many plants have been known to be contaminated and accumulate plasticizers from the environment, including water sources, soil, and atmosphere. Plasticizers are used to confer elasticity and flexibility to various fiber and plastic products. Consumption of plasticizers can lead to many adverse effects on human health, including reproductive and developmental toxicity, endocrine disruption, and cancer. Herein, we report for the first time that two plasticizers, bis(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHT) and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), have been isolated from the leaves of Capparis spinosa L. (the caper bush), a plant that is widely used in food seasonings and traditional medicine. 297 mg/kg of DEHT and 48 mg/kg of DEHP were isolated from dried and grounded C. spinosa L. leaves using column chromatography and semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. Our study adds to the increase in the detection of plasticizers in our food and medicinal plants and to the alarming concern about their potential adverse effects on human health.