Development of sensitive esterase assays based on alpha-cyano-containing esters.

A novel approach is reported for the development of fluorogenic esterase reporters using alpha-cyano-containing esters as substrates. After ester hydrolysis, the released alcohol, a cyanohydrin, rapidly eliminates HCN to yield the corresponding aldehyde resulting in strong fluorescence. The pi conjugation of the resulting aldehyde also greatly enhances UV absorption and red shifts fluorescence emission relative to a corresponding alcohol or phenol. Two substrates, R/S-acetic acid cyano-(6-methoxynaphthalen-2-yl)-methyl ester (compound I) and trans/cis-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid R/S-cyano-(6-methoxynaphthalen-2-yl)-methyl ester (compound II), were synthesized and evaluated as substrates. Such alpha-cyano substrates possess very low background fluorescence and are more stable under enzyme assay conditions than phenolic substrates due to the aliphatic cyano group. The higher molar absorbtivity and quantum yield of the aldehyde, along with its larger Stokes' shift combined with the increased stability and lower background signal of the cyanohydrin substrate, increases the utility and sensitivity of the resulting assays over current methods. Moreover, compound II showed high selectivity to pyrethroid-cleaving esterases and may provide a direct tool to monitor pyrethroid resistance in insects.     

5—羟色胺对大鼠下丘脑脑薄片室旁核神经元自发电活动的作用

在20个下丘脑脑片上,用玻璃微电极细胞外记录了46个室旁核神经元的自发放电单位,观察了5-羟色胺对它们的作用。当薄片用含5-羟色胺(10~(-6)mol/L)的人工脑脊液灌流后,有16个单位放电频率明显增加,反应的潜伏期为1.21±1.21 min。这种反应可被5-羟色胺的阻断剂噻庚啶所阻断。3个单位放电频率明显减少,27个单位无明显反应。实验结果表明约1/3的下丘脑室旁核神经元能被5-羟色胺所激活。     

Nerve growth factor and neuronal cell death

The regulation of neuronal cell death by the neuronotrophic factor, nerve growth factor (NGF), has been described during neural development and following injury to the nervous system. Also, reduced NGF activity has been reported for the aged NGF-responsive neurons of the sympathetic nervous system and cholinergic regions of the central nervous system (CNS) in aged rodents and man. Although there is some knowledge of the molecular structure of the NGF and its receptor, less is known as to the mechanism of action of NGF. Here, a possible role for NGF in the regulation of oxidant--antioxidant balance is discussed as part of a molecular explanation for the known effects of NGF on neuronal survival during development, after injury, and in the aged CNS.     

中国黑粉补遗

裂孢黑粉菌属(Schizonella)是我国新记录属,其主要特征为孢子堆生叶上;黑粉成对,其萌发方式同黑粉菌属(Ustilago)苔草裂孢黑粉菌(Schizonella melanogramma(DC.) Schrot.)寄生于苔草属(Carex sp.)植物上,其孢子堆生叶上,条状,粉质;黑粉孢子卵形,近球形或不规则半球形,常成对,7.5 -12.5 (-14)×5.5-(-12)µm,橄榄褐色.另一我国新记录种是鬼灯檠条黑粉菌(Urocystis rodgersiae (Miyabe) Miyabe ex Zund.),寄生在鬼灯檠(Rodgersia aesculifolia Batal.)植物上.孢子堆生叶下;孢子球27-60(-75)×25-45.5(-57µm,由1-6个黑粉孢子组成;不育细胞10-15×9-l0µm,浅褐色.黑粉孢子14-20×10-14µm,暗褐色.此种孢子球比原产于日本的模式种略大,其它特征相同.     

Serial studies of autologous antibody reactivity to squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Summary In previous studies we evaluated the incidence and specificity of autologous antibody reactivity against squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). We were able to demonstrate that autologous antibody reactivity is present in native sera but was usually of too low a titer to allow further analysis. Dissociation of immune complexes by acidification and ultrafiltration of serum augmented autologous antibody reactivity in nine out of nine autologous systems tested. Native antibody and antibody derived from immune complexes produced by the host and reactive with autologous tumor cells may be directed against physiologically relevant antigens. Therefore, correlations of antibody titers with clinical course may provide insight into the nature of the host response to cancer. In the present analysis, serological studies of six patients with SCCHN were performed with serum samples obtained over many months. Results of serial serological assays were correlated to tumor progression and clinical course. Fluctuations in autologous antibody reactivity were noted over time. In four cases, rises in autologous antibody titers preceded the clinical diagnosis of recurrence by several months. Drops in autologous antibody reactivity were noted in two cases following surgery or radiation therapy. In two cases of long-term survivors, no correlation between antibody reactivity and clinical course was noted. Specificity analysis of the six autologous systems demonstrated reactivity against autologous and allogeneic SCCHN as well as melanoma cell lines. These sera did not react with glioma, neuroblastoma, renal cell, breast, bladder and colon carcinoma cell lines nor with fetal calf serum, pooled lymphocytes, red blood cells and platelets. Autologous serial serological studies may provide a means by which to evaluate the host/tumor relationship in patients with SCCHN.     

A determinant of polyomavirus virulence enhances virus growth in cells of renal origin.

We have identified a strain of polyomavirus, Py(L), which is unusual in causing acute morbidity and early death after inoculation of newborn mice. We determined that these animals died of kidney failure associated with extensive, virus-mediated destruction of renal tissue. Interestingly, the Py(L) strain infects baby mouse kidney cell cultures more efficiently than do other strains.     

蓝斑复合核区内微量注射去甲肾上腺素对刺激兔下丘脑诱发室性期前收缩的影响

在72只乌拉坦、氯醛糖麻醉兔,静脉注射三碘季铵酚后,在人工呼吸下进行实验。结果观察到,在家兔蓝斑复合核(Lo-So)区微量注射去甲肾上腺素(NE)或可乐宁(Clonidine)能减少刺激下丘脑诱发的室性期前收缩(HVE)数。而微量注射β-肾上腺素能受体阻断剂心得安、α_1肾上腺素激动剂甲氧胺(Methoxamine)或苯肾上腺素(Phenylephrine)、α肾上腺素能阻断剂育亨宾(Yohimbine)或阿片受体阻断剂纳洛酮则对 HVE 无明显影响。在 Lo-So 区微量注射 NE 对 HVE 的抑制效应不能被事先在该区注射心得安所阻断但能被事先静脉或 Lo-So 区注射育亨宾所阻断。NE 或可乐宁的抑制效应也均可被育亨宾所翻转。可乐宁的抑制效应还可被纳洛酮所翻转。电解损毁延髓中缝大核区可消除在 Lo-So 区微量注射 NE 或可乐宁对HVE 的抑制效应。上述结果提示,Lo-So 区α_2受体的兴奋可减少 HVE 数,这些作用可能依赖于延髓中缝大核区的完整。可乐宁对 HVE 的抑制作用可能有阿片受体的参与。     

低温对不同耐寒力的黄瓜幼苗子叶的各细胞器中NAD~+-苹果酸脱氢酶的影响

NAD~+-MDH在黄瓜子叶中的定位是细胞溶质中占总活性的55～59％,线粒体为38～35％,叶绿体为7％。其同工酶谱亦为细胞溶质中带数最多,全青为5条,粤早3号为4条,线粒体和叶绿体均为1条,品种间无明显差异。黄瓜幼苗随低温胁迫的加剧,伤害逐步加重,子叶电解质渗出率明显增加,NAD~+-MDH活性亦不断下降,其中叶绿体的NAD~+-MDH对低温最敏感,1±1℃处理就能反映品种间耐寒力的差异。叶绿体和线粒体的NAD~+-MDH同工酶对低温的反应与活性变化一致,谱带数没有差异,只是活性降低。细胞溶质部分酶带较多,各条酶带对低温的反应不同。     

新疆黑粉菌的初步研究

作者于1986年参加巴尔鲁克山真菌考察,并到阿尔泰山地、伊犁谷地、吐鲁番等地采得黑粉菌标本70余份,鉴定为8属36种,13种为我国新纪录,它们是石竹叶苔炭黑粉(Anthracoidea caryophylleae Latour.),卡里炭黑粉(Anthracoidea karii(Liro) Nannf.),范基灰黑粉(Anthracoidea vankyiNannfeldt),短柄草腥黑粉(Tilletia olida (Riess) Schr(?)t.),剪股颍条黑粉(Urocystis agrostidis (Lavrov.) Zundel),黑麦草条黑粉(Urocystis bo-livari Bubák & Fragoso),雀麦条黑粉(Urocystis bromi (Lavrov) Zundel),拂子茅条黑粉(Urocystis calamagrostidis (Lavrov) Zundel),茅香条黑粉(Urocystis hierochloae (Murashk) Vánky),尼氏条黑粉(Urocystis nevodo-vskyi Schwarzman),早熟禾条黑粉(Urocystis poae(Liro)Padw.& Khan),报春花条黑粉(Urocystis primulicola P Magn.),和泡斑黑粉(Ustilagopustulata (D.C.) Winter