Characterization of a Gy4 glycinin gene from soybean Glycine max cv. forrest

The glycinin gene family encoding the glycinin subunits in soybean plants is composed of at least five gene members. A genomic clone lambda S312 containing the Gy4 gene from a genomic library of cv. Forrest was isolated and partially characterized. The organization of this gene was found to be similar to that of a null allele from cv. Raiden, but different from the Gy4 gene from cv. Dare. The complete nucleotide sequence of this gene has been determined. It is 2599 bp long consisting of four exons and three introns. Comparing the DNA sequences between this gene and the gene from Dare and a null allele from Raiden, the difference found in the coding region was 5'-GCAGTGCAAG-3' (nt 824 to 833) in the former case versus 5'-TGGAGTTGCAATT-3' (nt 1314 to 1326) in the latter case in the exon 2 domain, resulting in three amino acid differences and one amino acid absence. Some other differences were also found in the non-coding region. The coding sequence and 5'-flanking region of the Gy4 gene, when compared with that of other legumin genes as well as group 1 glycinin subunit genes, revealed some interesting features: (1) a transposable element-like sequence was found in the hypervariable region (HVR) of the exon 3 domain, which was lacking in the legumin and the glycinin group 1 genes; (2) in the 5'-flanking region from nt -145 to -1, two high-homology sequences were found: one from nt -141 to nt -132, the other from nt -118 to nt -92 which includes the 'legumin box' and the RY repeat element.

Operative treatment of unstable pelvic fractures

Unstable pelvic fractures are serious injuries. Non-operative treatment gives poor early and late results. We report the results of operative treatment of 28 unstable pelvic fractures; eight were rotatory unstable and 20 were both rotatory and vertically unstable. The average age of the patients was 33 years. All the patients underwent operation according to a definite protocol for internal fixation. Mobilization was started within 2 weeks after the operation; the average hospital stay was 9.8 weeks. With an average follow-up of 19 months, there was no mortality. In 20 patients there was no discomfort, five patients had moderate back pain and four patients walked with a limp due to leg length inequality and back pain. Twenty patients returned to gainful employment. Complications included one deep wound infection, two superficial wound infections, one dislodgement of the external fixator, and residual interval rotatory deformity of the hemipelvis. We conclude that operative treatment of unstable pelvic fractures is safe and that the early and late results are much better than those treated by non-operative means.

Antitumor activity of siwenmycin: a novel anthracycline antibiotic

A novel anthracycline antibiotic, siwenmycin, isolated from the culture of Streptomyces galilaeus var. siwenesis, was examined for its antitumor activities against P388, K562, B16-F10, HeLa, HEp-2 and Lewis lung carcinoma cell lines. The results showed that siwenmycin was effective against P388, K562, HeLa and HEp-2 tumor cell lines in vitro, and significantly inhibited the growth of the Lewis lung carcinoma cell line in vivo. Siwenmycin could also suppress spontaneous and artificial pulmonary metastases of B16-F10 and Lewis lung carcinoma cell lines in C57BL/6 mice. The inhibitory effect of siwenmycin on spontaneous pulmonary metastasis of Lewis lung carcinoma in C57BL/6 mice was even stronger than that of adriamycin (ADM), which is, at present, commonly used in clinical practice. Furthermore, the double-labeling test used in this study has verified that siwenmycin can inhibit cellular RNA synthesis at about one tenth the concentration required to inhibit DNA synthesis to the same degree, indicating that the antitumor mechanism of siwenmycin also differs from that of ADM. The acute toxicity of siwenmycin was very low, and it was as effective in vivo as in vitro, suggesting that this newly found antibiotic should be studied for possible clinical antitumor applications.

A new 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay for testing macrophage cytotoxicity to L1210 and its drug-resistant cell lines in vitro

Activated by interferon gamma (IFN gamma)(50 U/ml) and lipopolysaccharide (50 ng/ml), mouse peritoneal macrophages were cocultured with the L1210 parental cell line (L1210/PRT) and its Adriamycin-, cisplatin-resistant cell lines (L1210/ADM, L1210/CDDP) for 24 h at effector: target (E:T) ratios of 10:1, 5:1 and 2:1. The direct 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium-bromide (MTT)-cleavage assay, a new improved indirect MTT assay, and the colony-formation assay were used to quantify macrophage-mediated suppression of these non-adherent tumour targets. The results showed that the macrophages can produce formazan at a high level, which can interfere with the final results of a direct MTT assay. The new indirect MTT assay can avoid such interference because the effectors are separated from the targets before the assay is performed, so the real viability of the targets is reflected. An indirect MTT assay, as developed in this study, could be better than the direct assay for examining the suppressive effect of activated macrophages on non-adherent tumour cells in vitro. This study also revealed that all the L1210 cell lines can be suppressed significantly by the macrophages at E:T ratios of 10:1 and 5:1 while the two drug-resistant cell lines have lower survival rates at an E:T ratio of 10:1, indicating that they are more susceptible than their parental cell line.

Acetaminophen-induced cytotoxicity in cultured mouse hepatocytes: effects of Ca(2+)-endonuclease, DNA repair, and glutathione depletion inhibitors on DNA fragmentation and cell death

Hepatotoxic alkylation of mouse liver cells by acetaminophen is characterized by an early loss of ion regulation, accumulation of Ca2+ in the nucleus, and fragmentation of DNA in vitro and in vivo. Acetaminophen-induced DNA cleavage is accompanied by the formation of a "ladder" of DNA fragments characteristic of Ca(2+)-mediated endonuclease activation. These events unfold well in advance of cytotoxicity and the development of necrosis. The present study utilized cultured mouse hepatocytes and mechanistic probes to test whether DNA fragmentation and cell death might be related in a "cause-and-effect" manner. Cells were isolated by collagenase perfusion, cultured in Williams' E medium for 22-26 hr, and exposed to acetaminophen. Aurintricarboxylic acid, a general Ca(2+)-endonuclease inhibitor, and EGTA, a chelator of Ca2+ required for endonuclease activation, significantly decreased DNA fragmentation at 6 and 12 hr and virtually abolished cytotoxicity. N-Acetylcysteine also eliminated DNA fragmentation and cytotoxicity. 3-Aminobenzamide, an inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-stimulated DNA repair, failed to alter the amount of DNA fragmentation at 6 hr but substantially increased acetaminophen cytotoxicity in hepatocytes at 12 hr. With the exception of when DNA repair was inhibited by 3-aminobenzamide, Ca2+ accumulation in the nucleus, DNA fragmentation, and hepatocyte death varied consistently and predictably with one another. Collectively, these findings suggest that unrepaired damage to DNA contributes to acetaminophen-induced cell death in vivo and may play a role in necrosis in vivo.

Acetaminophen-induced cytotoxicity in cultured mouse hepatocytes: correlation of nuclear Ca2+ accumulation and early DNA fragmentation with cell death

Hepatotoxic doses of acetaminophen cause widespread alkylation of liver and early loss of cytosolic Ca2+ regulation. Although the precise location and target of lethal alkylation are not known, Ca2+ accumulation is viewed as a possible link between cell alkylation and cell death. We have recently shown that Ca2+ accumulates in the nucleus and that DNA fragments in vivo before the development of acetaminophen-induced necrosis in mice. The present study examined cultured hepatocytes for nuclear damage and its association with cell death in vitro. Positive results would argue for two key points. (1) Nonparenchymal cell damage does not explain DNA fragmentation induced by acetaminophen in vivo. (2) A chemical that causes necrosis can produce DNA damage considered characteristic of apoptosis. Hepatocytes from NIH Swiss mice were isolated by collagenase perfusion, cultured in Williams' E medium for 24 hr, and exposed to acetaminophen. Cytotoxicity was assessed by lactate dehydrogenase leakage and release of [3H]adenine from a prelabeled nucleotide pool. Genomic DNA fragmentation was assessed quantitatively by colorimetric analysis and qualitatively by agarose gel electrophoresis. Acetaminophen caused DNA damage from 1-4 hr onward and produced significant release of lactate dehydrogenase and [3H]adenine nucleotides at later times. Agarose gel electrophoresis revealed a "ladder" of DNA fragments characteristic of Ca(2+)-mediated endonuclease activation. Cytotoxicity correlated with nuclear Ca2+ accumulation (r greater than 0.895, p less than 0.05) and with percentage DNA fragmentation (r greater than 0.835, p less than 0.05). Nuclear changes in vitro generally reproduced those observed in vivo. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that nuclear Ca2+ accumulation and DNA fragmentation appear as early events that correlate directly with later cytotoxicity. These changes may contribute to acetaminophen-induced injury leading to cell death in vitro and necrosis in vivo.

[Quantitative analysis of coronary arteriogram by a computer-assisted method]

A computer-assisted method for quantitating coronary arteriograms was applied to measure the diameter of major epicardial coronary arteries in 58 normal subjects and 25 hypertensive patients, and to determine the percentage of relative stenosis of coronary lesions in 109 patients with coronary artery disease. Average coronary size was larger than normal in patients with hypertension. The left coronary artery was larger than the right coronary artery in the majority of patients. The degree of coronary stenosis can be measured accurately with good reproducibility. Thus this inexpensive microprocessor system provides rapid quantitation of coronary artery diameter and lesions.

Interlocking intramedullary nailing for supracondylar and intercondylar fractures of the distal part of the femur

Thirty-seven fractures of the distal part of the femur in thirty-five patients were treated with interlocking intramedullary nailing. All fractures were nailed by a closed technique after any intercondylar extension of the fracture had been managed by reduction and stabilization with percutaneous lag-screws. Patients who had an isolated condylar fracture or a severely comminuted intercondylar fracture were treated with other types of implants. There were thirty extra-articular (type-A) fractures and seven intra-articular (type-C1 and type-C2) fractures. Postoperatively, early mobilization exercises and weight-bearing were begun. At an average duration of follow-up of 20.5 months (range, fifteen to twenty-six months), all thirty-seven fractures had healed. There were no malunions of either the supracondylar or the intercondylar fractures. Complications were infrequent and included chronic irritation from the distal screws in three patients and delayed union in one; the latter healed with two centimeters of shortening after bone-grafting. There were no infections. The functional results were assessed with the modified knee-rating system of The Hospital for Special Surgery. Thirteen knees (35 per cent) had an excellent result; twenty-two (59 per cent), a good result; and two (5 per cent), a fair result. The results correlated with the age of the patient and the presence of an intra-articular fracture. We concluded that closed interlocking intramedullary nailing is an excellent technique for both supracondylar and simple intercondylar fractures in which closed reduction and percutaneous fixation of the articular fracture is possible.

[Changes in left ventricular volumes after acute transmural myocardial infarction: clinical, angiographic and prognostic correlations]

The relation of left ventricular (LV) volume changes to clinical and angiographic features was assessed in 57 patients with a first transmural myocardial infarction. LV volumes were measured by two-dimensional echocardiography within 72 hours of admission and repeated at one month. The infarct-related artery (IRA) patency and collateral circulation were determined by coronary arteriography performed before discharge. LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes increased (155 +/- 44 vs 203 +/- 65 ml; 96 +/- 32 vs 134 +/- 57 ml, all P less than 0.01), and ejection fraction decreased (0.38 +/- 0.06 vs 0.34 +/- 0.09, P less than 0.05) in patients with totally occluded IRA without collaterals. In contrast, LV volumes and systolic function were unchanged in those who had subtotally occluded IRA or with collaterals. LV dilation (greater than or equal to 20% increase in LV end-diastolic volume) occurred more frequently in patients without residual flow to the infarct region (77%) than in those with (9%) (P less than 0.01). Thirteen patients with LV dilation developed congestive heart failure, 3 of whom having cardiac death. However, congestive heart failure was found in only 11 patients without LV dilation and no death occurred. Thus, the cardiac event rate was higher in patients with (65%) than in those without (30%) LV dilation (P less than 0.05). The study indicates that the changes in LV volumes following acute myocardial infarction are largely related to the status of residual flow to the infarct region and affect the clinical outcome of the patients.

HIPDM-SPECT brain imaging in the presurgical evaluation of patients with intractable seizures

We report the results of interictal and ictal HIPDM-SPECT brain imaging in 34 patients who eventually underwent temporal lobectomy for treatment of medically intractable complex partial seizures. Interictal studies revealed decreased regional cerebral perfusion (rCP) in the temporal lobe corresponding to the eventual site of surgery in 73% of the patients. Similarly, ictal study demonstrated increased rCP in 93% of the patients. In 69% of the patients, the SPECT studies were able to demonstrate both increased rCP on the ictal scan and decreased rCP on the interictal scan in the same location, corresponding to the eventual site of surgery. These results suggest that interictal and ictal SPECT brain imaging can be easily obtained and provide reliable localizing information in the presurgical evaluation of patients with medically intractable epilepsy.

Presenting the diagnosis of pseudoseizure

Simultaneous video-EEG monitoring has allowed pseudoseizures to be effectively diagnosed. Discussing the results of the monitoring with the patient is the 1st step in treatment. We outline a protocol for presenting the diagnosis of pseudoseizure with the goal of conveying to the patient the importance of knowing the nonepileptic nature of the spells and the need for psychiatric follow-up. The protocol also allows elicitation of sexual abuse history and the use of suggestion to aid in controlling the pseudoseizures.

Sufficient condition for convergence of a relaxation algorithm in actual single-layer neural networks

Application of the contraction mapping theorem to single-layer feedback neural networks of a gradient-type is discussed. The sufficient condition for stability of a relaxation algorithm in actual continuous-time networks is derived and illustrated with an example. Results showing the stability of a numerical solution obtained with the relaxation algorithm are presented.

An effective treatment of comminuted fractures of the distal radius

One hundred cases of comminuted fracture of the distal radius were treated by a simple uniform method consisting of distraction by an external fixator for 3 weeks followed by functional bracing. During the application of the external fixator, autogenous cancellous bone chips were taken from the iliac crest and packed into the fracture site to realign the juxtaarticular fragments and to fill up the bone gap. Complications have been minimal. The results, after an average follow-up period of 20 months, taking into consideration subjective assessment of pain, objective measurement of wrist motion, and radiologic angles, have been excellent.

Ligamentotaxis and bone grafting for comminuted fractures of the distal radius

The conventional treatment of comminuted fractures in the distal radius has been unsatisfactory. We therefore made a prospective study using the principle of ligamentotoxis and primary cancellous bone grafting as the uniform method of treatment. Ligamentotaxis was maintained by using an external fixator for three weeks only, after which a carefully monitored programme of rehabilitation was given. We have reviewed 72 consecutive distal radial fractures after a follow-up of 7 to 40 months (average 11 months). Reduction had been maintained during healing and over 80% of patients regained full range of movement in hands, wrists and forearms with strong and pain-free wrist function. Complications were infrequent and gave no real problems. We conclude that distraction, external fixation and bone grafting appears to be an excellent method of treating comminuted fractures of the distal radius.

Disappearance of exogenously administered human chorionic gonadotropin

Concentrations of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) were measured after intramuscular hCG administration in 34 patients undergoing ovarian stimulation in an in vitro fertilization program. Serum hCG levels were detectable by an immunoenzymetric assay up to 14 days after injection. Individual variation in hCG concentration after injection could be minimized by expressing the daily hCG level as a fractional distribution of the value observed 36 hours after hCG administration (hCG0). In nonpregnant patients, less than 10% of the hCG0 value was found on day 10. The disappearance rate measured 36 hours after injection of hCG was exponential with a mean half-life of 2.32 days. These findings are significant for ovarian stimulation protocols, including exogenous hCG, with respect to timing and accuracy of quantitative pregnancy testing.

Operative treatment of intraarticular fractures of the os calcis--the role of rigid internal fixation and primary bone grafting: preliminary results

The treatment of intraarticular fractures of the os calcis remains controversial. Yet it seems illogical that the subtalar joints should be treated differently from other weight-bearing joints. In this paper, we report the results of treating 64 intraarticular fractures of the os calcis by open reduction, rigid internal fixation with primary bone graft, and early mobilization. Of the 64 fractures, 23.43% were tongue-type fractures, 48.43% were joint depression, and 28.12% were comminuted. All the fractures were operated on with lateral incisions. The average period of follow-up was 10.6 months. The results showed that all the patients had minimal pain, swelling, and deformity. Subtalar joint movement was retained (67.8% of active and 80.7% of passive). Eighty percent of normal Bohler angles and 93.5% of normal crucial angles were regained. Over 80% of patients resumed working within 6 months after the injuries. We therefore concluded that the present method of treating intraarticular fractures of os calcis gives very good results.

The efficacy of triclabendazole (Fasinex) against immature and adult Fasciola hepatica in experimentally infected cattle

Eighteen Chinese cattle were experimentally infected with metacercariae of Fasciola hepatica and randomly assigned to 6 groups. Five groups of cattle were treated with a single oral dose of triclabendazole at a dose rate of 12 mg kg-1. At necropsy, the reduction in fluke burden compared with the untreated group was 85, 99.6, 99.8, 100 and 100% for cattle treated 2, 6, 8, 12 and 16 weeks after infection, respectively. Data are also presented on body weight changes during the experimental period and on serum gamma-GT activity in cattle from selected groups. Triclabendazole is considered to be safer and more efficacious than currently available fasciolicides in China.

[A preliminary study on serum alpha-L-fucosidase assay in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma]

Serum alpha-L-fucosidase (AFU) was determined in 33 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 4 with secondary metastatic liver cancer, 61 with various liver diseases, 12 with gastrointestinal tumor and 50 healthy controls. The results showed that AFU level was significantly higher in HCC (14.48 +/- 5.77) than that in the controls (3.33 +/- 0.72) and in patient with other diseases (P less than 0.01). Serum AFU level was also increased in fulminant hepatitis (8.96 +/- 3.99), acute hepatitis (8.94 +/- 4.94) and chronic hepatitis (7.27 +/- 2.58), P less than 0.01 or 0.05. There was no significant difference in AFU level between the controls and patients with secondary metastatic liver cancer (6.25 +/- 0.84), cirrhosis (6.30 +/- 3.17), gastrointestinal tumor (4.43 +/- 1.64), liver hemangioma and liver abscess (4.86 +/- 2.22). A level exceeding 10.5u was a useful marker for the diagnosis of HCC with 78.8% sensitivity and 90.0% specificity. The diagnostic positivity was 81.8% in low AFP producing HCC, whereas 93.9% in those with elevated AFP. Our data indicate that serum AFU is a useful tumor marker for HCC, particularly in detection of AFP-low or negative HCC patients.

A novel method for generating a nested set of unidirectional deletion mutants using mixed oligodeoxynucleotides

A novel method that allows introduction of unidirectional deletions into cloned DNA is described. This method is based on the use of a mixture of oligodeoxynucleotide primers that have fixed 5' ends defining the end point of the deletion and variable 3' ends composed of mixtures of all four nucleotides at six positions. The 5' ends of the oligodeoxynucleotides are hybridized to a fixed location of the M13K11RX templates and the 3' ends are hybridized randomly to the DNA to be analyzed. Such oligodeoxynucleotide primers when extended with DNA polymerase can direct deletions of intervening parts of the single-stranded DNA that by design contains multiple EcoK sites; the deletion products are selected on a host strain with the EcoK restriction system (e.g., using JM101 cells). This method is an efficient way of generating a nested set of deletion mutants useful for dideoxy-sequencing. It can be used for creating a set of deletion mutants with a particular codon at the 5' or 3' end point.

Therapeutic functional bracing in upper limb fracture-dislocations

The authors utilized the principle of functional bracing in the management of 307 fractures and/or dislocations of the upper limb. There were 29 humeral fractures, 111 fracture-dislocations around the elbow, 32 fractures of the forearm, and 135 fractures of the distal radius. The average follow-up was 9 months. The results showed that more than 95% of the patients regained good range of motion and power. The details of the technique and the protocols are described. The conclusion drawn from an analysis of the results is that functional bracing is a safe and effective method in the management of upper limb fracture dislocations.

A rat uterine horn model of genital tract wound healing

A rat uterine horn model of genital tract wound healing is described. Healing was reflected by acquisition of strength and elasticity, measured by burst strength (BS) and extensibility (EX), respectively. A tensiometer (Instron Corp., Canton, MA) was used to assess these characteristics in castrated and estrogen-supplemented or nonsupplemented animals. While the horn weights (HW), BS, and EX of contralateral horns were not significantly different, the intra-animal variation of HW was 7.2%, BS was 17.7% and EX was 38.2%. In a second experiment, one uterine horn was divided and anastomosed, and the animal given estrogen supplementation or a placebo pellet. Estrogen administration was found to increase BS and EX of anastomosed horns prior to 14 days, but had no beneficial effect at 21 or 42 days. The data suggest that estrogen may be required for optimal early healing of genital tract wounds.

Roller skating--is it a dangerous sport?

A prospective survey of 111 cases of roller skating injuries within one year are reported. Males were more commonly injured than females. There was a high incidence (86%) of serious injuries, 28% of which required surgical treatment. The wrist (23%) was the commonest region involved, followed by the shoulder (20%), the elbow (15%) and the ankle (12%). Collision with other skaters and loss of control were the main factors leading to injury. Better rink discipline, instruction classes and safety publicity should be helpful in minimising accidents.

Cryotherapy for the treatment of proximal urethral condyloma acuminatum

Between March and November 1985 we treated 89 female patients with condyloma acuminatum of the lower genital tract. All patients were evaluated with colposcopy, urethroscopy and anoscopy. Carbon dioxide laser vaporization was used to treat condylomata in the cervix, vagina, vulva, anus and distal urethra. Urethral involvement by condylomata was found in 31 patients (35 per cent). Eight patients had biopsy proved proximal urethral condylomata (9 per cent). Cryotherapy was used to treat these lesions. Six patients required only 1 treatment, while 2 required 2 treatments to cure the proximal urethral condylomata.

Vaccination of bovines against schistosomiasis japonica with highly irradiated schistosomula in China

Vaccination of Chinese bovines (cattle and buffaloes) against schistosomiasis japonica with 36 kR gamma-irradiated schistosomula was done for laboratory challenge and for field trials in China. Altogether, 61 bovines were used. All experimental animals were vaccinated 2-3 times with 10,000 irradiated schistosomula per time. For the laboratory challenge, all experimental and control cattle were challenged with 500 normal cercariae and each buffalo, with 2,000 cercariae. The laboratory-challenged bovines were killed after 54-57 days of challenge; the bovines for the field trial in the lightly endemic area, after 5 months in the field; and the bovines for the field trial in the heavily endemic area, after 58-63 days. When the animals were killed, the number of mature worms in the vaccinated (experimental) and non-vaccinated (control) animals was recorded and the percentage of worm reduction in each group was calculated. The first group, consisting of three vaccinated and three non-vaccinated cattle, was given a laboratory challenge; the worm reduction was 71.6%. The second group, consisting of two vaccinated and three non-vaccinated buffaloes, was also given a laboratory challenge; the worm reduction was 74.4%. The third group, consisting of seven vaccinated and eight non-vaccinated buffaloes, was utilized in a field trial in a lightly endemic area; the worm reduction was 75.6%. The fourth group, consisting of eight vaccinated and nine non-vaccinated cattle, and the fifth group, consisting of nine vaccinated and nine non-vaccinated buffaloes, were pastured in a heavily endemic area. The worm reduction was 65.1% in the fourth group and 75.7% in the fifth group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)