[Role of CT in diagnosing carcinomas of the larynx. A comparable study with serial sections]

Nineteen patients with carcinoma of the larynges and 1 patient with carcinoma of the pyriform sinus were studied by comparing preoperative CT scannings with corresponding postoperative pathological findings obtained by serial sectioning of the laryngeal specimens. The results indicated that CT could clearly show the mucosa and deep tissues of the larynx including paraglottic space, preepiglottic space and subglottic region. The determination of cartilage invasion larger than 5mm was very accurate and reliable. It also significantly enhanced preoperative T-staging accuracy of medium and large laryngeal carcinomas and provided an important basis for selection of laryngeal conservative surgery. Nevertheless, CT scanning of the larynx has certain limitations.

[Gluco, lipometabolic and trace elements alteration in bile with acute purulent cholangitis]

Analysis was made of the gluco, lipometabolic materials and trace elements in bile from patients. The specimens were collected in 11 cases with acute purulent cholangitis and 13 cases of selective biliary surgery at both inter-operational time, at which the bile were got by needling from the common bile duct, and post-operational time, at which the bile was obtained from T tube drainage bile before the extraction of the T tube or discharge from hospital. It was found that lactic acid and glucose markedly decreased and LDH activity increased in the cholangitis group at inter-operational time. Lifted hepatic glyconeogenesis and gluco-consumption and hepatic cellular damage were indicated. At the same time, most of the lipo-materials and lipase activity increased, as compared with the selective group, which showed that lipolysis was encouraged and that lipo-materials had flowed into the bile because of hepatic cellular damage. At the time of acute cholangitis, the Zn and Fe in bile markedly increased but the Cr in bile decreased, and the mechanism was not clear.

[Delayed intracranial aneurysm of left atrial myxoma--a case report]

Although embolism is known as a common complication in the early growing stage of atrial myxoma, development of further neurologic disorders after the removal of tumor is rarely encountered. Arterial aneurysm formation and metastatic tumor growth represent the two disorders that had been reported in the literature. Based on the pathogenesis of hematogeneous disseminating, atrial myxoma may lodge its fragment or its adherent thrombus on intracranial vessels to produce cerebral infarct. Besides, several reports have indicated that myxoma emboli in the cerebral vessels may invade the vessel wall to produce delayed disorders. Embolization from atrial myxoma is now recognized as a potentially treatable cause of cerebral infarct. However, the long-term course following resection of the tumor remain complicated, partly due to these inconsistent delayed complications, or the therapeutic dilemma. We report a case with delayed intracranial aneurysm formation and reviewed the literature. A 67-year old woman with a past history of left cerebral infarction was transferred to our hospital for further evaluation of her gross hematuria. Infarction of the left kidney was then demonstrated by angiography. A left atrial myxoma was found in a echocardiographic screen, and the patient received a successful resection of the myxoma subsequently. Unfortunately, three episodes of stroke developed in a half year after the operation of the cardiac myxoma.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Overexpression of matrix Gla protein mRNA in malignant human breast cells: isolation by differential cDNA hybridization

Genetic alterations are involved in the development of human breast cancer. We sought to isolate genes that are differentially expressed or suppressed in cultured human breast carcinoma cells as compared to cultured normal human breast epithelial cells by employing differential screening of selected cDNA libraries. Analysis of several clones thus isolated revealed that the matrix Gla protein (MGP) gene is overexpressed in the breast cancer cell line 600 PEI, though is transcribed at lower levels in most other mammary derived cultures. MGP requires vitamin K dependent gamma-carboxylation for its known function and thus can be inhibited by vitamin K antagonists. This raises the possibility that MGP may be among those factors that when inhibited by vitamin K antagonists reduce metastases in experimental models. Among the gene whose transcription is consistently suppressed upon mammary transformation were fibronectin and the type I keratin, K14. Differential cDNA screening therefore is an effective method of identifying genes involved in various aspects of mammary cell transformation.

Effects of peptide hydrophobicity and charge state on molecular ion yields in plasma desorption mass spectrometry

Plasma desorption mass spectra were obtained for a series of peptides, grouped in four mass ranges having approximately 9, 20, 30, and 40 amino acid residues. Within each group, the individual peptides differed in hydrophobicity, charge state, and retention time, as measured on a reversed-phase HPLC column. Comparison of the molecular ion intensities in the positive ion mass spectra of peptides from each group showed a strong dependence upon hydrophobicity and no correlation with charge state. Plasma desorption mass spectra of mixtures of all the peptides within each mass range generally resulted in the desorption of a single residue and suppression of the ion signal from other components. In most cases, this could be correlated with hydrophobicity, as calculated from the Bull and Breese index; however, a better correlation existed when the results were compared with reversed-phase retention times. In general the spectra of mixtures were not influenced by charge state (except in the absence of hydrophobic peptides), as the same component in each peptide mixture produced the most abundant ions in both positive and negative ion spectra.

Differences in synergistic actions of vasopressin and deoxycorticosterone in rat and rabbit CCD

We examined the time course of changes in osmotic water permeability (Pf, micron/s), lumen-to-bath 22Na+ flux (Jl----b, pmol.min-1.mm-1), and transepithelial voltage (VT, mV) in response to arginine vasopressin (AVP) in isolated perfused rat and rabbit cortical collecting ducts (CCD). CCDs were isolated from "normal" (untreated) animals and animals 4-14 days after an intramuscular depot injection of deoxycorticosterone pivalate (DOC; 35 mg/rabbit, 5 mg/rat). In the normal rat CCD, 220 pM AVP added to the bathing solution increased Pf from approximately 0 to 981 +/- 120, Jl----b from 24 +/- 5 to 62 +/- 9, and VT from -0.7 +/- 0.6 to -4.0 +/- 0.6 (mean +/- SE; P less than 0.05). The effect of AVP on Pf in DOC-treated rats was not significantly different, but the effects on Jl----b and VT were greater. Jl----b rose from a control value of 78 +/- 16 to 192 +/- 14 with AVP, and VT hyperpolarized from -4.2 +/- 1.6 to -12.2 +/- 0.4. All of these effects of AVP in the normal and DOC-treated rat CCD persisted for greater than or equal to 90-150 min. In DOC-treated rabbit tubules, AVP caused a stable increase in Pf from 9 +/- 6 to 800 +/- 199, which was significantly greater than in normal tubules (379 +/- 32). In the normal rabbit CCD we confirmed previous observations that AVP produces only a transient increase in Na+ absorption and VT; Jl----b increased from 76 +/- 4 to 96 +/- 7 during the period 15-25 min after AVP addition but subsequently fell to 80 +/- 6; VT transiently hyperpolarized from -55 +/- 7 to -64 +/- 8 at 3-8 min after AVP and then fell to -54 +/- 9. In DOC-treated rabbit CCDs, AVP produced no change whatsoever in Jl----b, which was not significantly different from the control value of 99 +/- 7, nor in VT, which was -68 +/- 8 mV. These results indicate fundamental differences in the response of the rat and rabbit CCD to AVP and the presence or absence of synergistic interactions with mineralocorticoids, which may relate to their differing response to other autacoids.

Hyaluronic acid synthesis and gap junction endocytosis are necessary for normal expansion of the cumulus mass

The application of a quantitative videographic technique has provided an opportunity to compare the quantitative volumetric expansion of cultured oocyte complexes (COCs) to quantitative changes in gap junction down-regulation and hyaluronic acid synthesis and to investigate the effects of physiological agents that influence these processes. Results of these experiments support the idea that the down-regulation of cumulus gap junctions is required for the initial phase of cumulus cell disaggregation and confirm earlier reports that hyaluronic acid synthesis plays a major role in additional expansion of the cumulus. These studies also provide evidence that the degree of expansion observed in culture lacking substrates of hyaluronic synthesis is significantly attentuated when compared with expansion occurring in vivo and that the failure of cultured complexes to expand maximally can be overcome by the addition of substrates of hyaluronic acid synthesis to the culture medium.

Congenital spinal arachnoid cysts: report of 2 cases with review of the literature

Two cases of congenital spinal arachnoid cysts with paraparesis are presented. Case 1, a 16-year-old male patient, had a 2-year history of progressive weakness of the lower limbs. Postmyelographic axial computed tomography (CT) and myelography revealed a dorsally located extradural mass. The configuration of the mass was further assessed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). He underwent laminectomy from T8 to L1 with total excision of an extradural arachnoid cyst. A communication with the subarachnoid space found at the T8 level was surgically closed. The patient made an uneventful recovery. Case 2, a 9-year-old girl, developed paraparesis and the cauda equina syndrome two days prior to admission. Postmyelographic CT and myelography revealed an anteriorly located intradural mass. She underwent laminectomy from C6 to T2 and partial removal of an intradural arachnoid cyst. One week later, her neurological functions had recovered completely. The literature dealing with this rare spinal lesion is also reviewed.

Metabolism-based covalent bonding of the heme prosthetic group to its apoprotein during the reductive debromination of BrCCl3 by myoglobin

The reductive metabolism of BrCCl3 by ferrous myoglobin leads to the alteration of the prosthetic heme to form products that can be dissociated from the protein and to those that are irreversibly bound to the protein. The major dissociable or soluble heme metabolites have recently been characterized. In this study, the irreversibly bound heme product was characterized by Edman degradation, amino acid analysis, and electronic absorption and mass spectrometry of peptides derived from the altered protein. It was found that the prosthetic heme was modified by a CCl2 moiety derived from BrCCl3 and was covalently bound to histidine residue 93, the normal proximal ligand to the heme-iron. The data are consistent with a mechanism by which the trichloromethyl radical reacts with the heme to form an intermediate that either can alkylate the proximal histidine residue or form soluble metabolites. The covalent bonding of the heme prosthetic moiety to the apoprotein likely leads to a change in the tertiary structure of the protein that may be responsible for its altered catalytic activity as well as its enhanced susceptibility to proteolysis. Similar processes may account, at least in part, for the covalent alteration of the heme prosthetic group of other hemoproteins caused by xenobiotics and endogenous substrates.

Regulation of beta-cell glucose transporter gene expression

It has been postulated that a glucose transporter of beta cells (GLUT-2) may be important in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. To determine whether this transporter is constitutively expressed or regulated, we subjected conscious unrestrained Wistar rats to perturbations in glucose homeostasis and quantitated beta-cell GLUT-2 mRNA by in situ hybridization. After 3 hr of hypoglycemia (glucose at 29 +/- 5 mg/dl), GLUT-2 and proinsulin mRNA signal densities were reduced by 25% of the level in control rats. After 4 days (blood glucose at 57 +/- 7 mg/dl vs. 120 +/- 10 mg/dl in saline-infused control rats), GLUT-2 and proinsulin mRNA densities were reduced by 85% and 65%, respectively (P = 0.001). After 12 days (glucose at 54 +/- 8 mg/dl), GLUT-2 mRNA signal density was undetectable whereas proinsulin mRNA was reduced by 51%. After 12 days of hypoglycemia, the Km for 3-O-methyl-D-glucose transport in isolated rat islets, normally 18-20 mM, was 2.5 mM. This provides functional evidence of a profound reduction of high Km glucose transporter in beta cells. In contrast, GLUT-2 was only slightly reduced by hypoglycemia in liver. To determine the effect of prolonged hyperglycemia, we also infused animals with 50% (wt/vol) glucose for 5 days (glucose at 200 +/- 50 mg/dl). Hyperglycemic clamping increased GLUT-2 mRNA by 46% (P = 0.001) whereas proinsulin mRNA doubled (P = 0.001). We conclude that GLUT-2 expression in beta cells, but not liver, is subject to regulation by certain perturbations in blood glucose homeostasis.

Penetrating keratoplasty combined with cataract extraction

The authors report the results of penetrating keratoplasty combined with cataract extraction in 50 cases. The rate of transparent grafts was 62% after an average follow-up of 19 months. 60% of the patients restored their vision to 0.1 and better. The rate of transparent grafts and visual improvement did not correlate with the mode of cataract extraction; however, the extracapsular procedure had less vitreous during operation than the intracapsular modality did. The authors recommend that the combined operation be adopted for patients with corneal opacity and cataract, and preferably using the extracapsular mode.

Rat ear reattachment as an animal model

The external ear of the rat is an excellent model for practicing microsurgical dissection and for the refinement of microvascular anastomoses, techniques that are crucial for microvascular en bloc tissue transfer and replantation. Preparation of the rat ear for replantation requires familiarity with the vascular anatomy and gentle tissue handling with atraumatic dissection of arterial and venous pedicles, steps similarly crucial in raising free flaps for microvascular transfer. The strategy of performing accurate reduction and stabilization of the tubal cartilage prior to vessel repairs, anastomosing the more deeply seated external carotid artery prior to the more superficial posterior facial vein, is as critical to rat ear replantation as for digital reattachment. In addition, the rat ear as compared to other animal models such as the rabbit ear or canine hindlimbs is much less expensive. Compared to the rat hindlimb model, rat ears are much easier to observe, which is a distinct advantage when used as a model for long-term study of replantation, revascularization, or transplantation.

[Pest control and yield increase of areca by root-zone application of carbofuran in admixture with fertilizers]

The result of our experiment has shown that by root-zone application of carbofuran in admixture with fertilizers to Areca in spring the serious pest Tirathaba rufivena can be controlled for 4 months during flowering and young fruiting stage and the yield can increase by 50%. The final residual amount of carbofuran in fruits is below 0.1-0.01 ppm or too low to be examined, and there is no decrease in total alkaloid content in fruits.

Imaging 2-D objects with a grating interferometer: two methods

Grating interferometric imaging has some unique advantages. The theory developed has been for 1-D objects only. The 2-D imaging methods reported are either complex or have low SNR. Two new methods for 2-D interferometric imaging are presented in this paper. The first is that an object composed of discrete points is imaged with a grating interferometer composed of three or more 1-D grating interferometers of which the grating line directions are different. The second is that a 2-D continuous distribution object is imaged with a 1-D grating interferometer by sampling line byline. These two methods are simple and may be practical for real time processing.

Ionic currents in retrogradely labeled trigeminothalamic neurons in slices of rat medulla

We have recorded the ionic currents of identified trigeminothalamic neurons in medulla slices in vitro. Trigeminothalamic cells were first retrogradely labeled by injecting fluorescent latex microspheres in the thalamus of a 7- to 10-day-old rat. Two days later, thin slices (80-100 microns) were prepared from the lower medulla of the injected rat. Whole cell recordings were performed on the labeled cells located in the spinal trigeminal nucleus caudalis using the patch clamp technique. The voltage dependent inward sodium, inward calcium and outward potassium currents are qualitatively similar to those obtained from the enzymatically dissociated trigeminothalamic neurons. Successful application of this thin slice method opens the opportunity of studying synaptic circuitry in the trigeminothalamic system.

Urticaria pigmentosa: an anesthetic challenge

Urticaria pigmentosa is the most common form of mastocytosis, a disease in which abnormal proliferations of mast cells occur in various organs of the body. Multiple stimuli, including many drugs commonly used in anesthetic practice, can provoke mast cell degranulation and result in intraoperative hemodynamic instability. An anesthetic plan minimizing histamine release and utilizing vecuronium as the muscle relaxant is discussed, and the literature pertaining to urticaria pigmentosa is reviewed.

[The role of hemorheologic changes in the pathogenesis of acute hemorrhagic necrotizing pancreatitis]

The hemorheologic alterations were studied in experimental acute hemorrhagic necrotizing pancreatitis (AHNP) which was induced by injection of 5% sodium taurocholate into the main pancreatic duct. The results showed that during the early stage of AHNP, all of hemorheologic parameters were significantly elevated, and continually increased at the rest intervals. The authors suggested that the blood viscosity and hematocrit increase, red blood cells tend to aggregate, and erythrocyte deformation decrease are the causation of pancreatic microcirculatory disturbances and promoting pancreatic progressive necrosis. After using low molecular dextran and Salvia miltiorrhizae, the hemorheologic alterations in AHNP were recovered, and the histologic observation improved. Our data indicate the hemorheologic disturbances is one of the key factors in the pathogenesis of AHNP.

Alloimmunization to the PlA1 platelet antigen: results of a prospective study

The natural history of alloimmunization to the PlA1 platelet antigen is uncertain. We followed 50 PlA1-negative pregnant women during pregnancy and for 6 months post-partum in order to determine this natural history. The cohort of PlA1-negative women was obtained by PlA1 typing 5000 women. Three PlA1-negative women formed anti-PlA1 antibodies during this prospective study, two in pregnancy and one in the immediate post-partum period. All three PlA1 antibody producers were HLA-DR3 positive, a histocompatibility phenotype that is strongly associated with alloimmunization to the PlA1 antigen. One of the three infants delivered to these mothers was thrombocytopenic (platelet count 9 x 10(9)/l). The remaining two infants had normal platelet counts at birth (160 and 174 x 10(9)/l). The HLA-A1, -B8, -DR3 and -DRw52 phenotype frequencies in the group of PlA1-negative women who did not form PlA1 antibodies (n = 47) was similar to that found in their husbands, and that expected in a normal Caucasian population. From our data we estimate that alloimmunization to the PlA1 antigen occurs in approximately one out of every 1000 pregnancies in a Caucasian population. It is important to recognize that not all pregnancies in which a mother has formed PlA1 alloantibodies will result in the delivery of a thrombocytopenic infant. These findings are relevant to programs designed to either prevent alloimmunization to the PlA1 antigen (through passive administration of anti-PlA1 immunoglobulin to at-risk PlA1-negative mothers), or to identify women at risk of delivery of thrombocytopenic infants (by antenatal screening to detect women alloimmunized to the PlA1 antigen).

Holes and wholes: a reply to Rubin and Kanwisher

This paper, contrary to skepticism about the human ability to perceive topological properties, addresses some commonly heard nontopological counterexplanations and provides evidence to rule out these apparent counterexamples against the topological hypothesis. Data from improved control conditions show that the reason why these counterexamples seem inconsistent with the topological hypothesis is that they fail to take due account of two factors: visibility, and organization other than physical connectedness.

Pigmented villonodular synovitis of flexor tendon sheath at wrist causing pseudo-carpal-tunnel syndrome: report of a case

A 27-year-old male patient, a machinist, had median neuropathy after a minor contusion on his right wrist and underwent carpal tunnel release under the impression of carpal tunnel syndrome five years ago. However, symptoms persisted and a small palmar nodule was found one year later. This slow-growing palmar nodule was locking the flexor tendon and the carpal tunnel was re-explored. At the second operation, the nodule was found to be a pigmented villonodular synovitis of the flexor tendon sheath at the palm. After excision of the lesion, the patient became symptom free. After three years, no recurrence was noted. Exploration of the carpal tunnel is recommended when median neuropathy of the wrist responds poorly to conservative treatment or to previous surgical release of the transverse carpal ligament. Although carpal tunnel release is not a difficult procedure, the pathology has to be checked carefully, so that even a small nodule within or near the carpal tunnel is not neglected, as in this case.

Effects of inhibitors of membrane signal peptide peptidase on protein translocation into membrane vesicles

The effect of the removal of signal peptides after cleavage of precursor molecules by the signal peptidase I was examined in an in vitro translocation system with Escherichia coli membrane vesicles. The translocation of periplasmic alkaline phosphatase precursors was significantly inhibited by the protease inhibitors antipain, elastatinal and leupeptin. Antipain and leupeptin enhanced the translocation of precursors of outer membrane protein OmpA, but inhibited the processing. However, antipain did not inhibit the processing of precursors mediated by signal peptidase I in the soluble form. Moreover, the inhibition by antipain was not due to the disruption of membrane integrity, but occurred during the process of protein translocation. Since these small peptide inhibitors are known to inhibit membrane protease IV, a signal peptide peptidase, these results suggest that the hydrolysis of signal peptides is an important step in the recycles of the overall translocation process, and that the prevention of degradation of signal peptides feedback inhibits the preceding steps in the translocation pathway.

Plasma desorption mapping of the tryptic digest of 23-kDa recombinant human growth hormone

Plasma desorption mass spectrometry has been used to map the tryptic fragments from the 23-kDa recombinant human growth hormone protein. The unfractionated tryptic digest was adsorbed directly onto a nitrocellulose sample foil and mass spectra were obtained in both the positive and the negative ion mode. The adsorbed sample was then washed with deionized water and its mass spectrum was again obtained. The latter spectrum revealed tryptic fragments that were not observed in the spectra of the unwashed sample, which can be attributed (to some extent) to the removal of hydrophilic residues during washing. From this study a protocol, aimed at the complete mapping of tryptic fragments, is outlined.

[Effects of ipratropium bromide (IPB) and its combination with salbutamol sulfate (SAS) in acute asthmatic attack]

34 patients with acute asthmatic attack were studied in double-blind, randomized and crossover manner. Each of them was treated with following two protocols during two sequential days: 0.5 mg of ipratropium bromide (IPB), followed by 5 mg of salbutamol sulfate (SAS) 75 minutes later; or 5 mg of SAS, followed by another dose 35 minutes late. The drugs were delivered via a jet nebulizer. The effects and side-effects of the treatment were evaluated immediately before the first inhalation and at peak of bronchodilatation (60-75 minutes after IPB or 20-35 minutes after SAS). Compared with inhaled SAS, IPB produced considerable improvement in central airway parameters such as forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) peak expiratory flow (PEF) and respiratory resistance (Rrs) (P greater than 0.05), but less improvement in peripheral airway parameters such as forced vital capacity (FVC) and maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF) (P less than 0.01). The sequential inhaled SAS after IPB improved all five parameters (P less than 0.01), but the repeated dose of SAS increased only MMEF (P less than 0.01). Compared with double-dose SAS, the sequential treatment with IPB and SAS 1 ed to considerable improvement in FVC and MMEF (P greater than 0.05), but greater improvement in FEV1, PEF and Rrs (P less than 0.01). Heart (rate and tremor scores after two doses of SAS increased significantly (P less than 0.01). It is concluded that IPB alone is less effective than beta-adrenoceptor agonist, but its combination with SAS would be an effective and safe treatment in acute asthmatic attack.

Frequency stabilization of an AlGaAs laser diode by a Fabry-Perot interferometer locked to a laser beam frequency-locked to the D(2) line of a Cs atomic beam

An AlGaAs laser diode (slave laser) has been frequency-locked to a Fabry-Perot interferometer which is locked to a diode laser (master laser) beam frequency-locked to the D(2) line of a Cs atomic beam. Frequency-locking of the Fabry-Perot interferometer to the master laser beam frequency-locked to a resonance line of an atomic beam greatly improves its long-term frequency stability. Therefore, it substantially improves the slave laser diode frequency stability frequency-locked to it. The measured frequency stabilities show that the very high frequency stability of the D(2) line of a Cs atomic beam has been transferred to the slave laser by this frequency-locking system within 1.6 x 10(-11)(10s). This system can be used for building a network of diode lasers with high frequency stability.

The acoustic basis for target discrimination by FM echolocating bats

Past experiments show that echolocating bats of the species Myotis lucifugus and Eptesicus fuscus can discriminate among airborne sonar targets presented in the context of pursuit maneuvers for the interception of prey. These bats distinguish between edible mealworms and inedible spheres of various sizes. Myotis can distinguish between disks and mealworms similar enough in size that the bat's performance requires the ability to perceive the acoustic equivalent of target shape. Previously observed small differences in the spectrum of echoes from mealworms and disks appear insufficient to distinguish these targets at the performance levels achieved by bats. We measured the acoustic properties of the targets by broadcasting ultrasonic impulses at mealworms, spheres, and disks and recording their echoes, displaying the results in terms of impulse echo waveforms and the frequency response of targets derived from the target transfer function. The echoes from disks and mealworms at various orientations convey the range-axis profile of the target (number and spacing of reflecting points or glints distributed at different ranges) in terms of the impulse structure of their waveforms and in terms of the locations and spacing of notches or nulls in their spectra. For targets that bats can discriminate and that reflect echoes which do not clearly differ in overall amplitude, the targets appear distinguishable from the acoustic representation of their range profile, which is a feature of targets that bats can perceive with great acuity.

Clutter interference and the integration time of echoes in the echolocating bat, Eptesicus fuscus

The ability of the echolocating bat, Eptesicus fuscus, to detect a sonar target is affected by the presence of other targets along the same axis at slightly different ranges. If echoes from one target arrive at about the same delay as echoes from another target, clutter interference occurs and one set of echoes masks the other. Although the bat's sonar emissions and the echoes themselves are 2 to 5 ms long, echoes (of approximately equal sensation levels--around 15 dB SL) only interfere with each other if they arrive within 200 to 400 microseconds of the same arrival time. This figure is an estimate of the integration time of the bat's sonar receiver for echoes. The fine structure of the clutter-interference data reflects the reinforcement and cancellation of echoes according to their time separation. When clutter interference first occurs, the waveforms of test and cluttering echoes already overlap for much of their duration. The masking effect underlying clutter interference appears specifically due to overlap, not between raw echo waveforms, but between the patterns of mechanical excitation created when echoes pass through bandpass filters equivalent to auditory-nerve tuning curves. While the time scale of clutter interference is substantially shorter than the duration of echo waveforms, it still is much longer than the eventual width of a target's range-axis image expressed in terms of echo delay.

Leiomyoma of the ovary--a case report

Primary ovarian leiomyoma is rare. About 40 cases have been reported in the literature. A case report of leiomyoma of ovary and the literature review was presented.

Murine elongation factor 1 alpha (EF-1 alpha) is posttranslationally modified by novel amide-linked ethanolamine-phosphoglycerol moieties. Addition of ethanolamine-phosphoglycerol to specific glutamic acid residues on EF-1 alpha

Elongation Factor 1 alpha (EF-1 alpha), an important eukaryotic translation factor, transports charged aminoacyl-tRNA from the cytosol to the ribosomes during poly-peptide synthesis. Metabolic radiolabeling with [3H] ethanolamine shows that, in all cells examined, EF-1 alpha is the major radiolabeled protein. Radiolabeled EF-1 alpha has an apparent Mr = 53,000 and a basic isoelectric point. It is cytosolic and does not contain N-linked oligosaccharides. Trypsin digestion of murine EF-1 alpha generated two major [3H]ethanolamine-labeled peptides. Three peptides were sequenced and were identical to two distinct regions of the human EF-1 alpha protein. Blank sequencing cycles coinciding with glutamic acid in the human cDNA-derived sequence were also found to release [3H]ethanolamine, and compositional analysis of these peptides confirmed the presence of glutamic acid. Dansylation analysis demonstrates that the amine group of the ethanolamine is blocked. These results indicate that EF-1 alpha is posttranslationally modified by the covalent attachment of ethanolamine via an amide bond to at least two specific glutamic acid residues (Glu-301 and Glu-374). The hydroxyl group of the attached ethanolamine was shown by mass spectrometry and compositional analysis, to be further modified by the addition of a phosphoglycerol unit. This novel posttranslational modification may represent an important alteration of EF-1 alpha, comparable to the regulatory effects of posttranslational methylation of EF-1 alpha lysine residues.

Effects of hypoglycemia and prolonged fasting on insulin and glucagon gene expression. Studies with in situ hybridization

In situ hybridization of proinsulin and proglucagon mRNA was performed in rat pancreas to assess prohormone gene expression during various glucopenic conditions. During a 4-d fast mean blood glucose declined by 48 mg/dl; proinsulin mRNA signal density remained normal while proglucagon mRNA signal density more than doubled. At the end of a continuous 12-d insulin infusion blood glucose averaged 53 +/- 12 mg/dl; proinsulin mRNA signal density declined to 30% of controls while proglucagon mRNA signal density more than doubled. In insulinoma-bearing NEDH rats blood glucose averaged 34 +/- 3.5 mg/dl; the proinsulin mRNA signal was virtually undetectable and proglucagon mRNA signal density was more than twice the controls. There was no detectable change in either beta-cell area or islet number in rats subjected to fasting or insulin infusion, but in insulinoma-bearing rats beta cell area was markedly reduced. Thus compensation during 4 d of starvation involves an increase in glucagon gene expression without change in insulin gene expression or beta cell mass. In moderate insulin-induced hypoglycemia glucagon gene expression is increased and insulin gene expression decreased. In more profound insulinoma-induced hypoglycemia, in addition to the foregoing changes in hormone gene expression, there is a profound reduction in the number of insulin-expressing cells.

[Effects of kappa-opiate receptor antagonist MR-2266-BS on ACTH and prolactin release]

The effect of intravenous injection of different doses of MR-2266-BS, a selective antagonist of kappa-opiate receptor, on plasma adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and prolactin (PRL) in conscious male rats bearing an intrajugular cannulae was assessed. The results revealed that the MR-2266-BS of 3 mg/kg completely blocked the restraint stress-induced increase in plasma ACTH levels, and further elevated plasma PRL levels in these animals, while there were no effects on the resting levels of ACTH and PRL. MR-2266-BS of 6 mg/kg significantly increased the resting levels of plasma ACTH and also further elevated the restraint stress-induced increase of plasma ACTH and PRL. The present data suggest that kappa-opiate receptor and its endogenous ligand may be involved in the regulation of the resting and restraint stress-induced release of ACTH, and their action appears to be both stimulatory and inhibitory. Furthermore, kappa-opiate receptor and its endogenous ligand may only inhibit the stress-induced release of PRL.

[Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis treatment and blood glucose control in diabetics with end-stage diabetic nephropathy]

6 patients with end-stage diabetic nephropathy were treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). The results showed that CAPD is a safe and effective therapeutic method for elderly uremic diabetics even with congestive heart failure or acute myocardial infarction. We also compared the insulin dosages and blood glucose levels in these patients treated with three routes of insulin administration. Good control of blood glucose was obtained by giving insulin subcutaneously or through dialysis tubes.

A study on identification of the blunt lethal objects of wood, iron, brick and stone in homicide by SEM and EDAX (energy dispersive analysis x-ray)

The qualitative and semiquantitative analysis of residues on wound in homicide cases were done by using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive analysis X-ray system (EDAX) in this paper. It provides a new method of examination for identifying lethal objects in homicidal cases. Our experiment provides some advantages in these examinations, such as saving time, objective conclusion and exact results in practical cases.

Serum stimulation of quiescent human fibroblasts induces the synthesis of tissue factor mRNA followed by the appearance of tissue factor antigen and procoagulant activity

Expression of the gene for tissue factor, the cell-surface initiator of blood coagulation, was examined by stimulating growth-arrested human fibroblasts with serum and measuring changes in the cellular content of tissue factor mRNA, antigen, and activity. Maximum tissue factor mRNA levels were reached within 1 h following serum induction and slowly declined to basal levels from 24 to 48 h after stimulation. The appearance of the tissue factor mRNA was followed by an increase in tissue factor antigen and activity. The parallel rise in antigenically positive protein and procoagulant activity was first observed about 2 h after serum stimulation with a peak at 12 h followed by a slow decline during the next 36 h. The serum-induced synthesis of the tissue factor mRNA was independent of de novo protein synthesis as demonstrated by the increased tissue factor mRNA levels generated in the presence of cycloheximide. The results of this study suggest that the synthesis of tissue factor in human fibroblasts is regulated principally at the level of transcription. In one strain of fibroblasts the activity/antigen ratio, during the period of maximum synthesis, was indistinguishable from that of tissue factor which had been immunoaffinity purified from human brain and reconstituted into phospholipid vesicles. However, during serum starvation the activity/antigen ratio in these cells was significantly reduced. Western blot analysis revealed that in serum-starved cells there was an accumulation of truncated forms of the tissue factor antigen while in the serum-stimulated cells only the full-length antigen was observed.

Antagonism of serum of mice infected with chloroquine-resistant 'NS' line to the antimalarial action of chloroquine

Chloroquine (CQ) solution was separately mixed with the serum of mice infected with chloroquine-resistant 'NS' line (SMNS), the serum of mice infected with chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei ANKA strain (SMCS), and the serum of normal mice (SM). These mixtures were then used in treating mice inoculated with P. berghei ANKA strain. The results obtained on d 5 after drug-serum administration showed that the erythrocyte infection rates in the SMNS + CQ, SMCS + CQ, and SM + CQ groups were 32, 16, and 14% respectively. There were significant differences with respect to parasitemia between the SMNS + CQ group and the SMCS + CQ or SM + CQ group (P less than 0.05), suggesting that SMNS may be antagonistic to the antimalarial action of chloroquine. Further study showed that when the 'NS' line lost resistance to chloroquine, the antagonism of SMNS to chloroquine disappeared. The antagonism rates of SMNS to chloroquine, piperaquine, hydroxypiperaquine and pyronaridine were 75, 56, -5, and -17% respectively, a trend similar to that of the results from cross-resistance tests on chloroquine-resistant P. berghei ANKA strain. The results indicate that drug-resistant malaria parasites may produce and release a certain 'specific anti-drug substance'.

[The Balint syndrome]

This paper reports a case of complete form of Bálint syndrome. A 56-year-old male suffered form psychic paralysis of gaze, impaired visual attention and optic ataxia of sudden onset in the basis of sequlae of cerebral vascular disease. CT scans of the present case demonstrated low densities in the left frontal, parietal lobe and right basal ganglia, right parito-occipital lobe. As for possible anatomical substrate of the Balint syndrome. according to Damasio's atlas, the authors inferred that despit the multiplicity of lesions in the present case, prefrontal area, lobulus paritalis inferior gyrus angularis and the associated fibers between the prefrontal area and 18, 19 area of occipital lobe were considered to be most responsible for the production of the Balint syndrome.