Cloning and disruption of the antigenic catalase gene of Aspergillus fumigatus

Aspergillus fumigatus possesses two catalases (described as fast and slow on the basis of their electrophoretic mobility). The slow catalase has been recognized as a diagnostic antigen for aspergillosis in immunocompetent patients. The antigenic catalase has been purified. The enzyme is a tetrameric protein composed of 90-kDa subunits. The corresponding cat1 gene was cloned, and sequencing data show that the cat1 gene codes for a 728-amino-acid polypeptide. A recombinant protein expressed in Pichia pastoris is enzymatically active and has biochemical and antigenic properties that are similar to those of the wild-type catalase. Molecular experiments reveal that CAT1 contains a signal peptide and a propeptide of 15 and 12 amino acid residues, respectively. cat1-disrupted mutants that were unable to produce the slow catalase were as sensitive to H2O2 and polymorphonuclear cells as the wild-type strain. In addition, there was no difference in pathogenicity between the cat1 mutant and its parental cat1+ strain in a murine model of aspergillosis.     

Dimethylsilane polyamines: cytostatic compounds with potentials as anticancer drugs

Several dimethylsilane tetramines [homologs of spermine with an Si(CH3)2 group in the central carbon chain], a carbon analog of the dimethylsilane tetramines [containing C(CH3)2 instead of Si(CH3)2] and a dimethylsilane hexamine were studied with regard to their cytotoxic activity and their ability to interact with double-stranded DNA. All polyamine analogs exerted cytostatic effects to several cell lines at micromolar concentrations. Their ability to condense DNA was comparable to and their ability to displace ethidium bromide from binding to DNA was superior to that of spermine. Their cytostatic effect was not correlated with the depletion of cellular spermidine concentrations. It is suggested that the new polyamine analogs act mainly by displacing spermidine from binding sites which are essential for the promotion of cell growth.     

Engagement of T cell receptor triggers its recruitment to low-density detergent-insoluble membrane domains

T-cell receptors (TCRs) upon binding to peptide-MHC ligands transduce signals in T lymphocytes. Tyrosine phosphorylations in the cytoplasmic domains of the CD3 (gammadeltaepsilon) and zeta subunits of the TCR complex by Src family kinases initiate the signaling cascades via docking and activation of ZAP-70 kinase and other signaling components. We examined the role of the low-density detergent-insoluble membranes (DIMs) in TCR signaling. Using mouse thymocytes as a model, we characterized the structural organization of DIMs in detail. We then demonstrated that TCR engagement triggered an immediate increase in the amount of TCR/CD3 present in DIMs, which directly involves the engaged receptor complexes. TCR/CD3 recruitment is accompanied by the accumulation of a series of prominent tyrosine-phosphorylated substrates and by an increase of the Lck activity in DIMs. Upon TCR stimulation, the DIM-associated receptor complexes are highly enriched in the hyperphosphorylated p23 zeta chains, contain most of the TCR/CD3-associated, phosphorylation-activated ZAP-70 kinases and seem to integrate into higher order, multiple tyrosine-phosphorylated substrate-containing protein complexes. The TCR/CD3 recruitment was found to depend on the activity of Src family kinases. We thus provide the first demonstration of recuitment of TCR/CD3 to DIMs upon receptor stimulation and propose it as a mechanism whereby TCR engagement is coupled to downstream signaling cascades.     

Intubation conditions: importance of the rate of repetition of the train-of-four

OBJECTIVES: To assess that neuromuscular relaxation onset of the adductor pollicis (AP) is related to neuromuscular stimulation rate. To assess that train-of-four (TOF) at 0.05 Hz is a more accurate indicator of optimal tracheal intubation time and conditions, than TOF at 0.08 Hz. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, comparative, randomized double-blind study. PATIENTS: Forty adults, physical class ASA 1 or 2, undergoing general anaesthesia with tracheal intubation were allocated to two groups (n = 20) according to the sequence of stimulation of the AP: either TOF at 0.05 Hz (test group) or TOF at 0.08 Hz (control group). METHODS: Induction of anaesthesia was achieved with thiopentone, fentanyl and vecuronium (0.1 mg.kg-1). Neuromuscular monitoring was obtained with force displacement transducers attached to each AP. Tracheal intubation was performed once AP muscular response obtained with TOF at 0.05 Hz for test group and TOF at 0.08 Hz for control group was abolished. Results are expressed as mean +/- SEM. Fisher exact test was used for intubation conditions comparison. Curarization time between groups was compared with unpaired Student's t test (P < 0.05 accepted). RESULTS: TOF with 0.05 Hz stimulation significantly increased curarization time: 217 +/- 7 versus 162 +/- 6 s (P < 0.001). Intubation conditions were excellent in 95% and good in 5% of patients in the study group, compared to 15 and 40% in the control group, respectively (P < 0.01) in 45% of the control group patients coughing at intubation occurred. CONCLUSION: Low stimulation rate (TOF at 0.05 Hz) of AP is a reliable technique to determine the appropriate intubation time for patients paralyzed with vecuronium.     

R&D activities on wireless systems in China

Various wireless systems and the research preceding their practical use in China are described. The topics discussed include research establishments, research and development projects underway, challenges inherent to digital radio, and expansion opportunities afforded by satellite communications     

Internet网的服务方式与入网方式一览

目前，世界上最大的计算机网络Ｉｎｔｅｒｎｅｔ网，已成为通达１５０多个国家的国际互联网络。作为引导中国计算机用户进入Ｉｎｔｅｒｎｅｔ的中国公用计算机互联网ＣＨＩＮＡＮＥＴ也正迅速发展。本文就Ｉｎｔｅｒｎｅｔ网的服务方式和入网方式进行了综述。     

BEM 系列原油流动性改进剂的应用

对BEM系列原油流动性改进剂的基本原理以及在中洛、濮临、东临、东黄、鲁宁、魏荆等几条原油长输管道工业应用的现场测试情况进行了介绍。结果表明，BEM系列原油流动性改进剂在降低原油凝点和粘度方面性能良好，能满足管道安全，平稳运行的要求。     

具有细小组织的高强度和高延性钢管的开发

介绍了日本川崎制铁公司技术研究所开发出的电焊钢管采用热张力减径工艺的特性 ,及这种钢管的高强度、高延性等基本特性。用这种钢管制造的汽车零部件 ,经弯曲、冲击和疲劳特性等实验 ,证明具有良好的机械加工性能 ,是制造汽车用零部件的优良材料。     

国内外乙丙橡胶市场供需状况

介绍了国内外乙丙橡胶市场的供需状况，并对我国乙丙橡胶的产业发展提出了建议。     

我国未来移动通信研究开发展望

本文简述了国内移动通信的发展现状与趋势，重点论述了国际上有关Beyond 3G移动通信发展动向，提出了我国发展未来移动通信的基本技术需求，概述了我国有关Beyond 3G研究计划-FuTURE计划的安排与步骤。