Proopiomelanocortin expression in the skin during induced hair growth in mice

We demonstrate for the first time a hair cycle-dependent gene and protein expression of proopiomelanocortin in mouse skin in vivo. Northern blot detected POMC mRNA with an apparent size of 0.9 kb in anagen but not telogen skin. Western blot emphasized a specific protein of 30–33 kDa recognized by anti -endorphin in late but not early anagen or telogen skin. By immunocytochemistry, -endorphin antigen was localized in the sebaceous gland in a hair cycle dependent manner.     

Purification of platelet-derived endothelial cell growth inhibitor and its characterization as transforming growth factor-β type 1

In 1986, Brown and Clemmons (Proc. natl Acad. Sci. USA83 (1986) 3321) showed that platelets contain a substance, platelet-derived growth inhibitor (PDGI), that inhibits in vitro endothelial cell replication. Although platelets are rich in transforming grwoth factor (TGF-), PDGI was considered not to be related to TGF-, on the basis of its reported properties (extraction from platelets at neutral pH, binding to heparin-Sepharose). However, we purified PDGI to near homogeneity and showed that on the basis of HPLC retention behavior, in vitro growth inhibitory activities with several cell types, receptor binding, and immunoneutralization of growth inhibitory activity with specific anti-TGF- type 1 antibodies, PDGI is most probably identical with TGF- type 1.     

In vitro mutagenicity testing of a potent,new, benzoyl urea insect growth regulator

Summary Bacterial mutagenicity assay to detect potential chronic toxicity of a potent, new, benzoyl urea insect growth regulator (CGA-112913 or IKI-7899, formerly UC-62644) was conducted using 5 histidine auxotrophs ofSalmonella typhimurium. Tests within the concentration range of 0.9–500 g (saturating)/plate of the compound with and without the 5–9 mammalian metabolic activation system showed no mutagenic effects clearing the way for long-term chronic toxicology studies.The authors thank Professor Bruce N. Ames for supplying the tester strains together with all the relevant information for conducting the bioassays and Ms. Norma Charlebois for her meticulous technical assistance.     

An enzyme immunoassay for mouse epidermal growth factor utilizing a liquid phase double-antibody system

Summary An enzyme immunoassay for mouse epidermal growth factor (EGF) involving a liquid phase double-antibody system was developed. The EGF--galactosidase conjugate prepared was stable for at least 8 months. By this method, EGF was detectable at a concentration as low as 20 pg per tube. The concentrations of EGF in various tissues of mice are also presented.This work was supported in part by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture of Japan.     

含铝高速钢中奥氏体非均匀长大的机制

M2AI和M2高速钢经一次和二次淬火后,奥氏体晶粒和未溶碳化物的定量研究表明,在高温r/f比值相同的条件下,由于淬火前原始组织的差别,可发生正常(均匀)和异常(非均匀)两类长大。根据异常粗晶形成初期的组织观察,提出了“连续-非连续”再结晶模式和“合并—推移”式的生长机制。提出了减轻或消除M2AI钢混晶的工艺原则。     

几种巴西橡胶三合树的生长状况和光合强度

不同组合巴西橡胶三合树在福建南部的生态条件下,其生长强度,生理代谢和抗逆能力都存在差异。本文中主要研究比较了几种橡胶三合树的生长强度,光合作用强度及其变化。研究结果表明,三合树的生长强度和光合强度明显比对照树高,不同组合三合树的生长强度和光合强度与它们的抗寒力成正相关。     

Inhibition of the growth of cariogenic bacteria in vitro by plant falvanones

Phytoalexins, defensive compounds produced by plants against microbial infections, were purified fromSophora exigua (Leguminosae) and their growth inhibitory effects on oral cariogenic bacteria were determined in vitro. Among three isolated compounds, 5,7,2,4-tetrahydroxy-8-lavandulylflavanone completely inhibited the growth of oral bacteria including primary cariogenic mutans streptococci, other oral streptococci, actinomycetes, and lactobacilli, at concentrations of 1.56 to 6.25 g/ml.     

Bovine microvascular endothelial cells of separate morphology differ in growth and response to the action of interferon-γ

Five cell types recently isolated from the bovine corpus luteum differed in their epithelioid morphology and their cytoskeleton, but shared common criteria of microvascular endothelial cells^1,2. To give strong evidence for the separate entity, the growth rate of the 5 phenotypically different cells was studied. They were seeded at low density on day 0. Most of these cells were treated with 200 to 1000 U recombinant bovine interferon- (IFN-) for 3 days. The untreated remainder served as controls. Cell counts were made for all cultures on days 4, 7, 10 and 13. morphology: 13 d after treatment with IFN- senescent cells as well as intact cells occurred in cultures of cell types 1 to 4. Cultures of cell type 5 were apparently unchanged and resembled their untreated counterparts. Desminpositive cells in cultures of cell type 2 developed cell processes. Growth rate: In the absence of IFN-, the growth rate was high for cell types 3 and 4, moderate for cell type 1, and low for cell types 2 and 5. The presence of IFN- caused anti-proliferative effects. These were higher for cell types 3 and 4 than for cell types 1 and 2. IFN- could be cytotoxic on cell type 3. In contrast, the cytokine tended to support the cell growth of cell type 5. These findings substantiate the postulate that endothelial cells exhibiting separate morphology in culture also function differently.     

Thrombospondin co-localises with TGFβ and IGF-I in the extracellular matrix of human osteoblast-like cells and is modulated by 17β estradiol

Thrombospondin (TSP) is a multifunctional glycoprotein which is synthesised by several cell types including osteoblasts, and incorporated into the extracellular matrix (ECM) of these cells. The function and regulation of TSP in bone is not clear. In this study, using a long term culture model of human osteoblast-like cells, we examined the distribution of TSP in the ECM and its modulation by added estradiol. In this model the osteoblast-like cells form a regular multilayer which continues to increase in depth up to 50 days post confluence. In the ECM of these cultures and in 19-week fetal bone, the bone markers osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase were diffusely distributed in the matrix. In contrast, labelling for TSP was concentrated, confined to the banded collagen and its immediately adjacent ECM. This pattern of labelling resembled that of the growth factors transforming growth factor-I (TGF), and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), with which TSP label co-localised. Labelling intensities were comparable between fetal bone and the in vitro material for TSP, TGF and IGF-I. TSP label was present by 10 days post confluence, reached a maximum by 20 days, and declined slowly thereafter, a time course which was similar to that of IGF-I. Incubation of osteoblast-like cell cultures with 17 estradiol resulted in an increase in multilayer depth and a maximal 3-fold increase in TSP labeling at 30 days as well as approximately 2-fold increases for TGF and IGF-I. The dose-response relationship for these responses to estradiol treatment was biphasic with maximal increases at 10^–10 M–10^–11 M of added estradiol. Treatment with 17 estradiol produced labelling intensities that were not significantly different from controls. Studies with other cell types have suggested that TSP may be involved in modulation of growth factor activity. The similarities between TSP, TGF and IGF-I, in terms of their distribution and regulation by 17 estradiol treatment, may indicate a role for TSP in modulating bone cell proliferation and function through interaction with local growth factors.     

桂东南马尾松工程幼林生长量及其生物量节律研究

１９９１年～１９９６年,对桂东南马尾松工程幼林的生长量及生物量进行连续的定位定期观测。结果表明：马尾松工程林６年生幼林的林木蓄积量和生物量分别为３６．１６ｍ３／ｈｍ２和３６．８６ｔ／ｈｍ２,分别比常规造林１１年生和不施肥同龄林增加３倍～６倍;揭示了马尾松幼林生长量规律及其影响的主要气象因子,马尾松工程幼林各器官生物量随年龄的变化规律,并分别建立与地径逐月生长量的回归预测模型。