Effects of veratridine on the action potentials and contractility of right and left ventricles from normo- and hypertensive rats

Induction of nitric oxide synthase and generation of nitric oxide in pancreatic islet beta-cells may mediate cytokine-induced dysfunction leading to insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Nitric oxide generation can be regulated by availability of arginine substrate which, in turn, may be affected by substrate utilization in competing pathways such as the arginase-catalysed formation of ornithine and urea. In this study we have investigated the activity of arginase in the rat insulinoma-derived cell line RINm5F and the effect on this of interleukin 1beta, the nitric oxide synthase reaction intermediate NG-hydroxy-l-arginine and the nitric oxide-generating compounds 3-morpholinosydnonimine and S-nitrosoglutathione. Cytosols from RINm5F cells treated with or without interleukin 1beta (0.1nM, 18h) were incubated (45min, 37 degrees C) with [U-14C]arginine. Radiolabelled products ([14C]citrulline from nitric oxide synthase, [14C]ornithine and [14C]urea from arginase) were separated by high-performance liquid chromatography or ion-exchange chromatography. Interleukin 1beta increased citrulline production (from 0.01+/-0.002 to 0.58+/-0.03 pmol/microg cell protein), indicating induction of nitric oxide synthase, and significantly decreased production of both ornithine (from 4.60+/-0.20 to 3.40+/-0.20 pmol/microg) and urea (0.93+/-0.05 to 0.69+/-0.04 pmol/microg) (P<0.001), indicating decreased activity of arginase. Arginase was significantly inhibited by NG-hydroxy-l-arginine (IC50=50 microM), S-nitrosoglutathione (500 microM: 69+/-7% of control) and 3-morpholinosydnonimine (1 mM: 57+/-7% of control) (P<0.05). We conclude that during cytokine-directed beta-cell assault nitric oxide synthase-catalysed production of NG-hydroxy-l-arginine and nitric oxide may inhibit arginase thereby increasing the availability of arginine for nitric oxide production.     

Association of a group I intron with its splice junction in 50S ribosomes: implications for intron toxicity

The effect of genetic context on splicing of group I introns is not well understood at present. The influence of ribosomal RNA conformation on splicing of rDNA introns in vivo was investigated using a heterologous system in which the Tetrahymena group I intron is inserted into the homologous position of the Escherichia coli 23S rRNA. Mutations that block splicing in E. coli result in accumulation of unspliced 23S rRNA that is assembled into 50S complexes, but not 70S ribosomes. The data indicate that accommodation of the intron structure on the surface of the 50S subunit inhibits interactions with the small ribosomal subunit. Spliced intron RNA also remains noncovalently bound to 50S subunits on sucrose gradients. This interaction appears to be mediated by base pairing between the intron guide sequence and the 23S rRNA, because the fraction of bound intron RNA is reduced by point mutations in the IGS or deletion of the P1 helix. Association of the intron with 50S subunits correlates with slow cell growth. The results suggest that group I introns have the potential to inhibit protein synthesis in prokaryotes by direct interactions with ribosomes.     

Cerebellar deficient folia (cdf): a new mutation on mouse chromosome 6

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the case of an 8-yr-old boy with an aneurysmal bone cyst of the right proximal humerus, including the features imaged on plain film radiography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including spin echo and fast field echo imaging. CLINICAL FEATURES: The patient suffered for 1 yr from intermittent but progressive pain in his right upper arm and shoulder area. There was no history of trauma or known systemic disease. There was decreased range of motion in abduction of the glenohumeral joint and pain on focal pressure along the deltoid muscle. A complete imaging evaluation consisting of plain film radiography, CT and MRI was performed, which revealed the classical imaging features of an aneurysmal bone cyst. An additional cystic lesion was detected by the MRI that was not appreciated on the plain films or CT. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: The patient was referred for biopsy to confirm the preliminary diagnosis of aneurysmal bone cyst. No treatment was instituted. CONCLUSION: Evaluation of aneurysmal bone cyst may be completed with CT scanning and more specifically with MRI MRI coronal T2, weighted images are advantageous for visualization of the main cystic lesion and any additional cysts. Fast field echo images show a better contrast between the cyst and bone marrow with extension of the cyst into the epiphysis as evident in this case. Follow-up studies revealed complete healing of the cyst with only residual densities in the humeral metaphyseal area.     

Disposition of aerosolized liposomal amphotericin B

Amphotericin B (AmB) is an important drug for the treatment of fungal infection, but toxicity limits the lung tissue doses which may be achieved through intravenous administration. Although incorporation of AmB in liposomes reduces these effects and increases the therapeutic index for intravenous administration, targeted delivery to lung tissues via inhaled liposomal AmB aerosol may be a more effective approach. Aerosolization of liposomal amphotericin B targets the lungs, the organs first infested by many fungi. Development of optimal aerosolized liposomal AmB therapies requires a better understanding of the effect that liposome surface charge has on lung clearance kinetics. In this work we evaluated the clearance kinetics and organ distribution of inhaled liposomal AmB in male Balb/C mice. Mice were exposed via nose only to AmB-containing liposomal aerosols having positive, negative, or neutral surface charge characteristics. The formulations were aerosolized using a Collison nebulizer. Groups of animals were euthanized at predetermined times and the lungs and other organs were analyzed for AmB. AmB was not detected in serum and other organs such as kidneys, liver, and brain. The disposition of neutral and positive liposomal amphotericin B in lungs followed biexponential kinetics. The alpha and beta phase half-lives for positive liposomes were 1.3 and 15.1 days, respectively, and 2.3 and 22 days for neutral liposomes. AmB delivered via negative liposomes exhibited monoexponential clearance with a half-life of 4.5 days. These results suggest that toxic side effects in nontarget tissues are minimal and may indicate a potential for long term protection against fungal infections.     

基于安全人机学的驾驶作业疲劳评价模型研究

驾驶作业涉及人-汽车-环境,是较复杂的半自动化人机系统,驾驶作业疲劳是由多种因素造成的,对其评价存在不确定性.建立一种多因素多等级的评价模型,对驾驶作业疲劳程度进行总体评价,对致劳因素进行排序,为驾驶疲劳的评价及预防和减轻驾驶疲劳提供一种方法.     

芳纶纤维在轮胎工业中的应用

笔者主要介绍了芳纶纤维(包括长纤维和短纤维)的性能及其在轮胎工业的应用，同时简要叙述了芳纶纤维的分类和发展历史。     

芳纶橡胶输送带的接头强度研究

针对芳纶橡胶输送带接头强度保持率低的问题,本研究以国内外芳纶橡胶输送带接头方案为基础,采用指型插接方案,系统性地探究了指型长径比、贴胶厚度、织物增强层结构等因素对接头强度的影响。实验证明接头强度随长径比的增大而升高;贴胶厚度在1mm时接头强度达到最大,此后接头强度随贴胶厚度的增加而降低;织物增强层沿经向放置的接头强度提高87%,接头强度保持率达到带体强度的60%。     

节能型活性染料的发展状况

综述了开发节能型活性染料的重要性.重点介绍了适用于冷轧堆染色、小浴比染色和涤/棉一浴法染色用活性染料以及高固色率活性染料的发展状况;通过提高染料的耐碱性、溶解度、染深性以及固着率等方面来达到节能减排的目的.     

CY-61100车床尾座铸造过程仿真优化研究

对CY-61100车床尾座铸件充型及凝固过程进行了数值模拟及优化研究。根据模拟的结果及铸造缺陷预测,改进及优化了尾座浇注系统,在工厂实际浇铸生产应用中取得了良好效果。并由此建立了铸造过程CAE仿真优化技术与传统铸造工艺设计有效结合的先进铸造工艺设计模式。